Sniff Play Bark

26/05/2022

This is a great explanation of how to introduce your dog to food Enrichment toys and activities.

16/04/2022

There are so many ways to give your dog the opportunity to socialise with other dogs, if that's something they enjoy. Organise play dates with friends they like that have similar play styles, perhaps find a Doggy Day Care with staff well trained in dog body language, that groups dogs appropriately and supervises them carefully. Dog Parks can be fun for some dogs, but in all honesty, most dogs do NOT belong in Dog Parks.

The last time I posted this it went viral 🤯

It rubbed some the right way and some the wrong way with lots of different opinions about my opinion ... and I still say the same 💁‍♀️

It seems that the ultimate goal for dog owners is to have a dog they can bring to a dog park because that must mean their dog can tolerate and deal with anything 🧐

And I wonder why that's so important?

I understand that many owners with this as their goal in mind, doing it with the best intentions, assuming they’re doing the right thing and are improving the quality of their dog’s life. And for a small amount of dogs, it can be a great experience.

But…

If you have a dog that doesn't really enjoy other dogs, you don't do your dog any favor trying to get him to a point where he can "tolerate" being at the dog park...usually it's quite the opposite and you'll lose your dogs trust that you got his back.

Or if you have a dog that enjoys playing really rough, why is it so important that he can "play" with the miniature doodle at the park rather than finding him a personal play mate that is on his level?

There's many reasons why I don't bring my dog to a dog park regardless of how well tempered and balanced my dog would be...the environment is just way too uncontrolled.

It's like going to a night club, you never know what to expect LOL

The fact that the majority of dogs are dog selective, meaning they prefer a more social circle than having to hug and kiss every stranger they come in contact with, is just another one.

But one of the big reasons I don't bring any dogs there is, because it really is a very unnatural environment for dogs and if you'd like to understand more about this, read my article on that topic on my website blog https://www.k9possible.com/single-post/2016/04/05/why-dog-parks-are-unnatural-how-to-properly-socialize-your-dog

01/12/2021

Another wonderful blog from Charlotte Garner - Canine Author 👏

Why You Should Not Train Your Dog There is often a massive amount of social pressure for you to get your dog to behave in a certain way. Th...

05/11/2021

Very important points to keep in mind before sending your dog to Day Care or Boarding. Don't be afraid to ask questions, view the facility, and make sure it will be the right environment for your individual dog.

19/10/2021

"In reality, the actual explanation behind most of these behaviors is much simpler. Your dog is not a human, and does not come with a built-in understanding of our rules and expectations. She also does not speak English – so unless she has been clearly and carefully taught to respond to your cues, she has no idea what you want. There is no Machiavellian plot to climb the social ladder, and no malicious desire to ruin your day.

She is a dog, and she does dog things. That’s it.

She steals food from the counter because it’s there, and it smells delicious. She jumps up to say hello because she is excited and happy, and wants to be nearer to your face to greet you. She pulls on the leash because you are a slow and plodding human, and she has lots of energy and wants to run.

Other “problem behaviors”� are more breed-specific, and have been carefully selected for over many generations. Herding dogs may chase and nip running children. Guarding breeds bark at visitors. Beagles and bloodhounds become engrossed in interesting smells, and forget to come when you call. Retrievers carry your shoes all over the house, or insist on picking up sticks and other objects on walks.

These tendencies are inborn, and closely tied to genetics. They may well be inconvenient at times, from our perspective – but they are normal, and not indicative of some sort of moral fault or deficiency on the part of your dog."

“My Prissy is such a bad girl! She always jumps on visitors as soon as they come in, even if her paws are muddy.”� “Buster drags me down the street every time we go for a walk! …

18/10/2021

04/10/2021

This!

29/09/2021

In one of my groups I ask if you use force free training before you are accepted to the page. I ask this because I want to create a safe space for both human and dog. I want to establish a culture that puts our dogs at the centre of their care.

One lady replied, that yes, mostly, but if her dog was in a dangerous situation she would use any force necessary in that moment, to keep her dog safe.

