Paws for Thought - Canine & Equine Coach

22/09/2024

To all us Pawents 🐾

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/3t5Zkva811TFuhbe/

For many of us, this is true.

22/09/2024

Sometimes, it feels like certain dogs come into our lives at just the right moment, as if drawn to us for a reason. That puppy that stood out from the litter, that dog that drew us to them at the rehoming centre and we just don't know why. ⋆.˚🦋

The right dog will show up when we need them most, offering comfort, companionship, and unconditional love.

Whether we’re going through tough times or just in need of a friend, these dogs have an uncanny ability to sense our emotions and respond to them.

This connection runs deeper that we can imagine. Dogs are highly intuitive creatures, often picking up on subtle cues we aren’t even aware we’re giving. They help us to recognise emotional healing that we need too.

⋆˚🐾˖° If you feel anxious on the inside, you will see more anxious behaviours displayed by your dog

⋆˚🐾˖°If you lack confidence within yourself, you may see more confidence lacking traits in your dog. These may show up as aggression or being overly submissive (both expressions of lack of confidence).

It’s as though the universe knows when we need them, and they show up as little fur-covered angels with huge hearts just when we need them most ʚଓ

Are you curious to know more? ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ

21/09/2024

It's a pretty wet day out there!⛈☔🌧️

Not too much fun for dog walks 🐕‍🦺 so why not try using some of the games in my 𓍢ִ໋🍃✧˚.💚⋆FREE enrichment challenge!𓍢ִ໋🍃✧˚.💚

What have you got to lose? \_(ツ)_/

5 Day Enrichment Challenge to help you creat calmness with your dog!

20/09/2024

Who's coming to my loose lead masterclass next week?

There is still time to book your place.

https://pawsforthoughtcaninecoach.newzenler.com/live-webinar/free-lose-lead-masterclass/register?fbclid=IwY2xjawFZ6IhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHW4AEAQpDd0_CcBttG1mWMHRQkcwfiFVXzm8x6epY-7ElznjJf5DrBWIBw_aem_Jvn0MBfRHS0dWbF5ShChRw

20/09/2024

Emotional support paws are the best🐾🩷💜

19/09/2024

Apologies for the bad language in this one but any Jack Russel guardians will relate 😂

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/Y67WcJVAsYbAq98P/?mibextid=WC7FNe

19/09/2024

19/09/2024

Now is the time to start preparing if your dog is scared of fireworks or is noise sensitive.

https://www.facebook.com/share/2BAR8KumAaibjoYW/

Supporting Animals who are Noise sensitive

19/09/2024

I do repost a lot of the same messages but I’m the hope they can reach new people too 😊

Please don’t punish a growl. It can feel unnatural but it’s a dogs way of communicating they are uncomfortable, scared or worried about something. It is not them being dominant over you. You do not need to tell them who’s boss as some would have you believe.

Dogs don’t want to bite, it’s because we haven’t listened to them and they only have to escalate to be heard. You may be able to recall a time when you haven’t been heard.

I see growling as a positive thing, it’s good information. It’s a warning and if we respect this, they won’t have to escalate to a bite.

18/09/2024

𝗔𝗕𝗧𝗖 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
The recent publication of the study titled Comparison of the Efficacy and Welfare of Different Training Methods in Stopping Chasing Behavior in Dogs (Johnson and Wynne, 2024) has sparked significant debate across the animal welfare community. This study, which adds to the growing body of evidence on the adverse effects of shock collars (e-collars), highlights serious concerns regarding the welfare of dogs subjected to this training method. Please see our Statement relating to this via our News page at https://abtc.org.uk/about/news/

[Image/text description: Graphic states ABTC Statement - on recent study concerning the use of shock collars in dog training]

𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦: 𝘈𝘉𝘛𝘊 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘣𝘺 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘴 - 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥 24 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘢 𝘥𝘢𝘺.

17/09/2024

Reactivity isn't a training issue, it's a Wellbeing one.

