Hound Around

14/01/2023

Same applies to the dogs. Well done for just keeping going in this weather ❤️

Rain, mud, ice, snow. Cut yourself some slack, you are doing your best. So what you if haven't done any training in weeks, just getting there was an effort. Maybe the grooming is a little behind schedule. You have run out of dry wet weather gear, and yet they are still fed, watered, kept safe and probably warmer and drier than you were when you were caring for their every need. You are a bloody superstar, don't forget it, ok and maybe a little bit crazy too, 🤪 but don't beat yourself up for what you haven't done. Focus on what you have and look ahead. Not everything has to be about doing things with them, sometimes doing things for them is more than enough.

08/10/2022

07/08/2022

I’m a proud trainer tonight. One of my customers has achieved Grade 7 in his agility career. Am I proud because I think it shows my abilities as a coach ? Yes, a little. My biggest pride, though, is that he consistently worked at improving his skills. To paraphrase a quote from the trainer who realised my potential - I give you the tools, it’s you that decides how to use them.

Just because you didn't progress, it doesn't mean your instructor is rubbish.

When I first started teaching it was not uncommon for people to use our initial lessons to do a lot of complaining about and denigrating of previous trainers for their perceived lack of progress. At that stage in my career I would be super optimistic that I could help. These days I tend to stop these tales, and suggest we just see how things go....

Now don't get me wrong, some people have had really crappy times with previous instructors and have had very poor quality tuition.

You may also end up with someone you just don't get on with (and that's OK. As my friend Jane reminds me, we are not for everyone ). You may also discover that the training approach your instructor is sharing is not for you .

It can take a while to really discover someone who both teaches in a way you appreciate and who teaches the kind of thing you really want to learn.

HOWEVER.

The other reason you might not have progressed with your previous instructor - and also may not progress with me - might be for other reasons.

It is not uncommon to meet students who have gone from one trainer to the next, initially taking on board with great enthusiam what they are doing (even if it goes against everything they have previously been taught - again and again and again). And then after a while, when things don't improve as they would like, they move on to the next trainer, then the next.

Because let's be clear; learning is really hard. I am a lifelong student, and I am now confident that large parts of that learning journey involves plateauing for ages; appearing to make the same mistakes over and over, and having to dig so deep yourself that it hurts.

To progress there are a few things you cannot avoid:

1. You will have to practice - a lot.
2. You will have to look to yourself, again and again
3. You will have to be responsible for that practice - by this I mean, really considering what you're doing and why, observing, comparing, reflecting, trying again. This is not for your instructor to do, this is only for you. If you're contacting your instructor after lessons and asking them to send you notes about your session, you may have to rethink where the responsibility lies.
4. When it feels tricky and hard and messy, this is not the time to give up.
5. You will have to practice even when you can think of every reason not to.
6. You will have to look to yourself.

At some stage - I promise - the act of practicing becomes a wonderful and addictive act that you cannot exist without. But it does not start this way. Motivation tends to follow action, not the other way around.

Beginnings are wonderful, but at some stage the glitter wears off, and then there is the work. And no one else can do this bit for us.

30/07/2022

Today I got Cornish holibob pressies and some cake too - lucky me ❤️

20/07/2022

For all those dog sports handlers out there ❤️

🥹

26/06/2022

There’s lots of things that I find good for the soul but today it was: playing with my dogs; training my dogs and a damn good mow. Love my piece of heaven ❤️🤍💙

11/06/2022

I get the nicest treats brought to me 😍

29/05/2022

Last week Kofi got his final win to take him to the much dreamed of Grade 7. My Reliant Robin. Now my attention turns back to Woody. His last win was in September 2019. Woody - my really hard work dog. Woody - who had 10 faults in a run today but was still the quickest dog. Woody - the Ferrari with a GPS failed sat nav. This quote came up in my memories today. A timely reminder.

28/05/2022

Puppy 😍

24/05/2022

Doing what he loves doing ❤️💚🖤

08/05/2022

Bliss to be back at Hound Around HQ 🤩

18/02/2022

💨🐾 STORM EUNICE 🐾💨

Batten down the hatches…. She’s on her way!!

💨 Dogs make sense of the world through scent, and when it’s windy there are smells literally flying through the air which can be overwhelming for our dogs.

💨 The wind gets in their fur, blowing it around which can be uncomfortable and annoying.

💨 Trees blowing around and moving in ways that our dogs aren’t used to can be worrying and scary.

💨 The noise of random objects blowing down the street can startle dogs; especially if it’s a sound they haven’t heard before…. Bin lids rolling down the road 🙈

💨 It looks like we’re getting the worst of it during the day tomorrow (Friday), but do check your fences in the morning before letting your dog/s out, just in case.

