We feel strongly that our clients need to understand the theory behind how dogs learn. This is how puppies learn more quickly because their humans are clear and consistent.
The point of attending classes is to do practical training and to be coached.
To understand more we provide complimentary access to our online platform Raising Pawfection for the duration of the course. Then owners can have reminders of how to do things between classes.
Puppies learn so quickly when owners know what they’re doing.
I love this clear and kind communication in this video!
A few weeks ago I showed you how we were helping dogs to go through play tunnels.
I explained that we use these because they increase arousal. I devised a sequence of activities alternating higher arousal activities with stabilising activities that require focus. This helps dogs to learn to be able to control themselves.
Here you can see this gorgeous lab trying the full circuit for the first time.
We have the weave poles laid out as a channel for youngsters so we don’t damage their growth plates.
But he was so excited he couldn’t quite do it as calmly as we would like 😂
He pulled himself back though!
Next week he will probably breeze it!
Last week you may remember this little Sharpei pup was watching play from the sidelines!
This week, right at the end, she decided she would initiate play with the little springer pup. What lovely play! I love her butt barging style!
#PuppySocialisation
#FerndownPuppyClasses
#SharpeiPuppy
#SpringeSpanielPuppy
Following on from our shy pups last week. This is the second week. As you can see, the little springer has gained in confidence.
This week we had them on lead because they are gaining in confidence. We tend to have them off lead when timid so they can control their own destiny. The risk of greater confidence is that the interactions are higher energy and at this stage, we want to keep growing in confidence. But as you can see here, these guys had a blast!
#PuppyPlay
#FerndownDogTraining
#PuppySocialisation
Puppy socialisation is not, and should not be a free for all.
I have had to work with far too many clients whose puppy was traumatised in a badly run puppy class. This is disappointing really as people take their puppies to classes to ensure they have controlled social experiences.
We mainly keep puppies on leads whilst we do this so we have good control. But today we had a group of 3 so we were able, and needed, to have some off leash. Eventually all three were off, but closely managed. The timid ones are best off lead so they can control how close they are to the other pups.
It’s a fine line. Here you will see the little springer and the Sharpei do some little freezes. By this time I knew they were ok because we had been working on it. We gave them all time to process the situation and we were all on hand to bail them out if needed.
Get this bit wrong and we make life difficult for these pups and owners. Get it right and we set them up for success.
I love my job.
#PuppySocialisation
#PuppyClasses
I like to introduce play tunnels in our classes for several reasons.
1- many dogs are uncertain at first and it’s a good way to demonstrate how to help them to overcome uncertainty.
2- it’s fun! Once they overcome their uncertainty.
3- it’s an excellent way to build self control whilst having fun!
I like to teach a wait at the entrance whilst the owner walks to the other end.
Then be called through and arrive at a sit.
This is difficult because most really want to run through, and most are exhilarated once they enter the play tunnel and don’t want to stop!
Today we introduced the play tunnel to this delightful Labrador!
We will be having some fun over the next few weeks!
#DogTraining
#StLeonardsAndStIvesDogTraining
#SelfControlDogTraining
#ImpulseControl
Ferndown Scout Hut
What a gorgeous sunny day! Great to take advantage of the enclosed outdoor space for loose lead walking training!
The best kind of day! Sunny, breezy, not too hot and birdsong.
What are you and your pups up to today?
So great to be back running indoor puppy classes again. Today we were teaching “ drop”. The gorgeous George couldn’t quite resist showing me his precious toy in the middle 😂❤️
#PuppyTraining #TeachingDrop #PositiveReinforcement
It is so important that dogs are comfortable being handled, not just by us pet owners, but by other people to prepare them for vet visits.
This is why we spend so much time preparing pups for this in our puppy training classes.
Here is Lily having her follow up bladder scan at @Ferndown Family Vets. She doesn’t take any notice of the ultra sound process and you can see how happy she is scoffing Primula cheese paste as she is carefully checked. At no time does she show any concern.
So many dogs have to be sedated for procedures like this but if you prepare your dog and work with a great vet it should be possible without sedation provided it’s a simple scan like this was.
Good news is the thickened bladder was definitely a result of infection. Phew!
What a good girl and a great vet too. Thanks Aidan Borrill.
If you were to spend any time on TikTok or Instagram watching “ reactive” dog training it can be like watching a blockbuster movie!
