Little wags dog training school

06/01/2024

I don't like saying this to people when I see it.

For some its a revelation, a lightbulb moment and for others I feel like the bearer of the worst news in the world.
Many dogs do not enjoy hugs.
Some do, many do not. Some may tolerate them and some dogs really dislike them
Worse still is when a dog is giving clear signals they are really uncomfortable....and the person knows this, the dog is told "don't be silly" and is pulled even closer or hugged harder.
The "kisses" given by their dogs are "proof" they like hugs.
Unfortunately, those kisses given are not a sign of affection....at all.

In saying all that..... some dogs do enjoy hugs and will use their tongue to show affection. If you have any doubt, look at older videos and watch for all the tell tale signs in their posture.

They will show us if they want to be hugged or not...we just have to listen.

Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collection of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
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24/10/2023

I don't like saying this to people when I see it.
For some its a revelation, a lightbulb moment and for others I feel like the bearer of the worst news in the world.
Many dogs do not enjoy hugs.
Some do, many do not. Some may tolerate them and some dogs really dislike them
Worse still is when a dog is giving clear signals they are really uncomfortable....and the person knows this, the dog is told "don't be silly" and is pulled even closer or hugged harder.
The "kisses" given by their dogs are "proof" they like hugs.
Unfortunately, those kisses given are not a sign of affection....at all.

In saying all that..... some dogs do enjoy hugs and will use their tongue to show affection. If you have any doubt, look at older videos and watch for all the tell tale signs in their posture.

They will show us if they want to be hugged or not...we just have to listen.

Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright. Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for Graphics

24/10/2023

🎃 Halloween is almost upon us, and with it comes the excitement of costumes, candies, and fireworks. But for our four-legged friends, it can be a stressful time. The number of lost dogs tends to rise during this season, and we want to do our part to keep them safe and stress-free. 🐾

Here are some simple tips to ensure your canine companions, as well as those in your community, stay secure during Halloween:

1. **Don't leave dogs outside on Halloween:** Keep them indoors to avoid the loud noises and potential hazards.

2. **Keep dogs confined and away from the door:** It only takes a second for them to dart out when trick-or-treaters arrive.

3. **Provide a safe, comfy, familiar place:** Reduce outside noise, play soothing music, and create a calming environment for your dogs.

4. **ID, ID, ID!!!** Ensure your dogs have proper identification, increasing the chances of their safe return if they should escape.

At Dogs In Distress, we want everyone to have a safe Halloween, especially for our canine friends. Please be extra vigilant with your dogs today and tonight. Fireworks can cause anxiety, so make sure they are safely indoors. Secure your gates, so they can't escape if they get scared.

When answering the door to children, ensure your dogs are in a quiet, secure room to prevent any unexpected escapes. A visible ID tag is crucial.

Keep candles and pumpkins out of reach, as dogs can jump into windows, and make sure Halloween treats are safely stored, as chocolate and sweets can be harmful to them.

Remember, this is a time when dogs are at risk, so be vigilant and help keep them safe. 🐶🎃

17/09/2023

You are not alone with this....it really is a common issue.
With the best of intentions people will throw that ball again and again for a hyper/over excited dog.....in an effort to tire them out.
Or they will walk further and run them faster.
It doesn't help.
All it does is build extreme stamina.

So we walk further and longer to tire out...but all we are doing is likely fueling the very behaviour we are trying desperately to stop.

Physically exhausting a dog doesn't help over arousal.....it can fuel it.

They need to rest and sleep.
They need limits with the opportunities to repeat behaviours .
They need to reengage their nose to calm and relax them.

If they dont...the loop goes on and on.

(More info in the comments)

30/08/2023

Bobby is almost 10 years of age and still my little energetic man!

30/08/2023

When you come across pictures of a dog that left too soon. Sheba my beautiful black gsd.

