Wise Dog Training

28/07/2025

This is a great class for puppies. Book now

16/07/2025

"Mum, can I pat the dog"?

"Sure....go ahead....just make sure you put your hand right up into their face"

What could possibly go wrong?

We were all taught this as children.
Time to teach our children a better way now.

Dog trainers tend to disagree with the "hands in faces" advice.
Some insist they must smell your hand because of the Jacobson's organ that allows a dog to gather far more information.
Now while this can help dogs gather more information....that is still way too close.

People also tend to encourage "sniffing hands" when a dog is showing signs of being scared or "nervy".
For me....that's another good reason not to greet a dog like that.

Will it work for some dogs...yes.
Should it be a universal way to greet dogs?
Heck no.

When we put our hands in a dogs face we are encouraging them to come closer....sometimes before they are emotionally ready

Many dogs don't trust hands.

The easiest way to gain trust is to ignore them.

They will show you when they are ready for more

12/07/2025

04/07/2025

Dogs are asked to cope with a lot in our world.
We don't look at how change can affect them....until it does.
We have family staying ➡️ but your dog doesn’t know that until they walk in the door.
We go on vacation ➡️ your dog has no idea they’re about to stay at a kennel or have someone new in their space.
Then we're shocked by the regression.

"It was all going so well !"
It can be the smallest of things that can undo all the progress made.
For your dog though....those "little" changes can be huge.

➡️Overnight guests

➡️Construction next door

➡️More kids visiting, esp during school holidays

➡️Taking your dog to a friend’s place

All of these are ordinary to us..... and may be overwhelming to them.

27/06/2025

Very important for those with reactive dogs

Reactivity can be exhausting...for both of you.
Helping dogs through this requires slowing down.
Doing things differently.
If you are making no progress....you may not be "doing it wrong", it could be because decompression simply hasn't been thought of or perhaps you tried a couple of things and it didn't help much.

Well....the truth is, it won't help much when it is sporadic or a couple of times a week.
Though that is better than nothing, a better way of thinking about decompression as a "prescription" given several times a day.

Sleep.
Often over looked ....or dogs are expected to relax in the busy lounge where their bed is, when the children may be playing or just being kids.
Not an environment conducive to good quality sleep and rest.
Do they open their eyes when sleeping because they heard you walking past, or that car go past the window?
That is a sign they need a quieter area.

If the household is busy and a bit chaotic for the two hours before dinner....that may be too much for your dog.
Maybe popping them away to rest is a better option.

Try adding in more sleep.
Quality rest and sleep.
Have set times.

It can make a big difference.

24/06/2025

Wise words. Please be careful introducing a new puppy when you have other dogs.

Those old grey chops may not appreciate a puppy.
They may just want some peace and quiet as they age.
We may want our older, calmer dog to play with our pups to help them learn skills....but many find a puppies energy "intrusive".
They just want some peace.

Bows?
Misunderstood.... and they can be for a range of reasons.
Many bows can be signs something "unwanted" is about to happen.

Favourite toy? 🧸
Other dogs around?
That can be risky, especially if that item is truly coveted.

Playstyles.
Allowing your quieter dog to be around highly energetic dogs can be an issue.
This is generally not the way to convince dogs to be more "playful".

Feel free to share to those that may need it or save this if you are wanting to explore play more.

30/04/2025

THE PLOT TO DOMINATE HUMANS

We hear it far too much - “my dog is dominant” or “trying to be the alpha” or “I have to be the pack leader to show my dog who’s in charge”.

The definition of dominance - dominant in the chain of command / occupying or being in a commanding or elevated position / having a controlling, prevailing, or powerful position in a social hierarchy. Do we really believe this of our dogs in the context of our relationship with them? Are dogs really trying to take over our homes and rule the world?

We control everything in their lives - what and when they eat, when they go out, their choices, where they sleep, who they interact with, their environment etc. and yet it’s still believed they are trying to dominate us.

Yes, dominance between dogs does exist, but not in the way that we may assume. It exists in certain situations or contexts, is fluid and may constantly change. It’s not usually about using force but about one individual deferring to another.

Dogs know that we are not dogs and they don’t expect us to behave like other dogs.

Dogs need us to be their advocate, a source of security, of safety and a secure base from which they can navigate our world – not a source of pain, fear, intimidation, force, competition and dominance.

There is a vast amount of scientific evidence and information available that debunks the dominance myth as it pertains to our relationship with dogs.

Here are just a few links and references for further information -

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviour – “An appropriate trainer should avoid any use of training tools that involve pain (choke chains prong collars, or electronic shock collars), intimidation (sq**rt bottles, shaker noise cans, compressed air cans, shouting, staring, or forceful manipulations such as "alpha rolls" or "dominance downs physical correction techniques (leash jerking, physical force), or flooding exposure. The learner must always feel safe and have the ability to "opt out” of training sessions”

Why Dominance Theory Fails in Dog Training
https://readypupgo.biz/why-dominance-theory-fails-in-dog-training/

Dr Anne Mcbride & SJ Evans
https://www.apbc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/APBC-Dominance-Article.pdf

Dr. L. David Mech talks about the terms "alpha" and "beta" wolves and why they are no longer scientifically accurate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNtFgdwTsbU

10/04/2025

A very smart 5 month old Labradoodle called Peggie. It's really makes me smile when I see a dog progress and the guardians are putting a lot of time and effort into training. It really works.

