Barking Up the Right Tree

05/01/2026

Now that the holiday season is over we can all get back to normality.

I wasn't looking forwards to the holidays but then decided to give my head a wobble and stop being such a Grinch!

What was it I wasn't looking forward to?

People.

Now I love people, don't get me wrong, but I get overwhelmed.

You know that enforced socialising we have to do?

Where you feel really awkward leaving early or finding a dark, quiet space where you can just stop peopling for a bit?

That's me

Even family get a bit much after a bit - especially when I've eaten too much and have indigestion.

Perfect case in point was a trip to the Christmas market in Birmingham (UK) with friends.

We got there early and it was great - really empty.

Too good to last??

Absolutely

After we'd scoured all the stalls (and I'd bought a forktopus - a clever woman makes jewellery out of old cutlery and I got a necklace with an octopus made from a fork on it - awesome!) we decided to chill on the canal. Which meant going back through the crowds.

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

I sucked it up but got very overwhelmed and went really quiet. Everyone thought I was ill or really annoyed. I was just overwhelmed.

20 mins quiet on a canal boat and I was OK but I was DEFINITELY over the crowds. Time to go home after that.

Does this sound familiar for you - and does it sound familiar for your dog?

My dogs are just like me in this way. Life can quickly become too peopley or too doggy. And it's up to me to help them find that quiet canal boat, or even the train home. Because they can't decide to leave by themselves.

Here's to January peace and quiet!

Share what makes you feel overwhelmed? Is this the same for your dog??

05/01/2026

A new year often feels like an opportunity for a new start - we want to do more exercise, eat healthily, journal, train our dogs more etc etc.

But how often do we fail?

If you're anything like me, most of the time. In fact I think I'm less likely to succeed if I make a resolution than I am if I just decide to do a thing randomly.

Why is that???

I mean, I don't think I'm partcularly rubbish...

But I think I often put too much pressure on myself, and try to do too much too soon.

And, you know, our dogs feel this way too. We do too much, too soon, they can't cope, and the trust takes a dive.

Nobody likes to feel like they're failing and our dogs don't either.

Over the holidays we heard the awful news that the wonderful Sarah Fisher, the woman behind ACE and Freework, had died unexpectedly. I spoke to her in November and am booked to do the next module in my ACE training in March - so this was a huge shock.

Sarah always had such wisdom to share and I'd like to share some if it with you.

"The quickest way to build trust is to go slowly. If you think you are going slowly, go slower."

So when we try to do to much to soon, or we fail at our resolutions, the key is to slow down.

Just like with our dogs. When we feel they're not progressing as we'd like, they're trying to tell us to slow down as they're not coping.

Another piece of Sarah wisdom is:

"Question everything. But never the dog. The dog is always right."
So I'll leave you with these gems from Sarah, I will keep learning from her wisdom, and when things get tough, my new mantra will be "what would Sarah do".

Share with us how you are going to go slower?

29/12/2025

29/12/2025

Does your dog react to fireworks like the zombie apocalypse arrived early?

Please, If your dog is severely sound-sensitive, don’t take them anywhere near fireworks.

For those dogs, it's best to hole up somewhere super quiet. And get longer term professional help.

For most dogs the best coping strategies are

- Create a safe space: Shut all windows and doors and close the curtains. Put the lights on in the room you are in so the flashes outside are less noticeable inside. Close curtains and blinds and put on the tv with the volume whacked up! Try to create a space for you all to be as far away from the outside as possible.

- give your dog options: whilst you might decide that their crate is their safe space, they might not agree. Some dogs like a snuggly den, some love to be high up and some like to burrow in next to you for comfort.

- Some dogs regulate better with tug or movement - many reactive dogs won’t so you need to know your dog. Calm is the goal, not forced distraction.

- Get some super high value long lasting things to chew or lick - like the best things ever. Fresh meaty bones are a great call.

- Don't react to the fireworks yourself - no matter how annoyed you are that they are SOOOO loud, stay calm! Your dog will pick up on your emotional state.

if your dog is very sound sensitive please don't take them anywhere near fireworks. The best thing would be in such a case to hole up somewhere where it is super quiet. Dogs with severe noise sensitivity will need professional help.

Keep your dog safe!

