Dog Only Knows - Behaviour & Training

30/12/2025

Is it ok or just plain uncomfortable?
Do they curve and turn into each other? Are their bodies directed towards each other repeatedly?
These can be great signs, as can those wide leg stances that show they're comfortable.
Sometimes, you may see those fast runs past and followed by a pause, that can be a clear invitation.

I know it can be tough to tell, especially when those interactions are fast paced but it's important to look at the bigger picture.
It's individual.
What works for one dog may not for another.

For some breeds there may not be much curving. For others those wide leg stances can be physically impossible.
So how does your dog consent when interacting with others?

Do you notice patterns when they are with a trusted dog friend? It's always interesting to watch just how individual those responses can be!

How do they consent with you ?
Do you see any similarities when observing your dog with another? If you're dog does have a trusted friend, watch how they consent.
There will be clear individual ways they want to engage or not.

Take a look at the chart and take some notes about your own dogs "tells".
But equally important is how the other dog shows consent, or not.

30/12/2025

BOOMS AND BANGS
THOSE DREADED FIREWORKS!

I’ll be spending New Year’s Eve at home, in my pajamas, cuddled up with my dogs, as I always do.

Personally, I detest fireworks. Not only are they terrifying for so many different animals, but are also dreaded by many people, who have to watch, often helplessly as their dog suffers the trauma of the deafening, relentless bangs, all because of fleeting human entertainment.

Shelters become overrun with lost dogs, dogs are knocked over by cars or go missing in their attempt to escape, they jump through glass windows, over high walls, have heart attacks, seizures or worse.

As there’s very little we can do to prevent other people from doing what they do, the best solution is to do all we can to minimize the impact this has on our dogs.

All dogs are different and there’s never a guarantee that any of these methods will work, but we owe it to our dogs to try and make it better.

For more detailed information, here are some useful links –

Dr Karolina Westlund - ILLIS Animal Behaviour
https://illis.se/en/eliminating-firework-and-thunder-phobia-in-dogs/

Dogs Trust – various resources to help dogs cope with fireworks
https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/search?q=fireworks .tab=0&gsc.q=fireworks&gsc.page=1

Noise of fireworks for desensitization training –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7FANXaanG4

Calming dog music – Pet Calming Maestro, Lisa Spector (Lisa’s music helps me relax and fall asleep quicker too!)
https://lisaspector.com/dog-gone-calm

Thundershirt / anxiety wraps information -
https://www.dutch.com/blogs/dogs/thunder-shirts-for-dogs?srsltid=AfmBOoquuaLUOrdLldnBrAsDT5wDByrW4Ax8XpTx3u0RZ8izhwJEWc8w

Wishing you and dogs everywhere a calm, peaceful, uneventful beginning to 2026.

30/12/2025

Such terribly sad news. Sarah will be sorely missed but I know she will have loved that her legacy lives on in all of us who benefited from her guidance.

Like so many people here and around the world, all of us within the UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter, are devastated by the loss of one of our founder directors, Sarah Fisher.

Sarah has been a driving force and a passionate advocate for the UK Dog Charter since its inception, and we have all benefitted immeasurably from her wisdom, generosity and kindness.

Sarah’s driving force and all she has done with her amazing work through ACE and at Tilley Farm, has been to support, listen to, observe, and make meaningful positive change to the animals who have walked through her door.

She has impacted countless lives, saved so many, and has inspired a generation of behaviourists, trainers and animal guardians to look through different eyes and to listen with our hearts – and has done so with a depth of knowledge, understanding, and a warmth that made her truly unique and utterly irreplaceable.

All of us are still trying to process and come to terms with the loss that we are feeling today. We are all better for having known her and are collectively diminished by our loss. Her memory will continue to inspire us and her wise words will live on within us – and within the UK Dog Charter.

We send our thoughts to Sarah‘s family, and to all who loved her and are affected by this unimaginable loss.

24/12/2025

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Please stay safe and remember to keep all the toxic foods (including mince pies, Christmas cake, chocolates and alcohol) well away from your gorgeous dogs. xx 🎄

24/12/2025

’Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring… except me, and the mouse.
The stockings were hung by the fireplace with care,
Which I checked very closely. Twice. For snacks. Just in case they were there.

The humans were sleeping, all snug in their bed,
While visions of roast chicken danced in my head.
I’d just settled down on their side of the mattress,
When I heard something downstairs that sounded… suspicious.

