Happy K9 Training

21/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/18meeMdj1Q/

ARE YOU MANAGING?
Are you managing your dog’s environment to prevent or improve unwanted behaviour?

As people, we tend to prefer and look for the more complicated solutions to problems. This tendency is termed “complexity bias” - the tendency to prefer complicated explanations and solutions instead of looking for the simpler ones.

Surely a complicated, time consuming, detailed solution has to be more effective, superior, impressive, or correct?

Complexity bias is so relevant when it comes to changing a dog’s unwanted behaviour. We often get so stuck on trying to modify behaviour through counter conditioning, desensitization or detailed training plans when sometimes the simplest solution to the problem lies in simply managing the environment.

Dogs will do what dogs do – when an opportunity arises to help themselves to food left on a table, to bark at the gate at anyone passing by, to have a drink from that big water bowl at the perfect height, that we call a toilet, to running off with irresistibly smelly dirty underwear, to rummaging through bins in search of anything that may or may not be edible, to running out an opened door in search of adventure - the list is long - dogs will be dogs.

Parents of little children use management all the time without giving it much thought. Baby locks on cupboards, covers on electrical sockets, valuable or dangerous items put far out of reach, fences and locks around pools, etc.

We wouldn’t just train a toddler not to stick their fingers in an electrical socket, not to open cupboards, not to touch a hot plate – it’s far safer, simpler and logical to first manage the environment, to prevent potential incidents.

The same principle should apply to managing a dog’s environment to prevent unwanted behaviour.

The more a behaviour is practiced the more difficult it is to prevent. The more a behaviour is rehearsed the better dogs become at it.

Preventing the behaviour from happening in the first place by using management is the logical, simple and effective way to address it.

Be a good manager – it’s far less stressful, for both us and our dogs.

20/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19esf8NrVG/

What is the solution to barking at something outside a window ❓
We have just finished making a video on this very subject.
Why is it SO important to stop it ?
How do you actually stop this behaviour ?
Link in the comments to a video.
Well worth a looksie 👀✅

🙂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 etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collection of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

19/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DkEWiHdx6/

Such a struggle for some dogs to just stop and rest.❗
The graphic is full of some good tips ....but we have also just added a new video covering exactly how to start place work/mat training which helps ENORMOUSLY with dogs that struggle to calm down.
It also covers DOWN and STAY which I know many struggle with too.
Link in comments.

Yes..this graphic is available in the new shop (details in comments too ). 🙂

18/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/1XLCrB5FNc/

Such a struggle for some dogs to just stop and rest.❗
The graphic is full of some good tips ....but we have also just added a new video covering exactly how to start place work/mat training which helps ENORMOUSLY with dogs that struggle to calm down.
It also covers DOWN and STAY which I know many struggle with too.
Link in comments.

Yes..this graphic is available in the new shop (details in comments too ). 🙂

14/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/14epw4MYGs/

TRIGGER STACKING – WHEN BEHAVIOUR HAPPENS “OUT OF THE BLUE”

We’ve all had those days when nothing seems to go right and one frustrating thing after another happens to us, leaving us feeling wound up, stressed and ready to explode at the next unsuspecting person who dares to ask us something.

This “unsuspecting” person may think we have a serious behaviour problem or need anger management therapy, when the truth is that we’ve just had a really bad day or even a few bad days and don’t usually behave like this at all.

Dogs are no different and a behaviour that seems completely out of character or happens “out of the blue” is often caused by “trigger stacking”.

A trigger may be anything that increases a dog’s stress levels and has a negative impact on their emotional, mental or physical state.

These may be small things that we may not even notice or seem insignificant to us, but they are all adding to an increasing “stack” of events that may culminate in out of character behaviour.

When stress levels reach a certain point, the next stressful event, however small, may cause an explosive reaction that is completely unexpected.

Instead of just focusing on a particular behaviour and seeing it as a problem that needs to be prevented, take a step backwards, look at the bigger picture, look at events, circumstances or environmental factors that may have played a role leading up to that behaviour.

Being aware of potential stressors and allowing your dog time to decompress, relax and unwind for a few days will often mean the difference between “normal behaviour” and a behaviour that seems completely out of character.

