Lizi's Pawsitive K9's

03/10/2024

Bit of a different one for you today!

This is Gary my rescue horse. He was injected for a poorly back a week ago and since has been very aversive to being brushed. I wasn’t thinking straight either and been so worried the last few days.

Then I put my behaviour brain on instead of my worried owner brain.

So we took it back to basics, out of his stable where he has plenty of space. I used a box for him to walk into to accept being groomed and he could get out if he wanted to. Lots of rewards and we managed a little bit of brushing all the mud out today.

Just goes to show holistic techniques are not just for dogs 🤣

07/09/2024

Sorry for the silence recently, I’ve had a bit of a rough time personally and not been focused on much at all.

But just stopping and allowing myself to rest, spend time with the dogs and just breathe has done me the world of good. Oh and I’ve signed up for a level 6 behaviour diploma 🤣

Anyway, I’m back and taking bookings for training and behaviour consults!

Photo of the tiny one who’s nuts. But nuts enough to keep me going the last few weeks 💜

01/07/2024

Sometimes we’re missing out on the simple things our dogs are telling us. Behaviour and training are often the route we take, but sometimes it just needs a little thinking outside the box.

Canine communication works with your dog and yourselves on a different level to training and behaviour. In my work as a trainer and behaviourist I noticed a lot of dogs had different needs and needed different ways of working, so I trained as a canine communicator to help both you and your dog to work through problems as they arise that aren’t always a training issue.

With my own dogs as well as clients, I have found these techniques invaluable and have helped a number of clients to help their dogs for the better!

Sometimes it just takes a different outlook and the dogs perspective to help you get on the right track.

To book a session, please contact me via messenger 💜

30/05/2024

Very excited to bring you a fab discount for Pet Remedy products!

I love these products and what the company stands for. Very helpful for fireworks, calming in the grooming environment and all round fab products!

Enter discount code LIZI25 for 25% off!

https://petremedy.co.uk/dogs-puppies/

27/03/2024

Looks cute right?

The reality is that my arm is covering up oddy’s prized possession of the day…his chew. That he’s been proudly hiding and protecting most of the day. So now it’s safely placed behind my arm, he can sleep without worrying it’ll get stolen.

Something we’ve dealt with for a long time is resource guarding. Shoes, chews, toys that he’s eaten the guts out of…and we manage it mostly. I promise to keep his chew safe til he’s been out for a wee, or a snooze. And he knows exactly what pocket it’s in, or where he left it safely.

Kind of like a squirrel who hides their winter snacks. Forever finding chewed things under my pillows or curled up in bed sheets.

But for now he sleeps cos he knows he’s safe and his chew is safe. He was born on the streets and had to survive. Any food he could find was his to snaffle away, hide and protect and it can take a while to help them realise that theyre safe and protected themselves.

He will happily eat dinner with the other dogs, but when it comes to chews, Oddy doesn’t share (I’m the same with cadburys caramel eggs at the moment).

14/03/2024

Every morning without fail, while I’m pottering around tidying or washing before the day ahead, oddy comes to get me.

It’s his way of saying take 5 mins mum, I need a snuggle. Or his way of saying you’ve done enough, now it’s playtime.

He’s such a ‘wears his heart on his sleeve’ kind of a dog. Everything is so open and out there with oddy. You can pick up on his communication a mile off.

Until Kylie works out what’s happening and interrupts.

This little guy has taught me so much on my journey into dog training, behaviour and communication. If we just stop for 5 minutes to listen, we’ll hear what our dogs are saying 💕

04/03/2024

There’s a dog that lives at the end of our street. I think Afghan but clipped short but never been able to get close enough to find out.

Always in the garden at this time of night when I’m taking the boys out. The first time Oddy saw him, all hell broke loose and the owner shouted ‘it’s always the small ones’

However….since that day…we are prepared. There’s no warning of this dog being out cos you can’t see over the hedge nor see if he’s there til it’s too late. (Logic would say change my route or time etc, however it’s not always possible).

And although that big woof terrifies the life out of me, oddy has a split second of his what the hell was that and then comes straight to me for his rewards.

So no mr neighbour. It definately is not always the small ones. My small one is just acting as scared as his owner at the big woof coming out of the dark 🤣

But now, he comes to me for reassurance that it’s safe instead of attempting to take on the world in his tiny tiny paws.

And that is todays big win 💕

20/02/2024

🫤 Even though I’m a trainer and behaviourist, life with my own dog isn’t always sunshine and roses. 🫤

As we know, oddy has a lot to deal with in life. He’s reactive, every time he goes out is like the first time he’s ever been outside and last week he decided he wasn’t ready to go back in. Spent 20 minutes running around the garden and roof at 6.30am and I just could not get his attention back to me. Eventually we got there but it was exhausting!

