New Year: New Actions?

Yep, it's that time of year again when the world seems full of good ideas and shiny resolutions. Not to mention the fields are full of dogs suddenly being walked more than usual.

I'm (Morag) a big fan of setting goals, tracking actions and reviewing progress.

But I'm NOT a big fan of the whole new year/new you shenanigans.



The trick is to figure out your goal, and then break that down into the daily or weekly actions that will get you closer.

Rather than tracking your success each week, just make sure to record what you actually did. You can control what you take action on even if the results are variable!

For example

I can make a point of practicing attention games with Laird at least twice on every walk in dense woodland.

Does that guarantee that he will have been paying attention?

Heck no!

But it massively increases the chance that he will be paying more attention as the days and weeks go past...

We can give you the games, techniques and tools - you just need to put in the consistent effort.



We're officially back in the office from Monday 6th January, and bookings are already open for our January classes (start 15 Jan) if you want some support in taking those regular tiny actions!

Morag, Clare & Laura
Well Connected Canine


What’s going on in WCC Land? 


Weekly classes are moving to Wednesday evenings from 15th January 2020
 

• APDT Good Companion classes at 18:30 Book Here

• Relaxation & Bodywork classes at 19:30 Book Here

Workshops & Activities

Gundog Games workshops with Clare will run monthly AND you can buy three workshops at a discounted rate, so long as you use them within 6 months
 

• Games for Gundogs Book Here
• Games for Gundogs Multibuy Gift Certificate: Book Here

Social Skills for Dogs That Struggle are running in smaller groups, more often! See all your options for January, there's at least four sessions per month now: Book Here

Parkour really is the activity for all occasions and we have an introductory session in January plus a brand new Parkour Challenge in the Wild workshop in February
 

• Parkour Fundamentals: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=13187434&appointmentType=12264254
• Parkour Skills: Outdoor Adventure: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=13187434&appointmentType=12264316

Multi-dog harmony was a popular request last year so we’re offering a webinar in January to introduce the core skills, AND a practical workshop in February to put it into practice. BOOKINGS OPENING SOON!

There are fewer places on most workshops so you can get more focused, individualised help!

I’ll do it, but I’m not happy about it…

How does your dog respond when you ask them to do something?

Are they enthusiastic and quick to react?

Or will they grudgingly obey?

What if you ask them to sit? move out of your way? come back?

• Your dog could sit quickly, with enthusiasm and commitment. 
• Or they could sit slowly, reluctantly, avoiding your gaze and sigh while they do it!

I’m not just talking about whether or not you’ve taught a specific cue or behaviour reliably. Or whether your dog is reluctant to sit on the wet grass.

I mean, how do you think your dog feels when you ask them to do something? 

Has your dog learned from past experience that it’s worth listening to you, that it’s almost always a good idea to try and figure out what you want, and they usually benefit from it?

Or has your dog accidentally learned that “come here” means the lead is going on and your fun stops? If you ask your dog to move out of the kitchen, it’s generally because there’s something worth stealing on the kitchen surface, and they probably won’t get a reward for moving?

Dog training (and training in general) has long been plagued with the idea that “they should do it because I said so”. Which often has undertones of what might happen if they (dog or person) didn’t do as they were told.

I believe that we are motivated to “do as we are told” either because we know it’s likely to benefit us OR because we are too worried to argue/disobey.

I believe that respect is earned, and that relationships are built in stages.

And I want to earn the trust of my canine companions, rather than see them grudging show obedience.

How?

• By giving my dogs choices, and respecting their decisions wherever possible 
• By noticing when my dogs do choose to respond to my requests or make great choices on their own, and making a point of rewarding them 
• By making sure that it pays off for my dog when they behave in ways that matter to me 

How does your dog feel when you ask* them to do something?

*For that matter, do you actually ask your dog to do things? Because that means your dog could say no, and you would accept that choice. Or are you really telling them they have no choice but to comply? Our dogs are smart, they can tell the difference from the tone of our voice, our facial expression and our gestures. 

The inspiration for this blog came in part from a festival I attended on Saturday 30th November. This was declared as the Day of Consent by a rather amazing person (Jenny Wilson) who won arts council funding to create a whole day of workshops and performances. There was so much to learn and think about, and I expect there will be a whole series of blogs coming out very soon as I translate the ideas into our human : canine relationships. (Find out more here: http://consentculture.co.uk/)


I hope you're enjoying the crisp frosty evening walks as much as we are!

