Training Cooper: A fresh approach

 

A school social walk. 

Cooper is 2nd from the left and had a great time!

It has been quite a while since I last took a dog training class...

Last year, I started Cooper at the Real Life Training classes I used to take with Polly and Betty but I think it was much too soon for him after the stress of being rehomed. He was so overly stimulated by classes, I found it very almost impossible to achieve any focus from him. Also, lead pulling was extreme, to say the least, making it very difficult physically to work with him, as he is so strong. So, I took the decision to withdraw him from group work for a while and work with him quietly with Polly and Betty locally in more familiar environments, before contemplating any further classes.

Time is a great healer as they say and giving Cooper time, consistency and familiarity with me has worked wonders in helping him settle, so this year, I decided to try classes again. Rather than the real life training I did with the girls before, I opted to start with a small local class that trains outdoors on the same field each week as I thought that might be something he could cope with ... and I am delighted to say, Cooper has settled in beautifully and is doing really well! After just five classes, I have been able to ditch his Halti head-harness and can now train him on his 'Perfect fit' harness and off lead ... a big step forward for us! Already Cooper's focus is hugely improved and he is responding positively to my voice cues and direction. Coops is working hard and also proving himself to be great with the other dogs!

We are both enjoying our group work this time and it is a lovely way for us to share one-to-time, while Cooper learns new skills, including how to play safely with other dogs. 

I am very glad I took the plunge to start doggy school again!

XXXXX

My advice to anyone with a dog that needs training is firstly, don't be afraid to try more than one class to find the perfect situation for your dog's needs, as not all instructors have the same approach and neither do all dogs. 

Secondly, trust your own instincts. You know your dog best. If he isn't coping happily with a particular class, you may benefit from trying a different one.

Thirdly, if your dog is finding class too much to cope confidently with, take a step back, reassess his needs and build your training programme gradually in an environment your dog feels safe and confident in... you can always build on a sound foundation and think about classes again in the future.

Finally, classes aren't for everyone! They are great for some dogs and for some owners but not necessarily essential to achieving a polite, happy, confident dog. You can achieve those goals for your dog yourself  if you educate yourself thoroughly in positive training methods and take the time to understand your dog's specific learning needs.

Happy 9th Birthday Betty!

 

HAPPY 9TH BIRTHDAY BETTY!

It was Betty's 9th birthday yesterday and it only seems five minutes since I collected my sweet armful of puppy from the breeder. She was the smallest pup in a litter of seven and at that time was simply named 'dark pink', in view of a pink yarn collar her temporary mum had tied around her neck, to differentiate each pup from the other.

Polly, our older girl, took to little sister from day one, quickly teaching her how to 'tug' with a soft fleecey toy in the garden. By tea-time, Betty was following her big sister around happily and snoozing in the warmth of her side. The girls became firm friends and as she grew, Betty developed into a truly sweet-natured, funny girl, who loved to run, tug and play with her ball. She has always been a joyful dog, full of smiles and with heaps of love to share.

Unfortunately, as I have written in previous posts, Betty became seriously lame at the age of six after suffering cruciate ligament damage. It soon became clear that her future would be at risk if she didn't have major surgery to repair her hind leg, so she underwent a TPLO surgery. It was heartachingly gruelling, incredibly painful for her and yet, she put her trust in us to get her through, never complained and several months later, was able to run again... briefly. Sadly, the other hind leg then suffered the same catastrophic damage and there was no alternative, but to go through the process of major surgery all over again. Poor Betty. It was a horrible time for her. She endured the pain, confinement and long rehabilitation with grace, dignity and stoicism. I was so proud of her.

Both surgeries and rehab happened in 2020 and yesterday, four years later, we celebrated Betty's 9th birthday with a lively run on her favourite field. She may be considered a 'senior' dog at nine years of age but she still outruns our youngest dog Cooper, who isn't yet two!

Betty is the most gentle dog. I have never ever heard her growl or grumble; she has a beautiful sweet, loyal, nature, a wonderful sense of humour and a peaceful heart.

Wishing you fields to run in, balls to play with, sausage treats, ear strokes, interesting sniffs and love forever Betty Boo, you truly deserve the best of life because you are a very special girl... and we love you and your crazy Betty ears, very much! xxx

Happy 11th Birthday Polly!

 

HAPPY 11TH BIRTHDAY POLLY!

Time to wish my beautiful big girl Polly a very Happy 11th Birthday!

It seems to have been eleven years in a heart beat. Oh Polly, you have walked me through life every single day of your eleven years and have taught me so much.

We have walked many, many, miles together, in all weathers, met all manner of people, dogs and other animals, laughed together and barked together. There has never been a day when I didn't feel safer with you by my side and grateful for you. Age may be creeping up on us both a little nowadays and I know we share a few creaks from time to time, but we're both still young at heart, determined to make the most of all that life offers with us... and I am so very thankful for your friendship. 

Happy 11th Birthday my very special Big Girl, with all my love and the end of my bananas forever. xxx

Breed Specific Legislation, thoughts..

Anyone who has read my posts previously, will understand how much importance I have always placed on training my dogs, to give them the opportunity to run freely and socialise safely and responsibly, so that they are able to enjoy their very best dog life. 

With that in mind, here are my thoughts on the new Government Breed Specific Legislation for 'XL Bully types' that came into force today...

Cooper, Polly and Betty

We are saddened to say that today our Government's ban on 'XL Bully types' came into force. 

As an owner of large dogs, I have een interested to learn more about what has been imposed on the owners of these dogs and am horrified by the Government's inhumane and clumsy legislation which makes a sweeping ban on thousands of dogs who have never put a paw wrong in life. I fear it is inevitable that many rescue centre XL bullies (or bully 'types', whatever that may mean) will be euthanised, or dumped by frightened or uncaring owners as a result of this legal ban, based solely on the appearance of a dog.

Responsible owners of well behaved, obedience trained, XL bully 'type' dogs, are now legally obliged to muzzle their pets for life, neuter them and deny them any freedom to exercise properly, or socialise in public spaces, by keeping them on a short lead, stigmatising them and making them social lepers. Owners must also find almost £100 to register their loved dogs as 'dangerous' if they want to keep them safe from being snatched and destroyed by police, despite their dogs never have so much as growled at anyone. Tiny puppies must also be muzzled trained and kept under very secure conditions and these dogs will no longer be bred legally in the UK.

Legal exemption means owners may keep their loved family pets safe from euthanasia only if they have complied with the strictest of rules by today's date, however, their lives will forever be tightly restricted by doing so. No XL bully dogs may be rehomed or sold after today, meaning that if an owner dies for example, their dog must die too. Our Government has taken a decision that confuses and criminalises dog owners of this non-specific breed, based solely on their dog's appearance and a set of measurements, rather than on the dog's, or their owner's, behaviour. To me that feels very wrong. 

Great Britain has always been proud of its reputation as a dog loving country and I find this new legislation utterly shameful. It does not address irresponsible dog ownership, it does not address irresponsible breeders. It does not educate, it does not train. It is a reactive piece of legislation, heavily led by media scare-mongering. Out of control dogs can of course be dangerous and that must be addressed, but labelling every single dog of similar appearance as 'dangerous', simply because it measures similarly to a dog that has attacked, is as inadequate as labelling every human of a certain dress, or suit size a threat, simply because another human being of similar size has attacked someone.

This breed specific legislation brought heartache and unnecessary stress to a huge number of caring, responsible pet owners and I personally feel it is a very sad day for all responsible dog owners.