Winnies.

22/07/2024

Puppy snugs for daayzz 🥰🩷

20/07/2024

Buddy boy 🩵

20/07/2024

Happy Saturday from this big dope 🩷

07/07/2024

😂

07/07/2024

Lead frustration is a common issue in dogs that lack trust in their owner. This frustration often manifests when dogs encounter other dogs while on the lead. Typical behaviours include barking, lunging, and pulling. These actions are not just signs of aggression but stem from the dog's apprehension and lack of confidence in their owner's ability to handle the situation.

One prevalent misconception is that holding the lead tightly will control the dog. In reality, this can exacerbate the problem by increasing the dog's tension and stress. A tight lead signals to the dog that there is something to be anxious about, heightening their frustration.

To build a bond of trust where your dog relies on you to keep them safe, start by maintaining a calm and assertive demeanour during walks. Use a loose lead to avoid transmitting apprehension. Gradually expose your dog to other dogs where they feel comfortable, and even a little uncomfortable, rewarding calm behaviour. Consistency and reinforcement are key to building this trust.

By understanding your dog's perspective and addressing the root of their frustration, you can transform walks into a positive experience and strengthen the bond between you and your dog.

06/07/2024

Let's talk play dates 📅

We all know socialising is super important for a puppy's development & a dogs ongoing psychological growth, but this doesn't mean unlimited play time with no boundaries or structure.

It can be detrimental to the learning of cut off signals & time out signals, if neither dog knows these behaviours yet. This can result in over stimulation & develop a pattern of rough/demanding play style which isn't always acceptable.

If you are using play dates as part of your dogs socialisation training, match your dog accordingly. Younger pups are better playing with an older, willing & balanced dog, who can display & teach the cut of signals to the younger dog. This ensures both parties take the time needed to regulate & calm down, as well as enforcing good manners in a way that us humans just simply can't.

Keep pup on pup interactions short & sweet, the same as any interaction.

Socialising can be done at a distance (& should also be a part of the programme) to teach your dog that not every person & dog needs to be greeted or played with. Neutrality is important, especially in today's society where every man & his dog, has a dog!

Teach your pup to be near other pups & older dogs, sat nicely on a lead & paying attention to you. This creates & strengthens the bond between you.

Play dates are great fun for our dogs & when controlled & over looked correctly are crucial for teaching them how to behave appropriately in the canine world.

In my opinion, the best play date you can give your dog is the one you partake in yourself 🙌🏼🖤✨️

03/07/2024

Charlie is in at Winnies today for his over night trial. Such a gorgeous boy 🤎🩵

03/07/2024

BIG ASK but we never say never ..

Desperately need an emergency foster for a fear reactive 8mth old lurcher/malinois pup to give him a chance of a forever home. Full behavioural support covered for someone local to the rescue (Chester/North Wales border)

This pup is dog friendly but can get over stimulated in groups.

He is very affectionate to his humans but will lunge and bark out on walks and this isn't something that can be fixed in kennels 😢

At the moment he's young enough that with the right support we can turn him around and we need someone with experience of fear reactivity and preferably another dog in the home would be perfect role model for him.

Rescue are happy to fully financially support him in the foster home.

Big ask right, but if you think you can help please comment below and we can put you in touch.

Huge thanks for liking, commenting and sharing if you can’t help?

Thanks xx

02/07/2024

Here at Winnies, we follow through with any training that your dog is currently under, meaning you can relax in the knowledge that your hard work will be continued while you enjoy a well deserved break 🙌🏼

Check young Mabel practising her lead skills 🤩

Teaching pups early on what the lead is for will ensure calmer & more enjoyable walks for you both in the future. If you are looking for help & support with lead training, are experiencing pulling or reactivity issues, drop me a DM & let's talk about how we can get you & your dog reconnected ✨️

24/06/2024

Creating a meaningful engagement with your dog is not about constantly seeking their attention. Instead, it's about creating a fulfilled relationship built on trust and mutual respect. When you focus on these elements, your dog will naturally want to engage with you, without being asked.

Engagement stems from the bond you share with your dog. A fulfilled relationship involves understanding and using all four quadrants of dog training

—positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment, and negative punishment. Each quadrant can be used to build trust and respect when applied thoughtfully and consistently. For instance, rewarding good behaviour (positive reinforcement) reinforces your dog's desire to repeat those actions, while fair and clear boundaries (negative punishment) help them understand limits.

Common mistakes often include asking a dog to engage with you. This approach can feel forced and unnatural, leading to frustration for both parties. Instead, let engagement be a byproduct of a strong relationship. Spend quality time together, be consistent in your interactions, and respect your dog's needs and boundaries.

Avoiding these pitfalls and focusing on a balanced training approach will result in a dog that is eager to engage with you naturally. This leads to not only better engagement but also improved behaviour and reduced anxiety.

Remember, the goal is not to demand engagement but to cultivate it through trust and respect. For more tips on building a better relationship with your dog, visit our website.

16/06/2024

Morning coffee with this gorgeous girl 🩷

15/06/2024

Saturday nights at Winnies ✨️

15/06/2024

Hiiiii 👋🏼

15/06/2024

😝

14/06/2024

Trouble has landed..

On the right, the trouble is to the right..

🩷🩷

14/06/2024

Friday Boot Camp 📣🙌🏼

10/06/2024

😂😂😂

09/06/2024

😅

05/06/2024

We are out of office until the 14th June & will respond to any messages once we are back home ☀️

Kirst & Winnie 🐾

01/06/2024

🥰

31/05/2024

My heart ❤️

25/05/2024

Mastering lead skills is crucial before attempting off-lead work for several reasons. The lead serves as a direct line of communication between you and your dog, offering guidance and setting boundaries. When a dog learns to walk nicely on a lead, they are more likely to understand and follow commands, making off-lead training easier and safer.

Effective communication is key when it comes to lead training. By practicing and reinforcing behaviours on lead, you establish a language that your dog understands. This communication is essential for off-lead work, as it allows you to signal your expectations clearly.

Engagement is another important aspect of lead training. If a dog is not engaged or focused on you while on a lead, they may be more likely to become distracted or disobedient when off-lead. Therefore, cultivating engagement through lead training sets you up for a stronger relationship.

In conclusion, mastering lead skills before venturing into off-lead work is essential for effective communication, establishing boundaries, and creating engagement with your dog. By prioritising lead training, you create a solid groundwork for controlled freedom.

20/05/2024

😂

🤣🤣🤣

29/07/2023

🤎

28/07/2023

♥️

27/07/2023

From hating the car, to travelling like a boss 🙌🏼

He loves his Auntie Kirst 🩵

25/07/2023

👌🏼😜🐾

08/07/2023

When Stanley first started walking with us, Frankie was, let's say 'mildly put out'

You see, these two are next door neighbours & see a bit of each other, usually Stan goes round for play dates & shares Frankies space & things 😊

I suppose in the human world, it is equivalent to the annoying, younger cousin relationship, where you have to share, then before you know it, they are out with you & your mates 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

She soon realised who the realist on her team was though 💪🏼 these two adore each other & having Frankie there has helped him over come so much (the world's a scary place to be when your legs are so small)

Furiendship for life 🥰

🧡💛🤎🖤