Gray’s Hounds

17/06/2024

Behavioural work is all about the long term! To see how I can help with your doggo it just starts with a quick message or call🐾

27/03/2024

Sibling rivalry and interdog aggression in the home.

Dogs need not become involved in an actual fight to be deemed as displaying aggressive behaviour. There are often many warning signs related to body language prior to a fight such as mounting, blocking, posturing and staring to name a few. Sibling rivalry can occur for a number of reasons; dominance related, territorial, fear / anxiety or possessive, hormonal and health but this equally not exhaustive. Possessive aggression can also include human members, as we are often inconsistent or unaware of any struggle occurring, especially related to hierarchy. Often misunderstood, hierarchal structure can be fluid and alter over time, which makes identification difficult. Anxious and fearful dogs may use aggression to control situations of uncertainty, which may be elevated unwittingly by the owner or even reinforced by emotion or corrective measures. This may even lead to learned behaviour. Owners should seek professional help with ANY aggression in the home from an accredited behaviourist, and treatment should include all of the following:

*Trigger management. Common triggers for aggression include preferred resting places, owner attention, space, resource competition, excitement and boundary / movement areas such as the front door or garden gate.

*A solid leadership and boundary programme. This should be tailored specifically for the owner and the relationship between the dogs. Not all dogs are the same, and not all owners either. A behaviourist should be able to identify key areas to work on in the home.

*Often, we need to identify which dog receives preference, and in which areas.

*Desensitisation and counter conditioning. Essentially, dogs are required to live together without any aggression; this requires an understanding of the learning process and psychology involved, as exposure should only ever be a positive experience. Methods may be different for differing circumstances.

Of course, this is a very simplified rough guide. The first port of call for anyone experiencing aggression in the home is to contact an experienced professional. Incorrect treatment and advice are only likely to exemplify the issue, and interdog aggression often leads to aggression toward people. Safety is always paramount.

01/03/2024

Top tips - Reactive dogs!
Reactive, over excited or aggressive? There are many reasons why some dogs find it difficult to ‘greet’ other dogs whilst out and about, or simply walk past, especially on leash. It is important to discern the reasoning behind why your dog behaves in a manner which is not acceptable; albeit barking and lunging, displaying generally aggressive tendencies or simply over excited, but essentially the emotion and energy is all wrong. Very importantly, if aggression is displayed, we should examine why the dog is feeling this way before embarking on a training schedule. I do have a few tips though:
* Teach your dog to be calm around other dogs - desensitisation is followed by counter conditioning the mind for a different reaction. Reward the correct emotion and allow your dog to make the correct decisions.
* Clicker training, or distraction training, is only half of the job. This can be combined with the above, however fearful dogs will often require further attention especially considering the relationship and balance between owner and dog. Confidence is key!
* This is also true for dogs which ‘target’ other dogs (some fearful dogs will also do this).They must be taught that this is not acceptable, and a form of correction may be necessary. And no, this is not harmful of creating fear, but a form of training.
* Before we do anything, reinforce obedience! All of the time, everywhere! I lose count of how many owners have been to puppy classes but don’t continue to reinforce obedience. A dog used to obedience is so much easier to control.
* Tension on the leash often equates to tension in the mind, so basic leash walking is essential.
* Further training to discourage excitement is a good idea in other areas, some dogs are just used to being over excited and are rewarded for such

Real world dog training
Find out more www.grayshounds.co.uk
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Associate with the Canine and Feline Behaviour Association and Master Trainer - Guild of Dog Trainers

28/02/2024

6 years ago today! Just a little memory of my inspiration Mya. Obviously she loved the snow that day😍 Miss you Mya x

08/02/2024

Top tips!

Leash walking

So many dogs I see both professionally and whilst out and about pull on the leash. It almost seems the norm for many dogs, but why? The basic answer is that they are inadvertently taught to do so. From a puppy, many dogs first experience outdoors walking is whilst tethered, and the world is an exciting place to interact with! Tension on the leash leads to a reward of some sort, and rewarding activities are repeated. That's how dogs learn, after all! So...

