Paw Perfect Dogs

13/08/2024

Calling all puppy parents…

Dog Training Classes!

Starting Saturday 31st August in Curridge.

Suitable for dogs over 6 months.
* Get help with recall and attention around distractions.
* Learn new skills.
* For all beginners or puppies looking for next steps.
* Support between classes.
* Online learning syllabus with worksheets, video demos and more.

Small classes with experienced instructors.
Positive reward-based methods.
5 week course
£110

Book here: https://www.annabalchdogtrainer.com/book

06/08/2024

Spaces now available!

18/07/2024

So true…

14/07/2024

If your dog is struggling and it’s time to get help - Anna Balch Dog Trainer is your person. Read her piece here about gorgeous Bruce…

13/05/2024

This is Bo telling me I should be offering dog pub visits as a service. (Unfortunately for Bo, she has to have an hour’s walk!)

09/05/2024

Did you know that dogs don’t see all the colours us humans do? This is how they’d see a German Shepherd on a common amongst the bluebells.

11/04/2024

Sharing for any of my Dorset friends… A great local business 🐶 🔨

04/04/2024

Worth a quick read - If you think you’re dog is a bit ‘off’, please contact Anna Balch Dog Trainer who can help work things out with you 👍🏻

My dog can’t be in pain, they don’t show any signs.

I spent the weekend walking around Cambridge for my birthday and I had a lovely time, but my chronic pain has flared up this week.

Even those people who know me best cannot tell that I’m in pain most of the time.

The signs start off so small you can barely see them unless you knew to look.

I walk with my right leg slightly turned out.
I come down the stairs on my left leg first.
I use my upper body more than I should to get myself out of bed.
My leg extension is shortened.
The list goes on!

My pain has worsened as a result of my lovely weekend away and at this point you can see a bigger change in my mental health.

I’m less tolerant and more cranky.
I’m reluctant to be hugged.
I am noise sensitive.
I don’t feel like being sociable.

Now, I still do things either because I want to (and they make me feel good) or because I have to. I continue to ‘behave’ because that is what society has taught me and I can just about handle it.

I am grateful that I am not attached to a lead, or walking on slippery floors, or overly exposed to things that make me feel triggered.

Don’t let it fool you. I am writing this from a place of ‘crankiness’ 😆 but I’m not limping or complaining or going to the doctors and my pain does affect me. My pain builds over time and fluctuates. My pain has a direct impact on my behaviour.

It’s the same for our dogs except they can’t ask for help.

16/03/2024

Six months ago, I thought while I retrain as a dog trainer, I’d ’just’ do a bit of dog walking.

As I ventured into this world, little did I know that my perspective would change and I’d begin to understand that dog walking should be a recognised profession.

After all, I remember when customer services was ‘just an entry level job’, yet now it can differentiate organisations.

I remember when Internal Communications was ‘just the company journalists’, yet now they’ve a place on the Board.

So please don’t think walking your dog is safe something your next door neighbour’s child’s friend could do for a tenner an hour.

A professional will have paid for a canine first aid course, a DBS check, insurance and know what to do in an emergency.

A professional will understand the breed type and know how to create a more fulfilling walk so it has mental stimulation as well as physical.

A professional will understand how the age of your dog will impact the walk. Puppies, adolescents and older dogs have different needs.

A professional will understand dog body language and what to do in different circumstances.

A professional will have knowledge of DEFRA guidelines.

Which is why I jumped at the chance of being in the first cohort of trainers new course for professional dog walkers.

So if you’re looking for dogwalker, please look for a safe pair of hands. Please look for the logo…


The IMDT

16/03/2024

In December, I was part of the first cohort to do 's new course: Dog Walking - Care, Welfare and Professional Practices.
This week, I received the updated logo design. If you're a dog owner and want to choose a professional dog walker - look for the logo.

08/03/2024

… and this is why research in to trainers is so important…

08/02/2024

My Thatcham/Bucklebury/Cold Ash contacts - please keep an eye out and let the owner know if you see her…

31/01/2024

A dog only knows how to be a dog, so why shout at it if it isn't doing human stuff?
Positive, reward-based approach is the ethical way forward for humans and canines to live happily together ☺️🐕‍🦺

Yes, a swift resolution to a behavioural problem might be appealing!

It's natural to want immediate results when dealing with a challenging habit.

However, these rapid solutions can often be risky and potentially detrimental to your dog's wellbeing. The reasoning behind this is multifold.

Firstly, quick fixes tend to focus on suppressing the symptoms of a problem rather than tackling its root cause.

For example, a dog barking excessively could be displaying signs of fear, anxiety, or boredom. A quick fix might involve using a device to deter barking, but this doesn't help the dog cope with the underlying emotions causing the barking. The problem is likely to persist or manifest in another, potentially more harmful behaviour.