30/08/2023

One for the reactive dogs.....
but also EVERY dog needs a movement word.
Movement words (and a solid movement word that is understood) for reactive dogs are especially important if you are aware of something before your dog may react to it.
Perhaps a cat has crawled out under a car or a dog has come into your dogs "reaction zone".
Perhaps your dog has met a friend and instead of a struggle to separate... your dog will now quickly refocus back on you and the walk.
Your dog may be heavily into a scent (but you have been waiting for a while and you have to get home) you can say your movement word and off you go.....
They can be that effective....but only with practice (and however long that may take).
Don't rush this....really solidify this.
Always make it positive....
If you use this word to encourage movement towards what they may be afraid of, it will lose its effect.
So add a movement word in.....you may just be amazed at how many uses it can have.

30/08/2023

I know many new puppy guardians/owners are concerned about exposing their dog before they are fully immunised....
but PLEASE 🙏.... get your puppy out there in the real world now.
You can still do this safely....but it needs to be done as soon as you can.
There is such a small period of time to help puppies become confident individuals....and that window of time is almost gone BEFORE they are fully immunised.

If you have a new puppy....it is crucial you get out there now.
Little and often ....and positively.
Let them experience life and all it offers, everyday.

This graphic shows ways you can get your puppy acclimated (far better word than socialised) to everything this big beautiful world has to offer.....the next few graphics will be concentrating on socialisation and acclimation and why many veterinary associations are saying get out there asap (but safely) BEFORE your puppy is fully immunised.

You can take well calculated and careful steps now to acclimate your puppy.....or you can wait until your puppy is fully immunised and run a VERY high risk your puppy will develop anxiety and stress with what they encounter everyday.....
Get out there....safely and enjoy your puppies discovery and wonder at the world.

30/08/2023

Our obsession with asking dogs to sit.
It's usually the first thing we teach our dogs and the behaviour we ask them to do the most through their life.
But do we over use it and use it when we don't need to?
I have often seen people standing calmly by the side of the road, their dog standing beautifully beside them and then they ask the dog to sit. When the dog doesn't sit you can see frustration starting to build. The human repeating the cue, 'sit' 'sit', 'you know how to sit'. I see frustration build in both dog and human and I ask the question, why did they need to sit? Is standing calmly on the curb not enough?
I often see this at gateways and doorways too. When people have stopped to have a conversation with someone, their dog is having a gentle sniff around, no pulling on the lead, calm as a cucumber and then we ask them to sit and again frustration begins to rise if they don't.
How many dogs approach people calmly and appropriately, stand in front of the human looking lovingly up at them and then 'do you want a treat? Well you'd better 'sit' Can we not just give them a treat because they've greeted us so beautifully? Or just because it's nice to give sometimes without asking for something in return.
Even with a jumping dog I see the dog jump, jump, jump, asked to sit, sits, then jump jump jump. All the dog has learnt is if I jump 3 times then sit, I get a treat.
I'm not saying we shouldnt teach our dogs a cue for sitting (We don't actually teach them to sit, they already know how to). But there are questions I believe we should be asking ourselves.
If your dog doesn't sit when we've asked them to then
Do they really know the cue for sit? Have we taught them well enough? Many dogs I meet are just following your body language and don't actually understand the word sit.
Are they in pain or discomfort? Is sitting uncomfortable for them?
Is the ground uncomfortable? Prickly gorse and thistles are not pleasant to sit on.
Is the environment too stimulating? How easy do you find it to sit down when there is lots going on, your excited or have things you want to get on and do?
Are they nervous? Sitting is a vulnerable position to be in if you feel the need to protect yourself. How would you react if you were scared, anxious, stressed and someone just kept telling you to sit down?
And my favourite question is, WHY? why are we asking them to sit? Have we got a good reason? Will it benefit us or the dog in any way? And is it worth getting frustrated and falling out with our dog over?
We appear to still have a culture where our dogs must do before they receive. But isn't it just nice to sometimes give for no reason, with no expectations?

30/08/2023

One of the saddest parts of my job is hearing rescued dogs have been rehomed multiple times.

These dogs may be labelled as "bad", "naughty", "untrainable" or even "crazy"......when the reality is for most of these dogs they are stressed.
Dogs cannot tell us they are stressed, but they certainly show us IF you watch closely.

Rescued dogs are often not given the chance to show their true potential or personality as they are not given time to decompress....it can't happen in a pound or rescue centre as they are usually not there for long enough and there is usually a never ending parade of new people and other dogs.

