Bloemfontein DOG Training CLUB

31/03/2024

Learn to "listen" to your puppy when it needs to go outside for business.

31/03/2024

A longish read but important if you are thinking of adding a puppy to your older dog's life.

OLD DOGS AND PUPPIES

This is becoming one of the most common issues I am called out for. And it's when folks have an old dog/s, they get a puppy and the situation goes from bad to worse quickly.

Let me explain why this happens:

Puppies are full of beans, the have very little bite inhibition, impulse control, and are usually just plain rude. If you get a puppy less than 8 weeks old, you can worsen these traits and possibly add issues.

Then old dogs are not full of beans. Most old dogs have health issues such as arthritis, other joint issues, skin issues, immune problems etc. And a lot of these issues, especially pain issues, aren't picked up because dogs are brilliant at hiding these things. Old dogs want to go for a slow amble, sniff, and usually sleep. Because of their creaky bones they are deemed "grumpy" which means they're a lot less tolerant than what they were when they are young. Old dogs usually haven't been continuously socialized either. They might have been to puppy class, went for the odd social outing, but old dogs rarely keep seeing different strange dogs and enjoy (the keyword) the company of other dogs.

So now we pair the two together and we have a variety of issues.

The old dog corrects the puppy for their rude behaviour often. Because they're less tolerant and in pain, the corrections aren't proper corrections, they're bites and they're usually way too harsh for a young puppy to handle without some kind of trauma. The puppy being innocent and just wanting to play, doesn't understand this and will keep trying different approaches to play, but keeps getting corrected every time. The old dog will start associating the puppy negatively and might start guarding their food and safe spaces, such as their bed. The puppy just walking by, or trying to get some extra food, will again, receive a bite, lunge or snap.

From the puppies side, they came from a litter of playful siblings, a mum who will be teaching social manners firmly but not harshly, and has been thrown into a household with an overly corrective dog who confuses them at every step. They're also in their critical socialization period which shapes their entire world view. They learn that their "safe" dogs at home, are not safe. So how could any other dog be safe? They're also now living in an environment that induces chronic stress, in this critical socialization period, which can cause life long anxiety and trauma related conditions. The puppy also has a big chance of learning this behaviour from the older dog. They learn to over correct, resource guard and be protective of their bubble, which doesn't set them up for success with any socialization.

So, what do I advise with this situation?

Firstly, don't get a puppy. If you have an older dog, let them live out their life in peace. If they had an older companion that passed, a puppy will not replace that older companion. They need to grieve. You will be their company now. There is a big chance an older dog shows signs of depression, get a behaviourist to help you with that. Not a puppy.

If you do decide to get a puppy, make sure the environment is set up in such a way that the older dog gets plenty of alone time. They eat separately and sleep separately. They can be together if the older dog allows it, but the puppy is kept on a leash and harness so that the puppy doesn't jump all over the older dog. If this sounds like too much management, it's because it is a lot. And it won't get easier. As your puppy grows up, gets bigger and stronger, your older dog is getting older and weaker. The management will only increase, not decrease.

Are there exceptions? Sure.

Do I see exceptions a lot? Absolutely not.

Please let your older dog live in peace.

31/03/2024

Many calls I get are from concerned parents after their dog has snapped or bitten their child. This usually happens when the child approaches the dog while resting or just being comfortable.

👦Toddlers especially are prone to a bite for giving a kiss goodnight. The awkward and unsteady tiny human is concerning to dogs. Dogs will offer signals prior to a bite but often we miss them as they happen fast.

❗This is why we suggest blowing a kiss, waving night night or as The Family Dog suggests kissing your hand and then touching your dog. Children leaning down on to a dog to give a kiss is often seen as threatening to the dog and we don’t want any unfortunate bites to happen. Keep this in mind and express love from a dog’s mindset.

❗Give space, stay out of their face. Dog and baby on the scene a parent in between. Most of all INVITES DECREASE BITES.

24/03/2024

These are U.K. statistics, but the advice is relevant, I think, in any country. Way back I used to tie my dogs up outside a shop. Would never dream of doing that now.

Its Dog Theft Awareness Day (14th March)

Dog theft is unfortunately on the rise 😢
But there are a number of ways that you can help protect your dogs, such as:

Make sure microchip details are up-to-date.

