Woof Talk

Woof Talk 🐾 Dog Behaviorist
🎓 MSc. Biologist
🐶 Positive Dog Training
🌟 PDTE Associated Member

02/07/2024

Right direct to the point: medication can be necessary for many dogs during the healing process from

Some dogs need help to put the hormones back in balance and finally open a window for learning, and sometimes the only way to do this is through medication.

It is essential to consult a vet. The medication may not be a forever solution but it is a helpful tool during your dog's training process. 🐶🖤

27/06/2024

"Let them bark. They will get used to it."

That advice breaks our hearts since that dog has a panic attack. When they bark, cry, or howl while left alone, they are in a super-stressed situation. We need to remember that the feeling they are experiencing is intense fear.

If your dog behaves like that, they are not thinking about barking. The behavior of barking in that specific situation is not the same as when they beg for attention or food, for example. The fear that triggers the barking is an action they do not have control over.

If you let your dog get used to barking, they will likely be in learned helplessness.

With our protocol, if the dog barks or cries, we understand that we went too far too soon. Our advice is the opposite: if your dog barks, stop the exercise and go back home. Let's give them cuddles and a lot of attention. In that case, they are not learning that barking solves the situation. They are just happy about feeling safe again. As a caregiver, our minimum job is to keep our dogs secure. 🐾🐾

24/06/2024

"If my dog's problem is being alone, can I get another dog to keep them company?"

Unfortunately, the answer is no.

Adding a second to your family may be a lovely decision.
But if you have a dog with Separation Anxiety, we do not recommend it. The excessive fear of being alone is redirected to humans and not to other dogs/pets.

That being so, it is likely that your dog's anxious behavior will trigger the new puppy. As a result, you may have two dogs with . 🐾🐶

20/06/2024

Did you ever hear that ignoring your dog until they calm down is the best way to arrive and leave? This advice is quite sad, especially if you have a dog desperate to have your presence.

Creating communication with your dog can be helpful. Talking to your dog when you leave or arrive home makes them feel noticed and loved. That simple behavior decreases their cortisol levels and helps them to settle down.
If your dog jumps when you arrive, we can handle this behavior with some training. But the most valuable practice is communicating with your dog.

With our protocol, you can feel free to let your dog know that you are leaving, but you are going to be right back and also that you are happy to see them again. 🐾🐾

18/06/2024

It is a misconception that crate training your dog will make them feel safe and calm while confined in the crate.
Separation Anxiety (SA) is quite different than training your dog to feel secure while traveling. SA is the fear/frustration about being left alone. Therefore, the crate will not trick your dog into thinking they are not alone. Yet, they will feel super-stressed.

Some people say that this solves their dog's problem. In this case, if your dog doesn't bark, cry, or "goes crazy" inside the crate in the way they do when they are loose inside the house, that means that your dog is likely in learned helplessness in the kennel and this is one of the saddest feelings in terms of dog behavior.

Hence, your dog can be quiet inside the cage or will not create any damage in the house, but the fear about staying alone will be there anyway.

With our protocol, your dog will learn how to cope with being left alone. Your dog will run loose around the house and feel more confident and calm in a safe environment. 🐶🐾

13/06/2024

That is one of the most common mistakes when it comes to

Dogs who have Separation Anxiety sometimes can not even eat while left alone. They can also start to see that specific toy as a new trigger.

If the food solved your dog's situation, we believe they did not have Separation Anxiety. They just needed to learn about being alone, but the fearful feeling was not there. Food merely creates a mask for a few minutes for your dog. Soon, they will start to feel unsafe again.

We aim to create a safe, consistently calm environment for your dog. 🐾

10/06/2024

Here's a summary of the treatment for :

- Daily training: consistency is key. Regular training can build confidence and security.
- Systematic desensitization: gradually get your dog used to being alone.
- Assessment of signs of stress: keep an eye out for any signs of anxiety or stress and adjust your approach accordingly.
- No use of food/snacks: we don’t address separation anxiety by distracting the dog or keeping it busy; the focus is on long-term behavior change.
- No use of crate: using a crate for separation anxiety training is unethical, as confining a dog is not the goal. It can also increase anxiety and potentially cause harm for some dogs.

The consistency and patience with the training will help your dog feel more comfortable and secure when you’re not around. 🖤 🐾

07/06/2024

Signs of that you definitely should seek professional help:
- Destructive behavior when left alone;
- Barking, howling, or crying excessively when left alone;
- Peeing around the house when left alone (in case the dog is potty-trained).

Signs that you should be aware of and ask for professional help:
- Excessive greetings when you come back home (for some dogs this behavior is normal. Seek help if they only do it when left completely alone, and not because they love some specific people a bit too much);
- Jumping, nibbling, or snapping at you when you come back home (some dogs do this with guests when the level of frustration is too high or they are overstimulated. This behavior can indicate SA, but those signals should be analyzed with a holistic view).

