Training Pups Dog Academy

28/12/2025

Hi Guys

With New Year's Eve coming up, just some tips on keeping your pets safe during the fireworks

1) Have your pet checked at a vet - older pets might have heart issues, making it dangerous to just give any meds.

A vet will be able to give the correct dosage (according to weight) and advise what to do if the dose doesn't work as anticipated. Your vet will also give you a follow-up dose if needed.

Do not use any over the counter human medications as some human medications are toxic to dogs/cats.

2) Over the counter calming medications fom petshops are normally not "strong" enough as a single dose and should actually be given for a few consecutive days to have an effect. Over the counter calming medications are normally herbal. Do not give your pet human CBD (dagga) as it can be toxic to pets.

3) Medication should be given with food for better absorption and should be given before the fireworks start to have maximum effect - medication given to an already stressed animal works out a lot faster due to the dog's high levels of adrenalin - (heart is beating faster). When your vet dispenses meds, they can work out an initial dose as well as a follow-up dose should you need to give more.

4) Ensure your pet is microchipped for easy identification should your pet get out. Collars with name tags are also great, but they could get caught on gates, fences, etc, and might "fall" off.

5) Provide your pet with a save space where s/he can hide. Don't try and cuddle your pet. Allow your pet the chance to hide where s/he feels safe. A spot we consider safe might not feel safe for your pet. Avoid areas directly next to a wall as noises sound louder next to a wall.

6) Keep the lights on, to minimise the effect the lights from fireworks on the room your pet is in. If you have light canceling curtains you may close the curtains and switch off the light.

7) If indoors, you can put some instrumental music on to help calm your pet. Music with one instrument e.g. piano works best. The music does not need to be deafening - pets have great hearing.

8) It is advised that cats should be kept indoors - they can be locked in a bathroom if needed. Ensure all doors and windows are closed to prevent them from escaping. Please do not give your cat calming medication and leave them outside as the medication can make them drowsy, influence their speed of movement and slow their reaction time - which could be hazardous (run over by a car etc.)

9) Products like calming collars or calming sprays can also be used. A product like Pet Remedy can be sprayed on bedding, dog collar etc to help calm them. Do not solely rely on only a spray to calm your pet in high stress situations. Calming collars and sprays should be used in conjunction with veterinary prescribed medication.

10) A thundershirt or wrap is also a good option. Thundershirts/wraps should not be left on for prolonged periods or they will lose their "power". These shirts/wraps work by providing pressure when around the dog in such a way that it comforts the dog. (Similar effect as wrapping a baby in a blanket). If you make a wrap as per illustration do not put it on too tightly - it should not cut off blood circulation.

11) You can also use enrichment toys like a lickimat or a Kong and fill it with something your dog likes. Liverspread, cheese, Greek yogurt, polony, peanut butter (without any artificial sweetner - artificial sweetners cause kidney failure in pets).

Pets normally lick to soothe themselves, so using a Kong or Lickimat provides them with the opportunity to lick. Kongs and Lickimats can be made in advance and frozen to ensure they last longer.

12) Make sure you have a recent photo of your pet in the event of your pet going missing. Share on pages, WhatsApp groups, local vets and contact your nearest SPCA (Alway better to go check in person). Pets left outdoors will try and escape the fireworks. The injury vets see the most are pets getting stuck on palisades.

13) Please ensure you secure your pet in a area away from Hazards. Do not leash dogs as a way to keep them confined. A scared dog will jump to try and get away and can end up strangelling themselves on a leash.

28/12/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C5Qf7SZnQ/

What You Allow in Your Presence Is Your Standard

And Your Dog Knows Exactly What That Means

There’s a quote that floats around leadership circles, military training, business coaching, and whether people realise it or not, dog training:

“What you allow in your presence is your standard.”

It sounds simple. Almost too simple.
But when it comes to dogs, this one sentence explains far more behaviour problems than most people care to admit.

Because dogs don’t listen to what we say.
They pay attention to what we allow.

And therein lies the rub.

Dogs Are Brilliant Pattern-Spotters (Unfortunately for Us)

Dogs are not moral creatures. They are not stubborn, dominant, manipulative, or “testing you”.

They are exceptionally good at spotting patterns.

If a behaviour:
• happens repeatedly
• receives no consequence
• is occasionally successful

…then as far as the dog is concerned, it’s an approved behaviour.

Not because you like it.
Not because you trained it.
But because you allowed it.

Your dog doesn’t need consistency in rules.
They need consistency in outcomes.

Allowance Is Training (Whether You Like It or Not)

Here’s where many owners get uncomfortable.

Most unwanted behaviours are not taught deliberately.
They are taught by tolerance.

Let’s look at some everyday examples.

Example 1: Jumping Up
• Dog jumps up at visitors.
• Owner says, “Oh, he’s just excited.”
• Dog occasionally gets fuss, eye contact, laughter, or hands on chest.

