The dog made me do it

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The dog made me do it

Helping dog guardians rehab their rescue simply, kindly and stress-free.

22/04/2024

Cannot seem to locate the assembly instructions. All the parts seem to be here though.

Is your dog sleeping in weird positions?

08/04/2024

If only I had a penny every time I talked to someone about dog enrichment and they exclaimed that I'm abusing my dog, I'm taunting my dog, I'm being mean to my dog etc.

Well...this post is for you if you've every looked at other dog guardians making feeding times a little challenging for their dog and your immediate response was 'I am never doing this, I want my dog to eat out of a bowl like a king'. 👑

🐕 Dogs are not humans.

🏠They have not chosen to live indoors, in our human designed houses, abiding by human rules, seeing you off to work and fitting their needs around your schedule and energy levels.

Here is a little reminder that we owe it to them to provide them with new experiences, opportunities to use their mind, to use their body, for their senses to be pleasantly tinkled. And using enrichment during feeding times is above all fun for them.

Do you use food puzzles, scatter feeding, kong, snuffling mats, likimats, scent hunt, or any other type of enrichment? Let us know what is your dog's favourite! 🐕🐾🐕

04/03/2024

From the Saddle to the Leash: A Journey of Empathy and Understanding

As a dog trainer, my approach has been deeply influenced by my experiences as a horse rider and showjumping athlete. 🐴➡️🐶 The silent language of trust, the importance of setting small, achievable goals, and the profound bond formed with these majestic creatures have all shaped my philosophy in dog training.

I've learned that true communication transcends words; it's about empathy, patience, and respect. 🌿 Whether guiding a horse over a jump or helping a dog overcome anxiety, the basis of training lies in understanding and connection.

This journey has taught me invaluable lessons about love, trust, and the power of gentle guidance. Let's embrace these lessons together as we walk the path of holistic, force-free training. 💖

Read more about this on my blog post, link in bio.

23/02/2024

THE PIGGY BANK THEORY

Have you ever thought of training your dog as a piggy bank? Every time you train a cue it's like depositing coins into that piggy bank, building up a reserve so you can do a 'pick up' when needed. But, what do I mean by 'withdrawal'? 🤔

Start making your deposits today and watch your dog's behaviour transform! 🌟

👉 Follow me for more tips on how to build a stronger bond with your four-legged friend. 🐾

14/02/2024

Today is my birthday and naturally this account is being taken over by me, Oreo, the real star behind The Dog Made Me Do It.

From a starving stray dog in Athens, Greece, to dominating Danai’s life, travelling across Europe, rulling a London doggy day-care and returning to Greece for some vitamin sea. Here are 11 profound philosophical nuggets of wisdom from my life so far.

What would you add to this list for dog-wellbeing and dog-domination?

#

10/02/2024

ΔΕΝ ΥΠΑΡΧΕΙ ΜΑΓΙΚΟ ΚΟΥΜΠΊ ✨

Ναι, έχουμε δει όλοι τα βίντεο: σκυλάκια που ήταν αγρίμια και μέσα σε μια συνεδρία είναι τέλεια εκπαιδευμένα, και περπατάνε δίπλα σε κάποιον σαν στρατιωτάκια με την προσοχή τους στραμμένη μόνο εκεί. Αλλά ας είμαστε ειλικρινείς, η εκπαίδευση ενός σκύλου απαιτεί χρόνο, προσπάθεια και, πάνω απ’ όλα, καλοσύνη.

Δεν υπάρχει κάποιο μαγικό κουμπί που θα μετατρέψει το σκυλάκι σου σε σκυλίσιο Αϊνστάιν εν μία νυκτί. Αντιθέτως, στόχος μας είναι να δημιουργήσεις έναν ισχυρό δεσμό χρησιμοποιώντας στο μέγιστο την υπομονή, την κατανόηση και τη θετική ενίσχυση.

Να θυμάσαι, κάθε σκύλος είναι μοναδικός και μαθαίνει με τον δικό του ρυθμό. Σεβάσου τις ανάγκες του, γιορτάστε τις μικρές νίκες και ποτέ μη ρισκάρεις να χάσεις την εμπιστοσύνη του ή να κλονίσεις την αυτοπεποίθηση του για ένα γρήγορο αποτέλεσμα.

