Scentsational Dogs

15/04/2025

A fabulous post by The Muzzle Movement.
All dog bites should be taken seriously, whether from a small or large breed dog.
Risk assessments form part of my overall behaviour assessment, regardless of the dog's bite history.
Simply put, if your dog has teeth - they can bite, no matter their size, shape or breed.
Understanding dog body language is a great way to prevent bites, but if you're ever in doubt, give dogs plenty of space (that includes dogs you know well!) or separating dogs from people and other dogs is the safest option until they are assessed.
Always work with a suitably qualified behaviourist if you're concerned about your dog's behaviour.

17/03/2025

It was such a pleasure to work with Reggie and his guardian. They stuck with the plan and kept me updated the whole way through which meant we could capture data to measure his progression. At our final session, Reggie was incredible, focusing on his guardian with so many distractions. We even enjoyed a lovely chat on a bench in the sunshine and he coped amazingly. There are still some further investigations and behaviour work to go but I'm delighted with how he's got on in such a short duration of time. Well done team Reggie 🐾

If you'd like more information on how I can support you and your dog's behaviour, check out my website: https://scentsational-dogs.newzenler.com/behaviour

08/03/2025

Happy International Women's Day
There are so many amazing women in the dog training and behaviour industry who I look up to and hope will be just a smidge as amazing as them one day 💜
I celebrated with a sunset walk with my best friend Meggie 💕

06/03/2025

Totally forgot to get any videos or photos from today 🙈🙈 (no wonder I left my career in marketing!)
I had a fab time on the Victoria Stilwell stand chatting to lots of great people about their dogs and catching up with old friends and making new ones 😀 VSA really is like a family 💜
I feel conflicted about supporting Crufts (a conversation for another time as I'm far too tired now!) but spreading the message of building positive relationships with people and dogs is so important in an unregulated industry.
If you're going to Crufts over the weekend, head over to Hall 1 and spin the positive wheel for a chance to win a free courses or a positive potato 🥔

26/02/2025

Having some major IT issues 😢 please bear with me as I try and resolve it. I will respond to messages ASAP

19/02/2025

Dog behaviour assessments are like a jigsaw puzzle 🧩

Behaviour is multifaceted and creating an individualised modification plan involves a lot of information gathering and collaboration between me, the caregiver and referring vet to investigate and treat unwanted behaviours.

Common puzzle pieces I like to explore include:
🔹your dog's unwanted behaviours
🔹your dog's routine and interactions with individuals in the home
🔹observations of your dog's body language
🔹what and when they eat
🔹when, where and how often your dog sleeps
🔹what you have taught your dog and their response to training
🔹your dog's favourite toys and style of play
🔹how often your dog is walked, where, duration and time off the lead
🔹your dog's toileting habits (specific questions are TMI for social media 😂)
🔹their behaviour history including pyschometric questionnaires
🔹details about their puppyhood and method of socialisation
🔹medical history including surgeries and reoccurring conditions

Sometimes I don't have all the pieces (such as a rescue with an unknown medical and behaviour history) and make inferences based on the information available. This is why ongoing support is vital so that changes can be made to the modification plan as new information comes to light, such as results from clinical investigations and responses to training protocols.

Behaviour work is a complex puzzle, but lucky for me, problem-solving is one of my hobbies 🩵

03/12/2024

Congratulations to Rachel Williams on being awarded CCAB pre-certification.

"I'm so pleased to have gained my pre-certification with CCAB, it has been an ambition of mine for several years and having just completed my Masters at Lincoln I am excited to start building my clinical skills as I work towards full accreditation. Being a pre-cert member of the UK’s only independent accreditor for CABs gives caregivers and veterinarians confidence that we are working to the highest standards and for the animal's welfare."

30/11/2024

Looking forward to hearing all the talks at this year's Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians conference on the very important topic of chronic pain and behaviour

28/11/2024

On Tuesday I had the pleasure of presenting to the staff at Wildbore Veterinary Limited on how I assess problem behaviours in dogs.
Working collaboratively with vets is a really important part of behaviour work. It ensures that your dog's physical, cognitive and emotional health is considered and cared for, as each influences your dog's overall wellbeing.
Thank you to the Wildbore team for being so supportive as I continue to build up my clinical skills 🐾

27/11/2024

🎊It's official - I have been awarded my Masters in Clinical Animal Behaviour by the University of Lincoln and I can't believe I got a distinction too!
This degree has genuinely changed the way I see animals and has made me more analytical and less biased when assessing behaviour.
I finally feel like I can call myself a behaviourist.

30/10/2024

🎊NEW SERVICE🎊

I am officially launching behaviour assessments as a new service at Scentsational Dogs. This new service will help guardians resolve their dog's problem behaviours, specifically aggressive, fearful and abnormal/repetitive behaviours.

More information can be found on my website, along with this blog discussing what a behaviour assessment involves and how to choose the right behaviourist for you.

Please share and get in touch if you'd like more information or to book.

This blog discusses what a behaviour assessment involves and how to choose the right behaviourist.

10/10/2024

Today is and although dogs can provide us with many mental health benefits they can also be detrimental.

In an attempt to help others not feel alone, here are my two stories on how being a dog guardian has negatively affected my mental health.

I experienced helplessness when caring for my first dog Rufus, who had idiopathic epilepsy where I felt extremely guilty for not having his seizures under control, despite being on multiple medications, and for choosing euthanasia when the neurologist vet explained his quality of life had deteriorated to a level he would not recover from.

