Frequently Asked Questions

Have a read of my blog - Anxious Dog Communication....what is he saying?

This will give you an insight into body language and behaviours you may see in your dog, such as hiding, cowering, stiff body, whale eye, freezing, barking and lunging. 

If you would like some help with your anxious dog, please do contact me via WhatsApp - 07960423833 and I will arrange a free no-obligation call to discuss your situation. 

Tracey Ordish DTC-CDT 

First you need to look at WHY your dog is pulling?  

In order to have a better walk with your dog, you both need to be in a calmer state of mind!

Have you sometimes said to your dog - 'Rover...Walkies!!!' in an excited voice?  This intense excitement causes your dogs arousal levels to increase and they start to associate the lead or harness or you getting your shoes on with being in an excited state.

When a dog is in an excited state, the opportunity to focus decreases!  The behaviours they exhibit are barking, jumping up, spinning, fast pacing, biting the lead or harness etc...

It is the same when your dog has had some stressful times both in the build up to the walk and/or outside. They may increase their stress levels which causes behaviour such as pacing, jumping up, barking, biting, hiding, cowering etc...

These ultimately lead to your dog pulling you out of the house and up the street as they have an elevated state of mind which reduces their chance to think calmly!

Have a think about your routine and whether your dog exhibits any of these behaviours. It could be an eye-opener to why your dog pulls hard on the lead.

First you need to look at WHY your dog is not returning to you when you call?  

• Are they busy sniffing something amazing?  
• Have they seen another dog?
• Have they heard a noise?
• Can they see you?
• Do they know their name?
• Have you used their name too much?
• Are you annoyed or stressed in some way?
• Is it time to leave the park?

-  Do you find yourself calling them and calling them to no avail?  Stop and think for a minute.....

What does your dog's name mean to them?  Have you actually asked them to do something?  

When you overuse a dogs name, the meaning gets lost and they just hear a noise.  If you do not cue them to come back to you, then they do not know what it is you want from them.

-  Is your dog excited or stressed when out on a walk?  Do they run over to other dogs or people? 

When a dog is in an excited or stressed state, the opportunity to focus decreases!  The behaviours they exhibit include barking, charging, jumping up, spinning, running away, hiding and lots of sniffing.

This means that ultimately they will listen to you less as they have an elevated state of mind which reduces their chance to think calmly!

Have a think about your walks and whether your dog exhibits any of these behaviours or you identify with the questions above. It could be an eye-opener to why your dog does not recall to you.

- Are you annoyed at them for not coming back to you?

Tone means a lot to dogs and they would choose to come back if it was a pleasant experience.  Put yourself in their shoes......

Would you prefer to go and see a person who is shouting angrily at you or who is excitedly calling you over?  

No matter how you feel, you should always try to keep a consistent approach to recall, which includes how you call them.

- Do you only call your dog back when you are going to put the lead back on and the walk is finished?

To a dog, this would mean that enjoyment and freedom of the outside world of smells, sounds and sights is over and they will be restricted again.

If your dog gets used to you recalling them then you send them back off to explore again, they will start to think differently about it.  They will not know when it is time for the lead to go on so that association will diminish. 

Positive Reinforcement is using reward, such as treats, toys, playtime or praise, to show your dog that they are choosing a behaviour that is considered to be correct, such as walking calmly past another dog rather than barking and lunging towards it.  

When your dog receives a reward for a behaviour, it is more likely that he will use that behaviour again!  

Example: in human terms, say you took your child into a sweet shop and they use great self control and ask politely for a sweet.  This should be rewarded.  So you praise them for a good decision and you let them have the sweet. If your child is impulsive and demands sweets, then rather than punishing them, realise that they have no self control in that situation and will need your help to gain some back. Stay calm and ask them to close their eyes and take a breath, then ask them something about their favourite thing to do.....a game, playing with friends etc....ask them which sweet represents their favourite activity.  Once they are calmer and engaged in the conversation, buy them the sweet of their choice. 

What your child will learn eventually is that having self control and calmness in that situation, will earn you a reward. 

Let's just think about the question......is he doing wrong or is he using natural behaviours in the wrong context?  

When you brought your lovely pup or dog into your home, did you assume that he would start listening to you and would behave for you?  Just as children need to learn the rules of the house and boundaries, dogs need to learn how to live in a home with humans (a different species to him).  

You need to become his guide and show him, using Positive Reinforcement, how to deal with each situation that benefits both of you.  

Example: In the situation of jumping up and biting at you (a natural dog behaviour to show that they are either over-threshold, over-excited, fearful or have been told it is okay), it would be up to you to show him to choose other behaviours such as finding treats on the floor, offering you a nice 'sit' or chewing on a dog-friendly chew on the floor. When your dog chooses these other behaviours, you can praise him to show him he is choosing correctly.  When this gets repeated, your dog will start to choose the behaviours on the floor rather than jumping up and biting you.

Dog boarding prices are as follows:-

One Dog

£40 per night (based on a 24 hour period)

£65 per night (BH/Xmas/NY)

Additional dogs from same owner save £5 per night

Sheena is Licensed with the Test Valley Council to board dogs in her home in Awbridge, Hampshire, that she shares with her partner Keith, her mum, Hilary and their dogs, Pip and Skye. 

Your dog will enjoy a caring, fun, home from home stay with Sheena and her family.