Hoopers is coming!!!

Back last year I was accredited as a Canine Hoopers UK (CHUK) instructor.
For those of you that haven't heard of Hoopers it's a wonderful sport, which is suitable for all ages & abilities (both dogs & handlers)
It's a fun, fast low impact sport. you can do it for fun, or compete at events up & down the country.
We'll be holding our first workshop on May 27th ( Bank Holiday Monday) at our Slough venue.
Times & booking details coming soon.
In the meantime, check out the video & website below for more info.

http://www.caninehoopersuk.co.uk/

Fireworks

Here's our regular firework blog, updated for 2018.

Firework season will be upon us before we know it.
Nov 5th falls on a MondayDiwali...falls on Wednesday, Nov 7th this year

New Year's Eve falls on a Monday

Some dogs get really worried by the noise, smells & flashes.... but with a little preparation & effort on your part, it can be a lot easier for them.
If you have a puppy, or young dog, with no prior experience of fireworks, you have a blank canvas with which to work.
Your dog can be taught that fireworks are a positive, rewarding thing !!!

Firstly.....prepare.
Ensure your dog is walked before dusk.
Draw the curtains earlier.
Raise the volume on TV's & radios slightly.
Pop the heating up a wee bit higher.
Feed a meal higher in carbs....it has the effect of us eating a heavy meal & just wanting to snooze. (Sweet potato is ideal for this, boiled & mashed, it's a natural calmer)
Try & keep everything as normal as possible.

Whenever I have a pup or young dog, at the 1st sound of fireworks I start a training session indoors, loads of treats, lots of praise, doing things the dog knows well (this isn't the time to try & teach a new behaviour)

If your dog stops & listens, that's completely normal (Don't forget their hearing is incredibly sensitive)
If they want to run off & hide, let them.
If they want to go outside & watch, let them, as long as it's safe for them & they are free to come back in (Go outside with them)

All dogs react differently !!

Older dogs that may have been ok all their lives, can react as they get older. It's because of changes in their hearing. They lose mid-range ability & only hear really high, or really low sounds (Making fireworks & thunderstorms more audible.)

START NOW

Preparation really is the key to avoiding a stressed pet.
The Zylkene website HERE has some excellent, free sound

resources, which you can play to accustom your pet to the 

noise & create a positive association.

  Zylkene is made from natural ingredients & helps relax pets at     times they are finding stressful.

An  ADAPTIL collar or diffuser is another option, which works the same way.

Many people also swear by music to calm their dogs.
There are lots of free options online THIS is a good one (tested by my own dogs) 

Long time no blog!!!

No blog from the training club for years!!
Sometimes life gets in the way & that's what happened.
Losses of both the human & Canine kind have struck some hard blows, but hopefully, things are now looking up.
The club is very busy, with lots of people training their dogs & gaining their kennel club awards.
I've become a Kennel Club Accredited Instructor & more recently become accredited as a Canine Hoopers UK instructor ...see more about the sport HERE .
We hope to hold courses in this very shortly.
Feel free to contact us via the website for more info.

Getting prepared for firework season 2016

I know we have fireworks all year round , but they intensify towards the end of the year.
In 4 weeks time it'll be November 5th and as it falls on a Saturday it'll be a noisy one!!!
The previous Sunday, October 30th, is Diwali , which is also celebrated with fireworks & of course the 31st is Halloween, which could also mean some pretty odd sounds!!.

I wrote a blog a few years ago, which you can read HERE, just the dates have changed.
You really can help your dogs by preparing them well in advance & don't forget some people let fireworks off in daylight hours, so be very careful to keep your dogs safe, especially off lead.
Scared dogs sometimes run in blind panic and we don't want any lost dogs or accidents.

Walking into trouble

I've friends who are professional dog walkers.
They are an absolute godsend to many owners who have to work, are ill, or for a number of reasons might need a reliable person to walk their dogs from time to time.
They are trusted not only with people precious dogs but also, in many cases hold the keys to their homes too.
Different dogs have different needs, some just need to be let out into the garden, some need a quick walk around the block, some need a longer walk and some off lead time.
A good dog walker will cater to your dog's needs, keep them safe from harm and not let them be a nuisance in public, won't they?
We seem to be seeing a rise in so-called pack walks. Large groups of dogs, with different needs and temperaments walking together. Some dogs, of course, love to be in a large group. but can a dog walker be in control of so many? Would your dog be safe amongst so many? How would members of the public perceive a large group of dogs running free?

