Reservoir Dogs Llanishen Training and Behaviour

10/11/2024

On Remembrance Sunday, we honour the bravery and sacrifice of all who served in times of war—humans and animals alike. Alongside soldiers, animals like horses, dogs, and pigeons played crucial roles, from carrying messages and rescuing the injured to providing comfort and companionship.

As we remember today, we should also think about those (humans and animals) who are currently affected by conflict and keep them in our thoughts too.

Lest we forget.🌺

04/11/2024

🧡 How Many Choices Have You Made Today? 🧡

Now... how many choices has your dog made? 🤔

Think about your day. Did you choose what to eat, what to wear, where to go? Now consider your dog’s day. How many opportunities did they have to make choices?

Allowing dogs to make small choices in their daily lives—like where to sleep (yes that would probably be with you in your room), what to play with, or where to explore on walks—can make a big difference to their happiness and well-being.

🐾 AGENCY Reduces Stress: Research shows that animals, including dogs, experience lower stress when they have some control over their environment (Koolhaas et al., 2011). Just like us, dogs feel better and less anxious when they have some agency in their lives.

🐾 Choice Boosts Mental Health: Studies in shelters found that when dogs were allowed to make choices—like selecting toys or deciding when to interact—they showed fewer signs of anxiety and improved overall well-being (Fitzpatrick et al., 2017). Making small choices can help keep their minds active and engaged.

🐾 Prevents Learned Helplessness: Remember the famous learned helplessness study (which was horrific)? When dogs had no control over their situation, they became passive and stopped trying to change it, showing signs of depression (Seligman & Maier, 1967). Lack of choice can lead to this same sense of helplessness in any dog, so even small choices can help keep them mentally resilient and optimistic.

🐾 Quality of Life and Confidence: Giving dogs choices—like where to sleep or who to interact with—can improve their quality of life and make them more confident (McMillan, 2005; Mellor et al., 2020). Letting them explore their world and express natural behaviours keeps them happier and healthier.

Whether it’s letting your dog choose the route on a walk, decide between a few enrichment toys, or even pick their resting spot, giving them choices supports their mental health and builds trust.

So next time you’re with your dog, try giving them the chance to make a few choices! 🌱💛

What choices did your dog make today?

19/10/2024

The teenage phase can be challenging for dog and humans, these classes focus on games to build engagement and we incorporate some tricks too, because they’re fun!

16/10/2024

Willow, the little Black and Tan pup, recently completed one of my Puppy Packages. She likes to observe her surroundings and has shown some slight sensitivities around other dogs.

During this session, I introduced her to Charlie—the best boy, and an incredible communicator. Other dogs naturally respect him because he’s polite, calm, and confident, without being rude or pushy.

Willow was a bit nervous at first, so we gave her the space to do what felt comfortable for her. She chose to either come in for a brief sniff or move away as she pleased. After twenty minutes or so, she felt comfortable enough to try and initiate play with Charlie.

The puppy packages are great because they really are tailored to what your puppy needs, whether that’s to know how to relax, build confidence around bigger dogs, or just gain an understanding of our human world.

11/10/2024

06/10/2024

Just got back from the PACT conference in Wi******er. It was a fantastic day with some amazing speakers, and I had the chance to network with like minded dog enthusiasts. I even got to see some
of the people who were on my course!

Of course, I couldn’t resist spending a bit of my hard-earned cash on the girls – including a toy pastrami! Pippa had great fun testing it out 😂.

24/09/2024

Have some FUN with your dog!

Offering a variety of different treats in a muffin tin is a fantastic way to learn more about their preferences. By placing different treats in each section of the tin, you allow your dog to make choices and explore new flavours and textures. This simple activity engages their natural foraging instincts and also provides valuable insight into your dog’s preferences—do they go straight for the high-value treats or explore everything equally? This can help you determine which treats are most motivating for training and which ones they’re less interested in.

You can mix it up and have a tin full of different meats, their favourite can be used for recall, you could have a tin with half soft foods and half crunchy foods. What did they prefer?

Give it a go and let me know what your dog's favourite treat is, feel free to include a photo!

Make sure to use foods your dog is able to eat! If you're not sure research it first!

17/09/2024

Stanley has successfully completed his Puppy Package, we had lots of fun in the process!

