Category Archives: All you need to know about puppies

Not Everyone Loves Dogs

Not everyone loves dogs!  I know, I know, hard to believe but not everyone loves dogs, and even harder to believe that not everyone loves your dog (if you have one)!  It’s an unbelievable and painful truth. 

But….. Don’t take it personally, what you see in your dog is not what everyone else sees and that is OK.

I remember when I got my beautiful puppy and I thought he was the cutest most adorable thing in the world.  He was a K9 unicorn!  Then I had a cold hard slap in the face and was told he had evil eyes… What….. No way… he’s perfect how can this person say this, I was mortified! Then I realised, it is their opinion and every single one of us is entitled to one.

Reasons for People Not Liking Dogs

Most dog people are totally oblivious to other people when they are out walking their dogs unless it’s another dog owner.  They do not realise that 1 in 20 people are absolutely petrified of your beloved doodle, your Labrador, your chihuahua, the mixed breed or your Mastiff, so there is a good chance when you are out walking that you will encounter someone, whether you realise it or not, who has that ingrained fear.

I’ve seen teenage boys jump on park benches to get away from a dog, that is 30 meters away. I have seen people paralysed with fear from a slobbering, waggy-tailed, overly affectionate dog, I’ve seen kiddies cling to their mums in the fear that a dog will get too close, I have even been pushed in front of someone who was so scared that they had no option but to put me between themselves and the dog due to fear, that sudden reaction resulted in me being nipped, and neither at fault as the dog just got startled.

Some people do not necessarily fear dogs, some people simply do not like dogs end of, and that too is OK!  They don’t like the barking, the relentless urinating, the smell, the neediness, the ball throwing, the dog poo, the bounding, the jumping up, the uncontrolled rude dog, not to mention the neurotic dog owner ohh the list goes on.

People do not like dogs for many reasons

  • They have had a bad experience
  • They suffer from cynophobia (the fear of dogs)
  • It is their personal preference
  • They like dogs just not your dog

So next time you are walking your dog be aware of other people around you, have your dog under control and please please don’t say to someone “don’t worry he won’t hurt you he loves people” as the feeling may not be mutual.  If your dog does run up to someone before you can get him on the lead and you can see they are uncomfortable recall your dog, remove them from that person’s crutch, apologise and acknowledge that it is your responsibility to keep your dog under control.

 

Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Separation Anxiety is a Hot Topic Right now in the World of Canine Behaviour!

The population of dogs has rapidly increased in the last few years from 8.5 million in 2018 to a whopping 12.5 million today and that’s just in the UK!! This increase in lockdown dogs has also given rise to an unwanted behavioral trait! 

One that I’m afraid we humans have created out of love and circumstances is called Separation Anxiety.

Many of us have gone back to a pre-March 2020 way of life, but our 4-legged friends have no idea what the bleep is going on!  One minute you are there, with your little canine shadow, following your every movement, and the next you have left, gone, vanished, vamoosed! Leaving them all on their lonesome to defend themselves and they simply cannot cope!

A dog is a pack animal that we have domesticated to become part of our pack!  Packs provide safety and security and when the safety and security of pack members disappear the dog will become distressed, anxious, and unsettled! 

So, what can you do??

Well, the first thing to know is that it’s not a quick fix and you have to put in the work and reverse engineer the damage, but here are a few little tips to get you started!

  1. Understand why your dog has separation anxiety
  2. Lower your vibration! Do not make a big deal about leaving or be over excited on your return as hard as this can be, blend in as if you have never been away, and leave like you are going nowhere!
  3. Practice stimulating games, boundary platforms, and separation games (YouTube can give you a tonne of ideas for this)
  4. Brain Stimulating Puzzle Toys like a snuffle mat, box, Kong, etc… there are so many to choose from
  5. Change your exit routine, mix it up. If you normally go out the front go out the back, if you usually have breakfast before a shower change it up, put your keys in your pocket the night before! Reduce the number of triggers that intensifies the anxiety.
  6. Practice separation whilst you are in the house do not let your dog follow you to the toilet, or sleep in the same room as you, do not allow him/her to be your shadow 24 hours a day! Encourage them to find a comfortable, quiet space to be on their own.
  7. Make sure your dog has had adequate exercise before leaving for a prolonged period.
  8. Register for the WolfeEdu Separation Workshop a 5 week course that will give you all the tips and trick you require to help combat this crippling behavioural issue!

