Friends Of The Dog NZ

11/03/2025

For Dog Trainers – Understanding the Barriers to Success:

As dog trainers, we often focus on the canine side of the equation, working to understand their behaviour, motivations and learning styles. However, great training isn't just about working with animals – it's about understanding and guiding their humans, too.

Human struggles and limitations can create significant barriers to successful dog training. As trainers, it's essential to recognise and address these challenges to achieve lasting results.

Common Human Barriers to Dog Training:
1. Emotional attachment: Owners' emotional attachment to their dogs can lead to inconsistent training, anthropomorphism and unrealistic expectations.
2. Lack of understanding: Misconceptions about canine behaviour, learning theory and training methods can hinder progress.
3. Insufficient time and commitment: Busy schedules, lack of motivation, financial struggles or competing priorities can prevent owners from dedicating sufficient time and effort to training.
4. Unrealistic expectations: Owners may expect rapid results, sacrificing their dog's comfort and security in the process, overlook the importance of incremental progress or underestimate the impact of environmental factors.
5. Fear, anxiety or stress: Owners' emotional states can transfer to their dogs, creating a challenging training environment.

Strategies for Improving Client Relationships and Achieving Lasting Results:
1. Build trust and rapport: Establish open, empathetic communication to understand clients' concerns, goals and limitations.
2. Set clear expectations: Educate clients on the training process, timelines and potential challenges to ensure a shared understanding of the journey.
3. Foster a growth mindset: Encourage clients to view training as a collaborative, ongoing process, focusing on progress rather than perfection.
4. Provide emotional support: Acknowledge and address clients' emotional concerns, offering guidance on managing stress, anxiety or fear.
5. Celebrate small wins: Recognise and celebrate incremental progress to maintain motivation and reinforce positive behaviours.
6. Empower owners with knowledge: Educate clients on canine behaviour, learning theory and training methods to promote informed decision-making and active participation.
7. Develop a tailor-made training plan: Customise training programs to address each client's unique needs, goals and circumstances.

By acknowledging and addressing the human end of the leash, we can create a more supportive, collaborative and effective training environment. By doing so, we can empower owners to become active participants in their dog's training, ultimately leading to stronger bonds, improved behaviours and lasting results 🐾♥️

09/03/2025

There’s nothing quite like coming home to the wild stampede of paws that says, "You were missed more than you can imagine!" 🐾♥️

02/03/2025

🐾♥️

27/02/2025

20/02/2025

True story... 🤭

14/02/2025

Happy Valentine's Day 🐾♥️

12/02/2025

🐕 Here are some of our favourite pet dog training tips:

1. Use positive reinforcement: Reward your pet with treats, praise and affection when they perform the desired behaviour.
2. Be consistent: Use the same cues (commands) and hand signals each time you ask your dog to do something.
3. Train in different environments: Gradually introduce your dog to new locations, people and situations to help them generalise their training.
4. Use high-value rewards: Use high-value treats and praise to motivate your pet during difficult training sessions.
5. Train in short sessions: Keep training sessions short and fun to avoid overwhelming your dog. Less is more!
6. Use clicker training: Use a clicker to mark the exact moment your pet performs the desired behaviour and reward them immediately.
7. Teach problem prevention: Teach your dog to avoid unwanted behaviours like jumping up or barking excessively by replacing it with better alternative behaviours and rewarding your dog for those instead.
8. Use shaping: Gradually build complex behaviours by reinforcing small steps towards the final behaviour.
9. Train with distractions: Gradually introduce distractions like other pets, people or toys to help your dog focus.
10. Seek professional help: If you're experiencing difficulties or addressing specific behavioural issues, consult a professional dog trainer or behaviourist.

Remember to always be patient, consistent and paw-sitive when training your pet. If you have any specific questions or need further guidance, feel free to ask! 🐾♥️

11/02/2025

What you need to know about chicken meal, beef meal...

05/02/2025

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30/01/2025

Sometimes owners believe it is best to not groom their pet in the winter months so they "will be warmer". However, not grooming your pet in the winter can have the opposite effect.

