Telford Dog Trainer

25/08/2024

🥳 Happy Bank Holiday everyone! 🥳

I hope you all get to enjoy the weekend and extra day off work (for those of you who get it)

I'm going to be signing off for a bit and taking a break from now until Tuesday at 8am.

My plan is to do more strimming at the field, eat some good food and hopefully get to see some balloons 🤞 🎈

In-between hanging with my doggos of course 😁

Have fun xx

25/08/2024

Awww look at little Abi, isn't she just gorgeous 🥰

Such a cute little pupper who came to the field today for her first of a 5 part all things training course.

Abi thoroughly enjoyed her time at the field and didn't stop for a single second.

I love her already ❤️

24/08/2024

My big boy, Obi came to see me today, I've missed him soooo much!!

He came just as the heavens opened and loved getting reacquainted with his favourite field, by rolling in ALL the grass 🤣

Obi did some fantastic work showing me his obedience moves (video in comments) then also working his search patterns and indication like he's been doing it forever!

I was just happy to have my big slobber mouth back for some big hugs!

I have a story about Obi to tell you which gives you all an idea of what happened to my hand and why I have been unable to use it for four months!!

Obi came to my field earlier this year and on his jaunts round he rolled in some fox p**p. We were all laughing and with my bottle of water I washed him off using my hands. I didn't wash my hands after this, just wiped them on my trousers as per and cracked on with my day, and here started the infection which caused the initial order of my hand/wrist/arm journey!

I'll tell you the full story after this week's scan results at my appt next week. It's a drama for sure 😅😅

Isn't he lucky I absolutely love my black and tans!!
(For those concerned, it's not his fault, I'm a prat)

24/08/2024

Max, what an outstanding boy he is!

I'm genuinely very impressed with this boy's work ethic today, and his achievements are out of this world too!

Well done special man ❤️

Max is a recent rescue from hilbrae whose only been in his new home a few weeks and shown some reactivity towards other dogs, bikes etc, but today we managed to work all of it with a few smooth moves!

Before heading outside we discussed his reactivity and his breed mix, surmising we have some possible guarding alongside some possible fear, so we tried both and he nailed it!! Well done Max!

Big shout out to his absolutely dedicated owners here, great work!!!

Look how proud he is 😁

23/08/2024

What do you do on Friday nights?!

Bedtime play for Nova & Malachi tonight, and now we're all ready for bed 💤💤💤

23/08/2024

Best boy Sirius had fun at class last night.

He was absolutely shattered but happy to do some extra work in the carpark before home time as he's having a few issues sleeping when he needs to.

So lots of extra advice and leans from my favourite scruffy lurcher boy ❤️

Now sleep my leggy friend

22/08/2024

Check out my little friend, Bailey!
Isn't he a pretty poo?

This lad is learning how to chill with visitors, dogs and people. He's not a worrying boy, just a little anxious so I know he'll be fine as we go.

So he's definitely more poodle than most poo's we see, but can you guess the other breed in him?

22/08/2024

Why I don't run Reactive Dog Classes and why I insist on an Initial Assessment for ALL Reactive Dogs......

Basically, they're so flaming dangerous it's unreal!!

4-6 Reactive Dogs in one space will cause a domino effect if one doggo goes up.
Then we have to rely on the handler to hold on; hoping their equipment being used is secure and safe or that their dog can't pull out of their grasp and they're at 100% fitness to keep going for the hour.

Also though, and most importantly is

Reactivity is an umbrella term and can be used to explain more dogs than you realise.....

Is your Reactive Dog reacting out of

🐶 Fear

🐶Frustration

🐶 Learnt Behaviour

🐶Aggression

🐶 Environment

🐶 Arousal

🐶 Recent Situation/Defensive Behaviour?

🐶 Pain

🐶 Genetics or Breed Disposition

🐶 Over Friendliness

🐶 Hypervigillance

🐶 Herding Instinct

🐶 Guarding

Are any of these trained the same?
Nope

So pray tell me why I would put a group of you guys and your Reactive Dogs together and train you as a group??

