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Happy tails with Poppy's Pooches

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Poppy's the best thing that's ever happened to my very anxious rescue dog Chester and me. He's learnt for the first time that he can communicate with a human, and I've learnt how to listen. Poppy's great at helping us build clear communication, confidence and mutual trust. Thoroughly recommend her services.

Susan, parent of Chester

After doing a lot of research for a trainer for our puppy, we found Poppy,

Chico absolutely adores her, and with Poppy's help life has been manageable again with our crazy pup, work is ongoing, but we are sticking with Poppy and she really cares too which is super!

Highly recommended!

Kellie, parent of Chico

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Poppy came to help us train our German shorthaired pointer puppy Beretta. Knowing this breed is high energy and can be a handful we knew we had to find someone to help Beretta learn the right tools to become his best self, and Poppy definitely delivered! She was so amazing from the offset not only for Beretta but for me and my partner too and helping us know and learn what we needed to do to be able to give Beretta the best chances of success. She’s really changed the way we view dogs behaviours and training techniques as a whole. We really couldn’t recommend her enough. Positive reinforcement training is definitely the only route I’d ever want to use now after learning from Poppy, you won’t regret it after seeing the results she delivers, And she truly will become your dogs best friend!

Megan, parent of Beretta

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Sunrises with the Girl, no people, no dogs... Bliss.

A full weekend with Uncle Bertie!
While mummy was away during the day, Uncle Bertie was on duty.

Happy Birthday to my gorgeous girl Esme!!
A whole year old already 🥹
We had a meet up with @scratch_and_sniff whom we are so lucky to be friends with!
Then a party at the Sausages, concluding in STAKE and cuddles.

Here's to many happy returns my love.

Learning how to settle is a puppy's biggest skill.
We expect them to be able to handle so much in our busy loud world. Taking the time to teach a targeted 'settle' is a massive help for your puppy.
Where do you use 'settle'? In your home, out on walks, shops, cafes, pubs, friends houses, and so many more applications!

Need a hand? Comment or DM: PUPPY and I'll send over a package deal.

#puppytraining #positivereinforcement #hampshire #portsmouth

Crash down to earth.
Back to the traffic, on short lead, avoiding people, coping with loud noises.
Missing the fields, the quiet, and the fun!

A lovely Valentine's weekend away at The Hayloft @thewildofthewords
Esme's first trip to the land where I grew up, it was brief, emotional, and she LOVED IT!

The Hayloft was a brilliant space; warm, comfortable, plenty of space for Esme's massive bed, and plenty of comfy sleep spots.
Her window TV was much more interesting than usual, watching the horses, birds, sheep, and looking at the mountains. ALL to be seen from the window.
We will definitely be going back there, can't wait to see the farm in the spring time. Might even be brave enough to do some camping on their campsite!

Thank you for having us!

If you have a reactive doggo, let this be your sign to keep working through this with your pup!
Crystal's training walks are getting more and more enjoyable.
Once highly reactive, fearful, unconfident, and shouty!
Loud noises, hates them. Dogs, no thank you! And the pulling on the lead, nightmare.

With careful mix of management, training, confidence building and trust, JUST LOOK!!! Loud noises (digger in the video) no problem, group of dogs that were barking at us, no worries! And a Cat!? She used to try and eat those...

We still have to use R+ tools to guide her into making the decision most desirable for us, but more and more she's choosing disengagement, and focusing on the handler instead of the trigger.

So proud of this little lady!

There is hope! Keep going with an your positive reinforcement training, because it works. If you haven't started your R+ journey yet, and these behaviours sound familiar, drop me a DM, email, or visit my website.

#westie #reactivedog #nervous #positivereinforcement #dogtraining #goals

Happy Birthday Dexter!!!
Ya Big 3 year old 🥰
@dexterwolfdog

Congratulations Baxter, on completing 5 sessions focused on reactivity training! Including management, training around triggers, and muzzle training!
He has now managed to walk calmly past several of his previous triggers. Children, workers (High-Vis), scooters, joggers and buggies.

This couldn't have happened without his guardians staying consistent, and developing problem solving skills of their own!

Well done Baxter, and I hope your walks from now on are far more enjoyable for you and your parents!!

#reactivitytraining #positivereinforcement #certificate #congratulations

Chico has completed his Puppy Package!

What a difference 8 sessions made, he's gone from a jumpy, bitey, misunderstood pup... To a confident, well mannered, and steadily growing boy!
We focused on his interactions with people, communication, body language, mental and physical enrichment, Puppy schedule, lead etiquette, recall and much more!

