K9 Connection Owners and Dog Training

25/12/2023

Merry Christmas 💖💖💖💖

24/07/2023

Well as you know I have been on pause since starting a new full time position at the end of Jan. I plan restarting one to ones and will when I find a suitable location indoors (any suggestions welcome) do some small classes. In the mean time I am going to start filming my trick training with my three which I hope to share good and bad (which there always is). Let the fun begin. .....

16/05/2023

Please share far and wide to all your lovely doggy friends

Children from two Yorkshire Dales primary schools want to share this important message about how we can all help protect our beautiful curlews.

21/01/2023

Very wise and brilliant words from Dean on loose lead walking.

25/12/2022

Merry Christmas to everyone 💖💖💖🍾🍾🍾

16/12/2022

Great information for you and your dog for the festive season to keep everyone happy 🐕🐕🐕🐾🐾🐾

16/12/2022

16/12/2022

If you want to have that great family dog walking on a loose lead then message me today to join my mailing list for news of great workshops and classes in the new year for all sorts of fun. And as a Christmas present to you all and your dogs Tug e nuff https://tug-e-nuff.co.uk/?ref=carolbuchan Exciting news! As some of you might know, we’re HUGE fans of Tug-E-Nuff. They make motivating, durable toys that will help you nail your recall, smash your goals and get simply amazing results.
We’re proud to say we’ve just become a Tug-E-Nuff Partner. That means we can offer our followers and students 10% off! Just enter our exclusive code CAROLBUCHAN at checkout.
Head to https://tug-e-nuff.co.uk/?ref=carolbuchan to browse the range and let us know which toys you choose Don't forget to like and follow us on facebook too K9 Connection Owners and Dog Training

Overcome training and behaviour problems, improve your bond and achieve amazing results – all while having loads of fun with a Tug-E-Nuff dog training toy.

29/11/2022

This is so true and so important well worth the read 😍😍😍

Walking your dog doesn't need to be so frustrating!

There's this idea in 'Dog Culture' that we MUST take our dog for a walk every day, and if you don't then you must be a bad owner.

Being able to have a leisurely stroll with your dog is a simple pleasure, one that so many owners yearn for but is anything BUT leisurely (I understand the feeling as I've been there myself).

So many dog owners are struggling on walks - with reactivity, fearful dogs, or just simple leash pulling. It can be exhausting and if you're reading this and can relate, you know the guilt you feel at dreading the walk when you know they 'need' it. BUT... DO THEY?

A fulfilled dog needs:

🐕‍🦺 Physical exercise
🐕‍🦺 Mental exercise
🐕‍🦺 Time to just be a dog/freedom
🐕‍🦺 Play
🐕‍🦺 Rest

All of those needs can be met without putting the leash on and pounding the pavement for 10 blocks. In fact, your dog's behaviour and your relationship with them will probably improve if you take the pressure off yourself and stop doing it.
Here's why:

🐕 Leash pulling is self-reinforcing:

If your dog drags you to everything they want to sniff or investigate then they're being taught over and over that behaviour is how they access these things. Tension on the leash is how they get what they want.

🐶 INSTEAD: the script needs to be flipped so they learn pressure on the leash means they stop, or you want them to FOLLOW YOU, not move toward what they want.

🐕 Separate training from exercise:

Dogs can't learn new skills when they're over-stimulated and distracted. The more distance you cover on a walk, the more distracted your dog will likely get. If you walk your dog to a park then that's a HUGE distraction (I bet they walk better on the way home, but fatigue isn't training)

🐶 INSTEAD:
practice loose leash walking during a 'training session' and if your dog pulls the second you walk out the front door then practice inside your house, then when they're doing better there open the front door and STILL practice inside, then in and out of the front door, then the path to your house etc etc etc. This will tire your dog out, I PROMISE. This is mental exercise and mental exercise is just as tiring as physical exercise.

🐕 Provide physical exercise in other ways:

As above, trying to train your dog AND give them exercise at the same time isn't going to work very well. It's like getting children to learn their timetables at Disney Land.

🐶 INSTEAD:
put them in a car and drive them somewhere quiet where they can run around (on a long line if they're not off-lead reliable). This is great for reactive dogs too. Find places where not many dogs go. Industrial estate parks or the back of some shopping centres where there are empty fields.

🐕 Have a plan and work smarter not harder:

So many of my new clients have tried all the tools, treats, obedience commands etc, but none of it is working. The problem is there's almost always a lack of clarity in the techniques and a lack of clarity paired with an over-excited dog doesn't work.

🐶 INSTEAD:
provide CLARITY through learning a clear and consistent strategy that you can easily teach your dog for five minutes twice a day (yep: FIVE MINUTES, TWICE A DAY. Dogs learn better this way and you'll both enjoy it more!). Clarity in communication, clarity through controlling distractions to keep your dog calm and focused!

There are numerous techniques to teach calm, loose-leash walking and what works best with each dog/owner combination can differ. But if there's one thing to remember from all of the above it's this:

🐾 SLOW IT DOWN TO GET THERE FASTER

Take the pressure off yourself AND your dog. Forget about social norms. If walking your dog isn't helping improve their behaviour or mindset - don't do it. Meet their needs in other ways while you focus on implementing a clear training routine that you can enjoy with your dog.

🖤🐾

20/11/2022

So important 💖💖💖

Just a little reminder from me to you, to treasure every moment with the dogs in your life.

We live busy lives with competing priorities and our dogs often aren’t the loudest voice in the room, they spend their days waiting for the highlight of their days, the time we spend with them.

It’s Sunday tommorow - find an extra 30 mins from somewhere in your day, turn off your tv, turn off your mobile and connect with them. Dedicate it to just being with them. I don’t mind if all you do is stroke them as they sleep or you sit on a rock on your walk watching the view.

But be in the moment with them and lap it up, how they feel, how they smell, how they sound, everything about them.

I do this every so often and it’s NEVER time wasted and ALWAYS time I look back on fondly. Not only does it ground me and remind me what’s important in life, but I know one day I’ll wish I was back there in that moment.

I’ve taken a little holiday away with the dogs, we’ve had sausage sarnies, we’ve walked for miles, we’ve slept and we’ve cuddled.… and sometimes that’s all you need.

03/11/2022

Last few spaces for group classes send me a message to sign up and watch this space for news on drop in classes addressing specific problems if that's all you need.

28/10/2022

Really useful for everyone out there a must watch enjoy

Essential Puppy Training Course, available for 50% off the regular price, for a limited time only: https://dunbar.info/pup2022Or check out our other online c...

17/10/2022

Great exercise and so simple have a go 😍😍

06/10/2022

Love this so simple

05/10/2022

Group Puppy and Good Dog 1 classes in Ilkley and Burley in Wharfedale Registration is Open For all the information go to our page