Barking Up the Right Tree

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Join us to find out why reactivity isn't all bad, so you can learn to understand your dog better.
11/11/2024

Join us to find out why reactivity isn't all bad, so you can learn to understand your dog better.

Julia says:I was out with my dogs the other day.  What with kittens, vet visits, people coming and going, it was really ...
07/11/2024

Julia says:

I was out with my dogs the other day.

What with kittens, vet visits, people coming and going, it was really important for Hattie and Dash that they got to get as much enrichment and "dogginess" from the walk as possible.

So we went on a Sniffari.

You know the sort of walk? Where your dogs set the pace, choose the direction, and generally get to do what they choose.

We were having a blast. But then...

A man walking his staffy looked at me and said: "Are THEY taking YOU for a walk?" This was followed up by a, to be honest, quite patronising snigger.

And the thing is, that the answer to his question was "yes". A resounding, emphatic "YES!!!!" They WERE totally taking me for a walk!

Exactly as we'd planned.

Exactly as they needed.

Exactly as I wanted.

Did I tell him this?

Nope!

Mainly because I just wanted to keep concentrating on my dogs and what their needs were and I REALLY didn't want to get into a conversation with this man if I'm entirely honest.

So what did I do?

I smiled and carried on with my lovely sniffari with my lovely dogs.

And it felt good!

Please invite anyone you know with a reactive dog to our group - let's share the love!

Put the date in your diary!You don't want to miss this one.If you have any questions, post them in the comments.
04/11/2024

Put the date in your diary!
You don't want to miss this one.
If you have any questions, post them in the comments.

Julia says:After a relationship breakup, my lovely son has come home to Mum. ❤And with him have come a kitten called Po...
31/10/2024

Julia says:

After a relationship breakup, my lovely son has come home to Mum. ❤

And with him have come a kitten called Poppy and and snake called Noodle.

How have the dogs taken to this?

Well, Hattie isn't keen on cats - she's a bit scared to be honest. Dash, on the other hand, couldn't care less.

So we are keeping the separate - kitten land is upstairs and dog land is downstairs. This is working for everyone at the moment.

Of course, I could prioritise integrating everyone with a training plan but to be honest, management is working so it's just not a priority. And that's OK!

Noodle, on the other hand, isn't bothered by anyone and minds her own business.

What a wise creature.

Let us know if you have other pets!

TOP TIP!If you missed out you can catch up in our facebook group here.  Just go to the guides section of the group and y...
29/10/2024

TOP TIP!

If you missed out you can catch up in our facebook group here. Just go to the guides section of the group and you will find it!

Alternatively you can go to our YouTube channel and find day 1 here: https://youtu.be/8ILfExXLdIs?si=U_SvqC9v6uLx1rYr. All the videos are in the Learn To Speak Dog Playlist - and don't forget to subscribe!

Do you want to get a greater understanding of your dog's body language. Star here!

28/10/2024
🐾 Training Tip for Reactive Dogs: The Traffic Light System 🚦 🐾Learning to understand your dog’s body language is key to ...
22/10/2024

🐾 Training Tip for Reactive Dogs: The Traffic Light System 🚦 🐾

Learning to understand your dog’s body language is key to helping them navigate stressful situations. Using the Traffic Light System can help you quickly evaluate when your dog needs more space or support:

- 🟢 Green: Your dog is calm and comfortable. No action needed—let them observe without worry.

- 🟡 Amber: Signs of arousal or avoidance are starting to appear. This is a crucial moment to support your dog by creating more distance or giving them a calming activity.

- 🔴 Red: Your dog is actively reacting. Time to move them away from the trigger and help them de-escalate.

Keeping your dog in Green or Amber helps them stay calm and able to learn. But how do you spot those signals before they escalate?

Today is the perfect day to learn more! Join our FREE 3-Day Learn to Speak Dog Challenge starting today! 🎉 We’ll dive deep into how to read your dog’s subtle body language and give you tools to better manage reactivity. It’s not too late!

👉 Join us now: https://barking-up-the-right-tree.newzenler.com/f/learn-to-speak-dog

18/10/2024

What’s one thing you wish you had more support with?