Άφησε λοιπόν στην άκρη τα «κόλπα» και επικεντρώσου στο χτίσιμο αμοιβαίας επικοινωνίας και σεβασμού. Θα εκπλαγείς με όσα μπορείτε να πετύχετε μαζί!

#εκπαίδευσησκύλων #θετικήενίσχυση #σκύλοιτουίνσταγκραμ #φιλόζωος #ευγενικήεκπαίδευση #υπομονή #κατανόηση #ευτυχισμένοςσκύλος #ταξίδισκιμεσκύλο #υπεύθυνοςιδιοκτήτηςσκύλου #χωρίςμαγικόκουμπί #μόνομεαγάπη #φιλόζωο #σκύλος #σκυλάκι #ζώοσυντροφιάς #σωσμένοσκύλο #υιοθέτησέμε #σχολήεκπαίδευσηςσκύλων #κυναγωγός #ελληνικάσκυλάκια

10/02/2024

THERE IS NO MAGIC BUTTON ✨

Sure, you've seen the videos: perfectly trained pups obeying commands with laser focus. But let's be honest, dog training takes **time, effort, and most importantly, kindness.

There's no magic button that turns your pup into a canine Einstein overnight. Instead, imagine creating a strong bond built on patience, understanding, and positive reinforcement.

Remember, every dog is an individual, learning at their own pace. Respect their needs, celebrate small wins, and never compromise their well-being for a quick fix.

So ditch the "tricks" and focus on a journey of mutual growth and respect. You'll be amazed at what you achieve together!

04/12/2023

Even if you don’t have a dog struggling much, the Christmas season can be difficult for even the most confident of dog.
Here are some reasons why…
1. The lights on the Christmas tree, in the house, on the balcony, on the other balconies and on the streets, as well as the music playing more often, is a sudden change and is a strong stimulus for many dogs.
2. Repeated outings to family dinners, house gatherings and parties take us out of our routine, and our dogs’ as a result. Some of them struggle with how much this affects their feeding, walking and affection time.
3. Traveling during the holidays can be very pleasant for us but some dogs need preparation to be able to enjoy them (if they come with us) or to be able to adapt to any form of accommodation (if they stay behind).
4. Firework shows happening more often add to the already intense stimuli and frighten noise phobic dogs.
5. Visitors to our home are a happy event for many of us, but for some dogs guests in their space can be difficult. Even non-reactive dogs can be stressed by many new (or even familiar) people in their home, children who run around happily, adults having fun and not supervising, visiting dogs, visitors who look them in the eye too intensely, talk too loudly, hug and kiss each other...

This week we will look at some ways to make Christmas merry for you and our little friends. Stay tuned...

And if you have friends with dogs who struggle all year tag them in the comments because I’m preparing something that will help them.

13/11/2023

Oreo and Madame Shoushou. A love story. Often. More and more frequently lately I catch them snuggling.

It is not by luck that these two have such a nice bond though. It took some work from me and certain management. They know each other for 3 years and they have been living under the same roof for over 2 of these years.

🐾At the beginning any interaction between them was heavily monitored and I was very actively making sure to step in every time one or the other needed space and time.

But the most important bit of the work I did was in what I DID NOT do.

🐾These two have NEVER stayed home alone free to roam (bar 2-3 quick times).
🐾These two have NEVER eaten food without me being monitoring.

What all the above have ensured is that there has not been any serious tension between them. The history of their interaction is heavily charged positively.
Do you live with both a cat and a dog? Do you manage their interactions to ensure they share a deeper bond?

#αγαπωταζωα

30/10/2023

What is the number one thing you need to do if your dog is afraid of fireworks?

Help them feel safe!

That's it. that is the first step.

I know, I know, easier said than done, but hear me out. Especially in the UK where fireworks season lasts for about two months…
Other than moving to a cabin in the middle of nowhere, there are many many ways you can support your dog during fireworks season!