Was it Santa? A burglar? A cat with bad taste?
I sprang from the bed at an alarming pace.
I barked once. Then twice. Then barked just for fun.
Safety confirmed. You’re welcome, everyone.

Downstairs by the tree were presents galore,
Boxes and paper and ribbons I adore.
I sniffed every parcel with professional flair,
This one’s socks. This one’s boring. This one might be… air?

Then out by the door came a jingle and clatter,
And I thought, “This is it. I was right. I do matter.”
But instead of a sleigh and a man dressed in red,
It was just my own tail that I accidentally tread.

Back to my bed, feeling proud of my work,
I curled up real small, like a festive little loaf.
Tomorrow would bring chaos, wrapping, and food,
And relatives touching me while saying, “He’s so gooood!”

So I dreamt of long walks and leftovers galore,
Of crumbs on the floor and toys starting a war.
Happy Christmas to all, and remember this plea:
The best present of all…
Is already me.

Obviously.🐾🎄

22/12/2025

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS ….
Not just for Christmas, but every day of a dog’s life – these are some of the things I believe dogs would want -

Gifts of love, kindness, compassion, understanding and knowledge

Gifts of helping them feel safe, secure and protected in their environment

Gifts of understanding their body language and how they communicate

Gifts of unconditional love, second chances and a forever home

Gifts of allowing appropriate choices

Gifts of mental and physical stimulation

Gifts of proper nutrition and health care

Gifts of never using punishment, force, fear, intimidation or tools that cause pain

Gifts of acceptance for the dog that they are

Wishing you and dog’s everywhere a very Happy Christmas filled with the gifts that really matter!

17/12/2025

Facial asymmetry in dogs the uneven use of one side of the face more than the other. It can offer insight into how dogs process emotions, perceive their environment, and communicate with humans and other animals. Like in humans, asymmetrical facial expressions in dogs are often linked to brain lateralisation (the idea that the left and right hemispheres of the brain are specialised for different types of processing).

Left hemisphere of the brain controls the right side of the face and body, and is typically associated with approach, positive emotions, and goal-directed behaviour.

Right hemisphere controls the left side, and is associated with withdrawal, negative emotions, fear, and threat detection.

What the Research Shows

1. A 2013 study showed when dogs wag more to the right, it's linked with more positive feelings (e.g., seeing their owner). Wagging more to the left is associated with negative or uncertain emotions. Similar asymmetries have been found in their facial muscles, particularly around the mouth and eyes.

2. Dogs tend to look at the left side of a human face first, which is the side controlled by the right hemisphere (sensitive to emotional cues). This means they may instinctively scan for emotional information when reading us and possibly expect us to do the same.

3. When dogs are feeling stressed or conflicted, they may show more tension or movement on the left side of their face (right-brain activation). A classic example is lip lifting on one side during social conflict or half-ear pinning when unsure (Siniscalchi et al, 2022)

Facial asymmetry in dogs isn’t random, it’s often tied to what the dog is feeling and how they’re processing their environment. When assessing a dog’s emotional state or response to a situation, pay attention to which side of the face shows more movement or tension. Combine this with other signals (tail wagging direction, posture, gaze, vocalisation) to build a clearer picture of the dog’s experience.

Recognising and interpreting asymmetry helps with early identification of stress or conflict, which is crucial for humane, effective behaviour support.

09/12/2025

It has never been easy running a small business, particularly when you are doing everything on your own, but this is on another level and is like being attacked from all angles.
The screws are being turned on what herbs can be used, and the suggested wording to be compliant on the labels makes it almost impossible to tell you the virtues of the products.
Companies using medicinal mushrooms are now being hit, and their products are being removed from sale with immediate effect.

After long talks with AI (needs must), it states that the algorithm was updated in November, which means they are now favouring pharmaceuticals and veterinary-based products over anything natural. Hence why my website views are suddenly down by 57% and days go by with not a single order. If I can`t turn things around, then it`s highly unlikely I`ll still be here in January.

I am very knowledgeable about dogs and make great products, but I have almost zero computer skills. AI have given me ideas on how to work on the blogs I already have and improve SEO, but basically, I can barely say anything about the blends, other than enrichment value, and they add interest and aroma to meal times.

I would love to set up a private membership, but as things are, I can`t justify the cost of doing so at the moment. So, any help you can give or suggestions to improve things will be greatly appreciated.
Link to leave a Google review. Thank you x
https://maps.app.goo.gl/YUbB6m6JUxFPPGyy5

06/12/2025