Art of the Mutt - Dog Behaviour and Rehabilitation

06/07/2024

Many that know me know that I have always struggled to slow my pace. Over the last years I've struggled with ibs and this took a turn for the worse and had me in and out of hospital. This most recent turn of avents did not only but me out of commission for a few weeks, it has made me actually have to take on less work while I recover and get back to a new level of working.
Yesterday while out with my little pack we got the pleasure to a dog with the humans running over to try and stop there dog from wrestling me for the stick it had suddenly chosen to try and take from me. Obviously I appreciate all owners to know what there dog is doing but as she started to tell the dog to leave it I quickly said it's ok! I'm happy to play this game and soon got it to release the stick with no pressure or words!
This then turned to a wonderful chat about what I do and some tips to help understand the dog better.
I absolutely love doing what I do and will give anyone the time of day to help if they feel stuck. Life is taking us on a new direction and to keep this calm balanced energy every dog needs from us to keep the leadership position, we must listen to our bodies with the intention of adaptable rules boundaries and limitations.

Never give up. There's always possibilities and Artofthemutt is here to help with every tiny step along the way.

12/06/2024

I've never hidden how or why I came to be doing to I do.
To be the broken person I once was with no purpose, other than just getting through another day to see the next.
Now over 12 years later, I'm still at it with no desire to quit but constantly adapt.
I do struggle to keep up with social media and I'll be honest there are amazing people  with incredible information that may or may not work for you.
I do what I do and the way i do it (with passion) and ask for nothing more from dogs  than what I always believe can be achieved.
The balance and harmony living with dogs and constantly having to evaluate my own energy, body language and intentions to have a connection that keeps the trust and respect to go everywhere together as any loyal pack does.
For those that know! Dana truly is a special dog that I couldn't of asked for a more magical connection too that shows others what sort of stuff we are made of. Anything is possible you believe it can be done and I believe actions will always be louder than words, everything takes practice with plenty of work.

01/05/2024

I know we haven't been that active on our social media but we are always doing our thing and grateful to be part of many humans and dogs lives.

Over the years I've seen many dogs through till the end and it's always an honour to listen to what they have to teach me or humans I get to connect with! This fella truly is one of a kind and has the most incredible human I've ever met. I'll be making a donation and hopefully even get out as dinosaur to help raise a bit more! Anything any one can do to help is appreciated even if it's just to like, comment and share. Really appreciate it 🙏

Weʼre raising money to Help save Kev the cannabis activist dog.. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.

22/01/2024

A bit of a change this weekend and we gave some of our time to help raise some money. Dana did fantastic and very surprised that we only got barked at a few times! We met so many awesome people and truly grateful to all that spared what they had.

15/01/2024

This year I'm taking more time to do the things I love and enjoy. As we all should to help keep us balanced and with this stories strong message, I'm reminded how easily I can over look the simple things in life that others don't have the joy of doing or trying. Start the way we mean to go on and gratitude is a beautiful natural beginning.

14/01/2024

This year I'm taking more time to do the things I love and enjoy. As we all should to help keep us balanced and with this stories strong message, I'm reminded how easily I can over look the simple things in life that others don't have the joy of doing or trying. Start the way we mean to go on and gratitude is a beautiful natural beginning.

We are asking for as many of you as possible to come and take part in this ride out for Megan !!
Loud bikes , trikes, classic cars and more. Flares , Australian flags too.

Come on and get involved 🙏🏼

01/01/2024

🐾 Happy New Year to all the doggies and their hoomans🐾

We wanted to take this time to reflect on 2023. We couldn't move on without saying a massive thank you to each and every single one of you.
We are privileged that you trust us with all your pooches and hope to continue to do so to bring harmony to your pack.

Thank you!

Ps: swipe for a surprise

#2024

25/12/2023

🐾 Santa Paws Has Been🐾

We'd like to say to all of our wonderful clients cheers to a season filled with love, joy, and togetherness! Thank you for being an essential part of our success story.
Merry Christmas 🎄

19/09/2023

Top tip! Always introduce the dinosaur the day before the birthday, and never forget their cake! Keep pushing those boundaries lol.

13/09/2023

Can't just be about the dogs so I thought I'd give my local a shout out! Because it's honestly like a little slice of heaven and obviously dog friendly! Thanks for always making my days sweeter 😘

10/09/2023

You are your own person and this is who you are! A dog will never care about your inner or outer scars.
Sometimes the only thing to change is the fact to except who you are, walk free in your own shadow and see that's its OK.
It's ok to feel whatever it is you want to feel, taking any direction you feel is needed and most importantly at the pace that's right for you. Everything came together at just the right time to bring you into the world and there is no other reason than to just be you. Nature has a way of reflecting the beauty in the wonder of the miracle that it is to be alive, for that's what it's like to only see through loving eyes.

