Edinburgh Holistic Dogs

21/02/2025

Happy 8th Birthday to Edinburgh Holistic Dogs! 🥳🥳🥳

WOW! I can't believe its been 8 years since I set out on my first dog walk! I have not looked back.

I love doing the behaviour work with all my foreign and reactive rescue dogs. I get to be a part of some fantastic journeys with owners!

Thank you to all my lovely clients, your dogs and my followers.

Big loves
Suzanne and Ally.🤩🤩🤩

20/02/2025

Its National Love Your Pet Day! (who knew!)
Ally and I with matching hair!
Share your photos below!

19/02/2025

😍 This has to be one of my favourite testimonials from Rosie's humans. 😍

''Suzanne has been invaluable in helping us with our newly-adopted dog Rosie. As an ex-racing greyhound, Rosie needed a bit of help settling into her new home, adapting to walks on the lead, and interacting with other dogs. Suzanne was able to teach us what training we should be doing with Rosie, and boosted our confidence in looking after our new dog.

It's not an easy or quick fix but after our sessions we have seen so much progress from Rosie under Suzanne's guidance.

We liked that Suzanne has a holistic point of view and really took the time to understand Rosie and look at all aspects of her life.

As well as training she also advised us on Rosie's food habits, games we could play with her for mental stimulation, fitting her walking harness properly, and getting her to sleep through the night
I highly recommend Suzanne if you're looking for a trainer who will really help you understand your dog, rather than teaching just standard obedience skills. It's been a great experience for us and Rosie.''

It’s was such a pleasure to work with Rosie and her humans. They really worked their socks off. 🐶

If you're struggling with your rescue Get in touch with me via [email protected]

18/02/2025

Happy tongue out Tuesday from Bruce and Ally 👅👅👅

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17/02/2025

I don't need to witness your dog's unwanted behaviour to help you address it.

I help many dogs with reactivity, fear, anxiety and more. I can understand what is going on by taking detailed behavioural history, discussing your observations, and reviewing video footage (if available) to understand the underlying motivations driving your dog's actions

There is no ethical or clinical reason to put your dog in a stressful situation to trigger their behaviour for observation. If you are ever asked to do this by a trainer, refuse.

If you do this, you will actively set your dog up to fail, placing them in a state of stress or fear and also showing your dog that you don't care about their needs.

It is not ethical. So avoid doing it, no matter who is asking to see it

16/02/2025

Sound fears are stressful and can have a large impact on not just your dogs life but yours too.

There are no quick fixes just temporary relief.

I love this course by Canine Thinking as it supports you straight away with management, helps you uncover why your has the fears, supports you solve any physical concerns that are a part of the fear and gives you a step by step way to help for your dog for life!!

If your dog has a sound fear then this course is for you!

🙉🙉🙉Fireworks, Thunder, Bangs! Oh MY!🙉🙉🙉

Did you know your dog's sound fears might be a symptom of a hidden problem? 🤔

Often, it's not just about the noise. Undiagnosed pain, gut health, and other anxieties can play a HUGE role.

Quick fixes won't cut it for long-term results.
Your dog's sound fears don't have to ruin your life together.

✅Our unique Freedom from Sound Fears course takes a different approach.
Find out how in the comments.

14/02/2025

Happy Valentine's Day 😍😍😍

Share your canine loves below!

13/02/2025

Your dog reacts because they are protecting you.

Trainers often explain that some dogs react more when their owners are present because they are protective. I hate this explanation, as it can make owners feel like they are the problem, and generally, this isn't the case at all.

The truth is more complex.

Reactivity is an emotional response, your dog is likely experiencing fear, anxiety, excitement, frustration or a combination of them.

You are your dog's safe person, which means they feel comfortable with you—so comfortable that they feel safe expressing how they are feeling.

However, when walking with someone else or a stranger, aka a trainer, your dog is likely not feeling secure. When faced with this situation, your dog is probably going to go with the 'flow' and feel less comfortable about expressing their feelings.

You must address your dog's emotional reasons for reactive behaviour, build confidence and resilience, and help your dog overcome behavioural challenges.

🐾🐾🐾

12/02/2025

Do have a visitor reactive dog?

Having a Romanian Rescue dog who barks, snaps, or growls at visitors is incredibly isolating, ESPECIALLY If you want to enjoy having your friends and family visit without worrying about your dog.

This pre-recorded webinar offers practical tips for managing your rescue dog's behaviour and helping them be stress-free around visitors.

Don't let your dog's behaviour keep you isolated.

🐾Understand why Romanian Rescue doesn't like Visitors.
There are several reasons why your dog might struggle with visitors. Is it fear, anxiety, stress, pain, lack of sleep or a combination? Learn how different elements can affect your dog.

