BOWOW DTC

13/05/2025

NEW RALLY OBEDIENCE COURSES!

Would you like to try something different with your dog? Do you want to build and develop your existing relationship? Would you like to have a go at competing at rally obedience with your dog online?

We are starting introductory classes on Friday evenings, which will run from next month and over the summer in the form of five week courses, held in our private field off Sandy Lane in Redruth (with amazing views!). There will be a maximum of four people per class. The cost of each course will be £75.

We will be not only looking at the various exercises at Level 1 and upwards which will be described and listed in your own easy to use booklet, but also looking at how to get the best out of your dog when training.

Rally is open to all dogs over the age of six months, and you really don’t need a lot of room to practice most of the exercises, so you can do a lot at home, and you can still take part with a dog who prefers to work apart from other dogs as there is only one person on the course at a time and we have plenty of room in the field/training enclosure, providing you can work within hearing distance!

Below is a video of an online round at the starter Level 1, filming and submission of entries is all done by the club. Competing is not obligatory, but it does give you something to aim for and does come with a warning – it can be very addictive 😄

If you would like to sign up or have any questions, please contact us by email at [email protected] and request a booking form.

15/04/2025

Very good advice 😀

28/02/2025

Reading body language is an important part of our puppy classes. We look forward to meeting our new intake next week 😍

27/02/2025

Socialisation is not about letting your dog meet as many dogs as possible, it's about giving them the opportunity to explore and experience different situations and to build confidence in this human world that we live in.

This is Koby in Ruth's Pet Behaviour Services excellent socialisation class this morning.

Experiences ticked off this morning - small children (moving and noise), different plant textures, strange noises from drains, looking down from high up, traffic passing and noise, people approaching from the shadows, dogs approaching on and off lead, settling on mat, automatic door opening, polished interior floor, and adventure playground 😃

26/02/2025

Due to continuing demand, we are excited to announce that we will be offering agility courses to non-members this year.

If you have a dog that is over 12 months old and is socialable with other dogs, and has a decent response to name, you would be welcome to join one of our five week beginner courses which are running from April.

The courses will be held on Thursday evenings in our private field off Sandy Lane in Redruth and will cost £75.

Numbers will be limited, to book your place, please send an email to [email protected] and request a booking form.

24/02/2025

Is there a particular reason that makes you want to neuter your dog? This is an excellent post from Ruth, do some research before you rush in, just reading this post may make you think again. It’s not always a bad thing, but it also won’t necessarily resolve the issue/s you are currently experiencing which are pushing you in this direction.

When to castrate male dogs.

There are a huge amount of papers and research available on castration and it’s various
effects including these articles however we must always think of each dog as an individual.
Talk to your veterinary team about the best option for your male dog.

Breed, size, environment and other dogs living closely will affect neutering decisions.

Before we decide to castrate, we need to consider the following

Is the dog skeletally mature?
Can we wait until the dog is 18mths to 2 years?

By waiting this long, we are ensuring the dog is fully mature, growth plates are closed and the dog has hopefully encountered many social experiences of dogs so they aren’t frustrated or excited.

Evidence points towards neutered dogs living a longer and healthier life but this may be flawed due to irresponsible ownership of intact dogs.

Behaviourally we need to consider

Is the dog nervous/anxious?…. In this case we need to build the dogs confidence before castration and the drop in testosterone will likely make any anxious behaviour worse.
Is the dog hu***ng? This is a normal part of development which should be discouraged in a calm way.
Is the dog challenging other dogs? Is it fear or offensive aggression? A behaviourist/trainer can help to decide.
Suprelorin can be used to see if castration would be helpful but it will affect growth plates and a dogs confidence if used too young so read the data sheets.
5. Dogs should not be castrated with big changes going on at home, new baby, building work, moving house etc. The upheaval is too much during a testosterone drop.

6. Castration can improve the behaviour if a dog is excessively scent marking, becoming obsessed and drooling/foaming/licking grass and consequently unable to listen. It will improve recall/pulling on the lead/focus if the scent of a bitch is overpowering. Some dogs are much more highly sexed than others.
7. If the dog barks at other dogs or gets overexcited at times or growls at people occasionally, castration is not the answer, but is often a knee jerk reaction by the owner.

