Canine Bond Dog Behaviour & Training

22/08/2024

Life with a dog.
It can be tricky living with a dog that has specific physical, mental, social and emotional needs, maybe restricted to short walks, or certain times of the day, maybe your dog feels a little more sensitive to certain things, or finds the world a difficult place at the moment.

It might feel hard at times feeling that we’re not doing enough and we should be doing more.

But for those who are finding life difficult at the moment with a dog also finding life difficult, sometimes less is more, just being there and caring for their needs. you are doing great and you are enough.

When things get tough, and when those days are more difficult than others, think of those special moments, those wins, however small they might be, mark them on your calendar, keep a diary, because for you and your dog they are huge wins and you should feel proud.

Here’s us, our little win, special moments, having a little fun together 💙💙

21/08/2024

Barley has been enjoying his sessions 💙

We have been working together alongside another fantastic behaviourist as unfortunately Barley and his guardian had their confidence knocked with a few things that has happened over the past year.

Over the past couple of months they have been doing amazing, we’ve slowly introduced different environments and distractions at a distance. They have both learnt parts of scent work which has really helped Barley’s confidence, also introduced free work to our sessions to gain some great observations which the family have continued at home.

Although Barley has always had a great relationship with his guardian, it’s been so lovely to see them grow even more together.

I’m so proud of them both ❤️

17/08/2024

Happy Birthday to our special boy Murphy! 8 Years old Today 🩵

16/08/2024

Behaving badly?

I just sat down to have a quick snack; the door knocked. Murphy barked a couple of times to let me know someone was at the door, in case I hadn’t heard.

I quickly shut the kitchen door to answer, when I got back, Murphy had eaten my toast that I left on the table, I had even stupidly left the chair out to make it even easier for him to reach.

Sometimes we can be quick to hold our dogs responsible for some might call “naughty, or bad behaviour”. But shouldn’t we as their guardians ask ourselves why this happened in the first place and be accountable.

The plate was available, just on the edge of the table, I didn’t move it away, I didn’t push the chair in, and I didn’t ask him to leave it, I was in a rush. Murphy took the opportunity, he wasn’t thinking about how he could annoy me, he wasn’t thinking about how naughty he could be, and certainly wasn’t behaving badly, he saw a great opportunity to eat, being a dog, and he did, that’s it. The situation could have been avoided if I just removed it.

If our dogs do something that some might see as “wrong”, or “bad” behaviour, should we have a word with ourselves first? What can WE do differently to proactively manage the situation for them? What can we learn from our dog? What things can they or can’t they do. Can they achieve what we are asking or is it too tricky? What can we change next time to avoid those situations, before passing the blame for something that WE can prevent and manage in the first place and if it keeps happening why does it?

So, the only one I can correct is myself, learn from Murphy, learn from my mistake and move on.

In case anyone is interested, Murphy thoroughly enjoyed the toast ❤️😂
Future learning note to self, don’t be in a rush.

13/08/2024

Scentwork has so many benefits for our dogs. It’s suitable for all ages and breeds, being able to adapt to a dog’s individual ability, their preferences, speed and pace.

A new study has suggested that scent work could improve a dog’s ability to complete cognitive tasks with positive effects on behaviour.

Why SCENTWORK is a great activity

S niffing can decrease the heart rate, lower blood pressure, and raise dopamine levels.

C onnection between you and your dog, strengthening the bond, taking part in activity together.

E xercising the use of their muscles, nose and brain, offering physical, mental, emotional and social support.

N atural ability to use their amazing nose and sense of smell, tapping into their natural instinct.

T ake it anywhere, once you and your dog know what to do you can take it anywhere.

W hole dog, scent work supports a dog to become more focused, decreases stress, frustration, anxiety allowing a dog to concentrate with something they find incredibly rewarding.

O n and off lead, supporting lead handling skills, loose lead walking and recall with your dog.

R ewarding to engage in a fun activity that offers a sense of calm, channelling their energy into something positive.

K eeping up regular practice can help to improve a dog’s scent detection skills. However, sessions should be kept short with lots of breaks and water available between searches, as it can be very tiring and thirsty work.

