Beyond the Breed

04/04/2025

Would you like more info on Canine Functional Characters?
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28/03/2025

"DON'T WALK YOUR DOG DAY - Wednesday 2 April"

MARK YOUR CALENDERS!

Next Wednesday, April 2, is Don’t Walk Your Dog Day, founded by Niki French of PupTalk. This day raises awareness about the anxiety some dogs feel when going for a walk - whether due to fear, overstimulation, or past trauma.

Niki has shared great alternatives for dog guardians to engage their pets in enriching activities instead of taking them out for a stressful walk.

Niki’s own dog, Bodie, a Battersea Dogs Home rescue, found walks really overwhelming and so instead of making him go out, she chose to relax and engage in fun activities, including Sarah Fisher’s ACE Freework (Animal Centred Education).

Since its inception in 2022, has been featured in national press publications and continues to grow in popularity. Niki’s book, Stop Walking Your Dog, has already sold over 6,000 copies, helping more guardians understand their dog’s needs.

Who Benefits Most from Skipping a Walk?
Certain functional characters, like Observers and Lone Individuals, are more prone to feeling overwhelmed on walks. Also, functional characters such as low-confident Followers or those with trauma, poor socialisation, or minimal habituation may also struggle in busy or unpredictable environments.

For these dogs, skipping a walk isn’t neglect - it’s kindness. Giving them a break from stressful outings allows them to decompress, feel safer, and engage in alternative enrichment activities at home.

If your dog:
• Gets overwhelmed in busy environments.
• Becomes over-reactive while on walks.
• Is recovering from an operation or illness.
• Retreats to their bed when you pick up the lead.

Then Don’t Walk Your Dog Day is for you!

How You Can Participate
✔ Follow Niki’s lead and embrace
✔ Learn more about canine functional characters
✔ Educate your community that not all dogs need daily walks
✔ Try enrichment activities to engage your dog in a stress-free way

Join the movement!
Use on social media and check out this fantastic cartoon from Niki’s Facebook post: View Here.

For a deeper dive into alternative ways to support anxious dogs, grab a copy of Stop Walking Your Dog: Buy on Amazon.

Let’s spread the word and help anxious dogs feel safer in the world! 💛🐶

21/03/2025

DOGS INSIDE OUT SERIES - “Training & Socialising”
With National Puppy Day coming up on Sunday, let’s take a fresh look at two key aspects of raising a pup - training and socialising. These are often the first things people think about when bringing a puppy home, but what about simply letting them be?
Allowing a puppy to just be - to observe, explore, and develop at their own pace - can be just as important as teaching them where to toilet.
Training: More Than Just “Commands”
The dictionary defines training as “the education, instruction, or discipline of a person or thing that is being trained.” But too often, the focus is placed on discipline rather than understanding and guidance.
Rather than rushing to "train" puppies, we should spend more time watching, guiding, and adapting to their individual learning styles. And when does training really stop? Many assume that completing a six-week puppy course means their pup is “trained” for life, but learning is an ongoing process.
Socialising vs. Habituation
The socialisation “window” closes at around 13 weeks, meaning after this age, puppies are no longer as open to new experiences. However, socialising isn’t just about exposure - it’s about learning how to interact appropriately.
Meeting 20 dogs in the first year doesn’t mean socialisation is complete! From this point forward, the focus shifts to habituation - helping puppies adjust to the world around them in a way that suits their individual functional character, learning style, and temperament.
Functional Characters & Learning Styles
From a Canine Functional Character (FC) perspective, training and socialisation should be tailored to a pup’s innate tendencies. Not all puppies learn or engage in the same way:

🐾 Observers & Lone Individuals - May hide under a chair at training classes, preferring quiet, low-pressure environments.

🐾 Defenders & Overseers - Can be challenging to teach; Defenders are often boisterous, while Overseers tend to be impulsive.

🐾 Guides & Hunters - Quick learners who may lose interest early in a session.

