Tiny Paws Outdoors

30/01/2025

Practicing perfect down stays in a great training session with Billie and Elvis

30/01/2025

Lovely training session this afternoon with the adorable Billie and Elvis showing off their perfect down stays 🥰

30/01/2025

SETTING THE TONE
The tone of voice we use when speaking to a dog matters!

When someone is talking to us or asking us to do something, are we more likely to respond and want to connect with them if they’re using a specific type of tone than if their tone is harsh, shouting or domineering?

The more we use positive tones of voice with our dogs, the more they will want to connect with us and be more interested in doing what we are asking.

Some examples of why tone matters –

Calling your dog to come back to you in a happy, excited, high-pitched tone is far more likely to work than using a stern, loud, angry tone. Would you want to return to someone who sounds really angry?

Yanking on a leash and shouting at a dog for reacting to another dog or situation is far less likely to work than saying “lets go this way!” in a happy tone and creating distance to where a dog feels comfortable.

Saying “Yes!” when a dog has done what you ask will increase the behaviour you’re looking for instead of yelling “No!” in an angry tone when they don’t get it right.

Although these examples are based on positive reinforcement training, a study has also shown that dogs respond and pay more attention when we speak with a higher pitch and more variation, similar to how we would talk to a baby.

Given that a dog’s emotional capability is similar to that of a young child, this all makes sense and fits together, in my opinion.

Here’s a link to the study if you’d like more information -

https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-023-05217-y

28/01/2025

23/01/2025

WHOSE WALK IS IT ANYWAY?

Imagine going on a long-anticipated walk, through new scenery and exciting smells after being cooped up in the same place all day, but you have been fitted with a blind fold and are being dragged or yanked along at a fast pace.

I imagine that this is how dogs feel when we don’t allow them time to stop, sniff and explore the environment.

Dogs largely perceive their world through scent and it’s how they collect and process information to help the world make sense.

Taking away an opportunity for sniffing on a walk really isn’t being fair.. As much as physical exercise is important, the mental stimulation that sniffing provides is equally, if not more important.

Allowing dogs to choose when to stop and sniff provides so many benefits – increases self-confidence, promotes calmness, lowers stress and anxiety levels, lowers pulse rates, reduces cognitive decline in older dogs and provides important mental and environmental enrichment.

Make time for a slow sniffing walk when you can, where your dog is allowed to choose which direction to go and allowed time to just investigate, interpret, process the environment and follow wherever their nose leads them.

It may take far more time and patience as we wait for them to finish smelling that particular blade of grass, but the benefits are well worth it – after all, whose walk is it anyway?

22/01/2025

Staff had a new car ramp, so as it’s new we started with it on the floor, then up on the sofa with plenty of praise and chicken , making it a fun game. Taking things slow ment the got it right and now when we try with the car it shouldn’t be scary

08/01/2025

Now we are all rested after the Christmas break, classes and training is back in full swing, for more information on both tricks and hoopers classes pm me 🐾

06/01/2025

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Changing a rescued dogs name can be a good thing.

If a dog has come from an unpleasant or abusive background, or even an unknown background, they may associate their name with negative experiences.

A previous owner may have shouted their name when doing something unpleasant to them.

Changing a dog’s name can be a fresh, new beginning and can provide an opportunity to rebuild broken trust and build new bonds.

There may be concern that changing a dog’s name will confuse them or may cause some form of emotional distress, but dogs really don’t see their names in the same way that we do.

Dogs really don’t care what we call them, as long as that name is associated with positive experiences it will be a good name.

A dog’s name is more important to us than it is to a dog. A name is really just a cue to get your dog’s attention so they respond.

The way a new name is introduced and taught is important. Care should be taken not to attach any negative associations with the new name.

The new name should always be paired with something positive whenever your dog hears the sound.
Call the new name and every time your dog reacts, responds or looks at you, reward this with a treat, lots of praise, a game or a toy.

Keep repeating this and dogs will quickly begin to associate their new name with something good about to happen and will start responding to the new sound in a positive way.

“It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.” - W.C. Fields. This quote sums up the importance of pairing a name with something positive so that it will always be what a dog wants to answer to.

A previous name may always be linked to a traumatic past, but a new name can be the beginning of a happy ever after and forever home.

31/12/2024

The boys and I would like to wish all our customers a very happy new year ,look forward to another fantastic year,and thank you for your continued support 🐾

23/12/2024

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS ….