I offer 121 Scentwork sessions, as well as small group classes along with some amazing other professionals in the area.
If you and your dog are interested in learning more, you’re welcome to get in touch.🙂

10/08/2024

Thank you Andrew Hale for your wonderful review 😊

09/08/2024

Puppy Margo ⭐️

I have been working with the very beautiful Margo and her family over the past few weeks.

The family have been amazing, introducing Margo to some great life skills.

🕛Routine that has helped with nap times and toileting outside.

🦷 Chewing and puppy biting. Proactive support helping with teething pain.

🐾Introducing other family dogs

🪮Daily brushing

🦮Harness & long lead time.

🌳Exploring different areas with her family, using her senses.

♥️Fun activities spending time together.

🏖️We recently found out that Margo loves to dig, so now she has her very own digging area.

I start my 121 puppy life skill sessions in your home and over the weeks expand to outside areas. All tailored to your individual puppy and family’s needs. 😊

07/08/2024

Having a voice

My sister has a very sensitive, caring, special role, working young people needing extra help with physical, metal, emotional and social support.

I was speaking to her the other day, and she had mentioned one particular child that had a difficulty day, (all confidential so never any names shared) why behaviour is so important. The child had started hitting others and banging their head against the wall, which was carefully and calmly supported.

Although the child can understand, they are nonverbal, making this more difficult for them to communicate to others and out of character for them, doing something that they wouldn’t normally do.

She told me that after trying to calm them down, she asked why they weren’t happy, the child signed yes, they were happy, which she couldn’t understand, why were they then doing something like this.

After spending more time with them, the child gave the sign for not feeling well, home and then happy.
My sister asked “are you feeling well?”
The child signed back no
My sister then asked, “do you want to go home, would this make you feel happy.”
The child signed yes.

Behaviour tells us a lot, gives us valuable information about another’s feelings, taking the time to listen, breaking down barriers, asking why, we can start to understand.

If we just try to stop behaviour, correct and not see behaviour as a feeling, a form of communication, unfortunately we can never understand why behaviour is happening in the first place, being able to help and support another, finding out the cause with kindness.

I believe this is the same for our dogs, they can’t speak our language, but show us behaviour, their feelings, communicating with us, trying to have a voice.

If we don’t take the time to find out why behaviour is happening in the first place, we could be missing something very crucial.

Having a voice is valuable

05/08/2024

Puppy Luna 💕

I have been working with the very cute and gorgeous puppy Luna and her family over the last few weeks.

The family initially reached out for pre puppy advice💕
I gave them advice and information on what things to observe when meeting the breeder, puppy parents, questions to ask and sent them a video to watch from dog centred care about doodle breeds to help with their decision making.

I met Luna and her family a few weeks later, allowing time for them all and they have all been doing brilliantly building a lovely bond together.

We have covered lots of things in our first couple of sessions, including diet, enrichment, play, teething support also those important naps which Luna needs and loves.

Luna has been a little star with her family’s support and really looking forward to seeing them soon. 💕

03/08/2024

Very proud to be an accredited canine behaviourist member with INTODogs for another year 😊

01/08/2024

Not too close

We’re often told when we’re facing a particular fear to just give it a go, you’ll feel better after and sometimes that’s very true when we chose to, not forced.
If I was convincing somebody, for example that was scared of spiders and then put them in a room full of them and closed the door, or made them stand really close to it, would the next time make them trust me? Would they overcome their fear? Would they feel safe? Probably not.

The other day my son who is terrified of spiders, saw one near him on the bathroom floor, it was a tiny spider, however his first response was to run away. I didn’t force him to stay in the room, I didn’t force him to go back in, and didn’t force him to stand any closer than he wanted, he had freedom to run away to feel safe. I didn’t tell him he was silly just because I wasn’t afraid (as it was quite small)

From a distance he was curious to see the spider that I managed to catch in a cup before setting it free, he didn’t want to get too close but had a choice where he could stand feeling safe to have a look.

For someone that is fearful of something and this includes our dogs, maybe worried, frightened that might start barking, lunging, freeze, or try and run away from other dogs, this is their response to how they feel.

A choice at a distance where they feel safe, curiosity to use their senses without concern, space to gather information about the situation and trust that someone is listening with understanding it’s their fear and it’s ok we are there to help

Distance can allow the feeling of curiosity and confidence to grow, but feeling safe has to be at their pace, no one else’s.

