Crate Training Steps

 

Have your crate set up in a quiet corner of the home ideally away from outdoor noises. You can cover the crate also if desired.

Initial steps

·         Leave crate door open and throughout the day drop high value treats (or toy) in the crate. Let your dog exit freely. Keep doing this for around 3 days or until your dog runs into the crate enthusiastically for the treats (or toy).

·         Lure your dog into the crate with a treat or toy and continue to feed treats whilst your dog stays in the crate. Feed in 1 second intervals. Let them exit freely. Try to do this for up to 1 minute.

·         Start to give a hand signal and verbal signal, such as pointing into the crate whilst saying "crate" as your dog enters the crate for a treat. Continue to feed whilst your dog is in the crate. Aim for up to 1 minute at this stage.

 

Closing the door

·         Signal your dog into the crate, half close the door for a second and open again. Let your dog exit freely.

·         Practice as above but now fully close the crate door. Work slowly as now start to try and close the bolts one at a time; once your dog is comfortable with one bolt being closed for a second, then try 2 bolts but undo them straight away and open the door.

·         With all the bolts closed, wait 1 second before opening them then 5 seconds, then 8 seconds etc. Feed through the bars just before opening.

 

Getting Duration

·         Luring or verbally cueing your dog into the crate, give a stuffed kong or chew toy and close the door. Drop a treat every 10-20 seconds and if there are no signs of distress you can move to giving a treat 20-30 seconds.

·         Practice the above 4-5 times over 3 days. If there are no signs of distress then start to leave the room for 5 seconds at a time. Start to feed less frequently, such as every minute.

·         Finally, feed every few minutes and increase duration incrementally as long as there are no signs of distress.

Name Change

Hi all,

You may have seen me post on Facebook that I have finally relaunched the website under the new Waggy Races name.

Animal Zone Pet Services was meant to be something to put on the page just so I had something up and could direct people somewhere when they asked about dog walking or nail clips etc. It all picked up pretty quickly and I never got round to thinking of another name. I ended up making another page (waggy races page) to post just dog walking pictures but as this became the main focus of the business it made sense to transfer everything to be under this name. So, here we are!!

The new website is https://www.waggyracesdogwalkingandtraining.co.uk/ and the previous Animal Zone Facebook page is no longer in use. I will only be posting via the Waggy Races pages (Facebook, blog and youtube).

I massively appreciate everyone's support over the last few months. I have online and in person training available although with limited availability. I also have an online scentwork course with a puppy 101 and obedience online class due to launch soon.

Dog walking has resumed as normal, with increased hygiene protocols in place. There are group walk spaces available whilst we will not be taking on any more dogs for solo walks as we are at full capacity for this service.

Any questions, or concerns, please do get in touch.

Thanks,
Becki

Boundary Training

Boundary training summarised!
This is a great skill to teach for when visitors arrive or even to be able to sit calmly at the pub or cafe with your dog.

Please click through to watch the other videos uploaded on to the training youtube page. 

Call for case study individuals

As many of you know, I am currently half way through my diploma with COAPE Int. to become an animal behaviour consultant.

I am now looking for a few individuals to take part in a free behavioural modification plan provided by myself, with tutor support, to aid in my diploma case study module.

I am looking for an individuals with dogs showing separation distress symptoms, or any other behaviour problem to take part.
Please email animalzonepetservices@hotmail.com to provide information on the issues you and your dog are facing to be considered.

Please click here to sign up and receive your PDF on getting your life back when living with a dog that has separation anxiety.

Thank you for all the support!

Facebook page

Please get in touch for any 1-2-1 training enquiries or to find out more information on my online courses.

Thank you,

Becki

Preventing separation distress in your dog and other problems that may occur after lockdown

During the course of lockdown your pets will have experienced more company than usual and may become more dependent on the constant affection you and your family have been providing. To help prevent any issues that may arise once we are able to go back to work and have friends round, here are some things to begin implementing;

Provide physical barriers and distance throughout the day

Utilising a baby gate or different levels of the house, make sure that and your dog are separated during the day. Initially start with shorter durations and allow your dog to see you through a baby gate before going long durations out of sight.