*From as young as possible, never allow tension on the leash which
allows your doggo to gain reward. This may be simply walking forward, a sniff, a person or another dog.

*If you are teaching a teenage or adult dog not to pull on the leash, he must never be allowed to gain reward with tension, ever! There are lots of accompanying training techniques, but this basic premise should be the forefront.

Whilst training, never say the 'heel' command if your dog is not in the correct position; so many dogs I meet are effectively taught 'heel' means a to walk a meter in front! Or are confused as to what 'heel' means..

*You need serious patience to train a dog not to pull on the leash if she has been doing it a while, prevention is always better than cure!

*A dog pulling on the leash indicates an imbalance in your relationship; he is effectively pulling you to wherever he wishes to go or interact with.

*Just a final piece of advice (for leadership / boundaries and safety)- blind corners (such as on the accompanying vid of me and my little staff Rocky) are a definite time to have him beside you or behind you. You never know what is around the corner; another dog which may be reactive, a fearful child, elderly person or cyclist. All of which may present a danger, and it is just good manners!

Find out more www.grayshounds.co.uk
Real world dog training
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01/02/2024

Recall!
Top tips..
If you teach one piece of obedience, it should be recall. Essential for safety, general manners and lets face it, who doesn't want their dog to come back when called? So why do so many lack this critical skill? There are many reasons..

On the face of it, recall is pretty easy to teach. Just make it really great to come back on command with some sort of reward, Right? Well, if that's the case why do so many dogs 'choose' when to return, and when not to? After all, selective recall is not really recall at all.

* Dogs are given too much freedom either during training, or prior to training. The reward from absolute freedom and a lack of boundaries whilst walking can easily outweigh the reward offered from you. Especially if food is used, the dog knows he will be fed whatever and may not be hungry or motivated by food. Use a long line!

* You are lacking in leadership skills, and the dog does not respect your decision. He may have decided on many occasions not to return and he is having way too much fun elsewhere. Reward should be worked for.

* Vary your reward for return, like a child at Christmas, sometimes expectation is better than the actual reward/present.

* You haven't practiced in different scenarios. He may come back every time in the garden, but not the beach, or woods or wherever. Practice everywhere you intend to walk him off leash and reinforce.. a lot!

* Never let him fail! If you are pretty sure he's not coming back on command at any point, don't ask him! Allowing failure can described as 'training', just not the type we want.

* Recall is best taught in phases - we build up the command over time, and keep him guessing. You can always return to 'phase 1' if necessary, and you will have so much time! Don't be in a rush to let him off the leash indiscriminately. Handler engagement is crucial (especially for working types, they love a job!).

It seems to be so rare for me to meet a dog with excellent recall, yet it is a crucial life skill. Yes, the practice is easy, but understanding each dog and the process involved is often misunderstood.
Recall is so much fun to teach! And the pride felt when your dog comes running back every time is so worth it.
Find out more..

www.grayshounds.co.uk

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26/01/2024

PLEASE HELP ME BUILD UP MY BUSINESS!
I have a HUGE but SMALL favor to ask!

1. Go to my business page Gray’s Hounds

2. Go to the 3 little dots on the side of page, Hit “invite friends”

3. Select "select all" & done!

You've SUCCESSFULLY supported my Small Business for £0.00 and less than 15 seconds of your time.
Thank YOU all for supporting my small and local business.
Borrowed from another small business 🫶🏼

23/01/2024

When choosing a canine behaviourist...

