Gemma's Blog
Ella Wins Gold at the World Champs in Claverham, UK!
Background info for those who don’t know Ella. Ella will be 15 years young next March 2021. She finished her agility career in Grade 7 (highest level in UK), and went to the World Agility Open with two Australian handlers as a borrowed dog in 2014 (Spain) and 2015 (Belgium). The photo above is her
Vlog: How To Avoid Resource Guarding
IMPORTANT NOTE: If your dog is growling and snapping when you approach them and you don’t feel safe to put your hand anywhere near the item that they are guarding, PLEASE get in touch with a qualified behaviourist for more detailed help. The APBC is a good place to find one. What’s Resource Guarding? “Resource guarding is
Is Your Dog Pulling Your Shoulder Out of Your Socket?
Loose lead walking – tip & tricks to help you enjoy it! In this video I cover: – Where to reinforce – How to reinforce rather than lure – What to do if your dog starts to react to something like a horse, jogger, other dogs etc. – What leads & harnesses I prefer and
Barking Dog Driving You Nuts?
In this #fridayfisherfix I discuss: – Why dogs bark in the first place – The importance of good observation skills so that our dogs can RELAX – Who’s in charge? You or your dog? – Frustration barking – Anxious barking – Helping deaf dogs who might get startled – Guarding behaviour Let me know how
[Vlog] Crate Training Q&A’s
Question about crate training? Check out my video Q&A below, along with my written advice for those who’d prefer to have a read instead. At some point or another, your dog is likely to be confined in a crate. Here are some likely scenarios: During puppyhood to ensure appropriate rest periods As a safe place
[Vlog] Choosing Your Dog’s Villagers
Ever heard the expression “It takes a village to raise a child”? Not so dissimilar to raising any young animal. There will be times in your life when it might not be possible to be there for your dog – when you’re poorly or if you’re away on holiday. Having a family of villagers in
Dog Growling At My Partner – Help!
First Impressions Count When you’ve always lived with or around dogs, you’ll be very familiar with what to expect from them. This isn’t the case for everyone. And unpredictable can be scary – for both humans and dogs. Dogs that are excitable and bouncy are particularly likely to cause non-dog owners stress. What we see
Top 7 Training Toy Companies
Looking to treat your dog to a new training toy? Here’s some companies which offer fantastic quality toys which are perfect for your training sessions. Please note – these toys are not ones I leave out for my dogs the whole time. These are kept safe in my training bag and only come out for
[Vlog] Solutions to Puppy Biting & Humping
People often worry that humping puppies will need early neutering. Check out this video which explains how I handle excessive biting and humping puppies.
[Vlog] How To Cope With The Puppy Witching Hour!
How to cope with the puppy witching hour! ?? NB: Mak (the sable collie Toddy is playing with is 8 years old 😀 ) – do boys ever grow up?! See how quickly Toddy changes his behaviour though as a result of his bed appearing. The opportunity to earn reinforcement on the bed is more reinforcing than playing
Give Children Solutions to Biting Puppies
Children & puppies: give children solutions to biting puppies. Here Jamie asks Toddy to S-i-t (very smart puppy who can spell ?) and also carries a tuggy lead to distract him from biting.
[Vlog] Puppy Socialisation with Other Dogs
I think of socialisation & habituation in dogs as a bit like a filing cabinet of experiences. When my puppies come home we label up new files together such as ‘Men’, ‘Women’, ‘Small dogs‘, ‘Big dogs‘ etc. etc. Every time my puppy has an experience they will file it away in the appropriate folder. It’s like a memory bank of their journey through
Puppy’s First Night Home Advice
Where possible I try and collect my puppy early in the day in order that I can spend time getting to know them before we reach bedtime. It also means they’re more likely to be tired out from a busy day full of new experiences. There is conflicting advice about how to handle the first
[Vlog] Barking Dog Solutions!
In this week’s #fridayfisherfix I discuss: – Why dogs bark in the first place – The importance of good observation skills so that our dogs can RELAX – Who’s in charge? You or your dog? – Frustration barking – Anxious barking – Helping deaf dogs who might get startled – Guarding behaviour Let me know
Behaviour Problem?
Perception Behaviour problems are often about perception. After all, whilst you might not like your dog barking and jumping up at guests – your dog probably doesn’t have a problem with it! And what might be unacceptable behaviour from your dog for you, might be completely okay for another owner. We’re all individuals, both dogs
My Dog Was Attacked! What Next?
Don’t play the blame game First off – don’t blame yourself. I’m sure you didn’t ask the owner of the other dog to let them attack your dog. Perhaps there is more you could have done to prevent, perhaps not. But as we say a lot around here – we are where we are. Plus,
Top Tips for Avoiding Separation Distress
1. Crate Training Crates are very popular pieces of equipment these days. I use crates or pens when my puppies are young as places for them to rest during the day (with the door closed) as well as overnight too. My vehicle also has permanent fixed crates for them to travel inside safely when we’re
We are what we eat.. and so are our dogs!
