CanineConnect.IRL

07/11/2024

Very proud of our wonderful team Bowie 🧡

20/10/2024

Enrolment is now open 📣 for our November round of classes.

👉 We have our very popular puppy classes back in Douglas. As well as another round of our beginners gun-dog class in the Cork Showgrounds.

Spaces fill quickly, and when they’re gone, they’re gone 🫢

Interested in one of our classes? 📲 Check our website to see the full calendar, if they’re full just reach out and we’ll add you to our waiting list.

04/10/2024

We are out of office until Saturday the 12th of October 📆

All emails, calls and phone correspondence will be returned once we’re back!

See you again soon 🐾

28/09/2024

Gundog Classes Cancelled

Cork Showgrounds

⚠️Due to the status orange weather warning for rain tomorrow, Sunday 29th September, we are sadly going to have to postpone our gun-dog group classes.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

⚠️Status Orange - Rain warning for Cork
Met Éireann Weather Warning

Heavy rain with some intense and thunderous downpours.

Possible Impacts:

• Flooding
• Dangerous driving conditions
• Travel disruption

Valid: 08:00 Sunday 29/09/2024 to 18:00 Sunday 29/09/2024

24/09/2024

BEGINNER FOUNDATION SKILLS COURSE COVERING:

👉Recall around other dogs using a whistle
👉Sit/stay on duration and distance
👉Introduction to heel work
👉Hunting pattern including turn and hunt whistle cues
👉Retrieves

⏰Sunday 27th October Cork Showgrounds

17/09/2024

If anyone is interested in a day of learning with breed experts of two fabulous gun dog breeds, the Brittany Spaniel (smallest of the HPR group) and the beautiful Flat Coat Retriever then this is not to be missed!

15/09/2024

A great day for all our fellow sighthound lovers 🫶

Not one to be missed if you have a sighthound that would like to see a whole crowd of fellow sighthounds 😯

To read more head to Great Global Greyhound Walk - Cork 💛

https://www.greatglobalgreyhoundwalk.co.uk/walks/ireland-cork-doneraile-2/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFSoPxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHY4oFvHUlTPVfpOaUZCQNuFKJ-U6s_g0GB4KP4LZD43Zh14X-J6heboeFg_aem_csT6Mq2Wz7o9QCgFeo7AwA

06/09/2024

Adolescence is tough, it just is 😮‍💨

For those with a teenage dog in the height of their adolescent period this might be a good read 👇👇

Adolescence occurs between six months and 18 months of age—a time when guardians typically struggle the most with their dogs. Some guardians are so overwhelmed and underprepared for this developmental stage of their dog’s life, they choose to surrender the dog to a local shelter or rescue group. In a recent study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science found that the majority of the surrendered dogs (47.7 percent) ) were between 5 months and 3 years of age (M.D. Salman,John G. New, Jr.,Janet M. Scarlett,Philip H. Kass,Rebecca Ruch-Gallie &Suzanne Hetts, 2010)

The neurobiology of adolescence is fascinating, with some key events that alter both the structure and function of the brain.

During canine adolescence, changing s*x hormones effect the animals stress responses. Adolescent dogs have a decreased ability to process information they are receiving from the environment including the presence of dogs, vehicles, people, or really anything around them. They behave in ways that might feel frustrating or upsetting for the dog’s person.

The connectivity between the frontal cortex (responsible for decision making) and amygdala (responsible for emotional processing) decreases, resulting in less behavioral control. We see increased risk taking and more sensitivity to fear.

So what does this mean? This could mean that what was once no big deal to the dog now feels scary; what was once easy to do is now stressful; what once made sense is now confusing. At times, the world can feel like ‘too much’ for the adolescent dog.

As your puppy undergoes this transition into adulthood their inner world is intense, even chaotic. Many pet owners experience an increase in undesirable behavior and find themselves becoming increasingly frustrated. In turn, our own frustration and impatience can cause us to act unpredictably. This adds to our puppy’s inner turmoil. When the inside and the outside are both unpredictable it can be difficult for our dogs to adjust.

