Good Guardianship

26/11/2025

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!

21/11/2025

Behaviour = Communication.

There is a tendency to put behaviour into one of two categories: 'good' or 'bad', labels which move us away from the realisation that we need to understand the 'why' of the behaviour.

The truth is that there is no 'good' or 'bad' behaviour. It is all simply behaviour. It is something that tells us about how the dog feels in that moment.

The 'good' behaviours, the ones we like, generally mean that the dog is happy, relaxed, joyful, excited, and these are occurring in a context that we humans like.

The 'bad' behaviours will see the dog doing things we don't like, such as barking a lot, pulling on the lead, growling, etc. These we can find problematic, and we will often want those behaviours to stop.

The most important thing we can do is look at the situation and try to work out why the behaviour is happening. Is the dog barking and/or growling because something is making them uncomfortable in that situation? Are they pulling on the lead because they haven't really been fully shown how to walk on a loose lead? Are they trying to run away from something that has scared them?

When we can understand the why, we can begin to understand what our dogs need in that situation and, if the behaviour is one that we find difficult and shows that the dog is struggling in a situation, we can find kind and gentle ways to make it easier on both of us.

If you have a dog who is struggling in certain situations you may find my on-demand 'Supporting a 'Reactive' Dog' webinar useful. The link is in the comments on the original post.

18/11/2025

Play is a huge part of the canine-human relationship and a massively beneficial thing for our dogs. The below is taken from the chapter on play in my book Building the Bond.

"Play may not initially seem like an important thing to think about, particularly when our dogs have outgrown their puppy days, but it is such an important aspect of dogs to understand. This is true for our understanding of how young dogs grow and develop and also when it comes to building and strengthening our relationships with our dogs of all ages.

Mechtild Käufer says on page 8 of her book Canine Play Behaviour: The Science of Dogs at Play “Play needs an atmosphere of familiarity and emotional security in a safe environment.” This highlights the importance of understanding play and how it reflects the dog’s inner state and the relationship between dogs and their human family members and caregivers.

The potential purpose of play in young animals is relatively easy to see, especially if we sit and watch them for a while. In play youngsters will learn social skills and communication with others and have the opportunity to practice natural skills while simultaneously strengthening their muscles. In essence we can see it as the young dogs learning the things they will need for the rest of their lives, learning how to go about the purpose of being a dog.

From our perspective of understanding and learning more about our dogs, play can be an important indicator of how our dogs are feeling. This is because dogs who are scared and feeling stressed will not want to play and, in fact, may not actually be able to because of the effects of fear and the stress response. Therefore, if our dogs are happy to play, we can take that to mean that they are not scared or stressed in that moment. If a dog is relaxed enough to play, then they must be feeling good in that situation.

In the chapter on emotions the neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp was introduced, together with his basic emotional circuits common to all mammalian brains. One of the circuits discussed there is the PLAY system which helps to illustrate the importance of play and why we should take some time to think about play as part of the relationship and bond between us and our dogs.

What is Play and Why Do Dogs Play?

Play is defined as doing something for fun or for enjoyment. In many species play is an activity which is largely prevalent in the juvenile stages of life, and which reduces down or gradually diminishes as the animal grows into adulthood.

With that definition play makes sense in young animals (including young humans) – it is part of learning about the world around them and how to do the things they will need to do through the rest of their lives. How to behave in the different settings and situations they will encounter. In some species, however, play extends beyond the learning stage of juveniles and adolescents and can continue throughout their entire lives. Dogs are one of these species, more so than their closest living relative the grey wolf, who do play but not as much as our domestic dogs when they reach adulthood.

Some theorise that this continuation of play beyond adolescence is linked to the human preference for neoteny or paedomorphosis, where an animal has been specifically bred to retain juvenile features and characteristics as they grow into adulthood. Physically this can be seen in the facial construction of some of the most popular breeds with their large eyes and domed foreheads, for instance the French Bulldog or Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, among many others. Humans have a tendency to like the features that denote young of a species. Look at characters in animated films and shows and we can see similar traits, with larger eyes than seen in reality, and again the higher domed forehead. As humans have selected dogs who have the desired features to breed together over the generations these traits become more and more likely to be passed on and, with a consistent selection for the desired traits, will become the standard appearance for that particular type or breed. The increased playfulness is another potential effect of this selection for an adult who retains the characteristics of a younger animal.

The purpose of play, as well as being something that the dog enjoys, is also often linked to social bonding. When playing with other dogs or with members of their human family, play is a social activity, and can have a massive effect on the bonds between participants. Another concept linked to this is that the social bonds formed in canine-human play and the relationship building it provides can help with training, because of the cooperation and bond that it fosters between the dog and the humans in their social unit.

