I’ve not done loads of muzzle training recently but today Monty and I did our longest session as he seemed very happy and comfortable. Today we focused on encouraging movement and tricks which he smashed. He hasn’t tried to scrabble at it to get it off and spent plenty of time without food being delivered too. Next time I’ll see if I can introduce toy play through the muzzle if he doesn’t find that too frustrating.
Monty wears a Rex from The Muzzle Movement which gives him plenty of pant room and nose room, I may need to widen the cheeks slightly if he grows much more. You can use code COMPANIONMINDS for discount if you need a muzzle!
Such a useful skill to have pre-prepared just in case we need it in the future.
#workingcocker #workingcockerspaniel #workingcockersofinstagram #muzzlemovement #rexmuzzle #muzzletraining #beprepared #lifeskill #positivereinforcementtraining
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This is the gorgeous rescue dog Schumi tackling her car phobia step by step and making superb progress.
Previously Schumi would entirely avoid the car, skirting as far away from it as possible and showing strong fearful behaviour :(
Now she’s happily bouncing into the boot and staying in it!! Wow. 😍 (and no it wasn’t just throwing food in…!)
Car phobias take a long time to work through- there’s so many components to work through with it. Schumi’s owners have been incredibly patient and committed and we are seeing some lovely results slowly but surely.
We’ve got a plan to move this on gradually so wish Schumi all the luck! 🍀
#companionminds #positivereinforcement #choiceandcontrol #rescuedog
Proud of Monty’s loose lead walking efforts. He’s nearly 8 months old now, and been on rest for nearly 2 weeks (short lead walks only- disaster for a baby spaniel).
Of course we still have to stop sometimes if we get a bit excited about a sniff ahead, but we are doing a lot of mooching on a slack lead- both sniffing and food rewards available. I use a clicker as I find my timing is a bit better than my voice sometimes. However filming, clicking, holding a lead, and delivering food rewards is a challenge! But I love this view of it 😊
Also, harnesses don’t cause pulling, a lack of skill and self control does 👍
I don’t believe any dog needs to be ‘in heel’ during their exercise walks. They do not need to be in a specific position, just a slack lead. If your aim is to compete in obedience or it’s required for other sports, teach a heel cue sure, but otherwise you’ll likely just cause more frustration for you and your dog with having unrealistic and unfair criteria! I want Monty to be able to explore, sniff, mooch- it’s his walk, for his benefit! Insisting on precise positioning is out of date and pointless 🤷♀️
More Monty videos and updates: https://www.instagram.com/monty_cocker_?igsh=MTg2emF4ZTg1NjB1aA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
#workingcocker #workingcockerpuppy #workingcockerspaniel #puppytraining #positivereinforcementtraining #gundog #loose lead walking #notheelwork #itstheirwalk #perfectfitharness #harness
Have you thought about muzzle training your PUPPY? 😱
Muzzle training is an EXCELLENT skill for any dog to learn. I’d much rather teach Monty this skill gradually and comfortably just in case he ever needs it than have to wrangle a muzzle on when he’s already stressed. Introducing it through positive reinforcement training whilst he’s still a baby will only make this easier hopefully for him to tolerate.
This is a The Muzzle Movement muzzle, size Rex. We love these muzzles, brightly coloured, excellent pant room, treat hole, and a range of sizes and shapes for difference breeds and sizes. You can use the code COMPANIONMINDS to get 10% off. 🐾
As you can see Monty is very happy to engage in this FIRST session 👍
#companionminds #muzzlemovement #muzzleup #muzzleddogsaregooddogs #preparation #positivereinforcementtraining #shaping
Sonny did a fab job of his recall on Sunday 🐾
I managed to fail with my filming for the other pups somehow! Well done everyone, great work 👍
Monty’s had fireworks playing quietly and progressively loudly intermittently since he was 8 weeks old.
Here he is having got comfy for a snooze whilst fireworks are now quite loud (and annoying!) on our speaker. Doesn’t seem to mind.
If your dog already has an issue with fireworks, now is not the time to be trying to play soundtracks, you’ll likely cause more of an issue. We’ll share some ways you can support your dogs in another post!
But for puppy owners, get some practice in now. Start quiet and gradually increase as long as your pup is behaving normally! If you’re concerned, drop us a message!
More of Monty’s training and adventures at monty_cocker_
#companionminds #workingcocker #fireworks #fireworkprep #puppysocialisation
We are very grateful to be celebrating 5 years in business this October!
It's gone so quick and we are so thankful to every single client we've met over the years. Thank you all for trusting us with your companions, it's our privilege to work with them with compassion and kindness.
We are very proud of our little business! 🐾🐾
Thank you,
Kate & Tom
Wow Monty had a blast on a new walk today, we practiced lots of bits as well as ensuring he had plenty of freedom to be a spaniel.
🐾 Stop whistle (our first attempt at a ‘real’ stop rather than setting one up)
🐾 Recall whistle whilst hunting
🐾 Body confidence and awareness
🐾 off lead and checking in
🐾 novel object exploration
Of course this has all been achieved with positive reinforcement training. Food, toys, access to hunting, feeling great about stuff. We practice a few minutes a day, and throw in a few recalls on walks in easy and more challenging scenarios (yet to ‘fail’), and we ensure he’s generously rewarded. He’s 18 weeks old. Age is but a number, all dogs can learn skills, don’t wait til they’re 6 months old to start, get going! No doubt things will be more challenging when he hits teenagehood but here we have a fab foundation from which he can reference from later. No need for slip leads positioned high on his neck, no need for choking or yanking, no need for an e-collar, no need for methods which will intend to cause him harm or anxiety.
#positivereinforcementtraining #puppytraining #dogtraining #puppy #companionminds #cockerspaniel #workingcockerspaniel #positivegundogtraining #gundog
Big well done to the gorgeous Sidney! We’ve been working with Sid eh and his family on recall and loose lead walking- life is very exciting for teenage spaniels!!
He’s made great progress. This is him now walking on a slack lead in a brand new place whilst on holiday 🐾
Sidney understands the rule that if he pulls, the walk will stop, so he moves at a pace whereby he can continue to access environment and keep the lead slack- this takes a lot of time, effort, and patience to achieve- particularly for spaniel owners.
We have used some food rewards for Sidney to establish this, but a lot of the time we can use the environment to continue to reinforce the slack lead. You can also hear Sidney’s mum giving gentle praise, and a quick reminder when the lead goes briefly tight.
Superb job Sidney, very proud of you! 🧡
#companionminds
#positivereinforcementtraining #dogtraining #cockerspaniel #workingcocker
And the 10:30 class also being brilliant! 👏👏
This is our 9:30am class doing some fab recalls and lovely standing and chatting calmly ⭐️👏👏👏
Super job everyone, very proud!
#companionminds #positivereinforcementtraining #puppytraining #rhodesianridgeback #welshterrier #brusselsgriffon #sheltie
We offer Clinical Animal Behaviour consultations on vet referral, as well as 1-1 dog training and group classes for puppies and adolescent dogs.