If you have an adolescent dog, what can you do? You can give your dog the time and space to observe what is going on around them when on leash at a distance away from the activity when possible. You can give your dog long walks to sniff and explore in nature, giving their brain time to decompress. You can offer your dog a quiet space to sleep so that they can consolidate memories effectively. You can continue training various skills, breaking them down into easier steps that can be generously reinforced.

By understanding what our adolescent dog is experiencing we gain greater compassion and understanding. When we approach adolescence with patience we create a world that is predictable and gentle so our puppies grow up to be their best adult selves.

29/08/2024

Let’s find Myrtle a home 🫶

Please share far and wide so this girl can find a nice, loving home to retire to 🧡

A campaign has been launched to rehome an elderly Cork dog left feeling confused and afraid after her life-long owner passed away 💔

Meet Myrtle - a 'gentle soul' and female Jack Russel Terrier whose world was turned upside down when she was surrendered to the CSPCA.

Anyone interested in learning more - or even applying to adopt her - can check out her story here | https://tinyurl.com/elderly-cork-dog

28/08/2024

Calling ALL Vizsla owners!

Do you have a vizsla that HAS been diagnosed with Idiopathic Epilepsy or a vizsla who is UNAFFECTED by Epilepsy and OVER 8 years old?

There has been a good response from Vizsla owners to help research into canine idiopathic Epilepsy – we know there are MORE of you who could help. It is a simple cheek swab, everything you need will be supplied.

Contact the Breed Health Coordinator via [email protected] OR use the QR code on the picture or email direct [email protected]

For more further information please follow the link:

https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/research/epilepsy/

25/08/2024

🤷🏻‍♀️Do you wish your dog could settle and be a bit more calm?

⭐️This is a great life skill and is probably one of the most valuable exercises you can ever teach your dog.

👌Having a dog who will settle on cue is a godsend!

👉Taught properly it can transform your life with your pet.

😶⬇️Comment your thoughts

14/08/2024

How did you manage the bitey stage? 🦷

More often than not it is just a phase that you have to get to the other side of 👉 but that’s easier said than done!

There are some things you can do proactively as well as reactively to help cope with those bitey pups 🐶

👉 Understand that puppies using their mouths is as normal as a baby using their hands to grab and squeeze things.

👉 Prevent mouthing from becoming a habit by giving your puppy ample chewing time every day and incorporating toy play.

👉 Direction is key. Puppies don’t realise that humans can’t tolerate their sharp teeth, by guiding them towards toys, chews or other items you can let them know how you like them to use their mouth.

👉 Training is something we can also incorporate. From shaping a retrieve to a simple leave it or drop it, there’s lots of skills you can teach mouthy pups.

What helped you most with your bitey puppy? ⬇️📝⬇️

09/08/2024

Our most popular group class, hands down 🙌 it’s got to be our puppy class!

This one is for pups of every breed, size and background ☝️ AND it’s held at our mixed indoor & outdoor vein in Douglas!

👉 This beginners class covers everything from teaching your puppy to sit, down and stay in the presence of other dogs, to walking nicely on the lead passed joggers!

Often puppy owners are also experiencing toilet training issues, mouthing and chewing 😯 so we’ve built in some coping skills to this course to help you navigate those issues.

As always, places are limited, as we’re firm believers in small class numbers in dog training 🙌

Have you been to our puppy classes? 📲⬇️

01/08/2024

We love questions 🫶 ask us if you have any query about the behaviour your dogs exhibiting, the services we offer, or just about anything else!

However, we do experience quite high volumes of queries by phone, email, and direct message 😮‍💨

We simply can’t man all these inboxes at all hours of the day 👉 so it may take us a short while to respond. But best believe, we will always respond!

