Introducing Phoebe...
We have been quiet for a little while as we have some exciting news!
Phoebe is now staying with us! And we are super excited to see what we can achieve!
Phoebe is 4 years old and has been bounced around a little bit in this time, luckily she found her way to @themoderncanine who has done an incredible job with her and really set her up to be a really great dog! She is now with us and we are incredibly grateful to Kate for trusting us to give Pheebs a good home!
She has already been an excellent family dog which is one of my biggest priorities, she has been fantastic with Gus which has made the transition even easier for her and us.
I am very excited to dive in and see what we can achieve together!
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #germanshepherd #blackgermanshepherd
#goodgirl #phoebe #timetogettowork #newdog #goodhome
Little sneak preview of group class today hosted by West Country Dog Training , Colin’s Canines and myself!
Braved the bite suit over the weekend!
One of the best experiences and super grateful to have been able to do this!
Massive thank you to @lm_k9training and @pawsaminute and of course Axel, I knew I would enjoy it I just didn't know how much!
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #mentorship #studentfirst #alwayslearning #superdog #gotya #bodycheck
Having some fun with Axel on LMK9 and Pawsaminute mentorship programme
What a dog Axel is!!
Putting Gus through his paces at @lm_k9training @pawsaminute mentorship day!
Now I just need to go and buy an A-Frame 😂
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #gus #maddog #superdog #swindondogs #swindon #wiltshiredogs #wiltshire #practicepracticepractice
Great session with Una and Amari and their owners, working on some neutrality and general obedience.
Two dogs with very different personalities, Una being still a pup is learning some duration in her commands and how to hold them around distractions whilst Amari is learning how to not be so reactive towards new dogs and to be more neutral
We added Gus into the mix as an added distraction once these guys started understanding what the aim of the game was.
People often overlook how powerful having your general obedience in place really is. If a dog truly knows a behaviour/command and you have built a solid relationship with that dog you would be surprised at how much you can achieve in that alone.
Good foundations and basic understanding of what is being asked is where anyone that is struggling with their dog should begin along with playing and engaging with your dog and making training fun.
These guys and their owners smashed this and I am looking forward to seeing how they progress!
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #chinesecresteddog #goodgirls #neutrality #swindon #swindondogs #wiltshire #wiltshiredogs
Sneak peak at what we’ve been working on behind the scenes! Keep your eyes peeled for an exciting opening which is coming soon! 👀
Exciting times ahead! I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s supported me especially my family, who I couldn’t have done this without and have helped me get to this incredible milestone for Sams Canine Academy 🐾
#sneakpeak #grandopeningsoon #dogtraineruk #dogtrainingsouthwest #wiltshire #smallbusiness
Communication is key
As people we tend to talk to our dogs a lot as if they were also people and whilst this seems harmless it could be causing your dog to be confused.
If you have taught your dog 'sit' by only using the word sit and then further down the line you are combing that with a whole sentence such as 'come on boy sit down for me' your dog really doesn't know what's being asked of them and causes them to be confused.
Whenever we are asking our dogs to display a behaviour that we have practiced we want to be making it as clear and simple for them as possible to understand
You will find that if you strip back a lot of the verbal communication and make it clear for your dog your training will progress much quicker as your dog will understand what is being asked of them!
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #clearcommunication #balanceddogtraining #goodboy #swindon #swindondogtrainer #wiltshiredogs #wiltshire #dogs #understanding
Is your relationship with your dog based on bribery?
Of course we want to teach our dogs new things using food or toys but it's important to have our dog understand that when we give them a command that they need to follow through with it whether food is there or not for their safety and the safety of others
Imagine your dog sees something and runs after it and is heading into the road and you don't have any food available or the food you have isn't enough to change your dog's motivation but then you have a solid recall or sit command that your dog responds to in any situation, you may have just saved your dog's life just by allowing them ye opportunity to understand that this command must be followed through with
Once you think your dog has grasped the concept of what you are teaching slowly fade out the food use and I mean slowly, don't just remove it and expect your dog to have mastered it, for example if you have been rewarding on completion of every rep start moving to rewarding after every two or three reps and so on.
Keep working until your dog will confidently complete tasks without any/little food use. This doesn't mean you have to stop using food altogether you just want to know that if you don't have the food your dog will still complete the task
Just because one trainer tells you there is no hope this does not mean you have to give up especially if you haven't tried everything, every dog is different and require different approaches for different behaviours.
The fact there are people in this industry that will suggest putting a healthy dog to sleep just because their ideology hasn't worked genuinely upsets and worries me!
There is still a very long way to go for this dog and her owner but we have made huge progress and they are absolutely on the right track to achieving their goals!
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #aggressivedog #balanceddogtraining #swindon #swindondogs #wiltshiredogs #wiltshire #goodgirl #dontlosehope
A little before and after of a lead pulling session I had the other day!
Providing a dog with a clear understanding of what is expected from them through instilling some rules and boundaries it allows the dog to understand it doesn't need to be at 110% all the time.
