Wight Agility Group

08/04/2025

I often get asked to help with rehoming a dog that ive previously worked with, its always an incredibly hard decision to make and often the owners change their mind, only to realise, it really isnt working. So we start the process again. I offer my advice from personal experience and try to guide them through the hardest decision, they may possibly ever have to make.

This picture is of my dogs about 6 yrs ago. Frankie on the back cushions, Pippy and Twirl close together, then Doug far right of the pic. Doug was with us as a foster for about 8 weeks, he was Frankies half brother, we believe. Im not sure whether this change in dynamics of the group, was the catalyst for the war that began between Pip and Twirl, but just a few weeks after this was taken, they began to fight. It was always started by Pip, with Twirl just trying to defend herself. Pip was left with some puncture wounds on her head, as Twirl was trying to control her head, to stop the biting. It was very loud and horrific to watch, especially as Pip was half Twirls size, but that didnt matter to her.

This experience was incredibly challenging for someone like me, who is supposed to know how to handle this kind of behaviour, but it has given me first hand experience of how difficult it is to live with this. Im not alone, many trainers/behavourists end up in the same place, especially with multi dog households, you will often find dogs that just dont like each other and wont get along under any circumstances. A bit like a marriage break down. I often describe it as like living with an abusive partner, its very stressful and thoroughly unpleasant for all involved.

We decided to keep both girls and manage their environment, to allow them to continue to live together, but with barriers betwen them. This happened at home and at work, even in our motorhome. Management is a great tool, but at some point it WILL fail. It only happened twice in 5 yrs. one time Garf (husband) got bitten, as his arm got in the way, second time, I ended up grabbing them both by their collars and holding them apart until Garf could got hold of one of them. This is obviously not ideal and if there were more people at home, it may have been impossible, but we were able to make it work. Both girls had special time on their own with me, then id have help on walks. Its certainly not somthing I would recommend, without discussing the possible pitfalls and outcome. We made it work, but when we lost Pippy, we realised how challenging it was. Twirl is definitely happier now, although initially she did keep looking for Pip and putting herself in the den all the time. 😢. So in conclusion, it is possible, but not an easy arrangement for all involved. Xx

02/04/2025

This awesome bunch have successfully completed Level 2 puppy skills. Congratulations to all of you, Team Rodney, Max and Milo, Luna, Milly, Dora and Sophie. Hoping you will all continue with Level 3, which can lead to multiple dog sports and obviously achieving very well trained Puppies as they enter Adolescence. Xx

31/03/2025

First Demo of the year done at the Spring Dog show, It was certainly a good display of breeds and competence. It was Ripple and Poppys first go in the ring, both stayed focused and loved their experience. All of the dogs and handlers did an amazing job, so thank you for showing your skills, Bethany and Honey, Trish and Seco, Kathy with Flicker and Rocket, Richard and Meg, Sarah and Kuli, Karen and Poppy and Abbie and Ozzie and of course my Girls Ripple and Twirl. 🥰🥰

30/03/2025

Congratulations to all of these lovely people with their puppies, that have just completed Level 1 Puppy Skills. So well done Hendrix, Rusty, Eddie, Reggie, Brie and Maple. They are all continuing to Level 2, with Abbie Fishburn xx

16/03/2025

I wanted to share this simple, easy to understand article on the Premack Principle, which basically means, using what your dog finds rewarding as the reward. It is so misunderstood, Ive heard so many variations of this, it’s definitely worth reading this article, for all you training bods 😘

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/what-is-the-premack-principle-in-dog-training/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0zBsAkGYz_CSs1zCTjAhLbsQmvaqGK3ON6waRI9o1cHiLERS-oPvYeKKM_aem_FbRi_fonmStM1Gn0yd9sVA

What is the Premack Principle in dog training? It's a rule which states that high-probability behaviors will reinforce low-probability ones.

13/02/2025

Huge Congratulations to our latest bunch of Puppies that have successfully completed their Level 1 Puppy Skills test. I’m always blown away by how much puppues learn in 6 weeks. Building confidence, focus and fun. They will continue their learning during Level 2. Good luck to Max, Milo, Rodney, Nora, Sophie, Luna and Milly 🥰

10/02/2025

AGILITY LEVELS SHOW, YESTERDAY.

