Pippin Pets: Recent Episodes
Jo Sellers
All about dogs! Separation Anxiety and general dog training tips to help your dog be calmer and you can have a happier life! Jo Sellers from Pippin Pets Dog Training will guide you and your dog.
Muzzles can be an emotive topic, but I feel that muzzles are a great management tool, allows dog to be safer, and have more freedoms.
They show responsible ownership - as long as it's the right muzzle for your dog of course.
Listen here to find out more, and about how to get the right muzzle for your dog.
I refer to the Muzzle Movement, the Muzzle Shop, Chirag Patel's muzzle training on youtube and the Dogs In Yellow day on 20th March (to respect space for muzzled dogs who are in yellow).
The Muzzle Movement has a great factsheet too to help you decide the right material and sizing for your dog - go to their website for more info.
If you need help with muzzle training then get in touch - Pippin Pets Dog Training
What is scent detection training for pets?
We teach our dogs to hunt for a specific target scent, and get prizes for finding it.
Most dogs find their way through their noses, and it taps into their natural instincts to give them pleasure. It also lowers their heart rate so its perfect for all dogs, especially the nervous or reactive ones.
It can be done indoors or outside, and ideal for all ages and mobility levels.
It's my girl's favourite game, and it tires her out much more than any physical exercise, as it uses a larger part of the brain.
If you listen to this on the release, February 2024, then I have new 2 part workshops at Rokers in Guildford (so excited for this venue!) that you can book via my website www.pippinpetsdogtraining.co.uk/training or if after this date, look out for more dates or book your dog for 1-2-1 scent training. I've even taught this online.
If you are further afield, then head to the UK Sniffer Dogs to find a more local instructor to you.
I have the pleasure of chatting with the wonderful Tom Candy, champion and specialist of rescue dogs, as well as being Senior Behaviourist for Dogs Trust.
Rescue dogs sometimes get the unnecessary labels of broken or helpless dogs, and for that reason can be easily overlooked.
We bust a few myths about some of these labels, talk about the reality of these dogs, and just how much work and effort is done by some of the amazing rescue centres to help these dogs not only adjust but thrive so that they get snapped up into new homes as soon as they can.
It's a long chat- an hour, but so insightful and I loved every minute listening to Tom.
Here is the link to his facebook page - Simplifying Shelter Behaviour - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550613461377
Need help settling in your rescue dog?
Get in touch about my 1-2-1 coaching packages to help and support you with your dog.
The XL Bully has been added to the Breed Specific Legislation under the Dangerous Dog Act.
But what does this mean, what do owners have to do, and is it really going to work?
I give my thoughts on this new addition to the legislation, and what I think would be better instead....
This is such a common dilemma for dog owners, and especially those that are worried that if their dog sleeps on their bed, they may cause the separation anxiety.
Let me dispel some myths here, and say that if you want your dog on your bed, go for it!
You're more likely to trigger or exasperate separation anxiety if you shut your dog downstairs and leave them to cry all night.
Have a listen here, and also my tips on how to move your dog from your bed to their own if that is what you are wanting to do.
What does this actually mean? Not ever going out?
When we train for separation anxiety, for best progress and results, we don't want your dog to get distressed again and this means to never leave them longer than they can currently cope with.
However, you do need to go out so this is where you create a village of helpers to sit with your dog for every time you pop away.
Hassle - yes, but..... just think that in the future you won't need them at all as your dog will be much happier and settled home alone as you have taught them to feel safe when left in the house without you.
It really is one of the main keys to success.
If you are not making progress, then is this the reason?
To ensure success for your dog, you need to plan.
Knowing what you are doing, and how to progress the exercise or skill is essential for your dog to learn it. How do you know if the training has worked if you don't plan!
This applies to tricks, skills, scent detection and separation anxiety.
Don't despair - I've released a lovely dog training journal on Amazon that will help you.
Fill in the blanks, look back on how far you have come, and look forward to how amazing your dog will be!
Quick link here for you! https://amzn.eu/d/eAI04IQ
It's often the first thing owners want to get their dogs to do, but this really should be the last.
Your relationship with your dog, building the trust and meeting their welfare needs should be the priority.
I have a real problem with the Sit position for most dogs - it can be uncomfortable, exhausting, inappropriate and can bring on early pains and arthritis. In this episode I go through my reasons why I don't teach this anymore. What do you think?
Collies, and collie x's, are exceptional dogs that will work till they drop!
