Belinda Coney canine behaviourist

11/07/2022

15/06/2022

Useful to know

14/06/2022

Its that time of year again

This handy poster provides tips and tricks on how to keep your dog safe in this heat.

As much as we love this weather, our four legged friends would much prefer to wait for a cool breeze before going for a walk!

Signs of heat stroke include vomiting, excessive panting and seizures. If you think your dog is experiencing any of these, move them to a shaded area and slowly wet their body with cool water (not freezing). Immediately call a vet.

14/05/2022

We are told this is from The Friendly Book by Margaret Wise Brown.

25/04/2022

Let’s keep our dogs safe when travelling in cars - see the attached advice at the poster for a few pointers on keeping your dog safe 🚘

Highway code rule 57 says “When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.”

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/rules-about-animals-47-to-58

20/03/2022

Worth keeping an eye out for dogs wearing a yellow jacket, Bandana or lead and please do not approach with your dog no matter how friendly yours is.

National Yellow Dog Day

16/02/2022

Something we all need to learn and should be taught in schools.

ESSENTIAL ETIQUETTE – THE POLITE AND SAFE WAY TO MEET A DOG
Cultures around the world meet and greet each other in very different ways not only with words but with different body language. We are all familiar with the common hand shake, but some cultures greet each other by air kissing, check touching, bowing, nose rubbing and in Tibet, Buddhist monks greet one another by sticking their tongue out! The combination of the correct word or action is essential to help make a good first impression, show respect and can help others feel at ease. If people, being the same species have such different ways of greeting, we should recognise all the more that dogs have their own polite way of greetings.
Respecting a dog's personal space to help them feel safe is an important part of this and allows anxious or scared dogs to stay within their comfort zone.
One of my dogs is reactive and nervous around strange people. We have offices at home and often have strange people arriving for meetings. Despite my attempts to convince people not to approach her and give her the choice of whether she wants to come closer to them, some people will insist on going up to her and sticking their hand in her face. She reacts by backing away and ferociously barking, often to the surprise of the person trying to interact with her. This is not surprising – her personal space is being invaded, an interaction is being forced and her anxiety levels increase.
Every dog is different and some dogs may tolerate more invasive approaches than others, but it’s important to respect and acknowledge that there is a more acceptable way of meeting a dog.
In the words of Dr Ian Dunbar - “Touching a dog is a privilege not a right "