Sheila Williams Dog Training

09/09/2024

Trigger warning- this video is hard to watch.
How do we call our dogs our best friends and members of the family, but still not be willing to "hear" them when they tell us they are uncomfortable, afraid, or in pain? Why is there this disconnect?

From Kommetjie Canine College (it wouldn't post intact and this is a wonderfully pointed comment):
One of the main ways that we evaluate whether we are doing a good job is to continually assess the emotional state of the dogs we are working with, whether it is in classes or private lessons. If we see ANY signs of anxiety, stress, fear, hesitation, reluctance to engage, displacement behaviours or any remote indication that a dog is uncomfortable, we assess what is causing that discomfort and work out what we can do to alleviate it IMMEDIATELY and prevent it from recurring in the future EVER again.
If the dogs we are working with are regularly uncomfortable or fearful, we are doing something seriously wrong and are completely failing as trainers. The fact that people happily share videos of their clients' dogs clearly terrified and traumatised is beyond comprehension. To not be able to see these emotions in a dog and call yourself a dog trainer is incredible. The level of ignorance or wilful blindness - or do some people actually think dogs should live in a state of fear - is staggering. It is unforgivable.
This is why we cannot and will not ever endorse or build bridges with people who believe it is okay to hurt and frighten dogs to get what they want. This sort of evidence cannot be ignored.

08/21/2024

08/20/2024

We should be condemning the use of shock collars, prong collars, and pain to train, not providing the trainers who use them with a platform, publicity, and legitimacy.

In a nutshell: "....certain trainers or behaviour experts who have always claimed to have the best interests of dogs at heart are joining hands with and promoting those who believe that it is quite okay to routinely inflict pain and fear on dogs to get them to do what you want."

I have been trying to ignore the latest drama in the dog training world, because honestly, it is just starting to get old and boring and most of us have better things to focus on. However, sadly, it has become apparent that the latest saga is affecting many of my colleagues and causing a lot of hurt and confusion for people who are genuinely trying to make sense of what is going on and why certain trainers or behaviour experts who have always claimed to have the best interests of dogs at heart are joining hands with and promoting those who believe that it is quite okay to routinely inflict pain and fear on dogs to get them to do what you want.

The people involved in this are not that surprising, as it is not the first time that most of them have gone down this road. I can only put it down to some underlying insecurity that drives certain people to want to "be like the cool kids" and join hands with balanced trainers to try and stay relevant or because they have run out of healthy ways to increase their followings. It is not incidental that social media is in a furore over this – in fact likely one of the main goals is to create hype and keep those involved in the public eye. There seems to be little thought given to the damage inflicted on dogs in the long run from their publicity stunts, the confusion created for the general public and the hurt to those in the industry who are actually in this to help dogs and promote welfare first.

The original campaign adverts using “superhero” imagery speak volumes about the egos and intentions of the people behind this. It is honestly just gross. They can phrase it all they like in terms of building bridges across the dog training world, but that is not what it is about, even if they are deluding themselves into believing that. It is about their own egos and publicity.

Yes, I am being judgemental and harsh, but I would no more interview or try to learn from a balanced trainer than I would a person who believes that any sort of domestic violence towards their family members (men, women or children) is justified and for their own good. It is honestly sickening.

I am also so tired of hearing about “The Science” and this being used as a weapon on both sides of the debate (anti and pro punishment). This is not about science. Dogs are not laboratory experiments. They are not a thesis. They are not there for us to carry out experiments on to find the quickest ways to get them to do what we want at all times. Dogs are sentient beings with intrinsic worth, who we should regard as part of our families. Our relationships with them should be governed by our ethics and values, not graphs and statistics.

Of course science has an important place in our understanding of behaviour and learning how best to handle problems that may arise (within ethical parameters), but I really would not give a damn if some scientific paper came along to “prove” that punishment would be more effective in a particular situation, because my relationship with my dogs is governed by love, trust and respect and not by what is most convenient or effective for getting my way.