Today whilst walking with a friend and our collective six dogs, I encountered such a walk.
At first, we just spotted one small terrier in the distance, then more dogs appeared.
We recalled out dogs and put 5 on lead (Both my friend and I have a reactive dog each) My steady GSD was left loose as he is friendly respectful and social with all dogs.
We were quickly surrounded by at least 10 dogs, 2 of them barking at our dogs. There were more than 10 altogether (20 or more I think), they had several on lead & many were walking some distance from the others.
No attempt was made by the walkers to recall them.
I politely asked for one walker to recall the dogs, pointing out we have enough dog related incidents reported without the need for more & was ignored.
I asked the second walker if he was a professional, walking other people's dogs & he confirmed he was, but wouldn't give me his card ( I offered mine)
On asking the 3rd (female) walker to please recall the dogs (which were now in my friend's dogs face) to get the dogs under control, she replied , "Your f%*cking dog's off lead" !!! Sure enough, he was and was happily sniffing in the bushes.

I'm sure the owners would be horrified if they knew the lack of control their dogs are under whilst in the care of these walkers.
Do you know what happens when your dog is out with one?
Could 3 people have off lead control over that many dogs?

This incident has been reported to the local authority and is backed by photographic and video evidence.
Maybe I should post a photo and we could see who recognises their dogs!!

Didn't they do well ??

Sunday 17th saw our first Kennel Club Good Citizen assessment of the year.
 Iain Lewis was our assessor once again and had to negotiate snow & ice to get to us.

We had 11 in the Bronze group, a couple not long out of the Puppy Foundation class & others who've been with us a while longer - 11 passes. fabulous start.

The Silver group should have had just Terence, Reggie & Zoe in, but I was so confident that Megan & Daisy would sail through too, I added them & I'm pleased to say we had all 5 pass

Last up was Kelly & Az.
As expected the little lad passed with flying colours - so that was all 17 out of 17.

Iain gave some great feedback and compliments on our training methods & standards, I'm extremely proud of you all.  

The BIG Bang!!!

The year has certainly flown by & we're rapidly approaching Firework season.

Rather than writing it all out again, I'll link to my previous blog post HERE  and just add that Diwali this year is Wednesday, November 11th....not too far away.

Many dogs find fireworks very stressful, but there's lots we can do to minimise their suffering.

Please have a read, a little preparation can save years of heartache & stress.

Woofability Assistance? Dogs

I seldom, if ever use this page to knock other organisations and it feels odd to do so. Especially when this particular group has charitable status!!
However, What has been seen cannot be unseen & I've seen this and am shocked, angered & frankly disgusted.

Assistance dogs, we've all seen them in various forms, Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs, Dogs for the disabled. Out in public, wearing their harnesses, enriching and enabling the lives of their handlers.
Have you ever wondered about their training, how it's done, how long it takes, what's involved?
I have, I've trained one of my own as a therapy dog & visited the training centres of some major organisations. It takes a lot of knowledge, patience, time & understanding to train a dog and that's before it gets introduced to a possible handler.
Of course, this also takes money and as charities these organisations rely on public & corporate support.

I think we'd all agree that these charities do an outstanding job wouldn't we?

Well watch THIS  and then tell me how you feel (Comments welcome here or on our Facebook Page )

I'm really angered that Woofability Assistance Dogs are passing themselves off as an assistance dog charity.
Watching the programme, I was spotting mistake after mistake, from basic management issues to lack of knowledge about the most basic of training requirements.

A trained pet dog has better behaviour than the "trained" examples shown. Many dogs languishing in rescue centres receive better training. ( Dogs Trust have some amazing dogs & trainers at their centres)

I'm also really concerned over the welfare of dogs in their care and know well-meaning breeders donate much-loved pups to the scheme. Pups raised in homes, as part of the family, now living in stark kennels, with a lack of mental stimulation. A recipe for an unbalanced adult dog. Heartbreaking for the breeders, who I guess had imagined the pups being well cared for, in safe knowledgeable hands.

I really hope the publicity will get results, either by Woofability learning a lesson and employing trainers who actually know what they are doing, or by their charity status being removed.
My real concern though is for the welfare of those dogs and the safety of people who have one of the "trained" dogs in their homes.

