Waggie-walkers Dog training school

25/08/2024

Being frantically chased is not play❌
You may have noticed this yourself. 👀....if play is allowed to get to that hyper, frantic play, signals are not given well, and not received well and that can lead to big issues.💥
Maybe you expect your dog to play with all other dogs.❓
Guess what ?
Dogs do not need to play with all other dogs, in fact it is healthy to be choosy with who they interact with.
Dogs have the right to consent to play or not.
Just because we wish them to play does not mean they consent.

Toys.
So many issues arise with dogs playing with their own toys around others they do not know.
They can be highly prized items. The simplest way to avoid issues is don't play with your dogs toy around other dogs you do not know and even if you DO know them caution is needed.
Many dogs do not like to share.

Pairing dogs with different play styles and energy can cause big problems.. A dog that constantly chases may not read the "cut off" signals given by the less energetic dog.

Always listen to the little voice inside....and if you are at all unsure, advocate and stop play, or don't allow it to even start.

🙂Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collection of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

23/08/2024

Welcome to the new groups who started this week and slap Welcolme back to our regulars 😊

17/08/2024

We have had a few cases of mycotoxin poisoning recently. Its not a poisoning that folks are generally familiar with, so we thought we'd share the information to raise awareness.-

Ingestion of mouldy food from the bin or a compost pile puts dogs, cats, horses, livestock, and even wildlife at risk for toxicity due to tremorgenic mycotoxins. These toxins may be found in MOULDY bread, pasta, cheese, nuts, or other decaying matter like compost. Clinical signs include vomiting, agitation, incoordination, tremors, seizures, and elevated body temperature. A specific mycotoxin called aflatoxin can even cause liver failure. Be sure to keep mouldy food and compost out of your pets reach!

13/08/2024

Super well done to our Puppy Foundation Group tonight. Looking forward to continued working with you next week 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

04/08/2024

New courses starting soon.
20/8/24 Bearley village hall CV370SR
Thursday 22/8/24 Shottery memorial hall CV379BL
All levels. Puppy, Beginners, improvers, Advanced
KC Good citizen all levels.
Www.waggiewalkersdogtraining.co.uk

22/07/2024

So important✅ So easily dismissed or not added in.
It would be pretty rare that more sleep wouldn't be added in to a dogs plan when working with them, especially reactive dogs.👍
However, there is a BIG difference with creating a comfortable, safe space to sleep/rest and being continually directed to their bed or place out of frustration.
Frustration won't make a dog rest.
It won't help them with their unwanted behaviours and can even add a whole new layer of complexity to any unwanted behaviours shown.
Bedding should also be adjusted for the seasons.
I see thick furry beds still being encouraged in extremely warm temperatures. Even worse is using those in crates when a dog cannot find a cooler spot.
If you see your dog searching for and relaxing on a cool tile surface...there is a reason for that. Even in winter when we crank the heat up or have heat pumps/air con running it can be very warm for our dogs.

Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collections of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

16/07/2024

Tonight’s pups 🥰🥰how absolutely adorable

10/07/2024

Heads up dog walkers on Monarchs Way by the Welcolme Hotel. My reliable friend has spotted a sizeable adder in that area be careful😳

09/07/2024

Delighted with all the new pups tonight. It will be fun working with you all.
Big welcome to all our regulars too 😊

09/07/2024

Stress signs, they can be very subtle or are slap in the face obvious.💥. Not all stress is bad either.
I know some people do struggle to see signs of stress in their own dogs, so I made this to help show some of the more common ones.
There are plenty of others.✅
Sniffing.
Attempting to disengage from a situation by being suddenly very "interested" in a scent.
Tail position.
Wags can mean the opposite to happy and stiff tails, high stiff "flagging" tails.
Coat.
It can bristle completely or only in parts, tail, rear rump or along the whole spine.
Hesitancy. Suddenly stopping, changing pace, lowering the head and maybe stretching it out.
Stressed or uncomfortable dogs tend to have closed mouths and tighter faces, but those closed mouths open when drooling, panting or lifting the lips to give a front mouth grin. They can even open up just enough for a tongue to flick out.
Ear positions should also be looked at, they are often a sign of being uncomfortable in many dogs...but not all.
Not all are listed and you may know your own dogs stress signals.
It is important to note that some of these signs are also shown when a dog is in a state of excitement, context and situations all need to be taken into account.
It is ok if your dog shows some signs of stress. It is communication and is very valuable information for you to quickly address what is happening, or about to happen.

I often get asked why I called our business ABC Dogs.
All
Behaviour is
Communication (ABC 😊)
and stress behaviours are certainly communication. 🙂

🙂Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collection of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

03/07/2024

30/06/2024

Puppies are not clean slates !
You often hear people say 'get a puppy they are a clean slate'

As a behaviourist and breeder I can confidently tell you this is not true. Both nature and nurture has a huge impact.
A puppy will inherit genes from its parents and these genes will impact the puppies genetic potential to behave in a particular way.
Such as :
Using aggression as a strategy to deal with difficult situations
Sociability towards people and dogs
Fearful responses
Sound sensitivity
Strong instinctive behaviour to hunt, chase, grab, hold and guard.
Trainability which includes the ability to learn self control as humans desire it.

When people breed dogs they sometimes select for specific traits and sometimes not. If someone is breeding for a particular look, colour or just money then these traits can become altered becoming stronger or weaker or unbalanced. This can make a dog dangerous for example breeding a dog with gameness and reducing human sociability.

Then the puppy is born and the first 8 weeks learning with the breeder will have an huge impact on the development of all these genetic traits.

