Canine behaviour blog

Winter Warmer

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 13:03:59 GMT

As the nights draw in so does the cold weather.

The hotterdog coats and jumpers will keep your dogs warm as it covers the kidneys and chest on a cold winter day when walking. Or after a morning shoot while you take a break it's a good idea to keep your dog comfortable. After running about they are warm/hot then suddenly when the shoot is finished for lunch a dog can become cold again only having to run around again afterwards the dogs can stiffen up, so it's a good idea to keep the blood flowing. This is where a coat or jumper is ideal. Easy to put on and take off. The fleece is warm and comfortable. During a light shower your dog will still be warm and dry underneath.

For further reading click here: www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/seasonal/coat

How to stop my dog from jumping up on people or my sofa

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 19:13:29 GMT

As a canine behaviourist psychologist, I get asked “how do I stop my dog from jumping up on people or my sofa”.

First, there is no quick fix it takes patience and time. When your dog runs and greats you, your friend/neighbour when coming through the front door and jumps up to say hello, put your things down when in the door fold your arms and turn away. The same if you want to stop your dog from jumping up on the sofa. When they turn and walk away tell them what a good dog, they are by praising them. Remember positive reinforcement determines the behaviour of your dog.

Understanding and mastering your dog's behaviour

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 12:37:18 GMT

Behavior starts at home. A dog’s behavior determines how it has been taught, just like children dogs’ behavior is controlled by their environment. We all learn within our surroundings. If not caught early enough this can lead to some bad behavior. For instance, aggression, continuous barking, jumping up, behavior can also be caused by a medical problem. Some breeds of dogs learn quicker than others, but they do learn you just need to persevere.

Diet is another reason for certain behaviors. For instance, an overactive dog could become a problematic dog. So first always look at the food you are giving them, on the back of every tin or dry food you will see a table of what is in it and how much. Look at the protein, as too much protein in the dog’s diet is the same as giving a child a lot of sugar. Cut down on the protein and you will find your dog's behavior will become less erratic.

Behavior starts with the dog learning his/her name, no, sitting, down/off, come, stay, good boy/girl. One-word commands to begin with and not long sentences. Dogs can only remember 7 commands at a time so overloading your dog will only confuse them. Once they have mastered the command then that can go into their subconscious mind, then you can teach them something new. Also give the dog praise after they have done something well. Do not give the dog treats while training as your dog is not performing to your actual command they are performing for the teat. Always reinforce good behavior as this determines how your dog behaves when out.

One of the best ways to gain your dog's attention is with the use of a whistle. One blow on the whistle means the dog needs to stop, two blows on the whistle means to go. Dogs will soon learn quickly and always begin this at home first. Exercise your dog helps to stimulate them not just physically but mentally too. Do not always go out at the same time as this lets your dog know that you are the one in charge not them. Male dogs will in particular like to assert themselves as the alpha male in the pack, to them you are part of his pack and they can become aggressive if not sorted out straight away.

Control your dog when out walking and prevent pulling using the figure of 8 slip lead technique

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 14:16:21 GMT

As a Canine behaviorist and psychologist, I have been asked many times on how to stop a dog from pulling on the lead when out walking their dog.

People are forever using harnesses on their dogs as they have been told that they are designed to stop the dog from pulling. Harnesses are designed to help the dog to pull, they are mainly used for working dogs who are used for tacking an object or an animal/person or pulling a workload. The strength in a dog is in its shoulders, when the dog puts its head down it's an indication that they may have noticed something and are getting ready to pounce! When placing the slip lead on your dog there is a right way and a wrong way when placing on the dog. The lead needs to slip freely through the ring, this is so that when you pull the lead back the slip lead will shorten quickly but also realise quickly. If the lead does not slip freely when you pull back, you will find it will stop short from doing its job.

The figure of 8 is used on the same principle; it will look like a halti but it is not. I discovered using this idea when someone did not want to spend a great deal of money on more special leads! All you need to do is use the slip lead you have placed over the dog’s head, pulling the stopper as far as you can to the handle of the lead. Once over the dog’s head pull a small amount of the lead from under the chin and twist up over the nose. Make sure you have now pulled the stopper to the back of the dog’s neck. It needs to be at the base of the neck, so you and your dog get the full benefit.

The idea is to lift the dogs head up, so they are concentrating on your commands and not what is around them. The crossover part of the figure of 8 slip lead sits under the chin and not the throat, So when you pull the dog back you're just lifting their head you are also putting a short sharp pinch on the dog's nose. The slip lead then reflects this as when you have pulled the lead back you then realise this realises the pinch on the dog’s nose and you are not pulling the dog's neck back.

4ft slip leads can be used but you must remember you will only have about 2ft length of lead when in the figure of 8 position, unless you want your dog to be very close to you then this is fine. Otherwise a 6ft slip will be better, this is because when you do the figure of 8 you will have a 4ft length of lead which will give you and your dog a bit more mobility when walking your dog.

Remember there is no quick fix in training your dog, it does not happen overnight. But with the figure of 8 you will find a big improvement in less than an hour and your family and even your kids will have a more enjoyable walk together. You can buy these slip leads at www.gundogtrainingsupplies.co.uk in a range of different colours and sizes.