These words have been inspired by our first therapy session to help an amazing young soul step out of his comfort zone, this is now something we are going to look into offering because to be apart of changing humans lives the same way dogs helped me shape mine, is what will always be the closest to my heart.

So proud of this young man and grateful for the reminder to find happiness in who are, as we are all struggling at something on some level and it's those that we choose to let in that can help us along the path.

For if I had not stopped and chatted to someone in the park, to then later they become a client, to then some time on, my name got mentioned and had a meeting with an amazing mother looking to try every option she can to help her son, we would never of met.

Never has it ever felt so good to be who I am to help others feel the same about themselves.

02/08/2023

Once we get locked into a belief that things can never change we start to avoid and to make matter worse our dogs will normally become more reactive or take lead in the pattern of flight. Trying to help us all get out of these uncomfortable moments as quickly as possible!
Although I could try to give plenty of tips to help cope with situations, there is never a straight forward answer to helping you understand the role that the dog is looking for and how to stop or change a behaviour/reaction.
I'll do my best to share a quick moment from the weekend, while we took out 4 dogs on a busy seafront stroll. After 40 minutes we stopped for the first break, I quickly spotted a place where I could have all for dogs out the way of people moving. Choosing purposely who would go where keeping the most nervous dog (Lola) under my bench, while keeping an eye on other people's body language checking they was comfortable with the dogs being there.
It soon become clear they loved dogs, as the gentleman started to give (Dana) a stroke, a few times he reached out to do the same with Lola but she quickly gave distance. Waiting for my moment, we chatted a little but at some point he went to get up and his foot caught the dog (Lola), she let out the surprised yelp and moved into an avaliable space looking to see what's happening next! As the lovely gentleman bent over offering his hand in an apolog, I could see the dog ready to move again. I quickly asked the gentleman if he wanted to say sorry then just sit back down and don't look at her! He looked puzzled but with another explanation he sat down and started to give me his full attention. At the point the dog and gone back into the position the incident happened, showing she didn't care if we didn't! He even got a little sniff before she settled back down.
I love my work with a passion and a will always try to help anyone that openly wants to understand how to truly think dog and not just want training of the dog. Not every day I get it right and many times I have to step aside to rebalance but when I take on each lesson of how to guide each dog back to their natural harmonious state, the transformation works both ways.

21/07/2023

There are many reasons why I do what I do, and it's never been just a job! It's bringing harmony when it gets lost, understanding that may not have been there before. To see in the eyes and hear in the voice, that what was once thought of as impossible. Now becomes a mission to find balance in creating what they truly want! Thanks again to all those that I've met and keep meeting, together we help others that feel stuck.

20/07/2023

Responsibility of domestication (part 2)
Many interactions have sparked these thoughts but the two that standout the most is the subject of domestication and responsibility.

I first got triggered by a homemade sign on a local gate. At first I thought it was for a lost dog but no it was the picture with an aim to blame the person that left the gate open had killed their dog.  Now this is not a dog only park (we don't really have them in the uk) and do owners not carry any weight of responsibility!

I personally think it's disgusting to blame others for the lack of knowledge they had, to of either but more training in place or have it on a long lead to keep it safe.

I've been told and I'm sure I will be again and again to let the dog be a dog, all they want is freedom. Even those that say they have done their own research still think with the same attitude that I struggle to understand this

As soon as I  started to read and study it came very clear that our way of living really messy with a dogs natural way of life. Everything they want to instinctively run away from we say "no don't" and everything  the instinctively want to chase we say "no don't"
From nearly everything indoors we have to help them by conditioning their mind to deal with it!

This is definitely not an easy subject and I may write more to this but for now I'll just be grateful for doing my bit!

19/07/2023

Trust is built on a path of respect
All life will give out what it gets
Unique to the individual time and again
As long as no one gets physically hurt
Then there's no wrong or right way
To earn loyalty lasting the end of days

Responsibility of domestication (part 1)

It has always been there, this idea we want all life to be free!  Yet could that really ever be a possibility as everything in the universe follows some kind of pattern or rules, why should we be any different.

For those that have had children will understand that little battle we have with how much "freedom" do we give, as a responsible Adult I have my duty of care that should be taken very seriously but with a balance to let most experiences be through expression and the ability to make hard decisions.

Even if you don't have a dog or pet then how much freedom do you give yourself! Eat what you want, when you want or drink, smoke and take anything you want! Spend every penny you have or don't have borrowing more and more.  This list can go on and on!

It took me a while in life to set my own boundaries and limitations, yet once I dealt with a few major ones my life has never been the same.
It's never an easy thing to do and help is always needed in finding where we stand in our own way, then having the energy to change any habits is sometimes a lifetime journey.

