Helping people to understand dogs through their own language, psychology and behaviour.

Promoting Responsible Dog Ownership in the national and local press, a returning advisor to various radio and TV productions, and working along side local authorities and charities around the world.

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TALKDOG!

The behaviour of our beloved dogs is significantly shaped by their training, whether intentional or not. When we employ effective training techniques, we empower our furry friends to feel more confident and secure in their unique personalities.

Many dogs exhibit behaviours that humans frequently misinterpret. These behaviours may include pulling, lunging, excessive barking, reactivity towards children and other individuals, and chasing vehicles, runners, bicycles, or other animals. It is crucial to recognise that the primary approach to addressing these behaviours involves altering the emotional and cognitive framework that underlies them rather than attempting to suppress or modify the behaviours directly. Efforts to cease such behaviours through the application of punishment or the utilisation of various tools and methods advertised online or on television can result in confusion, resentment, frustration, anxiety, and fear in dogs, particularly if their underlying emotions and thoughts are not comprehended. It is important to emphasise that many of these emotional responses may not be directly connected to the unwanted behaviour. Lead training serves as a pertinent example of this issue. Numerous online resources purport to assist in correcting lead-pulling behaviour; however, these often exacerbate confusion. Should these methods be detrimental or misapplied, they may intensify the existing problem rather than resolve it. Furthermore, while these methods may temporarily suppress the behaviour, they can lead to the emergence of underlying feelings manifesting in other behaviours, resulting in unpredictable behaviour.

Dogs are not inherently unpredictable. If one possesses an understanding of their visual language, the movements of the ears, eyes, head, and tail, along with speed and body posture, are all significant indicators of canine emotions. Neurological issues can frequently be discerned through specific body language. For instance, a dog may scrape the back of its front paw against the ground as it walks. Aggressive behaviours such as growling, snarling, lunging, air snapping, barking, and nipping are employed by dogs to assert control over their environment and signify dissatisfaction with specific changes occurring at that particular moment. Such behaviours serve as a means to prevent more severe reactions, including biting. Consequently, if a dog is exhibiting biting behaviour or any other unwanted actions, it is essential to explore the underlying causes and address the confusion or concerns that may be driving these behaviours.

Issues related to lead training often originate from confusion and or concerns within the home environment, frequently arising prior to attaching the lead. Such issues may manifest in various other behaviours, including barking at the door, following a family member throughout the house, displaying clinginess, or reacting to other dogs or people present in the home. Even a seemingly simple act, such as placing a lead on a dog, can provoke behavioural problems during walks. Many individuals may mistakenly perceive their dogs as problematic when on the lead, while believing they behave appropriately off-lead. This confusion is typically rooted in the dog’s anxiety about the lead, which arises from uncertainty before leaving the house, often resulting in behavioural challenges when the dog meets another dog, is surprised by changes in the environment, or encounters unpredictable behaviour while off-lead.

A significant number of unwanted behaviours displayed by dogs can and should be interpreted as questions from a dog. The way individuals respond to these enquiries significantly influences how the dog will frame future questions or behaviours. Engaging in punitive measures, scolding, yanking on the lead, or applying physical corrections can diminish a dog's trust and respect for the owner, leading to resentment towards the person or situation perceived as the source of distress. It is essential to understand that dogs will persist in their enquiries regardless of the owner’s reactions, and these questions are often expressed through visual signals that may be easily overlooked. For example, dogs may exhibit calming gestures by pulling their ears back against their heads, narrowing their eyes, or lowering their heads, particularly before or during petting interactions. As illustrated in the picture below.

Since behaviour is driven by emotions, we should ideally anticipate our dogs' emotions before any unwanted behaviour occurs. The best way to recognise our dogs' emotions is to learn their visual language.

Contact Connors Legacy Dog Behaviourist today for help understanding your dog's behaviour, psychology, training methods, welfare needs, or specific areas of the visual language and how best to understand and communicate with your dog.

Helping you to become a responsible dog owner

Further help and general advice are available on our Facebook pages.

Connors Legacy Dog Behaviourist and Bill Connorslegacy Gibson

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Please return soon.

