Canine Advocate 1-2-1

22/01/2025

WHOSE WALK IS IT ANYWAY?

Imagine going on a long-anticipated walk, through new scenery and exciting smells after being cooped up in the same place all day, but you have been fitted with a blind fold and are being dragged or yanked along at a fast pace.

I imagine that this is how dogs feel when we don’t allow them time to stop, sniff and explore the environment.

Dogs largely perceive their world through scent and it’s how they collect and process information to help the world make sense.

Taking away an opportunity for sniffing on a walk really isn’t being fair.. As much as physical exercise is important, the mental stimulation that sniffing provides is equally, if not more important.

Allowing dogs to choose when to stop and sniff provides so many benefits – increases self-confidence, promotes calmness, lowers stress and anxiety levels, lowers pulse rates, reduces cognitive decline in older dogs and provides important mental and environmental enrichment.

Make time for a slow sniffing walk when you can, where your dog is allowed to choose which direction to go and allowed time to just investigate, interpret, process the environment and follow wherever their nose leads them.

It may take far more time and patience as we wait for them to finish smelling that particular blade of grass, but the benefits are well worth it – after all, whose walk is it anyway?

22/01/2025

Small dogs can have a really tough time of it. Because they are small they are not always respected and listened to as much as larger breeds.

I should add that there are many excellent guardians and caregivers of small dogs who do make a huge amount of effort to help their small dogs feel comfortable in the world and who advocate for them, but sadly there are also far too many who don't, or other people who don't understand and don't try to.

Because these little dogs are small enough to be easily manhandled, the same amount of time is not always put into their training and ensuring that they are comfortable with what is going on around them.

Is it then any wonder that they become scared and vocal about their fear and wish to be left alone?

For more see a link to an article in the comments.

20/01/2025

Listen to the whispers

Whispers are soft, subtle and so easy to miss in our often busy, hectic lives, but making an effort to listen to them can prevent situations from escalating, resulting in reactive behaviour.

A dog’s attempt to communicate is so often misunderstood or completely ignored.

Body language is one of the only ways that dogs can let us know how they are feeling. When we know how they’re feeling, we can intervene, help them feel safe and prevent those emotions from boiling over.

Body language can be subtle and fleeting, but with careful observation and knowing what to look for most of us can learn to recognize and understand what our dogs are saying.

It’s always important to look at the context, the situation and especially what the rest of the body is doing when deciphering their language.

Being able to understand a dog’s emotional state through their body language helps us to predict behaviour, prevent potential problems or simply allows us to just enjoy observing what they are feeling.

Although dogs each have their own unique personalities and distinct way of communicating, there are many common signs that can give us insight. We just need to take the time to learn and then notice them. I believe dogs would be so grateful if we make the effort to learn their language.

Here are some resources and links to learn more about body language -

On Talking Terms With Dogs - Calming Signals, 2nd Edition by Turid Rugaas
https://www.dogwise.com/on-talking-terms-with-dogs-calming-signals-2nd-edition/?srsltid=AfmBOoqj8ruQJx5bCP7qWb03TqCyAGfmAvCj988UuWk_L1_UHbYcZsES&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0AaDd_wwhSC4JEUqkvQmOG9lU5bNdbAOEeHQb0st7P_DXrdAOR-utY_-k_aem_cqU0VLHHyjrKbce9ddT84g

The Veterinary Behaviour Centre
https://www.heska.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/TVBC-Canine-Dog-Body-Language-handout.pdf?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3mKGykzNJr7_yFf1_e6mc2sRHjNvjEok2GLvKTw-OMtTxEfjtlxM6vk4I_aem_B-YAlekmE0eV03c_1x8cyw

20/01/2025

20/01/2025

Slow, mindful walks can profoundly impact reducing reactivity in dogs. 🧠 Unlike vigorous exercise, which can sometimes increase arousal and hypervigilance, by not giving dogs time to process how they feel and become accustomed to their surroundings, let alone overcome stress by stopping and sniffing. Slow walks allow your dog to engage with their environment at their own pace, reducing stress and promoting calmness. This gentle exercise helps regulate your dog's energy levels and provides them with mental stimulation through exploration and sniffing. Incorporating slow walks into your dog's routine is a holistic approach that supports physical and emotional wellbeing, making them less likely to overreact to triggers, and it can have a calming effect on us, too.

