Cockers & Squatters

15/02/2025

Many dog owners believe that granting their dogs complete freedom—allowing them to roam the house unrestricted, greet people however they choose, or explore on walks without guidance—will make them happier. However, in reality, excessive freedom often leads to insecurity, anxiety, and behavioural issues.

Too Much Freedom Creates Insecurity

When a dog is left to make all its own decisions without structure or leadership, it can quickly become overwhelmed. Dogs thrive on clarity and consistency; without clear boundaries, they may feel unsure of their role within the household. This uncertainty can manifest as anxious behaviours, hyperactivity, excessive barking, or even reactivity. While it might seem like allowing a dog to have complete autonomy is an act of kindness, it can actually have the opposite effect, creating stress rather than confidence.

Freedom Without Structure Leads to Stress, Not Empowerment

Rather than feeling empowered, a dog with too much freedom often experiences a heightened state of vigilance. They may constantly feel the need to assess and manage situations, particularly if they perceive their owners as passive or inconsistent. This can lead to nervousness, leash pulling, jumping up, and even resource guarding, as the dog takes on responsibilities it isn’t equipped to handle.

Providing controlled freedom, where privileges are earned through calm and appropriate behaviour, helps dogs feel safe and secure. For example, rather than allowing a dog to run off-lead without recall training, structured long-line work teaches them how to check in and respond reliably before being given more independence. Similarly, rather than giving unrestricted access to the home, starting with designated areas and gradually increasing freedom as the dog demonstrates good manners prevents unwanted behaviours like destructive chewing or excessive excitement.

Structure and Boundaries Create Stability

Setting clear expectations and boundaries does not mean enforcing a rigid or overly strict lifestyle. Instead, it means providing a balanced framework that helps the dog understand what is expected of them in different situations. Predictability is key—when a dog knows how they should behave, they experience far less stress and can settle more easily.

For example, greeting guests calmly should be a default behaviour rather than allowing a dog to charge up to visitors with excessive excitement. Teaching a structured “place” command or using impulse control exercises can help reinforce this. On walks, rather than allowing a dog to pull in all directions, loose lead walking and structured sniffing time create a more harmonious experience where the dog is mentally fulfilled without becoming overstimulated.

Earned Privileges Lead to a Happier, More Relaxed Dog

A dog that earns freedoms through good behaviour is ultimately a more relaxed, balanced companion. Off-lead time, access to furniture, and increased independence should be rewards for calmness and reliability rather than default privileges. This approach fosters a cooperative relationship between dog and owner, where the dog understands that guidance leads to positive experiences.

In contrast, a dog given too much freedom too soon may struggle with impulse control, constantly seek stimulation, and develop behaviours that become difficult to manage. This is particularly true for young or excitable dogs, who often need more structure to help them develop self-regulation skills.

Final Thoughts

Providing a dog with the right balance of structure and freedom leads to a more confident, secure, and contented animal. Freedom should be something a dog earns over time, based on trust and reliability, rather than something given indiscriminately. By guiding our dogs through clear leadership, predictable routines, and fair boundaries, we help them feel safe, reducing stress and fostering a calm, well-adjusted companion.

Instead of asking, “How much freedom should I give my dog?” a better question is, “How can I create an environment where my dog feels secure, fulfilled, and able to make good choices?” The answer lies in structured guidance, not limitless freedom.
www.k9manhuntscotland.co.uk

15/02/2025

Dog training is not just about the training.

When most people think of dog training they think it’s the only way to modify their dog’s behaviour.

What most people don’t realise is that dog training is more about training the human how to train their dog. When owners think their dogs are a bit on the dumb side, I’d bet if the dog could talk they’d be saying the same thing about their owners as well.

Training for the dog is just one of five major things we need to get right if we want to see behaviour change long term.

The 5 things we need to get right are:

Management. If we keep allowing our dogs to do the things we want them to stop doing or change we are never going to get anywhere. The amount of people that say their dog just runs off and doesn’t come back but then keep letting them off leash to run off and not come back is mind boggling to me. We have leashes for a reason and we have long leads too to help even more.

Health. Pain and aggression go hand in hand. Pain is one of the most correlated issues when it comes to aggression. Any dog that is not feeling 100%, whether that be due to itchy skin, or bad teeth will need to have these issues looked at before training should even be considered.

Nutrition. Dog nutrition is a bit of a mine field. There are so many dog foods that have misleading branding that are just full of crap it’s unbelievable. I know if I have a day eating cookies and ice cream it might feel momentarily amazing but within a few hours I will feel headachey and miserable. Check what ingredients are in your dogs food and if you’re still not sure we even have dog nutritionists to help these days.

Enrichment/lifestyle. How good is your dog’s life? Not from your perspective but from your dog’s biological perspective. An hour walk a day might just not cut it for most dogs. What natural behaviours are they allowed to practice on a regular basis and what fills their days when you’re out working.

