Cadgwith Canines Dog Training

30/08/2024

Your pet’s world revolves around you. Give them the attention they deserve. Put down the phone and enjoy quality time together. They’ll thank you for it!

--
©Harry Bliss

30/08/2024

The first time I saw someone do this I was shocked.
I thought it was a one off, clearly it isn't and social media "influencers" have started to spout this as a "solution".
When I first saw this a few years ago, I could see the skin under the belly twisting and stretching while a lead was tightly pulled up from above.
There was bruising and this dog was certainly in pain.
All because someone wanted a quick way to teach a dog to walk beside them.
Companies even sell carabiners that encourage using this method.
What people may not realise is this can kill a dog.
The belly is not well protected...at all.
The intestines are right there and there are no bones in that area to protect those precious and vital organs.
That constant pressure and squeezing can and DOES cause serious abdominal issues.
PLEASE don't be tempted to follow this trend if you have seen it on social media.

25/08/2024

Today's Dog Training Myth of the Day: "Only tell them once!"

What if you ask a dog (whatever age, breed, s*x, background, training level) to do something, but there is no response?

Set aside the myth of "only tell them once." Good rule of thumb: if it were a toddler, what would you do? Probably wait a few beats, be sure you had the kid's attention, then ask again.

Just like us, dogs may not be tuned in 100% because they are busy having their own experience of life which may or may not include you at any moment.

If you *do* have the pup's attention, and they did hear you, next step is to consider that they do not understand and/or don't see the point!

I've often asked clients to stand on a chair and sing happy birthday. I've done it while they were trying to take notes. Result: no compliance, and they say usually say, "Sorry - I was focused on taking notes. What did you say?"

If they are paying attention to me but look at me as if I'm crazy, I ask, "Did you understand what I asked? You did? So why aren't you doing it?" Inevitably the answer is, "I don't want to" or "Why would I do that?" It helped them understand how their dogs might be responding.

So give your dogs the courtesy of clear communication, engage attention first, be sure there is understanding, and make it worthwhile for the dog to work with you. Respect, courtesy and taking responsibility for what we are communicating and how we are communicating -- those are all supportive of healthy dog/human relationships.

This does not mean repeating, Sit-sit-sit-sit-sit-sit which is not good communication no matter who you're talking to! 😊

If you want and need response to just one request (and this has great value!), you first have to teach understanding, understand that connection and attention must come first always, then develop the skill, tighten the criteria and make it worthwhile. Then practice!!!

29/07/2024

The daisies were still asleep on our dog walk this morning 🤩

24/07/2024

23/07/2024

Instead of asking, “How do I get my dog to obey me?” we should ask, “Is my dog happy?” and “How can I make them happier?”

16/07/2024

When we punish dogs for growling, even if they're growling at our child, we aren't helping them feel better about whatever it is that is threatening them. Instead, we are teaching to stop letting us know when they feel unsafe.

The result? A dog who stops giving us warning signs and "bites out of the blue."
And, that's how we create dangerous dogs. I'd much rather have a dog growl and tell me they're upset (so we have a chance to intervene and help them) than a dog who just bites without any warning signs.

16/07/2024

I've swithered about the wisdom of posting this for fear of backlash but I keep coming back to these questions and I think they are important so here goes nothing...

I was working in the park yesterday and saw things which, if I'm honest, kind of broke my heart a wee bit. A beautiful puppy on a slip lead being corrected (by a 'trainer') whenever they stopped to sniff. An obedience class of dogs half of whom appeared to be on 'grot' collars (choke collars). A dog being walked on a prong collar in a strict heel and never allowed to stop, sniff or interact with the world around them.

So my questions are...

What has happened in our relationship with our dogs that makes more and more people feel ok about training their dogs with force & coercion & discomfort/pain?

Do people believe these things don't hurt? That the dog truly doesn't mind? Or do they acknowledge that these things are unpleasant (at best...painful at worst) but believe this is the only way to teach dogs? Do they understand what they are doing but feel there are no other options? Is the dog's discomfort simply a price worth paying for the human's convenience? Has frequent exposure to coercive trainers on social media numbed us to the casual cruelty with which they treat dogs? Or do we just avoid thinking about it all too deeply for fear we may have to face some uncomfortable truths?

Where is our empathy, kindness and understanding for the captive animals we have chosen to bring into our lives? If we truly care about our dogs (and I believe most owners do) then why are we often so quick to use physical force & discomfort? If we are prepared to sacrifice their wellbeing and experience in favour of our control over them - and it's worth saying these are not mutually exclusive - then we have some serious reflecting to do....

15/07/2024

15/07/2024

***Awareness Post***

We've had two requests to search for dogs recently. Sadly they've drowned and at this time of year they have resurfaced before we could get there, leaving their owners with a traumatic task of recovering them.

There are a number of breeds that CANT SWIM or are POOR SWIMMERS. They can sink very quickly and with best efforts to save them it is often not possible.

You rarely get a second chance with water.

Your dog may never have shown an interest in water, or may just paddle. But dogs are instinct reactive and it only takes one accident.