They are also not given enough time to show their potential in new homes either as stress comes out with many of these dogs in ways that people view as "bad" or "they know what they are doing"......yes they DO know what they are doing and it a desperate attempt to feel better the only way many know how.

If you have a dog that show these behaviours whether that be a rescue or a companion you have had for years.......yes, they can be shown for other reasons...but if you dig deep enough often anxiety IS a reason for these inappropriate behaviours.

24/08/2023

Important reminder as the weather is still quite warm. Even for Ireland!

It seems as though Summer has finally arrived ☀️ Whilst that may be great for some of us, it's important to remember to keep our pooches safe and cool in the heat 🐶💛 And another very important reminder from us 👉 please never leave your dog in a warm car 🚗

24/08/2023

24/08/2023

It is not necessary for every dog to meet every dog!

24/08/2023

Kim is now 18 months old and full of energy and the joys of life!

22/08/2023

This needs a bit of explanation....and yes EVERY dog is different, however way too many dogs are OVER exercised which leads to no off switch and a dog we see as needing MORE exercise (which is the total opposite of what should happen). (This is a repost from 6 months ago)

That "smile" on a heavily exercised dog....can mean the complete opposite.
Highly stressed dogs "smile".

Isn't more exercise the answer to a high energy, over aroused, ball obsessed dog ? No....in fact the opposite is true. This dog needs to be taught to have an off switch.

Exercising a dog too much leads to over arousal. Though this is often read as "needs more !"
Over aroused dogs are stressed....and yes, over exercised dogs are also stressed.
You will maybe notice these changes when playing ball again and again or if your dog has been playing with another for too long.....your dog may become over aroused.

Over arousal refers to a dog’s level of excitement. A highly aroused dog will be very excited, will have a faster heartrate and respiration, may not listen....(and importantly) poor impulse control.
This dog may have dilated pupils, pant excessively, jump over and over at you or on you (or other dogs). They may be more mouthy or grabby. Over aroused dogs can become fixated, obsessive ......wanting that ball thrown again and again.

That is when playing should stop.

However often these signs are taken by humans as "needs more exercise" because the hyper behaviour is mistaken for energy needing to be "burned off"......
no...it needs to stop.

If you continue to allow an over aroused dog to play or exercise... all you are doing is creating a dog that has no off switch, a dog that cannot regulate its energy or emotions.
A dog that CANNOT calm itself down easily.

This dog may become “locked on” or fixated on an activity or dog, and stares at the object of his/her obsession, barking, vocalising, spinning in circles, running in circles or pacing.

Highly aroused dogs are stressed.
Stress causes physical changes in your dog.
Hormones are released and often these are the same hormones that trainers do so much work to help dissipate...Cortisol especially is at unwanted and at unhealthy levels with over aroused dogs. Dogs with high Cortisol may be showing this stress as pacing, reactivity, unable to settle, jumpy, mouthy, barky, constantly trying to engage with us.....and again some people see this as " needs MORE exercise".

No....your dog is amped up, wired and cannot calm down.

A physically exhausted dog STILL has those hormones racing through their body....they are just physically exhausted. Their brain is still frazzled.

Cortisol and other stress hormones can stay in a dog for days or longer, however with over aroused dogs it stays HIGH when the very next day or evening....you take your dog to the park again for a round of fetch.....flooding your dog with more hormones.

You may be (inadvertently) creating an overly stressed dog that cannot switch off....a dog that shows this as "excess energy" when not getting exercise or play....when the reality is your dog has Cortisol and Adrenaline surging through its system.

This dog NEEDS calm, not more exercise.

Cut down on those overly arousing activities. Keep fetch or frisbee play to a minimum, maybe only once a week. Maybe give the "play dates" or dog park a miss for a while...or at the least cut right down.

Add in MENTAL stimulation. I promise you they will tire your dog out MORE than being over aroused. Start engaging your dogs brain with puzzles, seek games, sniff games....you dont need expensive puzzle toys...a paper towel inner, some kibble and a cardboard box can make a great puzzle.

Yes...all dogs are different and have different exercise needs but regardless of breed over exercised, over aroused STRESSED dogs need a break from all those hormones surging...they do not need more exercise.

