Cambridge Dog Walking

18/11/2024

16/10/2024

Slip Lead ✨

Slip leads can be a fantastic tool for training, but it’s essential to use them correctly to avoid reinforcing pulling behaviour. We also have to be more mindful when using an activation tool such as a slip lead.

If you choose to use a slip lead, it’s crucial to implement a conditioning process. This involves teaching your dog to respond to pressure and consistently marking and rewarding the desired behaviour.

Remember the more your dog pulls and the more you follow them while they do so, the more you reinforce that pulling behaviour. This makes it increasingly difficult to correct over time.

If your dog continues to pull on the slip lead or if you’re finding it challenging to manage their behaviour, consider reaching out to a professional trainer for assistance.

Need help? ⬇️
[email protected]

23/09/2024

Dogs are always learning, and left to their own devices sometimes they learn things we would rather not have them learn! A common problem I see is owners who leave their dogs unsupervised during the day with access to the front fence. When I walk dogs past these properties, we all get a surprise as a frenzied dog launches themselves at the fence, barking in a frenzy. The other variation is a dog inside throwing itself at a window.

This is, in effect, dog training. The barking dog is being trained through many repetitions to be sensitive to the slightest noise or movement and is reinforced by the success of their aggression. And all this occurs without the "trainer" even being present...

The problem is that the dog experiences high levels of anxiety and stress, an aggressive behavioural response is strengthened, and passers-by are getting harassed.

The answer is simple. Don't leave your dog unsupervised with access to a fence-line or window where it can harass others, and experience huge amounts of stress.

04/07/2024

Frequently asked question: “My dog has had an incident at daycare and been removed. Can you train them so they can play better with the other dogs and be allowed back?”

A lot of dogs come to me for some form of challenge around other dogs, whether that’s leash reactivity or general manners when interacting with other dogs. There’s a lot we can do to help them be more neutral and set them up for success when coming across other dogs out and about. A large part of this behaviour modification in dog-dog conflicts is preventing our dogs practicing inappropriate behaviours. This means we need to be managing them well and advocating for their space so that they don’t practice escalating to get the space they want & instead have the space and guidance to make better choices.

The trouble with dogs having issues in general daycare situations specifically though, is that we have no control of what happens when you’re not there. Unfortunately many daycares are staffed by people at the beginning of their careers with dogs, many handlers are not set up for success with education around canine body language, what is and isn’t appropriate play or appropriate ways to de-escalate problematic situations, and/or the business owners choose not to respect handlers feedback when dogs aren’t doing as well. Frequently they are overcrowded, and frequently they are over stimulating, high arousal situations which lend themselves to problematic behaviour (especially in the higher drive breeds I work with most). Frequently signs of dogs being distressed or not coping with a situation for whatever reason are being overlooked or ignored until it escalates to a bite incident. You could do all the work you like outside of this situation, only to have it fall to pieces when put back in this situation without the appropriate management and handling in place.

The good news though is that your daycare has actually told you what is going on, and has taken steps to keep your dog and others safe by acknowledging the issue. I have massive respect for facilities that will recognise when things aren’t working and communicate with owners - even if this means your dog leaves the facility or has a more managed experience there. And I’m happy to work with you on building better obedience, helping your dog feel better around other dogs and make better choices - when they’re with you. We can even discuss what care options might be suitable for your dog, such as a responsible dog walker or a behaviour-savvy daycare situation better equipped to support your dog.

But what we can’t do is permanently “fix” your dog’s behaviour to handle a situation that is outside of your control & is likely to set your dog up to fail. Being able to attend daycare isn’t our goal - having a behaviourally healthy and happy dog & owner team is.

