The Darling Dog Company

Grimmy and Puppy: the story of how a rescue dog met its match!

Throughout life we are taught to not judge a book by its cover. When you are looking for a rescue dog, its what you end up having to do! You are having to make a decision based on its kennel behaviour, its interactions from behind bars or on a lead in the most stressful environment it will probably encounter. And this behaviour either hinders a dog or pushes them forward.

I work with potential owners to find them their forever friend whether it be a puppy or a second hand hound and one of the things most people get frustrated with is the time it takes. We are a society that is used to things instantly, when it comes to sharing your life with a dog, timing is key.

Puppy's first experience of water and swimming

I wanted to give you an example of a situation, a dog and a client who demonstrate all of the above perfectly and will hopefully inspire those of you who are thinking about taking on a rescue dog. I don't generally write about any of my clients who are in the public eye but I feel quite strongly about this one.

I first met Grimmy last year, a few days after having my baby. We were trying to work out about the kind of dog he wanted, he has a busy lifestyle presenting the Radio 1 breakfast show every morning, he is out and about and he has alot of commitments and friends with dogs but was adamant he wanted a rescue dog. Since that meeting it took me around 6 months to find him the right dog. That is a long time and we saw a lot of dogs in that time, never once did he whinge or moan, he paid attention to every dog I introduced him to. But above all I kept saying that you have to go with your gut instinct, it guides you through life I think.

We first met Smarty a couple of days after coming into the Dogs Trust kennels, she had been a stray and not much was known about her. She was nervous, she favoured Aimee (Nick's friend) and I and was unsure about Nick. But something clicked for Grimmy so we left it a week for her to be assessed and waited. The feedback was that she was reactive with other dogs which was an issue as Grimmy lives in London and there are dogs everywhere. She was barking alot, she was lunging, she was vocal and was finding life hard in kennels. In honesty, there were easier looking dogs out there but I knew that if he was prepared to work on her then there was so much potential.

To cut a long story short, we then spent time re visiting her, taking her out, and the Dogs Trust allowed me to test her in situations relative to Nick's lifestyle and she wasn't perfect at all but she showed eagerness to learn and enthusiasm for life. With all of the checks done on Nick  the date was set to bring this little Jack Russell Terrier home to her new life.

We are a couple of months in and I feel like I could burst with pride, for both of them. Grimmy has followed everything I have asked him to do, he has channelled time and effort into this little terrier. He has showered her with love whilst showing her how to react and teaching her what her new life involves. Her coat is shiny, she is lean and loving life. Nick and Puppy (as she is now known) are a shining example of a dog that on paper might not have seemed like the ideal dog but the thing is, you have to take time to get to know a dog and we didn't just judge her on her behaviour in kennels because that isn't fair. We still have work to do but the key to all of it is tackling things slowly and methodically. You need successes to spur you on and the progress she is making is so great to watch.

Recall was top of our list to teach Puppy. Off lead and long grass are her favourites.

There is a saying "you may not change the world but you will surely change the world for that dog you have taken on" and it applies to any dog that you choose to share your life with. Which is why it is worth putting the time, dedication and effort into finding the 'right dog' for you and if you need assistance, you know where to find me.

Relaxing with Thurston. Once reactive to other dogs we have taught her how to behave in a controlled and disciplined way.

A Gumtree dog is not a rescue dog

Recently I've met up with a number of new owners who have taken on dogs via sites like Gumtree. If you are thinking of buying a dog through such a site, switch off the computer and walk away. Gumtree and similar is a site designed to flog things that people don't want anymore including dogs and in my mind, that should not be a destination site for new dog owners to search for their beloved addition to their family.

If you want to rescue a dog, spend the time and do it properly. I will help you with free advice.

