Slight delay with admin this afternoon 😂
For many dogs, the bonfire night drama doesn’t end when the fireworks stop. Repeated periods of stress over the last few days may leave your dog with higher levels of cortisol in their bloodstream (the stress hormone that prepares the body for ‘fight-or-flight mode’).
Cortisol can hang around for a while after the stressful events have ended, meaning that your dog can be pushed over threshold more easily by things that wouldn’t usually bother them. For Oliver, that means that today he was initially having some trouble focusing on me, was over-stimulated by the sight or sound of prey animals, and was less tolerant than usual of unfamiliar dogs staring at him or approaching him. This doesn’t mean that he’s being stubborn, disobedient, naughty, or any other term that humans like to throw around - it means that he’s still coming down from a stressful event, and it’s my job as his human to manage him and the environment around him until he feels better.
The simple solution for us was an on-leash walk on a fairly quiet route with lots of interesting things to sniff. We covered more ground in the first half, while he needed to move his feet, but then slowed right down and enjoyed lots of sniffing, scatter feeding, and simple engagement exercises which he really enjoys. When we get home we can continue the relaxation efforts with lickimats, chews, and other gentle enrichment activities.
Cortisol can also affect your dog’s digestive system - stressed dogs may vomit or refuse to eat, but even if they’ve been eating normally you may notice runny stool or more frequent pooping during the decompression phase. We can support that by adding things like pumpkin or sweet potato to our dog’s meals, and limiting fatty foods for a day or two.
How are your dogs feeling today? Have you had to take any extra steps to help them out post- fireworks?
Mhairi and Holly showing us how it’s done ❤️ Holly’s first time working on a Send-Away and she absolutely nailed it!
The countdown is on - Grisha Stewart Workshop in Stirling
Do you have your ticket yet? 🤩
Four days to go before our leash handling workshop with Grisha Stewart and the Stirling Dog Behavioural Centre! If you’ve been hanging off to see the weather forecast, you can stop now and go and get your ticket purchased 😆 It’s going to be a wonderful and informative afternoon and I cannot recommend it enough for dog owners and professionals alike.
Mighty Max is helpfully providing another demo of Grisha’s ingenious leash belay system, which has brought him so much joy. No more accidental canyoning for me when he decides to hurl himself into nearby rivers! It’s also been a lifesaver for me over the last week as I’m recovering from a sprained ankle - I literally wouldn’t have been able to work with some of my stronger dogs without this system.
Tickets available here: https://school.grishastewart.com/pages/stirling-2023?fbclid=IwAR1CPNpVkGyLAVQuxqQa-N3H4Fbt0oo5M13lkDnI8rd5_EvkRKIZz4jh5nA_aem_AZ-VOyFOzDF5SMyQeIxbj5z79LJBushXuwrfAF7Ah5pKd4NtU3FHn_uj_HGxiNtRbCAiNma0GqEs57NtKkRFTYmo
What is the Leash Belay System, and why is it my favourite invention ever?
I’ve had a few questions about the ‘leash belay system’ that I’ve mentioned in previous posts and videos, so here’s a little more info!
This is a really brilliant system for handling dogs of all sizes, using rock climbing gear and the power of physics. Using this kit, rock climbers can safely belay for people larger and heavier than themselves - and it’s the same concept for handling our dogs!
I love this gear and I use it almost every day. It’s a relaxed style of handling which helps to eliminate tension for both you and your dog - if you come back from every walk feeling like you’ve just taken part in the county fair tug-of-war, you need this! It’s also perfect for leaving a hand free to reward your dog or yourself (because everybody deserves a little mid-walk snack).
I recommend it for:
- handlers who are petite, physically compromised, or tense
- dogs who are large, strong, reactive, or exuberant
- handlers who prefer flexi leads over long lines, as this system is much safer than a flexi lead!
- handlers who are nervous to use a long line on their strong or bouncy dog
This system does take practice, and it’s even better when combined with skills such as BAT (Behaviour Adjustment Training). That’s why we’ve jumped at the chance to host a live workshop with the inventor of the system, behaviourist Grisha Stewart. We still have spaces left on this workshop and it will be absolutely invaluable for anyone who is struggling with any of these issues - check it out below!
https://facebook.com/events/s/stirling-scotland-dog-workshop/287665737298696/
A beautiful moment of peace sent to me by one of today’s clients 🥰
Lurcher siblings Max and Milo are joyful, fun-loving adolescent boys. Up until now they’ve had two modes - relax and sleep when they’re in their crate, or full-throttle chaos when they’re out of the crate. Their humans are keen to give them more freedom in the house but are understandably finding the non-stop zooming, leaping, and wrestling to be a bit intense!
Our session this morning looked at several different ways to build calm behaviour, including creating calm zones within the house, teaching a deliberate ‘settle’ behaviour, and starting to build independence in both dogs so that they aren’t constantly seeking attention and play from one another.
A few hours later, I was delighted to receive this video of the boys choosing to settle down and snooze in the living room. ‘Switching off’ does not come naturally to them but today they were able to make good choices and relax of their own accord for a full twenty minutes - an excellent start for such lively youngsters.
For so many different issues I tell handlers “If this looks boring, you’re doing it right!” For Max and Milo, it’s all about creating an environment where they can relax in the first place and then gently guiding them to make the choices that benefit both them and their humans. Hopefully it won’t be too long before peace reigns in House Lurcher 😁
H is for Headcollars
Headcollars are an increasingly popular option for owners and handlers who worry about their dogs pulling on the lead. They're marketed as a humane and easy fix for a plethora of issues - but is it too good to be true?
