Paws2Connect

15/08/2024

Here is some useful information regarding the health implications if you have a dog or bitch and are considering neutering/spaying
https://drbarrettvet.com/2024/05/23/if-when-to-spay-neuter-dogs-current-research/?fbclid=IwY2xjawEqwnFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHc0sfr3l6iYhQeetDzYkN5fjFJt9aMkb5pVYGRL0A9Jh3CNR2rYR2ZgMng_aem_gtFd45qs3XowtEnzuwKc8w

Spaying and neutering are common procedures performed on dogs for various reasons, including population control, behavior modification, and health benefits. However, recent research has shed light on the importance of timing these procedures to ensure the best outcomes for our furry companions. In t...

21/06/2024

Intro to ACE for Reactivity

This four week workshop runs from Wednesday 4th September to Wednesday 25th September 2024

The workshop is run by Penny Leedal and Sonia Catherall and will guide you week by week to:

• Help you to understand what causes your dog’s reactivity
• Help your dog to reset and rebalance using ACE Free Work
• Teach you observational skills that will help you to support your dog
• Build your dog's confidence and resilience
• Strengthen your bond and build your relationship
• Help you and your dog to learn essential skills in an ACE integrated manner
• How to transition your training to real world situations

You will have a live Zoom session (7pm BST each Wednesday), backup home study materials and an invitation to join a dedicated Facebook group where you can upload videos and connect with others on the course.

In addition you will be able to book an hour long 1-1 session with either Penny or Sonia to kick start your Free Work or discuss your dog's progress.

Cost of the workshop is £175 and will give ACE credits.

Penny Leedal is an ACE Associate Instructor, a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (mAPDT 01274) and a member of the Pet Professional Network.

Sonia Catherall is an ACE Associate Tutor, Certified Canine Behaviourist and Professional Dog Trainer.

The link to sign up is in the comments.

Feedback from the previous workshop:
"I highly recommend doing this course, you will be mindblown by how easy but yet so clever and powerful it can be to help your reactive dog navigate the environment around them. And the beauty of this is that you don’t have to spend a fortune on expensive tools or equipment, most items can be found around the home to make the sessions fun with your dog."
"If you have a reactive dog then this workshop is a must for you. It is incredibly supportive, with a wide range of topics and access to a wealth of expertise from Penny & Sonia. There’s no pressure to speak or participate, but you’ll find yourself wanting to!"
"I really found this course interesting, helpful and friendly. So much content given in an easy to understand way. Lots of input from Penny and Sonia who were always there ready to help and answer questions. Great support. I would recommend this course, no pressure, very enjoyable."

15/05/2024

ACE Free Work Live Workshop!

Join Sonia Catherall and Penny Leedal for a full day live online Free Work workshop this summer.

This workshop is suitable for all, whether you are new to Free Work or well on the way down your ACE journey. This is your opportunity to learn about Free Work and practice live with feedback from two ACE Tutors.

The workshop will run on Saturday 29th June from 9:30am to 4:30pm BST and you will have 2 Free Work sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. You will also have the opportunity to observe the other participants.

As a bonus, there will be a live Q&A via Zoom on the following day (Sunday 30th June at 7pm BST) so you can ask all those questions that spring to mind following the live workshop.

You will also have access to the online Introduction to ACE Free Work workshop to guide anyone who is new to ACE Free Work.

There are only four handler places available so don’t miss out! Limited spectator places will also be available.

ACE Credits are available for this workshop

Handler place £90
Spectator place £60

Penny Leedal is an ACE Associate Instructor, a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (mAPDT 01274) and a member of the Pet Professional Network.

Sonia Catherall is an ACE Associate Tutor, Certified Canine Behaviourist and Professional dog trainer.