Secondly, many quick-fix solutions rely on punishment or negative reinforcement.

These methods might produce an immediate response, but they also risk instilling fear or anxiety in your dog. In the long term, this can lead to a breakdown in trust and a negative impact on your relationship with your dog.

Thirdly, quick fixes don't educate your dog about the correct behaviour.

They merely suppress the undesirable one. A more ethical and effective approach is to use positive reinforcement to reward good behaviour, helping the dog to understand what is expected of them. This does require more time and patience, but it's a more sustainable solution that improves your dog's overall behaviour and strengthens your bond.

Lastly, quick fixes can sometimes backfire and exacerbate the issue.

For example, a dog that's punished for barking at visitors might start to associate visitors with the punishment and become more fearful or aggressive.

In a nutshell, quick-fix behavioural changes are risky because they overlook the underlying issues, rely heavily on negative reinforcement, fail to teach the dog about the correct behaviour, and can even worsen the problem.

Even the smallest amount of ethical learning will make you a better dog trainer and advocate for your dog than employing a quick fix punisher.

Want to learn how - comment below!

26/01/2024

For new puppy parents…

Start before puppy’s first jabs. Fun and friendly puppy training and socialisation classes in Newbury & surrounding areas. Voted top 3 for best dog trainer.

26/01/2024

If your dog does things you’d rather they didn’t, please get in touch with a trainer who uses positive reward methods.
By shouting, you could make things a whole lot worse…
Over the last few months, I’ve worked with these trainers who are in the Newbury area, and use posit
ive methods:
Anna Balch Dog Trainer
Round of a Paws Dog Services
Kaelum Neville Dog Training

But it’s not just training - if you have a dog walker, please make sure they use this approach too, so your dog is getting a consistent approach and complements any training you’ve done with a trainer.

🐕 Four in five (82%) ‘pandemic puppy’ owners have reported using aversive training methods in attempts to address their dog’s problem behaviours, according to a new study by the RVC.

However, this rise in negative reinforcement/positive punishment (e.g., owners shouting at their dog or using training equipment that is unpleasant for dogs, rather than using reward-based methods such as praise and treats) not only negatively impacts animal welfare, but is often poorly effective, and in some cases, can even result in new problem behaviours in dogs due to the fear and anxiety it can cause.

➡️ Read more: https://rvc.uk.com/pandemic-puppies-the-pawfect-storm

15/12/2023

I had the lovely Louis this week, helping a family whose dad was away with work and mum who had hurt her back.

On Wednesday, we went out to Cold Ash (a bit muddier and wetter than anticipated!) but Louis had the BEST time, getting amongst the scents of the countryside. He also had the best night’s sleep that night!

If you need some help, even short-term, do get in touch…

12/12/2023

Better a cold, wet day with a dog, than a warm, dry day in the office!

This is the gorgeous Louis who is so cheeky, and as a typical Retriever, doesn’t mind the rain. In fact, we both loved our walk in the rain this morning 🌧️

06/12/2023

I've had some calls for last minute walks from people visiting friends and family or who are feeling under the weather.
If you need an extra pair of hands, get in touch. We'll have a quick meet 'n' greet to check your dog likes me, then I can swing in to action to help you!

06/12/2023

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04/12/2023

If your children see dogs, whether at home, family or friends’ homes, this video is worth an (uncomfortable) watch. It could help you avoid any incidents, especially over Christmas.

29/11/2023

I have become a grandpawrent! has arrived and it is so tough not to spoil him because of his cuteness 🥰 and instead to remain professional, so he is set up for a great life with his mummies.

26/11/2023

A busy day today!

This morning I was shadowing at Kaelum Neville Dog Training’s puppy class, where we practiced a number of things including recall and loose lead walking - which meant getting to grips with long leads!

This afternoon, I started the new Professional Dog Walker’s course from The IMDT. It provides extra learning and formalises the skills required for this wonderful career, so clients can be reassured their dogs will be cared for by a professional.

If you need a dog walker who takes their career seriously, please get in touch…

Oh, and I also met this handsome chap…

25/11/2023

This way of thinking is so important to me.
A dog’s happiness and safety is the most important part of how I work so they get the most out of every day, not just after trauma.

Training is not a suitable immediate approach to trauma based behaviour.

Training is not a suitable approach for a dog in survival response.

Sit with that for a moment.

And know this.

Helping your dog feel safe is the only ethical approach to them feeling unsafe.

Being there for them.
Being on their side.
Acknowledging their biological and emotional experience.
Getting them to a space where they feel safe and can decompress.

And only then do we think about what the dog is learning and can relearn.

Learn more about your dog with Canine Principles.

Ask your questions below.