Speak Their Language Dog Training

Speak Their Language Dog Training Scotland �
Reward based balanced trainer �
Offering 1-2-1s, leash class & walk&train�
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Finally asleep.......... 🤪🐶
04/07/2024

Finally asleep.......... 🤪🐶

Still true 💪💪💪💪💪
15/06/2024

Still true 💪💪💪💪💪

02/06/2024

Just wanted to put a post for 2 reasons, which I'll get to in a second .
These photos believe it or not are both me but the left one is just over 3 years ago after a 10k and the right one is this evening after running a half marathon whilst training for my ultra marathon in October.

So reason 1 for this post is to just say if you're struggling with anything in life, including, of course, your dog, but anything, then please don't give up... Don't stop trying. Don't let the depression or negativity or the never-ending feeling of dread or low self-esteem or feeling of no self-worth or the million other negatives that can pull you down, literally to nothing. Don't let it win. Stay strong and push through the healthy stress.

Reason 2 is to personally thank just briefly because she'll be embarrassed, but my partner and best friend in the whole world for being my anchor this last wee while, literally not giving up on me, when it would be so easy to do so. reminding me to keep pushing and fighting and have self-worth and not give up. Literally my everything, so thank you my love. Also the best dog trainer I know, and I know a lot lol.

I just found out it's mental health month apparantly and I guess just to say if you are struggling and want to talk and you know me, please don't hesitate to get intouch anytime.

I can always ask if I'm not available 😆

If you're struggling just think of the quote "LET THEM".

If you don't know what that means just google it lol.

Stay healthy, after all how can we help our dogs be healthy if we aren't healthy?

19/03/2024
18/03/2024

Everyone who is thinking of getting dogs should read this because you need to understand this reality:

***I am a 21st century dog.***
-I'm a Malinois.
Overskilled among dogs, I excel in all disciplines and I'm always ready to work: I NEED to work.
But nowadays I get asked to chill on the couch all day everyday.

-I am an Akita Inu.
My ancestors were selected for fighting bears.
Today I get asked to be tolerant and I get scolded for my reactivity when another approaches me.

-I am a Beagle.
When I chase my prey, I raise my voice so the hunters could follow.
Today they put an electric collar on me to shut up, and you make me come back to you - no running - with a snap of your fingers.

-I am a Yorkshire Terrier.
I was a terrifying rat hunter in English mines.
Today they think I can't use my legs and they always hold me in their arms.

-I'm a Labrador Retriever.
My vision of happiness is a dive into a pond to bring back the duck he shot to my master.
Today you forget I'm a walking, running, swimming dog; as a result I'm fat, made to stay indoors, and to babysit.

-I am a Jack Russell.
I can take on a fox, a mean badger, and a rat bigger than me in his den.
Today I get scolded for my character and high energy, and forced to turn into a quiet living room dog.

-I am a Siberian Husky.
Experienced the great, wide open spaces of Northern Europe, where I could drag sleds for long distances at impressive speeds.
Today I only have the walls of the house or small garden as a horizon, and the holes I dig in the ground just to release energy and frustration, trying to stay sane.

-I am a Border Collie
I was made to work hours a day in partnershipwith my master, and I am an unmistakable artist of working with the herd.
Today they are mad at me because, for lack of sheep, I try to check bikes, cars, children in the house and everything in motion.

I am ...
I am a 21st century dog.
I'm pretty, I'm alert, I'm obedient, I stay in a bag...but I'm also an individual who, from centuries of training, needs to express my instincts, and I am *not* suited for the sedentary life you'd want me to lead.
Spending eight hours a day alone in the house or in the garden - with no work and no one to play or run with, seeing you for a short time in the evening when you get home, and only getting a small toilet walk will make me deeply unhappy.
I'll express it by barking all day, turning your yard into a minefield, doing my needs indoors, being unmanageable the rare times I'll find myself outside, and sometimes spending my days sunk, sad, lonely, and depressed, on my pillow.
You may think that I should be happy to be able to enjoy all this comfort while you go to work, but actually I’ll be exhausted and frustrated, because this is absolutely NOT what I'm meant to do, or what I need to be doing.
If you love me, if you've always dreamed of me, if my beautiful blue eyes or my athletic look make you want me, but you can't give me a real dog's life, a life that's really worth living according to my breed, and if you can't offer me the job that my genes are asking, DO NOT buy or adopt me!
If you like the way I look but aren't willing to accept my temperament, gifts, and traits derived from long genetic selection, and you think you can change them with only your good will, then DO NOT BUY OR ADOPT ME.
I’m a dog from the 21st century, yes, but deep inside me, the one who fought, the one who hunted, the one who pulled sleds, the one who guided and protected a herd still lives within.
So think **very** carefully before you choose your dog. And think about getting two, rather than one, so I won't be so very lonely waiting for you all day. Eight or ten hours is just a workday to you, but it's an eternity for me to be alone.