20/01/2025

THE LESSER TALKED ABOUT SIDE OF LEAD WALKING...dysregulation, and why we need to think about it if our dog is a bit frantic or hard to manage on a lead.

Dysregulation involves a difficulty managing one's emotional responses, and therefore this can impact behaviour.

When I receive lead walking enquiries (note: not for dogs that are just a bit keen to get to the next smell, but dogs that are really pulling hard, pulling 'through' their lead for most of their walk, or are frantic on lead), I tend to fire back a whole host of questions about the environment, other questions about the dog, walking habits. You might think, "how is any of this relevant? Just teach my dog to walk nicely on a lead, please!" but in the many years I have been working with dogs professionally, I have found that often when I am contacted for lead walking help, the dog is actually dysregulated and cannot behave in a way that is "calm" or "logical".

This might be because of their diet, physical health, general state of high arousal/their emotional bucket being a bit full. VERY OFTEN, I find that they have set expectations of the walk (which impacts their emotional bucket), that they are a bit of a fizzy dog who needs help chilling out generally, or they are responding to something in the environment, and thus pulling on their lead (e.g. traffic scares them, you're walking on pavements near a road, the dog does not feel safe and they want to get away from it all so walk quickly - behaviourally this manifests to most people as pulling on their lead).

I feel it is important to explore the emotional side of lead walking FIRST - once we are confident that the dog isn't dysregulated and therefore struggling with walking, then we can work on lead walking skills and boosting engagement.

Often, people will contact me for help with things like reactivity, and after a period of working through that, they will comment that their dog's lead walking has improved a lot and they don't pull anymore. The issue wasn't necessarily the lead (it just manifested that way), it was actually dysregulation.

This is why I prefer a bespoke approach to lead walking help and why it isn't always that simple.
Step one - help your individual dog to be more well-regulated in their day-to-day life
Step two (alongside step one) - support your dog to practice natural dog behaviour on lead in a way that doesn't encourage pulling you down the road
Step three - lead walking and engagement skills (you'll find this all comes a LOT easier if you have done steps one and two)

I have written about important considerations around the "heel" expectation, and reasons a dog might pull on their lead, in my book Empowering Your Dog Through Choice which is available on Amazon for just £9.99.
Here is the Amazon UK link but you'll find this on other Amazon stores too: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Empowering-Your-Through-Choice-Relationships/dp/B0BCSCZDSB

20/01/2025

Dog Sociability: Understanding and Respecting Our Dogs' Needs

Summer is a wonderful time to get outside and enjoy the sunshine with our dogs. However, it's also a perfect time to remember that not all dogs enjoy the company of unfamiliar dogs. Just like people, dogs have a wide range of sociability.

The Spectrum of Dog Sociability

Many puppies seem to adore every dog they meet. They’re social butterflies, greeting everyone like a friend. But this stage doesn’t last forever.

As dogs mature, their sociability changes. Most dogs don’t remain friendly with every dog they encounter, and the phrase, “Don’t worry, he’s friendly,” is not only unhelpful but can also be harmful.

Your dog may be friendly, but that doesn’t mean they’ll get along with every dog they meet. Here’s an overview of the four key sociability categories and how they evolve:

1. Dog Social

Around 10% of adult dogs fall into this category.

They genuinely enjoy meeting and playing with other dogs.

They’re tolerant of rude or poor behaviour.

True dog-social adults are rare, and most puppies grow out of this stage as they mature.

2. Dog Tolerant

The largest group, making up about 40% of dogs.

These dogs get along with most others and handle interactions well.

They may be playful or neutral and are fairly forgiving of minor poor behaviour.

They generally do well on lead when around other dogs, but supervision is still necessary.

3. Dog Selective

Also about 40% of dogs.

These dogs have a specific group of "approved" friends.

They may dislike certain play styles, and disagreements can arise easily.

Often referred to as the “fun police” or “instigator,” as they try to set the rules for play.

