Mindful Pets

13/05/2024

We make our dogs happy by understanding what they don't need.

02/04/2024

Did you know these things about a puppy's mum?

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26/01/2024

Dogs in season: everything you need to know and how to manage it.

When I finish a puppy education course, the puppy has reached 6 months. In case the dog is a female, I explain how the dog season works because it creates changes in the dog's body and mind.

Knowledge is useful support in managing everything to do with the dog. 'Knowledge is power' said Francis Bacon. the 16th century English philosopher and scientist.
Knowing how a dog's mind and body works helps us to create a powerful relationship with him/her.

What is the dog's season?
Do male dogs go into heat?
When does the first hear begin?
Does the bitch feeling pain?
Do bi***es go through menopause?
Does the batch change her behaviour?
How to deal with a bitch in heat?

You will find the answers to these and other questions in the article in bio.

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10/01/2024

In a pack dog group, the puppies stay with their mother at least until they are six months old. In the pack dog group, there are aunts, i.e. those dogs that help the mother dog during the education period. So, the puppy is also educated by them. We should consider that in a pack dog there is no one who dominates because the pack of dogs is structured on the concept of roles and cooperation.

But you adopt the puppy between eight and ten weeks to get it used to all the stimuli in the city. Adoption can no take place at the age of six months because late exposure to environmental stimuli can have a negative influence on the puppy's behavioural development.

A puppy grown in the countryside up to the age of 3 months will have great difficulty adapting to life in the city and may become phobic of, for example, noises, cars, cyclists and may decide it does not want to leave the house. This happens precisely because environmental socialization has not been considered from 8 to 10 weeks.

On the other hand, early adoption (before 8 weeks) can be destabilizing for the puppy because you take him away from his environment and siblings at the time when he needs them most. And you do not give the puppy a chance to identify with the species it belongs to, i.e. other dogs. When this does not happen, the puppy may manifest aggression in reaction to stimuli that are unfamiliar or otherwise recognized as potentially dangerous.

You should keep in mind that the mother dog not only feeds and warms the puppies, but she is the first and best teacher for the puppy. It is crucial that the puppy stays with its mother and siblings for 8 to 10 weeks.
Furthermore, the mother is the element that creates the psychic container. This means that the more the mother is present, the more emotional stability the puppy experiences. If a puppy is emotionally relaxed, the more the puppy learns.
Then, the new family will expose the puppy to all those stimuli that will be part of its future life (sounds, noises, people, children, etc.). Of course, these have to be done in the right way and at the right time. 

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17/12/2023

Do dog treats really help to manage a dog's behavioral issue?
I am usually contacted by people who have already tried to do something to manage their dog's behavioral problem.
They have watched some videos on the internet, received advice from the dog walker/sitter or friend, seen some dog training series tv and so on.
One of the things people use is food as a positive reinforcement.
However the problem gets worse or doesn't change. Why does this happen?

First of all, we should consider that the treat is a food. It is usually tastier than the food the dog eats every day. Some dogs love to eat treats because they love food so much. So we can say that food can be a tool of communicating with the dog, using something that some dogs really like.

But we should be aware that dogs do not use treats when they want to communicate to each other, when they need to solve problems, express themselves to each other or when they want to tell us something. Dogs use their language, made up of postures, facial expressions, vocalizations, proxemics and olfaction, markings, calming signals.
The use of treats can really cause problems.

Here's you can find the full article:
https://mindfulpets.co.uk/mindfulpets-post/do-dog-treats-really-help-to-manage-a-dogs-behavioral-issue/

25/11/2023

I offer free charge online support to owners of an American Bull XL.
Feel free to send an email to Mindfulpets and you will be given instructions for the consultation.

From 31 December 2023 all owners of XL Bully breed types must comply with strict conditions. Breeding, selling, exchanging, gifting, abandoning or allowing these dogs to stray will be banned. Owners will also be required to keep their dog on a lead and muzzled in public. We are encouraging all owners to start training their dogs to wear a muzzle and walk on a lead now, ahead of the restrictions coming into force on 31 December 2023.

From 1 February 2024 it will be a criminal offence to be in possession of an XL Bully in England and Wales, unless owners have a Certificate of Exemption. Further details on how to apply will be provided in due course. Owners will need to adhere to strict rules including holding public liability insurance and for the dog to be microchipped and neutered. Dogs that are less than one year old on 31 January 2024, will need to be neutered by 31 December 2024. Dogs that are older than one year old on 31 January 2024, must be neutered by 30 June 2024. We recommend that owners arrange for their dogs to be neutered as soon as possible to meet these deadlines.