Since then, I’ve blocked his access to the roof, always carry his favourite treats and make sure I can see what he’s up to, and get him to check in with me every so often, just to make sure he’s still with me.

You see, I understand what it’s like to live with a reactive dog and a dog that suddenly has zero recall. But the road to living in harmony alongside your best friend isn’t linear. There will be set backs, and that’s ok. You use the right management techniques and do your best.

These things happen, so never beat yourself up about it.
💕
If you’re ready to get support for you and your dog, just know I’m here to help.
Feel free to DM me or check out my website and we can talk it through

www.lizispawsitivek9s.co.uk

16/01/2024

Sorry I’m a bit quiet at the moment, everything is currently about Banjo.

Banjo is 14 now, he came to me about 2 years ago. He has leishmania, arthritis, suspected ivdd and a tumour on his gums.

But he’s also had the best 2 years of his life and I’m trying to make those last few days/weeks fun and happy for him.

He’s my shadow, everywhere you go he’s there. Or if he’s not, he’ll be telling you about it.

And breakfast time is currently anywhere between about 2-7am in his books.

Please do feel free to post any training questions and I’ll answer as soon as I can. I just need to spend a little more time on Banjo snuggles at the moment 💕

06/01/2024

Things have been very unsettled in our house recently.

Fireworks, Christmas, 3/4 dogs being away over Christmas cos things are a bit manic at work for me, different routines, different walks, banjo is still battling on despite his cancer.

With that has come a few changes in behaviour across all the dogs. I know things will settle. For instance apparently Kylie and Banjo have to get up at 6am now. And demand bark for feeding time. Which isn’t really amusing me. But I know banjo is doing it cos it’s always feeding time for him now. Kylie more because once she’s up everyone has to be up.

But one day I’ll miss that big ‘wuhooof’ down the hallway at 6am. And the continuous ones after that. He’s 14. He has cancer, probably a bit of dementia setting in, but he’s the most loved boy in all the world. And has been for the 2 years he’s been with us.

I think my point is, as annoying or exhausting as these behaviour changes can be, work through them, do what you can. If 6am is feeding time for a little while, then so be it. If fireworks have unsettled your dog to the point they won’t go out in the dark, come up with a plan to make things fun, it’s not long til we start getting the evening light back and hopefully the random fireworks will slow down too!

I do get grumpy with them at times. We have a lot to deal with behaviour wise. But, I wouldn’t swap it for the world. (Just remind me about that at 6am tomorrow).

Make the most of whatever behaviours you’re dealing with. Think outside the box. What is my dog trying to communicate to me? What can I do better to help?

Just make the most of your dog and you 💕

19/11/2023

I am proud to announce that I am now a Platinum Member of the Pet Professional Network.

The Pet Professional Network is an international business support organisation for force-free pet professionals, working in collaboration with other ethical organisations and training institutes.

I have successfully completed and undergone a rigorous one to one coaching programme and assessment process with their Founder; Helen Motteram the Distinctive Pet Business coach.

During these 4 months I have shown exceptional progress in both my personal and business journey and the willingness to support other professionals.

I will continue to receive ongoing support in the PPN community, which will ensure I can give my clients the best ongoing support and help encourage other professionals to reach out and help support each other.

09/11/2023

Good news, the tech hamsters have finally fixed my emails! Trying to play catch up now though!

I've been pondering alot about communication recently, and not just because i'm a technophobe.

Dog's have soul contracts with us. Be that as a foster dog, a longer term end of life foster, our pets, our working dogs. They're with us for reasons we probably won't ever understand fully. Is it a case of us choosing them, or did they actually come to us for a reason?

Oddy was a foster dog. He was adopted by a family for about a year, but sadly came back as a 'foster' to me. He just wasn't quite finished with me and needed better support, help advice and communication. What he was telling me was that I needed to be around him, and he needed to be around me. His reactivity is so much better now, he understands more what we need to do to help him through those tough moments of not being sure and asks for help from me now.

I often wonder what would have happened to him if he hadn't come back to me. Where he would have ended up; if anyone else would have been able to deal with his oddities. But those oddities are his method of communication, and they just needed to be heard.

Taking the time out to listen to what our dogs are saying and telling us is so important. Rushing around our normal routines, being on our phones on dog walks, rushing dogs out for a wee cos we don't have time.....Take a second to just think what your dog needs. Not everything in life has to be rushed.

We don't get a long contract with our dogs. Make the most of it and listen to your dogs needs and what they're telling you.