Being on lead can increase their frustration, so supervision and positive guidance are critical.

4. Dog Aggressive

A relatively rare trait, seen in about 10% of adult dogs.

These dogs may have very few or no friends and struggle with social interactions.

Often reactive on lead, they require patience, support, and careful management.

Aggression can sometimes stem from fear or anxiety as a self-protection mechanism in stressful situations.

Sociability Is Not Fixed

A dog’s sociability is not set in stone—it evolves as they mature. Social maturity occurs between 12–36 months, depending on the breed. Larger breeds tend to mature later.

Positive experiences can improve sociability, but negative interactions can cause dogs to slip down the sociability spectrum. For example, a dog that is tolerant or selective could become reactive or aggressive after a few bad encounters.

Why "He’s Friendly!" Isn’t Enough

Imagine your dog runs toward another dog on a lead while you shout, “It’s okay, he’s friendly!”

Best case scenario: The other dog is dog-social and enjoys the interaction.

Worst case scenario: The other dog is selective or aggressive, leading to a fight or negative experience for one or both dogs.

If the other dog is on lead, wearing a "give me space" vest, or sporting a yellow ribbon, their owner is likely signalling they need distance. Ignoring this can not only stress the other dog but also put your own dog at risk.

Setting Dogs Up for Success

Wherever your dog falls on the sociability spectrum, it’s our responsibility as guardians to:

Supervise and manage their interactions.

Respect the signals of other dogs and their handlers.

Ensure positive, controlled social experiences.

By understanding and respecting each dog’s unique sociability, we can help them thrive and build safer, more enjoyable outings for everyone.

19/01/2025

Are you being anti social?

When advocating for our dogs that need space, for whatever reason, there are a number of ways to keep safe.

Saying ‘No’ is not anti social.

Asking a person if they would give you a minute to move out of their way is not anti social.

What else is not anti social?
Using a natural barrier like a parked car to obscure vision.
Crossing over the road.
Turning around and changing direction.

What is anti social?
Allowing unskilled, off lead dogs to get up close to a dog that may need space. This is especially true for unfamiliar dogs.

We don’t know what we don’t know. We don’t know how our Dogs will respond to the other dogs and vice versa.

During a recent walk with my dogs on lead, around pavements and quiet but sometimes fast moving traffic on the roads I took clear and immediate action to prevent an unsolicited approach from a number of off lead dogs.

I kept calm and projected my voice to say, ‘NO’ at the dogs which stopped them in their tracks. I then projected my voice to say ‘Call your Dogs back now’.

I stood still and waited because, in this context, walking away could have triggered the dogs to make another fast approach and get into my dogs space.

The guardian tried to call the dogs away. Five attempts at recall. Didn’t work. But, my own body language prevented those dogs moving further towards us and helped them to move away and back to their owner.

I waited until they disappeared into their house and then we moved on. I took a breath, the dogs took in some more sniffs and we had a little reset.

Ruby coped extremely well. With support and advocacy she has developed her skills and all we got today was some medium pitched whimpering, no pulling on her lead and she trusted that she had the skills to cope and trusted me to support her in this situation.

Just a minute later we have a large dog approaching, on lead and we were able to cross the road. Ruby had a look and looked away. It would be understandable for her to have a bigger reaction so soon after the loose dogs.

A minute later we spot another dog on lead walking towards us and we go to cross the road. We are told, that their dog is okay. I said mine isn’t, in a polite way and off we walked.

I was not being anti social.

I was advocating for my dog.

Had I continued and walked towards this dog and had my dog had a vocal reaction, there would have been a shift in the dynamic of this interaction. It was simple and easy to cross the road and prevent a potential issue.

I have been told a dog is fine plenty of times and then the dog has lunged, growled, barked and then told that the dog has never done that before.

I advocate, I manage the situation and keep myself and my dogs safe.

Ruby was able to look and look away, move freely, sniff and reset without any vocal reaction to this dog that was just 10 feet away.

This would have been way too close for her not so long ago. It would be too close for her for certain dogs and people.

Our final challenge was a jogger in the road heading our way.