Morag and the beasties



What’s going on in WCC Land? 

Sat 14th December 

09:30 Gundog Games with Clare (2 spaces)
13:30 Herding Dog Games with Morag (1 space)

Sun 15th December 
 
Xmas Canine Crafting afternoon – reserve your space here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=13187434&appointmentType=12255169


Early bird bookings for 2020 OPEN NOW


Weekly classes are moving to Wednesday evenings from 15th January 2020

• APDT Good Companion classes at 18:30 Book Here

• Relaxation & Bodywork classes at 19:30 Book Here

Workshops & Activities

Gundog Games workshops with Clare will run monthly AND you can buy three workshops at a discounted rate, so long as you use them within 6 months

• Games for Gundogs Book Here
• Games for Gundogs Multibuy Gift Certificate: Book Here

Social Skills for Dogs That Struggle are running in smaller groups, more often! See all your options for January, there's at least four sessions per month now: Book Here

Parkour really is the activity for all occasions and we have an introductory session in January plus a brand new Parkour Challenge in the Wild workshop in February

• Parkour Fundamentals: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=13187434&appointmentType=12264254
• Parkour Skills: Outdoor Adventure: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=13187434&appointmentType=12264316

Multi-dog harmony was a popular request last year so we’re offering a webinar in January to introduce the core skills, AND a practical workshop in February to put it into practice. BOOKINGS OPENING SOON!

There are fewer places on most workshops so you can get more focused, individualised help!

Something furry this way came – the prey drive challenge

The trail feels good under your feet.

Your dog is pulling steadily out front, and that extra lift through the waist belt is spurring you on.

Dodging the overhanging branch.

Skipping over the roots and running smoothly down the path.

And then disaster strikes......

Whether it’s an errant squirrel on the tree next to you, or the grouse that flew up out of the bushes.

Maybe it was the sheep you hadn’t spotted by the side of the fence. Or the rabbit that just ran down the path in front of you.

Suddenly that steady running partner is trying to drag you off your feet. 

If you’re lucky, they’re pulling along the track. 

But usually your dog just dived off the path into the undergrowth, and is making a break for hunting freedom.

Canicross dogs generally like running. And they usually like chasing stuff too – even if that’s just another canicross team.

Which is great, until your running partner loses their brain to BUNNEEEEEEEES!!!

Our key strategy is to work hard on teaching our dogs a command to keep going past the distraction AND channelling all that frustrated prey drive energy into going forwards. 

The words you choose really don’t matter, the important bit is helping your dog understand that when in running kit, there’s no chance of chasing the prey. So running faster forwards is a better option.

Unexpected benefits include sprint finishes at most of the Hardmoors races (there’s nearly always sheep in the village at the end) – but it’s totally worth it!

I’m working hard on this with Laird (the Big Yin) right now, because as a pointer he does like to stop dead and well, point. This is almost as dangerous as just lunging after the prey.

If you want to get hands-on coaching to improve your teamwork, and teach your dog to ignore the bunnies on your runs, why not sign up for one of our workshops or the NEW October classes.  All the information is below!

Saturday 22^nd September (York)

• 10am Introduction to Canicross – dedicated individual kit fitting and checking, teaching the basic skills and learning to work as a team. Ideal for dogs 1 year and older, humans do not yet need to be running fast or far.
• Book Intro Workshop

• 2pm Improvers workshop – building your core skills, practicing race starts, passing on the trail and simple drills to build your fitness.
• Book Improver Workshop

Weekly Canicross Classes (York, various locations)

Starting from 7pm Tuesday October 16th, a 10 week course designed to develop your canicross techniques, build on your teamwork and challenge you and your dog in a range of different environments.

• Either book individual sessions OR
• Book all 10 sessions and use this code COMMITEDCANI-X to get one session free!

