Man's Best Friend

14/04/2022

Absolutely devaststed at the death of my best friend Dorothy. Sorry I haven't replied to anyone yet, I really do appreciate all the lovely messages just a little 💔 broken

28/06/2021

'Choice' has been shown to be a primary reinforcer to most (probably all) species, including dogs and people, which means that it is innately reinforcing without us having to learn it. Choice (or perception of choice) leads to more social, bolder, more relaxed, more exploric animals and lack of control/choice is associated with increased stress markers and stress related behaviors to cope.

For example, people without choice are more likely to turn towards substance abuse and or eating disorders to reclaim the perception of control.

We control so much of our dogs lives; who our dogs meet and spend time with, how, when and what our dogs eat, how they play, when and where they walk, sleep and s**t.

Therefore, we can attempt to give our dogs some choice (or the perception of) back to them in return which can help them happier in their own lives and therefore making them less likely to show unwanted behaviours due to the need to try and reclaim some choice back from us.

This could be letting your dog choose where they want to walk by letting them lead the way, giving them a choice of beds, bowls, puzzle feeders etc (in the video in comment section I let Dot decide how she wants to eat her dinner), Playing husbandry games like the bucket game can give control back to your dogs. Can anyone think of any other ways we could give choice to our dogs? I believe these small daily habits will have a far bigger impact on your dogs behaviour than most of the traditional obidience training games and most good dog trainers (which there are loads in Bristol- just ask and I'll pass you on some names) will set up the environment so the dog feels as if it has choice, then we can reward the behaviours we like, rather than waiting for the dog to fail so they can try and change it (like you might see on some TV programmes).

Leotti et Al, 2010
Joffe, 1973
Shapiro et Al 1996
Baldwin et Al, 1967
Marmosets et Al, 2012
Taylor, 2001

03/05/2021

⭐IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT⭐ Man's Best Friend is closing permanently. As some of you may know, I have been working at Dogs For Good for the last year or so training assistance dogs which I've absolutely loved. I will now be moving permanently to Guide Dogs, as a guide dog trainer. It's a bit too much work to juggle 2 jobs so I will cease trading as MBF and will not continue training pet dogs. Thank you all for being amazing clients, keep up the good work and I love seeing pictures, getting updates and hopefully bumping into you in Bristol ✌🏼BYE

27/02/2021

Peggyyy

Peggy is enjoying a walk with a view 💚

16/12/2020

Interesting observations of a dogs pulse when the handler bends over the dog or kneels next to the dog.

A 75% INCREASE in pulse was seen when handler bends over them. A 5% REDUCTION in pulse was seen when handler kneels beside them.

Keep this in mind when towel drying, playing, greeting, fitting a harness etc.

06/12/2020

Ma Girllllllllyy

Thanks to your donations, Tegan will one day make a life-changing difference for someone with disabilities 💚

🐾 Find out how we help people through the power of expertly trained dogs: https://bit.ly/2BHpkrv

11/11/2020

My Tegan 🥰 Arnos Vale Cemetery

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them"
Here's dog in training, Tegan proudly wearing a poppy pin for .

23/10/2020

Bye bye Facebook 👋🏼 ill be deleting my Instagram and Facebook off my phone as I feel much better without social media. You can get hold of me on [email protected] if you need to and/or I will log in on my laptop intermittently. ☺️

07/07/2020

Sorry I don’t come on social media much anymore. It’s not good for the old noggin.

Here’s my boy Ash, a yellow Lab x Goldie who I’ll be training up for the next 16 weeks 🤗🥰

15/06/2020

How to desensitise your dog to you and others wearing a facemask Dogs for Good - UK

02/06/2020

Whist for I’m home for the next week or so from work I’m offering a free 1-2-1 zoom session for that would like help with any dog training issue. Must be in Bristol or North Somerset and either:

- working for the NHS or in the care sector
- shielding or vulnerable
- furloughed from work
- recently unemployed or made redundant during covid

Please pass this on to anyone you feel that needs assistance and I’ll try and help as many as I can.

Please note, this does not cover any severe behavioural issues such as, separation anxiety, resource guarding or aggression.

01/05/2020

Made up a challenge...on your daily walk try and make a dog on harder than it looks! Give it a go