Paws in Translation Dog Training & Behavior Services

29/09/2025

Take advantage of the season... and remember, next time you put off training outdoors after work, that it will be dark when you get home before you know it! (I know, I'm sorry to bring it up - don't shoot the messenger🤪)

29/09/2025

Not behavior-related but definitely a warning about proper management--keep meds securely put away!

21/09/2025

Most of the warring co-habitating dogs I've worked with would have probably lived happily ever after with a careful and thoughtful household integration. Bringing a new dog in and letting everyone "work it out" amongst themselves sometimes works. Other times that approach leads to disaster, including injuries and necessary rehoming or worse. Even dogs who enjoy each other's company can benefit from breaks from each other: too much of a good thing can absolutely erode relationships to the point of no return. If the honeymoon is over and you start to see some signs that one dog has had enough of the other, take things more slowly and give each dog their own space where they can relax and recharge. Do yourself and your dogs, existing and new, a favor and take your time in the beginning to set up lifelong peace!

Rushing➡️Risky!
It's a big deal for dogs to accept. Many just don't if it's rushed.
There are proven ways to help with these introductions.
Whether you want a permanent new dog as an additional family member or maybe just want your friend's dog to visit your home and have yours comfortable (and who knows, maybe even a friendship)!

Neutral areas.
What does that even mean?
It means somewhere your dog has a low attachment to.
No history, no scent left there and no emotions attached. It isn't their territory.
Yards are certainly not usually neutral and streets may not be either (if one dog or the other has visited).

Parallel walks.
You may need a few but watching body language is key here.

Inside the home.
Avoid those sparks and remove items that can cause issues (or restrict access).
Food.
Rewards.
Beds.
Couches.

Even affection being shown by you towards can cause an issue.

Yes, this is very much a cautious approach.
Why?
Because I don't think there isn't a trainer out there that hasn't seen the damage caused when this is rushed by people.
We are called in when it has gone very, very wrong.

Do it right.
Take your time and give this your absolute best, slowly.

20/09/2025

Today’s the day! If you’re in the Harwich area, stop by ☀️🐕🐾 🐾

BARKS IN THE PARK IS THIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH!!!

Don't miss out on the best doggie event on Cape Cod!! We are so excited to see all of you!
Just a few things to know:
-NO retractable leashes will be allowed!
-PARKING: There will be NO parking in the small lot at Brooks Park-you can park at the Town Hall, in the lot with the tennis courts or at the Community Center. There is NO parking on Oak St or Rt 39-vehicles will be towed as it is a hazard.
-The first 100 DOGS to enter will get a goodie bag! These are only for the first DOGS, not humans.
-If your dog is not feeling well, please leave them home.
-This event is for social and friendly dogs-this is not only for everyone's safety, but also for your pups emotional state. Do not bring a dog who will not enjoy it-you can still come and join in the fun, but please don't stress your pup out.
-If your pup is acting aggressively toward other dogs or humans, you will be asked to bring them home. Again, this is for your dogs safety and the safety of others.

PLEASE BE KIND to our staff and volunteers. We are all there to help and will do our best to answer any questions or give you guidance.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you all and your amazing pups!!

17/09/2025

Looking for something to do with your dog this weekend? Head to Brooks Park in Harwich on Saturday! There will be training demos, activities, CGC testing, contests, a raffle and more. See you there!

BARKS IN THE PARK IS THIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH!!!

Don't miss out on the best doggie event on Cape Cod!! We are so excited to see all of you!
Just a few things to know:
-NO retractable leashes will be allowed!
-PARKING: There will be NO parking in the small lot at Brooks Park-you can park at the Town Hall, in the lot with the tennis courts or at the Community Center. There is NO parking on Oak St or Rt 39-vehicles will be towed as it is a hazard.
-The first 100 DOGS to enter will get a goodie bag! These are only for the first DOGS, not humans.
-If your dog is not feeling well, please leave them home.
-This event is for social and friendly dogs-this is not only for everyone's safety, but also for your pups emotional state. Do not bring a dog who will not enjoy it-you can still come and join in the fun, but please don't stress your pup out.
-If your pup is acting aggressively toward other dogs or humans, you will be asked to bring them home. Again, this is for your dogs safety and the safety of others.

PLEASE BE KIND to our staff and volunteers. We are all there to help and will do our best to answer any questions or give you guidance.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you all and your amazing pups!!

14/08/2025

Who else’s dog has to greet visitors with something in their mouth? This sweet girl always grabs a small stuffie when I arrive 🥰

03/08/2025

This is so true.

