Koven Moodley - Smart Pet Behaviour

16/09/2025

❤️

DO YOU HAVE A HSD? - A highly sensitive dog

Just like people, some dogs are just different. It’s estimated that around 15 to 20% of us are a HSP (highly sensitive person) and around 1 in 6 dogs are HSD (highly sensitive dogs).

It’s not a disorder or a fault or a problem that needs to be fixed, but part of our genetic makeup, personality or character.

If you are a HSP, it will probably be easier to recognise and understand your dog’s personality.

Although we can improve sensitivity through careful controlled exposure, counter conditioning or desensitisation, we cannot change something that is part of who we or they are.

One of my dogs is highly sensitive. Before I knew anything about dog behaviour, I really struggled to understand why she behaved the way she did and tried really hard to change her. Many years ago, she was assessed by a “behaviourist”’, who concluded that she was just really odd and could give me no answers.

I understood “odd”, because I too could be considered odd and I now recognise myself as a HSP. This understanding and acceptance was a revelation in the way that I saw both myself and my dog.

Although being highly sensitive can be challenging, it does have advantages.

The HSD often develops strong connections and bonds and can be incredibly emotionally supportive to us.

Training is often easier because the HSD is far more intuitive and perceptive, noticing visual, auditory or environmental cues more easily.

Positive reinforcement, praise and connection may be even more valued by the HSD.

Let’s be more sensitive to the needs of sensitive dogs, accept them for who they are and stop trying to change them.

For more information on this topic, here is a link to a book on this topic by Dr Christine King - The Highly Sensitive Dog - explains the science of sensory-processing sensitivity, then offers some practical strategies that make life easier for these wonderful dogs and for ourselves in return.

Highly Sensitive Dog: Making Life Easier for These Wonderful dogs
https://www.amazon.com/Highly-Sensitive-Dog-making-wonderful/dp/B0F947Z4WN

13/09/2025

DOG AGGRESSION - MAYA AND ARCHIE

These 2 beauties are Maya and Archie. They are Corgi littermates who have been fighting since puppyhood for the last 8 years! Maya was the main instigator and would pick on Archie. At some point the pair were separated and sent to different family members to live but tragic circumstances sent them right back to square 1 to live together again, so their 2nd guardian had no other choice but to make things work.

It has been a rough 2.5 months of work for their guardian but here they are finally reunited and they are loving it! There have been no fights for 2.5 months now and the objective is to proactively prevent anymore skirmishes. After 8 years of baggage, their guardian has achieved an almost miracle. She implemented EVERY little detail of the guidance given and then some. Today was my 2nd session with them to reevaluate their emotions, behaviour and environment and I'm super happy with their progress and achievements. There are no quick fixes in aggression cases and it will take as long as it takes. In this case, it went quicker than expected due to the positive attitude of the guardian - the dogs felt her commitment and energy. This made and continues to make a huge difference to Archie and Maya on a daily basis.

Well done Cassandra 👏 - you are an amazing guardian and client. These 2 pretties are living their best lives now 🙌

Special note - look at the cute Corgi bums ☺️














📹 Maya and Archie Reunited (volume up)

13/09/2025

If you want an obedient dog, please DON'T call me. If you want a relationship and connection with your dog, please DO get in touch.

12/09/2025

What animals want and need:
See me, hear me, accept me and keep me safe.

Fancy food, toys, clothes or beds are optional.

12/09/2025

NECK AND HEAD RESTRAINTS ARE NOT SO BAD

A few Followers need to try this type of very modern restraint while driving due to their limited driving knowledge and skills to save them from any foreseen and normal environmental circumstance. I'm sure that once they have been gently desensitized and counter conditioned to the restraint, it won't hurt or that they won't find it scary, and they will absolutely love it as it will provide a huge degree of safety while driving, even if they have a sore neck or throat, thyroid issues, esophageal damaged, collapsed trachea or damage to their neck muscles. Additionally, their range of head movement is limited which will prevent them from scanning the environment effectively for other cars. It will also restrict them from admiring the scenery, especially if the 'scenery' is wearing short shorts or a tight pair of jeans, much to the delight of their partner. And if they do decide to venture a peek in a direction that they should not, the restraint will gently yank them back into position...for their own safety and well-being of course. The benefits are endless really 😉

Or, they could learn to drive better, thereby lessening their reliance on so many restraints, and therefore enjoy everything the drive has to offer while being safe. They can also ask more experienced or knowledgeable drivers for assistance if their ego permits 🤣

Edit - this is a tongue in cheek post designed to have a Friday giggle 😉

12/09/2025

Stress, fear and anxiety can impact our pet's brain, their emotional responses and hence their behaviours...

Be patient and kind with them. During times of stress, fear or anxiety, they are not being:

Naughty
Difficult
Stubborn
Obstinate
Dominant
The Alpha
The pack leader
Stupid
Crazy
Out of control
Dumb
Badly behaved
Attention seeking
Needy
Clingy
Spoiled
Manipulative
Irritating
Annoying

Nope. They are struggling to cope. They need you the most during these times. Do not resort to aversives or punishment to control them. Be a hero. Show patience, empathy and compassion ❤️

📷 Neurofeedback Therapy Centers

11/09/2025

The MHERA App helped me and my client understand areas of improvement for their dog today. The areas of disconnect for this dog are in hunting, exploring, sleep and play. If we work on these aspects, the dog will be less 'wired' and more relaxed. While there are other areas which can be improved, starting with the above mentioned ones can make a difference in a short space of time. I will reevaluate her in a few weeks to understand the effect on her emotions and hence behaviours...

