Koven Moodley - Smart Pet Behaviour

10/09/2024

Yes! This!

Digging, chewing, licking, barking, rolling in dirt, sniffing EVERYTHING, hunting, chasing moving targets, etc can all be NORMAL dog behaviours.

Trying to stifle normal behaviours can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction which can result in other behaviourial fallouts.

If you don't want to deal with doggy things - smells, noise, dog behaviours - then it may be best you don't get a dog.

Dogs will bark, dig, running around, make a mess, and get into things they're not supposed to. It's not instinctive for a dog or any animal to know how to act in a home. To live by your rules.

We can definitely train them to live within our expectations, but they will still react to a stimulus as a dog with dog behaviour.

No dog will be perfect for you when you first get it. You need to be prepared to put in a lot of work, not just at the beginning but always. Dog training is a doglife long journey.

If you aren't prepared to put in the 'hard yards', don't get a dog. If you can't handle a dog at its worst, think again about your decision to get one.

Plus, the best thing about dogs is that they are dogs, so let them be just that.

10/09/2024

Find out what motivates your pet...Xai loves to sit in my car so as soon as he offers me a preferred behaviour, the car doors open as a treat 😉

08/09/2024

The experts have spoken and I cannot argue...or rather, I'm NOT allowed to argue🤣

Show us your experts in the comments 👇

04/09/2024

Did you know studies show that more than half of people wrongly believe that donkeys are stubborn? 🤔

In fact, what's often misinterpreted as stubbornness is actually related to donkeys' strong sense of self-preservation - a survival mechanism to prevent predators spotting signs of weakness.

02/09/2024

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🐾Understanding a puppy’s developmental stages is important to providing the right training, support, exposure, and socialisation at each phase. These stages have a profound effect on shaping a pup's long-term behaviour, especially when it comes to handling stress, fear, and new experiences. The key to having a ‘well-rounded’ adult dog is to recognise and understand the fear periods puppies go through, and how these can impact their overall development and emotional well-being.

Neonatal Period (0–2 Weeks)

During the neonatal stage, puppies are entirely dependent on their mother. Their eyes and ears are closed, and they spend most of their time sleeping and nursing. At this age, there’s very little environmental interaction or learning beyond the comfort and safety of their litter[1].

Transitional Period (+- 2–3 Weeks)

In this short but crucial phase, puppies start to develop their senses. Their eyes and ears open, and they begin to explore their immediate surroundings. This is when their motor skills develop, and they become more active. While fear isn’t yet a significant factor at this stage, early positive and gentle handling can set the groundwork for future interactions and socialisation[1].

Socialisation Period (+- 3 -16 Weeks)

The socialisation period is one of the most critical phases in a puppy’s life. During this time, they are highly receptive to forming social bonds and learning about their environment. Positive exposure to various people, animals, sounds, and experiences is extremely important to shaping a well-rounded adult dog. Socialisation during this period has a lasting impact on their behaviour, making it a key time for introducing puppies to the world in a controlled, and positive way[1].

Fear Periods in the Socialisation Stage:

Around the 8–12 week mark, puppies experience their first significant fear period. This is when they become particularly sensitive to new experiences and can easily form fear-based responses. During this window, it’s important to ensure that any exposure to new environments or stimuli is positive and non-threatening. Negative experiences at this stage can lead to long-term fear or aggression issues. This sensitivity is linked to the puppy’s rapidly developing nervous system, which makes them more reactive to stimuli[1].

Juvenile Period (+- 3–6 Months)

The juvenile period which is also known as the ‘terrible teens’ is influenced by increased independence. Puppies become more curious and eager to explore their surroundings. Their motor skills are more refined, and they start to solidify the behaviours and social cues they’ve been learning. However, they are still developing emotionally and mentally, so ongoing socialisation and positive reinforcement are incredibly important[2].

At this stage, some puppies may experience a second fear period, usually around the 4–6-month mark. This is typically a shorter phase but can still lead to heightened sensitivity and reactivity, particularly to unfamiliar people, animals, or environments. Like the earlier fear period, it’s important to carefully manage their experiences during this time to prevent the formation of long-term fear-based responses[2].