What Are the Benefits of Play?

Play has a range of benefits for our dogs, and also for us.

• Play is an excellent way to increase the bond between dog and human, and really strengthen the relationship between us and increase the levels of trust in our bond
• Play is a superb way to keep the brain working and provide mental stimulation which is ideal for mental health and welfare
• Play can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. As mentioned earlier, anxiety and play are not very compatible and so playing tells us a lot about their inner emotional state
• Play can have a positive effect on behaviour as it has been frequently seen to decrease instances of behaviours that can be seen as problematic, likely due to the increase in mental stimulation and opportunities to carry out natural behaviours
• Play is linked to increased confidence which is so important for a dog to feel happy and secure in their world
• A good game can, of course, be fantastic for giving the dog physical exercise and an opportunity to release energy
• Learning through play can be a fun and effective way to help the dog learn cues and retain the associations they have made. Some studies have also shown that taking part in a play session immediately after training meant that the dogs remembered the training better when taking part in their next training session
• Play can result in the release of oxytocin if it involves contact between human and dog in the form of fuss, stroking, and affection. Oxytocin is sometimes called the ‘love’ or ‘trust’ hormone and both love and trust are important for the strength of the canine-human relationship
• Dog-human play has a range of positive benefits for humans as well as for dogs. Playing with our dogs can lower our blood pressure and causes increased levels of a number of substances and hormones in the body which have positive effects on our mental state, mood, and our mental and physical wellbeing."

Tug is a much loved game in our house, and our favourite toys come from Tug-E-Nuff, who have a great range of tug toys and my older dog's absolute favourite non-tug related toy, the Clam which can have food hidden in it for them to get out. See the full range here: https://www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/goodguardian

14/11/2025

If there are things your dog struggles with in the world around them, knowing the signs to look out for that they use to communicate when they are feeling stressed makes life much easier for you both.
Here is some information on what 'threshold' means and how to read the dog's signals so we can try to get them out of a situation before they reach this point.

14/11/2025

If there are things your dog struggles with in the world around them, knowing the signs to look out for that they use to communicate when they are feeling stressed makes life much easier for you both.

Here is some information on what 'threshold' means and how to read the dog's signals so we can try to get them out of a situation before they reach this point.

11/11/2025

A damaging myth surrounding dogs, particularly puppies, when they get to their new homes is that, if the cry, they should be left alone so they learn to stay quiet overnight. This is absolutely not the best way to help that new family member feel safe and comfortable in their new home.

From :

"A puppy is like a human child. They cry when there is something they need, including comfort and connection. If they do not get a response when they are crying then yes, they will stop, but not because they have settled. They have learned that nobody is coming and so they give up trying. This will have a serious and damaging effect on the bond between them and their family, and at probably the most vulnerable time in their lives emotionally. One of the most important things we can focus on in these early days and weeks of our shared lives is helping them to feel safe and secure and responding to their needs is absolutely the best way to go about this."

In those early days have them sleeping close to you, and respond when they are distressed. It does not mean that they will always cry at night. It will, however, help them to realise that they are not alone and that they can sleep safe and sound knowing you are there if they need you during the night.

07/11/2025

"Here's where we come to the point that this starts being relevant to anxious dogs and those that have not had the chance to recover from scary experiences. My chronic condition means that I have much less capacity to cope with extra stuff. My stress levels can rise like flipping a switch. I can tell a flare is coming sometimes because the tiniest thing has me feeling upset or angry, out of all proportion to the size of the issue. I KNOW how I'm feeling isn't right or reasonable, but I can't help it. An anxious or aroused dog does not have the advantage of reasoned thought that I do."

A blog about dogs, training and the emotional impact of living with reactive dogs.

05/11/2025

It's Bonfire Night in the UK, which means that fireworks are likely to be frequent and loud in many areas (in the part of the country where I currently live, we've had them pretty much constantly since mid September...) and so it's a very appropriate day to share this image. There is nothing wrong with turning the music up loud, drawing all the curtains and settling down with your dog to try and help them stay as calm as possible.

You are not 'babying' them or going to make them worse. They are scared and need the people they trust to comfort them, even if that means cuddling them (one of my dogs will come and sit next to me for me to literally hold his paw when he's scared).

Doing whatever your dog needs to feel even a little more comfortable and less scared isn't a failing, it's being the very best person for your dog in that moment.

03/11/2025

So many of the things behaviour professionals are engaged to help with are considered problem behaviours by the dog's humans. Four examples in this image - digging, barking, pulling wanting to explore when on the lead, and chewing.

Are these problem behaviours? Not from the dog's perspective.