It's a good answer. Force free for me is something I aspire to be but life is never that simple is it!

But there are things we can always keep clear in our minds.

Training is not the same as dealing with emergency situations. I may give a sharp shout or throw a bucket of water to get two dogs to stop fighting. It is an emergency situation and I need to prevent trauma or injury. But I would NEVER use either in a training situation.
I do not expect either dog to learn in this situation.

I would grab a dog if they were running into a road but I would not see this as a moment of teaching. In that situation the most important part of the learning would be my own. I would learn that I need to teach that dog to stop at the curb. To teach them better recall and most importantly to manage that situation better by having them on a lead and using a safety strap between harness and coller if the accident was due to slipping a harness.

We often punish when things go wrong. When we feel frustrated, angry, scared. It's a normal human reaction when these emotions are present. When we feel out of control. These emotions are never good in a teaching environment. If we feel the need to punish its usually because we have not managed the situation properly and not done enough teaching beforehand. I dont see the dogs as failing in these situations, I see them as a learning opportunity for myself. If my dog keeps getting in the bin, I need to move the bin. If my dog keeps running off, I need to put them on a long line for safety and teach them that coming back to me is awesome.

For me, Force Free is an ethical goal in everything I do. Is it possible 100% of the time? Of course not. I put my dogs on a lead, I shut them in the house, I have a fence around my garden and I also shout from time to time. I am far from perfect. But I constantly aspire to give my dogs as much freedom as possible. I give them as many choices as I can. I teach through clear communication, compassion, empathy and kindness. I avoid anything that I feel will make my dogs feel intimidated, fearful, upset, scared or uncomfortable.

Empathy is not anthropomorphising. We can see things from our dogs point of view without humanising them. When I think about my best teachers, both academically and in life, they all empowered me, inspired me, made me feel safe. I never did well when I felt that I wasnt good enough, when I was constantly told what I was doing wrong. Great teachers make you want to learn more, build your confidence, earn your trust.

None of us are perfect. We will always get things wrong. But we can all aspire to be the best teachers for our dogs.

They deserve more than we can ever give them so we need to give them our best.

28/09/2021

Wonderful blog by Charlotte Garner - Canine Author

We all want our dogs to be the happiest they can be. Here are some excellent tips! 💖

5 Ways To Make Your Dog Happy Time Spending quality time with your dog is the first step towards ensuring their happiness. Our dogs look t...

13/09/2021

100% this!

MYTHBUSTING MONDAY: Myth - Positive training for reactivity is limited to "distracting" a dog with treats when another dog appears.

If you've tried distracting your dog with treats when he sees another dog (or bike, car, jogger, etc.), and he completely ignores the treat and you, here's why.

STRESS

When an animal (including humans) reaches a certain level of stress, an important change takes place in the brain, which starts the processes necessary for fight (aggression) or flight (avoidance), including the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. When that happens, pupils dilate, respiration increases, heart rate increases, and digestion shuts down.

Why? Because if you're being chased by a bear, your body doesn't need food in that moment, it needs to be fast and agile. Food can come later, but if you don't survive, the nutrients you get from food won't help you.

When a threat passes, the sympathetic nervous system is disengaged, and we return to a normal state of "rest and digest." Hopefully, where you are right now.

What does this have to do with your dog passing your neighbor and her Corgi?

Because whether or not your dog's reactivity is rooted in anxiety, fear, frustration, or excitement, the same process is taking place. It doesn't matter that her dog poses no real threat to your dog. What matters is that your dog's stress level has reached the point that digestion has shut down.

One other important thing happens at this point. Your dog is now focused on only the things necessary for survival (remember, this is about the dog's perception, not ours). Sort of like trying to focus on a crossword puzzle while a bee is buzzing around your face. So, trying to do any training at this moment is pointless.

Unfortunately, this is the point that most people attempt to "distract the dog" with food. But, as you now understand, it's too late.

This is why trainers talk so much about staying "under threshold." The threshold is the point at which the dog tips over into that fight or flight mode.

Where that threshold is depends on your dog, but changes depending on the proximity and intensity of the trigger, as well as duration of exposure.

