Throw Me a Bone - Dog Training & Behaviour

02/08/2024

🅟🅡🅞🅖🅡🅔🅢🅢 .... the realistic point of view ⬇️⬇️⬇️

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲?

For everyone out there who is struggling with their animals’ behaviour REMEMBER

🐴🐶Progress is NEVER linear
🐴🐶 We ALL have bad days and so do our animals . Sometimes life is overwhelming and there are going to be multiple contributing factors to this for example :
-A bad nights sleep,
- The weather making things difficult or for our animals for example the wind potentially making the world noisier or making trees or other objects move making everything more stimulating
- Other stressors at this time of year for us as humans finances or tensions with family and for our animals fireworks from our human celebrations or changes in routine as the clocks go back
- Pain or feeling under the weather
- Other factors unique to us and our animals’ as individuals and our animals too including developmental stage adolescence is HARD or past experiences
This is not an exhaustive list . All of these can lead to trigger or stimulus stacking reducing coping, lowering thresholds for stress and increasing emotional reactivity (for us and our animals!).

🐴🐶 Cut yourself some slack tomorrow is another day . Spend time with your horse or dog just hanging out. Get a cup of coffee and a biscuit to warm you up as it’s cold if you are outside

🐴🐶 Change takes time. Take baby steps and prioritise emotional state over the behaviours you want.

🐴🐶 Revisit any needs that may not be being met including physical, social and emotional

🐴🐶 Break it down into smaller chunks.

🐴🐶 Get support for yourself as well as your animal . If in doubt reach out.

🐴🐶 Find your horse or dogs strengths and celebrate those. Accept them for the amazing individuals they are .

🐴🐶 You are doing your best

©️Jessie Sams Animal Behaviour and Trauma Recovery Service

01/08/2024

This ⬇️ 🅨🅔🅢 !!!

The trouble with ‘training tools’

Force free trainers are firmly opposed to using training tools that are aversive in nature, including slip leads, electric collars and prong collars as some of the most widespread that are seen.

Proponents of their use will point to how well they ‘work’ – for example we’ll often see people proclaim that using a prong collar has completely revolutionised their walks with their dogs and they go on to say that ‘used correctly’ it’s an excellent training tool. So let's use that as an example to see what the issue is with these tools.

The problem is that it’s not actually really training the dog.

Look at how positive reinforcement is used to train a cue in dogs. When the dog makes the right choice, does the right thing then they get a reward. They like the reward and so are more likely to do the same thing again in an attempt to get that same reward.

Once the association is firmly made and the dog is able to reliably respond to the cue in the way we’d like, we start to fade out the use of the reward. If using treats, the dog might start getting a reward every second time, third time, then randomly so they are never quite sure when the reward is coming (but it might be the next time they do that thing, so they will keep trying). Eventually we are using the reward very little, but the dog is still responding to the cue in the desired way.

Ok, you might say, how is that different to the prong collar?

The prong works by contact of the prongs on the skin of the dog’s neck (remember that a dog’s skin is 3-5 cells thick compared to the human’s at least 10-15 cells thick). This is uncomfortable. Some people will say they tried it on themselves and it was fine – look at the difference in skin, and also remember that the dog has no way to know when the collar is going to be tightened.

I’ve had people tell me that the dog’s neck is the strongest muscle in their body equivalent to the human thigh. Not only is this physiologically incorrect (to say the very least!) it is also dangerous. Think about the delicate structures in the human throat.

The windpipe.
Oesophagus.
Lymph Nodes.
Carotid artery.
Jugular vein.
Thyroid.

All of these are in the dog’s neck as well and are very vulnerable to injury. The result of pressure on the dog's neck, especially firm and rapid pressure like a 'lead pop' (even from a flat collar) can be potentially catastrophic.

Danger and discomfort aside, the fact is that, while these collars might stop pulling while being worn, they fail as training devices because no actual training takes place. Take that prong collar off of the dog, put a normal flat collar back or a harness back on, and see how long it takes for the dog to realise they are able to pull again without the pain?

