Planet Dog Training & Behaviour

25/09/2024

A lot of training focuses on what is convenient for the human and ignores the fact that the dog is also a sentient being having their own experience of being in the world. Asking your dog “How is this for you?”* allows you to consider the current situation for them, too. How are they feeling, physically, emotionally and mentally?

Perhaps they are not responding to your request for them to sit because it is uncomfortable for them to do so. Perhaps they do not feel like continuing on their walk because there are sounds or smells in the distance which are making them uncomfortable. Perhaps they cannot focus on the new thing that you are trying to teach them because there are too many distractions around.

Asking “How is this for you?” in any interaction that we have with our dogs allows us to ensure that we are always responding to their needs, which is the best way to ensure that we are helping them to lead their best lives with us.

In order to understand their response to that question we need to be able to read their body language, need to be able to recognise any signs of stress or discomfort that they are showing, and need to know when they are saying ‘No, thank you’ as well as when they are saying ‘Yes, please!’ It requires observing what they do in response to things and being able to adjust the environment and/or our actions accordingly.

It is easy to make assumptions about what our dogs are feeling but these assumptions can often do them a very real disservice. If we are committed to respecting the individual lives that our dogs are leading and ensuring that we are always caring for them in the very best ways that we can, then we must always ask how things are for them, and we should educate ourselves so that we are able to truly hear - and therefore effectively respond to - their answers.

If you need help understanding more about your dog so that you can nurture that all important bond with them, then Planet Dog can help.

*one of Suzanne Clothier's 6 Elemental Questions

03/08/2024

Beach days are always happy days. 🥰

30/07/2024

Many people, when greeting or showing affection to a dog, reach out to ruffle them on the top of their heads. It is meant to be a nice gesture but, for many dogs, it can be anything but.

Studies have found that stroking a dog on the chest can lower their heart rate and be calming for them, whereas touches to the top of the head or the paws can result in body language of discomfort.

The dogs in the photos below are both clearly uncomfortable with being touched on the tops of their heads: both dogs are ducking slightly away from the hand that is touching them and their ears are pinned back, too. You can also see a tongue flick from the dog on the left and ‘whale eye’ (where the whites of the eye are showing) in the dog on the right. All of these signs are evidence that these two dogs are not enjoying receiving the physical attention which is being imposed upon them.

There are many reasons why it is important to be able to understand our dogs’ body language, amongst them the fact that you may be punishing your dog when you think that you are rewarding them. If your dog does not enjoy being stroked on the top of their head but, in your enthusiasm at them returning to you when you recall them you tell them how good they are whilst ruffling them in precisely that location, for example, then you may actually be discouraging, rather than encouraging them from returning to you the next time that you recall them.

Taking time to learn how to read your dog accurately and listening to their communications is a vital way of enhancing your relationship with them. If you need help with this, then Planet Dog is here to help.

23/07/2024

Do you take your dog for a walk or go for a walk with your dog?

Whilst at first glance these two things may seem to be the same, it’s worth considering the subtle difference between these two ways of describing this one activity.

If we are keen to make a dog’s walk as enriching as possible for them, then a tiny shift in perspective might make all the difference.

Going for a walk *with* your dog means recognising that the walk is for them. So how might this change things? It means letting them choose where they want to walk. It means letting them choose where to sniff and how long they want to stay there for. It means letting them initiate or reject play, and letting them choose whether or not they wish to interact with others (always keeping in mind the needs and preferences of those other parties too, of course!). It means letting them stand still or sit or lie down when they want to in order simply to take in their environment.

People are sometimes bewildered if their dogs just stop when out on a walk, but allowing them the time and space to take in their environment is so important, both for their sense of security and of contentment: a walk is an opportunity for mental as well as physical stimulation too, after all.

So take time to notice your dog’s preferences, and try to honour them when you go for a walk with them. This is just one of many ways that you can ensure that you are meeting their needs.

22/07/2024

Canine behavioural science is developing all the time and I consider it part of my professional responsibility (as well as my personal obsession!) to ensure that I am always keeping up-to-date with the latest developments pertaining to this fascinating field.

