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My passion for dogs started around 20 years ago with my first dog Stan the Cairn Terrier. I was a first time dog owner and thought a Cairn Terrier would be perfect for me, small, cute, non-shredding, full of character. Full of character was exactly what he was. Now I did do my research, I knew I wanted a dog to help with allergies as well as a fun dog who would fit in with our young family, I also looked into what health conditions a Cairn Terrier was prone too, but what I didn't research is what exactly was a terrier originally bred for. I knew they were originally bred to work but it did not occur to me then, that a small cute looking dog, was bred to hunt and kill! It also did not occur to me that my terrier would need to work, it would need the same stimulation, the same input that he would get from working, as he was going to be a family pet! right?? If a Terrier is working, they would be on the go from the moment they woke up to the moment they went to sleep, they would not stop, they would be finding those rodents, they would be stalking, chasing, catching, killing and possibly dissecting their rodents to protect their farm! that was their job. They would have needed a lot of energy, stamina, focus and determination and be extremely clever.
(I love and miss you Stan) so yes.... Stan Barked and Barked and Barked at absolutely everything, escaped many a time (he loved hanging out with the Foxes) I am sure there must be a Stan bred Fox living in the Fishponds neighbourhood somewhere, Zero Recall and he used to Guard items and sometimes people too! He was destructive and dug huge holes too!
As a dog trainer and behaviourist now, of course massive alarm bells are ringing, but back then as a new owner, I did not have a clue, I thought Stan was the problem! Obviously it wasn't him, it was me that was the problem! I learnt a hell of a lot from Stan, and I will never forget him. What he actually needed in his life was stimulation, a job to do, enrichment, scent work, items to hunt and find! His walks were not enough to keep him focused, he was well and truly bored and went self employed which is why he didn't listen to me, there was no motivation to listen to me.
All dogs have got their natural instinctive behaviour, some dogs have it stronger than others. The majority of dogs will all have the orient, stalk and chase in their instinct, but some especially terriers will have the kill/bite/dissect as well. These natural instinctive behaviours can not be changed they are what drive our dogs and motivate them and they need them to survive. Using these behaviours and manipulating them into play games, motivation and reinforcement will help your dog practice these behaviours in a more appropriate way, if you don't they will go self employed and find their own way of practicing them and will entertain themselves and you will be left with the Stan's of the world!
Stan taught me a lot, he is the reason why I started my journey and love of dogs. I began studying and learning in 2006, educating myself about dogs, how they communicate, why they communicate, their emotional behaviour and science based positive force free training methods and I have not looked back since. I started my business, 'Generals Dogs Bodies' in 2009 and have since completed many professional dog training courses with IMDT, Dog Training College, APBC, completed a Foundation Degree in Animal Behaviour and currently studying a Bachelor Degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare.
I now live with my three beautiful dogs, Coco a Chocolate Lab - 14 years old (Stan's Bestie), Dax a Tibetan Terrier - 8 years old and Hazel a Chocolate Lab - 1 year old, oh and how can I forget my favourite hooomans Darren & Dulcie too.
Deborah Smith
Generals Dogs Bodies
07900568466
(I love and miss you Stan) so yes.... Stan Barked and Barked and Barked at absolutely everything, escaped many a time (he loved hanging out with the Foxes) I am sure there must be a Stan bred Fox living in the Fishponds neighbourhood somewhere, Zero Recall and he used to Guard items and sometimes people too! He was destructive and dug huge holes too!
As a dog trainer and behaviourist now, of course massive alarm bells are ringing, but back then as a new owner, I did not have a clue, I thought Stan was the problem! Obviously it wasn't him, it was me that was the problem! I learnt a hell of a lot from Stan, and I will never forget him. What he actually needed in his life was stimulation, a job to do, enrichment, scent work, items to hunt and find! His walks were not enough to keep him focused, he was well and truly bored and went self employed which is why he didn't listen to me, there was no motivation to listen to me.
All dogs have got their natural instinctive behaviour, some dogs have it stronger than others. The majority of dogs will all have the orient, stalk and chase in their instinct, but some especially terriers will have the kill/bite/dissect as well. These natural instinctive behaviours can not be changed they are what drive our dogs and motivate them and they need them to survive. Using these behaviours and manipulating them into play games, motivation and reinforcement will help your dog practice these behaviours in a more appropriate way, if you don't they will go self employed and find their own way of practicing them and will entertain themselves and you will be left with the Stan's of the world!
Stan taught me a lot, he is the reason why I started my journey and love of dogs. I began studying and learning in 2006, educating myself about dogs, how they communicate, why they communicate, their emotional behaviour and science based positive force free training methods and I have not looked back since. I started my business, 'Generals Dogs Bodies' in 2009 and have since completed many professional dog training courses with IMDT, Dog Training College, APBC, completed a Foundation Degree in Animal Behaviour and currently studying a Bachelor Degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare.
I now live with my three beautiful dogs, Coco a Chocolate Lab - 14 years old (Stan's Bestie), Dax a Tibetan Terrier - 8 years old and Hazel a Chocolate Lab - 1 year old, oh and how can I forget my favourite hooomans Darren & Dulcie too.
Deborah Smith
Generals Dogs Bodies
07900568466