Fundog Behaviour and Training

31/12/2025

Well it’s nearly the end of 2025 and it’s been quite a year. I looked back at my photos and it brought back so many memories of all the incredible dogs and their humans that I have had the pleasure of meeting and helping. I am fortunate to have a job where I can make a real difference to both humans and dogs. Thank you to everyone who supported me this year - I look forward to seeing you all in 2026 ! Here’s a small snapshot of some of those amazing canines

29/12/2025

I’m so very shocked and sad to hear the news of Sarah’s passing. She was a guiding light in the animal training world. Rest in peace, Sarah.

Some people change an industry not by being the loudest voice but by changing what everyone looks for.

Sarah Fisher did exactly this. We are devastated to hear she has passed 💔

Sarah taught us to notice the quiet things: posture, breath, tension, hesitation, curiosity. She reminded us that behaviour is communication, and that dogs need safety and agency before they can learn well.

Through ACE and previously through TTouch, Sarah’s influence reached far beyond dog training and into rescue, vet teams, grooming, therapy support, and everyday homes. Her work helped dogs feel safe enough to engage with the world, and helped humans become calmer, kinder observers.

Thinking of Sarah’s loved ones today and of the many people grieving across our community.

If you’re able, honour her by practicing what she modelled: slow down, watch, and let the dog lead ❤️

24/12/2025

Merry Christmas everyone! Its going to be a quiet one for many reason but I am looking forward to some rest and reflection before we head into 2026. Thank you for all your support in 2025.

19/12/2025

🎅🎄Let's talk about Christmas and how it might affect your dog (or other pets). Just like people, not all dogs will enjoy the social aspect of Christmas. Lots of visitors, lots of noise and coming and goings can be stressful, especially as they are unpredictable to your dog. There may also be increased novelty in the form of trees and decorations that might create some concern for certain dogs. Higher levels of stress mean that your dog may not cope as well, and will have lower tolerance levels to human interaction. Post Christmas time is a time when we, as behaviourists, will see a high proportion of cases involving bites to people. So, help your dog out by doing the following:

🐾Have a safe space for your dog to go to, away from a crowded room.

🐾Use baby gates or seperate rooms if necessary to keep your dog separate to guests (but only if they are happy to be contained that way.

🐾Ask any guests to be mindful of your dog and to respect their safety behind the gate.

🐾Make sure all your dog's needs have been met prior to visitors coming over: exercise, toileting, feeding, enrichment opportunities.

🐾Don't take your dog's temperament for granted. There may be food dropped on the floor, toys picked up etc and this could lead to conflict, especially with extra people in the house.

🐾Even social dogs will need some 'time out' to decompress and lower stress levels (just like many people will need to do 😏🫣)

🐾Be aware that many of the foods around on Christmas Day may be harmful to your dog. Chocolates, mince pies, grapes, turkey bones etc are all major hazards. Nobody wants a trip to the emergency vet on Christmas Day!

Plan and prepare for the big day with your pets in mind to make sure everyone has a happy, healthy Christmas!

10/11/2025

Research tells us that chronic pain cannot be effectively assessed in a clinic. This isn’t due to lack of skill or care on the part of veterinarians, but because the context itself makes it nearly impossible.

1. Pain behaviour changes depending on where the animal is and how they feel about that place. A vet clinic is unfamiliar, noisy, and filled with smells. Most dogs experience stress or fear there which can suppress outward signs of pain.

2. When dogs are stressed, adrenaline and cortisol rise. These hormones dampen pain perception, allowing the dog to appear “normal” even when they are not. It’s very common for a dog who limps at home to walk almost soundly in the clinic.

3. A vet consultation usually lasts 20 minutes. Chronic pain, however, is a condition of patterns, subtle changes in posture, behaviour, mobility, sleep, and mood over time.

4. Dogs are often held for examination. Even gentle handling can cause them to freeze or shut down. A dog that is tense or compliant under restraint may appear cooperative but is actually suppressing communication.

5. Clinic floors are typically slippery, and rooms are small. Dogs who are cautious about movement, weight-shifting, or joint pain will move differently in this setting not because they are pain-free, but because they are trying not to slip.

6. Dogs rarely yelp in chronic pain. Yelping is an acute pain response, a reflex to sudden, unexpected pain. Chronic pain is different. It develops slowly, often affecting multiple systems. Dogs adapt by changing how they move, sleep, interact, or express emotion. They may become quieter, withdrawn, restless, irritable, or reactive. Chronic pain alters the nervous system gradually, and because it becomes the “new normal,” dogs stop signalling it in obvious ways.

8. The most accurate information about chronic pain comes from a dogs behaviour, reluctance to jump, shorter walks, altered posture, increased irritability, licking or chewing at body parts, or changes in sleep and play.

Stress, restraint and environment all interfere with true pain expression. Defensive behaviour often reflects discomfort, and the absence of yelping does not mean absence of pain.

01/11/2025

New website up and running 🤩

31/10/2025

"Every training session is a chance to grow - for both ends of the leash"

11/10/2025

If you own a dog, you should listen to this

Podcast Episode · The Bitey End of the Dog · 22/09/2025 · 1h 4m

28/09/2025

Spaniel owners …IYKYK