Dogs of St Roch

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Dogs of St Roch

Because all dogs are good dogs; it’s up to us to be better humans. Hi, I'm Tiah Marie Beautement and I am a writer and dog trainer in Mossel Bay.

I obtained my Dog Trainer Diploma from Pet Sense College after spending many years living and working with dogs and horses. I am always in awe at the profound impact these animals can have on humans' mental and physical health, even if they are our "rescue."

29/07/2025

Io’s pup class Whispering with Dogs comes with homework.

This week was:Write your dog’s name in puppy food; walk with them to the food; make them sit for 10 seconds; let them eat. (Totally fine.)

Aaaaaaaaand…Dance in front of your dog while making distracting noises to a specific song and then lead your dog through the instructions.

(Gaaaaaaah!!!!!!!)We could practice before filming. But I have NO TIME. So we only practiced twice and I still messed up the Simon Says bit.

However, the exercise comes with great purpose than making a fool out of yourself.

-Desensitisation.
-Work on keeping pup’s focus during chaos.
-Work on pup’s performing behaviours with distractions.

Io liked the exercise, very much, as there were many treats involved v

19/07/2025

Io sporting her hi-viz bib. Loki has a similar one as he, even more than her, blends into the terrain.

She’s attached to a horse lead to give her more freedom. We also brought a horse lunge lead for extra length. Much safer and better options than retractable leads.

18/07/2025

Practicing recall. Dogs did pretty well. Human needs work.

05/07/2025

Io is back at Whispering with Dogs puppy school.

She’s been doing the same class since January.

Io knows how to perform all the behaviours, beautifully (sit, down, step, etc)

Our challenge is confidence. Hers took a big knock after her ear op at the end of February. It was only a month after we brought her home from the Garden Route SPCA Mossel Bay. A lot for a pup to process.

Thankfully, she’s making excellent progress. A lot less reactive than she was in March.

She even was a demo pup yesterday and didn’t bark at the other pups while showing off her skills.

Also fun to see how much she’s grown since we started classes.

14/06/2025

Saturday morning vibes.

06/06/2025

Trying to enjoy the last day of good weather before the storm system hits.

Io’s confidence and reactivity is improving despite the public testing her. Yes, we’re having outbursts. But she’s making positive progress.

Now, would it be easier if people stopped trying to get their dog to “greet” her? Yes. Did we have to leave early this morning because once again, someone spotted Io and UNCLIPPED THEIR DOG after I told them Io was nervous.

But she’s friendly and won’t do anything.

Mine will.

And you’d think that would send them running to save their adorable four legged friend.

Nope.

They leave it to me to save their dog from their mind boggling poor choices.

04/06/2025

Socialising a dog is more about exposure to new things than “play dates.” The latter risks setting a dog back. The former can create positive progress, such as gaining confidence.

Loki finds certain statues or sculptures scary. Oddly enough, it isn’t clear to humans why some are terrifying and others are fine.

But today we found a “horrifying” nemesis. It took lots of treats and praise but eventually the “enemy” was defeated and we could carry on with our day.

03/06/2025

Good morning.

02/06/2025

Pro tip: When someone borrows your dog leash without your knowledge just use the lead to your horse halter…

Address

Mosselbaai

Website

https://dogsroch.wordpress.com/

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