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Time for Canines

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Time for Canines

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Dog Training and Behaviour
Experienced and qualified
Fully insured & DBS checked
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I am a dog behaviour consultant and trainer qualified to Level 4 through the Nordic Education Centre for Ethical Dog Trainers(Dr.Amber Batson, Turd Rugaas Jula Robertson/Galen Myotherapy, Lisbeth Borg De Waard). My education includes studies in evolution and ethology with Dr. Roger Abrantes, advanced aggression training with Mike Shikashio, and a range of additional specialised courses. I have many years of hands-on experience working with rescue dogs and supporting complex behaviour cases through veterinary referrals. My approach is science-based, ethical, and welfare-focused, using only kind, force-free methods. I specialise in helping dogs with reactive behaviours, providing tailored behaviour support that prioritises safety, compassion, and long-term positive change.

06/07/2026

ANOTHER HEATWAVE IS HERE ☀️

It feels like we just got through one, but the temperatures are soaring again. While some of this might seem like obvious advice, the reality is that every year, dogs are still tragically losing their lives to the heat.

Here is what you actually need to know to keep your best friend safe over the next few days:

🌡️ It’s Not Just the Temperature
Humidity plays a massive role in how dogs cope. Dogs don't sweat like us; they rely on panting to cool down. What feels like a warm, manageable day to you can quickly turn fatal for your dog.
Did you know? In the UK, it’s estimated that roughly 1 in 10 dogs seen by vets for heatstroke unfortunately die from it. Don't let your dog become a statistic.

🚫 The "15-Minute" Myth
It takes as little as 15 minutes of walking in the sun for a dog to overheat and suffer a heatstroke.
Even if your dog loves swimming, they are still exposed to intense sun and high air temperatures. Shade helps, but if the ambient air is boiling, it won't stop heatstroke If your dog is on any regular medication, be extra vigilant. Many meds make them far more vulnerable to overheating.

"But they are from a warm country!" Rescue dogs from abroad struggle just as much, especially double-coated breeds. Remember: free-ranging street dogs can roam to find the absolute coolest hiding spots. A dog on a lead is entirely vulnerable to whatever their human decides to do.

🥎🗑️ Watch the Activity (Even Sniffing!)
Obviously, high-intensity games like chasing a ball or running are a total no-go. But did you know intensive sniffing can also be dangerous? When a dog is tracking a scent, their mouth is closed, meaning they aren't panting and can't regulate their temperature properly.

❗Manage the environment
When the dogs are experiencing hot weather they might be more tired and nervous. This increases risk of aggression. Early morning and evening walks might be more busy as everyone will be going for walk at same time. If your dog struggles with other dogs or people that might not be the best environment. In multiple dog households or around kids watch for resource guarding behaviours, make sure your dog eats without being disturbed. Don't leave too many items on floor. Make sure your dog can sleep without being disturbed by other animals or kids. Let your dog choose where she wants to rest.

🦺 Check Your Gear
Your walking equipment matters immensely right now:
I will always advocate for a comfortable, Y-shaped harness, now even more!. If you are still using a slip lead or flat collar, please be aware that pressure on the neck restricts airflow, making it even harder for your dog to breathe and cool down.
If your dog wears a muzzle, it must be a basket style with plenty of room to fully open their mouth and pant. Never use fabric veterinary muzzles in this heat—they hold the mouth shut and are incredibly dangerous.

🧊 Fun (and Safe) Ways to Cool Down & Bust Boredom
Don't worry about them being bored indoors! You can keep their minds active and bodies cool with these ideas:

- Try shredding paper, hiding treats wrapped in toilet roll tubes, or practicing gentle new tricks in the coolest room of the house.

- Freeze plain yoghurt, dog-safe fruits, or use LickiMats. If your dog is a total meat-lover like mine and turns their nose up at fruit, try freezing Natures Menu meaty cubes and popping a few in their bowl!

