Sam Humberstone - Dog Trainer

24/12/2024

Happy Festivities!
XX

24/12/2024

Osian looking & hopefully feeling good. We've spent the last few months building his trust about a new harness, this morning was his first time he's worn it on a walk 🥳

He showed some uncertainty about me putting on his collar and even more so on sight of a harness, this didn't show until a few weeks or so after his arrival.
I listened, and decided that the collar wouldn't go on unless he approached me when it was in my hand. He's had a little yummy treat immediately after clipping his collar on & off.
I like a dog to wear a harness to reduce risk of physical damage to their neck tissue, thyroid glands etc. I ordered this new harness for Osian about 4-5 months ago, for a better fit and more comfort. I have introduced the harness gradually & let his body language guide me and when or when not to proceed.

Other photos - another walk a bit later, no harness & some leg stretching 🐾

22/12/2024

Lots of tail wags from this pupster when eating his first natural chew, at almost 11 weeks in age.
He'd already learnt licking a textured mat with paste was a good thing when visiting the vets 🐾

Never leave a puppy on their own with a chew, or with non-edible item such as a licking mat.

21/12/2024

For those of you who have live with dogs that don't always take things in their stride - so funny 😂
Behavioralist 🤐

https://www.facebook.com/reel/957936289287919

20/12/2024

A bit chatty here!!! 😳

The end of the 'official' working week and year, wow!

On one of my regular walks, I sometimes hear the strong vocal response of a dog when other dogs are near. Over the last 2 months this beautiful Collie has been able to assess myself and Osian Collie. They have passed each other on lead, with good distance several times. A week ago she remained calm with a brief and passing sniff from Osian. Her housemate bounds over regularly. About a week ago we were followed along a path by them, opportunity for information gathering. This morning, off lead and looking relaxed, thought about returning to her owner, but then an approach to Osian instead, friendly, calm, beautiful & clear body language. The comment from her on-looking and happily surprised person "oh my goodness!". What a moment to witness, I can't express how good it was.

THANK YOU to all of my clients who have attended my classes, Ones to Ones, you've been wonderful, and to all of you who continue to support me with words of encouragement on social media.

A very BIG thank you to my fab friends, and my darned good siblings for being there! For your thoughtfulness and practical help especially during the chapters of heartaches and a dodgy back at it's worst 🥰

I've also been watching videos today of a happy and relaxed dog playing and enjoying his time with his people, sent by a family who have been so dedicated over the last 5 months. Work in progress. We do the best we can, it's not always easy. Words of the stars of the videos feedback "It’s incredible to see how confident he has become in such a short amount of time, and that’s all thanks to your help and support."

I've continued learning from some outstanding, inspiring and generous professionals too - some of THE best!!!
My love of Dog Geek continues. For me it's important to consider how I can continue to improve the service I provide, and to be a voice that advocates for dogs and their overall wellbeing. A full year of deeper diving into each of the following:
▪️More in-depth learning about Border Collies specifically
▪️Delving further into what might be the emotional motivations for certain behaviours and how to prevent escalation, prioritising welfare considerations of all involved.
▪️Co-operatively working with other Canine professionals such as Vets, Vet Physios, Behaviourists, other Trainers, Clinical Animal Behaviourists, Groomers etc
▪️Building on my training skills
▪️Focus on my approach to coaching & information to better my sharing for the people & their dogs I support

🤓 In my inbox this week, an accreditation as a Canine Behaviour Technician from the good & busy folk of PACT 😊
I will share a bit more about what the role encompasses in due course...

18/12/2024

Today something new for Osian, he helped with a One to One, and spent quite a lot of time in the car. He enjoyed stretching his legs before & after 🤩🐾

16/12/2024

What’s happening in 2025?
Classes ideal for those with a puppy or a dog new to you.
Small classes & relaxed environment.
Suitable for those who need a little guidance on building connection, to learn how to teach their dogs cues or for those who want to revisit training.
Saturday mornings 10am
January 11 18 25
February 1 & 8
Blocks of 5 sessions
45 minutes
Lead skills for walks together
Teaching your dog to follow a cue such as laying ‘Down’
Recall - older dogs can learn new 'tricks'
Option of joining group dog talk via WhatsApp
£120
Can be split into 5 separate payments
Based at Littlebourne 14th Century Barn
More news & class dates coming soon.
To book or enquire about One to One training
Email [email protected]
Text/call 07484 767650
https://samhumberstone.co.uk/

15/12/2024

Al a most handsome and loveable sight hound, at this point more of a 'scent/sniffing hound'. Explored & searched without the lead and moved about following the scents of his choice. The smell of food treats was present 😏
The other dogs were kept on the lead, at this point they are not of interest.
Short video in comments

13/12/2024

It is good to question when we see change in behaviour whether it is simply a training need!?

The gorgeous golden Nelly had started to be reluctant about going for walks from the house, and occasionally didn’t want to get into the boot of the car.
Her owner sensibly shared her concerns and it was discussed with her Vet. X rays showed that she had issues with her spine - spondylosis. Thankfully it is a manageable condition.
With all our dogs we need to consider the suitability of certain types of exercise, the intensity and frequency in regards to their physical health AND their overall wellbeing IMO. Nelly's person has made changes, including the use of steps for access to the boot of the car.
Yesterday I was very pleased to have an invite to watch Nelly having hydrotherapy treatment from Jessica L Moreton, Veterinary Physiotherapist.

Jessica has a fantastic dog-centric approach, considering the best treatment options, and she has clearly taken the time to build Nelly’s confidence - definitely in good hands!

