Wiggle Waggle

28/10/2024

*****FIREWORK SEASON IS ALMOST HERE ********
Just a quick word as a dog behaviourist leading up to Firework season.
Firstly if you need to see fireworks then please go to an organised display as opposed to us having numerous private displays in back gardens.
Yes there's a health and safety aspect but also if neighbours have dogs, cats, you're near horses etc then the effect of fireworks can be at least traumatising & potentially lethal.
Animals have bolted & died as a result of their efforts, had heart attacks or run off never to be seen again. Have respect for all pets in your area.
As pet owners please ensure your pet is kept indoors during the main active periods for fireworks.
Draw curtains, turn up the tv, distract or comfort your pet.
Do NOT take dogs for walks at times when there's a lot of activity, make sure they're taken in daylight hours or when its all died down. Don't allow pets in the garden at these times.
It may not be too late to desensitise your pet to firework noises. Download sounds of fireworks and play them at low levels to your pet, slowly increasing volume over time, but not beyond a point where the pet becomes agitated, your pet needs to be totally comfortable until you slightly increase volume.
Let's make sure pets don't suffer this year & pet owners & those who want to enjoy fireworks can all ensure their actions are considered & responsible.
CONTACT GRAHAM AT Wiggle Waggle 07825 171319 to help desensitise your dog and for tips before Firework season is here

14/10/2024

These lovely Daschunds are Kylo & Luna. The darker one in front is Kylo, who has a few issues, the worst being separation anxiety which we discussed at length and their caring owner now has a number of techniques to implement. Treating separation anxiety when it's full blown is never easy or quick and requires patience, consistency and numerous training techniques in place. However we made excellent progress in putting a workable plan together.

Luna's main issue is reactivity and fear anxiety around men. Her owner warned me that if I wanted to see her, to expect being aggressively barked at pretty relentlessly! Well Luna came out and I put my knowledge of communicating effectively with dogs, reading their body language & modifying my own, including using calming signals & being non threatening. Suffice to say within a couple of minutes Luna was happily taking treats from me by hand, jumping up with paws on me & was very relaxed. I gave my client lots of advice on how this was achieved & what to get other male visitors to do and avoid.

If you have issues that are similar to those highlighted here or any other behavioural or training issues with your beloved pet that needs addressing, please contact us at Wiggle Waggle via messenger on here, message Graham the dog behaviour expert directly on WhatsApp using 07825 171319 or email via the website www.wigglewaggle.org.uk
Don't forget we give on-going support after any sessions.

30/09/2024

Problems with reactivity? Read on!

Milo has been an absolute star over the past months. His lovely owner was at her wits end. People crossing the road from her & the two dogs Milo & Bunny due to the crescendo of barking & the lunging etc, Bunny we've previously effectively dealt with individually with great results. For an owner to be anxious & not looking forward to walks goes against everything we do when we get a dog, it should be relaxing & fulfilling.

Working together my client & I are well on course to changing that dynamic with Milo. From a dog who used to erupt at the distanct sight of another dog we have made lots of progress with most encounters with other dogs now being peaceful.

A short while back as we were finishing a successful session, I spied a largish English Bulldog near the closest exit. I wanted to push it one last time before the next session but in honesty thought I was pushing myself & Milo really hard to exit within a few feet of the dog, something I know he's not been able to do without flipping. So deep breath, best trainer energy & front on and let's go. I had doubts personally this would work & was prepared to turn & head for the further exit if needed. However as we approached and Milo looked, I broke the obsession & acceleration, projected myself & my confidence and positive energy, Milo checked in, looked to the Bulldog, checked in ... back & forth and then with great relief fell in step with me & pushed forward, past the dog feet away & looked to me for guidance & leadership. YES! Nailed it Milo you star 🌟
👍🐕🐕
If your dog suffers any similar reactivity issues or for that matter any other behavioural or training problems, contact us now at Wiggle Waggle via messenger, phone on 07825 171319 or via the website (Wigglewaggle.org.uk) for affordable support & help for your beloved dog.