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Having challenges with your dog’s behaviour? Reach out for help at [email protected]

12/06/2024

We have a huge favour to ask you......
🙏 If you have a friendly dog who loves everything and everyone, can you please still NOT let him/her rush up to another dog, especially when they are on a lead? 🙏
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Every week, we see posts or hear of off leash dogs where they shouldn't be, dog attacks, fearful dogs becoming reactive because of dogs rushing up, humans abusing walkers, etc. It's a neverending story...and it's a sad one.
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In the last few weeks, Elven and I were rushed by 2 different dogs in our area and another time by the river. Luckily, these 3 incidents haven't had a physical impact on him or me, but they have impacted his behaviour. Elven has now become very suspicious and tense when he sees dogs approaching and he is on lead - no flight option for him, so he will go into fight mode. If they show intention or react, he will now react, too. This is a big setback for us, but luckily, I know how to manage it and how to help him. However, some dogs and people may not know what to do, and the behaviour can escalate and drastically affect their dogs' emotions and reactions in the long run.
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So, PLEASE:
Unless you have a very well trained and neutral dog who is happy to ignore everything, keep them on lead!
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In ON LEASH areas, keep your dog ON A LEAD! You can use a long line or even a retractable if that's your preferred option.
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In OFF LEASH areas, keep your dog under verbal control OR use a long line. Give other dogs space.
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If you see a dog ON LEASH, CALL YOUR DOG AWAY.
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At home, keep your dog behind the fence/gate or in the house. DO NOT let them roam and hassle others.
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It's actually very simple, verbally control your dog or walk him/her on a lead and give others space.
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💙Also, if we could all be a bit more mindful of others and a little bit more compassionate and empathetic towards others' basic needs, things would be so much easier, and there would be less conflicts and emotional issues. 💙🐾
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Thank you in advance 🐾
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22/05/2024

I usually withhold attention until the dog is calm with 4 paws on the ground but give this a try if you have a jumper upper & want to try a different tactic

10/05/2024

Hamilton people! Here’s an opportunity to get some foundation training going. Tony is fantastic

07/05/2024

Learn to pay attention to what your dog’s subtle (& not so subtle) body language means. This is a great clip about resource guarding & how to spot it before escalation. 😊

27/04/2024

A couple of years ago someone showed up unexpectedly at a session we were having for reactive dogs.
This was at a large venue we use.
Completely out of nowhere a woman showed up at our remote location and came marching right toward us.
I had no idea who she was and she was walking towards all of us with purpose.
The clients and the dogs were wonderful....calm and everyone put into place what they had been taught (luckily this was our last session so a lot of work had been done previous).
They weren't barking or lunging (always a strange word to spell!). All the dogs attending were amazing as were the guardians/owners.

This person and their energy could have caused a reaction so I matched her speed and walked right up to her to head her off.

I told her she couldn't be here as this was a private class and these were reactive dogs....she asked what a reactive dog was as I walked her to her car.
So I told her, her next comment was....

"Why would anyone want a dog like that" !

Everyone heard her say this.
I told her that was a really rude and insensitive thing to say.
These people love their dogs and often it takes just one incident for a dog to become reactive.
She didn't understand.

I know the difficulties and the judgement reactive dogs face, that also extends to their guardians/owners.

If you are out walking somewhere and see someone struggling with their reactive dog maybe think about how to help the situation rather than jump straight to self righteous judgement.

Can you give them more distance ?
Can you remove yourself quickly and calmly ?
Do they need something specific ? Ask them.
Can you stop your dog staring at theirs ?

If you can....please do BUT as you do this, acknowledge the people holding onto that lead and acknowledge that they are doing the best they can. Give them a small wave or a thumbs up.

Reactive guardians are some of the most dedicated people I know.

ALL it can take is ONE issue to occur and a dog can become reactive.....you could easily be that person at the other end of that lead.

17/04/2024

100% this! Kelly is so spot on with her posts & this one has a very, very important message. Please take time to check out who is taking your family member/s out. Safety for everyone should be the number one consideration from the moment your dog is in their care. ❤️

Reminder: dog walking and daycare are unregulated industries in New Zealand. This means it’s on you as the dogs owner to be doing your homework before trusting your dog with anyone offering services.

In the past couple of years in NZ alone I am aware of multiple deaths of dogs on walking services or with daycares. Many attacks by dogs in poorly managed walking services on stock, other dogs and people. And many more behavioural challenges caused as a direct result of people jumping into these industries without the care or experience required to do the job.

Regardless of if you’re with your dog at the time or if they’re in the care of someone else, you still have to live with the consequences. This can include extreme restrictions on their lifestyle through being classified as menacing or dangerous, this can include euthanasia orders, this can include injuries and behavioural problems that can take a long time to undo. That’s not even taking into account the trauma of people and their dogs caught up in some of these disasters.

