Oh My Dog • Luxury • Doggy • Day • Care • Devon

28/11/2025

This is so worth a read and I couldn't agree more. Let's afford our dogs the same boundaries we demand for ourselves. Boundaries are healthy, they are unambiguous and save a whole lot of guesswork and heartache.
Thank you Calvert Canines - Dog Behaviour Specialist & Dog Walking Service

Imagine if you were walking down the road and a stranger ran up to you and you just had to let them do whatever they wanted without sticking up for yourself?

It's a bit unthinkable isn't it?

That's often the position we are asking dogs to be in when we try to silence their "reactive" behaviours that are actually not reactive at all, they're boundary setting.

Dogs are allowed to set boundaries. Some dogs have stricter boundaries than others. Some dogs get overtly cross when their boundaries are crossed, others get fearful. But expecting dogs to NOT have boundaries and allow absolutely everything anyone wants to do with them without push back is unrealistic.

🐾 If play gets too rough and rude, dogs are allowed to say so
🐾 If a greeting is far too fast and impolite, dogs are allowed to say so
🐾 If a human is touching a dog in a way that's making them feel threatened, dogs are allowed to say so.

The thing is, if we try to punish these boundary setting behaviours, we run the risk of making them worse. Boundary setting behaviours are controlled and appropriate to the situation. But if we try to silence them the dog may just react with more aggressive behaviour responses in a way that becomes inappropriate to the situation. For example, much more exaggerated a response, unable to control themselves, unable to have their say and move on.

Any cross words from our dogs and we immediately feel we need to apologise, they're in the wrong. But are they? Lily is one of the most gentle and friendly dogs I know. Certainly the most sociable I've ever parented! But even Lily gets cross. Even Lily has boundaries. A short sharp collection of woofs towards dogs jumping in her face too often and she moves on. That's boundary setting. That's normal.

Picture: we give our dogs boundary setting behaviours ALL THE TIME. Telling dogs to get off things, telling dogs to sit and wait, teaching a dog to walk nicely.... These are all boundary setting behaviours. We need to allow our dogs to have their own boundaries too. Boundaries aren't aggression 🐾💜

27/11/2025

Dear Clients ... we're on the hunt for old towels please. It's been a very muddy few years!!

26/11/2025

This. I catch your dogs' glances and prolonged looks directly in my eyes everyday. From a few inches away and from across the unit. If a dog holds my gaze I will always check in and see what they need and if I can help I always will. A dog that knows you've got their back will be a more robust doggy.

Every time your dog looks at you and finds you calm, finds you present, finds you available, something strengthens between you.

Every time you honour their need to look away, to manage independently, to take their time, trust deepens.

This is how we build relationships that truly support emotional wellness, not through commands and compliance, but through understanding and presence.

26/11/2025

TOFFI
One of our elders. Sweetest boy. The others are very respectful & lower their speeds around him. 🖤

22/11/2025

Find someone who looks at you the way Ms Bear looks at her Daddy🖤🤎🖤

20/11/2025

Handsome Harry 🧡

20/11/2025

Gorgeous gorgeous Autumn Cesar 🧡

20/11/2025

Hello love from George🖤🤎

20/11/2025

We are playing a classic round of 'bitey face game'. It's a natural, healthy form of play that teaches mutual respect, bite inhibition and reading each other's body language. Love from Ruby & Bertie💛💛

20/11/2025

Hi hiii! I'm Reggie [2]

20/11/2025

Oh heyyy. Just hanging out on my velvet sofa🩵💙💛

09/11/2025

This. Watching the dogs in our day care that we provide with choice, space and time to react, process and decide for themselves is just so lovely. They actually look pleased with themselves🧡
Heal the Dog created this awesome graphic.