Confident Happy Canines

08/11/2024

🐶Have you ever wondered?

The hole at the end of the classic Kong toy has an essential safety purpose!

Kong designed it to prevent a vacuum or suction effect from forming inside the toy, which can happen when a dog’s tongue pushes deep inside the toy while licking out treats. This suction can trap the tongue, causing discomfort, stress, or even injury if the tongue gets stuck for too long.

🐶Why Keeping the Hole Open is Important

To avoid this potential risk, it’s recommended to keep the hole open while filling the toy. Placing a small object like a chopstick, straw, or even a slim dog-safe chew through the Kong toy allows airflow, which prevents a suction effect from occurring.

🐶Here’s why it’s important:

1. Prevents Tongue Injury: The suction can lead to the tongue becoming “stuck,” which could cause bruising or swelling, especially if the dog panics or tries to pull it out with force.

2. Reduces Stress: Getting the tongue caught in the toy can be stressful and frightening for a dog. They might become wary of using enrichment toys again, affecting their willingness to engage with these valuable tools for mental stimulation.

3. Enhances Safety with Frozen Treats: When filling and freezing the Kong, a blocked hole increases the suction effect as the treat warms up and your dog licks to release it. Keeping the hole clear reduces this risk, making frozen Kong treats safer.

4. Protects the Dog’s Trust in Toys: If your dog experiences discomfort with a Kong or any other enrichment toy, they may become anxious or avoid the toy entirely, reducing the benefits of enrichment activities.

How to Keep the Kong Hole Open Safely

• Chopstick or Straw: Inserting a chopstick or straw through the Kong when stuffing it can create an air pathway. Just remember to remove it before giving the toy to the dog, or use a hollow straw that is safe to be left in.
• Thin Chew Stick: A long, thin, dog-safe chew like a bully stick or carrot can keep the Kong’s hole open and serve as an extra treat.


Questions to Consider:

1. How often do you use a Kong for enrichment with your dog?
2. Are you typically stuffing and freezing the Kong, or using it unfrozen?
3. Have you noticed your dog licking deeply or struggling to get to the food at the bottom?
4. What safe alternatives do you have on hand to insert in the Kong to keep the hole open?
5. Do you have multiple enrichment toys, and do they require similar safety considerations?

Using a Kong safely can make a big difference in your dog’s enjoyment and enrichment experience, and a few small adjustments can ensure the toy remains both fun and secure.

07/11/2024

🐶“Great progress in Week 2 of our Novice Social Lifeskills Course!

This week, we worked on setting more of the basic foundations for a range of important behaviours.

By starting with these small, manageable steps, we’re helping owners teach their dogs skills that can easily transfer to everyday life – from calm settling around other dogs and people to their ability to listen and work on their heel positions, their dogs ability to look at owners on a verbal cue, “Stays” and lots more.

Each session, we gradually increase the criteria, so both dogs and owners can build confidence and success together. Keep up the fantastic work, everyone!

Here’s to a future of confident, happy canines! 🐾💪

”

07/11/2024

🐾Well done to our UK Sniffer Dog Bronze Course last 🐾

All the dogs were working on honing those amazing noses by reducing the size of Kong and placing it in a tin – a step that’s all about refining their sniffing skills.

This challenge encourages the dogs to work harder and focus on those subtle scents. It’s inspiring to see the progress and dedication of both pups and handlers as they grow in confidence and skill.

Keep up the fantastic work, team! 🎉🐶

”

06/11/2024

What a fantastic night we had at Mulberry House Vets in Binfield again, running their puppy hints and tips evening! 💜🐶

It was wonderful to see so many enthusiastic new puppy owners come together to learn and share. 

A big thank you to everyone who joined us – we loved answering your questions and helping you get off to the best start with your furry friends!

Looking forward to seeing those pups grow and thrive! 🐾

05/11/2024

Do you want a happy, well behaved dog you are proud to take anywhere? - https://mailchi.mp/486e09a7729d/workshops-for-december-18160133

05/11/2024

Keeping puppies and dogs collar-free indoors has several benefits and is often recommended for their safety and comfort.

🐶Neither of us have collars on our dogs indoors. We have heard of so many tragic accidents from NOT taking them off, it’s not worth the risk.

