Sherwood Canine Behaviour & Training

20/11/2023

It's a while since I've shared something about who I've been working with and what we've achieved, so here's a lovely story about the gorgeous Alfie🐕 to cheer up a Monday!

Alfie's family asked me to come and help him manage some situations more calmly🧘‍♀️.
Sometimes Alfie, like us all, would become overwhelmed which resulted in excessively jumping up and/or mouthing.

During our initial session, we discussed all the amazing things Alfie's family provide for him;
-security,
-love, 🥰
-companionship,
-routine,
-sufficient, balanced exercise 🐕‍🦺
- and time to just be a dog.

However, from our chat and my observations I discovered 🕵‍♀️ Alfie's stumbling blocks surrounded him not yet learning how to channel his energy and natural instincts. Alfie needed to be SHOWN, TAUGHT, and given OPPORTUNITIES to VOLUNTARILY self-regulate.

I left Alfie's family with some knowledge as to why he was sometimes getting overwhelmed (understanding is the most important element), and a couple of exercises to practice postively introducing him to managing strong emotions such as excitement.

Within two months (and two further sessions), Alfie's family sent me the fantastic results they are experiencing because of their hard work:

"We had our visitors yesterday/today and it went smoothly and beautifully. Alfie was so calm he didn’t jump or mouth but was very entertaining. We can’t believe how lucky we are. Thank you."

Needless to say, I'm super proud of Alfie and grateful to his family for putting their trust in me to work with them!

05/11/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=727079646125822&id=100064713789460

Pets scared by the fireworks? Come and join us for two nights of calming classical music, in the musical sanctuary we call Pet Classics. 🐾

📻 Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 November, 5-9pm.

26/10/2023

I can't believe it's nearly that time of year...Although beautiful, for many people and animals, fireworks can prove very stressful. However, there are things we can do to help our dogs get through the season:

1) Keep your walks to daytime and then stay indoors from dusk to reduce the risk of being outside when fireworks may happen. Be prepared not to go for a walk during this period. It is much better to do indoor enrichment activities rather than dogs experience the possible very high fearful response being outside during fireworks.

2) Reduce noise before the fireworks begin, close curtains/blinds, windows. Turn up radio/tv and put background calming music for dogs such as classic FM, single instrument music such-as piano music is great.

3) You CAN COMFORT dogs if they are scared. Remain calm, softly spoken and offer attention and touch if they need/want it. As long you remain calm you will NOT reinforce their fear, you will just help them feel supported.

4) Speak to the vets now if you know they are going to struggle. There are a couple of options such as Zylkene and Yucalm for mild cases and administer from around now until around 1-2 weeks after Firework season.
Also try adding Bachs Night Time (Alcohol Free) rescue remedy to their water bowl, however, also offer water without it so they have a choice.
Look at Adaptil/Pet remedy spray for their sleeping area which can start now.

5) Ensure your house and garden are secure, so if they do get scared they can’t escape and get into more trouble.

6) Build a safe haven in the room where they feel safest and choose to spend allot of time. Place blankets and put some of your clothes with your scent on, if it is a crate, hang some blankets around the sides. However DO NOT shut the crate or room door unless you are in there with them.

7) Make fireworks = Good things. During the evenings to help dogs stay occupied, offer licking, chewing and sniffing opportunities as these are calming behaviours. Use items such as Kongs, snuffle mats, lickmats, puzzle games, toys and chews.

Overall, fireworks are beautiful but unfortunately, the bangs can prove too much for too many, but there are things we can do to at least ease the stress for our dogs.

20/10/2023

Who doesn't want to talk body language on a Friday afternoon?

Did you know that tongue flicking and air-licking 😋 are among the most frequently used signals in communication?

What does it look like:
Often combined with a turn of the head, this signal can be anything from;
- A very quick showing of the tip of the tongue,
- To a clear flick where the tongue touches the nose,
- Or even a deliberate, slow lick which includes the entire nose region.

When and Why is it used:
It's used in various scenarios such as;
- Asking for more space when approaching another dog or species,
- To request a break during play,
- As a sign of politeness,
- When conflicted between emotions in difficult situations, such as experiencing anxiety as well as excitement,
- To calm themselves and/or calm another.

One small gesture which can mean so much!
Happy Friday everyone!



Photo Copyright: Katja Krauss & Gabi Maue

13/10/2023

Did you know, although dogs don't speak like us, their face can tell us so much about their mood? Understanding expressions can inform us of their emotional state and help us predict their next move.