What I do do is.....

🐾 Assess your dog in your home and listen to what you say!

🐾 Understand and empathise. I'm literally right there with you! Remember what I do at home and the unit, I hear you 💯

🐾 Start at Foundation based behaviours to ensure ALL needs are being met

🐾 Work on YOUR confidence. You as a handler need to be right there with me and good to go or none of this will ever work!

🐾 Join you on a walk and observe whilst advising, it's not just a jolly!! (Mostly 😉). Sometimes I even hold the lead and show you (stupid hand dependant right now)

🐾 Plan everything with your input and work completely to your dogs needs and requirements

🐾 Change and adjust as we go depending on dog's responses

🐾 Listen to you, take your opinions into account whilst ensuring your dog is getting all they need.

🐾 Sometimes I veer you away from dog reactivity and work completely on other things, like breed outlets.....my favourite thing to do!!

🐾 Inform you regularly that it's 10 steps forward, 20 steps back, and it's normal. It sucks but it's normal.

🐾 Laugh at you when you get it so confused, forget your words and 💩 yourself when a dog comes round the corner....🤣

So yeah, the journey takes longer than an hour, but the work lasts a lifetime.

All you have to do is look on my home to see that this way works and brings back some of the most emotional dogs you ever did meet.

As a side note, a wagging tail isn't always a happy tail......

Here's Nova. One of the greatest dogs I've ever had the pleasure of living with, working with and being loved by.
When. I started she attacked me on a daily basis with three different types of bite for three different reasons.
One was a learnt bite and she thought it'd make me happy
One was a fear bite if I moved too fast
One was arousal as she could not control herself or her emotions for love nor money. I genuinely couldn't sit on my sofa for weeks because she felt it too much!!

Now she's my stooge dog for your reactive dogs....

Looking for a positive Dog Trainer in Telford and surrounding areas? Shaman's K9 Services is Qualified for all Behaviour and Training needs!

20/08/2024

Super fun throughout the day at Zoomies Dog Park Albrighton today!

Lunch break with Elif and evening wind down with Nova & Malachi.

As always, super times had by all, I remembered to take some pics of these guys but didn't for the two newbies I took on today!! 😅

One day I'll get it right 🤣

19/08/2024

I'm genuinely really sorry I haven't been about much this past week at all...

I had a super busy week with lots of new dogs starting in different areas and I took a grand total of 2 photos because the work has been so interesting
I've also been working hard strimming my field down and working the rescue side of things whilst making sure my guys have been kept on top of too.....

So yeah it's been nuts!

This week is looking a little slower across the board so I promise I'll take more photos, share more stories about what we've been up to and actually engage with you followers and supporters like I should!

I also have inboxes galore and emails to get through so this week, I promise, this will be your week!!!!

Here's some of my guys who've been so well behaved whilst I've been flat out, proving they're a fantastic bunch of misfits 😅

17/08/2024

If you've ever found yourself wondering how a dog can come to my field to train when there is no rain, no puddles and no water source....and still end up soaked through??

Mochi has the answer and it's in the comments 🤣🤣

15/08/2024

Finally, after 952 weeks I now have broadband again!!

It's only been three weeks but my phone data has been rubbish so I haven't managed to get back to you much, so I will now catch up as much as I can over the next couple of days.

I'd really love to do a shout out to these guys though, second week of the Fun Dog Course and these dogs and their handlers were on fire!!

We had super fun and achieved so much more than I anticipated, and everyone went home happy shattered!!
We even went over our allotted time as we were having that much fun!

Well done guys, great work and it's brilliant to see you all practicing at home!!

Yay!!

12/08/2024

Sorry I'm a bit behind with messages people.
I stupidly decided to strim my field myself and it's a bit of a bigger job than I thought 😅

Quite happy that I'm getting through it,but after today even my toes hurt 😭🤣

Soon it will be done.......

11/08/2024

I don't know how many times people need to be told........

I hope the people responsible go to jail. I know they won't, they'll get "words of advice" or a fine at best, but I for one am beyond done with seeing this.

