Surrey Dog Behaviour

30/05/2024

Who saw the incredible performance by Lucy Heath and The Trickstars on Monday!? Weren’t they just phenomenal?!!

The skill and time it takes to train dogs to this level is unmatched, and they all are having the best time!

I’m so proud to call Lucy a friend and a colleague, who you can see LIVE at DogFest this year.

For those local to me, we will be at Knebworth in September so make sure you come along!

🩷

28/04/2024

Happy doggos chilling in between show displays! 🥰 how cool are they!?

My dogs and their Labrador pals, as we stayed with Surrey Dog Behaviour for the weekend. The cutest, happy bunch! 😍❤️

11/04/2024

This weekend I’ll be at Newbury All About Dogs Show giving a gundog demonstration, a scentwork demonstration and on hand to answer any training and behaviour questions!

Cannot wait to start the show season!!

Come and say hi! 🤩

🌟 DIGITAL SHOW GUIDE NOW ONLINE 🌟
The All About Dogs Show Newbury is a week away today and you can now download your Digital Show Guide from our website!

Don't miss any of the action on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th April at the Newbury Showground.

Inside you'll find timetables for the Fun Dog Show classes, the Main Arena, our NEW Breed Meet Ups, fun competitions at our Village Green area, a Show Map and more.

Download your copy from our website here: www.allaboutdogsshow.co.uk/newbury

09/02/2024

Can’t wait to perform at Dogfest again this year!!

Come and see us!

🌟 Meet Kassie Woods: Surrey's Leading Dog Behaviourist! 🐾🎓

We're thrilled to announce Kassie Woods from Surrey Animal Behaviour as part of our talent line up for DogFest this year! Kassie is in a league of her own, and one of only 70 Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourists in the UK, and with a Master's degree in Clinical Animal Behaviour from the University of Lincoln. 👩‍🎓

Her expertise makes her one of the most sought-after behaviourists in the UK - not just to dog owners, but other professionals too as a frequent guest lecturer at the Royal Veterinary College. Kassie’s passion doesn’t stop at helping dogs, she's dedicated to mentoring the next generation and actively shaping the future of the behavior and training industry.

At the heart of Surrey Dog Behaviour are Kassie’s three dogs - Archie, Sunny and Flo. 💓🌈 A rainbow of Labradors, you’ll see them demoing their skills at DogFest in the Gundog Demonstration, where Kassie explains how you can make sure your working breed dog doesn’t go self-employed and cause mayhem! Inspired by Sunny, her teenage tearaway, Kassie will also be talking about how to engage with your adolescent dog - including the things you want to avoid! 🙅‍♀️

Kassie goes above and beyond in helping enrich the lives of gundogs who’ve got themselves into a bit of trouble! She’s keen to put the proof in the pudding, with her own pet gundogs boasting impressive achievements. With flawless Flo reaching Grade 4 and super Sunny achieving Grade 2 in gundog levels! 🏆

🌟 Don't miss Kassie and her crew at DogFest for a fascinating insight into how we can work together with our dogs to get the best out of dog and owner! 🐾

12/11/2023

VERY proud of my girl for working her socks off in rather inconvenient circumstances yesterday in Heelwork to Music - Freestyle and coming a respectable 4th!

No one can say I don’t suffer for my craft! 🤣 managed to do a 2.5 minute routine on a torn meniscus! This meant some last minute changes to the routine and some rather strange handling from me but she bossed it and worked her socks off!!!

Now time for some recuperation for the foreseeable 🤣

REWARD YOUR DOG! NO EXCUSES!

05/11/2023

Very proud of Sunny getting a distinction in his The Gundog Club grade 2 today 🥰

Well done Sunshine! 🧡

24/10/2023

This is som**hing that is very important to me and how I care for my dogs.

I get lots of comments on their weight, there is a reason they are on the leaner side - to prolong their lives!!

This evidence is pretty damning, and I’d definitely do ANYTHING to get an extra couple of years with my pals!

Have a read and see if you could improve your dogs feeding 🥰

ONE COOL TRICK TO HEALTHIER DOGS

While there is no scientific evidence that one brand or type of dog food is better than another, there is a LOT of evidence that serious dog illness can be reduced, and that dog lives can be extended, by proper feeding.

And this is NOT new information, nor it is closely held information.

