Muttley Matters

25/08/2024

Life skills classes for adolescents are hard to find. Georgie’s classes are well run and outdoors in a beautiful location. Can highly recommend 🐾

Teen (and adult) dog class spaces still available to start Sunday 1st September and Sunday 6th October. Located at GU28 0PT.

Interested? Please email [email protected] or call 07505040794.
Alternatively check out my website: www.thepawsitivetrainer.co.uk

22/08/2024

Tongue out Thursday 🤪 with Akela the gorgeous German Shorthaired Pointer who started training with me today. Akela has a lovable zest for life and gets utterly engrossed in everything on walks - scents, dogs, other people, feathers. Her pawrents would like her not to switch off from them but to keep those velvety black ears open so that she can start having off-lead time. Today she started to learn to do just that through focus and recall games. She was an absolute star and did super well 🤩.

20/08/2024

This type of thinking, based on the scientific findings of applied psychology, is what distinguishes positive reinforcement trainers from trainers that use punitive or intimidatory techniques. Well done to Good Guardianship to articulate it so well.

It can be all too easy to look at a behaviour, particularly one that we find problematic, as an isolated thing that just occurs, or is put down to false and outdated ideas like 'dominance' or 'stubbornness'.

Think of behaviour as a symptom - underlying that behaviour there is an emotion driving that behaviour. Behaviours don't happen just 'because', there is always a reason for them and so it's up to us to learn how to understand what they are trying to tell us so we can work out what that emotion is.

And at the root of it all there will be a need. Something that is causing the dog to feel that particular emotion and so lead them to show the behaviour that we are seeing. Once we have discovered the emotion the dog is feeling, we can work out what the dog needs and help them to get whatever that may be.

The three pictures here give an example:

Behaviour: the dog is barking at something. If you look at their posture and body language the body is leaning back, away from what they are barking at. The ears are back, whiskers flared, and eyes fixed on something. The front paw is slightly lifted and there is a back paw in the air, and the back end of the dog may be lowered towards the ground a little.

Emotion: what the overall picture of the body language is telling us is that the dog is scared of the thing they are barking at, so the emotion they are feeling is fear.

Need: What this dog needs is immediate space from the thing that is bothering them, so they can feel relief from that fear and feel safer again. What they need going on is an increased feeling of safety and security, more trust in us to help them if they need it or get them out of a situation if it's too much for them.

When we can understand the need and emotion driving the behaviour we can understand our dogs far better and see where they need our help.

14/03/2024

❤️

15/02/2024

Can highly recommend for all budding dog trainers.

Join the APDT Instructors Course and gain the skills you need to start your new career, teach dog owners how to train their dogs, or develop your existing career as a dog trainer.

The APDT Instructor Education programme provides comprehensive foundation and advanced courses, available online or as residential courses in the UK.

In our course you will learn
🐶 Learning Theory and how to use reward based methods
🐶 Teaching skills, and how to show owners with all styles of learning, how to train dogs of all ages and breeds
🐶 Canine body language and spotting stress in your learners
🐶 Marketing and Business information

You'll have hands-on teaching practise, with feedback from tutors, homework to do, and classes to plan. You'll also make friends for life, and get to join a community of top industry professionals advocating kind, fair and effective methods.

Whether you currently work with dogs or are just starting out, these courses offer unrivalled training to launch your career teaching dog owners, and becoming a full member of the APDT, an ABTC practitioner organisation.

04/02/2024

Great post by Dog Communication

WHY DO DOGS REACT BADLY TO SOME DOGS?

I was walking my easy pair today who love everyone and we saw a young cockapoo coming towards us who was really pulling on the lead. The lead was attached to a collar and the poor dog was making an awful choking noise and walking on his back legs as he dragged his owner along.

I could see Twig stop and growl slightly under her breath, she absolutely loves a curly friend normally but she wasn’t loving the look of this one and it’s entirely predictable that she wouldn’t and neither would many other dogs. Dogs who are really pulling on the lead and are up on the back legs are sometimes not loved by other dogs as they look like they are highly aroused and a bit out of control, they may feel unpredictable to other dogs.

