Barking Up the Right Tree

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Why Do We Leave Dogs Outside All Day? Barbara shares:In my neighbourhood, it seems like leaving dogs in the yard unsuper...
30/01/2025

Why Do We Leave Dogs Outside All Day? Barbara shares:

In my neighbourhood, it seems like leaving dogs in the yard unsupervised for hours is just… normal. Every morning, people put their dogs outside before they head off to work, probably thinking they’re doing the right thing. I get it—letting the dog have space to roam around sounds better than leaving them cooped up inside, right?
But here’s the thing: for so many dogs, this is actually incredibly stressful. Not only are they left alone without their humans, but they’re also exposed to a constant stream of triggers—cars passing by, joggers, cyclists, even birds in the yard. I know because I hear it every day. The moment something moves on the street, the barking starts. One dog at the fence sets off another, and before you know it, the whole neighbourhood sounds like a kennel.

Some people might feel safer knowing their dog is “on patrol” outside. But let’s be honest—most people are just following the trend. “Everyone does it, so it must be fine,” right? Except it’s not fine.

All that alert barking is exhausting for the dogs. They’re not playing, they’re not resting—they’re constantly on edge. And for energetic breeds? Forget it. If they’re not barking at the fence, they’re chasing birds or hunting lizards, burning off their energy in ways that aren’t productive. Then, when the owner comes home and tries to take them for a walk, they’re too wound up to focus.

And walking here is a nightmare. Behind every gate, there’s a “hound of hell” threatening to rip you apart. So when you do try to walk your dog, it’s chaos. Barking erupts everywhere, and your poor dog feels like they’re running a gauntlet of threats. They lunge, they bark, they panic. No amount of treats will calm them down when they’re that overwhelmed. I learned that the hard way with my dog, Emma.

When Emma was a pup, I tried to take her on neighbourhood walks. I wanted her to learn to walk nicely on a leash, and I came prepared with treats and a whole lot of optimism. But Emma was terrified. She barked at every gate and pulled so hard she choked herself. She wouldn’t even take the treats I offered—she was too stressed to care.

Fortunately, I learned my lesson and gave up trying to walk my dogs in the neighbourhood. Now, I load them into the car and drive to quieter places. But not everyone has that option, especially on a workday. So what happens? Dogs don’t get walked, and they’re left in the yard instead. It’s a vicious cycle.

Maybe it’s time for dog owners to rethink this habit. If walking somewhere quiet every day isn’t an option, there are other ways to fulfill a dog’s needs that are far more meaningful than just leaving them outside. A short play or training session can provide both exercise and mental stimulation. Even setting up a safe, cozy indoor space where they can relax during the day can do wonders for their well-being. Small changes like these can make a big difference for your dog’s happiness—and your peace of mind.

29/01/2025

⏳ We’re live in just 15 minutes!

🐾 Does your dog easily switch between tasks, or do they get locked onto one thing? Understanding your dog’s focus style can help you support them better in everyday life.

Join us NOW for our Facebook Live:
"Flexible or Stubborn? Why Your Dog’s Focus Might Be Driving You Crazy (And What to Do About It)."

Here’s what you’ll learn:

How to tell if your dog is flexible or persistent.

The strengths and challenges of each focus style.

Tips for helping your dog thrive in challenging situations.

📡 Click here to join the live: https://www.facebook.com/groups/barkfest and keep refreshing your page.

Let’s explore what makes your dog tick together! 🐶✨

🎥 It’s almost time! Are you ready to learn about your dog’s focus style?We’re going live TODAY at 5:30 PM GMT / 12:30 PM...
29/01/2025

🎥 It’s almost time! Are you ready to learn about your dog’s focus style?

We’re going live TODAY at 5:30 PM GMT / 12:30 PM ET / 9:30 AM PT to discuss:

🐾 The difference between flexible and persistent dogs.

🎯 How your dog’s focus style affects their behavior.

💡 Ways to support your dog in situations they find challenging.

Whether your dog is easily distracted or completely absorbed in what they love, this live session is for you!