We can still allow time during our walks for our dogs to have their own time when we deem it safe and appropriate to do so but they should not be dragging us down the street.
A dog being in that constant state of heightened arousal is not good for them and definitely good for the owners!
Teach your dog what it is we want from them as well as what it is we don't want from them.
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #leadpulling #goldenretriever #swindon #swindondogs #wiltshire #wiltshiredogs #balanceddogtraining #teamwork
Don't allow your puppy to get away with behaviours you wouldn't want to see in your adult dog just because it seems cute at the time
Instead create clear communication with your puppy from the moment they enter your house so they can learn and understand what is expected of them now and forever!
#dogtrainer #dogtraining #balanceddogtraining #puppy #puppytime #rules #boundaries #success
Bit of engagement and general obedience with these two!
It's so important to practice these elements when out on a general walk and not just during time you have allocated for training.
Getting your dog to listen and engage with you in all scenarios should be the goal and practicing this in all scenarios is how you get there.
Practice makes improvement we are not looking for perfection. Dogs are dogs and need our guidance to improve!
#dogtrainer #dogtraining #balanceddogtraining #engagement #practice #gooddog #doberman #Awesome
Just a boy and his dog!
There's not much that brings me more joy than seeing these two play together.
HOWEVER let's remember it's taken time, training and understanding on both sides to form this relationship and get to a point where i trust both of them to play safely.
So many people are quick to force their children and dogs to be best friends because 'it's adorable ' without actually putting in the work, time and understanding to ensure that both sides actually want to and are comfortable in that situation.
Most dogs do not enjoy being climbed, jumped on or poked and prodded however a lot of dogs will tolerate it. That's not a good position to be putting your dog or child in.
Instead teach your children and your dog to do things they can both enjoy. Whether that is a game of tug or throwing a ball or simply just sitting on the sofa and petting them gently and calmly.
It's about safety at the end of the day and teaching your children how to behave around the dog and then also putting in the time and training so that your dog can be comfortable in these situations.
#dogtrainer #dogtraining #trainyourdog #trainyourkids #goodboys
#bestfriends
Little before and after from our first walk with Zeus and Athena.
Working on these guys being in tune and engaged with me and creating some nice loose lead walking.
Really enjoying working with these two, they are very special dogs and two very different characters which require different approaches.
#dogtrainer #dogtraining #dogtrainersuk #dogtrainersofinstagram #balanceddogtraining #doberman #zeus #athena #awesome
Is being with you and engaging with you enough of a reward for your dog?
It should be our aim to make being around us the best thing in the entire world to our dogs, so much so that when they see potential triggers they still want to engage with us instead.
Your dog does NOT have to play with other dogs to be fulfilled. You can be that source of fulfilment for them all the while building a stronger relationship
The more you can work on YOU being the source of all the best things in the world to your dog the more they are likely to want to choose to be around you instead of trying to look elsewhere for stimulation.
#dogtrainer #dogtraining #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainersuk #fulfillment #gooddog #betheentertainment
Don't forget to reward your dog when they offer you a good behaviour without being prompted!
People often only reward after they have asked the dog to display a behaviour or only during training but rewarding your dog for naturally offering you good behaviours outside of formal training will increase those behaviours and can decrease less desirable behaviours.
For example, imagine you are on a walk and bump into a friend and want to stop and have a chat, if your dog is remaining calm and staying by your side or possibly have gone into a sit or led down, then acknowledge and reward that behaviour to see it happen more frequently.
#dogtrainer #dogtraining #balanceddogtraining #reward #trainyourdog
Boundaries with friends and family!
This is honestly one of the toughest things dog owners will have to deal with when training their dogs.
Getting everyone in the household to respect and honour your rules and boundaries you have set for your dog can be a real challenge!
HOWEVER if you are serious about your dog's behaviour and the rules you have put in place you need to be serious in your approach in explaining this to the people your dog will interact with.
You need to explain what the rules are and why you have them in place otherwise it will not be fair for your dog's understanding.
Alternatively if you are not prepared to have this conversation or the people you have explained this to refuse to listen then you need to either manage their environment better so that these behaviours cannot come to pass OR lower the expectations for your dog in these situations.
You have to set your dog up for success and not failure in the scenarios.
P.S. if you are THAT family member that is ignoring the rules and boundaries, please do better. Listen and learn why it's a problem and respect the decision made by the person who wants the best for THEIR dog especially when that advice has come from a professional!
#dogtrainer #dogtraining #dogtrainingtips #rules #boundaries #respect #dobetter
Super fun session with this amazing dog!
Ziggy has struggled with over excitement around distractions and pulling on the lead so we went back to basics and started showing his owner how to build up more engagement and to really work on making them the most exciting thing in Ziggy's life.
This dog has an amazing potential and with the right guidance he and his owner are well on their way to achieving their goals!
#dogtrainer #dogtraining #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainersofinstagram #swindondogs #swindon #wiltshire #wiltshiredogs #tuneup
