Canine Advocate 1-2-1

13/10/2026

Do you love being outdoors and moving fast? Then chances are you chose a dog who can keep up. 🐾

I see this a lot. Sporty people pick high energy dogs because they want a companion for long runs, bike rides and big hikes. That's a lovely starting point. But I keep watching the same thing unfold: the human sets a brisk pace and wants to cover distance, and the dog happily joins in. The dog speeds up, so the human speeds up, and before long the two of them are pushing each other faster and faster.

The dog looks thrilled, tongue out, ears flying. So where's the problem?

It's what happens on the inside. Every fast, distance-focused walk pushes your dog's arousal up, and we're creating that excitement artificially, day after day. Stress hormones like cortisol can take hours to come back down. If the next fast walk starts before that has happened, your dog never fully lands. High arousal becomes their normal.

And you'll see it everywhere. These dogs struggle to settle at home, and some can't switch off at all. They get fitter and fitter, so they need more and more to feel tired. They bark, lunge and react sooner.

For a dog with high prey drive, a body that's already running hot is only a small step away from the chase. A rustle in the hedge is enough.

What's often missing is the other half of the walk. Time to slow down, sniff, look around and take in the world. Sniffing helps your dog's body come down from high arousal, and it tires the brain in a way sprinting never will.

So on your next walk, try this. Slow down, stand still and let your dog sniff for as long as they want. You'll cover far less ground, and your dog will come home calmer. Save the fast pace for your own run.

Have you noticed this with your dog? I'd love to hear in the comments.

If you're a dog pro and want to learn how to meet the real needs of high energy dogs in a way that's fair to the dog AND kind to their humans, watch this space. On 14 October we open enrolment for the PST Instructor Course 2026, with a 72-hour early bird window. 🦌

13/10/2026

When dogs struggle with behaviour, the conversation often focuses on what we want them to do. Sit. Stay. Walk nicely. Ignore distractions. The list goes on.

But what if we started by asking a different question?

🔷What choices does my dog have in their daily life?🔷

Animal welfare science has repeatedly highlighted the importance of choice and control. Animals generally experience better welfare when they have opportunities to influence aspects of their environment and daily experiences.

For dogs, this might include:

Choosing where to rest
Choosing whether to interact
Choosing how to investigate an environment
Choosing between enrichment activities
Choosing to move away from something they find uncomfortable

This isn't about allowing dogs to do whatever they want. It's about recognising that welfare involves more than preventing negative experiences. It also involves providing opportunities for agency.

Before asking:

"What should I train my dog to do?"

Try asking:

"What choices does my dog have today?"

Sometimes improving behaviour starts with increasing the dog's choice and control, not increasing compliance.

Opportunities for choice and control are recognised as important components of positive animal welfare and psychological wellbeing (Mandel & Veasey, 2017; Brando & Buchanan-Smith, 2018).

Photo ref: Beau with German Shepherd Dog Welfare Fund choosing to stop for a rest

References

Brando, S. I. C., & Buchanan-Smith, H. M. (2018). The 24/7 Approach to Promoting Optimal Welfare for Captive Wild Animals: Choice, Control and Variety. Animals, 8(8), 135.

Mandel, R., & Veasey, J. S. (2017). The role of choice in welfare improvement. Animal Welfare, 26(3), 303-315.

12/10/2026

12/10/2026

The Dog Observation Practice is a 4-month program where you practise staying with your observations, letting interactions unfold before deciding how to move forward, and turning those observations back on yourself to see how you show up around dogs. Then you bring it all into conversation with other dog people just like you, to advance, deepen and complicate your understanding.

You can keep being the fixer who treats dogs as subjects, or you can become an observer, invited into a conversation with dogs as participants. Now is your moment to decide what becomes possible for you and the dog in front of you.

Early bird applications close October 15th, 11:59pm IST.

Comment or DM "OBSERVATION" to get the details for program.

12/10/2026

And of course, goes without saying, this isn't an argument for aversives/balanced training.

What would you do if you had to meet a dog and work with a dog without any tools or treats for training?

12/10/2026

I’ve been a bit quiet on here lately.

The truth is, I’ve been finding social media quite challenging. There is so much misinformation out there, so much noise, and so much that genuinely hurts to see.

I hate, and I mean HATE, seeing clips of people peacocking, posturing and bullying dogs. People parading behaviour that should never be celebrated, presenting it as expertise, and encouraging others to believe that this is what living with a dog should look like.

And all I can think about are the dogs.

The dogs who have to live with people who have got it all so terribly wrong. The dogs whose voices go unheard, whose feelings are dismissed, and whose lives are shaped by someone else’s need for control, status or recognition.

The people who boast about all the wrong ways to share our lives with dogs, while others applaud, like and share their content.

It’s sad. It’s exhausting. And, at times, it’s heartbreaking.

Because there is a huge disconnect between the words and the actions in this industry.

The words say love.
The actions say control.
The words say relationship.
The actions say compliance.
The words say care.
The actions say money.

And somewhere in the middle of all that noise, the dog gets lost.

