Today a dog who had been adopted on Sunday was brought back to the refuge as he was not getting on with the other dog in the house. This despite a test at the refuge, which seemed to go okay. Dynamics in the house were very different however, and the family did not feel capable…
Category: Training Tips
The teenage months part 3 – food thief
First the good news! Since the summer we have been working hard and I’m really pleased with Poppy’s progress when out walking, recall is now coming along well and when with me on her own she does not stray far. She still follows Jake, I guess she always will, but she now comes back first…
The teenage months part 2 – A cautionary tail
Hands up! I took my eye off the ball, or more correctly off the dog. Poppy is now 14 months old, and just when I was congratulating myself on coming through the worst of the teenage months she has decided to make a break for independence! Not only that but she has developed a hunting…
Coping with a teenage dog
Poppy now almost 9 months old is no longer a puppy but an adolescent. BANG! Just like that and seemingly overnight, my lovely, cuddly, obedient, follow me anywhere pup is now an unruly teenager!! A dog is generally considered ‘ado’ once they have their canine teeth, at around 7mths, and until 18mths of age. During…
My dog understands everything I say…
Poppy turned 6 months old at the end of November marked by two significant events. Firstly she was sterilised. I was dreading it, it was not something I wanted to put her through but it was the responsible choice. The SPAs and other refuges are regularly inundated with puppies due to irresponsible and ‘accidental’ breeding….
CONTACT, TEACHING YOUR DOG ITS NAME and A BIT ABOUT RECALL
If you have a new puppy or a dog what is one of the first things you need to teach it? The answer: ITS NAME “Of course,” I hear you say. “That’s obvious!” You would think so wouldn’t you? However, I’m sure you have often heard an owner either calling a dog or trying to…
Poppy’s training snippets – socialisation
“One size does not fit at” True “Every dog is different” Also true “They have their own characters and instincts” True too. However… Only so much of your dog’s ability is innate, in other words, what they are born with, what they now become is up to you. My family pack is comprised of a…
Poppy’s Training Snippets – Toilet Training and Feeding
As well as being a trainer I also foster pups for the SPA at Carcassonne. It’s very rewarding! Should you have the time to dedicate to this, new fosterers are always welcome and support is on hand. As a trainer, it is easy to stand in front of a group of puppy parents and tell…
Poppy’s Training Snippets – Crate training
People often refer to me as a dog trainer, the truth, however, is that the only dogs I train are my own and the SPA puppies I have in foster from time to time. In reality what I do, or try to do, is help people understand and train their own dogs. I recently…