What the slip lead, prong collar (or electric collar if used to shock the dog when they pull) does is suppress the behaviour in that moment. It does nothing to show the dog what they should be doing or deal with why the dog is actually pulling - which is generally because they have not been taught properly to and so don't really understand what we want from them. And also dogs often naturally move faster on their four legs than we do on our two, so again they need to be taught how to match themselves to the pace that's needed.

The absolute best way to do that is to reward the dog when they do what they want, when they are in the right place for loose lead walking. Yes, this can take time and so the 'quick fix' can seem appealing, but the danger of using anything that the dog actively seeks to avoid is that it could damage their trust in the people around them and have serious consequences for the relationship between you.

Teaching them what we would like them to do and how we can both be comfortable during the walk is so much more effective than trying to just stop a behaviour, and using positive reinforcement and force free methods build their confidence and trust in us.

And no, I’m not expecting people to immediately take off the tools, but what you can do when you become aware of the problems of relying on aversive measures that cause discomfort, pain and fear, is find a force free trainer who can help you see how to show your dog where to walk nicely and comfortably for you both, or find other tools that are not aversive, for instance a harness with 2 points of attachment so the dog can be walked from the back clip but the front clip allows for steering the front end if needed while training is ongoing.

31/07/2024

🟢Everyday there is a new “dog specialist” that pops up on social media these days.

🟢But do you, a potential client, a dog guardian, know what these individuals bring to the table in terms of dog knowledge?

🟢As the dog industry is entirely unregulated, anyone can say they are a dog trainer, behaviourist, consultant, specialist. Hey - vast majority of them on TV these days say so. But did you ever check what actual qualifications they hold? You haven’t? Then you should !

🟢If someone hasn’t studied the modern training methods, and hasn’t been independently assessed to have acquired a satisfactory level of knowledge to work with animals, how do you know they are safe to work with your dog?

🟢You don’t. It’s a real gamble in which if you lose - you dog pays the price.

🟢And sadly, sometimes, it means that choosing the wrong professional to work with your dog, means years of serious behaviour problems resulting from using approach that did not fully investigate your dog’s behaviour, the causes, function of the behaviour or motivation.

🔲For the sake of your dog - stay safe. Do your research. 🔲

31/07/2024

Force free & positive reinforcement works for 🅐🅛🅛 species.

If you can teach a semi-feral cat to walk on a harness & lead, you can certainly teach your dog to walk on a harness and lead.

Can it take some time ?

Yes.

But it’s time worth spending, for your pet’s comfort, safety & happiness.

25/07/2024

I don’t usually brag about my expensive trips, but just came back from a pet shop 🫣😂🤪

23/07/2024

✳️Understanding and recognising when a dog is over their emotional threshold is crucial for any responsible dog guardian or handler. A dog that is over threshold is in a state of heightened arousal, stress, or fear, which can lead to reactive or aggressive behaviours. Whilst every dog is different, and reacts differently to different triggers, here are some of the signs to look out for:

✳️Body language is one of the most immediate indicators how the dog is feeling. This may include:

➖Tensed muscles
➖Ears pinned back or standing upright
➖Tail held high, low, or tucked under
➖Hair standing up (piloerection)
➖Dilated pupils

✳️Vocalisations:

➖Excessive barking or whining
➖Growling or snarling

✳️Behavioural changes:

➖Pacing or restlessness
➖Lunging
➖Freezing or becoming immobile
➖Avoiding eye contact or direct staring

✳️Physiological Responses:

➖Heavy panting or drooling
➖Increased heart rate
➖Trembling or shaking

Preventing your dog from doing over threshold means preventing them from unnecessary stress / anxiety / fear, and this can be done by proactive management of their environment. Here are some strategies:

🔻 Consider whether the environment your dog is in is appropriate and necessary for your dog to be in.

🔻 Create a safe space - ensure your dog has a designated safe space where they can retreat if they feel overwhelmed.

🔻Controlled exposure - gradually expose your dog to stimuli they find challenging. Start at a distance or intensity that does not provoke a strong reaction and slowly increase exposure as they become more comfortable.

🔻Avoid triggers - identify and avoid situations that are known to trigger your dog’s over-threshold behaviour. This might mean altering walking routes, avoiding busy times, or steering clear of certain environments.