The Magnificent 7

Last Sunday - 22nd February, saw K9 Capers DTC hold our first Good Citizen assessment.

I'm very pleased to say that all 7 dogs were passed by our assessor Iain Lewis.

Little Az & instructor Kelly also were awarded the Puppy Foundation Award on the day

These club members are now working towards their Silver award & we hope this will inspire more members to join us on the next assessment day (hopefully in the summer)  

Buyer Beware - Check your pet professionals credentials !!!

Today, something happened, that has both shocked & disgusted me, in equal measures,

Like so many of us, I'm battling a cough & cold, so decided to walk all 4 of my dogs together, instead of making 2 trips out to Burnham Beeches.
It all started off very well, I met up with a lady with her 3-year-old son & he'd seen the dogs last week (When Trix was showing off her trick repertoire ) He wanted to join us on our walk & his mum obliged. They don't have a dog but want him to learn to be confident & sensible around them - all good!!
We met lots of people, most of those who had dogs were passing comment on the DCO's & how confusing it all was, trying to figure out where dogs were allowed off lead etc. I don't like the new legislation, but understand how worrying out of control dogs can appear to those who are scared of dogs.
As we were walking along Halse Drive I heard excited barking ahead, so popped my youngest on lead ( she's excitable enough, without adding to it) & carried on my way. We then encountered 8 dogs & 2 walkers, I recognised one lady as a professional dog walker. The walker was throwing a ball (using one of those plastic ball throwers), which was why the dogs were all barking.
As we got nearer, 3 of the larger dogs approached, the walker made no attempt to call them away- the little lad I was walking with got a bit scared, so stood still with his Mum, whilst I carried on walking.
One of the dogs (a Boxer)began growling at my male German Shepherd (who was right by my side) dog walker took him by the collar, as I carried on walking - then for reasons only known to herself, let him go. At which point he flew at my boy, biting him twice, between the shoulder blades & on the neck. Pleased to say, my boy didn't retaliate - but my on lead dog was all  for joining in, if she'd have been able !!

Quite shocking - but here comes the part that disgusts me.
The "professional" dog walker dragged the Boxer off, then hit it with the ball launcher, she then went on to twist its ears/cheeks til it cried & when I objected, said she didn't stand for that kind of thing !!!
She'd walked this dog for 3 weeks & it's never shown aggression. Anyone who works with dogs will tell you, you can never be sure of how they'll react.
No apology offered & the person she was walking with did nothing, so I'm guessing all 8 dogs were in her care (The limit due to the DCO's is 4 per responsible handler.)
Full report logged with the Rangers, who've suggested I also go to the Police.

I know lots of professional dog walkers who are very good & observant in all situations, I'd happily recommend their services. But this person really shouldn't be entrusted with others dogs - the poor Boxer didn't deserve what he got at her hands.
Mine isn't the 1st complaint about her - please if you're going to use a dog walker check out the number of dogs they walk, their views on punishment & you're at all concerned - walk away.

It's getting near to that time of year again !!

The year has certainly flown by & we're rapidly approaching Firework season.
Rather than writing it all out again, I'll link to last years blog post HERE & just add that Diwali this year is on Thursday, October 23rd - so not long now.

Please have a read, a little preparation can save years of heartache & stress.

Have YOUR say, re' the proposed restrictions at Burnham Beeches.

The City Of London welcome YOUR views on the proposed restrictions at Burnham Beeches - find out more  HERE 
Please copy in the following to any responses made;
Chairman of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee, Gordon Haines - Gordon.Haines@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Ian Luder - ian.luder@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Alex Deane - alexanderdeane@ymail.com

Over the past few weeks I've heard some very sensible comments & suggestions - I hope they have been submitted & taken into account.

I've spoken to dog walkers & visitors without dogs & not one , so far, has agreed with the proposals, or understood the reasons given for them. 

Kennel Club Survey re' proposed restrictions at Burnham Beeches

The Kennel Club wants YOUR views.
If you walk 1 dog or more at Burnham Beeches, please make your views known, by completing the short survey HERE .
Responsible dog owners/walkers can see flaws in the proposed restrictions....what do YOU think ?

