We have MOVED TO  CALLAN.  INDOOR AND OUTDOOR FACILITIES.  four week Puppy class  starting on SUNDAY OCTOBER 8TH @ 11AM.  All pups must be vaccinated.  Children under the age of 12 cannot be  permitted.

Barrowvale vets Bagnalstown Puppy class WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 4TH@ 6PM.   All pups must be fully vaccinated.

This class will focus on basic manners and correct socialisation. As well as good clear communication with an emphasis on mutually respectful relationship between dog and owner based on trust and play.

Phone Samantha on 087 238 92 60 to book.

Please wear appropriate non slip  outdoor footwear.

Other services include one to one classes. Behaviour consultations and House calls.

Both as a private individual and a professional dog trainer I find this situation extremely worrying. So far this dog has not injured me or knocked me over yet.  Although I have to admit I do feel intimidated by him, which I think is exactly what he wants.

This large bouncy boisterous and potentially dangerous Shepherd/ Labrador mix highlights the importance of  starting yours dogs  training as early as you can.  The only dog I have had since a puppy her training the day I accepted her and gave her a name. Her first lesson was learning to wear a collar and lead and allowing herself to be handled by lots of people. I was on a dog course at the time so there were lots of different people to socialise her with.  she learned her name, followed by a three hour car journey. Her first pee as my dog was in a field near my house and then she was brought into my garden when she arrived where she eventually did her poo. She spent her first night in a puppy crate in my  room, so she was learning control from a very early age.

Unfortunately for me my client’s dog has had none of this early training.  He has been given free run of the yard and garden and is pretty much left to his own devices which are now developing into vices. No one has taken responsibility for him.  He is like a neglected latch key child who is now running on the wrong side of the tracks.  He mouths me and tries to mount me when I enter the property. It can be a foolish thing to try and give a dog instruction on his territory.   He now knows how strong he is and will try and wrestle you if you take him by the collar.

Dogs that know their own strength can be dangerous if they use that  strength to prevent handling and control.A yorkshire terrier can be equally as dangerous to an elderly or infirm owner as a large dog is to a younger one.

Dog training should start as young as eight weeks old.

This was highlighted to me recently by two clients. One who cancelled the training because she could not apply herself to it and it all seemed overwhelming. I did suggest to her that she may need the help of a person more qualified than a dog trainer.

The other clients new puppy problems arose out of his grief for his previous dog,

To train a dog requires a plan, time, patience, love , a good mood and HEAD SPACE.

I received a telephone call from a distraught mother recently who was concerned about her dogs behaviour toward her eighteen month old daughter. After listening for a few minuets I asked her to describe to me again exactly what had happened.  She told me ‘ My husband and I have two dogs which we have done a lot of training with including agility, we now have an eighteen month old daughter and we would like our dogs to be well socialised with her. So yesterday evening we went into the dog’s run and were interacting with the dogs one of which is a bit nervous. My husband put the baby on the dogs back, you know to get her used to being around the dogs and the dogs around her….well the dog jumped away and made a snap at my daughter.  With tears in her voice she told me how shocked she was as she loved her dogs and  asked if I could help? I explained to her:

Firstly they went into the dog’s safe area.

Two they put the child on the dogs back!!!!! Dogs are not horses. They should not have to learn to accept a child on their back. Are you teaching your child that is normal to climb on a dog’s back?

The dog they chose was the nervous one. Nervous dogs need time and space.  They must initiate the contact.  The dog was pushed beyond its limits and capabilities.  The dogs trust in the owner has now been broken and will take time to repair. The owner’s trust in the dog is also broken but the owner now blames the dog who was defending itself against a perceived threat.

They disrespected their dog’s need for space and forced it into a frightening situation in which it naturally tried to flee from.

They unintentionally put  their child at risk….Professionals only use dummies.

This sounds to me like something that was shown on television. Television is not real.  As a famous Irish Televison chef Darina Allen used to say…..’and now by the magic of television’

1. 1.

   mix socially with others.

   “he didn’t mind socializing with his staff”

   synonyms:

   interact, converse, be sociable, mix, mingle, get together,meet, keep company, fraternize, consort; More

The word socialise simply means to mix with others.  Dogs and Humans are different species. Dogs cannot be made to behave in a way that individuals require.  As far as I know we as a society have not yet required our dogs to carry people on their backs.  Dog bites can be prevented if we show respect to the integrity of the animal and respect their boundaries and limitations.

I gave her my advise, and told her that I was not shocked or concerned about their dog’s response.  The behaviour displayed was normal in the circumstances.  I was more shocked and dismayed at her lack of respect and understanding of her dog’s behaviour, their safety and welfare.Dogs & Children

I have been asked for my thoughts on this matter by the garden writer in the Irish Times magazine (Home & Design supplement May 21)http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/gardens/why-the-ideal-dog-for-a-dedicated-gardener-is-a-dachsund-1.2654784.