As mine are currently asleep, i'm making plans on my new book. But shortly, it'll be time to go out, time for a bedtime snack and all will curl up on the bed and sleep til at least 6.30am. Or whatever time Banjo decides is breakfast time these days!

07/11/2023

Una still has a couple of spaces for this course! I don’t run classes, but if you’re looking to top up your skills or need help I highly recommend!

You asked and we have provided!

Weekly group classes. Just one per week to start with. This course is aimed at dogs of all ages. From puppies to older dogs.

All classes held in Aldersbrook. At an indoor riding school. This means its much kinder on your dogs joints. So great for puppies or those who could slide about in hall type settings.

The 6 week course is accompanied by an online course to help you with your homework. This means you never forget how we did something. Or what the homework was.
7pm-8pm on a Monday eve.

Starting 13th of Nov.

Enrolment open now but places are limited!

05/11/2023

This is really helpful for animals during stressful situations like fireworks:

Original Youtube channel 10HoursOfEverythingSound and music videos for personal growth: https://soundsforhealing.wordpress.com/

05/11/2023

I got to meet the very lovely Marley today who underwent his temperament and assessment today to be Therapy Dog Training UK

Such a happy soul 💕

02/11/2023

There is a huge tech problem with my emails, so my apologies if you’ve emailed me and I haven’t got back to you! It’s not deliberate, the IT hamsters are spinning their wheels trying to fix it for me now 🤦‍♀️

27/10/2023

I LOVE DOGS!

Now, that’s a bit obvious if you know me. I could spend all day just watching, training, grooming, just being around dogs.

But what I love the most is their subtle communications. That we mostly don’t spot or listen to. They need much more credit than we give them.

Fyn doesn’t often sleep next to me, he prefers the end of the bed where there’s actually space or if he needs a break, he’ll get in the crate with about 57 layers of dog bed in.

Him lying on my leg is his way of saying I need to stop. I need to just chill out with him and listen. I’ve had a very rough week and he’s just reminded me that I need to just take time to recover. And his way of making sure I did, is to lie on me. Not so subtle right?

But there’s so much more to this. He’s telling me that my body needs to rest and recover but also, so does my brain. So while I do a bit of canine flow massage on his back, I’ll be also switching my brain off.

Trying to process what’s happened this week has been hard. A dog trainer being bitten. I should have spotted the signs or the warnings. But there weren’t any. And Fyn is telling me that it’s ok to not be ok and just for tonight, we’re gonna curl up and rest.

Listening is a whole different level. Our dogs constantly communicate with us, but are we listening?

22/10/2023

Sharing this again. So far we haven’t had that many in the run up but I’ve booked a week off around the 5th so I can make sure I’m home for Kylie.

Ok. So, this may be a long post. But hopefully it will help!

The higher the fireworks in the sky, the lesser the decibels are for our dogs. So your average organised event is generally quieter than your neighbours letting off fireworks because of the area and design of the display. They have over the last few years increased in decibels too, which is why a lot of dogs struggle.

🐾 Dog hearing (auditory) systems are very similar to humans, but dogs are more sensitive to noise and higher decibel/hertz, and therefore react more. It’s very dog dependent on whether your dog reacts to fireworks or not, but if it’s your first year there’s a lot you can put in place to help your dog

🐾 fear is an emotion behind a response. Some dogs can be over aroused/excited by fireworks, others scared by them. It’s still stress based fear either way. Learn your dogs stress signals, stressed body language and also what you can put in place to avoid them reaching this state. Dogs show fear and stress in many ways, and this affects their mind, feelings and nervous system too.

🐾 the emotional levels of your household during fireworks season can be heightened too; think about the changes in your house; excited kids, fireworks, you predicting the fireworks….this will have an effect on your dog too, even if there’s no fireworks going off at that point

🐾 dogs have the biggest heart body mass of all mammals, including humans. They can pick up our electromagnetic field from 3 feet away, so if we’re stressed and our heart rate is raised, they will pick up on it. Try to remain calm, deep breathing, meditation and try and keep your own stress levels balanced

🐾 remember if your dog has past traumas to loud noises too, this can trigger so it’s important to be prepared.

