Dog Behaviourist - Nick Jones MA

20/05/2024

I’ve been enjoying the posts on this page of late. When we look back at the origins of the breeds that we live with today, both pedigree and mixed breeds, it is a reminder of its heritage and working roles for which they were designed to carry out. If all you see is the look, and not the inner characteristics and drives, you may be in for a surprise.

12/05/2024

Bramble seeks out a familiar and comfy spot for her morning post breakfast nap.

01/05/2024

Solid testimonials tell me I've got my focus pretty accurate as we're addressing issues in dogs, creating happier lives for dogs and their owners. Being dog lovers, many of you will understand the distress and worry that an ill-behaved dog can create, so to move to this more relaxed situation after a few weeks is just wonderful and makes the effort worth it.

I also understand what it feels like when things don't work out for the best. It's not common, but it happens, and I want you to know that I am right beside you either way, doing my best for you and your dog, always...

Working in London has always given me a little buzz, and going on a bus to look at Branston's behaviour there was so much fun - I have to check that I don't enjoy it too much, as people will start wondering if I'm paying attention! With the owner clicking and treating and me with a fixed grin on my face 🙂

"We contacted Nick because we were having issues with our show cocker spaniel Branston. He'd always shown some resource guarding tendencies but they'd gotten out of control in a short space of time and we were desperate for help.

The process to book was really quick and Nick advised us we'd even be able to look at claiming back on our pet insurance. The first time we spoke over the phone I already felt calmer about the situation, Nick has a very reassuring manner and is so knowledgeable he makes you feel like you're in capable hands.

He came to see us and we spent a long time talking through issues and concerns, talking through ideas to address them. The following day we put some of them into practice together which gave us the confidence to move forward.

The time with Nick and tools he's given us have been life-changing, no really it has been, we were really scared about what would happen if we didn't deal with this but we know now it's manageable.

Although our dog isn't 'cured' and we're still learning the best ways to deal with him, we know what to do now and are confident in the decisions we're making, it's been invaluable. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Nick to anyone, a true expert in his field and a delight to spend time with too."



https://g.co/kgs/PrGhzbM

29/04/2024

Lovely review here after working with young Milo and his caring owners for his separation anxiety. He can now be left for a short time in the day (long enough for a coffee let's say) and now with a solid foundation in place, he will continue to extend his daily time alone so that it reaches a realistic and practical time.

With a relatively new culture of working from home, it means that we need to think about the interactions that are taking place during the day. I often say that it's not a problem being at home with your dog, but it pays to think about those interactions so that the dog can settle in your absence for a few periods each day, such as sleeping away from the owner in the day (not on your feet under the desk say), avoiding constant interactions with the dog so that the dog has the mental and physical space to relax away from the owner for sensible periods of time. It really is a case of rebalancing the dog's expectations and access to you as an owner each day. This will leave your dog more relaxed and able to cope when left alone. This is always achieved in a gradual manner, not by rushing, or going out for half a day for the dog to adjust.

"Our experience with Nick was amazing from start to finish. We had him come out to see our mini poodle puppy Milo who was struggling with separation anxiety during the day and was mouthing a lot. Nick was attentive and very understanding in what we were trying to achieve with Milo. We listened to the advice he gave and acted on this and in only a few weeks we seen a massive difference in how Milo behaved. We had a check up visit after a few weeks and Nick gave us confidence that we were continuing well and that Nick is always available to help and encourages us to stay in touch and keep him updated, overall a really lovely guy. We would highly recommend him and his services and wouldn’t go anywhere else in the future!

Thanks for everything Nick!"

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Lk1ktiSQC6XcPm938

27/04/2024

Young Bramble practicing a spot of patience and self control as her dinner is prepared. She’s coming along nicely and I hope to post more on her shortly.
Thank you to everyone that has expressed their condolences, it means a lot. I’ve known many of you for quite some time now, so I appreciate you staying the distance.

14/04/2024

Meet my daughter's puppy 'Bramble' a Border Terrier. It happens that she was born on the same day as Pip our BT that passed away summer before last. So we think it's a reincarnation 🙂
Isn't she sweet?! A good tonic in the household as my older brother passed away suddenly two weeks ago, so it's been a difficult time of late, but we're getting through it.