I am more and more finding that I want to withdraw completely from the wider dog training space to my own little corner of the world, where I can hopefully make a difference in the lives of dogs and people in my actual community and avoid the continual merry-go-round of social media dog trainers. I sometimes wonder if any of these people still work with actual people and dogs in the real world or whether they only exist online? I know so many wonderful trainers, who while they may not be good at marketing or have an interest in becoming social media celebrities, do so much good in the lives of real people and dogs on the ground, that I think they are worth more than all these celebrity trainers put together. Perhaps dog training was never meant to be a career that brought fame. We often say that good training, done right, is as boring as watching paint dry, so maybe this is why those seeking fame have to continually invent drama to stay in the limelight.

So here is to all my colleagues, both my good friends here in South Africa and those I catch a glimpse of elsewhere across the world. To those of you doing your little bit in your community, improving welfare one dog and human at a time - you are making a real difference. Thank you for putting dogs and their people first and valuing human and animal welfare above fame and status. Keep doing what you are doing – you are the real heroes.

07/27/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/YUx81tH6c6GHv5mR/

Send a message to learn more

07/04/2024

For pet owners, parents, and people with PTSD- this a hack that greatly reduces the amount of noise coming into your home from fireworks, storms, etc. I recommend this to all of my dog training clients.

Do you have a dog that is afraid of fireworks, know someone with PTSD, have a baby who needs to sleep, or need to block sound coming into the house for other reasons? This hack will help.

The Box Fan Hack-
As a box fan pushes air through a space, air currents bounce off walls and break up sound waves (unlike a white noise machine). This disruption makes it difficult to pinpoint or perceive any specific sound outside a room and promotes an overall more relaxing environment.

Best used in a small space, like a bedroom, but is also effective in a larger room if you use a fan at each external wall.

You need a box fan for each external wall.

Set up the fan between the source of the triggering sound and your dog's resting area. Place the fan so it points toward an external wall or window blowing outwards against the wall. The fan must be blowing out, NOT into the room.

Note- you can use this in a smaller room with a smaller fan, but it works best with box fans.

I hope this provides comfort to you and/or your dog. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Adapted with credit to Kim Brophey of Family Dog Mediation.

Feel free to message me with any questions.

This video demonstrates Kim Brophy's "Box Fan Hack" - a technique used to help dogs who suffer from sound sensitivity, thunderstorm and fireworks phobias, an...

07/03/2024

06/30/2024

World watching is a great way to expose your dog to different things, e.g. people, dogs, kids, vehicles, bicycles, etc, from a safe distance that is comfortable for them.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1955439808147809

06/28/2024

🐾 Keep your furry friend safe this 4th of July by leaving them at home! 🏡

😢 It breaks my heart to see dogs in distress at fireworks displays. The loud noises and sudden bursts of light can be extremely frightening for our canine companions. I've witnessed dogs panicking and straining against their leashes in an attempt to escape the overwhelming stimuli.

😱 Let's prioritize our dogs' well-being and happiness by making the responsible choice to leave them at home during firework shows. It's the best way to ensure they stay calm, comfortable, and free from unnecessary fear and anxiety.

✅ Create a safe and peaceful environment for your hound by providing them with a secure and familiar
space at home. Turn on some soothing music, close the curtains, and consider using noise-cancelling techniques to help drown out the sound of fireworks.

🐶 Let's celebrate Independence Day while keeping our four-legged friends safe, content, and away from the stressful atmosphere of fireworks displays.

06/26/2024

Nope, positive reinforcement doesn’t work…. 😆😆😆

06/26/2024

06/24/2024

Hello dog owners! Do you know how to keep your dog safe in this crazy heat?

Every dog owner needs to be aware that their dog is vulnerable to varying degrees of heat stress. They should take the appropriate preventive measures, be able to recognize the early symptoms, and know the immediate steps to take if they suspect their dog is suffering from the heat or showing the first signs of heat stroke. As well, if you have a pet sitter or dog walker, make sure they are also aware of these criteria.

It doesn't have to be "hot" for your dog to suffer from heat stress; factors like exercise, age, physical condition, and breed all need to be considered.

If your dog is overweight, brachycephalic (pug, bulldog, boxer, Cavalier King Charles, Shih Tzu, etc), a senior dog, or a young dog, they are more vulnerable to heat.

