Brilliant K9s -Dog Training and Behaviour by Anita Takacs

02/07/2025

This is our very first session with the Treat & Train, and you’ll see I’m working on a really tough skill for Spraggan — disengagement.

As a terrier, and probably with a little Jack Russell in the mix, she’s been bred to hyper-focus — on rats, on the job, on anything she’s locked onto. That incredible focus is a strength, but it can also hold her back — making it hard for her to notice the world around her, and at times, that can even put her at risk.

So today, I’m gently working against that instinct, to help her grow.

At first, I’m simply asking for eye contact before she gets access to the food. She has to find me with her eyes — that’s her cue that the reward is coming.

Once she starts understanding that, I change positions. Now she needs to search for me with her eyes again — not just stare at the machine. This builds her ability to disengage from the thing that’s captured her focus.

Eventually, we’ll build this into movement. She’ll physically need to move away from the Treat & Train to get her reward. It’s not easy for her, but it’s the foundation for real-life disengagement — from triggers, distractions, and excitement.

This takes time, especially for a dog like Spraggan, but it’s one of the best gifts I can give her — the ability to pause, check in, and make better choices.

07/06/2025

04/06/2025

“He’s not missing you… he’s wondering who’s in charge of breakfast!” 🤣🍳🐾

t’s so easy to anthropomorphise our dogs — to see their behaviour and instantly think, “He’s sad I’m leaving” or “She’s feeling guilty.”
But often, what we read as human emotions are really just practical dog thoughts.

Like when my partner left the house and Sam started whining. I was about to say, “He’s already missing you!” but my partner nailed it:
👉 “He’s probably just worried about what’s happening with breakfast.”
Dead right. 😂

Dogs have feelings, yes — but not quite the same story-driven ones we do. They live in the moment, read patterns, and react to what’s happening now.

So next time you think your dog’s having an emotional crisis…
💡Check the routine.
💡Check the food.
💡Check your assumptions.

Still adorable either way. 🐶❤️

04/06/2025

Why We Anthropomorphise Our Dogs – And What They Might Really Be Thinking

It’s so easy to do. You see your dog sitting by the door, ears back, eyes soulful, maybe letting out a soft whine. And before you know it, you’re interpreting it all through a very human lens: “Oh, bless him, he’s heartbroken I’m leaving.” But hold on — is he really pining for your presence, or is he just unsure about whether breakfast is still happening?

Take this moment, for example: my partner was heading out the door, and my dog Sam started whining. It’s easy (and tempting) to say, “He’s missing me already!” But my partner hit the nail on the head when he said instead, “He’s probably just wondering what’s happening with his breakfast.” Because honestly? He probably is. (And I’m very proud of my human training as well at this point 😂)

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Why We Do It

Anthropomorphism — giving human thoughts, emotions, and intentions to animals — is something we do all the time, especially with our dogs. It’s how our brains are wired. We’re social creatures, and we use empathy to navigate the world. So when we see someone (or some-dog) react emotionally, we instinctively interpret it through our own emotional framework.

Dogs are expressive, too — they wag, they sigh, they avoid eye contact, they bounce with glee. It’s no wonder we see them as furry little people with thoughts just like ours. And to be fair, they do have emotions — just not necessarily in the same complex, story-driven way we do.

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What’s Actually Going On?

Sam’s whining when my partner leaves could mean a few different things, but chances are, it’s not a deep existential grief. He might be:
• Anticipating a change in routine – “Hang on, one human’s leaving? Who’s in charge of food now?”
• Feeling a bit insecure or unsettled – “Something’s shifting in the dynamics — what happens next?”
• Hungry and unsure – “Is anyone going to feed me now, or…?”

Dogs are brilliant at pattern recognition. They know that certain cues mean certain things — the rustle of car keys, the sound of the coffee machine, or even the way you tie your shoes. If your morning routine usually includes feeding your dog, but now there’s a disruption, their whining might be more about logistics than longing.

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The Danger of Misinterpretation

While it’s harmless — and even endearing — to describe our dogs as missing us or feeling left out, sometimes anthropomorphism can cloud our judgement. For example:

• We might think a dog is “guilty” after chewing a shoe, when in fact he’s just reacting to our tone or body language.

• We might believe a dog is “being spiteful” by toileting indoors, when he’s actually anxious, confused, or unwell.

• We might assume a dog “knows what he did wrong” when really, he’s just trying to appease us.

When we project human motives onto our dogs, we risk missing what they’re actually communicating — and we might respond in a way that adds stress rather than helping.

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A More Balanced View

Of course, dogs do form deep attachments. They do miss us, and they do show love and excitement and worry. But the way they experience these emotions is often more in-the-moment and practical than our romanticised version of it.

So next time your dog looks at you with those big eyes as you grab your coat, you might still say, “Aww, he doesn’t want me to go…” But also spare a thought for the real question on his mind:
“Yeah, yeah, you’re leaving. But who’s in charge of breakfast now?”

And honestly? That question is just as valid.

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04/04/2025

We are in the midst of moving to our new place, and Spraggan came with me every day. She was completely tuned in to everything I did. Every time I picked up a box, walked into another room, or stepped outside, she was right behind me, watching and anticipating what would happen next. She wasn’t just following me—she was studying my every move, as if trying to figure out what all this change meant for her.

At first, I didn’t think much of it. Of course, she’d be curious—her whole world was shifting. But as the days went on, I noticed that she wasn’t settling. She was constantly in a state of anticipation, always getting up, repositioning herself, and waiting for the next thing to happen. If I stood up, she stood up. If I walked into the kitchen, she followed. She didn’t seem stressed, but she definitely wasn’t relaxed.

That’s when I started using purposeless movement to help her adjust. Instead of making every action meaningful, I began moving around randomly—standing up and sitting back down, walking into rooms without doing anything, picking up objects and placing them back down, going outside and coming right back in.

At first, Spraggan was confused. She would still follow me, but with a little more hesitation, as if wondering, Wait… was that actually important? But over time, she started realising that my movement didn’t always mean something significant. The more I moved around without any clear purpose, the more she began to relax. She stopped getting up every time I did, and instead of watching me like a hawk, she started settling down on her own, choosing to rest rather than staying in constant anticipation.

After about a week I noticed a big shift in her. She was more at ease in the new house because she had learned that not every little movement was a signal for something. She didn’t feel the need to shadow me constantly, and instead of being on high alert, she could truly settle in and relax.

Purposeless movement turned out to be an incredibly simple yet powerful way to help her transition. By removing the sense of urgency from my movements, I helped Spraggan understand that she didn’t have to be on edge, waiting for the next big thing to happen. It was a game-changer—not just for the move, but for her overall confidence and independence.

04/10/2024

We celebrate YOU on October 4, the World Animal Day, a special occasion dedicated to raising awareness about animal welfare. This day provides a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the incredible significance of our four-legged friends in our lives and to recognize the efforts of organizations and individuals who tirelessly work for the well-being of all animals.