Jason Evans Dog Behaviourist

04/10/2024

This weekend, was a very busy one for support for many dogs locally and wider afield, including a trip to Luton as well to support a collie who wouldn't be supported from any local trainers/behaviourists.

From 2 GSD crosses, a collie, 2 dachsies, a Golden Retriever, a training walk, 2 terriers (individually and springer spaniel (plus lots of classes)

this job is amazing, rewarding, puzzling and emotional (plus a few smatterings of fun)

If you need help and support please do contact me for any questions you have and we will help you....

01/10/2024

25/09/2024

I had a session helping with muzzle fitting and introduction to a nervous rescue boy.

The session, although lasting slightly longer than anticipated, was a complete success, so that the fitting of a muzzle was a good thing and he really enjoyed it

Interesting fact - Muzzles are not just for dangerous dogs, dogs may wear a muzzle for many reasons, they could be nervous, have delicate stomachs and a muzzle will stop them eating random things. Dont judge a book by its cover, its always wise to ask if you want to know, but the main thing is give them some space as the owner may be doing supported work from the trainer or behaviourist and need space to make the training effective.

The second chap who was the rescue, had a fear of men, and in many cases we see this happen (for lots of reasons) and its about trying to build confidence at the dogs own pace, not to push it, not for them to react, but to rebuild the understanding and the trust needed to interact ...WHEN THEY ARE HAPPY TO, This went really well over the session and building that confidence was a huge first step.

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Being a behaviourist is about helping in many areas, if you need help please contact for any questrions and support you need

22/09/2024

Had the pleasure of meeting this very excitable chap this week.

When we meet excitable dogs, its very usual to see jumping/biting behaviour become a norm when people dont know how to manage this. we worked on some redirection, new games for greetings, howe to calm down and self manage and how the humans can interact on those occasions without increasing the use of the old behaviours they see from their dog. This dog is amazing and so intelligent picked up the change in cues very quickly and was alreayd making some positive changes.


Contact Jasonevansdogbehaviourist now if you would like help with a similar situation.

18/09/2024

Anxious and reactive behaviour can start at any time or any age, its not restricted to one breed or gender and can be triggered by something we have never seen happen.

Importantly if you see any major changes in your dog's behaviour within a short space of time, its always best to see a vet first to make sure they have not caught something or unwell/in pain first.

In the meantime while you are seeking help, make sure you listen to your dog.

Here are a couple of steps to help whilst you are getting help

1) If they are barking at people/dogs, always make sure your dog has space and you are helping them get that space

2) if they are barking at people they know more aggressively than normal, dont force the situation, again listen to your dog and let the decide if they want to say hello or get attention

3) If your dog has suddenly decided they don't like being picked up or moved from furniture, dont continue to pick them up, use an exercise for the dog to move away from the furniture of its own accord. This is potentially a situation where at some point, when someone has moved them its hurt (and you may not know) so your dog to protect itself from pain, will grumble and tell you to stop doing that to them

These are just a few of the simple steps to try and take to help if you notice changes and require some support.

In the meantime if you do require support whether local or online, please contact me and we can have a call to discuss further options to help.

Please help and share this post to someone who my need help

Thanks
Jason

Send a message to learn more

12/09/2024

Another 121 and this one was all about focus and understanding. A very nervous dog who needed some confidence building and refocus on the humans in the family.

We also worked on getting them to come back to us, which can be tricky when they don't have focus. So we have been learning some recall games with the focus to make sure they are really engaged in responding to us. work in progress but this week was the first time they actually went away and then came back for the owners off lead....amazing work

One of the biggest area of behaviour is understanding the triggers, getting focus and then building a new pathway to at least manage part o the behaviour, before we an tackle the issues around the actual trigger itself. This takes time, and these owners are just brilliant for putting all the amazing work

06/09/2024

If you need help from a qualified Behaviourist and Trainer in a any areas



Then contact me today for a free consultation.

04/09/2024

I see many people working with dogs and reactivity and how they relay on single elements to manage a situation.

At the weekend we used a number of the techniques to help with management around other dogs, this isn't complete yet, but originally this chap would scream when he saw another dog.
Now with some patience, confidence building and giving both the dog and the owner a number of junctions to make instead of going from A-B, they have multiple options to support and build the confidence that the dog and the owners do not need to use a single output to manage the situation, they have many and that helps everyone manage a situation and build a new behaviour as we can see on the video,
* - The dog is far more focused on the owner
* - They are both equally focused on the game
* - The Dog sees the other dog and doesn't react.
* - They can continue walking, without the dog going into hyper vigilance
* - the owner is equally less stressed and far more comfortable
* - They all can carry on (for the moment)

Well done to them all, amazing work to get this far

02/09/2024

Its been another busy week and in so many different ways. Classes have just stepped up a notch and we have a very exciting new launch coming soon.

