Paws for Success

08/11/2025

06/11/2025

“Considering that problem behaviour is often associated with anxiety, the behaviour itself may be aggravated by positive punishment. Rather than learning an alternative behaviour, a physically punished and aroused dog tends to focus only on his own pain and self-defense – true as well for children who are physically punished.” That's veterinary behaviourist Dr. Ilana Reisner writing in 2017 about why we shouldn't use positive punishment with dogs who have behaviour issues. And, as she points out, the same applies to children too.

If you want to learn more about why it's so important not to use aversive methods with dogs (and what to do instead) check out my book Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog, which is available from all good bookstores. You'll also find plenty of information on my blog (link in bio).

Get Bark! here: https://amzn.to/4oW5N8O

04/11/2025

Most of my clients are very surprised when i discuss things like this but it’s all very true.
Thank you to ABC Dogs NZ for a great post

They're just "off".
Something has unsettled them and we just cant see it.
There's no dog around.
No people either, but they are struggling.
Time to look a bit deeper.

Candles, diffusers and even a change of your perfume can be deeply unsettling for a dog.
If you have two dogs and need to take one to the vet or the groomers, sometimes the welcome home is confusing.
Colder or even aggressive.
Their friend looks the same but they smell totally different (and scent is everything to a dog).

Of course dogs can be stressed by storms but before that thunder and lightning they may be acutely aware of a change in the atmosphere, long before we even notice.
It doesn't need to be an actual storm either, a change of weather is sometimes enough to unsettle dogs.

Those ultrasonic devices we have in our homes, the pest control devices can cause dogs anxiety but so can our modern TVs and devices on standby. Some can emit high frequency sounds that we can barely hear. Even a heat pump turning itself on and off and adjusting output can trigger dogs and even the compressor unit outside cause stress.

We often think of triggers they can see and miss all the other ways our dogs can be affected.

Back to the candles, oil burners and plug in air freshener units for a second.
They may be pleasant for us, but deeply disturbing for a dog.
For some dogs, they can really take a toll.

Maybe rethink if you really need them.

You may be surprised just how relaxed your dog is when you don't use them.

03/11/2025

29/10/2025

Howloween for Dogs Tip #4:
Your dog doesn’t have to meet any trick or treaters. It isn’t necessary. Their costumes may seem confusing or scary. Their approach to your house may make your dog feel unsafe.
Your dog does not have to meet the strangers. Keep your dog feeling safe.

28/10/2025

The most important thing is for you to keep your dog feeling safe. Halloween is a tricky day for dogs.

Maybe you have to put a bowl of candy on the doorstep.

Maybe you have to disconnect the doorbell for the day.

Maybe your dog goes in a calming room with their favorite enrichment.

Make a plan ahead of time.

26/10/2025

26/10/2025

Many people are surprised to learn that dogs rarely show pain in the way humans do. When we’re in pain, we often rest, complain, or seek help because we understand that help is possible. Animals don’t. They have no concept of treatment, pain relief, or medical care. So instead of showing vulnerability, they do what evolution has taught them: they cope, hide it, or change their behaviour to get through it.

Showing weakness can make an animal a target. Predators and competitors notice when another animal is limping, moving slowly, or acting “off.” To stay safe, most species have evolved to mask discomfort as long as they can. Because dogs don’t understand that pain can be treated, they adjust their behaviour instead of seeking help.

They:

Move differently or avoid certain positions.
Growl, snap, or shy away from touch.
Refuse stairs or jump less often.
Become irritable, restless, or withdrawn.
Lick, chew, or fixate on one area of their body.

These changes are often subtle at first, which is why owners sometimes assume their dog is “being difficult,” “stubborn,” or “suddenly reactive,” when in fact the dog is simply coping with discomfort the only way it knows how.

Pain changes behaviour and many people may respond with punishment or increased pressure, which only adds fear and tension to the mix. Recognising pain isn’t always easy, but it’s one of the most important parts of behavioural work. Many “behavioural” issues improve dramatically once pain is identified and managed.

Watch for changes in posture, movement, or mood even small ones.
Record patterns of behaviour (time of day, activity, weather, etc.).
Seek a veterinary check if your dog’s behaviour changes unexpectedly.
Avoid confrontation or punishment. A dog in pain needs compassion, not correction.

Animals don’t mask pain because they’re stoic or dramatic; they do it because they don’t know there’s another option. They can’t connect “I hurt” with “someone can help me.” So they cope, compensate, or protect themselves the only way evolution taught them to.

26/10/2025

Gifted dogs can categorize toys by function, not just appearance. In playful at-home tests, they linked labels like “fetch” and “pull” to toys—even ones they’d never seen before. The findings hint that dogs form mental concepts of objects, much like humans, pointing to deeper cognitive a...