Blue Ash Dog Training

22/09/2024

Daniel Brown. I'm sorry, for the life of me I can't seem to pick up your message. If you're asking about dog training, the answer is that I am taking a long rest. I may take it up again after I retire in a few years, but for now full time work = I don't do anything with my own dogs.

I post interesting snippets onto this page here and there.

Not sure why I just cannot get to messages for this page - I get the notification, but unable to see the full message or respond.

09/06/2023

02/11/2022

For me… building behaviours is a lot like building a house. The foundations are so so important, sure you can’t always see them, they’re not the flashy or impressive bit.

In fact you can’t always tell the difference between a dogs behaviour that has the solid foundations and those that dont… UNTIL… the curve balls, the context changes, the unexpected requests or the moments of surprise that neither of you saw coming.

That’s when it matters.

Those behaviours built on foundations that have been stress tested, practiced and worked at… they stand strong, and those that don’t can fall apart under the slightest strain.

I’ve NEVER once regretted putting in more foundation work, ever. Have you?

The list is probably much longer than this, so feel free to add below, but off the top of my head….

Core ‘Concept’ Foundations
- Attention to me
- Impulse Control
- Follow a motivator (food / toys)
- Work Ethic
- Enjoying (Better yet, Loving) Training

Practical Training Foundations
- Hand Touch
- Platform / Stationing
- Recall
- Drop
- Watch Me
- Leave it

Emotional Foundations
- Trust in the training/learning process
- Trust I’ll keep you safe in any situation
- Forgiveness & Resilience when either of the above break down.

11/10/2022

Another brilliant note from Lewis. Even I am guilty of doing what I know is not helpful when I'm in the spotlight.

30/09/2022

Calm walks begin inside. Your dog knows exactly what is happening the moment you pick up the leash. No need to over excite with anything else. Keep it calm and low key.

27/09/2022

** 4 spaces left ** - New 4-week course 'Puppies 2 - Life Skills'. For puppies age 4 - 6 months. Saturdays 1 - 22 October at 11:30 am. Cost $150. Register online https://happytailsdogtraining.dogbizpro.com/public/registration/index.aspx?schedule=47

25/09/2022

PHRASES THAT RUFFLE TRAINERS' FEATHERS ... AND WHY!

So I came across an interesting post started on a dog trainer's personal FB page and it got me thinking. She asked "what words annoy you when you hear them?" She did state she didn't want the "why" of it just the words/phrases. As I scrolled down her comments I realized I agreed with many and thought - if a non-dog behavior expert was reading this they might think "why do these words bother so many trainers?!"

So, I decided to lay this out and explain the "why" to a lot of this.

Why trainers don't like the following phrases:

➡️ DOG OWNER SAYS: MY DOG IS STUBBORN!

👂🏼 DOG TRAINER HEARS: I don't know how to communicate/train properly with my dog and she's not doing what I ask so I assume she's hard-headed.

💡 REALITY: I get it. Dog owners aren't usually dog trainers, hence why I have a job! So, you don't know what you don't know. However, if your dog isn't listening or "obeying" the reality is likely that the dog isn't listening because of one, several or all of these factors: hasn't been trained to understand what you are asking of him, is confused, has the incorrect motivation in that moment, is stressed, and/or has made a poor association with the thing you ask and therefore won't do it at all out of fear/stress/anxiety. Really this could be a lot of things!

🐕 BOTTOM LINE: Training & some understanding of dog behavior will fix this label.

➡️ DOG OWNER SAYS: HE'S BEING DOMINANT!

👂🏼 DOG TRAINER HEARS: I watch a lot of Cesar Milan but don't really know exactly what all that entails .... and/or I think if a dog is doing a pushy or bratty behavior it's because he's dominant and "thinks he's boss". OR Someone hasn't been in tune with up-to-date science and studies on dog behavior and training.

💡 REALITY: Your dog can't be "dominant" as a whole. It's not a personality trait. It's not like saying my brother is "out-going". Dominance is fluid and only happens in certain contexts. Usually over resources and a dog that is aggressive or insecure is reacting for other reasons that aren't even related to "dominance". I could go on and on about this topic. It's very sadly been used and misused by a lot of trainers. The truth is that science has shown other answers to what decades ago was always blamed for "dominance". You can read more on dominance in dogs here: http://bit.ly/2GElznQ

🐕 BOTTOM LINE: Get to the root of the problem with a qualified professional (that doesn't adhere to the dominance/pack theory of yonder years.)

