Muscat Dog Trainer

13/03/2024

Dates is weak but her handler at the vet says she’s improving. She’s had her wound cleaned.

Please, if you are able to donate, you can donate directly to Capital Vet (details below) or

via Bank Muscat to me directly (+968 9330 6452) and mention “FOR DATES” in the memo. Every little bit helps.

Please send me a screenshot if you do so I can keep track of everything. 🙏

Name: PETER NOLOSCO THANKARAJ
ACCOUNT NO: 0316022674720012
BANK NAME: BANK MUSCAT
BRANCH: AL QURUM BRANCH
AL QURUM, MUSCAT, OMAN
SWIFT CODE: BMUSOMR###X

13/03/2024

You tend to see photos or read things online, but you never expect to watch them unfold live right in front of you as you stand helpless not knowing what to do.

It’s taken me some time to figure out what I wanted to say, but last night I witnessed horrible atrocities that some of us are lucky to only hear about.

For this puppy, whom I’ve affectionately named Dates, this is her reality.

In the early hours of the night, I was startled by sounds coming from a nearby wadi. They were familiar sounds, so naturally I ran to my window to see what was going on. When I saw, I ran to my balcony to get a closer look. And I couldn’t have been more in disbelief of what I witnessed, especially during the Holy Month of Ramadhan.

This morning, I was fully expecting to find no trace as has been the case before. But as I looked out my window, I saw her. Lying motionless in the sun.

I told my husband I was going out to see what had happened. I ran, expecting to find a dead dog. But as I approached her, to my surprise, I saw her chest rise and fall. She was breathing.

She lifted her head up as we made eye contact, almost as if to ask for help. With Hetal’s help, I brought the injured pup to Capital Vet.

As I placed Dates on the examination table, we saw blood flowing from a wound on her neck. Thankfully, an X-ray revealed no foreign bodies, however, Dates does have a spinal injury which has caused her to have limited sensation in her back legs.

She will be monitored for the next few days to assess the extent of her spinal injury. If you would like to donate toward her treatment/care, please do so, and keep her in your prayers.

Donate directly to Capital Vet (details below) or via Bank Muscat to me directly (+968 9330 6452) and mention “FOR DATES” in the memo. Every little bit helps.

Name: PETER NOLOSCO THANKARAJ
ACCOUNT NO: 0316022674720012
BANK NAME: BANK MUSCAT
BRANCH: AL QURUM BRANCH
AL QURUM, MUSCAT, OMAN
SWIFT CODE: BMUSOMR###X

09/03/2024

Love this post from Pawfect Behaviour 😍 Stay dry, folks! ☔️

20/11/2023

Upcoming PPG Webinar - 'Cognition Under Stress'
Presented by: Daniel Shaw, owner of Animal Behaviour Kent
⏰Thursday, November 30, 2023 1:00 PM ET
HURRY! Register today: https://petprofessionalguild.com/event-5427275
➡This webinar aims to examine the impact of environmental stressors on canine cognition. Specifically, examining the way the brain perceives and interprets information and how learning in the presence stressors such as poor welfare or punitive training methods lead to negative outcomes for the animals.

02/11/2023

Fear is the easiest things to condition in dogs and the hardest to resolve. Fear can come from many places, many of which we don't control. This infographic is my most downloaded and shared resource. Download your copy here: http://rescuedbytraining.com/fear-in-dogs-infographic/
and for a deep dive into each of these, read the accompanying Fear In Dogs blog series here: https://rescuedbytraining.com/tag/fear-in-dogs-series/

22/09/2023

Let’s talk dogs barking on patios, backyards or property lines…

Why do they do it?
- Instinct, territorial behaviour, IT WORKS, fear/protection, alerting, generic predisposition, it feels good/boredom.

How to stop it? You might not like the answer.

75% management (setting them up for success) & 25% training…

What is management?
✅ only having them in outdoor spaces supervised (if you want to stop the habit of barking), and this is not forever, just until they learn new habits and unlearn the old ones
✅ bringing them inside immediately if they do bark to prevent from them learning that barking makes things LEAVE, which is often what they want when behind a barrier like a fence
✅ having them under control in yard with you on long line or leash - never unattended on either
🙄I know you hate this because it’s a pain in the butt and you lose freedom too… it’s not forever!

