The Dog Guardian Blog

Rant Possibly a controversial opinion, but I wish fireworks night didn’t exist, and frankly, I think we should ban it. Or at the very least, get rid of the loud ones. It’s not that I’m a killjoy, nor am I unfamiliar with big, exciting productions. I was in Sydney for the millennium—one of the biggest fireworks displays ever—and still, I didn’t feel the urge to say, "wow wee." In fact, after about 10 minutes, I was honestly a bit bored. Add to my lack of enthusiasm the fact that we know hundreds of thousands of dogs and other animals will be scared out of their fur, and I’m even less thrilled about it rolling around again. Now, I can already hear the counterarguments: "But it’s tradition!" "It’s fun for the kids!" And sure, I’m not saying we all sit in the dark knitting while the 5th of November passes by. But is the fleeting thrill of a multiple bangs really worth the mass hysteria it causes in pets? Let’s be honest, if we can switch to paper straws nearly overnight to save the turtles, surely we can rethink the whole fireworks situation? But we are where we are, so this blog is all about how to prepare for the upcoming chaos.

In this blog, complemented by an engaging video, we embark on the journey of Oreo, a dog who faced extreme reactivity challenges. The narrative unfolds through my engagement with Natalie, a single mum of three, exploring the depths of dog-on-dog aggression and its effects not only on the family but also on Oreo himself. Understanding Canine Aggression Understanding why dogs like Oreo exhibit aggressive behaviours towards other dogs and certain individuals is paramount. Factors such as fear, territorial instincts, misunderstanding of authority, and inadequate socialisation often lie at the core. Identifying these triggers is the first step in our approach to tackle the issue at its root.

Stress on both dogs and humans Addressing in-house dog aggression is an extremely stressful situation for the guardian and the dogs' fighting. The dogs often don't feel safe in each other's company and will react in many ways to demonstrate their discomfort, sometimes ending up into a full blown fight, as they have nowhere to disperse and calm down. This article offers practical advice for managing and addressing the aggression within your home, featuring a case study on two Labradors. For a more in-depth exploration and tailored guidance, our online dog training courses provide extensive resources and expert instruction. Key Strategies for Mitigating In-Home Dog Conflicts Strengthening Leadership and Structure : Learn the crucial role of establishing yourself as a consistent leader. Many problems arise when dogs fight for their owner's attention. If both dogs see you as leader they will understand you will give out attention when you decide and therefore not believe they are telling you what to do. Keep them apart: Once they have fought, their stress levels will be heightened and anticipating the next fight leading to agitated behaviour where they cannot properly rest. If you keep them apart for long enough, the memory of them fighting will fade. Reintroduction in stages: There will always be a place where they are comfortable with one another be that in another room where they can hear the other dog, or out on walks 5 meters apart. This will be your starting point. Then you can gradually get them closer over time, if they are comfortable. Case Study I was called by a client called Tony re his two Labradors, Max and Charlie. Max, the older of the two, had always been the more dominant dog, but as Charlie matured, he began to challenge this hierarchy, leading to tension and fights that disrupted the household's tranquility. Initial Assessment and Observations Upon my first visit, the signs of stress and anxiety were evident not just in Max and Charlie, but throughout their home. Both dogs exhibited signs of distress such as pacing, growling, and avoidance behaviours. Their owners, deeply committed to their pets' welfare, were understandably distressed by this sudden shift in dynamics. Implementing a Structured Leadership Approach The first step was to re-establish a sense of order and leadership within the household. This involved training sessions focused on reinforcing the owners' status as the decision makers and protectors. Simple commands and exercises were introduced to build respect and a bond between the dogs and their owners. Zone-Based Management for Stress Reduction To address the competition and human guarding that were fuelling the aggression, separate zones for feeding, playing, and resting were established but all was now done on the owner's terms. Max and Charlie were given their own spaces, equipped with their own beds, and feeding areas. This separation was crucial for reducing immediate tension and preventing further conflicts. Gradual Reintroduction With the household structure and individual needs addressed, the next phase involved the careful reintroduction of Max and Charlie under controlled and supervised conditions. Initial interactions were short and always positive on walks staying far apart but getting closer as they looked calm. They were in the front room separated by a divider with a blanket on it so they would be calm together but couldn't see each other. Over weeks, the blankets on the boundaries were removed, so they could see each other. On walks they were happy to interact so the last stage was to remove the boundary. At this point there were no issues. Monitoring Progress and Adjusting Strategies Throughout the reintroduction process, close monitoring was essential. If they hard stared one another they were put in timeout and the boundaries were brought back for another week. A Harmonious Conclusion After several months of consistent application of these strategies, Max and Charlie's relationship transformed. The aggression that once marked their interactions gave way to a calm coexistence, with moments of playfulness and mutual respect becoming the new norm. Their owners reported a significant improvement in the overall atmosphere of their home, reflecting the success of the tailored approach to managing in-house dog aggression. This detailed journey of Max and Charlie from conflict to harmony underscores the effectiveness of structured leadership, time apart to calm, and careful reintroduction strategies in resolving in-house dog aggression. For those seeking more in-depth guidance, our online dog training courses offer extensive resources to navigate these challenges and more, providing dog owners with the tools needed to foster peace and stability in their homes. Please find a video below for a before and after transformation.