24/07/2024

Listening

I used to feel embarrassed, a complete failure walking my 2 dogs that would bark and lunge at others. Some people would laugh, some would stare and on occasions some would try to give me advice on what I should do.

I re homed Harry many years ago. He was around 7 years old, a sensitive boy and a stray that was found left tied up.

During the first few months of Harry settling in, he began to show he couldn’t cope around other dogs, especially dogs that would just run up to him.

We would go to the middle of nowhere. I would be on constant look out. But occasionally, I would see a dog running towards us, hearing a voice in the distance, “It’s ok he’s really friendly.”

I would sometimes build up the courage if there wasn’t any other direction we could go in. Calling out, “Please can you call your dog away”

Some people would, and some people wouldn’t, having their own reasons why. “Sorry he has no recall,” “she just wants to say hello”, “she only wants to play,” “he’s only a puppy”, “ah let them sort it out, you should go somewhere else.”

Some people would give advice, “if you just tell him no in a strong stern voice.” “Have you tried a different collar, it worked with my dog.” “You need to show him who’s boss”, “you’re too soft that’s why he’s behaving that way.”

I’m not sure what Harry had gone through before our life together but it certainly did have a lasting effect. I can’t imagine trying those different approaches, how it would have made him feel and the effect on our relationship that had developed with trust that he had gained with me.

I listened to my gut and my beautiful dogs. What was important to me was for Harry to feel that he could tell me when things were worrying him and when he needed my help.

Maybe in the past no one had listened to him, tried to correct him for communicating how he felt, so it was up to me. His personality grew and he was such a kind, funny and gentle boy.

Both Charly and Harry will always have a special place in my heart, they are hugely missed, but what I will always be grateful for is to both of them teaching me to listen. That animals do speak, but all we need to do is just listen.

20/07/2024

Time

What I’ve learnt from being a mum, dog mum, and my role as dog behaviourist is that time is precious.

Time we can never have back, although difficult to find, but for a puppy settling into their new home, a rescue dog adapting to their new life, a dog we’ve had from a young age with sudden changes in their environment, can have an impact on how they feel, needing time to adjust.

We may think we are the safest people to be around, we may have set our home up to give them the best and loving life, a warm comfy bed, food and water available, lots of toys but for some dogs, their past experiences, certain changes, the unknown can seem quite scary for them, but time is invaluable.

We might want them to overcome this by trying to help, taking them places “to get use to it,” meet people and other dogs “to get use to them,” start training too early, “to set them up,” but time is key.

Being aware of how a dog feels, slowing things down, taking the time to allow them to settle with their new family, home, environment and have space to rest, using their senses can allow time for their mind, body to recover from their past and the changes they are experiencing.

Time for calming enrichment and time for opportunities around choices. However, more importantly spending time together doing less can give us time to understand and learn about each other more.

13/07/2024

This is me

Meeting and playing with unknown dogs are not important or even beneficial to me.

I’m quite happy to see another dog, I’m quite happy to look at another dog, but playing, engaging with unfamiliar dogs is not something that is important to me.

I’m not keen on other dogs jumping all around me, I’m not keen on interacting with bouncing dogs, especially when I’m on my lead. I’m not keen on other dogs running up to me, invading my space and being approached quite rudely when I’m minding my own business enjoying my sniffing time.

I communicate lifting my ear, my tail starts to rise, I look in the direction that I would like to go, my exit away allows me my space, agency to curve around others because this helps how I feel.

For me, I find busy places quite stressful, it’s not somewhere I particularly like or find enjoyable. It has no benefit to me.

Thankfully my guardian understands this is me. I love space to mooch, sniff and explore, playing with my family and able to use my senses which is more important and beneficial to me.

I have my close doggy friends that understand me, we respect each other’s space and we communicate well with each, feel comfortable around. This is important and beneficial to me.

It must be hard for some dogs I see struggle around others, made to walk past, interact with, even though they really don’t want to, sometimes I see them being told off if they find the situation a little tricky trying communicating their feelings to their guardian, which makes me feel sad.