But can they make good pets?
This is the question I put to Martina Miradoli, the Collie Specialist who runs That'll Do Academy.
Being a collie owner for years, she has a deep understanding of the breed, and the differences between the working and show lines, and which type would suit you best depending on what you are wanting to do with them (think time and energy!)
She goes through how to keep them happy if you don't have your own farm and how to really get the best out of them without them getting self employed if bored.
Lots of tips and advice, and I learnt lots too.
Be warned - it's a long one!!!
Have a listen, this is also on my YouTube channel - Pippin Pets
Visit her website - https://thatlldoacademy.com/ for in person (Manchester, Liverpool areas), online training and her Collie Club membership
There is nothing more frustrating than not getting any consistency or reliability in trying to get your dog to be home alone and happy.
But what may be stopping you?
One of the key reasons is that we are not consistent in coaching our dogs.
In this episode, I go through some tips to help you become more consistent, and therefore get better results - and more spontaneity in your life!
How do you know if your dog has separation anxiety?
Learn about what your dog does when you are home and then what do they do when you leave them?
Are there new behaviours, or just more frequency or intensity of what they are doing?
These can be signs of FOMO, boredom or more likely separation anxiety.
It was a coincidence that Kerry Cadman, a 5* licenced breeder won a copy of my book Adore Your Adolescent Dog in a recent competition. On the cover of my book is a Yorkie!
So for this special episode, I am doing a breed focus on the Yorkshire Terrier and have recorded the words that Kerry sent in to me. She was happy to contribute, but too shy to speak directly on a podcast!
I hope you enjoy her thoughts.
If you want to contact her, then Kerry can be followed on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/adorable_yorkies_of_devon_uk/?hl=en and you can see pics of her adorable pack there too.
England has just announced that they will bring in a ban on the use of shock collars. Yippee!
Wales did this over a decade ago.
In this episode I go through what an e-collar is, and why they are considered an aversive tool for training.
There have been many arguments (mostly by aversive, and balanced trainers) and users of these ecollars about why they need them, and why reward trainers are useless - their words, not mine.
These include the rights to be off lead wherever, the alleged rise in sheep attacks, and deaf dogs.
There are more accusations in the media that have no founding whatsoever (such as rates of euthanasia and 'ecollars saves lives' - but stats show that just as many, if not more, dogs are PTS after having a shock collar used on them) but I haven't covered all of these.
What I do say is to look at your ethics, your values, and what does your gut tell you about using corrections on your dog?
Controversial topic - but only if you promote using pain to train.
Does your dog seem to cope one day and not the next?
This may be due to their stress bucket overflowing.
For Dog Anxiety Awareness Week, I talk about what the bucket is.
Imagine all the things your dog has to cope with - noises, people, busy places, lack of sleep, overexcitement and this all goes into a bucket. At some point, that bucket will overflow if more of these triggers happen, or appear closer together in sequence. Stress can quickly fill up to the top - the threshold - and overspill.
Now find all the things your dog likes to do. Is that to sniff, or play, or chew? Maybe you have some favourite tricks to do. Each of these activities can help your dog's bucket to leak out - they all punch a hole in it and the stress reduces.
Balance out the 'bad' stress with lots of the fun 'hole making' activities to help your dog cope with living in our busy world.
Need help? Get in touch or visit my website to find out ways to work with me https://www.pippinpetsdogtraining.co.uk/get-in-touch/
On Thursday 11th May 2023 at 6pm (UK time), I'm hosting a webinar From Frantic To Focused where I will talk about the stress bucket, but also how you can get your dog to focus on you more. Register here and you will be emailed a zoom link ahead of this free webinar https://www.subscribepage.com/n1z5k1
At the event, I will be launching my new online course From Frantic To Focused, which will be available to buy on my website from 11th May.
And I have my book Adore Your Adolescent Dog which you can purchase on Amazon now
If your dog is born blind, or goes blind during their time with you, don't panic.
Eve from the award winning The Underdogs Training is here to help.
After her own dog turned blind, she decided to set up as a niche trainer to help all owners of blind dogs navigate the (small) adjustments needed so that you can still have a fully enriching time together, and help your dog learn their new normal.
The key advice is that you are not alone.
You don't need to fret over google rabbit holes, as she has lots of tips for owners with dogs that have impaired vision.
From our chat, it is not the end. And actually the adjustments you need to make are less dramatic than you may have realised.
