Working around the distractions. Don't avoid them. Learn to be OK around them.
Stopping and working with your dog on a walk is time we'll spent .
Focus Loop under high distraction.
Moona was high of spirit today, and I'm guessing chased a deer ( I missed it, and I was still walking down the hill). I let her go a little wild today, letting her go further than usual in a very quiet side of the woodland. But with a recall like that, why not?
This is my whistle recall. Peep for attention and a big long call to make sure she knows its total recall time. Love a whistle for carrying sound loud and clear.
#dogtraining #recall #dogrecall #happydog #happyhoundshexham #happyhoundsuk
#acmewhistle #whistlerecall
And do you know how to spot the difference?
We've all brushed off the fact that our dog is just acting up and going through a phase, but more often than not they are trying to communicate with us. This was a prime example of Bagel not listening to what Jen wanted them to do, but by stopping and taking a moment in their surroundings Jen had seen that this may be due to a stress response.
Taking a moment to look around and listen to the surroundings can be a useful tool for any trainer / owner and can help communicate with your dog more.
After taking time to calm bagel down so they felt safe, they continued with their walk and training.....maybe I'll post part 2 to show you the difference...
This is also a service Jen offers in her walk and train sessions and across the board, taking videos to see what your dog may find difficult or if there are stress responses, and passing that informatiom directly back to you so you know what to look out for.
#dogtrainer #dogtraineruk #northumberland #dogsofnorthumberland #cutedogsofig #dogtrainingadvice #northeastuk #dogtips
No matter what you say, reviews talk!
Here at Happy Hounds, we're delighted when we receive reviews like these! Whether it's via Google or on our page. Hearing someone's experience with us not only helps the business but also makes Jen's day!
Knowing that each walk, training session or one to one she does whilst running round Northumberland like a Tanzanian devil (without the annoying noises and tongue splurts), getting this sort of feedback makes all the chaos behind the scenes worth it !!
The reviews speak for themselves....
#dogtrainer #northeastuk #northumberland_uk #dogbehaviour #dogtraineruk #lovemydog #trainmydog #animalbehavior #remotedogtraining #onlinetraining #inpersontraining
Some dogs find walks harder than others. Whether it is because of events from the past or a general anxious state of mind. Your walk might not be the stress reliever that you are looking for. If your dog has any of the above signs, here is what you can do to help make it easier for them.
🌟 work out the main source of their stress and reduce it where you can. May it be traffic, other dogs, certain walks, weather etc
🌟 shorten your walks to make it easier
🌟 keep it simple if their is a walk they are happier on, walk there more to help them feel safer
🌟 make them feel safe and support them when having a hard time. Don't shout or correct the lead their already having a hard time.
🌟 think less about mileage and allow sniff time and interacting with your dog in a positive way.
🌟 train and reward your dog for good behaviour.
🌟 seek professional help if behaviour suddenly gets worse!
#dogreactivity #dogtraining #happyhoundsuk #happyhoundsdogtraining #dogwalker
Lead work!
Handling and clear verbal cues are key to creating this.
This is an old video of one of the dog walking teams.
Yes, I had a lot of dogs, but I worked hard to train each new one as they came in. The established dogs helped train the new ones.
Until you have an under control team. They were amazing, and I do miss them. I am super grateful for my time with them. They were my teachers over 15 years of professional dog walking.
Looks pretty cool, too, eh?
#dogtraining #happyhoundsuk #happyhoundshexham #professionaldogwalker #dogsonleads
Little Bobby came to me for sessions for his dog reactivity.
He can make a lot of noise as he finds outside very over stimulating.
So we put some management in place. Helped his owners understand what was happening and finally added some training.
Moona is the first dog he's really hung out with as he had assessed that he wasn't reactive with aggression but reactive as a frustrated greeter.
While we saw other dogs on this walk, Bobby looked to Moona (who wasn't bothered) and then worked through his training with his owner. Spotted over 9 dogs at one point with the odd bark and then to his owner. He has come a long way, and this is why I love my job. As now his owners are braver on walks and Bobby gets to see more and cope better 😃
Heel work, one of the most desired skills in a dog owner's wish list, but did you know you can't get that without those moments of wonderful bouncy play time too?
