Nicole's Mobile Pet Grooming and Sitting LLC

01/04/2024

I don't like saying this to people when I see it.

For some its a revelation, a lightbulb moment and for others I feel like the bearer of the worst news in the world.
Many dogs do not enjoy hugs.
Some do, many do not. Some may tolerate them and some dogs really dislike them
Worse still is when a dog is giving clear signals they are really uncomfortable....and the person knows this, the dog is told "don't be silly" and is pulled even closer or hugged harder.
The "kisses" given by their dogs are "proof" they like hugs.
Unfortunately, those kisses given are not a sign of affection....at all.

In saying all that..... some dogs do enjoy hugs and will use their tongue to show affection. If you have any doubt, look at older videos and watch for all the tell tale signs in their posture.

They will show us if they want to be hugged or not...we just have to listen.

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01/02/2024

Recall (having your dog come to you when called). Recall is one of those cues in training that depends heavily on your relationship together.
However there are other things we can inadvertently do which damage a good recall and we often don't even realise we do this.
One of the advantages of having an In Home trainer.......we see all those little things that make SUCH a big difference.

Calling your dog to you when you are about to do something unpleasant to them (or they view as could be a negative experience)....even for the best of intentions, can poison recalls.
Calling them to their dreaded bath.
You know they dislike having their nails cut, but they are called to you.....usually ignoring your calls and then finally skulking slowly forward... with their head down low.
Calling them to you when you have the ear drops in your hand.

They will start to make associations with recall and what you actually want them for.

The opposite (calling away from fun and positive experiences) is also true.
Constantly calling your dog away from fun and positive experiences is a recall destroyer.
One of the biggest destroyers of a recall is calling them to you and clipping their lead straight on and leaving the fun area.....have a play with them first, clip on the lead and continue to have fun for a few minutes. This is a little thing that turns that negative association into a really positive one..

So DON"T call them when they may view what you are wanting (or importantly needing to do)....go and get them.

If you need to groom, please take the time and look into cooperative care, it makes SUCH a difference.
Recently I worked with a Pitbull that was in a desperate situation with their claws.
No-one would do them, not their veterinary clinic, no groomer...no-one...even with a muzzle. He is classified by our council as a menacing dog.

It took 2 half hour sessions with some very easy steps that the motivated guardians did a few times a day for a minute or two.......The result.
Claws done....with no muzzle......and NO stress.
A pleasant experience for everyone.

One of the other issues we picked up on was he was called to them for everything , including being called away from positive/fun experiences and for what he may view as negative.....and it certainly affected their recall too. The recall was about 30 %.

So if your recall is more miss than hit....look at when you actually call them too you and why.
If you change little habits you can make some very big differences.

Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collection of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

12/30/2023

This is such a habit for us....and it really is US that needs to look at a solution to this issue.
Everyone has done this and even after clients have this pointed out to them, they will still repeat themselves (even straight after having this explained)
Why ?
Because habits can be so hard to break and when we are unaware of them they are even harder to break.
If your dog is off looking at a leaf, head down and interested in it...repeating yourself 5 times (and raising your voice and altering the tone each time) does nothing but frustrate you....and create a habit.
It is a bad habit.
We don't wait for focus before asking.
We repeat their names over and over and get grumpier each time we say their name.
Even when you have focus repeating a cue "sit...sit...sit...SIT...SIT" is habit and pattern forming. Some dogs are so clever they will wait until you repeat "sit" five times.
We expect "immediate" results when a dog may not actually know what you want or has never done as you ask with heavy distractions outside.

The best thing you can do is SHOW your dog what the cue means again.
Give them time to process what you have asked....you will be surprised if you stop, say it once and wait 3 - 4 seconds they may just show you exactly what you wanted.
Processing time IS important and as a society we expect instant results from everything in life, including our dogs.
Take a step back (especially if it is more miss than hit when you ask).
Gradually increase environments, use rewards, use praise and when your dog has done well listening in the trickier times....that is especially praise worthy.

Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collection of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

12/29/2023

Thanks you very much 🥹

12/28/2023

Reactive dogs. I love working with them.
This graphic looks a bit complicated....but looks can be deceiving. The idea is sound and simple and if you have a reactive dog this can change everything.
I know some of the terminology used by some in the industry is complicated....and this page will always try to break down often difficult/complex issues so they can be more easily understood......because understanding this concept will change how you work with your reactive dog.