Walk early! Earlier than you think. Be home before 4 if you can.
Don't worry about toilet breaks outside! Better a puddle on the floor than a dog that has legged it! If you do decide to do toilet breaks outside, keep them on lead - two leads if you need to!!

Make sure your dog's microchip / tag is up to date

Fireworks are genuinely hard for many dogs.
But if your dog struggles every year, and this year it's a s**t show again, don't beat yourself up!

Drop us a note, we can help you be prepared for next year!

23/12/2025

Even the most perfect plan can crumble if others don't support you.

Your family and friends likely don't know what your dog really needs, no matter how much they love dogs. Especially if they love dogs!

A house full of people means predictability goes out of the window as everyone has different priorities. If you want your dog to feel safe amid the chaos you need to let everyone know about your dog's needs and what you have planned. If a two-minute briefing feels a bit too weird, you can put the plan on the fridge, keep it simple, walk times, settle times, and when not to disturb the dog.

And why not put a no-entry sign on the bedroom door, if that is where your dog will decompress between activities.

Comment one rule you’ll share with your family.

16/12/2025

Let's get real for a minute.

Behaviour change isn't realistic for your dog this close to Christmas.

But our secret weapon is management - and that's not cheating, it's survival at this time of year.

Chews, lick mats and boundaries buy your dog breathing room, so now's the time to make sure you are ready.

Rather than stocking up on toys, chews etc, think about what ACTUALLY helps your dog to cope. Do they like long lasting natural chews like a bone or a pig's ear? What about a frozen Toppl? Or a lick mat.. What about boundaries? Will they settle in another room, behind a baby gate or are they better off just being on lead? Remember, we're working out how THEY are going to settle best.

Once you have worked out what THEY would choose, stock up!

And practise now!! Give them a chew when things are calm and chilled - not when Aunt Susan arrives or the kids are unwrapping presents.

Management = fewer opportunities for your dog to get overwhelmed, make sure you and your dog are both ready!

Comment which management tool you’ll put in place first.

09/12/2025

You want your dog to be calm and happy over Christmas and New Year. Here's the secret… Your dog won’t magically relax when the house is heaving - but you can teach them how, and you need to do that now.

Reactive dogs often struggle when new people, new smells and new noises appear all at once. So having a safe space away from it all is a great idea. A ‘quiet space’ isn’t a punishment - it’s the safety net they’re desperate for.

The trouble is, if you just put your dog in a quiet room when the Christmas chaos hits, it's going to feel new and strange for them.

Time to TAKE ACTION!!

Create your dog’s ‘base camp’ now and start practising using it with something high-value (bone, lick mat, stuffed Kong, etc.).

- Choose a room where your dog can truly switch off - somewhere quiet rather than a place with lots of people going past. If you're away with your dog for Christmas use a bed or a mat you can take with you.
- Give them something long-lasting to work on so they actually settle.
- If you rehearse this now, it won’t feel like banishment later - it’ll feel familiar and safe.

Comment where your dog’s base camp is going to be.

02/12/2025

Christmas Chaos is coming .... If you’re already worrying about your dog coping over Christmas - read on!

For most people (and dogs) the holidays mean ... more people interaction than usual, lots of food, and possible even interactions with other dogs or pets. If your stomach tightens at the thought of that ... mine does too! And my tendency is to go full ostrich and forget about planning until it is too late.

If this sounds familiar - yay! And fret not, coz we pulled our heads up in time to help!
Most reactive dogs struggle because their routines vanish overnight.

Christmas Tip 1:

Look at the routines that already work. Write them down. Decide now which can stay the same and what needs tweaking.

Write out your and your dog's daily schedule, start with meals, walks, rest times, where is your dog when you prepare meals, or work at the computer, do laundry....Which routines are most important, what does your dog rely on?

Then ask yourself: What will change over the holidays, and what can stay the same with a tiny bit of planning?

Knowing what to prioritise will help you feel more in control - now you can plan and advocate for your dog.

CTA:
👉 Comment which routine you’ll protect for your dog this Christmas.

02/12/2025

If your dog struggles at the dog park.....

They'll be happier to p*e, sniff and walk in a car park!

28/11/2025

Want a little more “Poppy energy” in your own life?
Have a p*ek at Your Inner Compass ✨
We’ve got 50% off all online courses with code BF50.

https://barking-up-the-right-tree.newzenler.com/courses/yourend