Happy Paws Skegness

01/12/2024

December and Christmas Holiday days

12 to 16th December
24th to 29th December
1st January 2025

10/11/2024

Important information when introducing dogs

WHEN SECONDS COUNT

This post is not advocating that dogs meet every other dog, but about how to go about it, if and when it does happen, in a safer way.

The 3 second rule for dogs meeting each other is used as a guideline to help foster positive introductions, prevent either dog from feeling overwhelmed or trapped and prevent any potential reactivity and stress.

A short 3 second introduction is enough time to provide important information to both dogs.

Enough information for dogs to know – “are you a threat?”, “do I like you?”, “do I want to learn more about you?”, “do I really dislike you?”, “do I need you to go away?” etc. Both dogs may not feel the same way – one may not be happy to engage while the other may want to.

All interactions should ideally happen like this, not just initially. Just like us, dogs can have off days – things like pain, trigger stacking, lack of sleep or a host of other reasons can influence whether a dog wants to interact or not.

There are countless times I have witnessed meetings or introductions between dogs that have gone on just a few seconds too long and have not ended well. This can have long lasting effects on future behaviour when meeting other dogs.

Understanding body language is critically important. If we are going to share our lives with another species, protect them, advocate for them and help them feel safe, then we need to understand and respect their language.

The examples in this post of red and green flags are just a few general ones to look out for – there are many more and these will differ depending on the individual dog, context and circumstances.

Here are some resources and links to learn more about body language -
On Talking Terms With Dogs - Calming Signals, 2nd Edition by Turid Rugaas
https://www.dogwise.com/on-talking-terms-with-dogs-calming-signals-2nd-edition/?srsltid=AfmBOoqj8ruQJx5bCP7qWb03TqCyAGfmAvCj988UuWk_L1_UHbYcZsES

The Veterinary Behaviour Centre
https://www.heska.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/TVBC-Canine-Dog-Body-Language-handout.pdf

Make sure those first 3 seconds count – they can make all the difference.

02/11/2024

I am an experienced Dog Trainer based in Skegness with a 5⭐️rating.

I offer:
🐾1 to 1 basic training🐾
🐾Puppy training🐾
🐾Help with behavioural issues🐾

I am:
⭐️Fully insured⭐️
⭐️DBS checked⭐️

I have trained with:
🎓IMDT🎓
🎓British Canine College🎓

Please message or call me on 07467947273 for further details🐾🐾🐾

24/10/2024

Amazing work today from Charlie and Sam. Charlie is an absolute star student who loves to train and Sam works really hard on reinforcing training outside of sessions aswell. We worked on calm walking, recall and down aswell as other exercises. However the main focus of the session was to help desensitise Charlie to various stimuli. By keeping the session fun and keeping Charlie calm and engaged, he really didn’t care what was going on around him. Well done Charlie and Sam 👏🐾

21/09/2024

I just want to say a massive thank you to all my clients for being so understanding over the past few months. Having sadly lost 2 prominent family members within such a short period has meant that I haven’t been at work as much as normal and I have had to cancel appointments at short notice. However, everyone has been so understanding and so caring and it has really helped me get through! So a massive THANK YOU and here’s hoping for a little normality from now on ❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾 RIP my amazing Nan and wonderful father in law ###

19/08/2024

Hi I am now on annual leave until 27th August. I will still be accessing my messages but it may take a little longer to respond! 🐾🐾🐾

11/08/2024

I have appointments available week beginning 2nd September. Please message for details 🐾🐾🐾

I am an experienced Dog Trainer based in Skegness with a 5⭐️rating.

I offer:
🐾1 to 1 basic training🐾
🐾Puppy training🐾
🐾Help with behavioural issues🐾

I am:
⭐️Fully insured⭐️
⭐️DBS checked⭐️

I have trained with:
🎓IMDT🎓
🎓British Canine College🎓

Please message or call me on 07467947273 for further details🐾🐾🐾

09/08/2024

Fun in the sun today!