Yes, you will be on more alert out on walks, and your agility career may have to stop, but there is a huge range of other activities that your blind dog can excel in.
Dealing with a blind dog may not have been on your agenda, but your dog is still the same loving dog, and Eve now has 2 blind dogs that have lots of fun and learn new skills and tricks every day.
You can find out more on her website https://theunderdogstraining.com/
And on her regular instagram posts https://www.instagram.com/theunderdogstrainer/
And YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheUnderdogsTraining
You can watch this episode (and other interviews) on our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@pippinpets
And go to our website for more dog training, separation anxiety and top tips - https://www.pippinpetsdogtraining.co.uk/podcasts/
A common mistake is to wait outside the house, and run back in when your dog starts to bark.
Or you may have been told to let your dog howl and cry it out, as you will reinforce the barking if you return mid-flow. So you are there getting upset yourself listening to your dog barking incessantly, waiting for a pause.
In Separation Anxiety training, the bark is too late - your dog is already in a panic.
You need to be watching your dog's more subtle body language and make sure you return long before you hear any noise, so that they learn that they can trust you, and you are also back when they still feel safe.
Listen to this quick episode, and you can read more info on our blog on our webpage https://www.pippinpetsdogtraining.co.uk/top-tips/dont-wait-for-the-barking/
When I work with clients, we learn about your dog's body language, and set you up for success by helping your dog feel safe, and cope for ever longer times at home
Is a canine massage only for top agility dogs? No!
Can it help pre and post op on your dog? Yes!
I chat to the lovely Hayley Hilton of Hands On Heart Clinical Massage Therapist, based near Warrington, and boy, we can talk! It's a long one so be ready. You can see us on my YouTube channel (Pippin Pets).
Massages are becoming a lot more common for dogs now, as a way to help promote recovery from an injury, or to keep your dog in peak condition. Essential if you regularly compete in high intensity sports such as agilty or canicross, or if your dog does lots of long runs with you. We need to treat them as top athletes, so that their risk of injury is mitigated.
But the lazy dogs can also benefit from a relaxing massage, better blood flow, and even small issues that can be resolved by this method rather than surgery (as a first option).
Senior dogs also benefit hugely. Arthritis is crippling, so keeping your dog mobile may help them enjoy a complete life with walks for longer.
Make sure your therapist is qualified, such as the ones on the Canine Massage Guild https://www.k9-massageguild.co.uk/
Find Hayley here https://handsonheart.dog/
Or go to our website here for more podcast episodes. https://www.pippinpetsdogtraining.co.uk/podcasts/
More interviews are on our YouTube Channel - Pippin Pets
I often get asked to go to someone's house for separation anxiety training, and I will always refuse. To go there, not refuse to help them.
Having a stranger in the home changes the dynamics, feelings and hormones of your dog, and is not a true representation of the scenario for training. It can upset your dog a lot, or the opposite and your dog is fine as they are not alone, you have gone out of the door but I am there.
All our training is done online, remotely. You get the same level of support, if not more, and your practice sessions live with me on zoom replicate the situation you are in at home.
It's because of these reasons that remote/online is best!
And don't panic about the tech - its easy -and that is from a technophobe like me! If I can do it, you definitely can!
Want support and help for your separation anxiety dog? Get in touch now!
More info and contact form on my website www.pippinpetsdogtraining.co.uk
Very excited to be hosting a conversation with Sarah Jones who runs My Anxious Dog and the #dogsinyellow day on 20th March.
Sarah and her 'Yellow Army' are on a mission to educate on why dogs wearing yellow need space.
These are dogs that are not so keen on being up close and personal to strangers - dogs or humans - and would prefer to not be touched. It may be a dog that has fear, or is recovering from surgery, or really any other reason. In fact, they just don't want to be cuddled/ruffled or anything from well intentioned strangers.
Even my therapy dog has her limit on being stroked or prodded by unknowns, so wearing yellow and spreading the word will hopefully allow those to have the space they need, and be respected for it. They should not get abuse for being responsible. Or crowded by off lead dogs or scary human hands.
Have a listen - it was a great chat and I really enjoyed this. We have been trying to get together for ages so was a joy to finally record this!
Want to get some yellow gear for you and your dog? Head over to her website - My Anxious Dog and shop away! https://www.bellascollars.co.uk/
Struggling to be able to walk your dog?
