Puppy and You Dog Training

17/08/2024

This is a very powerful message and one I fully support.

Please continue to advocate for your dog as only you know the REAL them 🐾

16/08/2024

😂😂

16/08/2024

A really good read about how reactivity in smaller dogs is often dismissed because they are small and how their needs are also deemed to be not as significant because of their size. Dogs are dogs, regardless of how big they are!

SMALL DOG, BIG SCARY WORLD

People often think of very small dogs as being anxious and reactive and to be honest, quite a few are. It’s easy for people to ‘blame the owners’ or say that they have ‘little dog syndrome’ or even that they are ‘bossy’ 🙄 Really though, we need to be understanding of what life is like for really tiny dogs.

Tiny dogs often don’t have much control over their lives- they can be picked up easily (even if they don’t want to be) and they can be made to do stuff as they are small. People notice if a 40kg dog is worried about going into a busy park or a cafe and plants their feet and refuses to move but with a tiny dog, you can just make them do it even if they don’t want as you can pull them or pick them up ☹️

Tiny dogs often get overwhelmed before they’ve even got through puppyhood and many are fearful by the time they are 4 or 5 months old 😢 Big dogs may run up and knock them over, even in play bigger dogs can be overwhelming if you are 50 x smaller. Lots of hands reach down to touch them and yes, there it is again, strangers may also pick them up (whether they like it or not). Physically they may be delicate (my yorkie’s legs are made from matchsticks 😂) and may be hurt accidentally during normal dog interactions.

Everything is big and potentially dangerous when you weigh a couple of Kg and are about 8 inches tall. The world can be a scary and overwhelming place.

It’s easy to see then why so many littlies end up worried by the world and particularly by other dogs.

Tiny dog’s signals that they need space are also ignored often; people take notice of a GSD showing it’s teeth or growling and give them space but many people would laugh or totally ignore a tiny dog’s identical communication asking for space. How many ‘funny’ videos are out there that show tiny chihuahuas showing all their teeth and people are laughing at them? 😢 It’s not rocket science that they may then escalate to actually biting if their warnings are ignored - and they get called ‘snappy little dogs’ and again, misunderstood 😢

Small dogs can often miss out on having their species-specific needs met: their need for exploratory behaviour, for social contact; their needs for enrichment and physical exercise too and this impacts on them and their ability to cope. They are still proper dogs with the same needs.

I’ve been really lucky with my handreared yorkie, she’s fabulous with people and absolutely loves dogs but it’s been a bit of a mission to make sure things have gone right. It’s taken time to get her comfortable around bigger dogs on walks and I haven’t socialised her in the same way I have my other dogs as she could easily have become fearful (and then reactive).

When she was a puppy I did let her meet loads of dogs but I was been really careful and it was almost all onlead and with dogs I know and who I knew would be nice to her. Even now she’s an adult I continue to make sure she meets nice dogs and we frequent loads of national trust places as she can meet lots of sociable dogs there who are all under control. The last thing I wanted was for her to be really scared by another dog or physically hurt (she has deformed back legs that put her at huge risk of injury). She goes to offlead places too, but generally with one of my big dogs there too (she has big body guards) 😄

I’ve had to make adjustments to life to keep her safe and make sure she has a happy life and that she doesn’t become reactive. It’s been worth it as she has stayed so sociable (but as an adult she loves small dogs best). If I’d just walked her where I walked my big dogs all the time I would think that by now she would have been flattened or overwhelmed and may have become dog reactive. It’s totally understandable why so many tiny dogs are fearful.

My tiny dog also wouldn’t have had enough repeated, safe and positive controlled interactions with friendly dogs right throughout adolescence if I hadn’t carried on with all the cafe/pub/NT visits and that would have been detrimental. It’s not enough to just do this stuff when they are tiny puppies and then stop at 14 weeks old as adolescence is when if can often all start to go wrong. (It’s also a good justification for my many pub and cafe visits with Twig 😂)

We can’t forget the impact of genetics too and that’s a factor in why many small dogs are reactive; some genes for small body size are linked to fearfulness and reactivity and there may also be epigenetic factors too.

We can all be a bit more understanding too with small dogs and their owners. Don’t berate them for picking their dogs up if that’s what makes their dog feel safe- it won’t be what’s caused their anxiety and it might be what they need to feel safe right now. Don’t let your dogs overwhelm them (even in a friendly way). You’d also think it’s common sense to not pick strangers small dogs up without asking but people try to do it all the time 🙄

We have lots of anxious tiny dogs who absolutely thrive in our reactivity classes, we can keep them safe and make sure they aren’t overwhelmed and also help them to feel more confident around other dogs again.

Laura McAuliffe 2024
Photo shows my yorkie meeting two other small dogs in a cafe

13/08/2024

Activities to do with your dog on hot days when it’s not safe for them to be walked …

It is HOT out today!! We were back at the car after a quiet wander by 7 30am and both our dogs were feeling the heat more than I would have intended.

The humidity is 85% which is definitely having an effect on heat perception here in the UK

It’s likely too hot in many areas for dogs to be safely exercising today. Some tips to stay safe and cool:

*you don’t need to walk your dog Collect some sniffs on a walk by yourself - pick up some leaves, some sticks, bits of loose soil, perhaps some sheep fleece, animal hair on fencing etc … and bring it home and place in a box or two or on some dog towels or in a garden area, and let them sniff. Or pop to a car boot sale, a friends, a neighbours and get a few old baby toys, some worn clothing, other dogs toys or harnesses etc and bring them home for an investigation

*do a toy or sniffs or treat (or combo) search … by placing little tastes or scents in places found the house or garden and let your dog treasure trail at home

*biscuit bob - washing up bowl, bucket, paddling pool etc with water and float some kibble amongst some floating toys and let them enjoy getting them out (do this when they re not hungry to avoid frustration if they re not experienced bobbers!)

