HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 👻
Here are my simple tips to keep your dog calm and comfortable on Halloween!
#halloweenfordogs #topdogtips #dogtrainer #dogwelfare #calmdogs
LOOSE LEAD WALKING
This was really hard to film whilst holding two parcels and a lead but I really wanted to share it with you!
This was hard for Rolo. It was a high distraction area (busy supermarket car park) with lots going on.
What he did for me:
🔵Increased his check ins
🔵Adjusted his walking speed
🔵Stayed focussed
🔵Worked for only verbal praise, no food rewards (as I had no free hands!)
What I did for him:
⚫️ Stopped to let him sniff when he wanted to
⚫️ Didn’t rush him
⚫️ Gave him space from high distractions where possible
⚫️ Observed him constantly and gave consistent verbal praise
We have never trained this exact scenario before but we have worked on the things in the above list separately.
Not once did I use a “correction”.
By understanding what each other needs, we make a great team and therefore enjoy our walks together!
If you’d like to learn more about loose lead walking with your dog, we have a 2-part workshop coming up in November which you can book online now via my website!
#looseleadwalking #dogtraining #forcefree #forcefreedogtraining
Sorry for the late notice guys! 5 days to go until we start our new dog training courses for:
- Adolescents (existing clients only)
- Dogs needing a confidence boost (open to all)
Every Tuesday throughout October! Book your place now!
Importance of a good recall
Think of others. If you are not able to successfully recall your dog around distractions such as wildlife, people or other dogs then please have them on a lead.
There are loads of secure fields around you can hire to exercise your dog and practice training without putting your dog or others at risk. Here are some local ones I recommend.
@westoxforddogfields
@oxfordsecuredogfield
@enslow_dog_field
Long lines can also be a great tool however, if your dog is determined to get to that distraction then these can cause injury. Practice recall training in low distraction environments first such as the house and garden.
Enlist the help of a professional to find out how to improve your dog’s recall. I’d love to help ☺️
#recalltraining #positivereinforcementdogtraining #oxforddogtraining #oxfordshiredogtrainer #importanceofagoodrecall
KIDS & DOGS
It’s getting to that stage of the summer holidays where patience and money is running low! I feel you!
Here’s an idea that will tire them all out!
Set up an obstacle course using things you find in the shed/garage etc. Even better - get the kids to set it up!
Please bear in mind your dog’s age/mobility/health etc when designing the course as we don’t want any injuries!
Find out what motivates your dog for example food / toys / chase.
If food or a favourite toy, your kids could have this in their hand to encourage the dog to follow them around the course (make sure they give it to them as a reward at the end!)
If your dog gets too excited by the toy/food/chase and starts jumping up/barking then try something of lower value to lure them with. For example, if they get too excited by their favourite ball, try a soft toy instead or use dry treats instead of hot dog sausage.
Most importantly, this should be fun for everyone involved! Enjoy!
#kidsanddogs #kidsanddogsofinstagram #dogtrainer #summerholidays #tirethemout #oxfordshiredogtrainer
A lovely bunch of people and dogs joined us for tonight’s workshop all about loose lead walking.
Some of the things they learned:
🟤 How to encourage their dogs to want to stay close
🟤 How to cope with real life distractions
🟤 Recommended equipment to use
🟤 How to deliver rewards effectively
All positive reinforcement based!
To stay updated about upcoming workshops, be sure to sign up to my mailing list! ➡️ https://www.cazandcodogs.co.uk/
How teaching a “find it” will benefit your dog!
🐾 Builds confidence
🐾 Mentally stimulating
🐾 Dopamine hit from natural seeking behaviour
🐾 Improves the bond between you
🐾 Encourages sniffing which aids calmness
🐾 Low impact on joints
#findit #dogtraininggames #noseworkfordogs #oxfordshiredogtrainer #forcefreedogtrainer
Let’s try not thinking about it as Dog Training….
What about if we take the pressure off both you and your dog and strip things right back? Trust is so crucial when it comes to your dog listening to you. They need to know you are listening to them too.
I have availability for new clients. Check out my website (link in bio) for more info 🐕
CHOOSING WHERE TO WALK
Rolo is struggling to walk too far at the moment and whilst we await his vet appointment on Friday, I am thinking more about where I choose to walk him…
Yesterday I chose Blenheim and here’s why:
🐶 Lots of good sniffs! Dogs, pheasants, ducks, squirrels. A great way to tire him out without him walking too far.
🐶 A choice of tarmac and grass all the way around so he can decide which is more comfortable to walk on
🐶 Somewhere we don’t go that often. It can be easy to fall into the trap of walking around the block every day with an older dog but enrichment is more important than ever when a dog is physically restricted.
Where have you been walking this week? Let me know in the comments!
#dogwalks #dogwalking #whereareyouwalking #enrichingdogslives #enrichingdogwalks #walksforseniordogs #dogtrainerthoughts #oxfordshiredogtrainer
Would you like your puppy to attend training classes where they can feel safe and build confidence at their own pace like these guys?
Would you benefit from access to training notes each week that you can download and keep forever?
New Saturday morning classes starting soon in OX29 close to the A40. Easily accessible from Witney, Eynsham, Oxford, Summertown, Cutteslowe, Wolvercote, Kidlington, Yarnton.
Bonus online theory and Q&A session included.
Please comment 🐶 below if you’d like me to contact you with more info.
#puppyclasses #puppytraining #puppylifeskills
#positivereinforcementdogtraining #dogtraineroxfordshire
I’m working with Bentley on a weekly basis to help boost his confidence and teach him some coping mechanisms as he can get quite easily overwhelmed, especially by cars.
How do we know this? When he reaches his threshold, he will bite ankles/shoes. I have worked with other dogs who will bite the lead. This is not your dog being “naughty”. It is their way of expressing that they are unable to cope.
Yesterday’s session involved a combination of reward based games and tuggy play in the garden, a short walk in a familiar area and lots of sniffs!
#confidencebuildingfordogs #positivereinforcementdogtraining #dogtrainingoxfordshire #dogtrainer
As a Tug-E-Nuff partner, I’m so happy to be able to share this EXCLUSIVE offer with you. Their toys are AWESOME training aids and can be used in so many ways.
From supercharging recall to scentwork and confidence building, there really is so much you can achieve with your dog through the power of play with Tug-E-Nuff toys.
Full transparency: I do earn a small commission from any purchases, but you pay no more and I’d recommend them even if I didn’t!
So go on, hop on over and grab some new toys to supercharge your play this year.
https://tug-e-nuff.com/offer?ref=cazandcodogtraining
ENGAGEMENT
The difference between these two videos is only 14 Days!
As you can see, Keef was not engaging with me or his guardian at all when out of the house, and was super distracted on his walks.
I showed Keef’s guardian some games to play to improve their relationship and his engagement with her.
He’s a young cocker x Jack Russell who loves to have fun so we used tug toys as a reward as well as food.
Keef’s mum has put in 💯 effort and has practiced consistently with the tools I gave her and the difference in just two weeks is incredible. Well done guys 👏🏻
I look forward to continuing to work with you so we can achieve your goal of walking Keef off lead.
