Morning all, I haven't posted anything for ages, as the summer has seen me absolutely flat out. Don't worry though, I'm still here!
Here's the first set of the day.
A 3/4 inch 'padded collar', made with 'Australian Nut' English bridle hide, lined with a soft purple nappa leather, stitched with a purple thread.
To compliment it is a 1/2 inch x 3-6ft 'Training lead', made from the same Aussie Nut bridle hide and finished with the same purple thread.
They'll be on the way to my customer this afternoon.
Paul.
As we get older, those bits that usually stand up by themselves, sometimes need a little encouragement!
This is the method I use to inflate my almost 10 year old Malinois ears!
Paul.
Gone are my days of training other people and their dogs, however one of the best things you can do with your pup is to teach them that noises won't hurt them.
Every dog I've been blessed to share my life with, whether I've had them as pups, or as adults are habituated to fireworks and gunshot from day one.
I'll frequently play recordings of fireworks on repeat at random times of the year, at differing volumes, so that to the dogs, it just becomes a background noise, not something to fret about.
I'll even randomly pull out a blank firing pistol when on walks (private land of course!) and fire off a few rounds when they don't expect it.
Start off at the lowest volume, then when the dog looks comfortable, slowly turn up the volume over time, carrying on your day to day business.
It doesn't even have to cost you anything.
There are loads of YouTube firework videos and if you have an 'Alexa', ask her to 'play fireworks sounds'.
The behaviour of my dogs in this video isn't down to luck, it's down to good preparation, repetition and hard work.
There is nothing stopping anyone preparing in the same way.
Have a great weekend folks.
Paul.
105 years old and not only does she still sound amazing, she's never ever missed a stitch.
My old, hand cranked Singer 27K is only used to stitch my Police tracking lines together.
I love her to bits as she is one of my few treasured possessions.
There is nothing like the sound of her thumping away and I know that sound will bring back some good memories for others.
Paul.
This is such a boring video with an unwilling model, but it demonstrates the use of my absolute favourite lead and collar combo, one that I use every single day.
I don't keep collars on my dogs unless I'm walking them, as I'm lazy and can't be arsed doing up buckles etc!
My well sized 'adjustable half-check collar' just slips over the top of the head when it's walkies time and so long as it is sized correctly, won't come off during use.
I choose to couple this with my ever popular 'Public Order lead'. These leads were designed for use by Police dog handlers engaged in public order duties.
The idea being that you can keep the sharp end very close to you by holding the bottom handle. If you need to 'encourage people to move on', drop the bottom handle, the dog lunges forward and hostiles either run away or get bitten!
This is my go-to lead, as it allows me to very subtly keep my dog close when waiting to cross a road, walking past a bus stop full of screaming school kids, or if he spots the Jack Russell he despises so much!
I can use it with one or two hands to give a really secure grip, rather than having to wrap it around my wrist etc.
The bonus is that the use of the bottom handle can be so subtle, that no one else would notice. That can be quite handy when you don't want to draw attention to yourself!
Both are available from my online store
https://www.makemylead.co.uk/collections/police-and-military-collection/products/the-public-order-lead
Paul.
This video serves two purposes.
Firstly it shows exactly how thin on top I'm actually going!
Secondly it shows one half of a bridle leather order that arrived in the workshop today.
Three pairs of English bridle backs were delivered, this one roll contains half of that order.
Over the next 6 to 8 weeks they will be carefully hand-crafted into Christmas prezzies (if you order now!) and post-Christmas prezzies (if you don't!!).
They are lovely hides, beautifully made and I can't wait to start working with them.
Paul.
I think it's fair to say that Tilly has settled in well!
Have a great weekend folks.
Paul.
Quite a boring video really, but it's the time of year that some dogs need to be reminded that noises won't hurt them and to demonstrate how the 7 P's are essential with all dog work (Prior Preparation and Planning Prevents P!ss Poor Performance).
All of my dogs have been taught from day one, that sudden firework noises are nothing to panic about. They are taught from the day they come home as pups or indeed older dogs, that noises are a completely normal part of life that have no relevance or consequence to them.
I'm not offering any training advice here whatsoever, as I gave that up a long time ago, so please don't ask, but if you put the early work in, bonfire night, New years eve, Diwali and sudden, unexpected pyrotechnic displays from the neighbours for Henrietta's 21st Birthday, become just another 'thing' that everyone can enjoy.
Willow (almost 8 ) and 3 legged Joe (12), completely oblivious to the firework sounds CD as they have been accustomed to me doing stupid things spontaneously.
It doesn't matter how old your dog is, old dogs do learn new tricks and can learn to relax with such noises going off in the same room as them.
I'm not sure if my neighbours hate me (again) yet, but hey, I've got happy dogs!
Always take the advice of an experienced, balanced trainer before embarking on behaviour modification such as this (not me!).
Paul
I was asked to customise a tiny, adjustable half-check collar for a customer.
This is the result...
Paul
And now for something a little different!
Phil, they'll be in the post this afternoon.
Paul
Hand-stitched Bridle leather lead strength test
Again at great personal expense, confidence in my work and putting my money where my mouth is, here is a video demonstrating the strength of a quality, hand made English Bridle leather lead, coupled with good, old fashioned hand stitching.
I am a trained stuntman and do all of my own stunts. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!!
#doglead
At great personal expense, I have produced a short video to demonstrate the strength of my handstitched leather ware.........
#doglead