*make some cool pastes - you can soak kibble and make a mash, or add water to meat foods, or add flour and water to herbal tea or marmite or peanut butter or yoghurt and place in fridge. Once cool, put smears in a muffin tray or on different plates or bowls and let them investigate the different cool flavours

*keep the curtains / blinds closed!! Less sun in = less heat in. Consider setting up a fan if you don’t get much breeze in the hottest parts of the day

*damp some dog towels and place in fridge or freezer then lay them out in the hottest parts of the day to see if your dogs would like to lie on them

*avoid water play eg hosing, water pistols etc as whilst the dog gets wet, the exercise intensity is creating much muscle heat so they ll be hotter after, not cooler. Also grabbing too much water can cause health issues like low sodium if excessive, which can be really dangerous

*take care with natural swimming - seems a good idea but can be hot getting there and back and again, creates a lot of muscle heat for many dogs to recover from. Also HUGE issues at the moment with blue green algae in many places of the UK which is extremely toxic to dogs if swallowed

*have different sounds on the TV or speakers throughout the day - plenty of relaxing waterfall sounds, rainforest sounds, farm yard noises, classical music, pop / rock and other genres to enjoy … or audio books too!!

Plenty of cool, calm options to have a chilled out but interesting day! Stay cool and safe

(And don’t forget horses / rabbits/ cats / other furries too … give shade, give choice … )

13/08/2024

10/08/2024

New intake of puppies this morning and what a gorgeous lot!

They all did really well for their first time.

Murphy the black lab was a bit unsure of the other puppies today so watched the off lead play from behind the gate. I’m certain it won’t be too long before he is joining in with all the fun! 🐾🐾🐾🐾

22/07/2024

Another fab Scentwork class this weekend!

They really are getting the hang of things.

Still space available on the next course for anyone interested.

If you would like to know more, please get in touch! 🐾

22/07/2024

Water intoxication in dogs results from drinking too much water leading low sodium levels, or ingesting seawater leading to high sodium levels

14/07/2024

What a lovely group of dogs and their owners for this weekend’s Scentwork Class! Learning the basics of teaching scent = reward.

Really looking forward to seeing them progress over the coming weeks.

If you’re interested in learning more about scentwork, please get in touch! 🐾

26/06/2024

If you are struggling with any aspect of your dog’s behaviour then get in touch. I offer:

• Puppy Classes

• Workshops

• 1-2-1 training in your own home

• Online consultations and training

• I’m also a qualified Level 1 Instructor
with Scentwork UK 🐾

15/06/2024

Class this morning with Imogen Baker Karen Michelle Elvin

Not all off lead play has to be frantic and full on. What a wonderful little girl, showing how to interact with puppies the right way, so gentle ❤️🐾

14/06/2024

Last couple of spaces remaining on this course starting tomorrow. Don’t miss out!!

13/06/2024

There is always an underlying reason why a dog performs a particular behaviour.

With my knowledge and experience, let me help you find out what that reason is, help your dog change the behaviour and make you and your dog feel better 🐾

Get in touch today!

09/06/2024

Big thanks to The Dog Trainer School for arranging such a fun, informative day of training today!

Also huge thanks to the lovely Kirsten Dillon Behaviourist for sharing her knowledge and expertise.

Chester and I had a great time 🐾

06/06/2024

**UPDATED** ONLY A FEW PLACES LEFT

FREE DOG BEHAVIOUR WORKSHOP

🐾 Come to my FREE WORKSHOP where you will learn how to solve problem behaviours and much more....

🐾 There will be a Q and A session too.

🐾 Whether you have a dog - thinking of getting one - or keen to learn what makes them tick, then this is for you!

🐾 Places are limited so book now 07752264972

🐾 10.30am Saturday 8th June at the Marjoram Hall, PE11 4ET

This workshop is for HUMANS ONLY, PLEASE leave your dog at home

02/06/2024

The last puppy of the week this week is Loki who is a 16 week old Collie x Husky. What a stunner Becky Ruby Jackson

Loki is a very typical puppy who is very active, into everything and needs help to have some down time.

It is vitally important that puppies have access to appropriate chews as they are teething. Chewing for a dog is a totally instinctual behaviour, along with seeking (using their nose). The more these behaviours are encouraged, the more their needs are fulfilled, the more content they will become! 🐾

01/06/2024

Look familiar? This is Mabel’s sister Remi. She has come such a long way since I first met her. She is a bit more sensitive than her sister but wow is she a different dog after some loving nurturing by her mum and dad. Allowing Remi choice with lots of enrichment has made her more confident and she is now a much more relaxed puppy. Again her loose lead walking and recall have come on a treat. A real credit to you Sharon Waites!

01/06/2024

So I’ve been busy this week with puppies!!

Remember Mabel the Chocolate Labrador? She is now 22 weeks old and is thriving. Her loose lead walking is great, so is her recall and she excelled at a family bbq last week with lots of people and tasty temptations! She travels regularly on breaks away with her family in the caravan and is a joy to take anywhere. Only one 1-2-1 training session left for this lovely girl. Credit to her fab mum and dad for all their hard work!

01/06/2024

Would you like your puppy to walk like this on a lead??

This is 11 week old Goose showing how it’s done. His first ever time on a lead! 🥹🐶🐾 Such a good boy!

Get in touch and get your puppy booked onto one of my Puppy Classes or book a 1-2-1 session in your own home. All breeds and ages welcome!