Dogwarts - School of Training and Trickery

04/06/2024

ESSENTIAL ENRICHMENT

Imagine being kept in the same space each and every day. You know every blade of grass, every scent, every brick, every piece of fence. You have no books to read, no TV to watch, no one to talk to, no interaction with the outside world and absolutely nothing to do.

Would this situation begin to affect your behaviour and influence your emotional, mental or physical state? What about our dogs?

Many dogs live in this type of environment and yet we wonder why they develop behaviour problems, bark excessively, destroy the garden, become over excited, over aroused or maybe just shut down or sleep all day having completely lost interest in the world.

Many behaviour problems are caused by boredom, a lack of mental and physical stimulation or being confined to the same space every day.

Providing enrichment for dogs is so important for their wellbeing and really doesn’t require that much effort from us.

There are so many simple ways to provide enrichment. An online search for DIY enrichment ideas will provide lots of ideas.

Older dogs may enjoy a ride in the car, sitting at a window watching the world go by, bringing the outside in – sticks, cones, grass etc. from different areas placed in a box for them to rummage through and smell, dinner in the park, or even just playing some doggie music will make a difference.

“Chronic inescapable boredom can be extremely aversive, and under-stimulation can harm neural, cognitive and behavioral flexibility.” - A biological perspective on animal boredom and suggestions for its scientific investigation by Charlotte Burn - The Royal Veterinary College

Here are some links for enrichment ideas -
Enrichment ideas by Laura Gendron
https://missbehaviortraining.com/blog/diyenrichment

DIY boredom busting toys by Luke Balsam
https://wunderdogmagazine.com/care/awesome-diy-dog-toys-our-dog-trainer-made-some-boredom-busting-toys-and-you-can-too/

Link to a free introduction on ACE free work by Sarah Fisher -
https://animalcentrededucation.teachable.com/p/watch-this-space

26/05/2024

I will be visiting Kleinmond from 16-23 June. Please book me early if you need a behavioural assessment or training done during my stay Kleinmond citizens.

21/05/2024

Such a good example of a dog reading social cues.

14/05/2024

I love the shake.

JUST SHAKE IT OFF
Dogs constantly communicate through their body language.

A “shake off” is one of the many types of body language and is one of the easier ones to notice.

The shake off can provide us with important insights as to how our dogs are feeling.

Besides being a very effective way to get rid of dirt, pesky bugs and water - dogs can remove up to 70% of water in one single shake off - the shake off is often seen just after something that a dog needs a mental reset from.

It’s a way to flush out adrenaline and could be compared to us taking a deep breath to reset our nervous system and calm ourselves down.

Dogs instinctively know they feel better when they just shake it all off!

It’s their way of saying “Phew, I’m glad that’s over, now I can put it behind me and move on”.

Shaking off is a positive way to calm down, reset and cope with stress – be that negative or positive stress.

Sometimes a shake off could be due to an underlying medical reason like an ear infection, allergy, itching or pain.

If you notice a shake off, look at what has just happened beforehand. This will provide a good clue as to what it is that your dog needs to reset from.

16/04/2024

Force free for the win!

I find it hard to understand why some people still use and firmly believe in old fashioned punishment-based training methods when science clearly shows there is a better, kinder, humane, ethical and far more effective way.

The key principle of force free or positive reinforcement based methods is “first, do no harm”, not just physical harm, but emotional harm too.

Punishment amongst many other negatives, creates stress. Stress inhibits learning. A dog that is feeling stressed from being punished will struggle to learn.

Positive reinforcement methods release the hormone, Dopamine. This “feel-good” hormone drives the reward and pleasure-seeking system.

Dopamine also increases the brain’s ability to learn, improves memory function and motivates a dog to repeat a behaviour.

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviour states that punishment-based methods may cause several adverse effects, including “inhibition of learning, increased fear-related and aggressive behaviours, and injury to animals and people interacting with animals”.

One of my favourite quotes with regard to dog behaviour is by Dr Carolina Galvez Vidal - "Any idiot can suppress behaviour. It’s so easy: That’s why most humans on the planet think they are expert dog trainers. But to truly modify a behaviour without suppression…Ahh, that requires true talent, knowledge and skills".

We are all individuals and don’t all have “true talent” or “skills”, but the key word for me in this statement is “knowledge”.

Knowledge is not that hard to find these days. Be willing to put in the effort to find out how to build a trusting, secure and positive relationship with your dog, remembering to "first do no harm".

