Littermate Syndrome: What It Is and How to Deal With It

If you have more than one dog in your household, then you may be familiar with the term “littermate syndrome.” Littermate Syndrome, also sometimes called Sibling Aggression or Littermate Aggression, can cause behavioural problems in dogs of a similar age who are raised together.

In this podcast, LWDG Founder Jo Perrott discusses with LWDG Experts Emma Stevens and Abbie Reid what littermate syndrome is and how to deal with it if it arises.

What is Littermate Syndrome?

Littermate Syndrome is a set of behavioural problems that can occur when two puppies from the same litter , or pups of a similar age, are raised together.

The most common symptoms of littermate syndrome include resource guarding, separation anxiety, and difficulty with socialisation. While these problems can be frustrating for owners, they can be prevented through planning, and they are often easily resolved with the help of a qualified trainer or behaviourist.

Littermate syndrome is not a cause for concern and should not make you avoid getting a second puppy. With proper management and training, most dogs develop and mature to lead happy healthy lives.

‘Training littermates is a lot of work but if you put the hours in the rewards are certainly worth it! Abbie Reid

Littermate syndrome can affect unrelated dogs of a similar age

How to spot symptoms of littermate syndrome

The symptoms can vary from mild to severe, but usually include separation anxiety, aggression, and a strong bond with one another that can make it difficult for them to socialise with other dogs.

If you suspect your dog may be suffering from littermate syndrome, there are a few things you can look for.

First, pay attention to how they act when they’re apart from each other. If they become agitated or anxious, it’s a possible sign that they’ve become too dependent on each other.

Second, watch for signs of aggression, such as growling or snapping, when they’re around other dogs.

Finally, take note of how they socialise with other dogs. If they seem withdrawn or shy, it’s possible that they’re not getting enough exposure to other animals.

Pups with littermates syndrome may not eat or drink if apart

Tips for preventing and dealing with littermate syndrome

There are several things you can do to prevent littermate syndrome from developing in your puppies.

First, make sure to spend equal amounts of time socialising with each puppy individually. This will help them learn to bond with you and trust you as their primary source of comfort and security.

Secondly, provide plenty of opportunities for your puppies to play with each other so that they can learn how to interact appropriately.

Finally, be patient and consistent with your training, and make sure to plan to work with each dog in the way they need you to. Remember to work with the dog in front of you at all times.

“Be prepared for two puppies to be twice the work of one,” Dr. Heather Graddy

We hope this podcast and article have helped you learn more about littermate syndrome and how to prevent it. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for support.

Littermates can be a joy to raise together if done correctly.

Our team is here to help you with every step of your dog training journey. That’s why we offer our Society Squad live coaching calls – so that pet owners like you can ask our group of experts any questions they may have about this condition or any other behaviour problem their pet is experiencing. Thanks for reading!

Link to Dual Handling Masterclass

Do Gundogs Make Good Pets? The Pros & Cons of Owning a Gun Dog in 2022

Gun dogs, or gundogs, are a type of hunting dog that is used for flushing out and retrieving game. They are bred for their ability to work with hunters in the field, and they come in various shapes and sizes. So, the question remains: do gundogs make good pets?

Unfortunately, the answer is not so simple. There are pros and cons to owning a gundog as a pet. In this blog post, we will look at both sides of the argument and let you decide for yourself. If you’re thinking about getting a gundog, there are a few things you should consider:

1. What are gundogs, and what do they do?

Gundogs, also sometimes called bird dogs, are a type of hunting dog that is specially trained to find and retrieve game. There are many different types of gundogs, each with their own unique skills and abilities. Some common examples include retrievers, pointers, and setters. Gundogs typically work in pairs, or teams, with a hunter, using their keen sense of smell to track down prey.

Once the animal has been located, the gundog can be used to flush it out of hiding and may retrieve it for the hunter. In addition to their usefulness in hunting, gundogs also make loyal and affectionate companions. As a result, they can be a delightful addition to any home with the right training.

2. The pros of owning a gundog as a pet

Owning a gundog has many advantages. One of the most obvious is that they make excellent walking companions, as they have lots of energy and love to be outdoors. Gundogs are also very intelligent, which means they can be trained to perform various tasks. For example, many gundog owners use their dogs to help with retrieving games when out on a shoot. Gundogs are also known for being loyal and affectionate companions.

There are many different gundog breeds, each with their own unique skills and abilities. Gundogs are prized for their keen sense of smell, stamina, and ability to work closely with humans. While they were originally bred for hunting, gundogs can and do make excellent pets.

Many gundogs will have a strong work ethic and be eager to please their owner, which makes training them relatively easy. In addition, gundogs can be dual purpose dogs.

Even if you never intend to use them for hunting, they can naturally adapt to other jobs such as scent work, agility, assistance and any other role where they work alongside humans.

I guess it depends on what one classes as “a pet”, do they/we intend on fulfilling the dogs needs or just our own.
I am a pet gundog owner, working lines and he joined our family with every intention of being a family pet and my first agility, scent etc dog. But, WOW what a journey we have been on and I often wonder how many have been rehomed as they were placed with families who never intended or even thought of training/fulfilling the gundogs needs. – Emma Wardle , LWDG Community Member

Gundogs are usually very healthy dogs with few health problems. This is partly because they have been bred for generations to work in the field. However please check your breed and find out more as no breed is without issues.

3. The cons of owning a gundog as a pet

While gundogs make loyal and obedient pets, there are a few things to consider.

First, gundogs were bred for hunting, and as a result, they have a strong prey drive. This means they may chase small animals, including cats and other dogs. Therefore, gundogs need to be trained early to prevent them from chasing wildlife or becoming overly excitable.

Gundogs make good pets, however, certain breeds I.e., Cockers, need to stop being portrayed and sold as the perfect family dog. They can be, but need a lot of work to get them there. People don’t realise the energy or attitude. Case and point, the amount of Spaniels under a year and up to 14 months who need rehoming through Spaniel Aid alone. – Amy, LWDG Community Member

Secondly, gun dogs are often bred to be very intelligent, quick thinking, independent and single-minded. This can result in them being stubborn and difficult if not trained regularly.

The Charity Spaniel Aid UK, along with other charities are overwhelmed with dogs. More about this problem can be heard on our podcast Keeping Working Dogs Out Of Rescue.

Gundogs require mental and physical exercise, and if they don’t get enough, they may become destructive. Finally, gundogs are bred to work with humans, and as a result, they may not do well if left alone for long periods of time.

4. In conclusion, should you own a gundog as a pet or not?

In conclusion, gundogs make great pets for active people who enjoy spending time outdoors or for people who want to spend time doing activities with their pet companion. They are loyal and affectionate companions, and their training means they are typically well-behaved.

However, it is important to remember that gundogs are working dogs, not simple lap dogs. Therefore, they require a significant amount of mental and physical exercise to stay happy and healthy.

Poll : Do gundogs make good pets?

We asked the ladies of our Facebook Open Community the question ‘Do gundogs make good pets?’ We closed poll once 600 ladies voted. This is the result:

98% said yes … BUT ONLY … if you take into consideration their needs as a working breed.

If you are prepared to meet their needs, a gundog can make a wonderful addition to your family. If you are not prepared to commit to their care, it is probably best to choose another type of dog.

Please do your research and speak to experienced gundog owners before deciding, and remember that every dog is an individual with their own needs and personality.

We hope this article has helped you decide whether a gundog is a right pet for you. If you have decided to join us as a gundog owner, join our Hot Mess handler – Gundog Basics and learn all you need to train your new dog. You can find out more here.

How To Steward At A Working Test: Top Tips For Newcomers

Stewarding at a working test is an exciting experience. You get to see all sorts of dogs in action, and you learn a lot about how different breeds work. It can be challenging at times, but it’s definitely worth it!

In this blog post, Charlotte Bell, LWDG Society Member, talks to us through her first-ever time at a test where she ended up as a steward…

Introduction

After the advice so kindly given to me on the Dog and Duck live group coaching call the other week regarding learning more about working tests , I went to watch one. And I got the job of stewarding the puppy group for the morning – I got a clipboard and everything!

Here are a few things that I experienced and thought I would share for others who are new to all of this and maybe considering going to watch or compete.

Charlotte’s Top Tips

I’d never been to a working test and had only been beating on about three shoots in my life – so I am a total newcomer to all of this. Don’t be intimidated if you are the only one turning up in a white Corsa with black alloys – be proud that you made it down the estate tracks (and back) without losing your undercarriage or exhaust.
Start a 4×4 savings fund.
It might be scary turning up on your own, but quite a lot of others had – so I just took the plunge and went and said a few ‘hellos’ to the people on their own – and I had some lovely conversations.
Offering to help out was great because I had something to do rather than just feel totally like a spectator (but I think it would be OK to go and watch with someone who’s running a dog, too, quite a few people were doing this)
I didn’t pay much interest in anyone’s dog, as I wasn’t sure of etiquette and didn’t want to piss anyone off, but I did fuss a few dogs after they had done their tests – people seemed a bit more relaxed after that!
There were quite a lot of ladies, more than I thought there might be, this was really great to see, and I talked to all of them who I met in the puppy test – there were a lot of friendly men too!
The tests didn’t look as bad as I imagined they would be. In the puppy, a hunt up (think that’s what its called), sit to shot (clap of hands, or starter pistol), retrieve – that was it! And two puppies go at once, one on the left and one on the right – s they were sitting to the other one’s shot and waiting while the other retrieved. Then later they went again, but the other way round. So each dog went under each judge. Novice was the same, with a blind retrieve after the seen retrieve -and it covered a bit more ground in general but was still over quite quickly.
The judges were approachable and explained to competitors what was going on if this was their first working test – and it looked like they also gave a good de-brief at the end of the test.

Two of the competitors, Brenda and Charlotte

Knowing what to expect and what you will be tested on must make it easier and give you confidence. I would have been bricking it totally turning up there to compete, having not even seen it. (I was bricking it turning up as a spectator, if I’m really honest).
Funny moment – the first dog picked up a beer can out of the bracken after about 20 seconds and retrieved it straight to hand – a real crowd pleaser! (not sure if this was an elimination or they were joking, but he carried on!)
It was nice to see a few faces of those who I had met at the local gun dog club training day a few weeks ago, and there was a lot longer to chat at the working test as there was a lot of standing around.
With so much standing around, it was a great chance to share stories, pick up advice, and troubleshoot with people who have been doing this for many years.
If you need a pee, you need to pee in the woods – if you don’t like doing that, then also see it as a working test of your bladder control – I won’t comment on my performance.
I didn’t see anyone’s dogs run off and no one looked stressed.

So all in all, a good day out and maybe next time I’ll take the dog!

I came away thinking, that there’s nothing really to lose going to one of these working tests and everything to gain. Fresh air, good conversation, new experiences and the dogs seemed to love it.

It was a great experience; I’d encourage anyone to go along and watch/help out to see what working tests are like.

Photo Taken By Charlotte Bell

A big thank you to Charlotte for writing this guest post for our community! We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us via our Facebook page or Instagram account.

Have you been to a working test before? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comment section below

If you enjoyed reading this post, you may enjoy our masterclass on

‘An introduction to Field Trials, the dos & dont’s , along with a splash of etiquette.’ by Sarah Miles

Rules of competing can be found on most group websites or on the Kennel Club Website

Rescuing a High-Drive Dog During the Lockdown: A Trainer’s Perspective

Guest post by LWDG Group Expert Samantha Thorneycroft Taylor

I don’t often write about my dogs on social media, but I wanted to share a little story about Marshall my German Shepherd x Malinois, a mix of two high drive breeds. I’m hoping this post will include several ‘messages’ within it for those working with any high-drive dog.

The background Story of Marshall

In November 2021, I heard of a dog who needed a new home, a German Shepherd x Malinois (a mix of two high drive breeds) who had been purchased during the lockdown as a first dog for a young couple living in a small house in a city. I suspect the breeder may have led the couple up the garden path. Demand for puppies soared during the lockdown, and many people decided to breed their dogs for profit.

The dog in question had, understandably, grown into a large dog; he weighs over 5 1/2 stone and is taller than me when standing on his back legs. In addition, he had severe resource guarding issues and a bite history – because of this, rescue centres wouldn’t touch him, so the owners were faced with two choices – find him a new home privately or have him put to sleep for behavioural reasons.

