Introductions

Thought I'd do some introductions today! Meet pretty boy, Callum, an angelic looking! Maisie and the handsome Hector.  Callum is 6 and his favourite activity is a missing person search.  Maisie is 1 and loves hunting for birds! Hector is 3 and loves to run.

I Know This Game!

Clicker training is very effective and for those who are not particularly strong on timing of rewards it is a really useful tool.  However, rewarding the right behaviour is the key point and the owner has to be very aware of what behaviour they are actually rewarding.

We have a young collie in class who was a rescue at 6 months old and was launching herself and barking and snapping at other dogs.  The owner brought her into class and just sat quietly observing as other dogs worked around them.  The dog was rewarded using the clicker for sitting quietly and ignoring the other dogs.  Dog could eventually walk ast other dogs, sit in close proximity with no adverse reaction. So far so good!

A few weeks later and we have an issue!  The owner has become comfortable and started rewarding the wrong behaviour and has not noticed the behaviour she is rewarding.  Dog is now lunging and barking at other dogs when they move after something, then turning to owner sitting and looking at them and being rewarded!  Dog has worked out this game and the owner hasn't noticed so is effectively encouraging the behaviour.

New game commenced - back to rewarding for sitting quietly and ignoring, no reward for lunging or barking - this behaviour is ignored.  Desired behaviour is given a cue so we can use it when needed.  Owner now aware of where they have gone wrong.  Let's see what next week brings.

Golden Oldies

Spent a lovely day with the Golden Oldies despite the persistent rain.  Scottish Working Trials run this competition every year for those dogs who can't compete in Working Trials any longer either through age or injusry.  There are no jumps or stays but just a lot of fun!  Helen was the judge and I stewarded the competition for her.  We had 9 competitors, a mix of GSDs, Retrievers, Collies and even a Schnauzer! 

The tracks were all worked well with the toys and treats well received by the dogs.  The cocktail sausages at the sendaway point caused much hilarity with just one dog ignoring them and it was a Labrador too - very unlike them!

It was a real pleasure to watch these dogs really enjoy the competition, every one of them strutted into the field and excelled at every exercise.  A thoroughly enjoyable day outdoors with good friends, good dogs and good exercise!

Hydrotherapy

My first time back in the hydrotherapy pool for some months due to holidays, illness, weather and work!  We are visited by a range of dogs; those that are injured, rehabilitation and those just keeping in good shape. 

I made an interesting observation tonight though, in that the dog's behaviour in the pool is breed specific. The Spaniels are swimming before they even reach the water level - those little legs are going ten to the dozen before they reach water!  The German Shepherds like to hear their own voices and whinge and moan throughout the session and and are also the worst for hitting the water with their paws and splashing it in your eyes.  The Labradors like to grip you with their paws hanging onto you for dear life and panic if you let them go which for a gundog is ridiculous! The terriers like to stay stock still and keep a paw on your arm.  Then there's the consumate athlete the Greyhound who come elegantly in, never make a sound, show off their muscles and leave!


It is a real pleasure to see the improvement in the dogs who come in with an injury or after surgery then a few weeks later they are back to full fitness.  You really feel as if you are making a difference.