Green Paw Dog Training

16/02/2025

February's Theme: Trigger Stacking in Dogs

Whilst every dog is an individual, there are some triggers that are just are more common:

😫 Unexpected or loud noises
😫 Close or heavy traffic
😫 Crowds
😫 Unknown dogs or people
😫 Atypical clothing: umbrellas, high vis jackets, puffy coats
😫 Being sore, too hot or poorly

Triggers often stem from a dog's past experiences, natural sensitivities, or breed-specific traits. For instance, herding breeds may be more reactive to fast-moving objects, while rescue dogs may have trauma-related triggers you don't know about.

By paying attention to your dog’s body language and identifying their individual stressors, you can prevent or reduce trigger stacking before it leads to a meltdown.

In my final Training post for February, we’ll explore how to help your dog cope better and calm quicker between triggers.

Does your dog have any triggers I haven't mentioned here? 👇

13/02/2025

Oooh. A chance to win an amazing box of training-level toys (amazing for recall) and support a local charity at the same time 🙌🏻

🎟️ RAFFLE TIME 🎟️

How would you like to win a Tug-E-Nuff Hamper worth £102?

Courtesy of the amazing Wally's Pet Supplies Andover we are able to offer this amazing prize!

The Hamper includes:

1x The Clam
1x Big Twizzler
1x Faux Fur Pocket Squeaky
1x Frisbee small
1x Pocket Powerball Bungee

The Draw will be done on 1st of March.

How to enter:
- £3 a ticket.
- Pay via bank or paypal (details below).
- Once paid comment below with number of tickets so we can match the name up.
- Tickets will be allocated once payment has been received.
- Draw will be done on 1st March.
- The winner can either collect from Wallys or we can post out within the uk.

Paypal
[email protected]
Please use friends and family option!

Bank details
Sort Code: 201143
Account No: 73385728
Name: BeKind Rescue

13/02/2025

Today is 'Self Love Day' 🥰❤️

Having the yellow lead to promote that we need space helps us to feel safe. We decided on a 'Sniffari'. The best option for showing self-love and such a great way to spend some quality time together.

What are you going to do for some 'Self Love' today? Let me know in the comments 👇👇

Photo Credit Flash Bolt Photography

10/02/2025

To ensure your pup stays warm without your heating bills going sky high, it's time to look into ways to keep the heat from escaping. Here are a few free and low-cost tips to get you started:

👉 Keep your dog's bed away from any draughts (free), or
👉 A cute fabric draught excluder can further block those chilly breezes from under doors, helping you retain more heat. But, if your dog sees it as their new chew toy, opt for plastic or metal draught strips instead - they’re dog-proof and just as effective! A third, free, option is to roll up a towel and push it against the bottom of the door.
👉 Safe 'self-heating' beds use an insulating or reflective layer to lock in your dog's body heat during the cold months without requiring any energy
👉 Try adding a film to any single-glazed windows to reduce heat loss
👉 If you have an older-style external door, try stuffing the keyhole when not in use
👉 Bonus energy-saving tip, if you leave your dog with the TV on for company, why not try switching to the radio and seeing if they are still comforted? If so, the lack of a screen means a lower energy bill.

In my next Sustainability post, we'll talk about some larger ways to reduce your heating bill; for those of you needing a bit more than the tips given here.

Which of the above are you going to try? 👇

07/02/2025

🐾 Fun Friday: Dog Edition! 🐾

Let's celebrate today with a dog-themed Friday packed with fun and cuteness.

📸 Photo Competition 'just for fun': Share or tag me in your best dog photos! Whether it’s a cute puppy face, an action shot, or a silly moment, we want to see it all. The winner gets the prestigious title of “Dog of The Day!”

Have a fantastic Friday 🥰🐕

Photo Credit Flash Bolt Photography

04/02/2025

February's Theme: Trigger Stacking in Dogs

Have you ever heard of trigger stacking?

Trigger stacking occurs when multiple stressors, or "triggers," combine to overwhelm your dog. These triggers could be minor on their own, but together, they create a heightened stress response.

