Happy Tails Dog Training

05/12/2023

Happy Christmas everyone
Hope you enjoyed our Christmas special
See you next year

05/11/2023

FIREWORKS, THUNDER, GUNSHOTS, STORMS

Keeping your dog content during this time takes multi level approach.

Step 1.

Create a safe space.
This may be a covered crate, a cosy corner, under a table, on a comfy chair or (and this is more common than you might think) in the shower cubicle.
Using soft furnishings, blankets, sound proofing foam and deep fluffy beds help to reduce or muffle sounds.
Prepare your safe space well in advance and condition you dog to recognise the space as a place of calm and safety. Pet remedy is good for this, a good spritz about the home and in the safe space works wonders. Condition this smell too, use it at bedtime in the run up.

Step 2

Happy sounds.
Study shows reggae music to elicit the strongest calming response in dogs. Condition your dog to associate your chosen music or soundscape with rest by playing it at bed time. That way when you need to play music to drown out the sound of fireworks there's already a positive association, not "omg, this is the music that plays when bad s**t is happening".
A little portable bluetooth speaker off Amazon won't cost the earth, try and get music or tv on throughout the house, to stop the bad sounds travelling. Take this opportunity to be as inconsiderate as those who think fireworks are exciting, drown out the bangs with your own noise, turn it up as loud as your dog is comfortable with.
Also recommended - Taiko drumming on youtube.
Bob Ross 8 hours painting with rain sounds on YouTube.
432 Hertz relaxation frequency music.

Step 3
Chill the fluff out with herbs.
Chamomile, lemon balm, vervain, passion flower are all herbs I use or are contained in supplements I'd recommend. I've missed valerian and skullcap off this list as in very fearful dogs I believe they can make the problem worse. With the exception of Pukka herbs bedtime tea, which only has a very small amount of valerian in it.
I tend to use a loading dose around four days before and for two days after bonfire night.
That's said some dogs respond well to valerian and skullcap, you should hey to know what helps your dog in advance.

Chamomile:
One teaspoon per 5kg
Lemon balm:
Half a teaspoon per 5kg
Vervain:
Half a teaspoon per 5kg
Passion flower tincture:
5 drops per 5kg

Feed one or two of these approximately 3 hours before you need them to take effect

Step 4
Carbs
Carbohydrates can help with the release of tryptophan, a serotonin precursor, tryptophan will not uptake in the presence of protein. So a small carby meal of mashed sweet potato, just before settling down might be helpful.

Step 5
Calm your s**t.
Your dog doesn't need you getting worked up and flapping about like the world is ending. So do a bit of yoga, meditation, 5-7-8 breathing, eat a slab of cake or down a gin. Whatever you need to do to relax, then do it. Put dirty dancing on and sing along loudly! If you're dog doesn't mind gunfire on action films, maybe now is the time to binge watch all three John Wick movies.

Step 6 (optional)
Do none of this, put your dogs in the car, drive to the arse end of nowhere, park up, read a book for a few hours, return home when you think it's safe.

Don't assume your dog is going to be scared of these things if they haven't experienced them before. If this is your first fireworks rodeo use food, games and play to make it a positive experience.

Your dog may be severely phobic and need vet medication to get through. There is nothing wrong with medication and don't let anyone make you feel s**t for using it.

Other helpful things are thunder shirts and happy hoodie. I really like happy hoodie personally.

01/11/2023

Henry’s Halloween jumper

17/10/2023

Anyone travelling to classes through Aspatria. The road is open on an evening with traffic lights.

15/10/2023

We had a great day out at West Lakes Fun Show
Liz with Henry won best dog and placed 3rd in Hoopers.
Henri with Millie and poppy came 4th in obedience & 2nd in best matched pair
A really good time was had by all
Thanks to all at West Lakes for such a great time

27/09/2023

Big pup little pup
Same game !!!

26/09/2023

Charity Fun show st Seascsle 15 Oct

17/09/2023

This photo is constantly stolen and reposted without credit so I’ll just keep sharing it here so people can actually see it on my page since I’m the one who made it 🙂

05/09/2023

No classes next week
We miss a week 3rd Oct
Last class in this 6 week block will be 10th Oct
Next course will be 8 weeks
From 17th Oct to 5th Dec

05/09/2023

Christmas games
Temptation alley

22/08/2023

Road closed between maryport and Crosby
I had to come via the lal curly back road 😬😬😬
I hope you all get here ok 🤞🤞🤞

20/08/2023

This is what can be achieved with reward based training !
The ABC final today at York is a special class to promote different breeds , motivation and positive reinforcement

08/08/2023

Just some if the fun and games we had today at ‘ Happy Tails ‘ dog training
Positive reinforcement , lots of fun and happy dogs with happy tails 😀

15/07/2023

Some of our puppies and Bronze dogs

10/07/2023

Road closed between Birkby and Crosby
Please see alternative route

10/07/2023

Road closure in place
A596 between Maryport and Crosby is closed at Birkby

For training tomorrow you can still access the venue CA15 6SQ, please check

View all current and upcoming roadworks across Cumbria on the one.network roadworks map.

06/07/2023

04/07/2023

Congratulations to all our members achieving puppy foundation, bronze and silver good citizen tests tonight
We are very proud of you all
Getting a photo of all the dogs sitting still with their rosettes proved a bit more of a challenge!

27/06/2023

Very proud of our teams for achieving Bronze and Gold Kennel Club Good Citizens Tests tonight (and of course Vera fjr getting 4 feet in the wobble board😜)

22/06/2023

Happy, relaxed puppy’s at Happy Tails Dog Training

16/05/2023

Happy dogs with happy tails
Trying different exercises to gain confidence and have fun

25/04/2023

Next puppy classes at Crosby nr Maryport
Start Tuesday 23rd May 6pm
Please pm to book

13/03/2023

Puppy classes next 6 week course starts Tuesday 11th April 6pm
To book please pm Happy Tails Dog Training .