Adolescence (+- 6–18 Months)

Adolescence can be the most challenging stage for both puppies and their owners. As their bodies and minds continue to develop, many adolescent pup’s become more independent, test boundaries in the sense of figuring out what behaviours work or don’t and may even seem to “forget” cue’s you may have taught them. It’s so important to remember and understand that the environment plays a HUGE part in their behaviour.

During this period, various areas of the brain mature at different rates. This phase is associated with increased levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol, which can influence a dog's emotional responses and sensitivity to stimuli. The amygdala, a region in the brain linked to processing emotions, becomes more reactive, contributing to heightened fear responses. Additionally, changes in neurotransmitter levels, particularly serotonin, impact mood regulation and influence how the dog perceives and copes with stressors. These neurochemical fluctuations shape the dog's behaviour and emotional responses during this critical developmental period [4].

The two last fear stages are around 6–13 months, and around 14-18 months, where adolescent pups might suddenly become cautious or reactive towards things they were previously comfortable with. This stage can coincide with hormonal changes, and careful environmental management is needed to set the dog up for success, not put them in a position where they may ‘fail’, and to reinforce positive experiences as well as avoid letting fearful responses become habitual. It’s a good time to revisit training, focus on building confidence, and continue appropriate exposure and socialisation.

🧠The Role of Fear Periods in the Fight-or-Flight Response

This is the most important thing to understand when it comes to fear periods!!!! Instincts are involuntary and are a natural part of puppy development, designed to help them become more aware of potential threats to defend and protect themselves. These periods are characterised by the fight-or-flight response, which is triggered by specific chemicals, mainly adrenaline and cortisol [3].

Adrenaline is responsible for the immediate fight-or-flight response, making animals more reactive and alert to perceived threats. Whether they choose to flee or defend themselves depends on their temperament, past experiences, and how they are managed during these fear periods.

Cortisol, the stress hormone, plays a key role in managing longer-term stress. Repeated exposure to stressful situations without proper appropriate management can result in chronic anxiety and reactivity in the dog[4].

💪How to Support Your Puppy Through Fear Periods??

Fear periods can be daunting for both puppies and their owners, but with the right support with a force-free positive reinforcement trainer, puppies can navigate these stages and become more confident and resilient with emotional maturity and time.
To end off my very long post here are a few tips to help manage fear periods…

Reward behaviours you like when you see your puppy doing them. This includes calm behaviour and DO NOT punish fearful responses, which could make the situation worse. Puppies do not misbehave the way humans interpret it! Their behaviours are usually natural responses to their environment, and what we might label as “misbehaviour” is often just a result of unmet needs, confusion, or stress.

Introduce new experiences gradually, ensuring that your puppy doesn’t become overwhelmed. Make new interactions positive and manageable.

Remember that fear periods are temporary. Remain calm, and don’t force your puppy into situations they find intimidating.
I hope this helps you understand fear periods and your puppy or adult dog better. Please reach out to your nearest force-free, science-based trainer in your area if you need help.💜

[1] Scott, J.P. and Fuller, J.L. (1965) Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

[2] Serpell, J. (2017) ‘The Domestic Dog: Its Evolution, Behavior, and Interactions with People’, in Serpell, J. (ed.) The Domestic Dog: Its Evolution, Behavior and Interactions with People. 2nd edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 21-47.

[3] Overall, K.L. (2013) Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats. St. Louis: Elsevier Health Sciences.

[4] Freedman, D.G., King, J.A. and Elliot, O. (1961) ‘Critical Period in the Social Development of Dogs’, Science, 133(3457), pp. 1016-1017.

02/09/2024

I'm STILL averse to the use of aversives...

Why I don’t use punishment or aversives whilst training my dog

1. They don’t teach an alternative behaviour

Aversives or punishment doesn’t teach my dog what to do instead. It doesn’t teach my dog to engage with me in a more relaxed and reinforcing manner. It doesn’t build trust or relationship and definitely doesn’t build a partnership between us.

