The Dog Guru Behaviorist and Trainer

13/11/2024

This Saturday ! So excited !

12/11/2024

Understanding how anxiety and fear affect dogs can really upgrade your relationship with your bestie!
Learn how dogs think and feel
What affects fear responses
How to manage fear and anxiety
How to better manage rescue dogs, in the shelter, and at home

Whatsapp for more info!

20/10/2024

Lately, there has been a serious load of arguing on the internet between dog trainers and behavioural experts in Canine life and doings, and its all been about using harsh tools VS using treats (SIMPLE FORM)
I have walked away from that argument for many reasons, but one of the things that keeps popping up is that using harsh methods SAVES lives, and to be honest, many of these kinds of dog trainers take on really hectic cases, and showcase their results. And then insist that fear free trainers will euthenase the dogs instead of getting them right - so they then claim that they save lives.

This may or may not be the case long term - but for now, after three recent cases sent to me WHERE THE PRIOR BEHAVIOURIST RECOMMENDED EUTHENASIA nearly sent me to the ecollar camp! in NONE of these cases were the dogs in ANY way suitable for killing die to their behavioural issues. They are pretty normal dogs actually and just a bit misguided. In fact, in my 30 years of work, I have recommended euthenasia TWICE and thought it may be a kinder option ONCE, and that was a shelter dog so it was not really an option. TWICE in all the dogs that I have met, trained and helped. In those two cases, the one dog took matters into his own hands and drowned in a pond at home (I suspect he had a form of epilepsy now, with an additional 26 years of experience behind me). The other was a large power breed who bit several people, he was not going to be trained properly as the shelter was leaning towards using an unqualified cowboy trainer, and he was also physically really unsound - lots and lots of problems. He was also a danger to shelter staff (an often ignored reality) and he was not suitable for rehoming due to his lack of dog, cat and human skills). The shelter was not able to home him for life, as it was not that kind of shelter. Those were my reasons and that is my story.

During my years of work, I have referred dogs to other trainers and behavioural specialists who I thought would be better with that dog than me. They usually were. I have no problem doing that either.

But what shocked me in these cases was that the dogs were literally passed off as a lost case, and they are not. And that kind of behaviour gives trainers a very bad name, especially if they claim to be fear free and qualified. Seriously, it is actually a problem and if it continues, will not give the FF community much of a great name to be honest.

I think this is due to a lot of reasons and here they are if you are reading this far.....

1. Newly qualified behaviourists and dog trainers are really lacking in a vital part of dog handling - experience (and often enough - hands on skills). Mentorship is needed.
2. Ego has taken over in the world of edited videos and TV specials and trainers are focussed on the worst things for dogs - quick fixes and fancy words, rather recommending rehoming or death than looking for help.
3. Humans have lost touch with reality and forgotten that dogs are ....well....dogs.
4. The average owner has no clue about dog behaviour and relies firstly on their vet, then social media and at least ONE uncle/grandfather/cousin who had dogs once, and they were amazing. They are easy targets for unethical people who can market themselves well.

It is sad that training and behaviour is starting to hurt dogs instead of helping them.

5.

20/10/2024

Your Dog and the Holistic approach to wellness!
My human clients know that I am passionate about gut health and diet and include changes to this in almost every single behavioural consultation that I take on. I started on this journey almost 20 years ago, when I noticed that dogs feed on one particular premium dog food were displaying similar new behaviours.
Over the years, this anecdotal evidence grew and grew for me, and the more research I did, the more I proved that my thoughts were justified.
Fast forward to today and we now know that the gut is the second brain (for mammals) and that gut health is vital for emotional balance and wellness as it relates to the entire body as it is the very space where "life" begins!

Modern lifestyle is NOT very healthy for the gut, from processed diets to medications and parasite control.

I have spent the last few years working on and compiling a system to help dogs to cope in our modern world, and am open to taking on new clients.

Drop me a line

16/10/2024

15/10/2024

The Success is Key!
When training our dogs, we often focus on what they are NOT doing, and we should take time to celebrate what they do right too!
The small things, that we often neglect to celebrate can make all the difference.
1. Your dog is now house trained - think back to the puppy days, and how many times you had to clean up! Success is when they ask to go out, or use the correct spot to toilet. Chuck in a "Good Wee" every now and then and praise them just for fun and relationship building.
2. Your dog can sit/wait for food/come when they hear the food bowl. A small thing, but SO important - this means your dog is working hard on building associations and doing well. Even thought "sit" is not the most important thing, and can actually be over used - its still a success. Now plan for the next step in your training work!
3. Your dog wears a harness and has learned how to walk on a lead. It does not matter if this is perfect yet, just celebrate that they can do this part! Teaching an animal to accept wearing strange things and being able to behave with this added equipment is a huge success. Its often overlooked as one of those things that all dogs learn to do, but its really a big ask on so many levels! So be proud.

Take the time to look at the small things your amazing dog can already do - and yes - then as we celebrate these small victories, we realise we CAN do so much more. Your dog too, could one day, learn to do really advanced things! Never give up!

Keep training ###

08/10/2024

Dog Owners! I am looking for questions you would like answers to around dogs who guard things/people/areas.
Ask in comments

08/10/2024

How many times have people not thought through the adoption of dogs process?
How many times have people picked the wrong doggo?

I have written a book about this - with some guidelines and advice on how to make the best choice when embarking on the adoption journey!

This is the first in a series of books and will hopefully help people to make better choices and also encourage wise adoptions, that ensure that the dogs stay in there new homes!

