J Murray Dog Training

26/01/2025

Any idiot can supress a behaviour. It takes knowledge, time and understanding to actually change it. ❤️

24/01/2025

"Nature Versus Nurture"

These two videos show two different dogs' reactions to the same stimulus – the vacuum cleaner – a quite common 'aversive' (unpleasant, scary) thing for many dogs. However, my Oscar and Rosie are the same age, from the same litter, raised in the exact same environment(s), fed the same, trained the same, loved the same.... and yet where Oscar clearly couldn't give a toss, Rosie is clearly the more nervous.

So that raises a big question for me – how much of our dog's behaviour is actually influenced by their learning (i.e. their background, their experiences, what we attempt to teach them through 'training') and how much is inherent in their nature, their personality, their temperament? Of course, all dogs need socialisation from a young age to help them build a certain amount of 'stress tolerance' to life's experiences. And it's of course true that negative experiences in a dog's life can massively affect their ability to 'cope', and by proxy, adversely affect behaviour. However, a certain amount of behaviour is in natural temperament and we sometimes just cannot fight that.

Some humans can be more prone to anxieties than others, we have extraverts, introverts, pessimists and optimists... so it stands to reason that our dogs, (whose brains work in pretty much the same way) are the same.

i.e.... Our dogs are not automatons who can be 'fixed' by A-B-C training techniques. 'Training' helps of course, but it can only go so far. This is why changing behaviour is so much more in depth than just saying "No" or sticking a slip lead on em and yanking. You have to consider all aspects, work with the dog in front of you, love them for what they are and manage your expectations of what they 'should' be, and most importantly advocate for them always. ❤️

(and please excuse the mess...)

10/01/2025

A cold one this morning in Nonsuch, so much so it was coats on for the first time in ages!
As a rule, I dont tend to put coats on my dogs often as, even though they're low to the ground, their thick rolls of skin acts a bit like insulation and even though they're Bassets, they're actually surprisingly active on walks and coats tend to constrict them. This is an important point to remember in cold weathers - whilst it can be very tempting to smother our doggies in gorgeous garments to keep them toasty or clean and dry, not all dogs need or benefit from coats in cold weather. While dogs with thin skin and fur or those who are older/younger will likely need additional insulation, thicker skinned/ furred or higher energy breeds really won't thank you for one (we got these off half way round the park) - best thing is to utilise common sense re coats and plan your walks to your dog's fitness level. And don't forget to wipe paws after walking on gritted surfaces to prevent any ingestion of grit salt or other chemicals 😊❄🌨

09/01/2025

It's with great sadness that I share (albeit belatedly, my apologies) the news of the passing of Karen Pryor, who died last week (4th Jan) at the age of 92.

The modern dog training movement and the millions of dogs that positive reinforcement, force free trainers help each year, owe her a great debt of gratitude as, in a world where the family dog was 'trained' using intimidation, yelling, choking, pinning, and a myriad of other techniques centred on punishment, submission and dominance, Karen Pryor – a woman, small in stature and leading with kindness – pioneered another way that showed us that animals can be our willing partners, not our slaves... if we only take the time to understand them.

RIP Karen Pryor, 1932-2025

24/12/2024

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night 😊 🎅🎄🎁

That's it from myself, Oscar, Rosie and the rest of the family for this year - many thanks to all my dear clients for another year of trusting me with your doggy problems and allowing me to be a part of your dog's training and behaviour journey, best of wishes to all my trainer and behaviourist friends, and I wish you all a wonderful, peaceful Christmas and a very Happy New Year ❤

From now until January 6th I shall be spending time with my family, however please don't hesitate to drop me a message or email any time, please just allow a little longer for me to reply 😊❤

Happy holidays! ❤❤❤

23/12/2024

Considering I make my living by training, I probably shouldn't say this but... sometimes the most effective training solution is the simplest. The fancy training term "control and management" means preventing a behaviour from happening so it cannot be reinforced (and happen again)... the layman's term is "prevention is better than the cure"... I.e. our daughter's old baby pen doubles as a fantastic tree guard to prevent tree chocolate/gift thievery 😁❤

(Yes, I learned the hard way to follow my own advice after Oscar had a go at our tree twice last week for the first time in his 6 years.

