We have undergone a lot of changes since our last newsletter, so I thought it well past time we had an update! We have added a few classes to our schedule, and they would be suitable for a lot of different dogs. Puppy Club – Wednesdays 8pm For puppies between 8 weeks and five months. This is a drop in class that you can start any time, and focuses on socialisation and building confidence, with plenty of time to talk about any puppy training issues (and successes!) you may be having. We offer two price points for this class. You can buy 5 consecutive classes for $150, or you can get unlimited classes until your dog is 5 months old for $210. If you know anyone getting a young puppy soon, we would love if you could let them know about our new classes! Social Skills We have been having some wonderful success in our social skills classes. Each course runs on a theme, and we focus on really calm behaviours in proximity to other dogs. This class is suitable for a lot of reactive dogs, so if you are interested just check with us to see if your dog is suitable. We have a new course starting on 2nd May (Tuesdays 7pm), and the theme for that will be husbandry skills (Like checking teeth, trimming nails etc) Hike’n’Train Classes These are run approx. once a month instead of a Walk’n’Train class. There is less training, more walking, and plenty of fun! Classes are typically between 2-3 hours, and instructors bring their dogs as well. We still have space in our Easter Monday Class, which will be held at Arm End, and the next one after that will be held on 13th May. Location TBA We ask that you don’t book a Hike n Train unless you have been to several walk n train classes already. Harnesses and Leads and Clickers, Oh My! We have just added a page to our website detailing what we have available to buy in class. You can view it at http://www.everydog.com.au/retail/ Finally, with Easter here and our houses busy, it is good to remind ourselves to keep an eye on our children and dogs, looking to interrupt inappropriate behaviours. Here is a couple of great posters from www.drsophiayin.com to remind us about what is and isn’t appropriate interactions between dogs and children: How kids and dogs should interact Interactions between children and dogs to avoid

Copyright © 2017 Aidan Bindoff Dog Behaviour Consulting T/A “Every Dog”, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a customer of Aidan Bindoff Dog Behaviour Consulting T/A “Every Dog”.

New Website!

We have a brand new website that is officially up and running!

On it you will be able to find information on all of our classes and private consults, and lots of great photos taken by our very own Maddie.

We invite you to have a browse: www.everydog.com.au

Classes filling fast

We have filled up a lot of classes up until Christmas. There are no more reactive intro spots left this year, but there are a couple of places left in the pet obedience intro beginning on 15^th of November.

We won’t be running another Social Skills course before January due to time constraints, but we have put up some Wednesday evening walk and train classes to make up for this.

We will also be having a Morning Tea after our last Saturday class of the year, this will be held at 11:30 on 17^th December at Montague Bay. We would love to see you there, please let us know that you are coming by booking online: http://www.everydog.com.au/latest-news/christmas/

Walk’n’Train Classes

We have been having some very successful Walk’n’Train classes lately, and invite you all to join in.

These classes are a great opportunity to take what you’ve learned in a Reactive Dog or Pet Obedience class into the real world, while still under instruction. It is a great way to bridge the gp between classes and your regular dog walks.

The cost is just $22.50 per session, and you book individual sessions.

We tailor the classes to the dogs that are attending, so you are sent a text message with the location the day before class.

We are currently holding these classes on Saturday mornings, but also have some Wednesday evenings coming up. You can book here: www.everydog.com.au/reactive-dogs/wt2c-walkntrain-class

Harnesses, Leashes, and Long Lines

A reminder that we keep a stock of some of the products that we recommend in classes at discounted prices compared to retail. These include front-attach harnesses ($40 with safety clip), long lines (from $35), “Beachcomber” leashes with stainless steel fittings, and the Foobler ($49). There is usually 10 minutes after class to purchase equipment and your instructors will be happy to assist.

Ingrid is now making small quantities of “Snuffle Mats”, which are a brilliant enrichment and “slow-feeding” tool. There are lots of different colours to choose from, email Ingrid directly at everydogtraining@gmail.com  to order.

