This is the story of a super smart, resilient dog named Polly.

First let me explain what I mean by a free-living dog.

Free-living dog: A dog who is responsible for finding their own food, shelter and means of staying safe. They are not owned by any one human.

Our domestic dogs are generally the v...

When it comes to  Dog Listening we know that our dogs are total experts at feeling like they need to look after us. Even when the consequence of that, is that they feel worried, fearful and anxious. 

One of the ways they like to prove to us they are at the top of their game and make all the decisio...

Controversial I know. Let me explain.

Walking your dog really is optional. You have choices! 

I am unsure as to why it has become mandatory in most of the Western world over the last 50 years or so. When you actually think about it, there are so many reasons why you might not want to walk your dog...

Trust in the process.  Why is this so much easier said than done?!

We get halfway through a process we know will help and then our attention drifts and we look for something, quicker, easier, new and shinier. 

The majority of my work in my Peaceful Paws Community & Course is pointing people back t...

In order to change any of your dog's behaviour your dog needs to be relaxed and responsive to you. 

One of the best ways to help your dog become relaxed and responsive is to greet them in the correct way after you have been separated. 
 

If you find greeting your dog in the correct way is hard and ...

Today I am going to talk about dog breeds in relation to your dog's behaviour. 

The fact we even have "Breed specific legislation" drives me actually bonkers, even thinking about it! I am not going to get into the details of all that. It just makes me cross.  

However, I would love for you to get ...

You can't change your dog, You can only change you. 

Pretty obvious when you think about it, I have known this on some level for many years, however recently that thought jumped into my head and I really really heard it, no actually I felt it to be true. 

If this is something that makes sense for ...

"You get the dog you need, not the dog you want"

I was reminded of this saying recently and it got me to thinking is this true or false? 

For me personally, this is most certainly true and when I think of all  the clients I have worked with over the last 15 years, oh my gosh yes it's true.

Wha...

Put very simply  dog's bark to communicate, however, sometimes it's difficult for we humans to understand what they are trying to say.

It look's to me like there are 3 main reasons for a dog to bark:

Warning, by this I mean they are telling us that they are worried about something and are feeling ...

I am often asked if I can offer anything helpful when someone is at the stage of "considering getting a dog". 

My first thought is always No, not really I can definitely help you once you have your dog and are looking to ensure they behave well and fit into your life.

However, I gave the question ...

It's taken me a loooong time to have the confidence to write this blog. Why? because I am a people pleaser at heart and I really really want to help you with your dog's fear of fireworks.  I know how worried you are.  You can see your dog shaking and terrified and you want to help them and solve thi...

This is one of the most common questions I get asked and often people have already tried a few gadgets like a halti to help the situation but it just doesn't work. 

I am going to suggest 2  things to stop doing, 3 things to start doing and point to the mindset issue that I see most often prevents p...