Keep an ID tag on your dog at all times (your surname, address (house number/name and postcode) and i would recommend a mobile phone number too

Secure gates using bolts at the top and bottom, along with a heavy-duty padlock and gate alarm

Never leave your dog in the garden unattended

Purchase a driveway alarm so you are alerted to any intruders, these can also be used in rear gardens.

Never leave your dog tied up outside a shop or alone in a car, even for a few minutes

Take lots of photographs of your dog to prove ownership if it’s stolen, pay particular attention to any distinguishing markings on your dog.

You can also prevent theft on walks by varying walk times and locations.

Look after your dogs!

24/03/2024

A WORD ABOUT WAGS
“I don’t understand why that dog reacted so badly to me; his tail was wagging!”

Contrary to popular belief, a wagging tail doesn’t always mean a dog is happy.

Dogs communicate through so many different types of body language, but the wag and the tail position are probably one of the easier to notice.

As with most things it depends on the individual dog. Some breeds naturally carry their tails in a different position and some breeds wag their tails differently to others.

Wags and tail positions should always be looked at in context and together with the rest of the body language. Body language should always be looked at as a “video” and not as an isolated “picture”.

Noticing how your dog’s tail usually looks or how the tail behaves when they’re happy to see you or relaxed and contented, provides a good base line to interpret other types of tail language.

I often watch my dogs’ tails with fascination as they stalk or hunt for something, bark at something outside or see another dog approaching while out walking.

The type of wag and position of their tails gives me so much information about their emotional state.

Although some people won’t agree, I definitely see wags to the right when my dogs are happy and wags to the left when there is arousal, uncertainty, predatory behaviour or other emotions going on.

Not only is the tail an important method of communication but it also plays a role in balance, stability, movement and counterbalancing should a dog quickly change direction.

I believe that tail docking destroys an essential part of a dog's ability to communicate with other dogs by creating a distinct social disadvantage or misunderstanding as tail signals can’t be read.

People with working dogs believe that tail docking is necessary to prevent tail injuries or improve performance, but many countries have banned this practice either completely or only under specific medical circumstances.

Start taking notice of what your dog is doing with their tail - you may find it interesting and it may open up a new way of understanding how your dog is feeling.

Here is a link to a graphic I created with some different tail positions and what they might mean -

https://www.canva.com/design/DAF_7l_2LvA/UGXVDl-TOPc_FCqHXsCWRQ/view?utm_content=DAF_7l_2LvA&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=GOVbqw1dfw

24/03/2024

BEHAVIOUR REDEFINED

Behaviour is neither good or bad, behaviour is communication and an expression of emotion.

When we think of bad behaviour, our natural human response is to fix it, stop it from happening or suppress it as quickly as we can, so it doesn’t happen again, especially when it comes to dogs.

When we redefine behaviour and look at it as a form of communication, as an emotional response or expression, it helps to change the way we think about and react to it.

Think about a child that is acting out at school. Maybe throwing tantrums, bullying other children, cheating, fighting or displaying some other type of “bad” behaviour.

A teacher or parent wouldn’t just label that child as “bad” or just a child that is badly behaved. The reason for the behaviour would be looked into so it could be understood and addressed.

Bad behaviour is very often a cry for help that should never be ignored.

If we do this for children, why do we not do it for dogs?

Dogs are also sentient beings with a range of feelings and emotions and their behaviour is a form of communication.

“Bad” behaviour can provide us with important information as to what we need to address.

Looking at “bad behaviour” from a different perspective, helps us to acknowledge that a dog is struggling and provides an opportunity to investigate and address the root of the behaviour.

24/03/2024

12/03/2024

Please note this is not a South African Training Club.

Puppy classes are so important, don't wait get booked in ASAP.
Email [email protected] for more information and to book a space

12/03/2024

Make sure your pet has several bowls/buckets/paddle pools of water during the day. They can easily knock their one bowl over and then there is backup bowls.

Die een by ‘n diere groep geleen. Ek weet ek preek vir verkeerde mense.
Asb praat met jul werkers oor skuiling en water en skoon bakke. Vra of hul water bakke het. Gee asb v hul ‘n bak v water.
My hart wil gaan staan as ek al die diere d**k wat die basiese regte ontneem word om dat mense ignorant is.

10/03/2024

I was taught - no matter what your dog did or was doing - if you call them back and they come - HUGE praise and treats.

