Cognitive Canine Company

11/08/2024

Useful FREE and low cost enrichment ideas

I know it can be disheartening to see all the expensive toys, puzzles, chews and treats suggested and as the next few days in the UK are set to be really hot I thought you may find it useful to have some ideas which should be accessible for everyone.

Most of the activities shared are created from items scavenged from the recycling bin or found in the garden shed and should be quick easy and most importantly enjoyable for you and your dog to try together.

Having a bank of enrichment activities you can utilise on those days where its too hot to walk (or for use at any time needed) is super useful

Enrichment doesn't need to be complicated or last ages to be beneficial and its not all about creating beautiful gastronomic masterpieces ... in very basic terms its about creating opportunities for your dog which they will enjoy, find rewarding and engaging

What's your favourite DIY enrichment activity?

Add a pic or vid of yours for everyone else to take inspiration from

01/08/2024

✨ Want to know what you get when you sign up for our enrichment subscription box? ✨

You get:

🤩 Enrichment focused products designed to provide mental stimulation and reduce boredom

🤩 Selection of healthy treats and chews

🤩 Access to our online training hub packed with recipes, training activities and DIY enrichment activities to try at home

🤩 An unbreakable bond with your dog where you whole-heartedly enjoy each other’s company

🤩 Ask the expert - launching August ! Get expert advice when you need it

How does that sound?

We’re proud to deliver this month on month for our customers, and if you’re ready to achieve the same, we’re here for you. 💖

👉 Find out more : https://www.cognitivecanineco.co.uk

31/07/2024

“For me a house becomes a home when you add one set of four legs, a happy tail, and that indescribable measure of love that we call a dog.”

A lovely quote by Roger Caras.

The only thing I see wrong with this quote is the one set of four legs. The more furry legs in your home, the better! 💕

Give me a ❤️ if you agree.

30/07/2024

💪 Here’s my loving kick up the bum in case you’ve let training slip with your dog recently. 💪

I know times are tough at the moment. We seem to have less time on our hands and less money in our pockets.

But we can always make time for training. Especially if life with your dog is not the perfect picture you envisioned when you first brought them into your family.

Making time to train your dog - even if it’s just for a few minutes each day - is how you’re going to see the results you want. 🙌 We love a bit of "kettle training" and 2 jars next to the kettle, one with some treats and the other with folded up paper each with a training activity written on them e.g eye contact, nose touch, paws up, spin, twist, send away etc

Your dog’s behaviour problems won’t fix themselves. You need to teach your dog to understand exactly what you want from them. And a little patience and consistent training goes a looooong way.

So this is your loving reminder to get back on the horse if you need to, or seek the right support if you need it.

And as always, we’re here to help if you’d like to chat. Our inbox is always open. 💕

29/07/2024

It's starting to feel a lot like summer 🥰❤️☀️🐕

26/07/2024

🙌 If you’re new to enrichment here’s a quick beginners guide on how you can quickly & easily incorporate it into your day 🙌

🐾 Ditch the bowl. Make mealtimes more fun & engaging by adding meals to snuffle mats, sprinkling in the garden or by adding to some cardboard boxes for them to search out

🐾 Opt for a "sniffy" walk. Why not let them set the pace and where you go sometimes on a walk. You will be surprised by how much more fulfilling this is for them than chasing a ball and its great for lowering heart rate meaning they are much calmer when they get home.

🐾 Play a game. If you ask anyone to play with a cat, most people would know what to do but ask them to play with a dog's and many arent sure what to do other than throw a ball! Simple games such as find it are brilliant as get them engaged with you, the environment and also taps into their amazing sense of smell - start easy by hiding their toy or ball in plain site and slowly progress to hide behind a pillow then another room etc

🐾 Kettle training. Is your time limited each day due to work and family commitments? is it a struggle to find any time regularly to fit in dog training? To make it easier i recommend getting some pieces of paper and on each write one training exercise on each e.g. Hand touch, Find it, Body Part, Place, paws up etc. Fold these up and pop them in a container next to your treat pot and when you pop the kettle on for a cuppa spend the time it takes for your cuppa to be drinkable doing one of those exercises. Training great for relationship building.

