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Helping your dog with thunderstorm fear

22/06/2016 By Karen Wild Leave a Comment

puppy dog eyes
Optimistic, i know, but the weather is changing rapidly so let’s hope we get a run of dry, sunny weather. Which does your dog prefer? Rain, cold or warm temperatures, hot, dry weather? Not every dog likes every type. Just like us, some are happiest splashing in puddles, and others enjoy sunbathing in the middle of the lawn.

Summer brings thunderstorms, so be aware that these may frighten your dog. Some dogs bark in fear, flee, or may urinate. You can purchase ‘sound desensitisation’ recordings (or download them) to get your dog used to the crashes and rumbles. Play them at a very low volume at first, then gradually increase until your dog isn’t affected.

It helps if you don’t get worried yourself. You can comfort your dog, and cuddle them if they want you to. We used to think this made their fear worse, but nowadays we have research which shows that fear cannot be reinforced by comfort. Quite the opposite, it can make your dog feel better, but only if you yourself stay happy and jolly.

Why not play a game with them when the next rumbles of thunder appear? They will soon forget about the noises outside if they are having fun indoors.
You can give them their favourite food, and turn the radio and/or TV on so that it drowns out external noise. Your dog can be distracted as long as things have not got too terrifying.

You can provide your dog with a safe place to hide, too. Some dogs like to run under the bed, so as long as you are happy with this, allow it. At least they have a little den to occupy until the ‘danger’ has passed. If not, you can create your own little safe haven. Insulate a crate or travel box with heavy blankets, placing water and food inside. Better still, train them to enjoy being in there long before the storms start. This way, when they are worried, they can head for their safe place that is quiet and cosy.

If your dog shows severe anxiety around thunderstorms, consult with your Vet. They can refer you for behavioural help and advise you on ways to settle your dog using pheromones or other interventions. There is no need for any dog to suffer.

Hopefully the rains will be brief, and we will all enjoy a safe and storm-free summer!

Karen

Filed Under: Blog, Posts, Tips and Advice, Trainers and Behaviourists, What's New Tagged With: barking, health, problem behaviours, training, welfare

Play mates and play dates for your dog

14/06/2016 By Karen Wild Leave a Comment

KWPawprint-image1 lili chinHow do you recognise your dog’s doggy friends? Can you tell which dogs are likely to be fun playmates, from the ones you meet? I still hear many complaints about the ‘bouncy’ dog that lands like a grenade amongst other dogs and squashes, pounds and pummels the unsuspecting peers into the grass.

‘He’s only being friendly!’ the owner says, oblivious to the upset and annoyance they have allowed their dogs to create.

If another owner dares to complain or points out that their dog might not be so receptive to this canine wrecking ball on legs, it is met with denial, even aggression, from the other owner. If the other dog themselves decides to respond by attempting to move the wrestler dog away, that can also be met with owner hostility.

If I had a fiver for every owner that has told me about situations like this, where their own dog has been left terrified or has snapped at a boisterous visitor, I would be inviting you all onto my yacht for parties!

Let’s focus on what makes a suitable playmate for your dog, and what makes your dog into a good sociable pal.

Firstly, take a look at your own pooch. Is he or she a confident, relaxed dog, or can they be a little sensitive to things? Are they physically quite small, but tough? Or are they reluctant to ‘get physical’ and prefer to stay near you. If they are physically fit, young, wiry and bouncy, you can probably mix them with all different sizes of dog, as long as they do not turn into a bossy protagonist. If they are more delicate, frail, elderly or very young, a big bouncy dog will probably flatten them and create a fear that will last a lifetime. Instead, a dog of similar size, or a larger one that is relaxed and gentle, would be their best bet.

Of course, many small dogs do not regard the size of the other dog as an issue. All too often they realise too late that whilst it is not the ‘size of the dog in the fight, it is the size of the fight in the dog’, a bigger dog has more power and physical size to suppress even the most enthusiastic little dog.

Planning a play date is an important part of your dog’s week, especially if you normally live in a remote area. A walk where there are other dogs may end up being a bit hit and miss (or hit and run with some dogs!) so make sure you choose your dog’s regular playmates wisely.

Meeting up for a walk and a play can help both dogs to interact with a ‘give and take’ game. This is where one dog takes the lead, but then rests whilst the other directs the play. Anything too one sided and the balance will tip, probably into a squabble. Give them a rest and see if you can reintroduce them when they are both calmer.

Karen’s new book ‘Being a dog’ is available on PRE-ORDER here!

Being a Dog: The world from your dog’s point of view

 

 

Filed Under: Blog, Posts, Tips and Advice, What's New Tagged With: adolescents, adults, barking, dangerous dogs, dog training, owner training, problem behaviours, training

Noel Edmonds supports positive dog training!

26/05/2016 By Karen Wild Leave a Comment

Screen Shot 2016-05-26 at 13.16.59 I am SO excited to have been invited to write about positive dog training for Noel Edmonds’ amazingly positive site, noel.world

My article on positive dog training was invited, and posted, in less than a day.

As we all know, Noel is well-known and much loved, pursuing a noble goal of spreading more positivity in the world with his Positivity Radio app and website, where you can listen to lots of different genres, no adverts, and most of all, always buoyant and happy listening.

Screen Shot 2016-05-26 at 13.13.50

 

Now that lovely Noel has welcomed positive dog training views under his wing, let’s spread the word even further. This is an unstoppable force, a revolution in kindness.

Positive, reward-based training for the world? DEAL!

 

Karen

 

Karen’s new book ‘Being a dog’ is available on PRE-ORDER here!

