International Canine Behaviourists

10/01/2025

Pets are family...

10/01/2025

Supporting Dogs and Guardians: The Benefits of ACE Free Work

The majority of my behavioural work focuses on supporting guardians whose dogs are experiencing fear, anxiety, and frustration. These emotions can have a profound impact on a dog’s health and well-being, but the effects don’t stop there—they extend to the human end of the lead as well. Guardians often feel stressed, worried, or even guilty as they try to manage their dog’s emotional struggles. This is why I’m so passionate about supporting both the dog and the guardian, helping them build the best life possible together.

ACE Free Work

One of the key components of my behaviour plans is ACE Free Work, created by the amazing Sarah Fisher. I believe Free Work to be one of the most effective ways to support both dogs and their guardians. Its emphasis on observation, freedom of choice, sensory education, NATO (No Attachment to Outcome) approach, and rewarding education aligns perfectly with my commitment to providing kind, ethical, and compassionate support. I find this approach enables guardians and their dogs to experience more fulfilling lives together.

Incorporating ACE Free Work into my behaviour plans enables me to understand and support each dog on a much deeper level. Free Work also helps guardians learn and discover more about their dogs, which can be illuminating for them. By building trust, connection, and deeper conversations, both dogs and their guardians can experience richer and more rewarding lives together.

Versatility of ACE Free Work

ACE Free Work is incredibly versatile, allowing me to use it in various ways to help and support dogs. Here are a few ways I use ACE Free Work:

- Connection and engagement
- Teaching important lifeskills
- Decompressing and resetting after a stressful experience
- Frustration & self-regulation
- Resource guarding
- Body contact for touch sensitive dogs
- Cooperative care
- Building confidence
- Car and vehicle travel
- Creating calm & relaxation
- Introducing people and animals (if appropriate)
- Supporting dogs with fears, anxieties, or phobias
- Separation related behaviours
- Introducing equipment
- Reducing stress
- Noise sensitivities
- Introducing visitors if appropriate

What is ACE Free Work?

Describing ACE Free Work can be challenging because it encompasses so much and is continually evolving, with new layers being added all the time. However, put very simply, Free Work is an enriching, low-impact activity that is rewarding for dogs and illuminating for the guardian. It’s suitable for all dogs, regardless of their age, breed, or background, and can be enjoyed even in the smallest of spaces, ensuring it is accessible to all dogs.

ACE Free Work Stations

Free Work uses ‘stations’ to create a setup for the dog to explore.
Each Free Work session is tailored to the individual dog, ensuring a safe and rewarding experience. During a Free Work session, the dog is free to move around the environment and explore different stations. They are completely free to make their own choices, we don’t lure them or encourage them to engage with anything specific. These stations might include various surfaces, objects, and activities like licking, foraging, and sniffing.

Getting Started with ACE Free Work

- Create 3 or 4 stations: Create 3 to 4 stations, or less if needed, each providing an opportunity to snuffle, forage, or lick.
Vary Heights: Include different heights and angled platforms using items like upturned tubs, containers, low stools, and sturdy boxes. Ensure that all surfaces are stable and avoid using anything that requires the dog to step on or over in the early stages.
- Ensure Safety: Avoid slippery surfaces; use rugs or mats as needed to create a safe environment for exploration.
- Incorporate a Variety of Foods: If suitable, provide a selection of foods, such as paste, flavoured water, large chews, small treats, and both soft and crunchy options, to create a multiple of sensory experiences.
- Provide Water: Include two bowls of water within the Free Work setup.
- Include Toys: Add a selection of suitable toys.
- Remove Equipment (if safe): If safe to do so, remove the dog’s equipment.
- Invite Exploration: Invite the dog to explore their stations at their own pace, providing support if needed.

The Importance of ACE Observations

Observations are one of the most important aspects of ACE. As your dog explores and enjoys their Free Work, you get to sit back and observe, gaining valuable insights into their behaviour, preferences, patterns, posture, movements, and potential problems that may need further investigation. Watching how your dog interacts with different stations and activities provides valuable information, helping you tailor future sessions.

Why not give it a go and start your ACE Free Work adventure today? You can start with just 2 or 3 stations and observe how your dog navigates and interacts with the stations 😊

Sonia & Harry x

02/01/2025

Why I am Skipping New Year’s Resolutions This Year

With the start of a new year, there’s often a sense of fresh possibilities, but also a hint of pressure. For many, this means setting New Year’s resolutions: to get fit, lose weight, learn a new skill, or finally tackle that daunting project. Yet, year after year, I have found myself making resolutions I don’t keep. So, this year, I have decided to take a different approach, one that’s less about goals and more about what truly matters.

Instead of chasing resolutions I don’t keep, I’m focusing on what truly matters, spending more quality time with my family and Harry. Just before Christmas, Harry had a vet check-up, and the vet mentioned that Harry was “old.” I didn’t quite know how to respond to that, Harry isn’t old; to me, he’s still a puppy. But the vet’s comment was a poignant reminder that time with Harry is short and precious.

