The Animal Behaviour Business

06/07/2024

Lovely finish to my Grumps and Growlers course - Dora and Bandit looking relaxed in each other’s company.

27/06/2024

More great work demonstrating that animals have emotions and sentience from my Alma Mater

‘A world-renowned expert in animal cognition at the University of Lincoln, UK, joined a global consortium of scientists and philosophers to sign the New York Declaration on Animal Consciousness.

Professor of Animal Cognition Anna Wilkinson, alongside co-signatories last month, signed the declaration to state consciousness in reptiles, amphibians and others is a ‘realistic possibility’, underpinned by strong scientific support.

The degree to which animals possess a conscious experience of the world remains uncertain, however, this declaration marks an important juncture in the field of animal ethics, supported by growing empirical evidence which suggests there is a wide range of animals, including invertebrates and vertebrates, that do possess an ability to subjectively experience their surroundings.

Professor Anna Wilkinson at the University of Lincoln, commented: “I was delighted to be part of this groundbreaking declaration, it is particularly important to consider feelings in species that are less similar to humans and may have feelings and emotions but not exhibit them in ways that we, as humans, are readily able to recognise.

“Consciousness or sentience is hard to demonstrate with a single study but, taken together, work demonstrating animal feeling, emotions and cognition can start to pave the way towards this understanding.

“Our research investigating the remarkable cognitive abilities in reptiles and amphibians has formed an important part of this evidence. We have shown that salamanders have substantial long-term memory, lizards can learn from each other, tortoises can feel emotions and change their behaviour on the basis of this.”

24/06/2024

Monday’s message. This is such an important message. A dog’s growl is their way of saying please stop whatever ever it is you are doing. It is a polite warning and we need to listen to it.

19/06/2024

Training tips from our 4 legged friends!!

25/03/2024

20/03/2024

Today is national yellow dog awareness day! This is a movement to provide owners with anxious dogs the means to ask other people to keep their dogs away and not to approach any dog wearing yellow. Anxious dogs are not ‘aggressive’ dogs they are worried and often afraid, but when pushed into a position where they cannot escape, a display of aggressive behaviour may be their only recourse. So please, if you see a dog wearing a yellow harness, lead, collar, bandana or anything else, be considerate- keep your dog from approaching and give them space.

17/03/2024

TRAINING COURSE FOR YOUNG DOGS STARTING SOON

17/03/2024

PUPPY CLASSES STARTING SOON

10/03/2024

Hoopers is a fun dog sport for everyone and every dog. Being a low impact sport dogs of any age and capability can do it and if the human isn’t keen on running then they have too!! ‘Reactive’ dogs can join in and it’s great for building their confidence.

If you’d would like to find out more about trying it then please get in touch and we can get you started with the lovely Carol Bentley - an accredited advanced canine hoopers instructor.

08/03/2024

Your Friday smile!

DOUBLE TAKE: One of our favourite shots by the talented canine photographer Claudio Piccoli. The expression on the dogs' faces is just priceless - the sheer joy of being alive.

28/02/2024

There is always someone who knows the right answer in class!!!

15/02/2024

📚The IAABC's core mission is to raise the standards of animal behavior consulting worldwide, making our credentialing process the core function of our organization. We offer a variety of credentials including but not limited to Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), Certified Cat Behavior Consultant (CCBC), Certified Equine Behavior Consultant (CEBC), Certified Parrot Behavior Consultant (CPBC), Certified Animal Behavior Consultant (CABC) (and more.) Obtaining an IAABC credential indicates a superior level of knowledge as well as skill in practical application of behavior change principles following LIMA-based strategies.

For more information about our Credentials please visit: https://iaabc.org/en/credentials

06/01/2024

My last walk for 2023 with this handsome boy! 🐾

What a year it's been.... Thank you so much to everyone who's supported me and my business throughout the year.

Merry Christmas and best wishes to you all for 2024 🐾🐾🐶🐶

I'll be back to walks on Wednesday January 3rd 🌟

05/01/2024

Please check your dogs paws regularly and contact your vet if you are at all concerned.

⚠ Alabama Rot - confirmed case ⚠

Unfortunately we have seen a confirmed case of Alabama Rot, also known as CRGV, this time in the Cleobury Mortimer area. An additional case is suspected but not yet confirmed.

While there is no need for panic, we're advising dog owners to be vigilant and to contact their vet if their dog develops unexplained skin lesions, particularly on the legs or paws.

We don't yet know what causes CRGV and it remains a very rare disease. Most cases occur between November and May and there is some evidence of a link to walking in wet, muddy woodland areas. It may be beneficial to wash and dry your dog after a muddy walk. Current advice is that there is no need to avoid walking in certain areas.

Signs to look for:

▪️ Skin sores not caused by a known injury, particularly on the legs or paws
▪️ Swollen skin
▪️ Redness

Signs that may be seen if kidney problems develop:

▪️ Vomiting
▪️ Changes in behaviour such as fatigue or lack of appetite

Further information can be found at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists dedicated page ➡️ www.alabama-rot.co.uk

01/01/2024

Happy New Year to all my lovely clients. May your 2024 be filled with love and happiness. X

27/12/2023

Nandi sleeping off the turkey!!