Recall Training

How can you make yourself super attractive to your dog?

How can you make yourself super attractive to your dog (and not in the I’m pretty kind of way)?  What if you could call your dog and he or she is there by your side, despite any distractions?

 

We love to see our dogs having a wonderful time with other dogs, nose down bum up, tail wagging, on a scent that is invisible to the human nose!  As dog owners, we love to see them run and bound and just be free!

But…

Ohh there’s always a but, we want them to be sharp on the recall, to disengage immediately from whatever it is he or she is into and to come back on command, which is not always that easy!

Most owners do not want their dogs on the lead all the time.  I think we would have all seen those canine gods who walk down a busy town center with their dog at their heels no further than 2 paces in front or behind with no man-made piece of tethering equipment in sight.  We all look at them in awe, admiration, and amazement, I know I do!

 

 

So, what do they have that you don’t?  

Well, they have mastered the art that they are so much more attractive to the dog than anything else, that their dog feels safe by their side, that their dog is in-distractable!

Below are some Top Tips to Help You be Sexier than anything Else (in a dog’s eyes), hopefully, this will give you some guidance on improving the recall and in turn the relationship with your dog, as there is nothing more frustrating than calling your dog umpteen times and them totally ignoring you, it could also save your dog’s life!

Ten Top tips to help your dog to think you are the most desirable thing on this planet!

Let’s aim to make that squirrel running up the tree so bland compared to you, that that fox poo they have just wandered past is not for rolling in as being by your side is waayyy better than the beautiful sweet-smelling aroma of fox poo, that the dog passing you by who appears to want to savage your dog is completely ignored!

Every dog has its unique thing that they love that they will do almost anything for, food, balls/toys, even commands (games), stimulation, love, and attention!  It’s up to you to work out what that is!

  1. Always practice at home in a safe familiar environment, with no distractions.  Start by recalling your dog on a lead or training line! Work out what it is your dog loves is it a squeaky ball, a treat, a tug toy, or simple praise?
  2. Use clicker training, positive reinforcement, and rewards! Clicker training is so powerful and used in conjunction with a physical reward, the dog will learn to associate the sound of the clicker with a positive outcome.  Find out more by clicking here
  3. Increase the distance slowly between you and your dog and always release!  When your dog returns to you after being called via name, whistle, or any other command that they prick their ears up to, ensure that after they are praised you release your dog and allow them to go back to what they were doing.
  4. Ball throwing and retrieving is always a good exercise but not all dogs are the retrieving type! If they are an avid fetcher when they do retrieve the object always praise and reward them and release!  Do not continually throw the ball when working on the recall but use the ball as a tool for your dog to return to you on command.
  5. When a dog comes to you even if it takes half an hour do not chastise them.  Reward them so they learn being with you is far better than being away, you are their happy place. You are rewarding the current behavior, the now behavior not the what was behavior!
  6. Using clear commands, “come”, “heel”, and “here” being clear & concise is key, using a whistle can be beneficial as it is a sound that is only used for recall and the sound waves can travel further distances!
  7. Once mastered at home go to a quiet external location and keep your dog on the training line or lead, extending the distance as their recall improves. Always release and do not overuse the commands, whistle or your dog’s name, your dog will simply switch off if you use their name without an outcome!
  8. Try off the lead when and where there are no distractions. Only venture to this step once you are comfortable and know that they will return to you when called.  
  9. Go to a place where there are distractions go back to the lead and training line, and start the process all over again!
  10. Once you know your dog has all eyes on you and that you are sexier than the poodle on the other side of the park, or the squirrel up the tree, or the ducks in the pond it’s time to let them off and practice the recall! You & your dog may not get it right every time but when your dog does praise him, positive reinforcement is the most powerful tool you have! Ignore the bad behavior praise the good!
 