For example, let's go back to the bee. If the bee is busy on a nearby dandelion, it might not bother you while you're gardening, but a bee buzzing around your face might be more concerning. If that bee is only there for a second before flying off, you might not move, but if the bee persists for 30 seconds or more, you might get up to avoid it. Multiply that to 100 bees buzzing around your face, and you're probably switching into serious fight/flight mode. See how slight changes can make a big difference in your stress levels?

While every dog is different, they all have a point where they can focus and learn and take treats, and a point they can't. If we want to maximize learning and behavior change, we keep them under threshold, gradually increasing the proximity, intensity, and duration they can tolerate.

Behavior modification for reactivity using non-aversive methods is not about distracting a dog with food. It is about using food to change associations to the things that trigger reactivity and to reinforce previously taught behaviors. To do this, we need to work at a distance, level of intensity, and duration that keeps the dog below threshold.

It's not that positive training doesn't work. Your dog just needs you to make a few changes so that it can work for them.

12/09/2021

10/09/2021

Digging is such a natural innate canine behaviour, inherited from their wild ancestors who would dig to find prey, bury food for later, or make a cool and comfortable bed by removing rocks, twigs and debris and revealing cooler dirt.

Certain breeds were even bred specifically to dig to flush out or hunt vermin so their instinct to dig is still quite strong.

If we can understand why dogs dig, we can stop feeling angry or punishing dogs for doing what comes naturally.

Dogs are never just being naughty. Every behaviour serves a purpose. It is our responsibility to manage these behaviours in a kind and ethical way whilst still allowing dogs to engage in their natural behaviours and fulfill their innate needs.

THE DILEMMA OF DIGGITY DOGS
Some dogs just love to dig and it’s a challenge to stop them. Those expensive new plants you have just carefully planted with just the right amount of compost, the beautifully manicured green grass in your garden that is now decorated with craters (a bowl-shaped depression or hollowed-out area, produced by the impact of a meteorite, volcanic activity, an explosion OR A DOG!), or anything else that can be dug up that happens to take their fancy. It’s a very common problem for many dog owners and one that is not always easy to stop.
Digging is a very natural, instinctual behaviour for many dogs that is built into their DNA. Certain breeds, especially Terrier types, were specifically bred for their digging ability for hunting purposes. The Terrier type breed is also known as the “earth dog” because of their amazing perseverance in following prey into tunnels under the earth, even if that meant digging a long tunnel to the other side of the who knows where! Digging is also a source of great enjoyment and delight for many dogs. Are we being unfair and unreasonable in wanting to prevent it? I personally really enjoy watching my dogs dig and seeing their enjoyment and satisfaction, while my husband is horrified, angry and frustrated that they have dared to destroy the lawn.
The pictures in this post are my own dogs, who for many months dug huge tunnels in the lawn. When we discovered that we had an infestation of crickets in the soil and treated the lawn to eliminate them, the digging stopped. Here are some ideas on how to prevent or at least reduce digging dogs. There is never a guarantee that preventing a natural behaviour will be successful, but some simple management, ensuring your dog has sufficient physical and mental stimulation and providing alternative outlets for this behaviour should create an improvement.
If all else fails, ask yourself if it’s really worth being so stressed about or if it’s better for both us and our dogs to give up our idea of a perfectly manicured lawn in favour of the natural dog look?

05/09/2021

Most of the "problem" behaviours that people seek help for are completely normal dog behaviours. Your dog is not being naughty, or spiteful - he is being a Dog. Giving your dog the opportunity to practice his normal innate behaviours in a safe and appropriate manner through the use of canine enrichment can help you manage these behaviours if they have become problematic.

For example giving your dog his own digging space where he is allowed to dig to his heart's content and teaching him that this is his special digging area will prevent holes all over your garden.

Providing opportunities to scavenge for food in the form of treat hunts or scatter feeding will satisfy his innate need to scavenge and hunt for food.

Dogs should never be punished for just being dogs.

