ThinkDogs Training & Behaviour

Bus Travel - Daisymay

It is important that assistance dogs are comfortable with different types of transport, and in our session together Daisymay worked on confidence with taking the bus. Buses can be challenging because they are loud, have lots of different smells, and move in unusual ways. She did very well!

Down Stay (Cafe)

Daisymay shows off a duration down stay in a cafe while her handler orders at the till. Even though there are people eating food and other dogs nearby, she did not get distracted and did very well. This is a key skill for her as an assistance dog. [Video Description: a light coloured Australian Labradoodle laying down inside a cafe while there are people and dogs moving around in the background.]

Polite Exit Through A Building

The very lovely Daisymay demonstrates polite manners while going through the exit of a building. Good self control at thresholds is an important skill for an assistance dog. Well done, Daisymay! [Video Description: a cream Australian Labradoodle walks on a loose lead through automatic doors and then sits next to her handler.]

Lyra is doing so well with her assistance dog training. Here you can see her navigating various distractions, walking past merchandise in shop aisles, practising a stay as a trolley is moved past her, and settling in a busy, noisy Costa. Well done to Lyra and her handler for all your hard work, Lyra is really maturing and it is a joy to work with this lovely partnership. [Video Description: a compilation of clips of a pale Labrador walking next to her handler who is a wheelchair user inside of a shop/shopping centre, working on training exercises and settling inside a Costa cafe.]

Trick Training Demo

Trick training demo with Maya at the Duston Fun Day! 🎉

Fred demonstrates the watch me behaviour for a verbal cue and a hand signal. He has moved past the foundations for this exercise and is now building duration and becoming less reliant on there being food in his human’s hand when he is given the cue. Well done Fred! [Video Description - a spaniel puppy looks up at his human when given the verbal cue “Watch” and a hand signal, and gets given a treat.]

Reactivity Training - Bear

Bear can be an anxious boy and has struggled with his reactivity towards dogs and people. In our training sessions, he has built up a strong reinforcement history for making positive choices around his triggers. Now he can spot another dog and automatically check in, because he knows that good things (snacks) happen when he does! [Video Description: a chocolate Labrador on a long line spots a few dogs across the park and turns around to check in with his owner.]

Check out superstar multipurpose assistance dog in training Daisymay the Australian Labradoodle! 🌟 Daisymay demonstrates important skills here: self control, polite lead walking, the ability to disengage… She is doing so well! [Video Description: clips of a cream Australian Labradoodle assistance dog in training working with her handler in different environments.]

Lead Walking

If you want your dog to engage with you and walk politely without pulling… First make sure their needs are being properly met! Your dog should be getting regular opportunities to sniff, run, play and explore. If you aren’t giving your dog sufficient daily physical and mental stimulation, you are making it much more difficult for yourself. Do you want your dog to pull less? Alongside positive training, make more time for sniffy walks, free runs (off-lead or on a long line), interactive play, puzzle games, and so on. Remember that walks on a short lead are not the only way you can give your dog exercise. Think about what your dog’s favourite activities are and make the effort to incorporate more of this into your routine. Follow for more training tips! 🐾 [Video Description: a light coloured Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier trots along on a loose short lead in the first clip. The next clips show the same dog on a longer lead sniffing and exploring nature.]

Training With Fred

Fred is a young Cocker Spaniel learning to support his human as a life-changing assistance dog. He is still a baby, so his training is focused on building up foundation skills as he learns about the world and develops. Pet-friendly locations can be great places to socialise puppies or introduce distractions to your training, whether you want your dog to be an assistance dog candidate or a well-balanced pet. Despite there being a lot going on, Fred was able to offer brilliant attention and focus. What a super boy! [Video Description: clips of a cocker spaniel working on lead walking and leave it training inside a garden centre.]

Although the evidence tells us that using rewards is the most effective and kind way to teach our dogs, dog training is an unregulated industry, and some will still try to justify the use of force with statements like: “Treat training may work for easy dogs, but not for dogs that are high drive.” “But you HAVE to use aversives with Malinois / German Shepherds / [insert breed here].” “Some dogs just learn best with a heavy hand.” These are misconceptions - the principles of learning are universal, and can be applied across all species. Dogs of every breed, and with any issue, all benefit from a compassionate approach. Harsh methods are tied to increased anxiety, aggression and other unpleasant risks. We strongly believe that training should be fun and enjoyable for both parties, and training should never result in your dog feeling scared, in pain or uncomfortable. Like & Share this post to spread the message that rewards work - for every dog of every breed! [Video Description: a sable Belgian Malinois and a white Siberian Husky mix in a sit stay in a field. Above them the text in the video reads “Myth: Some dogs need harsh training and a firm hand because of their breed.” / “Reality: ALL dogs can learn through positive reinforcement!” Both dogs are recalled and run towards the camera.]

Recall With Acorn

Recall - this cue could save your dog’s life! A strong recall response is an important safety behaviour, even if you don’t intend to let your dog off lead. Acorn the Cockerpoo is doing very well with his recall training, and is learning to come back even if there are other dogs nearby. Want advice on teaching recall? We have a blog post that covers recall tips (Do You Recall? – Everyone Loves a Good Comeback). You can find this at https://thinkdogstraining.co.uk/do-you-recall-everyone-loves-a-good-comeback/