Stacie Dog Trainer

18/09/2024

Guess the project!! It is for the dogs 😂

26/08/2024

✨ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING ✨

As Rumple is beginning his journey into becoming a cardiac alert dog for me I need to make more of an effort to check his behaviour in built up public paces - this has only slackened because I don’t like public spaces however I CANNOT put my own dislike of it onto either of my dogs which means you have just got to get over it and get out there and put your own feelings aside.

From day one with both dogs we have got them out in loud and busy environments with to desensitise them to the noise and vibrations and last night we took them with us to the pub where it was gig night.
They both did amazing. Tink especially - she really doesn’t like loud noise and often won’t lie down but she has recently started to.

Rumple we have done this from day 1 with him so he doesn’t care and will settle immediately.
As you can see we were right by the stage which was not really where wanted to be but the only table available 😂 with this in mind we didn’t end up staying long so after an hour or so we left and then took the dogs for a decompression walk.

24/08/2024

REPS

Reps of your training are the only way to achieve consistency in the outcome from your dog. I do reps everyday with both Tink and Rumple. Simple things like down, recall and heel with other commands mixed in as well. However for me these 3 are the most important and the first things I teach.

If you want your dog to do this, get out there regardless of weather (unless it’s hot) and train your dog. The only reason your dog won’t do it…is you.

30/07/2024

Dogs are afraid of many things. The fact that they’re afraid doesn’t mean anything negative has transpired, it simply means they’re… afraid. This typically comes from weak genetics, and/or lack of familiarity/exposure.

We humans love (and need) a good story. We see a dog’s reactions to things and construct a narrative which makes us feel like saviors/heroes, or grants us attention, or just resolves the tension which arises from an unexplainable/unpleasant reaction… even if this narrative negatively impacts the dogs or owners.

Think about who dogs predominantly interact with in shelters, rescues, foster care. It’s rarely men. Along with that, men tend to also have more assertive characteristics (deeper voice, larger physique, less fluid movements, and a more assertive presentation in general). If a dog is unfamiliar with men, and/or has weak nerves, it’s fairly easy to understand why they react to men in the negative fashion they often do.

Instead of burdening a dog with the abuse story, and saddling them with all the guilt, permissiveness, and coddling it engenders, how about we create a hero story where we work our dogs through their challenges (however they present) and treat them like creatures who are resilient, capable, and eager to transform—and then watch them grow and flourish through sharing strength, rather than unhelpful weakness?

Of course that means prioritizing the dog’s needs over your own, but that’s no issue for someone who professes to truly love dogs… right? Right?

30/07/2024

Quick screen shot from a video of Tink and Rumple playing…

30/07/2024

Spot the dog!! You’re looking for Tink (cream Pomeranian)

17/07/2024

Just chilling and hear breathing…

11/07/2024

ROBOT DOGS

This is a term that quite frankly I am sick to death of hearing. When I think of this term I’m thinking of the idea of your dog actually being a robot - however the way this term is implied is actually on well behaved and well trained dogs.

People say to me all the time I don’t want a robotic dog - okay but you don’t want your dog chasing livestock…do you?

The term robot dog has been coined by those who have poorly behaved dogs - dogs who will run off after people, dogs, livestock ect. And this is not limited to just dog owners, this is trainers as well.

When you are out your dog should ignore this. Not to say they should just be all eyes on you but they should be paying attention to you and checking in. When I’m out, my dogs are free to explore and do whatever is safe for them to do, but I can control them for any reason. I can refocus them on me with a simple whistle or cue. And then send them on their way when I deem it safe to do so or quite simply want to. It’s not always appropriate for your dog to wandering off or freely moving.

The key point I deem the most important is that you promote your dogs independence. If your dog physically cannot think for themselves because you are constantly giving instructions then you’ve got another problem. You need to promote a balance of healthy independent thought and attention to you.

11/07/2024

10/07/2024

Spot the dog… looking for Rumple a chocolate lab. Natural Balance Dog Training LTD

10/07/2024

10/07/2024

This week's package highlight is on Package A: Household Issues. More information about all our packages can be found on our site www.naturalbalancedt.com/dogtraining