Nikki Birkett Yorkshire Canine Coach

27/08/2024

Having a well earned water break after our session last week.

Adolescent brain, GSD personality, such a sweetheart but does need some guidance through this stage 🙈

Homework given to set him up for the wider world!

26/08/2024

I love being a member of an organisation is will to make a stand.

I'm also part of their Project Trade programme 🤩

Some trainers are putting efficacy over welfare and ethics.

I won't.

If you don't like that, then I'm not the trainer/behaviourist for you 🤷🏼‍♀️

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24/08/2024

As humans we should be doing better.

I find it's sad that so many claim to love dogs but just want to make their behaviour more 'acceptable'

Love the dog for who it is, work with the dog.

Don't suppress nature

Don't be selfish

24/08/2024

Don't forget no classes today as its bank holiday 🎉🎉

23/08/2024

I had a catch up with this handsome mister and his mum.

He is doing so well 💜

They completed their initial programme and we have sessions periodically to maintain direction and progress.

Overarousal produces not ideal behaviour from him, so his programme is very personal. Treats are super arousing and so managed carefully. Likewise, lack of reinforcer can cause big frustration and more unideal behaviour.

It's a fine balance, but maintaining it is building his tolerance, and his recovery is much much quicker.

I am so proud of him and his guardian 💜😍🥰

�

22/08/2024

Excuse me, Nikki, what now?!?!🤔

Yep you've read it right and here's why.

Firstly the practical point of view.

Having treats in your pocket is

Stinky
Crumbly
And when you forget they're there....a bit gross.

OK but what about from training point of view? 🙃

There are many aspects which are relevant here but I am going to look at Dopamine.

Dopamine is part of the reward circuitry in the brain, it promotes the feel good feeling, the pleasure system, and this can be easily activated by food and winning the food (think food falling of counter tops! or earning that amazing reinforcer after a quality recall!). It is what makes reinforcers such a powerful thing in dog training.

Dopamine circuitry can even be activated by the expectation of the 'thing'. Think knowing its time for that payday treat lunch, your dopamine is already triggered. But then.....the lunch place is closed....oh no! 😭

If the 'thing' does not happen or appear the dog can experience a Dopamine drop, or crash. In extreme circumstances this can lead to shows of aggression, but more commonly an increase in frustration and disengagement.

Baring this in mind, if you have your treats in your pocket, but also your phone, keys, gloves as examples. And your dog is used to you dispensing treats from your pocket so they have expectation......what will happen when you get a glove out? When you get your phone instead?

This ruins the consistency you have built up in training with your dog as you put your hands in your pockets all the time but not always producing a treat.

If you are using a treat pouch however, you are only putting your hand in the pouch for a treat!

I could honestly go on for hours about how this can affect different breeds, different ages (yes adolescent dogs, I am looking at you!)

So, make that pocket redundant, invest in a treat pouch and supercharge your dog training!

22/08/2024

I know in some parts of Yorkshire there has been enough rain to test this theory 😳

It's also VERY windy so be safe.

Anxious and reactive dogs may be more so in this kind of weather.

Sounds are amplified and it can be more difficult for them to find the original source of the sound leaving them uncertain.

The wind swirling the scents can be disorientating and confusing.

Give them (and yourself) some extra grace and consideration. Today may be a day for using alternatives to walks ☺️

19/08/2024

I love being part of PPN 💜

14 DAYS UNTIL OUR BIRTHDAY - CELEBRATING OUR MEMBERS AND THEIR SUCCESS STORIES 🎉🎉🎉

Meet Nikki Birkett from Nikki Birkett Yorkshire Canine Coach, amazingly supportive of our community and also one of our fantastic Team Members! A wealth of knowledge and a huge advocate for canine welfare.

🐶 About Nikki

Passionate about helping dogs with big feelings and creating harmonious living and understanding between two species.

🐶 Her journey

I have been a member of PPN for a few years now. Being part of the community has really helped me stay true to my passion, mould my business and path to what works for me and also provide a safe place to explore the questions and feelings around what all that means. It is a safe place to make mistakes, get judgement free opinion and be part of something bigger.

🐾🐾🐾

Thanks to Nikki for taking part in our birthday celebrations!

You can join Nikki in our kind and safe community towards the end of August or at one of our birthday meet ups.

Keep your eyes peeled for opening and meet up announcements.
'Together we are stronger'

19/08/2024

*** update home safe and sound***

Hey everyone, please can you help us, we are desperately trying to help find this gorgeous guy, he’s a labradoodle, and answers to the name of Spencer, and now bigger than in this picture as this was a while ago when a pup, he’s missing from in and around the Cawood area, if you have had any sightings of him please please let us know on here or Lesley Sykes as we are all heartbroken and really just need him back with his family safe and sound as soon as possible!!

18/08/2024

Yesterday's social walk was Remi with my two, learning to do his own thing around other dogs rather than constantly seeking their interaction.

It worked so well as each dog was set up to have agency, and my two aren't in your face dogs.

He's got some work to do, but he definitely started to settle into the new way of being yesterday.

