Just dogs doing dog stuff. How do you meet your dog’s breed specific needs?
I’m up in Nottinghamshire this weekend, helping out at the Honest Hounds residential. We have 7 dogs and their owners who have been to countless other trainers in the past and still cannot fix their dogs’ issues. For some of them, it’s their last chance. Within the first day we have had all of them off lead around each other and other dogs, interacting positively with their owners! The changes by Monday will be amazing! If you dread taking your dog out, and wonder why having a pet is not how you imagined, please don’t suffer in silence. I can help you begin your journey to a new life with your dog!
Final day with Bailey
We’ve made lots of positive steps
Interested in changing your dogs behaviour? Get in touch for a free 15 minute discovery call 📞
What I’ve observed from looking after Bailey is that he enjoys engaging and using his brain. He picks things up pretty quickly so I’ll be making sure his owner continues with more active training to keep his brain working.
Over the last few days I’ve introduced the clicker to him as a marker to predict that reinforcement is coming. Now when he hears it, he immediately turns his head as he expects the reinforcer.
He may be complex, but I’ve actually grown quite fond of him 🥰
Day 1 with Bailey - 14 month old mixed breed from Macedonia
I was expecting him to be more barky when I arrived but we hung out in the front garden for a couple of hours first, offering him food every so often which he refused.
Lots of stress signals but he chose avoidance over aggression which is a good sign and would occasionally come over for a sniff.
Once I cracked out the @jrpetproducts Turkey Pate, we became fast friends and I could start introducing the clicker and doing mini engagement/training sessions.
We went for a little walk and it was very clear to me he needed some lead manners! Lots of fixation, marking and fighting against the lead. We’ll work on this over the next few days.
I tried multiple times to get Bailey to eat his kibble, offering it in his bowl, from my hand, scattering in the grass, putting it in snuffle mats, using puzzle toys, mixing it with the pate. He absolutely refused it and didn’t eat any until nearly 10pm this evening. He also was given a chew which he didn’t touch other than to attempt to bury it multiple times - these could be behaviours learned from his early experiences in Macedonia.
He likes to lay by the front gates and watch the world go by. The neighbours all know him now and come to give him a fuss though he barks at the occasional dog if he doesn’t know them.
I’m utterly exhausted from having to be so switched on all day and figure out what’s going on in this young boys brain. Lots learned and more to come!
Follow to see how Bailey progresses over the next few days!
Torbay Social Walk - Sunday 21st July
Amazing work from everyone today! We worked on engagement, polite interactions, advocating for your dog’s space, recall and lots more!
Social walks are a great way to build your dog’s confidence, build your own confidence, improve your handling skills, work on training, and socialise in a safe group.
Came away from today feeling really proud of those who attended 🥰
Here’s the reason I’m so hot on meeting your dogs breed specific needs!
Wilson is a shepherd collie mix. He saw sheep at quite a distance and instinctively went into herding/stalk mode. No one taught him to do that and I had to work hard with him that day to get him to continue the walk as all he wanted to do was stare at the sheep.
Your dog has certain traits due to their breed that are hardwired. If we don’t meet them in socially appropriate ways, they come out in inappropriate ways! Think barking, digging, chasing, biting etc.
We must find ways to honour these traits in order for our dogs to live a fulfilled and happy life, and quite honestly, to make it easier on yourself!
Get in touch if you want to find out how you can meet the needs of your dog 📲
Loose lead walking. Bob here can be a very strong puller when he wants to sniff. He did amazingly the other week on our walk and train session to stay engaged with me. If you’re struggling with pulling on the lead, I can help. Get in touch to book a 15 minute free discovery call! 📞
Couple of videos of Bob’s loose lead walking training from the other week. He did so much better than I expected on the local roads. Look at those check ins! I don’t mind if a dog is walking slightly ahead of me (I have little legs and I’m a slow Walker) as long as they’re not pulling and are still engaged with me. He’s a strong boy, so having him walk calmly with me is amazing progress for him ☺️
Taken a few days to recover 😅
What an amazing weekend with some brilliant people! @thelodgestaylittle was the perfect place for dog trainers to collaborate!
We saw the northern lights, learned about different dog sports and the psychology of business.
Thank you to everyone who organised and took part in the weekend. So excited to keep on working together to grow a community of dog professionals who have each other’s backs!
@honesthounds @dawn_thinkitchangeit @dundeedogtraining @story_of_atlas @constellationdogtraining @derbyanddistrictk9s @properpaws_dogtraining @stormssquad_dogtraining @hannahshoundstraining @muddytalesfife @countrytailsyork @amy_millward_dog_trainer @adamflackdogtraining @goodtimeswithdogs @greaterthandog @koa.training_boxer
(Sorry if I’ve forgotten anyone)
If you need help with your dog and want to work with someone who constantly improves their skills and collaborates, message me to find out how I can help!
#honesthounds #honesthoundscommunity #dogtrainers #dogtrainersuk #dogtrainerlife
When you go for a social dog walk and meet the cutest 14 week old puppy!
Check out the lovely Rio, who will be continuing her training tomorrow!
Meet Bob, my new walk & train.
Bob is with me to practice his loose lead walking. He’s a very strong boy so I’m teaching him how to follow his handler
How amazing is this! Over half these dogs ended the walk off lead, coexisting alongside each other. The rest stayed on lead or on long lines to work on more engagement with their owners. But all the owners left proud of how well their dogs did. How do you think your dog would cope in an environment like this? #reactivedogtraining #reactivedogsuk
Join us for our first social walk, on Sunday 5th May at 11am.
Benefits of a social walk:
- Controlled socialisation opportunities
- Socialise with other dog owners
- Increase your confidence of handling your dog
- Get help and training advice from a professional trainer
- Suitable for reactive dogs
- Non-judgemental environment
1-1 assessment before the walk is required.
Message if you'd like to join us!
Social Walks
1 space left at half price for these amazing social walks!
Want to improve your handling skills or confidence walking your dog?
Want to be part of a supportive, non-judgemental community?
Want to be supported by a trainer when walking your dog?
Grab the last space! Message me to join!
I captured some great examples of predatory behaviour in play at the beach with Winnie and Reef
Here Winnie is perfectly demonstrating part of the predatory motor sequence of behaviour.
Grab bite, kill, and consume.
Have you ever noticed how terriers in particular love to shake a toy when they win it? This is because they were bred to hunt small animals and kill them by shaking. We see this behaviour play out during dogs play styles.
Winnie also does a little parade with the toy to show off what she has won. This completely contrasts the way Reef plays, which is extremely focused on chase, and retrieve. He has no interest in “killing” or parading.
Social Walks - first 3 members get to join at half price!
My Honest Hounds social walks are finally live! These walks are great for reactive dogs who have been able to achieve neutrality and now need to practice social interactions.
Even better - the first 3 to sign up will get to join at half price! This price will remain for however long you continue the walks with us.
Walks will be twice a month on a Saturday or Sunday.
Get in touch to find out more!
Slow sausage
Winnie needed lots of encouragement today to walk in the rain. She hates being out in it!