After a long walk/run or visit with another dog....immediately pop them away for a sleep, this can help to switch off a dogs energy and lower those hormones.

I promise you....if you cut down on overly exercising your dog, add in some puzzles to engage their brain, and remove what objects cause those extreme emotions .... you will see a calmer dog.

22/08/2023

Have you ever realized that you've been doing the EXACT OPPOSITE of the advice you give other people?

We are always telling people: Tell your dog what you want them to do (as opposed to telling them what NOT to do). It's so much easier to teach someone to DO the right thing, as opposed to teaching someone to avoid the wrong thing.

And yet, we often tell people DON'T FEED YOUR DOG FROM A FOOD BOWL.

Oh well, we're not perfect! But we always try to do better. So today, we're releasing a new Downloadable Document, BETTER THAN A BOWL, that puts the emphasis on some of the many ways you SHOULD use your dog's food in training, instead of focusing on what not to do.

As always, these documents are meant to be shared, downloaded, printed, and passed around, so if you like the message, please share it however you please!

If you'd like to learn more or download a PDF version of this new document, go to: https://dunbar.info/BetterThanABowl

And if you'd like to learn EVEN MORE, you should sign up for our 1-MONTH FREE TRIAL of the Top Dog Academy, available for the next few days.

https://dunbar.info/august2023

You'll get instant access to ALL of our online courses for an entire month for FREE. And if you sign up now, you'll also get access to PERSONALIZED SUPPORT FROM THE DUNBARS on our private Facebook group, exclusively for Top Dog Academy members.

That's right, we're giving away all of our courses, plus personalized advice, for FREE! That's how much we love helping people train their dogs.

22/08/2023

Greeting a dog should not involve sticking your hand in their face.
Children are often told to put their hand out for the dog to sniff...and it is absolutely no coincidence that hands (and faces) are the most bitten body parts by dogs.
How should a dog perceive a strangers (or childs) hand right in their face ?
"If the dog moves into you to smell more...it means you can pat ".
No.......NO.... it absolutely does not.
All it means is the dog is trying to smell one of the most interesting places on a body.
Hands sweat.
They are full of information, scents and maybe even some tasty food smells still lingers.

It doesn't mean you are friends.
It doesn't mean the dog will like you.
and it certainly doesn't mean you now have an instant bond.

A dog sniffing a hand means they smelled what is thrust into their face.
Dogs are entitled to personal space just as much as we are.

15/06/2023

Please don’t wean cold Turkey. Always carry treat rewards while in training. Even when your dog has learned something and is pretty solid, and they are still maturing, carry treats. Once mature, most are good w verbal praise as a reward. Maturity happens when they are 2-3 years old. Rewarding during adolescence is critical for a well mannered adult dog. Adolescence is when most people relinquish their dogs to the shelter. Don’t wean too soon. Puppies and adolescents need a lot of reinforcement.

16/05/2023

Things Dogs Are Not Very Good At...

16/05/2023

9

Yes, I am deleting all comments that wish to get me into a debate about the use of shock collars.

This is not a debates page.
I am open-minded, and continue to learn new ways, but my knowledge comes from continued professional development, not facebook arguments.

I continue my research through ethological observations, courses, webinars, podcasts and articles from the top scientists in our field. I learn a lot from the other trainers, behaviour practitioners, anthrozoologists, proffessors of phychology, vets etc, that I am so fortunate to work with.

My education will not come from arguing with people online. All that comes from debating and arguing online is a decline in my mental health and an increase in my stress.

This page is not a debate page, this page is an educational page for people that wish to learn how to live with their dogs in harmony without the use of any techniques that cause discomfort pain or harm.

I have spent my life around livestock animals both living and working on farms. I have for the last 20 years lived with hunting dogs such as lurchers and podencos. I have successfully lived and worked with these dogs with no need for the use of an electric shock collar or any other aversive.

Due to my personal moral standing and ethics, and my experience in working with dogs, it makes no difference what you say to me on my page I will never change my standpoint on this matter.

I do feel for the people that use these tools and are now feeling lost and scared because they don't know how to continue the work that they are doing.

But I promise you there are other ways, and there are plenty of us here that are happy to support you in learning those other ways.

