Calders Pet Services

11/08/2024

Time with my wolf 🐺😍🐾

▶️ It's so important when you have a child that your dog still gets quality one on one time with you. (So we dropped Archie off at nursery and off we went!)

▶️ If you struggle with childcare see if you can get a trusty dog walker on board so at least once a week your dog gets to go out off roading and exploring. (Or rope in a family member for a couple of hours so you and your dog can escape!)

▶️ The same is true for a multi dog household. Like children, each dog still needs that quality one on one time with you for bonding and learning at least once a week.

▶️ It's only when you have a pram and a small child in tow you really have to reassess some of your old dog walking routes to see if they're suitable 🙈🤣 Something I never thought about before having Archie 🤣 Shadow and I deliberately went somewhere that wouldn't be suitable for a pram for a change!

▶️ Archie sometimes decides that he doesn't want to be in his pram anymore so either wants to walk or tantrums...🙈 It's a lot for your dog to cope with so it's nice for them (and you!) to have that time away once in a while!

# it's what Fridays are for!

28/07/2024

WOW!! What a weekend!! I learnt so much, did some great networking and had a great time!! 🥳 Thank you so much to Roz Pooley and her fantastic team (humans and dogs!) at The Mutty Professor for a brilliant seminar on 'The First Sniff - Practical Handling, Social walks for Reactivity and Aggression in dogs!' My brain maybe cooked but I'm feeling positive and inspired 💪😎🐾 Thank you ❤️

27/07/2024

It's Daddy daycare this weekend 😬 but I'm off to Bristol to do the 'The First Sniff : Handling & Social Walks for Over Reactivity and Aggression' dog workshop by The Mutty Professor!! A big trip down memory lane back to where my first dog training days first started back in 2018?! I'm soooo excited 😁🥳🐾

02/06/2024

I want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone that came to the Foley Grange Care Home dog show yesterday! It was lovely to meet all the wonderful dogs and their owners! 🥰🐾
Thank you for all the support from the residents, staff, friends and family - we couldn't have done it without you! We hope everyone had a great time!
Needless to say Shadow was exhausted when we got home 🤣 being a helper dog is a tiring job 🤣
Photos and highlights from the show to follow soon!

29/05/2024

3 Days to go! 🥳
I'm so excited to be the professional dog trainer helping run this dog show for the Foley Grange Care Home on Saturday 1st June! 🐕🥳
(Registration from 1pm)
⭐ 6 fun categories to enter your dog into
⭐ prizes to be won kindly donated by Just for Pets KAD Kids Around Dogs
⭐ stalls
⭐ Yellow space (doggie chill out zone) My Anxious Dog UK
⭐ Doggie demonstration by me!
See you there! 😊🐾

16/05/2024

I'm so excited to be the professional dog trainer helping run this dog show for the Foley Grange Care Home on Saturday 1st June! 🐕🥳
(Registration from 1pm)
⭐ 6 fun categories to enter your dog into ⭐ prizes to be won
⭐ stalls Barkin' Bakes by Sarah
⭐ Yellow space (doggie chill out zone) My Anxious Dog UK
⭐ Doggie demonstration by me!
See you there! 😊🐾

Today Beth and Calders Pet Services went out to advertise our Foley Dog Show on the 1st June. We can’t thank Just for Pets Barkin' Bakes by Sarah enough for the donations for our prizes. We look forward to seeing you all there🐶💜

06/05/2024

We're thrilled to announce our upcoming Pet Trailing Masterclass on Tuesday 14th May 11am - 1pm, (ran by the fantastic Rachel Rodgers from Nose to Trail) that is designed to enhance the bond between you and your dog while tapping into their natural instincts.

✅ Pet trailing is using your dogs incredible sense of smell to find dogs and other animals!

➡️ Any dog, any breed, any age. No experience required! £25 for the 2 hour session!

⭐ Pet trailing isn't just about fun and games; it's an incredible way to engage your dog mentally and physically. Here's why it's beneficial:

1. Mental Stimulation: Pet trailing challenges your dog's mind as they use their senses to follow a scent trail, keeping them mentally sharp and engaged.

2. Physical Exercise: It's a fantastic form of physical activity for dogs of all ages and breeds, promoting cardiovascular health and muscle strength.