As part of that responsibility I am always endeavouring to expand my learning and, to that end, I have just completed a Level 6 qualification in Canine Behaviour with the The International School for Canine Psychology and Behaviour - ISCP. I have really enjoyed all aspects of this course, in particular the research that I conducted for my final dissertation all about aggressive behaviour in dogs.

Thank you once again to all of my wonderful clients: you inspire me, every day, to keep learning as much as I can about our canine friends so that together we can help to ensure that they are always living their best lives with us.

20/07/2024

“I’m not feeling myself today”: this is a phrase that we use when we’re feeling unwell in some way and it very neatly captures how a physical or mental problem can affect all aspects of our selves. Think about the last time that you had a really bad headache or some other pain in your body. Were you able to ignore it and simply go about your day as if nothing at all was wrong? Most likely it altered things for you, changed how you felt and behaved around others, made it more challenging to do certain things.

Well, it’s no different for our dogs.

Pain in dogs can manifest itself in different ways: it may change the way a dog moves or result in house-soiling, it can cause lethargy and a reluctance to move or to go on walks, it can increase anxiety, may make a dog seek out or avoid their guardian more than usual, may manifest in compulsive behaviours such as excessive licking of surfaces or extreme licking and/or chewing of body parts, it may cause your dog to be destructive when they are left alone, might cause night disturbances, aggressive behaviour, abnormal sitting postures or gaits, or pica (compulsive eating of non-foodstuff).

As you can see, there are many, many behaviours that might be a consequence of pain. In fact, a recent study found that the prevalence of a relationship between pain and problem behaviours in dogs is between 28 and 82%*, which is why veterinary assessment is a vital component of any behavioural consultation that you want to undertake with your dog.

Even if you don’t think that your dog is in pain, if they are exhibiting any behaviours that you find problematic, particularly when those behaviours are new ones without an obvious cause, then the possibility of pain should always be considered. An effective collaboration between a dog’s guardian, their vet, and a behaviourist is vital: these individuals all have a key role to play in collectively determining the source of a dog’s given behavioural issue.

If you are struggling with any aspect of your dog’s behaviour, then please get in touch with Planet Dog. An individualised programme will give you the confidence to know that you are addressing all possible contributory factors to your dog’s behaviour, and a comprehensive and individualised plan is the best way to get you and your dog the help that you both need and deserve.

*Mills, D.S. et al. (2020) Pain and Problem Behaviour in Cats and Dogs. Animals, 10(2):318.

03/07/2024

In many aspects of dogs’ lives with us, their choices are removed or, at best, extremely limited: it is the human who decides when and what the dog eats, when they go for walks, who they interact with, what toys they have, what activities they can engage in, where they sleep. Different people will have different lists, but it is part of the lot of most domestic dogs that a huge number of choices are made on their behalf.

However, having choice and agency in life is vital for positive mental health. This is as true for dogs as it is for humans.

It is possible - and easy - to offer our dogs choices every day, and it is such an important way of helping them to feel happier and more confident. It can also reduce feelings of stress, frustration, and anxiety. So opting to introduce choice into our dogs’ lives, when and where it is safe to do so, is a really good way of ensuring that we are attending to their well-being.

So how can you offer your dogs choices in their lives? You could let them choose the route of your walk, could let them decide how long they want to spend sniffing at an individual spot. You could give them a selection of food types so that they are able to choose what they prefer, and can also feed that food in different ways to let them choose how they would rather eat (from a bowl or a lickimat or a plate or a snuffle mat, for example). You could offer them different sleeping options (places, heights, bed types), could offer them a variety of toys and games, letting them choose which one they want at any given time. You can ensure that, when appropriate, they are allowed to say no to interactions or activities. Do they have choice in the physical interactions that they’re having with other people and animals? Are they allowed to let you know that they’re not in the mood for training or grooming or playing? (And if you’re not sure what that would look like, then Planet Dog can help!)