➡️ DOG OWNER SAYS: WE TRIED POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TRAINING, IT DIDN'T WORK.

👂🏼 DOG TRAINER HEARS: We did that a couple times, didn't get immediate results so gave up and said it doesn't work.

💡 REALITY: The thing with positive reinforcement-based training is that it does, in fact, take work, consistency and dedication on your part. It's not magic and it never works if you only do it a few times or if you are inconsistent. You often see immediate results but for them to "stick", and for long-term goals like great leash work (no pulling on leash) and coming when called, you will need to be consistent and diligent in your training efforts.

🐕 BOTTOM LINE: Don't give up. Listen to your well-educated, qualified, positive reinforcement trainer ... and stay consistent!

➡️ DOG OWNER SAYS: OH, HE'S KNOWS WHAT HE DID WAS WRONG!

👂🏼 DOG TRAINER HEARS: My dog is trying my patience on purpose and doesn't listen just to spite me even though that's not the case because dogs aren't humans so they aren't spiteful and do things "on purpose".

💡 REALITY: Dogs that continually do things do so because it works and usually there is some kind of reward in it for them, even if just the satisfaction of chewing things or tearing something up ... or they had to potty so they did it on the floor because they just couldn't hold it ... or they were anxious when left alone and so they peed the floor from anxiety/stress (not uncommon at all).

Also, dogs that *appear* to have look of guilt are only doing this based on muscle memory --- the last time she entered the room and I was in this spot she was mad so I'll hang my head low in hopes she doesn't become confrontational --- or your body language, which dogs read far better than you can even realize. Remember dogs can smell a seizure so they can smell when your adrenaline is up and your mood is changing as well as your eyes, your face, everything.

🐕 BOTTOM LINE: Your dog isn't plotting against you. He just needs proper guidance and training on what to do.

These are just a few things that dog trainers hear often and have different "meanings" for dog owners than they do for trainers.

If you need help finding a proper trainer read my blog post on this topic and tips on how to do this here: https://bit.ly/whattypedogpro

Happy training!

––
Stacy Greer, CPDT-KA
Sunshine Dog Training & Behavior
sunshinedog.com

04/09/2022

1/8 Why do puppies need socialisation?

A well-socialised puppy is the key to growing a confident, well-behaved and sociable member of your family. Effective socialisation helps your puppy learn what is expected of them and encourages positive associations with the world around them.

Without effective socialisation, puppies can develop significant behaviour problems later in life, which may lead to aggression and anxiety. Such behaviours are extremely detrimental to both dogs and their families. Undesirable behaviour in dogs is among the top 3 most common reasons for euthanasia in dogs. It is also a contributing factor for relinquishment to shelters or rehoming.

Download the full PDF for puppy guardians on our website: https://companionanimals.nz/news

1 of 8, brought to you in association with NZVA and CAV. With a big thank you to Dr Jess Beer for putting this together. https://www.kiwivetbehaviour.net/

24/08/2022

24/08/2022

It's been a whirlwind week already with some great opportunities to share our knowledge with veterinary clinics in Auckland. Teaching teams how to protect themselves and their patients from unpleasant experiences.

Image credit Dr Petra Edwards and University of Adelaide

20/08/2022

Part of a new series called “Invisible Wounds of Friendship” (which I think will be the title of my solo show in October!).

I’m working on a series of handmade cyanotypes (prints made with sunlight), using X-rays given to me by rescues and private people.

On the left is a “normal” doggie who had a broken jaw, rescued by my friend in Mexico. On the right is Arnie () who is a Frenchie who was originally bred for show. His breeder retired him early and he joined Heather’s family. She has since become a fierce advocate against brachycephalic breeding, as Arnie has an insane, painful, and costly list of health issues, all related to his breeding.

As you can see here, brachycephalic skulls are an atrocity. These dogs (bulldogs, frenchies, pugs, all flat-faced dogs) are bred with skulls so compact, they have not enough room for their eyes, teeth, brain and their airway is squished (hence the raspy breathing / snoring). These dogs are bred to suffocate. We must stop the demand for these dogs and pressure the breeding community to better their standards, or to stop breeding these altogether.