And this ONE SIMPLE TRICK is not just true for dogs; it’s also true for humans, rats, mice, fish, monkeys, and even worms.

This ONE SIMPLE TRICK has extended the lifespan and reduced illness in EVERY ANIMAL STUDIED.

And it’s held true no matter WHAT they ate or WHERE they lived.

Are you ready for this ONE SIMPLE TRICK?

Here it is: EAT LESS.

Calorie restriction ALONE extends lifespan of a population 10 to 50 percent, depending on the animal and the amount of restriction.

This is NOT NEW INFORMATION.

More than 80 years ago, McCay, Crowell, and Maynard wrote a paper entitled “The Effect of Re****ed Growth upon the Length of Life Span and upon the Ultimate Body Size”.

The data presented showed that restricting calories without malnutrition (i.e. not absolutely starving, and keeping up vitamins and micronutrients) significantly prolonged the lifespan of rats.

In subsequent years, experiments with EVERY OTHER ANIMAL studied have shown the same results.

LESS CALORIES MEANS LONGER LIFE AND BETTER HEALTH.

So what’s the data for dogs show?

Just this: Dogs from the same litter, when fed 75% of what their siblings were given, lived 1.8 years longer. Labrador Retrievers who ate their fill every day had a medium lifespan of 11.2 years, while the median life span of dogs on the restricted diet was 13 years — over 16 percent longer.

But that’s not all.

The dogs who ate fewer calories also had fewer expensive illnesses.

At age five, over half the dogs eating a full diet had osteoarthritis in their hips compared to 13 percent of the dogs on a calorie-restricted diet.

At age eight, 77 percent of the dogs fed a full diet had osteoarthritis, while only 10% of the diet-restricted dogs did.

What about cancer? Cancer showed up in all the dogs at the same rate, but showed up two years LATER in the calorie-restricted dogs.

That’s a LOT.

To be clear, NO OTHER FOOD INTERVENTION has been shown to so dramatically increase a dog’s lifespan.

What’s that mean in terms of dog food, no matter what or how you feed?

Simple: LESS CALORIES MEANS MORE LIFE AND LESS ILLNESS.

So what are the caveats?

Just this:

▪️No matter what you feed, your dog will eventually die of som**hing. A lot of the gains in cohort mortality are due to eliminating mortality due to obesity, not absolutely extending the life of the healthiest animals.

▪️Size matters. No matter what you feed, big dogs (as a group) tend to die sooner than smaller dogs (as a group).

▪️Right feed cannot fix wrong breed. While a calorie-restricted diet will probably help extend the life of your dog and reduce veterinary costs, it is NOT an antidote for genetic defect (often due to inbreeding within a closed registry) or morphological deformity (brachycephalia, freakishly long or sloped backs, etc.).

▪️Real world mortality gains in dogs may be less than what we see in the laboratory where the base line is often a "free feed" situation that encourages obesity. In addition, once-a-day feeding appears to extend life the most perhaps by providing a longer period of "fasting" between meals.

Links here >> https://terriermandotcom.blogspot.com/2022/10/one-cool-trick-to-healthier-dogs.html

19/10/2023

Don’t forget to grab your spot on PUPPY UP!

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🔹 demo videos on all things puppy training
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www.surreydogbehaviour.com

23/08/2023

This! Another excuse I hear in support of e-collars.

Nothing is a substitution for good training 🥰

21/08/2023

SO excited to announce my partnership with Touchango K9 - Touchango Toys!

They make long lasting, colourful and diverse tug toys, which can be used to reward recall, give your dog an outlet for chasing, grabbing and playing, as well as rewarding more advanced stuff such as trick sequences and agility!

They are the only toys I use!!

Use code KASSIE10 for each order!

There really is som**hing for every dog!!

20/08/2023

This!!! If you hear a ‘trainer’ promote the use of aversive tools, run!

I am fed up of hearing lame excuses for the use of e-collars and prong collars. They have no place in behaviour modification and training, or I wouldn’t get results!

Please please PLEASE, don’t subject your dogs to these ‘m**hods’ - we can do better!

😇

🗣️ “When used correctly........"

This phrase comes up time and time again when those who advocate for the use of aversive dog training m**hods and tools try and come across as ethical.

"When used correctly" are empty words.