2. They teach negative associations

I don’t want my dog’s behaviour to become worse around his triggers. I don’t want him to become more fearful when he sees another dog. This would mean he has double the stress & fear! That of the other dog and what happen to him if he reacts! I don’t want to make him feel like that. Punishment and aversive tools & techniques will re-enforce that there is plenty to fear around other dogs and may even make the behaviour worse.

3. Punishment & Aversives suppress natural body language, signals and warnings

Punishment works in the moment and suppresses our dog’s emotions and feelings. It may make us feel better having dealt with the situation and controlled our dog but in reality what training have we achieved and how does our dog feel having suppressed his emotions in order to avoid pain in the situation?

Remember we are dealing with what our dog is feeling - not his obedience.

Why can’t my dog just sit and chill?
- If that worked there would be no reactive dogs
Forcing your dog into a sit (if indeed they can even manage that in a situation) only serves to increase the stress/frustration level, the kindest thing to do for your dog is move him quickly away from the trigger whilst you are in the process of teaching him alternative ways to cope and behave.

Can my dog “get over it”?

Reactive dogs can be taught to feel differently about their “triggers” with their owner’s consistent patience, help & guidance. We may not always be able to completely eliminate the fear or stress of a trigger but we can definitely help our dog to learn to cope better and teach him more appropriate behaviours around them.

I prefer my dog to trust me and feel safe in my presence knowing that I will take good care of him and show him the way.

Credit - Dobercademy
https://www.facebook.com/247230701957926/posts/4864495900231360/

01/09/2024

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31/08/2024

If your pet professional is proud of their dog bites and cat scratches, find another professional who understands body language and emotions. Yes, I said what I said.

31/08/2024

Had to jump on this trend...my lemon head, sweet sugar beauty...🤣

Check out Smart Pet Behaviour’s video.

31/08/2024

Enjoy 😉

30/08/2024

Not all licks are kisses. It could mean stress, discomfort, fear or a request for space. Can you read your dog's body language and differentiate between a kiss and stress signal?

30/08/2024

Comment in the comments if you DO NOT support the use of e-collars ot shock collars under any circumstances.

Victoria sums it up well:

"Either you’re OK using methods and equipment when working with dogs that cause pain, fear, and purposeful discomfort, or you’re not.

I am not."

Either you’re ok using methods and equipment when working with dogs that cause pain, fear, and purposeful discomfort, or you’re not. I am not.

29/08/2024

Children and adults don't have to show affection and love to their pets by touching, kissing or hugging. Not all pets like this. They just tolerate it. Know your pet's individual preferences

28/08/2024

DO DOGS FEEL GUILT OR SHAME?

How often have we seen memes like this one on social media about dogs showing their guilt or shame and feeling sorry for their actions like chewing furniture, shoes, pillows, etc.?

It may surprise you to learn, as it did me, that dogs don't feel guilt or shame. The neuroscientist Panksepp didn't find evidence of these emotions in dogs. What you think is guilt or shame is actually anxiety or fear from Fido who is responding to your body language or tone of voice. Look at the ears pinned back, the tense jaw, stiff body and the whale eyes as some of the the indicators of fear, anxiety or discomfort.

Still feel that dogs experience guilt?

27/08/2024

When your tired is tired after a long day of patrolling the yard and bossing the painters

27/08/2024

Still funny 🤣🤣🤣🤣

🤣

📷 unknown

27/08/2024

TRAUMA IN PETS

Trauma in dogs and cats, or any sentient being, affects the brain...they can't 'just get over it' as the very structure of the brain can be changed by the traumatic experience or experiences which impacts how they view the world and others around them. Our pets can therefore seem to 'overreact' to situations in which other animals seem totally comfortable in, which may be confusing to us. Some guardians may also consider their pet to be stubborn, needy or naughty when they are actually being retraumatised.

