FurrTastic Dog Training

17/02/2024

24/01/2024

FurrTastic Pets - Dog Grooming and Training is available on Saturdays and Sundays Die Boer Kultuurpark for grooming and training services. We also sell some dog products and owner accessories. Come with the whole family and enjoy a fun filled outing and have you pup groomed after a nice walk. Our Mobile Dog Grooming and Training is available weekdays. JAN SPECIAL - 20% OFF

Whatsapp me on 069 398 6557

17/09/2023

Nothing good happens after loading.....there is usually a reaction straight after.
Loading can take a split second....or much longer.
The very second you see the slightest changes in their posture/body language, you need to act....quickly
Loading is in between looking and reacting, and you need to learn your own dogs subtle tells that this is exactly what they are doing.
Distraction will only work if you recognise the very subtlest of changes in your dog....when loading is just starting....but it isn't a long term solution.
Distraction is exactly what it means...a distraction, it can be needed.... and at times is helpful...but there is so much more to helping a reactive dog through their own emotional journey than just distraction.

You are better off doing a u turn (I will add a link to that in the comments shortly).

The key to reactivity really is recognising the body language, learning how it changes and acting on it....before a reaction.

31/08/2023

Looking at adopting, keep this in mind💙🐾

26/08/2023

Busy making rope Dog toys. Will have 3 sizes available. Nice for fetch games

26/07/2023

Here is a few things that I make for our doggies and humans. Check out my Whatsapp catalog for this and many more https://wa.me/p/6326010090817873/27697473740

07/07/2023

Happy Friday!

We hope you enjoy your weekend. Whether you catch a quick getaway to Dullstroom, or opt for a relaxing walk in your favorite park, we hope your fur-bestie joins in on the adventure! 🐶🐾

Here are some quick tips courtesy of Yellow Dog Project UK on how to approach dogs when you are out and about.

07/07/2023

Still looking for a jersey for you pet. Look no further. I make double fleece pet jerseys at affordable prices. Courier available or collection in Bashewa Pta East. Whatsapp me for for info or to order

07/06/2023

I have seen this video plenty of times, but still love it🐾

06/06/2023

31/05/2023

24/05/2023

Check out my Whatsapp Catalog for all my products and services
https://wa.me/c/27697473740

24/05/2023

Nutrimed Supplement range now available

18/05/2023

Play.
Just a few tips for how to help dogs play well and what to keep an eye out for with play.
A really big myth is dogs just know how to play with others....unfortunately many do not.

Healthy play relies on the individual dogs ability to read both vocal, postures and body signals. Unfortunately some dogs have not had the chance to develop healthy play styles....and that is an issue when we expect dogs to play well together.

They struggle to read appropriate play....and they struggle to play appropriately.

You can help your dog and how they interact with others.
Play can be improved and guided by our interventions and watchful eye.

Some common issues with play include the following.......

Letting it go on and on......
You may have noticed this yourself that after 5, 10, 15 minutes it may become faster, far more physical and almost frantic. Nipping may get harder and faster. There is no "order" to playing now. It has changed to over arousal.....and it should stop.
It should have stopped before that stage.
If play is allowed to get to that hyper, frantic play......signals are not given well, and not received well....and that can lead to big issues.

Expecting dogs to play with other dogs.
Dogs do not need to play with other dogs, in fact it is healthy to be choosy with who they interact with.
Dogs have the right to consent to play or not.
Just because we wish them to play does not mean they consent.

Pairing dogs with different play styles and energy can cause big problems...A dog that constantly chases may not read the "cut off" signals given by the less energetic dog.
Being frantically chased is not play.

The time to stop play (as strange as it sounds) is when they are still playing well.....or at the first sign of one dog giving signals it is over for now.
Sniffing.
Scratching.
Walking away.
Seeking you out.
Becoming suddenly very interested in anything other than the dog they were playing with....that helps dogs understand signals given....they will start to make the connection.

Always listen to the little voice inside....and if you are at all unsure, advocate and stop play, or don't allow it to even start.

Never let dogs just "work it out" because they might....and you may not like how some will.

08/05/2023

Predatory drift is a term that floats around trainer circles. To my knowledge this concept hasn't been studied, researched or peer reviewed so it's a term that trainers use to describe a phenomenon that many of us have witnessed played out. And while the term "predatory drift" may not be scientifically recognized yet, and is generally anecdotal at this point, it doesn't mean the phenomenon doesn't happen.

Personally, I've had clients come to me after a fatality and I know vets who have had to deal with these cases, sometimes even their own dogs. And many, many other trainers have witnessed or have their own client experiences. Chances are if you're a dog park regular, you may have also experienced it. So for the sake of terminology and simplicity I'm going to describe what is meant by most when using the term.

Predatory drift, a term identified by renowned behaviorist and veterinarian Dr. Ian Dunbar (based on the original term “instinctive drift" from Breland & Breland in 1961), describes a predatory sequence that typically gets triggered by a normal social interaction (commonly play) between two dogs, often a large and small dog.

The trigger most often is the smaller dog squealing or yelping, similar to what a small prey item would do when threatened, which seems to “flip a switch” in the bigger dog’s brain that this dog, a previous playmate, is now perceived as prey, not playmate, and the predatory sequence is initiated, culminating with a final, often fatal, grab and shake.

Predatory behavior should not be confused with "normal" aggression, though it commonly is lumped into dog-dog aggression.

This is an important distinction. Let's review what predatory drift/predatory behavior is not. More details in this week's post. https://rescuedbytraining.com/2023/05/01/predatory-drift/