I am a qualified Guide Dog Mobility Specialist with over 15 years' professional dog training, behaviour and welfare experience.
Using positive reinforcement techniques, I aim to change pet dogs’ (and their owners’!) lives for the better.
✨Next teen-pup class is scheduled to start 1st June at Forest Hill OX33 - dm for more details✨
Once they hit adolescence, our beloved pooches often present us with fresh challenges. This supportive group class will give you the knowledge and skills to help you navigate that tricky phase between puppyhood and adulthood.
Suitable for pups from 6 months to 18 months.
*URGENT INFORMATION for all dog professionals and Bully owners*
NB this is not to invitation to discuss the rights or wrongs of pending legislation or dog ownership - this is to make dog owners and professionals aware of how this will affect you.
"XL Bullies" have been in the press a lot recently and are due to be added to the list of banned breeds of dog under The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 by the end of this year, possibly as early as the end of this month.
As the XL Bully is not an officially recognised breed in the UK, these dogs will be defined by "type" using physical, measurable parameters (details yet to be confirmed). Also please be aware that The Act covers *cross-breeds* of named banned breeds.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR DOG PROFESSIONALS?
Once XL Bullies are added to the list of banned breeds, canine service providers will not be covered for these clients under their insurance. This means dog trainers, behaviourists, walkers, sitters, groomers....
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR BULLY OWNERS?
Once the legislation goes through, XL Bullies will need to be neutered; and must wear a muzzle and be on lead in public spaces.
I strongly advise any owners of XL Bullies or arguably XL crosses to access the services you need *now*. Get your dog muzzle trained, ensure their lead walking is impeccable, any sensitivities he/she may have behaviourally: get help from professionals while you can do so easily.
Please spread the word!
Wanting to share this discount code so all pups can enjoy licky enrichment goodness! Happy Easter from More Than Sit Dog Training 😘
🕷🕷Halloween🕷🕷
🕷With halloween fast approaching please consider thinking how your puppy may feel when faced with different decorations appearing in your home or family members that may be heading out for trick or treating wearing very different items, such as masks, hats and capes.
🕷Remember - if children or family members do decide to dress up for halloween it is likely that your puppy may not have seen these before and they may be unsure. As this real Puppy School photo of a child which attended a Puppy School class demonstrates clearly is that children do look very different when disguised in halloween dress!
🕷Try to introduce items gradually and create a positive association by using treats and or a fun game with your puppy.
🕷Always watch your puppies body language and create a bigger distance away if they are unsure. Do not force them to move closer if they are scared.
🕷Keep a look out as we will be sharing some more tips on how to help keep your pups safe this Halloween over the next few days.
If I went to any specialist, doctor/dentist/physiotherapist/whatever, experience wouldn’t be enough. Desirable, yes; but I would also want to know that person was qualified AND had kept their learning current. I wouldn’t want someone poking around me with zero qualifications or outdated methods.
So when searching for a dog trainer, do NOT settle for “I’ve been training dogs for 20+ years”. Insist on evidence that they are qualified and have a handle on the latest training techniques.
All recent scientific evidence points to the same conclusion: positive reinforcement training promotes the handler-animal bond, facilitates problem solving, and boosts confidence and resilience. On the flip side, using punishment has been shown to inhibit behaviours and decision making, and creates a pessimistic mindset. So if your dog trainer uses “balanced” or other outdated punishment-based training techniques, it’s time you got yourself an upgrade!
⭐️⭐️⭐️A no-strings, highly accessible free series of videos from fabulous associate professor of ethology, Dr Karolina Westlund of ILLIS Animal Behaviour Courses
I strongly recommend every animal guardian to take a dip ⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=EvN8G&m=3kxqLipJy_EN.5Q&b=0TDPGxYTjw2fiLN2.tYUOQ
A framework to resolve challenging behaviour
Until now….☺️
This blows my mind!
