Barker's Behaviour

07/03/2022

06/03/2022

“The mind is a flexible mirror - adjust it, to see a better world.”
- Amit Ray.

For those that don’t know, I work in an emergency vet hospital alongside my training business. As you can imagine, most of the veterinary industry’s outlook on balanced training is very negative so it wasn’t always easy for me being open about it.

The jobs that I do require a serious passion for animals and their welfare; so over the years, the people around me with have seen this in both my hospital and private training work. Some (not all) have learnt to appreciate the misunderstandings of balanced training and the tools that often come in the package.

I don’t believe in forcing people to think the same way as you do and shaming people when they don’t; but I do love it when open minded people ask me questions and show genuine interest in why I believe my methods of training work best.

Funnily enough I think the dog training world is the worst of them all for negativity - not just the veterinary industry! Everyone is so quick to pass judgement on what others say or do, but often it’s a lot of talk behind a screen with little action in real life.

BASICALLY: having an open mind is the simplest way to move forward in life, no matter where you apply it! If we spend our time talking about other people, there won’t be much time for seeing, learning or creating your own success!

P.S - This picture has no relevance 😂 It’s just cute af x

28/02/2022

“Prevent what you cannot control and control what you teach."

One of the most common question for many owners leaving training sessions is:

“But how do I control other peoples dogs”

…the answer is: you simply can’t.

It is not only a trainers job to identify issues, teach and continue to support clients but our main joy is helping to empower people to understand how to advocate for THEIR dog!

Yesterday, like most days, I was out training my dogs out in the real world. It’s almost a given that off lead dogs will approach but my only concern is maintaining consistency with what me and my dogs are doing. When owners fail to recall or collect their dogs, I am within my right to protect my dogs mentally and physically; whether it’s putting my dogs in a static position, moving away or using my body as a barrier it’s my job to control our space.

I tell my clients the exact same. You can control what you’re trying to teach & prevent what you can’t control - meaning being spatially aware, keeping calm and planning ahead based on your environment!

26/02/2022

It’s the possibility of dreams coming true that makes life interesting ☀️

22/02/2022

Comparison is the thief of joy.

That’s all, happy Tuesday 🤍

19/02/2022

Instagram VS Reality 🤪

15/11/2021

Even where there is no point, make one!

A lot of dog owners fall into a habit of only recalling their dog around things they know their dog may be distracted by.

The point of recall is to regain attention in any setting - to only do it around distractions sets you up for failure! If you can’t recall your dog in a boring environment, only ever trying to recall around distractions will set you back further!

If we only call our dogs name when something ‘fun’ comes along and we never achieve this around plain environments, then our dog will start to catch onto their name being called meaning the fun stops and this becomes hard to undo.

So, even when there is no reason to recall your dog, make a point by doing so randomly and reward with praise, food or play. Creating a perfect recall in any environment!

26/09/2021

Back with a bang!

Something that I’ve wanted to introduce for a while: GROUP CLASSES! 👯‍♀️

This would involve clients (old or new) working around each other, teaching co-existence and focus around distractions with my support.

If this sounds like something that would interest you, please DM me with any suggestions or questions you may have!

Keep an eye out for more information 😎

01/08/2021

Familiarising the unfamiliar

As humans we can all be guilty of ‘powering’ through our emotions and pushing to them to the back of our busy schedules! Some of us either completely ignore stress or we try to comfort it.

I have recently moved house, in a completely new location and sometimes, as much as it can be easy for us to process any stress we may feel…dog’s cannot! They either feel stressed or they don’t and how we manage it, makes all the difference.

I have spoken about genetics before but generally moving house so suddenly can be stressful for any dog! So for Ziggy, I helped him prepare for this by proving some independence as soon as we moved.

This included from moment he walked through the door; we did some basic training and then it was straight to the crate! This helps keep some familiarity with being in a new place and I have kept this consistent throughout the move.

The new town is a lot busier than he is used to so once again, I kept his walks focused and simple so he wouldn’t feel so overwhelmed with new surroundings!

Routine is key and to start breaking old house rules like allowing dogs to free roam or sofa privileges to make them ‘comfortable’ should be avoided!

01/08/2021

Familiarising the unfamiliar

As humans we can all be guilty of ‘powering’ through our emotions and pushing to them to the back of our busy schedules! Some of us either completely ignore stress or we try to comfort it.

I have recently moved house, in a completely new location and sometimes, as much as it can be easy for us to process this and any stress we may feel…dog’s cannot! They either feel stress or they don’t and how we manage it, makes all the difference.

I have spoken about genetics before but generally moving house so suddenly can be stressful for any dog! So for Ziggy, I helped him prepare for this by proving some independence as soon as we moved.

This included from moment he walked through the door; we did some basic training and then it was straight to the crate! This helps keep some familiarity with being in a new place and I have kept this consistent throughout the move.