🐾 Peacekeepers - May struggle to focus in class, as they’re busy scanning and ensuring harmony in the rest of the group.

The Solution? Tailored Training, Learning Environments, Socialising and Habituation

✔️ Observers & Lone Individuals - Learn best in calm, small-group or 1-1 settings rather than busy classes.

✔️ Defenders - Need structured environments to prevent overstimulation; large, chaotic puppy groups may set them up for failure.

✔️ Guides & Hunters - Thrive when lessons are varied and engaging to maintain interest.

✔️ Peacekeepers - Benefit from environments where they can observe first, then engage without distractions.

Let’s Spread the Word!
Understanding a puppy’s Functional Character helps shape training in a way that supports their natural tendencies, rather than working against them by expecting them to learn, focus and behave in the same way as every other puppy of the breed or type!

Have you noticed any of these traits in your pup? Drop a comment and share your experiences! 💛🐶

19/03/2025

DOGS INSIDE OUT SERIES
"Pet Anxiety Awareness Month - Dogs in Yellow"

March is Pet Anxiety Awareness Month, and what better way to recognise the anxiety some dogs experience than by celebrating day on Thursday 20 March.

This initiative highlights the work of Sarah Jones and her brand, My Anxious Dog https://myanxiousdog.co.uk/, which has been helping anxious dogs and their guardians since 2012.

Sarah founded My Anxious Dog to support her shy and anxious Spaniel, who struggled with well-meaning strangers wanted to pet her on walks so Sarah tried some yellow doggie products on sale at the time. But any Spaniel owner knows how hard it is to keep dog gear intact with all the “spanieling” that happens daily in the undergrowth!

Fast forward 12 years, and Sarah now offers a beautiful range of products designed for dogs who need space. However, there is still work to do in educating dog guardians to recognise yellow as a signal to give these dogs space.

From a functional character perspective, I encourage guardians of Observer/Alerters, Lone Individuals, low-confident Followers, or any dog with past trauma, to consider using yellow gear. You can find a selection here https://myanxiousdog.co.uk/collections/all

If your dog:
· Hides under a chair at training classes.
· Barks at seemingly nothing.
· Is hesitant about meeting new dogs.
· Retreats behind you approached
… then they likely fit one of these functional character types.

The solution?

✔️ Equip them with yellow gear from https://myanxiousdog.co.uk/collections/all
✔️ Educate yourself on canine functional characters

Let’s spread the word and help anxious dogs feel safer in the world! 💛🐶

Award-winning range of nervous dog harnesses, leads, raincoats, lead covers & more. Help your reactive, nervous or anxious dog get the space they need on walks.

17/03/2025

DOGS INSIDE OUT SERIES
"How Do History & Past Learning Affect Functional Character"
Many of us have taken on a rescue dog without knowing much about their past. My first rescue dog, nearly 40 years ago, would cower whenever I reached out and offered to stroke him. Fast forward to 2013 when I took on a 10-week-old Patterdale/Border Collie pup, and the story was very different - this little dog would bite if anyone came near him!
Wizzi, the pup in question, had been repeatedly picked up by a child since being bought as a present at just seven weeks old. He quickly climbed the “Ladder of Aggression” because none of his calming signals succeeded in getting the child to leave him alone.
His history - being constantly handled like toy - pushed him to the extreme of the Lone Individual functional character. He quickly learned that the only way to keep humans out of his personal space was to bite. Unfortunately, apart from a handful of trusted people and dogs, this remained his approach for the rest of his life.
Wizzi was very comfortable with wearing a muzzle, and I managed his environment daily to ensure he was never placed in situations he couldn’t cope with.
This is yet another reason why I believe spreading awareness of functional characters is crucial. The more we understand dogs’ natural roles, the better we can support them - preventing mislabelling, mistreatment, and the ever-growing number of dogs in rescue centres.
Does your rescue dog display a particular behaviour that hints at a past experience?

