Train away your unwanted dog behaviour problems.
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Have an initial FREE discussion with Tricia to discuss the depth of your dog behaviour or dog training problem/s.
Tricia will listen and ask questions about your dog’s behaviour and relationship within the household and it’s history and then advise on what the next course of dog training action should be.
She will advise you of the cost involved for the dog training or dog behaviour issues.
She will make an appointment for her to visit you or you to come to her dependent on the nature and interaction of the dog behaviour problem/s and address and improve the situation for you and your dog behaviour issues.
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DOG BLOG by Tricia
SHOCKING NEWS March 2011
It seems these days that there's hardly a month that doesn't pass without hearing of yet another shocking case where a dog has attacked or mauled an infant.
Are they becoming more common as man's need to obtain a family pet increases? Or is it that there's just a need to report it?
MP's have hinted that a new law might be introduced to make us all responsible dog owners – making compulsory training classes for dogs and owners. It's also been suggested that maybe the dog licence should be reinstated again. But don't you think we should look a bit further and deeper than this? Where are all these dogs coming from?
It's never been easier to obtain a puppy or adult dog, rescue centres are full to their capacity, and so are the classified columns!
Why don't we look into where these dogs are coming from – who's breeding them? And maybe dogs and puppies shouldn't be so readily available. Maybe they should be harder to obtain making them more of a luxury rather than a gadget or accessory.
And the breeding of dogs… Anyone can do it at the moment, I bet if all breeders had to purchase a special license as well as being a registered breeder it might just put a stop to the back street breeder and that in return could eventually have a knock on effect to the availability of our four legged friend.
LIFE'S A BEACH October 2010
When recently asked to advise on a dog problem on the beach I took a drive to Broadsands near Paignton in Devon (which was absolutely stunning).
The clients and I walked down the promenade looking down on the beautiful beach below and the mass of dogs all running around, interacting and socialising with each other. Going into behaviourist mode I think “ah this must be the problem, the dog has been unsociable on the beach”. To my surprise the leash was quickly released from the dog’s collar with the owner saying “Oh you don’t mind if she just has a quick run with her friends”. A bewildered reply form myself saying “oh which ones are her friends?” to which the owner replies “all of them”.
What a lovely sight to see, all these dogs playing together, running in and out of the sea, the owners chatting and catching up on events.
What a wonderful social life, not only for the owner but the dog too!
POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT - September 2010
It's surfaced yet again... Positive versus negative but this time because dog trainers just can't agree on whether we should be turning our dogs over and pinning them down (the alpha roll) and supposedly letting them know just who is boss in the relationship. Or coaxing them out of the unwanted behavior with a tasty snack and treating them as an equal, trainers are taking it to higher levels to decide on who is right and who is wrong!
Isn't is a shame that they can't be a little more open - minded and remember that all dogs are different and what might just work on one breed of dog albeit positive or negative doesn't mean that it will work on another.
You might be able to turn and pin your Cocker Spaniel down when he lunges aggressively at the Bichon Frise in the park but your going to have a task on your hands if it's an Irish Wolf Hound you own, that tasty treat distraction just might have the desired effect.
SUMMER IS COMING . . . .
What a relief to see the first swallow this morning out on my walk with the dogs, does this mean summer time is finally here?
Anyone who works outside in any capacity will sympathise with a long, cold, wet and very muddy winter it has been.
Although we look forward to less mud in the house and no more paws to wipe off for a few months there is something we should take on board. I always remember my old vet (now retired) telling me how the practise was that much busier in the summer months due to the simple fact that as more dog walkers ventured out in the nicer months, more dogs got into scuffles, resulting in more work for the vets having to do stitches etc.
What a scary thought I remember thinking all those years ago. Now I don’t want any of you to become “house hermits” or your dogs for that matter but there are a few "do's" and "don'ts" you could find handy when out and about enjoying the summer months with your dog.
If you see a fast approaching dog looking of the "not so friendly breed", one of the worst things you could do is pick your dog up in your arms, (obviously this only applies to small breeds". You will not only be putting your dog in a higher position physically but mentally too in the eyes of the other dog and that’s just going to make him madder.
Acting aggressively towards any already slightly aggressive dog or owner is only going to fuel their aggression even more.
So what can we do?
Try and think "shock tactic", not always easy but far more reliable.
