Blog - Latest news & updates
Helping Scout the rescue German Shepherd with general dog training behavioural problems, Preston, Lancashire. · 15 February 2012
Scout is a young dog who hasn’t experienced much in his short life due to his previous owner using him as a stud dog and confining him to a small yard.
He was in a rescue kennel for 2 months before he was fortunate enough to be re-homed with Courtney where he’s been living happily for the past 6 weeks and slowly adjusting to a life in the big wide world. Scout is a nervous and skittish lad but with the devotion of Courtney he is beginning to settle into everyday life.
I met with Courtney and Scout for a 1-2-1 session to help Scout walk to heel on his lead without pulling. After the resounding success of our first session Courtney will be bringing Scout along to my new block of dog obedience classes starting on the 20th February 2012 at Oakhill Veterinary Centre, Goosnargh, Preston.
If you would like to attend my dog training classes please call me on 01772 690597 or 07843283370 to book your place.
Lottie and Blue the Weimaraners · 10 February 2012
Over the last few weeks I’ve been helping Jason to walk with Lottie as she has recently started to pull excessively on her lead. Lottie is a quite dog with a wonderful nature and will be a terrific companion to ’Blue’ the newest addition to the family.
How Cute are these pair?
News Update – Launch of the new services with Oakhill Veterinary Centres and Dog-Training4u · 7 February 2012
After meeting with Oakhill Veterinary Centre in August it was agreed that I should relocate my dog obedience training classes to their purpose built venue at Goosnargh, Preston. Working in conjunction with Oakhill allows me to recommend a first class veterinary service should my clients be looking for a new vet. As Oakhill’s resident dog trainer and behaviourist I am often called upon to offer expert advice to their clients in relation to problems they may be experiencing with their dogs.
As well as offering dog training classes for all Oakhill clients at their 4 centres I will also be available for behavioural consultations at a client’s home or at one of my training grounds.
I am looking forward to working with Oakhill by helping their clients and staff to train their dogs.
Gundog Training with Demi the Cocker Spaniel, Preston, Lancashire. · 7 February 2012
Demi and her owner Georgina are regulars at my dog training classes in Goosnargh and have also trained with me on a 1-2-1 basis. Today I asked Georgina if I could spend a little time assessing Demi’s potential to work in the shooting field, as I felt she had the instinct to mark and retrieve if she was guided in the right direction. Demi has never been around guns and her retrievals are a little rusty but she responded well to my training methods and the whistle. After spending 40 minutes working with Demi I introduced the dummy launcher and I was happy with Demi’s marking ability, she hunted up and retrieved to hand. Although the delivery was less than perfect it’s a brilliant platform to build on.
Georgina was over the moon with Demi’s ability and she is now keen to train Demi alongside the gun.
If you are looking for specific training for your dog I can help by offering a tailor-made training programme unique to your dog’s ability.
Feel free to call and discuss any training requirements you may have on 01772 690597 or 07843 283370.
Testimonial – Dog Training Amber the Springer Spaniel with serious recall problems. · 2 February 2012
I thought you should share in this moment. Amber off the lead, on the beach. With your help, we are steadily progressing and more importantly, Amber is a far happier dog.
I can’t believe that prior to you coming for two house visits, this is the same dog that would disappear for 9 hours given the chance or drag me along on the lead when she took me for walks. No more biting in the house, just lots of play and dog food, and well, enjoying being a dog!!! me and my girl are now exhausted but very happy.
Thank you,
Michelle
Gundog Training with Libby the Labrador – Preston, Lancashire · 29 January 2012
It was great to train with Peter and his working Labrador Libby today. This was our 3rd gundog training lesson and I’m pleased to say there has been a noticeable improvement from our first meeting. Whilst Peter is not looking to work Libby he wanted to address issues regarding Libby’s lack of attention towards him, especially when in the fields. Libby and her owners live in an area where there is extensive land and, as a young dog, Libby has been permitted to free hunt, chasing all manor of game.
During the past 6 weeks I have asked Peter to spend time focusing on Libby’s steadiness, whistle commands and overall basic dog obedience training. It’s very important when training that the basics are implemented before allowing our dogs to experience the outside world in its entirety. If our dogs do not see us as the most important and interesting thing before we allow them to run free, when we do their natural instinct to hunt kicks in and off they go, especially with working dogs.
Libby was a very timid dog that required guidance and interaction which Peter has spent time practising. On our 2nd gundog lesson not only was there a huge difference in their bond, Libby was also able to retrieve dummies to hand.
Today’s training was again a great success, it’s always nice to see an owner smiling, well done Peter and Libby I look forward to training with you soon.
If you need help to train and improve the bond you have with your dog then please email me at bark@dog-training4u.co.uk or call 01772 690597 / 07843 283370.
