Coastal k9

15/12/2024

Dog behavior issues can have a profound impact on family life. At Coastal k9 whether we’re working in the UK or Dubai, we see the same challenges affecting owners and their beloved dogs.

When faced with behavioral cases, we as trainers are often brought in to "fix" the problem. But how can we truly resolve behavior issues if we don't first understand why they exist? Before jumping into the how, we need to take a step back and focus on the why.

That’s why ongoing education is at the heart of everything we do at Coastal k9. Both Susan and I are committed to ensuring our knowledge is as expansive as our hands-on experience. We believe you can never stop learning, which is why, even while Susan is working through her Level 3 qualification and I’m pursuing my Level 4, we’ve also decided to undertake a new course in Applied Ethology.

The more we understand why our dogs behave the way they do, the better equipped we are to guide them — and their families — toward happier, healthier lives together.

12/12/2024

Anyone who owns a dog or is thinking of getting one should watch this, take the time out of your busy schedule for your dogs sake.

FULL PRO COURSE!https://kimbropheylegscourses.thinkific.com/courses/legs-applied-ethology-family-dog-mediation-professional-courseYOUR DOG is not broken, and...

07/12/2024

Why Remote Training Can Be More Effective for Separation-Related Issues

When people hear "remote training," they often assume it’s a less effective approach compared to in-person sessions. But when it comes to addressing separation-related issues, remote training is not just a viable option — it’s often the better option.

Here’s why:

When a trainer is physically present in the home, the dog’s experience is no longer 'normal.' There’s a new person, new smells, new energy. This shift in the environment prevents the true setting of the predictable routine we’re aiming to implement. For separation-related issues, predictability is crucial, as dogs thrive on consistency and familiarity. If the dog's environment constantly changes due to a trainer's presence, it can make it harder for the dog to settle into the routine we're trying to establish.

Remote training also allows for real-time coaching. I guide you through each step as it happens, helping you understand how to read your dog’s body language and respond appropriately. This approach shifts the focus to you as the handler, which is essential since you are the one who will ultimately carry out the training plan every day.

I know that many owners prefer the idea of having a trainer physically present. But if you want a lasting solution, not just a temporary fix, it’s important to understand that your presence is the most critical part of the plan — not mine. My role is to teach, guide, and support you through this process, and that can be done with clarity and precision from a remote setting.

If you’re currently facing separation issues with your dog, know that the goal is not to mask the problem, but to change it at its root. Remote training allows us to create a clear, consistent plan tailored to your dog’s needs, without the distraction or confusion of having a third party in the house.

If you'd like to learn more about how remote training can support you and your dog, reach out. It’s a solution-focused approach, and for separation-related issues, it’s often the most effective way forward.

There is no magic solution — just dedication, consistency, and the right support system in place.

07/12/2024

26/11/2024

"I’ve been contra-freeloading for years, and when clients ask why, I always have the same simple answer: studies have proven that dogs would choose to work for their food, like foraging and digging, rather than eating food out of a bowl. Now, that answer clearly doesn’t give enough information to make people want to contra-freeload because most of my clients choose not to. So, from the words of my amazing mentor, I’m going to give you a more in-depth answer that will make you go, 'I am definitely adding this into my dog's life.'

I think the biggest push for me to do this post was actually hearing another dog trainer say it’s cruel making them work for their food. If you truly understood dogs, you would not be saying that. Domesticated dogs only make up 20% of the population, and we have selectively bred them for purposes such as guarding, hunting, and herding, to name a few.

So when we started selectively breeding, we bred for purpose. We bred the dogs to do a specific job, and they were given a role in that job. We may have stripped their need for survival away, but they still had a purpose. But then, as dogs started becoming pets, we decided that we needed to strip away their purpose as well. We liked the look of the guarding breed, but we didn’t want them to guard. We liked the intelligence of the herding breeds, but we did not want them to herd. So, this has left many dogs without an outlet for the traits we bred them to have.

We do everything for our dogs and, in doing so, take away so many natural behaviors. Thermal regulation is one. If it’s too hot, we turn the heating down. If it’s too cold, we add an extra furry blanket to their bed. If they’re a little fussy with their food, we add something tasty to it, removing any unpredictability about where their next meal will come from. Even exercise has become predictable—we often walk the same route in the same field every day. So, we’ve truly taken away their need for survival, leaving them with little opportunity to engage in the natural behaviors that make them dogs.

