Hodoku Dog Training and Behavioural Consultancy- HDTBC

22/02/2022

Hi everyone.
Please note that I am now officially retired from dog Training. I will continue to provide help and BAT methods for Behavioural Clients only.
This is a very important process and needs to be carried out in an environment that is carefully managed and in an environment that is calm and has little or no distractions. It can also involve working with a dog that is potentially aggressive...because of this ONLY ADULT OWNERS are permitted to be present.
The only other dogs that are permitted to be present are the 4 stooge dogs that have been used regularly by Hodoku for this purpose. ...Ella, lena, Oscar and Aiko.

25/01/2022

Oscar, Ella and Lena.......

11/11/2021

I have a confession to make. Today was a down day, that kind of day where I wasn't my best dog trainer self. At all. To paraphrase a Reddit that I found when I furiously googled "I hate my dog," in that moment of frustration, I hated him with the passion of 10,000 suns. A … Continue reading Confes...

10/11/2021

Please note:
From now on we will be focusing on behavioural rehabilitation clients only. These sessions will be held outdoors in co kilkenny or in an outdoor area near to the client. Areas that have no overt distraction for the dog. Consequently, and because these are behavioural issues, no other people will be able to attend other than the dog's own owner.

In the future Barbara may be offering group lessons. In the meantime we are remaining with just individual behavioural rehabilitation, and seminars.
Barbara and I will continue to offer and provide help and advice via specific dog groups..
Please note also that any enquiries about Agility, Hoopers or Cannicross will be referred on to Dawn Fitzgerald. Dawn Fitzgerald is a very good specialist in these areas, and I highly recommend her.

12/10/2021

07/10/2021

Coming in late November....
New page ....I AM OSCAR.
Oscar the German Shepherd Puppy....
His own page with a regular blog and video of his development, training and behavioural habituation.
Specific sessions on house training, loose lead and harness training, basic obedience skills, enrichment activities.....and ALL based firmly in both Positive Reinforcement and BAT methods.

03/10/2021

You will see a lut of references to BAT training and behavioural rehabilitation practices mentioned here.
So, what exactly is BAT ( Behavioural Adjustment Training) ?
Essentially, BAT is a philosophy that is rooted in the empowerment of the dog to learn to make the better choices . It maximises controllability in the training process by creating opportunities for the dog to meet it's own goals. This does not mean that the dog is allowed to do whatever it wants however.
Most training methods are built on the premise that the HANDLER controls what the learning process will be. BAT
helps animals gain confidence and social skills. BAT is a natural method that creates an emotionally safe interaction with minimal intrusion. BAT in the context of altering unwanted behaviour is especially useful when the “triggers” for frustration, aggression, or fear are living beings, for example when dogs bark at , lunge at or display any reactive was towards dogs or people. BAT was initially designed by Grisha Stewart in order to help dogs with fear, frustration and aggression based issues. It is certainly DOG LED , but it is handler managed. At its core is the use of BAT Setups that enable the dog to learn and make the best and correct choices in an environment that is non threatening. The handler manages the environment and not always the dog, as is most common. Managing the dog constantly has the effect of disempowering the dog.
The process of BAT and its specific use of a set of specific leash skills is also extremely good for puppies, training loose lead walking, recall and a whole lot more !

We offer BAT training methods with dogs who are displaying unwanted behaviour. ....but also it is offered to owners and dogs who are looking to learn the standard skills of
Loose lead walking
Recall
Focused walking
Focus work
Impulse control. ...and lots more.
Everything is science based and non intrusive and no force or coercion is used.
You will be taught the specific lead skills and practices needed to teach a whole variety of behaviours, thus avoiding or altering behaviours such as lead pulling, reactive behaviour, as well as equipping you to alter behaviour of that nature that your dog may already be displaying.

We will happily travel to clients within reason, and will work with you and your dog in whatever calm, distraction free environment that you have access to in your area.

Email
[email protected]

Please give an outline of the issues that are causing you concern.

WhatsApp via the number indicated on this page.

01/09/2021

This is particularly true of Behavioural Adjustment training, although it can can be applied to general training also. To the owner or an outsider it may seem like we, the behaviour consultants are doing absolutely nothing ! In fact we are giving 110% focus on the dog and its ability to be able to make its own choices. The alterations in behaviour are often so subtle that they are easily missed by the non practitioner of BAT.

It also requires the use of very stable stooge dogs.....