On leaving school I began training as a veterinary nurse in a small practice in a big town. Back then I was determined that the ailments which affected the patients that I cared for (such as bad teeth/ obesity/ poor coat condition) wouldn’t ever affect my own. And due to the clever sales & marketing
[Vlog] Socialising Puppies with Adult Dogs
Why being told off by adults dogs isn’t such a good thing.
Pulling On The Lead Fix!
In this video, I share 4 tips to help with the often asked questioned – how do I stop my dog pulling on the lead? Here’s the information I cover: – Length of lead you’re using – Harness suggestions – Using a double ended lead – My feelings on extendable leads – Long lines #fridayfisherfix
HOW TO STOP YOUR DOG FROM CHASING YOUR CATS!
In this video, I address the problems that can arise from a life lived with dogs and cats. Here I talk about: – How I feel about ‘stopping’ behaviours – Teaching incompatible behaviours – Teaching a Bed behaviour – Reducing stress levels Some Resources I recommend: – “Crate Games” DVD by Susan Garrett – Treat
HOW TO STOP YOUR DOG JUMPING UP
Such a common question! Here’s what I talk about in this video: – Social dogs need acknowledgment – Arousal levels in our dogs – Planning in advance of excited greetings – Different types of jumping up – Greeting visitors After more dog training help? Join Gemma’s Fisher Fix FB group and join in the conversation:
COME BACK! RECALL TIPS FOR SERIAL SOCIAL BUTTERFLIES!
In this video, I have 3 top tips for owners of dogs who are serial social butterflies! The sort that sees another dog in the distance and just HAS to say hello! – Where’s the Fire Voice! – Name Response Clicker Training Game – Distraction Action Recall Don’t forget, these tips need to be taught
BRINGING BACK STOLEN TREASURE!
Advice for dog owners whose dogs run off with valuable items like mobile phones/ remote controls/ glasses cases etc. – Thinking about your response – Changing your reaction will help your dog bring things back – What’s your tone of voice? – Indoors & outdoors treasure – How good is their retrieve? After more dog
FETCH! RETRIEVE TRAINING
Following on from my video about Stolen Treasure, here I share some tips about improving your dogs ability to retrieve their toys. – How to get your dog to bring your toy back – Making your toys more special – What does your dog prefer? – Tennis ball lover? – Tuggy rules #fridayfisherfix https://www.facebook.com/groups/fisherfix/
HOW TO GET YOUR DOG TO SETTLE
This question gets asked a LOT! Here I go through how I teach my dogs to settle, right from when they’re small puppies. – Choosing the time to start your settle training – Where to start your settle training – Difference between ‘Stay’ & ‘Settle’ – Bed training to support your training – Click below
[Vlog] How To Survive Fireworks Night
Blog post links to all of the information contained in today’s video – please do share far and wide so we can keep our precious pets safe this fireworks season! How To Survive Fireworks Night Frightful Fireworks! Plus if you haven’t already, join my FREE Facebook group for more help & advice –>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/fisherfix/ #fridayfisherfix
WHY DOESN’T USING TREATS IN TRAINING WORK?
Reinforcement works. But LURING does not! Check out this video where I explain a bit more: – Perform the behaviour and then you’ll get reinforced – I think dogs SHOULD get paid in treats – it’s their salary! – But reinforce don’t lure – Do you say the expression “What’s this?” a lot to your
HOW DO I STOP MY DOG…
When people ask me questions about problems they’re having with their dogs, they’re always posed like this – “How do I stop my dog doing [behaviour]?”. In the video I discuss reframing the question: – Stopping the dog involves punishment – Reframing the question to what can I teach instead? – Training an incompatible behaviour
FRIGHTENED OR FRUSTRATED REACTIVE DOG?
Walking my dogs is one of my most relaxing pursuits. But if you have a reactive dog then it can be very stressful. Here’s what I talk about in this video: Does your dog bark/ lunge at distractions whilst on or off-lead? Frustrated or frightened? Has your dog had a physio check? Do you need
5 MUST HAVE DOG WALKING SKILLS!
In this video, I discuss what I believe are the 5 must have dog walking skills and what we need to pay attention to when we’re out walking: 1. Great response to their name! 2. Use a ‘This Way’ cue to change direction (Don’t overuse your dog’s recall cue!) 3. Be clear about what your
TRAINING GAME: NAME RESPONSE!
In this video, I take you through one of my ESSENTIAL training games. I demonstrate exactly how to do it so you and your dog can play along at home too! – Throw treat – Call your dog’s name – Click when they look at you – Throw out your reward – Repeat until you’ve