Centre of Animal Behaviour

14/11/2024

Liver cake recipe: I use this a lot and dogs go crazy for it. Feel free to add in any extras such as tinned fish, flaxseeds, chia seeds, cheese etc to make it your own. Its a great and healthy alternative to shop bought treats and is really cheap to make.

14/11/2024

Mate has gone home!
Mate was seized by the police after a dog on dog incident which involved the other owner getting bitten. He did admit he put his hand in Mates mouth to try and separate the dogs. The courts agreed with my assessment and report that Mate is a friendly and affectionate dog who provides a great deal of support for his owner and that he should be returned home but wear a muzzle outside the home for safety. His owner was more than happy to agree to this and they have been reunited ❤️

12/11/2024

Does Having Visitors Make You Anxious?
Does the thought of visitors make you anxious because of your dog’s aggressive or unpredictable behaviour? When your dog’s reactions feel unpredictable or intense, it can be hard to welcome friends and family into your home. But there’s a way to help your dog feel less stressed when visitors arrive and help you enjoy social visits agains...

Book a consultation with The Centre of Animal Behaviour, and let’s work toward peaceful and pleasant family and friend visits at www.centreofanimalbehaviour.co.uk

10/11/2024

Is your dog getting enough mental stimulation? Many problem behaviours like chewing, barking, and digging stem from boredom and under-met needs, especially for working breeds. Enrichment can help! Try these activities to keep your dog’s mind engaged:
1: Puzzle toys: Hide treats in a puzzle to challenge your dog.
2: Sniffing games: Scatter food on the floor or in the garden to let them use their noses.
3: Frozen treat dispensers: Fill a toy with peanut butter and freeze it for a long-lasting treat.
4: Hide-and-seek: Hide their favourite toy or treat and let them find it!
Mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise. Let your dog problem-solve, and watch their behaviour improve! 🐾"

07/11/2024

Did you know? A dog’s sense of smell is at least 40x better than ours! That’s why sniffing on walks is like reading the morning paper for them and its so important to give them opportunites to sniff

05/11/2024

Walks shouldn't be a source of stress!
Do walks feel more stressful than relaxing?
For many dog owners, a simple walk can turn into a nerve-wracking experience due to reactive behavior. The constant worry of unexpected lunging or barking can make even short strolls feel exhausting. Imagine reclaiming the joy of a peaceful walk and being able to enjoy walks in the countryside again....

Book a consultation today to find out how The Centre of Animal Behaviour can help transform your dog’s behaviour on walks www.centreofanimalbehaviour.co.uk

03/11/2024

Had an amazing weekend celebrating the end of 2 years hard work at my graduation for my MSc degree. It was so special to share it with my family and children as they have supported me throughout

28/10/2024

Does your dog chase wildlife? Learning to relax around wildlife can be incredibly hard for many dogs! It’s a very common problem and one I am working on with my own dog as I’m fairly certain she would love to chase the geese in the park if she was given the opportunity 🙈 We have been working on just chilling out whilst the geese are near and disengagement from staring at them! Definitely not relaxed at the moment but a working progress…

26/10/2024

Wish I could relax like a greyhound relaxing 😌

24/10/2024

Learning to control themselves around food is a hard skill and a lack of self/ impulse control can be a factor in many behavioural issues. We often teach various types of games to help dogs learn some self control/ frustration tolerance to help the overall training plan. Bertie the Gordon setter is concentrating hard, we are marking and rewarding for him choosing to disengage ❤️

11/10/2024

Waiting for a friend and Lily decides a settle is a good plan, we have worked really hard on this and now she offers it when she thinks it’s a good time to earn some treats 😁

08/10/2024

Little Arthur braved the rain to work on his reactivity. He is a rescue dog with lots of complex problems and the rescue reached out to me to help keep him in his current home, as some of his behaviours are quite difficult to live with! I offer a reduced rate for rescues as I think it’s really important we try and do everything possible to help them adapt to their new homes.

