The Happy Dog Project

24/01/2025

Optimism rocks!

Building optimism in your dog is hugely important.

If your dog sees something he hasn’t seen before or is slightly unusual, does your dog respond positively, presuming it to be a good thing (optimism), or does he respond negatively, presuming it to be a bad thing (pessimism)

An optimistic dog is confident, happy and a great learner. If your often reacts in a fearful way or avoids things that are actually totally harmless then he needs a confidence boost.

Having an optimistic dog affects all aspects of training your dog, as researchers at The University of Sydney in Australia discovered. “Pessimistic dogs appeared to be much more stressed by failing a task than optimistic dogs,” Dr. Starling said in the statement.”They would whine and pace and avoid repeating the task while the optimistic dogs would appear unfazed and continue.”

An optimistic dog will keep trying because they think something good will ultimately happen, they will also try new things and be more confident in new situations.

I have a FREE mini course to give you a few goals and ideas to help your dog. Exclusively for Happy Dog Project Free Members.

If you are already in the Free membership sign in on https://thehappydogproject.co.uk/ and then go to https://thehappydogproject.co.uk/courses/optimism-rocks/

If you aren't already a free member then just click on the course link and join.
Have a great weekend!

06/12/2022

Always wanted a dog you can trust of lead - one who stays and plays with you instead of ignoring you? Check out today's Christmas code for a discount.

30/11/2022

Come and have a chat on Sunday, I will be on the Woofing Delicious stall on Kirkgate at the Christmas Fayre - we are near Bargain Booze.
You can try and win the golden ticket, get vouchers for £25 off, come and ask me questions about your dog. If you are a client come over and say hi, its always lovely to see you.

12/11/2022

Woohoo! I have only gone and won The Most Dedicated Dog Trainer at The Northern Enterprise Awards 2022 🥰
I have no idea who/how I was nominated but thank you.

"Hello Kerry

I hope you and the team at The Fairydogmother (Yorkshire) Ltd are well.

As you may know, The Fairydogmother (Yorkshire) Ltd has been named as a successful participant within the Northern Enterprise Awards 2022 and has been presented with the following award(s):

Most Dedicated Dog Trainer (West Yorkshire): Kerry Ward

I sincerely hope you are pleased with the news as we endeavour to recognise the most outstanding businesses and enterprises throughout the North.

The team at SME News would like to express our warmest well wishes for your achievement this year, and trust this marks continued success for yourself and your business.

In order to be awarded, there must be evidence of expertise within a given field; dedication to customer/client service, satisfaction and retention; and an on-going commitment to providing excellent work."

29/10/2022

14/10/2022

Well, unbelievably he is still using outdated alfa rolls and pinning dogs … and yes Mr Milan is still getting bitten as often as usual.

Imagine throwing a Dachshund off a sofa onto his back on the floor, that is absolutely appalling and risky thing to do with a breed that is extremely prone to injuring their backs.

Experts estimate that one in four Dachshunds will develop some form of injury or disc disease in its lifetime so throwing him on the floor!!!! Doing this is dangerous … it could have had a huge impact on the rest of the dog’s life.

Trying to touch that dog was … downright f stupid
He knew that the dog was a biter and stuck his hand in anyway�I haven’t seen the whole thing but did he not read the dogs body language and warning signs as he walked in the room, as he approached, as he sat down, as he moved his hand slightly closer to the dog…..Either Milan hasn’t got the first clue about reading dogs or he wanted the dog to bite so he could Alfa roll him to teach his “psychological understanding” bu # . I suspect the latter.

What do you think he achieved in that session?



If you have a nervous dog then feel free to download my free body language SOS helpsheet by going to:

https://thehappydogproject.co.uk/resource-centre/

I'm not gonna back away #

19/09/2022

Thank you

06/09/2022

Whenever I see someone walking along with a large dog on a prong collar these words invariably float into my head ... "you are a dick'.

You think you look cool & tough striding along with your Dobeman/Rottie/Shepherd/big beefy bullbreed on a prong/pinch collar.

... but you aren't.

If you are incapable of handling a powerful dog without having to use a spiked collar to inflict pain do you know what you should do?

Get a fu***ng Chihuahua

Yep, get a dog you can control without resorting to using tools that cause pain.

And I love seeing a guy happy to walk a Chihuahua, with nothing to prove.

Tools that cause pain are for the lazy people, it uses pain to control an animal's actions rather than working on the reasons for the actions and actually putting in the training time.

It doesn’t make you look like a tough man; walking an incapacitated large breed dog, it makes you look like a loser who can't control their pet. Nothing screams “I’m an incompetent trainer” like somebody reliant on choking/hurting their dog just to get them to walk nicely.

And if you approach a trainer for help with a reactive dog who tells you to put one your dog on ... run a mile - they are lazy 'trainers', it looks like a "quick fix" to impress you, to stop your dog doing whatever you want to stop them doing.

It doesn't deal with the dogs emotions and the reason your dog lunges/barks/growls - they only stop doing it because it hurts when they do.

