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) 

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.

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. 

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

P.A.T the dog....part 1....new pup in the home

Positive association training, or PAT for short, is by far one of the most important things to understand as an owner.....whatever the age, or history of your pet.

The aim of PAT is managing new experiences, meeting, visits to new places etc.... so they create no fear whatsoever. Just the opposite in fact, they are seen as fun & rewarding.
Take your average puppy for instance, raised (we would hope) with his mother & littermates, in a safe warm environment. He wants for nothing & becomes used to his familiar surroundings.
A good breeder will get each pup used to being handled & spend time with each individual, so they get used to being apart from their littermates.

Pups usually go off to their new homes at 8-9 weeks old, unfortunately this period is also when they start to go through a fear period. Instead of being bold with their encounters, they can develop a fear  of people , things & places. This is perfectly normal development & with good management & a little thought & preparation , it shouldn't cause any problems at all.

Put yourself in a pups shoes (yes, I do realise they don't wear shoes as a rule... !!!)... there you are, tucked up with Mum & your Brothers & Sisters & somebody reaches over & picks you up.
That's ok , you're used to being picked up, fed treats & cuddled.
But wait a minute, who are these people & where are they taking me ?

The pup arrives at your home, full of lovely things you've bought for him, new toys, new bed,new bowls, new collar & so the list goes on.
But, to your new pup,he's with strangers, in a new place, full of strange things, NOTHING is familiar & there's no Mum & siblings to offer comfort.
At bedtime the lights go out & he does the only thing he knows how, he cries.
This too is normal.......but what can we do to make it easier ?

The 1st thing is try & visit the pup as often as you can before bringing him home. Then you will be familiar to him.
Leave a few blankets, so they can pick up familiar scent, maybe a teddy too.
Prepare your home,  have pups bed or crate set in a quiet area of the home. Think about where it's sited in terms of easy access to the garden (for house training)
When you bring your pup home place the items with familiar scent in pups bed/crate.
I always feed pups in their crate, this makes it a positive/rewarding place to be thus forming a positive association.
A stuffed puppy kong at bedtime is also comforting, as is a nightlight, radio at low volume, cuddly toy with familiar scent(Takes the place of littermates) , some people also use a heat source & ticking clock (which replicates a heartbeat) Whatever you use, you are trying to create  a positive 1st night in his new home.

Don't forget, a puppy with a full tum  will sleep better BUT be prepared for toilet trips throughout the night. Choose a spot in your garden, carry pup there & wait.......... & wait............... & wait !!!
As soon as puppy performs, lavish on the praise.
You may feel a bit silly at 3am, but it will be worth it & again is forming a positive association.
You'll soon see a pattern forming between meal times, sleeping & play times & the need to toilet, the trick is to be one step ahead & ensure pup is in his spot in time.

To be continued............

When is my dog "trained" ?

  I get to meet most people the first time in good circumstances, they call me all excited, having just brought their puppy home (or even better , before they bring him/her home). They want to start off training on the right foot, with supervised socialisation & training in a safe environment.
Week by week I see progress, sharing in their achievements & helping out with fresh ideas & encouragement if things go a bit off track (Which they always do, it's perfectly normal !!)
Progress varies tremendously as the pups grow, dependant on many factors, breed, home environment, owner dedication etc, but everyone finishes the puppy course with the basics under their belt.
This is when one of 2 things happens, the owner gets the training bug & we see them week after week, or, the owner is happy that their dog is "trained" & we never see them again.
This week I've had a couple of calls, from people with older pups, wanting help.
They've all attended puppy classes elsewhere & when the course has ended not enrolled for more classes, as they were happy with what they'd been taught.
HOWEVER, 6 months down the line, their now adolescent dog is much less than the well behaved dog it once was. They are too embarrassed to return to the classes they first attended, as they feel like they failed, so are seeking to join us at K9 Capers.
This got me thinking, I wonder who OUR former puppy attendees & their owners will turn to if they hit problems? I'd like to think they are confident they can come back & carry on their training, with us.

The answer to the question posed in the title?

A dog is never trained, they are constantly learning behaviours & these can be unwanted ones , as well as good ones. 
Every new situation your dog finds itself in is a new learning experience & how YOU handle it will make all the difference.
Training's not a race to see who can teach the most, the quickest.
It's all about repetition, in various locations , with varying distractions.
Puppy owners often tell me; "Oh, he/she does it at home...just not here" !!!
The whole point of the class , is having the opportunity to test what you teach at home, in an environment with managed distractions.
These basic exercises  ,look,settle,sit,stand,down,wait & come (along with their associated rewards of course) are the foundations on which you can build all your dogs future behaviours ....rush them & you'll have a wobbly, unsafe future. Take your time & you'll have a good strong base on which to build.