Did you know that the white tips on their tails actually have a name? The shepherd’s lantern is commonly seen in border collies, Australian shepherds, and other herding (and some non-herding) breeds!
Legend has it that human shepherds followed the white tips to find their way home in low light conditions. The veracity of that story is up for debate but it does make for a cool tidbit.
Regardless of the origin story, it’s a characteristic that we’ve come to love. Does your dog have a shepherd’s lantern?
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #animaltraining #bordercollie #australianshepherd #animalwelfare #dogseparationanxiety #dogswithanxiety #dogsofinstagram #dogsofsingapore #singaporedogs #singaporepets #caninebehavior #reactivedog #enrichment #caninebehaviour #cooperativecare #behaviorconsultant #caninefitness #caninefitnesstraining #puppy #puppyclass #catsofinstagram #cattraining #puppytraining #puppiesofinstagram #petsofinstagram #muzzle #muzzleddogs #petcoachsg
It’s no secret, we like our @lunewuf gear. When they showed us the AustriAlpin Cobra buckles, we had to get one.
On to the review proper, we narrowed it down to two main tests: weight and strength.
Imagine walking around with an anchor around your neck. Now imagine that same scenario but you’re now a quadruped and your neck is parallel to the ground. 24.7g doesn’t sound like a lot but relative to the collar which is only around 100g, that’s a ton of weight.
Nobody wants a flimsy collar that will break at the slightest tug (looking at you sh*tty plastic buckles). The AustriAlpin Cobra buckle is properly stress-tested and strength-rated. It is, in our opinion, well worth to upgrade from the regular buckle.
@lunewuf also provides a re-webbing service so you can basically reuse the hardware forever! As with all gear, periodic checks and proper maintenance are necessary. If you notice fraying in the webbing, reach out to them!
To summarise, lightweight customisable collar that we trust will not fail on us.
P.S. as with all products we review, we paid for this with our own money.
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #animaltraining #animalwelfare #dogseparationanxiety #dogswithanxiety #dogsofinstagram #dogsofsingapore #singaporedogs #singaporepets #caninebehavior #reactivedog #enrichment #caninebehaviour #cooperativecare #behaviorconsultant #caninefitness #caninefitnesstraining #puppy #puppyclass #catsofinstagram #cattraining #puppytraining #puppiesofinstagram #petsofinstagram #muzzle #muzzleddogs #petcoachsg
We’ve talked about sitting postures before and how important it is to our dogs.
Practice the tuck and/or hop sit in order to achieve fitness perfection! We’re working on core engagement, rear end strengthening, and limb coordination.
Full disclosure: unless your dog is already familiar with tucking when going into a sit, these two exercises will not be as easy as they look.
Two factors determine the success of the exercise; handler mechanics (i.e., how you lure them into the sit) and maintaining front feet position. Build value into keep their front feet still first. The luring motion should be towards you; you “pull” the dog to you thus achieving the tucking movement.
Anyone can do a sit pretty (but you shouldn’t), that’s easy. Try this one out and let us know how it goes!
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #animaltraining #animalwelfare #dogseparationanxiety #dogswithanxiety #dogsofinstagram #dogsofsingapore #singaporedogs #singaporepets #caninebehavior #reactivedog #enrichment #caninebehaviour #cooperativecare #behaviorconsultant #caninefitness #caninefitnesstraining #puppy #puppyclass #catsofinstagram #cattraining #puppytraining #puppiesofinstagram #petsofinstagram #muzzle #muzzleddogs #petcoachsg
Do we use treats in our training? Yes. Are they the only reinforcers we have at our disposal? No.
The key is finding what works for your dog in a particular instance; be it a ball, an exaggerated head scratch, or even cueing your dog to go sniff! Thus the term rewards-based training and not food-based training.
That being said, what about the times when your dog simply won’t respond to any “reward” or distractor? Perhaps we’ve pushed the boundaries a bit too much and the environment simply does not allow your dog to function “normally”.
Take a step back (in some cases literally), recalibrate your training, and find ways to help your dog succeed.