🐾 Rest. Its so tempting when you have a high energy breed or a dog which is a little more challenging to try and do more, more exercise, more games, more puzzles, more everything just to try and get them to switch off and settle... the art of doing nothing is often overlooked but is so important for many reasons as the more you do the more they need which becomes a vicious cycle. Ensure your dog is getting enough rest everyday as like tired toddlers, tired dogs get cranky, react to things they wouldn't normally, get hyperactive and become a bit annoying! Ensure you dog has a quiet safe place they can be undisturbed and if they need some help to settle a long lasting chew such as lamb braid, beef skin etc or a stuffed enrichment toy or lick mat can help them.

We hope you found our beginners guide useful to get you started!

We’re here to help, so if you’re struggling or you have any questions, feel free to reach out by sending us a DM. 💖

25/07/2024

We get it, your pup is a unique little rebel!

Is your dog :
1. All about sniffing every single blade of grass
2. Barking at invisible squirrels
3. Hunting for mice
3. Being the quirky furball they are
4. None of the above

Give us a 1,2,34 or 5 in the comments below 👇

Let’s celebrate their quirks! 🐶✨

24/07/2024

Have you seen the news 🐴 ?

When you work with animals (or people) training often doesn’t go to plan, so, how should we manage these situations?

Today, some videos surfaced showing one of the best-known riders and trainers in the UK excessively using a whip to make a horse perform in a training session. This incident is a stark reminder of the dark side of animal training practices that rely on fear and intimidation to get results.

Most days, I feel quite disillusioned by the normalization of balanced training and aversive methods with dogs on social media and in honesty it’s stopped me posting on social media since the end of last year and is one of the reasons I decided to become a dog trainer to try and make a difference.

As someone who has had horses most of my life, I know that while horse sport/training is better regulated (even if not enforced) than dog training, it still lags behind in adopting positive, reward-based methods and sad to say sadly this is not uncommon in the horse world.

The timing of this video coming to light is undoubtedly strategic ahead of the olympics. However, it does reopen the crucial conversation about why we should reject fear, intimidation, and aversive methods to achieve the results we desire.

Managing our own frustration is crucial and there is no shame in recognising sometimes we are not in the right frame of mind to train. We are all human and there will always be times when we are trigger stacked and can’t manage our own emotions and those are the times it’s best to forget about that training session or walking the dog as if we know there pulling on the lead is going to tip us over the edge and cause us to react harshly, it’s pointless and counter productive. No animal or person should pay the price for these lapses… whilst in the vid the trainer appears very calm and collected like this training session is just another regular day it does act as a reminder for me that just because a trainer is well known, has a large following, or is leading the field in a particular sport that doesn’t mean they are the kind of trainer we should be aspiring to work with.

Looking for a trainer is tougher now than it ever was in honesty as good, kind, ethical training methods are talked about like they are for for snowflakes and reward based trainers are just cookie tossers and people just want fast results without having to put in too much work 😢

Animals put up with a lot, they hide when they are in pain, they are always eager to please us and whilst some of us may not be great at ready dog body language, most dogs are brilliant at understanding ours!

Let's hug our pets and commit to doing better by promoting and practicing compassionate, positive training methods .

Be the change

12/06/2024

Hi! Welcome to Cognitive Canine Co's page 🤗

It's been a while since I introduced myself here.

I'm Laura and I help your dog's lead their best, most fulfilled lives through fun enrichment activities designed to meet their needs and fulfil their natural behaviours.

So that dogs with busy minds and no off switch can learn to relax and our more careful or cautious dogs can feel enthusiastic and develop resilience when facing new challenges

We achieve this through fun activities and specific training to provide opportunities to choose to confidently and safely engage in the 5 categories of enrichment :

- Social
- Nutritional
- Occupational
- Sensory
- Physical

My background is in veterinary Pharma and I have seen first hand how many dogs struggled post-surgery/injury/illness and the benefit enrichment and appropriate training could have made to their recovery. I am also about to qualify as a trainer having spent months and months beavering away in the background as my passion is helping dogs and their humans live their best lives together and I feel like I've finally found my purpose!

I know I haven't been the best at posting regularly (single mum life, 3 businesses, a very full on small child and spending hours and hours every week training and all that!) but I am super excited about what's coming next. I can't wait to share more tips, training sessions and our enrichment journey with you !

Outside of Cognitive Canine Co I love reading, days out with my daughter, gardening and walking the talk by training dogs.

I am so excited and can't wait ti see what will grow from the Canine Brain Box dream.

Welcome to this page, to Cognitive Canine Co and our enrichment journey together !