22/03/2025

Every now and again a beautiful dog comes around. This is Dexter (or Dex as she likes to be called). She is incredibly smart and just needs a little nudge in the right direction. I can't wait to work with her again her again.

07/01/2025

New Puppy in the home? Enroll now

Are you interested in giving your new puppy the best start in life? Join The Puppy Club socialisation classes at Kowie Veterinary Clinic.

🌟 Why Puppy Socialisation? 🌟

🐶 Build Confidence: Help your pup feel at ease in a new environment. Socialisation builds confidence and can potentially reduce fears related to novel experiences.

🐾 Build a positive relationship: These classes encourage the bond between you and your puppy and can teach your pup to focus on you and stay as calm as possible around other dogs and people.

🧡 Prevent Behavioral Issues: Early socialisation can help prevent behavioural concerns later on, giving your pup a solid foundation for a happy, well-rounded life.

⭐What to Expect:⭐

👣 Life Skills: While our classes focus mainly on socialisation and guardian education. We also incorporate basic training cues like sit, stay and recall using positive reinforcement and fear free training methods.

💡 Expert Advice: Classes are run by a qualified animal behaviour consultant who will be there to answer all your questions, providing invaluable tips on puppy care, behavior, and training.

🎊 Fun-filled Sessions: Each class will incorporate exciting confidence-building exercises, enrichment and/or gentle obstacle courses. Plenty of tail-wagging and giggles guaranteed.

🐕Who can join? 🐕
Pups between the ages of 10-16 weeks who have had their first two vaccinations are welcome to join.

🐾 The Puppy Club is a Hills sponsored puppy school 🐾

Don't miss out on this opportunity for you and your beloved pup to learn, grow, and potentially create lifelong friendships! Limited spots are available, so book your spot today.

📍 Location: Kowie Vet Clinic
⏰ Schedule: 6 week course
💵 Price: R700
📅 Date: 6th Feb @ 16:30 pm
📞 Contact: 082 851 9521
📬 [email protected]

07/01/2025

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Changing a rescued dogs name can be a good thing.

If a dog has come from an unpleasant or abusive background, or even an unknown background, they may associate their name with negative experiences.

A previous owner may have shouted their name when doing something unpleasant to them.

Changing a dog’s name can be a fresh, new beginning and can provide an opportunity to rebuild broken trust and build new bonds.

There may be concern that changing a dog’s name will confuse them or may cause some form of emotional distress, but dogs really don’t see their names in the same way that we do.

Dogs really don’t care what we call them, as long as that name is associated with positive experiences it will be a good name.

A dog’s name is more important to us than it is to a dog. A name is really just a cue to get your dog’s attention so they respond.

The way a new name is introduced and taught is important. Care should be taken not to attach any negative associations with the new name.

The new name should always be paired with something positive whenever your dog hears the sound.
Call the new name and every time your dog reacts, responds or looks at you, reward this with a treat, lots of praise, a game or a toy.

Keep repeating this and dogs will quickly begin to associate their new name with something good about to happen and will start responding to the new sound in a positive way.

“It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.” - W.C. Fields. This quote sums up the importance of pairing a name with something positive so that it will always be what a dog wants to answer to.

A previous name may always be linked to a traumatic past, but a new name can be the beginning of a happy ever after and forever home.

13/12/2024

DON’T GET A DOG…UNLESS YOU CAN MAKE A COMMITMENT

In an ideal world dogs would be included as a family member and we would commit to sharing our time and life with them in the relatively short time they have on earth.

In an ideal world, we would take the time to learn about how dogs communicate through their body language, their emotions, their needs and keep learning about updated, modern, force free / pain free methods to understand or modify behaviour.

In reality, dogs are so often seen as an item of property, an object, a commodity to be bred and make money from, a cheap, replaceable security system, a garden decoration, a toy to play with when the kids are bored or an accessory that looks good while out walking, running or taking selfies.

Dogs are not objects, just like us they are sentient beings with the capacity to feel a range of emotions.

Dogs are naturally social beings and need to spend time with their human family.

A life spent confined to a backyard or fenced in with little or no human companionship is not a life.

They need love and attention, exercise and mental stimulation. They need routine, consistency and predictable patterns to feel safe and secure in our world.

Having a dog requires commitment, understanding, patience and dedication.

It’s hard work, it’s sometimes messy, dirty and stinky, it costs money and requires changes to our lifestyle.

It’s a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly or without making a long term commitment, but the rewards of forming a secure bond with another sentient being can bring so much joy and enrichment to both our lives and theirs.