🔻Professional training - sometimes, despite our best efforts, professional intervention is required. Working with a qualified force free dog professional can provide tailored strategies and support.

🟦Recognising the signs that a dog is over threshold and understanding how to manage their environment to prevent it is absolutely essential for their well-being. It requires patience, observation, and often, a bit of trial and error. By being attentive to your dog’s signals and making necessary adjustments to their environment, you can help ensure they remain calm, happy, and safe.

22/07/2024

Your dog falls asleep on you. You have things to do. Do you:

a. Get up and get on with your day.
b. Cancel all plans and remain seated for hours, because you don’t dare to disturb the sleeping beauty.

♥️🤪😆

19/07/2024

Heat has finally reached UK 🎉🎉🎉

But …. It’s crazy that some people are completely oblivious of the risks of walking dogs in this weather 🥺

Please put your sensible hats on and leave your dogs at home, in the shade, without putting them through suffering of overheating or worse - dying from heatstroke ☹️

🅝🅞 🅓🅞🅖 🅗🅐🅢 🅔🅥🅔🅡 🅓🅘🅔🅓 🅕🅡🅞🅜 🅜🅘🅢🅢🅘🅝🅖 🅐 🅦🅐🅛🅚❗️

🇭​🇪​🇦​🇹​🇸​🇹​🇷​🇴​🇰​🇪​ 🇰​🇮​🇱​🇱​🇸​​ ‼️‼️

08/07/2024

"My dog does "X" - can you help?

Well, the truth (at this point) is ... I don't know.🤨

A dog doing "x" is NOT enough information for me to be able to understand why they are doing it, what is the function of the behaviour, what training or behaviour modification needs to be put in place ... So no, I don't know if I can help based on barely any information. But I do know what I need to be able to tell you whether I can help you and you dog, or not.👈

We can start with a long conversation about what else goes on in the dog's life, when did the behaviour start, how it was managed to date, previous history of training, health, past experiences, daily routine, diet, stress level, equipment used, training methods used, motivation, enrichment, etc ..... and THEN I will be able to determine what the dog's needs are and how they need to be addressed.🤓

Don't expect life changing advice based on limited information provided. It takes A LOT more for a dog professional to give you a full, accurate and appropriate advice that is suitable for your dog.🐕

07/07/2024

📣📣📣Did you know that we offer reactive rascals dog walking ▶️ training walks ?📣📣📣

✅ It’s a perfect option for dogs that need extra support and deep understanding of their needs.

Dogs like Luna here, who is dog reactive and who is progressing very well through her behaviour modification.👌

Dog who need to be carefully managed on walks to remain below threshold, avoid stress and triggers. 🔆

Dogs who will react to random dogs who need careful attention to how to manage any situation when they become overwhelmed. 🔆

Dogs who can do really well in some situations, but who can struggle in others. 🔆

01/07/2024

The Hidden Danger ▶︎Foxtails

As dog lovers, we strive to keep our dogs safe and healthy. However, one hidden danger that often goes unnoticed is foxtails.

These seemingly harmless plants can pose serious threats to our furry friends. Understanding the risks and taking preventive measures can make all the difference.

What are foxtails❓🤔

Foxtails are a type of grass-like w**d common in many regions. Their seed heads are barbed and can detach easily, embedding themselves in your dog's fur, skin, ears, eyes, nose, or paws. Due to their structure, they can only move forward, making them particularly dangerous as they can migrate deeper into the body.

Why are they dangerous❓

⚠️Foxtails can pe*****te the skin and migrate into the body, causing painful infections and abscesses that require medical treatment.

⚠️If inhaled, foxtails can lodge in the nasal passages or lungs, leading to severe respiratory problems.

⚠️Foxtails can scratch the eye surface or embed themselves, causing irritation, infection, or even vision loss.

⚠️Foxtails can get lodged in the ear canal, leading to discomfort, infection, and potential hearing damage.

⚠️Ingested foxtails can cause internal injuries and require surgical removal.

❖ Symptoms to watch out for:

❖Excessive licking or chewing at a specific spot
❖Sudden onset of limping
❖Red, swollen, or discharge-filled eyes
❖Head shaking or scratching at the ears
❖Sneezing, coughing, or difficulty breathing

Prevention tips 💙

💙 Keep your dog well-groomed and brush them regularly to remove any foxtails from their fur.

