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Pet Behaviour

Our advice and services to help train your pet and improve behaviour

  • Basic Training
  • Boredom
  • Toilet Training
  • Changes in behaviour in older dogs and cats
  • Dog Training & Obedience Classes

Basic Training

Start at 8 weeks.

Always use positive reward re-enforcement using primary and secondary rewards.

The primary reward is a food treat (we at Brittas Vets recommend Coachies these are wheat, gluten, gm free, low fat, 1 calorie treats. Coachies are suitable for any dog, of any breed because the do not disturb the diet).

The secondary reward can be praise but we recommend Clickers. Clickers make a clicking sound at a suitable frequency for dogs hearing. We find that Clickers are a more consistant re-enforcement to a dog than the human voice and therefore can make training easier.

Give the command once, for example “sit”, move the pup onto the correct sitting position, click and reward with the treat.

After a while, with the pup performing his tasks satisfactorily, reward with the Click only, giving the food treat every now and again.

Train for only 5 min’s at a time x 4 times daily.

Make pups sit before they are fed.

Boredom

Preventing boredom in pups and dogs is very important because dogs that spend a large part of their day bored can be difficult to manage, destructive, unresponsive to training, inclined to roam etc.

Exercise dogs by walking, swimming, play with them and spend time training them. However we are all busy nowadays so if you are away give them something to play with.

In our shop at Brittas Vets we stock a selection of balls, flyers and rawhide chews. Our favourite, especially for dogs left on their own for any length of time are Kong’s. Kong’s are marketed as ‘The World’s Best Dog Toy’ and are used by trainers and behavioural experts worldwide. They are made from durable natural rubber, are resistant to even very aggressive chewers and are designed to be stuffed with treats that are difficult for the dog get out from the middle of the Kong. They appeal to the dog’s natural chewing instinct and his inquiring mind. The dog spends long periods of time chewing, gnawing and playing with the Kong, thus preventing boredom.

The antisocial behaviours resulting from boredom; excessive barking, digging, chewing and damaging property, straying and separation anxiety are avoided.

Toilet Training

Young pups have not developed full bladder control so be patient. Pups go to the ‘loo’ approximately 30 minutes after eating or drinking so be ready.

Circling, crying or sniffing the ground are signs that the pup may want to go to the ‘loo’. The owner must then bring the pup out to a selected place in the garden on a lead and wait while the pup poos or wees. When the pup is finished click and reward. Repeat this over and over until the pup gets the message. The owner must always go out with the pup and must go to the same spot always.

If you catch the pup in the middle of a poo or wee inside just pick him up and let him finish outside and reward.

If the pup wees or poos inside don’t slap or drag the pup over to the spot, this will only frighten him and make him afraid of you, affecting your ability to train him in future.

If pups are left on their own for long periods inside the house before they have full bladder control provide an appropriate place for them to wee and poo; we use ‘WEE WEE Pads‘ because of the Puppy Attractant in them but newspaper is fine if it works for your pup. Keep the WEE WEE pads as close to the door as possible and during the day train as above.

Changes in behaviour in older dogs and cats

A significant alteration in the behaviour of older dogs and cats can often be due to the effects of aging or the onset of ill health. Blindness, deafness and arthritis are age related physiological changes that often lead to changes in an older animals behaviour such as bumping into objects or not coming when called. There are however other changes such as drinking a lot and urinating more or incontinence that owners may become aware of. These behavioural changes are not the dogs fault but both dog and owner may need veterinary help to manage the problem. This why we recommend a senior health assessment every 6 months for animals over 8 years of age.

Dog Training & Obedience Classes

These classes can be wonderful and really enjoyable for both owners and pets. These classes can be an opportunity for only dogs to meet other canines. Professional trainers love dogs and want to see owners getting the absolute best enjoyment from pet ownership.

We work closely with two trainers in our area Kevin Fogarty from Templemore and Seamus Brophy from Borrisokane.

Kevin Fogarty – 087-8201752 – fogarty.kev1@gmail.com
Seamus Brophy – 086-3584255Shepherds Cottage Dog Training

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