Wheelgates Canine Behaviour & Training

08/06/2024

01/02/2024

Do you feel tied to your puppy?
Need to leave the house for longer than s/he can be left?
I offer more than just a comfort break for your dog. As an advanced pet dog trainer and puppy expert, using only kind non punitive methods, not only can I give your puppy a comfort break but I will also provide training. If required I will assess any issues you may be concerned about and advise on how you may best address them.
All regular slots are filled but I have availability for occasional or emergency cover.
Message me or telephone for a chat 07973 513701

At Wheelgates, I believe passionately in relationship based dog training and I would love to work with you to build an understanding between you and your canine companion.

11/02/2023

Did you know there is something you can do early on in your puppies life that will make it much more likely that they never pull on the lead.
It's so easy, even a dog could understand it!
This is something I cover on every puppy home start.
https://www.wheelgates.co.uk/services

Canine Behaviour and Training

12/08/2022

10/08/2022

Recommended course in our area..

13/07/2022

I am so excited to once again be welcoming my mentor -the legendary John Rogerson for three unique days of training. There are just a few places left.
Everything taught from scratch so don't feel you need to be a certain standard to join in.
Saturday 20th August: Loose and off lead heelwork, recall, retrieve (various types, gundog style, competition style(dumbbell) simply retrieve a toy, emergency stop and basic stays.
Sunday 21st August: Sendaway, distance control, directional control at a distance, seek back to find lost car keys, 4 types of recall (free running, Competition, rejoin and chasing recalls)
Saturday 27th August: Send away, emergency stop, heelwork at 3 different paces, retrieve, stay and recall to heel.
STONELINK FARM BREDE TN31 6BL 9.30-4.00
£75 PER DAY- PRICE HELD FOR A LITTLE WHILE LONGER
BOOK 1, 2 OR ALL 3 DAYS!

At Wheelgates, I believe passionately in relationship based dog training and I would love to work with you to build an understanding between you and your canine companion.

06/04/2022

Coming up soon near Heathfield on 8th May...

Most dogs will have at least 1 accident/incident during their lives and how you act in the first 5 minutes is CRUCIAL. If you're not sure what you should do, or just need a refresher, BOOK NOW, it could save your dog's life.

Here are our upcoming in-person course dates:

Southwick May 11th 10am-2pm
Uckfield May 11th 1.30-5.30pm
Southbourne May 12th 2-6pm
Kemsing nr Sevenoaks May 25th 10am-2pm
Seaford May 25th 1.30-5.30pm
Lamberhurst May 26th 2-6pm

Brighton June 8th 10am-2pm
Hailsham June 9th 1.30-5.30
Reigate June 9th 2-6pm
Bearsted nr Maidstone June 22nd 2-6pm
Burgess Hill June 23rd 2-6pm
Lingfield June 29th 10am-2pm
Bexhill June 29th 1.30-5.30pm
Littlehampton June 30th 2-6pm

Crawley July 6th 10am-2pm
Billingshurst July 7th 2-6pm
Cranbrook July 13th 1-5pm
Rottingdean July 14th 1.30-5.30pm
Slindon July 14th 2-6pm
Ardingly July 20th 10am-2pm
Heathfield July 21st 1.30-5.30pm
Hildenborough (Tonbridge) July 21st 2.30-6.30pm

03/04/2022

In recent years, the British Horse Society has become aware of a great increase in dog related incidents involving horses - not just on loose horses in fields, but also on those being ridden or driven. The consequences of your dog being out of control around horses could be fatal.......

Dogs are by nature predators, even a placid companion dog may be tempted to chase a horse. Although the dog may not be chasing aggressively, the horse doesn’t know this. Dogs moving in a stalking manner can alarm horses who are by nature prey, and always on the look out for anything that may harm them. Even sunlight can play tricks on them and they see all manner of scary things in the shadows- including the Cockerpoo of DOOM! As a flight animal, the horses instinct to flee can be ignited in a fraction of a second. If they can not flee, they may attempt to kick out which can cause a serious injury. Once these powerful animals are in panic the rider or carriage driver may have little influence over them.

