Paws4Teaching

27/01/2025

**Proud trainer post** Ember Costa & Freddie qualified for Detection Dog Trials Prelim finals today at Blenheim Palace. This is an amazing achievement and I am so very proud of them all 😍 no placings but it didn't matter. Brilliant experience and everyone brought home the best dog 🐕 ❤️

23/01/2025

New Blog: What is appropriate socialisation?
https://www.paws4teaching.co.uk/blog

This is something I discuss a lot. I was talking about this during my lecture on my canine behaviour course at Bridgwater College on Monday, and I talk about this during my puppy classes. The answer is: it depends on each dog. I realise this isn’t that helpful, but I will do my best to explain and guide you through all the different things to consider.

Most people that get a puppy understand the importance of socialising their puppy. They know it’s important to get them around other dogs and people to build their confidence and skills of how to communicate. The first hurdle is puppy vaccinations, as you don’t want to mix them until they are fully vaccinated. This doesn’t stop you exposing your pup to new environments and some suitable dogs. Do you know anyone with a suitable adult dog that could come round the play in the garden? I say suitable because I want this to be a positive experience! If you don’t know any suitable dogs, that’s ok. Drive somewhere that your pup can sit in the car and watch the world go by or carry them around (depending on size of pup) and let them see other dogs and people. They don’t have to interact to gain positive experiences and learning. They do brilliant carriers and push chairs for dogs now that you could use if they are too heavy to carry. It’s so important that you don’t keep your pup at home, not exposing them to the world until their vaccinations are complete.

This is especially important if you have a sensitive breed. Herding or guarding breeds I think need more careful raising to make sure they become confident. However, breed doesn’t tell you everything, each dog is different, and you need to be adjusting your plan as you progress depending on how your pup reacts. If your puppy is super confident, wanting to say hello to every dog and person they meet, then you actually need to switch your plan to managing them so that they don’t learn to expect that everyone will say hello. You don’t want them to become frustrated that their expectations aren’t being met when they become bigger and it’s likely their greetings are less welcome. Don’t allow your dog to learn to be a splatter! You know the one; the dog rushes up and demands to play with any dog they meet or jump all over people. This is usually down to puppies being allowed to play and interact with every dog and person they meet. This doesn’t mean you stop allowing interactions, but you need to switch to older dogs, ones that can show them to be neutral around each other and not just play play play. You also show them how to ignore other dogs and people, by engaging them with you and that playing with you is so much better.

If your puppy is more cautious or worried, then you don’t want them mixing with other dogs that will overwhelm them. Usually, other puppies aren’t the best play mates as they don’t have any manners yet. Finding suitable dogs that they can interact with, without the worry of it becoming scary will show them that dogs are ok. As their confidence grows you can then build up to different personalities of dogs.

You need to have find suitable set ups so that your puppy can interact with appropriate dogs. A mix of puppies to play with and adults that show them through social learning how to be around each other.

The final note to say is that if you have a dog at home – this dog doesn’t count towards their socialisation. It’s so important that dogs learn these skills alone, without the backup of ‘big brother/sister’. If you live somewhere with little opportunity to meet others, then get in the car and find places to go where there will be opportunities for social encounters. Finding the balance between positive experiences and learning opportunities without teaching your dog to become a ‘over social’ splatter is a real balance. This is why joining a well-run puppy class will help to guide you and give you some well managed socialisation opportunities. The trainer will also be able to give advice on what your puppy needs, to match their personality and stage they are at.
Raising a puppy is hard work, and getting socialisation right can be tricky, so please do reach out if you need support.

Jo x

(Photo is of my Bramley and puppy Heidi having a meet up in my field to help her build confidence around dogs.)

21/01/2025

Next Pawsome Puppy classes starting Tuesday 4th February 6.30pm. £70. Cheddon Fitzpaine memorial Hall Taunton. Learn how to raise a wonderful well rounded pup 🐶 Biting, toilet training, night times, focus and engagement, basic training skills snd socialisation. Booking link on website https://www.paws4teaching.co.uk/group-classes.html

20/01/2025

Now full **Detection Dog Trial Sunday 23rd February** 10am held at Bridgwater College (Cannington) TA5 2LS Prelim level. 2 elements. available. £45. Indoor venue. Any odour can be used (you need to let us know).
Booking link:
https://Paws4teaching-appointments.as.me/?appointmentType=73270431

Full details about DDT trials:
https://www.detectiondogtrials.com/

Any questions please email me [email protected]

Detection Dog Trials

17/01/2025

Orla being very proud of achieving her Bronze Silver & Gold P4T challenge rosettes ❤️🥇🏆

13/01/2025

Back at Bridgwater & Taunton College lecturing the level 2 course on Canine Behaviour 🐶

12/01/2025

** Attention Hoopers people **
Provisional show dates this year: 17 & 18th May, 19 & 20th July & 27 & 28th September. Held at Pawsability Somerton.

