The least stressful option!!
Sometimes for our dogs safety and wellbeing, unfortunately we have to do things that they don't want us to do ๐ฌ
He had laid on a grooming metal comb outside.
It had got tangled in his trousers ๐ฌ
The options I had:
1:Muzzle and tie him up short
2: Muzzle him and ask a friend to hold him
3: Try first as in the video
He is incredibly protective over his hind end due to oestoarthritis in his hips and stifles.
I weighed up my options and as time was also a factor....the longer it was in, the more coat would get caught up and it would be much harder to remove ๐ซค
So I did it as quickly as possible, with stopping everytime he vocalised.
I could have given him something to chew at the same time, but the cupboards are bare! Also anything high value he likes to bury, dig up, bury for awhile first.
He's a big dog and I couldn't accurately lob him treats as I didn't want him moving. If he knew I had treats he would definitely have moved and laid in front of me, so I would be unable to remove the comb ๐ค
All options would be stressful
I like to think I chose the least stressful.
Senior dog health
Self grooming is vital for skin and coat health!
Sabre has dropped a couple of kilos over the last month.๐ฅณ
Being overweight and riddled with arthritis was not good for his already compromised musculoskeletal health!
Being able to self groom and able to bend his body to reach a hind leg is EPIC!
Never get annoyed at the 'lick lick slurp' sound!
Puppy Blu
Puppy blues and a pup called Blu!
Blu is only 4 mths old and is like velcro to his Mum. This is a very natural stage in puppy development and needs careful assistance to navigate.
He was worried about me to start with. We stayed outside the front door and did some treat and retreat. Added in a licky mat and a mini snuffle mat. Didn't touch him when he came up to me to investigate.
After 10 mins he had got over his initial wariness and was quite happy for me to come inside. We went straight into the garden.
๐พ Building confidence to investigate and explore in full view of Mum.
๐พ Added movement from Mum with observation of his body language
๐พ Release to familiar items while Mum stays put still in view
These are the very basics of confidence growth, safely changing velcro to elastic.
At the end while we chatting inside, he disappeared!!
He had CHOSEN to go outside on his own ๐ฅณ
Commonly called 'terrier hop'
It is not normal though and needs investigating!
There could be other issues at play, not just the obvious!
Consent and Touch
Consent!
What does that look like for your dog ๐ค
Young Magi here is showing some signs of physical discomfort, not just in her posture or movement but in her behaviour
๐พ Mouthy
๐พ Busy
We are now working as a team with Claire Lawrence Mctimoney Animal Therapist
She had her first session last week but Claire was unable to treat her due to her behaviour.
Today we started teaching the name of the body area that was going to be touched.
Touch started with the back of hand as cooler.
We started with the areas Magi was comfortable with.
I was paying attention to her body language. Especially her breathing!
She CHOSE to lay down
She also didn't feel the need to mouth as she was being listened to.
Autonomy over her own body will build trust!
Looking forward to this journey of trust ๐
7mth old Charlie lives with 3 other Cavaliers ๐ฉต
He gets overwhelmed at walk times and this shows in his behaviour ....barking, running away to avoid going out and lots of whinning ๐
We started with some items for him to explore without any pressure. By seeing him on his own, you can really do a good baseline observation.
I added a long soft rope at the edge of the Freework and moved forward to threading it through his collar.
After a few minutes this came off.
Very interesting body language and communication from him afterwards.
1. Treat near the rope...ate and ran straight back to Mum-reassurance
2. Treat near the rope...ate and went straight to licky mat-1/2 way between Mum and rope-self regulating
3. Treat near the rope...ate and walked over the rope to investigate the other area and then back to the other items-confidence
We built up to having the back gate open with the 2nd gate closed and his harness on.
Of his own volition we went out of the gate and up and down the path for a few minutes
When we say to take things slow ๐ we mean slower than you think
Lots of choice and positive experiences for this young boy at the moment ๐ฉต
Preparation is key!
Picture the scene if you will
๐ง ๐๐ฌ
You're walking along and see your dogs nemesis come round the corner ๐ฅด a good 100m or so away!
Your dog decides at that moment to do a ๐ฉ
You're panicking inside a little
Fingers and thumbs trying to get a poo bag out of your pocket
Thinking should I ask/tell the oncoming โ ๏ธ to stop/wait/go another way
Can't get the bag open
Aaarghhh
Now you could leave it and return to pick it up later- but oh the guilt and shame if someone sees you leaving it ๐
You could also be prepared and do as I do ๐
Coco had a relaxing final session before going home
Dynamic Paws at Reedside
Dynamic Paws and Train
What are YOU looking for from a dog trainer?
A quick fix ๐ค
Quite often by suppression which can come in many forms.
