Spotted Paw Behavioral Services, LLC

04/27/2025

"Nothing works❗"
We can ALL make mistakes.

➡️Enrichment
It needs variety!
It needs targeted.
That same puzzle toy they can solve in 5 seconds isn't challenging them anymore.
Many dogs do well with sniff walks, others will cower in areas they are not familiar with. You need to look at where carefully and a sniff walk can be just in your front yard or even your street.
Throwing a ball, is it enrichment (it can be for some) or a repetitive high energy activity that needs limited for others.
The same chew toy they are chewing all day, everyday... may not be enriching at all.

✅Challenge them when they are ready with enrichment.

➡️Rest and sleep
It doesn't come naturally to many dogs.
High energy or highly anxious dogs need us to set some rest times....and that isn't a "cat nap" in the lounge when the children are playing in there.
It isn't necessarily putting them outside for a sleep in the sun, esp if they are aware of every little sound.
Are they TRULY sleeping or just laying down, there is a very big difference.
Have we used enrichment to help tire them out in a completely different way?
Are we pairing sleep or rest with a rewarding and soothing item to help make a positive association?

✅Create a comfortable and quiet area for sleep and encourage them to use it multiple times a day.

➡️Low intensity Trigger Training

Are we "pushing" because we are frustrated and want faster results?
Have we a good understanding of what low intensity actually is?
Do we recognise non verbal signs they are uncomfortable or anxious?
Are we starting at a closer distance than we should because we desperately want them to make a connection sooner?

✅It cannot be rushed. Our dogs WILL show us when they are ready to decrease that distance.

"I can't do it !!!"
Take a deep breath...you can. You REALLY can.
Yes... these 3 areas are key, but we are human and struggle to adapt or change our habits.
Our bad habits and impatience can creep in.

If you are struggling, there are videos in the comments to help you to perhaps look at reactivity a different way.

This dog training graphic is available through abcdogsnz.com (just click the dog training graphics tab).

04/24/2025

If your dog has a behavior problem, now's the time to fix it so you can get back to enjoying life together.

For the next few days we're offering 75% off our Behavior Problems Compendium, with detailed guidance on how to resolve all the most common dog behavior problems: https://dunbar.info/apr25bpc

No matter what behavior problem it is, the first step is usually the same: Stop feeding your dog from a bowl. You could feed your dog pretty much any other way and it would be more beneficial.

- If your dog has a fearfulness, reactivity, or aggression problem, you can use food to build confidence and help your dog feel better and more relaxed in specific situations, or in the presence of specific stimuli.

- If your dog gets into trouble when you're not around you can use food to give your dog a suitable way to pass their time, chewing on hollow, food-filled chewtoys, rooting around in a snuffle mat, or eating from a mentally stimulating puzzle feeder, and you can use food to teach your dog to enjoy settling down on their bed, in their playpen, in their crate, or anywhere.

- If your dog doesn't listen to you or do what you ask, you can use food to teach your dog to perform useful skills on cue, reliably and promptly. Food is so useful for starting the process of Lure Reward Training. It may not be the answer to long-term motivation for your dog, but it's such a valuable tool for teaching and communicating with your dog as you start to incorporate more meaningful life rewards in training.

So, if you want to change something about your dog's behavior or temperament, use their food. It's so powerful and when you use food in training, we believe it becomes more meaningful, appreciated, and enjoyable to your dog.

Of course, if your dog doesn't have any behavior problems then you can ignore this advice. Feed your dog however you like. Or however they like!

Learn more at: https://dunbar.info/BetterThanABowl

04/24/2025

This can happen in a second⏱️
Reactive dog?
Why do we need to know the difference?
If they are fixating they are already up and over that all important threshold....they may be about to react.
The time to work with a reactive dog is firmly in the "looking" phase.
By the time they are fixating all you can do is take the pressure off and quickly!
Do a u turn.
Get distance.
Block vision.
Sounds hopeless ? No it's not at all !
By looking closer at these changes you can see them clearer.
You can keep working with them under threshold, to make real change.
You will start to recognise when they JUST start to approach the tipping point from looking to fixating....that's where some great changes occur too !

This dog training graphic (and over 130 more) available through abcdogsnz.com, just click the dog training graphics tab.

04/14/2025

When is the best time to start training and preparing for life with dog and baby?

We always say it is never too early AND as you can see above from Educator Jessica Barry ( ), you can never be too safe!

By introducing success stations slowly and positively before your baby or toddler is on the move or has even arrived, you’re helping your dog build confidence and creating a predictable routine. This reduces stress, lowers the risk of anxiety, and makes everyone — especially your dog — feel safe and supported.

By actively supporting and supervising all interactions and having success stations set up in advance, together we can help reduce the risk of a bite happening!

Stay tuned for our next reel about what a success station is!

Like this content? Like, comment, save and share to help others to become more Dog Aware! 🐶

04/14/2025

04/08/2025

Can a dog consent❓
Can that dog change their mind? Absolutely, but do we recognise when that has happened?
Play is one of those areas that can be really misread by us (and badly misread).
➡️They can show they need a break
➡️They can show disinterest (and strongly)
➡️These signals can be subtle or "slap in the face" obvious
One thing for sure, we need to look harder at play and what constitutes good play.
It is full of nuances and subtilities as well as individual "quirks".

