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)

Why labels matter – is your dog “reactive”?

Human language is full of labels. It’s a verbal shorthand, one or two words to use instead of a long sentence of explanation.

But sometimes we might have different understandings of the same word or label.

And then that convenient shorthand gets in the way of developing our understanding.

In the dog world, there’s been a noticeable shift away from describing dogs as aggressive or dominant which might feel like a positive step forwards.

Instead you’re more likely to see words like reactive.

Beware of trainers who use the word “reactive” and then use" dominance reduction" and  punishment as a training technique. 


“Reactive” as a label can feel like it carries less judgement than “aggressive”, but it still fails to accurately describe what our dog is doing and how they are feeling about that.


Reactive usually seems to mean “my dog will bark and or lunge at….” either people, dogs, or both in a particular set of circumstances. So your dog isn't "reactive", they lunge/bark at men walking past wearing hats!

What about the dogs that "react" by going quiet?

Choosing to back away, avoid confrontation, retreat from the situation or even freeze.

So, from now on you’re more likely to see Clare and myself writing and talking about sensitive dogs.

Dogs that struggle in specific situations.

This includes dogs that find life difficult for whatever reason, and whose responses are problematic to both the dog and you.

Sensitive dogs might

• struggle to concentrate and fool around when they get overexcited
• lunge or bark when they feel frustrated, or threatened
• shut down when they feel like there’s a lot of pressure to do something
• get worried when they hear loud or unexpected noises

 Sensitive dogs often struggle to bounce back from stressful situations-but this reaction can look very different for each dog.

Practically here’s what that means for WCC!

S-Rated
We are updating our courses workshops and classes to clearly label some as S-Rated, that means suitable for sensitive dogs!

Social Skills
Rehab club has been revised and renamed to focus more on social skills for dogs that struggle

• I want to be your friend (I think!) is designed for dogs who really do want to make friends but might be lacking in the finer social skills. Frustrated greeter is another common label! 
• I want to be alone is designed for dogs who will have happier lives if they can learn to tolerate the presence of other dogs around them, but have no real interest in making social connections. 

We think labels matter.

Labels can make it easier to communicate about our dogs, their needs, and find effective interventions.

Labels can also conceal acres of misunderstanding, influence your attitude to your dog (are they stubborn or struggling to hear you) and sometimes accidentally exclude the very dogs we want to help.

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)

Have a wonderful weekend with your dogs!

Morag and the beasties

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!

Always think about both ends of the leash

Thank you for sending me so many replies to the first “What colour are you right now?” blog (click here if you missed it or the accompanying video).

The idea isn’t a new one, but creating a habit of verbalising the colour state for you or your dog seems to have struck a chord.

Gina is one of our amazing DogsBody Team (volunteer helpers) and has also been shadowing some of our behaviour consults as part of her degree course. Gina is also the guardian of Max, a sensitive and sometimes shouty Schnauzer. We’ve been working together over the past year, and he’s able to take part in outside classes now!

Here’s how Gina has been incorporating the colour question into her daily routine, and how it’s helped her partner too…

“I loved the Whats my colour idea for the dogs and am sure it will be a really easy thing for me to use for Max. 

I also think it would be a great thing to use with people working with reactive dogs as I know personally how it makes the human feel.

 Since doing the [canine] relaxation bodywork course I became more aware of my emotional state during training and walks and saw how that impacts on Max as a result.

My lightbulb moment/take away point from the course was during ground work and felt how I changed when walking slowly around the objects and talking in the good boy, really nice voice. I now use it for my benefit to relax without even taking into account what Max needs and then am able to be the support Max needs afterwards.

I will now add in the what's my colour for myself as well as thinking what colour is Max. Because even if Max is green, if I am red I would not be in a position to help him if something happened.

When we last did rehab and you said you were going to fetch a dog out from behind your van and I realised how I changed in anticipation even though Max was oblivious at that point so I knew I needed to work on that.

Having the colour check system would have made it easy for me to shout to you that I had gone to amber.

I have been trying it out on David this weekend and it worked really well to get him to think about what colour Max is and himself.

We had a scenario where Max was busy sniffing (very green) and David was clearly hyper vigilant scanning the area for dogs and I shouted what colour are you?

He replied red, we both laughed and did a “let’s go” [emergency escape tactic] and that was the potential problem avoided."

Thanks to Gina for her thoughts and experiences, we’ll have more blogs from our awesome DogsBody team members in the next few weeks too. 

If you’re feeling inspired to do more with your dog this summer, check out our summer programme and grab your spaces before they vanish.

All classes run on a Monday evening at the Yorkshire Museum of Farming. 

Nearly full or sold out 

Mind Your Manners (Level I) 15 July FULL
Good Companion Award progressions class 19 August ONE SPACE LEFT

Book on

• Baby Come Back (Level I) starts 5 August
• Baby Come Back FASTER (Level II)  starts 15 July
• Stay by my Side (Level I)   starts 9 September
• Stay by my Side LONGER (Level II)  starts 5 August
• Mind Your Manners EVERYWHERE (Level II)   starts 9 September

• Handling and Co-operative Care (5 wks)  starts 15 July needs two more students to run

• Advanced Bodywork (3 wks)  starts 15 July  needs two more students to run
• Sniffing School – Lets Get Tracking (3 wks)  starts 5 August
• Introduction to Bodywork (3wks)  starts 9 September

**NEW** Canicross 3 week 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.

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.