ARE YOU WORTH COMING BACK TO?

I often cringe when I watch people trying to get their dogs to come back when they call.

They call and call and get increasingly angry and frustrated as their dog keeps ignoring them.

When their dog eventually does come back, or has been chased and "captured” by the now really angry person, they get screamed at, yanked about, smacked or punished in some way for taking so long and not listening.

Why on earth would a dog want to return to someone who does this to them!

Genetics may play a big part in this when an environment is far more stimulating and exciting.

Coming back to you is often the last thing a dog may want to do when genetic instinct is triggered.

An exciting scent or seeing something to chase can all override a response to recall.

Genetics aside, the most common reason that dogs don’t come back when called is because it’s not a positive experience.

Make coming back to you worth it by always making it a rewarding experience and keep practicing this throughout a dog’s life.

Have a little patience if it takes longer than you would like, let your dog finish what they’re doing before calling them, practice in different locations and environments and never reprimand or punish them for coming back.

There is never a guarantee of a perfect recall each and every time, but making it a rewarding experience will greatly improve the rate of success.

10/03/2024

🎓 Invest in your puppy's future with our Puppy School! 🐾

Enrolling your puppy in a Puppy School is highly recommended for both seasoned puppy pros and first-time puppy parents. It is crucial to provide proper socialisation (not just puppy play) and guidance to puppies in their first 16 weeks of life as it lays the foundation for them to become confident adult dogs. At Puppy Partners, we understand the importance of the early phase of puppy development. That's why our experienced trainer is always there to offer unparalleled support and guidance to help you through the process. Every puppy deserves special attention and expertise to thrive, and we are committed to providing just that because we aim to see them grow into well-rounded, happy dogs.

By joining our Puppy School, you'll give your pup a head start and become a part of our community of passionate dog lovers. So, what are you waiting for? Enrol your puppy today, and let us be your trusted Puppy Partner! 🐾

03/03/2024

Have a slow walk with your dog so he can sniff everything he wants, within reason, at his own pace.

03/03/2024

A big thanks to Vetovs for this offer.

It's SPAYATHON time!!!

What is the best way to help shelters? By preventing more animals from ending up there. Please spay and neuter your pets. Share this special with your friends to help them get their pets sterilised.

Contact Vetovs to make an appointment.

03/03/2024

HU***NG HOUNDS - It’s not always what it seems

Some dogs do and some dogs don’t, but if you have a dog that humps at the most inopportune times it can be downright embarrassing or annoying.

Other dogs, other people, visitors, toys, cushions, furniture, anything that can be mounted and clung to may be fair game.

As people, it’s natural to assume that this behaviour is of a sexual nature, that our dogs must be oversexed, sexually frustrated or the all-too-common incorrect belief that our dogs are just trying to be “dominant” or “the alpha”.

Hu***ng, like many other dog behaviours does not always have a simple reason. It can be a complex behaviour which is usually emotionally or socially based.

Looking at what may be triggering the behaviour should always be the first step before finding ways to change a behaviour.

The solutions will depend on the cause. It may be finding ways to reduce stress or anxiety levels, increasing mental stimulation, teaching calm behaviours to prevent over arousal, ensuring your dog is getting enough sleep, using management or in some cases a veterinary check up to rule out any medical causes.

When hu***ng is annoying another dog or person or causing frustration, discomfort or harm in any way, then obviously this behaviour needs to be immediately addressed, but sometimes we may need to ask ourselves – is it really something we need to stop our dogs from doing just because we see it as socially unacceptable?

Is it a harmless way of relieving stress or anxiety after a difficult day or a way to expend pent up energy that is not causing anyone harm?

Is a little hump now and then okay if it’s not causing any harm?

If we prevent this, correct it, or at worst punish this behaviour are we removing a harmless natural outlet and risking another unwanted behaviour taking its place?

Hu***ng is one of the most misunderstood behaviours.

Very often, behaviour is not about the way it looks, but the way we perceive it from our human perspective.

03/03/2024

Please read the whole article.

