EvoKin Behaviour and Training

08/07/2024

Lots of amazing educational content available half price! I've learned so much from The DoGenius Institute and continue to learn with them ♥

Special Offer: 50% Off CPD Courses and Webinars!

We're excited to announce a limited-time offer of 50% off all Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses and webinars. This is a fantastic opportunity to enhance your skills and stay ahead in your field.

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🔹 Expert-Led Sessions
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Don't miss out on this chance to invest in your professional growth at half the cost. Use code 𝐂𝐏𝐃𝟐𝟒 at checkout.

Offer ends soon!

For more information and to enroll, visit thedogenius.com

22/06/2024

‼️We at MADRA welcome this consultation process 💙 Greyhounds are sentient beings and should be treated with the love and respect given to other dog breeds. 🥰🐾

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/58ad4-mcconalogue-announces-a-public-consultation-on-surgical-artificial-insemination-in-greyhounds/

04/06/2024

Great initiative from Clare Animal Welfare! Promoting force free methods in dog training and offering much needed guidance to the public when choosing a training or behaviour professional ♥

Are you a certified force free trainer or qualified behaviourist anywhere in Ireland? Would you like to be included in our recommend list of Nationwide trainers?
Email
[email protected]
Include: your business name
qualifications
Experience
Ethos
Rates and if you will provide CAW dogs with a discount.
All applicants will be researched thoroughly and have a phone interview

01/06/2024

Nealy ♥

🐾 Check out Nealy

🐾 Nealy has been waiting a really long time for a home. 🏡 He deserves to be in a loving home.

🐾 Nealy is a BIG favourite of our kennel crew and is a joy to be around!

He adores his walks here and he absolutely loves learning new tricks with positive reinforcement, as he's such a clever collie. He would love to be adopted by someone who will continue his training.

🐾 However, as fabulous as he is, he does have some special rehoming needs. Nealy can be nervous about new people, so he will need a calm, adult-only home.

🐾 Nealy also had old injuries when he came into MADRA's care. One of his front legs was previously fractured and had been allowed to heal naturally so it didn't heal in the correct position. As well as this, he has hip dysplasia, meaning his hip joints aren't properly formed.

🐾Nealy is on long-term pain relief for these injuries and likely will be for life.

☀️ On a positive note, Nealy likes playing with other dogs here and they give him a confidence boost so he could be rehomed as a second dog, if we could make a good match.
☀️He is such a sweet boy!

If you think you could give Nealy the home he deserves, please complete an adoption application form 👇
https://www.madra.ie/adoption-form/

Microchip: 972274200164477

17/05/2024

'Ireland is in the midst of a dog crisis'.

Free Webinar from IVBA discussing this recently published paper by Unger, Ferguson and Walsh.

🐾 **Free IVBA Webinar Alert!** 🐾

Join us for an insightful session on **Key Reforms to Dog Breeding in Ireland** with:
✨ Hannah Ungar (Associate)
✨ Dearbhla Walsh (Solicitor)

📅 **Date:** Monday, 27th May
🕗 **Time:** 8 PM

Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn about practical and effective measures to improve the welfare of dogs in Ireland.

📧 **Book your spot now:** [email protected]

14/05/2024

Some home truths and great advice from Thinkdog with Lewis Nicholls for anyone welcoming a new puppy into your home!

**** WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN BRINGING A PUPPY HOME ****

1 - You will get frustrated. You'll likely get VERY frustrated. If you don't you're a much more patient person than me. It's okay to get annoyed and frustrated. It's not easy. Don't expect them to change overnight or even after a week. Manage the environment as best you can whilst they are so young. It does get much easier. it just takes time.

2 - There will be s**t on the floor at some stage. They're very young and very small. They have small insides. They will s**t and p**s a lot. Do your best you can to toilet train them by taking them out regualrly but just remember mistakes happen. Nobody is it blame, just clean it up and keep taking them out regularly. It will get easier.

3 - You'll probably get a lot less sleep the first few weeks. Puppies make noise and change can be scary. Expect them to be unsettled through the night for a couple of nights. Just be there with them. Don't put them in the garage, put them next to your bed and let them know your close if they get upset. Creating a secure puppy starts with making them feel secure.

4 - They are a puppy, but they are an individual. They will come pre-programmed with likes, dislikes, fears and desires. They're not all the same. Just because you have a friend that has a dog that loves everyone, doesn't mean your dog will love everyone. No matter how much you expose them. Accept what your dog wants and likes to do. Work with that, not against it.

5 - You'll confabulate about what they are doing. Confabulation is when you come to a conclusion without any evidence. A very common thing we get is - "my puppy is barking and lunging when on lead because they are trying to protect me". This is false in every single case we've seen. I cannot recommend enough that getting a dog trainer to help you BEFORE problems arise is one of the most crucial things any new puppy owner should invest in. Get help now. You want to think 'This is pretty easy I don't think we need them anymore'. But the reason things are easy, is because you have a trainer to help you. Keep them even when things go well. They'll tell you when you're ready to get at it on your own.

