G-Dog Training

16/12/2024

I have had requests for Gift Vouchers, so here they are!

In 2025 i will continue to offer:

Puppy Classes (Starting in January)
One to one training sessions
Group classes for all dogs
And Family sessions ( one to one training for the whole family. Ideal especially for families first dog!)

As always if you are looking for any advice, especially over the Christmas time, which can be stressful. Feel free to whatsapp or call 087 692 6537.

Happy Christmas🎄

Eilise

30/11/2024

Oscar after a maintenance bath 🥰

I must say his coat is feeling amazing thanks to the Pawdinary Mother fluffer shampoo, miracle coat elixir and some hydrate for extra hydration on the little areas that got a bit tangled in the snow 😍

12/11/2024

WHEN SECONDS COUNT

This post is not advocating that dogs meet every other dog, but about how to go about it, if and when it does happen, in a safer way.

The 3 second rule for dogs meeting each other is used as a guideline to help foster positive introductions, prevent either dog from feeling overwhelmed or trapped and prevent any potential reactivity and stress.

A short 3 second introduction is enough time to provide important information to both dogs.

Enough information for dogs to know – “are you a threat?”, “do I like you?”, “do I want to learn more about you?”, “do I really dislike you?”, “do I need you to go away?” etc. Both dogs may not feel the same way – one may not be happy to engage while the other may want to.

All interactions should ideally happen like this, not just initially. Just like us, dogs can have off days – things like pain, trigger stacking, lack of sleep or a host of other reasons can influence whether a dog wants to interact or not.

There are countless times I have witnessed meetings or introductions between dogs that have gone on just a few seconds too long and have not ended well. This can have long lasting effects on future behaviour when meeting other dogs.

Understanding body language is critically important. If we are going to share our lives with another species, protect them, advocate for them and help them feel safe, then we need to understand and respect their language.

The examples in this post of red and green flags are just a few general ones to look out for – there are many more and these will differ depending on the individual dog, context and circumstances.

Here are some resources and links to learn more about body language -
On Talking Terms With Dogs - Calming Signals, 2nd Edition by Turid Rugaas
https://www.dogwise.com/on-talking-terms-with-dogs-calming-signals-2nd-edition/?srsltid=AfmBOoqj8ruQJx5bCP7qWb03TqCyAGfmAvCj988UuWk_L1_UHbYcZsES

The Veterinary Behaviour Centre
https://www.heska.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/TVBC-Canine-Dog-Body-Language-handout.pdf

Make sure those first 3 seconds count – they can make all the difference.

12/11/2024

Butternut Box

30/10/2024

29/10/2024

🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴COMMUNITY ALERT🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴
Community Alert 28/10/24: A burglary has occurred in Drinane, Ballygar this evening. Please report any suspicious vehicles
to Pat 086 356 9904 or Garda Station on 0909631890. Please leave some lights or maybe a TV switched on if your house is vacant on these dark evenings, this may be enough to deter these criminals. Ensure all doors and windows are locked. Please keep an eye on vulnerable neighbours. Be wary of unfamiliar salespeople, tradesmen offering services and report anything you feel may be suspicious.

Please be vigilant for elderly neighbours.

Thanks

Pat

27/10/2024

Next set of classes are starting, based in Glenamaddy

Companion ( Pet )dog training.
Training should be about you and your dog.
having fun and building bonds

20/10/2024

We have a similar nervous system, our brains fire the same way. We are exposed to similar emotional responses and have the same need for safety. Yet dogs are so often still expected to shut up and put up. Let's be a little gentler with the needs of our dogs shall we? We can help with that, drop us a line in the comments.

20/10/2024

Growling is communication. Always just communication. How else are our dogs going to ask for the space they need if we punish them for growling? Take away the growl and they have no choice but to go straight to a bite.

20/10/2024

04/10/2024

DON’T FORCE ME TO BE SOCIAL!
It may be really disappointing and frustrating when our dogs are not the social beings we expected them to be.

Many believe dogs should just naturally get along with other dogs, after all they’re the same species.

Some believe the “unsociable” dog has a behaviour problem that needs to be “fixed”.

Early, appropriately timed and correct socialisation is vitally important, but sometimes despite all of this, some dogs are just not that sociable.

Sometimes this can be improved, especially if the cause is from a negative experience, but genetics, breed tendencies, individual personalities, health and age all contribute to tolerance and sociability, which also change throughout life.

If we, as a human species, don’t get along with everyone we meet, how can we expect our dogs to?

Do we label every person that has an argument, doesn’t make friends with everyone they meet, doesn’t like every other person, prefers not to socialise - as having a problem that needs to be fixed?

Why is it so easy to accept that every individual person is different than to accept that every individual dog is different?

When we have done what we can to improve our dogs’ social skills, we need to accept and acknowledge our dogs for the individuals they are, allow and respect their choice of whether to be sociable or not and never force interactions that a dog is not comfortable with.

17/09/2024

Dave mantrailing @ Oracle Dogs . Good memories and great photos!

Dave might be small but he is stunning. Who says you can't get good photos of black dogs? It's all about the light.

11/09/2024

Get your puppy off to a head start.