Puppy Socialisation

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

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.

Chocolate is Poison for dogs

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

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.....

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)