I hope to continue seeing Chico as he grows and adapts to new challenges, and hormonal changes... Bring on the raptor phase!

#positivereinforcement #puppytraining #puppy #staffy #justababy #hampshire #dogtrainer

Why does my dog need space? Maybe we all do sometimes.

Since adopting firmer boundaries for Esme around People her nervousness has dramatically decreased. Now people aren't approaching or putting hands on her without asking, she's already more comfortable around them.

My aim? Isn't to make Esme a people-loving dog, but to show her there's a middle ground.
Now she mostly ignores them PERFECT! That's the dream. And to give her the skills and tools to cope and manage when people don't ignore her.

She's now made 2 NEW human friends, that she's actually happy and excited to meet, and they don't have a dog.

By advocating for her space and giving people as much warning as possible, Esme is slowly beginning to trust again. So now, I can introduce her to people I'd like her to be comfortable with, and she trusts that they must be OK if mum says they are.

What they don't teach you in puppy classes... Sleep regression in Dogs: This is the period where a dog's sleep pattern can significantly change. It's often characterised by increased nighttime waking, restlessness, or disrupted sleep, in Esme's case it's all three plus night barks.
This can also tie-in with the second fear phase which, if you've been following Esme's training, you'll know has manifested in people shyness/mistrust.

We had nailed Esme's sleep, her dad was the best at the nighttime routine (I'm useless after 8pm). She would settle herself in bed about 730pm, we'd wake her up for last wee's and maybe some calm interaction (brushing or settle training or just strokes), then she'd settle back down and sleep downstairs all through the night.

Then we started the 11pm barking, this usually coincided with neighbours returning from late shift, or leaving for night shift. She'd hear their car and start barking, sometimes she'd settle herself down again, sometimes we'd have to come down to interrupt the barking, taking her outside and offer toileting.
Then the 1am barks...
Then the 3am barks...
Sometimes we get the 5am barks...

It's effectively sleep torture, my partner is a much heavier sleeper than I am, I am also an insomniac and once I'm awake I sometimes cannot get back to sleep. This plays merry hell with your cognitive functions, and affects your level of calm empathetic thought too.

And funnily enough if lack of sleep does that to you, it also does the same for your dog!
Training became harder, they forget cues or routines go out the window. Needs change too, they may need more space or more attention.

On days like these, a decompression walk, a couple of slow release chews, and space to rest is ESSENTIAL. And the dog would benefit from it too.

If you'd like to know how we're managing and (when possible... But not today) training around this, drop me a DM or email.

#positiivereinforcement #rantover #dogtrainer #puppytraining

Little homemade project to keep hands away from Esme! Hopefully making interactions with humans on our terms only.
Disclaimer: The audio is for fun, Esme has not killed anyone.

@durhamanimalfeeds delivery means two things... Scrumptious treats AND destroy boxes!

How the week started-->How it's going-->How we survive

This toy lasted approximately 30minutes from getting home to destruction.
However! We do not throw away... Bee has had two operations now, currently stuffed with old socks and other broken toys and lives to be dissected another day!
The inner ball now works as a slow feeder.

Is your dog a serial toy destroyer?

Esme having a sociable day!
We've discovered that men are less scary if they have a dog, so using the sausages to practice Engage/disengage with a willing victim (I mean participant). We then took the dogs away and practiced the same again with no reactions. Proud of you Esme.

First ever Bella and Duke meal! Taking advantage of their 40% off deal.

Definitely met with Esme's approval!

@bellaanddukepet #bellaandduke #rawfooddiet

Taste test!
Is your dog a Snaffle them or a Picky one?

2024 brought us you.
Esmerelda ❤️ 29/02/2024

Thank you to all my clients who have been in a position to give my girl the best socialising, training opportunities, and FUN!

Looking forward to what 2025 brings for us!

Question for 29th of February babies, do you celebrate on 28th of Feb or 1st March?

This New Year's Eve, Esme would like to remind you to:

- Get last walkies done by 5pm (before it's dark)

- Make sure your dog has their collar on and the tag has up-to-date contact information, (just in case).

- Have supervised Garden time, once it's dark.

- Set up Safe Space, and make sure they have free access to it.

- Give calming remedies BEFORE it's dark, if you wait until fireworks start it's too late for them to be effective.

- Prep lickies/slow feeders NOW, and pop in the freezer.

- COMFORT YOUR DOG! You CANNOT reinforce fear, please give your dog the comfort they ask for. This could be physical comfort or the space/hidey-holes they require.

Wishing all my Clients very Merry Seasonal Greetings. Hope you all enjoy some family time, and enjoy spending time with your doggies!
Remember to advocate for your pups, give them space, listen to body language, and watch out for poisonous foods!

