AniMate

23/08/2024

We have quite a few things going on at AniMate now, so here's an updated list of our services 🐾

22/08/2024

I had a catch up with the gorgeous Ned recently. We looked at his muzzle training, and he came out for a walk with Tucker to work on neutrality and calm behaviour around another dog.
Ned tends to get quite overwhelmed when greeting another dog, so the emphasis was on them quietly co-existing and occasionally registering each other, rather than allowing him to engage in a high energy greeting.

21/08/2024

Puppy course beginning 7th September 1.15pm 🐾

Location: VIPPIES Lincoln, 54 Hawthorn Road, Reepham, LN3 4DU

We offer a 7 week course covering:

- An introduction to dog body language
- Basic training (sit, lie down, stay, recall, leave)
- Confidence building for puppies
- One session dedicated specifically to loose lead walking
- Appropriate socialisation opportunities
- Emphasis on problem prevention

£120 including access to support between sessions via class Whatsapp groups

Small classes (maximum four puppies)

Non-refundable £50 deposit required to secure place

20/08/2024

Two of our attendees on our current Rethinking Reactivity course. We're four weeks in now and all dogs are doing brilliantly - the next few weeks will be about building on the skills they have learnt and introducing them to new challenges.

18/08/2024

Do you have an adolescent or adult dog in need of some basic training?

Our Back to Basics course is aimed at dogs too old to attend puppy classes.
​
This course covers:

- Basic training and life skills
- Emphasis on loose lead walking and recall
- Confidence building exercises
- Calm and focus around distractions

£120 for six weeks, including access to video playlist and support between sessions via class Whatsapp groups

Weekly on Saturday mornings at 11.15am (starting 7th September) at Meg K9 Paddock (LN4 2AJ).

(Please note we will be taking a week off on Saturday 5th October, so the course will span seven weeks).

Small classes (maximum four dogs)

Non-refundable £50 deposit required to secure place

12/08/2024

Before I shared my home with an aggressive dog, I massively underestimated the emotional components involved in working with these cases. Inviting Chase into my life was a shock to the system. Even at the age of 23, I’d had no shortage of mental health challenges – but Chase unlocked a whole different kind of frustration, anger, and anxiety that I simply hadn’t thought a dog could cause.

Living with the knowledge that you are responsible for a dog that is more than capable of biting somebody and seriously injuring them, a feat which could result in a court case and an order for him to be destroyed (I do apologise if my bluntness offends anyone, but unfortunately for some dogs this is reality), is incredibly taxing. Overnight, as we discovered the extent of the issues contained in the small body of our newly arrived rescue dog, our house turned into a maze of gates, crates, muzzles and harnesses, a constant attempt to control the situation.

I had weeks where I wanted him to go because I felt like I couldn’t cope. This dog sent me to A&E more than once, he barked and screamed and bit, and we had family members telling us they didn’t want anything to do with him. He was suffering, and so were we. It was isolating, demoralising, and there were days when I thought I completely hated him.

But mixed in with those days, were the ones where he’d give us a glimmer of hope. I’d see the potential shining through, little glimpses of the dog that could have been, had he not been let down by previous humans. Slowly, we started to unravel his complexities, and to show him alternative ways to behave. With the help of our vet and an amazing physiotherapist, we found hope.

Fast forward to now, and we have another dog who he harmoniously co-exists with. My parents can walk into the house, and he greets them with a wagging tail. We had a visitor he’d never met before this past weekend, and within a short space of time he was unmuzzled and curled up in her lap. I can’t even remember the last time he bit me – I no longer have to worry about it. We still have lots to work on, and he’s still muzzled every time we leave the house.. but I am full of optimism that we can help him recover even further.

My approach to working with these cases has changed massively as a result of living with Chase. I used to be entirely practical, doling out techniques and presenting my clients with clear-cut plans and schedules. I still offer these, but I also now consider the human emotions much more deeply. How is this person feeling? How do they perceive their dog? How can I help them to feel more positive about their dog?

