Sarah Solomon. Dog Behaviourist.

09/12/2023

That's a Wrap for 2023!
This dear boy, Carlos, the 1 year old mini Daschund, was my last client of 2023.
A great one to go out on, such a character.
As with many of the little Daschunds I've seen of late, Carlos is not keen on guests or strangers of any kind, he's not too chuffed with strange dogs either.
He really doesn't know how to be so he resorts to barking, running away, planking or lunging.
His lovely humans were a bit at a loss as to how to help him.
The first hour he spent telling me to get the heck out, the second hour he was mugging me for sausages & playing me like a fiddle 🤣
Its an awkward time of year to start new routines in this kind of case but least we can do is understand why & start to prepare for the plan in place.
Bless him, he's lush & he'll be absolutely fine.
As for me...... I'm off to Texas y'all.
See you in the New Year 💕🥳💕

02/12/2023

So today, a behaviour job of a different kind.
I was asked if my girls could help with this little girls new found fear of dogs.
It really can be a problem, like she would walk in the road to avoid etc & it is spoiling their walks & time outdoors in general as she's on the look out all the time.
I know this little girl and she's an incredibly intelligent bookworm who loves to learn on an amazing scale, so along with an hours desensitisation at my house, with my girls, I also gave her a book, from my studying days on how to read canine body language.
Well, after all, she can speak Japanese, dog will be a walk in the Park for her...
We took it super slow, at her pace, but I think the pictures tell a thousand words
I'd call that a result 💞

29/11/2023

I'll take it 😊😉😍

29/11/2023

Now that's how we like to start a day 😊

23/11/2023

Peggy 💕 (look at those bloody ears 🤣)

Peggy is a 10 month old Lurcher who is suffering from pretty extreme separation anxiety.
So much has happened in her short life, that could cause this kind of response to being left, but the main thing being that she is suffering from grief after losing her best buddy.
Peggy had an older dog to live with since she arrived at her home but heart breakingly he passed away recently. Very difficult for the younger dog that is used to having a leader to follow and be guided by.
She's a gorgeous clever girl who has a bond with her human typical of Lurchers, so strong, but in this case also very reliant.
She worked super well with me, especially when we introduced games that sight hounds like Peggy simply can't ignore 😉
She's be fine, it will take time & patience, there's no overnight fix here, but I've every faith in her lovely humans 🥰🥰

*fascinating fact, many years ago (35+ years to ge exact) (and a few husbands ago too 🙈), my first dog/dogs were lurchers.
I love them & their grace. I love nothing more than to watch a dog of this physique run. They are so clever, so beautiful, so loyal, but..... they can be very sensitive & very crafty 🤣
We owned 5 lurchers at one point 😬, I know them well*

22/11/2023

Look at that face!
Monty the 9 month old cockapoo.
Now then, if they were all like Monty I might change my mind on what puppy I might look for in the very near future!
He is absolutely adorable, over the top, excitable, mouthy and full on to start with, but even then, blooming adorable!
He has a great life, living with a family who are well experienced and love him to bits. They really have done a marvellous job so far, he's so so good for his breed & age.
Yes he's over the top but that kind of doesn't matter when you're dealing with a pup that takes your breath away with his incredible ability to understand and respond to what's being asked, so readily, with such joy & understanding.
He really could be my model student of 2023!
I absolutely loved him, in case you can't tell haha.
Here he is, enjoying a taster of one of my recommendations, some canine mindfulness aided by a stinky pizzle 😉
Cockapoos of late are getting a bit of a bad rap, numerous issues surfacing but, if we know from the start what their traits are, we can field them before they become a habit.
What a gorgeous boy..... if his breeder is reading this I tip my hat to you Ma'am, fabulous example of good & responsible breeding.
P.s if Monty ever has a baby sister.... I'm first in line please & thank you! 😊

13/11/2023

Found & had to share 💞
🐾 POEM OF A DOG
I'm the one who's always waiting for you.
Your car has a special sound that I have imprinted on my senses, I can recognize it in a thousand.
Your steps have a magic bell.
Your voice is music to my ears.
If I see your joy, it makes me happy!.
Your scent is the best.
Your presence moves my senses.
Your waking up wakes me up
I contemplate you sleeping and for me you are my God, I am happy watching your sleep.
Your look is a ray of light.
Your hands upon me, hold the lightness of peace and the sublime display of infinite love.
When you leave, I feel a huge void in my heart.
I keep waiting for you again and again.
I am the one who will wait for you all your life today, tomorrow and forever:
I am your dog.