Common sense is all that's needed.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/sHHf3bCaTmJQUZZq/

10/08/2024

!!!! BYOR PARTY !!!!

Where? My field?
When? Whenever you have time!!

What the heck is BYOR??
Bring Your Own Rake 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Seriously, as much as I'm setting this up as an event, I'm a actually asking if any of you guys can help me please?!

I'm painstakingly strimming my long luscious grass down at my field (boooo) and I need some help with raking as I go please!

If anyone has a garden rake and half hour or so to spare at most points tomorrow/next week I'd genuinely appreciate you coming down and doing a bit of raking.

The plan then is to get my lawn mower serviced and I'll mow after strimming and raking and we'll go back to having a flat field again.

I hate strimming. I hate mowing. I hate raking. I hate any kind of gardening! But. I also hate spending money unless absolutely necessary and because the rescue side of me is taking a hammering this year, I have to do these things!! 😅

Come catch a tan whilst you help your local idiot sort her life out!! WooHoo!!

Seriously, please let me know when you can be around and I'll match it with what my diary is doing and we can make this work!

Thank you ☺️

10/08/2024

This face 🥰🥰

Kylo is a brand spanking new rescue from hilbrae who has been in his home just a week.

He is so loving once he settles with you and is hilarious to play with 🤣

Today we've done some work on switching off and later in the month we'll work on not being too much of a pleb!

Bless his little heart, I'm absolutely in love with this silly snuggle bum and I enjoyed his company lots today!

Can't wait to see you again Kylo ❤️

10/08/2024

Best boy Milo came for some more fun on the field this morning!

He worked super hard today and achieved lots. Milo is a great dog to work, I enjoy him a lot!

Check out that stalk.....🤣

09/08/2024

My little big man Frank, what a cutie he is?!

Today Frank came in for a lovely big hug and whilst I knelt down on the floor to give him his big hug back, he cocked his leg and pee'd on my leg

I love you too Frank 🤣🤣🤣

Boy did good today in training so I forgave him pretty quickly

08/08/2024

Big welcome to all the new doggos starting the Fun Dog Course this evening!!

We all had super fun and everyone went home super shattered 😅

Genuinely a very good start for the dogs tonight. Well done to Dexter, Oscar, Coco, Sirius and Callie!

08/08/2024

My little buddy, Buddy and I met last year when he was super anxious about everything and wouldn't settle....

A year later he's a super happy and relaxed dog who wanted nothing more than hugs and play from me, which I was happy to oblige....

He's had a few incidents of late but listening to each story Buddy could be the poster child for allowing a dog to be a dog, and not expecting every dog to be ok with you random stranger!!!

Please, please ask the owner, handler, guardian, human holding the lead before you approach any dog, ever, or try to pick them up people!! Come on, think for just one second folks!!

Most importantly Buddy is all ok, happy and relaxed and his owner is armed with new management strategies, not for Buddy but for the people around them!!

Thankfully Buddy didn't cause any troubles but it could have escalated if he wasn't listened to and his poor owner just needed some reassurance that they hadn't set him back.

Let's all just take a step back and think. Not every dog needs to be your friend. Speak to owner first and follow any instructions you are given.....or leave.

08/08/2024

Check out my new bestie, Max! Isn't he just gorgeous 😍

Max is a recent hilbrae rescue who is reactive to other dogs sometimes!

This boy is a German Shepherd x Chow Chow! That is one heck of a breed mix! He has the shepherd workability alongside the chow look.....😅

He has a bit of generalised fear too so today we just got to know each other and I soon had him passed out next to me.....I'm that exciting!

I'm really looking forward to getting out and about with this boy and showing his new family that he's not just amazing, he's super amazing!!! 🐾

08/08/2024

Little Monty who has grown massively had another fantastic session at the Town Park this morning!

We worked on engagement, lead manners and socialisation, and he excelled at all of it!!

Monty was feeling smug as we were getting ready to leave so you all get his little tongue sticking out today 🤪😂

07/08/2024

Today I've been working with another trainer who'd been having some struggles with getting bitten by dogs they're working with, as they too mostly work with reactive and nervous dogs.