Running out that energy, playing around, really solidifying that bond and building on your trust with your pet is the absolute super power when it comes to a dog's incentive to work harder for you. (It also helps to reduce their stress levels too!!)
Think about how controlled and boring heel work is compared to what they really want to be doing. Finding that balance between working and playing is where people can really find a difference in their dog's training 🙌
Goofing about on Tyne green with Moons is down time for me too, it's not walking, it's not training, but it IS essential ❤️🐶🐾
#dogtrainer #northumberland #dogsofnorthumberland #dogsofinstagram #northeastuk #remotedogtraining #playtime #dogtrainingtips #dogtraininghexham #happyhoundshexham
Something about how you feel about creating this space - why you've created a safe space for your dog - or the importance of creating more space for moona - could be to do with the postie but doesn't have to be - or could be as simple as a one liner like - "FINALLY finished this project to help keep my mind at ease whilst keeping Moona safe" and maybe ask a question in the caption too to intrigue others. Just shout about being proud of it !! AS IM PROUD OF IT !! People love that - and it's FOR your dog !!
Why recalls fail and how to strengthen a good return without them being on a shirt lead.
If you can't keep attention on a lead, they are not ready to be let off. Work them against all the distractions until you know they can do well.
Learning behaviour is knowing body language.
Now, when people say, let them sort it out. You're lucky if it goes like this.
See if you read what's happening here?
This is 2007! I pick a play fight with Flynn, my brothers young Ridgeback. The Labrador is my Kira, who's about 3, and then the older boy Ridgeback is Ryan, the family dog. Who I started with, then left for college. But dad and him bounded beautifully.
Would you leave your dog with just anyone?
Big day for Roxy (german shepard) to walk along other dogs.
Laurie also found it hard, but this is where we ended up.
Roxy used to be very shouty with other dogs. I mostly think due to her uncertainty. Both dogs would try and come together and play and go over the top. They needed help to calm. Until they came to this agreement.
Moona and Murphy also helped. Gave her space until Moona felt comfortable enough to make a move on owner Ben's treats!
Also look out in stories for our spot of the day!!
Markers in dog training really fine tune your work.
Marker words can be used instead of a clicker.
They make it clear the moment the dog did it right.
But they have to be used correctly and with good timing to get the most effect.
I like Yes as my marker as I like to add good dog too.
I also believe markers help to create a dog in learning mode and help them to know they are doing well. which, in turn, makes a dog that wants to learn and train with you.
Next Month Happy Hounds has been going 17 years!!
All these dogs have thought me so much. I'm restful for each one of them.
These are the ones I remembered to photograph.
Can you spot your dog in there?
Happy Dogs having Happy times
Easy to handle treats. Square is best
Just look at this!
I've been working with dogs for nearly 17 years now.
Born in Riding Mill, we moved away when I was 5, to.... Norfolk. Got my first dog at 12 a over sized Rhodesian Ridgeback, which I would walk for hours. I went to college and studied conservation. Quick decided I wanted to learn about northern conservation (i missed hills, river and decent woodland) and not the flat lands of Norfolk. I've volunteered for the RSPB, the Wildlife Trust, and the Forestry Commission. I went to Kirkley Hall to study to become a countryside ranger but fell into falconry instead!
Falconry is hard and even harder if you start a business on the Isle of Skye where wild peregrines and eagles can upset your bird recall!
So I came back to gorgeous Northumblerand with my dog and thought, how can I spend more time out here with my dog?
Then Happy Hounds was born in 2007!
What is all the training for? For me, it's for freedom and exploring together. Since I was a kid, taking my dog on a new walk to explore has always been a favourite all-time pastime. Yesterday, we had a day off, so off we went to Rydal Cave for a little walk and explore round gorgeous Grassmere. Moona loves a new walk, and I actually enjoy the training challenge of it, too. She as ever these days, did an amazing job of ignoring dogs, sheep, and people. ❤️
#dogtraining #dogwalker #lakedistrictdogs #grassmere #rydalcaves