The new town is a lot busier than he is used to so once again, I kept his walks focused and simple so he wouldn’t feel so overwhelmed with new surroundings!

Routine is key and to start breaking old house rules like allowing dogs to free roam or sofa privileges to make them ‘comfortable’ should be avoided!

08/07/2021

Tools & Tribulations

I do not promote the use of misunderstood tools as a first line BUT as a trainer, owner and key worker in an animal based industry, I know that having an open mind when it comes to enhancing you and your dogs relationship is key.

Human emotions get in the way of many things in life and one big thing I see, as a dog trainer, is how anthropomorphism stunts a dog’s full potential when it comes to training and rehabilitation.

When we hear the words ‘prong and shock collar’ we automatically think anyone using these tools must be abusive and hate animals - which just isn’t the case. Yes, of course some people will misuse them (as with anything) but on the same hand: isn’t knowingly over feeding your dog, accelerating preventable disease processes and decreasing their life expectancy not abuse?

When you educate yourself and go in with an open mind and a positive attitude, you’d be amazed at the results that can be achieved VS those who blanket categorise all tools and people who use them as abusive.

I have helped clients, friends and even my own dog using The Mini Educator and the results speak for themselves. All dogs still living a happy life - in fact, their best life!

Be brave! If you understand how these tools can enhance you and your dogs relationship then own it and don’t let anyone tell you what’s best for your dog; especially when their dog is overweight, disobedient or non-existent.

25/06/2021

Doing nothing to achieve something.

Sometimes we focus so much on doing everything that we forget doing nothing is also a major part of training.

A lot of owners believe that for a dog to achieve a calm state, we must exercise them into the ground which simply isn’t true. Practising doing nothing in a busy, stimulating environment is truly a game changer and something that is very much overlooked.

I explain to all my clients that if we went for a run everyday, we may be tired physically at the end but really and truly you come back full of adrenaline. This is why most dogs will come back from running around in a field full of dogs and still do zoomies. If we go for a walk, taking in everything around us, we come back feeling calm and mentally tired but we forget about this when it comes to our pets.

It’s great the have a balance of rest and exercise but don’t forget: we get out what we put in! If we never teach them how to switch off, they won’t know how to when it’s important.

Today’s walk consisted of some obedience, burning off steam and then a 30 minute chill out session, taking in everything around us! This is something Spaniel hybrids struggle doing naturally so I had to teach it.

22/06/2021

Make time for yourself

I’ve had a bit of a break from social media recently. It’s not because I’ve lost interest or don’t love seeing everyones content but it’s because sometimes it’s good to step away and throw yourself into the real world, focusing on what’s good for YOU!

I work a very full on day job in a veterinary referral hospital followed by evenings of dog training! Both my jobs mean I get to make a difference in people’s lives through their pets, which I absolutely love and wouldn’t ever change.

Back in April, I spent the day with an absolute legend in dog training and he shared some wise words for me and my future as a dog trainer. Some months later I eventually took that advice and made time for what was important in my life - aside from working all the hours god sends in a day.

The main part of this post is that no matter how motivated you are to complete goals that you’ve set (being in dog training, fitness, education or just general life…) if you push yourself too hard, you’ll lose your passion and sometimes forget why you started in the first place. Even if it is giving yourself a small break from whatever your goal is…remember to make time for yourself!

24/05/2021

Genetics...Gaining & Growing.

All dog breeds are genetically predisposed to certain genetical traits, which is why dog trainers tend to see similar breeds with similar base line behavioural issues.

But...do genetics put a stop to all training/ rehabilitation? Personally, I don’t think so.

My own dog, Ziggy, is a Springer X Cocker X Poodle, all breeds with the tendency to be stressy & anxious, which he was and can be. However, with lots of knowledge about all 3 breeds, I was able to channel his natural characteristics to help him reach a much happier & calmer state of mind.

Many dog owners are often seemingly unaware of how different training methods combined with their dogs’ genetic predispositions and tendencies creates different outcomes. It is always a case of nature vs nurture and you need to adapt to the individual. I see clients who have owned many dogs of various breeds, raised them all the same but still have a particular dog or two develop behavioural issues.

Some dog breeds are predisposed to health issues and this becomes apparent when litters from non health tested parents are born and grow up. Some will still develop the condition even with all the best diet & care because their genetics determined how they grow physically. Similarly, when we talk about genetics and behaviour, your dogs genetics will determine how your dog grows mentally; correct training is crucial to channeling your dogs natural instincts and characteristics rather than trying to erase them.

Gain knowledge & grow.

09/04/2021

Learn it your way.

I was never overly fussed about learning when I was younger, I was always just trying to have the most fun.

I left school with the most important thing for me - it wasn’t the best grades or certificates, it was my passion for dogs. I learned to source information and gain first hand experience in the real world in a field that I felt would be where my future lies. This for some people sounds like an absolute nightmare and a complete waste of time but it’s taught me a lot and got me where I need to be today!