The link to sign up is in the comments or email [email protected]

15/04/2024

Another interesting study on the effects of early spaying or neutering by breed
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7359819/

Here is the summary table:
https://www.frontiersin.org/.../fvets-11-1322276-t001.jpg

15/04/2024

Interesting study on inherited disorders in mixed breed and pedigree dogs
https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/242/11/javma.242.11.1549.xml?tab_body=fulltext&fbclid=IwAR1zsoGehf5-eTEcx45wYpt5YZq2szbx7RJv9wtQg5zXfWQpX2ryRn2685c_aem_ARuZzY_dO04IsYekyrpU6KXbstG5x5Vm6fdo4G7zKhUOotpZjF0Sxp05W9AD8O42oPREdATLI8QL-MJ5BytlKu6Y

Abstract Objective—To determine the proportion of mixed-breed and purebred dogs with common genetic disorders. Design—Case-control study. Animals—27,254 dogs with an inherited disorder. Procedures—Electronic medical records were reviewed for 24 genetic disorders: hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, m...

21/03/2024

NEW WORKSHOP 🤩

ACEing Essentials
This new 4 week workshop runs from Wednesday 8th May to Wednesday 29th May 2024 and covers the following essential life skills:
✅ Loose Lead Walking
✅ Recall
✅ Settle
✅ Drop (leave)
This live workshop uses ACE Free Work to create a safe environment to support new learning.
It is appropriate for all dogs of all ages from puppy to senior.
The workshop is ideal for anyone who already has some experience of ACE Free Work but everyone is welcome as there will be a bonus module on how to get started.
You will have a live Zoom session each Wednesday, at 7pm
(BST), backup home study materials and an invitation to join a dedicated Facebook group where you can upload videos and connect with others on the workshop. The Zoom sessions will be recorded for later catch up
In addition you will be able to book a one hour one-to-one session with either Penny or Sonia. This is an opportunity to ask questions, discuss your progress or have a live Free Work session 😊
Cost of the workshop is £145 and will give ACE credits.
Penny Leedal is an ACE Advanced Tutor, a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (mAPDT 01274) and a member of the Pet Professional Network.
Sonia Catherall is an ACE Associate Tutor, Certified Canine Behaviourist and Professional Dog Trainer.
Click on the link in the comments below to sign up, or contact Penny for further information - penny@paws2connect com

14/02/2024

Happy Valentines Day! Share a photo of your four legged companion and tell me what you love about them. I love these two because they are so loving and funny at the same time, always keeping me entertained ❤️

12/02/2024

Just a couple of places left on this workshop starting next week 😊

NEW WORKSHOP

Introduction to ACE Free Work 😊

This new 3 week workshop runs from Wednesday 20th March to Sunday 7th April.
The workshop is ideal for anyone new to ACE Free Work or for those who have done some Free Work previously and are keen to learn more.
It is appropriate for all dogs of all ages from puppy to senior and also suitable for dogs on restricted exercise. It can help improve our awareness of our dogs needs and highlights areas where our dog might need that little bit of additional support. This workshop is run by Penny Leedal and Sonia Catherall, it will introduce you and your canine companion to ACE Free Work. You will be shown everything you need to get started including:

What is ACE
Getting started with ACE Free Work
Observations
Pain and Behaviour
Posture/Gait
Canine Body Language
Moving on with Free Work
Building relationships in Free Work
Plus so much more..........

You will have a live Zoom session each week, backup home study materials and an invitation to join a dedicated Facebook group where you can upload videos and connect with others on the course.
In addition you will be able to book an hour long one-to-one session with either Penny or Sonia to kick start your Free Work adventure.
Cost of the workshop is £95 and will give ACE credits.
Penny Leedal is an ACE Advanced Tutor, a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (mAPDT 01274) and a member of the Pet Professional Network.
Sonia Catherall is an ACE Associate Tutor, Certified Canine Behaviourist and Professional Dog Trainer.
Click on the link in the comments below to sign up, or contact Penny for further information. Email [email protected]

09/02/2024

This will be amazing!

A two week online course exploring ACE Free Work that includes access to online content, three live Zoom meetings with the course Instructors, and a dedicated Facebook group where you can upload practice videos for feedback and support.

18/01/2024

Brrr, it's cold out there! My two are wearing their Equafleeces. How are your dogs keeping warm in this weather?