Obviously for some parts of life with our dogs it is not always safe or possible to give them total choice. But where it is possible, it is so important to help them to learn that they do have some control over their own lives and the environments in which they live. So choose to ensure that your dog has more choice in their life - it is just one of many ways that you can meet and honour their needs.

04/05/2024

A beautiful day with my beautiful boy. 🥰

02/05/2024

If you see a dog on-lead then you should always call your dog back and put them on-lead until you know more.

Some dogs need space and may react negatively to being approached by unknown dogs. Their guardians may keep them on a lead or long-line in order to help them to manage their environment and to keep them - and others - safe. The reasons for this can be many and varied: they may be genetically fearful, they may have had a traumatic experience with other dogs in the past, they may be injured or unwell or otherwise in pain, they may be nervous, in training, in season, in a bad mood.

If your off-lead dog approaches such a dog, they may react by growling, barking, and lunging; whilst such behaviours can look frightening, it is often the case that the dogs are themselves afraid and are using these behaviours to communicate their need for more space.

Putting your dog back on lead, even if you are confident that they won’t approach others, will help those dogs - and their guardians - to feel more comfortable, thus helping to prevent the dog’s need to react. It is a small action with a large consequence.

Judgement is easy but understanding can be hard; most people are trying to do the very best they can by their dogs, and dogs who need space are just as deserving of the right to feel safe whilst out on their walks as everyone else.

Grisha Stewart Academy and Empowered Animals, LLC

15/04/2024

Have you ever stopped to think about how the physical aspects of your home might affect your dog?

A lack of traction throughout your home and/or garden is likely to cause your dog to slip and stumble: potential problems can be caused by slippery floors, by rugs that shift and slide on top of slippery floors, and by steep stairs. Such surfaces can be very difficult for dogs already suffering from musculoskeletal issues to negotiate, but even in dogs without such issues, a constant lack of stability in the home can create small microtraumas, the cumulative effects of which can create joint problems for them which might easily have been prevented.

So what can you do?

Help your dogs to achieve greater stability around your home by providing non-slip surfaces for them to move about on. Whilst you might not be able to lay entirely non-slip flooring throughout your home (though if you did want to do this, then companies like Floors For Paws specialise in flooring that is designed to be both hard-wearing as well as anti-slip), you could ensure that there are some carpeted areas in your home, or that you provide non-slip rugs or yoga mats for your dogs to move about on, or that you put anti-slip tape on otherwise slippery surfaces that allow your dogs to move more comfortably from room to room. In addition, you should ensure that you are not playing games that encourage your dogs to run across unstable surfaces.

Helping our dogs to live a life as free from pain as possible is just one of the many ways in which we can fulfil our duty of care to them. It is also the case that there is a well-established relationship between pain and behaviour, so anything that you can do to minimise the former in your dog will ultimately have a positive effect on the latter.

This is a message that every dog guardian needs to be aware of, so go ahead and be boring about flooring: your dogs will thank you for it!

14/03/2024

People sometimes worry that letting their dogs sleep on the furniture will cause problems of some kind, but this could not be further from the truth.

Many dogs are social sleepers: this means that, given the choice, they may prefer to sleep close to other people or dogs. Many dogs also enjoy sleeping on elevated surfaces, which is another reason why furniture is so appealing to them.

If you would prefer that your dog did not sleep or rest on your furniture for whatever reason, then that is a personal choice. It is perfectly possible to train them to sleep and rest in other designated spaces that are equally comfortable for them (assuming that you have provided these, of course). You can still accommodate the preferences noted above by offering elevated beds or resting spaces and placing them close to where you tend to hang out most.

As has been explored in an earlier post, giving your dogs choice is a crucial way of developing their confidence and ensuring their well-being: choices in where to rest and sleep are just one part of this. Learning what your dog’s preferences are and, where possible, accommodating those preferences, are both important ways in which you can ensure that you are helping to meet their needs.

And if you and your dog enjoy close contact and you are happy for them to sleep on the furniture, then you can rest assured that there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t let them do that. (And if you want to fill your phone with photos of them sleeping in every possible location at every possible moment in time, then you certainly won’t be alone!)

