K 9 Kidz

03/06/2025

I STILL NEEDED MY MOM

THE CONSEQUENCES OF TAKING PUPS TOO YOUNG

The early life experiences of a puppy are so important and have a significant influence on how that pup develops - emotionally, mentally, socially and physically.

There are still many so-called “breeders” that allow pups to be taken away at 6 weeks.

Uninformed people just accept this without question and are often unprepared for the consequences.

Just because a puppy may no longer physically depend on mom for food doesn’t mean they are ready to cope emotionally, without the security of their family unit, in a strange new home.

A 6-week-old puppy is still very reliant on mom and their littermates to learn appropriate play behaviour, impulse control, frustration tolerance, bite inhibition, self-confidence and develop the social skills that will help them grow into well-adjusted adults.

Although 8 weeks is the bare minimum that a reputable breeder will allow their pups to leave, some will keep their puppies until 10 or 12 weeks of age, but also make sure that proper, age-appropriate socialisation and habituation is provided.

Habituation is getting a puppy used to different things in an environment in a positive way, at the right developmental time. This could look like introducing different objects, noises, sounds, smells, different textures, places etc, so the puppy learns that these things are not something to be afraid of.

However, we don’t live an in ideal world and having to care for or rescue pups much younger than 8 weeks is often unavoidable due to different circumstances.

In these cases, we need to do what we can and hope for the best.

This post is not about this kind of situation, it’s about spreading knowledge, creating awareness, understanding and encouraging people not to support unethical, irresponsible breeders that allow their pups to leave too early, with no regard for their wellbeing or development.

02/26/2025

📢 Let me say this so that everyone in the back can hear

Dog bites do not happen out of the blue!

Dogs give many subtle signs before they escalate to defensive behavior.

Recognizing early cues like yawning, lip licking, and turning away can prevent stress and conflict.

Understanding dog body language can help you avoid your dog experiencing unnecessary stress - keep them (and everyone else safe)

💛 SHARE THIS to help your fellow dog guardians and lovers!

02/21/2025

FUN LEARNING & THE POWER OF PLAY 🎉🐶

Did you know? Scientists have found that it takes approximately 400 repetitions to form a new synapse in the brain…

❗ UNLESS it’s done through PLAY! ❗

When learning happens in a fun, engaging way, it can take as few as 10 to 20 repetitions to build that same neural connection! (Dr. Karyn Purvis)

💡 What does this mean for dog training?
✅ Play speeds up learning.
✅ Play reduces stress and increases engagement.
✅ Play strengthens the bond between dogs and their humans.

So, next time you're training, make it fun! Less drilling, more playing = faster, happier learning! 🎾🐕

How do you bring play into your training sessions? Drop your favourite game below! ⬇️

Check out my games and exercise toolkit for games to help you play your way to success.
https://dogtrainingwithlauramars.co.uk/games_and_exercises_toolkit

02/20/2025

There’s so much misinformation about safe puppy socialization. Puppies have a critical socialization period that occurs between 8 and 16 weeks of age, before they are fully vaccinated. There are several studies on the detriments of waiting to socialize puppies until they are fully vaccinated due to this critical period. The risk of a puppy contracting an illness during a safe and controlled puppy class is minimal.

Puppy socialization is so important but it doesn’t just mean socialization between dogs. It also means positive exposure to the environment and novel stimuli. SAFE positive socialization is possible, even in puppy classes.

If you’re looking for puppy classes for your puppy, look for small class sizes, positive reinforcement methods, and that all puppies need to have their first set of vaccinations including bordetella.

02/19/2025

02/19/2025

When living with a dog who has lots of energy it can seem logical to think that they need more exercise to tire them out - longer, faster walks, more throwing of a ball (or using a ball chucker), always more, more, more...

While this does on the surface seem to make perfect sense, when following that advice what we are actually doing is making the situation worse. Think about how an athlete works to increase their fitness - they do more and faster. Now think about throwing a ball for the dog repeatedly. This is much like the shuttle runs those athletes do to increase their speed and fitness levels.

The great news is that there is another option for these high energy dogs. Yes, they need physical exercise, but they also need mental exercise. Luckily, mental exercise is a fairly easy thing to provide for all dogs, and we can even fit a great amount in on our daily walks.

Sniffing is an activity suitable for all dogs. Scent is the primary way dogs analyse and interpret their world, with an olfactory capability way better than that of humans. Simply giving your dog time and space to sniff on a walk gets that brain working and that will tire your dog more than you might realise. My own Border Collies (one of whom is the young dog sniffing in the image) will relax and snooze as much after 20 minutes of sniffing as they will after a 2 hour mostly off lead walk.

