Bright Paws

30/05/2026

We can’t always be expected to give our dogs what we don’t even give ourselves. Every opportunity that we stop, becomes an opportunity to consume more information, but we rarely take time to process it.

Just like us our dogs need time, to figure things out, think about what’s been asked, understand new things. And they are better at it than us if we just give them the time.
So let their processing time, be yours too.

Find exercises on the membership to help you both find time and quiet in your mind to really connect.

30/05/2026

THE LINK BETWEEN PAIN AND BEHAVIOUR

In approximately 90% of the aggression and reactivity cases I encounter involving both cats and dogs, pain is identified as the underlying cause. Guardians often report either a sudden change in behaviour or a noticeable escalation of existing behaviours over a relatively short period. Pain can significantly reduce an animal's tolerance threshold, resulting in increased sensitivity to sounds, touch, handling, or environmental stimuli that were previously well tolerated. It may also lead to behavioural changes such as social withdrawal, reduced appetite, decreased activity levels, and a diminished interest in play, exercise, or walks. In many instances, these changes represent coping mechanisms through which animals attempt to manage or conceal pain and discomfort.

For this reason, I always recommend that guardians arrange a veterinary examination as a first step to rule out any underlying medical conditions. I also advise against reactive training interventions, including intensive training programmes or board-and-train solutions, particularly for dogs. Pain cannot be trained out of an animal, and inappropriate interventions may inadvertently increase stress and contribute to an escalation of the presenting behaviours. Furthermore, if pain or another medical condition is not immediately apparent and remains undiagnosed, the animal's condition may deteriorate over time.

Cats, in particular, are highly adept at masking pain and often display subtle signs of discomfort. Guardians should therefore pay close attention to even minor changes in behaviour, daily routines, activity levels, grooming habits, appetite, or social interactions, as these may indicate an underlying medical issue. Behavioural changes are sometimes attributed solely to the ageing process; however, while age-related changes can occur, a veterinary assessment remains essential. Conditions such as arthritis and other painful disorders are common in older animals and, when identified and treated appropriately, can significantly improve their quality of life and overall wellbeing.

Understanding the relationship between pain and behaviour is fundamental to safeguarding an animal's welfare and wellbeing. When behavioural changes arise, a veterinary consultation should always be the first step. Once medical causes have been identified, addressed, or ruled out, a qualified behaviourist can then provide appropriate support where necessary.

30/05/2026

Some people are holding onto their dogs by a thread.
And we're arguing about blueberries.

Now isn't the time to shame people for feeding their dog the only way they financially can.

If some rice needs to be added to bulk a meal out because there simply isn't enough food, then that's where some people are right now.

A perfect raw diet served in a beautiful bowl with blackberries, green-lipped mussels and salmon oil might look great on social media.

But for some people, it feels like a slap in the face, over and over again.

They don't know you're already skipping meals yourself.

They’ve no idea you're juggling rent, power, groceries, fuel and a dozen other bills while trying to keep your dog fed too.

Being told "if you cared, you'd find a way" is SO easy when you're not the one standing in the supermarket trying to figure out how on earth you can get the whole family fed for the week when your bank app says seventeen dollars.

Let's be real.

People are surrendering their dogs because they can no longer afford to keep them.

Others are doing everything they can not to.

They're behind on the mortgage.
Behind on the rent.
Putting off things they really need.
Living in cold houses because the power bill has become yet another thing to worry about.
Answering the phone?
Well, you don’t really do that anymore because you know it’s someone wanting money that you just don't have.

And through all of this.
Day in and day out.
People are trying to keep their dog.

Because their dog is family.

Their dog that sleeps on their bed, snuggles and snores.
Their dog that got them through the divorce.
Their dog that sat beside them when life just fell apart.

Their dog was there in those moments when nobody else was.

People are clawing and scraping to hold onto that relationship.

And while they're doing everything they can to keep their dog in their home, they're being told they aren't good enough because they just can't afford someone else's version of the perfect diet.

Perspective matters.
Of course nutrition matters.
And yup, we should feed the best diet we reasonably can.

But right now.
In these economic times.
A dog eating a less-than-perfect diet in a loving home is often in a far, far better position than a dog that loses that home altogether.

