The Positive Canine - Behaviour Specialist

The Positive Canine - Behaviour Specialist 🩵Rescues, Anxious & Reactive Dogs
🌏In Person & Remote Training Worldwide
✨Tips & Advice for Dog Guardians
➡️ Let's Work together ⤵️

29/10/2025

If you want your dog to listen to you, you need to show them that you are worth listening to, and that starts with meeting their needs. If you like to run, it doesn't necessarily mean your dog has to join on every run. Sometimes it's better to give them a walk suited to THIER needs and then meeting your own needs.

When we become responsible for another animal, that is part of the sacrifice we have to make.

Sniffing, exploring, digging, getting dirty...these behaviours are how dogs decompress in our busy human world.

When we give them a chance to see the world, comfort them, give them things they want, we aren't spoiling them. In fact I LOVE it when clients tell me they spoil their dogs.

This is how you build trust that sets the foundation for training.

Anxious and reactive dogs are already struggling with the world, and taking away their basic dog instincts will often make things worse.

A well mannered, focused dog starts with a fulfilled and satisfied dog.

23/10/2025

It's one of the most common myths I see as a dog behaviourist and trainer.

Many guardians of collies, spaniels or shepherds think the answer to a busy or wired dog is MORE exercise. But here is the truth: more miles just creates a fitter dog, not a calmer one.

If your dog is constantly on the go, struggles to settle or needs "wearing out", it's worth asking why. Because exercise alone doesn't fix:
👉🏼 Underlying pain or discomfort that makes rest difficult
👉🏼 Unmet breed needs (e.g. herding, sniffing, problem solving)
👉🏼 Poor diet or gut issues affecting mood and energy
👉🏼 Sleep deprivation (not enough/poor quality)
👉🏼 Overstimulation from busy environments or high adrenaline play

More exercise just fuels the same cycle.

What really helps is balance: physical outlets plus mental decompression, enrichment, quality rest and diet, addressing discomfort.

This is the kind of work I do everyday with "high drive", anxious and reactive dogs, helping guardians build calmer and more fulfilled lives for their dogs 🩵

Can you tell when your dog is stressed?
20/10/2025

Can you tell when your dog is stressed?


15/10/2025

Try some with your dog and watch your relationship rebuild:

🌼 I ask instead of telling: the difference between a cue and a command. My dog has an option and can say "no"

🌼 Avoid making feel trapped: never forcing my dog to stay somewhere she isn't comfortable

🌼 Observe, don't interrupt: I give her time to process and watch whenever it is safe, whether it's at home or on walks

🌼 Ask before petting: touch should be an invitation, not something we are entitled to

🌼 Let her walk away: if she turns away from a greeting, she's not being rude. She's making a choice to self regulate

🌼 Offer options, even with food: safe decision making and opportunity for sensory enrichment

🌼 No tricking: if I need my dog to do something, I always pay up, even if she didn't respond the first time

🌼 Slow down: no rushing. Give yourself more time or less distance to cover on walks

🌼 No forced walks: walks aren't a be all / end all for all dogs. Some prefer to go without, we respect that

🌼 Routines are opportunities: doing something everyday doesn't automatically mean your dog loves it. We always take time to check how our dogs feel today by observing their responses

💭 What are some ways in which you give your dog more choice?

You are what you eat! Nutrition is always an important element of effective behaviour change, and ensures quality of lif...
15/10/2025

You are what you eat! Nutrition is always an important element of effective behaviour change, and ensures quality of life for your dog. If you aren't sure where to start, drop me a DM and I'll be happy to point you in the right direction 🫐

Next time you think your dog is being stubborn or difficult, consider using the Training Sandwich structure 🥪The first a...
14/10/2025

Next time you think your dog is being stubborn or difficult, consider using the Training Sandwich structure 🥪

The first and last layer aren't the main part of the sandwich, but they are what holds it together.

Start with asking your dog for something easy and heavily reward this.

Then introduce your new skill, this might be a longer duration stay, or recall from a bigger distraction. Reward this like your life depends on it!

Finish off when your dog still wants more, don't wait for them to be get or frustrated. End training with a fun game, whatever your dog enjoys.

Your dog is 30% more likely to remember what they learn if you finish your session with play!

Still not sure where to begin? Comment START to book in a free call and we can brainstorm a future plan together 💬

29/09/2025

Politics and animal welfare matters. The after effects of a dog who survives in a shelter in Ukraine. I don't know what's worse, surviving or not.

The last one is the craziest one I've come across, I seriously worry for some of these dogs and it's no wonder so many o...
29/09/2025

The last one is the craziest one I've come across, I seriously worry for some of these dogs and it's no wonder so many of them end up being given up 😓

Understanding their complex needs isn't easy but it has to be done if you're to have a chance at giving them a good life.

Share this with someone who has a foreign rescue ❤️‍🩹









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