Recently, I used the MHERA App at the Coape Wildlife week to evaluate Giraffes, Elephants, a Sloth and other animals. The App made it super easy 🙌

If you have questions on this App, on MHERA or on how to become a MHERA Practitioner, please shout or visit the MHERA page directly. This App, with the MHERA approach, takes the guess work out of behaviour assessments and empowers the behaviourist to develope better modification plans.

11/09/2025

COBBING IN DOGS

Cobbing is when your dog nibbles themselves, you, another pet or an object with their front teeth. This can mean many things but certainly not an attempt at dominance.

Your dog "cobs" (gently nibbles) to communicate, show affection, self-soothe, get attention, or release pent-up energy and frustration. It can also be a normal grooming behaviour or a sign of underlying issues like boredom, frustration, anxiety, skin irritation, or a medical problem. Observe your dog's body language and the context to understand the behavior, and consult a veterinarian if it becomes excessive or causes skin irritation to rule out medical causes. If there are no medical issues, then please consult an ethical behaviourist.

Common reasons for cobbing include, but not limited to:
1. Affection - cobbing is often a sign of love and contentment, a way of reconnecting with family members.
2. Attention seeking - your dog might nibble gently to get you to play or give them attention.
3. Self-Soothing - it can be a comforting habit to help dogs relax and feel secure.
4. Energy release - cobbing can help dogs release energy or frustration without becoming overly excited.
5. Exploration - dogs may nibble on new textures to explore them.
6. Grooming - It can also be part of a dog's self-grooming routine or grooming another companion.

Watch for signs that the cobbing is excessive or problematic, which could indicate an underlying issue:
1. If it happens too often or for too long.
2. If the nibbling becomes forceful enough to cause discomfort, skin irritation, or pain.
3. If cobbing is accompanied by other signs of distress, such as anxiety, restlessness, or hiding.
4. Skin allergies, parasites, or other health issues can lead to excessive nibbling or cobbing.
5. If one dog is doing it to another dog or pet in the home, pay attention to the feelings and behaviours of the 'receiving' pet.

What to do:
1. Pay attention to the behaviour and your dog's body language to understand the specific reason for the cobbing. Context matters.
2. If you notice signs of excessive or problematic cobbing, schedule a vet checkup to rule out medical issues like pain, allergies or skin irritations.
3. If boredom or lack of mental stimulation is an issue, offer chew toys, puzzle toys, and interactive games to keep your dog engaged.
4. Teach your dog gentle cues like "leave it" or "gentle" to help reduce the pressue or to interrupt the behaviour, especially if the nibbling is directed at people or other animals.
5. When cobbing becomes too much, redirect your dog to an appropriate chew toy or another mental activity.
6. If your dog does it before you leave home or on your return, it could signal attachment issues or separation anxiety.
7. If you see one dog 'annoying' another pet with excessive cobbing, use barriers to create space and separation for them to recover.

As in every behaviour, there is no generic, one size fits all answer or solution to this behaviour. Every dog is different and behaviours are largely contextual with individual moods and emotions at play. Please ask an ethical behaviourist who understands emotions for assistance to assess the issue and make recommendations to improve their mood, emotions and behaviours.

11/09/2025

Empathy and compassion are ALWAYS the answers we seek when dealing with animals and people (especially toward people that don't believe what we believe, or who don't look like us, or don't speak like us, etc.)...don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

03/09/2025

One of the categories we measure on the MHERA Hedonic Budget is CARE relationships between animals. In social species, there is a need for social contact - but it's equally important to take individual variation into consideration: not all animals want the same amount of social contact. With MHERA, we look at this important category both from a species-specific, and individual need perspective to make sure that each individual's needs are met.

02/09/2025

Most behaviour issues emanate from urban dogs and cats feeling unsafe...FACT!

I NEED TO FEEL SAFE!

Like all living creatures, ourselves included, dogs need to feel safe – it’s a basic need for survival.

It’s hard wired into our brains to keep asking and checking – “Am I safe?” or “Is this safe?”

When we think about feeling safe it’s natural to just think about not being harmed or being in danger, but it’s not just about physical safety - feeling emotionally or psychologically safe is just as important.

While physical safety may be obvious and simpler to address, emotional safety is far more complex and not always easy to recognise or identify.

The same applies to our dogs – they are sentient beings whose behaviour is triggered and driven by emotions.

So many behaviour problems that we see in dogs stem from the brain saying– “I don’t feel safe!”

A dog that lunges and barks or behaves aggressively with another dog or person is very likely doing so because they feel unsafe. They are trying to make the scary thing go away.

A dog that is guarding resources is doing so because they are afraid that the resource will be taken away – they don’t feel safe when another animal or person approaches that resource.

A dog that is reacting to fireworks or thunderstorms or other noises is doing so because they don’t feel safe.

The same can be said for separation distress – the feeling of intense panic when left alone – “I am not safe!”

Some dogs may never get over a specific fear, but doing all we can to help dogs feel safe in our world is one of the most important gifts we can give them.

Our first responsibility should not be about training, obedience or trying to change behaviour, but to focus first and foremost on building trust, self-confidence, resilience, creating a safe and secure base and being the person that our dogs can rely on and trust.

In the words of Dr. Gabor Maté - "Feeling safe is the treatment and creating safety is the work".

In my words (as it pertains to dogs) – It is our responsibility to put in the work to enable our dogs to feel safe and when they feel safe, this will be part of the treatment or the solution to the problem.

01/09/2025

Home made puzzles for Maya and Archie...🙌

Enrichment does not have to be expensive or time consuming...one just has to be creative 👇🏽

Some dogs love tearing and most love seeking for treats so putting treats in a closed box can satisfy both needs.

Note - always supervise enrichment