Zuri Dog K9

17/07/2023

Have a Springer Spaniel with Behavioral Issues? We Can Help!

Do you have a Springer Spaniel who chases birds, struggles to listen to you when you're outdoors, or is reactive to other dogs and people? If so, you're not alone. Springer Spaniels are known for their high energy and enthusiasm, which can sometimes lead to behavioral problems.

But don't worry, there is help available! At Zuri Dog K9, we specialise in training Springer Spaniels with behavioral issues. We use the same training protocols that we use to train our detection dogs, which are proven to be effective in helping dogs stay focused and obedient.

We can help your Springer Spaniel learn to:

•Stay focused on you even when there are distractions
•Listen to your commands even when they're excited or anxious
•Be more relaxed and less reactive to other dogs and people

We also offer obedience training for all Springer Spaniels, regardless of whether they have behavioral issues. If you're looking for a way to improve your bond with your Springer Spaniel and teach them basic obedience commands, we can help.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your Springer Spaniel!

Visit our website or give us a call to schedule a consultation. We'll be happy to answer any questions you have and help you get started on the path to a well-trained, happy Springer Spaniel.

10/07/2023

Helping Your Springer Spaniel with Separation Anxiety

Good morning everyone,

I'm a dog trainer, and I'm also a big fan of Springer Spaniels. I know that separation anxiety can be a really challenging condition for this breed of dog, and I want to help.

In this post, I'm going to share some tips on how to help your Springer Spaniel with separation anxiety. This advice is based on my own experience, as well as the advice of experts.

Tip 1: Start early. The best way to prevent separation anxiety is to start training your dog from a young age. Get them used to being alone for short periods of time, and gradually increase the amount of time they spend alone.

Tip 2: Make sure your dog is getting enough exercise. A tired dog is a good dog. A well-exercised dog is less likely to be anxious when they're left alone.

Tip 3: Provide your dog with a safe place to relax. This could be a crate, a dog bed, or even just a quiet corner of the house. Make sure the space is comfortable and free from distractions.

Tip 4: Leave your dog with something to do. A puzzle toy, a stuffed Kong, or even just a rawhide bone can help keep your dog occupied while you're gone.

I hope these tips help you to help your Springer Spaniel with separation anxiety. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me.

I've also written a blog post on this topic, which you can find here: https://www.zuridogk9.co.uk/post/separation-anxiety-in-springer-spaniels-what-you-need-to-know

06/07/2023

Does your Springer Spaniel need a job? Try nosework!

Springer spaniels are working dogs, and they need a job to keep them happy and healthy. Nosework is a great way to provide your Springer Spaniel with the mental stimulation and enrichment they need.

Nosework is a dog sport that involves using your dog's sense of smell to find hidden objects. It can be done indoors or outdoors, and it's a great way to bond with your dog.

Here are some of the benefits of nosework for Springer spaniels:

It provides mental stimulation and enrichment.

It helps to build your dog's confidence.

It can help to reduce stress and anxiety.

It's a great way to exercise your dog's nose.

It's a fun and rewarding activity for both you and your dog.

If you're looking for a way to give your Springer Spaniel a job, nosework is a great option. It's a fun, rewarding, and enriching activity that will keep your dog happy and healthy.

To learn more about nosework for Springer spaniels, visit our website or contact us today.

05/07/2023

Consistency is Key to Dog Training.

Hi dog owners! Are you trying to train your dog, but it feels like nothing you're doing is working? Don't give up! It takes time and consistency to form new neural pathways in the brain, and that's what it takes to change your dog's behavior.

Here are a few tips for staying consistent with your dog training:

Set realistic goals. Don't expect your dog to learn a new command overnight. Start with simple commands and gradually work your way up to more complex ones.

Be patient. It takes time for dogs to learn new things. Don't get frustrated if your dog doesn't get it right away. Just keep practicing and be patient.
Make it fun! Training should be a fun experience for both you and your dog. If your dog is not enjoying itself, it's less likely to want to learn.

Remember, the brain takes time to form new neural pathways. So don't give up if you don't see results right away. Just keep practicing and being consistent, and eventually your dog will learn what you're trying to teach them.

If you need help with dog training, please contact us. We offer a variety of training services, including in-home training & online training, and a take and train service. We can help you teach your dog the basic commands, as well as more advanced behaviors.

04/07/2023

5 Signs You're Working with a Bad Dog Trainer

Are you working with a bad dog trainer? Here are 5 signs that you should be on the lookout for:

1) They use force or intimidation. A good dog trainer will never use force or intimidation to train your dog. If your trainer is kicking, kneeing, or yelling at your dog, it's time to find a new one.

