Hondentraining & gedragstherapie Marlise van Haperen

24/06/2025

Waarom kiezen voor een NVGH gedragstherapeut?

Een NVGH gedragstherapeut biedt deskundige hulp op maat voor honden met probleemgedrag. Alle leden van de NVGH hebben een erkende hbo-opleiding gevolgd, zijn gediplomeerd én behalve gedragstherapeut natuurlijk ook hondentrainer (kynologisch instructeur).

Wij houden onze vakkennis jaarlijks up-to-date, voldoen aan de nascholingseisen en houden ons aan de beroepscode, waarbij respect voor en welzijn van het dier voorop staan.

Zoek je professionele hulp voor je hond? Vind een NVGH gedragstherapeut bij jou in de buurt via: www.nvgh.nl/vind-een-nvgh-gedragstherapeut

24/06/2025

Wat je moet doen als je een oververhitte hond treft? En wat juist niet? Volg dit stappenplan om goed te kunnen handelen in geval van nood.

21/06/2025

The magic loose lead walking tools - Slip leads, grot collars, choke chains and prong collars 😡

Some dog trainers (i say "trainers" but its an unregulated industry so there are those with no actual education, or experience that call themselves "dog trainers) that will use, or recommend to use these torturous tools, because its a quick fix, which they "think" makes them look good.

But there is NO MAGIC!
JUST PAIN, AND DISCOMFORT
The dog just learns how to avoid this pain and discomfort by shutting down.

(What kind of person would want to intentionally cause pain and discomfort to a family member?)

But its not just the physical pain and discomfort, or the emotional pain and trauma, there is also a lot of physical damage these tools can do.

A dogs neck is a very delicate part of their bodies!

The neck and cervical spine contain the spinal cord, this is where the nerves of the front legs originate. Excessive paw licking is quite often misdiagnosed as allergies when it is in fact pain.

Putting stress on the neck can cause painful disc damage and shoulder problems

One of the most important structures of the nervous system "The Vagus Nerve" originates at neck level and this controls life essential organs like lung, heart, stomach, and intestinal tract.

The Thyroid gland is located in the neck. If this gets inflamed the immune system trys to remove the inflamed cells.
The destruction of the Thyroid gland cells can lead to hypothyroidism

Increased pressure put on the Jugular vein can cause seizures
Ear and Eye issues are significantly increased

Being je**ed on a lead causes whiplash and bruising.

The epidermis of a dog is only 3-5 cells thick
A humans is 10-15 cells thick (prong collars HURT)

Unfortunately there are some dog trainers that dont care if their results hurt or worry the dog.
All they care about are their own egos and money, not the welfare of the dog.

No educated, positive trainer would ever use or recommend these tools.
Please advocate for your dogs. Dont be a yanker, and find a trainer with ethics, morals and compassion

A well fitted Y shaped harness is the safest and kindest peice of equipment to use on a dog.

20/06/2025

I don’t care what anyone thinks. Losing a dog isn’t “just losing a pet.” It’s losing a piece of your soul. It’s waking up to silence where there used to be the pitter-patter of paws. It’s coming home to an empty space where a wagging tail and wet nose once greeted you like you were the most important person in the world.
People might not understand. They might say, “It’s just a dog,” but they don’t know. They don’t know how your dog was there for you on your worst days, how they loved you without judgment, how they made you laugh when nothing else could. They don’t know how your dog became your confidant, your shadow, your best friend.
This grief is unbearable because the love was immeasurable. It’s not “just a dog.” It’s the one who saw you at your most vulnerable and loved you anyway. The one who made your house a home. The one who left paw prints on your heart that will never fade.
So no, I don’t care what people think. This pain is real. This loss is profound. And if loving you this much means hurting this much, then I’d do it all over again.
Rest easy, my sweet friend. You were worth every tear.

18/06/2025

Het gevaar van oververhitting loert Warm weer is gevaarlijk voor honden. Ze kunnen niet zweten zoals wij en hebben ook nog eens een vacht die isolerend werkt. Honden hijgen om verkoeling te regelen en verliezen warmte via hun tong en in mindere mate via de voetzolen. Wanneer de lichaamstemperatuur v...

16/06/2025

14/06/2025

08/06/2025

Here’s why this matters... scientifically, emotionally, biologically for you and your dog:

Both you and your dog are biologically wired to seek connection, not control.

From birth, mammals (including dogs) thrive through social bonds that regulate their nervous systems, influence brain development, and shape behavior. This is co-regulation, and it’s not optional.