 

Always ensure that your dog and others around you are safe at all times, do not put your dog in a place of danger where he can harm others or itself! Please note that the steps above should be carried out consistently over months of training it is not a quick fix, for optimum results start with your dog when he/she is a puppy if you have an adolescent dog or an adult dog start now!  Should you be having ongoing issues contact a local qualified dog trainer or drop a comment in the box below!

Should I Castrate My Dog Pros and Cons!

Should I Castrate My Dog Pros and Cons?

 

So you are stuck in a conundrum not knowing whether you should castrate your dog or not or you have 2 conflicting opinions in your household?

 

This article is focusing on the boys, the dogs, and their testiculars! Opinions around castration usually fall into 1 of 2 camps the Absolutely Nots and the OMG why wouldn’t you! This article is going to try and be as unbias as possible to give you the opportunity to make up your own mind about whether removing your Mutts Nutts is appropriate or not for your dog, your beliefs, and highlighting what you should consider.

Mutts Nutts

I personally hate the word fixing, as this gives the false illusion that neutering your dog will fix any negative unwanted behavior, that they might exhibit, for example, roaming, mounting & humping, ejaculating, marking, aggression, strong-headedness, and hyperactivity. However, although neutering can have some effect on their behavior it is not a guarantee. There are many guidelines out there but it is important to be aware that these guidelines for or against are not necessarily suitable for all dogs. Neutering is certainly not a one size fits all scenario.

Every dog is different, it is important to remember this. I have worked with entire dogs who have been absolute gentlemen and others who are fixated on one thing and one thing only bitches! A dog can smell a bitch on heat up to 3 miles away! Think about where you live that’s a lot of distracting smells around!

Dogs reach their sexual maturity between 5 months and 1 year which is a prime time for training your pup. Training can get very difficult when your dog is distracted and more focused on the sweet smell of a bitch on heat than you repeating his name requesting him to sit, lie down and wait for the millionth time, the pup that use to walk so nicely on the lead is now yanking your arm off every time he wants to pee up a wall or get to another dog! The focus and the willingness to please have frustratingly dissolved and you are left with a delinquent pooch!

However, as frustrating as this can be getting a dog neutered under 1 year is not recommended by the veterinary profession due to the direct effect it can have on your dog’s growth and the chance that neutering your dog too early can cause such things as joint disease and neoplasia (abnormal growths) !

 

So here are a few things to consider……

 

Age – Veterinarians do not recommend getting your dog castrated under 12 months of age however they may consider it should you have a dog who has behavioral issues or health implications. Always consult with your vet.

Type – Some owners want to keep their dogs testicles as a status symbol, not something I would recommend at all! The welfare of your dog is of utmost importance not how they look or how it makes you feel!

Breeding – If you are going to use your dog as a stud dog then probably not advisable to go down the surgical route, however, you could consider the chemical option as this is a temporary measure should you have concerns regarding their behavior or the chance of unwanted accidental impregnation. Consult your veterinarian to find out if this is an option for your dog.

Is Your dog an In-Work Working dog– Many working dogs require a higher level of testosterone as they are highly active!

Puberty an early bloomer – Some young dogs exhibit their sexual urges from a young age

Medical Reasons – Prostate issues, testicular cancers,

 

Pros for Neutering

  • Life expectancy increases by approximately 14%
  • Reduces and eliminates certain diseases like testicular and prostatic disease
  • Refocus your dog’s attention
  • Decreases testosterone-fuelled aggression
  • Less likely to roam
  • Less likely to be targeted aggressively by other dogs
  • Marking reduced
  • No puppies

 

Cons for Neutering

  • Weight Gain (can be managed by diet)
  • Links to Joint disease and neoplasia
  • Surgical procedure (low risk)
  • No guarantee it will change your dog’s unwanted behavior
  • No puppies

 

 

There is so so much information out there, so so many people telling you what to do! Make an educated decision weigh up the pros and cons for your dog and talk to a veterinarian or a canine expert who can give you both sides to this coin.