🐾Avoid the common mistakes made with visitors.
With so much conflicting advice about how to keep your dog calm and accept visitors, it is easy to make the problem worse. So learn what not to do and keep everyone safe.

🐾Avoid undue stress ruining family visits
Learn the practical tips that I share with my 121 clients to help minimise and prevent visitor reactivity.

Follow the link below to access for only £12, and it comes with a FREE workbook with all the step-by-step instructions you need!

https://edinburgh-holistic-dogs.newzenler.com/courses/help-for-visitor-reactivity
please note this was recorded for Christmas 2024 - but is still relevant all year around.

11/02/2025

Happy tongue out Tuesday from Bruce 👅😛👅

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10/02/2025

My dog's acting strange…is it just behaviour, or something more?

Ever notice how when you're not feeling great physically, your mood kinda dips too? Well, it's the same for dogs too.

A dog's physical and mental health are connected. This is what's called "holistic wellbeing," and it's super important for keeping our dogs happy and healthy.

Think of it this way: if your dog's in pain (like arthritis or a bad tooth), they're probably not going to be their usual happy selves. They might be grumpy, withdrawn, or even a little snappy.

On the flip side, a stressed or anxious dog can develop physical problems like an upset tummy or even a weakened immune system. It's all connected!

So, what does this mean for us humans?

It means we have to look at the whole dog, not just one part. If your dog's behaviour changes, don't just assume it's "being difficult." It could be a sign of a health issue! And if it's diagnosed with a physical problem, remember that its emotional well-being is just as important for recovery.

This is how I work with each individual behaviour case.

Ignoring either the physical or the mental side of things can make it harder for your dog to get better.

Next time your dog's acting a little off, take a step back and consider the whole picture. Are they eating normally? Sleeping well? Do they seem uncomfortable?

Bottom line: Happy body, happy mind, happy dog!

07/02/2025

Thank you to everyone who took time to comment on Ericks passing. Its been a hard week adjusting to his absence.

His paw prints arrived today 💔

Until we meet again little boy x

02/02/2025

Erick 17.9.13 to 31.1.25💔💔💔

I am devastated that my lovely boy Erick crossed the rainbow bridge on Friday. 🌈🌈🌈

While his spirit was as bright as ever, his body couldn't keep up. The impact of arthritis had taken its toll, and day-to-day was starting to become a struggle.

He went out on a high, spending the week getting all the best treats and love. He got to have one last 'supervisor shift' at Hobz where an untold number of treats were devoured.

He got a last run on the beach, followed by a treat stop at The Dog Port. He made sure to empty Leith Vets of their treat supply too.

Erick has been my best friend for seven years; he has been my shadow and loved being a lap dog, even with his 44kg size. He was my sole companion through Lockdown, saving my sanity.

Erick loved attention and meeting people, having been a Canine Therapet visiting care homes to give out love (and check the floors for food!)

He was a savant when it came to getting food; that boy could overcome any obstacle to reach food. I witnessed his acrobatic moves with astonishment. He could remember everywhere he'd found food, knew which shops would give out treats (he was known to perform a sit-down protest if I passed a shop instead of going in), and he also could remember EVERYONE who ever fed him a treat!

He never met a personal boundary he didn't cross; personal space meant nothing. If he came across an open door, he would be through it.... meaning he has run through several of my neighbour's flats!

A nosy dog through and through, he had complete FOMO!

I can't even explain how much I miss him, the hole he has left behind. My heart is broken. Ally is missing him, I am greatful to have her to keep me company and occupied.

Sleep tight, until we meet again Erick 🌈💔
x

30/01/2025

🥰This 5-star review, has put big smiles on my face, it is from Minty and his humans, they have been super lovely to work with🥰

They are also based in London, so I can help you with your rescue dog no matter where you are based.

"Before we started working with Suzanne, we felt overwhelmed by how we could help Minty overcome the triggers that were impacting our ability to take him for walks and meet strangers, as we did not understand what could be causing his reactions.

Suzanne has provided enormous support and help to us in identifying underlying health issues and recommending a course of pain management to eliminate this as a source of his reactivity.

She has also helped us to enhance our relationship with Minty and to understand the things that trigger his reactivity. She has helped us to manage this reactivity and provide him with support and protection he needs to reduce the triggers that bother him.

She structures sessions to meet the needs of each individual dog and holds these at a time convenient to the owners. She is also available for help and advice in between sessions and responds promptly and with lots of additional suggestions and recommendations.

She has taught us so much, not just about Minty, but about ourselves too and how we should behave with him and how we help enhance our lives together. What was once overwhelming now seems manageable, by taking small steps and taking time to reflect and adjust to his needs.