It's a non-descriptive phrase. It gives the reader/viewer NOTHING to measure- other than the trainer's own opinion of their skill.

This is highly problematic. An absence of adequate regulation of training and behaviour professionals parallel to the frequent display of self-appointed expertise is a BIG welfare problem for dogs in this industry.

⚡️The trainer I watched in a popular instagram video 'stimming' a dog with an e-collar everytime the dog went to sniff things in a pet store probably thought they were using it correctly.

🖐️ Ceser Milan probably thought he was applying 'calm and assertive' body language correctly on Holly the Labrador as a way of ‘working’ with her food aggression, even though she bit him multiple times for doing it. He required hospital treatment.

🐕‍🦺 The prong collar trainers whose dogs make an awful choking sound when corrected, probably think they are doing it correctly. Despite the prong seemingly being placed ‘correctly’ high on the neck!

💥 The well known UK balanced trainer who posted a video a good while back of them 'stimming' a french bulldog for exhibiting abnormal repetitive behaviours probably thought he was using it correctly. (The dog's owner later posted their own video explaining how this made the dog worse, and a more welfare focused approach has now started to help the dog).
🤷‍♀️ What does 'correctly' even look like?
Good timing and equipment placement?
Is that REALLY all that’s needed to make sure the dog is protected from poor professional conduct and fall-out?

🤔 How can we help the viewer know what to look for?
It's very hard for me to imagine what the correct use of aversives looks like, but a start would be:

✔️ Getting a vet referral, reviewing the full medical history of the dog.
✔️ Reviewing the stressors in that dog's life and addressing them.
✔️ Applying positive reinforcement focused m**hods first and foremost. This applies to all dogs. No excuses!
Enough of us are doing this daily with the same demographic of clients (let’s not flatter ourselves with ‘I get the red zone dogs’ comments, please!).

I have subjected myself to watching plenty of balanced training videos to make sure I am educating others based on what I SEE and not just what I think or read in research.
I am not seeing ANY evidence of the above in the videos, posts or comments I have seen.

I can catagorically say I have NEVER seen added text or information to the many videos I have watched that even acknowledges stress or pain in dogs.

Balanced training m**hod videos appear (to me) to continuously represent dogs simply "a good dog" or "a bad dog". There’s not enough mention of a “stressed dog”, a “hurting dog” or a dog who has yet to be taught different (kindly).

I don’t see explanations as to WHY the dog may be behaving that way and what is being done to help the dog- beyond applying aversive m**hods to punish or supress the bad behaviour.

Whilst I would NEVER endorse the use of aversive tools and aversive m**hods that intentionally startle or cause discomfort- I would have a little more respect for balanced trainers if they actually OWNED their m**hods publicly.

Be transparent.
Be clear about HOW these m**hods work.
So, let's help owners make a genuinely informed decision rather than leading viewers to believe there is no risk to the dog's physical and emotional health, and only benefits to be gained.

Some even think that these tools are enjoyable for dogs! This gross misunderstanding is the soul responsibility of those who showcase using these tools to the general public without being transparent.

Here are few examples of what transparency from balanced dog trainers would look like when discussing aversive tools in ALL contexts;

🗣️ “Because the e collar may startle the dog or cause an unpleasant sensation, we tried to remove as many stressors as possible in the dog's life before applying the training".
🗣️ “We considered using a slip lead on this dog to apply leash corrections, but the dog was found to have hip dysplasia in their pre-session vet check. It wouldn't be fair to correct a dog, which is unpleasant for them, if they are already in pain- so we need to address that first".
🗣️ “E collar aversion training may be able to stop your dog chasing sheep, but it won't stop them killing your next door neighbours cat or causing a road traffic accident. So, you really need to up your management and make sure your dog doesn't escape".
🗣️ “As a correction on a prong collar causes momentary compression to the neck - this can cause stress by temporarily reducing oxygen intake and also causing discomfort from all the metal pins briefly digging in. For that reason, the dog had a vet check to make sure the're not experiencing any pain in their neck, or elsewhere".
🗣️ “Because a prong collar correction has the potential to be deeply unpleasant for the dog, we have to be so careful about when we apply it. If you're not careful, the dog may associate the discomfort with what they are looking at when the correction is delivered and start to fear it. This could be a child, or it could be the rose bush they have to walk past on your driveway. Your correction has to be timed perfectly to the mili-second and that is really not easy!".
🗣️ “Because the slip lead tightens when a corrrection is applied or when the dog pulls- this is uncomfortable and stressful for the dog and the dog adjusts their behaviour to avoid that discomfort. We want to avoid causing our dogs stress as much as possible, so we are starting our training in a super easy environment so the dog can get maximum reinforcement for the desired behaviour. Ideally, we just don't want to correct the dog at all".
🗣️ “Here I am scaring the dog with my body language. I am being intentionally threatening and confrontational. The dog will change their behaviour to appease me, as they can’t escape. The risk here is they could bite you in defense, so you do have to be really careful”.