We crossed over and utilised an opportunity for Ruby to sniff but understandably, after all of the previous inputs stacked up this person was too close for her comfort and we had a mid vocal reaction. It was quickly over with and recovery to base line was quick too.

We were not being anti social.

An unfamiliar man was running towards us and we created distance so that we reduced the likelihood of a significant reaction.

I have lived in Towns and highly populated areas that have made walks pretty tricky. There are some areas where dogs are regularly off lead or frequently rush out of homes and gardens. Walks with our dogs and advocating for them can be a challenge.

We may not have access to a car and be limited for choices and that can add pressure, especially when our dog needs space to feel safe.

For us too. Dog bites, fights, altercations, human to human and dog to human are on the increase.

This posts focus is on advocating for our dogs during our walks. It seems these days that it isa real challenge to enjoy a safe walk that doesn’t involve off lead, unskilled dogs making inappropriate approaches.

We can reduce the risk by choosing the optimum time and location for our walks as often as possible.

We can use our space and environment to protect ourselves and our dogs.

We can say NO and no really does mean no if a person tries to approach.

I have such peace of mind when I have successfully advocated for my dogs and kept us safe.

19/01/2025

Myth or fact? Dogs that need space are aggressive.

That's a myth! Not all dogs that need space are aggressive.

Although some might be, others might be recovering from surgery, in training, anxious, or simply prefer not to interact with other dogs or people.

What is the reason that your dog needs space?

https://www.yellowdoguk.co.uk/store/

19/01/2025

💡Understanding your dog's threshold is incredibly important when managing their reactivity and anxiety levels. It helps you determine the optimal distance or intensity at which to expose your dog to triggers that cause their reactivity during behaviour modification exercises. Helping your dog by keeping them emotionally below ‘threshold’ can create a more manageable and comfortable environment for your dog, which allows them to remain calm and responsive.

When the concept of “going over threshold” is brought up, people often envision a dog barking, snarling, or displaying aggressive behaviour. However, it is important to recognise that “going over threshold” means crossing over into an emotionally distressed state, which may manifest as shutting down, freezing, exhibiting overly excitable behaviour, or becoming so distracted that there is a loss of connection.

⚖️Pushing a dog beyond their comfort zone (threshold) can lead to heightened anxiety, fear, and potentially aggressive behaviour. It is essential to respect and work within their threshold levels to ensure their emotional well-being which in turn will help facilitate effective training and behaviour modification.

When a dog is over threshold, they are primarily reacting rather than thinking – they are in a fight-flight, freeze, fidget, or fawn state. Their emotional and physiological responses are heightened, making it difficult for them to ‘listen’ or respond to cue’s. They may be too overwhelmed or focused on the perceived threat to process information effectively.

Through systematic desensitization (gradual exposure therapy), and counter-conditioning (changing an emotional response) techniques, you can help raise your dog's tolerance levels towards a stimulus that causes emotional distress over time. By carefully managing their exposure to triggers and pairing it with positive experiences and rewards, you can help them develop more resilience and confidence, allowing them to handle challenging situations with greater ease.

Mardi Richmond MA, CPDT-KA describes it as: -
“Consider the threshold of a front door. When you cross a threshold, you move from one space to another. A behaviour threshold is a similar concept; it is when your dog crosses from one emotional state to another. If you spend time with a dog that is concerned about other dogs, you have probably witnessed the moment when he or she moves from seemingly okay into out-of-control behaviour. That is going over threshold.”

When a dog is over threshold, teaching them new behaviours or trying to modify their behaviour becomes challenging and would be inappropriate to do at that moment in time as they are not in the right frame of mind for learning to take place. Their heightened state makes it difficult for them to learn and retain new information. It is important to bring the dog back to a ‘sub-threshold’ state before attempting any training or behaviour modification.

✏️Furthermore, thresholds are not fixed and can fluctuate. Unlike physical thresholds like a front door, emotional and behavioural thresholds can fluctuate depending on various factors. These factors include the dog's current state of arousal, the environment, previous experiences, and the specific trigger or stimulus.
Having awareness of the dog's threshold levels and being vigilant in their behaviour and responses is crucial for effective management and training.