Here’s a breakdown of the key reasons:

1. Risk of Accidents and Injury

🐶Getting Caught on Furniture: Collars can snag on furniture, crate bars, or other household items, which might cause panic and potential injury if the dog tries to free itself.

🐶Strangulation Hazard: Especially in multi-dog households, collars can get caught during play. This can lead to accidental strangulation if one dog’s jaw or teeth get stuck in the other’s collar.

🐶Injuries to Puppies: Puppies are curious and clumsy, and collars can increase the risk of injuries from getting caught in tight spaces.

2. Skin Irritation and Fur Damage

🐶Friction and Hair Loss: Constant wear can lead to fur loss and skin irritation around the neck. Collars trap dirt and moisture, which can contribute to skin infections.
🐶Puppy Sensitivity: Young dogs and puppies have more sensitive skin, so wearing a collar 24/7 can lead to soreness and inflammation.

3. Comfort and Relaxation

🐶Natural Posture: Dogs often find it more comfortable to rest and move around indoors without a collar pressing on their neck.
🐶Stress Reduction: Some dogs associate collars with walks or training, so removing them indoors helps create a sense of calm and relaxation in the home.

4. Reducing Noise

🐶Quiet Environment: Collars with tags can create constant noise, which can be irritating for both dogs and owners, especially during rest periods.
🐶Noise Sensitivity in Dogs: Some dogs are particularly sensitive to noise, and the jingle of tags can cause unnecessary stress or distraction.

5. Training Opportunity

🐶Collar-Free Zones: Removing collars indoors can reinforce training boundaries by helping dogs learn when they’re “off duty.” This distinction between indoor relaxation and outdoor activities can contribute to better behaviour.

Exceptions and Precautions

Microchip: To ensure safety without a collar indoors, microchipping is now the law but also a secure way to identify your dog.

Use of ID Tags: If your dog has free outdoor access (like a dog door leading to a fenced garden), consider a breakaway collar that releases under tension, minimising the risk of accidents.
🐶Alternative Tracking: Some owners use GPS or ID tags attached to harnesses for outings, but reserve harnesses for times when they’re supervising the dog.

Questions to Consider:

1.Does your dog spend time alone with access to areas where a collar could snag?

2. How does your dog react to the removal and reapplication of the collar?

3. Do you have multiple dogs, and do they tend to play roughly with each other?

4.Have you noticed any signs of skin irritation or fur loss around your dog’s neck?

5. Does your dog display a noticeable relaxation when the collar is removed indoors?

By weighing these considerations, you can decide whether going collar-free indoors would be beneficial for your puppy or dog’s well-being.

04/11/2024

Dogs and puppies seem to have a special fascination with socks, and it’s not just because they’re mischievous! Here are a few reasons behind this sock obsession:

1. Scent of Their Favourite People

🧦Socks are full of our scent, which is comforting and familiar to dogs. Since dogs have incredibly sensitive noses, the scent of a well-worn sock 🧦 is like a powerful “perfume” to them. Puppies especially find the smell of their people reassuring, so they might steal socks as a way to feel closer to you when you’re not around.

2. Soft and Chewable Texture

🧦Socks are soft, flexible, and easy to carry around, making them an irresistible chew item. Puppies in particular are exploring the world with their mouths and often go for items that are easy to grab, especially when teething.

3. Fun to “Steal” and Play With

🧦Socks can easily become a fun game of “catch me if you can” when a dog grabs one and gets chased by their humans. This can inadvertently reinforce the behaviour, as the 🧦sock becomes part of a high-energy, playful interaction. The chase aspect might make the sock even more appealing!

4. Satisfies Natural Hunting Instincts

For some dogs, especially certain breeds, grabbing socks 🧦 can mimic the “prey” instinct—like hunting and shaking a small animal. Socks 🧦 are lightweight, floppy, and easy to toss around, making them perfect for dogs who like to engage their instincts.

5. Seeking Attention or Comfort

Some dogs grab socks 🧦 to get attention, especially if they’ve learned that it gets a reaction. For others, carrying or chewing a sock can be a source of comfort, especially if they’re feeling anxious or want something familiar to help them relax.