Training is:
✅ rewarding them for hearing or seeing triggers that cause barking BEFORE they react to them (“yes” you saw it/heard it - here’s a high value reward)
✅ moving them away as far as you can from fence lines when triggers are near so they do not go into the old habit & charge the fence
✅ rewarding for them hearing or seeing a trigger and chewing a bone or doing training games with you instead of pursuing the conflict/trigger/exciting thing
✅ training basic skills in the yard including recall to ensure they know how to listen when NOT triggered so that eventually they can listen when they ARE triggered (practice makes perfect)
✅ saying “thank you” and recalling them back to you after 1-2 barks to communicate that you know there is a trigger, their job is well done, and they can come to YOU for further instruction (instead of continuing to bark)

Training is not:
❌ doing nothing and hoping they stop… 😋
❌ yelling “quiet” from the window
❌ setting them up to fail and punishment them when they do (leaving them in yard alone with no instruction on what you want them to do and then giving them sh*t when they do a normal dog thing like bark 😂

Speaking of normal… you get to choose how much barking is too much, but remember your neighbours have to live with your decisions too!

20/09/2023

14/09/2023

23/08/2023

You don't always have to walk your dog!

Today I'm here to tell you, to give you permission, to not walk your dog. Wait, what? Don't all dogs need walks? I'm here to say, no. We've been taught to believe that dogs need walks but if your dog is afraid of outside or doesn't enjoy walks, then don't do them! Forcing your dog to go on a walk if they're afraid will not make them less afraid and could actually make them worse. Read more in this week's post: https://rescuedbytraining.com/2023/08/21/no-walking/

23/08/2023

There are loads of books available to prepare expecting or adopting families.

But very few include details for how to prepare your fur baby for the new addition.

As a dog and child specialist, I've got you. I've seen it all and can tell you with complete confidence that most dogs need time and support to adapt to their new circumstances.

Baby books don't tell parents with dogs...
- tired dogs are cranky - and with baby waking at all hours, your dog may too
- dogs struggle when their schedules change - and babies are NOT predictable
- not all dog licking is "kissing" - it can represent stress
- even the best dogs can bite - including yours
- your dog may need a new spot to sleep - a loose dog can not be in the same room as your baby if you are resting, exhausted or asleep
- you will have lots of visitors which can add lots of stress to many dogs
- some dogs are predatory around babies - and this can be managed safely if you have support
- there is more to preparing your dog than simply having a reliable sit

You don't have to figure this out by yourself.

Sign up for my FREE Pre-baby bootcamp for dog parents.
https://poochparenting.net/jealousy/

01/08/2023

🤭

😅

18/07/2023

Enrichment is the secret sauce that keeps our pups thriving. From puzzle toys to sniff-tastic adventures, enrichment is about more than just fun and games — it’s essential for your dog’s mental and emotional wellbeing. 🧘‍♀️💕

Swipe for five easy ways you can enrich your dog’s life — while keeping them physically and mentally fit — tail wags and all! 🐕

15/07/2023

02/07/2023

🩷 Like humans, dogs have five love languages: words of affirmation, physical touch, receiving gifts, quality time and acts of service. Some dogs have more than one, or even all five!

Your dog’s breed, genetics, brain chemistry, upbringing and even training methods can influence their love language. And the love language they express isn’t always the one they want to receive.

💬 If your dog’s love language is words of affirmation, praise them and talk to them lovingly more often. Be mindful of your tone and use a cheerful voice to make them feel super special.

🤗 If your dog’s love language is physical touch, they’re probably happiest in your lap or snuggling up next to you in bed. Petting, giving them massages or softly brushing their fur are easy ways to show love to dogs with this love language. Remember to pay attention to your dog’s habits and physical cues to make sure they’re not uncomfortable.

🎁 If your dog’s love language is receiving gifts, communicate your love for them by giving them yummy treats, puzzles, plushes or bones. Make the most of this love language by saving gifts as rewards for desirable behaviours—a high-value treat for not begging at dinner time or for staying calm around strangers.

⏳ If your dog’s love language is quality time, they might grab their leash to ask for a walk or become excited at the mention of a car ride. You might even catch them smiling at you while you’re relaxing! Quality time is different than just being around your dog—it’s an excellent way to engage and bond with them. Enjoy a long walk together, play scent games or teach them a new trick.

🏖️ If your dog’s love language is acts of service, taking a trip to experience a change of scenery or allowing them to occasionally indulge in off-limits activities like sleeping in your bed or on the couch are great ways to show your pup you love them.

Do you know your dog’s love language? We’d love to know how you show your love for your furry companion it in the comments below! 👇

18/06/2023

Very happy to share that I’ve renewed my annual certification, allowing me to continue working in partnership with veterinary teams to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety and stress and improve animals’ emotional wellbeing during veterinary care and home care. ❤️‍🩹

💡 Did you know, Animal Trainers are required to:
✍️ Pass an intake exam that tests baseline knowledge,
🎓 Hold a current certification with an approved organization (KPA-CTP),
🧠 Pass a 120-question exam with 80% or higher, and
📝 Sign the Fear Free Pledge: A commitment to uphold a humane, emotionally protective code of conduct and ethical standard for pet care, training and professionalism.

