We are a FORCE-FREE, Science based puppy socialization, behaviour and training establishment. Find us on Facebook under Canine Africa
Our staff are internationally qualified animal behaviourists, puppy and adult dog trainers through renowned COAPE International.
07/01/2025
2024-10-19 Hout Bay Puppy School
Today was the perfect day to start desensitizing the puppies to cars, trucks and horses as they have all had their 3rd vaccination!
What fun they had! They got to also learn to focus on their humans while out and about! Fun was had all around! The puppies are growing in confidence and really learning to use their bodies through proprioception.
FORCE-FREE, Science based behaviour and training ROCKS! 💖🐶🥰🥳💥
07/01/2025
2024-10-05 Hout Bay Puppy School
Today's class was all about teaching the puppies to be calm and offering them positive distractions when they are overexcited and/or overemotional.
We also discussed observation and how some dogs don't want to engage but would prefer to rather observe until they feel comfortable enough to engage with the environment.
Forcing our dogs into situations which they cannot or aren't equipped to handle, is one of the quickest ways to build a fearful, reactive or aggressive dog. While we want our dogs to have confidence, be resilience and have appropriate problem solving abilities, we need to take things slow and steady, giving them the opportunity to figure things out appropriately for themselves.
It is our job as guardians to guide our dogs through building positive associations so that should something aversive happen, they have the coping skills and resilience to bounce back.
Learning to understand and read body language is extremely important and helpful for guardians as well as dogs when interacting with the environment. If we can observe and understand our dogs body language and interactions as well as others, a lot of the drama we see out in the world could be prevented!
FORCE-FREE, Science based behaviour and training ROCKS! 💖🐶🥰🥳💥
07/01/2025
2024-10-05 Hunter and Enzo's Bromance at Hout Bay Puppy School!
Hunter joined our puppy class a little later than usual. He and Enzo hit it off right from the beginning! It took them a little while to figure out each other's play style but in the end they figured it out! Enzo (GSD) was much smaller than Hunter but he's grown so much in the past couple of months that he's bigger than Hunter (Australian Shepherd)! To this day, they are besties and love running on the beach together can playing in the waves! I adore both these dogs!
FORCE-FREE, Science based behaviour and training ROCKS! 💖🐶🥰🥳💥
07/01/2025
2024-10-05 Alfie and Wally's Bromance at Hout Bay Puppy School
From the moment they met, these two pups developed a bromance! They absolutely adore each other and Wally is so sweet the way he self-handicaps so that Alfie can play with him! We spent most of the class just laughing at the two of them! You could barely make out whether it was one or two doggos in some instances! What fun they had!
FORCE-FREE, Science based behaviour and training ROCKS! 💖🐶🥰🥳💥
07/01/2025
2024-09-14 Hout Bay Puppy School Shai's Graduation!
Shai is the sweetest, kindest and gentlest doggo! Shai is not the biggest fan of treats! She'll work for toys and praise any time! Shai has grown and blossomed at puppy school and has an incredible bond with her humans! 💖🐶🥰🥳💥
07/01/2025
2024-09-14 Sweet Cooper Graduated today at Hout Bay Puppy School!
Cooper is a rock-solid little guy! He is outgoing, adventurous and loves mingling and playing with other dogs! His mom has really put the work in to set him up for SUCCESS! We'll see you at Teen Class!
FORCE-FREE, Science based behaviour and training ROCKS! 💖🐶🥰🥳💥
07/01/2025
2024-09-14 Hout Bay Puppy School
What fun the dogs had learning to walk on a loose-leash as well as investigating the environment and training together! Little Maple joined our class today and was quite apprehensive in the beginning! In no time, she joined in on the fun and adventures with Cooper, Shai and Wally!
FORCE-FREE, Science based behaviour and training ROCKS! 💖🐶🥰🥳💥
07/01/2025
2024-09-14 Hout Bay Puppy School
Today we discussed loose-leash walking and pulling on the leash as the pups were starting to pull on their leashes to get where they wanted to go! Leash work is a dance, both dog and guardian are in a partnership and need to understand each other in order for the dance to be fluid.
