Harry’s Hounds Canine Care, Welfare & Behaviour

12/09/2024

I do exactly the same sometimes I don’t say anything and make them look for me!

12/09/2024

Love this, such a great way to explain consistency

10/08/2024

The Animal Poison Line is run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) and is the only 24-hour specialised emergency telephone service in the UK dedicated to helping pet owners who are worried their pet may have been exposed to something harmful or poisonous.

Based on the information you provide, their vets and scientists will be able to tell you if you need to go to the vet for immediate treatment or not.
£35-£45 per phone call & open 24hrs a day.
📞 01202 509000

08/08/2024

For those of you who are newly pet owners or have/thinking on getting a rescue! Remember the 3-3-3 rule!

The 3-3-3 rule is a guideline for how long it might take a newly adopted dog to adjust to their new home. It states that it takes a dog three days to decompress from travel, three weeks to learn your routine, and three months to feel at home:
3 days
Your dog may feel overwhelmed, scared, and unsure of their new surroundings. This is a crucial phase for establishing a sense of safety and calm. You can try taking a long walk to establish boundaries, keeping walks short and in the same location, and bringing your dog into the house but not taking off the leash. You should also keep an eye on your dog's body language for signs of fear or anxiety, such as licking their lips, yawning, and having their tail tucked between their hind legs.
3 weeks
Your dog will start to get used to your routine and show more of their personality. This is a good time to start basic training, establish routines, and gently introduce them to new people and pets. You can also try working on basic commands.
3 months
Your dog will feel completely comfortable in their home, build trust, and bond with you. They will have gained a sense of security with their new family.

06/08/2024

Very good read!!!

Terriers, Hounds & Husbands

Why did we choose the dog that we have? What was it about that particular breed or cross or mixed breed that attracted us to him?
Often our choice is governed by size, their looks that please us, type of coat, shaggy, smooth, colour.
How many of us choose a breed because we actually like the behaviour that they have been specifically bred for over the generations?

Not the behaviour that we can read about in the breed club description of them:
Border Collie - excellent at herding sheep.
German Shepherd - great guard dog.
Chihuahua - fabulous lap dog.
Beagle - great at following a scent.
Bull Terrier - particularly good with people.

No not those behaviours, these ones:
Border Collie - will herd and nip the children when they are running about, will be sound sensitive and not cope well with traffic and busy households.
German Shepherd - will bark ferociously at all of your visitors.
Chihuahua - will resource guard your lap.
Beagle - will follow a scent to timbuktu and not hear you calling.
Springer Spaniel - will resource guard anything he picks up if there is the slightest chance that you have previously taken items from him as a puppy and especially if that was accompanied by a stern telling off for taking it.
Cocker Spaniel - will resource guard anything he picks up if there is the slightest chance that you have previously taken items from him as a puppy and especially if that was accompanied by a stern telling off for taking it.
Cockapoo - will resource guard anything he picks up if there is the slightest chance that you have previously taken items from him as a puppy and especially if that was accompanied by a stern telling off for taking it.
Golden Retriever - will resource guard anything he picks up if there is the slightest chance that you have previously taken items from him as a puppy and especially if that was accompanied by a stern telling off for taking it.
(No prizes for guessing what we get posts about the most)
Labrador - Should be the same but they are a bit goofy so less likely to.
Sighthounds - Saluki, Borzoi, Greyhound, Lurcher et al - will chase small furries that they spot in the distance. When playing with other dogs will bring them down either by grabbing back legs or the back of the neck or the back.
Terriers - will dig, will go down rabbit holes, badger sets, drain pipes.
And then the breed temperament descriptions and what they really mean ..
"Aloof" won't like strangers
"Wary of strangers" won't like strangers
"Naturally independent" won't be eager to please
"Loyal to his master" won't like strangers
"very protective of owner" won’t like strangers
"particularly good with people" not good with dogs

We can also group dogs into those that work with man and those that work independently.

Gundogs, herding dogs, guard dogs mostly tend to take instructions from us and often hang on our every word.
In contrast the independent breeds, sighthounds that hunt by sight, scent hounds that hunt by following a scent, terriers that go down holes, stock guarding breeds that live with the flock. We just leave them to get on with it because their skills far outweigh ours. They don’t need us.
These are the breeds that are often labeled as stubborn but of course they are not stubborn, they are just not designed to follow instructions and take orders.

The secret to a successful partnership with all dogs but particularly the independent breeds is to always let them think that it was their idea, that they have trained you to give treats for checking in, for lying on their bed when you are busy. And that by pretending to be thinking of going hunting you will produce a toy and play a great game with them. This line of thinking works well with husbands too.

There are always exceptions and we know that with appropriate training and socialising these traits can be channelled effectively but please always do your research before buying a breed that you like the look of.

27/06/2024

What’s not to love about an enriching ice cream treat in this weather! Great on Licki Mats!
Three amazing Pupsicle’s Flavours - sold here @ Harry’s hounds ❤️
(*Please ask if you’d like any information or if you’d wish to purchase these!*)

19/06/2024

A white Tick!!!! Never have I seen one and neither had the vet!