I must admit I am not much of a social media person! But these days, in order to ‘get noticed’, unfortunately (for me anyway) Facebook seems to be the place to find information, opinions, and potential business providers. This is fine, of course, as there is a great deal of unscrupulous characters out there, and no one wishes to be either ripped off or sold a product which is not suitable for them. What does this have to do with me? I just wish to offer a little advice in my field of expertise... If you require a canine behaviourist, make sure you do some research, not simply rely on Facebook or opinions based on a potential lack of knowledge. Unfortunately, my profession is not regulated, so we rely on independent accreditation and proof of education which some may not have heard of. Which is where your (the client) needs to research. I am proud to belong to two recognised bodies; the Guild of Dog Trainers and the Canine and Feline Behaviour Association. Websites can be found here:

www.cfba.co.uk

www.godt.uk

Just a little research may tell you what this entails to become associated with these bodies, especially the CFBA, as this requires rigorous examination and specific expertise – in my case canine behaviour practice. I always encourage a phone call prior to any booking, as on occasion my service is not what the client requires, and I always encourage transparency as to what a behavioural programme may entail. This is the bare minimum in my opinion! Since the pandemic there seems to be a lot of ‘canine behaviourists’ out there, but well... just do your research, it could be the best 10 minutes you spend!

10/01/2024

Being a great leader for your dog isn't about being an uncompromising dictator - it's about supporting your dog's own personal best and doing this in a way that he can understand.
To be their best self a dog needs complete trust in the person making the decisions and setting the rules.
First you have to make sure they know you have their back, that they are safe, and that you are competent.
Only then you alter their perceptions.
A trusting dog will take your word for it and ultimately discover you're right, a fearful dog will panic and be even more convinced that you're wrong.
Start from a foundation of trust and everything else will follow. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

08/12/2023

Due to popular demand I have recently included a service for general behavioural advice and training. This service is for those wishing to learn a little more about their dog, whether inviting a rescue or pup into the home, or an established resident canine member. Prevention is better than a cure, so if you are looking to give a new arrival the best start, this could be the service for you. Using knowledge and experience within canine behaviour, I will help you establish a great long lasting relationship creating balance and control. Training will often include :
Leash pulling
Obedience
Impulse control
Home setup
Setting boundaries
You may concentrate on one or two aspects if required.
Will always include written advice.
More info on my website www.grayshounds.co.uk
Or simply give me a call!
All usual support following is included, alongside any follow up visits at an hourly rate if required.

11/10/2023

Canine behaviour and training in the South West.
*Over 5 years experience dealing exclusively with potentially complicated behavioural issues including aggression, anxiety and general control.
*My accreditation includes membership with the CFBA, which has specific requirements to ensure the highest standards. I am also a Master Trainer with the Guild of Dog Trainers. Both organisations are member of PETbc (Pet Education and Training Behaviour Council) and strongly supported by veterinary practice for referral regarding pet insurance.
*One to one real life training in and around your own home.
*Tried and tested training techniques developed specifically for behavioural modification.
*Comprehensive bespoke behavioural plan for you to follow with every consultation.
*Personal service. I’ll always be available for support by email or telephone, for as long as required. I don’t just leave you to it!
*I love dogs! I believe every dog (and owner) should be given the best opportunity for a great, long lasting relationship.
*Visit
www.grayshounds.co.uk
or call / WhatsApp
07810204566
For FREE discussion regarding your requirements.

05/10/2023

Happy 1st birthday to my little girl Edi ..! 1 today 😍
And my little guy Rocky was 8 a couple of days ago🐾

27/09/2023

Latest accreditation with the Guild of Dog Trainers. I am also an associate with the CFBA. Both organisations have stringent guidelines required for levels of membership and are members of the PETbc
(Pet Education Training and Behaviour Council)

06/09/2023

Be careful where you put your money when it comes to feeding your dogs. More expensive is definitely not always better. . .

05/07/2023

𝙄𝙏’𝙎 𝘾𝙊𝙈𝙋𝙀𝙏𝙄𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 𝙏𝙄𝙈𝙀!

🆆🅸🅽 a FREE consultation, assessment and training programme for any behavioural issue to be conducted on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Full support following also included as usual. 🐾

Travel costs however may be incurred outside of a 20 mile radius.

Nominated client may pass to friend upon request.