23/12/2023

Until a year ago, I was a trainer with a very force free approach. I didn’t believe there was a place for aversives in dog training. I didn’t have a dog that required them. Lucky me!

Until I got this chap. My very much adored kelpie, Evo. Bred to move HUGE flocks and herds of livestock out in rural Australia. A hard-headed dog, with a mega independent streak.

I worked hard with him. I’m a trainer. I laid my foundations, as I have done successfully with my other 4 dogs before him. They worked, to a point. And then, they didn’t.

I was fully prepared to give him a breed-appropriate outlet. Alongside the other work I give my dogs, I have my own sheep, meaning I can work my own dogs regularly on stock. However, my small flock of flighty sheep was far too jumpy for him to work, and he was becoming dangerous out and about in any sort of proximity to sheep.

So, you may say, just keep him on a lead! Problem solved. Well, not really.

Management can and does fail. I have heard it from countless clients. I have had it fail myself.

I also live, with sheep on my property, and surrounding it on 3 sides. Everywhere we turn, there are sheep. There’s no avoiding them.

Keep him on a lead in the garden? We have a large garden and keeping him on the lead would be unfair. He’s an incredibly active, working bred dog, who would end up spending his entire life on a lead.

We also encountered prey drive issues out and about, particularly around deer. His recall was fantastic, but once we moved, our walks were either full of deer, or sheep and he could rip a long line out of your hands to chase something particularly tempting.

So, I decided to bite the bullet and e-collar train. Controversial, particularly online.

But, the absolute best thing I ever did.

The alternative solutions I had suggested were:

Keep him on the lead - I buy good quality leads, but they have failed on me before
Move house - we’ve moved to a dream house, not an option
Avoid places with sheep etc - hard when they’re in the garden
Long line - he could still pull a long line out of reach
Train him - he was trained to a very high level and we had reached the limits via force free methods.

Management fails.

I went through the process of conditioning him properly to the e-collar. I spent ages ensuring I got it right, he understood what was expected and that he knew how to switch it off. I invested in a pricey bit of kit, and I went about it by the book.

It’s transformed his life.

He can romp around the garden, he can walk through my sheep without batting an eyelid, he can walk off lead on the hills and he can enjoy walking in the forest even when deer run out in front of us.

For him, that wasn’t ever going to be an option without it.

Nothing was more reinforcing than chasing.

And it was going to get him killed. He’d have been shot, or hit by a car, or lost. All because I wouldn’t open my mind to using different tools.

Am I suggesting every dog requires one? Absolutely not. But there are MANY cases where they save lives. It’s both saved and enriched his.

He’s happy, he lives his best life. He hikes everywhere with us, he’s well mannered and fully reliable off the lead. He knows the rules, and that’s the key.

He’s not suppressed. He can still go off and be a dog. He tears around the garden with our other dogs, he sniffs and does dog things. But he’s safe when doing it all.

I see a lot of judgement towards these tools from people owning dogs who would never require these tools. That’s great. And that’s also not a problem. But it is completely unfair to demonise the use of a tool which you haven’t taken the time to fully understand. I was 100%, without a doubt, against them before I took the time to understand how they worked and how they were used.

It’s imperative that they’re used with a trainer well versed in using them. It’s also crucial that the equipment used is good quality and not something cheap from Amazon or eBay. It’s an investment, but one that is so necessary for a lot more dogs than you might realise.

Take the time to understand others’ points of view. There is truly not a one-size-fits-all approach in dog training and my change of opinion has opened up a whole new world for all of my dogs ❤

Photo by Saffy Leyfield Photography

XL Bullys I've been asked my opinion on this current issue many times so here goes.As another one of our breeds ruined f...
19/09/2023

XL Bullys

I've been asked my opinion on this current issue many times so here goes.

As another one of our breeds ruined for money and social status by irresponsible humans moves towards a ban under UK BSL laws, this is an interesting read.

It's not always "how you raise them".

Genetics MATTERS. Genetics, lineage, breed history all play a part in an individual dogs behaviour. The size, strength and ability of this breed is different to your frenchies and cockapoos. (Your average 20-something, cotton tracksuit wearing chav should not be breeding them out of their mums kitchen).