11/06/2024

🐾 Don't Miss Out! Limited Colors of Our Original Trainers Pouch 🐾

Our top-selling Trainers Pouch has been flying off the shelf and is now almost gone! Limited colours available—get yours before it's too late.

We have only one black left in stock and a handful of pink and blue available

Plus, check out our handy Pocket Version for on-the-go training as we still have lots of colours available in pocket edition! 🐶💼

- 🤍Marble
- 🩷Pink
- 🖤Black
- 💚Lime - limited stocks
- 💜Purple
- 🩵Aqua - very limited stocks

Shop now and see why so many dog trainers and dog owners love this treat pouch!

- Quick access to improve timing of those rewards
- Ample storage ideal for those that like to reward with play as well as food rewards
- Super easy to clean
- Odour resistant which is great for those using stinky treats or using raw in training
- No more fumbling in pockets or rustling during training sessions
- Belt included is awesome or you can use with your own belt

🛒 Shop Now: https://www.cognitivecaninestore.co.uk/products/copy-of-trainers-pouch-original-size?_pos=2&_psq=original&_ss=e&_v=1.0

31/05/2024

🤩 I love a good checklist! 🤩

So today I’m sharing my favourite checklist for stress free trips with your dog

☑️ Ensure you have everything you need before you grab your dog. Prepare your bag with your dog's fave outdoor toy, snuffle toy & a calming enrichment toy such beco treat bone, lickimat or lickimat UFO , food, water, treats, chews and bowls, first aid kit, tick remover, poo bags & towels. You don’t want to be caught out when you get going!

☑️ Save number of local vet in your phone

☑️ Spare collar & lead & check your dogs tag has all legal info on there

☑️ Make sure your dog gets adequate downtime whilst away to help cope with all changes in their routine

☑️ Have some calming games at the ready to help settle your dog when your away

Feel free to copy this checklist the next time you and your dog head off on a road trip.

29/05/2024

🐶 Is your dog a sun lover or a shade seeker? 🐶

With the weather finally starting to warm up, we do need to keep an extra eye on our dogs. 👀

There are plenty of dogs out there that love sunbathing, but they can quickly overheat if we’re not careful.

Luckily Waffle has a sensible head on her shoulders and will seek shade at every opportunity.

But what side of the fence does your dog sit on? Let us know in the comments. 👇

22/02/2024

😬 February is Pet Dental Health Month! 😬

I don’t mean to get all serious on you, but did you know that over 80% of dogs over the age of three have active dental disease?

Yep, this is an important reminder to all pet owners to look after their pet’s dental health. 🐶🐱

So get those toothbrushes and pet toothpaste out, and start brushing!

There are also dental chews and treats you can offer. Or if your pet’s teeth are already showing signs of plaque, tartar or gum disease, do get advice from your vet.

Giving your pet’s teeth some TLC will ensure they have a happier and healthier life. 💖

So let’s get honest in the comments.

Who here brushes their pet’s teeth regularly? 👀

21/02/2024

The moment we've all been waiting for .... Mystery Boxes 📦 are finally back 😲

I repeat Mystery Boxes are back!!

I know so many of you have asked and been patiently waiting for these to return ... they are a solid fave for you guys who love a surprise but aren't quite ready to commit to a subscription !

We have made our boxes even better and to ensure the products in the box are suitable for your dog I have created them based on your dog's age & size! Based on feedback I have also created 2 options, both of which give savings on RRP

1. Enrichment toys + treats bundle
2. Natural treat selection bundle

If you have a dog with an allergy pop a message at checkout or email [email protected] as we have made up some boxes which are FREE FROM chicken, pork, & beef and a couple of "low fat" (below 10%) for those of you with dogs with pancreatitis, colitis or trying to manage weight

They're on the website & one keen bean has already ordered 😆

I have a number of these packed today and ready to go and will try and keep in stock!

Im off to pack some more so hopefully anyone looking for a payday treat can grab one and we also have a huge end of season sale in place until the end of this month ahead of our move to new premises the 1st week in March

To answer a couple of questions we are often asked:

1. Do you include rawhide in the boxes? No, we will never ever include rawhide (in our boxes or in our store!)

2. If we already have a subscription, can we add these to our monthly box - absolutely just use the ATB code at checkout and we will send both together (this code is for current canine brain box subscribers only)

3. Will there be any short dated products in the box? No, we send out everything with a minimum of 6months and if we receive anything shorter dated we will sell at a reduced cost where its clear that it has a short expiry

4. My dog has allergies, will a mystery box be suitable? Yes, to ensure that the box you are sent is suitable please drop us a message after checkout or include a note at checkout detailing dietary needs as we regularly cater for dogs that can't have pork, chicken, beef, fish, grain, dairy, peanut butter or require treats below 10% fat - all of which are easy for us to accommodate.