Want to learn how to make vet visits more enjoyable for your dog (or cat)? Contact me to get started 🐾

07/06/2023

Want to improve your relationship with your dog?

Here are a few DOs and DON’Ts to consider.

What do you think? Leave any questions in the comments 👇

🏷️:

03/06/2023

A blog about dogs, training and the emotional impact of living with reactive dogs.

16/05/2023

I’ll give you a hint 🤫:

It involves the use of treat, praise, toys and anything your dog finds rewarding. 🦴

It does not utilize punishment or aversive tools. 🚫

Still not sure? Okay, how about another hint 🤔:

It’s based in science. 👩‍🔬

And it’s two words…

YES! 👏

Positive Reinforcement 🍪

I only have TWO spots left for my 4-week virtual private coaching programs, starting NEXT TUESDAY. One 60-min live coaching session every Tuesday until June 13. Have a certified trainer at your fingertips between sessions to get help with additional questions. This is the perfect opportunity for dog parents struggling with puppy problems or tricky teenagers, or those wanting to teach their old dog new tricks. 👻

Send me a DM or email me at [email protected] to get started—spots will fill FAST 🏃‍♂️💨

14/05/2023

With temperatures soaring above 40° C in Muscat, please be aware of the risks of heatstroke and take the following precautions to prevent it:

🦮 Walks should only take place early morning or late night. If your pup misses a walk due to the heat, it’s not a big deal. Substitute walks with a training session, indoor play or enrichment activities.

💧 Keep water bowls topped up with clean, cool water throughout the day.

🌴 Ensure your dog has access to plenty of shaded areas if outside and avoid having them lie in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time.

🌡️ Hot weather can affect any dog and put them at risk of heat stroke. Short-nosed dogs (ie. pugs, bulldogs, shih tzus), long-haired dogs (ie. border collies, huskies, GSDs) and young or senior dogs (ie. puppies, dogs 7+ years old) are at an increased risk.

⚠️ If your dog shows any signs of heatstroke, please get in touch with your veterinarian straight away as heat stroke can be fatal.

🐾 Stay safe and stay cool! ❄️

10/05/2023

PART III: THE TAIL 🐶

Deciphering dog body language is an important part of communicating with your pup. Dogs use posture, facial expressions, and other body language to communicate. 🐕

Their language involves a series of unique methods for communicating emotions and intentions. It can be quite different from how humans communicate, which leads to many human-dog misunderstandings. 😢

Swipe through to learn how to better communicate with your canine companion, starting with understanding what to look for when assessing your dog’s emotions.

05/05/2023

❤️

02/05/2023

Defined simply, classical conditioning is learning by association. During conditioning, an animal learns to associate a neutral stimulus with a consequence, like the sound of a bell leading to dinner time, or a clicker leading to a treat. 🛎️🍗

You’ve probably used classical conditioning without even being aware of it! 🤯

Has your dog ever gotten excited after you’ve shown them their leash? Leashes on their own aren’t very exciting, but chances are, over time, your dog associated the leash to something exciting like going out for a walk, and now the mere sight of the leash leads to a happy dance! 💃🏼

Or maybe you’ve shared a snack with your dog that they really enjoyed. Now, when you pop open a bag of chips as they’re napping in the other room, they come running! The sound of the bag crinkling predicts a lick of a yummy snack. 🍿

So, how exactly do we apply this to training? Classical conditioning is most commonly used in behaviour modification when dealing with aggression, fearfulness, socializing or desensitization, etc. 🧠

If your dog barks when doorbell rings, you might teach your dog to go to their bed. After a series of training sessions, the doorbell will be the cue to go to their bed and wait for a treat instead of barking at the door! 🚪

Has your dog been “accidentally” conditioned to anything? Let us know in the comments 👇

01/05/2023

Full disclosure, I have a strong bias against big dogs playing with and living with small dogs. There, I said it. Sure, many big and small dogs successfully do play or live together, but for me, the risk of something going wrong, just isn't worth it.

I've had clients come to me after a fatality and I know vets who have had to deal with these cases, sometimes even their own dogs. And many, many other trainers have witnessed or have their own client experiences. Chances are if you're a dog park regular, you may have also experienced it.

Many may disagree and that's fine but I want clients to make informed, educated decisions and then assess their risk threshold.

And I've got 6 Ways For Safer (but never guaranteed) Big-On-Small Play. That's my topic for this week's post.

https://rescuedbytraining.com/2023/05/01/predatory-drift/

29/04/2023

👏👏

Why a ban on shock collars is good for dogs’ welfare.

22/04/2023

This is true 🏃‍♀️💨