Pre-requisites: Have completed an Introduction to Canicross workshop.  Participants who have not done so MUST book and attend for week 1

Book Canicross classes

Adventure Challenge

Saturday 13^th October at the Yorkshire Cycle Hub (£120/person & up to 2 dogs)

• 8.30am registration
• Morning – Attend clinic with a max of 4 people, take a coffee break and then swop round
• Navigation Clinic / Canicross Running Clinic
• Lunch
• Afternoon – Find and run the route with your team mate and collect the stamps! You’ll have a choice of two route lengths (short 4ish miles, long 8ish miles)

Book here:
Get Adventurous with Canicross



Happy Running

Morag
UltraCanicrosser, Firewalker, Clinical Animal Behaviourist

Local'ish races

Dalby Canicross  https://www.northyorkshiresport.co.uk/events/tags/Dogs
Sunday 16th September

CaniX races http://www.canix.co.uk/index.shtml

Saturday, September 22  Hamsterley Forest CaniX

Sunday, September 23 Hamsterley Forest CaniX

K9 Karnage 5K  https://www.facebook.com/events/269959073829460/
Sunday 7th October

Saving Yorkshires Dogs 5k Tough Mutter – 5 k obstacle walk/run with option to take your dog. Not a canicross event but canicrossers are welcome.

Sunday 14^th October, Camp Hill, Bedale.

Application - email julie.hart@sydrescue.org.uk

Dalby Canicross  https://www.northyorkshiresport.co.uk/events/tags/Dogs

Sunday 28th October

*if you know of any more events please let us know and we'd be happy to promote them!

Winter is coming...

Darker nights, wetter walks, and cosy snuggles on the sofa with damp dogs.

Autumn and winter are the perfect time to work on small training games at home, especially if it saves you from yet another soaked-to-the-skin walk.

Some of our activity classes take a break over winter, because it’s not safe to run agility or parkour in the dark or on wet ground.

But for our canicross teams, the mud just adds to the challenge – who doesn’t love running on trails with a headtorch!

Winter class schedule

Bookings always open up early for everyone on our mailing list - if you DIDN'T get this as an email make sure you don't miss out by signing up for the weekly tips and news here: https://wcc.clareassoc.com/signup/

 

Classes start in the second week of October and run until Xmas.

Mondays with Clare (10 week courses)

6.15pm Helpful Hounds – turn your pet dog into an assistance dog! Picking things up, bringing things back, closing doors and more.

7.15pm APDT Good Companion Awards – brush up on your obedience and good manners, plus work towards gaining your Foundation Certificate.

Mondays with Kady (3 week courses)

7.10pm Baby Come Back (recall intensive)

7.45pm Stay By My Side (loose lead walking intensive)

Tuesdays with Morag & Laura @ various locations around York!

• Canicross Level 1 - a 10 week class to develop your canicross techniques, build on your teamwork and challenge you and your dog in a range of different environments. 
• Participants who have not already completed an Intro to Canicross session MUST book and attend for week 1
• Either book individual sessions OR
• Book all 10 sessions and use this code COMMITEDCANI-X to get one session free!

Wednesdays with Morag

6.15pm Canine Sports Conditioning - This class will teach you how to observe your dog for your sport, work on core skills, learn how to warm-up/cool down, develop a massage routine and much more.

7.15pm Sniffing School Level 1 - designed to challenge your dog's nose and build your teamwork skills for searching in new and exciting ways. You need to have completed an Introduction to Scentwork session.

You can grab your space here, and don’t forget the discount code if you’re booking more than one class!

Too many choices?

Not sure which class to choose? Email me with your questions or ideas, and I’ll help you pick the right sessions for your dog! (morag@wellconnectedcanine.co.uk)

Sad WCC News

We were all heartbroken to hear that Clare and Al had to let Beano go last weekend. Beano was an extra special collie (totally deaf and blind) who was dearly loved despite his quirks. Beano became ill very quickly, but was surrounded by love and cuddles right to the end.

Grief is never easy, and we all deal with it in our own way. Please don’t ask Clare how she’s doing if you see her at class or workshops, and give her the space she needs. Thanks so much for understanding.

One of our other long distance family member also passed away recently. Some of you will have met Veronica and dear Ffion the amazing scentwork collie at our Scentwork events. They travelled further than anyone else to work with us, and they were a joy to coach. 

Ffion and Beano – you are always in our hearts, and we are so grateful for all that you taught us.

Morag and the beasts