Small Town Pup

08/20/2024

Guilty

08/17/2024

♥️🐾🐕

So many of the things that people consider 'behaviour problems' in dogs are in fact perfectly normal and instinctive canine behaviours that stretch back over their evolution. The problem is that these behaviours can be inconvenient and potentially problematic in human homes.

Understanding dogs, where they came from and the traits that were vital to their survival in the past, lets us see that we need to provide ways for our dogs to carry out these behaviours. It is a vital part of ensuring their welfare and mentioned in the Five Freedoms - the freedom to express natural behaviour.

Of course we don't want them chewing the furniture, shredding the cushions, digging up the flowerbeds etc. The key is to find ways to let them carry out these behaviours that both they and we find appropriate and acceptable.

A child's sandpit filled with dirt or sand makes a great digging spot, and you can hide things in there for them to find. Alternatively, select a specific spot in the garden and direct the dog there if you find them digging elsewhere.

Make sure they have plenty of appropriate chewing material and redirect them to a chew if they start nibbling on the sofa or the chair leg.

Provide soft toys to be eviscerated to save the cushions. The great thing with soft toys is that you can restuff them and sew them up - often several times before they are beyond repair. Charity shops can also be good sources of budget friendly soft toys for this purpose (always making sure they are safe with no bits the dog may swallow).

Shredding dogs often also love cardboard. Use the household recycling to fill a cardboard box with things like egg boxes, other pieces of cardboard, packing paper and so on, anything that is dog safe. Scatter their food or some treats through the box contents and let them hunt the food out and then have a great time shredding the box and contents. Yes there is a little clearing up that needs to be done, but it saves the furniture or other items from destruction.

With a little imagination it's simple to come up with ways to fulfil these natural drives and your dog will definitely thank you for it. 🧡

08/16/2024

♥️🐾🐕

08/13/2024

💪⚡This is a piece of information that will keep you from banging your head against a wall over and over again and this knowledge can really help ALL dogs.
Reactive dogs.✅
Anxious dogs✅
Over excited dogs✅
I know the terminology used by some in the industry is complicated (esp if you are just beginning to help your dog through this difficult time) and this page will always try to break down often difficult/complex issues so they can be more easily understood.
Understanding this concept will change how you work with your reactive dog.

Many clients attempt desensitisation work or begin counter conditioning when their dog is already over their threshold and the trigger is way too close.
We cannot dictate where to start this work....your dogs body language will let you know.
If your dog needs 20 metres from another dog to be at a 2 - 3 great !
If they need 50 metres from a trigger to be at a low level, then insisting on a closer interaction will not help them, they decide what is too close to a trigger, not us.

Distraction is NOT a long term solution for reactivity.....it sometimes has its place, but hiding and distraction are very temporary "solutions”.
If you have a reactive dog, there is hope, you can do this!

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08/09/2024

need this

08/09/2024

08/06/2024

♥️

THE BLAME GAME
Is a dog’s “bad” behaviour a reflection of, or the fault of their guardian?

In some cases, yes – abuse, neglect, unmet needs etc., but this isn’t what this post is about.

This is about having a dog that behaves “badly” no matter how knowledgeable and experienced a dog guardian may be or no matter how much socialization or training that dog has had.

Some dogs are just different and more difficult than others and it’s not your fault.

Puppies are certainly not a blank slate. We cannot always mold a dog into what we want them to be. We can try our best to do everything right, but genetics, individuality, early life experiences, learning experiences, trauma - all play a role in how a dog behaves.

Behaviour is driven by emotion and emotions are not something that we have control over. Just like we cannot control how another person feels or reacts to something.

One of my dogs is difficult. She is highly sensitive, reactive, unsociable, introverted and suspicious of other people and other dogs.

I know first hand how it feels to be judged, blamed, feel embarrassed, isolated, frustrated, angry and resentful.

Surely it must be my fault – I must be doing something wrong, especially as a behaviour consultant, if I can’t even control the behaviour of my own dog? What will people think?

It took me a long time to accept her for who she is, to ignore the judgement, the blame and all the negative feelings that go with it.

It has taken a long time of consistent work, managing the environment, understanding and supporting her to see glimmers of positive change in her behaviour and accepting that she will never be perfect.

My own experiences with my “difficult” dog have gifted me empathy, understanding, compassion and relatability for those who have similar difficulties.

Our dog’s behaviour is not a reflection on us.

Keep working on what you can change and accept what you can’t.

08/06/2024

Walking to heel is something that can be really useful, but it's so much better for our dogs if, when it's safe and practical to do so, they have a little more room.

The common picture of loose lead walking is of a dog trotting right by our side, perhaps looking up at us. Again, that's useful at times - maybe passing other users of the pavement while making sure everyone has room, but it is not allowing the dog to make the most of their walk.

Let them have more room when possible - as long as it is safe and the lead is loose, does it really matter if they're a little off to the side? A couple of paces behind? Even (😳) a little in front?

The picture here is an extreme example, as we were off road but heading back towards the car park, and I wanted to keep my dog from rushing off towards where there may be cars moving. But there is no doubt at all that he is still on a loose lead. 😊

08/02/2024

While dog training plays a useful role in building a harmonious relationship with our canine companions, living ethically with dogs also involves respecting their inherent dogness and acknowledging their need to practice natural behaviours. Recognising that dogs have their unique instincts, drives, and desires allows guardians to create an environment that caters to these innate tendencies. By providing opportunities for dogs to engage in species-specific activities such as sniffing, digging, and foraging, we enrich their lives, promote mental well-being, and strengthen our bond with them. In essence, fostering an ethical relationship with dogs goes beyond training, encompassing a profound understanding and appreciation of their true nature.

