Being Canine, Dog Behaviour and Training

02/01/2025

Does your dog struggle going to visit the vet?
This course is the perfect solution for helping your dog feel more at ease with vet visits and general husbandry tasks. With six chapters of informative content and easy-to-follow training plans, you'll be able to make these experiences stress-free for your dog (and you).

Whats in the course?

☑️Chapter 1: A mindful approach
☑️Chapter 2: Coercion or empowerment?
☑️Chapter 3: Calm and consent
☑️Chapter 4: Practical preparation
☑️Chapter 5: Identifying signs of stress
☑️Chapter 6: Training resources for you and your dog

02/01/2025

Does your dog watch TV? For some it is a momentary interest but for others, it's over stimulating and could result in dogs charging the TV, barking furiously or even trying to 'catch" whatever is on the screen.

Dogs can even learn to recognise a theme tune or piece of music that they know predicts the appearance of an animal on TV.

It's actually really clever when you think about it.

Dogs have thoughts and feelings about lots of things that we think are insignificant but they are real to the dog and we should be careful not to dismiss them as silly or funny.

Dogs, like us, are making associations, predicting what might happen next or reacting with avoidance to something that reminds them of an unpleasant past.

How unbelievably sad then, that their behaviour is often described as 'dominance'. It's lazy and shows a real lack of understanding.

We might never know why a dog has made certain associations but we can help them to feel less worried or to manage their tolerance levels. As a human example, there are certain foods that I hate and will work hard to avoid even seeing them. My behaviour changes if an advert appears on TV, I might not look or I might reach for the remote.

Think of a person on TV that you simply can't watch in films or programmes. You don't know them personally, other people might think they are fantastic but you just can't watch. Your behaviour is driven by how you feel.

TV can be a big presence in our homes and so it's little wonder that many dogs are highly sensitive to the movement and sounds that it generates.

Photo: Ethel and I watching Jurassic Park.

01/01/2025

Now that Esme has learned 'on the box' she takes any opportunity to show off. Ethel in the background trying not to look impressed.

31/12/2024

No New Years resolutions for me. I make it my aim to help as many dogs and their owners every year. I do include spending quality time with my own dogs and supporting dog rescue too.
Think that's probably enough to be going on with :)
Have a Happy New Year and a prosperous 2025.

30/12/2024

Week 2 of our holiday and safe to say that Esme is finding it relaxing :)

04/12/2024

What are your dog's likes and dislikes?
Each dog is an individual, you may have lived with a number of labradors/spaniels/beagles (insert any breed or x breed here) but that does not mean that members of the same breed will behave in the same way.
Your dog is the product of many factors, even those from the same litter can be very different indeed.
We used to talk about what had the greatest impact, nature or nurture but in reality, it's much more complex than that.

Life experiences matter.
Your dog will have a different experience from their litter mates, even if they all lived with you. The 'how' a dog perceives a situation depends on their personality and interpretation of events.
Remember that you and I could go on the same holiday and do the same things but have very different assessments of events. This is based on our internal model, and dogs are subject to that, too.

Ah, but what about breed traits. I hear you say.
Again this is not set in stone, some dogs may have the 'expected' breed traits in bucket loads, while others can be at the other end of the scale. it is not fixed or guaranteed, for that matter.

Really look at your dog and think about them as an individual, and try not to judge them harshly because of our unrealistic expectations of them.

Photo: We must stop blaming breed for every negative behaviour; many are of our making or, even worse, are simply the fault of our internal model.

01/12/2024

Back from annual leave :)
If you have left me a phone message, email, or text, I will respond within the next couple of days.

Photo: We try to get to the beach and into Culzean as much as possible. Even when the weather is poor, it's lovely.

22/11/2024

The owners of a dog racing track have revealed their intentions to close the stadium due to dwindling support.

22/11/2024

Things have been pretty busy lately and I have let my fb posts slip a little. Of course, I know that you understand - we would all rather be physically working with dogs than sitting on a pc (even in this weather).
I am having a few says off next week and so normal service should resume after that!