Even though we are trying to strip away the traits that we bred into them, we have to remember that the physical characteristics are still there. There is enough phenotype present that the dog still has the want and need to do what it was bred for. So, challenge them through training. Making things hard for them is enriching, as life in the wild is all about survival.

Now, some trainers are teaching with no challenges at all. Is that truly fair? I love teaching obedience, and for behavioral issues, I feel it’s a necessity—especially for working breeds. Again, if you think you can solve behavioral issues with desensitisation and counter-conditioning alone, I think you’re going to struggle. Management and control are going to be massive parts of the training.

When we look at many other species, we see that they choose to thrill seek, and there are countless studies showing this behavior stems from the need for survival. Thrill seeking is a huge internal reinforcement. So, when we think about working only to set them up for success all the time, it becomes completely under-stimulating for the dog.

If you still think contra-freeloading isn’t worthwhile, stop and think: What does your dog truly need in their life? They need to be challenged. They need to problem-solve. They need to learn obedience to add the control into their life. They need you to make some things hard to gain a sense of achievement, So, when you think making your dog work for their food is not ethical, is what you’re doing right now actually ethical? Food for thought."

24/11/2024

Anyone that knows me, knows how strongly I feel about having your dogs insured, but sometimes even with the highest level of insurance it can fall short, and this could happen to any one of us.

When you dog is not well the last thing you need is financial worry on top, so we wanted to try and help relieve some of the pressure.
This little dog went through so much and is a true fighter.
Please if you can spare just a little it would make a huge difference 😍

Hi everyone, I’m hoping to raise some money on behalf of a client of Coast… Susan Malcolm needs your support for Cover the costs of Finn’s lifesaving care

10/11/2024

📣 Exciting News for New dog Owners! 📣

Due to popular demand, we’re thrilled to announce a special split-block Foundation Class starting just before Christmas! If you've recently welcomed a puppy, adolescent or adult dog and are eager to start building solid foundations, this is the perfect opportunity. 🎄🐾

Starting Tuesday, 10th December at 6:30 pm, we’ll hold our first session at Barracks Canine Centre in Carnoustie. This initial block will run for a couple of weeks, giving you the essentials and some valuable training homework to keep you going over the holidays. Then, we’ll resume in the New Year to complete the program and build on the skills you’ve practiced.

👉 Limited spaces available! If you have a young dog needing strong foundations, don’t wait—message us to secure your spot and get started on the right track!

10/11/2024

"Before diving into any training plan, I always prioritise an emotional preparation phase. 🧘‍♂️🐾 This stage is essential for creating an optimal working environment, setting the foundation for progress. Without preparing the dog's emotional state and managing the environment effectively, training can easily fall short.

Alex Latto, in his book Braveheart, uses a powerful analogy of a sink to illustrate this. The hot tap represents negative emotional input—like arousal or stress—that can fill the sink to the point of overflow. When a dog is overwhelmed, they reach a point where they can no longer cope. Before we can begin training, we need to 'turn off the tap' and clear any residual arousal. Management is what allows us to remove this residue, preventing overflow and helping the dog gradually reset emotionally. As Latto states, 'Management should be part of training and not a solution.'

Take fireworks season, for example. Whether it's Guy Fawkes Night in the UK or Diwali in Dubai, many dogs struggle intensely with the sudden sounds and lights. If your dog hasn’t been prepared for firework season, all you can do is provide emotional support and management to make their environment as calm and stress-free as possible.

Once we get the inflowing tap under control and remove the residue, we create the opportunity for rest—and when we talk about rest, it means uninterrupted sleep, which is essential for helping a dog be truly ready to learn.

Before we go into the practical training plan, it’s crucial to ensure that all of this preparation is in place. If it’s not, we cannot truly start training, as the dogs are simply not emotionally ready for it. Management becomes an integral part of the training process, laying the groundwork for lasting success.

This phase can sometimes take a few weeks to fully implement, with adjustments along the way. But once this foundation is in place, we’re ready to move forward into confidence-building. Studies have shown that our reactions to aversive stimuli are closely linked to our mood. By working on confidence, we can promote positive thinking in our dogs, too. While we can’t control every situation, making even small adjustments to set the dog up for success—especially in real-life settings—can make a big difference in how the dog feels. By instilling a sense of success through small, achievable challenges in daily life, we help our dogs build resilience.

Distraction in dog training can sometimes get bad press, but it does have a place. At the very early stages of training, distraction can be useful, especially if we’re about to encounter something unexpected. In these cases, using distraction can help when it’s not the right time or place to engage in training, or if the dog simply isn’t ready for the challenge yet. However, it’s important to remember that distraction is not a long-term strategy; it’s a temporary tool for specific situations.

