Leads In Action

09/11/2024

06/11/2024

This is how all daycares should be 🤌🐾
Well done Lancashire Canine Academy

06/11/2024

😭😅🤦‍♀️😂

More Custard content coming today!

05/11/2024

Worth a read, for more than just fear of fireworks

I am really tired of the hurtful comments directed at those who have dogs with a fear of fireworks. There are so many accusing dog guardians of neglecting to socialize and train their dog or they are insinuating it is the guardian's response to the fireworks that makes the dog so afraid. This is despite the fact that dogs (and other animals) across the UK are having heart attacks, seizures and strokes, some of which have been fatal. How can a dog guardian's response to fireworks possibly elicit such an extreme reaction to fireworks?

And if this is the cause of such extreme fear, what accounts for the deaths of wildlife and farm animals? Are there people ‘coddling’ them too? Let's not forget dogs in rescue shelters. If it's our response that creates this fear, then why do rescue dogs show extreme anxiety and try to escape their kennels? They are in there alone most of the time. Such heartless comments are baseless since studies show that there are many factors that contribute to noise sensitivity and a fear of fireworks, as seen below.

Genetics

A study involving over 13,700 dogs in Finland discovered that around 32% of dogs had sound sensitivities and 26% were afraid of fireworks. The scientists in this study also identified a genetic predisposition to a fear of fireworks (Salonen, M. 2020) Blackwell et al. (2013) discovered that twelve breeds or breed types were less likely to show fear responses to noises than cross-breeds and their data suggest that some breeds may be predisposed to fear of loud noises, including fireworks.( Linn Mari Storengen, Frode Lingaas 2015.) Thus, your dog may be afraid of fireworks, due to their genetics.

Pain & health conditions

A study showed that dogs that experienced muscle or bone pain were more sensitive to sudden noises, loud noises and different pitches than dogs who were noise-sensitive but didn’t have pain. (Lopes Fagundes 2018) The same study found that the average age of onset for noise sensitivity in dogs differed between groups. In clinical cases (with pain), the average onset of noise sensitivity was 5 years and 7 months.

“Although the average ages of the dogs at presentation were similar, the average age of onset of the problem was nearly 4 years later in the “clinical cases.” This strong theme of an older age of onset suggests that the pain may develop later in life and that owners seek treatment more readily, perhaps because the appearance of the problem is out of character in the subject. The average age of onset within the control population also suggests that the problem does not simply relate to a lack of habituation as a puppy and that other mechanisms need to be considered for many cases.” (Lopes Fagundes 2018)

Other health conditions can also trigger noise phobias. Conditions such as endocrine diseases, cardiopulmonary disease, neurological problems, and cognitive dysfunction, can potentially contribute to or exacerbate behavioural problems including noise fears. (Bowen J. 2008) So both pain and health conditions can cause a fear of fireworks.

Age

Studies show that fearfulness is most common in dogs aged 4-8 years and that noise sensitivity often increases with age., ( Milla Salonen 2020) Another study that supports this shows that the average age of onset of noise phobias developed around 4 years 7 months of age. Dogs progressing through adolescence also go through a second fear period from around 10-12 months of age. At this time of development, dogs can develop new fears and phobias, including noises like fireworks. As a dog reaches their senior years, ill health and conditions such as cognitive dysfunction disorder (dog dementia) can also cause anxiety, fear-related behaviours and noise sensitivities.

Anxiety

Studies show that dogs most fearful of noises also presented with a higher chance of separation-related anxiety and being fearful in novel situations. These dogs also took much longer to decompress after a stressful event compared to dogs less fearful of noises. (Linn Mari Storengen, Frode Lingaas 2015.) It makes sense that if your dog is already struggling with anxiety, that they are more likely to develop noise phobias.

Survival Instinct

“An extreme avoidance response to a loud firework going off unexpectedly nearby, given the salience of this event and its unpredictability for the animal, can be interpreted as adaptive (‘rational’), an argument which has also been applied to extreme fear responses in humans”. (Davey, 1995) From a survival point of view, it is logical for dogs and other animals to respond in fear to explosions. Why wouldn't they? They can't reason that it's harmless.

It should be noted that studies have found that dogs that attend training classes are less likely to be afraid of fireworks however, it is unknown why this would be the case, as exposure to fireworks sounds is not usually part of the curriculum.

Many dogs have been desensitized to fireworks as puppies and have been adequately trained and socialized, and yet they still develop a fear of fireworks. The fact that dogs don’t develop this fear until around the age of 4 proves that often the fear is due to over-exposure, trauma, anxiety or health issues. If it was solely due to a lack of training or due to the dog guardians' response to the fear, we would likely see the phobia developing much earlier in the dog’s life.