3. Bonding Experience: Working together on a trailing activity strengthens the bond between you and your dog, fostering trust and teamwork.

4. Natural Instincts: Dogs have an innate ability to track scents, and pet trailing allows them to utilize this instinct in a controlled and rewarding environment.

🔥 This one off masterclass will provide you with the skills and knowledge to engage in pet trailing activities safely and effectively, enriching both your lives in the process.

Spaces are limited so hit the link below to book now so you and your dog don't miss out!! 👇

This session is being hosted by Calder's Pet Services. These sessions are to introduce your dog to trailing and are aimed at dogs who have never trailed before! For these sessions you will need: Your dog A Harness A 7-10metre long line Their high value food reward Appropriate clothing and footwear t...

02/05/2024

SAFE BABY AND DOG (FIRST INTRODUCTION!)

Introducing a dog to a new baby is a significant moment that requires careful planning and consideration. The first meeting sets the tone for their future interactions and can greatly impact their relationship. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

1. **Safety First**: Ensuring the baby's safety is paramount. Always supervise their interactions closely and NEVER leave your dog ALONE with your baby.

2. **Avoid Overwhelming the Dog**: The introduction should be calm and controlled. Avoid overwhelming the dog with too much attention or excitement during this sensitive time.

3. **No Pressure on the Dog**: It's important not to force the dog to show interest in the baby. Allow the dog to approach the baby at their own pace, (if they choose to do so). NEVER force an interaction by holding the dog near the baby's face or vise versa!

4. **Scent Transfer**:
Scent transfer helps a dog gather information about the baby through smell prior to their introduction. This helps them to process things and relax.

5. **Desensitization**: Gradually desensitize the dog to baby-related sounds and movements BEFORE the baby is born. For example, play recordings of baby cries at a low volume initially and gradually increase it over time.

6. **Behavioural Preparation**: Teach the dog how to behave around the baby before it arrives. It really does make your life so much easier!

7. **Positive Reinforcement**: Reward the dog for calm and gentle behaviour around the baby. Positive reinforcement helps create positive associations with the baby's presence. What gets rewarded gets repeated!!

8. **Monitoring Reactions**: Watch the dog's body language closely during interactions with the baby. Look for signs of stress or discomfort, and intervene if necessary.

☝️ Remember, each dog is unique, and the adjustment period may vary. Patience and consistency are key when introducing a dog to a new baby.

I offer a bump to baby package that covers all the pre baby prep and that crucial first introduction. Email [email protected] for further information and to book!

26/04/2024

👇This is such an important message. When a dog growls, the dog is saying 'leave me alone otherwise I'm going to have to bite!'

⭐ Dogs are social animals and want to avoid conflict! The last thing they want to do is bite. It's their last resort, so don't give them a reason to.

✅ Reach out to your nearest kids around dogs approved trainer for help and support at www.kidsarounddogs.co.uk to keep BOTH your kids and dogs safe! 😊🐾

I get this question all the time from parents:

"My dog growls at my kids. How do I stop this?"

Instead of asking how to stop the growl, ask how to STOP THE REASON the dog is growling in the first place.

For example, If your kids are too close, ask them to back up and invite the dog to them instead.

Parenting kids and dogs at the same time is hard.

Reach out if you are overwhelmed as a parent or as a dog pro without lots of kid experience. You are not alone - I can help.

06/04/2024

Have a read of this wonderful post below by Debby Lucken! I couldn't agree more!

🙋There are more parallels between children and dogs than you realise!

Did you know that if a dog isn't well her behaviour might change? 😢

For example, say that your dog didn't have a problem with other dogs approaching her. At some point, you start noticing she doesn't like other dogs coming up to her anymore.
That's a change in behaviour.

The first instinct people have is to call a behaviourist. However, as any good behaviourist would tell you, you need to take your dog to the vet for a health check first. 🚨

In fact, a research from Daniel Mills (2020) shows that in nearly 80% of cases, the dog would have a medical condition that would, therefore make her feel and act differently. 🧐

If the medical condition is left untreated, you can do all the behavioural therapy you want, but it isn't going to change whatever medical problem your dog has. 🐶

Now, I know this is about dogs, but don't you think it's exactly the same for kids?

