Paws 4 Training

10/10/2024

Have your hanky ready!

FORGIVE ME, MOMMY 😢🐾…

I was there where you left me for two whole days. Sleeping right on the side of the road. I was terrified of the noise from the cars but I did not move.
Last night one of those cars stopped and she got out. She invited me to lunch but I said no. She invited me to come sleep at her house and I also said no. I tried to explain to her that I was waiting for you but she wouldn’t listen. She pulled out a leash and said I couldn’t stay there any longer. I bit her several times and ended up peeing on myself as I growled and cried! She didn’t understand that she was separating me from you! She took me against my will and we drove off! I was so sad because I knew you were going to be worried. We ended up at her house.

I kept screaming hoping you would hear me but you never came. I vomited because of my nerves, feeling so sick. I kept telling her I had to go back because you were going to think I abandoned you when you saw I wasn’t there! I, who love you with all my heart and soul have not stopped crying since we separated a few days ago. I want you to know, I would never do that to you.
I don’t know where you are now or why you stopped the car and left me there. Surely you had something very important to do. Can you come find me now, mommy?
Today I ate because my tummy was hurting. I also slept on a very soft bed. And by accident I also wiggled my tail a bit. I’m so sorry, please forgive me. She’s just being really nice to me. She said I could stay forever. She’s calling me Savannah, but I already have a name. When you pick me up you can tell it to her. You’ll see how surprised she’ll be when you explain to her that this was a big mistake.
Because mommy, you’re coming back for me, right 😢?

Author unknown 🐾🐾
Illustration by Gone But Not Forgotten

20/08/2024

A story of care.

23/05/2024

A weather warning for rain and thunderstorms has been issued across Denbighshire⚠

This warning will be in place until 21:00 tonight⏰

To keep updated visit👇🏼
https://bit.ly/3P1aQ8k

19/05/2024

Set your puppy up for the best start in life! Come along to our Puppy Socialisation classes following the Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme.
8 week term starting Wednesday June 5th & Saturday June 8th. £75.
Jubilee Community Centre, Seabank Drive, Prestatyn.
More information available at

Paws 4 Training is a pet dog training club providing Dog Training Classes and Puppy Socialisation Classes held at the Jubilee Community Centre located in Prestatyn in North Wales...

15/02/2024

Blu loves being warm.

28/11/2023

December is right around the corner, and like us, our pets might need a little extra TLC over the winter months. ❤️ Here are some common winter hazards to look out for to keep your pet happy and safe:

🔐 Accidentally locking pets out. Not realising that our pets have followed us out of the back door has happened to the best of us, but in winter, it's even more important to make sure they can stay safe and warm inside.
❄️ Antifreeze and de-icer. Both are incredibly toxic for animals and can kill them. Keep antifreeze out of the reach of pets and clean up any spills thoroughly.
🥀 Poisonous plants. Festive favourites like holly, ivy and poinsettia are all toxic to pets if they eat them. Keep them out of your pet's reach, or use artificial plants to decorate your home.
🥶 Snowy paws. Snow can build up on a pet's paws and cause discomfort, so prepare paws by keeping hair between pads trimmed so there's less hair for the snow to gather on.
🚘 Sheltering cats. Cats often shelter under cars or will even climb inside the bonnet beside a warm engine. Always check your vehicle for visitors or knock on the bonnet before you start it.
🧂 Salt and grit. Wash your pet's paws if they come into contact with salt and grit, as it can be irritating. Applying a thin layer of paw butter to your dog's pads could also help protect them from drying out or cracking.

Our complete guide to taking care of your pet this winter: http://pdsa.me/weSl

25/11/2023

🐶 A LETTER FROM A REACTIVE DOG 🐶

I’m confused. When I’m with my owners, and we’re alone, the world melts away. It’s just us. They tell me, while framing my face in their hands and stroking my ears, that I am “the best dog.” 🌈

I believe them. My tail wags furiously, and I smile up at them. 😊

I AM the best dog. 🏆

But sometimes, I am not, and I scare them or frustrate them because I am scared, frustrated, anxious, and uncertain. Sometimes I am overwhelmed with fear or excitement. They are upset when I bark, growl, lunge, and sometimes snap. They are frustrated when I am anxious and sensitive to any sound or movement in the world around me. 😥

I hear people, with their labels, tell them I am “reactive,” and they should do something about it, that I am ruling their home and their lives. Am I doing that? I’m just scared. I’m just not sure what to do. I just want to feel safe. 🏡

When I was younger, we went everywhere together, my owners and I. The world felt big and looming, invasive and frightening. People would pet me, other dogs would rush up to me with their owners frantically yelling, “He’s friendly!!!”. At first, I was calm and quiet… but then I had to speak up! I had to tell the world to stop invading my space. Please, please leave me alone! 🚫

I want to experience the world. I want to taste all the things that my owners tell me I should “LEAVE IT”. I want to smell all the things, all the wonderful, amazing, and unique smells of grass, trees, and fox poo! I can’t help that; instead, I am hypervigilant, scanning the environment for the lurking people or dogs or other scary things that seem to constantly throw themselves at me. 👃

I would give anything in the world to be THE BEST DOG all the time. 🌍

I don’t understand why, when I tell my owners that I don’t feel safe, they don’t understand. Sometimes, they comfort me. Sometimes, they get upset. 😢

They’ve tried everything, so many training approaches, it makes my mind whirl. They toss my favourite treats and shove them in my face. I can’t eat right now, I’m surviving! The prickly collar that I couldn’t escape from… The clinking chain collar that made it hard to breathe sometimes… The stinging spray that made it difficult to smell, that would linger in my nose, after I would bark, “I need space! I am scared!” 🐕💔

I know they love me with everything in them, and they are trying so, so hard. I want to do this for them, I want to be the dog they want me to be. I want to will away the fear and the anxiety, the overwhelm, and I want to be perfect. I try so hard, just like them. 🌟

If you see a dog like me, can you give us space? Can you give us time? Can you give us compassion? Please don’t let your dog run up to me. Please don’t try to pet me. I am trying my hardest, I promise. I really, really want to be THE BEST DOG. 🙏🐶

Is your BEST dog struggling?