20/08/2022

Apparently Sundays are for sleeping in. Doesn't care that the sun is out for the first time in a week!

07/08/2022

... she said as she sat in the kitchen with a plan for each of her three dogs, to teach them to indicate on an upturned jimbos container with a ziwipeak treat under it, not expecting either of the girls to even begin to get the idea about choosing between two containers in the first session, and yet, there she was, mixing the containers up and adding a cue already.

05/08/2022

What Kelly said. The narrative around the latest incident on the several pages I follow has had me just walk away from my computer and phone. I feel like I need to answer everyone of those comments personally and hope that they understand and stop using these unhelpful lines. As we learn more about dog behaviour we change the tag lines, as we should in everything there is to know and yet to learn about life in general - when you know better, do better (ad libbed from Maya Angelou). Repeating the same rote about how they're raised, their environment, pack mentality, yadeh yadeh, is not helpful.

“It’s all in how they were raised!”
“They must have been abused. Dogs don’t do that without a reason.”
“If they were trained properly this would never have happened.”

Every time we see a dog incident in the media, we see a flood of these comments.

And it is true that in some cases the dogs involved haven’t had the greatest lives.

But every time we spread that harmful narrative that “it’s all in how they’re raised”, what is that saying about the many neglected and abused dogs going through rescues every day? Are they all doomed to be killers because they couldn’t possibly be good with that terrible upbringing?

Or what about the dogs from loving homes, whose owners have done everything right and still ended up with a dog with challenges?

We don’t have the facts on what triggered the most recent case, nor would it be kind to speculate when a grieving family have just lost a loved one in the most awful way.

But here’s what we do know about dog behaviour in general.

🌟 The “it’s all in how they’re raised” line is harmful to dogs and the humans in their lives. This mindset is a big part of the reason we have so many issues with dogs in the modern age.

🌟 Dogs are not born blank slates. They are the product of their genetics, their environment, their training and many other factors.

🌟 We can work hard to shift behaviour and help dogs be their best selves, but love and training doesn’t fix everything.

02/08/2022

I'm not sure I ever see enough of my clients to get to the point of properly explaining this, so am posting it here. Following this line, once the behaviour is securely on cue and has a good reinforcement history, you will get compliance. What I don't think is mentioned in the piece is that sometimes, when you have now progressed to the intermittent schedule of reinforcement, you may need to use some higher value treats, depending on your dog. Foodies will still like a bit of possyum. Others who blow food when highly stressed or aroused may need something else. For example, River's recall when out and about is dropping off. Two reasons for this: 1. it wasn't solid enough to start with; and 2. my treats on offer are probably a little bit boring now - even though they are top-of-the-line Ziwipeak, and when I think about it, when she was younger and in new situations she would blow treats. I need to do a bit more work at home with her, and build up a value for some tug toy, which I haven't done, and keep that value for the tug toy going - then TAKE the tug toy out with me when we're having a blast out in public.

Problem Behavior Specialist: Aggression - Barking - Chewing-Housetraining - Jumping - Separation A

22/07/2022

So you’ve got a herdy dog. A Border Collie, Huntaway, Kelpie, Beardie, etc etc. They need a lot of exercise, right?

So you head out to the park, ball thrower in hand and play fetch. Back and forward back and forward, with the dog getting more and more amped and fixated on that ball with each rep.

They might be temporarily falling over from physical exhaustion by the end of it, but their brains are more wired than ever. A quick rest later and they’re ready to go again, often crazier than when you started. You’ve created a dopamine and adrenaline addict who needs more and more to be satisfied.

🙅🏻‍♀️ Please, stop. 🙅🏻‍♀️

On a busy mustering day on the farm we regularly covered over 30km, double that on occasion. I made my farm dogs ride on the bike for as much as I could, but they still did at least double that again running back and forward, up and down the steep hills rounding up bulls and barking at full noise the whole way. So yeah, they are CAPABLE of a lot of exercise. If you’re running ultra marathons in the mountains at top speed maybe you could tire them out physically.

But the important bit about the working life IS NOT the amount of physical exercise they’re doing. It’s the work and the control around it. Left, over, push em up, get in behind, and the “oh s**t that bull is coming at me I better move out of the way” or “hey, mum missed that yearling - I better grab it”. They are thinking and responding the whole way. THAT is the bit they’re bred for.

