Canny Dog

02/04/2024

Nice review just in on a recent Separation case. I do really appreciate it when people take the time to feedback. It's not easy dealig with S.A. especially when it's a multi-dog household, hats off to them for their dedication.

01/04/2024

Spring Forward to Recovery
If you've promised yourself 2024 is going to be THE year you tackle your dog's Separation Anxiety then this is for you.

I know it can be a daunting prospect especially if you've already tried lots of things, perhaps you even began Gradual Desensitiation in the past? You got so far then it stalled or regressed?

NEW FOR APRIL
Discovery for Recovery. I can offer you - Analysis and Assessment without A full Programme Commitment. Interested?

Key to any successful treatment plan is knowing exactly how and where to start. There is no one size fits all Plan. You need a bespoke solution for exactly where your dog is 'At' right now. (Hint: it might not where you think).

You can see ful details of what's on offer here:
https://cannylp.weebly.com/
Available UK Wide.

SAPRO.CD

20/03/2024

Today is Dog's in Yellow Day. Keep your distance, it's an easy thing that means a lot and can make a hugely positive difference to our anxious friends.

If you spot a dog on the lead or wearing yellow, there is one small thing that you can do that will truly transform their day.
Give them some space - A little distance goes a long way.
Dog wearing yellow need space and it can be for a whole host of different reasons.
They might be injured or in pain, they might be scared of dogs or people, they might find children frightening.
I know you might be curious to learn more, but please don't approach.
When things that scare our come too close it makes them feel like a threat.
That's why you might see us bark, lunge or show our teeth.
We're just trying to make the scary thing go away.
When we can see these scary things at a distance our humans help us learn that they're not so scary after all.
But it takes time. And patience.
And my humans are trying really hard to show me how safe the world is.
Will you help and keep your distance?
Thank you 💛

14/02/2024

Happy Valentine's Day! Seems apro love and patience.

09/02/2024

ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ꜰᴏʀɢᴇᴛ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʙʟᴀɴᴋɪᴇ!

Hello peeps, I was chatting to a freind recently who was telling me about meeting a new puppy in their neighbourhood. Nice. She also mentioned that although puppy had been with them since Xmas time they were only now getting out and about. Up until now it's been garden time only.

I think a lot of people find this aspect of early socialisation and habitutation really confusing. It's understandable. You're warned about all the nasties little pups can pick up in the environment before their complete set of vaccinations provides some cover. And that's a fair point. BUT-

You could be missing out on some important early exposure. By taking some sensible precautions and making sure you make outings and encounters with new experience positive and listen to how your puppy is feeling you CAN get puppy out and about.
In doing so you'll be opening up the world for them in a gentle way.

They're less likely to really freak out when you start their little walks proper. Simply carry them around your immediate neighbourhood.
So here's a few more ideas:
Take them to a park bench - and just sit for a little while watching the world go by. Take a blanket.

Take them to a pet shop - pop them in a trolley making a cosy donut with their blanket wheel them around slowly.

Do the same at a garden centre.

Go to the supermarket (you'll need two of you), while one of you nips in for a few groceries the other can sit with puppy on their lap, held towards the window and watch the comings and goings.

Take them to a dog friendly pub or cafe - don't forget the blankie!

Keep all exposures short and sweet.
Pick quiter times.
Allow people to greet puppy sparingly. Not everyone gets to touch them, advocate for your puppy and make sure they're 1. not uncomfortable or afraid. 2. becoming over stimulated.

Keep it all low key and smooth.
Oh and put them in their walking gear, harness, collar and lead on these outings too. So they're getting used to wearing these well before the first walk. Pop collar and harness on and off ad how at home too.

That's it I shall stop nagging, but if you have a new puppy or making plans for one. Get Them Out there!
, , , ,

31/01/2024

A short blog post for anyone experiencing the ups and downs of Separation Anxiety in their dog(s). Just in case you need to hear this today. LINK IN THE COMMENTS

28/01/2024

Sunday sunshine calls for a lakeside amble. It almost felt like Spring out there! Well once we'd waded through the muddy bits it's was lush - hope you're all having a lovely Sunday too.

