Harry’s Happy Hounds NZ

23/04/2025

The hardest thing about recall is working around the countless distractions that are out there in the environment. Whilst you can slowly add distractions and control the environment to a degree, at some point your dog is going to come across what in the dog training world is referred to as competing motivators. This can be anything from a new smell, a person, a dog or basically anything your dog finds way more rewarding than returning to you. When developing a solid recall this can be particularly problematic and there are times when you just won't win. So, here's a wee trick I find really helps when I find myself in this situation. Just stand still and wait, at some point, if you have developed a strong bond your dog will check in with you. You need to be attentive but the very second they check in you need to get amped up, go a little crazy and burst into explosive play. Teach the dog in advance that your crazy erratic movement means only one thing, the best time ever !!! Use food, praise and play, rehearse this over and over at close quarters, use a leash if needs be until the dog understands the pattern. This is a great tool to add to your toolbox when teaching recall and prevents you from shouting come, come COME over and over again until the command loses all value. Whilst this won't work in all circumstances for example if the dog is in full chase mode it can be very beneficial in many situations.

In the video below I never used any kind of verbal commands but the second the dog checked in, the tried and tested routine began.
The dog had learnt that….

A (crazy) = B (Return to handler) = C (desirable outcome)

🐾 Dogs do what works for them 🐾

09/04/2025

Some of the owners and dogs I work with just need help and guidance with basic training for their dogs and that's great.

The majority of consults I attend are for behavioural issues these range from minor issues to the more serious and sadly for some it's the last chance saloon.

There is one common theme with nearly all of these dogs, in fact I'd say it's evident in 99% of these cases. Is it separation anxiety, the wrong dog in the wrong home, dog/human reactivity, inadvertent reinforcement, resource guarding, lack of boundaries etc etc ?

No, it's none of these, it's JUDGEMENT! judgement passed by others who have no idea of the dog's history or the challenges that the owners are facing. I see and hear it all the time and all it does is shatter confidence. I have even seen owners who have been put down by a 'professional' and told that they are doing everything wrong. Even if this were to be true that's no way to help or coach anyone.

Owning a dog like this is hard enough and can be extremely overwhelming, As well as working the dog I spend a lot time trying to rebuild confidence in the owner some of which are incredibly low and are at point where they dread going out. But these owners are out there trying their very best and do right by their dogs. Breed discrimination, hurtful comments or those sideways looks only add to their stress and are not helpful to either the dog or the handler.

So, if you ever experience judgment about your dog's just know that you are not alone. I have nothing but respect for owners who are out there trying their best and provided it is carried out in a safe manner I say to hell with those judgey types ! Anyone can own and successfully train a well breed dog with fantastic genetics or a dog that has had the very best of starts but maybe, just maybe one day those that pass judgement may end up with a challenging dog themselves and then and only then will they will truly understand..

A picture of one of my dogs who through no fault of her own has a number of challenging behaviours. However, I would not change her for the world, for many of the lessons she has taught me over the years have enabled me to help other dogs.

01/04/2025

🐾 Wallace and the apprentice….🐾

… just back from their first Therapy Pet visit

27/03/2025

We are back up and running, thanks everyone for your patience, I’m working my way through my messages.

Picture for attention 🐾

10/03/2025

Due to a family bereavement I will be unavailable for the next two weeks. Apologies for having to cancel appointments. I will be checking my messages and do my best to respond asap. I will be in touch once I return from the North Island.
Thanks in advance
Harry

24/02/2025

21/02/2025

🐾 Say Gidday to Luna 🐾

Ex pound dog Luna came to stay with me for a few days. She loves to pull and like most dogs can get distracted by what’s going on in the environment. She has now found the best of homes and this is something her new owners have been working on.

Whilst she was here I took the opportunity to work on strengthening her markers, leash pressure, building engagement and teaching her to follow my lead.

20/02/2025

Evening stroll 🐾

18/02/2025

🐾 Loose leash walking with two dogs 🐾

Say Gidday to Jimmy and Ivy

I first met Jimmy about 6 months ago when I was contacted by his owners as in their words both dogs were “horrible leash pullers”

Their long term goal was to be able to walk both dogs together without the constant pulling and without the lead getting torn from their grip.

So we went to work with Jimmy the older of the two dogs, he’s a smart lad and soon began to get the idea. His owners applied the same principle and technique with Ivy without my help. That to me is a win win.

Both dogs were now great to walk separately but put them together and it was back to square one.

There are a lot of advantages to walking dogs individually but with people working full time it’s not always possible and besides it’s also great to walk them together. So recently I went along for a catch up and we set about working the two dogs together. This video was taken towards the end of our first session.

It may not be perfect yet but with dogs behind gates, me filming and countless other distractions on the streets these guys are smashing it. Jimmy especially can be seen on a number of occasions checking in with his owner.

