Whiff'n'Woofs Dog Training

08/05/2026

I'm delighted to say that we have now added new ACE course dates to our calendar on the Tilley Farm website- please do have a look if you would be interested in participating in any of our courses or joining our ACE training programme.

Animal Centred Education courses are designed to add more layers to your existing skills as an animal guardian and animal educator, whilst connecting with the attending animals at their own pace.

05/05/2026

We have now completed our Spring in-person workshops at ACE - Tilley Farm and my first season as the lead of Animal Centred Education.
It's been a rich, joyful, peaceful and deeply rewarding experience to spend time with so many brilliant caregivers and their truly awesome companions who always have so much to teach us.

We have missed Sarah Fisher enormously, as we always will, and I know there are many emotions involved in visiting Tilley Farm in her absence. But you could feel her there with us, and again, I know we always will do.
Personally, I find it nourishing and am so grateful to spend time in such a tranquil place with others who love Sarah, who love ACE, and of course with, as Sarah would say, the only true canine experts that exist, as they share with us the richness and complexities of the canine experience.

And what greater tribute to dearest Sarah could there be than to share a Free Work session with a dog, to witness the incredible changes we've seen over the past few weeks, in posture, movement, exploration and responses to sensory stimuli. What a gift Free Work offers us in the opportunity to observe the richness of detail that provides so much opportunity to support our companions, from youngsters through to older companions, each one unique and glorious.

And also to learn with and from all the superb people who share their knowledge and experiences so generously. Thank you to everyone who attended, I'm so glad you were there. The ACE community is outstanding.

Thank you also to the amazing Tilley Farm team who maintain such a precious place for us to visit, and of course the ACE committee for outstanding support and assistance both with our online modules and the in person workshops.

I know Sarah would be proud of all of us. We keep going, looking for the possibilities, never the limitations.

I'm delighted to be able to say that I will soon be adding new dates to the Tilley Farm website for both online Modules and in person workshops next Spring 2027.

01/04/2026

01/04/2026

01/04/2026

19/02/2026

I'm delighted to be invited to speak about Animal Centred Education at this amazing conference.

The very first Live Pet Remedy Emotional Wellbeing in Animals Conference 2026, taking place on March 30th and 31st in Torquay, Devon.

24/12/2024

Wishing all colleagues and friends both 2 and 4 legged a peaceful and relaxed Christmas. I hope you all get to be with loved ones and spend time doing whatever brings you joy. Sniffing, snoozing, playing, burying yourself under blankets, singing, nibbling..... whatever 🤩 💖

30/11/2023

I see you. The work that happens in shelters and rescue organizations is selfless. Caring for so many individual dogs, each with their own needs, is a labor of love, but it comes with heaps of stressors. Every bark takes its toll. I work with many shelters and rescues to support their efforts with d...

16/11/2023

27/09/2023

🐾 Why does chronic pain have an affect on behaviour? 🐾

The emotion of pain is a form of fear-anxiety and it can directly affect behaviour by increasing vigilance and leading to behavioural responses that are designed to keep the individual safe. For this reason an animal in chronic pain may show avoidance behaviour and try to keep distance from anything that it perceives to be a risk in terms of exacerbating its pain. This may lead to the pet being less engaged in social interactions and showing less interest in play or making very obvious attempts to get away. Painful animals may also show less obvious behaviours of inhibition or appeasement.

Inhibition involves the animal taking in information by watching and listening but not giving anything away. The result can be a pet who is very quiet and can easily be misinterpreted as being relaxed. It is important to watch for signs that the pet is monitoring the environment, for example by watching for ear movement and staring, and not to simply accept that they are "being very good". Appeasement involves exchanging information with others and because dogs are socially obligate animals they will often use this behavioural response when they are in pain. These dogs will seek information from those around them as well as give information back. This is often done through touch and these dogs may lean into people or nudge at them in ways that are misinterpreted as "attention seeking" and seen as unwanted or naughty behaviours.

Dogs may also sniff and lick at people in ways that are misinterpreted as affection. It is therefore important to be aware of changes in social interactions and not to dismiss increased interaction which might signify an emotional change. The other potential response to pain is repulsion and this involves behaviours which are designed to make the perceived threat stay away. Anything that the animal perceives to be a risk in terms of inducing pain can lead to a repulsion response and these responses can vary from a low grumble, to a significant growl, to an air snap and even a bite. While these repulsion behaviours are often considered to be the most serious, because of the potential consequences, it is important to remember that the pain can be equally significant for the pet regardless of which of the four behavioural responses it gives. It is very important to take repulsion seriously and to take steps to avoid the potential consequences of these behaviours but we must not disregard avoidance, inhibition and appeasement which are also important signs that an animal may be in pain.

In addition to the direct effect on behaviour chronic pain can have an indirect effect by reducing an animal's emotional capacity. The chronic pain uses up some of the animal's emotional "space" and means that they are more likely to react to other stimuli, such as noises or social interactions. When this happens the main thing that a caregiver may notice is a change in behaviour but the underlying pain also needs to be treated.

24/12/2022

Wishing all our clients both 2 and 4 legged a very happy and peaceful Christmas. Thanks for all your support this yearvand we look forward to seeing you in 2023!