Basically you are trying to shock or frighten the approaching dog if he looks as if he’s going to do harm. I have been known to throw my flexi-lead at the ground BETWEEN the approaching trouble maker (4 legged variety) and the dog with me in order to stop a situation before it erupts.
I’m not meaning that you hurl the lead to make contact with the dog, otherwise you’ll end up with a bill for broken bones, but aim to make a clatter/noise, a noise to shock the dog from what he’s intending to do!
I’d rather have a bill for a new extendable lead than a bill for…….
Enjoy the summer months.
THEY TURNED UP IN THEIR THOUSANDS
Whether you’re anti or pro it has to be said "what dog trainer/behaviourist has ever filled arenas to such a capacity?" Caesar Millan’s UK tour was a sell out and although his seminar wasn't as action packed with dogs behaving badly as his TV series, Caesar himself had turned into quite a comedian, mimicking us doggy owners and the lengths we’ll go to, to excuse and avoid our un-wanted canine behaviour. At times he had us falling about laughing as we recognised our own ridiculous antics towards our four-legged friends but at the same time he continued to preach "rules, boundaries and limitations" not forgetting calm, assertive leaders.
All in all it was a great evening and a rare opportunity to see a man who's dream it was to be the greatest dog trainer in the world!
CLEVER PET OWNERS CHOOSE CATS, SAYS STUDY!
Interesting…. I thought when I heard this on the news over the weekend. Apparently new research suggest clever people are more likely to own cats than dogs, but they weren’t sure whether this was due to people with degrees were found to favour cats possibly because of the time factor and having to work longer hours leaving less time to devote to a dog, or it was all to do with the 'grey matter and brain capacity' that swung you towards being a 'cat lover' rather than a 'dog lover'.
Personally I am both, owning one of each so I’m not sure which pigeon hole that puts me in but researchers insist we are turning towards cats rather than dogs especially the clever clogs of society. But before all you 'Einstein’s' start thinking about swapping your dog for a cat maybe you should know that recent health studies published in major medical journals revealed that there is a miracle cure that reduces your chances of breast cancer by 20%, heart disease by 30%, diabetes Type II by 50% not to mention stronger bones and a generally longer healthier life.
What is it? I hear you say! . . . . . . . Walking and preferably with the dog!
Unfortunately walking to the shop to get the paper of a morning is not quite enough but then that’s not enough for the dog either. It’s a brisk walk apparently of 3 – 3.9 miles per hour which isn’t too bad really, it’s hardly a power walk more of an eager walk to get back to your car before the traffic warden catches you.
How long I hear you ask? Well preferably an hour a day to benefit and decrease the risks associate with breast cancer and Type II diabetes or as little as ½ hour a day to benefit and reduce the risks associated with heart disease.
So what are you waiting for, the dogs ready to go.
The clever cat owning professionals might have the high flying jobs but it might just be the dog owners who live longer lives!
HAIL CESAR?
Well not too long to wait now until the maestro himself Cesar Milan flies into Britain and a few of us have been fortunate to obtain tickets to his show.
I wonder what he will make of us Brits and our doggie dilemmas or what we will make of his methods. He has been criticised by a few for all negative and not enough positive reinforcement but personally I think that anyone who can connect with a dogs mind and natural instincts to correct un-wanted behaviour on that level is pure genius.
I will give you another up-date when I’ve seen him in action!
BLINDED BY CUTENESS?
After a break of 3 years from being a cat owner my family and I all decided that we missed not having a cat sprawled out in front of the fire of an evening giving the house that “homely feeling” plus that persistent purring while he/she is curled up on your lap demanding to be stroked while you de-stress in front of the TV with a glass of wine in the other hand.
So we took the plunge and purchased a beautiful tabby cat called Bruce. Perfect…… you would think and he certainly is very beautiful with his stripy markings but as for the sprawling out “homely feel” and curled on lap scenario…. Forget it!!
He’s a lean, mean hunter, can’t get out of the house quick enough in the mornings and your lucky if he’s back before dusk, almost semi-ferrell.
Funny isn’t it that I spend a large proportion of my time advising people to choose that new puppy/dog carefully. Don’t go on looks alone, all puppies look cute, have you ever seen an ugly puppy….. No of course not.
A large percentage of an animal’s behaviour is inherited from its mother or father I hear myself saying to my doggy clients. So off I blindly go and purchase that pretty tabby kitten, reasons for choosing a tabby….. Because we haven’t had one before! Not a thought about where it came from, its history or were the parents available to see their character and temperament….. what more can I say.