Initially, they had lots of enquiries about him. But, all credit to the owners – they wouldn’t let him go to anyone that had no knowledge of the breed(s) or a substantial understanding/background in dog training as they didn’t want anyone else to end up in the same situation that they had.

Bringing Him Home

When Marshall arrived, you couldn’t go near him when he was eating – his reaction was to display inappropriate behaviours. You couldn’t easily walk him in public – his response was to go up on his hind legs and display other problematic behaviours. The first time my parents learnt, I had taken him on when he was on his hind legs, mouthing my arm, as they drove past (the cause of this reaction was a lone person walking down the road minding his own business!).

If we let him roam the house, he would find something to steal/chew, and any distraction/ redirection/correction would result in his warning (snarling) and then escalating these inappropriate behaviours if we continued to try to distract/redirect/correct.

If he saw another dog, he would throw all sorts of shapes, and when Marshall couldn’t get to them, he would display inappropriate behaviours again.

The First Few Months

The first few weeks/couple of months were hard work, but I was, and still am, determined not to let him down – he has stolen my heart and is here to stay. Jo has a nickname for him; I’ll let her share that one with you.

I’ve spent hours and hours working with him, and his improvement is massive; we’re by no means ‘there’, but we’re on a good path with the occasional hiccup.

It’s worth mentioning at this point that there is a considerable possibility that his behaviour worsened once he’d arrived with us and that he didn’t show these reactions with his previous owners as much as he was with us – this isn’t to say that our home is not as good as his previous one, just that his whole world had been turned upside down. He had no idea who we were or where he was.

Any rescue dog needs time to adjust and learn where they are now in their forever home – we were his new guardians, and he could trust us.

When he’s eating, I can now sit next to him, adding bits of kibble to his bowl and stroking his head/ neck/face/body. I’ve not used a mixture of high level and low-level treats for this boy – a food reward is either some of his kibble or a small dry training treat.

Due to his rapid escalation of excitement, emotions, and inappropriate behaviours, trying to reward him with a juicy piece of steak would likely have encouraged his emotional stance to rise further and quicker.

I can now play with his collar when he is eating but not yet if I’ve sat him up mid-meal (work in progress). He can be walked alongside a select few of my dogs and remain calm. He can watch deer/other wildlife frolic and run off without losing his head. He’s learnt to retrieve, which includes willingly giving up the item at the end of the retrieve.

This dog needs clear boundaries; for him, it needs to be black and white – there are no grey areas. So we crate trained him upon his arrival, and he has this safe place where he can decompress, chill out, reflect on the day’s happenings, and relax.

It also keeps us safe. When Marshall is out of his crate, he has my undivided attention; again, this is to keep all of us (him included) safe and under ‘control’. When he is out, I can ensure that the environment is level and nothing will raise the threshold and tip him over the edge – this helps to lay the foundations to calm and success.

He is in his crate whilst we eat at the table next to him. I don’t reward him whilst we’re eating or at the table, as I don’t want him to need my attention when I give my children the attention they need. Likewise, I don’t want him to expect food/reward while eating my meals; in fact, I rarely pay him any attention while sitting at the table.

He gets his reward for calm behaviour after we’ve finished, after the table is cleared and when we’re washed up. Whilst this may seem cruel to some, I’m building a behaviour pattern that will (hopefully) eventually lead to him lying calmly on his bed with no crate whilst we eat and no expectation on his part of my interaction whilst I am doing so.

Being Around Children

There is no ‘play’ with the children currently; he is learning that they’re here and that they’re an integral part of our family unit, but until I can ensure that he isn’t going to get overly bouncy or carried away with himself, then I don’t allow it. I also need to be certain that the children aren’t going to get over-excited and unintentionally tip the balance – my children have a thorough understanding of animals, especially dogs. However, they are still children, and they do still occasionally get overexcited themselves. Some of you may feel that he is overdoing it, but his boundaries need to be firm and precise.

Due to his nature, I make most of his choices for him; he is what I would term ‘fear aggressive’. If he feels something is beyond his control, he will react in a way that is not appropriate. If we encounter something that builds his emotions, I take control of the situation and let him know that I am in control and that he doesn’t need to react – he genuinely needs me to make this decision, this choice, on his behalf right now (this may change as time goes on). I have watched his emotions rise, his behaviour change and his reactions worsen (sometimes by something as simple as seeing a person 100 yards away).

In the early days, I tried to ignore the behaviour and ‘walk through’ his reactions, but I soon learned that he needed a “no, this is not your choice to make” from me, and the success increased tenfold. First, however, I need to be firm and positive in my actions. If he senses any uncertainty from me, he will assume he has to take responsibility for whatever has caused a spike within his brain.

I spend a lot of time working on teaching him to settle on an evening, to get Marshall to lay down and completely switch off. Watch Jemma’s ‘Settle’ Masterclass if you need tips on this.

Last evening, he slept by my feet whilst I watched a film and sent some emails – I could change position, have a drink, make a phone call, use the tv remote, and he just laid there, content and calm.

I cannot yet get up without having a shadow (I now have a bathroom companion!), and he wears a lead so that I can assume control if it’s needed. In time, his settle training will improve and expand, and over time, he’ll sleep on his bed whilst I come and go, but the foundations to success are slowly being trained.

Dog Trainers Have Problems Too

I guess the point of this post is to say that we are all the same; it’s easy to assume that, as a dog trainer, all of my dogs must be perfect and that we don’t have the same struggles that you do. But unfortunately, this is often not the case. As I’ve spent more time with this new lad, my other dog’s training has ‘suffered’ a little. I, for one, am looking forward to longer evenings and less mud so that I can play catch up!

Any dog can be tricky to train, and any breed can have its difficulties, but we need to learn to harness what the breed traits are. For example, not many field-trial bred spaniels will be happy with a potter around the dog park, and many working bred collies will start to nip and herd if their mental stimulation needs are not met.

Malinois are produced for protection (there is a reason that they are favoured amongst the police force and the military services); it’s in their natural genetic makeup to protect and to bite. They are incredibly loyal once you have gained their trust and cannot cope with an ‘average’ home life environment.

It has been scientifically proven that certain Malinois contain a specific gene that I refer to as the ‘neurotic’ gene; this gene (PolyA22/PolyA22) is linked to aggression. Unfortunately, there are some Malinois out there that no matter how much time, effort, and training you put in, there is a part of them that will override any sense, and they have a ‘moment’.

There is no ‘one size fits all approach or just one training method that works for this dog, or my other purebred Malinois for that matter. I work with him with a wide variety of training approaches – food reward and marker word reward (primarily for obedience and positional work), verbal praise, and some Gundog training is thrown on there for good measure, too (he loves to use his nose and enjoys quartering, I will look to train him to do a scent work in time – I’ll be speaking with Dawn Seago about that one I’m sure!), but he needs variety. He needs to learn to accept change.

Change in that someone has knocked at the door, change in that the children have gone to school for the day, or that it’s the school holidays and so they’re at home more), change in that a strange dog has come into view, or change in that we’re not going for his training session at precisely 10 am. All of these things play a big part in how our day is going to go, and I often have to adapt my plans for his training before, or even during, a training session.

Remember; every day with your dog contains a positive. Sometimes you might have to look quite challenging to find that positive. Still, every single day something will have happened that you can call a win – it may have been a polite sit whilst you opened the door/prepared your dog’s meal/waited for a car to pass before you could cross the road, it may have been the delivery to hand that you’ve been working so hard on, it may have been a split second period of eye contact when you spotted another dog bounding towards you in the park. It may have been a big win or a minor win, but there will always be something positive!

Keep training, keep smiling, and stay consistent.

How to Allow Your Dog Free Time While Maintaining Safety & Obedience

Many gundog owners struggle with the decision of whether or not to give their dogs free time to roam whilst out walking. On the one hand, it’s lovely to see your dog run and explore; on the other hand, you don’t want them getting into trouble or running off.

In this podcast and blog post, LWDG Group Expert Samantha Thorneycroft Taylor explains how to find a balance between giving your dog free time and maintaining both safety and obedience.

The History of Gundogs

Gundog free time is an essential topic for any dog owner to consider. Gundogs are dogs bred and trained to work with hunters in the field. These dogs are highly intelligent and have a strong work ethic.

Throughout history, these working dogs would have led a different life to the one they have now where, as multi-purpose dogs, they are both trained to do a job and also to live as a part of our families and be involved in family life.

However, they also have a strong sense of independence. As a result, they may not always follow their owner’s commands. This can be frustrating for owners who are not used to working with such a wilful breed of dog.

Gundogs need plenty of exercise and stimulation. If they are left alone in the house all day without training, they may become bored and restless. This can lead to problems such as chewing or digging. Therefore, it is crucial to provide gundogs with plenty of mental and physical stimulation opportunities.

The pros and cons of giving dogs free time

On the one hand, it can be argued that dogs should be given as much free time as possible. Dogs are social animals that thrive on interaction with their owners and other dogs. Allowing them to roam freely gives them the opportunity to explore their environment and socialise with other animals.

On the other hand, it is essential to consider the safety of both the dog and the community when deciding to allow a dog to roam without supervision or social rules.

Dogs that are not properly trained can be a danger to themselves and others, and they may also become more inclined to ignore your commands in favour of becoming self-employed.

As a result, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of giving dogs free time before making a decision.

Tips on how to allow dogs free time while maintaining safety

Dogs are loyal companions that provide us with endless hours of fun and exercise, but they also need some free time to relax. If you’re careful and take a few simple precautions, you can help your dog stay safe while still enjoying the outdoors.

First, make sure your dog is trained correctly and has a good understanding of basic obedience commands. This will give you more control when you’re out on walks together.

Second, keep your dog on a leash in areas with cars or other potential hazards. And finally, be sure to stay aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your dog.

By following these simple tips, you can help your furry friend enjoy the freedom he deserves while keeping him safe and sound.

The podcast and post discuss the pros and cons of giving dogs free time to roam whilst out walking and offer tips on allowing dogs free time while maintaining safety.

Dogs need plenty of exercise and stimulation and should be appropriately trained before being allowed to roam free. In addition, owners should be aware of their surroundings and keep an eye on their dogs at all times when outdoors.

What are your thoughts on giving dogs freedom? Let us know in the comments below! Do you give your dog(s) freedom when out walking, or do you keep them on a leash? Let us know in the comments below! We would love to hear from you! Thanks for reading! Until next week, bye for now

Is It Time To Completely Stop Punishing Our Gundogs?

Podcast with Becky Brunton, followed by an article by Rob Alleyne.

In the LWDG POD DOG latest episode, LWDG Founder Jo Perrott interviews Becky Brunton about her journey from despair to dog training success. Becky talks about how she nearly gave up on training her dog Luna after being encouraged to use abusive methods but then found the strength to never give up on her dream of becoming a successful gundog owner and found a better way.

This is an inspiring story that will motivate you to never give up on your dreams, no matter how difficult they may seem at first!

We have paired this podcast, with a wonderful article by Rob Alleyne on ‘Is It Time To Stop Punishing Dogs’ where he looks at the reality of using punishment within dog training and asks us to look at how we wholeheartedly remove the kind of abuse that was suggested to Becky but ask ourselves how far the other way do we go before we cause problems of a different kind.

BEFORE READING/LISTENING

These outlooks have been paired by us in this blog to make you truly THINK about what kind of handler/trainer you want to be. It will not be easy to listen to or read and will press you to seriously look at a variety of training choices we have available, and what suits you.

They are not related in their story at all and are only given here together to hopefully help you to think about the whole picture, and help you choose your own training handler process going forward.

Also included below is a link to a masterclass webinar by our amazing Featured Experts Emma Stevens, Claire Denyer, and Samantha Thorneycroft-Taylor as they deliver a live session to a 100 participants on the topic of Correction.

Rob Alleyne

Rob Alleyne is a highly accredited dog trainer within the UK and a member of The Kennel Club. Robert is a signatory to the Registration Council for Dog Training and Behaviour Practitioners (RCDTBP), and he has lectured on canine behaviour on many occasions for different groups and organisations, both nationally and internationally.