16/09/2024

This is Millie, she's a lovely Staffy cross & a beloved and massively important part in her wonderful owners lives. Millie has a few issues but a couple of the worst revolve around anxiety to noises, doors opening & closing indoors and noisy traffic outdoors. We looked at & discussed these issues at length & formulated a workable plan that my clients were happy with and in my opinion was right for Millie. A previous behaviourist consulted recommended marking Millie face her fears, not advisable in my opinion & experience with severe anxiety.

If your dog suffers any similar issues, anxieties, phobias or for that matter any other behavioural or training problems, contact us now at Wiggle Waggle via messenger, phone on 07825 171319 or via the website (Wigglewaggle.org.uk) for affordable support & help for your beloved dog.

09/09/2024

Vote for Muddy Paws Crime 👍🐕

05/09/2024

This weeks star pupil is .....
Cody the Collie / GSD cross.
Cody was found at the end of 2023 roaming the streets in Ireland after being suspected of escaping from a travelling camp nearby.
He was skin & bone and absolutely terrified.

My clients gave Cody a wonderful loving forever home early this year but understandably he had numerous issues. His anxiety based from his past was evident & he had an inherent fear of men and wouldn't even take treats from his male owner (but was fine with the lady of the house), not only that but he'd run from rooms or the garden if any man came into that space.

Certainly a challenge but Wiggle Waggle never shy away from these & my heart went out to the owners and most particularly to Cody. Within 15 minutes I had Cody taking treats from my hands and we drilled down into all existing issues. That was 4 weeks ago & I was back this week to witness some truly astounding improvements. This is a dog where only softly softly methods, patience & understanding would work. The owners had taken my advice on board & were delighted with progress. We addressed some toileting issues and notably getting Cody into the garden with males.... initially myself & then my client AND be relaxed in our presence. By the end of the session we had Cody relaxing, taking treats & LAYING DOWN (Only a relaxed at ease dog will do this in someone's presence), so another fantastic session & am looking forward to seeing Cody and his lovely owners again in a few weeks time for more progress.

Remember in cases like this results are rarely instant and this takes extreme patience & dedication to doing it properly but gradually. Consistency & sticking to certain rules daily are essential. However WELL DONE CODY!
fans

26/08/2024

Happy International Dogs Day From All At Wiggle Waggle

22/08/2024

One of my regular clients who I've been training his dog regularly since the end of last year, is a lovely old fella of 86. We were just finishing what was a brilliant & successful recall session with his dog Wanda when I asked what he used to do before retirement, he replied he was a Director & Producer with the BBC. I asked what programmes & he went through a few, Rentaghost, Jackanory & the Dave Allen at Large shows.

I looked him up after I was back & it all was spot on, but led me to see his father was an incredibly well known Director who directed TWENTY films plus some stella stuff on tv including the Adventures of Black Beauty, the Avengers, Space 1999 & the Professionals. His final work before retirement being a little film called a "Fish Called Wanda" obviously working with John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Klein & Michael Palin. No wonder my client named his dog "Wanda"

02/08/2024

This weeks star pup pupil is Loki the Lurcher/Collie cross. Incredibly nervous of men (former street dog) & by association even male dog behaviourists, the 1st 5 mins of our session was gaining his trust, after all I can't expect a reactive dog to engage with me & feel safe from other dogs if he doesn't trust me fully. Suffice to say he was a star as was his owner & we had a great session. Looking forward to more progress in our next session & putting my client to the test after showing some of the techniques we need.

22/07/2024

PUPPY SOCIALISATION & TRAINING CLASS 6PM IN COOKHAM
SUNDAY 4th AUGUST 2024
&
SUNDAY 11th AUGUST 2024
Valuable socialisation & training techniques and tips to help you & your puppy succeed.
Call or message behaviourist Graham on 07825 171319 for details & booking or via Wiggle Waggle FACEBOOK messenger

VISIT www.wigglewaggle.org.uk

19/07/2024

Today's chien du jour (dog of the day .. ok getting in the spirit of the upcoming Paris Olympics!), is the wonderful Smokey. Some destructive behaviour, attention seeking, separation anxiety, guarding. All very treatable and a very successful session ultimately with happy owners & dog! 🐕

17/07/2024

Hunter a Bordernese (Collie & Bernese Mountain Dog), lovely big lad, only 10 months but will grow more. Training engagement, recall & leash etiquette. Pleasure to work with along with owner David.