Such enterprises feed off the naïve at best, at worst the truly vulnerable; by setting proper next level fantasy expectations 😓
It's not all puppies and playtime! Today I received a series of cold calls and even an email from the latest wave of band wagon jumping, dog themed, entirely illegitimate, dog businesses.
If you're in the dark about this one, let me bring you some illumination.
Assistance dogs. They are wonderful, brilliant things that can bring comfort and security to people's lives. They also require extremely advanced training which can take years to perfect, and then still need to be matched to the right owners for the pairing to truly work. That, and that alone, is why the brilliant, hard working charities doing the work out there are so overwhelmed and wait times are so, so long.
Now, I don't like being sued so I won't name names, though today's one is based in Hampshire, but this has led to what we'll call "entrepreneurial" people founding businesses advertising "assistance dog training programs" where you, the (potentially disabled) owner just go buy a puppy and then pay them to help you train it. What kind of assistance training? Well, whatever kind you want of course. How about a you train a hearing dog, with no hearing yourself - sounds easy right? What about a medical detection dog? I'm sure any old trainer can help you train that puppy to pick up on your glucose levels in a couple weeks, right? But do know you'll be the one doing it, not a trainer, behaviourist or chartered professional in any way. Already seems a bit weird, no?
What these companies seem to be doing in reality is cold calling and "enlisting" new trainers and behaviourists into doing incredibly hard work for a pittance of their time and trainings value. I won't go in to detail, but the email I received actually had the audacity to suggest it would be possible to train a dog to assistance dog level in five sessions over a entire year. Five?!
As many of you know, I wouldn't even expect to get loose lead walking under wraps in five sessions, never mind assistance dog level skills like:
- Automatic Wait on stop
- Automatic Settle on stop
- Automatic Sit on lead drop
- Check In at sign of distress
- Reflex To Heel off lead
- Perfect Off-Lead Recall .. And I could go on. And on. And that's all assuming the chosen dog even has the ability to become a assistance dog, which not all do! Can you imagine Artemis as a support dog? I mean, look at her.
PSA: Assistance Dogs are brilliant, I love them to pieces and I love how much they can really help some people even more. If you feel you would benefit from a assistance dog, please contact one of the many amazing charities that specialise in training and matching these working dogs to the right families. Don't try to jump the gun, have patience - it'll be worth it.
Below I'll list some real, brilliant, overworked and underpaid assistance dog charities that, if you need them, are there to help support you and guide those that can really need them through the trials and tribulations of getting a assistance dog.
https://www.autismdogs.co.uk/
https://caninepartners.org.uk/
https://dogaid.org.uk/
https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/
https://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/
www.servicedogsuk.org
www.supportdogs.org.uk
www.seeingdogs.org.uk
Yep
😂
By Cheyenne McTyre
Appreciating what our adolescent pups are going through is fundamental when navigating this trying “teenager” phase.
“When we approach adolescence with patience we can help create a world that is predictable and gentle so our puppies grow up to be their best selves.” 💕
Ever wondered why a puppy's behavior seems erratic during adolescence, which occurs between six months and 18 months of age?
The neurobiology of adolescence is fascinating, with some key events that alter both the structure and function of the brain.
During canine adolescence, s*x hormones are changing which effects the animals stress responses. Adolescent dogs have a decreased ability to modulate sensory processing and subsequent behavior.
The connectivity between the frontal cortex (responsible for decision making) and amygdala (responsible for emotional processing) decreases, resulting in less behavioral control.
So what does this mean? This could mean that your dog, who used to come when called, suddenly cannot. This could mean that your dog, who didn't jump up on guests, suddenly does. Your dog that walked nicely on leash is now pulling. Or perhaps it seems like some days your dog responds to behaviors you ask of them, and some days they don't, without any rhyme or reason.
We also see increased risk taking and more sensitivity to fear.
