Happy K9 Training

15/01/2025

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Listen to the whispers

Whispers are soft, subtle and so easy to miss in our often busy, hectic lives, but making an effort to listen to them can prevent situations from escalating, resulting in reactive behaviour.

A dog’s attempt to communicate is so often misunderstood or completely ignored.

Body language is one of the only ways that dogs can let us know how they are feeling. When we know how they’re feeling, we can intervene, help them feel safe and prevent those emotions from boiling over.

Body language can be subtle and fleeting, but with careful observation and knowing what to look for most of us can learn to recognize and understand what our dogs are saying.

It’s always important to look at the context, the situation and especially what the rest of the body is doing when deciphering their language.

Being able to understand a dog’s emotional state through their body language helps us to predict behaviour, prevent potential problems or simply allows us to just enjoy observing what they are feeling.

Although dogs each have their own unique personalities and distinct way of communicating, there are many common signs that can give us insight. We just need to take the time to learn and then notice them. I believe dogs would be so grateful if we make the effort to learn their language.

Here are some resources and links to learn more about body language -

On Talking Terms With Dogs - Calming Signals, 2nd Edition by Turid Rugaas
https://www.dogwise.com/on-talking-terms-with-dogs-calming-signals-2nd-edition/?srsltid=AfmBOoqj8ruQJx5bCP7qWb03TqCyAGfmAvCj988UuWk_L1_UHbYcZsES&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0AaDd_wwhSC4JEUqkvQmOG9lU5bNdbAOEeHQb0st7P_DXrdAOR-utY_-k_aem_cqU0VLHHyjrKbce9ddT84g

The Veterinary Behaviour Centre
https://www.heska.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/TVBC-Canine-Dog-Body-Language-handout.pdf?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3mKGykzNJr7_yFf1_e6mc2sRHjNvjEok2GLvKTw-OMtTxEfjtlxM6vk4I_aem_B-YAlekmE0eV03c_1x8cyw

24/12/2024

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ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS ….

Not just for Christmas, but every day of a dog’s life – these are some of the things I believe dogs would want -

Gifts of love, kindness, compassion, understanding and knowledge.

Gifts of helping them feel safe, secure and protected in their environment

Gifts of unconditional love, second chances and a forever home

Gifts of allowing appropriate choices

Gifts of mental and physical stimulation.

Gifts of proper nutrition and health care.

Gifts of never using punishment, force, fear, intimidation or tools that cause pain.

Gifts of acceptance for the dog that they are.

Wishing you and dog’s everywhere a very Happy Christmas filled with the gifts that really matter!

19/12/2024

What a handsome little fella working on his distance downs next to a restaurant!
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If you have a pup who you would like to learn desirable behaviors, check out our Puppy FUNdamentals Programs. We offer Day Training and Board and Train for puppies.
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Go play with your dog!
12.18.24

12/12/2024

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DON’T GET A DOG…UNLESS YOU CAN MAKE A COMMITMENT

In an ideal world dogs would be included as a family member and we would commit to sharing our time and life with them in the relatively short time they have on earth.

In an ideal world, we would take the time to learn about how dogs communicate through their body language, their emotions, their needs and keep learning about updated, modern, force free / pain free methods to understand or modify behaviour.

In reality, dogs are so often seen as an item of property, an object, a commodity to be bred and make money from, a cheap, replaceable security system, a garden decoration, a toy to play with when the kids are bored or an accessory that looks good while out walking, running or taking selfies.

Dogs are not objects, just like us they are sentient beings with the capacity to feel a range of emotions.

Dogs are naturally social beings and need to spend time with their human family.

A life spent confined to a backyard or fenced in with little or no human companionship is not a life.

They need love and attention, exercise and mental stimulation. They need routine, consistency and predictable patterns to feel safe and secure in our world.

Having a dog requires commitment, understanding, patience and dedication.

It’s hard work, it’s sometimes messy, dirty and stinky, it costs money and requires changes to our lifestyle.

It’s a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly or without making a long term commitment, but the rewards of forming a secure bond with another sentient being can bring so much joy and enrichment to both our lives and theirs.

03/12/2024

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THE PERILS OF PUNISHMENT

It’s easy to stop or suppress a behaviour by using punishment, force or pain and say that it really works, so why even bother to do it differently?

Punishment based methods may well “fix” the behaviour quickly, are far easier, require far less effort, less knowledge, less education, or even just be based on traditional belief, but these methods come at a great cost - destroying trust, creating insecurity, fear, anxiety, provoking aggression, causing dogs to shut down or feel helpless and prevent dogs from learning an alternative, more acceptable behaviour.

There is so much modern, scientific evidence to support force free, positive reinforcement methods as being the most effective and successful way to modify behaviour.

There is nothing admirable, ethical or intelligent in physically or emotionally forcing any sentient being to comply.

Take the time and make a commitment to understand and learn about positive, force free, science-based methods.