Attention All Burnham Beeches Dog Walkers

  A familiar sight to those of you that know me, or follow me on Twitter, Facebook or Flickr, my dogs, off lead, posing for a photo in Burnham Beeches.
We've walked there since Chili was a pup (She's 9 now) & my parents used to take me there as a kid regularly, so I know the area pretty well. I live less than a mile away, so spend as much time as I can there, sometimes with the dogs, sometimes without...but usually with a camera or 2.
In 2008 the roads running through the Beeches were closed to traffic, so now (Except for the occasional speeding cyclist) walkers, horse riders & joggers are safe to walk around the site.

 In the main the dog walkers using the site are what I'd call "responsible". We don't let our dogs swim in the ponds, or chase wildlife...including the Cows & Ponies which have been introduced onto the site. We pick up after our dogs (using the bags & bins provided). We don't allow our dogs to chase cyclists, joggers & horse riders & we keep our eyes open for any problems on site, people acting suspiciously, unsafe trees, fences & gates, litter, fires etc.

Unfortunately though the sites management team are trying to impose restrictions on us dog walking types. (See article below)

We are expecting a public consultation any time now & hope there will be a meeting, where we can voice our concerns, make alternative suggestions & hear the reasons which justify such harsh measures. The Kennel Club are keen for dog walkers to get involved in the consultation process.
The City of London Corporation manage other sites (Including Epping Forest) we feel these proposed restrictions will be the 1st in a long line.

If you wish to know more, offer support, have ideas or suggestions that may help us fight these DCO's please join us on our facebook page 

May 13th 2014 - An Evening With Carolyn Menteith

Join us on May 13th, at 6pm, for

An Evening With Carolyn Menteith KCAI (CDA) DipCABT
£20 per person, to include light refreshments.
Prior booking essential.

Dogs Trust Harefield~ Highway Farm House, Harvil Rd, Harefield, Uxbridge. UB9 6JW

Carolyn will be presenting not one, but two seminars for us.

Beneficial & entertaining for owners & professionals

Bite Me!

No matter where we choose to work in the dog world, or whatever involvement we have with dogs, we have to have a knowledge of canine aggression. This may be one of the important areas of our work and yet far too few people understand it. Even if we don't deal with the outcome, we all need to know how aggression starts, how to prevent it, what it is - and very often what it isn't - if we want to be able to help our clients have a safe and happy life with their dogs - or have a safe and happy life with our own dogs.

Breed Specific Learning

As companion dog trainers or as owners, it is not enough just to know how dogs learn. We need to be able to acknowledge that all breeds and types are different, and so what works for one will not work for all. Given that we are faced daily with a wide range of breeds, we need to be able to combine canine learning theory with a knowledge of breed development in order to help our clients get the best from their dogs - or indeed our own dogs - especially those thought of as being 

more problematic.

Read More About Carolyn HERE

For Bookings & Further Information Please Email Lorraine 

If dogs were PG Rated would it help ?

Do we really need to put these on our dogs?

Once again the UK media has a fatal dog attack in its headlines.
Once again the victim is a baby, in this case not even a week old.
Facts are of course unclear, but one thing is definite, the dog & baby were in close enough proximity for this to happen.
In 2013 approx 25% of U.K households owned one or more dogs....8.5 million dogs in total.
In the same year there were 7.7 Million households with dependant children (Out of 18.2 million total households)
From this we can deduce children & dogs are both prevalent in UK homes.

Every time we hear of one of these sad events there's a public outcry, ban certain breeds, ban all dogs, bring back dog licences, make owners take a test , educate owners & so the list goes on.
But surely if people are responsible enough to procreate, they are responsible enough to realise why ANY dog should not be left unsupervised with ANY child.
It seems not, not even the ultimate tragedy gets the message across to others, if anything these events seem to be increasing in  frequency. Do we really need government intervention to decide who can & who can't own dogs?

Most people when having their 1st baby get lots of advice, whether it be from family members, doctors,midwives, health visitors, books or magazines, there's lots available.
They buy things & prepare the home for the impending new arrival months in advance ..... this is the time to start preparing the family dog too.
A good trainer or behaviourist will have sensible advice & there's online literature available too, for free !
It should be as much a part of planning ahead as buying a pram & thinking of names.
Free Downloads available HERE & HERE , 

Of course there's always the scenario of introducing a puppy or dog into a home that already has children.
Again preparation, research & advice is essential & so will be supervision, for the life of the dog.
Potential owners should speak to dog owners they know, speak to breeders, or rescue centres, research breeds inside out, to ensure one is picked one that suits the family inside out....NOT because it looks cute, needs a home, or was bred by a friend/neighbour//relative.
Then enrol in a decent training class, one that will accept all the family & include the children in the sessions.
Children need to learn the dog is not a toy & parents must ensure boundaries are set & stuck too.
Free Downloads HERE  & HERE (Great site from the USA)

It's not all doom & gloom, if done right it can lead to a lifelong passion for dogs in a child.
Thanks Mum & Dad for teaching me to love & respect dogs.