14/03/2025

DOGS INSIDE OUT SERIES
"Understanding Canine Body Language Through Functional Character"
Most people are familiar with Turid Rugaas' brilliant book, Calming Signals: On Talking Terms with Your Dog. I believe this is one of the very best books ever written on the subject of body language in dogs and how to understand it.
But how does this relate to functional characters?
While body language is a universal canine communication tool, how it manifests in an individual can vary depending on their functional character.
Let’s look at one example: turning away or averting the gaze. This is considered good manners for dogs when they meet a new dog. However, Defenders, due to their confident nature and role as protectors, tend to hold their ground rather than avert their gaze -especially when faced with another confident dog or when a Guide is present in their social group.
The only times I’ve seen a Defender avert their gaze in a quite dramatic way, is when they meet an adult Guide that they do not know or an older Defender, irrespective of gender.
Now let’s look at stress - Chapter 4 in Turid’s book. Chronic stress - whether from gut microbiome imbalances, living in fear, or inherited sensitivity (such as being the progeny of an Observer female) - can heighten a dog's reactivity to perceived threats.
Add this to an individual who is also a Defender or Lone Individual, and you will see a reaction that seems, on the face of it, hugely over the top in terms of reactivity. The functional character is compounding whatever reaction the dog takes, and these are the ones that are so much more likely to be labelled “aggressive”. These individuals may end up in rescue and be advertised as “must be the only dog in the home”, or worse, put to sleep.
Other functional characters are more prone to just shutting down when they feel stressed or threatened, particularly Guides due to their self-preserving nature.
Understanding canine body language is highly important, for every dog guardian, but understanding it and relation to functional character is essential.
The more we spread the knowledge of functional characters, the better we can support dogs in their natural roles and prevent mislabelling and so many ending up in rescue centres.
You can get a copy of Turid’s book here.. https://www.waterstones.com/book/on-talking-terms-with-dogs/turid-rugaas/9781929242368

🔜 Join me on Monday when I'll be diving into a history and past learning in functional characters.

Buy On Talking Terms with Dogs by Turid Rugaas from Waterstones today! Click and Collect from your local Waterstones or get FREE UK delivery on orders over £25.

12/03/2025

DOGES INSIDE OUT SERIES
"Are Chemicals Affecting Your Dog’s Health?"

Our pets are surrounded by chemicals every day, from household cleaners and pesticides on fields to the medications and treatments we give them. While some may be necessary, many contain compounds that can have harmful side effects.

If you’d like to dive deeper into the effects of chemicals on canine health, these two books are a brilliant place to start - The Forever Dog by Dr Karen Becker and Rodney Habib, and Feeding Dogs by Dr Conor Brady.

One class of chemicals raising concern is isoxazolines, commonly found in flea and tick treatments. These include fipronil, lotilaner, sarolaner, fluralaner, and afoxolaner - the “active ingredient” in many popular parasite control products. Side effects range from loss of appetite to seizures, behavioural changes, and even death. Research is ongoing, but studies, like this one https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7738705/, highlight the risks.

Behavioural changes include severe over-reactivity, which can sometimes manifest as aggression. In some functional characters, this may appear more severe than in others. For example, Defenders often seem highly reactive, especially if there’s a Guide in their social group; Overseers may frequently pull at clothing and bark excessively at their guardians; and Lone Individuals can be extremely sensitive to invasions of their personal space. For these functional characters, behavioural changes may not draw as much attention as they would in a typically calm and easy-going Follower.

The effect of having a seizure or limb stiffness is scary for every dog, but perhaps more especially or Guides as they are prone to panic more when something is amiss with them physically. Yesterday evening my girls were enjoying some neck bones when my Guide came running over to me, clearly in a panic. The bone had become wedged between her carnassials on the left side of her mouth. Her tail was tucked tight, ears pinned back, and her eyes were filled with fear. After I freed the bone, she quickly recovered and went back to her meal, which is why I always supervise when my dogs eat bones!

