Dog Dynamics Behaviour and Training

18/08/2024

Oscar learning to hold a pole

17/08/2024

Always check what training methods your trainer offers

There is so much online at the moment it is very confusing for all seeking advice for their beloved pet. Let's make it simple - PLEASE do your homework. Check out dogcharter.uk or intodogs.net for listings of positive trainers that help NOT harm .

17/08/2024

The black girl class. Abi, Lula, Maya and Jupiter

14/08/2024

On Sunday we had a catch up lesson because of all the rain. The dogs were happy to be out and what is more fun than hoopers?

13/08/2024

Two of our latest puppy graduates, Jock and Johnny

04/08/2024

Punishing an animal can have significant negative consequences for their behavior and overall well-being. Here are just a few examples of the fallout of punishment. ​

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To learn more about training, consider completing our DogWise course https://coape.org/coape-courses/dogwise/

31/07/2024

Bailey says the treats on sale at Dog Dynamics are lip licking good

30/07/2024

So proud of this team. Dylan and Luna took part at the Fish Hoek Agility Dogs fundraiser and came first in Hoopers with a very fast time. Looking forward to watching this team grow

24/07/2024

Flash learning to push a ball through a goal

18/07/2024

Ruby learning to push a ball through a goal

17/07/2024

Book now for our latest intakes Our classes are run in a safe enclosed area. Our trainers are all qualified.

16/07/2024

Please join us for a fun event at Fish Hoek Agility Club

We will be running the following classes:
Hoopers (beginners and advanced)
Tunnel Challenge (beginners and advanced)
Agility (all levels and heights will be catered for. Remember it is fun. We are hoping to host an inter club challenge. Details to follow)

If you are interested in taking part, please complete the registration form just to assist us with numbers. You will also be able to enter on the day. Payment is cash only.

https://forms.gle/vtdSboEoyLyPhTYw8

PLEASE NOTE ONLY COMPETING DOGS WILL BE ALLOWED AT THE EVENT. DOGS ARE TO BE ON LEAD AT ALL TIMES WHEN NOT COMPETING AND UNDER CONTROL

We are also running two amazing raffles. Details to follow soon! We will have catering.

We are looking for stall holders preferably selling pet related products. Please pop us a message if you're interested

10/07/2024

09/07/2024

Well done to our latest group of puppy graduates

09/07/2024

Well done to our latest group of puppy graduates

06/07/2024

Early morning agility class. Mila learning the seesaw

03/07/2024

I am raising a social and friendly dog.

He loves nothing more than an off leash frolic with his friends and it brings me so much joy to watch.

However, I’m a dog trainer, and I understand what a privileged position I am in.

I have a dog I can take anywhere, who loves everyone and every dog. Wow, I am blessed.

Not everyone has a dog like that.

Dogs, like humans, have a range of sociability.

Some dogs used to be like my boy, but after a traumatic event, they are now worried or scared.

Some might be in pain and not want to be bumped.

Others may have not had a great start to life.

Many are in training to learn how to feel comfortable being around other dogs again, and that can be a slow process.

And, you know what? They all still have a right of recreation access.

Me and my dog? We can pretty much go everywhere, these guys, they are more limited. So, given my privileged position, it’s only right I do what I can to make life a little better for them. Be kind

And you know what else? Most of the things I choose to do are also the law!

Yes, it is the law that your dog be on a lead in any public place that isn’t a prescribed off leash area. We have lovely sniffy walks in on lead areas. If I see another dog ahead, I might check in with their owner - do they need a bit more space? Or maybe they actually would like to say hello? I also read their body language - not just the dog’s but the humans too! If they look worried I might call out cheerfully ‘if I head over this way does that suit you?’. Be kind.

In an off lead area my dog still needs to be ‘under effective control’. So, that means he comes when I call him and doesn’t run off and chase or approach others. To be honest, my dog only had off leash privileges in private enclosed areas until recently. I wanted to be sure his recall was incredible. Even now, I check out areas and keep a look out. I am very proud when he is playing with his friend and I call him and he comes running over as fast as he can (for some delicious treats then back to playing for him). If you don’t have such good recall yet there is no shame in using private enclosed areas, a long lead or hiring a trainer for help.

And don’t unclip that leash until you have done a safety check of the area. At an offleash area last week I saw a lady just sitting and chilling with her dog. I let them have their moment and walked around the corner before unleashing. Be kind.

It’s not just the law to use a lead, it’s having a little respect. It doesn’t take much effort at all and is the least those of us in a privileged position can do.

Trust me, those of us with friendly dogs are no better nor worse than those with dogs needing space. Some owners with dogs that need space are the most amazing humans you could ever meet - with exceptionally lovely dogs.

And, remember, many of those dogs were once friendly and sociable but ran up to the wrong dog. So look after your own dog too.

Be kind.

03/07/2024

Chino saying his prayers

02/07/2024

Gorgeous Finneas in our Monday evening class

29/06/2024

Calvin training the 2 German Shorthaired Pointers, Leo and Bruno

28/06/2024

Calvin doing stays with Leo and Bruno

25/06/2024

A must read for any dog owner

When do we need to take action against irresponsible dog guardians?

