I believe that Rosie is genetically a timid dog. She previously lived with quite a lot of dogs and they bullied her. She is very scared of dogs. Timid Rosie hid As I entered the room Rosie ran over to the young lady and hid beside her on the sofa. Read more…
Sweet little Fox Red Labrador, Willow, used to live outside in kennels with other gundogs. Now she is in a very new world. Brave Willow’s new world. When one considers this is the first time the two-year-old has lived in a house, everything is a big adjustment. Just think of Read more…
The family rehomed two-year-old Puggle Zadie two weeks ago as company for their older Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and their little daughter. As so many people do, they felt they should immediately introduce their new dog to as many people, dogs and places as possible. Too much too soon They Read more…
Jack Russell Chihuahua mix Rollo is scared of hands. Until a couple of years ago he was a friendly little dog who enjoyed gentle petting from most people.
Then something happened. (more…)
Like many people, they have felt it kindest to allow their gorgeous one-year-old Cockerpoo Harvey free access to the garden via a permanently open dog flap. He may need to toilet.
However, Harvey’s use of the dog flap has been to charge out looking for trouble.
Then he barks at any sound he hears.
Rusti is a tiny 13-month-old Miniature Daschund. She is wary of people. Too often an approaching person means a large hand over her head.
She looks so cute people feel compelled to touch her.[divider type=”white”]
Ethel can be two different dogs.
She is friendly and confident around people when out of the house whether she knows them or not. She enjoys visits to a cafe and days at daycare.
At home the young Cockerpoo is a different dog. (more…)
Soon after they fetched Barney at twelve weeks of age, they went out for a short while. They had shut him safely in his crate where he seemed happy.
They came home to a distraught and terrified puppy. Urine and faeces everywhere. They, too, were extremely upset.
What a joy to meet these three dogs. Ten-week-old Jack Russell Ozzy was asleep in his crate. Milo, 7 – a Patterdale Border Terrier mix – greeted me politely at the door. Labrador Scooby was in the open kitchen doorway, tail wagging in a friendly fashion. An invisible barrier? Why Read more…
I’m starting Johnny’s story with a little rant on dominance from my soap box.
As a force-free, modern trainer/behaviourist I don’t need to dominate a dog to get compliance.
I won’t say that dominance – being very firm and overpowering – doesn’t work. It can and it does. Sometimes.
In the old days I’m ashamed to say I didn’t know better and that is what I did until I learnt how inefficient it was. I have been there. I know what I’m talking about. Being kind and allowing the dog choices does not mean being permissive. I apply rules also. I don’t use force.
Many people still believe that being what they erroneously think is ‘being the Alpha’ is the right way to train and control their dog. It’s not helped by certain TV trainers who make a lot of money using old-fashioned techniques that look like quick fixes.
Few dog owners psychologically would make effective ‘Alphas’ anyway. (more…)