Midlands let's gooooo! Email [email protected] to sign up to be notified when the class timetable is dropped ✋️
#longford #roscommon #politepawsirl #midlands #dogtrainer #behaviourpro #dogbehaviourpro
Just hanging out - how often do you just, BE, with your dog? Under what situations or contexts can your dog just watch the world go by with you?
This stuff is HARD, so don't be tough on yourself if you can't do this with your dog. It's a skill, and the great thing about skills is we can learn them with practice.
Practice just sitting with your dog in silence, together. You don't need tonnes of treats for this, it's just hanging out for a couple of minutes (or seconds, depending on where your dog is at).
If you want to read more detailed information about this skill, or progress it on, check out the #100daysofenrichment blog. Day 4 is all about starting to build this skill.
#politepawsirl #anied #aniedireland #anied100daysofenrichment #justbe #hangwithyourdog #hangingoutwithdogs #relax #beachview #cutedogs
Wondering how to quickly throw some entertainment together for your dog on miserable days? This is for you:
Cardboard box + paper + kibble = dog heaven!
#enrichment #dogfun #entertainyourdog #canineenrichment #quickandeasy #politepawsirl
I like to support other pet businesses where I can, so I thought I'd give @madraworld a shout-out. They are NOT paying me to say this, I am not affiliated with them in any way, I bought this leash after I had to throw a few of my old generic pet store ones out as they had degraded.
This leash is immediately one of my favourites! You know I love a long leash; they're great for giving dogs room to sniff, and can be shortened with good handling. However, the Madraworld leash is fully adjustable, the clip is screw-tight secure and they feel strong and good quality.
10/10, would recommend to a good boy or girl. Oh, and they're Irish!! 🇮🇪🐾 What's not to love ❤️😍 #madraworld #leash #supportirish #supportlocal #politepawsirl
Get to know me!
I'm more than just a dog pro; I've a billion hobbies and things I like to do, and I thought it was about time I shared some of that with my followers so you can get a glimpse into who is running this page 😂 #gettoknowme #politepawsirl #dogbehaviourpro
Management. Such an important part of your dogs plan. But what do we mean when we talk about this?
#politepawsirl #dogbehaviour #managethebehaviour #dogs
What's your dogs favourite thing? And how do you use it when teaching them?
Thanks to @0reos_adventures for being the best demo dogs 🐕
#politepawsirl #teachyourdog #ballmadcollie #cockerspaniel
Shout-out to my favourite kinda people; those who leash their dog when they see mine!
I know it might seem like a small thing (or a big thing if you're not used to doing it) but honestly, if you clip your dog back on when others approach, you are GUARANTEED to be making someone's day.
I promise you, you'll transform the park experience for lots of people by helping them out and keeping your dog back.
Think their dog wants to play with yours? Just shout over and ask if it's okay.
Job done!
#parkmanners #parketiquette #leashon #pleaseleashup #rocketrecall #teachyourdog #helpyourcommunity #staysafe #politepawsirl
You'll frequently see videos online from animal rescues where there will be a rescue centre staff member, volunteer or even trainer making contact with a scared or nervous dog, or offering their hand out with food trying to coax the dog to take the treat.
When the dog seems to tolerate the touch or take the treat, you'll often see the rescue gush about how the dog is learning to trust humans, and comments under such videos congratulating the rescue on making huge progress with this very shutdown animal.
I really want this trend to stop. Making physical contact with a dog, touching a dog or getting the dog to interact closely with a person is not an indicator of improved welfare. We are primates; touch is very important to us. When we view animals through that lens of course it seems as though touching the dog without them biting or freaking out is a success, right?
However dogs aren't primates. They are a canid species and don't have the physical build for touch and close contact. They've no thumbs, or arms for gripping. That is not how they display comfort. In a lot of those videos online the dogs are often still, ears back, leaning away and in some cases they are flashing their teeth. These are all signs asking for space.
