Dog rescue, dog training and behaviour are not words that most people would normally expect to see in the same sentence. However, for the staff at Chilterns Dog Rescue Centre rescue, behaviour and training go hand in hand, in order to achieve a happy outcome for the dogs in their care. The Chilterns Dog Rescue Society (CDRS) is a registered charity which was founded in 1963. It is based at Ashley Green near Chesham in
Talking to your dog by Lez Graham
or should that be “Sorry, were you talking to me?” The voice is one of the most powerful tools we have when training our dogs and yet it’s one of the most misused and wasted. Because, unlike with hand signals, your dog doesn’t have to see you to know you’re giving it a command, means you can give your dog instructions when you’re out of sight… When we talk to our dogs, whether that’s around
Dogs, Drugs and Dopes by Ross McCarthy
Canine Behaviour Drugs and Dopes The worrying trend of the prescription of mind altering drugs to our pets in the name of behaviour reformation is of huge concern to many dog trainers, behaviour practitioners and pet owners – and so it should be. Psychotropic drugs in the world of canine behaviour is a relatively new area that seems to be on the increase. I see many clients who have been told to give their dog
Guide Dog Attacked
Mrs Weston was delighted that her son, who is blind, was, for the first time in his life, going to become an independent man. He had just completed his arduous Guide Dog course with his new Golden Retriever, Glynn. Jeremy lived just up the road from his mum and whenever they met it would be at his flat or her house to chat and for general help. Glynn the Guide Dog Jeremy has been blind
A Dog Walk on the Wild Side – a Behaviour Case Study by Ross McCarthy
Although one could describe my job as ‘working with dogs’ I believe that the greater part of my job is working with people. Lifestyles and owner attitudes can be so complex and varied – changing human behaviour is no mean feat, not withstanding the fact that not all of my advice may fit their routines. Two weeks ago Mrs Jane Moriarty telephoned me in floods of tears, so much so I could barely understand what
Prevent Bad Dog Behaviour by Ross McCarthy
The prevention of dog behaviour problems Behaviour problems in dog are incredibly common, due to the fact that most dog behaviour that we deem as a ‘problem’ are normal canine behaviour in an abnormal (for the dog) human world. The problems vary in seriousness, but they almost always affect the bond between dog and owner over a period of time. Problems with training and behaviour can cause a good deal of stress to dog owners
Dog’s that steal or scavenge food by Colin Tennant
This year during my visits to private clients in London I have been receiving many complaints from dog owners who are fed up with their dogs’ disgusting habits of pilfering from kitchen bins. Their words not mine. There is one lady with a Westie that snaps up any thing it finds rotting in the midday sun in Hyde Park. She is at her wit’s end as to how to prevent her dog from happily licking
Dog Breeding For Temperament by Colin Tennant
Recently I had a telephone call from a distressed client whose 155 lb Newfoundland had so distressed her, through its bad behaviour, that she was in semi trauma. This case in itself, is not an unusual one at the Canine & Pet Behaviour Centre. Many people call each week to describe a difficult or dangerous dog which is upsetting family life. The culprit of most people’s dilemma is a mixture of misinformation, inexperience, ignorance
Dogs of Lebanon by Colin Tennant
A Travel Documentary Colin Tennant is the first Animal Behaviour Practitioner to visit Lebanon in the Middle East since the end of the recent civil war. He also visited Tyre, Sidon and Beirut during the more recent resurgence of fighting between Israel and Hisbollah. One of my reasons for visiting Lebanon was that I had received an invitation from a Lebanese friend whom I had previously helped with his animals. Whilst there I was able
Kind and Gentle But Often Ineffective by Ross McCarthy
If, like me you do lots of reading with regard to dog training, you will no doubt be aware that food rewards, harnesses, head-collars, gentle voices and an overdose of love and affection is what is required for dog training combined of course with the patience of a saint and you must of course dedicate your entire life to dog training. The whole of society has been making a bizarre move forward under the apparent