Mayo Dog Training

02/05/2023

Today We visited a new dog facility in Co Mayo Woofland Dog Park and it was such a treat ☺️ perfect place for practicing recall, agility or just let your dog run around in a safe environment. Molly loved it 🥰

13/02/2023

It doesn't take much for a negative association to form.
We may not understand it because (to us) there may be "fun" associated with the object or item which they now find scary or avoid.
Cars are often seen by dogs as scary even though they may love to run to the garage yet stop and refuse to budge or go in. They may even be conflicted.
Cars often have negative associations associated with them as many dogs are car sick when younger...the sickness they felt creates a negative association.....and the loop begins.
The car now has a negative association.

The vets are a very obvious target for negative associations....but they don't have to be.
Many people will try making a positive association with the vets yet not change many other cues associated with visiting....they may pull up in a different spot in the car park and this time are armed with treats....their dog still refuses to budge.
Start from FAR away, park way down the road and walk past the vets on the other side of the road ( maybe the building is just visible...maybe not, your dogs body language is the guide ) and start making a positive association with just being in the area. Save a special toy or treats....repeat again and again....gradually getting closer over days or weeks....and it is a gradual and slow change for some dogs.
Others may make a positive association after a couple of visits.
The less pressure you put on your dog the quicker they may respond.

Sometimes we simply don't understand why a negative association has been formed....it doesn't actually matter...your dog knows why.
Maybe going through the front door the door banged in the wind (negative association has been made).
The treat toy your dog loved is now something that turns their tail under and lowers their body in fright....Why ?
Maybe their tongue got caught and hurt while using it.

Food bowls are often the target of negative associations and many people believe their dog has simply gone off their food......perhaps the reason for this is you dropped it around them either once...or one too many times.
Or maybe they twinged their neck muscles when they ate.

Your dog IS the decider of why and how they have made a negative association.

Break it down into little steps and make each step positive...you will know when you have taken it a step too far (your dogs body language will let you know)....go back and start again at the new "threshold" and KEEP making the positive associations there for a few days or longer...then gradually add in the next step.

If you push this, you are likely going to add a whole lot of other issues and create more negative associations....for example your dog may start to make a new negative association with the garage AND the car.

As always....this can get very complicated and call out to your local competent dog trainer with education and experience in behaviour modification....it can save you and your dog months and years of issues.

All the best.

13/02/2023

Teach your pup what you want now, instead of waiting for problems to arise.

14/01/2023

14/01/2023

05/01/2023

So very true

This is an important point to take on board… 💙

(Original author unknown)

04/01/2023

🔹🔸I received this message from a lovely lady based near Castlebar:

“hello ..I have a beautiful rough collie dog that I inherited as the old lady passed away that owned him...he is a 4yr purebred and registered...I ask would you know of a couple that would like a dog ,,preferably with no children as it was only him and the old lady for the past number of years and he doesnt care too much for kids making noise or kicking balls,,He is a very protective dog and a great watchdog.”

This beautiful boy is looking for his forever home as his heart is already broken after loosing his owner.
💚🧡I’m also offering free of charge consultation - face to face if Mayo or online if further away to the new owners🧡💚

05/11/2022

Handsome Hugo getting his haircut 🥰

02/11/2022

HU***NG HOUNDS - It’s not always what it seems
Some dogs do and some dogs don’t, but if you have a dog that humps at the most inopportune times it can be downright embarrassing or annoying. Other dogs, other people, visitors, toys, cushions, furniture, anything that can be mounted and clung to may be fair game. As people, it’s natural to assume that this behaviour is of a sexual nature, that our dogs must be oversexed, sexually frustrated or the all-too-common incorrect belief that our dogs are just trying to be “dominant”.
Hu***ng, like many other dog behaviours does not always have a simple reason. It can be a complex behaviour which is usually emotionally or socially based. Looking for what may be triggering the behaviour and finding the cause should always be the first step before finding ways to change a behaviour. The solutions will depend on the cause. It may be finding ways to reduce stress or anxiety levels, increasing mental stimulation, teaching calm behaviours to prevent over arousal, ensuring your dog is getting enough sleep, using management or in some cases a veterinary check up to rule out any medical causes.
When hu***ng is antagonizing another dog or person or causing frustration, discomfort or harm in any way, then obviously this behaviour needs to be immediately addressed, but sometimes we may need to ask ourselves – is it really something we need to stop our dogs from doing just because as people we see it as socially unacceptable? Is it a harmless way of relieving stress or anxiety after a difficult day or a way to expend pent up energy that is not causing anyone harm? If we prevent this, correct it, redirect this or at worst punish this behaviour are we removing a harmless natural outlet and risking another unwanted behaviour taking its place?
Behaviour is not always the way it looks on the surface. Look for the underlying cause, look at what may be triggering the behaviour before deciding how to change it.

