Positively Balanced

05/06/2024

Does your dog have a high chase drive.???

This is something that can be managed with training but food certainly isn’t always the answer!!

This video speaks for itself!SO many people are told that you just need to use a “Higher value reward” or “Tastier treat” to stop your dog from running away ...

30/04/2024

So it’s ok to protect birds but not ok to protect livestock from dog attacks…….🤔

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn4027pz03qo?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0lKiABXgUaxa4iv89Eucds44NsTuWjSaxQ_O5aQS6n-X1Al3_Gf3TKwEI_aem_AZyztNsbl-gr2V9fPS4rwixA9dLaKe-oFjEr4IOhi8wOnjpfCcJWunTmittxKflZti1rd2DSXXgm8ckU7Xtm5z2O

The collars emit a "non-harmful" pulse telling the sheep when they have left their designated area.

17/04/2024

Regardless of training ALL dogs should be on lead/under close control around livestock.
This is always the responsibility of an owner not the dog but dogs can certainly learn to make better decisions through training.

WARNING - This video contains footage that some viewers may find upsetting.Loads going on today with several triplet births, some tlc for a poorly lamb, and ...

09/04/2024

I’ve been questioned a few times as to why I’ve ignored a client’s dog approaching me.

Dogs are generally naturally curious but that doesn’t mean that they’re looking for a response or interaction with you straight away.

Initial meetings with a new client and their dog/s is always a great opportunity to assess a dog’s personality, confidence and temperament.

https://www.facebook.com/share/8rBYJnW4UhJCCJUc/?mibextid=WC7FNe

🛇 Use your Manners! 🛇
The Sniff test - Stop doing that!
The sniff test - a badly engrained habit that society has been taught, without a clear understanding of what they're actually doing.

🚩When you reach out towards a dog, you are using body pressure AT them, giving them no time to assess whether you are safe & whether they require further investigation to pick up your information. You are forcing an interaction of a relationship that hasn't had time to develop. To some dogs, this is quite rude & the reason a lot of dogs snap at or bite people. This can cause alot of behavioral issues because of layered stress due to forced interactions.

🚩If they are on lead, they have no where to go if they are sensitive to spacial pressure, so can end up shutting down, shying away or snapping at your hand so you back off. This is an example of how a dog is now using pressure to turn off pressure & make you back off so they aren't so stressed.

🚩People think by offering your hand it can give the dog time to sniff to know you're friendly... they can sniff without being forced to sniff your hand.Their noses are far more superior than ours & they don't need close contact forced upon them to smell you.

🚩Some dogs might not want to know you. You have no relationship with them and that's perfectly fine. They aren't your dog so you don't need to touch them or steal pats for your own satisfaction.

🤔 If you are meeting a dog, what should you do?
⚠Ask the owner if you can interact with their dog. Not all people want strangers touching their dogs. Especially strangers who you are unlikely to see again.
⚠Stand up straight & relaxed, with your hands at your side.
⚠Ignore the dog & talk to the owner.
⚠Don't stare at the dog & don't try to force an interaction by going in for a pat. If the dog wants to know you, it will come up to you & sniff around. Usually they will move away & then come back for a second sniffathon. Some dogs will bunt your hands & wag their tails, which are good signs that you're likely an accepted new friend. Give them a few slow pats down their back (NOT THEIR HEAD) & then stop. Is the dog happy? Has it accepted your interaction? This will determine whether you can give it more pats.

🐶This is a more stress free option for dogs & a reason why in consultations we can develop a good level of trust, especially with fearful dogs & aggressive dogs, without a bunch of negative side effects from forced interactions.

07/03/2024

“Train them AND restrain them”

The NFU Online have released their annual statistics for livestock worrying/attacks by dogs.

Yet AGAIN, the figures are going RAPIDLY the wrong way. And yet AGAIN, exactly the same, FAILED advice is being spewed out. Despite the fact that is has been PROVEN to be FAILING for YEARS.

Some stats for 2023:

Across the UK, dog attacks on livestock were estimated to cost £2.4 million last year, **up nearly 30% compared to the previous year**.

