#31 - Positive Reinforcement Training and Building Bonds - life with Ziggy the 18 month old Labrador

Reactive Dogs & Why Every Labrador Should Use Their Nose | Gareth & Lyra Gareth’s journey into dog training didn’t begin with plans for a new career. It began with Bear, his working line German Shepherd, and a determination to understand why his own dog was struggling. As Bear reached adolescence, his behaviour around other dogs and fast-moving things became increasingly difficult to manage. Gareth sought help from trainers, attended classes and tried the advice he was given, but was left wanting to understand more about why Bear was reacting rather than simply being given techniques to manage the behaviour. That search for answers eventually led Gareth to learn more about dog behaviour and establish Forever Home Dog Training, where helping owners of reactive dogs now forms a large part of his work. Then came Lyra. Lyra is Gareth’s three-year-old working line Labrador. Relaxed, optimistic, eager to learn and, in Gareth’s words, “everyone’s friend”, she’s also become part of his work as a dog trainer. She helps alongside nervous dogs, demonstrates training exercises and has developed an impressive set of scent detection skills. In this episode, we talk about: 🐾 Gareth’s experience of living with a reactive dog 🐾 How Bear completely changed his understanding of dog behaviour 🐾 Why reactivity isn’t necessarily aggression 🐾 The realities of training and managing a reactive dog 🐾 Why progress can take time and why the small wins matter 🐾 How Gareth approached raising Lyra differently 🐾 The role Lyra now plays alongside him as a dog trainer 🐾 Why giving dogs a job can be so valuable 🐾 The benefits of scent work for Labradors 🐾 Simple ways to get your Labrador using their nose 🐾 Why mental exercise can be just as important as physical exercise Gareth and Lyra’s story is a fascinating example of how much our dogs can teach us. Bear may have started Gareth on the journey into understanding dog behaviour, but those lessons have shaped the way he now works with other dogs and the life and training he shares with Lyra. And if you’ve ever wondered what people actually mean when they say a Labrador “needs a job”, the second half of this conversation gives you plenty of ideas for something almost every Labrador already knows how to do naturally: use their nose.

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