12/10/2022

Having a range of reward types available helps to make coaching so much more flexible and means we can mix it up a little. It's important to remember, as well as the things we can give directly to the dog, the power of letting them go and explore their environment and do those important dog things. 😊

10/10/2022

08/10/2022

I’m doing Dog Groomer course. If you’re interested in getting your dog groomed - for free - one of the Saturdays in October and you will be able to drop your dog to Westport, please let me know ☺️

20/09/2022

Sounds very good ☺️

Many of our dogs are typical 'watch dogs', whether they're a huge Pyrenean Mountain dog or a tiny Lhasa Apso. If you've got a dog who drives you nuts by barking at every pedestrian, cyclist, jogger, car or truck that passes your house, or who barks in the garden in response to all the other

20/09/2022

So very true

THE QUICK FIX AND THE UNICORN
Neither exist – especially when it comes to changing behaviour.
Want to lose weight? A quick fix of diet pills, meal replacements or slimming machines will be short-lived even if it initially appears to be successful. To succeed we will need to put in effort, change our mind set, be mindful of emotions, eat less or differently and exercise – there is no quick fix. Want to get a degree – hard work, long hours, dedication and effort is the only way. The same applies to changing behaviour, whether it be that of our dogs or ourselves.
We live in a society where we want quick fixes for everything. Our lives are often so busy, stressful and complicated enough without having to even think about spending time and effort in trying to “fix” our dog’s problems. Just slap on a shock collar, choke chain, use a spray bottle, a shake can or send them off to a board and train facility to sort them quickly, or why not find a trainer that guarantees quick results? These are not quick fixes and will come at a cost.
The cost of not addressing the reason and the emotion behind the behaviour. The cost of destroying trust, bonds and relationship, the risk of creating other problems by using fear and pain to control and train a dog. The cost of creating a fearful, anxious and reactive dog because of the “quick fix”.
Changing behaviour takes time, it requires understanding, dedication, consistency and patience, but the results of “fixing” something the right way, are worth it.

19/09/2022

☺️👍

Antoinetta Mosley of is gathering us all at to share how to prioritize Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in our organizations.

16/09/2022

Learn to speak dog and teach others.
https://doggonesafe.com/

15/09/2022

Some dogs entering shelters exhibit extreme fearfulness, often after experiencing cruelty or neglect. Dogs displaying extreme fearfulness are difficul…

15/09/2022

🥰

Expectations and obedience.
A nice chat with a respected dog friend today got me pondering why we have such high expectations of the dogs that share our lives. The idea that trainers dogs should be obedient little robots to demonstrate the trainers ‘mastery’ and the dogs ‘respect. I know several trainers who won’t have branding on their clothing or vehicle as they are concerned about being judged.
When I first joined PDTE I adored being surrounded by people who celebrated their dogs individual characters, who rejoiced when their dog showed the confidence and autonomy to chose to do something for themselves. People who understood that the ‘perfectly behaved’ dog that was admired on social media was often a shut down and emotionally quite damaged dog.
Exploration, barking, foraging, social and sexual interactions, jumping, licking, chewing, digging, climbing and rolling are all typical dog activities. I loved seeing other people who celebrated their dogs joyful dogginess. Who are happy with dogs walking in front of them, rolling on their beds or sofa, inspecting the grocery bags when we come home from a shopping trip, finding a gross decayed thing on the beach or fields and carrying it around like a treasure, digging and rolling in earth, sploshing through mud.
Dogs are with us for such a horribly short period of time, our human world demands so much of them. Why not wholeheartedly inspire and enjoy their wonderful dogginess while they share our lives ❤️ photo of The Feral pickpocketing my coats for sweeties 🤣

20/05/2022

I think that's fair. 🤷🏼‍♀️🤣

Writer Unknown.

07/05/2022

Dziękujemy Good Walk za nową smycz. Czarna, lekka, łatwa do czyszczenia i 5 metrowa 😍 Molly jest zachwycona - znaczy najlepiej to zupełnie bez smyczy, ale jak już trzeba …. - i pozdrawia prosto z zielonej Irlandii.

04/05/2022

02/05/2022

😄🙈😄