These are all normal and natural dog behaviours. The issue is that they can be considered problematic by the dog’s humans and societally unacceptable in certain situations or when done a lot.

Natural behaviours are important. Under the Five Freedoms, the basic template set out 45 years ago, the freedom to carry out natural behaviours is listed as essential for meeting their welfare needs.

It's clear that letting dogs do some of these things however they feel like can cause problems. Digging and chewing can cause a lot of damage, barking can absolutely be annoying and unpleasant if it's prolonged and frequent. Pulling on the lead to get to a smell or to have a closer examination of something or just to move along faster can be uncomfortable for both human and dog.

What's the solution?

Find ways for them to carry out these natural behaviours that are comfortable and appropriate for all concerned.

Give them a spot to dig. Whether a specific patch of garden or something like a child’s sandpit, direct them there to dig to their heart’s content. If they are caught digging where they shouldn’t, just redirect them to the appropriate spot. Perhaps hide things in the selected spot for them to dig up and make digging in this one place really attractive for them.

Dogs will bark, it’s part of being a dog for most breeds (although some are much quieter than others and certain breeds make sounds that aren’t barks). It’s not something that will ever be stopped entirely but what we can do is shorten the amount of time they are barking. If your dog barks at a noise or something they see outside, thank them, and give them something nice. It sounds counterintuitive but for dogs who are barking as a warning that they see or hear something it does work. (If a dog is frantically barking and throwing themselves at the door or window and seeming clearly stressed then that’s a different issue and it may well be worth finding a kind and ethical behaviour professional to help understand what is upsetting your dog).

Chewing is one of the most natural of dog behaviours. Seen often in young puppies when teething, it is also something many dogs continue to do and enjoy throughout their lives. Chewing is good for cleaning their teeth and (along with licking) it is a calming activity that helps them to relax. Obviously, we don’t want them chewing our furniture or things so it’s vital to give them appropriate things to chew. There are many chew toys and dog chews that are available, although some can damage teeth or cause issues if the dog bites off large chunks and swallows them and others like rawhide can contain nasty chemicals, so care is needed in selection. Once you have found a safe chew that your dog likes, redirect them to that ‘legal’ chew to save your belongings.

Walking on the lead does not come naturally to dogs. They need to be taught how to walk on a loose lead and match our pace. Many dogs naturally move faster than we do when walking, so it is up to us to show them where we would like them to be when on the lead. Sometimes this might be right beside us when next to a road, for example, and sometimes we can maybe use a longer lead to give them a bit more room to explore. The key is to help them understand the lead needs to be loose. I use a very relaxed form of loose lead walking with my own dogs – no matter how long the lead (I use a 15-foot lead as standard and shorten or lengthen it as needed) as long as my arm is not pulled away from my side, that’s absolutely fine. The important thing when it comes to allowing natural behaviours is to let our dogs explore things when on lead. Let them go over to the water to have a look. Let them sniff that tree they are looking at longingly. Give them time and space to carry out natural behaviours even when we are in places they cannot for whatever reason be off the lead.

Letting dogs do those natural dog things, letting them BE dogs, is a vital part of being the best dog people that we can possibly be, so find the ways that we can let them be dogs safely and comfortably for everyone.

29/10/2025

I often talk about trigger stacking and the need to understand how different events can combine to overwhelm our dogs out in the world. Usually I do this with an image of a graph to show how the different things add up to reach a 'threshold' level over which the dog feels they have no choice but to react.

There are some more analogies that can be used to help understand how this happens, and different imagery can help as many people as possible to understand what is happening with their dogs. This is an excerpt from my 'Supporting a 'Reactive' Dog workshop (available via the Learning Hub on my website) that explains these other ways of looking at how stress triggers can mount up.

"There are other analogies that we can use to explain how this phenomenon works, and different ones will work best for different people to really understand what is going on with and inside the dog.

One involves envisaging candles underneath a bowl of water. Each candle will heat the water up a little, and the more candles there are the hotter the water will become. Eventually, with enough candles, the water will heat up to the point it goes over the boiling point and can, if the heat is not removed, boil over the sides of the bowl.

Another analogy that is often seen is that of the stress bucket. Every event and factor that causes stress to the dog is like water flowing into the bucket. If the dog’s stress levels are not able to drop then the bucket will become full and the liquid will overflow as it becomes too much for the bucket to contain.

A third way to explain this concept, and one that I have also used in my books, is the ‘spoon theory’, often used to describe how people deal with chronic pain and illness. The theory also works well to explain how dogs can become overloaded with triggers. On any given day, your dog has a certain number of spoons in his mental repository that correspond with the resilience he has to deal with triggers that he might encounter, and those spoons are all he gets to cope with his day. Every trigger takes a certain number of spoons away from the dog, depending on how much fear it provokes in the dog. At some point, if he encounters more triggers, your dog will run out of spoons so has no capacity to deal with any more triggers and will go over threshold and react.