This is how we survive, learn, and feel safe.

In humans and dogs alike, connection activates the social engagement system (Porges, 2011), quiets the amygdala (the brain’s fear center), and boosts oxytocin, the neurochemical of trust, love, and safety.

So, what happens when we lead with correction instead of connection?

Even well-meaning micromanagement or over-correction can tip dogs out of their window of tolerance, a concept grounded in neuroscience and trauma psychology (Siegel, 1999). In this state, the brain shifts from learning to surviving. The result? Less responsiveness, more stress, and a fragile bond.

But here's the key: Correction isn't inherently wrong. Boundaries are necessary. Safety matters. But corrections that come from a place of relationship and trust, rather than fear or frustration, are processed differently in the brain. A secure attachment and a foundation of empathy soften them.

Dogs thrive when they feel safe, not scrutinized. They learn best in environments where their autonomy is respected and their agency is honored.

A “connected teacher” fosters emotional resilience; a “corrective enforcer” can inadvertently build anxiety.

📣 If you’re ready to shift from managing your dog’s behavior to seeing sustainable and healthy changes that benefit your dog AND your mental health, follow along!

21/05/2025

13/05/2025

PROPOSING A NEW “RULE OF THREE”

For those of you who may not have come across it before, the 3-3-3 rule of rehoming pops up frequently on Facebook, particularly in groups for fearful dog guardians. In essence, the message is this: it takes three days for a dog in a new home to relax a little, three weeks to settle in, and three months to be fully comfortable, thus demonstrating that the process takes time.

Whilst it is good to forewarn new guardians that it’s going to take some time for their new furry friend to settle in, offering them an idea of the timeframe in which they might expect to see their best boy or girl feeling safe and settled in their new home, there has been increasing unease amongst professionals regarding the 3-3-3 rule. However, I’ve become aware of some great discussions which have been happening just recently, calling for a reform and a better framework. (Shout out to Jo Middleton, BeKind Rescue UK Reg. Charity 1184755 Page and So Help Me Dog, to name but a few ❤️).

I have always felt very uncomfortable with the 3-3-3 rule. Although the infographics which are shared on social media sometimes include a caveat which states that the 3-3-3 rule is a guideline only as every dog is different, more often than not, it is missing. The statements made are pretty black and white, with the tendency being that the rule becomes a goal to aspire to. This really sets people up to fail as it often leads to disappointment, disillusionment, and perhaps even desperation, when adopters are left feeling that their dog is not progressing at the rate they believe they should. I come across so many who are in need of support because they feel they are not the right home for their dog, that they are failing them, and that they must have been doing things wrong because they aren’t where they thought they would be three months on.

We really need to emphasise that progress is progress, no matter how small a step that may be, and guide adopters away from comparing their dog's journey with that of others. It is all too easy to develop unfair and unrealistic expectations, placing huge amounts of pressure on both ends of the lead. Yes, the rate of progress might pan out to be along the lines of the 3-3-3 rule parameters, or it may be quicker. But, for dogs who might be sensitive and easily worried, it might be a whole lot longer, and that’s okay too! Each dog is an individual and should be treated as such; there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to adjusting to a new life.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, and consequently, I would like to present a proposed revision of the infographic (image attached to this post). It would make me extremely happy to see it all over Facebook and posted every time someone shares the old 3-3-3 rule, to counter it! ❤️

In case you missed it, I also wrote a blog post on the issues surrounding the 3-3-3 rule, if you’d like to read more on the topic:

https://www.trailiepawsforthought.com/post/the-3-3-3-rule-help-or-hindrance

© Trailie Paws For Thought
www.trailiepawsforthought.com

I’m very happy for all of my content to be shared, but please do not copy and paste the text (to avoid sharing from source), screenshot, or edit any part of it.

Please feel free to share the heck out of the attached image!
THANK YOU 🙏🐾 🐾

Image text reads:

THE REHOMING “RULE OF THREE” (REVISED!)
Take things SLOWLY so as not to overwhelm or frighten your new dog.
Helping them feel safe with their humans in their new home is the top priority.
Remember that this is a huge transition; be patient while they find their feet.
Establish predictable routines, provide them with choices, and give them the time and space they need, with no expectations or pressure.
Every dog is unique; feeling safe and settled takes as long as it takes!

The letters from the word “three” begin each sentence, and are highlighted going down the left side of the page.