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Travelling With Dogs

With many of us taking our dogs away on holidays, there are some important tips and planning reminders, brought to you from our seasoned road trippers who travel around with dogs on a regular basis, most recently travelling from Brisbane to Geelong, around 3500kms!Safety & SecuritySecure your dog in the car. There are many options from variocage to crate and seatbelt to cargo barrier, so whatever you choose ensure the best safety and security that works for your dog, your car and you. Make s...

Introducing Dogs to Swimming

Not all dogs – even those bred to work in water, know how to swim. Some love the water and take to it easily, others may take some time or just not like it at all. So, how do you introduce dogs to the concept of swimming?Choosing the LocationPool, lake, creek, beach? You may be lucky to have all these options, or maybe it’s only the occasional beach trip.Pool – convenient if you have one, but entry for puppies is difficult unless you have a beach style entry.Lake/creek – fantastic option...

Boundaries in Dog Training

Have you ever heard positive reinforcement training means you are a push over? That it’s just allowing dogs to do whatever they want?This is most definitely not the case, and teaching boundaries is a big part of that. Boundaries in dog training help us to establish clear rules, foundations and structure. We aren’t necessarily talking about a physical boundary (although that does come into it), but also social and emotional boundaries.For example, how your dog interacts with people or other d...

Your Dog Decides What's Rewarding

Your dog truly decides what is rewarding in training, so it requires careful observation by you to find out what they really like.If your dog is food motivated, by what type of food? How is it given – straight to their mouth or do you toss it for them to chase? If your dog is toy motivated, by what sort of toy and how do you make it rewarding for them – by running with it, tugging on it, letting them carry it?This may change. It can depend on the situation, the individual dog and any feedbac...

Exercise and Arousal (and how it relates to behaviour)

It’s normal for excitement levels to increase during exercise, particularly for activities like ball chasing. However, with the excitement comes increased arousal which increases heart rate and adrenalin levels, causing an increase in cortisol levels. Cortisol is the body’s primary stress hormone. It helps regulate lots of things in the body plus activates the sympathetic nervous system to prepare the body for ‘flight or fight’.  Adrenalin is designed to be released in short bursts ...

Feeding Based on Body Condition

Feeding your dog based on their body condition is adjusting the amount and type of food to ensure your dog stays in peak body condition.𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?Body condition score is a system used to assess an animal's body fat and muscle mass using a scale and can determine if an animal is too thin, too fat, or at an ideal weight.Generally, peak body condition and an ideal weight for a dog is:• Ribs, spine, and hip bones are easily felt...

Nail Maintenance

Overgrown nails are uncomfortable and painful. When the nail contacts hard ground, it is pushed up into the nail bed which can cause toes to twist and puts pressure on the toe joints. This can lead to arthritis and problems with posture and movement.Your dog’s nails should not touch the ground when they are standing on a hard surface.Some dogs will naturally wear down their nails when exercising, but they do still need regular checking and maintenance.Why can nail trims be so stressful?Invasio...

Ingredient Splitting

If you feed kibble you need to know what ingredient splitting is. Pet food labels can be confusing at the best if times, and sometimes, manufacturers make it seem like their product is better than it actually is.Ingredients in pet food are listed in order of how much each ingredient weighs before the food is cooked and turned into kibble. If you take a more abundant ingredient such as a grain or legume and split it into smaller portions, your more desirable ingredient (e.g. meat) can be listed h...

Lead Reactivity

The ‘going crazy’ often refers to pulling, lunging, whining, barking and/or growling at other dogs. Your dog may be quite happy to meet other dogs in their home, or off leash in a park, but when it comes to being on lead; their manners can leave you pretty embarrassed. Let's look at understanding why your dog may do this first.Dogs do what works for themThe reasons why dogs show this behaviour can be many, and often difficult to work out. It can vary from excitement and frustration to nervou...

On Lead Greetings

Do you let your dog greet other dogs on lead? Either one dog is on lead or both dogs. How does it go? Have you ever had any issues? For example, a little snark happens (growly/snappy behaviour), or one dog snaps just as you are trying to move the dogs along?When dogs meet on lead, there is a higher chance of it going wrong – but why?The main culprit is usually tight leads, and the lead itself. Tight leads cause tension in the body and may indicate to your dog that there is something wrong. It ...

City Dogs

With pet’s being in about 70% of Aussie households, and living density increasing, it makes sense that there are more pets in cities and apartments. If you already live in a a city apartment with a dog or are thinking of getting a dog, there is a bit more to consider than just your average training.Breed/sYou might think that only smaller dogs do well in apartments, but some large dogs can make excellent apartment companions. Breeds like greyhounds are a great example. They are the best couch ...

Adding Value to Dry Food

Feeding dry food alone to a dog (or cat) is never ideal. Dry food or ‘kibble’ is highly processed, and while most meet the nutrient requirements of dogs and cats, by adding small amounts of fresh foods you can provide natural and more easily digested nutrients, which is better for their long term health.You need to be careful that you don’t ‘unbalance’ your dog’s main diet of dry food. (Otherwise, you may as well change to a 100% fresh food diet). The general rule is to not...

Retractable Leashes

What are they and why don't we recommend them...Retractable leashes are a thin line of cord able to be retracted in and out of a box with a handle on it. The purpose of them is to allow your dog more freedom and more space to explore while remaining on lead. How safe are they and how can they affect your dog’s training?1.      A retractable leash usually has a very thin type of cord, and a lead like that is only as strong as it’s weakest link. They can break easily e...

