Pawsability

Dogs and Fireworks Fear

2011-10-18T02:03:00.000-07:00

NEW Things to help dogs with fireworks fears......

We always get mailshots of information on new products, some good, and some get deleted straight away. Thinking on these poor dogs and puppies with fireworks fears, and on the credit crunch that's affecting all of us - this new Pet Remedy Diffuser diffuser caught our eye. It's a plug in diffuser that releases essences of valerian and other calming herbs. Valerian drops are frequently used to calm dogs with fears, so this looks like it should do the job. And its much cheaper than the dap diffusers.

Like all calming aids and training aids, many are great for many, but not great for others. We'd be therefore really happy to here your feedback.

Other new options for fireworks fears are Thundershirts - sounds strange, but all TTouch practitioners know that the right type of touch helps to calm fears. These are not just like dog coats, the really hug your dog tightly and help to settle them.

Then there's the lullaby CD - instead of using a desensitisation CD, try using this calming CD. The more you play it when the dog is calm, the more they'll relate the music and heart beats with being calm.

There's loads more helpful hints and tips for dogs with fireworks fears on the pawsability web site

So wishing your puppy or dog a calm fireworks season.

Dog training in the highlands

2011-10-18T01:59:00.000-07:00

Watch this space - Pawsability dog training, puppy training, dog behaviour and help is now available in the highlands. The pet behaviour centre will hopefully be open in just a week or so, where we'll be able to run puppy socialisation parties, dog training classes and see people on a 1-1 basis with their dogs either for training of for behaviour help. We're close to the old central hub in the highlands - near Bonar Bridge, so in a good place for anyone in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross.

Soooo looking forward to having a dedicated space.

Puppy Training

2011-07-06T02:01:00.001-07:00

So this week I was called out to see a 4 year old dog who was scared of noises. It transpired that the root cause of the problem went right back to his puppy hood. The owners took the puppy to his new house at 14 weeks old, and the puppy had been brought up in a farm byre prior to then.

Now, the remarkable thing about dogs is their adaptability, and this fantastic dog (lets call him Rover) has grown into a great family pet - apart from his noise fear. This is not just a problem for the dog, but it had reached the stage where walking the dog was a problem - he'd almost turned agoraphobic.

Anyhow, this served to remind me that it may be a help for prospective new puppy owners to make sure that they get good advice when buying a new puppy. The best age to get your puppy is about 7 weeks. At this stage they are still open to learning lots of new things and also they don't FEEL fear (to much).

Please don't be persuaded to get a puppy that's been brought up in a farm byre, and also make sure they're around 7 weeks old.

For more information on understanding your puppy, please see this link

And for lots of free puppy training tips, please look at the puppy pages here.

Stopping dogs pulling on the lead

2011-03-08T08:39:00.000-08:00

Dog pulling is such a common dog training problem, that we reckoned it deserved a web site all of its own : www.StopMyDogPulling.com.

Here there is

dog training information on how to teach your dog to walk to heel
dog training information on how to stop your dog pulling - these are 2 different things!!
reviews of stop pulling dog training products
helpful notes on helping you choose which dog training aid to buy to help to stop your dog from pulling

Do have a look - www.StopMyDogPulling.com.

New bargain basement opens in the Pawsability shop

2010-06-09T00:54:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Just to let you know that there is now a new bargain basement in the Pawsability shop

Still great products, just over-stocked or end-of lines......

Fanstastic prices available - when they're gone they're gone....

In June - 5m training lines, brushes, and toys

happy shopping

anna

Cat Clicker Training

2009-07-10T07:41:00.000-07:00

Here at last!

We've made a start at the cat shop.

Please do see our article and special offers on cat clicker training in the cat shop, or read more about it all in Your Cat mag.

Thanks to Your Cat for supporting this offer.

Happy Clicking!!

Dog Obedience Training

2009-07-02T03:57:00.000-07:00

I've been having some thoughts on what this is about, and whether it's a good name for what we actually want to do with our dogs these days. I've never liked the term "obedience" as to me, it conjures up old fashioned methods of training, using punishment, choke chains and the likes.

Ofcourse, we don't go in for that nowadays - or I hope we don't!

Anyway, hope you have fun reading the article on the web site and look forward to reading your comments here too.

Thanks.

Puppy Socialisation

2009-05-23T03:54:00.000-07:00

Following on from the info and offer on dog bite prevention, I thought it would help to raise the profile of puppy socialisation. Many clients I speak with think this is simply about letting your puppy play with other puppies. Well, there's way more to it than that, and what's really important is that the whole process is started as soon as you get your new puppy home.

Aggression is probably the most common dog behaviour problem, and fear is the most common cause of aggression.

Reducing fear means exposing your puppy to tons of stuff!!

There are many many things that your puppy can be safely exposed to well before their vaccinations are completed.

Please see newly updated puppy socialisation web page for more info, and to get your free puppy socialisation check list.

