Pet Sense - dog, cat & rabbit behaviour

06/05/2024

Come take a listen to my podcast episode with Danny Chambers for Veterinary Voices UK Public Page - there’s a great mix of episodes that have been recorded so far, definitely worth a look and a listen to any that pique your interest 👀 🎧

Is it necessary to assert dominance over our dogs like a wolf pack leader?

Should we allow a new puppy to sleep in our bedroom with us during their first few nights?

"We're concerned about the rise in self-proclaimed dog trainers on social media sharing downright dangerous misinformation."

Tune in as ⁠Rosie Bescoby⁠, clinical animal behaviorist from ⁠⁠Pet Sense - dog, cat & rabbit behaviour debunks some behaviour and training myths with ⁠Danny Chambers.

Rosie shares her expertise, providing invaluable insights into responsible and effective training, and discusses the link between pain and behavioural problems.

Listen to their chat here⬇️
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/veterinary-voices/episodes/Dog-Training---Should-We-Be-The-Dominant-Wolf-e2j9771

24/04/2024

Hu***ng in dogs has various motivations- male dogs may be sexually motivated to mount a particularly smelly bitch, and a**l gland problems can sometimes cause dogs to smell “sexy” but otherwise it is normally associated with arousal. It appears to be a behaviour that is used by a dog in an attempt to calm themselves down (eg if they are feeling frustrated, anxious, or have got themselves wound up during play), or in an attempt to calm a person or another dog down (as Jaffa is showing here because Eric got a bit OTT in his play). Or it might be used when a dog simply anticipates any of the above happening eg they hump children because they associate children with high arousal behaviour & noises. It can also be a way for a dog to soothe pain, particularly gastrointestinal discomfort - usually exhibited after eating.
Frequently hu***ng behaviour is described as a dog’s attempt to dominate, rather than as a communication tool or there being a physical or emotional reason for the behaviour. Confrontational-related mounting usually starts with one dog putting their head over the other dog’s shoulders, creating a T-shape. There would usually be some tense posturing and hard eye contact first.
I would usually avoid Eric getting carried away enough for Jaffa to resort to sorting the situation out herself, but she was happy to take one for the team for the sake of an educational post 😉
When do your dogs hump? Can you work out the possible motivation for it from the information above?

09/03/2024

It was a pleasure to be invited to Crufts 2024 by ADAPTIL 😊 Yesterday I was on the stand chatting to owners who had questions about their dog’s behaviour (as well as answering some cat questions too!) I also discussed some common behaviour issues with the lovely Emma from Adaptil and gave tips to help - keep your eyes peeled for the video clips 👀

Thank you to all my followers who came to the stand to say hello - it was really lovely to meet some of you 👋🏻 Sorry to those I missed on the other days! Crufts is the world’s biggest hub for dog enthusiasts and professionals and allows us to celebrate the relationship between humans and dogs. There’s loads to learn, whether researching a potential dog breed or how to help an anxious dog, lots of activities to watch from agility to police dogs at work, and a HUGE amount of shopping to be done to maximise on all the great discounts (and I managed to control myself and not come home with a new dog bed). Adaptil have 20% off everything in their online shop during March, PLUS AN EXTRA 10% OFF USING THE CODE CRUFTSVIP

If you think your dog finds anything in life a bit stressful or you have an upcoming change in life (eg expecting a baby, moving house), Adaptil is a great product to help them cope. It is a synthetic version of the pheromone the mum produces when she is feeding her puppies that makes them feel safe, secure and calm. It comes as a plug in diffuser, as a collar to be worn alongside their usual collar, or as a spray to apply to bedding or a bandana. Feel free to ask if you have any questions about Adaptil & I will happily answer them for you 🙂 ❓

07/03/2024

Come and say hi if you are visiting Crufts tomorrow (Friday) - I will be on the Adaptil stand Hall 3, Stand 11 to answer any questions about dog behaviour

