http://www.yourdog.co.uk 3I
can’t be the only dog owner who notices
a signifi cant change in their daily dog walks at this
time of year. Our quiet little corner, on the edge of
the Fens, is transformed. For starters, where have all
these new dogs and their owners come from? And
where were they in January when the arctic winds
were blowing across the frozen landscape straight
from the Urals?
And then there’s the sudden explosion of wildlife
and new scents and smells. Even my often most
unterrier-like of terriers has a defi nite spring in
his step, a rather uncharacteristic desire to chase
anything that moves, and an obsession with
investigating every clump of grass we pass!
Yes, walking the dog can defi nitely be wonderful
in the spring, but it also presents some challenges,
which is why behavioural trainer Jackie Drakeford
has some advice for us all this issue, so we can
make the most of our seasonal dog walks — see
page 12.
This month also sees the start of our new series
‘My problem puppy’, and we’re very pleased to
be welcoming dog trainer Steve Mann ontoEd or
’
s
l e erTallulah, from Woking, in Surrey,
is a six-month-old Cavapoo, who
was just a few weeks old when our
cover pic was taken.
Owner Biba Walker-Shaw says:
“Tallulah is an all-round, gentle,
loving, and sweet-natured puppy,
who loves playing with children
of all ages, other dogs and cats.”
Sounds as if she’s as
gorgeous as she looks!WHO’S ON THE
COVER THIS MONTH?EDITOR
SARAH WRIGHT
“For me, May
is a time for
adventure,
a time to explore
the countryside,
including one of our
favourite dog walking
areas, the North Norfolk
coast. Bertie loves
a paddle!”CONTRIBUTOR
ANDREA
MCHUGH
“The outdoor
agility season gets
fully underway in
May, and there are
lots of shows to enjoy with
my dogs, Coco, Honey, and
Sango. After a long day at
agility, we love to go for
a relaxing woodland walk
and breathe in the scents
of the bluebells!”WHO’S ON THE
COVER THIS MONTH?our contributors’ team. Steve, the founder of the
Institute of Modern Dog Trainers, will be helping all
you puppy owners out there with tips and advice;
this month it’s toilet training.
And if, like me, you enjoy getting out and
exploring with your dog in May, just stop and have
a think about how your pet travels in the car and
just how safe he is. Karen Bush and Toni Shelbourne
have some good advice on page 34.
Of course, this is just a taster of what’s in this
month’s magazine. Have a fl ick through and you’ll
discover lots more great reading.
Enjoy!THINGS TO LOOK
FORWARD TO
THIS MONTH...12 Your Dog May 2019 http://www.yourdog.co.uk 13Spring dog walks are a highlight of
the year. But, do you know how to
make the most of them? Jackie
Drakeford advises.
“All this is blissful for dogs...”“Older dogs need less
more interest, distance and
so a sniffiwalk...” ngEq u i p m e n t c h e c k
Walking the dog▼
We all know that moment of pure horror when someone, who is dogless and dressed in white, appears ahead of us
Never be afraid to pop the lead back on your dog to on a muddy track. avert disaster!can be quite worrying especially sunglasses Hats and sunglasses for some dogs,
because your dog can’t make eye contact, so accustom him to these fi rst in the safety of
your home and garden. frequent eye contact for confi dence, lift your If your dog needs
time so he can see you glasses from time to are still ‘in there’!TOP TIP!TOP TIPMost dog walkers know that whatever they wear must be robust, comfortably loose-fi tting,
and easy to wash. No matter how warm the day, keep arms and legs covered to protect
yourself from midges and other winged biters (annoying, but relatively
harmless) or ticks (very nasty). Footwear should enclose your feet,
and have non-slip soles. you have carried in your coat pockets all winter The various essentials
— poo bags, spare lead, treats, tissues, tuggy toy,
phone, car keys, and so on — are harder to accommodate in summer clothing. I can
recommend wearing a gundog trainer or falconer over vest; these swallow up
a plethora of essentials without being heavy or cumbersome, and can even manage
a water bottle and small collapsible bowl for those longer walks.WALK THIS WAYIf you asked your dogs where they would like to walk, woods and fi elds would come top of
the list with almost all of them. There is space to run, diffscents to enjoy, and weemails to check. All this is blissful erent
for dogs, leaving them mentally fulfi lled as well as physically exercised.it can be the best part of your day, too.And, with a little preparation, Many beaches are closed to
dogs during the summer, but if you have beach access, dogs love a blast across the sand, and a game in the water. You
need to be careful if your dog is a swimmer, though, because it is all too easy for him to get into
FIT FOR FUNCTIONIf winter restrictions mean your dog has become unfiwork up to longer walks t,
gradually, so that by the time you are ready for long hikes, your dog is, too. Jogging or cycling is OK
for fi t, young dogs, but it is nowhere near as much fun for the dog as being able to take time to enjoy
the diff erent aspectsof his surroundings. distance and more interest, so a sniffi ng walk, with Older dogs need less
plenty of mental stimulation, will do them more good than the long yomps they enjoyed when they were young. It’s
all too easy to forget or deny the ageing process. Don’t rely on your dog to ‘tell’ you that he has had enough,
because dogs are so loyal,and love their walks so much, that many will keep going even in considerable discomfort.