We can apply this scenario to the dog training world. Everyone is taking different paths in their training journey but we need to make sure we are having fun with our dogs no matter what it is we are doing. Fun means sustainability and sustainability means results!

I have only ever owned older rescue dogs so having a puppy was a new experience for me too. It was definitely a shock to the system but I have learned so much through Ziggy over the last year! It’s been amazing to see the progress we have got through together with all the fun, good and not so good bits.

Always have fun & never stop learning!

18/03/2021

Reliable recall

This is one of my most commonly asked questions, how to train recall?

A lot of people see a good recall in the early stages of owning a puppy because the truth is, they haven’t gotten comfortable enough to stray too far!

No dog should be off lead unless recall is 100% guaranteed around all distractions and environments.

When first teaching recall to a puppy, you can use the fact that they lack confidence in roaming around alone to your advantage!

A lot of people fail the moment they pick up a lead and walk outside, all of those fun engagement activities we do with our pup in the home get forgotten because WE want to just go for a walk. This makes us very boring outside which is why a lot of people say, my puppy is focussed on me in the house but when we go outside, they lose it?

The key to recall is to become to most exciting thing out on the field whenever your dog is focussed on you, reward, whenever your dog comes to you when called, reward.

Switch up this reward - praise, toy or food, this keeps your dog guessing and makes it exciting which helps you because they are more likely to keep coming back to find out what you have to offer.

But remember, if your dog has no manners on lead during a street walk, he/ she has no business being trusted off lead.

27/02/2021

Desensitising

To put it simply, desensitising your dog is to make the world seem like less of a shock/ stress & it is such a major part in raising any dog! Also something very much overlooked.

Slowly introducing new experiences throughout your training journey can really help them through any situation, when it is done right.

Simply visiting new places and teaching calmness can really help put your dog at ease when they come across something new!

Today it was horses, something we don't see often but also very important because they don't take kindly to dogs behaving badly.

Doing easy drills and having fun around new things can aid you with desensitising as it allows your dog to be around these new experiences but feel at ease by doing daily tasks.

As you can see, Ziggy enjoyed his time with the horses 😂

25/02/2021

Willow!

She is a year old Labradoodle who after her first season started to show some odd signs of aggression towards family members.

No one has been able to get her out the house quickly for a while as every time you went near her with the lead she would hide and if you tried to put the lead on, she would bite.

This family have tried the 'touch' technique, a purely positive approach, which helped slightly when the lead came out but did not stop her making contact.

So today, Willow learnt that her actions have consequences and I spent some time getting her used to a slip lead which would then be my tool for correction and she smashed it! She had one burst but after a correction, was totally on board with just going with the flow and it was great to see!

Still some other small issues but this one was a success and one to share on my posts!

31/01/2021

Not so serious!

Something a lot of people over look is how important having fun with your dog is when they are so focussed on having an obedient dog.

Yes, discipline needs to be in place but having the right balance is crucial for yours and your dogs relationship.

I don't talk about my dog an awful lot on here, we pretty much only do structured walking but I always carry his favourite toy for him to have a break from being disciplined in a high distraction area!

This doesn't mean he gets to break focus & run wild (although he does love this when allowed) it means we interact in a much more fun way through play & other activities, all while having the world pass him by.

This is socialising! it's not letting your dog run wild with 20 other dogs in a field.

'Let dogs be dogs' causes issues, dogs need balance and this has to come from you!

When we take on a dog, we become their teacher and to help them get through life we need to provide them with structure! But of course play is also super important! So have fun too 🤍

05/01/2021

Crates...Cruel or cool?

Over the years with so many people jumping on the internet to share their opinion on everything, there have been lots of mixed reviews when it comes to raising a dog.

Yes, each dog is different but the logic, science & psychological patterns remain the same.

Crates are one of the misunderstood training tools. Yes, when used correctly as a puppy or even an adult dog they can quickly become one of the most useful parts of your daily routine.

When we correctly crate train a puppy life get’s so much easier! They learn how to switch off, massively helps with toilet training and also keeps them safe when we aren’t around!

Like every training tool, when we misuse them, they can become cruel but when we use them properly & the dog understands the concept of the tool...how could they ever be cruel? Especially when they love it 😎 (Ziggy very proudly in his crate)

Any questions on this feel free to DM!

20/11/2020

This beautiful mastiff mix is 1y 5month old, taken on just over a year ago by my client who has done amazingly with obedience but has struggled to build a solid recall around other dogs. Layla has been over-socialised, meaning she feels she has the right to greet every dog she see’s at full force.

In this session, we worked on rewarding her break in focus when another dog was around, she smashed this! She isn’t hugely food or toy motivated & gets bored quickly, so I have given my client some enagement exercises to practise to help build food drive 👌🏻