Dog afraid of nail trims?
The actual problem -> There was a time I thought I would never be able to trim my dog’s paws at home and wondered if I’d have to have her sedated at the vet to get them done. She used to run away when she saw the Dremel and she would bite me if I […]
It’s ok to regret adopting your rescue dog
It’s totally normal to have moments of doubt about adopting your rescue dog. Moments when it feels overwhelming. Moments their fears are restricting your life. Moments you worry you’re not the right fit for each other. Moments you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. You sometimes wish you could go back […]
#1 thing rescue adopters need to know
Make sure you’re not making this mistake… The main mistake I see new rescue adopters making that holds their dog back is pushing the dog too far, too fast. Even a fairly confident dog will struggle when their environment and routine suddenly changes and they are surrounded by strangers. We may love them from the […]
Dog bites “out of nowhere”
I had someone recently ask me for advice. Their dog had bitten a guest “out of nowhere”. But this same dog had been barking and growling at guests for weeks before this point. What the owner meant in this situaiton by saying “out of nowhere” is that nothing changed about the sitation and they knew […]
How to handle a dog nervous of guests
There are a variety of reasons that might mean your dog struggles with guests coming into the home. Perhaps it is due to genetics if they are a guard breed, lack of confidence, territoriality, under-socialisation, over-socialisation, anxiety, or fear. No matter the cause, it is almost always best for those entering the home to act […]
Is your dog’s behaviour your fault?
If you’ve been around dog training, you’ll have heard the saying, “Most of the time, it’s the owners who are the problem”. I actually do not agree with this statement. I think when it is used, most people mean, “Most of the time, it’s the owners who are the SOLUTION.” So what’s the difference? Most […]
How to know if your dog is ready to go off-lead
Want your dog to be off lead but not sure if they’re ready? You know getting it right is critical, but how do you know if you’ve got it right? Here are the three things your dog needs to be able to do. Used this as a checklist to know if your dog is ready […]
Stop letting your dog greet other dogs on lead
When dogs greet each other on lead, there are a few things happening: 1 – The lead limits options. A dog who is a little bit unsure or nervous will easily feel trapped and out of options on a lead, which can make them go on the defensive. 2 – Leads create body tension. When […]
Why you should stop using enrichment activities if you want your dog to settle
Lots of people assume their dog needs something to do when they have trouble settling. So we give them entertainment and brain games to occupy them. But most of the time, when the food in the snuffle mat or the kong runs out, we’re no closer to having a relaxed and quiet dog. If anything, […]
Changing your dog’s habits is possible
So many dog owners I see are bending over backwards to accommodate for their dog’s behaviour. “We have to walk when no one else is out…” 😥“We can’t go on holiday…” 😓“We can’t walk both dogs together…” 😖“We can’t have guests visit the house…” 😩“Someone has to be home at all times…” 😧 I think […]
