Sunday, 15 January 2012

New Pup/After Christmas NEED ADVICE

Just got that 'adorable pup' or that 'new rescue dog' - Christmas is over and the New Year already begun - AND BACK TO WORK - kids back at school AND things are not as 'easy' as you thought they would be with the new addition to the family!! Toilet training with the pup is not going according to plan - the new rescue dog is chewing the furniture and barking when left alone and the kids 'promise' of 'walking' has been replaced by a new television programme!!

One word 'training' and another 'socialising'  start  now - with a puppy - he or she looks to you to set boundaries to give them a rountine - the first walk or 'outing in the garden' after the inoculations - the 'contained place' to start 'toilet training'. How to get used to a collar (by wearing it around the home before venturing out into the street) and to walk on lead without 'pulling'. To give your new pet mental stimulation as well as physical and to build upto leaving your pet on their own.

A good 'training class' will have between 8 - 10 dogs (any more to me is too many!!) and as well as training there will be 'off lead 'doggy playtime).  Ideally the sessions will be outside but in the winter a hall is good as long as you also  are able to go  outside to 'walk on lead' interact with other dogs and owners and address the 'outside environmental issues' Owners have a very short period of time to accustom new pups and 'rescue' dogs to a range of 'different experiences' A good trainer will  observe any 'bullying' from bolder pups towards the shyer ones and address this accordingly at the same time not making either owner or  dog feel 'overprotected' or 'fearful'.

Sometimes a pup or dog may have 'certain behavioural issues' which are not at all serious but if left or the wrong 'correction' given could develop into bigger issues!! A one to one consultation can be given - I offer a two hour consultation @ £60.00 for full session. Please call if you need any advice or email me on canineculture@googlemail.com or check out my website www.canineculture.co.uk

Friday, 6 January 2012

A Goodbye to 2011 and Hello to 2012

2011 - A year of petitioning for Justice for 'abused or animals killed by abuse', For Freedom for 'bull breeds' victims of BSL - a law that criminalizes the 'breed' not the 'deed'- many staffordshire crosses kept in cold stone cells for long periods of time.  Awaiting a fate that could mean 'Destruction' under an Act that was not thought out and nearly all are owned by persons  that 'did everything' in their power to behave as responsible dog owners. We must not forget Lennox in Belfast - a dog whose fate is still in the hands of the 'powers that be' and Lennox's family who every single of the day are thinking of him and praying for his release.  Lennox's family must be WONDERING WHY he is a 'victim of BSL - he was neutered, microchipped and everything was done according to the law YET he is now in a cold cell.

2011 - a year when 'Annie the Elephant' was seen on film being brutally treated by his owners 'henchman' - now she is living her retirement in a place she never thought she would live to see and is SAFE.

2011 - when Baan Unrak Animal Sanctuary a rescue for the street dogs in Thailand had fund raising events  in St, Martins Church London NW10 and South London UK and raised awareness of how Stray Dogs not only in Thailand but worldwide are treated. Avril Simms and her many supporters raised money to get dogs that had gone through hell in Turkey to safety in UK to 'forever homes'  Dog Star Foundation had an amazing year helping strays and carried out neutering/spaying programmes in Sir Lanka.  Foster Farms Sanctuary in US helped save so many horses from slaughter.  Noahs Arc (Spain)and Many Tears Rescue (UK) rehomed and rescued dogs in Uk and abroad.  People ran marathons, fetes, dog shows, drew portraits, donated, shared, fostered, adopted and rescued - all in the name of the innocent creatures in this world

2011 - Saw the sadness of our canine and feline friends passing - leaving us to heavenly pastures, Max, Roma, Blue the Beautiful Gentle Cat, and so many more.  May they RIP

2011 was a year combined with sadness and joy but most of all united us all in our Determination to make sure we will carry on being the voice of the innocent and Shout Even louder in 2012.

Happy New Year to you all

Tuesday, 29 November 2011

CHANNEL FIVE Inside London 8pm

29th November 2011

Tonight I will be appearing on Channel Five at 8pm for the Inside Story Programme about life in the community of Westminster - My Role is to help owners be more responsible, respect and care for their dogs!!! I have not seen any 'preview' of the programme so I hope that we all behaved - accordingly.  It will show clips of my dog socialising classes in Westminster and the Dog Factor Show in Queens Park, which was kindly supported by City West Homes.

Socialising classes supported by Westminster Council offer 'dog owners' and their 'pets' the opportunity of free training and dog advice, and many resident dog owners were happy to take part.

I also hope the programme portrays the 100% commitment needed for being responsible not only for your dog's wellbeing but also for the publics'! In my classes I also discuss environmental issues (ie.picking up after your dog) and the consequences if you DON'T - Dogs being on leads in public areas - again the dangers for your dog as well as intimidation of non dog owners and other dog owners.

Neutering and Spaying - the importance but also we discuss the negatives and the positives.  Microchipping and Insurance for your pet (covering medical bills and lost or missing dogs).  Getting a 'family' pet should be just that a commitment - For Life  - so think whether you have the time , (your working hours) holidays - (who will look after your pet) and the exercise (small dogs need sometimes more exercise than big ones) Winter, Rain or Shine!