Please be aware that we live within the southdowns and there are ticks EVERYWHERE at the moment!
The only thing killing them is Nexguard and Bravecto - you can only get these at the vets but you can however ask for them on prescription (which they never tell you!) and it works out a hell of a lot cheaper!

These ticks are so small they’re unremovable and need a microscopic lens to see the legs. They were in clusters all over a particular dog and looked like spots/picking a black head type look!!

Please be checking your dogs whether on treatment or not after every walk, we have picked off lots crawling on the dogs!
*Check yourselves too as I had one on my leg attached😞*

22/05/2024

If your dog is bitten by an adder keep them as calm as possible, minimise movement and speak to your vet urgently for advice.

12/05/2024

Very well said! I see them everyday:)

These are some examples of displacement behaviours and serve as indicators of the dog's internal state which can provide valuable insights into their emotional well-being.

Displacement behaviours arise when an animal faces conflicting motivations/ feelings for two or more behaviours, leading to an unrelated action. For instance, birds might peck at grass when torn between attacking or fleeing from a threat, while humans may scratch their heads when indecisive.

Context matters when interpreting animal behaviour. EG: Sniffing and scratching could be due to various reasons like being itchy, exploring scents. Understanding the environment and situation helps in accurately deciphering the dog’s actions.

In interpreting body language, subtle cues matter too. A relaxed dog typically has ‘loose’ muscles, a ‘soft’ eye, and their tail held in the breeds natural carriage, and may pant gently. A stressed dog might have tense muscles, mouth shut, a lowered/ ‘stiff’ tail, flattened ears, and avoid eye contact. Understanding body language in canine communication helps distinguish between comfort and discomfort in the dogs demeanour.

These behaviours can also occur when an animal is hindered from engaging in a highly desired behaviour. Often, out-of-context behaviours provide comfort to the animal, like scratching, grooming, or sniffing.

In animal behaviour evaluations, displacement activities serve as indicators of unmet behavioural needs. For example, humans display self-directed behaviours like fidgeting in stressful situations, indicating negative emotions.

When a dog displays displacement behaviours, these are actions that seem out of place. These behaviours are often seen when a dog is unsure how to react in a particular situation.

This typically happens when the dog experiences conflicting emotions like anxiety, stress, or frustration, and serves as a way for the dog to release tension, or cope with the mixed feelings they are experiencing.

02/05/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/ACWbcUDs8vMnhGBw/?mibextid=WC7FNe

01/05/2024

24/04/2024

Put a "dog stop" into your walk!

It’s Spring-take in the sights, sounds and smells of the world as it changes from dark to light and the sun starts to spread its warmth

One of the things people get a dog is for companionship, this means sharing quiet times in environments that both dogs and humans enjoy together

Take a chew or a few nice treats with you on your walk and find a spot to sit and enjoy being with your dog-not only is this of value to your dog but it is of immense value to our own mental health

The focus for many people when they take their dogs out is on exercise-but if your dog could speak he he would likely tell you there are other things he would enjoy more.

He might tell you he enjoys being with you, but also that every season brings irresistible changes and to be able to take time to enjoy them is as important as running around

We are led to believe that walks need to be about constant motion, and this is incorrect.
If you teach your dog to run after balls and rush around this becomes “normal” and creates a dog that is filled with adrenaline and this causes us to believe a dog will never pause on a walk.
The method is to find an area on a walk where you just stop, and allow your dog to look around and start to respond to the environment which will reduce the feelings of frustration that are coursing around the body if walks only consist of constant movement

The focus here is to persist. Don’t try it once or twice and give in to the pressure to rush-you don’t need extra time, and walks do not need to be longer-they will just include a pause which will extend with practice.
The result will be a dog that is more relaxed when he returns home and the connection between you will become stronger

The benefits for

Puppies

· Puppies become overwhelmed and overstimulated very easily so a dog stop will allow them to learn about their world and allow them to think about finding a place to toilet-this is one of the biggest gripes I have heard from many puppy guardians. They take their puppies out but that they toilet as soon as they get home. While this is common it is out fault that this happens

· Short adventures where the focus is on integrating the puppy into his new world are far more beneficial than trying to rush a puppy to walk at a required speed. It is your puppy that should guide and inform you

· A puppy stop will allow your puppy to “smell the flowers”

· Helps to teach loose lead walking and REALLY helps with recall as your puppy is far more likely to connect with you

Adult dogs

Once again, I will comment on the idea that dogs are primarily with us as our companions, stopping to chew the fat is with your dog is very underrated. Exercise is positive if you allow your dog to choose the speed- but dog stops can help with

· Stress reduction

· Encourage dogs to take in the scents of the area-dogs are perfectly able to air scent as they relax

· Give dogs time to themselves when they are out with us

· Putting halts into walks helps you to observe your dog outside your home-and this is of immense value. Watching your dogs movement will allow you to track any changes in gait and movement

· If you walk with other dogs in a social group putting a halt in to do some treat searches is a great group activity

Senior dogs

We often forget that older dogs can’t always walk as far as they used to.

