Let’s Talk Paws - Veterinary Behaviour Services

10/12/2024

🐾 L U C A 🐾

🦮 Dog reactivity can be challenging for both dogs and their families but with patience, understanding, and the right approach, it’s possible to make real progress.

I have had the pleasure of working with Luca and his incredible guardians to help Luca feel safer when out on walks when he sees other dogs. Reactivity often stems from fear, frustration, or overstimulation, and it’s important to address the root cause.

There are many steps we are taking to help Luca feel calmer and more confident around other dogs, two of which were:

𝐖𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: Reactivity happens when your dog feels overwhelmed. We identified the distance where Luca notices other dogs, but doesn’t react. This is called his “safe zone.” We worked together within this space to build positive associations.

𝐖𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Rewarding calm behaviour when Luca notices another dog without reacting is really important. We mark the behaviour with a cheerful “Yes!” then offer a high-value treat. Over time, Luca began to associate seeing other dogs with good things happening.

🐕‍🦺 Remember, every dog is unique and progress takes time. Be patient, celebrate progress and know that you’re not alone on this journey!

📞 0493426278
📧 [email protected]

06/12/2024

🐾 C A E S A R & R A L P H 🐾

I have been working with these two handsome fellas and their guardians, who are struggling to enjoy leash walks with both of them. The dogs have very different walking styles, making parallel walking quite a challenge.

Here’s how we tackled it together:

Before working on parallel walking, I helped them establish foundational leash skills with each dog individually. We focused on:
• Loose-leash walking
• Focus cues - Teaching the dogs to check in with their handler when prompted.
• Impulse control - Practicing exercises like “leave it” and “wait” to help with distractions.

This individual training ensured Caesar and Ralph had a solid understanding of leash manners before we brought them together.

We will continue to work together over the next couple of months to ensure they can enjoy peaceful and enjoyable walks together.

If you’re facing challenges walking multiple dogs or have other training goals in mind, I’d love to help!

Reach out on 0493426278 or [email protected].

Together, we can create a tailored plan for your unique needs.

🐾💛

05/12/2024

M I L O 🐾

Milo is a sweet boy who used to feel uneasy when people came into his home. With some dedicated training and understanding, Dr Findy and I helped Milo feel more confident and in control of these situations.

Instead of forcing Milo to engage, we gave him 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄. He was given the opportunity to approach visitors on his terms when he felt ready. By removing pressure and respecting his boundaries, we created a safe and positive environment for him to build trust.

A few things we implemented:

✔️ Safe Space: Milo has comfortable space where he could retreat to if he needed to decompress.
✔️ Positive Reinforcement: Every time Milo calmly observed or chose to approach, he was rewarded, building positive associations.
✔️ Visitor Guidelines: We encouraged Milo’s family to coach visitors to ignore Milo initially. No direct eye contact, no reaching out, allowing Milo to feel safe and in control.
✔️ Patience and Practice: Milo’s confidence grew gradually with consistency and support.

Giving dogs the 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄 and respecting their pace can transform how they feel in challenging situations.

If your dog struggles with confidence or interactions at home, let’s work together to help them feel safe and understood.

🐾💛

📞 0493426278
📧 [email protected]

27/11/2024

What we expect socialisation to look like vs What it really looks like

25/11/2024

Some may see a mess, we see a normal and healthy for a teenage dog.

Decompression is an important component of emotional regulation and resilience conditioning.

Often if your dog is frustrated and anxious about other dogs - knowing how to help them decompress is the groundwork we need to practice before we consider exposing them to their current triggers.

If your dog enjoys pulling apart toys - let them. Cheap soft toys that can be pulled apart are a wonderful way to help your dog to decompress.

Ensure it is an activity that is done under supervision and the toys are thrown away once your dog is done 😀

25/11/2024

🐾 J E T T 🐾

Sweet Jett and his family reached out to me when they were referred to me by their local vet clinic 🫶🏼

Jett has a complex history and is a rescue from country NSW. He unfortunately wasn’t given the opportunities most puppies do in their early life.

