Through Eyes of Dogs - Canine Behaviourist

03/01/2025

𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐝𝐨𝐠’𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡?

𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒓𝒔 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒅𝒐𝒈𝒔?

🐾Dogs use their claws to dig into surfaces and pads for grip. This means they can walk, run and change their posture from a sit to a stand.
🐾When faced with a slippery floor such as laminate or tiles, a dog is unable to use their claws to dig into the surface to help them project forwards.

𝑺𝒐 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒎𝒚 𝒅𝒐𝒈?

𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥:
🐾 If a dog 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐩 onto the floor surface very well, they will be in a 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, where their body is bracing themselves; to ensure they don’t slip and fall.
🐾Long term, this could 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞 and the potential for many serious injuries. If a dog already has an injury, walking on a slippery surface could cause further damage.

𝐏𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥:
🐾Dogs make negative associations very quickly and if they have had trauma on a slippery floor and hurt themselves, they may then 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 around walking on one again.
🐾Dogs with undiagnosed pain, who are living on slippery floors, may show more 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 over a dog who doesn’t, due to the increased tension and strain it can
put the body under.

𝑺𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒆 𝒅𝒐?
💡Lay down some 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐬 for our dogs, so that they have a safe route to navigate around the house on some non-slip flooring.

If you have noticed a change in your dog's behaviour 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡! 07745 145432

02/01/2025

🌟Happy New Year everyone!🌟
Has certainly been a very busy time recently, my Masters in Clinical Animal Behaviour is taking up a lot of my time! However, it is providing me with so much more knowledge to pass onto my lovely clients!
Lots of exciting things to come for this year... I am in the process of sorting out the new classes ready for the end of the month and details will be up soon, so keep an eye out!
In the mean time, if you want to book a free 15 minute discovery call to discuss training or behaviour packages for your dog, get in touch! 07745 145432

19/12/2024

How do we know our dogs are in pain? The simple answer is .... we don’t!
BUT there are signs and symptoms that can help us make assumptions!

Behavioural Changes
• Protective over particular body parts (can show different responses, from avoidance to aggressive reactions)
• Withdrawing themselves/isolation from social areas of the household
• Resource Guarding with items, persons, areas of the house
• Disturbance from a place where comfortable (sofa, bed)
• Interactions with unknown Dogs or Persons due to uncertainty
• Hesitation to perform tasks - training, exercise etc
• Behavioural disorders such a OCD, Pica, Coprophagia, soiling
• Excessive licking

Physical Changes
• Self mutilation of a body part
• Less energy, reluctance to go out on walks
• Difficulty walking, running or playing - especially on slippery floors such as tiled, wooden or laminate
• Vocalisation of pain, wining, yelping, whimpering grunting.
• Changes in sleeping, eating or drinking habits.
• Panting, especially when resting
• Enlarged pupils
• Flattened ears
• Lameness
• Hunched posture with hind end raised, front end on the ground

*If you are concerned about any of these things, get in touch and get your dog checked out!*

22/11/2024

A bit about me for my new followers who have joined the page recently!
I have three Miniature Dachshunds who keep me on my toes and along side my research, they have taught me so much about Canine behaviour. I have first hand experience of what it is like to own a reactive dog and the stress, difficulties and embarrassment it can bring with it.
I am qualified, insured and experienced in Canine and Human behaviour - being an Ex-Police Officer enhances my understanding of the way our minds often work. I work all around Hampshire, face to face and the rest of the UK and the World virtually. I am also DBS checked and certified in Canine First Aid.
I offer a range of services: training, behavioural consultations and functional assessment/gait analysis. Did you know that 80% of dogs with behavioural problems can have some underlying pain or discomfort issues? Gait assessments can be paramount to detecting these issues! I also specialise in Romanian Rescues, after studying with the wonderful Meesh Masters.
I have over 25 years of experience working and living with dogs, growing up on a farm in rural Kent, they were not only companions, but I was also fascinated from a young age with their capabilities. Later in life I obtained a Psychology Degree and served as a Police Officer for thirteen years, unknowingly giving me many of the skills I needed to get back to the career I was meant to do; help families to understand and communicate with their dogs.
Fast forward to 2024, since training dogs in my youth, the industry has changed considerably (for the better) and society is better understanding dogs as emotional beings rather than just ‘pets’. I have spent the last four years studying and learning, to ensure I am up to date with the most current research and findings for what are the best methods, when it comes to training and working with dogs. I am currently studying for my Master's degree in Clinical Animal Behaviour.

18/10/2024

Met this very handsome young man this morning! Can you guess what breed he is?! 🐾

09/10/2024

Been a busy week or so with some wonderful clients and studying!! Currently prepping and getting excited for the Puppy and Adolescent Courses!! that start in just two weeks time!!