Don't Settle For Old School Methods

Traditional training methods often fall short when it comes to understanding dogs' needs today.  While obedience might have been a priority in the past, today we recognise that empathy, consistency, and understanding their visual cues are much more important.   Instead of simply expecting our dogs to obey, we should start giving them the respect they truly deserve. They've spent years fine-tuning a way to understand us better than some of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, so shouldn't we do the same for them? Though they can't communicate with words as we do, their body language speaks volumes about how they're feeling, and it comes through long before they vocalise.  Clinging to outdated methods can even make this non-verbal language more intense, often causing a vocal language to surface as dogs exaggerate their signals to soothe a situation or, sometimes, cause misunderstandings, especially in environments where both humans and other animals are involved.

Traditional methods like grabbing, holding, pushing, or rattling a tin of stones, squirting water, using a rolled-up newspaper, or physically smacking a dog anywhere can be quite harsh and, frankly, unethical to treat a sentient being in this manner.  If you're telling yourself it's just a tap to get their attention, or if you're using any method that creates fear, it's best to reconsider. This includes training aids such as citronella sprays, bark collars, e-collars, vibrating collars, pinch collars, choke chains, and slip leads.  Anything that might make a dog feel scared should be avoided.  Recent scientific studies show that even saying "No" can trigger negative feelings, and gentle stroking during training or calming a dog can actually slow down their learning. We want to find kind and effective ways to train and connect with our furry friends.

It's best to focus on what we'd like our dogs to do rather than what we don't want. This helps prevent setting them up for failure. Remember, a stressed dog is unlikely to learn effectively, so create a calm environment first. Teach commands like 'sit' instead of 'get down' when they jump up, or 'here' instead of 'get off' when they're on the sofa. Make sure to practice these instructions in a relaxed setting before using them in more exciting situations. Always use gentle guidance, and avoid pushing, pulling, or grabbing, since this can only confuse our furry friends further. By approaching training with patience and kindness, we help our dogs learn happily and confidently.

Let's also think about the traditional ways people have tried to change behaviours.  These old methods can sometimes cause more confusion, which might lead to various negative feelings like anxiety, fear, frustration, or even more serious emotions, such as a lack of confidence and feeling demoralised.  Can you recall a time when you've experienced any of these feelings, and do you remember how they affected your actions?  If you ever feel that your dog is, or needs to be "broken", then please consider contacting a modern behaviourist like Connors Legacy Dog Behaviourist. We can help you understand what your dog might be experiencing emotionally and guide you toward effective ways to reduce confusion, alleviate negative emotions, and rebuild your dog’s confidence and trust in you as their key person.

Some traditional methods for addressing behaviour, like crate training and a form of desensitisation known as flooding, are still used today.  Flooding, which is quite intense, involves exposing a dog to a stimulus until the reaction subsides, without intervening to prevent it.  Whereas systematic desensitisation is more gentle, it helps dogs learn to cope with their environment by gradually acclimating them to sounds, sights, and smells at a comfortable pace, giving them time to understand and adjust without feeling overwhelmed.  The older approach, which suggests causing a reaction and waiting it out without intervening, can be quite harmful. Imagine being pulled into a place you fear the most, with no way to escape.  That's how a dog might feel under this method.  It can be incredibly distressing and damage the trust and bond between you and your pet.  This method is linked to various anxiety-based medical conditions.  Understanding these emotional responses helps us shape better, kinder training practices.

A dog in a crate barking, whining, and scratching just wants to get out.  It's important to understand that you're not trying to punish or upset your furry friend; instead, they might simply be feeling overwhelmed or scared in that environment.  To make crate training a positive experience, try creating happy associations with the crate.  You can do this by tossing some tasty treats into the crate and allowing your dog to go in and out freely.  Repeating this process will help build your dog's confidence and make the crate feel like a safe space. Once they seem comfortable, you can start introducing gradual steps, like placing their food bowl just inside the crate door so they can eat comfortably while facing out.  This shows they feel secure and aren't threatened from behind.  Only then should you gently close the door without locking it, so your dog can push it open and exit whenever they wish.  This helps your dog become accustomed to the door being closed (desensitisation) and develop comfort with it in that position.  Remember to also accustom your dog to the sound of the lock clicking on and off, gradually increasing the duration and distance from the crate, to ensure they stay relaxed throughout the process.