To win all you have to do is
𝕊ℍ𝔸ℝ𝔼 , 𝕃𝕀𝕂𝔼 & 𝔽𝕆𝕃𝕃𝕆𝕎
~ instagram 🐾

23/06/2023

INSURANCE & VET REFERRALS

𝘋𝘪𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥?

www.grayshounds.co.uk

Associate with the Canine and Feline Behaviour Association and Master Trainer - Guild of Dog Trainers

11/06/2023

Setting boundaries toward excitement is very important especially during play with other dogs for Rocky. Breed types such as his require clear boundaries for excitement, prey drive and decision making, as a lack of control can quickly slip into aggression if not practiced and managed properly. Rocky (and Bruce) are SUPER good boys, but emotional control is required.

07/06/2023

Rocky the ultimate nanny dog ! 🐾 ❤️

13/05/2023

Back in January we did a wonderful client a favour and looked after Lotus, a young female Black Lab we were training for recall. For me, after losing our resident Husky Mya, the introduction of Lotus was a great test for our little Staffie Rocky and how he may interact with a young, vibrant, larger dog in the home. It is important to note that I had full confidence in him! And we introduced slowly with outdoor walkies and indoor meets first. We had a great week together, although I forgot how hard it can be to fulfil two dogs, my family and work commitments! Lotus is such a wonderful dog, and following some boundaries (especially food as you may imagine) and excitement control during play she fitted in very nicely. Definitely great fun, and when the time is right we’ll look forward to welcoming another into our home🐾

30/04/2023

Nice to wake up to this morning 🐾

27/03/2023

Looking for an experienced, accredited canine behaviourist?
Look no further!
*Over 5 years experience dealing exclusively with potentially complicated behavioural issues including aggression, anxiety and general control.
*One to one real life training in and around your own home.
*Tried and tested training techniques developed specifically for behavioural modification.
*Comprehensive bespoke behavioural plan for you to follow with every consultation.
*Personal service. I’ll always be available for support by email or telephone, for as long as required. I don’t just leave you to it!
*My accreditation includes membership with the CFBA, which has specific requirements to ensure the highest standards. I am also a Master Trainer with the Guild of Dog Trainers, both of which are strongly supported by veterinary practice for referral and pet insurance.
*I love dogs! I believe every dog (and owner) should be given the best opportunity for a great, long lasting relationship.

08/03/2023

31/01/2023

Positive reinforcement.

On a daily basis, we all hear the words ‘train your dog positively’, or ‘trained only using positive reinforcement’, but what does this really mean? Of course, this sounds great. Using only positive reinforcement to train your dog the correct and appropriate behaviours within our human environment is undoubtably a fantastic theory, but only if we understand how the dog’s mind works. This must always include reward, consequence and decision making. Dogs are rewarded in so many different ways, not least internally for actions performed, albeit via human interaction or interaction from ‘outside’ stimulus. Think prey and s*xual drive, and also the complicated social aspects, which may be described in many circles as ‘pack drive’.

Breeds and personalities vary massively from dog to dog, as does the learning capacity and processes. To fully understand how positive reinforcement may impact on your dog’s learning, we must take into account reward. Reward, in itself, can vary hugely; one dog’s high value reward can mean very little to the next. Some dogs like to place themselves into positions around the home to force interaction (either canine or human), while others love their own space. Some dogs may control human or other canine interaction using specific behaviours and body language, and can learn to do so very quickly. Aggression can be a large part of this. There are, of course, many ways for dogs to learn, and the point is this is internal; if an action makes the dog feel good, it is this emotion which is likely to become repeated creating behaviours to seek this rewarding factor. Prey drive is the most obvious behaviour which most of us recognise in dogs, this is innate, and difficult to replace via positive association through training.

