Canine Navigator UK

07/07/2025

As the summer holidays approach, kids will be home more with the family dogs. Dogs will lose rest and down time because of this unless owners take the initiative to ensure they can keep their rest routine.

There's also the chance of children opening doors, gates etc without knowledge of what could happen.
It can go very wrong, as this postman unfortunately experienced.

Be very vigilant on opening of doors and my advice is no dog should have direct access to the front door, post or letterbox - no ifs, no buts.

I've seen someone online joke about their small breed dog going for the postman's ankles...it's not funny whatever the size of dog and they need to step up to do what's best for their dog and those around them.

No breed of dog is 'just a big baby' - the social predator or genetically wired guarding mastermind can surface when given the right moment.

Whether Dachshund, Golden Retriever or Rottweiler - don't underestimate or sugar coat a dog. Respect them and what they're capable of. Their actions are our responsibility.

Also, boundary control saves dog's lives (the understanding not to cross a threshold whether it's a door, kerb, gate without your guidance)

A postman was attacked by two Rottweilers as he delivered a parcel to a house in Yorkshire.

Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crmvvjngex8o

05/07/2025

Another lovely review 😊

Mila is an absolute sweetheart, so eager to please. But she's also very busy minded (what a breed combo!) and with a chaotic start was finding it really tough to switch off or slow down especially at home.

She filled every space and grey area with barking or some form of chaos and stimulation seeking.

Mila just didn't know what to do, that's all. But now with a good routine, structure, the skills she needs, fulfilling play/training, a new found off switch and an amazing amount of dedication from her family she is living her best life after a move to Scotland.

28/06/2025

It's a really hot day here on our holiday, pushing to 30 and not cooling much this evening.
We've had a nice walk this morning, then put foil up on the boat windows to keep the heat out. Now we've retreated into the lovely original stone building at The Locks Inn because even in the shade and breeze the beer garden feels too hot for this ginger and an old dog! Plus we spent yesterday afternoon in that garden 🤣
Spider is loving the stone floor in her cooling coat and we're also sat in the same corner as my charcoal drawing from a holiday a few years ago (another beer garden afternoon well spent)

24/06/2025

A little late to posting but our holiday started today! Well, yesterday evening at a Tim Minchin gig in Leeds really, but we arrived in Norfolk today 😊
There will still be a few posts but I'm going to be less active on socials and slow to respond to any emails/texts.
Spider did an excellent job staying on the sofa and just watching whilst I fed this friendly duck (we see her regularly on this stretch of river) 🦆

18/06/2025

🎉 It's been a year already since I rebranded and launched Canine Navigator 🎉

It's been a great year of hard work, change, growth and learning. More to come in the next year as I adjust and streamline my services to my strengths and what I think my clients need on their journey!

Thank you to all the dogs and families who've supported my business, trusted me, and put the work in to life with their dog's. Here's to more great relationships and dogs for many years to come. Every day is a learning opportunity and in great company!

I wouldn't have created a brand and business which allowed me to step into the canine professional role I'd been building with experience and study for years without The Yorkshire Marketing Company , thank you Rachelle for your unwavering support and networking community

14/06/2025

Having an adolescent dog is hard, it's exhausting, and some days it's really testing.
Your dogs is having a hard time, their brain is going through a pruning process which affects their impulse control, emotional control, and memory. Combine that with a strong social drive, pushiness, hormones and a sprinkle of ignorance to social etiquette/language...

You're allowed to feel like they're a kn****ad 🤣

Just understand why. Understand that sometimes they really can't access the training you've given them. It's still there, it will come back if you -

Guide them, be consistent, set them up for success, make sure they sleep a lot, don't allow repeated problematic behavior even if that means your walk locations and ability to go to pubs/cafes change during difficult phases. And don't forget to play.

Stick with it, it is a test and once they come out the other side with you as the person they need, you'll breathe a sigh of relief and be proud of your adult dog when the day comes.

What about a fearful adolescent lacking in confidence or when things go wrong during a fear period? That's a post for a different day!

Have you had a hard time with a teenage dog?

10/06/2025

The worst thing we can come across as dog owners is the "it's ok I'm a dog person" or "it's ok dogs love me" person.

News flash - genuine dog lovers who place the dog's needs above their own wants, generally leave dogs alone.

If a dog expects lots of interaction from strangers, either positive or negative this can become a form of stress. It becomes very difficult to focus on their family and tune out the noise.

A dog that's jumping at you and looks desperate to say hello can actually be very anxious.

The person trying to 'win round' the nervous dog is making everything worse and destroying trust.

It's become common for people to hold stranger's dogs responsible for their emotional wants. It's a worrying level of entitlement.

In some other countries, it's actually normal and polite to leave other people's dogs alone.

We can try to raise awareness of appropriate behavior around dogs and educate on canine body language. But we still need to advocate for our own dogs by taking control of situations for them, telling people no when necessary. If they have a problem with it, that's on them, not you or your dog.

My own dog Spider is pretty social with people. She will stay neutral but have a quick hello with someone I speak to, if I give her the go ahead, then move on. She's never been allowed to be pushy or overexcited - therefore she's calm and content. But I also don't let OTT people greet/touch her. Friendly doesn't have to mean chaos.
But if she actually knows you as a regular friend? Then you'll get a happy wiggle from her 💙

06/06/2025

Ben came to his new family under very sad circumstances, and the emotions were running high. Combined with a nervous dog that's never seen routine, predictability, boundaries and guidance - life was hard for everyone.
The change in Ben has been huge since implementing my program. He's able to switch off, relax, let his family make the decisions - and his world has opened up as a result!
Life with a dog wasn't the plan, and it was a huge stress at first, but now Ben has what he needs, he complements and enriches his family's life. It's been a really lovely case to work on, and I'll definitely be calling back in for some coffee and biscuits on my travels 😊

31/05/2025

Building resilience to stress and uncertainty in a relaxed and controlled environment can be very helpful to flighty, easily startled dogs in their fear stages (a normal part of development).
The key is to remain calm, let them make decisions and encourage/instruct without pointless chatter. NOT to say "it's okay, it's okay" over and over again in a squeaky voice then avoid all stress.

Stress is part of life - resilience to challenge and change is an important skill for our dogs, and for us.
This doesn't mean throw them in at the deep end, but we do have to take responsibility and make sure we choose training and walks which encourage growth for where the dog is at right now.

Get them thinking, get them sniffing, let them explore at a slow pace and step into a space of slower decision making and impulse control with you.