10/04/2024

A rewarding visit to Shrewsbury yesterday to work with a young family as they seek to settle their dog into this new dynamic. I particularly enjoy this aspect of my work having been a house dad myself with Katie over 20 years ago, so I understand the delicate balance that is sought between keeping an existing dog content and giving the time and dedication that a baby requires.
Thank you to Rachel, Tom and gorgeous little Bobby, not forgetting Alice the dog.

14/03/2024

A lovely visit this morning to meet young Bertie and his caring owners. He responded so well to a few tweaks here and there - primarily with an emphasis upon calm, mannerly behaviour that is rewarded as we go. Failing to dot i's and to cross t's across the board can add up, so those small areas of detail will be added in and he soaked all of that up very well, leaving us all buoyant come the end of the visit.
Also the mug and biscuits game was high today (and greatly appreciated)! I declined the biscuits as I'm settling back into my more virtuous self after two weeks of Nevis cakes in Scotland 😁

13/03/2024

A lovely recent review here after I assisted a new baby, mum, dad, and their two energetic dogs in integrating and enjoying a peaceful home life during what is a delicate stage in life by any standard.

★★★★★ "Nick was an absolutely invaluable help... He assessed our dogs, our home and situation and made some amazingly impactful suggestions which we implemented to great effect! Our whole home is calmer and more settled and the whole family is happier. As well as being amazing with the dog...

13/03/2024

A quick stretch of the legs and a reminder of the whistle before Rubys first gundog training lesson.

12/03/2024

Not too many I hope, but I wanted to show you some of the pics from my last trip to the Isle of Mull. I love it there and go multiple times per year. Ladies in the local Spar know me well now 🙂
I also saw my first Beaver on the mainland, which was a thrill, but it was way out crossing a loch.

27/02/2024

I've seen cats at this location in Scotland 2/3 times now and my second time to come back armed with a trail camera and a pouch or two of cat food, which appears to have done the trick. This wasn't any cat food pouch, it was an M&S cat food pouch, and they seem to prefer that. Slowed down a little for viewability.
You can see in the body darker stripes that suggest to me a wild cat/domestic mix. Might also be a pregnant female? The true Scottish wildcat is all but gone due to the mixing with domestic cats. I need to read more on the subject. I have seen glimpses of much bigger cats in the same area, so I am still intrigued as to what is actually here...

26/02/2024

I've been served many cups of tea over the years and they have come in a variety of interesting mugs, often with a dog theme. This week I was given tea in this mug, and it has I think set a new standard!
Young Dylan here is a lovely young boy, but was addicted to his female owner, and would carry out a wide range of disruptive behaviours to keep in the loop of gaining affection and attention. Once this negative cycle is interrupted, the dog will often revert to resting or sleeping, as these dogs are often running on empty as a result of the mission they're on - such behaviour is exhausting for everyone. We can then start to rebuild the relationship in a calmer, more positive direction, and Dylan showed many signs of that during my two days with them in the London area last week.
Onwards and upwards!
Thanks to Suzanne and Jim!

24/02/2024

Working away in Scotland today looking at the assessment of XL Bully's with a solicitor, and then tomorrow I'll go into wildlife mode for the week. Beavers nearby that I'd like to try and spot and then onto Isle of Mull for 🦅 and 🦦

19/02/2024

A cheeky one 😆

05/02/2024

I had the pleasure of dropping in to see Bailey near Perth with his new owners on Saturday as I made my way home from the Cairngorms.
I was touched to see how well he had settled in, and for the first time I could see he was totally relaxed and I came away feeling certain he was in the right home.
Well done Bailey and a warm well done to Jan and Grant, as they have done so well with him, keeping him honest, whilst providing a loving environment.
I only ate two of the cakes.

01/02/2024

I'm alone in the Cairngorms this week, camping near to this pic south of Glenlivet. Today I spotted and managed to photograph a small group of Waxwings, and yesterday a wet and bedraggled Rose finch, that was a close sighting, no pic. Both new sightings to me, so I'm quietly happy.

