4 Paws Fun Dog Training - Diss

31/10/2024

Happy Halloween 🎃 👻

25/10/2024

🐶🐾🐾 Sunday classes starting 3rd November.
1 space in Puppy class
1 space in Life Skills class

Classes held at Shelfanger Hall Farm.

🐶 Qualified and experienced trainers.

4 Paws Fun Dog Training - Diss

25/10/2024

This is our first go in at least 2 years, probably more. To say I’m chuffed with Wilf is an understatement.

23/10/2024

Hoopers fun today! Click the link to watch Lauren’s video

Pheonix & Igor are having loads of fun 🤩

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/dtb2rkkGKrCc2w3K/?mibextid=WC7FNe

22/10/2024

‼️Thursday 24th October evening slots available this week, just a one off!
It’s very rare I have availability Thursday evenings!

5.15 to 6.15
And
6.30-7.30

19/10/2024

I was asked about this by a couple of people recently, thought I’d post it here incase it’s of use to anyone else.
I’ve not read it, however I have it on good authority that it’s useful!

11/10/2024

Look who came to our class yesterday!
Jane from Pup School Suffolk came to my scent class with Freddie and her two puppies, Flora and Primrose. Super confident puppies 🤩 what gorgeous girls 🥰

09/10/2024

Many of you asked so……..

I’ve got pots and bags of the soft food/treats I use for training for sale.

Prices are:-
Chicken £2-£2.50
Lamb £3.00-£3.50

Available at our lessons.

08/10/2024

🐕 Do you need help with Obedience, Recall, Loose Lead Walking, Tricks, Scentwork, Confidence building, Hoopers, whatever your needs we can help.

I have limited 1:1 spaces available for the rest of October, so if you need some extra help please get in contact asap to book your slot.

🐾 Friday 11th October 11am-12pm at Tibenham
🐾 Sunday 13th October 11.30am-12.30pm at Shelfanger
🐾Tuesday 15th October 10-11am at Tibenham.
🐾Wednesday 16th October at 1pm either Tibenham or Shelfanger
🐾 Tuesday 22nd October 10-11am at Tibenham

* Picture of me and Wilf in the main arena at Crufts 2023*

08/10/2024

This is what all decent trainers should be doing! Sadly, not all follow this ethos.
⬇️👇
Quote from Sarah’s post…
“Great trainers uphold strong ethics, continually invest in their education, and always put the well-being of your pet first. Let’s raise awareness and promote ethical, positive training practices to keep our dogs safe and happy.”

It’s time to address a serious issue: unethical training practices in the dog training world. Despite progress in the UK toward positive reinforcement, some so-called experts still use harmful techniques that cause unnecessary stress to pets and their owners.

Not all dog trainers are created equal. With so many professional bodies and acronyms out there, it can be hard to find a truly qualified trainer. Many people rely on word-of-mouth or online searches without digging into credentials.

Great trainers uphold strong ethics, continually invest in their education, and always put the well-being of your pet first. Let’s raise awareness and promote ethical, positive training practices to keep our dogs safe and happy.

01/10/2024

🐕🐕‍🦺 OUR FUN SOCIALISATION SESSIONS ARE BACK!!
🐾🐾 Starting 10am Wednesday 6th November to 27th November.
£15 a session or all 4 £50

01/10/2024

🐶 PUPPY CLASSES 🐶
Starting 10am - 11am Sunday 3rd November to 15th December (no class 24th November).

29/09/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/9hgcLAErQHJs4j3f/?mibextid=WC7FNe

25/09/2024

We now have a website!

I’m Tina, a qualified dog trainer with IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Trainers), where we must abide by a strict code of ethics, please look at www.imdt.uk.com for more information. I believe in using motivational techniques to help dogs and their guardians learn, grow and develop a wonderful lifel...

22/09/2024

In my Life Skills class we have been learning that being on a bed (or mat) as a boundary is a good place to be. Here you’ll see the gorgeous Penny taking it to the next level and shutting her eyes…..how lovely and chilled out is she?! Super pleased with this young pup.

❗️I wonder if anyone can guess what cross breed she is 🤔…..have a guess and pop a comment below ⬇️

21/09/2024

Meet Loki 💙, he’s a GSD x Husky, roughly 18 months/2 years of age. When I first met Loki, a few months ago, he was extremely vocal, liked to put his jaws around my arm which sometimes hurt and jump up which also hurt at times; he’s a very big boy, so when he jumped up his face met mine! Through some repetitive patterns, allowing him to make some good choices, a bit of sniffing of snuffle mats and other items Loki is a different dog. Loki is much more chilled, he rarely makes any noise, rarely jumps up. It’s amazing what time and patience can do. I do like to steal him for a little bit at our sessions and do some off lead work with him, Loki is a real joy to work with, his heel-work is coming along brilliantantly. I very much look forward to those moments when I can do things with him, it’s not my usual thing to work a dog that comes to a 121 but Loki’s owner is more than happy for me to indulge myself ❤️

20/09/2024

🐾🐶

DOG TRAINING

Our qualified trainers use positive reinforcement with fun, motivational techniques to help you and your dog learn those all important life skills.

We have lessons suitable for all abilities and all ages of dog.

✅ Group lessons and one to one lessons available.

Contact us to find out more ⬇️

4 Paws Fun Dog Training - Diss

We offer everything from classes, workshops and 1-2-1. We can provide these services either on line

17/09/2024

I often forget to post about the dogs I have 1:1 sessions with.