11/01/2024

I'm really looking forward to this 😃

I'm very excited to announce that we have our first ACE Freework workshop booked in on 28th January at 10 am, with the lovely Penny of Paws 2 Connect.
I will place links of how to book at the bottom of the post, but here's a bit about the trainer:
Penny Leedal
Penny lives near Leeds and has been involved in dog training for over 10 years. Her main aim is to help build and strengthen the bond between a dog and guardian and she has a particular interest in anxious and fearful dogs. Penny is an ACE Advanced Tutor, a Tellington TTouch Practitioner for Companion Animals, a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (MAPDT 01274), a Real Dog Yoga instructor and a certified Wag-It Games instructor. She runs regular workshops and is available for one to one consultations in North and West Yorkshire or online. Penny shares her life with her husband Tony, Standard Poodles Mia and Zenia, two cats, Callum and Lara and an 80 year old tortoise called Shell.
We have 5 handler places (£65 1 handler, 1 dog) - dogs should be ok working in a small group and able to settle when not working. All dogs will be worked individually https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=22939831&appointmentType=57274923
15 spectator places (£25 per person) -
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=22939831&appointmentType=57275234

15/11/2023

This weekend saw the completion of my first collaboration with Sonia Catherall with our Intro to ACE for Reactivity workshop. It was an amazing experience and we have had some great feedback

We had a really great group of participants, some who were new to Free Work and some who had previous experience and we have loved being a small part of their ACE journey.

We're excited to announce that we will be running the workshop again in February. If you missed out this time and would like to secure a spot, simply click on the link -

Exploring how to use ACE Free Work and integrated training to help your sensitive dog

02/09/2023

Introduction to ACE for Reactivity

Join Penny Leedal and Sonia Catherall for this 4 week online workshop starting on Wednesday 3rd October 2023.

This workshop will guide you week by week to:

Help you to understand what causes reactivity.
Help your dog to reset using ACE Free Work.
Teach you to observe your dog.
Build your dog's confidence.
Learn new skills in an ACE integrated manner.
Strengthen your bond and build your relationship.

You will have a live Zoom session each week, backup home study materials and an invitation to join a dedicated Facebook group where you can upload videos and connect with others on the course.

In addition you will be able to book an hour long 1-1 session with either Penny or Sonia to kick start your Free Work or discuss your dog's progress.

Cost of the workshop is £145 and will give ACE credits.

Penny Leedal is an ACE Advanced Tutor, a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (mAPDT 01274) and a member of the Pet Professional Network.

Sonia Catherall is an ACE Associate Tutor, Certified Canine Behaviourist and Control Unleashed Instructor.

Contact Penny for further information at [email protected] or sign up here https://www.paws2connect.com/courses/introduction-to-ace-for-reactivity/buy

The workshop has limited places to allow for individual feedback so don’t miss out!

16/08/2023

Good reminder here of why you shouldn't buy rawhide chews for.yiur dog

Rawhide is the most popular category of dog chew treats both in the UK and globally. It comes in all sorts of shapes and colours but beneath its pretty appearance, rawhide is highly controversial due to the way it is made and the potentially harmful effects it can have on dogs.

10/08/2023

Snuffle Bags
A great addition to your Free Work or use by themselves for enrichment. Fill them with mini snuffle balls, a snuffle mat, play balls or just balls of newspaper. You can roll down the sides to make a shallower bag or they fit perfectly into a shallow Tub Trug. Great for sound sensitive dogs or any dog that enjoys snuffling! The bags are made from polar fleece, double construction throughout with a drawstring top. Approximately 9" (23cm) high x 16" (40.5cm) wide. £25 each plus postage. Message me for further info or to order.

01/08/2023

It looks like the ban on shock collars is in danger as the shock brigade are campaigning to keep them. Please lobby the government and your local MP to ban them. Information and a template letter can be found on the Kennel Club by following this link
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/about-us/campaigns/electric-shock-collars/?fbclid=IwAR2upCXzGoxIg9Oz6vvg2j3p0Hb4hcIpBHSL3ZtzD1Nyiy-rhDj56g4fyb8

We are against the use of any negative training methods or devices. This includes electric shock collars (ESCs).

