Hope 4 your dog Dog training

13/04/2024

Come and join myself and many other amazing people for an afternoon of information and great home made dog treats..

12/04/2024

This !!!!!!

"𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕒 𝕙𝕠𝕣𝕤𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕣, 𝕓𝕦𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥 𝕞𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕙𝕚𝕞 𝕕𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕜"

Many "professional" dog trainers frequently encounter a challenging predicament, often resulting in frustration. Over time, I've realized that such situations are a common occurrence in our professional journey, where little can be done to alleviate them.

Certain dog owners seek professional guidance due to their dog's behavioural issues, yet their expectations often revolve around emotional validation rather than objective solutions. They anticipate trainers to rectify their dog's problems solely based on their emotional perception, disregarding the factual reality of the situation.

Some trainers adopt a "Mr. Nice Guy" approach, leveraging emotional appeals to placate these owners. They reassure with statements like, "I cherish your dog as much as you do and would never resort to force, the use of an aversive or punishment." Regrettably, this overly emotional approach, aimed at pleasing clients, can often be detrimental rather than beneficial. And yet, most of these dog owners gravitate to these type of trainers, so as to have their own emotional needs understood and validated, even if detrimental to the dogs overall psychological well-being.

Throughout my consultations, I've encountered instances where I've had to confront clients with the truth: that unless they acknowledge their role in their dog's issues and regulate their own emotions and behaviour in their relationship, little progress can be made. I've offered guidance and demonstrated the necessary changes required in their interactions with their dogs. However, there are many instances some owners have reacted defensively, seeking validation for their emotional needs instead of prioritizing their dog's psychological well-being. Others, despite apparent denial, remain resistant to change.

This prevalent attitude among many dog owners, fueled by denial, can largely be attributed to the influence of the (IMO) "purely positive" and "force free" community and the pervasive humanisation of dogs in social media, main stream media, TV and film, and advertising. Unfortunately, in this landscape, a dog owner's emotions often hold more weight than what's truly best for the dog. Consequently, such owners gravitate towards trainers who validate their emotional bond with their dogs, perpetuating a cycle of misguided priorities. And in many cases detrimental to the dogs overall psychological well-being.

Certainly, this reflects the current landscape we find ourselves in. Three decades ago, encountering such issues was a rarity, as dogs were not only beloved but also honoured for their intrinsic species traits, and treated as such. However, in the present era, dogs are frequently viewed as emotional crutches, sought after to provide solace for individuals navigating the complexities of modern life. They are often relied upon solely to fulfill emotional needs that remain unmet in their daily existence.

Such an unhealthy burden we place on our dogs, which are then blamed when they misbehave or are psychologically unstable.

04/03/2024

This is more true than we think

23/12/2023

27/11/2023

Shop local this holiday season! Let us know.. what are your favorite local spots to support?