Lucy Bingley - Clinical Animal Behaviourist

10/05/2024

The trouble with spaniels is they never switch off 🙂

22/04/2024

I had an absolutely smashing couple of days at Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors - APBC 35th anniversary conference last weekend. Incredible speakers and fascinating topics all relating to such an important subject - I've learned so much!
And during the downtime it was lovely to catch up with so many friends and colleagues after the wilderness of lockdown and video calls!
Huge thanks to the APBC committee for putting it all together 👏 (loud clapping)

16/04/2024

I recommend Sally's workshops to anyone wanting to get into scentwork with their dog 👍

🐾🧐Introduction to Scentwork with Sherlock Bones 🧐🐾

Join me at Lodge Farm Dog Park Thorney for a fun Introduction to Talking Dogs Scentwork.

We will begin by teaching you and your dog the foundations, and a specific scent.
You will then be able to work as a team to sniff out the clues and help solve Sherlock Bones' Scandal of the Stolen Sausages !

Dogs remain on lead at all times and I always ask that you respect each other's space.
There is only ever one dog in a search area at a time ensuring you can have a stress free, positive, fun experience.

Sat 27th April 1 - 3:30pm
Thurs 17th May 2 - 4:30pm

Book here: https://lodgefarmdogpark.co.uk/v2/

02/04/2024

Last week Maggie and I took a day off for Easter Eggstravaganza Sniffing Shenanigans with Happiest Hounds Dog Training and Happy Hounds Adventures - my skills were rusty, luckily Maggie's were spot on! Thanks so much to Sally and Louise for a great workshop 🐣

01/04/2024

And the latest puppy class grads from last weekend: Oakley, Ernie, Lola and Ted (also Rory and Barry who couldn't make it to the final session unfortunately). It was a struggle to contain our enthusiasm for the group shot! 🤣 Thank you all - such a lovely group!

Next puppy classes begin on 16th April (Tuesdays at 6.00pm) - use the link to book or find out more!
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/dafe003b/?categories[]=Puppy%20Classes

01/04/2024

Puppy class graduates!
From February: Mavis, Rocco, Bonnie, Dexter, Ivy and Winston - thanks so much for braving the weather!

Next puppy classes begin on 16th April (Tuesdays at 6.00pm) - use the link to book or find out more!
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/dafe003b/?categories[]=Puppy%20Classes

01/04/2024

Catching up with class pics! Here are the latest graduates of adolescent classes: Congratulations to Millie, Molly, Winnie (I had such fun getting those names confused!) and Glen (not pictured), who all worked hard to learn how to exercise a little self control around others and to meet and greet calmly, along with Bernie who joined the class to help build his confidence around other dogs and made amazing progress! Thanks to all.
More "adolescent" class (for previous puppy class grads* aged 6-24 months) are coming... next availability is June - booking link is below.
*if your dog hasn't been to my puppy class please contact me to arrange a private session ahead of starting adolescent classes.
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/dafe003b/appointment/54598356/calendar/1873765?categories%5B%5D=Young+dogs+class

12/03/2024

I've had an issue with emails over the last couple of days - if you are waiting for a reply from me, please could you re-send your message as it seems that some have not been getting through! Apologies and thank you.

07/02/2024

There is a space still open for puppy class starting this Saturday morning (9-10am in Onehouse IP14 3DB) - any puppy under 5 months old is very welcome! For more info or to book this place: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=15074902&appointmentType=54598125

30/01/2024

More puppy classes are starting soon in Onehouse: Saturdays at 9.00-10.00am from 10th February. If you have a vaccinated puppy under 5 months old, you are welcome to join - click on the link to find out more or to enrol.
Here's Ivy, showing off her super-fast recall in this week's session!
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=15074902&appointmentType=54598125

29/01/2024

A local dog exercise field, available to hire for all ❤️ (see terms and conditions if you are the owner of an exempted XL bully)

We need to talk about XL Bully type dogs.

We've been talking to our insurers about them as, at Go Frolic, we believe it is important that ALL dogs have access to good quality exercise. The key for us is to ensure we are meeting the relevant legal and insurance obligations, and managing the field in a way that provides peace of mind to ALL users of the field.

So, after February 1st, if you are the owner of an XL Bully type dog and wish to use the field, you are welcome. But there are a few additional conditions that you must meet. Please read our policy, set out at the end of our Terms and Conditions: https://gofrolic.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/

You must inform us in advance that you are intending to bring an exempted dog - tick the relevant box on the booking form and further instructions will be provided.

Once WE have checked your guy or gal's paperwork and YOU, as owner, have accepted the additional requirements, you will be free to come and Frolic! You will have to secure the gate from the inside to avoid any accidental visitors into the field (not likely I know, but we have had to take our insurer's advice on all this!)

If you have friends with this type of dog, do spread the word. We have over 3.5 acres of SECURE meadow, with water, shelter and shade, and various obstacles to try. We are just 5 mins off the A14, just west of Ipswich. Find out more at: www.gofrolic.co.uk

27/01/2024

Adolescent class and puppy class today will be outdoors in the field today 🌞
Obviously it's still not very warm so bring puppy beds for the in-betweeny bits but we will generally keep you all moving!

20/01/2024

Still chilly this morning so puppy class will be in the barn again.

12/01/2024

Puppy class clients - we will be indoors again tomorrow morning as it's still too cold for the pups for an hour outside - see you in the barn!

06/01/2024

There are worse offices!

05/01/2024

Puppy class and adolescent class attendees for tomorrow, please check your emails!
Adolescent class is going ahead in the field but you will need wellies. Puppy class is moving indoors as it's going to be a bit chilly for the littlies!