More people were letting their dogs off leads in the countryside last year than in 2022, 68% and 64% respectively.
The survey also revealed that **less than half (49%) said their pet always comes back when called**.

Almost eight percent admitted their dog chases livestock but 46% believed their dog was not capable of causing the death or injury of farm animals. More than half (54%) felt they did not need to take active measures to prevent their dog from chasing.

The survey also revealed that if present at an attack, 57% of dog owners would intervene to stop it, **22% would report it to a local farmer and 11% would call the police**.

ARDO are currently working to ENCOURAGE reporting, to ensure that injured animals are treated and farmers compensated.

We are seeking further cooperation and support from farming stakeholder groups going forwards.

Farmers' Union of Wales Farmers Guardian Irish Farmers Journal Irish Farmers' Association FarmingUK Farmers Weekly Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association - INHFA National Sheep Association

02/09/2022

05/08/2022

It's All In How You Raise Them?

This is one of the most dangerous sentences in the dog world and it's something I really want to extinguish, with actual reasons why it's false.

People (usually Shirley in her Fur Mom Facebook group) keep harping on about 'There is no bad dogs, only bad owners' and whilst there are many bad owners, there's two extremely important words that are being overlooked.

Genetic Predisposition

All dogs, have a genetic predisposition and it dictates what their character will be like, with or without external input and there are a few breeds that have stand out traits, but one of them is the APBT.

The APBT was bred over hundreds of years to fight bulls, and later other dogs. A true, game bred APBT will be genetically inclined towards dog aggression and no amount of love or training will completely rectify that. The 'Pibble' world will have people believe otherwise, and that's why nextdoors Spaniel ends up being a tasty brunch.

Genetics are an extremely important factor in dog training and it absolutely is not in 'how you raise them'.

There are many other examples of this in other breeds too. Greyhounds are genetically inclined to run and chase small fluffies, Mali's are (usually) incined to bite things because it's fun, Patterdales are inclined to hunt... It's the reason a lot of people are having issues with their dogs that have 'come from nowhere'.

Now, before we get the 'Pibble' army crying at me - I LOVE the APBT and if the UK legalised them I would own one in a heartbeat but being completely ignorant to their genetics is foolish and dangerous. If you understand their genetic tendencies they are brilliant dogs!

Stop being a fur mom, and start understanding that dogs are bred inherently for certain traits. Once you accept that you can either encourage or manage the traits, depending on whether or not they are desirable to you.

29/07/2022

This is well worth thinking about………………
There’s always something to learn when it comes to working with dogs.

Sharing from McRae sheep dogs.

26/06/2022

The following was copied and pasted from another training group. I wasn’t able to click the share button so here it is.
Picture of one of my kelpies doing what she’s bred to so…….

Please read: Breed really matters, choose wisely.

"The art of training a dog owner"

Dog owner tells me: Hi, my dog pulls on the leash and runs into the woods after deers if I let it off leash.
Me: Okay. What's the breed?
Owner: A siberian husky mixed with a c**n hound.
Me: Okay, so you have a musher mixed with a hunting type of dog?
Owner: yes.
Me: ok, what are these breeds bred to do?
Owner: well, half of the dog should be pulling and the other half run into the woods and hunt.
Me: Yes. And your problem was?
Owner: it pulls on the leash and runs after wildlife.
Me: yea, it appears that you have a dog meant for pulling and hunting.
Owner: yes, that's correct. Can you train it out of the dog?
Me: Do you have any interests?
Owner: Er, yeah, sure I do. I like to paint and watch movies.
Me: Would you consider quitting doing that?
Owner: no, I don't think I can. But what does this have to do with dog training?
Me: Would you consider doing something else that gives you the same pleasure you get from painting and watching movies?
Owner: I mean, sure I can do other things but it's not as fun.
Me: ok. And what can you offer a musher that is more fun than pulling and a hunting dog that is more fun than hunting?
The dog owner is silent for a while.
Owner: That's a good question. I don't know.
Me: Neither do I.
Owner: Perhaps I should had gotten myself a PlayStation?
Me: haha, yeah, if you dont like hunting or being outdoors training a lot,, perhaps this dog isn't for you.
Owner: Yeah, one should perhaps read up more before getting a dog. But it's awfully cute!
Me: Yes, I understand that.
Owner : it sheds a lot too. My husband goes crazy with all the fur everywhere.
Me: mmm, that's something you have to deal with.
Owner : yes, it was even hairs in the stew last night.
Me: Yeah, that's not uncommon.
Owner : But you know what? I met a husky when I was 12. It was so beautiful. Ever since I've always wanted one.
Me: Too bad you didn't meet a PlayStation instead.
Owner laughs: Alright, I think I'm starting to understand that it's not the dog that has problems but me.
Me: haha, not much of a "problem". What you are saying is very common. People with guarding dogs gets angry when their dog growls at strangers. People with sighthounds gets frustrated when their dog comes home with a baby rabbit. People often know too little when they get a dog.
Owner : Thanks for the chat. I have learned a lot in 10 minutes.
Me: Good luck in the future. There's a lot we can do to help you in your training with the dog. But the dog will always have a need and joy to pull and hunt.
Owner: Yes, I can understand that now."

