Dolittles Animal Training & Behaviour

03/11/2024

Epic, inspiring, motivating, amazing ……
We have had the most wonderful time with you all, listening and learning from Ken Ramirez
Hope you all loved it as much as we did 😎

https://www.imdt.uk.com/england/ken-ramirez-exclusive-3-day-uk-course-2024/

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

03/11/2024

The best way to teach a dog not to do something is to make it super easy and rewarding to do 'the right thing' that we would prefer instead.

03/11/2024

Lovely lil Halloween themed drop in Scent Class! We had a spooky blast! 🎃👻🧙‍♀️👃🐾

31/10/2024

Another incredible day & so such to think about. Ken is amazing!

31/10/2024

The bright flashes and loud bangs of fireworks can be exciting and fun for us, but for our cats, they can be confusing and frightening 😿

It’s difficult for them to understand that they aren’t in danger when they hear or see them, and since their senses are much better than ours, they experience fireworks more intensely than we do!

Here are our top tips to help your feline friend feel happy and safe during fireworks season, proudly supported by Ever Clean UK 🎆

[Visual description: An infographic explaining how to keep your cat calm during fireworks. There is a picture of a grey stripy animated cat in the middle of the picture, with gold sparks surrounding it. Points around the cat include: Get them inside well before dark and make sure all windows and cat flaps are shut/locked so they can’t get back out. Don’t pick up cats or restrain them if they are scared: cats prefer to control how they cope. Close your curtains before it gets dark and leave the lights on to hide the flashes. Try to stick to normal routines and behave normally. But if it helps, distract them with something fun to do. Make them a den to hide in if they wish. Provide a litter tray nearby. Comfort them if they come to you for reassurance, don’t ignore them. Give them a litter tray near their den. Even if they normally toilet outside, provide a litter tray inside. If you have more than one cat, give them a tray each plus a spare. Never punish them for anything they do when they’re scared. Play music to drown out the noises from fireworks. Keep them calm with pheromone diffusers. Try not to confine them to one room.]

31/10/2024

Last day then heading home to the doggos with a full brain. I hope they are ready to be trained within an inch of their lives!!!!! 🫣😬🤯🐶❤️

31/10/2024

🎃👻💀 Happy Halloween 💀👻🎃

🎃Wishing everyone a safe and fun Halloween🎃

🎃Please keep your dogs extra safe this evening and keep them inside after dark🎃

👻 Don’t forget that some dogs can find costumes scary too 👻

30/10/2024

Amazing, inspiring & definitely needed currently. So proud of my zoo beginning & an honour to be surrounded with so many like minded people 🫶🎉❤️🥳🐾

29/10/2024

It might be almost Halloween but we all know for many of us the biggest “fright night” comes very shortly after: fireworks

November 5th is traditionally the evening associated with fireworks displays and bonfires although on more recent times it has become common for individuals and events to let off fireworks more frequently any time in the week leading up to and the week after November 5th (and, to be honest, quite randomly at many other times across the year)

It’s not just dogs who are affected. Many cats, small animals like rabbits, horses, cattle and wildlife (and people!) are often negatively affected.

If you have an animal you share your life with, who is affected by firework noises, it’s a good idea to start preparing now.

*if your pet is particularly fearful, call your vets for advice on fear reducing medicine NOW. It’s not long to go and you re likely to need to have your pet vet checked and weighed and decisions on the best medication made tailored specifically to your pet (there are several fear reducing medicines which work in different ways each with various pros and potential negatives that need considering)

*start drawing your curtains earlier, putting on background music (see below) and associating this with something calm and fun for your pet to do. Perhaps it’s a delicious paste on a washable mat, or an indoor calm treat search, or maybe it’s a massage and groom in the presence of a calming odour.

*consider background noises. These can help because they help everyone stay calmer - the radio station Classic FM for pets is back for November 2024. Link below. But you may prefer some other rhythmic calming tracks played through speakers. It can be helpful to have calming music on in the room you ll be spending the evening and have white noise and rhythmic sounds like drumming sounds, by a window or in the periphery of the main room.
Start playing them quietly now and associate them going on with calm, social activities and then you can gradually increase the volume over a number of days / evenings

*bring feeding and toilet opportunities earlier, days in advance. Make sure your dog is always wearing a collar with up to date tag information and that your microchip details for all your animals are up to date. Check the clips on your leads and buckles on harnesses and collars are safe and secure and if relevant to you, have your dog on a long line for every toilet opportunity from around 3pm. You may want to increase the number of litter trays you have for your cats and start shutting them in for several hours from mid afternoon each day. Don’t forget to consider bringing any small pets into more sound proofed areas too.

We ll share some more tips over the next week too
We hope you can all stay safe x

https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/pet-classics-2024-fireworks-season/

29/10/2024

28/10/2024

We find animals wherever we go! Used to love walking the llamas & alpacas at the zoo 🦙❤️

27/10/2024

Arrived safe & all booked in for another week of learning
👩‍🏫🐾🖊📝🤯🥳🐶
Roll on Ken!

