Wendy Priest K9 Tutor

15/03/2024

I get it....this isn't going to be as popular as other posts, but this message is really important.❗Especially if you have a dog with behavioural issues.❗❗
Reactive dogs especialy can have this very issue and it is a contributing factor.

Within a few minutes of arriving at a clients home and especially if they are reactive, I glance at a dogs claws.
The majority of the time they are overgrown and I can see the claws have caused their toes to splay out, the huge amount of tightness and tension in the foot and the way those long claws are causing pain to this dog.
I will explain to this client just how very important it is to keep a dogs claws short.....often I am met with jaws dropped and a statement of " I had no idea !".

What I cant describe in the graphic is when they grow too long and dogs walk on a hard surface and for some (if long enough) any surface... there is enormous pressure and pain from those claws being pushed back up. They cannot sink into the ground.
That pressure/energy has to go somewhere and it is right back up into the toe and paw, but that is often just the start of the issues.
That causes a change in how paws move...that changes how joints move...that changes how hips move.
From a few long claws a dog can be in pain in multiple areas in their body.

They are not like our nails at all.
If we have long nails, no problem....it usually doesn't cause us any issues at all.
For dogs though.... they can be in incredible pain and will NOT show it in ways we may recognise easily....however they certainly DO show it in their behaviour.

"I will just walk more on concrete"....
Concrete walks are usually not enough to wear down long claws as they can grow much faster than they are worn down.
Those same concrete walks can also cause serious pain.

The remarkable thing about dogs claws is the nerve/blood supply shrinks back just a little when the claws are cut.
If you have a dog with clear claws you can usually see this as a pinky/red core inside the nail.....DONT cut that.
Trim the claws often enough and that pinky/red core will start to shrink back every time (even if it is a mm)....Over a few weeks or months, that is how you get short claws.
If you need help, see a groomer or a veterinarian.
If they are really long you will need multiple visits (if you are unable to do this yourself).
If you have a dog with black claws, get a trusted groomer to do this or show you how and when to stop.

Cutting claws isn't a cure for behavioural issues....but the pain associated with them can be a major contributor.

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Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters or for personal use.
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04/03/2024

Absolutely 💯 %

When will we understand this reality?

I am a 21st century dog.

-I'm a Malinois.
Overskilled among dogs, I excel in all disciplines and I'm always ready to work.
Today I get asked to chill on the couch all day everyday.

-I am an Akita Inu.
My ancestors were selected for dog fighting.
Today I get asked to be tolerant and I get scolded for my reactivity when one of them approaches me.

-I am a Beagle.
When I chase my prey, I raise my voice so the hunters could follow.
Today they put an electric collar on me to shut up, and we want you to come back to the booster with a snap of your fingers.

-I am a Yorkshire Terrier.
I was a terrifying rat hunter in English mines.
Today they think I can't use my legs and they always hold me in their arms.

-I'm a Labrador Retriever.
My vision of happiness is a dive into a pond to bring back the duck he shot to my master.
Today we forgot I'm a walking dog and great racing I'm fat and have to babysit.

-I am a Jack Russell.
I can take on a fox a badger and rat bigger than me in his den.
Today I get scolded for my damn character and wish I could turn into a living room dog.

-I am a Siberian Husky.
Experienced the great spaces of Northern Europe, where I could drag sleds at impressive speeds.
Today I only have the walls of the garden as a horizon, and the holes I dig in the ground just for occupation.

-I am a border collie
I was made to work eight hours a day, and I am an unmistakable artist of working with the herd.
Today they are mad at me because, for lack of sheep, I try to check bikes, cars, children in the house and everything in motion.

I am ...
I am a 21st century dog.
I'm pretty, I'm alert, I'm obedient, I stay in a bag...
but I'm also an individual who needs to express their instincts, and I'm not suited for the sedentary life you'd want me to lead.
Spending eight hours a day alone in the garden, seeing yourself a little in the evening when you get home and only entitled to a small toilet walk will make me deeply unhappy.
I'll express it by barking all day, turning your yard into a minefield, doing my needs indoors, being unmanageable the rare times I'll find myself outside, and sometimes spending my days sunk on my pillow.
You’d think then that I’m happy to be able to enjoy all this comfort while you go to work: actually I’ll be exhausted, because this disease is not the plight of humans but also of the dog of the 21st century.
If you like me, if you've always dreamed of me, if my beautiful blue eyes or my athletic look make me want, but you can't give me a real dog's life, a life that's really worth living, and if you can't offer me the job that my genes are asking, so give up on me.
If you like the way I look but aren't willing to accept my temperament traits derived from a strict genetic selection and think you can change them with your sole good will, then give me up.
I’m a dog from the 21st century, yes, but deep inside me, the one who fought, the one who hunted, the one who pulled sled, the one who led a herd still sleeps.
And sooner or later, for better or for worse, he will wake up.
So what are you gonna do?
Will you give in to me?
Will you abandon me?

