Ambers Canine Academy

27/01/2022

Still a few dog walking/visits slots available for next week. Please contact soon to avoid missing out 🐕🦮🐕‍🦺🐩

25/01/2022

REAL TALK

I found this in my notes from a couple of weeks back whilst I was sitting crying next to my puppies crate whilst he was going back to sleep at 2.15am because I was so tired and sleep deprived 😂 I’ve had to edit a few things as I was delirious at this point from lack of sleep and thinking will it ever get better. I needed an outlet so I just started ferociously typing away 🤣

note: A couple of weeks on and he is amazing at going to bed and only wakes up around 5am to ask to go to the toilet 🤩 so if anyone is in the pickle I was in a couple of weeks back, here is proof hard work pays off!

Here goes:

The reality of having a puppy and being a dog trainer. Do we put on a brave face or he real! ?

“Oh it will be a breeze if your a dog trainer” they said. “Oh your a dog trainer I didn’t expect your puppy to be so misbehaved.” they thought ( or said behind my back 🤣)

Just because trainers and behaviourist have knowledge and experience it doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy for us either. Puppies/dogs are hard work and a life long commitment and I feel it’s not spoken about enough.

The reality is yes, I train puppies/dogs for a living and the amount of pressure I have put on myself is overwhelming! But when I’m in the right frame of mind to rationalise I think.. actually who are making these comments? Mostly people who have not had a dog or a puppy before or for many years and people who have no qualifications/knowledge on training dogs. This is what I have to keep on reminding myself. The people who know how challenging puppies are or can be would never ever judge. They know that each puppy is different and is a huge commitment which takes a lot of hard work, understanding and patience!

I think it’s very important to talk about the struggles of having a puppy… you don’t often hear about the challenges and effort that it takes. it’s often very one sided and you just see the adorable little bundle of fluff and would give anything to have one for yourself… and then the realisation hits! There is a little baby animal in your house which you can’t talk to. How do you expect them to understand what they can and can’t do!

What we often hear:
“Why is your puppy biting?”, “Oh they are nasty/aggressive!” Firstly, puppy biting is a very normal behaviour and is how they express and investigate the world. It would be a concern if a puppy didn’t use its teeth!

There is no magic way to stop a puppy biting. You can of course prevent/manage by positively redirecting and making sure they have lots of exciting toys/ chews they can sink their teeth into. It can be relentless and if you feel you can’t keep your calm when they bite then get up and walk away, it’s so important not to punish or shout when they do anything “naughty”.

“Why can’t you leave your puppy yet? Oh they will have to get used to it, just leave them cry! “
My answer to this is absolutely not! I will not let my puppy just “get over it”. Did you know that if you are to leave your puppy cry they will more likely develop separation anxiety in their later stages or life. What seemed like hard work at the time will seem like a breeze if you having to deal with an adult dog with this anxiety. Puppies and any other very young mammal have an instinct to panic if they are left alone and not with another being, it’s simply in their nature. Are you going to try and change biology? Good luck with that! You have to be patient and build up their tolerance very slowly! It’s most definitely hard work and when you are getting up every hour of the night to settle them back down it can be hard! The sleep deprivation is real!

He is now 4 months old since writing this and the demonic behaviour has stepped up to another level and he’s ripping up our carpets 🙃 so on that note here’s to another hard couple of months and let’s do this 💪🏻😂

17/01/2022

Dog walking services available 🐶

Offering small groups or individual walks 🦮

Spaces available for January.

15/01/2022

Available Dog Walking Services for January 🐕‍🦺

Back to the office? Or popping out for a couple of hours? Ambers canine academy are now offering dog walking/ home visits which can be tailored entirely around the individual dog and their needs.

If this is something you are interested in please contact the page directly and we will be happy to help 😊🐶

28/11/2021

09/11/2021

So important please watch

01/11/2021

Please avoid rawhide at all costs ⛔️

There are always some pretty grim treats for sale but this time of year it really is a perfect excuse to off load the biggest load of toxic tat for our dogs to "enjoy" 🤢 as a treat.
Many of these so called treats end up with the dog "enjoying" some time in a veterinary surgery over Christmas 😥

The vast majority of these rawhide products and treats come from China...