Have you ever felt a mix of excitement but also anxiety 😬 🫣before a trip with your dogs? That was me last weekend as I p...
17/10/2024

Have you ever felt a mix of excitement but also anxiety 😬 🫣before a trip with your dogs?

That was me last weekend as I packed up for a camping safari 🏕️ with friends visiting from Canada.

I couldn’t wait to unplug and reconnect with them, but I was also worried about how the dogs would handle it. With wildlife 🦓🦩🦡around and very little camping experience, would they disrupt our trip? Nawa, my sensitive boy, who reacts strongly to change. Falken the juvenile, whose go-to reaction is to bark like crazy when startled. And then there’s Stevie—she’s not even four months old yet! What was I thinking?

But let me tell you, my dogs were brilliant!🤩 All the layers of training we’ve worked on for months (years in Nawa's case) paid off in spades. Crate Games made management easy, and long walks during the cool mornings and evenings 🌅 ensured the rest of the campers weren’t required to entertain my pups 😉.
Falken quickly made his crate his safe space, napping to decompress after each walk. Yes, he had a couple of barking moments, like when a barking gecko 🦎 spooked him or when curious cattle 🐂 wandered into our camp. But he calmed down quickly, and even slept through our one elephant 🐘encounter!

If you’re wondering what training was most useful during camping, here’s my go-to list: relaxation techniques for self-soothing, It's Yer Choice, recall, Crate Games, and the Collar Grab game.

Got any upcoming adventures with your dogs? 🐕 What skills are you working on to make the trip stress-free? 👇👇

⬇️Dogs are constantly communicating with us, but not all of their signals are loud or obvious. In fact, many of their be...
15/10/2024

⬇️Dogs are constantly communicating with us, but not all of their signals are loud or obvious. In fact, many of their behavioral responses are subtle, like a small lean away from your touch or a sudden distraction by something in the environment. 🐾

Behavioural responses are the things that your dog does in response to things that happen to them or that occur in the environment.

This can be many things from subtle movements to growls or even bites!

Notice if your dog suddenly seems distracted by something, especially if it has been in the environment for a while. What happened just before this? Your dog might actually be a little concerned by a change in the surroundings.
Watch if your dog leans away from touch or moves an area of their body away from you.

This can be subtle like sitting down when you touch the back or more obvious like rolling on their back. These can be signs that your dog is not comfortable with what is happening.

Does this happen every time you approach in this way? Does it happen in other situations?

You will always notice responses like growling, mouthing or biting but you can often avoid those undesirable communications altogether by noticing the more subtle signs of concern.

What subtle signs have you noticed in your dog when they’re feeling uneasy? Could recognizing these earlier have helped you prevent a more intense reaction?

👉 Want to learn how to spot these signs and understand your dog’s communication better?

Sign Up for our Learn to Speak Dog Challenge! Start decoding your dog’s behavior before it escalates! 🐶💬
⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://barking-up-the-right-tree.newzenler.com/f/learn-to-speak-dog

🐾 Ready to Understand Your Dog Like Never Before? 🐾We’re SO excited to announce our FREE 3-Day Learn to Speak Dog Challe...
12/10/2024

🐾 Ready to Understand Your Dog Like Never Before? 🐾

We’re SO excited to announce our FREE 3-Day Learn to Speak Dog Challenge, starting soon! 🎉

In just 3 days, we’ll help you better understand your dog’s unique body language, giving you the tools to communicate more clearly and build a stronger bond. 🙌

Here’s what you can expect:
✨ 3 live masterclasses
✨ Simple daily activities to help you practice
✨ A supportive community cheering you on!

We start on October 22nd—don’t miss it! 💬👉 [Link to sign-up]
Let’s unlock your dog’s unique "dialect" together! 🐶🚀

Canine body language explained to solve dog reactivity

Hattie's Story:It was March 2017 and we had finally decided to adopt a Romanian rescue dog.  I found this beautiful litt...
10/10/2024

Hattie's Story:

It was March 2017 and we had finally decided to adopt a Romanian rescue dog. I found this beautiful little spaniel type dog called Bandit who was currently fostered in the UK.