Common traumas to animals include, but not limited to:

1. Long periods of separation and isolation from physical touch, affection and love
2. Physical abuse
3. Emotional abuse like being shouted at for indoor soiling
4. Aggression by other animals
5. Punishment given during the performance of natural behaviours like digging, barking, chewing or licking
6. Physical needs like food, water, shelter and safety not being met
7. Forced into scary situations repeatedly which cause stress and anxiety
8. Domestic violence
9. Harsh and aversive training methods and tools - yanking, corrections, shock collars, slip leads, prong collars, kneeing, shoving, pushing, dragging, pinching, etc
10. Home invasions, burglaries and robberies
11. Car accidents or hijackings

All animal are different with unique personalities and experiences so forcing your pet into situations which make them afraid or stressed only serves to reactivate the old traumas or create new ones. Don't expect them to 'just get over it' or to be like the other pet you have or had. You also cannot train it out of them. Be curious and seek to understand the animal in front of you while understanding the root cause of their emotional responses and hence behaviours.

Trauma normally comes with PTSD but it can be healed over time though understanding, patience, persistence, love and empathy.

Most South African pet insurances cover the assessment fees for Smart Pet Behaviour so reach out now to book a trauma assessment for your pet.

Whatsapp 071 893 3199









📷.mcgarry

26/08/2024

DIET AND BEHAVIOUR - THE LINK

Did you know that what a dog or cat eats impacts their moods and therefore their behaviours? Similar to children...too much junk food or diets that are nutritionally imbalanced can lead to insulin spikes, mood swings, and an impairment of concentration and focus which impacts behaviour and health. In addition to behaviour impacts, each dog is different and will need a different diet depending on their age, breed and function. Cats are obligate carnivores and need a lot of moisture in their diet to maintain healthy kidney function.

Make sure that your pet eats a balanced diet 99% of the time (fats, fatty acids, carbs, proteins, minerals, vitamins, fibre, moisture) in accordance with the age, breed and lifestyle needs. Table scraps are ok to complement their existing diets (veggies, meat, chicken, fish) but be careful of giving your pet too much treats, junk or human food, which can be unbalanced and high in saturated fats and refined sugars.

Nutritionally unbalanced foods, including junk food, can also lead to weight issues and fussy eating habits where the dog or cat will refuse to eat their meals as they are conditioned to wait for something else that's more tasty to eat. In the long run, this can lead to health, longevity and behaviour issues in your pet. Often, as a pet professional, I see how diet manipulation can assist with behaviour improvements.

Many pet guardians feel a huge amount of stress and anxiety when their pet refuses to eat their kibble so they give them human food. This is ok if the human food is well balanced and healthy. In fact many pet professionals will support making kibble healthier by adding fresh foods. A problem developes when the pet becomes conditioned to refuse eating their food and relies solely on human food which is not always balanced or which is plain unhealthy and unbalanced. Counter conditioning your pet to resume a healthier diet can take time and effort, but it will be better for their health in the long run. No amount of behaviour modification or medication can replace the benefits of a healthy, balanced diet.

If you are unsure of how your pet's diet is impacting their behaviour and how to switch them to a more balanced diet, please reach out to a qualifed behaviour professional.

23/08/2024

Trying to justify punishment techniques during dog behaviour modification, is the same as justifying beating a child to teach him. It's a hard no way in hell from me

23/08/2024

I still see a lot of dogs chewing these ghastly, poisonous things...😕

THE TRUTH ABOUT RAW HIDE TREATS

Testing of rawhide treats were found to include:
Glues
Hydrogen Peroxide
Formaldehyde
Ammonium
Ash lye which is linked to ADHD in children
Sodium sulphide
Titanium oxide
Petroleum based food dyes
Lead
Arsenic
Mercury