With my second dog Meg, her behaviour journey is ongoing and although we have made a lot of progress I still feel judged when her behaviour is not "normal". This brings with it shame, especially being a dog professional myself. Why is it that I can help others with their dog's behaviour and still struggle when it comes to my own dog?

If you're struggling with your dog's behaviour seek support from your vet and a qualified behaviourist (such as ).

If you think you need help with your mental health, find the right social or psychological support for you because

09/08/2024

THE GOOD NEWS!
I'm a Candidate Member of the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians (FABC) meaning I can now take on behaviour cases via vet referral 🎉🎉
A blog explaining what this means and how my business is changing will be published around October time. I'm so excited, I can't wait to start this new chapter on my business.

THE NOT SO GOOD NEWS
I'm closing the business for the rest of August 😔 You all probably know by now (as I don't shut up about it!) I'm in the final stages of my Masters degree at Lincoln. So not only am I writing my thesis but I also have two presentations to create and present as part of my final assessment.
The last two years have been challenging, I was diagnosed as dyslexic 2 months before starting my Masters and never in a million years thought I'd be capable of this kind of academic work. It's been really tough and over the last few months, I've found it really hard to give my full attention to my clients like they deserve. All of this has been rummaging around in my head and to help keep the negative and guilty thoughts at bay I've decided to focus on one thing at a time, resulting in the business taking a backseat.
I'm incredibly fortunate I can do this with the support of my husband (thanks David 🩵) so please enjoy the rest of the summer for me - go on long walks with your dog, go dig in the sand (or hay in Meg's case!) and eat ice cream 🍦 whilst I hide away in the study staring at my computer screen.
Speak soon and happy snuffling,
Rach🐾

29/07/2024

They say you shouldn't meet your idols but Roz and her team truly are amazing. If I'm just a tiny bit like Roz when I gain full CCAB certification I'll be so happy 😊
I had a really wonderful time in Bristol and learnt so much, which I will be putting into practice with my own dog Meg and dogs I work with in the future.
I met lots of lovely people, especially Grace who was so kind to answer all my pain, medication and gait questions during the breaks which has given me more vet insight for my thesis 😆

17/07/2024

Trixie and Fifi are the best groomed dogs I know 🥰 and being so cute looking makes it all the more difficult to walk by without going in for a cuddle. However, respecting a dog's personal space and choice to approach or avoid is so important and should be respected.
Sophie is doing a fabulous job with the girlies, they are very lucky to have such a dedicated dog Mum 💜

Hi all, on Friday this will be the 3rd week of us having Trixie our new rescue poodle. This is the second week of having her in the salon. Trixie is nervous when it comes to new people and dogs and barks out of fear at first, but she soon settles down when I am grooming. She has also met a few dogs when I have let her out of her pen and has had some good interactions with them. I am working with a positive dog trainer to help Trixie see that other dogs and people are not scary. This will take time, so I appreciate your kindness and patience with both me and Trixie. Fifi of course is being a sweet baby angel about it all and hopefully will help Trixie too 🩷 Scentsational Dogs

07/07/2024

It's been a busy time at Scentsational Dogs and as usual, I forgot to take pictures of the lovely dogs I had the pleasure of working with so here's Meg enjoying the rain!

🧡Valkyrie - 6-month Shiba Inu settling into her new home as an adolescent has been tricky, she's been off her food, is noise sensitive and struggling to bond with her male guardian when her female guardian leaves for work. We found that play is a huge motivator for Valkyrie and is part of her treatment plan.

🩵Jax - 5-month German Shepherd living with Toby - 13 year old Bishon Frise. Being a young pup Jax can be a bit too bouncy for Toby who prefers a quieter retirement, so we're teaching Jax to settle, come when called and providing him with lots of opportunities to use his mouth on appropriate items such as long-lasting chews and tug.

💜Trixie - 1 year old mini Poodle has just landed her forever home with Fifi - 6 year old mini Poodle. It's been an adjustment for them both, learning each other's play styles and settling into a new routine. During our training session, Trixie was brave enough to use me as a pillow for a quick nap 🥰

Plus a few interesting phone calls for possible behaviour cases in the near future - more details to follow shortly! It's been a welcomed distraction from my thesis and impending results but it's back to the study for the next few days for me 🐾

17/02/2024

This handsome chap is Balou.
He is a wonderful mix of several breeds of scenthound, chihuahua, shih tzu and lots more! He was rescued from the streets in the Republic of North Macedonia by an incredible family.
He has settled into his home very well but can get a little nervous around people and dogs. After talking through dog body language, outlets for natural behaviours and lead-handling skills, his family have seen a more relaxed Balou.
During our second session, Balou was much calmer upon my arrival and was able to occupy himself when given the 'no attention available' cue - this is very useful when his guardians are busy with the kids or visitors.
Sadly I didn't manage to smuggle Balou into my workbag but I did leave with this amazing drawing made by Poppy. I love it so much 🥰

10/02/2024

Mia the Magnificent 💛
Mia is nervous of leaving the house and has come to fear her collar and lead, so we are building up a positive association between her beautiful new harness and fun activities such as treats, play, relaxing and of course, lots and lots of praise!
Here is Mia's Mum doing a fabulous job of introducing Mia to her new harness, Mia is so tiny she fits a puppy harness 🥹 and after her training session, Mia got a new chew to help her unwind.
Mia's Mum is so dedicated to helping Mia by going at her pace and making training fun, resulting in lots of progress in such a short space of time. They share an incredibly close bond which shines through when they interact with each other. I could not be prouder of either of them 🥰