Caring deeply about dogs isn’t easy. Not when you see what you see. Not when you know there are better ways, kinder ways, and ways that respect the individual dog in front of us.

It’s mentally draining. It weighs heavily on you. And if I’m honest, sometimes it makes me feel even more disillusioned with the human race.

I know there are good people out there. People who are genuinely trying to do better for dogs. People who listen, question, learn and put the dog’s needs before their own ego.

But it can be difficult to find those voices amongst all the noise.

Dogs deserve understanding. They deserve compassion. They deserve to be seen, heard and respected for who they are.

And I will never stop believing that we owe them that. ❤️

12/10/2026

‼️🐶🐾 Protecting Our Furry Friends: The Importance of Dog Neck Sensitivity and Y-Shaped Harnesses! 🐾🌟🐶

Hey there, fellow dog lovers! Today, I want to shed some light on why our dogs' necks are super sensitive and why using Y-shaped harnesses can be a game-changer for their comfort and safety. Let's dive in and learn more! 🤓✨

Did you know that a dog's neck is a delicate area, filled with vital structures like the trachea, blood vessels, and sensitive nerves? That's why it's crucial to avoid any unnecessary strain or potential harm in that area. 🙅‍♀️💔

Enter Y-shaped harnesses! 🙌🐾 These innovative harnesses are designed with the well-being of our furry companions in mind. Let's explore some of the benefits they offer:
1️⃣ Gentle and Safe: Y-shaped harnesses distribute the pressure evenly across the chest and shoulders, minimizing any strain on the neck. This thoughtful design helps protect our dogs from discomfort, potential injuries, or damage to their neck area. It's all about keeping our furry friends safe and sound! 🤗❤️
2️⃣ Full Range of Motion: Y-shaped harnesses allow for unrestricted movement in the shoulder joint, enabling our dogs to walk, run, and play with complete freedom. It's like wearing a comfy outfit that doesn't restrict any dance moves! 🕺🐾
3️⃣ Comfortable Fit: Y-shaped harnesses are adjustable, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit for dogs of all shapes and sizes. Say goodbye to pulling, tugging, or chafing! Your furry pal can enjoy their adventures while feeling cozy and happy. 😊🐶
4️⃣ Enhanced safety: Y-shaped harnesses provide better safety, making walks more enjoyable for both you and your furry friend. You can guide them gently without causing any discomfort or harm. It's a win-win situation! 🎉🐕

So, the next time you gear up for a walk or adventure, consider opting for a Y-shaped harness. Your dog will thank you for the extra care and comfort! 🙏💙

Remember, the well-being of our furry family members is our utmost priority. Let's spread awareness about the importance of using Y-shaped harnesses and provide our dogs with a safe and enjoyable walking experience. Together, we can make a positive impact on their lives! 🌟🐾

P.S. Share this post with your fellow dog enthusiasts to help them understand the benefits of Y-shaped harnesses and join me in promoting the well-being of our furry friends! 🐶❤️📲

12/10/2026

Choice reduces conflict because dogs feel safer when they can influence their environment.

Dogs behave more calmly when they feel they have some control over what happens to them. That sense of control doesn’t need to be big or dramatic - even small decisions can shift the nervous system out of tension and into curiosity.

Research across species shows that animals experience lower stress when they can make even minor decisions. Agency changes how the brain interprets a situation. When a dog can influence the moment - choosing a direction, choosing when to pause, or choosing whether to approach - the environment feels predictable enough for the nervous system to settle.

A settled nervous system is less reactive, less defensive, and far more able to learn.

Choice isn’t about letting dogs run the show. It’s about giving them small, daily moments of control that reduce pressure.

Small ways to give your dog choice:
🐾 Letting them pick the direction on a walk
🐾 Giving them time to sniff without rushing them along
🐾 Offering the option to move away rather than holding them in place
🐾 Letting them decide whether they want to greet another dog
🐾 Allowing them to explore something new at their own pace

These small adjustments help your dog feel safe enough to stay connected with you, rather than slipping into defensive or reactive behaviours.

How do you build choice into your dog’s daily routine? Drop your thoughts in the comments - We’d love to know what works for you.

12/10/2026

THE MYTH OF "NAUGHTINESS"

Can we please stop misunderstanding the purpose of reactive behaviour choices.

To state a dog is just being "naughty" when they kick off gives the impression that they are making a choice to perform a behaviour that they shouldn't (and know that they shouldn't).

GENERALLY, REACTIVE BEHAVIOUR IS DRIVEN BY EMOTION, NOT THOUGHT.

They are doing what works to deal with what they are facing. If it's another dog, and they're scared of dogs they don't know, they cannot help but perform distance-increasing behaviours to tackle the situation they find themselves in.

They aren't thinking "hmm, what am I supposed to do here and I'll do the total opposite for kicks".

It just isn't happening.

Reactive behaviours are a physical demonstration of their internal emotional barometer. I think sometimes we forget that underneath that behaviour is a body saturated with stress/anxiety. They feel physiologically, psychologically, and environmentally uncomfortable.

Discomfort isn't a choice.

But it is our choice in how we deal with their trio of discomfort.

Choose compassion, choose relating, choose support 🐾💜