Author unknown.

25/06/2022

⚠️Heatstroke in dogs⚠️

Would you know what to do if your dog was suffering from a heat related injury here you go...

Cooling methods used in dogs with heat-related illness under UK primary veterinary care 2016-2018.

The following information is from Emily Hall's clinical abstract presentation for the British Small Animal Veterinary Association’s annual Congress 2021, link below.

• Rapid Cooling Saves Lives!
• Don't be afraid to use Cold/Ice Water..... it is effective!
• The sooner we can cool these patients, get their temperature below that critical threshold, the less damage is being done and the better the outcome is likely to be
• Use Water, Air, Immersive Cooling, Evaporative Cooling..... use whatever you have available
• Dogs are waiting to be cooled because people are worried about the temperature of the water
• We need to dispel cooling myths that are harming patients
• Empower Owners so they know how to cool their dogs

Emily Hall MA VetMB PGCAP SFHEA MRSB MRCVS
Nottingham Trent University,
Hot Dogs UK Research Team.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=y8TzwXnjGYc&feature=youtu.be

This BSAVA Clinical Abstract was presented at the BSAVA Congres 2021 event in May 2021 to an audience of veterinary professionals.

08/06/2022

Two-year-old flat-coated retriever thought to have licked material close to or on a dead fish at a lakeside showed signs of distress in 10 minutes and, despite

24/05/2022

Walking multiple dogs it’s always handy to be able to call dogs individually as well as altogether.

Using one word as a recall cue makes it easy for all the dogs to understand what’s being requested.

If I use their name I’m looking for a response from the named dog.
Using only your dogs name as a recall cue can sometimes fail due to the fact we often use dogs names in day to day life with few rewards given so choosing a separate recall cue makes it much easier to put in place a proper reward schedule.

An easy way to help speed up recalls with multiple dogs is to only reward the first dog back…………
This can really help get the others speeding up when called again.
Using either food or toys to reward.

17/05/2022

Recall part 2……..

Teaching your dog a recall should start at home then as the dog understands what the recall cue is then take it outside.
Ideally choose a place with less distractions to start, soon you want to be increasing distractions and working in a busier environment.

Soul is a 15 week old kelpie pup.
He’s generally walked on his own so work on his recall and handler focus can be built up.

Today he went out with 2 other dogs to start to test his recall with increased distractions.

Tips to improve recall……..
*Use a cue like come or here. (Or a whistle)
Most people use a dogs name way to often in every day life which then makes it mean much less. (As in it’s used and not rewarded)
*use the environment as a reward too.
So if dog comes back from playing with another dog, release it to play again.

If your pup or dogs recall isn’t reliable then work with the dog on a long line.

Pm for information or to book a training session.
All training is individually tailored to meet yours and your dogs needs. 🐾🐕

16/05/2022

Coming when called is probably one of the most important things we can teach our dogs.

How reliable is your dogs recall………………