Rawhide chews are made from the leather industry’s leftovers. Most hides are taken directly from the kill floors at slaughterhouses and placed into high-salt brines, which helps slow their decay. Most rawhide chews are manufactured in China, and it can take weeks to months before these brined hides actually make it to the tanneries for their final manufacture. Once the hide arrives at a tannery, it is soaked and treated with lime to help separate the fat from the skin, the hair is removed by chemical and physical efforts, and the hide is rinsed again. Unfortunately, the salt brines cannot prevent decay, no matter how long they delay it. It is best to fully rinse a rawhide in water prior to giving it to your dog - AKC

These are the most common rawhide risks:
1. Contamination. As with pet toys, rawhide chews can contain trace amounts of toxic chemicals. And, as with other pet (or human) foods, Salmonella or E. coli contamination is possible. Even humans can be at risk when coming into contact with these bacteria on rawhide treats.

2. Digestive irritation. Some dogs are simply sensitive or allergic to rawhide or other substances used in their manufacture. This can cause problems, including diarrhea.

3. Choking or blockages. Rawhide bones and other edible chews can pose a choking and blockage risk. In fact, this is a much bigger risk than contamination or digestive irritation. If your dog swallows large pieces of rawhide, the rawhide can get stuck in the esophagus or other parts of the digestive tract. Depending on its size and where it is located, a vet may be able to remove these pieces fairly easily through the throat. But sometimes, abdominal surgery is needed to remove them from the stomach or intestines. If it isn’t resolved, a blockage can lead to death - Petmd.com

Always give your dogs natural chews as far as possible. All chewing must be supervised to mitigate choking and other risks.

📸 unknown

22/08/2024

Free stuff! Go to the original mail and comment please

FREE EVENT!

Who doesn't like FREE stuff?? Well, this FREE webinar will give you actionable tips on how to improve your pet's health.

The focus will be on digestive health and stool quality. And I will be doing some exclusive special offers for those that attend.

There are 2 time slots to accommodate everyone. Please note that there are limited seats as I want to be able to interact with all attendees. So grab your seat NOW.

Comment 11am or 8pm to indicate which session you would like to attend. Links in the comment section.

I can't wait to chat to you about your pet's p**p.
_____________
I'm V, a pet nutrition coach helping parents learn more about how to feed their pets for better health and wellness. Based in RSA,but working globally. I work with kibble, cooked, raw, and hybrid diets.

🌎 Online consultations via Zoom
💻 Online courses via Thinkific
📝 Recipe formulations
🥩 Home cooked food guidance

21/08/2024

When a pet cat stops grooming (but is not thirsty), this is one of the first signs of ill heath. Please get your cat to the vet soonest to understand the reasons for grooming suspension

This information is very important to know.
When you see a dirty cat
This is important information to know about why cats look dirty.

🔺 Cats can resist hunger for up to a week on average, but no more than 2-3 days in case of thirst.

🔺 Cats are usually very clean, they are groomed several times a day, if you see a cat that is not clean, it is DEHYDRATED and has been so for many days.

🔺Your saliva glands are not functioning properly because they require moisture.

🔺 Please, if you see a stray kitten apparently dirty, DO NOT run or see it disgusting, it has already had difficult days in which it probably hasn't eaten or drank anything for a long time. This is how you don't like cats, express kindness for compassion.

🔺 For humanity, empathy, and love for your neighbor, bring food and above all a container with WATER. It's not easy being thirsty and hungry and not being able to say a word! 💔🥺

“Helping a disadvantaged being, is the opportunity that gives you life to be a better person.”. "
MAKE IT SPREAD THE WORD PLEASE.

20/08/2024

No dominant dogs...just misunderstood ones

18/08/2024

Please rescue as far as you can. These beauties are not broken...they have just been let down and disappointed by people.

17/08/2024

Growling is a communication of feelings and emotions...I'm uncomfortable, I'm worried, I'm angry, I'm scared, I'm tired, I'm stressed, I want space...

17/08/2024

Happy CATURDAY Cat Lovers!

What are you and your cat up to today? Share some pics please 🙏

17/08/2024

Can HRTs pose a risk to our pets?

Something to consider perhaps....

Recently [2023], several stories have highlighted the risk of hormone replacement therapy being absorbed by pets