diff erent surfaces on paws, and plan ahead so you keep out of the sun at the hotter Be aware of the eff ects of
times of day. If your dog’s coat is clipped in summer, remember this affits insulating properties ects
against heat and wet.Nnew perspective. commitments mean that dog For those of us whose work ow the days are getting longer, walking your dog takes on a whole
walking in the winter is all about torches and tarmac, there’s the opportunity — at last — to take our dogs
‘o fflead. And those of us who have been exercising our dogs all winter along footpaths and -piste’ and let them off the
through woodland in the half-light discover ‘new’ dogs seem to be everywhere! Often these dogs are new
to their owners too, and may be overcome with excitement at their sudden freedom, displaying behaviours that
are normal for dogs but instil anxiety in owners. about all sorts of new dogs and Suddenly, you have to learn
owners, and rather quickly, too. You may need to readjust your expectations in order to get the most enjoyment out of your
walks, instead of coming home furious, shattered, embarrassed, or profoundly grateful you still have the dog!trouble with strong currents. that scavenge, too, whether from rotting fi sh seething There are risks for dogs
with pathogens, or fatbergs of solidifi ed oils and chemicals. You need to be vigilant at the seaside; make sure your dog’s
ABOUT JACKIEJackie Drakeford is recall is good, and then you can relax and enjoy the space and sea air.
an experienced dog behaviourist whose special interest is aggression. Recently retired as a Kennel
Club Accredited Instructor, she writes and lectures on all aspects of canine behaviour.Enjoy your spring walks.Jogging with your dog doesn’t give him much opportunity to sniff.Watch out for scavenging on the beach.34 Your Dog May 2019 http://www.yourdog.co.uk 35ABOUT KARENKaren Bush has been a contributor to Your Dog Magazine for many years, writing features
covering all aspects of canine training, behaviour, health, and general care. She has also written a number of books, including
‘Dog-Friendly Gardening’ and the best-selling ‘The Dog Expert’. Karen currently shares her home
with Angel, a rescue Whippet.
ABOUT TONIAfter a long and successful career with Guide Dogs, Toni Shelbourne started
her own business as a Tellington TTouch companion animal practitioner. She is now one of the highest qualifi ed practitioners
in the country. She teaches all over the UK and abroad, gives webinars, works with clients’ one to one,
and writes articles and books.Keeping your dog and your passengers
safe in the car isn’t necessarily as
straightforward as it seems. Karen
BushShelbourne and Toni advise.cannot distract you while you suitably restrained, so they “Make sure dogs are
are driving... ”Abut, when it comes to our dogs, it’s often a diff erent story.Rule 57 of the Highway Code states: utomatically fastening our seat belts when travelling in the car seems to be second nature to us humans,
“When in a vehicle, make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained, so they cannot distract you while you are driving, or injure you, or themselves, if you stop
quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dogBELT UP!
▼A DO●do not restrain their dogs while Forty four per cent of owners REVEALED THAT:GS TRUST SURVEY●fi nding their dogs a distraction. Twenty fi● (^) to take their hands off the Ten per cent said they had ve per cent admitted to in the car.
