Dogs Made Easier

01/01/2025

Happy New Year to you all

30/12/2024

I consider myself very lucky to have had another Christmas with my lovely Jasmin. This year was her 14th Christmas!

And while she is a relatively healthy older lady, she has been having laser treatment and physio for arthritis for the last year which has kept her mobile and built up her strength & balance.

But over the last couple of months, I could see she was beginning to struggle more and that she has needed some extra help.

So after doing my research and in consultation with my vet, I decided to try Librela and Jazzie had her first injection at the start of December.

A week later, a news article about Librela side effects reported in the US appeared in the BBC news site.

Obviously, I was interested to know more and read not only the BBC article but the New York Times article AND the links to the FDA documents.

It can be worrying when news articles appear so it's important (to me) to do some fact-checking so I can continue to make well-informed decisions with my vet & physio about the best course of treatment for my dog.

If you use Librela or considering it to manage your dog's arthritis pain, I found this blog by Canine Arthritis Resources & Education one of the most informative so wanted to share it.
https://caninearthritis.org/librela-what-we-know-and-dont-know/

No medication or drugs are risk-free

If you have any concerns about your dog's health, well-being or reactions to any medication, your vet needs to know this so please discuss your concerns with them.

Being aware of what is 'normal' for your dog is so important and especially so when they get older and/or start medication.

As for Jazzie, she is starting to move more freely and seems to have much less tension in her face and body. I'll continue to monitor her and make informed decisions about what I think is best for her so she continues to enjoy a great quality of life.

Now I look forward to hopefully making the next milestone; her 15th birthday in March!

Librela is a new treatment for arthritis pain in dogs. This article reviews what is known about the drug and what questions remain unanswered.

27/12/2024

Life with a sensitive dog can be challenging, but here’s a different perspective that might be helpful to remember:

Imagine your dog is just like a 2 year old toddler. 🐕👶

They get excited, overwhelmed, or frustrated easily because their ability to self-regulate isn’t fully developed. They need our guidance and patience, just like a young child does, when learning to navigate their big emotions.

So next time your dog reacts, try this: take a deep breath and remember, they’re doing the best they can!

With consistency, patience and the right training approach, we can help them build the skills they need for a calmer life.

25/12/2024

🎅Wishing you & your doggies a very Merry Christmas x 🥰

24/12/2024

A Christmas Guide for a Happy Dog

Christmas is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness, but for your dog, it can also bring new sights, sounds, smells, and challenges.

By keeping your dog’s needs in mind, you can ensure they feel calm, happy, and included in the festive fun.

Here’s how to make Christmas enjoyable for everyone.

1. Create a Calm Environment
The hustle and bustle of Christmas can be overwhelming for dogs, with visitors, decorations, and wrapping paper galore.

🐶Set up safe spaces: Give your dog a quiet retreat away from the excitement. Setting up a Christmas ‘Chill-Out Zone’ with a comfy bed in a calm room with their favourite toys or chews can work wonders.
🎄Dog-proof your decorations: Keep tempting items like tinsel, ornaments, and chocolates out of reach. Your tree doesn’t need to be a “chew toy buffet”!
🐾Plan ahead for visitors: If you’re expecting visitors, let your dog get used to guests gradually. Use baby gates or pens to manage interactions and prevent door-dashing.

2. Prioritise Well-Being
Christmas-time often disrupts routines, so keeping your dog’s basic needs on track is crucial.

🐾Stick to regular walks and meals: Familiar routines help your dog feel secure, even during the busiest days.
🐶Plan rest time: Amid the celebrations, ensure your dog gets enough sleep—puppies and adult dogs alike need downtime to recharge.
💤Watch for stress signals: If your dog is panting, pacing, or avoiding interactions, they may be feeling overwhelmed. Give them a break and some quiet time to unwind.

3. Play to Their Likes and Dislikes
Every dog is unique, and understanding their preferences will help them enjoy Christmas too!