When a similar thing happened a while back to my Defender, she just came over and quietly laid by my feet whilst I was reading. Because she is very tactile, it was several minutes before I realised there was anything amiss.

Just as physical discomfort affects dogs differently, so too can chemical exposure. Some dogs may be more sensitive, experiencing dramatic reactions, while others may show only subtle signs. That’s why I believe in prioritising natural alternatives whenever possible.

💡 Have you discovered a great natural product for worming, tick prevention, or household cleaning? I’d love to hear what’s worked for you!

🔜 Join me on Friday when I'll be diving into body language in functional characters.

A veterinarian and pet owner survey (Project Jake) examined the use and safety of isoxazoline parasiticides given to dogs. Data were received during August 1–31, 2018 from a total of 2,751 survey responses. Forty‐two percent (1,157) reported no flea ...

10/03/2025

DOGS INSIDE OUT SERIES - "Breed Predispositions"

Before we visit a breeder, we need to be sure that the breed we've chosen is the best fit for our family and lifestyle.

For example, if you have an active lifestyle with a couple of busy young children who have friends over a lot, an Observer, Lone Individual or Overseer would not be the best choices. Why? Because they would all be utterly freaked out by the whole “busy” thing.

If you choose a Hunter functional character in an Aussie Shepherd or Border Collie, you may run into issues with herding and nipping - especially when your children have friends over and play gets lively.

Staffies are one of my absolute favourite breeds (I’d have another in a heartbeat!), but they can be quite rowdy and animated. So, if you choose a Staffie pup that’s also a Defender, then you can expect some seriously loony moments! Why? Because Defenders are very exuberant functional characters and often come across as “aggressive” when meeting or playing with other dogs - particularly when they’re young.

A while back, a lady joined my puppy class after being kicked out of two others because they said her Staffie pup was aggressive. This adorable little guy was a Defender, it was obvious - he just needed to meet the right pups. This is one of the reasons why I believe it’s so important for everyone to understand about functional characters - particularly those who run puppy classes or puppy “parties”.

If you get a Dachshund pup and choose an Observer, you will get double the amount of barking because Dachshunds are a barky breed, and an Observer functional character just compounds the barking. Observers are barkers, pure and simple.

For this post, I’m focusing purely on functional character and not factoring in any trauma-related behaviours.

I’ll be back on Wednesday to discuss how chemicals can affect functional characters.

Does your pup's functional character match your lifestyle, or did you have to make any adjustments? I would be interested to hear

The photos show how functional character is not breed-specific, as all of these dogs are Defenders.

07/03/2025

DOGS INSIDE OUT SERIES - Genetics & Lineage

What do genetics and lineage have to do with our dogs’ functional character? Quite a lot!
The dam’s microbiome at the time of conception plays a crucial role in shaping her pups’ development, as does any trauma she may have experienced. These factors influence not only their physical health, but also their emotional resilience. As we discussed in Wednesday’s post, trauma can have a profound effect on certain functional characters more than others.
The gut microbiome, through its connection with the brain via the Vagus nerve, plays a crucial role in mood and behaviour. This makes it a vital factor during the breeding process, influencing both the emotional and physical well-being of the resulting litter.
Responsible breeders carefully study the lineage and health of both sire and dam before breeding, ensuring the best chance of producing well-balanced, healthy puppies.
In undomesticated canine social groups, Observer females typically do not breed - nature is remarkably efficient when left to its own devices. However, in a human-managed setting, this is not always the case. Puppies born to an Observer female, regardless of their own functional character, often start life with confidence challenges due to inherited sensitivities.
Over the years at our workshops, we have met several dogs born from Observer females who faced significant struggles as a result. Understanding this connection allows us to better support these individuals, helping them build confidence and resilience.
I’ll be back on Monday to discuss how breed predispositions affect functional characters :-)

05/03/2025

DOGS INSIDE OUT SERIES - "Trauma & Emotions"

I grew up in the 1960’s, a time when people believed that dogs didn’t have emotions or even feel pain! Thankfully, we’ve come a long way from that outdated and harmful way of thinking.

