99 Problems Dog Care

14/08/2024

A question we hear a lot is ‘why dosen’t my dog training always work?’ Here’s a link to our blog post on the subject and how to make your dog training ‘bulletproof’ If you need a hand with your dog training, give us a shout.

This blog post gives you advice on making sure that the dog training you do is effective and can work as well as possible.

07/08/2024

Did you know that we offer 1:1 puppy training? Puppy classes are great, but they aren't for everyone. We come to your home and give you our complete undivided attention.

04/08/2024

01/08/2024

We are delighted to now offer a specialist loose lead walking program designed specifically for high-energy, high prey drive hunting breed dogs. Please get in touch for a chat if you're interested.

30/07/2024

I hope you had a good day at work and enjoyed yourself. Me? Well I'm glad you asked. I spent 90 minutes with this lil dude. 90 minutes with an 11week puppy and I was paid for doing it too! Best job in the world.

23/07/2024

Here's a link to our post about 'On Lead Greetings'. Pretty simple and straightforward you may think. Maybe there are a couple of aspects you hadn't thought of.

This post is a brief description of the issues around on lead greetings of 2 dogs not known to each other.

14/07/2024

People can really struggle with toilet training puppies. Here's our take on it.

26/06/2024

As summer finally hits us, there is rightly lots of info about high temperatures and walking your dog. There are other issues though. Here's a link to our blog post about bee stings which are quite common. https://www.99-problems.co.uk/how-to-deal-with-a-dog-bee-sting/

Mostly dogs are stung around the mouth and paws. A dog bee sting can generally be dealt with at home if the symptoms are not serious.

19/06/2024

Here's a link to a free online book about crate training, written by Julie Naismith, one of the world's leading dog trainers. The link and online copy both expire in 2 weeks so get reading if this is your thing. I've got it because me and Julie are BFFs. OK we're not but I was a student of hers and I'm very proud of that.
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/7es33ii6zc?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2BSBQlsEQtcOD4q3E8X1q_b2TW87TV9LRU1ck3fArGxoYJHVpvBj7JLo8_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

Looking for your next favorite read? Find it here on BookFunnel, available only until June 25th.

19/06/2024

Great observations by ABC Dogs NZ on what to do and what not to do with crate training.

Crates. Either you love them💓 or hate them❌ .
This can be a very divisive issue and I am aware that they are banned in many countries.
This is not a step by step guide on crate training (because it is also SO individual), however it is a reminder that YOU are the main reason why your dog will love or despise their crate.
If you want them to love them, make them fun, comfortable, safe and that happens with time, food, fun and positive associations.

If you want them to have a negative association with them there are things people do which may or not be obvious.

❌Don't drag your dog/puppy into the crate.
❌Never use the crate as a place of "time out" as a punishment.
❌Don't put them in areas where they cannot rest easily (a busy lounge with young children may not be the best place).
✅Check the crate isn't noisy whenever they move, some rattle with every movement.
❌Frantic crying shouldn't be ignored and "cried out".
❌In times of excitement in the lounge is the puppy or dog always crated? This can cause frustration.

If you do want to crate train or are having difficulty look at HOW you use the crate.
What do you do with the crate and the associations your dog or puppy may have with it are key to how they will feel about it.

Love them or hate them, crating is a very good option for many puppies or dogs.
It can be a sanctuary or it can be a place of distress.

🙂Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collection of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

18/06/2024

As a dog trainer, you don’t have favourite dogs, but if we did, this girl would come pretty dam close.

Ruby is a 6-month Cocker Spaniel who we met a month ago. Ruby scores 11/10 for beautiful and cute, UNLESS she biting her mum and then she’s -10. All puppies bite but Ruby was another thing – we’ve seen the scars.

People understandably assume that biting is aggression, they show their teeth and bite. But that’s not always the case, especially with working breeds. Spaniels, Labs, Beagles, Border Collies and many others were not bred to live on sofas. Thousands of years of selective breeding were intended to have them outside working. They can become very frustrated living a human lifestyle and that frustration can spill over into biting That doesn’t mean that they can’t be pets, sure they can. I’m a spaniel man myself. But it does mean that if you want a happy working dog and happy family life, then you have your work cut out and you need to put in the hours.

We have spent weeks with Ruby and her family working on strategies to help her be the Spaniel she was bred to be whilst also being a family dog. Teaching her how to ‘hunt and kill’ at home, in the lounge and garden all without killing anything but tapping into her inner wolf.

Ruby now enjoys games and play at home which facilitate her needs and she doesn’t bite her mum any more. Most importantly, her parents understood that shouting at her and punishing her wasn’t right and wouldn’t work

15/06/2024

We are currently testing a brand new loose lead walking program, especially for high energy hunting dogs - the nightmare walkers. Here's what one of our owners has said

14/06/2024

Massive congratulations to my friend and mentor Marcia Ashworth who has guided her business to success in such a short time. She is a compassionate and caring dog trainer, an inspired leader and clearly a canny business woman. If you need help with your dog anywhere near Hyndburn Lancashire, you will find nobody better.