Pets with coats that are groomed on a regular schedule, should be kept on schedule throughout the year. Every spring we see it in our salons. Dogs who are on a regular grooming schedule, but haven't been in for months simply because it's cold outside. The coat is matted and/or pelted and the poor pet gets shaved to the skin. Owners are upset because they don't understand that a blade must pass 'under' matting, it cannot go through it. Sometimes there are injuries or skin infections discovered underneath all that mess which leads to veterinary visits.

Keeping fur bearing breeds groomed means excessive undercoat does not build up allowing the coat to do it's job. The guard coat reflects wetness and cold, while the undercoat holds warm air near the skin.

For hair bearing breeds, it's okay to groom a bit longer for winter warmth, but dead undercoat still needs to be removed. However, 1/2 inch of extra coat keeps your pet no warmer. You will need extra inches if you are growing for warmth and that may mean more frequent grooming to prevent matting.

Is winter grooming really necessary? Absolutely it is!

29/01/2025

Dogs bark for various reasons, and understanding the underlying cause is crucial to addressing the behaviour. Here are some common reasons why dogs bark incessantly, along with possible solutions:

1. Boredom and lack of stimulation: Dogs need mental and physical stimulation. Without it, they might bark due to frustration or excess energy.

Solution: Provide adequate exercise, playtime and mental stimulation through activities like training, puzzle toys and allowing lots of sniffing on walks (scentwork).

2. Anxiety and stress: Dogs can bark excessively due to anxiety or stress caused by noise, separation or changes in their environment.

Solution: Identify the source of anxiety and take steps to mitigate it. This might include:
* Desensitizing your dog to the trigger (e.g., loud noises)
* Providing a calm environment (e.g., pheromone diffusers, calming music)
* Gradual exposure to the stressor (e.g., separation anxiety training)
* Affording your newly adopted dog the time to settle in and get used to its new environment.

3. Attention seeking: Dogs might bark to get attention from their owners or other animals.

Solution: Ignore the barking and reward calm behaviour. When your dog is quiet, provide attention and treats. Consistently reinforce good behaviour.

4. Alerting or warning: Dogs may bark to alert you to potential threats, such as strangers, other animals or unusual noises.

Solution: Acknowledge your dog's alert and thank them for warning you. However, also teach your dog the "quiet" command to stop barking once the alert has been acknowledged.

5. Medical issues: Pain, discomfort or medical conditions can cause excessive barking.

Solution: Consult with your veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical issues. Addressing the underlying condition may help reduce barking.

6. Loneliness and separation anxiety: Dogs can bark excessively when left alone or separated from their owners.

Solution: Gradually increase alone time, starting with short periods, to help your dog adjust. Leave a TV or radio on to provide background noise. Consider crate training or providing a safe space for your dog to relax.

7. Playfulness and excitement: Dogs might bark excessively when they're excited or eager to play.

Solution: Channel your dog's energy into playtime or exercise. Teach your dog the "settle" or "relax" command to help them calm down.

8. Territorial protection: Dogs may bark to defend their territory from perceived intruders.

Solution: Block your dog's view of the street or outside area to reduce reactivity. Teach your dog the "quiet" command and reward calm behaviour.

9. Lack of training: Insufficient training or inconsistent reinforcement can lead to excessive barking.

Solution: Invest time in obedience training, focusing on basic commands like "sit," "stay," "quiet," and "leave it." Consistently reinforce good behaviour.

10. Breed-specific traits: Some breeds, like terriers and guard dogs, are more prone to barking due to their original purpose and breeding.

Solution: Understand your dog's breed-specific traits and adjust your training and management strategies accordingly. Provide adequate exercise, mental stimulation, and training to keep your dog happy and healthy.

Remember, every dog is unique, and it's essential to tailor your approach to your dog's individual needs and circumstances. If you're struggling to address your dog's excessive barking, consult with a professional dog trainer or behaviourist for personalized guidance.

29/01/2025

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This course is intended for those interested in enhancing their relationship with their dog or puppy, as well as anyone with an increasing interest in dog training and behaviour. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience in dog training, this course provides a comprehensive foundation of k...