Hiddy Tykes Mantrailing

29/10/2024

❤

07/10/2024

Training dogs to detect underwater oil. They are amazing 🥰

13/09/2024

Really interesting and follows on from a conversation I had this morning. Sometimes we need to step back and do some blue line trails (everyone knows where the trail layer is and the route they took) and really observe our dogs body language and how they work.

All tracking/trailing problems ultimately stem from one reason: Failure to observe and read your dog.

Reading the list of problems previously posted, I noticed that no matter what the problem(s) are, we fail to see the causes. All problems can be solved if you see the core problem. Sounds simple on the surface. We need to look deep. The problem’s cause should be identified and a corrective plan developed before your next track. Continuing to practice without identifying the true problem will have minimal effect.

For example, missing a turn is more than thinking “I must work on turns”. It should include questions like: Is this a one-time occurrence? If so, has there been a physical change in dog, like an injury or is there a problem with odor at this particular turn?

Is the problem consistent or occurring over time? Is the dog functional? Have I checked to insure equipment is correct? When I lay my tracks have I left an excessive scent pool at turns? As tracks lengthen and aged, is the dog losing interest? Am I failing to read the dog before and at the turn? Have I failed to reinforce the dog on the track? In the case of trailing, have I failed to reinforce the dog when at an appropriate distance from track? Have I failed to lay tracks that give the handler the ability to read the dog? Have I failed to lay training tracks to teach the dog what is expected of them? Do I use consistent lead handling that works with and for the dog? Am I holding my breath in anticipation of a turn or other problem areas? Am I running blind tracks/trails with only the instruction of “trust your dog”?

In the early 1990’s, my NAPWDA certified tracking dog, in a training exercise, missed a turn. Something seamed off. She never missed turns. Equipment was correct with no changes made. The track conditions and where the track was laid were known. No veterinary issues were known or discovered. Nothing made sense. I checked with other trainers and handlers. The answers ranged from “I happens, keep practicing” to “she’s just a happy golden, keep practicing”.

While I was searching for an answer, I ran across a non-tracking seminar on “the integrated approach” by a trainer (unknown to me) by the name of Suzanne Clothier. Asking around, no one, including the host, could adequately explain what this seminar was about or what it would cover. The training center being used was run by a friend of mine who asked if I could open the facility for the group hosting the seminar, so I registered for the seminar with a working spot since I would be there anyways.

I walked away from that seminar with what turned out to be the answers (and a future wife). I learned some massage & stretching techniques, some Tellington touch (at that time it was adapted from horses) body wrapping, and the concepts of canine chiropractic. I learned that my tracking problem with a turn was due to the dogs lack of body awareness, range of motion and chiropractic issues.

Three weeks of body work and body wrapping in addition to driving 2 hours to the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association College for an adjustment, I had my dependable tracking dog back to being exacting. Massage & stretching became part of our departments protocol before working the dogs.

The missing of the turn was not a tracking problem! No amount if training and practice would have solved it and an experienced working dog would have been retired.

Make sure in all your problem solving you are looking at the big picture!
Happy Tracking!

08/09/2024

This is a really good read.

Adolescence occurs between six months and 18 months of age—a time when guardians typically struggle the most with their dogs. Some guardians are so overwhelmed and underprepared for this developmental stage of their dog’s life, they choose to surrender the dog to a local shelter or rescue group. In a recent study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science found that the majority of the surrendered dogs (47.7 percent) ) were between 5 months and 3 years of age (M.D. Salman,John G. New, Jr.,Janet M. Scarlett,Philip H. Kass,Rebecca Ruch-Gallie &Suzanne Hetts, 2010)

The neurobiology of adolescence is fascinating, with some key events that alter both the structure and function of the brain.

During canine adolescence, changing s*x hormones effect the animals stress responses. Adolescent dogs have a decreased ability to process information they are receiving from the environment including the presence of dogs, vehicles, people, or really anything around them. They behave in ways that might feel frustrating or upsetting for the dog’s person.

The connectivity between the frontal cortex (responsible for decision making) and amygdala (responsible for emotional processing) decreases, resulting in less behavioral control. We see increased risk taking and more sensitivity to fear.

So what does this mean? This could mean that what was once no big deal to the dog now feels scary; what was once easy to do is now stressful; what once made sense is now confusing. At times, the world can feel like ‘too much’ for the adolescent dog.

As your puppy undergoes this transition into adulthood their inner world is intense, even chaotic. Many pet owners experience an increase in undesirable behavior and find themselves becoming increasingly frustrated. In turn, our own frustration and impatience can cause us to act unpredictably. This adds to our puppy’s inner turmoil. When the inside and the outside are both unpredictable it can be difficult for our dogs to adjust.

If you have an adolescent dog, what can you do? You can give your dog the time and space to observe what is going on around them when on leash at a distance away from the activity when possible. You can give your dog long walks to sniff and explore in nature, giving their brain time to decompress. You can offer your dog a quiet space to sleep so that they can consolidate memories effectively. You can continue training various skills, breaking them down into easier steps that can be generously reinforced.

By understanding what our adolescent dog is experiencing we gain greater compassion and understanding. When we approach adolescence with patience we create a world that is predictable and gentle so our puppies grow up to be their best adult selves.

30/08/2024

I’ve often talked about the importance of hydration, I particularly have to watch Charlie as he’s not that keen on water. I’ve been added goats milk to their water when we are training/trailing which they love. I buy it as a powder but don’t make it up to full strength.
However this has been recommended to me as it has added extras to help them and there’s a discount on it at the moment (it deducts at checkout) so we are going to give it a try.
www.wearebetterdog.com
I just need to learn to keep myself hydrated too!

