When I told Dexter’s owners that enrichment releases loads of happy hormones that help with improving reactivity and reducing stress…Now this is enrichment done properly 🤣🤣🤣
Remember Pearl who I shared with you a few weeks ago parallel walking with some people without reaction? Well here she is again smashing it out the park again on a second meeting with Beth and Florence. Pearl has been worried by dogs and people since she was very young and as such she hasn't had the ability to be around calm, predictable dogs that she can learn from. We're very fortunate that Beth allows me to borrow Florence for such occasions so that Pearl can start to learn more appropriate behaviours and suss out how best to interact with other dogs. Still a way to go but some huuuge progress being made!
Puppy Classes starting Wednesday 11th September 7-8pm at Dunham on Trent Village Hall
🐶 6 week course
🐶 Experienced and qualified instructor
🐶 Small group classes for 121 tailored support
🐶 Focus on confidence building, basic obedience appropriate socialisation. Giving you the problem solving skills to set your puppy up for life!
🐶 FREE access to our online puppy school worth £45
1st week is an induction without puppy so if you're puppy is still waiting their 2nd vaccination, get in touch anyway!
£84 per dog. Suitable for puppies 6 months and under.
Book here https://form.jotform.com/Education4Paws/puppy-class-booking-form
Here’s a bit of live action coaching through my session with Marley last week with Daisy my trusted miniature Doberman!
Marley has had some pretty scary encounters with other dogs and as such can be seen quite explosively reactive when he sees other dogs.
His owners have been working hard over the last few weeks to reduce his arousal before he leaves the house and build his engagement and this is our first session putting it all into practise.
If this is something you feel would benefit you then get in touch today!
TRAIL HUNT INTERNATIONAL!
Trail Hunt International is a brand new scent work sport where we teach your dog to follow a specific odour which we have laid in the environment.
This sport is accessible to all dogs and handlers and can be practised by yourself or with friends. Lay a trial anywhere, build your dog's confidence and meet those breed specific traits!
Ability to pass achievements, enter trials and tests and progress your trail hunt as far as you'd like.
4 x 90 minute sessions
Free registration to the Trail Hunt International Register which gives you a logbook and reg number
4 week course starting Monday 16th September 5:45-7:15pm at the field opposite Willow Farm Cottam
Complimentary starter kit to practise at home
£135
Suitable for both people and dog reactive dogs
What’s the point in this video? It’s just a dog having fun in the park…
Exactly that! 6 months ago Pearl would have thrown herself at these people barking and growling. She’d have been pulling like a train, not able to engage with the environment or her human and looking for a dog or car to also bark at. She’d have been so chronically stressed that her reaction times were too quick to get any interruption in and she was difficult to get any control over.
Fast forward to now, Pearl was able to take a long walk round a busy local park, passing people and dogs and hearing traffic with ease.
So immensely proud of Pearl and her mum who have worked tirelessly since Pearl was just 6 months old to get these results. We’ve still got a way to go to build her confidence when greeting other dogs but we’re definitely heading in the right direction!
What do you see hear?
Is he being ignorant? Maybe he's just not hungry? Is he just being disobedient?
Barney is aware the food is being offered but is finding a particular scent on the grass very arousing. Tense mouth, ears forward, tail tightly tucked. As he moves away from the scent you see his mouth loosen however he is vigilant, his posture is upright and he is heavy panting.
Barney isn't being naughty or ignorant, he is actually quite stressed. When humans or dogs are under stress, their body can shut down non essential functions, one of which can be the digestive system. This is why we don't always eat when stressed but stress doesn't always have to be negative, it can be positive too.
This was possibly Barney's first time out on a long walk in the peak district, his previous history before coming into rescue was unknown. He spends most of his life in a kennel with minimal human contact and experiences the same environment on a daily basis. This means his emotions when he ventures in a new area are all over the place! He's excited, aroused, slightly apprehensive and this means food is just not on his radar.
Nest time your dog doesn't take food on a walk just take a step back and assess where you are and how your dog might be feeling. You may just need to take your training back a level. If you need to support on how to do this, get in touch!
It’s hot hot hot! ☀️ When walking might not be an option, have you considered making some enrichment instead? Great way to get the kids and grandkids involved too!
Join us and learn something new that both you and your dog can enjoy! 📆 Monday 29th July for 6 weeks (skipping 12th and 19th August) ⏰ 9:30-10:30am📍 Dunham on Trent Village Hall NG22 0FJ 💰 £135 with handouts, videos, starter kits and support throughout the course! #scentworkfordogs
Fancy a trick training workshop with a twist?
Teach your dog to be the next witch or wizard in this fun and engaging trick training workshop! ‘Avadacadavra’ your dog or ‘Lumos’ the room. Kids and dogs alike will be sure to come out feeling magical. The perfect entertainment for the summer holidays!
Dogs don’t need to have any prior training experience but they do need to be able to cope in a class environment.
Fancy dress not compulsory but very much welcomed! 🧙♀️🧙
£30 for the workshop or join both for £50!
Dunham on Trent Village Hall events
Thank you everyone for coming down to Dunham on Trent’s summer fayre today, it was great to meet you all!
Congratulations to Jasmine the 15 week old English Bull Terrier puppy who won Best in Show (and was very lucky to make it back with her mum because I was ready to steal her!). I hope your £25 voucher prize will come in handy with her training!
Let's talk about chewing...
Chewing is a natural behaviour that dogs use to alleviate stress and anxiety. Similar to how humans might engage in activities like doodling or fidgeting when feeling stressed, dogs often turn to chewing as a way to self-soothe.
Chewing helps dogs release tension and pent-up energy. It provides an outlet for them to channel their stress in a constructive manner, which can prevent the development of destructive behaviours like excessive barking, pacing, or aggression. Chewing can induce a state of physical relaxation in dogs. Much like with licking, the repetitive motion of chewing and the act of gnawing on an object can have a calming effect on their nervous system, reducing feelings of tension and promoting relaxation. It also triggers the release of endorphins which are natural chemicals in the brain that promote feelings of pleasure and well-being.
What is your dog's favourite thing to chew? Do you have any pictures?