08/07/2024

**FREE** 1 HOUR PUPPY SOCIALISATION & TRAINING CLASS

6PM IN COOKHAM SUNDAY 14TH JULY 2024

Call or message behaviourist Graham on 07825 171319 for details & booking or via FB messenger.

Valuable socialisation & training techniques and tips to help you & your puppy succeed.

02/07/2024

As some dog training I had scheduled for today had to be moved, I spent more time watching & listening to more dog trainers. I love doing this as a trainer you can never be unwilling to listen & learn, you never know a technique from another trainer may be just what's needed with a specific dogs problems. This is what dog training should be like, bespoke solutions & fall back options as what may work for a reactive GSD, may not work for a reactive Daschund, behaviour issues for a Collie won't be fixed the same way as those issues may be fixed with a Cockerpoo.

Sadly dog training & behaviour work is also one of the most conflicted & toxic industries. I actually laughed at the Purely positive scientific trainers ripping up the more traditional trainers & vice versa. These guys are missing a trick, as believe it or not you DON'T have to be polarised and put yourself in one camp or another. In fact new PP methods & proven over years traditional methods can all learn something from one another, some applications I may apply to one dog & something from the other "so called camp" to a different one. However most seem to want to label themselves as one or the other & refute most of what the other genre of trainer has to say. It's about the dog ultimately & what works for him/her rather than adhering to a stylised choice.

25/06/2024

With temperatures set to hit 30 celcius or 86 Fahrenheit. This is very important, critical even.

22/06/2024

Met nice people & hopefully gave good advice 👍🐕

21/06/2024

Milo, an absolute star yesterday. Milos lovely owner was at her wits end. People crossing the road from her & the two dogs Milo & Bunny due to the crescendo of barking & the lunging etc, Bunny we've previously effectively dealt with individually with great results. For an owner to be anxious & not looking forward to walks goes against everything we do when we get a dog, it should be relaxing & fulfilling. So with my help & her hard work, my client is well on course to changing that dynamic with Milo. Yesterday we had some excellent behaviour & a little reactivity which we worked with and reduced massively. We were just wrapping up & preparing to leave the recreation area & I spied a largish English Bulldog near the closest exit. I wanted to push it one last time before the next session but in honesty thought I was pushing myself & Milo really hard to exit within a few feet of the dog, something I know he's not been able to do without flipping. So deep breath, best trainer energy & front on and let's go. I had doubts personally this would work & was prepared to turn & head for the further exit if needed. However as we approached and Milo looked, I broke the obsession & acceleration, projected myself & my confidence and positive energy, Milo checked in, looked to the Bulldog, checked in ... back & forth and then with great relief fell in step with me & pushed forward, past the dog feet away & looked to me for guidance & leadership. YES! Nailed it Milo you star 🌟 Even the owner was shocked! Next session more of the same with lots of coaching for my client 👍🐕

17/06/2024

Last call for tomorrow, hope to see lots of people there.

Announcing the next doggie engagement event in our series at Muddy Barkers! Our next event is at the lovely The Pinkneys Arms on Tuesday 18th June at 6pm, with Graham Whiddett of Wiggle Waggle who will be talking about understanding and managing separation anxiety in our furry friends. Whether your pup gets anxious when you leave for work or exhibits distressing behaviours when alone, this is a good chance to refresh on our understanding of our pets fears - especially when alone!

This is a dog friendly event of course, so please do bring your pup!

And of course there will be FREE treats for all pooches!

The event is FREE - just book here to reserve your space :
https://tinyurl.com/beyondthebarkk

See you there!