Freya V. Locke - Dog Behaviourist | Author | Blogger. Issue 32, 2024
Freya V. Locke - Dog Behaviourist | Author | Blogger. Issue 32, 2024
Never give up! Your dog's behaviour struggles always have a solution.
Hi Gang
Hi Gang,
It’s been another busy week here at Locke Towers.
Those of you who have children will now be in full swing of the summer holidays! If possible, remember to give your dogs a break from the noise and commotion. Lack of sleep, disrupted routines, and a crowded home can significantly affect certain dogs, making it crucial to provide them with occasional quiet time and mental space. Even though they love your family, they also have their limits.
Fun Not Fear® Journal
This week, I had a heart to heart with a potential new client who had worked with other dog professionals before, and was losing heart that her dog’s behaviour would ever become a little less erratic.
We had a lengthy chat and it emerged that her dog may be experiencing some pain, and also that the dog was not so keen on lots of food, having had tummy issues. So I asked her to explore the potential for pain with the vet, and together we can find a reward system that works better for her dog, while investigating the food issue too.
It will be those things combined, that lead to behaviour success, rather than simply trying to train away the issue forever more.
Do you ever feel like you are putting in all the work and getting nowhere?
It’s easy to see all the struggles our dog has. When we're working with our dogs and the end isn't in sight, it's easy to feel discouraged. If they are growling, barking, displaying fearful or over-aroused behaviours. When they have dug up the flower beds yet again despite all those toys you bought them. When they refuse the food you spent 3 hours making for them.
I have experienced being there both before I received an education in dog behaviour and training, and also since then too!
People struggle and give up, assuming they are the ones in the wrong. Or that the dog is just bad … But we never stop learning with our dogs. Even the difficult ones, on the very worst days. You must never stop helping them. If you don’t, then who will? The alternatives do not bear thinking about, and YOU are the right person for your dog.
Every dog responds to reward-based training; we just need to identify the right rewards. There are instances where we need to adjust the environment to accommodate them. Or we need to look deeper at what is causing any inappropriate behaviour or lack of learning.
Because when we finally start winning, and we are finally heading in the right direction, our dogs are so very, very worth it.
Dogs are living beings in their own right, and once we see how wonderful they are, we know we will move the earth for them.
What has your dog done that made you smile over the past week? Write it on a post it note and stick it on the fridge. Focus on that, instead of the things that made you feel sad or disappointed.
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.
I have been working with a separation anxiety case this week - and this brilliant post just about sums up all the advice I generally give for such things.
How to Help a Dog With Separation Anxiety - Victoria Schade CPDT-KA
My other posts - because I write about other stuff too!
Let’s Get Social On Substack. Why I’m Finding Facebook Annoying.
As most of you already know, we transferred the Club from the Facebook group to this platform. It’s so much better for many reasons - not least because not everyone is on Facebook, and those that are do not get all the great content we put out, because of the algorithms.
If any of you are 121 clients who would like access to the FNF club content and chat here, drop me a message and I will bypass the paywalls for you so you can get your content! Also don’t forget our main website where your courses reside.
Handy links.
Have a great Saturday!
Warm ‘N’ Fuzzies,
Freya xx
Lovely post. So important to have a combined / integrated approach alongside vets, gut health pros, etc to ensure whole wellbeing of the dog. So glad this person has found you now to work with 🙌
Lovely post. So important to have a combined / integrated approach alongside vets, gut health pros, etc to ensure whole wellbeing of the dog. So glad this person has found you now to work with 🙌