11/11/2023

Pls sign.
Things must change!
They must be forced to do better!
We have a right to trust that when we put out pets lives in the hands of a vetinary surgeon, they will do all that is possible to protect them from pain & suffering, and in turn us too.
Let's help to change things and prevent others in the future having to suffer at the hands of ill equipped or previously found liable vets.
Please sign & share!

I believe we have the right to know if the vets we are trusting and paying have a history of negligence. We need a public register that we can search to check whether the vet we are using is on it.

08/11/2023

Albi 🤣 💧💧
To say Albi LOVED my rewards, and was ready to do literally anything to achieve one would be an understatement 🤣
Dear God, my trousers were crispy by the time I got home. (Check out that drool) 🤣
You've got to love a Labs drive to please if food is involved.
Positive association & reconditioning are so much easier when they rate your rewards so highly.
What a boy 💕💕
I arrived to him barking his head off at me clearly saying "go away pls, you're freaking me out"!!!
An hour later he was literally laying around my neck, whispering sweet nothings in my ear.
The power of positive rewards, timing, calm & focus training & listening & learning from the dog, as well as asking them to do the same to us.
He's a dream to work with, as are his humans.
Happy days xx

04/11/2023

Pig 💞
7 month old Staffy Pig is full on to say the least.
He's an absolute sweetheart but has many occasions where he just loses all his ability to control himself.
This can lead to all sorts of bonkers erupting.
When I arrived he was happy to show me exactly how this plays out by demonstrating his desire to sink his gnashers into anything in front of him be that the sofa or his lovely human's arms 🙈
But today was one of those days where the work was so incredibly rewarding, second by second we watched him learning, altering, adapting and listening.
Working out what will pay off most, bonkers or calm?
By the time I left he had absolutely chosen calm, he was a model student!
His humans are lovely, kind and caring folks who love him to bits, he's a lucky boy, but they just need to work now, be strict, confident and consistent.
If there was a prize for the dog who learned the fastest for me this year it he'd be a strong contender! And he had a blooming great time!!
Gorgeous puppy 💕💕💕💕💕
Look at that face ......... ooh couldn't ya just squeeze those chops 💕 😊🤣💞🥰

30/10/2023

OK Summer, I'm going to the your photo now.....bring out your best cute pose please 🥰
Haha, Gordon Bennet that's cute eh.
Dear girl, Summer is a 2 year old cockapoo, she's generally a very very good girl, for a young cockapoo she is surprisingly chilled and layed back.
Until she meets another dog when she's on her lead.
Reactivity only on a lead is super common and absolutely understandable eh, after all, I wouldn't want to be tethered to anyone who decided which strangers I should stand and chat to, especially if sometimes those strangers got right up in my face and I felt threatened. After a while, I too would start to protest. Makes sense eh.
So time for Summer to have a break from greetings on lead, then to re learn how she can cope & how her humans can manage the situation for her.
She is a very lucky pup, lives in the lap of luxury with very experienced, lovely owners, she'll /they'll be fine 🥰🥰

16/10/2023

Today's job was to help Olly (2.5 year old mini schnauzer) & his family to have lovely walks without him being so reactive every time he meets another dog.
I don't think I've ever seen a family unit so determined to get it right! I felt like a public speaker as the family gathered to ensure everyone was listening and taking it in so they could all work together to resolve the issues.
As a little group we popped out to find Olly's fix, it was there, right in front of us! Trust, give him some trust and some space, relax, take a deep breath, be aware of when and how to reward and when and how to re direct.
20 min walk and by the end everyone was relaxed, smiling and relieved,
inc Olly.... just look at his face as he tastes freedom & trust.
Such a lovely family, he's a supremely lucky pup, he's spoilt rotten and it shows lol.
A few tweaks, a few eureka moments, some tough talking and lots of giggles, my job here is done!
Over to you family....thank you for today, I enjoyed every moment.
His face here ⬇️ that's the face of joy that is, as he proves his humans wrong and recalls perfectly, with pleasure, every time he is asked! 💕💕
P.s to my lot, my gang, my friend's, I've changed my mind..... I need a Schnoodle 🤣😊🥰

15/10/2023

Gordon Bennet! Does it get any cuter??
Left, Winnie, he's just perfect. He's 8 and he's no trouble.
Next is Ralph, then Ernie ❤️❤️
They are 18 months old, they are litter mates & they were hand reared.
They are..... a handful 😉
Their humans are so patient and so dedicated, they have had that tested to the max! I tip my hat to them.
I won't go into every destroyed sofa story, or every reactivity story either. Suffice to say..... please folks..... litter mate syndrome is 'a thing'!! Spread the word!
The end result is.....Ernie is coming to live with me! .....
🤣🤣
Well, he isn't really but I can hope 🥰
He snuggled right up to me, he totally had me ❤️❤️❤️❤️ til he lost the plot on our little walk, 🤣🤣 talk about Jeckyll and Hyde, those who know us.... it was like having our Dolly back.... just with shorter legs ❤️❤️❤️❤️🤣
Lots to do here but I'm in no doubt, all will be well in the end 🥰
P.s..... Just look at Ernies eyes..... its Love I'm sure ❤️

