Murph & Me Force-Free Dog Training + Behaviour

18/06/2026

NOT ALL LICKS = LOVE

It’s understandable to assume that when a dog licks a person or gives them “kisses”, that it’s an obvious sign of affection.

While licking is certainly associated with affection, social bonding, investigation, excitement, or a positive interaction, it can also serve a very different purpose.

There is a term called "Kiss to Dismiss" - credited to Jennifer Shryock of Family Paws®, who developed it to educate families about dog-child interactions.

She uses it to describe situations where a dog's licking is not affectionate, but is an attempt to create distance, reduce social pressure, or attempt to end an interaction.

It's about a dog trying to navigate an uncomfortable social situation in a polite way without having to resort to stronger forms of communication.

Context matters, the situation matters, body language matters!

A relaxed dog with soft eyes, loose muscles, a wiggly body, and voluntary engagement is sending a very different message to a dog that is showing the body language of stress when feeling trapped or restrained by an interaction.

It’s so important to notice and respond to a dog’s subtle communication to prevent a situation from escalating.

Not all licks mean love, some licks mean - please leave me alone.

24/05/2026

My Murph 2014–2026 🌈🤍🕊️

Yesterday I had to say goodbye to my best friend, my soul dog, my sweet boy and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.

Murph was truly the gentlest soul with the kindest heart. No matter what life put in front of him he faced it with quiet strength and grace.🤍

My heart is broken overwhelmed with sadness but underneath all of the pain I feel so grateful. Grateful that I got to love a dog like Murph. Grateful that he chose me to be his person and best friend. Some people spend their whole lives searching for a love this pure and I was lucky enough to hold it every single day.🤍

He was never just a dog to me. He was family. He was home. He was my son.

My old boy would have turned 12 in two months and I truly believe he may even have been older. We had been managing a few medical conditions together for some time and from the bottom of my heart I know I did everything I possibly could for him. I fought for my boy every single day because he deserved that kind of love. But sometimes the greatest act of love is letting them rest and that’s what I did. He didn’t have to fight anymore. 🌈🕊️

Yesterday I held my Murph closely in my arms, two hearts beating in synchronicity as he took his last breath. He was at home wrapped in his favourite blanket surrounded by love and family. There was no fear. No stress. Just warmth peace and comfort. 🤍 As painful as it was I gave him the honour he deserved.

Murph will always be my rock and my greatest teacher. He showed me what unconditional love looks like and I know a part of my soul will always belong to him.

Murph was and is my inspiration for Murph & Me, he’s the reason I get to do what I love. I promise to carry your love & legacy with me in everything I do and to continue helping dogs in your honour my beautiful boy. 🤍

Thank you for loving me the way you did. Thank you for being my safe place my home and my best friend.

You are free now my Mooz. Chase the stars and sunshine forever knowing you will always have my whole heart. Mom loves you so much.

I love you endlessly my Murphy, our souls will find one another again. I’m sure of it. 🤍🌈🕊️

15/05/2026

What does your dog enjoy doing? 😊🤍

What’s your dog’s “thing”?
Because it might not be the $70 enrichment toy sitting untouched in the corner.

Enrichment has become a massive buzz word lately.
Every second product promises mental stimulation, calmness and fulfilment.

But real enrichment?
It’s much simpler .

Some dogs would choose shredding cardboard over a puzzle toy every single time.
Some want to sniff every blade of grass.
Some thrive on running, jumping and movement.
Some love chewing and licking.
Some enjoy solving problems.
Some just want to quietly watch the world go by.

That’s the bit we can miss.

We start choosing enrichment based on trends, marketing or what other dogs enjoy instead of observing our own dogs and what brings them joy.

A dog walking away from a puzzle toy is not “failing enrichment”.
They may simply be telling you
“This isn’t my thing.”

So what is?💭

06/05/2026

05/05/2026

If you take it away, what have you got?