Gundog Training with Count the Short Haired Pointer correcting his dropping on a retrieve, Preston, Lancashire. · 24 January 2012
Testimonial – Dog training Bailey the Shar Pei. · 24 January 2012
I have been training with Damian for 4 months now and saw improvements from day one. Bailey is a typically strong willed and often stubborn Shar Pei, but with some excellent guidance from Damian in both our one on one training and group classes, we have made great progress in our training. I have always done my own ‘self taught’ type of training e.g. sit, wait, lie down, paw etc, but out and about with other catalysts it was a whole different story. Baileys’ focus would be everywhere that it shouldn’t be, but the classes have put a stop to that. She is now much more focused on me and the training and we have some fantastic walks together now. Even something as simple as taking Damians’ advice on changing her harness to a slip lead has proven to be very effective. This way Bailey does not ‘harness’ the power, I do! No more sniffing the same blades of grass for minutes and stopping for a wee every couple of steps.
The classes are brilliant. It is great to be in a group environment and see that you are not the only one who has training areas to work on. It’s very easy when you are doing the training on your own to get down hearted if you don’t see the results you want, as quickly as you want, but we find the classes to be extremely rewarding and motivating. The environment is ideal for training Bailey due to the catalysts of other dogs and their owners which she would normally have been so easily distracted by.
I can’t thank Damian enough for the impact he has had on our training and our relationship. Bailey respects that I am the pack leader now and no longer tries to dominate me. He is always at the other end of the phone or an email if I need to ask him anything and is a great motivator and trainer.
Thank you Damian from a very happy Melissa and Bailey.
Dog Obedience Training classes at Oakhill Veterinary Centre · 23 January 2012
Monday evening saw the start of my dog obedience training class which has now been running for 3 weeks. I offer a level of dog training to accommodate dogs of any breed, age and ability. I have always encouraged a healthy mixture of dogs I’m humbled by the commitment shown by some of my younger owners, in particular Francis, who handles a very lively and dominant male Labrador. The first week they attended Jasper was mouthing and pulling Francis all over the training area, but after three weeks of commitment and dedication to training, this week was a different story altogether. Whilst Jasper has some distance to go with his training it’s clear to see that Francis and Jasper are working together and the pair were able to do a brief sit and wait out of sight, well done !!
Tonight you can see Georgina with Demi the Cocker Spaniel working on their steadiness around other dogs. Demi is a lively Cocker Spaniel that needs to be taught basic commands to stop her pulling excessively on the lead and to improve her focus and bond with Georgina to ensure she stops running off.
I run dog obedience training classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings at Oakhill Veterinary Centre. If you’re looking for a friendly structured training class feel free to call for a chat or to book your place on 01772 690597 / 07843 283370.
Gundog training with Angus the Hungarian Vizsla teaching him the back command on retrieves – Preston, Lancashire · 21 January 2012
Gundog Training to the stop whistle with blind directional retrieves – Preston, Lancashire. · 21 January 2012
Gundog training with Charlie the Cocker Spaniel, Preston, Lancashire. · 21 January 2012
Andrew is shooting man and decided to train Charlie to work alongside him on shoots. Charlie is a good looking young Cocker Spaniel who reminds me of a younger version of my lad Jet, full of character and spirit both great qualities in a working dog. When a dog has as much tenacity as Charlie it’s imperative to be consistent with training to keep them occupied and in no doubt about who is in charge.
Charlie is a family dog but has the capabilities to be a fine working dog and, providing Andrew follows my training methods and commits to regular training sessions, Charlie will be ready for the 2012 shooting season. yes we are already starting to plan ahead! It’s been about 3 weeks since I’ve seen Andrew and Charlie and I’m happy with the progress they have made regarding basic training, walking to heel, steadiness, whistle commands and recall.
Todays quartering and hunting training was good, although Andrew needs to practise his whistle technique as I feel he was a touch confused about what to blow in relation to a command.. We have previously practised whistle commands whilst Charlie was on the lead to ensure she understands what is asked of her. Although she has some time to go until she is a polished working dog, Andrew and Sarah are totally committed to the training programme.
If you need help training a dog that’s new to the shooting scene or want to iron-out any unwanted behaviour that has been highlighted in the 2011 shooting season I offer both 1-2-1 and group gundog training. You can call me for an appointment on 01772 690597 or 07843 283370.
Oakhill Vet Puppy Party – Preston, Lancashire. · 19 January 2012
Every month Oakhill Veterinary Centre run puppy parties in one of their four surgeries situated in and around Lancashire. These parties offer an invaluable opportunity for an owner to introduce and socialise their puppy in a controlled and clinical environment. The knowledge of the veterinary staff is second to none and the friendly relaxed atmosphere is a great place to learn the various aspects of canine husbandry.
As Oakhill’s resident dog trainer I was invited to attended the January puppy party at their Conway Drive Surgery and it was a great night. During the session I was given the opportunity to discuss the services I offer, not only at Oakhill Veterinary Centre but, at my clients homes and my training grounds. I’m happy that some of the puppy party clients have shown an interest in attending the dog obedience training classes I run every week.
If you’re buying a new puppy and require help with veterinary care why not call into any one of Oakhill Veterinary Centre’s four surgeries for information. You may just be looking for dog obedience training so please feel free to contact me on 01772 690597 / 07843 283370.
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