Thats not training. Its abuse.

One day I hope we will look back as a society on the people who treat their dogs like this, and be totally disgusted . We will think “how did they get away with it?” I hoped, by now we would have reached that point already. But apparently not.

23/08/2022

I hear it quite often …
“my dog is stubborn”
“my dog wont work for food”
"He just isn't interested in food outside"

Firstly, dogs are not stubborn, you quite simply, aren’t offering him anything he wants at that moment in time.

If you aren’t hungy and someone offers you a cheese sandwich, you will probably say ‘thank you, but no’.

However, someone holds out a bag of sweets and offers it to you … my guess is that you will take one. Right?

Food is a primary reinforcer: Dogs need food to survive
They have to eat.
Dogs like food.

Does one of these describe your dog?
My dog will take treats in the house but not outside.
My dog wont work for food at all

What do we need to change to make your dog want to work for food?

Read the four step plan to help you encourage your dog to work for food – if you can’t see them then sign up to the free membership.

https://thehappydogproject.co.uk/2022/08/23/but-my-dog-wont-work-for-food/

23/08/2022

Another lovely message from a client with a dog reactive dog 😊😊

23/08/2022

FREE DOG TREATS ANYONE?

Yesterday morning on our walk I found loads of bushes popping with juIcy ripe blackberries, so I filled my pockets and treat bag and took them home (the ones we didn’t eat on our walk). Yes, my coat now needs a wash as I should have put them in the poo bags I had in my pockets but they were delish!

AND FREE

I mixed a few into bags with my dogs other treats (blueberries, chopped up dog pate and diced carrots), froze some and last night I made a lovely vegan blackberry and apple crumble with the rest.

Can dogs really eat blackberries?

Yes, in moderation, blackberries are safe and healthy for most dogs, just like they are for humans. They are low in calories and lower in sugar than many other fruits.

Nutritionists consider them one of the superfoods because of the antioxidants, fibre, vitamins, minerals, and Omega 3s it contains.

To find out more about how many its safe to feed, the nutritional benefits and local areas to go grab a few go to
https://thehappydogproject.co.uk/2022/08/23/free-dog-treats/

10/08/2022

Living with a Jekyll and Hyde dog is hard, your usually loving and wonderful family dog turns into an aggressive, frightening dog around whatever it is they feel the need to protect.
Dogs guard all kinds of things. The most common are guarding food items or those precious prizes they have stolen and taken under a table where they will growl at you if you approach, but they can also guard toys, people or places.

My programme will help you Banish Mr Hyde for good. Pop me an email over to [email protected] with your mobile number and we can have a chat.

14/07/2022

If you must let your dog outside in the sunshine: Yes your dogs nose and ears may need sunscreen - they can burn like we can. But don’t use human sunscreen, it has all kinds of ingredients that can be harmful for your dog.
Here are a few dog friendly sunscreens

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/pets/g26569527/best-dog-sunscreens/

Keep those tender ears, noses and bellies from getting burnt.

11/07/2022

Want your dog to live its best life possible?

Then you should sign up for this awesome summit - Decoding Your Canine: Discover the secrets to having the pawfect dog. The Masterclass Series covering training, health and well-being.

My friend Ness Jones has brought together 28+ top experts and influencers for this complimentary training series on all things dog, including training, behavioural issues, nutrition, fitness & exercise, medicine, herbal remedies, photography and more.

Not only will you hear from some amazing trainers & behaviourists, plus medical experts and health specialists, there’s even a professional photographer spilling her secrets on how to take amazing photos of your best friend!

Not just that … you will also hear from yours truly talking about one of my favourite things, Behaviour struggles and everything that influences that behaviour: it's not about sticking a plaster on the problem.

Your tribe is waiting - go to
https://www.decodingyourcanine.com?affiliate=EVZOqE

11/07/2022

Want your dog to live its best life possible?

Then you should sign up for this awesome summit - Decoding Your Canine: Discover the secrets to having the pawfect dog. The Masterclass Series covering training, health and well-being.

My friend Ness Jones has brought together 28+ top experts and influencers for this complimentary training series on all things dog, including training, behavioural issues, nutrition, fitness & exercise, medicine, herbal remedies, photography and more.

Not only will you hear from some amazing trainers & behaviourists, plus medical experts and health specialists, there’s even a professional photographer spilling her secrets on how to take amazing photos of your best friend!

Not just that … you will also hear from yours truly talking about one of my favourite things, Behaviour struggles and everything that influences that behaviour: its not about sticking a plaster on the problem.

Your tribe is waiting - go to
https://www.decodingyourcanine.com?affiliate=EVZOqE

26/06/2022

If you have a reactive dog that barks, lunges, growls, nips or even bites then you need help, to make both your lives better. The Founder discounts for the memberships end in 25 minutes - don't miss it, they will not be repeated.... ever!

Go to www.thehappydogprojet.co.uk/join-now

21/06/2022