Limit your dog's time outside, always have plenty of cool water available for them, monitor them carefully if they are outside alone, and remember that decks and patio pavers hold heat.

Walk your dog when it is cooler out, e.g. early morning or late evening.

Carry cool water with you when you walk your dog and stop for frequent shady water breaks.

Limit the type and duration of exercise to what is appropriate for your particular dog. And remember that just because you are up for a brisk 60 minute walk or 2 mile run doesn't mean your dog is going to be ok with it.

Early signs of heat stress include, but are not limited to:
Seeking shade
Limiting voluntary movement, e.g. not interested in play, food, and are sitting or laying down not wanting to move
Panting excessively and/or difficulty breathing, e.g. uncontrolled panting, tongue hanging long
Note: it is critical to know these early signs of heat stress; if you wait until your dog is vomiting, has diarrhea, or other advanced symptoms, your dog is in crisis and needs immediate medical care.

If your dog is showing any of the early signs of heat stress:
Stop the walk or exercise immediately, and provide water.
Get your dog into shade and/or moving air, e.g. fanning, air conditioning.
Dip their paws into cool water or if available, immerse in a water source e.g. a pool, stream, or hose.
Muzzles restrict the dog's ability to cool down; if your dog wears a muzzle, when safe, remove the muzzle.

Note- this information is in no way intended to replace veterinary advisement or care. When in doubt, if you suspect your dog is in distress from the heat, call your vet and/or get them immediate veterinary care. As well, this list is only a general guide and isn't intended to be all-inclusive; there are other factors, symptoms, degrees, and resolutions related to heat stress.

Sheila Williams CPDT-KA

Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for heat stroke in dogs on vcahospitals.com -- your trusted resource for pet health information.

06/15/2024

"....we need to recognise it as something we can try to improve upon our end, not theirs."

Most dogs will avoid conflict. We only have to see some of the videos floating round on social media to know that they will do anything not to hurt us.
Bites most often come after a thousand “no’s,” “please stops”, “I don’t like this.”
And where we have to or where we’ve missed something, we need to recognise it as something we can try to improve upon our end, not theirs.

05/14/2024

Long lead sniffy walks are awesome for both you and your dog!

https://www.facebook.com/reel/485546540484113

04/20/2024

"Instead of asking how to stop the growl, ask how to STOP THE REASON the dog is growling in the first place." - Pooch Parenting

I get this question all the time from parents:

"My dog growls at my kids. How do I stop this?"

Instead of asking how to stop the growl, ask how to STOP THE REASON the dog is growling in the first place.

For example, If your kids are too close, ask them to back up and invite the dog to them instead.

Parenting kids and dogs at the same time is hard.

Reach out if you are overwhelmed as a parent or as a dog pro without lots of kid experience. You are not alone - I can help.

03/27/2024

New puppy? Consider this-
"Before you took him home, that 8-week-old puppy spent every single moment of his little life in a cozy, warm scrum with his own kind. He was cheerily hanging out with his family doing everything that comes naturally to dogs: wrestling, biting, sniffing, chewing, and jumping. He was never alone. He had no idea you were going to swoop in, kidnap him, take him to a new planet and, here’s the kicker, suddenly be mad at him for everything that is prized in his culture."

Sometimes new owners tell me getting a puppy was supposed to be fun, but all I feel is stress. Here's what new owners need to remember.

03/24/2024

In addition to the items mentioned in the article below, it is important to remember that many of the products we use in our garden can be detrimental to our dogs' health. Colored mulch, fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, and decorative plants and weeds (datura, some lilies, nightshade, foxglove, geraniums, poison hemlock, tomato plants, etc.) for dogs.

Reading Time: 3 minutes Share onThe word toxic comes from the ancient Greek word toxikon, meaning “poison for arrows.” While swallowing poison darts rarely occurs among pets, here’s a list of foods that are dangerous to share with our best friends with four legs or feathers. Alcohol: Letting o...