From my own personal experience having been an observer in several operating theatres watching this quick and easy procedure! I can say if the reason why you are not getting your dog castrated is because of an emotional attachment you have to your own bollocks then you need to stop putting yourself, your partner or any other male counterpart into the equation. The procedure is simple and quick and recovery time is fast. I can promise you your dog has no attachment to his crown jewels!

Please note that this article is written from my point of view, my research, and my experience.  For any medical advice please seek a trained Veterinarian.

 

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Not Everyone Loves Dogs

April 2, 2023 No Comments

Not everyone loves dogs!  I know, I know, hard to believe but not everyone loves dogs, and even harder to believe that not everyone loves

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Bulgarian Mountain Dogs

March 19, 2023 No Comments

I have been so very fortunate to go on a fabulous trip to Bulgaria last month and I will be completely honest I wasn’t disappointed.

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Children and Dogs

February 19, 2023 No Comments

Simple steps on how Kids should act and interact with dogs Many children do not know how to interact with dogs some are overzealous, and

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Why Getting a Dog at Christmas is a big NO NO!

We all know that getting a dog for Christmas is not a good idea but still soooo many people cannot help themselves!

Their child, their partner, their mother, or their father has been wanting a dog for so very long! So you have decided that Christmas would be the perfect time to surprise your loved one with a little bundle of joy and have the best Christmas EVER and give you mega brownie points right??

 

WRONG!!

 

Although getting a pup for Christmas has such a huge emotional shortlived benefit, the reality is that owning a dog is a huge tie, it’s not easy and a lot of time and effort should be invested into your dog to have a happy well rounded canine bestie!

 

If you want to get a puppy for someone special in your life the best thing you can do is look together, do your research understand how a dog will impact your life and whether you are prepared to give up the freedom that you know now!

 

Last year alone abandoned Christmas dogs went up by 54% compared to previous years!

 

Approximately 47,500 dogs end up in a shelter every year in the UK. statistics say that there is approximately a 27% increase rise of abandoned dogs 2 weeks post Christmas Give a voucher at Christmas, not a puppy!

 

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Not Everyone Loves Dogs

April 2, 2023 No Comments

Not everyone loves dogs!  I know, I know, hard to believe but not everyone loves dogs, and even harder to believe that not everyone loves

Read More »

Bulgarian Mountain Dogs

March 19, 2023 No Comments

I have been so very fortunate to go on a fabulous trip to Bulgaria last month and I will be completely honest I wasn’t disappointed.

Read More »

Children and Dogs

February 19, 2023 No Comments

Simple steps on how Kids should act and interact with dogs Many children do not know how to interact with dogs some are overzealous, and

Read More »

Retractable dog leads and why they are BAD for most dogs

Retractable dog leads and why they are BAD for most dogs!

Retractable leads have a place, for just a handful of dogs and owners.  For most dogs retractable leads are not their friend or yours!

Put yourself in your dog shoes (or paws) out for a nice walk you sniff that delicious pungent smell of another dog’s scent and you simply must go and smell it.  You zoom forward, you are freeeee with that sweet-sounding zip line sound zzzwwhmming through your ears, cock the leg then off to the next glorious odour!  You go from side to side doing your thing, life is good!

 

 

Next minute you are walking down a street and you smell those same smells that you so desperately want to sniff, you see your mate across the road so you want to go and see them this time you hear a click and that same zipping sound, with no warning you are sharply zapped back half strangled pulled back into place next to those size nines!!  It’s all very confusing! 