12/07/2023

IN THE FACE OF FEAR

There is a common belief that comforting a dog that is feeling scared, anxious or stressed will just reinforce, encourage the feelings and make it worse.

This belief is incorrect. Fear is an emotional response and one that a dog does not choose or makes the decision to experience. An emotion is an involuntary, uncontrolled response that cannot be reinforced.

Imagine an intruder broke into your home, tied you up and took off with your belongings. After freeing yourself and getting help, a friend arrives to see how you are.

Your friend tells you that she can see that you’re really anxious and scared but she’s just going to completely ignore you, is not going to attempt to comfort you, sit with you or support you because by doing so she will make you even more afraid and upset. Does that reaction make any sense?

Why should it be any different for dogs that also experience a range of emotions? Why then is it still believed that you should ignore your dog?

Probably because there is confusion and misunderstanding about the difference between an emotional response - which is an involuntary response and a learned response - which has varying degrees of conscious control.

If we acknowledge that providing comfort and support to a dog that is experiencing these emotions will not reinforce them, do we know if providing comfort will reduce these emotions?

Research on this subject is showing evidence that providing comfort and support in stressful situations decreases a dog’s heart rate, salivary cortisol levels, reduces stress responses and increases calm behaviour.

Ignoring a dog’s emotions because of misinformed advice that this will help change the behaviour is not helpful.

Accept that your dog is having an emotional response, have compassion, understanding and be a comfort for your dog.

15/03/2023

BRAIN UNDER CONSTRUCTION!
The challenges of teenage dogs
There’s a saying that parents who have gone through the teenage years with their off spring will relate to - “Parents with teenagers understand why some animals eat their young!”

Many dog owners are unaware that dogs also go through a teenage stage and are frustrated and unprepared for the changes this brings. It’s a sad reality that this is the age that many dogs are surrendered to shelters as their owners no longer “like” the way their dogs behave, can’t handle them and give up on them.

The teenage brain is going through many changes. Think of it as being “rewired”. The rewiring process can cause some parts not to work at all or only work sometimes. Some parts work too much with too much current and new wires cause unexpected results.

There are many similarities to the changing human teenage brain. There’s a valid scientific reason why car insurance premiums for young adults under 25 are more expensive. The brain is not fully matured – irrational decisions, risk taking, poor choices and accidents are more likely to happen.

Be patient, understanding and most of all consistent with your teenage dog. Don’t give up on them. They are feeling just as frustrated as we are. Being aware of what is happening in their brain as it develops to full maturity helps us to be more accepting. Remember that this is just a phase and it will get better.

23/02/2023

Come chat to us at Woof for Wellness this weekend if you have any weird behavioural questions about your dog/s...

Your dog is not the only one who benefits from a behaviourist, it greatly improves your life too!
Dogwarts will be at Woof for Wellness on Saturday

15/01/2023

Amen!

14/01/2023

Well said!

Those who choose to do harm....

I had a weak moment yesterday and found myself doing something I should know better than to do - I commented on a dog training advert on Facebook that really upset me. I knew it was a lost cause and would only invite pointless arguments, but my filter failed and instead of scrolling on, I said something.

The post featured a burly trainer walking a Labrador on a slip lead. The dog was walking next to him (but not too close) avoiding eye contact, tail down, subdued and with frequent lip-licking and quick glances behind him (hypervigilance). The dog was clearly stressed and anxious and not having a good time at all. The trainer in the video spoke at length about how well-behaved his dog was and how anyone could get their dog to be the same by following his methods and training courses.

The look on that dog’s face upset me so much, that I threw common sense out the window and expressed my concern about the dog’s demeanour and what training methods had been used to get this level of “obedience”. I knew I was asking for it and sure enough I got several responses I could have written myself, from past experience with the balanced training brigade:

“I have never seen him do anything horrible to a dog”
“He is only using a slip lead high up on the dog’s neck and no nasty tools”
“He has a massive YouTube following – what do you have?”
“He rehabilitates aggressive dogs and saves them from being put down – how many dogs have you saved”
“Dogs can’t just do what they like – they have to listen to us”
“He always starts with positive reinforcement and only uses corrections when that doesn’t work”

As I had already stuck my neck out, I did try to address these objections to my comment. I pointed out that a dog’s emotional state, as reflected by their body language, does not lie. If a dog is clearly anxious and unhappy working with this trainer, then clearly what he is doing is making the dog feel that way – even if he does not intend to make the dog miserable, any half-decent trainer would recognise that there was something going seriously wrong and would not use a video like that as an advert! I explained that a slip collar high up behind the ears is in fact an aversive tool, designed to cause pain and choke the dog. I contested the misconception that rehabilitation requires pain and suffering on the part of the dog, when we have so many successful humane and science-based alternatives today.

