Helping Paws Dog Training

28/04/2024

I was privileged to work with these wonderful people and their assistance dogs. Great work by all teams. Sprite came along to help. If you would like to train your dog contact us

11/04/2023

This can happen in a second. Fixation/hyper fixation is an escalation in awareness and if you have a reactive dog....usually there is barking, lunges, whining and "digging" in immediately after fixation.....and unfortunately that reaction can happen just seconds after a "locked on" gaze.

The good news is there are ALWAYS "tells" that your dog has gone from looking to hyper fixation.

If you have a reactive dog, learning all those subtle and not so subtle tells are SO very important. You need to start to read these changes in posture and behaviour so you can act.

Ears change, softness in the body changes, mouths often "slam" closed and there may be a leaning in with a long lowered neck.

Not all dogs show all these changes and the graphic is a generalisation...but it lists many common signs that your dog has become aware of a trigger.

Your dogs coat may never be raised when they see a trigger, they may have a shorter, curlier coat.
There may not even be any changes in the tail for some breeds as they may have little to none or a tightly curled tail.

BUT....there WILL be signs that your dog has just changed from looking to fixating.
A good way to get a better idea of the changes is to have someone film you and your dog when you are nearing a trigger for your dog.....whether that be a cyclist, person, dog or cat. Have someone film it for you.

Watch the video and look at what happens in a split second or seconds leading up to fixation...
Leash tension.
Lowering neck.
Straining forward.
Mouth shutting.
Tail tucking or in a high flagging position.

This is ALL information you can use to lessen reactions and prepare an action plan for when you see those tell tale signs.

Reactivity is a beast.
It is complex and very individual....but if you learn all the signs your dog does give you.....you are on your way to making a real and positive change for you and your dog.

All the best on your reactive journey.

22/02/2023

I’m doing several consultations in the Lithgow area on Sunday 5th March if you would like an appointment please contact me ASAP as I only have a couple of time slots available

23/01/2023

We are running gun puppy classes in Bathurst let us know if you would like to join us

26/12/2022

We have had an exciting year with three little cuties joining our family. Eli is now 8 months old here he is doing his first photoshoot for mimco. The lab pups are 9 weeks old now. If you are ready to start the year on the right paw contact us today

03/07/2022

Alison is now back from puppy maternity leave. All the pups have gone to new homes except the gorgeous Eli. If you want to get your dogs training up to scratch or fix those problem behaviours. Contact me.

02/02/2022

When socialising your new pup or adult dog remember there is a lot more things to get them used to than playing with other dogs.

13/12/2021

Abby had a very successful weekend in an obedience competition. If you want to help your dog become more obedient contact us about lessons. Group lessons and fun classes will be vomencing in 2022

21/11/2021

I see way too many overweight dogs these days. This is a quick reference to tell how your pet is doing in the weight department!

12/11/2021

Watch this video and contact us to help you train your dog

https://youtu.be/KrKEZIxFB64

Behaviorist dog trainer Rob Peladeau, of NexGenK9, will be here to share strategies for training your dog.Rob Peladeau has been training dogs for almost twen...

30/09/2021

Is your dog sick of lockdown snd driving you crazy? Have you recently got a new puppy? We are now allowed to do home visit consults. Alison has had both vaccinations and excited to get back into training. Message us and we can arrange a lesson

03/09/2021

Is your dog or puppy guarding food. Don’t take the food or toys away watch this video and think about it from your dog’s point of view. Contact us for help. We are now allowed to do one on one consults again

https://youtu.be/GAZV80udh8o

I put this video together when I saw an opportunity with my kids. I wouldn't ever put a puppy or dog in a situation where I had to take their food just to sh...

06/04/2021

Puppies need lots of enrichment and socialising to grow into well adjusted adults. Cilla is almost 4 months old she has had new experiences everyday. Socialising isn’t about playing with other dogs it’s about getting out in the community and not be scared of anything meet people of all ages. It’s a lot of work having a new puppy but it’s lots of fun

28/03/2021

Abby won on the weekend in an obedience trial. Your dog can be a star too. If you would like some help training your dog even in the basics contact us

31/10/2020

Abby is starting on some assistance dog tasks. What can your dog help with?

28/10/2020

Have you been to Woolworths lately look up and see our very own Helping Paws trained dog Leroy. Your dog can be a star with some training contact us to book some lessons

25/10/2020

Well done to Sue and her beautiful dog Queenie they are working hard to become an assistance dog team.

27/06/2020

This little guy had another lesson today. He’s such a sweetheart

06/06/2020

You can do so many more things with your trained dog. Give us a call or message if you want to have a dog with better manners.

24/04/2020

https://www.facebook.com/1027262717/posts/10219343955242760/?

31/12/2019

10/12/2019

Helping paws is available to provide therapy dogs for schools, nursing homes and disabled services for 2020. Please message for costs and availability.
We are now starting to take names for people who are interested in obtaining a fully trained assistance dog that will suit your needs for information please contact Alison 0411103096 and we can discuss what you might require

24/11/2019

Helping paws can help with all your dog training needs from pet dogs to assistance dogs

22/11/2019

In our house, we try and make best use of the recycling to create new puzzles. It's amazing what you can create with an old sock, an ice cream tub and toilet roll. If you want to give it a try, be sure to clean everything and supervise your dog for safety.

01/11/2019

How many times do you hear "he's just stubborn" coming from the mouths of dog owners?

If dogs are trained correctly and understand 'what' is being asked of them they will comply. It will always come back to 'the dog will only ever be as good as the trainer is competent at training'....

Stop blaming and start training!

01/11/2019

Come along for some fun

01/11/2019

01/11/2019

Welcome to Helping Paws Dog Training.
Dogs helping us and us helping dogs.
For any type dog training or behavioural problems. Contact Alison

Dog Training classes held in Lithgow
Assistance Dog training
Group K9 walks
Provider of trained Assistance Dogs
Dog Boarding
Personal lessons in your home