I offer 1-2-1 consults, and I do cover the start of the process in my forthcoming new book - Adore Your Adolescent Dog out on 7th March (sign up on my launch page of my website to get insights and reminders) https://www.pippinpetsdogtraining.co.uk/adore-your-adolescent-dog-book
Dogs can be anxious for many reasons, and it could have started or developed since conception and in vitro. It could be something they encountered, or a scary experience that has shaped their thoughts and emotions.
In this episode I talk about some of the ways you may not have a 'clean slate' puppy, or why your dog has changed as they got older.
The chances you have caused anxiety are slim - unless you have been scaring them and making them nervous (I hope not!)
We also need to stop trying to 'fix' our dogs to make them into an unobtainable mould- instead get help with the extremes, and then embrace their personality.
Enjoy listening!
Need help? Get in touch - jo@pippinpetsdogtraining.co.uk or visit our website www.pippinpetsdogtraining.co.uk
For our #dogseparationanxietyday on 30th September, we are covering some of the most common questions asked in relation to Separation Anxiety.
Learning that your dog has separation anxiety is tough enough, then you get told that it is a slow journey, REALLY slow, as you have to go at your dog's pace.
For many, the hardest part is to keep going.
It's easy to get deflated when you have to keep turning down invitations out, or unable to get more milk for your tea, and giving up feels easy.
But you want to make sure your dog does not suffer.
Training is hard so the best way to make sure you stay on track is to make it into a habit - just like brushing your teeth before bedtime.
Whatever your routine, lifestyle, work or home commitments, build in a new habit of some training. Even just a few front door touches whilst you cook dinner, or a short duration with warm ups whilst you have a break from your laptop.
Consistency is key for training to work, so make sessions (even little ones) achievable in your daily/weekend routine and be consistent for your dog.
Join in on our awareness day by using the # on all your social media posts that day - let's spread the word and get all owners checking on their dogs when home alone.
Sign up your email for a free guide on how to check your dog - on our website now https://www.pippinpetsdogtraining.co.uk/dog-separation-anxiety-awareness-day/
dogseparationanxietyday is on 30th September!
To celebrate our new Awareness day on 30th September - #dogseparationanxietyday - the most common question I get asked is 'Will my dog get better?'
In most cases, yes they can. We are not looking for a dog that will happily watch a film and then curl up for a super long sleep, but we aim to get the dog to feel safer when home alone. We want them to cope.
This leads to the next big question - 'How long will it take?'
There is no quick fix, and avoid anyone offering such. To really treat a phobia (as this is what it is for your dog), then it takes time, consistency, and a village of helpers.
An average time to be able to leave your dog happily for an hour or so can be up to a year of training. Some dogs respond quicker, some slower, some need medication to help (and help speed up the training). It also depends on your commitment and reliability for training too.
But it can be done.
Join in on our awareness day by using the # on all your social media posts that day - let's spread the word and get all owners checking on their dogs when home alone.
Sign up your email for a free guide on how to check your dog - on our website now https://www.pippinpetsdogtraining.co.uk/dog-separation-anxiety-awareness-day/
dogseparationanxietyday is on 30th September!
Nothing beats dogs with fantastic jobs, and here Jan Kiley, Operations Manager for the charity Dogs For Autism chats to me about how the charity works, how each dog helps an individual or family in very specific ways, and how you can also get involved too.
She is looking for puppy parents, so if you feel you can help raise a puppy (with support and guidance), and then hand the puppy over to the charity to be placed to help a family in need, then get in touch with them.
Their website is https://dogsforautism.org.uk
I really enjoyed this interview (well, chat really!), as I love learning about how dogs really help people in need, not only by just being there as a comfort, but also great everyday tasks such as taking off socks or helping with the laundry.
Dogs For Autism do amazing work, and being a fairly new charity, need all the support and exposure they can.
So do share this episode so that many more families can be helped as the awareness of this great work is spread far and wide.
To celebrate our new Awareness day on 30th September - #dogseparationanxietyday - I talk about coming home to the dog bed being ripped to shreds. Was it spite? Was it a dislike to the (expensive) bed?
No! It was probably boredom or separation anxiety - a fear of being home alone.
Join in on our awareness day by using the # on all your social media posts that day - let's spread the word and get all owners checking on their dogs when home alone.
Sign up your email for a free guide on how to check your dog - on our website now https://www.pippinpetsdogtraining.co.uk/dog-separation-anxiety-awareness-day/
dogseparationanxietyday is on 30th September!
