Pet-Positive

12/03/2024

Spring time puppy classes. South Colchester/ Mersea area.

Who has a pup under 20 weeks old who would be interested in small, fun group classes? For registration and booking please email me [email protected] or look on my website www.

Pet Positive - Pet behaviour consultants. I offer pet training, general advice and information about all aspects of keeping pets and about pet products.

23/01/2024

With The Grange Retreat – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉

24/11/2023

It's not all about severe lead jerks or " snaps" either. I see many people using a tug if their pup or dog does not respond to a cue....

Jerking Your Dogs Leash
Many dog owners use a leash jerk to stop a dog barking, try to get a dogs attention, or to try and stop a dog pulling. In fact they may jerk a lead for a variety of reasons.
The anatomy of a dogs neck is remarkably similar to our own and one can only imagine how many times a human could take a leash jerk before needing to see a specialist.
Often when leashes are je**ed dogs are seen to lip lick and head turn, they may also start blinking heavily, a sign that the leash jerk has caused the dog to feel stressed, as let’s face it leash jerks cause discomfort. Studies have shown that cause laryngeal damage, whiplash and there’s a clear correlation between leash jerks and cervical damage. I’ve also spoken to a canine massage therapist who could feel rotation in the cervical vertebrae of a dog who’d been leash je**ed. Dogs don’t always respond to pain in the way we think they should. It’s not all about yelping and vocalising. A dog with neck pain may have a low head carriage and find it difficult to give eye contact or turn around.
Leash jerks can also ruin your training by poisoning your cues. For example if the handler is asking the dog for a sit and it doesn’t comply fast enough the handler may leash jerk the dog to try and get a faster result, however to the dog the word sit now means something unpleasant is going to happen.
Leash jerking may appear to work in stop some behaviours, however it doesn’t tell the dog what we do want from them or help them feel better about a situation they may be finding aversive.

29/09/2023

Some pictures from my outdoor life skills for puppies session yesterday.
Following some great focus and checking in on lead walking, practicing settle on boundaries, introduction to a little sit stay/ wait, some brilliant recall practice in the presence of each other....we went on to some off lead interactions, short and sweet and allowing the pups choices. Well done to all.

26/08/2023

World dog day.
Celebrate and do something special with your dog today.

10/08/2023

Autumn puppy life skills course starting September. For pups aged 20 weeks or under. Indoor and outdoor experiences. Please contact Sue on [email protected]

17/07/2023

Just a little clip of our walk this evening

11/07/2023

It's with great sadness that we had to say goodbye to our little Molly yesterday. She was 17 and pretty perky...until severe seizures pointed towards a brain tumour..she went downhill rapidly.
Many of you may remember her role as meeter and greeter at classes, her demos - gosh she LOVED showing the power of shaping training!
She was a star in many ways..cheeky and independent, loved family life and was the most adaptable little dog and was everyone's friend. She was the last remaining featured dog character on my website. It will 've time to revamp the images now. So many memories. R.I.P MOLLY.

14/03/2023

Spaces left on our upcoming puppy life skills course. Catering for young pups right up to 6 mths. Small group size, indoor and outdoor venues. Please ring or email for more information. March start. 07771 755313 or info -positive.co.uk .

28/02/2023

Has your dog growled recently? Growling isn't a bad thing- in fact it's vital! This is your dog's way of telling you there is something up. Always listen to them and never punish for it. Listen to what they are saying. With special thanks to The Dog Guy on this one.

23/02/2023

Spaces available on my puppy courses, either one 2 one help or small group classes. Starting Mid March. Please message me to have all the details and have a look at my website www.pet-positive.co.uk.

17/02/2023

Anyone just got a new puppy in the family? or an older pup that may need some help with some life skills? Want to have some fun training games with them? learning together the skills to be a well behaved and happy dog. Puppy courses available, either one 2 one or small group classes. Introductory session in Mid March. Please message or call me on 07771755313 to register and for more details.

30/12/2022

I hope everyone had a good Christmas. New Year yet to come! I have one space left on my adult dog activity course starting 23rd January. Come and learn new things with your dog in 2023. ....please pm me for more details and registration.

23/11/2022

Do you think the positive reinforcement methods we choose to use in dog training are modern? Food in training?!!

This is written by a man called S.T Hammond in 1882, 140 years ago!!