I’m sure humans have their close friends and family that know them really well, they feel comfortable to communicate, sometimes seeing them hug each other, but surely not all humans like busy overcrowded spaces or communicate, interact and hug everyone they meet and see. Just because we are dogs, we’re really not that different.

Murphy the Border Collie 💙

28/06/2024

Can Quick Fixes and Guarantee’s work in the dog behaviour and training industry?

What is a quick fix?
The definition of a quick fix is: An easy solution, especially a temporary one which fails to address the underlying problem.

What is a guarantee?
A guarantee is a formal assurance (typically in writing) that certain conditions will be fulfilled, especially that a product will be repaired or replaced if not of a specified quality.

If someone is needing support from a professional because of how they are feeling, can they be offered an easy and possibly temporary solution but fail to treat the underlying issue? Can they be given a guarantee that the person will be fixed in one, two or even five sessions?

Or would a professional provide a safe place for that person to communicate about how they feel, trust to communicate how they feel in their own words, share how they feel at their own pace without being interrupted, corrected, ignored or even punished?

I like to think of my behaviour role supporting dogs and their families is similar providing a safe space, taking everything into consideration as there’s not one size fits all.
There could be different reasons and many things to explore as to why a dog feels the way they do, but to feel safe that they can communicate how they feel is hugely important and outcomes depend on the physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing of the individual with support from their family.

I believe that no one deserves to be quickly fixed for someone else’s expectations, needs or gains, and this is for dogs too.

So for me personally no I don’t give guarantees or fix dogs. Dogs are not products or machines that need to be “fixed” or “repaired.

The need should be to provide a safe environment, observe behaviour and listen to them with respect, empathy and kindness. Only then can we begin to understand and help move forward at their pace, no one else’s.

Supporting another I believe is a journey that is always ongoing throughout life, part of a relationship and an extremely special relationship we share with our dogs.

26/06/2024

Activities we do at home when it’s too hot or taking a day off from going for a walk.

Providing enrichment opportunities at home that your dog enjoys can help to reduce boredom, frustration and stress levels, supporting their emotional wellbeing.

We may do a few activities or just one of them depending on how Murphy feels, how warm it is, walking him earlier and later, although resting and sleeping is a big part of his day

Here are a few things we do

💙Lots of rest and enjoy some chill out time in the shade or indoors.
💙Scatter feeding using some of meal time food
💙Chewing on a favourite frozen kong or rabbits ear
💙Licking - using a licki mat with tasty frozen natural yogurt
💙Scent work around the home
💙Free work using various surfaces, objects at different heights with a variety and choices of food
💙Playing tug with a favourite toy
💙Low level obstacle course just to have fun
💙Shredding using cardboard boxes
💙Exercises - such as nose touch and stretching having engagement together
💙Water play - such as apple and carrot bobbing in a shallow bowl

24/06/2024

Lovely update from Roo’s guardian.

Roo is a beautiful Romanian rescue, starting her new life in her wonderful home only 6 weeks ago.

Roo’s guardian has been extremely understanding and supportive, allowing Roo to go at her own pace, slowly building up her confidence and trust together.

Over the weekend Roo went into her garden for the first time and what may seem like a small step to many this is a huge step for this beautiful girl and her guardian.

Roo’s becoming more curious, playful and slowly settling each day. Beautiful update 💕

21/06/2024

Checking over at home

Checking our dogs at home frequently can ensure we notice any changes with their teeth, ears, eyes, coat, paws, nails and feeling over their body.

Allowing our dogs to be part of this touch consent, for them to choose to opt in or out, building trust with us is really important.

Unfortunately Murphy had to go to the vets, after noticing a small lump on the side of his pad at the beginning of the week, giving me clear indication that he wasn’t sure about me touching around the area.

I managed to take some photos, so sent them off to the vets, able to speak to the them giving me advice for next steps.

After Murphy’s physical examination they found what they think is a growth. I decided to have it removed under general anaesthetic, although feeling apprehensive about it all.

I couldn’t wait to collect him, bless him, he was still a little drowsy and unsteady, but we’ve had a quiet few days, and he’s been recovering well with lots of naps, taking it easy and feeling a little more like himself each day.

I’ve been able to take the bandage off today so will continue to take photos of the area to ensure that it’s healing well, being able to assess the area.