I’ve had the absolute pleasure of working with Jett and his incredibly caring family over the last couple of months.

We’ve worked on teaching Jett skills, some of which include decompression, mat settling and world watching.

Jett is still quite worried about the world around him but by taking slow, patient steps he will be thriving in no time. ❤️

25/11/2024

We regularly hear the word ‘obedience’ when discussing training for our dog, and yes, getting your dog to come when called and sitting when we need them to settle is wonderful.

But let’s start focusing on our relationships with our dogs! The trust we have between one another, the affection and the unconditional love 🫶🏼

24/11/2024

🐾 B O W I E 🐾

This sweet little guy has been recieving support from me and Dr Findy to help him feel safer and more confident around his family, unfamiliar people and dogs.

We have been working through strategies such as daily decompression, understanding his body language, separation anxiety and how he communicates his challenges with his loving family.

23/11/2024

🐾 P I P P A 🐾

Pippa and her devoted guardian are mastering all the basics, one paw at a time. Last week we went through loose leash walking and how to avoid pulling on the lead when other dogs are present.

This sweet girl has come along way since puppy school 🫶🏼

14/11/2024

🐾 C A M U S 🐾

I’m fortunate to be working alongside my amazing colleague Dr Findy to support Camus, a sweet dog with some reactivity challenges. Together with his guardian, we’re focusing on building his confidence and helping him feel more comfortable with sounds, people and other dogs.

Through positive reinforcement and patience, we’re taking it step by step - gradually helping Camus learn how to manage his reactions and stay calm in situations that once felt overwhelming.

22/10/2024

🐾 J A C K 🐾

This sweet little guy needed some extra guidance on how to cope in the big wide world 🫶🏼

We’ve been working on confidence building skills and how to be more confident out on walks and around other dogs 🦮

19/09/2024

🐾 C A E S A R 🐾

This handsome and charming boy has excelled puppy school 🎓 His dedicated mum and dad reached out to me to receive further help walking on leash and to ensure they have the right training going forward.

Over the next few weeks we will work through confidence building strategies using positive reinforcement, decompression and how to support him out in the world (that can be quite scary for our pups!)

Has your puppy graduated puppy school and in need of some further life skills training? 🦮

❗️Get in touch❗️For more information or to book a home session with me, please call me on 0493426278 or email on [email protected] 😊

11/09/2024

Hi! 👋🏼 I’m Amelia and I am the in-house trainer at Let’s Talk Paws. Along side my passion for dog behaviour and a Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training, I am succesfully providing my Dog Training and Behaviour Coaching Services in Newcastle, Maitland and surrounds.

🐾 𝐀𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐏𝐚𝐰𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐠 🐾

For more information or to book a home session with me, please call me on 0493426278 or email on [email protected] 😊

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐞?

🫶🏼 I use humane, effective methods that build trust and strengthen the bond and communication between you and your dog.

🦮 My personalised sessions in the comfort of your own home are tailored to meet the specific needs of you and your dog. From learning the basic skills to more in depth behaviour challenges, I can guide, teach and support you.

💛 I thrive in creating a calm, fun and enjoyable environment to ensure you and your dog can learn and grow together.

07/09/2024

🐾 L O L A 🐾

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting the lovely Lola and her family today.

I'm thrilled to be able to help them unlock her full potential by understanding her needs, managing her behaviour and providing the best support we can for her growth.

From learning the basic skills to more in depth behaviour challenges, I can guide, teach and support you as a fur-parent.

📞 Get in touch with me (Amelia) on 0493426278 for more information and to book a session 😊🐶🫶🏼

06/09/2024

Adolescence for our dogs is very tricky, often as their guardians, we can feel exhausted, frustrated and overwhelmed by their behaviour.

🐾 At Let’s Talk Paws we believe in the power of positive reinforcement and force free methods to create a harmonious and happy relationship between you and your dog 🐾 we understand these times can be difficult and we are here to guide you, teach and support you. 🫶🏼

🫶🏼 We use humane, effective methods that build trust and strengthen the bond and communication between you and your dog.

