M & M Dog Training

02/02/2025

A chilly start this morning and there was love in the air ❤️

31/01/2025

We found the magic treat tree 🌳

28/01/2025

Lovely catch up with the girls today 💕

23/01/2025

Thanks to The Mutty Professor for this very important piece

WHY I DON'T STROKE A DOG OR PUPPY THAT IS BEING CARRIED! 🐶

As a general rule, if I do not have a well established, positive relationship with a dog or puppy, I will NOT stroke them when they are being carried by their owner.

The reason for this is that when they are being carried, such as during pre-vaccination exposure to the outside world, they are unable to fully consent to an interaction.

If a puppy (or small dog!) is on the floor, they can move towards a person with relaxed and confident body language as a way of signalling they are comfortable with an interaction.

Whereas, whilst being carried- there is no avoidance option available to them. They are effectively trapped with very limited options on how to use their body language to signal their preference to be left alone, such as by orienting their body away.

Additionally, stroking a puppy or dog in this context tends to mean you are reaching directly for their head, something which many dogs find unpleasant - especially when interacting with unfamiliar or less familiar persons.

If I know a dog or puppy well or if that puppy/dog is clearly signalling they wish for an interaction then I MAY waiver my rule and engage with them briefly- stopping after 1-2 seconds to see how they feel and whether they ask for more.

Signs that they are more likely to be comfortable with an interaction are;

✅ Looking at me (with confidence)
✅ Perhaps wriggling their body TOWARDS me when we make eye contact
✅ Ears pricked forward but not too rigi
✅ Relaxed facial muscles and soft eyes
✅ Absence of trembling

Signs that a puppy or dog does not wish to be touched whilst being held are;

❌ Looking away
❌ Staring with an absence of movement in the body and head
❌ Pulling their ears back
❌ Trembling
❌ Trying to wriggle free, but in an attempt to be put down on the ground

31/12/2024

Happy new year to all my wonderful friends and their dogs ❤️

24/12/2024

Wishing all my lovely clients past and present a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 🥳 🎄

20/12/2024

Her name was Lola, she was a show girl…. Can’t remember the rest of the words but we had a lovely walk ❤️

16/12/2024

For some reason Nova is trying to stuff her toy frog up my jumper 😆

10/12/2024

Yup!

Behaviour is only labelled good or bad because it’s what we have perceived it to be. To our dogs, behaviour is is explored or repeated simply because it is reinforcing in some way.
When we start to think of behaviour just as meeting a need. We can start to change our response to it and work on our own reactions.
And of course tell Santa all dogs are on the good list.

06/12/2024

Check in with the girls today 💕

06/12/2024

Little Lola blending in with the environment again 💕

05/12/2024

04/12/2024

This afternoon’s visit was very chilled to begin with 💕

04/12/2024

Had a lovely catch up with Nova this morning ❤️

01/12/2024

Poppet giving her ‘just give me the treat’ look 😆

28/11/2024

Apologies for lack of posting!
As most of you know, I have had to semi-retire due to health issues and I’m unable to take on any new clients.
However, I remain on hand for my current ones.
So I won’t be posting much on here (mainly because I’m useless at remembering to take photos).
A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years; I have made some amazing friends and met very many special dogs ❤️

17/11/2024

Poppet at the beginning of class versus Poppet at the end of class 😆