Soul Connection Dog Training

13/05/2026

When taking in a rehomed dog, we need to understand their world has changed & everything, including us, is unfamiliar to them. Everything can be so overwhelming in this new situation. As much as we want to cuddle them & help them feel loved & safe, we need to be understanding & ‘give them time’ to settle in at their own pace.

Their world completely changed.
And they don’t know why.

We see their quietness as coping or relaxing so we can accidentally expect too much, far too soon.

One of the hardest parts with newly rehomed dogs is their stress doesn’t always look dramatic.
We would recognise that easily, but some dogs become extremely still and quiet.

Some follow people constantly.
Some sleep more.
Some avoid all interactions.
Others become busy, mouthy, overexcited or unsettled.

We have a job to do from the second they arrive and it’s not about training.
It should be far more about observation.

We should be watching.
Learning who they are.
Recognising patterns.
Seeing what changes their emotional state.

What startles them?
What helps them relax?
What environments suddenly change their body language?
When do they seek distance?
What happens around food, visitors, handling or rest?

They are telling us who they are and how they are coping, often as clearly as they can and we have a duty to listen.

One thing nearly all rehomed dogs share? It’s incredibly easy to unintentionally overwhelm them.

And it’s usually done with the very best of intentions.

06/05/2026

They are the dogs who flatten themselves against the wall when a stranger walks in.

The ones who will accept a treat from your hand only if you look away and hold very still.

The shelter dog who is perfectly fine with the staff who feed them every day but becomes a different animal entirely when a new volunteer reaches for the leash.

The rescue dog who has been in your home for three months and still leaves the room when company arrives.

The dog who wants desperately to greet people and then, when the moment comes, cannot quite manage it without either shutting down or exploding.

You have probably met this dog. You may live with this dog. You might work with dozens of them every week.

These are shy dogs, fearful dogs, socially awkward dogs. Dogs whose history, temperament, early experiences, or some combination of all three have left them genuinely uncertain about people, or about certain kinds of people, or about certain kinds of situations involving people. They are not bad dogs. They are not damaged beyond reach. They are dogs who have not yet found a way through.

Most people who care about these dogs try hard to help them. They give the dog time and space. They ask visitors to ignore the dog, let the dog come to them, toss treats without making eye contact. They manage situations carefully. They read what they can find. Sometimes things improve slowly, sometimes not much at all.

The frustration is real. So is the helplessness that comes from caring about a dog who is struggling and not having a clear path forward.

Read more at:
https://suzanneclothier.com/sound-familiar-treat-retreat-first-aid-for-shy-fearful-dogs/

04/05/2026

A good exercise to teach your dog 😉. Create a safe place.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18mozwPGHS/?mibextid=wwXIfr

11/04/2026

The best approach? None.
None at all.

I want a dog to feel safe.
Secure.
To understand, clearly, that I am no threat.

And the quickest way to do that?
Take the pressure right off.

No reaching. No leaning in and no stepping into their space.

Because the moment you move toward them, or bend down in an attempt to connect with them, you’ve already changed how it feels for them.

Dogs don’t need us to prove we’re friendly.
They need us to be non-threatening.

There’s a big difference.

And this isn’t just about them.
It’s about you too.

You may know nothing about this dog. That matters.

If you crouch down right in front of them, you’ve just put yourself in a compromised position.

Your centre of gravity is now off.
Your movement will then be slower.
Your ability to step away quickly is reduced.

If this dog reacts?
You’ve lost those crucial seconds and your face is right there directly in front of theirs.

So, try this instead

Turn your body.
Stay upright.
Give lots of space.

Let them decide if they want to come closer.

Because the clearest and best message you can send a dog is this:
I’m not here to pressure you.

10/04/2026

⚠️ WARNING – PAPP Poison in Use ⚠️

PAPP (fox bait poison) has been located around the Barwon Heads Bluff area in the last couple of weeks. Extreme caution should be used when walking dogs in the area. 🐾

⚠️ Baits are highly toxic if ingested
⚠️ Can be moved by wildlife
⚠️ Areas are usually signposted, but pets can still find them

Fred was one of the lucky ones—after going for a walk in the area, he collapsed and was rushed to our emergency team. Thankfully, the antidote was administered in time, and after responding quickly, Fred is back home and recovering well

👉 If you suspect your pet has ingested a bait or is showing unusual symptoms, seek veterinary attention immediately. Early intervention can save lives

09/04/2026

Dogs are masters at reading body language & notice every shift in our behaviour. These shifts can become a signal to the dog.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1545599820900623&set=a.532324942228121&type=3

We started it.
We didn’t mean to.
We may not have even realised we were doing it. But we set the steps in motion.

Our dogs can be incredible predictors and we can give them the tiniest of signals.

They feel the leash shorten. They hear that breath catch in the back of our throat. They can even sense our heart rate climb.

To them, these aren't just movements, they're predictions.
We are unintentionally whispering, "Get ready, something is coming" and their biology simply responds to the call.

This isn’t about guilt or blame. Wayyy too much of that in the dog world.
It’s about the incredible, sensitive connections we share. When we realise that we are the ones starting the countdown, we gain the power to stop it.

The tighter grip when we see a dog, that’s a classic.
We do this to prepare for the possible.
That’s just it though. Is it going to happen or have we now started cueing our dogs into action because we have set the sequence in motion?

For some, giving the trigger a name can help. For others, again that is another cue.

Look hard at what you could be doing that can contribute to their emotional state.

Removing that one signal can be incredibly powerful.

17/03/2026

🚨 HGE (Gastro) Alert for Dog Owners! 🐾🩸

There’s currently an increase in Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis (HGE) cases in dogs. HGE causes sudden vomiting and bloody diarrhea and can become life threatening fast.

⚠️ Watch for symptoms: vomiting, bloody diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, dehydration.

💉 If your dog shows any signs, don’t wait—contact us immediately. We’re here for emergencies.

Keep your furry friends safe and monitor their health closely!

16/03/2026

Dogs are emotional beings, just like us 🐾.

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16/02/2026