27/02/2024

27/02/2024

It was a pleasure to work this lovely boy and his owner today. Sometimes just a little bit of help and direction is all that is needed to make a big difference.

21/02/2024

If someone asks you to please just ignore their dog, respect what they ask!.✅
This is just a very general guide to helping nervous dogs to relax around others.
Having strangers in a home (or outside in yard) can be very confronting for nervous dogs🚩. They don't understand why this person has suddenly appeared and the visitor may also be nervous ......which their dog will absolutely pick up on.
The quickest way to get dogs to relax around people is to ignore them.
Eye contact for many nervous dogs is extremely threatening.
I like to use my peripheral vision and may give a small glance or two.
Please note this is for adults...children are a whole different area that requires extra caution.
If you feel in anyway uncomfortable doing this.....stop and walk away. Nervous tension will only work against what is trying to be achieved.
If any aggression has ever been indicated by the guardian/owner please don't attempt this, it is best to seek help.

Body language is key to all of this. There is no rush and it can take many visits for some dogs to feel comfortable.....and if you have a nervous dog and someone doesn't feel comfortable enough to attempt this...respect that....it wouldn't make anyone at ease.

🙂Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collection of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

05/02/2024

03/02/2024

Crates.
Either you love them💓 or hate them❌ .
This can be a very divisive issue and I am aware they are banned in many countries.
This isn't a step by step guide on crate training (because it is also very individual), however it is a reminder that YOU are the main reason why your dog will love or despise their crate.
If you want them to love them, make them fun, comfortable, safe and that happens with time, food, desensitisation and positive associations.

If you want them to have a negative association with them there are things people do which may or not be obvious.

Don't drag your dog/puppy into the crate.
Never use the crate as a place of "time out" as a punishment.
Don't put them in areas where they cannot rest easily (a busy lounge with young children may not be the best place).
Check the crate isn't noisy whenever they move, some rattle with every movement.
Frantic crying shouldn't be ignored and "cried out".
In times of excitement in the lounge is the puppy or dog always crated? This can cause frustration.

If you do want to crate train or are having difficulty look at HOW you use the crate.
What do you do with the crate and the associations your dog or puppy may have with it are key to how they will feel about it.

Love them or hate them, crating is a very good option for many puppies or dogs.
It can be a sanctuary or it can be a place of distress.

🙂Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collection of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

31/01/2024

Brilliant training session today. A bit of everything and thoroughly enjoyable for both the dogs and us!

27/01/2024

FOUND DOG

Stray dog brought into the Somerset Road hospital early hours this morning.

- Border terrier
- Neutered male
- Microchipped but currently unable to reach registered keeper.
- No collar
- Found Croft House Lane in Marsh

Proof of ownership will be required. The dog warden will be notified. Please call us with information on 01484 421512 at any time.

15/01/2024

Reactive Dogs. Many of you will know they are a passion of mine.

What can be confusing for some are terms which are used....and importantly what they actually mean and why we stress the importance of these when working with reactive dogs.

So this is a very non technical explanation of what some of these terms mean.....a very general and hopefully easy to understand explanation of terms.

This isn't just for fear reactive dogs......even over excited/hyper dogs can have high levels of stress....in fact some dogs that are just on the "go" all the time often have very high levels of stress hormones. Nervous or newly adopted dogs can also benefit.

🔵Stress levels/Stress hormones
Reactive dogs have releases of stress hormones when they react ....the difficult thing with this is they can stay at a high level and can take hours or DAYS to reduce.....if your dog reacts many times a day.....those levels may be very high, and stay high. These levels need to come down to help reactivity. As mentioned even overly excited/hyper dogs can have high levels of stress hormones.

🔵Lowering stress hormones/stress levels/decompression.
Simply put.... ways to help your dog lower those stress levels. Lowering the pressure your dog is feeling.
Ways to help lower those levels include not adding to those stress levels (avoiding situations where dogs react again and again). If your dog reacts again and again....those levels may not drop and they can stay high. Every reaction can "top up" stress levels.
We also add in ways to help your dogs life by helping with confidence, enrichment and creating relaxation which can be a natural way to lower those stress hormones.
Sleep is very important for reactive dogs.
Helping a dog use their nose is extremely helpful for reactive dogs.

🔵Trigger stacking.
Small issues that can occur in a short period of time (or over a few days)....that add to stress in a dog. These can be seemingly small when looked at individually. These smaller "triggers" stack on top of each other and can cause reactions. They may react to something they have always been ok with if they have had multiple smaller scares/stressful situations, even if there are very small outward signs or reactions, they can "add up".......They may also have a much bigger reaction if they have had multiple smaller issues during the day. These can be as innocent as a very small startle when a door is closed too quickly, or a car toot as it goes past......these can have an accumulative effect on your dog so they will be MORE likely to react to something else, react more strongly and at a far greater distance than they may normally have an issue with.
Understanding trigger stacking is important with reactive dogs.

I hope that may clarify a few terms commonly used with reactive dogs.🙂

Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collection of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

18/12/2023