18/08/2021

So....what is the difference between a dog trainer and a canine behaviourist. While there is some overlap based on experience and level of comfort from the professional, most trainers teach obedience, basic behavior modifications, and specific skills whereas behavior professionals tackle advanced behavior issues such as fear aggression, severe anxiety, compulsive disorders, and other challenges ...

12/08/2021

I absolutely love this! . To a dog there is no such thing as a bad behaviour or a good behaviour. There is just behaviour ! Every behaviour is demonstrating a need ....every behaviour is driven by a specific need.
Been saying this for years, but this is the newest and best meme that demonstrates the principle. Courtesy of the Grisha Stewart Dog Training and Behaviour School. .

25/07/2021

Dog training and behavioural therapy are both actually a 2 way process. We need to be able to communicate clearly with the dog, and be aware of the strategies that the dog uses to communicate with us. When we understand this , the results are very much better. An open and 2 way line of communication and understanding are constantly in operation. Communication does not mean that we are exclusively thinking about verbal communication. In past years the focus was always on what we wanted to communicate with the dog, whereas the focus is now on what the dog wants to communicate to us also.

24/07/2021

At Hodoku Behavioural Consultancy we use BAT methods and techniques. BAT means Behavioural Adjustment Training and the is both a technique and a philosophy. It is used in the process of counter conditioning and desensitization of reactive behaviour for example, as well as in more direct training scenarios such as Loose Lead Walking. BAT is non intrusive and is firmly rooted in positive reinforcement. It is designed to empower the dog to learn how to make the best choices.
In the treatment of fear, anxiety, frustration and reactive behaviour BAT methods and philosophies are extremely effective.

13/07/2021

13/06/2021

Dog attacks: why do they happen and what can be done to prevent them? Blog post and podcast from Newstalk's Pat Kenny Show with Pete Wedderburn

13/06/2021

There is no doubt that Aiko, Ella and Lena know exactly when they are working.......Ella deliberately hangs back and waits for the cue to engage a bit more with the client dog. Lena engages in Consent giving and without any overt challenging behaviour towards the client dog. Aiko trots calmly behind the client dog and waits for any cue from Barbara.
The client dog, Gus is empowered and makes his own good decisions at this stage...He also learns the more subtle aspects of canine etiquette and interaction.

13/06/2021

For the past two Saturday mornings we have been working with a very dog reactive Collie. Half way through the second session today I was able to achieve having the client dog ( Gus) off lead with all three Hodoku Stooge dogs.
My God, covid has not been good for my figure LMAO.
Careful, managed and slow delivery of Desensitization and counter conditioning works so well, especially when based in BAT methods and science, and at the pace of the client dog.
Andrew, the owner of Gus commented, " I never would have believed it ! Its so nice to see him actually being a happier dog "
Each session was approximately 3 hrs each....but broken down into smaller parts and with plenty of time for Sniffari and play. A full understanding of as much of the history of the dog that is available, and then a designed process for the specific dog and owners that focus on the positive. Creating new and positive associations for Gus when he is with other dogs. Encouraging and allowing him to be a relaxed dog and being more secure in his confidence that his owner was aware of his needs , while still allowing him to be able to make his own choices.
Well done you !
Thank you Barbara Dohr for the photos and your super work also.

29/04/2021

Reflecting on Positive Reinforcement based techniques Part 2 will follow soon !

29/04/2021

The essence of Positive Reinforcement based techniques is the rewarding of the desired behaviour. Behaviour that is rewarded is far more likely to be repeated. ( B.F. Skinner)
The reward used can be a very wide variety of different types. When most people think of Positive Reinforcement they tend to automatically assume that the reinforcer is always food. This is actually not the case. This is a popular misconception.
The choice of reinforcement and the schedule of reinforcement is very much dependent on the individual dog and the stage of the learning process also.
I call it " Finding the right key for each dog "
Many people have written on Facebook saying that they have tried everything with their dogs and nothing seems to work ! The problem is twofold. Firstly, the owner may not be using the most effective key and reinforcement for the dog in question. Secondly, the process of positive reinforcement techniques is quite a subtle thing. Errors in timing of the reinforcer, the manner in which the reinforcement is used and the immediate response from the owners following the delivery of the reinforcement are all crucial. A lack of secure knowledge of the process can usually result in a high level of inconsistency of the part of the owner. This then becomes yet another element in the failure of the process.
No amount of time watching YouTube videos can ever replace being taken through the process by a Behavioural Consultant or Trainer who is there by the owner's side. We see subtle differences and subtle changes that need to be made. All dogs are different. All scenarios are different. All environments are different. All owners are different...And the delivery of the reinforcement is directly affected by these variables.