08/06/2024

Have you done the dogs trust survey yet? You should, these are very good people. Costs nothing but a few minutes.
Dogs Trust

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/national-dog-survey?utm_source=meta&utm_medium=paid-social&utm_campaign=NDS-Prospecting&utm_content=deadline&utm_id=6633036235473&utm_term=6633036231473&fbclid=IwAR0WR2Q3eFm1CTjOsyTXtkmGncDwsa6C26UGuvB3pRwSO8EqEYMkGd4p3JE_aem_AU1w5VXrLMdib8nGAeviNpz4IPjGYr9pNAcprYGdBSu3KXWHQB6QIWOtereeTTDXYU3Gea6SNVWGVhpa9KCP7ZQI

We’re calling on all dog lovers to be part of the UK’s biggest dog survey and help us make the world a better place for our four-legged friends. Have your say!

08/06/2024

The wonders of the 'Magic Mat' This hunk of a dog was massively over-aroused by people coming to the house, hitting them with 50kg of love. One of the behaviours we have practised with him is relaxing on his 'magic mat'. It took a lot of work to get to this stage but here he is chilling in the front yard rather than slobber-bombing everyone within 100 yards. Love you Bandit.

Sarah Williams

06/06/2024

This. Exactly this.

𝑰𝒇 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒂 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑰’𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔, 𝑰 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒖𝒙𝒖𝒓𝒚 𝒚𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒂𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒂 𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒚 𝑫𝒐𝒈 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝑨𝒄𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒐𝒏!!!

In the last week alone, we have had 28 new dogs join our group training classes. One of my opening questions to owners is usually, “what are you hoping to learn from these sessions?”

I have been quite shocked this week with the number of owners that need to work on recall because their dogs run up to other dogs. When asked why they allow their dogs to do this, the reply is always the same….. they are friendly and just want to play!

Some owners follow this up with comments like “I know not every dog wants to play with them and the other dog might snap, but that’s how they learn, right?”.

Well actually, no you are completely wrong, and as I got out of the wrong side of bed this morning AND I’ve got seriously bad PMT, I thought I would hop on my soap box for a bit.

Now as some people know, I quite enjoy a trip to the pub and sometimes I might bump into old friends there. When I do I will usually approach them, say hello and give them a hug or even a kiss on the cheek. However, what I don’t do is go around to all the strangers in the pub and do the same. Not only is it socially unacceptable but there is a strong possibility that I might try and hug the wrong person. Their reactions could range from feeling mildly uncomfortable to punching me in the face… who knows!

When you allow your friendly dog to run up and greet other dogs, not only are you putting your dog at risk of being “punched in the face” from being overly friendly, but how about we put your entitled dog’s feelings aside for one minute and look at it from the point of view of the other dog and their owner.

That dog that is on the lead minding its own business, could be in pain with a chronic health condition or recovering from surgery. They could be a medical alert dog focusing on the needs of their owner. They could be a dog that has previously been attacked, whose owner has spent a lot of money on dog training to get their dog to a point where they are starting to feel more comfortable and your dog has now just set them back weeks in their rehabilitation. The possibilities are endless.

Yes, accidents do happen! No dog’s recall is bomb proof but this should be the exception and not the rule. I have had instances myself where I’ve taken my eye off my dog and he has approached another on lead dog. I have then been extremely embarrassed and apologised profusely and made sure that we have done remedial training in that environment to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.

What is not acceptable is to just have no thought for anyone else and allow your friendly dog to do as they please. If you can’t put yourself in someone else’s shoes, then think of it like this. Your friendly dog is only one bad experience away from becoming that dog that needs space. Let’s all keep our loved ones safe and look out for one another. 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒆! 🐶🎓

30/05/2024

There’s a ‘school’ of thought that says you need to be able to take a dog’s food away while they’re eating. 🐶

Here’s what I think. Why❓

Why do you need to take your dog’s food away while they’re eating?

When we look around the amazing world called the internet, we find that the answer is….
‘so the dog knows who is in control’👮

So here’s what you already control in your dog’s life.

• Where they sleep
• When they sleep
• What they eat
• Where they eat
• When they eat
• Where they exercise
• When they exercise
• Where they wee and poo
• When they wee and poo
• Who they meet
• We could go on and on

So I’m wondering: Just how much control do you need to have over your dog’s life? How insecure are you that you need full dominance?

How about show your dog some love and respect and just let them eat in peace?

Just sayin’

29/05/2024

28/05/2024

27/05/2024

Do you think your dog may have Separation Anxiety❓

We understand, we really do.

🐶We have been dog trainers for a long time, but when we re-homed Barney, our Sprocker Spaniel, we soon found out he had SA. As dog trainers, we thought we understood SA, but you never really understand it unless you live through it. SA is widely considered to be THE most difficult canine behavioural issue to address and up to 20% of dogs can suffer from it. That figure rises to 40% + for rescues.🐶

So we went off and got ourselves trained and qualified by Julie Naismith, the world’s leading trainer of SA specialists. Now we are qualified and experienced in treating SA (It was fokcing expensive but worth every penny)

If your dog is distressed when you go out – this normally looks like howling or barking, damaging furniture or doors, wees and poos from an otherwise housetrained dogs, ‘self-harm’ then you may well have a dog with SA.

Why not contact us, just for a chat? No money, no commitment. We’ll just have a chat, then if you want to go on to therapy, we’re here for you.👍😁