03/24/2024

With Spring upon us, it is a great time to remind your clients of the poisonous dangers that their pets are more likely to come in contact with this time of year. In addition to plants, herbicides, and fertilizers, certain foods and household cleaners may pose a threat to pets as well. In honor of National Poison Prevention Awareness Week, share our blog on poisonous foods to keep away from pets with your clients!

https://bit.ly/3PoyYlg

01/22/2024

ENRICH MY LIFE!
The benefits of providing enrichment for dogs.
Imagine being kept in the same space each and every day. You know every blade of grass, every scent, every brick, every piece of fence. You have no books to read, no TV to watch, no one to talk to, no interaction with the outside world and absolutely nothing to do. Would this situation begin to affect your behaviour? Would this situation influence your emotional, mental or physical state? What about our dogs? Many dogs live in this type of situation and yet we wonder why they develop behaviour problems, bark excessively, destroy the garden, become over excited, over aroused or maybe just sleep all day having completely lost interest in their world. Many behaviour problems are caused by boredom, a lack of mental and physical stimulation or being confined to the same space every day. Providing enrichment for dogs is so important for their wellbeing and really doesn’t require that much effort from us.
The dog in the picture is my mom’s 17-year-old Spaniel, Candy. In her final few years, she struggled to walk, had cataracts, lost her hearing, developed a heart and lung condition, had doggie dementia and slept most of the time. This is one of my favourite pictures of her taken a few weeks before she passed. A simple box filled with scrunched up bits of paper with treats inside gave her a new lease on life, if only for a short time. She could lie down and use her nose and paws to find hidden treats and thoroughly enjoyed this. This is just one simple example of how we can add enrichment to our dog’s lives.
There are so many simple ways to provide enrichment. Older dogs may enjoy a ride in the car, sitting at a window watching the world go by, bringing the outside in – sticks, cones, grass etc. from different areas placed in a box for them to rummage through and smell, dinner in the park, or even just playing some doggie music will make a difference.
For more active dogs, creating a simple “surface circus” inside or outdoors will keep them busy for a while. Here’s a link to a video with some ideas of items that you probably have lying around that can be used - https://youtu.be/KuAWNJNIh2o - Spread a meal throughout the objects and let your dog “go find it”!
“Chronic inescapable boredom can be extremely aversive, and under-stimulation can harm neural, cognitive and behavioral flexibility.” - A biological perspective on animal boredom and suggestions for its scientific investigation by Charlotte Burn - The Royal Veterinary College

12/24/2023

To all our friends, clients, colleagues, and neighbors-

Henry, Maggie, and I all wish you and your pets a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year!

(Animation - Official Music Video; December 2022)This simple animation, drawn and directed by Sandra Boynton, offers a lively performance of an original doo-...

12/20/2023

Don't let anyone tell you that positive reinforcement doesn't work!

https://fb.watch/p2y_l3bQKx/

12/19/2023

What is on your dog's holiday wish list?

If you follow the advice in Patricia McConnell's wonderful blog, you will be giving your dog the best gift ever!

While feeling a bit reflective, and thinking about what to write today, I went into the archives to see what I’d written this month ten years ago. I ran into this post, which I’d forgotten about, and decided it deserved to come out of moth balls, like some Christmas tree decorations stashed in t...

12/01/2023

Vets and an infectious disease specialist discuss what they know about the canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC).

Technical, but good research-based information.

11/24/2023

This is a good overview of the highly infectious canine respiratory illness that is going around.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/11/23/1214951367/could-a-funky-pathogen-be-sickening-dogs-scientists-search-for-clues?fbclid=IwAR2RxpeoUOqy0W_l-pQ42GIZY1zMVMR00CFpoENsYU9nw_AcMgPpn3UUc3Y

Dogs around the country are becoming sick with an unknown respiratory illness. Some veterinarians are warning dog owners to take precautions. A strange bacterium could be involved.

11/21/2023

Very little is known at this time about this respiratory illness. Please make sure your pets are up to date on vaccinations per usual, but also consider bordatella (if they don't already get it) and canine influenza.

Because this respiratory illness is so contagious, please weigh the risks of taking your dog to the dog park, daycare, or boarding situations.

Veterinary laboratories in several states are investigating an unusual respiratory illness in dogs. Oregon, Colorado and New Hampshire are among the states that have seen cases of the illness.