Dog's Choice Dog Training and Behaviour

15/08/2024

❤️

We may not have all the answers, but we do know this:

Gentle and humane methods can help both dogs and people work through trauma.

Let's continue to make a positive impact, one step at a time.

10/08/2024

A great new free resource for those suspecting their pup may be suffering from separation related distress.
https://separation.zigzag.dog/?fbclid=IwY2xjawEj91RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHd_oyvKzfTzzlvM07aPWpbCd4sNpbnc95VZSTDjVQi5Z8VN9p97SkNB5qQ_aem_o-b294-QvT1b9j0JOU8mWw

18/07/2024

It is so important to get this right. We should never assume confinement is the only way. Assess the dog in front of you....🐶😊

Another common recommendation is to use a crate or small room with a gate for confining a dog with separation anxiety.

While this isn’t necessarily wrong, it’s crucial to know that many dogs with separation anxiety also suffer from confinement anxiety. In such cases, a crate or baby-gated area can exacerbate the problem. A thorough assessment of what’s best for your dog is essential.

Read this blog for more information: https://malenademartini.com/crates-think-outside-the-box/

03/07/2024

11/06/2024

We have a couple of spaces for puppy class beginning 19th June in Woodingdean!

As well as a solid force-free start to your puppy's training, we also look at problem prevention for YOUR puppy! Taking into account breed/type, lifestyle and personality, we aim to prevent common problems from developing by building your 'Puppy Profile'.

The course comes with an in-depth puppy 1 to 1 session at your home, tackling any potential issues in situ!

£110

Spaces go quickly, so please WhatsApp 07887 513601 or fill out the enrolment form online.
https://forms.gle/eUWAzE7b9keVgMDGA

07/05/2024

Click on the pop-out icon ( ) in the top-right corner of the resource to open it in Google Drive. Click the download icon ( ) in the upper right-hand corner of the Google Drive page to save the resource to your computer.

01/05/2024

YOU CANNOT TRAIN A NEED OUT OF A DOG

I am a fan of training in general – which shouldn’t surprise anyone, because after all I am a “dog trainer”. In fact, I begin some sort of training with my dogs from the time they come home as little pups and I continue right into old age.

But perhaps that is because I view training as a way of building connection and providing enrichment, rather than a way of achieving control and “obedience”. Training is an activity that my dogs love and it is an opportunity to connect and do fun things together. Stopping training as they age, would be taking away an enrichment activity that they thrive on, so we keep going, simply adjusting to what they can cope with and what they particularly enjoy.

However, I am also a behaviour practitioner. I have been educated to view animals, not just as operant machines, but as creatures with rich emotional lives. I recognise the fact that behaviour is the expression of a need and the outpouring of an emotion. I believe that having this perspective and deeper knowledge of what drives behaviour makes me a better trainer, because I am aware that there is so much more than just observable behaviour to consider when working with any animal.

Unfortunately, people often use training as a way of making things look better, without actually making them any better on a deeper level – kind of like painting over the cracks in a house when its foundations are crumbling. It might look better for a while, but the entire structure is still unstable and at some point, it is bound to collapse.

Except it is far worse than a crumbling house, because dogs are sentient beings that deserve better than having their underlying emotions ignored. Trying to cover up signs of anxiety, frustration or deprivation by teaching polite behaviours is incredibly cruel and selfish.

Too often I see posts in positive reinforcement-based training groups where people are seeking advice to address a “problem” behaviour and, despite the very obvious signs that the dog in the post is struggling because a fundamental need is not being met, the advice given always focuses purely on training away the behaviour, rather than addressing the underlying need.

I find it incredibly sad and actually quite distressing, that so many dogs are desperately trying to communicate what they need and all supposedly knowledgeable people can focus on is how to stop them expressing that need – even if it is in a “nice” way.

Let me be clear, no amount of “training” is going to stop a dog from showing some signs of extreme boredom or distress, if you leave them alone daily for 8 – 10 hours. Dogs are social animals and you cannot train this out of them. A dog getting overexcited when they interact with you, if they spend hours separated from you outdoors or stuck in a crate, is NOT a training issue – it is a welfare issue. Long periods of confinement and isolation are detrimental to dogs – they were not built for this and trying to train them to accept it is fundamentally unfair. You also cannot expect a dog that never has any freedom of movement when out and about to walk “to heel” all the time. Dogs need to move, to run and to explore and expecting them to spend every walk on a 1 metre leash at your side with no tension on that lead as a means of exercise is completely absurd.