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #animaltraining #animalwelfare #dogseparationanxiety #dogswithanxiety #dogsofinstagram #dogsofsingapore #singaporedogs #singaporepets #caninebehavior #reactivedog #enrichment #caninebehaviour #cooperativecare #behaviorconsultant #caninefitness #caninefitnesstraining #puppy #puppyclass #catsofinstagram #cattraining #puppytraining #puppiesofinstagram #petsofinstagram #muzzle #muzzleddogs #petcoachsg
Is there a right way to hold your treats? Well, not really.
But there’s definitely a better way! Handler mechanics are important in dog training; the clearer we are, the more successful the training. And this extends to how we hold and present the reward. Remember, your lure hand is what guides them into your desired position.
And if your dog is particularly excitable and can get nippy, try it out and let us know how it goes!
P.S. we always gradually fade the food lure once the positions are on point.
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #animaltraining #animalwelfare #dogseparationanxiety #dogswithanxiety #dogsofinstagram #dogsofsingapore #singaporedogs #singaporepets #caninebehavior #reactivedog #enrichment #caninebehaviour #cooperativecare #behaviorconsultant #caninefitness #caninefitnesstraining #puppy #puppyclass #catsofinstagram #cattraining #puppytraining #puppiesofinstagram #petsofinstagram #muzzle #muzzleddogs #petcoachsg
Our favourite canine fitness equipment may surprise you!
Inflatables are sexy there’s no doubt about it but a properly designed programme will rarely include them until the dog has built a solid foundation on stable surfaces.
Here’s how and why we selected our top 3:
1. Rubber Feed Pans (STABLE) - these are grippy, stable, and affordable. You can find them easily on Amazon and they ship to Singapore! We use Little Giant ones as they barely have any give when you press on them. You can use them to teach the stack, pivot, bows, etc; possibilities are endless!
2. Foam balance pads (COMPLIANT) - an essential in every home, these are cheap, lightweight, and provide a comfy surface for your dogs to step on. Don’t bother with the “branded” ones, any Shopee one will work the same. You can do proper downs, tuck sits, etc with them. You can also use them to strengthen your own ankles!
3. @blue9petproducts Propel Air Platform (COMPLIANT-UNSTABLE) - the only inflatable in the list; and one of the best on the market. They don’t flip over as easily as other inflatables, they have markings to aid in alignment, there are attachment points to connect two or more Propel platforms, we could go on and on. We use them a lot when doing core work.
What is your favourite fitness and conditioning equipment?
P.S. stay tuned to find out what stable, compliant, and unstable means in terms of canine fitness and conditioning!
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #animaltraining #animalwelfare #dogseparationanxiety #dogswithanxiety #dogsofinstagram #dogsofsingapore #singaporedogs #singaporepets #caninebehavior #reactivedog #enrichment #caninebehaviour #cooperativecare #behaviorconsultant #caninefitness #caninefitnesstraining #puppy #puppyclass #catsofinstagram #cattraining #puppytraining #puppiesofinstagram #petsofinstagram #muzzle #muzzleddogs #petcoachsg
It’s a wrap for our very first Nosework workshop!
We couldn’t have asked for a calmer group of dogs and a more pleasant group of people. Also, big thanks to @tailsup.sg for letting us use their space; having the garden to let the dogs decompress and stretch their legs is a huge plus point!
Thanks to all our participants for letting us bring this to fruition!
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #animaltraining #animalwelfare #dogseparationanxiety #dogswithanxiety #dogsofinstagram #dogsofsingapore #singaporedogs #singaporepets #caninebehavior #reactivedog #enrichment #caninebehaviour #cooperativecare #behaviorconsultant #caninefitness #caninefitnesstraining #puppy #puppyclass #nosework #scentwork #catsofinstagram #cattraining #puppytraining #puppiesofinstagram #petsofinstagram #muzzle #muzzleddogs #petcoachsg
Here’s a fun and easy trick to add to your repertoire!
We like doing target training as it’s an effective way to move animals from point A to B while making it fun for them. You can use anything as your target!
The steps are simple; present target, their nose boops it, mark and reward! That’s it. Gradually build distance between target touches and practice in different environments.
