Freya V. Locke - Dog Behaviourist | Author | Blogger. Issue 40, 2024
Freya V. Locke - Dog Behaviourist | Author | Blogger. Issue 40, 2024
Socialisation for your older dog, and video calls from a floofer.
Hi Gang
I’m freshly back from another night of dogsitting with my good buddy Mac.
While I was out I got a video call from my Scrumperdinger Twyla:
She was listening to me talking to her, and we had a lovely chat. I say “chat,” it was more me asking her if she wanted a sweetie and then making Peter, my partner, go and get them. In between whoops of “who is mummy’s best one?” and telling her she is a good girl. She was doing the “smiley eyes” thing she does when she is happy in this pic.
Of course, not all dogs are very happy to allow their humans out of their sight, and some can’t be left alone at all. For those dogs, we do offer 121 support, but a great read on the subject is “Be Right Back ~ Julie Naismith.*”
Some dogs need a dogsitter, for their separation anxiety is too much for them to handle. Other dogs have specific issues which not everyone can safely handle, and that is where I step in. The more spicy dogs have dogparents who need a break sometimes too! In fact it is quickly becoming one of my favourite services.
Scrumperdinger.com
Dear Fans,
My Peter said it would be fun for me to have my very own Instagram. He is very good at taking pictures … But I am even better at being in them. When your coat is this shiny, it’s a crime not to show it off, right?
You can follow me here!
Snugs and sniffs,
Twyla xx
Fun Not Fear® Journal
Do you use the Fun Not Fear® Pyjama Method when you settle your dog down at night, with Pet Remedy? It works wonders. Find out more in this article:
Socialisation
Did you know that socialisation doesn’t stop at puppyhood? That we must socialise our dogs throughout their whole lives?
I have been working with a very timid Spaniel over the past few months. Sadly, the poor boy missed his “socialisation period” as a puppy, and is afraid of many things.
Luckily he has a wonderful pair of humans who are committed to helping him overcome his fears by allowing him to spend time just looking at things, and hanging out in public spaces. Or, finding novel objects at home and leaving him to investigate them in his own time.
The key is taking it slowly, so he builds trust and confidence in his surroundings. With puppies, aged up to 16 weeks, their brains are like little sponges and they absorb experiences and learning super quickly. So we try and show them the world is a safe and friendly place during that short window, from the safety of our arms. This sets them up for a lifetime of seeing the world through a happy lens.
Older dogs without that early experience or with a difficult past may struggle with anxiety as adults. Although they can still learn that the world is safe and nice, undoing years of fear and negative socialisation will require patience and time because of their slower learning capacity.
But, when they figure out for the first time that something is not so scary, it is a truly magical transformation. You see the lights coming on in their eyes and a world of wonderful sniffs and opportunities suddenly presents itself to them in the most beautiful way,
We keep him far enough back to see the triggers, but where he is still able to function without panicking. Slowly, his naturally curious nature takes over and he ventures off for a little sniff, and then a closer look at the things that worry him. He is making great progress and I am super proud of him!
All dogs are continuously learning about the world around them. Twyla is a village girl, so when we go to busy, built up places, she is often a bit unsure. So we spend time with her just watching the world go by while we have coffee outside cafes or have a rest on benches by shops, so she gets to experience different paces of life.
Where do you take your dogs to show them the world?
Want to know more about helping your anxious dog the Fun Not Fear® way?
We have a book! Available in all formats from Amazon.
Grab your copy, and get helping the dog in your life to overcome their struggles.
Spotted and sharing.
With the darker nights, but still warm days, a lot of us, myself included, have some time by the sea. At this time of year the dogs are allowed back on the beach and it is a wonderful walk for everyone. However, as this article from the BBC warns us, it can be a dangerous place if we are not careful.
My other posts - because I write about other stuff too!
Handy links.
That’s it from me this week!
Warm ‘N’ Fuzzies,
Freya xx