Fireworks - I know how painful firework season can be for dogs who are sensitive to noise and there is much we can do to to help our dogs, though most of it takes time. So what can we do right now when there are firworks going off every night? Here is what I'm doing at the moment:
- I save some of my dog's daily food so I have something to offer them in the evening. I offer the food in a game so they either have to chew or sniff it out. Gracie is using a home made snuffle mat in this video, but frozen food on licky mats or kongs is also good. Make sure you give this before the fireworks start as once they are frightened they won't be able to eat.
- I make sure they have been to the toilet properly before it gets dark, for me this means a walk round the block.
- I'm giving Gracie skulcap and Valerian from Dorwest Herbs (she is on Calm-K9 year round, this is additional for this time of year).
- I make sure I stay calm, if I get worried this will feed into her sense that there really is something to worry about.
- I close all the curtains before it gets dark and play music with a drum beat or watch something noisy on TV to mask any outside noise.
- If she does get frightened I let her hide where she wants to and then wrap her in a heavy blanket, this seems to work best for her, but your dog may prefer something else - experiment and see what helps.
Well, the more observant amongst you will have noticed it's raining this morning!!! So what's the best thing to do when it's too wet to have fun outside? Play games at home of course.
We did go out for a short walk to make sure they had both toileted and then we came home to practice their skills which really works their brains and tires them out just as much as running outside.
Gracie is practicing the beginning stage of wrapping, she can wrap an object from a distance, but in this video I've taken her right back to basics of swapping from hand to hand which is brilliant for learning to disengage.
I also played boundary games asking one to stay on their bed while the other played a game, it went well at first until Rosie realised Iain had lit the fire in the lounge, so off she went for a snooze! I'll catch her later once she's woken up to do her stretches and cavaletti which all helps to keep her back strong and healthy.
Let me know what you've done with your dogs today
I'm so proud of Donna and her dog Cooper. Six months ago walking past another dog in close proximity would have been impossible. I love the way Cooper ignors the other dog completely and sniffs the ground instead - great result!
I get so much joy from watching my dogs. Gracie is such a gentle girl and used to back off and walk away if a task was too hard - so seeing her spend this much time working out how to get one piece of kibble out of a home made snuffle mat feels like big progress#Keynsham #gamesbaseddogtraining #sighthoundlove
We're really going to miss Rosie's hydrotherapy swims at Chapel Farm Rehab - the search is on for a new pool big enough for her needs 🙏 Wishing everyone who works there success in all they go on to achieve.#chapelfarmrehab
My Dad loves me soooo much he bought me a new frisbee - not letting Gracie get anywhere near this one!!#outwiththedog #sighthoundlove #gamesbaseddogtraining #tripawddog #Keynsham
Three legs ain't stopping me having fun!!!!!
Anyone who owns a sighthound will know that they come with an independent nature that doesn't fit well with rules!!
When training any dog I believe it's hugely important not to crush their joy and this is doubly important with sighthounds - they can shut down incredibly quickly if they think they've done something wrong. For me finding games they love and just playing with no rules is huge in building relationship which gives a really imporant starting point. It may not always look pretty, but building games with you that they choose to engage with is a vital starting point 🥰#ProDogTrainer #sighthound #gamesbaseddogtraining #sighthoundlove
Toy play is brilliant for building our relationship with our dogs as well as really rewarding when they come back to us after a recall ie being out there was great, but being here with me is even better! This is just one of many skills I teach in my classes.
Starting Monday 1 July I've two places left - do get in touch if you'd like to join or have any questions. [email protected]
Games based, life-skills classes suitable for puppies, rescue dogs and any dog/human partnership wanting a training top up.
To book your place, message or email [email protected] - I’m very happy to answer questions and to discuss whether the class is right for you and your dog.
Games based training is great fun and effective, using games to build the skills our dogs need to build a really great relationship with their human family.
Topic covered: Loose lead walking, Recall, not jumping up, arousal up/arousal down, ‘Can you hear me?’, household manners, handling, loving equipment (harness, collar, muzzle, lead/longlines), plus any extra topics the participants want to cover.
Cost: £60.00 for all five classes (£12/class) - your place is confirmed once payment is received.
Location: Chapel Farm Rehab, Pensford on Monday evenings. Each class is an hour long and is followed up with an email with descriptions of the games played for your future reference.
To book your place message or email [email protected] - I’m very happy to answer questions and to discuss whether the class is right for you and your dog.
AbsoluteDogs trained ProDogTrainer to Geek and Genius level and passed Video Assessment.
Do you have a dog that can't seem to recall, or even know you exist, when there's something more exciting going on? Or perhaps you have a dog who wants to play with every dog they meet, but is also just a little bit anxious at the same time?
If so, my advanced class could be perfect for you - tonight we're starting to look at all the skills our dogs need in order to be able to focus on us and respond to our cues whatever is going on around them - we will be starting with working out what motivates our dogs, whether that's building toy play, or their favourite food - and not just which toy or food, but how they like them delivered in the best way for them. This will be different for every dog and the picture may not be perfect, but the most important thing at this stage is to work out what really gets our dogs wanting to play with us and builds joy in our relationship.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what the different dogs in the class like and I bet there will be some surprises!!#gamesbaseddogtraining #ProDogTrainer #chapelfarmrehab #dogtraining
Boundaries are one of my very favourite games to teach - though I have to admit, when families first come along to my classes I can sometimes see a puzzled look on their faces, wondering why on earth targeting a mat is a valuable thing for their puppy to learn - so my mission over the next week will be to show all the different ways having a boundary target is absolutely vital to a calm, happy and safe life with my dogs - and the more dogs you have in your home, the more important it is.
So here is our routine for getting out of the car. I cued Rosie and Gracie to get in the car at home and I expect them to stay in the car until I give their release cue - that isn't the door opening, it isn't me putting their lead on, it definitely isn't me picking up the toys. Because Rosie is a tripaw I have to help her out which spoils the effect slightly, but hopefully you'll get the idea!!!#tripawddog #sighthound #gamesbaseddogtraining #ProDogTrainer #willsbridgemill