💙Steer clear of areas with tall, dry grass and w**ds, especially during the summer months.

💙Check your dog thoroughly after walks, especially their paws, ears, eyes, and nose.

💙Consider trimming the fur around your dog's paws, ears, and other vulnerable areas during foxtail season.

💙Use protective gear like booties or vests if you frequently walk in areas where foxtails are common.

What to do if you suspect foxtail exposure❓

❗️If you notice any signs that your dog may have come into contact with foxtails, consult your veterinarian immediately. Early detection and removal are crucial to prevent serious complications.

Foxtails may seem like a minor nuisance, but their potential impact on your dog's health is significant. By staying vigilant and taking preventive measures, you can protect your dogs from these hidden dangers.

Stay safe and happy dog walking🐩🐕🐕‍🦺!

30/06/2024

Two of our most nervous/ reactive dogs (both to people and other dogs) from the small group socialising walks ♥️

Previously not coping well with any dogs or people in sight.

Now? Happy, confident, relaxed, loving life and their new friends - both 2 and 4 legged 🤩🤩🤩

28/06/2024

💠Vet visits can be incredibly scary and stressful for many dogs 🫣

💠Murphy, the amazing Boxer I’ve been working with for a few months, is one of those dogs. ⬅️

💠A bit of a background - Murphy was poorly as a puppy and at around 7 months old he needed a surgery. Due to some complications he ended up spending a good week at the vets. He went in “a happy and chilled pup”, and came out a dog absolutely petrified of the vet, including the building itself and all other staff.

💠As a result of this one experience Murphy’s high levels of fear has prevented him from being properly checked by the vet since, which in his case is a necessity, as he was recently diagnosed with a few health issues.

💠It is not known exactly what happened when he was at the vet, what made him so fearful, but what is interesting is that the surgery and the extended stay at the vet happened when he had just entered what we call “secondary fear period”, which may have been a contribution factor here.

Fast forward to today 👀

💠Having already worked on introduction of a muzzle, muzzle conditioning, we moved onto training of “settle” on a mat. This mat was the best thing for Murphy because it gives him control of the situation (he sits / lays in it when he is ready and happy to work with us), and a level of predictably- he knows that being on the mat means there will be some training, handling but also lots of treats.

He now happily trots into the examination room, sits on his mat, and is ready for whatever we are working on (currently heart exams).

Murphy loves having something to do, so we added extended duration to his “sits” on the mat, which means whilst the vet is finally able to listen to his heart in a relaxed and calm way, he patiently waits for his tasty reward. This is a part of the training plan that had to be tailored specifically for Murphy, simply because he is his happiest when he is “working”.

So whilst the vet does his heart exam, Murphy happily “waits” (extended sit) for his treat, which he gets as soon as the stethoscope is moved away 💪🏻 Two sessions in a row with the vet and he has had two full heart exams 🎉🎉🎉

Great job Murphy 😊

But let’s not forget to also give massive credit to :

- Murphy’s pawrents ➡️ who have followed all advice to the letter and done all the work needat home, to get him used to everything;

- the vet practice ➡️ for being wonderfully flexible with appointments at the practice at quiet times, so Murphy could be reintroduced to a previously scary environment when it’s very calm & quiet;

- the vet herself (Murphy now has a designated vet) ➡️ who has been beyond accommodating to all his needs, and training requirements. She has been very eager to work with us, because if Murphy is more confident and calmer - her job becomes so much easier.

Another fantastic team effort here 🤗🤩

28/06/2024

🟥Comfort of equipment is massively important 🟥

Imagine 🫨 doing a long walk, or a hike, in shoes that are too small, or waaaay too big. Or to have a small stone in your shoe on a hike with no ability to remove it.... 😟

It is not pleasant, it causes discomfort / pain, it's the only thing you can focus on, and it certainly can take away the full enjoyment of the experience....

Now... imagine a dog that goes on a walk twice a day in ill-fitting harness. Or wearing one of many aversive "training tools".... There is no comfort, no enjoyment, it can be pretty miserable, especially at times when dogs should enjoy their time outside😔....