Dogs have fundamental needs for companionship, security, freedom of movement and exploration, among other things. You cannot train these needs out of them and trying to do so is incredibly unfair. Meeting your dogs’ emotional needs is how you go about building a strong foundation for their emotional and behavioural wellbeing, as well as your relationship with them. Training should be a means of enhancing and making that well-built foundation shine – not a way of covering up its cracks.

01/05/2024

Do you have a puppy under 18 weeks?
Puppy Club offers a place to meet other puppy owners, learn about socialisation, confidence building, early learning and giving your puppy the best start possible.
You can attend these sessions in addition to your puppy class or as and when you are able! £8/session. Booking essential.

01/05/2024

Next puppy class will start 15th May. We have spaces!
Run by an experienced and qualified behaviourist and trainer, this course is all about building skills for the future and preventing typical problems from developing. Booking is essential!
Venue in Woodingdean.

23/04/2024

Working towards a better understanding of our dogs and their needs. If you have a puppy under 16 weeks, please take a look!

Welcome to Generation Pup an exciting new adventure in canine science. Generation Pup is the first study to follow dogs of all breeds throughout their lives. We are asking owners of all UK and Republic of Ireland puppies under 16 weeks of age, of any breed or cross breed, to sign up and become part

16/03/2024

For any general enquiries, please complete this short form.

This form is for general enquiries

17/01/2024

Fancy joining this stunner for puppy classes?

Woodingdean venue. February 7th, 14th❤️, 21st and 28th.

If you are looking for a training package which combines individual attention and problem prevention with fun group training and socialisation classes, here we are!

By combining a tailored 1 to 1 session at your home with group classes and online support, we have your puppy training covered!

Puppy class is suitable for puppies from 1st vaccination to 5/6 months
£110
https://www.puppyclassesbrighton.com/

01/01/2024

** Puppy Classes January 2024! ** FULLY BOOKED
Woodingdean venue.

If you are looking for a training package which combines individual attention and problem prevention with fun group training and socialisation classes, here we are!

By combining a tailored 1 to 1 session at your home with group classes and online support, we have your puppy training covered!

Puppy class is suitable for puppies from 1st vaccination to 6 months.
£110

n.b. Some puppies may not benefit from group classes e.g. if they struggle with confidence or over-arousal. We can help guide you through these issues.
Preventing problems from developing and building strong people/dog relationships is my passion. Please message if you would like to chat!

01/12/2023

🤔For some reason December is a funny old month to get people to commit to weekly classes...

This is why we go to drop in sessions for the month!

45 minute sessions for vaccinated puppies up to 6 months. Sessions are held on Wednesday evenings in Woodingdean 6.30-7.15pm followed by Q&A session.

1 to 1 sessions are also available for those who may not be so suited to a group class.

Please email Vikki on [email protected] for further details

02/11/2023

🐕📣 Muzzle training with our experts
If you own an American Bully XL type dog, you can start preparing them for the restrictions by making sure they are trained to happily wear a muzzle.
We’re offering free online sessions to help you do this and will cover:
👉 information about the most suitable types of muzzle
👉 how to ensure a good fit
👉 how to teach your dog to enjoy wearing their muzzle.
Book now 👉 https://bit.ly/40me1M7
Our expert trainers have muzzle trained thousands of dogs in our care and can answer any other questions you might have about how to prepare for any upcoming changes affecting you and your dog.
These sessions are designed to support owners of American Bully XLs in light of the recent news, but all dog owners are welcome to attend. It’s useful for all dogs to be able to wear a muzzle comfortably – for those who are anxious at vet visits, for dogs who like to eat undesirable things on a walk or to keep other dogs and people safe if dogs are worried.

05/10/2023

We have 1 space remaining for classes commencing 11th October!

PUPPIES!!
We have a couple of spaces for the puppy course in October and plenty of spaces for November.
Our puppy course includes a 1 to 1 session in your home. This means we can deal with the issues relevant to YOU and your puppy. Ideal for first time puppy parents, or if you just want to get more knowledge and skills to enhance the classes.
Check out the website for details and an enrolment form! https://www.puppyclassesbrighton.com/

26/09/2023

PUPPIES!!
We have a couple of spaces for the puppy course in October and plenty of spaces for November.
Our puppy course includes a 1 to 1 session in your home. This means we can deal with the issues relevant to YOU and your puppy. Ideal for first time puppy parents, or if you just want to get more knowledge and skills to enhance the classes.
Check out the website for details and an enrolment form! https://www.puppyclassesbrighton.com/

31/08/2023

Grateful for their Hotterdog fleece coats today! Stayed dry & clean, without getting hot! Now I just need a Hotterdog onesie....

29/08/2023

A great bit of effective, yet simple & achievable advice from the lovely Chirag Patel 🐕🐕
https://fb.watch/mJj0HkQsTL/