I am not in favour of an over-regulated society. The last four years of blatant insanity cured me of that forever and cultivated a severe distrust of authority in general. However, I have to remind myself that some laws are necessary, and enforcement of laws is essential for society to function at a basic level.

You might be wondering how this relates to dogs…
For many years I have been involved in a couple of groups or organisations that promote responsible dog ownership, especially with regards to dogs in public. The aim of these groups is to safeguard the rights and privileges that we have always had with regards to taking dogs into public spaces and natural areas for exercise, enrichment and companionship during our own recreation.

In my experience, the majority of dog guardians do care about the safety of their own dogs and the well-being of others they may encounter and so try to abide by sensible regulations and codes of conduct. However, there is a persistent minority who are either in total denial with regards to their specific dogs and the upset and harm that they have caused on occasion or who have a sociopathic disregard for the wellbeing of others (and in fact their own dogs), resulting in repeated incidents where emotional and physical damage is inflicted on others – usually other dogs, but also sometimes horses or people. The question then becomes how to deal with such people and whether the authorities are a good option.

I accept that all dog guardians are human, that we all make mistakes, that our dogs are not perfect and that accidents and unexpected situations can arise. There is often far too much judgement and over-reaction of the most minor transgressions and I wish that in general we could all be more gracious and forgiving towards each other when something unexpectedly goes wrong.

However, there is a small percentage of dog-related incidents that do need to addressed far more seriously: those that occur due to repeated human negligence, clear disregard for others and total lack of responsibility, usually demonstrated over a period of time. One has to face the fact that certain dog owners are unwilling to make necessary adjustments to keep others safe and every effort needs to be made to hold them accountable and prevent future harm. When education, offers of assistance and genuine appeals are shrugged off and ignored, that is the time when the authorities need to be brought in.

It is not simply a matter of community safety, but also about protecting the rights of responsible dog owners. Whenever there is a serious incident involving a dog in public, it takes about five minutes for people to start calling for all dogs to be leashed at all times in all places or for dogs to be banned from certain areas. Because of the behaviour of a tiny minority of irresponsible individuals, the rights and privileges of all dog owners come under immediate threat. Instead of addressing the actual culprits, everyone is punished by association. The irony is that this punishment only ever affects those who are law abiding, responsible dog guardians. Why do I say this? Because those who do not care whether their dogs are causing mayhem, do not care about the calls to curtail the rights of dog owners and will continue to disregard any new regulations or restrictions. They remain unaffected, while innocent dog guardians lose out.

At some point, we have to be willing to hold individuals accountable, if we are to retain the rights we have fought so hard for with regards to enjoying life with our canine companions. Unfortunately, in my experience, it is incredibly hard to get victims of serious incidents to take a stand. These are often the reasons given why someone will not go to law enforcement and open a case:

1. It’s not the dog’s fault
2. The owner paid my vet/medical bills
3. I don’t want the dog to be put down
4. I don’t like confrontation

Firstly, while it may not be the dog’s “fault”, if a dog has inflicted serious damage on a person or another dog, that dog poses a serious risk to the safety of other people and dogs and cannot be allowed to be put in a situation where they could hurt a person or dog again. If the owner has demonstrated an unwillingness to change, the only hope for preventing future harm is for authorities to enforce change one way or another.
Secondly, I have known quite a few repeat offenders who regularly pay vet bills and have even bought gifts for their “victims”. Yet, they do not change their behaviour and seem happy to simply pay as they go! Genuine remorse involves a change in behaviour, not just throwing money at something.
Thirdly, unless an incident was so severe that the dog is deemed too dangerous to be managed, involving law enforcement does not mean that a dog will be euthanised. In most cases a compliance notice is issued along with a fine. The owners then have every opportunity to abide by the compliance notice, which usually prescribes that the dog simply be managed appropriately to prevent further incidents. If the owners take responsibility, there is no reason for the dog to ever be removed.

Handing a matter over to the authorities is not something that I am suggesting we do lightly, but it is something that needs serious consideration when the following applies:

• This is not the first incident – especially if there is a history of multiple similar incidents
• The incident was of a very serious nature, with severe physical damage
• The owner took no responsibility for the incident and showed no remorse
• The owner is in clear denial of the harm done

No one likes confrontation, but involving law enforcement does not require that you personally confront the perpetrator. Law enforcement deals with them – you don’t have to. Doing something like this is not fun and can feel uncomfortable and stressful. However, we need to look outside of ourselves and consider the needs of our larger community, which continues to be at risk when we do nothing to stop an ongoing problem that we could have done something about.

25/06/2024

Positive reinforcement in dog training is ethical because it rewards desired behaviours, fostering trust and respect. It avoids fear and aggression, common in punishment-based methods, promoting a happier, more confident dog. This approach is effective and compassionate, ensuring dogs learn in a humane way. Canine Principles only uses ethical and kind methods with both dogs and people.

25/06/2024

Well done to the Gold Canine Good Citizen participants. A huge achievement

25/06/2024

Well done to our Silver Canine Good Citizen participants. We are so proud of you

25/06/2024

Well done to our Canine Good Citizen bronze and puppy participants. We are so proud of you