Welldone to all of you that took park, it was lots of fun, with some very impressive runs. Level 1, 2 and 3, sadly we don’t have any pics of level 3 teams. I’m hoping to put on more shows this year, as we have more field space coming soon. Enough space to two rings outside. Watch this space for more info. Xx

04/02/2025

NEW LEVEL 2 Group starting this evening, all of you tgat have passed level 1 may continue onto level 2

NEW PUPPY GROUP STARTING
MONDAY 17th FEBRUARY at 17:00-18:00 hrs
A 6 week course costing £70, teaching all the skills you need to raise a happy confident puppy, all reward based training, at our Godshill Venue. Please comment if you would like a space xx

16/01/2025

This article is from Dogs Naturally Magazine. It’s very useful info when considering Annual Vaccinations. It is well documented that over vaccinating causes Autoimmune Disease, among others. I’m a great believer in raising dogs as naturally as possible xx

Want to vaccinate less? It's important to understand what vaccines are available for your dog and the risks and benefits of each.

13/01/2025

IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Twirl is a super fit dog, aged 9 now and in great physical shape, but after a 10 k walk, she is feeling fidgety. It’s so important to recognise the signs of pain and discomfort. I’ve given her pain meds,anti inflammatorys and some calming meds, as pain is stressful. Left her for 30 mins and then got hands on, initially I thought is was her hind legs, but actually she seems to have tweaked a side muscle. So my massage skills come into play to help alleviate her pain. She is now fast asleep, thank goodness. Her breathing is also an indicator of her discomfort. She was breathing shallow and rapid. Thankfully Twirl is happily relaxed now.. education is everything in learning how to best help our dogs 🥰🥰🥰

01/01/2025

THIS IS NOW FULL

NEW PUPPY GROUP starting WEDNESDAY 8th JANUARY at 17:00-18:00. 6 week course, costing £60. All reward based training, we will teach all the social skills that your pup needs to grow and flourish in the world. Questions and answers are encouraged, so that you share your experiences with other puppy owners too. It’s always fun xx

Please comment below if you would like a space xx

31/12/2024

At the end of 2024, it’s time to announce our Awards for this year. It has been an incredibly difficult decision, as there were so many of you worthy of an award, which makes me very proud of you all, that continue to train with me. I eventually decided on the follow.

Best Puppy is Tara with Raph, who completed all of the puppy levels, Raph struggled through early adolescents, as is often the case with male dogs. But they continued to train through these tricky times and have come out the other side, with huge success. Very well done.

Then we have best Junior Handler, Amelia with Giggles, bearing in mind that Amelia is only 6, she has do everything I have asked of her, very determined young lady, she will go far and Giggles is a star in the making.

Best Beginner goes to Abbie and Ozzie, it has been a fun ride, they have just started competing and at their first show, they won the steeplechase. I have great confidence in these two, to go all the way.

Next we have Nicola and Peggy as our Best Improver, anyone that knows these two will agree that this last year has been a massive step forward for their team work and progress.

Then comes Erin and Buddy, who have been training with me for 7 yrs. Erin has just turned 18 and can now drive herself to training with her best mate Buddy, they win best team Award.

We have two special awards to add, for their amazing staying power and working through everything that dogs throw at us. So Trish and Seco, alongside Hannah and Rubble both deserve their Special awards. Huge congratulations to all of you.

I want to thank you all for your continued support, the fun and laughter, also for all the lovely gifts and cards, you know me well, I love candles and Alcohol 🤣🤣. Happy New Year to all 🥰🥰🥰🎉🥳

14/12/2024

Such a great fun event today. You all smashed it. I’ll send your pics individually, as there are too many to share here. So many super fast times, the fastest being Ronda and Martha at 18:13 seconds. Lots of you acheiving 21 seconds, which is super impressive. Xx

05/12/2024

A little bit of grid work and distance handling this week, in the Polytunnels. Grid work is so important to teach dogs striding, collection and extension. It also helps them learn to work away independently. We’ve had loads of fun this week. Next week is Steeplechase, in preparation for our little show on 14th xx

29/10/2024

Huge congratulations to these guys for passing their Level 1 Puppy Life Skills this evening!
Meg & Woody, Alfie/Barry & Coco, Lydia & Mollie & Linda/Neil & Rosie......you've all done a fabulous job!🎉🤩🐾
A particular mention for Alfie. It's always great to get our young handlers involved & he did a brilliant job of demonstrating his new skills this week!😊
Well done everyone!🤩🐾

20/10/2024

I have been very relaxed about Ripples training, because I really believe there is no rush. I taught her, her name first, where to toilet and the house rules, which included, you come when called, you wait nicely for your food, In means come in, go in etc. on and off and the beginnings of walking nicely on the lead. When it came to more formal training, she didn’t really like it, especially waiting, sit and down. But this weekend we’ve had a break through, with the help of Lisa Fiske. Who took it right back to the beginning and just rewarding stillness. The video clip is her having a little bit of fun at my field, but her agility foundation skills are just beginning. The moral of this story is, that every puppy is an individual, they learn at different rates, some find it easy, whilst others will have challenges. I’m very excited about the future for this little girl 🥰