25/11/2024

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If we really want our dogs to meet others (especially if they are socially awkward), this helps enormously ✅
Choose your dogs carefully though, matching energy and body shapes (and sometimes breed for a very socially awkward dog) are all great ideas too....some dogs have a particularly difficult time reading other dogs that look different to them.
You can do this on lead....but a little word of caution about allowing over aroused/over excited dogs dragging you towards other dogs they want to meet....that can soon become a lifelong habit and you can be dragged to meet every dog they see, even at an enormous distance away.
It is opening up the door to a possible life time of over excited reactivity.
If we watch dogs, many will meet for a few seconds and then disperse, they may check out this dog again and then both dogs may be happy to have a play or not....and that is ok!
It is perfectly normal for dogs to be socially choosy with who they interact with.✅
We need to respect that.

These graphics are available for purchase for educational handouts and posters, feel free to check out the store https://www.abcdogsnz.com/dog-training-graphics?srsltid=AfmBOopS8IIostWJ4XsWPsQK0oRAyAMYnCXRkfMuM4sAziC4J67UYvxl

22/11/2024

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Movement and excitement ✅
Practice and make it a priority ✅....BUT ❗ if there is an over arousal issue that permeates your dogs life, you may really want to work on that first.
Everyone wants a good recall to happen and it really IS possible, but there are things we should and shouldn't do with recall.
If your dog barely listens to you calling them in your own house or in your yard....there is virtually zero chance it will happen at the beach when your dog is off lead surrounded by other distractions.
Recall needs work, slowly expanding and listening in ever increasing environments.
If the effort is put in, it can work beautifully AND when you really need it.
Keep it fun !
Keep it exciting !

Yes, these graphics are available for purchase and can be used for handouts and posters, pop over to ABCDogsNZ.com to check out the collection.

21/11/2024

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ARE YOU MANAGING?
Are you managing your dog’s environment to prevent or improve unwanted behaviour?

As people, we tend to prefer and look for the more complicated solutions to problems. This tendency is termed “complexity bias” - the tendency to prefer complicated explanations and solutions instead of looking for the simpler ones.

Surely a complicated, time consuming, detailed solution has to be more effective, superior, impressive, or correct?

Complexity bias is so relevant when it comes to changing a dog’s unwanted behaviour. We often get so stuck on trying to modify behaviour through counter conditioning, desensitization or detailed training plans when sometimes the simplest solution to the problem lies in simply managing the environment.

Dogs will do what dogs do – when an opportunity arises to help themselves to food left on a table, to bark at the gate at anyone passing by, to have a drink from that big water bowl at the perfect height, that we call a toilet, to running off with irresistibly smelly dirty underwear, to rummaging through bins in search of anything that may or may not be edible, to running out an opened door in search of adventure - the list is long - dogs will be dogs.

Parents of little children use management all the time without giving it much thought. Baby locks on cupboards, covers on electrical sockets, valuable or dangerous items put far out of reach, fences and locks around pools, etc.

We wouldn’t just train a toddler not to stick their fingers in an electrical socket, not to open cupboards, not to touch a hot plate – it’s far safer, simpler and logical to first manage the environment, to prevent potential incidents.

The same principle should apply to managing a dog’s environment to prevent unwanted behaviour.

The more a behaviour is practiced the more difficult it is to prevent. The more a behaviour is rehearsed the better dogs become at it.

Preventing the behaviour from happening in the first place by using management is the logical, simple and effective way to address it.

Be a good manager – it’s far less stressful, for both us and our dogs.

20/11/2024

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What is the solution to barking at something outside a window ❓
We have just finished making a video on this very subject.
Why is it SO important to stop it ?
How do you actually stop this behaviour ?
Link in the comments to a video.
Well worth a looksie 👀✅

🙂Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collection of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

19/11/2024

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Such a struggle for some dogs to just stop and rest.❗
The graphic is full of some good tips ....but we have also just added a new video covering exactly how to start place work/mat training which helps ENORMOUSLY with dogs that struggle to calm down.
It also covers DOWN and STAY which I know many struggle with too.
Link in comments.

Yes..this graphic is available in the new shop (details in comments too ). 🙂

18/11/2024

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Such a struggle for some dogs to just stop and rest.❗
The graphic is full of some good tips ....but we have also just added a new video covering exactly how to start place work/mat training which helps ENORMOUSLY with dogs that struggle to calm down.
It also covers DOWN and STAY which I know many struggle with too.
Link in comments.

Yes..this graphic is available in the new shop (details in comments too ). 🙂

14/11/2024

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TRIGGER STACKING – WHEN BEHAVIOUR HAPPENS “OUT OF THE BLUE”

We’ve all had those days when nothing seems to go right and one frustrating thing after another happens to us, leaving us feeling wound up, stressed and ready to explode at the next unsuspecting person who dares to ask us something.

