Pawsitively Purrfect - Animal Behaviour & Training

06/07/2024

Dog Bite Awareness

Report videos like this, educate yourself and your children on respecting dogs, giving them space and reading body language.

➡️ Animal videos on social media can be cute, but veterinary and behaviour professionals regularly see some that are described as adorable when in fact they fill us with anxiety to see!

➡️Reading a dogs body language can be difficult, but it's important to teach all the family how to pick up signs of a stressed, upset or agitated dog, especially children. Dogs usually tell us MANY times before they bite but often in a very subtle way.

➡️Everyone has their bad days, and we must not push our canine companions to the brink of their patience by failing to recognise telltale signs that the situation they are in makes them uncomfortable.

➡️Every dog is individual, some climb the ladder of communication/reaction (see picture in comments) quickly, others will be telling us for a LONG time that they are unhappy and are uncomfortable with the situation before they are pushed to react.

➡️ Veterinary professionals come across many people who tells us the dog has bitten without any warning, but the likelihood is (although not in every case) that the dog was telling us and we just didnt know how to listen and we know it can be very hard, which is why we want to educate.

Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors - APBC stated:

➡️Dog behaviour expert Dr Carri Westgarth, from the University of Liverpool, said: "It is important to remember that any dog can bite regardless of how well you know the dog, and most bites will occur in the owner's home.

"...We should ensure that we give dogs their own safe space to be alone, give them plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, and when your dog wants to be left alone - leave them be.

"Dog bites to children can be very severe so ensure that you observe children and dogs closely and intervene when necessary.

"Dogs do not want to bite you, it is a last resort response for them, so watch out for any warning signs of them being uncomfortable in a situation and remove yourselves, or them, from it."

Every dog is individual but some signs are:

➡️Licking lips?
➡️Yawning?
➡️Whale eye?
➡️Frozen?
➡️Crouching?
➡️Tense?
➡️Rolling on back?
➡️Ears back?
➡️Panting?
➡️Turning away?

It may save a life, a child or the dogs!

Listen to our Podcast on how to recognise the signs a dog is uncomfortable and may be about to bite
Dog Bites - Is It All A Big Misunderstanding?⬇️
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/veterinary-voices/episodes/Dog-Bites---Is-It-All-A-Big-Misunderstanding-e2g0766/a-aavthnv

24/02/2024

💥When dogs attack: Dog Bite Awareness💥

➡️ Dog on human aggression has sadly been in the forefront of our minds recently, following a series of deaths by dog attack in the media, ultimately what resulted in the government feeling that XL Bully dogs needed to be added to the list of prohibited breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/xl-bully-type-dogs-to-be-banned

➡️Reading a dogs body language can be difficult, but it's important to teach all the family how to pick up signs of a stressed, upset or agitated dog, especially children. Dogs usually tell us MANY times before they bite but often in a very subtle way.

➡️Everyone has their bad days, and we must not push our canine companions to the brink of their patience by failing to recognise telltale signs that the situation they are in makes them uncomfortable.

➡️Every dog is individual, some climb the ladder of communication/reaction quickly, others will be telling us for a LONG time that they are unhappy and are uncomfortable with the situation before they are pushed to react.

➡️ Veterinary professionals come across many people who tells us the dog has bitten without any warning, but the likelihood is (although not in every case) that the dog was telling us and we just didnt know how to listen and we know it can be very hard, which is why we want to educate.

Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors - APBC stated:

➡️Dog behaviour expert Dr Carri Westgarth, from the University of Liverpool, said: "It is important to remember that any dog can bite regardless of how well you know the dog, and most bites will occur in the owner's home.

"Dog bites to children can be very severe so ensure that you observe children and dogs closely and intervene when necessary.

"Dogs do not want to bite you, it is a last resort response for them, so watch out for any warning signs of them being uncomfortable in a situation and remove yourselves, or them, from it."

Every dog is individual but some signs are:

➡️Licking lips?
➡️Yawning?
➡️Whale eye?
➡️Frozen?
➡️Crouching?
➡️Tense?
➡️Rolling on back?
➡️Ears back?
➡️Panting?
➡️Turning away?

It's important to teach yourself and children to read the subtle body language of dogs.

🩵It may save a life🩵

In this Veterinary Voices UK 'On Air' podcast episode, veterinary behaviourist Sophie White explores dog on human aggression.

