Hounds 'n' Harmony

21/11/2025

Hi all, just another reminder about the Christmas Raffle to raise funds for Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice.

For every £5 you donate, you will be entered into the raffle - so the more you donate, the higher your chances of winning. Please dig deep if you can to be in with a chance to win this lovely doggy hamper. Full details in original post - here's the link to enter - https://www.justgiving.com/page/jonathan-brown-sx25?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

It’s that time of year where my wonderful partner Jon Brown competes in Coventry Strictly to raise vital funds for Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice.

To help him raise funds, along with his dance partner Sarah Patrick, I have put together a doggy hamper bursting with toys and treats. All you have to do is click on the link below and make a £5 donation. For every £5 you donate, you will be entered into the raffle - so the more you donate, the higher your chances of winning. Please ensure that you put ‘Raffle’ after your name, and follow my page, as that's where the lucky winner will be announced on Monday 8th December.

http://www.justgiving.com/page/jonathan-brown-sx25?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

Good luck!

NB - Raffle only open to UK residents. Contents will differ to picture shown and will be tailored to size of breed.

20/11/2025

He's such a gentle & loving pooch 🐕

19/11/2025

With so many dogs in need of new homes, adopting a rescue dog can feel like the right and compassionate choice. However, evidence suggests that one in five dogs are returned to rescue centres after adoption, most commonly due to challenging behaviour. In many cases, very little is known about the dog’s background, but one thing is certain: every rescue dog arrives with a back story and some degree of emotional baggage. Street dogs that are adopted from overseas often face additional trauma, including the long and stressful journey to the UK.

Modern life moves quickly. We are surrounded by deadlines, and we have grown accustomed to rapid results and immediate access to information. It is therefore understandable that we may become impatient and frustrated when progress feels slow. Stressful environments adversely affect any animals behaviour, and a dog that has been abandoned or moved repeatedly is unlikely to behave, or respond in a predictable manner when under stress.

As a dog’s new caregiver, it is our responsibility to carefully manage the situations that our dog encounters, avoiding experiences that may trigger fear or trauma. Early walks should be short, calm, and uneventful. Negative interactions with other dogs during this initial period can heighten defensive behaviour, undermine trust, and hinder progress. Although friends and family are often eager to meet the new arrival, it is best to limit these interactions, giving the dog the time and space it needs to settle into its new environment.

When it comes to rescue dogs, many people believe they must shower the dog with affection to compensate for its difficult past. While well intentioned, this approach is not always the right one. The settling-in period can take several weeks, during which time the dog may display challenging behaviours, including aggression. Expecting too much too soon, is one of the key factors contributing to the heartbreaking “yo-yo” phenomenon, where dogs are repeatedly returned to rescue centres because adopters feel unable to cope with their behaviour. Adopting a rescue dog means adopting its past, its experiences, its fears and traumas. These dogs require a specific type of support and interaction, yet owners are rarely taught how to provide it. Allowing the dog the time and space needed to process change, without placing expectations upon it, gives the dog the opportunity to decompress and understand its place within the family.

Whether you are introducing a new dog into your home or making significant changes to an existing dog’s routine or environment, remember that adjusting to new circumstances takes time. By stepping back and allowing the dog to transition at its own pace, will ultimately build a more trusting, less stressed, and more confident companion.
https://www.houndsnharmony.co.uk/canine-behaviour

18/11/2025

It's good to coordinate 😆

17/11/2025

I think I've hit the spot

16/11/2025

Dog Trainer vs. Dog Behaviourist – Understanding the Difference

At their core, the roles of a Dog Trainer and a Dog Behaviourist are fundamentally different.

A Dog Trainer focuses on teaching dogs’ specific skills and commands, from basic obedience such as sit, stay, and recall, to advanced disciplines like agility, gundog work, scent detection, and assistance dog training.

In contrast, a Dog Behaviourist addresses complex behavioural issues such as separation anxiety, resource guarding, and reactivity. These issues often stem from an underlying emotional or environmental factors, and cannot simply be ‘trained away’, and any attempt to do so, is only masking the problem. A Behaviourist conducts a comprehensive assessment to identify the root cause of the challenging behaviour. They explain the contributing factors, including the owner’s role, and develops a tailored plan to resolve the behaviour, thus treating the root cause and not just the symptoms.

While some professionals incorporate elements of both training and behaviour work, it’s important to understand they are not the same. If you’re unsure which you need, ask yourself: “Am I trying to teach my dog a command/skill, or address a behavioural concern?”

Understanding your dog’s behaviour is key to changing their behaviour - https://www.houndsnharmony.co.uk/canine-behaviour

15/11/2025

Saturday night snuggles with this gorgeous pooch 🥰

14/11/2025

George prefers the crate when the blankets are half in, half out 😁

13/11/2025

Hi all, so far only 4 people have bought tickets. This goodie box is worth £50 and all donations go to Zoe's Place Baby Hospice. Please dig deep if you can - you might be the lucky winner that gets to put an extra large present under the tree for your pooch :) 🐕🐩

It’s that time of year where my wonderful partner Jon Brown competes in Coventry Strictly to raise vital funds for Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice.

To help him raise funds, along with his dance partner Sarah Patrick, I have put together a doggy hamper bursting with toys and treats. All you have to do is click on the link below and make a £5 donation. For every £5 you donate, you will be entered into the raffle - so the more you donate, the higher your chances of winning. Please ensure that you put ‘Raffle’ after your name, and follow my page, as that's where the lucky winner will be announced on Monday 8th December.

http://www.justgiving.com/page/jonathan-brown-sx25?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

Good luck!

NB - Raffle only open to UK residents. Contents will differ to picture shown and will be tailored to size of breed.

12/11/2025

I thought it was worth sharing this post again :)

Does the sight of rain make your heart sink as you think “I’ve gotta take the dog out”.

Dogs don’t particularly like going out in the rain either, why would they, it makes them wet and cold, and to be honest, although they love going out for a walk, they equally love having interaction with you. Exercise is important but they can get this via play. As long as you have a garden for them to do their business, you can play games with them (ball throwing, tug of war, chase) and practice some training (sit, stay, come) for mental stimulation. A walk is not always necessary.
https://www.houndsnharmony.co.uk/

12/11/2025

Walking in the rain 🫤

11/11/2025

Understanding their behaviour, is key to changing their behaviour