After working in mental health with humans for 20yrs, and seeing how we used to think about the raising of humans and how we supported those that struggled with mental health, I am still shocked to see how slow we are with our changes in perception and education towards dogs.

So if you wish to continue to learn how to live with dogs in a way that does not rely on force and control. If you wish to learn how to live happily or work with dogs in a way that supports trust, equality, love with no strings, mutual respect, with both parties feeling safe and supported, then please stay.

If you wish to just debate and argue, it is not the page for you. There are thousands of places you can do that on Facebook. Although I wouldn't recommend it! It really isn't good for anyone!!

16/05/2023

🥺

16/04/2023

Quick repost on a very important subject...
Reactivity....Complex, Individual and there is a LOT to do before and after this graphic....also a passion of mine.

This is a small explanation of how to perform a U turn with a reactive dog. Your dog should NOT be in a full blown reaction when you do this. You will have a really good idea of how to read your dogs own "tells" so not all will be listed.

ALWAYS reengage after any U turn.

I appreciate there are many different ways to manage reactivity and this may be different to how you are working with your own dog....if what you are doing is working....great.

All the best with your own reactive dog journey.

15/04/2023

This is a incredibly common issue.
Praise is a very powerful reinforcer.
Many dogs are told "Good girl...hop down now"
"Good boy...don't do that"

Now none of this would matter if there wasn't a reinforcement history behind those words.....but there is that history with many dogs.

If you think about how many times you actually use "Good dog" etc when you actually don't want your dog to do a behaviour..... you may be surprised.

Many people fall into the trap of saying "good boy" when they want their dog to move away from something.... the difficulty with that is the history you have with those words....and what your dog is ACTUALLY doing when you want them to move away....

You may have accidentally reinforced barking, jumping or other unwanted behaviour.....and it is a VERY easy trap to fall into.

15/04/2023

ARE YOU WORTH COMING BACK TO?

There are many reasons why dogs don’t come back when you want them to. A dog’s genetics play a big role in this when an environment is far more stimulating and exciting and listening and coming back to you disappear into the background as genetic instinct takes over.

An exciting scent or seeing something to chase can all override a response to you.

Genetics aside, a common reason why dogs don’t come back when called is because it’s not a positive experience for them.

I often cringe when I watch owners trying to get their dogs to come to them when they call.
They call and call and get increasingly angry and frustrated as their dog keeps ignoring them.

When their dog eventually does come back, or has been chased and "captured” by their owner, they get screamed at, yanked about, smacked or punished in some way for taking so long and not listening. Why would a dog want to return to someone who does this to them!

Make coming back to you worth it by always making it a rewarding experience.

Have a little patience if it takes longer than you would like, let your dog finish what they’re doing before calling them, practice in different locations and environments and never reprimand or punish them for coming back.

There is never a guarantee of a perfect recall each and every time, but making it rewarding will greatly improve the rate of success.

15/04/2023

The perfect distance to start reactive work.

10 metres ?
20 metres ?
35 metres ?
95 metres ?

I am often asked how far away should a reactive dog be from a trigger to start changing their emotional response.

It CANNOT be measured by metres.
It is measured by your dogs emotional state.

Your dogs body language IS the key to finding a perfect starting point.....no matter what your dogs trigger is.

12/04/2023

12/04/2023

We often refer to dogs as our pets. An animal that the kids can play with. A captive friend whose fur we can cry into on a bad day. We often hear them called ‘it’ and expect them to fit into a little set of rules to be a good family pet. And if they don’t meet our expectations or stay enthusiastic and trouble-free housemates, we have cultivated a belief that we must train them, and then they will behave better.

But what about what the dog wants?

Or how they feel?

And what about all the lessons we can learn from them? What if we stop trying to impose our will onto them? Imagine if your dog could do so much more than being a good family pet.

I urge you now to give pause on the idea that your dog might just need more training and instead step back and watch them better, learn their language, question their beliefs, and improve their agency.

Dog training has been the go-to response to the family dog simply showing us their needs for too long. It’s time to rethink the place of dog training.

It’s time to have a much better and more enriching relationship with our dogs, where creating different responses and behaviour through training is a small part of the bigger picture -and not the whole canvas.