🐶Treats they’ll love: Use festive dog-safe foods (like carrots, plain turkey, or store-bought dog treats) as rewards. Avoid toxic foods like mince pies, chocolate, or onions; no-one wants an emergency trip to the vets!
🐕Holiday playtime: If your dog loves games, incorporate festive fun like tug-of-war with a Christmas-themed toy or a sniff-and-search game with hidden treats.
🚫Respect their dislikes: If your dog isn’t a fan of noisy crackers, loud noises, or costumes, don’t force them to participate. It’s okay if they prefer to watch from the sidelines.

4. Understand Their Behaviour
Christmas introduces lots of new experiences for your dog, and their behaviour will give you clues about how they’re feeling.

🐶Notice their body language: Are they wagging their tail and curious with a relaxed body? Or are they backing away, yawning, or hiding and looking tense? These cues tell you when your dog is enjoying themselves and when they need space.
🐕Watch out for common stressors: Excited children, unfamiliar visitors, or even festive music might overwhelm your dog. Be their protector and step in to help them feel safe.

5. Decide What You Want from Your Dog
Think about how you’d like your dog to behave during the holidays, and plan for it ahead of time.

🐾Dinner manners: Would you like your dog to sit nicely during Christmas dinner? Teach them to settle on a mat or bed with a long-lasting chew.
🐕Greeting guests: If jumping up is an issue, work on teaching your dog to sit for attention instead.
🐶Walking calmly: If you’re heading out for festive walks, practise walking on a loose lead to make outings more enjoyable.

6. Teach Them with Love and Patience
Christmas is the perfect time to guide your dog and help them learn new skills while keeping things positive.

💕Use rewards wisely: Keep treats, toys, or praise handy to encourage the behaviour you want. For example, reward your dog every time they sit calmly when guests arrive.
🐶Break it down: If teaching new behaviours feels overwhelming, start with small steps. For example, practice “settle” in a quiet room before expecting them to stay calm during a busy family meal.
🥳Celebrate small wins: A few minutes of training each day is enough. Be patient, have fun, and remember to give your dog lots of praise for trying their best!

Enjoy the time together!
With a bit of planning and patience, you can help your dog feel safe, calm, and happy during Christmas.

And when their needs are met, they’ll be more relaxed and able to enjoy this special time with you.

Here’s to a peaceful, wag-filled Christmas for you and your dog! 🥰🐶🎅

23/12/2024

🎁 Make Christmas Magical for Your Dog!

Your dog has their own Christmas wishlist too, filled with things they LOVE!

Whether it’s tug-of-war with a festive toy, a Treasure-Hunt sniffing game to find hidden treats, or a special treat of some plain turkey (making sure it's dog-safe, of course!), these little joys make their Christmas extra special too! 🎄🐕

🚫 And remember, keep the festive food dog-safe and stress-free, so NO chocolate or mince pies! No-one wants an emergency trip to the vets!

(Image by Dall-E)

22/12/2024

🎄 Christmas Excitement Got Your Dog Overwhelmed?


The festive season can be a lot for our furry-family-members!

Give your dog a safe retreat with their comfy bed, favourite toys, and some quiet time away from the action.

And don’t forget to dog-proof your decorations—those shiny baubles and tinsel are just too tempting! 🐶✨

(Image created in Dall-E)

21/12/2024

🐾 Keep Calm and Christmas On! 🎄

With all the excitement of Christmas, don’t forget your dog’s regular routines.

Walks, meals, and rest are just as important during Christmas as they are any other time.

🎅 Give them the gift of downtime - enough sleep and some quiet moments will help them recharge and stay happy through any festive chaos!

18/12/2024

✨ The Game-Changer for My Dog’s Behaviour ✨

When I was training to become a dog trainer, I learned something that completely changed how I approached my dog’s behaviour: the environment around us plays a HUGE role in how dogs behave.

The big “aha” moment?

I realized I could help my dog cope better and react less simply by adjusting our surroundings.

That simple shift gave me a sense of control I didn’t have before; and it worked!

Now, I always consider the environment when working with dogs.

Here’s what I ask myself:
🐾 What in the environment could be influencing the dog’s behaviour?
🐾 Is there any stress or tension in the dog/human relationship?
🐾 What could I remove to help the dog feel safer?
🐾 What could I add to make things easier?

Training is important, but sometimes it’s about what’s happening around your dog, not just what’s happening inside them.