My five puppies have all come from the same parents and been reared in the same environment. They have very individual personalities. The training and socialisation they receive in their new homes will only influence the genes and first learning, it won't change their personalities.

So if you are looking for a puppy
Firstly learn about breed traits and instincts and make sure you pick a puppy that will suit your lifestyle. For example there no point getting a breed that is 'aloof with strangers' if you have 3 young children and lots of friends visiting.

Secondly meet the parents or (genes), see what they are like. Make sure you are meeting the actual parents, some people buy in puppy farmed litters and then 'hire' an adult of the same breed to pretend the puppies were bred there!!

Thirdly make sure the puppy has had plenty of early neurological stimulation and learning before it leaves the litter. Ask these questions.
1) What have the puppies seen?
2) Who and what have they met?
2) What have they learnt?
3) How have they learned to play?
4) What do they do if they get frustrated?
5) What do they do if they get bored?

A professional trainer can help support and guide you on the process of looking for a puppy. Don't wait till afterwards for help.

Prevention IS better than Cure. This goes for training and socialisation too, get a professional to help and guide you.

Puppies are building neural pathways with every experience, every day, make sure they're building ones you like.

First Learning is the strongest, make sure you get it right first time.

Written by Jane Ardern BSc (Hons) KCAI (WG)
WaggaWuffins Canine College
Bury Lancashire

*Permission to share this post from this source. No cutting and pasting please and pretending you wrote it yourself 🙄

25/06/2024

Two fabulous Gold Passes for Sally & Bertie and Bev & Winston tonight 😊👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

25/06/2024

Two KCSilver passes tonight. Anoushka & Ronnie and Laura & Kipper 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

25/06/2024

KC Bronze pass for Helen & Joey tonight 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

25/06/2024

Well done to Catherine & Rufus passing KC Puppy foundation tonight 😊👍🏻

25/06/2024

Well done to Jill & Milo passing KC puppy foundation tonight 👍🏻😊

21/06/2024

Best Comic funny😂🤣..

16/06/2024

Anyone looking for a nice Labrador puppy please msg me. My friend has a lovely litter available. Ready now. 😊

14/06/2024

🙋🏼‍♀️ Who has been affected by grass seeds this year?

🐕 Are you in the habit of checking your dogs paws and coat after every walk, especially if they have been in long grass?

✋️ It is vital to handle your dog on a regular basis. That way you may be able to feel any grass seeds but, more importantly, your dog will be comfortable with being touched if you or a vet need to remove one. Handling is something we teach to all puppy owners but also older dogs if this is something that needs worked on.

👩‍⚕️ Did you know that in 2023, vets helped more dogs with grass seed related issues than any other year?

🐕 Grass seeds can get caught up in your dogs fur and then travel to other areas of their body, such as in between toes, up nostrils and down ear canals. This can be very painful and distressing for your dog.

If you see your dog;
🌾sneezing, they may have one up their nose
🌾shaking/tilting their head, they could be in their ear
🌾limping, licking/nibbling their paws or red/puffy toes, there may be one in between their toes.

👀 You may not see them if they are embedded somewhere, but if left too long they can cause sepsis, infection or migrate to the lungs. If you think your dog may have a grass seed, it is always best to contact your vet if you can't remove it yourself.

👉 www.theipswichdogtrainer.com

10/06/2024

New courses starting 9/7/24 Bearley village hall CV370SR and Shottery Memorial Hall CV379BL
All levels Puppy Foundation, Beginners, Improvers, Advanced. Good Citizen Dog Scheme, fun and reward based. Call Julie 07799887536

09/06/2024

With Dog Training College – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉

04/06/2024

🐕‍🦺🐩🦮Fun Dog Show🦮🐩🐕‍🦺
Our famous Carnival Fun Dog Show is back for another year. So bring along your pooches to the Carnival field on Carnival Day and enter them in to classes detailed below.
This is a fun-filled attraction for all the family - and your pet!
Thank you to McGettigan's Veterinary Surgery & Redditch Dog Walking for sponsoring this event
All dogs that come first in any class will go forward to the Best in Show Class.

Classes include;
1. Most Fabulous Fella,
2. Loveliest Lady,
3. Best Puppy - up to 12 months,
4. Golden Oldie - best over 8 years,
5. Best Junior Handler,
6. Best Trick,
7. Best In Show (winners of categories from 1 - 6)

Registration from 11 am Classes start 2:30 pm

Saturday 13th July
Sandhills Farm, S.E. Davis, Astwood Bank

04/06/2024

Don’t forget our car park will be closed tonight for repairs. Please park safely along the road.

22/05/2024

Great start to new courses last night. A big welcome to our new teams and welcome back to our regulars
Julie, Tony & Bentley

15/05/2024

If a fear reactive dog is in the height of a reaction your dog is beyond learning anything. They are in their flight, fright or fight state and correcting this does absolutely nothing to teach your dog how to not be reactive.

When a dog is reacting it means that the dog has lost control of logic and their brain is flooded with stress hormones. This makes reasoned thought or learning impossible.

Your dog cannot learn in a reactive state.

Counterconditioning and desensitisation, while keeping your dog under threshold is a proven, effective way to lessen reactivity.
The best thing to do if your dog goes over its threshold and reacts is to walk away in the opposite direction.....keep going until your dog stops and do a U turn to reengage at a better distance.

If you do not reengage your dog will begin to think their reaction worked (it created distance between themselves and the fearful stimuli)....and you can have a cyclical reaction.

Always work under your own dogs threshold .

Celebrate the wins and remind yourself this is a process.