On Monday I went to visit this little cutie to talk about all things puppy. A first puppy for this lovely family, so they wanted to check they were doing things right…..and of course they are doing brilliantly.
Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy by Steve Mann was read prior to the puppy coming home, which has set the family up on the right path. A few little tips from myself added to what’s in the book.

I’m looking forward to welcoming this super pup to my puppy classes soon.

Isn’t she adorable 🥰

17/09/2024

Another big snuffle mat for lessons.

16/09/2024

This is a MUST read! ⬇️

This is becoming a welfare issue!

Im tired of hearing “the vet says there is no pain” by a guardian after they have taken their dog to the vet. It leaves me deflated and frustrated and feeling so sorry for the dog.

Myth Bust:

PAIN CANNOT BE RULED OUT IN ANY ANIMAL (dog, cat, horse or hamster), by anyone!

* A quick palpation - CANNOT RULE OUT PAIN

WHY?

The dog may shut down due to environmental factors or dislike of a strange human touching them, they keep still to get it over with ASAP!

The dog may be over aroused or overwhelmed by the clinical environment (excited/scared etc) to the point that adrenaline is so high it blocks pain!

* Blood Tests - CANNOT RULE OUT PAIN

There is currently NO blood test that can detect pain.

* Diagnostic imaging - CANNOT RULE OUT PAIN

Yes they can pick up a variety of conditions, but even the GOLD standard MRI doesn’t pick up everything, but NONE of them can detect PAIN.

Just because a source cannot be found doesn’t mean there is no pain.

PAIN is subjective, it is whatever that being (human or animal) perceives it to be!

Pain can come in many different forms, it is extremely complex, and can effect the individual in many different ways. A dog may get injured, the injury may have healed, but the pain remains … this is known as maladaptive pain.

Behaviour can be a HUGE indicator for PAIN:

* There could be a change of behaviour that has been directly caused by PAIN.

* There could be a worsening of behaviour due to an increase or new presence of PAIN.

* There could be a lack of “normal” behaviour due to PAIN.

* There could be behaviours that are present but that the guardian/owner don’t deem to be problematic that are indicators of PAIN.

* The dog may have ALWAYS displayed behaviours that are indicators of PAIN, but they have been ignored and put down to “just the way they are”.

* There may be NO problematic behaviours at all …. And the dog might still be in PAIN!

* The dog might be energetic, always on the go … and still be in PAIN.

* The dog might be lazy … and still be in PAIN.

* The dog may zoom up and down stairs … and still be in PAIN.

Diagnosing PAIN is not simple and can be difficult to get on top of.

A PAIN relief trail can be great! But often only one type of analgesic is tried and sometimes this doesn’t get results leading to the ASSUMPTION that there is no PAIN!

Here’s why:

* The drug was only trialed for 2 weeks - when living with chronic pain it can take longer to relieve. 2 weeks is not enough.

* The drug used wasn’t targeted to the type of pain the animal is feeling; soft tissue, bone, nerve or a combination of all.

It might take a number of different medications or a combination OVER TIME to see a difference.

ALWAYS keep in mind, NO ONE can rule out another being’s PAIN.

NO ONE. Not me. Not you. Not a Doctor. Not a Vet.

06/09/2024

Adolescence occurs between six months and 18 months of age—a time when guardians typically struggle the most with their dogs. Some guardians are so overwhelmed and underprepared for this developmental stage of their dog’s life, they choose to surrender the dog to a local shelter or rescue group. In a recent study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science found that the majority of the surrendered dogs (47.7 percent) ) were between 5 months and 3 years of age (M.D. Salman,John G. New, Jr.,Janet M. Scarlett,Philip H. Kass,Rebecca Ruch-Gallie &Suzanne Hetts, 2010)

The neurobiology of adolescence is fascinating, with some key events that alter both the structure and function of the brain.

During canine adolescence, changing s*x hormones effect the animals stress responses. Adolescent dogs have a decreased ability to process information they are receiving from the environment including the presence of dogs, vehicles, people, or really anything around them. They behave in ways that might feel frustrating or upsetting for the dog’s person.

The connectivity between the frontal cortex (responsible for decision making) and amygdala (responsible for emotional processing) decreases, resulting in less behavioral control. We see increased risk taking and more sensitivity to fear.

So what does this mean? This could mean that what was once no big deal to the dog now feels scary; what was once easy to do is now stressful; what once made sense is now confusing. At times, the world can feel like ‘too much’ for the adolescent dog.

As your puppy undergoes this transition into adulthood their inner world is intense, even chaotic. Many pet owners experience an increase in undesirable behavior and find themselves becoming increasingly frustrated. In turn, our own frustration and impatience can cause us to act unpredictably. This adds to our puppy’s inner turmoil. When the inside and the outside are both unpredictable it can be difficult for our dogs to adjust.

If you have an adolescent dog, what can you do? You can give your dog the time and space to observe what is going on around them when on leash at a distance away from the activity when possible. You can give your dog long walks to sniff and explore in nature, giving their brain time to decompress. You can offer your dog a quiet space to sleep so that they can consolidate memories effectively. You can continue training various skills, breaking them down into easier steps that can be generously reinforced.

By understanding what our adolescent dog is experiencing we gain greater compassion and understanding. When we approach adolescence with patience we create a world that is predictable and gentle so our puppies grow up to be their best adult selves.