Again humans are the problem, time to start regulating and limiting breeding, harsher sentences for offenders, more owner education. WE have caused this problem. Please, please do your research before paying these people for a puppy. You could be left with a genetically unsound and out of control dog (not to mention potentially expensive and devastating physical issues) while they walk away laughing with their pockets full. It does not matter if the other dogs you know are giant, d***y lap dogs who wouldn't hurt a fly. If you buy any dog historically bred for dog fighting, guarding, bull baiting etc, are you comfortable in your ability to untrain genetics if problem behaviours arise?

As Cesar Milan said, “In the 70s they blamed Dobermans, in the 80s they blamed German Shepherds, in the 90s they blamed Rottweilers. Now they blame the Pit Bull. When will they blame the humans?” now the XL bully.

If you have an XL, reach out to a trainer NOW and research your breed and BSL laws. Muzzle train and get working on any problem behaviours NOW. Your dog must be neutered if it is granted exemption under BSL laws. Best to do this through your own vet now rather than risk it happening in police kennels. The best thing you can do to protect your dog and other XLs is to show how well trained, balanced and sociable they are. Would you be comfortable doing this if someone reported you for having a dangerous dog under BSL?

I would welcome legislation and breed regulations over a ban. We know a ban would cause breeding to move even more underground and the offending people to move onto bigger and better dogs as part of the cycle. We have already banned other "dangerous" breeds yet dog attacks and deaths are still rising. I love a bully breed and love a well-bred XL but unfortunately does not excuse the facts.

Speak Their Language Dog Training

https://bullywatch.link/2023/08/01/finding-kimbo/?fbclid=IwAR3Me1V4COcjOcePEGN-82__GJilVBULNUPiwCwAaHqwTC7e8q3BagyReA8

At Bully Watch, we began delving into the pedigrees—essentially, the family trees—of dogs from the most well-known Bully XL kennels across the UK. Our investigation steered us down a trail where on…

22/08/2023

🙌💓🙏

07/08/2023

Never mind absolute dogs. The recent events that have come to light about their alleged puppy farming are in my opinion an ABSOLUTE DISGRACE.

nothing could be further from positive only dog training than these frauds. And as anyone who can train dogs properly knows, their sexier than a squirrel strapline was just absolute nonsense and absolutely creepy?! As well as being misleading unknowing owners and naïve/inexperienced trainers.

Hope they get everything they deserve.




06/08/2023

A question I am asked all the time, how to deal with off lead approaching dogs, especially if yours is reactive/nervous etc.

Like a dog! Dogs don't deal with this by turning their back, running away or shouting at the owner.
These videos are good because they show the defending dog going on the offence, showing calm assertiveness and confidence.

This is what YOU must do to show your own dog you can protect it and control the unfortunate situation if it happens, or they will, ie; "reactivity".

Generally the majority of reactivity cases I see are due to a breakdown in relationship between dog and owner, does your dog trust you? Have you given them the confidence to be able to trust you? Have you taken the time to learn about energy and body language. Do you trust YOURSELF to be able to make your dog feel safe in situations where they would become uncomfortable? If any of the answers are no, ask a trainer to help you.

https://fb.watch/mffO3tIcy_/

31/07/2023

One of my awesome clients sent me this reel. Please learn about your dog's body language and their boundaries. Learn where you need to step in to advocate for you dog and what's appropriate to them and you and what's not, even in play!
Really the only way to avoid issues and fights.

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Videos

One of my awesome clients sent me this reel. Please learn about your dog's body language and their boundaries. Learn where you need to step in to advocate for you dog and what's appropriate to them and you and what's not, even in play! Really the only way to avoid issues and fights.

"In ASTRONOMY; a variable binary star which emits strongly polarized light, one component being a strongly magnetic white dwarf." ~ Polar . My sweet little Polar Bear ⭐️🐻‍❄️ . . . . . . . #dogtraining #dog #doglovers #balanceddogtraining #balancedtraining #ecollartraining #romanianrescue #positivedogtraining #edinburgh #Edinburghdogtrainer #dogsoftiktok #positive #gsdpuppy #reactivedog #reactivity #dachshund #cyprusdogs #germanshepherd #reactivity #positivereinforcementtraining #dachshund #showyourtools #prongcollar #ecollar #positivereinforcement #gsd

