Bang! Yes, it's fireworks season yet again...

What does your dog do when they hear fireworks?

1. Sleep through them soundly? 
2. Quiver, shake, drool and try to hide away from the dreaded fireworks?
3. Or take dreadful offence at the invading noises, and bark to scare them off?

Unless you answered with option 1, you're going to need a survival strategy to put in place fast.

And if your young puppy hasn't experienced fireworks yet - you will want to be prepared to make sure it's fun for them.



Noise fears and phobias are some of the most insidious behaviour problems I see in my clinical practice, and years of living with sensitive collies has given me more practice experience than I ever wanted!

Yes, you should have thought about fireworks before now.

But life is busy, and suddenly it's nearly November *eeek*

Fireworks Fears? Online Help for just £5

Friday 25th October, 7.30pm

 with Morag K Heirs PhD, Clinical Animal Behaviourist

You CAN stop the fears getting worse this year AND make a plan to help your dog cope better next year too.

The session includes evidence and experience based techniques to support your dog, when to talk to your vet for extra help, and the chance to ask questions about your own dog.

SESSION WILL BE RECORDED - you can attend live or send in your questions in advance


If you are dreading the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th of November (and the weeks before and after!) then you NEED to attend this webinar.


Fight the Firework Fears





However in some unexpectedly good news, Sainsbury's have announced that they will no longer stock fireworks. I can't tell you how delighted I was to hear this! Let's keep pushing the other supermarkets to step up to the mark.

Enjoy the peaceful evenings while you can, and I'm looking forward to seeing some of you online later this week.


Morag, the Collie Girls (one deaf, one much braver than she was) and the Big Yin (what noise?)

What's on in WCC Land?

We're starting to make plans for the annual WCC Xmas activity evening at Yorkshire Museum of Farming.


It turns out the WCC family have some amazing hidden skills including how to make snuffle mats, seriously tough tug toys from old clothes and more.

So we're hosting a festive "come and craft" evening where you can bring your own materials, and we'll help you transform them into amazing canine gifts.

• PLUS the ever popular "bring and swop" table for all your unwanted dog-related items, with anything left at the end going to local rescue organisations
• AND Gina will be running the raffle again with all monies going to local rescues.
• Morag will be baking (for your dogs!) and could be persuaded to bring some recipe sheets?
• Clare will be in charge of mince pies and gingerbread of course
• and we might just persuade Laura to bake for you too.

DATE COMING SOON! 

Why you should escape to the country

No, I can’t come out to the pub/go for dinner/visit you at home for the next two weeks if it's in the evening...

That’s what life is like when you have a noise sensitive dog around the 5th of November.

I’m lucky, even though Freya is worried by some loud noises, she’s dramatically better than a couple of years ago thanks to a combination of training and supportive medication.

And she’s never been as bad as my first collie Finn was.

When we have had the usual random fireworks in the area, I’ve gone for the “silly happy voice + treat shower” as usual.

I also tend to pop a Thundershirt on Freya as she finds the pressure helpful (your mileage may vary – so always be guided by your dog).

But I still opted to escape to the country (Wensleydale in fact) this weekend because it made life easier for everyone.

Plus it reduces the chance of Freya getting more worried, or passing on her fears to anyone else in the family.

I really hope your dogs have survived the worst few days without too much trauma, and don’t forget to be careful in the evenings for the next weeks as the left overs are let off.

What to do if your dog found it really hard this year

1. Starting planning to go away over the worst few days next year now – seriously, this can make such a difference 
2. Make an appointment with your vet to discuss the problem - you will need a survival strategy for New Years Eve 
3. AND get a referral to a clinical animal behaviourist – we can help your dog feel less terrified but it takes time, lets start making things better for 2019!

If you want to find out more about your options, and what a behaviour modification programme includes, you can still access the recording of our practical seminar from March

https://wellconnectedcanine.teachable.com/p/noise-fears-and-phobias-a-practical-seminar

Meanwhile, what’s going on in WCC land?