10/10/2023

Oh good grief Rodney!
15 week old Rodney.... I want one!!!
Rodney is a Bernadoodle, he's a cheeky, lovable, typical 15 week old pup with his razor sharp teeth.
His humans are well used to large breed dogs and really have most of it sussed, but (bragging moment), they knew of another family that I helped when they had such young pup, helped with the basics and a little bit of understanding of how their pup ticks, they saw the results, and wanted much of the same.
It was a hellish two hours snd I loathed every second of playing with this incredibly handsome, soooooo quick to learn, cute, hilarious amazing pup, as you can tell!! 🤣🤣🤣
Some days my job is such a huge ask, then other days, I go home saying...... "OMG I love my Job"!! Oh and p.s I NEED a Bernadoodle!!!!!

07/10/2023

Next up.
Jimmy 💞💞💞💞💞💞
Just look at that blooming face ❤️
How cute is he??? 😍
This was one of those jobs where I could have stayed all day. His humum was right up my street, had me giggling before we even stepped inside.
I was met outside her house, she had Jimmy on his lead, he gave me a little bark as she said "oh you're here, I was hoping you wouldn't turn up" 😮
That's a first, haha, mostly people say "thank god you're here" 🤣
"Oh no" I said, "why"???
"Well" she said "I know it's all my fault" 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Good start! Haha.
She started to tell me Jimmy's story, his hang up's his issues, and kept apologising "oh God, you're gonna run a mile ain't ya" or "I'm so sorry, its a lot isn't it" 🤣
I said, "trust me I've seen A LOT worse"!
His issues, bit OTT with guests, bit stressed around the children of the family and a bit...... erm......demanding is the best way of putting it.
He basically should have a little throne in his house and a golden bell that he can ring when he requires anything from his humum 🤣🤣
As I ofyen say, I rarely get called to any house where the humans are cruel to their dogs, I mostly visit homes where the dog is loved, sooooo much, quite rightfully so, but..... as I said to this hilarious, right up my street, lady, we wouldn't let another human be so bossy, so this 6 inch high little funny pup, needs to reign it in a bit, needs to realise which side his bread is buttered. 🤣
His home is fabulous, his family are brilliant, he needs to calm his little legs down a bit and take a good look around 🤣
I shouldn't laugh, it's serious business, but oh this one was a giggle.
The pic is Jimmy learning his "stop & be calm" routine with me.
He took to it like a duck to water! Instantly accepted the concept. (As you can see in his eyes & ears, calm, attentive & relaxed)
I love him a bit, and I am hoping his humum will adopt me too 🤣😍

07/10/2023

Now then..... those who know me will understand this was a difficult initial meeting for me 😔 as the door opened I was floored for a moment, dear Betsy was not what I was expecting for a golden doodle, there she was in front of me, the vision of our Gracie 💞 even more so, Gracies son, our grandpup, Gunnar 💞 (pic in comments).
Anyway, enough of that 💔, this is the gorgeous Betsy.
Betsy is absolutely brilliant, she is the perfect dog, apart from 1 issue that is barking at what appears to be nothing, in the garden.
She laps it, shouting her head off at the sky, a fly or a feather? Who knows what!
She's a big gal so her bark is pretty loud, and once she's into this behaviour, it's hard to bring her back.
So time to alter how she views the garden, time to alter how she responds to her humans commands, time to shoe her that there actually isn't a silent assassin about to come and murder everyone, and the sky isn't about to crash into her garden, burying all of her beloved humans and her ball!
She was very quick to respond to new coping suggestions, and her humans are 100% committed to helping her enjoy the garden more than seeing it as a battleground.
She'll be fine, the beautiful girl 💕💕

29/09/2023

Yesterday I got to spend some time, again, with this dear girl and her humum who is one of the folks obviously worried about what the future may hold for them.
None of us know the finer details just yet, so all we can do us get ahead of the game as much as possible.
Never have I ever met such a responsible owner, if it can be done its being done!
Rogue is a gorgeous, daft, clever, kind lump of muscle and slobber.
We spent a good while talking through a plan and then off we went to teach her how to walk in tune with her lovely humum, how to stay focused on her and not pull her down the road, we need folks to see the real Rogue, not the daft one who can be so excited to be on her walk, she clean forgets there's a human bring dragged along behind her 😄
She's a wonderful young goofball, who I'm sure will be fine.
Muzzle conditioning going on now, spay booked, behaviourist seal of approval.

