The thoughts and ponderings of Sue McCabe of Muttamorphosis http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/ http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/45/what-kind-of-dog-do-you-want.htm It was a delightful surprise this week when two clients with very young puppies explained they were putting into place a really varied and exciting socialisation programme for their dogs. They had planned, made lists of suitable places to visit and were already taking puppy to locations where as an adult, they would be regularly expected to relax, behave and enjoy. One owner was taking her puppy to work in a gym, another driving out of the city to allow puppy to explore crop fields. This is great news! These clients had decided that the type of pet they wanted was one who could be a true companion and accompany them wherever they went as adult dogs. http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/44/every-wanted-to-get-involved-and-let-your-thoughts-be-known.htm Now is the time to act. Now is the time to pressure the government to repeal the Dangerous Dogs Act, a law which it has been proved doesn't work. http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/43/does-removing-loving-family-dogs-from-their-home-really-make-our-world-a-safer-place.htm Imagine council officials coming to your home and measuring your dog with a tape measure. Because of the results, your dog is taken away from you. Taken to a location you are not informed of. Taken with no further access to seeing him, hugging him, explaining to him why he’s no longer at home with you. This is my nightmare and one which is a reality in the UK because of Breed Specific Legislation. This, regardless of whether your dog is breed type specified or not. Simply because a jobs-worth in the council think they know your dog better than you do. It looks a particular way, therefore it must be dangerous! http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/42/the-socialisation-misnomer.htm http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/41/is-it-time-for-dog-no-4.htm Is it time for dog No. 4? http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/40/breed-specific-legislation--are-we-barking-up-the-wrong-tree.htm Breed Specific Legislation. http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/39/five-things-every-dog--owner-should-know.htm Five Things Every Dog-and Owner-Should Know! http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/38/john-rogerson-21-day-dog-training-and-behaviour-course-india-2010.htm Dog training and sunshine….What more could a girl from England ask for during a cold and miserable January? http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/37/what-every-breeder-should-know.htm What every breeder should know…… http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/36/uk-animal-welfare-charities-join-for-forces-to-warn-against-cesar-milan-training-techniques.htm http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/35/the-power-of-making-your-dog-work-for-his-food.htm The following quote is taken from Dr. Ian Dunbar’s article Errorless Chewtoy Training (www.dogstardaily.com). http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/34/what-a-crate-idea.htm What a ‘Crate’ idea! http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/33/to-tug-or-not-to-tug-safe--fun-play.htm Many of my clients are worried that playing tug with their dog will give the dog the wrong idea. They have been told to avoid tugging games as the dog may think that they are in charge; winning the game; ruling their world, the old dominance argument yet again. http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/32/new-dogs-on-the-block.htm New Dogs on the Block! http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/31/dr-ian-dunbar-workshop-update.htm Dr. Ian Dunbar Workshop Dublin April 2009 http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/29/dog-training-workshop-with-dr-ian-dunbar.htm As part of my continuing professional development, and part of the requirements of the training association I am a member of (www.apdt.co.uk), I am obliged to attend a certain number of hours training each year. This ideally should include workshops in the practical aspects of dog training and seminars on more theoretical subjects such as aggression and learning theory. Last year for example I attended a practical training workshop on Construction Aggression Treatment with Kellie Snider and a canine body language seminar with Norwegian training Turid Rugaas. http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/28/work-experience-february-2009.htm My week With Sue McCabe at Muttamorphosis is one I will never forget. http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/27/what-is-it-about-dogs-and-snow.htm Today, the first day of proper snow where we live, despite the rest of the country being covered for at least a week, I took the dogs out for their daily run. And boy did they run! It must be extremely strange to find your usual pee post, the tree you sniff every day to see who's visited since you were last there, or your favourite ball throwing field, to have changed into a very white, very cold, very odd thing. http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/26/why-is-training-recall-so-difficult-for-dog-owners.htm Apart from one other doggy issue, recall is by far the most common challenge which dog owners call me about. Why is this? I have never had a problem training recall with my dogs. Without sounding smug, this is not because I'm a dog trainer, but because I make it worth their while to come back. The other side of the deal is of course, that if they don't come back to me, they loose their freedom temporarily while the other dogs continue to enjoy running about. http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/25/designer-dogs-or-cross-breeds.htm Increasingly, I am encountering so called "designer" dogs in my puppy training classes. Jackapoo (Jack Russell X Poodle), Labradoodle (Labrador X Poodle), Jackahuahua (Jack Russell X Chihuahua) to name but a few. With people paying anything up to £600 for such dogs, it leads me to pose several questions about the "designer" dog craze. http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/24/kennel-club-press-release-cynically-optimistic.htm 7 Oct 2008 05:52:13 -0400Subject: Press Release: Kennel Club to Clamp Down http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/23/dog-art.htm Danish photographer Betina Skovbroto has taken dog art to a new level with her latest exhibition in Cardiff’s Roath Mill Gardens. http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/22/products-recommended-by-muttamorphosis.htm I have been thinking a lot recently about promoting products which I, as a dog trainer and dog owner, could not manage without. These include training tools, toys and treats. Instead of an online shop, I have decided to add a link for each of these products, which clients and visitors to the site can access with