27/10/2024

Sometimes if we see inconveniences as training opportunities, it can help shift our mindset.

When working on door reactions it can be hard to find friends to knock repeatedly.

Halloween could be just the challenge we’ve been working towards.

Walk early to avoid trigger stacking, then get the treats ready. And if you want to turn off all the lights and hide, that’s okay too!

27/10/2024

26/10/2024

Pain, it affects us ALL differently!

Me?!

I’m a winger and whiner. If I’m in pain you are all gonna know about it … regardless of if you asked how I am or not. I want reassurance, I want to be comforted, I need sympathy.

For my partner?

He is the opposite.

He goes quiet, he gets moody, he starts giving one word answers to questions asked of him, the fuse gets very short and he is easily angered, the house needs to be silent as noise makes the pain worse!

Right now, he has severe dental pain. He has withdrawn, he keeps closing his eyes as if trying to settle the pain he is in.

Does this sound familiar to you?

Yes!

It’s is also true of our dogs.

But we might see it as clinginess, separation anxiety, being aloof, noise sensitivity, reactivity to other dogs and/or people. It can look like sleeping a lot, or hyperactivity, stopping on walks or not wanting to go at all. It can look like resource guarding, paw or limb licking or nibbling and everything in between.

They might have ALWAYS been like that or this could be a new behaviour 🤷🏼‍♀️ either could point to pain.

We are all made up of the same stuff, just packaged in a different box and pretty bow!

Dogs are no different from us.

26/10/2024

This is becoming a welfare issue!

Im tired of hearing “the vet says there is no pain” by a guardian after they have taken their dog to the vet. It leaves me deflated and frustrated and feeling so sorry for the dog.

Myth Bust:

PAIN CANNOT BE RULED OUT IN ANY ANIMAL (dog, cat, horse or hamster), by anyone!

* A quick palpation - CANNOT RULE OUT PAIN

WHY?

The dog may shut down due to environmental factors or dislike of a strange human touching them, they keep still to get it over with ASAP!

The dog may be over aroused or overwhelmed by the clinical environment (excited/scared etc) to the point that adrenaline is so high it blocks pain!

* Blood Tests - CANNOT RULE OUT PAIN

There is currently NO blood test that can detect pain.

* Diagnostic imaging - CANNOT RULE OUT PAIN

Yes they can pick up a variety of conditions, but even the GOLD standard MRI doesn’t pick up everything, but NONE of them can detect PAIN.

Just because a source cannot be found doesn’t mean there is no pain.

PAIN is subjective, it is whatever that being (human or animal) perceives it to be!

Pain can come in many different forms, it is extremely complex, and can effect the individual in many different ways. A dog may get injured, the injury may have healed, but the pain remains … this is known as maladaptive pain.

Behaviour can be a HUGE indicator for PAIN:

* There could be a change of behaviour that has been directly caused by PAIN.

* There could be a worsening of behaviour due to an increase or new presence of PAIN.

* There could be a lack of “normal” behaviour due to PAIN.

* There could be behaviours that are present but that the guardian/owner don’t deem to be problematic that are indicators of PAIN.

* The dog may have ALWAYS displayed behaviours that are indicators of PAIN, but they have been ignored and put down to “just the way they are”.

* There may be NO problematic behaviours at all …. And the dog might still be in PAIN!

* The dog might be energetic, always on the go … and still be in PAIN.

* The dog might be lazy … and still be in PAIN.

* The dog may zoom up and down stairs … and still be in PAIN.

Diagnosing PAIN is not simple and can be difficult to get on top of.

A PAIN relief trail can be great! But often only one type of analgesic is tried and sometimes this doesn’t get results leading to the ASSUMPTION that there is no PAIN!

Here’s why:

* The drug was only trialed for 2 weeks - when living with chronic pain it can take longer to relieve. 2 weeks is not enough.

* The drug used wasn’t targeted to the type of pain the animal is feeling; soft tissue, bone, nerve or a combination of all.

It might take a number of different medications or a combination OVER TIME to see a difference.

ALWAYS keep in mind, NO ONE can rule out another being’s PAIN.

NO ONE. Not me. Not you. Not a Doctor. Not a Vet.

24/10/2024

Another lovely bunch of puppy graduates!!!!
🐾🥳❤️🎉🐶🙌

24/10/2024

Don’t let the clocks changing mess with your dog’s schedule - or your sleep! 😅

Ease them into the new routine by shifting your routine 15-20 minutes later over the next few days.

Come Sunday, your dog will be less likely to wake you up early on Sunday morning and you can all enjoy that well-deserved lie-in! 💤

📷:

🦴:

22/10/2024

🎆Fireworks and Fear: Petrified Pets 🎆

In the lead up to fireworks season - are you prepared?

