If you go down in the woods today.....

 If you go down in the woods today

You're sure of a big surprise!

 Teddy Bear's Picnic, lyrics by Jimmy Kennedy / John W. Bratton

*and yes, that is Laird temporarily back on a long line in very exciting places. All part of my plan to give him more freedom later in the year*

In case you need to drive out the earworm, listen to the whole song here! 


I hope you've been able to find something better than muddy floodwater in the woods this week?

All fingers crossed here for better weather in March, not least because we have all sorts of workshops and events planned.

Social Skills (for dogs that sometimes struggle)

Safe spaces for your dog to practice their conversational skills with other dogs or people. These sessions are ideal if your dog is ready to get closer, learn how to make friends or build tolerance levels.  Maximum of two spaces per session

• When: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays - there will be evening sessions from the spring 
• Where: PawPark, Sand Hutton
• Check the schedule and book here

Hoopers Taster Session (with Clare)

If you missed out on booking in to try Hoopers, we have one more workshop running before regular classes start. You MUST have attended a taster session or a 121 intro with Clare to be eligible for the classes!

• When: 21 March 2020
• Where: PawPark, Sand Hutton
• Book your space here

That's not a sheep! Herding Dog Games (with Morag)

Does your dog crouch, stare, fixate or chase stuff?
Ever feel like you've just been herded round a walk?
Are other dogs puzzled by your herding dog's behaviour?

During this half day workshop we'll be learning about the special quirks of the herding dog brain and incorporating games designed for  them into your training to help build focus, steadiness, recall and the start of control at distance...plus more!  Open to all breeds of dog, not just collies! 

• When: 22 March 2020
• Where: PawPark, Sand Hutton
• Book your space here

How Max and Gina survived the school holidays - part one of the progress reports

An update from Gina with Max, one of our amazing dogsbodies as well as being a dedicated client! 

Laura’s recent blog about how Parkour had made their holiday more enjoyable got me thinking about the last few weeks while the children have been off school. (missed the blog? catch up here)

I guess most people who have a dog, but no children don’t give much thought to school holidays.

However, for me and my dog Max it has previously been a challenge that we have survived, but only just.

The problem is that I live in Bridlington right in the middle of the tourist area and Max struggled around pretty much all dogs and most unfamiliar people, not a good combination on a sunny August day.

Previously we managed the situation by either getting up at the crack of dawn or driving somewhere quiet hoping that we didn’t meet anyone else.

This summer we not only survived the tourists, we have actually made progress towards our goals. 

We started with Well Connected Canine last year, initially with 121 help then progressing on to rehab club.

However, more recently we signed up for the special workshops designed for dogs that struggle in normal class situations such as Scentwork for Sensitive dogs, Parkour and the Foundation Skills weekly classes.

I had previously under estimated the benefits of Max being able to work in safe set up scenarios and the difference has been amazing and lovely to watch.

The classes usually take place at Paw Park, so the open space makes it easier for the dogs to cope and each dog has its own “safe area” allocated which is screened off from the rest of the class.

We are currently working on a “wait” while I peer suspiciously around corners, walls and cars in search of any dogs or dubious looking people before deciding if Max can move forward or we do a quick let’s go in another direction.

So, is everything perfect with Max now?

Not yet - I still have to think about where we will walk, I have to constantly check Max is relaxed and coping when we are out.

The difference now is I have learned to be more relaxed myself and have more skills in my training tool box to use, although scent work is by far the most often used and I can often be found throwing and sticking cheese around Bridlington.

My next goal is to get Max closer to other dogs without him becoming worried, so I have booked on to Social skills for dogs that struggle, I want to be your friend?!

Who knows on my next update Max may have a new friend, that’s if I have not been taken in for questioning regarding my odd behaviour lurking around corners and throwing cheese around the town.

I know there are new classes starting soon and would recommend anyone who has been attending 121s or rehab to talk to Morag, Clare or Laura to see if you and your dog are ready for the next step. 

Gina and Max 

Since this was written Max has also been practicing his small talk at Social Skills for Dogs That Struggle. Learning how to politely greet Seamus, quietly flirt with Summer and more...having a new BFF might not be that far away!

The next blog will have a rather mixed bag of updates from me (Morag), Clare and Laura...

What's on at WCC for Sensitive Dogs?