All of our contact details can be found above ⬆️ or simply message us on here if you have any burning questions 🙋‍♀️

30/07/2024

One-to-one sessions are great when you have a particular behaviour you’re trying to address 👉 like reactivity on-lead or the dreaded toilet training of puppies 🫢

As many of you know we offer these private lessons in your home 🏠 or at a pre-arranged location at follow up sessions such as at the park, beach, or even the vets!

Over the years, we’ve worked with dogs of every age, breed and background 🫶

Something we’ve emphasised from our very first lessons, is that behaviour change takes time ⏰ It doesn’t happen by spending an hour or two with a trainer!

🔸 For this reason we offer discounts to owners that purchase multiple training sessions at one time (some positive reinforcement ☺️).

And just as we use positive reinforcement with our clients, we do this too with the dogs we work with 👉 using only ethical and scientific methods to train!

Our one to one sessions can be booked through our website 📲 but if the wait time for an appointment is just to long for you, you can ask to be added to our cancellation list!

Comment ONE below if you’d like to be added to our cancellation list ⬇️⬇️

28/07/2024

We’ve had the pleasure of training so many dogs in our group classes 🐾

As many of you know we offer:

🔸 Puppy Classes
🔸 Adult Dog Classes
🔸 Reading Dogs Classes
🔸 Gundog Classes
🔸 Rescue Dog Classes

This has given us the privilege of virtually every breed and mix out there 🫢

Something we’ve championed from our very first group class, is keeping class sizes small 👩‍🏫 This allows to spend a lot more one on one time with each owner and their dog, and to bond more as a group!

Often at our group classes you’ll be coached by 2 dog trainers, sometimes more 😯

📍Our classes are now available at 3 different locations across Cork: Douglas, Mahon and Cork Showgrounds.

We have 3 different levels for our classes, bronze, silver and gold 🏆 this allows us progress from those basic skills onto behaviours that are a little more realistic and life-like.

Our class enrolment opens regularly on our website 👉 but if it’s full you can be added to our waiting list!

Comment GROUP below if you’d like to be added to our waiting list ⬇️📲

26/07/2024

Enrolment is now open 📣 for our August-September round of classes.

👉 We have our very popular puppy classes and adult dog classes coming back to Douglas. As well as another round of our sell-out rescue dog class in the .s.p.c.a!

Spaces fill quickly, and when they’re gone, they’re gone 🫢

Interested in one of our classes? 📲 Check our website to see the full calendar, if they’re full just reach out and we’ll add you to our waiting list.

23/07/2024

A phenomenal opportunity with a great charity ⬇️

Reach out to Dogs for the Disabled if you could volunteer as a boarder for them ☺️

🐾 Calling All Dog Lovers in Cork! 🐾

Are you passionate about dogs but can’t commit to having your own due to work or other commitments? We’ve got the perfect opportunity for you! ❤️

Join Dogs for Disabled as an Overnight and Weekend Boarder!

We’re looking for caring individuals and families in the Cork area to help us with our incredible assistance dogs-in-training. Here’s your chance to enjoy the company of a beautiful, well-trained dog without the full-time commitment!

What’s involved?

Take one of our wonderful adult dogs who are part of our assistance dog training program.
Dogs will be dropped off at our training center any time after 8.30am Monday to Friday.
Pick them up any time before 5.15pm.
Enjoy weekends and overnight cuddles, walks, and companionship with our amazing dogs.
Why Sign Up?
🐶 Experience the joy and companionship of a dog without the long-term commitment.
🐶 Support a fantastic cause that helps disabled individuals gain independence and companionship.
🐶 Perfect for those who love dogs but have busy weekday schedules.
🐶 Be a part of an incredible community dedicated to making a difference.

Imagine coming home to a wagging tail and a furry friend - it’s a win-win for everyone!

Ready to make a difference?
Sign up today and be a hero to our future assistance dogs! For more information, visit our website www.dogsfordisabled.ie

Let’s work together to make a difference in our community! 🐕‍🦺❤️

CLICK BELOW FOR MORE INFO ⬇️

https://dogsfordisabled.ie/volunteer

Yay Cork Cork Volunteer Centre