Hannah McMillan Dog Training & Behaviour

To all the negative people regarding my sheep post... I saw a few people mention that the sheep stopped grazing and moved off, meaning they were in distress and worried. I also saw lots of people saying that dog should be on a lead around sheep. Cue my collie, on a lead, walking beside me and notice how the sheep stop grazing and move off. So I'm confused? What is the right thing to do then? 🤔 The sheep are not distressed, they're a prey animal and obviously instinct is to move away, they're not thrashing around in a frenzy like their life depends on it . Also FYI, this was an area with a notice saying 'keep dogs under close control', it doesn't say 'keep your dog on a lead'. Nor did the area where I was walking my sheltie. Also for those who said, WHAT IF one time your sheltie suddenly went to chase a sheep... 1) I know him inside out, he would never chase a sheep 2) If he was showing INTEREST in a sheep, he would be recalled and put on a lead 3) If an area stated that dogs should be on a lead, he'd be on a lead. People cannot seem to understand that the area said dogs under control, didn't say they had to be on a lead Most people who commented probably can't even have their dog(s) off lead regardless unless there is absolutely nothing in the environment 🙄 And if people think I'm "irresponsible" honestly I'm one of the most responsible people around here when walking my dogs. The amount of "my dog is friendly" crew when they come and rush my dog(s) is insane ✌️

⭐️NEGATIVITY AROUND CERTAIN TOOLS⭐️ Yesterday when I was driving home, I drove past a girl walking a young German Shepherd. For the very quick observations that I saw when driving past, the dog was pulling the girl, the dog's head was very high and bent and the dog just looked generally uncomfortable and awkward. This dog was wearing a headcollar - most likely for the purpose of more control for the owner and yet it was doing the very opposite ❌️ The video below shows my own dog Bigby wearing both a prong collar and a flat collar. He wears the prong throughout the entire video, but the lead isn't always clipped on it, the lead is usually just on his flat collar. For context, the first clip he is walking where he hasn't yet been today, the second and third clip, we went back on ourselves so he's a bit flat and "meh" because he's already walked that section 20 minutes earlier - he's already smelt all the good sniffs 👃 Notice how he's not screaming in pain? Shutdown? The thing is, the headcollar always seems to get a "get out of jail" free card but IT IS an aversive tool, same with the prong. But I am forever seeing posts about how the prong is basically cruel, abusive, barbaric etc but very few posts regarding headcollars - they both involve pressure that the dog wants to avoid 🤷‍♀️ ✅️Some dogs do fine in headcollars - I have some clients whose dogs are okay wearing them ❌️MANY don't like headcollars though ✅️Many dogs do fine in prongs ❌️SOME dogs aren't suited to wearing prongs I saw an owner yesterday literally being DRAGGED around by their very boisterous and big Labrador. This dog was wearing just a collar but the tool was clearly giving the owner no control. Look at the dog in front of you and don't base your training on the opinion of others. Many dogs do fine in harnesses, many dogs do fine in just a collar but then other dogs do better when wearing a prong or wearing a slip etc. As long as the tool is p

Sheep? 🐑 No problem 🤙 (Have common sense around livestock, if your dog is a serious risk around them, seek a trainer because leads can and do fail❗️)

Another warm day here today in sunny Wales 🌞 so the dogs all had a short walk this morning. Then throughout the day they've had some play each, a chew, more play, little training and then they'll all get another short evening walk later on.

Before the keyboard warriors come at me and tell me that dogs should be on a lead around livestock, yes they should be, IF they're a risk around livestock... ⛔️ Never in the 7 years of owning Fsmo has he chased or even moved in the direction of a sheep, not once, so whilst he is still a dog and nothing can ever be 100%, I am extremely certain that he isn't a risk around livestock ✅️ So I don't have him on a lead around them unless I absolutely have to - there are sheep everywhere on a lot of our walks, so why would I keep him on a lead when I know he isn't any bother? I'm not a moron though ‼️ Many MANY dogs shouldn't be off lead around livestock, including one of my own. Some owners e collar train their dog which will allow them that off lead freedom and reliability because e collars are proven to be the only thing to stop predation. Sadly whilst positive reinforcement worked for Fsmo (he doesn't have much of a prey drive), it doesn't work for all dogs. So you change your training approach depending on the individual dog in front of you. The point of this video basically is that be responsible for your dog and the other animals around you. Don't be a idiot and just let your dog chase things because at some point it could cost them their life, which would be down to you. #dogtrainer #dogtraining #dogtraininglife #balanceddogtraining #doglife #doglover #predation #livestock #shetlandsheepdogsofinstagram #shetlandsheepdog #sheltie #hikingadventures #hikingwithdogs #exploringwithdogs #Wales #adventuresonfourpaws