Shop Mystery Boxes 👉 https://www.cognitivecaninestore.co.uk/products/mystery-boxes?

20/02/2024

😻 Today is National Love Your Pet Day! 😻

With Valentine’s Day been and gone, this is an extra special time dedicated to showing appreciation for our furry friends.

So go on, spoil them with an extra tasty meal, give them more play time and attention with you, and lavish them with their favourite treats.

We all know every day is a moment to be cherished with our pets, but there’s no holding back today!

We hope you and your pets enjoy every moment! 💖

07/02/2024

👋 I've had a few new followers recently so thought I'd re-introduce myself. 👋

I'm Laura and I run Cognitive Canine Co

I help dog owners overcome problems associated with boredom, frustration, stress, and anxiety to increase confidence, reduce anxiety, and stress and enhance the relationship you have with your dog.

I work with dog owners to support them by:
💖 promoting problem-solving through brain games.
💖 tapping into their dog's natural behaviours
💖 Navigating the fun but challenging puppy and adolescent phase
💖 Finding easy and convenient ways to add enrichment to their dogs day

And I do that through enrichment

I took over the reins at Cognitive Canine Co 2 years ago, and it's been the best adventure of my life!

And my own dog, Waffle has come along for the ride too! Waffle is my business sidekick and the one that comes up with all the good ideas! 🐶

Helping my customers enrich their dog's daily lives has been immensely rewarding.

Pets have been a big part of my life. Nothing brings me greater joy than seeing dogs finding joy through enrichment 💕

As we hit our 3rd year in business, we've supported 1000's to achieve that vision of the life they want with their pets as i know from experience that the picture in our head of how we think our lives will be after getting a dog can be very different and much harder than we are prepared for.

I'm always excited to meet new dog parents in my circle. So don't be shy!

Share a pic and a little something about you and your dog in the comments below... 👇

23/01/2024

🐶 When our dog's are bored they can get up to all sorts of things we'd rather they didn't 🐶

While there are lots of reasons our dogs might not be on their best behaviour, adding some enrichment to their day can help with a wide range of problems. Ensuring they have plenty of mental stimulation is just as important as making sure they have appropriate physical exercise, and can help leave them feeling calm, happy and relaxed.

If you're looking for some ideas to help keep your dog entertained and out of mischief, keep an eye out for our free challenge launching next week and we have prizes for the winners of this weeks challenge🙂

11/01/2024

Something i think every dog owner needs to know 🤣

24/12/2023

🐶 Merry Christmas 🎄

The people I meet through Cognitive Canine Co inspire me every day.

They're people that love their pets deeply and will do everything they can to give their doggies the lives they deserve. 🐶🐾

And even when life throws them a curve ball, their pets' health and happiness is still top of their priority list.

Every day I pinch myself and think how lucky I am to have intentionally created such a fulfilling business.

One where I get to help pet parents take the pressure off by providing enrichment activities they crave everyday and making their lives more enjoyable!

Thank you, to my customers, my followers and anyone who has recommended us or shared one of our posts as i see you and value all the support!

You guys rock! 🙌👊😍

No matter what you are doing for Christmas, just remember its not all about the presents, its about the memories we create. Christmas can be amazing for many but there are so many that struggle at this time of year so above all else be kind and be the person your dog thinks you are 🤗

10/12/2023

🤣What are your plans Sunday plans 🤣

07/12/2023

🐾 Freebie alert! 🐾

Would you like to get your paws on the DIY Guide to Enrichment ?

With this free guide you'll get:

⭐️ Selection of enrichment activities
⭐️ Easy to follow activities the whole family can get involved with
⭐️ Zero cost as most of the activities use items you will most likely have at home
⭐️ When we play together, our bonds get strong and makes us all feel good!
⭐️ One happy dog

Working out how to keep your dog amused this winter, just got easier!

Click here to read now: https://issuu.com/dogchatunboxed/docs/diy_guide_to_enrichment_lead_magnet

25/11/2023

Chews are the perfect thing to stock up on at any time of the year but especially over the festive period! Add to a hamper, pop in a stocking or why not create a a doggy enrichmas eve box with treats, chews and making use of some of the recycling like toilet rolls, kitchen rolls, scrunched up brown paper

To help spread the the joy we’ve got a cheeky little 3 for 2 deal on !

