Snout and About

27/03/2025

Hey Snout Fans,

A lot of our content isn't sharing to our Facebook feed (I'll get this fixed at some point).

For better, more frequent and dog darned glorious content, follow us on instagram

DogBless

21/03/2025

New Development: International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants Officially Closes the Door on Aversive Dog Training

Another domino has fallen in favor of modern, humane, and scientifically sound dog training methods.

We want to acknowledge the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) for officially moving beyond LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) as their guiding framework and explicitly rejecting the intentional use of positive punishment.

The issue with LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) is that while it was intended to prioritize minimally intrusive, positively reinforcing methods, it still allowed trainers to justify outdated, aversive techniques, like shock collars or prong collars, as a supposed ‘last resort.’

This effectively provided cover for outdated ‘balanced’ training practices, an approach that we now clearly understand is not supported by scientific evidence. IAABC, a prominent global certifying body for behavior consultants, has now recognized this flaw and moved beyond LIMA.

Scientific evidence clearly shows aversive methods, even as a "last resort", don’t address underlying behavior causes; for example, shocking a dog who displays aggression doesn’t change their emotional response, it simply suppresses their communication.

This loophole permitted methods based in pain, fear, and intimidation, methods clearly shown by behavior science to be ineffective at addressing underlying causes of behavior and ethically indefensible.

To be clear, LIMA is not a framework endorsed by credible behavior science. In 2025, it is pseudoscientific by definition because it incorporates unsupported, aversive techniques under certain conditions. The term has become deeply problematic in professional dog training.

True scientific professionals, behavior analysts, and animal welfare experts consistently affirm that methods using aversive tools or techniques are unnecessary, ineffective long-term, and detrimental to animal welfare.

By adopting an explicitly ethical framework, IAABC has joined organizations like the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) in setting a clearer, science-based standard.

Today, only a small number of certifying organizations still explicitly allow aversive training methods or cling to the ambiguous and outdated LIMA standard.

Quick update on major certifying bodies stance on aversives:

The Pet Professional Guild (PPG) remains committed to force-free, modern methods. https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/about-us/position-statements/

International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) now explicitly rejects intentional aversive methods under their new ethical framework. https://journal.iaabcfoundation.org/iaabc-free/

Association for Professional Dog Training International (APDTI) retains the term LIMA (“Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive”), and even explicitly states that aversive methods are not justified "in lieu of other effective positive reinforcement interventions and strategies." However, their guidelines do not categorically prohibit aversive methods, leaving open the possibility of their use when trainers determine other interventions are “ineffective”. This lack of absolute clarity can lead to confusion and indicates APDTI would benefit from adopting explicitly force-free terminology. https://apdt.com/membercertificant-announcement/?highlight=LIMA

Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, Inc. (CCPDT) still permits aversive methods as a “last resort”. Their outdated position is clearly at odds with current behavioral science, leaving significant room for improvement if CCPDT aims to gain credibility as a leading certifying organization. https://www.ccpdt.org/about-us/standards-practice-code-ethics/

08/03/2025

WOMEN ♀️

You brilliant beautiful beings you. Happy International Women's Day, today and every dog darned day!

💗To the Men who support ALL Women by simply acknowledging and understanding that we are not treated as equals, thank you.

💗To the Men who invest in bettering their understanding, thank you.

♀️To the Men who don't "get it", please do better.

♀️To the Men who don't want to do better. You are the reason the world is burning.

⛔️1 in 3 women in your family, your workplace, your communities and friend circles have been affected by physical or sexual violence (based on EU statistics).

1 in 3!!!

Inequality the world over is almost unbelievable, but the statics speak for themselves.

✅️ Do something important today for the women you love and simply pledge to do better.

✅️ Read up on why it's important.

✅️ Call out the attitudes or slurs from friends or colleagues

✅️ Strive to challenge your own thought patterns or challenge your past behaviours towards women. 

Dogbless 🐾

07/03/2025

07/03/2025

A Friendly Reminder 🦮!!

When you see wearing their red jacket, it means they’re hard at work! These incredible dogs are trained to keep their child companion safe when out and about. It’s important not to pet or distract them while they’re on duty.