11/12/2024

Real-Life dog walks, sometimes stranger than fiction!
Some news from a client that I've been working with to help make some changes to their day to day life so that their stunning Collie boy feels better about the world around him
"....we got chased out of the park behind our house this morning by a loose goat. He chased us all the way to the house..." 😲 unexpected cardiovascular exercise!
Relieved that there has been some big improvements in their life together over the last couple of months and the unusual encounter was well managed 🙌🐾

Time to recover is strongly recommended after any 'event' even for the most resilient dog. Stress hormones how long to dissipate depends on the individual dog 24-72 hours.

10/12/2024

Festivities!
It can be a busy time of year with extra excitement or additional stresses, more visitors, sparkly and sometimes smelly decorations, indoor trees(!) food perhaps in easier to reach locations, more movement, usual routines disrupted, more noise etc
Always plenty of advice out there, often too much to sift through, it can be confusing and conflicting!
What should we consider ahead of the coming celebrations?
Practical advice to help our canine companions in a great article by Laura McAuliffe of Dog Communication 🙏

The Guide to a Calm Christmas with your dogArticles / activity, adolescent, bark, christmas, dog, dog care, enrichment, human experience, puppy, top tips, toys Christmas can be a stressful time of year for humans and it can be even worse for reactive and anxious dogs.   Changes to routine, lots of...

09/12/2024

Hello Frank!
What puppies encounter in the first few months (3-14 weeks) has a BIG influence and shape much of what is to come… as do genetics, their Mum & Dad, the conception, the birth, the environments they spend time in, life experiences day to day etc

Are puppy socialisation classes a good idea?
It depends on the size and how it’s run - the set up as well as the knowledge of the provider. Novelty is good BUT too many new people, overly excited pups, too much new could be a sensory overload & have negative consequences.

It will help a puppy with their development and adult sociability if they get to choose when, who and what to approach i.e. humans, and other animals, novel objects, in a managed environment where they feel safe & secure, knowing that you are there.

Appropriate socialisation is great for learning and bolsters confidence.

Socialisation that benefits your puppy won’t necessarily happen in a puppy class or a puppy group 🐾

08/12/2024

What’s happening in 2025?
Classes ideal for those with a puppy or a dog new to you.
Small classes & relaxed environment.
Suitable for those who need a little guidance on building connection, to learn how to teach their dogs cues or for those who want to revisit training.

Saturday mornings 10am
January 11 18 25
February 1 & 8

Blocks of 5 sessions
45 minutes

Lead skills for walks together
Teaching your dog to follow a cue such as laying ‘Down’
Recall - older dogs can learn new 'tricks'

Option of joining group dog talk via WhatsApp

£120
Can be split into 5 separate payments
Based at Littlebourne 14th Century Barn

More news & class dates coming soon.

To book or enquire about One to One training
Email [email protected]
Text/call 07484 767650
https://samhumberstone.co.uk/

Photo - a beach wander with this gorgeous whippet boy - before the arrival of storm Darragh!

06/12/2024

Lots of logs arranged safely & neatly. Some one with the diligence of a Collie has been busy!

04/12/2024

Photo of Osian poised for action ✨

On our morning walk he was charged at by a substantially built GSD and a Pointer, Osian spoke fluent dog and seemed to convey a response that had a calming affect*. Just before they got to him a whistle was blown from a little distance away from us, not even a twitch of an ear. And shortly after the duo moved away the back-up arrived, an uncertain Collie. He/she didn't get up as close and personal but 'swore' a little under his/her breath, bless! All these dogs were shouted at when they made their approach.

I've been really fortunate that dog to dog altercations have been extremely rare in the decades of sharing my life with dogs. I didn't shout, as additional 'heat' often 'fuels fires'. We immediately followed this little event with a game he likes. Relieved that Osian dealt with this so well - whadda good boy!🐾

* if the approach had been from a jogger or a child his fluent dog may have made "foul-mouthed Fido" blush 🤓

03/12/2024

❌AT CHRISTMAS YOUR DOG DOESN’T HAVE TO:

🧑‍🎄 Visit Santa at the garden centre

🎄 Be around your visitors

🎅🏽 Go to other peoples houses

🎄 Go to see the Christmas lights switch on

🍺 Go to the busy pub on Christmas Eve

If they are anxious or get worried about people, dogs or busy places or if they just don’t like doing these things. It’s not a fault if they don’t like doing these things, many dogs don’t enjoy ‘human activities’ like this (some do, I have one that loves all of it and two that would be 🫤 ).

✅ Instead they may prefer to:

🚪 Be in their safe space (see upcoming post on this), a quiet room they like being in with a dog gate on the doorway when you have a house full of people who may scare them

🐕 Have an extra trip to a freedom field on Christmas morning and some extra enrichment at home while you go and visit family for a few hours if they’d find it stressful to come with you

🐶 A meet up with a dog or human friend at a place they like rather than a trip to the heaving pub on Christmas Eve

🦴 A trip to a dog enrichment centre or a 121 in an activity they love (scent work, mantrailing etc) rather than an outing to see the Christmas lights switched on

🍖 Some dog safe Christmas biscuits you’ve made them rather than dressing up in a dog Santa outfit

Loads of these Christmas ‘traditions’ that we enjoy are not enjoyed by our dogs, especially if they are anxious or more sensitive. Even the most robust dog may tolerate these activities rather than love them.

Please be mindful of your dogs wants and needs and don’t put them into situations they find stressful just because we want them to be part of Christmas. It’s your Christmas, not your dogs, they really won’t mind not being included in everything you do ❤️

Laura McAuliffe Dog Communication 2024

30/11/2024

Small in stature but BIG in character, and can be vocal with his opinions - WOOF! Zippy aced this morning, we had big dogs in class, yet he was able to watch & learn, quiet & confident 🤩

Terrierfic and a hit with everyone ❤️

photo - He was curious to sniff our stooge JRT after a routine health check