Fireworks seem to now occur regularly throughout October-December with Halloween, Bonfire night, Christmas and New year.

Although spectacular to watch they have very real implications for the welfare of our wildlife, livestock and pet animals.

⬇️Here is some advice this firework season. Stay tuned for more individual advice on each section in the coming weeks.

🐱Cats
✅Check microchip details are up to date
✅Try and keep them inside after dark. We understand this can be difficult. You may need to provide more play and calming aids to help them with a change in routine
✅Close all doors and windows to prevent them bolting
✅Shut curtains to dim the noise and flashes
✅ Give them a safe hiding place or don't disturb them if they find their own safe place to settle. Cats often like to be up high

🐶Dogs
✅Check microchip details are up to date
✅Walk before dark. If toileting outside go out with them on a leash to avoid them bolting if a firework goes off unexpectedly
✅Use calming aids
✅Give them as safe place to stay that is covered, dark and quiet. Do not lock them in here.
✅Watch that all doors are closed to avoid escape
✅You can comfort your pet, just ensure you stay safe if they are extremely agitated

🐭Small Furries
✅You may need to bring any animals inside if it doesn't cause them too much stress
✅They may require more bedding
✅Cover accomodation to prevent the lights from upsetting them
✅Move indoor enclosures away from windows to dull the noise and light

🐴Horses
✅Check local fire displays and prepare
✅Keep to a routine
✅Check the field or Stable is free from hazards
✅Give your vet notice if you require medication for your horses anxiety
✅Check on them regularly or stay with them if they are known to spook so you can react quickly if they become upset

🐮Livestock
✅Tell local farmers if you intend to have a Firework display and try to avoid the loud fireworks. Do not set fireworks off around fields containing livestock.

🦔 Wildlife
✅Check bonfires before lighting for any wildlife such as rodents or hedgehogs
✅Avoid setting fireworks off near known wildlife areas like nature reserves

🧑‍⚕️ How your vet can help
✅If your animals experiences distress then there are medications we can prescribe
✅You will likely need a prescription check even if you have it yearly
✅Veterinary professionals are also well placed to give you individual advice on how to help your pets

🎆If you plan to have a firework display:

➡️Please tell all your neighbours in advance that you plan it.
This will ensure they have had time to adequately prepare their animals for the event.
If possible please consider using alternative options such as silent or low noise fireworks if you know you are surrounded by families with cats, dogs, other pets or if you live by a farm or livery yard.

➡️Please tell owners how long the display will go on for and don't go beyond that so they know when it is safe to let their pets out for toileting or grazing.

➡️ Please do not release sky lanterns

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/litter/skylanterns

🚒👩‍🚒 Please also be fire safe!

🔥https://www.gov.uk/fireworks-the-law

🔥https://www.rospa.com/home-safety/advice/fireworks-safety

Other links:

➡️ https://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/fireworks

➡️ https://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/fireworks

➡️ https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/storms-and-fireworks/

22/10/2024

Happy Tongue Out Tuesday from the handsome Brumos.

👅

21/10/2024

Limping is a significant gait change that means something is wrong. The cause of the limp might be up for debate, but it will be linked to pain or discomfort.

It's safer and more beneficial for your dog to assume the presence of pain rather than the absence of pain.

18/10/2024

🐕‍🦺 WHAT DOES "HEEL" MEAN⁉️

📖 Heel is a formal obedience cue for a dog to stay at your left side, almost right on your left leg, maintain eye contact with you at all times & follow your cues while walking with your pace, regardless of speed (dog must slow you when you slow, speed up when you do, etc.). The dog must also immediately sit when the owner comes to a halt.

🚫🚶🏻‍♀️🐕 As a pet owner that doesn't do competitive dog obedience, sport, or utility, you never need to teach your dog heel.
——

AS A PET DOG TRAINER I TEACH HOW TO . . .

🔸 get your dog to walk on a loose leash

🔸 have a dog that doesn't pull on leash

🔸 walk your dog so that everyone is comfortable
——

LOOSE LEASH WALKING SHOULD LOOK LIKE . . .

🐕‍🦺 A dog that is on a loose leash, no tension

😁 A walk that is enjoyable without yanking & corrections

🌸 A walk that allows a dog to sniff but not pull

🎥 Video of proper heel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABHT8o0PEEQ
——


——

Stacy Greer, CPDT-KA
🐕🐩🐕‍🦺🦮

COPYRIGHT NOTICE
© 2024 Stacy Greer

All rights reserved. Feel free to share via the “Share” link to the original post. Downloading for redistribution online or in print form is strictly prohibited.

17/10/2024

Congratulations to our newest Scent Detectives!!!!! Had so much fun the last 6 weeks & you all smashed the assessment. Can't wait for your next level!
🐾❤️🥳🐶👃🎉🥂