Here are two pictures of Rani, showing two states;
Picture 1) RELAXED
Picture 2) VERY TENSE

Here's how we can tell the difference.
1) RELAXED state:
- Mouth Closed but not tense,
- Hair is smooth around her nose,
- Skin around her face is loosely hanging
- Head is resting fully on the floor
- Eyes slightly open

2) VERY TENSE state:
- Ears slightly raised at the base
- Very still, frozen slightly
- Mouth closed and shortened, so tension around jaw
- Whiskers raised slightly
- Wrinkles developing around the nose
- Lower lip slightly visible
- Eyes more open, more of a stare expression
- Slightly raised eyebrows
- Raised head

If Rani's attempts at expressing tension are missed, she will likely be forced to increase her signals, for example, curling her top lip and showing lower teeth.

Do you know the difference between your dog's RELAXED face and TENSE face?



Photo Copyright: Katja Krauss & Gabi Maue

11/10/2023

What does the dog's body tell us? Can you guess what's going on in this picture?

Dog's use multiple forms of communication, with body language playing a significant part! Whether it is subtle signs such as a shifting of their weight or more obvious movements like rolling on their back, they are constantly telling us something.

Today, I'm focusing on SITTING; why and when some dog's may use it, and what Chemsi (Sloughi) is using the sit for in her interaction with Inca (Dobermann) in the picture shown.

Reasons for sitting:
Sitting is a strong signal which can be utilised in distressing situations because sitting (amongst other indicators) can communicate many things:

1) It can be used as part of a FREEZE response. When dogs' are unsure and want to demonstrate they are feeling threatened, they can freeze all movement.

2) Requesting SPACE. Choosing to sit down and divert gaze can make it clear a dog is not interested in interacting and wants space.

3) Requesting a BREAK. When dogs' are playing, interacting with us or other dogs, they may choose to sit to indicate they need a break. They may maintain eyecontact as they aren't feeling threatened, just tired.

4) Feeling INSECURE: Sitting down and shifting weight back, away from whatever is causing the insecurity.

5) To APPEASE. As demonstrated by Chemsi (Sloughi) in the picture!
Inca (Dobermann) is indicating; irritation, insecurity and excitement, can you see the drool in the corner of her mouth? Therefore, Chemsi chooses to SIT as well as;
-Turning body away,
-Turning head away,
-Blinking
To help CALM and APPEASE Inca.

Is that what you'd thought was going on?


Photo Copyright: Katja Krauss & Gabi Maue

26/09/2023

Have you ever watched your dog and wondered what are they trying to say? 🤷‍♀️

Dogs use body language all the time. However, we often miss or misinterpret this incredible use of communication🤦🏿...understandably, after all, we aren't canines!

Over the next two weeks I'll share 3 pictures of dogs and explain what they are expressing and what we can do in response🐕.

Throughout the two weeks, the floor will be open to you all to share your own pictures where you can describe what you think they are saying or ask for my interpretation.

So, if like me, you're interested in what your dog is trying to say, look out for the first installment later this week. I'm really excited to chat canine body language with you 🐶🐩🦮!


Photo Copyright: Katja Krauss & Gabi Maue

21/08/2023

I was so, so excited this weekend to find out that a client has dedicated their beautiful book to little old me!

I was very lucky to work with Catherine Jacob, writer and her lovely family when they adopted gorgeous Pluto! Catherine writes incredible children's books, 3 (soon to be 4) of which are, the 'Puppy Club Series', and I'm unbelievably lucky enough to have the 3rd book's dedication to me !

https://www.darleyandersonchildrens.com/authors/catherine-jacob

08/08/2023

Recently I've been incredibly lucky to travel around Europe🇳🇱🇩🇰🇸🇪! It's been an amazing trip with once in a lifetime experiences, but it's not been without obstacles.Those obstacles reminded me how stressful and complex life can be for our dogs!
On my trip;
I got a parking fine for parking in a reserved bay😤,
Drove down a oneway tramline road 🙈,
Thought I'd ordered a peppermint tea but got a cappuccino looking drink🤮, and
Got lost...several times😓😤!
All of the above occurred because I didn't understand the language, signs, rules, culture and I panicked...alot 😁!

Dogs 🐕 are put into this situation everyday of their life;
They don't speak our language,
They don't understand our rules or our expectations,
They can't always read us,
They don't understand our culture...what kind of species doesn't sniff bums!

Life can be one big, confusing, foreign country for our dogs; full of language and social norms which don't make sense to them. So rather than give them "parking fines" when they are trying their very best, let's instead give them tools, love and patience to better cope in our human world!

22/07/2023

Working with dogs is a privilege which I'll never take for granted! ❤️🐕 When they let you in you know you've earned the greatest bond, filled with trust and love! 🥰

03/06/2023

Great, friendly show with a really fun Sniffari for all dogs, big and small to explore and put their nose to the test!

29/05/2023

Sometimes, running free through a field of wild Dandelions is all we need 🐕🪻. Happy Bankholiday everyone.