Bandit was a popular pup and had loads of enquiries and we were one of six families who wanted him and had passed the home check. So I was on tenterhooks waiting to hear from Zoe at Safe Rescue to see if we had been picked to be his forever family.

We weren’t.

The reason? We have cats. Now, although Bandit’s previous owner (who had returned him) said he was ok with cats, she also said that she wouldn’t leave him alone with cats so Zoe didn’t want to stress our cats out. So I had a decision – I could either get shirty with her (as so many do who are rejected when trying to adopt a dog), or I could completely respect her decision as it was made with the best possible motivation and actually feel really reassured that I was dealing with an amazing rescue who put the needs of the dogs first. I chose the latter!

So Zoe and I chatted about which dogs would be suitable, and after discussing with the family, we chose Hattie.

Hattie was one of over 200 dogs rescued over one weekend from a shelter in Mizil in Romania which was to be closed and all the dogs put to sleep.

The photos are of Hattie in the shelter before rescue – it’s no wonder she was so scared when she got here. And a photo now!

So I went to pick up a scared little dog who looked a bit like a bat x gremlin.

She was scared of everything. She wouldn’t go for a walk.I took her to a dog training class after 3 weeks – in retrospect I should have waited longer but I was reassured by the trainer it would be fine. And sure enough, she was perfect in the class – but no behaviour was mistaken for good behaviour. This is really common with scared rescues, people think they have an amazing perfect dog but what they have is a frightened dog trying to find their feet.

So I went on the look out for a different type of training. That’s when I took the decision to research and learn as much as I could about dog behaviour. It changed EVERYTHING! I learned that putting a dog in a position where they feel uncomfortable and shoving treats in their mouth wasn’t the solution. What was, was growing skills in a dog in a comfortable environment then transferring these to increasingly challenging environments slowly and carefully was the solution.

So now she’s my super demo dog. She’s getting on a bit now and has some evidence of cognitive decline – but that’s just a new training challenge for us, and Hattie loves training.

Hattie has taught me so much and I am so grateful for having her. She is the dog that started me on my journey to becoming a dog behaviourist and who inspired me to seek out the most up to date, scientifically based methods to help people with their dog training struggles.

Without Hattie, Barking Up The Right Tree would never have happened. She really is a wonderdog!

We'd love to hear your dog's story, share in the comments!

Pattern Games: Using Familiar Behaviors to Help Your Dog Stay Calm on WalksWhen we walk with our reactive dogs, sometime...
08/10/2024

Pattern Games: Using Familiar Behaviors to Help Your Dog Stay Calm on Walks

When we walk with our reactive dogs, sometimes it can feel like everything in the environment is just a little too much. That’s where pattern games come in! These simple, well-practiced behaviors give both you and your dog a familiar structure to fall back on when things get overwhelming. 🐕‍🦺

Pattern games involve rhythmic, predictable movements that provide your dog with a safe and reliable task to focus on, even in a distracting environment. They’re designed to be simple, easy to remember, and calming for your dog. The beauty of these games is that they help shift your dog’s focus away from triggers, allowing them to feel more in control and calm when faced with something challenging.

Here are three quick and powerful pattern games you can use to help your dog cope with the world around them:

1️⃣ 1-2-3 Treat This game is perfect when you need to move your dog from A to B safely—whether you're passing something scary or getting out of a tight situation. You simply count “1, 2, 3” and give your dog a treat on “three.” Over time, this predictable rhythm helps your dog move alongside you with confidence. 🐾

2️⃣ Back Up and Treat Need to get out of a tricky situation fast? This game is a lifesaver when you need to back up quickly. Your dog turns to face you while you step back, creating space from whatever's causing them stress. It's a quick way to get away without increasing their anxiety. 🏃‍♂️🐕

3️⃣ Figure of Eight If your dog is feeling a bit too wound up, try walking in a figure-eight pattern. This slow, mindful movement helps release muscle tension and calms them down as they turn in both directions. It’s also great for dogs who get overstimulated by new environments! 😌

Each of these games is designed to be easy for you and reassuring for your dog. When practiced regularly, they provide comfort in challenging moments and help reduce your dog’s overall reactivity over time.