The chews are made from cattle or horse hides and their journey starts with the hides being soaked in a toxic sodium sulphide to remove the hair and fat. More chemicals are used in order to split the hide into layers which is then washed with hydrogen peroxide to give the white "pure" look and remove the rancid smell. Now comes the pretty festive colours and the glue to form cute shapes.
On testing, these chews have shown traces of arsenic, mercury, chromium and formaldehyde.

If that wasn`t bad enough they regularly cause intestinal blockages, poisoning from chemical residue and choking. The chews go slippery when wet and are near impossible to get hold of to save a choking dog 😞

Leave them in the shop where they belong or if some well meaning person buys them for your dog put them safely away for later 😉 then dispatch in the bin!

Posted Originally by Hedgerow Hounds!

26/10/2021

Please consider others 🙏

Fireworks🧨explode like magnified gunfire in the exquisitely sensitive ears of wildlife, our companion animals🐾, and our Veterans.

The Forever Dog

23/10/2021

😭 so sad

A charity says animals that cannot be sold are disguised as strays so rescue centres take them.

22/10/2021

Any herding/working breed requires a lot of time and commitment if you are wanting to integrate them into a non working life.

We highly recommend researching the breed of dog you are interested in extensively before making any decisions. If this breed matched your lifestyle and you can give it all they need then collies can be fabulous family members 🥰🐶

IF YOU WANT A BORDER COLLIE IN YOUR LIFE BE READY…

To accept:

🐾 a working dog with endless energy
🐾 a dog that needs exercise even if it’s cold and wet
🐾 a dog covered in mud
🐾 a compulsive chaser
🐾 an obsessive stalker
🐾 a dog that needs lots of different activities to keep satisfied
🐾 a dog that needs a job
🐾 months of chewing needs
🐾 crazy zoomies in the house
🐾 a sensitive dogs that doesn’t forgive many mistakes
🐾 a dog that might be shy to humans
🐾 a dog that might not be 100% sociable with all other dogs
🐾 a dog that barks in alert to noises around their house (yes, they bark in alarm in farms too)
🐾 a dog that will see movement as the most rewarding thing so you can’t stand still and expect your dog to like you
🐾 a dog that will find ways to entertain itself and believe me, you won’t like them

Now. Are you sure you are ready to sing up for this? 😎😎

I have been for nearly 17 years. I know have it x3. It’s a full time job! But I wouldn’t want anything different!!!

16/10/2021

A visit for little Joey 🐾
Such an affectionate boy who is learning to contain his excitement when visited and out on walks.

Using brain games, positive counter conditioning and management.

We don’t blame people for wanting to say hello to this adorable little boy 🥺🐕

#1-2-1

16/10/2021

As most of us pawparents know, bonfire night is a stressful time for our fur babies🎇

Buzz really isn’t a fan 🎆

I don’t think I’d be a fan if I saw my first firework whilst peacefully having a wee in the garden! Our next door neighbours let off a rocket last year and I had to collect Buzz from the garden as he was too scared to move!

We’ve had a few firework displays around us this year as we’re close to a wedding venue and I’ve found the snood has calmed him down massively. I’m not claiming the snoods are made for this, but they’ve certainly helped Buzz! If this helps one pup to feel calmer during bonfire night then my job here is done 🥰

05/10/2021

Winter Special ☃️

Ambers Canine Academy are currently offering a discounted price on 1 hour obedience sessions. Limited time only!

Things that can be covered:
❄️Lead walking
❄️Recall
❄️General obedience such as Sit, Stay, Down
❄️Fun new tricks
❄️Suitable for both puppies and older dogs

Original price £50, offer price £35
Please message and book your spaces to avoid missing out.

Please note: These sessions are for basic obedience skills only and not behavioural work. If your dog is showing any form of reactivity towards other dogs or people then please feel free to contact about our behaviour services we can provide.

01/10/2021

Show us your black dogs 💕😍

Oct 1st is National Black Dog Day
- A special day devoted to highlighting the plight of black dogs in shelters and rehoming centres around the globe.
Did you know that because of their colouring they are less likely to be adopted - crazy!
Let's celebrate our dark-haired paw-mates!
We would love to see photos! 📷🐾

10/09/2021

🙏

Today is a BIG day for animal welfare - as a ban on the third party sales of puppies and kittens, often known as Lucy's Law, comes into force in Wales, following tireless campaigning.