Working with dog behaviour is just as much about the human end of the lead as it is the dog.

25/07/2024

Well this has made my day! Gizmo (dark grey dog) came to our Rethinking Reactivity course earlier in the year, and I received this today. Incredible progress 🤩

"Gizmo making friends with my Son’s dog Bailey (who is very laid back!). Thank you Charlotte for the work you did with us that helped us to achieve this. Thank you so much for the advice you gave us- we couldn’t have done it without you." - Gizmo's owner.

23/07/2024

I saw Hoob again yesterday. He's made big progress with his anxiety, although there is still plenty to work on - yesterday we discussed building new habits to help him on walks 🐾

20/07/2024

Today we welcome Barklay, Jax, Sweep, and Chester into puppy class 🐾

Super work from everyone, I look forward to seeing this group every Saturday for the next few weeks!

16/07/2024

Village walks to work on dog reactivity - Robyn came along to check corners / paths in case we ran straight into a dog. We saw plenty of other dogs and it was a valuable training session. Not perfect but that's why we're working on it! Onwards and upwards 💪

14/07/2024

This little poser is Cookie 🍪

She's 5 months old and has been struggling with being left alone, as well as showing a few signs of guarding items such as chews. We discussed setting up a safe space in the house for her, and a few simple exercises to build new associations around the things she is finding challenging.

28/06/2024

Lovely last morning of work before we head off on our holiday 😊

27/06/2024

*Course now full*

Two spaces have already been spoken for in our upcoming Rethinking Reactivity group - get in touch if you'd like to sign up! 🐾

26/06/2024

*Course now full*

I have one space available on a puppy course starting July 13th at 11am 🐾

Location: VIPPIES Lincoln, 54 Hawthorn Road, Reepham, LN3 4DU

We offer a 7 week course covering:

- An introduction to dog body language
- Basic training (sit, lie down, stay, recall, leave)
- Confidence building for puppies
- One session dedicated specifically to loose lead walking
- Appropriate socialisation opportunities
- Emphasis on problem prevention

£120 including access to support between sessions via class Whatsapp groups

Small classes (maximum four puppies)

Non-refundable £50 deposit required to secure place

22/06/2024

Our Rethinking Reactivity course will be back from July 15th!

Is your dog’s reactivity making walks a nightmare?

Our Rethinking Reactivity Course is designed for dogs that lunge, bark, or growl at other dogs on lead. This is more than just a training class – our aim is to make your dog happier and allow them to get more enjoyment out of their walks.

• 8 week intensive course
• Small groups (maximum 4 dogs)
• Quiet indoor venue with limited disturbances
• Suitable for dogs of all ages and breeds
• Training set-ups to enable you to translate skills into real-life scenarios
• Force free training using positive reinforcement – no fear, flooding, or pressure
• Strong emphasis on the human end of the lead – we are here to support you!
£325 per dog, which includes:
• In-depth behavioural advice tailored to you and your dog’s needs
• Access to an online video playlist covering all training exercises used in classes
• Provision of a booklet with extensive information on working with reactivity
• Support between sessions via a class Whatsapp group

Venue: Poppyfield Equestrian Riding School, Branston Road, Heighington, Lincoln, LN4 1QQ

Date and time: Monday evening at 6pm from July 15th.

To secure a place, email [email protected]

50% deposit required upon booking

Payment plans available

17/06/2024

Hi everyone, this is just a heads up that AniMate is taking a holiday from the evening of June 28th to July 5th. I won't be answering emails / messages during this time.

If you're in classes with me you'll have been given details already about when we'll be resuming. I have limited availability for 1-2-1 work w/c 24th June but will be starting up again w/c 8th July.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support! Lots of exciting things to come 😊🐾

08/06/2024

People watching in Tesco carpark, followed by decompression at the quarry for Odin.

His anxiety really showed at Tesco, so we kept the session short and sweet and then headed out for a chilled exploration.