Introduction

For millennia we have used the punishment of those around us for what we each consider to be wrong-doings. We have extended that approach to our children and to other species. But for at least the last forty years, there have been those who have felt that this approach isn’t working and that it is morally wrong to treat others this way.

This theory says that punishing our children is mentally detrimental to them and that it ultimately leads to a deterioration in their general behaviour and long-term damage to their self-esteem. We have been told that science has proven that we should instead ignore their ‘bad’ behaviour whenever possible, and instead reward their good behaviour.

This will boost their self-esteem, make them work harder to be rewarded, and create more well-rounded, confident individuals, who will far better fit into society. We should try whenever humanly possible to support them in whatever it is that they want, and allow them to fully express themselves so that they have a minimal amount of disappointment and frustration.

Children should be supported, nurtured and have nothing but positivity, even when they are behaving badly. And I wholeheartedly agree with all of this – at least in theory. But what seriously concerns me is that science and research aside, how well is this working in reality?

What’s The Reality?

The reality is that although children have never had so many resources and freedom, many are out of control. They have become aggressive, short-tempered, insecure and fragile.

Isn’t it a strange coincidence that in the same period where we’ve been encouraged to ignore bad behaviour in our children and they seem to have lost their minds, our dogs have gone off the rails too?

Like most of the behaviourists and trainers I know, I have never seen so many clients with dogs with aggression and insecurity issues, and it seems to get worse year on year. And of all of the so-called positive-only trainers I know, I don’t know a single one with what I would consider a well-behaved dog – not one.

So Why Doesn’t Positive Only Training Work?

The answer to this is very simple. For a dog to choose to carry out a requested behaviour for an offered reward, it has to accept that reward over any other available option. He has to want it more than the other potential rewards that he can get aside from the one you are offering.

The difficulty for most of my clients, many of whom have already paid one, two, three or even more force-free trainers and behaviourists before contacting me, is that there are so many situations where they don’t have a reward that can compete with the ones the dog can get himself.

Many of them say that their dog will work very well for food treats and/or toys in the house but ignores them completely as soon as he is outside and the lead or long-line is taken off. If you have a dog with a high prey drive, for example, owners quickly find that food as a reward just doesn’t work, unless the owner can quickly produce their own prey animal, to save the dog from running after the wrong one.

However, trying this as a technique isn’t enormously practical, and obviously runs the risk of the dog coming to harm, and prosecution for the owner.

Problems With Force-Free Training

Perhaps the most significant problem with force-free training is that it never actually teaches the dog that he cannot still do the thing that the owner didn’t originally want him to. Owners who have tried using it to stop a dog from jumping up on visitors for example, almost invariably find that the dog resumes jumping up as soon as the treats being used to distract him are put away.

The other problem with this technique is that it requires every visitor to have to take responsibility for training the dog for the owner. The owner is not required to train their own dog – the guest is! Expect to quickly get fewer visitors.

Owners will be told phrases like ‘dog training is a marathon, not a sprint’, and to ‘expect training to take a very long time to show results’, or that ‘there are no quick fixes’ in dog training. What the trainer is really doing is preparing the owner for not seeing any significant improvements for a very long time, if ever.

I suspect that the vast majority of trainers and behaviourists are neither positive-only, or punishment-only, though I often see articles where the two are pitted against each other as training methods, as though they are mutually exclusive.

Most trainers I believe, are reward-based – as am I, but will use some form of non-abusive negative consequence if the dog decides to disregard what the owner wants and the incentive that they are offering, and this approach is by far the most effective and successful.

My Findings and Nature

I have had clients contact me saying that I am the dog’s last hope, as they have already spent fortunes on dog trainers and behaviourists who have taken their money. However, there has been no improvement in the dog’s behaviour, as all the owner was given was management strategies and no actual training.

The owners are often staggered by the improvement in their dog’s behaviour even while I am still with them, and often all I would have done is taught the dog that when the owners tell him to do something that he has already been taught, that compliance isn’t optional, that they actually mean it.

One of the first lessons a bitch will teach her puppies is the consequences of not listening to her, usually at weaning time. We don’t see this as abuse, even though she sounds pretty frightening to her puppies. The puppies are not traumatised, they merely learn a vital life lesson – that no means no.

We don’t see this as cruel, and we allow her to do it, as we understand that it is an important part of their education. If they stayed with their parents, like with most animals who rear their own young and would then live together in a social group, punishment would be part of their education.

This is in order to help them recognise their place within the group, which we still do with our own children. However, we are being led to believe that there is one exception to this rule – people and dogs. I believe that this is a terrible and costly mistake.

What About How The Dog Feels?

Behavioural issues are apparently the number one reason for owners putting their dogs into rescue. If dogs could understand our language, and we could ask the dogs in rescue why they think that they ended up there, a great many would reply that they had no idea.

And if it was explained to them that they were given up on because they wouldn’t stop their unwanted behaviour, how many would reply that they didn’t know that the behaviour was unwanted as no one ever told them?

How tragic. Positively-only, force-free training is failing owners and dogs, and the sooner we accept this, and start FULLY educating them, the less dogs will end up being given up on.

So is it time to stop punishing dogs? No, of course it isn’t. Dogs punish other dogs all the time, and there’s a reason for that. A degree of fear is an important survival tool, necessary to help teach a good choice from a bad one. It is quite literally a lifesaver. Without any fear, a species would quickly die out. EVERY species knows that there are consequences to making the wrong decision, and this helps them to make better ones. Without an awareness of danger, we make very bad choices.

That is why every intelligent species uses punishment on those who make what is perceived as the wrong choice, including us – the most intelligent and yet truly stupid species on the planet.

Aversive or Abusive?

We are told that aversive tools shouldn’t be used because they can be misused. But what is there that we can access that can’t be misused, should that be the intention of the user? I have worked with owners who have used a clicker as a precursor to punishment and created a dog terrified of clickers.

I have seen dogs distressed and confused by the misuse of food and toys. Dogs who resource guard food do so because in their minds, someone has taught them to be fearful of the loss of something that they see as a valuable reward.

I have seen many posts demanding that certain tools should be restricted or banned as they can be misused. And yet many, many dogs have been injured or even killed as a result of toys, leads and collars, and yet there are no calls for the banning of these things.

Why not? Because we hope that the majority of people using them will do so responsibly. Why is it any different for the use of an aversive? If I take a ten week old puppy to a busy railway station and let it hear passing trains, the loudest, scariest noise it has ever heard, or to a busy road and let buses and lorries thunder past, people will say that this is important exposure necessary for the puppies development.

But if that same puppy is biting someone to the point where it is drawing blood, and I rattle a can with some pebbles in it just loudly enough to make it stop, people say I’m cruel, and that I will traumatise the puppy to the point where I will lose its trust and do irreparable damage to it.

Where is the logic in this? Its own mother would admonish it far more loudly than I would ever have shaken a rattle can.

Aversive and abusive are not the same thing, regardless of what we are being told.

The Science Behind Correction- How To Correct Constructively

Watch Now!

If you would like to learn more about correction options, you can view our webinar on Positive Correction and our Evening With Robert Alleyne. Both links are below.

7 Steps to Train Your Dog to Stop on a Whistle Command: Learn from an Expert

Do you have trouble getting your dog to stop when you give the command? Well, you’re not alone! Many dog owners find this difficult. Luckily, there is a way to train your dog to stop on a whistle command. In this podcast, we will talk to LWDG Featured Expert Michelle Oseman, who explains precisely how it’s done.

Whistle Command: Sit/Stop/Look at me. Whistle – one sharp pip

STAGE 1

Start by blowing the whistle and reward when the dog looks at you.

STAGE 2

Next, walk your dog slowly at heel, blow the whistle, then use a verbal command to sit – sit should be quick, and then reward. Once this is a sharp, snappy sit, blow your stop whistle command before saying sit. Once this is producing a sharp sit, try just using the whistle command. When this is also producing a sharp sit, move to the next stage.

STAGE 3

Walk at your dog at heel, blow the whistle, verbal command and when the dog sits, spin around in front of them with your hand high in the air. Walk forward and praise/stroke and reward. Return away from the dog, remind them to sit, and return to the heel position.

STAGE 4

Once the dog is comfortable with the sit and you in front, put some distance between you both when stepping away from them, so the dog learns the ‘picture’ of sitting from you at a distance.

STAGE 5

Repeat the walking at heel, whistle, sit, spin in front but this time have a tennis ball or dummy in your hand and hold this high in the air. As long as the dog sits quickly and is focused on you, drop the ball/dummy behind you. As you are standing between the dog and the ball/dummy, you can block them from running in to retrieve the ball/dummy if they try to do so. If they stay in the sit position, move one step to the side so they can see the ball/dummy and send them to retrieve the ball.

STAGE 6

The next stage is to do all the above but throw the ball/dummy out behind you over your head. A fast thrown ball/dummy is more tempting than one just dropped by your side. If the dog stays sat, they can retrieve it. If they move, you collect the ball/dummy. This stage teaches them that sit at a distance means sit until you tell them anything different.

STAGE 7

Whilst the dog is hunting/running around, blow your stop whistle, arm in the air as you back up the whistle with a firm ‘Sit’ command. If the dog sits immediately, throw the ball/dummy out to one side for them to retrieve. Don’t worry if the dog runs in on the ball/dummy initially as it’s the quick sit we’re looking for. In time you can increase the delay between the sit and ball/dummy throwing to get the dog steady to the ball.

Remember when you are looking for the final bit of steadiness to remind the dog to sit between the initial sit to the whistle and you throwing the ball or dummy – always remind the dog of their job before you move or throw.

DO NOT MOVE ON TO THE NEXT STAGE UNTIL YOU HAVE PROOFED THE CURRENT STAGE IN A FEW DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTS.

We hope you enjoyed this podcast and found it helpful! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us. We would be more than happy to help. Until next time, happy training!

Is The Rent Due On Your Dogs Success?

The Rent Is Due On Your Dogs Success

If you want your relationship with your dog to be successful, you have to be consistent. It can be tough to stay consistent when you’re tired or when something comes up that interrupts your training routine, but it’s essential if you want your dog to learn what you’re trying to teach. In this podcast, episode and blog, Certified Canfield Success Trainer (and LWDG Founder) Jo Perrott discusses the importance of consistency and offers some tips on how to stay consistent when training your dog!

Consistency is key to success.

No one achieves perfect dog obedience overnight. It takes years of time, dedication, and a lot of hard work. But if you’re willing to put in the effort with your dog, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

One of the most essential elements of success is consistency in both your training and your attitude. That means showing up and giving it your all every day, even when you don’t feel like it. It means staying focused and on track, even when things get tough. And it means never giving up, even when it would be easier to throw in the towel.

It can be so easy to let your dog’s behaviour or response slide at home. We can ask for a sit and say nothing when they head towards another room. It’s our attitude toward these small things that affect our long term success.

If you can be consistent in your efforts, you’ll eventually reach your goal and help your dog succeed.

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see results right away; you’re teaching another species that doesn’t understand your language to follow it. Instead, just keep doing what you’re doing, and eventually, you’ll start to see the progress you’re looking for.

You have to put in the time and effort to achieve your goals.

Time and effort are two of the most important ingredients for success. You can’t just expect to sit back and relax and have your dog training goals fall into your lap. You have to be willing to put in the hard work necessary to achieve them. This means setting aside time each week to work solely towards your goals and being consistent in your efforts all day at home.

The first step is to identify your goal before each session. What would you like to achieve? Once you know what you want to accomplish, you can develop a plan to make it happen. This may involve setting smaller goals or taking specific actions to help you move closer to your goal. It’s also important to be realistic about what you can achieve and how long it will take. Trying to accomplish too much too quickly can be overwhelming and lead to discouragement. The Magic Month Planner was designed to help you succeed in every single session at this.

Don’t give up when things get tough – push through and keep going.

It can be tempting just to give up when the going gets tough. After all, why put yourself through all that stress and effort when you could just quit, and your dog could live as a pet without ever needing to stop on a whistle? However, giving up is seldom the best solution. When things are at their darkest, we often see the most incredible breakthroughs.

Don’t give up if you’re facing a challenge – push through and keep going. You may not always succeed in one training session; it may take ten, but you’ll never know what your dog is capable of until you give them the chance to learn and understand.

