Padding Paws Pet Services

30/07/2024

Do we really understand our dog's behaviour??
This is why we follow and share our good friends posts. Emma at Speak Dog helps you ask the right questions and understand your dog's behaviours; building a trusting and respectful bond.

They only bark initially

This is a statement I hear a lot of the time when in the context of a dog responding to a perceived threat or worry.

Dogs bark in various contexts and for various reasons, but on this post I'm talking about when a dog is feeling concerned.

Example: My dog feels nervous around people they bark and lunge at them but when they approach and come close they stop barking.

This is often viewed as an achievement, success even!!

But in this context, knowing the dog worries, should we believe the dog becoming quite is a sign of coping?

Let's look at this a little more.

Your dog is worried by people when there is some distance between them, why is the scary thing being closer going to make them feel better, would it make you feel better if something you were scared of got closer?

Could the reason be the dog is feeling under so much pressure they go quiet ?

Have you ever been shellshocked where you just didn't know what to say or do, you were gobsmacked as we say!!

Could the pressure of being so close build and end in a bite?

Are we putting the stranger or unfamiliar person in danger and what are the possible reprocussions if the dog does bite for all parties?

It's also common in these situations for dogs to repeat the barking process everytime.
The dog continues to always bark initially when spotting the person or being put in that situation, so what is this achieving in the long term what benefits are being gained?

It's really important to recognise that a quiet dog does not suddenly give us the illusion the dog is coping.

There can be many reasons a dog goes quite in those situations and I would say there are far more LESS desirable reasons than desirable.

Quiet doesn't mean coping, and repeated exposure with such intensity is likely to ingrain the behaviour further and deeper making it much harder to improve in the long run.

Another aspect we need to consider is how our dogs feel about us when we are the ones who keep allowing our dogs to be put in that situation?

Are we showing our dogs we offer safety and they can trust us, or are we the person holding the lead that keeps allowing it to happen?

Your dog will be communicating but that communication maybe silent, through visual communication such as body language and scent ( which we can't see or smell)

It's important that we don't just focus on the shouting and we really understand what quieter whispers could be telling us!

(Note Picture of Rodney and Derek playing bite face)

21/07/2024

The power of not walking your dog...

Sorry... did you read that right? YES

Let's start by painting the picture.
A client had recently been walking their gorgeous dog when another dog ran out of it's house and grabbed their dog around the neck and shook it.
The client managed to get their dog out of the situation (not an easy task) as the owner of the dog that attacked grabbed their dog.
The client took her dog back home and understandably for both her and the dog, they were greatly shaken by the whole ordeal.

A few days later I go to walk the dog, I know something isn't right. The poor little fella is hyper vigilant, responding to everything he could hear, see and smell. His fur was rough and rigid in places and his general demeanour was stiff. This little one is normally a cool dude.

I speak with the owners and advise to take their dog to the vets and have him checked over as despite their being no puncture wounds etc, the dog is clearly in some pain and a full check up is needed. Pain meds and some anxiety relief help and luckily no physical damage done, but there is the emotional and psychological issue. The days following, he is still being taken out for walks and reacting to the environment around him. I advise them not to walk him for a couple of days.. The reaction is one of 'the dog needs to be walked' daily.
This is my point.. we are told that dogs MUST be walked everyday and at least once, however, this is not what is best for the dog in this situation. By walking the dog after having such an encounter, it is not helpful. The dog needs to be able to process everything that happened and be given time for his levels, like ours, to calm down. By continuing to walk the dog in the same area, with all those triggers, we are subjecting the dog to 'overflowing his cup', he is unable to manage the environment and needs time to de-stress, process and relax.

After explaining this, the client doesn't walk the dog for a few days. The dog is in his safe home environment, able to process everything, relax, sleep as much as his body and mind need to recharge and reset.
We go for a walk, the dog is happy and relaxed, a completely different dog. He was given the space he needed and the owner felt relaxed taking him out too. A win for all.

Advocate for the dog in front of you, not on the rules placed by others.

