Results are what we all want, and here they are. But don’t think this happened in a blink.
The owners of the first two dogs - the baby landshark and the scaredy Spaniel - have been working with me for two months or more.
We’ve made progress, we’ve had setbacks, we’ve had changes of plan, and this is completely normal. Getting results is simply not a linear process.
Every person is different, and every dog is different. Situations change, things happen - and it’s not just the dogs that are learning, the people are too.
Going through this process is much like climbing a mountain. There are a few false summits on the way! And just like if you were climbing, you wouldn’t expect to go straight up Kilimanjaro or Everest, or even Scafell Pike.
You’d start with something manageable, like Binsey, or Catbells. Give yourself a chance to enjoy yourself, rather than feeling like you just went through hell and you never want to walk up a hill again.
This is exactly what our dogs also need when we’re training them. These guys in the video have got these results because they were patient, worked at their dogs pace, and didn’t push them past the point of enjoyment.
Basically, they made sure there were plenty of picnics on the way to the summit.
If you’ve got a metaphorical mountain to climb with your dog and you need a support crew, drop me a DM 🤙
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The common result of seeking out puppy free for alls at training classes (not mine), every dog at the park, and letting every Tom, Dick and Harry get nose to nose with your puppy (or rescue dog) tends to be:
👿 An adult dog that’s incredibly frustrated,
😱 sometimes terrified,
💀 and often totally oblivious to your existence as their person.
Not cool.
It’s essential to think of the adult dog you want to have when they grow up (or settle in, for rescue dogs).
Very rarely does that manifest as an aggravated barking lunatic who runs away from you or spins on the lead every time they see another dog, because they have no idea how to let them pass by without an interaction.
Or is totally incapable of settling in a café because there are sooo many people around, and obviously all the people are there to cuddle them, because that’s what’s always happened.
Or the classic; a dog that incessantly jumps up at everyone they see, because when they were little everyone wanted them in their face for puppy kisses.
It’s cute when they’re little, but not when they’re 20 or even 40 kilos, and then we don’t like it any more, and that’s not fair.
These are our social expectations, and it’s our responsibility to communicate them fairly to our dogs - without moving the goalposts, so the dogs actually have a fair chance to score.
If you want to achieve what the teams in the video have (whether you’re starting fresh or you’re on the back foot) then DM me or drop me a WhatsApp 🤙
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Why would this be my number one rule?
Because firstly, there is absolutely no need for both dog and handler to NOT enjoy training, which is an absolute reason all by itself.
Secondly, joy is a HUGE factor in very important contributors to good results, such as:
✨ Resilience ✨
✨ Persistence ✨
✨ Effort ✨
✨ Willingness ✨
✨ Motivation ✨
✨ Confidence ✨
All of which we really need to be able to achieve success when training our dogs.
If you’re concerned that training might break your dog’s spirit, or that the breed you have might need a heavy hand, or that actually being able to enjoy training isn’t possible for you and your dog, try me.
Book a free 30 minute consultation using the link in my bio or DM me on WhatsApp 💪
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Please accept my apologies for the oddly fuzzy camera work, I have a slight addiction to the cinematic camera mode 😅
Recall is one of those things that quite often plays out like this:
Human stands on the spot, looks towards their dog and calls across to them to “come here” or “come on now” or “Insert name here!” with perhaps half an arm wave if they’re feeling a wisp of enthusiasm… or are particularly irritated that day 🥲
The human has never taught their dog what any of these words mean, but as far as human is concerned why wouldn’t their dog come to them when called? That’s what dogs do, is it not?
Dog meanwhile is having a marvellous time! Perhaps playing sherlock sniffing a riveting trail, having a thrilling game of shoulder smash with a solid pal, or taking a gamble with another walker’s pocket full of snackos. What fun!
Dog may glance at human, who may be patting their legs in an effort to look inviting. “Hmm,” thinks dog, “You won’t fool me again! I got jack sh*t and lost out on my fun last time I fell for that old chestnut! Pah!”
And dog (rightly so) continues doing his merry thing 🕺
Human meanwhile is increasing in temperature along with their infuriation at their impertinent dog not comprehending common English, oh the indignity of having to go and collect them - again! Bloody dog!
🌙
It’s a simple but fundamental misunderstanding between the experiences of two species.
There are also simple fundamentals such as the three covered in this video that can happily smooth out these communication errors.
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Actionable tips 👇
🪄 One, nail your reinforcers.
This means observing, learning, and experimenting to find out what your dog really loves that will motivate them just as much as money and job satisfaction motivates you to go to work…
Or doesn’t, and then you know how it feels when the reinforcer (money) is insufficient for the task (work) and how much you really don’t want to do it and will get creative to find ways out of it 😅
🪄 Two, build up slowly.
When your dog does a successful attempt or two it might be very temping to jump straight to the final outcome we want. Resist this urge, be patient, and stick to each little step for best (and actually the quickest) results 😇
Rehearse successes and they will grow and blend together. Press until failure and it will grow and blend together 🫠
🪄 Three, let your dog make choices.
Lay foundations in basic training so your dog learns that their choices are what makes reinforcement appear.
Basically stop trying to help them by talking and making motions that really only confuse the wee little guys and let them figure it out.
Do this by setting up situations in a way that makes the “good” choice easy for their level and fun for your dog to choose 🙌
✨
At the end of the day we want them to choose to do what we deem a good choice so the initial patience of teaching them choice-based responses makes the long run way smoother.