Here are some of my words:

Think carefully about the size and breed traits of your dog and the size of your garden and your time commitments before you get the dog. It has been said that you cannot enjoy a nice garden and a dog. You can if you are prepared to put the work into the dog and the garden. You have to weigh up your passions do you love the garden more than the dog or both in equal measure? A small dog is easier to manage in a small garden. Bigger dogs do more damage and require more play time and exercise.

The best time to train any dog is when it is small and dependent and most likely to want to please you. As it grows it will become more independent and develop selective hearing. Although sometimes this is a survival response to being nagged!

When house training a pup to toilet in the garden it is important that you allow it to relieve itself near the house in the early days as it needs the safety and security of the house before it will venture down the garden. When it does you need to escort it on a long lead or line and show it where you would like it to relieve itself.  If necessary putting a border around the area to contain the dog. Or blocking access to other areas.

In order to train a dog how to behave anywhere you have to be with it; do not leave the puppy in the garden unsupervised. If it must be left outside unsupervised build or purchase a dog run. (lots of companies on line).

Before you are allow your dog to enjoy your garden with you exercise it by walking it, playing with it or even better train it. Then give it something give it something to chew or occupy itself like a rolling ball that the dog has to engage with to get the food out, stuffed kongs with mince or cheese pate, which can also be frozen, great for the impending summer. Or a large raw knuckle bone for the dog to gnaw on. Do not allow the dog to bury the bone. Remove it once the dog has moved away from it.  It can be dangerous to give a dog cooked bones as this makes them too brittle to be safely ingested. Slug pellets and Cocoa based mulch are toxic to dogs. However Lung worm which is carried by slugs can be fatal, especially to puppies.

Warning : Do not allow a  young dog to witness you digging or planting: dogs are incredibly curious and will smell your scent in the soil and dig up what you have ‘buried’ ‘If you have a terrier you will have a digger. I believe that for every normal dog behaviour that is discouraged with a firm ‘No’ command. There must be an alternative  ‘yes’ such as providing an alternative digging area. A child’s sandpit is ideal as it is contained.  Bury some treats and allow the dog only to dig in this area. If he digs in your area correct him and bring him to his area.If you do not want a dog to engage in normal doggy destructive  behaviours, you must either take preventative measure such as barricading areas, containing the dog in a run or providing a suitable alternative occupation.

There is absolutely no benefit to the learning process by scolding the dog after the event. This will create confusion and destroy a dogs trust. Consequently like a teenager it will stop listening altogether and do its own thing without any understanding  of your unpredictable rules.You have to actively teach the dog some garden manners and the most effective words are No and Good. So if you correct the dog and he stops and listens, You must reward and  praise lavishly and provide an alternative outlet.  The most effective tool is prevention.

The woman at the end of the phone seemed to be in two minds about keeping this dog even after a year.  Her dog was a lively mixed breed. The problem was that he was taking himself off to a near-by field to look at the sheep and cattle. I suggested to her that she needed a professional dog run or a secure garden to stop his unwanted excursions.  I explained to her that I would be happy to give her a house call which involves me looking at the environment and advising of her options. As well as some education and training to help her understand and control her young dog.  I explained that my dog training and behaviour services are as much about the owner as the dog. Dog ownership is a relationship so you either want to work on it or you leave it. The answer depends on how much you love…..

Well here we are well into 2017. Here are some useful tips to help to improve the relationship between you and your dog.

1. To spend at least 30 mins with my dog every day. Even if that means fifteen minutes in the morning and fifteen in the evening. This should include at least one walk if you are both up to it.
2. The dog is a social animal so he needs company just as you and I need company. It is unnatural for a dog to be alone all day.
3. Do not get another dog to solve this problem. If you don’t have time for one dog you definitely don’t have time for two.
4. Try to play with your dog , whether that be hide and seek or retrieve or just free running recalls. Play build up your bond. We all need to play.
5. If your dog sleeps outside or is an outdoor dog please bring him or her in for at least half an hour in the evening. If the dog has been relegated to the back garden because of bad behaviour. You have to bring the dog in, to allow it to learn how to behave. If you need help with this call me !
6. Groom your dog at least once a week, even the short haired breeds. Grooming is also a social bonding activity.
7. Please keep your temper. Do not share it with the dog or anyone else for that matter. If you need to let off steam, go into another room and scream.
8. Do NOT blame the dog for your mistakes… Dogs do what dogs do!!
9. Keep positive. All animals, including ourselves respond much better to kind, considerate and gentle handling. Only bullies use intimidation and physical abuse to subjugate. Do not confuse fear with respect.
10. Think Dog… Think patience, kindness and understanding

For more information or a consultation, please ring Samantha on 087 2389260