His humans have homework to ensure we can set him up for success for the next step 💜🐕

17/08/2024

A very relaxed start to class this morning 😂

But soon livened up with the dogs wonder what on earth their humans were doing 🙈

16/08/2024

It's supposed to be our social walk tomorrow!!!!

Who is coming?

2pm 💜 £10 per dog

16/08/2024

**EDIT due to late cancellations there are now THREE places available**

Only one place on tomorrow's 6 month+ class

Book before midnight with your PAYG link if you want to come!! If you don't have it then just dm me!

Open to anyone who has been ever before 💜

16/08/2024

I'm sorry but this properly made me LOL

It's completely on point 💯

16/08/2024

As a Qualified Member of the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers I am also a member of the UK Charter.

I am guided by a code of ethics and will stand by that code wholeheartedly.

The Institute of Modern Dog Trainers are a founding Member of the UK Dog Behaviour & Trainer Charter.

10/08/2024

This is my standard reminder to all behaviour clients to send over your videos and diaries or anything I've given you to do so I can review!

Do not underestimate how helpful to me your diaries are. They are what makes your dogs life so clear to me and allows my intuition to kick in 💕

And look how happy it makes Ziggi 😍

As always I'm not online on Sunday or Mondays.

Enjoy your weekend 💜

🎉if we don't change nothing changes 🎉

09/08/2024

Welcome to our new puppy starters 😍

What a stunning group, posers and snoozers 😂

09/08/2024

I asked who would want a first aid course.

Quite a few said yes please 🙏

I was asked mid week, and before the kids go back, and before the end of the year.

We made it happen 💜

Where are you all 🙈😂

Get booked on....Wednesday, Thorpe Willoughby Village Hall

Go go go!!!

06/08/2024

So much fun at snifficent dogs tonight that I didn't get photos of all the dogs🙈

We had an experienced dog on cloves who showed new areas we get to work on!

We had a dog who started working on Kong odour briefly at the last session and aced today by finding a tiny piece hidden away!

We had a dog who had never done scent work before who took to it like a duck to water and who's confidence increased massively I'm just tonight's session!

I do love scent work 💜

06/08/2024

**New booking on a trial basis!**

For summer I am trialling a Pay As You Go Option for the 6 month+ classes!

So for those that are busy you can just book one week and book it as late as the night before!

Initially it is open to anyone who has attended previously as I know your dogs and how they can slot into a class!

Drop me a comment if you want the booking link 💟

*the PAYG classes solo do not have the bulk booking discount so you notice a price difference
**booking only available if the class is not full
***booking availability may vary if cancellations come in

05/08/2024

Snifficent Dogs tomorrow evening!!

🎉 couple of places left 🎉

Book on the website 💕

04/08/2024

There needs to be more kindness in the world, this can be achieved 💜

03/08/2024

Before I log off for the weekend I'm giving a shout out to this little man I saw last weekend.

He's been getting a bit pully on his walks and far too excited by other dogs.

He did great in his first session, manging to stay calm and retain focus on his handler.

I am looking forward to his next session!! 🐾🐾💜

03/08/2024

This is my (new) standard reminder to all behaviour clients to send over your videos and diaries or anything I've given you to do so I can review!

As always, I'm not online on Sunday or Mondays.

Enjoy your weekend 💜
🎉if we don't change, nothing changes 🎉

�

01/08/2024

Tonight's puppy class, please check your emails for last night's mail 💜

01/08/2024

This is a repost from last year, but i feel it's important to share again. It's raining and a brief reprieve this morning but it's due to be 25 by tonight again! Talk about messing with a dogs heat regulation and acclimatise 😱

**Warm weather policy**

I thought I'd share my policy relating to warmer weather.

We often forget that dogs take time to acclimatise to sudden weather change, just like us, so the 10-15 degree increase in less than a week will be a shock to their system, like ours!

My main consideration is heat stroke.

Depending on the dog breed, age, and overall health, heat stroke can become a risk at different temperatures.

At 20 degrees, I will be cautious. Young puppies, older dogs, and double coated breeds can feel the effects of heat stroke here. Fast moving prolonged activity for any dog is a potential risk.

For me, when temperatures hit 24 degrees, it's a blanket no.

In between these temperatures, appointments will be judged on:
- the dog/s
- the activity
- the environment, i.e., is there any shade we can use.
- the air humidity
- recent weather (acclimatised or shown they don't do well with heat!)

I'm not an early riser. Ask anyone, but this is when we may even look at 7am appointments (ouch 😵‍💫) or later evening ones.

Otherwise, we may move over to Zoom, especially for behavioural issues, where your dog gets to stay cool at home, and we can tweak their programme and review progress.

The last thing I want is your dog overheating or even acting out of character because of how hot they are.

So please understand this policy is for your dog and their well-being. Trust me, I'd rather be working to pay those bills!

Remember, if you can't hold the back of your hand to the pavement for 5 seconds without it being uncomfortable, then don't be walking your dogs precious paws on it 💖

30/07/2024

FINALLY!!!!!

