Andy k9 Behaviourist and Dog Trainer

23/05/2024

This is Alyson, long-time H&J RVN, Alyson, who is also the Branch Manager of our Writtle Pet Clinic, and as well as everything else she does, Alyson also works alongside our in-house behaviourist, Joy, to bring you our puppy parties!

Puppy parties are free of charge to clients and take place every few weeks, to enable new puppy owners to bring their tiny (and sometimes not so tiny!) bundles of furry joy for a bit of socialisation. There are only a very small number of puppies at each evening, but they form a vital part of their first few steps in life. The puppies get used to be in a veterinary environment without anything scary happening to them, and they can meet and play with other puppies in a safe space. Alyson and Joy will cover topics such as nutrition, training and behaviour, and the humans get to ask all of those burning questions.

Our latest puppy party was last night! So watch this space for the pictures later today.

Give us a call if you want to know more about our puppy parties!

03/07/2023

My mobile telephone message service is not working!
If you have left me a message or wish to contact me please use my email address.
[email protected]

15/06/2023

'what a good sign just a shame that it is needed'

13/06/2023

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲 - Make sure you look out for the signs!

29/05/2023

Four 11 month old pups and their mum doing a 40 yard sit stay.
' one of the best things you can do to help a dog with behavioural issues is to get your basic training up to scratch.'

20/05/2023

13/05/2023

'I've just watched an advert for a joint suppliment for dogs which shows the dogs leaping all over the place, please remember the joint suppliment is to relive pain caused by joint damage, you dogs activity should still be monitored/ restricted appropriate to their condition.'

05/03/2023

'Dogs never cease to amaze me. Had a return visit, for a rescue charity, to a Dogue de Bordeaux that had been starved and used as a 'bait' dog.
This dog has every reason to hate the world but he plays with other dogs, loves people and the worst you can say about him is he jumps up a bit, which is well on the way to being sorted. Gladdened my heart.'

04/03/2023

I saw this on a teacher's jumper at my granddaughter's school. ' if they can't learn the way we teach, we teach the way they can learn.
We should apply those thoughts to dog training, one size doesn't fit all'

17/12/2022

Remember that Christmas can be stressful for your dog.
Put the dog’s bed somewhere where it won’t be disturbed so he/she can escape if the festivities become too much.

26/09/2022

"Raffy, my Jack Russell Terrier is a rescue dog that was aggressive. Thankfully I found Andy of K9 and after a home consultation took Raffy to his classes, where Raffy lived up to his aggressive label. After many lessons and lots of patient training I was able to take him on his 1st pack walk today. And what a difference in a dog! Thank you Andy, Biccy and Toni for helping me N Raffy to have a more normal relationship, your patience has no end and I am one proud, happy mummy today. I know Raffy is a happy dog
It was so nice to see Raffy calm, relaxed and happy around the other dogs, thank you Andy, Biccy and Toni, you have all helped me to help Raffy."

25/09/2022

Raffy the Jack Russell in the muzzle who was once an extremely aggressive dog enjoying a pack walk in the sunshine, learning to communicate.

12/09/2022

I am working with two dogs at the moment who have demonstrated sensitivity to ingredients in their food.
The dog in the photo (previous post) seems to have a sensitivity to colouring in his food, a change of diet is helping with his aggression.
The second dog is a recent rescue and mum changed his food to a more expensive brand and found her dog had become more reactive.
In this case the more expensive brand has a much higher protein level ( 28 v 21%) which may be the cause.

11/09/2022

When you have behavioural Issues with your dog ( reactivity, aggression etc.) a contributory factor might be an ingredient in your dog’s food.
In my experience, grain, type of protein, too high a level of protein and sensitivity to additives can have a bearing on the dog’s behaviour.
Behavioural advice is still needed because food intolerances are not the whole story but changing the dog’s diet could help.
And don’t think that means buying expensive food, it could be that an inexpensive choice suits your dog better.

08/09/2022

'When it rains on a pack walk it's good to have a large friend'

29/07/2022

Over the last few weeks I have seen many dogs being walked in the midday heat obviously struggling to cope. The question is why ?
I think it comes down to people blindly following the mantra ‘dogs need daily exercise to be happy and content’
1) Your dog will not suffer in any way if you occasionally miss a walk, in fact your dog will thank you for it.
2) Remember Your dog is very inefficient at losing heat (it has very few sweat glands, panting is the way they cool down)
3) How do I know when it’s too hot?
4) Put your hand (or bare foot) on the pavement ( that’s in direct sun), is it uncomfortable? Then it will be uncomfortable for your dog.
5) Are you walking in just a t- shirt? Remember your dog has got a fur coat on.
6) Are you wearing a hat to keep the sun off your head? Your dog has no such protection.