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.

That Monday feeling....but does having a job reduce anxiety (in dogs!)?

Can you guess what made the difference for these two very different dogs?

“It was amazing, this is the first time I’ve seen Rosie really enjoy an activity. I mean, we’ve tried pretty much everything but today she’s been amazing and really comfortable around the other dogs too” 

“Sam was so excited to get out of the house and start exploring round the car. He even put his paws up and climbed in on his own – this from a dog that used to panic and run away if there was any chance of being asked to get into the car!” 

 Yep – they had a job to do which was enjoyable, channelled their energy and focus, and helped them cope better with the environment.

It wasn’t even the same job – Rosie was taking part in an Introduction to Canicross (trail running with your dog on a harness) and Sam was learning Scentwork (sniffing for cheese).

But both dogs were able to relax much faster, and made big progress too.

We don’t know exactly what’s going on in our dog’s brains (or ours!) but some of the research suggests that there are different combinations of circuits involved in the key emotional states. So if we can activate something called the SEEKING system rather than ANXIETY/FEAR system for example, then we’re doing more than just distracting the dog from something scary. (But don’t worry, sometimes distraction is the best tool too!)

Running and sniffing are pretty fundamental activities for most dogs, but learning to do them in a structured fashion WITH you as part of the team – well that really can be life changing!

There’s a lot more to it of course, and I’m busy writing a book all about scentwork for common behavioural challenges.

But if you want to get a head start on the practical stuff why not learn how to give your dog a job!

Sniffing School and Scentwork for Reactive Dogs 

Half day workshop (9.30-12.30) Saturday 2nd February PawPark, Sand Hutton
Open to anyone who has trained with us or had a behavioural assessment.
Not sure if this session is right for your dog? Email Clare to discuss: clare@wellconnectedcanine.co.uk

Book Scentwork for Reactive Dogs

Canicross for Reactive Dogs – message us to book! 

Individual sessions that include kit fitting (for you and the dog), starting with basic commands and running alongside another staff dog.
Once you’ve completed this session most people can join our classes or the FREE weekly social run
Not sure if this session is right for your dog? Message Morag to discuss:  morag@wellconnectedcanine.co.uk



Happy Monday!

Morag, the Collie Girls and the Big Yin

What’s going on in WCC land? 

Three Week Intensives: Stay By My Side, Baby Come Back, Mind Your Manners 

Classes run on Mondays (foundation) and Wednesdays (advanced) in the evening at Yorkshire Museum of Farming

• Max of two dogs per class. 
• Concentrate on training what really matters to you!

See the full set of options here 3 Week Intensives

Scentwork and Sniffing School 

Channel your dog’s natural talent for sniffing with our Introduction to Scentwork workshops, and then enrol in Sniffing School for structured weekly challenges.

Getting Started

• Introduction to Scentwork EVENING (6th + 13th Feb 7pm) Yorkshire Museum of Farming
• Introduction to Scentwork DAYTIME (Saturday 9th Feb 9.30am) PawPark, Sand Hutton

 Weekly classes and challenges 

Scentwork for Reactive Dogs (2 spaces left)

Half day workshop (9.30-12.30)
Saturday 2nd February PawPark, Sand Hutton

Open to anyone who has trained with us or had a behavioural assessment.
Not sure if this session is right for your dog? Email Clare to discuss: clare@wellconnectedcanine.co.uk

Book Scentwork for Reactive Dogs

 

"Hi Clare, I need to go into hospital today, can you look after Laird for a couple of days?"

"Hi Clare, I need to go into hospital today, can you look after Laird for a couple of days?"

Those words initially filled me with dread, not because I don't love the giant GWP goofball that is Laird, but because I didn't know how Spencer, my reactive German Shepherd, would cope with a strange dog in the house. 

"Yes, of course, that's fine, no problem" 

was my response, though inside I was slightly panicking!!

I knew my other  dogs would be fine, Poppy and Summer would just ignore him and Scout would just want to follow him around, imagining he was herding him. 

Spencer was my big concern, he's fine meeting tiny puppies but introductions to new adult dogs are done over several session usually taking a few months. 

I'm pleased to say that all my panicking had been for nothing and Spencer coped amazingly well with his new giant cousin, even having a few sneaky sniffs here and there! 

And here's the proof by day 2!

Spencer made me feel very proud of how far he has come and that all our hard work has paid off!

One of the things that really helped our training was being able to practice our skills in  real life situations, having set-ups that allowed us to progress and build Spenders confidence in a safe environment.

Clare and the slightly less scaredy GSD Spencer

Rehab Sessions

Our Rehab sessions give you the chance to practice your skills around other dogs in a safe environment, with additional coaching and support. 

Choose from Tuesday afternoon or Sunday morning sessions, in York (with Morag) or South Cave (with Clare)

*NEW* Scentwork for Reactive Dogs    Sat 2nd February 2019

Does your dog struggle to be calm around people or other dogs? 

This half day workshop introduces scentwork and how it can benefit your dog, including practical coaching, individual coaching and looks at how you can incorporate searches into your training and walks. 

Held at the Paw Park, Sand Hutton, York.  Please note, dogs will need to be able to settle in cars when not working.


Book Sniffing School for Reactive Dogs