Desensitisation and Counter conditioning
There is a measurable scale of rising emotions and/or stress with reactive dogs, this is measured by your own dogs body language and behaviour. At the lower numbers (1-4).... your dog is happy to view a trigger (another dog, car, horse etc) at a distance they feel comfortable with and you reward that calm looking.
Rewarding that calm looking is called counter conditioning, you are pairing something positive (such as food or a toy) and this will (over time) change how they feel about a trigger. This is a well timed reward.
Distance is needed for all of this (and every dogs distance is different....some have huge distances as a starting point).

These low level numbers are where you can desensitise your dog to their triggers (what they react to).

When your dog is reaching a level of 5 (going over threshold).....your dog is about to react, their body language is changing ......you need distance (quickly) to get back to those lower numbers again.
When your dog is reacting, desensitation work is very unlikely to work....they are unlikely to listen, focus or stop reacting unless you get distance.....distance is key with this work.
Over time and if you can have far more "low number looks" at your dogs triggers (and keep reactions minimal)....your dog will be able to view triggers more closely (reducing distance) and not react. Every dogs time frame is different and every dogs distance is also different.

Many clients attempt desensitisation when their dog is already over their threshold.....and the trigger is way too close.
We cannot dictate where to start this work....your dogs body language will let you know.
If your dog needs 20 metres from another dog to be at a 2 - 3 great !
If they need 50 metres from a trigger to be at a low level, then insisting on a closer interaction will not help them, they decide what is too close to a trigger...not us.

Distraction is NOT a long term solution for reactivity.....it sometimes has its place, but hiding and distraction are very temporary "solutions”.

If you have a reactive dog, there is hope, you can do this!

Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collections of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

12/27/2023

Running full speed into play and not assessing or waiting for social cues is a big issue with dogs.
It can cause an immediate change in energy. Sometimes the high energy may be matched...sometimes it causes an immediate stillness and stiffening in the other dog.
THAT can become a very big issue.
While the focus is on the dog that has the highest energy, people can often forget about the other dog involved....BOTH dogs need read and not just the dog that has that extreme energy.
Don't forget who that energy is targeted at.
That quietness/stiffness and stillness from the other dog needs noticed...and intervene if necessary.

Play can turn in an instant...so it is important to advocate even when they are playing.
I am all for dogs communicating together and letting each other know what is appropriate and what is not, but unfortunately many dogs do have inappropriate play styles and are unable to read social cues. They have gone from 0 to 10 even before the lead is taken off to let play commence.
Dogs may react badly to pushy play styles or behaviour they may see as inappropriate.
Over excited/hyper dogs often have very little emotional self regulation.
They don't wait for those important social cues and some don't know how to read them when they are given.
They charge in with an immediate intensity that dogs can react very badly to.

Watch for sudden changes.
Read BOTH dogs and not just yours.
Advocate.

Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collections of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

12/23/2023

Just let them be...✅
Many dogs will be stressed with extra visitors, children and the increase in activity in our homes this holiday season.
People do not need to greet dogs.
People do not need to pat dogs.
People shouldn't expect interactions with any dog.
In saying that, people will also be staying with others over the holidays and may want to know how to greet a dog....and there is some very old advice out there.
For me it is a very big NO to crouching down....and the same to outstretched hands.

Please don't approach a dog you do not know with an outstretched hand, it is just plain dangerous.
There is a reason hands are the most bitten parts on a human. They can be viewed as very threatening.

A sniff is not permission from a dog to touch them....on the contrary, many dogs will warily go in and sniff an outstretched hand and will immediately back off if they sense you are suddenly nervous around them, your respiration/heart rate has changed....and they can/will bite that same hand if they feel threatened enough.
It is in very easy reach for them

Controversial for some... but I am so over people being told to crouch down when meeting a dog. Crouching down puts you in a position where you are unable to move quickly, and because you don't know this dog.....you may need to move away very quickly.
For some dogs, crouching does nothing but make many back off and become wary, some others it may work.....but your head, neck, eyes and face will be just inches away from a dog you do not know.

Is it worth the risk ?

Eye contact is a very big no with many dogs you do not know, using your peripheral vision allows dogs to feel more comfortable. Direct eye contact can be viewed as a threat.