27/07/2023

It's National Dog Photography Day today! Here are my two, show me yours 🐾🐾

23/07/2023

Snuffle bags for your dogs. Double fleece sides and base with cord drawstring and toggle. Approximately 9" (23cm) high x 16" (40.5cm) wide. Fill them with mini snuffle balls or similar to add to your Free Work, for storage or enrichment. £25 plus postage. Message me for further info or to order

08/07/2023

This article from Canine Arthritis Management is worth another share. Dogs can become ball obsessed and will try to get to the ball regardless of what might be in their way, which can cause problems, for example if they run into the path of another dog. Using a ball launcher sends the ball further away and of course dogs love to chase so they will continue running after the ball until they are exhausted - and over exercise can lead to chronic stress. By all means play with a ball, but ditch the ball launcher and try hiding the ball for your dog to find. Even better, try varying your walk, let your dog sniff and investigate and be present on your dog’s walk. Become the centre of your dog’s play rather than constantly sending them away from you. Playing with a ball launcher does not strengthen the bond between you and your dog, only between your dog and the ball!

15/06/2023

I really enjoy learning more about dogs and this course was brilliant. It breaks dog behaviour into four parts - Learning, Environment, Genetics and Self (L.E.G.S) and discusses how this can affect different breed groups. Highly recommended!

22/05/2023

I was at Tilley Farm for a couple of days last week and took Zenia for the first time. It was so lovely to introduce her to the farm and learn more about what Free Work set ups suit her best. Combination stations were perfect for her and she felt comfortable enough at times to relax her normally tightly curled tail. It was also lovely to watch the other dogs who were at different life stages and how they were being supported and listened to by their amazing guardians.
Free Work is so helpful for dogs of all ages, from puppies still in the litter, puppies in their new home, adolescents who need extra support at that difficult time, adults and seniors who need specifically tailored support. It is so flexible and layouts and stations are developed to help each dog with their specific needs.

29/04/2023

Great news!

The Government has laid legislation which will completely ban the use of remote controlled electric shock collars in England, as of 1 February 2024,

24/04/2023

We say this a lot...

Ball . throwers . are . not . good . for . your . dog!

They might be having a great time, but the wear and tear on their joints is no joke.

What is it doing to your dog's joints?
- Repeated micro-trauma to muscles and cartilage is a cause of long-term damage.
- Chasing or even carrying items like a ball can shift your dogs weight distribution to their front legs, putting excessive weight through the joints of the front legs.
- Joints weakened by arthritis will be especially prone to further damage.
- High speeds can double the forces generated in the muscles.
- Braking is thought to be the most dangerous part of ball chasing and often responsible for shoulder injuries.

What can you do instead?
- Make sure to have a short warm up period before more intense exercise.
- Only ever throw the ball a short distance, on surfaces that avoid slipping and sliding.
- Throw below waist height so as to avoid jumping and don't do it repetitively
- Consider alternatives like scent work, varying location of the walk to keep things exciting, or playing hide and seek with the ball rather than playing fetch.

04/04/2023

This is interesting

Dogs that must exert willpower in one task have a hard time doing so in the next

25/03/2023

The magic of Free Work on a rainy afternoon 🤩

28/02/2023

Observations
Watching our dogs can give us so much information about how they are at that moment. Look at how your dog stands, how they position themselves, how they move, how they get up from a sit or down. Do they look stiff, can they get up easily or are they pulling themselves up by their front legs? Are they less keen to go for walks recently or getting more tired? Does your dog have any unusual coat patterns that have appeared recently? It’s a really good idea to learn how to observe your dog to learn what is normal for them or what is new. Pick just one part to start with and you will soon get your eye in. Noting changes in your dog will allow you to see when they are struggling or may need a little help.
Learn more on my ACEing Anxiety workshop in March where I cover this in more detail. Message me for further information

23/02/2023

NEW! This workshop will now include a live 1/2 hour one to one Free Work session! I've introduced this as clients are finding it really helpful to have real time feedback on a session. Contact me on [email protected] to book your place.

ACEing Anxiety March 2023!

Overcoming stress and fearfulness with ACE Free Work and integrated training.