I'm in the camper van with the heating on as it's below freezing generally.

The Glenlivet and Tomintoul area is one of the best places in the Cairngorms National Park to discover the wonders of the night sky and is the most northerly Dark Sky Park in the world and among the darkest skies in the UK! Last night was stunningly clear and it snowed and I was up here all alone probably having more fun than many 🙂

North 1 hr to Elgin tomorrow to see old friends and will drop in to see Bailey as I head south on the weekend. He's doing well and has taken up clicker training 😊

29/01/2024

Bully XL update...

XL Bully owners, this is your one week reminder! ⏰

From 1 February 2024 in England and Wales, it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully, unless you have a valid Certificate of Exemption (CoE).

You have until midday Wednesday 31 January to get your application in for a CoE. The cost of a CoE is £92.40 and you are now only able to do this online. To apply, you must have third party public liability insurance for your dog which is provided by our friends at Dogs Trust 🐕

We know this is hard time for XL Bully owners, and we will continue to support you as best we can. To read our recent FAQs, click here: http://pdsa.me/hLcd

27/01/2024

I've booked Ruby and me in for some gundog training lessons early March, so time to brush up on the basics! She's very keen and has a nice recall with a good nose on her. Delivery to the hand and sitting at a distance are my initial areas to work on.

26/01/2024

We all love it when a plan comes together! Archie seen here on the left came to his owners after a bumpy road and he was very unsettled in and out of the home. With hard work, patience and a steady hand, he has been guided into a calmer and more positive association towards other dogs, and this has transformed the life of Bailey and of course his lovely owners. He can now be trusted off lead and unmuzzled and that will allow him to enjoy life to the fullest.

Here follows the story from the owners perspective:

"We approached Nick as we were at our wits end with our rescue dog Archie. Having got Archie we were aware that he was extremely depressed and anxious having spent a long time in kennels. When we got him home he showed signs of fear aggression with other dogs so we used the services of two separate dog trainers for a total of around 20 sessions with no improvement in his behavior. I had to walk him late at night or areas with no other dogs as is was totally uncontrollable around dogs.
I then found Nick and from our first telephone call instantly felt there was light at the end of the tunnel although slightly dubious that we only needed 2 sessions. Our first meet went better than I could ever believe and Archie showed signs of improvement after just an hour. Nick spoke total sense and explained each process and related it back to how this all impacts on Archie and his feelings. After our first session I was able to walk Archie in local parks and even off lead with dogs he got use to! We followed the detailed plan Nick left us with and met again 2 months later, by this time I could walk Archie with virtually zero reaction. After a few tweaks we worked on in our second session Archie shows no signs of aggression, anxiety or depression and is a safe and happy dog living his best life with loads of fur mates that he plays happily with.
I honestly cannot believe that just by following Nicks instructions the change it has made to all our lives. He is always on hand for advice and even just a chat. A true professional who is top of his game!"

26/01/2024

A great 😊 initiative, well done Petplan UK

22/01/2024

Bailey looks very happy and relaxed here as he plays with a lovely young girl and his toy...

19/01/2024

If you have an XL Bully type you only have until midday on 31st January 2024 to complete the application for a certificate of exemption.

We appreciate that the decision whether or not to exempt has been difficult if your dog meets the minimum height for an adult XL Bully and has some of the characteristics set out in the official definition, but (a) you have a mixed breed dog and cannot be sure if the number of characteristics would be regarded as 'substantial', or (b) you have what you believe is an 'established breed' but which is not recognised by the UK's Kennel Club.

DEFRA is continuing to advise that owners should take a precautionary approach so this may mean that some dogs will have been exempted that didn't need to be.

We are frequently being asked if can you have your dog removed from the Index of Exempted Dogs if you later discover that there was no need for your dog to be registered in the first place? The answer is YES but so far the process hasn't been confirmed. The Statutory Instrument which brought the exemption scheme into law states clearly as follows:-

🐾 The Secretary of State may by notice in writing withdraw a certificate of exemption if the holder has requested that the Secretary of State withdraw the certificate.
🐾 The holder of a certificate of exemption who makes a request for the withdrawal of the certificate .... must make the request in such form as the Secretary of State may reasonably require.