13/11/2024

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/11/09/puppies-training-working-service-dogs/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzMxMTI4NDAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzMyNTEwNzk5LCJpYXQiOjE3MzExMjg0MDAsImp0aSI6ImYzNGEyY2UyLTkyNGQtNGQ5OC05ZTI4LTQwNjVkYjNkYjQ4YiIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS93ZWxsbmVzcy8yMDI0LzExLzA5L3B1cHBpZXMtdHJhaW5pbmctd29ya2luZy1zZXJ2aWNlLWRvZ3MvIn0.sD5YHX3fmGbA2YD0sD3YFmSQ9U7mIvTTnatTRucMJPo&fbclid=IwY2xjawGdBVxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHeDuJuSjbKD000TVIc3lHcnIOaPzZfN4Kc35XGHcYYU4zY1NQUDPT86tLg_aem_dpg88iRwZtpKoY3ZEBuroA

For now, there is no way to predict which dogs will make good workers, but canine behavioral scientists are trying to change that.

12/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/1591hxFw9x/

Put your hand out... just let him sniff your hand ❌
She's nervy with anyone new, just crouch down ❌
Oh heck no....
I appreciate approaching a dog is also unique to each individual dog and the situation you are in at the time but please don't approach a dog you do not know with an outstretched hand or crouch down.
There are reasons hands and faces are the most bitten parts on a human.
Crouching down puts you in a position where you are unable to move quickly, and because you don't know this dog (and they do not know you).....you may need to move away very quickly.

A sniff of a hand is NOT permission from a dog to touch them.
It doesn't mean you are now friends and have built trust, it means they sniffed your hand which was thrust right in front of them.

Many dogs will very warily get closer and sniff an outstretched hand then immediately back off if they sense you are suddenly nervous around them, they register your respiration/heart rate has changed (some are aware your adrenaline has risen too).... and they may bite that same hand if they feel threatened enough.

Your hand is in very easy reach for them.
As is your face if you crouch down.....

🙂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 etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collection of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

11/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/183uLo8KFw/

WHEN SECONDS COUNT

This post is not advocating that dogs meet every other dog, but about how to go about it, if and when it does happen, in a safer way.

The 3 second rule for dogs meeting each other is used as a guideline to help foster positive introductions, prevent either dog from feeling overwhelmed or trapped and prevent any potential reactivity and stress.

A short 3 second introduction is enough time to provide important information to both dogs.

Enough information for dogs to know – “are you a threat?”, “do I like you?”, “do I want to learn more about you?”, “do I really dislike you?”, “do I need you to go away?” etc. Both dogs may not feel the same way – one may not be happy to engage while the other may want to.

All interactions should ideally happen like this, not just initially. Just like us, dogs can have off days – things like pain, trigger stacking, lack of sleep or a host of other reasons can influence whether a dog wants to interact or not.

There are countless times I have witnessed meetings or introductions between dogs that have gone on just a few seconds too long and have not ended well. This can have long lasting effects on future behaviour when meeting other dogs.

Understanding body language is critically important. If we are going to share our lives with another species, protect them, advocate for them and help them feel safe, then we need to understand and respect their language.

The examples in this post of red and green flags are just a few general ones to look out for – there are many more and these will differ depending on the individual dog, context and circumstances.

Here are some resources and links to learn more about body language -
On Talking Terms With Dogs - Calming Signals, 2nd Edition by Turid Rugaas
https://www.dogwise.com/on-talking-terms-with-dogs-calming-signals-2nd-edition/?srsltid=AfmBOoqj8ruQJx5bCP7qWb03TqCyAGfmAvCj988UuWk_L1_UHbYcZsES

The Veterinary Behaviour Centre
https://www.heska.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/TVBC-Canine-Dog-Body-Language-handout.pdf

Make sure those first 3 seconds count – they can make all the difference.

09/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EN5AEf8N2/

Is your dog throwing up undigested food? Regurgitation of this type can be associated with a GI motility disorder.

08/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15UU5sZxhi/

Puppy proofing your home is an ongoing task. Puppies focuses change over time, and keeping up is like trying to hit a moving target.

07/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18rMG9BXwc/

We've named our top picks for the best canned dog foods in 8 different categories. Did your canned dog food make the list?

06/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KB8dbw2cP/

There is an ongoing animal shelter crisis brewing in the US. Solving it requires a multipronged approach from numerous volunteers.

05/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CApSqhqnD/

Rally obedience is a canine sport that uses a course of signs and instructions to test your dog's training and your communication skills.

04/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18GzXYwUVb/

Dogs are sometimes known to take their food to different places before eating it. There are several potential reasons for this behavior.

01/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/LdvPuMTDYt4M98ps/

31/10/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19dTfXdnny/

Pumpkin dog treats are a festive, seasonally appropriate, and healthy treat for dog training. They're also a nice way to reward your dog.

31/10/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DdRAp55AZ/

Halloween can be a fun holidays for a pet, but also one of the most hazardous. Halloween pet safety tips can keep your dog safe and happy.