Being a Dog: The world from your dog’s point of view

 

 

Filed Under: Blog, Posts, Tips and Advice, What's New Tagged With: adolescents, barking, celebrity, dog aggression, dog training, dog walking, equipment, fun, humour, owner training, problem behaviours, puppies, puppy, training, welfare

Do you have a ‘crazy’ dog?

12/04/2016 By Karen Wild Leave a Comment

crazy dog
‘There are no such thing as bad dogs, only bad owners’, so the saying goes.

Relax! I work with a huge range of dogs and owners, and the answers are not as simple as blaming the owner. Sometimes your dog is just too much of a livewire for you! Is that anyone being ‘bad’?
Do you have a dog that tends to run around the walls rather than walking sedately? Is your dog the one that bounds around the park crashing bodily into the other dogs present? Do you notice other owners stop and grip their own dogs’ leads more tightly when yours appears?

If so, don’t panic. Sit down, grab a pen and paper, and make a list.

Firstly; what age is your dog? If he is 3 or under, this could be sheer youthful exuberance. We often expect dogs to be fully mature by the time they are 1 year old, but this is not a standard measure. Adolescence continues beyond this age. Some dogs, just like some children, are bursting with energy! This doesn’t mean you are doing anything wrong. It might mean you need to be more vigilant, exercise your dog’s brain and body more than any dog you’ve owned in the past, and any of your neighbouring dogs too. If needed, employ a dog walker to get you through this stage. Above all, stay patient, and hang on in there. You chose the dog, now work with what you have!

Activity time: If your dog is always sniffing and hunting on walks, why not use this skill to give him a tiring activity that suits this ability. Rather than just throwing a toy, try hiding it and sending him over to find it? Let him see you hide it first for a few games, to help him learn what is expected. Gradually, hide it in more difficult to find places. Don’t forget where you put it! For more of challenge, ask a friend to hide the toy so that you and your active dog can play search dog. Best of all, run and hide yourself so that your dog can come and find you. Search and rescue!

Exhausted, but the dog keeps going? The key is to give your dog’s brain an activity that doesn’t mean you have to match their energy. Simple, cheap ideas include getting an old blanket or curtain and rumple up some treats inside, getting your pooch to rummage through it to find them. Slightly messier is to hide his toys or dinner or treats inside several cardboard boxes, and let him dig them out while you sit and drink your cup of tea.

It’s worth winding your dog down with a bit of calm, relaxing training. Teach your dog to lie down on a special mat or bed, rewarding him every few moments for staying there. Before long he will be concentrating hard on staying, and will be mentally worn out.

From crazy to sane again!

Karen’s new book ‘Being a dog’ is available on PRE-ORDER here!

Being a Dog: The world from your dog’s point of view

Filed Under: Posts, Tips and Advice, What's New Tagged With: adolescents, adults, barking, dog training, fun, humour, owner training, problem behaviours, puppies, training, welfare

But my dog still isn’t trained?

05/10/2015 By Karen Wild Leave a Comment

training a dog like driving a carDog training is not something you just do for a few weeks at puppy class. It has to last for the life of your dog.

Train your dog to sit when another dog comes past rather than allowing him to bark and lunge. You try for a few walks but the dog still barks and lunges. Or, you might be taught to offer your dog a treat when you call him back. This works for a while, then he runs off to play with another dog, and you give up in a huff. ‘Treats don’t work’ (yes, they do, but not if you are unskilled), or someone accuses you of ‘bribing’ your dog and suggests you get a shock collar. What nonsense.

Here is an analogy that may help you organise your dog training efforts. Imagine you are learning to drive:

Beginner level is in a dual control car with a trained instructor in a car park or empty road. You learn to operate the pedals, steering wheel, speed and so on without any chance to fail. This is you and your dog on a quiet walk or at home. Lovely for you and your dog and no effort.

‘Improver’, would be same as above but on a busier road. You can drive faster, the controls become a more automatic response, with skills for later on. You finish your driving lesson feeling in control, making progress. Can you still drive the car without crashing? Well, your instructor is there to prevent that. Lessons feel like an enjoyable place to be for you and for your instructor. Dog walks should be like this, every single day.

‘Advanced’ – Learner driver on the A1 at rush hour with slip roads, roundabouts and everyone driving at 70mph or more, with no dual controls. Other drivers beeping their horns and gesticulating at you! Learner driver learns to expect horrible driving experience and most importantly, to feel utterly out of control time and time again, learning nothing useful. This is equivalent to dog owners who have problems with their dog but are not actually teaching the dog at all.

An old style punishment training method at this point would be for your instructor to yell at you and bang the dashboard in an effort to get you to drive properly, even spray you in the face with water… – but you don’t even know how to drive yet!

No training can be a quick fix. If you pick an unregistered instructor, you may be promised magical things when really the answer is to get stuck in, teach gradually and fairly, and be a good, kind and generous boss! A good teacher never lets their dog fail.

If you would like to know more about dog training fairly and with clear expectations, why not get one of Karen’s books?

Filed Under: Blog, Tips and Advice, Trainers and Behaviourists, What's New Tagged With: adolescents, adults, barking, dangerous dogs, dog aggression, dog training, dog walking, humour, owner training, problem behaviours, puppies, puppy, rescue, training

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About Karen

contactkaren-3I’m a full-time U.K. dog trainer and behaviour consultant based in Peterborough with 17 years in the field. My work ranges from class teaching, obedience, flyball, agility and working trials, competition, to running a popular dog display team.
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