Doesn’t quite sell the m**hod so well to potential clientele and followers, does it?

Using ambiguous language like 'pressure' is just not thorough enough. Interpretation of what pressure is relies on one's own experience.

Some people may have felt extreme pressure in their lives and view it as highly aversive. Others may have only experienced mild pressure and thus view it as a minor inconvenience that is easily overcome.

A living being's emotional and physical resources will influence how they cope with pressure (stress!). It's not black and white as each individual is different, and their individual coping ability can vary day to day.

Talking about 'pressure' and 'using it correctly' gives zero indication that a risk assessment should be done daily on our learners, regardless of the m**hods we use on them.

I have yet to see sufficient evidence of balanced trainers showing that they are looking at all of these nuances or helping viewers learn about them.

The many videos I see make it look very much like the aversive tool is stage 1 in the process. If it's not, then why aren't they saying so?

This does dogs a HUGE disservice. If you want to get remotely close to using aversive tools correctly (if there is such a thing!) then let's see balanced trainers be more transparent as to the risk of using these tools. Correct use is increasing awareness of what can go wrong.

If you want positive reinforcement trainers to do the same, sure! I’ve not been shy about discussing fall out across my work and I work very hard to prevent it.

Positive reinforcement users could go into detail about how to reduce fall-out, such as frustration and redirection, from negative punishment, extinction or clumsy mechanics.
Let’s help viewers recognise how withholding or withdrawing reinforcement, ignoring a behaviour without providing an alternative, or poor application of reinforcement can cause problem behaviour.

BUT, if you're a balanced dog trainer who ALSO uses reinforcement based m**hods too......then I fear your list of disclaimers will start to get a little long. All of those risks using reinforcement are piling up and onto the risks of using aversion based m**hods.
If this is truly about dog welfare, let's see ALL the details on every.single.post so you can be sure that every person you are potentially influencing is as informed as they can be.

Why does this matter more with aversion based training m**hods? Because they are designed to operate on avoidance of fear, anxiety (stress / pressure), discomfort and pain. End of.

NOTE: I have not looked at every bit of content from every balanced trainer in the world. I know there are some who are very knowledgable and who do take stress and pain into consideration. Some are also less quick to use aversive tools or m**hods.

My predominant direct experience is that this is less common OR they are just not talking about it openly! I have a problem with both!

When ever a trainer posts about using an aversive tool they should still be completely transparent.

People who don’t know better are watching.
Final Note: If you think the ever increasing popularity of balanced m**hods online is because they are better than gentle m**hods, I would encourage you to look into (online) how social media platforms prioritise VIOLENT content. This is quite well established information now.
It has nothing to do with effectiveness, and everything to do with what unfortuantly now seems to make humans tick. It's pretty gross, if you ask me.

05/08/2023

Well! Today Flo and Archie tried their paws at a Kennel Club Heelwork to Music competition, and Flo only went and won her class!!

I’m beyond proud of my clever little girl! This was her first ever Kennel Club HTM competition and she worked like a dream!

Arch came away with a respectable 6th. He worked so hard but his old man brain just can’t quite keep up with the others these days 🤣

Special dinners all round tonight 🤩

29/07/2023

CALM!

Don’t rush your training.

Don’t rush each rep

Breathe. Take your time. Calm. Set yourself up for success!

Our mindset is JUST as important as our dogs mindset

As always, REWARD YOUR DOG 😌

20/07/2023

In Puppy Up we spend a whole chunk on handling!

It is SO important to teach your dog that ‘formal’ handling is all good!