If you feel like you have a Sensitive Dog, get in touch to talk about how we can help you both enjoy life together with less stress (email: info@wellconnectedcanine.co.uk)

Completed an Orientation or Behaviour Assessment with us already? One of these activities might be just what you’re looking for!  Look in the private Facebook Group or email us for the booking link (that way we can make sure you book onto the most suitable session)

The Dog Days of Summer (July 2019)

It's too hot for walks, chasing games or even just lying in the sun.

Even if your dog is sleeping the warm days away there comes a point when they start getting restless.

There’s a hint of boredom in those melting brown eyes that promises wickedness unless you can provide some entertainment.

 Right now two of the WCC dogs are injured, and on very limited exercise. So their tolerance for boredom is pretty low!

Poor Scout has an infected nail and clumsy Laird is recovering from three layers of stitches in his shoulder after spearing himself on a branch….

So here are our warm day/low exercise boredom busting tips! 

 

1. Dump the food bowl and get creative about freezing your dogs meals into food toys* 

• If you usually feed dry kibble add a spoonful of wet food to help it stick together. 
• My dogs adore a tin of mashed up sardines in olive oil. 
• Seal the top or edges with peanut butter (no added sugar or sweeteners or squeezy cheese/low fat Philadelphia for dogs like Freya who turn their nose up at PB 
• You will want lots of toys to help spread out the chilled meal time 

*Lots of people create complicated frozen treats and Kongs for their dogs, but when you have a multi dog household sometimes its better to keep things simple!

2. Quiet on lead Scentwork using simple directed searches along your garden wall (shaded areas only!) for 2-3 mins at a time

3. Frozen chicken feet – the canine ice pop of choice in my house!

4. Work on simple trick training that doesn’t involve much movement. Right now that’s building a sustained nose target and the beginning of “play dead” for my dogs.

And of course if you're Bronte, digging a cooling hole in the ground is just the best idea ever......

Last chance for a weekend workshop until September - August is just too hot!!

• "That's Not A Sheep!" (for herding dogs) is full

BUT there's a couple of places left on

• Saturday 27th July GunDog Games

• Sunday26th July Parkour Progressions

 Morag and the beasties

 What else is coming up in WCC Land?

Get Tracking - a three week course introducing you and your dog to finding a trail and following it! Open to sociable dogs who have completed a Getting Started Session or other classes with WCC. Starts Monday 5th August, 7pm at Yorkshire Museum of Farming

Sniffing School: Layers and Containers

Complex searches to challenge the keenest nose introducing baggage, postal sacks and more!

Open to sociable dogs who have completed our Progressions workshop or Level 1 classes, or equivalent - not sure if you are ready, drop an email to Morag!

Sunday 22nd September (morning workshop)

Sniffing School: Operation Salvage

Ever wanted your dog to find (and retrieve!) lost items? Maybe your keys, or even your wallet?

Open to sociable dogs who have played basic scentwork games before, retrieving skills not essential!.

Sunday 20th October (morning workshop)

Canicross Survival Skills

WHAT: Two half day workshops to boost your skills and enjoyment

• 09:30 Warming up and cooling down for canicross (includes 2k run)
• 13:30 Tackling REAL hills (includes 3-5k run)

WHEN: Sunday 15th September

WHERE: Yorkshire Cycle Hub, Fryup Dale, North York Moors  YO21 2AP

• Each workshop is limited to a max 8 participants (up to 2 dogs per runner), includes refreshments and kit check.
• Open to any canicross runner, ideal if you have completed an intro session previously
• £50 per workshop OR book both for £90

Choose your workshops here! 

All good dogs deserve fun (and yes, YOUR dog IS a good dog!)

Like lots of you, Clare and I got into dog training because we ended up with problem dogs of our own.

In my case, I adopted a 5yr old Border Collie with plans to explore the Scottish Highlands in between learning flyball and agility.

I also really wanted to do some Search + Rescue work having grown up acting as a “dogs body” for Killin Mountain Rescue Team.

Once there was even the dream of my faithful collie coming onto campus to give my undergraduate psychology students real life experience of animal learning . . .

There’s a saying that plans only last until you get punched in the face .

In this case it was a sharp encounter with reality that diverted most of those big ideas.

My faithful collie was, it turned out, something of a complex soul.

The list of behaviour problems just kept getting longer

• Fearful and aggressive to strangers (esp men) 
• Noise phobic 
• Travel phobic 
• Terrified of children (and would bite if feeling threatened) 
• Keen to chase other animals 
• Aggressive with many other dogs 

And that was just the start!

But despite his (many) challenges, Finn was still a “good” dog.

In fact, I adored him.  And while we worked on his problems, I still wanted to have fun with him! 