A Few Tips to Curb the Sock-Stealing Habit:

Provide Alternatives: Give them toys or chews that mimic the softness and shape of socks, 🧦 they have a safer outlet for their urges.

Teach “Leave It” or “Drop It” Commands: These cues can be helpful to gently interrupt and redirect their attention when they go for a sock.🧦

Keep Socks 🧦 Out of Reach: It might sound obvious, but keeping 🧦 off the floor and out of reach is one of the best ways to avoid this habit becoming a regular habit.

If you take a 🧦a sock from your puppy or dogs mouth, make sure you swop for a high value treat, to prevent rescource guarding.

Even better make it a job and teach your dog to retrieve 🧦 we have both taught our sock theives this, to a point they proudly bring them to us and show us this treasure they have found now 😊

Does your dog love 🧦 socks??

03/11/2024

🧡 Comforting a Fearful Dog: Why It Doesn’t Reinforce Fear 🧡

With this time of year that brings lots of festivities that include fireworks, ( and at any time this post is NOT specifically about fear of fireworks) as we know only to well there are SO many dogs experiencing true terror and fear, from the sights and sounds, we just wanted to make sure everyone was aware of this ⬇️

There’s a common myth that comforting a dog when they’re scared somehow reinforces their fear—but in reality, that’s not how dogs learn! Just like we seek support during tough times, dogs also benefit from reassurance when they’re feeling scared or overwhelmed.

When you comfort a fearful dog, you’re not rewarding the fear itself; you’re offering a sense of security and helping them feel safe. Fear isn’t a behaviour dogs choose; it’s an emotional response. So, by calmly soothing them, you’re showing they can rely on you for comfort, which can actually reduce their anxiety over time.

🌟 How to Comfort a Fearful Dog:

• Stay Calm: Your calm energy will help reassure them.
• Offer Gentle Physical Contact: Some dogs respond well to gentle strokes or simply being close to you.
• Give Them Space if Needed: Let them approach you at their pace; forcing interaction can make fear worse.
• Use Positive Distractions: A favourite toy, a treat, or gentle play can help shift their focus without pushing them.

Offering comfort builds trust and strengthens your bond, which is key to helping them grow more confident. Comfort is compassion, not reinforcement!

We send our love out to all of you caring for your worried dogs 💜

02/11/2024

UK Sniffer Dogs

🐾 A Warm Welcome Back to Our now Silver UK Sniffer Dog Course Clients!

🐾We’re so excited to have you and your dedicated dogs back for the next level of scent training! In the Silver course, we’ll build on the skills you mastered in Bronze, challenging your dogs with new scents, and boosting their focus and confidence even further.

Here’s to another fantastic chapter in your scent detection journey—let’s get sniffing! 👃💪

02/11/2024

🐾 A Warm Welcome to All Our New Puppies Starting Their Lifeskills Course today 🐾.

We’re thrilled to have so many adorable new faces joining us! 💜

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be building confidence, practising essential skills, and creating positive foundations for a happy, well-mannered life.

Can’t wait to see all those little paws learning and growing together—here’s to an exciting journey ahead! 🌟

02/11/2024

🐾 A Warm Welcome to Our Saturday UK Sniffer Dogs Bronze Course! 🐾

We’re so excited to have you and your dogs join us on this scent-filled adventure! In the coming weeks, we’ll dive into the basics of scent detection, building your dogs’ confidence, focus, and sniffing skills.

Get ready to watch your dogs light up as they tap into their natural talents and learn to sniff with purpose.

Here’s to a fun, rewarding journey ahead!

See you all in class again next week.

02/11/2024

🐾 Welcome to Our New Big-Hearted Dogs and Owners! 🐾

We’re thrilled to have you join our course dedicated to helping dogs with big emotions learn calm, confidence, and control.

Together, we’ll work on positive techniques to support you and your dog every step of the way.

Here’s to progress, patience, and creating a stronger bond!

Looking forward to seeing you all in classes again next weekend 😊

Finley we missed you, see you next week 💜🐶

01/11/2024

Wednesday night and Friday morning has seen the start of our next set of weekday courses.

🌟 Welcome to Our New & Returning Clients!