📅 Don’t miss it—set a reminder now!

Today is the final part (well, nearly!) of getting to know your dog.  Are they flexible or persistent?Do they get locked...
28/01/2025

Today is the final part (well, nearly!) of getting to know your dog. Are they flexible or persistent?

Do they get locked onto an activity or are they easily swayed to change direction?

Flexible dogs are great at changing tasks and switching gears but can be easily distracted.

Persistent dogs are more likely to stay on tasks they enjoy but may be tricky to interrupt or redirect to a new activity.

So which is your dog?

Using the profile you've build up over the last 4 weeks, comment with situations your dog might find challenging and where they'll need your help.

Next week we'll have a look at how your dog senses the world and how we can use that knowledge to help them.

🐾 Is your dog easily distracted, or do they stay laser-focused on what they love?Join us this Wednesday at 5:30 PM GMT /...
27/01/2025

🐾 Is your dog easily distracted, or do they stay laser-focused on what they love?

Join us this Wednesday at 5:30 PM GMT / 12:30 PM ET / 9:30 AM PT for our Facebook Live: "Flexible or Stubborn? Why Your Dog’s Focus Might Be Driving You Crazy (And What to Do About It)."

We’ll dive into:

How to tell if your dog is flexible or persistent.

Why each focus style has its challenges and strengths.

Tips to support your dog when they struggle to focus or switch gears.

🎯 This is the perfect opportunity to understand how your dog thinks and how to help them thrive in any situation.

👉 Save the date and tag a friend who’d love to join!

26/01/2025

New year, new puppy challenges?
Or maybe it’s the same old puppy chaos? 🐾

Either way, I’ve got the solution to make puppy raising easier.
The ‘Your Puppy Blueprint’ Summit, hosted by Kelly Fahey, is here to transform your puppy parenting journey. With 25+ international dog training and behavior experts, this FREE event will give you the confidence, tools, and knowledge you need to raise your puppy right.

✨ Whether you’re dealing with:
Endless chewing and biting
Potty training woes
Sleepless nights or attention-seeking antics
Or just wondering how to decode your puppy’s behavior

We’ve got answers! And guess what?... the advice applies to older dogs, too.

Come. Sit. Stay. Learn from top experts and finally feel in control of your puppy’s training journey.

Let’s turn your puppy’s overzealous nature into zen. 🐶✨ See you there!

📅 Save the date: January 27th
🎟 Register for your FREE spot now: https://conference.puppyblueprint.com/BarkingUpTheRightTree

Today, meet Dash!Known to his friends as "The Dude".Dash came to me (Julia) back in 2019.  You see, I was still teaching...
23/01/2025

Today, meet Dash!

Known to his friends as "The Dude".

Dash came to me (Julia) back in 2019. You see, I was still teaching back then and had the long summer break coming up, so I had a brilliant idea! As Hattie was doing so well, I thought we could offer a short term foster for the holidays to another nervous dog from the rescue.

So my son and I took the 4 hour drive down to Norfolk to pick up a dog! When we got there, we had to choose between two - Ace or Dash. Oh my goodness, we were so close to coming home with both!

In the end my son decided on Dash as he'd been in the rescue for 6 months and not had a single enquiry. This was despite the fact that he wouldn't come into the room with us, he was that nervous.

So home with us he came. He quickly got attached to me and spent most of his time behind my back. Bonding with the male members of the family has been a much longer process, but after he'd been with us two weeks it was my husband who decided we couldn't let him go. So we failed at fostering.

He's had a few adventures in his time due to his scaredness - about two months after we'd had him we went out for the day and left the dogs to be looked after by a friend, with the instructions that if she took them for a walk it was fine to let Hats off lead but under no circumstances to let Dash off. What happened? Well he was being so good she let him off. Luckily it was not far from home so he ran back home with her in hot pursuit. He stayed on the pavements the whole way - such a good boy!

Dash will now choose to snuggle my husband rather than me and whilst he's definitely on the more aloof side, he's such a funny, silly character with the most irresistible tiny tail wag.