Combine that with a choking sound or snorty sound and it’s a bit off putting for other dogs as they don’t sound at all at ease or relaxed and the snorting or choking may even sound like growling. If you have a dog that looks like this when they are walking onlead and they are getting bad reactions from other dogs it’s really worth working on loose lead walking and switching to a harness. Switching to a harness will mean they can breathe easier and aren’t potentially damaging their trachea and they will also sound a lot better to other dogs.

Other dogs who tend to get a hard time are the starers. Dogs who walk down the street staring and making prolonged direct eye contact with other dogs are often not well received. We say staring is swearing and it’s absolutely perceived like that by most dogs. Some dogs naturally do stare lots and are friendly but they are just intently interested in other dogs. If you have a starer it’s really worth trying to encourage them not to stare- encourage them to sniff (do a ‘find it’ with treats) or get them to check in with you to break eye contact. Dogs are likely to be friendlier to dogs who don’t stare. Staring can be a prelude to play and dogs who know each other well may stare and stalk their buddy before play bowing- that’s totally fine between friends and normal rules don’t apply between good friends. If you are trying to help your dog make friends with new dogs though, try not to let them stare.

Other dogs may get a hard time because of the way they look- certain breeds and types can be harder for other dogs to read or may have a body confirmation that makes them look unfriendly (like my Inuit (pictured) who looks permanently confrontational as she has a curled tail, prick ears and stands with her weight fowards!), flatter faced dogs and all black dogs can also get a hard time as other dogs may not understand them well.

Dogs can also be targeted by other dogs due to the way they smell- chemical messengers (pheromones) can tell other dogs everything they need to know about your dog and some dogs seem to not like the way other dogs smell. Stress hormones and other hormones are also detected by other dogs and are likely to influence how they react to each other. So much of a dog’s communication is by scent and that’s a whole world we have no access to.

Communication style can also cause some dogs to have a hard time, some dogs communicate effortlessly and have a great range of communication and some are more awkward and this can also cause issues around other dogs too.

Does your dog get a hard time from other dogs and do you know why if so?

Please share from this post and don’t copy and paste text or save my images or the original source gets lost

Laura McAuliffe, Dog Communication 2024

14/11/2023

Winter Closure:
The Muttley Matters training fields will be closed 11 Dec. - 8 Feb. Some home visit slots will be available.

28/09/2023

Well done to my native country for banning the breeding of flat faced dogs. It says something about the human race that it had to come to legislative intervention, that breeders and Kennel Clubs didn’t self-regulate, and that buyers didn’t vote for healthier dogs with their wallets … but hey ho there it is.

14/09/2023

If ever I was to get a dog from a breeder instead of adopting one from a rescue, I would be looking for a breeder who demonstrates this level of knowledge and effort. Puppy Culture is the gold standard for breeders. If all breeders bred from emotionally sound dogs and followed this programme for puppy raisers we wouldn’t be having this epidemic of behavioural issues. Buyer beware! Just saying.

25/05/2023

Another satisfied customer 😆. Baby Dane Lola enjoying a well-deserved rest after a clearly exhausting training session.

14/05/2023

Tricks Class availability:
Wednesdays 21 June - 26 July

Novice/Intermediate at 5 pm - 1 SPACE
Advanced/Expert at 6 pm - 1 SPACE

Small classes

Email [email protected] for further information

07/04/2023

Happy Easter from tricks class 🐣!

04/04/2023

A lovely video by Emily Larlham explaining how to prevent herding and chasing behaviours developing in pups.

03/04/2023

Tricks Class availability:

Wednesdays 26 April - 31 May:
Mixed ability at 6 pm - 1 space

Wednesdays 21 June - 26 July:
Novice/Intermediate at 5 pm - 2 spaces
Advanced/Expert at 6 pm - 2 spaces

Email [email protected] for further info

28/03/2023

😂

09/03/2023

Watch this! Fantastic work by Lewis Nicholls explaining tension and potential conflict resolution during dog-dog meets.