cage, or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.”FALLING FOUL four-legged passengers.wheel to restrain their
OF THE LAWRule 57 of the Highway Code is a guideline, rather than a law, but driving with an unrestrained pet could lead to you being
charged with a number of off ences, and the code can be used in evidence, in any court proceedings under the Traffi c Acts, to establish liability. Charges of driving without due care and
attention or, more seriously, dangerous driving, caused by being distracted by your dog, could result in a fifrom three to nine penalty points on ne of up to £5,000,
your licence, and even disqualifi cation and a custodial sentence.with the Highway Code’s guidelines are likely to invalidate your car insurance, and That’s not all either, as failure to comply
may lead to it becoming diffi cult to obtain insurance with any other company.RESTRAINING
YOUR DOGApart from preventing your dog from interfering with, or distracting the driver, suitable restraint can also help prevent injury caused to passengers in the event
of a collision; a loose pet can be thrown forwards with potentially killing force. can contain your dog in the car. None is There are a variety of ways in which you
perfect and all have both good and bad points, which you will need to weigh up when making your choice. How well (or otherwise) your dog
travels in the car, as well as his size, the type of vehicle you have, and the depth of
your pockets, may also be a deciding factor.DOG GUARDS/BARRIERS
Placed behind front or rear seats, these are designed to block off a section of the car. Pros● Allows maximum amount of freedom of
movement, enabling your dog to fimost comfortable position.●easy to put up and take down again, when Usually an inexpensive option; quick and nd the
you have more human passengers and no dog in the car. Cons● Allows your dog to jump around in the
car, thereby still posing a distraction.●of an accident, your pet could escape onto the road. Should the back door open in the event
CRATE/TRAVELLING KENNELAvailable in a wide variety of shapes and materials, a small or medium size will fi t
on the back seat of most vehicles. You may need to fold the rear passenger seats forward to fi t a larger crate in. Crates should be large enough to allow your dog to
stand up, lie down, and comfortably turn around. Small crates are safest placed on the fl oor behind the front seat; larger ones may need to be secured to keep them from
sliding around, so will need to be of sturdy construction. Introduce the crate in your home fi rst, where your dog is most relaxed and confi dent. If he’s already accustomed to using a crate indoors, don’t assume he’ll
automatically accept it when it’s placed in the car. Although you may be able to skip the ‘at home’ step, repeat the introductory procedure with it in the vehicle.
Pros●well as preventing him from being able to jump about in the car or interfering with other dogs travelling with him. May encourage your dog to lie down, as
●him from becoming visually stimulated by passing vehicles and other objects he spots through the window. Can be covered with a sheet to stop
●a covered ‘den’. Many dogs feel safer travelling in
A car harness needs to be properly fi tted.
Happy travels!
Make sure you arrive at your destination safely. Dog guards are quick and easy to use but may not prevent your dog
from jumping around.
A dog crate can be a secure option. http://www.yourdog.co.uk 35 ▼
nck and when d no
n the
●a covered ‘den’.Many dogs feel safertravelling in
Check whether the equipment you use is crash tested. 48 Your Dog May 2019 http://www.yourdog.co.uk 49
ABOUT STEVEOne of the most high-profi le dog trainers in the UK, Steve Mann runs the Institute of Modern
Dog Trainers (www.imdt.uk.com) and presents courses on canine training and behaviour all over the
world. Steve’s new book ‘Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy’ is out now and available from all good book shops. Be consistent, be disciplined, and be positive — that’s the key to successful toilet training, says trainer Steve Mann.
“Remember: what gets treated gets repeated.”
Your windows of opportunity to heavily reinforce toileting outside are:●● First thing in the morning. After eating.
●●●●● After a visitor arrives. After waking. After any excitement indoors. After play. If you see puppy sniffi ng and circling the fl oor.
● Last thing at night.
So, now you know the reasons, let’s look at the tools needed to tackle the problem:
●●●for puppy body language. A wee/poo diary. A puppy pen. A keen eye
●●cleaning products.●good, deep breaths Commitment. Correct enzymatic Patience and a few
(other than when you’re cleaning up number twos)!
It takes time for a pup to develop full bladder control.
Toilet
training
▼
MYPUPPY!problem
Nwhen toilet training. Imagine giving any other visitor to your house the benefi t of the doubt othing illustrates how much we love our puppies like the commitment we show
when you spot a little ‘mistake’ on the carpet!a puppy may toilet indoors; maybe they haven’t learned the There are many reasons why
best place to wee and poo yet; maybe it’s just physically impossible for them to hold on as full bladder control may take up to 20 weeks to
a symptom of pure excitement when visitors come to the house.of needing ‘to go’, but simply develop; or maybe the indoor toileting isn’t purely a case
h
n
number twos)!