✨ Question for You: Which of these pattern games could help your dog the most on walks? Have you tried using them in stressful situations?

Nawa and I just returned from our first regional trial in South Africa in over a year. Getting there is never easy—it's ...
03/10/2024

Nawa and I just returned from our first regional trial in South Africa in over a year. Getting there is never easy—it's a solid two-day drive, which gave me plenty of time to reflect on the weekend and how far we've come.

It was around this time last year, after that same regional trial, that Nawa was attacked by another dog, leaving him with a broken foreleg. That event was traumatic for both of us, and his physical and emotional recovery took much longer than I expected.In the past months, we slowly built our way back up, tackling longer courses and competing in a club trial.

Physically, Nawa was ready, and I thought our teamwork would naturally follow, even if we were a little rusty. But on day one of the trial, I realized something was different. Nawa was eager to play, thank goodness, and still friendly toward other dogs, which was a huge relief. But he wasn't himself. His confidence had taken a hit—more than I had realized.

He hesitated at obstacles, sometimes stopping right in front of jumps. He refused every weave entry, and at the end of each run, he seemed more interested in visiting the other dogs than playing with me. It was heartbreaking to watch because I knew it wasn’t about his physical ability. His spirit had taken a knock. I wanted to help him so badly. I visualized every run more intensely than I ever had before, identifying tricky spots and focusing on giving him clear cues.

But no matter how much I prepared, Nawa kept coming off his lines, refusing the weaves, and drifting away after each run. My goal for the weekend had never been to win or qualify; I just wanted us to have fun. But as the day wore on, I was consumed by sadness, disappointment, and guilt. It felt like my amazing dog had changed, and I couldn't help but feel responsible.

Thankfully, I have incredible friends who helped me stay grounded. They reminded me not to get lost in negative emotions. As I watched the videos of our runs, I realised that this wasn’t about skill, it was about confidence. The lack of obstacle commitment, the sniffing during warm-up and cool-down, his reluctance to tug ringside, the desire to be around other dogs—all signs that I would’ve recognized instantly in someone else’s dog, but was too close to see in my own.

On day two, I shifted my focus entirely. Instead of trying to run clear, I concentrated on building Nawa's confidence. If he missed an obstacle, rather than repeating I blamed my handling and let it go. I brought a toy into the ring, and rewarded him strategically. I stopped asking for weaves altogether. And with each run, something amazing happened—Nawa got faster, more engaged, and by the end of the course, he was eager to play, clearly proud of himself.

By the end of day three, we weren’t exactly back to where we had left off a year ago, but we had found something better—joy. We had fun, and Nawa nailed every start line! I stepped to the line each time knowing we would hit that start, and that certainty did wonders for my own confidence.

As I sit here now, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude—for my teachers whose guidance has helped me support my dog instead of blaming him, for my agility community who keeps me motivated, and for my dear friend Bronwyn, who always helps me see things clearly. This weekend reminded me that progress isn’t always a straight line, but with patience, love, and support, you can always find your way back to the joy of the journey.

Training Tip! Stress Responses in Your Dog:  The Four Fs.Did you know your dog may have one of four typical responses w...
01/10/2024

Training Tip! Stress Responses in Your Dog: The Four Fs.
Did you know your dog may have one of four typical responses when they’re stressed?

These are known as the Four F's: Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fool Around.