Alternatively, where owners do not wish to keep their dogs, they can choose to euthanise them.

Banning America Bully XL will not solve the problem of dog accidents. An eight-kilogram poodle can seriously injure a three-year-old child or a smaller dog.

The problem is not in the breed. The problem is in the handling of the dog. It is as difficult to handle a Cocker Spaniel that bites as a hyperactive Doberman.
All dogs can be dangerous if handled badly. It is a great responsibility to have a dog and it is a relationship that requires commitment and patience.
It is important to select the right dog for our temperament, to be informed about your dog, to do a basic education when the dog is a puppy, to follow it when it is a teenager, to help it maintain a balance during the adult phase and to manage the senior phase.

19/11/2023

Reactivity of the dog towards a child. Example of a work on the person-dog relationship.

When working with reactivity issues, you first have to understand what triggered that kind of reactivity. We've already talked about that.

Then after identifying what triggers this dog's reactivity toward children, you create a plan for changing the dog's behavior. This stage is delicate, and if you get the diagnosis wrong, the strategies that will be applied in the change plan will also be wrong. This should be avoided in order not to waste time, money, energy and hope.

In the change plan one works in different areas but today I would like to focus on the intervention done on the dog's behavior through the relationship with the person in six months.

The moment you identify the cause, you have to work on both the cause and the behavior. It is not enough to eliminate the cause to eliminate the abnormal behavior and vice versa.

Here's you can read the full article:
https://mindfulpets.co.uk/mindfulpets-post/reactivity-of-the-dog-towards-a-child-example-of-a-work-on-the-person-dog-relationship/

04/11/2023

What happens in the dog's mind when he/she reacts?

I have worked for years with people suffering from anxiety disorders. When a person has a panic attack they want to stop this discomfort as soon as possible.
There are techniques to do this and they help the person to stop the panic attack as soon as it occurs, but they do not resolve it. Resolving it requires understanding what triggered that panic attack and how to deal with what is going on inside the person's brain.

This is also the case when working with the discomfort of dogs.
Dogs are mammals like us and when they overreact, for example, the neurotransmitter adrenaline is activated and this activates the sympathetic system. The sympathetic nervous system enables the body to be in a state of alertness, for example in dangerous situations, ensuring an 'attack' or 'flight' response. So the dog is in the condition to run away or attack.
That is why it makes no sense to work on the dog's reactivity because neurotransmitters play an important role in it.

To definitively solve a problem, we have to consider what creates and feeds the problem.
There are many things that can be done to regulate the biochemical flow of neurotransmitters (e.g. serotonin, dopamine, adrenalin and so on). As soon as these neurotransmitters are in balance, the dog changes its behaviour in daily life and at this point you can work on its reactivity.

Moreover, when a dog experiences the emotion of fear, he/she needs to feel understood and not forced to do things that stress it. For example, using a choke collar (e.g.slip lead) with a dog that reacts when it sees a child has a devastating effect on its brain as well as its neck. It is true that the dog does not react, but the dog does not understand why he has to be choked while trying to deal with a threatening stimulus that makes him/her feel fear. And this creates even more stress.

It is therefore essential to be aware that a dog's exaggerated reactivity does not depend solely on its behaviour. Behaviour encompasses all the processes through which the dog responds to both external factors (environment) and internal stimuli (mind).

Here you can read the full article:
https://mindfulpets.co.uk/mindfulpets-post/what-happens-in-the-dogs-mind-when-he-she-reacts/

10/10/2023

Many problems arise from improper matches.
I always say this to people who request a dog/puppy adoption consultation. Choosing a dog is like choosing a partner with the difference that the dog will depend on us for the rest of its life.
It is essential to choose the dog that best suits our lifestyle and character.
Example?
To choose a working Cocker spaniel and not let him/her work or let him/her express his/her breed characteristics is to condemn the dog to an inadequate life and to condemn us to dealing with a very frustrating situation.
Dogs manifest both physical (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome) and behavioural (e.g. aggression) issues if they are not able to express themselves.
You can always look for another family for the dog. But this also creates suffering. I have helped families to do this and have seen many tears. And the worst thing that can happen to the dog is to lose the family (its social group) to which he is very attached.
Many unpleasant situations can be prevented if we choose the right dog (age, breeder or rescue) and right breed ('companion', 'working', and so on).

23/09/2023

What is reactivity in the dog?
Reactivity is part of a dog's DNA. There are several breeds that have to be very reactive. A Jack Russell has to be reactive when hunting animals that live in dens. A Border Collie must be reactive when handling sheep. A Dobermann must be reactive when protecting territory.
Reactivity is useful for the job for which the dog is suited and the dog uses it when working.

