Willo's Doggy Sitting

25/04/2025

Welcome Kimchi for your ANZAC DAY long weekend. Lola, Cookie & George along with us are so happy for him to join us.

25/04/2025

"Nothing works❗"
We can ALL make mistakes.

➡️Enrichment
It needs variety!
It needs targeted.
That same puzzle toy they can solve in 5 seconds isn't challenging them anymore.
Many dogs do well with sniff walks, others will cower in areas they are not familiar with. You need to look at where carefully and a sniff walk can be just in your front yard or even your street.
Throwing a ball, is it enrichment (it can be for some) or a repetitive high energy activity that needs limited for others.
The same chew toy they are chewing all day, everyday... may not be enriching at all.

✅Challenge them when they are ready with enrichment.

➡️Rest and sleep
It doesn't come naturally to many dogs.
High energy or highly anxious dogs need us to set some rest times....and that isn't a "cat nap" in the lounge when the children are playing in there.
It isn't necessarily putting them outside for a sleep in the sun, esp if they are aware of every little sound.
Are they TRULY sleeping or just laying down, there is a very big difference.
Have we used enrichment to help tire them out in a completely different way?
Are we pairing sleep or rest with a rewarding and soothing item to help make a positive association?

✅Create a comfortable and quiet area for sleep and encourage them to use it multiple times a day.

➡️Low intensity Trigger Training

Are we "pushing" because we are frustrated and want faster results?
Have we a good understanding of what low intensity actually is?
Do we recognise non verbal signs they are uncomfortable or anxious?
Are we starting at a closer distance than we should because we desperately want them to make a connection sooner?

✅It cannot be rushed. Our dogs WILL show us when they are ready to decrease that distance.

"I can't do it !!!"
Take a deep breath...you can. You REALLY can.
Yes... these 3 areas are key, but we are human and struggle to adapt or change our habits.
Our bad habits and impatience can creep in.

If you are struggling, there are videos in the comments to help you to perhaps look at reactivity a different way.

This dog training graphic is available through abcdogsnz.com (just click the dog training graphics tab).

24/04/2025

Relaxed, beautiful and loving dogs on Thursday.

23/04/2025

23/04/2025

A sudden and immediate change❓
Let’s look at fear first as a possible reason (though certainly not the only one)
You may not see it, hear it, smell it or sense whatever your dog is afraid of.
THEY do.
Maybe they are picking up on the urination of "that" dog they had a run in with four weeks ago?
Maybe the last time they were at this corner a loud car went past and startled them.
Whatever it was, the fearful association has been made and needs carefully managed or our dogs can start to not trust our decisions and that’s a very slippery slope.

Even though we may not physically be able to see it, our response should be supportive.
If we ignore this and insist on dragging them through it can get a lot worse.
You can help them through this.
You do need to help them through these times but a little more slowly. The next time you approach that area, several metres before "that spot" bring out a toy, play for a few minutes and continue that play a few metres in....with no intention of going too close to the area they dread. Sometimes that is all that is required for a dog to make a breakthrough...other times you will need to repeat the process and go a little further each time.

Food can be used but food and fear needs very careful implementation.

The key to helping dogs through this is often what we do BEFORE the spot and (most importantly) without any signs of hesitation or fear being shown.
If the fear is there, often there is very little even the most exciting toy or treat will do to help.
Play down the road from that area, take the pressure off.
Try again in a few days or even a few weeks.
Stop and let them smell freely in these areas leading up to and even at the edge of the "no go" zone.
That is how they get more information.
Scatter a few rewards before the area and let them find them.
Maybe try scattering a little into the “dreaded” area after several successes.

Physical pain is often disregarded as an issue, both older dogs and younger dogs can have a reduction in their physical ability.
Always keep in mind that this can be from pain.

