Kay Laurence - Learning About Dogs

Learning Flexibility

Send us a textWhen we plan the future of this wonderful new life we can begin to think in terms of how we want them to be as adults. This can make our training plans quite narrow and centric to our expectations. Instead if we view them as learners that can be flexible then there is no limit to what they can learn for all of their future. 

Too Much Freedom?

Send us a textAs much as we would love to be able to let our youngsters enjoy plenty of freedom to explore, learn, run free; the realities of the desires of your adolescent dog means that:"Explore" morphs quickly into reverse engineering your sofa, laptop, waste bins; or run the neighbourhood until darkness and hunger drives them home"Learn" is discovering of the joyous sensations of digging, chewing, chasing"Run free" becomes a license to irritate all local wildlife, other dogs, other people or cats We can design an adolescence with plenty of selected opportunities to learn without compromising their development or blossoming personalities. This period is very much about learning the future skills of being an adult in your world. 

Setting the Future with a Family of Dogs

Send us a textImportant conversations when we graduate from one dog to two: Does one dog teach the other bad habits and can we ask them to teach good habits? Delivering rewards, you only have two hands, training one dog without excluding the other: learning the important skills of spectating and not feeling left out. Walking together: your body language is the dominant cue and we have to be careful not to let them feed off each other in arousal. Nose put out: the long term resident can feel upset by the demands of the new puppy. Be sure they have their special moments. 

Hands that are magic

Send us a textOur hands are very often used for communication and for the pup most importantly CONTACT.  The way we use our hands, where they touch the puppy, how they touch the puppy will be building associations for life. Hands that can be trusted and hands that will deliver sensational rewards. Hands that will later becomes tools: hands can begin the feelings of brushes, cleaning and holding for stillness.  Building familiarity with the movement and actions of your hands can build a future for easy veterinary procedures in the future. 

Growing so fast: 16-20 weeks old

Send us a textA period of exceptional growth  where the pup's world seems to shrink as they grow larger. Feet seem gigantic and unmanageable, teeth are falling out, appetites and growing and sleep is the deepest kind. Not a time we should be expecting cognitive gymnastics but still need to feed the learning appetite. Having survived many of these transition periods Kay and Frances share their observations and recommendations.