But sometimes the dog overreacts in abnormal situations, such as when faced with children, cyclists, people, or other dogs.

It is understandable to be upset by the reactive behaviour of dogs, especially when it comes to major aggressive reactions such as bites with sinking teeth (as opposed to restrained bites). It is also complicated to handle a dog with a high level of reactivity.

But the first thing to do is to realise that reactivity is not the problem.
Dogs use what they have in their DNA to handle an uncomfortable situation.
When reactivity is towards abnormal situations, it is the consequence of the problem. Reactivity is a way of communicating discomfort. The dog reacts to what it perceives as a threat.

Here's the full text of the article:
https://mindfulpets.co.uk/mindfulpets-post/what-is-reactivity-in-the-dog/

16/09/2023

I believe that the XL bully is a kind, beautiful natured breed that loves children and people in general, and are very loyal and loving pets.

14/09/2023

Italy is also doing its best to deal with this terrible situation.

Il suo non è un metodo di riabilitazione dei cani, è maltrattamento. Chiederemo controlli alle autorità preposte a tutela degli animali coinvolti.

11/09/2023

Two days ago I discovered about the course that Augusto Deoliveira-Aka DogDaddy was supposed to have in London. It has been postponed to January 2024.
I invite you to read up on him.
I suggest you do not watch his videos if you are a sensitive person. You might cry. You better read the articles about him on the net avoiding the ones about what they found in the garden of his rental property in South Carolina. You might actually feel sick.
Don't look at them if you are eating because you might throw up.
I decided to get brave and watch some videos to understand how such a person became popular and is so followed. I am not talking about the boy who pretends to be a dog trainer, but the person who is abusing a dog.
I see so much suffering and anger in this person.

To work with dogs, it's not enough to study for years, spend money on refresher courses and get lots of experience. All this is not enough.
In this career it is a must to take care of own emotions and own thoughts. It is essential to know our own limits and to know how to keep our "ego" under control. It is a must to be correct with ourselves and with others. You can't do this work just for money or popularity.
People who do this job know that every dog has something to teach, especially when it manifests a problem. This is a profession where you never stop learning if you are humble and curious enough.

Watching the videos I think this person is very unwell and doesn't know it. This is a problem. If he were aware of it maybe he would stop.
What impresses me is the absence of emotional expressions on his face. He hints at a few smiles in some videos but does not express emotion through his face.
He wiggles his eyebrows. When the eyebrows are raised but the rest of the face is neutral, we have a face that can express an emblem that means doubt or disbelief. And it is so in many of his videos.
Also, he often blinks and this sign of nervousness.
The face is the channel through which we express emotions and states of mind.
I wonder if he feels what he feels since he does not manifest them. When a person does not feel sadness for the pain inflicted, it means he is putting distance from that emotion and can act without feeling anything.
He may have had some facial surgery but the eyes express emotions.
And I think Augusto Deoliviera while not fully aware, senses his condition. He is always wearing sunglasses while interacting with the dog.
Sunglasses represent a wall, they represent a barrier that hides facial expressions and gaze, nullifying any possibility of conveying expressions and emotions. Hiding the gaze can boost defenses and improve self-esteem, giving the idea of control of the body and emotions.
And the gaze is a source of information, and not showing it makes one less vulnerable. He looks without being seen and this puts him in a superior position. There is no interchange neither with people nor with the dog.
It also frightens dogs in this way.
A peaceful person is not afraid to show himself to others or even to communicate with dogs through eye contact.
Let's not forget that making eye contact with the dog means opening a direct line of communication with him, and this is very useful during training or education. The use of the gaze is a working tool.
Augustus approaches and chokes dogs while wearing sunglasses.

The name 'Dogdaddy' makes me wonder. Dogs do not need a father and I wonder what kind of relationship he had with his father. Our past influences our present and the environment we are raised in has a great impact on our soul. There are situations that can destroy a person's soul. I wondered if Augustus was also abused in this way by his father and if he is now trying to redeem himself. And if so, he cannot work with dogs with problems, but must solve his problems if he wants to be a professional who helps others.

I cried a lot watching his videos and could only say the word 'sorry' when talking to the dogs who are victims of these atrocities.
This person not only hurts the dogs, but also ruins the relationship the dogs have with their family. The owner of the dog leaves the dog in Augusto's hands and the dog undergoes a traumatic experience. I am very familiar with the dog's non-verbal reactions and in the videos you can see lots of reactions of discomfort and stress: dilated pupils, tail between legs, yelps, constant licking of the lips, avoidance of gaze, lowered ears, foaming at the mouth, motor agitation, breathing difficulties. This experience is stored in the dog's mind. What we do with the dog creates or destroys the trust we have with him. Thus the dog will begin to lose trust in its owner (its social group).
The dog is in distress and is mistreated just when he needs to be understood. And the owner brought him into this situation. How does he still trust his owner?