According to Sophie White, a veterinary surgeon from ⁠Veterinary Behaviour Support⁠, many dog bites occur because we fail to understand the warning signs.

Sophie explains that by improving our understanding of dog body language our ability to read how dogs are feeling in various situations, the majority of dog bites can be prevented altogether.

Sophie also discuss how some common training techniques which have been popularised by social media and TV shows can actually increase dog aggression.

➡️ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/veterinary-voices

➡️ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/veterinary-voices/episodes/Dog-bites--is-it-all-a-big-misunderstanding-e2g0766

Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors - APBC
Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians
The Animal Behaviour and Training Council

25/12/2023

Happy xmas to all our lovely clients. Hope you all have a lovely day.
Thank you for all the cards and presents and we will see you for walks in the new year! 😊

23/11/2023

12/09/2023

Ball launchers have become a popular accessory for dog owners who want to keep their dogs active and entertained. However, these devices can have negative effects on your dog's health and wellbeing.

Ball Launchers Can Cause Obsession:

Some dogs become obsessed with fetching a ball, which can lead to behavioural problems. They may become aggressive or anxious when they are not playing with the ball launcher, making it difficult to enjoy time with your pet. It's important to recognise the signs of obsession and limit your dog's use of the ball launcher.

Ball Launchers Interrupt Natural Behaviour:

Dogs are naturally curious and enjoy exploring their surroundings through sniffing and relaxing. However, when they become obsessed with fetching, they may lose interest in these natural behaviours. This can lead to boredom and frustration, causing them to become less active and healthy.

Ball Launchers Can Cause Joint Problems:

Repeatedly launching a ball puts a lot of stress on your dog's joints, especially if they are a high energy breed. This can lead to joint problems such as arthritis, which can be very painful and expensive to treat.

If you want to keep your dog healthy and happy, it's best to limit their use of ball launchers and encourage them to engage in natural behaviours such as sniffing, scent work, exploring and simply relaxing.

03/07/2023

Bookings being taken for summer holidays.

03/07/2023

Dog walking spaces available in group or solo walks in the Bedlington and surrounding areas.

03/05/2023

Weather was unexpectedly very warm today so a walk through a new woodland was in order to keep everyone cool.

24/03/2023

Still have availability for cat visits over the easter holiday.

05/03/2023

Easter Holiday bookings now being taken.

25/02/2023

Very busy this week attending the IMDT 4 day Practical Instructor Course. As an APBC member it is a requirement to attend regular CPD to ensure skills and knowledge are kept up-to-date and training methods used and advice given are based upon sound, scientific knowledge.

11/01/2023

EQUISEAT AID NEEDS YOU!🔥

We are looking for participants to partake in a study to investigate the effects and impact of the Equiseat Aid on the horse’s straightness and movement under saddle.

The study will take place on the 4th and 5th February. You will only ne required to attend one day (to suit you).
For more information, to book on or to see if you are eligible to take part, please follow the link below!

http://h-ev.uk/?E=42068

We are really looking forward to this and are extremely grateful to those volunteers willing to take part. A chance to try the Equiseat Aid for free.

For more info contact 07966191923

09/01/2023

As part of my clinical animal behavior course I am looking for participants to complete the following survey for my dissertation. It is looking at horse training methods and how well equestrians recognise fear in their horses. Anyone aged 18 involved with horses can take part.
The link to the survey is below, I would really appreciate it if you could participate and share.
Thank you!

You are being invited to take part in a research study titled "Do training methods implemented by owners affect their ability to recognise behavioural indicators of fear in their horses?" This study is being carried out by Kelly Donaldson and should take approximately 5 minutes to complete. Before a...

20/12/2022

Sadly, this is not the straightforward task it ought to be. Finding someone who is well qualified and follows kind and ethical, up-to-date, science-based training methods is an absolute minefield because the dog training industry is currently unregulated. Scarily, anyone can set themselves up in bus...

13/12/2022

27/11/2022

“These two boys are from the same parents, boy on the left was paediatric neutered and the other has stayed intact. As you can see, the development the right pup has compared to the left is undeniable, from his skull width, to his chest and shoulders.
This is the development pups will lose out on when desexing before full maturity.”
Credit - Bunny French.
You can view the full article here https://www.facebook.com/100000652508503/posts/4829274297104273/?d=n

20/11/2022

Think about this. It has the potential to change the way you see and understand dogs.