And finally training. Once we can tick off the 4 previous things we can then implement a training plan. If we don’t and just focus on the training then it would be like going to the gym but still eating pizza and cake every day and wondering why we can’t lose any weight.

So if you’re not happy with how the training is changing your dog’s behaviour, ask yourself if you have everything else put it place as well.

Here’s Sunny exploring her new backyard. She’s a great example with how lifestyle and management have been the main factors that have kept her alive.

www.Thinkdog.nz

14/02/2025

Watching this spaniel at work. He knows his target scent is there somewhere and he's pretty much on top of it. His body language gives away plenty of signals that he is close.

At the start of the search he is nose down.
He goes down the stairs first.
It's possible that there may be a slight breeze and it's taking the scent down the stair well?
It's shady down there. He's not picking up the scent as well. The shade will make that area cooler. The target scent is not as intense down there.
He comes upstairs again. He is ground scenting.
He goes back down the stairs again. He confirms with himself that the scent isn't as strong that way.
He comes up and shifts to air scenting.
At this point he makes several nose height changes trying to locate the scent.
He works along the window ledges. He knows the scent is higher up and finds the hide within the brickwork under the window ledge.

Note that he is food rewarded right by the hide.

Denne video blev lavet med Clipchamp

11/02/2025

Oh.... beagles are so made for scent work.

Merlin, you little cracker. You kept on the scent regardless of your mum walking on and creating distance.

Top marks young man!

Having a proud dog parent moment and I'm not your owner!

11/02/2025

Rachel and Rosie. What a partnership 👏 😍.
Initially, Rosie was not a fan of repeated indications. Now there's no stopping her!
This was Saturday's continuation class. I love watching this girl work. She's the first Bernese breed that I have had in a class.
Rachel is working her girl well.
A lovely loose lead on the search.
She is giving Rosie the distance to work.
Mum is giving Rosie the encouragement when needed.
The bigger breeds overall walking movement may be slower, but my goodness - it highlights their indication signal.
You are a pleasure to watch Rosie.😁3

07/02/2025

To keep your dogs safe - just don't use.

Dog Poisoned by the Diffuser
Saturday night I got home late and my dog didn't recognize me. Being a nanny I thought I woke him up and he was having a night terror. Sunday, he was still acting weird. I realized that I had been running my new diffuser and decided to turn it off. Sunday afternoon, he was feeling better.
Today at work, my dog sitter said that he wouldn't come out from under the bed. It was very odd as he is a happy dog.
I came from work early and again, he was very confused about who I was.
So I took him to emergency vet.
It turns out that the tea tree oil I was using in the diffuser is toxic for dogs. Thankfully the test showed that his liver was ok but we weren't out of the woods yet. He was given fluids under his skin to get the toxins out.
The vet and the poison control are saying that they see these cases often now that the popularity of essential oil is growing.
Please make sure that the essential oils you are burning are not toxic for your pets.
Here is a list of essential oils not to use if you have a dog at home

06/02/2025

This is Eclipse. Every day she leaves her house, by herself, and takes the bus downtown to the dog park where she spends a couple of hours getting exercise and making friends, and then she takes the bus back home again. She even has her own bus pass attached to the collar.

It started when her owner, Jeff Young, was taking too long when the bus arrived, so she impatiently ran ahead and got on the bus by herself. The bus driver recognized her and dropped her off at the dog park, and later Jeff caught up with her. After several more trips by herself, Jeff started letting her go on her own, and she always comes back home a couple of hours later.

All of the bus drivers know her and she makes them smile, and many of the regular passengers enjoy seeing her every day and will often sit down next to her. Even the police have given their approval as long as the bus drivers are okay with the arrangement. "She makes everybody happy."

31/01/2025

https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/lagotto-romagnolo/

Just been surfing the Net about scent detection facts. What can I say? I can't help myself!

First, I haven't heard of this breed until now.

Second, they are considered the best breed for locating truffles.

Who knew?

Not me obviously............ but I do now!!!😁

Is the Lagotto Romagnolo the right breed for you? Learn more about the Lagotto Romagnolo including personality, history, grooming, pictures, videos, and the AKC breed standard.

31/01/2025

For tomorrow's continuation class.

I'd love to claim this as my idea. Thank you UK Sniffer Dogs for originality.

We're going to have fun with this one! Rachel Kelly Charlotte Young Yvonne Helen Gerard-sharp Taylor 🙂

31/01/2025

You may have heard the expression that dogs 'see with their noses.' But these creature's amazing nasal architecture actually reveals a whole world beyond what we can see. Alexandra Horowitz illustrates how the dog's nose can smell the past, the future and even things that can't be seen at all. [Dire...

28/01/2025

28/01/2025

24/01/2025

For anyone with a Newfie, this is for you.😂😂

Pinched from Sandra Tomsett 😉