K999, for last chance dogs!

Sweet little Sox came into NCAR with behaviour which was heart breaking, she knew very little of the world and everything terrified her. She was completely shutting down, we needed to help her fast. The team at North Clwyd Animal Rescue (www.NCAR.org.uk) set about trying to build some confidence in her to enable her to deal with the world, here is her journey so far...

These 3 deaf and almost blind pups were left to perish next to a road in a box. Fortunately they were found just in time and brought into the rescue. They were clearly under nourished and no consideration for their needs had been given by their callous breeder before they were dumped. Now currently on foster they are getting over their traumatic start to life and learning to be puppies again. Nahla, who was only rescued herself a few months ago, decided she was just what these pups needed and set about guiding, educating and rehabilitating the youngsters.

Our new NCAR adopted dog Coco gets a welcome to the family by our other NCAR adopted dog Mizzie. Coco hasn't seen much of life and was very unhealthy when we brought her home. Mizzie recognised Coco needed help and set about trying to get Coco to play and start to enjoy being a dog! Her efforts are a testament to the breed!

The walk is a very important part of your relationship with your dog. A nice relaxed walk with loose lead is the best way to create a strong bond and trust between you both. Here is how I like a walk to start, no excitement, no fear, no noise, just a calm relaxed dog waiting with manners for it's walk. It's much easier to keep a calm dog relaxed, than trying to calm an excited/panicky dog down whilst out in the big, bad and exciting, outside world. So a nice calm start to the walk is the best way to ensure the walk remains relaxed and enjoyable for both owner and pooch!

I took my pawtrekker dog scooter up to North Clwyd Animal Rescue to give some of the more stressed dog a good run out. Most of them took to it really well and loved the chance to run through the lanes and tracks around the nearby country side. Hopefully I'll be able to build up to 2 or 3 dogs running together. www.NCAR.org.uk

As requested (by many), here is a slowed down version of my body language video. Now the gestures can be seen as they are explained. But also, now the clip has been slowed other gestures not highlighted can also be seen!

I got Mizzie all excited about going outside so I could demonstrate how an open door doesn't mean she can charge out of it. This is a good technique to use if your dog gets excited when people come to the door, or if you dog tries to escape through doors.

Notice how the exercise is done in virtual silence, the main form of communication is body language.

You can use this techniques in many situations; keeping your dog sat waiting whilst you prepare it's dinner, whilst you prepare for a walk, keeping your dog sitting away from the table as you eat, if your dog attacks the hoover you can use this technique to ask it to simply sit and watch, etc etc. The applications are endless.  Of course you should also use treats to reward your dog for choosing to sit and relax during this exercise therefore making it a much more positive experience for you both.

A little video I use to explain the body language dogs use to communicate. Here, during play, many signals and gestures are given in rapid succession to communicate, "lets play", "I'm no threat", "I trust you", "you can trust me", "lets keep this fun" etc etc. The signals I highlighted are just the main ones, there is literally no time when some body language isn't being offered! Both these dogs, a Staffie and a Staffie cross were from North Clwyd Animal Rescue Centre.

What breeders have 'achieved' with the English Bull terriers head within 100 years.

Selective breeding taking evolution way beyond the necessary, to the point of natural extinction.

More socialising the Staffies up at the rescue centre.

socialising some of the rescue's Staffordshire Bull Terriers offlead in the paddock.