You may be forgiven for not realising
You see the irksome behaviour transformed
But at what cost?
I am NOT the dog trainer for you if that's what you think is needed ๐ค
I AM the dog trainer for you if I help you transform your dogs behaviour gradually.
With your dogs wellbeing mentally and physically central to all we do ๐
Take these 2 ladies happily enjoying a car journey quietly ๐
Their original enquiry was for loose lead training
It was so much more than that!!
๐ฌ Screaming as soon as outside the front door
๐ฌ Lead biting
๐ฌ Pulling so hard she she was bent double horribly!
๐ฌ Unable to settle with guests
๐ฌ Screaming, barking and whining in the car
๐ฌ Ball obsessed
A LOT of foundation work went into this pair.
NO walks for 5 weeks to allow them to get to an emotional baseline
Lots of mental enrichment
Tiny easy win bursts of training
No car journeys unless absolutely necessary ie Vet
No balls
Started introducing them to the outside world slowly
A few weeks ago introduced them to the car without it going anywhere
Last week they came in the car to mine
๐ No screaming
๐ Found a ball....LEFT IT
๐ Walked up the lane
๐ No pulling
๐ No lead biting
๐ No screaming
๐Rode home quietly
That is dog training ๐ช
Their emotional needs were met
They have built mental resilience
They improved at their pace
They are supported
The video may not be as impressive as a dog doing a down stay in a busy area, not looking relaxed or 'happy'.
But
When you truly understand dog behaviour, then you will understand the difference ๐
Remember its not a training exercise,but a whole dog approach that will get you long lasting results ๐
I see many dogs struggling ๐ซค
It may be through some minor behaviour changes, protecting an area of their body that may be misconstrued as Resource Guarding and/or major reactions to other dogs/people/vehicles.
๐พThis can look like being unsettled during the night, changing positions often and potentially 'grunting' when lying down.
๐พIt could look like constantly moving and being what is classed as a 'busy dog' and/or pulling horrendously on the lead.
๐พIt could be quite subtle such as closing their mouth and almost holding their breath when you or someone is moving near them
I am struggling with arthritis in my hallux (big toe)
My gait has changed as I walk on the outside of my foot to offload the painful area. This causes other issues in my body such as tight muscles in my back, shoulder and neck ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE!
โ๏ธI have the luxury of being able to take a painkiller
โ๏ธI have the ability to speak and warn and to be understood
โ๏ธI can rationalise my discomfort
โ๏ธI can choose my footwear and walking length and substrate
โ๏ธI can ring for an appointment for a massage
Our dogs talk to us all the time through their behaviour, posture and gait. Let me assist you in decoding their conversation ๐
Please send me a message and/or text/email and we can arrange that discovery call ๐
Our next Sensory & Skill Circuit will be on the 22nd June at 11am.
Max 3 dogs
ยฃ25 per handler/dog
Please pm for a booking form
You reap what you sow!
Guests of Holiday and Train from 2 years ago, showing how well their visual body cue is still working for their boys recall over the bank holiday weekend ๐
Always thinking outside the box !
My beautiful girls Poppy and Lily are now learning to settle on their mat...outside!
Do you think your dog misses you, even if all their needs are met ๐คช
Confidence building doesn't happen overnight!
Its the tiny little daily boosters, keeping stress minimal and with outlets to decompress.
2 months ago Poppy didn't want to do this.
Now look at her ๐
Sensory Circuits a massive hit this morning!
#sensorycircuits #dynamicpawsandtrain #smartdogtraining #dogtrainer #seniordogsrock #seniordog #staffy #husky #labrador #collie
Meredith for her final session of her Holiday and Train Dynamic Paws at Reedside
She worked really well and started searching using her nose rather than just her eyes!
It's been lovely having her and her Mum here this weekend.
๐พโค๏ธ
This little dog is undergoing a Dynamic Dog Assessment at the moment on referral from a trainer who is working face to face with him.
I have permission from his guardian to share this video.
As a DD practitioner I have a consultation lasting at least 90 minutes where we delve deep into the dogs history, daily routines, likes and dislikes and a lot more!
Resource Guarding which has led to biting was just ONE of the behaviours discussed!
Watch the video!
Some of this little dog's behaviour on the face of it looks like Resource Guarding.
Do you think it could be more of "Im not letting you have this because I am in discomfort and don't want you to throw it again"
Pain and Behaviour IS closely linked!!
For a discovery chat please get in touch with me. There are too many dogs and other animals out there 'labelled' with behavioural issues which could be down to pain and discomfort
!
Sorry, for some reason the slowed video is not playing cleanly, so I have had to put normal speed video instead on and still not playing properly :-(