A Gumtree dog could be from a puppy farm, it could be from some dodgy bloke doing back street breeding or it could be a dangerous dog that shouldn't be going into a new home. You just don't know. I met one woman who took on a huge mix of two guarding breeds aged 12months old. She had two children in her home under the age of 10yrs old and the dog already had aggression issues. Had this dog been assessed, under gone temprement testing or exposure to different scenerios? No. The woman went on the owners description of "a lovely family pet that we have to get rid of due to a change in circumstances".

On Gumtree you can say anything you like, I could set up an advert flogging a dog I've come across in the park. There are no security checks, there are no behaviour checks, no chipping or safety checks in place like you would get from going through a bona fide rescue rehoming centre. I work with such places and I see people get refused a dog because the particular dog they have fallen in love with doesn't fit their situation. So instead of waiting until the 'right' dog comes up, they head home and trawl the internet. And hey presto there is that huge Malamute they had their eye on and oh look, its free to a good home because the owners just don't have time for it anymore. Yet the one at the rehoming centre wouldn't be handed over to them because they live in a tiny property, someone is out at work all day and they only want to do 30 mins of exercise per day.

Believe me when I say that there is usually a valid reason if you get turned down for adopting a certain dog. The centre will work with you to find you the dog you are looking for but very often that takes time and in today's society, people don't want to wait. They want it now.

A rehoming centre has their reputation to protect and they genuinely care for the dogs they are entrusted with, so if you are looking for a rescue dog, don't cut corners and do not be tempted to take a dog home just because you feel sorry for it. Believe me, it will end in tears, as one girl in Islington found out when she sold her dog through a site and a day later it ended up dead after its new owner had used it for fighting and then flung it off of a balcony. Hideous and I'm sorry if it upsets you but it is the harsh reality of such a world.

A dog should not be a stop gap to a child

I write this blog with a heavy heart as sometimes you have days when you meet a dog that just gets to you. Today was one of them. On my walk around the kennels I met a new inmate, he was sat shaking and yowling is the only word I can use to describe the noise. Those of you who have shared your life with a Staffy will know what I mean, is that noise they do when they are so sad and anxious that they can't do much else.

This is what Boss was doing this morning when I came to his kennel. Boss is an 11yr old black Staffordshire Bull Terrier who was 'given up' because after 11yrs his owners decided to have a baby which meant there wasn't room for Boss and a baby.I totally understand how hard it is with a baby and a dog, I only gave birth 5 months ago but it was our decision to own a dog and have a baby. I admit it takes a great deal of effort but in my opinion, if you can rehome a dog for doing nothing wrong after 11yrs you need your head read.

There are certain things surrounding dogs that get me on my high horse and this is one of them. If you are reading this and considering gettting a dog and you don't yet have a baby but are planning to have one then think about it carefully. A dog is not and should not be something that you have until a baby comes along. A child growing up with a dog is an amazing experience if done carefully and with respect.

Boss barked when you didn't throw the ball quick enough, he backed into you when he wanted a cuddle all things that he has been allowed to do for 11yrs of his life. So anything that you train or tolerate with your dog, think to the future....will it still be so 'sweet' when doggy wants to lie on your chest whilst your breastfeeding? Its not the dog's fault if you allow it to become a certain way that you then don't like when you are exhausted from being up all night with a 3 day old baby.

Please just use this tale to make yourself think or pass it on to friends and family considering getting a dog. Or if you own a dog and are pregnant, call me and lets get you prepped for this life changing experience because it is truly heartbreaking to watch a dog like Boss going through what he is.

My work with dogs and youth offenders

For a while now I have been working on a pioneering project alongside the Dogs Trust, I have been involved from the very beginning and it is brilliant to see the project going from strength to strength. I work with youth offenders who have community hours to serve and we use those hours to work with Dogs Trust dogs looking for homes, to teach the youths about responsible dog ownership and how to train a dog using positive methods.

The youths achieve a huge amount from the project and so do the dogs. Recently the Youth Justice Board came to make a video about our work and here it is. You will see in it that I am 9 months pregnant, I don't usually look like that!!