Well done to Stanley and his family! It’s been a pleasure working with you. 🐾

15/09/2024

We had a great session on Thursday, the pups and teenagers are doing really well!

08/09/2024

🐾 Getting a Puppy? Not Sure Where to Start? 🐾

It can be overwhelming trying to find the right puppy—there’s so much to think about! I’ve put together some key tips to help you navigate the process and make sure you’re on the right path to getting a happy, healthy pup from the right breeder.

Getting a puppy today might be easy—you can hop online and find one in minutes—but I urge you to pause and think carefully about where that puppy is coming from. Is the breeder experienced? Are they doing things ethically?

Breeding dogs is about so much more than just pairing two dogs. The long-term consequences of poorly bred puppies can lead to behavioural and health problems. Good breeders research, plan, and prioritise the welfare of their dogs—and that’s exactly what you should be looking for.

📖 Read the full blog here and I hope it helps you! https://www.reservoirdogsllanishen.co.uk/post/getting-a-puppy-here-s-how-to-find-a-reputable-breeder

04/09/2024

Just two soaces left for our class, starting Thursday!

Don’t get FOMO come join us and have some fun!

£135 for 6 weeks at Llwynfedw Gardens just off Heathwood Road.

Small classes and lots of support throughout.

Reservoir Dogs Llanishen. Professional dog walker, Dog Trainer and Dynamic Dog Practitioner. Every dog is an individual and should be treated that way, using kind & effective methods

29/08/2024

🌟 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀! 🌟

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve officially earned my Full Membership with PACT (Professional Association of Canine Trainers)! Saying I’m over the moon doesn’t even begin to cover it! It has made our holiday that much better (my husband is just as happy as me because he’s lived the whole experience with me) 😂

This journey has been incredibly challenging but equally rewarding. The course involved extensive written assignments, countless videos of me training my own dogs, and a rigorous Practical Assessment, where I had to demonstrate my skills in both one-to-one and group classes. On top of that, I completed over 70 hours of hands-on training to meet the high standards required.

But what does this mean for you?

As a 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧 and a 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 professional with the 𝗔𝗕𝗧𝗖 (𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹), you can trust that I have met the highest standards in dog training and behaviour. This means:

𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 - I use methods backed by the latest research, ensuring your dog’s training is effective and humane.

𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 - My approach prioritises your dog’s welfare, focusing on positive reinforcement and creating a safe, supportive environment.

𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 - You can have peace of mind knowing that I’m recognised by two leading organisations in the industry, committed to upholding the best practices in dog training.

𝗢𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: As part of my membership, I’m committed to Continuous Professional Development (CPD), meaning I’ll always be up-to-date with the latest techniques and knowledge to provide the best care for your dog.

A picture of my girls who have taught me so much ( PATIENCE) 😂

23/08/2024

Today, I had the pleasure of working with these two brothers again! You might recognise them from my classes.

Dougal has been struggling with his attention outdoors, so we focused on practicing some foundation skills outside, like stays—a challenging area for him. Today, he absolutely smashed it! Repetition is key!

We also played some simple engagement games to boost his focus on his guardian when out and about.

Next we’ll be heading to parks across Cardiff to practice in more distracting environments. Stay tuned for updates!

14/08/2024

07/08/2024

Yesterday, I went to see Coco the cockapoo. I took a video of her acing a retrieve and hand touch, but for some reason, it didn’t save. After some googling, it seems this is a known issue with Apple. I had plenty of storage and didn’t stop recording; it’s just not in my videos. Very frustrating!

Her guardians are doing an amazing job keeping up with the training, which is evident by how well she’s doing!

Our next session will be practicing in the real world, watching how she interacts with other dogs, and working on recall, stay, and an emergency stop, which are all very important life skills.

03/08/2024

This gorgeous bunch came on our social walk today where we did some recall and looked at different ways to deliver treats.

They had some brief introductions with one another, and did a lot of sniffing for treats on the floor and on the tree trunks.

We looked at lots of ways to engage with them too.

Some tired dogs at the end I think!

Social Walks are included when you book a package and it’s a great way to start really understanding your dog 🐾

02/08/2024

I nearly always forget to take videos or photos when working with clients but I remembered today when working with this gorgeous fella!

Meet Stanley who has booked a puppy package and will be learning the key foundational skills that will set him up for life!

He was absolutely amazing and nailed his first session.

Well done Stanley 🐾