Watch till the end for a surprise! Yes, we’ve done this with several species 😉
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #animaltraining #animalwelfare #dogseparationanxiety #dogswithanxiety #dogsofinstagram #dogsofsingapore #singaporedogs #singaporepets #caninebehavior #reactivedog #enrichment #caninebehaviour #cooperativecare #behaviorconsultant #caninefitness #caninefitnesstraining #puppy #puppyclass #catsofinstagram #cattraining #puppytraining #puppiesofinstagram #petsofinstagram #muzzle #muzzleddogs #petcoachsg
Here are 5 myth-conceptions about Separation Anxiety you may have heard before!
1. Saying goodbye to your dog. Doing this will NOT cause your dog to develop separation anxiety; we’re not even sure who came up with ridiculous notion.
2. Tire your dog out. Emotional dysregulation cannot be resolved with more exercise. Just because your dog is too tired to perform stress-related behaviours does not mean they are not stressed.
3. Give them a chew. We’ve all heard this one before; “pair your leaving with something tasty”. That’s a good way to get your dog to hate a certain chew/food, amongst many other reasons.
4. Crate them! Some people advise crating dogs because they get destructive when no one is home. You are NOT resolving the issue by doing so; instead you are putting your dog at risk of injury as they try to claw their way out, and/or you’re going to end up with a dog that hates going into crates.
5. Showing too much affection. Now this one is simply absurd. How does one define “too much” anyway?
Separation anxiety sucks, there’s no other way to put it. Unfortunately it can also develop spontaneously or after a traumatic episode.
There are tons of “advice” out there that may seem sound on the surface but be careful which you follow as some can be downright harmful.
There’s a reason why Certified Separation Anxiety Trainers (CSAT) do not use food nor crates to treat it. If your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, reach out to us now.
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #animaltraining #animalwelfare #dogseparationanxiety #dogswithanxiety #dogsofinstagram #dogsofsingapore #singaporedogs #singaporepets #caninebehavior #reactivedog #enrichment #caninebehaviour #cooperativecare #behaviorconsultant #caninefitness #caninefitnesstraining #puppy #puppyclass #catsofinstagram #cattraining #puppytraining #puppiesofinstagram #petsofinstagram #muzzle #muzzleddogs #petcoachsg
After a year of coursework, case studies, and exams, Webster is now the first Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer (CPCFT) in Singapore!
Canine fitness and conditioning plays a crucial role in muscular strength building, injury prevention, and even confidence building. We exercise to keep fit as we age, our dogs are no different.
Getting certified means that not only are we competent in formulating custom needs-based fitness programmes, but we will also ensure that your dog’s safety is ALWAYS at the forefront.
We’re excited to help you kickstart your canine fitness journey!
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #animaltraining #animalwelfare #dogseparationanxiety #dogswithanxiety #dogsofinstagram #dogsofsingapore #singaporedogs #singaporepets #caninebehavior #reactivedog #enrichment #caninebehaviour #cooperativecare #behaviorconsultant #caninefitness #caninefitnesstraining #puppy #puppyclass #catsofinstagram #cattraining #puppytraining #puppiesofinstagram #petsofinstagram #muzzle #muzzleddogs #petcoachsg
Don’t just focus on your dog’s hind legs when they sit! Sloppy sits can happen in the front end too.
Just like in humans, sloppy sitting in the long term just isn’t healthy. Prevention is always better than cure; getting your dog started on fitness and conditioning early is better than having to wait till they need physio or rehab.
Reach out to us for more info!
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #animaltraining #animalwelfare #dogseparationanxiety #dogswithanxiety #dogsofinstagram #dogsofsingapore #singaporedogs #singaporepets #caninebehavior #reactivedog #enrichment #caninebehaviour #cooperativecare #behaviorconsultant #caninefitness #caninefitnesstraining #puppy #puppyclass #catsofinstagram #cattraining #puppytraining #puppiesofinstagram #petsofinstagram #muzzle #muzzleddogs #petcoachsg
Previously we talked about what you should do in the event of a snake encounter. In this reel we show you the species you should REALLY avoid.