09/12/2023

Enjoy life despite the weather!!

11/11/2023

“As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,

To the end, to the end, they remain.”

Lest we forget. ❤️💜

03/11/2023

There are all sorts of reasons why dogs behave as they do. Dogs do what works for them and very often we don’t recognise why or what caused the behaviour to develop in the first instance. However, once we understand the emotion and the motivation behind the behaviour we can start to help the dog change their behaviour to one we find more acceptable.

Dogs behave the way they do for many reasons. They do NOT do things deliberately to be stubborn or ‘naughty’, nor do they aim to assert control. Outdated mythologies and training methods have detrimental effects on well-being and strain the relationship between a dog and their caregiver.

🧬A dog's breed and genetic makeup can play a significant role in determining certain behavioural traits. Dogs have genetic predispositions and breed-specific tendencies that contribute to their behaviour.
Some breeds are predisposed to specific behaviours, such as herding, hunting, or guarding.

The environment in which a dog is raised and lives can profoundly impact their behaviour. Early socialisation, which involves exposing a puppy to a wide range of people, animals, and environments during their critical developmental period, is crucial for building confidence and shaping a dog's social behaviour to reduce fear or aggression.

Overstimulation can cause all kinds of unwanted behaviours as it overwhelms their senses and can lead to hyperactivity or erratic responses. For example, if a dog is exposed to loud noises, multiple people, and various stimuli all at once, or on a daily basis, they might exhibit excessive excitable behaviour, poor impulse control, become agitated and exhibit behaviours like jumping, barking, or pulling on the leash, as their senses are overwhelmed by the excessive input.

Previous experiences and learning consequences can influence a dog's behaviour. Traumatic experiences, in particular, can lead to fear, anxiety, or aggression.

How a dog is trained and educated by their caregiver or handler can significantly affect their behaviour. Consistent, positive reinforcement-based training can lead to desired behaviours, while harsh or inconsistent methods can result in confusion or fear.

A dog's health, including their physical and mental well-being, can influence their behaviour. Illness, pain, or discomfort can lead to changes in behaviour.

A dog's emotional state, including fear, anxiety, and excitement, can affect their behaviour. For example, a fearful dog may display unpredictable defensive reactive behaviours or might avoid any encounters and run away trying to hide. While a confident dog may exhibit playfulness and a relaxed demeanour.

A dog can become frustrated and destructive if their mental and physical needs are not met. This dog, full of pent-up energy and boredom, may become frustrated and exhibit poor impulse control. In their frustration, they might resort to destructive behaviours, such as chewing furniture, digging up the garden, or incessant barking. This destructive behaviour is often an expression of their frustration and an attempt to alleviate their built-up energy and mental stress.

The type of diet a dog receives can significantly influence their behaviour, with high-quality nutrition promoting better energy levels, mood, and overall well-being, while poor diet choices can lead to issues like irritability, hyperactivity, or digestive problems.

As dogs age, they may experience canine cognitive decline, which can manifest as changes in memory, learning, and behaviour. This condition can lead to increased confusion, disorientation, and altered social interactions in older dogs.

It is really important to understand that each dog is unique, and their behaviour can vary widely, even within the same breed. Dogs use body language, vocalizations, and other forms of communication to express their needs, emotions, and intentions. Understanding a dog's communication cues is essential for interpreting their behaviour.

10/10/2023

I do try to help but the only thing I can off is suggest they get a dog!!!!

How do I help them?

Score a 17% discount on any of our dog sport decals + tees at ShopCanineAesthete.com 🛒👕 🎄

09/09/2023

Animals displaying the emotions of play and happiness. ❤️

03/09/2023

DOG CLASSES STARTING IN SEPTEMBER
To book your place please contact me on 07778 435116 or email me at [email protected].
Classes are held near Bridgnorth, WV16 6U

03/09/2023

PUPPY CLASSES STARTING IN SEPTEMBER
To book your place please contact me on 07778 435116 or email me at [email protected].
Classes are held near Bridgnorth, WV16 6U

25/08/2023

Science-based and positive reinforcement techniques to train dogs will always be more successful than the types of training this man promotes. Please do not be persuaded by him for the sake of all our dogs.

ABTC Statement on Augusto Deoliveira’s dog handling practices.

20/06/2023

Dogs wearing yellow need space so please put your dog on a lead if they are loose until the other dog has gone past.

When I see Bella without her yellow dog gear on, she looks naked to me! And we feel vulnerable…..

Because without her space awareness accessories, I know only too well what lays ahead on our walks. People wanting to talk to her, touch her, and dogs coming waaaay too close.

It’s honestly a miracle to me the big difference in Bella's confidence when she has her yellow on. 💛

09/06/2023

Dougie’s recall is coming on a treat! 😁

05/06/2023

The gorgeous Dougie has come to stay to improve on his recall. It’s definitely a dog’s life!!