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

Warning - unexpected visitor!

I always take a quick look out into my garden before releasing the hounds - usually to check for unsuspecting squirrels or excessively brave cats.

On Sunday however I was puzzled by the long tail I could see waving through my neighbour's veg garden.

Definitely too big and chunky to be a cat....

It was the lovely wee terrier cross from two doors down exploring the "extension" to his garden!

Don't forget to keep checking your fences in this weather, and polish up on your Rocket Recall too.

From a windswept York

Morag and the beasts



What’s going on in WCC Land? 


Weekly classes

• APDT Good Companion class at 18:30 FULL

• APDT Good Companion class at 19:30 FULL

Wednesday evening puppy workshops

• Baby Gun Dog Games - Wed 4th March Book Here
• Baby Hoopers - bookings open soon!
• Baby Parkour - bookings open soon!

Workshops & Activities

Parkour really is the activity for all occasions and we have a brand new Parkour Challenge in the Wild workshop in February. This is a half-day workshop.

• Parkour Skills: Outdoor Adventure: Sun 23 February (click to book)

Sniffing School - Getting Started

The short workshop will help you and your dog to sniff together like professional detection teams. Your dog will choose from a food scent or a specially scented toy while you learn how to harness that incredible snozz. Core handling skills, individual feedback and support - there's no better way to spend a Sunday morning!  This is a half-day workshop.

• Scentwork Foundations: Sun 23 Feburary (click to book)

Hoopers - Try a new sport for 2020!

Canine Hoopers is a fantastic low impact dog sport suitable for all ages and breeds of dog. It uses similar skills to agility, but is suitable even for young dogs or those who have retired from jumping. This introductory session will  introduce you and your dog to the key pieces of equipment; hoops, barrels and tunnels. This is a half-day workshop.

• Hoopers Taster Workshop - one space available - Sat 29 Feb

Herding Dog Games returns for March

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!
This is a half-day workshop.

• Herding Dogs - four spaces available - Sun 22 March

How to impress your (canine) physiotherapist

Summer (Flat Coat Retriever) and Clare recently inspired their fab physiotherapist to dig out her own clicker...

Summer has recently had to start doing some physio exercises (nothing serious to worry about!), so we’ve been working with an amazing new physiotherapist  Frankie from Yorkshire Animal clinic, while our usual physiotherapist Hannah (Theakston Physiotherapy Services) is on maternity leave. 

Frankie has been giving us some specific homework exercise to work on, these exercises include asking Summer to put her feet on a variety of different objects and having her move or change positions. 

Summer absolutely loves doing her physio exercises, and not just because they involve getting lots of treats (though I’m pretty sure that is a significant factor!), putting her feet on different object and moving while she is on them is something Summer has practised since she was a puppy, so for her she’s just playing dog parkour games. 

When Summer was just over a year old, back in July 2018, we attended a Canine Parkour workshop run by our very own Sian. Summer learnt lots of skills that have come in super handy for our physio exercises.

• Two feet on
•  Four feet on
• Confidence on unstable surfaces
•  Self-control  
• Feet in objects 

We think Parkour is not just a great activity for having fun with your dog (which it totally is) but is a really useful way to build your dog’s confidence, in ways that might not be apparent straight away! 

Physio often asks our dogs to move or stand in unusual positions, make use of neglected muscle groups, and cooperate with some pretty weird requests.

Voluntary participation is super important!

Don't forget we're still looking for the best multi-dog Parkour Picture to use as the WCC FaceBook cover - post your submission here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WellConnectedCanine/ 

Happy posing,

Morag & Clare for Well Connected Canine

What’s going on in WCC Land? 


Weekly classes

Next start date is Wednesday19 Feb 2020 last available class date for three months!

• APDT Good Companion class at 18:30 2 spaces

• APDT Good Companion class at 19:30 1 space

Workshops & Activities

Social Skills for Dogs That Struggle are running in smaller groups, more often! See all your options to the end of March, there's at least four sessions per month now

• Social Skills (click to book)

Parkour really is the activity for all occasions and we have a brand new Parkour Challenge in the Wild workshop in February

• Parkour Skills: Outdoor Adventure: Sunday 23rd February (click to book)

Sniffing School - Getting Started

The short workshop will help you and your dog to sniff together like professional detection teams. Your dog will choose from a food scent or a specially scented toy while you learn how to harness that incredible snozz. Core handling skills, individual feedback and support - there's no better way to spend a Sunday morning!

• Scentwork Foundations: Sunday 23rd Feburary (click to book)