Guarantees in Dog Training Outcomes

As professional dog trainers, we have signed a code of ethics to adhere to the following:Trainers/behaviour consultants refrain from providing guarantees regarding the specific outcome of training and behaviour plans. (CCPDT)Informing the guardian that no guarantees can be offered regarding the outcome of the training or behaviour program due to the nature of applied animal behaviour and limiting factors around the pet guardian such as time commitment, family circumstances, management practices ...

The Premack Principle

Do you remember your mum saying to you ‘eat your vegetables before you can have dessert’?The “Premack Principle” is the ‘eat your vegetables’ of dog training 😊Created by psychologist David Premack, The Premack Principle states that a higher probability behaviour will reinforce a less probable behaviour.Eat your vegetables (lower probability behaviour) before you eat dessert (higher probability behaviour).In dog training we can use what your dog wants to do, called a “high-probab...

Dogs and Chickens

Can Dogs Live with Chickens (and other poultry)? Yes! They absolutely can. While some dogs may not pay any attention to chickens at all, some dogs have a very high prey drive so let’s dig a little deeper into why that is and how it can be managed… ‘Prey Drive’ Prey drive is the instinctive inclination of a carnivore to find, pursue and capture prey. Dogs like to hunt, especially certain breeds and especially anything small that moves fast. It is worthwhile researching dog breeds and what...

Is Daycare Right For Your Dog?

Do you ever feel guilty about leaving your dog at home while you go to work all day? Do you worry that they may be feeling sad, lonely or bored?Maybe daycare is an option for them.Maybe, and maybe not.First, if you aren’t sure what your dog does when you leave them home alone, get some cameras up and start monitoring what your dog does all day.This will help you find out if you dog is bored, has separation struggles, or if they just sleep and relax all day.Sometimes, daycare can be very helpfu...

Joint Supplements

20% of adult dogs and 80% of dogs over 8 years old suffer from osteoarthritis – and it is thought this could be higher. 😔Whether you have an older dog that is showing some signs of arthritis, or a younger dog that you want to help prevent develop arthritis, you may want to consider a joint supplement.Joint supplements are one of the most common long-term, safe treatments to help reduce inflammation and pain, improve function, and slow progression of joint damage and arthritis.The most evide...

Harnesses

The choice of walking equipment in my experience tends to be a preference for most people, or perhaps what they have always used with previous dogs.I used to walk my dog Merlin on a check chain 25 years ago, but I always felt it was like a battle between him and I, rather than a partnership. I thought there had to be a better and kinder way.Fast forward to a more modern approach to walking and training dogs. Now, my equipment of choice is a harness that fits the dog correctly, allows for free sh...

Puppy Play

Puppies playing nicely together is almost guaranteed to put a smile on your face. What puppies learn in their early stages of their life has a big impact on their lives as adults, and learning to interact calmly and safely with other dogs is important.We also know that preferences and tolerance levels change throughout life and sometimes over a short space of time (e.g. from puppy to adolescence).Play styles can also vary and while one style may work for some puppies, it may not work for another...

Long Leash Skills

Using a long line can be a great way to give your dog a bit more freedom if their recall isn’t reliable, if you want them to choose their own direction in the park/open space, or they want to go into spaces to sniff.Always use a long line with a back attach nonrestrictive harness for safety and comfort.They can be dangerous if not used properly or in the right environment so take note of these tips and have a practice without your dog first.How to HoldAlways use 2 hands, keep your palms up and...

Critical Distance

Critical Distance This is the point where your dog may go from being alert to a trigger to showing barking, lunging or other ‘reactive’ behaviours. It can be a fine line! Your aim is to keep your dog ‘under threshold’ and within their ‘critical distance’ wherever possible.Distance Is Your Friend Repeat after us! 📢 If your dog gets worried by other dogs, people, kids on bikes, cats, motorbikes, trucks (whatever the trigger), and they stare, bark, lunge, growl or show other distance...

Digging!

Is your dog is digging up your plants? Or digging holes under the fence? Maybe you risk breaking your ankle stepping in holes in the lawn? We understand your frustration! Digging is a natural and normal behaviour for dogs. Dogs dig, it’s what they do. Some dogs were even bred to dig for a job. Their strong nails and feet are designed for it. Digging is also a self-rewarding behaviour – the smells and treasures they can dig up! Plus it’s actually a good work out as they use lots of muscle g...

Adding A New Dog To The Family

In our experience probably not! You may have a formula that works – for example a certain age difference in between dogs, or maybe you add a dog for a specific purpose or just because it feels like the right time. Here are some things you may want to consider if you are struggling deciding:Your Existing Pet/sIs it the right time for your existing pets? Have they got to a level of training and skills that you are happy with? If your existing dog is elderly, how would they cope with a younger do...

Flashy Fangs

Keeping your dog's teeth clean and healthy is an important part of their overall wellness, just like it is with us. Here are some ways to maintain teeth in between vet visits:Raw meaty bones that are appropriately sized for your dog are nature’s ultimate toothbrush. Use bones that your dog has to rip and tear at the meat and cartilage – necks, tails and ribs are good for this. Note that weight bearing bones from large animals may damage teeth.Ascophyllum nodosum – a species of seaweed with...