- Drop ice cubes in their water bowl, use a small paddling pool, or give them a gentle shower with cool (not freezing) water.

- Cooling mats and fans are great, but here’s a top tip: try setting your hairdryer to the COOL mode and gently blowing it near your dog. I tried it recently and my dog absolutely loved the breeze!

🛑 The Golden Rule
Please, please, please do not take your dog out in this weather.
If you want to go out and enjoy the sunshine, leave your dog at home in a cool room for a few hours. They will be much happier sleeping on the kitchen tiles than riding in a hot car or walking on burning pavement.
It is always better for them to be a little bored at home than to end up at the emergency vet. Stay safe, everyone!

30/06/2026

🐾 Meet my client, Thane! 🐾

Thane started working with me some weeks ago. He is a gorgeous working Border Collie currently in his adolescent stage. His owner asked for help with recall and supporting a calmer state.

During our sessions, we also noticed that he might be a little bit overwhelmed by new environments—for example, when dogs on the lead pass by. A lot of the presented behaviors are normal for an adolescent dog like Thane, who is just over 9 months old. His brain is developing, however it is important to support and teach appropriate behaviours. 🧠

Whilst working with Thane, we need to take a few things into account:
📋 Age
🧬 Breed
🐏 Working line
❤️ Emotional and physical needs

Working breed specifics are incredibly important; Border Collies can be very sensitive to external stimuli. Their nervous system is adjusted to work by being able to react to movement, etc. Whilst this is fantastic when working with sheep, it might also impact the owner's life outside the farm—preventing problems is much better than fixing them.

Till now, we have achieved:
✅ Improvement on walks (adjusting walking gear, longer lead, safety)
✅ Passing safely and calmly other dogs(adjusting number, quality of interactions and distance)
✅ Improving recall
✅ Working on ability to regulate and calming activities, improving sleep
✅ Introducing the owner to canine body language

So far, Thane is making great progress. He is very lucky to live in a fantastic environment with a very committed family.

25/05/2026

Dear Dog Owner: Let Them Judge You

From my own conversations with people and my own experiences with dogs, I know how intense the impact of feeling judged can be. We are surrounded by tons of advice from everyone about what we should be doing with our dogs. If our dog doesn’t have issues, we are considered experienced, knowledgeable, and capable. But as soon as there is a problem, we suddenly notice that we are literally surrounded by "experts" and "specialists."

There is the neighbor who watched The Dog Whisperer, the friend who had a Staffy five years ago, the work colleague who follows a "balanced" trainer on YouTube, or the parent who raised kids and therefore assumes they obviously know how to handle dogs. Then comes the usual criticism: you are being too soft, or you are letting the dog control you.

Let’s think for a moment about these people. Why does their opinion matter to us so much, and should we really care?

Sometimes it takes only a single situation or a passing comment for an owner to feel embarrassed and guilty. But it’s often not just about that single moment. People who deal with reactivity, aggression, or other behavioral problems go through a massive emotional journey. The doubt starts early. They worry that their decisions were made too soon, that they didn’t do enough research, or that they should have hired a trainer earlier. Maybe they did hire a trainer, but that person turned out to lack appropriate qualifications. Or perhaps the owner used tools that seemed attractive in advertisements; even if it didn't feel right at first, the marketing convinced them that without these tools, the problem would escalate.

The modern world is incredibly noisy and complicated, both for our dogs and for us. An owner can do their absolute best and finally find a great specialist to work with, but there are so many things an outsider simply cannot see. A dog's behavioral problems significantly impact our social lives, strain us financially, and take a heavy toll on our mental health. Frankly, the owner of one dog with severe behavioral problems probably knows 100 times more about dog behavior than a person who has owned 15 easy dogs without serious issues.

