Club Meg Dog Training, LLC

12/12/2024

DON’T GET A DOG…UNLESS YOU CAN MAKE A COMMITMENT

In an ideal world dogs would be included as a family member and we would commit to sharing our time and life with them in the relatively short time they have on earth.

In an ideal world, we would take the time to learn about how dogs communicate through their body language, their emotions, their needs and keep learning about updated, modern, force free / pain free methods to understand or modify behaviour.

In reality, dogs are so often seen as an item of property, an object, a commodity to be bred and make money from, a cheap, replaceable security system, a garden decoration, a toy to play with when the kids are bored or an accessory that looks good while out walking, running or taking selfies.

Dogs are not objects, just like us they are sentient beings with the capacity to feel a range of emotions.

Dogs are naturally social beings and need to spend time with their human family.

A life spent confined to a backyard or fenced in with little or no human companionship is not a life.

They need love and attention, exercise and mental stimulation. They need routine, consistency and predictable patterns to feel safe and secure in our world.

Having a dog requires commitment, understanding, patience and dedication.

It’s hard work, it’s sometimes messy, dirty and stinky, it costs money and requires changes to our lifestyle.

It’s a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly or without making a long term commitment, but the rewards of forming a secure bond with another sentient being can bring so much joy and enrichment to both our lives and theirs.

08/12/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ar42hvBsc/?mibextid=WC7FNe

How to Relax Your Reactive Dog In 10 Min A Day

05/12/2024

Fun on the music mat.

05/12/2024

More bubble fun.

04/12/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/18L92GfA9C/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Love dog

04/12/2024

Maddie Caballo

30/11/2024

Play suddenly turns❓
What are some signals dogs don't appreciate in play ?
These are just some that can cause play to suddenly turn.
Not all dogs have good play skills and some have very awkward play styles and can even play inappropriately....so not all dogs that do posture over a dog, neck hold and stand over are showing possible problematic play behaviour.
Generally speaking though these can lead to play suddenly turning.
Dog training posters available abcdogsnz.com

28/11/2024

Happy Thanksgiving!

26/11/2024

26/11/2024

Apologies, bit of a rant.😑💥and this will be a bit graphic.
Yesterday I was watching a post implode with bullying and misinformation...the issue?
Someone decided to muzzle train their dog.
Would these commentators rather see a dog eat away at their own flesh?
Perhaps they don't want dogs to heal from injury quickly and with less infection?
Maybe they would rather see a beautifully trained dog die from incessantly eating rocks?
Would they rather be bit by a dog that doesn't wear a muzzle?

Way too much discrimination and misinformation about muzzles out there.
So to the "I would never be so cruel", "how could you"....and the "I hope he bites you" commentators on this persons post....a well fitted and CONDITIONED muzzle shows a responsible guardian/owner/handler, it means this is a well thought out decision taken by a truly responsible person.

They take their responsibility and their commitment to ensuring everyone's health and safety seriously.....because if they didn't it really can be life or death for some.

Muzzles are used by the MOST responsible people.
End of rant.

Graphics available abcdogsnz.com

25/11/2024

If you plan on gathering with friends and/or family this week for US Thanksgiving, there are a number of things you can do to keep your dog (and your visitors) safe.

Remember, there is nothing "wrong" with your dog if you need to manage amid all the chaos; that is 100% normal. Many dogs don't do well with large gatherings, changes to their routine and all the tempting food readily available.

Download your copy here: https://rescuedbytraining.com/safe-holiday-gatherings/

And, check out this blog post for more info on how you can implement each of these strategies: https://rescuedbytraining.com/2022/11/14/holiday-gathering-tips/

24/11/2024

I think this guy is pretty comfortable.

22/11/2024

It can be all too easy to look at a behaviour, particularly one that we find problematic, as an isolated thing that just occurs, or is put down to false and outdated ideas like 'dominance' or 'stubbornness'.

Think of behaviour as a symptom - underlying that behaviour there is an emotion driving that behaviour. Behaviours don't happen just 'because', there is always a reason for them and so it's up to us to learn how to understand what they are trying to tell us so we can work out what that emotion is.

And at the root of it all there will be a need. Something that is causing the dog to feel that particular emotion and so lead them to show the behaviour that we are seeing. Once we have discovered the emotion the dog is feeling, we can work out what the dog needs and help them to get whatever that may be.

The three pictures here give an example:

Behaviour: the dog is barking at something. If you look at their posture and body language the body is leaning back, away from what they are barking at. The ears are back, whiskers flared, and eyes fixed on something. The front paw is slightly lifted and there is a back paw in the air, and the back end of the dog may be lowered towards the ground a little.

Emotion: what the overall picture of the body language is telling us is that the dog is scared of the thing they are barking at, so the emotion they are feeling is fear.

Need: What this dog needs is immediate space from the thing that is bothering them, so they can feel relief from that fear and feel safer again. What they need going on is an increased feeling of safety and security, more trust in us to help them if they need it or get them out of a situation if it's too much for them.

When we can understand the need and emotion driving the behaviour we can understand our dogs far better and see where they need our help.

22/11/2024

THIS!!!!!

Behavioral issues, not infectious diseases, are the number one cause of death for dogs under three years of age. (American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior)

Safer ways to socialise/habituate puppies (outside the home) before the end of the vaccination course differ depending on the area, breed type and size, and other variables.

Examples may include the following:

21/11/2024

Car ride to pick up RX and short visit to Lowe’s. She was surprisingly calm in the car. I was expecting a bit of stress, but nope. A couple of people asked to pet in Lowes. I let her move towards them and gave kibble. One person may be calling Liss for a puppy. 🤞🏻