Practical Canine Training

08/06/2023

Busy week in June with my Clients dogs, Walks, Dog Sits and Pop ins.
Have a great June.

08/06/2023

A very important feedback from UK Farmers about the E-Collar Ban. They are one of the largest groups that will be impacted by the E-Collar Ban that is due for final votes in Feb 24, actual dogs and their owners that use this tool, being the largest.
All through the years of so called "Communication" over the E-Collars discussion MPs have been ignoring or responding with copy paste non commitment replies to their voting constituents that have been complaining about banning this tool.

The Telegraph - JUST PUBLISHED!!!!!

SHARE SHARE SHARE!!!!!

💥💥💥💥💥💥😁😁😁😁😁

“Daily Telegraph 6 June 2023

Electric collar ban ‘will add to growing menace of dog attacks’
By Haley Dixon

Rishi Sunak is warned by sheep farmers that the ‘insulting’ plans, due to take effect in 2024, will cause harm to livestock and pets
A ban on e-collars will worsen the “growing menace of dog attacks” on sheep, farmers have warned Rishi Sunak.
More than 400 sheep farmers have written to the Prime Minister “demanding action to reduce dog attacks” whilst offering a warning that the electric-shock training collar ban will
increase livestock attacks and the number of out-of-control dogs being shot.
The letter, seen by The Telegraph, says that the ban – due to come into force in February – “would alienate not just farmers but vast numbers of loving dog owners who use e-collars to protect their dogs and our sheep”.
On Monday, Phil Stocker, the chief executive of the National Sheep Association, who sent the letter to Mr Sunak, said: “This is not a small matter to farmers or dog owners. Defra says that some half a million dogs are trained with e-collars. If that training is banned next February, the consequences during lambing season will cause fury around the countryside.”
He told the Prime Minister that he had been asked to send the letter because of farmers’ “alarm over the failure of government policy to help them protect their flocks from the growing menace of dog attacks.”
Mr Stocker described the ban as “irresponsible and unnecessary” as collars are an “effective training aid, and in many cases an alternative to having to have a dog put down”.
The ban was first proposed in 2018 and last month the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) laid draft regulations which proposed that it would take effect on Feb 1, 2024.
The move came after pressure from animal rights groups including The Kennel Club, Dogs Trust, RSPCA and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
The regulations note that a “full impact assessment has not been produced ... as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen”.
However, the letter points out that concerns have been raised by sheep farmers in Wales,
where a ban on the training collars has been in place since 2010. They suffer four times more attacks and have to shoot three times more dogs than their counterparts in the rest of the UK, research has shown.
“Defra needs to listen to Welsh sheep farmers,” the letter says. “It is insulting that it has not done so.”
Coffey accused of ‘ethics breach’
Separately, an animal welfare law to crack down on irresponsible dog owners involved in livestock attacks was scrapped by the Government last month.

The 441 signatories said that they welcomed government campaigns for people to keep dogs on leads, but it was not enough and noted that the Prime Minister was recently spoken to by police for having his own dog off a lead.
“Fines alone will not solve the problem,” they said. “Yet please do not make it even worse by banning e-collar training for high prey drive dogs.”
They added: “Science shows that dogs trained with e-collars show no appetite for attacking sheep even when they have escaped from their owners.”
The letter says that Defra intends to ban the collars because they are “cruel”. It has previously been revealed that an e-collar was used to train the family pet of Thérèse Coffey, the minister in charge of the department.
They said that if she did this “believing they are cruel” she should be “held to account”. If, on
the other hand, she believes they are not cruel but “pretends” that they should be banned she is being “dishonest”, they tell the Prime Minister.
“Either way, we ask you to refer her to Sir Laurie Magnus for breaching ministerial ethics,” they tell Mr Sunak.
The letter also questions the involvement of “activists” in bringing in the ban and asked why Defra had commissioned research on the impact of e-collars from researchers who had publicly opposed their use.
Defra has been contacted for comment.”

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/05/electric-collar-ban-rishi-sunak-farmers-sheep-dog-attacks

15/03/2023

Just walking Dogs today with some of my regular Client pooches. If suitable they get to hang out with my Staffy Horton for some socialising.
Some more challenging ones like Arlo, the young GSD in the video, are still learning to just exist near other dogs. A few weeks ago he couldn't get within line of sight of another dog without hysterics ensuing, redirecting onto his handler and making his Owners life hell. His owner has been working hard, had some training previously plus with some Advice I have given, since we first met. We upgraded to a more effective collar and working on techniques to catch the Hysterics before they get out of hand and working the "Bubble" of reactivity to try to desensitize the reactivity. Improvements with dogs not properly exposed to the world at an early age is a step by step process. But looking forward to getting this guy fully off lead and calmly hanging with other dogs in the future.
Quote from the owner "Oh wow! I’ve never been so happy to watch a dog sniffing another dogs bum! Thank you."