?? Do you think we can train it with treats??? 😆🦁🤣🥩 Reminds me a lot of a video a while back of @taketheleadtraining lobbing a fillet steak at a dog while in drive with it completely ignoring the steak to pursue pray. Made me laugh a little. But seriously, guys, if you haven't already, go follow Jamie and SHARE the heck out of his recent post regarding the proposed ecollar ban and follow the link to the letter to send to your MP to oppose the ban. 👇👇 If you haven’t already done so, here is a link to a letter to send to your MP. https://tinyurl.com/524h4duy This is a massive animal welfare issue, not just for our dogs but for our wildlife and livestock animals. Even for those who use ecollars just as an off leash safety back up to give their dogs more freedom and increase their welfare. Our politicians think it is OK to use ecollars to stop our dogs from barking or ruining our flower beds, or even on goats! Livestock electric fencing is ok, too?! Therese Coffey was an ecollar user for her own pet dog, yet is backing this ban. If you are an ecollar user or supporter and want to see this ban overturned. Share your own post, make the relevant tags, and get contacting your MP. Share your own post and tag @taketheleadtraining @rishisunakmp @10downingstreet @conservatives @theresecoffey #collar #ecollartraining #balanceddogtraining #balancedtraining #ecollartechnologies #ecollarban #dogtrainer #scottishdogtrainer #recall #welfare #animalwelfare #dog #doglovers #sheepfarming #doglover #animallovers #livestock #stopthebans #dogsofinsta #dogsofinstagram #ukpolitics #ukparliament

👀 for a new 🏠 Reeva is a happy, confident, lovely little dog! She is fantastic with people and very friendly. She is however, still learning to control her excitement, and does sometimes still jump up. She loves attention and is very affectionate. She is brilliant with people and everyone loves her. She loves being on the sofa and will snuggle with you for hours. Like most rescues, she will need someone who is going to be committed to continue her training and socialisation. Reeva was previously quite reactive to other dogs, I believe this escalated due to being unsettled in kennels/frustrated and a lack of positive socialisation. Since being with me and my other 2 dogs, she has been great with them after proper introductions. She has been numerous walks daily with lots of other dogs both in passing and on our walks. She has also been to a training class and pack walk with me and did amazing and didnt react back to other dogs. She does need someone who knows what they're doing to continue giving her positive experiences. She is a very confident girl and needs someone to provide leadership as she learns. Her lead training is coming along great but needs someone to keep it up. She is crate trained and will happily sleep overnight in the crate. She is quiet and non-destructive. She will happily relax in the crate/place after a walk during the day too. She is also happy in the crate in the car and will just lie down and relax. She is ok to be left on her own for a short period, she will just need this gradually increased in a new home to get her fully comfortable. She hasn't shown any issues or aggression around food while with me and happily takes treats with the other dogs. She has started muzzle training and won't be long until she is comfortable to wear one if required. I believe she is mostly staffie type crossed with terrier (Jack Russel type?) And is very strong and stocky. She is a small (short legged!) dog but is very powerful! In terms of around othe

#potato #DNA . . . . . . . . #dogtraining #dog #doglovers #balanceddogtraining #balancedtraining #ecollartraining #romanianrescue #positivedogtraining #edinburgh #Edinburghdogtrainer #dogsoftiktok #positive #greatdane #reactivedog #reactivity #dachshund #romanianrescue #dachshundsofinstagram #reactivedog #reactivity #positivereinforcementtraining #sausagedog #showyourtools #prongcollar #balanceoverobedience

Lola ecollar conditioning 🩷 . To be able to have Lola experience more off leash in different environments. With the added security of being able to remotely communicate with her from a distance. ✨️ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #dogtraining #dog #doglovers #balanceddogtraining #balancedtraining #ecollartraining #romanianrescue #positivedogtraining #edinburgh #Edinburghdogtrainer #dogsoftiktok #positive #greatdane #reactivedog #reactivity #dachshund #sharpei #sharpeilove #reactivedog #reactivity #positivereinforcementtraining #sausagedog #showyourtools #prongcollar #balanceoverobedience #positivereinforcement

Client just over here enjoying their new found freedom with little Nelson after just a few days of training 🐾🩵 . . . . . . . #dogtraining #dog #doglovers #balanceddogtraining #balancedtraining #ecollartraining #romanianrescue #positivedogtraining #edinburgh #Edinburghdogtrainer #dogsoftiktok #positive #greatdane #reactivedog #reactivity #dachshund #dachshundsofinstagram #reactivedog #reactivity #positivereinforcementtraining #sausagedog #showyourtools #prongcollar #balanceoverobedience

