11.09.26

Dog Behaviour. Noise Aversion. Guy Fawkes Prep.

Post One -

It's not too early to start preparing your dog for the noise of fireworks!

- Start training and practicing obedience tasks to be performed when fireworks are going off in the distance. Get your commands down pat, so it's like your dog could 'do them in their sleep.' Shower your dog with praise and affection and potentially treats when these tricks are being performed.

- Recordings of fireworks/other ’scary’ noises can be played while your dog is doing something fun. I would recommend downloading the ‘Sound Proof Puppy App.’ for pets off iTunes or Android. This app. has noises that typically can bring about a fear response. Starting at a barely audible volume, slowly increase this over time (only increasing slightly if your dog is not visibly reacting to the stimuli). You may be rewarding by dishing out treats as part of this fun activity. If using a super tasty morsel in this process, if your dog is not accepting this, they are too stressed and the intensity of the noise needs to be decreased. Try at least later that day if not the next. This process is about weeks of training, so you can see how it's good to start now, Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant, Trainer & Author. Dogs Best Friend. For more dog behavioural and training tips, advice and suggestions, why not check out my book in association with HarperCollins ‘Big Dog, Small Dog - Make your dog happier by being understood’ thank you 🐾 02.08.26

Dog Behaviour. Dog Training. You can get what you reflect with your dogs behaviour...

You can get what you reflect with your dogs behaviour.

Have you been feeling grumpy or tense/anxious?

When I'm out walking our two dogs, I look first at the other dog owners, then their dog/s - these will likely be reflecting their owner’s energy, I then observe our dogs, then I check myself and my behaviour and what I’m reflecting to the group/entire picture (all this is happening extremely quickly mind you). This concept is especially true for dogs on their leads, as these can prove effective, reflective communication tools.

With this, if you are grumpy, my advice is not to treat the walk as a 'stress reliever' for you. You'll probably actually just find the walk doesn't go as smoothly as you'd like and certainly far from 'stress relieving' - rather you are getting a product of what you reflect, Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant & Dog Trainer, Dogs Best Friend. For more dog training and behavioural tips, advice and suggestions, including around dogs pulling on their leads, why not check out my book in association with HarperCollins 'Big Dog, Small Dog - Make your dog happier by being understood,' thank you 🐾 25.07.26 Dog behaviour. Common signs of stress in dogs. These are some common signs of stress in dogs (some of which may surprise you)

*Hyperactive behaviour - including jumping

*Being on the ‘look out’ all the time

*Eyeballing you and you being able to see a lot of white of your dogs eyes - this is potentially a sign of a high level of stress.

*Your dog finding it difficult to sleep or relax

*Howling, whining or barking when left alone

*Lots of panting, even when it is not hot or your dog has not been exercised

*Excessive salivation/drooling

*Chasing and barking at birds, cars, fence running/pacing

*Obsessive behaviour

* Excessive digging

* Excessive chewing of toys, furniture etc.

* Excessive licking - objects or themselves.

Other signs may be specific to your dog, I always say, you know your dog best. If something feels ‘off’ please seek help for your beloved companion, Selina McIntyre, Dog Behavioural Consultant & Dog Trainer, Dogs Best Friend. For more dog behavioural & training tips, advice and suggestions, including around dogs pulling on their leads, why not check out my book in association with HarperCollins 'Big Dog, Small Dog - Make your dog happier by being understood,' thank you 🐾 30.05.26

Dog Behaviour. Dog Training. Dog Appeasement Signals.

Appeasement signals given by dogs -

Appeasement communication helps decrease the potentially negative intent of another animal or human …

Appeasement signals -

The dog

• Lowering their head or moving it up up and down

• Turning their head away

• Averting their eyes

• Licking their lips

• Licking the other animal (including human)

• Holding their ears back or flattening them against their head

• Having a low tail area - perhaps their tail is tucked between their legs and their back end is curved with this.

• Having a submissive grin – the dog pulls their lips back and shows the front part of their teeth in what looks like a smile, and shows other signals such as squinting eyes. There is not usually a lot of tension in this dogs body.

• Rolling onto their back/showing their belly – this dog flips over quickly, ‘tapping out,’ showing their stomach, with their ears back and tail tucked between their legs or hugging their body. These dogs are not asking for a tummy rub, but are signalling that they're wanting to ‘wave the white flag here’ and are nervous about the interaction, Selina McIntyre, Dog Behaviourist, Trainer & Author, Dogs Best Friend. For more dog behavioural & training tips, advice and suggestions, including around dogs pulling on their leads, why not check out my book in association with HarperCollins 'Big Dog, Small Dog - Make your dog happier by being understood,' thank you 🐾