And yes, while there are cases where training methods and owner reactions affect behavior, there is also a massive population of dogs who come with medical and behavioral issues due to irresponsible breeding, trauma, or a lack of socialization from breeders or previous owners. Dogs, just like humans, are not blank slates. They arrive as a unique package of traits shaped by genetics and their early environment. In fact, many qualified professionals started their journeys precisely because of that one "special" dog who forced them to research and learn.

You cannot change every dog. As amazing as that would be, it is simply not reality. Look at how diverse humans are. We all have different experiences, we are wired differently, and those differences should be appreciated rather than criticized. Every individual brings something precious to our world. Similarly, dogs are living beings with distinct experiences, personalities, and temperaments. It would be wonderful to have the answer to every problem and to help every single dog, but we know that isn't how the world works. Humans who struggle with mental health can spend years in therapy to find better coping mechanisms and skills. This doesn't mean they are "fixed," nor does it mean they are defined by their traumas. Everyone remains a unique individual.

So, how is it that after knowing all of this and putting in so much hard work, we can still get so upset?

Well, humans are extremely social beings. Since the days of our earliest ancestors, we have lived in groups. Group living helped us survive, allowed us to hunt effectively, protected us from predators, and ensured we cared for the sick. This history shaped a powerful evolutionary need to belong. In the past, being harshly judged could eventually lead to being left out of the group—which meant death. Judgment triggers a deep fear of rejection, and if someone has experienced rejection earlier in life, a negative comment can spark an incredibly strong emotional reaction.

We also live in a world that tells us we must do everything perfectly. Influencers dictate what we should eat and weigh, advertisements tell us how to dress, and media platforms project lifestyles of wealthy people without showing the full picture. This constant pressure heavily impacts our expectations, creating the illusion. Similar thing applies to owning a dog. An illusion of the "perfect dog"—a dog who tolerates every sound, every guest, and every environment. And their owner who is never wrong, is available 24 hours for training, enrichment, play and relaxation. We are of course aiming for the best but it is impossible to be perfect all the time.

Currently, a significant number of people on social media are fighting back against this "perfect person" agenda. Women of all different body shapes and looks are showing that beauty isn't confined to a size extra-small. They are reminding us that if you don't exercise every day, or if your mental health isn't great, you are still amazing. The exact same applies to dogs! We have to slowly unlearn this toxic idea of the perfect dog.

Another hurdle is the "spotlight effect." Because we live entirely within our own experiences, we view the world from our own slightly egocentric perspective. We assume that what we are focused on is exactly what everyone else is looking at. We hyper-fixate on our weaknesses and believe that this is the only thing others see. For a dog owner, this can be damaging. After working consistently every single day, a minor mistake might happen during a walk. Because we focus on it so intensely, we get the impression that everyone else is judging us solely on that one mistake. This mindset can easily lead to withdrawal, avoidance, and giving up on training sessions. But when we truly look around, we can see that we are surrounded by people who are struggling every day, and every single one of them makes mistakes.

So, before you take someone’s comment or unfriendly look personally, please pause and think.

First of all, none of these people are living your life. Ninety-nine percent of them have never owned a dog with behavioral problems, and the vast majority hold absolutely no qualifications in animal behavior. Some of them might say something simply because they lack manners, or because they are having a bad day themselves. Others might genuinely want to help, but they simply do not know the right way to say it. And yes, unfortunately, there are plenty of people within the dog industry who, despite having technical knowledge, struggle to apply an empathetic approach when working with human clients.

Even the most highly qualified, experienced, and empathetic behavior specialist cannot entirely put themselves in your shoes. They don't live your life, and even with the best listening skills, they are not you. Only you know what your reality truly feels like.

So please, even when you feel overwhelmed and scared of how people see you, remember this: you are doing so much for your dog. No one truly knows what it takes to be you. Please do not give up. Keep doing this amazing work, and keep learning from your mistakes. Stick close to the people who support you, and protect your peace from those who drag your mood down. Look at your dog’s face and remember that they appreciate you exactly as you are. Cherish the years you have together—we never truly know how much time we get with them before they cross the rainbow bridge.

