food reward

German Shepherd Banjo: From Punishment and Deprivation to Reward and Enrichment

It’s hard picking up the pieces when a conscientious and well-meaning dog owner has been following old-fashioned, dominance-based advice. Advice using punishment and intimidation through ignorance. They believe what someone who sets himself up as an authority says is the way to do things.
It’s also extremely upsetting for the owner when their eyes are opened. Fortunately, things can only get better now.

By Theo Stewart, ago

First time puppy owner

Cocker Spaniel Maisy, age 11 weeks, has been ‘helping’ the gentleman to do a little planting in the garden. They are first time puppy owners and want to get things right. Devilment! Yesterday we spent the entire time I was there, between other chat, using food and fun to occupy Read more

By Theo Stewart, ago

Did he really bite out of the blue?

I suggested that she asked her vet to give Pete a thorough check including bloods and a physical examination to rule out pain and any other condition that could make him have a short fuse. Unfortunately the vet refused, saying he could see the dog was fine and then gave confusing and outdated behaviour advice.

By Theo Stewart, ago

Walking nicely

Duke, the puppies’ father, and Princess, both three years old, had the wrong start in life. Duke was in a barn and then not taken out until five months old which left a big gap in his vital socialisation. Princess  had been left alone for hours and was beaten for destroying things.

By Theo Stewart, ago

Frustrated puppy

What do normal puppies do?

They toilet indoors, they have manic sessions tearing around the place, they may fly at you and nip, they chew the carpet, they bite you with their sharp little teeth, they get over-excited and they may even get cross when you tell them off.

By Theo Stewart, ago

Doesn’t come when called

When a dog has learnt to be selective whether he comes or not when called, it can be good to start all over again with a whistle. Home work needs to be put in first – lots of it. After a thousand toots of the whistle over a couple of weeks, each time followed by a tiny piece of something tasty (it can be a great family game whistling a dog from room to room), we should be well on the way to creating a conditioned response.

By Theo Stewart, ago

Little Dogs and Too Much Barking

20-month old Poodles Squirrel and Teddy were joined a couple of months ago by little Westie/Bichon cross Lily who is now 5 months old. Their family runs a children’s nursery. As our meeting progressed, they kept saying, ‘I can’t believe this is just the same as we would do with Read more

By Theo Stewart, ago