04/03/2024

If you are choosing which breed of dog to bring into your life, knowing the general behaviours which are common to a breed is important. But it is just as important to recognise that every dog, no matter their breed, is an individual.

Dogs have their own personalities. They have likes and dislikes, just like you, preferences about what they enjoy doing and activities they’d prefer not to participate in, just like you.

Perhaps you wanted a dog who would hike with you for miles, but the dog you have is happier going for a slow amble before spending the rest of the day snoozing on the sofa. Perhaps you wanted a dog who would go everywhere with you, but the dog you have is nervous of new places and people.

There are obviously some things that you can help your dog to learn to enjoy. But there are some things that they may never enjoy because of who they are, and that should be ok.

Your dog should have the freedom to be who they are, just like you. They should have their likes and dislikes accommodated rather than ignored. And it all starts with knowing who they really are, rather than trying to force them in to becoming who you wish that they would be. Loving your dog means truly knowing and understanding them, and respecting their individuality.

If you are struggling to understand your dog or want help and support in learning how to ensure that they are living their best life with you, then get in touch with Planet Dog today.

20/01/2024

Reinforcement can come in many forms (and is always determined by your own, individual dog). But how effective a given reinforcer is likely to be can be influenced not only by its type, but also by the way that it is delivered.

In terms of treats, you can make a choice about delivery based on what your dog loves to do and what they would find most enjoyable in that moment. If you successfully recall them away from chasing something, for example, then food tossed across the ground for them to chase is likely to be more reinforcing than a treat fed directly to their mouths, since by tossing the treat you are providing them with a simulation of the chasing that they were about to enjoy, as well as the treat - double win!

Treat delivery can also have an effect on your dog's arousal levels: that is, you can encourage excitement or calm in your dog depending on how you deliver their treats.

If you are trying to get your dog excited about learning something new with you, then you might get them to catch or chase the treat, since getting them engaged in something energetic is likely to encourage their enthusiasm.

However, if your dog is over-excited then delivering a treat via something that they can lick (something from a squeezy tube or something smeared on the back of a wooden spoon, for example), or slowly placing a treat on the ground, will help to calm them down - if they have to use their noses to search for the treat, then the act of sniffing will also help to de-escalate their arousal levels.

So the next time you are rewarding your dog for a behaviour that you like, consider whether you’re making the reward as valuable as it could be. It’s not just what you have, but also what you do with it that could make all the difference to your dog.

23/12/2023

Wishing all of my lovely clients a wonderful Christmas, full of music and sparkle.

And here's to a very happy 2024.

13/12/2023

Another (and final) repost from last year, this one outlining how to ensure that your dogs are able to cope with all the changes that the Christmas period usually brings.

During the Christmas period, our homes are often filled with more noise and activity than usual. These changes can be overwhelming for lots of dogs, causing them to feel very confused and/or excited, emotions which could well affect their behaviour in ways that may surprise you.

Giving a little bit of thought to things ahead of time will ensure a safe and happy holiday for everyone, including your dog. As they say, a clever person might be able to solve a problem, but a wise one knows how to avoid it. So be that wise person by giving some thought to the following points:

1. Food: Prevent access to toxic foods (see my previous post on this). Also be mindful of excessive treats. It’s natural that we want to share the festive celebrations with our dogs, but try to be mindful of just how many treats your dogs are eating - and of what kind - throughout the day.

2. Safe spaces: Having access to a safe space in the home where your dog can retreat to and know that they will not be disturbed is vital. A separate room can be useful for dogs who need some time away from everything, but barriers can also be useful (think stair gates or puppy pens) for those dogs who need a bit of time to relax but without feeling that they’re being completely sequestered. Make a decision based on your own dogs’ needs. Remember that not all dogs want to be amongst the hustle and bustle of Christmas and providing them with a place where they can rest and relax without worry is a simple kindness that you can extend to them at this - and any other - time.