Help them be the best dog they deserve to be through the power of games-based training - training that not only has helped thousands of students overcome so many training obstacles and challenges with their dogs, but can help you too. That’s our mission here at Absolute Dogs.

https://absolutedogs.me/supernbn

09/10/2023

The Liz fan club!

08/10/2023

Animals at their best.

22/09/2023

Nothing good happens after loading.....there is usually a reaction straight after.
Loading can take a split second....or much longer.
The very second you see the slightest changes in their posture/body language, you need to act....quickly
Loading is in between looking and reacting, and you need to learn your own dogs subtle tells that this is exactly what they are doing.
Distraction will only work if you recognise the very subtlest of changes in your dog....when loading is just starting....but it isn't a long term solution.
Distraction is exactly what it means...a distraction, it can be needed.... and at times is helpful...but there is so much more to helping a reactive dog through their own emotional journey than just distraction.

You are better off doing a u turn (I will add a link to that in the comments shortly).

The key to reactivity really is recognising the body language, learning how it changes and acting on it....before a reaction.

21/09/2023

Very useful for dogs that struggle when out for a walk

30/07/2023

17/07/2023

IN THE FACE OF FEAR

There is a common belief that comforting a dog that is feeling scared, anxious or stressed will just reinforce, encourage the feelings and make it worse.

This belief is incorrect. Fear is an emotional response and one that a dog does not choose or makes the decision to experience. An emotion is an involuntary, uncontrolled response that cannot be reinforced.

Imagine an intruder broke into your home, tied you up and took off with your belongings. After freeing yourself and getting help, a friend arrives to see how you are.

Your friend tells you that she can see that you’re really anxious and scared but she’s just going to completely ignore you, is not going to attempt to comfort you, sit with you or support you because by doing so she will make you even more afraid and upset. Does that reaction make any sense?

Why should it be any different for dogs that also experience a range of emotions? Why then is it still believed that you should ignore your dog?

Probably because there is confusion and misunderstanding about the difference between an emotional response - which is an involuntary response and a learned response - which has varying degrees of conscious control.

If we acknowledge that providing comfort and support to a dog that is experiencing these emotions will not reinforce them, do we know if providing comfort will reduce these emotions?

Research on this subject is showing evidence that providing comfort and support in stressful situations decreases a dog’s heart rate, salivary cortisol levels, reduces stress responses and increases calm behaviour.

Ignoring a dog’s emotions because of misinformed advice that this will help change the behaviour is not helpful.

Accept that your dog is having an emotional response, have compassion, understanding and be a comfort for your dog.

07/04/2023

What a lovely soul. RIP George x

He died in his sleep from cardiac arrest at the age of 53, on December 25, 2016. Hundreds of thousands of people are still alive thanks to him.

Only after the singer's death did it become known that he had spent millions to help orphans, the homeless, the sick and foreigners in need. The contestant of the TV show "The Deal" said during the break that she needs 15,000 pounds for an invitro procedure. The next day, Michael called and secretly transferred the entire amount to her name.
Richard Osman, TV presenter: "George Michael worked anonymously at a homeless shelter where I volunteered. I didn't tell anyone this because he asked us not to tell anyone. That's who he used to be." Emmeline Mondeau, actress: "A woman at a children's charity told me the only reason they're still around is because of George Michael." Kate Vogue: "Every Easter when Chris Tarrant and I hosted the 'Capital FM' children's charity event, George Michael would turn up at 3.30am and donate £100,000." DJ Mike Brown: "He gave £25,000 to an unknown woman in a cafe because cried because of the debt. He wrote a check and asked the waitress to give it to the woman after she left."
’Vector Victoria: "He organized a free concert for the nurses who took care of his late mother."

Andrew: "His donations have helped create a world where people with HIV can live healthy lives free of prejudice and discrimination."

Jane Baron, Trustee of the Terence Higgins Charity: "I wrote an article a long time ago about a famous man who tipped a waitress £5,000 because she was a medical student in debt. That man was George Michael."

Journalist Sally Hughes: "He was also the only star in the quiz "Do you want to become a millionaire?", the earnings of the stars in this game are given to humanitarian purposes, and then he said: "If I lose, I will pay the money myself.""

Journalist Sally Hughes: "Since 1996, George Michael has donated all proceeds from the song 'Jesus' to children's charities. He has passed on millions that have saved hundreds of thousands of children."

07/04/2023

My two boys.

16/03/2023

Take note.

As promised, here is the first set of Pet Poison Awareness Month: Toxic Foods.

We think most of these are self-explanatory, but xylitol is a sugar additive that is used in a lot of diet / low sugar foods

24/02/2023

Some of the physiotherapy equipment that we use in class, here at Mochdre Vets, strengthening a back leg weakness.

18/02/2023

Maybe we should try this folks! 🤔