🐾Comfort of dogs & dog walking equipment is overlooked too frequently, but it plays a big part in their well-being, welfare but also, yes, it can contribute to their behaviour too.

🙏Please do consider whether the equipment you use is comfortable from your dog's point of view.

26/06/2024

"My dog is stubborn" is something I hear in my line of work all the time.

I always ask the question" do you consider your dog to be stubborn" because if the answer is "yes" I know there are a LOT of questions to be asked to get to the bottom of what isn't working.

"Stubborn" is another generic label, which serves no purpose, because it doesn't make training any better / more efficient.

Dogs described as being "stubborn" struggle with many things, but they are never stubborn by choice. I mean no dog ever wakes up and thinks " You know what? I will be difficult today. I know what they want me to do, but I just won't".

Here are some of the reasons why dogs struggle behind the "stubborn" label":

⚠️they are tired;
⚠️they are unwell, in pain / discomfort;
⚠️they have an 'off day;
⚠️that are scared;
⚠️the environment is too distracting / overwhelming;
⚠️the task is too difficult;
⚠️they don't understand;
⚠️they are not comfortable performing the behaviour;
⚠️they need a higher value reinforcer;
⚠️the reinforcer is added too late / at the wrong times;
⚠️you've missed a step on the process;
⚠️you are increasing the level of difficultly too fast;
⚠️there is way too much distraction around;
⚠️your handling skills need work;
⚠️the equipment is too scary;
⚠️they are overwhelmed;
⚠️they need desensitisation / counterconditioning;
⚠️the exercise doesn't suit their breed, age, health;
⚠️they foundations have not been explained well enough;
⚠️you are rushing through the process;
⚠️you are getting angry / frustrated with them, which is scary;
⚠️you are inconsistent with what you've asked for vs what you are reinforcing;
⚠️you pick wrong times for training;
⚠️wrong equipment is being used;
⚠️you are rushing things....

The list goes on....

So before we we stick yet another, unhelpful, label on our dogs, lets stop and reflect why the dog isn't doing well with training, what can WE change in the process to make the training process work for the learner - the dog.

26/06/2024

Love these early morning walks ♥️

It’s going to be another hot day, so hope you’ve already walked your doggies ☀️☀️☀️☀️

24/06/2024

Summer is finally here ‼️🎉‼️🎉

But with temperatures exceeding 25 degrees at 10 am, and expected heat for the rest of the week, our “extreme weather policy” kicks in with immediate effect.

This means that any outdoor sessions may be cancelled by us in the day if we deem it is too hot, for your dogs, as health and safety is our priority.

This also means any training walks will be either cancelled or substituted for indoor activities where practical.

Remember - no dog has ever died from missing a walk, but sadly plenty have from heat stroke.

Keep your pets safe during hot weather :

- opt for early morning / late evening walks only
- reduce the amount of physical activity
- substitute walks with enrichment indoors / in shade
- provide access to lots of fresh water
- provide access to shade
- consider your dog’s age, breed, health, coat type & colour when planning any outdoor activities in the heat

23/06/2024

Just for fun 🤩

Your dog’s Bridgerton name

1. Lord / Lady
2. Their name
3. Their favourite food + “ton”
4. Add “of”
5. Their colour

I’ll start.

Lord Ted Hamton of Tanblack 🤣🤣

22/06/2024

What an amazing turn out at the Fun Dog Show today 🤩

I was honoured to judge all categories in the show ➡️ all dogs were incredible and everyone went home with a prize, thanks to the amazing generosity of our sponsors.

I always thought I have the best job, but now I love what I do even more 🤩

I’m available for more dog show judging if anyone needs me 😂🤣😂

22/06/2024

Don’t forget local peeps ➡️ Fun Dog Show today at Newton Purcell at 1.30, followed by Q & A on all things dog training related.