22/01/2025

🎥 We’re going live in just 15 minutes!

🐶 Is your dog ready for action at the drop of a hat or content snoozing the day away?

Join us now to learn:

How to figure out your dog’s energy level and what it means for their behavior.
Why mellow dogs aren’t always as relaxed as they seem.
How age and discomfort can affect energy levels—and how to help.

🐾 It’s today! Ready to discover if your dog is a Busy Bee or a Mellow Couch Potato?We’re going live at 5:30 PM GMT / 12:...
22/01/2025

🐾 It’s today! Ready to discover if your dog is a Busy Bee or a Mellow Couch Potato?

We’re going live at 5:30 PM GMT / 12:30 PM ET / 9:30 AM PT to talk about:

How to identify your dog’s natural energy style.
Why your dog’s energy level might not be what it seems.
Practical tips to support both energetic and laid-back dogs.
💡 Whether your dog bounces off the walls or prefers the quiet life, this live is for you!

📅 Set your reminders and join us later today!

Part 3 of your dog's profile looks at how on the go are they.  Or are they a bit of couch potato.This one can be difficu...
21/01/2025

Part 3 of your dog's profile looks at how on the go are they. Or are they a bit of couch potato.

This one can be difficult, because it can depend on how full (or empty) their stress bucket is. However, if you think about what they are like when they are relatively chilled - it looks very different for different dogs.

Fast dogs might be ready for action at the drop of the hat but have a really tricky time walking calmly on leash. And relaxing really just means "less manic that usual". These dogs are often more likely to be labelled as "difficult" as their emotions are very firmly worn on their sleeves.

More mellow dogs can roll with the punches more easily. BUT, don't mistake their mellow nature for always being happy and content. They are easy for humans to take advantage of as they don't tell us clearly when they are on happy.

My guess is you know exactly which your dog is already, but if you're not sure, answer these questions:

Does your dog:

Get up first in the morning?

Like to run more than walk?

Need LOTS of action / entertainment?

If you answered YES then you have a busy bee. If you answered no then your dog is more mellow.

BUT - be careful! As our dogs get older and, like us, have more aches and pains they can appear more mellow, when in fact they are just more sore and we need to help support them with their discomfort.

Which is your dog? Let us know!

21/01/2025

Why doesn’t my puppy listen… no matter how many times I say “NO”?! 🐶❌
Sound familiar? If you’ve ever thought this once or twice (or multiple times each day), then it’s time to try a new approach. 🐾✨

Join us at the ‘Your Puppy Blueprint’ Summit – the ultimate event for raising a well-behaved, happy puppy (and keeping your sanity intact!). 🧘‍♀️🐕

Our friend and colleague Kelly Fahey, a trusted puppy specialist, has brought together 25+ top trainers and behavior experts to answer your questions, provide clear guidance, and help you tackle all your puppy predicaments. 🐾🎓

What’s even better? It’s FREE! 🎉 And the tips don’t just apply to puppies – unruly dogs can benefit too! 🐕💡

🐾 Why you’ll love this event:
✅ Learn how to stop saying "NO" and start seeing results
✅ Get expert insight to improve your training skills and build a stronger connection with your puppy 🤝🐶
✅ Understand your puppy’s behavior better to get the training results you want 🐕✨
✅ Finally enjoy the calm, happy puppyhood you imagined 🌟🐾

I’m excited to be speaking about "Reactive puppy? Now what?" , and I can’t wait to share what I know to help you and your puppy thrive! 🐾💬

You don’t have to figure it out alone – let’s do this together! 🤗🐾

📅 The fun begins January 27th!
🎟 Reserve your spot here: https://conference.puppyblueprint.com/BarkingUpTheRightTree

Our family currently consists of two humans and  three border collies: NawaNawa, Falken and Stevie Nix.NawaNawa, now 6 y...
16/01/2025

Our family currently consists of two humans and three border collies: NawaNawa, Falken and Stevie Nix.