    

K9 Capers DTC are very excited to announce this event 

To be held at Dogs Trust Harefield UB9 6JW

April 27th 2014
 10am-4pm 

Scent1 One day workshop

With Helen Greenley

This is your introduction to scentwork where you and your dog learn the basics.
Your dog will be introduced to a scent and will begin to work with you to give an active indication and find his reward.
You will learn about the scent picture, basic handling skills, free searching and blind searches.

Read more HERE
1 handler place remaining £70
  Spectators £30
Light refreshments included...Cafe on site for lunch, or bring your own.

To book, or for further details please Email

All dogs to be worked in  flat collars, or harnesses.
This activity is not suitable for dogs which have to be muzzled.
Dogs which need space welcome, please advise when booking. 

Shocking !!

Today the MP for Hendon, Matthew Offord, is in the House of Commons calling for a ban on shock collars.
These gadgets are readily available to members of the public, with no regulations covering their use or manufacture.
The excuses for their use I've heard today range from livestock chasing & escaping from the garden to leg humping & barking in the car. All the owners claimed to love their dogs & have their welfare at heart.
If you love something why would you want to inflict pain on it ?
Too many people want the perfect dog, unfortunately , like people, dogs are never perfect. Often what we see as unacceptable behaviour, is perfectly normal for a dog.
If a behaviour is harmful to the dog, other animals, or members of the public, it can be modified.
But, there is no such thing as a quick fix, these things take time & patience & in the meantime good management is needed.

Training.... should always be Force Free & Fun..for all parties !

Our latest puppy graduates

As a KC listed Club, our pups all go through the Puppy Foundation scheme , not only does this help with getting the pups the very best start in life, but we also share training tips with their owners, on a variety of topics from house training, to how diet affects behaviour & much more.
Most of our pups carry on training with us after completing the course & we love to see them grow & learn.

As a club we know the importance & benefit of force free training methods & fully promote the use of motivation rather than domination techniques. Hence the happy & relaxed pups & owners seen below.

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL 

December workshops with Nando Brown

We are very pleased to be welcoming Nando Brown from In The Dog House back in December.

This time we will be hosting not one, but two workshops.

Our venue is Heathrow Special Needs Farm

Where we have a 18.5mtr x 90mtr covered riding arena. With adjacent parking

The farm is located right next door to Heathrow Airport (so expect some noise !!!)
We have full kitchen facilities, microwave etc for breaks
Tea,Coffee  & nibbles included, please bring lunch. 

Both events are suitable for both novice & the more experienced handlers & dogs ...all ages welcome.

Places are limited ...so book today to avoid disappointment.

Handler places per day £75      Spectator £40
£10 discount if booking both days.
To book please email
Call Lorraine on 01753 572192 for further details

Friday December 6th  ~  Scent Workshop
Handler Spaces are sold out... Spectator places going fast !!

Harness the power of your dogs biggest asset!

The art and practice of nose work has now reached dogs of all shapes and sizes and has made basic search dog skills available to companion dogs, creating a new urban sport arena for dog enthusiasts.

This is an amazing way to mentally stimulate your dog, why walk in the rain when you can tire your dog out with little effort!

Saturday December 7th ~ Trick Training WorkshopHandler Spaces are sold out... Spectator places going fast !!

Trick training is a fabulous way of building a partnership with your dog.A dog that does tricks will impress your family & friends & dogs just love showing off their new found skills.The possibilities are endless, all you need is enthusiasm, a sense of humour & a good  supply of treats.Uber Dude Certification available on the day
There will be an opportunity to have your hard work assessed on the day and maybe even walk away with a certificate. Don’t worry if you think you might need more time as it is possible to be assessed by video submission too!

Dogs which need space are most welcome (as long as they wont get stressed) We have lots of room.
We just ask that you pop a yellow ribbon on their collar, so others are aware
See more about Space Dogs