Biological Fulfilment in Dogs: More Than Just Walkies and a Bowl of Kibble

It’s easy to forget, in our modern world of comfortable sofas, retractable leads, and pampered pups, that dogs were never bred just to keep us company. A hundred years ago, and not even that long ago, in truth, the overwhelming majority of dogs were working animals. Whether they were herding sheep, guarding livestock, pulling carts, flushing birds, or killing rats, they had a purpose.

Even today, beneath the glossy coats of show dogs and beneath the cuddly appeal of designer crossbreeds (yes, mutts with marketing), there lies a dog bred for function. And if we, as owners, handlers, or trainers, fail to honour that legacy, we do so at the dog’s expense.

Because here’s the truth: a dog that isn’t biologically fulfilled will find its own outlet. And more often than not, that outlet is inconvenient at best, destructive at worst. Barking, digging, chasing shadows, hu***ng your favourite cushion, all signs of a dog trying to satisfy needs that aren’t being met.

So, how do we fix it? We stop training behaviours in a vacuum and start meeting biological needs. Below is a breakdown of the major breed groups and how we can tailor our enrichment to suit their natural instincts.

1. Herding Dogs (Collies, Shepherds, Cattle Dogs, etc.)

Biological drive: Movement control. These dogs were bred to manage the movement of livestock, often independently, across fields and long distances.

Signs of unmet needs: Shadow chasing, heel nipping, obsessive ball chasing, car lunging, controlling children or other pets.

Ideas for fulfilment:
• Directional games (cones, left/right, send-aways).
• Treibball (urban herding using large balls).
• Structured obedience with movement and stillness (engage-disengage exercises).
• Scent-based searches in combination with movement-based puzzles.
• Work-to-eat activities that require problem-solving.

2. Gundogs (Retrievers, Spaniels, Setters, Pointers)

Biological drive: Hunting, flushing, marking, retrieving, often over water and rough terrain.

Signs of unmet needs: Scavenging, excessive mouthing, barking at movement, lack of impulse control, zoomies.

Ideas for fulfilment:
• Scent games (find the treat, find the article, scent pairing).
• Retrieving tasks using dummies or toys, incorporating steadiness.
• Water play with purpose—structured retrieves into lakes or ponds.
• Memory marks (mark, leave, retrieve later).
• Sniffy walks—lead walks focused on olfactory stimulation, not distance.

3. Terriers

Biological drive: Earthwork, dispatching vermin, digging, tenacity and problem-solving under pressure.

Signs of unmet needs: Barking, digging, grabbing clothes, attacking toys or garden hoses, intense focus on small animals.

Ideas for fulfilment:
• Dig pits, designated areas where digging is encouraged.
• Puzzle feeders with resistance (tug-style).
• Scent detection with alert indication.
• Burrow games, treats hidden in sand or soil.
• High-energy tug and release games with control elements.

4. Scent Hounds (Beagles, Bassets, Foxhounds)

Biological drive: Tracking, trailing, following a scent to its source, often for hours without handler input.

Signs of unmet needs: Pulling on lead, absconding, ignoring recalls, nose constantly down.

Ideas for fulfilment:
• Trailing exercises using human scent or food trails.
• Scent discrimination games using multiple odours.
• Long lead sniffaris, structured, slow walks with lead slack to allow free sniffing.
• Tracking lines in rural areas using flags or markers.
• Scattered food searches in long grass or woodland.

5. Sighthounds (Greyhounds, Whippets, Lurchers)

Biological drive: Chase, speed, and prey drive visual triggers.

Signs of unmet needs: Chasing cyclists or joggers, lunging at fast-moving dogs, explosive energy followed by long lethargy.

Ideas for fulfilment:
• Flirt pole sessions—short bursts with impulse control.
• Recall games involving sight-based targets.
• Chase games with toy release upon success.
• Freedom fields, safe, enclosed running spaces.
• Visual marker games (sit at a distance marker, then release to run).

6. Working & Utility Breeds (Rottweilers, Dobermanns, Boxers, Schnauzers, etc.)

Biological drive: Guarding, drafting, thinking under pressure, general purpose work.

Signs of unmet needs: Guarding spaces or objects, excessive barking, hypervigilance, pulling on the lead, separation issues.

Ideas for fulfilment:
• Structured obedience with high expectations.
• Scent work to reduce hypervigilance.
• Confidence-building through agility-style obstacles.
• Cart pulling or resistance-based exercises (with proper equipment).
• ‘On duty’ jobs such as carrying a backpack or patrolling a set route.

7. Toy & Companion Breeds (Pugs, Cavaliers, Bichons, etc.)

Biological drive: Despite their size, many retain traits from working ancestors, ratting, alert barking, or even herding!

Signs of unmet needs: Clinginess, separation anxiety, demand barking, frantic energy in short bursts.