It took me several years to find an understanding trainer who would let us hang around on the edge of classes.

And I spent many evenings driving to Leeds and beyond.

But it was worth it.

“Fun” classes helped build our relationship.

We remembered how to enjoy things together.

Practicing everyday skills made it easier to cope in real life. Loose lead walking really does make handling a reactive dog easier!

And laughter became part of our training sessions again.

We don’t want you to have to struggle on alone or feel like it’s all hard work and no play.

But we know our special dogs need a calm, safe environment.

That’s why you’ll find “reactive dog” versions of our most popular classes.

Some sessions are focused on giving you more techniques, but plenty are “just” about having fun while learning with your dog.

Here’s just a few examples: 

• Scentwork Solutions for Reactive Dogs 
• Essential Life Skills for Reactive Dogs 
• Canicross for Reactive Dogs 
• Parkour for Reactive Dogs 
• Bodywork + Relaxation 
• (and we've just had a special request for Gundog Games for Reactive Dogs so watch this space!)

What makes these classes special?

1. Designed for dogs that need space from other dogs or humans 
2. Working outside, usually near your vehicle with optional barriers 
3. Taught by experienced trainers who will respect your dogs’ boundaries 
4. VERY small class sizes 
5. All attending dogs have been assessed and screened 
6. The chance to train in a supportive group atmosphere with other people who really understand what it’s like 

Reactive Dog specific sessions that are now open for bookings!

Sat 19th October Parkour Progressions for Reactive Dogs (afternoon)  Progress your Parkour

Sat 14th December Parkour Fundamentals for Reactive Dogs (afternoon) Start learning Parkour

Tues 13th August  6.30pm Essential Skills for Reactive Dogs: Progressions (4 week class)Book Essential Skills Class

General workshops that are now open for bookings!

If your dog struggles to cope around other dogs or people, please talk to us before booking on these sessions specifically. We want both you and your dog to have a relaxing learning experience, and sometimes that means you will get more out of the Reactive Dog specific sessions.

Saturday 21st September 1/2 day workshops @ PawPark

• Parkour Fundamentals (morning)
• Herding Dogs (morning)
• Gundog Games (afternoon)

 
If you don't see the class you were hoping for, stay tuned as we're confirming venues for the rest of our Autumn and Winter programme.


The weather is looking disgustingly hot for this week so please stay cool and fingers crossed that we don't have to cancel the weekend sessions....

Morag, the Collie Girls and the Injured Big Yin*

*Laird managed to stab himself in the shoulder last week so I'm desperately trying to keep him still while the stitches knit everything back together. Considering renaming him as Mr A&E!

Of rainy days and modern technology…

One of the greatest tools we have to improve our relationship with our dog is the amazing smart phone – because now you can video things without masses of forward planning.

I suspect you, like me, aren’t keen on being photographed let alone filmed.

Yet the power of working with a good trainer is when they spot all your little habits, and point them out.

Watching back videos of your own dog and your training sessions will give you that outside perspective.

That’s why we so often encourage you to send us videos of the problem situations, and ask you to film your homework between classes!

You can read Andrea’s take on having rediscovered a year’s worth of videos across behaviour consults and training classes at the end of this blog…. (Andrea submitted this blog back in the middle of the June rain storms - remember them?!)

I especially love the way Andrea uses the videos to spot where she gets things right not just as a way to critique their performance - top marks!

We have Co-operative Care/Handling and Advanced Bodywork coming up on Monday 15th July.

You'll be able to get so much more out of these classes if you can video between sessions - it lets us give you much more detailed feedback plus your dog may be more relaxed at home.

Drop us a wee message if you want to check the suitability of either class for your dog - we have space for one more student in each class or you can attend as a spectator.


More information and booking - click here

It has been a little rainy recently, restricting outdoor activities to a point and providing you with plenty of opportunity to tackle all those jobs you always intend to do, but feel too guilty to attempt if the weather is outright gorgeous.

One mammoth tasks is keeping your digital photos and videos organised and delete unwanted footage. It is so easy to create all that footage and before you know it, warning signs are flagging up that your storage is almost full and you wonder how the hell did this happen AND more so, what are all these videos off???

Without realising, I created a bit of a documentary of Nate’s journey since his return home and him starting rehab sessions and classes with WCC. 

Watching the videos made me realise how far our little man has come.

During rehab sessions he has learned to cope better around other dogs and to communicate how he feels in his body language. I, on the other hand, learned to spot the cues and interpret his body language better.

