Why do people train their dogs? Most people join the dog clubs via the puppy courses and it is now generally common knowledge that it is good to get your new puppy socialized with other dogs and people from an early age. There are however many other reasons to come to training or to continue training beyond puppy courses with your dog. Training helps to establish boundaries with your dog, teaching them what you expect from them and reinforcing this each time you practice. It also helps build and maintain a good relationship with your dog as you work in partnership together. It can help nervous dogs overcome fears as they learn to trust you - this has been especially noticeable with the agility courses. More importantly than that it is a fun and social occasion for you and your dog. Dogs of any age can join and benefit from training - ask for more details.
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Socialisation is essential to ensure that dogs become well-balanced companion animals. Dogs need exposure to a wide range of other dogs, and animals and to all types of people to become accepting of and socialised to them. Dogs also need to be exposed to a wide range of environmental factors and encounter plenty of new experiences to become comfortable and unfearful in all surroundings. This is called social referencing or habituation. Without the necessary socialisation and social referencing at the correct stage of a dog's life, it is possible that the dog will show a weakness of temperament or inability to cope with certain situations. It is now accepted that the earlier this socialisation takes place the better and vets are vaccinating dogs earlier to allow this to take place. From very early on try to expose your dogs to as many new experiences as possible without overwhelming them. Remember early socialisation can never be replaced and is essential for your dog to be confident in all situations it may encounter throughout its life.
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Recall workshops will be held regularly in local parks throughout the Summer months. These are one hour workshops with Hannah and/or Emma. You and your dog will be taught my method of recall training which will enable you to teach your dog to come back to you reliably in all locations. Remember puppies and young dogs will stay close to you initially because you provide them with safety, but as they grow more confident in outdoor locations and especially when hormones kick in a previously good recall may become non-existent. Don't allow your dog to get into bad habits, if your dog starts learning to ignore you outside you have a recall problem. Ask for a booking form or for more information. These workshops are also suitable for dogs with established recall problems. Teach your dog to come back to you reliably in all locations
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I am extremely pleased to announce that Hannah has been accepted as a member of the APDT - the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Hannah took her test and passed with flying colours. Most of you are now aware that Hannah takes the Advanced course for me at Amersham on a Wednesday morning, she will also be taking the Fun obedience course from now on. Hannah is also available for 1-2-1 lessons. Please book via Pauline.
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The importance of diet With such a huge range of dog foods available, it can be difficult to decide what to feed your dog. What you feed your dog, however can have a huge impact on your dog's behaviour and well being. The wrong diet, can result in an itchy and/or dull coat, allergies, hyperactivity, and mood changes to list just some of the symptoms. My advice is to pick a good quality dog food from a pet shop. If you suspect your dog has food sensitivities then choose a hypoallergenic food such as James Wellbeloved or Burns or an alternative 'soft' food would be Nature Diet. All of these foods have good quality protein in them - look out for ingredients such as 'animal derivatives' as this does not always mean that the protein used is of a good quality. Avoid foods which have wheat, dairy or too many additives or colourants in. The foods which have green and orange pieces in to make us feel we are feeding our dogs vegetables are actually full of colourants. Also be aware of the extra treats and titbits you give your dogs. A small amount of cheese or cooked chicken as a treat or for training is fine, but check the ingredients in shop brought treats. Pieces of raw carrot make an excellent treat for your dog, they are cheap, healthy and dogs generally love them! If you think your dog's behaviour may be being affected by its diet, please ask me for more information.
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Your dog is not getting enough to eat if you can easily see its ribs, vertebrae, and pelvic bones, feel no fat on the bones, and possibly notice some loss of muscle mass. If chronically underfed, adult dogs may experience impaired ability to nurse young and perform work, and increased susceptibility to bacterial infections and parasites; puppies may be stunted in their growth; adult dogs may develop osteoporosis. Your dog is at an ideal weight if you can easily feel its ribs. The waist should be easily observed behind the ribs when viewed from above. An abdominal tuck is evident when viewed from the side. Your dog is overweight if you cannot feel its ribs, see fat deposits over its back and the base of its tail, discern no waist behind the ribs when viewed from above, and see no abdominal tuck in profile. Overweight dogs can suffer from many health problems, such as diabetes and joint problems.
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The fun agility courses in Saunderton Lee will be running throughout the Summer on a Tuesday daytime. Courses have a maximum of six dogs in them with myself teaching and usually an assistant - either Brenda or Barbara. Agility is a great way for you and your dog to keep fit whilst building a 'working' relationship with your dog. Dogs must be over a year old to take part and must be physically fit. You need to have good basic obedience first, in particular a wait command and recall command so your dog can work off lead. Your dog must be sociable with other dogs.
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The Pauline Whittaker Dog Training School opened in January 2004 with just one puppy course and a few one to one lessons per week. I now run three dog clubs, with eleven courses overall and train over 100 people a week on average. I offer puppy, pet and advanced daytime and evening courses in Amersham and Bledlow Ridge. I also offer daytime agility courses in Saunderton Lee near Princes Risborough, recall workshops in Amersham, Aylesbury and Princes Risborough and 1-2-1 lessons throughout Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire. 1-2-1 lessons are taken by myself or Hannah Lyon in your own home, a local park or my field in Saunderton Lee. Emma Thornley one of my assistants is currently in training to become a dog trainer and is available for basic puppy lessons and assistance with recall problems.
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| Monday evenings at Bledlow Ridge | |
| 6.30 pm | Puppy Course |
| 7.30 pm | Pet Course |
| 8.30 pm | Advanced Course |
| Tuesday Daytimes at Saunderton Lee | |
| 9.30 am | Agility Course |
| 10.30 am | Agility Course |
| 12.00 pm | Agility Course |
| 1.00 pm | Agility Course |
| Wednesday Daytimes at Amersham | |
| 9.30 am | Puppy Course |
| 10.30 am | Pet Course |
| 11.30 am | Advanced Course |
| 12.30 pm | Fun Obedience |
1-2-1 lessons are available with Pauline on Monday mornings, Wednesday afternoons and Thursday daytimes.
Recall workshops will take place either Wednesday or Thursday daytimes.
Clicker workshops are held occasionally.
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Children are very welcome at the dog clubs and I encourage them to learn how to handle the dog correctly and be involved in the training. They must however be supervised by an adult at all times to ensure the dog is under control (and the child! For small children it may be best to bring a game or book for them to sit quietly with. Do not allow children to touch any dog which it does not know without checking with the owner first - even puppies.
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If you are not on the email list and would like to receive future newsletters please send an email to pauline@paulinewhittaker.co.uk and you will be added to the mailing list.
The website is currently being updated, and will have a lot more information on it in the future, including newsletters , training tips and advice which you can download. Booking forms will also be available online for early booking.
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Pauline Whittaker
Tel: 01844 342334
Email: pauline@paulinewhittaker.co.uk
Website: www.paulinewhittaker.co.uk
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