Emotions are shifts in energy triggered by changes in sensory input and the surrounding environment. For dogs, the fundamental question is “Am I safe?”, although they feel this rather than ask it in their head.

When an individual remains in a heightened emotional state - such as fear - for too long, it can have serious consequences. This is especially true for certain functional characters, including Observers, Overseers, Guides, and dogs who have experienced trauma, where fear can become a persistent state of being.

Trauma takes many forms. It can stem from something as seemingly minor as having a paw stepped on, more severe experiences like being hit or frightened by an event, such as their guardian falling over whilst out on a dog walk. What’s happening around a dog at the time of trauma can also influence how they react in the future. For example, if a person wearing a Hi-Viz vest was nearby during a traumatic event, the dog may develop a strong fear of bright-coloured clothing.

Although any functional character can suffer trauma, Guides, in particular, may be profoundly affected due to their intense self-preserving nature. They might appear irritable or react intensely to situations that seem insignificant, but these responses reflect the depth of the impact of the trauma.

Understanding trauma and its effects is essential in supporting our dogs. Here’s an excellent article from Dogs Naturally on PTSD in dogs and how to manage it naturally.
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/ptsd-in-dogs-and-how-to-manage-it-naturally/

If your dog is struggling, always seek guidance from a qualified behaviourist who can help you support them in the best way possible.

Just like humans, PTSD in dogs is a condition that you need to pay attention to. Do you know how to spot the signs or how to help your dog?

03/03/2025

DOGS INSIDE OUT SERIES
Why Functional Character Knowledge is Important..

Understanding our dogs at a deeper level, enables us to give them the best life possible..
Because..
Not all Labradors are "food junkies".
Not all German Shepherds make good Police dogs.
Not all Border Collies make first-class sheep herders.................. why?. because the Functional Character of the dog overrides the breed.
FOR EXAMPLE, a Border Collie who is a Guide will not want to work too close to sheep as Guides are self-preserving individuals, a GSD who is an Observer and in training to become a Police Dog, would be too nervous for the tasks involved, and a Guide Dog puppy who is a Defender or Overseer, may be way too enthusiastic!
Understanding more about Functional Characters is really important for who lives or works with dogs. It's not about giving dogs yet another "label", but about creating a door through which we can walk to see our dogs in a brand new light - understanding them as a whole being, and not just a breed or type.
More info on this fascinating subject can be found in the book "Beyond the Breed - the new way to know and understand your dog" - available on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Breed-know-understand-your/dp/1914209028
Workshops will start popping up in all parts of the UK shortly, and we look forward to meeting you at one of these.
If you have a venue with indoor and outdoor space that you think may be great for a workshop, please do get in touch with Heather on 075555 06456 😃

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02/03/2025

Curious about Canine Functional Characters?
Join us in a couple of hours for a FREE session.. sign up on the FREE link below...

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

02/03/2025

Curious about Canine Functional Characters?
Join us in a couple of hours for a free Q&A session on the free link below...

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

28/02/2025

DOGS INSIDE OUT SERIES
DOES THE CANINE DIET AFFECT BEHAVIOUR?

In 1987, Dr Roger Mugford, a psychologist and farmer, carried out some personal research into 40 Golden Retrievers that he had seen at his behaviour practice over a one-year period. He noticed a dramatic improvement in the behaviour of those that had had a change of diet, many of whom had bitten severely enough to warrant hospital attendance for the victims.

Processed dog “food” started with Spratt’s “Dog Cakes” in 1860, but it wasn’t really until the 1970’s that people started feeding their pets on processed food in large numbers - and now we have an epidemic of canine behaviour and health issues.

