Bark to Basics dog training and rehabilitation

Bark to Basics dog training and rehabilitation Dog training, puppy training, puppy obedience, dog recall training, dog resource guarding,dog jumpin
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12/10/2025

🔊 When Sound Sparks Fear: What’s Happening in Your Dog’s Brain? 🧠🐾

Here’s a gorgeous boy who I worked with this week who had become very sound sensitive due to specific noises that had occurred when he wasn’t expecting it, and had now extended his anxiety to many general sounds.

That sudden bang, beep, or buzz? It’s not just “annoying” — for some dogs, it’s a full-blown neurological alarm.

Here’s what’s happening inside their brain when fear kicks in:

🧠 The Amygdala Takes Over
This almond-shaped part of the brain scans for danger 24/7. Loud, unpredictable sounds? Instant red flag. It shouts “THREAT!” before your dog even knows what’s happening.

🚨 Fight, Flight, or Freeze
Once the amygdala sounds the alarm, the body floods with stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Your dog might bolt, bark, tremble, or shut down — all survival strategies.

🔄 The Thinking Brain Goes Offline
The prefrontal cortex — the part that helps with learning and decision-making — gets sidelined. That’s why your dog can’t “just listen” or “snap out of it” when scared. They’re not being stubborn — they’re overwhelmed.

💡 Repetition Builds Association
If scary sounds keep happening, the brain starts linking the environment with fear. That’s how noise sensitivity can spread — from crow scarers to car doors to clinking dishes.

But here’s the good news:
🧘‍♀️ With desensitisation, counter-conditioning, and trust-building, we can help rewire those fear pathways. The brain is plastic — and progress is possible.

Your dog isn’t broken. They’re just trying to survive in a world that sometimes feels too loud. Let’s help them feel safe again. 💛


11/10/2025

🌹🐾 Black Rosehips: The Wild Superfruit Your Dog Didn’t Know They Needed 🐾🌹

My dog’s have been snuffling around hedgerows like a four-legged herbalists for a few weeks now. Black rosehips—those dark, vitamin-packed fruits from wild roses—are more than just nature’s decoration. They’re a nutritional powerhouse with real benefits for your dog.

✨ Why they’re worth wagging about:

• 💪 Loaded with vitamin C to support immune health and joint function
• 🧠 Rich in antioxidants like beta carotene and flavonoids for brain, skin, and coat
• 🔥 Naturally anti-inflammatory—great for dogs with arthritis, stiffness, or post-adventure soreness
• 🌿 May help regulate digestion and support strong bones and teeth

A sprinkle of dried, ground rosehips on your dog’s food can offer a gentle, natural boost. Many dogs even enjoy foraging them on walks as you can see from mine 😂.

Let’s see some of your doggy foraging photos!

#

11/10/2025

🌹🐾 Black Rosehips: The Wild Superfruit Your Dog Didn’t Know They Needed 🐾🌹

My dog’s have been snuffling around hedgerows like a four-legged herbalists for a few weeks now. Black rosehips—those dark, vitamin-packed fruits from wild roses—are more than just nature’s decoration. They’re a nutritional powerhouse with real benefits for your dog.

✨ Why they’re worth wagging about:

• 💪 Loaded with vitamin C to support immune health and joint function
• 🧠 Rich in antioxidants like beta carotene and flavonoids for brain, skin, and coat
• 🔥 Naturally anti-inflammatory—great for dogs with arthritis, stiffness, or post-adventure soreness
• 🌿 May help regulate digestion and support strong bones and teeth

A sprinkle of dried, ground rosehips on your dog’s food can offer a gentle, natural boost. Many dogs even enjoy foraging them on walks as you can see from mine 😂.

Let’s see some of your doggy foraging photos!

05/10/2025

💡 Training truth bomb incoming: Dogs aren’t born knowing how to walk nicely, come when called, or ignore that roast chicken on the counter. If we skip the groundwork, we can’t be shocked when the results are…well, feral.

This isn’t about guilt—it’s about empowerment. Want better behaviour? Invest in the relationship. Practice. Be consistent. And remember: your dog isn’t giving you a hard time. They’re having a hard time.


04/10/2025

I’ve done a lot of recall sessions for clients this week so thought a post was relevant.

🐾 RECALL: The Art of Being More Interesting Than the environment and all it offers!

Teaching your dog to come when called isn’t just about shouting “COME!” like you’re summoning a medieval knight. It’s about emotion. Connection. And yes, sometimes bribery via a food reward (most people rely on just food, but fun should be the main event).

Here’s the secret sauce: dogs don’t come back because they’ve memorised a command. They come back because coming to you feels safe, joyful, and rewarding. You’re the party. The peanut butter. The Beyoncé of their world.