Old-school training methods can include techniques such as desensitisation and crate training, along with lead training, obedience training, gundog training, puppy training, and even guard dog training (which now has its own set of laws).  If your trainer tells you to "show who's boss," "be the pack leader," or "make sure your dog knows you won't back down," it might be time to consider a transition to a more positive, force-free training approach.  It's important to question any method that makes you feel uneasy about your dog's safety or well-being.  We want to create a positive experience, so let’s focus on building positive emotions together! After all, happy training leads to happy dogs!

Canine Health & Well-being

Must Always Be Considered First

Canine health should always be our first consideration when trying to understand canine behaviour because all thoughts and feelings dictate behaviour. Understanding how easily a headache can cause unpredictable behaviour in our own environment will help us understand the same in dogs. However, a dog will often hide their ill health, and this can cause unpredictable behaviour if the area causing pain is touched or the environment becomes overwhelming. 

Taking a dog for a health check is recommended before consulting a behavioural therapy specialist to rule out specific health-related concerns. 

Two key areas of confusion that many people might have heard before, which can lead to unpredictable behaviour are socialisation and desensitisation. These concepts are frequently intertwined, making it easy to mistake one for the other. Socialisation involves learning and adapting to social norms and interactions, while desensitisation is the gradual reduction in emotional response to stimuli through repeated exposure. Within these two key areas is a list of systematic processes, or methods, that, when used correctly with specific emotions, often help reduce the negative effects of over-stimulating socialisation or over-exposed desensitisation.

Both of these key areas can significantly influence behaviour, often resulting in the amplification of existing behaviours or the emergence of new ones in different situations or environments. For instance, a lack of proper socialisation can lead to anxiety or aggression in social settings. At the same time, insufficient desensitisation may cause an excessive reaction to stimuli that would otherwise be perceived as harmless. Additionally, the initial behaviours that triggered these responses may have been overlooked or forgotten because they were addressed, leading to further behavioural complications later. Understanding the nuances between socialisation and desensitisation is crucial for effectively managing and interpreting all behaviour; otherwise, we can cause flooding, which is very detrimental to behaviour.

It’s easy to overlook the importance of desensitisation for our dogs, especially when we encounter certain items ourselves daily, like a dog lead or people and traffic. Many expect our dogs to understand a lead instinctively and what is expected of them during walks. While some pet owners recognise that their dogs may not fully grasp these concepts, they might not always realise how crucial it is to help their dog become accustomed to the lead and the various environments where they will be walked at a pace that the dog is comfortable with. If we believe a dog is pulling on the lead to get to the park to play with their friends, we are likely to be disappointed when we hear the actual reason.

There is a common belief that asserting authority over a dog will make them feel safer in their surroundings. However, it's important to remember that the pack theory has been dismissed for over a decade for good reason. And it is very dangerous to try and use this method in today's society. Today, we should focus on helping dogs understand what we want from them in different situations rather than simply what we don’t want them to do.

Many caring dog owners may find themselves using the word "No" or resorting to physical discipline in hopes of curbing unwanted behaviours; however, these approaches don’t work and will only lead to everyone involved feeling frustrated, and this leads to seeking out training aids to manage issues like pulling on the lead or excessive barking that has been caused by the incorrect aversive method used.

However, aversive methods and tools will create confusion and further negative emotions, leading to even more problematic behaviours. It’s important to approach training with compassion and understanding so we can nurture our dogs’ well-being and help them build confidence and thrive in their environments.

These aversive methods and aids are not recommended because they create further confusion and negative emotions which lead to further negative behaviours.

Below is a list of equipment and methods deemed Aversive by Animal Behaviour & Training Council - ABTC, and should not be used in animal training. While reading this list, you may be surprised by some of the methods listed. They have all unfortunately been used, and too many are sadly still used today.

