Happy Tails Dog Training

14/11/2024

Great way to deliver rewards if you have a small dog, puppy, or if you have a bad back. https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19QJXdjwNS/?mibextid=UalRPS

12/07/2024

♥️ Penny ♥️ Sweet, smart and confident young girl.

10/07/2024

Given the statements that we see so often from those using aversive or 'balanced' training methods, those of us who use a force free approach need to clear up some of the issues with what is said.

As well as the red flags so often seen of 'positive only' or 'purely positive', these statements will usually trot out the old misunderstanding that all we do is toss cheese at a dog when they do something right and ignore everything else. This is absolutely untrue and does not reflect the force free approach at all.

Successful force free training involves SO much more than that.

• It needs a deep understanding of learning theory.
• What the dog's welfare needs are and how to make sure they are met.
• The potential impact of health on behaviour.
• The emotional states that underly behaviours.
• How to manage situations so that the dogs don't carry out the undesired behaviours and perhaps get an internal reward for doing them.
• How to train other behaviours the dog can do in that situation that will be rewarded so that the undesirable behaviour is no longer the best choice for them in that situation.
• When training isn’t the right answer at all.

The factors involved in getting the force free approach and training right are far too many for me to list in this post or on this image, but these are the things that a good force free trainer or behaviour professional is doing every time they are working with a dog and their humans.

It's so much more than just lobbing food at a dog.

01/06/2024

“Hi, I’m Freya, and I’m ready to go to work.” Being a Blue Heeler x Border Collie, she is super-smart and eager to learn.

31/05/2024

Tommy - in typical Staffy fashion, he is full of beans and life is fun and games. Another great little boy from Bluejigg Kennel Staffordshire Bull Terriers New Zealand.

31/05/2024

Happy Tails assistant Yogi is filling in as a play buddy for puppy Otis, who is a little older and larger than the other puppies in class, as better match for his energetic play style. It’s very important that all puppies in class have a positive and safe experience when interacting with other puppies. Yogi is showing Otis exaggerated ‘Play Bows’ to show him that he is no threat and really wants to play.

30/05/2024

Suzie graduated from puppy class. She is a Border Collie x German Shorthaired Pointer. She's now 22 weeks old, very smart, eager to learn with great focus on her handler. She is looking for her forever home where she can flourish and live to her true potential. Message me if you're interested in adopting her and I will put you on to her current owner/foster.

30/05/2024

Puppy class is back in full swing. The super-cute Jasper graduated last week. How could anyone ever say 'No' to those sweet puppy eyes..

16/05/2024

I’m having a short break from taking on any Training and Behaviour clients as I’m recovering from major surgery I had last week. My puppy class is continuing on 22 May as usual. I hope I can see clients face to face again in about 6 weeks and I may be able to assist via Zoom sooner.

09/04/2024

A bit like my boy Yogi....Who else can relate to that?

21/03/2024

Training tip in a nutshell: Dogs are not great at generalising. Your dog needs to practice the new skills learned in a dog training class in many different environments and contexts before being able to perform the skills well outside the classroom.

😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂

17/03/2024

Otis with his happy dance when it’s time for puppy class play time

05/03/2024

Next course: Introduction to Nosework - Odour
4 weeks. Dogs learn to recognise, discriminate, and search for a target odour (Clove Bud oil) and have fun searching. Plenty of personalised attention and support.

Date: Saturdays 16 March - 13 April 2024 with a break on Saturday 30 April for Easter

Time: 11:30 am to about 12:45 pm

Location: Indoor training facility at 120 Robert Street, Whangarei

Cost: $180 per person - includes a complete odour starter kit

Bookings: Online. Essential (small groups) Max 4-5 dogs

Requirements:

Dogs must be comfortable and not reactive to other dogs and humans when working/learning in close proximity. (Reactive dogs would need to be accommodated by individual arrangement or in a different course).

All dogs entering the training facility must be up to date with vaccinationsWhatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

02/03/2024

Congratulations to the teams graduating from the 4-week Nosework - Intro to Odour course (from left: Kathryn & Archie, Ann & River, Mandy without Sparky, who had recent surgery - but thankfully he’s ok, and unfortunately, team Sinead and Hooligan were unable to be there today. The teams did well and we saw some great searches and nice indications from Archie and River today.

29/02/2024

When you drive a 7-seater but everyone wants to sit in the front

26/02/2024

If you need a little “pick-me-up” this lovely dog compilation will make you smile.

The beginning of this video, “The Dogs of 2023,” made my heart stop (is the dog okay?) - but stay tuned for the oxytocin rush of the month. Or the year? Dare you to watch without getting choked up.

(My favorites, though hard to choose, are the Golden in the pool and the bouncy puppy with the green toy. You?)

Watch it here: https://bit.ly/42SidEI

25/02/2024

First puppy class session and young 🩷 Otis 🩷 the Miniature Dachshund, aced the confidence-building course like a pro 🥰