05/03/2024

THE GOBSTOPPER
Many dogs will be motivated to pick up & hold an item when greeting people, particularly Gundog breeds, as a “displacement” behaviour, to help regulate their arousal levels. Shoes are the common choice because they are near the door where greeting occurs. This often results in the owner getting annoyed with the dog and/or taking the shoe off them. If no items are available, clothes, hands or arms often end up in the dog’s mouth which is obviously not appropriate, and as with being told off for picking up an item that doesn’t belong to them, leads to emotional conflict - the dog is motivated to have something in their mouth to help them displace their arousal associated with greeting, they get told off, they become anxious about greeting people, which requires more displacement… etc etc!
So find something your dog finds satisfying to pick up & hold & make sure it’s available at the entrance to the home where greetings take place: a gobstopper.
This is theirs to parade and hold for as long as they wish. Some dogs might seek contact whilst holding the item, some dogs won’t want to be touched during greeting (and this is likely to vary depending on who they are greeting) but the rule is to keep hands away from their item!
Spencer Bear is Eric’s favourite. If it’s not somewhere obvious when he greets someone he now searches til he finds it (a great scentwork game for him that also helps regulate arousal!)

29/02/2024

Cats are designed to hunt and eat little & often - think about the size of their prey - and it’s great to feed them so they have to work for their food to provide some enrichment. KatKin food is ace to spread on a LickiMat - my 2 cats are fed in 2 separate areas which is how I recommend all cats are fed in multicat households. They are also fed raised off the floor & so they can face the room as that’s how cats will feel safest. Lickimats are also great for dogs too and you can find them in my online shop: https://www.pet-sense.co.uk/product-category/activity-feeders/

24/02/2024

VETS: you can now refer cases via my website, no more paper forms 🤣🥳 (actually embarrassed it's taken me this long to get this sorted).
You will now be sent this link if a potential new client contacts me directly, rather than a form to print and return: https://www.pet-sense.co.uk/refer-a-case/
You can also continue to contact me at [email protected] if you wish to discuss a case at any time.

If you are a vet wishing to refer a case, please fill in the form below:

20/02/2024

Super videos over on Supreme Petfoods: Experts Pets page promoting great welfare of our small furry pets

04/01/2024

Last year, Bella’s emotional bank account for “trips to the vet” had a large withdrawal so - along with the help of the lovely staff at Zetland Veterinary Group - we are working on making lots of payments into her account to put her in credit. This means that next time there is a withdrawal it shouldn't take her into her overdraft.

If your dog struggles at the vets, or you are a veterinary professional who helps dogs who are worried at the vets, here are some tips for you:

- Liaise together to make a plan for any essential vet visits where examination or treatment might be needed. This will avoid any larger withdrawals than necessary. You might discuss timings of appointments, using a different entrance/exit, prescribing some medication to be given before the appointment, muzzle training at home etc.

- Arrange to take the dog to the practice at times when it is quiet (fewer stressors for the dog/owner, empty consult rooms if required, less inconvenience to the team, more staff available to help if needed) when the dog does NOT need any vet treatment.

- In order for these visits to count as payments INTO the account, the dog must find them a positive experience. That means more than just nothing unpleasant happening. If the dog is in a negative emotional state, they will simply be creating more negative associations with the practice - even if you are thrusting food in their face at the same time. The dog has to be relaxed and find the experience pleasant. Do not proceed past the point of the dog being able to cope (i.e. take food with relaxed body language). This might mean not even venturing into the practice to start with, but walking towards/past/playing in the carpark for example.

- If the dog wants to leave at any point, let them (go with them, obvs!). Let them feel 100% in control of the situation. It is likely the dog wan't finding the experience positive (accidentally took them too far in, spent too long there, something negative happened there, the good stuff wasn't good enough) in which case things will need adjusting, OR they might just need a break and to know they have the ability to leave if they need to. In the latter case, you can ask them the question 'do you want to try XYZ again?' and see how they respond. (I know they don't speak English - I mean ask them with your body language).

- The presence of staff may help or hinder the dog to start with depending on how the dog feels about people or certain vet staff. Even dogs who like people can find certain interactions too much when they are in an environment they have previously found to be unpredictable. Keep as ‘hands-off’ as possible.