NB This list is not exhaustive but is indicative

EQUIPMENT NOT TO BE USED

• Pet corrector – emits a hiss of cold air
• Dog stop – emits a high-pitched sound
• Remote-controlled spray collars
• Automatically triggered spray collars
• Anti-bark collar – emits spray directed onto dogs’ skin (including new product jet master)
• Choke chain/collar (whether metal ‘chain’ or any other material)
• Influencer collar (sometimes known as ATC) a form of choke collar designed to sit high on a dog’s head to put pressure on the sensitive area just below the ears
• Prong collar/Pinch collar
• Electric collar/Shock collar – remote or automatic
• Training discs when used to startle or as a missile
• Pet ‘training’ mat/Scat mat
• Electronic shock/radio fence (sometimes termed ‘freedom fences’)
• Liquid sprays/water pistols – water, lemon juice or others

METHODS NOT TO BE USED

• Loud noises e.g. rattle cans/bottles/chains/keys
• Throw stick/chain
• Strong smelling substances e.g. smelling salts/ bite back
• Pinching – ears/feet/toes
• Hitting
• Stepping on dog’s feet
• Kneeing in dog’s chest or body
• ‘Alpha roll’/pinning
• Hard jerks on collar and/or lead
• Any manhandling that causes pain, discomfort or fear
• ‘Flooding’ - a technique where the animal is exposed to a maximum intensity anxiety producing stimulus/situation immediately. Exposure to the stimuli happens for a fixed period of time and escape is not permitted.
• Kicking animal’s body or head
• Biting (of animal)

Aversives-March-2023.pdf

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Do I Need a Trainer or a Behaviourist?

A canine behaviourist observes an individual dog to gain insight into the psychological factors that influence their behaviour. This approach helps reduce various confusions, animosity, frustration, anger, anxiety, and fear, often instilled in the dog by well-meaning guardians/parents/owners/handlers who read or watch the wrong information online or on TV about behaviour, without the specific psychological considerations. The use of the wrong method often leads to the unwanted behaviour becoming suppressed, only to manifest and re-emerge at a later date, often escalating or being replaced by further unruly or more serious, unpredictable behaviour. 

Canine thoughts and feelings are expressed outwardly, which is how they communicate with others, which helps understand the specific emotions relevant to changes in behaviour. By recognising this body language's relevance to specific emotional and other psychological factors, we can foster more effective diagnoses and provide a comfortable, non-aversive, non-invasive, effective therapy. Not only is it specifically effective in relevant psychological or trauma-related cases, but it is also more relevant to everyday common behaviours. Installing the correct methods early helps reduce the time needed to first address the confusion and emotions caused by using the wrong techniques, and

offers an easier training program for both humans and dogs to repair or rebuild the dog's confidence, and for owners who have installed the wrong methods.

Canine physical and mental health play a big role in how dogs behave, just like our own health and emotions influence us. Anxiety is a common feeling in both dogs and humans, often sparked by uncertainty or life's surprises. This confusion can come from sources we don't fully trust, and sometimes, the most untrustworthy one is actually the dog’s caregiver. Often, without realising it, our own confusion and anxiety—driven by stress—make us act unpredictably, and these inconsistencies affect our furry friends' trust in us.

Our stress can increase when we try to manage our dog's unwanted behaviours, often leading us to respond with "No!" or "Bad Dog!". These reactions can unintentionally create more confusion and stress for our furry friends, leading to frustration and anger that, in turn, often trigger even more unwanted behaviours, or initially suppress the behaviour, only to resurface as unpredictable behaviour at a later date. By understanding this, we can find gentler ways to communicate, helping our dogs feel safe and understood, which encourages better behaviour and strengthens our bond.

By giving simple instructions during calmer moments throughout the day, and rewarding your dog for good behaviour, you'll help boost everyone's confidence. Introducing new instructions in a peaceful setting makes learning easier for your furry friend, since dogs don’t absorb information well when stressed. You'll notice that your dog is more likely to demonstrate trained behaviours when you replace "Stop" with an instruction for a more desirable behaviour, such as "sit". Especially if you say "Good" as soon as your dog sits and offer a valued treat with a genuine smile.

The information offered here is general and will work at least initially with most behaviours; however, the continuation or return of the behaviour is often related to emotions such as frustration, animosity, anxiety, anger, and fear, which may require more specific behavioural therapy. Please consider booking an initial assessment to identify the specific emotions before the behaviour escalates.

Losing a beloved pet can evoke feelings akin to losing a child; recognising and managing these emotions is crucial for healing and moving forward

R.I.P. My Special Boy

Even though I didn't think I needed you at the start, your paw prints are still left on my heart.  Although one look in your beautiful brown eyes and any denies of my love would only be lies.