This means puppies or kittens under six months of age cannot be sold - unless by the breeder, or from a rescue centre. Poor breeding and rearing conditions, unnecessary transportation and being taken from mothers too early has sadly been a grim reality for many pups and kittens – and banning third party selling will be an important event in stopping these young animals from being subjected to such situations.

Under the proposals, anyone who wants to sell pets in Wales has to meet minimum animal welfare standards for the first time, with a new licensing scheme introduced for pet sellers. The law also states that puppies, kittens, ferrets or rabbits cannot be sold until they are at least eight weeks of age – while local authorities across Wales will need to provide more data about the numbers of licenced premises in a locality; ensuring increased understanding of the animal welfare picture across the country.

24/08/2021

😂

🤣🤣🤣

04/08/2021

Clever little Poppy did great working on her lead walking this evening 🐶
Managed to get a fab little action shot of Poppy focusing too 🤩

30/07/2021

So rewarding to see this pupper gain confidence and start to enjoy and understand love 😢💕

18/07/2021

Big boy Boris 💙🐶

13/06/2021

Do not walk your dogs in this heat‼️

With the rising temperature it is highly advised not to walk your dogs in high heat.

Alternatively try giving them a brain game/task to do in the house where they can keep cool with access to plenty of water at all times.

Take your dogs out in the evenings or early mornings when it’s at its coolest.

Remember to do the pavement temperature check. If it’s too hot for your hand or bare foot then it’s most definitely going to be too hot for your dogs paws.

If you are enjoying yourself out in the garden or sunshine make sure there is plenty of shade for your fur baby’s trust me they will thank you for it🐶

06/06/2021

These things make me feel physically sick. First for the dogs and second for the arrogance of our species.
https://ed.gr/dahpw

06/05/2021

Very important information below!

Dogs are not pack animals, as much as the myth tries to perpetuates itself through our media.⠀
⠀
It’s important to understand this because this myth of dogs being pack animals sometimes leads to actions that can be harmful for our dogs. ⠀
⠀
For example:⠀
🔹 Making dogs go on large group “pack walks” where dogs are wearing aversive equipment and have no way of creating space from one another, and are therefore being flooded.⠀
🔹 Thinking we need to exert “dominance” or be the “alpha” by using aversive corrections, “alpha rolling”, and being intimidating when that actually just makes us look like a bully to our dog.⠀
🔹 Labels like “alpha” and “dominant” leads us to think that dogs behave the way they do for some higher purpose or to defy us and this causes us to use aversive methods and intimidate them to “put them in their place”.⠀
⠀
So, how should we think about our relationship with our dogs if we’re not a “pack”?⠀
🤝 You and your dog are a team that works together and understands each other the best you can without the need for threats.⠀
🤝 You and your dog are a family and as your family, you’ll help your dog feel safe and feel safe around you.⠀
🤝 You and your dog are sentient beings with your own needs and desires and you can absolutely work together to meet those needs and wants.⠀
🤝 You are a teacher and your dog is your learner and it’s on you to teach your dog what you’d like them to do and reward them for it every step of the way so they really learn what you want.⠀
⠀
It’s time for us to ditch this outdated theory and myth and really work towards a better, more understanding, and more compassionate relationship with our dog. ⠀
⠀
ID: Curved text on top says “Dogs are not pack animals”. In the middle is a cartoon graphic of a woman and a dog on her lap. There are 4 bubbles with text in them that say from right to left: “Dogs form loose associations with one another!”, “There is no fixed hierarchy in dog-dog relationships”, “Your dog knows you’re not a dog.”, and “You don’t have to be the “alpha”/“pack leader”.

02/05/2021

The lovely Nora did very well in her first puppy 1-2-1 today 🐶
What a clever little girl 💕

31/03/2021

Some trainers: “don’t let your dog sleep in your bed”

Me: “are you tucked in enough?”

24/01/2021

Happy snow day everyone! Hope you can get out and have some fun with your dogs before it all melts!

❄️Reminder❄️
Please wash your dogs paws thoroughly if you have walked on roads that have been gritted. The salt can be very harmful for your doggos

25/12/2020

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!

Here’s to a healthy and happy new year 🍀

13/11/2020

Congratulations to Ffi on completing puppy class! It’s been an absolute pleasure watching you learn and pick up obedient behaviours so quickly! You really are a star ⭐️ 🎓

13/11/2020

Well done Buddy on completing puppy Class! It’s been an absolute pleasure getting to know your cheeky little character! Such a good boy 🐶🎓