She's one of the lucky ones I feel.
There is not a nasty bone in her body, she has no idea of her size nor her label, but..... it would be so very silly of us to ignore or try to fight the inevitable, or argue with the statistics.
What we can do is ensure these beautiful creatures are absolutely in tune with us, that we have an emergency stop button, that they can stay focused on us, that they are calm and not over excitable or anxious in all situations. That they are comfortable with being approached, wearing a muzzle, being touched etc etc etc.
It sounds a lot, but really, its no more than we would all want, be it a Bull Mastiff or a Chihuahua, we all want control over our dogs to keep both the public and ultimately our pups, safe.

So if that day arrives, when there's a knock at the door, she will greet them like an angel and be ready to show off her skills with joy.

Let us be clear, the law already states....

It’s against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, such as:

in a public place
in a private place, for example a neighbour’s house or garden
in the owner’s home
The law applies to all dogs.

Out of control
Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it:

Injures someone

Makes someone worried that it MIGHT injure them

A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if either of the following apply:

It attacks someone’s animal and/or the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal.

This is ALL dogs, it doesn't have to actually cause harm, just frighten someone enough to think it might and you fail to control it.
Very well worth remembering.

As for Rogue, she's a treasure, what a shining example of what could be 💞💞

16/09/2023

I'm getting lots of messages re the latest news on the possible ban of XL Bullies.
At this time I am still attending the appointments I have previously made but will be watching the update from government closely.
In the mean time any owners of this breed need to start thinking about conditioning a muzzle for use in public. No point arguing this rule, it's sensible and a small price to pay to protect your pup and the public.
It will become law and I will only work with anyone abiding by the law once it is in place in order to remain insured.
This is a great article in how to safely and kindly condition them to wearing a muzzle stress & fuss free .
I so feel for you all, there are two particular pups of this breed that I myself would totally trust, i fell in love instantly with them, the great big daft slobbery creatures..... its a horrid situation.
https://woodgreen.org.uk/pet-advice/dog/muzzle-training-your-step-by-step-guide/ #:~:text=Place%20a%20tasty%20treat%2C%20such,the%20name%20'muzzle%20on'.

There are many reason why a dog might need muzzle training. We cover everything you need to know in this handy step-by-step guide.

08/09/2023

💞💞

06/09/2023

Here's dear Moose & Daisy ❤️❤️
If ever there were two dogs I'll always remember it'll be these two.
I visited Moose yonks ago now, and his little sister Daisy earlier in the year but just look at them!
If ever we needed proof that dogs like a companion, there it is. They make me smile.
But sadly, some days are not as joyful as others in this job.
Today I visited a pup that I couldn't help. Only once before have I ever walked away being unable to offer a solution and in this situation today I had to give my honest & legal opinion on the situation in front of me and it wasn't a happy one.
I left and cried all the way home, its a heartbreaker & I wracked my brain for a solution, but, here, today, safety had to come first, obviously.
Especially where children are concerned, it's so difficult, but a massive lesson in how important those early weeks are in a dogs life. If we are bringing a puppy into our home please make sure you do your research, make sure you see the interactions between mum & pup, make sure you visit as much as you can and importantly, make sure it's the right breed for your lifestyle.
Do your research, it'll save you so much.
There are a lot of cute looking breeds out there at the moment that appear, on the surface to be the perfect family pet, but even the best of best family breeds can be spoilt by poor breeding practices or lack of early socialisation.
This family today have done nothing wrong at all!! Quite the contrary, they are responsible, kind and caring lovely people who have been dealt a cruel hand.
There are days when I don't love this Job so much.
I'll just stare at Moose & Daisy for a bit... and thank goodness this family today reached out before something terrible happens 😔

31/08/2023

Ohhh loooooook.
Dear little girl Suki, as you can clearly see...... Suki is on the verge of getting an ASBO due to certain behaviours which I wont go in to on here but suffice to say, her really lovely humans just needed a bit of help & guidance & professional opinion to ensure they were doing the very best for their dear little girl here.
They really are, she's a lucky pup, just with a few little complications that can be dealt with so quickly & easily.
She's a lovely, calm, quiet, beautiful example of this sometimes bossy, sometimes feisty little breed.
I'd love to think I'll see her again, but I somehow think, they've got this now.
And to anyone that questions that..... feel free to focus on this pup sitting on my snuffle mat just so she could be close without getting a cold bum, or check her out with the giant pizzle that I lent her, which she relinquished instantly when asked.
Dear little girl.... she'll be fine ❤️

20/08/2023

You tell me which one is the old gal & which is the younger dafter model?
They so make me laugh
🤣🤣🤣🤣