04/10/2024

Understanding the Dangerous Dogs Act: What every dog owner needs to know ⚠️

Did you know that your dog doesn't need to bite anyone to be considered "dangerous" under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (Section 3)? If your dog behaves in a way that causes fear or makes someone feel threatened, even in your own home or garden, this can have serious legal consequences.

Whether you're walking in public or your dog is in your home and you have visitors over, the law applies. It is a common misconception to think it doesn't apply when the dog is in your own home. I have been to assess many dogs who have bitten or been nearly aggressive towards an electrician meter reader or plumber.

If you're worried about your dog's behaviour or have concerns about how they might react in certain situations, it's never too early to seek help and help them become comfortable.

02/10/2024

Medications for dog behavior problems can be a helpful tool—not a last resort! In fact, just like humans, dogs with severe anxiety or aggression may benefit from behavior meds as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Medication can help dogs feel more comfortable, making training and behavioral modification more effective. Learn more about when and why medications might be the right choice for your dog’s well-being. https://www.drjensdogblog.com/behavior-medication-first-line-therapy-or-last-resort/?fbclid=IwAR3AlNfSrJCqdHGGzPk_R2MBTsSm7IWlqqReLXwviyZ_E9HKETwt2lywQXE

Today, I want to shed some light on a sometimes confusing, often maligned topic in the field of dog training – namely, the use of medication to treat behavior problems. You may have strong opinions…

29/09/2024

Prepare your dog for firework season: Start training now!

I hate the effect fireworks can have on many animals. Firework season can be really stressful for dogs, but with the right preparation, you can help your dog cope and feel more relaxed the big bangs start. Here are some proactive training tips to get started:

Gradual Desensitisation: Play firework sounds at a very low volume and gradually increase it over time. Pair the sounds with positive experiences like treats or playtime, so your dog begins to associate the noise with something enjoyable. Play from different sources (phone, iPad, tv, Alexa etc) and start to play the noises at random times (try not to cue them something is about to happen by going to the treat cupboard first!)

Routine Building: Establish a calming routine for your dog that includes soothing activities like puzzle toys, calming scents (lavender or chamomile), and regular exercise to reduce overall anxiety.

Reinforce Calm Behaviour: Reward your dog for calm behaviour when they hear unexpected loud noises.

Crate Training: If your dog is crate-trained, the crate can be a great comfort during fireworks. Make it a positive space by offering treats, blankets, and toys.

Early preparation is key to helping your dog face firework season with confidence. Start working on these techniques now to help them cope more effectively when the fireworks begin!

If you’d like help developing a tailored plan for your dog, book a consultation through our website today and get ahead of firework season! 🎇🐶

27/09/2024

The is no middle ground with spaniels, she’s either super interested in the environment and pulling (though she does still keep checking in with me) OR she is super focused and working hard to stay closed. There is NO middle ground

26/09/2024

Is your dog getting enough mental stimulation? Enrichment can help keep their brain active but also helps to improve confidence. They learn to problem solve and interact with novel objects. If you have a dog who is lacking in confidence, try these simple activities to keep your dog’s mind engaged:
1️⃣ Puzzle toys: Hide treats in a puzzle toy or everyday items such as empty boxes to milk bottles, to challenge your dog.
2️⃣ Sniffing games: Scatter food in the garden to let them use their noses.
3️⃣ Frozen treat dispensers: Fill a toy with peanut butter and freeze it for a long-lasting treat.
4️⃣ Hide-and-seek: Hide their favorite toy or treat and let them find it!
Mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise. Let your dog problem-solve, and watch their confidence improve!

24/09/2024

A recent study compared the gut microbiomes of atopic (allergic) and healthy dogs. It found that dogs suffering from atopic dermatitis had less diverse gut bacteria compared to their healthy counterparts. This reduced microbial diversity may worsen allergy symptoms and impact the overall immune system. The findings suggest that improving gut health could potentially benefit dogs with skin allergies by strengthening their immune response.

For dog owners managing allergic conditions, supporting the gut with probiotics and a more varied might help alleviate symptoms. Further research is needed to confirm these findings, but it's a promising area for managing canine allergies through diet and gut health.

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/18/2377