12/07/2024

Love this by the brilliant Speak Dog.. Be your dog's voice! ❤️

How can you feel empowered to care less about what other people think about your dog and instead focus on what your dogs needs.

We vary with what we find comfortable because we are just as unique as our dogs when to comes to our emotions and comfort zones

Here are just a few quick thoughts that I often share with clients.

1) Your commitment is to your dog, not a stranger you might never see again, don't feel embarrassed saying no thanks!

2) I find using less labels and more human emotions helps in some situations.
" My dog prefers being a loner thanks". My dog isn't a people person, but thanks" we often get our points across better when we don't just shout " reactive" ( of course this is situation dependent and sometimes you need a quick sharp response).

3) Avoidance is not pointless, turning around and walking away can have a hugely positive impact. If you feel a bit uncomfortable look up, raise your hand to say Hi and then turn around and focus on your dog, rewarding them for turning around.
Space is one of the biggest tools you have in your belt use it when needed and possible 😊

4) If you see a professional doing something to your dog you feel unsure or uncomfortable about ask what they are doing and why.
If you don't like the answer, take your dog and leave....even if you've paid!! It's better to lose money then it is to have your dog put in unacceptable situations.

5) Peer pressure can be tough, even as adults. But your dog is your responsibility. So what if all your mates are taking their dogs to the pub, if your dog doesn't really enjoy that setting, go alone and leave your dog at home.

Advocate for your dog even when family and friends inadvertently put the pressure on.

Never feel bad for being your dogs voice, your dogs safety net, you make so many choices for your dog, feel empowered to make the right ones!

11/06/2024

A great post from Speak Dog about flipping the story from what we want to thinking about it from the dog's viewpoint. ❤️

The Narrative!!

Do all humans like curry?

Do all humans love to read?

Do all humans drink tea?

We know that humans differ from each other.

We know we might like some of the same things and we can share similar interests.

We might like some peoples company and not others.

Yet we still seem to put what " being a dog is," into a restrictive box like narrative.

" Theres something wrong if my dog doesn't like ALL dogs.

" They only ever get kibble, we never give our dog human food " ( dietary issues excluded).

" My 2 other dogs eat kibble so my third dog NEEDS to as I'm not feeding one differently "

" They should love going to the pub or beach with me"

Very often these narratives are more about our expectations of dogs meeting our needs.

When we change the narrative and start asking ourselves how we can meet thier individual needs, we can start to hear a very different story.

" I like the idea of taking my dog on the beach, but my dog actually prefers a quiet location "

" My one dog eats better when on a different food, yes my life would be easier if all 3 ate the same food but is that such a big sacrifice to make?

Heck the struggles people face trying to make the dog eat the same food is often way harder than just offering a food they enjoy.

" My dog barks, I need it to stop".
Instead why dont i hear more " my dog barks, yes it's annoying, I worry what people think, but most importantly I want to understand why and how I can help them.

The narrative always seems to fall on the dog to meet human expectations, but are we meeting our dogs?

Healthy relationships are about give and take and that defiantly applies to the human/canine relationship.

Let's flip the story and try to hear what our dogs are telling us about themselves sometimes and not just what we want to hear🥰

11/06/2024

If you need to contact me please send a message via messenger, my phone is playing up. I will respond to messages later when I can access my computer. Thanks and sorry for the inconvenience.

02/06/2024

THIS is why we LOVE following Speak Dog .
Putting the dog's needs first.
It's so important to look at the things we do from the dog's viewpoint and not just because 'we have always done things this way'.
Compassion, respect and understanding are key.❤️

Time blindness

If you have had the privilege of sharing your life with a dog for many years then you are indeed very a lucky.

However with time can come blindness.

Im not talking about visual blindness per say but the type of blindness that doesn't make it obvious how much our kids are growing until someone who doesn't see them daily points it out.

The same happens with our dogs but rather than it being about how much they have grown ( although this does happen too) its easy not to notice how much they have aged, or changed if they are struggling with some health condition.