Equipment should be checked and changed.
Harnesses are fine but for some dogs having a tight harness which digs in after a few minutes can cause a lot of pain.
Collars can have buckles which can cause contact issues which irritates skin, and if you have a chronic puller your dogs neck could be causing issues. If your dog has a harness that restricts movement (and is designed that way for dogs that pull)...they are often the MOST problematic for walks....consider learning a good walking technique. Some people still squeeze their dogs into harnesses that should have been retired years ago.
Lots of reasons for this behaviour and it really does need to be looked at as more than “stubbornness”

This dog training graphic (and over 130 more) available through abcdogsnz.com. Just click the dog training graphics tab.

21/04/2025

Life is ruff, but Sweet Cookie is living her best life at Willo's Doggy Sitting, on her pawcation.
Look at that adorable face 😍.

20/04/2025

Easter Sunday began with heartwarming morning snuggles from Lola and Cookie.

19/04/2025

This can happen in a second⏱️
Reactive dog?
Why do we need to know the difference?
If they are fixating they are already up and over that all important threshold....they may be about to react.
The time to work with a reactive dog is firmly in the "looking" phase.
By the time they are fixating all you can do is take the pressure off and quickly!
Do a u turn.
Get distance.
Block vision.
Sounds hopeless ? No it's not at all !
By looking closer at these changes you can see them clearer.
You can keep working with them under threshold, to make real change.
You will start to recognise when they JUST start to approach the tipping point from looking to fixating....that's where some great changes occur too !

This dog training graphic (and over 130 more) available through abcdogsnz.com, just click the dog training graphics tab.

19/04/2025

Easter Saturday presented an opportunity for a leisurely walk along the Boorloo Bridge beside the Causeway with Lola and Cookie.

17/04/2025

Not all dogs have good social/play skills📢❗
Some have very awkward play styles and can even play inappropriately.
There is nothing wrong with dogs communicating they aren't appreciating what is occurring....BUT some dogs just miss the point completely.
If you see play starting to turn and something in your gut feels wrong....advocate for your dog, no matter how many times you may be told "It's OK, she's friendly".

This dog training graphic is available https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/when-to-stop-play?srsltid=AfmBOoo1MfzvJVx3_qxurvhVPYBY0V1RLDxYn2exG0bL_sPOuAvqE_o6

17/04/2025

Paws, relaxation, and Lola - what more could you ask for, Cookie? Welcome to your pawfect getaway!

16/04/2025

These beauties were radiant with joy and contentment last night, basking in the glow of a fulfilling day.

16/04/2025

Myth busting🚫
A bow means a dog wants to play.
Well...yes it can but it can mean a whole lot more!
It can also mean a dog is trying to escape quickly, they may feel threatened.
It can also mean a dog is in pain.
Look at the whole picture.
What happened just before❓That is often key.
What does the dogs ears, eyes, mouth, tail and body tell you?
What were their movements just before?
One action a dog makes really isn't enough information for us to decide, we need to look at the bigger picture.
Videos in the comments if you would like to look at how dogs use their bodies to communicate to us and others.

This dog training graphic is available through abcdogsnz.com 🙂

15/04/2025

Tuesday, treats, and tug of war, pretty please, for these delightful little furballs.

15/04/2025

15/04/2025

Maggie, the puppy dalmatian, has been making regular visits to refine her social skills with older dogs. She has participated in group walks with them and today had a great time with Lola, Frankie, Georgie and Huey. Over the last three weeks, she has acquired significant knowledge from her holiday with Auntie S and the various dogs she has interacted with.

14/04/2025

Same, same but different❓
Does your dog know that?
We are often less than clear with what we want or how we would like our dogs to behave....yet we still expect them to just "understand".
We can actively encourage behaviour which can be really problematic at other times.
We can also reward wanted behaviour and when that same behaviour is shown in completely different circumstances...we ignore it.
We can be the biggest influence on our dog behaviour, yet we can struggle to see that.
Is it really just all on "them"❓

This dog training graphic (and over 130 more) available through https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-nz-we-influence-behaviour-everyday?srsltid=AfmBOooriiTFHBiBs7QWu9HE4zC5rEC43KhQbVOtuqrCktZabssFqCS5