Understanding how your dog reacts when overwhelmed can help you take proactive steps to reduce their stress and support them better. 🐾

Here’s how these responses break down:

1. Fight: This is when your dog actively tries to make the trigger go away. It could be barking, growling, lunging, or even biting. It doesn’t mean your dog wants to “fight” in the traditional sense—it’s just their way of saying, “Stay back!” 🚫🐕‍🦺

2. Flight: Sometimes your dog might just want to run away or avoid the situation altogether. They may turn their head away, hide, or try to move in the opposite direction. If your dog can’t escape and their flight options are limited, they may shift from fleeing to fighting. 🏃‍♂️🐕

3. Freeze: This is a common response that can be easily misinterpreted. When a dog freezes, they stop moving, their body language becomes rigid, and they may even stop responding to you. It can sometimes look like calmness, but in reality, a dog in Freeze mode is deeply uncomfortable and often too overwhelmed to even take food. 🛑❄️

4. Fool Around: In this response, your dog might start "acting silly." They may wag their tail quickly, lower their body, or wiggle a lot. It can look like they’re being friendly, but often, it’s a sign that they’re concerned and unsure how to handle the situation. 🤹‍♂️🐶

How Can You Help? When you recognize any of these stress responses, it’s time to step in and help your dog feel safer. You can guide them away from the stressor, give them more space, or engage in calming activities like offering a treat or redirecting them to a fun task.

What stress responses does your dog tend to show most often? Have you noticed a pattern of which one appears first?

Recognizing these early signs can help you take action before the stress builds up.

👉 Need help identifying and managing your dog’s stress responses? Book a Diagnostic Call with Julia and Barbara, or drop your questions for our next live session. We’re here to guide you in creating a calmer, more confident environment for your dog! 🐶✨Book a Diagnostic Call: https://barking-up-the-right-tree.newzenler.com/1-1-booking/diagnostic-call/register
Together, we can create a world where dogs are family, where kindness rules, and where you and your dog live your best lives together 🐶❤️

We all have other things to do other than working with our dogs, and it's really important to me to do things I enjoy ot...
26/09/2024

We all have other things to do other than working with our dogs, and it's really important to me to do things I enjoy other than working with my dogs.

I love hiking, especially in the hills, but I'm going to tell you about my other hobby - crochet animal trophy heads!

Yes, I know, a bit strange, and when I told Barbara she said it wasn't something she'd expected me to do, but hear me out.

Firstly, I like to come up with quirky animals which fit in with my (to be honest) quirky life and style.
And secondly, it's a great way to practise mindfulness which is so good for my stress levels.
You see, I'm not one of life's naturally crafty people. I have to concentrate quite hard on what I'm doing and there's lots of counting required. So, although I can do it with the TV on in the background, my mind doesn't wander on to all the stressy things I've got going on. I'm just thinking about yarn tension, what sort of stitch I should be doing, and counting - always the counting!

I kind of lost my crochet mojo a couple of months ago and have restarted recently - and I can see the difference in how I am coping with everything else. There's definitely a lesson to be learned there!

I do make things other than animals, and like to have a few projects on the go as I get bored easily!

So, with that in mind, meet Day-Z the cow, Ferdinand Fox, Horatio Hare and the current sparkly swan project who is, as yet, nameless. Any ideas??

Let me show you what I woke up to this morning:This is not a regular thing, thank flipping goodness!  Although years ago...
22/08/2024

Let me show you what I woke up to this morning:

This is not a regular thing, thank flipping goodness! Although years ago, when Hattie hadn't been here long there was an occasion where I woke up to part of a curtain missing an poops which were more fabric based than anything else. Thankfully they made their way out.

So when I saw this a few things entered my mind.

Thank goodness I have have cheap furniture which crumbles rather than splinters;

I'm guessing this was Hattie; But mostly

Why did she chew this? Poor girl!

So I've been considering the options.

Was she super stressed by something overnight?

Does she have gut pain?

Is she in another type of pain?

None of these are great for her and I'm now on a mission to work out what the need was that lead to this behaviour, so that I can help her and support her.

Gut pain is definitely a possibility, it's something she has had over the years which has been investigated but no real answers found.

She looks a bit more limpy than normal today - I'll speak to my vet to see if a change in pain meds for her arthritis is a good idea.

Stress is always possible and the gut-brain axis we know about (check out Dr Meghan's interview in the festival - if you have sign up just go to www.barking-up-the-right-tree.com) means chewing things is a common response.

My guess is a combination - maybe an over enthusiastic fox outside and a sore shoulder?

Today we will chill and do lots of enrichment games (have you bought enrichment adventures at home yet? Perfect for these types of days!)

