Happy Dog Training Classes

07/01/2024

We are now taking bookings for our Canine First Aid Seminar on Saturday 2nd March 2024. Please note limited spaces available. Contact [email protected] to book your space.

08/11/2023

04/11/2023

Keeping Your Dogs Safe on Fireworks Night 🐶🎆

Fireworks night is an exciting and dazzling time for humans, but for our furry friends, it can be downright terrifying. The loud booms and bright flashes can send dogs into a frenzy of fear and anxiety. As responsible pet owners, it's our duty to help them through this challenging evening. Here are some tips on how to keep your dogs safe and calm during fireworks night.

1. Create a Safe Haven:
Designate a quiet and secure space in your home where your dog can retreat to when the fireworks start. This can be a comfortable room with their bed, toys, and some soothing background noise like calming music or white noise to drown out the fireworks.

2. Stay Home with Your Dog:
If possible, stay home with your dog during fireworks displays. Your presence can provide them with a sense of security and comfort. Comforting words and petting can go a long way in reassuring your furry companion.

3. Use a ThunderShirt:
ThunderShirts are specially designed to wrap around your dog's torso, providing gentle, constant pressure that can help alleviate anxiety. These can be a great tool to keep your dog calm during fireworks.

4. Keep Your Dog Inside:
Ensure your dog is indoors and has access to their safe haven before the fireworks start. This will prevent them from running away in a panic due to the loud noises.

5. Close Curtains and Blinds:
Blocking out the visual stimuli of fireworks can help reduce your dog's anxiety. Close curtains and blinds to minimize the bright flashes of light.

6. ID and Microchipping:
Make sure your dog has proper identification, like a collar with an ID tag and a microchip. In case they do manage to escape, this will increase the chances of them being returned to you.

7. Distraction and Treats:
Keep your dog distracted with toys and treats during the fireworks. Offering them something enjoyable can help take their mind off the scary noises outside.

8. Consult Your Vet:
If your dog's fear of fireworks is severe, consult your veterinarian. They may be able to recommend medications or other strategies to manage your dog's anxiety.

9. Firework Desensitization:
Consider desensitizing your dog to fireworks sounds using recordings or YouTube videos. This can help reduce their fear over time.

10. Plan for the Future:
Fireworks night can be stressful for your dog, but with careful planning and consideration, you can make it a little easier for them. Think about their well-being in advance, so future celebrations are less traumatic for your furry friend.

Let's remember that our pets rely on us to keep them safe and secure. By following these steps, you can help ensure that your dog remains calm and happy during fireworks night. Enjoy the festivities, and make sure your four-legged family members do too! 🐾💕

26/09/2023

25/09/2023

18/05/2023

Fabulous day training today , brilliant dogs and handlers, and it feels like summer 😀

30/04/2023

No classes tomorrow
Enjoy the Bank Holiday

28/04/2023

This photo is everything. Star on her trial 🥰 She has waited a long time for this moment, such is the lack of homes out there at the moment. We share these photos in our staff WhatsApp because it lifts everyone to see the dogs we pour our love into getting their chance. Please wish Star good luck!

Please give a rescue dog a chance if you can. If you can’t adopt foster. If you can’t foster share their posts to help us find some who is in a position to help. You can join our foster and adopt group from the link in the comments 💜

25/04/2023

If you think dragons are just imaginary creatures look at this draco lizard. While it's certainly smaller than you probably expect, it's nothing short of impressive.

More details/photos: https://bit.ly/40njWix

01/03/2023

WHY DO SOME DOGS BARK SO MUCH?
Whether we find it irritating, annoying, frustrating, are indifferent or it doesn’t really bother us, barking is what dogs do, some dogs more than others, just like some people talk far more than others! Barking is a species typical, natural and normal behaviour.

Barking is simply a form of communication. Excessive barking is often a symptom of an underlying issue. How to get a dog to bark less all depends on why they are barking in the first place. When we know the “why?” it’s far easier to work on the “how?” to prevent or decrease the behaviour.

The “why” can be due to so many reasons - boredom, frustration, loneliness, anxiety, fear, frustration, separation distress, lack of mental or physical stimulation, lack of social interaction, environmental stimuli, attention seeking, excitement, greeting, to initiate play or even a medical condition. Look at what the consequence of barking is for the dog – does something move closer or further away, do they receive attention, whether positive or negative – negative attention is still attention.

We recently had contractors repairing our roof after a particularly bad storm. My husband became increasingly irritated and angry at the dogs constantly barking at the strange people climbing all over the roof. We live in a crime riddled country and I asked him if he would still be irritated if they barked at burglars trying to gain access from the roof to the house in the middle of the night. The dogs don’t know the difference and their barking, although irritating, was understandable. Giving them a long-lasting chew, telling them that all was fine and keeping them inside where they couldn’t hear or see the contractors, solved the problem.