2) They make you feel like you've failed. A good dog trainer will be patient and understanding with you, even if your dog is not learning as quickly as you'd like. If your trainer is making you feel like you're a bad dog owner, it's time to find a new one.

3) They tell you that you need to be more like a man. A good dog trainer will never make you feel like you're not good enough. If your trainer is telling you that you need to be more like a man, it's time to find a new one.

4) They make you cry. If you're leaving your dog training sessions feeling upset or crying, it's a sign that something is wrong. A good dog trainer should never make you feel bad about yourself or your dog.

5) They don't listen to your concerns. If you have concerns about your dog's training, a good dog trainer will listen to you and address them. If your trainer is not listening to your concerns, it's time to find a new one.

If you're seeing any of these signs, it's time to find a new dog trainer. A good dog trainer will help you to train your dog in a positive and humane way. They will also be patient and understanding with you, and they will never make you feel like you've failed.

If you're looking for a good dog trainer, do your research and ask around for recommendations. You can also check with your local humane society or animal shelter for referrals. With a little bit of effort, you'll be able to find a dog trainer who is right for you and your dog.

03/07/2023

Are you stressed or struggling with your Springer Spaniel?

I know how you feel. I've been there. Having a dog who isn't behaving well can be stressful and frustrating. You may feel like you're at your wit's end, and you don't know what to do.

But I'm here to tell you that there is hope. With the right training, you can turn your Springer Spaniel into a well-behaved dog who is a joy to have around.

I specialise in training Springer Spaniels, and I know the challenges that are common to this breed. I can help you to overcome those challenges and teach your dog the basic obedience commands, as well as more advanced skills like nosework and retrieving.

I offer one-on-one training in person and virtual sessions. So whether you're a beginner or an experienced dog owner, I can help you to train your Springer Spaniel to be the best dog they can be.

If you're stressed or struggling with your Springer Spaniel, I encourage you to contact me for a free consultation. I'll be happy to answer any questions you have and help you get started on the road to a well-behaved dog.

19/06/2023

Five star love!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

16/06/2023

Did you know that Springer Spaniels are at high risk of suffering from heat related illnesses? This risk also increases amongst male dogs.

In my blog I look at the research into heat stroke, the effectiveness of pet cooling products, and the management of our Springer Spaniels in a warming climate.

The impact of rising global temperatures on Springer Spaniels, and recommendations for keeping your dog stimulated while reducing daily exercise in periods of prolonged heat. Springer spaniels are a valued member of society to those who work them, and to those who own them as pets. Predominantly bre...

20/05/2023

Hello! My name's Juno, I'm on holiday in France and I am so excited 😆 to be here!! 🐾♥️🇫🇷

18/05/2023

Trainee detection dogs and their handlers enjoying a puppy pawty 🥳 at the end of a seriously busy week.

I'm so proud of everyone - dogs and handlers. They've all come so far. 🥰

17/05/2023

If you aspire to have calmness in your dog, you're going to want to do this... 🐕🧘‍♂️

03/05/2023

One dog who pulls on the leash, and one man who has two prosthetic legs, learning to walk side by side.

The story of Al, Sue and Shire is an emotional one. Al is an Army veteran who returned home traumatised from his time served in Bosnia. The emotional scars run deep and he struggles with the memories. Shortly after being diagnosed with complex PTSD, Al contracted sepsis which proved almost fatal, and there was no choice but to amputate both of his legs.

His wife Sue and their dog Shire were each dealing with the emotional impact, the dramatic change in the everyday routine, and understandably, held each other tightly while Al was in hospital.

When Al returned home, Shire didn’t understand who this strange smelling man in a wheelchair was. From then on, the once warm bond was gone to be replaced with fear. Fear which turned into serious guarding of his food, and Sue.

Al was the stranger to be warned off.

Gemma, the dog trainer at Zuri Dog K9 was asked to help. Gemma notes that there are many issues requiring resolution, but perhaps the most important is re-establishing the bond between Al and Shire so that they can enjoy living together safely and without fear, and moving on from that is Al’s dream of taking Shire for the long walks they previously enjoyed together.

Over winter, Al and Sue were involved in a car crash which triggered Al’s PTSD, and the couple were having work done on their house so training slowed and Shire’s frightened and frightening behaviour started to creep back in because he sensed the emotion of his dad which brought back dark memories for him too, and he was unsettled by the work being done to the house.

