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Whistle Stop Koolies

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25.01.2022 I don’t want to give my dog a treat every time he does the right behaviour because then he will become dependent on needing a treat for the rest of his life. ...- This is something we hear a lot, especially during puppy school. There are three stages to teaching a dog a new skill or behaviour: The Teaching Phase: This is the period where you want to be rewarding your puppy EVERY SINGLE TIME they successfully do the right behaviour. The Proofing Phase: Now take this newly trained behaviour and practise it across a variety of locations, amongst different levels of distractions. AND still give your dog a treat every time! The Maintenance Phase: Only once your puppy/dog can successfully offer up the behaviour in many different locations, after being asked ONLY ONCE, can you start to vary the reinforcement. In order to start varying the reward schedule, we generally go by the 1 in 10 rule where one time we will offer alternative reinforcement like praise etc. Slowly but surely you can start to mix that up even more. Using variable reinforcement once the behaviour has reached the maintenance stage helps make it more resistant to extinction. Sometimes treats, sometimes toys and sometimes simply praise like ‘good girl’ will do.

25.01.2022 Santa Paws vet trip

25.01.2022 No she isn't dead just very well socialised

23.01.2022 I thought I should put some pics up so everyone can see how big they are getting

23.01.2022 As a dog trainer I get asked a lot to FIX people's dogs and my answer has always been the same. I can fix your dogs problem but he still won't work for you! But this says it so so much better then I ever have.

23.01.2022 Just had to share these two, funny as..

22.01.2022 Getting bigger! Only one missing as every pic she is a blur!

20.01.2022 Dog-to-Dog SOCIALISATION How does your dog behave in the presence of other dogs? There are many adult dogs that find it challenging to be around other dog...s. Too arousing.. too scary... too excitable or too overwhelming. This may present in lead reactivity or more simply an inability to listen and respond to basic cues in the presence of dogs. Sometimes this can relate back to how they were socialised during their ‘critical learning phase’ as a puppy. So what’s going wrong? While it’s necessary for your puppy to have social experiences with other puppies/dogs, it’s very important that the social interactions that they do have, are the right ones! Too many uncontrolled interactions as a puppy can lead to poor social behaviour as an adult. Choose socially competent adult dogs to play with. Keep social interactions short and sweet. Avoid the mindset of burning off puppy energy by long, free play sessions with other dogs/puppies. This may work short term but can create issues long term. Don’t allow your puppy to rehearse too much boisterous/rough behaviour during play with other dogs or alternatively, constantly being shy; rolling on their back constantly, tail tucked, freezing e.t.c. Find a reputable puppy school with a qualified trainer that allows monitored social interactions but also promotes opportunities for all the puppies to learn to be okay not saying hello to each other. Keep in mind, your puppy has already experienced lots of rumble tumble play time with their siblings! So once they get to you it’s more important for them to learn other important skills like; How to walk past another dog that doesn’t want to greet them. How to sit calmly in the vets waiting room while other dogs come and go. How to relax at the cafe while there’s a dog 2 tables over. How to ignore silly dogs that are barking at them. If you have an adolescent or adult dog that is reactive or overexcited around other dogs.... - Choose games like tug of war or fetch to engage your dog in play with you instead of other dogs. - Avoid excessive free play time with other dogs, especially unknown dogs. - Engage a qualified dog trainer for further assistance.

19.01.2022 Puppies and the hose!

16.01.2022 A little bit of scent work with some noise desensitizing. There was a bit of lightning and thunder about earlier today as well and they have been great!

14.01.2022 So Idgie and Milo have something to share with you all!

13.01.2022 Worth listening to guys

13.01.2022 Use your Manners! The Sniff test - Stop doing that! The sniff test - a badly engrained habit that society has been taught, without a clear understanding of ...what they're actually doing. When you reach out towards a dog, you are using body pressure AT them, giving them no time to assess whether you are safe & whether they require further investigation to pick up your information. You are forcing an interaction of a relationship that hasn't had time to develop. To some dogs, this is quite rude & the reason a lot of dogs snap at or bite people. This can cause alot of behavioral issues because of layered stress due to forced interactions. If they are on lead, they have no where to go if they are sensitive to spacial pressure, so can end up shutting down, shying away or snapping at your hand so you back off. This is an example of how a dog is now using pressure to turn off pressure & make you back off so they aren't so stressed. People think by offering your hand it can give the dog time to sniff to know you're friendly... they can sniff without being forced to sniff your hand.Their noses are far more superior than ours & they don't need close contact forced upon them to smell you. Some dogs might not want to know you. You have no relationship with them and that's perfectly fine. They aren't your dog so you don't need to touch them or steal pats for your own satisfaction. If you are meeting a dog, what should you do? Ask the owner if you can interact with their dog. Not all people want strangers touching their dogs. Especially strangers who you are unlikely to see again. Stand up straight & relaxed, with your hands at your side. Ignore the dog & talk to the owner. Don't stare at the dog & don't try to force an interaction by going in for a pat. If the dog wants to know you, it will come up to you & sniff around. Usually they will move away & then come back for a second sniffathon. Some dogs will bunt your hands & wag their tails, which are good signs that you're likely an accepted new friend. Give them a few slow pats down their back (NOT THEIR HEAD) & then stop. Is the dog happy? Has it accepted your interaction? This will determine whether you can give it more pats. This is a more stress free option for dogs & a reason why in consultations we can develop a good level of trust, especially with fearful dogs & aggressive dogs, without a bunch of negative side effects from forced interactions.

13.01.2022 The very talented Paige Equid sent me these

12.01.2022 I've shared this before but I feel like it should be done again. I have spent a lot of time lately work with working breeds

12.01.2022 My Motto to all my clients "If your dog is unsure then get their nose to the floor!" For super sniffy time!

11.01.2022 best one I ever done was when some guy walked up and tried to pet kasina and I said how would you like if I just started touching your girl man his face

07.01.2022 Vet trips are tiring!

05.01.2022 This may upset a few people but I spend so much time with people's dogs training after a bad experience at dog packs

04.01.2022 And here is the other little miss nicknamed Red

01.01.2022 For everyone who has kids please read