Dogs Actfully

14/12/2024

So grateful to have Jo at Phoenix Therapies, just down the road in Alton Pancras.

Monthly clinical massage to identify and treat early, prevent compensatory injuries and keep minor strains becoming a chronic problem.

24/10/2024

First visit to a cafe and the lovely owners at made us so welcome. Thank you for cuddling pup so I could finish my amazing Round Chimney's breakfast!!! 😍😘

09/10/2024

✨️✨️ Stephanie Best AgilityTraining Day ✨️✨️

We have a few places left on 21st November to train with awesome Steph!!

Precomp to Grade7. I can usually make times and levels work for you.

£42. Please text or WhatsApp me 07958010401 directly Lesley Young.

(I may not see replies to a post).

21/09/2024

19/09/2024

Are Shock Collars more Effective Than Positive Reinforcement?

We always want to train with both compassion AND the best scientific understanding.

But not all studies are created equal as Karolina Westlund phD writes, of a recent publication...

Karolina writes:

My Facebook feed has been abuzz with outrage related to a recent publication comparing dogs trained with a shock collar with a group trained with "food rewards" this last week.

So, I read the study, got outraged and just spent the last couple of days hammering away at my keyboard, writing one of those scathing blogposts venting my frustration with this sorry excuse for a scientific paper.

Here are my main objections:

* The “food-reward” training [done as a "comparison"] was a travesty with a multitude of problems (e.g. dubious conditioning, unwanted behaviour reinforced, no shaping, no assessment of engagement, no calibration of the reward value, adding distractions and distance way too soon, not using a marker, etc etc); no learning occurred
* The food-reward dogs got less training time than the shocked dogs
* The type of training needed to be successful in the tests was not in the protocol for the food-reward dogs
* The “welfare measures” were inadequate and possibly confounded
* Generalized fear learning occurred in the shocked dogs, a potential concern for their long-term wellbeing
* There was conflict of interest: shock-collar trainers training the “food-reward” dogs
* The authors conclude that shock collars may occasionally save lives without considering the risks of shock collars costing lives, which I suspect is on a different order of magnitude
* The problems are serious enough to warrant retraction of the paper

Find the whole thing here https://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=HXu60&m=3kHhemkxWVgus5Q&b=UINunkbA4GqjkxAyweS4Hg here. I should warn you, it's 6698 words long, so bring your favourite hot beverage.

14/09/2024

Why does chronic pain have an affect on behaviour?

The emotion of pain is a form of fear-anxiety and it can directly affect behaviour by increasing vigilance and leading to behavioural responses that are designed to keep the individual safe. For this reason an animal in chronic pain may show avoidance behaviour and try to keep distance from anything that it perceives to be a risk in terms of exacerbating its pain. This may lead to the pet being less engaged in social interactions and showing less interest in play or making very obvious attempts to get away. Painful animals may also show less obvious behaviours of inhibition or appeasement.
Inhibition involves the animal taking in information by watching and listening but not giving anything away. The result can be a pet who is very quiet and can easily be misinterpreted as being relaxed. It is important to watch for signs that the pet is monitoring the environment, for example by watching for ear movement and staring, and not to simply accept that they are "being very good". Appeasement involves exchanging information with others and because dogs are socially obligate animals they will often use this behavioural response when they are in pain. These dogs will seek information from those around them as well as give information back. This is often done through touch and these dogs may lean into people or nudge at them in ways that are misinterpreted as "attention seeking" and seen as unwanted or naughty behaviours.
Dogs may also sniff and lick at people in ways that are misinterpreted as affection. It is therefore important to be aware of changes in social interactions and not to dismiss increased interaction which might signify an emotional change. The other potential response to pain is repulsion and this involves behaviours which are designed to make the perceived threat stay away. Anything that the animal perceives to be a risk in terms of inducing pain can lead to a repulsion response and these responses can vary from a low grumble, to a significant growl, to an air snap and even a bite. While these repulsion behaviours are often considered to be the most serious, because of the potential consequences, it is important to remember that the pain can be equally significant for the pet regardless of which of the four behavioural responses it gives. It is very important to take repulsion seriously and to take steps to avoid the potential consequences of these behaviours but we must not disregard avoidance, inhibition and appeasement which are also important signs that an animal may be in pain.
In addition to the direct effect on behaviour chronic pain can have an indirect effect by reducing an animal's emotional capacity. The chronic pain uses up some of the animal's emotional "space" and means that they are more likely to react to other stimuli, such as noises or social interactions. When this happens the main thing that a caregiver may notice is a change in behaviour but the underlying pain also needs to be treated.

11/09/2024

Super Excited to announce our new complete Beginners Agility class starting imminently on Sunday mornings and with £15 OFF!

Initial SIX week course just £75 (Normally £90!) with options to continue on regular training. We don't offer these very often and already had a waiting list so only a few spots left to grab!

Small classes. Experienced professional instruction. Booking NOW!

06/09/2024

Huge thanks to the amazing Emma Hendy for an awesome training day, despite the rain today. Great feedback from all our handlers and the dogs were fantastic as always. Looking forward to next time.

24/08/2024

Lucie Hinchley needs no introduction! A few spots available in our September training day. DM or whatsapp me for a spot.

£42. Aiming for just FOUR per group. (If we have 5 will adjust the time).

22/08/2024

Fabulous Guest Trainer day today with Stephanie Best, despite the wind and occasional rain. Happy dogs.

13/08/2024

WIN YOUR DOG A TOY! SUMMER "SANDWICH" CHALLENGE!

Here we have a Hoopers Challenge for you. All you have to do is comment with a video clip of your dog training this exercise at ANY level of skill.

At the end of August we will pick one name at random to win the PRIZE!

*Open to all Dogs Actfully Members*

A Layer entails making a "sandwich" by putting an obstacle between you and your dog. The sketch shows three progressive skill levels. Your video can be any of these. H stands for Handler position. You can also video the reverse course.

Let's see you having fun, building those skills and rewarding your dog's!

Go!!!

07/08/2024

A special Rosette and Certificate for a Special Hoopers girl, Khaleesi, nearly 11. When Khaleesi was unable to continue her Agility Career she was very happy to begin her Hoopers one. When one door closes... happy girlie. 🐾🐾💖💖

29/07/2024

Classes moved to start at 7am tomorrow. Stay cool everyone.

20/07/2024

Small Class, Focused on YOU and YOUR PUPPY

Initial 4 week Young Pupstar course. with option to progress this Autumn. ** Includes access to our Virtual Classroom all for just £60. Text, Call or WhatsApp Lesley on 07958 010401

Wednesday afternoon/early evening (other time options available plus 121 options for your special baby).