We’re now waiting for the biopsy results to come back, so keeping our fingers crossed all is ok.❤️

20/06/2024

Highly recommend this body language seminar with Sally Lewis

What do you think a dog wagging their tail means?
What do you think a dog yawning means?
Why do dogs pull the corners of their mouth back like they are smiling?
What do you think a "play bow" is all about? (Hint: it isn't always for play!)
Why do they do things like shake off? Or lie down while they're looking at something?
Would you like to understand what your dog is telling you, people around them, or other dogs?

It may surprise you that a tail wag does NOT always mean a dog is happy. There are many different wags, that communicate different things!

If you want to learn the answer to these questions and LOTS more, you need to come along to my Canine Body Language seminar on 17th August 9.30am - 2pm (with a break for lunch of course). Understanding dog body language is ESSENTIAL for anyone who has a dog, or works with dogs in any capacity.

Throughout this seminar, we will be looking at all nuances of body language, picture examples, video breakdowns, to help YOU know what your dog is saying. This is also essential for bite prevention - "he bit out of nowhere" is very rarely the case.

This seminar is only £25 per person and is not to be missed! It will be held in Holcombe, Dawlish. There is parking on-site for attendees and it is also near main bus routes.

This is a human only event, except for assistance dogs.

Prior booking is essential. Message this page or email [email protected] to book your space. LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE.

19/06/2024

Puppy biting and chewing
A behaviour that is a completely normal process of growing, learning and a way to explore their world.

Puppies bite, chew and nibble due to lots of reasons.

Pain / discomfort / teething
Hungry / Thirst
Overtired / overstimulated / overexcited
Needing to toilet
Bored / frustrated
Exploring the world
Initiating play and social interactions to name a few

Things to think about

🩵Management
Management is great before you bring your puppy home, removing particular unsafe objects and items that you don’t wish to be chewed, either popping them away or up high this includes your garden areas, removing unsafe, poisonous plants preventing being eaten or your favourite flowers being nibbled or chewed.

🏠Set up areas of your home with stair gates and or a play pen/ foldable fencing to manage your home environment
Stair gates and play pens can create safe spaces, close to where you are, providing a resting place, with a variety of toys they can explore, chew and bite.

👀Supervise
Using play pens / stair gates allows both your pup and children to have their own space, supervision is always recommended.

💤 Sleep
Set up quiet places for your pup to rest and sleep throughout the day. Puppies need huge amounts of sleep, between 16- 20 hours a day, an over tired pup will try and tell you.

😓Pain
Relieve your pups teething with some choices around a variety of textured chew toys, prepare in advance, popping some safe chew toys, or a rolled up damp towel into the fridge.

🌳Play / explore
Enjoy spending time getting to know your pup.
Don’t feel that you have to rush, allow time for your puppy to settle into their new home with you as their new member of the family.

🌿Enrichment
Favourite things your pup enjoys, sniffing, digging, licking, foraging, exploring.

🫶Interactions
Sometimes a puppy or dog needs to process by initially sniffing their surroundings, including people, without being touched, stroked or being picked up, too many hands can feel quite overwhelming.

📋Plan
Create a daily check list to ensure your puppies needs have been met☝️
Take note of certain times, is there a pattern when they start nibbling, chewing or biting, prepare, provide outlets and nap time in advance of these times.

⛔️Things to avoid
Taking their food away, or grab objects from them.
Disturb when they are sleeping, eating and resting
Frighten or startle
Wearing particular items such as loose clothing, dangling scarves, fluffy slippers, things that might encourage your pup to bite.
Avoid reacting such as laughing or making high pitch sounds
Avoid squirting or spraying them with water
Avoid telling them off
Avoid wiggling and encouraging playing with your hands/ fingers and feet
Avoid playing roughly and notice if play is becoming too exciting.
Avoid hugging, squeezing them, one hand maybe fine to stroke them, but two hands maybe too much.

🥰Things we can help our pups when they are biting hands, feet or ankles.
Remove your hands and redirect onto something they can chew or bite.
Stand still and redirect using long tug toy, wiggling it along the floor.
Reward when aren’t biting your hands, introducing a nose touch game, cup game or calming enrichment activity with them.