Say a child is dyslexic, you can tell her to try harder all you want, but that is not going to help. Only by the child being assessed by a specialist, and then educated to use new and effective reading skills the child will be able to do better. 📚👩‍🏫

If you notice a change in your dog's behaviour, book an appointment with your trusted vet. ❤️🐾

Photo credit (just because she's gorgeous): Faie, KAD approved pro Olwen Turns

04/04/2024

Is it safe to let your dog on the sofa with a child? - No, unless there is a parent between the child and the dog actively supervising.

I trust my dog with my life and she is more likely to run away from a chicken than chase it 😂 but I would never put her in a comprising position or set her up to fail. It just takes ONE accident and its the dogs' fault....

Do all dog have teeth? YES! SO ANY DOG CAN BITE. Yes even that 'wouldn't harm a fly dog' can still bite if put in a position they feel they have to defend themselves.

My top tips:

-Teach your dog the on and off command so they only come on the sofa when you ask them to.

-Make sure if they do join you on the sofa you give them space. You will build a stronger bond of trust with your dog if you do!

-Teach your dog to lie down by the sofa when you're on it or to relax on their bed. When you do have little guests round this is purely for safety not dominance. (Please note the 'dominance theory' is very outdated and research since supports this!)

-If you practice this when you don't have guests, your dog will think this is normal behaviour and won't feel left out.

-Always keep your child HIGHER than your dog. Never let your dog peer down on your child or stand over them while changing them. It just takes one second for your dog to step on your baby or squash it.

Please help keep our children and dogs safe!



Photo credit to the wonderful Katy
😍🐾

30/03/2024

🐾🌷 Celebrate Easter with Your Furry Friend! 🌷🐾

Looking for a way to include your beloved pup in the Easter festivities? 🐶🥚 Why not host a dog-friendly Easter egg hunt that's fun for the whole family, fur-babies included! Here's how:

🥚 Choose Dog-Friendly "Eggs":
Opt for plastic eggs filled with dog-friendly treats like small pieces of carrot, banana, or dog biscuits. These goodies will keep your pup engaged without any tummy troubles.

🏡 Set Up a Safe Zone:
Designate a separate area for your dog's egg hunt to ensure they can enjoy the fun without interference from the children. (If it's safe to do so you could put up a mesh fence supported by rods to divide up the garden).

🌟 Hide 'Eggs' Strategically:
Hide the dog-friendly eggs in easily accessible places, considering your dog's size and mobility. Avoid hiding them in areas that are off-limits or potentially hazardous.

🎉 Supervise and Participate:
Supervise the hunt closely to ensure the safety of both children and dogs. If your dog is particularly excitable or if you have small toddlers, pop your dog on a lead to be handled by an adult. Encourage the kids to help their furry friend find the hidden treasures, fostering a sense of teamwork and joy.

🥚 Get crafting!
For older children - get them involved in decorating some hard boiled eggs that can then be hidden in the garden by the Easter bunny! 🐰

🚀 Ready to Make Memories?
Get ready for a tail-wagging good time with your family and furry friend this Easter! 🎉🐕 Don't forget to capture those precious moments on camera for lasting memories!

Ps in our family we have the Easter Egg cup - prizes can still be chocolate but safely out of reach!

Happy hunting, everyone! 🐾🥚

27/03/2024

Tuesday 2nd April is national don't walk your dog day and to celebrate this the brilliant Niki French at Pup Talk will be doing a FREE live Q&A at 7pm! Not an event to be missed!

21/03/2024

I'm always adding to my learning! A big thank you to Ruby Leslie for a great webinar! So many households have cats AND young children so this webinar was very apt for my line of work 😊

🐱 Did you know that cats don't like change?

20/03/2024

Happy Dogs in Yellow Day! A big shout to for all the wonderful work she does!
Spread the word! When you see yellow it means give that dog space! If you have a child that is desperate to say hello - tell them they can wave at the dog or blow it a kiss at a distance.
'A small distance goes a long way!'
(Photo credit and quote - my anxious dog)

21/02/2024

IS THIS SAFE?

✅ Parent engaging

Active supervision means a parent engaging with their child so if the situation changes (and the dog gets up for example) they are ready to act and intervene if needed.

⚠️ It is not active supervision if the adult is not paying attention or is on their phone.

✅ Dogs Needs Met

Here you can see Shadow is so relaxed she's asleep. She's had her walks and enrichment so is taking some much needed zzzzs!