I was very impressed with Jimmy and Ivy’s Mum who remained calm and confident and provided clear and consistent communication to both of these cool dogs.

Great job team 🐾

12/02/2025

🐾 Dog not listening when it’s time to go home, blows you off and refuses to come when called. One of the contributing factors that causes this behaviour could be you dog has figured out the party’s over. Dogs learn by spotting patterns and predicting what’s coming next. When I was a kid playing in the street my Mum would call me when it was time to come in. So I would make myself scarce and make out like I hadn’t heard her….. Same deal with our dogs…

To get around this just call your dogs back at random times throughout their walk so they no longer make that association and by doing so you will change the picture for them. 🐾

01/02/2025

Play is a huge opportunity to build and strengthen the bond you have with your dog.
There is a misconception amongst some that playing tug with your dog will increase or cause aggression, nothing could be further from the truth. When us humans play sport or any kind of game there are rules and if we choose not to follow them the games over. Apply this same principle with your dogs and the learning opportunities that can benefit dog and handler in everyday life are almost endless.

A good friend, trainer and mentor of mine uses the analogy of a manual gearbox when teaching tug. Start in neutral and slowly work your way up through the gears returning to neutral before shifting up into the next gear. This slowly teaches the dog to control its impulses gradually over time as you increase your energy.

This boy stayed with me recently and here we are teaching a solid ‘Out’ and here’s the most important thing , the dog is learning and having fun. 🐾

30/01/2025

One thing I am always particular about is working around thresholds be it doorways, gates or getting in and out of cars. This is not only a great opportunity to install manners and work on impulse control but it might just save your dogs life.

When I first met this boy he was very pushy and would try mouthing to get out of the vehicle. It’s taken some time but today he nailed it.

Good job Mav 🐾

30/01/2025

Let’s get Cooper home

Good morning everyone, today I just wanted to post in response to a few questions we are getting......

Should you be the person that has Cooper, there is $5000 cash sitting here waiting for you. All you have to do is take him to any vet or call the council and say you have found a wandering dog and you think it could be the missing Frenchie from Facebook. Boom, 5k cash, no questions asked OR..........

ANY INFORMATION that leads us to getting Cooper home will receive the $5000 reward, SO.....

In a nutshell, you have the opportunity to get the $5000 for yourself, or risk someone leading us to you and THEY get the $5000.
We do not care HOW you have come to have Cooper, we only care about him coming home. All leads will be followed up.
Lena 0272938557. Any leads will be treated in confidence and will not be shared to anyone

22/01/2025

🐾 Say Gidday to Remi the
Bernese Mountain Dog 🐾

So here she is sat in the back of her owners car. No big deal you might be thinking, but rewind 3 to 4 months and she wouldn’t go near a car. Check out her back story…

Firstly Remi lost her best mate the older family dog who had been there from the very first day Remi’s owner brought her home. Then there was the upheaval of packing up her home, the long road trip from Adelaide to Sydney and then the flight to NZ. The final straw was when the floor panel in the new car flipped up and hit her. This is a good example of the layered stress model. Just like us dogs can only take so much stress and then they snap. In Remi’s case she made the association with the car.

She had no issues prior and would happily jump up into the back of cars and utes. Pain was ruled out and she would still happily jump up onto a bed or sofa.

So we broke it all down into tiny baby steps, lots of frequent sessions, starting by rewarding her for even looking at the car and building from there. We then taught her paws up hoping that eventually she would go that bit further. We also tried a ramp, teaching her to just walk on it on the flat to begin with. Still Remi’s owner refused to give in and kept on trying and trying moving the car into different positions etc. Her owners dedication, determination and patience finally paid off. It can be incredibly frustrating and trying when working with a dog like Remi and I have sadly seen some owners fail but not Remi’s. Some dogs you can put a wee bit of pressure on to get them through a sticking point but Remi is definitely not one of those dogs. It would have been disastrous to put her under any pressure such was her reluctance to get in the car. Today I caught up with Remi and her owner and she jumped up into the car twice in quick succession without any issue, just one big happy dog. I am so impressed with her owner, I had warned her that with dogs you often take one step forward and 2 back but that never fazed her and now she is reaping the rewards. Each and everytime Remi goes out in the car she goes to the park or somewhere where she has fun. This reinforces the positive association she has now built with the car and car journeys.

Great job Remi and Mum

Happy Days 🐾

19/01/2025

Keep your eyes peeled everyone…

Cooper has been missing for 3 weeks, last seen 29th December 2024 at 7am from Clarkville, North Canterbury, Christchurch. Cooper could be anywhere in NZ by now, and we are offering $5000 reward, no questions asked for any information that leads us to getting Cooper home. Please share this post around as much as you possibly can and help us get our baby home

25/12/2024

All I want for Christmas is a new frisbee…..