95% of serotonin is produced by gut microbes that play a crucial role in mood and behaviour, and make up part of the serotonergic system. These microbes can be affected by diet, which then affects the production of serotonin. A great paper from Bosch et al (2007) confirms that “changes in neurotransmitter precursors such as tryptophan (serotonin) and tyrosine (dopamine), are likely to influence behaviour. And Rodney Habib and Dr Karen Becker tell us, in their first book “The Forever Dog”, that gut microbes do indeed affect mood by their connection to the brain via the Vagus Nerve - also known as the gut-brain axis.

In my 30+ years working with dogs, I have noticed that they are much calmer and more focused when they eat a species-specific diet. This is important for many reasons, including the prevention or exacerbation of underlying behaviour issues that may be linked to genes or functional character.

Anti-social behaviour in dogs is not a problem with the individual because dogs can only act as they “feel” in the moment. The problem is with the way we see and understand our pets, and issues around behaviour can start with food.

Functional characters with low confidence, such as Observers or those born from an Observer female, or dogs with trauma, may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of a processed diet. Nutritional imbalances and gut health disruptions can heighten anxiety, reactivity, or insecurity in these dogs, making dietary changes even more crucial for their well-being."

Click on the article title to read more.

27/02/2025

Here's the link for tonight's FREE Zoom session on Mitochondrial Health..
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85704303344?pwd=xfHqFoMDpVjtcarcU5e5uBtYASIZWj.1

26/02/2025

"THE POWERHOUSE OF YOUR DOG:
WHY MITOCHONDRIAL HEALTH MATTERS"

Did you know that your dog's energy, mood, and even their ability to fight off disease depend on tiny structures inside their cells called mitochondria? These cellular powerhouses work tirelessly, and their health is the foundation of your dog's well-being.

Mitochondria produce the energy that fuels every cell of your dog's body. When they function well, your dog feels energized and full of life. But when they're compromised, it can affect your dog’s vitality, mood, and behaviour in ways you might not realise - an important consideration for less confident functional characters or those with trauma.

Healthy mitochondria = a strong immune system.

The good news? There are simple ways to support your dog’s mitochondrial health!
Join us tomorrow at 19:00 GMT for our free Zoom session, where we’ll dive deeper into this crucial topic. Don’t miss it - click the link to join!

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

25/02/2025

SUNDAY 2 MARCH 1900 GMT (1400 ET, 1100 PT)
FREE Q&A SESSION ON FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERS
Secure your free place now by signing up here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/.../register/7F1IZ3xFQWebL6oT0JnQnQ
Don’t miss this chance to gain a deeper insight into your dog’s true nature!

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

24/02/2025

DOGS INSIDE OUT SERIES
Part 1 of 12 - - Gut Microbiome Importance
Did you know the vagus nerve and the gut-brain axis play a crucial role in your dog's emotional and physical well-being? Now, have you ever thought about how diet connects to your dog’s functional character?

Dogs aren’t just surface-level beings - they’re a rich tapestry of physical, emotional, and behavioural layers, and much of that starts with what they eat.

The impact of diet on the gut microbiome shouldn’t be overlooked when choosing food for your pet. While ultra-processed dog food might not directly cause behavioural issues, it can absolutely make them worse by creating erratic blood sugar levels - something that can seriously affect mood and behaviour.
For dogs with past trauma and functional characters with low-confidence issues, switching to a fresh food diet can make a world of difference.
I get it - whether you’re considering, or are currently, feeding raw or cooking fresh at home, it can feel overwhelming. If that sounds familiar, here’s some great guidance from Rodney Habib and Dr. Karen Becker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P85BMCCboI
If you’re trying to resolve a behavioural issue, help a nervous dog, or simply improve your pet’s overall well-being, ask yourself:
"Am I fuelling this individual in the best way possible?"
After all, you wouldn’t put diesel in a petrol engine - why do the equivalent with your dog’s food?
Have you noticed any changes in your dog’s behavior with diet adjustments? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments!

Here's an easy to make, balanced, homemade, adult dog food meal.Find me on https://facebook.com/PlanetPaws.ca on https://www.facebook.com/rodneyhabibon https...