Ruths Pet Behaviour Services

15/10/2026

Today I was meant to hear from the orthopaedic team as to whether I need surgery (highly likely) and if so when.

The diagnosis is a torn quadriceps tendon with fractured patella (and other stuff in joint capsule🤢) which means I can stand or lie down but I can’t raise my foot, bend my knee or walk without feeling my leg will fall off 😳

Unfortunately I’ve not heard from hospital as yet, but I know they are busy and they are doing their best.

So for now I’m unsure of recovery time or what’s happening with my knee.

I know I have a fabulous amount of support from friends who are vet nurses/trainers and behaviourists and together (there are 5 of them) we will continue to keep things going as best we can.
It’s just that this week and the next few days are tricky to navigate because I can’t plan anything easily without knowing a surgery date.

So I will be contacting anyone who is already booked in with a plan as to how we get started.. this might be online (which works very well for inital consultations) or it could mean that we meet in person and Lauren does the practical handling part.

Either way, the show must go on!
I’m working as best I can to get all my current reports up to date and to reply to all messages on email and what’s app, text, voicemail and fb
I’m receiving a LOT of messages at once so please don’t think I’m ignoring you, there’s just lot to get through!

I will be in contact with everyone once I know what’s happening!

Thank you all for your patience and kindness
It’s much appreciated

15/10/2026

I’ve posted many times about dogs in pain and how it’s linked to reactivity.

Dog guardians often say to me how their dog is ok with some dogs/people but not others.

I often hear the phrase “the person/dog that was approaching was friendly”

Now… here’s the human version of pain and reactivity from me yesterday.

As I’m sitting in this corridor, my leg straight, on opioid pain relief, my knee is not painful.

Just because a dog or person is injured or in pain, it doesn’t mean they feel it all the time!

The doctors have poked and prodded my knee and my whole leg and absolutely nothing hurts (maybe like your dog when you take them to the vet?🤷‍♀️the vet can touch them anywhere and no pain)

However what’s incredibly painful for me is if my foot is raised off the ground.. it actually feels like my leg is going to fall off 🤢
As I’m sitting here, in this corridor I’m very nervous (I’m not usually a nervous person)

But I’m feeling very afraid that these “nice friendly” people are going to touch my foot or bump into me.

I’m definitely REACTIVE
I’ve put my crutch out to stop people bumping into me.
I don’t trust anyone not to hurt my foot
I’ve shouted at health care professionals who wouldn’t listen when they have tried to touch my foot (which I’m very sorry about)
I’ve been offered snacks, water etc but I don’t want to eat… I just want nobody to touch me
I want to be pain free
But at least I have a voice

What do dogs do?
Back away, turn away, growl, snap

Take notice of behaviour changes and always visit your vets first with any behaviour changes in your pets

Pain is the leading cause of behaviour changes

14/10/2026

Huge thank you to Yolanda at Rosanyos Tonantron Boxers & French Bulldogs
who has helped out so much with looking after my dogs while I’ve been in hospital.
They are absolutely shattered after fun and games in the paddock.
There are a handful of people I would trust with my dogs and not only does Yolanda provide a great care facility but she does grooming and has a secure paddock to hire too.
My dogs love it there and I really appreciate all her support while I’m recovering from injury

14/10/2026

Www.ruthspetbehaviourservices.co.uk

14/10/2026

Many of my lovely clients and friends know Cath and Dee at Beanos

I’m sorry to have to share this sad news, but please think about donating to the air ambulance, we never know when or where we will need this service.
My thoughts are with Cath and family at this sad time x

12/10/2026

***Before you or your family or friends decide to pick a particular dog to buy or adopt please please read this advice***

EVERY TRAINER WANTS YOU TO KNOW THIS!

Don’t pick a breed because they are cute or look nice or you met “one” that you like!

Don’t choose a breed because that’s the one you have always chosen and you love them!

