Canine Behaviour Coaching and ManTrailing

05/11/2024

Occasionally someone pops along here with the idea that I have no practical experience with dogs, couldn't handle a working dog and that's why I don't understand why 'tools' are needed for some dog breeds.

I was in a bite suit and operationally searching for live explosives with dogs decades ago. Working breeds are easier to train with positive reinforcement because they are literally born to work. Dogs don't need prong collars - poor trainers do - because they haven't learned or skilled up enough.

And if you can't teach a companion breed to volunteer something, by using a marker, you have a long way to go with your training. I would say you're not a dog trainer, because that's brain work. A prong collar is not brain work.

If you think you need to expose an innocent dog to a prong collar you don't. You need to learn more.

It really is as simple as that.

And here endeth the lesson.

All dogs deserve safety.

It's a welfare right.

Don't poke the bear.

I am the bear 🐻😅

14/08/2024

Sport-ManTrailing with your dog for fun and enrichment.
Working with the dog’s incredible sense of smell to follow a person’s individual scent trail to locate them is nothing new and has been used for many years all over the world by Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue groups and the Military to find people who are lost or trying to evade detection. But did you know it is also a fantastically enriching activity for your dog?
Here at Canine Behaviour Coaching and ManTrailing we work to accomplish understanding and fulfilment for both dogs and handlers in a positive and supportive environment.

As a qualified instructor using the Kocher Method of training, I set the dogs up for success, allowing every dog to enjoy the rewards of expressing their deep-rooted natural instincts.

Some of the benefits of Sport-Trailing;
• It builds a great working partnership between your dog and you
• You and your dog grow in confidence working together.
• The dog learns to harness the power of their incredible nose
• It uses your dog’s natural instincts, creating fulfilment and satisfaction.
• It also provides you and your dog with physical and mental stimulation.
• Sniffing activities are proven to help dogs relax.
• It is open to Dogs of all breeds, ages and abilities. This includes dogs with confidence issues. We work dogs individually which means that we can work with reactive dogs in a safe environment. (Precautions are taken where needed and each case is treated individually)

Sport-ManTrailing is good for us humans too, we get to hang out with like-minded people, we learn together and support each other, often we get to eat cake and drink coffee and we always get to talk about dogs.

If you are interested give me a call or drop me a message on 07813072510

13/01/2024

WHY I 'IGNORE' YOUR PET

When I walk into your home, I always 'ignore' your anxious or fearful pet (cat or dog) and wait patiently for them to make the first move.

I don't crowd them or touch them without consent. I don't face them head-on or stare them in the eye. I just observe them without putting them in a worse emotional position. Even when they venture close to me, I refrain from touching them. And no, I don't extend my hand so that they can smell me as they could smell me when I entered the gate already due to their keen sense of smell. Extending my hand just scares them. No sudden movements. No loud voices. Just calmness. I wait patiently for them to initiate contact and communication with me. Even then, I limit contact to 3 second bursts.

Sniffing me is not an invitation for me to touch! The dog is gathering information about me. I wait for him to nose me or paw me or lick me and then may pat them. Even then, I pause for corroboration (wait for another sign) to ensure that it's OK to pat them. Rather err on the side of caution and go slow.

I 'ignore' your pet out of love and respect. I give them choices. Choice based behaviour modification builds self-esteem and confidence.

Now you know why I 'ignore' your pet...

Edit - when I say ignore, I mean respect 🙂

📷 Megan Karnes

14/12/2023

10/12/2023

Scented Candles: Seasonal Smells, but Harmful to Everyone’s Health 🕯️⚠️

As appealing as scented candles are, they also produce dangerous indoor pollutants that dramatically affect the health of your entire family, including the furry members. 🤧❗

I don't recommend using air-scenting products, especially if you have pets in your home that can’t step out for a breath of clean, fresh air, if needed. ✖️

For safe, nontoxic ways to keep your home smelling fresh, read today’s free article: https://bit.ly/3sR4sbR

03/12/2023

The outdated concept of pack leadership and dominance in domestic dogs has not only been proven incorrect, but also promotes a harmful relationship dynamic. Born from flawed studies of captive wolves in the 1940s, this theory has been wholly discredited by modern research.

Believing a dog is trying to dominate can foster negative emotions towards confused dogs and lead to unfair interpretation of their behaviour. This, in turn, can provoke inappropriate responses from the humans involved, escalating fear and anxiety in dogs, and creating a cycle of adverse behaviour.

Current understanding of canine behaviour underscores the importance of empathy, respect, and positive reinforcement. Canine Principles champions these evidence-based practices, offering an enlightened approach to dog-human interactions.

Don't let misconceptions taint your relationship with your dog. Join Canine Principles, debunk the myths, and cultivate a more compassionate bond with your dog, based on understanding their true nature and empathy towards them.

https://www.canineprinciples.com/online-dog-courses

29/11/2023

December Mantrailing dates.
A few places available on the following dates;
1st, 3rd, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 24th, 28th, and 29th.
All levels welcome, message me on 07813072510 for more information.

11/11/2023

When did education and ethics become a joke and a game in the dog industry, where the players dress in costume and pretend to wield magic?

Since when did we choose charisma over qualifications? So many on social media announce themselves as dog trainers and promote this idea that they have a magical talent that very few possess. This leads many to believe they don't have, and can never have, the knowledge or skills to change their dogs behaviour. This isn't true. You do have the power to change your dog's behaviour. You do have the power to improve your communication. You do have the power to train your dog. It's not something you are born with, it's something you learn, if you are willing to put the time and effort in.

While there are definitely those that have talents in the dog industry, these should further their education, not replace it. The best dog trainers show humility and acknowledge that there is always more to learn. Ego has no place in the dog industry, rather the industry should be grounded on education and ethics.

Pema Chodron once said that "ego seeks to divide and separate." This is the very opposite to what we want to achieve when training your dog. Communication and the relationship are integral to any behaviour modification plan. So, choose a trainer that is willing and qualified to teach you how to train and communicate with your dog, rather than one that disempowers you with their egotistical belief system.

05/11/2023

We are taking part in a collaboration pop up shop from 14-19 November, open 10-5 Tuesday to Saturday and 10-3 Sunday.

An array of yarns, knits, sewn items, gifts, baskets, rugs and much more. Come and see us in Stonehaven 🤎

18/10/2023

Engagement between a dog and their guardian is beneficial for several reasons:

Relationship building: Engaging with your dog strengthens the bond between you, fostering trust and companionship.

Training: An engaged dog is more receptive to learning, which leads to easier and more effective training sessions.

Mental stimulation: Interaction and engagement help keep your dog's mind sharp, reducing boredom and preventing undesirable behaviours.

Physical exercise: Engaging activities like playtime and walks contribute to your dog's overall fitness and health.

Socialisation: Positive engagement with you and others helps your dog become well-adjusted, confident, and adaptable in various situations.

Communication: Frequent interaction improves understanding between you and your dog, allowing you to better recognize their needs and emotions.

Overall well-being: An engaged and connected dog is likely to be happier, more content, and have a better quality of life.

🐶🐶🐶

18/09/2023

05/09/2023

September ManTrailing dates
Limited places available in Aberdeenshire.
Friday 15th am and pm
Friday 22nd am and pm
Call or message 07813072510 for more information or to book a place.

21/08/2023

Never lose sight of what underpins what you do...