It can creep up so slowly its almost unnoticeable on occassions.

I'm lucky to have numerous dogs here who are senior citizens, I know sometime soon my heart will break a few times over but for now I try to enjoy the precious moments we have.

BUT....what I also have had to consider is that for some of the oldies it's not fair to walk them with my younger dogs anymore.

It's not fair walk them for as long as we used too or go at the pace we used too because they have aged, thier joints aren't what they used to be and even if they put on a brave face on the walk how much do they suffer afterwards.

We can be creatures of habit, I find it sad seeing an old dog with a collar being pulled almost over its head as the owner walks the dog at thier pace failing to recognise how the dogs needs have changed amd the dog is struggling.

I know from personal experience we question if walking them less is unfair or if they will wonder why thier usual routine has changed but ultimately they are led by most of our choices and so its important we are always reevaluating what our dogs need are so we can try and make the best choices for them.

I always try to stay aware, be prepared and adapt to thier needs as much as possible.

02/05/2024

The brilliant Top to Tail Canine Massage individually tailored programmes can have a massive impact on your dog's rehabilitation.

Why not contact the lovely Max and chat about your dog's needs. and requirements. You have nothing to lose and your dog has a lot to gain!

27/04/2024

What an amazing resource we have in North Tawton with Top to Tail Canine Massage .

Who am I?

After working in public services, I trained as a yoga teacher, remedial massage therapist and Thai massage therapist and had been working with humans in that way for 9 years.

As a lifelong dog lover, I have volunteered with a number of dog specific charities like rescue centres and had a number of rescues as pets.

In early 2021, a local dog suffered a traumatic spinal injury and needed help but there was a lock down in place. Obtaining the required physical therapy treatment was not possible.

As a result of working with guidance from a veterinary neurosurgeon and animal physiotherapist, I was able assist this dog to full recovery.... and my interest in canine physical therapy was uncovered.

So I retrained and transferred my human skills and experience to dogs. I have an interest in canine rehabilitation from acute injury and I'm also a Canine Arthritis Management Advocate L1 😊

This is Bonnie, who started it all off and I'll tell you her full story next.

04/04/2024

The power of distance socialising situations and a 'settle'.

People sometimes wonder why I am seen sitting on a bench for a couple minutes when out on a dog walk.. well, there is method in this.
On a walk that is built around a dogs individual needs, it is important to have the dog gain experience of different situations, but from a distance; where the dog is in a comfortable and relaxed state. This gives the dog the time to assimilate everything that is going on around them. All this information is further processed during their sleep times.
The dog will let you know when they want to move on. In such a fast paced world, we need to slow things down and give our dogs time to adjust/gather information on their surroundings.

In the photos Penny and Islay had long practised this tool. It became an essential skill to fall back on during Covid. While I waited in a queue for 45 minutes, Ian and my 'Nutters' sat quietly and took everything in. They didn't just adopt one pose, they were able to freely adjust their positions to what was comfortable for them. In a Society that had changed for all, my 'Nutters' handled this situation beautifully. I couldn't have been more proud.

This is such an invaluable tool to learn. So next time you are out maybe find a quiet area with your dog and observe things from a comfortable distance. Remember that a 'settle' doesn't just have to be about them lying down or sitting, it can be whatever position your dog is comfortable and relaxed in.

02/04/2024

Love this post by Speak Dog about the use of spray bottles and other such equipment.

We have to look at the 'equipment' some people are advised to use from the point of the dog and ask yourself is it something we would fear/ not like done to us...
Why would you want that for your dog?

Thank you Speak Dog.

Spray Bottles!

When people tell me they use one, it's always done under a precursor of a threat to do it, before then following through.

They offer a warning, which means they know that the dog is not going to like being sprayed.

The question I have is, what does this actually achieve.

Yes it might stop the dog from say barking, at that moment in time, but if it REALLY changed the dogs behaviour long term then why would you keep needing to use it?