But most importantly, I won't stress about the furniture, I'll just focus on my girl.

When you think about reactivity, do you focus on just your dog? Do you focus on how to stop the behaviour you don’t like...
20/08/2024

When you think about reactivity, do you focus on just your dog? Do you focus on how to stop the behaviour you don’t like? If so take a step back. Remember that your dog is not a problem dog, they are a dog with a problem. How you behave can make a big difference to how they behave.

So the human end of the leash is just as important as your dog’s end and both need your attention!

Does that mean that your dog's reactivity is your fault? Absolutely not! But it does mean that your responses, your mindset, your expectations and your confidence will make a big difference to your success in helping your dog.

Let's look at how you can change your mindset:

If you think that your reactive dog is misbehaving, then you will be embarrassed by their behaviour and you will focus on stopping them "acting up". But if you recognise that they are frightened, you will see their behaviour as information and you will use that to help them be more comfortable.
If you focus on what someone else is thinking you will be overrun with embarrassment and guilt.
So you need to be willing to think differently about your dog and your life together so that you can change how you behave as well as working on your dog's behaviour. And when you do that your whole relationship with your dog changes for the better!

If you feel you need guidance or support in managing your dog's reactivity or reframing your own mindset, consider booking a Diagnostic Call with Julia and Barbara, or join our next live session. https://barking-up-the-right-tree.newzenler.com/1-1-booking/diagnostic-call/register

Keep a lookout in your inbox tomorrow - something is coming your way which is going to be AMAZING!

Together, let's create a world where kindness rules and you and your dog lead their best lives! 🐕💪

I love training my dogs. The interaction with them, their bounciness, and the excited tails up in the air when we go to ...
15/08/2024

I love training my dogs. The interaction with them, their bounciness, and the excited tails up in the air when we go to our training den or the agility field bring me immense joy. They hop onto their hot zones as if to say, "Ready when you are!" And I love how they always try so hard, constantly asking, "What next, Mom?!"

While I adore every moment spent training and playing with my dogs, there are certain areas where I struggle. One of them is my cooperative care work with Nawa. I'm not entirely sure why, but I have a tendency to let that slide away from me. Oops, the day is over, and we didn't do our exercises.

This morning, I opened my emails and found some amazing advice from another dog trainer: "Instead of saying 'I don't have time,' try saying 'it's not a priority,' and see how that feels!" Wow! If that isn't a reality check, then I don't know what is.

I know that cooperative care is important for Nawa and me to live our happiest lives together. He has to get a shot soon because we are traveling, making this even more urgent. I refresh my determination to make time every day for our cooperative care sessions. Time and how we spend it is a choice.

What did that phrase bring up for you? And what changes are you going to make?

Reactivity can be one of the most challenging behaviors to manage in dogs, and it often affects us more than we expect. ...
13/08/2024

Reactivity can be one of the most challenging behaviors to manage in dogs, and it often affects us more than we expect. 🐾

Managing reactivity isn't just about the dog; it's about managing your own reactions as well. The fear of "what if" scenarios can be overwhelming:

- What if my dog hurts another dog or a person?
- What if someone gets injured accidentally?
- What if legal issues arise from an incident?

These fears can turn what should be a relaxing walk into a source of stress and anxiety. Moreover, reactivity is not a behavior you can easily hide. It’s public and often noisy, which can lead to embarrassment and frustration. 🚶‍♂️🐕

Many of us have dreams about the perfect life with our dogs —long walks in the park, visits to cafes, and companionship for our children. When reality doesn't align with these dreams, disappointment and a sense of loss often follow. Acknowledging these feelings is crucial, as it's perfectly normal to grieve the loss of the ideal dog experience you had dreamed of.

Here are some ways we can ease the effect that our dogs behaviour has on us:

✨ Turning Challenges into Opportunities: While handling a reactive dog is undoubtedly challenging, it also presents a unique opportunity for growth. Your reactive dog will teach you more about patience, resilience, and understanding than an easy-going pet might. This journey will enhance your knowledge about canine behavior and deepen the bond you share with your dog. 🌟

✨ Celebrate Your Progress: You and your dog are a team, and every small step forward is a victory. Celebrate the strength of your relationship and the progress you've made together. Remember, you're not alone in this journey.

