Avoid enclosed areas in parks, especially ones people call ‘dog parks’!
-These are where people with little control of their dogs go. Do you want to be with them?
-Heard of people letting large, fast dogs that they only adopted the day before off lead in these
-hear of the most dog and human injuries happening in these places (often also associated with balls).
-often they’re not as unescapable as you might think
-bad habits will become engrained if you let a dog off a long line, that you don’t have control of
The last place you want to be with a dog that you are getting to know (eg a new rescue dog, or puppy).
If you need to work on recall, letting your dog off without good recall will create problems for you. Get a long line, practice recall, other outdoor safety cues and let your dog have some freedom to sniff around and meet appropriate dogs.
#UKdoesnothavedogparks #safetyfirst #longline #recalltraining #dogtraining #rescuedogs #sniff
Recall isn’t just a mechanical skill. Everything else I did for the previous 3 miles was aimed at maintaining the zoom in to me!
-does your dog love being near you?
-are you kind to them?
-are you a source of safety?
-do they think you’re fun?
-does it pay off for them to zoom to you?
-do they get freedom again after recalling, or does recall always predict loss of freedom?
- do you make them do something boring and pointless like ‘sit’ when they excitedly run to you?
#dogsundercontrol #speed #fun #recall #dogtraining. #puppytraining
One reason to go to new & different places. Ham Common early this morning. #ham #emotionsdrivebehaviours
Finally, 1st August. Back in our happy place! @theroyalparks 😊🐾 #richmondpark #recall #undercontrol
Chewing on fridge- cold lamb ribs from @snoggys_biltong , with their cool coats on. We had a long walk on Wimbledon Common at 0600 this morning. 😎 #nowalkthisafternoon #keepcool #usethoseteeth
Finding tiny kitten kibble (I’m using @scrumbles). Great to build confidence in dogs that are cautious or easily spooked, with puppies, when you can’t walk… Start with less balls if you have a nervous dog, and watch carefully. You could use rolled up balls of packing paper, or soft toys that you already have instead of balls. I like the balls for building confidence in spooky digs though as they are noisy. Don’t force them into a situation in which they really want the food but are scared.. If they’re that nervous, get in touch. Check that your breeder is giving their puppies some enriching, multi- senses experiences before they go to their homes. You can use paddling pools, beds without their cushions, and you can buy big, shallow garden trugs. #confidence #enrichment #hotdays # novelexperiences
Hot weather & the subjects noone seems to mention! Nose length, weight & grooming!
#enjoymoreoftheyear #keepcool #comfort
Back to loose lead walking. Notice I never refer to ‘heel’. It’s really unusual for my dogs to walk jn front of me like this, which is why I filmed it. They wanted to get home asap as it had just started to rain. They normally walk behind or to the side of me. Which I’ve trained.
Every time Caylem hits the end of the lead and it goes slightly tight, he backs off a bit so that it goes loose. This is what I teach for loose lead walking. That they don’t pull, and you have harmonious, pleasant walks. Sometimes they can be ahead, sometimes at your side, sometimes behind (when it’s best for you to meet potential hazards first, not them). And they are emotional beings, not robots! I can’t expect their usual walk at my side or behind me when they are desperate to get out of the rain; all I ask is that they don’t pull me. And yes, I do know dogs their weight that pull horrendously, it’s not just their size!
#looseleadwalking
Top Tip! Loose lead training: small dogs / tall people / people with bad backs
Use a wall for the dog to walk on. Love these ones at Dukes Meadows @dukesmeadowspark because the dog only has a drop on one side.
I find having small dogs on raised things for other training helpful too, or sitting on the floor with them. I was told by a trainer at one of the not-so-good puppy classes I went to with Uma that sitting on the floor doesn’t work as it doesn’t reflect what ‘real life’ is like. Not good advice. I would focus on getting things working and on having a great relationship with your dog, which means being close to them, first! Then you can add distance, which may just mean standing up for tall people with teeny dogs 😀
Obvs, use discretion about likelihood of your dog falling. I find that toy and small breed dogs are generally coordinated and less ‘floppy’ than large dogs at a young age.
#looseleadwalking #smalldogs #looseleadtraining
#toybreeddogs #dukesmeadows #chiswick #chiswickdogs #tall #tallpeopleproblems #backproblems #slippeddisc #englishtoyterrier #englishtoyterriersofinstagram #nailingit
Most of the people with small dogs that I’m working with at the moment have difficulties taking them to pubs or cafes. Ranging from cannot even attempt it to having to give them a constant supply of chews or they start acting up. Being able to take them everywhere is a brilliant thing about having small dogs, and allows you to take separation anxiety training slowly if you’re doing it, and reduce the need for paying for walkers & sitters. Please mention it in the list of issues in your registration form, as we can work on this. Obvs with larger dogs too. #cafeculture #sundaymornings #settle #bestfriends #barnes #makinglifeeasier
Muzzle Training. Do not just whack a muzzle on a dog without training it to tolerate it, unless it’s an emergency!! I’m working with another client that has done this on the advice of good old ‘someone in the park’. I’ve been training this dog for a while because I see him only once a week. If you live with the dog, you could train them to this stage in a matter of a few weeks (or shorter, or longer- ALL DOGS ARE DIFFERENT). Until the last few sessions, all focus has been on making the muzzle the focus of attention, and associated with rewards. Once he was happy with the muzzle on for a number of minutes, I have introduced doing other things whilst it’s on, for example performing another ‘trick’, her it’s ‘sit’ with the muzzle on, before he gets his reward. I also tried a bit of grooming with it on. See how different this is to whacking a muzzle on and then taking a dog out the front door, expecting lead walking, recall, focus on you etc on top of wearing the muzzle AND in some cases being exposed to scary things that made the guardian want a muzzle on in the first place! NBThis muzzle is fine for vet visits and less frequent use. If you have a dog that needs to wear a muzzle very regularly, please ask me for recommendations. #cooperativecare #muzzletraining #safetyfirst #planningahead #irishterrier #dogtraining #bekind #dogtraining #dogtrainingsouthwestlondon
9.5 and 10.5 years old. At the end of a 7.5 mile walk. Not slowing down at all. What might be contributing?
