Manners Matter Canine Training Academy

08/07/2024

The sweet eyes of Miss Mia

08/02/2024

Ok folks!!!!! Back to school time is here and we can not forget our canine kids!!! Classes are coming. Monday evening , tuesday evening and saturday morning.
Who wants in? Puppy 101, puppy 2, basic obedience and advance obedience

Send a message to learn more

08/01/2024

Tucker acing his "place" command

07/26/2024

Ummmm? Micky whatcha doing?

07/24/2024

Congratulations to Diesel on his puppy graduation

07/23/2024

WALK and TRAIN Sessions
Would you like your dog walked and trained at the same time?
Are their manners a little rusty?
I am starting a new program where I will travel around the valley area to complete a 40-45 min session with your 4 legged friend.
4 sessions for $160
Daytime appointments – Waverly, Sayre and Athens area unless
prior arrangements are made.
PM me and please share

Send a message to learn more

07/22/2024

07/17/2024

Exciting news for past, present and future clients!!!! Advanced obedience classes. Controlled obedience off leash will be the focus of this class. (Prior obedience class/ training is required) please share with your friends and message me if interested

07/16/2024

Finn graduated. He loves that noisey chicken!!!

07/16/2024

Welcome to this pretty lady....Cleo

07/08/2024

Any previous puppy class participants want to get into a puppy level 2 class let me know!

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07/05/2024

Yes I have the absolute best job...meet Chunk a 12 week old english/French bulldog

07/03/2024

Setting up puppy level 2 and looking for interest in advanced obedience class?

07/03/2024

Reactive Dogs.
I know just how much hard work you put in, everyday👍. Many of you will know reactive dogs are an area I am passionate about.
Maybe you are new to having a reactive dog or have just noticed reactivity in your own dog creeping in. It's OK and it CAN get better🙂.
What can be confusing for some are terms which are used....and importantly what they actually mean and why we stress the importance of these when working with reactive dogs.
This is a very non technical explanation of what some of the terminology means.....a very general and hopefully easy to understand explanation of terms.

This isn't just for fear reactive dogs, even over excited/hyper dogs can have high levels of stress in fact some dogs that are just on the "go" ALL the time often have very high levels of stress hormones. Nervous or newly adopted dogs can also benefit.

🔵Stress levels/Stress hormones
Reactive dogs have releases of stress hormones when they react, the difficult thing with this is they can stay at a high level and can take hours or DAYS to reduce, so....if your dog reacts many times a day those levels may be very high, and stay high. These levels need to come down to help reactivity.
They have to reduce.
As mentioned even overly excited/hyper dogs can have high levels of stress hormones.

🔵Lowering stress hormones/stress levels/decompression.
Simply put these are ways to help your dog lower those stress levels. Lowering the pressure your dog is feeling.
Ways to help lower those levels include not adding to those stress levels (avoiding situations where dogs react again and again). If your dog reacts again and again, those levels may not drop and they can stay high. Every reaction can "top up" stress levels.
We also add in ways to help your dogs life by helping with confidence, enrichment and creating relaxation which can be a natural way to lower those stress hormones.
Sleep is VERY important for reactive dogs.
Helping a dog use their nose is extremely helpful for reactive dogs.

🔵Trigger stacking.
Small issues that can occur in a short period of time (or over a few days) that add to stress in a dog.
These can be seemingly small when looked at individually. These smaller "triggers" stack on top of each other and can cause reactions. They may react to something they have always been ok with if they have had multiple smaller scares/stressful situations, even if there are very small outward signs or reactions, they can "add up".
They may also have a much bigger reaction if they have had multiple smaller issues during the day. These can be as innocent as a very small startle when a door is closed too quickly, or a car toot as it goes past......these can have an accumulative effect on your dog so they will be MORE likely to react to something else, react more strongly and at a far greater distance than they may normally have an issue with.
Understanding trigger stacking is important with reactive dogs.

I hope that may clarify a few terms commonly used with reactive dogs.🙂

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.

07/02/2024

With the classes graduating I have some interest in level 2 puppy obedience. Let me know

Send a message to learn more

07/02/2024

Second graduation of the night....puppy 101. Stella, Elite, Stormi, Riggs and Mia

07/02/2024

2 big graduations last night...first up....puppy level 2. Meeka, Lilly, Indie, Amy and Nutmeg

06/29/2024

Milo enjoying some fun time at his graduation ! Congrats to Milo

06/25/2024

Puppy 101...Meet Freckles, Dewey and Cannoli (some pictures are blurry because they were having fun with the zoomies)

06/24/2024

I am getting great response for puppy classes...If you are interested in a tuesday evening or Saturday am please let me know.

06/18/2024

I need 1 or 2 puppies to fill the puppy 101 class.

06/17/2024

Tired poor Odie out!!

06/17/2024

Congrats to June!!!

06/14/2024

Eyes. They can tell us so much.👀
Some dogs naturally have a tighter face and more whites of the eyes will show....yet it is also a sign of extreme anxiousness for some.
So how do you tell ❓
A dogs eyes can clearly show us how they feel BUT everything needs to be taken in context.

There will be other accompanying signs.
Posture hunching.
Ears flattening.
Changes in behaviour.
Skulking.
Seeking shelter under tables or beds.
Lowering heads and gazes.
Tension and wrinkling in the face...and much more

There are many signs of stress a dog can give and their eyes certainly do show some.
Another common one is avoiding eye contact...or not taking their eyes off someone.
Blinking, squinting and quick glances at something they may be unsure about.
As always, it is very important to take the WHOLE picture into account....because a blink can just be a blink.
A dogs eyes can tell you so much !

🙂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.

06/12/2024

I have a couple openings for a puppy class....anyone else want in?

06/10/2024

Class is exhausting 😂