King Cobra: World’s longest venomous snake, brown or khaki in colour. Can definitely kill but is generally conflict averse and will rather escape.
Equatorial Spitting Cobra or Black Spitting Cobra: Black in colour duh. Spits venom duh. Will aim for eyes and can spit from a distance. Flighty and feisty; retreat if you see one.
Shore Pit Viper and Wagler’s Pit Viper: Mostly arboreal but may venture down to the ground. Will not chase you so just leave them alone.
Blue Coral and Banded Coral Snakes: Dwell in leaf litter so for those of you who go hashing please be careful. They’re both highly toxic and there’s no antivenom available locally.
Banded Krait: Really not that common and rather sedentary so just leave it alone if you see one. It’s blatantly striped so you know it’s dangerous.
In general we just don’t allow our dogs to interact with any wildlife for the safety of all parties. Always maintain a safe distance if you see one!
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #animaltraining #animalwelfare #dogseparationanxiety #dogswithanxiety #dogsofinstagram #dogsofsingapore #singaporedogs #singaporepets #caninebehavior #reactivedog #enrichment #caninebehaviour #cooperativecare #behaviorconsultant #caninefitness #puppy #puppyclass #catsofinstagram #cattraining #puppytraining #puppiesofinstagram #petsofinstagram #muzzle #muzzleddogs #petcoachsg
Having trouble feeding medication to your dog?
Try this easy hack that we swear by! Alternate between different types of organs for best results.
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #animaltraining #animalwelfare #dogseparationanxiety #dogswithanxiety #dogsofinstagram #dogsofsingapore #singaporedogs #singaporepets #caninebehavior #reactivedog #enrichment #caninebehaviour #cooperativecare #behaviorconsultant #caninefitness #puppy #puppyclass #catsofinstagram #cattraining #puppytraining #puppiesofinstagram #petsofinstagram #muzzle #muzzleddogs #petcoachsg
We’re excited to launch our inaugural Nosework Workshop!
Look no further if you’ve ever wanted to maximise your dog’s olfactory potential. The skills imparted in this workshop can be incorporated at home (and indeed anywhere) as an enriching activity for both you and your puppers.
Please express your interest in the link provided below and in our bio (more details can be found there too). As this will be held in a group setting and to ensure a fun and safe environment for all, we may have to be selective with our participants.
Link: https://forms.gle/rUak36WZAgawzyu36
*For existing @tailsup.sg doggos, head over to their page for exclusive perks 😉
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #animaltraining #animalwelfare #dogseparationanxiety #dogswithanxiety #dogsofinstagram #dogsofsingapore #singaporedogs #singaporepets #caninebehavior #reactivedog #enrichment #caninebehaviour #cooperativecare #behaviorconsultant #caninefitness #puppy #puppyclass #catsofinstagram #cattraining #puppytraining #puppiesofinstagram #petsofinstagram #muzzle #muzzleddogs #petcoachsg
Have you taught your dog the “middle”!
Not only is it a nifty trick to add to your repertoire, it can also come in handy in some sketchy situations. Here’s how we teach it!
Walk-through: when you’re in front of your dog, lure him in between your legs, stop and reward with the lure. This is easiest but not always the best.
Swing-around: a lot more practical in real life as your dog won’t always be behind you. Lure from whatever position your dog is in (usually at your side) and under your legs.
Pull-back: this is the flashiest and probably the hardest the teach. Your dog should have good rear end awareness to pull this off. When dog is in front of you, lure towards you and swing their head around so the rest of the body follows and ends up between your legs.
Whichever you try, just remember to have fun doing it! Full disclosure, we totally made up the names of the techniques. But you heard it here first.
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #animaltraining #animalwelfare #dogseparationanxiety #dogswithanxiety #dogsofinstagram #dogsofsingapore #singaporedogs #singaporepets #caninebehavior #reactivedog #enrichment #caninebehaviour #cooperativecare #behaviorconsultant #caninefitness #puppy #puppyclass #catsofinstagram #cattraining #puppytraining #puppiesofinstagram #petsofinstagram #muzzle #muzzleddogs #petcoachsg