Give this a share! As soon as we have the SA site back up and running, we will be assisting several charities with donations from the sale of the book!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DDTSF5HN

and
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DDTSF5HN

About to adopt a new dog?: How to pick your Pawfect mate - an interactive Workbook

30/09/2024

It is HARD work introducing a new dog or puppy into a multi-dog household! It is hard work HAVING a multi-dog household at times. SOME dogs get along - all together, with a lot of love and its all good. SOME dogs simply battle with this concept.
The internet (and real life) is FULL of advice (much of it is really wrong too) and everyone is a dog expert at some level.
With rescue at a full time push to home dogs, many people are adopting new dogs into their homes, only to be faced with a lot of issues after the initial "honeymoon" period.
So, here are some pointers for those who are about to embark, or have already leapt into, this new journey.
Firstly - be prepared that things wont work out!
A dog who is "good with cats, horses, kids, dogs, mailmen" may not be good at ALL with YOUR dogs, cats, kids, and cousins! Dogs are NOT F*&^%ing robots. There are some dogs who are great with ALL things - some LOVE other dogs - whatever they may bring - but sometimes (as dogs are actually individuals) they may simply NOT like YOUR dog/cat (you get the idea). AND THAT IS NORMAL! Its okay. Do YOU like everyone? Do you even like every single dog you meet? (NO need to be honest here - just a question lol).
Add to this simple truth, the fact that most animals have a set of emotions. Moving house, being rehomed, being saved and anything inbetween means CHANGE. Change can bring out the best and worst of anything. Even plants do not like being moved around! Be patient - think of all the new things your new dog has to take on (including the millions of new scents they are exposed to ).
Then of course, there are health issues. Most dogs from kennels carry some kind of parasite. Its not a kennel issue - its a "having loads of the same species together" issue. Check this!
Most dogs who have had stress WILL have gut issues. The gut effects EMOTIONS! (Check this out if you do not agree - there are HUNDREDS of studies on this!).
Fix the gut. Honestly. It will help.
GET A BEHAVIOURIST. Or trainer. Do not rely on the information from those who are not experienced in this. Really. You are wasting time and money here - plus not helping the dog. There are hundreds of people who do this as a CAREER. They study, they research. They work with hundreds of dogs like yours. In homes. In your situation. Really. I promise.
Also - remember that your animals at home have NO idea why your have brought home this newbie. Give THEM some time to work it out as well. Rescue does not mean that we hurt the ones we have.

Reach out - there is a lot of help out there.

23/09/2024

I will NEVER tell you that you can train your dog in 7 days to do all things.
I will never give you an "instant" fix, magic word, or secret hand movement to get your dog to stop doing things you do not like.
I will never promise that we will fix everything - some things may need clever management - or even medical intervention.

I will never advocate for the use of pain to train.

I will teach you how to work with and understand your dog. I will teach you everything that I have learned from practical experience with thousands of dogs, books, studies and my peers. I will teach you how to be a great dog communicator.

And yes, it will take WORK, TIME and PATIENCE. Lots of treats. Lots of learning and most of all LOTS OF LOVE.

But is that not why you got a dog and not a robot?

18/09/2024

YOU ARE YOUR DOG's DOG TRAINER!
Absolutely no one else is. What you do is LEARN from your hired dog trainer (or whatever you use!).
YOU need to put in the time, the effort and the training. Just like getting fit. No amount of thinking about it, or using garments to adjust your body shape will work.
Set aside the time. It WILL pay off.

14/09/2024

Fun Saturday! Made the dogs stuffed apples for later - what did you do with your dogs today?

14/09/2024

Step by step processes, training coach with behavioral help woven into all training - and lots of learning for the handler/owner/guardian.
I focus on being holistic - spirit, mind, body training for you and your dog. Remote training means that you can do it all in your own time too!
Drop me a line

02/09/2024

this is SUCH a fab article - and SO much of how I train, how I think, and why my focus is NOT on creating obedient robots.
Having a pet (any pet) is a relationship - and should be FUN, for BOTH parties.
I detest the way the dog training world has gone, with robot dogs doing more and more wild things, to look cool, to look better!
What is so cool about a dog prancing next to you with his head stuck in an unnatural bend? Ego took over on SO many levels. Sure it LOOKS cool, and you can train that - but the real fun part should be loose lead walks, lots of sniffing, building trust, having fun!

https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/fellow-creatures/202004/why-dogs-happiness-not-obedience-is-what-counts?fbclid=IwY2xjawFCfq5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXJhjsZiaznKNiG8LpJFsei7pM4mBuERGX-TY1bRn_vhDD8c3BvYnWsghg_aem_3VV5zVxLj9BguaQ33BP_ew

Instead of asking, “How do I get my dog to obey me?” we should ask, “Is my dog happy?” and “How can I make them happier?”

08/08/2024

https://tails-ology.co.za/product/about-to-adopt-interactive-workbook/?fbclid=IwY2xjawEhdolleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHeqUGiwTZds7PMisrcsxKVKbQNRUg8fMCkavXsVBNfry82vDFTcJEGdsPA_aem_OGud67ov24inw2aE-q7PrQ

Embark on the journey of finding your perfect furry companion with the "About To Adopt? Interactive Workbook" by Mandy Barrett, "The Dog Guru." This digital download offers quizzes and insights on age, breed, temperament, and gender to help you choose your ideal pet. Note: This is a digital product;...

08/08/2024

Sneak Peak on the new book - out 15th August!