Listen to advice from the guardian/owner but if everything in your bones is saying "this dog does not want an interaction".....trust your own judgement not someone else......which leads me to an important point.....
A really big myth is that dogs should readily accept being patted by others.....they do NOT have to accept affection given by a stranger.

A dog WILL let you know if they want to interact or accept a pat.
Their body will tell you.
Their demeanor will tell you.

Body language and observing IS the most important part when making a judgement on a dog you are thinking about meeting and patting.

Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collections of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

12/22/2023

12/20/2023

Everyone has their own training methods with reactive dogs....however a very common issue I see is people insisting on a sit or a down when faced with a trigger.

If your dog wants to naturally sit when faced with a trigger (at a distance they feel comfortable at)...it is their choice.

However many people inadvertently add stress when faced with a trigger.
Insisting on a sit or a down can exacerbate ALL issues with many reactive dogs.....you may be at a standstill with your own journey with reactivity, and it may be because they feel even more limited in movement because of insisting on a position where they feel they cannot move or "escape" easily.

Choice is everything for reactive dogs.
Freedom of movement is also a huge consideration with many reactive dogs.

Insisting on a certain position in the face of a trigger can halt progress with reactive dogs.

Sitting and being in a relaxed down is an important part of reactivity work, but it comes much further down the road when working with reactive dogs.

Reactivity IS emotions.
Insisting on "obedience" in the face of triggers can exacerbate reactivity for many dogs.

If they are happy to sit...great.
If they are happier standing....great.

If you have been at a standstill, consider their positioning and change it in a way they feel more comfortable.

Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for Graphics
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

12/18/2023

One of the biggest issues with goals is that handlers/owners/guardians will train IN the very environment they want their dog to be calm and focused in, before they are ready.⚠️
Everyone has a goal they want to achieve with their dog....however many people rush to get there, which leads to frustration for both you and your dog.
Reactivity for many dogs can be directly linked to exposing dogs to environments and triggers before they are emotionally ready.
All goals need small and achievable steps to become a reality, but we often forget this with our dogs and train IN the area we so desperately want them to be calmer with.

Go back some steps and for some that means way, wayyy back, because if you are not getting engagement or focus on you in your own home, they will NEVER show it in more challenging environments.
They can't....they just do not know how.

That should be the first goal you need to achieve.

If you have an over aroused or hyper dog that in itself adds an extra pressure on you and your goals that you want to achieve....reactivity too is often a much slower process than many people realise.
Training when there are dogs walking past on the same path and insisting on focus is NOT how to help a reactive dog.

Keep your goal in mind and work on it little and often and the only real measure of success is what you achieve together.....and that is a very real success.

So.... have that goal in mind.
Take achievable steps towards it together.
Your relationship together will only strengthen.

Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for Graphics
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

12/13/2023

Silliness is often misread as just that...a dog acting silly or goofy, but it is a very common (but lesser known) misread sign of stress.
These dogs are often labelled as "naughty", "not listening" or "acting crazy" when these dogs can be behaving this way from fear.
It can look to us like they are suddenly having a great time, jumping, leaping and "having the time of their life", when the reality is they are fearful and this is how they are showing it.
Often this can be a real eye opener when people realise their dog isn't enjoying what they are doing at ALL, and they are highly stressed.
Lifting one paw can be a sign of curiosity, but it can also mean they are moving into a state of anxiousness.
If you have a reactive dog (or even if you don't), you may be aware sometimes when you give a reward your dog almost takes your fingers with the reward.....normally they take rewards happily and don't "snatch"....that snatching and grabbing can mean they have moved into a state of anxiousness.....OR excitement.
That is the tricky thing with ALL of these signs, they can mean something else entirely.
The best way to decipher is to look for other signs of anxiousness or stress, those physical changes in their posture or face that you may have recognised before.....are they present ?
Is the tail tucked ?
Has the mouth suddenly clamped shut ?
Is there a sudden heavy pant/drooling ?
Have the ears changed position ?

These other signals will help you decipher exactly what is occurring.
Context is everything when deciding what these signs mean.

Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters or for personal use.
Screen shots are a violation of the copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make. Everyone is free to share on social media🙂, however off social media use of these marked graphics is prohibited.
Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for unmarked graphics. All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

12/13/2023

RESEARCH REQUIRED!

Choosing a dog just because of the way they look.