05/08/2024

Well done to this absolutely gorgeous girl Olive who, has recently completed her basic puppy training. Olive is a very intelligent girl who picked up training very easily. I can’t wait for updates on Olive’s progress in the future 🐾🐾🐾

22/07/2024

It is so important to consider a dogs body language when assessing whether they are ok with any situation. For instance, we tend to think that because their tails are wagging they are happy, but a wagging tail can also mean a dog is uncomfortable in a situation.
If you notice your dogs displaying any of the below cues, you should remove them from the situation so that they are not pushed over their threshold.
Form more information on reactivity training please don’t hesitate to contact me 🐾🐾🐾🐾

06/07/2024

Thought I would do a little Happy Paws family pic of the week this week!

20/06/2024

Big shout out to the gorgeous Lucky for working so hard on his reactivity and pulling. We had a lovely training session along the seafront where Lucky was able to walk past around 10 dogs without reacting. Well done on all your hard work Samuel Mark Hayward 👏👏👏

14/06/2024

Photo of the week goes to the “Tres Amigos” who have given me lots of laughs and a few heart attacks this week 🤣🐾🐾🐾 Viv Thompson Maria Biddall

14/06/2024

How many can relate 🤣🐾🐾🐾

11/06/2024

Interesting read

🐾Although dogs descend from a common ancestor with wolves, they have undergone millennia of domestication and genetic engineering, resulting in distinct differences from their wild counterparts. Despite this misconceptions about canine behaviour persist, perpetuating unrealistic expectations and outdated training methods.

Such myths revolve around the idea of dogs as inherently naughty, stubborn, and trying to be the leader of the pack, requiring punishment for correction [1]. The original study of wolves and behaviour was conducted in 1947 by Rudolph Schenkel, who claimed that wolves hold a social position, the pack is controlled by a dominant male and female; and wolves fought within each other to establish top rank. This was disproved by Dr. Mech in 2000 [2].

The world evolves constantly yet the human race is still stuck on this notion. Qualified dog trainers and behaviourists are not trying to convince you that the world is flat, we are simply trying to improve your relationship with your dog without the use of outdated training mythology.

In reality; natural wolf groups function as family units, with parents as caregivers. Communication within the wolf group relies heavily on subtle cues, such as body language and facial expressions, rather than overt displays of aggression and dominance.

Despite scientific advancements debunking the alpha dog theory, some trainers continue to perpetuate these myths, advocating for dominance-based techniques. However, the lack of regulation in the industry allows such outdated practices to persist.

Understanding dogs requires acknowledging their individuality and respecting their preferences. Effective training involves environmental management, systematic desensitisation, and counter-conditioning, with the use of positive reinforcement; which helps dogs understand desired behaviours without resorting to punitive measures [3]. Embracing modern, evidence-based methods can build healthier, more respectful relationships with our canine companions.

Television also plays a significant role.

TV networks air shows for ratings, promoting trainers whose methods align with the dominance theory. Unfortunately, these methods often rely on coercion and correction, leading dogs to comply out of fear, NOT out of genuine willingness and understanding.

Dominance, often mistaken for a personality trait, is instead a survival response rooted in anxiety and fear. Moreover, punishing a dog for undesirable behaviour doesn't effectively communicate what you want them to do instead. Behaviours stem from emotions, and punishment fails to address these emotional struggles.

Supporting your dog through their emotional struggles can effectively improve their behaviour over time[ 4]. It’s understandable that people use inappropriate methods and techniques as they are desperate and don’t know how else to manage the problems they are facing with their dog.

Today, qualified professionals understand that the relationship between dogs and humans isn't about asserting social rank. Instead, it's about creating an environment where the dog feels safe and supported. This involves managing their surroundings to prevent situations where they might struggle or fail, and consistently rewarding behaviours we want to encourage.

[1] 2008, Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals, AVSAB, https://avsab.org/.../Dominance_Position_Statement...

[2]Mech, L. David. 1999. Alpha status, dominance, and division of labor in wolf packs. Canadian Journal of Zoology 77:1196-1203.
Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Home Page. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/2000/alstat/alstat.htm
(Version 16MAY2000).

[3] Herron M, Shofer S, Reisner I, 2009, Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesired behaviors, Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 117, Issues 1–2, Pages 47-54

[4] Herron M, Shofer F, Reisner I, 2009, Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesired behaviors, Applied Animal Behavior Science, Volume 117, Issue-12, https://www.sciencedirect.com/.../pii/S0168159108003717...