Just a quick message to wish you and yours a very Happy New Year.
Thank you all so much for a fantastic and fun 2023....and looking forward to meeting more new pups and owners in 2024.
Remember to keep your pets indoors if they are going to be upset by the fireworks or bangers going off....I recommend cuddles on the couch with the curtains closed, and some music/tv playing at a volume to help drown out the noise.
And that's a wrap for another year ladies and gentlemen!!!
The training leads are washed and packed away, muddy boots and rain gear have been cleaned off and dried....now it's time to put my feet up and warm up for the next couple of weeks.
Many many thanks to all the wonderful people and pups I have met in 2023....thank you all for welcoming me into your homes, and for trusting me to work with you and your canine companions.
Thanks also to Cavan Pet Hospital, Petshopboyz Cavan, Wagtails Dog Grooming Cavan, for your continued support in recommending me to your clients.
Thank you Cavan Institute for inviting me to teach Canine CPR & First Aid to your Animal Care students, and also at Night School.
Not forgetting Monaghan Institute for inviting me to speak with your Animal Care students...it's always great to visit you guys.
To Liz and crew at Positive Dog Training...thank you for hosting such amazing workshops...can't wait for 2024.
Thank to the gang at IVBA for such interesting Webinars.
Huge thanks to my network of dog training friends who have been invaluable once again throughout the year and for helping me sanity check myself 😃...you guys are amazing....so in no particular order...thank you Andy at Venture Dog Training, Jill at The Dog Lady- Dog Training, Mary at The Dog Knows, Rachell at K9 Detect & Find Ireland, Mere at Pawfessional Pet Services, and so many more.
So, without further ado, I would like to wish you all a furry Merry Christmas, and a pawsome New Year.
See you all in 2024
When DOUBLE TROUBLE gives way to BROTHERLY LOVE!!!
Look at this pair of absolute cuties ❤
6 weeks ago I visited Bruno and Benji as their family was concerned with some squabbling and resource guarding between the 2 brothers.
The family was also concerned that the boys didn't like being separated...even for a short time, even for toilet breaks.
So we put a plan in place to help build both boys' confidence, and also worked on having them less dependent on each other.
Fast forward 6 weeks, and a massive amount of work by their amazing, dedicated family, these boys are now happily spending time away from each other every day, they willingly share their toys, and are much more relaxed and calm in the house.
Please please please STOP walking your dog's in the heat...if you want to get your 10,000 steps done then do them on your own...leave your dog at home...the ground is roasting hot, but you have footwear to protect your feet, your poor dog has nothing to help protect his paws.
So, for the next few days....
Keep them cool.
Keep their water bowl filled up with cool water.
Walk them very early or very late....if at all.
But, for the love of God, stop walking them in this heat.
Every year we have to make posts like this!!!
September is my absolute favourite month.
While the field hasn't had much use due to the Summer being an absolute washout, September looks like being as reliable and sunny as ever, so we may get some lessons outdoors after all.
DM the page if you're interested in a place.
Welcome to Autumn!!!
Music: Ohayo
Musician: Hani Koi
URL: https://icons8.com/music
This is why I love what I do ❤
A few months ago I worked with a family who were worried about their big bouncy puppy being a bit too boisterous with their little kittens.
After demonstrating a few management exercises, and some really consistent work from the family, it has led to a happy household of 4 legged friends.
Well done to you all.
Still a work in progress...can you guess what's coming?
I know we recommend that walks are done in the early morning or evening time as the temperatures tend to be cooler...that's not always the case as you can see here...25° at 7 pm this evening.
Please be mindful that this is still too warm and the heat will still be stored on footpaths and pavements
No dog ever died from missing one walk, please don't let your dog become a casualty or a fatality.
That moment when the cat realises that if he sits, he'll get some yummy treats too!
Going to miss this pair on Saturday mornings.
#fearfreeforcefreefun
Someone just messaged me to ask what a voluntary check in is so here we go:
It's when your dog offers you eye contact voluntarily, or when your dog approaches you without being asked.
In this video you can see that Brody had turned to come back to me before I called him. I needn't have called him as he was already on his way. That's why I laughed...it was just bad timing on my part.
Hope the explanation and video help.
Quick trip to Enniskillen to visit the dog park this morning for a bit of off lead fun...and a little Recall Refresher with the main man.
We haven't been here in a while, and there were lots of distractions to cope with...a fisherman by the water, traffic on the road, trucks with their engines running, and the circus/fairground right beside us.
Brody did really well...lots of voluntary check ins, and he had a great time sniffing about, and rolling in the grass.
#fearfreeforcefreefun
KING OF HIS KONGS!!!
Brody's motto for emptying his Kong...."If you can't get it out, just chuck it about"
So, how do you eat yours?!?!
#fearfreeforcefreefun
#kongdogtoys
***Excuse the really wobbly camera work***
The importance of Door Manners and Wait....just because a door is open doesn't mean your dog can rush through it.
Your dog rushing through the door is nothing to do with dominance...its simply because outside is really exciting!!
Door Manners keep your dog safe from rushing out into dangers outside such as passing cars.
It can be practised at every door in the house.
It's also a great way of getting your walk with your dog off to a nice calm start.
Notice that there's no tension on the lead at all, I'm not forcing Brody to stay in place, he has learned that waiting calmly is what gets him access to outside.
***Please note, Brody isn't wearing a harness as we're just going from the house to the car***
#fearfreeforcefreefun
This week's FAFF:
What to do when your puppy turns into a Tasmanian Devil.
It's most likely a case of the Zoomies.
This week's FAFF: You get out what you put in!
Or as The New Radicals would say "You get what you give" 😁
Plus information on an amazing Mantrailing weekend in Wexford in August.
K9 Detect & Find Ireland
#fearfreeforcefreefun
In both cases, it's the practised and the practical aspects that get the results!
The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
-To prove your pudding is tasty you need to taste it.. it might look delicious but taste terrible.
The proof of the training is in the repeating.
-To "proof" your training you need to practice anywhere and everywhere with your puppy or dog....repeat repeat repeat
This week's FAFF is about what to do if your puppy does something "wrong"
It's not about punishment or correction but more about distraction and interruption.
#fearfreeforcefreefun
Toddlers, Kiddies, Dogs...how to keep them happy together
In light of the recent tragic death of a 3 month old baby in Waterford this week's FAFF is a repost from last year...toddlers, kiddies and dogs...what can be done to keep them happy together.
Graphics in comments...credits to Stop the 77, DVM multimedia, Trailblazing Tails, familypaws.com
This week's FAFF is about Littermate Syndrome.
Graphic credit: Dogs Disclosed
#fearfreeforcefreefun
Our first FAFF in a while.
Why does my puppy do this?
Why does my dog do that?
A quick chat on why dogs do what they do.
