Building Resilience

13/08/2024

I have now passed all assignments and examinations with PACT. I am now an accredited Animal Training Instructor (ATI).

What does this mean for you .... you can rest assured that all of my training is ethical and all of my practices are up to date. I will have to constantly evolve and improve my techniques with the most up to date information available meaning that I will not use old methods unless they are known to be kind and effective.

12/08/2024

Your natural pet stress & pet calming product for dog anxiety, cat anxiety, bird, rabbit & small rodent or mammals. Stress relief for travel or fireworks and general pet calming for situations where your pet becomes anxious. Natural remedy with positive results

08/08/2024

Pet Remedy naturally calms stressed and anxious cats and kittens. Help calm your new kitten or cat at home or travelling to vets or cattery

08/08/2024

Happy International cats day. Any excuse to share pictures of my gorgeous Sister and Brother duo Becks and Bud.

30/07/2024

I know I go on about pain a lot, but it really is important. It's not always easy to spot in our companion animals, but cats in particular are very good at hiding it.

If you have noticed any of these signs it would be worth discussing them with your vet.

29/07/2024

7 simple steps to keep your pet safe as the temperature rises...
• Make sure pets always have plenty of fresh water to drink
• Provide adequate ventilation at all times
• Avoid exercising dogs in the heat of the day: especially older pets, brachycephalic breeds or dogs that you know have heart or lung problems
• Provide shade from the sun in the hottest part of the day
• Watch out for early signs of heatstroke, such as heavy panting, restlessness and lack of coordination
• Never leave dogs in vehicles: "Not long" is too long
• Contact a vet immediately if your animal does not respond to efforts to cool it down.

Image credit: British Veterinary Association - BVA

25/07/2024

Over excited dogs need help to be calm. Here we explore 3 ways to help these dogs relax plus many more dog training tips to help over aroused dogs. As dog tr...

24/07/2024

Use code BUILDINGRE25 when buying direct from Pet Remedy to get 25% discount.

23/07/2024

Love, love, love getting updates like this.

So made up to hear this and looking forward to hearing about your next chapter. 😀

21/07/2024

Amazing work from Bailey and his family.

Dedication, patience and hard work created this progress. Building a relationship and trust with your dog helps you to achieve wonderful things together.

So so proud well done Bailey.

19/07/2024

Please remember to take care of your pets in this warm weather. It doesn't have to be sunny to be too warm for some animals. In the practice where I work, this week we saw one dog die after being exercised in the heat, and another very poorly and suffering with heat stroke after being in a vehicle in the heat. Seeing these devastating effects on animals and their care givers is awful and preventable. Don't risk it, its really not worth it.

Find out how to prevent heatstroke in dogs with Vets Now

18/07/2024

NOW LIVE for great competitions, great advice, great fun and of course our great awards.
We are delighted to announce that Pet Remedy's Summer of Love awards are returning - bigger and better, because emotional wellbeing matters for all animals.
See last years winners here:
https://petremedy.co.uk/summer-of-love-2023/
Please SHARE the love

14/07/2024

14/07/2024

Are there bullies in the dog world❓ Absolutely ✅
Is all play good play❓Absolutely not ✅
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.

13/07/2024

Leo the amazing Stooge Dog. Thank you for helping today Leo, Chelsea and David.

And what an absolute star Bailey was .... super proud today!

12/07/2024

I've had some lovely reviews over the past year. I have had the pleasure of meeting several lovely dogs/cats and humans in that time.

Thank you all for choosing Building Resilience. Together we will prove that working on relationships and emotional health is the best way to train and help your pet.

06/07/2024

Charity work is a massive part of who I am and what I do. I am working with a great charity that I try to help both clinically and non clinically as much as I can.

Today I was there helping their long term dogs to have some down time. I was in my wellies with a raincoat in July, ah wonderful British summer! Kennel life is tough for dogs and whilst they are loved grately, its far from ideal. But whilst humans keep breeding and letting animals down places like WAW will be there to pick up the pieces.

30/06/2024

Living with these dogs is so stressful.
You cannot exercise these dogs enough.❗
You "need" to walk them for huge distances ❗
These dogs are hard to walk, they pull and you are often dragged far behind.
They may spin, jump, bark and react , it won't stop....so they are walked longer and faster.
All that does is build more stamina.
Physically tiring or exhausting a dog does not mean you will have a calm dog ,they are just physically exhausted.
There is a very big difference between the two.
You can make a difference, start exercising them just a bit less.... everyday and spend that time engaging their brain.
I promise you it works.✅

🙂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.