She has space to move away if she wants to. She has chosen to lie here. I have not asked her to. She feels SAFE as she knows Archie is not going to bother her.

⚠️ If I felt that Shadow was likely to be excited or full of beans I would certainly not be sitting on the floor with Archie. Archie would be safely in his cot or on the sofa with me.

✅ Barrier between dog and baby

Always make sure there is a human or physical barrier between your baby and dog. Even though Shadow is 'bomb proof' she could still snap if pushed too far. It's my job as both a dog and a human mum to make sure she doesn't.

🤔 HOW DO I DO THIS?

I listen to what she is telling me and respond accordingly with kindness ❤️

I will be getting ready to go back to work soon so keep your eyes peeled for more updates and top tips to help keep BOTH baby and dog safe ❤️

19/01/2024

Yesterday I saw a dog with a noose around its neck and an electric collar. The dog was choked and zapped in front of me for just looking at my dog. It broke my heart 😥

The dog did nothing wrong and I could see how stressed and sad it was. The situation upset me for the rest of the day and really played on my mind.

I'm proud to say that I have NEVER used these methods, and NEVER will.

Why? Because I don't need to. My training methods are kind, supported by science and to be honest I find such aversive methods cruel. (For those of you that don't know as of Feb 2024 e-collars will be made illegal in the UK!!)

Sadly there are people out there that will still promote and justify the use of these tools despite the enforced ban.

Along with my own qualifications, I have been trained and follow the practices of professionals who have worked with 1000s of dogs WITHOUT using these methods. Victoria Stilwell, Chirag Patel, The Mutty Professor to name a few! They put the welfare of the dog first and yes they still get successful outcomes.

Thank you The Mutty Professor for this post. It's very impressive how diplomatic you are on such a subject as I personally find this topic very challenging!

Later that evening I saw my husband teaching my son how to safely interact with our dog (using the 1,2,3 KAD cuddles game). It put a BIG smile on my face and made me realise that the best way to help other dogs would be to EDUCATE the next generation on dog body language and how to train using KINDNESS.

Let's be honest the husband/partner species are a tricky one to crack 🤣 I can assure you that no harsh methods were used to train my husband! It gives me HOPE that if I can help my husband understand the methods in my madness, ANYTHING is possible! 💪

One of the many issues with the use of punitive/aversive tools and methods is- when they don't work - the escalation of intervention can often be to add MORE punitive/aversive methods.

It is sadly now not uncommon to see dogs with an e-collar AND a prong collar on. Leading to the question, if one tool was so effective- why would you even need a second?! 🤔

This picture is an example of everything that is wrong with our industry. An 'professional' so uneducated, so unskilled that they have to NOTHING but multiple aversive tools and aversive methods to use.

I'm sure this was justified by using one of the many sayings we often see used to justify aversive tool use.

The dog being "a red zone dog", "highly aggressive" or perhaps they are "really high drive".
Of course let's not forget that......

🗣️ “Every dog learns differently"
and
🗣️ “Not every dog responds to positive reinforcement training".

My experience and that of thousands and thousands of others says otherwise.
Never let a trainer justify such abuse. No dog deserves this.

The dog pictured is on a choke chain, on an e-collar, on a prong collar- which is slung up high so any movement (even if to balance) causes it to dig in more than it is already.
As if that's not bad enough, the dog is balancing on a chair with a muzzle on.

Whilst the trainer probably thinks they're stopping undesirable behaviour, they're also inhibiting the ability for the dog to offer any desired behaviour at all. This dog has been given nothing but surrender as an option.

It's important to note that there are many balanced trainers who have an adequate knowledge of behaviour and training who would feel just as sad as I do when looking at this picture.

Whilst I do not advocate, nor am I permissive, of the use of balanced training methods and aversive tools, I am aware that there are plenty of balanced trainers who are incredibly careful about how and when they use tools.

I'd like to see such trainers speak up and call out the escalation of aversive tool use. I'd like to see these trainers openly discuss and educate on the risks associated with aversive tools rather than using ambiguous language such as 'when used correctly'.

The trainer of this dog probably thinks they are using them correctly.

