On-Lead Adventures

16/08/2023

Hi there.
If you are still attending to this page, I have an announcement.
I am now an accredited dog trainer and have started a consultation business for behaviour change for dogs.
I will close this page soon so follow me on my new page before that happens.
Thank you!

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550218494976&mibextid=LQQJ4d

I’m Georgia. I am an Institute of Modern Dog Training accredited Dog Trainer and member.

14/06/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=762540342328837&id=100057186351003&mibextid=qC1gEa

A big shout out to my puppy class assistant Georgia Clark who has just gained her Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training through the Institute of Modern Dog Training. Congratulations!!

14/06/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=229311406632271&id=100086602389434&mibextid=qC1gEa

08/06/2023

As I wind up my adventures with pals, I feel the pangs of sadness that they won’t be part of my weekly routine.
Onwards though. With all the important things they’ve taught me.

30/05/2023

24/05/2023

17/05/2023

Fur baby fun

11/05/2023

Oh my dog!

02/05/2023

💜💜💜

06/04/2023

Fur fun

04/04/2023

WHAT DOGS WOULD WANT US TO KNOW

Dogs are held captive in our human world but and are not born to understand our human ways. We expect so much of them.

We expect them to conform and behave in ways that are “acceptable” to us.

So many dogs are subjected to force, punishment, intimidation, aversive tools or outdated training methods as humans attempt to change and control them.

“Humans are afraid of aliens because we think they will treat us the same way we treat other animals on earth” – I don’t know where this quote originates from, but it makes sense.

Dogs have feelings, emotions and are sentient beings. They need our understanding, patience and kindness.

They long for us to understand them and although they do not speak our language, their body language speaks for them, if we would just take the time to notice and learn to interpret it.

We have a responsibility to learn about how they learn, to help them feel safe and secure and provide for not just their basic needs.

These are some of the things I believe dogs would want us to know.

27/03/2023

Fun and hounds

13/03/2023

I was a professional dog trainer for years, but it never sat right with me. I was in it for the dogs, you see, and when you train dogs for roles, you have to think just as much about the position they will fill as you do the dog.

And I just wanted to think about the dog.

That’s why I was there.

This is why I find the current changes we see in the dog training industry so heartening.

Good pet dog trainers are moving into being family dog therapists.

Excellent dog trainers are becoming ethologists.

Dogs are being encouraged to be who they are, and their guardians learn what their dogs need.

We have started watching them for fear, anxiety and pain.

We heartily and scientifically question the backward habit of labelling their struggles as ‘dominance’.

We encourage understanding.

We embrace a dog’s individuality.

We understand that behaviour is just a dog trying to meet their needs in an unnatural environment.

Instead of changing that behaviour, we identify the dog’s needs, and we meet them halfway.

We don’t create an oppressed dog; we create harmony.

We are getting better at it all the time.

Thank dog for that.

11/03/2023

This

26/02/2023

Appeasement Licking.
This is always a difficult subject as often this is something which is misread or dismissed as affection or "kisses".

Not ALL licking is appeasement licking, appeasement licking is usually paired with other stress signals or calming signals....and I know that may be tricky for some to notice.

Licking is completely normal for dogs. It can be a healthy and socially acceptable behaviour between other dogs. It is relaxing, soothing and can be displayed for many reasons.
However appeasement licking can also be shown to other dogs, even ones they know and live with.

Licking can be used as a greeting, a show of affection and can also be a sign of a deep bond, seeking more information and tasting.....so absolutely your dog can lick you as a sign of affection.....there is no question of that.🙂

However...sometimes others can misconstrue or misread these signals.

If you are in any doubt over why your dog licks either you or another dog...video the interaction.
Watch that video and look for tell tale signs of stress (some are mentioned in the graphic).

One of the worst feelings in the world is when I have to inform someone that those certain types of "kisses" do not come from a place of affection but can be from a place of fear, mistrust and stress.

26/02/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=6806579709362982&id=367116489976035&mibextid=0cALme

Disregarding the severity of pet bereavement can represent a barrier in the healing process.

20/02/2023

When you know more, you do more

Today's PSA is brought to you on behalf of trainers everywhere who want you to know our choice to avoid the use of punishment isn't based on some rainbow & sunshine outlook on the world. It's based on our commitment to studying what science has learned - and continues to learn - about this incredible species we bring into our world rather than sticking to folklore & the "way it's always been done". When you know better, you do better.

30/01/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=869206587820841&id=100041945241773&mibextid=qC1gEa

By Stateofmind dog training

20/01/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=8964560136895194&id=448052951879331&mibextid=qC1gEa

Dear dog owner. Please try to understand.
Read this and think about it....

Dog owner says: Hello, my dog is pulling on the leash and running behind deer into the woods when I let him off the leash.

Trainer: Okay . What is the breed?

Owner: A Siberian Husky mixed with a C**n Hound.

Trainer: Okay so you got a sled dog with a hunting dog?

Owner: Yes .

Trainer: Ok what are these breeds bred for?

Owner: Well half of the dog was supposed to pull and the other half was supposed to run into the woods and chase.

Trainer: And your problem is?

Owner: It pulls on a leash and follows wildlife.

Trainer: Yes it looks like you have a dog that is meant to drag and hunt.

Owner: Yes that's right. Can you train the dog?

Trainer: Do you have any interest?

Owner: Yes for sure. I love painting and watching movies.

Trainer: Can you think about stopping that?

Owner: No, i don't think I can. But what does that have to do with dog training?

Trainer: Would you do something else that doesn’t give you the same pleasure you have in painting and watching movies?

Owner: I mean, I sure can do other things, but it’s not that much fun.

Trainer: And what can you offer to a sled dog that has fun pulling and a hound dog that has fun hunting?

Owner is quiet for a while....
Owner: This is a good question. I don't know.

Trainer: Neither do I.

Owner: Maybe I should have gotten a PlayStation?

Trainer: Haha yes if you don't like hunting or exercise outdoors a lot this dog might not be for you.

Owner: Yes, maybe I should have thought more before I got a dog. But it is terribly cute!

Trainer: Yes i understand that.

Owner: He also has a lot of hair, my husband is going crazy about all that fur.

Trainer: mmm thats something you gotta deal with.

Owner: Yes, there was even hair in the stew last night.

Trainer: Yeah, that's not unusual.

Owner: But you know what? I met a sled dog when I was 12. It was so beautiful. I've always wanted one since.

Trainer: Too bad you didn't get the PlayStation instead.

Owner laughs: Okay, I think I'm starting to understand that it's not the dog that has problems, it's me.

Trainer: Haha no big "problem". What you are saying is very widespread. People with protective dogs get angry when their dog growls at strangers. People with windhounds get frustrated when their dog comes home with a baby rabbit. People often know too little when they get a dog.

Owner: Thanks for the chat. I learned a lot in 10 minutes.

Trainer: Good luck for the future. We can do a lot to help you train your dog. But the dog will always have a need and joy to drag and chase.

Owner: Yes, I can understand that now.

15/01/2023

Summer dawgs

15/01/2023

Enrichment activities can be simple and a great way to recycle…here are my 11 year old whippets engaging in an activity on a day when they must wait for their walk but they have energy to do something.

09/01/2023

https://m.facebook.com/100066634565633/posts/507389428158872/?d=n&mibextid=qC1gEa

Love this from LotsDogs.

05/01/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3371721466377525&id=1631544090395280&mibextid=qC1gEa

Work challenges popular idea that breeds have specific, reliable behaviors