DOG FIT by PreThis® partner: Ramona Houscht – Martin Rütter DOGS dog school in Heidelberg, Mosbach & Buchen

We are very glad about the following guest article by Ramona Houscht, owner of the Martin Rütter DOGS dog school Heidelberg/Mosbach/Buchen. Enjoy reading!

Hello dear dog friends,

my name is Ramona Houscht. In my dog school "Martin Rütter DOGS Heidelberg/Mosbach/Buchen" I have been coaching people with their dogs since 2013 according to the training philosophy of Martin Rütter DOGS.

My work allows me to act as a translator between human and dog – for all too often there are communication misunderstandings between the two. I convey knowledge on the subject of the dog, its behaviour and in particular its body language, in order to create more understanding for dogs. In this way I lay the foundation for a trusting relationship between two-legged and four-legged.

To ensure an individual approach in training, a training always starts with an initial consultation. Here I first devote myself to the human's concerns. I analyse the dog's behaviours, carry out specific tests and, together with the human, put the first training steps into practice.

Often I get to know dogs here that are completely over-the-top from mindless ball-throwing – or the other way round: that are simply not occupied in a species-appropriate way and are therefore not, or not sufficiently, kept busy.

Likewise, the dog's behaviours are often misunderstood, misinterpreted and thus not stopped or even reinforced, so that undesired behaviour arises. With an eye on the causes of the behaviours, I would like, together with the people, to find a way to steer the undesired behaviour into desired channels – taking into account the needs of the respective dog.

The long path to becoming a dog trainer

My career as a dog trainer was a years-long process that still shapes my work with people and dogs today.

I already found dogs fascinating in my childhood, but unfortunately I had to be patient for a few years until a dog was finally allowed to move into our family.

The first dog, "Tequila", moved in as a cute puppy from the animal shelter. It did not take long, and he developed into a highly passionate hunter. In addition there was aggressive behaviour towards fellow dogs, and so a visit to a dog school was inevitable. Unfortunately, the training did not bring the desired successes, so that I tried to come to terms with the "problem areas" – for the time being.

Until I attended the first seminar on the topic "body language & communication" in the summer of 2006 with Martin Rütter.

In just one weekend my eyes were opened, and I learned more about dogs than ever before.

From this point on I began to educate myself intensively, and from then on attended further seminars with Martin Rütter and his coaches, which increased the need to want to know more and more with every participation.

Of course I put the new knowledge into practice, so that changes in everyday life and in dealing with Tequila quickly showed that this was exactly the way to a harmonious coexistence – and even more: Tequila became a reliable and self-assured companion who accompanied us for many more lovely years.

Founded on the love for dogs and the great thirst for knowledge, over the years the Australian Shepherd female Chica and the Wäller female Yanni were also allowed to join Tequila.

With my two females I tried out pretty much everything you can imagine: rescue dog work, frisbee, rally obedience, treibball, agility, dog dancing and much more.

In May 2011 I then began the intensive two-year study to become a DOGS Coach II at Mina Training GmbH in Bonn. The basis for the opening of my DOGS location in February 2013!

Today Jimmy, a White Swiss Shepherd, accompanies me.

My range of services

In the form of courses and seminars, in addition to individual training I also offer many activity options, such as agility, treibball, distance training, frisbee and rally obedience – but also quieter forms of occupation, such as the search for small objects and mantrailing, cavaletti training and ground work.

My activity focus and Jimmy's and my passion is "hoopers". Here the dog is guided by the human over large distances through a course. Unlike in agility, however, the dog does not have to jump, but runs through arches and tunnels and rounds barrels and gates. The human is not allowed to run along here, but guides the dog with verbal signals and visual cues from a designated handling area with a maximum diameter of 2 metres.

In the active occupation of the dog, however, the importance of keeping the dog healthy comes especially into the light. This is equally important for the active sporting dog as for the family dog. So the approach of good training must always also take the dog's state of health into account. Precisely dogs with limitations of the musculoskeletal system – be it through conditions such as HD, ED, spondylosis, but for example also older dogs with arthrosis – can be in pain when performing certain forms of occupation.

These have to be recognised and optimally treated in cooperation with the vet, dog physiotherapists, dog osteopaths and suitable food supplementation. Only those who do not suffer pain can optimally learn new things – for optimal training conditions, these prerequisites should therefore always be examined more closely too.

My partnership with DOG FIT by PreThis^®

Because of the physical limitations of my two females, I – in addition to adapted movement and regular osteopathic and physiotherapeutic treatment – came across the products of DOG FIT by PreThis® in my search for suitable food supplementation.

What was striking for me here was the concept of working on the cause with the products – the administration of the various preparations convinced me.

Jimmy regularly receives DOG FIT by PreThis^® WHITE dental plus against tartar and dental plaque.

More information about my dog school can be found at: https://www.martinruetter.com/heidelberg-mosbach/

Warm regards
your Ramona Houscht from Martin Rütter DOGS Heidelberg/Mosbach/Buchen