In the interest of being the best guardian possible for your dog it is important to identify that when they react, they are struggling emotionally. They don't feel safe in this world.

Perhaps your dog is struggling to cope emotionally in some situations, resulting in some unwanted behaviours?

Perhaps they are fearful and find it hard to adapt to change?
Help them navigate through their emotional stress rather than training.

Would you like to know more? Please reach out to me for a free discovery call. https://pawsforthoughtcaninecoach.newzenler.com/support

16/09/2024

Over the last few days, it feels like a firestorm has been unleashed. It’s clear that outdated dog training practices will no longer go unchallenged.

The release of a study using shock collars (cited below) has sparked unprecedented backlash and even made national headlines, and triggered a major reckoning within the dog training community. The study, seen by many as politically motivated, appears to have put dogs in harm's way to prove a point.

Professionals across the field agree that it should never have been approved by the ethics committee - and their fears were substantiated, given that every single dog in the shock collar group is documented to have yelped in pain while receiving shock collar “corrections”.

The outcry continues to build as more people in our field demand accountability and transparency. Reputations are being hit hard, institutions are facing scrutiny, and balanced trainers like Ivan Balabanov have been fully unmasked, revealing the harmful and outdated methods still being promoted under the guise of expertise.

This glaring evidence underlines what we’ve known all along: pain and fear have no place in professional dog training.

Let this serve as a stark reminder to those in our field who continue to promote outdated methods and deny the overwhelming scientific consensus. The community will no longer remain silent. The evidence is clear and we are moving beyond these harmful practices. Trainers who continue to use pain, fear, and intimidation in their methods do not deserve legitimacy in this field.

Ivan Balabanov, once considered a leader among "balanced" trainers, now faces intense scrutiny following his involvement in this study. It is now scientifically verified that 25% of the dogs he and his mentee worked with in the shock collar group could not be trained effectively, and 100% of those dogs yelped in pain.

This once again undermines the narrative propagated by many trainers who use shock collars and falsely claim that their methods "don’t hurt."

The reality is, the tools they promote rely on pain as a teaching mechanism, and better alternatives exist that teach dogs to comply enthusiastically without the need for fear or discomfort, and without the risks associated with using pain and fear to change an individual’s behavior.

For too long, the welfare of dog trainers has been placed above the welfare of dogs and the public. This has got to stop.

The campaign to expose outdated training methods, like those Ivan Balabanov will likely promote in his upcoming UK workshop, is gaining momentum. Even members of his own community are stunned by the facts that have come to light in this study.

This is not an effort to embarrass an individual but to stand up for the public and make it clear that the propaganda surrounding shock collars is just that — propaganda.

Below is a newly published article from Psychology Today that lays out the facts on the recent shock collar study. For those who think this is about social media “clout” or personal opinions, this article should clarify that our advocacy is rooted in concern for public and canine welfare.

I’ve always said, don’t take my word for it—look at the evidence. This article does just that: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/animal-emotions/202409/is-balanced-training-fair-to-dogs-or-is-it-a-cop-out

And here is a link to the study in question: Johnson, A.C., & Wynne, C.D.L. (2024). “Comparison of the Efficacy and Welfare of Different Training Methods in Stopping Chasing Behavior in Dogs.” Animals, 14(18), 2632. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14182632

Based on the reaction to this study, another major domino has fallen in support of aversive dog training methods. This so-called "landmark study" will likely be remembered not for the efficacy of shock collars, but for exposing the unnecessary use of pain in dog training as a legitimate strategy.

We are prepared to provide support and education to those willing to update their methods in the interest of public health and safety. But make no mistake—those who refuse to be unequivocal in rejecting pain-based methods will face increasing scrutiny.

The livelihood of trainers promoting harmful practices is not our concern when it comes at the expense of dog welfare and public trust.

The time to end the misrepresentation of science-based training and to uphold welfare and ethics in dog training is long overdue. We are standing together for a better future for our industry, our dogs, and their guardians.

