Canine Concepts

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24/05/2026

Do you have a favourite trick? đŸŸ

I’m a big fan of trick training, but I’m an even bigger fan of tracking practical tricks that may come in handy. Another few examples is that he can track my sons scent and he can find my lost items such as keys or phone.

Do you teach your dogs tricks? What’s your favourite trick?

23/05/2026

Teach your children to respect their pets boundaries đŸŸ

The largest percentage of dog bites to children do not come from strange or unknown dogs, statistically they come from our own dogs or a close family member, such as grandparents.

This is because we let our guard down with our dogs and we can be more prone to think ‘my dog would never do that’
..let me tell you, they will.

Allowing your dog to consistently have their beloved items stolen or have your children jumping over them like play toys creates a risk every time that today will be the everyone’s life changes forever.

Ask yourself this
.what’s the risk benefit analysis here? When the risk astronomically outweighs the benefit we should be really asking ourselves why we take the risk when it’s our children’s life and also or dog’s life on the line.

Moral of the story. Teach your children to respect your dogs and your dogs will respect them in return.

18/05/2026

Huskies are super dominant, stubborn & difficult dogs to train
but are they? đŸŸ

Primitive breeds, like huskies, are commonly labeled words that have a negative intonation.

These labels give them a bad reputation which also impacts how people are likely going to treat them. People don’t like to feel ignored or rejected which can often feel that way when owning such a breed as they are far less biddable than breeds bred to work hand in hand with people. You see a husky hasn’t been tampered with all that much selectively. They are still very much the dog they were years ago. A dog with drive and grit. Two things which often rarely easily match in an average pet household.

Understanding what makes them tick will make them want to interact with you. They love to move, dig, be vocal and hunt. So offer them those things. People aren’t much different, we are more likely to want to socialise with people who are similar to us than dissimilar. So instead of labeling them
.try understanding them and you might be surprised at how trainable they then become.

17/05/2026

Are you socialising your puppy with dogs optimally? đŸŸ

Socialisation is easily one of the most misunderstood phrases in dog training. People often assume it to mean meet as many dogs and people as possible
.in reality it couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Whilst allowing our puppies to play and explore is hugely developmentally important, how we allow them to do that is the difference. If we only allow chaos and high energy to be practiced around other dogs then your puppy will learn that is how they should appropriately communicate with other dogs all the time. It will fall short sooner or later and likely create frustration when leashed.

Whilst yes we allow them to play, it’s more important that we teach them a balance and build value in ourselves too. Otherwise your dog will never learn to listen to you when another dog is present. We cannot get annoyed at our dogs when that is something we have taught them.

So if you want your puppy to grow into an adult that can control themselves around other dogs. Then you shouldn’t be prioritising highly energetic play constantly. Instead allow short bursts of play, you playing with your puppy too, offer your puppy treats frequently to prevent them escalating and if needed use a leash to help them also be calm and relax in the presence of other dogs too.

10/05/2026

Preventing resource guarding đŸŸ

Will every dog resource guard? No. Is there a higher chance with certain breeds over others? Yes. My breed is one of them.

Following prevention training from a young age in breeds with a higher chance is highly advisable. Prevention is easier than a cure after all.

The aim is building trust around items that will naturally be of value to them which doesn’t mean constantly taking it away, it actually means giving.

I hear you ask but what happens when I do need to take something away? You can simply just remove it. Especially when the association is one of giving so your dog already trusts you with their resources even if you have possession of it. Taking it away should never need to be the go to. I mean in allllll the years I’ve had with dogs I can count on two hands the times I’ve had to remove something valuable from my dogs possession. So the ratio stays 100:1. 100 times I give to the 1 time I may need to take away.

Does your dog resource guard?

09/05/2026

Do you ever let your dog just be goofy? đŸŸ

The human sickness of wanting to constantly control everything and make everything perfect is often the biggest downfall.

Your dog is not a car that you can pimp up or something you can edit. They are their own being. Don’t let your own desires get in the way of remembering to let them enjoy their life too.

Does that mean let them go crazy and do all the unwanted behaviours ? Of course not. It don’t be so uptight and think that your dog has to be this perfect citizen every waking moment. Be silly with them, be goofy.

Letting them sometimes choose the game can do a lot more for your training than you ever may realise. It was certainly the biggest game changer with my own dog who ended up surpassing my expectations after I learned to let them expectations go.

Let your dog show their character and you may be pleasantly surprised how much they will actually want to listen to you in future if we give them these moments.

Do you ever let your dog choose the game?

29/04/2026

Is Your Dog Catching Rats? Here’s Why You Should Be Concerned đŸŸ

Rats are incredibly intelligent animals, they’re not often easily caught. So, if your dog is suddenly catching rats with ease, it could be a red flag.

