Dog Charming
Share
Professional Dog Behaviour Consultant. Special interest in anxious/fearful dogs, separation anxiety, Visit www.dogcharming.com.au for all details.
Dog Charming provides one-on-one home behaviour advice and training. Referral to recommended puppy pre-school classes. Services provided include:
* Personalized in-home behaviour advice and training. All ages catered for (that's you and your dog!).
* Problem Behaviours - each dog is assessed as an individual.
* Advice to help choose the right dog for you and your family. This important step can
13/06/2026
Willow didn't get into the cargo bike this morning so I followed her instead. She walked to a park close by and then we walked along the beach. A ton of sniffing was done. Saw the sunrise from a different perspective. Then I did something I normally don't do: watched a movie in the afternoon sitting next to Willow.
In my bedside book of daily thoughts today's read, "Be grateful for every second of every day you get to spend with people you love. Life is so precious." For my purpose, I replaced "people" with "the dog". 🙂 I found the sentiment timely and took it on on board.
13/06/2026
Twinning with Willsy: Our jackets match.
I ordered a u-beaut, pockets for everything, training jacket. I'm talking 6 front pockets, 3 back pockets with one that expands and 3 inner pockets. It has magnet closing pockets, velcro closing pockets, zip closing pockets, elastic closing pockets. It has pockets to keep my hands warm, poo bag pocket with dispensing outlet, treat pocket, water bottle pockets, toys pocket, safe pocket for keys and phone. So many pockets that I'm running out of pocket uses. But you can never have too many pockets - do not fight me on this.
When I ordered the jacket I didn't realize it was the same colour as Willow's until we were out on our walk. Way cool, huh?
By the time it arrived I had received some news that had me wanting to send it straight back.
Willow's kidneys are failing.
In our vet's words, the decision for compassionate euthanasia looks like sooner rather than later. 😞 We don't need any further specialist follow ups 😔 The irony that it is not her heart condition that will do her in, but the side effects of the medication that has helped her defy heart failure this long, is not lost on me.
I didn't return the jacket, purely because of the matching colour. There was something poetic, synchronous, comforting in the unorchestrated synergy of colours. Well, being the sole reason may not be completely true. Those pockets! 🤣 Willow's jacket even has pockets.
So the duo of jackets will go on adventures together for however long Willow bounces down the hall at the sound of the door keys. While she's enjoying life, I'll enjoy it with her 😍
And when the weight of her jacket is too much for her to bear, I'll wear the "twin" solo, full of memories, no matter how fleeting, and feel that she's still with me.
I wasn't going to post on FB at first, but I thought you'd appreciate knowing since you've followed us. It might be a shock seeing a sunrise/sunset post and suddenly being hit with the news that Willow is gone. And I guess, you can share the poignancy of each photo from now and how precious it is. It makes staying here for her 8th birthday last week even more special. 💛
ps If you look into her eyes in this photo from a few days ago, you might be able to see that she's not feeling well.
dogtrainingproducts.com.au
10/06/2026
Sharing this video of a horse because subtle dog behaviour is also communication and information. A simple example is a dog who stands still, not moving forward towards a stranger's outstretched hand. This is all the information one needs to know that the dog is not comfortable enough to move closer.
07/06/2026
And that's a wrap for Willow's birthday. Well, not quite. Cuddles and a movie coming up.
"There is nothing like a beautiful sunset to end a healthy day."
Rachel Boston
Willow and I played a spontaneous game this morning. I often watch what she does and mould activities according to what she shows an interest in. This morning she was in the park. She left her sniffing to chase the bike when I was riding it a little further. Then jumped in when I stopped. This is a great outcome for a dog who used to be scared of putting one paw in.
07/06/2026
Happy 8th birthday, Willow. Thanks for staying so much longer than was predicted. Much appreciated. x 🐾🥰
?
Do you have a dog who won't toilet in the rain or walk on wet grass to toilet? I sure do. Or did. I could see it might become a problem for Willow so I devised a plan to help her toilet in all sorts of conditions.
The main points:
1. Instead of toilet training her as a puppy and then no longer reinforcing her toilet stops with a treat, I kept reinforcing her as often as I could. She's almost 8 years old and I still reinforce at home on the sunny days to create a super strong behaviour.
2. Additionally, I put going to the toilet on cue: "Go busy". So that I could ask her to urinate when it was convenient.
3. I would prompt her (help her) by also going outside to kick start the behaviour on cold, wet, rainy days. Once she was out, the rest of the voiding behaviour usually followed.
4. I prompted myself by having a container of treats beside the back door. If I make it easier for me, it's more likely to happen.
We had a HUGE storm this weekend and there was no way she was heading outside of her own volition. She was hesitant. The strong history of reinforcement, treating some small steps out the back door and then moving outside myself soon won over the the unfavourable conditions.
It's a simple system with such a beneficial outcome.
The sun defiantly peeked through the storm clouds. I must be crazy to be out here: the wind knocked me about a bit as I went to higher ground. I had to open a different car door as the wind kept blowing the usual side shut. Willow joined me for a minute and then high tailed it back to the car. At least one of us has sense. 🤣
"Every morning is a revolution against the darkness."
Mehmet Murat ildan
Our story today is one of success and Willow overcoming a fear that didn't make sense .... to me. I'm sure she had a good reason. So many milestones to celebrate;
1. She jumped out of the car immediately.
2. Walked past the dreaded white posts where she had previously stopped and could not be lured past.
3. Followed me down the path to catch the sunrise.
I hope to "change the world" (tongue in cheek) by changing the story that one needs to force dogs to face their fears. There are other effective ways to help fearful dogs.
"There's always a story. It's all stories, really. The sun coming up every day is a story. Everything's got a story in it. Change the story, change the world."
Terry Pratchett
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Category
Contact the business
Telephone
Website
Address
Mobile Service All Areas: Perth Metro, Southern Suburbs, Mandurah
Rockingham, WA
6168
Opening Hours
| Wednesday | 9am - 4pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 4pm |
| Saturday | 10am - 1pm |
| Sunday | 10am - 1pm |