Tails of Adventure

18/08/2024

Brand new puppy in the home?
Wanting to set yourself up for success?
OR
Maybe you've found yourself struggling?
Puppy ruling the roost?
Let's turn the Despair into and Adventure!

12/08/2024

When will the weather make up its mind!

31/07/2024

One of my most shared posts and you can see why! STOP WALKING YOUR DOGS IN THE HEAT! I swear if someone else mentions "well how do they cope in hotter countries" I'm going to blow a fuse!

Anything above 21 Degrees can be life-threatening for all dog breeds, while flat-faced breeds are susceptible at lower temperatures. Don't risk it, your dog does not NEED the walk.

12/07/2024

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Georgie Mae Robertshaw, Emma Jones, Peter Rhodes, Martin McKay

10/07/2024

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎 Karen Dymond, Joanne Bennett

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community, fans

09/07/2024

ANTHROPOMORPHISM

THE GOOD / THE BAD AND WHERE TO DRAW THE LINE

This hard to pronounce and complicated sounding word – (anth-ro-po-morph-ism), means assigning human qualities, characteristics, emotions, feelings or motivations to our dogs (a non-human entity).

Advancements in canine neuroscience have revealed remarkable similarities between human and canine brain function, particularly in areas related to emotional processing.
This has given us far more understanding of canine cognition and emotion.

Although this is a great thing, it’s so important not to take anthropomorphism too far by assuming that our dogs experience emotions in exactly the same way that we do.

Dogs experience a similar range of emotions that would be seen in a 2 to 2 ½ year old child but are currently not thought to feel more complex emotions like guilt, shame, remorse, spite, pride or contempt.

Here is a link to a graphic that shows where a dog’s emotions are thought to stop in relation to the age of a child - bit.ly/canineemotions

Here are some examples of taking anthropomorphism too far:

“My dog knows exactly what he’s done – look how guilty he looks! No, your dog is reacting to your body language, tone of voice or remembers your previous reaction – this is fear, he is trying to appease you, calm you down, diffuse the situation.

“My dog chewed the couch just to get back at me for not taking him for a walk “ - No, your dog was probably bored, frustrated, lonely, had separation distress and was looking for a way to self-sooth or entertain himself.

“My dog pees inside just to spite me” – No, there could be a host of reasons, but spite is not one of them.

“My dog is just so stubborn” – No, find what is motivating, rewarding for your dog, are there too many distractions?

“Look at how proud my dog looks for winning the competition, graduating from a class, after being groomed etc” - No, your dog is reacting to your emotional state.

Instead of assuming that your dog is feeling “adult human emotions”, learn about body language and notice the context of the behaviour. This will provide a far more accurate idea of how dogs are really feeling.

Anthropomorphism is an essential tool in recognising a dog’s emotional state and allows us to have compassion, empathy, understanding and connection, but taking it too far is detrimental and undermines relationship.

09/07/2024

CULTIVATING CALMNESS

We teach our dogs all sorts of things, but maybe don’t realise that teaching “calm” is also an important behaviour that has so many positive applications for both us and our dogs.

“Calm” can be defined as the absence of agitation or excitement; a feeling of tranquility; serenity and peace. These feelings are so often lacking in both our lives and that of our dogs.

Besides teaching dogs to settle on a mat or in another place or capturing and rewarding calm behaviour, here are some other ways to promote calmness.

Scenting or sniffing is a really effective and simple way to promote relaxation. It lowers the pulse rate and creates feelings of wellbeing.

Chewing is another powerful relaxation tool. Dogs use the chewing to relieve stress, frustration or anxiety. Chewing has a calming effect on the adrenal-pituitary axis in the brain which triggers the release of endorphins. It’s like self-medication for stress or anxiety.

Relaxing music that is specifically made for dogs can also work well, especially with dogs that get over excited in a car or have storm or firework fear.

When playing an exciting, high-energy game with your dog, take frequent breaks before starting up again to help your dog wind down and become calmer.