Gerard Manning Adv.Dip.Cbm BSc hons
Hodoku Dog Training And Behavioural Consultancy - HDTBC

27/04/2021

Growl Serves a Purpose - Don't Suppress It



What many people don’t realize is that aggression is caused by stress. The stressor may be related to pain, fear, intrusion, threats to resources, past association, or anticipation of any of these things. An assertive, aggressive dog attacks because he’s stressed by the intrusion of another dog or human into his territory. A fearful dog bites because he’s stressed by the approach of a human. An injured dog lacerates the hand of his rescuer because he’s stressed by pain.

When you punish a growl or other early warning signs, you may succeed in suppressing the growl, snarl, snap, or other warning behavior – but you don’t take away the stress that caused the growl in the first place. In fact, you increase the stress, because now you, the dog’s owner, have become unpredictable and violent as well. Worst of all, and most significantly, if you succeed in suppressing the warning signs, you end up with a dog who bites without warning. He has learned that it’s not safe to warn, so he doesn’t.

If a dog is frightened of children, he may growl when a child approaches. You, conscientious and responsible owner, are well aware of the stigma – and fate – of dogs who bite children, so you punish your dog with a yank on the leash and a loud “No! Bad dog!” Every time your dog growls at a child you do this, and quickly your dog’s fear of children is confirmed – children do make bad things happen!

A good read...

05/03/2021

We still get so many questions about why we focus on having fun in class and why we allow dogs to work things out for themselves in training. It is because we want emotionally healthy companions who can think for themselves, make good choices and have a sense of control over fulfilling their own needs.

15/02/2021

30/01/2021

****COPIED****

Your Dog is Not a Baby!

Todays culture is absolutely ruining dogs and as behaviourists we are seeing more and more preventable problems appearing not only at our facilities but in the public domain too!

People are treating their dogs like children, and no matter how much you say it, or what you believe, they are not children. They are dogs... An apex predator with forty two teeth in their head and a bite pressure that can break bones.

They deserve treating like dogs!

Somehow treating your dog like a dog has become a taboo subject and its because of the warped, snowflake generation that's flooding the industry.

Can't say no to a dog.
Can't go in cold weather with a dog.
Can't let a dog get muddy.
Can't give a dog a job.
Can't feed a dog raw meat.
If your dog is in shape its too skinny.

We are walking around in a world where giving your dog a job is cruel beyond belief but having a dog 30kg overweight with diabetes falling out of its ears is absolutely fine. It's warped and twisted and wrong.

They are dogs! Treat them as dogs. You cannot take any pristine animal on this earth and pretend that it's a baby. Oh hello, this is my whale, he is my baby. It doesn't work like that, and if you respect the dog, it doesn't work with them either.

We have to push back on this snowflake mentality because it is literally killing dogs. Dogs are being euthanised every day purely because nobody told them what rules they were supposed to follow or because they weren't given a job they so desperately wanted.

Let's start honouring our dogs for the absolutely amazing creatures they are. Dogs are magnificent, majestic, intelligent, robust. For me, they are the best animal on the planet so let's stop killing them and treat them for exactly what they are.

Honour your dog.

05/01/2021

We are in a lockdown situation again. So, we are returning fully to a service of virtual services...

Virtual Behavioural Consultancy and behavioural rehabilitation programs.

Virtual training and Obedience training

Virtual implementation of a Plan of Action for Behavioural Issues following the Full Consultation.

We are working via email, Video calling via Messenger and interaction between clients and Hodoku via a WhatsApp group.

Stay safe and stay calm.

31/12/2020

Any opinions about the places available ?

From parks to stately grounds, from hills to beaches, we’ve listed some of the most (ahem) fetching places to walk your dog…

30/12/2020

If you ask your dog to "sit" when you come to the curb on the sidewalk, have you ever asked yourself why you ask that?

It's just what dogs are supposed to do.

But is it?

Really what you are looking for in that moment is for your dog to be safe with traffic nearby. They can do that by standing, laying down, looking at you or sitting. The behaviour we are looking for at that time is for our dogs to stop moving until we give the okay to go.

There are many ways to teach this and some dogs may struggle with sitting anatomically. Or they have discomfort around traffic. Or noise. Or people. Or that dog across the road.

When you are asking for a behaviour it is important to ask why we are looking for this specific one and if there are issues around training it, there is always an underlying reason why. Looking at your dog, the context and why you are even training for a particular behaviour leads to you and your dog working better as a team and meeting your goals.