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!

Is it time to stop running away and start training?

When you live with a frustrated or fearful dog, you know that one of the biggest challenges is moving from management towards putting all your hard training into practice.

Don’t get me wrong, management really IS important. But for lots of us it’s not enough. 

If your goal is to get closer to other dogs, and be able to pass them on a street walk, then that’s what we need to be working towards.

But the real world is so damn unpredictable! 

Guessing what the other people or dogs might do is really draining, and I often wish I had a radar strapped to my back.

Planning set-up sessions with other people and their dogs in safe predictable locations can be a great starting point. 

Before you try to recruit a helper or practice dog/person, here’s some homework:

1. Write a brief (150 word max) introduction to your dog, and the things they find difficult in the world. Don’t get bogged down in the whys, just describe the dog you have right now
2. Now write down three realistic scenarios that you would like to get more practice in e.g. watching a playful or active dog at a distance of 30 metres. Get Specific!
3. And then think about what you and your dog, or other dogs if you have them, could offer to someone else. What if you were the stooge? Is your dog an unusual colour or breed? Do they love to tug (a great distraction), or are they gentle with puppies?

Now you’re ready to find some people to practice with!

Planning a set-up

• Communicate BEFORE you meet up – make sure you both understand what your dogs need out of the session and share the homework you just wrote
• Check what the other person usually does, and what they’ve found most successful. What methods or techniques are they using?
• Set your boundaries e.g. distance between dogs, length of sessions, how you will handle any meltdowns
• If you’re working with a behaviourist, involve them in the planning stages!
• Discuss the location and potential problems, or rent a secure field for the first couple of practices

Use any resource groups your own trainer or behaviourist has set up, as working with people who have had the same basics makes it all a lot easier.

If you need to cast your net a bit wider, why not look at the Reactive Dogs FB group? https://www.facebook.com/groups/1633448230248202/

Our WCC Rehab Club is all about setting up real world situations, but safely. If you’d like the chance to feel secure and calm while your dog practices the difficult stuff – just book yourself on to a session (open to all our behaviour & training clients). 

If you’ve worked with another behaviourist please just drop us an email to arrange a brief assessment as we may be able to help! (info@wellconnectedcanine.co.uk)

WCC Rehab Club 19 Aug 2018

This weekend we got super lucky with the weather despite a less than encouraging start! Three delightful dogs and their support teams attended (Caddy, Merlyn and Dora) the first 2-hour Rehab Club session.

For us as trainers (Morag, Clare & Kady) we loved having you for that bit longer. Much less rushing around and we were able to get at least three working sessions in for each dog too. We can’t wait for the next one!

It was lovely to have Dora and Caddy coping so well at a little distance while Merlyn practiced polite greetings and play with our secret gundog team (Laird GWP, Summer Flatcoat, Poppy WCS). And all in the safety of knowing no other random dogs were going to appear!  Your homework emails plus resources are on their way.

Resources for everyone

• Please do post on both our secret WCC Rehab Coffee & Cake group, and our general FB group for WCC family if you’re looking for dogs and people to practice with.
• Secret WCC Coffee & Cake  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1421143704583630/
• Well Connected Canines and their Humans!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/WellConnectedCanine/
• Don’t forget about the Reactive Dogs UK Facebook group too. It’s pretty well moderated and can be a good place to find practice partners BUT always remember do your due diligence and chat in advance. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1633448230248202/

WCC Rehab Club dates for the rest of 2018 are available for booking!