For context, imagine one weekday morning you've slept through your alarm, spilled your coffee, then hit traffic on your commute. You rush into work, and a colleague catches you and says the lift is out of order. "JUST TYPICAL", hands thrown into the air, eyes hard roll.

What about a morning where you woke up on time, enjoyed your coffee and a scroll, and had a smooth journey in? When your colleague says the lift isn't working, you're more likely to shrug it off and head to the stairwell.

Small triggers stacked together put us all on edge. Dogs experience similar cumulative stress, but they can’t tell us about it in words.

Common signs of trigger stacking include:
👅 Panting and pinned ears
🫣 Tucked tail and hiding behind your legs
😵‍💫 Jumping or moving erratically
🤬 Lunging, growling and barking

Understanding this concept is essential for recognising why your dog might “suddenly” react to something they tolerate at other times. It’s rarely just one thing; it's the layers of stress adding up.
Have you ever thought your dog's reactions were unexplained? 🙌

Stay tuned for my next February Training post, where we’ll discuss the most common triggers for dogs and how to identify them.

01/02/2025

Happy 1st of February 🥰

Did you know February is 'Dog Training Awareness Month'?

What are you going to be doing with your dog this month? Do you have anything you would like advice or guidance on? Did you, or are you getting a new puppy or dog?

Let me know below 👇

29/01/2025

Books about what is possible 3 of 3: All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Dr. Katharine K. Wilkinson.

This beautiful and hopeful collection of essays and art contains work by 60 leading women in the climate research sector. This book generously opened my mind and gave me new perspectives; a gift you can give yourself by reading it too.

In addition, this book is accompanied by a whole world of additional ways you can get involved. These are completely optional of course. For more information, see https://www.facebook.com/people/The-All-We-Can-Save-Project/100090429501149/)

To access a link to purchase this in the most sustainable ways (no affiliate), follow the link about Books on Sustainability https://www.greenpaw.org.uk/articles/sustainability-books. You'll also find a full list of my recommended books for sustainability learning.

26/01/2025

We are enjoying the weather while it's nice (and cold).

We love the 'Bungee Chaser' from Tug-E-Nuff. I would highly recommend any of the tug products. They are a great way to engage in play. Enter my code GREENPAW at checkout for 10% off.

What have you been up to with your dog?

23/01/2025

January's Theme: Explaining Socialisation and Habituation

Not all dogs get the early socialisation they need. Maybe your pup was born during lockdown, or you’ve welcomed a rescue dog into your life. Maybe you received too little or poor (but often well-meaning) advice and socialisation went wrong as a result.

Don’t worry, while you can’t socialise an older dog, you can still help them grow in confidence using habituation.

What is habituation?
It’s all about gently exposing your dog to new things so they learn these aren’t a big deal. From traffic noises to busy parks, your dog can grow calmer with consistent, neutral exposure.

Let's look at an example; this is a dog who finds other dogs too exciting (or too overwhelming):
Find a quiet spot where they feel safe, but they can see other dogs from afar. Have a nice and chilled time here over a few days. Slowly, slowly build up to busier dog-based environments at a pace they’re comfortable with. This shows your dog that other dogs aren't something they need to feel strongly about.

That's it! It's all about being slow and steady, but can change how your dog feels over time.

Check out my article on habituation for more details on how to utilise this for your dog at https://www.greenpaw.org.uk/articles/socialise-habituate.

20/01/2025

I had the pleasure of working on a couple of things with this cutie. I am particularly impressed with how quickly her recall has developed, especially as a girl who can be nervous of sudden or unexpected noises.

Finishing with a couple of walks with a couple of other gun dogs, it’s lovely to see her watching how other dogs manage the unexpected.

Whilst we are unlikely to overcome her fear of thunder and fireworks, she’s showing all the signs of now coping with unexpected voices, barking and traffic - all of which can open up her world.

Thank you to her lovely family for all the trust and time they have allocated to this girl ❤

17/01/2025

I love this post.

'Aversive' means using punishment to suppress a behaviour. When I first started as a dog trainer 13 years ago, this was still very much the norm. I believed those who explained to me that the least stressful option for training a dog was that my handling was 'black and white', as shades of grey caused confusion and therefore stress.