13/03/2023

Rodney the Rhodesian Ridgeback has just finished a pleasant and relaxing week long Sit with me.
Lovely lad and a pleasure to look after.
Made sure to maintain his owners needs over manners and exercise. Had a few issues when meeting new dogs, but made sure he listened to me on a walk and others respected his need for space.

31/01/2022

I took a nice shot whilst Dog Sitting Maple.
I often bring one of my own personal Dogs, if the Client and their Dog/s are suitable and interested in some controlled Socialisation of their pet.
Socialisation isn't always about running around and playing. Being able to co-exist calmly and respect each others space is a essential skill to learn.
If allowed/promoted, a dog that runs up to every dog they see can get into trouble. Ending in potential bites/mouthfuls of abuse from the other dogs handler. Often this habit taught to pups lead to Leash Reactive, frustrated, young adult dogs. Frustrated that now the Games changed and they don't know why they are likely to get barky, pulling and sometimes redirecting all the energy they have onto the Handler/Lead. Meaning a whole retraining of the Rules and Structure of the Walk before they can be a pleasant beasty to be around.
I promote that my dogs and dogs I work with, consider other dogs as background noise and I am the one and only anchor to focus on.

31/01/2022

One of the Core Foundation skills to teach your dog is the Place Command.
It helps teach self control, calm on command and is a excellent anchor point to work out reactive kinks to household triggers such as Hoover chasing, Door bell reactivity amongst many.
Like all commands any word can be used, it's the action requested and teaching the dog what you expect that is important. To truly educate your dog requires many many Reps/Drills of the command. Easy, calm environments at first till they get it. Then progress onto challenging the dogs self control under whatever distractions/triggers you can think of, based on your household & dog.
Rewards, Praise and gentle guidance in the beginning phase. Phasing out food, with calm, slight correction and guidance for non compliance followed by limited reward or some fun play time at the end of the drill. Aiming for end result of compliance without food or rewards, so they do what is needed when the critical moment arises when you need them to do it no matter the distractions. No amount of food reward will call off your dog from a crazy squeaking guest. Maybe at best it will call them away, but you are effectively teaching your dog the following chain of events:
Ignore you, dance around giddy guest>Call away waving chicken/Cheese>Reward with Food

Maple a young Labrador Retriever is going through the first days of Place introduction, plus had issues with Resource Guarding vs Humans over their food bowl.

28/01/2022

Wise words from one of the first 2 trainers, that opened my eyes to Balanced Training nearly 5 years ago.

The theme I see over and over with owners who are successful with challenging dogs isn’t masterful timing, perfect mechanics, and an exquisite read on their dogs. The theme I see is a mindset of: “No way. This will not stand. This will not continue. I will not put up with this.”

This mindset is what creates the foundation for creating a believable human presence, a crystal clear social hierarchy, and a dog who responds to these with their best.

This mindset also fuels the effort and sacrifices needed to better improve timing, mechanics, and read. Which all help—but the mastery or perfection of which isn’t necessary. The relationship dynamics and the dog’s perception of the owner override the necessity of masterful, or perfect ex*****on.

In other words, the right mindset—a fiercely determined, un-f**k-with-able human—is the foundation everything else builds off of. And without it, nothing else works. And with it, perfection is unnecessary.

26/07/2021

Just had a pleasant Sitting with Nacho the young Jack Russell Terrier. Just 10 weeks old, so lots of nap time mixed with educational Play.
Using Positive reinforcement, I introduced him to muscle memory concepts of Recall, Sit, Down. Showed how the Crate is a nice place to be calm, safe and have a nap when asked. Also, discouraged unwanted hand nipping and unasked for jumping up, so unwanted habits won't take root.
Even had a p**p outside, gold star for Nacho.

What you pet is what you get. So start young and the expectations you lay down in the early days, weeks and months will set the building blocks of how your Dog's behaviour will develop into Adulthood.

Thanks to Charlotte for a great review.

Charlotte O. 25th Jul 2021. Verified Booking

Paul really put us at ease leaving out puppy with him and did some training with him for the day which was really good. He also gave us some pointers going forward with him which we really appreciate :) Would definitely book again!

Nacho had a blast with their Rover.com dog sitter!