- We want the dog to find everything relating to arriving at and being at the practice super positive but leaving to be boring. As long as the dog does not struggle with the feeling of frustration, we generally want the dog to feel disappointment that their trip is over (as opposed to their previous feelings of relief).

- You can do several repetitions of approaching/entering = lots of good stuff, retreating = boring, within one session.

- Examination & vet treatment exercises need to be worked on at home by familiar people so the dog is happy to have 'stuff' done to them in the environment they are most relaxed. These exercises can then be transferred to the veterinary environment once the dog is happy to enter the practice.

- As always, all of the above is more nuanced when working with an individual dog/owner following a behaviour consult to make a plan of action. There's lots more that can be done too - these are just a few generic points that I hope are helpful 🙂

01/01/2024

https://news.sky.com/story/how-experts-predict-xl-bully-ban-will-change-dog-attack-trend-13034855

One expert tells Sky News the XL bully ban is like introducing a gun ban to stop shooting deaths - but only outlawing one make and model of gun.

01/01/2024

This is not my usual New Year’s post: Today my heart feels heavy.

From now on, all XL Bully’s lives are restricted to being on a lead & muzzled at all times in public (including the car) or their lives must end.

All owners of any bull-breed dogs taller than 19 inches (females) or 20 inches (males) at the withers will have to decide whether they will also restrict their dog to a lead & muzzle and get them exempted, or whether to risk their dog being identified as an XL Bully Type by a police officer or Dog Legislation Officer who may seize the dog (if in a public space). There are further implications for some people in terms of their housing and being able to cover the cost of vet bills for exempted dogs unable to get pet insurance cover. The guidance is as clear as mud and contradictory in places, making it a confusing and upsetting time for owners of large-breed bully dogs.

I will never downplay the events that have led the government to add XL Bully Types to the list of breeds of Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act. However, I fail to see a) how the difference of 1 inch can determine whether a dog is deemed potentially dangerous or not, b) how a muzzle & lead in public will protect the owners of actually dangerous dogs - and visitors to their home - from attacks, or c) how anyone is protected if a dog escapes from a home or garden that the owner thought was secure. The multiple complex factors contributing to the rise in dog attacks have not been addressed.

Indeed, labelling certain breed types as ‘dangerous’ gives the impression that other breeds of dogs are ‘safe’. All dogs have sharp teeth and claws and the potential to bite, attack or even kill a human, and we need to learn how to reduce the risk of injury from all dogs. Irresponsible people will move onto the next breed of intimidating-looking dog (rumour has it they have already identified which breed has a powerful bite and bigger teeth than the pitbull or XL bully…). We will now also have a load of frustrated and stressed XL bully types getting less physical exercise than they have been used to & having muzzles strapped to their faces, some without having gone through the appropriate training to introduce them - a recipe for an increase in dog bites (perpetuating the ‘statistics’ regarding these dogs).

To the vets and vet practices stating that they will not partake in euthanasia of these dogs, I implore you to consider what will happen to them given they are unable to be rehomed? I understand you have been dealt a depressing hand but I hate the thought of dogs being kept with compromised welfare because their owners are unable to afford, or commit to, the exemption laws - or believe they are unable to fulfil their individual dog’s 5 freedoms, or would be made homeless by keeping an exempted dog.

I am grateful that my insurance still allows me to work with exempted dogs. Please feel free to get in touch if you need my services.

(Image credit unknown)

20/12/2023

Christmas tips & Christmas lips 💋

28/11/2023

Catch up on my chat all about senior dogs and behaviour change if you have 30 mins over a cup of tea or glass of wine

27/11/2023

TONIGHT - Join me at 6pm live on the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors - APBC page where I will be chatting all about senior dogs and behaviour. If you have any questions feel free to join live later or drop them below and I can answer them for you. If you can't join me live the recording will be shared for you to watch when convenient.

Live Ask The Expert session - Monday 27th November at 6pm!