Ideas for fulfilment:
• Short problem-solving tasks (cups and treat games).
• ‘Find it’ games indoors or in small gardens.
• Scent work adapted to scale.
• Training routines with trick components.
• Carrying light items or learning “jobs” indoors.

8. Nordic & Primitive Breeds (Huskies, Malamutes, Basenjis, etc.)

Biological drive: Endurance, independence, hunting, and working in harsh conditions with minimal guidance.

Signs of unmet needs: Escaping, aloofness, lack of recall, vocalisation, destructive chewing.

Ideas for fulfilment:
• Canicross or bikejoring (fitness with purpose).
• Scent work with minimal handler input.
• Cold-weather enrichment (ice cubes, snow play).
• Long-distance walks with pack gear.
• Natural scavenging-style feeding routines.

So, What Does Biological Fulfilment Really Mean?

It means looking beyond the “walk twice a day and chuck a ball” routine and asking yourself: What was this dog bred to do? And then giving them a version of that they can do today, within the safety and structure of a modern environment.

It’s not about exhausting them, it’s about enriching them. The right biological outlet calms the nervous system, builds confidence, and strengthens the dog-handler relationship.

Yes, even your “just a pet” Cockapoo or your retired showline Golden Retriever has the genetic blueprint of a worker inside them. And if we ignore it, we risk having dogs that are frustrated, confused, and at odds with the lives we expect them to lead.

Final Thought

As trainers and handlers, our job isn’t just to stop behaviours, it’s to understand why they exist and channel them into something productive. Satisfying a dog’s biological needs isn’t a luxury, it’s the foundation for emotional balance, obedience, and wellbeing.

Train the dog in front of you, yes. But fulfil the dog inside them, too.
www.k9manhuntscotland.co.uk

06/06/2025

Love this! Many clients come to me after having done a lot of training elsewhere; they're frustrated because they still can't get their dogs to do certain things without relying on tools. When you shift your perspective and learn to teach your dog without relying on external "things" it leads to an incredibly rewarding relationship and a whole new world opens up. Train naked!

Equipment helps us to either train or restrain the dog, and sometimes both. In order to be fair to the dog and honest with ourselves, we need to be clear what we are doing and why.

18/05/2025

Thank you to everyone who made yesterday’s Tails-U-Win! USCSS trial at the Woodstock, CT Fairgrounds possible! It was a fun venue for nosework and Relic got his Vehicles Intermediate title in addition to some legs and placements. Great day!

08/04/2025

This is so important! Many people think of "socialization" in casual human terms, ie interacting with friends. Socialization when it comes to dog behavior refers to a specific developmental stage that ends early in life--a time when their little brains are wired to be more receptive to the new world around them. Ideally they will be exposed to and have good experiences with the things that will be part of their lives: not just dogs and people but walking on different surfaces, hearing sounds, seeing things like groups of people, people wearing weird things like sunglasses and moustaches, etc. Waiting to socialize your puppy until they're older because of vaccinations or just because you're too busy can result in significant behavior issues--you can never get that socialization window back! If your vet has advised you not to socialize until full vaccination, they're likely talking about having your dog around other dogs or in areas where other dogs have been. You can still carry your pup, walk them in areas that aren't frequented by other dogs, sit in the car with them so they can observe a busy parking lot from a comfortable distance, etc. There's SO much you can do! It's also an important time to notice if your pup is overly uncomfortable or scared--not all puppies will magically be okay with socialization and the earlier you seek qualified help, the better the odds that you're pup can thrive.

We get our puppies vaccinated on time because we love them and we want to lessen the likelihood of infectious diseases that can cause illness, suffering and even death. Why then, don't people get their dog the vaccination against fear, anxiety, stress, panic and phobia?

Isn't emotional suffering and potential euthanasia enough of a reason to protect puppies as any other infectious disease?

Just like vaccinations, the timing of socialization is critical. You can't do it later. It has to be done before 14 weeks in most breeds.

Not only is the exposure important, but the nature of the exposure. Positive exposures put value in the emotional piggy bank and negative ones withdraw value.

There is no reason to avoid socialization if done well and safely, but there are lots of negative consequences to waiting to expose your pup to the world.

Give your puppy the best of both worlds—protection and preparation for a happy, confident future!

26/02/2025

Fitness is so important for every dog! Here's a FREE webinar coming up on Thursday.

In this webinar we'll discuss the benefits of canine fitness for you and your dog. In this webinar we will discuss what canine fitness is and how to integrate it within yours and your dog’s lifestyle. Speaker: Steven Tallas FREE, donations optional!

23/02/2025

Thanks to Hot Diggity for including me!