After a few days of effort, which will require ongoing training to get to where it needs to be, here are Al and Shire walking side by side.

Al and Sue are a go-getting couple and recognise that if they want a nice dog, and to do nice things with Shire, then they have to apply themselves.

They show us what it is to keep going in the face of adversity, and Gemma is always humbled and honoured to work with the family.

02/05/2023

I think my dog loves his job! 🥰🥰🥰

Happiest in his harness. 🤩

28/04/2023

Keep your loved ones close and happy. 🐾🥰

Hope you all have a happy Friday.

26/04/2023

Here's Kovu, one of the dogs on my take and train service. 🐶

Kovu has been walked by Chris Harris for some time but Kovu's highly competitive and somewhat anxious behaviour around the pack meant that he was pushing the boundaries of what makes a pack walk pleasurable. 😈

With regular training and behavioural support our aim is to one day reintroduce Kovu into Chris's group walks as a fully fledged 😇.

For any dog with a rich history of acting in a particular way (in Kovu's case - out of control in the group setting) it can take a long time to teach them to act differently. Put simply, the brain has to create a new way of doing things and join the dots - pyhsical changes need to occur in the brain before it can adapt. The sciency name for this is neuroplasticity. 🤓

Hope you all have a great day!

Gemma and Kovu. 🐾♥️
Lizzie Perilli

25/04/2023

Teaching a dog to stay obedient with distraction. 😇

Detection dogs don't start out trained. In fact, dog trainers often spend hours perfecting the art until they consider a dog trained. Some dogs require thousands of repetitions before they learn how to use the skills in real life. 🎓

The point of this post is that there is no gaining without training, so don't give up!

13/04/2023

Does your Springer Spaniel bark excessively? 😤

My name’s Gemma and here’s the advice I give to my dog training clients.

Some of us may look for a dog that will suit an active lifestyle – long walks at the weekend, a running partner to join us through the week - and so we tend to select breeds from the working type dog categories because we want a dog who can cope with our idea of an active lifestyle. 🚶

When we select a Springer Spaniel from working lines, we have often chosen a dog who has hundreds of years worth of genetic history telling it to work a particular way, and often those working days were for hours each day, not the hour or two of activity that we consider as active. Our dogs’ idea of an active lifestyle and our human idea of an active lifestyle are generally quite different. A typical working gundog breed like the Springer Spaniel will be working for around 6-8 hours in the field. Some of that time is off leash, and the remainder of the day is spent focusing on the task in hand. 🐕

When we restrict our dogs to an hour or two’s exercise per day, our Springer Spaniels can present us with challenging behaviours like excessive barking. While most of us understand that dogs bark, and we can tolerate it to a point, when barking is excessive (more than we’d really like), we can often attribute it to boredom. Excessive barking can indicate an underlying health issue, or being sensitive to noise, and more but often it’s a case of boredom.

Obviously our modern day lives can restrict the amount of time we can give to our dogs but we love them, and generally life with them is ok, so giving them up is not an option.

In my experience, giving a Springer Spaniel a purpose in life can really help them to find fulfillment and prevent or reduce unwanted problem behaviours like excessive barking. If we are able to set aside a relatively small amount of time each week to give our dog a hobby, we can help them live a meaningful life.

My dogs are trained as professional detection dogs but pet dog owners can also enjoy the benefits of teaching a dog a nosework activity which can help create a more relaxed dog. A dog with a purpose in life that goes beyond physical exercise is often more contented and a pleasure to have around. 🥰

You can send a message today to find out how we can help you create calmness in your Springer Spaniel owning life.

07/04/2023

Training your dog to be cool and comfortable in real life settings. 😎

You won’t find this dog trainer in a village hall. I’m sorry but it’s just not me – I find it boring and I want to train the dog for real life situations.

I’ll always observe the dog and act with kindness – I don’t believe in flooding them with fear (forcing them to do stuff that they are scared of) but I do believe that we need to dip our toe in and get comfortable with being uncomfortable in a gentle fashion.

I train dogs to focus and engage in highly distracting environments. 🐕

Here’s Juno in a true settle (not a down which signals the dog is ready to pounce). The dog in this video is ignoring what’s going on around her and in my opinion, it’s an incredibly important life skill, and one which can be a positive game changer in the dog and human relationship.

If the dog is relaxed, the owner is relaxed, and that’s a relief. 🧘‍♂️

I train pet dogs and detection dogs

05/04/2023

Brother and sister Sam and Juno having a run together before training.