You may have heard of trainers talk about 'high value' rewards but what are they? Do you need to go to your nearest shop and seek out the most expensive bags of treats, or rush around the supermarket for organic steak and chicken?
No, it's all about what your dog prefers. And this can change depending on what they are doing, and where they are.
Note - I talk about food options in this episode, but the same can be said for toys. Some toys are great fun in some situations, and boring the next time. And for some dogs, toys may trump food when it comes to running around recall (who can run on a full stomach??), but at other times, food is better than tug. No toy or food is equal, and this order changes all the time too. Nothing simple!!!!
Have you ever had the problem of your dog sitting down part way during a walk? Most of us have!
Firstly, is your dog a senior so they are having mobility issues? We need to change our walks to accommodate their aging bodies.
Or do you have a puppy that doesn't go far? They are not being naughty, or stubborn, but instead we need to think logically as to WHY they don't want to move. Are they tired, overwhelmed, or have an injury?
Or is your dog having so much fun that they don't want to leave! This is where having your rewards handy help, and think about other ways of motivating them - or reduce the amount of craziness they are having and instead make some of the walk time quality bonding moments with you instead.
In order to get the best from training your dog, have a plan! Know what you want to achieve, work out the best setting, set a timer or count a set number of treats, and plan your games.
Be prepared for things to not go right - can you make the exercise easier? Or was the environment wrong? Is your dog feeling ok?
Having a plan means that you can go back to where you were, look at what went well, what needs changing, or what fun can you do between the exercises?
This is also why we use the app for the training plans for Separation Anxiety - so you can't go too wrong!
I'm joined again by my fellow trainer Nada Chebib from On Kew Dogs and we start chatting about teenage dogs, and the difficult period of adolescence. I say start, as there are so many facets to this topic that we could go on for hours!
In this episode we discuss what happens to our gorgeous puppies when they hit this life stage, what is happening inside their heads and start to make sense of why your dog has suddenly become really challenging.
Have an area we want to discuss on your behalf, then contact me at jo@pippinpetsdogtraining.co.uk
When your end goal seems unachievable, the way to get there is to set very easy goals, so you cannot fail as they are unfailable! It could be to do x number of reps of door training a day, or x training sessions a week. Maybe it's about getting out of the front door with your dog relaxed, or even go to the toilet without that little hairy visitor sat on your feet! Here I talk about making habits and setting really easy goals.
Dogs may have to be walked on lead for many reasons, but they can have even more fun with you. It's not all about running riot. My special guest is Nada Chebib from On Kew Dog Training and Behaviour (www.onkewdog.co.uk) and we talk about ways to walk your dog on lead safely, knowing what they were bred to do, and how to adapt the walks so they still get all the stimulation and enrichment without running. We discuss harnesses, long leads (biothane vs lunge lines), sniffing, watching, Simone Mueller and that Fenton moment....!
What they are, and how to slowly bring them back into your leaving routine so that your dog no longer gets anxious when you do pick up keys, put on coats and get ready to go out.
Is your dog fussy about eating? Here I share some reasons why this may be happening, and also some hints and tips to get your dog into their dinners again. And I'm not against Poodles - they are super intelligent and likely to get bored more easily with the same thing over and over again. And once more, my pup is making her mark by dropping her antler chew on the floor to make loud bangs - she just wants to get into every episode!
We use food for almost every other type of training to reward our dogs for doing what we have asked, but in Separation Anxiety training, food is a hinderance, not a help. Here I explain why.....
Despite my dog doing her best to disrupt me by squeaking a toy in my face, I talk about when to reward your dog, and do you always need to do this? Do owners have to carry food in their pocket for every walk - well maybe not and even less so if your dog enjoys a tug game rather than food. We do need to try and reward dogs for the best effort especially when we ask them to come away from a super exciting distraction.
I've done my best to not giggle, lose track of my thoughts and ignore the noise from my Reprobate but may not have done as well as I had hoped!!! Life with a dog!!!
Many dogs have separation issues, but not all have anxiety. What are the differences and how can I tell? Here we discuss boredom, FOMO and separation anxiety, and the importance to find out what they have by setting up a camera to watch them. It's the only way to tell what is going on behind that closed door.....
In this episode, we give a few hints to make it not so scary for our dogs. Think doorbells, visitors, costumes, pumpkin and chocolate! With a little bit of management and thought, all your family and dogs can have a good time during Halloween.