best dog learning and stuff
Denny
I bet you’ve landed here because your dog's prey drive is driving you mad.
You’ve probably asked everybody you know plus the gurus of Facebook – that’s
what I did with my first high prey drive dog – and are no closer to answers than
you were at the start. Do you know what? It doesn’t have to be hard. All you
need is a bit of know how and I can give that to you no problem. I love high
prey drive dogs. Prey drive is part of the template for a dog - AND our domestic
dogs have been selectively bred to enhance some parts of it. I am on a mission
to help you understand your dog's prey drive - and learn to see how you can work
with it to make both of your lives better. A brindle bullmastiff wearing an
orange harness trotting toward the camera. I didn't always feel the way I do
now. In fact, I chose the breed of my first dog in large part because they are
meant to have a low prey drive. It wasn't something I wanted to deal with. I
avoided hounds, terriers, herding breeds, gundog breeds - and instead got myself
a Bullmastiff. Do you know what? It didn't work. He would chase deer for long
distances and he would kill and eat rabbits. And then he became aggressive
toward other dogs. I started learning. I became a Tellington TTouch Practitioner
and I spent 5 years at Bishop Burton College doing a BSc (hons) in Canine
Behaviour and Training. My dog was transformed. No more chasing wildlife and no
more being aggressive toward other dogs. So . . . A blonde collie cross dog
stands in deep snow, looking at the camera. enter Cuillin. I was done with
behaviour problems and wanted a dog who was going to be better at heelwork to
music than my Bullmastiffs. Cuillin was a Collie cross and I had big plans for
us. Until he reached a year or so old and started hunting. And then disappearing
for hours at a time. There were lots of tears from me when that started
happening. So I started learning again. I worked at it until I understood how to
work with Cuillin so that he could do what he loved and I wasn't left waiting
around for hours. I was hooked. A black and tan Cocker Spaniel sits in a wild
spot surrounded by cotton grass. I went back to Bishop Burton to study again.
This time for an MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Training. I was lucky that
during first year of the course, Serendipity the cocker spaniel came into my
life. I spent my time studying and carrying out research into prey drive in dogs
while also practicing every single day with my glorious young high prey drive
dog. I passed my MSc with distinction and a fire to share my wealth of knowledge
about reward-based, effective and kind training for high prey drive dogs. Ethics
in dog training are a key part of my business. Many years ago - long before I
ever had dogs - I spent 4 years at Glasgow University getting an honours degree
in Philosophy. That time helped me to see that ethics are so important.