Have fun with your confident puppy!!

Dog Bite Prevention Week

2009-05-16T08:07:00.001-07:00

Dog Bite prevention week is a fantastic idea, allowing us to take some time to focus on promoting preventing dog bites

Starting at the beginning, working on puppies, good and safe socialisation is key - introducing your puppy safely to all the smells, sights, and sounds that they'll need to learn to cope with in their lives with us.

Training then teaches a dog how to communicate with us - so instead of grabbing things and running off, they leave the things they shouldn't and play with the things they should.

Teaching children how to safely interact with your dog is also a great way to prevent accidents.

For more information and special offers, please see the dog-bite-prevention page on the web site.

And, if you have any questions, please do leave a comment here or email us.

Gentle Leader Harnesses

2009-04-24T01:29:00.000-07:00

Great News : our Gentle Leader Harnesses are now all back in stock for all sizes.

These harnesses are great - especially for dogs who don't like things over their noses (or if you don't) - the work by give you extra power over your dogs shoulders. If the dogs pulls away from you - just stand still - the only place they'll be able to move is to face you.

Ofcourse, some dogs are extremely strong pullers - and sometimes actually, using a Gentle Leader and a gentle Leader harness, connected with a double lead is the belt and braces approach.

For more info please click here - gentle leaders

Youtube - amazing dog stuff

2009-04-22T23:41:00.000-07:00

Here's an amazing clip about a dog saving a dog

And this dogs certainly not scared of fireworks!! DONT TRY THIS AT HOME!!

Recall Training

2009-04-21T02:48:00.001-07:00

Getting your dog to come when called is a big issue for some. We thought it might help to start up a set of on-line training notes, building things up weekly, one step at a time.

For the 1st steps in recall training, please see our web site - teaching your dog to come when called page

Then catch up here each week for more helpful, free training advice.

Chocolate is Poison for dogs

2009-04-18T00:15:00.001-07:00

Most of us know that chocolate should never be given to dogs, but we maybe don't realise how terrible the consequences can be......

Sky News reports on the 10th April, that a lab managed to get into an Easter Egg stash and ate 12 cream eggs.

The dog suffered dreadfully, but fortunately made a full recovery.... see the story here

Please do take care anytime with chocolate, for other foods poisonous to dogs, please click here

And for plants that can poison dogs, please click here.

Clicker Training

2009-04-17T06:17:00.000-07:00

Here's a great article by Lindsay Wood, MA, CTC

on proving that clicker training works better than simply using a reward word.

Very interesting reading.

Our favourite clicker at the moment is the WhizClick - it's a whistle and a clicker in one - has to be good to leave you with a free hand. Have a look at the whizclick link.

All our clicker purchase come with a simple free start up guide.

In the news.....

2009-04-16T07:51:00.001-07:00

A lucky dog has been rescued from a cliff fall whilst on holiday in Ireland. This can happen to anyone, but keeping your dog in close contact at all times on holidays - use an extending lead for safety (so long as your dog doesn't pull). And be prepared before you go by brushing up on your dogs recall training. Use super tasty fish treats and a dog training whistle to teach your dog that coming back to you is really worthwhile.

Keep your dogs safe.... yet another story of dog napping (9/4/9)

Earth Day 2009

2009-04-16T06:18:00.000-07:00

We're helping you to celebrate Earth Day 2009 (22nd April)

Up to and including the 22nd April, all of our Eco Friendly Dog Toys are on Sale, at £2 off RRP.

Super tough, and made from re-cycled plastic, they will last for longer than many.

Super Tux's and Hurley Bones

(Please note all earth day orders will be shipped after the 22nd April)

Flashing Collars

2009-04-16T06:14:00.000-07:00

We still have a few Flashing Collars and Safety Halo's with their special spring sale prices and free batteries with the Canac flashing collars, please do have a look and take advantage of the special prices.....

Tick are here already!

2009-04-16T06:11:00.000-07:00

We were up in Inverness last week, and even the locals were surprised that Ticks are already scouting around the heather. Please do take care when you're out and about. Have a look too, at our brand new sub-site focussing purely on Ticks, with helpful info for Ticks on people, dogs, cats, horses - how to avoid ticks, and how to be prepared
www.TickRemoval.co.uk

Pawsability Classes in Ballinluig

2009-04-16T05:52:00.000-07:00

News for anyone in the Pitlochry, Aberfeldy, Dunkeld Areas...

Our new classes are starting on Tues 28th April, in Ballinluig hall.
Our fabo new condensed format aims to move your training forward at a speedy pace.
1 Intro session, and 4 training sessions with your dog split over Tuesday evening and Saturday mornings.
As usual, our Pawsability Classes are restricted to about 6 dogs, and we customise the format to suit your needs.
With the run, at the moment, it's looking like we'll have puppy class, and a mixed ability older class.

All attendees need to pre-book.
Any questions, please do get in touch.
Anna