Please don't take the risk. Please keep breeds that are known to be poor swimmers on a lead near water. At least then you have a chance of saving them.

Some of the breeds most known that can't swim/poor swimmers and most at risk are...

• French Bulldogs
• English Bulldogs
• Pocket Bully's
• Pugs
• Dachshunds
• Boxers
• Shih Tzu's
• Basset Hounds
• Corgi's
• Maltese

07/07/2024

A user-friendly guide to desensitization and counter-conditioning for fearful dogs.

07/07/2024

We can't wait for this little cutie to come over ! Bella is leaving Romania on the 10th July, to come to the UK. She will be in foster care with the wonderful Mandy Cooke . Keep your eyes out for updates! Poor Bella was left by her owners in Romania , when they moved away. She is only a baby !!! How anyone can do this to family, is unbelievable!!

06/07/2024

Let’s stop saying hello to every dog! 👋

Last weekend I went to have a mooch round the flea market in Thirsk, there were a few dogs bobbing about and I watched one interaction that made my skin crawl!

I won’t go into too much detail but there was a lovely dog minding his own business just following his owner around on the lead. When a member of the public wanted to say hello to this dog.

There was no checking with the owner first, instead the gentleman rushed up to this dog and stuck his hand in its face. The dog immediately backed off and tried to hide behind his owner. But the gentleman still insisted that the dog come greet him and continued to pop his hand in front of the dogs nose.

For a long time it was thought that the proper way to greet a strange dog was to pop your hand in front of their face so they can smell it.
Our dogs sense of smell is so strong, they will be able to smell you from afar and gather as much information that they need, popping a hand in front of their face can be quite intimidating for our dogs.

Let’s normalise not saying hello to random dogs and learning to understand body language so we can respect their feelings!

I’ll pop another post on later about how to interact with an unknown dog!

04/07/2024

Thursday thought ❤️

03/07/2024

'Emanuele Grandi's moving poem dedicated to our four-legged companions:

“If you are afraid that you have given me too few caresses, you should know that I have not forgotten even one.

If you regret scolding me even once, know that I don't even remember it.

If you think you've left me alone for too long, know that I've always been waiting for you.

If you fear that you have dedicated little time to me, you should know that I, even of that little, have enjoyed every moment.

If you think you have played little with me, you should know that I have never counted the times you threw the ball to me.

If you think I have forgotten your perfume, you should know that even now I am smelling it on the wind.

If you would like to be reborn in another life, you should know that I would like to be your dog in that one too.

If you are convinced that you have some flaws, you should know that for me you have been the perfect person.

If you believe that love can have an end, you should know that in my heart the place of love is infinite.

If you think you have regrets about me, know that I wouldn't trade a single second of the life I've spent with you.

If you think I no longer hear your voice when you call me, just trust the evening breeze with the task of bringing me your words.

If you think I can forget your face, you should know that I wanted to live just to enjoy your look.

If you think I could have loved anyone more than you, know that I have loved you more than myself.

If you think I would like a sofa, know that with you I would have slept on the stones too.

If you think I wanted more than what you gave me, know that I have always felt like the happiest dog in the world.

If you have ever felt alone, know that I have never left my place with you.

If you think my life has been short, you should know that I would not have wanted to live another minute if I had not spent it by your side.
If you fear that I am no longer close to you, know that as soon as you close your eyes I will fall asleep next to you.

If you think you haven't made the right decision, know that I have always trusted you.

Always.

If you dream one day of being able to see me again, know that I will be there waiting for you.

As I have always done.”
Always in my heart. ❤️

01/07/2024

FB Memories reminded me that 3 years ago I did something I had always wanted to do. Design and commission an infographic from Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin 🥰🥰

19/06/2024

If you asked me to name the single most important thing you can do for your dog, it would be this.

Keep your dog feeling safe.

This is not to be confused with your dog being safe, or whether or not you think your dog is safe. This is about keeping your dog *feeling* safe. Which means identifying what your dog finds stressful or scary by learning how to observe and read their body language to recognize when, where, and under what circumstances they feel uncomfortable, and doing whatever you can to avoid those situations.

This can mean that your dog never visits another dog park.

This can mean that even though it’s a beautiful Sunday and you’d love to have brunch on a patio of your favorite restaurant with your dog, your dog stays home.

This can mean that you politely (or not) decline requests to pet your dog.

This can mean that when children come over your house, your dog is in another room with a yummy Kong.

This can mean that you walk your dog during quiet times of the day.

This can mean that you drive your dog to walk them in a different area.

Whatever it means for you and your dog, keep your dog feeling safe.

You are your dog’s best and only advocate. You are what stands between them and the rest of the world, a world where dogs are set up to fail every day with often heartbreaking consequences. This doesn’t mean that we don’t also actively and *humanely* work to help our dogs feel more comfortable and confident in this world, but it does mean that until they do, WE HAVE TO KEEP THEM FEELING SAFE.

Our dogs are relying on us, it’s our job to have their backs.