Since 2003
Since 2003
Our Blog
Our Blog
Wow!! I had forgotten once again how hectic life is. Lockdowns and Mockdowns played havoc with the training last year and classes stopped and started, stopped and started and the team were elated and deflated, elated and deflated. I know we were not alone in the struggle that is the pandemic but once more we have come back stronger.
The challenges that new puppy owners have faced without face to face training and personal guidance has been obvious and we have been working flat out to help those who need us.
It's great to be back!!
Back to work
K9 Solutions Blog
Back to Life
Back to Life
In the middle of May, after 7 weeks of lockdown life, we slowly returned to work.
Life during lockdown was idyllic for us, like the best summer holiday you can remember as a child. I don't recall any other time in my adult life where I have been so worry-free.
It seems wrong to say that as the world was in the midst of a lethal pandemic.
It seems wrong to say that as so many people lost their lives and our frontline workers put theirs at risk day after day.
It seems wrong to say that after attending the very unnatural funeral of a family member and friend who fell to the pandemic that is COVID-19.
But however wrong it may seem it is true. Other than thinking about Government Safety measures, I had no other worries. I couldn't open my businesses and nor could anyone else so there was no point in worrying and when I stopped beating myself up about not doing all the things I have always said I would do if I had the time, we settled in to a dreamy existence.
Now 12 weeks on we are back to almost full steam ahead with all but one of our classes re-opened. We have learnt to adjust to how we work and interact with our clients both at the classes and even in their homes (or gardens which is the only place we are allowed to work still).
We are helping lots of 'lockdown' pups gain their confidence as the world gets nosier and peoples lives get busier again and we are LOVING IT.
THe New Normal
THe New Normal
15th April 2020
We are mid-way through the fourth week of lockdown and by now I would imagine you and your dogs are living a new normal. The days are different from start to finish for most of us and we are all adjusting to restrictions, change of lifestyle and being at home a lot more.
I have had messages from lots of you saying that your dogs are almost depressed, they lay around all day and don’t really do much but they are happy to get up and go for a walk or play or do some training, happy to engage. They are eating and in every other respect, seem normal but they just sleep so much more.
This is their way of adjusting. The first week or two they may have been a bit manic, a bit more over the top, getting into mischief, looking for ways to get attention. Most of our dogs, like us, led very different lives before lockdown and just like us, it has taken some time to adjust.
Dogs go to training classes, see their ‘mates’, enjoy different smells. They go to day cares or are collected by their dog walkers, see their ‘mates’ enjoy some games and stuff. They go to different places, even if, like my dogs, a lot of those visits are in the back of the van, they were still experiencing different smells and sounds even if they didn’t get out for a walk at wherever we were.
I noticed initially that I spent a lot more time focusing on training at home than I normally would, I usually do the lions share of my training at work rather than in my tiny little house. I spent a lot more time proofing exercises and adding more challenge to games in the house than I normally would have. I watched my dogs a lot more in the house than I usually would have. Coupled with the fact that they didn’t spend time in the van, they didn’t walk at any new places and they had to be lead walked to go for a run, which I rarely do with my dogs. All change, all different.
So many of you will have done the same thing, concerned that your dogs weren’t getting enough exercise, enough stimulation, and to combat your boredom, you will have over loaded the changes and tried to keep their lives the way they were before lockdown – we walk at 8am, we train this at that class on a Tuesday at 10am, we train this at that class on a Wednesday at 6pm and so on. But that isn’t normal anymore, that isn’t the life we are all living.
All change for my dogs, all different and all of that whilst they were adjusting to me and my partner being at home all day. Me wandering around like a lost sheep because I didn’t know what to focus on, didn’t know what to do with all this time I was now blessed with other than train my dogs.
Now, as we head into week four, the dogs and I are more relaxed. We all move in a different way, less manic, no rushing, we get there when we get there. Walks are as varied as I can make them as there isn’t much in my area other than flat grass or flat mud. We train what we want, when we feel like it and back to the short bursts that I always did train in, not the mammoth sessions I was trying to do in the beginning. Our walks are not just about burning off steam and stretching legs and muscles, they involve more thought and a lot more training than they did before, we play different games, stop and watch the world more.
We all needed time to adjust to the new normal and our dogs have done the same, so as long as they are happy to engage, go for their walks, play and interact then don’t worry, this is what is meant by a ‘dogs life’, lazing around for the best part of the day and then coming to life when they need to.
Stay safe and enjoy your relaxation, just remember that the same as us, when we get out of lockdown, they will be like a kid at Christmas, a little over excited and seriously over stimulated, so take it easy.
We are now ONLINE
We are now ONLINE
31st March 2020
Closing the doors on our training classes whilst the world fights COVID-19 broke my heart, with no end in sight, no definitive date when we can go back to a version of normal was so unsettling.
We are now all living in a very different time and our dog training has had to move in a different direction. I have found the adjustment terrifying!
I teach people and their pets, not an empty room and a computer screen. But I have had to get past this, accept that we need to carry on keeping our dogs brains and bodies active and though I may not physically be in the room with you, I will be on your computer screen and able to watch you and guide you through the steps the same as I can in a classroom.
I am actually excited now to bring you the new on line programmes, setting you goals each week and helping you achieve them. Watching you work with your dogs in real time and not on videos is a wonderful tool.
At the moment we will work through Zoom Meetings and Facebook but as I get more adept at my new skills, these will expand across other platforms (tech word thrown in for effect) and I think even when we go back to 'normal' it will continue to be a part of our packages.
Today we have launched our Teens & Tearaways, Puppy Support & Trickstars as on line packages.
More information will be added to the website over the next day or so but for now, head over to our Facebook Page and find out more.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW WEBSITE
WELCOME TO OUR NEW WEBSITE
10th January 2020
New Year and a new website
Let me have your thoughts please on any improvements you think would make it even better.
Oh and let me know of any typos too ;)