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In my various capacities as a dog trainer, handler, rescue centre staff, and with my own six dogs I’ve seen the effects of diet on health and behaviour thousands of times.
I always check with my clients what they’re feeding as there’s simply no point swimming against the tide if you don’t have to.
A lot of the time pet food companies wang around terms like “superfoods” and “chicken and vegetables” to make it look good *but* be suspicious 🧐
It’s often a bullsh*t facade for unidentified floor scrapings and artificial additives 🙄
Pay no heed to the front of the packet. It’s the back of the packet that will tell you what you really need to know!
Check the ingredients list of your dog’s food see if it contains the words:
❌ Derivatives
❌ Various
❌ Origin
❌ Oils and fats
❌ By-Products
❌ Sugars
Any self respecting dog food would not contain any mention of these swear words in their ingredients list 🫢
Good and happy words to find are:
✅ Fresh
✅ Meal
✅ Whole
✅ Specific, e.g. salmon as opposed to just fish
Another important consideration is how processed the food is. The less processing the more available the nutrients will be and the more nourishment your dog will get ☺️
Check whether your dog’s diet is making them sick or a dick by checking out the All About Dog Food website or dropping me a DM 💛
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For efficient progress break it down into easy steps 👇
1️⃣ 𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒂 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒘𝒔/𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅.
To do this lightly touch your dog’s paw or ear for one or two seconds, take your hand away, then give them a treat or a little toy play.
Repeat this until they’re no longer taking their paw or head away from you, and are actually choosing to move towards you for another go.
2️⃣ 𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒂 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔.
Pop the harness on the floor and put a treat on it (or by it for dogs who are really nervous). Allow your dog to eat the treat and repeat.
Don’t bash this out for any more than a minute or two as it puts a surprising amount of pressure on the dogs especially if they really don’t like the harness to begin with!
Look for the same change in response as above.
3️⃣ 𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒐𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒔.
You must not move the harness towards your dog, only they can move towards it. Success will happen when it’s your dog’s choice.
Hold a treat through the neck hole of the harness and allow your dog to take it. Keep your hand still and resist the temptation to move your hand away to lure them through.
As your dog builds in confidence hold the treat further away on your next go until they’re choosing to put their head all the way through.
✨ 𝑻𝒊𝒑𝒔 ✨
Go your dog’s pace for efficient results. Pushing past your dog’s limit of comfort won’t achieve anything.
Their confidence to complete the task
🦴 The Toy Hunt
This is a simplified scentwork game and uses your dogs primary sense - smell. Twenty minutes of this wears my dog out more than twelve miles of walking!
1. Use a toy that your dog loves and that you can play with at the end
2. Tether your dog and scatter some food for them to snuffle around for while you hide their toy
3. Pick an easy hiding place, you will need to build your dog’s understanding of the game and their stamina to search. Keep it at ground level and somewhere your dog can see it
4. Collect your dog and put some training into action on your way to where you want to release your dog. This search will be a massive reward so the behaviour your dog is doing before will become a lot stronger!
5. When your dog is waiting patiently do a sweeping motion with your arm into the search area
6. If you’ve hidden the toy right your dog should be able to locate it very quickly
7. Have a good play for a reward. Rule of thumb is to play for as long as the search took.
8. Repeat, gradually upping the difficultly at your dog’s pace
Tip: your dog will be able to track your scent, so throw their toy into its hiding spot 😉
📦 The Destruction Box
I learnt this while working at Dogs Trust. It simulates the dissection of prey at the end of a hunt. It’s useful for calming your dog down after a walk or a play as it clears the body of adrenaline.
1. Get a cardboard box without sharp edges, staples, or anything else that could harm your dog plus some kitchen paper or smaller boxes
2. Wrap up your dogs daily food with a couple of treats or a chew in the kitchen paper like little presents
3. Fill the box with the presents
4. Give the box to your dog and let them tear it apart while you supervise
Tip: make it super easy at first. Leave out the kitchen paper or use an open egg box to get them used to the concept, making it more difficult as they get the game.
There are lots of more technical outlets, such as eye-stalking real prey and tracki
✨ The recipe for success ✨
1. Your dog understands the clicker or marker word
(See my video on how to use a clicker)
2. To work at a pace your dog can learn at
If you think your dog is being naughty/insolent they either don’t understand what you want, don’t find your reward motivating, are stressed, or have a need that’s not been met such as: exercise, toilet, hunger, sniffing, outlets for natural behaviour, pain, injury, or disease.
3. To train at a distance your dog can think at
If a dog is overwhelmed or over their threshold they’re in their “primal” brain and no longer able to think or respond normally - remove them from the situation and enable them to calm down.
4. To be aware of environmental rewards such as sniffing and greeting people
Sniffing is as good a reward as ten biscuits, and so is greeting people for some dogs, so if you give in and let them sniff/greet for pulling/ignoring you/not doing what you asked you’ve just rewarded what you didn’t want and have screwed yourself over for next time.
5. To understand a little about prey drive and dog social skills
Dogs are dogs and no type of training is going to change the fundamentals of a species. A lot of things we see as problems are dogs being dogs, the more you learn how to work with your dog’s instincts and how they communicate the easier you will find it to achieve the results you want.
6. Practice your timing and treat delivery
Mark the actual thing you want your dog to do at the exact moment they do it and keep that hand out of your treat pouch 😝
7. Two pints of patience 🙃
1. A generous sprinkle of silence 😉
Share to someone who’s dog has no idea they exist except at dinner time
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