Result?
Jumping works sometimes.

Congratulations, you’ve just created a variable reinforcement schedule for jumping.
That behaviour is now robust, persistent, and very hard to extinguish.

Your standard wasn’t “no jumping”.
Your standard was “jumping is acceptable under certain conditions”.

Your dog understood that perfectly.

Example 2: Pulling on the Lead
• Dog pulls.
• Owner tightens lead, carries on walking.
• Dog reaches the sniff, lamp post, or other dog anyway.

Result?
Pulling moves the world closer.

You may dislike pulling, but you allow it to succeed.

Your standard isn’t “walk nicely”.
Your standard is “pulling works eventually”.

Again, crystal clear to the dog.

Example 3: Reactivity

This one really stings.
• Dog barks, lunges, explodes.
• Owner tightens lead, panics, soothes, apologises to the dog.
• Other dog goes away.

From the dog’s perspective:
• Big display
• Owner gets emotional
• Threat disappears

That behaviour just worked.

Now, I’m not saying the dog is “being naughty”.
But I am saying that what you allowed in that moment became the standard.

Standards Are Not Rules, They Are Repeated Outcomes

Many owners believe they have rules:

“He’s not allowed on the sofa.”
“She knows she shouldn’t bark.”
“He knows better.”

Dogs don’t live by house rules pinned to the fridge.

They live by what happens next.

If a behaviour:
• is ignored
• laughed at
• managed instead of trained
• excused because the dog is tired, young, stressed, excited, old, or “having a day”

…then that behaviour is being maintained.

Not maliciously.
Not deliberately.
But very effectively.

Your Emotional State Is Part of the Standard

Here’s the uncomfortable bit for handlers and trainers.

Dogs don’t just learn what behaviours are allowed.
They learn what emotional responses are allowed too.

If:
• you panic, your dog learns panic
• you hesitate, your dog learns uncertainty
• you negotiate, your dog learns resistance
• you escalate, your dog learns conflict

Calm, consistent leadership sets a standard before a command is ever given.

That’s why two people can handle the same dog and get wildly different results.

The dog hasn’t changed.
The standard has.

“But I Don’t Want to Be Harsh”

Good.
You shouldn’t be.

Standards are not about shouting, punishment, or dominance displays.

They’re about clarity.

Clear standards are:
• predictable
• fair
• consistent
• unemotional

Dogs actually relax when standards are clear.
Ambiguity is stressful.
Inconsistency is confusing.
Negotiation invites chaos.

Structure isn’t cruel.
It’s calming.

Working Dogs Understand This Instinctively

In working dog environments, military, police, search and rescue, this principle is non-negotiable.

If a handler allows:
• sloppy positions
• delayed responses
• environmental fixation

…those become the working standard.

And working dogs will work to the standard presented.

Pet dogs are no different.
They just have far more opportunity to train their humans instead.

Raising Your Standard Raises Your Dog

Here’s the good news.

Standards are not fixed.
They are adjustable.

The moment you:
• stop allowing rehearsal of unwanted behaviour
• start rewarding what you actually want
• manage the environment while training clarity
• become consistent in outcome rather than intention

…your dog adapts.

Not because you became stricter.
But because you became clearer.

A Final Thought

Your dog is not asking for perfection.

They’re asking for:
• guidance
• consistency
• leadership they can trust

Every interaction sets a standard.
Every allowance teaches something.
Every repetition reinforces a belief.

So the next time a behaviour crops up and you think,
“I’ll let that slide just this once”…

Remember:

What you allow in your presence is your standard.
And your dog is always paying attention.

24/12/2025

To all our handlers and pups.

We wish you a Merry Christmas filled with slobbery kisses and cuddles with your fur babies.

From
Susann, Linda and Emily 🐾

23/12/2025

How do trainers relax?

By sitting next to the pool with a good book

16/12/2025

So proud that our pups made it onto Santa Paws' Nice List

Photos (Part 3)

16/12/2025

No, we did not have any alcoholic beverages... that's clear water for "The best walking on leash" competition.... so proud of how little water got spilled. You guys rock 👏

Photos (Part 2)

16/12/2025

We have so much to be thankful for on "Geloftedag".

We are thankful for:
* the opportunity to train
* our wonderful venue
* our partners (Hills & Bravecto)
* our amazing clients and their 4-legged family members
* the growth we have had this year
* all our blessings and we have so many 🙏

Photos (Part 1)

15/12/2025

Playing Tetris as a child really comes in handy when packing equipment in for class

13/12/2025

*sigh*... And I vow to always support you while dog training and never ask how much the training equipment cost...

07/12/2025

Part 2

07/12/2025

Part 1 of our Puppy Class held on Saturday.

The pups worked hard on walking on leash as well as some stays.