Yes, he managed to steal and eat some of the tree chocolates.

Yes, he was fine, thankfully.

No, I have not had him rehomed, although it is tempting at times 😆😆😆)

Have a safe Christmas, all ###

18/12/2024

Cute client alert... meet Biscuit the 4 month old Toy Poodle 😍❤️🐾
There's still a lot to learn... but she's on a great path thanks to her new owners making a fab start by booking the 121 Full Puppy Package puppy training course with me, and I can't wait to help her and her wonderful family learn together ❤️ Welcome, Biscuit! 🐾

02/12/2024

Excellent news from the IMDT recently re: your Pet Insurance policy – IMDTB Level 5 qualified behaviourists like myself will soon be covered by British Pet Insurance policies under the UK Dog Charter! 🥳🥳🥳

This means that if you are struggling with a behavioural issue in your dog (and off the top of my head I'd say that pertains to more than just mere 'training issues' like lead pulling or jumping up.... although I'm certain more details will emerge on exact issues covered very soon), you may soon be entitled to claim on your pet's insurance for the cost of services provided by an IMDTB behaviourist like myself when insuring with BPI.

As I understand from Steve's post and other information shared from the IMDT, details are still being finalised, and unfortunately this won't be retrospective, as Steve says. However, if you're a new follower and are considering getting in touch about your dog, (or indeed know of someone who is), it seems that mentioning this fact/my name/my credentials when taking out a new policy will get this added into the terms immediately, meaning future costs could be successfully covered! 🥳🥳🥳

I'll share more when I hear it, but this is a great step for dog owners and IMDTB behaviourists alike in being the change and putting the welfare of dogs and their owners first... lets hope many more insurers follow suit ❤️🐾

24/11/2024

With Christmas coming up, this is an important share - as well as being a potential choking hazard for dogs, so called "rawhide" chews are anything but, often having been bleached and treated with other chemicals in the process of making them shelf-worthy and cupboard storable.

If you want to give your dog a tasty long lasting chewy treat this Christmas, you are far better off treating them to something like an antler chew (these are either naturally shed, or a byproduct of the venison meat industry) - be sure to get the split ones for younger pups - or fermented yak milk sticks (which contrary to what their name implies, have absolutely no smell, and can be microwaved when only a little remains for a tasty crunchy cheese snack) ❤🐾

Be safe this Christmas, and Happy Holidays to all x

⚠️ **WARNING: Please Don’t Buy Rawhide Bones for Your Dogs!** ⚠️

Rawhide bones can pose serious risks to your dogs' health. They may splinter, leading to choking hazards or intestinal blockages. Additionally, rawhide can be difficult to digest, causing gastrointestinal issues. Many rawhide products are also treated with harmful chemicals that can be toxic to pets. For your dog's safety, consider safer alternatives like rubber toys or natural chews specifically designed for canine consumption! 🙏🏼🐾

23/11/2024

Lots of fun updating my canine first aid knowedge and certification yesterday with Dog First Aid - Surrey. Imogen was an outstanding tutor and highly knowledgable... and, as if they knew I was coming, they even had a Basset Hound to practice on 😁

Thankyou Dog First Aid - Surrey! ❤🐾

14/11/2024

Increasing enrichment is one of the first things I recommend to clients, no matter the type of behaviour problem. Like many animals, dogs are contrafreeloaders, i.e. they actually derive more pleasure in working for their food than if it is offered freely to them, and the mental exercise required can be immensely beneficial to general wellbeing. (Just think of zoo keepers hiding food for animals in captivity).

