Anything's PAWS-ible

03/23/2026

I was teaching this weekend and some of the dog parents were complaining about their dog's refusal to come back to them when they were off leash. I said, "Well, you have poisoned the cue", and they looked at me with a blank look.😳 I then explained to them that they have poisoned their "come" command ... still blank looks. So ..... let’s talk about poisoned cues!!

A poisoned cue is when a cue that used to mean something neutral or positive becomes associated with something unpleasant.

Example:
You call your dog off the couch with “come.”

Sometimes there is a cookie- other times there is a crate, collar grab, or social isolation.

Over time, “come” stops predicting good things or positive reinforcement ... IT STARTS PREDICTING LOSS.

And sometimes that is when growling, snapping or refusing to comply shows up.

We see this frequently:

• “Come” predicts restraint

• “Drop it” predicts loss

• Reaching for a collar predicts confinement

• Seeing the leash predicts an overwhelming walk

THE CUE ITSELF BECOMES PART OF THE UNPLEASANT EVENT.

Repairing poisoned cues requires changing what the cue predicts, not just better treats.

We must now be sure to avoid using the "come" cue for anything the dog views as unpleasant. This.is.HARD!!

I challenge all of you to spend one day observing your interactions with your pups ... and try to see when you use the "come" command ....is it always "positive" in nature?

Training in a reliable "come" cue requires 2 things:

1). A good relationship with your dog, and

2). The removing of any negative association with the "come" cue .... how many of us can say we do this regularly? Do you acceot this challenge? Let me know how it goes!!

03/13/2026

I love this so much! 💯💖

The ladder of aggression is the ladder of communication.

At the top of the ladder of are the dog behaviours that frighten people. The growl, snap, lunge and the bite.

By the time a dog reaches the top of that ladder they have already said everything they had to say at every rung below. The people around them didn't listen.

Sadly, the dogs who have been pushed to their limit can get labelled as bad dogs, while the people who pushed them may go overlooked.

Poorly educated dog trainers often wade in to stop the behaviour, pushing the feelings back inside the dog, having a pressure cooker effect.

With this effect, the dog either explodes at some point or their spark for life just gets extinguished, leaving them existing but never meeting their potential.

UNLESS an educated dog behaviourist or trainer gets involved.

Someone who can point out gently that the dog needs agency and autonomy over their own body and space.

Someone who can help the dog understand that they will not be crowded when they're uncomfortable and do have a say in what happens to them.

Someone who helps you meet your dog's needs - not disregards them.

Someone who can teach new choices and skills like optimism, flexibility empowering the dog and their human.

Because most guardians don't want to harm or scare their dogs, not really. They just don't know that all dog trainers are not equal.

When you search for a dog trainer, please, please check their methods. If they are overly results driven they might not be educated enough. If they show off what they can make the dog do, question why they are making it about them and not the dog's needs.

Good dog trainers will shout loud and proud that they work with your dog's emotional health as much as their behaviour, in fact they know behaviour is about how the dog feels.

Their educated stance will be on display, they will be proud of their consistent professional education and growth.

And they should be. It takes lots of time, money and effort to become a skilled, high quality professional. They should be proud, and for your dog's sake (and your own in the long term) choose them!

03/13/2026

THE BROMANCE IS REAL! 💕 These 2 good boys (Maverick - Golden, Gus- Hound) have sat next to each other in class for approximately a year, desperately trying to get to know one another every time their parents look away 😉 ... their parents decided to rent a "Sniffspot" and see if it was true {bromance} love ... and it was! Hope these pics/video made you smile as much as they did for me!

11/20/2025

I know it has been a bit (where does the time go?!?!), but I wanted to share this, as it is so important!

7 Tips for a Happy and Well-Balanced Dog!

A truly happy, emotionally balanced dog isn’t created by chance, it’s the result of intentional choices, daily habits, and a commitment to understanding how dogs think, learn, and communicate.