a simple click. http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/21/pedigree-dogs-exposed-tues-19th-aug-2008.htm http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/19/remembering-bracken.htm This morning I received the sad news that Golden Retriever Bracken, who I walked for over a year, had passed away a few weeks ago. Bracken was only 5 years old and died after a rare illness. Her family are missing her terribly but remembering all the fun times they had with this wonderful dog, so full of life and fun. http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/18/polite-dog-walkers.htm I recently had a call from a very distressed client who is desperately trying to help her dog get over his fear aggression towards other dogs. She had been working really hard on the suggested training programme but was struggling, not with her own dogs lack of manners, but with that of other dog owners out and about. http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/17/work-experience-with-muttamorphosis.htm Work experience isn’t really how I’d describe my week with Sue. Without wanting to sound too much like I’m just a walking advert for Muttamorphosis, my week was fantastic. It was so much fun to work with all the dogs and Sue was so interesting and upbeat to be around that it didn’t feel like ‘work’ at all. It was just my aching legs by the end of the week that gave it away. http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/16/training-recall-and-the-issue-of-neutering.htm By far one of the most common queries I receive from potential clients describes challenges they are having with their dogs when it comes to recall. Getting their dog back from distractions, more often than not, other dogs. http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/15/its-official--dogs-are-good-for-you.htm Research from the US, carried out by the University of Wisconsin has revealed that some children growing up with dogs were far less likely to develop allergic skin rashes than those without. http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/14/dog-language--what-they-learn-from-each-other.htm It never ceases to amaze me how new dogs just seem to slot in and settle, despite the worries or anxieties of owners. I am a confident handler who reads dogs very well and perhaps the dogs know this but even so, personalities clash and some dogs often just don't like each other. After all, I don't like every human I meet! http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/13/update-on-front-leading-harnesses.htm Feedback from a test run on front leading harnesses has been rather mixed. I asked several clients with all sizes and temperaments of dog to test run the Soft Touch Sensible Harness. http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/12/ban-on-11-restricted-breeds-in-dublin-ireland.htm A frightening decision for any dog lover has been made by Dublin City Council in the past week, banning the ownership of 11 restricted breeds and their crosses in any council owned premises. This includes privately owned homes in council estates. Seizure of these dogs will mean increased numbers being put to sleep in the already over crowded dog pounds across Ireland. http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/10/essentials-for-equilibrium-holistic-therapy-for-your-animals.htm As the owner of four cats, and three dogs, it can often be a hectic household. Recently, we had noticed that one cat seemed to be feeling the stress of living in a busy household and was scent marking in various rooms, much to our annoyance. Miette, a hand reared 5 year old cat, came home on several occasions with scratches and injuries which our vet told us were indicative of fighting, despite being a neutered male. It became clear therefore that Miette was stressed indoors and also being bullied outdoors. All this resulted in an insecure kitty who felt the need to reassure himself that home was indeed his territory and that he felt safe there. Hence the scent marking, the frustration and the terrible smell in our sitting room, kitchen and utility room! http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/1/front-leading-harnesses-leading-the-way-forward.htm One of the most common challenges of pet dog ownership is getting your dog to walk on a loose leash. Even the smallest dogs have power to pull during times of high distraction. It is very human to feel stressed and fed-up, being led down the road by your dog, rather than a relaxing stroll with puppy plodding by your side. http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/2/why-its-nicer-to-neuter.htm Every cat and dog shelter, RSPCA and sanctuary is full of family pets that, through no fault of their own, have been born into a world with too many dogs, and not enough good owners. It is generally true that, if you decide not to neuter your dog, you will have a dog that is more difficult to train. You also run the risk of adding to an already overcrowded canine population, exposing pet dogs to abuse, neglect and ultimately death if they are put to sleep as a result of behavioural problems often associated with such neglect or abuse. http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/4/what-misty-has-taught-me.htm I am regularly getting calls from people who, with little knowledge of the breed they own, see certain behaviour as a challenge, when in fact it is typical of that breed. People will call me to complain that their West Highland White Terrier or their Bishon Frise is very vocal. That they have started barking at everyone and everything when out and about. I hear complaints of collie that herd the traffic or nip at ankles. Owners of German Shepherds, Doberman or cross-breeds of the same type call me to ask how to stop guarding behaviour. http://www.muttamorphosis.co.uk/blog/article/3/the-importance-of-socialisation-and-breeding.htm The first 12 weeks of a dog's life map behaviour for the rest of its life. Good breeding in pet dogs does not only mean that the mother dog is free from congenital disorders and in full health, but that she is psychologically sound and has the kind of temperament we would all be happy to own in a dog. What a young puppy learns during the formative weeks when with the bitch and breeder influences his ability to cope with stress; to deal with strangers; to learn and be trained and to live in harmony with humans. In addition to his genetic make up, which may be nervous or outgoing, anxious or aggressive, he is also learning habits and social skills from his mother during these weeks. His ability to interact with people and other animals will be influenced strongly at this stage, depending on his mother's reactions to these situations. This is why it is paramount when choosing a puppy that you meet the mother dog with her litter to assess her temperament. You must ask yourself if you would be prepared to live with a similar personality of dog as the one who has reared your puppy during the most important weeks of his life.