Better Dog

27/08/2024

Breeze thought she would pose for
Lets see your tongue out Tuesdays (or any other day they feel like sticking them out 😂)

26/08/2024

It’s International dog day - let’s see lots of photos of your dogs having fun.
My three have certainly been my rocks during all the changes this year. They are all so different and never cease to make me smile and be proud of them. I can’t believe Charlie is nearly 8 - it’s a miracle. I can’t believe how well Breeze has settled and how much she has grown in confidence to become a cheeky adorable little girl and there are just no words to describe Miss Floss, she is just unique 😂🥰🐾

07/08/2024

These three have been my little stars over the last few weeks, I’ve taken time out to just slow down a bit and try and focus on making things a bit simpler. We’ve got another fun week next week as I have little ones coming for a couple of days (actually they are not so little now) then we will be back with lots of new training ideas and fun stuff along with the Mantrailing and perhaps some tracking too.

Hope you are all having fun too 🤪

#

03/08/2024

We are taking a few weeks out to have fun together. Breeze excelled at her ball searches yesterday so today she got to have fun with York Mantrailing

17/07/2024

There’s nothing like helping yourselves after the DPD driver gives you a parcel 😂😂 if I am honest I put much more attention into their diet than mine 🍰

Floss loves her feelwells cold pressed lamb and duck and feeding it has removed all her skin problems.
I stick to four proteins with her now - lamb, duck, rabbit and turkey - the rabbit and turkey are part of her raw diet. It took time to eliminate the rogue proteins but it’s been worth it as she is not on any drugs or injections now. Every dog is so different. 🐑🦃🐇🦆

Charlie is on raw from but I eliminated chicken, beef and venison from his diet to help his IBS

Breeze is so easy as she will eat anything and has no digestive or skin issues so she has whatever the other two are having plus she loves rabbit ears and duck feet.

They all love foraging in the garden and pick gooseberries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, fallen apples and the peas (I never get any!) plus some of my breakfast banana 😂 🍓🍎🍏🫐🍌🫛

Today the goats milk powder is in their water as it’s hot to encourage them to drink. 🚰

16/07/2024

I adore watching these videos, they are such clever little creatures

08/07/2024

Please watch this on catch up if you can. Rufus was the cheeky adorable springer I passed all my conservation detection dog handlers exams with.
However it is very bitter sweet as tragically Rufus sadly passed away last week after a short illness.
Run free lovely boy 🌈🐾. You were my inspiration. Love and hugs to your wonderful family 💔xx

Earlier this year we did some filming for the One Show talking about our curlew nest detection dogs. It was the very beginning of this project and we learnt so much throughout the season.

Of course Rufus was at the forefront of this film being one of our most experienced dogs and stepping into the breach when Ziba tore a dew claw.

The film will be shown tonight on the One Show. We will be watching it with the tissues ready and a glass of wine in hand. Please raise a glass to a wonderful dog and I hope you enjoy watching him doing what he loved most in the world. ♥️

The One Show is on BBC Two tonight at 7pm.

06/07/2024

Sharing their early morning drink of goats milk to keep them hydrated.

They get a spoonful of powdered goats milk in the water bowl after our long morning lead walk as I am conscious that Charlie in particular doesn’t always drink enough. 🐐

I’ve started taking it with me when we are out trailing and training to encourage them to take fluids on board.

I just need to take my own advice and drink more water too!

28/06/2024

I have again been reminded today of the importance of interacting and playing with our dogs. One of my pet dislikes is people on mobile phones while walking their dogs but do we interact with our dogs on walks, do we make the walks interesting for them and not just about p*e and 💩.

Breeze and I have just spent time playing with her tennis ball, some easy finds, some harder searches and playing with some new toys that Charlie hasn’t de stuffed as well as sniffing in the woods and just chilling out together.

I’ve also been challenged in my thinking and had to be a bit more open minded about Breezes training which is good.

27/06/2024

There is so much information on social media that is incorrect and given the heat wave we are having it’s important to have tha correct information. This is a really good group and what they post is backed by research. They question comments such as cold water killed my dog - sadly the dog could already be dying of heat stroke and the cold water was not involved.

I have been putting a spoonful of powdered goats milk in my water bowls - they love it and will drink way more water to keep them hydrated.

Has anyone got any other tips to keep your dog cool?

23/06/2024

“We are back, did you miss us? Breeze and I had a lovely time and Miss Floss went up to Scotland on a course and got to trail/track with some international instructors (she’ll tell more)

However I want to dob floss in - she went after a rat in the middle of a trail and got stuck under a bush with the rat and screamed at it - her tangled line stopped her getting it as it ran in and out of the bush 🐀😂

I think Breeze is going on next weeks course and I’ve got to take Floss with me …….. hmm that means I can’t take my best bed as she will shred it ☹️

Would anyone like an 8yr old very nice cocker spaniel 😂😂” love from Charlie 🥰

21/06/2024

Is this the best reason for my Mantrailers to not attended their sessions? - sorry Lynn we have a baby hippo to save 🥰

This month on Zoo TV, join Zoo Keeper Will, Head Keeper Sam and Zoo Vet Lisa as they care for the newest member of the Flamingo Land collection. Our hippo c...

19/06/2024

Floss and I are up in Dumfries on a conservation cognition seminar. Today has been all about learning theory and three amazing speakers who gave us all so much to think about, some updated classical and operant conditioning, dopamine dogs and some controversial points which are backed up by science.

Floss had a relaxing day while my brain is blown yet again. Floss is quiet - I think she is missing the springers but she’ll have plenty to do tomorrow as she’s going to be attempting some tracking.

I am already thinking about some changes in my training approach and I finally have some scientific answers to some questions. I really enjoy CPD when the experts are as passionate and knowledgeable as today’s. It’s also been lovely catching up with so many people I know.