BBC NEWS | UK | Dog attack toddler critically ill

So much of this in the news still and it seems to be so common it goes under the radar!

BBC NEWS | UK | Dog attack toddler critically ill

Photo updates...

Such a busy summer, and as is sometimes the case I've dropped behind on my blog.

Allow me to drop pictures in here and offer comments below:

In fact, comments to follow...just enjoy for now.

Nick

We're expecting a new dog !!!

http://www.wirevizslas.com/

We lost our ol' girl Amber over a year ago now, and we are ready to introduce a new dog.

This time a male of the same breed (we'll call him Max!) and as it happens from the same breeder Donna Holman, so the same genes will be there. Follow the link and it's the first picture on her home page where you'll see a sweet puppy picture as they feed. We may well go back up to see them next weekend at 4 weeks to hopefully assess and choose a pup. Ill keep you updated!

Nick

Oooo la-la

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8287166.stm

Hi people. I have a catalogue of pictures from recent visits I'd like to post up, so I am hoping to do that as soon as I can find the time. What with sickness, dogs staying, and a work load a few things are having to give.

The above link is interesting, and as I read it through I wondered if they had any professional help. There are references to the dog's depression due to the change of environment, which sounds a bit suspect to me. I believe that if you have a leadership based relationship with your dog, you can take it anywhere - providing it gets exercise (OMG, I'm gonna say it...) discipline and affection. Not intending to quote Cesar, but there it is.

Medication for its depression? Oops. Mistake. I suspect the dog was not getting enough from the former Pres. Chirac in terms of daily guidance and leadership. How can it given his what must have been an exhaustive agenda day in and out? These are bred as companion dogs, though just like any other breed need guidance throughout.

I wish maybe two things:

1) I spoke French
2) They had called me :)

Nick

DVD filming under way...

All of last week was spent filming for my first dvd and will be called the 'Positive Leadership Plan'
Based on common sense, sound handling, and a calm way to show your dog that it's you leading the way enabling your dog to relax-helping resolve behaviour problems in the process. This can be an excellent foundation for future behaviour work that may be needed for your dog...it's not a quick fix dvd :)

I still have some further footage (oh yes, I shoot mini DV tapes which remain best for quality) to shoot, and will hopefully finish shooting next week and then will need just as much time to edit and create. Packaging and dvd printing will all be done in house ensuring quality and a consistent finish. I have sourced a number of cool copy wright free soundtracks to lay on top to give it the final polish.

You're waiting for it, and I'm desperate to get it to you - so keep looking for updates here and also:

www.alphadogproductions.co.uk
and
www.alphadogbehaviour.co.uk

The pictures posted here are from the section covering doorways and calm behaviour around them.

Cheers. Nick

Interesting correspondence for you...

This might provoke a little thought as it did for me. I was sent this email recently. Published with consent.

" Hi Nick,

I'm at university in South Wales. Dog behaviour is something I was thinking about doing afterwards as a career.

I asked because you've had lots of official training and I don't think that Cesar has. According to his books, he grew up around dogs and liked to watch and observe them. That's what he bases his philosophies on.

Also, I've been following his methods for the past year with my dog, and it seems to have worked, but I wonder if it's not as black and white as Cesar makes out. The Wolf Man, Shaun Elllis goes into more detail about relationships wolves have with each other, and since dogs are 99% wolf, I figured that he might have a point. I was wondering what your view on it was?

Thanks for replying!"

Nick says:

Hi Gavin. The best training anyone can have in this line of work is quite honestly hands on experience doing the job day in and day out. So I guess I share that with Cesar. I am in the process of taking a PG degree to basically validate my knowledge as it's a work-based learning degree. www.cidbt.org.uk

When you've worked with lots of different dogs you get inside their heads to a degree and your work becomes easier as you'll make a good decision first time more often than not.

Nothing is truly black and white as you say. The best skill you can develop with dogs and people is to remain flexible. What might be a perfect approach with one dog could not work at all with another, so to stick to one philosophy or approach is a mistake in my opinion. Some dogs respond well to an assertive approach yes, others could crumble with that and a clicker could help. Keep the mind and techniques open I say.

