Mindfulness4Dogs

03/04/2025

🐶 He growled—and I smiled.
Not because I enjoy aggression, but because I understood it.

That growl? It wasn’t a threat. It was a message.
“I’m not okay with this.”

Once I stopped seeing aggression as bad behaviour, and started seeing it as communication, everything changed.
Less conflict. More connection.
A dog who trusted me—because I finally listened.

💭 If you’ve ever felt confused or ashamed about your dog’s behaviour, you’re not alone. But aggression doesn’t mean your dog is broken.

It means they’re trying to speak.

👉 Read the blog: Understanding Dog Aggression – A Functional Perspective
📚 Science-based. No pack theory. Just real communication.

💬 Want help decoding your dog’s behaviour?
Join our exclusive Aggression Support Community waitlist—a safe space for real answers, expert guidance, and zero judgement.

Discover how dog aggression functions as natural communication. Learn science-backed insights into social order, boundaries, and canine behaviour.

03/04/2025

Darran the Dogmans - Training tip.

Have you ever wondered why dogs do what they do? What makes then do one behaviour over another?

Check out my website : https://mindfulness4dogs.com for more details on the behavioural and training help I provide. Or give me a ring on 0274 585 872

02/04/2025

🐾 Understanding Dog Aggression: A Functional Perspective

Living with 10 dogs might sound like chaos to some—but for me, it’s a daily masterclass in communication, boundaries, and trust. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned? Aggression isn’t always “bad behaviour.” It’s often a dog’s way of navigating the world and maintaining peace within the family.

Yet somehow, we’ve come to believe that any growl or bark must be stopped—as if it’s automatically a sign of aggression. But here’s the truth: those sounds are often a form of communication, not conflict.

🔹 It’s Communication, Not Combat
When one of my dogs growls, it’s not about being naughty—it’s a message. “I need space.” “That’s mine.” “I’m not comfortable.” These ritualised signals exist to prevent fights, not cause them.

🔹 Boundaries in Action
Fred might let out a quiet grumble if someone gets too close to his blanket, or Lala might bark when another dog charges past her bed. These aren’t signs of bad behaviour—they’re healthy expressions of boundaries.

🔹 Nature’s Peacekeepers
In the wild, full-blown fights are dangerous. That’s why dogs evolved to use body language and vocalisations to sort things out before it escalates. And in our home, with ten dogs living socially under one roof, I witness that wisdom daily.

✨ If we rush to correct every growl or bark, we risk silencing our dog’s only way of saying, “I’m not okay.” or "What you're doing is not ok". Understanding these signals is the first step to real communication and deep trust.

Let’s stop seeing all aggression as defiance—and start seeing it for what it really is: a conversation worth listening to and understanding. Fights only happen when one side doesn't want to listen!

With love (and a bit of volume!) from me, Fred, Pixie, Twinkle, Star, Stella, Tizzy, Billy, George, Maggie, and Lala 🐾💛

🎥 Watch the Communication in Action
Check out the short video below of our adolescent Groodles, Maggie and George, getting a little too intense during play. Just as their energy starts to bubble over, Star calmly steps in—one growl, and the mood shifts. No fights, no panic—just a perfectly timed canine intervention. Life coaching at its best...

This is the kind of communication we’re talking about. Well balanced dogs know how to de-escalate—if we let them speak.

Penteronda BorderCollies Bellawai Dogs NZ Golden Retriever, Retrodoodle, Golden Shepherds NZ

01/04/2025

🐾 Breaking News: Europe’s Latest Canine Craze Hits New Heights!

Move over Cavoodles and Labradoodles – there's a new designer dog breed sweeping across Europe, capturing hearts and headlines alike! Introducing the Sh*tador.

⚔️ The Sh*tador ⚔️
A more rugged addition to the designer dog world, the Sh*tador is a cross between the feisty Shih Tzu and a miniature Labrador. But the Sh*tador’s origins are what truly set it apart. Developed in Spain, the breed was initially trained to assist Matadors in the ancient bullfighting arenas.

With their fierce loyalty and lightning-fast reflexes, Sh*tadors were tasked with retrieving capes and keeping bulls distracted with their playful antics – earning the nickname "The Little Bullfighter’s Shadow."

📈 Demand is soaring, with Spanish breeders reporting a 420% increase in sales. Rumour has it that top Sh*tador puppies are fetching upwards of €7,000 ($12,500 NZD)!

🌟 Primary Job: While no longer assisting in bullfights, Sh*tadors are making waves as "Agility Arena Stars" in canine sports competitions across Europe.