06/06/2024

Fantastic start to Back to Basics last night. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone progress over the next five weeks!

30/05/2024

Ahead of Back to Basics starting next Wednesday, Alice, Robyn, and I took Tucker and Max to Meg K9 Paddock, as I wanted to familiarise Tucks with the place before he is working in class.
It's a lovely space, even in the lashing rain 😍

26/05/2024

Four beautiful puppies joined us for their first class yesterday. We worked their brains hard - they were all rather tired afterwards!

22/05/2024

7.15pm Back to Basics is now fully booked - we have two spaces remaining on the 6pm 🐾

Do you have an adolescent or adult dog in need of some basic training?

Our Back to Basics course is aimed at dogs too old to attend puppy classes.
​
This course covers:
- Basic training and life skills
- Emphasis on loose lead walking and recall
- Confidence building exercises
- Calm and focus around distractions

£120 for six weeks, including access to video playlist and support between sessions via class Whatsapp groups

Weekly on Wednesday evenings (starting 5th June) at Meg K9 Paddock (LN4 2AJ) - two times available, 6pm or 7.15pm.

Small classes (maximum four dogs)

Non-refundable £50 deposit required to secure place

21/05/2024

We were down to just two on yesterday's group walk, but both dogs coped amazingly with the novel environment and the presence of a dog they weren't familiar with.

Drop me a message if you'd like to join in with our group walks - these are currently only available for people who have already attended classes or 1-2-1s with us.

20/05/2024

I've been working with Ned to help with his reactivity towards other dogs. Unfortunately Ned was attacked by an off-lead dog on more than one occasion, and now he finds seeing other dogs on walks overwhelming.

It will be a long process to help Ned feel safe again, but he's lucky to have a very committed owner who is working to help him.

Please, if your dog cannot recall from other dogs, do not let them off the lead. It can have drastic effects on other dogs' and people's lives.

18/05/2024

Do you have an adolescent or adult dog in need of some basic training?

Our Back to Basics course is aimed at dogs too old to attend puppy classes.
​
This course covers:
- Basic training and life skills
- Emphasis on loose lead walking and recall
- Confidence building exercises
- Calm and focus around distractions

£120 for six weeks, including access to video playlist and support between sessions via class Whatsapp groups

Weekly on Wednesday evenings (starting 5th June) at Meg K9 Paddock (LN4 2AJ) - two times available, 6pm or 7.15pm.

Small classes (maximum four dogs)

Non-refundable £50 deposit required to secure place

13/05/2024

I met Liam recently to work on his reactivity towards bikes. There are often lots of components triggering a dog to react, and Liam's case was no different - we broke the task down into smaller pieces and started to see him process the information in front of him, instead of reacting.

Lots of work left to do, but a great start for Liam.

10/05/2024

We have just one space remaining on our puppy course starting May 18th 11am!

Location: VIPPIES Lincoln, 54 Hawthorn Road, Reepham, LN3 4DU

We offer a 7 week course covering:

- An introduction to dog body language
- Basic training (sit, lie down, stay, recall, leave)
- Confidence building for puppies
- One session dedicated specifically to loose lead walking
- Appropriate socialisation opportunities
- Emphasis on problem prevention

£120 including access to support between sessions via class Whatsapp groups

Small classes (maximum four puppies)

Non-refundable £50 deposit required to secure place

02/05/2024

I really do struggle to understand why some trainers take such an issue with participation in dog sports. Yes, maybe it isn't the most natural behaviour, but then our domestic dogs don't exactly live a very 'natural' life with us anyway.
Both my boys absolutely love their sports training, and while we are not currently participating competitively, I do plan to do more in the future. They are never forced to perform and always come to sessions wanting to work.
I see these activities as a valuable opportunity to build a bond with my dogs - and competition is the cherry on top, when we get to bring it all together and work towards new goals.
Surely there are many more important ethical issues surrounding domestic dogs, than picking on the people who spend lots of money and hours of their time enriching their dogs' lives?

