Meet Their Needs Dogs

01/18/2025

Accidental attachment ‘parenting’

Taking on a tiny 6 day old puppy unintentionally taught me a great deal about attachment and how crucial secure attachments are for our dogs’ emotional health.

It’s pretty easy to meet our dogs physical needs and that was even quite easy with a tiny puppy- she needed feeding, she needed help toileting and she needed to be kept warm.

It was apparently straight away that meeting these physical needs and leaving her on a heat pad in a pen was in no way going to meet her emotional needs. It’s not just warmth that puppies need, it’s physical contact with a living being. Heat pads, fake heart beats in toys etc for a solo puppy, just doesn’t do it. She was more settled and content in close physical contact- she preferred with me but any other human or dog would do. She wanted to be next to skin and near a heartbeat, at all times and so that’s where she stayed, for as long as she needed it.

The option of close physical contact with someone they are attached to is such a basic need. I’m sure most of us remember hearing about the awful Harlow experiments where monkey babies had the choice of a wire ‘mother’ (with milk) or a soft, cloth ‘mother’ and would choose the soft mother even at the expense of milk, such is that basic need.

I have children and it felt so similar to when my kids were tiny babies too. I certainly didn’t deny them a need to be near me and I didn’t with this tiny puppy either. When they are developmentally ready (human babies and tiny puppies), they choose to be more independent from you and they spread their wings.

Of course it’s not just about the need for physical contact anyway when they are tiny- it’s about the need to feel safe too and that’s a fundamental need that must be met.

When puppies go into new homes at 8 weeks old they don’t suddenly stop having this need for physical contact and to feel safe near a living being. They go from feeling safe near to mum and siblings to being totally dependent on their new human family. It breaks my heart to think of them relegated to a crate in a kitchen. Of course they stop crying after a couple of nights as they give up any hope that anyone will help them. It certainly doesn’t help them to feel safe and secure in the world.

The same goes for an adult rescue dog who has often suffered so much upheaval and broken attachments along the way and who needs more than anything to just feel safe and secure and to have a bond with someone. This need for connection is a basic need that must be met, the same as being fed and watered.

I know people worry that if you ‘pander’ to them and give them lots of company they will become clingy or overly dependant but it couldn’t be further from the truth. Letting them develop a secure attachment results in resilient and confident individuals who feel safe in the world.

I see so many clients who’ve had awful advice and who have been told that their dog has behavioural issues as they are too nice to them, love them too much etc. it’s all absolute rubbish and they won’t turn into a monster if you meet their needs for safety, it’s quite the opposite and you help them to develop to their full potential ❤️

Laura McAuliffe, Dog Communication 2024

01/16/2025

01/16/2025

Back in 2017 a genetic predisposition to developing obesity was discovered in Labradors. However, somewhere between 34-59% of all 'pet' dogs are thought to be overweight.

My advice for all breeds is as follows:
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1) Weigh the food so you know exactly how much you are feeding and can more easily adjust as needed.
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2) Don't feed EXTRA calories in the name of training or enrichment; their main diet can be used for this, or adjusted to accommodate. I always take high value treats on our outings (usually sardines), but I reduce the main diet a little to compensate.
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3) Weigh your dog at least every 6 months and keep a record (a sudden change may indicate other health issues which need investigating by a veterinarian).
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4) Try carrots, broccoli or celery for an alternative low-calorie snack.
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5) Keep your dog active and enjoying life (it's good for us too).
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Dogs eat what we feed them; If they are overweight, it is our responsibility.

01/13/2025

01/12/2025

The pet professionals in your life should always be advocating for your animals. ❤️

01/07/2025

01/06/2025

Let's get real for a second.

The world often paints a picture that dogs who live together are best friends and do everything together.

This is just not true. Many many many multidog household utilize management in different situations to allow dogs personal space to enjoy things such as:

- feeding time
- chew time
- play time
- attention time

This. Is. Normal.

Just because someone utilizes management, doesn't mean their dogs don't enjoy each other's company or have fun together. It just means that there are certain activities that they prefer to do on their own.

And I will tell you firsthand that implementing safe space zones and time apart can be so beneficial to the relationship between two dogs.

Think about it-- do you enjoy doing every single activity that you do at home with your spouse, family, or sibling RIGHT there? I don't think so.

So let's normalize management between dogs who live together!!

Do you want to work on your dogs' relationship and/or interactions? Go to my website here to schedule a private consult: perkedears.com/private-training-sessions

01/05/2025

Karen Pryor’s passing marks the end of an era for those of us whose lives were deeply touched by her wisdom, innovation, and compassion. Personally, I cannot express enough gratitude for the countless ways she has inspired and influenced my journey.

Karen’s work went far beyond animal training; it was about forging understanding, trust, and a genuine connection with all living beings. Through her groundbreaking methods and writings, she opened doors to a world of possibility, where kindness and positive reinforcement became the foundation for communication—not just with animals, but with people as well.

Her book Don’t Shoot the Dog wasn’t just a manual; it was a revelation. It taught me—and so many others—that patience and understanding are the keys to meaningful relationships. Her passion for making the world a better, more compassionate place resonates in the lives of everyone who had the privilege of learning from her.

Karen’s legacy is one of empathy, innovation, and unwavering dedication. She has left us a roadmap for treating all creatures, great and small, with dignity and respect. For that, and so much more, I will always hold her memory close to my heart.

Thank you, Karen, for everything. You will be dearly missed, but your light will continue to guide us forward.

With love,

Jo and the ISCP Team x

01/05/2025

💔💔

01/03/2025

01/03/2025

01/03/2025

Distractions. Or other reinforcers?

We may tend to think of reinforcement as something we deliver or provide to our dogs. This puts us in the centre of our dog's behaviour rather than our dog (remember, their experience on the planet is theirs, not ours).

Is Sonny distracted here? Or is he finding investigation of that smell reinforcing? To quote Obi Wan, both are accurate "from a certain point of view."

Let's change our view of "distractions" as other reinforcers which compete for our dogs' attention (and the behaviours attached to accessing these reinforcers).

When we practice this, we can come up with creative ways to use these "distractions" to with together and without using punishment.

What are the common things which "distract" your dog from you?

01/01/2025

I cannot think of a single legitimate use for a ‘bark collar’. Why would it ever be reasonable for a DOG to believe that BARKING’ is painful? Try to consider life from the dog’s perspective - we at least owe them that!

My view is that bark collars should be completely illegal world-wide. They mislead the general public into believing they are a reasonable way to treat animals.

12/05/2024

Unpopular opinion: Dogs should not be obedient.

That, from me, a behaviourist and trainer.

I wish people would remember that dogs are not robots.

They are not here to do your bidding.

No animal is.

They are not your employees.

Nor are they your belongings.

They are sentient beings.

They are living, breathing creatures with wants, needs, emotions, dislikes and feelings of their own.

You should treat them as your family. When family has a problem, you help them with it.

Family doesn’t have to be obedient.

Family is loved and understood.

Family joins in and does stuff together.

Use games, rewards and Fun Not Fear® to teach them a better way.

Welcome to a much better life with your dog.