NawaNawa, now 6 years old, joined our family when he was 8 weeks young, the cutest puppy in the whole wide world.

That year, finding the right puppy became my obsession. As a Nichiren Buddhist I used my daily practice to send my wish to the universe: I chanted Nam Myoho Renge Kyo to find the right dog; I did a ton of research, studied pedigrees, reached out and applied to many breeders and wrote half an essay on the dream dog that I was looking for. And guess what, I got exactly what I was looking for!

I cannot say that he has been an easy puppy or an easy adolescent, but from the day I first met Nawa I felt a very special connection between us.
But our connection would soon be tested in ways I didn't expect:

Nawa had never been in a crate. During checkin at the airport he barked like a banshee in his carry bag, so much so that I was afraid they would not let us board. Then he carried on in a similar vein on the plane, until I put my hand inside the bag to touch him.

And this is pretty much how it has been, together we enjoyed many adventures and weathered many storms. Nawa’s taught me more than any other dog about how a dog’s emotions affect their behavior. He is a high arousal, high energy kind of dog.

Together, we conquered so many challenges, separation anxiety, over arousal in agility and handling sensitivity. Last year we faced our hardest trial yet, when Nawa suffered a broken foreleg from a dog bite. Nawa was severely traumatised emotionally after the accident. Helping him through all the vet visits and rebuilding his relationship with Falken was one of my hardest challenges.

There were moments that made it all worthwhile, like the first time Nawa confidently nailed all his start lines —a critical skill for agility success— or when he curls up right next to Falken, now that they are buddies again.
Though the road hasn’t always been easy, Nawa has taught me more about resilience, love, and partnership with a dog than I ever thought possible. Together, we’ve faced challenges that made us stronger, and every day, I’m grateful for the bond we share. Here’s to more adventures, more lessons, and a lifetime of memories with my one-of-a-kind companion.

So let's have a look at part two of getting to know your dog.What about the social spectrum?  Sometimes we expect all do...
14/01/2025

So let's have a look at part two of getting to know your dog.

What about the social spectrum? Sometimes we expect all dogs to be super sociable, but like us this isn't always the case.

Social dogs love being around guests and in busy spaces but may struggle to be left alone.

More aloof dogs may be perfectly happy with their own company but may be a bit more picky about who they choose to share their space with.

So let's have a look at your dog.

Is your dog:
The first to greet a visitor?
Excited to meet people outside?
Happiest in the company of others?

If you answered yes then you have a social butterfly! Your dog is more likely to enjoy guests and outings to public places but may struggle being left alone.
If you answered mainly no, then your dog is more aloof and then leaving them alone will be easier but they will need to be able to choose when, how and with whom they interact.

So you can see that you're starting to get a picture of what your dog's personality is like, and how it impacts on behaviour struggles they may have - remember that no particular personality trait is good, and none are particularly bad, all have their positives and negatives.

Share whether your dog is social or aloof.

Don't forget we have 25% off on our online courses and dog training planner! Just use the code JAN2025 at the checkout of our website www.barking-up-the-right-tree.com

⏳ Two days to go! Are you ready to discover your dog’s social style?Is your dog the first to greet visitors or more sele...
13/01/2025

⏳ Two days to go! Are you ready to discover your dog’s social style?

Is your dog the first to greet visitors or more selective about who they share their space with? 🐶 Whatever their social style, understanding it is the key to helping them thrive.

Join us this Wednesday at 5:30 PM GMT / 12:30 PM ET / 9:30 AM PT for our Facebook Live: "Social Butterfly or Aloof Adventurer? Understanding Your Dog’s Social Style."

Here’s what we’ll explore:

How to tell if your dog is social or aloof.
What their social preferences mean for their behavior.
Tips to support their unique personality in challenging situations.
🐾 Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about your dog and strengthen your bond!

📅 Mark your calendar, and we’ll see you there!

13/01/2025

Wouldn’t it be easier if puppies came with an instruction manual?

If that thought every crossed your mind, then the ‘Your Puppy Blueprint’ Summit is exactly what you need!