One of the biggest problems that I've found with leash pulling is the dog wants to go one way and the guardian the other way. This is where the conflict begins! The dog is unaware that the guardian is on the other end of the leash and trucks on, pulling to their hearts content. This is where the guardian becomes frustrated and conflict ensues.
Loose leash walking is very easy if you know how! Understanding that you and your dog are a team is the first part, getting your dog to acknowledge that you are on the other end of the leash is part two. Your dog needs to realise and acknowledge that the leash is becoming strained and then reference you. Once they realise that, the rest is a walk in the park, so to speak!
There are many reasons why dogs pull on the leash, just too many reasons to discuss here because each dog and guardian are unique individuals. If you and your dog are not a partnership, a team and don't have a good understanding of each other, leash pulling becomes a conflict and walks become unpleasant, often resulting in aversive equipment being used or no walks at all!
It is usually at this point, out of sheer frustration, where guardians start using choke chains, slip leads and prong collars which are really not necessary if you learn the art of leash work, you put the work in, train your dog at every opportunity and build an understanding.
My dog was a prolific puller, a behaviour she learnt prior to my adopting her. In the 10 years I've had her, she tore the rotator cuff on my left shoulder twice and once on the right.
She had me on my knees, crying in frustration. We couldn't walk 100m without her pulling. Through patience, perseverance and building a bond of trust and understanding, she is amazing on leash and walking her has been a pleasure since I trained her and we built an understanding.
Leash work is never easy in the beginning but it should become easier as you train your dog and you build on your partnership and understanding of each other. Being patient, consistent and persevering will result in walking becoming fun for both you and your dog!
FORCE-FREE, science based behaviour and training ROCKS! 💖🐶🥰🥳💥
06/01/2025
2024-09-07 Hout Bay Puppy School
Jimmy's Graduation! Well done Jimmy and family! He's probably one of the most high drive dog's I've met in a very long time! He definitely has working stock coursing through his veins! What an amazingly rock solid, handsome dog he is!
FORCE-FREE, Science based behaviour and training ROCKS! 💖🐶🥰🥳💥
06/01/2025
2024-09-07 Baguette's Graduation Hout Bay Puppy School!
Congratulations sweet little Baguette! You have come a long way since the beginning! Go forth and conquer the world Baguette!
FORCE-FREE, Science based behaviour and training ROCKS! 💖🐶🥰🥳💥
06/01/2025
2024-09-07 Hout Bay Puppy School
Today was our first class of spring! We had fun training the puppies to "leave it!". They all understood the concept very well! Practice makes perfect!
The pups had loads of fun playing and going through the confidence course, learning proprioception and how to use their bodies! What an awesome bunch of pups!
FORCE-FREE, Science based behaviour and training ROCKS! 💖🐶🥰🥳💥
06/01/2025
2024-08-31 Hout Bay Puppy School
Huxley's Graduation!
Huxley is just the sweetest little gentleman! He's loved puppy school and really enjoyed playing with his friends! Huxley is a rock-solid little guy!
FORCE-FREE, Science based behaviour and training ROCKS! 💖🐶🥰🥳💥
06/01/2025
2024-08-31 Chloe's graduation at Hout Bay Puppy School!
Chloe is a character of note! She's 100% a social butterfly! She loves life to the fullest and really enjoys playing with all the other puppies! Such a delightful little girl!
FORCE-FREE,Science Based Behaviour and Training ROCKS!🥰🐶💖🥳💥
06/01/2025
2024-08-31 Hout Bay Puppy School
The weather is warming up! Our puppies not only learnt about proprioception but we also worked on leash techniques! Because all our puppies have had their 3rd vaccination, we decided to take a walk around the block with them and work on leash techniques as well as attention control while out and about! What a fun class!