𝐍𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐨𝐧 🐶 . Nelson's owners got in touch describing him as having very bad reactivity to dogs and people, becoming anxious, barky and shaking with frustration. They were worried about his increasingly difficult behaviour outside and worried about how he reacts to new people in the home with the risk of him nipping. . Here's some before and during videos of our 1st session. . We covered implementing loads of new structure and promoting calmness in the home. Helping him to be able to relax and letting his owners trust him in his own space so we could then address how to bring in a new person, allowing Nelson to meet them when safe to do so. Implementing this will also help reduce separation anxiety. . Look at the tools being used in each of these clips, then look at the body language and behaviour of the dog. From harness, collar, slip lead (he also has a halti which he hates and pulls off), to prong collar. Which tools do you think are adding to that frustration and causing miscommunication between dog and handler? . The tool itself doesn't teach the dog anything, but we owe it to our dogs to use the best tools that will achieve the best results - quickest, safest and with as little physical force or confusion as possible when training. While gaining the best physiological communication. Bridging that gap between dog and owner. . Nelson's owners have very responsibly muzzle trained him which meant we could use this as a precaution in the session, however was only used for 5 minutes. . Nelson to begin with was anxious, LOUD and reactive, by the end he was unmuzzled, "off-leash" having some long line freedom while PLAYING with my 2 dogs and passing others in the park. I wish I had remembered to video this! Lots of work to do, of course, over time with practise in different scenarios. . Looking forward to seeing their progress next session. . #dogtraining #dog #doglovers #balanceddogtraining #balancedtraining #ecollartraining #romanianrescue #posi

❗️𝑳𝒆𝒕'𝒔 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒍𝒔❗️ Some clients come with reservations about certain tools or are worried how their dog will react or maybe what other people think. This is an unedited video of the first time I handed over the leash to my client and her dog, who have both never seen or used a prong collar before. She would usually pull quite badly at times when excited and would choke herself. Her owner couldn't get engagement even when freely offering treats for attention. This is a sensitive working breed that can be anxious by nature, yet these tools can be so beneficial when used the right way through clear communication and can actually help build confidence. The stigma surrounding certain tools (sadly some of the best tools) generally come from people who have never used them or don't know how to correctly. Or, for a prong collar, purely judging the way they look. In the video you can hear Bambi's owner say she usually doesn't take food outside when training, or if she gets worried/anxious. You can see her here walking calmly and taking treats. Tools can help to make it very clear, very quickly, what is wanted, so we are actually able to create more opportunities for positive reinforcement. Still work to do, of course! This is only day 1❗️. Tools like prong and e collars, when introduced to the dog correctly, should not cause stress or concern. These are fabulous tools to allow us to bridge the gap between human and dog in our physical and psychological communication. Bambi's owner is happy with the progress so far! "Thank you so much for today! I was left feeling such relief and like everything is going to be ok. Prong is ordered, I’m a complete convert! I’m honestly so shocked at the difference just one session with you has made, all the stuff in the house definitely helps ❤️ Was lovely to meet you and your fab doggies! 🐶 🐶" Update over the weekend was that walks are now "stress-free and a co

Bambi 🦌 . This girl is a working pointer. We met to work on her engagement with her owner and to stop pulling/excitable jumping on leash. Working dogs need an on/off switch too and we need to make it clear to them when we'd like them to be a calm pet dog versus when we're working that drive. . She is extremely fussy with her food, which makes it difficult to build her food drive and reward her for good choices. This is also partly to do with her being an anxious dog naturally and being quite needy in the house. We discussed in depth how to help her become more confident and settled. . We also worked on some obedience when she's out on the land working, and she did great. Consistency is key. . Bambi was quite happy to choke herself on the lead at times, so I conditioned her to a prong (literally within minutes) and passed her onto her owner, which is shown in the video. . Her owner said she usually gets quite anxious and won't take food when training or outside. You can see her with clear direction and marking she's happily taking treats being in a better mindset. . She also happily ate her dinner from her bowl after the session, which she would never usually do! Working that 🧠 is key! . Some nice free time for her to socialise out with my guys at the end of the session too. They tried their best helping her get confident going in the water! . . . . . #dogtraining #dog #doglovers #balanceddogtraining #balancedtraining #ecollartraining #romanianrescue #positivedogtraining #edinburgh #Edinburghdogtrainer #dogsoftiktok #positive #greatdane #reactivedog #reactivity #pointer #pointersofinstagram #pointers #workingdog #dogtrainer #gundog #gamedog #rescuedog

Eddie doing much better with his reactivity towards dogs so moving onto getting him more off leash freedom via ecollar! 🎉 . 1 session on ecollar = non verbal recall every time even around other dogs in the park. . Using games to create some distance and distraction and showing him what we would like him to do with the ecollar sensation. Good boy 👏 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #dogtraining #dog #doglovers #balanceddogtraining #balancedtraining #ecollartraining #romanianrescue #positivedogtraining #edinburgh #Edinburghdogtrainer #dogsoftiktok #positive #dogsof

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