 

Huxley the huge dog

Meet Huxley. A 7yr old stray brought into the Dogs Trust rehoming centre in Harefield (West London) who I have fallen head over heels in love with!

I worked over at the centre for 3 days last week & had him out every day. He is a delight. A great big lummox of a boy who is huge, slow, affectionate & loves his food.

The Dogs Trust are looking for a retirement home for him, one with no kids or kids over 14+ which rules us out. Every now & then you meet a dog that you are just smitten with & he is one of them. If you know anyone prepared to take on a big breed whose a bit older then contact the Dogs Trust & ask about Huxley.

The Sleeping positions of your Dog

There are many guestimates on how long the average dog sleeps per day, it varies from age to size to breed to activity levels and so on. What I do know is that dogs love a good sleep especially after an energetic walk and a bowl full of supper, a bit like us. But I thought you may find it interesting to understand a little bit more about the way your dog sleeps.

A bit like us, your dog will have a favoured sleeping place, one that makes them feel secure, safe and cosy and it may not be where their bed is. You may already have picked up on the positions they sleep in when they are in a deep sleep, in comparison to when they are just bored or snoozing or waiting for you to hurry up and finish the emails so they can go on a walk!

All dogs are very different but there are some common positions that most will share, I've tried to find photos of clients dogs to highlight these to you as its easier to see it than to describe it.

The Snoozer - this is the dog that is quite happily having a nap, its not in a deep sleep but is quite content snoozing some hours away. This is the type of sleeping position where your dog is still listening to whats going on around them but not actively participating unless it sounds really good fun!

Daniel the Spaniel in the Dogs Trust offices

The Curly Whirly - many puppies sleep like this as it keeps them warm and snug but you also find many of the shorter haired breeds like to curl up. It keeps all the body heat in and this is a position that a tired dog will get into. Its definitely a clear sign that a dog does not want to be interacted with, they are closing themselves up to get some rest.

Viva is tired and in the curled up position

The let it all hang out sleeper - this is a position that only a very relaxed, calm dog will sleep in. It isn't a common sleeping position for a dog in say rescue kennels where they can feel very stressed, unsure and exposed. A dog that does this feels happy to splay themselves out and just relax! I've had to put two pics in for this as I love both of these

Bailey the Golden Retriever puppy I fostered

Hungarian Vizsla sleeping on the sofa!

And then there is side sleeper - again this is usually reserved for deep sleeping. You often find after a long, exhausting walk that your dog begins by snoozing and then when its time for the quality sleep, they roll over. Most dogs will try to have their back against something like your leg if on the sofa, the back of their bed or a wall as again it makes them feel secure whilst resting. My dog who is deaf will only do this in certain places where she feels totally safe and that nothing can come at her to scare her. Which makes sense because she can't hear approaching people. In this photo you can see she is asleep with her head resting against my leg and the cat is against her back.

Cookie Dog sleeping on her side

As is the case with all sleeping dogs, try not to have to disturb them and never let children do this. A tired and sleeping dog can react with aggression if scared or shocked when fast asleep. Just as a human would if fast asleep and you started prodding them. Try to make some noise away from them or if you have a deaf dog, very often the vibrations of people walking around will rouse them. And make sure your dog has somewhere to take themselves to for sleeping that isn't in a busy hallway, doorway or where they are subjected to lots of traffic in the house. Sleeping should be a time for rest, recuperation and to feel safe.

The Importance of Play for Dogs

Many years ago I used to work as a senior children's researcher, looking at how children's lives have changed, how they interact and one of the topics to investigate was the importance of play. Yesterday I was talking to someone on the phone about their dog and they said it wouldn't play with them, it was a rescue dog. The new owner had only tried the ball and then given up when the dog wasn't interested.