Aromatherapy, ear or other types of massage are other ways to help create calmness.

Cortisol holidays are also really important after a stressful event to prevent trigger stacking and allow cortisol levels to return to normal.

Conventional wisdom says that the ability to remain calm is a character trait that most of us lack, but Neuroscience teaches us that remaining calm under pressure is not an inborn trait, but a skill that needs to be learnt, practiced and managed and this applies to our dogs as well.

09/07/2024

LOVE receiving updates like this! Do you remember the spaniel video I posted not too long ago? Well this was a recent update from the owner!! After suffering breed blaming from a puppy trainer and confusing guidance from another, Willow is finally nailing not just loose lead or recall but her behaviour as whole has improved too!

05/07/2024

When you get Positive Reinforcement t-shirts for your birthday by Canis Nerdus 😍😍

05/07/2024

Today is my birthday and believe it or not I am 32! What better time to introduce myself than my birthday? So this is me 🙂

04/07/2024

Rachel Bean - RVN who keeps up with the latest info for her profession and because she teaches Canine First Aid. Best First Aid course I have ever done!

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/njWoJKvaV1WUrv9A/

30/06/2024

Do you want your puppy to get off to the best start?

Gain real-world experience

Have the attention and knowledge from a qualified positive reinforcement trainer?

Contact today and find out more!

https://tailsofadventure.uk

07521135646

28/06/2024

26/06/2024

My beautiful girl is 9 years old! I cannot believe she is 9, mainly because she still has the energy of a 2 year old. She's fit, she's healthy, she's mentally sound, she's enthusiastic, she eats well and she has hydrotherapy every two weeks to ensure she stays strong. She is my world, even though we face challenges she's never given up on me and whatever I ask of her, she tries her best to understand.

I love you Keeko, yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever.

20/06/2024

Where has the time gone? How is my little business 6 years old?! My business is still growing too! Going from strength to strength, keeping the old services, planning and refreshing and even new things to look forward to! Keep watching this space for more plans and more achievements!

17/06/2024

All training is private so you get the most out of all your sessions!

https://tailsofadventure.uk

07521 135646

09/06/2024

From the The Kennel Club UK - Under the Pet Abduction Bill – a Private Member’s Bill sponsored by Anna Firth MP – anyone found guilty of stealing a pet will face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both. The Bill has today (24 May) passed through its final stage in the House of Lords and will become law.

Pet abduction will become a criminal offence in August in England and Northern Ireland after legislation received Royal Assent.

04/06/2024

Absolutely devastated to hear that one of the dogs I trained recently has passed away! She wasn't even 3 yet 😭.

Honey came to me for loose lead training and did absolutely amazing. I can't believe she's gone.

https://www.facebook.com/share/GrZpAZf1riNeFUj3/

01/06/2024

New Price List for 2024

10/05/2024

09/05/2024

TIME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF!

08/05/2024

Meet Willow and her owner. Willow has been to TWO other trainers before coming to me! Willow is struggling with loose lead, recall and over excitement. Today was only Willows THIRD session and the progress she's made has been amazing. Her recall has improved even in the presence of other dogs, her lead walking has also greatly improved too in just THREE sessions! This is a great example of DEDICATION and PROOF that POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT WORKS. The owner has stated his confidence has INCREASED and its noticeable that Willow LISTENS and FOCUSES MORE.

07/05/2024

Tails of Adventure has NEVER and WILL NEVER discriminate against any breed, banned or not!
Every dog deserves access to loving services and training.

07/04/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/ftVhKnQJ9noNT8UQ/

The Muzzle Movement for positive muzzling.

01/04/2024

🎉Congratulations to Ragnar!🎉 Ragnar has finished his 6 sessions with me and the improvement speaks for itself! When I first arrived I was taken aback by Ragnar's size. At our first meet he was only 8 months old and already far bigger than the average Rottweiler but also incredibly smart! I wish you all the luck Ragnar, your going to be a good boy.