Here are 7 essential tips that every dog parent should know to help their dog live a more enriched, confident, and well-adjusted life.

1. Structure Before Freedom:

Dogs thrive when they understand the rules of their environment. Providing calm, consistent structure gives your dog the clarity they need to feel safe. Freedom should always be earned, never given automatically. When a dog knws what’s expected, anxiety goes down and good choices go up.

2. Mental Stimulation Matters!

A tired brain is just as important as a tired body. Nose-work games, training exercises, food finding games, and problem-solving activities help prevent boredom, frustration, and destructive behaviors.
Even just 15 minutes of focused mental work can refresh a dog more than an hour of physical play.

3. Meet Their Instincts Where They Are!

Every dog is born with natural instincts — to sniff, chew, chase, herd, dig, protect, or retrieve. When we honor those instincts instead of fighting them, we reduce behavioral issues dramatically. Give your dog appropriate outlets that satisfy who they are, not who you wish they’d be!

4. Socialization Is a Lifelong Process:

Good social skills aren’t just for puppies. Dogs of all ages need controlled, positive exposure to new dogs, people, sounds, objects, and environments. The goal isn’t to make them love everyone, it’s to build their confidence, neutrality, and adaptability.

5. Communicate Clearly and Fairly!

Dogs read energy, tone, and body language better than words. Stay calm, be consistent, and deliver information in a way your dog understands. Correcting a behavior is not the same as punishing a dog — it’s teaching with clarity, timing, and fairness. When communication is clean, trust deepens.

6. Enrichment Over Entertainment:

Many dogs are overstimulated but under-fulfilled. Constant excitement — dog parks, endless ball throwing, loud play — can create adrenaline junkies.

True enrichment builds balance: Slow sniff-walks, structured play, independent chewing time, scatter feeding, and decompression activities, to name a few!

7. YOUR Energy Sets the Tone!

The most powerful tool in any household is the human’s state of mind. Dogs mirror US! When you bring patience, grounded energy, leadership, and emotional steadiness, your dog naturally follows. A balanced human creates a balanced dog — every time.

Soooooooo …

A well-balanced dog isn’t something you “fix” — it’s something you cultivate. With structure, mental and emotional fulfillment, proper communication, and calm leadership, every dog has the potential to thrive. Implement these 7 pillars, and you’ll not only transform your dog’s life… you’ll transform your relationship with them! 💖

07/28/2025

“Will Everyone Just Calm Down?” – A Dog’s Take on Pressure

Hello, human. Yes, you. The one with the lead, the treats, the voice that goes all squeaky when you say, “Who’s a good boy?” (It’s me. I am. But let’s not get distracted.)

I wanted to have a word. A proper, no-nonsense chat about something that’s quietly messing with our heads and no, it’s not the squirrel that lives behind the fence (though I will get him one day). I’m talking about pressure.

Not the sort of pressure that makes your head hurt after too much coffee or when your phone won’t load. I mean the invisible stuff you pile on us dogs every time we leave the house.

You might not notice it. But we do.

Pressure? What Pressure?

Let me paint you a picture. You clip on my lead, shout something about a “walkies” (I know it means excitement, my tail told me so), and off we go. But the moment we step out that door, it’s like walking into a world of ticking time bombs.

I don’t just mean traffic and flappy plastic bags (both terrifying in their own way), but all the things you expect of me.
• Walk nicely.
• Don’t bark at the other dog.
• Don’t sniff the bin.
• Don’t jump up.
• Don’t pull.
• Don’t poo there.
• Don’t eat that.
• Don’t growl at Dave’s Dachshund (he started it).

You see where I’m going with this?

To you, it’s just a nice stroll. To me, it’s a constant mental juggling act. If I get it wrong? You sigh. Or tighten the lead. Or call me “naughty”. The pressure builds.

But Why Do We Crumble?