Manipulation and control of reward during everyday life, and the management of impulse and emotion, is extremely important for regulating innate bahaviours such as prey or pack drive. This requires further understanding of how your dog thinks, and what is important for him, and as already mentioned this can vary massively from dog to dog. Simple positive reinforcement of behaviours which we desire is often not enough if attempting to modify an unpleasant characteristic which may not only be innate, but also learned over time during a reward process. Teaching your dog to make the correct decisions and control impulse requires not only training for the correct response, for example positive association, but also negative reinforcement, for example the removal of the reward which he is seeking. Pulling on the leash and recall training are classic examples. For the stubborn dog, a form of punishment or consequence is necessary. And no, this does not mean corporal punishment of something fear related, but the introduction of something which the dog does not want, or an emotion which may be unpleasant. Simple removal from the family area for an over excited dog may be described as punishment or consequence. After all, both humans and dogs in their own worlds are subject to consequence if a behaviour is deemed socially unacceptable. Dogs are extremely social animals, teaching correct behaviour (and certainly modifying behaviour) requires an understanding of how they think, and not all of this is related to positive association.

Training therefore must include this understanding. Yes, to associate behaviour positively with the use of emotion and food reward is important, but certainly not the full picture. Positive association only training cannot be the singular tool in our armoury for every scenario; dogs make their own decisions and many will find certain behaviours far more rewarding than any titbit of food or kind words will ever be.

29/11/2022

What does a behaviourist do...?

So, what does a behaviourist actually do? How do we differ from trainers? I am often asked the question, and sometimes I am approached by a potential client who probably requires a ‘trainer’ as opposed to a ‘behaviourist’. Although the two are inextricably linked; I would certainly expect a behaviourist to also be a competent dog trainer and would also expect a trainer to understand the principles underlying emotional and hormonal feedback for the learning process. I would also expect both to come with relevant qualifications and accreditation, alongside experience with varied breeds and personalities. As a behaviourist I have spent a great deal of time researching and offering a range of different training techniques to accompany what I like to call ‘psychological theory’, to help solve behavioural issues. Every dog, and the relationship he has with his owner, is different.

A great deal of time during a consult is spent examining this relationship. Essentially, a behaviourist is teaching the owner how to achieve modification of an unwanted behavioural trait, which has become untenable for both parties. We examine the dog’s personality, how she has learned, her emotional state and ‘place’ within the family unit. Is he anxious? Or is he choosing to perform specific behaviours for personal gain, or reward? The relationship between owner and dog is of paramount importance: dogs certainly do not act in the same way with me as they might with the owner. For these reasons, I believe absolutely, that the owner should be the one to train their dog. So, during a consult we are not only examining the dog, but also the owner, and of course the abilities of both. A behaviourist, with all of the experience he or she has, should be able to not only understand why the dog is acting in a certain manner, but how best to educate the owner to modify behaviour. Of course, this also should include training techniques, but also an insight into canine psychology: often the reasoning behind a certain behaviour seems unrelated to the action performed. We train owners to rehabilitate dogs.

We also set up scenarios to help understand how to rehabilitate. This is usually during a ‘real world’ situation, for example walking on the leash around other dogs, or other distractions, knocking on the door, cycling past, strange noises, visitors entering the home, or whatever stimulus may be creating an issue. We examine the dog’s reaction and of course, the owners. We test temperaments and offer training solutions, designed for the long term. There are often no quick fixes, but long-term solutions designed to alter neurological pathways.

Alongside this knowledge, a behaviourist should understand the emotional and hormonal feedback experienced during the learning process, and how this affects behaviour. This differs massively between breeds, age, experience, physiology and diet. Although these areas are complicated and possibly beyond the scope of absolute expertise, any behaviourist at least should possess a degree of workable knowledge. This is why we never stop learning; we are usually in many ways obsessed with dogs, and for me, the unique relationship between human and canine. Every consult I am lucky enough to perform takes a great deal of planning, examination and thought. Often the client receives much more than they bargained for! I try never to leave any stone unturned and will always do my utmost to help achieve success.