We have this weird relationship with “sit”.
It’s become an “everything” request and if we have to rely on it so much, we’re missing the point.

What if, instead of a sit when they’re frustrated, we worked on the frustration? Actually work on the issue rather than repeatedly asking for a sit when clearly they are struggling in that moment.

Can we please just have a dog standing beside us or having a sniff on the grass when we stop to chat to someone, rather than insist on sitting?

This next one may sting a bit, but do we need to constantly insist on a sit to prove we have some sort of “control” over our dogs?

Sit is just a position. Not a solution
It’s often the first thing taught and relatively easy to do.
So we use it and boy do we over use it.

I often see rehoming posts for young dogs, in that difficult “teenage” phase. Heavy commissure grin in the photos and then the description.
“He loves running in his yard, comes with his bed and bowl and knows sit”.

What if we concentrated on engagement before we taught a sit.
Could we work on settling skills first?
Maybe checking in?

Imagine the possibilities if we delegated it to be taught further down the road.

Imagine if sit wasn’t first.

04/05/2026

This Predatory Motor Patterns infographic is in my book and I've received several requests to make this chart available as a download/poster.

NOTES here: https://doggiedrawings.net/blogs/whats-new/new-free-download-predatory-motor-patterns

DOWNLOAD for free here: https://doggiedrawings.net/products/predatory-motor-patterns

Edit to add: What was the [breed] traditionally bred to do? Buy my book :) http://doggiedrawings.net/pages/dogs-of-the-world-book

23/04/2026

⚡️DOGS IN PAIN STILL RUN, PLAY, AND KEEP GOING⚡️

Not a week goes by without a client saying:

“But my dog can’t be in pain—they still…”
• Play ball
• Go for walks
• Do agility
• Run and play with the grandchildren
• Compete in sports
• Jump on the sofa
• Chase squirrels
• Act ‘normally’

…and this is one of the biggest misconceptions we see in canine rehabilitation.

🐾 Dogs in chronic pain often continue to perform normal activities

Unlike humans, dogs are incredibly stoic. Pain behaviours are often subtle, gradual, and easily dismissed as “just getting older” or “slowing down.”

Many dogs with musculoskeletal pain, osteoarthritis, compensatory strain, or soft tissue dysfunction will still run, play, and remain active—because movement is instinctive, routine, and often driven by adrenaline, excitement, or habit.

They do not always cry, whimper, or limp.

In fact, by the time obvious lameness appears, pain may have been present for weeks, months, or even years.

🔬 Common subtle signs of pain include:
• Slower to rise after rest
• Reluctance to jump into the car
• Hesitation on stairs
• Reduced stamina on walks
• Behavioural changes or irritability
• Changes in posture or weight shifting
• Licking joints or limbs
• Difficulty settling comfortably
• Reduced performance in sport or exercise
• “Good days and bad days”

Pain is not always loud. Often, it is silent compensation.

Early recognition matters—because chronic pain changes movement patterns, increases compensatory strain, and can significantly affect long-term mobility and quality of life.

As therapists, our job is not just to treat pain—but to help owners recognise it.

Because “they’re still playing” does not always mean “they’re pain free.”

17/02/2026

5 LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM OUR DOGS🤍

In guiding our dogs, we often discover the truest lessons about ourselves.

What lessons has your dog taught you? 🐶😊

20/12/2025

Happy Holidays from Murph & Me 🤍

Murph & Me Force-Free Dog Training + Behaviour will be taking a break until 15 January 2026.

As this year comes to a close I feel incredibly grateful. It has been a year of growth, learning, reflection and a deeper appreciation for all of the incredible dogs I’ve had the privilege to work with. 🤍

Thank you for trusting me with your wonderful dogs, for showing up with patience, curiosity and open minds.

Wishing you all a peaceful, joyful holiday season and a beautiful start to the New Year.

I am really looking forward to continuing this journey together in 2026!! 😊🐶

Warm wishes,

Amber-Jade & Murphy