Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year 🎄
But for a lot of spicy or sensitive dogs it can be quite challenging
Because it’s also a time that comes with a lot of stress and change of routine- this can be a lot for almost any dog to handle, but especially if they already find day to day life difficult to handle
& so when it comes round to festivities
We need to be making a few accommodations for them to make our celebrations a little easier to manage
(This is will look a little different for every dog but might involve)
These accommodations might look like
✨ Giving them a safe space to hang out away from the hustle and bustle
✨ Not taking them round family and friends, and giving them a chance to just chill out at home
✨ Using baby gates, crates, different rooms
✨ Using sniffing, licking, and chewing activities to help them decompress (maybe a long lasting kong or a raw meaty bone)
And most importantly
‼️ learn to read your dogs stress signals
‼️ ADVOCATE FOR YOUR DOG- people are not entitled to touch them, interact with them etc (even if they are cute)
‼️ don’t push them further than they are ready for
Your dogs Christmas might not look like other dogs Christmas and that’s okay ❤️
#dogbehaviour #dogbehaviourist #dogtrainer #dogsofinstagram #spaniel
I think when we have a difficult dog
It’s so easy for us to get into a self critical headspace
& we end up blaming ourselves for where we’re at with our dogs
Especially since it’s often perpetuated that dogs problems are solely a result of their owners shortcomings
But if you need a reminder
It isn’t your fault ❤️🩹
Behaviour is complex. I see dogs with behaviour problems every single day and every case is complicated, there is rarely one sole cause of their dogs issues and more often it’s lots of moving parts
We can see behaviour problems because of genetics. Early life experiences. Diet. Lifestyle. Breeding. Maternal stress. Environmental factors. It’s so, so complex
And hey, if you’ve made choices that you wish you hadn’t
Or you’d like to go back and do things differently
Thats okay. I’ve made so many choices with my own dogs that I wish I hadn’t
We do our best with the information we have at the time and that is more than enough ❤️
#dogtrainer #belgianmalinois #dogbehaviourist #DogTraining #dogbehaviour #dogsofinstagram
My best efforts at a whistle stop tour into genetics and behaviour problems🧠
This is such a big topic so it’s difficult to squish it all into a short video but the important takeaways are
🐕 Numerous mutations to our genes have been associated with behaviour problems such as separation anxiety and aggression
🐕 The genes identified modify the normal structure and functioning of the brain which we know is what dictates behaviour
🐕 Many of these genes were associated with a number of behaviour problems rather than just one - it isn’t a case of ‘I have this gene therefore I will have xyz behaviour problem’ - presence of certain genes will impact pathways that may then result in a certain behaviour problem or collection of them
🐕 However genetics alone do not impact behaviour- as our environment impacts what genes are ‘switched on’ and ‘switched off’ - this complex interplay impacts the resulting behaviour
if you want to read more you can find the paper here: Deciphering the genetic basis of behavioral traits in dogs: Observed-trait GWAS and latent-trait GWAS analysis reveal key genes and variants https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2024.106251
#dogtraining #dogbehaviour #genetics #neuroscience #dogsofinstagram #dogbehaviourist #dogtrainer
Yes our dogs breed comes with different traits… But actually this is all in their brain and how it is structured 🧠
One study showed that different dog breeds had different areas of the brain that were developed and this was associated with the roles that these dogs have been historically bred for. For example, the lovely board collie, who has been known for being easily trained has a larger mesolimbic reward system. This is the circuit in the brain responsible for motivation and drive for rewards. 🐕
As dog owners, we don’t need to understand exactly what our dogs brain looks like but we do need to appreciate what their breed has historically been developed for and how that impacts their natural instincts and behaviour. Our dogs breed treats are not something that we can train out of them but instead of something that we have to learn more about and learn how to work with.
If you’re interested in reading more, you can read the paper here: Significant Neuroanatomical Variation Among Domestic Dog Breeds https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0303-19.2019
#neuroscience #DogBehaviour #DogTraining #DogBreed #behaviourist
Pain and discomfort has a huge effect on behaviour, and can often play a role in issues such as aggression, reactivity, hyperarousal, resource guarding, separation anxiety, noise sensitivity, and so much more. It’s often overlooked because our dogs aren’t able to communicate about their pain in the same way we can. Just because our dog isn’t limping, yelping, or crying out doesn’t mean they’re not in discomfort. Infact, a number of studies have investigated the impact of pain on behaviour, one even suggesting that 80% of behaviour cases may be impacted by an underlying health problem
When we’re working through a behaviour problem, often that involves working closely alongside the vet or other veterinary professionals to rule out any discomfort, or treat what is there. Without doing this, behaviour modification is often one step forwards and one step backwards because we’re missing out on addressing a key cause.