FORCE-FREE, Science based behaviour and training ROCKS! 💖🐶🥰🥳💥
06/01/2025
2024-08-24 Hout Bay Puppy School
Sweet Ginny's graduation! 🌺🌷🌼⭐️
Little Ginny is an introverted little girl! She likes watching the world from the background and will engage with other dogs on her terms! She is just the sweetest, quirkiest little girl and we all adore her! Look forward to seeing you in Teen Class Ginny!
FORCE-FREE, Science based behaviour and training ROCKS! 💖🐶🥰🥳💥
06/01/2025
2024-08-24 Hout Bay Puppy School
Stunning morning at puppy school this morning! Sun was shining and all the puppies had loads of fun playing, activating their SEEKING system and investigating the muddy environment!
FORCE-FREE, Science based behaviour and training ROCKS! 💖🐶🥰🥳💥
06/01/2025
2024-08-17 Hout Bay Puppy School
It was a cold and wet day at puppy school today. We trained under cover and the puppies got used to confined spaces as well as learning to focus on their guardians with a "watch me", "look", "eyes"!
FORCE-FREE, Science based behaviour and training ROCKS! 🥰🐶😍🥳💥
28/12/2024
KEEPING YOUR DOG SAFE DURING THE FIREWORKS MADNESS!
If there was anything I could change in the world, it would be to ban fireworks! While it may seem like an innocent new year and other celebratory traditions, the dire consequences it has on animals far outweighs the frivolity of these types of celebrations!
The number of animals that are traumatised, injured and die due to this practice is truly heartbreaking! The few hours of joy humans experience with the sparkly lights and loud banging noises is just not worth the physical and emotional pain, trauma and death of any animal!
Here are some tips to keep your dogs calm and safe during fireworks madness:
BEFORE THE FIREWORKS BEGIN:
1. Prepare your dog for the upcoming fireworks season. You can download fireworks noise desensitization sounds from YouTube. Start playing them quietly at first, gradually increasing the volume as your dog becomes desensitized or unfazed by the sounds. Here are some examples: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhHt3uPC1eI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryNlmw8745U
2. Exercise your dog easier in the day before the fireworks start. You can engage in vigorous play or take your dogs for a nice long walk. This helps them burn off excess energy, making them feel calmer.
3. Create a safe space for your dog if you don’t have one already. It is vitally important that you dog has a comfortable, quiet ares in your home where they can retreat to if they want to during the fireworks. This could be a crate (if they’re crate trained) or designate a room with minimal windows as some dogs will go straight through the window in their panic to avoid the aversive sounds caused by the fireworks. Put their toys, bed and blanket down for them to create a sense of security. NOTE: PLEASE do not lock your dog away if they are not used to it or need to be near you to feel secure. Keep them with you if this is what they need!
4. Provide calming aids or get veterinary assistance to help your dog cope with the stress of the fireworks. This could be pheromone diffusers, collars or spays which are designed to reduce anxiety. Thundershirts are are specifically designed to provide gentle pressure, which some dogs find calming. Natural remedies like CBD oil or calming chews can also help but in severe cases where your dog is noise sensitive or prone to anxiety or fear based behaviours, please consult your vet and get appropriate medication prescribed for your individual dog.
5. Update their ID Tags and check that their microchip is functional and up-to-date with your contact details. Too many dogs are either not microchipped, microchips not registered or the information is outdated on their microchip. Fireworks can make even the most desensitized dog panic and bolt. By having your dog microchipped, it will make it easier and more helpful in finding them.
DURING THE FIREWORK MADNESS:
1. Stay as calm as possible. Your dog observes your behaviour and often takes cues from you. Stay calm and relaxed, speaking in a soothing tone, reassuring them that everything is okay if necessary.
2. Provide plenty of chewing opportunities and distractions. Chewing releases the much needed stress-relieving dopamine that is needed to calm your dog. You can also use puzzle feeders and treat-dispensing toys to keep your dog’s attention away from the fireworks. However, some dogs are so panicked that they can’t chew or be distracted by fireworks with any of these types of aids.
3. Drown out the noise of the fireworks. Close doors, windows and curtains to minimize the flashes and external sounds of the fireworks. Play calming music or turn on the television to drown out the fireworks. My dog loves calming classical music.
