BOWOW DTC

20/12/2024

Socialisation, i.e. giving our puppies as much exposure as we can to new experiences up to the age of 16 weeks is very important, as it helps them deal with life in our human world in later life.

It is also really important to help them to get it right with basic behaviour when they really want to do the opposite to what we consider acceptable.

Puppies are like a magnet, everyone wants to say hello to them!

Koby is used to being handled, and he has been taught to take treats gently. Both paid dividends today, he was perfectly behaved when people and young children wanted to pet him and one woman couldn't believe how gently he took a treat (one of mine) out of her hand.

Give your puppy the best start in life, sign up to a puppy course. You will not regret it. Our six week courses have limited places and run every two months, we are now taking bookings for the beginning of March. Don't miss out!

19/12/2024

It was our great pleasure to present The Cinnamon Trust with another cheque for £670.00 today.

A big thank you to our members for helping with the donation, to help and support this wonderful charity. 😃

17/12/2024

I’ve spotted someone in the corner 😍. These classes really are excellent for starting your puppy off on their socialisation journey, especially if they can’t go out into the real world due to their age and vaccination status.

Socialisation is so much more than just meeting other dogs. A well socialised puppy will be able to cope with so much more in adult life. We ask a lot of our dogs to fit in with our human world, if you give them the best start possible, it will pay dividends later on. 😃

14/12/2024

A few photos of some of the puppies on their way to completing our Nov-Dec puppy course by working through some new challenges.

Well done to you all, you now have a great foundation to build on as your puppies develop into adulthood. 😃

01/12/2024

Yes, we can see light hearted posts on here, about everyone purchasing a cuddly toy instead of the real thing, if you can't commit to a dog for his/her lifetime. But the reality is real.

Today, I learned that yet another 'teenage' dog, yes a GSD, aged 8 months, is now looking for a new home because their owner 'can't cope'.

DON'T DO IT. DON'T BUY THAT CUTE PUPPY IF YOU CAN'T COMMIT TO IT 24 HOURS A DAY.

It's always the dog's fault, isn't it? Well actually IT ISN'T. It's yours.

27/11/2024

Motivation is a big part of being successful with your training. Not only quantity, but quality too. Toys can also be a great motivator, it is good to switch it up.

23/11/2024

This is so true when it comes to training, and why you all have your own training diaries 🩷🩵😃

23/11/2024

This is a great post, and emphasises why it is not acceptable for other dogs to rush up to your dog (especially if your dog is on a lead), regardless of those words - ‘it’s OK, he/she’s friendly’. It really isn’t OK.

If we really want our dogs to meet others (especially if they are socially awkward), this helps enormously ✅
Choose your dogs carefully though, matching energy and body shapes (and sometimes breed for a very socially awkward dog) are all great ideas too....some dogs have a particularly difficult time reading other dogs that look different to them.
You can do this on lead....but a little word of caution about allowing over aroused/over excited dogs dragging you towards other dogs they want to meet....that can soon become a lifelong habit and you can be dragged to meet every dog they see, even at an enormous distance away.
It is opening up the door to a possible life time of over excited reactivity.
If we watch dogs, many will meet for a few seconds and then disperse, they may check out this dog again and then both dogs may be happy to have a play or not....and that is ok!
It is perfectly normal for dogs to be socially choosy with who they interact with.✅
We need to respect that.

These graphics are available for purchase for educational handouts and posters, feel free to check out the store https://www.abcdogsnz.com/dog-training-graphics?srsltid=AfmBOopS8IIostWJ4XsWPsQK0oRAyAMYnCXRkfMuM4sAziC4J67UYvxl

20/11/2024

A lovely baby puppy class with Ruth for Koby this morning. I would totally recommend these classes which are designed for puppies before they are officially allowed out into the main world.

Ruth is extremely knowledgeable, and can help you with any issues you may be having with your new puppy, and the classes give the pups a great introduction on how to behave with other puppies.

17/11/2024

Anyone thinking about getting a puppy, don’t be fooled into thinking that they are such cute, bundles of fluff, and they will stay that way. It really doesn’t take long for them to turn into hooligans. I have had my pup for a week and a half, and he is already challenging myself and my other dogs on many fronts. He is not yet 11 weeks old.

We have hopefully at least another 11 years ahead of us, during which time, I will aim to teach him to behave correctly in our world, and where he will be one of my main priorities in life. I have the time and energy to invest into him. It really can be exhausting and a real shock to the system taking on a puppy. Stop and think before you rush in.

08/11/2024

I have just joined the puppy club! It has been eight years since I had a puppy, so it is about time I had a refresher course.

This is the start of Koby's second day with us.

Observations so far:-
- He needs my attention 12 hours a day (just by typing this, I have missed a toilet opportunity)
- He is a totally blank canvas, he has no idea what is deemed acceptable or not when it comes to his teeth
- He wants to try his teeth out on everything
- He loves to play with toys
- He is just starting to realise where his mouth is
- He is just starting to realise what receiving a treat means
- He is loving is little training sessions (Happy and Pixie have never had it so easy)

Just the start of our lives together, and I am loving every minute of it.

15/10/2024

Some super work today in the socialisation class from the puppies to finish off their six week course.

We have a couple of places left in our Tuesday morning group starting on 5th November, do get in touch if you would like more info!

12/09/2024

THIS IS NOT DOG TRAINING, IT IS FORCING YOUR DOG INTO COMPLIANCE USING POSITIVE PUNISHMENT/NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT METHODS.

When you are looking for a dog trainer, do your homework. At Bowow Dtc, we use positive reinforcement methods, we want to develop the relationship you have with your dog, not destroy it.

18/08/2024

Fun in the sun for our puppy groups this week, and their final lesson in the current six week courses.

The puppies had an opportunity to try out new experiences, and after six weeks, their owners were confident enough to work them off lead throughout.

Congratulations to all of you on your achievements, and we look forward to seeing many of you again in our adult classes going forward.

We have one space left in our Tuesday morning puppy group starting 3rd September. Get in touch by email ([email protected]) if you would like more info!

09/08/2024

So this has landed in our inbox from the team at Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly:-

To quote: " Graeme Hall, our host, would love for a professional to perform some heelwork with your dog to show us how it's done "

Isn't he a trainer? Isn't he supposed to know how to achieve heelwork with a dog?

Needless to say, as ethical dog trainers, who only use positive reinforcement methods, we will not be taking them up on their offer.

05/06/2024

A few photos from the penultimate puppy classes this week. Loose lead walking coming on nicely, and help from our own dogs when looking at socialisation with other dogs. The wider topic of socilisation is coming next week.

We have a few places left in our six week courses starting 9th/10th July. Do get in touch if you would like further info.

25/05/2024

Training classes today, and in amongst the discussions, 'I wish so many people wouldn't see training as boring'.

We have great fun in our training classes, but we also want you to develop your relationship with your dog. This not only means you can enjoy other activities, knowing that your dog will be listening and paying attention, but will also improve your day to day lives together at home.

If you want to have a dog you enjoy at home, if you want a dog that will excel at activities such as agility, hoopers or rally obedience, you need to spend time training your dog. This is not boring, this is a special time that you devote to building your relationship together.

We have our own Ky Da awards, based on diary exercises that you can complete in your in own time. If you then want to try out new activities, if we feel you are ready and are going to get the most out of our classes, then we give you the opportunity to do so.

But you need to develop a relationship with your dog, and this is done through training. It really isn't boring, it is a fantastic way to bond and grow together.

A couple of photos from our training classes today.