Therefore, it is hurtful and completely speculative to blame guardians for a dog’s phobia of fireworks. The real blame rests on the shoulders of those who continue to set off loud fireworks, knowing for well the suffering it causes to dogs, pets, wildlife, and even people. - Holly Leake

Huge thanks to my friends at Canine Principles for their help finding studies on the subject. ❤️🐾

References

Bowen J. Firework Fears and Phobias. UK Vet Companion Anim. 2008;13:59–63. doi: 10.1111/j.2344-3862.2008.tb00529.x. [DOI] [Google Scholar]

Camps T., Amat M., Manteca X. A Review of Medical Conditions and Behavioral Problems in Dogs and Cats. Animals. 2019;9:1133. doi: 10.3390/ani9121133. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar

Lopes Fagundes AL, Hewison L, McPeake KJ, Zulch H, Mills DS. Noise Sensitivities in Dogs: An Exploration of Signs in Dogs with and without Musculoskeletal Pain Using Qualitative Content Analysis. Front Vet Sci. 2018 Feb 13;5:17. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00017. PMID: 29487858; PMCID: PMC5816950.

Linn Mari Storengen, Frode Lingaas 2015. Noise sensitivity in 17 dog breeds: Prevalence, breed risk and correlation with fear in other situations Applied Animal Behaviour Science
Volume 171, October 2015, Pages 152-160 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2015.08.020

Salonen, M., Sulkama, S., Mikkola, S. et al. Prevalence, comorbidity, and breed differences in canine anxiety in 13,700 Finnish pet dogs. Sci Rep 10, 2962 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-59837-z

Please feel free to like and share, but please do not copy and paste the text or edit the graphic in anyway. Thank you.

04/11/2024

💗 Legally Blonde The Musical - Dog Casting 💗

I am so happy & excited to share this "pawsome" news 🤩
Partnering up with Hessle Theatre Company on this project is so wonderful!

Email your video submissions to:
[email protected]

I've performed in productions with them previously (since 2015), so I know first hand the standard of what their shows bring.
Sadly, due to work I've not been able to do many shows with them recently. However, combining my experiences with performance and dog training & behaviour is just a dream, something I actually aim to do in time as a career too! 🎭

The dog's will be such a LOVED addition to this show 🐶 I know those involved in the show are so excited to meet their fellow canine cast soon. As am I!!

I will pop the description of the dogs directly in the comments of this shared post too ⏬️ Please share far and wide, or get involved...who knows, it could be your dog gracing the stage of Hull New Theatre next April. Break a leg (but don't 😉).

03/11/2024

03/11/2024

🌟 FLEXI CLASSES 🌟

Available to book:
- Mondays, 7:15pm (online)
- Tuesday, 6:30pm (alternate, in person)
- Wednesdays, 7pm (in person)
- Thursdays, 7pm (alternate, both online & in person)
- Sundays, 9:30am (in person)

🏡 Online via WhatsApp group chat
📍In person at Walking With Canines Ltd training facility, East Hull (HU8)

⏬ To Book single sessions or Bulk Buys, click below ️⏬
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=27818078
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🐾 PUPPIES:
Unvaccinated or young puppies (under 20 weeks) can come to up to 2 FREE, IN PERSON exposure sessions (for 30-45 mins) during my flexi classes, when you buy at least 4 sessions with me.
So, if you bought 4 sessions, you'd essentially get an extra 2 for free!
🐾 OLDER DOGS:
Those who wish to book can have a FREE taster session ONLINE. (I send a code to book these in after receiving your payment & booking confirmation).
🐾 ALL:
Work on whatever you need/like or achieve certificates and rosettes by making your way through various behavioural levels. You also get access to FREE monthly social walks, group chats, discount codes, reccomendations, workbook.

We also have the opportunity to do "real life" training sessions outside of the classroom, as well as planning "coffee and cake" evenings, special event sessions etc. Especially if we get a regular cliental 🤌

02/11/2024

Please, be mindful and considerate 🫶

We're called Pet Respect, but we try to advocate for Respect amongst all and every species.

Please be mindful this November the 5th, Bon Fire Night 🔥

There are some who fear it, not celebrate it. Thank you 🫶

02/11/2024

Nearly a week to go until we conclude our Progression Teen Course for 2024, with the amazing Ingenious Dogs

5 consecutive Sundays, 3:30pm
10th November - 8th December 2024

Check comments for what's included 😀

⏬️ Book below ⏬️
https://LeadsInActionDogTrainingServices.as.me/?appointmentType=67478563

02/11/2024

I am SO GREATFUL for people taking the time to share little things like this. One of my wonderful regular clients, used my door pic for halloween. They shared this...