23/06/2023

I shall use this negativity to ignite my gift and turn it into a rhythm that I can sit with!

Let those words thrown at me fuel my reasons to exist and drive my purpose through the roof in becoming limitless!

They can take what they need from my energy pool, and I claim to be no "expert" other than in my own steps as a fool.

We live, and we learn, that's for sure, and in my many years as a "professional," my main and first point is this! 

If you want to enjoy a nice walk, then avoid dog park politics.
Humans are fantastic at choosing only information that fits.
Never let anyone change your reality unless you want it!

12/06/2023

I try to never promise change but more an understanding and not just of the dog but how we affect the whole lot.

Under my roof every dog becomes what I want but this is not my journey, its yours! They watch you like they do me, 24/7 and never missing a beat.

Knowing our inner beliefs sometimes more than we do! I strongly suggest whatever it is you struggle with and yet have gained the knowledge to handle it, the only thing holding you back is you!

Homework has to be done, change won't happen if you don't create some. If something doesn't work or you see no light after a set time (about 2 weeks) then find a new technique or pattern to follow, we are in a world of so much info.
Always try to adapt what you are doing to help you feel in control but not controlling, remembering life in the real "comfort zone" was created by not staying in one for to long.

Many times you'll need to do what you feel you don't want to do but find it was actually not as scary or difficult as the mind played it out to be.

Every day comes with challenges and before we even think of training a dog, we should make sure the discipline is being trained within us too!

31/05/2023

https://www.artofthemutt.com/art-of-the-mutt-blog. Been awhile but always working and thinking!

A blog from a dog behaviourist point of view

28/04/2023

As always, I had a wonderful chat on the phone with a potentially new client. They, as many others before, were lost in a world of information. Again, like many others I chat with daily, they had seen two dog trainers of opposite prespective, one giving the dog no freedom to act out and the other giving too much.

Although dogs all communicate the same, this is not a one size fits all kind of game. If the information I give is without seeing the dog, then it's a 50/50 it will work!  Even if I do have the entity in front of me, it will be on many occasions, trial or error, until I'll find the method that brings results.

In my opinion, this is an art form, and nothing is straightforward, with nuances waiting around every corner. Learning to trust our gut instincts, yet in the other hand, having an open enough mind to question it.

Balance is key in all aspects of life and in my own personal journey with dogs. I've had to let go of nearly all my old beliefs to find what I thought was once obvious to actually be my own emotions looking back at me.

This is why I love what I do and may not be right for everyone as much as they may not be right for me.
We have the ability to endless choose and as overwhelming as that can be, if you don't give up, eventually you'll find what fits and know this is the way to harmony

Never the dog you want but the one you need.

22/04/2023

As difficult as it can be to return to balance and living in the moment, nature is always ready to bounce back with us.

Like many of my posts I struggle between personal and professional because as much as I get good advice, this has never been about running a business.

It was more to share and pass on the experience this way of life has helped me gain more confidence and control over my own emotions.

We all have our own triggers with physical or mental health that can last hours, days or weeks. With this the routine can crumble and structure or boundaries be left to spiral out of control

Honesty is key and my adhd side has been the reason I have always held my actions to account and high standards, this sometimes will lead me to thinking I am not good enough.

Yesterday I was given a beautiful nudge to remind me I need to let go. As a random lady stopped to watch me working and tell me how wonderful it was to see the connection between me and the dog, later on I got a outstanding video updating me on how amazing their dog is doing.

Be it a glowing review or a simple gesture of positive vibration and the fact the people exchange their hard earned money for our hard work and knowledge, we can so easily overlook or dismiss the very thing that helps create a stable mind and body.

Once you find what all dogs know we never actually lose, the harmony and balance that keeps them wanting to follow. Each step we help guide them, they in return help us keep up growth from within.

25/03/2023

Nothing more satisfying then getting acknowledgement for the work we put in!

Having breakfast at my local this morning and while chatting with two gentlemen that admired how relaxed she was, someone else over heard and asked for a card.

Always choose your environment well, there is a lot of space here and it can help it feel generally calmer to not be in busy traffic areas.

Try not to reward (food) to quickly and depending on the dog you wish to have in your life, you will only let others and most importantly yourself give the dog affection when or if it is fully relaxed/submissive.

If that is your desire, then it will take a few attempts. Don't feel bad to say no if and when it's needed. There will come a time when the trust and respect brings you to the point where the understanding of expectations works perfectly in balance with the environment.

17/02/2023

3 hours of intensive work and covering as many triggers as possible! For those that know this should only be done when you are confident in your own abilities to handle these situations. All in our own time and take it slow and if in doubt always contact a professional. Thanks to all the support over the last few days, its been really appreciated to keep moving forward.