CONTROL AND MANAAs much as possible, until the puppy is fully toilet trained, he or she should be under the GEMENT
supervision of a designated ‘watcher’, or in their small den area.the puppy like a hawk, for any The watcher’s job is to watch
body language signals that indicate the puppy needs the tcircling the flis sometimes considered oilet, such as sniffi oor. This behaviour ng and
a throwback to when dogs used to check the ground for snakes, and to soften down the grass, before they eliminated!If you can’t keep your
eyes on puppy while indoors, pop him in a nice, small, safe area, such as a puppy pen in the kitchen, ideally on a hard surface and not an invitingly
absorbent one, which dogs love to wee on.receives his meals and gets plenty of opportunity to sleep If you can, make sure puppy
in his pen, as, like all of us, given the choice the last place he’ll want to toilet is where he sleeps and eats, so the puppy pen is the perfect location for these short,
unsupervised sessions.traditionalists, I’m not a fan of putting down newspaper or puppy pads indoors for In contrast to some
a puppy to wee on. As far as I’m concerned, that’s still ‘training’ and conditioning the puppy to wee indoors. Ultimately, we don’t
want that regardless of what surface they’re on, so let’s start as we mean to go on.
OUTSIDE OPTIONNext, we’re going to help the puppy learn that toileting outside is the very BEST thing they could ever do.
behaviour of toileting outside; as all good dog trainers and owners know, behaviour that is reinforced in the past We’re going to heavily reinforce the
is more likely to occur in the future. But when is our moment to strike; how can we tilt the cards in our favour to give us those all-important opportunities for reinforcement?
pick up or encourage your puppy outside, and then wait... silently... and wait... and wait... When any of the occasions above occur, Only when the puppy has gone to the
toilet outside, can you start the huge reinforcement process; praise, treats, promise of a pet cat, whatever it takes; if puppy loves it, make sure they get it as soon as they fi nish their wee or poo.
just won’t do it here — be generous, and remember: what gets treated gets repeated.A formal ‘good dog’ and a fi rm handshake
toileting inside = nothing; toileting outside = the best stuff in the world. Who among us isn’t prepared to cross their legs a little longer and ask to go outside to earn the best The lesson from the pup’s perspective is:
stuff in the world?and he hasn’t ‘splashed his boots’, then simply give it a quiet fi ve minutes, take the puppy back inside again, and pop him back If, however, you’ve taken puppy outside
in his den. Give it another go in 10 minutes. Repeat as necessary and as soon as puppy does ‘go’ outside... it’s party time!
KEEP A DIARYThis is the time to mark in your wee/poo diary. After a few weeks, you’ll start to see
a pattern of times puppy actually goes to the toilet. you customise This will help
your plan to suit your puppy’s needs and highlight the times of day you need to be taking
him outside.if need be; it’s a pain, I know, but certainly not as much of a pain Set an alarm on your phone
as scrubbing a rug!
TOILETING OVERNIGHTAs mentioned, puppies won’t want to toilet where they eat and sleep; however, those little bladders and bowels can only
‘hold on’ for a certain amount of time, so commit to getting up early at the start of your toilet training regime to limit mistakes as much as possible.
each morning as the toilet training develops.soon start adding an extra 10 minutes in your bed If done correctly, you can
http://www.yourdog.co.uk 49
linedlis the key to sud, (^) cccceesssssfffffuuulllllll
a good enzymatic cleaner and often be drawn back to toilet If an accident occurs, use give the area a really good wash, otherwise dogs will
previously eliminated. Clean it once and clean it properly.on areas where they have
TOP TIP!
process as soon as the behaviour is complete, NOT as soon as it starts. This is one behaviour where you want to start the reinforcement
with the reinforcement and start the fully done, then puppy will ‘half-wee’, grab the reinforcement from you, run If you’re a little too trigger-happy celebrations before the toileting is
back inside and fi nish the ‘job’ on the comfort of your best carpet!
TOP TIP!
Take your pup out after any excitement, such as visitors calling or play sessions.
Accidents will happen.
Outside is the place to be.
Be vigilant for signs that your pup needs to toilet.
Editor
...to all the new
subscribers who signed
up at Crufts. Hope you
enjoy the mag!
A BIG
WELCOME...
Eq u i p m e n t c h e c k Eq u i p m e n t c h e c k Eq u i p m e n t
that whatever they
PAGE
12
PAGE
34
PAGE
48
CONTRIBUTOR
KAREN BUSH
“I’m a big fan of
Battersea Dogs
and Cats Home,
and I’m looking
forward to its
fundraising Muddy Dog
Challenge at Windsor. I’m
not taking part, but I know
someone who is!”
d or le er
Images: Mark Taylor, Warren Photographic Ltd.
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