05/09/2021

Check out our Recommended Reading Page for a list of books on topics all dog guardians can relate to; from raising puppies to caring for senior dogs, using canine enrichment to nurture content and fulfilled dogs, helping your reactive dog to build confidence and resilience and manage their triggers, using scentwork to fulfill your dog's innate need to sniff, and training, and understanding your dog, there is a book here to suit your needs.

https://www.sniffplaybark.com/recommendedreading

Highly recommended reading for everyone who shares their life with a canine companion.

26/08/2021

Today is International Dog Day, and there is no better time to celebrate all the wonderful doggos that have made their way into our lives and hearts, and brought us so much joy, love, and happiness.

Happy Dog's Day to all the special dogs we share our lives with💖💖

What do you love most about your dog? What is it about them that brings you joy and happiness?

25/08/2021

Does your dog have a favourite toy?

My elderly Maltese x Shih Tzu Scruffy loves any and all soft toys, especially squeaky ones. His exuberant joy whenever I bring home a new stuffed animal for him makes me so happy.

My 3 year old Cavoodle Willow is not very interested in toys. She has a monkey she sometimes snuggles up to at bedtime, and occasionally plays Fetch with a tennis ball, but mostly her favourite toy is me! My attention is what makes her happiest.

What are your dog's favorite toys?

20/08/2021

SNOOZE TIME DANCE MOVES
Most dog owners have seen that sometimes amusing or maybe even irritating ritual that dogs perform before settling down for a snooze. Why do they insist on circling, digging, scratching, making mounds of cushions, blankets or mats when they have a perfectly comfortable, neat place to sleep?
Yes, it may simply be the same impulse that leads us to twist, turn and scrunch up our pillows before finding a position that feels the most comfortable, but the most likely reason is that this behaviour is deeply embedded within the DNA that they inherited from their wild ancestors.
These pre snooze dance moves each serve a specific purpose that enabled their wild ancestors to feel protected and comfortable in their environment.
Even though our modern, domesticated dogs have no need to be concerned about the same things their ancestors did, they simply can’t resist it. Their DNA insists that these rituals be performed and many dog seem to take great delight and satisfaction in following this call!
Sometimes excessive circling, the inability to get comfortable or crouching down and then getting up again may indicate a medical issue like arthritis, back problems or other painful conditions so it’s a good idea to have a vet check your dog if you are noticing this happening frequently.
Generally, the snooze time dance moves are a completely normal, very natural behaviour and allowing your dog to perform these moves to their hearts content is an important part of contributing to their mental wellbeing and allows them to feel more in control of their environment.

18/08/2021

Do you have a favourite breed? If so, what is it about that breed that appeals to you?

What breeds are you sharing your life with now? How or why did you choose those breeds?

What are your favourite things about them? Which breed characteristics make them the perfect companion for you?

12/08/2021

11/08/2021

It’s not just about “The Science”

For many years those of us with educational qualifications in the field of training and behaviour have been using “science” as an argument to persuade people to switch over to positive reinforcement and abandon aversive training methods. While I still believe that there is plenty of evidence for the efficacy of positive reinforcement and the potential harms of punitive training methods, I am starting to think that we may have been using the wrong strategy by simply telling people to “follow the science”.

The reality is that there is also evidence that punishment works. You can alter behaviour using aversive training tools (albeit with unpleasant fallout) and plenty of people stick with such training methods because they see results. After all, the theory of operant conditioning involves 3 types of learning in addition to positive reinforcement: removing something a dog wants to reduce behaviour (negative punishment), adding something unpleasant to reduce behaviour (positive punishment) or removing something unpleasant to increase behaviour (negative reinforcement). While we understand that there are unpleasant emotional consequences for dogs attached to all three of these types of learning, this does not mean that they don’t change behaviour – they do.

So, what is the real crux of the matter? What are we really striving for by trying to persuade people to use positive reinforcement rather than those types of learning which carry unpleasant emotional consequences? Are we just wanting to change behaviour in the way that we think is most effective? I don’t think so. The true difference between someone who strives to use positive reinforcement and avoids using both positive and negative punishment and negative reinforcement, is that we care about the emotional experience and wellbeing of dogs. Yes, there are lots of things we can do to dogs to change behaviour, but the question is about whether they are ethical or not.

