Kanine Kapers Dog Blog

Anyone who has been keeping an eye on our website will have spotted a few new classes starting up at our new Falkirk venue. The agility class is so much fun, not just for our clients but for us too! Really looking forward to the Kids Trick class as I know how much of a kick my own daughters get when they are putting Harry through his paces with his little repertoire (at present we have a rollover, play dead and a high five, though to perfectly honest the high five at the moment is more like high 55 as the feet just keep coming, but we’re working on it!). The kids class will concentrate on using the clicker to teach tricks, how to read dog language and safety around dogs using the Kennel Club’s Safe and Sound with dogs scheme. If you need an idea what can be achieved then check out Harry’s latest vid in May 6th post on this blog. The new start date is 8th July but that could still change what with the school holidays so keep a check on the website or get in touch if you want a place.

What a busy weekend I have had. How come everything seems to come at one time? Saturday was spent up at Dogs Trust in West Calder listening to world renowned dog trainer and behaviourist John Rogerson link. This is the third time that I have been to one of John's courses/seminars. This one was about mending a broken relationship with your dog so very useful for those experiencing problems with their canine companion. The first course I went one was John's Advanced Puppy Development Diploma while I was still working with Dogs Trust, the second was a weekend of training and instruction at the Dumfries and Galloway Canine Rescue Dogs. If you ever get the chance to hear him speak, jump on it! The second half was equally as busy but it involved my daughters, sequins, makeup, lycra and tutus!

Its a pity I had to miss the second half of the seminar but Life is all about juggling your priorities.

The main thing that I took away from that seminar (apart from John's copy of a very useful computer disc) was quite a sobering thought about my own pup Harry. I had thought that Harry was coping being left alone when we were out of the house but I filmed him and listened to him howl, so heartbreaking. He had been fine because I had filmed him before while Midas was alive. So today has been all about Harry and putting John's advice into practice. I do stress however that it's not full blown separation anxiety as Harry sleeps on his own at night and can be shut away on his own during the day with no noise at all. The first time we left him this morning we were in a rush to get to school, and left Harry quite wound up as we rushed around so when I checked the film he was doing most of the signs that would indicate that all was not well in Harry's world. I was gutted, apart from worrying about the neighbours, I had thought that Harry's training was going so well . The second time I left him I put John's advice into practice and made a few small changes as to the mood harry was in when he was left, much calmer, tired, I even left the telly on and put my dog walking jacket at the gap in the door. So far no more noise when left but we'll see what tomorrow brings!

Cesar Millan is undoubtedly a very charismatic man who presents a very confident and knowledgeable persona on screen which of course draws in a large audience to watch him sort out dogs with behavioural problems.  I don’t doubt that his methods have helped some dogs who may otherwise have been euthanized BUT his methods are not for everyone or every dog.  At Kanine Kapers we promote and use reward based methods requiring no force, no check chains.  Just because something is on the television does not mean that it is the humane way to train.

Please check out this excellent article at www.k9obedience.co.uk –  fair and well written.

For sheer entertainment watch Dog Borstal,  Series 4 coming soon. Personally I love  watching Mic Martin he really knows how to get the best out of a dog but I think I ‘d be too scared to train under him!