Snout and About

21/08/2024

20/08/2024

Tickets are flying for the first in our series of Snout Sessions!

This event is designed to equip YOU with the relevant skills, knowledge and tools when working collaboratively with your veterinarian on a shared client case.

Ticket sales close in just 2 WEEKS!

Don't miss out on this awesome event bringing Irish experts to an Irish audience to improve the standards of consultancy and training across the country.

The event is suitable for all with an occupational interest in dogs and additional assessment tools will be provided in your digital goodie bag for use in your work whether you're a vet, RVN, trainer or consultant!

CEU points pending

19/08/2024

CHECK THIS OUT 🥰♥️

Our latest trainee trainer absolutely SMASHED her first private client session after we did a virtual together for this awesome Pawsome family.

Roisin, I am BEYOND proud of you, and thank you for delivering such a warm, positive, and constructive service for your first Snout client.

Bringing the can do attitude and support piece in buckets, faith in training officially restored.

Seriously, the Snout & About team just get better and better 🥰🐾🙌

18/08/2024

Got to see my homegirl and her Demon Baby Zilla this afternoon.

It's been WAAAAAY too long and always so good to natter and bant with industry friends.

My same brain sista always has me in stitches and there's some seriously exciting stuff happening in Cork with her work..... keep the peepers peeled 👀

🥰

16/08/2024

I can not BELIEVE this happened today.

After 3+ years of virtual consultating and email support, Koda and her BEAUTIFUL, BRILLIANT parents moved to Cork.

Finally, I got to say hi to 3 beings who I've grown to love and adore.

This wee girl has come such a long way. The absolute top tier of collie conundrums and top tier of most beloved collies ever.

ALUMNI brace yourselves, these ladies are EVERYTHING ❤️

Koda and Co, brace yourselves, the next chapter begins.

Here's to another stage and welcome the heck home to Cork 🥰❤️🥰❤️

16/08/2024

Meet RUBIX!

Session number 3 and this reactive wonder absolutely SMASHED it today.

From tense, stressful, manic walks to THIS & having almighty craic when getting Mum wrapped around a pole (keep watching for this bit).

He kept making the right choice after right choice and Mum's leash skills we're on POINT!

With enormous thanks to Pepper and Niffles from the Alumni for helping out today.

The client on client support is absolutely beautiful. We're all in this together.

What a way to start the day.

GO

16/08/2024

You're doing GREAT 👌🐾🥰

16/08/2024

Why?
To help stabilize blood sugar.

You ever get hangry? Blood sugar levels affect behaviour.

You ever seen me at 5pm when I need a feeding? I could kill a fool!

And it's the same for our dogs too. 

Small and frequent feeds is also better for digestion and allows us to use their daily diet to provide enriching outlets to stimulate brain & body.

Small or large, I'm a fan of frequent feeding but it's absolutely better for the wee ones.

How many meals does your kiddo get a day?
My big ol' boy gets 4.

16/08/2024

FIX UP LOOK SHARP 👌
Cooperative care continues post surgery.

Teaching your dog to voluntarily wear the cone helps reduce post op stress. You can buy them from your vet so why not introduce cone training into your programs.

They all gonna need one at some point,
Some more than others.

NB: not looking sharp is yours truly, sporting pj's and bedhead 😂

15/08/2024

Edit with amended lineup

SAVE THE DATE: 28 August 2024 at 3:30 GMT

The Chat: beyond methods & towards unity

Guests: Sailor Jerri AKA Jo-Rosie Haffenden, Jerri Scherff, kamal Fernandez, Michael Shikashio, Ivan Balabanov, Josh Beckler, Shane Murray and Jacob Morgan.

Approximate agenda includes
- What do you define as abusive in terms of methodology in dog training
- What practices do you feel we could put in place to better meet the welfare needs of our domestic pet and working bred dogs
- Are there any methods or tools you would never use yourself
- Are there methods, protocols or tools that you would be comfortable using but you would never advise an owner to do
- What is the fall out you have seen with regards to extreme force free practices
- What is the fall out you have seen extreme balanced training
- Should all trainers learn every available method that modifies behaviour
- How to do train trainers what is an appropriate method for a dog
- What restrictions would you like to see with regards to training practices
- What academic background is necessary for a trainer to work with severe behaviour cases
- What experience and skills are necessary for a trainer to work with severe behaviour cases
- How can we better regulate the use of tools or is a ban the answer
- Is regulation the answer?
- How can we create a better education system for trainers: How can we create a cohesive industry and ensure the workforce is science literate and skilled?