Thank you for helping us ensure these amazing dogs can do their job to the best of their ability. 🐾💛

05/03/2025

Pain is not an option.

Inspired by my back absolutely going again and the pain has severely affected my behaviour.

Don't even think about testing me right now 🤬 This bitch will absolutely bite!

But I can tell you I'm in pain. If you simply observed me right now you'd not realise I'm in a world of pain, but I can tell you, very clearly, MY BACK HURTS and I'm narky, tired and grumpy as a result.

💔Our dogs don't have the option to tell us.

It is categorically not okay to not treat pain in our dogs. It is categorically not ok to say it's age related, it's a breed thing, it's just a "bit" of pain or, sure all terriers walk like that.

All pain needs treating and it might need a lot more than just medications.

Physio, hydro, nutrition, supplements and an overhaul of your home (non slip rugs galore), observation charts and maybe a change in your environment or the way you handle and interact with your dog.

Not happy with your diagnosis? Get another one. Not sure who to go to? We work with some of the most incredible veterinary and physical professionals in the country who we can refer you to.

Not treating pain is NOT an option.

Dogbless.

03/03/2025

YASS KWEENS!

Be more CUNTY with that critter.
Embrace slaying that dog training game with the gorgeous grace of your inner boss bitch and don't listen to a dog damned iota of judgement.

Communication means that we learn about and respect their language too!
We build on this by nurturing their needs as they express them and help them get it right with ethical training whilst always, always letting them know when they're doing a good job.

A reminder that within the rotten climate we're witnessing at the moment, we always have been and always will be, an organisation dedicated to equality for all people.

We particularly encourage members of marginalised communities (be it gender, race, culture or creed) to get in touch if you're interested in learning more about how to get into the industry.

Interested? Email Catherine at [email protected]

03/03/2025

Queen Roisin has spoken.

During conversation, she used this wonderful analogy that we want to share with you.

Set ups, patience and practice matter.

Meeting our dogs where they're at and truly understanding their needs above our assumptions of what should be a "normal" experience for them is so important.

Go gentle, go slow.

Dogbless

01/03/2025

I've actually built the dream 🌟
Dream career with a dream team 🎊

This review for our SouthEast HQ is one of many glowing, gorgeous acknowledgements of her work.

When I met Suzy I knew we needed her on the team and this review sums up her phenomenal dedication and passion no end.

It takes more than extensive experience and qualifications to make the Snout team, it takes exceptional care, exceptional duty to successful outcomes and relentless dedication to ensure everyone involved in your dog's care is working towards success 🙌

Beyond proud of this Gal, of Roisin, Edel, Emmett, Claire, Jessica Gillian and each and every one of our clients, supporters and colleagues.

What a freaking beautiful tribute to an exceptional force in the industry.

You SLAY Sooz 🥳❤️💕

thank you so much for this gorgeous remark on our gorgeously gifted consultants work 🥰🐾💓

27/02/2025

🎊🥳YAAASSS🥳🎊

It's happening again this year and we're hosting the talk stage.

I bloomin love this event at from

Packed with Irish dog suppliers and proffesionals with excellent food too. What's not to love ❤️

Pop along and say hi! You won't regret it!

26/02/2025

At Snout HQ we're always looking for ways to be proactively progressive and inclusive in our work.

The smallest tweak can make all the difference to our clients and to the success of their training outcomes.

Let us know if you've any socially sound policies or standards of practice you use and share them below!

21/02/2025

20/02/2025

18/02/2025

How well do you know the Snout team?

Just for some fun, can you guess which slide correlates to with Snout Member?

Getting to know your pro is not just about professionalism, it's personable too.

To make it a wee bit trickier, we've left a profile out for now but we'll add it in once we've had a giggle at your pairing suggestions.

You've (in order of pics, left to right and top to bottom);

❤️Roisin
❤️Gillian
❤️Catherine
❤️Claire
❤️Emmett
❤️Jessica
❤️Suzy
❤️Edel

Give us an aul chuckle and try to match the slides with the dog pros.
Some might just take you by surprise!

.adoodledoo