✨ Reflective Thought: Reflect on what you have learned about yourself through the challenges of managing your reactive dog. How has this journey shaped your understanding and approach to not just canine behavior, but challenges in general?

If you feel you need guidance or support in managing your dog's reactivity, consider booking a Diagnostic Call with Julia and Barbara (https://barking-up-the-right-tree.newzenler.com/1-1-booking/diagnostic-call/register), or join our next live session where we dive deeper into effective strategies for managing reactivity. We're here to support you every step of the way.

Together, let's create a world where kindness rules and you and your dog lead their best lives! 🐕💪

We were sitting in the kitchen yesterday, when Falken my young border collie, started to really obsess about my older do...
08/08/2024

We were sitting in the kitchen yesterday, when Falken my young border collie, started to really obsess about my older dog, Nawa, who was lying in his dog bed, like the good boy that he is.
Falken was was giving Nawa his best border collie stare, and kept walking up to his bed. Usually a quick "hop it up" will send Falken to another dog bed, eager to get a reward. Not this time.

He was in full on herding mode, circling Nawa, and when interrupted he circled a chair only to get bed to Nawa, who by then was looking away - clearly signalling that he wanted space.

Any attempts to keep Falken on a hot zone failed. So I put a leash on teh dog and walked to the front door, planning to take him away from Nawa. we went out, he had a p*e and when we came back he was a different dog. Hopped on his bed and stayed there, totally ignoring the other dog.

Just changing the environment by taking him out of the room doing something totally different and then coming back in had changed the picture for him. He was back in his thinking brain and could happily relax.

It surprises me every time how well this works.

Click here to book your call!  👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇https://calendly.com/alltoplayfor/diagnostic-callTogether, we can create a world ...
07/08/2024

Click here to book your call! 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

https://calendly.com/alltoplayfor/diagnostic-call

Together, we can create a world where dogs are family, where kindness rules, and where you and your dog live your best lives together 🐶❤️

Top Tip - Understanding Reactivity in Dogs: What's Behind Their Responses? 🐾Have you ever wondered why one dog might ove...
06/08/2024

Top Tip - Understanding Reactivity in Dogs: What's Behind Their Responses? 🐾

Have you ever wondered why one dog might overreact in a situation where another remains calm? Reactivity in dogs is often driven by an emotional response to their environment. Whether it's fear, frustration, or over-excitement, understanding the underlying feelings is key to addressing their behavior. 🧠💭

What Causes Reactivity?
Reactivity can stem from a variety of sources:
- Traumatic Experiences: Just one traumatic event can cause your dog to have ongoing reactive responses. Their brain stores these memories in a way that makes them quick to recall.
- Repeated Negative Experiences: A dog might be fine after an initial negative encounter, but repeated experiences can lead to a general reactivity to all dogs.
- Physical Discomfort: Pain or discomfort can greatly affect your dog's behavior. They may become more sensitive or less tolerant, similar to how we might react when we're in pain.
- Genetics: Fear and certain behaviors can be inherited. Sometimes your dog's reactivity might be something they've inherited from their ancestors.
It's essential to recognize that sometimes the specific cause of reactivity may not be clear. Your dog could react differently even if raised under the same conditions as your previous pets. 🐕‍🦺

Question: Have you noticed any specific triggers or patterns in your dog's reactive behavior? How do you usually handle these situations? 🤔

If you're struggling to manage or understand your dog's reactivity, don't hesitate to book a Diagnostic Call with Julia and Barbara: https://calendly.com/alltoplayfor/diagnostic-call. They are here to help you navigate through these challenges and work towards a solution that respects your dog's emotional and physical well-being. Alternatively, you can post your questions for our next live session, where we dive deeper into managing reactivity.

👉 Book a Diagnostic Call Now | Post Your Questions Here

Together, we can create a world where dogs are family, where kindness rules, and where you and your dog live your best lives together 🐶❤️

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Alsager
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