Why not then use your dog's dinner to introduce a bit more mental enrichment, and even physical exercise? Often, our dogs are fed the same food from the same bowl at the same time of day every day... but by simply scattering their kibble (or feeding it in a Kong wobbler as I have here), and hiding a couple of lickimats smeared with their wet meat in the house/garden, you can not only extend your dog's mealtimes from a frantic 20-second gobble to a 20 minute search (which is what this process took us, in total). Not only is this better for your dog's digestion, but it gets them performing natural behaviours inbuilt in their nature that themselves are massively rewarding. (Just picture how happy a Spaniel looks while darting around the park with their nose to the ground, or how the Border Collie just can't stop themselves from herding their owners while they stop to chat 😁)

All this combines to give a generally happier dog with an improved state of mind, and, as a happier dog is a more biddable dog, this can actually have positive impact on behaviour in the long run, providing an outlet for excess energy but also releasing calming chemicals that can lower stress and anxiety levels so that over time the brain starts to produce factors that promote rational thought over reflex reactions. Being apart from you whilst doing something enjoyable can even help build confidence in nervous dogs and even set the foundations for countering separation anxiety.
(Although a warning – Kong Wobblers can be annoyingly noisy on hardwood floors, and a certain gentleman hound cannot be trusted not to nick his sister's. 😆)

17/10/2024

*The Importance Of Small Steps*

Working with your dog to overcome a particularly troublesome behaviour can be immensely frustrating at times. However, we must never forget the importance of small steps in training, because it's only by taking small steps – counting the little wins, no matter how minor they may seem – that we can climb the ladder towards the goal of changing a behaviour for the better.

If we rush our climb, we often fall.
If we skip rungs, we often fall.

For example, instead of striving for your dog-reactive dog to be able to play with others in the park, let's first work towards getting them to be calm whilst walking with you while another dog passes on the opposite side of the road. Instead of slapping an e-collar on your dog to get them to listen to you or deter them from running off in the park, let's instead start by getting them to want to focus on you in lower distraction environments.

Without the small steps, we can never reach the goal, so set your dog up for success and always note the positives, they ARE there to be had. ❤️🐾

10/10/2024

Let's talk RECALL!
Here are my top tips:

1. Recall starts at home. You can't take your dog to the park and then expect "Come" or a whistle to mean anything if you haven't first taught your dog what that word means... and all it means is "certain human noise means treats or something equally awesome will follow, so better get there quick for good stuff". Start at home with your dog sat in front of you, give your recall cue (e.g. "Come" or a whistle) and follow it immediately with a treat, regardless of what they are doing. Make the noise, feed the dog. Make the noise, feed the dog. By repeating the noise and immediately feeding your dog you are 'conditioning' that word/sound, i.e. making it mean something. Then you can start to add s bit of distance by dropping the treat and stepping away from them before you call.
2. Use your recall word strategically – i.e. if your dog is too involved in a big sniff/rolling in poop/whatever and you recall them, chances are your recall will fail and you've then 'devalued' your cue. When training recall, always wait until you have your dog looks up and you have their attention before issuing your cue, so it doesn't fall on 'deaf ears'.
3. As with any training exercise... increase the level of distraction of your environment SLOWLY, i.e. practice in the living room, then the garden, then a secure field (here we were working at A Dogs Biz Secure Fields in Chessington, highly recommend!) or a quiet part of the park on a long-line, and only once you are about 80-90% of your dog's response... (because NO ONE can guarantee 100%, a dog has free will just like you!)... only then do you work off lead in the public park.
4. Vary your reinforcement/reward – sometimes your dog gets kibble, sometimes they get chicken (jackpot!), sometimes they have treats delivered to their mouth, sometimes it's scattered on the floor. Sometimes the reward is simply a good neck scratch and an "ok, go play!" cue to be let off to explore again. By changing your reward each time, you keep your dog's interest and make it worthwhile for them to keep coming back just to see what's in it for them.
5. Lastly... If your recall is faltering, it's because you are fighting your environment or you have unfortunately devalued that precious recall cue... So go back to low distraction environments and try changing your word! Even if you shout "Knickers!", to your dog, all you want it to mean is "better get near mum/dad for the goodies!"

(Although shouting "knickers" in your local park may meet with some strange reactions... let me know how that goes. 😆)

07/10/2024

You wouldn't let Joe Bloggs from up the road fix your leccie just because he was confident around the wires, would you.