💨 Dogs can become disorientated quickly in high winds and not be able to hear you calling them; keep your dog on lead or a long line if they seem at all worried.

🚶🏼‍♂️ If you don’t feel it’s safe to walk your dog tomorrow… that’s OK! Play games at home and do some training instead!!

And most importantly….

💕🐶 STAY SAFE! 🐶💕

13/02/2022

😆

09/02/2022

I love jumping mechanics and skills. It’s easy to overlook this part in favour of the “sexy” bits like learning weaves, seesaw and the like. Today we had a lesson from Jo Tristram - something I’ve wanted to do for ages. And it was worth it. Look at the before and after 💪

08/02/2022

Let them sniff 😉

06/02/2022

I wake up in the morning and Woody is stood there, just staring at me 🙄

04/02/2022

Happens to all us dog owners…

28/01/2022

One of my clients went on a training session today with their agility grade 2 dog. They found out after their session that all the other handlers were grade 5 - 7. That’s a huge difference in skill, but they held their own. To say I’m proud of their achievements is an understatement

Enough small steps will get you to where you’re supposed to be.
You will get there.

26/01/2022

Dog care tips and tricks for dog ears! https://www.dogtipsfordoglovers.com/2021/12/dog-care-tips-and-tricks-for-dog-ears.html

20/01/2022

I know, it’s about cats, but it is funny 😆

15/01/2022

We all have those times - when putting one foot in front of another is hard, let alone finding the oomph to train the dog. Today I dragged myself to an agility competition. We didn’t bring home a physical trophy, but we did bring home an emotional well-being one. Just put one foot in front of the other, and help your dog to do the same; you’ll both reap the rewards ❤️

13/01/2022

I’m currently working from my winter venue as the field is too wet. But I couldn’t resist in taking in the winter sun for a few minutes longer on my check this morning ❤️

12/01/2022

Never underestimate the restorative powers of sun, sea and sand for you and your dogs 💙 When Kofi sings…

11/01/2022

🤣

Daily dog walks atm 👍🏼😬👍🏼

10/01/2022

That’s a welcoming thought for dog walkers 🤣

09/01/2022

True story !

08/01/2022

Is it windy, Twitch? As your mum says ‘because you’re worth it’ 🤣

07/01/2022

Apparently January is Walk your Dog month - not sure what you’re meant to do with your hounds for the other 11 months 🙄🤣

06/01/2022

There’s a phrase often used in agility - handler error. Dogs don’t come ready trained. If only. When a dog doesn’t understand what we’re asking them to achieve - that’s our fault. When a dog understands and achieves what we’ve asked - that’s our fault too. Clients leave a lesson and say they’re really pleased with how their dog did this manoeuvre, or that behaviour. Absolutely celebrate your dog’s performance but celebrate yours too, after all their success is your fault.

05/01/2022

Woody hardly put a paw wrong 💙

03/12/2021

Growth in dog training is as a result of a series of marginal gains - little steps of improvement and refinement that you don’t necessarily see at the time, but then all of a sudden you see how far you’ve come. And perfectly demonstrated by Team Mitch on a tough little sequence 💪❤️

21/11/2021

Super proud of Team Jenson’s hard work. This is testing Jenson’s understanding of what he needs to do to the extreme - waiting in position whilst Dave runs out of sight

14/11/2021

Oh yes…

😐

07/11/2021

I love fireworks. I’ve 2 dogs that are oblivious to the noise, but one who proper stresses out. I can desensitise and train him to cope better, but only to a certain level (a recording of fireworks sounds very different to real life). I can manage my environment to help him cope. But there’s a wider impact on other animals and people too. Whether you love ‘em or hate ‘em take a minute to fill in below. Please 🙏🏼

✨ Fireworks Survey ✨

I'm leading a debate about fireworks on Monday 8th November and would like to hear your thoughts!

Have your say about whether you support a ban on fireworks or not below. 👇

www.elliotcolburn.co.uk/fireworksurvey

03/11/2021

I’m not keen on autumn, it means winter is on its way. However, donning my Polly-Anna pants, it also means it’s the time to revisit loads of agility foundation exercises in training. To some, that might feel as dull as winter, but to me, I know all the best skills are based on solid foundations, and there’s loads of fun games to be had over the coming months 🍁🍂🌬🌧☃️❄️

10/10/2021

Kofi has a game when I mow, drop the toy in the mowers path 🙄

22/09/2021

For my clients…

Smallbrooke junction work starts next month on the 4th October …… I will keep you all updated on it all

This money isn’t coming from the isle of Wight council, it’s a grant from the department for transport