Having the conversation got me thinking back to the days when I worked on this topic with kids, although a different species in my eyes the importance and relevance is exactly the same. Children and dogs use play to learn about the world, to understand the rules and boundaries. If you look at many of the tasks children and dogs do in the early stages its all about improving cognitive behaviour and co-ordination such as grip, hand/paw and eye co-ordination. Then as time progresses its role reversal, testing the boundaries and then there is a lot of running in there, as their curosity and interest in the world means that everything must be done at a really fast pace! Are you seeing the similarities now?

In my eyes, with the work that I do, play has a huge role, in fact I try to make most of my training about play and games. As usually it keeps the dogs interested and motivated. On top of that play is good for us adults, playing with our dogs calms us down, soothes us and makes us happy plus the benefits for your dog. Some dogs have been deprived so do not know how to play or some may have been controlled so tightly that they dare not play. This can be changed but it takes time and patience.

Below I've put a list why in my eyes play is so very crucial for our dogs and I'm not referring to dog on dog play I'm talking about the games and fun they have with us because in my opinion, if a puppy is from a decent breeder with a good mother, much of their dog on dog socialisation will be learnt by the time they arrive with  you at 7/8 weeks. The mother will have taught them when enough is enough, how hard to bite, when to stop and litter mates should have played a role in creating boundaries, role reversal and so forth. So your job as an owner is to continue this play and teach them the ways of the world that they are now going to live in as a dog in a human world.

The benefits of play to your dog:

• It will make your dog happy
• It will build confidence in a nervous dog and maintain confidence in a balanced dog
• As an energy outlet, play is a wonderful way to mentally & physically stimulate your dog
• To learn the rules - i.e. dogs teeth & human skin don't make contact, not to jump up
• As a recall reward
• To make your dog want to be with you and hang out with you, if you are dull and dogs are more fun why would they hang around with you?! Harsh but true I'm afraid.
• As a way to train an exercise or task
• It can be a great motivator. If you do this you get to play this game
• To release stress and anxiety in a dog
• To keep the brain active which is especially important in older dogs
• Balance, co-ordination and life skills such as hunting, fighting etc.
• Because its fun, for everyone involved

The other thing to remember is, don't get caught up on what you 'think' your dog should play with. If you are obsessed with your dog retrieving a ball and it doesn't seem interested, don't worry about it. Move on and find something that they do love playing with. Find out what motivates your dog as every dog is not the same even if they are from the same breed group, there will be similarities but also differences.

Mini Dog Classes for Excitable, Nervous & Aggressive Dogs

Recently I've been trying to come up with ways to help clients who need continual assistance with their dogs but that isn't going to cost the earth, as we are in a recession.  Owners may come to me because their dogs are nervous around other dogs or they are uber excited and want to pounce on each dog they see. Or it could be because they are showing aggression when faced with other dogs.

Below you can see the 3 dogs involved in an over excitable mini class. These 3 dogs find it hard to contain their excitement when they are around other dogs! Here we have them doing some control exercises and learning to focus. Well done Sparkie, Harvey and Pluto.

So I came up with the idea and created 'mini classes' where a maximum of 3 dogs and their owners meet me in the parks for us to work together.

We then use the basis of behavioural adjustment therapy to help the dogs. And depending on the reason why they are there will depend on the format the hour class takes. I've found them to be a really helpful way to build owners confidence slowly and for dogs to learn to trust their owners too.

And here is Kirsten playing with Rocket in the park and we are teaching him to be calm and confident when other dogs are around as he can be nervous aggressive towards them. What you can't see is that just out of shot is Ripley the Afghan standing and watching.

The great thing about the mini classes is that I can tailor them around the dogs whose owners contact me. If you have a dog that you think might benefit then do contact me to discuss the details. 

 

The

Turning Mr Aggressive into Mr Calm using BAT

Often when I meet clients who have a dog with aggression issues they want it solved immediately. Which usually isn't possible, in my view aggression is a symptom of an underlying cause. It is a reaction, a way to show its owners that it really doesn't feel comfortable, or its worried or its scared or just doesn't want a particular behaviour to take place. On some occassions aggression is good, a growl to warn is a brilliant indicator and should be taken notice of and not punished or ignored. On the flip side aggressive displays can start to take over a dog's life if the dog is feeling unbalanced and insecure.