27/01/2024

This is what a successful Separation Anxiety Training Session looks like.
Exciting hey?
She's not asleep here, but she is very relaxed and that's exactly what we want.
It may not seem very exciting or dynamic-but for me it is. I'm really, really happy when I'm viewing scenes like these.
This little sweetie is naturally very alert, active and vigilent. She's very atuned to monitoring her peoples movements around the home and super aware of any activity outside too.
She wants to be in on ANY action.
But here we see her able to let go and chill while her person is going through the exercises.
So while this might look a bit boring, we say boring is good! It's very, very good.

09/01/2024

Hellooo everyone. A belated Happy New Year to all! I know January can be a tough old, long month for some, (though it HAS finally stopped raining so that's good at least).
But I thought I'd share a link to an app I've been using for a couple of months. Not only does it keep track of your dog walking routes and times, but also rewards you for your efforts. Every little helps! Only available for UK people.

24/12/2023

𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐚 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬.

𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐬.
𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐨𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐭?

12/12/2023

𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐬
'𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲'𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐫𝐮𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲'𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞''. W𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐫𝐬 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦, 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐨𝐧.

𝐖𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲. 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬!

𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞.
𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐝𝐨𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬, 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲'𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐠𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩.

𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐈 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬. 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦.

08/12/2023

Hands up who's sick of the gloomy weather?! It's hard finding walk routes that don't end up with us being covered in mud. Not that Scout minds that at all. We ended up doing a circular walk this afternoon that we haven't been on for a while, it's full of wildlife Hares, Deer, Rabbits.... and plenty of ponies, geese and goats too.
She gets plenty of regular off lead time, so it's nice to do a slower sniffy walk now and again. And you never know if some of these guys will be in the field or not till you come around the corner.
Hope you all have a lovely weekend, full of interesting walks and warm dry feet!

07/12/2023

Hey everyone, hope you're all having a good week?

🔹 **Professional Update: New Certification Title** 🔹

I'm excited to share some important news with you. As you may know, I’m a Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer. Well, the exciting news is that the title is changing. It’s officially transitioning from Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer to Certified Separation Anxiety Behavior Consultant.

This change reflects a more accurate representation of our work. The term 'trainer' didn’t fully encompass the depth of our approach, which focuses on altering emotional states to improve behavior.

As a Behavior Consultant, my role is centered on providing comprehensive, emotion-focused strategies to help dogs overcome separation anxiety.

I look forward to continuing to offer specialized support and guidance under this new title. The title might have changed, but my commitment to effective, and compassionate care for dogs experiencing separation anxiety remains the same.

04/12/2023

If you're living with a dog with SA issues? Firstly - Hats off to you! You're coping. MORE than that I'm pretty sure you've had to make all sorts of adjustments to your life in order to manage the situation.

Perhaps you've worked on desensitisation training in the past? But you've stalled, your dog regressed, or you. Just. Can't. Seem. To. Get. ANYWHERE near building even a nano second of tolerance in your dog?

So you cope.

Speaking as a sometime procrastinator, I get it! Particularly when the stakes seem high. There is no risk though in gaining insight into where things may have gone off course in the past, to learn the best strategies for success and have someone else (me) giving you all the steps. One at a time.

Let me chuck some more platidudes at ya.
It's always darkest before the dawn.
Take it one day at a time.
Stop wishing, start doing.
Good things take time.

Ect. ect. ect. Blurgh! Right?

BUT if you'd like cliche free, real world, bespoke, empathetic guidance and support. Then action IS the answer.

02/12/2023

30/11/2023

My first professional brush with Separation Anxiety in dogs.

29/11/2023

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗔 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲.

𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗴, 𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀. 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝘇𝘇𝗹𝗲𝘀.

27/11/2023

Happy Monday, Canny peeps. Need a sympathetic ear? You can book a no-obligation INISIGHT call with me, free of charge, from here: https://www.cannydog.co.uk/contact.html

03/08/2023

Why does the dog have a busier schedule than me?
She deffo has more appointments. Vets, Hydrotherapy, Groomer, Meet ups with pals, Sitters. Marvelous! No, that's it you just relax Princess while I sort your diary.

Who can relate?

02/08/2023

It takes a village.

Arguably one of the hardest aspect of treating separation anxiety in dogs, is being able to ''recruit'' others to help you cover your dogs time. When you're a single dog guardian especially perhaps without family near by you'll need to get creative in figuring out ways to function, work and have some kind of life. For couples spontaneous dates or even doing the food shop together may well have to be suspended while treatment and training is underway.
BUT, there are many ways in which we can build that support system around them and YOU.