Of course, I got nowhere. I was mocked and derided as I fully expected to be. But it made me think of something which I have occasionally discussed with colleagues. Something which we don’t often talk about publicly, because it is unsettling to acknowledge, but something which we perhaps need to admit to prevent us wasting our time and energy trying to win arguments with people who will never listen.
What I am referring to is the simple fact that some people like hurting dogs. It doesn’t matter how much evidence you present, how much you try to educate or how many scientific studies back up using force free, dog-friendly training methods, the reality is that there is a subset of trainers and dog owners who actually get satisfaction from frightening, subduing, punishing and hurting dogs (or whatever animals they may work with). Whether it is a feeling of power, control, dominance (yes, humans are the ones with dominance issues, not dogs) or something even more disturbing, we cannot pretend that everyone who uses aversive methods only does so, because they don’t know better. There are certain people who can be shown all the evidence in the world, yet will never be moved, because it is not about evidence or what is right and wrong – it is about the feelings that they get from what they are doing, which powerfully reinforce their behaviour.

Of course, there are people who are using aversive methods because they don’t know better, because someone has convinced them that it is necessary to keep their dog safe or because they are desperate and don’t know what else to do. But those people will change as soon as better information comes their way. I have often encountered clients like this, who are so relieved that they want to cry, when they find out that the horrible things some trainer told them to do, which they knew on some level were completely wrong, they don’t have to do anymore. Clients who become the biggest and most vocal “converts” when they find out that they can be kind to their dogs while addressing training issues.

But sadly, not everyone is like this. Some people will reject all information that undermines their right to frighten, hurt and control their dogs and their clients’ dogs. It is simply who they are. Perhaps one day they will change. Perhaps they have deep trauma and struggles they need to overcome in order to find better ways to feel satisfaction and pleasure than hurting others, but until that happens, we are unlikely to reach them.

As for me, I will keep trying to reach those who would do better, if only they knew better. Those who deep down, just want their dogs to be happy and safe and need to be shown how to achieve that.

28/11/2022

Should the private ownership of Pitbulls be banned?

It takes a certain level of understanding, care, attention and love to own a Pitbull. THEY AREN’T BAD DOGS!

Yes, this breed has a high level of pain tolerance, and can be easily aroused by sudden unexpected movements and noises. However, if you are a responsible owner who understands that you have a special needs dog, (whose needs are different to other dogs) and who needs extra management to stay safe, it is entirely possible to happily share your life with a pittie. Love alone is not enough (but of course, love is an essential ingredient in any dog-human relationship) - Pitties need support, management and thorough understanding to prevent traumatic events from happening.

In case you missed the ChaiFM full interview with Karin Pienaar on the petition to ban Pitbulls as pets, click here to listen:

https://www.chaifm.com/podcast/2022-10-20-karin-pienaar-dog-behaviourist-and-partner-at-coape-international-discussing-the-petition-to-ban-pitbulls-as-pets-what-type-of-breed-is-a-pitbull-are-they-really-dangerous-to-people-is/

***The launch date for MHERA: Mood Matters will be announced on our page soon but if you’d like to be added to our waiting list to notify you of the book release, please send us a direct message with your name and email address.

31/07/2022

24/03/2022

12/03/2022

Can my pet wear sunscreen? 😎

12/03/2022

Dogwarts is now in Plett! Visit our website to enroll for classes, or book an in-home consult. www.dogwarts.co.za
Alternatively contact Lorraine: 0822261128

Dog Behaviourist in Plettenberg Bay

31/07/2021

14/04/2021

HOWLER: WE ARE MOVING!

We would like to let you know that sadly Dogwarts is closing in Pretoria and taking the Dogwarts Express train to Plettenberg Bay. We have not undergone a name change to the clients that had queries... We will open in Plett as soon as we are settled in, we will keep you posted!
We would like to thank each and every one of our clients for your ongoing support in the last 3 years. We had a blast!