Even if you don’t achieve your original goal with your dog, you’ll undoubtedly improve their behaviour and obedience. So next time you’re feeling tempted to give up, remember that it’s often when things are most challenging that we see the most incredible progress forward with our four-legged friends.

Take it one step at a time, and don’t try to do everything at once

Overwhelmed with everything you have to do in life alongside what you need to do to train your dog? It can be tricky when it feels like there are just not enough hours in the day to get everything done.

But here’s a little secret: you don’t have to do it all at once. Trying to do too much at once is usually counterproductive. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath and remind yourself that you can handle whatever comes your way – one step at a time. Missing one focused training session doesn’t damage your training, but not being consistent in day to day life can. So try not to let life’s struggles sabotage your dog’s training journey.

Break down your to-do list into manageable tasks and work on one thing at a time. You’ll be surprised at how much more productive you are when you’re not trying to do ten different things at once. So next time you’re feeling frazzled, remember: take it one step at a time and get through it.

Believe in yourself and your ability to achieve success

The most important thing you can do if you want to succeed as your dog’s trainer is to believe in yourself. It’s not easy, but it’s so important if you’re going to see success.

When you believe in yourself, you are more likely to be calm and consistent and put in the necessary hard work. You will also be more resilient when facing setbacks.

When you have faith in your abilities, it gives you the strength to keep going when things get tough. It also allows you to take risks and seize opportunities, knowing that you have the power to overcome any challenges that come your way.

Remember that everyone experiences failure at some point; what you do after a defeat determines whether or not you will be successful. So don’t let a few setbacks stop you from achieving your goals. Instead, keep believing in yourself and your ability to succeed, and eventually, you will reach your destination.

Stay focused on your goals and what you want to achieve

Achieving goals can be tough, no matter how big or small they may be. It can be easy to get side tracked or discouraged along the way. That’s why it’s crucial to stay focused on what you want to achieve long term with your dog.

An effective way to do this is to create a vision board. This is a board where you place pictures or words representing your dog training goals. Seeing these visuals every day will help to keep you motivated and focused on what you want to achieve.

To create a vision board, start gathering magazine images, photographs, and other items that represent your goals. Once you have collected various items, begin arranging them on a board or piece of poster board.

As you arrange the items, think about how they relate to your goals and what they mean to you. Once you are satisfied with the overall layout of the board, use glue or tape to secure the items in place.

Display your vision board in a prominent location where you will see it every day. Take time each day to reflect on your goals and visualise yourself achieving them. With regular reflection and visualisation, you will begin to see your goals as reality.

You can also try setting reminders for yourself or telling friends and family about your goals to help hold yourself accountable. Whatever method you choose, staying focused on your goals is essential for achieving them.

Podcast Summary

Success leaves clues, and one of the best ways to achieve success is to learn from those who have done what you want to do. That’s why we invite you to join the LWDG Society Squad, where we share training, resources and support so that you can stay focused on your dog training goals and make steady progress towards achieving them.

We believe in you and know that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to start making your dreams a reality!

Need Help Planning Your Training Sessions?

Plan a month of effective 10-minute dog training sessions in just 1 hour! The LWDG is offering you a free recorded webinar to help you train! After watching this online webinar, you will know exactly how to train using short sharp sessions. Register here for FREE ACCESS

Training Your Gundog to Retrieve: Tips and Techniques for Success

Gundogs have been bred for centuries for their ability to assist hunters in locating and retrieving game. These highly skilled dogs come in various breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Spaniels. Gundogs play a crucial role in hunting, as they are trained to locate and retrieve game that hunters have shot down. A successful gundog must have a range of skills, that may include scenting, pointing, flushing, and retrieving. Retrieving, in particular, is an essential skill that all gundogs must possess to be effective in the field. In this week’s podcast and blog post, we’ll explore the different types of retrieves that gundogs can be trained to perform and offer tips for training and maintaining your gundog’s retrieving skills.

Types of Retrieves

There are several types of retrieves that gundogs can be trained to perform, including retrieving from land, water, and other challenging environments. Retrieving from land involves a gundog running out and bringing back a dummy or game that has been shot and fallen on the land. Retrieving from water is similar, except that the dummy or game has fallen in a body of water, and the gundog must swim out to retrieve it. Gundogs may also be trained to retrieve from other challenging environments, such as dense underbrush or high cover. Proper handling techniques are essential when training for these types of retrieves.

Teaching your gundog to retrieve from different environments is an important part of their training if you want them to retrieve on command. Each environment presents unique challenges that your gundog must learn to overcome. For example, water retrieves require your gundog to be comfortable swimming and have the strength to swim different distances. On the other hand, land retrieves may require your gundog to navigate through dense vegetation or rough terrain. Proper training and conditioning are key to ensuring your gundog can perform these retrieves effectively.

Basic Retrieves

Basic retrieves are the foundation of a gundog’s training. These retrieves may include commands such as “get out” and “hold.” Consistent training and positive reinforcement are crucial when teaching these basic retrieves. To start, you’ll want to choose a specific command and stick to it. For example, if you choose to use “get out” for retrieving a dummy or bird, make sure to use that command consistently throughout training.

When training your gundog to retrieve from land or water, it’s essential to start with short distances and gradually increase the distance as your gundog becomes more comfortable and proficient. Using positive reinforcement, such as treats and praise, is an effective way to motivate your gundog and reinforce good behaviour.

Advanced Retrieves

Advanced retrieves require more complex training and often involve blind retrieves and memory retrieves. A blind retrieve is when a gundog is asked to retrieve an object or game that they have not seen fall. This type of retrieve requires your gundog to rely on your commands and guidance to locate and retrieve the game. Memory retrieves, on the other hand, require your gundog to remember the location of the game and retrieve it on command.

To train your gundog for advanced retrieves, you can use drills and scenarios that simulate real hunting situations. It’s important to use hand signals and vocal cues to guide your gundog to the game’s location. Consistency and repetition are key when training for advanced retrieves, and it may take several training sessions for your gundog to master these skills.

Retrieving Game

Gundogs can be trained to retrieve various types of game, such as birds and small mammals. To train for each type of game, different techniques and methods must be used. For example, for bird retrieving, your gundog must be trained to use its sense of smell to locate the bird and retrieve it gently without causing any damage.

Scent training is a crucial part of training your gundog to retrieve the game. You can use scented dummies or birds during training sessions to help your gundog develop their sense of smell and learn to follow a specific scent. It’s also important to use controlled introductions when training your gundog to retrieve live games, to ensure their safety and that of the game.

Maintaining consistency in training and practising ethical hunting practices are essential when it comes to retrieving game. Remember always to obey hunting laws and regulations and ensure that your gundog is trained to retrieve game safely and efficiently.

Factors that Affect Retrieving

Several factors can affect a gundog’s ability to retrieve, such as weather, terrain, and distractions. It’s essential to adjust your training based on these factors and provide your gundog with the necessary tools and techniques to overcome them.

Weather conditions such as rain, snow, or extreme heat can impact a gundog’s scenting ability and make retrieving more challenging. In these situations, using decoys or scenting aids can be helpful. Training your gundog to retrieve in various types of terrain is also crucial to prepare them for different hunting environments. For example, if you plan to hunt in heavily wooded areas, it’s important to train your gundog to retrieve through dense underbrush.

Distractions such as other animals, sounds, or smells can also impact your gundog’s ability to retrieve. To address this, you can use environmental training techniques that help your gundog learn to focus on the task at hand and ignore distractions.

Maintaining consistency in training and adapting to new situations is essential when it comes to retrieving. Practising in various environments and scenarios will help your gundog develop the necessary skills to retrieve effectively in any situation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, retrieving is a crucial skill that all gundogs must possess to be effective in the field. Gundogs can be trained to perform different types of retrieves, from basic retrieves to more complex ones like blind retrieves and memory retrieves. It’s important to start with basic retrieves and gradually progress to more advanced ones. Scent training, proper handling techniques, and positive reinforcement are all crucial when training your gundog to retrieve.

Retrieving game also requires specialized training, with different techniques used for different types of game. Practising safety and ethical hunting practices is essential when retrieving game. Various factors, such as weather, terrain, and distractions, can impact your gundog’s ability to retrieve, so it’s important to adjust your training accordingly.

Finally, maintaining consistency in training and adapting to new situations are essential for developing and maintaining your gundog’s retrieving skills. Remember to be patient and use positive reinforcement throughout your training journey.

We hope this blog post has provided valuable insights into the world of gundog retrieving and has offered helpful tips for training and maintaining retrieving skills in your gundog. Don’t forget to share your own experiences and training techniques with the community.

52. What to Expect When Entering A Retriever Working Test

Preparing for Blind Retrieves

How Any Pet Dog Can Take Part in Gundog Training

All dog owners want their pets to be happy and enjoy life. For many people, this means taking part in gundog training. But what if your pet dog isn’t a Gundog breed? Can they still take part and enjoy the experience?

The answer is definitely yes! In this podcast and supporting blog post, we will discuss how any pet dog can take part in gundog training and have a great time doing it.

We will also provide some tips on how to get involved with your ‘pet gundog’. Let’s get started!

As a pet owner, you might be wondering how your dog can take part in gundog training if they’re not of the Gundog breed. The answer is that any type of dog can join in on the fun! Gundog training is a great way for your pet to socialize with other dogs and learn new skills. It’s also a great way for you to bond with your pet.

Introducing gundog training for pet dogs

Gundog training is a fun and rewarding way to bond with your dog while also teaching them useful skills. Gundog training typically focuses on teaching dogs how to retrieve canvas dummies ( in place of game birds) from the water or land.

However, the principles of gundog training can be applied to any pet dog, regardless of its breed or size. Gundog training is based on positive reinforcement, meaning that dogs are rewarded for completing tasks correctly. This method of training is not only effective, but it also helps to create a strong bond between dog and owner.

In addition, gundog training can provide mental stimulation for dogs, which is essential for their overall health and wellbeing. If you are looking for a fun and rewarding way to spend time with your dog, then gundog training may be the perfect activity for you.

Any dog can participate in gundog training.

Gundog training is a great way to bond with your dog while also teaching them useful skills. And contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a special breed of dog to participate. Any dog can be trained to be a gundog. The most important thing is that your dog is willing to learn and has the ability to follow basic commands.

If you’re interested in giving gundog training a try, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

First, start with simple exercises and work your way up. Gundog training can be challenging, so it’s important to take things slowly at first. Gundog training helps to instil discipline and focus in dogs, and it can also be a great way to develop your relationship with them. The key to success is to start small and gradually increase the difficulty of the tasks as your dog masters each one.

Secondly, be patient and consistent with your commands. Dogs learn best when they have a clear understanding of what is expected of them; those that are given regular training sessions will quickly learn what is expected of them and will be much better behaved as a result.

Finally, make sure you praise your dog for a job well done – this will help to motivate them and encourage them to continue learning. With a little time and effort, anyone can train their dog to be a gundog.

Tips for getting started with your pet dog

If you’re thinking about starting gundog training with your pet dog, there are a few things you’ll need to take into account. Consider what type of training you want to do with your dog. There are several different types of gundog training, such as retrieving, pointing, and flushing.

Once you’ve decided on the type of training you want to do, you’ll need to find a good instructor. A reputable gundog trainer will be able to teach you the basics and help you get started on the right foot.

A brilliant online training space that will teach you everything you need to know to start is our flagship course Hot Mess Handler.

You’ll also need to make sure that you have the time and patience to commit to training your dog. Gundog training can be time-consuming, so it’s important to make sure that you’re prepared for the commitment.

And finally, be sure to have realistic expectations for your dog. Every dog is different and will learn at its own pace. With patience and persistence, you can help your dog become a well-trained gundog.

The benefits of gundog training for both you and your pet

Gundog training is a great way to bond with your pet while also teaching them valuable skills. Gundog training can help your dog to learn how to respond to commands, stay focused on tasks, and work as part of a team.

In addition, gundog training can also be a great source of exercise for both you and your dog. Gundog training often involves long walks in the countryside, giving you both the opportunity to get some fresh air and explore new surroundings.

Plus, gundog training is a great way to socialise with your pet, helping them to meet new people and make new friends. So, if you’re looking for a fun and rewarding activity for both you and your pet, why not give gundog training a try?

For all ladies reading this, make sure to join our online membership too! We look forward to welcoming you!