Using punishment or any other type of aversive method to stop barking is cruel and inhumane. We don’t punish people for speaking. Look for the “why”, before working on the “how”.

In the wise words of Dr Ian Dunbar – “Punishing a dog for barking is like punishing a bird for singing"

26/02/2023

It’s worth the Long read , but it explains positive reinforcement so well , 😍🐾

People who don't understand positive reinforcement may mistakenly believe that food training doesn't work for dogs because they view it as bribery or manipulation, rather than as a scientifically proven training technique that taps into dogs' natural drives and instincts.

They may also believe that using food as a reward will create a dog that only listens when food is present, rather than understanding that food is gradually faded out as the dog learns the desired behaviour.

In reality, skilled dog trainers use food rewards in a strategic and systematic way to reinforce desired behaviours and teach new ones, and the effectiveness of positive reinforcement with food has been supported by numerous scientific studies.

Myths about Food Training:

Myth: Food training is just bribery and makes dogs reliant on treats.

Fact: While food rewards are a powerful tool for training, skilled trainers use them strategically and systematically to reinforce desired behaviours. As dogs become more proficient in a behaviour, trainers gradually reduce the frequency of food rewards through the process of fading reinforcers. Additionally, positive reinforcement trainers use variable reinforcement schedules to maintain the strength of a behaviour.

Myth: Dogs trained with food will only perform the behaviour when food is present.

Fact: Dogs trained with food rewards can learn to perform behaviours even when food is not present. Skilled trainers use a range of techniques, such as capturing and shaping, to reinforce behaviours and gradually fade food rewards.

Myth: Food rewards are only effective for training certain dogs or breeds.

Fact: Food rewards can be customized and tailored to individual dogs, making the training experience more enjoyable and motivating for them. Different dogs have different tastes and preferences when it comes to food, so using their favourite treats as rewards can be effective for a wide range of dogs.

Myth: Food rewards should be given for any behaviour that the trainer wants to reinforce.

Fact: Skilled trainers pay close attention to their timing and precision when using food rewards. The reward should be given immediately after the desired behaviour occurs to ensure that the dog makes the association between the behaviour and the reward. Additionally, the reward should be given in a precise and consistent manner, to avoid confusion or frustration on the dog's part.

Overall, food rewards are a powerful tool for training dogs, but it's important to use them strategically and systematically. Ethical and skilled dog trainers use food well, because they invest their time, energy and resources into learning how.

21/02/2023

Trained African Giant Pouched Rats have found thousands of unexploded landmines & bombs. Researchers also trained these rats to detect tuberculosis. Most recently they are training them to sniff out poached wildlife trophies exported out of African ports.

More details/photos: http://bit.ly/3Sayqjj

16/02/2023

ALL CLASSES ARE
CANCELLED
TODAY

11/01/2023

Unfortunately all classes cancelled again tomorrow 💨☔️🌬🌧

06/01/2023

Sorry everyone
Training is cancelled tomorrow
Weather looks terrible 😞

01/01/2023

BACK TO TRAINING NEXT WEEK EVERYONE ,
SATURDAY 7th JANUARY 2023

01/01/2023

31/12/2022

31/12/2022

Sandown’s popular New Year’s Day fireworks display from the end of the town’s pier is scheduled for 18:00 this Sunday. To allow safe spectator viewing, the Esplanade will be closed between Pier Street and Esplanade Road from 16:30 until approximately 18:30. Organised by Sandown Carnival, Paul ...

31/12/2022

Noise-related fear is very common for our four-legged friends of all ages and can have a significant impact on their well-being. Here are our top tips on helping your dog cope with fireworks 🎆

31/12/2022

LOTS OF ENRICHMENT TOYS....

These toys are ideal to entertain your puppy or older dog.

Help to eliminate boredom
Calm stressful situations
Create some mental stimulation
Help to relax you dog
Create bonding games
Use as a slow feeder

All hand made from fleece fabric in some wonderful colours.
Suitable for all ages..

Advise not to be left unsupervised as they are not totally indistrucable.

Pm me for prices or to order

https://www.facebook.com/jensdoggybits

30/12/2022

09/05/2022

Quinn and Rolly working on their loose lead walking ⭐️🌟

09/05/2022

Merlin was a little pooped after his scentwork today , which he aced of course “again “! 👏👏👏👏🌟🌟🌟
He worked really hard on his impulse control on his potting too

30/04/2022