We wouldn’t choose a partner or make a commitment to sharing our lives with someone based purely on the way they look – (I suppose there could be exceptions in some cases!)

We would first really get to know them, what kind of personality they have and who they really are before making that sort of commitment.

Yet people continue to choose dogs just because of the way they look.

Maybe they saw a dog like that in a movie that they enjoyed or maybe they just really like the way they look, without having any understanding or thought to learn about what that particular breed was selectively bred to do and what behaviour might be expected.

The way a dog behaves is not always specific to the breed. Dogs are individuals, with their own unique personality and their behaviour is shaped not only by genetics, but by specific life and learning experiences and environment, but problems can happen when the traits of that breed and their specific needs are not taken into account.

Some breeds may just simply not be compatible with a particular person or family’s needs, lifestyle, environment or expectations.

Is it fair or ethical to need to suppress, train out or even punish breed specific tendencies, calling them behaviour problems, when we hold a dog in a captive environment that is unsuitable for them.

First research the breed and learn all you can about potential traits and what to expect before making that choice.

12/11/2023

Important information for this time of year.
I do have to start this post by saying that your dog doesn't need to meet other dogs.
I know that is controversial for some to hear but very few dogs are truly dog social....many are highly selective.
They may only like their own breed.
They may only like female dogs....small brown dogs...or curly coated dogs.
They have (and are ALLOWED) their own social preference....just as we have our own social preferences.

Or they may just dislike any other dog outside their/your family and friends.

Encouraging dogs to meet a dog walking down the street (even with the best of intentions) can cause some serious issues.

Reactivity and/or aggression.
Injury.
A lessening of the strong bond they may have with you as they can no longer trust your judgement.

So meeting dogs on a walk, just because there is another dog there is something I highly discourage.

However....
There are some circumstances where you may have to introduce dogs. So these are a few tips which have been written about before (separately) in graphics but I have squeezed them together for a clearer reference.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is only concentrating on their own dogs emotional state and not watching the rising stress in the other dog involved....
These cause those "Out of the blue" reactions....

They weren't out of the blue, they were just missed.

🔵Micro meetings are essential.
🔵Parallel walks are a must.
🔵Avoid face to face.
🔵Keep your voices light and happy.
🔵DON'T make a dog sit or lie down.
🔵Tension creates more tension so keep those leads loose.
🔵NEUTRAL territory....not your yard, your house or even your immediate area around your house....go somewhere else.

Biggest tip though (as mentioned) watch the body language of both dogs.....IGNORE the tail wags and watch the whole body and all the little tell tale signs given.

If it doesn't feel right...it likely isn't.
Trust your own intuition.

ALWAYS advocate for your own dog no matter how "friendly" you are told the other dog is.

Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make. Everyone is free to share on social media🙂, however off social media use of these marked graphics is prohibited.
Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters or for personal use.
Screen shots are a violation of the copyright.
Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for unmarked graphics. All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

12/10/2023

Don't wait for the bark.
Unfortunately too many people only react to their own dogs reactivity when there is a bark.
A bark is just an audible sign of a reaction but there are many other signs given before that bark and when we don't recognise those signs, guess what happens ?....Barking, Lunges, Spins, Jumps and a dog unable to control their own emotions.
There is a LOT that is shown before the bark....even if it is very fast, it is still shown.
So why is it so important to know the unique signals and changes in posture and body language your dog shows ?
So you can STOP the escalation....and yes, even stop the barking from occurring in the first place.
Barking is often at the END of a longer chain of events.
First is usually (not always) a hard stare, a fixation.....THAT is a reaction.
It is not audible but it is often the first sign your dog has changed their emotional state....they ARE reacting.

A change in ear position IS a reaction.
Puling harder on the lead IS a reaction.
A lengthening of the neck/leaning in IS a reaction.
A wrinkled face IS a reaction.......use that information!

Remember a reaction is a change in their emotional state.....and those non verbal signs are a reaction.

A bark is just a reaction we recognise more.

Imagine how we can help our dogs with their reactivity if we started to recognise all those other changes and escalations in their emotional states as easily as we recognise a bark.....

Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make. Everyone is free to share on social media🙂, however off social media use of these marked graphics is prohibited.
Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters or for personal use.
Screen shots are a violation of the copyright.
Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for unmarked graphics. All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.