Now, looking at some of our early videos, I see cues and signs in his behaviour and body language which at the time I did not “see”, but now, whilst reviewing the videos, are blatantly obvious to me. I see all the work we have done in classes and workshops and the subsequent homework we completed and, you guessed it, videoed diligently.

I now realise how much of a valuable training tool videos can be, as so many times I think we completed a task badly or it feels unstructured and chaotic, but when reviewing the video I spot so many things we did right and what we need to work on to get it done even better.

The progress we both made amazes me and I realise how differently I now handle situations with him, using all the tools I acquired along the way.

I can see how Nate responds more positively to my requests, is more attentive and how we communicate better with each other.

Of course, every day is still a school day (love that phrase) and we have good days and not so good days, but without all those videos, I don’t think I really realised how we have improved together and are working as a little team.

What a morale booster!

Thank you Morag, Clare and everyone else at WCC.

Running without my dog ? Are you crazy?

Last Sunday Laura and I spent several hours running, stretching and doing a variety of weird and wonderful things in the name of becoming a (slightly) better runner . . . .thanks to Jason + Kim Cavill and Ryedale Canicross.

And I was strongly reminded of the amazing weekend I spent in the Forest of Dean two years ago learning techniques from Anthony le Moigne – one of the top European cani-crossers.

What both sessions had in common was the idea that to improve as a cani-crosser we also have to run dog less *weeps*

At least some of the time!

Why?

Because canicross is about more than being dragged along by your dog, it should be a team effort.

That means you need to work hard, run efficiently and be a good partner.

But let's be honest.

Most canicrossers start running because they have dogs.

Some of you might have been keen (or indifferent) runners before your dog arrived, but for many of us the reason we run IS our dogs.

The idea of going for a run AND then still having to walk the dogs doesn’t really appeal – I mean who has that much free time on their hands ?

So what are your options ?

1. If your dogs can safely go off lead, remove harnesses and free run the dogs when you need to focus on your own skills e.g. my dogs don’t need to do hill repeats but l definitely do…. 
2. If you can’t unleash your hounds because they might never come back or just because of livestock, why not run with a buddy and take turns to run dogless? 

 Not even the keenest dog wants to be dragging an awkward lump behind them – so we owe it to our amazing dogs to up our running game.

That means running efficiently rather than braking the dog’s forward momentum every time you take a stride. It means increasing your cadence and driving from the gluteal muscles (your bum).

Are you willing to take the dogless training challenge?

Get posting in the FB group or hit reply to this email!

 Morag, Freya and Laird 

#beautyandthebeast # Laird the Enabler #ultra_collie

P. S. Don’t forget to SAVE THE DATES for our September adventure at Fryup Dale in the North York Moors [14th/15th September 2019]

P.P.S  Not sure when too hot really is too hot to run your dog? Check out this interview with Dr Anne Carter and Emily Hall MRCVS who are leading research into how dogs cope with the heat.

https://k9trailtime.wordpress.com/2018/06/27/k9-trail-time-interview-with-an-expert-or-two-dr-anne-carter-emily-hall-mrcvs-experts-on-heatstroke-in-dogs/

Up Your Running Game (three week skills intensives)

Canicross Intensives: This way, that way (15 July 2019)

Sick of shouting directions that fall on deaf furry ears? Want to stop running into trees because your dog lost track of the path?

"This way, that way" introduces directions including turns, moving over and building to a verbal command.

• Maximum two dogs per session.
• Handlers need to have completed a canicross intro session (workshop or 121)
• Minimum dog age: 12 month

Book This Way Not That Way

Canicross Intensives: Get on by (5 Aug 2019)

Fed up with your dog getting distracted by every shiny, squeaky, smelly or scrumptious? Want to move through crowds or past dogs without getting tied in a knot?

"Get on by" builds up consistent forward focus, whatever the distraction.

• Maximum two dogs per session
• Handlers need to have completed a canicross intro session (workshop or 121)
• Minimum dog age: 12 months

Book Get On By

Canicross Intensives: Descending without death! (9 Sept 2019)

Constantly scared of being pulled face first down that hill?

"Descending without death" works on core descending strategies from the safety of flat ground, looking at speedy and controlled options to find the best approach for you.

• Maximum two dogs per session
• Handlers need to have completed a canicross intro session (workshop or 121)
• Minimum dog age: 12 months

Book Descending Without Death

Morag, Freya and Laird

#beauty_and_the_beast # Laird_the_Enabler #ultra_collie

Thursday Morning Focus

“Why don’t we use the time for a training session for our own dogs?”

