Hindes Hounds -Canine behaviour and training services (2025)

14/12/2024

Had just the best day yesterday at the LKA in Stafford with a bunch of great friends and some wonderful Tibetan Mastiffs. The puppy on the left stole my heart....but to be honest they all did, they were a great bunch! It was great to have a relaxing day doing nothing but enjoying the company of friends and their lovely bunch of canines....

12/12/2024

All dog "reactivity" is fear based......humbug!!

Dogs experience a considerable range of emotions. Fear - absolutely, but also anger frustration, anxiety and stress may all result in what might often be described as a reactive outburst. Unless we learn to fully understand our own individual dogs we cannot know why they sometimes express 'reactive' behaviours. That is why understanding our dogs is a crucial aspect of our M.U.T.T ethos........

Nb. I realised this is the second time I have posted this but as it is so important I make no excuse for re-iterating it in a slightly different context, albeit I promise to be more original next time!

11/12/2024

Here's our Hints and Tips for a Doggone Happy Xmas
• Let Sleeping Dogs Lie- Please, please, please make sure your dog(s) have a quiet place to retire to during festivities. Also train your guests to not interfere with your dog whilst resting - there is a very good reason for this saying..... if your dog has had enough and gets cross with someone whose fault, is it- not the dogs!

• Puppy or Young Dog – every xmas present lying around is a potential chew toy – never mind that it is Billy’s new xmas gift – if you don’t want it eaten keep it and all other gifts out of reach
• Keep up your Dogs Exercise Routine – just because you might want a lazy xmas does not mean your dog does – boredom and inactivity is likely to create either excessive activity or excessive irritability – neither of which will be welcomed at xmas.
• no sudden diet changes - if you want a happy hound at xmas and you feed them a brand of kibble all year for example, don't suddenly then overload them with brussel sprouts and turkey - your pal is likely to experience a catastrophic bum explosion - which is likely to detract from the xmas cheer!
• It's not only the xmas chocolates that could result in an emergency visit to the vets- remember grapes are also poisonous to dogs and therefore so is your xmas pudding. Many sweets and treats may have xylitol in them – highly poisonous for Dogs. Also remember lots of other rich human foods may not go down too well either as mentioned above!
• Hidden Xmas Tree and Plant Dangers- What about those baubles on the tree, are any of them glass? Broken baubles and even pine needles can get in dogs’ paws. Remember Poinsettias, Ivy and Mistletoe are all poisonous to dogs- ensure they cannot access them!!

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE!

12/09/2024

I must apologise for the radio silence for a while, soon to come to a crashing end. I have gone from flat out busy working with some lovely people and dogs to being in Nepal hunting down (not literally) native dogs. I will be back on 19th September and in the meantime look at these treasures.

06/07/2024

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Alessandro Tambasco, Helena O'Driscoll

15/05/2024

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Lynne Smythies, Adam Johnson

15/05/2024

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Lynne Smythies, Adam Johnson. Welcome folks as I appear to be getting so many of you landing here I will endeavour to share relevant posts between here and my Hindes Hounds Canine Behaviour and Training Page, but do jump on both in case you miss anything......!!

08/04/2024

🐾 Tired of Wasting Time on Generic Dog Training Plans? 🕰️
How many times have you tried those 'one size fits all' training plans for your furry friend, only to find yourself stuck in a cycle of minimal progress? 🤔 It's time for a change!

Introducing the MUTT method—my personalized and holistic approach to dog training that goes beyond the ordinary. 🌟 Imagine a training program tailored to YOU and your dog, fostering a deeper understanding and creating a bond that lasts a lifetime.
✨ Here's what I can help you achieve:
Build a Better Relationship with Your Dog 🐶❤️
Transform Your Dog into a Well-Trained and Well-Behaved Companion 🏆🐕
Ready to say goodbye to generic plans and hello to a unique journey with your pup?