Say hi to Rocket!

Enter Rocket the delectable Bedlington Terrier X Whippet who his owners took on as a rescue. We can't be certain of  his past but they were told his male owner died and then he went into foster. But there wasn't much feedback apart from that. From the word go Rocket was being aggressive on the lead and around other dogs. He would jump, circle, bark, lunge and react whilst totally ignoring his owners. He would find it hard to relax and you could see with his body posture that he wasn't comfortable.

I'm not going to go into huge details of what we did as it would take a while but we moved him onto a secure, comforting harness and a collar with 2 leads to give him and owners lots of control and security. We then started the long process of behaviour adjustment therapy. Working with stooge dogs that were calm and had no interest in him whatsoever. We also had to work on getting his focus on his owners so that he was responding to their commands and letting them deal with the situations. At the beginning all of this was hit and miss, we took a step forward and then one back. But we kept going with our early morning sessions and stooge dogs.

Behaviour adjustment therapy takes time and patience it isn't a quick fix and it isn't something to be undertaken lightly. But in my opinion it is worth perservering with and using.

His owners continued with giving him a really fixed routine for walks and exercise and in the house. So that he started to get some security and boundaries in place that he could relate to and understand. At the same time we had to do some work on him in the car as he didn't enjoy journeys in the car, at all. So you can see, there were a number of things to be working on. Plus add into the equation that they live in fairly central London with dogs a plenty on streets, parks, pubs and so on. We also looked at what made Rocket happy, one of the things his owners wanted to do with him was take him to the pub, this was too much for him. So we had to redress what made Rocket happy and actually for him, being at home would be far more pleasurable and enjoyable.

Fast forward a year and a bit to now and my I am bursting with praise for Kirsten and Richard. They have taken EVERYTHING on board that we started work on and carried every single thing out. Rocket's body posture has changed when he walks, he's not  looking behind constantly, he kind of bounces when he walks now! His focus on Kirsten is fantastic, total and utter dedication. We are starting Rocket on some mini classes I've developed, to try and move him forward once again.

I wanted to highlight Rocket's story as it is a perfect example of a dog that had a big issue that needed and still requires a lot of work and management. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel with hard work and love. He is also a great example of having owners who have taken everything on board and worked non stop with him. Patience is definitely something they have in bucket loads and Rocket is now seeing the benefit of this. On the other end, his security and balance is being restored so this then has an impact on his personality - he is more playful, attentive, focused and happy. So the moral of the story is this, a behaviourist and trainer can help you but as an owner you also need to be 100% committed.

Deer Deer Me - a great new dog chew

Whether you have a teething crocodile of a puppy or a senior that just loves to chew, we are all constantly looking for ideas of how to channel the chewing. Puppies need to chew to relieve the pain of teething and many adult dogs either just enjoy the activity or it can be a stress reliever or a way to while away the time. Whatever way you look at it, chewing serves a purpose. 

At Christmas a few of my clients bought from me and tested some deer antlers. A variety of dogs tried them, varying ages, backgrounds and breeds. The feedback was great, I only had one dog not use the antler, all of the others loved them. 

The great thing about the antler chews is that the dogs have to grind them down, they can't just snap pieces off. So the antler slowly gets smaller and smaller and the dogs enjoy the stimulation and activity. The thing I love about these are that they are ethically sourced from free range Venison living up in Yorkshire. They also last, so they are no one minute wonder! Plus because the antlers are effectively a bone, they are very rich in calcium and magnesium.

The antlers come in varying sizes from small up to extra large with prices starting from 3 - 10 pounds. I now have stock of these antlers at my office. If you want to buy, take a look or see what other goodies I have available, get in touch. You can either drop by or order and collect.