We welcome Rosie Bescoby, who is here to talk about the Older Dog and their Behaviour. Submit your behaviour questions below for a chance to have an expert answer :)

Rosie is an Animal Behaviour and Training Council registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist and Animal Training Instructor based in and around Bristol and North Somerset. Her business, Pet Sense, provides behavioural advice to owners, professionals, the pet industry and media. She currently has 3 dogs - her eldest, Spice - a 16.5 year old Jack Russell Terrier cross, has Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, and Rosie & her family have previously adopted elderly rescue dogs to see out their final days in the comfort of their home, so she is well-equipped to answer any questions you may have about living with a senior pooch.

See you there!

Please note that these videos do not replace the advice of a qualified behaviourist or trainer and should not be used as such - please visit www.apbc.org.uk for a suitable practitioner.

24/11/2023

*BLACK FRIDAY SALE*
Half price on all webinars using the coupon code BLACKFRIDAY23

-Dog body language & communication now £10
- Cat behaviour now £7.50
- Dogs & Fireworks now £7.50
- Puppies: problem prevention now £7.50
- Take control of your dog walks now £10

Offer ends midnight Sunday 26th Nov but once purchased you have lifetime access to watch, rewind or re-watch as many times as you like ▶️⏸️⏮️
Visit www.pet-sense.co.uk/product-category/webinars to find which webinar(s) you want - add to basket, select free “postage” and you will receive an email with a link to click on to watch your webinar(s)

20/11/2023

Join me over on the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors - APBC page next Monday 27th at 6pm to chat with me live about older dogs - if you can't join live, drop any questions below and I will answer them for you on the night and you can watch the recording in your own time

Live Ask The Expert session - Monday 27th November at 6pm!

We welcome Rosie Bescoby, who is here to talk about the Older Dog and their Behaviour. Submit your behaviour questions below for a chance to have an expert answer :)

Rosie is an Animal Behaviour and Training Council registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist and Animal Training Instructor based in and around Bristol and North Somerset. Her business, Pet Sense, provides behavioural advice to owners, professionals, the pet industry and media. She currently has 3 dogs - her eldest, Spice - a 16.5 year old Jack Russell Terrier cross, has Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, and Rosie & her family have previously adopted elderly rescue dogs to see out their final days in the comfort of their home, so she is well-equipped to answer any questions you may have about living with a senior pooch.

See you there!

Please note that these videos do not replace the advice of a qualified behaviourist or trainer and should not be used as such - please visit www.apbc.org.uk for a suitable practitioner.

17/11/2023

Canine Cognitive Dysfunction & what can we do to help older dogs?

Firstly it is sensible to look into delaying onset as much as we can in all older dogs. Whilst research in this area specifically relating to dogs is scarce, we can extrapolate findings of studies in humans and look at studies of dogs who are already exhibiting early signs.

We know that diets and supplements containing antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) have proven benefits for geriatric patients, helping to maintain brain function and potentially slowing down the progression of brain changes. There is medication licensed for the treatment of canine cognitive dysfunction, however it is important to appreciate that brain-changes cannot be halted or reversed. Where an increase in anxiety is a symptom, other psychoactive medications may be more appropriate to help the dog better cope – always speak to your vet about dietary changes, the introduction of supplements or psychoactive medication to help your older dog. They will need to be an integral part of the treatment plan as they can monitor welfare, advise you regarding other concurrent medical issues, and provide vital support for you.

Studies have shown that mental stimulation is an essential part in both maintaining quality of life and cognitive function in older dogs. Enrichment can be provided in the form of daily play, exercise, scent games, novel toys or items to explore, training new cues and reinforcing known cues. Cues may need to be altered to be more obvious or changed altogether if sensory deprivation is also occurring – e.g. instead of verbal cues, large elaborate hand signals may be needed where hearing loss is occurring. Careful waking or communicating that you are near or about to touch them can help prevent a startle reaction – use scent and vibration to do this where hearing and sight are poor. E.g. tap the dog’s bed if they are sleeping in it, hold your hand near their nose so they can pick up your scent before you touch them.

The environment and routine may need to be modified to improve comfort, reduce anxiety and to accommodate other concurrent conditions such as chronic pain, blindness, or hearing loss. Dogs may need more frequent opportunities to go to the toilet outside, they may need more company during the day and/or at night (if they are feeling vulnerable when left alone or night waking is an issue). Avoid making changes to the homes such as moving furniture and keep the day-to-day routine as predictable as possible to help them cope. Feeding little and often can help both those who become more ravenous and those who do not want to eat as much as they used to.