And for many families, that's not a hypothetical.
That's the very decision they're trying desperately not to make.

24/05/2026

Mark and reward immediately ❓
Well, I’m here to tell you that this doesn’t work for every dog.
Food? Absolutely.
But there is a little talked about topic here and it's timing.

Yes, the marker word itself should absolutely happen at the exact moment the behaviour occurs.

But the food delivery?
For some dogs, this is where things can get a bit chaotic.

Particularly for dogs that already struggle with the following:
impulse control
over arousal
frustration
reactivity
or showing frantic anticipation around food

What can also happen for some dogs? Well, they’re firmly focused on your hand movement.
Those eyes are well and truly looked onto the “prize” and that can also mean they may only ever show you a brief “snippet” of the behaviour you wanted.
They’re now bouncing, jumping or nudging for it.

That behaviour you wanted can become “lost” in the excitement.
This can happen because we are told to mark, reward immediately, rinse and repeat.

That immediacy of the reward doesn’t work for all dogs.

And “all dogs”?
Well, that could be your dog.

24/05/2026

Huskies were built for snow… not summer sidewalks.

Too many owners underestimate how quickly northern breeds can overheat in warm weather.
If your Husky is pancaking on the floor after walks, that’s not “dramatic behavior.”

Hot weather safety matters.

Husky owners — does your dog become part-time polar bear in front of the AC?

24/05/2026

Body language opens up a conversation, sometimes an invitation from one dog can be a request for space from another.

Some tactics work well for avoidance, jumping up stops people leaning over, licking moves children away and showing a belly might mean you can’t do something else, such as putting on a harness.

We aren’t supposed to be experts, but we can gather information, stay informed, open our minds and conversations.

Confused or want to know more? I’m currently running a language of dogs series over on YouTube. Look at the break downs and what to do. Or find all the videos on the Trick Woofs App. (Link in bio)
dogtraining

24/05/2026

24/05/2026

🐾 Not every dog wants to be touched — and that's okay.

Dogs are not public property, and we should never assume that an unfamiliar (or even familiar) dog is inviting interaction just by being present.

The golden rule: don't approach unknown dogs. Give them space, stay relaxed, look slightly away, and let them come to you.

And even when a dog does approach you, sniffing, standing nearby, or coming close is NOT necessarily an invitation to pat them. Wait for clearer signals — loose, relaxed body language, leaning into your leg, gentle eye contact, a nudge, a paw, or a play bow. Those are consent.

Once you have those signals, you can ask their guardian if it's okay to interact. Keep it brief, and pause to check if they want to continue.

🚫 Avoid: patting on the head, pushing your hand in their face, hugging, or overwhelming them with too many people or too much intensity.

⚠️ Signs a dog is uncomfortable: lip licking, yawning, looking away, moving away, ears pinned back, tail tucked, whale eye (whites of the eyes showing) — and of course snapping or growling, which is an immediate request for more space.

This applies to children too — teaching kids that unknown dogs are not to be approached is one of the most important lessons we can pass on.

I've put together an infographic breaking all of this down — save it and share it! 👆

And if you want to go deeper, I've also made a video exploring whether people should even have the expectation to pat an unknown dog — and why "asking first" doesn't always make it okay 👇
📺 https://youtu.be/K2D8cOGUhs4

24/05/2026

These dogs can “give in” instead of growl.
And because of that, there’s no obvious conflict, but there can be discomfort.
“They’re OK together.”
“Let them work it out.”
“They’ll get used to each other.”

Tolerating something happening is not always the same as feeling safe with it.

Some dogs become very good at avoiding conflict instead of resolving it or escalating.
Some will just simply endure social pressure.

Being aloof can work for them too.

A quieter dog, that doesn’t move too much or isn’t vocal around others has sometimes worked out how to “fly under the radar”
Now there really isn’t anything wrong with that, but we need to be mindful.
Some freeze as a dog approaches.
Some repeatedly roll over and just stay there until the other dog loses interest.

But sometimes they can escalate only after ‘tolerating’ things for too long.

Unfortunately, these quieter dogs are often the ones people can miss completely.
They can also be put into social situations they don’t want to be in at all.

That quietness is mistaken for calmness, acceptance.

Not every struggling dog is loud.