Pup Tots Academy

23/08/2024

10/08/2024

It's essential that every puppy learns to enjoy being handled, especially on the parts of the body that turn into common bite triggers. Early puppyhood handling and socialization is easy to do and makes a huge difference in a dog's temperament and quality of life, for the rest of their life!

Learn more or download the PDF version: https://dunbar.info/puppy-handling

10/08/2024

If you have a reactive dog sit down with a cuppa & listen to Ian & Jamie talk about the natural way to help your dog’s love life again ❤️🦄

18/07/2024

New Zealand Veterinary Dentistry is a unique veterinary dental referral service for companion animals, owned and operated by board certified veterinary dentist Dr. Crystal Loh, BSc DVM MANZCVS DAVDC

09/07/2024

Take the collar - Give the treat
It is important for your pup to learn the collar being grabbed so it’s not threatening, it is a good thing! They learn ‘take my collar so I can get a yummy treat 😁

22/06/2024

Dogs do talk, they communicate well with us, they show us what they need and tell us (usually very politely) when they need space. If you need help understanding your dog's languge, drop us a line below.

05/04/2024

🤔Aggression/ reactivity is often misunderstood as a dog being naughty.

A dog reacting is NOT being naughty, or a poor reflection on you as a dog owner, nor is it a personal insult if your dog is growling. Aggressive responses are usually attributed to a much bigger problem.

💥Your reactive dog is being reactive because they feel defensive or scared. Other reasons could be they are in physical pain or discomfort. Their fear can be due to a lack of positive experiences when having to deal with something they find scary, or a lack of appropriate exposure and socialisation.

👀Identify your dog's triggers so you can avoid them in the beginning. Avoiding the triggers mean that you are not putting your dog in a position where they feel they need to react because of feeling threatened, scared, or overwhelmed.

👍Manage your environment to stop your dog from rehearsing/practicing undesirable defensive behaviours.

🤓Learn about dog body language to understand how your dog is feeling and build up their confidence with fun games.

🌳Slowly start working on introducing your dog to the trigger from a far distance.

🥰Keep your dog feeling safe by working at a distance to the trigger where the dog is able to look at the trigger, not react, but still able to take treats.

😎Use positive reinforcement training.

Have a professional force-free trainer help you with systematic desensitisation and counter-conditioning methods as it will help deal with your dog’s emotional responses. Behaviours stem from emotional responses, when you deal with the emotion the behaviour may resolve itself.

If a trainer doesn’t know how to do this, or doesn’t think you need to address the dogs emotions… then find another trainer.

🐕Your reactive dog does NOT need more ‘obedience’ training, nor do they need corrective training, or training tools, the dog needs understanding, patience, and to feel safe.

Do no harm, create no pain, & cause no fear.

31/03/2024

21/03/2024

Over excited/over arousal/hyper arousal IS a form of reactivity.
I know many may struggle understanding that having a dog that is desperate to meet others is a reactive dog...because they don't appear "aggressive".
They can be described as "friendly" or "just LOVES other dogs".
It is also incredibly stressful for these dogs.
Stress hormones can be released with both positive and negative stimuli....a difficult concept for some to accept that their "friendly" dog can be stressed.
This is not about dogs that get excited when they see a dog they know...this is purely aimed at dogs that go straight to over arousal at the mere sight of a dog/cat or person...whatever their trigger is.

Bite risks...
Yes even these dogs can bite (or be bitten).
There is no emotional self control and things can change in an instant with these dogs....they do pose a bite risk...and I appreciate that is hard to hear for many as their friendly dog would "never" bite another.
EVERY dog has the capability to bite given certain circumstances and over arousal puts dogs into positions where their emotions take over.
Many dogs bite when over aroused.
Bites can also be redirected back onto their guardians/owners or the nearest person/dog/child present.
They also fail to "read the room", there is no time taken to assess the other dog they desperately want to interact with....so the lead is taken off that friendly dog so they can meet their new "friend".

This is a new graphic based on another I made but this is specifically for over aroused dogs.
Your dog will also have their own unique changes you can see as they go over that all important threshold.

You are not alone with this issue...it is very common.
Reactive dog guardians/owners are some of the most dedicated I have ever met.
These dogs can be incredibly hard to live with.

You can make a difference.

Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make. Everyone is free to share on social media, however off social media use of these marked graphics is prohibited. Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters or for personal use. Screen shots are a violation of the copyright.
Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for unmarked graphics. All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

09/03/2024

I have seen so many sad videos on social media recently of dog trainers working with anxious and reactive dogs. These trainers are dragging dogs towards their trigger and only allowing the dog to move away when they offer desired behaviours. Some dog trainers have the cheek of convincing clients that this is positive reinforcement. In reality, this is negative reinforcement, which simply means to remove a unpleasant or aversive stimulus ( reducing exposure to feared trigger) to strengthen or increase a desired behaviour.( In this case calmness around the trigger)

Fully exposing a dog to something they fear and expecting them to learn how to cope is a very controversial training method called flooding. Flooding is forcing an animal or person to be in the proximity of a feared stimulus without any option to escape or end the situation. Flooding is considered an effective therapy in people but there's a significant issue that needs to be addressed. People can give consent to this training, but dogs can't. They don't have the option to take breaks or beg for the training to stop. Their options are twofold: Continue to react fearfully or emotionally shut down.

