Betty is really starting to feel more comfortable with a trailing longline and is enjoying the freedom it brings to her walks.
Although her recall still has a long way to go, we are starting to see some really beautiful snippets, including this morning where she not only recalled from a dog chasing a ball, but did so joyfully at speed. A definite first and a huge win for us! ❤️
She still occasionally likes to sit and watch the other dogs but now has value for hanging around with me so doesn't show any signs of running off to greet them like she would of done previously.
I'm really pleased with how much she has achieved lately.
Scentwork Skills
Starting September.
Pay as you go sessions available online to book now.
Create an account on the website to view our new scentwork skills levels in the members section.
Progress looks different for every dog.
Is this a perfect recall - no
Does she take a moment to think about it - yes
Would I drop the line around distractions - no
But just a few months ago this dog was scared of a dropped trailing lead, let alone a long line.
Her trust and engagement with me was so low I struggled to get her to come to me at all in an enclosed safe space when offlead.
This is massive progress!
It doesn't look like it to most but every journey is different.
Celebrate your wins!
This lovely boy has really put a smile on my face today.
When I first met Beinn he was incredibly environmentally aware. Although the most affectionate dog indoors, outside he was very unaware there was a human attached to his lead.
His humans have been incredibly dedicated and it's been a real labour of love for everyone who adores him. It's finally coming together and he's worlds apart from when we first met.
We've had amazing recall and check ins today, but mostly Look at this lovely engagement ❤️
I'm sharing this now as I'm likely to be tearful enough tomorrow.
Tomorrow will be Daisy's last walk with her friends for the foreseeable as she retires from group walks.
Unfortunately as much as we all love her to pieces she's aging gracefully and unable to keep up with the rest of the dogs anymore.
As gutted as I am to say goodbye, I will always put a dogs needs and welfare first.
Daisy has been with me right from when I opened for business. In fact the first dog I walked.
She's always an absolute delight and a firm favourite with the other dogs, often acting as a buffer when newbies join and has even won over and befriended several very nervous worried dogs, including Bugsey. That is despite the fact that when she joined she genuinely thought labradors were rude idiots. 🤣
Always a calm presence she has some of the best dog to dog skills I've ever seen.
Daisy has been by my side 5 days a week and she will be greatly missed.
We love you Daisy ❤️
Calling all Dobermann owners!
Do you struggle to commit to a 6 week training course?
Longer courses too expensive on a budget?
Would've loved to come but couldn't make the Friday classes?
We will be offering a shorter version of our Delightful Dobermann course at 5:30PM on Weds starting 31st July.
Still packed with lots of useful training tips and advice to help you on your way to success.
It can be hard to motivate yourself to train when there is lovely light dry evenings to enjoy, but summer classes are perfect for pushing your training to the next level as we are able to practice skills outside aswell as in the classroom.
Booking available on the website.
We love our Hooper's classes with Halcyon Hounds.
They've honestly kept me sane through Duke's tricky adolescence.
But its been tough. No-one likes to feel like their dog is unsettling the rest of a class. It's especially embarrassing when you are a trainer and your over friendly Dobermann just bombs off whenever he feels like it mid run to say hi to everyone.
But with Emma's help setting his exercises up so he can succeed, some management in the form of a grab line and upping his reinforcement when focusing on me, not to mention the patience of my fellow classmates we have seen steady improvement. Today we removed his line for the first time in months!
It often feels worse as the owner, others often have their own things to worry about, but if you are struggling talk to your trainer so you can work together for a solution to get back on track.
Group walks are really quiet this week due to holidays and poorly dogs. Archie and I loved our quality time together but we hope everyone is feeling better soon.
I am so proud of these boys today.
Matching dogs for group walks is not easy. I put a lot of thought into it, considering all the variables.
It's not just as simple as if a dog is social. It's are their exercise requirements similar, are the play styles compatible, who has recall, who needs to be on lead.
Factor in a more sensitive dog and it's even more important to set them up for success.
Max was introduced to Archie today and all three boys had a really successful calm walk together. They are going to be a lovely little group. ❤️
Thank you to everyone who attended the Dobermann workshop today. You all did amazing and it was a joy to see so many beautiful dobes having fun with their humans.
£40 from the proceeds has been donated to DRUE.
Look at this awesome team rocking their loose lead walking in our 121! ❤️
Loose lead walking is hard. Especially in breeds like spaniels that were bred to move quickly and easily from side to side. It takes alot of time and consistency but it will result in much more enjoyable walks together.
When introducing your verbal cue it's really important to pause between saying the word and doing the hand signal.
Dogs are experts as reading our body language and if we do both at the same time they only look at what we are doing and don't process what we are saying.
Lots of people think they are pausing, when in fact they aren't, even me! Try filming your training and watching it back.
Betty is absolutely smashing this on a verbal cue now. ❤️
Scentwork teams, remember it's important to tell our dogs how amazing and clever they are for finding the articles. Play with them, let them have a tug and a fuss without being in too much of a hurry for the next find. I know it's intimidating acting silly infront of other people but my classes are safe spaces, we are all dog people here to have fun.
If we are in too much of a hurry our dogs can lose motivation for the search or worse start to show guarding behaviour. They go to all the hard work to find it, let them enjoy it!
Bugsey and I are still working on our out, but as he enjoys the search I can use the next find as his reward for letting go. Swapping for food is not suitable for every dog, but Bugsey prefers toys to food so I don't have to worry about him losing enthusiasm. By sniffing for treats at the end we manage his arousal and help bring him back down as he really loves this game.
Today we continued working on helping Betty feel more comfortable with a trailing longline.
I love longlines. I have a vast array of lengths and materials for walking and training.
BUT any equipment we use must be comfortable for the dog and for some dogs like Betty the weight from a trailing line can be a bit of a scary sensation.
Now that Betty is starting to associate it with good things I am able to give her more freedom on her walks whilst still keeping her safe and under control.
This now gives me more opportunities to reward her for good choices and choosing to hang around with me.
Here's a little clip of us working on her disengaging from distractions - this is really hard as Digby is having alot of fun in the tennis court with his ball.
I don't use her recall cue here as I'm pretty certain it won't work and I don't want to poison the cue. But I can still use my voice to get her attention and praise her for good decisions.
One of the most important things I've learnt from having socially sensitive dogs is finding the time to have fun together.
It doesn't need to be flashy or expensive, just spending some time 1 on 1 enjoying each others company.
There is no better way to build your bond, improve optimism and just feel good!
Finding scentwork revolutionised my relationship with Bugsey. It was a breath of fresh air leaving behind the pressures of all the anxiety and stress.
Today I've started teaching him some hoopers. He will never compete at a show but we had so much fun. Learning new things also helps keep his mind active and engaged. Just because he's nearly 10, it doesn't mean he's too old to learn new skills.
What fun thing have you done with your dog today?
Today I was really brave and ran to the front door to greet Amy. I even let her put the lead on.
Amy is teaching me a new word. I'm not sure I understood it yet but it's fun and I get treats so I'm trying really hard.
I also did some lovely loose lead walking back to the house alongside my friend Reggie the cockapoo. ❤️