3. Activities: one of the very great pleasures of sharing our lives with dogs is having the chance to share experiences with them. However, this may not be viable all the time! If you are someone who finds yourself shooing your dog away when you are cooking or moving about, then why not give them something enjoyable to do so instead? For example, providing them with a stuffed Kong or a long-lasting chew is a way of giving them some fun of their own to attend to. This could also be a nice, calming thing for them to engage in when they are decompressing in their safe space.

4. Christmas tree: Dangling items on the xmas tree can be very tempting for some dogs - think about where your tree is or how you could possibly section it off so that your dog won’t knock/pull it over or eat something they shouldn’t from it. That also goes for wrapped gifts beneath the tree, particularly those that contain food.

5. Routine: maintaining your dog’s usual mealtimes and exercise times will help them to feel more comfortable and secure during a period when lots of other things may change.

6. Awareness: Advocate for your dog and ensure that your guests understand how they need to behave in order to help them to feel safe and secure. If you don’t feel that you can provide safety and security for your dogs whilst guests are in the house, then review and implement points 2 and 3, above.

Remember that every dog - just like every person - has a threshold beyond which they cannot cope. This does not mean that they have a behavioural issue, it only means that they have a pulse. No matter how bulletproof you think your dog may be, it needs to be remembered that in the right context every dog is capable of biting. You should set your dog up for success by ensuring that they don’t get so overwhelmed that they feel that this is the only way that they will be heard. Be mindful of their needs and their body language (Iip licking, yawning, looking away, moving away, and facial tension are just some examples of body language that your dog might exhibit if they are feeling uncomfortable), respect their communications, and help them to not get overwhelmed. That way you can all enjoy a happy Christmas.

12/12/2023

Just reposting this as we head towards the festive season!...

There are a number of foods that are toxic for dogs, and Christmas is a time when some of those foods are likely to be more prevalent than ever in our homes.

During the festive period it is therefore more important than ever to ensure that foods that could be dangerous to your dog are kept well out of their way.

Vets are already reporting treating dogs who have eaten chocolates, mince pies, and advent calendars. But better than getting them the treatment that they will so desperately need if they eat anything that will be toxic to them is obviously preventing such ingestion in the first place.

Dogs display a number of adaptations - behavioural, anatomical, and physiological - which mark them out as scavengers, so helping themselves to food that’s lying about is a totally natural behaviour. It is important to ensure that you keep dangerous food out of the reach of your dog at all times: this includes presents under the tree that might contain food. Wrapping paper only stops us from knowing what’s inside: your dog’s nose is their x-ray vision so if there’s food in any of your wrapped up gifts, then be sure not to leave them where your dog has access to them.

With a little bit of forethought and care, you can prevent your dog from eating things that will cause them harm. The only one who should be lying around groaning at the end of the day because of what they’ve eaten is you.

09/12/2023

There is so much misunderstanding out there regarding dogs who can be reactive in certain situations and these misunderstandings can be incredibly damaging, both for the dogs themselves and for the humans doing their very best to care for them.

It is a common misapprehension that dogs displaying reactivity are misbehaving or are poorly socialised, and that if they only had more training or more exposure to other dogs, their issues would be resolved. However, it is actually much more complicated than this.

Dogs displaying reactivity may do so for all sorts of reasons, including pain, illness or discomfort, frustration, fear, genetics, daily stress, past trauma…The list goes on and on.

Helping dogs with behavioural issues involves an appreciation of the emotions that drive their behaviour, working to change those emotions and helping the dog to feel more positively about the things that cause them to react. It is a long process, not a quick fix. And, as with all training, success can be measured by progress, not perfection.

Just because you are seeing a dog react, that does not mean that they and their guardian are not working on those behaviours. Just because you are seeing a dog react, it does not mean that those behaviours have not already been improving in lots of different contexts: perhaps on the day that you saw them the dog was simply too close to the thing that upset them and so they reacted on that one, specific occasion.

Some reactive dogs may always react if their triggers get too close. They may only feel safe and comfortable if they are a certain distance away from those triggers. But the fact that they are able to feel safe and comfortable at all is a huge improvement for so many dogs and their guardians. It is understanding, not judgement, which will help these dogs and the humans who are usually working so hard to take care of them.