03/01/2025

Do you have a puppy under 20 weeks? Would you like help with biting?
Night times?
Toilet training?
Socialisation?
Confidence building?
Basic training?
We still have a couple of spaces on our Pawsome Puppy Programme starting Tuesday 7th January 6.30pm at Cheddon Fitzpaine memorial Hall Taunton. See website for full details and booking information www.paws4teaching.co.uk

01/01/2025

Happy new year 🎉 ✨️ Jon & I celebrated from our sofa (well actually went to bed early) as both have been unwell, not the break we were hoping for!!

What's your new year training goals?

We have lots of options for you to try. We have 2 spaces left on our beginners Hoopers class starting this Sunday 5th January 1.15pm. No experience necessary. Held every other week, in enclosed field Curry Mallet Taunton. Hoopers is a fun low impact sport so great for physical and mental activity.

Or there is 1 space on the new beginners scentwork class starting Tuesday 7th January 5 30pm at Cheddon Fitzpaine memorial Hall Taunton.

New puppy owners, there are 2 spaces left on our new updated Pawsome Puppy Programme starting Tuesday 7th January 6.30pm at Cheddon Fitzpaine memorial Hall Taunton.

Finally there are spaces on our Bronze & Silver Foundations and focus programme starting Thursday 9th January 7 & 8pm at Neroche village hall, Taunton. These courses work on basic skills such as recall, lead skills, manners, socialisation, impulse control and much more.

For full details see website or email me [email protected] www.paws4teaching.co.uk

28/12/2024

2 Christmas Games Detection Dog Trials today. It's such a privilege to watch how far everyone is progressing. Looking forward to next year's training already 🐶😊

27/12/2024

Looking forward to seeing those booked on tomorrow for Detection Dog Trials Christmas scentwork Games 🎄🎅 I've sent an email out to everyone with full details and running orders. Any questions don't hesitate to contact me.

21/12/2024

We would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 it's been a true pleasure to work with you all this year. Whether we've known you for years or you are new to P4T, we are truly grateful that you chose us to help you with your furry family member ❤️

There is loads to look forward to next year including behaviour consultations, 'space dog academy' (groups for 'reactive ' dogs), canine scent squad (scentwork) hoopers groups & shows, Foundations and Focus groups (bronze silver & gold), Modern Manners and puppy classes are coming back. DOG Hub is now always open for new members so if you are looking for something special to join with your dog, do have a look at website for full details.

We hope to see you all in 2025 🐾🥳 Jo, Annie, Elaine & Charlotte.

16/12/2024

I am teaching this level 2 course in January. Please contact the college for full details.

🐶Make 2025 an adventure! 🐶
Join our Intermediate Canine Behaviour and Training course and dive into:
🔹The world of Animal Behaviours
🔹The historic debate of Nature vs Nurture
🔹Theories on Evolution
& much more!

This course has been developed with and will be delivered by a qualified behaviour practitioner – with a wealth of industry expertise❗

Find out more and enrol: https://buff.ly/3OExnqQ

15/12/2024

Hoopers fun in the afternoon sun. This is the beginners group and all progressing so well. There will be a couple of spaces for beginners in January, Sundays at 1.15pm. Email me if you want more information 🐕🐾 [email protected]

10/12/2024

Yesterday I had the privilege to help judge a Detection Dog Trials Intermediate level trial at Shepton Mallet Prison. Wonderful to watch teams working together with some challenging hides. Thanks to Jo at Positive Connections for asking me to help.

09/12/2024

We are so very excited to announce that we are going to start running our Pawsome Puppy Programme classes again in the new year 😀 🐕

We took a pause to rewrite and really spend some time thinking what it takes to give pups the best possible start. Myself & Annie have both had puppies ourselves this year so all the learning we have done has been put into this updated programme.

Information and booking details on the website www.paws4teaching.co.uk

06/12/2024

Another day, another Christmas party🎄🥳 this time Charlotte's Modern Manners. Putting all those learnt skills into practice 😀 Also the last Rally class of the year 🐕

I am currently updating my website with all January classes so keep an eye out 🐕