26/06/2024

Please be careful with all pets in this warm weather. All dogs, cats, and small furries will be struggling with this heat. Wildlife will also be finding it difficult.

Leave out bowls of water for wildlife but please make sure that they aren't too deep, or that animals can get out if they fall in.

25/06/2024

He's friendly, put your hand out just let him sniff your hand ❌
She's nervy with anyone new, just crouch down in front and she will be fine❌
Please don't approach a dog you do not know with an outstretched hand or crouch down.
There is a reason hands and faces are the most bitten parts on a human.
A sniff is not permission from a dog to touch them. Many dogs will very warily get closer and sniff an outstretched hand then immediately back off if they sense you are suddenly nervous around them, they register your respiration/heart rate has changed (some are aware your adrenaline has risen too) and they may bite that same hand if they feel threatened enough.
It is in very easy reach for them.

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 and their teeth.

Is it worth taking the risk ?

Just because someone has said how to approach their dog, does not mean their dog is ok with this at all.
Listen to advice from the guardian/owner but if everything in your bones is saying "this dog does not want an interaction" please trust your own judgement not someone else.
A big myth is that dogs should readily accept being patted by others.....they do NOT have to accept affection or touch given by a stranger.

🙂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.

19/06/2024

This is one of my cases from clinical practice. Wilson and his family have worked so hard on his confidence. With dedication, time and patience he has blossomed. Super proud of Wilson 🥰 (it didn't post the end .... which is the best bit on the reel/instagram)

15/06/2024

Busy morning training and typically the rain stops when I am no longer outside. Welcoming two new trainee's Luna (with her caregiver Andreea) and Zia. All dogs and caregivers did amazing.

Love the different personalities of each dog and challenges they bring to me having to adapt to them.

All sessions are tailored to each individual's needs, as training should be.

14/06/2024

This 👇👇

11/06/2024

The Zoomies ❗
They can be a shock😲 for some people with new puppies , rest assured they are completely normal for dogs and puppies....BUT they may need to be investigated a little more too.
FRAP's (Frenetic Random Activity Periods), all puppies and dogs can show them and some more than others.
What needs to be looked at is why they are occurring.
✅ Have all needs been met, physically and mentally.
❓ Is there enough physical exercise during the day.....or too much. Over arousal needs to be looked at as a cause and over tired pups and dogs can show this behaviour.
❌ Are you a target ? Some puppies and dogs will aim their bursts of energy at you....that can be an issue.

The good news is most times they are actually quite predictable...and you can help your puppy burn off some energy by engaging their brain or nose. Enrichment before the Zoomies (and VARY the enrichment...the same puzzle which is now boring won't help).
Zoomies can sometimes be a reminder we may not be meeting all their needs..... or they can just be the Zoomies....put your feet up and enjoy the show !

🙂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.

08/06/2024

In the complex world of dog behaviour, education stands as a critical need for dog trainers. It is not merely a certification or a piece of paper that vouches for skills. Rather, education in dog behaviour is rooted in tried and tested methods, comprehensive studies, and tangible facts. So, when you...

05/06/2024

This is long but very interesting. I go on about pain a lot. This helps explain how we need to look beyond a limp. Not all pain is equal and it can be displayed in many many forms.

02/06/2024

Dog's playing together is often misunderstood. Be there to advocate for your dog, or another dog.

Nobody wants their kid to be the bully!

"They will sort it out ".⚠️
I am all for letting dogs communicate with each other.
However, some dogs simply don't have the ability to know when to stop or when their style of play is just unwanted.
The dog that is being held back and is bursting with energy, straining and screeching on the lead because it really wants to play with yours is not the dog to choose if you want to introduce your dog to healthy dog/dog play.
Over aroused/hyper dogs will usually run at other dogs full speed and insist on interactions. They are incapable of watching the cues dogs can give.
They want what they want and they want it NOW !

Then you have the pesterers, they just insist on interactions even after being told no by another dog.
Some dogs "play" by insisting it is on their terms and they will certainly bully others.
Be careful who you choose to pair your dog with.
Once they understand the basics of play and have some understanding of social interactions you can slowly expand who they may want to play with.
It can be good for dogs to play with other dogs with different play styles, it helps both dogs BUT match the energy and play styles first so they get a true understanding of HOW to play.
Keep the interactions shorter rather than longer.
Smaller plays often allow dogs to read each other better.

🙂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.

02/06/2024

Post training snoozes. Sleep is so important to our dogs. Taliesin and Penny demonstrating this well 🥰