All To Play For

06/09/2024

04/09/2024

Your dog's lead.
Friend or foe?

Tell me why in the comments
👇👇👇

03/09/2024

IT'S TRAINING TIPS TUESDAY!

The key to resolving your dog's reactivity is finding the gap!

What that means is, that you need to understand what happens before your dog reacts.

There is always something that prompts the behaviour. Think carefully about the situation you found yourself in. What was happening just before your dog started to over-react?

We tend to focus on the obvious triggers, such as a dog appearing or a person getting closer. But in reality the thing which immediately comes before the reaction is often more subtle. Look for things like a hand getting too close, tension in the lead, or changes in position of your body in relation to theirs. Other cluse are your dog's body language. Pricking of the ears, standing still, lifting of the tail....

Once you understand exactly what comes before your dog's reaction, you can manage the environment and adjust how you behave to make it easier for them to act calmly and feel safe in the world around them.

01/09/2024

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OA_VOWGeLSU&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1ZZmqD99LANvKXTHkIf5M55EPrbIV-5swGv_gSrxkwZFyIk_BihFtudkk_aem_wieWFKvtivBM9XqAlLr0-A

Dr. Orion reacts to Graeme Hall's most viewed video of training a small but aggressive dog that bites his owner. Is he doing it right or is he causing more i...

22/08/2024

Let me show you what I woke up to this morning:

This is not a regular thing, thank flipping goodness! Although years ago, when Hattie hadn't been here long there was an occasion where I woke up to part of a curtain missing an poops which were more fabric based than anything else. Thankfully they made their way out.

So when I saw this a few things entered my mind.

Thank goodness I have have cheap furniture which crumbles rather than splinters;

I'm guessing this was Hattie; But mostly

Why did she chew this? Poor girl!

So I've been considering the options.

Was she super stressed by something overnight?

Does she have gut pain?

Is she in another type of pain?

None of these are great for her and I'm now on a mission to work out what the need was that lead to this behaviour, so that I can help her and support her.

Gut pain is definitely a possibility, it's something she has had over the years which has been investigated but no real answers found.

She looks a bit more limpy than normal today - I'll speak to my vet to see if a change in pain meds for her arthritis is a good idea.

Stress is always possible and the gut-brain axis we know about means chewing things is a common response.

My guess is a combination - maybe an over enthusiastic fox outside and a sore shoulder?

Today we will chill and do lots of enrichment games (have you bought enrichment adventures at home yet? Perfect for these types of days!)

But most importantly, I won't stress about the furniture, I'll just focus on my girl.

20/08/2024

IT'S TRAINING TIPS TUESDAY!

When you think about reactivity, do you focus on just your dog? Do you focus on how to stop the behaviour you don’t like? If so take a step back. Remember that your dog is not a problem dog, they are a dog with a problem. How you behave can make a big difference to how they behave.

So the human end of the leash is just as important as your dog’s end and both need your attention!

Does that mean that your dog's reactivity is your fault? Absolutely not! But it does mean that your responses, your mindset, your expectations and your confidence will make a big difference to your success in helping your dog.

Let's look at how you can change your mindset:

If you think that your reactive dog is misbehaving, then you will be embarrassed by their behaviour and you will focus on stopping them "acting up". But if you recognise that they are frightened, you will see their behaviour as information and you will use that to help them be more comfortable.
If you focus on what someone else is thinking you will be overrun with embarrassment and guilt.
So you need to be willing to think differently about your dog and your life together so that you can change how you behave as well as working on your dog's behaviour. And when you do that your whole relationship with your dog changes for the better!

If this struggle sounds familiar, book a free 30 min call with me - I can help! https://calendly.com/alltoplayfor/phone-consulation

Together, let's create a world where kindness rules and you and your dog lead their best lives! 🐕💪

13/08/2024

IT'S TRAINING TIPS TUESDAY!

Reactivity can be one of the most challenging behaviors to manage in dogs, and it often affects us more than we expect. 🐾

Managing reactivity isn't just about the dog; it's about managing your own reactions as well. The fear of "what if" scenarios can be overwhelming:

- What if my dog hurts another dog or a person?
- What if someone gets injured accidentally?
- What if legal issues arise from an incident?

These fears can turn what should be a relaxing walk into a source of stress and anxiety. Moreover, reactivity is not a behavior you can easily hide. It’s public and often noisy, which can lead to embarrassment and frustration. 🚶‍♂️🐕

Many of us have dreams about the perfect life with our dogs —long walks in the park, visits to cafes, and companionship for our children. When reality doesn't align with these dreams, disappointment and a sense of loss often follow. Acknowledging these feelings is crucial, as it's perfectly normal to grieve the loss of the ideal dog experience you had dreamed of.