You were named after my Mum and Dad's last resting place, but your loss was much harder to face.  You made everyone feel happy and loved regardless of your look, you gave everyone so much more than you took.

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TALKDOG!

Canine Visual Language

To help understand how a dog is feeling we must first take the time to understand their body language.

This is not aggressive behaviour!

This is a dog trying to stop the need for further reactions because of those happening within their environment. This is actually a dog saying

"I'm really uncomfortable with specific changes in this specific environment at this specific moment"

The best way to know a dog is happy isn't related to a wagging tail.  It's the smile on their face!

A calm and comfortable dog is likely to have their ears relaxed in the middle of their head, as in not forward or back, their eyes narrowed in an almond shape, as in not squinted or wide open, and their mouth open in a relaxed manner with a smile on their face. 

A wagging tail is used by a dog to draw attention, much like someone waving at another person to try and draw the other person's attention.  That said, the speed of the wag, the height and specific parts of the tail movement can be used to help highlight various aspects surrounding emotions.

The faster the tail wags, the better the indication of heightened emotions such as over-excitement, anger, frustration and confusion.  This can also highlight excessive anxiety and fear, specifically if it's only the tip wagging.  If the tail is likely to be uncurled when the dog is relaxed, then the tighter the curl when they're not relaxed is a good indication of the amount of tension involved with their emotions.

Dogs can also wag more on one side than the other to highlight their positive or negative frame of mind.  If you are able to recognise this, then your dog's left is the negative side and their right side is the positive side.  These sides are also relevant when the tail isn't wagging. 

This doesn't mean the right side is good and the left side is bad, because a dog which is showing unwanted behaviour can have their tail to the right, remember it is positive and negative.  Dogs without tails will show similarities through quick flicks of the relevant ears.

A higher wag usually indicates excitement, whereas a low wag usually indicates confusion. As the tip gets closer to the body, it usually indicates a higher fear level, whether wagging or still.  

To blame a dog for any unwanted behaviour shown is more about our own shortcomings as a pupil and/or a teacher.  A dog is always learning, and their behaviour is dictated by changes within their environment at any specific moment.

We should never expect a dog to know what is expected of them, regardless of how often the dog has been in that environment.  We are more likely to assess our environment using our eyes and ears, whereas a dog is more likely to assess their environment using their nose.

Helping you to

TALKDOG!

Some Current Legislation All Dog Owners Should Know

Over 20 pieces of legislation apply to dog ownership in Britain. This guide will help you understand some of your responsibilities, but it should not be considered legal advice. Always research the legislation yourself as this may have changed since this website went live.

Controlling your dog in public or private dwellings

Overview

It’s against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, such as:

• in a public place
• in a private place, for example a neighbour’s house or garden
• in the owner’s home

The law applies to all dogs.

You can report a dog that’s out of control.

Some types of dogs are banned.

Out of control

Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it:

• injures someone
• makes someone worried that it might injure them

A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if either of the following apply:

• it attacks someone’s animal
• the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal

Penalties

You can get an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to 6 months (or both) if your dog is dangerously out of control. You may not be allowed to own a dog in the future and your dog may be destroyed.

If you let your dog injure someone you can be sent to prison for up to 5 years or fined (or both). If you deliberately use your dog to injure someone you could be charged with ‘malicious wounding’.

If you allow your dog to kill someone you can be sent to prison for up to 14 years or get an unlimited fine (or both).

If you allow your dog to injure an assistance dog (for example a guide dog) you can be sent to prison for up to 3 years or fined (or both).

Public Spaces Protection Orders

Some public areas in England and Wales are covered by Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) - previously called Dog Control Orders (DCOs).

In public areas with PSPO's, you may have to:

• keep your dog on a lead
• put your dog on a lead if told to by a police officer, police community support officer or someone from the council
• stop your dog going to certain places - like farmland or parts of a park
• limit the number of dogs you have with you (this applies to professional dog walkers too)
• clear up after your dog
• carry a poop scoop and disposable bags

You can report dog fouling to your local council.