Start Spring with this popular workshop which will show you, using ACE Free Work and integrated techniques, how to help your anxious/fearful dog to gain confidence, overcome their fears and strengthen your bond together.

You will learn:
• How Free Work allows your dog to reset and gives you a basis on which you can build your dog’s confidence
• Detailed observations, which are such an important part of ACE Free Work and can help to identify any underlying issues
• How to build your relationship and help your dog to overcome his fears.
• How to introduce equipment or other items which are currently causing your dog anxiety and stress.

This online course starts on Monday 6th March and is held over 3 weeks. You will have live Zoom sessions each week, backup home study materials and an invitation to join a dedicated Facebook group where you can upload your videos for feedback and connect with others on the course. Zoom sessions are recorded for future catch up/replay.

Cost of the workshop is £150 and will give ACE credits.

Penny Leedal is an ACE Advanced Tutor, a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (MAPDT 01274) and a member of the Pet Professional Network.

Contact Penny for further information and to secure your place: [email protected]

The workshop has limited places to allow for individual feedback so don’t miss out!

Feedback from previous workshops:

“The ACEing Anxiety workshop was really enjoyable, Penny explains everything really clearly and provides feedback on your videos which is really helpful. My dogs have thoroughly enjoyed it too!”

“The difference the work has made for my girl is amazing. I’m blown away by her progress. Thank you so much.”

“What a fabulous course. Penny is a wonderful tutor, taking time to listen, answer questions, give advice and guidance. The content of the course was great and very good value for money - can’t say that about many things in our current climate! I’ve learnt more than I expected and that had also enthused me to want to learn more. Well done Penny on a fabulous, informative and fun course.”

21/02/2023

Canine Body Language
Dogs communicate through body language, often known as calming signals. If you watch two dogs interacting together you will be able to spot some of the communication between them. Signals they give include:
• Yawning
• Shake off
• Nose or lip licking
• Head turn
• Play bow
• Sneezing
and there are lots of others. Your dog may also give some of these signals when interacting with you. Take some time to watch your dog and see if you can spot any of these signals. What can you see?

Learn more on my ACEing Anxiety workshop in March where I cover observations in much more detail. Message me for further information

14/02/2023

Coat Patterns
Your dog’s coat can give you a lot of information about how your dog is feeling, their health and whether they may have tension patterns causing pain or discomfort. Look at your dog’s coat. Is there a difference in coat texture? Are there any unusual swirls, lines or ridges in the coat? Are there some greasy patches? Is your dog holding on to old hair or have patches of dandruff or greasy fur? Can you feel warm or cold places on your dog?
All these signs could mean that the dog is holding tension in part of the body due to pain and it may be worth getting your dog checked by your vet.
Start to watch your dog, take regular photos for comparison and learn what is normal and what is new for your dog. If your dog is OK being touched, get into the habit of regularly running your hands over your dog to feel for warm or cold patches or changes in the coat. Start with the back of your hand as this is less intrusive for your dog but take it slowly and pause for feedback.

Learn more on my ACEing Anxiety workshop in March where I cover observations in more detail. Message me for further information

06/02/2023

Stress in dogs
We all need stress to exist. Short term stress is crucial to the body adapting to day to day situations. However ongoing stress is damaging to the body and can affect appetite, sleep, pain perception, the immune system amongst other things.
Ongoing, or chronic stress can cause increased anxiety, increased reactivity and even the risk of aggression.

There are a number of factors that can contribute to stress in dogs
• Fear
Dogs need to feel safe and it is important to look out for signs that our dogs are worried or scared of something so that we can help them
• Frustration
Generally caused by loss of or unable to get to something of value to the dog. For example, a dog on lead can become frustrated because he is unable to get to another dog or something he wants to investigate.
• Over exercise or over arousal
• Pain
Dogs are experts at hiding pain, however ongoing or chronic pain will cause a dog to be stressed.
We can help our dogs by learning to read the signs of stress so that we understand what is going on for our dogs.

I’ll be sharing some information over the next few weeks on signs to look for in your dog that can help you to monitor changes.

I am also running ACEing Anxiety in March where I cover observations in more detail. Message me for further information