Harrogate Canine Behaviourist - Kate Robinson, MSc

11/01/2025

Did you know that upto 80% of dogs experiencing behaviour issues have an underlying medical condition (in many cases this is pain of some sort) and that often they are undiagnosed.

I have worked with a lot of dogs where there is no indication of pain - they still run around like loons and don’t limp etc. Yet, a really thorough vet check, or physio assessment have identified an issue.

Only once medical issues have been ruled out can we begin to look at our dogs behaviour (the behaviours can sometimes resolve themselves once the underlying medical cause has been addressed).

Working with a suitably qualified behaviourist* (who asks for a veterinary referral before working with you) is so important to ensure your dogs welfare is maintained 🧡 - your vet is usually a good place to ask for recommendations 😊

* look for someone who has a formal qualification of level 5 or above, a degree is level 6, and an MSc is level 7

Ref: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/2/318?fbclid=IwAR0v7ljPSmoo_Qmojr7KcakgRyZVLsCWl6_6YsyuwUNwKFl0wsd6cX-S7-A&mibextid=v9XM1L&fs=e&s=cl

18/09/2024

Thankfully most of you won't be aware of a study which was recently published regarding the use of shock collars in animal chasing dogs (it wasn't pretty), I am proud to be a member of the ABTC because their ethics align with my own in that pain and fear don't have a place in dog training 🧡

Training should be fun for everyone involved 🧡.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/NHyUiN8qJhahbFFK/?mibextid=WC7FNe

𝗔𝗕𝗧𝗖 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
The recent publication of the study titled Comparison of the Efficacy and Welfare of Different Training Methods in Stopping Chasing Behavior in Dogs (Johnson and Wynne, 2024) has sparked significant debate across the animal welfare community. This study, which adds to the growing body of evidence on the adverse effects of shock collars (e-collars), highlights serious concerns regarding the welfare of dogs subjected to this training method. Please see our Statement relating to this via our News page at https://abtc.org.uk/about/news/

[Image/text description: Graphic states ABTC Statement - on recent study concerning the use of shock collars in dog training]

𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦: 𝘈𝘉𝘛𝘊 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘣𝘺 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘴 - 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥 24 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘢 𝘥𝘢𝘺.

24/07/2024

100%

15/07/2024

This 🥲

I've swithered about the wisdom of posting this for fear of backlash but I keep coming back to these questions and I think they are important so here goes nothing...

I was working in the park yesterday and saw things which, if I'm honest, kind of broke my heart a wee bit. A beautiful puppy on a slip lead being corrected (by a 'trainer') whenever they stopped to sniff. An obedience class of dogs half of whom appeared to be on 'grot' collars (choke collars). A dog being walked on a prong collar in a strict heel and never allowed to stop, sniff or interact with the world around them.

So my questions are...

What has happened in our relationship with our dogs that makes more and more people feel ok about training their dogs with force & coercion & discomfort/pain?

Do people believe these things don't hurt? That the dog truly doesn't mind? Or do they acknowledge that these things are unpleasant (at best...painful at worst) but believe this is the only way to teach dogs? Do they understand what they are doing but feel there are no other options? Is the dog's discomfort simply a price worth paying for the human's convenience? Has frequent exposure to coercive trainers on social media numbed us to the casual cruelty with which they treat dogs? Or do we just avoid thinking about it all too deeply for fear we may have to face some uncomfortable truths?

Where is our empathy, kindness and understanding for the captive animals we have chosen to bring into our lives? If we truly care about our dogs (and I believe most owners do) then why are we often so quick to use physical force & discomfort? If we are prepared to sacrifice their wellbeing and experience in favour of our control over them - and it's worth saying these are not mutually exclusive - then we have some serious reflecting to do....

12/07/2024

If you need me I will be in the corner doing a happy dance :0)

12/07/2024

One hour and 41 mins !!!!

This is Berts, who just a few months ago could not be left alone at all due to separation anxiety, over the last few weeks we have seen a real turn around with him managing over an hour several times - tonight we were able to update the spreadsheet with a new record time 🎉🎉🎉🎉.

Separation anxiety training is a long road and it can be demoralising at times, but when you have really dedicated owners (and a great support system on hand, aka Auntie Kate 😂😂😂😂), we can help our dogs feel safer and happier home alone.

It looks like my time with Berts may soon be coming to an end 😔😊 - if you have a dog who struggles when home alone and are prepared for the work I may have an opening soon 🧡😂 - please get in touch.

08/07/2024

07/07/2024

I’m a proud member of the ABTC, if you would like to know a little more about why I work as I do click the link in the post as there are more pages 😊

*please have a read before you spot the prong collar and think I’ve gone over to the dark side (Never!!! 😊😊).

Want to understand more about ethical dog training and the origins of understanding dog behaviour? 🐾

Check out our downloadable leaflet available via our website athttps://www.abtc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Ethical-Dog-Training-leaflet-January-21.pdf



[Image description: leaflet titled ethical dog training, featuring a dog looking towards the camera]

05/07/2024

🧡🧡🧡

ONE HOUR !!!!!
ONE WHOLE HOUR!!
And he could have done more but the oven was on 😂😂😂.

Bertie’s Mum and Dad have worked so hard to get to this stage and I couldn’t be happier for them 🤩🤩🤩.

Separation anxiety training is a long road but these can be the results 😊😊😊😊. We are hoping Bertie has turned a corner as we have consistently had good times for the last ten days.

31/05/2024

🧡

08/02/2024

Quite a long read but a great explanation as to why positive reinforcement training should always be the first (and only) choice for training and behaviour modification🧡

Using rewards is the best way to train a dog. Here's what reward-based training means, and 7 reasons to give it a try.

06/12/2022

It’s really quite sad that this even needs to be shared - I would hope that common sense would tell anyone who loves dogs (or even quite likes them) that prong and shock collars are simply barbaric!! Sadly the peddler’s of this type of ‘training’ are very good at convincing people that they don’t hurt !! (Yep, that is really what they claim!).

Lots of places are outlawing prong and shock collars and it’s hopefully on the cards for the UK as well (I just wish they would hurry up!).