Adjusting the distance, intensity, or duration of exposure to triggers based on the dog's threshold can help create a more conducive learning environment and prevent the dog from becoming over threshold.

18/01/2025

❌ A DOG THAT ROLLS OVER = I WANT BELLY RUBS‼️ ❌

😰 While some dogs do like belly rubs many do this behavior as an appeasement behavior that usually means "yikes, I'm not sure about this situation!"

🖼️ Context matters so you'll need to look at the bigger picture!

18/01/2025

Our dogs don’t owe us anything. Nothing at all.

WE make the decision to bring a dog into our lives. We are aware of our circumstances, our environment and what we can and cannot tolerate before we make that decision, and it’s a decision that should not be taken lightly. But once we have decided to offer our homes and hearts to a dog, we have absolutely no right to impose rigid expectations on to them or try to change their inherent nature.

I’ve encountered people who want to adopt a rescue dog ‘for agility’, as a friend for a child or even as an emotional support animal. To plan a dog’s life and future before you’ve even had a chance to meet them is, quite simply, ludicrous. And what happens when the dog doesn’t meet the expectations of their people? They might be punished, surrendered or replaced. All the while, these people are missing the wonderful dog that’s right in front of their eyes, along with all their strengths and positive qualities.

Unrealistic expectations are the death of any relationship. Aside from the more extreme examples, people impose human standards of behaviour on our dogs unthinkingly. Many adopt or buy a dog expecting them to sit quietly through the day, walk at heel and wait patiently for their needs to be met at a time that suits their humans. A dog that barks during a Zoom call then becomes a big problem. It’s a completely unrealistic mindset and can be really harmful to our dogs and our relationships with them.

This is why I always put dogs first in my work. It’s so important to consider the dog’s interests and welfare first - after all, we chose them, not the other way around. Contrary to the beliefs of many, working with dogs IS NOT about changing them - it’s about facilitating a positive and co-operative relationship and learning what makes the dog tick. The most transformative work I’ve done is with clients who have learned how to understand and more effectively communicate with their dogs - it’s an amazing feeling.

Don’t force a square peg into a round hole. Your dog is already amazing - open your eyes and heart, and you’ll see ♥️

18/01/2025

16/01/2025

15/01/2025

🌟 Dogs Are Always Learning – Are We Teaching or Training? 🌟

Have you ever stopped to think about how your dog learns? Whether we realise it or not, dogs are absorbing information from their environment and from us all the time. But here’s the question: are we teaching them in a way that encourages understanding, independence, and choice—or are we simply training them to respond to commands?

Training focuses on behaviours—“sit,” “stay,” “come here”—usually with rewards attached. But teaching is something different. It’s about communication, dialogue, and connection. It’s about guiding your dog to understand the world around them, helping them make thoughtful decisions, and building trust on a deeper level. It’s not about perfection or obedience; it’s about a real, meaningful relationship.

Think about it like this: if we only taught children by saying “good boy” or “wrong” every time they acted, how much would they truly learn? How would they feel? Dogs, like us, thrive when they feel understood, supported, and respected.

In my approach with the CDD method, I focus on teaching over training. It’s about living with your dog, not just managing them. It’s about conversation, not commands. And it’s about giving them the space to grow into who they truly are while still guiding them with love and structure.

If this resonates with you and you’d like to explore how to connect with your dog in a deeper, more natural way, I’d love to have you join our community. Together, we can reimagine what it means to live with and teach our dogs. 🐾

💬 What do you think? Do you see the difference between teaching and training in your own life with your dog?

📚 Join my groups to learn more about my holistic, compassionate approach and discover how we can raise our dogs in a way that nurtures their minds and hearts.

👉 Click here to join: The Canine Dialogue Dynamics Method By Canine Ethical Associates

Reactivity Redefined through Canine Dialogue Dynamics

Let’s celebrate the art of connection, one dog at a time! 🌿🐕

15/01/2025

Good or bad is a human construct, the dog doesn't understand them. When we can stop viewing behaviour on this good/bad spectrum, we can concentrate on what is important - understanding what this behaviour is communicating to us about the dog's inner state and what they need in that moment, and how we can go about making sure those needs are met.