Cumbria Dog Training

11/11/2024

Lovely evening

11/11/2024

Out at a different time of day today… dusk

Dogs loved the new smells and rummaging

Weird being out as it’s getting dark but lovely

🐾😊

10/11/2024

Have you a youngster that struggles to settle?

I’m meeting a lot of busy youngsters who don’t have an off button.

This is very normal, youngsters generally have a small stress bucket and need help to switch off by using a crate/pen.

But over time it is good to wean the puppy/junior from a crate and help it to learn to settle without one.

This takes time and patience. Your pup will succeed.

Of course there are pups that don’t need help and that is great but an awful need help.

Remember that your pup needs between 18-20hrs of sleep so the crate is your best friend, it’s your pups safe place but as it matures guide it to settle without.

Torvi needed help to switch off but can now settle without a crate

🐾💜

10/11/2024

It’s that time of year again 🤬

This stuff is the most worst thing (there are more!)you can buy your dog…it is not a treat…..it is poison ☠️

Rawhide is treated with chemicals amongst other things to produce this pretty product…please don’t be fooled.

Treat your dog to natural chews but always with supervision of course

Rant over xx

09/11/2024

I am so lucky to do what I love.

Another busy but such a rewarding day.

Firstly there was the introduction to sheep workshop, only 4 dogs so I could focus on each one individually,(one had to drop out unfortunately).

However..... a lovely mix of breeds including my favourite..the Clumber spaniel! but we met the Skye terrier again and worked with a lovely Collie. All dogs were under a year and hadn't seen sheep alot.
We showed them sheep who stood and also ran (no sheep were chased) and each dog was shown how to leave them and were rewarded when they disengaged. All dogs did brilliantly.

Then back home to meet a new client who started their course with me with a lovely young Golden Retriever from working lines and finished the day off in dusk with a Cockerpoo on his second lesson who his owners say is transforming...why? because we are emptying his very full stress bucket and reopening the world, in a calmer manner so he doesn't have to be so stressed........

Thank you xx

09/11/2024

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎

Lynn Healey, Tracy Clementson, Lucy Tompkins

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community, fans

08/11/2024

A space has become available for the introduction to sheep workshop tomorrow
Pm me

07/11/2024

Phew!!!

That’s a relief……..

When someone has traveled 3 hours for a session and they say it’s worth it!

🐾🙏😊🙏🐾

06/11/2024

Please can I have some more 😊🐾🥰

06/11/2024

Definitely
Issues happen if dogs sniff /look for too long .
Brief interaction , read your dog and the other dog too!!
Move on or re engage if it’s ok but watch and react accordingly before anything kicks off
Could just be 1 or 2 seconds !

Or

Teach your dog to be happy watching with neutrality and invited to interact if appropriate.

WHEN SECONDS COUNT

This post is not advocating that dogs meet every other dog, but about how to go about it, if and when it does happen, in a safer way.

The 3 second rule for dogs meeting each other is used as a guideline to help foster positive introductions, prevent either dog from feeling overwhelmed or trapped and prevent any potential reactivity and stress.

A short 3 second introduction is enough time to provide important information to both dogs.

Enough information for dogs to know – “are you a threat?”, “do I like you?”, “do I want to learn more about you?”, “do I really dislike you?”, “do I need you to go away?” etc. Both dogs may not feel the same way – one may not be happy to engage while the other may want to.

All interactions should ideally happen like this, not just initially. Just like us, dogs can have off days – things like pain, trigger stacking, lack of sleep or a host of other reasons can influence whether a dog wants to interact or not.

There are countless times I have witnessed meetings or introductions between dogs that have gone on just a few seconds too long and have not ended well. This can have long lasting effects on future behaviour when meeting other dogs.

Understanding body language is critically important. If we are going to share our lives with another species, protect them, advocate for them and help them feel safe, then we need to understand and respect their language.

The examples in this post of red and green flags are just a few general ones to look out for – there are many more and these will differ depending on the individual dog, context and circumstances.

Here are some resources and links to learn more about body language -
On Talking Terms With Dogs - Calming Signals, 2nd Edition by Turid Rugaas
https://www.dogwise.com/on-talking-terms-with-dogs-calming-signals-2nd-edition/?srsltid=AfmBOoqj8ruQJx5bCP7qWb03TqCyAGfmAvCj988UuWk_L1_UHbYcZsES

The Veterinary Behaviour Centre
https://www.heska.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/TVBC-Canine-Dog-Body-Language-handout.pdf

Make sure those first 3 seconds count – they can make all the difference.

05/11/2024

Are you focussing on walking and exercising your dog?

Doing this may be to the detriment of your training

The world becomes more interesting and higher value than you, especially if they are also chasing.

Dogs benefit from physical BUT also mental stimulation which is found around YOU.

A training line will help achieve this then you gradually wean your dog off it over time

It’s not all about the walk but you and your dog together enjoying being out and interacting with each other.

05/11/2024

Ball launchers have become a popular accessory for dog owners who want to keep their dogs active and entertained. However, these devices can have negative effects on your dog's health and wellbeing.

Ball Launchers Can Cause Obsession:

Some dogs become obsessed with fetching a ball, which can lead to behavioural problems. They may become aggressive or anxious when they are not playing with the ball launcher, making it difficult to enjoy time with your pet. It's important to recognise the signs of obsession and to limit your dog's use of the ball launcher.

Ball Launchers Interrupt Natural Behaviour:

Dogs are naturally curious and enjoy exploring their surroundings through sniffing and relaxing. However, when they become obsessed with fetching a ball, they may lose interest in these natural behaviours. This can lead to boredom and frustration, causing your dog to become less active and less healthy.

Ball Launchers Can Cause Joint Problems:

Repeatedly launching a ball puts a lot of stress on your dog's joints, especially if they are a high energy breed. This can lead to joint problems such as arthritis, which can be very painful and expensive to treat. It's important to limit the amount of time your dog spends playing with a ball launcher and to give them plenty of rest breaks.

While ball launchers may seem like a fun and easy way to keep your dog entertained, they can have negative effects on their health and wellbeing. They interrupt natural behaviour, can cause joint problems, and lead to obsession. If you want to keep your dog healthy and happy, it's best to limit their use of ball launchers and encourage them to engage in natural behaviours such as sniffing, scent work, exploring and simply relaxing.

04/11/2024

When you’re cooking dinner and you turn around and are faced with this little face carrying your knickers (fortunately clean ones!!)

Sorry Rachel……. Couldn’t resist!!🤣🤣❤️🐾🐾

Well done Torvi, you gave your mum a good laugh!!

04/11/2024

The gang loved it!!

04/11/2024

Lovely new walk today
🙏❤️😊🐾

03/11/2024

The end of another busy week, Mondays and Tuesdays are my weekend!

I have worked with lovely clients and their great dogs.

This is one of them, a young lad learning how to settle in a public place and did great!