04/06/2021

Busy day today with the pooches. Pepper the bubbly young Cocker had a good walk with me. My 1st walk with this one, so long line roamed with me until I am sure he is going to be safe off lead.
Mr B the Bulldog x had some 1 on 1 Dog Sitting time with me. Quite hot today, so plenty exercise and fun in the owner’s garden where he can cool down and get all the water he needs. Very important for bulldog breeds.
Ball fetch is also a great opportunity to teach some basics like Sit and eye contact with self control when excited.
Hope you are all enjoying the lovely weather.

04/06/2021

Further evidence that the Studies performed, then used to push Bans on responsible E-Collar use in Dog Training, are inherently flawed. Proof of personal bias from the individuals responsible for performing the studies before they even began.

THIS .... Is the most important post I have shared in a VERY long time .....Enjoy!!!

𝙎𝙃𝘼𝙍𝙀 𝙎𝙃𝘼𝙍𝙀 𝙎𝙃𝘼𝙍𝙀 as far as you possibly can!!

As anyone with a dog or an interest in animal welfare and scientific integrity - whatever country you live in - you need to know about this!! 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

𝙂𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩’𝙨 𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙘 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙘 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙞𝙨 “𝙑𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙡𝙮 𝙛𝙡𝙖𝙬𝙚𝙙”!!

𝙎𝙚𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙖𝙘𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙘𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙖𝙮 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚:

👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
https://joinardo.com/lincoln-research/

24/05/2021

Newcomer to PCT is Mr B, the Big Bronson.
I have been Walking, Sitting and doing Training with this lovely Fella. He can be very stubborn on leads if left to his own choices, which we have addressed and are walking much better now. He can be a little too sniffy in the social areas with other dogs, working on that with my Balanced Personal dogs under controlled socialisation.
He has a great Personality, and in great shape.

18/05/2021

MP has been notified of my positive experiences with E-Collars.

ENGLAND and SCOTLAND’s Responsible Dog Owners ..

Honest veterinary professionals
Professional dog handlers
Professional dog trainers

𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲, 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥.

If YOU have direct experience of using an electronic training collar to provide, promote and protect these values for YOUR dog and other animals - 𝐃𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐘 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 ...

PLEASE email 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙤@𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙤.𝙘𝙤𝙢 with the message 𝙏𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙚

and you will receive a template letter to email straight to your MP or SMP, urging THEM to speak up for YOU and your dog to 🛑 STOP the proposed e-collar ban and instead, adopt a realistic, welfare-winning approach of regulated use of quality equipment, ensuring that we can ALL provide the extra protections that so many dogs and other animals deserve. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🐾🐾👍

Alternatively, you can choose to do nothing and allow 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑲𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒍 𝑪𝒍𝒖𝒃 😡🤬🤬 and corrupt charities to win in convincing the government that you are a cruel animal abuser and condemn millions of dogs with high energy to a life on a lead, dogs homes or being destroyed as ‘too difficult to train with food or toys’.

That’s the reality of it.

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐬!!

𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞!

16/05/2021

Just back from a Structured Walk with Bronson and owner. 1st time out in a structured walk for him with my 2 lads so quite a challenge for him. But he did great, he learned some self control around other dogs socially and the owner shown how do same lead techniques by herself.

I will be seeing more of Bronson next week, Walking, Sitting and Training. So hopefully I will get some videos of Bronson Learning Place, Down, Recall.

Dog stars, left to right: Bronson, Horton and the old man Ozzy.

Hope you all had a great weekend.

10/05/2021

Dog Sitting and Doing Basic Training with Maple, 6Mnth Golden Retriever, this Last few weeks has been a fun time for both of us.

I ensured she had Plenty to do and plenty rest when needed.
1st few days I got to Know maple and She me.
We had a variety of things to do together and I helped her develop some core Obediance skills.
We had Play Times, Training Times, Walks, Some Attention time and lots of Crate snoozes to make sure my Clients didn't come home to a cranky nibbly young Dog.
We worked on Learning, Place, Down, Sit, Feeding Time Manners and Patience. Giving her a solid Structure in her home so she had things to do through the day and not be wandering getting up to mischief. Plus importantly she learned how to do a nice Walk to Heel on lead, to ignore those pesky Leaves, Ducks and Cars, stop lead chewing and see just how nice a Calm walk with a Human can be.
I introduced one of my Trained Personal Dogs Horton after we settled in and Maple had the opportunity to Socialise with a balanced Adult Dog. Learn how to behave calmly, Play Nicely and Share.

10/05/2021

Learning Down Stay: Duration and Distraction with Maple, Golden Retreiver, 6 Mnths

After learning the basics of Down and adding Distance in the home a nice way to develop your Pups ability to hold Down is find new Challenges.

Today was a trip to the Town Centre, pretty Quiet pedestrian area, Coffee at my side. Just had her in Down whilst the world went by. Learning how to be calm in real world places.