When we ignore these signs for space, we are telling these animals that humans ARENT safe. We are telling them that their behaviour doesn't matter. They learn that even when displaying discomfort, the weird primate will still touch you and cross your boundaries.
I understand that being able to touch a dog is a selling point in terms of getting them out of rescue and into homes. But what if we slowed it right down, gave the dogs tonnes of space, left them alone, let them tell us what they are comfortable with. Observing their body language, taking notes on it and then arranging the environment to support what they need.
We don't have to touch them for them to learn to feel safe around us.
#rescue #whenyouknowbetteryoudobetter #politepawsirl
Keep treat size small! I see so many pet owners feeding huge pieces of food as rewards, but not rewarding often enough!Use way smaller pieces and your food (and behaviour change) will go further ❤️ #politepawsirl #dogtreats #dogtraining
Your dogs lead, collar, harness etc are the only things standing in the way between a disaster and their safety, especially in areas where there might be traffic or other dangers posed for your dog.
When we discovered that one of our leads was damaged, it was immediately pulled from rotation, and all other equipment investigated. These items are not perfect; it's just a bit of fabric and metal, so be aware of how they can degrade over time.
Check your stuff today and ensure that your gorgeous dog is safe and secure at the end of their lead.
#safetyequipment #safetyfirst #keepthemsafe #leashwalking #looseleadwalking #looseleashwalking #politepawsirl
Grass eating seems to be a normal dog behaviour.
Lots of dogs enjoy eating grass, and it's important we let them do this sometimes if they want to!
As long as the grass or plant is a safe plant for dogs to consume, they aren't experiencing gastrointestinal issues, are eating, drinking and toileting normally and are just grazing here and there, there's no reason to be concerned.
With this gorgeous weather, maybe we should all go out and chill out in the grass! #grasseating #dogs #normaldogbehaviour #politepawsirl
The gym and your dog... who knew there was so much in common?
Just like improving your fitness, your dogs behaviour plan is going to take time.
When we're in it, we can feel like we aren't making progress some days.
That's OK.
It's only when you look back do you see how far you've come! (But let's measure their success whilst we go too, just incase 😉 )
Get in touch if you need help with your dog!
[email protected]
I'll be trying to bench press without crying, if you need me.
#politepawsirl #dogbehaviourpro #dogtraining #fitness #thecrossoverwedidntknowweneeded
Please keep your dogs on leash this summer. Dogs DO NOT need to be off the lead to have a good time. If you need help fulfilling their needs on lead, get in touch and I'd love to help you out ☺️ #politepawsirl #dogsonlead #gooddogsareleasheddogs #keepthemonlead #teachrecall #rocketrecall
Guilt and dogs; such a complex feeling is often placed on dogs when we come home to a mess! There's no evidence to suggest dogs feel guilt. Instead, it's likely that they are responding to your subtle cues in response to seeing the destroyed item in the home. Their behaviour is just a response to the environment. Next time you come home to a chewed item; throw a party instead! #politepawsirl #guiltydog #candogsfeelguilt #messydogs
When you go away for a week and come home to the two best girls 😍 #homeiswherethedogsare #homeiswherethedogis #politepawsirl #missedyou
Where do you keep your rewards?
#rewardplacement #politepawsirl #dogtrainer #trainyourdog
Pain and behaviour; an important relationship that should not be ignored. #painandbehaviour #Drdanielmills #caninebehaviour #politepawsirl
Are you playing less fetch, more find?
Lots of dogs get hooked on the high of fetch, but actually what they really need (and thrive better with) is bringing the game down a bit in terms of arousal and intensity.
Here you see Luna, a labrador retriever doing what labs do best; waiting to go find the thing so she can carry it back to her person.
Choosing more search based games with your dog by hiding the toy will help keep everything a bit calmer, and can have ripple effects in other areas of their lives too!
Try less fetch, more find today!
#politepawsirl #lessfetchmorefind #searchgames #labrador