Some dogs need a lot of exercise - freedom essentially - before training. It helps them to focus if their own needs have been met beforehand, and it can make training so much more enjoyable!

FREEDOM FIRST!

Sd Searchdogs is visiting from up country this week to get his dog Sam started with some obedience, engagement, relationship building exercises, and some indication work that will help in his future career as a detection dog.

03/04/2023

Start your week off right with some dog training!

Spending time with my family this weekend reminded me of how much joy these little creatures bring into our lives. They are always so happy to see us, wagging their tails happily when we return home, and they love to learn new things.

If you're looking for a way to improve your dog's behaviour, then I highly recommend finding a training program. There are many different types available so you can find the one that's right for you and your dog.

And don't forget to have fun! Training should be a positive experience for you all.

02/04/2023

Dogs make me smile! 😄😆😁

31/03/2023

This working dog knows how to kick back and relax.

Jackpot would like to wish everyone here a happy Friday!

29/03/2023

Check your calendar and you will see that the rest of the week reads WTF...

28/03/2023

Sometimes, some dogs need something different.

Meet Kovu.

Kovu isn't a dog that wants to be put in a box. Kovu wants what Kovu wants, and his owners want what they want, but they each want for the happiness of the other.

As someone who works with dogs, I'm often met with dogs who refuse to stay in the box. These are the dogs that set my soul on fire, but they aren't for everyone, and they can make life challenging. There are boundaries across all the boards - the dogs have to fit in, if life within a family unit is to work at all. And I do believe that dogs genuinely want to fit in with family life. We 'simply' have to find a way to make it work for everyone involved.

For some dogs, treats and toys create a constant state of activation and anticipation, and that can cause hyper behaviour. An almost constant state of arousal. There's nothing relaxing about that for the dog or the family, and that's pretty much what was happening with Kovu. Kovu would pace in the house, and would rarely settle with the family. This bit was a bitter pill for the family to deal with - they wanted Kovu to want to settle with them. He does now, and he's happy to do so.

Unpicking what has been done can take time and it does require effort. There's still a lot of work to do with Kovu to help him with the other areas he and his owners find too much but there are noticeable improvements, and when we look back at the data, we can hold on to remind ourselves how far we've come.

Helping Kovu to find his calm is having far reaching benefits. Kovu is beginning to learn how to properly relax and that is helping his owners relax more with him.

Teaching a dog to be calm can help them absorb what it is they're learning - they can focus more. Getting the mind ready for learning is an important consideration before any training can commence. It makes it so much easier for all.

We love you Kovu.

27/03/2023

If Carlsberg made dog training days. ☀️

26/03/2023

I live for days like these with my dogs.

20/03/2023

Don't focus on the pain, focus on the progress.
- Dwayne Johnson.

15/03/2023

In my latest blog I talk about why I choose to cause my dogs stress.

Over the years in my dog training career I’ve experienced dogs who’ve never been exposed to stress, and I feel sorry for them and their inability to cope with everyday life, and I’ve met owners who are so afraid of causing any sort of harm –particularly psychological/emotional distress, that...

09/03/2023

I hate mud and dirt.

But I will always promote a dog’s need to be a dog.

These working dogs spend their days amongst the public and searching venues. While they have their moments of mischief, they are often really focused on their job. Their little noses never really switch off even if it looks like they’re doing nothing they’re still breathing in molecules of scent and odour that are in the air around them, and their brains are processing what it is they’ve smelt and decide what they need to do with that information.

At first, a smell is just a smell but based on what the dog has previously learnt, the smell can be deemed aversive (the dog is reminded of something unpleasant that happened when they smelt it before) or it can remind them of something positive.

Detection dogs are trained to have a positive conditioned response to a target odour, and because of the level of their previous training, they don’t care if something bad happens when they smell their target odour – they are so well trained that the positive overrides the negative.

Their training makes them resilient.

Nosework activities look at things from the dog’s perspective – that it has a powerful sense of smell. Nosework can be woven into any training and behaviour programme with great success.

The benefits of nosework:

🌟Considers the dog’s need to sniff.

🌟Helps to tire a dog and so calm them down.

🌟 Builds resilience in our dogs.

🌟 Provides a focus for otherwise undesirable behaviour.

🌟 Develops and strengthens relationships between dog and owner.

Nosework is suitable for any dog with a nose, but is particularly useful for those who are:

✅Fearful

✅Reactive

✅Hyper

✅Bored

✅Depressed

✅Have undesirable behaviour.

To find out how nosework can help your dog, send a message.