Tag N Rye Dog Services

19/11/2024

ARE YOU MANAGING?
Are you managing your dog’s environment to prevent or improve unwanted behaviour?

As people, we tend to prefer and look for the more complicated solutions to problems. This tendency is termed “complexity bias” - the tendency to prefer complicated explanations and solutions instead of looking for the simpler ones.

Surely a complicated, time consuming, detailed solution has to be more effective, superior, impressive, or correct?

Complexity bias is so relevant when it comes to changing a dog’s unwanted behaviour. We often get so stuck on trying to modify behaviour through counter conditioning, desensitization or detailed training plans when sometimes the simplest solution to the problem lies in simply managing the environment.

Dogs will do what dogs do – when an opportunity arises to help themselves to food left on a table, to bark at the gate at anyone passing by, to have a drink from that big water bowl at the perfect height, that we call a toilet, to running off with irresistibly smelly dirty underwear, to rummaging through bins in search of anything that may or may not be edible, to running out an opened door in search of adventure - the list is long - dogs will be dogs.

Parents of little children use management all the time without giving it much thought. Baby locks on cupboards, covers on electrical sockets, valuable or dangerous items put far out of reach, fences and locks around pools, etc.

We wouldn’t just train a toddler not to stick their fingers in an electrical socket, not to open cupboards, not to touch a hot plate – it’s far safer, simpler and logical to first manage the environment, to prevent potential incidents.

The same principle should apply to managing a dog’s environment to prevent unwanted behaviour.

The more a behaviour is practiced the more difficult it is to prevent. The more a behaviour is rehearsed the better dogs become at it.

Preventing the behaviour from happening in the first place by using management is the logical, simple and effective way to address it.

Be a good manager – it’s far less stressful, for both us and our dogs.

13/11/2024

Are you thinking of getting a puppy?
Far from trying to stop someone getting a dog/puppy I am hoping that this short article will prepare you for what you are taking on.
Bringing a new dog into your home at anytime of the year results in a great commitment on your time, your heart and sometimes your patience. So ensure that before you are going to make such a commitment that you are prepared.
Puppies are cute; puppies are sweet and puppies poo and wee everywhere until they are housetrained. This may take up to 6 months, or more, in some cases. All this can apply to an older dog should one from a rescue centre adopt you or a stray follows you home. They can also nip, cry, chew whatever they can get their little teeth into and dig up gardens while they are young and know no better.
However, with the correct, reward based training the puppy/dog can be transformed into a well-behaved animal. Training does not have to take long hours of your time; in fact the time you spend with your dog can be used constructively. All training should be a controlled form of play, in other words both you and the dog enjoy it. There are numerous training classes which you can attend with your dog and some trainers who will call to your home to help you with your dog. Ask your vet, pet shop or other doggie friends for someone they can recommend.
Dog can live 12 or 14 years or more, they will need feeding three times a day as a puppy, twice as adults. Physical and mental exercise, grooming, inoculations, kennelling when you go on holidays and your time when you come home after a long, tiring day at work. Apart from the initial cost of buying a puppy, basket, kennel, collar, lead, licence fee, inoculations, vets fees, toys and food there is also the cost of having them neutered/spayed to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
If after reading the above you are still eager to own a dog then great. A dog can bring so much pleasure to people. There is nothing nicer than being greeted like you have been away forever and they make you feel so special. They never question your motives, or your decisions. They give you unconditional love and no matter how awful you look or feel they tell you that you are the best. Seriously though, owning a dog can be so rewarding. Just ask the person with the big smile on their face and a dog on the end of the lead!!!
Julie Holmes Ch.M.I.A.C.E
Tag N Rye Dog Services

13/11/2024

TRIGGER STACKING – WHEN BEHAVIOUR HAPPENS “OUT OF THE BLUE”

We’ve all had those days when nothing seems to go right and one frustrating thing after another happens to us, leaving us feeling wound up, stressed and ready to explode at the next unsuspecting person who dares to ask us something.

This “unsuspecting” person may think we have a serious behaviour problem or need anger management therapy, when the truth is that we’ve just had a really bad day or even a few bad days and don’t usually behave like this at all.

Dogs are no different and a behaviour that seems completely out of character or happens “out of the blue” is often caused by “trigger stacking”.

A trigger may be anything that increases a dog’s stress levels and has a negative impact on their emotional, mental or physical state.

These may be small things that we may not even notice or seem insignificant to us, but they are all adding to an increasing “stack” of events that may culminate in out of character behaviour.

When stress levels reach a certain point, the next stressful event, however small, may cause an explosive reaction that is completely unexpected.

Instead of just focusing on a particular behaviour and seeing it as a problem that needs to be prevented, take a step backwards, look at the bigger picture, look at events, circumstances or environmental factors that may have played a role leading up to that behaviour.

