Should Little Dogs Be Picked Up and Carried?
Should little dogs be picked up and carried? While many say ‘never,’ for tiny, sensitive dogs, being lifted can actually be a place of safety. With careful cues, body support, and respect for the dog’s signals, lifting can build confidence, protect them in busy environments, and allow them to observe the world from a safe…
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How You Affect Your Dog
If we feel stressed, restless, or anxious, or our moods are inconsistent or up and down, it can affect our dogs in a variety of ways. Puppies and adult dogs are highly sensitive to our energy and often mirror how we feel. This is not about feeling guilty its just about awareness.
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Navigating the teenage years: Understanding your dogs adolescent phase
Your puppy is not so little anymore and suddenly you might notice behaviours that feel frustrating or confusing. If this sounds familiar, your dog could be entering the adolescent phase, a natural but often challenging time for both dogs and their guardians. What is the adolescent dog phase? Adolescence in dogs typically begins around six…
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Mediator Dogs: Often vital but misunderstood
The dogs that often get kicked out of day care. In group settings, some dogs naturally fall unto the role of mediator. These are the dogs who step in when arousal runs too high, trying to keep things calmer and safer for everyone. They often look like the “fun police”, breaking up the party.
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When Getting a Dog Feels Harder Than You Expected
Bringing a dog into your life can lead to unexpected emotional challenges, commonly known as the “Puppy Blues” or “Rescue Dog Blues.” Many new guardians feel overwhelmed, anxious, and guilty, questioning their decisions. It’s crucial to seek support, acknowledging that these struggles are normal and seeking help can improve the situation for both dog and…
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Rethinking Food and Training: Are We Over-Restricting Our Dogs?
Eating food and drinking water are fundamental needs that every human, animal, and species is entitled to. Yet, when it comes to dogs, we often place restrictions on these basic necessities asking them to wait, building excessive durations before they can eat, or managing their food intake so rigidly that it’s only allowed during training…
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Puppy and Adult Dog Introduction
Bringing a new puppy into your home is an exciting time, but it’s important to ensure a smooth introduction with your adult dog. A careful, step-by-step process can help both dogs feel comfortable, safe, and ready to bond. The following short guide provides practical tips to manage their first meetings and build a positive relationship…
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Dog play: Do you know what warning signs to watch out for?
When it comes to dog play, understanding the dynamics is crucial. Always observe body language, encourage balanced chase games, and intervene if play becomes aggressive or overwhelming. Watch for signs of discomfort, and recall overly excited dogs to prevent conflict. By managing interactions carefully, we can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all dogs.
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The silent sufferers: Understanding pain in active dogs
Working breeds, bred for their endurance and resilience, often push through pain to fulfill their duties. This characteristic, while admirable, can lead to overlooked musculoskeletal issues that require attention and management.
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Ear Infections in Dogs and behaviour
Ear infections in dogs can lead to behavioral changes, making it crucial for owners to recognize signs early. Behavioral implications can include sensitivity to touch and reactivity towards other dogs. Proper management involves medical treatment, behavioral adjustments, and addressing underlying health issues like gut imbalances. This proactive approach improves the well-being of canine companions.
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Why dog training should NOT involve punishment
Increases fear and anxiety in dogs Punishment can cause fear, anxiety, and stress in dogs, temporarily suppressing behaviours without addressing underlying issues, potentially leading to further problems. Breaks down trust between you and your dog Punishment can weaken the bond and trust between you and your dog. Your dog can start associating you with negative…
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5 Exercises to teach Reactive Dogs
Teach these exercises outside of needing them make them fun! THIS WAY Teach your dog to follow your direction, your dog can learn to create space around triggers in an arched fashion. Once they understand you’ll assist them in moving away, they’ll be more inclined to follow your guidance. BEHIND Train your dog to stay…
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Are you measuring your dog’s behaviour or your progress against others?