With what’s going on within the dog training industry currently there has never been a more important time to come together and stamp out true animal abusers & poor practice.

Save the date x

(platform to watch the live will be announced shortly)

15/08/2024

Our annual Open Day at our Training Centre in Cork is Saturday 31st August from 12pm to 4pm!

Feel free to come along for a day filled with fun, enjoyment and exciting new experiences!
On the day there will be lots of demonstrations, facility tours along with a new kids' colouring competition and much more!!

Entry fee is €5 per person



Note: There will be no parking on site. A shuttle bus service will run from Ballincollig Primary Care Centre from 12noon. No pet dogs allowed.

Image Description: Graphic showing details of our Open Day with some photos in the middle hanging on a line.

15/08/2024

🔥Refine how you discuss behaviour medications with your clients for veterinary referral.

We are thrilled to introduce the first Snout Sessions educational seminars by Irish veterinary and behaviour specialists.

Join Catherine and Veterinary Behaviourist Erin Cooper Fernandes for an educational dive into Pain & behaviour Medication.

⭐How to assess for medical referral for pain & behaviour medication

⭐Learn about types of medications & how they work

⭐How to measure efficacy using observation charts

⭐All attendees will receive case notes & templates for assessment purposes

⭐Earn CEU points to keep that education up to date

and much, much more.

Check out our website to learn more & get booked in.

14/08/2024

We are thrilled to introduce the first Snout Sessions educational seminars by Irish veterinary and behaviour specialists.

Join Catherine and Veterinary Behaviourist Erin Cooper Fernandes for an educational dive into Pain & behaviour Medication.

⭐How to assess for medical referral for pain & behaviour medication

⭐Learn about types of medications & how they work

⭐How to measure efficacy using observation charts

⭐All attendees will receive case notes & templates for assessment purposes

⭐Earn CEU points to keep that education up to date

and much, much more.

Check out our website to learn more & get booked in.

13/08/2024

ITS HAPPENING AGAIN 🎉😍
if you're luck enough to grab a space, you will NOT regret it 🥰🥰😍

🐾🐾🌿DOGGY DAY RETREAT🌿🐾🐾

Come and join us for this fantastic opportunity with industry leaders to learn about and participate in enrichment activities with your dog. Hosted by Wild Hideaways in the Mealagh Valley Bantry. There are 6 places available for the full day Saturday 14th and 3 places for the half day Sunday 15th. Please call or text Amy 0872121675 to reserve your place or learn more.

13/08/2024

HOLY MOLY
This week has been awash with new clients.

It's AWESOME to see so many people nit only seeking professional support but seeking certified, regulated and ethical support 🥰

We've non existent SEO, our socials are simply raw honesty and we've stayed true to being collaborative with all in the animal care industry. The majority of our new clients is friend, family and veterinary referrals.

It comes primarily from the community we lovingly and passionately built.

You ROCK so hard, thank you all for sharing our services 🥰🙌

13/08/2024

We have some MAJOR news to announce very soon.....

🔥A new team member
🔥One of the HOTTEST new trainers on the scene
🔥Covering Limerick & Surrounds
🔥 Certified, ethical trainer with extraordinary skills
🔥Fast tracking to CDBC IAABC certification

We're growing and glowing and making ethical, regulated & certified training & behaviour services accessible to the WHOLE of Ireland.

More on this soon but get excited, get VERY excited!

12/08/2024

When your dog comes around from sedation.
When it's your own, it's different.

I hope you find comfort in this if your dog is in a similar situation. It's okay to be emotional, it's ok to worry even when you know you made the best choice possible for them. It's okay if your heart, head and stomach burn seeing them this way....
.. but remember, they'll be OK and you'll come off worse than them.

With a great veterinary team, a dog den on the floor for the evening and a stiff scotch..... we will be okay come the morrow.