I was genuinely impressed this trainer reached out for support rather than quitting at this hurdle and it was good to be able to give a different perspective on what's happening across the board.

I handed the trainer my little, Elif as I know she responds to whoever may have the lead and she pushes her luck when it's not me (sometimes when it is me too so don't think I'm something special to her 🤣)

We noticed they weren't reading the dog and were going for "textbook" handling rather than standing back and observing before being hands on, so we did some body language work alongside human responses to dog language. It was very interesting and soon enough they had Elif working well!

Then we went to my rescue unit to work the dogs there so they could get a lot of different styles and responses from dogs, some who are a bite risk though I wouldn't allow them to handle those dogs.

By the end of the day the trainer went home happy with lots to work on and think about for going forward and over the coming months we will be doing more work together.

I think this is fantastic of that trainer to come out and learn, observe and practice but unfortunately the trainer doesn't want their name or photos put out there due to fear of repercussions from others in the industry and their own clients, which is super sad....

However,the reason I'm posting is I get asked a lot why I always request an Initial Assessment is done at your home before I work with you and your dog, and it is exactly for this reason. I need to observe your dog and you, see the home set up and make sure everyone is on the same page before starting any work with you and your dog.

It ensures I'm giving my best to you all and it also shows you some things you may not see as you're with your dog all the time so may not notice.

Big shout out to trainers who go to other trainers, you guys are the best trainers as you don't believe you know everything!!

Here's Elif doing her happy dance as she knows she's about to cause mischief 🤣

06/08/2024

I didn't advertise or add my Beginners Scent Work Course to the website, and I can't do anything about it due to no WiFi so I'm using the hall this month to train my dogs....

First up is Elif!

We had super fun whilst I tried to teach her a new impulse game and she didn't want to learn that as controlling impulses is for losers don't you know......🤣🤣

So we did some good searches which she aced so I'll let her off!!

Love this little psycho 💜

06/08/2024

Today, my "Dog Park Dwellers", aka Reuben, Nova & Malachi were given the task of going to a new Dog Park and to give feed back to the owner and creator.

My dogs did not fail in their mission! They tried out every piece of equipment and pee'd on it too 🤣

Please see our review of Happy Hounds of Newport

So I don't know if you've heard of a brand spanking new off lead dog park that is opening real soon near Newport! It consists of two fields, one to play and run in, and on to sniff and run in!!

Honestly both fields are massive and there's plenty of room for the dogs to run around without being in each others way. The views are beautiful around the field too which makes for some great photos, especially if you're better with a camera than I am 😅

Nova loved having tyres and big tree trunks to jump on and pose, and she also enjoyed the sniffing course of bits of trunks etc. The current equipment in the field gave her a chance to show off her skills and I know there's more fun things coming over the next week so we can't wait to go back and play!!

Reuben literally loved the tyres. Possibly a little bit too much at times (see pics)

Malachi loved being able to lurcher his way around at 90mph jumping on and over and through stuff leaving me to try and snap him when I could!!

It took a good while for me to just walk around the field which goes a long way to giving my dogs a "good run out" and I got to see some gorgeous birds in the sky which kept me super happy too!

I would suggest you come in from Lilleshall side rather than the main roads from Telford and the reason for that is, Shropshire council make these roads with no passing places so when I came across the binmen, I had to reverse up the road for quite a way. Obviously my reversing skills are out of this world and it was met with cheers from the guys on the lorry but on the way home I went the other way and it was much easier for meeting other vehicles.

That is literally my only "thing".

I can't wait to see what new ideas come as the owners go forward with their immense plans that sound out of this world, but even before it's ready for opening we had so much fun with what's there already!

Honestly, it's a fantastic experience and one I'd recommend you all go and have some fun with....

06/08/2024

I'm happy to report that Malachi woke up this morning bouncing and full of it!

He's had two breakfasts as he was ravenous and a good run, he's currently out playing in the garden with the boys!