Take walks and trips without the dog

Going out of the house without the dog reminds then that it is okay to be on their own and that you will be returning! Build up times slowly. If your dog currently struggles with separation you may need to start with seconds, rather than minutes or hours.

Look into buying a camera to observe the dog when you are out

Being able to observe your dog during this time you will see how they are coping and if you need to go more slowly or get help from a behaviourist.

Try to adopt 'normal' feeding and walking routine

Follow a rough feeding and walking routine that would be in place when you are back to work in a 'normal' routine. This will set your dog up for success when you do return to work. If you have a dog walker then ask when they normally would arrive for your dog. It is good to vary timings by 15-30 minutes so your dog doesn't anticipate their walk or their meals at an exact time and get anxious when this doesn't happen.

Boundary training

Known as boundary training, is the practice of sending your dog to a bed or mat when asked and remaining there comfortably. This practices distance whilst remaining calm.

Interactive food toys and chews

Products like Kong chew toys helps your dog entertain themselves without needing constant interaction from you thus becoming less reliant on you as their source of entertainment and affection throughout the day.

Make sure your dog is getting enough alone time

Sleep deprived and cranky dogs are not fun to be around and it isn't good for growth, repair and mental development. When dogs are left alone they are able to get undisturbed sleep but unfortunately lockdown has disturbed this for many pets.

Waking up/sleeping routine

As much as sleeping in has been a treat for us all, it is beneficial for you and your dogs to get in to a routine of waking up at the time they will be when you go to work. This also applies for bed time and, if your dog has been sleeping in your bed over the last few weeks but didn't before, now is the time to revert back to the normal routine.

Consider desensitising to masks

Your dog will be exposed to people wearing masks possibly for the first time in their lives. It can be scary for them as they cannot read facial expressions and may be confused. Now is the time to start introducing them to your dog as a normal thing. Pair with treats and gradually lift the mask to your face and increase the duration of wearing the mask over time.

For when people can come over to the house

Your dog has been used to you being in the house but when it is possible for friends and family to visit please do this gradually. A sudden influx of people who are all very happy to be reunited may be too much for your dog. Provide a safe place for your dog to go if they feel uncomfortable and do not allow people to approach or hug your dog.

Have you noticed any difference in your pets?
If your dog is struggling to be left alone then please get in touch.

How to build the bond between you and your dog

Having a solid bond with your dog will make everything else click into place; it aids in recall and loose lead walking as well as making life with your dog far more enjoyable. How do you work on this though? I have a few ideas below...

Ditch the bowl, hand feed Firstly, ditch the bowl! This means hand feeding your dogs meals. If they get wet food then put on some gloves. If you're too squeamish for this then full interactive food toys, like a Kong, with their food instead. Hand feeding increases your 'value' to your dog. All good things come from you therefore your dog will show more focus and attentiveness in anticipation of a food reward.

 Play games
Bond with your dog through games such as tug, hide and seek etc. Keep in mind that you want the big excitement and reward to be you or directly from you rather than being thrown away (like a ball in a ball launcher!!).

 Reward for check insWhen your dog looks back at you when out on a walk, or even when in the house mark and reward that! Say 'good boy!' and give a treat or pick up their favourite toy and initiate a game. This lets your dog know that its valuable to check in with you and that eye contact brings reward.

Time Building a bond takes time so please be easy on your new rescue dogs or puppies. As with humans, trust and a bond will take time and strengthen as you experience more together.

Training (positive!) Positive reinforcement training will help build a bond between you and your dog as they see the benefits of being attentive and getting treats. Utilising food in training releases feel good chemicals, which the dog will attribute to you.

 Care
Providing care to your dog such as grooming, massage and t-touch will be a good experience for both of you. Your dog will seek this kind of care. Be mindful if your dogs body language and ensure they are comfortable with being touched.