04/03/2023

Can highly recommend. Run by an ex-client who over the years has become a friend and fellow trick trainer. I would snap up this place if I wasn’t busy with classes myself!

Sadly another space has become available on Wednesday 8th March. If you would like to join us for the Tricks Workshop, please get in touch 🎓

16/02/2023

A shout out to Georgie for setting up as a trainer in Petworth. This world needs more trainers like Georgie. She is fully committed to modern, science-based, positive reinforcement methods always putting the dog’s welfare first and foremost. Georgie shadowed me at Muttley Matters and I was struck by her empathy and patience with the doggos. I can highly recommend 😀🐾 - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090422107206

Force free dog training, encouraging fulfilling and happy relationships between dogs and people

17/01/2023

Credit to whoever produced this - unfortunately can’t read the logo at the bottom right.

24/12/2022

Merry Christmas from my Muttley crew and me. May Santa Paws make your dog's wishes come true 🎅!

15/12/2022

Gorgeous snow doggos looking for a home this Christmas. Adopt, don’t shop 🎅🐾

01/12/2022

Tempted by a Christmas pup? How about first doing a wee bit of homework into the breeder?! Satisfy yourself that the pup has been bred for health and temperament and that the breeder carried out sensible socialisation and training. Read this excellent article to see how even a small amount of extra socialisation 0-6 weeks can make a huge difference. Buyer Beware - Buy the BEST. If you are going to get a pup, make sure it is one from an awesome breeder:

A new program for socializing puppies in the nest brings big benefits, study shows.

21/11/2022

5-year old Charlie, as handsome as he is, is quite a sensitive boy who used to suffer from travel sickness as a younger pup and had always remained a bit scared of the car. Two loud car prangs proved too much and poor Charlie’s anxieties escalated to proper panic attacks. It would take two people to get a very resistant Charlie into the car. His mum rightfully did not want to put him through this kind of stress but avoiding the car meant missing out on country capers with his canine pals.

During our behavioural training session we devised a counter-conditioning plan pairing the car and, more specifically, pairing getting into the car, with all the things Charlie loves - his highest value treats, his specialest of human friends and his favourite games. Two months later I received this update:

“I am SO pleased to be sending this email. For the last 2 days, I have taken Charlie for a walk on my own, and he has jumped back in the car on his own. I’ve been making sure that we progressed really slowly. First I spent weeks playing with him on the drive, with both doors open, then one door open. Lots of play throwing treats around the car, then into the car and lots of lovely unique treats when he does. And getting people he really loves to sit in the car with him at home. I started his walks with other people, and he seemed to only want to get in the car when someone he loves was in the front seat. We have now progressed to me taking him out on my own. I’m doing a different walk every day so that he doesn’t get bored and he now hassles me at 8 in the morning as he’s so excited about a walk! Thank you so much for your lovely understanding. Top work Odette. Will keep you posted.“

Well done team Charlie - Keep up the great work!

19/11/2022

Just a shout out to for being so knowledgeable, kind and caring. Hippo (looking rather dapper if I may say so!) was in for his monthly Librella injection this morning. He had got himself into a bit of a flap beforehand but instantly relaxed with cuddles from the team. Thank you 😊!

05/11/2022

04/11/2022

01/11/2022

Buyer beware.

Would you be able to recognise the new breed of puppy farms?

'Traditional’ puppy farms still exist, with litters bred in dark sheds and then shipped out to shops and homes to sell, but farmers have got wise to the fact that we are on the look out for this now and some have evolved to give themselves a more respectable front.

These new farms often have really slick websites, but if you look closely no pictures of the actual places where the dogs live or even of the pups themselves. Just stock images of adorable babies and exhortations to ‘get in touch and we can find you the perfect puppy’.

They might have social media pages where they share news of the latest arrivals, with cute ‘new baby’ photoshoots and make pregnancy announcements worthy of a celebrity. But look more closely and you will realise they never show the pups where they are actually living, it’s always an insta-perfect backdrop, and if you add up how many puppies are showcased, the numbers can be eye-watering.