11/02/2023

To be cherished and loved for being nothing more than you, must be one of the main reasons we bring them to be part of our crew.

Today Jack set sail over rainbow Bridge but not before a walk on the dirt, sand and sea. Finished with a sausage to make sure he was full and happy to leave

Blessed to have been guided and looked after so well, he can now rest from the responsibility of keeping us safe from wheelie bins and to much chicken or anything else.

Thank you for teaching our youngest before you left, without you she would never of got as good as she is. Able to handle young children and see all humans mean no harm, all because of your knowledge that will forever live on.

To every dog that you helped move forward towards balance and harmony but most of all the lessons you truly taught me, that to live is enough and stop complaining about life, each moment is another step to put everything right.

You was my first real companion that made me see and feel the beauty in forgiveness, if I ever struggle again may I be lifted by your great spirit.

Looking forward to each day I see your sky visits, knowing it was the best choice to end your suffering and lastly I'm most grateful for you introducing the love of my life to me.

Thank you little buddy.
The best Jack there ever be!

01/02/2023

It can often feel like training is going nowhere, and I'll be honest working with Shadow (GS) over the past months has been quite a challenge.
The process has been in very little drips but yesterday she actually stopped on my command and today it came like a waterfall.
There is now a level of trust that was never there before and with that new vibration I'll be taking her into new environments to gain the extra part of respect, the loyalty with be gained like the rest. In a time that suits the dog best, my job is just to consistently lead.
Never give up and never give in most of the time it's just a case of asking for help to get the balance started.
Always grateful for those that put the trust in what we do.
Thank you

20/01/2023

I never have a problem with any dogs!
More the expectations humans put or don't put on the dog that I struggle to understand.
Be the changes you want to see, of course it's a challenge as nothing worth keeping comes easily.
Let go of any guilt and you'll soon see, how beautiful the life in a pack can be.
Ready to roll and glide through endless amounts of possibilities
You are the leader of your own destiny

We are still doing our thing but don't really have time or energy to keep up with social media. Although like most days, this morning I was inspired by others in the dog park. As one person picked up the dog, while the other let theirs go running up to any and very thing that moved...

Picture is of a new case that could never stay still for a second, yet here she is in all her glory.
Time and consistency are key to balance and harmony.

27/02/2022

I do love an over night assessments, this little fella (Bear) was causing to much trouble in his pack. Within no time he settled in with our own pack (they all do) and became easy to see that there was no aggression.

This was a case where rehousing was their plan and as hard as a choice it can be, not all relationships work for the best.

Bear, now gets a new beginning with the knowledge that most of the behaviour displayed was nearly all environmentally based, he's now moved on with a new pack and having a great time.

Remember as long as each time we and the dogs grow into a better way of life then nothing really went wrong, it's a beautiful gift for all to get the time we need not what we want.

There is always a way back to balance and harmony

16/11/2021

Structured Pack Walks are extremely powerful. They help all dogs.
Everyone need to find their shared space. In sharing that space, they share energy, and the energy of a moving pack is what helps breaking patterns. There's no time to get stuck in what they know.

Were there's movement, there is energy new flow and this, with the right leadership, is what is going to help change unwanted behaviour.
🐶🐕🐶🐕🐶🐕🐶🐕🐶🐕🐶🐕

10/11/2021

This is our 2 year old toddler walking both our dogs!
Dana has had training since the day we picked her up, but Jack is another story.
When Dan 1st met Jack his walking was awful. He pulled and made the awful noise to go with it! Hands up I admit I HATED walking him on a lead!! So I didn't. The woods, the beach & open spaces were our best friends. But the work was never done.

It has taken a long time, many walks, and persistence but look where we're are now.
He walks so well, and really is a pleasure to walk!
Our youngest agrees! 🐾 🐾

We can help you too if you want to achieve a pleasurable walk with your dog! 🐕🐕

07/11/2021

My calmness doesn't always come at the same time as the assertiveness. These lesson are not easy and leave me feeling unworthy, yet in the mist of letting go and moving forward. Forgiveness is found with no or little guilt or regret, this to me is natures most important lesson to teach.

As long as deep within us we are only looking for trust, respect and loyalty. Nothing is to forgive with love at the core, there's no mistakes just exercises and experiences that strengthen or weaken the pack.

Honest is key and I believe none of us are perfect but making peace within it!

06/10/2021

Text or call is always best!

Due to recent activities or inactivity it still has problems loading and sending messages!

For all bookings and general information please contact Ana on 07900 985498

For a chat about behaviour and all things Mutts contact Dan on 07738261362

Always here to help