As your puppy undergoes this transition into adulthood their inner world is intense, even chaotic. Many pet owners experience an increase in undesirable behavior and find themselves becoming increasingly frustrated. In turn, frustration and impatience sometimes cause us to act unpredictably.
This adds to your puppy’s inner turmoil. When the inside and the outside are both unpredictable it can be difficult for puppies to adjust.
By understanding this we can gain greater compassion and understanding. When we approach adolescence with patience we can help create a world that is predictable and gentle so our puppies grow up to be their best selves.
😂😂😂 too true
Check out this amazing mini-course about emotions and learning from the fabulous Karolina Westland. In it she discusses the science behind emotion and how positive training isn’t just about bunny hugging.
I’m not affiliated in any way but love how she presents this important topic. Enjoy! Xx
[NB only available till 27 Jan 2022 so best watch it sooner than later]
https://illis.se/en/emotions-learning-training-videos/
Limited time access
Why You Should Not Train Your Dog There is often a massive amount of social pressure for you to get your dog to behave in a certain way. Th...
From my stinkers to yours xx
🤣
The Magic of Sleep
Like little humans, puppies can go and go and go at Level 10 until they suddenly crash into unconsciousness. It may seem as though your little bundle of fluff is too busy charging around biting and weeing on stuff to fit in 💤 as well; but pups actually need up to 20 hours of sleep per day! Even adult dogs need 14+ hours of kip each day. Sometimes the world is just too exciting a place….!
Sleep is essential for puppy’s healthy growth, development and immune system, as well as processing and consolidating all her experiences and learning from the day. Consequently, if your puppy doesn’t get enough sleep, this could affect her health, cognitive function and/or even leave her chronically stressed and anxious.
So if pup is adamant she’d rather have the zoomies through your living room or rag off your favorite sweater (evening witching hour anyone?), perhaps some low-lit, calm, quiet time can help her drift off to destroy as many of your clothes as she wants….in her dreams 😴
This afternoon I was so worried, my dog was so still! Then I realised: he was on paws….
Happy International Dog Day! From my stinkers to yours 😘
![Yes! Yes! Breaks are restorative💆🏻♀️. Choice is empowering 💪🏼. Distance is our friend 😊. [Flexi-leads are evil 😈😅]](https://img4.voofla.com/221/941/134484772219413.jpg)
Yes! Yes! Breaks are restorative💆🏻♀️. Choice is empowering 💪🏼. Distance is our friend 😊. [Flexi-leads are evil 😈😅]
For guardians of fearful and reactive dogs, walks can be an absolute minefield. You can spend your entire walk dreading off lead dogs and avoiding certain routes, in a desperate attempt to have a somewhat normal walk. Despite your efforts, you still find yourself in situations where your dog’s beh...
Bundle!
Today’s puppy class superstars enjoying their freeplay after working so hard on their lead work and impulse control 🐶🥰
It’s tough learning to love your harness, but somepup’s got to step up 🥰
Putting that amazing schnoz your pup has into action: it doesn’t need to be rocket science 🚀
Dogs live in a world that is largely centred on their sense of smell. In the continuing growth of wider canine knowledge among dog handlers and guardians, this incredible sense of smell is increasingly used to provide enrichment and fun to our dogs’ lives in the form of scentwork.
More on dog noses - because they blow my mind!
Each nostril operates independently of the other. So, similarly to how our vision works, by comparing information received by one side to that received by the other, they can smell in 3D! This enables them to be legendary detectionists.