Huge love to you all once more ❤️

12/08/2024

Here's a little teaser of something exciting coming very soon... for a sneak preview check out aniedireland dot com too 😉

11/08/2024

Share Yo!

I just heard from a follower that they got a public flogging from a total Sharon on the streets, accusing them of abusing their dog for using an electric collar.

Said dog, was wearing a collar, a GPS device designed for dogs (and cats) to keep them safe so their movements can be logged (they do more awesome data gathering too).

Okay so there are some similarities in the appearance but once you know what it looks like, you know.

For GPS users, try attaching it to your dogs harness, it might just help cut out the unnecessary attention from the gobsh*tes of the world.

Do you use a GPS tracker on your dog? Ever had a similar experience?

11/08/2024

ANOTHER RENT DOG PARK!!!!!
WAHHOOOOOOOOO

11/08/2024

That face 🥰
Poor baby has open stitches 😢 It's a day of medical care and keeping him as calm as is possible.

The drama is etched all over his beautiful face dog love him ❤️

10/08/2024

Honestly..

Whilst you know and trust the process, when the process continues to be mile stones of big wins... ypu can't help but be amazed.

How our dogs learn to cope with their challenges will never fail to amaze me.

Today will go down in the Tina history book. What a start to the weekend 🙌

10/08/2024

We're back 🥰

10/08/2024

10/08/2024

What does it mean when your dog licks you?

There isn't a single answer, as dogs lick people for various reasons, including showing affection, communicating, grooming, exploring, seeking attention, or simply enjoying the taste. Research shows that licking triggers the release of endorphins in a dog’s brain, which helps them feel calm & relaxed.

Licking also enhances a dog’s sense of smell, allowing them to gather more information about their environment. Like humans, dogs can taste bitter, salty, sweet, & sour, but their sense of smell plays a much bigger role in how they experience the world.

Humans have two types of sweat glands: eccrine & apocrine. Eccrine glands produce a thin, odourless fluid made of salt & protein & are found on the soles of the feet, palms, forehead, cheeks, & armpits. Apocrine glands secrete a thicker fluid that interacts with skin bacteria to create body odour & are located in the armpits, groin, ear canals, eyelids, & nostrils. These areas offer a range of scents & flavours that many dogs find irresistible.

Beyond these sensory experiences, licking your face is likely an instinctual behaviour for your dog. Dogs often lick each other’s faces as a form of mutual grooming, affection, & to signal harmlessness. If you enjoy & encourage your dog’s face-licking, you may reinforce this behaviour with your positive reactions.

After a shower, your dog might be drawn to lick the water droplets from your skin, not because they’re thirsty, but because they’re curious about the new smells & tastes from your shower products. If your dog licks your legs at other times, it could be due to lotion, sweat after exercise, or something else you've come into contact with.

Excessive licking of a person can indicate that a dog is uncomfortable & may be trying to soothe themselves, gather more information, or create distance. Licking can also serve as a calming signal or a displacement behaviour in stressful situations. Medically, if a dog frequently licks a specific area of their body, it might indicate allergies, infections, or pain. If they’re licking everything, like furniture or floors, it could suggest gastrointestinal issues.

10/08/2024

WHEN COMPANIONSHIP BREEDS ISOLATION: THE PARADOX OF DOG-HUMAN SOCIAL BONDS

Emotional well-being is an important topic for dogs, dog guardians and professionals. A paper by Barcelos et al., 2024 (link in comments) reviewed existing literature and data on how behavioural issues in dogs affect the well-being of their owners. These issues are significant as they are one of the primary reasons for dog relinquishment and can lead to various negative outcomes for both dogs and owners.

The paper looks at:

Emotional Impact: Dog behavioural problems are linked to negative emotions in owners, including stress, frustration, anger, sadness, and loneliness. Owners of dogs displaying aggressive behaviours report worse hedonic well-being and higher loneliness.

Social Impact: Owners often experience reduced social interactions and may even engage in social isolation to avoid incidents related to their dog’s behaviour. This can lead to conflicts with others and an overall deterioration in social relationships.

Mental Health Impact: There is a strong association between dog behavioural problems and mental health issues in owners, such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The burden of caring for a dog with behavioural issues can be significant, similar to caring for a human with chronic conditions.

