It's Not About The Dog

25/04/2025

https://open.substack.com/pub/zigrid/p/best-training-method?r=2gtbvq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Capturing behaviours

25/04/2025

Find this big handsome boy his 4 ever humans.
I will personally provide a complimentry session to his new family.

24/04/2025

This gorgeous Labradoodle If I am correct is a big 1 year old today.
He completed my 4 week private puppy program with flying colours and within a few months has become an amazing assistant dog with INATD.
Yes he has a good temperament though that alone does not make him the awesome dog he is.
A big applause to his amazing k9 parent for not just seeing to all his needs but in the way she interacts with him so softly and calmly.
Watching them together you can feel the connection and positive energy between them.
He is only 1 year old and the level of response with his training is outstanding.
The way we Interact with a dog can make a big impact on their behaviour and emotional state.

23/04/2025

My Ryda boy has hit his next chapter finally, now the signs of a senior dog has serviced will be 13 in august.
His tummy has settled and now will mainly get cooked home made meals rather than raw as senior dogs may not digest raw food as easily as cooked.
Now receives full body red light therapy to help assist with body inflammation.
He really enjoyed coming to work with me this morning lifted his spirits.
Dogs need a little time to adjust as they move into each chapter in their life journey.
Thank you to everyone for your get well wishes.

23/04/2025

Another Awesome set up social this morning for Mr humpy ( last time for that name ) and he really is nailing it. He does have good listening skills and manners. This lad is just a young juvenile pup with hormones and has had zero training.
Now even if he had any training no matter how well trained a dog is training cannot compete with hormones.
This session actually lifted my Ryda boys spirits and he kept an eye on all the interactions with the dogs.
Now it’s only been 2 weeks since this lad came on training and he has made a big progress all ready now that all his daily physical and mental needs are being met.
His humans are so dedicated so this lad and I are winning.

22/04/2025

Woof, woof, woof! 🐾
Hey hey hey! It's me again, the new K9 kid Cavoodle on the block the one and only Master Barky! 🐶 Yeah, that’s right, my humans signed me up with Zig (best decision everrr, tail wag for days!). And let me tell you, I am the kind of Cavoodle who wears his heart on his fur, big emotions, big feelings, BIG BARKS. 💥🐾
Today? Oh was high paw pawsome! I had the best K9 playdate EVER. I met a fellow Cavalier from my same legendary breeder! high paw And then… wait for it, I met the infamous Mr. Humpy.
Yeah, yeah, I know what you are thinking, but no humps today, humans. Okay, okay, there was one attempt at a hump aimed at yours truly, but it was more of a “meh” than a “whoa!” I gave him a polite back turn and sat and we moved on to the real fun, so mr humpy is a good listener and he does have nice K9 etiquette.
💦 Peeing competitions! Oh yeah, woof woof! got to mention we were leg-lifting legends, high as the sky, it was like synchronised sniff-n-spray. And get this, we are both still full boys (if ya catch my drift 😉), so the competition was fierce and fragrant.
And the humans? Oh, they were smiling ear to ear, snapping pics, and whispering something about a “bromance.” 🐾 Honestly, they nailed it. Me and Mr. Humpy instant besties. Tail wags, zoomies, mutual sniffs, the whole works!
Huge paws up to all the humans for letting us just be dogs. No rules, no pressure, just pure, unleashed puppy joy. Zig totally gets our bark-code and translates our lingo into human squeals of delight.
Master Barky out. Until next time, keep your tails waggin’ and your hearts barkin’! 🐶🔥
WOOF WOOF!
Stayed tuned to see who I get to speed date next!

17/04/2025

For the first time in 25 years I am taking the whole Easter break off.
The office is closed from 12pm today until Tuesday 8am.
Time to recharge and reflect and take care of my Ryda Boy🐾
Wishing everyone a safe and peaceful Easter
Blessings Zigrid🌻

16/04/2025

This sweet Cattle dog completed puppy program and poor boy his health was not great due to gut issues and that affected his behaviour he was a little withdrawn though after a few weeks after feeling better we saw his sweet personality shine through.
Now this precious pup is going through the 2nd sensitive stage and is feeling a little unsure of himself in different situations .
Today we did a little complimentary catch up to introduce a nose wrap which is part of Tellington T-Touch method. T-Touch is such a lovely hands on - method. He was a little unsure at first and he let us know nicely by taking a step back, one bark then a stretch and lay down, and because we listened he trusted us with what we were doing. Once the nose wrap was on gave him a few treats.
Dogs can still bark, bite and eat with the nose wrap on. I don’t look at behaviour I look at the emotions that drive the behaviour, change the emotion you change the behaviour.
Always setting the dog up to make good choices, always listening to the dog.