At the end of the day, people have different views on the subject. Some people simply do not believe that animals are emotional beings or that their feelings and experiences matter much. For them, the ends justify the means. Others feel that they have a right as humans to get results as quickly and conveniently as possible and animals have no real rights, so whatever works is acceptable. Some believe that our dogs must be subordinate to us, so some sort of force and intimidation is necessary to create a “dominant-subordinate” relationship. Then there are those of us who recognise that all animals have complex emotions and that we have a duty of care to avoid causing suffering and to promote good feelings in our interactions with them.

While a fair amount of ignorance exists around the rich emotional lives of animals and many people have been influenced by outdated pop dog psychology, at some point, no matter how much information a person has, the choice becomes an ethical one. In the end people have to decide whether it is okay to cause fear, pain, frustration and discomfort to get what you want from a dog. Each person has to ask themselves if it is okay for humans to make dogs feel bad to get our way or whether, because the means exist to train and manage behaviour in ways that contribute to positive emotional experiences for dogs, ethics requires us to make a choice for positive reinforcement.

It is not just about the science or about what “works” – it is about how we view dogs, their emotional capacity and their right to lead happy, fulfilled lives that are free from pain and fear. If you believe it is wrong to hurt or frighten an animal to get them to comply with what you want, you will not need science to convince you of that!

08/08/2021

ARE DOGS MORE ATTRACTED TO OTHER DOGS OF THE SAME BREED ?
If you have ever taken your dog to a dog park you may have noticed that some dogs are more attracted to particular breeds. When I take my Schnauzers out, they get very excited if they see other Schnauzers and immediately want to go over to say hello. They do the same with Airedale Terriers, Scotties and Maltese, but tend not to be as interested or shy away from other breeds.
Why is this? Although there is no formal research that concludes that dogs are more attracted to certain breeds and not others, there is a possible explanation for this. Individual breeds have unique face shapes, use different styles of body language and have different ways of playing which the same breed can recognise and relate to. They simply understand each other more. It may also be that a dog has had either a positive or negative past experience with a particular breed, which will impact their perception of that breed.
This post explains a bit more as to why some dogs may be more attracted to some breeds.

04/08/2021

We all love our canine companions, but we often just expect them to fit into our human world and do everything we expect of them, without really giving much thought to what their needs are in order to live a happy fulfilled life.

Here are 10 suggestions that will help you strengthen your bond with your canine companion.

https://www.sniffplaybark.com/post/the-human-canine-bond-10-ways-to-strengthen-your-bond

Let Dogs be Dogs! This is something I am just so passionate about. We all love our canine companions, but we often just expect them to fit into our human world and do everything we expect of them, without really giving much thought to what their needs are in order to live a happy fulfilled life. 1.....

04/08/2021

What is the highest value treat for your dog? Is there a particular food that he loves so much he will literally do anything for a taste?

Is there a particular food your dog will try to steal if given the opportunity?

Do you use this food or treat in training and reinforcing the behaviours you would like?

01/08/2021

The Human - Canine Bond refers to the relationship between dogs and humans. For centuries, dogs have been known as “Man’s Best Friend”, and there is an excellent reason for this. Dogs can teach us so much about how to be better human beings. They are loyal, resilient, forgiving, and offer unconditional love without judgement. Dogs don’t hold grudges; any minor conflicts are dealt with quickly, then forgotten. Imagine how much our own relationships would improve if we could be more like dogs.

Life with a dog can be full of challenges, but the love, loyalty and companionship they provide us with is absolutely priceless. We owe it to our dogs to truly learn to understand them, communicate effectively, and provide them with opportunities to “Be Dogs”.

Too often, dogs are expected to fit into our lives and our homes, be friendly to strange humans, other dogs and all sorts of animals, never growl, or bark, or dig, and to just magically understand how we want them to behave, even when our training is confusing or inconsistent.