18/01/2024

Bailey seen here playing with his new friend! One week in his new home that has gone well overall and that's the main hurdle out of the way I'd say.

15/01/2024

The difference a dog can make...

14/01/2024

And off Bailey went with his new friends into the sunset. He never looked back bless him. 😊

08/01/2024

I'm pleased to tell you that Bailey has a new home in Scotland! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🥰

I won't reveal personal details, but he'll be with a retired couple that can provide him with the walks, love and direction where and when needed in a rural location.

They have an older dog of the same size, so I believe he'll fit in well. He goes up with me next Saturday!

You'll recall that first video where he's trembling in my arms in the garage, and how he could barely cope? Well now he has settled down nicely as we complete week three, and most reactive behaviours have all but stopped, and I'm pleased to say that he is a different dog for the better. If he were to stay on, I would begin to allow sofa access and more lap access at this stage, start to introduce toys etc., but I'll hold the status quo as he's on his travels next week, and continuity of his care and management for a time will help ensure that he is as well settled in his new home as he is becoming here; and that's achievable.

Those last three words can only be written now after a great deal of very closely watching and directing his behaviour. Remember he was due to be PTS the day after I took him on for repeatedly biting, so it was of great importance to me to look at the exact behaviours and address them as they occur.

In the day, he has been on his super soft donut bed we bought him, he loves it thankfully. He was then attached to the foot of the sofa on a regular soft lead and has been kept on his bed on the floor, and off the sofa and us for the best part. He will happily settle like this. If he is loose in the lounge, he is trailing a lead and being watched closely.

He has been very good with Doris the cat, but I have seen her bosh him a few times through a cracked door, so he keeps a respectful distance. She stomps right past him, barely passing a glance. It's powerful cat stuff. Bailey is I think in awe of her.

We had a small handful of events with showing his teeth and looking a bit scarey, and each time he did this, the lead would enable me to quickly intervene without causing a fuss and could stop anything before it become a something. He is not an aggressive dog per se, but he had come to think it was okay to display this behaviour, carry through with nipping and worse without being swiftly stopped right there and then. As each situation has been encountered, we've been able to address it and see it stop as a result. Great.

Of course he is rewarded for good behaviour too, and indeed he is rewarded for an absence of the old unwanted behaviours! That way we can effectively 'steer' the dog, and I could see that once we crack some of his bad habits he can settle to be an innately nice dog. For example, he wouldn't let us hug, he'd lunge and it didn't look pretty. He did this once and he was immediately told to 'get off' and I used the lead to reinforce it and place him in his bed. No shouting, nothing heavy handed, just immediate and appropriate reactions to an event or behaviour that was expected. We had similar issues with feet chasing and this has also been stopped using a similar approach.

We then did lots of hugging 🤗 and were quickly able to get into the pattern of rewarding calm, non reactive events, until he can now sit and watch and looks bemused I'd say - but relaxed, which is job done. A scratch on the head is valid praise for him too. He looooves human affection and he wants to please.

There are some aspects of possession that will require care, but he is perfectly manageable, and has for the last week been much more settled. I shall miss his little character. He has become a bit bonded with me, and I've not babied him too much (he said). Dogs love people that lead them, reward and direct them. Dogs love people that are consistent and that they can trust. It provides them with both inner and outer security.

"Scrub off the negative before you can reward the positive."

I've been off for the duration he's been here, and so he's not been left for any time, apart from intentional departures and he can do 30 plus mins alone now, which isn't at all bad given that it was less than a minute to start with. With Ruby to keep him company, he can go an hour and more as I watch them on the new indoor camera. Very doable and should be repeatable.

He's great out and about. Coped well in the van as we do a walk, brunch with us as per pics from Friday and then into Worcester. I enjoy taking him out.

A big thank you to all of you for the support and interest. I'm used to addressing behaviours in other peoples homes as per my day job, but I try to avoid having them here nowadays as it can be a bit much, but Bailey was at the end of his road and it happened to come to my door at a good time.

Thankfully, he has responded well to his time here with us all, and I can hand him over feeling confident that this care will continue and I shall remain on hand for further advice as and when needed.