Barkz

16/06/2024

12 years of playing footie with the angels: bet you’re still top of the league. Happy Heavenly Fathered Day Eric. ❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️

04/06/2024

My alter-ego has just become a professional partner of pet remedy: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/2v2TpshDcJ6XLptk/. There's a 25% discount offered on pet remedy product - SAM25. If you have an anxious or fearful dog, pet remedy may be able to help them.

I'm proud to become a professional partner with pet remedy today. I can offer you a code: SAM25 which you can use to get 25% off your pet remedy shopping! Why wait! Head over to Pet Remedy now - if you are looking for a natural product to help your anxious dog, you're heading to the perfect place: https://petremedy.co.uk/ref/SAM/

25/01/2024

As you might know, I'm something of a canine separation anxiety nerd and work with dogs and their families who are trying to cope with the many pitfalls of separation anxiety. If you'd like to get in touch, my website: https://www/sa-mentor.com has all the info you need. You can also find info in this month's Cotswold XL magazine: https://fb.watch/pOf1hu_RWP/. If you have a quick question, drop me an email: [email protected] ❤️

09/08/2023

From the S. A. Mentor - specialist separation anxiety trainer: https://www.facebook.com/reel/318329487329359

23/06/2023

Having been away for a while, I'm back with news that I've rebranded and will be focussing on Separation Anxiety Training in the future. You can find my website here: https://sa-mentor.com and my new FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093702696322. Please feel free to visit and share. Sending love!

Separation Anxiety treatment for dogs of all ages and breeds - leave your dog at home happy! How to calm your dog when you're not home | Separation Anxiety Mentor

05/11/2021

Firework support! Wise words and help from our favourite veterinary behaviourist, Amber Batson.

It is a myth that reassuring a fearful animal will make it more likely for them to be fearful in the future. Emotions are only ‘reinforced’ if they are experienced more eg. Increasing fear levels reinforces to an animal that the event or stimulus was, and should continue to be, scary.
Reducing the fear in an animal by slow stroking (if the animal enjoys it normally) accompanied by slow, deliberate breathing and perhaps a quiet reassuring voice - will help calm them in the moment and may even may it less likely for them to fearful of the same thing in the future.
So slowly stroke your fearful dog, cat, rabbit etc. provide them elevation or a hiding place (or both so they can choose) in your proximity. Avoid restraint as this is likely to increase fear. But do reassure this fireworks period, do provide social support. Your pet will thank you for it.

31/10/2021

Wise words from 'Dogs be Praised'. Tip: playing Taiko drumming in the background can help mute the sounds of fireworks - lots of options on Youtube for this - it is rather calming (for humans as well as dogs!).

Already there are posts all over FB about dogs who have run off after being spooked by fireworks.
A terrified dog CAN and WILL -
Back out of a collar or harness.
Jump a gate or fence that has contained them in the past.
Barge past you and out of the front door, however well barrier trained they usually are.
Simple precautions can keep your dog safe -
Don't walk your dog after dark.
Take your dog out on a lead if they need to go into the garden after dark.
Shut your dog in another room before opening the front door.
Don't risk being haunted by "if onlys"

24/10/2021

The firework season is almost upon us. For great tips and ideas of how to help your dog(s) feel safer during this next few months (fireworks tend to be around from the week before 5th November to after New Year), I fully recommend a view of this https://youtu.be/gt5jLOTXL9w from the amazing Amber Batson.

Why are some dogs afraid of fireworks? Why is it that some appear to be ok with them and then become afraid? How can we help cats, dogs and horses deal with ...

01/08/2021

When I’m working with clients and their canines, we talk about trigger-stacking, the phenomenon of small, subtle stressful events building up over the day, until the dog looses his ability to remain thoughtful and calm (it happens to humans too). Love this video which shows the effect so brilliantly!

16/07/2021

A great post on heat and exercise-induced heat stroke from Dr Amber Batson. With temperatures climbing over the next week, please read and understand the risks of taking your dogs out on hot days, and the alternatives you can offer them.

29/04/2021

Courtesy of Dogs Disclosed and the Slow Dig Movement who shared. Who knew there was so much benefit to allowing your dog sniff-time!

09/04/2021

Our latest learning - a deep dive (39 hours of study) into how aggression develops in dogs. The advanced course is booked for next month. Our canine behavioural modification services are live - please send a message if you have concerns around your dog's behaviour and would like support.

06/03/2021

Was privileged to listen and learn more about what drives, motivates and influences the behaviour of ‘adoglescent’ dogs today. Another set of knowledge and tools in our ‘tool-box’ to help you understand your pups and help them be happy, social family dogs. ❤️

Fab day talking about the “adoglescent” so much to consider to make this transitional phase better for dog and owner. Huge thanks to all participants.

Two recent studies (UK and Australia) found that the highest cause of death in dogs under the age of 3 was related to (eg euthanasia) undesired behaviours - frequently aggression. This is so sad.

It remains common place for advice to be to neuter the troublesome teen yet research shows that can be detrimental to many undesired behaviours.
Understanding that adolescence contains but is not defined by puberty, that changes occur in the brain driving behaviours that may be challenging to us, and then thinking of ways to minimise the effects of those behaviours on dog and owner / family are absolutely key.

Some fab questions today from our audience that spanned over 20 countries!

So watch this space for some exploration of those questions very soon.

A big thanks to Caroline Lewis of Help at Hand Dog Behaviour for being such a fab host today 😊

Yu, Y., Wilson, B., Masters, S., van Rooy, D. and McGreevy, P.D., 2021. Mortality Resulting from Undesirable Behaviours in Dogs Aged Three Years under Attending Primary-Care Veterinary Practices in Australia. Animals, 11(2), p.493.

Boyd, C., Jarvis, S., McGreevy, P.D., Heath, S., Church, D.B., Brodbelt, D.C. and O'Neill, D.G., 2018. Mortality resulting from undesirable behaviours in dogs aged under three years attending primary-care veterinary practices in England. Animal Welfare, 27(3), pp.251-262.

06/03/2021

All set up for a full day of talking and learning with professionals from 19 countries and the brilliant Dr Amber Batson. Troublesome Teens! A deep dive into the complexity of adolescent pups. 🤔