I have got limited spaces available, so make sure you book your space to avoid disappointment! Booking link is in the Event Puppy and Adolescent Courses!!

04/10/2024

How handsome are these gorgeous boys?!
Great Assessment on them this morning 🐾🫶

03/10/2024

Got to see this beautiful boy again, after meeting him at a dog show in the summer!! Isn't he beautiful?! 🐾🐕
He is another client about to start the Dynamic Dog Assessment process. 🐾🐾🐾
Do you have questions about your dog's behaviour? Has it suddenly changed? Are you concerned about their movement, the way they walk? Please do get in touch today 📞📧

30/09/2024

New Puppy & Adolescent Course! Make sure you book your space to avoid disappointment!
Booking link is in story and event page!

27/09/2024

Look at these two gorgeous boys I had the pleasure of working with this morning and their lovely owner! ❤️ love my job!

18/09/2024

As a sufferer of Chronic Pain myself this post is so very poignant!

I have been trained by this magnificent lady and this is exactly the ethos that I have. Who are we to say that another being is not in pain?! Whether they be human or dog or whatever species! We must hold this mind when assessing what is going on for our dogs

This is becoming a welfare issue!

Im tired of hearing “the vet says there is no pain” by a guardian after they have taken their dog to the vet. It leaves me deflated and frustrated and feeling so sorry for the dog.

Myth Bust:

PAIN CANNOT BE RULED OUT IN ANY ANIMAL (dog, cat, horse or hamster), by anyone!

* A quick palpation - CANNOT RULE OUT PAIN

WHY?

The dog may shut down due to environmental factors or dislike of a strange human touching them, they keep still to get it over with ASAP!

The dog may be over aroused or overwhelmed by the clinical environment (excited/scared etc) to the point that adrenaline is so high it blocks pain!

* Blood Tests - CANNOT RULE OUT PAIN

There is currently NO blood test that can detect pain.

* Diagnostic imaging - CANNOT RULE OUT PAIN

Yes they can pick up a variety of conditions, but even the GOLD standard MRI doesn’t pick up everything, but NONE of them can detect PAIN.

Just because a source cannot be found doesn’t mean there is no pain.

PAIN is subjective, it is whatever that being (human or animal) perceives it to be!

Pain can come in many different forms, it is extremely complex, and can effect the individual in many different ways. A dog may get injured, the injury may have healed, but the pain remains … this is known as maladaptive pain.

Behaviour can be a HUGE indicator for PAIN:

* There could be a change of behaviour that has been directly caused by PAIN.

* There could be a worsening of behaviour due to an increase or new presence of PAIN.

* There could be a lack of “normal” behaviour due to PAIN.

* There could be behaviours that are present but that the guardian/owner don’t deem to be problematic that are indicators of PAIN.

* The dog may have ALWAYS displayed behaviours that are indicators of PAIN, but they have been ignored and put down to “just the way they are”.

* There may be NO problematic behaviours at all …. And the dog might still be in PAIN!

* The dog might be energetic, always on the go … and still be in PAIN.

* The dog might be lazy … and still be in PAIN.

* The dog may zoom up and down stairs … and still be in PAIN.

Diagnosing PAIN is not simple and can be difficult to get on top of.

A PAIN relief trail can be great! But often only one type of analgesic is tried and sometimes this doesn’t get results leading to the ASSUMPTION that there is no PAIN!

Here’s why:

* The drug was only trialed for 2 weeks - when living with chronic pain it can take longer to relieve. 2 weeks is not enough.

* The drug used wasn’t targeted to the type of pain the animal is feeling; soft tissue, bone, nerve or a combination of all.

It might take a number of different medications or a combination OVER TIME to see a difference.

ALWAYS keep in mind, NO ONE can rule out another being’s PAIN.

NO ONE. Not me. Not you. Not a Doctor. Not a Vet.

16/09/2024

Beyond excited to be starting my Masters in Clinical Animal Behaviour today ❤️🐾🐕

11/09/2024

Got to meet this absolute gorgeous hunk this morning and had some kisses!!! Working on topping up his training 🫶🐾🐕

10/09/2024

Had such a lovely evening tonight with the Gosport Police Cadets, who volunteered at Hampshire Dachs Fest 2024 🐾🐕
I went along tonight to give out some certificates I made up, to the 12 wonderful cadets who volunteered their time and say thankyou again to them. Was lovely to share my experiences with them as an ex police officer and now as a Canine Behaviourist.
🫶❤️
Thank you for having me.

09/09/2024

Another day, another Dynamic Dog Assessment this morning. 🐾🐕..
I had the absolute pleasure of join me on this assessment and take some amazing photos of me in action for my website. 📷🫶 They are really great thankyou so much again 💖!