"Do not fail to abundantly caress him and speak kindly words, and never under any circumstances, no matter what the provocation, allow yourself to scold or strike him, as this is entirely at variance with our system ... should he jump on you with his dirty feet, or tear your clothes with his sharp teeth, do not get angry and cuff him, but gently yet firmly place him upon the ground and unclasp his jaws from your garments, consoling yourself with the thought that in a short time you will have him so well in hand that he will know better than to commit these faults ... be very gentle with him at all times; carefully study his disposition, and learn all of his ways, that you may the more readily understand just how to manage him. You should be in perfect sympathy with him and humor all his whims and notions, and endeavor to teach him that you truly love him.

In a short time you will find that this love will be returned tenfold, and that he is ever anxiously watching for your coming, and never so happy as when in your presence and enjoying your caresses ... do not allow yourself under any circumstances, to speak to your pupil in anything but your ordinary tone of voice ... use nothing but gentle tones when you issue your commands ... he should be very hungry when you commence these first lessons, as his eagerness for
the food will cause him to pay you close attention; and when he understands that as soon as he performs his task, his reward is sure."

And on using food in training...

"We think it a very good plan to always have in our pocket something good for him to eat, and when he minds ... and comes in quickly we reward him with a bit of something substantial as well as with fine words...a little bit of meat will at least have no tendency to slacken his speed when next he hears this signal ... this instantaneous, almost electric obedience and cheerful alacrity is most pleasing to witness ..."

Remember, this was written by a man back in 1882!!

From The APDT Chronicle of the Dog Magazine (Fall 2013)

05/11/2022

I do hope all your pups and dogs are coping ok with Guy Fawkes night...and that you are too. Elderly little Molly usually can get agitated, but a combination of deafness and lots of work on desensitising has allowed a happier Molly. Lyra is not phased but still needed Lion for company

16/10/2022

There are still places on my "life skills for puppies " group course starting by the end of October.Indoor sessions, helping your puppy learn about all aspects of being a pet dog in our human world....learn how to promote calmness, teach them to like being handled all over, confidence and appropriate manners around other dogs and people, able to come when called, walk nicely on a lead, to be able to settle happily and much much more! 7 sessions for £95. You also get a puppy pack, course notes and bespoke email support for the duration of the course. Small numbers ensure plenty of individual attention. Do be in touch asap for registration...

26/09/2022

Autumn Puppy Life Skills course starting Tuesday 25th October. Small class numbers, course notes and puppy gift pack included. 7 sessions £95. Mersea Island and surrounding area. Please be in contact for more information and booking forms. 07771 755313. [email protected]

15/09/2022

This is a great article....happy reading

15/09/2022

No one needs to us force ever!

13/09/2022

This is not as prevalent as it could be or should be.....but would be very useful

08/09/2022

17/08/2022

Today was the last life skills for puppies session..for this little group...it's been spread out over lots of weeks due to very hot weather, holidays and today's outdoor session....changed to ìndoors and guess what the heavy thunder rain never happened!
I set them some commercial puzzle challenges a well as reviewing all our life skills

13/08/2022

I know it's great to have dogs with you as a family...but here on Mersea today it is super hot...hot hot. and far too many dogs being walked on the tarmac and standing in the full sun. Dogs can't sweat like us. Please leave at home, get their area as cool as possible, pop ice cubes into water bowl, cold carrots and allow to lick frozen puzzle toys. There has been some confusing posts recently 're ice and frozen treats. They are fine as long as your dog is not already overheated....

Even in the UK dogs can suffer from heatstroke - read our vets' advice

11/07/2022

I am able to offer a new set of Puppy Classes. Introductory session around Mid August. Please be in contact for registration and booking form. £95 for 7 sessions, course notes and puppy pack included.

07/07/2022

I have noticed lots of very dry grass seed heads around. Here in East Anglia in particular. Do take note, when i was vet nursing we had many dogs with barley grass seeds in ears, toes, legs, eyes, ge****ls, and one poor spaniel that had seed heads that had travelled through his body and emerged in the most peculiar places

Look out for grass seeds! During the summer months, grass seeds are everywhere and they can easily get stuck in your dog’s eyes, ears, nose or in between their toes.

It might surprise you, but these pesky little seeds can cause major infections or internal damage if they pe*****te the skin.
Don’t forget to do a quick check after each walk, especially between their pads and in their ears.

06/07/2022

Please help this piece of research. I have just filled it in and takes about 10 mins.

An online survey for dog owners looking to gain an understanding of how dogs cope with stress.