There are lots of ways to provide mental exercise for dogs, but this most powerful form is something that we can access free at any time, just by giving them the time to investigate their surroundings in the way that works best for them.

02/17/2025

This has come up with a number of clients lately. We all know about 'fight and flight' and likely 'freeze' responses to stress. But have you heard about the 'fool around' response?

Some examples are a dog who starts to jump around and bite the leash at the end of a walk. A dog who starts to jump up and bite at clothes during greeting. A dog who gets 'zoomies' in the middle of training or play. People often interpret these behaviors as a dog who hasn't had enough exercise. In truth, that dog is likely overstimulated and over tired. Give them a calmer enrichment activity like a snuffle mat with treats, a lickimat of peanut butter or a bully stick to chew on. Recognize patterns in when your dog gets to that point of 'fooling around'. Then take steps to get ahead of it.

Thanks ISCP for the great information.

www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

02/16/2025

Did you know that animal training isn’t a regulated industry? It’s unfortunate, but anyone can call themselves a trainer - even without any credentials. This can be incredibly detrimental to guardians who are trying to do the best by their fur kids, but are provided with outdated information and/or training techniques that could possibly affect their bond with their pets.

I could go on for days and days about the detrimental effects of positive punishment, but I won’t because it’s a subject I am very passionate about, as is finding a trainer that is credentialed as well as a good fit for you and your fur baby.

Don’t get me wrong, there are a ton of incredible, knowledgeable and credentialed trainers and professionals out there who also focus on welfare and positive reinforcement and I am so grateful for them and what they do.

If you’re considering finding a trainer, please do your research and ask questions! If you don’t feel comfortable doing something, it likely isn’t the right fit for you.

02/12/2025

Great information!

02/12/2025

Why Love Alone Isn’t Enough in Dog Care
We love our dogs endlessly—there’s no doubt about that. ❤️ But love alone isn’t enough to meet their needs.

A dog’s well-being isn’t just about affection; it’s about understanding and fulfilling their innate needs as biological, cognitive, and emotional beings. We can love them all we want, but if we don’t give them what they truly require to thrive, they can still struggle with stress, frustration, and behavioral challenges.

✅ Love is more than cuddles—it’s giving them purpose.
Dogs were bred for specific jobs—herding, guarding, retrieving. When we fail to provide appropriate outlets for these instincts, they may exhibit behaviors we see as “problems,” like barking, chewing, or reactivity. Meeting their needs means channeling their instincts in healthy ways.

✅ Love is respecting who they are—not forcing them to fit a mold.
Not every dog is outgoing, playful, or social. Some are cautious, some are independent, some are high-energy. The L.E.G.S.® framework (Learning, Environment, Genetics, Self) teaches us to honor each dog as an individual, rather than expecting them to conform to a one-size-fits-all training method or lifestyle.

✅ Love is setting them up for success.
A predictable, enriched environment. Mental stimulation. Physical exercise that matches their breed and personality. These are the things that make dogs truly happy.

💡 Love is not just about what makes us feel good—it’s about what makes our dogs feel fulfilled.
When we shift our perspective from "how do I get my dog to behave?" to "how can I help my dog thrive?", everything changes.

What’s one way you go beyond love to meet your dog’s needs? Share below!

02/12/2025

It is so important to give our dogs ways to work their brains as well as their bodies.

This is especially true for dogs who cannot go out for long walks to explore the world for any number of reasons, but mental stimulation is something that is massively beneficial for all dogs.

It can be as simple as some sniffing (gather items from the outside world and bring home for your dog to explore if they are unable to go out), puzzle toys for them to hunt out food, games like hide and seek, or working on tricks and training fun things.

All of these will let your dogs use their brains and can really tire them out - my dogs are Border Collies, so have lots of energy, but a 20 minute sniffing session will often be immediately followed by a good nap!

02/11/2025

The WSAVA recommend a 16-week finish (or sometimes later) to the puppy vaccination schedule, meaning that puppies won’t fully venture out into the world until they are 17 - 18 weeks old. Although many core vaccine SPCs mention the possibility of a 10-week finish with their product. The risk of immunisation failure due to maternal antibodies (MDA) is the reason for this discrepancy. Although vaccine manufacturer studies support the efficacy of their product at 10 weeks, the WSAVA still advise that their recommendations be followed. In the UK, it is common for a 12-week finish to be implemented, with many puppies' explorations into the outside world commencing one - two weeks later. For socialisation needs (and they really are needs), this is a cause for concern.