Here’s the thing: some of us dogs are born ready for anything. Bombproof, confident, breezy. Labradors with the emotional stability of a yoga teacher. But others? Not so much.

Some of us are worriers. We’re hyper-aware, a bit sensitive, maybe even a touch dramatic (I prefer “emotionally tuned-in,” thank you very much).

And when we’re not taught how to cope, how to deal with pressure, it starts to leak out. It might show up as:
• Barking, lunging, or spinning like a washing machine.
• Completely ignoring you and pretending we’re deaf.
• Shutting down and refusing to move, yes, the dramatic pancake pose.
• Growling or snapping (which, by the way, is us saying, “I’ve had enough!”).

None of these mean we’re bad dogs. It just means we’ve hit our limit. We weren’t trained to handle pressure. We were just expected to get on with it.

So What Can You Do About It, Human?

I’m glad you asked. Here’s what we dogs need from you (yes, I made a list, I’m organised like that):

1. Build Resilience, Not Just Obedience
Sit, down, stay, lovely stuff. But if I can’t cope with the world around me, what good is a perfect “heel”? Train me to handle novelty, stress, and change. Gradually. Kindly. Consistently.

2. Don’t Throw Me in at the Deep End
You wouldn’t take a nervous swimmer to a wave pool on day one, would you? So don’t drag me into dog-packed parks or crowded cafés until I’ve got the tools to cope. Start small. Build up. Let me win.

3. Recognise the Signs
Watch my body. My ears, my eyes, my tail. If I’m tense, panting, yawning, looking away, or licking my lips, I’m not being cute. I’m stressed. Do something before I have to shout about it.

4. Let Me Succeed
Set me up for wins. Let me sniff. Let me explore. Let me have a bit of agency. Give me choices. (But maybe not about dinner, I’d choose sausage every time.)

5. Praise Progress, Not Perfection
If I tried my best not to bark at the spaniel in the ridiculous jumper, but I did a little growl, maybe that’s a win for me today. Recognise it. Celebrate it. Don’t expect perfection, I’m not a robot.

Pressure’s Not Always Bad, But It Must Be Taught

Look, I’m not saying wrap me in cotton wool and carry me round in a buggy (seriously, stop doing that to Pomeranians, they’ve got legs too).

Some pressure is good. It shapes us. Teaches us. Builds grit. But like your own stress, it has to be manageable. It has to be supported. It has to be something I learn to handle, not just survive.

So next time you take me out and I stop to sniff the same bush for the fifth time, just give me a moment. Maybe I’m not being awkward. Maybe I’m just regulating my own stress.

And if you’re patient and kind and actually listen to what I’m trying to say, I promise I’ll try my best to be brave.

Now… can we go back to that squirrel thing?

Final Woof

Pressure is inevitable, in life, in training, in everyday outings. But resilience isn’t inherited; it’s built. So build it with us. One calm, thoughtful, tail-wagging step at a time.

Because if we learn how to cope when the world gets noisy, smelly, unpredictable, and weird, we’ll both be better for it.

And who knows? Maybe next time, I won’t bark at Dave’s Dachshund.
(But I probably still will!!! )

Credit to:

K9 Manhunt & Scentwork Scotland Your Premier Choice for Expert Dog Training and Specialised K9 Service in Fife and Central Scotland What we OfferView our training schedule Welcome to K9 Manhunt & ScentWork Scotland Based at our training centre in Glenrothes, Fife, we provide an extensive array of bo...

07/02/2025

A friend sent this to me and I wanted to share... here's a listing of local fireworks- be proactive and make sure your dogs are safe! More dogs go missing during the 4th of July than any other time of the year😞

06/23/2025

A great infographic as this weather is very dangerous for our dogs! Please be mindful regarding your furry friend(s), especially if they are older or brachycephalic.... 💖

03/27/2025

Food for thought Thursday:

Letter from a dog. 🐕

“Dear Human,
I see you.
Not just with my eyes but with my whole being. You may not realise it, but every time your heart beats a little faster, I feel it. When your hands tighten ever so slightly on my lead, I sense it. When you breathe differently, I know.
You may smile and say, “It’s fine,” but your scent tells me otherwise. Your muscles betray you. I can feel your energy shifting, and I carry it with me.