Think about your lifestyle, how strong you are, your health, visiting people, the size of your garden, how much can you walk them and how strong are you?
⭐️⭐️Yes I says strong twice⭐️⭐️

Too many dogs are entering rescue because they are too STRONG… if you know that you are inviting a cane corso, English Bull Terrier or a Golden Retriever or most breeds over 30kg… yea they will be strong… us trainers cannot change how strong a dog is… we can teach you and your dog to have good lead walking skills, we can train dogs not to pull when walking and advise on suitable safe equipment but a big strong breed, needs a strong healthy person to walk them.

Too many dogs are entering rescue because they are too lively and won’t listen, can’t focus… many of these are cockapoos and collies.. bred to have high energy.. they are NOT content with a walk around the block and need regular training and fun activities.

Please before you choose your new puppy or adult dog, meet other dogs, volunteer at a rescue, chat to vet staff, groomers, trainers and other dog professionals.

Go to some dog shows and chat to people with various breeds.
Go online to do dog breed selector quizzes.
The information is out there.
Terriers and dachshunds are noisy and like digging
Bully breeds play rough and body slam
Labradors pick up everything off the ground if they can.
German shepherds will bark at passers by through a window.
Think carefully about your breed.

And when you choose a dog, take the time to train the behaviours you like, substitute the behaviours you don’t like and channel your breeds instinct to grab, chase, dig etc through games and fun activities.

Seek out reward based trainers on recommendation for where you live, talk to your vet about early learning puppy classes, ask your rescue centre about where they recommend to continue training.

Above all… meet the dog/puppy a few times and talk to professionals and dog owners.

Expect any dog to need minimum of an hour morning and evening of physical exercise.

Expect them to cost about £50per month on preventative healthcare and £50-100 per month on insurance plus possibly groomers every 2-3months depending on breed.

Expect to pay for 10-12 weeks of training with a new dog or puppy to invest in a happy confident family pet.

Think so carefully before getting a dog, they are such a big responsibility and so many are in rescue right now because they are too strong and too lively…

And make sure you know what breed you are getting… there are some serious con artist puppy farmers out there!!😳

12/10/2026

I’ve spent the day at Treliske and unfortunately it’s not good news about my knee 😢
When I fell I twisted my knee badly tearing my quadriceps tendon and there’s possibly a fracture on my kneecap.

To say I’m devastated is an understatement.. my whole life is outdoors, working with dogs & amazing people, driving and in my “spare time” walking and playing with my dogs and going on adventures, playing with my hens in the garden and I’m rarely home.

This business is everything to me and is my only source of income to provide for my family… there’s no sick pay when self employed.., it’s a risk us folks take 😳

I’m going to do my absolute best to ensure my classes keep going with the help of some fab colleagues and friends (all fully qualified) and I will be in touch with everyone who is already booked in to make plans to ensure everyone who needs help and support with their pets receives that help.
I’m unable to walk, but I can still work.. with some adjustments!

I don’t know if I need surgery as yet but I will keep everyone up to date

Thank you all for your support..
I’m lucky to have such awesome clients and fb followers

12/10/2026

12/10/2026

12/10/2026

Raising dogs and children together is a real challenge!

But the benefits to children being raised with dogs are huge!!
Less likely to have allergies, better empathy, learning to nurture & have responsibility are all proven benefits!

Trust me I’ve been there and got the tshirt!!

When my first baby was born I already had 3 dogs and the youngest was a very obnoxious, pushy adolescent male.. it was such a challenge!!

As time went on and my older dogs passed away, we introduced 2 new pups and 2 rescue dogs into our family home, along with a variety of foster dogs and many puppies to handrear alongside all our other pets!!

Environment management and meeting the needs of the dogs and children is paramount to safety but I have LOADS of top tips for families with young children/babies who are struggling with the child/dog relationship.

My methods work, I’ve taken the dogs and children all over the UK and Ireland together and we have enjoyed the best adventures!

Teaching both the child and dog is very important and remember the responsibility always lies with the adults

If you need some help building your child’s confidence around dogs or improving your dog around children, please do get in touch!

Here’s some photos of my gang 🥰