Also, how would you feel about someone spraying you in the face, seriously, its a good job our dogs are way more tolerant and forgiving than humans!

There is also a good chance you could make the behaviour you are correcting worse.

Example: Your dog barks at other dogs, you spray them. They don't think their behaviour was inappropriate, they start to link other dogs with being sprayed in the face, they bark more to keep them away to avoid being sprayed.

Spray bottles are a tool that should be used for watering plants and wetting hair, NOT for " training" a dog!!

If anyone tells you it's all about timing and how and when you use it, spray THEM in the face and see how they feel.

29/03/2024

Let's talk about PAIN!!!!!

So lately one of our dogs, Islay, affectionately known as one half of 'The Nutters', has been experiencing changes in her behaviour.

Now this has presented in being a little more vocal, especially in the evenings, changes in the texture of her coat, shifting her sleeping and sitting positions, the need for more attention, disturbed sleep, gait changes, changes to exercise levels, sleeping more during the day, finding discomfort in getting up, licking, anxiousness, shifting of body weight etc..

Now, as a caregiver it is OUR responsibility to notice and manage the pain our pets are feeling. Dogs are very stoic and will often not show pain in the way we would think, i.e. by SHOUTING about it, until things have become so bad; very often they just present us with little clues for example like mentioned above in Islay's case.

If you suspect changes in your dog, then take videos and photos of them doing the activity where you have noticed the change. Diarise any changes in their behaviour. Note weather changes too.
You can take this to your vet or pet physio, behaviourist etc and they can observe for themselves these changes.
Remember that in a strange environment, such as vets or places they do not frequent, a dog may respond differently, e.g., present as more rigid. When adrenaline is present, your dog may have 'lost' that limp that you have previously observed so video footage etc is your best friend in documenting these situations.

We need to understand and read the small changes, not just listen out for shouts.

Think about it this way... when you have been in pain with a headache etc, have you automatically reached for a painkiller? Do you want to be in a quiet place and distance yourself from others?
Is it really fair to leave our pets to suffer in silence just because we think they are being lazy / reactive or marking it as age related... don't they deserve better?

We HAVE to advocate for our pets.

20/03/2024

Thank you Woody's Holistic Grooming for this information.
Seeing things through your dog's eyes.

Did you know that dogs see in shades of blue and yellow? Or that the colour white can appear fluorescent to them?

Many of us have white bathtubs and to be fair the current trend is to have entirely white bathrooms, and so it’s hardly surprising our dogs may be reluctant to walk into the room.

Now there’s no need to go out and buy a whole new bath suite, but there are things you could do to make it easier for your dog…

🐾 invest in an antislip bath Matt (preferably in blue or yellow!)

🐾 allow them opportunities to explore the room WITHOUT actually bathing them

🐾 placing a towel on the floor of the bath can help prevent slipping and also muffle the sound for those who don’t like the noise of water hitting porcelain

🐾 could you bath them in a paddling pool instead? Or a baby bath?

I once had a client who lined her bathtub with IKEA bags - was genius!

It’s all about thinking outside the box and finding what works for your dog.

If you’d like to understand more about what your dog sees, I’d highly recommend downloading the app Dog Vision HD.

05/03/2024

BOTH ENDS OF THE LEAD

Having a dog that struggles when out can be tough.

The stress often starts before you even leave the house, the worry about the actions of other people and their dogs and how it impacts your dogs behaviour.

What people think, what they might say....

Maybe because of the arousal your dog also constantly pulls, which can make them hard to walk, hurt your arms, back and knees, even pull you over.

The worry of anticipating whats around the corner, getting ready to brace for impact or move and get out the way sharpish.

The relief when you get home and nothing has happened, this process only to be repeatedly day after day!!

Its important to understand thay you are not alone, you should not feel guilty for having these feelings, these are very normal.

BUT it is important to seek help, the right professional will help you implement changes and put a managment plan in place so both of you can just take a breath.

No one should ever dismiss how the human feels, it can be bloody tough.