Sunday 11th Nov at 2pm Sunday Sports & Social

A relaxed informal get together where you can train your dog among friendly people, and eat lots of cake! Tell us you’re coming by clicking HERE!

Saturday 24th November 

Two half day clicker training workshops to brush up on your skills before the winter really sets in.

• Train Your Dog Like a Dolphin for people new to clicker training
• The Art & Science of Clicker for the pro trainers! 

Click HERE for more information

Fingers and paws crossed for a peaceful week for everyone,

Morag and the Beasties

Are you preparing for the scary? Make Halloween happier for your dog!

Hello folks,

Despite all the fireworks that have been going off lately, we’ve still the excitement of Halloween to look forwards to.

In classes we use any excuse to dress up for puppy socialisation

but it’s good to remember that some dogs find it scary when their favourite humans turn into zombies!

Our top Halloween tips 

1. Think twice before dressing your dog up for Halloween – some dogs don’t mind wearing clothes but many more hate it!

2. Keep ALL the chocolate, candy and sweets well out of reach from inquisitive snoots!


3. If you don’t want trick or treaters knocking your door all night, why not print a copy of our handy sign and pop it on your gate?

4. But if your dog loves visitors coming to the door, make sure they’re on a lead or behind a baby gate for safety – York really doesn’t need a real Hound of the Baskervilles roaming the streets and stealing sweeties.





I’m so excited about sharing pictures from our Halloween themed classes later this week…

What else is going on in WCC world?

Sunday 11th Nov at 2pm Sunday Sports & Social

A relaxed informal get together where you can train your dog among friendly people, and eat lots of cake! Tell us you’re coming by clicking HERE!

Saturday 24th November 

Two half day clicker training workshops to brush up on your skills before the winter really sets in.

• Train Your Dog Like a Dolphin for people new to clicker training
• The Art & Science of Clicker for the pro trainers! 

Click HERE for more information


PS Are you more worried about the fireworks than Halloween tricks? 

Check out our detailed practical seminar from earlier in the year all about how to help your dog cope with scary noises

https://wellconnectedcanine.teachable.com/p/noise-fears-and-phobias-a-practical-seminar

Do you dream of a catastrophic shortage of fireworks?

When you live with a dog who gets upset or scared when there are fireworks (or World War 3!) going off outside, dark nights in October and November can feel like a nightmare.

No matter how well you prepare your dog, it’s always the unexpected early bangs that catch you out.

 Or the delayed party someone down the street has on November 7th, just when you thought it was safe to let your dog out for a wee.

Every year I diligently sign petitions, and write to my MP. Not just for my dogs, or your dogs, but for all the animals and people who are needlessly traumatised every fricking year.

And every year, it carries on being pretty horrific.

So in the spirit of trying something new, I’d like to invite your dogs to join me in a friendly letter writing campaign.

You see, I reckon most people who live near me don’t mean to cause mass terror and panic when they let off fireworks.

It just doesn’t occur to them that nearby animals (or people) might be scared.

There’s not a lot we can do about the random stuff that gets let off in the local park, but we could ask our neighbours to warn us when they’re planning a firework party.

We can plan meal times, toilet walks and emergency safe places when we know to expect bangs, pops, screams and whistles.

You can grab a copy of our draft “Hello Neighbours, I live near you and I’m scared of fireworks” letter to modify for your dog.

 Maybe add a picture of your gorgeous pooch too.

Then print a bunch of copies and start posting them through letter boxes!

Will it help?

I have no idea, but it’s got to be worth a try!

 Download the “hello neighbours, I’m scared” letter here: click this link

 Is your dog terrified of fireworks? 

Have they started to get nervous as the evenings draw in?

It's not too late to help your worried dog cope a little better this year.

We're almost fully booked for phone consults this month, but you can still access our full length talk all about Firework and Noise Fears, plus extra resources to help your dog.

Just click on the picture to get to the course!

And on a cheerier note (!) 