05/11/2024

Although my dogs don't have a huge reaction to fireworks, I am thinking of all the pets and their people tonight who will have a night of hell.
To keep them safe, find a spot in your house where the noise is reduced, even in a small way. It's fine to comfort your dog and just be there as social support.
Some dogs find music playing in the background helpful, but not so much that it is deafening. Some studies suggest that reggae music may be a good option.
Don't let them out into the garden alone.
Walk them during the day when it's light, missing the odd walk is better than having a firework go off unexpectedly.
In severe cases, talk to your vet about medication. Not all dogs will need it but some may benefit from it.
Thinking of you all, and try to remain calm for your pets.

Edited to add that drumming has also been suggested to help to cover the noise of fireworks but it very much depends on the dog. Link in comments.

04/11/2024

Why WWCE is important to me.

Having studied (and continued to study) and then worked in the dog behaviour industry for many years and also in the canine education industry, it still saddens me how that some of the information out there is rather lacking.

I have observed a lack of quality information and misguided training attempts when working with clients, leading to dogs exhibiting various unwanted behaviour or worse, being surrendered for rehoming. However, we have come a long way from the old training methods that were often passed down generation to generation and we are seeing good quality information and content. There has been significant progress in the past two decades, with scientific research shaping our understanding of canine behaviour.

We got together to create Without Worry Canine Education with the aim of providing up-to-date, compassionate, and welfare-centred support for dog guardians, rescues, and those working with dogs.

Lisa

31/10/2024

https://www.npr.org/2024/10/30/nx-s1-5166974/its-almost-halloween-a-good-time-to-look-at-the-science-behind-the-sound-of-fear?fbclid=IwY2xjawGQeB5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcK8mDss3Gt5wacQw9IJWvR3KF1TDeTKy0ydu5KoVYa0eBN83RIhltM7XA_aem_6OEMay_03M2bfLN6fMTo6Q

The sound of fear is universal. Screams of mammals have similarities -- irregularities in the sound -- that are meant to draw attention.

30/10/2024

It's not long until Halloween and for many dogs, this could be a challenge. People dressing up in odd costumes, excited children and adults alike, can all be out of the ordinary and concerning for dogs that live quieter lives.
While Halloween is a time for fun and celebration, it's crucial to proactively manage the situation for our dogs. While some may tolerate being dressed up, for most, this can be overwhelming. It's important to ensure that dogs can't access sweets and chocolate, as these can be harmful, and could save you a trip to the vet.
Photo: Eric in a cowboy hat and wearing a bandana. This was a brief photo opportunity and he wasn't expected to wear it for any longer than that. Of course, if he had been uncomfortable or worried, I wouldn't have proceeded.

30/10/2024

We provide regular presentations on our dedicated FB page for dog owners and students alike. The topics are varied, and there is always a chance to chat or ask questions.

We mainly concentrate on dog behaviour topics but have also covered aspects of human psychology, change management, and cooperative care with Polar bears!
Feedback on the sessions is always essential to ensure that we maintain our high standards, and here is an example:

‘I have learned so much from the live sessions and really look forward to them. If we love our dogs then we should never stop trying to learn how to help them. It’s obvious that the welfare of the dog is of paramount importance whatever subject you discuss. With lots of wrong information being posted over Facebook it’s a relief to know we and our dogs are in good hands at without worry’

23/10/2024

23/10/2024

I could improve at telling everyone about everything I do concerning dogs in general and rescue dogs in particular. I will make a resolution for 2025 of 'could do better'.

It seems that people are expected to spend time on FB/social media sharing every little detail, and that isn't who I am. I would rather work with dogs and help their humans than spend time on a pc.

I do realise, though, that there has to be a balance.

There are exciting times ahead, and I will do my best to share as much information as possible.

Recently, I set up a dedicated FB page to advise anyone with an Old English Sheepdog or an OES cross. This has proved to be really popular, and I am delighted to offer this as a free group.

So much information about dog behaviour and well-being online needs to be more accurate. I am trying, in a small way, to provide up-to-date and credible information and, hopefully, to improve the lives of as many dogs out there as possible.

Photo: All dogs should be able to feel safe and secure, knowing that people understand them and meet their needs.