This “unsuspecting” person may think we have a serious behaviour problem or need anger management therapy, when the truth is that we’ve just had a really bad day or even a few bad days and don’t usually behave like this at all.

Dogs are no different and a behaviour that seems completely out of character or happens “out of the blue” is often caused by “trigger stacking”.

A trigger may be anything that increases a dog’s stress levels and has a negative impact on their emotional, mental or physical state.

These may be small things that we may not even notice or seem insignificant to us, but they are all adding to an increasing “stack” of events that may culminate in out of character behaviour.

When stress levels reach a certain point, the next stressful event, however small, may cause an explosive reaction that is completely unexpected.

Instead of just focusing on a particular behaviour and seeing it as a problem that needs to be prevented, take a step backwards, look at the bigger picture, look at events, circumstances or environmental factors that may have played a role leading up to that behaviour.

Being aware of potential stressors and allowing your dog time to decompress, relax and unwind for a few days will often mean the difference between “normal behaviour” and a behaviour that seems completely out of character.

13/11/2024

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/11/09/puppies-training-working-service-dogs/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzMxMTI4NDAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzMyNTEwNzk5LCJpYXQiOjE3MzExMjg0MDAsImp0aSI6ImYzNGEyY2UyLTkyNGQtNGQ5OC05ZTI4LTQwNjVkYjNkYjQ4YiIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS93ZWxsbmVzcy8yMDI0LzExLzA5L3B1cHBpZXMtdHJhaW5pbmctd29ya2luZy1zZXJ2aWNlLWRvZ3MvIn0.sD5YHX3fmGbA2YD0sD3YFmSQ9U7mIvTTnatTRucMJPo&fbclid=IwY2xjawGdBVxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHeDuJuSjbKD000TVIc3lHcnIOaPzZfN4Kc35XGHcYYU4zY1NQUDPT86tLg_aem_dpg88iRwZtpKoY3ZEBuroA

For now, there is no way to predict which dogs will make good workers, but canine behavioral scientists are trying to change that.

12/11/2024

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Put your hand out... just let him sniff your hand ❌
She's nervy with anyone new, just crouch down ❌
Oh heck no....
I appreciate approaching a dog is also unique to each individual dog and the situation you are in at the time but please don't approach a dog you do not know with an outstretched hand or crouch down.
There are reasons hands and faces are the most bitten parts on a human.
Crouching down puts you in a position where you are unable to move quickly, and because you don't know this dog (and they do not know you).....you may need to move away very quickly.

A sniff of a hand is NOT permission from a dog to touch them.
It doesn't mean you are now friends and have built trust, it means they sniffed your hand which was thrust right in front of them.

Many dogs will very warily get closer and sniff an outstretched hand then immediately back off if they sense you are suddenly nervous around them, they register your respiration/heart rate has changed (some are aware your adrenaline has risen too).... and they may bite that same hand if they feel threatened enough.

Your hand is in very easy reach for them.
As is your face if you crouch down.....

🙂Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collection of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

11/11/2024

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WHEN SECONDS COUNT

This post is not advocating that dogs meet every other dog, but about how to go about it, if and when it does happen, in a safer way.

The 3 second rule for dogs meeting each other is used as a guideline to help foster positive introductions, prevent either dog from feeling overwhelmed or trapped and prevent any potential reactivity and stress.

A short 3 second introduction is enough time to provide important information to both dogs.

Enough information for dogs to know – “are you a threat?”, “do I like you?”, “do I want to learn more about you?”, “do I really dislike you?”, “do I need you to go away?” etc. Both dogs may not feel the same way – one may not be happy to engage while the other may want to.

All interactions should ideally happen like this, not just initially. Just like us, dogs can have off days – things like pain, trigger stacking, lack of sleep or a host of other reasons can influence whether a dog wants to interact or not.

There are countless times I have witnessed meetings or introductions between dogs that have gone on just a few seconds too long and have not ended well. This can have long lasting effects on future behaviour when meeting other dogs.

Understanding body language is critically important. If we are going to share our lives with another species, protect them, advocate for them and help them feel safe, then we need to understand and respect their language.

The examples in this post of red and green flags are just a few general ones to look out for – there are many more and these will differ depending on the individual dog, context and circumstances.

Here are some resources and links to learn more about body language -
On Talking Terms With Dogs - Calming Signals, 2nd Edition by Turid Rugaas
https://www.dogwise.com/on-talking-terms-with-dogs-calming-signals-2nd-edition/?srsltid=AfmBOoqj8ruQJx5bCP7qWb03TqCyAGfmAvCj988UuWk_L1_UHbYcZsES

The Veterinary Behaviour Centre
https://www.heska.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/TVBC-Canine-Dog-Body-Language-handout.pdf

Make sure those first 3 seconds count – they can make all the difference.

09/11/2024

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Is your dog throwing up undigested food? Regurgitation of this type can be associated with a GI motility disorder.