In the end, let them judge you. People's opinions cannot change the reality of the love, effort, and dedication you pour into your companion every single day. Let others think what they want, let them live their own lives, and let go of the need for their approval. Instead, focus your energy where it truly matters: appreciate every single moment you have with your dog, keep doing your absolute best, and surround yourself only with qualified professionals and supportive friends and family who truly lift you up.

24/05/2026

CALMING ACTIVITIES FOR HOT DAYS

I recently posted about hot weather risks for dogs, and today I experienced it firsthand. I woke up a bit too late and went outside with my dog around 9:00 AM. Honestly, it was too hot already!
We decided to cut it short and move our longer walk to the late evening. My dog has a thick black coat and overheats really easily, and over the last few days, I’ve definitely noticed that heavy German Shepherd summer shedding starting. Please remember that what feels perfectly fine to us can be completely unbearable for our dogs. It is about so much more than just a hot pavement surface.

Certain breeds are naturally more prone to overheating, but age, medical conditions, and medications all play a massive role too. Interestingly, dogs dealing with behavioral issues like fear or reactivity often experience heightened responses in the heat. Research shows that over 80% of dogs with behavioral problems actually have an underlying medical condition.

To look at it from a human perspective, when people experience chronic stress or trauma, they become much more sensitive to environmental stimuli like bright lights, textures, and sounds, and they process pain differently. The exact same thing applies to our dogs. Anxiety, fear, reactivity, and aggression can all intensify during a heatwave because high temperatures affect dogs both physically and emotionally.

While physical activity matters, even a standard walk can be dangerous right now. Look at brachycephalic, flat-faced breeds - they already struggle to breathe even when the weather is mild. On hot days, we need to shift our focus to helping our dogs feel calm and relaxed without letting them get bored or frustrated.

Instead of walking, try focusing on mental stimulation. Chewing is the simplest tool you have; a good cow ear or a natural chew will keep your dog calm, occupied, and happy. Lick mats are another favorite - just spread some cheese, yogurt, liver paste, or dog-safe peanut butter on top. You can also try treat searching in the shade by tossing some food into the shady grass. This encourages slow movement, lets them stretch their neck, and requires a lot of sniffing, which naturally releases calming endorphins. Similarly, wrapping food in paper for them to tear open is a fantastic, simple game. If your dog loves toys, hide the ball nearby instead of throwing it, allowing them to track it down using their brain rather than high-speed adrenaline. Just keep in mind that these food-searching games work best about thirty minutes to an hour after a meal; if a dog is hungry, searching for tiny hidden bits can cause frustration rather than relaxation.

Please, please, please avoid ball throwing and intense play with other dogs right now. Your dog might be easily startled, tired, hot, and far less tolerant of other animals or children. If you have kids at home, or if you have a senior dog being pestered by a bouncy younger dog, consider setting up a wide playpen or a designated quiet zone. This ensures your dog can rest and sleep peacefully without being disturbed by anyone.

Hope this helps,
Anna

24/02/2026

Dogs with a strong prey drive are highly sensitive to movement, sound and scent. If such a dog is also naturally anxious, reactions can become much stronger. Prey drive increases arousal, and anxiety raises it even further, meaning the dog is closer to their threshold. It then takes very little for them to bark, lunge or overreact to a stranger or another dog.

Arousal plays a key role in reactivity and aggression. Adrenaline and noradrenaline prepare the body for action, while cortisol supports the stress response. In this state, calm thinking decreases. A dog that has been chasing squirrels or intensely scanning the environment may react far more strongly to an unrelated trigger.

Predatory aggression is quiet and focused, driven by hunting instinct and supported by dopamine, often ending in grab and shake. Emotional aggression is louder, driven by fear or frustration, and aims to create distance rather than consume.