Give the gift of tail wagging joy !!

23/11/2023

Black Friday Offers Now Live

Get our most popular plans at a special price 👀

Offer on 3,6 and 12 month plans ends Monday at midnight!

Available to new and existing subscribers and make the perfect gift as you can select the gift option on each plan

If you need any help or have any questions just pop me a dm or email [email protected]

Check out our website for more info https://www.cognitivecanineco.co.uk/black-friday-sale

22/11/2023

🎄Our Christmas dog treat hampers have been flying out this week 🎄

You get 5 packs of Christmas themed treats for your dog to enjoy, and they come beautifully wrapped with a festive paw print ribbon so make a perfect gift too.

£9.99 👉 https://www.cognitivecaninestore.co.uk/products/christmas-gift-box-for-dogs-with-west-paw-reindeer?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=web

16/11/2023

🐾 Hey Dog Lovers! 🐶

Are you in need of top-notch gifts for your furry family member? Then look no further! ❤️

At Cognitive Canine Company, we're passionate about providing the best enrichment products for your dog and helping them live their best lives.🐾

🌟 Our Boxes 🌟

🐶 Enrichment Toys to provide mental stimulation and reduce boredom

🦴 Natural Treats and chews, perfect for all your training and to help them settle when needed

🚶Online training Hub packed with activities to try at home to keep those tails wagging and break up your dog's day

Why choose us?

✅ Experienced, positive based methods only promoted

✅ We select the best products each month to bring you and your dog

✅ Tailored activities to meet your dog's unique needs

Your pup's happiness is our priority! 🐾❤️

Join our pack of satisfied customers and let's make your dog's tail wag with joy!

Contact us today to get started today https://www.cognitivecanineco.co.uk/

15/11/2023

🐾 Every pup parent should take this onboard... After going for a walk with Waffle today i am baffled why people would go to the effort of picking up their dog poo only to leave it hanging on a tree ?!?! 🤷‍♀️🐾

If you have a dog, you know the joy they bring into our lives. But have you considered the environmental impact of doggy waste?

Far too often, dog lovers neglect the importance of cleaning up after their pets. When we leave their mess behind, it not only spoils our parks and streets, but it harms the environment.

Your dog's waste contains harmful bacteria and pollutants that can seep into our soil and water, affecting ecosystems and even posing health risks to other animals and humans.

So before you take your four-legged friend for a walk, don't forget p**p bags and be a responsible pet parent and dispose of them appropriately

Our planet and our community depend on it. Let's make our world cleaner and safer for all. 🌍💚

14/11/2023

🐾 Struggling with a reactive dog? You're not alone! 🐕🦺

It's tough when your dog reacts to certain situations, and it can leave you feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. But I want you to know that I understand the challenges you're facing.

It can be really tough living with a reactive dog, i know first hand the impact it can have on your day to day life and it's certainly not the life many of us expected!

Do any of these sound familiar?

😬 Barking and lunging on walks

😬 Fear or aggression towards other dogs

😬 Anxiety in specific situations

😬 Destructive behaviour at home

It's important to remember that reactivity is actually a common issue and can be managed and improved with the right guidance and support.

We're here to provide hat support!

Our enrichment boxes are designed to address your dog's specific needs, and your concerns are our top priority. Together, we can help your pup become more confident and well-adjusted, making your relationship stronger than ever.❤️

So, if you're ready to transform your reactive dog into a more relaxed and happy companion, reach out to us today!

Send us a direct message or visit our website https://www.cognitivecanineco.co.uk/ to learn more about our boxes.

We're here to support you on your journey to a harmonious life with your much loved pooch, providing enrichment can be so useful to reactive dogs! 🐶💕

Supercute puppy pic of waffle, reactive to strangers and absolutely hates trips to the vets and strangers - reactive dogs are good dogs too!

13/11/2023

🐶 Let’s dig into the juicy stuff today! 😆

What's the biggest training challenge you've faced with your pup/dog? 🤔

Share your experiences and tips in the comments. I’m here to provide support too!

Let's learn from each other and support our fellow dog parents. 🙌

11/11/2023

🎄Christmas is coming 🎄

This weekend we are getting in the spirit and updating the website with all the new Christmas stock 👀

What would be on your dog’s Xmas List 📝?

Watch, follow, and discover more trending content.