I'll be off until 28th December, I'll get back to any messages on that date.

Merry Christmas!

Esme in the New Forest!

We stayed at Stud Farm Glamping, a gorgeous shepherds hut, and so sturdy... Which we were thankful for during the storm.

First time with Horses and New Forest Ponies, first time sharing a bed with Mum or dad (it couldn't be both, she's a hogger).

Esme's been showing a tendency to be 'people reactive', so we're using an 'I Need Space' sign to manage this while I up the training.

She coped well with the changes to routine, went off her food a little so treated her to Ham and Eggs at the pub, while I ate the chips. Off-lead time when appropriate, but her lead etiquette is doing so well it's no hardship having her on-lead... Especially around new experiences like New Forest Ponies!

For the ponies I used our 'Look at that' cue, then 'No Game' to encourage disengagement. 'Let's Go' to walk past them, and CONSTANT praise as we walked passed.

@studfarmglamping @newforestnpa

So...
Puberty is hitting Esme hard. She's started her first season, and she'll have one more before we get her spayed, so trying to learn as much as possible to make the next one easier.

She's more disturbed at night, barking at little noises, which means she's antsy during the day.
On-lead walks only around dogs, which is leading to a bit of frustration.
She's mainly vocalising a lot more, barking and whining.

So, what have we been doing to help her, during this difficult time, FOR HER.

We've been using lots of mental stimulation, canine massage, lickies and chews.
Giving her as much choice as possible. After we discovered she preferred being cooler, we've had the backdoor open (hearing off, so jumpers On). I put her cold mat back in her bed, so she's sleeping a bit better.
Using the rescue remedy to help soothe and calm her.
Trying to walk her when there's no dogs around so she can have off-lead time and taking her out with calm, neutered females for play time (not recommended unless you KNOW the other dog will be ok with an in season female).
Setting up more quiet time during the day for rest, this has helped with separation training she's up to 3hrs, next step 3hrs and a half.

All in all, not an easy time for anyone. Mainly because she's growing so fast!
But, by changing a few routines and listening to her, we're getting through it.

#inheat #inseason #femaleproblems

Esme is 6months old, 24.5kg, we're on the cusp of adolescence so training wise we go back to step1 to remind her what she knows.
She's confident around dogs, currently learning not to run up to/play with everyone.
Less confident with people, doesn't like them looking at or trying to touch her, so we'll be focusing on positive interactions giving her autonomy (with humans who have been trained/drilled).
Favourite snacks; loves Beef neck chews (which STINK), lamb lung, and cow hooves. We think pork upsets her tummy, so avoiding that, until we can confirm.
Tug is best game, chewing on old tea towels (that we've given her) and we love dissecting stuffed toys.

Best friend is Bertie, which is a coincidence as he's mine!

We're in Love with her!
And I'd say she's a 50/50 dog, loves Kyle and I equally.

#positivereinforcement
#puppytraining
#6monthsold
#poppyspositivepooches
#babygirl #bestgirl #adoptdontshop

Morning meal prep for Esme. First I wash all the licky toys and food bowls, before prepping the food.
Video summary:
4 silicone ridged toys, 3 corn on the cob shaped, 1 carrot shaped, that are then smeared with sweet potato and yoghurt mixture, with a blueberry placed on top. These are put in the freezer to use throughout the day.
A carrot shaped bowl that's a slow feeder, this has some wet food we're using up and a spoonful of the same veg mix and soaked in water. This goes in the fridge ready for dinner time.
A round bamboo bowl, that raw chicken is then placed in, this is for breakfast.
With a sleepy black dog lying down in the background.

#puppytraining #mealprep #dogtrainer #hampshire

Making Esme's Sweet Potato and carrot mash, this is part of her raw food diet. We smear it on her licky toys, freeze them and then give them to her before naps/encourage settles or if her teeth are hurting.

Boil sweet potato and carrot until soft, you can add a herb to improve breath (I've added two sprigs of rosemary)
Drain, or save the water for ice cube enrichment.
Remove the sprigs/stems of herbs
MASH IT UP
Once cooler Add 2-4 tablespoons of natural yoghurt (greek, full fat)
Seal and store in the fridge to use as and when.
1 sweet potato and a couple of carrots, usually lasts us a week and a half.

#enrichment
#enrichmentfordogs #rawfooddiet #eatyourveggies #howto

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Tailored training for you and your dog's needs.

Positive and rewarding experiences

Happy tails with Poppy's Pooches

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Tailored training
for you and your
dog's needs.