Both Ends of the Lead
Practical help with reactivity for both you and your dog!
With Janet Finlay, TTouch Practitioner Level 3, MAPDT 01046
"Finally, after years of stress for my dog and me, I now have some practical tools, techniques and behaviours that I can put into action immediately. Phew!"
Tina Catling
Are you finding walking your dog a struggle? Does your dog 'go off on one' at the sight of another dog, barking and lunging when you try to pass by? Or maybe it is people that she is worried by?
Sometimes it feels like you are the only one but this kind of reactivity is more common than you might think. Not that that makes you feel any better when your dog is spinning around at the end of the lead and you are hanging on with all you've got!
And it isn't helped when other owners let their dog run up to yours, then give you a mouthful when you ask them to call their dog away. Walks are pretty stressful!
You are working hard to help your dog be more relaxed but you know that inside you are still tense and anxious when you take them out. You find yourself tensing up when you see another dog or a person coming - you know it isn't helping but you've tried to relax yourself and it isn't that easy. You are embarrassed and feel a failure, especially when everyone tells you "there are no bad dogs, just bad owners"!
You are trying to help your dog, but you can't seem to make progress as every walk feels like an uphill battle
When and where?
Tilley Farm near Bath on 29 and 30th July 2017 (two-day workshop).
Places strictly limited so please book early.
A holistic approach
If this is you, then Both Ends of the Lead is here to help. It is a unique workshop that takes a holistic approach to reactivity - looking at you and your dog in parallel. It draws together tools and techniques from Tellington TTouch, positive dog training, coaching and human psychology, to help both you and your dog address the physical, emotional and behavioural elements that contribute to your reactivity.
You will learn both how to make small changes to improve your life right now and how to help your dog develop more confidence and learn more appropriate behaviours for the long term.
An emphasis on play
Play changes our mindset and builds connection with our dog. So this workshop takes a playful approach. We will look at games to help you see your situation as a challenge that you can tackle, rather than something that threatens your peace of mind every day. We will play games ourselves and with our dogs: games to help us focus, games to help our dogs focus, games to build a strong relationship between us. And we will play just to remind ourselves that we can have fun and feel joy with our dog!
You'll learn how to
- Spot stress signs early and head off panic at the pass.
- Keep you and your dog safe and manage risk
- Change from a negative, threat-focused mindset to a positive, challenge-focused one.
- Handle and lead your dog to promote calm and be more connected.
- Manage a meltdown to minimise its impact.
- Get your dog more engaged with you and less with the things that are scary.
- Make progress with your dog, even when you are working on your own.
- Have fun with your dog - even if they can be reactive - and channel it to keep them calm!
"Great venue. Great course. I loved seeing the owners grow in confidence - they no longer have reactive dogs! The level of teaching was excellent - no pressure, great timing, enough breaks, flexible approach."
Hannah Wilkinson
"Relaxed atmosphere and informative. Never felt uncomfortable about being the least experienced person attending. "
Stephen Skinner
"Thank you for a really informative and interesting two days. Looking forward to similar courses in future."
Amy Thomson
"Janet's experience in the classroom is clear and her manner makes it really easy and fun to learn."
Damian Copeland
"Thank you Janet - Paws for Thought! Finally, after years of stress for my dog and me, I now have some practical tools, techniques and behaviours that I can put into action immediately. Phew! And it was fun and supportive!"
Tina Catling
The way we work
- The first principle of everything we do on the course is kindness to both dog and human, so only positive, non-aversive methods will be used and your dog's comfort will be paramount at all times.
- Our second priority is effectiveness, so we only use proven methods that we know work both for dog and human.
- As well as covering core training games and activities to help with reactivity, you will get an introduction to Tellington TTouch Training methods and how they can help, as well as some tools from human coaching and psychology that you won't find on any other reactivity course.
About the Venue
Tilley Farm is the UK TTouch Centre and has some of the best facilities for working with dogs in the country. It is a private venue where we will be working in a large covered arena (with dogs) and a training room (without dogs). We also have access to an outdoor arena, a second training room and multiple fields.
Shady parking is available on site and there is a secure, private off-lead exercise area for dogs to have individual exercise, as well as acres of private land for walking in the breaks and for our practice.
Thanks to Sarah Fisher and the Tilley Farm team for allowing us to use this facility.
Safety and comfort
- You will be in control of how close you and your dog get to other dogs and people. We can accommodate dogs who need a lot of space or who need to work on their own.
- Some sections of the workshop will involve just humans working so your dog must be comfortable resting in the car for some of the day. The venue has plenty of shade and the possibility of parking under cover if it is particularly hot.
- If you feel there is a chance your dog may bite, please condition them to wear a muzzle in advance and use it when needed.
- As well as myself, there will be fully qualified assistants on the course to help ensure everyone gets the support they need.
About Janet Finlay
I am a TTouch Practitioner Level 3 and a member of the UK Association of Pet Dog Trainers (01046).
I am also a qualified leadership coach for people and have over 20 years experience teaching adults of all ages in higher education.
Based in Yorkshire, I coach clients around the world, whose dogs can be reactive, through face-to-face workshops, online courses and one-to-ones.
The Small Print
What you need to know before booking.
- Full payment must be made on booking, unless arrangements have been made to pay by instalments. Places are not confirmed until payment is received.
- If you need to cancel your place, you will receive a refund on the following terms: 100% refund if notified by email at least 28 days before start of course. 50% refund if notified by email at least 14 days before start of course. No refund if notified less than 14 days before start of course or for non-attendance. However, all places are transferable on request and a refund will be given if your place is resold.
- In the unlikely event of the course being cancelled by us, a full refund will be made of all course fees.
- Canine Confidence accepts no responsibility for additional costs incurred to attend a course (e.g. travel, accommodation) in the event of a course being cancelled by us. We therefore recommend that you book refundable or transferable travel and accommodation wherever possible.
- In the event of Handler places being over-subscribed, I reserve the right not to accept your booking. I will do everything I can to avoid this and will update numbers available regularly but as you will understand it is important that we do not have more dogs than we can accommodate. In the event of this happening, you will be offered a Participant place and/or will be first on the waiting list for cancellations, or you will receive a full refund, regardless of timing.
- Unless otherwise stated, fees do not include meals and accommodation. Please see the specific course description for details of what is covered by the course fee.
- Only dogs booked onto courses can be accommodated, so please leave other dogs at home. If this is impossible for you, please contact me before booking.
- Booking of any Canine Confidence course will be taken as acceptance of these terms and conditions.
Book your place
You can attend the workshop as a handler with your dog or as a participant without your dog. Note that participant places are active not spectating - you will be paired with handlers where possible and take an active part in all elements of the workshop. A participant place is ideal if you feel your dog is not yet ready to attend with you.
HANDLER
£150
Attend WITH your dog
Includes one person and one dog
Full participation over both days
Lifetime access to course materials
Ongoing access to private Facebook Group
FULL - WAITING LIST
PARTICIPANT
£125
Attend WITHOUT your dog
Includes one person and one dog
Full participation over both days
Lifetime access to course materials
Ongoing access to private Facebook Group
Just 6 places remaining