Not just for Christmas, but every day of a dog’s life – these are some of the things I believe dogs would want -

Gifts of love, kindness, compassion, understanding and knowledge.

Gifts of helping them feel safe, secure and protected in their environment

Gifts of unconditional love, second chances and a forever home

Gifts of allowing appropriate choices

Gifts of mental and physical stimulation.

Gifts of proper nutrition and health care.

Gifts of never using punishment, force, fear, intimidation or tools that cause pain.

Gifts of acceptance for the dog that they are.

Wishing you and dog’s everywhere a very Happy Christmas filled with the gifts that really matter!

20/12/2024

As the year draws to an end, the boys and I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year 🐾

14/12/2024

Super proud of these ladies. They rose to the challenge and we had such a laugh while doing it. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas 🐾

13/12/2024

More to follow but a few photos of my fabulous tricks ladies and their dogs getting into the Christmas spirit, thank you ladies for a wonderful year of tricks and a very entertaining afternoon 🐾

06/12/2024

Dog Walking Etiquette 101: 5 Essential Tips for Happy Walks! 🐕

1. Respect Personal Space
➡️ Not every dog is social! Always ask before letting your dog approach others. Look out for yellow ribbons or gear that indicate a dog needs space. 💛

2. Leash Up in Public Areas
➡️ Even the friendliest dog should be on a leash unless you're in a designated off-leash area. This ensures safety for everyone, including wildlife.

3. Pick Up After Your Dog 💩
➡️ Always carry waste bags and clean up after your furry friend. It's courteous and keeps the environment clean for everyone.

4. Stay Aware of Your Surroundings 👀
➡️ Keep an eye out for other dogs, wildlife, joggers, cyclists, or kids. A quick reaction can prevent unnecessary stress or accidents.

5. Control Excitable Behaviour
➡️ Keep your dog close when passing others to prevent jumping or barking. Reward calm behaviour to reinforce good manners.

What other tips would you add to this list? ⤵️
https://www.yellowdoguk.co.uk/store/

04/12/2024

THE PERILS OF PUNISHMENT

It’s easy to stop or suppress a behaviour by using punishment, force or pain and say that it really works, so why even bother to do it differently?

Punishment based methods may well “fix” the behaviour quickly, are far easier, require far less effort, less knowledge, less education, or even just be based on traditional belief, but these methods come at a great cost - destroying trust, creating insecurity, fear, anxiety, provoking aggression, causing dogs to shut down or feel helpless and prevent dogs from learning an alternative, more acceptable behaviour.

There is so much modern, scientific evidence to support force free, positive reinforcement methods as being the most effective and successful way to modify behaviour.

There is nothing admirable, ethical or intelligent in physically or emotionally forcing any sentient being to comply.

Take the time and make a commitment to understand and learn about positive, force free, science-based methods.

02/12/2024

We've had so many requests to run another collab competition... so here it is!
Festive drum roll please… 🎄🎁

The Muzzle Movement, Tug-E-Nuff and PerfectFit Facebook Exclusive Giveaway! 😍
This is huge! 🎉

We love supporting brands who have a real passion for ethical dog training and a commitment to bettering dog welfare, just like us. 🫶
We also love how many similar colours we have. So, basically, your dog is going to look and feel epic! And with the added addition of muzzle friendly toys from Tug-E-Nuff, nothing will stop them having fun this Christmas! 🥰

For our Christmas competition, we are going to do it a little differently...
We want you to nominate someone who you think has gone above and beyond with their training efforts, maybe someone who has had a tricky journey with their dog and hasn't given up or someone you just think really, really deserves it. Don’t forget to tell us why they deserve it! 🫶❤️

You can nominate as many people as you like.

If selected, you will win a PerfectFit Harness a matching training lead, Muzzle Movement muzzle and the Tug-E-Nuff Fetch Fanatics gift box. 🙌
How amazing is that!? 😍

Here's how to enter:
1. Follow PerfectFit, Muzzle Movement and Tug-E-Nuff on Facebook.
2. Tag all your friends who would LOVE this giveaway, tag your friends who you think really deserve to win.
3. Share on your Facebook story and tag us!

T&Cs❗️
Giveaway closes at 9:00 am 15/12/24. The winner will be picked at random and contacted on or after 15/12/24 by direct message from . This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or associated with Instagram or Facebook. Please be aware of fraudulent pages. We will never ask for any payment details or ask you to follow a link to claim your prize.