Do not get me wrong, Retractable leads have a time and a place.  The time you should never use a retractable lead is if you have a dog in training (which is pretty much all the time), never use one on a puppy, a dog that pulls, a dog with behavioural issues and last but not least a dog you do not let off lead.

 

Yes yes yes, I can hear you now saying but I need to give my dog exercise and I can’t let him/her off the lead!

 

Look to the route cause. Why can’t you let your dog off the lead?  Go back to basics and get the information you need to rectify this! 

WolfeEdu firmly believes in training the human first, if we humans understand basic animal behaviour and have the key training foundations then 90% of behavioural issues will be irradicated before they have even manifested themselves!

 

The only time you should use it is for a mature well-trained dog who is no bigger than a Westie and even then I’m reluctant to say use one!

Dogs require clear and concise training!  A retractable dog lead is not clear and concise, it’s erratic, messy, and inconsistent, and there is no security in one. 

 

  Needless to say, you and your dog can get terrible rope burn, they are cumbersome, the mechanism can fail,   tangalation (not sure if that is even a word), and lack of control, therefore, putting both yourself and your dog in danger and the dog does not understand its boundaries.

It’s all very nice letting your untrained pooch shoot from one bush to another like they are on some gladiator Bungy getting hoicked back when they reach the end of the line!  But please put yourself in your dog’s shoes your free you running oh no you’re not.. HOICK… Not Fair, not to mention the damage that can be done to their throat! 

What to do!

 

Place your retractable dog lead to one side or in a box never to be opened again!!!

 
  1. Cement the recall!
  2. Purchase a classic lead, a training lead, not too long not too short and relax.
  3. Understanding how the type of lead you have chosen will help when leading your dog. 
  4. And get his or her recall down. 

Please note some but not all links are affiliate links should you choose to purchase a recommended product via the link, WolfeEdu will receive a small commission to say thank you for pointing you in the right direction to great products.

Clicker Training is an effective way of training with positive reinforcement.  Do not use the clicker training method unless you understand how to carry out the process effectively.  A dog can easily become desensitized/unresponsive to the clicker if training is not carried out appropriately.

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Not Everyone Loves Dogs

April 2, 2023 No Comments

Not everyone loves dogs!  I know, I know, hard to believe but not everyone loves dogs, and even harder to believe that not everyone loves

Read More »
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11 steps when bringing a puppy home to your young family

Are you thinking of buying a puppy or are waiting for your new bundle of joy to arrive, but do not know how to integrate it into the family?  

This article will give you some tips on how you can keep your little one safe.  It sounds a bit ridiculous when it’s just a harmless puppy, but this puppy will grow into an adolescent dog, a teenager (and we all know what teenagers are like? Unpredictable)! 

By building good solid foundations with your puppy from the moment you bring the little bundle of fluff home it will only serve your dog and your family well in the long run.  

Should you want to find out more details or key tips on training that begins from the moment you pick up the puppy and the first few weeks of life click here and this will take you to an excellent article which will guide you to the best way to train your new puppy with zero knowledge.

But this is about training humans. If we understand how our behaviour impacts a dog then we will have the most incredible K9 companion. 

 

11 Steps when bringing a puppy home to your young family!

Step 1 – Talk to your child before you bring home the puppy, and explain to them about being gentle and the simple commands and hand gestures to use for Sit, Lie Down, & Heal. 3 simple commands that the whole household agrees on.

Step 2 – Explain to your child that a puppy is not a toy and that biting is not OK but he/she will do it to say a short No if this does happen and to walk away.  Do not leave your baby/toddler/child alone with the puppy without supervision.   Both child and puppy need to learn how to be gentle with each other.

Step 3 – Bringing your puppy home – The puppy will be nervous, especially in the first few days.  It is important to keep a calm and relaxed environment, do not allow too many visitors too soon as much as you desperately want to show your puppy off. Keep to the family circle only to build the bonds and get to know one another, however, it is important to bring in outsiders who also interact with your dog so they understand that there is no need for unnecessary protection.

