Nosing Around UK

14/04/2022

Unfortunately Nosing Around UK is closed permanently as I had a stroke at the beginning of February and I can't drive and have to take things very slowly. If you have any dog issues then please get in touch with Enhancing The Life of Your Hound as they may be able to help you. Thank you

30/09/2021

Help your dog prepare for life after lockdown!

18/09/2021

Lili Chin produces some very informative illustrations on dog/owner information. This covers a very important part of your dog's development and definitely worth a read!

Thanks to Lili Chin of Doggie Drawings for her latest graphic on socialisation. Helping your dog learn from a young age to have positive and safe experiences with the world can help them cope as adults. At times this is best done under the guidance of a qualified behavioural trainer using science based training, if your dog has already become fearful or reactive of a stimulus. http://paws4udogs.wordpress.com/2013/09/09/socializing-your-dog-an-illustrated-guide/

02/09/2021

So true!

01/09/2021

Please read this post as, when our dogs behaviour becomes reactive, please take the time to understand why.

27/08/2021

I'll be heading to Kent for Pawfest on 4th September.

Why not come and visit me on the Pawfest Trail, a sniffing experience for your dog.

🐾 Good morning goers!

It’s just over a week to go until the family fun event, which you can expect a range of doggy and family activities. Don't forget there will also be a selection of street food vendors and bars on site.

Tickets are still available for you to purchase here: https://www.seetickets.com/event/pawfest/betteshanger-park/1806870

24/08/2021

Today's PSA is brought to you on behalf of trainers everywhere who want you to know our choice to avoid the use of punishment isn't based on some rainbow & sunshine outlook on the world. It's based on our commitment to studying what science has learned - and continues to learn - about this incredible species we bring into our world rather than sticking to folklore & the "way it's always been done". When you know better, you do better.

23/08/2021

My professional work with dogs started when I qualified as a Canine Bowen Therapist. Bowen therapy is a very gentle treatment and uses a gentle pressure on specific areas of the body.

My eldest greyhound, Anya, was diagnosed with lumbosacral stenosis about 5 years ago and I treat her whenever she is showing signs of discomfort.

On Saturday she ran up a steep slope while we were on a sniffing walk, and on Sunday she was struggling to walk. Her right hind leg was kicking out and she wasn't able to put any weight on that leg, plus her tail was resting in an odd position. I decided to treat her once she settled on her bed. If there was no improvement today, we would be heading to the vets.

She was slow to move out of her bed this morning, but was walking normally, plus her tail was back to wagging. No walks for a while, and, as a greyhound, she'll rest for a large part of the day.

I'm very relieved, as at 13 years old, I'm aware she won't live forever as recovery from injuries and illness may be limited, but I'm so glad I found out about Bowen therapy.

If you would like to know more about this therapy, please get in touch.

20/08/2021

Kirsty Grant has kindly agree to let me share her video on teaching loose lead walking. It's great, watching them search for, and follow different scents in the long grass 😃

20/08/2021

Are you interested in learning more about Medical Detection Dogs, then why not sign up for this webinar on Wednesday 25th August at 7 pm

I have just registered for the Super Sniffers: An Introduction to Medical Detection Dogs Why not join me...

19/08/2021

It's great to see so many studies looking at canine behaviour. Our understanding of dogs is steadily improving, but, unfortunately, not all of those working with dogs are increasing their understanding. We can never know everything but we should keep our knowledge up to date.

Research into dog behaviour has exploded in recent decades. Why?

Since about 2005 there has been a sharp increase in the number of studies being published in dog behaviour and cognition. The figure on this infographic comes from a paper which counted the number of behaviour and cognition studies being published about dogs compared to all species.

Why are scientists suddenly so interested in dogs? A few reasons. One is they make a great model species for humans and other animal species. Understanding how dogs behave and think helps us understand how other species behave and think.

Another reason is that they're relatively easy to study. Pet dogs make great study participants - they're easy to recruit, relatively easy to communicate with, and often enjoy being involved.

Scientists have also recognised how important dogs are in people's lives. Dogs have prominent roles in our societies and can strongly influence people's well-being.

And of course, dogs are fascinating in their own right! Funders of science probably aren't so keen on this reason though.

What do you think scientists should try and find out about dogs?

Paper: The scholar’s best friend: research trends in dog cognitive and behavioral studies - Animal Cognition, November 2020.

Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10071-020-01448-2

18/08/2021

Heading to PawFest, Kent on Sept 4th where I'll be running a sniffing trail and giving a talk about the benefits of sniffing walks. If you live near Betteshanger, just outside Deal, why not come and visit. 🐾🐾

Dog-lovers, this one's for you! 🐕

In September 2021, Pawfest will embark on its first event at Betteshanger Park in Deal, with a wide range of stalls featuring doggy treats and goods to get your paws on.

Grab your tickets here: https://www.seetickets.com/event/pawfest/betteshanger-park/1806870

12/08/2021

Morning everyone. I've had some time off after moving out of Unit 3, but aiming to be posting useful information on this page at least once a week.

Today's post is about 'The importance of allowing your dog to sniff' from Dog Communication. This is definitely a 'must read' article as is very informative, plus includes a couple of short videos about the value of sniffing.

Anya and Gem, my greyhounds, have spent some time exploring the woods near my home this morning. This area is rich in scents as we have a family of foxes living there, plus, every day it is visited by a large number of dogs, a variety of cats, plus the squirrels, mice, and probably rats.

Where does your dog do their sniffing, and do they have a spot where they always sniff? Looking forward to hearing your sniffing stories.

Sniffing is vital to the way dogs gather information and interact with their environment. Scent is the predominant way in which dogs make sense of their world.At times, depending on the context, a dog is not just sniffing a scent; he is communicating. What he is communicating can vary according to t...

21/06/2021

Morning everyone, I hope you've all had a good weekend.

I, unfortunately have to announce the closure of Nosing Around UK at Unit 3, Bumpstead Farm, from Saturday 26th June.

My husband has been showing signs of Parkinson's for some time, and the past year has seen an increase in these signs so I have decided that I need to spend more time supporting him.

I want to say thank you to everyone who has visited over the past eighteen months. I will miss watching your dogs explore, using their noses to discover new smells and find hidden treats.

I'm hoping to be running some 'Sniffy' walks later in the year so will post any news on this page.

And don't forget ' Dogs were born to sniff'

17/06/2021

Another new visitor today, a beautiful, young Labrador. He loves sniffing and this was very obvious as he thoroughly searched the unit.

I will have to find some new scents for him when he visits again next week.

Just a few photos of the explorer.