These signs are not just pure behavior. They are a consequence of fear, a high level of frustration, or both. Sadly, your dog is having a panic attack every time you leave the house. I hope your dog can be safe alone and that you did not check any of those boxes. But if you are in doubt about asking for help, please, do not hesitate to contact us and ask for more information. 💡🐾

04/06/2024

Separation Anxiety (SA) is an umbrella term for dogs who cannot handle being alone. In reality, is a clinical disease that is quite rare. What most dogs have is isolation distress. In any case, we will use the umbrella term "SA" for better clarity and to ensure everyone understands. 🐶🐾

26/04/2024

Frequently asked questions❓🐶

09/04/2024

👩‍🎓 🐾 Dive into Woof Talk with Emanuelle Lack, where meets science and heart. Emanuelle's got an MSc. in Biology and a knack for understanding dogs on a deeper level. She's not about the basic sit-and-stay; Emanuelle tackles the tough stuff like and aggression with finesse, thanks to her top-tier training. Her sessions are tailored to each dog's needs, bringing that perfect mix of expertise and fun to the table, making sure your dog gets the very best. 🐾 🐶

05/04/2024

🐾✨ Unleashing the new us! Woof Talk, formerly known as Lekker Woof, is stepping up bolder and barking even better in Amsterdam.. 🌈 We revamped our look, but our passion for remains. Dive into our world where every bark tells a story, and every wag is a win. 🐕‍🦺🎉 Ready to unleash the secrets of ? Drop us a 📩 or tap the link in the bio. Let's speak 'dog' in style! "

27/09/2023

📣 Exciting news coming soon. Stay tuned!

31/03/2023

Puppy group classes can be a success for some dogs. The caregivers believe their puppy needs to be socialized with other dogs and trained around distractions. I value puppy class and offer it during spring, the beginning of summer, and sometimes autumn, but never in extreme temperatures.

We must be careful and avoid overstimulating the dogs during group classes. Scents, noises, new textures, other dogs, other people, and all the stimuli there can create a harsh environment to learn and think. Yes, I am not against puppy group classes. I can see its benefits and the possibility of working through distractions, socializing with other dogs, and creating a good experience with new stimuli.

While organizing a group class, I believe the best practice is to keep an individual eye on each participant. In my group classes, I will be attentive to your dog's needs and limits. It is not uncommon for the dog to exceed his learning curve and require a break, sometimes even needing to go home earlier, before the class finishes.

Before all my group classes, I must meet your dog beforehand and know their background history. That is the only way we can be sure they are ready for the course. Otherwise, we can work on socialization and resilience individually.

My purpose is not to teach your puppy basic commands, like sitting or lying down. My puppy group class is much more than that. You can expect a happier dog after the course. We will work on communication, leash manners, ignoring other dogs, trusting you and your guidance, etc. My goal is that your puppy will feel safe and pleased to follow your lead.

22/03/2023

https://www.silentconversations.com/raised-hackles-piloerection-dog-body-language-silent-conversations/

When a dog’s hair bristles up or stands on end over the spine region of the back, this is known as ‘raised hackles’ or technically defined as piloerection. Piloerection is commonly misinterpreted as aggression, but although it can be part of an aggressive display in certain contexts, along with specific body language exhibited, this is not the primary reason it occurs. The article goes over the physiology of piloerection to explain the reasons why it occurs, and shares examples of different contexts in which it occurs.

If you have read the article and care to share how your dog displays piloerection, with the following questions as prompts for the share:
1) What pattern of fur your dog displays when showing piloerection?
2) What corresponding body language is displayed with the piloerection?
3) In what context does it appear?
4) What is your interpretation of the body language observed?

15/03/2023

Are you looking for the best tips and advice regarding a new puppy?

Check our advice below.

Sleep:

Sleep is a behavior and plays a significant role in dog life, even more for puppies. While sleeping, they rebalance the stress hormones and neurotransmitters in the body and brain and process what they have experienced during the day.
Dogs are social sleepers. Since they enjoy sleeping close to other pets or humans, we do not recommend letting them sleep alone during the first period in the new home. You must provide them feel a safe space and pay attention when they are crying. That is how they will let you know they are afraid of being left alone.
Also, science shows that puppies should sleep up to 18 hours a day. Keep an eye on that, and ensure they will get enough sleep. Thus, you will avoid some behavior issues and overstimulating or/and overwhelming them.

Supervision/management:

It is essential to allow your puppy to explore the entire house. However, you must provide a safe environment and be aware of dangers like cables, toxic plants, human food, small objects, etc.
We do not recommend crate training for puppies. Getting a nice playpen is more satisfactory for them.

Food and nutrition:

Puppies should eat high-quality and biologically appropriate dog food. You may feed them more often than adult dogs.

Items:

- Y-shape front harness;
- Regular leash 1.80 meters;
- Long leash 5-10 meters;
- Different chew toys for puppies;
- Lick mat and snuffle mat;
- Kong or similar;
- Treat bags;
- Training pads;
- Enzymatic cleansing for puppies;
- P**p bags;
- Water and food bowl.

Others:

You must have a 24hr vet number in case of an emergency.

Adres

Amstelvlietstraat
Amsterdam
1096GG

Website

http://www.lekkerwoof.com/

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🐾✨ Unleashing the new us! Woof Talk, formerly known as Lekker Woof, is stepping up bolder and barking even better in Amsterdam.. 🌈 We revamped our look, but our passion for #dogbehavior remains. Dive into our world where every bark tells a story, and every wag is a win. 🐕‍🦺🎉 Ready to unleash the secrets of #doglanguage? Drop us a 📩 or tap the link in the bio. Let's speak 'dog' in style! #WoofTalkAmsterdam #BarkBoldly"