Today we put this into practice as Sunny needs a course of eye drops!

Thankfully he already knows this format means tasty treats!!

If you want to learn more about handling, book on to Puppy Up!!

04/07/2023

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29/06/2023

PUPPY UP IS NOW LIVE!!

This 4 week comprehensive online puppy course is like no other!

Not only will we cover everything from sit, stay, settle, lead walking, jumping up and recall, but we will also delve into developmental stages, the do's and don'ts of socialisation and how to be the best puppy owner out there!

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Head over to www.surreydogbehaviour.com to book on today!

Happy training!

29/06/2023

Happy birthday Sunshine!!

He has grown in to the most social, confident and motivated boy I could ever have asked for 🥰

Looking forward to the years to come and all the things we will achieve together! 🧡🧡

05/06/2023

Was chatting all things nutrition at DogFest last weekend, realised my dogs eat better than me! 💙🫣

Don’t forget to use code KASSIE50 for 50% off your Pawsitive Dog Food UK order!! 💜

02/06/2023

Sleep is SO important for your dogs mood regulation.

Sleep more, feel better!

Oh yeah, and REWARD YOUR DOG 😴

02/06/2023

I guess it’s about time I introduce myself!

My name is Kassie, and I run Surrey Dog Behaviour.

I am a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB), mentor for the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians (FABC), trainer with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

My day job is as a behaviour consultant, working with dogs across Surrey and Hampshire with issues such as separation anxiety, aggression and anxiety.

I’m also passionate about dog sports, offering training sessions in gundog skills, scentwork and tricks, as well as basic obedience such as recall and lead walking.

Im proud to say I use the most up-to-date, reward based training m**hods to help dogs across the UK.

I’m also lucky enough to tour the UK yearly with DogFestand About Dogs Show giving demos and displays in gundog skills and scentwork.

I can’t really introduce myself without including my Labrador sidekicks!

Archie - my 10 year old chocolate, Flo - my 3 year old yellow, and Sunny - my 10 month old red, rule my life! And I adore them 🥰

If you’d like to come and train with me, or ask any training or behaviour questions, drop me a PM!

Always remember, REWARD YOUR DOG! 💁‍♀️

31/05/2023

FOCUS IS THE FOUNDATION TO ANY BEHAVIOUR

If your struggling, go back a step and get that focus!

As always, reward your dog 🌸

30/05/2023

Give your dog the focus and attention you want from your dog!

And remember - REWARD YOUR DOG 🥰

29/05/2023

VERY proud of my guys this weekend at . They worked their socks off, even in the heat!

Flo especially did me proud (shocker!) working in 4 advanced gundog displays, 2 gundog workshops and 1 have a go obedience.

Sunny also did the puppy section of 4 gundog displays, and one have a go obedience, and was perfect!

And Archie? Well, he forgot what listening was 🤣 but he’s my happy old boy so he gets away with it!

Just adore my guys 🥰🥰 now time to sleep!

29/05/2023

Does anyone fancy opening their hearts to one of Sunny’s nieces or nephews!? Aren’t these guys ADORABLE!

Bonnie, Sunny’s big sister has had a gorgeous Honeyfitz Ltd. - KCAB litter, and one boy and one girl are looking for their forever family!!

I can honestly say Sunny is the most robust, well rounded dog on the planet!! I’d be adding another if I was able!!

Drop Honeyfitz a message if you’re interested 🥰🥰

27/05/2023

Don’t forget to come to Loseley this weekend!

We are giving an advanced gundog display today at 3:30, and tomorrow at 11am and 2:15!

We will be showing off retrieving and obedience with all 3 dogs 🥰

23/05/2023

The happiest of the happies out on their wonder today!

Todays aim was to have FUN!

Chasing a ball, sniffing, running, catching treats and having cuddles!

14/05/2023

Archie’s thoughts about Belvoir Castle being over!

What an amazing weekend!! It was SO good to see and again!

Flo joined me in teaching all things gundog, and Sunny helped with the ‘have a go’ obedience! And Archie? Well, he gave cuddles 🤷‍♀️🤣

Next up, Losley House on the 27th and 28th! Who’s coming!?

12/05/2023

Aren’t Sunny’s nieces and nephews just delightful! 🥰🥰

Two weeks old x Applications being accepted now!