Every piece of the puzzle matters. A dog constantly wound up by wildlife or cats is repeatedly activating their stress system, which lowers tolerance overall. Even nighttime walks can increase stimulation due to stronger scents and wildlife activity, making anxious high prey drive dogs more hyper vigilant and reactive.

22/02/2026

Hi all! I owe you an apology for being so quiet on social media lately - life has been unexpectedly busy and a little overwhelming. A lot has been happening over the past few weeks. My dog was recently diagnosed with chronic back pain, which has been tough for both of us. On top of that, I developed a serious eye infection that’s still bothering me even after nearly two weeks, making everything a bit more challenging.

Besides dealing with these personal things, I’ve been deeply involved in my rescue work - consultations, follow-ups, and helping dogs in need have kept me on my toes. Despite all this, I’ve tried to carve out some small pockets of joy: enjoyable short walks with Salem, catching up on CPD courses, and spending some time learning new things. It’s been intense, sometimes exhausting, but also rewarding in its own way.

Now I’m finally back online and excited to reconnect! I’m currently preparing a new series about hunting instincts in dogs, which I think will be really interesting and informative. I can’t wait to share it with you all - stay tuned for new posts, insights, and practical tips. Thank you for your patience, and I’m looking forward to engaging with you again!

24/12/2025

Christmas wishes from me, my dog training business, and my beloved dog Salem 🐾

This past year was not easy for me at all. Many things happened, and it tested me in ways I did not expect. Still, there were also moments of light and positives along the way, and those are what I am choosing to focus on and carry forward.

As we move through this festive season, I wish every one of you a peaceful time. A time to slow down, to rest, to breathe, and to reconnect with what truly matters. Above all, I wish us all peace.

I would also like to invite us to pause for a moment and contemplate those who are living in countries affected by occupation and war, such as Palestine, Ukraine, and Sudan, and all others whose suffering too often goes unseen. May we hold them in our thoughts and hearts.

I want to express my deepest respect and gratitude to everyone who is actively fighting for human rights and animal rights. Your courage, compassion, and persistence matter more than you know.

I truly hope that 2026 will be brighter than 2025 and that we will not lose hope. In the end, it is up to us, each of us as individuals, to stand up and work toward a better world. A world that is kinder and fairer for people, for dogs, and for all the beautiful creatures and plants we share this planet with.

With gratitude, hope, and love,
Anna & Salem

29/11/2025

Supporting your dog isn’t about control, corrections, or forcing behaviours. It’s about meeting their needs, providing enrichment, and allowing them to make choices. When dogs are given more freedom - to explore, sniff, interact safely, and make small decisions - their stress levels decrease, and they become calmer, more confident, and easier to guide.

This principle isn’t just for dogs. In human psychology, therapists, care workers, and educators often rely on giving clients or service users autonomy, choice, and safe opportunities to explore. People feel safer, learn more effectively, and experience less stress when they can make decisions and engage at their own pace. Dogs respond in the same way. Allowing them to make choices and experience their environment safely empowers them to learn, build confidence, and communicate effectively.

Even simple adjustments can make a huge difference. Using a longer lead during walks, allowing sniff breaks, introducing mental enrichment, and encouraging calm greetings helps dogs practice self-control, manage stress, and enjoy their experiences. Rewarding behaviours you want to see reinforces positive learning without fear or pressure.

Support and guidance create a partnership rather than a hierarchy. Your dog feels safe, understood, and motivated. You get a calmer, happier companion who trusts you. Giving freedom and promoting choice isn’t just kind - it’s effective, science-backed, and strengthens the bond between dog and owner.

Address

Annatimeforcanines@gmail. Com
Saltash
PL12

Opening Hours

Monday	7am - 7pm
Tuesday	7am - 7pm
Wednesday	7am - 7pm
Thursday	7am - 7pm
Friday	7am - 7pm
Saturday	7am - 7pm
Sunday	9am - 7pm

Telephone

+447511449893

Website

http://www.timeforcanines.com/, https://www.instagram.com/time.for.canines/

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