Click the link, fill out the booking form, and receive a free, no-obligation initial telephone consultation.
Let's make every moment with your furry friend count! 📞🐾

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https://www.hindeshounds.co.uk/bookings

05/04/2024

Love and loss of a dog……….🐾🥹

Today was a day when like many other days I contemplated the loss of my beautiful little ‘Bertie bun bun’ just before Christmas last year, I contemplated not just the pain, the love and the loss, but the joy and fun that he brought, how much he taught me and how much love he shared. Grief is an unavoidable part of the journey of loving and losing, which becomes inevitable when we choose to spend our lives with those that grace this earth for such a short time compared to us. One might question whether it is worth suffering and right now I extend my heart and thoughts to all of you who have been on the same journey and may indeed ask the same question…… To those who may be feeling that the pain is too much to endure again…….

A friend of mine also recently lost his canine companion, they had been together for 17 years. He was heartbroken and inconsolable. I was for a time concerned about his mental health…. However, after a few months he went along to Battersea dogs’ home and guess what, came trundling home with a lovely 10-month-old mixed breed girl, who was in need of a loving home. I don’t know who needed who he most but the last picture he sent us was them both snuggled up on the sofa side by side, paw on shoulder….. a new start of living and loving for both of them….

To have lived and loved a dog is an experience like no other. Each one being special in their own way, each one with something special to share with us, each one irreplaceable and unique, for all the pain |we feel we will remember all the happiness they gave us and on reflection what they taught us……

Rather have loved and lost than never have loved at all!🌹

https://www.hindeshounds.co.uk/

03/04/2024

Patience is Truly a Virtue

Today I was pondering the many essential aspects of MUTT and their importance……… one thing that might not be so obvious, or that we forget the importance of so often is patience.

Dogs have extraordinary amounts of patience with our fumbling attempts to try and train them, to make ourselves understood and with the often-unrealistic expectations we have of them.

When we run out of patience, empathy is overlooked, frustration takes over ………We lose the ability to see another beings needs, fears and feelings. We become unable to communicate in a meaningful way and create a connection with our canine pals……

When we can cast aside our own ego, take a deep breath re-evaluate a situation, it is like walking through mist and reaching a clearing, with clear sight comes clarity and the path through the problem can often be found…………We can often find ways to reconnect…….to understand…….

So next time you feel frustrated and impatient with your canine pal, take a deep breath, walk away, calm down, dump your ego and come back to the problem with fresh eyes and patience……… You might see things in a completely different light…….

https://www.hindeshounds.co.uk/

01/04/2024

Suckers!! – Are you One………………..?

Ever succumbed to those puppy dog eyes, or that constant tap of the paw?…….

Huuuman, that bacon butty is oh so delic’ oh and your dinner smells sublime……. ‘Oh, ok then just a little, what harm can it do……..? Quite a lot actually.
Dogs are natural scavengers and it does not matter if they have just had a meal if there is more food going, especially food that is not on their standard menu they will often be up for a taste.

Successful Begging for food can: -

🐾Lead to inadvertent overfeeding, resulting in excessive weight gain over time, which can cause all sorts of issues such as diabetes, heart issues etc.

🐾Make your dog fussy and contribute to unbalancing the diet - it is no good feeding a careful balanced diet in their bowls which they then turn their noses up at as they hang out for more tasty human tit bits – I cannot recall the number of times I have been told …..’my dog is a fussy eater,’ or ‘my dog hasn’t eaten for days, I am really worried’….. – and on further investigation we discover the dog has been surviving on a plethora of treats and the spoils of begging resulting in a very unbalance and unhealthy diet!

🐾Make your mealtimes a trial – especially when you are eating something that your dog cannot have – he does not know what is ok to eat and what is not, he simply then wonders why you are being so mean and becomes frustrated and whose fault is that?

SO, WHAT CAN WE DO TO PREVENT BEGGING?

🐾NOT let it happen in the first place – start as you mean to go on and never feed your dog human food at mealtimes.

🐾Ensure you are feeding your dog a balanced and healthy diet appropriate to their age and activity levels.