05/01/2024

Memories of sunnier days!! A new puppy class starts tomorrow at 11am and there is ONE space left. Please email me [email protected] or message here if you have a puppy under 5 months old and would like to join us!

20/12/2023

I'm signing off for a couple of weeks now to embrace festive fun with my children and dogs! I'll be back to work from 8th January.

Huge thanks to all my wonderful clients for letting me work with you and your dogs and cats this year, and to all the referring vets for your support in 2023.

Have a very happy Christmas and I'll see you in the new year.

18/12/2023

Mucky pup 🐾

18/12/2023

The last adolescent class graduates of 2023! A huge thank you to the very dedicated families (the weather was pretty awful for some sessions, much to Stanley's disgust!) of Gus, Stanley, Bonnie, Digby and Milo. All the dogs made great progress in terms of self control, focus and confidence 😍

Thanks again to all the clients who have brought puppies and adolescents to classes this year - we've had a blast!

2024 classes are live - January puppy classes (for pups 2-5 months) still have a couple of spaces available; adolescent classes (for 6-18ish months) are available from April. See availability and more details of classes here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=15074902&template=class

18/12/2023

🎄It's time for this annual "COPING WITH CHRISTMAS" post🎄

Christmas brings its own set of challenges: parties, house guests, gifts, food, games and travel, and pets who are normally relaxed and placid can sometimes struggle at this time. Just as for us, being excited or overtired can lead to an “overreaction” so here are some points to consider, where the aim is always to keep stress and excitement reasonably low:

🎁 The images below (from Vet Behaviour Team) show some of the stress signals in dogs which may indicate your dog needs a break - note that "overarousal" (apparent hyperactivity) is an indicator that your dog is stressed.

Cats are often more subtle in their signalling, but are also good at avoiding problems. If your cat seems restless or unsettled she may be worried - make sure she has escape routes and hiding places, and if she is making herself scarce, let her hide away!

🎁 Make sure your pet has a secure, quiet place to go to for down-time away from the activity: even if they are normally very friendly they may find all the excitement a bit too much! Give them something to do there (a chew toy or puzzle feeder) so they don't feel left out (chances are they will take the opportunity for a nap!).

🎁 Separate them from very exciting times such as meals, gift unwrapping and party games – these are the times when pets are most likely to be confused by human behaviour, or become over excited. If games are being played, avoid situations where your dog or cat might be trodden on, tripped over or tempted to chase or nip moving targets! Avoid subjecting pets to noisy or scary toys, masks, party poppers etc., and if you have a “chewer”, avoid stress all round by not involving them in gift unwrapping!

🎁 When food is involved there may be a risk of stealing and guarding behaviour, and bites often happen when someone tries to take something away from a dog, so it can be best to keep pets out of the kitchen / dining room while food is around. Try to feed your pets normally (from a bowl, at the normal sort of time) and if they are having some extra treats that might be worth guarding, give them privacy from people and other pets while they are eating.

🎁 If you are staying away from home with your pet, take some "security blankets" with you: their normal bed or crate, favourite toy, a chew for a dog to help him relax, so they have some familiarity around them.

🎁 If you are having visitors or parties, consider keeping your dog or cat out of the way for the duration of the party, especially if they are unused to large groups of people. A quiet bedroom might do, or consider sending them to a pet sitter.

🎁 Always supervise dogs with children, and keep an eye out for signs of stress in your pet, and take steps to help them escape when they need space.

🎁 If you have a shy dog or cat, try to minimise stress by asking your visitors not to interact with them, especially if your pet is keeping their distance.

🎁 If you have a pet who can be aggressive towards people, take stringent measures to keep your visitors, particularly children, safe by using baby gates / pens / crates and make sure everyone knows the rules about leaving the pet alone – don’t allow any teasing!

🎁 If a dog poses a bite risk to people or other dogs, a muzzle should be used if there is any chance of contact. However, it is far better for your dog if you can avoid putting him into situations where a bite might be provoked. If you are going to use a muzzle, you should first work on introducing it positively to your dog so it isn't an added cause of stress. Here's some more info including a great video showing how to do this: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/behaviour-and-training/dogs-and-muzzle-training

🎁 Much as with a human Christmas 😉 tensions between your pets can rise and conflict can occur, perhaps over resources such as food or a new toy, or just because they become sick of the sight of each other and need some time to themselves now and then! It’s a good idea to offer regular breaks and down-time away from other pets, especially if they don’t normally live together, and to separate them for feeding and when they have new toys that they might not wish to share.

If your dog or cat already has some anxiety or reacts strongly to certain triggers, you should – as ever – try to avoid exposure to these triggers as best you can while you are waiting for behavioural help from a professional. This may mean:
• not leaving them if they are anxious when alone
• avoiding exposure to visitors to your home if they are afraid of new people (minimise visitors or have a plan in place for keeping pets and people separate)
• avoiding triggers outside the home (dogs, people, traffic... whatever upsets your dog) by walking at quiet times, avoiding narrow paths so you can move to distance, or even taking a break from walks altogether and just playing lots of active and "brainy" games at home for a few days.

I hope these recommendations and points are helpful, and that you and your dogs and cats can all have a very happy and stress-free Christmas!

18/12/2023

I have one available appointment space this coming Wednesday 21st at 10.00am - if anyone with a first consult booked for the new year would like to be seen sooner please email [email protected] and we can bring your appointment forward.

15/12/2023

Molly's feeling festive: "I hate that (homemade) elf on the shelf. Always watching me. So this evening I ate her 😈"

29/11/2023

This is a really great (although long!) article, making so many excellent points to help people to understand their dog :-)

Sophie was too scared to go outside; Hendrix will chew anything when left alone. As the number of dogs in the UK has exploded, so has the number of unruly pooches