Comment FIREWORKS here and I’ll send you my free guide full of useful tips to help your dog through fireworks season.

24/10/2023

Please introduce yourself in the comments!

🙍🏽‍♀️I’m Danai, here are some fun facts about me!
🎓I hold a BA in Art conservation and an MA in History of Design.
🐾I knew I wanted to work with animals since I was 15, it just took me a while to embrace my true nature.
🐶I adopted .the.goofy.dog in 2013 and we have been inseparable since, travelling all over Europe a few times already.
🐕I founded where I had the privilege of working with dogs everyday, eventually leading me to get an education in dog training.
🧽I love a tidy house, but I dislike doing the tidying up and the cleaning.
♻️I am looking for ways to be more eco friendly everyday.
🌱Gardening is a passion of mine, so is homesteading and preserving foods (drying, fermentation, canning).
🐎I used to be a showjumping athlete when I was younger, now I am more interested in making the Horseriding world more kind to horses.

I am still learning and growing every day, but I love sharing my knowledge with people so I invite you to:
❤️Visit the website for articles and trainings
❤️Book one on now sessions with me for dog training assistance
❤️Participate in a webinar
❤️Join my emailing list for exclusive news and offers

Oh, and if Greek is your preferred language, follow .gr.

Follow and join me in my quest for happier dogs and their humans.

12/06/2023

ASK FOR HELP BEFORE REHOMING

I wanted to share with you a truly heartwarming story of resilience, second chances, and the healing power of compassion.

This is Ermis, a beautiful 10 year old cat who had spent all his life in a loving home, but when the family brought a playful kitten in the house he struggled to adapt to the sudden change and he started pooping all over the house, leading to the frustration of his guardians and his prompt return to the breeder to be rehomed.

When I was approached by his new guardian I identified a couple of key factors contributing to his behavioural challenges- we implemented some minor adjustments straight away, came up with a sustainable management plan that allowed him the time and space to settle into his new environment without pressure from the resident cat and prevented stinky toilet accidents in places one could step on them. We identified possible roots of stress and came up with ways to address them.
He started using his litter box again in just two days! Hooray!

Ermis’ journey serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking professional behavioural support. Had his first family realised there is hope, recognised the need for intervention and reached out for guidance, Ermis might still be in the home he had known and loved for over 10 years.

His story is a testament that with patience, understanding, and the right strategies in place, behavioural issues can be managed and, more often than not, resolved. I hope this story inspires others, making sure no animal is suffering of stress or is threatened by rehoming during or after major life altering changes.

Special thanks to Ermis' breeder, , for the photos, and her obvious ethical breeding work, concern and support towards all her litters throughout their life.

Full story of all the perplexing details of this case, the changes we made and the reasons behind his behaviour in the newest blog post- link in bio!

03/05/2023

Ένα σεμινάριο για όσους αναζητούν κατανόηση, υποστήριξη, ενημέρωση και λύσεις.
Ησυζήτηση μου με τη Μαίρη Σπαθάρη, ψυχολόγο, απευθύνεται σε όσους αισθάνονται απομονωμένοι, απογοητευμένοι, αγανακτισμένοι. Σε όσους συνειδητοποιούν πως τα αρνητικά τους συναισθήματα επηρεάζουν τη σχέση τους με τον σκύλο τους και θέλουν να ζητήσουν βοήθεια σε αυτόν τον τομέα.

Την Παρασκευή παρουσιάζουμε ένα διαδραστικό σεμινάριο για να υποστηρίξουμε εσένα που ζεις με έναν ‘δύσκολο’ σκύλο.

ΥΓ: Εάν έχετε φίλους με «δύσκολους» σκύλους, ενημερώστε τους.

Link in bio!

21/04/2023

UNSURE HOW TO INTRODUCE YOUR PUP TO ANOTHER DOG?

Dogs can be territorial. We tend to forget, but it is in their nature.

We can raise them to feel safe, we can help them feel heard, we can help them express their concerns with appropriate behaviour, but we cannot remove them from their nature.

