Welfare Welcome to Dax

Meet the lovely Dax, and he's about 2 years old now. Dax has been here for a year, and his previous owners only for a week. They'd been told that Dax was good with dogs and children. Unfortunately he's comfortable with neither.  This is most likely by a lack of socialisation, because he is actually a loving boy.

 

While being handed over to us, a leaf blew past and he went to the ground. From his behaviour it seems likely that he's never lived in a house and is more at ease in an outside kennel. We don’t usually home dogs to live outside, but in this instance we would make an exception.

If you're considering adopting one of our dogs then find out more about the process here - https://gsdwelfare.blogspot.com/p/adopting-german-shepherd-dog.html 

Tia Pupdate - Moving Kennel

Morning everypawdy. Tia here with a new pupdate. Exciting things have been happening here. The hooman moved me to a different kennel. Not just any kennel, but the one next door to Rodney! She said it might help him to have company. I don’t know if it is helping him, but it’s helping me, I can tell you! I mean who wouldn’t want to live next door to Rodney? He’s quite a catch. I think he is playing by that old adage “treat them mean to keep them keen” because he done a lot of swearing to start with. It’s working though cos I am keen.

I think he is falling for my charms now. We look at each other through the bars and even sniff up close. The hooman called me a floozy. She’s a fine one to talk. You should see how she acts when she spots a man with a German Shepherd. She doesn’t even bother to try to hide it.

I don’t try to play that game anymore where I run away just as I’m about to go in the run. In fact I keep running back to the kennel trying to get back in to. Do you think Rodney will find me too forward doing this. I can’t help myself. I still sleep in the house at night but the hooman has to let me out quite early as I need to get back to my Rodney. I think we will get married soon. Must go. Rodney is swearing. Oh, he is so masterful.

Love Tia

Welfare Welcome to Bailey

Please give a warm Welfare welcome to this handsome chappie, Bailey. He's just over two years old. Sadly he has found himself in Welfare because his owners couldn’t find a suitable rental property that allowed dogs 

He's a little nervous and reactive towards dogs, but hopefully with some positive socialisation this may improve. He is being cared and loved for by Uncle Lawrence. 

Welcome to the family Bailey 

If you're interested in providing a forever home for one of our dogs then read about the process here - https://gsdwelfare.blogspot.com/p/adopting-german-shepherd-dog.html 

Meet Dickie

Last Sunday Lexi's litter went off to their new homes and a crazy fun filled day it was! One of those pups - Dickie, well his home isn't so far away at all. As can be expected he's bursting with energy and doing well with his recall as well.

Tia's Pupdates - Playing is Chasing

Morning everypawdy. Tia here with a quick pupdate. You will be pleased to know I’ve been on my best behaviour. It’s the hooman that’s misbehaving. I am trying to initiate a new game with her but she won’t join in which is so unfair. 

It would be a really fun game. And it’s simple. So simple that even she could understand it but no. She is such a spoil sport. When it comes time to go in my run I pretend to be going in then at the last minute run away to get her to chase me. Sounds like fun - right?

I have tried play bows. Barking. Biting her. Nothing seems to work and I’m running out of ideas. If you can think of anything that will make her chase me please let me know. She doesn’t even pretend to join in. She totally ignores me. I don’t think she’s quite got the hang of it even though it is simple, because instead of chasing me she goes in my run and puts treats in there. 

I’m not allowed loads of treats anymore as she said I’m getting a belly. There’s a reason why she’s buying the next size clothes and it’s not muscle so I don’t think she should be mentioning things like that. At this point as much as I want to play the chase game instead of going in my run the treats get the better of me so I go in. 

If only she would just try the game once I’m sure she would enjoy it as much as me so we could play it all the time. I suppose I shouldn’t moan too much as she is good at tossing. Bye for now. Tia 💖💖

Welfare Welcome to Loki

Please can we give a warm Welfare welcome to this gorgeous boy. His name is Loki and he is one year old. He's found himself with us because he fought with the other resident dogs. Therefore, he will be homed as an only dog. He is being cared for by Uncle Lawrence. 

 

Welcome Loki 

Learn about adopting one of our dogs here  - https://gsdwelfare.blogspot.com/p/adopting-german-shepherd-dog.html

Behavioural Topics - Desensitisation and Counter Conditioning

For her latest behavioural topic Lisa Hird looks at how desensitisation and counter conditioning should work when training your dog.

Discover more about her work and training experience  on her website: https://www.dogbehaviourclinic.co.uk/

Desensitisation and Counter Conditioning

I often hear about operant conditioning (obedience training) being used to try to change unwanted behaviour, especially in fearful dogs.

Asking a dog to Sit or Look at Me while unpleasant things happen is not a good way to help him! Would you sit down in a roomful of spiders?

Asking a dog to do something in the presence of a scary thing could lead to that behaviour actually being associated with the scary thing! Using food during something the dog finds aversive, scary or unpleasant does not mean you are counter conditioning him! You may even cause an aversion to that particular food/toy or treat. Feeding food while something unpleasant happens is NOT counter conditioning. In order for counter-conditioning to occur (changing an emotional response), the order in which it is carried out is essential.

The scary thing needs to be presented FIRST and at a level that does not provoke a fearful response in the dog, then the high-value food/toy or whatever you’re using FOLLOWS.

The SCARY THING leads to a WONDERFUL thing, not the other way around.