Although alongside the launch, I have had training walks, social training walks with small groups,121's for reactivity and sensitivity to various stimuli, aggression.

Progress in a world of dog training and behaviour takes time, something many people don't have huge amounts, similar to CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) in humans I liken many of the areas of work and success to my trainline analogy, in many instances your dog (and human) will create a response from station A- B its a straight line, it works and its instantaneous.
Unfortunately if you only have one line running you will never change direction and always end up with the same result.
So with the K9 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (KCBT) that I do, its about building a new junction in to allow a decision to be made with a choice.. the choice gives the ability to make a decision, the decision allows confidence, confidence breeds success and cements the behaviours we want, not the ones we don't.

27/08/2024

Its not just about behaviour here!!!!

This week we were helping with off lead work. Off lead can be sooo tricky and for some a real challenge. this amazing young lad really struggled with focus off lead and over the last few sessions have finally now got his focus when off lead so that he doesn't run off for zoomies for 15 mins in one go (he was very overpowered by his environment. Off lead recall takes time and with the right amount of focus will work wonders for a really effective recall.

23/08/2024

This 121 was rather special, although when we work with behaviours,, many for engagement need more tactile contact and an understanding that our dog can engage with us more. A Common exercise is paws up, which can be used anywhere...but on this occasion the more powerful version was building paws up on the 'human'. Fantastic work as she was originally quite nervous of the close engagement but once she had the grasp loved it

19/08/2024

another 121 with this little chap, after being attacked, his reactivity to other dogs was a concern as he was very fearful and anxious.
This week we tried a walk locally, around his normal walking area using all the techniques, to one of the calmest walks and most succesful in a long time. He even managed a few tricks at the end as he was still able to cope after managing a number of circumstances...well done amazing work by the owners as well

16/08/2024

Another 121 this week, complete pleasure to meet this little lady, we are working to help her and her owners now and she had an absolutely cracking first session

06/08/2024

This is the most amazing job in the world and I am privileged to help so many owners and dogs. Sometimes the best help is not an easy option, and those days are the saddest days. But a life of pain is not right and the welfare of the dogs is the most important thing. The last few days have been some of those days. My thoughts are always with the owners at this time.

30/07/2024

Another one of our amazing dogs, Struggling with Anxiety and getting overloaded in all outside environments, meant that trying to go for walks, travelling in the car, leaving him on his own were all very tricky. His triggers were being generalised which meant instead of one thing being the area that caused ths issues, he was using the same behaviour for lots of issues.

In many cases for changing the trainline of the behaviour as we see in many cases does take time. But we managed to isolate the original triggers and start some desensitisation work, which was making a chnage, we then worked on a set of new behaviours to replace the old and coping strategies to help in the situations that still occur.

Several weeks ago the family went on holiday and managed a bus ride, walking in a busy town with no triggers, and they also built in lots of rest/calm to help recuperate as well.

Change can be managed and will be successful over time with focus and time.

Another amazing change and helping for a better future as well

29/07/2024

It’s going to very warm this week…

Please keep an eye on your dogs

1) don’t leave them in cars
2) make sure they have water (use a slow feeder bowl to help them not gulp water and get an upset stomach.
3) get those paddling pools out - Aldi have them for £7.99 at the moment- fill them with a couple of inches of water and then plastic balls for a really enriching experience
4) scatter feeding with kibble and treats to keep thier minds occupied and manage food at a better rate in warm
Weather
5) Frozen carrots are a great cooling treat
6) cooling mats on the floor and if your dog has a crate, put them on top of the crate to create a cooling space for your dogs to ‘chill out’ in.
7) wet towels (not freezing cold water) to help them cool slowly, you don’t want to give them a cold shock, we just want to help cool them gently.
8) walks - your dog DOES NOT! Need a walk every day, if it’s too hot don’t take them, let them rest, chill and do the enrichment games.
9) your dogs may lose their appetite that’s not unusual so don’t be surprised that they get hungry when the sun goes down.

Please take care and look after your amazing dogs in this changing weather conditions (as we have potential storms Thursday!)