Best Paw Forward Behaviour and Training

17/06/2026

Fear must be resolved, not overridden.
Training starts with safety.

16/06/2026

REACTING TO REACTIVITY

When a dog reacts, it's natural that all the focus is on the behaviour we see in that moment, but the reaction itself is not where it begins — it's where it ends up.

Reactive behaviours like barking, lunging, snarling, growling is often the final behaviour in a much longer chain.

The reactive behaviour itself becomes the primary concern. It’s what we focus on and try to stop or “fix”.

By the time a dog reacts or explodes, the nervous system has likely already switched over to survival mode. In this state, the brain's ability to listen, learn, respond, process information or make appropriate choices is switched off.

Reactive dogs are struggling to behave differently because they no longer have access to the part of the brain that allows that to happen.

When we only focus on stopping the behaviour when it happens - we're just reacting to the reaction.

This is why working with a reactive dog often looks really boring. It's not about dramatic interventions during the explosion. It's about noticing what came before it.

When we understand why a dog is reacting, rather than simply reacting to the behaviour itself, we can start addressing the cause instead of just focusing on the symptom.

14/05/2026

Your dog isn’t wet…
There’s no bath, no rain…
But suddenly—they do a full body shake!

🤔 What does it mean?
👇 Take a guess in the comments before reading on!
…

Answer: It’s a stress-release behaviour!
That full body shake is your dog’s way of resetting and releasing tension after something slightly stressful, exciting, or overwhelming.

It’s not random—it’s communication.

14/05/2026

Did you know that when your dog suddenly starts sniffing the ground… it might not be about a smell at all?

Out-of-context sniffing is a commonly missed stress signal. When a dog begins sniffing in situations where it doesn’t quite make sense—like during training, when being approached, or in a tense moment—it can be a way of coping.

💡 What’s really going on?
This behaviour is known as a displacement behaviour. Your dog is essentially saying: I’m feeling a bit unsure or overwhelmed, so I’m going to do something else to cope.”

🔍 When you might notice it:
During training when things become difficult
When meeting new people or dogs
In slightly stressful or confusing situations
When there’s pressure or expectation

⚠️ Why it matters
It’s easy to mistake this for distraction or stubbornness—but in reality, your dog may be feeling uncomfortable or stressed.

💛 What should you do?
Pause and reduce pressure
Give your dog space or a break
Simplify what you’re asking
Observe the environment for stress triggers

Not all stress is obvious. Sometimes it looks like your dog “losing focus”—when really, they’re trying to cope.

14/05/2026

🐾 What if the thing your dog is obsessed with is actually your biggest training asset?

That's the Premack Principle in a nutshell — and once it clicks, it changes how you see the whole environment around you.

Here's the concept: behaviour that your dog finds highly rewarding can be used to reinforce behaviour they find less rewarding. You're not fighting against what they want. You're using it.

Grandma's Rule puts it best:
🥦 Do the less fun thing first → earn the more fun thing.

In practice it looks like this:

📣 Dog rockets back to you on recall → gets released straight back into the game
🚪 Dog waits calmly at the door → the door opens
👁️ Dog checks in with eye contact on a walk → gets to go investigate that smell

No food needed. The real world becomes your treat pouch.

This is one of those concepts that sounds simple but has a huge ripple effect on your dog's impulse control and their relationship with you — so I made a full video breaking it all down:
📺 https://youtu.be/RNkT_oOhLYA

09/05/2026

Very interesting graphic about the surgical options to treat Brachycephalic Obstructive Airways Syndrome, and another reason why we have to take care not to over-exert the snub-nosed breeds.

🐾 Is your dog struggling to breathe? It might not be “normal.”

Flat-faced breeds like French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Bulldogs are incredibly lovable—but many quietly struggle every single day just to get enough air.

That “cute snoring,” heavy panting, or collapsing after activity?
👉 Those are often signs of BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome)

Signs to watch for:
• Loud breathing or snoring—even when awake
• Exercise intolerance or quick exhaustion
• Gagging or regurgitation
• Overheating easily
• Blue-tinged gums or collapsing episodes

These aren’t just quirks—they’re signs your dog may not be getting enough oxygen.

✨ The good news: We can help.

At Waukesha Veterinary Service, we perform BOAS corrective surgery to dramatically improve airflow and quality of life.

This may include:
• Widening narrowed nostrils
• Shortening an elongated soft palate
• Removing obstructive throat tissue
• Addressing enlarged tonsils when needed

💙 What owners often notice after surgery:
• Quieter breathing
• Increased energy and stamina
• Better sleep
• Less stress and overheating
• A happier, more comfortable life

Many families tell us: “It’s like we have a completely different dog.”

If your dog sounds like they’re working hard just to breathe, it’s worth having the conversation.

📞 Contact us at 262-347-0781 to learn if BOAS surgery could help your pet breathe easier—and truly thrive.

09/05/2026

🐾 Cats' claws aren’t just for scratching, they’re essential multitools to help them climb, hunt, play, and defend themselves. Thanks to their ability to retract, claws stay tucked away in a furry sheath when relaxed, ready for action.

Scratching on surfaces helps cats to care for their claws, keeping them sharp and helping them not to grow too long. It’s also used for communication. When cats scratch, they leave a visible mark and a scent signal from special glands between their toes, helping them establish territorial boundaries.

See how you can support your cat’s scratching needs 👉 https://icatcare.org/articles/scratching-on-furniture-and-carpets

30/04/2026

Your dog isn’t naughty — they’re misunderstood.
Every behaviour has a reason.

When you understand why it’s happening, you can finally start fixing it properly.

I help you:

✔ Understand your dog’s behaviour
✔ Communicate clearly
✔ Build a calm, cooperative relationship

All through force-free training and behaviour modification — no fear, no intimidation.

Private behaviour consultations and training sessions offered in Cape Town's Northern Suburbs, with curriculums tailored to each family by a COAPE-qualified behaviourist and trainer.

Pop me an email at [email protected] and let's help you and your dog put their Best Paw Forward!

29/04/2026

29/04/2026

Stay. It’s easy to mess up.
And when it goes wrong? It’s riddled with issues.

Stay does not mean turning your back and walking away.
Not yet.

Stay means stillness.
On that spot.
I’m coming back to you.

If you’re turning fully, stepping away, adding distance too soon and they break that position? You’re not building a stay.

“I want them to stay and then call them to me or let them have their food.”

Sounds logical but that also causes problems.

Now “stay” predicts movement or movement towards something they really want.
They anticipate it.
Which means they can break it.

It’s not because they’re being difficult.
It’s just not clear.

The biggest issue with stay?

Frustration.
Sometimes all we do is build pressure.

Your dog moves. You reset. They move. You reset again. You’re in danger of creating a cue that your dog is deeply frustrated with and will really struggle with.

And for some people, that turns into a power play.
Trying to prove over and over that the dog can hold it.

You’re fighting a losing battle there.

One last thing.

Stop overusing it.

A well-built stay is clean and easy.
An overused one becomes frustrating and unreliable.

If it barely works and you keep insisting on it?
That’s the problem.

Build it properly first.