Are you measuring your dog’s behaviour or your progress against others? Are you treating your dog fairly, or should you adjust your expectations? The trouble arises because when we compare our dog’s skills and progress with another or ourselves with another owner or professional, it does us an injustice and can significantly impact our progress…
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6 reasons why dogs jump up, its not just to say hello!
6 reasons why dogs jump up, its not just to say hello! Jumping serves as a means of communication, and there are several underlying motivations behind this behaviour for you to be able to address the issue effectively. This is also why the conventional advice of simply turning your back on the dog, does not…
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Dog Equipment
This page is designed to quickly access some of the products that I have used and often talked about during my sessions, the content on this page will be forever changing as new and improved products come on the market. These products are my preferences but all people and dogs are different and what suits…
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Do owners treat male dogs different to female dogs?
Do owners treat male dogs different to female and can this have a negative impact on behaviour?
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How do I stop my puppy biting?
You will find the top searched for question on Google is “How do I stop my puppy biting?” You’ve probably even done it yourself. The reason most people cannot find the solution they’re looking for is that the information out there is actually pretty generic and the truth is there is not a one size…
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Did you know the fear response ‘flirting’ is frequently confused with over exuberant behaviour in dogs?
Did you know the fear response ‘fawning’ is frequently confused with over exuberant behaviour in dogs, would you know the difference?
“Fawning” is where the brain decides to try and please whoever is triggering the fear response to prevent conflict.
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Do you take water out for your dog on their walks?
What ever the weather, it’s always important to take water out with you for your dog on walks. Dogs get thirsty the same as us and often are running about more. You might say “but my dog doesn’t drink on walks”, continue reading to find out why that might be. If you don’t have water…
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How to overcome the puppy blues so you can enjoy your puppy!
Is new puppy parenthood a bit of a shock to the system? You are not alone. You might be experiencing the puppy blues. Let’s look at what we can do to solve that.
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Poorly Fitted Harnesses
Harnesses are like a pair of shoes, a badly fitted one can effect movement, rub and generally be uncomfortable. This can impact how dogs walk, their behaviour in general on the lead and for puppies how they grow. It can encourage pulling to alleviate pressure or the position of the D ring can cause them…
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How can you help your dog during COVID19 lockdown and after?
Jo Hinds discusses the concerns she has regarding the effects COVID19 lockdown might have on our dogs and questions clients have asked her about socialisation, separation and more.
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Don’t leave your dog hanging!
Jo Hinds discusses the importance of letting a dog know that training, attention or play is over for your dog.
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Ask The Dog
Jo Hinds writes about what drove her to writing her new children’s book “Ask The Dog”
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Is your dog getting enough sleep?
Is your dog getting enough sleep? People underestimate the importance of sleep for dogs and how it can impact their behaviour,this blog explains how we can change that.
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Rethinking Dog Socialisation
Socialisation, Socialisation, Socialisation this is what is constantly talked about with dogs but is this always done right?
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10 Reasons why dogs pull
There are many reasons why dogs pull on the lead and why many lead walking techniques maybe failing to work for your dog.
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What Dogs Like
Jo Hinds children’s book What Dogs Like is out, written due to the high percentage of dog bites to children that could be avoided, if the dog owning communities recognised the early signs a dog is not comfortable.
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A Walk to Remember
Focus on a different type of walk so both you and your dog enjoy it.
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Banish the Food Bowl
There are many behaviour problems that can be resolved in our dogs by just providing them outlets for natural behaviours. One way of doing this is by feeding them as close as we can, to how they would naturally eat.
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About Me
Hi, I’m Jo.
I’m a passionate dog trainer and behaviourist who wants to help you find the fun and joy in being a dog parent. I’m here to help you understand your dog. I’ll guide you through laying solid foundations so that you and your dog can handle whatever life throws at you with confidence.
I also help dog trainers nail the foundations of puppy training, taking your knowledge beyond basic training onto behaviour so that you can help more puppies and owners with certainty.
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