6 - If you leave things lying about, then it's fair game for them to chew. Clean up you messy people! You need to get more organised otherwise you'll have shoes and socks with holes all through them.

7 - If you they have access to the whole house they will explore the whole house. That's not an issue for an adjusted dog, but for a puppy that means every room will likely have a p**p, p*e or a chewed something in the room. Shut doors or restrict access how you want to.

8 - Things will take longer than you expect them to. It's very odd how we accept and understand that human children take years to be 'toilet trained' and yet we get annoyed if our puppies aren't within a couple of weeks. Training takes times. We call it dog training, not dog trained. Not only does it take time, it's ongoing and should last their whole lives.

9 - Puppies get sick and vet visits aren't free. Have an money set aside for any sudden vet visits you might need to make.

10 - Expect Chaos. Expect the worst and hope for the best. That's the only thing that gets us through all our foster pups. When you expect things to go bad but they go well it's a pleasant surprise and helps us stay sane. Embrace the chaos and have fun. Things do get better and easier.

www.Thinkdog.nz

11/05/2024

Take it easy today! ☀️

We all love the sunshine but make sure to keep your dog safe. Always make sure they have access to shade and fresh water. And don’t be afraid to skip the walks and just chill out together.

Older dogs, pups, dogs who are carrying a little extra weight (😉) and dogs with short muzzles are particularly prone o heat stroke. Familiarize yourself with the signs of heatstroke and contact a vet immediately if you are concerned.

06/05/2024

Spent the afternoon with Lorcan, Nealy and Hayley at MADRA - Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue and Adoption. The Kennel Team are amazing and care so much about the dogs well-being. They take special care to get to know each dog and what they need as an individual to make their stay as comfortable as possible.

01/05/2024

Hope you are all enjoying the longer evenings like Bubbles!
Bubbles has been working on walking nicely on lead and other training to help her and her guardians enjoy time out and about. ❤️

04/02/2024

Snuggles and games with Polly and Nealy today. Still waiting for their forever home ♥

12/01/2024

Very proud of Frank today for being a stooge dog while my friend Teresa from Redline Canine worked with her dog, who has some worries about meeting new dogs. I took the opportunity to do a little refresher on some basic skills with Frank while Teresa worked across the field and at the distance her dog could learn.

Often dog trainers can feel pressure to have perfectly behaved dogs and can feel embarrassed by the slightest mis-step by our dogs. But quite often, dog trainers will adopt the dogs who have some worries about the world and need our help.
And at the end of the day, we love dogs because of their emotional capacity and not in spite of having emotions.

Well done Frank and Flaca ♥

10/01/2024

🐶🐶🐶𝙒𝙀 𝘼𝙍𝙀 𝙃𝙄𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙂🐶🐶🐶

We are looking for a very special individual to join our team of Canine Carers at our kennels in Camus, Connemara.

While relevant experience is preferred, we are really looking for someone with the right attitude who is eager to learn and fits with our existing (and wonderful!) Kennel Team.

This job will be physically demanding, largely working outdoors, whether there’s rain, hail, wind, snow or sun. While it is hugely rewarding it is also challenging, hard work and not for the faint hearted.🙃

It is also mentally and emotionally demanding, as many of these dogs are under-socialised or traumatised and require a skilled handler. We will be happy to help the right person develop the necessary skills for safely and gently handling these dogs.💙🐾

For more information or to apply, please follow the link below ⬇️

https://ie.indeed.com/m/viewjob?jk=da671ed60a6036af

🙏Please share!🙏

🐶Team MADRA🐶

08/01/2024

Many thanks to Association of Pet Dog Trainers Ireland (APDT) for a great weekend of learning and discussion. The wonderful Janis Bradley presented on topics like dog bites, behaviour assessments in shelter environments, imitation in dogs and whether breed really matters in predicting personality traits in dogs. Very interesting and left me with lots to think about (and read up on) 🙂

31/12/2023

I love making plans for the New Year but I also love to look back and see how far we’ve come.
This year has been a big one for me.

The short story is:
• EvoKin Behaviour and Training was launched.
• I finally completed my AIM Level 5 Canine Behaviour Practitioner course with The DoGenius Institute (which gives me so much pride).
• I completed the Kids Around Dogs Professional courses for Protocol to Overcome the Fear of Dogs in Adults and Kids.
• One field trip to Cyprus with some amazing DoGenius Institute students.
• Countless hours reading, watching webinars and, of course, working with dogs.
• 4 foster kittens, 2 foster pups and a couple dogs who just visited for short breaks from rescue kennels

It’s been busy(and didn't leave much time for social media!) but I’m very pleased to be starting 2024 as I am. Looking forward to meeting and working with more dogs and their humans.

Happy New Year! ♥

04/11/2023

If you’re looking for something fun to do with your dog, contact Teresa at Redline Canine in Oughterard about their upcoming Mantrailing Workshops.