(Author: Brad Weinstein)

19/11/2022

We often hear dog guardians say ‘don’t worry, let them sort it out themselves’ or ‘if your dog tells mine off, my dog will learn’.

What is it that they learn in these situations?

- Not to trust you to help them out?
- That the other dogs is scary?
- That all dogs are something to be feared?

Dogs don’t always learn what we assume they are going to, as there are so many factors at play.

Don’t take the risk, don’t knowingly put your dog in these situations.

If you feel that your dog is struggling, or that the play is weighted on the side of the other dog, step in and remove them from the situation

Be your dogs advocate, after all you will be the one dealing with the potential long term effects and trying to undo the damage.

19/11/2022

Who needs to do this? 😂

04/11/2022

Low cost dog food.

Times are hard, here are some low cost dog food options. Don't beat yourself up if you can no longer justify the cost of your dog's current diet. What matters is that they are fed.

Forget the all about dog food website for now. What we discuss here will not score highly on there. However, these are dog foods that working dogs UK wide do very well on. Which makes the point that its not just food that keeps dog healthy. Exercise, fresh air, purpose and fulfillment and as little stress as possible play a massive part too. I've also added foods suitable for dogs needing a low fat, sensitive or single protein diet.

You can always add to your dog's bowl, a bit of lightly cooked frozen veg, a tin of sardines, an egg, are all low cost healthy additions, that significantly improve the quality of the diet overall.

Do not put pressure on yourself to maintain a standard of diet you're struggling to afford. It might well be that a mid range kibble and tinned diet suits your dog better dog than a low end raw, some of which is honestly just looking like minced bones and fat lately, personally I'd rather feed a kibble than a questionable, poor quality raw food.
There's no shame in feeding to a budget. Your dog would rather live with someone who isn't stressing about the cost of food every time they dish up their dogs dinner.

Here's some low cost options. You can feed wet or dry or a mix of both.

Low cost dry dog food:

Country kibble - grain free £44 / 15kg. This is the pork variety which has a small amount of added joint support. Pork is generally considered hypoallergenic. It's 50% meat, 50% sweet potato. There are other single protein recipes in this range.

https://www.countrykibble.com/country-kibble-varieties/country-kibble-grain-free-working-dog-food/country-kibble-natural-grain-free-dog-food-pork-sweet-potato-apple-vat-free.html

CSJ Tripe complete - a basic dog food for a healthy dog with no additional needs.
£28.24 / 15kg

https://www.csjk9.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=123&idcategory=4

CSJ Hike On - high energy dog food for skinny or busy dogs, originally designed for sled dogs. High protein, moderate fat, salmon based.
£28.98 / 15kg

Viovet hypoallergenic lamb and rice - Low fat (11%). Similar to Skinners but with a higher lamb content and lower rice content.
£39.99/15kg

https://www.viovet.co.uk/VioVet-Lamb-Rice-Hypoallergenic-Working-Dog-Food/c122326/

Autarky white fish and potato. Suitable for dogs with highly sensitive digestion. Worth a try for people feeding a prescription GI diet (not suitable for dogs on a hydrolysed diet).
£30.99/12kg.

https://www.petplanet.co.uk/p38764/autarky_working_dog_grain_free_adult_dry_dog_food_fish_and_potato_12kg_24kg_free.aspx?ptm_source=google&ptm_medium=shopping&ptm_campaign=under10_82275&campaign=18028687169&adgroup=&keyword=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqoibBhDUARIsAH2OpWjTe5xJcsp1xSiALPVKRITBKN3HmLsbvCC7aeKLaumJzKFXomyaAP8aAhywEALw_wcB

WET food:
Rocco senior lamb and millet. Low fat (6.1%) can be used as a low fat food for any dog, not just senior dogs.
£2.75/kg (special offer 24x400g tin)

Rocco classic. High meat content, beef based dog food. £2.40/kg (special offer 24 x 800g tin)

https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/dogs/wet_dog_food/rocco/rocco_classic/571759?zootopia_rec=true&cn=initial&si=3&pn=web_pdp&pr=container_2&strategy=18113207&rk=1-2&slot=2&pi=571759&rri=76d12d61-8075-468a-8298-8178cf29ec85

Butchers tins, tripe loaf. Only meat based ingredients approx half of which is chicken.
£1.75 / kg
https://www.wilko.com/butchers-chicken-tripe-loaf-recipes-dog-food-tins-6-x-400g/p/0513248?gclid=Cj0KCQjwqoibBhDUARIsAH2OpWgX_33E5WM2YIa5ng9-tQ5J5OHKGDYPzU7b-eZjyLRRo4FtB4ugXfMaApDDEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

31/10/2022

They're not wrong!