They don’t have kennels, they have ‘maternity wards’, they don’t have breeding bi***es and studs, they have ‘proud mums and dads’. They don’t have underpaid and overworked kennel hands, they have ‘dedicated and fully trained puppy teams’.

They do though, obviously. They are just marketing themselves better than they used to.

They are still breeding for volume and profit above everything. Not for physical or mental health

They still have a huge number of breeds and crosses advertised.

The pups are still not having the early life experiences that will set them up for being happy, balanced family pets.

(Let’s say they have 5 staff, sounds impressive, but if they have 10 litters on a rolling basis, average of 6 pups a litter - often it’s more - that is 60 pups at any one time, all with different needs. Staff work a 40 hour week, that’s 200 hours in total. Even if ALL they did was interact with the pups - which is very unlikely - that is only 3 hours of individual attention for each pup a WEEK. Hardly enough to make them confident with human interaction. Homebred pups will live with their family and see people, children and home life all day, every day.)

The bi***es are still being over-bred.

The dogs are still living a restricted life, with their only value being their s***m.

They will still offer to deliver a dog to you, a HUGE red flag for any breeder, and they will generally state that if they don’t have the pup you want, they can source it. A clear indication they are a dealer, not a reputable breeder.

They often have ‘K9 Fertility Clinics’ attached as well, so they can really maximise their profits from exploiting their own, and also other people’s, pets.

You can often visit if you live nearby but will they show you the litter and the mum, or just bring the cute puppies to you? Can you see where they have been born and bred or is that not possible?

I understand that buying a puppy can seem overwhelming and almost impossible sometimes. And the temptation to go to one of these places, that present themselves as professional, knowledgeable and a ‘one stop shop’, can be strong.

They seem to tick all the boxes that you see online as the things to look out for and you don’t have to go to a person’s house or create a relationship when all you really want is a dog. You can just walk away with the pup and get on with your life.

But you are risking supporting irresponsible breeding, taking on a dog with physical and mental scars that may never heal and allowing animal exploration to continue, albeit under a more respectable banner.

Don’t fall for their con.

21/10/2022

Sharing because it’s true 😆.

Secrets of a Pet Dog Trainer

1. Puppy teeth just don't hurt us anymore, but we pretend it's awful just to make clients feel heard

2. Pockets are life. Clothes without pockets are pointless, you may as well go to work naked.

3. No, we are not like The Dog Whisperer. No, we do not love Cesar Milan. But we get asked at every party anyway.

4. We don't know where, but somewhere in our house or van is a handful of meat slowly rotting away

5. We rarely eat meals at your standard breakfast, lunch, dinner times. Most food is consumed in the van between sessions because we can prep DIY raw dog food til the cows come home but our own food....na

6. We can't drive past a "Land for Sale" sign without looking up the price on RightMove before remembering we've already spent all our money on our dogs

7. We hear "do you train husbands too?" and/or "I suppose you're a people trainer more than a dog trainer really aren't you?" every single day of our lives but we smile back every time.

8. Our garages, sheds and outhouses are ram-packed with random bits of equipment and other assorted junk pretending to be equipment, just in case we ever need a broken A-frame and 506 tennis balls to fix someone's dog

9. No matter how qualified & experienced you become, you will always be mansplained how to do your job by an old man in the park who's had German Shepherds his whole life.

10. For all the poo, wee, blood, saliva, sweat and tears we wouldn't have it any other way and most of us feel lucky to wake up in the morning and actually be excited about going to work.

Who has more to add?!?

29/09/2022

Example of setting up the environment for choice training (and lots of patience): My objective was for Barnaby to learn to love the crate iso avoiding it. After feeding many a meal inside and crate games to overcome his reluctance to go in I turned it into a comfy bed and left it next to my desk about six months ago. The hope was that he would start using it as a daytime bed. Very occasionally he would go in, mess up the cushions and leave straight away. Tonight he finally went in for a snooze 🥳! Hippo (aka Mr Fomo) noticing my delight had to join of course 😆.

05/09/2022

Teacher’s pet!

Barnaby can't resist a peekaboo through my legs! Just love this boy's sense of fun and beautiful nature