-wonderful breeder who bred, selected and tested parents for health & temperament
-breed chosen for longevity (and I also like that small dogs will be able to come out for long adventures even if/ when they can’t walk as I can carry them).
- both neutered well after full physical and behavioural maturity (Uma was over 2.5, Caylem was 1.5 years old)
-fed mostly a raw complete diet all of their lives with me. Plus raw bones, natural chews and supplements ( mainly as they’ve got older, for gut health, oral health and joint mobility).
-minimal chemicals. I clean the house with mostly just water, some vinegar. Don’t burn candles or have air fresheners in their areas. They aren’t over vaccinated. I use minimal chemicals with them generally. Apart from all of Uma’s eye drops (keeping her one eye functioning and comfortable comes ahead of any other health concern for her).
- keeping fit. Aim for an average of 5 miles a day walking. If the weather’s not right for them it can be much lower. If it’s good, we so more. I would rather not walk them if I think it’ll be too stressful or dangerous though ( eg I don’t walk on the riverbank despite living so close, because there are too many people that don’t manage their large dogs on it, cylists etc). I also get them to balance and use their core with some tricks. Play activities that support health rather than damage it (ir no crazy ball play)
- nails kept short and rugs & carpets in their living areas.
-wonderful vets at @pet_people_vets and @theralphvetreferralcentre
I hope these ideas are food for thought at least.
I’m so lucky that Uma can enjoy this Spring after the awful one she had last year, and just want them to be able to enjoy as many days like this one as I can facilitate as their chef, cleaner, chauffeur and blanket- rearranger! 🥰🐾
#lifespan #healthspan #naturaldog #terrier
14 months in from failed surgery on both eyes and A LOT of eye drops later, Uma’s still keen on having them put in! THANK GOODNESS. I practiced beforehand, but mainly it’s because she trusted me to make most things that we do together fun and rewarding for the previous 9 years!
Also, teach small dogs the ‘paws up’ trick so you don’t have to bend down or sit on the floor when you don’t feel like it!
#animalhusbandry #cooperativecare #doghandlingskills #bestdogintheworld #mygirl #englishtoyterriersofinstagram #terriers #smalldogs
Just my little ones demonstrating Emergency ‘Stop’ in Bushy Park today. I’ve all my clients learning this as I don’t let dogs off lead until they can do it as well as a recall. Much more useful than a ‘sit’ or a ‘down’! #bettersafethansorry #safetycuea #usefulcues #bushypark #royalparks #terriers #proud
Teaching your puppy their name. The name just means ‘look at human’. It does not mean that they need to move toward you or do anything else. It is not for recall. We want it to become reflexive- when they hear their name, they look at you. If they don’t look at you when they say it, try a higher pitch, cheery tone, or sing-songy. #puppytraining #reflextoname
Sharing again as it’s a beautiful display of polite dog greeting behaviour. ‘Curving’ rather than a direct approach, and head turning also to show they are no threat. The fluffy one was slightly overwhelmed in the end by being surrounded by two confident terriers, so if it hadn’t broken off when it did, I would have called mine away at that moment. This behaviour isn’t possible on lead or on riverside walks- I live on the river and rarely walk my dogs on it. Please, if your dog stares at other dogs when it approaches, or approaches them quickly, especially lying down staring at them and then bombing at them, pop them on lead and get some training help. #dogcommunication #dogbodylanguage #terriers #marblehillpark #dogwalks
Don’t underestimate the usefulness of a good ‘pavement walk’ as I call them. They can result in a more relaxed dog than a ‘park walk’ in some instances, if the dog does lots of sniffing, and you change up the route. Sniffing is very tiring for dogs, but also releases calming chemicals into their bloodstream. Playing and playing ball do the opposite. If your feeling stressed about recall, other people’s behaviour in the parks, or have just had a stressful day yourself, I find pavement walks can be relaxing for me, & prevent any more stress as there are no off lead dogs to deal with. Of course, this depends on the dog’s behaviour on streets. I use the time to keep training- ‘marking’ the dog when he does what I want (disengage from the rubbish). #streetwalks #barnes #irishterrier #schnauzer
Friday night snacks! Practicing their ‘Leave’ with or without an actual verbal cue (Caylem needed one halfway through!). I practice Leave, Come here, Stay and emergency ‘Stop’ very regularly. Lifesaving skills. And when I have a glass of wine & the crisps out early ( it’s been that kind of week!), it’s only fair to get some nibbles out for the besties. #emergencycues #funwithyourdog #lifeskills #fridaynightfun
