Pawzitive Dog Training

09/03/2024

17/08/2023

26/07/2023

LET ME BE “NOSEY”
Imagine going on a long-anticipated walk, through beautiful scenery, after you have been cooped up in the same place all day, but you have been fitted with a blind fold and are being dragged along at a quick pace. I imagine that this is how dogs feel when we don’t allow them time to stop and sniff the environment. Dogs largely perceive their world through scent and it’s how they collect and process information and make sense of the world. Taking away an opportunity for sniffing on a walk is not in their best interests and as much as physical exercise is important, the mental stimulation that sniffing provides is equally, if not more important.
Studies have shown that allowing dogs to spend time sniffing provides so many benefits – promoting calmness, lowering stress and anxiety levels, lowering pulse rates, preventing cognitive decline and providing mental stimulation and enrichment are just some examples.
Make time for a slow “sniffing walk”, where your dog is allowed to decide which direction to go and allowed to simply be “nosey” and follow wherever their nose leads them. It may take far more time and patience as we wait for them to finish smelling that blade of grass, but the benefits are well worth it.

26/07/2023

THE GIFT OF THE GROWL
Dogs don’t bite if a growl will suffice

Not all growling is a sign that a dog’s unhappy. Some growls may be part of a particular play style, seeking attention, from frustration or other reasons.

They may all sound a little different and may be unique to that particular dog.

This post is not about different types of growls, but about reactive, aggressive or early warning growls.

When a dog growls, especially when it’s directed at us, our natural human response is to feel offended and maybe even angry.

Surely dogs need to learn not to growl, growling is bad, it’s not acceptable, a problem that needs to be stopped or punished so a dog learns that it’s wrong, disrespectful and unacceptable, right?

This couldn’t be further from the truth! A dog that growls has just provided us with very valuable information. In their way, they have just told us how they feel without resorting to a bite.

Dogs use growling in an attempt to avoid having to resort to biting, not to initiate it. They could just as easily not have even bothered to growl and gone straight to a bite.

A dog that growls is trying to communicate how they feel. Ignoring or punishing it only suppresses this communication. Punishment increases the level of a dog's discomfort and creates more stress.

A dog that bites without the warning of a growl is a far more serious problem than a dog that growls but doesn’t bite.

Look for any other early warning signals that may precede a growl. Learn to recognise body language. Take note of what makes your dog feel uncomfortable and create distance or give them space.

Be grateful for the gift of a growl – the growl is an early warning signal that we need to respect, understand & acknowledge.

20/06/2023

Just because a dog behaves differently for a dog trainer, doesn't mean the behaviour change is healthy or new learning.

It can mean that the dog is hiding how they feel because they are intimidated through force.

Force-based training can have profound negative effects on dogs who are reacting with anxiety and fear. Just like humans, dogs experience a physiological and emotional response when faced with fear-inducing situations. When subjected to forceful training methods that suppress their natural fear responses, dogs can suffer significant harm to their well-being.

Forcing a reactive and fearful dog to confront their fears without the ability to escape or protect themselves creates a distressing internal environment. The dog's physiological systems may be thrown into disarray. Their digestive system may slow down, leading to gastrointestinal issues. Their immune system may become compromised, making them more susceptible to illnesses. The dog's entire physiology can be disrupted as their body tries to cope with the overwhelming stress.

Moreover, force-based training can have detrimental effects on the dog's mental and emotional state. By inhibiting their natural fear responses, these methods prevent the dog from expressing their anxiety and seeking safety. This can lead to heightened levels of anxiety, increased fear, and a sense of helplessness. The dog's brain may even shut down as a protective mechanism, as they are unable to defend themselves or find an escape route.

In essence, force-based training exacerbates the turmoil experienced by dogs who are already reacting with anxiety and fear. It perpetuates a cycle of distress, hindering their ability to cope, learn, and overcome their fears in a healthy manner. This approach disregards the dog's emotional well-being and can have long-lasting negative consequences on their behaviour, trust, and overall quality of life.

It is essential to prioritise compassionate and ethical training methods for dogs with anxiety and fear-based reactions. By providing a safe and supportive environment, employing positive reinforcement, and allowing dogs to express their emotions and seek comfort, we can help them build confidence, develop coping mechanisms, and ultimately work towards overcoming their fears in a healthier and more sustainable way.

Learn how to do this with Canine Principles here: https://www.canineprinciples.com/course/online-dog-course-reactive-scared-dog

21/03/2023

Scentwork offers a powerful tool for helping dogs, particularly those suffering from anxiety, by engaging their natural sense of smell and enhancing their emotional well-being. This blog post will delve into how scentwork can alleviate anxiety and boost confidence in dogs while providing an enjoyabl...

21/03/2023

The way we feel changes our behaviour. If we are scared, we might scream or get angry.

Yet we humans have much more opportunity to control our environment than our dogs do.

We have more opportunities to take a step back and manage our emotional responses.

Our dogs often feel at the mercy of the environment, so that they will be at the mercy of their emotional responses.

By being aware of how dogs feel when they are defensive or frantic, we can identify the reason for their emotional responses and step up to protect them from whatever in the environment is triggering them.

By being aware of our dog's emotional responses, we can give them the space they need and teach them how to deal with things at a safe distance.

We can teach them that they have choices.

When a dog feels safe and heard, they will act calmly.

We can't create steady behaviour in a dog who doesn't feel safe and calm.

And we certainly can't ethically change behaviour without knowing the reason it exists.