Our friend and colleague, Kelly Fahey has brought together 25+ top experts in dog training and behavior for this FREE event on raising a puppy and surviving puppyhood.

We're here to help you go from puppy pandemonium to puppy peace.

🐾 What’s in it for you?
💡 Solve your puppy predicaments with expert advice
🐕‍🦺 Understand what your puppy’s behavior really means
🐾 Improve your training techniques to create an even better connection with your puppy
📚 Get reliable, accurate info to guide you through puppyhood
🌟 Enjoy life with your puppy like you always dreamed

We're thrilled to be part of this event, where I’ll share insights on "Reactive puppy?
Now what?"🐕

The best part? It’s FREE for you! But you need to register to join. 🎉

So, if you’ve ever wondered:

🐶Am I doing things right?
🐶How do I get my puppy to listen

Then this event is for you!

Puppies don’t come with a manual, but this summit is the next best thing. Don’t miss it!

The best part is, all these great sessions can apply to your rambunctious dog, not just puppies.

📅 Mark your calendar: The event kicks off January 27th!
🎟 Grab your free seat now: https://conference.puppyblueprint.com/BarkingUpTheRightTree

🐾 Is your dog a social butterfly or a lone wolf?Join us this Wednesday at 5:30 PM GMT / 12:30 PM ET / 9:30 AM PT for a s...
10/01/2025

🐾 Is your dog a social butterfly or a lone wolf?

Join us this Wednesday at 5:30 PM GMT / 12:30 PM ET / 9:30 AM PT for a special Facebook Live: "Social Butterfly or Aloof Adventurer? Understanding Your Dog’s Social Style."

We’ll dive into:

What your dog’s social preferences reveal about their personality.
How their social style impacts behavior struggles.
Practical tips to support both social and aloof dogs in everyday life.
🎯 Whether your dog is the life of the party or enjoys their own space, this live session will help you understand their needs and how to work with them.

👉 Save the date and tag a friend who might want to tune in too!

09/01/2025

🐾 Ready to make 2025 the best year yet for you and your dog?

We’re here to help with 25% off some of our favorite products and courses—all designed to set you and your dog up for success.

🎯 Don’t wait! Here’s what’s included:

📝 Dog Training Planner: Stay organized and crush your training goals.
🏡 Enrichment Adventures at Home: Fun and engaging activities for your dog.
🐾 Walks Without Worry: Calm, confident outings made simple.
📣 Rock Solid Recalls: Teach your dog to come back every time!
✨ Use code Jan2025 at checkout for 25% off—but only until January 31st!

🎁 www.barking-up-the-right-tree.com

Let’s kickstart your dog training journey today! 🐕

Would you like to hear a little bit more about our dogs?Julia's going first to tell you all about Hattie the Wonderdog!H...
09/01/2025

Would you like to hear a little bit more about our dogs?

Julia's going first to tell you all about Hattie the Wonderdog!

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 people in Romania who carried out this were totally heroic and needed to find homes for these dogs who had experience extreme trauma and weren't going to be the easiest dogs to fit into a human world.

The photo is Hattie in the shelter before rescue – it’s no wonder she was so scared when she got here.

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

She was scared of everything. She wouldn’t go for a walk – I wish I’d known then what I know now and not even attempted a walk for the first couple of weeks. 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.

Anyway, she did really well in class but this did not transfer outside the training hall – I’m sure that so many of you have had this experience! She was also scared of men and people coming into the house, she was scared of other dogs (this was not helped by some of the free-for-all running around which was allowed at the training class) and she barked at me all the time when I was in the living room with her.

It was clear that the "standard" way of training left a lot to be desired to I took it upon myself to learn EVERYTHING I could about scared and reactive dogs. 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.

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

I recently got her DNA tested – top 2 breeds were chihuahua and german shepherd – weird but so spot on!

Hattie has taught me so much and I am so grateful for having her. Without Hattie I wouldn't be who I am today.

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30 Linley Grove
Alsager
ST72PS

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