4 Furry Paws Galway

27/08/2025

Follow the yellow brick road 🐾💜🌧️

26/08/2025

BACK TO SCHOOL MEANS SCHEDULE AND WEATHER CHANGES!
**It is already getting darker, earlier and I’ll be reaching out to everyone about possible schedule changes.

* I walk in the rain (I actually prefer it) unless there is a red or orange warning.

🐾 please be conscious of that when joining the group walks as your space is saved for your requested days each week

🚙 I do not do rush hour traffic, so all connection and drop off with be as far away from that as possible !!!

⭐️ I still have a few spaces in Sept, Oct and Nov for overnight boarding….. message me for details

Nicole

23/08/2025

Error Management Theory is one of my favourite ways of making sense of what looks like ‘irrational’ fear. Haselton and Buss showed in the 2000s that humans often have built-in biases when judging situations. Men are more likely to over-read sexual interest while women are more likely to over-read threat or lack of commitment. These biases evolved because the cost of underreacting was much higher than the cost of overreacting.

The same idea applies to fear in animals and evolutionary theorists use this to explain why a dog is more likely to recall scary things than nice things, and why one bad event can have such a ripple effect.

From an evolutionary perspective it is safer to be scared too often than to miss a real threat. Jumping at a stick that looks like a snake is far less costly than ignoring a snake that looks like a stick.

When a dog overreacts to seeing another dog they are not being silly or dramatic. Their nervous system is built on the same principle which is why small dogs especially appear to be “drama queens”. If they assume danger and they are wrong, they get a moment of stress. If they assume safety and they are wrong, the cost could be injury or worse.

Understanding this gives us one more lens. It is not about a badly behaved dog, it is about an animal working with an ancient survival bias.

Part of our job when we assess a dog to be fearful is to help them gather enough safe experiences that the bias can recalibrate. That usually means 100 decent experiences to 1 frightening one - it’s why stress inoculating around triggers with fearful dogs is such a tender and careful and sensitive process.

This is just one theory in one lens. I’m looking forward to day one of the bootcamp on Monday when students will get a chance to explore theories like this and put together the jigsaw puzzle and then see it in action with the afternoons case study on the Invictus Dog Aggression Bootcamp. x

For tickets check the course page at www.thejrhacademy.co.uk

22/08/2025

Mattison and Jerri have recently put an episode out explaining the Open Minded Approach.

In this 50 minute podcast, available on many platforms; they explain what TULSA PACK means to them and the foundations of their accessible training program.

📻 You can listen here (link in comments)

They discuss how dogs, humans and society all matter and how meeting the needs of all three can change how we live with our dogs.

Hop on here to listen- it is an enjoyable listen and so informative.

Their first ever conference is here in Ireland at Corks Vienna Woods Hotel.

ALL are welcome, from pet professionals to dog owners to anyone interested.

Book in here 👇🏼

https://bookwhen.com/4furrypawsgalway

19/08/2025

TULSA PACK ATHLETICS, an open minded approach hosted by Jerri Scherff and Mattison Skoog is the first one of its kind in the world….. and it is happening right here in Ireland!!

🐾Tulsa Pack Athletics an Open Minded approach was started by Jerri in 2021 and has gained world wide recognition with the largest online following of any female trainer in history.

🐕 Jerri has nearly 20 years experience in veterinary medicine and is CPDT-KA certified. She believes in making training affordable for all and acknowledges we have a massive influence on the lives of dogs by working together.

🐕 Mattison has an increasing online influence for training pet dogs with her social media platforms and programmes for all levels of dog trainers as well as many free courses. She is CPDT-KA and CDBC certified. Her methods are reward based and emphasis focuses on natural consequences of behaviour modification.

⭐️ Together, these women have shaped dog training beyond strict methodology and focus on empathy and accountability for all involved.

This is a very important conference that should not be missed if you are anyway involved in training dogs and want to understand the how and why behind the success of Tulsa Pack Athletics and the Open Minded Approach.

🗓️ October 18th and 19th
📍 Vienna Woods Hotel, Cork
💶 €280 (payment plan available)

*tickets are non exchangeable and not refundable

Book in this epic event here 👇🏼

https://bookwhen.com/4furrypawsgalway

18/08/2025

One thing about my multiple dog home is, I get to spend individual time with each doing things that build our bond.

Cadaver training as a sport for me and Raven is something we both enjoy and get to celebrate wins together.

Thank you so much, Eadaoin for the development days in all sports.

We learned how to work in the wind and plan our search accordingly to set up for success.
Raven also did her first search with 2 sources in one area and she understood the assignment.

We went home content and even closer connected 🐾💜

16/08/2025

🎉🐾 Big Welcome Alert! 🐾🎉

We are beyond excited to officially welcome Kelly to the team! 🙌✨

Kelly is a Certified Dog Trainer with an incredible background in behaviour, training, and everything doggy 🐶💡. From completing her Canine Behaviour & Dog Training Diploma with the DSPCA, to earning certifications with IMDT, Michael Shikashio, Jim Crosby, and The Dog Trainer School, Kelly has stacked up an amazing toolbox of skills.

Her journey started with her own dog, Marley 💕—who inspired her to dive into the world of behaviour and reactivity. Not only did Marley gain confidence and six new doggy pals (👏👏👏), but Kelly also discovered her true passion: helping dogs and their humans thrive together.

We are SO thrilled to have her on board bringing all her knowledge, warmth, and passion to our community. 🥳🐾

Drop a big CONGRATS below to welcome Kelly to the family! 👇💜

13/08/2025

11/08/2025