Some of the stories I’ve been hearing recently are genuinely horrific and so avoidable.

With how serious these consequences can be, it’s really scary how few people actually take the time to ask any questions before hiring a complete stranger to walk their dog. Done well, these services can be so positive in supporting your life with your dog especially when juggling work commitments and life in general. Done well, the socialisation and training involved can be so supportive to their overall wellbeing. But your dog is depending on you doing your due diligence to keep them safe.

Here are some questions you should consider asking your dogs current or prospective care provider:

1️⃣ WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE WITH DOGS?
Walking dogs belonging to other people - especially in group situations - is very different to walking a single pet dog you’ve owned their whole life, or even training dogs 1-1 as a trainer. It’s another skill set that takes time to develop, and isn’t something that can be rushed into.

2️⃣ HOW MANY DOGS DO YOU TAKE WITH YOU AND HOW HAVE YOU WORKED UP TO THIS?
Every handler has their own limit on what they are comfortable and reasonably able to handle - there is no right or wrong. This comes with experience, training and knowing your personal boundaries as well as the dogs you are dealing with. But regardless of who it is, it takes time to build a solid foundation of dogs - growing too quickly is a big red flag.

3️⃣ HOW DO YOU HANDLE DIFFERENT DOGS NEEDS?
No responsible handler is just grabbing a bunch of random dogs and chucking them together all at once. Each dog should be assessed for their individual needs and integrated carefully to set them up for success. This takes time, and will vary depending on the dog, their behaviour and strengths/weaknesses. They’re all individuals with their own needs, and one size doesn’t fit all.

4️⃣ HOW DO YOU STRUCTURE YOUR WALKS?
Complete freedom to run wild from day 1 is not going to set your dog up for success - there should be a lot of thought put into supporting the positive behaviours you’ve worked so hard to create, and preventing unwanted habits from developing. There should also be a lot of thought put into how to keep both the dogs and other animals/people safe. This could include things like choosing sensible locations, situational awareness, the use of long lines and other tools to keep dogs safe, training skills such as a follow and a down, positive reinforcement for good choices, slowly giving freedom as the dogs show they can handle it etc.

5️⃣ HOW ARE THE DOGS TRANSPORTED?
Because the best walking spots are usually outside of town, travel is often a big part of a walking dogs day. Jamming large numbers of dogs into vans unrestrained and sitting on top of each other, hanging out windows, not cleaning out messes etc - red flags to watch for.

6️⃣ WHAT’S THE PLAN IN CASE OF EMERGENCY?
No matter how good a walker is, something will go wrong at some point - it’s a case of when not if. That’s the nature of working with living animals. Are they first aid certified? What do they do about off leash dogs approaching? How do they manage hazards in the environment (eg approaching dogs)? What questions have they asked about your dogs medical history, vets etc? Are they insured? Have they had an incident before, and how did they change their policies or actions after this to ensure it never happens again?

In addition to this, what is their social media telling you?
❓ Are they taking large packs of dogs into busy dog parks? How is that managed?
❓Are they brushing off potentially major issues as funny stories (losing dogs, arguments between dogs etc)?
❓Do the dogs look to be having a decent time overall?

Please take the time to ask these questions and do your homework. Dodgy operators only stay in business because people continue to hire them, and you can’t put a price on the life and wellbeing of your four legged family member.

22/11/2023

"Oh they just want to play." ..... its not enough.

Just because dogs may look like they want to interact doesn't mean they should.
They have just met....and that's the important point here.
They have JUST met.
🔵Does this dog listen to the owner/guardian/handler. People often forget that is a really important consideration because if this handler has no control, that needs to be weighed up. They won't have control if anything happens, and you may not either.
🔵Observe the dog and handler before you decide. Observations are really important and easily forgotten when dogs just want to interact. Forget the words the handler is saying and watch the interactions....they speak volumes.
🔵Is it worth the risk ? The risk is very real (and many people may automatically think of injuries or fights) but reactiveness is a very common occurrence after just one bad interaction with another dog.
🔵Is the other dogs playstyle similar to yours, are they calmer, hyper or are they well matched. Matching styles is an important part of healthy play. This doesn't mean that differing styles won't work but if one of the dogs is hyper...they will just dive into play rather than wait on some social cues given. If they don't wait on them initially, they are unlikely to stop play when disengagement signals are given either....no one appreciates a pushy dog.
🔵Are these really signals to play or do they just have maladaptive ways to greet others ? Many dogs will dig in, straining on the lead, desperately wanting to get close to meet another dog...then stiffen when they manage to get close, that stiffening can be taken badly by the other dog.