23/03/2021

Force free works ❤
My family of animals are learning to live with each other.
I still manage my environment extremely well and will never trust my rottie off leash with the cats around, apart from in the kitchen, he's more focused on food than anything😅
Setting up realistic expectations is the key to most behavioral modification. What might be realistic for one person might be completely different for another person 😊
Just keep on trying, it eventually pays off 😊

23/03/2021

We have some space available in our big puppy classes during the week and over the weekend❤
If you have a big puppy between the ages of 9-16 weeks, contact us to book your spot!😎

[email protected]
083 301 2790

23/03/2021

Look at these beautiful charm faces❤❤

22/03/2021

Our Gryffindogs had a "leave it" challenge this week❤
They all did SO well!
Everyone did it at their own level which is also what made me so proud. Every dog and every owner had fun doing this challenge 🤗

17/03/2021

New intake of Ravenpaws ❤ These four were meant to be together! They had SO much fun!!

17/03/2021

Some beautiful pups in our little class❤

16/03/2021

Our new Ravenpaws intake.
Absolutely amazing dogs!♡

15/03/2021

Some charm students at the moment❤
The Slobberin Charm class is one of our most rewarding classes. Since they come to us over four months old, we usually find that they're a bit scared and insecure. A few weeks into class and they are different dogs, they're confident and able to play with other dogs and people.

13/03/2021

We try to be different at Dogwarts ❤
We try to be family. Honestly, we do. We become friends with you we will be there for every step of your and your dog's journey.
This isn't the just the best job in the world, but the best lifestyle. All the trainers at our school have made friends with our clients, have meet ups and adventures outside of school and are there for the happy moments and for the tears.

To all the clients who are our friends, thank you for making this job be more than a job❤ And thank you for all the support!

12/03/2021

Some beautiful Friday charm class photos❤❤

10/03/2021

This is fascinating!

Does your puppy have wonky ears?
This is all part of the teething process!

You might notice when pups ears are all over the place, they are more bitey😳
This is because as well as new big teeth cutting through the gums, their noses are getting longer and the shape of their face is changing!
All of this bone growth and movement, means that all the facial muscles are stretched and pulled, as well as baby teeth falling out!
At the same time the ear cartilage is hardening... and all of this can cause grumpiness and headaches!
Puppies can go off their food and crave frozen toys and chews at this time.
They can also try to bite if you start stroking their faces... because their faces are sore!
The big upper molars (carnassial teeth) can be seen underneath the pups eyes as “big bumps”
Allow your puppy plenty of appropriate chews, and freeze their toys when possible!
This pup enjoyed frozen cucumber, iceberg lettuce, frozen kong dental sticks, and doggy ice lollies😀

09/03/2021

Congratulations Cooper!
Enjoy the rest of our Tuesday class❤❤

05/03/2021

Yes!!

No, I’m sorry, not all dog trainers are the same. And yes this industry needs standardization.

Recently my husband took a course in CPR to get himself re-certified. When he came home I asked if it was the same as the last time, and I was surprised when he came home and told me that they’d now modified the ratio of compressions to rescue breaths as well as adding some other modifications to technique and practice. But, then, after thinking about it, I wasn’t surprised at all.

CPR, or the concept of CPR, began as early as the 1700’s, but it wasn’t until a study on dogs in 1933 (although it had been confirmed in 1903 also) that external massaging of the heart can restore life. From then on, CPR has been an ever evolving and ever changing method used to help save lives. Imagine if we were still doing what we did in the 1700’s? Or even in the 1960’s? And thank God you need to go get RE certified in order to stay up to date with the latest knowledge on how to help someone, or we may end up doing more harm than good - even with good intentions.

That’s how I feel about dog training. Our understanding of behavior, and the knowledge of how the brain articulates, processes, and learns new things is ALWAYS changing and updating, just as our knowledge on the body. We have better tools now to truly do research that even 20 years ago wouldn’t have been possible. That means that there is simply NO reason to still be doing something the same way as before just because in the past “it worked” We owe it to our dogs to at least listen and hear about the new research we have on them as a species.

I look back at some of the stuff I used to teach, and the way I used to teach it and I scoff at that now. I was doing the best I could with the knowledge I had then but once I knew better, I did better, and I fully expect to feel the same way in another 5-10 years with what I’m doing now.

This is why standardization in this industry is so important and needed. I wouldn’t want someone certified in CPR 15 years ago helping me if My life depended on it. I’d prefer someone who was just certified, and we need to think the same about the people we bring into our homes to help us with animals we share our every day lives with.

Ask your dog trainer when they last learned something new or went to their last continued education event. What’s the last study they read on dogs? Ask them what’s different about what they are doing today compared to when they started. If they say nothing... my advice is to look elsewhere. Your life may not depend on it, but your dogs very well may.