The review also discusses two major aspects of well-being that are affected by dog behavioural problems: hedonic and eudaimonic well-being.

Hedonic Well-Being:

Hedonic well-being relates to an individual's affective state, which includes emotions, moods, and overall satisfaction with life. It is primarily concerned with the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. This aspect of well-being focuses more on immediate emotional experiences and satisfaction, which can be negatively impacted by the stress and frustration of dealing with dog behaviour challenges.
Key impacts include:

Negative Emotions: Owners of dogs with behavioural issues often experience heightened levels of negative emotions such as stress, frustration, anger, and sadness. For example, aggressive behaviours in dogs, like growling or biting, are linked to lower hedonic well-being in owners, who may feel more stressed and frustrated as a result.

Life Satisfaction: Chronic behavioural problems in dogs can diminish an owner’s satisfaction with life. The ongoing challenges and negative emotional states induced by managing a problematic dog can reduce overall happiness and contentment.

Eudaimonic Well-Being:

Eudaimonic well-being refers to a deeper sense of well-being that involves meaningful life experiences and personal growth. It focuses on the fulfilment of one’s potential, purpose in life, and the quality of social relationships. This aspect of well-being encompasses long-term factors , all of which can suffer due to the ongoing challenges posed by a dog’s behavioural problems, such as:

Social Relationships: Eudaimonic well-being is often compromised by dog behavioural problems because they can strain or reduce social interactions. Owners may avoid social situations to prevent their dog from behaving badly, leading to social isolation or conflicts with others. For instance, owners might withdraw from social activities to avoid embarrassment or confrontation caused by their dog's behaviour.

Environmental Mastery: This refers to how well an individual manages their life and surrounding environment. Dog behavioural problems can lead to difficulties in managing day-to-day activities, as owners may have to constantly adjust their routines to accommodate their dog's needs.

Self-Acceptance and Autonomy: Owners might struggle with self-acceptance, especially if they feel they are failing to manage their dog’s behaviour. Additionally, they might feel less autonomous if their life becomes overly dictated by the dog’s behavioural issues.

Given that pet ownership can adversely affect both an owner's hedonic and eudaimonic well-being, caregiver burden may manifest as various mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, or even suicidal thoughts. While many behavioural problems in dogs are linked to negative emotions in their owners, certain issues, such as aggression, tend to have a more severe impact on hedonic well-being compared to others.
Furthermore, the dangers of viewing abnormal behaviours like excessive, repetitive tail-chasing in dogs as amusing or trivial—a trend worsened by social media—are significant. This attitude can lead to a neglect of proper intervention, potentially reinforcing the behaviour and jeopardising the dog’s welfare, and by extension, the owner’s well-being.

Owners of pets with behavioural issues often feel isolated and judged due to the lack of understanding and support from the broader community, including trainers, veterinarians, strangers, as well as from friends and family.

The paper provides key suggestions for interventions to improve well-being in dog owners, including practical support, social support, and psychological support.
Building collaborative relationships between professionals in animal behaviour and mental health will enhance both human well-being and animal welfare. It is recommended that assessing caregiver burden should be a standard part of the initial evaluation in dog behavioural consultations. This approach would help identify those with significant burden, provide the necessary support, and simplify the behavioural treatment plan. Cultivating such a practice would greatly benefit many owners, increase awareness of these issues, and help reduce the associated stigma.

The authors have thoroughly reviewed a wealth of information in this intriguing paper, and the revealed paradox is unsurprising. The human world has changed dramatically over the last two decades, along with the significant increase in pressures that have accompanied these changes. This raises further questions, particularly regarding stigma. While we can offer support to dog owners who feel stigmatised, we should also question why the stigma is occurring in the first place, and what might be driving it.

Boo Blackhurst, CDBC

10/08/2024

Dog trainer North Cork. Force free, accredited, insured science based dog trainer.

08/08/2024

He's home ♥️
Poor darling was extremely stressed when sedation was reversed so he's recovering at home.

Lamb bone and squash broth is on the boil for later, I might need to arrange my own sedation via a bottle of wine.

But he's home, very groggy (to be expected) but home and able to rest.

With enormous, heartfelt thanks to the amazing women at for looking after my darling boy and me ♥️♥️♥️