toddies dog training
Having a dog is one of the most incredible experience's life can offer. Or so I
was told. I found a great breeder who I met at a show. Her dogs were beautiful,
and my heart melted as I watched them trot around the show ring. I couldn't wait
for my boy to arrive. Prior to him joining the family, I spent hours watching
and reading books to prepare for his arrival. So, he arrives, and I was over the
moon, to put it lightly. Four weeks into having this tiny, lively puppy, who was
12 weeks old, I got the shock of my life! My little Ted, my beautiful boy, gave
me the biggest, angriest bite you could imagine. His teeth crushed my fingers,
leaving them bruised and bloody. This was not a dog but a Tasmanian devil.
Although my hand hurt, my heart was crushed. It's very easy to fall out of love
with a dog you can't trust. As you can imagine, I was devastated and realised
that I needed to learn more so this incident didn't happen again. I spent an
enormous amount of time researching and putting into practice what I had learnt.
I found that the style of "Old School Punishment" just wasn't working with Ted.
I understand why looking back with the knowledge I am blessed with now. There is
so much information out there, books, television programmes, YouTube videos,
blogs. It's a minefield and so easy to travel down the wrong path, and I
certainly had taken the wrong path for Ted and me. Unfortunately, I learned how
to be mean, how to shout and even hurt my puppy, asserting my dominance, to show
him who was boss and Nip it in the Bud. Honestly, in a world where we already
control our dogs, be it when they're fed, what is given, when we take them for a
walk, who they can stop and say hello to, when and if they can have a treat. How
much control do we need? Fortunately, very fortunately, I met a fabulous lady
called Lynda Edmondson, who ran a doggy dancing class near me. It was here that
I was introduced to a totally different world of training, of positive
reinforcement where you motivated your dog to learn and work as a team. These
times were truly magical, filled with fun, and my eyes were opened to a kind way
to train. I learnt to love my dog for who he was, to stop focussing on the
negative. We then attended a monthly clicker workshop with Lynda, and this was
when Ted and me came into our own, and I loved to show off what we could both
achieve together. Ted is an English toy Terrier with a huge personality which I
fully appreciate and can now accept. After many years on a journey of learning
and training to become a specialist in my field, which was initially to support
Ted, I qualified with the IABTC. I completed their dog training and behavioural
modification course. I now enjoy a career that I love. I am still committed to
learning and keep up to date with new research. In my previous life, I was a
time and motion technician in a clothing factory. I would study people, then
create a process to train others to complete the work more efficiently. Saving
companies time and money. I suppose it's quite similar to what I am offering you
as a dog trainer. I will study your dog and your relationship, then create a
process of training that can be carried out and repeated to improve behaviour.
Reduce the amount of time wasted looking online, reading endless books, leaving
you none the wiser. Tap into my knowledge and all of the time and money I've
spent learning how not to do things as much as how to do things. My main aim is
to set you up to succeed. If you are successful, then I'm successful. I will
give you my full support to learn how to make immediate changes, enjoy the
mischief and appreciate your dog's true personality. Give me a call if you want
to chat about creating a dog that is a joy to be around and find your best
friend.
