True Harmony Dog Training

24/08/2024

Busy day thursday at the ASCA trial. Both dogs finished off their novice titles.

07/08/2024

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18/07/2024

08/07/2024

20/05/2024

The agility A-frame is just about ready for use.

06/05/2024

Just picked up this A-frame. It is getting a face lift with rubber added to the top. The agility field is getting a face lift.

29/04/2024

What a fun weekend. Lily got her highest speed at fast cat of 9.62 being her others scores of 9.82

17/04/2024

Willow and Danny after going to their first trial for scent work. We have been working on scent work for around 2 months. She did so well, only missed one interior run out of 8 runs.

17/04/2024

Captain finished up his 4 week private course. He did have some training in the past and knew a lot once we brushed away some cob webs, however he needed a major refresher on door manners and walking nicely. Such a good boy he was.

23/01/2024

My dogs will never ride in a car without being in their ruffland.

06/12/2023

Willow has started her journey to her rally, confirmation and sent work training. This girl is super sweet and so smart.

05/09/2023

Supported by science - dog harnesses 🐶
I was recently approached by a trainer Haigh Hounds asking which harnesses are best for dogs - especially those who pull the lead, so here is the science.

Harnesses are often used as a training aid. Due to dogs likeliness to be unruly at younger ages it is plausible that harness type could have an effect on development. This raises questions to the suitability to the types of harnesses used, especially with younger or more unruly dogs who are likely to apply increased pressure to the harness.

The most prevalent musculoskeletal disease in dogs is degenerative joint disease. Incorrect biomechanics will lead to a loss of joint confirmation and function throughout the body, resulting in abnormal wear, inflammation, and arthritic conditions. With this in mind if harnesses do impact a dog’s natural gait, they may be a contributing factor to degenerative conditions.

Several studies have found altered biomechanics in a variety of guide dog harnesses. These studies have found that the placement of the handle (how laterally the handle inserted on the harness) had the biggest effect on thoracic limb biomechanics. As this is not relatable to most pet owners, these findings lack external validity to harnesses purchased publicly.

Lafuente et al., (2018) investigated the effects of harnesses on shoulder extension in dogs at walk and trot with a lead attached to the centre of the harnesses; furthermore the effects of additional pressure applied to the harness were investigated – providing the highest external validity to pet owners.

At walk shoulder extension without a harness ranged from 128° - 150°, providing an average of 135°. The most restriction was found in a Y-harness with an average of 130° of shoulder extension with the Norwegian harness faring better at an average shoulder extension of 132°. At a trot shoulder extension increased to 144° without a harness, decreased to 139° with a Norwegian harness and a further decrease to 134° with a Y-harness. The most applicable information came when weight was added to the lead to mimic the dog pulling. The Norwegian harness shoulder extension was increased by 1° when weight was applied to the lead whereas the Y-harness decreased shoulder extension by 1° when weight was applied. This finding is interesting as Y-harnesses are often marketed as ‘non-restrictive’ and whilst both types of harness have been proved to decrease shoulder range of movement, the Y-harness proved to be the most restrictive – especially when pressure is added, reducing shoulder extension by 11°!

The reasons for Y-harnesses showing the most restriction has not been investigated, although the positioning of the Y-harness could affect the thoracic sling musculature and brachial plexus resulting in a restriction to muscle activation and therefore limb protraction. The effects of pressure applied to the thoracic sling has been documented in horses, and a reduction in limb protraction, and carple flexion was found by Murray et al. (2013) supporting this hypothesis.

⬇️⬇️Take a look at the studies here ⬇️⬇️
Knights, H. and Williams, J., 2021. The influence of three working harnesses on thoracic limb kinematics and stride length at walk in assistance dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 45, pp.16-24.
Lafuente, M.P., Provis, L. and Schmalz, E.A., 2019. Effects of restrictive and non‐restrictive harnesses on shoulder extension in dogs at walk and trot. Veterinary Record, 184(2), pp.64-64.
Murray, R., Guire, R., Fisher, M. and Fairfax, V., 2013. Girth pressure measurements reveal high peak pressures that can be avoided using an alternative girth design that also results in increased limb protraction and flexion in the swing phase. The Veterinary Journal, 198(1), pp.92-97.

03/05/2023

So proud of Gabby, this 8 months old girl would not jump into the car. Her mom would have to lift her 70 lbs into the car which was hard or to use a ramp. Now she is jumping in like a champ.

15/04/2023

So proud of my eight year old girl. This was her first sent work trial and we got a qualifying run in containers. Two more tomorrow one container and one interior run. 

14/04/2023

I have a brand new logo. Look how nice this turned out.

22/11/2022

Salty has come along way in a short month. He is now able to loose leash, walk and not pull his owners down and also he is learning an automatic sit when we stop. So proud of this seven month old boy. 

30/01/2022

The grooming room is now completed. If you’re looking to have your pup needs a good bath and a groom we are now open for business.

16/01/2022

Clancy is coming along nicely he is learning how to walk nicely in stores. Still gets silly from time to time but so much better then what he was like a few weeks ago

17/11/2021

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.761493/full?fbclid=IwAR0MoJyb_9wzbY0iotldfo3NqOTtUJMtFcCEX-tx8B3CS2Y9itxEakx2SVw

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate and define paw placement patterns for canines completing the weave pole obstacle during canine agility trials. The secondary objectives were to determine the most efficient running style and completion percentages and provide a basis for future studie...

19/10/2021

Fiona and her mom Beth passed with flying colors for their Basic Obedience Level one test. She has come along way in the last 2 months. Good job.

18/09/2021

Fee had her first outing where there was a lot to see and smell. She was learning how to sit and wait while her mom did some figure 8's around her for distraction. She did so well, even with her long sit and wait while people walked around her.

14/09/2021

Place is coming along. Silly girl loves to please

17/07/2021

Ranger and his mom are doing so well. Have started to add in the automatic sit when movement stops, still a little sticky but getting better.

02/07/2021

Rangers 2nd lesson on learning how not to pull mom around. He is only 5 months and a smart little pup.

17/06/2021

I would like to give a large thank you to the prescott Dog for putting on woof stock. It was a lot of fun.

17/06/2021

Hanna got a gold star for her lesson on learning how to work around chickens.