16/04/2025

Another awesome little session with this special little Cavoodle and INATD young assistant Labradoodle.
Environments play a part in a dog’s behaviour and little lad Cavoodle feels better in open big spaces with other dogs.
Excessive barking is reducing and now his humans are picking up on all his cues.
Only been 3 days since he and his humans started their training journey together and we are all seeing big changes already.

15/04/2025

Yay this little Cavoodle lad had a blast having his very first off lead sniffathone in the park.
Now after his first session and a complete assessment he has made it very clear he does not cope in environments that have too much stimuli.
This lad also needs a couple of k9 buddies.
Teaching him behaviours is a piece of cake as he is so willing to learn and wants to learn.
What he wants and needs is to slowly and gently introduce him to different everyday environments to build up his confidence in a human dominated world.
We are using Tellington T_Touch and wearing a nose wrap which is helping really well, Adaptal collar and capturing all the good choices he makes. This lad is one very lucky pup his humans are amazing and picking up k9 lingo really quickly.
Great session🐾

14/04/2025

Awesome first speed date today with awesome Labradoodle and dog who I named mr humpy( yes hormones have just started kicking in) Mr humpy desperate for a young playmate and just wants to be a part of everything.
Darn good session then afterwards Mr humpy had his own personal shopper ( me) at pet city and his human with her wallet , and now he is on his way to having all his needs met and his unwanted behaviours will be replaced with new behaviours.
A massive thank you to labradoodle ( he is a real champ, and his awesome human for giving up their time today to assist in the assessment of another dog’s social skills .
Dogs and humans are happy.
Happy dogs= happy humans = happy k9 coach💃🏻

13/04/2025

Met this 8month old Cavoodle today going to Nick name him Mr humpy.
Upon arrival did not bark though as soon as I stepped on the deck he used his vocal cords and went bonkers barking and he was beside himself severe fearful behaviour. Once I was inside the house well different story he jumped on the chair put himself at my height level and showed me his friendly loving side. This lad is a real sweetie that has big emotions and just wants to learn how to live in a human only environment. After a few treats we went from 1st, 2nd, 3rd base in no time and before I knew it the hu***ng began and rarely did it stop.
And no he wasn’t doing it to show his dominance or to control the situation, part of it was attention seeking and then some possible hormone related.
And so after a chit chat with his humans who are madly head over heels in love with their boy we put a couple of house boundaries in place. The biggest request that will be focused on is settle and stay.
Stay tuned to see this lads progress and I will be seeing him tomorrow for a complimentary session for a meet and greet with another dog to see where is k9 socials skills are at.

13/04/2025

Way toooo cute❤️
This little sweetie 9 week Cavoodle from Oodles of love was my little demo pup in orientation today.
Set you and your pup up for success from the start and you should never need another dog training session again.

12/04/2025

My boy just not himself.
Not fussed on eating, bowel movements all over the place which is not normal as he is like clock work.
13 this year so maybe this is the start of where all the fun(not) begins.

11/04/2025

Tonight, I light a extra candle for a family close to my heart❤
One I was blessed with to guide as they welcomed their very first puppy🐾
A radiant soul, full of joy, mischief, and boundless love.
Gone far too soon, leaving pawprints on every heart he touched.

My heart aches with theirs💔
May love wrap around them gently.
And may the light of that beautiful spirit shine on always.🌠

11/04/2025

My boy not feeling the best his whole body out of sorts. Vet visit this morning and now a few restful days ahead.
Feeling blessed he always lets me know.

08/04/2025

OMG met this little heart melt today❤️
A 12 month Cavoodle from Oodles of love .
This little fella has got a lot to say and gosh we had great little conversations during the session.
Today we worked on settle, quiet request, stay and on your mat.
Feel so blessed to be the one coaching his senior human family it was such a fun session and this fella made us all look like rock stars because he was so willing to learn and he loved it.

07/04/2025

Can anyone recommend a good local house sitter for 3 days for this awesome girl. Or she can go to them.
And no I am unable to have her as I have work.