How can we prepare?
🐾 prepare in advance - have a den and safe place with covers over to help reduce sound. Keep blinds and curtains closed, windows closed, kongs filled up., radio/tv in all rooms to drown out the noise, thundershirts, snoods to cover the ears….Dogs don’t know it’s coming, we do!
🐾 cuddle if they want a cuddle! Ignore the people that tell you to ignore your dog, if your dog needs attention, it’s because you’re safe. Allow them to do just that. Use long slow strokes, not fast, it helps to calm
🐾 enrichment enrichment enrichment - start it early in the day before fireworks start. Once a dog is over threshold and in flight mode already, it’s very unlikely they’ll take food at that point. Chewing and licking releases the feel good hormones, and if they’re happy enough to do this, keep it coming!
🐾 manage emotional levels both with the dog and your household. Think calm, be calm
🐾 cut walks out! Especially for the more sensitive, even a few days before, just keep things nice and chilled and relaxed so they’re not adding stress to their bucket
🐾 all your dog needs and wants is to feel safe. Be that under the duvet, bext to you on the sofa, in a den, reassure them with a calm voice
🐾 white noise machines or relaxopet are amazing (can’t lie, I’ve fallen asleep to them a lot!). Likewise Taiko drumming and calming music
🐾 calming and essential oils on socks/cloths - valerian, violet leaf, chamomile, h**p, lavender, vanilla are all super calming. Don’t mix the scents up. Just for some drops on material and allow the dog choice to work with them if they want to. Don’t force it on them if they don’t want to work with the smells
🐾 pet remedy plug ins are fab, but make sure the dog has choice to leave the room if they don’t want to be around the smell
🐾 gentle calming slow strokes, work with the dogs body, under the chin, along the sides and backs. Slow pressure touches on the ears if they’re happy to be touched there

What not to do
🐾 desensitising cd’s are a big no. It’s putting a dog in a stressful situation that they can’t get away from and they also don’t have the change in environment, air pressure, smells etc that real fireworks have
🐾 don’t ignore your dog if they want a cuddle!
🐾 keep high stress in the house
🐾 drugs - quite honestly, they can still hear the fireworks. Adrenaline will outrun the drugs from your vet anyway, so they’ll still be in a state of stress. Only use if absolutely necessary

Sorry for the long post but I hope it helps!

Dogs want to feel safe. If you’re calm, relaxed and reassuring, then you should be able to help. Think about your tone of voice, body movements, your emotional energy too.

As with anything like thundershirts and snoods, make sure the dog is used to them before the fireworks start!

06/10/2023

This is so important, rice is not good for our dogs. It’s always the go to for vets when dogs have poorly stomachs etc, but try pumpkin instead!

Unfortunately the suggestion of feeding a poorly dog chicken and rice continues to do the rounds!

Here are 5 reasons to avoid it with your dog - I have more if these are not enough!

02/10/2023

If you’ve worked with me, would you mind leaving me a lovely review? Google is playing silly monsters and Facebook is not playing ball until I have more reviews 🙈

lizi's pawsitive k9's london reviews https://g.co/kgs/ToDRtf

29/09/2023

I was reminded of this photo today. This is my Kylie who was about to be put to sleep in a pound.

Black dogs are unlucky in Cyprus. She was also a failed hunting dog (she can barely catch a fly, never mind anything else). So the odds were stacked up against her. Later we found out that she’d been shot at close range by an air rifle.

She’s been with me for about 6 years now. She’s incredible clingy and protective of her human. Because she never had one that cared. So the one she has is the most important thing in her eyes. She’s food agressive, has definate fomo, separation anxiety, and goes over threshold incredibly easily.

But she’s a great dog. She wakes you up with a slow wet nose to the face, then if that hasn’t worked, she’ll throw a very heavy chew around to make her point. She runs like a donkey. She loves destroying prosecco corks and doing all the things she never could. Her body language is so obvious and her communication glaringly open.

We’ve had alot to work on over the years. But that comes with an unknown background, a dog coming out of a pound that’s been mistreated by humans. And with a bit of tlc, good food and regular food, and lots of fun training, I’m really proud of the dog she is today.

Do you need help with your international rescue? And a trainer that understands them? A friendly group of like minded people jjst wanting the best for their dog?

Check out our online membership!

https://www.lizispawsitivek9s.co.uk/international-rescue-dog-training

28/09/2023

I have so much love for Rolo, and him me. We’ve had a very long journey in his grooming process. It takes a lot of time and patience with him, and a lot of Turkey or liver paste.

But yesterday we managed to clip his face properly. Which to some dogs isn’t a bother, but it’s taken alot of work to get him to this stage.

I love working on a mat with dogs, it means they have the freedom to leave if they’re not sure. But they also come back. As you can see, Rolo is incredibly relaxed, and pulls the mat out of my bag as soon as I arrive.

Not all grooming is perfect. But to me, this is the most perfect groom ever. Because we’ve both put the work in to help him feel comfortable and without force. He trusts me, I trust him and we have some great cuddles along the way 💕