We're offering another chance to polish up your dog's nice lead walking skills with Morag on a Wednesday evening at Murton.

Stay By My Side (a three week intensive starts Wed 31st October) 

Not sure if it's for you?

Read what Phillipa thought of the last course

"Pepper and I have had issues with her walking on the lead since the beginning and it had become a really big deal for us. It was a real relationship spoiler, making her sad and me frustrated. As a first time dog owner I had no experience to refer to and things I read didn't seem to help.

We attended another class where Pepper was able to work for the instructor but not me and some of her other behaviours caused the instructor to warn me that "if I wasn't careful I'd end up with a problem dog" . I'd already gone against all family advice by insisting on having a Collie, so as you can imagine I was now really worried! 

At that point I splashed out on your fab Foundation classes and then later knew as soon as I saw the Stay By My Side that it would be for good us.

From doing the foundation classes I knew I would get practical 'tools' to help us but I didn't realise how quickly we'd feel the benefit! 

After the first class we were both happier, I was expecting only what Pepper could achieve and she was happy to be pleasing me and being a clever dog! 

By the second session, our trainer had really got the measure of us and was able to tell me how to use Pepper's strengths to advantage. I came out of that session feeling like I was really able to train my dog! By the third session we were able to consolidate the stuff we'd learned and practiced and both ended the course feeling like super stars.

The biggest difference was that really the sessions were about training me so I could help Pepper and now I have all of those tools ( and a dose of confidence!) to use every time we go out. We aren't perfect yet but we do now have our perfect moments and we'll just have to string them along until it's all good!

The classes are really worth their money. Advice and practical experience from someone who wants you to succeed and will find your strengths. Not so much dog training classes as people training classes where they teach you how to become a dog trainer for your dog. Ha! Not sure that last bit makes sense but I can't think how else to put it!

It has made such a difference to us"

Crow-scarers, whose bright idea were they anyway?!?

I mean, I know they might be useful for farmers but *insert sweary words of choice here* seriously!

You’re enjoying a relaxing walk with your dog across the fields, watching them sniff for rabbits, and then

BANG

so close it felt like someone shooting at you.

No wonder your dog panics. Starts running home, or panting with wide eyes.

Does your heart start jumping?

Do you feel that knot of anxiety in your stomach as you work out the distance to get back to the car?

Some dogs are just scared of fireworks, but lots of dogs get a bit worried about other loud noises too.

The bad news is that if you just ignore it and hope things will get better – they usually don’t. I’m working with two lovely dogs right now who were a bit sensitive as pups but now have full blown noise phobias and can’t even go on normal walks any more.

The good news is that there’s lots you can do to help a worried or scared dog. I know because I’ve gone through it with two of my own dogs, and helped over 50 other dogs to cope better in a noisy world.

How you can help your dog:

The first step is to find out how bad your dog’s fears really are. Take this short FREE quiz to find out and get suggestions about what to do

http://www.adaptil.com/uk/What-Causes-Stress-in-Dogs/Behaviourist-Fear-of-Fireworks-Assessment

If you want to know more, come along to our evening seminar (Well Connected Canine + York Vets4Pets) this Wednesday (5^th July) 7pm, Wigginton Old School.

I’m going to explain what makes a fear different from a phobia, look at the natural and behavioural treatment options available and help you write an action plan for your own dog.

We have just 3 places remaining – phone Vets4Pets York on 01904 658 201 to book your place. Ticket price is just £10 for two family members, refreshments, goodie bag and vouchers for behavioural health checks and a phone consultation.

Don’t delay – it’s only FOUR months until bonfire night and the fireworks season starts…

Morag and the collie girls 

(part of the reason I have two deaf dogs is because my first collie had such serious noise phobias)

PS if you live too far away to come to the seminar, you can always chat to us about working via Skype. All you need is enthusiasm and a reasonable internet connection and I can probably help you. Email info@wellconnectedcanine.co.uk to apply for a consultation.