The ISCP is built on these fundamental ethics. Join us today!
https://www.theiscp.com/

07/29/2024

♥️I have them all ♥️

07/28/2024

🐾♥️🐾

Mantra time..."What is rewarded is repeated"✅
This is a simple and powerful message. 🏋️‍♀️
A few things to remember with this though and your timing needs to be clear too.
If you can be more 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.✅
It isn't hard to do.
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.

07/24/2024

Read this !!!

07/09/2024

♥️🐾👃

Encouraging dogs to sniff on walks is not only natural and instinctual for them but also has many benefits for their physical and mental well-being.

Sniffing provides mental stimulation for dogs, which is important for their overall mental health.

A good sniff also helps them to learn about their environment, identify scents, and understand the world around them. Through sniffing they can also release pent-up energy, which can help to reduce behavioural problems.

Additionally, sniffing can help to alleviate stress and anxiety in dogs, making them feel more relaxed and comfortable on walks.

07/04/2024

Aversive dog training methods rely on force and intimidation, both negatively impact a dog's brain chemistry and welfare.

This treatment of dogs causes stress, leading to the release of cortisol and adrenaline, which can result in anxiety and fear. Over time, chronic stress may impair the dog's ability to learn, develop trust, and form healthy bonds with their guardian.

Increased stress also suppresses serotonin production, a neurotransmitter crucial for mood regulation, ultimately diminishing the dog's overall well-being and happiness.

Become a force free dog trainer with The ISCP https://www.theiscp.com/challenge-page/online-dog-trainingcourse

07/03/2024

🎆🐾 Happy 4th from primepaw! 🇺🇸✨ Here are some essential training tips to help prepare your pup for the holiday:

1️⃣ Exercise your pup early in the day so it’s easier for them to relax in the evening.
2️⃣ Bring your pup inside and ensure they have all identification tags on. Block any “escape routes” within the home.
3️⃣ Keep all human food and alcohol out of paw’s reach during BBQs and gatherings.
4️⃣ Play background noise to help drown out fireworks. Provide water, high-value chews, and a comfortable resting place.

Let’s make this holiday safe and enjoyable for everyone, including our furry friends! 🐶❤️

07/02/2024

Growling is valuable communication. It is the dog telling us that they are uncomfortable and need space.

If we ignore (or even worse, punish) the growl they may realise it does no good and escalate to a more severe action. This is when we hear that the dog 'bit out of the blue' or 'with no warning'.

The truth is that there were warnings, but they were ignored or suppressed and so from the dog's persepctive didn't work to help them feel safer.

It may be that the reason for the growl is something that needs working on (resource guarding, for example) in which case find an educated and experienced kind canine professional to create a plan to address the underlying issue.

Be thankful for the warning power of the growl and respect it to help your dog feel safer and more comfortable in their world.

06/28/2024

We use too many words in training..
GREAT INFORMATION

I often find it interesting to listen to people with their dogs and the cues that they use to ask their dogs to do something and what I will often hear is that they have several different ways of saying the same thing.

“Come!”
“Come here.”
“Here!”
“Rex, come.”
“Here, Rex!”
“Come here, Rex!”
“Get back here!”

This list comes from listening to one person with their dog (not actually named Rex!) trying to recall their dog in a field. There were more and slightly more colourful ones as the situation progressed, and Rex was loping around the field happily. I did actually after helping them to corral their dog (I had no dog with me at the time) ask the why they used so many different terms to recall their dog.

“It’s all the same thing,” they replied.

To our human brains, maybe, but not to dogs. To think that all of these words and word combinations are the same requires understanding the words themselves to extrapolate the meaning. To us they all mean the same thing, but it does not work in the same way for dogs.

Dogs learn cues by making associations. They associate a sound with a result or an action. Say you’ve trained your dog to recall using food rewards. They understand that the cue word you have chosen means they come to you, and they then get something nice. Do they actually understand the word? No, but they know if they do this thing they get good stuff.

Does this mean they can’t learn the other words mentioned above? Well, no… but it confuses the issue, especially as we may not put in as much practice with the other words than we did with the initial cue.

Dogs don’t speak English/French/Spanish/Portuguese or any other human language. We are communicating with them in a language that they don’t understand. One of the best ways we can help to make life simple for them is to be as consistent as possible in the language we use with them, especially when it comes to the important stuff like recall.

Consistent results come from clear consistent cues.

(It is also important to make sure we are not always recalling dogs away from interesting things - there's nothing more likely to ruin a recall than it always coming when they have found an interesting sniff or something similar! If it's safe for them to explore and not causing issues for any others there, let them take some time to just do dog things. 🐶)

06/28/2024

Who's 🚗 needs a 🛁

We are going to take our chances on whether we dance in the rain or embrace the sunshine. Either way we are here to add a shine to your weekend 👇👇

06/20/2024

♥️♥️

Positive reinforcement in dog training is ethical because it rewards desired behaviours, fostering trust and respect. It avoids fear and aggression, common in punishment-based methods, promoting a happier, more confident dog. This approach is effective and compassionate, ensuring dogs learn in a humane way. Canine Principles only uses ethical and kind methods with both dogs and people.