Dog Socialising Classes in South Westminster 2012

Update on classes held in Dog Area St Georges Square SW1

Classes have begun again in SW1!!!! Beautiful day with new pups waiting to learn some doggy social graces - dog owners needing advice on toilet training their new additions to the family!

Bailey and Bonnie two labrador pups bounded over to say Hello - jumping up - then running in circles around their owners - Fudge another labrador came back for more sessions.  At ten months Fudge is now like the 'outrageous teenager' thinking he knows it all!!

Purdy at three years old had come to mix and socialise with the bigger dogs and to learn 'some lead control'!! Millie the cairn terrier a lovely little girl but her owner was wary of letting her meet and greet older larger dogs.

Nemo Duke was a large dog who needed to brush up on his social skills.  His owner wanted him to mix more but in a safer environment and thought the 'classes' would be ideal to introduce Nemo Duke to the area.

Then in walks or pulls his owner into the area is Cola a husky cross just a pup but already in charge - with a friend Snowy a beautiful white samoyed with his lovely willing to learn owner.

Must NOT  forget the maltese terrier Pooch - another 'puller' and Woof a Jack russell terrier x - running around so excited by all the new doggy friends!!

Snowy and Petal suddenly appeared halfway through the lesson with a few other old faces.  'Next time everyone on time please - Sadly no sign of Cesaer the staffie - his owner had done so well  I was hoping to see her today. Apparently someone made her feel uncomfortable (no one in the last class) but when she came into the dog area on her own - told her she shouldn't come in with a staffie.  I find that so negative when people judge the breed not the deed.

The follow up session went really well - it was great to see the owners taking in my advice and doing their doggy homework.

Next session is Saturday 22nd September - same place same time 2pm
 Meeting Bailey and his owner at 1.30pm to have an extra one to one session - Bailey has problem with walking along the street - he whimpers and does not want to move - he needs to get socialised with the sounds of traffic and the bustle of the streets.

'I luv my Staffie' Maida Vale Dog Show 2012

Here is what good dog ownership is all about!! Gracie was a rescue dog and just look at her now - socialised and one of the winners on the Day!!!

Maida Vale Dog Show 1st September

Has your DOG got the Doggy Factor

Saturday 1st September 2012
@ Paddington Recreation Grounds, Maida Vale W9 1RX

I am holding another dog show but it will be the first in Paddington Recreation Ground!! It is all part of the  Maida Vales Good Neighbours Day which is funded by Abbey Road, Little Venice, Maida Vale and Regents Park Ward Budget and organised by Jan Nairn of City West Homes. It includes Live performances, Steel Band, Talent Show Petting Zoo and of course Canine Culture 's dog show.

Registration is at 1.30pm -2pm and the Dog Show commences at 2pm -3pm - categories are;

Ms Diva
Mr Slick
I luv my staffi
Best Senior
Best Rescue
Pup Idol

I have held over 12 dog shows for the wards of Queens Park, Harrow Road and South Westminster and 'doggy fashion shows' to fundraise for Thai street dogs, and private dog shows in local venues. Yet before each one I have that 'Stage Nerves' panic and pray for no rain and for everything to go well!!  So far - so good!!

Before each event you have to give a risk assessment - make sure your Public Care and Liability insurance is all in place, show all 'safety measures' - how many assistants you have to contain the dogs and owners - how many dogs allowed in each category and that all dogs will be on leads at all time. Ensure that the enclosure is safe and secure for your venue.  Choose your judges - I always have three judges (in case one has to cancel last minute)
Then you have to chose prizes which will suit each category - that will be mentally and physically stimulating to the dogs.  Order rosettes in plenty of time - make sure delivery is at least a week before the event.  Make sure there is access to water and bring water bowls on the day - whatever the weather there should always be water available for the dogs.

All dogs are welcome and of course owners too!!! Hope to see lots of dog and happy winners!!

Dog Workshop and Dog Socialising Classes Queens Park Ward

From 16th June 2012 until 5th August, 2012 I held a 'Dog Workshop' and Dog Socialising Classes in the Dog Area Queens Park Gardens,W10.

During the Dog Workshop dog owners came to get advice, help with one on one behavioural problems, ask for details of microchipping , neutering, diet, help with excessive barking. I had Coco the staffie who had problems with other dogs - Bella the mix breed who was just a pup and needed help with advice on toilet training, jumping up and recall.  The workshop was from 2pm-2.30pm and gave dog owners a chance to have a one on one lesson with me, Bella joined the Dog Socialising Class but I arranged with Coco's owner to meet during the week to have a one on one extra session. Diva was another dog - a staffie - who had problems with other dogs since she had been attacked - unfortunately Diva's owner only became aware of the dog workshop and classes on the final day. So spent some extra time after class to help both Diva and her owner.

Over the course of six sessions there were 16 owners and 17 dogs, with four dogs at the most in the dog workshop and twelve owners and dogs in the classes  - the least in the dog class were nine owners and ten dogs.

Fund Day Out @ Queens Park Festival W10

Michael with Max a Cavalier Springer contender @ the Dog Show

Community Champion Winner 'Shadow with his owner 'David  Fahr'

What a great day - starting with the workshop where I did a one to one with Coco the staffie who had a few 'social behaviour' problems - with other dogs.  Have arranged to meet Coco and her owner next session to work on her behaviour.

As the Queens Park Community Festival I decided to have a 'doggy factor' event where the most appealing mutt was chosen by our local councillor - The winner was Olly a retriever and second was Emma a jack russell - both well known in Queens Park!!

Every year a community trophy is given to the dog and their owner who has improved in both behaviour and benefited mostly from dog socialising classes.  This year was Shadow a two year old husky owned by the Fahr Family.  David Fahr walks Shadow two or three times a day, walks him on a lead, but why I chose David is because he makes other dog owners aware of being responsible and of the correct way of looking after your dog. Well done David.

Canine Culture

Protest 'End BSL` 14 July 2012

With Peter Egan at the End BSL Protest

A Dark Day for Lennox in Belfast

14th July 2012 at Old Palace Yard Westminster London Peter Egan and Anthony Head supporting the Peaceful Protest against BSL. BSL is a law that was made to victimize a certain breed NOT the deed and should be ended and Governments and Political Leaders should start education and neutering programmes and make any form of animal abuse be penalised with a lengthy prison sentence.

Supporters came from all over UK to be the Voice for the Innocent Bull Breeds that have been seized, kenneled and some DESTROYED under this Law.  Also we came to pay tribute to Lennox's memory a staffie/labrador who from May 2010 until July 2012 was kept in unspecified kennels and despite worldwide petitions was killed by BCC Belfast Ireland.

May this beautiful dog whose owners did everything in their power to be law abiding and responsible dog owners - May Lennox now rest in peace - but the protest for Justice goes on.