One of the possible explanations I have found is that people are not informed enough. A dog with behavioural problems makes life stressful and people can try everything to eliminate the stress. This is reasonable.

But you have to remember that if a dog has a behavioural problem, it means that he is not well, and you should contact competent professionals who respect the dog and deal with his distress in a gentle manner.
It might help to ask yourself: if I were unwell, would I want someone who treats me with kindness or makes me go through a traumatic experience?

I also think it is interesting that Augusto Deoliviera seems to solve the dog's problems quickly. This is not real.
But if you look closely at the dog's behaviour after being choked, you can see that the dog is exhausted and therefore stops. At first he tries to avoid the torture, but eventually he slumps to the ground in anguish or gives up and tries to breathe. He knows that if he continues to struggle, the torture will continue.
What seems to be the resolution of the problem is nothing but a surrender of the dog.
If I press a sharp object on my neck I feel pain and stop. But if I continued I would feel a very strong pain. And if this happened all around my neck, I would struggle to breathe. This also applies to the dog. There's a video (Title: 3 Days To Get These HUGE Dogs Under Control)
in which a dog struggles to breathe because of the severe choke caused by the choke collar.
Another working tool is time. A profound change takes time. It is impossible for a change to happen in a few minutes, especially if the dog has deep discomfort. Let us also remember that problems do not arise suddenly and the dog always communicates small signs of discomfort initially.They do not start quickly and cannot finish quickly.
There is a lot of scientific research showing the damage that dogs suffer from the use of choke collars and physical abuse. It is 2023 and we cannot behave as if we were in the early 1900s.
The dog is no longer considered an object to be managed but a subject to be involved. Only in this way we can live together peacefully.

09/09/2023

Augusto Deoliveira-The Dog Daddy uses aversive training techniques and equipment designed to cause pain and fear in dogs.
Please, sign the petition to stop his abuse:

Stop dog abuser "The Dog Daddy" coming to the UK

22/02/2023

...Perfect self-control🙂

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04/01/2023

Spoiled dogs🍬

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08/12/2022

They are still looking for a squirrel🙄

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12/10/2022

Sapient baker🐶

10/09/2022

German Shepherd...focused and cam👍

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27/08/2022

A Whippet with a castle over its head👑

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09/07/2022

Spoodle puppy face😊

&training #

28/06/2022

This is so good - from Trick Woofs

27/05/2022

Brief description of the dachshund: a sweet glance and a lion character💗

19/05/2022

WE DID IT!! Genetic testing for risk of cruciate ligament rupture in the Labrador Retriever is here.

Cruciate ligament rupture is a common problem in several popular breeds including the Labrador Retriever, Rottweiler, and Newfoundland, equivalent to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture in human beings. We have been working on this study for many years and are now exceptionally pleased to announce the availability of a genetic screening test for risk of cruciate ligament rupture in Labradors. This is a marker-based risk test because cruciate ligament rupture is influenced by changes in many different genes and is different from most genetic testing in dogs. For more information about this test, it’s value and information about this disease, please visit:

https://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/lab/corl/canine-genetic-testing/

We are extremely grateful to the community that we work with for supporting this endeavor. Please look out for future updates on progress with this program, as we are now focusing effort on extending this cruciate ligament rupture genetic testing to other high-risk breeds including the Rottweiler and the Newfoundland.

Availability of genetic testing.
We are currently setting up this genetic testing service at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison. We anticipate the cost of the marker-based risk test will be ~$250. We welcome expressions of interest or questions about this important development in the Comparative Genetics and Orthopaedic Research Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Please email us if you are interested in getting your Labrador Retriever tested.

[email protected]

18/05/2022

Dogs look chic in the rain😎

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06/12/2021

Why do cats knead bread?

https://mindfulpets.co.uk/category/arianna-tips/

25/10/2021

What colours do dogs see?
https://mindfulpets.co.uk/category/arianna-tips/

25/08/2021

Do dogs display jealous behaviour?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frMJ22hK0nM

Jealousy may have evolved to protect valuable social bonds from interlopers, but some researchers have suggested that it is linked to self-awareness and theo...

23/08/2021

Why do dogs sniff other dogs' butts?
https://mindfulpets.co.uk/why-do-dogs-sniff-other-dogs-butts/

23/08/2021

Chocolate and Caramel❣