The Unexpected Way My Pet Cat Helped Me Train Better Gundogs

Most people wouldn’t think that training a cat would help them better train their gundogs, but that is exactly what happened to Jessica Haines. Training her pet cat gundog commands and tricks taught her how to be more patient and consistent with her dogs, and as a result, her gundog training improved.

In this week’s PODDOG episode, Jessica shares her story with LWDG Founder Jo Perrott about how her cat helped her become a better dog trainer.

Why train cats tricks

Many people think of dogs when they think of tricks, but cats can be trained to perform tricks as well. While it may take a bit more patience to teach a cat than a dog, the payoff can be well worth it. A trained cat can provide hours of entertainment and companionship. In addition, training can help bond owners and cats and improve communication between them. It can also give cats a much-needed sense of structure and mental stimulation. And as it turns out, training a cat can also help owners train their dogs.

How to train cats’ tricks

Training your cat to perform tricks may seem like a daunting task, but with patience and a little bit of creativity, it can be surprisingly easy. The key to success is to find activities that appeal to your cat’s natural instincts and preferences. For example, many cats enjoy playing with strings or chasing objects that move. You can use these interests to your advantage by shaping your cat’s behaviour with positive reinforcement. Start by rewarding your cat for any small steps in the right direction.

What tricks to teach your cat

Cats are natural hunters, and their instinct to stalk and pounce can often result in unwanted behaviours like scratching furniture or jumping on countertops. However, there are a number of simple tricks that can help redirect your cat’s attention and turn them into a well-mannered companion.

One such trick is to teach them to target a specific object, like a toy or a piece of paper. Every time they touch the object with their paw, give them a treat. With enough repetition, they will learn that touching the object is rewarding and will be less likely to scratch furniture instead.

You can also use treats to teach your cat to come when called. Start by saying their name and then immediately offering a treat. With patience and consistency, your cat will learn to associate their name with something positive which will eventually come when called.

Although cats are often thought of as independent creatures, with a little training they can be responsive and well-behaved members of the family.

The benefits of training cats tricks

While most people think of dogs when they think of tricks and training, your cat can actually be a big help when it comes to training your gundog. Here are a few benefits of training your cat some tricks:

First, it can help to build a bond between you and your cat. As you work together on tricks, you’ll find that you have a lot more in common than you might have thought. This can help to create a strong bond of trust and friendship between the two of you.

Second, it can provide valuable socialisation opportunities for your cat. Training sessions offer a great chance for your cat to interact with you in a positive way.

Lastly, tricks can provide mental stimulation for your cat. Many cats become bored easily, but learning new tricks can help to keep their minds active and engaged. This mental stimulation can help to ward off boredom and keep your cat happy and healthy.

Tips for success when training cats tricks

Whether you’re looking to teach your cat a new trick or simply want to Bond with them, training cats can be a fun and rewarding experience for both of you. However, it’s important to keep a few things in mind if you want to set your feline friend up for success.

First, it’s important to choose tricks that are natural for cats. For example, cats love to jump and climb, so tricks that involve these behaviours will be easier for them to learn than those that don’t.

Second, make sure to use positive reinforcement when training your cat. This means rewarding them with treats or attention whenever they perform the desired behaviour.

Finally, have patience! Learning new tricks takes time, so don’t get discouraged if your cat doesn’t pick it up right away. With some practice and patience, you’ll be teaching your cat all sorts of fun new tricks in no time.

How Do I Tell The Dog The Seasons Over – From Working Full Time To Training Smart

The dog’s workdays are over for this season! Now what?

It’s been a long season working hard, and your furry friend deserves a break. But how do you tell them that the shooting season is over now?

We asked our experts, Emma Stevens of Cunningshot Dog Training and Abbie Reid of Riverlily Dogs , to give us some tips on transitioning your dog from a busy work schedule to a more relaxed lifestyle.

We’ve also asked them how we use the offseason to train our gundog further.

Where To Start

First of all, it’s important to remember that just because your dog is taking a break from work doesn’t mean they don’t still need exercise. Dogs need daily exercise, but it can be at a lower intensity than when they’re working. A good 30-minute walk will do.

So, how do you know when your dog is ready to return to training mode? “The biggest indicator that a dog is ready to go back to work is their enthusiasm for it,” Abbie says. “If they’re still as eager to work and learn, they’re ready to get back in the game.”

However, please don’t push your dog too hard during their offseason. “If you’re trying to train a young dog during the offseason, remember that they still need time to rest and recover,” Abbie says. “You don’t want to overdo it and risk injury.”

Fixing Obedience Issues

Both Emma and Abbie recommend using the offseason to work on obedience training. “Obedience training is important for all dogs, but it’s especially important for hunting dogs,” Emma says. “It allows you to build a strong relationship with your dog and gives you a way to communicate with them when they’re out in the field.”

Abbie agrees, adding that obedience training can also help keep your dog out of trouble while they’re not working. “It’s important to have a well-trained dog that knows how to behave in different situations,” she says. “Training can help prevent them from getting into mischief when they’re not working.”

Make A List Of Problems Your Dog Picked Up Whist Working

Now is also a good time to list any problems that your dog picked up while working. “If there are any issues that you noticed while your dog was working, make a note of them and start working on fixing them during the offseason,” Emma says. “This will help set them up for success when they return to work.”

So, those are our tips for transitioning your dog from a busy work schedule to a more relaxed lifestyle. We hope you find them helpful!

Back To Basics Regardless Of Your Dogs Age Or Experience

Regardless of a dog’s age, you start back with the basics. If a dog has been working since it was a pup, make sure you are still taking the time to reinforce basic gundog commands such as sit, stay, recall, and heel.

“No matter how long your dog has been working, it’s important to keep reinforcing the basics” Abbie Reid

Preparing Your Dog For The Upcoming Season

While you’re working on transitioning your dog to offseason mode, don’t forget to start preparing them for the upcoming season. “Start gradually introducing them to what they’ll be doing during the season,” Emma says. “This will help get them excited and prepared for coming.”

Abbie agrees, adding that it’s important to remind them of all the basics and get them back into training to remind them of what they knew before the last season.

Make sure you spend time working on steadiness and self-control with the dog so they’re prepared to sit patiently and wait for birds. Making sure these skills are solid is important. You don’t want an excited dog running all over the place when they’re out in the field.

Your 3D’s

You can also start working on specific skills that will be useful during the season, such as retrieving. “If you’re working on retrieving, start with easy retrieves,” Emma says. “You can gradually make it more difficult by adding distractions and working on longer distances and durations.”

Abbie recommends using the offseason to work on whatever needs improvement from the previous season. “If there are any skills that need work, now is the time to work on them,” she says. “This will help your dog prepare for the upcoming season.”

Consolidate Old Skills Before Adding New Skills

Once you’ve worked on fixing any problems and refreshing your dog’s obedience training, you can start adding new skills. “Start with simple behaviours and work your way up,” Abbie says. “Don’t try to do too much at once, or you’ll overwhelm your dog.”

Abbie agrees, adding that it’s important to take things slowly and consolidate old skills before moving on to new ones. “One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to teach their dog too many things at once,” she says. “You want your dog to be successful, so it’s important to take things slowly and focus on one skill at a time.”

Rebuilding Your Relationship For The Forthcoming Season

“The offseason is a great time to rebuild your relationship with your dog,” Emma says. “Spend time bonding with them and doing things that they enjoy. This will help create a strong bond between you and your dog that will be beneficial when you start working together again.”

“The biggest thing is just to keep things fun,” Abbie says. “If your dog is having fun, they’ll be more likely to work hard and perform well when the season comes around.”

Training Your Dog Leads To Trust

“One of the most important things to remember is that training your dog leads to trust,” Emma says. “The more trust you have with your dog, the better they’ll perform in the field.”

“The bottom line is that if you take the time to train your dog properly, you’ll create a bond of trust between you and your dog that will be beneficial in the field,” Abbie says. ” Training your dog is an investment that will pay off when you’re out in the field working together.”

So those are our tips for transitioning your dog from a busy work schedule to a more relaxed lifestyle.

This podcast episode was about transitioning your dog from a busy work schedule to a more relaxed lifestyle. Emma Stevens and Abbie Reid, experts from the LWDG Group, shared their tips for making this transition successfully. They recommend using the offseason to work on obedience training, fixing any problems that arose during the last season, and gradually introducing your dog to the things they’ll be doing during the upcoming season. By taking things slowly and consolidating old skills before moving on to new ones, you’ll help your dog be successful in the next season. Thanks for listening!

We hope you found these tips helpful! If you have any questions, please reach out to us at the Ladies Working Dog Group.

Dog Viruses And Vaccines: The Basics You Need To Know with Vet Sophie Bell

Did you know that viruses are common in dogs and can cause serious illnesses? Vaccines help protect your dog from these viruses, and it is important to educate yourself about dog vaccinations and the choices you can make. There are some side effects of dog vaccines that you should be aware of, but with a few simple tips, you can minimise the risk of your furry friend contracting a virus.

In this podcast summary, LWDG Featured Expert and Vet Sophie Bell breaks down the basics of canine vaccinations and helps you decide what’s best for your working dog.

What viruses are common in dogs and can cause serious illness

Canine Parvovirus (Parvo) is a highly contagious and potentially fatal virus that affects puppies and young dogs. It attacks the gastrointestinal system, causing vomiting and diarrhoea.

Canine distemper is a severe and contagious disease caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of dogs. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, watery eyes, and vomiting.

Canine adenovirus is a virus that can cause respiratory illness in dogs. It is often associated with kennel cough. Symptoms include a dry hacking cough, fever, and runny nose.

These are just some of the viruses that can affect dogs, and it is important to keep your dog’s vaccinations relevant for your area and lifestyle choices.

“Vaccinating your dog can be one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect them from a serious illness. It is important that you talk to your vet about what vaccines are recommended for your dog, based on their age, lifestyle and risk factors.”- Sophie Bell, Featured Expert Vet.

How vaccines help protect your dog from these viruses

The viruses that canine vaccines help protect dogs from can cause severe illness and even death in some cases. Vaccines work by protecting your dog against infection with the virus. They are made from a ‘dead’ or ‘modified’ form of the virus, which means they can’t cause disease. When your dog is vaccinated, their immune system produces antibodies against the virus. These antibodies help protect your dog if they come into contact with the actual virus.

It is important to note that no vaccine is 100% effective and that there is always a risk that your dog could still contract the virus, even if they are vaccinated. However, by keeping your dog’s vaccinations up-to-date, you can reduce the risk of them becoming ill from these viruses.

“No vaccine is 100% effective, but by keeping your pet’s vaccinations up to date, you can reduce their risk of becoming ill from these viruses.” – Sophie Bell, Featured Expert Vet.

Keeping your dog’s vaccinations relevant

It is important to keep your dog’s vaccinations relevant to protect them from the risk of contracting a virus. Vaccines typically last for one year, after which time your dog will need a booster shot to keep them protected. It is important to consult your vet about when booster shots are necessary, as this will vary depending on the vaccine and the virus it protects against.

“It is important to consult your vet about when booster shots are necessary, as this will vary depending on the vaccine and the virus it protects against.” – Sophie Bell, Featured Expert Vet.

Side effects of dog vaccines

Like all medications, there is always a risk of side effects associated with canine vaccines. The most common side effect is mild fever, and some dogs may also experience temporary stiffness or reduced energy levels after getting vaccinated. More severe side effects are rare but can include allergic reactions and infections at the injection site.

“The most common side effect is mild fever, and some dogs may also experience temporary stiffness or reduced energy levels after getting vaccinated.” – Sophie Bell, Featured Expert Vet

Tips for minimising the risk of your dog contracting a virus

There are a few things you can do to help reduce your dog’s risk of contracting a virus. Some of these include:

– Keeping your dog away from other animals that may be sick

– Avoiding taking your dog to places where there is a high concentration of dogs, such as dog parks or kennels

– Washing your hands thoroughly after handling your dog and before eating or touching your face

– Disinfecting surfaces that your dog has come into contact with an appropriate pet-safe disinfectant

Thank you for joining us today as we explored the world of dog vaccinations. It is essential to be armed with information to make the best decision for your furry friend. We hope you enjoyed this summary and can find time to listen to the full episode. Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry when your dog’s health!