Just bringing a second dog in the house and cross your fingers the two dogs play nice is often a recipe for disaster.

Asking for help and having a plan in place even BEFORE the two dogs enter the same space can prove detrimental to the quality of their relationship longterm. This is especially important if one of the dogs presents any type of:
- anxiety
- fear
- guarding
- reactivity

But even if your dog is a happy-go-lucky puppy (now), or a very well-socialised and tolerant dog, there are still possibilities that relationships can go sour if we are not paying attention.
When more than one dogs are in the same space, the quality of their relationship, the safety they feel in general but also around each other, the trust that their personal boundaries are respected, the respect they hold for each other is what determines how most dogs will react when things get tough. When food is involved, toys, when big changes happen, when life throws us curveballs.

Have you ever wondered what is the best way to safely introduce dogs that will spend time together in the same house shorterm or longterm?
Comment with your most pressing concerns 👇

❤️

20/04/2023

TO HELP A REACTIVE DOG, YOU GOTTA BE PROACTIVE!

I get these questions a lot...
"How to stop my dog from barking towards other dogs?",
"Once my dog gets into a frenzy of barking then there is nothing I can do to talk him out of it, what am I supposed to do?"
"He is so obedient most of the time, but then he sees another cat and he drags me down the road, how on earth can I stop him???"
"How do I fix his pulling and lunging towards kids?"

And the truth is...there are things you can do to calm down a dog that is so worked up, but in my humble opinion, not much you do at this stage is going to be productive and educational. It is more a case of minimising damage and making notes of how to handle certain situations next time.

((On the other hand, there are soooooo many things you can do to prevent a dog from going over this threshold- message me so that we can go over your unique case and plan.))

But, back to our topic...Here are just a few ideas of handling moments like these:
🐾Take a few breaths. I mean it. Just pause and take a few deep breaths, exhaling slowly.
🐾Gentle massage. My dog recovers so much faster if he is about to be brushed.
🐾Enrichment than includes sniffing/licking/chewing.
🐾Movement works well for some dogs, not all of them.

Do you have any other technique that calms your dog down after a big blow out?

11/04/2023

ASK(ING) GOOGLE

Google is amazing. It has opened our eyes and given us access to a wealth of information!

When it comes to training our pets, it's tempting to turn to Google for advice. With just a few clicks, you can access so much information. And it makes sense! I do it as well...But you should NEVER STOP THERE!

Why, do you ask...well, let me give you just a handful of reasons...

1. Lack of Reliability
2. Lack of Context
3. Misinformation and Myths
4. Incomplete Information
5. One-Size-Fits-All Approach

So, what should you do instead of relying solely on Google for dog training advice? It's CRUCIAL to seek guidance from qualified sources, such as certified dog trainers, behaviourists or vet behaviourists. These professionals have the necessary knowledge, experience, and expertise to assess your dog's specific needs and provide tailored training advice that takes into account various important factors about your specific case. Even if finances are tight, many reputable pet professionals offer free resources, online courses, group classes..
If you don't know where to look, reach out and I'll help you.

In conclusion, it's important to approach dog training advice found on google (same goes for Facebook groups, but I'll touch on these another day) with caution, critically evaluate the reliability and context of the information, and seek guidance from qualified professionals for effective and safe dog training.

Don't fall into the Google trap - prioritize your dog's well-being and seek expert advice for successful and responsible dog training.

Wanna delve more into this topic? Read the full blog in bio.

07/04/2023

When it comes to choosing a pet sitter for your furry friend, it's important to do your due diligence and vet them ahead of time. Here are some tips on how to effectively vet pet sitters to ensure your pet's safety and happiness:

🐾Check Credentials and Qualifications: Look for certifications in pet care, first aid, or behavior training. Do they have the necessary knowledge and skills to care for your pet?
🐾Conduct Interviews: Schedule a face-to-face or virtual interview with potential pet sitters. Ask them about experience, setup, resident animals, knowledge about your pet's specific needs, availability, and how they handle emergencies or challenging situations.
🐾Ask for References: Request references from previous clients or employers. Contact them to ask about their experience with the pet sitter, their reliability, and the quality of care they provided to their pets.
🐾Perform Background Checks: This can include criminal history, driving records, and other relevant information. This helps you identify any potential risks or red flags.
🐾Request a Meet and Greet with Your Pet: Invite potential pet sitters for a meet and greet with your pet. Observe how they interact with your animal, their knowledge about your pet's behavior, and how your pet responds to them. This helps you assess their compatibility with your pet.
🐾Arrange a trial sleepover: Giving your pet the chance to experience staying with a sitter allows for a less stressful experience when they will eventually stay with them for more days.
🐾Trust Your Instincts: Pay attention to your instincts and gut feeling when vetting pet sitters. If something doesn't feel right or you have any concerns, don't hesitate to ask questions or seek additional information.
🐾Once you find a sitter you and your pet like, organise a few sleepovers randomly throughout the year. This way you will both be in the sitter's priority list and your dog will maintain good relationship and familiarity with their environment.
By following these tips and thoroughly vetting pet sitters ahead of time, you can ensure that your pet is in safe and capable hands while you're away.

22/03/2023

Η ζωή με έναν δύσκολο σκύλο!

Μια εκπαιδεύτρια σκύλων και μια ψυχολόγος παντρεύουν γνώσεις, εργαλεία και ιδέες υποστήριξης για όσους συμβιώνουν με έναν «δύσκολο» σκύλο.

Live webinar που απευθύνεται:
· Σε όσους έχουν ακούσει τον εαυτό τους να χαρακτηρίζει τον σκύλο τους ως: πεισματάρη, ζηλιάρη, ξεροκέφαλο, επιθετικό, υπερκινητικό, “φωνακλά”,φοβικό, “κολλημένο πάνω μου” κτλ.
· Σε όσους έχουν απομονωθεί λόγω των θεμάτων που αντιμετωπίζουν με τον σκύλο τους.
· Σε εκείνους που αισθάνονται ότι δεν μπορούν να μοιραστούν τους προβληματισμούς τους, γιατί κανείς δεν τους καταλαβαίνει.
· Σε αυτούς που βλέπουν πως τα αρνητικά τους συναισθήματα ή οι αντιδράσεις τους μπορεί να πλήττουν τη σχέση με τον σκύλο τους.

Περισσότερες πληροφορίες στον σύνδεσμο στα stories μας και στο bio.

Για εγγραφή στείλε μας μήνυμα ή συμπλήρωσε τη φόρμα στον σύνδεσμο.

#αγαπωτονσκυλομου #εκπαιδευσησκυλων

14/03/2023

Muzzles don't have to be scary! 🐾

Training your furry friend to accept a muzzle through play and positive reinforcement is a fun and bonding experience for your pup.

Even if your pup has never show aggression, muzzle training can be immensely beneficial. Dogs in pain or under stress are more likely to bite, and if you wait until that moment to introduce a muzzle chances are your dog will get EVEN MORE stressed.

Having a history of fun and positive associations with a muzzle can make any vet visit, grooming appointment and travel easier, but primarily it also ensures the safety of both your dog and others around them at all times. Even the scarier ones.

Let's unpack the prejudice within us and show our pups that muzzles can be a fun and positive experience! ❤🐾

07/03/2023

RISK VS BENEFIT ANALYSIS

There is risk in everything we do in life.

Yet we still leave our house and mingle with the world because the benefits outweighs the risks. Do we accept the risks at face value? No! We take precautions against the dangers we consider the most probable and undesirable risks.

Many don’t think much about this but we do the same everyday when it comes to making decisions for our dogs: ranging from deciding on their diet, their environment, their training, their care, and their wellbeing.

When it comes to Oreo for example the choices I make having made a risk benefit analysis:

- He is fed raw bones every week because it is the best way to keep his teeth clean and I am happy to accept the risks coming with bones consumption and make informed choices to minimise these risks.

- He is let off leash in certain scenarios I deem isolated enough (from wildlife, people and from other dogs) and we have worked hard on our bond and recall so I feel good doing so. More often than not he is on a long line for safety.

