Tails & Trails Dog Walking

20/01/2025

03/11/2024

21/03/2024

MYTH BUSTER MONDAY

"Taking your dogs food bowl away whilst they are eating teaches them not to growl or bite when you take food away." (Same with toys).

In fact the opposite is likely true. Dogs, like humans all have the potential to act out when we take food or items off of them.

Taking items away only proves to our dogs that we can't be trusted and that their actions are justified.

Imagine if you were sat in a restaurant eating a lovely meal but the waiter kept coming over and picked up your plate before you were finished, or you had a friend who stole a little something of yours every time they visited after a while you would likely be in the mindset of taking action in order to make them keep their distance. Why do we feel the need to constantly take food or toys away from our dogs?

Instead why not....

1. Add food to the bowl when you are passing so that your approach to the food bowl is a positive experience not a negative one.
2. Let your dog eat it's food or treats in peace.
3. Learn to read your dogs body language, any stiffening as you approach is your dog feeling uncomfortable, respect this to avoid conflict.
4. Teach a reliable drop & even better a retrieve so that your dog brings items to you rather than running away with them.
5 Do not chase your dog when they have picked up something you don't want them to have, you don't do this with their toys so you can guess which items suddenly become more fun.
6. Control and Management, this is by far the biggest one, especially for new puppy owners. Don't have things your dog isn't allowed to have in your dogs reach so that the chasing behaviour doesn't occur in the first place.

If you have a dog who is already guarding its food or toys please works with a professional before it escalates into anything more serious.

15/03/2024

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 Outdated mythologies and training methods have detrimental effects on well-being and strain the relationship between a dog and their caregiver.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.

28/02/2024

27/02/2024

Roz Pooley joins us to talk all things testosterone and castration - is it the right thing to do from a behaviour point of view? She shares all that you need to know, as well as her personal experience when living with male entire dogs. We talk about things including behaviourial reasons for and against castration, what management and training might be required in these cases, and things to look out for in your adolescent male dog.

💻 Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud9aLw4bQX8

🎧 Listen on Pet Chats with the APBC Podcast channel on Apple and Spotify

Rob Pooley is a Full CAB Member of the APBC

Find her at https://themuttyprofessor.co.uk/

08/01/2024