I don't use headcollars in my training, but I do regularly work with handlers who feel like they really can't walk their dog without one. In this video we discuss a few points to consider if you find yourself reaching for one, including some vital safety tips and possible alternative options.
If you currently feel like you NEED to use a headcollar to control your dog, please get in touch to discuss what training options might work best for you. And remember - any control device is just a tool and cannot replace good training! The goal should always be to transition away from aversive devices and back onto a harness or flat collar.
(Also, apologies for the crackly audio in places - it was windier than anticipated when I was filming and I haven't found the time to re-record. Hopefully it's only a minor distraction.)
G is for "Good dog!"
Of course your dog is a Good Dog - but today we're looking at the actual phrase "Good dog!'" and the unexpected impact it might be having on your training.
Have you ever noticed that your dog stops performing specific behaviours (sit, down, stay etc.) the second you say "Good boy" or "Good girl"? Chances are, they're seeing that phrase as a release cue!
In this video we look at where this quirk comes from and how to eliminate it from your training for more consistent behaviour and better response to your verbal cues.
Levelling up our recall in this week’s puppy class! Can your puppy recall away from distractions? What about recalling straight past another running puppy? No problem at all for these clever boys!
I have two puppy class spaces available from Monday - get in touch for more info!
Stan the Man had his work cut out trying to keep up with his new pal Cora 😂 Cora and Sula are family dogs who’ve been staying with me for a few days, so sadly he won’t be able to play with her for long, but he had a great time trying to catch her today. Cora on the other hand didn’t really register that there was anyone chasing her 😂
F is for Food Rewards.
Reward-based training is about so much more than throwing treats around - but food remains one of the best ways to motivate your dog. So why do so many handlers say that food rewards 'don't work' for them or their dog? There are lots of reasons why your treats might not be doing the trick - follow along to explore some of the most common issues associated with training with food.
A beautiful 'send-away' from Julie and Cerys in Monday's Life Skills class! This is a fun exercise for building control at a distance and little Cerys absolutely nailed it 🥰
A little clip from today's walk with my own boys, tying in with yesterday's video on enrichment. We didn't cover much distance but Gimli spent the whole time sniffing and exploring. Afterwards he's ready to sleep for the rest of the day!
Gimli is a podenco and would generally be considered an athletic, high-energy dog. But that doesn't mean he needs lots of intense exercise - on the contrary, that would just leave me with a very fit dog who still wasn't calm or happy! Instead he gets a mix of physical exercise, mental stimulation, and enrichment, leading to a very chilled out happy boy.
E is for Enrichment!
I talk about this concept a lot with my clients, and I've mentioned it in some of my recent videos too. Providing good enrichment opportunities is absolutely essential for our dog's mental wellbeing and goes a long way towards preventing potential behaviour problems - but what is enrichment, and how do you go about ensuring that you're providing enough of it?
In this video we talk about what enrichment means, what it looks like, and some common misconceptions too.
Dominance is such a common word in dog training, with many people describing their dogs as ‘dominant’ as if it’s a personality trait. But the original research that gave rise to dominance theory is more than 80 years old - and thankfully, our understanding of dog behaviour has come a long way since the 1930’s!
Viewing your dog as a wild animal who is constantly locked in some sort of power struggle with you does a massive disservice to both of you, damaging your relationship and making your training less effective. Good training is build on mutual trust and understanding - not outdated concepts from long-debunked research.
In this video we look at the origins of dominance theory, the reasons that the research doesn’t hold up, and why the misconceptions surrounding our dogs are still so pervasive today.
C is for 'Consent'.
What does 'consent' mean to your dog? Consent is about trust, and listening to your dog when they're telling you how they feel.
Consent-based handling is an essential part of cooperative care - putting on harnesses and collars, towel-drying paws, grooming, or providing veterinary care. Teaching your dog to 'opt in' and become comfortable with these potentially unpleasant situations leads to stress-free handling and a safer relationship.
It's also crucial to read and respect our dogs' body language when we provide physical affection. A lot of potential conflict can be avoided when we learn to listen to the first subtle signs of discomfort, instead of waiting for our dogs to escalate to growling or snapping.
It's been a while since I posted wholesome Max-rearranging-a-riverbank footage 💕 This could literally go on all day if I let it!
Continuing our alphabet series with B for Body Language!
This is a truly massive subject which I could never hope to cover in a short video, but I've chosen a few little bits that I hope you'll find interesting. What is your dog's body language telling you?
The main thing to remember - context is key!
We'll be talking more about specific aspects of body language throughout this series, but if you just can't wait and would like to learn more about what your dog is saying to you then get in touch!
I could talk forever about training and behaviour - I always have so many ideas for videos, and I never get around to posting them! So I thought we could explore some interesting and useful concepts by working our way through an alphabet of training - starting with one of my favourite topics to talk about, Adolescence. Follow along to learn the facts about your dog's teenage phase and how best to handle this notoriously tricky life stage.
A little snippet of Monday's Life Skills class doing an absolutely fantastic job at Musical Statues 😍
Both of Monday's group classes got into the festive spirit with some party games - practicing heelwork with an egg and spoon race (holding the spoon and leash in the same hand to a really test those loose leash skills!), stays in close proximity with Pass the Parcel, and of course our Musical Statues which tested the ability of the dogs and handlers to switch seamlessly from movement-based exercises to still ones. I didn't deduct points for wiggly bums - just look at Ziggy's happy tail 😂
I'm so very impressed with all of our dogs and handlers, you all worked so hard. Now for a well earned Christmas break and we'll get back to business in January!