Here are some ways we can ease the effect that our dogs behaviour has on us:

✨ Turning Challenges into Opportunities: While handling a reactive dog is undoubtedly challenging, it also presents a unique opportunity for growth. Your reactive dog will teach you more about patience, resilience, and understanding than an easy-going pet might. This journey will enhance your knowledge about canine behavior and deepen the bond you share with your dog. 🌟

✨ Celebrate Your Progress: You and your dog are a team, and every small step forward is a victory. Celebrate the strength of your relationship and the progress you've made together. Remember, you're not alone in this journey.

✨ Reflective Thought: Reflect on what you have learned about yourself through the challenges of managing your reactive dog. How has this journey shaped your understanding and approach to not just canine behavior, but challenges in general?

06/08/2024

IT'S TRAINING TIPS TUESDAY

Have you ever wondered why one dog might overreact in a situation where another remains calm? Reactivity in dogs is often driven by an emotional response to their environment. Whether it's fear, frustration, or over-excitement, understanding the underlying feelings is key to addressing their behaviour. 🧠💭

What Causes Reactivity?
Reactivity can stem from a variety of sources:
- Traumatic Experiences: Just one traumatic event can cause your dog to have ongoing reactive responses. Their brain stores these memories in a way that makes them quick to recall.
- Repeated Negative Experiences: A dog might be fine after an initial negative encounter, but repeated experiences can lead to a general reactivity to all dogs.
- Physical Discomfort: Pain or discomfort can greatly affect your dog's behavior. They may become more sensitive or less tolerant, similar to how we might react when we're in pain.
- Genetics: Fear and certain behaviors can be inherited. Sometimes your dog's reactivity might be something they've inherited from their ancestors.
It's essential to recognize that sometimes the specific cause of reactivity may not be clear. Your dog could react differently even if raised under the same conditions as your previous pets. 🐕‍🦺

Question: Have you noticed any specific triggers or patterns in your dog's reactive behavior? How do you usually handle these situations? 🤔

If you're struggling to manage or understand your dog's reactivity, don't hesitate to book a call: https://calendly.com/alltoplayfor/phone-consulation

30/07/2024

IT'S TRAINING TIPS TUESDAY!
So, what do we mean when we talk about reactivity in dogs? The dictionary definition of "react" is “to respond to a stimulus in a particular manner,” which might sound pretty bland but tells us that reacting is not inherently bad. Every animal reacts sometimes—it's a necessary part of survival!

When we talk about “reactive” dogs, we’re referring to an over-reaction—a dog who responds to something with more intensity than we’d expect in that situation. Context is key here. For example, growling or barking at another dog from a few hundred feet away is an over-reaction. However, growling if another dog jumps on their back is not.

We define reactivity as "over-reacting to a dog, human, or something else in the environment by barking, lunging, growling, or otherwise responding with higher-than-expected intensity." For your dog, this might also include "flight" responses such as backing off and freezing, which can also be considered over-reactive.

It’s important to remember that your dog is not being naughty or disobedient. Your dog is not being difficult. Your dog is simply responding in a way that works for them in that moment. Your job is to let them know they can respond to things in a different way, and we are here to show you how!

✨ Question for You: Have you noticed your dog exhibiting over-reactive behaviors? How do you usually handle these situations? Share your experiences with us!

👉 Call to Action: If you’re struggling to understand or manage your dog's reactivity, don't hesitate to book a FREE Call with Julia to help you map out a plan to address your dog's specific needs. Just click here: https://calendly.com/alltoplayfor/phone-consulation🐾

29/07/2024

24/07/2024

Do you have nickname for your dog?
What's the story behind it..?

17/07/2024

If your dog was a different animal, what animal would they be?

12/07/2024

Every small victory with your dog is worth celebrating.🐕 🥳
Let's cheer each other on. ✌🤩
What small win are you celebrating today?

11/07/2024

Dog training is only one piece of the puzzle when helping a reactive dog feel safe and confident. Another important piece that is often overlooked is what we feed our dogs.

I'm not a canine nutritionist, but I do base my own dog feeding on information I have gained from people who are experts in the field (check out Dr Meghan's interview in the Barking Up The Right Tree festival! If you're not signed up it's free just click here: https://barking-up-the-right-tree.newzenler.com/)

There is increasing evidence (for example, here) that ultra processed foods are unhealthy for us humans so I am on a mission to reduce them to a minimum in my own diet. There is less research for dogs however I do like to feed them on the same type of good quality food that I would like for myself.