The most important point of all....dogs do not need to interact with other dogs they have just met.

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11/11/2023

I feel quite strongly about this issue. The behaviour these people have exhibited shows a complete lack of respect & is deeply concerning. Please clean up after your dogs & KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEAD unless it’s a designated off lead area.
Off lead dogs can be a menace if they lack appropriate training.

Hi everyone
Just a few reminders for out at the park:
-dogs need to be on leads
-dog poo needs to be picked up straight away and taken home
-track signs eg. No entry apply to EVERYONE
-Thursday nights are race nights, between 6:30 and 8 there will be a lot of people including young kids on the tracks between those times.

Last night we had two SPECIAL LADIES out at the park going for a run with their dogs not on leads, one of which pooed and despite being asked to neither of these SPECIAL LADIES picked it up. These same ladies then despite being told there was a race on decided to ignore the danger tape and the two signs saying 'no entry' race in progress and go for a run around Big W***y with their dogs towards 60+ racers.
If anyone happens to know these two SPECIAL LADIES who think the rules don't apply to them please have a word with them and explain just how dangerous this is for them, their dogs and more importantly the racers who are in the right.

26/10/2023

Another excellent post from Kelly. This one offers advice about what to think about when you’re deciding who to trust with your beloved pet/s for daycare or walking in particular.
Safety should be the number one consideration. Our dogs are so precious. Please don’t compromise ever.

Trusting your dog to another person to walk or care for is a big deal. They are responsible for your dogs safety and well-being, and the consequences of getting things wrong can include injury, learning/practicing unwanted behaviours, legal implications for you if your dog does something while in their care, and in some cases, death. On the other hand, these outings can also be so positive in enriching your dogs life & supporting your own efforts when run well.

However, dog care is also an unregulated industry with minimal barriers to entry. With the increasing popularity of the pet industry and rising costs of living encouraging people to earn some extra cash, we are seeing more and more people jumping in with very little experience but excellent marketing skills. This has already led to some dangerous situations putting both the dogs & other members of the public at risk. As the dog owners, the onus falls on you to ask the questions and ensure whoever you’re trusting your dog to actually has the experience, handling skills and policies in place to keep your dog safe.

Here’s a few questions you should be asking. There are no “one size fits all” right answers, but they should be able to provide you with thoughtful answers that set everyone up for success and put your mind at ease.

❓ What is your experience with dogs outside of your own? Walking your personal family dog is not the same as an unfamiliar one.

❓ What education have you undertaken with dogs? Formal qualifications aren’t the be all and end all - making genuine effort to learn and understand dogs through a variety of sources is.

❓ What steps do you take on walks or in the daycare facility to keep my dog safe? This could include dog:handler ratios (knowing their personal limits which will vary), restrictions on challenges accepted (eg aggression), the use of leashes, training over time, awareness of hazards, plans in place to manage these hazards, structured walking vs free time, appropriate locations, pet first aid certification, safe transportation etc.

❗️ Also read social media and see what the vibe is there. Red flags could include stories about dogs being “crazy” or out of control, images of dogs off lead in known on leash areas, large packs of dogs being let loose in public dog parks to play with the public, videos of inappropriate canine interactions (eg bullying behaviour) etc.

Anywhere there are animals there are going to be things outside of our control, and accidents do happen even to the best handler. But the right carer for your dog will be doing everything in their power to minimise those risks and accidents, keep everyone safe and going home happy.

As the owner it’s up to you to do your homework to make sure that’s the case with any care provider you entrust your dogs safety to. If that means getting up an hour earlier to run the dog because the decent dog walkers in your area have a wait list, that’s better than losing your beloved dog due to someone else’s negligence.

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I am not currently accepting new walking dogs as I focus on training and behaviour services, but am happy to offer recommendations for your area if I know someone suitable.