- He is fed a raw diet and I’m happy to invest time on this task in my day to day, because I believe the benefits overweight the hassle.

- He rides in my car fastened with a seatbelt.

What risks are you willing to take with your dog(s) and how do you protect your dog, yourself or other people?

PS: is anyone else feeling like summer is around the corner? What is up with the weather?

21/02/2023

The 3Ds

Distractions
Distance
Duration

How are these useful?
Any time we train something new, whether it is a new cue, improve their focus on us or we want to help our dogs get used to a new sound in the environment, it is good to keep these in mind.
Breaking everything new in pieces, the 3Ds are the different layers to add gradually so that we set our dogs up for success.
Because each and every one of these is something that our dog might struggle with and recognising and accepting them is the first step in helping them be more focused and more resilient.

Do you want tips on how to use these in actual life? Head over to my blog!

13/02/2023

WHAT DOG TRAINERS BRING ON CAFE DATES

I treated myself to a coffee date this past weekend. I brought my planner and my book for this.

As I was reading my book I wondered- do many people go out on their own to sit in a cafe and read a book or plan their week?

Drop a ❤ in the comments if you take yourself on book-reading-cafe-dates!

PS: The book is Leslie McDevitt's Control Unleashed. Although written with dog sports in mind, Leslie's books is quite the gem; full of ideas and games that can help any dog. Loving the Look at that! and the There is a dog in your face! games.

11/02/2023

…RIGHT?

Do you believe everything you see on TV?

Here are some random questions to keep in mind when watching TV dog shows.
- Just because it appears to be easy, doesn’t meant it is. Pat yourself on the back. The fact you have been struggling does not mean you are not a good dog guardian.
- Just because it appears to be a quick fix, doesn’t mean it is truly a fix. TV shows present a snippet of time. A heavily manipulated snippet of montaged time. How can you be sure the dog has not been showing signs of mental health issues? Additionally, what happens to these dogs and how is their behaviour 6 months later? 1 year later?
- Just because film montage creates the illusion of unattainable speed when it comes to fixing behavioural issues, it does not mean they can be that quick to be solved. What happens when the trainer leaves the dog-guardian duo alone?
- Can shows that are so tied to the entertainment of the public be true and educational at the same time? Or is the pressure of producing something easy to digest, fun, captivating and snappy so much that the average dog show is mostly entertainment and not much reality?
- Does publicity necessarily equal skills and knowledge ?Just because someone is on TV does not mean they know what they are talking about. A lot of dog training TV shows are featuring dog trainers who are not particularly respected within the dog training community. Do. Your. Research.
- Just because it worked on one dog it does not mean it works on your dog. Training methods and application skills aside, every dog is an individual, and any professional that is working with a dog is taking into account factors that the average owner does not have the skills to understand.

Stay critical, stay informed 📺

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DO DOGS REMEMBER US? Of course they do! In this video Vulric heard my voice through the laptop. He was in a different room and came running to investigate if I was in the house (and somehow he missed me entering…as if that was ever possible 😂😂). His hoomum decided to film his reaction to inform me he misses me. It warmed my heart ❤️! I have not seen Vulric for over a year. He knows me well, I have cared for him for a number of years since he was in his teens. We have spent time amidst other dogs in my daycare, @dbdoggydaycare, and time alone. Him and @oreo.the.goofy.dog are best buddies. In case you were wondering how much of an impact you are having on a dog, I’m here to remind you they remember us for a long time. Make the memories happy ones. Make their lives beautiful. Make sure you spread the love ❤️ #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainer #dogs #dogsofinstagram #dogsoflondon #londondogs #londondogslife #londondogsofinstagram

Ideas for keeping dogs busy during this lockdown : the snuffle mat. Although my dog finds his kibble in a relatively short time he loves his snuffle mat so much. Have you been using a snuffle mat to feed your dog? You don’t have a snuffle mat but want to provide your dog with a fun way to engage their senses? Tune in, I will be sharing DIY ideas shortly! 💡 #snufflemat #dogtraining #lockdownstories #londondogs #dogsofinstagram #londondogsofinstagram #lovedogs

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