If I could ask one thing of my clients, it would be to be open minded when considering if our dogs have discomfort. Often as owners we don’t want to even consider that it might be impacting our dogs! And yet, we know so many of our fellow humans who suffer with back pain, IBS, and more- often not showing any signs without us asking.
#behaviour #painindogs #dogtraining #dogbehaviour #dogbehaviourist
Three misconceptions about reactive dogs… ❤️🩹
People can be so quick to label reactive dogs bad dogs. They can be so quick to label their owners as bad owners who haven’t raised their dog in the right way or haven’t put the time that’s needed into training. They might see these dogs as those that need punishment and “corrections“.
In reality these dogs are those are struggling with the world around them. They may be anxious, fearful, frustrated and more. Most often they have big feelings that they don’t know how to cope with. Their owners have often poured more time and effort into their dog than most other owners. They may spend hours training, and hours spent learning how to help their dog cope. Every reactive dog owner that I know is incredibly committed to their dog, cares deeply about how their dog feels, and has put absolutely everything into improving their behaviour. These dogs do not need punishment or corrections or harsh training techniques. They need understanding. When we understand how our dog feels, we are able to help them. Through kind and gentle techniques that improve their behaviour without neglecting their well-being.
#DogBehaviour #DogTraining #ReactiveDog #Aggression #Reactivity #Behaviourist
If you are a perfectionist or someone who struggles when things don’t go perfectly, it can be easy to slip into the trap of trying to train perfectly. When we’re training our dogs, we are looking for progress and not perfection. We will get better progress from imperfectly training on a regular basis, then training in frequently but setting up the perfect session. ❤️
Imperfect training could look like a mini training session while the kettle boils, heading to the park for 10 minutes to work around distractions or drilling exercises whilst you’re waiting outside the vets.
All of these tiny moments build up and very quickly we then poured loads of time into our training. Especially if you are working through behaviour problems, or you have a challenging dog, training is not always going to go perfectly all we are looking for is steps in the right direction because that tells us we’re on the right track! 🤩
#DogTraining #DogBehaviour #DogBehaviourModification #Behaviourist
Your reactive dog is not a bad dog. No matter what some people might think, a dog that barks, lunges, bites, or displays other challenging behaviors is still not a bad dog. When I work with you and your dog, regardless of the extremity of their behavior, I see the incredible dog they are and all their fantastic attributes. And you should, too.
Dogs with challenges are often misunderstood. They don’t need to be reprimanded, judged, or labeled. What they need is curiosity and compassion. Their reactions—whether they stem from pain, frustration, fear, anxiety, or stress—are not a reflection of their worth or character. Instead, these responses are products of their emotional state.
We don’t have aggressive dogs; we have dogs that display aggression. Sometimes, we need to look deeper, understand them better, and help them manage their world more effectively.
When you work with me, I will always see the good in your dog. I will never judge you or them. Together, we will explore their needs and build a path toward understanding and trust. Every dog has the potential to thrive with the right support and love. ❤️🐾
#ReactiveDog #aggression #DogBehaviourist
I hear it all the time: “My dog just doesn’t care about food during training.” But here’s the thing—if your dog is happily scarfing down their meals at home, food might not be the problem.
Sometimes, dogs that seem “not food motivated” are actually overwhelmed by their environment. Too many distractions or stress can make it hard for them to focus on food. Other times, it could be a gut health issue or the food you’re offering just isn’t high-value enough for them. 🐕🦺
Before deciding that food isn’t the way to go, try a few things:
1️⃣ Work in a calmer, distraction-free environment.
2️⃣ Experiment with different treats—some dogs need *extra* tasty rewards!
3️⃣ Check in on your dog’s health if they’re consistently uninterested in food.
Chances are, your dog might be more food motivated than you think when you find the right balance. 🧀🥩🐾
#DogTraining #dogbehaviour #Motivation #HighValueTreats
So often, we focus on the end goal—having a ‘perfect’ dog who listens, stays calm, and never gets distracted. But when we’re fixated solely on achieving that goal, we miss out on something far more important: the journey.
True progress isn’t just about eliminating problem behaviors or teaching obedience. It’s about becoming a team with your dog—building trust, understanding, and an unbreakable bond. ✨ That’s where the magic happens. That’s when your dog begins to choose you over distractions, seeks you out for guidance in tough moments, and feels secure enough to trust you through it all.
When we shift our mindset from fixing problems to working with our dogs, we create a partnership. And with that partnership comes growth—both for you and your dog. The key isn’t a quick fix; it’s the love and commitment to the process that brings lasting change. ❤️
#DogTrainingJourney #Teamwork #DogTraining #DogBehaviourist #PositiveTraining