Worse yet, punishment is often added to the mix by applying pain and discomfort to speed up the process. What you're left with is a dog that has learnt you don't make them feel safe, the trainer causes pain, horrible things happen in the presence of the trigger and there's no point communicating how they feel.

This is known as learned helplessness, a phenomenon observed in people that have been held captive against their will, for prolonged periods. They've tried escaping so many times and failed, so when the option to escape presents itself, they are unable to do it. They have emotionally shut down and are not capable of helping themselves. In dogs, people often see this as a calm dog because the dog is magically not barking and lunging anymore. In reality, the relationship and the dog's resilience, has been decimated, and it's only a matter of time until the guardian appreciates the real fallout of flooding.

Ironically, flooding is commonly used by unqualified dog trainers to address anxiety and reactivity, but it often sensitises dogs to their triggers to an even worse degree. It's a very much sink or swim situation, and often dogs figuratively drown.

So, If a dog trainer tells you that your dog needs to "face their fear", or "get over it", see it as a red flag and find a trainer or behaviourist that is qualified to offer what your dog deserves, stress management, systematic desensitisation and counter conditioning.

Remember, when we force dogs to face their fears, we remove everything they need to conquer them . -Holly Leake

Please feel free to like and share this post but please don't copy and paste the writing or screenshot or edit the graphic in any way. Thank you. ©

08/03/2024

ARE YOU WORTH COMING BACK TO?

I often cringe when I watch people trying to get their dogs to come back when they call.

They call and call and get increasingly angry and frustrated as their dog keeps ignoring them.

When their dog eventually does come back, or has been chased and "captured” by the now really angry person, they get screamed at, yanked about, smacked or punished in some way for taking so long and not listening.

Why on earth would a dog want to return to someone who does this to them!

Genetics may play a big part in this when an environment is far more stimulating and exciting.

Coming back to you is often the last thing a dog may want to do when genetic instinct is triggered.

An exciting scent or seeing something to chase can all override a response to recall.

Genetics aside, the most common reason that dogs don’t come back when called is because it’s not a positive experience.

Make coming back to you worth it by always making it a rewarding experience and keep practicing this throughout a dog’s life.

Have a little patience if it takes longer than you would like, let your dog finish what they’re doing before calling them, practice in different locations and environments and never reprimand or punish them for coming back.

There is never a guarantee of a perfect recall each and every time, but making it a rewarding experience will greatly improve the rate of success.

01/03/2024

Helping out a little boy’s best mate Toby

29/02/2024

This is simple.✅
It is easy....and it works !✅
If you can be clear and precise when you reward behaviour you want to be repeated, you are making things SO much easier for your dog to understand.
Sometimes people see something they really like from their dog and they stand up, go to the cupboard to get their favourite reward, open the cupboard, get the packet out...... and the time to reward has long gone.
Have a few rewards on you at all times.✅
Pop them in a pocket (yes you will curse me on laundry day🙂)...but you can make a real difference in your dogs behaviour just by rewarding exactly what you like when they show you.
I am not talking about a sit or a down but all the other times you notice your dog has done well.
They didn't bark at the cat as it ran over the grass YES! Rewardable✅
They chose just to relax on their bed or mat YES! Rewardable✅
They kept all four paws on the ground when your guest arrived YES! Rewardable✅

If you haven't tried rewarding exactly what you want....take up the challenge and try it for 2 weeks.
I promise you.... you will see results...but you will probably still curse me on laundry day🙂

Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make. Everyone is free to share on social media🙂, however off social media use of these marked graphics is prohibited.
Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters or for personal use.
Screen shots are a violation of the copyright.
Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for unmarked graphics. All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

26/02/2024

04/12/2023

EXPOSURE ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH!

Whether it's a young puppy inside their socialisation period, or an older dog needing help to find their paws in the world...

Instead of expecting them to just "Get used to it", focus on:

*CREATING POSITIVE EXPERIENCES

*ENSURING THEY FEEL CALM AND SAFE

*ALLOWING FREEDOM TO CHOOSE TO INITIATE OR AVOID INTERACTION

04/12/2023

DOMINANCE/ALPHA THEORY

This is one of the biggest myths, and probably the most damaging, in the industry. It continues to be perpetuated, despite being thoroughly debunked several decades ago.

Unfortunately, the meaning of “dominance” in dog training has been blurred and misunderstood. Dominance theory is commonly thought to be based on the belief that a dog behaves in the same way that a wolf would; this belief stems from early, flawed studies carried out on captive grey wolves, to demonstrate how they live and behave within their family unit. One of the first, most influential studies occurred in 1947 under Rudolph Schenkel, from the Zoological Institute of the University of Basel, in Switzerland.