You can also find more helpful tips on our website or consult with your local vet. We wish you and your dog all the best in keeping them safe and healthy!

More About Sophie…

Sophie is a business owner and Senior Vet at Animal Love in Salisbury. Having worked as a vet for 9 years, and currently specialising in Emergency and Critical Care. With a genuine passion for animals, Sophie started Animal Love to help owners to help their pets. Sophie has kindly produced this short video for the Ladies Working Dog Group to help you put together a first aid kit for your working dog. Sophie has a brand new range of online courses available from the end of next week. Get a 10% discount if you sign up beforehand. Subscribe to find out more about Sophie’s online and live courses here.

Counting Grouse With Gundogs On Spectacular UK Moorland

Grouse Counting and Gundogs

I’m sure you have all heard of grouse counting, but have you ever wondered what it is? Grouse counting is done twice a year as a survey of the grouse to help assess the health of the population and how well they are doing. This information is used to make decisions about how best to manage the grouse moorland.

Grouse counting is carried out twice a year by moorland keepers in the UK; in the spring on pairs and in the summer on broods. It helps to determine whether grouse shooting can take place on an estate during a particular year or not. LWDG Featured Expert Lucy Hall explains how the grouse counting is done, and how important these times of year are for moorland keepers.

The process of counting grouse can be quite complex, and it’s important to get an accurate count. In this blog post, we will discuss what grouse counting is, how important it is for moorland keepers, and how it is done. We will also take a look at some of the dogs that are commonly used for this task, and explore why they have been traditionally used for this job.

The History Of Grouse Shooting

Grouse shooting has been taking place in the UK for centuries. The first mention of grouse shooting dates back to the 15th century, and it was often used as a way to provide food for the aristocracy and their guests. Grouse shooting became increasingly popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, and it was used as a way to raise money for estates. Grouse shooting continued to be popular in the 20th century, and is still a popular pastime today.

There are a few ways to count grouse, and the method used will depend on the size of the estate, the number of birds that are being counted and the dogs being used. The most common method is known as the ‘walk and stalk’ method, which involves walking through the moorland and counting the grouse that are seen.

Grouse counting is an important survey for moorland keepers, as it helps to determine whether grouse shooting will take place on an estate during a particular year or not. It is also a good opportunity to assess the health of the grouse population and to look for any potential problems that may need to be addressed. Grouse counting is carried out in the spring on pairs and summer on broods.

In the spring you are counting the number of breeding pairs to gain an idea of how productive the grouse will be (or not) when the chicks hatch around May. In the summer you are counting the broods to ascertain whether or not to shoot that year come the start of the season on the 12th of August.

Grouse counting can be a challenging task, but it is essential for ensuring that the moorland remains healthy and productive.

Moorland Management

Moorlands are an important part of the UK’s landscape. They provide a habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, and they play an important role in regulating the environment. The moorlands found in the UK are managed by moorland keepers, who work to ensure that they remain healthy and productive.

Moorland management is a complex and challenging task, as moorlands are constantly changing environments. Keepers therefore need to have a good understanding of the ecology of moorlands in order to be able to effectively manage them. They also need to be able to work closely with other stakeholders, such as landowners, farmers, and conservationists.

Moorland management is an essential part of preserving our landscape and protecting our wildlife including our grouse populations. It is a challenging and important job, and it is vital that we have skilled moorland keepers to carry out this work.

The role of the moorland keeper is essential in preserving our landscape and protecting our wildlife. By managing the moorlands effectively, they play a key role in maintaining a healthy environment for all.

How Are Grouse Counted?

Moorland keepers tend to use a grid system to count grouse. On each moorland beat (area) they will plot a quadrant area to be counted, which will differ in size depending upon the size of the beat – the larger the beat the larger the area to be counted.

Counting this designated area provides keepers with an average count for that particular beat. The same areas are counted in the spring and summer counts year on year.

When using setters and pointers, the dogs will use the wind and naturally quarter the ground. Starting at the first point of the quadrant the dogs will work the wind – this could be into the wind, a cheek wind or a downwind, and will of course change each time as you count the four sides of the quadrant.

Once scented grouse, the dog will go on point. I am sure many of you will have seen the static point of a pointer or setter. The dog will typically remain in that position until given the signal/command to move by its handler.

The dog will then move into the point and flush the birds – it is the handler and keeper’s job to count the grouse that flush. They will log the number of cocks, hens and young counted.

The dogs are trained to drop on flush, so each time a bird lifts from the heather the dog will drop. This makes these dogs ideal for the job, especially with the broods, as they can slowly flush the birds thus making it easier to count the large broods.

On one count you will generally need a team of around 3-4 dogs, though this depends on the size of the count and obviously the weather – if it is hot you will want to take things slower with your dogs and therefore give them more time to rest and recuperate.

This system provides keepers with a good idea of how many grouse are present on that particular beat. It also helps them to identify any areas where there may be more or fewer grouse than usual, providing valuable data that can be used to monitor the health of grouse populations.

Grouse Territory

Grouse are territorial birds, and they will defend their territory against other grouse. They will also defend their territory against predators, such as foxes and hawks.

Moorland keepers need to be aware of the territorial nature of grouse, and they need to respect the boundaries of each grouse’s territory. By doing this, they can help to ensure that the grouse remain healthy and productive.

If they don’t, they may end up disturbing or even displacing the grouse. This can have a negative impact on their populations and can lead to them becoming less healthy.

Dog Breeds That Work Our Moorlands

In order to carry out a good grouse count, you need a good gundog! Many people think that grouse counting is only for hunters, but this isn’t the case. Gundog enthusiasts can also get involved by helping to collect data on the grouse populations.

There are a number of dog breeds that have been specifically bred to work on our moorlands. These dogs are essential in helping the moorland keeper to carry out their work and play a massive part in a successful shoot season.

The dogs that are traditionally used for grouse counting are the setters and English pointers. Over the years with the popularity of the HPR breeds these have been used as well, given their similarity to the pointers and setters in their work.

Other breeds such as Labradors and spaniels have and are used to. It really depends on what method/dogs have been used on that particular estate over the years.

Setters and English pointers are well suited to the task. Originally bred to hunt game birds in large areas, these breeds are naturally wide-ranging in their running, fast and full of stamina enabling them to cover the ground well and run over the tough terrain for long periods of time. Together with their strong sense of smell, they are super for locating the grouse.

Similar to the setters and pointers, the HPRs are also a good choice for grouse counting as they also have great stamina, are wide-ranging, good hunters and have a good sense of smell.

In this episode, we learned about grouse counting and how it impacts whether or not a particular estate will allow grouse shooting in a particular year. We also heard about the different dogs that are commonly used for this activity and why they’re so well-suited for it.

If you enjoyed this summary, be sure to listen to the full episode for more information on grouse counting. Thanks for listening and thank you to Lucy Hall for providing this blog and podcast!

Working With The Dog In Front Of You

Every Dog Is An Individual

Welcome to this week’s LWDG POD DOG round up. This week we chatted about the fact that every gun dog is unique and how you can learn to work with a dog in front of you. This post covers the main tips from the podcast, and the Youtube video can be found below with subtitles.

In this podcast, LWDG Founder Joanne Perrott is joined by Experienced Trainers and LWDG Group Experts – Claire Denyer, Sam Thorneycroft-Taylor, Emma Stephens, Jemma Martin and LWDG Featured Experts Abbie Reid, Nicci Kenny and Rose Setten, as they discuss how we can give our working dogs individual training that suits them.

All Dogs Are Unique

One of the things that we always talk about at LWDG is that all dogs are unique. No two dogs are the same, so we need to find a way to train each one that suits them as individuals.

This means taking the time to get to know your dog, their personality and what makes them tick.

It’s important to see them as individuals, even littermates or even the same breed. They will have different motivations and behaviours that you will need to consider.

Scale your reward choices

Dogs behave differently depending on their environment and their familiarity with it.

A dog that will work well and enjoy kibble as a treat may need a more high-value reward in a woodland it’s never been to before.

It can work well to heighten and lower the value of rewards depending on the training situation. This will help keep the dog motivated and working well.

By getting to know your dog, their personality, and what makes them tick, you can create a training programme that supports their learning.

Helping your Dog To Focus

we, as handlers, need to help our dogs focus. This means looking at the environment and making sure that we are aware of distractions that could pull the dog’s attention away from the task at hand. Being patient is key when training a gun dog. It can take time for them to learn what you are asking of them, and they may not always get it the first time.

Sometimes we need to spend time sitting in a steady position, allowing the dog to calm down before training. It’s important to be consistent with this and not to let the dog get away with things in one situation but not another. This will only serve to confuse the dog.

Think Outside The Box

When it comes to training gun dogs, there is no one definitive way to do things. What works for one dog may not work for another. Therefore, it’s important to be creative and think outside the box when training.

This means trying different methods, techniques and exercises to see what works best for your dog.

Be Prepared To Change Things and step out of your comfort zone.

“Be brave and try something you have never tried. No one has had YOUR dog before,” Rose Setten.

Don’t be afraid to try new things and see how they work with your dog. If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to abandon it and try something absolutely different. And if that doesn’t work, we can try something else.

Reflect On Why Things Aren’t Going Right

It’s important to be prepared to reflect on why things may not be going right. This means taking the time to look at what we are doing as handlers and seeing where we may be going wrong.

We also need to be prepared to ask for help from others who may have more experience than we do. It’s ok not to know everything, and there is no shame in admitting that you need help.

Gun dog training can be an enriching experience, but it does take time, patience and a lot of hard work. By taking the time to get to know your dog and individually working with them, you will set them up for success and have a well-trained gun dog by your side.

Be Prepared To Fail

Although it’s not something we want to think about, we need to be prepared for failure. Sometimes things don’t go right, and our dog doesn’t understand what we ask.

In these situations, it’s important to stay calm and not get frustrated. The last thing we want to do is raise our voice or become angry with our dog.

It can be helpful to take a step back and review what we have been doing. Maybe something has changed, and we need to adjust our training programme.

Above all, be prepared to have a sense of humour and don’t take things too seriously. We’re all in this together! Train. It can take time for them to learn what you are asking of them, and they may not always get it the first time.

Make Your Training Fun

One of the best ways to keep your dog interested in their training is to make it fun. This means incorporating playtime into your programme and using praise and treats as rewards.

Dogs love to play, and by making training fun, they will be more motivated to learn. And even if the exercise fails, your dog doesn’t know what the outcome was meant to be, so take a big breath and try something else instead.

Take Into Consideration Your Dogs Age

A young dog cannot perform as an older dog does. It simply hasn’t had the same amount of experience. So, as a handler, we need to consider this when training.

We need to be prepared to spend more time training our young dogs and be willing to adapt our programme as they grow and learn.

Older dogs can sometimes make us think we know exactly what we are doing. And we do… BUT FOR THAT DOG ONLY. Another dog could be trained exactly the same way, and it does not work.

There Are No Hard And Fast Rules.

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to gun dog training. What works for one dog may not work for another. Therefore, it’s important to be creative and think outside the box when training. This means trying different methods, techniques and exercises to see what works best for your dog.

If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to abandon it and try something absolutely different. And if that doesn’t work, we can try something else. By taking the time to get to know your dog and individually working with them, you will set them up for success and have a well-trained gun dog by your side.

Ask The Community Around You For Help

The Ladies Working Dog Group Community comprises lots of different handlers and trainers who have different training styles. But, instead of trying to convince one another that our style is right, we instead share ideas to offer many different solutions to the same problem. It’s what makes us unique.

If you struggle with a certain exercise or don’t know where to start, ask the community for help. We are more than happy to share our ideas and experiences with you.

By reading this article, we hope that you have been encouraged to take the time to get to know your dog and individually work with them. Gun dog training can be a gratifying experience, but it does take time, patience and a lot of hard work. By taking the time to get to know your dog and individually working with them, you will set them up for success and have a well-trained gun dog by your side.

Comment below and let us know how you are now going to work with the dog in front of you

The Ladies Working Dog Group Has Added Magic To Its Brand!

We have rebranded, and we could not be more excited about it!

The Internet has given birth to a new era where businesses and individuals interact and transact globally. As a result, it is straightforward for people with similar needs or views to group online and create movements, regardless of their physical location.