The more I learned, the more I realised that behaviours resurfaced when the punishment went away (not to mention the risk of behavioural fallouts, like increase anxiety or protective behaviours).

Now, I train slowly but intentionally, using rewards to create new neural pathways - meaning I can build habits that a dog does joyfully for the long-term, rather than suppress the unwanted behaviour in the short-term through fear.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on all this 👇

(And, if you'd like to learn more and live near Burghfield, join my classes that explain the science-backed way to train our dogs!)

17/01/2025

Books about what is possible 2 of 3: The Future We Choose: The Stubborn Optimist's Guide to the Climate Crisis by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac

It's easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless in the face of climate change, and this book doesn't help that for the first few pages... but, once they have set the scene, the compelling duo lay out a wonderful, optimistic, and, above all, achievable vision of what sustainable towns and cities look like.

The ideas set out could also boost mental health and reduce loneliness. It focuses on what we can add, not what we 'have to' give up.

To access a link to purchase this in the most sustainable ways head to https://www.greenpaw.org.uk/articles/sustainability-books. You'll also get a sneak peek at what my final book recommendation completes this three-part series!

For more information, see Outrage + Optimism

14/01/2025

I have had the joy of watching this not-so-little lady grow up ❤

As with many Livestock Guardian Breeds, she is predisposed to being alert for potential threats.

This skill is amazing for protecting livestock from mountain lions, but can cause some difficulties in Berkshire.

Her alertness meant she was receiving far more sensory input than any creature can cope with. Every car that passed, every person, noise, scent… she thought she needed to pay attention to them all, and this caused her to stop coping when out and about. She would try and drag her human away, which can be painful as she’s a strong, large dog.

I am so chuffed with how much she has learned to self-soothe and that she doesn’t need to be aware of everything going on.

Her family have worked wonders with her, and I’m so glad they now have such a wonderful adult pup to share their lives with 😍

11/01/2025

January's Theme: Explaining Socialisation and Habituation

If you want a full explanation of Socialisation, then check out https://www.greenpaw.org.uk/articles/guide-to-socialisation to read my blog on the topic. For this post, I just want to explain enough that we can contrast this against Habituation in my next training post.

Socialisation isn't just about your puppy meeting other dogs—it's about exposing them to a wide range of experiences that build their confidence and adaptability.

The critical socialisation window for puppies typically spans from 4 to 12 weeks of age, though some experts suggest it can extend a bit longer. This timeframe is crucial for exposing puppies to new environments, sights, and sounds before they become too cautious or fearful.

If you have missed this window and are worrying because your dog doesn't seem well-socialised, then don't panic. This is where Habituation comes in. Habituation can happen at any age.

My next training post will talk about how to habituate your older dog. Follow my page if you want to see it!

08/01/2025

Time to join me again in celebrating these lovely dogs and their humans for completing my 'How to Train Your Dog' course. 🥳🥳

These classes are fun & friendly where you and your dog train together.

This course is for those who are interested in learning more about why your dog behaves the way they do and how to help them change.

Also great for those wishing to teach settled social behaviour from scratch.

Congratulations everyone! 🤩🥳😍

05/01/2025

Books about what is possible 1 of 3: Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About The World - And Why Things Are Better Than You Think by

To see what is possible in a better world, we want to take a look back at how far we have come. Seeing the news, you would think that our societies are in the worst state in human history; but this is so far from the truth.

This book reviews data trends on myriad measures of human success and presents them in an easy-to-read and optimism-boosting way. In my opinion, this sets the scene perfectly for what humans are capable of achieving. Start here, and then keep an eye out for my next recommendations as we look to build on these successes for a better future.

To access a link to purchase this in the most sustainable ways, head to https://www.greenpaw.org.uk/articles/sustainability-books about Books on Sustainability. You'll also get a sneak peek at what other books are coming up in this three-part series!

For more information, see Gapminder

03/01/2025

Some more wonderful graduates have completed my Puppy Life Skills Classes.

These classes are fun & friendly. Where you and your puppy train together.

They are small group classes teaching the foundations for life skills that allow your puppy to thrive in a human world.

Our training is always using science-based positive force-free methods.

Congratulations to you all. 🤩🥳🥰