04/10/2024

All of a sudden it's that time of year again...
With the long run-up and wind-down to Bonfire Night, (not to mention Hallowe'en, Diwali, Christmas and of course New Year's Eve), Autumn and Winter can be hell on toast if you are a dog owner, as fireworks are one of the most common noise-sensitivities in companion animals.
Helping your dog to overcome noise-related anxieties can be extremely challenging as it often takes a program of desensitisation over quite a time, which, now the nights are fast drawing in (bringing with them those annoying 'surprise' firework dos... 🤦‍♀️), you and your dog may not have. However, implementing just a few little measures now can help them at least manage it by the time November 5th comes around... Here's a few top tips ❤️🐾

Chances are that if you’re a dog-lover like me (which you clearly are, if you’re reading this…), you hate this time of year. While everyone is enjoying toffee apples and sparklers and anticipating Christmas and New Year parties, I’m sat at home like Scrooge, cursing and muttering the dreaded...

21/09/2024

This job can be tough sometimes... But sometimes the tough part is leaving the cuteness behind... 😁
Welcome new client Sydney, who at just 13 weeks old is already an absolute star training pupil thanks to the awesome efforts of her dear human mum and dad 😊❤ Fun training times ahead! 😁❤🐾

17/09/2024

Choosing the right trainer for your dog can be tough when there are tonnes out there, the industry is so unregulated and everybody has an opinion and a recommendation of who/what is right. One thing we can all agree on however, is that when you choose a trainer it should be a very personal thing – you're giving this person your valuable time, money and attention, often inviting them into your own home. However, it isn't like choosing a plumber to turn up and fix your pipes – a trainer / behaviourist's job is to work towards "fixing" (if there is such a thing...), an individual (i.e. your beloved family member)'s way of thinking.

This is why social media likes, followers, claims of 'experience', and even recommendations aren't always the be all and end all – instead, look at a trainer's beliefs, values, the language they use, their qualifications (hopefully from a recognised awarding body)... and above all else, the science behind the methods they use. "Balanced", and even "rewards-based" trainers may reward your dog for 'good' behaviour, but at some point down the line they will also correct the 'bad', using methods (or tools) that are in some way 'aversive' to your dog, i.e. they will rely on fear, pain, or discomfort to 'correct' the behaviour – this could be something as seemingly inoffensive as a 'lead correction'.

As a recent US study into the use of shock collars appears to show, such methods can indeed see results... at least at first... But therein lies the rub – science (yes, science... it's not just the happy-clappy tree-hugger types holding hands and singing "Kumbaya" who are saying this...) has proven that aversive methods are not only less effective in changing behaviour in the longer-term, but can in some cases see behaviours worsen, and ultimately rely on bullying your family member into listening.

"We have to teach our kids right from wrong though, why shouldn't I tell my dog what is right and wrong?"... we hear it so often. My simple answer (as a canine behaviourist, owner, and yes, a parent)... these are human concepts. To your dog, there is no 'right' or 'wrong', or 'good' and 'bad'... there's just 'dog'. Dog behaviour only becomes 'bad' when it inconveniences us. Yes, we chastise our kids for 'their own good'... for example, "Don't touch that fire!!!" or "don't hit your brother!"... but we use our language to tell them WHY. Fire will burn you. Hitting your brother ends in one of two ways: either he'll be sad and won't want to play with you, or he'll whallop you one back, neither of which you will like. Dogs on the other hand don't have the advantage of language, so when you 'correct' a dog, you really cannot explain to him 'why'... it's like trying to argue with a Spanish person in Chinese... they may possibly get the gist of what you're saying and nod along smiling to keep you happy, but you won't be able to fully change their mind and behaviour because they just don't get you.

Ultimately, training is not about 'obedience' but about motivation – what is motivating the behaviour you don't like, and how can you motivate your dog to change it into something that you DO like? We must always ask "what COULD this mean to my dog?", and "would that make him WANT to do X, Y, Z?" If the answer is no... just don't do it.

Balanced dog training using positive reinforcement (rewards-based) methods and aversives (physical punishment) is no better than simply using force-free positive methods and love.

11/09/2024

Being a behaviourist: lying awake at 3am thinking about other peoples' dogs.
(All part of the service... 🤦‍♀️😆)