It is important for dog owners to understand they are liable to potential prosecution if their dog is ‘dangerously out of control’ (Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 Section 3).This means the owner must capable of instantly controlling their dog, no matter what the circumstances. ‘Close control’ will differ from dog to dog depending on how easy it is to call the dog back. If you can’t call your dog back immediately, they should be kept on a lead anywhere you may encounter horses or other livestock.

HOW CAN YOU HELP

Teach your dog how to behave around horses while s/he is still a puppy
Always keep an eye out for horses, and keep your dog on lead in fields where there might be any livestock
Keep your dog under control at all times-out of sight is out of control!
Train a non negotiable recall (find a good trainer to help you)
If you meet a horse and rider, don’t hide in the hedge, rather stand in a safe place and give a cheery good morning.. The horse will then know you are a person (and not a tiger!) This will also help your dog to relax, if s/he is worried, as the rider replies to you..
If in doubt as to what to do, ask the rider. or carriage driver. They will be extremely grateful.

26/11/2021

Hi
Let me introduce myself. My name is Alison Wright and I am the owner of Wheelgates Canine Behaviour & Training.
I live in Sussex with my two Dalmatians and, more often than not, a young whippet who comes to stay.
I specialise in puppies, and love to work with clients who are wanting to put procedures in place to get the very best possible start even before the puppy arrives in their home.
You can read more about my qualifications and services on my website www.wheelgates.co.uk
If you are thinking about getting a puppy do drop me a message.
If you already have one, do post a photo. We love puppies!

25/11/2021

BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL OFFER
Have you tried Butternut Box yet? They make freshly-prepared, perfectly portioned meals for dogs, and deliver them to your door. I see first hand the amazing impact that a good diet has on dogs’ health, happiness and behaviour. Try Butternut Box with my tasty Ambassador discount to get 50% of your first two boxes. Simply use the link www.butternutbox.com/Wheelgates50 and see the difference. They are even planting a tree for every box ordered!
(Butternut is not suitable for Dalmatians).

06/08/2021

My dog walker friend, shows it how it should be!

14/06/2021

Great advice from Cathy

03/06/2021

We have already seen our first adder bite of the year as the sun gets warmer, adders are out basking and a little slow to move.

Most adders are distinctively marked with a dark zigzag down the length of the spine or an inverted’V’ or ‘X’ shape on the neck. Males are generally white or pale grey with a black zigzag, females are a pale brown with a darker brown zigzag. Some adders can be entirely back and may be mistaken for another species. They have a red eye and a vertically split pupil. They are about 50-60cm long.

The adder (Vipera berus) is the only venomous snake native to Britain and are a protected species it is an offence to kill or harm them. Adders are not aggressive animals being quite timid by nature only biting when they feel threatened. Adders have the most highly developed venom injecting mechanism of all snakes even though they do not always release this venom when they bite. Bites are more common between March and October when the snakes are more active due to the warmer weather. Typically a dog will be bitten on the muzzle or the limbs but anywhere on the body is possible.

The adders preferred habitat is heaths, sand dunes, moorlands and woodland margins. They are well known to reside in the South Downs.

Adder bites have been known to kill pets but are rarely fatal if appropriate and prompt treatment is sort. If you know or suspect that your dog (or occasionally cats) has been bitten by an adder then you should seek veterinary attention immediately. Sometimes an unexplained squeal especially if in undergrowth may be a bite. The severity of signs can vary depending on the size of the animal bitten, site of the bite, if venom is released, health status of the dog etc. Signs to look for would be puncture wounds (which may be small and sometimes difficult to see under hair), painful swelling which could spread and show signs of bleeding eg the area may look bruised. More extreme signs would be lethargy, extreme panting, excess salivating, vomiting and diarrhoea. Do not touch the bite, do not attempt to suck out the venom or apply a tourniquet this won’t work and could make things worse. Do try and keep you pet as inactive as possible. Potential adder bites are considered a veterinary emergency and should be seen ASAP. The vet will assess your pet and the need for treatment including anti-venom.

So, be aware of where adders may be basking when walking your dog and if there is any concern that your dog has been bitten keep them as quiet as possible and contact the surgery right away

Picture from Wikipedia.