So, this year, my “non-resolution” is simple: I want to make more time for the moments that matter most with Harry.

That’s where Harry’s Little Adventure Jar comes in.

Harry’s Little Adventure Jar is a way to create more enjoyable moments together. It’s filled with simple, joyful activities, mini-explorations, and adventures, big or small, that add fun, connection, and rewarding experiences into our time together. It’s not about grand gestures; it’s about creating moments that matter.

Inside our jar, we’ve included activities like ACE Free Work, scentwork, parkour, mindful body contact, foraging fun, sniffing adventures, and trips to the beach, lakes, and mountains. Each activity is something we both find rewarding, designed to make our time together meaningful and memorable.

How to Create Your Own Adventure Jar

Harry’s Little Adventure Jar isn’t just for us. You can create your own jar, filled with simple, fun activities that you and your dog can enjoy together, from mini-explorations to quiet moments of connection. It’s a perfect way to add a little more joy, adventure, and spontaneity to your days.

I even made it easier for myself by colour-coding the activities in our jar based on how much time we have. Each day, I choose one to three activities, depending on the time available, whether it’s a quick moment of connection or a full day of adventure. The colours range from a few minutes (like a quick game of tuggy, “What's This?”, mindful body contact, or scentwork) to a longer outing (like a trip to the beach or a sniffing adventure). This way, no matter how busy the day gets, we can always make time for a mini-adventure.

How to Get Started

If you’d like to try this with your dog, here’s how to create your own adventure jar:

1. Grab a jar and some paper. You can colour-code your activities if you'd like, based on the amount of time you have.
2. Brainstorm a list of simple activities that you both enjoy.
3. Write each activity on a piece of paper and fold it up.
4. Every day, draw one or more activities and make time to do them.

So, here’s to a new year without resolutions, just more moments that matter. Because sometimes, the best way to start fresh isn’t with a list of goals—it’s with a jar of adventures.

If you’d like to create your own adventure jar for you and your dog, I have put together a handout on how to get started. You’ll find all the steps and activity ideas in the comments below.

Happy New Year from Harry and me! 🐾 x

01/01/2025

Join us on Sunday 19th January at 7PM GMT. Freya Locke will be talking about Fun Not Fear® which is based around taking the fear out of all aspects of teaching dogs, from using reward-based techniques, teaching confidence and to helping the humans in ways they can easily access and understand the learning

Taking the fear out of all aspects of teaching dogs, from using reward-based techniques, teaching confidence and helping the humans

01/01/2025

🐾 A YEAR OF MEMORIES WITH YOUR DOG 🐾

Start January by celebrating all the special moments you share with your dog. Here’s a simple and meaningful way to do it:

Find an empty jar, box, or tin, anything to hold your memories. Each week, write down one thing about your dog that made you smile, made you laugh, or reminded you how awesome they are. 🐾

It could be a funny moment, a small achievement, or simply a quiet moment that reminded you of how much your dog means to you. Keep adding your notes each week.

Then, on New Year’s Eve, open your jar and read through a year’s worth of love, laughter, and happy moments. It’s the perfect way to reflect on everything that makes your dog amazing. 💞✨

08/12/2024

⭐️ LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT WAY TO KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH YOUR DOG? ⭐️

Why not treat yourself and your canine companion to a fabulous ACE workshop this January, or gift a spot to a friend or family member!

Does your dog:
• Pull on the lead?
• Ignore you when you call them?
• Struggle to settle in different places?
• Refuse to drop items they shouldn’t have?

If any of these sound familiar, the ACEing Essentials Workshop is perfect for you both.

Why Join?

This workshop focuses on teaching your dog essential life skills in a way that’s enriching, enjoyable, and rewarding for both of you. You will learn how to:

• Achieve the dream of loose-lead walking.
• Get your dog to come running back when called.
• Help your dog settle in a variety of environments.
• Teach your dog to safely drop potentially harmful items.

ACE Free Work forms the perfect foundation for teaching these important skills and you will be surprised how quickly your dog can learn these new behaviours.

Bonus Offer!
New to ACE Free Work? We have included a FREE Introduction to ACE Free Work to help you and your dog get started. In fact, the bonus module is released straight away so you don’t need to wait until January.

Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out!

The link to join is in the comments 👇

Don't take our word for it, see what others have said about this special workshop:

"Brilliant workshop! Clear and comprehensive information, and Penny and Sonia are so supportive, encouraging and helpful"

"This course is absolutely amazing! Penny and Sonia are fantastic teachers, highly skilled and compassionate at the same time. You'll feel seen and understood with the dog in front of you and get individualized feedback and support. 5 stars! Highly recommend!"