We have great prizes, and great categories you can enter your pooches:

1.Most handsome boy - 1st prize sponsored Throw Me a Bone - Dog Training & Behaviour
2.Prettiest girl - 1st prize sponsored by K9 Snaps Didcot
3.Golden oldie - 1st prize sponsored by Katherine Hill at Hill's Canine Hydrotherapy
4.Top pupster - 1st prize sponsored by Kerri Naish at JustPuppies Training School
5.Best rescue - 1st prize sponsored by unicorn creations
6.Wiggliest Bottom - 1st prize sponsored by Bicester Raw
7.Prettiest eyes - 1st prize sponsored by Puppy Patisserie
8.Best trick - 1st prize sponsored by Bicester Vets
9. Worst recall - 1st prize sponsored by Poundon Pastures

21/06/2024

❓❓❓Did you know …..❓❓❓

Only the dog can determine what is a “high value reinforcement” when it comes to training / working around specific stimuli / behaviour.

For example - their normal food may be good enough reinforcement to do some basic training at home / in the garden, but it’s unlikely to work when you try to work amongst high distraction environments, with lots going on, with lots of different stimuli present (especially if negative associations have previously formed around those specific stimuli).

In this case you will need to appropriately raise the value of the reinforcer (sometimes trial & error is needed until you find what actually works). If it’s sausage, work with sausage, but if only steak works, well .. steak during training it is.

So if you are moving from a quiet learning environment with no distractions, to an environment where there is distraction, be prepared that whatever reinforcer you’ve used previously, may no longer work in the “new set up”.

That’s ok. It just means your dog needs a bigger incentive to engage with you / disengage from everything else.

19/06/2024

Tell me you have a dog, with telling me you have a dog 😆🤣😆🤣😆

18/06/2024

Behaviour suppressions requires NO skill. Anyone can suppress behaviour, that's why it's so popular.

But suppression is NOT a realistic, or sustainable solution, to any dog training or behaviour problem. It focuses on stopping a behaviour, any behaviour, immediately , regardless of what is causing the behaviour in the first place, with zero regard the dog's well-being, and without any care as to the long term consequences of using this approach.

Behaviour modification on the other hadn't requires A LOT of skill, knowledge and experience. Not everyone can modify behaviour but those that can, make a life long improvements to the quality of dogs' life. They help dog peeps understand why dogs do what they do, what changes are needed to change the behaviour over time, and what long term protocols may be required to achieve a happy medium between the dogs' needs and human expectations.

15/06/2024

Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

But it’s facts and evidence, not personal opinions that do matter, especially when you are a professional who teaches others.

With positive reinforcement there is an abundance of evidence that it’s the most effective, ethical and comprehensive approach. I happily provide such evidence to any of my clients who wish to broaden their knowledge.

So if someone tells you to use force, dominance, fear or pain (that includes the use of prong, choke or e collars) ask them to give you scientific evidence that states that those are absolutely necessary to train a dog.

They can’t? Well, there’s a surprise …

14/06/2024

Comfort & the ability to “think outside the box” is important when it comes to dealing with dogs ❗️❗️❗️

I am currently working with an extremely lucky, and perhaps somewhat spoilt, ex-racing Greyhound, Ebby. She has not worn a harness before, but for health & safety reasons we are introducing one, and despite it being a generous fit, the harness has rubbed off a bit of her skin under her armpit.

It’s not a big injury at all, but enough of a niggling issue to potentially hinder the progress of introducing the harness positively.

Now, we do not want any discomfort, pain or potential negative associations that this may cause in training, so Ebby’s mum had an brilliant idea to purchase these lambskin accessories on equine website to pad the sides of the harness 🤩🤩🤩 making it super comfortable and better fitting. I mean - talk about thinking outside the box, right‼️⁉️ 👏 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏


Genius, absolutely genius and not something I would have ever thought about, especially as I am not a horsey person, but certainly will have this in mind going forward.

12/06/2024

🔆WE are the ones that have the power to set our dogs up for success, just as easily as we can set them up to fail.

🔆OUR knowledge of dog behaviour and learning processes can make them the bestest boys & girls, but the lack of solid knowledge, backed up by science, will create a whole lot of dog problems for years to come.

🔆OUR beliefs will pave the way for our dogs to either become great, confident and to thrive, or to subject them to life of fear, pain or discomfort.

🔆WE have a massive responsibility on our shoulders. Not everyone understands that. And not everyone is can handle it.