✨ Tips for recall that actually works:

• Be the fun one: If recall means “end of fun,” your dog will ghost you like a bad Tinder date.
• Celebrate like you won the lottery when they come back—even if they took a scenic route via three bushes and a dead pigeon.
• Practice in easy places first. Don’t start at the beach with 47 off-lead Labradors and a seagull rave.
• Build trust. If your dog thinks recall = punishment, they’ll choose freedom every time.

💛 The real magic? It’s in the bond. A dog who trusts you, adores you, and feels safe with you will choose you—even over that squirrel with a vendetta.

So train recall like you’re building a friendship, not issuing a command. And remember: if your dog comes back to you with joy in their eyes and mud on their paws, you’re doing it right.

If you would like tips on making your recall a success, get in touch for more info….


28/09/2025

🧠 Just because your dog isn’t “causing problems” doesn’t mean they wouldn’t benefit from training.

Many owners skip training because their dog seems “fine.” But training isn’t just about fixing issues—it’s enrichment. It builds communication, confidence, and trust. Dogs thrive on learning. It gives them purpose, mental stimulation, and a chance to succeed.

And here’s the kicker: when issues do surface (and they often do), trained dogs—and trained owners—have tools to fall back on. You’re not starting from scratch. You’ve got a shared language, practiced skills, and a foundation of trust.

Your dog might not need training. But they might love it. And future-you might be very glad you did it.

Cutie pie in the photo is one such client from this week that was in this exact situation. We had a wonderful session introducing training to help turn some of the minor issues around.

21/09/2025

🐾 Bark to Basics: The Downside of Putting Your Dog on a Pedestal (Literally and Figuratively)

I get it. Your dog is majestic. A four-legged angel. The chosen one.
But if your pup’s throne is made of velvet cushions, gourmet meals, and zero boundaries… you might be raising a tiny furry tyrant.

👑 Behavioral truth: Dogs thrive on structure, not worship.
When we treat them like royalty, they start acting like it—demanding, anxious, and occasionally throwing tantrums when the peas aren’t peeled. A great deal of my clients fall into this category. Simply adding in a few rules and some structure has the effect of having fairy dust sprinkled on their behaviour choices!

🧠 Why it matters:

• Overindulgence can lead to anxiety, reactivity, and confusion.
• Dogs need clear leadership, not a fan club.
• Boundaries = love. (Even if they pout.)

💡 The fix:
Give affection, yes. But also give guidance.
Be the benevolent ruler, not the butler.

Got a couch monarch?
Tag a friend whose dog thinks “sit” is optional and “fetch” means you go get it. 😂


20/09/2025

💨🐕Why do dogs do zoomies?
Because sometimes... their legs are faster than their life decisions.

🐶Zoomies (aka FRAPs-Frenetic Random Activity
Periods) are your dog's way of saying: "I've got energy, emotions, and possibly a ghost to chase.
LET'S GOOOO!"

Whether it's post-bath madness or midnight hallway sprints, zoomies are 100% normal and 200% hilarious.

Trainer Tip: Want fewer zoomies? Try more mental workouts! Regular training sessions, mentally challenging games or tricks done in different sequences so aren't predictable. These will all help tire your dog's brain-and a tired brain means less need for spontaneous living room lightning bolt impressions.

# dogtrainer

13/09/2025

“We wanted something small and easy… so we got a Jack Russell.” These are words that I have heard multiple times from struggling owners of small breeds 😳🙈.

Now the sofa’s been shredded, the cat’s in hiding, and their living room looks like a crime scene.

Here’s the thing: small dog ≠ low maintenance.
Jack Russells were bred to hunt. That drive doesn’t shrink with their size. They’re smart, fast, and fully committed to chaos if under-stimulated. A bored Jack Russell will invent hobbies. You won’t like them.

Choosing a dog by size alone is like choosing a car by colour. Sure, it looks cute in your feed—but can you handle the horsepower?

Before you fall for the “small = easy” myth, ask yourself:
– Can I offer daily mental stimulation?
– Do I enjoy training challenges?
– Am I okay with a dog that might outsmart me?

Small dogs can be mighty handfuls. Choose a dog that fits your lifestyle, not just your square footage.

Share this with a friend whose thinking of getting a small dog.

07/09/2025

Bone defying dog poses!
One of my dogs had a tendency to sleep in ways that confuse a chiropractor.
Why Dogs Sleep Like They've Been Assembled
Incorrectly.

🛌Ever walked into a room and found your dog sleeping with one leg on the wall, their head upside down, and their tail doing the YMCA?
Science says dogs sleep like this because they feel safe and relaxed.
We say: they're auditioning for Cirque du So-Lay-Down.

Whether it's the "Twisted Pretzel," the "Upside-Down Shrimp," or the classic "| Forgot I Had Bones" pose-your dog's sleep style is less nap, more interpretive art.

Got a canine contortionist? Drop a pic in the comments or tag a friend whose dog sleeps like it's trying to send a message to NASA.


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