👩‍🎓Learn from your puppy, ensure their needs have been met, adding in a daily routine with nap times.
Reward the behaviours you would like to be see more of, show them by teaching, offer alternatives, redirect them guiding what they can do, ignoring your pup can often confuse and cause more frustration as they are trying to communicate with you.

17/06/2024

Thank you Pet Remedy for our new products.🌿

If you already use or would like to learn more about the pet remedy products then visit petremedy.co.uk and welcome to use code caninebond25 for 25% off your purchases.

15/06/2024

One of Murphy’s favourite games is playing ball.

I try to provide as many choices in Murphys life but one thing I don’t play is ball launching. I know it might sound boring, but if I allowed Murphy to do this, he would chase, skid, twist in any direction he could to get the ball. He would not think at the time about the pain it would cause him or the days after that would impact on him.

I understand some dogs love it, the chase of a ball at long distance, the adrenaline rush, but we know sometimes the things we love aren’t necessarily good for us

Some dogs will engage in this high level of activity, continuously chasing, skidding, twisting, jumping. But what we can create is an athlete, a dog that has no focus or engagement with us, their surroundings, become reliant or obsessed, looking out for anyone with a ball and importantly the physical effects it can potentially cause from the same level of a high energy activity repeatedly.

What we do instead of ball launching, occasionally if Murphy has found a ball is play a find it game a few times.
Asking Murphy for a wait to prevent him chasing and skidding after the ball or you can have your dog on a long lead to hide the ball.

This still gives Murphy enjoyment seeking out where the ball has gone, fun sniffing to find the ball, having a chew once he’s found it, but at a lower level being able to manage the ball game for him and for Murphy to still have the time to process and engage in his environment.

08/06/2024

Love this quote ❤️

06/06/2024

Hanging out doing nothing can be everything.

You may have read one of my recent posts about Murphy finding his walks difficult some days, sometimes choosing to not go out, go back home, or needing to change direction on his walks.

This has been hard for both of us, as he’s always loved the outdoors, so it’s been sad some days to see him not being able to enjoy the outside. However we have come far from where we were, what we have changed together with support from other professionals is when we do go for a wonder, rather than using a circular route because we might get stuck, I mostly use open grassy areas, giving Murphy the opportunity to explore, sniff, hang out and leave if needed.

I don’t ask anything from Murphy, we just observe, our surroundings, especially if it’s somewhere new to give Murphy more time to process what’s going on around him.

This not only gives me feedback about how Murphy, feels, slowing things down a little and taking the time to listen but I’m able to help him adjusting the pace depending on how he feels, understanding and learning from him a little more.

Most importantly this has given Murphy a sense of agency, growing in confidence and trust in me that I will listen and support him.
Don’t get me wrong I haven’t got this right every time, but we move on and I have tried better next time.

The more we’ve done this together, Murphy chooses little spots he likes to hang out, spending more time outside, relaxed and happy, it’s taken a lot of changes, time, patience and understanding on both sides but it’s been worth every step supporting him.

Photo of my daughter and Murphy doing nothing but just hanging out together in one of his favourite spots 🥰

We would love to see photos of you and your dog just hanging together 😊

29/05/2024

Supporting through each chapter

When meeting a dog and their guardian for the first time we go through stages, like chapters in a book, starting to learn about the guardian I’m working with, their needs, but also learning about the individual dog.

Every dog has their own little story and reading through each chapter I feel is important.

We might not start any training in our initial session, 2nd or 3rd, depending on the support of course, but to consider the care and needs for the dog to find out as much as possible.

We are not trying to stop a behaviour or indeed fix a behaviour, as with anyone needing support they need to have a voice and be able to feel that they can communicate and express this in their own way, sharing each chapter of their story with trust and to feel safe doing so.

As we know, dogs share how they feel the only way they can through what we see, their behaviour, however if we don’t listen, they sometimes need to try harder because sometimes no one has listened.

When we start to listen, we can start to read each chapter of their story allowing them to feel heard without fear of being judged, ignored or punished.

Allowing a dog to write their own story, stopping ourselves to keep taking the pen away from them to change their story, as a good friend and colleague Andrew Hale mentions through his fantastic work. This really gives us the ability to understand what is really going on for them, but importantly for them to not have to try so hard as they know we will listen and they will always be heard.