🌟We’re thrilled to have you join us for this term’s courses! Whether you and your pup are diving into Novice Social Lifeskills, UK Sniffer Dog Bronze, Advanced Classes, or perfecting those Loose Lead and Recall skills, we can’t wait to see the incredible progress you’ll make together!

🐾It’s been a busy start, so although we only managed a few snaps from our Loose Lead & Recall sessions, we know all our pups and people are working hard, making those first big steps towards Confident Happy Canines!

📸Let’s get ready for another season of learning, bonding, and having fun – we’re here to support you every step of the way!

📅 Looking forward to seeing you all at your next class!~

Confident Happy Canines team.

31/10/2024

Why Rushing Foundation Stages in Dog Training Sets You Back!!

We are seeing too many people doing, please stop 🛑 slow down!

Why?

Building a strong foundation in dog training is essential, just like constructing a house.

🏠 Skipping these early steps often leads to gaps that create future issues, such as reactivity, poor recall, or anxiety. Taking the time to teach basic skills, bond, and set clear communication now means fewer behavioural issues down the line.

Remember, foundation training isn’t a race—it’s an investment in a lifelong, happy partnership with your dog.

30/10/2024

28/10/2024

Fireworks 💥

Silent or low-noise fireworks are becoming increasingly popular, (we wish it was mandatory, )especially for dog owners, as they cause less stress and anxiety for pets. Unlike traditional fireworks, which can be extremely loud, silent fireworks produce minimal sound while still offering the visual spectacle that people enjoy. Here’s why they might be a great choice:

**Why Buy Silent Fireworks for the Love of Dogs?**

1. **Reduced Stress for Pets:** Dogs have sensitive hearing, and the loud bangs from traditional fireworks can be terrifying for them. Silent fireworks minimise noise, helping to keep pets calm and less anxious. This can also benefit other animals in the area, such as cats, horses, and wildlife.

2. **Neighbour-Friendly:** Not everyone appreciates the loud noise of regular fireworks. Silent fireworks are a considerate option, reducing noise pollution for neighbours, especially in residential areas.

3. **Safer for All:** Loud noises can lead to pets running away or injuring themselves out of fear. Silent fireworks help create a safer environment for dogs and other pets.

4. **Better for the Environment:** While the primary focus is on noise reduction, silent fireworks can sometimes have a smaller environmental impact if they use fewer chemicals and produce less smoke.

**Who Sells Silent Fireworks?**

While silent fireworks may not be as widely available as traditional ones, several companies specialise in them. Here are a few places to consider:

1. **Epic Fireworks (UK):** Known for offering a range of low-noise fireworks that are designed to create visual effects without loud bangs.

2. **Ghengis Fireworks (UK):** Offers a variety of quieter firework options suitable for pet-friendly celebrations.

3. **Black Cat Fireworks (Global):** Some branches offer a line of low-noise fireworks that are meant to reduce the disturbance to pets and neighbours.

4. **Santore Fireworks (Italy):** Italy has been a leader in silent fireworks, with companies like Santore developing displays for events that require reduced noise levels.

5. **Local Garden Centres and Pet Stores:** Especially around festive seasons like Bonfire Night or New Year's Eve, some local stores might carry low-noise fireworks as an option for pet owners.

**Key Considerations When Buying Silent Fireworks**

1. **Check Noise Ratings:** Look for fireworks that are specifically marked as “silent” or “low-noise.” Read reviews or ask for recommendations to confirm their effectiveness.

2. **Timing and Location:** Even with silent fireworks, choose the right time and place to minimise disruption. This consideration can further reduce any anxiety your dog might feel.

*If free to share our post, so one day everyone can look forward to these festive times and not worry *

27/10/2024

Do you struggle with your dogs recall? Do they regularly run off to play with other dogs or hunt and you struggle to get them to listen to you?
Does your dog pull like a train? Would you like them to walk nicely on both your left and your right side? Would you like them to be on a longer lead so that they can mooch around and still not pull you?
Then this is the course for you. Through a series of games and exercises, we help you to get your dog to focus on you more and to want to be with you no matter what the distractions around them are.. We have 2 spaces left on the last course of 2024 which starts Friday 1st November. https://www.confidenthappycanines.co.uk/grouptrainingclasses