People who do sports with their dogs are selfish.

Agility, hoopers, scentwork, dog dancing, obedience, rally. Selfish.

My students who use their hard-earned cash on classes so they can spend time with their dogs. Those who bring their older dogs, who have absolutely no intention of ever competing, but just do it for the joy of that time together. Those who have started competing, but know that they’ll probably never win anything big, they just enjoy the opportunity to spend weekends away in new places with their dogs.

Selfish.

Selfish because dog sports are purely for human enjoyment. That’s the only reason we do it, because it makes us feel good. We only compete because we want trophies. We only train so we are one step closer to getting one of those trophies.

At least, that’s a common ‘revolutionary’ mindset held by several trainers.

Sure, there are people who do fit this. People who rehome dogs if they don’t suit the sport, who will resort to starving dogs so they work better, who withhold affection or use excessive force to get results. But that is not the majority.

Dog sports are my thing. I teach agility, hoopers, scentwork, tricks and that leads on to rally and dog dancing. I’ve also dipped my toes into flyball, obedience and a small amount of bitework. The people in my classes adore their dogs. It’s what keeps them coming back week after week, even if the dog isn’t getting clear rounds or is a crufts prodigy.

The joy they get when their dogs conquer a new trick or complete a course is contagious. Perhaps that’s why they do it, because it makes them feel happy. But that happiness doesn’t just flow one way. The dogs also radiate excitement. They have the most wonderful time, and can’t wait for their turn.

Every day, a student will tell me how they ask their dogs ‘do you want to go to agility/ tricks/ sniffs/ to see Jodie’ and the dogs bounce around the front door, impatient to get to their class. They love it. Watch a class for a minute and it’s so evident.

Okay, maybe it’s not natural teaching a dog to stack cups or weave through poles, maybe they display some displacement behaviours when they’re asked to wait for a moment on a startline because they’re so eager to get started. Maybe there is a small amount of minimal distress initially when we ask them to pay attention to us and not just go off sniffing and doing their own thing, before they learn how to engage with us.

This doesn’t write off an entire activity. Dogs are allowed to go through small amounts of minor emotional discomfort without falling apart, it builds a more resilient dog. If I walked away from every dog that didn’t immediately know how to complete an agility course the first time they saw one, and instead displayed behaviours they already had in their repertoire such as sniffing, that would be all of my students and my own dogs written off. It doesn’t mean they dislike it, it means they don’t yet understand it.

Maybe I’m just selfish. But I’ve seen far more good come out of dog sports, personally, than bad. Dogs that had no recall are now engaging beautifully on walks. Dogs that were reactive now have a large group of dog and human friends. Dogs that lacked confidence are now oozing it. Dogs that were going crazy from lack of enrichment are now content and relaxed. The list goes on.

Yes, some people take it too far. Yes, it can become more about ego and winning than enjoying our dogs’ company. But so many dogs’ lives are improved enormously from having that extra level of enrichment. It’s no fun doing a sport with a dog that doesn’t love it, and spending money, time and resources on a dog that could easily just be sat at home bored all day doing nothing, to me, seems pretty selfless.

30/04/2024

Calm greetings with Rosie. Rosie is completely deaf and thrives off cues and behaviours that have a tactile element - she took to 'touch' very quickly!
Sitting is not a prerequisite for touch, and Rosie doesn't do this every time - it just so happened that she did in this video.
Thank you to Jade for the confidence building experience of greeting a stranger here.

28/04/2024

I caught up with Hoob earlier this week, and we headed out on a walk to look at some of his anxieties outside the house. He tends to fixate on people in the distance, so we discussed how to work through this in a way that allows him to grow in confidence.

27/04/2024

Beautiful group training walk today in the Wolds 😍

Looking forward to the next one - if you'd like to join us drop me a message. These are informal walks allowing opportunity to work on loose lead walking, work around distractions, and help recovering reactive dogs.

Currently group training walks are only available for clients who have attended classes or 1-2-1s with us.