Step 4 – Play with your puppy using games like retrieving, and hunting out objects, Start teaching your puppy to understand the simple commands.  In the early stages get your children to observe until they & you feel that they can confidently use the commands. Avoid rough and tumble games, biting and tug of war. Do not force play – if your child wants to play he/she should invite the puppy over, should the puppy not come then the child should respect that and not force him/her to do so.

Step 5 – Do not feed your puppy at the same time that you eat.  It’s advisable to feed them well after you have finished your meal.  Place your puppy in a crate or on its bed during mealtime to reduce the chance of a dog that begs and stealing food.  

Step 6 – Do not feed your puppy human processed food, dogs are not designed to eat cheese, peanuts, ham, crisps etc… the lines become very blurred between what they can eat and what they can’t, you will encourage, begging, stealing of food, and in some cases food aggression not to mention you are slowly killing your dog with kindness.

 Step 7 – Avoid licking – Dogs & puppies’ mouths are full of germs and invisible pathogens.  Worms and bacterial infections can be transmitted between humans and dogs.  Do not allow licking it is unhygienic and can be dangerous.

Step 8 – Get your children to practice recall with the dog but understand not to overuse the recall as this can backfire – Use a reward system of low salt natural dog treats, carrots (or other dog-friendly vegetables or fruit that your puppy likes), cut up pieces of chicken,  ( cooked to avoid any potential risk to health) etc….

Step 9 –Be clear to the puppy where he/she sleeps.  When the puppy is sleeping tell your children not to disturb them – sleeping time is a precious for their growth and recovery from all their endless hours of playing.  Explain to your child that when your puppy is sleeping and eating leave them well alone.  Always have a sacred place where the dog can take itself away, where it feels safe and secure a place where it is not disturbed. 

Step 10 – Praise – tell your child to praise the puppy, like us humans we thrive on positive reinforcement.  Show your child how to stroke your puppy with a gentle smooth motion with the hair not against it.  

Step 11- Make your child aware that the puppy is not to be sat on, have its ears or tail pulled, eyes poked, or put its hands in its mouth.  To me, this is common sense, but too many adults turn a blind eye and do not see it happening until one day the child does something and the dog snaps causing only a very sad result.  Respect the dog I find asking your child to imagine they were a dog what would they do if someone pulled their ears or sat on them how would it make them feel – every time the answer is the same!

 

If you are an inexperienced dog owner to become the best it is always advisable to contact a trained professional to give both yourself and the puppy the best start which will lead to a harmonious existence together! Be the best leader you can be ask the experts!

 

(If you enjoyed his article and would like to provide feedback, add a comment or require additional information,  please fill out the form on our contact page).



The 5 Commands that all Puppies should be Taught from Day 1!

Having a puppy doesn’t have to be hard, but more often than not we make it that way, especially for an inexperienced owner!  

Here you will understand the importance of teaching your puppy 5 simple commands starting from the moment you bring him or her home!  

Puppies are a blank canvas, everything they have learned is by natural teachings by the litter and from their maternal mother in their first few weeks of their lives.  

When you receive your puppy between 8 – 12 weeks everything they have learnt, everything they know, is what its mother and siblings has taught him/her.  Therefore, it is vital not to take a puppy away from its litter prior to 8 – 12 weeks.  

At 8-12 weeks a puppy knows how to be a dog around its canine family, it has no idea of how to integrate into the human world.  We expect them to seamlessly fit into our lives without realising how many hours, days, months, and years of effort and work is needed to be put in. 

 Imagine being given a baby and expecting him/her to walk straight away, to know its 5 times table without going to school or sitting and eating nicely around the dinner table without being shown.  It just wouldn’t happen there would be carnage everywhere!  A puppy is the same principle, it needs to be taught with kindness, love, given clear boundaries and positive reinforcement.