Behaviour Modification Clinics

A reminder for those who have had a private consult, that Behaviour Modification Clinics are available on Monday nights at 6pm. This is a chance for you to catch up with Aidan and have some extra time spent working on your individual training goals. You can book here: http://www.everydog.com.au/private-consults/bm2c-behaviour-modification-clinic/

 

Private Consults – exciting new options available!

All available dates and times for private consults (in home or at our venue) are now available to be booked via our website, www.everydog.com.au

Some dog behaviour problems can’t be solved in a group or even specialist behaviour modification class, and this is particularly true of problems in the home or between dogs who live in the same home.

In order to broaden our offering and continue to provide excellent value, we’ve expanded our options to include private consults with Ingrid or Maddie as well, with supervision and consultation with Aidan before your behaviour plan is sent to you.

Another exciting addition to our range is a service where a trainer collects your dog during the day and takes them for a private training session. These are run as a course with an initial consult to determine needs, then video and notes are provided after each session, along with several final consults to ensure that you are able to maintain the behaviours we have worked so hard to instil. The obvious benefit is that it is faster and easier for an experienced, trained professional to teach your dog first. This is particularly true for dogs who are easily distracted, reactive, or just too much for the average person! However, there is no point in putting in all that effort if the behaviours are not maintained, so these final sessions are very important, too.

 

November/December Class Schedule – bookings essential, and some days/times/locations subject to change

As of mid-November

Monday nights:

6:00 – 6:50pm* BM2C Behaviour Modification Clinic (Aidan) / RD2C Reactive Dog (Ingrid)

7:00 – 7:50pm RD101 Reactive Dog Intro (Ingrid & Aidan)

8:00 – 8:50pm RD101 Reactive Dog Intro (Ingrid & Aidan)

 

Tuesday nights:

6:00 – 6:50pm RD101 Reactive Dog Intro (Ingrid & Maddie)

7:00 – 7:50pm RD101 Reactive Dog Intro (Ingrid and Maddie)

8:00 – 8:50pm PO101 Pet Obedience Intro (Maddie and Ingrid)

 

Saturday mornings:

9:30 – 10:20am WT2C Walk’n’Train (Ingrid and Aidan or Maddie)

10:30 – 11:20am WT2C Walk’n’Train (Ingrid and Aidan or Maddie)

Private Consults by appointment

 

Walk’n’Train Classes

These classes are a great opportunity to take what you’ve learned in a Reactive Dog or Pet Obedience class “on the road” under instruction. It’s not an ideal environment – and that’s the point. This is where you get help in applying what you’ve learned in class “on the road”. This class is suitable for nearly all dogs who have attended at least 4 classes or 1 private consult with Every Dog, there would be very few dogs who wouldn’t benefit.

To book, go to www.everydog.com.au and select WT2C Walk’n’Train. We decide the location a couple of days before the session (after seeing which dogs are enrolled) and send a text message with directions and any special instructions. The cost is just $22.50 per session, and you book individual sessions.

What we work on depends on the individual needs of the dogs attending. There is a particular focus on loose leash walking and come when called.

 

Harnesses, Leashes, and Long Lines

A reminder that we keep a stock of some of the products that we recommend in classes at discounted prices compared to retail. These include front-attach harnesses ($40 with safety clip), long lines (from $35), “Beachcomber” leashes with stainless steel fittings, and the Foobler ($49). There is usually 10 minutes after class to purchase equipment and your instructors will be happy to assist.

Ingrid is now making small quantities of “Snuffle Mats”, which are a brilliant enrichment and “slow-feeding” tool. Email Ingrid directly at billarina@gmail.com to order.

 

Private Consults – exciting new options available!