*The diagram used is a representation of Alex Latto’s sink analogy from his book Braveheart."

I don't usually even meet the dogs I am training unless this stage has been Implemented for a couple of weeks. This stage also allows me to see the level of commitment from owners as well. There are lots of other parts to the preparation phase such as instinctual needs being met, health and diet but I wanted to cover the importance of emotional preparation through control and management.

02/11/2024

We always look forward to these two coming for their barnhunt sessions 💕

30/10/2024

Sadly one of our participants has had to pull out, but it's good news for someone else who is wanting to give barnhunt a go.

📢 Join Our Next Introduction/Beginner Barn Hunt Course! 🐾

Does your dog love using their nose? Barn Hunt is the perfect activity to tap into their natural instincts while having fun!

Our next Introduction/Beginner 6-Week Barn Hunt Course starts on Saturday, the 23rd of November, at 11 a.m.. This course is designed for beginners who are new to Barn Hunt or for those looking to get their dogs started in this exciting dog sport.

During the course, we’ll guide you and your dog through the fundamentals of Barn Hunt, helping them learn how to use their natural hunting skills in a fun, structured environment. Whether your dog is a natural-born hunter or just loves a good challenge, Barn Hunt is a fantastic way to build confidence, mental stimulation, and strengthen your bond!

Course Details: 📅 Start Date: Saturday, 23rd November
⏰ Time: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
📍 Location: Coastal K9, The Barracks canine Centre, Panmurefield Ind Estate Carnoustie.
💷 Price: £90 for the full 6-week block

Spaces are limited and this will. Be the final course for 2024, so be sure to book early! To secure your spot or for more information, please contact us directly.

WhatsApp 07970981216 or pm the page.
Barn Hunt UK

26/10/2024

Cooper certainly was tired after his barnhunt session 😂

24/10/2024

My current little board and train, this little dog has come from another board and train, let's say we are working on relationship and trust at present.
She just wants to please 😘
I might just steal her and take her home, my little daisy dog.

24/10/2024

Last space and last chance to take part in barnhunt this year 😊

📢 Join Our Next Introduction/Beginner Barn Hunt Course! 🐾

Does your dog love using their nose? Barn Hunt is the perfect activity to tap into their natural instincts while having fun!

Our next Introduction/Beginner 6-Week Barn Hunt Course starts on Saturday, the 23rd of November, at 11 a.m.. This course is designed for beginners who are new to Barn Hunt or for those looking to get their dogs started in this exciting dog sport.

During the course, we’ll guide you and your dog through the fundamentals of Barn Hunt, helping them learn how to use their natural hunting skills in a fun, structured environment. Whether your dog is a natural-born hunter or just loves a good challenge, Barn Hunt is a fantastic way to build confidence, mental stimulation, and strengthen your bond!

Course Details: 📅 Start Date: Saturday, 23rd November
⏰ Time: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
📍 Location: Coastal K9, The Barracks canine Centre, Panmurefield Ind Estate Carnoustie.
💷 Price: £90 for the full 6-week block

Spaces are limited and this will. Be the final course for 2024, so be sure to book early! To secure your spot or for more information, please contact us directly.

WhatsApp 07970981216 or pm the page.
Barn Hunt UK

22/10/2024

This is the last course of the year and only 2 spaces left available 😊

📢 Join Our Next Introduction/Beginner Barn Hunt Course! 🐾

Does your dog love using their nose? Barn Hunt is the perfect activity to tap into their natural instincts while having fun!

Our next Introduction/Beginner 6-Week Barn Hunt Course starts on Saturday, the 23rd of November, at 11 a.m.. This course is designed for beginners who are new to Barn Hunt or for those looking to get their dogs started in this exciting dog sport.

During the course, we’ll guide you and your dog through the fundamentals of Barn Hunt, helping them learn how to use their natural hunting skills in a fun, structured environment. Whether your dog is a natural-born hunter or just loves a good challenge, Barn Hunt is a fantastic way to build confidence, mental stimulation, and strengthen your bond!

Course Details: 📅 Start Date: Saturday, 23rd November
⏰ Time: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
📍 Location: Coastal K9, The Barracks canine Centre, Panmurefield Ind Estate Carnoustie.
💷 Price: £90 for the full 6-week block

Spaces are limited and this will. Be the final course for 2024, so be sure to book early! To secure your spot or for more information, please contact us directly.

WhatsApp 07970981216 or pm the page.
Barn Hunt UK