Take a look at your surroundings today, you might be surprised by what you find!

What small change could make a big difference for your dog? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 💬

16/12/2024

Does your dog struggle in certain situations? 🐕

When I first started working with dogs, I learned something that completely changed how I understood behaviour: your surroundings can make a HUGE difference in how your dog feels and reacts.

I started asking myself these questions:
1️⃣ What could be influencing my dog’s behaviour?
2️⃣ Is there stress or tension in our relationship?
3️⃣ What can I remove to help my dog feel safer?
4️⃣ What can I add to make things easier?

Making small changes, like choosing quieter walking routes or avoiding triggering situations, made a HUGE difference.

Sometimes, it’s not just about training your dog.

It’s about setting them up for success by creating a better environment.

Try this: take a closer look at what’s going on around you and your dog today and see if you can notice anything that might be affecting their behaviour.

I’d love to hear what you discover, share your thoughts in the comments below! 🐾

25/11/2024

When we focus on meeting our dog's needs, we’re not just addressing the behaviour; we’re helping them feel safer, more secure and understood.

Over time, this builds trust and you’ll start to see a happier, calmer dog 🐕

23/11/2024

For the cat people! ❤🐈🐈‍⬛

"CATS need..."
Inspired by PURR by Zazie Todd, and the AAFP and ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines. For a closer look and to download: https://doggiedrawings.net/products/cats-need?collection=free-downloads

22/11/2024

Did you know your dog’s behaviour might be connected to unmet needs? 🐾

Dogs, like us, have different layers of needs that, when fulfilled, help them feel calm, safe, and happy. 🐶

Knowing this means we can better understand our dogs and improve their behaviour by addressing their physical, emotional, and social well-being.

Want to know how this simple framework can help your reactive dog? Read my blog here 👉 https://dogsmadeeasier.blogspot.com/2024/11/understanding-your-dogs-needs-guide.html

Let’s help our dogs, one step at a time! ❤️

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16/11/2024

As it's getting colder, one way to help our dogs is to consider keeping them warm with a good fitting coat.
I used coats for my dog especially now she's a senior lady!

Does your dog need to wear a coat on winter walks? ❄️

Many dogs cope with (or even enjoy!) the cold weather, but some can feel the chill more than others, despite their fur coats. Most dogs will be fine for short periods in the cold without any additional layers, but some definitely need a bit of extra warmth!

The furry friends who will feel the cold much faster than other dogs, and may benefit from wearing a winter coat, include:

- Dogs with fine or thin fur (e.g. Greyhounds and Whippets)
- Very young pups
- Senior dogs
- Dogs who are underweight
- Poorly pooches

If one of those sounds like your dog, there are lots of different dog coats available to choose from, so it’s important to know what’s suitable for your four-legged friend. It’s also important to remember that clothing for pets should be used to keep them warm and dry, not just to look fashionable.

Your dog should be able to move freely in their coat and do everything they usually do without the coat on, like running, jumping and of course pooping and peeing. If they bite or scratch at the coat or rub themselves on the floor or furniture, that’s a sign it doesn’t fit right and is irritating them ⚠️

[Visual description: Gorgeous golden Spaniel dog out on a forest walk during the winter. She is wearing a dark green quilted dog coat to keep her warm.]

15/11/2024

Did you know? 🤔
Your dog's mental and emotional capacity is similar to that of a 2 year old toddler! 🐕👶

This means they understand simple words, feel big emotions and sometimes have trouble with impulse control (hello, barking at the postie!).

Understanding this can help us be more patient and empathetic during training.

Think of it this way: You don’t expect a toddler to behave perfectly in every situation! Your dog also needs time, guidance and practice to learn calm behaviour.

Be patient with your dog; they’re trying their best! 💛🐶

12/11/2024

Dogs 'read' us all the time. This is a great article on how even the slightly expressions are being picked up by your dog.

Dogs are incredibly in tune with us, much more than we sometimes give them credit for. It’s not just our words or actions they pay attention to, our dogs are constantly reading our emotional states.A study by Müller and her team in 2015 gives us a deeper understanding of this, showing that dogs c...