However, one thing I always try to remind clients of is that your dogs reaction is not focused on how it makes you feel, its aboit how they feel at that moment in time and so learning how to review our emotions, decisions and reactions can be game changing.

It's absolutely understandable to feel stressed, but it's really important to reach out and find a professional who will support you and your dog because both ends of the lead matter!

05/03/2024

This is why we follow Speak Dog ...
We should be thinking and reading the cues from the dog in front of us.

ALL IS NOT ALWAYS AS IT APPEARS!

A dog that doesnt react isnt always a dog that " fine" or coping!

We all respond to anxiety, stressors, trauma or dislikes in various ways.

Some people get angry, some people remove themselves, some people clam up, some people just avoid, some people approach and try to be extra nice to pacify.

Dogs are no different, the dog that barks and lunges can feel exactly the same as the dog that that doesnt look or react at all.

Same feeling, different coping stratagies!

Knowing how to successfully observe the silent conversations your dog has will always be one of the most vital tools you can aquire for a successful relationship.

15/02/2024

What to do on rainy days to occupy your dogs...
Enrichment time in our household. I love hearing their noses working hard. No frustration, just the right type of enrichment that fulfils a dog's needs.

09/02/2024

Thank you Happy Hounds for sharing this.

We are very happy to announce that our new partner charity in store, is VETERANS WITH DOGS !

VETERANS WITH DOGS are an award winning organisation, that trains and provides assistance dogs for Veterans with complex mental health difficulties - including PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

In store, we will be working hard to support the organisation in as many ways as possible by fundraising, collecting donations and spreading awareness to our customers.

Right now we are encouraging people to add an extra dog toy into their shopping and donate it to the charity via our collection box :) 🙏

https://veteranswithdogs.org.uk/

02/02/2024

What is the definition of a ‘dog walker?’ – Someone who walks dogs.
Seems a quite simple and straight forward definition...
Right? Actually, it is so much more than that.

Dog walkers should have knowledge of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000, Animal Welfare Act 2006 to name a few, and not forgetting the Health & Safety Acts, along with the amendments to all the Acts.

Then you need to be able to read a dog’s body language and be able to understand the dog’s individual needs. Tailoring a walk for the dog, considering their age, fitness level, health and exhibited behaviour, so they get the best possible experience when out, whilst maintaining their and your safety.
Looking at the best equipment to use that is both kind and body appropriate for the dog.
Building the relationship with your client and their dog’s so that the client feels they can ask questions and you are open enough to inform them if you have spotted an issue.

The Walk -
A dog walk should be more than a regimented route walk. It is about the dog being able to fulfil the need to sniff. To mentally stimulate the dog as well as the physical side. This type of stimulation has so many benefits for your companion. Dog’s rely on their nose to tell them important things about the world around them. If you stop that, and do not allow the dog to sniff, it is akin to us walking around with a blindfold on…
The dog walk is their walk, we are along for the journey. In a world where everything is so governed by technology etc, maybe we can learn from dogs and take 5 mins just to sniff the air and forget the technology, engaging with the dog in a way that promotes and builds their confidence and helps them relax in a positive and force-free way.
Not forgetting having a backup plan for when a dog maybe convalescing, or the weather may be hot/cold and you need to look at brain games etc to entertain the dog.

Why do some Dog Walker’s costs seem expensive?
The dog walking industry is not regulated, so there will always be some people who can offer cheaper walks (some may be able to offer cheaper walks due to group walks) but consider this when looking at the price - There’s the business insurance, the website and page to build and maintain, the vehicle and all associated costs the equipment used, the natural treats supplied' the books read, the Pet First Aid courses, Dog Law seminars and all courses that are attended, often in the evenings and weekends, to keep our knowledge current and put into practise to provide your dog with the best experience and all the admin that sits behind the business.
The knowledge and training of the dog.
Liaising with vets and other pet professionals on your behalf.
Not to mention the pre-walk meet and greet and the contact details form that are required before you even start the walk.
The phone calls, emails, texts asking for advice / help and many are out of hours in addition to those answered in business hours.
The going above and beyond when needed.
The many years worth of experience gained in owning dogs, adopting dogs, fostering dogs, transport runs and home checks for rescues - all contribute to knowledge and experience.

