1. To spend at least 30 mins with my dog every day. Even if that means fifteen minutes in the morning and fifteen in the evening. This should include at least one walk if you are both up to it.
2. The dog is a social animal so he needs company just as you and I need company. It is unnatural for a dog to be alone all day.
3. Do not get another dog to solve this problem. If you don’t have time for one dog you definitely don’t have time for two.
4. Try to play with your dog , whether that be hide and seek or retrieve or just free running recalls. Play build up your bond. We all need to play.
5. If your dog sleeps outside or is an outdoor dog please bring him or her in for at least half an hour in the evening. If the dog has been relegated to the back garden because of bad behaviour. You have to bring the dog in, to allow it to learn how to behave. If you need help with this call me !
6. Groom your dog at least once a week, even the short haired breeds. Grooming is also a social bonding activity.
7. Please keep your temper. Do not share it with the dog or anyone else for that matter. If you need to let off steam, go into another room and scream.
8. Do NOT blame the dog for your mistakes… Dogs do what dogs do!!
9. Keep positive. All animals, including ourselves respond much better to kind, considerate and gentle handling. Only bullies use intimidation and physical abuse to subjugate. Do not confuse fear with respect.
10. Think Dog… Think patience, kindness and understanding

For success in your dog training:

• You must have the dogs attention. Therefore it must know its name and be able to respond.
• The dog must see the owner as leader of the pack.
• In order for the dog to want to please the owner it must be motivated.
• The reward must be valuable to the dog. In order for the reward to be valuable it must not be freely available. All rewards must be under the owners control.
• If the dog is in “on duty” it must know when it is “off duty”
• Therefore we use a release command i.e. “ok” or “finished”.
• Grooming and daily handling is essential for a successful training routine.
• Always follow the path of least resistance i.e. if grooming is a struggle, tire the dog out first.
• If a dog is consistently disobeying a command, then change the command and start again.
• Plan your lessons, keep dog training sessions short. Know what you want to achieve. Have fun and don’t forget to quit while you’re ahead.

Read Our Training Tips

Samantha Rawson’s approach to dog training is highly motivational for both partners in the relationship! Samantha uses her understanding and knowledge of canine behaviour to treat each dog according to it’s individual needs Samantha is committed to using positive and humane methods in dog training. She believes that you get back what you put in.

Samantha’s approach

Samantha Rawson’s approach to training each dog is flexible and is tailored to every dog and owner who require their own individual approach. Samantha has extensive knowledge of a wide variety of breeds and characteristics of dogs which gives her the experience to be able to read each dog and adjust her methods accordingly.

Samantha’s success is based on…

• An extensive knowledge of differents breeds and traits of dogs
• A love of dogs
• Patience , patience and even more patience
• Observation and listening
• Understanding of Canine behaviour and psychology
• Empathy with owners and their dogs
• Flexability
• Knowledge of the principals of learning
• The ability to recognise the limitations and abilities of every dog
• Responsable dog ownership and safety
• A genuine interest in people and their dogs

Assessing the problem

Samantha will on first meeting with the owner and the dog, ask the owner to define the problem.

The specifics of the problem are then discussed in detail.

Samantha will then explain the cause of the problem and what needs to be done to solve it in a feasible manner.

Always working on attainable goals for both dog and owner.

Building on a programme of success.

ALL DOG TRAINING IS BASED ON THE PRINCIPAL OF KIND FAIR AND EFFECTIVE, TRAINING FOR OWNERS AS WELL AS DOGS.

You can also hear us on the Sean Moncrieff show on Newstalk

The previous week we chatted with Ciara Plunkett of Kildare Fm on respecting dogs.SamanthaRawson 08072015

Champion trainer Samantha Rawson  C.A.A.B. is a certified canine behaviour and training consultant who uses motivational and reward based methods and was the first dog trainer in the Republic of Ireland to be registered with the UK Association of Pet dog trainers. She stills works under their principals of kind fair and effective training methods. With over 20 years of professional experience Samantha knows you get back what you put in. Samantha provides dog training services in Dublin, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wicklow, Kildare, Wexford and Waterford and everywhere in between. In 1993 Samantha set up her pet care company and she now enjoys over twenty years of professional experience and knowledge to address almost any dog training or behaviour problem. Samantha is well known with Dublin vets especially Sandymount Pet Hospital,  Dundrum Vet Hopital as well as Terenure Blackrock  Tivoli Road Dunlaoghaire and Blacklion in Greystones and on the Northside with Clontarf, Parkgate St. and Castleknock to mention just a few! Samantha’s second rescue  dog Sassy found in Ennis dog pound  was awarded another green star on the 12th January this year making her a Working Trials Champion. Sassy has also qualified Novice excellent in Obediance and is just starting her agility career.  In February 2013 Samantha’s first  rescue dog Battersea’s Best to Pele won his second green star and is now a Working Trials Champion. Bodie the Border Terrier has competed successfully in agility. The latest addition to the pack Jazz a collie from Ranalagh is training hard for a career in working trials. In 2007 Samantha was awarded a certificate in Counselling Skills by the National University of Ireland. Samantha was awarded a certificate in applied animal behaviour from the University of Southampton in 2004. She has studied with the UK based Northern Centre for Animal Behaviour since 1995. With twenty years professional experience of training dogs from the family pet to competition level. She is proven in the field both at home and in the UK. From basic obedience to advanced obedience, and from simple behavioural issues such as house training to the serious issues of aggression she has the knowledge and experience to cope with any problem dog. All her training is based on compassion, understanding and knowledge with a large dose of common sense. The relationship between the dog and its owner must be based on trust The aim of all training and behaviour modification is the desire to improve the communication and understanding between dogs and their owners. Like all relationships, the relationship between the dog and its owner must be based on trust. This takes time, patience, understanding, good clear communication and the art of compromise. On going education & training. Samantha regularly attends training  courses in positive handling techniques both at home and in the UK.  She is working towards her accreditation with the English Kennel club accreditation scheme for dog training instructors. KCAI.