What does that look like?

The main component of the diet is raw food - I like to use different textures of meat so mince, chunks, meaty bones, whole fish etc. And of course add fruit and veg and things like yoghurt and Kefir. I do also use a high quality kibble particularly for training, and use things like cooked chicken for treats. My partner over at Barking up the Right Tree, Barbara is a superstar when it comes to treats and makes her own - I have made my own a couple of times, one of which Hattie spat them out which was a bit demoralising to say the least. Must try harder!!

It's fantastic feeding our dogs varied food which they absolutely love!

09/07/2024

IT'S TRAINING TIPS TUESDAY:

Dogs are communicating with us through their body language, it's up to us to pay attention and respond appropriately. By noticing their subtle messages, we can intervene before our dogs become too stressed or overwhelmed.

1. Tail: Notice changes in tail position and movement. A low or tucked tail can indicate fear, while a high, stiff tail can signal alertness or potential aggression.

3. Eyes: Look at your dog's eyes. Are they wide and showing the whites? Are they staring intensely or avoiding eye contact?

4. Ears: Are your dog's ears pinned back or standing up and forward? Changes in ear position can signal stress or excitement.

5. Mouth: Watch your dog's mouth. Lip licking, yawning, or a closed, tense mouth can indicate stress.

6. Posture: Notice changes in your dog's posture. A stiff or rigid body, sitting down, moving away, or backing up are all ways dogs create space and signal discomfort.

Always observe your dog's overall body language. It's not just about one signal but a combination of behaviors that tell the full story.

Here Are Some Key Behaviours to Recognize:
- Lip Licks and Yawns: Often subtle, these are common signs of stress or discomfort.

- Sitting: This can be a way for your dog to create space.

- Moving Away or Backing Up: Your dog might try to increase distance from a perceived threat.

- Moving Sideways: A less direct way to create space without turning their back on the threat.

- Stillness and/or Stiffness: Stillness by itself communicates the need for space, stiffness is a very clear sign that your dog is feeling uncomfortable or threatened.

- Raising a Paw: Often a signal of uncertainty or appeasement.

By intervening when your dog is in the green or amber zone, you can avoid the red zone and ensure a more positive experience for both you and your dog.

Your dog's body language will be specific to them, so it's important to look at the dog in front of you and learn to speak THEIR language.

Remember, training and understanding your dog is a journey. We don't become fluent in dog body language overnight.

What body language have you noticed in your dog when they are trying to tell you something?

05/07/2024

Dogs can be great nurses! How does your dog behave when you are feeling down or unwell?

02/07/2024

IT'S TRAINING TIPS TUESDAY

You have a dog that reacts to other dogs on lead. Or a dog who barks at visitors. Or whatever.

In this situation we often hear we should go and find some dogs, or invite people over, or to expose our dogs to the trigger.

If we have a dog which pulls on lead or reacts, sometimes we hear that the only way to train them is to take them on walks and change things.

Right?

Well, no.

Once our dogs are exposed to triggers and distractions their brains are not in a good place to learn. Their focus has gone onto the other dogs, the visitor, the sniffs, the excitement of running in the field, whatever it is.
Changing a behaviour when all this stuff is going on is just setting you both up to fail.

What can we do instead??

Think about a traffic light system.

Green means that your dog is relaxed. They are able to focus on you and can respond to cues without too much trouble.

In the amber zone your dog becomes award of distractions, but they are not so close that it is overwhelming. They will still be able to take food. They will still be able to do simple tricks which they know well.

In the red it's pretty much game over. The environment has become overwhelming. You may see barking or lunging, or really stiff body language. Your dog won't want to take food and their brains simply aren't able to work with you or to learn.

When we are faced with a behaviour (of course driven by an emotion) which we don't want, always start working in the Green!
This is where we can teach tricks so that they become joyful and so that your dog REALLY knows them. This is where we can really work with our dogs to give them strategies to cope with the big feelings they have.

We need to keep working in the green, reinforcing and growing.

Once behaviours are established in the green we can try them in the amber. This allows our dogs to be in the presence of distractions, but at a sufficient level that they can still listen and learn. This way we can make the distractions less of a big deal.

Stay out of the red! Wherever you can - if you stray in, get out.

Let's set our dogs up to succeed.

28/06/2024

Share a photo of your dog's BEST feature