Fideaux Fundamentals

06/30/2025

"What ?.... Lick our lips around dogs?
As crazy as it sounds, yes.

We are mimicking those all important calming signals they can give.
Calming signals can help dogs decipher our intent.

Especially important for nervous or anxious dogs.

✅Don't crowd them, give them space
✅Be mindful how you move, but.....there is a fine line between slow deliberate moving and totally unnatural "stalking" movements.

Limiting eye contact is also important.
Staring for many dogs can be interpreted as "threatening" or "rude".

Watch those feet movements.
Walk lightly and softly.
Big steps with heavy footwear can be scary.

Many people are a bit "taken back" when people that work with dogs just "ignore" their dog.
It isn't because we are being rude.
We want to make a great first impression on them and gain their trust quickly.

The best way to greet?

"What ?.... Lick our lips around dogs?
As crazy as it sounds, yes.
We are mimicking those all important calming signals they can give.
Calming signals can help dogs decipher our intent.
Especially important for nervous or anxious dogs.

✅Don't crowd them, give them space
✅Be mindful how you move, but.....there is a fine line between slow deliberate moving and totally unnatural "stalking" movements.

Limiting eye contact is also important.
Staring for many dogs can be interpreted as "threatening" or "rude".

Watch those feet movements.
Walk lightly and softly.
Big steps with heavy footwear can be scary.

Many people are a bit "taken back" when people that work with dogs just "ignore" their dog.
It isn't because we are being rude.
We want to make a great first impression on them and gain their trust quickly.

The best way to greet?
Well...you don't really.

Sounds harsh but it really is a great way to help a dog relax.

06/30/2025

"They just adore each other" 😍

Do they? 🤔
Sometimes we really want to see signals that just aren't there.

We may focus on one area....like a wagging tail, because it "confirms" what we hope is true.
The reality though is scared, conflicted or anxious dogs can and often do wag their tails.

Unsure what's occurring?
In moments like these....the majority "rules".

A dog "backing away" ?
That can be a pretty clear signal for us to pay attention to.
It can even be combined with a little "happy dance".
That pattering and quick plods....those fast moving feet?

It can look playful but can mean your dog is unsure or even uncomfortable with what is happening.

Scroll back a few posts.
Look at ways to support those nervy greeters.
There are lots of ideas for that on this page.

Forcing interactions is never a way to fast track anything positive.

06/24/2025

Socialisation is a term that many struggle to define.
It's often confused with play, but play is a completely separate and important skill.
In a world that pushes constant interaction ….where dogs are expected to greet and play with every other dog they see, we can unintentionally create a dog who views every other dog as a source of excitement.
This isn’t socialisation… and it never was.

A better way to think about socialisation is acclimation, helping your dog adjust to everything the world offers, not just other dogs.

Weather
Surfaces
Animals
Crowds of people, all ethnicities, ages, and movement styles
Noises
Scents

That’s just a taste of what true socialisation really is.

Acceptance is another way to view it.
Accepting, not reacting.
Building positive associations.

That is true socialisation.

06/22/2025

Povidone Iodine—Nature’s Antimicrobial Solution🌱🦠🐾

If paws are bleeding🩸, have sores, or trauma from licking, I recommend using povidone iodine (Betadine™)—a safe, nontoxic solution that’s antifungal (for yeast and dermatophytes ), antibacterial (even against resistant infections ), doesn’t sting, and promotes wound healing .

If the paws are inflamed or have open sores or abrasions, soak them longer, ideally 2 to 5 minutes. This helps effectively address potential sources of infection, reducing the need for oral antibiotics or other drugs.

There's also a 25+ page "SUMMER ITCH GUIDE" filled with paw soaks, ear cleaners, hotspot remedies, and natural ear infection protocols available to download NOW in the Inside Scoop group!

Heat, moisture, and allergens create the perfect storm for itching, licking, and inflammation.👅🔥 Paws are often the first point of contact with allergens, irritants, and moisture ☀️🌳🏖️ - all of which can contribute to or worsen issues like environmental allergies, yeast overgrowth, parasites, and bacterial infections.

On Sunday's episode of the Inside Scoop, we broke down what’s behind these frustrating issues — and exactly how to prevent and treat them using safe, natural remedies for irritated paws, inflamed ears, and chronic skin problems.

Comment SCOOPERS and we'll message you the link to join Inside Scoop, a Planet Paws monthly subscription group, where all live podcasts are available to watch at any time. Plus, over 5 years of content including: past live podcasts, interviews, ebook downloads, and more!

06/21/2025

Thank you, Pawsitive Futures for this fun informative post for enrichment. Perfect for the hot summer months when we can't do much with our pups outside.

I decided to take on a new fun project recently and share these snacks with my dogs with a little more intention, and so we have our enrichment recipes.

06/21/2025

We place a lot of expectations on dogs. We needs to remember that they are individuals and having their own experience.

06/21/2025

DIGGITY DOGS DILEMMA

These pictures are of my Schnauzers, blissfully digging huge holes in the garden, hunting for crickets.

Digging is not a naughty or bad behaviour, but a very normal, natural, instinctive way of expressing a genetic, emotional or physical need.

Terrier type breeds in particular were specifically bred for their digging ability to hunt for and flush out vermin or other pests.

Dogs don’t understand the human concept of maintaining a beautifully manicured lawn with plants or why we may get so angry when they destroy and dig it all up.

Digging can be really challenging to prevent. There are also so many different reasons that dogs dig – genetics, prey drive, boredom, frustration, stress or anxiety, hiding valuable resources, creating a comfy place to rest, seeking heat or cold, barrier frustration or even trying to escape.

There is never a guarantee that preventing a natural behaviour will be successful, but some simple management, ensuring dogs have sufficient physical and mental stimulation and providing alternative outlets for this behaviour should create an improvement.

If all else fails, ask yourself if it’s really worth getting so stressed about, or if it’s better for both us and our dogs to give up the manicured garden in favour of the more natural dog look?

06/21/2025

06/21/2025

When was the last time you got stuck in the resistance and forgot to SEE THE DOG?

06/21/2025

Heat exhaustion in dogs is a serious condition that can lead to heat stroke if untreated. This summer make sure your dog has shade and water.

06/21/2025