Loved this Puppy 1 class. Graduation Puppy 1
3 months ago I met these two: Kirsty and Sox. Sox is a little cross breed who was showing signs of Recource Gaurding and wasn't able to walk on a lead without trying to get off the lead and run away. Well with absolute hard work and dedication Kirsty has excelled in her training with Sox. The guarding has improved 10fold and the lead walking is 100% better. Now able to walk outside on the lead. Beyond proud!!!! Congratulations guys. Your hard work has paid off!
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Agility Foundation
Puppy 1
Puppy 2
This weekend my Border Collie Explore and I competed in an Agility Show. The judge was Alen from Croatia. First time running under an international Judge. Well my boy did not disappoint. WOW What a thrill! My boy got a fabulous clear round and a 3rd place with a signing. What an epic weekend!! Beyond proud of my boy!!!
Reasons to Allow your dogs to sniff:
When you’re taking your dog for a walk, do you let them move at their own pace and sniff freely, or do you dictate where and when they can sniff? Sniffing is a powerful behavior for dogs that serves a variety of functions. Here are five reasons to let your dog sniff when out in the world.
1. Sniffing is how dogs learn about the world.
Dogs have an incredible olfactory system (sense of smell), one of the best in the animal kingdom. Dogs have up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their nose (we have about 5 million), and it’s estimated that about one eighth of a dog’s brain is dedicated to olfaction. Dogs evolved to use their sense of smell to survive - to find food, to learn about other members of their species, to navigate the landscape, and to evade predators. Sniffing is the primary means by which dogs gather and process information about the world. It’s as essential as sight is to humans. Would you want to take a walk with a blindfold on?
2. Sniffing lets your dog be a dog.
All dogs should be given daily opportunities to practice the innate behaviors that make them dogs, and sniffing is no exception. Playing, vocalizing, digging, scavenging, foraging, and hunting are all normal dog behaviors that we often see as “problems” when done in contexts that we don’t like. Giving your dog plenty of opportunities to sniff is an easy, no brainer way to let your dog be a dog!
3. Sniffing works your dog’s brain.
Because such a large portion of their brain is dedicated to their sense of smell, sniffing is a great way to give your dog’s brain a workout - and a happy side effect of this will be a more calm, relaxed dog at home. While a sniff walk will certainly engage your dog’s brain, you can level up by playing scavenging games in your house or yard (scattering or hiding treats for your dog to find), using food puzzles, or signing up for a nose work class. Try out some scent games for mental enrichment, a
Why introduce your furkids to puzzles?
They offer mental stimulation
Mental stimulation is essential for your dog’s overall wellbeing as it reduces stress, builds confidence, and relieves anxiety. When dogs don’t get enough mental stimulation they may fall into bad habits such as barking or chewing things they shouldn’t.
Puzzle toys are a fantastic way to engage your dog’s mind when you don’t have as much time to walk or play with them.
Your pup will eat slower
Eating too quickly may cause your dog to vomit or experience physical discomfort. In extreme cases it can even cause a dangerous medical condition known as Bloat (though this is rare).
If your pup is a ravenous eater, a puzzle toy is a great way to help slow them down. Rather than stuffing puzzle toys with treats, use them as a delivery method for your dog’s regular meals. Whether your dog eats kibble, wet food, or a combination, there are toys out there that will accommodate any food.
Another alternative is a slow-feed dog bowl. These bowls are similar to interactive toys, but instead of ” solving” a puzzle by moving pieces around, these bowls have built-in ridges that prevent dogs from gobbling up huge mouthfuls of food quickly.
They reduce anxiety
Anxiety can be common in dogs and can have many possible causes; including being left alone and fear of an unfamiliar setting. Fortunately, giving your dog a job to focus on is a powerful way to reduce anxiety, if only temporarily. Puzzle toys are a great way to do this!
When your dog is focused on uncovering the delicious snacks hidden inside the puzzle toy they’ll likely be less focused on whatever is causing their anxiety.
If you’re traveling and need to help your dog adjust to spending time in the car, hoping to keep them occupied in a hotel room, or need to leave your pup home alone for a few hours, set them up with a puzzle to solve!
Note: If you’re leaving your dog unsupervised with the puzzle toy, make sure it doesn’t hav