Want to learn more about the village and how to spread the love to help your dog? Let me know.

26/07/2023

You might assume that getting another dog could be a solution to your dogs Separation anxiety.

That's a really risky assumption.

The fact is that dogs can suffer from this form of anxiety whether they're a solo pet or live with other dogs anyway. For some their anxiety is strongly connected to their human companions and being left alone with a canine companion does nothing to soothe that fear.

Think too about the added expense of another pet. If a second dog wasn't in your plan for your family before SA developed in your current dog, then this really isn't a good reason to bring another animal into the mix. One whom may end up being exposed to a distressed and anxious companion. Not very fair.

Finally, you could end up with two dogs with the same problem. Nightmare. Double worry for them AND you.

The only way to successfully treat SA is to treat it via gradual desensitisation at a sub exposure level. It IS possible.

22/07/2023

Can your dog swim?

You might asume that all dogs can swim naturally. It's not actually true, some breeds really struggle with swimming. And some others that should be okay are unconfident/afraid and don't chose to venture beyond a paddle.

This is my dog. A Labrador, she's pretty atypical, avoiding puddles on walks, while she did eventually discover little streams are quite nice and cooling to gingerly step into on a hot day. She never went beyond a paddle. She's even got webbed toes.

Yes I did wade into water myself to try to encourage her, and yes we did also try her around swimming doggo pals, and no it didn't work.

Fast forward to this year and it was recommended that we try some hydrotherapy. Does she LOVE the water now? No, not really.

But she CAN swim,

It's really helped her therapeutically but more than that it's boosted her confidence when it had hit a real low. Such that I really wish I'd booked her in before it was needed medically. IS yours a water baby? Or a reluctant paddler?

20/07/2023

Last week I promised you a pic of the prettiest pup in town and here she is Milly!
Enjoying some off lead time in a secure space with big bro.
She's doing super well with her Recalls, Loose Lead Walking and everything else to be honest. Little super star.

19/07/2023

This week we've mainly been collecting bottles! And one coffee cup.

One of Scout's favourite things to do on a walk, find a disguarded plastic bottle to carry.

It's pretty sad isn't it that there's so much litter around that she gets to do this most days. We take them home, I remove the labels, tops and wash them . She'll then spend a very content 10 minutes or so giving them a good chew. She doesn't rip or pierce them (I am careful to check), she just compresses them. Lol., ready for the recycling.

We also have 25 tennis balls at home. I didn't buy any of them.

What's your dogs favourite thing to carry or salvage on a walk.

18/07/2023

Tech Tip
Quite often the first clue people get that their dog may be distressed when left alone is the neighbours letting them know that they're barking, howling or crying.

But vocalisations like these are also often comepletly absent.
Your dog doesn't have to display the whole range of Separation Related Behaviours to be suffering.

Many signs are very subtle and some more overt.
To really know how they're doing when you're out of the house and especially when they're young and just beginning to learn to feel comfortable when alone a camera really is your friend. You can set up your phone, laptop or get a dedicated doggo cam. (there's some really good ones available for around £30-£40)

15/07/2023

Sounds reasonable to me

...or... you don't say 'bless you' when they sneeze 😉

14/07/2023

What a face!
This dear older gentleman is learning that's it's not sooo bad being the big bro to the new puppy.
He's a sensitive soul and a puppy moving in is a massive change.
But, he is doing well, bit by bit realising that it's not all bad and becoming calmer and more consistently relaxed in her company.
Even better his hoomans are making sure that he still gets 1-1 grown up time just for him.
I'll get a pic of the prettiest pup in town next time!

12/07/2023

''Just Leave Them With a Stuffed KONG''
It's amazing how often I see this advice for dogs with Separation Anxiety. While you may observe a dog be seeminly 'soothed' by having something to do and eating. Food is not a recommended or effective tool in treating Separation Anxiety.
While it may temporarily distract it does not treat the dogs' distress.
In fact, not all but many, many dogs with SA can't eat, or drink at all when they're alone. This can be one of the first clues you have to them not being okay. Others, may eat but the act of eating will do little to nothing to actually ease how they're feeling. As Malena Di Martini (SA expert) says, you can still be crying while you eat your icecream right?
Food can't be used as a sticking plaster.
But there is a proven and effective route to building your dogs ability to spend time alone, it can be a long and bumpy road but it's immensely worthwhile one to take.