Sit, Stay, GO

25/07/2024

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟

I'm thrilled to announce a new service in collaboration with Martyna from Perky's Dog Training – Walk&Train! 🐾🚶‍♀️

Our Walk&Train program is designed to do all the hard work for you! Perfect if you don't have the time or patience to train your dog. After a few weeks, we'll do a handover to show you how to carry on the training at home.

All sessions are recorded so you can watch them later, and you'll also get homework between every session to ensure continued progress.

It's the perfect blend of convenience and effective training!

For more information and pricing, please contact me directly or reach out to Martyna at Perky's Dog Training. 🐶✨

25/06/2024

🌟 Meet Alfie! 🌟

When I first met this sweet little dog a few months ago, he was very wary of me. Every time I put my hand near him, he'd jump back, and he'd growl at me when I was in the house without his owner.

But with patience, understanding, and a lot of love, we’ve made amazing progress! Now, Alfie comes over to me for strokes, and I can even put his harness and lead on without any fuss. He’s always so happy to see me, and we’ve built a wonderful bond. 🐶💕

Last weekend, I even stayed overnight with him, and it was such a joy! Huge thanks to Martyna from Perky's Dog Training for all your support and always useful advice. 😊❤️

11/05/2024

30/03/2024

Meet Nora, a beautiful girl that came here all the way from Romania! It’s a pleasure going with her for woodland walks which we both absolutely love :) 🐾

29/03/2024

28/03/2024

Reactivity Class

This is a 3 session class to help owners with reactive dogs practise around other dogs. Two sessions in a controlled environment and the final one we will go on a walk together. I am sure many of you already worked with a trainer but struggle finding dogs to practise around. If your dog barks or lunges you will not be kicked out of class. We all here to support each other.

Tell me more!

This class is suitable for dogs that are nervous or anxious of other dogs or people. Starting Sunday the 7th of April at 6pm - 7pm and the second class will take place on Sunday the 21st of April 6pm - 7pm. On Sunday 12th of May we will go together for a walk, to practise in a real life setting. The time will be agreed together to make sure everyone can attend.

In the class we will focus on:
- Counter Conditioning
- Lead Walking Skills
- Building Engagement
- Learning how to navigate around triggers on your daily walks
- A chance to practise these skills around the dogs in class but also a stooge dog.

Other benefits:

- 30 days of Daily WhatsApp support
- Having a trainer support you through the training
- Meet others who are currently working through the same thing as you.
- Learn new skills that can help you navigating the world with your dog.
-Getting your confidence up so you can enjoy walking your dog again

Spaces: 4
Price: £65

To book: https://www.perkysdogtraining.com/rectivity-class

28/03/2024

Meet Izzy and Esther Chester!

Who says cats and dogs can’t be best buds and stroll around together? 🐾

01/03/2024

Meet Willow. He’s an awesome assistance dog and I will be taking him for some off duty walks from now on! What a great walk we had today, both covered in mud but well worth it! 🐾

18/02/2024

Hello new favourite mug! What a fantastic (and accurate!) present from a lovely client! 😊

Thank you Gosia! 🐾
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06/02/2024

That might be worth checking out. Always good to learn something new about dogs and how to build a healthy relationship with them. Also, it's FREE!

Dogs are our beloved companions and friends.

We want them to have happy, healthy and fulfilled lives and to take part in family activities, adventures and more.

There’s no getting away from the fact though, that bringing up a dog can feel hard sometimes. Whether this is your first dog, or you’ve had dogs for 20 years, we all face challenges in training, or come up against tricky behaviours that we don’t always know what to do with.

The good news is that no matter how old your dog is, when you welcomed them home, or whatever challenges you might be facing, there are so, so many kind, effective and force-free solutions that can help….not just your dog, but you too!

I want to introduce you to my friend Holly.

Holly is a behaviourist and human clinical psychologist too. She helps dogs and their humans to build a trusting, rock solid connection in a way that feels fun and not like a battle.

And she is hosting a free, 14 day virtual event starting Monday 12th February. I’m featured as one of the guest expert speakers for: “Kindness Is Essential, Not Optional”: The Dog Behaviour Conference..

…and there are 27 other world-class speakers sharing their knowledge and expertise for free!

Register here (or 🔗 in bio) for free access⬇️
https://mike.kienoconference.com/

26/01/2024

Meet the mighty Minty! The dog that barely stands still for a second! Getting a photo was a challenge but walking with her is a piece of cake!