Behavioural problems are the leading cause of relinquishment of dogs to shelters. 98% of vets have been asked to euthanise healthy pets due to behaviour concerns (BVA, 2016)

Whether your puppy finishes their vaccine schedule at 10, 12, or 16 weeks, safe socialisation before vaccination schedules finish is imperative. We can’t expect puppies to soundly evaluate environmental stimuli without unnecessary fear or anxiety if their first exposures are so delayed. Many are not even exposed to their guardian’s private garden for fear of disease risk.

Being ‘safe, sensible and responsible’ regarding puppy and dog welfare should not require sacrificing or dismissing their socialisation requirements in those formative first few months.

02/11/2025

Dogs Disclosed always has the greatest tips! Here is a great reminder about developing a reliable recall with your dog. Part of recall is about your relationship. Are you worth coming back to?

Need help with your dog's recall skills? www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

02/11/2025

LASER POINTER SYNDROME

Share this far and wide, the more people that know, the better it is for dogs.

As great as your intentions may be, getting your dog to chase a laser light can be extremely detrimental to their mental health. I have seen a few people recommend this activity for highly strung dogs to get rid of their energy, but it could do just the opposite.

Chasing a laser light is a very high arousal activity for dogs to partake in, and what makes it a very frustrating activity for them is that they're never able to catch the laser light. They never get a relief from this activity but only have their frustration build up. Because of this, it can actually start to cause canine compulsive disorder or CCD. The laser light can then transfer to light reflections and shadows and I have known dogs to break windows and doors to get to them, in the process also injuring themselves badly. CCD requires a lengthy behavioural modification process and often times medication to help calm down their brain and balance their neurochemicals if it is that severe.
Because this is also such an arousing game for them to play, it also makes their cortisol levels higher. If this activity is done too often, they could end up with chronically high levels of cortisol which makes them more prone to reactivity, frustration based behaviours and the inability to calm down.

Physically, the very fast running and fast changing of direction is not great for the average dog. It puts a severe amount of stress on their joints which makes them a lot more prone to injuries such as ripping a toe nail and tearing an ACL.

So, if you are currently playing with laser lights, here are some activities you can do instead, that are fantastic for your dogs mental well being and will tire them out:
-Trick Training
-Hide and Seek
-Enrichment with their meal times
-Scent Work
-Sniffaris
-Tug of war
-Flirt Poles (not overdoing it)

02/07/2025

Attachment! What is it? 🤔

Attachment was first researched in relation to human children/infants, and how they were treated in the first two years of their life affected their emotional bonds later in life. Children whose parents were unresponsive or dismissive to their needs, were irregular with their care, or were outright abusive to the children all developed insecure (avoidant, anxious, disorganised) attachment styles. Whereas children whose parents were responsive and caring to their child developed a secure attachment. This attachment meant the child felt more comfortable exploring and interacting with the world as they saw their caregiver as a secure base who would be there if anything ever were to happen. More recent studies have shown a similar development in dogs, that securely attached dogs will fair better in the environment than insecurely attached dogs.

So what can we do to ensure our dog has a secure attachment to us? Here are some ideas...

🐶 Don't have your dog 'cry it out' as a puppy! This was a large part of the studies with children and ignoring their emotional distress contributed to insecure attachment.

🐶 Make sure you train your dog with positive reinforcement, rather than any kind of punishment. Punishing your dog with certain tools or actions will not make you a safe space for your dog, and can create a confusing hot/cold dynamic for them.

🐶 Be understanding of their needs as a dog. Remember your dog has their own doggie needs and wants, make sure you are attentive to them and give them outlets for these behaviours rather than getting frustrated and simply shutting them down.

🐶 Listen to your dog's body language and react kindly. If your dog is uncomfortable in a situation, get them out of there rather than force them to continue with it. A dog that communicates their needs is not a bad or difficult dog.

It really is vitally important that our dogs feel safe and secure around us, we are their lifeline to the outside world and most things in their life. If they don't feel safe with us, where does that truly leave them?

You can check out the research review mentioned in the graphic for yourself here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4348122/?fbclid=IwY2xjawINxTFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZmXFzzeC6OXUdY5HYwynOlBmrC_1ZCJlpYQlt4B9n0pIGANeO-aOhWObw_aem_iCHXN4wJwIfrJtp5UpDIcA -prbm-8-071