There are online Quality of Life questionnaires that can be filled in on a regular basis (maybe monthly to start with, or increasing to weekly or even daily as things progress) to enable you to be as objective as possible in terms of your dog’s welfare. These will give a score that is graded good welfare, poor welfare and somewhere in the middle. There will inevitably be good and bad days so these enable you to identify when the number of ‘poor welfare’ days start creeping up.

You may find it increasingly difficult to cope. The human–animal bond can be broken by some of the symptoms such as night waking or loss of house training. As well as doing what you can to help your dog, it is also so important to get support for you. Guidance from your vet in terms of treatment options available and the quality of life of your dog will be invaluable, as well as making potentially difficult decisions relating to end of life: remember that euthanasia is the most unselfish things we can do for our pets 💝🌈

13/11/2023

Our smallest dog is now nearly 16.5 years old and is showing signs of fairly advanced Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (or 'doggy dementia').

Symptoms she is showing include:
- Loss of toilet training - she has forgotten where she is meant to toilet and lost the ability to hold on. Luckily she is not toileting in her beds and has not become incontinent 🚽
- Going to the hinge sides of doors waiting for them to open (pic 2) 🚪
- Disorientation - getting 'stuck' in strange places and not working out how to get out e.g. behind the TV, down the side of the kitchen units, behind the sofa, behind the bin ... (pic 3) 🆘
- Altered interactions with us - this one is hard to be specific about but all I can say is that she has changed. She is more desperate for interactions, fuss or playtime in some situations but less in others than she once was. She is no longer interested in toys but LOVES a bit of hand play which she would previously hate (and would go and get a toy instead). She loves a fuss but does not want to be under a blanket on a lap like she used to. I have had to resort to hot water bottles instead ☹️
- Pacing - when she anticipates something happening e.g. feeding time, someone arriving home, her morning walk - she paces. And paces. And paces. Sometimes she paces at random times too 🐾
- Confusion - luckily as long as we keep her routine the same every day and do not take her anywhere other than her morning walk straight from the house, she is fine 🤯
- Reduced inhibitions - this was actually one of the first noticeable symptoms. Doing things she would never have done e.g. stealing food, snatching items, barging etc. I like to think of this as her purposefully behaving however the hell she likes now, rather than due to the changes going on in her brain 😇
- She has a ferocious appetite - the theory is that they have forgotten they have been fed, but I think this is also linked to the lack of inhibition 🐽
- Vacant episodes - she can be found staring into space. But then can't we all? 🤔

Other signs some dogs show include: changes to sleep/wake cycles (meaning being awake in the middle of the night), barking at "nothing", distress associated with their confusion, separation distress, increased anxiety, reduced appetite, and increased aggression (potentially associated with increased anxiety/distress and reduced inhibitions).

It's become a bit of an essay so will continue with what we have been doing to help her in another post, as well as how we are continuously monitoring her welfare, but just to highlight that many of the symptoms outlined above can also be signs of other medical issues such as pain. It is very important to make an appointment with your vet if your dog is showing signs that make you think they might have CCD (or indeed if they show any behaviour changes at all at any age) 👩‍⚕️

09/11/2023

I have been a bit missing in action on here over the last couple of years due to focusing on other work commitments but I am hoping to be a bit more active again now. Whilst I have been quietly ticking along helping owners with their dogs, cats and rabbits, I haven't had the capacity to take on a huge number of cases but I am now able to focus solely on behaviour work so my books have officially RE-OPENED. Don't all rush at once mind. Vet practices - if you would like any behaviour CPD refreshers I would be very happy to come and see you again!
I can be reached at: [email protected]

03/11/2023

It was a pleasure to join ITV News West Country in the studio today to chat about dogs & fireworks 💥

Animal charities the loud bangs of fireworks can make dogs anxious. | ITV News West Country

23/05/2023

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1771548/dog-attacks-increase-uk-law-safety-spt

- The effects of lockdown
- Puppy farms
- Quick fix training from self-proclaimed 'trainers'
- Children & dogs
- Predatory behaviour
- Banning certain breeds
- Legal obligations of all dog owners
- Dog licences
- Keeping safe from dogs in public
- Where to seek help

Turns out I can jibber on about quite a lot when i'm asked about the increase in dog bites 🤭

EXCLUSIVE: Dog attacks have increased by more than a third in the past five years, and the public is, understandably, getting scared. Here is everything you need to know about why this trend is emerging, and how you can keep yourself safe.