This dog training graphic (and over 130 more!) is available through
https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/hang-on-i-need-a-break?srsltid=AfmBOorInXhZoYEyi40FC05D9ZEI_oU_eQYBMltsm7GNRwqcFE_BTgDZ

04/05/2025

Have you ever said the words “my dog would never” or “my dog always let them do it before”? 🤔

With almost every consult we do for an incident involving a dog growling, nipping or having done a serious bite, we hear one of those two phrases.

Dogs don’t communicate the same way that we do, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t communicating how they may be feeling in situations.

Take this photo for example…

Looking now we can see Carin with closed mouth, tongue flick, ears back, tight mouth being hugged or confined by Jen’s young son.  She was supervising, but not with dog aware skills.

Carin was communicating using her body language and asking for space in this moment and not liking the interaction.

We are not born speaking dog. It is our job as parents to bridge the communication through learning to become Dog Aware® and learning HOW our dogs communicate to advocate for them and their needs so that they don’t have to escalate to a growl, nip or a bite!

Wanting more information on how to become more Dog Aware®? We have the following upcoming courses AND our blog where this quote came from:

⏺️ Dogs & Storks LIVE webinar ~ April 29th

⏺️ Dog Aware® for Dog Professionals ~ April 9th (4 week course)

⏺️ Dog Aware® for Birth & Family Professionals ~ May 7th (4 week course)

⏺️ Educator Course ~ April 22nd start date

You can register for any of these courses or read our blog posts using the link in our bio 🔗

*We do not encourage children hugging dogs, this photo is used as a teaching opportunity only*

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04/03/2025

Yesterday I witnessed an adorable puppy get swarmed by a group of people. They surrounded the pup and started giving lots of attention. I wasn’t apart of this interaction but was watching it to see how the puppy felt.

The puppy went into a sit and dropped it’s ears back. The puppy was overwhelmed. Based on the body language, the pup wasn’t enjoying the interaction. The people petting the puppy were blinded by cuteness and the pup’s parents were sitting back watching the interaction happen. It’s very likely that in their mind, this was a good thing to do.

What will the outcome be from this or events in the future like this? It’s hard to say. Puppies can be quite pliable. But there is a chance that the pup is developing a negative association with people approaching, being in crowds, being touched and so on. If that’s the case, that body language will continue and once the puppy starts to reach social maturity they may see an escalation in behavior in an attempt to get people to stop approaching. This is where the phrase, “he was fine with it when he was younger” can come from.

What would I change if I was there to help? At the very least I would be pairing the interaction with high value treats. The puppy would see the people approaching and then once they started touching I would start feeding the tasty treats. If the pup was only slightly overwhelmed a the food was high enough value, it’s likely the body language would change and the outcome would be a positive one.

In a more ideal scenario, socialization can start off with one person at a time instead of a large group of people.

To see our other blogs click here: https://www.dogstokevin.com/blog

03/31/2025

Is calmness a choice 🤔❓
This is firmly aimed at those dogs with no "off switch".
Dogs WILL become more of what they practice everyday.
If this sounds familiar....
➡️No exercise apart from high arousal games.
➡️No restorative rest or sleep during the day.
➡️Wandering a yard all day where they are reacting to noises, birds, traffic and that barking dog that is far, far away.
➡️Reacting through a fence to any movement through those slats.
➡️High energy that you just cannot keep up with.

If this is what is practiced and you are struggling with their behaviour....choices need to be made.
Changes must be put in place.
It isn't hard but it requires a bit of discipline from our end to offer our dogs different options than what they are currently offered.
If you are struggling...two videos can help immensely with this.
Links in the comments.
This new dog training graphic is available through abcdogsnz.com (just click the dog training graphics tab)🙂

03/31/2025

Just a little note— our appointment book is filled to the gills! At this time, we are unable to accommodate ‘new’ families for behavioral programs for at least the next month.
— If you are a former pet parent we can and will wiggle to make sure we can accommodate our frequent flyers! But, we are swimming in dogs right now (what a nice problem to have) and need to ensure enough time with our current client load. Thanks!

03/31/2025

Love this picture by Dog Pawmise Canine Behaviour Consulting.

Above the water line - what guardians see.
Below the water line - what behaviour specialists see.

Dog behaviours are complex. What may be labeled as dominant, stubborn, difficult or aggressive may be a series of complex feelings and emotions underpinned by several factors like genetics, epi genetics, diet, health, early life experiences, previous training experiences, environment and traumas in addition to the list below.

Behaviour is based on emotional responses to triggers. Understanding the emotions and working on changing the emotional responses may lead to improved behaviours over time. There are NO QUICK FIXES.

Make sure that the professional that you select to assist you understands emotionality and it's link to behaviour. Also make sure that they are positive reinforcement and force-free individuals.

To find a qualified behaviour professional, please go to www.coape.org.

Whatsapp 071 893 3199