All available dates and times for private consults (in home or at our venue) are now available to be booked via our website, www.everydog.com.au

Some dog behaviour problems can’t be solved in a group or even specialist behaviour modification class, and this is particularly true of problems in the home or between dogs who live in the same home.

In order to broaden our offering and continue to provide excellent value, we’ve expanded our options to include private consults with Ingrid or Maddie as well, with supervision and consultation with Aidan before your behaviour plan is sent to you.

Another exciting addition to our range is a service where a trainer collects your dog during the day and takes them for a private training session. These are run as a course with an initial consult to determine needs, then video and notes are provided after each session, along with several final consults to ensure that you are able to maintain the behaviours we have worked so hard to instil. The obvious benefit is that it is faster and easier for an experienced, trained professional to teach your dog first. This is particularly true for dogs who are easily distracted, reactive, or just too much for the average person! However, there is no point in putting in all that effort if the behaviours are not maintained, so these final sessions are very important, too.

 

July/August Class Schedule – bookings essential, and some days/times/locations subject to change

Monday nights:

6:00 – 6:50pm* BM2C Behaviour Modification Clinic (Aidan) / RD2C Reactive Dog (Ingrid)

7:00 – 7:50pm RD101 Reactive Dog Intro (Ingrid & Aidan)

8:00 – 8:50pm RD101 Reactive Dog Intro (Ingrid & Aidan)

 

Tuesday nights:

6:00 – 6:50pm* (TBA) Social Skills small group (Ingrid and Maddie or Aidan)

7:00 – 7:50pm PO101 Introductory Pet Obedience (Ingrid and Maddie)

8:00 – 8:50pm PO2M Rally Obedience and Advanced Reinforcement Schedules (Maddie and Ingrid)

 

Saturday mornings:

9:30 – 10:20am WT2C Walk’n’Train (Ingrid and Aidan)

10:30 – 11:20am WT2C Walk’n’Train (Ingrid and Aidan)

 

*Days for Social Skills and BM2C are yet to be finalised

 

 

Private Consults by appointment

 

Forget Everything You’ve Heard About Dominance

By Sarah Dixon (Fulcher) CDBC, KPA-CTP, CERT.CBST, CTDI http://sarahfulcher.com/

If your dog tries to ask nicely for space, and no one listens they may learn to eventually resort to “screaming” for their requests for space to be heard. In dog language screaming for space equals barking, lunging, growling, and sometimes aggression.

These insecure dogs often get labelled as dominant and well-meaning owners are told to alpha roll or pin their dog, which only makes them lose trust in their person even more.

Forget everything you’ve ever heard about dominance – it’s probably false. Your dog is likely needing to feel safe or too excited – or a mix of both.

What are some ways dogs will ‘ask nicely’ for space or show that they are nervous? Some of the most common ones you will see and can start to watch for in your own dogs are:

 

Lip Licking

Lip licking can be a sign of stress.

 

Head Turn

Your dog turning its head away from a person or dog is a signal that they are non-threatening and may be uncomfortable with the interaction.

 

Pinning Ears

Your dog’s ears being pinned flat back can be a good sign that they are nor comfortable. Not that the dog here is also licking its lips.

 

Yawning

Your dog yawning when they are not tired may be a sign that they are feeling stressed or in conflict.

 

Tucking Tail

A dog tucking their tail under their body is a sign that they are fearful or not confident.

 

Paw Lift

A dog lifting a paw can be a sign that they are uncomfortable in a social interaction.

Does this dog look comfortable?

 

Whale Eye

Eyes can tell you a lot about a dog’s emotional state, if you know what you are looking for. Whale is refers to the dog looking sideways so you can often see the white of their eye. It is a sign of discomfort, stress, and can often be a pre-bite warning.

These are just some of the many body language signals your dog will use to communicate stress, conflict, and discomfort. Remember all behaviour is fluid and must be taken in context – emotional states cannot be judged by a still photo. However, this will give you a good idea of what to start looking for in your dog’s body language.