Can’t wait to stay with her in May! 🐾

25/01/2024

Dogs are highly sensitive and perceptive animals with an uncanny ability to read and interpret the behaviour of humans around them. The way we behave towards and around our dogs plays a significant role in how they perceive us - as either safe or unsafe.

When we interact with our dogs in a calm, gentle, and positive manner, they perceive us as a source of safety and comfort. Regular positive interactions such as petting, playing, and speaking softly to your dog can build trust and help your dog see you as a safe figure. Consistency in your actions and routines also provides a sense of security for dogs, as they thrive on predictability.

On the contrary, if a person frequently displays aggressive behaviour, shouts, or becomes fast to aggress, the dog will likely perceive that person as a threat. Dogs understand the world largely through their senses, and loud noises, sudden movements, or physical harm can be very distressing for them. Over time, this can cause a dog to become fearful or anxious around that person, interpreting them as unsafe.

Additionally, our dogs also observe how we behave around others. If we are consistently calm and respectful towards people and other animals, our dogs see this as a sign that we are safe. However, if we exhibit aggressive or erratic behaviour towards others, our dogs may become unsure of our intentions and feel unsafe.

Therefore, it is crucial to always interact with our dogs (and others around us) in a positive, respectful, and predictable way to maintain our dogs' trust and comfort. Through ethical and positive reinforcement training, we can ensure that our dogs see us as their safe haven, enhancing the bond we share with our canine companions.

14/01/2024

Awesome adventures with Alfie! (Couldn’t resist the alliteration!)

What a day we had though with this beaut yesterday, wandering through the magic of the woods!

We had Alfie for the day while his human was in Bristol on business and he was such great fun! He loved exploring the woods and we loved letting him take the lead!

Alfie, you’re welcome anytime mate! 🐾

10/01/2024

A new regular walking companion and I couldn’t be happier to have Roland on the roster! He’s a touch nervous but a sweet and curious dog! 🐾

09/01/2024

Want your dog to stop pulling on the lead?

First of all check why they are doing it, are they worried, stressed, or have they not learned a loose lead? Many things can cause a behaviour. Ethically, we have to rule out negative emotional states, fear, illness and pain before we train a dog.

If your dog hasn't learned not to pull on the lead - here's how you can teach them.

Choosing to reinforce the behaviour of walking on a loose lead rather than asking them to heel is a great choice as it respects the dog's desire and right to explore their environment while maintaining control.

Here's how to apply differential reinforcement - which is a way of training your dog with empathy, while avoiding correction and punishers.

𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐫 (𝐃𝐑𝐀):

(𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑙𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑏𝑒ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑔 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑑, 𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑜𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔)

Set up a training session: Begin in a quiet, familiar environment with minimal distractions. Start walking with your dog on the lead.

𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐑𝐀:

Every time your dog walks with the lead loose, reward them immediately. This reward might be a treat, praise, or a quick pet, depending on what your dog finds most rewarding. The key is that the reward is immediate and clearly linked to the behaviour of a loose lead.

𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐫:

If your dog starts to pull on the lead, stop walking immediately. This cessation of forward movement sends a clear message that pulling will not get them where they want to go. It's important not to pull back on the lead, force is usually met with force, and your dog is only pulling because they don't understand not to.

𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐑𝐀:

As soon as your dog releases the tension on the lead and it becomes slack again, immediately reward them and continue walking. This helps to further reinforce the connection in the dog's mind between the slack lead and the reward.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞:

It's important to be consistent with this method and practice regularly. Dogs learn best through repetition and consistency.

By using differential reinforcement, you are encouraging a wanted behaviour (walking with a loose lead) while discouraging an unwanted one (pulling on the lead). Over time, your dog will associate keeping the lead loose with rewards and will opt for that behaviour. Soon the loose lead will become your dog's new normal and you can phase out treats gently.

𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭

Before you start working on loose lead training with differential reinforcement, it's worth assessing what your dog wears on walks. If you're currently using a collar, consider switching to an ethical harness.

It's also important to remember that any equipment is only as good as the manner in which it's used. Even with a harness, pulling your dog or using the lead jerkily can cause discomfort and potentially fear, which could make the pulling problem worse. Always aim for gentle, consistent communication, and remember that the end goal is a dog who walks nicely because they want to, not because they're physically restrained.