I’m going to let you into a secret! This is not what “ reactive” dog training should look like.
When I explain to clients that they can bring their dogs to a class for dogs who need space, they sometimes decline as they think it will be bad for their dog to be in a group of “ reactive” dogs.
Actually, if well run, here are the benefits:
There is no reactivity.
All clients are invested in keeping their dogs at a safe distance. Nobody makes mistakes.
Clients know they are not alone on their journey.
Dogs learn they can be safe even around dogs that may not present with super social body language.
For some the journey can be long, for others shorter. But I love how our clients start chatting when their dogs can be close enough to accept. They are so supportive of each other and celebrate successes with cheers!
Our classes for dogs who need space is my favourite activity of each week. So much admiration for clients putting in so much effort to support the canine members of their family against all the odds!
Here we are working to help a dog cope when dogs run towards her. She didn’t even stand up. We just build on this over time to desensitise her as much as possible from dogs running at her.
I love my job!
Did some public access training with this lovely client today.
Now that this young chap has learned the basics it was time to start his public access training.
Thank you to Tesco for permitting us to do this.
This was our third trial through the foyer.
At first he wanted to sniff the things stacked at the edge.
He had been a tiny bit worried about trolleys and the floor surface. We knew this as he kept looking around, a little bit of tension on the lead and a shake off when we got out. A full body shake off can indicate calming after stress or arousal.
We worked in short intervals like this.
From a dog’s perspective we must consider the following:
Noisy trolleys
Noisy door alarm
Different kinds of people
Checkout noises
Slippery floors
Limited space
Not being permitted to sniff things in a shop
Remain close to handler so as not to obstruct other shoppers
Avoid wheelchair wheels
Ignore other dogs
This is a huge amount for a young dog to cope with. We did three laps of the foyer and one short trip inside for mum to look at the flower stand before leaving and finishing.
All in all less than half an hour with plenty of breaks.
Great job for their first supermarket outing.
#PublicAccessTraining #AssistanceDogTraining
#raisingpawfection
#puppyproblemprevention
#raisingthebestdogs
Launching tomorrow!
Raising Pawfection
Practising our coffee shop training in our reactive dog group today.
This is the first time so we made sure there was a lot of space.
Did you know that many dogs tend to be more likely to be reactive to other dogs/ people when you are sitting down?
Here we are counter conditioning a passing dog whilst sitting at a coffee table.
All we really needed was a hot coffee and cake! lol.
Good job!
When you have an elderly, deaf or blind dog, always walk behind them so you can keep an eye on them.
It can take an hour to walk what used to take just 20 minutes. But that’s ok because it’s their walk, not ours.
Enjoy them as they are.
#elderlydogs #deafdogs #blinddogs
Someone is trying to tell me something…😂
It’s really worth investing time into teaching check ins.
About six months ago Lily became completely deaf; suddenly. She’s been taught hand signals, my body language and verbal cues.
I’m careful where I let her off now in case I can’t call her. But she is still checking in.
Here’s a video of a silent recall. You will notice the camera angle dips as I open my arm and crouch to the ground level.
Clever girly!
#deafdog #recall #dalmatian
Working on our “ stop”.
This is our Dogs who need space class.
You would think that dogs wouldn’t like doing the stop but they totally love it!
It’s also an important skill, especially for dogs who need space. They also get used to other dogs moving fast nearby.
Super group!
It always astounds me just how quickly puppies can learn. The key is technique. Positive reinforcement isn’t just about giving treats. They need clear direction.
Here this puppy’s mum’s body language is crisp. She points at the blanket whilst also looking at the blanket and remains still. This enables her puppy to focus just on the blanket.
Loads of people look at their puppy whilst pointing at the blanket. This can confuse them as many seek eye contact / direction for information. This divides their attention between the blanket and the handler often resulting in errors.
Pointing and looking at the blanket makes it very clear for the puppy.
Set up for success and success you will have!
Absolutely stunning. First time teaching this today in this group.
Totally love my job!
Yesterday in puppy classes we introduced “ down” and this was the first time this little pup and her handler tried it!
Today I received this awesome video ( shared with kind permission). Already this little one is doing “ down” on the verbal cue with no hand signal!
Amazing training from her handler! Good job!
#puppytraining #puppydown #staffycrosstraining