For businesses, the online space presents an opportunity to reach new communities. However, it also brings challenges to capturing their attention amidst the noise created by individuals who share common interests.

Our Brand History

The Ladies Working Dog Group has been doing a fantastic job for the last six years of finding women with working dogs to help and support within our community, and as much as we have loved our branding, it didn’t make it clear who we want to help. We want to help ALL ladies with working dogs, regardless of their country or activity.

We looked at our branding and decided to rebrand the website, the clothing range and our social media content. The rebrand will help us attract more members and better support all ladies with working dogs.

Creating our online content has been like baking an ‘OK’ cake every day, but knowing it could be a great cake if you could add that touch of magic.

AND WE HAVE FOUND IT!

We know that we can add that touch of magic with our new look, and we hope that you all will love this fresh contemporary feel as much as we do!

We are thrilled to tell you that we have completed this exciting stage in our journey, and the rebranding is complete! We hope you like what you see. We are so excited about this rebrand because it does show exactly who we are and what we do.

Our logo has been refreshed, but more importantly, we’ve changed the message it sends – making it crystal clear who we’re here to help.

We have rebranded the Ladies Working Dog Group to reflect better our aim of supporting ALL ladies with working dogs, regardless of their country or activity. We want all ladies to feel welcome in our group, and we hope that our new branding will help us reach more women and provide them with the support they need.

Is it obvious enough?

We wanted a logo that would be different from other dog groups and one that reflects our dedication to helping women with working dogs. So the lady and dog training symbolises the female, but also an ode to our canine friends too! We hope you’ll love our new branding as much as we do, and we look forward to your feedback.

Our website, clothing range and social media content now reflect our dedication to helping women with working dogs. Our new logo is stylish and unique and sends a clear message about who we are and what we do. We hope you love it as much as we do!

Over the next week, you will see all community spaces updated; if after March the 1st you spot an old logo anywhere, please let us know!

Why did we rebrand?

Our first ever logo and brand was fabulous and we adored it, but something about it just didn’t show the world who we were. So recently we tweaked it, but again we just still hadn’t captured who the LWDG are.

Rebranding the LWDG was a strategic decision to achieve specific objectives. These included:

– To refresh and update our image

– To target our audience with more image appropriate content

– To create a more professional and stylish look that would appeal to our audience

– To unify our branding across all platforms (website, clothing range, social media)

We want to help as many women as possible with working dogs, and we believe that this refreshed image will help us do just that! Our refreshed image is professional and stylish, and we hope that you will love it as much as we do!

Please give some constructive feedback about the rebranding. What did you like? What didn’t you like? Did anything confuse you? Do you have any ideas about how we could improve things? We would love to hear from you! 🙂

We need your thoughts – what do YOU think of our rebrand? Let us know in the comments below!

The Loaded Choice – Where & when your dog should make its own decisions

Join LWDG Founder Jo Perrott with Experienced Trainers and LWDG Experts – Claire Denyer, Sam Thorneycroft-Taylor, Rose Setten, Emma Stephens, Abbie Reid, Nicci Kenny and Jemma Martin as they discuss how we can give our working dog ‘choices’ when training.

Introduction

As a dog owner and handler, I’m sure you have seen a lot of bad choices made by trainers, owners and dogs when it comes to obedience and behaviour, and it seems that many people have lost sight of the true meaning of the word “choice” when it comes to training their dogs.

The word ‘choice’ is both a contentious and emotive issue, as the LWDG Experts reveal in this highly engaging and informative discussion. In this episode of LWDG PODDOG, we’ll be discussing what choice means for a dog and how to train them to make the right choices. This blog post includes the extended audio and video with subtitles too.

What is ‘Choice’:

Making choices is an important part of owning a dog. It’s up to you to decide what kinds of choices you want to make for your dog. Some choices include what food to feed them, what toys to give them, and what activities to do with them. You can also choose whether to spay or neuter your dog. These are all important decisions that will help determine your dog’s quality of life.

There is confusion about what ‘choice’ means among all dog owners when discussing training our dogs.

What Choice Means In Dog Training

You must help your dog understand the choice in any situation. They have to choose appropriate behaviour for the environment and/or the activity. Dogs need our guidance to learn when their choice is the correct one, and therefore we train which choice is right in a range of situations.

For a dog to be able to choose something in the first place, it needs to understand what it should (or shouldn’t) be doing:

“I have taught my dog to ignore another dog passing us on the road. How? I have taught my dog that it sits and looks for me for a treat when it sees another dog. At that moment, it is down to the dog to choose – am I going to bark/lunge at that dog, or am I going to remember what I was taught and be rewarded?” – Emma Stevens LWDG Group Expert

Guiding Your Dog To Make The Right Choice

We need to guide our dogs in the right direction so their choices are easier to make. Unfortunately, first-time dog owners often misunderstand‘ choice’ or ‘consent’. A common practice amongst dog owners is waiting for their dog to choose with no guidance from a very young age.

We need to understand that we have to teach and educate our dogs on how to make the right choice, so initially, when teaching the foundations of obedience, the dog needs help to make the right choice every time. This is taught through consistent positive reinforcement when we see the right behaviours.

At the start of their training, our dogs do not know what we want, and this is why we guide them, and show them, and reward and praise them when they are on track. We use management, guidance, and appropriate corrections when required. There is no need for harsh handling, but there is a need for guidance from you as their educator on the right choice to make in life. Help your dog build up a behavioural pattern of repeatedly doing the right thing to get the reward.

Must-do’s when giving our dog choices:

Your dog should see you as their leader/educator. But, like a toddler or teenager – they need boundaries!
Being able to educate, train and then reward is so important at the start of your dog learning any new command/behaviour.
Your dog has no concept of speech or language from a human perspective. Therefore, we need to train what each word we say means regarding their actions.
If you like what your dog is doing, let them carry on and reward that behaviour.
If you don’t like what they are doing at the training phase, you need to intervene positively, distract or stop them from doing it to lure them into doing something else and making the correct choice.
Most dogs want to do something for their owner. If we show them nicely the correct ways of doing things, they will want to make the right choice.
A wrong choice needs to be corrected, but this doesn’t need to be done harshly. It is unfair not to show the dog what you want and don’t want.

Why Do Dogs make The Wrong Choice?

There is a reason when a dog makes a ‘wrong’ choice. It is normally a handling error in training. The dog does not understand what we want. So we, as handlers, must teach our dogs repeatedly the correct behaviour and then reward them for it.

If we are struggling with something at the beginning of our training journey, we should narrow our dog’s choices down so it is easier for them to make the right choice. For example, using a definitive pathway when teaching recall so the clear path for the dog is to return straight to you.

When a dog does understand what we require, we must correct them if they make incorrect choices when we have asked for something they understand.

When The Handler Makes The Wrong Choice

Unhelpful tips received by a novice dog handler such as “don’t train them for their first twelve months” can be taken too literally with devastating effects both for dogs and their owners.

As trainers/handlers, we need to be careful with our terminology and explain more to our friends/clients what we mean when explaining how to change a dogs behaviour.

When Dogs Need To Make Choices In The Field

When a dog knows the obedience and foundational commands, its training will include situations where the handler cannot guide it. For example, a dog retrieving from behind a hedge needs to use its own ability and initiative to find the mark, be it a dummy or a bird. Here we have to trust the dog to make the right choices alone. But at this stage in training, if we as handlers have done our job, making the correct choice is far easier for the dog as it has carried out similar exercises and has a large amount of experience to help it make decisions.

To Summarise

These snippets of wisdom from the LWDG experts are taken from the podcast and shared here for you; I hope they prove useful:

You cannot enjoy your dog without giving it boundaries. You need to be the leader/educator.
Set your ground rules and boundaries from the start, be consistent and fair
Give your dog a ‘loaded’ choice. teach them the correct choice to make
Take charge of the situation – there does not need to be anger. Correct the bad choice
By ensuring we lay the foundations of the training and the choice making in early training, the more advanced training choices are often more easily understood by the dog
We need to set the rules with basic common sense. You are shirking the responsibility of looking after your dog if you don’t set rules/boundaries.
The rules we are setting need to be consistent from day one
When teaching your dog to recall – make it as easy for the dog as you can
Take the time to educate your dog, but reward, DO NOT bribe.

And finally, and most importantly for all of us dog owners, have fun with the dog and be a responsible owner!

In conclusion, it is essential to set rules and boundaries for your dog from the start. This will help them understand their role in the family and what is expected of them. Dogs are intelligent creatures and can learn a lot if we take the time to teach them properly. Be sure to listen to our full episode for more tips on training your dog to make the right choice!

Caring For Your Outdoor Clothing

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, then you know the importance of having quality gear. Not only does good gear make your time outdoors more enjoyable, but it can also be a lifesaver in some cases. That’s why it’s important to take care of your outdoor clothing and gear properly.

In this podcast and blog post, we discuss with Sorrel Miller, Owner of On The Peg Ltd, the best way to care for your country’s clothing. Follow these tips, and you’ll be able to enjoy your outdoor gear for years to come!

Understand the needs of your outdoor country clothing

Anyone who spends any amount of time outdoors knows that having the right clothing is essential. Not only does it need to keep you warm or cool, depending on the conditions, but it also needs to be comfortable and durable.

However, with so many different types of outdoor clothing on the market, it can be difficult to know what to look for.

When choosing outdoor clothing, it is important to consider the climate you will be spending most of your time in as well as the activities you will be doing. For example, if you are an avid beater, you will need different gear than someone who likes to spend their time picking up.

Once you have a good idea of what you need, take some time to research different brands and find the one that best suits your needs. With a little effort, you can be sure to find the perfect outfit for your next outdoor adventure.

Choose the right detergent and cleaning method

There are a few things you’ll want to take into account when choosing a detergent and cleaning method for your outdoor clothing.

First, consider the type of stains you’re dealing with. If they’re mud or grass stains, you’ll need a different approach than if they’re grease or oil stains.

Second, think about the fabric of your clothing. Some fabrics are more delicate than others and will require a gentler cleaning method.

Finally, make sure you read the care labels on your clothes before you start washing them. This will give you the best chance of success.

With all that in mind, here are a few tips for getting those pesky stains out of your outdoor clothing:

-For mud or grass stains, pre-treat with a stain remover or liquid laundry detergent before washing. Be sure to use cold water, as hot water can set the stain.

-For grease or oil stains, try using a powder laundry detergent or rubbing alcohol. Again, be sure to use cold water to avoid setting the stain.

-For delicate fabrics, hand-wash in cool water using a mild detergent. Avoid scrubbing too hard, as this can damage the fabric.

By following these simple tips, you can keep your outdoor clothing looking and smelling great for years to come.

Dry your outdoor gear properly

We all know how essential it is to dry our gear properly – especially in the warmer months. Damp gear is not only uncomfortable, but it can also lead to chafing, skin irritation, and even fungal infections.

The best way to dry your gear is to hang it in the sun – or, if you’re short on time, use a tumble dryer on a low heat setting. If you’re hanging your gear up to dry, make sure that it’s not in direct sunlight, as this can cause the fabric to fade and become brittle over time.

Once your gear is dry, store it in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to use it again. By taking these simple steps, you can help to prolong the life of your gear and keep yourself comfortable during even the most strenuous activity.

Store your outdoor gear correctly when it’s not in use

Outdoor clothing can take a beating. From exposure to the elements to being packed away in a drawer or closet, your jacket, pants, and other gear can start to show signs of wear and tear. But with a little care, you can prolong the life of your clothing and keep it looking its best. Here are some tips for storing your outdoor clothing:

When not in use, store your outdoor clothing in a cool, dry place. This will help to prevent mildew and staining.
If possible, air out your clothing before storing it away. This will help to prevent musty smells.
If you’re going to be storing your clothing for an extended period of time, consider using mothballs or cedar chips to help repel insects.

With proper care, your outdoor clothing will last longer and continue to perform its best.

Inspect and repair your outdoor gear regularly

A little bit of regular care can go a long way when it comes to your clothing. That goes for your everyday clothes, as well as any gear you might use for work, sports, or other activities. Inspect your clothing regularly for signs of wear and tear, and repair any damage as soon as possible. A small hole or a loosened seam can quickly become a bigger problem if it’s not addressed right away. With a little bit of care, your clothes will last longer and serve you better. So don’t wait until something needs major repairs – take care of your clothing, and it will take care of you.