31/10/2022

We have a new arrival! Meet little Edith, or Edi for short😍
I am now back to working with all the wonderful doggy clients after a little break. I may take a little longer to respond to any enquiries than usual, but I am now taking bookings for December as November is full.
I will always be available for advice over the phone or email, so feel free to drop me a message anytime!
The Gray’s Hounds family🐾👼

13/09/2022

A big thanks to all of my previous clients who have helped me to gain associate membership to the Canine and Feline Behaviour Association. I am extremely proud to be accredited to the CFBA, due to the level of professional standards required, and their overall ethos.
More about the CFBA may be found here https://cfba.uk/
My membership page (in case anyone's interested!
https://cfba.uk/?sptp_member=graham-pratt&team=4483

25/08/2022

Over excited exercise is absolutely the wrong type of activity and creates far more harm than good! A default setting of excitement, in any circumstance, indicates massive imbalance which can be a precursor to anxiety. A nicely balanced dog simply does not understand the emotions displayed by an over excited dog, and this may also create aggression. The very best exercise is balance; sure, dogs love to run and chase stuff, this is rewarding, but should be under control. He or she should be taught to think! Use the brain…. and the nose! This is calming and tiring, a win win! 🐾

16/06/2022

A short note on anxiety...
For humans and dogs, fear is a perfectly normal reaction toward stimulus which may potentially cause harm, and clearly a useful mechanism to keep us safe. Unfortunately for dogs (and us to a certain extent), an irrational fear of the unknown, or even an everyday event, may easily turn fear into anxiety. It is the irrational, or learned, fear, which affects dogs and is harmful to development.

For us humans, we have the ability to speak about our fears, and learn from another, perhaps more rational person, that the particular stimulus is not harmful. Continued exposure, which create no harm, teaches us that these things are everyday occurrences and not to be feared. We become desensitised. Thunderstorms, spiders, or even clowns are good examples; this is a learning process which we take for granted, and continues throughout our development.

Dogs learn in a similar way, but for our canine companions the way they learn is very much associated with us. They pick up on our emotions, moods and anxieties, and learn to be fearful even when there is little requirement.

Fear and emotion are stemmed from learning; during socialisation (or lack of), and may even be genetic or predisposed in origin. We may even ‘teach’ our dogs that an exited state is correct, think coming home from work, or games designed to reward excitement rather than focus. High level, continuous, and regular excitement is very much linked to anxiety.

A fearful state evokes three reactions: fight, flight/avoidance or submission. Most dogs will not choose the former, unless there is little choice or has learned otherwise to strike first to rid himself of the threat. Leash aggression is very much linked to this, some dogs have even learned to preempt their fearful emotion and using this method, a form of control.

The learning process related to fear is ongoing, may be learned and unlearned throughout their lives. Unfortunately, if the fear is not unlearned, it will only get worse, creating a phobia. We humans are very much associated with this learning process; we offer reward at incorrect times, either by use of emotion (reassurance, fuss), excitement, or becoming fearful ourselves as to the result of an interaction. In essence, we reinforce fears and anxiety, albeit unwittingly. This then becomes a conditioned response, which is the same as training, just not the kind we are seeking.

Conditioned responses may be unconditioned and another response taught instead. We can effectively unlearn a response, and teach another, as long as we understand how dogs learn, especially from us. Using operant conditioning techniques through desensitisation we may offer a positive association with whatever stimulus is creating anxiety. Avoidance, which is often chosen by both owner and dog, will never address the issue, and may even exemplify anxieties.

Of course, anxieties are not always related directly to the owner, high energy dogs do exist, and as mentioned previously may be pre disposed genetically. Speaking of genetics, all dogs possess predetermined motivation for hunger, thirst, s*x, dominance and submission, social structure, territory and protection, hunting, play, exercise, and many more alongside basic love and companionship. There are many breed differences and specifics, but if these are not realistically met, anxieties develop. Anxiety and fear may not always be related to the actual stimulus in front of you, in fact, this is often the case.