The vast majority dogs respond well to a clear set of rules to live by which brings a sense of balance in the dog, and it knows where it's at so to speak. So yes, Cesar has it right when he says exercise, discipline and affection for sure. Some of his methods leave a bit to be desired in my view, but America (even the breeds they own) do things differently, so this needs taking into account. Programme editing makes it look good too of course!

Just remember that there is no single right (or wrong) way of solving behaviour problems. Just like art, every artist will do it differently, but still end with his or her own piece of art. Not sure if that's a great analogy, but you get my meaning?

I know very little indeed about wolves, and for ages I felt almost too embarrassed to mention it to anyone. But my theory now is that I don't work with wolves...I work with dogs and people. I know quite a bit about both of those...though the learning curve never ends of course ;)

Hope that offers some more answers for you?

Best wishes,

Nick

www.alphadogbehaviour.co.uk

Dogs and children.

Well I was just browsing some pictures from recent months and saw this one. Here we have my daughter Katie, and our Border terrier Pip. This pic makes me go all soft inside...it shows my two passions in life...my daughter (and the joy I get from being a father to her) and wee Pip (seeing how well she has turned out at 3 yrs).

There. Just a moment of self satisfaction and a perfect picture that say a thousand words.

Just For Pets...

I'm just back from a meeting with all of the store managers for Just For Pets.
Honestly? What a thoroughly nice and down to earth group of people they are!

I am pleased to say that as the chosen behaviour consultant for the group, we continue to work together to increase ownership awareness and good behaviour in dogs through early socialisation, awareness of leadership issues, and good training.

Following on from the successful day earlier this year in Kidderminster store, we're now looking at the Autumn time when I shall be visiting more stores to offer free behaviour and training advice in store.

I'm very pleased to work alongside this forward thinking group of stores.

Vaccinations and rabies...

Food for thought here folks:

http://guildofdogtrainers.blogspot.com/2009/07/holiday-season-is-upon-us.html

A final flourish...

Last night's weather was truly awful. I laid awake listening to the rain on and off. It rained so hard, and a nice reminder of how close to the elements you are in this thin part of the country.

We have always loved North Cornwall, but despite the weather this holiday confirms a long term desire to live here or have a second place here if fortune smiles upon us in later years. I look good in a wet suit, so that sorts it.

A few pictures from today for you that tells a nice story, and you can see how the weather had improved today! Gawd was it windy though! Hardly shorts and t-shirt weather on the estuary at Rock. Pip is once again wiped out on the floor at my feet and is letting out a steady stream of noxious gasses as I type. The wind did my work for me along the estuary as all I had to do was to give the ball a decent kick and it ran along the surface like a land speed record...awesome.

Ball flingers. The UK seems to be suffering from a deluge of brittle/poorly made models.I'm on my third in so many weeks. No wonder my shoulder needs some therapy when I get back.

The red larger dog is a Golden retriever (fox red colour) that we all loved. Female named Margo. Nicely trained and worked by the owner - a pro photographer as it happens Sara said. "Did you tell him I'm a pro dog trainer?" I asked back. No, came the answer. Just as well. I rarely tell people what I do unless I'm feeling left out of conversation ;) You can be guaranteed an hours questioning otherwise.

A lovely flat coated retriever outside Rick's (ok, we love him) Deli in Padstow. Prices a a bit high Rick for your veg. and regular fish. We bought our veg. at Tesco's! There's a good fish stall a few units down we've used before, and we bought two nice plaice as seen under the grill for tonight's dinner. Two tubs of crab pate went down well on well buttered toast as a starter too ;)

A lovely image to buy into though, and I admire his business model and development. People are always happy to pay for quality as long as they perceive and receive that value.

Home tomorrow, and dropping into Calne, Wilts to see a new baby in the family- Sara's side. Wonderful.

The A6 Avant has been a solid motor as always, and has enhanced the break for me. Still can't help but take a quick glance back as you walk away and blip it.

Back to normal next week of course, which will also mean less time to reflect and gabble. I've enjoyed my blogging-hope you have too. Please subscribe to remain updated!

Nick

www.alphadogbehaviour.co.uk