Being aware of potential stressors and allowing your dog time to decompress, relax and unwind for a few days will often mean the difference between “normal behaviour” and a behaviour that seems completely out of character.

12/11/2024

Scent cloths and dumbbells back in stock

12/11/2024

Calm Down herbs and Billy No Mates tincture back in stock.

08/11/2024

07/11/2024

Non shed does NOT mean you don't need to brush your dog.
Claudia ❤️ is 11.5 years old, a poodle crossed with a yorkie.
She is non shed, however, what you see in front of her is what I took out of her coat today.
I might add, she was brushed yesterday and I got the same amount out of her coat.
Left ungroomed, her coat would mat and make her very uncomfortable.

07/11/2024

Shared from Florida Poodle Rescue.

This is an X-ray of a dog’s bent front leg. See that tiny white spec? That’s a microchip! It has migrated down the leg....far from where it was inserted, between the dog’s shoulders. This is actually quite common.....

When lost pets are scanned, the entire body SHOULD be scanned to catch any that have migrated. But, as an owner, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AT THEIR YEARLY VET EXAM, to ask for a quick scan to make sure that: (1) the chip is still working, (2) the location of the chip is good, and (3) that the chip info is correct.

Remember microchips save lives and reunite families with their pet.... just have it checked regularly!

27/10/2024

Never punish the growl

27/10/2024

PSA: Just because your dog doesn't growl or bite when your child handles them roughly, it doesn't mean they should have to tolerate it.

The onus is on the parent to teach children age-appropriate ways to interact with dogs.

The responsibility of safety is NOT 100% on the dog.

Teach the kids, not just the dogs.

27/10/2024

JUST SAY NO TO RETRACTABLE LEASHES!

Did you know that your dog's retractable leash is not just a poor training decision for most dogs, it's also downright DANGEROUS?

If your dog is already prone to pulling on a leash, a retractable lead will exacerbate that problem. The mechanics of it teach them that if they pull at the end, they will be rewarded by getting to walk further away from you. This encourages them to pull when on walks, even if they're back on a standard leash.

Many retractable leashes can extend over 20 feet! While some owners feel that this gives their dog additional freedom on walks, it can also allow your dog to get away from you and get into a dangerous situation. Imagine that your dog is at the very end of a long retractable lead, and a stray animal takes you both by surprise by running out of some bushes and starting a fight with your dog. Not only are you 20 feet away from where this is happening, but you also can't control your own dog because the cord is too thin to pull them back without getting some SERIOUS rope burn on your hands.

Can your dog be a bit skittish sometimes? Imagine that you trip on a walk and accidentally drop your retractable leash, and that plastic housing that stores the cord clatters on the concrete. Your dog runs a few steps away, hearing that thud behind them... and now they take off, because the dragging of that plastic housing on the pavement is making a terrible scary noise right at their heels and they think they're being chased! This is a shockingly common tale when dogs go missing.

Last, but certainly not least, they can be dangerous for both the dog and the human on the other end! Dogs have been known to be severely injured by running full speed until they are out of lead, and the resulting trauma to their neck can cause burns and wounds, collapsed and lacerated tracheas, and even permanent spinal damage. These leashes are known to break down over time. That thin cord can break pretty easily and snap back to injure the handler at the other end. As a pet parent in that situation, it's often your first instinct to grab at the cord to stop your dog from taking off, but that can cause deep lacerations and even complete finger amputations!

While SOME pet parents use them for training (i.e. working on a dog's recall), the risks almost always FAR outweigh the benefits of using a retractable leash, especially on your daily walks. Play it safe for your dog and yourself and opt for a traditional leash.

27/10/2024

Rupture of the CCL is one of the most common reasons for hind limb lameness, pain, and subsequent arthritis. The development of this problem in dogs is much more complex than in humans. Furthermore, dogs suffer from different degrees of rupture (partial, complete).

27/10/2024

STORE HALLOWEEN CHOCOLATE BARS SAFELY OUT OF REACH OF YOUR DOG

Depending on:
- the type of chocolate,
-if the chocolate contained xylitol, -the amount of chocolate consumed, and
-the size of the dog, if your dog has access to Halloween chocolate it can end in tragedy. Unless you take careful precautions to keep all chocolates safely up out from the reach of your dog, your Halloween festivities will include a trip to the Vet Hospital.

And remember, just placing chocolate up on the counter for safe keeping is not enough. Dogs can easily counter surf. Place chocolate in the fridge or in a secure metal storage container.

AFTER HALLOWEEN

Do not rely on excited children hopped up on sugar to remember to be cautious with their Halloween chocolate after the festivities are over. You must take the responsibility to be the guardian of the chocolate.

27/10/2024

As a dog trainer of 45 years, it is so important not to spoil your dog - oops I failed 😅