Instead of straight up trying to wear your herdy dog out, think about the work they are designed for and give them an outlet for that instead.

🌟 Use a ball, but use it as an object to develop control around rather than a mindless back and forward high arousal activity. I trained a few herdy dogs their lefts, rights and stops for work and life using a soccer ball - if they can listen while a ball is moving, that’s a nice stepping stone towards control on stock or in other high arousal situation. A flirt pole or tug toy can be used in much the same way.

🌟 Use their nose. Put them in a down, go hide their toy or some treats out of sight then release them to go gather them back up. Without that visual target to be fixated on, they are forced to slow down and really think rather than it being a mindless game of chase.

🌟 Get them learning new cues. They’re bred to want to work with humans, so teach them some things you can do together. Whether that’s trick training, agility, obedience or whatever you choose. Use that magnificent brain.

🌟 Put them in a structured heel. They can exercise with you, but they have to engage their brains and think about where they are in relation to you.

🌟 In contrast to that, give them decompression time where calmness is the focus. Let them learn to exercise and sniff around without it needing to be a high arousal go go go thing.

Put your working dog to work and watch the magic happen.

If you’ve got a dog you want some help with, flick me a message. I offer training consults throughout the Waikato, as well as virtually. www.wolfedogs.nz

17/07/2022

This dog is all ready for his new home. He has been fostered by a friend I have known for a couple of decades and will have had the best of starts. If you know some one who is looking for a new companion, please contact Wandering Angels and ask about Luka.

When Earth Angels Wrap Their Wings Around Wandering Angels💕
Happy Sunday everyone Id like to share the story of a dog that has been in our care for sometime and her story is one that touches my heart as she may have been one of the statistics if it hadnt of been for two kind hearted people that saw the potential to save this girl...this the story like so many others of a dog that just needed a chance and thanks to a wonderful man at the shelter and our beautiful fosterer Christine Fifield this baby Luka is going to live a full and happy life .....please take some time to read her story and follow her as we help her find her forever home ......
https://www.wanderingangelswaipu.com/post/when-earth-angels-wrap-their-wings-and-their-hearts-around-the-wandering-angels

13/07/2022

I'm not sure if all my followers are aware of the case of Chopper badly biting a vet about 9 months ago, causing severe and likely permanent damage to the vet. The case went to Court and yesterday the judge's decision wsa released. That the fault lay completely with the vet and none at all with the negligence of the owner beggars belief in how the case was run from the get-go. The owner has been one of those who has taken absolutely zero responsibility for what her dog did and blamed the vet for all mistakes made, and had plenty of supporters in her case. They are not willing to listen to trainers and behaviour specialists as to what the owner should and should not have done to prevent this occurring. The dog training and behaviour industry has been up in arms over the whole thing, trying to educate the public about bite severity, and responsibility of management, taking rose-tinted glasses off, etc. This below opinion from a vet who is one of those rare beings who has ALSO got qualified as a Vet Behaviourist serves as a warning to all pet owners as to how the Veterinary Industry may in future view and handle any case with dogs, if they handle aggression cases at all - and of course, that will require disclosure from clients.... you can see where this might end up.

If you have a dog who has issues going to the vet, being in close proximity to other small animals in a vet clinic, then PLEASE, do some muzzle training.

https://muzzleupproject.com/

It is important to comment on the recent ruling in Tauranga releasing the dog Chopper, and respond to the judges comments removing all blame on the owner at the same time laying blame on the veterinarian.

This is an emotive case for all involved but there are facts that need to be stated. I work with aggressive dogs every day, both in private and in clinic settings. I empathise with this dog. But little empathy for the owner who contributed to this situation, and no empathy for the social media comments that have been directed towards vets.

No one deserves to be bitten in their line of work. Owners have a clear responsibility to manage and protect their dog and others from violence.

This bite was not a nip in the line of work with a fearful dog. This was a Dunbar level 4 bite with serious injury, which was instigated by the dog outside in public, from a distance with no direct provocation from anyone, let alone the vet. If, as the judge claimed, standing in a mask and talking in a car park is provocation enough to validate this level of bite? Then I am horrified.