🐕 Coming to New Zealand?
Industry insiders predict it’s only a matter of time before the breed make its grand entrance into New Zealand. With the growing popularity of designer dogs and the rising demand for competitive canine athletes, Kiwis are already eagerly adding their names to Sh*tador waiting lists.

Would you consider adding this European sensations to your family? Let us know in the comments!

🐾

Hopefully you all realised this is an April Fools....

01/04/2025

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

We’ve all seen it – a peacefully snoozing dog, curled up in a sunlit patch on the floor or in their special place on the sofa. It’s a picture of serenity. But what if that peace is suddenly interrupted? What if a child, excited and unaware, rushes over to cuddle the dog? What if an owner, thinking it’s harmless, shakes them awake?

In the wake of recent dog attacks, it’s more important than ever to understand what might drive a dog to respond aggressively – even towards the people they love most.

Dogs, like humans, have something called a STARTLE REFLEX. It’s a deeply ingrained survival response, designed to react to threats before the brain has a chance to catch up. When a dog is startled awake, especially from deep sleep, their instinctual reaction can be defensive. For some dogs, that momentary confusion can lead to growling, snapping, or even biting. It’s not malice. It’s fear and protection wrapped in a split-second response.

And for those dogs who may have experienced past trauma, this reflex can be even more heightened.

We need to remember that even the most gentle, loving dog is still an animal with instincts. Just like we wouldn’t jolt awake a sleeping child or a tired friend, our dogs deserve that same kindness.

👉 The key message?

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie.

Teach children to respect a dog’s space, especially when they’re resting. Create a safe, quiet space for your dog to sleep undisturbed. And always be mindful of those subtle signals that your dog might need more rest or alone time.

Understanding your dog’s behaviour and communication is the first step in preventing difficult situations. Let’s work together to build safer, more compassionate relationships with our dogs.

28/03/2025

So I've started working Stella with the sheep. This is the second time we've been out so it's still really raw. It's good to be the student again. I had some pointers at the weekend with some good friends Caro and Mark who brought their dog Tahi out to help get me started.

Stella did awesome, but I very quickly realised that using Stella's name isn't going to help me with sheep herding as she'll recall when she hears her name. Something we always train with all our dogs. We've worked hard previously on stopping her chasing the stock uncontrolled, so it felt really stranger for me to just let her go and make decisions for herself.

That being said she did really well and made some great choices, even though I talked far too much to her and used inconsistent commands. We still need to work on the stop more, but considering there we sheep running away from her I was pretty impressed when she stayed still until released.

All in all I think we both did really well for the first time alone without Tahi to follow. I'm looking forward to learning more and then later bringing Star into the game...
Penteronda BorderCollies

27/03/2025

Darran the Dogmans - Thursdays Training tip.

Dogs fighting in the park? Understand how to spot when it going wrong, so you can get your dog away.

Thursdays Training tip : 50/50 rule

Check out my website : https://mindfulness4dogs.com for more details on the behavioural and training help I provide. Or give me aring on 0274 585 872

26/03/2025

Day 2 : Helping little CeCe from ARAN Animal Rescue NZ 💛

CeCe arrived with a lot of fear, especially around men. Her past experiences have clearly left their mark, and we knew it would take time, patience, and a gentle approach to help her begin to trust again.

Today, I spent time just being with her. I sat quietly in the kennel throughout the day, never asking for anything—just sharing space. Sometimes she stayed in her crate, sometimes she glanced my way and looked away again. And that was okay.

There was no pressure. No expectations.

And then, after a few visits, CeCe made the choice. She stepped out of her safe place and approached me. Slowly, bravely, she chose connection.

This edited video (originally 25 minutes long) of our last session of the day, captures that beautiful moment when a dog starts to believe that maybe the world isn’t so scary after all.

Overcoming fear can’t be rushed. But when a dog feels safe and in control, trust begins to grow. And trust? Well that’s the start of everything.

Proud of you, CeCe. 💛
ARAN Animal Rescue NZ

Remember when adopting a RESCUE dog:
R – REACTIVE : Often responding quickly to triggers due to past trauma or stress.
E – EMOTIONALLY FRAGILE : Their world has been turned upside down, they can't cope.
S – STRESSED - New environments, new people, and uncertainty leads to heightened anxiety.
C – CONFUSED : Don’t understand what’s expected of them yet—and that’s okay.
U – UNBALANCED : Their routine, relationships, and sense of safety have been disrupted.
E – EXHAUSTED : From survival mode, constant adaptation, or emotional overload.