🦮 Apart from our behaviour consultation services, we now offer personalised training sessions at your home. These sessions with our trainer Amelia are tailored to meet the specific needs of you and your dog. From learning the basic skills to more in depth behaviour challenges, we can guide, teach and support you to better understand your dog.

💛 We thrive in creating a calm, fun and enjoyable environment to ensure you and your dog can learn and grow together.

For more information regarding our training services, please call Amelia on 0493426278 or email [email protected] 😊

Adolescence occurs between six months and 18 months of age—a time when guardians typically struggle the most with their dogs. Some guardians are so overwhelmed and underprepared for this developmental stage of their dog’s life, they choose to surrender the dog to a local shelter or rescue group. In a recent study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science found that the majority of the surrendered dogs (47.7 percent) ) were between 5 months and 3 years of age (M.D. Salman,John G. New, Jr.,Janet M. Scarlett,Philip H. Kass,Rebecca Ruch-Gallie &Suzanne Hetts, 2010)

The neurobiology of adolescence is fascinating, with some key events that alter both the structure and function of the brain.

During canine adolescence, changing s*x hormones effect the animals stress responses. Adolescent dogs have a decreased ability to process information they are receiving from the environment including the presence of dogs, vehicles, people, or really anything around them. They behave in ways that might feel frustrating or upsetting for the dog’s person.

The connectivity between the frontal cortex (responsible for decision making) and amygdala (responsible for emotional processing) decreases, resulting in less behavioral control. We see increased risk taking and more sensitivity to fear.

So what does this mean? This could mean that what was once no big deal to the dog now feels scary; what was once easy to do is now stressful; what once made sense is now confusing. At times, the world can feel like ‘too much’ for the adolescent dog.

As your puppy undergoes this transition into adulthood their inner world is intense, even chaotic. Many pet owners experience an increase in undesirable behavior and find themselves becoming increasingly frustrated. In turn, our own frustration and impatience can cause us to act unpredictably. This adds to our puppy’s inner turmoil. When the inside and the outside are both unpredictable it can be difficult for our dogs to adjust.

If you have an adolescent dog, what can you do? You can give your dog the time and space to observe what is going on around them when on leash at a distance away from the activity when possible. You can give your dog long walks to sniff and explore in nature, giving their brain time to decompress. You can offer your dog a quiet space to sleep so that they can consolidate memories effectively. You can continue training various skills, breaking them down into easier steps that can be generously reinforced.

By understanding what our adolescent dog is experiencing we gain greater compassion and understanding. When we approach adolescence with patience we create a world that is predictable and gentle so our puppies grow up to be their best adult selves.

31/08/2024

🐾 B A X T E R 🐾

Baxter's family reached out for guidance on improving their walks and outings with Baxter.

Throughout our three-session training and behaviour coaching package, we implemented and introduced 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐨-𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧. This is a highly effective approach to strengthening dog-owner relationships, communication and support.

While a long leash was unavailable, we resourcefully adapted, extending the leash to its fullest extent to mimic a long leash.

If you're seeking expert support for your dog, please don't hesitate to contact me at 0493426278 or [email protected].

29/07/2024

Hi! 👋🏼 I’m Amelia and I am the in-house trainer at Let’s Talk Paws. With my passion for dog behaviour and Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training, I am now offering my Dog Training and Behaviour Consultancy Services in Newcastle, Maitland and surrounds.

🐾 At Let’s Talk Paws we believe in the power of positive reinforcement and force free methods to create a harmonious and happy relationship between you and your dog 🐾

🫶🏼 We use humane, effective methods that build trust and strengthen the bond and communication between you and your dog.

🦮 Our personalised sessions at your home are tailored to meet the specific needs of you and your dog. From learning the basic skills to more in depth behaviour challenges, we can guide, teach and support you.

💛 We thrive in creating a calm, fun and enjoyable environment to ensure you and your dog can learn and grow together.

For more information or to book a home session with me, please call me on 0493426278 or email on [email protected] 😊