01/04/2023

Puppy month with ADAPTIL and Eric 😍

29/03/2023

Meet Alan.
Believe it or not, Alan finds life a little bit stressful. Neighbourhood cats cause him to feel vulnerable in his own home which leads to him yowling at night & spraying wee around the house (especially around windows & back doors where other cats are encountered, and on items impregnated with his female owner’s scent).
The home is already very cat friendly with lots of high places (including cat walkways up to high shelves and the tops of furniture) and hiding places, and he is socially bonded with his female cat companion (they wash each other & sleep curled up together). So we are now focusing on ensuring he feels completely safe in the home (other cats cannot access the house or get close to look in through windows) & ensuring he has everything he needs within the home (he has free access to outside which is great, but he must not ever feel that he has no choice but to go outside to access the toilet or hunting opportunities, for example). Using FELIWAY to fill the house with reassuring messages of safety will help prevent him feeling the need to spray to communicate the same thing. Lots of enrichment in the home and making changes to the garden should also help!

27/02/2023

A massive thank you to Vale Vets Animal Hospital - Portishead for letting me & Eric descend this morning for a Monday morn vom sesh 🤢
He knocked a punnet of grapes off the side that were for the chickens for breakfast 🐔 🍇
He’s been v brave & i’m certain he definitely hasn’t learnt his lesson 😑
Remember folks, grapes & raisins can be dangerous to dogs in any quantity so always get them straight to the vets so they can be made to be sick asap 🤮

01/02/2023

Following the news of another tragic death from a dog attack, I spoke to Sky News to discuss these extremely concerning incidents:

Two fatal dog attacks have already happened in 2023 - a dog walker mauled to death and then a four-year-old girl killed in her back garden. Last year saw a record 10 dog-related deaths, but what's behind the sudden rise?

22/01/2023

SOCIALISATION & HABITUATION: Take it at your individual puppy’s pace. It’s not simply a tick list of things to expose them to. It’s about positive (or totally neutral) exposure to a variety of things, so that the puppy remains calm & relaxed. This is the point in their development where they are most sensitive to learning, including any negative experiences. So set them up for success whilst exposing them to life in the outside world. Distance and time are your friends to allow your puppy to process information. Form an association with good stuff being produced and you have a happy pup who learns that checking in with you gets heavily paid!

15/01/2023

Puppies & separation during the night & day:
It needs building up slowly. They’ve come from the only environment they’ve ever known, likely where they’ve slept as a pile on with their siblings. They are young babies & their independence need nurturing as they learn to feel safe alone in this new unfamiliar territory. Respond to their vocalising to meet their needs & build a secure attachment with you. The first few days you may not be able to leave them alone in a room of the house. Provide them with plenty of self-reinforcing activities & get their sleep schedule sorted. Then start to pop into other rooms/upstairs whilst they remain settled. At night you might want to start with them by your bed or you sleeping downstairs so you can reassure them of your proximity. You can build distance from them as they settle into their new home. When you first start leaving the house, spend time just outside (sit in the car if you want) and watch them live by video calling another phone or iPad that you leave. Aim to return whilst they are still settled. If you and your puppy are struggling and getting distressed, seek professional help with a qualified behaviourist. Never punish your puppy (or dog) for showing undesirable behaviour when left alone- this will simply engrain the feeling that being left alone is unpleasant and add to their stress levels.
For more puppy advice, check out my Puppies: Problem Prevention webinar. Just £15 for lifetime access - https://www.pet-sense.co.uk/product/puppies-problem-prevention/