Bushey K9 Training School

15/08/2024

Wanting a behaviour from our dogs to stop is common. Sadly, there are so many 'trainers' who appear on television or have massive social media followings who will advocate using devices and methods that 'will stop it fast'. Let's be honest, as humans we are often results driven, so I can see why these would appeal to people who don't know why these things should not be recommended and used. The reality is that they can make the situation so much worse.

Suppressing a behaviour doesn't mean that the reasons that behaviour happened aren't still there, just that the dog can't do what they feel they need to in that situation. That can lead to increased frustration, stress, fear - depending on what the driver for that behaviour is. Think of it like a pressure cooker, adding more and more pressure, with no way to reduce that pressure. Eventually there comes a point where the pressure is just too much and boom.

If a behaviour is something we can't live with, there are things we can do without suppressing that behaviour. Manage the situation so that the dog is not in a position to practice that behaviour - for example baby gates to stop them jumping up at arriving guests or finding quiet areas to walk if your dog is uncomfortable with other dogs close up. If there is something you would prefer them to do in that situation keep using the management and then, using kind and ethical methods, teach them what you would like them to do instead. If the behaviour is not something that we can simply train an alternative for - a dog who reacts to other dogs around for example - find a behaviour consultant who uses modern and kind methods to help the dog no longer feel the need to use that behaviour.

Behaviour suppression is never the answer.

Here are links to a couple of blog posts that explore the topic a little further:
https://www.goodguardianship.com/post/the-first-question-to-ask-wtf-what-s-the-function
https://www.goodguardianship.com/post/why-we-should-look-beyond-stopping-behaviour

08/08/2024

22/07/2024

Thinking of getting a puppy ? Please read below. We get so many dogs surrendered to us because their owners didn't think they would get so big , didn't realise how much energy they had, didn't realise that they would shed so much........
Don't get a German Shepherd and expect it not to guard.
Don't get a collie and expect it not to herd.
Don't get a malinois and expect it to sit on the couch all day.
Don't get a terrier and expect it not to bark.

There is no excuse these days with so much information at our fingertips to not do your homework , BEFORE you get a dog.

You could also rescue a dog from a shelter where the volunteers will try and match you with a suitable dog.

29/06/2024

A word I wish we would remove from our vocabularies is the word "fine."

I routinely hear dogs being labeled as "fine" when they are in fact shut down, nervous, upset, tolerating, or uncomfortable.

"Fine" should not be the standard we aim for when it comes to how a dog is managing.

The goal should not be that the dog is tolerant of what is happening to or around them, rather, we should ensure that the dog is genuinely comfortable and accepting of it.

Let's take something as innocent as petting.
Humans pet dogs as a way of greeting, to provide attention, or to show affection, but how many dogs actually like to be pet?
Or if they do, are we sure that they want to be pet by THAT person in THAT very moment?
A dog should be permitted to enjoy an activity, such as petting, but still not wish to partake in that activity all the time, or with every person they come across. They should be given a choice, and be permitted control over what happens to their body (and when/by whom.)

Very rarely are our dogs given the chance to vote on the matter.

As dog guardians we can do better for our dogs.
* Look at their body language (all of it, not just their presence in the moment) to determine how your dog might be feeling.
If you're unsure what their body language is telling you, take the chance to learn more about this subtle, but vital communication.

* Give your dog agency by allowing THEM to initiate interactions with others, should they choose.
This might look as simple as instructing guests to ignore the dog (you'll want to specify what this looks like), and only engage in petting if the dog approaches them and ASKS for this attention (nudge, nose bump, etc.)

* Perform regular "consent checks" to see if the dog wants the interaction to continue.
I like to teach a 3 pets and pause rule. Pet 3 times, ideally on a "neutral" area such as the shoulder or chest, and then withdraw your hand and stop. What does the dog do next? Do they bump your hand in outrage? You're probably OK to continue.

Dogs shouldn't have to tolerate life just because we want them to. They are sentient beings with feelings and preferences that deserve to be respected.

Be your dog's voice.

06/06/2024

I was having this conversation today with a client and I thought it was worth outlining here for anyone else who needs to hear this:

IT IS NORMAL (AND RESPONSIBLE) TO HAVE TO MANAGE YOUR DOG IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS.

What do we mean by 'manage'? We mean by changing their environment or limiting their interaction within an environment in order to keep them from "behaving inappropriately" (in our eyes).

Very typical examples:

🐾 Using a long line on walks
🐾 Shutting dogs away when deliveries come
🐾 Leaving your dog at home when you go somewhere
🐾 Keeping them on lead in some situations
🐾 Keeping them away from the table at meal times
🐾 Keeping them from approaching certain dogs
🐾 Not giving them their ball with other dogs around
🐾 Not putting their food bowl near anothers
🐾 Keeping them on lead around kids

The list could go on and on and on.

I don't know a single person who doesn't have to manage their dog in certain situations because dogs are DOGS. They aren't mini humans who can be reasoned with: "just share your toys with your friend, they're not going to take them away". Dogs are a straight thinking species: I want this, I don't want that, I need this, I am scared of losing that and so on.

It's a real error to assume that our dogs showing any degree of discomfort in a situation is a dog that needs to be "fixed". They're not broken! They're just being their real selves in a world that has REALLY HIGH expectations of them.

It's an even bigger error to assume that adding food to a situation will change anything. In some situations it can make it worse. Counter conditioning is NOT always the answer. Many of my clients have found that out the hard way from previous well meaning advice.

Don't feel ashamed if your dog can't do something that Joe Blogg's dog down the street can do. I bet you Joe Blogg's dog down the street can't do something your dog CAN!

Dogs are so painfully real and honest. They aren't perfect and they never ever pretend to be.

👇🏻 Name a situation where you need to manage your dogs! I'll start:

Lucy: has to be managed around young children with leads and gates
Raggy: has to be managed around stranger dogs as has low tolerance of bounciness
River: has to be managed in the outside world altogether using a long line
Alby: has to be managed around the house as will toilet inappropriately if given the chance.

MANAGEMENT IS AS NORMAL AS SOCKS AND HOT DINNERS.

Spread the word 🐾💜

20/05/2024

EXCELLENT advice always~

28/04/2024

No, your dog doesn’t need to be held accountable.

No, they don’t know what they did was wrong.

Dogs don’t know right from wrong at all! This is a human concept we project onto them. Teach your dog how to do the thing you want, and prevent the rest.

04/04/2024

Interesting way to describe behaviour

01/03/2024

👇🏻