Not only that, they scent current smells on surfaces as well as air-scenting smells yet to come. That effectively means they can SMELL TIME! 🤯
It is inevitable that this little stinker will need a bath or two (or several 🙄) when he’s unleashed into the world. Making headway with early low-key positive experiences of what his future “normal” will be
Hmmm 🤔…. Time to think again 😅
It’s been a few years since I’ve had a puppy. So what better way to advise my puppy clients than putting myself in the same boat as them?! This is purely for the purpose of professional development. Obviously 😉😬. Introducing the latest addition to the family🥰🐶
Oxford
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✨If you’re lucky enough to get the fabulous @roundandaboutmag through your door, keep a lookout for my monthly column, offering helpful tips and advice on doggy topics ✨ ✨Give me a follow if you’ve seen me and let me know in the comments if there’s anything you’d like me to cover🤔🤗 #morethansitdogtraining #roundandaboutmagazine #positivedogtraining #oxfordshire #community
✨More Than Sit’s ever popular Teen-Puppy Class is back!! 🥳✨ ✨This group class is designed specifically for owners with dogs going through adolescence and all the challenges that brings 🐶🐾✨ ✨ DM me for full details and tag any friends with teenaged-tearaway pooches 🥰✨ #morethansitdogtraining #positivedogtraining #positivetraining #adolescentdog #gooddog #teenpuppy #dogsofinstagram
🤗 My commited selfie buddy, Denise, and I want to wish you all a very happy International Dog Day! 🥳🎉 ✨Spread the love & share some of your doggo selfies in the comments 🥰🐶🐾 #internationaldogday #dogselfie #dogselfiesofinstaworld #dogsofinstagram #positivedogtraining #positivetraining #morethansitdogtraining
Once out of puppyhood, our doggos go through a similar stage to our human teenagers 😳 To support dog owners navigating this tricky stage, I’ve launched my ✨Teen-Puppy Group Class. ✨ Teen-pups’ bodies are preparing for adulthood 🐕, their brains are going through a major reorganisation 🧠 and, as a result, their behaviour can change too 🤨. After all the hard work of puppy raising, it can be disheartening to now have an adolescent dog that ignores your cues, pushes boundaries, develops selective hearing, seems to lack all self-control or starts barking at other dogs 🤯. This group class combines theory and practical exercises to help owners understand: ➡️why their dogs are behaving like this, and ➡️how to train and manage them easily✅, effectively ✅and positively✅. 💫Next class starts 27th April - DM me for further details 💫 #teenpuppy #adolescentdog #positivetraining #positivedogtraining #morethansitdogtraining
One of the great drivers for positive change in modern-day dog training - it was a real pleasure to chat with @victoriastilwell today at Crufts ☺️ ✨Happy International Women’s Day 💪🏼✨ #dogtraining #dogtrainer #positivedogtraining #positivedogtrainer #forcefreedogtraining #morethansitdogtraining #internationalwomensday
As a small token of thanks for all your support this year, I’d like to offer my followers 10% off my 1-to-1 services (in person or remote) between 1st January and 31st March 2024 - be sure to tag a friend that may be interested too 🎉🎊🙌🏻 To book, visit my website - link in bio - and quote your IG username in the contact form 👍🏼 Wishing you all a festive season filled with waggy tails, good food and great company 🐶🐕🎄🥂🥳 #dog #dogtrainer #dogtraining #positivereinforcement #positivereinforcementtraining #postivereinforcementdogtraining #forcefree #forcefreedogtraining #morethansit
We ask our dogs to “sit” all the time… and sometimes they don’t. Rather than focusing just on getting that sit, what if we explored the reasons why we didn’t get the response we asked for? And does it really matter anyway? A holistic approach to canine care takes the battle out of training and sets your dog, and you, up for success 🏆🎉 Let me know what “sit”s you’ve struggled with and how you overcame them 👊🏼💥 #holisticdog #dogobedience #dogtraining #positivereinforcement #morethansit
Even when not blatantly preoccupied with who’s been to the local lamppost since their last visit, dogs are continually processing their environment through smell: what and who is around them, who has been before and what’s up ahead. The olfactory bulb is responsible for scent processing in dogs and accounts for about one eighth of the canine brain - that’s an area 40 times the size of ours 🤯 So next time your dog is distracted, a bit more reactive than usual, or behaving unexpectedly, could it be that his magnificent nose has detected something you’re oblivious to? 🤔 #superpowers #puppypower #letdogssniff #positivereinforcement #morethansit