"Thank you for sharing this. Used it and I heard so many kids read it and tell their friends to not knock and just take a couple fo sweets next to the front door. I even heard some adults comment that it was such a good idea to have a note out! Luna was so much calmer this year. Thank you Sally 😁"

Did or has anyone else used it? Would you like more designed? Comment below 👇

02/11/2024

My amazingly, incredibly and intelligent gal pal, Marie has done it AGAIN!!!
Bravo and congratulations on your achievements. So happy and proud of you 😍🐾

31/10/2024

Feel free to save this image and print it off to stick on your front doors 🚪

Great for those nervy dogs who dont need any more "spooky" stuff in their lives, in training, a new rescue or neither of you simply don't want to be disturbed by trick or treaters! 😆

Enjoy 🧡🐾

31/10/2024

🎃 Happy Halloween 🎃

Let's see your gorgeous animal family members below in the comments 👇

Have a safe time everyone, hate to be "that person" but I have a duty of advocating for animals, especially our canine kind. Be considerate, don't do silly "tricks" and put your dog in situations they're notnused to or may get scared/frel uncomfortable, just to get follows or likes (unless it's the kind you've taught your dog and they're happy doing them) but by all means, give your dogs LOTS of treats suitable to them, for being the purest of good doglets 🧡

I'll be posting an image that you can save and print (via facebook), just pop it on your doors if you don't want too many ghosts and gooleys knocking at your doors 🫶 Thanks!

From Sally, of Leads In Action x

29/10/2024

No classes on the evenings this week, I am sorting a new schedule and catching up with some admin work, messages and making my way through a "to do" list that'll benefit all 😊

👉 Classes on as usual this Sunday the 3rd November!

29/10/2024

💕 Puppy Socialisation 💕

This is a service designed to help guide you to a proactive future with your puppy! Socialisation isn't just playing with other puppies - it's so much more 🤯
These gorgeous pups have joined myself and on our current puppy socialisation course!

Our next one will be starting on the 17th November to the 15th December. ⏬️ Book your puppies space ⏬️
https://www.ingeniousdogs.co.uk/courses/structured-socialisation-course-november-2024

These pet parents are super engaging, asking lots of questions, gaining lots of guidance 🤌 they're a fab bunch! However, I think it's safe to say we have always had fabulous pet parents on our services. We're very lucky!

They have already been educated on what socialisation is, the rules of proactive and safe socialisation, greeting people, body handling, vet checks and introduction to grooming equipment, positive interrupters, fireworks night prep, engage disengage and what to pack for when you venture out with your pups whilst training. Next up is our real life social outing, where we visit a garden centre to put things into practice with the guidence of 2 qualified trainers 😊
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28/10/2024

🎓 Teen Course Graduates 🎓

Wow, what can myself and Ingenious Dogs say? These boys have come on LEAPS and BOUNDS!!!
Lots of information to process on the pet parents side too, as our teen course is packed full of information, discussion and activities to help you guide your pooch through their "terrible teens"

Keep up the amaizng work 🥰 and thank you so much for supporting our services, we wish you all the very best and hope to see you at some of our social walks in time too! 🫶
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Would you like to get in on the teen course action? This phase can hit us humans like a brick wall 🧱 due to the speed our canine companions develop, but we've got you covered!
Come and join us for our LAST course of 2024. Starting 10th November, 3:30pm for 5 consecutive weeks.
For dogs aged between 6 months and 2 years, but we can be flexible if they're slightly younger or just over and a slower developing breed.

3 spaces left ⏬️ Book your space here ⏬️
https://LeadsInActionDogTrainingServices.as.me/?appointmentType=67478563

27/10/2024

Just some snaps from yesterdays and another past social walk, I adore these pics! A mix by me and 1 of my clients on the walk 🫶

Exclusive FREE service for past (limited time) and present clients, proving to be really beneficial for those who have attended. I adore them so much, too! It's been a passion of mine to provide a safe space for training, support and community.
The idea from these is also so other pet parents can connect with one another and meet up together, should their dogs get on well 🐾😊

Thank you to everyone who's attended so far!

26/10/2024

This gorgeous boy has been looking for a forever sofa to snooze on for 2 years, 2 YEARS!!!

I can't quite believe it, just goes to show how dedicated Hull Animal Welfare Trust are but also, its really saddening for this beautiful boy. Dogs who need more time to settle and help building their confidnece up are so rewarding!
Please don't let that put you off, they will be so greatful. Lurchers are a beautiful breed too, obviously the breed needs to also suit the right person and lifestyle 😉

If you're looking for a canine pal, get in touch with local rescues first to see if you're suitable, as there may just be your perfect match waiting 🐾