31/12/2023
Let’s go into 2024 with realistic resolutions we can actually keep!
Pain can be a huge contributing factor to a dog's behaviour. And pain doesn't look the same with them as it does with us. They don't need to be limping, whining, or yelping to show us they're not comfortable.
Vets are also not taught about behaviour, so they may not be aware of a dog's discomfort if it doesn't show up on an x-ray/MRI/etc.
If training & meds are only getting you so far, you feel like you're taking 2 steps forward and 10 back; have a look into people like , or a vet behaviourist to speak to those in the know about pain/discomfort your dog is potentially experiencing.
Collar?
Harness?
Flexilead?
Longline?
Muzzle?
Each dog is individual, so there is no "one size fits all" for their gear either!
No matter what you use for your dog, make sure it fits them well, they're comfortable, and happy to put it on and wear it.
Our dogs speak through their bodies, and they're fluent in it so they speak quickly! They're not able to speak English, so it's up to us humans to learn how to speak dog. You can find lots of body languages courses online, or hire a force-free trainer to get a lesson or two from them about it.
Rest days can be just as beneficial as busy ones. Our dogs are generally very adaptive creatures, but giving them time to decompress and process what they've experienced can build resilience, confidence, and overall levels of happiness. If you'd like to read more about this, I made a post on rest days that's pinned at the top of my profile!
Choice and consent are words people don't use very often when discussing dogs. Why is that?
Our pups are living, breathing, sentient beings. Don't they deserve to have as much choice in life as we can give them?
Start off easy with things like:
- Would you like this flavour for dinner, or this one?
- Which way would you like to go for our walk today?
- Have a few beds around your home your dog can choose from according to their mood/feeling
I also made a post about consent that you can find pinned to the top of my profile!
Image Description in pinned comments ❤️