4 weeks ago I started working with B and his owners. B was prone to scavenging items in the home and rubbish on the street, sometimes aggressively guarding his booty from his worried owners. His habit resulted in frequent vet visits and stressful walks. Check him out now! Through creating safe outlets for scavenging behaviour and playing self-control games, B has learnt that, although he is still free to sniff about on walks, it pays to check in with mum - especially when there are scavenging opportunities present 👍🏼. This is just the start of B’s and his owners’ journey, but with their newfound skills, they’re clearly bossing it 👊🏼💥 💕I couldn’t be prouder 💕 #dogsofinstagram #scavenging #dog #positivereinforcement #forcefreetraining #morethansit
I still hear this one quite a lot. ♠️“Being the alpha” ♦️“Being pack leader” ♣️Describing a dog as seeking dominance over their owner. These are all red flags to me that someone is referring to pack theory to train their dog. The idea that dogs vie for dominance over people was debunked decades ago, by the very researchers who came up with the original concept. Yet it still persists among some pet owners and dog trainers today. Join me on my mission to spread the word that scientifically-proven, ethically-sound positive reinforcement techniques are the only way forward for dog training 💪🏼🐕✨ #positivedogtraining #forcefreetraining #morethansit
Gorgeous Attie doesn’t hang around for long! If your pup is easily distracted away again even after a successful recall: ✨make sure you’re super slick in quickly dispensing an awesome reward AND #protip ✨get him used to one hand touching his collar as you deliver his reward. If you always do this, whether you’re letting him run off again or want to pop his lead on, “hand to collar” stops becoming a tell-tale clue that he should zip off again before you can end the fun. #dogsofinstagram #dogs #dogsoffleash #recalltraining #positivereinforcementdogtraining #morethansit
I am fiercely protective of our local wildlife, which deserves not to be worried by our dogs. Denise, my Singapore Special street dog, is a high-cortisol animal. This means that she is very easily over-excited, over-anxious, over-stimulated, particularly when outside, making it near enough impossible to access her Thinking Brain. If running around off-lead, especially in such a high octane environment as a deer-sprinkled wood, I know her recall training will be forgotten. So I choose to let her off only in enclosed fields or places where I know overexcitement won’t get the better of her. In the meantime, a sniffy walk on-lead is just the ticket to keep her contented and calm, the deer safe, and me sane! What switches off your dog’s Thinking Brain? Let me know in the comments below 👇🏼 #dogsofinstagram #recalltraining #dogsandwildlife #onleaddogwalks #morethansit
Us Brits don’t typically do Thanksgiving, which is a shame. I love the idea of sitting down with loved ones and reflecting on what we have to be grateful for. I am thankful for Denise, this magical dog, who has taught me so much more in a few short years than the previous decade’s dog training courses and books put together. Share with me who or what you are grateful for and we can be Pollyannas together! #dog #dogtraining #positivedogtraining #thanksgiving #dogsofinstagram #morethansit
Watching puppies playing is good for the soul, but sometimes it can be difficult to read. Although you may see or hear some behaviours in other contexts - like growling, barking and biting - these behaviours pop up in play too. Keeping a close eye on playing pups (and intervening if necessary!) will ensure everyone is having fun and not coming away with any nasty experiences. Follow me for more tips on how to manage playtime and more 😬 #puppy #puppyplay #positiveexperience #positivedogtraining #morethansit
It’s well-known how fantastic dogs’ sense of smell is, but we often don’t translate this into real terms. As their primary sense, dogs use smell to process the world. So by allowing your dog to sniff, you’re enabling him to explore, discover, learn, de-stress, become more confident and express himself 🥰 Help more people see this by sharing ☺️ #dog #dogenrichment #sniffingdogs #dogssmell #morethansit
Goody 4 Paws - Puppy & Dog Training
Hawkins Way
