The Dog’s Joy

01/07/2025

Small dogs often face challenges in having their space respected, as their size can make them appear approachable or less intimidating. However, they deserve the same consideration as larger dogs.

Signs like backing away, barking, growling, or a tucked tail often indicate they’re asking for space.

It’s important not to crowd or pick them up without their consent, as this can increase their stress. Allow them to approach on their terms and respect their comfort levels with people and other dogs.

Teaching others to recognise these cues helps create a safer, more respectful environment for small dogs to feel secure.

01/07/2025

Fight, flight, freeze, faint or fidget are the 5 main responses to fear.
We only have to look at our own behaviour to know different personalities have different reactions and so do our dogs.
So when it comes to observing behaviour, we need to keep our individuals in mind and stay curious as we do so.

For more body language videos and handouts, check out the body language bundle. (Link in stories and bio)

How does your dog show fear?

01/07/2025

We have played with the predatory sequence in our dogs to make certain parts more or less prominent, so they could perform certain jobs for us.
When we look at breed traits and which part of this sequence our dogs like to perform best, we can then look at ways to better fulfil them.

Full video of this just released in the comic membership. Find the link and special offer in my stories and bio.

01/07/2025

Here’s our Luca boy in his “robe” after his bath today 😇🐾🛁💚.

12/26/2024

Accepting our dogs for who they are is one of the steps I believe creates a more harmonious relationship with our dogs.

12/20/2024

12/19/2024

Dressed for the holidays.

Photo courtesy of Joelle Iuliano

12/19/2024

We’ve all heard them… 🙄

“Oh, it makes him look like Hannibal Lecter!”
"That dog must be dangerous."
"They look like they’re ready to snap."
"Muzzled dogs can’t be trusted."
”Keep that dog away from my dog.”

But have you ever stopped to think about the weight of these thoughtless statements?

For dog guardians, it’s more than just words… it’s an unfair judgement on their dog, their training, and the care they provide.

These comments can feel isolating, hurtful, and dismissive of the reality: muzzles are utilised for safety, not signs of danger.

Muzzles aren’t about restraining dangerous dogs… they’re about keeping dogs safe and comfortable in their environment. They allow dogs to navigate the world in a way that respects their needs and boundaries…. just like any other dog.

In 2025, let’s all be more mindful of our words. Let’s help others see muzzled dogs for what they truly are: loving, safe, sentient beings who deserve understanding and respect. 💕

12/19/2024

Truth

12/19/2024

Please join us in welcoming WCC’s Marita

Named in honor of United States Army Nurse Corps Captain Marita Bowden

Born in Portsmouth, Virginia and raised in Washington, D.C., CAPT Bowden graduated from the University of Maryland in 1966 with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. After graduation, she joined the Army Nurse Corps and was sent to An Khe, Vietnam in August 1970, where she served as an Emergency Room Night Supervisor at the Eighth Field Hospital. Located in an extremely isolated area, the Eighth Field Hospital was equipped with only 50 beds yet received many casualties on a daily basis, including numerous civilians. CAPT Bowden’s primary mission was to stabilize patients for transfer to larger hospitals along the coastal regions.


By November 1970, the Eighth Field Hospital closed, being ill-equipped to handle the escalation of hostilities. All medical personnel, including Nurse Bowden, were reassigned to other facilities. Her new assignment was the 12-hour night shift in a combined Intensive Care Unit and Post Anesthesia Recovery Unit at the 95th Evacuation Hospital at Da Nang.


During the Laos Invasion of February 1971, the casualties at the 95th Evacuation Hospital were extremely heavy. Reflecting on this tragic and intense time, CAPT Bowden states, "It was an experience that served me well in my subsequent professional life. I learned to do a lot with a little. I learned compassion when there wasn't anything else to be done. I developed an inner strength that has continued to serve me well."


Following her promotion to the rank of captain in 1971, CAPT Bowden left the military to attend graduate school, where she received a Master's Degree in pediatric nursing from the University of Arizona in 1972. She currently lives with her husband in Arizona.

It is with tremendous pride that we name WCC’s Marita in honor of United States Army Nurse Corps Captain Marita Bowden

12/19/2024

Jane Harvey, a wonderfully insightful show judge, dog expert, and author, wrote in a brief history of the Curly Coated Retriever: The tight curly coat of the breed traps a layer of water between its curls which serve as a “wet suit” while the retriever works.

In 1907, L.P.C.Astley described the Curly’s coat as one in which, “every knot is solid and inseparable….the little locks should be so close together as to be impervious to water and all parts of the body should be evenly covered with them, including the tail and legs. A bad class of coat and one that readily yields to the faker’s art is the thin open coat, which by careful manipulation can be greatly improved.”

“Faker,” you ask? It seems that in the early 1900s, unscrupulous breeders used curling irons to exaggerate the exuberance of curls and ringlets on a Curly Coat. In Audrey Nicholls’ The Curly Coated Retriever, she writes, “It is therefore very advisable for intending purchasers unless they know a vendor to be above such practices to examine a dog of this description thoroughly before they conclude a purchase or possible disappointment may be in store for them.”

Most modern Curlies needs no such enhancements to meet the breed standard. Well done, breeders.

Photo of Jason by Amber & shared by Kari Holcomb

12/19/2024

It’s the , and we wish you a wonderful time with your loved ones! To keep our furry friends safe this season, here’s a friendly reminder with tips to protect them around the🎄.

Stay tuned for more , and join us at dogagingproject.org!

12/19/2024

12/09/2024

Please consider reading this important article 📖. Relocating free living dogs to be adopted in other countries, and even other continents, has become popular. But it is often not in the best interest of their welfare. 🐾

Marco Adda questions whether removing free-ranging dogs from human environs is truly better for the dogs and stresses the importance of their individual personalities.

11/21/2024

I was first introduced to Kim Brophey’s work by one of my favorite professors, Desiree Beauchamp, while completing my Master’s degree in canine science. 🧬 I am so excited to share that The Dog’s Truth is now available for FREE on YouTube! This one hour presentation is SO important for all dog owners to watch.

FULL PRO COURSE!https://kimbropheylegscourses.thinkific.com/courses/legs-applied-ethology-family-dog-mediation-professional-courseYOUR DOG is not broken, and...