Every male dog should be treated as an individual and considerations of their lifestyle taken into account.
If an owner wants a dog that can go to doggy daycare, then castration is usually expected.
If there are bi***es or other competitive male dogs in the home then castration may be of benefit.

https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=20539&id=8506437&fbclid=IwAR3Pj-8Dp1xaHgtGOeodOWbJGqSAh6ArTv-bRDMacHpQjkbCRdE22wKSHwA

https://nz.virbac.com/files/live/sites/virbac-nz/files/promotions/suprelorin/Suprelorin%20Behavioural%20Consult.pdf

https://www.theveterinarynurse.com/review/article/five-myths-commonly-associated-with-neutering-in-dogs

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273737894_Evaluating_the_benefits_and_risks_of_neutering_dogs_and_cats

https://www.apbc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/APBC-Neutering-Male-Dogs.pdf

18/02/2025

The cold weather today didn't stop everyone from having fun with their puppies in the last session of our current six week puppy course.

It was lovely to see everyone working their puppies confidently with the various equipment - and off lead too 😃

Our next courses are starting on 4th/5th March, do get in touch if you would like to get your puppy off to a great start 😍

11/02/2025

An excellent video of how to deal with an off lead dog, and a reminder to always put your own dog’s welfare first.

08/02/2025

Training really isn't boring! When you have some basic skills, there is no limit to the fun you can have together in training classes.

Video from our Ky Da class this morning 😃

07/02/2025

Do you want to get your puppy off to a great start in life? Below are just a few of the great reviews we have received from puppy owners attending our courses.

We currently have a few places available in our next six week puppy courses starting early next month.

Classes are held in our field shelter and enclosed training area in our private 3 acre field off Sandy Lane in Redruth. Select from either the course starting on Tuesday 4th March at 10.00 or Wednesday 5th March at 11.15. Classes run for approx 45 minutes.

The cost for all six weeks is £72, and includes your own folder with comprehensive handouts each week, covering a wide variety of aspects regarding puppy ownership and training.

To reserve your place, please send an email to [email protected] and request a booking form.
Further info on our club and trainers can be found at www.bowowdtc.co.uk

05/02/2025

Please think carefully before rushing in to welcome a dog into your home. A dog can be a 10 year commitment and beyond.

Sadly in January alone, I’ve had 28 people contact me wanting to rehome their dogs.

The reasons vary widely from dogs being too strong, having behaviour issues, the person not being able to meet their needs, family members allergic or not getting along with the dog… also people splitting up, moving away, people with chronic illness, eviction, low income, owners death, children teasing the dog to the point it’s biting people now, also dogs coming from abroad who are not the same dog as advertised and the foriegn rescue won’t take the dog back.

Some of these are heartbreaking and genuine reasons but mostly I feel more thought and research needs to go into buying a dog in the first place.
DOGS ARE A HUGE RESPONSIBILITY!
I advise people to go online and do breed selector quizzes to see what breed type is best for them.. just google breed selector and get the whole family involved.

Adopt a rescue dog or foster from a local charity to find and discuss with them what is the right dog for you.

Please think about why you want a dog and your abilities.
If it’s a big bouncy breed over 25kg can you hold it on a lead if it pulls?
If you have a bad back or joint problems I would recommend a dog under 10kg

If you don’t have an enclosed garden don’t get a high energy working line breed.

If you have a child that needs a cuddly companion to help keep them calm, then a collie, poodle or working cocker may not be a good choice.

There are so many dogs needing new homes but this last few weeks there are sooo many!

I cannot help with rehoming dogs but I do work with St Francis dogs home in Newquay and there are other amazing local charities that can help.
BUT it usually takes months to rehome a dog, to find the right people in the right environment.

If any of my followers can foster then please please get in touch with local charities as so many dogs need help right now & if you know someone thinking of getting a dog please share this with them.

Here’s my rescue dog Katie, she’s been hard work but she’s awesome