· Putting a stop into walk helps with tired muscles and aching joints

· If you take a chew or some favourite food and present it to your dog as you stop this provides a brilliant proprioceptive activity -which is just as useful as walking and movement

· Watch as your dog gets up as this will give you a guide as to how he is coping with walks

· Do take something for your older dog to sit on so he is not forced to sit on damp grass



Harryshoundsoakleigh.co.uk

Pennie Clayton's Horse & Hound School provides training and behavioural services in Kent, Essex, Surrey, Sussex and South East London.

22/04/2024

I’ve never known a young dog to last a week in this place without rest days, well, that was until Kaida came along!! This dog really does have the physical and mental capacity to go constantly…. Being young and still growing, it is important to keep her bones healthy, strong and rested frequently!
I decided Kaida needed something more than her work here at Harry’s Hounds, so this morning we did agility and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!
Although Kaida kept getting a little distracted with a horse next to us in the field I was amazed at how well behaved and attentive she was 😇
She performed well and didn’t let me down, her best moment was when she decided to correct herself and went through the tunnel 👏
Really can’t wait for next week! What a fantastic way to spend quality time with your bestie ❤️
It was lovely learning how to train and command for me also in this area!

My message to you is, understanding your dogs needs brings far greater rewards than you’ll ever know 🩵🩷

19/03/2024

Such a good page to follow! I wish I had the time to write this but I 100% agree!

🧐There is so much to behaviour than meets the eye. I often hear clients distressed, saying “ My dog has never behaved this way and don’t understand where it’s come from?”, and “He’s normally so good”.

Behaviour stems from emotions, and emotions are involuntary responses to situations and events, but they don’t just come from nowhere and can be prevented if you know what you’re looking at and how to interpret it.

When a dog behaves in a way that a human being finds inappropriate or rude, we forget that dogs are not human. Their behaviours are NORMAL for their species, and we as humans have unrealistic expectations of our dogs. We both ‘speak’ different languages, and understanding how your dog communicates will help you set them up for success and not put them in a position where they may display unwanted behaviours.

🪜The ladder of aggression is what can help you understand how a dog can escalate from what seems like a normal relaxed dog to all of a sudden barking, growling, being reactive and biting.

You may first notice your dog sending something called calming signals. This is not only to help them stay calm but to indicate to you that the dog is not a threat, and the messages should calm down a situation the dog is not ok with. This can be in the form of lip licking following a sneeze, excessive blinking, yawning, head turns to avoid. These behaviours will appear out of context and are to ideally defuse a tense situation.

If the messages the dog is sending are being ignored the next thing you may see are displacement behaviours. This is when a dog displays actions that seem out of place or unrelated to the current situation. This typically happens when the dog experiences conflicting emotions like anxiety, stress, or frustration. This behaviour serves as a way for the dog to release tension or cope with the mixed feelings they are experiencing.

This is when the dog redirects their attention to something else so they don’t have to deal with the ‘scary thing’, or situation, and can be a form of self-soothing behaviour that can give the dog a moment of relief. These behaviours can be random ge***al checks, eating grass, randomly scratching, or excessively sniffing in the environment etc...

The dog may now move to more intense behaviours if he/ she has not shut down and gone into a learnt state of helplessness. Your dog may have a small ‘rumble’ and start barking. Their breathing has rapidly increased. The dog is trying to deter the threat. You may even notice the dog dips their head down, snarling with excessive lip licking. At this stage you may even see a nose lick (the tongue will be going right over the nose with every lick). The dog may be baring teeth and growling. In between these behaviours you may still notice more calming signals or displacement behaviours.

If the dog gets to the stage where their behaviour is highly reactive and they are lunging out, barking/growling, teeth bearing, snarling, and showing stiff and tense body postures while exhibiting these behaviours, then this is a dog who is completely over threshold and not coping!

💥This defensive behaviour is their last resort before they follow with a bite! Their body is in overdrive, and in fight mode as the other behaviours of freeze, fidget and flight did not work. This dog is in SURVIVAL mode and the next step is to bite to protect/ defend himself/ herself.

Behaviours can escalate quickly. Within a blink of an eye, your dog can go from being ok - to nervous - to flight or fight.

Identifying body language, facial expressions and communication signals is an incredibly important step to PREVENT and ensure your dog remains in a state where they can cope successfully.

18/03/2024

Absolutely agree! Always make it positive and you can’t go wrong!

17/03/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/bmZDd51Z8Vp833US/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Some dog breeds need to be crated for their own safety if they can’t be supervised 24/7 👍🏻🐾

06/11/2023

29/10/2023

Yes, dogs can have strokes too.

Symptoms could be unusual eye movement (eg flickering), incoordination/balance problems, circling, collapse, seizure, head shaking or pressing against a solid object, unusual gait or weakness.

Consult a vet immediately.