Charlotte Snape - Dog Wellbeing Consultant

29/05/2024

Another fabulous group of dogs and their owners out on tonight’s Walk, Talk and Train 😃.

Thank you for your understanding with the slight detour following the surprise group of over inquisitive cows 🫣.

For further information on Walk, Talk and Train please visit the website: www.charlottesnape.co.uk or contact Charlotte at [email protected] | 07421327067.

24/05/2024

New Dog Daycare Centre opening in Lount (near Ashby-De-La-Zouch)!

I am so excited to see this. The wonderful Kirsti of Hounds Dog Daycare will be opening the doors to her brand new woodland dog daycare facility in Lount in June 2024!

We have been speaking for a while now and Kirsti is passionate about running a centre that understands and supports dog’s behavioural and emotional needs.

Having done their research, one of the number one problems she discovered when speaking to current dog daycare users was lack of understanding and management of dog behaviour in groups.

I am really looking forward to seeing this place grow and fully support Kirsti’s aims and ethics for the centre ❤️🐶.

27/04/2024

Has your dog suddenly become a bit of a Percy pain in the bum?

It could be because Spring is in the air! Fascinating stuff 👇🐶🤓

SPRINGTIME & DOGS: AN EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY PERSPECTIVE

Spring is often a long awaited event for many of us after a wet and cold winter. A mere glimpse of daffodil bulbs, and the promise of longer and warmer days can see us cleaning our homes and doing chores we had been putting off for months. For dogs however, a change in seasons can signal multifaceted physiological and behaviour patterns that have been determined from evolutionary biology.

Animal neuro-endocrine systems undergo seasonal shifts. In winter, melatonin activity for example (which is directly related to duration of sunlight exposure) decreases firing of the retinal nerves which trigger hormones for breeding in some species Seasonal breeding is commonly seen due to this, with some groups being assigned as 'short-day breeders’ (eg: sheep , deer and fox ) and long-day breeders ( eg: wolves, horses)
This is also referred to as a 'photoperiod' (an organism’s daily exposure to light) The ancestral control pathway of photoperiodism is thought to have originated before the divergence of mammalian and avian vertebrate lineages in the evolutionary timeline.

However, dogs and other species such as cattle and pigs, are polyestrous, which means they can cycle all year round. Fascinatingly, some exceptions are seen in Basenji and sled dogs who breed photoperiodically.
Dogs are shown to not require a photoperiod to regulate the reproductive cycle ,but their shedding cycles and immune systems are affected by photoperiodic mechanisms.

Most certainly breeding and feeding patterns of other species of both plants and animals affect our dogs’ behaviour seasonally.

Spring brings new and exciting smells from plant and animal activity. Dogs senses typically heighten during this time, and this can mean they get easily immersed or distracted, often manifesting in hunting, amplified olfactory or foraging behaviours depending on the breed and location of the dog. In multi-dog homes this can become challenging if one dog is more prey or scent driven than others, or if all are.

While these fall within perimeters of normal behaviour, dog professionals might get increased enquiries during this time about dogs not recalling , hunting excessively, grass and plant ingesting , not coming inside from the garden, or suddenly becoming fixated by some prey animals. Puppies exposed to the wider world for the first time after their vaccinations can experience sensory overload as well as adolescent dogs who's pre-frontal cortexes are still under development.

Another seasonal affect potentially in pet dogs, who mostly follow human like diurnal sleep patterns, might see an increase in crepuscular activity, like waking at 5.30am or becoming restless around dusk.

Diurnal sleep patterns in pet dogs are hypothesized to be an adaptation to living alongside humans, because variations of nocturnal and crepuscular patterns are observed in most other canids whereas diurnal activity is rarely seen. There are some data to suggest that dogs can benefit from a dark room to achieve sleep efficiency. This might be relevant in the modern environment where open plan light filled rooms are commonly seen.

Spring can therefore quickly become a frustrating time for both dogs and their humans, but recognising the effects of evolutionary biology and making some adjustments can help.

Depending on what is reinforcing for the dog, some ideas for springtime could include providing targeted exploratory enrichment, long line walks to avoid predation or avoiding prey species photoperiodic activity , safe opportunities to dig, scent work or simply some good naps on the sofa together.

Boo Blackhurst CDBC

References:

L. Senger, Phillip 2005, Pathways to Pregnancy and Parturition

Robert Bodiz et al 2019, Sleep in the dog: comparative, behavioral and translational relevance

Brian J. Prendergast 2005, Internalization of seasonal time

Lofts B 1978, Animal Photoperiodism

24/04/2024

Out on a field trip day planning some more routes for Walk, Talk and Train!

Today’s destination: Newton Solney. Lovely 45-60 minute riverside route planned within minutes of a lovely recently refurbed dog friendly pub 😀🐶.

Will be putting dates for this one up shortly!

23/04/2024

Meet Rae!

Rae is a delightful 3 year old Labrador who’s mum has approached me for help with her barking around people.

After doing a full assessment, it appears Rae’s barking is likely motivated by underlying anxiety around people she doesn’t know. This can sometimes make her feel conflicted as once she knows people, Rae loves some fuss and cuddles!

I have unpicked this with Rae’s mum to help her read and understand her behaviour, which can seem confusing and unpredictable.

We are now working on a treatment plan to help with the following:

✅ Helping Rae’s mum learn how to read and respond to her body language, including possible signs of physical discomfort.

✅ Setting up Rae’s world so she feels safe and is in the right mindset for learning.

✅ Teaching Rae how to relax (for real - not just lie down!)

✅ Goving Rae a job to do (going to her bed) when guests come over and she doesn’t know what to do with herself.

Really looking forward to seeing what we can achieve over the next few months ❤️🐶.

18/04/2024

What a lovely evening we had last night on Walk, Talk and Train in Repton! Thank you to everyone who came, what a lovely bunch 😁.

Further events coming up:

Week 3:
Date and Times:
Wednesday 24th April, 6:15-7:15pm
Thursday 25th April, 11am-12pm
Location: Milford, Belper

Week 4:
Date and Times:
Thursday 2nd May, 6:15-7:15pm
Thursday 2nd May, 11am-12pm
Location: Muggington, Ashbourne

Remember this is the pilot scheme and so events are organised to suit attendees!

If you are missing out due to times / locations please get in touch to request your preferences ☺️.

[email protected] | 07421327067

15/04/2024

I will not be able to respond to any messages received tomorrow (Tuesday 16th April 2024) as I am attending my postgraduate graduation ceremony!

I will respond to any messages received as soon as I can when I am back as usual on Wednesday 17th April.

Charlotte 🐾

03/04/2024

🐕 Service Update Announcement 🐕

At the end of June 2024 I will be taking a short break from delivering my Behaviour and Training services due to welcoming a new baby boy to the family! 👶

This means that next week (12th April) will be the latest I will be able to accept new Behaviour clients for 2024. So please do get in touch if you have been considering support.

I will be continuing to offer the following Training services until 28th June 2024:

✅ Walk, Talk and Train - Social group dog walks with your dog
✅ Lavender Garden Animal Services group classes (Pre School, Learner Pup and Real World)
✅ Ask Me Anything (one hour online consultation)

Thank you for everybody's support over the years! We're really excited to welcome a new apprentice to the family 😉🐾.