26/10/2024

PUPPIES 🐶 💜

Getting a puppy to attend training classes early on can significantly reduce behaviour issues later in life because it addresses several key aspects of canine development. Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how this works:

1. **Early Socialisation**
- **Importance**: Between 3 to 14 weeks, puppies are in a critical socialisation period. During this time, they are more receptive to new experiences, people, and other animals. Positive exposures during this window can prevent fear-based behaviours and aggression later.
- **Classes Benefit**: Our Puppy classes introduce them to different environments, sounds, and situations in a controlled and positive way, helping them become more confident and less anxious. They learn how to play appropriately and if appropriate depending on the confidence and personality of your puppy 🐶 with other dogs, which can help to reduce the likelihood of aggressive or fearful interactions in the future.

2. **Learning Essential Skills**
- **Importance**: Puppies are like sponges; they learn quickly and develop habits based on their early experiences. Without guidance, they can develop undesirable behaviours, such as jumping, nipping, or barking excessively.
- **Classes Benefit**: Training classes teach basic cues and manners (e.g., sit, down and recall, settling around other puppies and people) giving owners the tools to manage their dog’s behaviour. When puppies learn these skills early, it sets a foundation of good behaviour and makes them easier to handle as they grow.

3. **Building Positive Associations**
- **Importance**: Puppies need to learn that the world around them is safe and rewarding. If they don’t, they might develop fear or anxiety, which can manifest as aggression or destructive behaviour.
- **Classes Benefit**: By attending classes, puppies learn to associate new experiences, people, and environments with positive reinforcement (like treats and praise). This helps them develop a relaxed and optimistic outlook on life, making them more adaptable and less likely to react negatively to new things.

4. **Preventing Fear-Based Behaviour**
- **Importance**: Many behavioural issues, like aggression and excessive barking, stem from fear. A puppy that hasn’t been exposed to new things can easily become overwhelmed and react out of fear, leading to problematic behaviours.
- **Classes Benefit**: Our Puppy classes gradually expose puppies to new stimuli in a safe environment, which helps prevent fear-based behaviours. For instance, if a puppy learns that meeting new dogs is a fun experience, they’re less likely to become reactive towards other dogs in the future.

5. **Owner Education and Consistency**
- **Importance**: Consistent training and understanding dog behaviour are crucial for a well-behaved dog. Often, problem behaviours arise because owners unknowingly reinforce them or don’t address them early enough.
- **Classes Benefit**: Our Puppy classes teach owners how to communicate effectively with their dogs and understand their needs. They also provide guidance on how to handle common puppy issues, such as chewing, biting, and house training. When owners are equipped with the right skills, they can prevent small issues from becoming major problems.

6. **Mental Stimulation and Confidence Building**
- **Importance**: Puppies need mental and physical stimulation. Without it, they can become bored and frustrated, leading to unwanted behaviours like chewing furniture, digging, or excessive barking.
- **Classes Benefit**: Training provides mental challenges that engage a puppy’s brain. Learning new cues and tasks boosts their confidence and reduces the chances of them developing anxious or destructive habits.

7. **Establishing a Strong Bond**
- **Importance**: A dog that feels secure and bonded to its owner is more likely to listen and respond to commands, reducing behavioural issues. Strong bonds also lead to trust, which makes it easier to manage any behaviour concerns that do arise.
- **Classes Benefit**: Through training, puppies learn to trust their owners. The time spent learning together fosters a deeper bond, which is essential for long-term good behaviour. Puppies that bond well with their owners are also less likely to experience separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive behaviour when left alone.

8. **Preventing Bad Habits Before They Form**
- **Importance**: Puppies will naturally try out different behaviours to see what works for them. If left unchecked, undesirable behaviours can quickly become habits, making them harder to change later on.
- **Classes Benefit**: Early training helps to shape a puppy's behaviour, allowing you to reinforce the good and redirect the undesirable before they become ingrained habits. This is far easier than trying to undo undesirable behaviour later in the dog’s life.

Conclusion:
By addressing socialisation, training, mental stimulation, and owner education, our puppy classes act as a preventive measure against future behaviour problems. Early, positive experiences lay the groundwork for a well-adjusted, confident, and happy adult dog.