25/03/2025

Dogs don’t need a dictator. They need a teacher, a guide, and friend, writes dog behaviourist Darran Rowe.

24/03/2025

I do love hearing about how previous clients and their dog are getting on. I take a personal interest in everydog I train whether its in a classes or one-to-one. And they never forget me, infact I've had owners racing across parks to catch their dogs who have seen me walking past! So it's really nice when I get an email like this.

Storm came to our Puppy School, but was a challenging puppy for her owners from the get go.

Venessa said - "Thank you for your wonderful training, knowledge and expertise. We appreciated the background history of dogs that made everything make sense. We can also confidently say that your training made Storm a well behaved dog (we put into practice what you taught us). Storm is so much fun to have and is very obedient (even though she was a little rascal at dog training classes most of the time). She turned out to be awesome! ☺️ "

Email me and let me know how your dog is doing. Lets celebrate their successes together. - [email protected]

21/03/2025

🐶 What’s Your Dog’s Training Personality? Take the Quiz!

If dogs came with a user manual, life would be a breeze, right? Instead, we’re often left wondering… “Why does my dog do THAT?”

Some dogs hang off your every word, eager to please. Others? Well, they treat training like a game of “make the human try harder.” 🤣

But here’s the thing—every dog learns differently. And just like us, they respond best when training matches their personality!

So, let’s have some fun—take this quick quiz and find out if your dog is a Teacher’s Pet, an Independent Thinker, or a Rebel with a Cause!

🐶 Question 1: When you call your dog, they…
A) Come running like you just announced dinner.
B) Look at you, think about it, then continue sniffing.
C) Bolt in the opposite direction—freedom is calling!

🐾 Question 2: When learning something new, your dog…
A) Picks it up fast and loves the challenge.
B) Needs a few tries but gets there eventually.
C) Acts like they’ve never heard the word before in their life.

🦴 Question 3: How does your dog react to treats in training?
A) "YES! Give me more, human!"
B) "Sure, I’ll work for it… if it’s good enough."
C) "I don't work for food. I work for my own amusement."

🚶‍♂️ Question 4: On a walk, your dog…
A) Checks in often, happy to follow your lead.
B) Gets distracted but responds when you refocus them.
C) Thinks the lead is purely decorative.

🎾 Question 5: How does your dog react to training sessions?
A) "YES, let’s do it!" (Tail wagging, eager, ready to go).
B) "Do I have to?" (Will do it… but not exactly thrilled).
C) "You train me? Ha. That’s cute." (Does their own thing).

🐕 Question 6: If your dog had a catchphrase, it would be…
A) “Tell me what to do, and I’ll do it!”
B) “I’ll consider it… what’s in it for me?”
C) “You paid for me, but you don’t own me.”

Time to Find Out Your Dog’s Training Personality!
🐾 Mostly A’s – The Teacher’s Pet
Your dog thrives on learning! They love structure and enjoy pleasing you. Keep training fun and varied so they don’t get bored.
🧘 Mindful tip: Enjoy the connection—notice how much joy they get from working with you.

🐾 Mostly B’s – The Independent Thinker
Your dog is smart but selective—they need to see the value in what you’re asking. Use high-value rewards and keep sessions short and engaging.
Mindful tip: Don’t rush them—let them process at their own pace. They’ll surprise you when they’re ready!

🐾 Mostly C’s – The Rebel with a Cause
Your dog has a mind of their own and isn’t afraid to use it! They’re not being difficult—they just see the world differently. Make training THEIR idea with games and choice-based rewards.
Mindful tip: The more freedom they feel, the more they’ll actually want to work with you.

✨ So, what’s your dog’s training personality? Drop your results in the comments—I’d love to hear! And if you’re struggling with a rebellious genius, send me a message—I might have a few tricks up my sleeve. 😉

20/03/2025

Darran the Dogmans - Thursdays Training tip.

Day 1 : Working with consent. Helping little CeCe from ARAN Animal Rescue NZ

Check out my website : https://mindfulness4dogs.com for more details on the behavioural and training help I provide. Or give me aring on 0274 585 872

Remember when adopting a RESCUE dog:
R – REACTIVE : Often responding quickly to triggers due to past trauma or stress.
E – EMOTIONALLY FRAGILE : Their world has been turned upside down, they can't cope.
S – STRESSED - New environments, new people, and uncertainty leads to heightened anxiety.
C – CONFUSED : Don’t understand what’s expected of them yet—and that’s okay.
U – UNBALANCED : Their routine, relationships, and sense of safety have been disrupted.
E – EXHAUSTED : From survival mode, constant adaptation, or emotional overload.