"Loved this course! The practical implications in every day use are endless! Penny and Sonia are amazing tutors and very supportive. They make the course easy to understand and fun! A Huge thank you! I cant wait to do another course together soon"

05/12/2024

https://happyhealthydog.org/2024/12/05/traumatized-dogs-need-empathy-not-toxic-labels/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1Y7AJvdgOQKzDQI72hJKbdxigynosIEy4PtySk0GvcFw-vcTRtfQ55PfA_aem_BpN9CUNXZ0QwiUSEuCqfJw

By Dr. Laura Donaldson, PhD, CDBC, KPA CTP. “Empathy has no script. There is no right way or wrong way to do it. It is simply listening, holding space, withholding judgement, emotionally connecting, a

28/11/2024

25/11/2024

I'm always surprised by the number of people who feed their dogs frozen or super cold food without letting it warm to room temperature (68°F or 20°C) first. Feeding frozen food or cold food is a detriment in so many ways. Here are the main reasons. As far as frozen treats, yes, they are fun, trendy and joyous but keep them to a minimum, away from main meals, and small. So many dogs have issues with their digestive health, food sensitivities, and organ function. Be mindful of cold and how it contributes to disease. Feed frozen treats seasonally in the heat of the Summer.

23/11/2024

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558787817300102?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0_LXlLvd5xyAEPBwTb6hO_VYhgFGP5Nq36eYzjFegtto5mNHRbm9uIi2A_aem_Xd4AJYz0sXnMbSVX4rYtHQ

Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and ResearchVolume 19, May–June 2017, Pages 14-26Canine ReviewBehavioral and psychological outcomes for dogs sold as puppies through pet stores and/or born in commercial breeding establishments: Current knowledge and putative causesAuthor links...

13/11/2024

DOES YOUR DOG NEED TIME TO DECOMPRESS AND RESET AFTER FIREWORKS? 🎆🐶

Fireworks can be a major source of stress for many dogs. Once the fireworks end, it’s important to give our dogs time to decompress, allowing their nervous systems to reset.

Without a period of recovery, this stress can linger and even contribute to behavioural changes.

A dog that has had the opportunity to decompress is more likely to be relaxed and better equipped to handle other stressful events in the future.

To help, we have created a FREE Dog Wellness Bingo, a fun, rewarding, and enriching activity to support your dog’s well-being! 🐾 You can find the bingo card in the comments below! 👇

🌿 What’s in the Wellness Bingo? Each square has enriching activities designed to help your dog decompress. You can aim for a line or go for a full house!

Plus, we have included a blank bingo card so you can personalise it with enriching activities that best suit your dog’s needs.

Give it a try, and let us know how you get on! 😊

08/11/2024

Join us this Sunday 10th November at 19:00 BST

Join us at Amber Batson | Let sleeping dogs lie: links between sleep and behaviour in our pets https://wix.to/nlc7wAj

06/11/2024

This is exactly why I advise the ‘3 second count’ and then call your dog away, long enough for them to ‘doff their caps’, practise at home by using inanimate objects, and the main part is ‘call’ away, not pull.

WHEN SECONDS COUNT

This post is not advocating that dogs meet every other dog, but about how to go about it, if and when it does happen, in a safer way.

The 3 second rule for dogs meeting each other is used as a guideline to help foster positive introductions, prevent either dog from feeling overwhelmed or trapped and prevent any potential reactivity and stress.

A short 3 second introduction is enough time to provide important information to both dogs.

Enough information for dogs to know – “are you a threat?”, “do I like you?”, “do I want to learn more about you?”, “do I really dislike you?”, “do I need you to go away?” etc. Both dogs may not feel the same way – one may not be happy to engage while the other may want to.

All interactions should ideally happen like this, not just initially. Just like us, dogs can have off days – things like pain, trigger stacking, lack of sleep or a host of other reasons can influence whether a dog wants to interact or not.

There are countless times I have witnessed meetings or introductions between dogs that have gone on just a few seconds too long and have not ended well. This can have long lasting effects on future behaviour when meeting other dogs.

Understanding body language is critically important. If we are going to share our lives with another species, protect them, advocate for them and help them feel safe, then we need to understand and respect their language.

The examples in this post of red and green flags are just a few general ones to look out for – there are many more and these will differ depending on the individual dog, context and circumstances.

Here are some resources and links to learn more about body language -
On Talking Terms With Dogs - Calming Signals, 2nd Edition by Turid Rugaas
https://www.dogwise.com/on-talking-terms-with-dogs-calming-signals-2nd-edition/?srsltid=AfmBOoqj8ruQJx5bCP7qWb03TqCyAGfmAvCj988UuWk_L1_UHbYcZsES

The Veterinary Behaviour Centre
https://www.heska.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/TVBC-Canine-Dog-Body-Language-handout.pdf

Make sure those first 3 seconds count – they can make all the difference.