Daycare and puppies do not match well.

The majority of cases I get where dogs have high frustration levels around other dogs or have developed a fear of other dogs, there is a common denominator from when they were younger.

And don't get me started on having to neuter far too early to comply with some daycares 😳

Don't get me wrong there are some wonderful small home run places where sleep and routine and everything a puppy needs can be provided for, but these are the minority and will probably be fully booked.

It's so nice to see a day care put behavioural welfare before profits.

I salute you 👏 🙌 💯

🚫𝑰 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒏𝒐 𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒕 𝑳𝑪𝑨 𝑫𝒐𝒈𝒈𝒚 𝑫𝒂𝒚-𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆….. 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒚!! 🚫

𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝑫𝒐𝒈𝒈𝒚 𝑫𝒂𝒚 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒆, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒈𝒐 𝑰 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒊𝒕 🙈

You must think that is a ridiculous statement for a Doggy Day-care Business Owner to make, and yes you are probably right. However, it doesn’t sound quite so ridiculous when it comes from a Dog Trainer & Behaviour specialist does it?

I will always prioritise the welfare of dogs over financial gain, so I am here to give you some of the reasons why we don’t accept puppies at LCA Doggy Day-care to help you make an informed decision whether day-care is the right choice for your puppy.

First of all, puppies need a hell of a lot of sleep, not just at night but frequent naps throughout the day. At least 18 hours per day in fact. This sleep is essential for physical growth as well as brain development, stress reduction, physical recovery, hormonal balance and much more. The noisy, chaotic atmosphere of a commercial daycare can be overwhelming and stressful for a young puppy, potentially leading to long-term anxiety issues - just ask any dog trainer, it’s what pays our mortgage.

Puppies can’t self-regulate, they are like little toddlers that constantly want to get into mischief. Have you ever known a toddler say “right then, I’m getting a little bit over tired now, I suppose I should just ignore all this exciting stuff going on around me and go and have a nap in that quiet corner over there” Oh how we wish it was true….but it is not. Your gorgeous little puppy would be the equivalent of a toddler having a meltdown in the middle of Lidl after only a short time at day-care, and we all know how stressful that can be for everyone involved.

“BUT my puppy needs to socialise I hear you cry”. NO NO NO, it doesn’t, not like you think it does. I hate that word socialisation, it conjures up images of letting your puppy meet and greet every dog and every person that they come across and that couldn’t be further from the truth.

What socialisation actually is, is pleasant social interactions with other animals, well-mannered dogs, women, children, and men (with beards, hats & wearing hi viz - I know how scary right?) as well as careful exposure to different environments such as crowds, traffic, public transport, the vacuum cleaner, the washing machine and any other sights & sounds that your puppy will have to cope with in every-day life. Now how is sending your puppy to run around with a load of other unknown dogs going to tick all of those socialisation boxes?

Doggy Day-care also comes with the risk of injury to your puppy. Larger dogs or more boisterous dogs can easily inadvertently or intentionally harm a young vulnerable puppy during play. Some older dogs have a low tolerance to excitable young puppies and may be a little too forceful in their corrections, again leading to anxiety issues in your puppy that can have long term effects.

If you don’t believe me, ask any other dog trainer. Around 80% of the reactivity cases that I have seen, have come from dogs that have had a negative experience at doggy day-care and it’s pretty much the same for other trainers that I have spoken to.

So why do I run a Doggy Day-Care if I hate them so much? Well, I like a challenge, and I wanted to make a difference, offer something a little different, and show that it can be done with the dogs welfare needs at the heart of everything.

At LCA Doggy Day-care we have a very strict entry criteria and we turn away at least 6 dogs for every one that we accept.

All dogs must be over 12 months old.

All dogs must pass a behavioural assessment where they are introduced to a dog that doesn’t enjoy playing with unknown dogs and they must be able to read that dogs body language and give them space.

All dogs must also be able to self-regulate and settle at nap time.

The reason that our entry requirements are so strict, is that we want every dog in our care to feel safe, secure and at ease whilst at day-care. Also, dogs NEED sleep and if they can’t sleep whilst in our care, then we aren’t meeting their welfare needs and we won’t accept them. It’s as simple as that.

So, before you sign your new puppy up to your local day-care, just ask yourself if it is in the best interest of your puppy. There are so many other alternatives, such as a dog walker, pop in service etc.

𝑷𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒚𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂 𝒗𝒖𝒍𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈, 𝒍𝒆𝒕’𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒐 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒃𝒚 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒐𝒈𝒔 ❤

28/07/2024

I've put my back out today, I don't think I've ever felt pain quite like this before 😭

I'm pretty immobilised right now but luckily I can spend tomorrow doing all the right things.

This (and the hot weather tbh) may affect sessions this week but I'll try give as much notice whilst also leaving until I definitely know my back won't be up to it.

I'm using ice and painkillers so 🤞🤞🤞

Does this mean I'm officially getting old now? 😳

In the meantime, here's a humorous picture to keep the algorithm happy 😊