Beginner dogs and humans welcome ❤️

CALLING DOG OWNERS OF OUGHTERARD, GALWAY & BEYOND, MANTRAILING IS HERE!
If you are looking for an activity to help strengthen the bond with your dog, build their confidence and give them an outlet to put their nose to work, then this is for you!
🐾Training dogs to find people as a sport
🐾 All dogs are worked separately and are on lead at all times
🐾 Great for reactive dogs
🐾 Great for anxious and nervous dogs
🐾 Great for all breeds, all ages!

Message for info and bookings

31/10/2023

I hope everyone is tucked in safe and warm at home like our Galway Cat Rescue foster kitten, Barney.

Happy Halloween 🦇

28/10/2023

Saturday Inspiration ♥
I got to spend my Saturday morning with Amy (and Screech). I've known Amy for a few years when she came into a rescue with a broken pelvis, among other injuries, and had been running scared for weeks on those broken bones. Her adopter has being absolutely amazing in giving Amy the medical and emotional care that she needed and most of all provided her with a safe space where she could blossom.
Both Amy and her adopter are an inspiration.

13/10/2023

Back in Ireland and spending time with rescue dogs again today at MADRA - Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue and Adoption. Polly (pictured below) has been waiting a long time for a home. She has a few 'quirks' but I absolutely adore her and so does everyone else who takes the time to get to know her. She has been making lots of new friends at kennels lately and is doing really well in her training. Clever girl ♥

08/10/2023

Some more photos from the last 2 days of the trip. Yesterday we visited Rescue & Rehome Cyprus to learn about the work they do and meet more beautiful dogs awaiting rehoming. And today we were back to PAWS Dog Shelter, Paphos, Cyprus to work with some of the dogs.

06/10/2023

Today we visited PAWS Dog Shelter, Paphos, Cyprus. So many dogs with beautiful temperaments waiting for homes. It's very tough in the rescue world at them minute. If thinking of adding a dog to your family, please consider a rescue.

05/10/2023

I've been very quiet on the page recently but have been working away in the background! Yesterday I landed in Cyprus for a residential field trip with The DoGenius Institute to learn about local dogs rescues and pounds and dog life in general here. It's a such great opportunity to learn and to meet and chat with like minded canine professionals. Over the next few days, I'll be sharing photos of the trip and the dogs I've met here.

17/09/2023

Great day meeting lots of lovely people and their dogs ❤️

06/09/2023

Delighted to be supporting MADRA - Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue and Adoption at 'Doing it for the Dogs'.

There will be a Q&A session on Working in the Animal Care Sector at 1pm. I will also be offering 20 minute introductory chats if you would like to discuss how a behaviour or training consult may benefit you and your dog.
Link to book is in the post below.

MADRA Galway - a dog rescue & adoption group. We have a variety of dogs of all breeds, shapes and s

01/09/2023

Whats the difference between training your dog and a behaviour modification plan for your dog?

Training specifically means teaching a dog to do something when asked, e.g. to come back when called, to jump in the car when asked, to touch their muzzle to your hand or to do a 'down'.

A behaviour modification plan is generally needed when there is a more complex, undesirable behaviour that is impacting the welfare of the dog, and possibly their guardian, so we want to change that behaviour. This may include dogs with fear issues, e.g. being scared of meeting new people, being near other dogs, going in the car or even everyday household items. Other issues guardians may seek help with are resource guarding (e.g. not wanting anyone near certain items) or barking or lunging when out on walks. When a dog is exhibiting a problem behaviour, we need to look at their whole experience to try to understand the underlying cause and emotions and help us decide on the most appropriate plan for them and their family.

Typically, issues like poor recall or learning to walk on a lead without pulling can be seen as straightforward training needs. And sometimes they are. But sometimes there is an underlying need that is driving the behaviour. For example, some dogs may pull towards other dogs to bark at them, if they are actually scared of dogs. By barking and pulling they may be trying to make the other dog go away so they can feel safe again. So it's not always simple.

Training is normally part of a behaviour modification plan but a good understanding and appreciation of canine emotions is also needed to ensure ethical dog training.

I aim to help guardians understand their dogs emotions and behaviours so that we can put a suitable behaviour and training plan in place and ultimately, improve the dog and guardians lives. If you would like to know more, please get in touch.

31/08/2023

Welcome to my page for EvoKin Behaviour and Training.
Over the course of nearly a decade working with animals, particularly dogs, I became more and more interested in canine behaviour and saw a need for more qualified professionals in this area. I will be offering 1-to-1 behaviour and training consults for guardians and their dogs needing help in Galway and the surrounding area.
Over the next few days and weeks, I will post more about myself, the services I offer and general dog content (although a couple cats are bound to sneak in!). So, please keep an eye on the page for updates and get a feel for what EvoKin is all about. ♥
Steph
(Photo of Ozzy, a recent foster pup for cuteness)