19/03/2025

Just finished giving a talk to the NZ Institute of Animal Management (NZIAM) Central branch in Palmerston North today regarding the handling and behavioural management of barking complaints. The number of barking complaints in most NZ area has rapidly increase in recent years. It was great to connect with these guys to discuss how this every growing issue is viewed and can be solved in a positive way for dogs and owners. It was also great to talk about how normal and often vital dog communication signals are suppressed when barking issues are solved using aversive training like shock or citronella collars.

17/03/2025

It was really great to hear from Nick and his family again. I helped train them with their dog Tessa, who was highly reactive to cats and dogs. Well a few years on and ....

Nick and Adrienne said - "Just thought you might like a wee update on the progress on our erstwhile problem child Tessa. She is still a bit reactive to other pooches but has really turned a corner. We remain grateful for your input and insights at a time when we were seriously considering rehoming her. You may also remember her intense prey drive? I would just like to share a picture of Tess with our new family member Ziggy. We trusted her and she has slipped into a big sister role in a way that fills us with joy.

Thank you for persevering with us even when I was projecting my anxiety onto our sessions together. So many thanks. Nick, Adrienne, Edward, Maddy, Tessa and Ziggy Clothier."

Email me and let me know how your dog is doing. Lets celebrate their successes together. - [email protected]

17/03/2025

🎉 Friday Funday Winner!

Big congratulations to Dennis Putt for winning 1 month FREE access to the Bowlingual Dog School!

His hilarious comment on last week's Friday Funday had us all in stitches:

🗣 "You should get a perm."
🗣 "Nah, look at the sheep, they have perms, doesn't look good."
🗣 "I'd rock a perm."
🗣 "What actually is a perm?"
🗣 "Dunno. Just heard mum talking about it."

Absolutely brilliant! 🤣 And what made it even better? The two old Border Collies in the photo, making the comment perfectly fitting—we reckon they might’ve been contemplating a stylish new look too! 😉🐕🐕

Dennis, enjoy your free month at Bowlingual Dog School! We can’t wait to see what you and your pup get up to. Want a chance to win next time? Keep an eye out for our Monthly Friday Funday challenge!
# bordercolliesandperms

Whether you’ve got a bouncy puppy, a stubborn adolescent, or a rescue dog needing guidance, we’ll help you understand your dog’s unique training personality and set them up for success!

Bowlingual Dog School is your online training hub, packed with:
✅ Easy-to-follow training videos 🎥
✅ Step-by-step guides for real-life skills 📖
Join today and start transforming your dog’s behavior from home!
📍 Sign up here: https://courses.mindfulness4dogs.com/products/courses/view/1158103

14/03/2025

🐾 My Thursday Training Tip in Action – Choice not Correction - Meet Kadhin! 🐾

Kadhin, a beautiful rescue dog from ARAN Animal Rescue NZ , is working with me on his lack of Impulse Control around food through Choice Games.

No commands. No corrections. Just Kadhin figuring things out for himself while I promote the choices I like.

Like many Labs, Kadhin thinks jumping on the table is the fastest way to get food! But through two training sessions, he’s learning that patience pays off. Watch how he starts to make better choices, simply because they lead to better outcomes.

✅ Training isn’t about control—it’s about communication. Giving dogs the space to think allows them to develop self-control in a way that’s positive, effective, and long-lasting.

📽️ Check out the video and see how Kadhin transforms in real-time! He is a super clever dog who is going to make a wonderful companion for someone very soon. Yes he is available for adoption. I'll be training him more over the next few weeks so keep an eye out on my page.

Let us know—what’s the biggest impulse challenge your dog has?

13/03/2025

Darran the Dogmans - Thursdays Training tip.

Correction or Choice. AAHH AAHH!!

Check out my website : https://mindfulness4dogs.com for more details on the behavioural and training help I provide. Or give me aring on 0274 585 872

10/03/2025

It was great to hear from Sharon and Roxy last week. It's been a year since the end of our behavioural coaching programme.

Sharon said -"We have an American Staffie Cross called Roxy - We were having problems with her being so full on for a retired couple. Good news! She is the quietest dog now and we have no problems at all with her ! She has excellent recall and we can easy call her in from playing with other dogs . She is still a little excited to meet new people but that is only very briefly. She thrives on routine and consistency and boundaries.

Thank you so much for giving us confidence with her and you are absolutely right in saying she’s the best dog for us! "

Always makes me smile when I hear how the dogs I have trained are doing years on.

And yes they always remember me....