Super happy to have the crazy one back to nuts!!

05/08/2024

My poorly little Malachi isn't feeling too great today.

I didn't notice this morning as it was a busy one but after lunch we had an appointment with another trainer for a quick test, and that was when I noticed.

At this appt he was a flaming nightmare. He wouldn't listen, he wasn't interested and he was bulldozing through equipment without a care, but both the trainer and I know he's normally on fire at these things so ...

I stopped the appt and we came home.
I literally drove a 3 hour round trip for about 20 mins of him being crazy!

That was when I knew something wasn't right and when we got home he went straight to his bed and snuggled in.

Malachi didn't get up so I took him some dinner but he didn't want that. And this evening he just wants to snuggle with me on the sofa.

I hope he's feeling better in the morning bless his heart 🤞 💙

It could be something as simple as a tummy upset, but it's always good to know if you take your dog to training and they're normally pretty good but this time they don't want an ounce of it, don't push them as there may be something wrong with your dog. Listen to what your dog tells you, don't get angry or defeated, just give them a day off and try again tomorrow.

Dogs have feelings too.

Get well soon my little pointy friend 💙

04/08/2024

🌟🌟 WEEKLY WINS 🌟🌟

Every Sunday I will post to ask you all, what your favourite achievement with your dog was this week, and I will share mine.

It doesn't have to be massive to us, so long as it means something to you. You can also post your favourite photo of the week too 😁

Let's keep our motivation going as we head into another week.

My big win this last week is.....

Nothing

We didn't do any training at all last week. It was hot and super humid and although the dogs could have been up for it, I really wasn't!

I'm not good in humid heat, I can cope with dry heat just about but I'm really not a summer girl at all 🤣🤣

I'm done with the rain but if the temps could go down a few degrees I'd appreciate it please 😅

A big thank you owed to all clients who were booked in for allowing me to switch your appointments and a big thank you to my dogs who were happy to chill after an early morning walk each day. I appreciate all of that a lot!

04/08/2024

Oh look at this boy 😍😍

Lurcher x Deer Hound. Fantastic cross!

Sirius has only lived in his new home for a week, and he actually comes from my old home ground of West Norfolk! I checked his accent and he's definitely a local!!

Sirius is settling beautifully well, he just gets a bit aroused at times so his new pawrents just wanted to check how to deal with those behaviours.

I got me some nice lurcher leans and I wanted to bring him home sooo bad!

Isn't he just gorgeous?? He has an amazing character too, and the longest legs you ever did see!

In pure lurcher style he's super clumsy, he even fell "through" the sofa whilst I was there 🤣🤣

I hope to see this boy again soon!!

04/08/2024

‼️ STILL A FEW SPACES ‼️

🐶 FUN DOG COURSE 🐶

The Fun Dog Course is everything you want it to be!

Starts: Thursday August 8th at 6.15pm
Where: Telford Town Park
How long: 6 Weeks
Cost: £99

Honestly, I'm going to enjoy this one and I have a feeling you will too!

If you know me, you know I always speak about dogs' natural behaviours, dog's natural drives and dog's needs to be allowed to be dog's with breed outlets and absolute must to ensure mental, emotional and physical needs are all being met.....

So here it is!! I'm so excited to offer you this!!

This six week course will cover

😄 Lead Work

😄 Recall

😄 Engagement

😄 Scent Work

😄 Tracking

😄 Gun Dog Stability

😄 Fun Tricks

Literally everything you need to have a well rounded dog regardless of breed!

This course will help you to:

😁 Build your relationship with your dog

😁 Ensure a decent sleep for both you and your dog

😁 Increase your dog's dopamine; the happy hormone

😁 Improve your dogs listening skills

😁 Learn all about how to play this sports at home

😁 Be a part of dog focussed community on your private WhatsApp or Facebook group

😁 Learn how to enjoy your dog again!

To book, please go to www.telforddogtrainer.co.uk/book-online

If you decide you really enjoy one of the sports, you can join in my separate courses covering these more in depth so you can follow on whilst you enjoy your dog!