❗️⚜️ 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗟𝗬 𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗢𝗕𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗕 ⚜️❗️ Last night we had a slightly different mix of dogs attending - Macy doesn't like dogs too close to her when she is on lead, Chester lacks social skills and is reactive towards dogs and Rebel is a puppy and loves all dogs and people. These sort of dynamics are good though because dogs like Rebel learn that not every dog wants to be his best friend and Macy and Chester can learn to cope around young, bouncy dogs. They all did really well and by the end, we're just walking along quite nicely, no hiccups and even Rebel wasn't trying to interact - cohabiting nicely. #dogtrainer #dogtraining #dogtraininglife #balanceddogtraining #doglife #doglovers #dogowners #staffordshirebullterrier #staffy #terrier #parsonrussell #frenchie #frenchbulldog

Macy can struggle with dogs being behind her that she isn't too familiar with. She did very well with Fsmo, who is off camera but walking on lead beside me

Play can also build focus, improve reactivity and increase your dog's confidence‼️ Basically play with your dog! Often play isn't utilised enough or it's just used in a way to "tire" your dog with actual limited interaction with the owner - "go chase your ball so I can continue looking at my phone" 😖 If you want your dog to see you as a source of FUN, then BE fun and PLAY with your dog - find what they enjoy interacting with! Offer them a choice of toys to see what ones they pick and then DON'T allow free access to those "special" toys to ensure they stay highly valued ✅️ #dogtraining #dogtrainer #balanceddogtraining #dogtraininglife #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #playwithyourdog #shetlandsheepdogsofinstagram #sheltielife #sheltie #shetlandsheepdog

When he's off lead but wants to walk with you 🙊

No matter what some may say, positive reinforcement only training DOES NOT work for ALL dogs ❌️ You can tell me that "I just don't know how to train dogs" or that "I didn't try hard enough" when actually I did try, for many years and also have two other dogs with amazing recalls ✅️ The difference between him and my other two dogs though is that no chicken, ham or sausage is going to be BETTER than him chasing a squirrel, deer, cow, sheep etc Do not be fooled into thinking that your dog has to be on lead for the rest of their lives - because they don't❗️ I'm a little lazy with Bigby sometimes, so he'd be on a flexi 🤣 I also live in a country where certain tools are frowned upon, but there are tools that you can use to help give you off-lead reliability around ALL distractions and triggers. Recall isn't just about tools though, it's about having a good relationship with your dog and actually a basic understanding of what a recall actually means. If you want your dog to be off-lead and are finding trainers who aren't giving you that, perhaps find one who personalises their approach to YOUR dog's specific needs and are open to using any methods and tools. Don't get me wrong, if you're happy with your dog always being on lead, they can still lead fulfilling lives. But if you wish for your dog to be able to have the freedom to run without constraints of a long line or enclosed field, it can be done. #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #balanceddogtraining #balanceddogtrainer #dogtrainingadvice

Today was my first session with 2 year old Presa Canario, Hugo. A lovely boy who is good with people but extremely reactive to dogs. He's a bit of a nervous boy and initially had his tail firmly tucked between his legs but as we got him moving, that tail began to sit more freely. There is a lot to do with him, his engagement to his handler is poor, he pulls, he doesn't take rewards outside and basically he's more interested in everything else that's going on. All of which won't be helping with his reactivity. His owner did a great job handling him though and I managed to snap a video at the end when he was pretty much tired and done for the day 🤣 #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtraininglife #balanceddogtraining #balanceddogtrainer #presacanario #presa #presacanariosofinstagram

Working with wonderful Luci this morning 🫶 His owners have already done a lot with him, as he used to be extremely reactive to dogs. The reactivity is still there but it's improving. Luci currently needs to learn to stop being so alert to his surroundings and instead just look briefly and then move on. He was stressed on our walk together, he doesn't know me very well and wouldn't take food or engage much with me. But it was good to get a hands on feel on what areas still need to be worked on. He's also been enjoying his walks with a dog walker and being able to make dog friends, which he previously couldn't. #dogtrainer #dogtraining #dogtraininglife #balanceddogtraining #germanshepherd #germanshepherdsofinstagram #dogsofinstagram