I do not subscribe to 'correct' aversive tool use. I've not needed a tool in 13 years.
But, I do recognise that many people will not listen to those who do not use aversive tools, such as myself. They think we are bias, uneducated, inexperienced and yet to see the benefits because we haven't given it a go ourselves.

So, if you're a balanced trainer or an aversive tool supporting dog owner who is saddened by this picture- then please reconsider how you communciate your advocation of aversive tools.

Aversive tool use is IMO more popular than ever. This picture is an example of how things said online or inperson can be interpretted.

If you advocate for tool use and you do not openly acknowledge and educate on the risks associated with such methods, this is what can and does happen.

Note, discussing this risks on your platforms will reach more who are more open to aversive tool use (and thus, more at risk of fallout!) than if you acknowledge the risks only on discussions promoted by those against aversive tool use.
IMO- the use of aversive tools are never necessery and after working with thousands of dogs for nearly 14 years, I feel I have enough anecdotal experience (alongside that of my like minded colleagues) to maintain my stance on the matter.
Thanks to The Perfect Puppy Company for bringing this awful picture to my attention.

23/12/2023

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Calders Pet Services! Thank you to all my wonderful clients for their continued support! Roll on 2024! 🥳

25/10/2023

We had a bad day....What went wrong?

1. Shadow wouldn't get out the car after our walk
2. She barked and mock charged at every dog she saw even ones on leads.
3. She barked at everyone who came to the door

How did I know something wasn't right?

1. For starters this was very unusual behaviour for Shadow and very out of character.
2. She slept all evening when she usually wants to play/train about 8pmish
3. Her poos were soft.

Why could this be?

1. Road works appeared outside our house so noise and traffic increased. (I have noticed she has become increasingly sound sensitive as she's got older so I'm monitoring her closely to rule out any aches&pains she may have. If this persists she will be going for a vet check).
2. My husband was away an extra day more than normal.
3. She may have eaten/drank something that didn't agree with her stomach.
4. Lack of sleep due to feeling unwell and on edge.

No dog is perfect. Behaviour is behaviour. Even the most 'well trained' dog have their off days. They may feel unwell, they may feel stressed. They may be in pain.

By law your dog has to be under control (Dangerous Dog Act 1991) but my emphasis here is BE SENSIBLE. BE PROACTIVE. If your dog is having an off day, learn to recognise the signs and do everything you can to manage them safely, don't put them into situations that will escalate the problem and minimise their stress.

What did I do to help Shadow?
1. I did some indoor scentwork with her to help her relax.
2. Her evening walk was earlier to avoid the dark. We parked and walked in a quiet place so we could avoid everyone.
3. I kept her on a long line and didn't ask much of her.
4. When we got home my husband was home which perked her up.
5. I moved her bed to a quieter place.
6. I gave her some enrichment to help her settle down for bed.

If signs persist in your dog for more than 3 days (the stress hormone cortisol stays in a dogs' blood for 3 days), I would highly recommend seeking professional and medical help.

Remember you know your dog best - I'm hoping with the roadworks now gone, husband home, rest, tlc, and some relaxation that Shadow will be back to her usual self🤞

01/06/2023

CPD - Continued Professional Development

Every year I have to complete CPD. This ensures my training, teaching methods and knowledge stay at a high standard and up to date. I do cpd for the IMDT Kids Around Dogs and canine hoopers.

Let's be honest everyday is a school day and Shadow and I love learning! 🤓

For this particular cpd we were training in Northampton and brushing up on our canine hoopers skills and knowledge! My mind has once again been blown and we've learnt some very cool stuff! It was great to meet other ACHUKI trainers and to have lots of giggles along the way (TTT)! 🤣 Thank you all so much for your help and support and for making us feel so welcome! As you can see I have one sleepy Shadow 🤣❤️

Thank you for being such an inspiration ❤️🐾 we've got lots of work to do and ideas to put into practice 😃

23/05/2023

Today we were working on channeling Roxy's herding instincts with some fun recall games and alternative behaviours. She picks things up so quickly and is such a clever girl! Well done team Roxy!

17/05/2023

What a superstar! Real proof that hard work, patience and consistentency pays off! Beau and his owner have done an amazing job working on their loose lead walking over the past few months. It's no easy ride, but can be done! 💪

All my training methods are kind, force free, and are backed by science with the welfare and well being of both dog and owner as priority ❤️