🐾If you are already in the begging cycle - from now on ignore them – not just sometimes but all of the time when they beg for your food – one of the worst things you can do is be inconsistent – inconsistency will simply make the begging worse as they will try harder to get the food when they get it sometimes and are likely to get more frustrated when they cannot.

https://www.hindeshounds.co.uk/

27/03/2024

‘OLD DOG’S DON’T NEED MUCH EXERCISE……..’

Some of the best times I had with my Basset Fauve, Bertie, last year were the weeks just before he died. He had heart failure, but we had so many wonderful woodland and lakeside walks where we soaked up all nature had to offer us …. We did everything at Bertie’s pace and made some really special memories I am sure for us both. Maybe it was because we took our time for once to enjoy each other and so many things we often take for granted in our rushed lives………

Older dogs might not be able to maintain the marathon distances they undertook when they were 2 years old but they still need physical and mental stimulation. This is essential for their physical and mental wellbeing – it just needs to be tailored according to their age and health status. Fresh air, scenting and enjoyment outside spaces can all be obtained within the ambit of their capabilities. Mental stimulation keeps aged brains active and happy, just like it does ours – so let’s get those geriatric body’s moving, ours and theirs!!………

https://www.hindeshounds.co.uk/

25/03/2024

My most recent google review. I am truly humbled by this lovely review and grateful to be able to help my clients with their best friends. I could not wish for a better job.......

🐾It really makes my day when I receive such lovely feedback from customers that I have worked with. Thank you so much Becky for such a lovely review. It is working with people like you, your family and lovely dogs like Copper that makes everything I do feel worthwhile. It has simply made my day to hear you are all doing so well. 🤩🐾🐾

22/03/2024

Silent Communications…………………….

Have you ever wondered why, sometimes when your dog sees another dog coming towards them they simply turn away and start sniffing as if the other dog is not there ?

It is because they are engaging in a displacement activity, they are indicating they do not wish to interact. This may be because they are uncertain, uncomfortable, or endeavouring to avoid a confrontation. So let them do so, they are communicating a clear message ………

https://www.hindeshounds.co.uk/

20/03/2024

ALL DOGS LOVE TO BE HUGGED AND KISSED………MYTH!!
I will not deny that a lot of dogs enjoy certain physical human contact such as stroking, rubbing etc and close contact…. Some are not keen on overly close contact (dependant partly on their relationship with the human concerned and partly on the circumstances) and even more do not like being hugged and squeezed.

Dogs are part of the canine family; they do not show affection to each other but slapping paws on each other. They may if they are close to each other and have a bond of love and trust, lick and nuzzle and may even sleep budged up together, they often may do the same with humans they love. This is not the same as typical primate behaviour of ‘touchy feely’ hugging and squeezing – dog are not primates, we are – so less of the hugging and more of the loving……..!

https://www.hindeshounds.co.uk/

18/03/2024

EVERY PUREBREED DOG ……
🐾Was once bred for a serious job and had a purpose in life;
🐾Needs to feel they have a purpose – a job

WHAT PURPOSE ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE YOUR DOG??

15/03/2024

"There appears to be a very common meme being promulgated that all ‘reactive’ dogs must be nervous or scared and need to be treated as such.

Far too often when people have a dog they perceive to be ‘reactive’ they assume the behaviour is driven by fear.

Just like us dogs react to certain things for different reasons, sometimes they may be frustrated, angry, guarding a perceived resource, in pain, have inappropriate ( or a lack of) social skills, have a neurological issue, be stressed and yes, maybe fearful. However just like us they have a range of emotions that may come into play in certain circumstances, the result of which may be a ‘reactive’ (I use the word loosely) display and part of solving a ‘reactivity’ problem in my mind is understanding that there may be a number of drivers for a behaviour, other than fear!!

If you have a ‘reactive dog’ then I recommend seeking appropriate help from a professional who can not only help you unravel the cause, but help you find the best way modify the behaviour in a way that builds and strengthens your relationship with your dog…… and of course makes for a happier dog and human!!

Hindes Hounds -Canine behaviour and training services

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