These are the standards I set for myself, to provide the best and to be the advocate for your dog.

I have been emotionally, physically (sprained ankles, pulled neck, shoulder and arm muscles) and mentally drained by things I have seen and done

Why do I do it?
I get to spend my time doing what I love. I get cuddles, licks and have many laughs with all the dogs I spend my time with. They trust me to keep them safe.
They brighten my day and teach me something every day.
I wouldn't change any of these experiences.

One final point to help you get the best dog walker:
Ask to see people’s evidence of certificates etc and ask questions before you hire.
Checkout the Professional Dog Walkers Guidelines, endorsed by Dogs’ Trust, PIF, CFSG & the RSPCA.
Afterall, you are placing your beloved family member in their care and your house security too.

30/01/2024

This post is as relevant today as it was when I wrote it the other year.
More dogs are being abandoned, handed to rescues etc and a lot of these are dogs being branded as difficult . It really breaks my heart!

Be your dog's hero!

I have seen many posts and heard people saying their dogs are 'naughty'.
Most of these dogs are aged between 1 - 3 years old.
If you look at rescues an awful lot of dogs are rehomed during this age.
It is an extremely difficult time in their growing stage, with hormones surging etc and the puppy distancing itself from the primary caregiver (it may appear as though the dog is not listening) - it is a survival instinct.

We need to be more understanding of our dogs and show compassion; dogs are not naughty, they are going through difficult developmental stages and this affects how they process and respond to what we ask of them. To label a dog as naughty is wrong; your dog is experiencing hormonal changes and this affects the chemicals in their brains.

We should try and make life easier for our dogs. If your dog isn't coping with training, take it back to basics, only do training in bite sized portions, such as 5 minute sessions as opposed to half hour sessions. If your dog becomes frustrated finish with a task you know they can do - set your dog up for a win, not frustration.

When out on walks, do you observe your dog?
Are they comfortable with the situation presented to them?
Do you need to move them to a place with less distractions?
Maybe consider giving them a treat search or perhaps just sit on a bench and have your dog observe things from a safe space. Dogs will take it all in, but by observing from a safe distance, you are enabling them to read the world in a relaxed manner.
As a dog walker and with dogs of my own, I need to be able to read the dog I am walking. If a dog is starting to show they are becoming uncomfortable with the walk or situations that arise, then it is far better to return home to the dog's safe environment then push the dog into unwanted behaviours because I have not listened to their non verbal cries for help.

Give your dog a natural treat, let them engage in their natural chewing behaviours, so they can feel relaxed. I love watching my girls eating their treats or using their Lickimats; my Nutters close their eyes, there is real enjoyment there. Their body language is relaxed.

Make sure your dog is getting plenty of rest/sleep. Like us, dogs need quiet time; they need the time to 'download' and process everything they have experienced in a quiet and safe environment. Living on edge has their adrenaline constantly raised and causes mental, physical and emotional issues, in a similar way it does for us.

We need to stop comparing our dogs to other peoples' dogs. Age, hormones and genetics play a massive part in each and every dog and we must make sure that we are not attaching labels, such as naughty, or useless etc to our dogs. We need to work with and love the dog we have in front of us and provide them with the safest and best situations we can.

Embrace the dog in front of you; it may surprise you how much your dog can teach you.

If your dog is struggling, find a reputable dog behaviourist.
Learn from one of the best in the industry;
Emma Johnston of Speak Dog Training and Behaviour, www.speakdog.co.uk
Speak Dog

29/01/2024

###X Please remember that your dog must wear an ID tag in public. ###X

The law (Control of Dogs Order 1992) states all dogs must wear a collar and ID tag when out in public, which must detail their owner's name and address.
This dog ID tags UK law applies whether your dog is on a lead or not.