Although Schenkel’s study was very detailed, it was flawed; the wolves studied were not, in fact, a family unit, but adult, individual wolves that were contained in a small enclosure outside of their natural environment. As the wolves were unrelated, the dynamics and interactions between them differed greatly from those of a family unit living in harmony; the close proximity of other unknown wolves would have been a source of great tension. Schenkel interpreted this tension as competition for rank within the “pack” and, unfortunately, this soon transferred into dominance theory for those dealing with and handling dogs.

The results of this study are still drawn on today in order to justify certain dog training methods, and much poor advice is given. This includes, but is not limited to:

*Always eat before your dog

*Do not let them go through doorways before you

*Do not allow them to walk ahead of you

*Do not allow them on your bed or furniture

*Affection and attention should be earned, rather than freely given

*Do not allow them to win during play, as they will gain the upper hand

*All dogs want to be the “pack leader” and are in constant battle with you to attain this role

And so on. These outdated beliefs are very damaging to the relationship you share with your dog and can lead to fear, anxiety, and even aggression.

However, since Rudolph Schenkel’s study, further research was carried out, and in the 1980s, another influential study emerged from American biologist David Mech, which highlighted the flaws in the earlier pack and dominance theory. This study was substantial; it was carried out over the course of thirteen summers, and reflected the true nature of the wild wolf pack being a family unit which lived peacefully, more akin to a human family.

We now know that:

*There is no reason to eat before your dog, as it makes no difference to them.

*Going through doorways before your dog is only encouraged from a safety point of view and for the sake of manners, but has no bearing on how a dog views himself or his “status”.

*It doesn’t matter what position he assumes on a walk, although it is useful to see what he is doing and to engage fully with him, so it is helpful for him to be beside or in front, rather than behind.

*Ignoring your dog when returning home can cause him to feel stressed; it is much kinder to teach an acceptable behaviour such as a sit, or hand them a toy and then make a fuss.

*Play can be initiated by either you or your dog. It is important to let him win so that he doesn’t become bored, or no longer wishes to interact. Playing tug and allowing him to win frequently can help to build confidence and resilience. It is also a great way to teach him to return a toy to you or take it from you, which can also help build pauses into play to regulate arousal levels.

Behaviour issues have frequently been attributed to “dominance,” but when investigated, they often stem from fearfulness. An example of this is the reactive, barking and lunging dog who at first glance appears to be aggressive towards others, but he is simply behaving in this way as a distance-increasing tactic to put space between him and the thing that he is frightened of. It could not be further from the label of “dominance,” and would be very damaging to the reactive dog for him to be regarded in this way, in terms of dealing with their fear effectively and kindly.

Dominance is not a personality trait, it is a fluid state dependent upon the value of a particular resource at a given moment. Beware of anyone calling themselves a professional, yet refers to "dominant dogs". Run like the clappers!

© Trailie Paws For Thought
https://www.trailiepawsforthought.com/

I'm very happy for all of my content to be shared, but please do not copy and paste (to avoid sharing from source), screenshot, or download any part of it. THANK YOU! 🐾 🐾

04/12/2023

SENTIENT - NOT STUBBORN!!!

When animals just want to do animal things, it's not because they're stubborn, it's because they actually are animals! Not humans, not robots, ANIMALS!

28/10/2023

Critter Care, Shop and Browse for products in the following categories: Cleaners, Shampoos & Deodorisers, Soap Bars, Balms, H**p Seed Oils

22/08/2023

A polite conversation between approaching dogs often starts before we even notice.

Running head on towards every dog is about as inappropriate as someone running round trying to hug everyone. We need to ask first and respect the response.

Sometimes our dogs need a little help with interactions and what might be socially acceptable. That way we set our dogs up for success as well as practicing respectful dog guardianship.

20/08/2023

Potty training a puppy can feel relentless. How is there yet another accident when they've just been in the garden?! 🤯

Having a routine in place can really help to speed up the process and minimise accidents.

This flow chart is great! 😄 Ask yourself these questions before giving your puppy (supervised) freedom in the house and you will find the process much easier and more successful 💛

19/08/2023

13/08/2023

If a dog is repeatedly not following a cue, it's important we don't decide they are being 'stubborn'. Dogs are not stubborn because they choose to be.

It may be that they haven't actually learned the cue properly.

They may be feeling unwell.

There may be distractions in the environment that mean they can't concentrate and respond to the cue.

The reward on offer might not be motivating enough for them in that moment.

Look at the environment for distractions, look at the coaching history to see if the cue has been fully established and proofed in the wider world, and look at the value of the rewards you are offering.

11/06/2023

Need someone to look after your precious pups 🥰
Critter Care

Going away this winter? We offer a professional and caring in-home pet-sitting service. 🏠 No matter what type of animal you have, we can visit them and give them the love, care, and attention they will miss whilst you are away. 🐾 PM us for more information.

29/04/2023

Ok she’s a lot bigger than I thought 🙊🙊🤔🤔😳😳🙈🙈