5 Tips for Preventing Night Barking
๐ด Is your dog's barking waking you up at night? ๐ถ
Assuming your dog doesn't have a medical issue or separation anxiety (both of which need professional help), here are five tips that can reduce the chance of your dog barking overnight!
๐ Do you need help with your dog's barking or another behavioural issue? I offer one-to-one training sessions in Surrey or nearby areas, so get in touch today using the link in my bio! I also offer online sessions via Google Meet.
Why Management Isn't Just "Hiding The Problem" In Dog Training
๐ Here's a quick tip if you're struggling with overcoming your dog's triggers๐ถ
There's a common misconception that we need to expose our dogs to things they find scary or stressful, so that they can "get over it."
There are many issues with this approach, but the biggest is that every time our dog reacts negatively to a trigger the unwanted behaviour becomes more deeply ingrained. This makes training an alternative behaviour more difficult and causes unnecessary stress for our dog.
Instead, we want to gradually expose our dogs to their triggers at an intensity we know they can handle. This means that during training it's vital to manage their environment to minimise the chance of coming across a trigger that's too intense.
Don't worry, this isn't "hiding the problem!" Management is just a way to set your dog up for success while we work on training an alternative reaction.
๐ Do you need help with your reactive dog? I offer one-to-one training sessions in Surrey or nearby areas, so get in touch today using the link in my bio! I also offer online sessions via Google Meet.
Why New Rescue Dogs Need Time, Not Training
๐ถ Just adopted a rescue dog? Traditional training might not be what they need right now!
For many of my rescue dog clients, our priority is helping the dog feel comfortable and secure in their new environment. This is the foundation of all future training and can even naturally resolve some behavioural issues.
Jumping straight into an intense schedule of training cues such as sit, stay, and heel during this initial settling-in period can make it much harder for the dog to relax and feel at home.
Of course, training is still very important! But teaching traditional obedience cues can come later, once your dog has begun to feel truly at home (which can take much longer than many people think!)
That's why I've not spent any time on traditional training with Waffle since he arrived. Instead, my husband and I have focused on helping him to feel secure, as he is anxious about being left alone. Like many rescues, he needs time to settle and feel safe before anything else.
๐ Do you need help with your rescue dog? I offer one-to-one training sessions in Surrey or nearby areas, so get in touch today using the link in my bio! I also offer online sessions via Google Meet.
4 Reasons To Use A Longline for Recall Training
๐ Are you practising recall with your dog? ๐
I believe longlines are essential for recall training! Here's why they can be such a useful tool:
1) Longlines give your dog freedom to explore without worrying about them running away. This is vital during recall training when you don't yet trust your dog to come back off-lead.
2) Longlines mean you can practice recalling your dog at a distance, without actually letting them off lead
3) Longlines don't pull your dog towards you in the same way that short or retractable leads can. It's important to remove this physical signal that won't be present when your dog is off-lead.
4) When first letting your dog off-lead, attaching a longline to trail behind them can give you a safety net in case you need to stop them running off. Don't do this in a busy location though, as the longline can be a tripping hazard.
๐ Need help with your dog's behaviour? I offer one-to-one training sessions in Surrey or nearby areas, so get in touch today using the link in my bio! I also offer online sessions.
Does Your Dog Not Take Treats On Walks?
๐ช๐ Does your dog not take treats when on a walk? ๐ถ
This is a common issue I'm asked about by clients - and it can certainly make training more difficult! Here are five reasons why your dog may refuse treats on a walk and what to do about it.
๐ Need help with your dog's behaviour? I offer one-to-one training sessions in Surrey or nearby areas, so get in touch today at https://mindfulpaws.co.uk/! I also offer online sessions via Zoom or Google Meet.
8 Tips For Getting More From Your Dog Training
๐ถ Sometimes it's the little things that make a big difference to your dog training results! ๐
Here are eight quick tips for getting more from your positive training sessions, including why you should always end with a fun game and why consistency is key. ๐ช
๐ Looking for one-to-one dog training in Surrey or nearby areas? Get in touch at https://mindfulpaws.co.uk/ today to find out how I can help you and your dog!
How to Choose a Treat Pouch
๐ช ๐ถ Having a convenient and accessible treat pouch is so important for training your dog using positive reinforcement. But not all treat pouches are the same!
Here are a few things I look for in a treat pouch to help you choose the right one for your dog. Happy training! ๐โ๐ฆบ
๐ Need help with your dog's behaviour? I offer one-to-one training sessions in Surrey or nearby areas, so get in touch today at https://mindfulpaws.co.uk! I also offer online sessions via Zoom or Google Meet.
๐โ๐ฆบ ๐พ Longlines are brilliant for safely giving your dog more freedom on a walk - especially if you are still working on recall or your dog is worried by people or dogs. But they can also become a tangled mess and create tripping hazards if not used correctly!๐งต
So, here are five tips for choosing a longline and getting the most out of using one. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions!
๐ Looking for one-to-one dog training in Surrey or nearby areas? Get in touch today to find out how I can help you and your dog! I also offer online sessions via Zoom or Google Meet.
๐พ ๐ถ Using the word "no" is a common (and understandable!) mistake that dog parents make. It can feel natural to say "no" to your dog, and sometimes it may even appear to work! But the truth is that dogs can only understand language if we have taught them to associate a specific word with a specific behaviour. ๐
๐ Looking for one-to-one dog training in Surrey or nearby areas? Visit https://mindfulpaws.co.uk/ to learn more about how I can help you and your dog.
๐พ Walking Tips for an Even Happier Pup! ๐พ
1๏ธโฃ Let Them Sniff: Sniffing helps your dog learn about the world and decompress. Itโs also mentally tiring, meaning they'll find it easier to relax after a walk. So when they stop to sniff, pause and enjoy the moment too! ๐ธ
2๏ธโฃ Use a Longline: You can give your dog more freedom without sacrificing safety by using a longline! Aside from giving your dog more freedom, longlines can often reduce pulling instantly, as they feel less restrained. ๐ฆฎ
3๏ธโฃ Comfortable Harness: Choose a Y-fronted, soft, and durable harness that fits your dog perfectlyโno gaping or rubbing! ๐
4๏ธโฃ Sitting At Kerbs Is Not Essential: If your dog isnโt keen on sitting at the kerb while you're waiting to cross, let them stand by your side instead. Sitting can make your dog feel vulnerable, especially if they are anxious, there is loud traffic, or they are being asked to sit on cold, wet pavements. ๐
5๏ธโฃ Let Them Take The Lead: This walk is for them! As long as theyโre safe, let your dog choose the direction from time to time. I promise it wonโt make them think theyโre in charge. ๐งญ
Unsure how to entertain your dog? Are they only interested in brand new toys? This is a quick simple hack to help add the novelty back into existing toys! ๐คฉ๐
How do I know if my puppy is playing appropriately? ๐พ
Contrary to popular belief, dogs don't automatically know how to play appropriately with each other and read body language ๐
As puppy parents it's really important not only to choose the right dogs to socialise our pups with, but also to closely supervise and guide play so everyone is enjoying themselves ๐ฅฐ
This video is a great example of good appropriate puppy play starring beautiful Bentley the German Shepherd ๐๐
Watch the video which is slowed down at key moments to show the way he adjusts play to suit the dog (black lab with pink collar) he is playing with ๐
Both times as Bentley runs towards his Lab friend, she shows some hesitation about being 'caught'. Bentley slows his approach and refrains from making contact with her ๐
If your puppy isn't able to make this decision yet and either jumps on or paws a dog who doesn't want rough play, keep play sessions very short or ensure they are on a longline to move on incase ๐๐ถ