You see, I live in a world of sensation. Your voice is only part of what I hear.
I hear the tension beneath it. Your body language speaks louder than words. I watch your posture, your eyes, and the way you hold yourself. I even catch the subtle chemical changes in your scent when you are nervous or afraid. My nose is built for this—I can detect fear and stress hormones in your sweat and skin. And when I do, it shapes how I feel.

When you are anxious, I become uncertain. When you are afraid, I may feel the need to protect or flee. And when you are tense, I wonder if there is danger nearby. Your feelings change the way I experience the world. I’m not trying to be difficult when I pull on the lead or bark at something you can’t see. I’m just reacting to what I feel through you.

I know there have been times when I embarrassed you. Maybe I lunged at another dog, jumped up on a stranger, or barked too much. You held your breath and worried about what others thought. I felt that too. And because I love you, I tried to match your energy—I either got big and bold or small and unsure. Either way, it wasn’t helpful.

But here’s the thing, dear human: I don’t need you to be perfect. I just need you to be calm. When you breathe slower, so do I. When your shoulders relax, I trust that we are safe. When you move with quiet confidence, I follow.

Please, when you are nervous, remember that I don’t need you to control me with strength—I need you to lead me with clarity. When you feel unsure, help me by being steady. I look to you for reassurance, not through words but through the energy you carry.

If you are feeling uncertain, that’s okay. I understand. Just take a moment. Breathe. Stand tall. Move deliberately. Let me see that you are okay, even if you have to fake it at first. With time, I will learn that I don’t need to carry the weight of your worry. You will be my calm. And I will be your calm in return.

With love and loyalty,
Your Dog”

I hope this helps some folks understand a little more about our dogs’ world.

CREDIT: Allan Ritchie MGoDT ( MPDTI)

03/20/2025

Loved this sooooooo much! Food for thought Thursday:

"A lot of dogs want you to know this:

Instead of a fancy collar and bed? They’d rather have a fenced in yard - even if it has to be small and home made - so they can have off leash time to dog and dig.

Instead of daily neighborhood walks? They’d rather you drive to a dirt road and put them on a 30ft line and let them zig zag and smell as long as they like

Instead of twice daily meals in a bowl? They’d rather have food through enrichment activities that stimulates their brain and their nose.

Instead of basic obedience training? They’d rather have purpose driven training that feeds their genetic make up and needs AND helps them survive and thrive in todays world.

Instead of a human wanting something from them? They’d love a human wanting to understand them better.

Instead of focusing on perfect “heels” and “stays”? They’d love to learn how to be resilient and less stressed and cope with the outside world and our expectations.

Instead of harsh punishments and corrections? They’d prefer proactive management and rewards for good decisions.

We can’t change everything about the lives our dogs are forced to live with us in, but we can make these kinds of changes and see a huge improvement in their quality of life and wellbeing."

credit: Helen St. Pierre

03/09/2025

I was just chatting about this with a dog training friend the other day 💔

"Just a generation ago if you went near a dog when he was eating and the dog growled, somebody would say, 'Don't go near the dog when he's eating!, what are you crazy?' Now the dog gets euthanized. Back then, dogs were allowed to say, NO. Dogs are not allowed to say no anymore...They can't get freaked out, they can't be afraid, they can never signal 'I'd rather not.' We don't have any kind of nuance with regard to dogs expressing that they are uncomfortable, afraid, angry, or in pain, worried, or upset. If the dog is anything other than completely sunny and goofy every second, he goes from a nice dog to an 'AGGRESSIVE' dog."
- Jean Donaldson