Polite Paws Blog
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Separation anxiety case study – Koba (Staffie x Mastiff)
May 24, 2022
Koba is a 2 year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier x Mastiff, rehomed to his current owner at 10 weeks when the previous owner no longer wanted him after 2 weeks! Koba was never comfortable being home alone, and would become anxious at signs that his people were about to...
Separation anxiety case study – Buster (Jack Russell x Dachshund)
May 20, 2022
Buster - 5 year old Jack Russell x Dachshund Buster has never been comfortable being left home alone, and his lovely Dad Martin has previously done some work with another behaviourist as well as doing some work on it himself, but unfortunately although occasionally he...
Tracking data in separation anxiety training – why is it so important?
May 16, 2022
All dogs are different, and just like us, have good days and bad days, and are affected by different variables and events. It is therefore vital to keep a track of any events during our separation anxiety training that may affect our dog's behaviour What do we mean by...
Why slippery floors are dangerous for ALL dogs
Apr 4, 2022
It is most common now for a lot of the rooms of our modern houses to be carpet free, and comprise of tiled or laminate flooring. They look nice, sure, but they are a massive hazard for dogs of all ages. Slippery floors are a very common cause of injuries in the home -...
Dog Training – Practice makes Permanent
Mar 23, 2022
Yes thats right - permanent, not perfect! The more we do something, the better we get at it. The more something is practiced, it then becomes second nature - we almost do it without thinking. It is the same for your dog. Think about if you are travelling somewhere in...
Throwing a ball is bad for your dog!
Oct 28, 2021
Yes that's right! A hugely common "way" of exercising dogs can actually be hugely detrimental to them! So many dog owners throw balls for their dog, and so many dogs appear to find chasing a ball hugely pleasurable, but this activity can cause harm, not just to dogs...
How to give your dog enough mental stimulation
Sep 13, 2021
If the mental stimulation needs of your dog is not met, then we will notice more unwanted behaviours such as chewing, attention seeking behaviours, mouthing and biting. Ensuring that your dog or puppy has enough mental stimulation can prevent a lot of unwanted...
Separation Anxiety – regressions are normal!
Sep 10, 2021
Regressions and plateaus are absolutely normal when teaching a dog that being home alone is safe. In fact, they're to be expected! And not just with separation anxiety - with any behaviour work we expect to see regressions. However, even when we expect them, it can be...
Puppy Mouthing and Biting
Aug 20, 2021
Puppy biting is a very normal part of puppy behaviour but some puppies are more bitey than others. Biting is your puppy giving you information. All puppies mouth & bite as they explore their environment, and it is an important part of sensory development. Puppies...