If you want to learn more, join our completely free loose lead walking workshop here: https://www.canineprinciples.com/course/stop-dog-lead-pulling

05/01/2024

Here comes the sun! Just in time for the first walk with new pal, Casper! Good weather, good company, good times!

Happy New Year! Let’s get walking!
🐾

28/12/2023

The 'pack leader' approach, also often referred to as dominance theory, stems from early studies on captive wolves which suggested that wolves in a pack constantly compete for dominance, with one alpha wolf coming out on top. The theory was then applied to domestic dogs, with the idea being that dogs view their human family as their pack and behave badly because they're trying to assert dominance over their human 'pack members'.

This concept has been widely popularised through various forms of media, including TV shows. However, the dominance or 'pack leader' approach to dog behaviour and training is not supported by current scientific research, and here's why:

Flawed Initial Study:

The initial study that gave rise to the dominance theory was conducted on a group of unrelated, captive wolves. Later studies on wolves in their natural habitat found that wolf packs don't operate on a dominance hierarchy, but are instead structured more like a human family, with parent wolves acting as leaders of their offspring. The original model, therefore, isn't applicable even to wolves, let alone to dogs.

Dogs Are Not Wolves:

Even if wolves did operate on a dominance hierarchy, applying these findings to dogs would be misguided. Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, and while they are related to wolves, they are a separate species with different behaviours and social structures. The way dogs interact with humans is also fundamentally different from how wolves interact with each other.

Misinterpretation of Behaviours:

Many behaviours that are often attributed to 'dominance' or a desire to be a 'pack leader' are usually normal dog behaviours or responses to fear, anxiety, or confusion. For example, a dog that jumps up to greet people might be doing so out of excitement or because they've learned that jumping up gets attention, not because they're trying to assert dominance.

Ineffective and Potentially Harmful:

The 'pack leader' approach often advocates for the use of punishment or aversive techniques to 'show the dog who's boss'. Not only can these methods cause fear and anxiety, but they can also damage the relationship between the dog and their guardian. Positive reinforcement training methods are more effective and build a relationship based on trust and mutual respect, rather than fear.

Contradicts Modern Canine Science:

The overwhelming consensus among modern canine behavioural scientists and veterinarians is that the dominance theory is outdated and incorrect. Dogs, like all animals, are complex beings whose behaviours can't be explained by a simple desire for dominance. They have a wide range of motivations and emotions, and their behaviour is influenced by a variety of genetic, environmental, and situational factors.

In conclusion, the 'pack leader' approach is not a valid or ethical method for understanding or changing dog behaviour. Instead, positive reinforcement and force-free methods should be used to teach dogs desired behaviours, with an emphasis on understanding and meeting the dog's individual needs.

Learn more with the Canine Principles Skill Hub and try before you buy.. https://www.canineprinciples.com/subscription/skill-hub-membership

24/12/2023

Having guests for the holidays is fun for us, but can be tough on nervous dogs.

Take a look at my top tips to help nervous dogs cope:

1. THE GIFT OF INVISIBILITY

Forced interaction or 'warming up to new people' is not what nervous dogs need. A dog approaching to sniff often doesn't mean they want interaction but may only be taking in information.
Allow them to observe without being looked at, spoken to, or touched. Space is ALWAYS best.

2. LISTEN TO YOUR DOG

Look for cues your dog's uncomfortable or wants space. Telling dogs it's ok, or trying to get them to deal with/work through discomfort can make dogs feel they're not being heard. Show them you notice by moving people away from them or moving them away calmly.

3. LEARN THEIR LANGUAGE

Following point 2 - Some common signs of stress to look for are whale-eye (whites of the eyes), yawns, ears back/flat, tense body, lowered head/posture, turning the head away, tongue flicks, or closed/tense mouth. Many of these cues will likely be in response to being approached or interacted with.

4. TREATS OR NO?

Social gatherings aren't the best time to start training nervous dogs if there's no ongoing behaviour plan in place. For highly food-driven dogs, having guests 'throw' food (to maintain space) may be helpful, but avoid coercing dogs into people's space as it can backfire & shouldn't be the goal; space is key (see tip 1).

5. MANAGEMENT

Manage dog's space, so they don't have to. Leashes inside are so underrated! Crates give dogs a safe space (if crate trained) & ensure there's a rule that no one approaches crates (especially children). If your dog really struggles then having a quiet room, space outside, or even have them spend the day elsewhere where they'd be more comfortable.

Found this post helpful? Share it to help other nervous dogs!

🖤🐾