Use a waterproofing treatment to keep your outdoor gear in good condition

Most of us have experienced the disappointment of outdoor clothing that just doesn’t stand up to the elements. Waterproof jackets that let in water, pants that soak through at the first sign of rain – it can be frustrating, to say the least.

But there is a way to keep your outdoor clothing in good condition, no matter what the weather throws at you. By using a waterproofing treatment, you can protect your clothes from water, dirt, and stains. There are a number of different products on the market, so it’s important to choose one that is right for the type of fabric you’re working with.

Whether you’re dealing with cotton, wool, or synthetic fibers, there’s a waterproofing treatment that will help you keep your clothes looking good for years to come. So don’t let the bad weather get you down – be prepared with a little waterproofing treatment, and you’ll be ready for anything.

By following these simple tips, you can keep your outdoor clothing in good condition for years to come. With a little bit of care, you’ll be able to enjoy the outdoors without worrying about your gear.

So don’t wait – get started today, and see the difference that proper care can make. Thanks for listening and reading!

How To Have Incredible Fun Teaching Your Gundog

Guest Blog Post by LWDG Group Expert Samantha Thorneycroft- Taylor

When we purchase, or rescue, a working gundog breed we have an obligation to train them to be the best that they can be at whatever their role is going to be, and the best way to do that is to make training fun.

Whether it’s a family pet and companion, a service dog, a gun dog, a livestock dog, or a security dog it’s true, and it’s probably the single thing that I say the most to all of my clients.

We all know that dogs aren’t born trained, though there are often genetic and hereditary traits that can be found within a specific breed. Yet, somehow, almost everyone ends up experiencing frustration with their dog’s training at some point during the dog’s life.

Frustration that the puppy just chewed yet another slipper, frustration that the gundog-bred dog has gone self-employed in a forest and won’t recall, frustration that the livestock dog just caught and killed a neighbour’s chicken, the list of possible frustrations is endless…

Your Dogs Boundaries

Dogs need to be given clear boundaries from the start of your ownership, not by harsh methods or punishing corrections, but they do need to be taught the difference between right and wrong, and they need to be mentally stimulated and given a ‘job’ no matter how small or large that ‘job’ may be.

I think that many of us will have, at some point during our dog’s life, had that feeling of “Oh god, I need to take the dog out for a walk” and it’s at this point, when we are no longer enjoying our dog’s companionship, that we need to take the step to be proactive and to inject the fun and enthusiasm back into our combined lives.

It’s well known that dogs experience many different stages whilst growing from puppyhood, through adolescence and eventually maturing into adult life. We need to be there to support them, to encourage them, to nurture them, and also to keep them on the straight and narrow throughout all the different stages of development they go through.

Small Segments Of Training Can Keep Things Fun

Around 20-25 minutes is all you need to dedicate to a single training session and even this can be broken down into much smaller segments – if you take a proper look at your daily routine you’ll soon realise that you had a couple of minutes whilst the kettle boiled, or 15 minutes whilst dinner was in the oven, or 10 minutes before you were due to leave for work.

These are prime opportunities to do something, anything, with your dog to get those cogs ticking. You could work on your heel position in the kitchen or a short sit/stay or a send to bed for example. You could hide something in the garden and go hunt for it together, you could practice your recall, or do some retrieving – none of these examples takes more than just a few short minutes

It’s far more beneficial to your dogs health and well-being to have small bursts of mental stimulation with dedicated time and interaction from you, as their owner and caregiver, than it is for them to run for hours out of control and doing what they please!

So if you’re thinking “I don’t have enough time to both train and walk my dog” then think again – either go training instead or mix the two up and go for a training walk.

As humans, it’s easy to get ‘bogged down’ on one thing that is causing us difficulty and we either stick at it in the same way, over and over not making progress, or we avoid the issue altogether and hope the problem goes away. Neither of these routes is the answer.

If, for example, your delivery has gone to pot on retrieves then consider forgetting steadiness for a while and having some fun.

Play with your dog, run around with your dog, throw some unsteady retrieves and really encourage your dog to come right back to you – have them chase you with the item in their mouth if that is what it takes to get your dog back.

If you’re at loggerheads when it comes to loose lead walking and are fed up with the continual pull, stop, reset, pull, stop, reset ‘cycle’, INJECT some ENTHUSIASM! Take it up a pace, keep changing direction, stop, start, run, walk, left, right – make it fun, different, and exciting!

Take the pressure off yourselves; act like a child, forget the daily struggles, leave work at work, and go have fun with your dog! I can guarantee that you’ll both be far happier, and far more contented afterwards!

Samantha Thorneycroft-Taylor is an LWDG Group Expert, experienced dog trainer and Owner of Languedoc Gundogs

6 Steps To Teaching A Dog To Successfully Retrieve

Join LWDG Founder Jo Perrott with Trainer and Featured Expert Michelle Oseman as they discuss training a dog to retrieve using 6 simple steps, using the food bowl game.

This episode was initially filmed as part of an interview Jo was writing for the Gundog Journal with Trainer Michelle Oseman of Mapowders Dog Training

As Jo and Michelle chatted about training dogs in general, Michelle shared this content and we thought it was too good not to share with you. You can listen to the podcast here.

Michelle also provided the following information which she uses in her training lessons as takeaway documents. We have included these here to support the video content.

Introduction To Retrieving

What is a retrieve made up of?

1 STEADINESS – Can your dog sit beside you whilst a bird is flushed and shot or a dummy is thrown or a ball rolled in front of him? Can your dog stay sat where you leave him whilst you walk out to place a retrieve or fill a food bowl? Does your dog think every retrieve is his???

2 SEND AWAY – Can your dog run out in a straight line from your side or, if stopped out in the field, can it take direction to a retrieve?

3 PICK UP – Can your dog pick up and hold lots of different things such as fur, feathers, canvas dummy, cuddly toy etc.

4 RECALL/RETURN – Does your dog recall/return immediately and can run holding something whilst running?

5 DELIVERY – Can your dog recall to sit in front of you without smashing into you or doing a million circles around you? Can your dog sit in front of you whilst holding an object?

6 PRESENT – Can your dog sit in front of you holding an item and lift his head for you to take it?

All of these elements make up a simple retrieve. The best way to train them is as standalone parts of the retrieve and not try to chain them altogether until they are 100% on their own. No point having a dog that runs in on retrieves or can pick a retrieve but then does a victory parade around the field before coming back to you or a dog that picks a runner in the shooting field but drops it at your feet on delivery!!

Over the next few weeks look at each of these elements and how best to train them as single tasks. Some dogs will find certain elements easier than other parts but the trick is to focus on your weak areas rather than keep sending your dog for retrieves that aren’t completely perfect. Remember that the dog will only practice the behaviours you allow!

A lot of these behaviours have already been introduced in your training to date such as using our Sit and Step off exercise for steadiness, food bowl retrieves for send away and recall but we will revisit them as they now need to be incorporated into a very exciting thing for dogs called Retrieving!

Using The Food Bowl Game To Retrieve

Tips for success

•Use a natural straight line such as a fence, track or hedge
•Make sure the distance is appropriate for the age of the dog
•Dog MUST have sit and stay secure

Exercise

1. On lead, take dog from point A to point B at heel

2. Sit dog. Step off, place tasty food into the bowl and return to the dog (heel position)

3. Tell the dog to ‘Leave’ the bowl, turn across the dog (blocking the food bowl) and heel away to return to point A

4. About turn and sit the dog at heel facing the food bowl

5. Remove lead and, with your arm stretched out pointing to the bowl, send the dog with your “Go Back!” or “Get Out!” command

6. Once the dog has eaten, recall to sit in front and reward

Extend the distance from A to B
Use heel work exercises such as ‘quick sit’ and ‘sit and step off’ while doing your heel work to and from the bowl
Leave the dog in a sit, walk out to place food in bowl and return to dog. This aids steadiness
Aim for off-lead heel work

Photo: Michelle Oseman

Michelle Oseman’s Bio:

After a highly successful corporate career, Michelle has been a companion and gundog training professional for over ten years and has recently relocated to just outside Bude in North Cornwall.

She is an experienced Gundog handler, having gained Field Trial and Working test awards with her own Springer Spaniels and Working Cocker Spaniels. She has always worked her dogs in the shooting field, running up to 8 dogs a day. Michelle also writes regular articles for the Gundog Journal and Field Sports Magazines.

Michelle’s passion for training, competing and working dogs led her to her training career. She is a positive, rewards-based, behavioural trainer who focuses her efforts on ensuring the handlers learn before the dog. Her friendly and methodical approach has been proven across many breeds and clients as shown in the testimonials she has received.

Keeping Working Dogs Out Of Rescue Centres

Dogs are wonderful companions, but they can be a lot of work too. One of the most important things you can do as a dog owner is to teach your dog obedience. This will help keep them safe and make sure that they don’t end up in a rescue centre.

In this podcast and blog post, we will discuss what’s happening at the Coal Face by talking to Megan from Spaniel Aid, we talk about why rescue centres are currently overwhelmed by the number of dogs being put up for rehoming, and why it is so important to teach your dog proper behaviour.

The number of dogs ending up in rescue centres is on the rise

According to the latest figures from the RSPCA and Dogs Trust, the number of dogs ending up in rescue centres is on the rise.

There are a number of reasons for this increase, including life returning to normal after Covid, but one of the main contributory factors is Puppy farming. Puppy farms are commercial breeding establishments that prioritise profit over animal welfare. As a result, puppies bred on these farms are often sick and have behavioural problems. What’s more, many of these puppies are sold through unscrupulous dealers who do not hesitate to lie about their origin or health. As a result, more and more people are finding themselves unable to care for their new puppy and are forced to give them up to a rescue centre.

Of course, it’s not just puppy farmers who are responsible for the increasing number of dogs in rescue centres. Backyard breeders also play a role, as do people who buy a dog on a whim without doing any research into whether or not they can provide the necessary care and attention.

However, by far the biggest contributors to this problem are commercial breeders who place profit above animal welfare.

How can you make sure you are not buying a puppy from an unscrupulouus commercial breeder?

Do your research before you buy a puppy and visit the premises where the puppies are bred and reared. This will give you a good idea of the conditions that the puppies have been raised in and whether or not they have been socialised properly.

It is also important to make sure that you see the puppy with its mother before you buy it. This will give you an indication of the health of the puppy and whether or not it has been well cared for.

If you are thinking of buying a pedigree puppy, make sure that you go to a reputable breeder who can show you evidence of good health and temperament in the parents and grandparents of the puppy.

Never buy a puppy from a pet shop, as there is no way of knowing where the puppy has come from or what conditions it has been raised in.

Remember, a responsible breeder will be more interested in finding good homes for their puppies than making a quick profit, so they are not likely to sell their puppies through a pet shop.

Dogs are often put up for rehoming because they haven’t been taught obedience

When you get a new puppy, it is important to start training them straight away. This will help them to understand what is expected of them and will set the foundation for a good relationship between you and your dog.

There are a number of different ways to train your dog, but the most important thing is to be consistent. Dogs learn best through positive reinforcement, so make sure you praise your dog when they do something right.

It is also important to be patient and never punish your dog for making a mistake. This will only serve to confuse them and make them fear you.

If you are having difficulty training your dog yourself, there are a number of professional trainers who can help you. And of course, we are here to help too.

The most important thing to remember is that dogs need to be trained in order to be well-behaved. A lack of obedience training is one of the main reasons why dogs are put up for rehoming.

Teaching your dog obedience is one of the most important things you can do as a dog owner

As a dog owner, one of the most important things you can do is to teach your dog obedience. A well-behaved dog is a joy to have around, and it is also much safer for both your dog and others. Obedience training can be started at any age, but it is best to start when your dog is young. There are many different obedience commands that you can teach your dog, but the most important ones are the sit, stay, come, and down commands. With patience and consistency, you can teach your dog to obey these commands, and you will soon have a well-behaved furry friend.

It is important to remember that dogs need to be trained in order to be well-behaved. A lack of obedience training is one of the main reasons why dogs are put up for rehoming. If you need help training your dog check out our membership and courses.

Spaniel Aid can be contacted through their website here

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