Penalties

If you ignore a PSPO, you can be fined:

• £100 on the spot (a ‘Fixed Penalty Notice’)
• up to £1,000 if it goes to court

PSPO's in your area

Local councils must let the public know where PSPO's are in place. Example If dogs are not allowed in a park, there must be signs saying so. If the council plans to put a new PSPO in place, it must put up a notice and publish it on its website. The notice must tell you:where the new PSPO will apply if there’s a map and where you can see it

Report a dog

You can report a dangerous or out of control dog to: 

• your local police force
• your council’s dog warden service

  You can also report dog fouling to your local council.

Further help to understand more of the 20 UK legislations which apply to you as a dog owner and your responsibilities can be found here:

Dog laws UK | Blue Cross

Connors Legacy Dog Behaviourist

Ongoing Ethos:
Since our founding in 2009, our organisation has championed canine welfare by addressing human inconsistencies and employing appropriate methods. We have critically evaluated outdated and potentially harmful pack theory strategies and have advocated for modern, science-based approaches. Although numerous effective, force-free, positive training methods are available today, we caution against using any method, online, televised, or otherwise, that seeks to control or retrain unwanted behaviours indiscriminately.

We understand that finding the right training methods for your dog can be confusing and overwhelming, particularly given the many conflicting opinions online. Unfortunately, some of these methods still rely on outdated, harmful pack-leader techniques that can negatively impact your dog's emotional and mental well-being. It's important to note that having a large social media following or positive reviews doesn't necessarily make someone the best choice for your dog. In fact, most of what we might find on TV or online is outdated theories regarding canine behaviour. The methods are often inhibiting, reducing a dog's ability to communicate correctly, and can further harm your dog's mental health. By hindering the dog's ability to communicate their needs effectively, the original emotions often become suppressed until they manifest in unpredictable behaviours.

Recognising each dog as an individual is fundamental.

They learn independently, which accounts for variability in terminology and behaviour descriptions among our communications. Our ethos, combined with extensive expertise and experience, equips us to effectively counteract widespread inaccuracies and misconceptions prevalent in the sector. As we approach our second decade, our reputation for professionalism and positive outcomes continues to strengthen. Because of our ethos and treating every dog as an individual, in both 2022 and 2023, Connors Legacy Dog Behaviourist was recognised as one of the top three dog training companies by Threebestrated.co.uk.

Services We Provide

Our specialisation encompasses domestic, rescue, and reactive dogs with various psychological, behavioural and training needs. We assist dog owners/parents/guardians/handlers/walkers and so on in understanding dogs' behaviour by highlighting and interpreting visual cues, identifying areas that confuse dogs, applying modern dog psychology, and utilising current reward-based training techniques. With over 40 years of experience in the field, we strive to gain a deeper understanding of these remarkable animals, thereby enabling owners to navigate the often misleading and potentially harmful theories and training methods prevalent in online resources. Our commitment is to employ only modern, positive reinforcement training methods while continuously expanding our knowledge about these extraordinary companions so that we may share valuable insights with those in need - namely, our clientele.

A very experienced behaviourist will visit your residence to discuss your concerns and evaluate your dog's behaviour in its home environment. The behaviourist will assess and highlight your dog's body language to help you identify specific emotions that may lead to confusion or stress and recommend strategies to mitigate these concerns. Utilising modern psychological principles, we offer updated basic reward-based training, advanced individualised training, and cognitive therapy methods designed to address unwanted behaviour arising from a range of emotional states. Additionally, we assist in training specific behaviours that are advantageous for home life, employing modern dog training methodologies centred on positive reinforcement. A highlighted list of our services is provided below; however, if your requirements are not on this list, please don't hesitate to contact us.

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TALKDOG

Our Assistance

Our organisation was established to help you learn about your dog's psychology, behaviour, communication, positive training methodologies, and general canine care. However, it is imperative to recognise that there are no immediate solutions to issues related to dog behaviour; establishing respect and trust with your dog requires time and effort. We do not endorse dog boot camps or so-called "quick fix" training instruments such as pinch collars, chain collars, prong collars, or e-collars. Furthermore, we do not support aversive training techniques that involve yanking or checking the dog, or the use of aversive tools such as spray bottles, tins with stones in them, airhorns, or any other tools marketed as a means to stop unwanted behaviours. Nor do we advocate deploying pack theory. Such methods are often detrimental, leading to heightened confusion, anxiety, and fear, which often result in unpredictable or antisocial behaviours.