15/09/2024

Source : unknown

15/09/2024

🐾 Struggling with loose lead walking? I see you!🐶

✨FREE LOSE LEAD MASTERCLASS✨

Join my expert-led Loose Lead Walking Masterclass and transform your walks into a stress-free, enjoyable experience for both you and your pup!

Discover :

✅ Why dogs pull on the lead (it may not be what you think!)
✅ How changing equipment can help your dog
✅ Simple & fun games to help slow and connect with your dog
✅ Easy and fun games you can start at home right now

The masterclass will be online on the 28th September at 5pm

📅 Limited spots available – don’t miss out! 💌 Sign up now and let’s make walking a breeze!

https://pawsforthoughtcaninecoach.newzenler.com/live-webinar/free-lose-lead-masterclass/register

15/09/2024

😔 Anxious Animals & Anxious Humans 😔

Animals experiencing anxiety will react in much the same way humans do.

They may:

🐾 Decide who can touch them; where, and for how long.
🐾 Choose to protect the space around them by lashing out, barking or reacting
🐾 Try and control the movement of others around them.
🐾 Be protective over their food, chews or toys

These behaviours can appear to be 'controlling' in an assertive sense, but they are actually fear based and used to help to manage their anxiety in an attempt to keep themselves safe.
Anxiety affects not only the behaviour of animals; over time it also creates physical tension and stress. Emotional stress is one major factor affecting your animal's immune system.

If this sounds like your animal, I want you to think how these aspects may also be showing up for you.

➡️ Are you anxious?
➡️ Do you try and control things around you?
➡️ Are you sensitive to triggers?

In order to help your animal release anxiety, you must do the same.

Anxiety is amplified when surrounded by similar energies. ☝️

The good news is it takes one person to help and you can change this! 😀

Animal Kinesiology uses tandem healing to work on both you and your animal simultaneously.

If you would like to learn more, simply reach out to me. https://pawsforthoughtcaninecoach.newzenler.com/support

13/09/2024

We don't know what we don't know.

It sounds obvious but if we don't know what to look out for with our dog's body language, we can't help them or acknowledge how they are feeling. Many trainers will show you 'results' but please just look at the body language of the dogs in the videos and reflect on what may really be going on for them.

This is why I am so passionate about what I do. Helping to educate and spread awareness of canine emotions and learning about their communication to us.

If you would like to know more about canine body language I do have a very short course which I am always happy to offer for free so we can help raise more awareness.

Please reach out to me if you would like to access it
https://pawsforthoughtcaninecoach.newzenler.com/courses/introduction-to-canine-body-language

13/09/2024

Ｄｏｅｓ ｙｏｕｒ ｄｏｇ ｔｒｕｓｔ ｙｏｕ?

Interesting question isn't it especially if they are reactive or anxious.

I would like to think that yes, my dog does trusts me to keep them safe and help in an anxious situation.

But how can you build this trust with your dog?

One way to build this trust is to have something we call 'mindful regard' for your dog. Part of building trust is having someone that understands you and makes you feel your views are regarded.

With trust, we don't judge others........ we help others (including our dogs) to feel safe.

When your dog is reacting to something, they are experiencing emotions. We can also react when they do, we overthink, we may not be calm, we add our own anxieties to the situation. This all adds to your dog's behaviour.

This is a sure way to keep reinforcing that reactive behaviour and can be a lot for your dog to deal with. Not only have they got their own anxieties we are also adding ours into the mix.

It takes one person to change the relationship and it’s the one that’s not blaming or reacting.

By changing your reaction you can help build that trust with your dog. Trust builds connection and relationship and helps your dog to learn.

If you are interested in techniques to help you to build trust with your dog, I would love to hear from you. I am currently running a little research project on this very subject in order to help guardians reset and reframe their anxiety. Volunteers are always welcome!

12/09/2024

It's crucial that we recognise the difference between learned behaviour and stress related responses.

Learn more about how stress might affect your dog: https://www.sallygutteridge.com/post/understanding-canine-arousal-how-stress-can-impact-your-dog-s-behaviour-and-wellbeing