A close family member of mine was in a car crash this week. They are shaken up and sore, but otherwise completely fine.
They were lucky, the car hadn’t been going too fast … and they had made a very easy but impactful choice for their safety: wearing a seatbelt.
You know who can NOT make choices for how to safely ride in a car?
YOUR DOG.
The most common methods for driving with dogs still seem to be:
❌ put them on the backseat
❌ hold them on the lap (for small dogs)
❌ or even to just let them wander around the car (back and forth on the backseat & stepping onto the middle console to get a good view out the front)
That crash that fortunately wasn’t bad for my family member (and all other people) involved? That would not have been so fortunate for a loose dog in the car.
In fact, let me be clear about this: Seeing the wreck I am very sure an unrestrained dog would NOT have survived it.
If YOU make the choice to wear a seatbelt, make a safe choice for your dog as well. They cannot advocate for themselves. It is our responsibility to make sure they don’t get harmed.
We OWE it to them to keep them safe.
I completely understand it’s inconvenient to fit a crate into smaller cars, or to take it in and out if there’s not enough space to always leave it in.
But … we’re talking about a bit of inconvenience vs your dog’s life being at risk. That’s not a hard decision to make.
Accidents happen. Humans make mistakes. Things can change in an instant. Please make sure your dog is safe in the car.
This is our responsibility just as much as it’s our responsibility to feed them well, take them to the vet and meet their needs … because at the end of the day it comes down to the most basic need: to be UNHARMED.
PLEASE keep them safe 🫶
(I will put resources in the comments for finding different containment/restrain options)

03/03/2024

This is for dogs and cats.

03/03/2024

Another version of this saying is "Dogs do what works" - if jumping up on people gets them pets and attention, they're going to do it. Rewarding sit heavily- and asking for a sit before they can jump- is a classic example of reframing the situation to get the behavior you want (instead of the one you don't!)

03/03/2024

It is absolutely ok, in fact, its important to reassure and comfort your scared dog.



𝐓𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 , 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐠 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 - 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dogtrainingadviceandsupport/permalink/6358487560833414/

03/03/2024

Know your dog so you notice any changes in their behaviour.

The best way to recognise when something is abnormal with our dogs, is to be familiar with what's normal.

Checking our dogs vital signs are all something we can all do, but something very few do, do.

Pulse rate - is the rhythmic movement of blood through the arteries
This greatly depends on the size and age of your dog, but generally small dogs normal rate is between 80 - 160 bpm Large dogs have a slightly slower pulse between 60 - 140 bpm

To measure your dogs pulse, place 2 fingers on the inner, upper thigh. Count the beats for 15 seconds, then multiple by 4 to get beats per minute.

Temperature - normal healthy temp should range between 100.5 - 102.5

Taking a dog's temperature rectally will give you the most accurate results.
Put some lubricant on the thermometer (i use coconut oil) then gently tap the opening of the re**um a couple of times before inserting the thermometer about an inch in at a slight angle. Leave a few seconds or until thermometer bleeps, then remove and read.

Breathing rate - a healthy dog will take between 10 - 35 breaths per minute

Whilst dog is resting take notice of how many breaths they take, by watching the chest rise up and down.

Circulation and Hydration - colour and wetness of gums.

Dogs can dehydrate very quickly so check their gums, they should be sloppy and wet, never dry and sticky.
For Circulation press gum above dogs teeth with ball of your finger until the gun turns white. When you take your finger off, the colour/blood should return within 1 -2 seconds

Learning to check your dog vitals can help assess the degree of pain, injury or illness, even help you catch a problem early for you to get necessary veterinary help!

Record what is normal for your pet by checking their vitals on 3-5 random days a month. Then record the average to establish a baseline.

As dogs age and grow, their respiration and pulse, may slow, but the more you know what is normal for your pet, the more quickly you can determine something ‘not quite right’ and obtain professional medical care.

12/02/2024

🚨Always Keep These Items Away From Your Pets🚨

⚠️ If you know or suspect that your pet has ingested a toxin of any kind, call your veterinarian, the nearest emergency animal hospital or an animal poison hotline immediately.

Learn more about these pet toxins when you read today’s free article: https://bit.ly/3HDahNY

08/02/2024

I've seen quite a few pics on different posts lately, of long lines attached to collars.
Although it's nice to see long lines being used, attaching them to collars is incredibly dangerous.
Even on a 5m line a dog can get up speed, and then if stopped suddenly, extensive damage can be done to their necks.
A long line should only be attached to a harness.

And NEVER use a long slip lead, or attach a long line to a head halter.

08/02/2024