Solutions.
1)walk your dog early morning/late evening.
2)Keep vigorus exercise to a minimum, dont throw the ball hide it in the shade and get your dog searching
3) if in doubt stay indoors.

Let your dog drink water, little and often on your walk.
If becomes lethargic, or refuses water when he's obviously thirsty, get him in the shade immediately and drench him in water( if water is limited concentrate on the head). And from there straight to the vets if you have any concerns.
But remember if you miss a walk or 2 it won’t harm your dog, and you can always play gentle games indoors to entertain him with no risk

19/06/2022

“Hi Andy, just wanted to send you a bit of an update, so things are going well with Rolo and Polo, really seeing an improvement in both Polo's attention seeking and Rolo's reactivity.
But yesterday was like an epiphany, I simply couldn't believe it like a switch had been thrown, met a guy in the park I've seen before with a cockapoo that insists on coming over.
To be fair the guy was really good and understanding of Rolo's problem so much so we literally stood and chatted for around 10 minutes to the point where I had this scenario
But it didn't end there and the next bit blew me away, so I carried on my walk and came across a lady with 3 dogs (off lead) who I was chatting too at a distance and before I knew it, Rolo and Polo were face to face with her dogs and not a murmur from any of them, and then another group of dog walkers arrived and I (well Rolo and Polo) were surrounded by around 8-10 dogs without any reactions and we ended up walking with them all, it was totally surreal and I literally didn't want to come home.
Couldn't have done it without your help and guidance so thank you, although still a work in progress as Rolo was not too keen on a pug at one point this morning”

06/06/2022

New photos developed by a UK vet from PocketVet reveal how our pooches see the world. Dogs can only see in yellow and blue and have up to eight times more blurred vision than humans.

30/05/2022

Young, very vibrant GSD who as you can see has turned the corner with patient work from mum allied to the right equipment (Gentle leader head collar)
“Hi Andy, I thought I would give you an update on khan, we have continually used the techniques you showed us since first coming to see him. over the last few months khan has been completely comfortable being in the presence of black people outside the home he has zero reaction at all, this last week we have been having our friends round the house who haven’t been able to come round this past 9 months because khan would of reacted, he was perfect! playing not at care in the world and zero reactivity and complete positive body language, thank you for all your help with him we will continue putting all the steps in but without your guidance we would have been lost thank you”
Khan developed a fear of Black and then Asian people through no fault of his own or his owner, Just a perfect storm coming together.

16/05/2022

Second visit to a lady with a reactive American Bulldog, Bluebell is responding very well to training using the appropriate equipment, in this case, a Gentle Leader, which gives the lady the ability to physically control the dogs behaviour, as well as the head collar having a calming effect on the dog.
“Just walked Bluebell. Unbelievably I managed a very good walk with her thanks to your recommendations. Don't know what I would have done without you. Thank you so much. Jane”

05/05/2022

Gastric torsion can also occur if the dog is exercised on a full stomach ( either food or water). If you even suspect a torsion go straight to the vets, time is not on your side.

28/04/2022

For various reasons not all dogs like other dogs, please be mindful of that and make sure your dog is under your control when in public.

25/04/2022

Training for and in .

25/04/2022

How often do you wash your dogs toys?

22/04/2022

New Duo Training Sessions. Share the cost of a private lesson with a friend.

22/04/2022

"This is a very nervous Nellie (yep that's her name) enjoying a pack walk"

17/04/2022

I have just finished speaking to a very concerned lady who had been advised over the phone that her dog would need to be muzzled before he saw it because the dog raised its hackles when it saw another dog.
Hackles raised are not necessarily a sign of aggression, they need to be read in conjunction with other body signals and to diagnose a dog over the phone without seeing it is disappointing to say the least.
By the way I am not anti muzzle, they are a fantastic if needed to retrain a dog safely and introduced in the right way.
I use them all the time in my .

11/04/2022

'You're never too old to learn'

06/04/2022

A lovely thankyou from Mick who is ready to move forward with his dog Buddy.
"Good Afternoon Andy, I hope you are doing ok? I have been thinking about your space challenge. You, Bicky and Toni have given Buddy and I so much help that I am really happy that he has turned a corner under your influence on me and him. I would like to stand down from class as I feel there may be someone else that could better benefit your guidance. If I feel there is a need to come back I will not hesitate to call you. Please do let me know if that sits well with you? All the very best, Mick"

03/04/2022

It was a very rewarding day today. Had a second visit with two clients, both dogs suffering with severe anxiety in different ways.
Both had improved by 70 to 80%, their owners having done a fabulous job in such a short time (4 weeks since the first visit).
Also learned something new, I was able to use a wood (small forest) to distract and reward a dog with a fear of traffic.