Yes, there are breeds that were specifically bred to catch rats, and they’re brilliant at it. But even for those dogs, catching a rat isn’t usually simple. If the rats your dog is catching seem unusually easy to catch, it could be a sign that those rats have been poisoned.

Here’s the scary part: even if your dog doesn’t eat the rat, just catching or coming into contact with a poisoned rat can lead to severe side effects. Rat poison doesn’t just harm the rats, it can harm your dog too.

If your dog is catching rats, here’s what you need to do:

* Consult Your Vet: If your dog has been catching rats, it’s always a good idea to check in with your vet, even if they seem fine.
* Check Your Area: Look for signs of rat poison being used nearby, especially in urban or rural areas where pest control is common

Your dog’s safety is the priority. Don’t ignore the signs, quick action could save their life.

Has your dog ever caught a rat? Let’s talk about it in the comments! 👇

27/04/2026

Choose the Right Dog for YOUR Life đŸŸ

When it comes to getting a dog, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing a breed that fits your lifestyle. Every breed was born and bred for a purpose, and understanding that purpose is key to setting both you and your dog up for success.

Let’s look at a few examples:

* Massive Guardian Breeds: Dogs like Cane Corsos or Great Pyrenees were bred to protect. Their natural guardian instincts mean they may be wary of strangers or protective of their home. While some individuals may be super social, that’s the exception, not the rule. If every Cane Corso loved strangers, they wouldn’t make very good guardians, would they?

* Terrier Breeds: Terriers were bred to hunt and dig out vermin. That drive to chase, dig, and stay busy is hardwired into them. In the average household, this can lead to frustration if their instincts aren’t channelled appropriately.

* Herding Breeds: Border Collies and Australian Shepherds are incredible workers, but their high energy and need for mental stimulation can overwhelm a family that just wants a couch companion.

Here’s the thing: all of these breeds can thrive in homes without issues, but it requires an owner who understands and respects what the breed was born to do.

The average owner might not realise what these instincts mean in day-to-day life. So, when someone says, “My Kangal is lovely with strangers,” that’s great, but it’s not the norm.

Choosing a breed that aligns with your lifestyle isn’t just about making your life easier, it’s about giving your dog the best chance to live a happy, fulfilled life whilst keeping your friends and family safe.

What breed do you have, and how does it fit your lifestyle? Let’s chat in the comments! 👇

26/04/2026

The Premack Principle: Turning “Meh” into “Yes, Please!” đŸŸ

The Premack Principle is a fancy way of saying: a more desirable behaviour can reinforce a less desirable one. In simpler terms, it means your dog can learn that doing something they’re not super keen on leads to something they absolutely love.

Here are a few examples in dog training:
* Recall Training: Your dog loves running off to sniff bushes? Use that to your advantage! Call them back to you, and as a reward, let them go sniff again.
* Loose Leash Walking: If your dog pulls to get to the park, teach them that walking nicely on the lead gets them there faster.
* Sit Before Play: If your dog loves chasing a ball, ask for a sit first. Once they sit, the reward is throwing the ball.

Why is this method so useful? Because it works with your dog’s natural motivations instead of against them. You’re not just bribing them with treats, you’re teaching them that good behaviour leads to the things they already want. It’s a win-win!

The Premack Principle is a powerful tool for building focus, improving impulse control, and making training more enjoyable for both you and your dog.

What’s something your dog loves that you could use as a reward? Let’s chat in the comments! 👇

24/04/2026

Classical Conditioning: It’s Always Happening đŸŸ

In this video, you’ll see an example of a noise, a simple beep from a controller.

On its own, this noise doesn’t mean anything. It’s just a sound in the environment. But when that beep is paired enough times with something meaningful to the learner, that’s when classical conditioning occurs.

Here’s why this is so important: the meaning of the noise depends entirely on the learner. If I use this machine with a dog who has no interest in herding or chasing, the beep doesn’t mean anything to them, good or bad. It’s just background noise.

But if the dog does have a strong interest in herding or chasing, and that beep has been paired with something exciting or rewarding, it suddenly becomes a powerful signal.

This is exactly what happens with everyday things like your doorbell or the sound of a cupboard opening. The doorbell itself doesn’t mean anything, but if your dog has learned that it predicts visitors, it becomes a trigger.

Or when you open that special cupboard where the treats are kept, and your dog comes flying to your side, they’ve learned to associate that sound with something they love.

The key takeaway? Classical conditioning is always happening, whether you want it to or not. Your dog is constantly learning to associate sounds, sights, and actions with meaning. So, be mindful of what you’re pairing together, it can shape your dog’s behaviour in ways you might not even realise.

What’s something your dog has learned to associate through classical conditioning? Share below! 👇

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