This is not a win for Rottweillers, this is a statement that they are dangerous and cannot be controlled, that simply standing in a carpark they can bite you and it is not the owners fault. This will increase people's poor perception of rottweilers, (who can be lovely dogs).

This is a blow to all owners of reactive dogs. This will also reduce the ability and inclination of vets to provide veterinary care for these dogs, for if courts put all liability on the vet there is no health and safety policy that will allow vets to treat reactive dogs.

This dog appears to be an unsocialised, untrained, unneutered male dog, that had not been provided with the essential and appropriate veterinary and behaviour care to provide him with a life safe from fear, distress and violence. He was known to be problematic and yet neither muzzled, harnessed, or managed by a competent handler before entering into a situation that clearly requires such preparation. This blame falls squarely on the owner/guardian.

This situation and the result, is a tragedy for vets, rottweillers, reactive dogs, and most certainly both Chopper and the vet who have been most harmed by this.
Neither of them should ever have been put in this situation

It simply highlights how much more work we need to do to educate the public on how to give their pets a safe life.

06/07/2022

Bottom line: Try to notice the whispers, so your dog doesn’t have to shout!

03/07/2022

My dogs know their place.

Every year, I hope the people spewing nonsense about being pack leader, about being the alpha, about how you need to show the dog who’s boss, will disappear. Every year I’m hopeful that they will pick up a book (that isn’t written in their little echo chamber), do a course worth its salt, or even just watch the most basic YouTube video explaining why they are wrong.

Every year I am hopeful that I won’t see any more dogs wearing prong collars, e-collars, being strung up on a slip lead, being yanked back, alpha rolled, pinned to the ground, shaken, prodded, hissed at, kicked. Dogs that are just babies, dogs that are traumatised, dogs with behavioural problems that, whenever they ask for help or reassurance, are punished. Dogs that are petrified of something scary, only to be told “Stop crying!” as the thing they’re phobic of is drawn closer and closer to them.

Every year, I’m disappointed.

It’s 2022. The basis of this training was debunked DECADES ago. Why do people still feel it’s acceptable to treat dogs this way? To lazily slap the word “dominant” or “stubborn” on their foreheads and take that as an excuse to now treat them however they like.

Do freaking better.

“Oh, but my dog is a German shepherd/ Rottweiler/ staffie and they need a strong hand”

No. If you are incapable of handling a powerful dog without beating the crap out of it and walking it with ligatures, sometimes spiked ligatures, constricting their throat, seriously consider getting a smaller breed. It doesn’t make you look like a tough man, walking an incapacitated large breed dog, it makes you look like a coward. Nothing screams “I’m an incompetent trainer” like somebody reliant on choking their dog just to get them to walk nicely.

One day, we will look back as a society on the people who treat their dogs like this, and be totally repulsed. We will think “how did they get away with it?” I hoped, by 2022, we would be at that point already. But clearly not.

Yeah, my dogs know their place. It’s right beside me.

TLDR: you’re not the alpha, you’re insecure.

09/06/2022

Although it’s not illegal to have an unrestrained animal in your vehicle, pets should be safely restrained with an appropriate harness or restraint, in a cargo barrier, cage or crate.

Before going on any trip, read through our top tips on protecting your pets from a ruff car ride

🐾 If possible, try to get your pet used to being transported before any long trips to reduce stress. This can be done through gentle and patient training of the animal in the vehicle, making sure their experience is positive. Introduce them to short trips first. Build up to longer trips slowly and only when your pet is ready and coping well.

🐾 Pets can easily jump out of a vehicle’s windows, so keep windows up or slightly open. A rule of thumb: if your pet can get their head out then they can get completely out!

🐾 The safest way for a dog to travel in a vehicle is contained in a crate that has been securely anchored. An alternative is to use a properly fitted dog harness that has passed safety-tests and is securely attached to the vehicle as directed by the manufacturer.

🐾 If transporting a cat, keep them contained in a carry cage that is partially covered to make them feel more at ease; as cats can easily become scared in a car. The carrier must be ventilated and safely secured so it does not move around and hurt your cat.

🐾 Pets should be kept in the back seat of the car, rather than the front. This will prevent them from being injured if an airbag deploys.

🐾 Stop frequently during longer trips to allow your dog to exercise and go to the toilet. When leaving the car with your dog, they should always have a collar, ID tag, registration, and leash on.