We could not recommend Suzanne highly enough and would encourage anyone who feels that one to one online training would benefit them, to use her services as she has helped us to move further than we had thought possible. For that, we are incredibly grateful"

If you would like help with your Romanian or foreign rescue dog, send me an email on [email protected], and we can have a chat.

29/01/2025

Understanding the Unique Needs of Your Romanian Rescue Dog: A Call for Patience and Going Slow!

I love working with Romanian dogs—as my mentor Meesh Masters says, they are dogs but in High Definition! This is one of the many reasons I specialise in them!

When welcoming a Romanian rescue dog into your home, it's essential to recognise that their journey and experiences may significantly differ from those of UK-based dogs. This can manifest in a variety of ways, impacting their behaviour, reactions, and overall adjustment to their new environment.

One crucial aspect often overlooked is the importance of GOING SLOW. While enthusiasm for training and socialisation is great to see, you will achieve more success with a gradual approach for these sensitive dogs. Pushing your dog too quickly can lead to stress and anxiety and hinder their ability to trust and learn effectively.

It's important to remember that many Romanian dogs have faced challenging circumstances and experienced things we will never know about. Allowing them to process new experiences at their own pace, whether it's encountering traffic, meeting new people, or simply adjusting to life in a home, is key for their well-being.

Here are some gentle steps to support your new rescue dog:

Gradual Exposure: Introduce new things and situations slowly and gently, observing your dog's reactions closely.

Prioritise Downtime: Ensure opportunities for rest and relaxation, allowing your dog to decompress and process their experiences. A lack of sleep is a big cause of behavioural challenges.

Mindful Observation: Pay attention to your dog's body language and cues, adjusting your approach to prevent overwhelm, even if that means you give your dog a lot of space and don't directly interact with them.

By embracing patience and understanding, you can create a safe and supportive environment for your Romanian rescue dog to grow. This builds trust, reduces anxiety, and allows them to become a part of your family.

28/01/2025

I swear they are friends... despite their inability to sit next to each other!
🤦🐾🤦🐾🤦

27/01/2025

Should you help your dog gain confidence or teach them to blindly obey???

A few weeks ago, I saw a post from a dog trainer working with a dog who struggled around trains (the dog's owner needed their dog to behave on planned train journeys).

The trainer taught the dog to do down stays, then proceeded to take the dog to a busy train station, asking the dog to, down stay and remain there while trains arrived and left. The trainer offered no interaction, and the dog was anxious, tense, and unhappy.

However, the dog trainer said the dog's stay around trains was a success.
I didn't think so.

In the short term, it will negatively impact the dog-owner relationship, as the dog learns that its signs of stress or unhappiness are ignored.

In the long term, the dog will likely reach their limit, being exposed to their triggers, and all that repressed anxiety/stress will burst out via extreme unwanted behaviours

In today's busy world, people often focus on training their dogs to be obedient. But what about their emotional well-being?

✨ Did you know that a dog's ability to cope with stress is MORE important than blind obedience?✨

Research shows emotionally balanced dogs are better learners and more adaptable to new situations.

Instead of just teaching cues, I ALWAYS focus on promoting and helping dogs build confidence and resilience.

This means:
🐶 We are creating a safe and predictable environment, making it easier for your dog to learn.
🧭 We are teaching them how to navigate challenging situations without putting them in difficult situations
💪 We are helping them develop coping mechanisms for stress so that when faced with the unexpected, they can cope before your dog gets overwhelmed.

When we focus on emotional well-being first, a happy dog often follows naturally, a dog who can cope and behave 😊

After all, a confident and happy dog is a joy to be around! ❤️

So do you want your dog to blindly obey or do you want your dog to confident and happy, in every situation?

24/01/2025

Its Okay to Advocate for your dog!

Walking your anxious dog can sometimes feel stressful, especially when strangers approach.

Here are my tips for keeping your dog calm and your sanity in check.

🐾 Stay Calm and Confident:
Walk tall and smile! This often draws people's attention to you first, giving you a chance to chat with them and explain a bit about your dog.

🐾 Be Polite and Direct:
If someone approaches, gently let them know your dog is still learning social skills. Please feel free to step in front of your dog if needed, and if someone isn't respecting your wishes, don't hesitate to just move on.

🐾 Teach Everyone the Rules:
You're not just training your dog – you're also teaching others how to interact with them! Give simple instructions to help ensure a positive experience for everyone.

Remember, most people are just excited to see your dog!

Instead of getting frustrated, try to be patient and understanding. Clearly communicate your needs and thank people for their interest. If an interaction isn't feeling right, it's okay to politely decline and move on.

Having a confident plan of action to support your dog really helps. Seek out help if you are struggling. With a little practice and patience, you and your dog will become more confident on your walks."