Humans make all the decisions about when dogs are allowed to eat and how often they are fed, and if or when they are allowed to engage in normal dog behaviours such as digging, running, barking and playing.

When we understand that modern dogs have inherited many wild instincts from their wild wolf ancestors, but unlike their ancestors, modern dogs have very little choice or control in their lives, we can begin to find ways to give them some choice and autonomy, and the opportunity to express their natural and innate behaviours in a safe and appropriate manner, which will help them to live happier and more fulfilled lives, and strengthen the bond between you, thus creating a loving and co-operative relationship.

https://www.sniffplaybark.com/post/the-human-canine-bond

The Canine-Human Bond refers to the relationship between dogs and humans. For centuries, dogs have been known as “Man’s Best Friend”, and there is an excellent reason for this. Dogs can teach us so much about how to be better human beings. They are loyal, resilient, forgiving, and offer uncond...

31/07/2021

Bringing a dog or puppy into your life and family can be a wonderful experience.

But raising a puppy or helping an anxious rescue dog settle into your home can be incredibly exhausting and stressful in the first few months.

What do you do when your cute little companion starts:

🐶 Biting and mouthing you, your clothes and every other object it comes across
🐶 Growling at you or at visitors to your home
🐶 Barking at every single noise and shadow in a ten-mile radius
🐶 Jumping up on visitors or even strangers on the street
🐶 Marking your furniture and other objects in your home
🐶 Digging holes in your garden
🐶 Scavenging through your rubbish bin
🐶 Stealing food off the counter
🐶 Ignoring you and not having any recall when off lead

We choose to bring dogs into our lives, and it is our responsibility to learn how to understand dogs, and why they do the things they do.

In this book, you will learn management techniques for when normal dog behaviours become problematic or disrupt the harmony of life, but the main focus is on helping you understand WHY your dog has these instincts and how to satisfy these instincts in a safe and appropriate manner with the use of Canine Enrichment Techniques and Activities.

You will also learn about the Human-Canine Bond, how to strengthen the bond you have with your dog, and ensure that all their physical and psychological needs are fulfilled, building their confidence, resilience, and problem solving skills, which will naturally lead to an increase in the behaviours you would like to see, and a decrease in destructive or reactive behaviour caused by boredom, fear or confusion due to unclear and inconsistent teaching on our part.

In my job as a Canine Behaviour and Enrichment Consultant, I have helped hundreds of dogs and their guardians to have happier lives together by increasing their communication and understanding of each other. And now you too can have access to all this information, including handy tips which will strengthen your relationship with your dog, and make your life together happier and less stressful.

📖 Learn how dogs evolved from their wild ancestors, and which wild instincts they retained and still carry to this day.

❓Discover why specific breed characteristics drive a lot of your dog’s behaviours, and how to manage these behaviours when displayed inappropriately.

💖 Delve into the Canine-Human Bond, Understand Canine Communication and learn all about Canine Play Techniques. Dogs have a complex physical and vocal language, and having the ability to understand and communicate with your dog effectively helps to create a much stronger and more co-operative relationship.

🐶 Use Canine Enrichment Techniques to fulfill all of your dog’s innate behavioural needs, build confidence and resilience, reduce anxiety, and nurture a much happier dog. Dogs need mental stimulation just as much as humans do, and if not provided with opportunities to “be dogs”, they will suffer from boredom which can often lead to depression, anxiety, reactivity and destructive behaviour.

🐕‍🦺 Raise a Happy and Confident Puppy, with lots of information on how to socialise your puppy to the world the right way, including a handy chart to help you log their progress.

🐩 Care for your Senior Dog in their final years, including information on Canine Cognitive Disease, Enrichment Activities for Seniors, and End of Life Care.

From raising a happy and confident puppy, to understanding how your dog thinks and communicates, using Canine Enrichment to fulfill your dog's innate needs, and caring for your dog in their senior years, Sniff Play Bark – Your Essential Guide to a Happier Dog is a valuable resource that you can turn to time and time again.

Grab your copy now, and start making your dog happier today!
https://www.sniffplaybark.com/book