A somewhat Embarrassing Confession I want to share a personal, and frankly, quite challenging experience I had with my dog, Sky. It’s a story about a mistake I made, one that I hope you can learn from. I am by no means an expert on dog nutrition; I'm a dog owner and behaviourist who wanted to do the best for his pet. This tale is about our journey through dietary choices and the lessons learned along the way. The Initial Struggle: Choosing Sky's Diet When Sky, a former street dog from Spain, became part of my family, I was recommended a specific low-protein diet, believing it mimicked what she had access to while fending for herself. Unfortunately, this advice led us down a path filled with unforeseen issues. Sky's digestion suffered, leading to excessive defecation and disturbingly frequent nocturnal outings, which greatly affected our sleep. Confronting the Challenge: Trusting Instincts Over Guidance As Sky's condition worsened, with incessant itching and failure to gain weight, I clung to the hope that following the professional's advice was the right choice. Yet, deep down, something felt amiss. This period taught me an invaluable lesson: sometimes, it's essential to seek a second opinion or trust your instincts when something doesn't seem right. The Turning Point: Discovering the Right Diet for Sky Despite trying various other food brands, Sky's health issues persisted until I decided to switch to a fresh diet, similar to what I had used for my late dog, Rex. The impact was immediate and profound. Sky's health improved significantly—her digestion stabilised, and her weight began to normalise, highlighting the importance of finding the right nutritional fit for each pet. Conclusion: Embracing Our Mistakes and Growing Together Reflecting on this journey, I realise the importance of sharing our experiences, both good and bad. Admitting my mistake was not easy, but I believe there's power in our shared stories. If you're considering dietary changes for your dog, remember to consult with a professional, as every dog's needs are unique. I shared my story not because I'm a nutrition expert, but to offer a perspective from someone who's been through a similar struggle. What diet was it ? For those curious about the specific diet that made a difference for Sky, take a look at Butternut Box. While it was a game-changer for us, always consider consulting a professional to ensure it meets your dog’s individual needs. Here is a link to Butternut Box with 50% discount off your first order: https://butternutbox.com/Nigel40 should you take that route

Everyday we talk about how to address problem dog behaviour with tools and techniques. These ideas divide opinions however I feel it is very useful if we talk about the energy we need when working with dogs as different leadership skills are needed in different situations. I feel there are generally 4 hats of leadership that we can wear. The first hat is your Nurturer Hat: This hat involves spending quality time with your dog, providing affection, taking care of their health, and ensuring their well-being. It includes activities like playtime, feeding, and showing love and care. The 2nd hat is your Coach Hat: Similar to a sports coach, this hat involves teaching and training your dog through drills and exercises. You guide them through various skills and behaviours, offering encouragement when they get it right and correcting them when they make mistakes. The focus is on doing drills to build their skills and confidence to get desired patterns of behaviour. The 3rd hat is your Authority Hat: With the authority hat on, you establish boundaries and set rules for your dog. This includes teaching them to respect your leadership and follow commands such as waiting at the door, not jumping on furniture without permission, or not begging for food. and the 4th hat is your Bodyguard Hat: The bodyguard hat represents your role as a protector for your dog. You demonstrate that you will keep them safe from harm. This can involve removing them from dangerous situations, positioning yourself between them and a potential threat, or taking action to defend them if necessary. It's important to recognise which hat(s) to wear in different situations and to be adaptable. Dogs may need a combination of hats depending on their needs, the environment, and their behaviour. Being able to assess the situation and choose the appropriate hat(s) is crucial for effective dog training and leadership. Check out this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9YOzoF90Io for more information on how to perfect your leadership approach with the 4 hats.

My senior dog Rex has recently been avoiding his bed and sleeping on our carpet. This is typical every summer due to the heat but as it is winter, I thought it was strange. I investigated his bed and noticed how badly worn down it was. I instantly felt a sense of guilt as my girlfriend mentioned on a few occasions it smelt and was ragged looking. For a sense of perspective Rex is the reason my girlfriend and I are together, why my child exists, he has helped my career and brought us so much happiness - so to alleviate my guilt I wanted to make it up to him by getting him the best bed I could find. After much looking, I stumbled across the new Topology bed. The Topology bed has a memory foam that moulds around Rex’s body. It's comfortable and good for his joints in his old age. The mattress is enclosed in a waterproof case that can be washed in the machine so hairs and smells will be thing of the past. The bed is raised off the floor for hygiene. And you have have many stylish looks to choose from to suit your home!!! Which then scored me points with my girlfriend!!  The only issue we have now is my foster dog Dante squeezes into it when Rex gets out. So now I have been told to get another bigger one! Link to the bed

What leadership qualities are needed to have a well behaved dog? Is it a knowledge of training, how to socialise your dog and regular exercise? I think not.

The most common mistake made by dog guardians is to assume their knowledge of the world on to the dog.

In the wild, it is in a puppys nature to bark, nip and invade other pack members space to play and see where they fit in the pack.