Tuesday, 1 November 2011

DOG FACTOR SHOW Queens Park W10

29th October, 2011

Film crew, Dogs, Councillors and the DOG FACTOR!!

I was asked by Fahema Akthar from City West Homes if I would arrange and organise a 'Dog Show' in St Judes Hall for the local community and then was hooked on planning and organising this great event!!
On Saturday after weeks of organisation, promotional leaflets and designing dog rosettes for the DOG FACTOR show in Queens Park, London W10 - all the hard work paid off and it was a great success!!

This was my eighth 'dog show' event but the first indoor venue where  seven 'different' dog categories were  mixing together in a confined area!! from Frankie a yorkshire terrier to Ebony a rottwieler standing side by side!!! The categories were Ms Diva - won by Ebony - Mr Slick won by Ollie the retriever - Best Senior won by Khan and Max - Best rescue - Josie the Jack Russell and Frankie - Pup Idol by Alfie the Jack Russell - Best Socialised Dog and Owner - Nico the Akita/Husky.

I luv my staffi rosettes were given out to all the 'staffordshire bull terriers' - cause they were all winners. All well behaved and making their owners proud!!!

Prizes were bought at Grand Union Pets Chippenham Road W9, who kindly gave me a hugh discount - a big thank you to them!! Rosettes were designed by myself and 'Dog Factor' certificates were given to First and Second Winners.

Registration was between 1pm - 1.55pm and the Dog Factor Show commenced at 2pm-4pm .  All the time I was observing and supervising the dogs taking part and ready to anticipate any 'anti social doggy behaviour'. Meanwhile being filmed for Channel 5 by the Production Crew who also were asking me questions about the 'event' and 'dog issues'.  I did forget I was wearing a microphone all the time I was directing 'dogs' and owners' to the stage when the categories were called!!

There was a 'special cup' awarded to Khan the staffie/x and Max the Husky/GSD for their 'work' in the community - promoting  'socialisation with other dogs and people in the community' and promoting 'Its not the Breed - Its the Deed'.

Lastly I was so proud to see Ebony the Rottweiler and her owner chosen by the 'judges' as the DOG FACTOR WINNER.  Ebony is a credit to Naz her owner and shows the true charactistics of this breed - gentle - gracious and a well balanced dog

Wednesday, 5 October 2011

FILMING at Dog Socialising Class

24th September 2011

A film crew were at our class on Saturday and with the permission of most of the dog owners - the dogs were enjoying 'instant doggy stardom'! A television channel is producing a documentary on 'Westminster' and what community events they support; Classes for owners and their dogs to make them more socialised and environmentally responsible was one of them.  So here we are - 'Movie Stars'!

To me it was a special day NOT because of Film crews But because I met Milo the little yorkie whose lovely owner was in a wheelchair.  Milo had never had the chance to be socialised off lead with other dogs, but at the end of the session to hear his owner say how much more confident she felt was rewarding to hear.  (Photos will be posted soon).

I must admit being filmed and having a microphone attached, was a bit distracting and dogs being dogs were enjoying the 'attention' in more ways than one.  Milo full of his new found freedom 'stole' an onlookers ball and decided to run round with it in his mouth.  Did I learn something from that - yes - Milo was not learning 'leave it' that easily and wasn't letting go!! Meanwhile 'welcome back Jimmy' the terrier' was Barking for Britain and some of the others started to join in the 'doggy chorus' and Archie had found a new 'doggy pal' to chase!!

Did we learn anything - Recall was hilarious!! But 'walking to heel' homework was really good! We also discussed 'Barking at the Bell' an 'indoors problem' but I gave some advice and showed how it could be corrected (without the bell)!!

Next class is 8th October as I will  be attending the 'Animal Blessing' at St Martins Church NW10 on the 1st October.

Looking forward to it - Back to an ordinary lesson.

NB Just like to Thank George and his assistant for being so patient with us all - total doggy mayhem!!

Dog Socialising Classes South Westminster September 2011

17th September 2011 Classes commenced at St. Georges Square, supported by Churchill Ward. It was mainly 'dog registration day' and meeting new 'arrivals' Mattie the cockopoodle (yes that really is a breed of dog!!) - Poppy the westie - Boots the cairn terrier rescued from a 'dog pound' in Ireland.  There are lots of stray dogs in Ireland who sadly end up in the dog pound where their 'owners' are given 7 days to 'claim' them.  Once the 7 days is up, and if the dogs are not rescued they are put to sleep.  Lucky for 'Boots the cairn terrier' he was adopted and rescued. Then we had 'Tiny' the pomeranian with 'small dog syndrome'. It was also good to see the 'regulars' Archie the whippet who remembered his 'little friends' Petal and Snowy BUT didn't chase them - Good Boy Archie you learnt 'something' from the previous classes!!

Next class 24th September same time same place

We walked in pairs walking to heel on the lead and using the block - this is not only a learning process but also helps the dogs and owners to socialise with each other.