Honestly Canine

07/02/2025

Beach walks with our Harrier Beagle - Also had the pleasure of seeing Mars, Jupiter, Venus & Saturn with the planetary parade in a clear, Kent night sky.

17/09/2023

Dogs and gardens? Diggers and plant wreckers.....

My dogs come with me when I'm working on a horticultural project. They have free run in some spaces and are tethered in others.

Dogs who are on daycare, board and train come most places with me. Having them hang around with me, they learn how to become sociable companions.

I was sitting at a bar in a small French town watching people and their dogs. They weren't talking to the dogs, or yanking their leads, or correcting them. The dogs were just there, hanging out in a busy town square.

One Husky was wandering around by a restaurant, trying his luck with with tables he thought he might get scraps from (he didn't come over to us....he chose people who looked slightly nervous around him).

He stood across the entrance and took the place as his own, barked at the chef who shooed him away (he didn't go).

His owner walked from the bar next door where she worked. She put her hand out behind her back and he followed, she did not speak to him.

This, is a language dogs understand. Calm, physical and social language is their currency.

The four dogs I had around me when planting this bed were goofing around to the point of distraction.....I did not command them to place or talk to them: I calmly walked to where I wanted them to hang out and they settled. No shouting, no conversation...apart from one they understood.

23/05/2023

Tear staining on dogs....a deeper look by Dogs First

Nutrition is a good place to start
https://dogsfirst.ie/weepy-eyes-in-dogs/?fbclid=IwAR3gOqr3H5APAEdNj_i1qv3C4UZulD7xplFDrHPAoUKHmEnzYy_g_1n5pFE

As mentioned above, there are clearly a few causes for weepy eyes in dogs.  If these causes are not addressed, then you will always need a product like

22/05/2023

This video is a perfect example of how we are trying to influence - in canine appropriate body, energetic and verbal language - good decision making.

This dog clearly has a strong connection with his owner, there is an invisible leash between them but he isn't entirely clear about what a good decision is at first.

The trainer () coaches her through a series of clear instructions to help shape the dog's decision making.

When we guide decision making it really sticks! Timing is everything too.....

09/04/2023

I climbed on a large felled tree and watched this group of young dogs for a few minutes. The area was quiet and we rambled off path, under trees and had a free ranging walk.

I know these dogs well, two my own and the others have been walking with me for at least six months (except the Rottie, she's well trained and my friend's dog).

If I see someone come along I call them in and move into the bushes, or run them past - I don't want a group of big dogs troubling anyone. I train my own dogs to be good citizens: thorough basics can prevent many behavioural problems from developing. I train as I go, nothing too formal - continuum behaviour coaching

09/04/2023

This old Staffy boy is an outstanding mentor dog (especially to my adolescent female). He was rescued from dire circumstances at 5 weeks of age and nurtured through maternal deprivation with close contact and lifelong enrichment-based training.

At 11, he still walks for hours every day in mixed aged groups.

It helps that he loves food.......and I don't mind the odd Staffy kiss.

19/03/2023

Three hours with me....

Train, exercise and lots of dog-dog socialisation plus free play.

30kg + of Boxer flat out, caregivers will have a quiet evening.