Last week’s disgusting weather forecasts had led to a client’s planned training session being postponed and we were throwing ideas around about what to do with the booked venue (because when you’ve got a session booked at the Paw Park already, it seems a real shame to waste it!).

What started as a throwaway suggestion turned out to be the best idea I (Laura) had all week.

 As trainers’ dogs, our canine families spend a lot of time waiting while we help other people train with their dogs. At home while we teach classes, in vehicles while we run training sessions or settled on mats waiting to be demo dogs for a particular skill or technique.

Their own training time tends to get slotted into the gaps in our days – two minutes while the kettle is on, five minutes during a walk – but location and convenience limit what we can work on and, on particularly busy days, it might get neglected entirely.

Setting aside that dedicated time – just us and our dogs in a field, with no other distractions – gave us the space to work on the things we really wanted to work on.

There were no other dogs to make friends with (Seamus), no deer to chase (Laird), no floor snacks to steal (Brian) and no squirrels to stare at (Freya).

We could work multiple dogs at once, set up the session in the ways that work best for us and, most importantly, we could just have fun spending quality time with our dogs.

Honestly, it went so well we’ve made it a weekly thing.

Whether it’s a structured class, a trainer-led individual session, or time that you put aside to spend with your dog, these longer training sessions are a great opportunity to introduce new skills, or remind yourselves of long since forgotten skills (think of something you learnt at school that you haven’t practised since – I bet you can’t remember how to do it!

Our dogs aren’t really any different so it’s always worth going back to some of those old habits to make sure we’ve still got them).

If we take that time to lay the groundwork, we can reinforce those new skills during those two minute tea-break sessions.

This week, I challenge you to think of something you’d really like your dog to be able to do that they can’t already.

This might be one of those essential life skills (like walking nicely on the lead) or one of those cool tricks (like playing dead).

Then (and this is the harder bit), find yourself a timeslot in the week to start working on it.

Try it for three weeks and let us know how you get on with learning your new skills!

Happy training time!

Laura, Brian and Seamus (#teamsmallbutmighty) 

PS If you think you need something more concrete to help focus your training time, why not book a practical coaching session or take a look at our summer class schedule?

We know holidays can make for disrupted summers, so we’ve reworked things to offer shorter classes which will hopefully fit with your summer breaks! All classes run on a Monday (except the special Reactive Dogs Life Skills sessions)

Just click on the class you're interested in for more information!

Monday classes	18:30 - 19:15 (with Clare)	19:00 - 19:45 (with Morag)	20:00 (with Morag)	20:30 (with Morag)	20:30 (with Laura)
15 July	Husbandry & Cooperative Care STARTS	Advanced Bodywork STARTS	Mind Your Manners Level I STARTS	Baby Come Back FASTER Level II STARTS	Canicross 3 week Intensive: This way, that way
22 July	Husbandry & Cooperative Care	Advanced Bodywork	Mind Your Manners	Baby Come Back II	Canicross 3 week Intensive: This way, that way
29 July	Husbandry & Cooperative Care	Advanced Bodywork	Mind Your Manners	Baby Come Back II	Canicross 3 week Intensive: This way, that way
5 August	Husbandry & Cooperative Care	Sniffing School Level II: Get Tracking STARTS	Baby Come Back Level I STARTS	Stay by my Side LONGER Level II STARTS	Canicross 3 week Intensive: Get on by
12 August	Husbandry & Cooperative Care	Sniffing School Level II: Get Tracking	Baby Come Back	Stay by my Side II	Canicross 3 week Intensive: Get on by
19 August	APDT Good Companion Award STARTS	Sniffing School Level II: Get Tracking	Baby Come Back	Stay by my Side II	Canicross 3 week Intensive: Get on by
26 August	Bank Holiday	Bank Holiday	Bank Holiday	Bank Holiday	Bank Holiday
2 September	APDT Good Companion Award	--	--	--	--
9 September	APDT Good Companion Award	Bodywork Introduction STARTS	Stay by my Side Level I STARTS	Mind Your Manners EVERYWHERE  Level II STARTS	Canicross 3 week Intensive: Descending without death
16 September	APDT Good Companion Award	Bodywork Introduction	Stay by my Side	Mind Your Manners II	Canicross 3 week Intensive: Descending without death
23 September	APDT Good Companion Award	Bodywork Introduction	Stay by my Side	Mind Your Manners II	Canicross 3 week Intensive: Descending without death