These illustrations show the importance of a period of decompression, to let those stress levels reduce and the hormone levels in the dog’s body drop down into the ‘normal’ range for that dog and homeostasis returns. This can help the dog to be more relaxed and happy in his day to day life, and also gives an excellent platform from which to start helping the dog be more able to cope with the things he sees as triggers."

27/10/2025

Looking back at the history of our dogs, many breeds were deliberately devloped by humans to carry out specific jobs. This was done by selecting the dogs who had the right traits and were the best at those jobs to breed together.

Due to this, over time, the result was breeds of dogs who all tend to have these particular traits. In the times when dogs were needed to carry out these jobs this was ideal, and they would spend their working day doing the very things they had been bred to do.

Fast forward a few hundred years and, while there are still working dogs today, the proportion of dogs working at the role for which their breed was developed is much lower. A great many of these dogs from working breeds are now in companion roles. (In my case, I started out working sheepdogs on the farm and, although we are no longer on the farm, the Border Collies remain).

The fact of no longer performing their roles does not mean that those traits have gone away. A terrier is still likely to dig. A scent hound will follow their nose. Retrievers want to carry things around in their mouths. A herding dog will often find something to herd - possibly the kids in the home.

When we look to find a dog to join our family, it is vital that we think about their history and whether our home can honestly provide the things they need. If not, a different breed or type of dog would be a better choice for all concerned. If we think we can, then it's time to think about exactly how we are going to meet those needs.

When we bring these dogs with history in specific roles into our homes it's so important to think about the breed and what they might need. Find ways for them to carry out these behaviours that for many generations they have been bred to carry out.

Give your terrier a digging spot - either a patch of garden where they are allowed to dig, or a sand pit.

Find out about scentwork for your scenthound - mantrailing is a popular pastime where dogs learn to follow scent trails and find people.

Let your retrievers have something to carry to greet visitors or returning family at the door, and maybe look at finding some activities involving retrieving for them to do. Avoid lots of repetitive ball throwing for fetch as this can cause issues with joints. Instead look at maybe getting some of the gundog training dummies and doing a few gentle tosses with those or asking your dog to wait while you throw. You can also hide the dummies and send your dog to find them.

Herding games can be fantastic for herding dogs. Look at Kay Laurence's Sheepballs, or Treibball, both of which involve balls to let those herding moves and instincts be used (links to both in the comments). Think about finding games that involve them following and controlling movement such as a flirt pole - a stick with some cord attached and a lure or toy attached. These can be bought from a store or made at home.

For every type of dog there are activities and games that are breed-appropriate and will let them do those things humans have bred them to do. Take some time to find out about the history of the breed (or breeds) of your dog and find these activities that are designed for them and their traits - you will both be happier for it!

24/10/2025

So many of the things that people consider 'behaviour problems' in dogs are in fact perfectly normal and instinctive canine behaviours that stretch back over their evolution. The problem is that these behaviours can be inconvenient and potentially problematic in human homes.

Understanding dogs, where they came from and the traits that were vital to their survival in the past, lets us see that we need to provide ways for our dogs to carry out these behaviours. It is a vital part of ensuring their welfare and mentioned in the Five Freedoms - the freedom to express natural behaviour.

Of course we don't want them chewing the furniture, shredding the cushions, digging up the flowerbeds etc. The key is to find ways to let them carry out these behaviours that both they and we find appropriate and acceptable.

A child's sandpit filled with dirt or sand makes a great digging spot, and you can hide things in there for them to find. Alternatively, select a specific spot in the garden and direct the dog there if you find them digging elsewhere.

Make sure they have plenty of appropriate chewing material and redirect them to a chew if they start nibbling on the sofa or the chair leg.

Provide soft toys to be eviscerated to save the cushions. The great thing with soft toys is that you can restuff them and sew them up - often several times before they are beyond repair. Charity shops can also be good sources of budget friendly soft toys for this purpose (always making sure they are safe with no bits the dog may swallow).

Shredding dogs often also love cardboard. Use the household recycling to fill a cardboard box with things like egg boxes, other pieces of cardboard, packing paper and so on, anything that is dog safe. Scatter their food or some treats through the box contents and let them hunt the food out and then have a great time shredding the box and contents. Yes there is a little clearing up that needs to be done, but it saves the furniture or other items from destruction.

With a little imagination it's simple to come up with ways to fulfil these natural drives and your dog will definitely thank you for it. 💛