4. Comfort your dog if they need comforting. Gentle petting and quietly sitting with them can help. Remember, you can’t reinforce the emotion of fear BUT you can inadvertently reinforce behaviours that are driven by fear. It is essential that you provide support to ease your dog’s fear BUT also prevent undesirable behaviours manifesting from their fear.
5. Avoid punishment. This goes without saying! If you shout at or punish your dog for being scared of fireworks, you will not only damage the bond and trust with your dog but you will also increase their stress, anxiety and fear they are experiencing due to the fireworks.
Fear of fireworks is very real. The limbic system in the brain is an ancient system that is specifically designed to keep us out of trouble and alive.
Through patience, understanding, empathy and gentle guidance, we can make our dogs lives better.
Yours in behaviour and training,
Lucille Hepburn
Head FORCE-FREE, Scientifically Based Animal Behaviourist & Dog Trainer
Qualifications:
COAPE DipCABT (NOCN UK) Animal Behaviour
COAPE CertCAB Animal Behaviour
ThinkingPets — Confi-Puppy Instructor
School of Intuition & Healing — Animal Communication
Zero Point Healing — Reiki I & II
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Holistic Animal Behaviour ADOLESCENT CLASSES:
Adolescent Class 1 Wednesday mornings 9.30-10.30am.
Adolescent Class 2 Thursday afternoon 5-6pm.
Our adolescent class is perfect for dogs aged 4 months - 9 months old. We take the "show on the road" and train at different places.
2024-08-21 - This Week's Venue: Constantia Nek
Callie and Archie have never been to any of my classes before. Both are adolescent dogs who have entered their second fear phase or hazard avoidance phase. Both came into class barking their heads off and very fearful of each other and the environment!
We took them to a quiet area close by and I showed their guardians how to counter-condition and desensitize them to the environment and each other as well as playing the engage-disengage game! Within 20 minutes, both dogs were happily engaging with each other and the environment!
By the end of our first lesson, both dogs were coming when called and able to enjoy their time together! Archie is much more bolder than Callie! He is also quicker to respond to environmental stimuli! What fun our first class was! The dogs ended up exploring and playing together! By taking things slow and steady and not flooding the dogs, we changed their emotions and behavioural response from fear to seeking and play! Gosh I love what I do!
For more information, please contact me via WhatsApp on 083 527 3446 or email [email protected].
FORCE-FREE, Science based behaviour and training ROCKS! 💖🐶🥰🥳💥
Sweetest little Alfie is joining our puppy class! He has to be the smallest, most feistiest puppy I've ever met! He's the size of a fluffy slipper! Already climbing into his mommy's herb and veggie garden! Digging is soooooo much fun!😂💖🐶🥰🥳💥
Canine Africa is a FORCE-FREE, Scientifically Based Puppy and Adult Dog Socialization Training Academy. Our aim is to create a happy, enriched and emotionally well-balanced relationship between you and your special canine companion.
Dogs are social animals and emotional beings that have a strong love for their humans and require social contact in order to bond. Different breeds of dogs have their own breed specific traits and have their own specific requirements to fulfill their lives. Ultimately you are dealing with the INDIVIDUAL dog in front of you, despite breed. Learning to understand your dog, their body language and emotional state is crucial to predict their behaviour. These are all tools to be able to fulfill their daily needs.
If a dogs emotional, mental and physical needs are not met on a daily basis, there is a good chance that they will “Act Out” in an effort to fulfil their “hard-wired” and internal/external requirements.
At Canine Africa, we work within your dogs specific requirements so you can get the best out of them and have a relationship of understand, bonding and love. We educate and train our owners how to handle their dogs and situations so that they can effectively deal with and avoid stressful situations and fulfill their canine companions needs.
We operate holistically to ensure that both dog and owner understand each other and can live a happy, symbiotic life within their household.
We operate in the Hout Bay, Atlantic Seaboard, Cape Town City and Surrounding Areas.