A grown dog has emotions and feeling equivalent to that of a 2 ½ year old child, but we expect so much more from them! 

WolfeEdu firmly believes that we can shape our dogs and if they have unfavourable behavioural traits then it is highly likely to reflect poor training, negative influences & bad experiences etc….  

From jumping up, stealing food, not coming back on command (poor recall), destructive behaviour, barking, whining, biting, separation anxiety, fear, aggression, mental shutdown ohhh the list goes on, we cause it all!!

One thing a dog craves is a leader and that leader is you!  When owning a dog, you instantly take on this challenge whether you like it or not and are therefore responsible for your dog’s behaviour.

If you have a child, as a parent, you naturally become their leader and you take responsibility for their good and bad points!  Now look at your dog from this perspective and you should now feel the responsibility to help educate them into being the best possible dog they can be teaching them all the right things to the best of your ability! 

 If we stay focused on these 5 simple commands in the first 6-12 months then you may just have a happier puppy who will turn into a magnificent, obedient, adolescent dog that others admire.

Yes you will have other challenges, but they will be lessen if you start teaching your pup these 5 commands when you bring him/her home! 

The 5 Commands that all Puppies should be Taught from Day 1

Sit,  Lie Down, Stop, Wait, Come That’s It!

 

  • Sit – This is the one command I think most dog owners use whether it is sitting before they eat their meal, sitting on the pavement at the side of the road ready to cross, or sitting attentively waiting for your next command!  As soon as you get your dog to sit instantly the dog’s eyes are on you, focused and waiting for the next instruction! Such a powerful command! 
  • Lie Down – Lying down normally comes next after your dog has mastered the sit.  Lying down grounds your dog and forms a larger surface area anchor point, your dog is less likely to be reactive and impulsive!  By grounding your dog and being able to stay in this position for a period of time until released will serve you no end!
  • Stop – A visual and verbal command can save you and your dog when he/she is at risk or something unfavourable happening.  STOP if your dog has sighted another dog, bird, deer, small child, cars, any moving object and makes a run for it.  STOP will instantly break their attention from that potential hazardous situation.  

Many people who have sight hounds (examples of sighthounds Lurcher, Greyhound, Afghan, Suluki, Borzoi etc..) have experienced this – Your dog has gone slightly out of the control range, and he sees movement you frantically call them back but there is no point as they are off, there is no stopping them!  If you have a clear stop command this can be the difference from loosing your dog for hours on end (or worse) to stopping them before the event has happened!

  • Wait /Stay – Waiting is extremely hard for any dog and is a potentially life saving command/trick.  Visually and verbally, do not overuse the voice but use concise clear command.  Start with on the lead close training and do not introduce distance until he/she has mastered not breaking the stay.  This will also serve you with dogs who jumps up, runs to the front door barking ferociously every time the doorbell goes and at feeding time! 
  • Come -Recall, how many people cannot exercise their dog safely off the lead? Too many!  How are many people’s dogs never allowed to stretch their legs and explore safely without the constraint of a collar and a lead?  If your dog has a good recall, then many problems are resolved!  Your dog will lead (excuse the pun) a happier life, and so will you as you will have utter control over your dog, always keeping him/her safe!  

 

These 5 simple commands are easy, but it is also easy to become a nag!  DO not desensitize your dog from you voice by using the same command repeatedly without a result and reward, do not use your dog’s name over and over again otherwise they will simply switch off! 

 

Clear concise commands – start small do not go out into a wide-open space and let your dog off the lead and expect him/her to come back!  This will take months of training start in the house, in the garden, on a long training line etc, and once you are comfortable in a secure safe environment for example a dog park or fully fenced field only then should you let your dog off the lead.  Please ensure safety to you, your dog and others in your vicinity are paramount!

 

Always acknowledge and reward good behaviour positive reinforcement is a key training method that is kind and works!

 

(If you enjoyed his article and would like to provide feedback, add a comment or require additional information,  please fill out the form on the contact page).