Extreme happiness 🤍

30/10/2022

Imagine a world where we said to children, we don’t want to force your beautiful pony!! We are going to train them in a way that you BOTH have fun, by using Positive Reinforcement training, by training with food and scratches!

Imagine if we said to children, you’ll have more fun on the ground and get to know your pony better that way. You’ll build a real relationship, where your pony will truly love you back.

Imagine if we taught them how to have fun and laugh with their pony and the pony was laughing and having fun too.

Imagine children who learnt empathy for all creatures, not just how to use them.

Imagine a generation of children growing into adults, who could ‘talk’ to their animals, by understanding how all creatures learn and that they feel emotions too.

Imagine children who didn’t have to cry in frustration or in pain, from falling off or being bucked off. Imagine being miserable and scared, not having fun and not wanting to do things with their pony and being told to push through the fear and pain?

Instead, imagine children learning via Positive Reinforcement training, how to build important life skills as humans, such as empathy, observation, problem solving/analysis, hand eye coordination, thinking on their feet, emotional regulation, developing relationships and positive interactions with others. Through all that, we could set them up for life with amazing life skills that build their confidence, self esteem and physical and mental wellbeing. As well as learning how to interact with others in a positive way, where both parties can ‘win’.

Imagine being the adult heaping Positive Reinforcement on our children! Saying “well done!”, “you were awesome!”, “you worked that out so well!”, “you’ve made your pony so happy and well trained!” and “I’m so proud of you!”. WE adults enjoy the benefits as well, because it makes us feel good too!

Where do we get so lost, that we insist children hit and kick their pony for their own pleasure, who then grow into adults who do the same?

Worse, the child turned adult, who mostly doesn’t enjoy what they are doing with their horse, feels mounting pressures and unpleasantness and therefore forces the horse more and more, as they feel the same.

11/08/2022

You cannot reinforce an emotion, only a behaviour.
🤔Think about it…

Behaviour and Emotion are two very separate things.

A behaviour is a way your dog acts in response to a stimulus or situation.

An emotion is an involuntary response to a stimulus or situation. This is the result of psychological and physiological changes that influence behaviour.

Emotions do not respond in the same way that behaviour does.

You can reinforce fear by actively doing something that could scare your dog when they are already afraid.

For example:

😫If your dog was sound sensitive and afraid of things like thunder, fireworks, truck/ or bike sounds, vacuum cleaner sounds, children shouting/ screaming etc…. by adding something the aversive like a cross face or scolding and shouting at the dog to not be ‘ridiculous’ or startle the dog by adding another loud sound, your dog will only continue to be scared and you would then be increasing the experience of fear by adding more fear.

👀 If you were afraid of heights and I forced you kicking and screaming near the edge of a cliff and told you to stop being ridiculous and get on with it, would that make you less fearful? Would your kicking and screaming behaviour be unacceptable behaviour or are you just trying to protect yourself?

👫 If we were on the edge of the cliff and I gently took your hand, and moved you away from the edge and said, “Come on, it’s ok, let's go this way so you don’t have to see it”, would that reinforce your fear, or would it make you feel a bit safer which would reduce your fear?

🧠 Dogs are not humans, and whilst animals do certainly have emotions, they are not intellectually advanced enough to experience the ‘higher’ more complex emotions that human’s experience. You do not need to over analyze or over complicate everything your dog does behaviorally. Comforting or distracting your dog when he/ she is genuinely scared can only help them to feel safer.

🐾You can distract your dog from a scary situation with some treats or toys. This can give your dog a moment of relief which can potentially reduce the experience of being scared. By repeating these interactions, you can pair a scary situation with something pleasant. This intern may reduce the emotion of fear.

🥓🤹‍♀️😘 By using treats, giving your dog affection, or distracting your very scared dog will not make their fear worse! They are a part of your family and comforting your dog when they are seeking reassurance can only help them to maybe feel a bit safer.

🐩If you are struggling and don’t know how to help your dog when your dog is behaving in a fearful manner then seek the advice of a force-free, positive reinforcement professional.