What Causes Behaviour

Health: Canine health should always be a priority when evaluating behavioural causes; human behaviour can become inconsistent when we experience ill health, and dogs are no different.

Psychology: Emotions play a pivotal role in shaping behaviour, so it's essential to methodically tackle any negative thoughts and feelings to ensure the dog feels safe and at ease. We can significantly enhance the dog's confidence by cultivating positive emotions through gentle interactions and rewarding experiences. This approach not only alleviates anxiety and confusion but also lays the groundwork for transforming unwanted behaviours into more desirable ones. It’s about creating a nurturing environment where dogs can thrive emotionally and behaviorally. We highlight the value of reward-based positive training techniques that help foster a confident and happy dog. Spending just 10 minutes on a new training activity can mentally tire a dog more than an hour of physical exercise.

How does your dog ask you a question?

When a dog has a question, they primarily try to communicate it to you through their body language and behaviour. Which is often their most expressive form of enquiry. However, many people may misinterpret this behaviour as unruly, unwanted, or unpredictable. In response, people might react harshly by saying "no," scolding their dog, or attempting to manipulate the situation to regain physical control. This method of discipline should be reserved for genuine emergencies. By saying "no" or using other methods to try to stop unwanted behaviour, we will often cause a flurry of confusion and emotions, including animosity, anxiety, frustration, and anger. All of these emotions dictate further unwanted behaviours.

Unfortunately, human hands are often used to try to control, which can cause confusion. When we frequently rely on physical corrections to manage a dog's actions, we inadvertently teach the dog that using their mouth is an effective way to influence or control their environment. Dogs naturally use their mouths to explore, communicate, and interact with the world around them, making it essential for us to understand their perspective and respond with patience, understanding, and specific instructions rather than punishment. By doing so, we can foster a more cooperative relationship built on mutual respect, communication and many fewer questions and stop the cycle of confusion and behaviour.

A Stressed Dog Will Not Learn

Dogs shouldn't be labelled as difficult, uncooperative, stubborn, mischievous, headstrong, or obstinate when they do not follow instructions. Many unwanted behaviours stem from confusion arising from inconsistent actions, reactions, or misunderstandings about when and how to respond to the dog's behaviour. If a dog is not adhering to instructions, it may be attributed to their emotional state or a lack of clarity about what is expected. For aggressive or reactive behaviour, such as pulling or lunging on a lead, barking at the door, other dogs, or people, it's best to consult a professional behaviourist rather than using methods highlighted online. A modern, force-free, experienced professional can offer the correct advice and techniques to help change a dog's thoughts, feelings, and behaviour without just suppressing their emotions, which many of these techniques tend to do. Training at home can be especially helpful, as it usually involves fewer distractions and can reduce anxiety or fear, which might otherwise affect behaviour outside the home, creating more questions for a dog, and so the cycle starts again.

Set a dog up to succeed.

Help the dog change its emotions before attempting to answer the questions the dog asks us, because without engaging with the psychology first, a dog has a lower chance of succeeding.

If you believe that we're able to help you and your dog, then please contact us via

Email at Enquiries@connorslegacy.co.uk

Social media at @connors.dogbehaviourist,

or @BillConnorsLegacyGibson

Direct contact at 07989 473 131.

Very Important Information

As a dog owner/parent/guardian/handler, please take the time to understand all the different parts of the current UK legislation and any changes since 2016 regarding all dogs.

INCLUDING YOUR DOG.

Some help understanding what the UK law says you, as a dog owner/parent/guardian, should know about current UK legislation is available at the bottom of this page.

Please also be aware that your pet dog is no longer allowed to secure your home. Your dog can not be a guard dog under present legislation; failure to recognise this is the handler's/guardian's/owner's responsibility, and it could cost your dog its life.

Please also be aware of areas

where your dog is not allowed to go; these are set out on your local council's

website. There have also been changes affecting dogs around livestock, which again could have an immediate effect on your dog's life. Your dog could legally be shot for only agitating the livestock.

Please research The Livestock Act.

If you are a dog handler, then please research any changes to the Guard Dogs Act

Every dog should be treated as an individual because behaviour is not breed-specific