Fairy Dogmother Training & Pet Care

08/07/2026

If I told you there was an 83% chance of winning the lottery, would you buy a ticket? Most people wouldn't hesitate. That is how I think about pain when assessing a dog with behavioural problems.

Research consistently shows that pain and underlying medical conditions are among the most common contributors to canine behaviour problems. In specialist behaviour referral populations, studies have found painful or medical conditions contributing to behaviour in approximately 30–80% of cases, with some referral studies reporting figures of around 80–83%.

Pain doesn't simply make a dog sore it changes how the brain processes the world. A dog experiencing discomfort has fewer emotional resources available to cope with everyday life. They may become more vigilant, recover more slowly from stressful events, react more quickly to situations that previously wouldn't have bothered them, or become less tolerant of handling and social interaction.
Some dogs become quieter and withdraw from family life. Others become restless, vocal, or unable to settle. Some lose interest in walks, play, food or social interaction, while others become fearful, reactive or aggressive.

Common behavioural changes associated with pain include:

- Aggression, particularly when touched or handled.
- Fearfulness and increased reactivity.
- Reduced activity or reluctance to walk, jump or play.
- Withdrawal from people, other dogs or normal family interactions.
- Restlessness, inability to settle or altered sleep.
- Changes in posture, movement or willingness to change position.
- Reduced appetite or changes in eating behaviour.
- Vocalisation, hiding or inappropriate toileting.

Of course, not every behavioural problem is caused by pain, and pain does not explain every aggressive dog. Behaviour is influenced by genetics, early experiences, learning history, environment and emotional state. Likewise, dogs that were already fearful or aggressive before developing pain may simply become more intense in those situations. This is why every case deserves an individual assessment.

My goal is never to prove that a dog is in pain. My goal is to rule pain in or rule it out as early as possible.

08/05/2026

Oh my heart 💜
My PB. My Peebers.

PB was my mom's dog. But Peebers chose me as "her Human".

Peebs was struck with eye and hearing
issues.

The Nosework courses through Fenzi Dog Sports Academy helped me find an accessible way to engage and enrich her life, and mine.

I miss PB so much. But am so incredibly grateful that I took so many videos breaking down the steps of the Nosework course.

Third time working outside with PB. We are in mostly enclosed, covered back porch.

06/27/2026

Awww...nice memory

06/17/2026

I know this feeling 🙁

Let’s get comfortable with the uncomfortable! We can’t always do it right, sometimes our actions might increase undesirable behaviour in our dogs.

The first thing to help this is to realise it. Then we are almost there. Working with behaviour challenges is as much about working on our own reactions as our dogs.

Because it’s a journey and the best part is we get to go through it together!

06/07/2026

Yes, of course we should ask the dog! Except when we shouldn’t...

I was at the airport the other day and there was a gorgous "therapy" dog there. The man had his leash wrapped tightly around his hand and he went around from person to person, physically positioning the dog while hands groped his body. The dog looked as though he had completely shut down.

He came over to me and I simply smiled, had a short conversation, and kept my hands to myself. There was clearly no reason for me to even ask this dog.

When it comes to touching a dog, especially for "petting" purposes, I almost always prefer to let the dog ask me, rather than the other way around. This is especially true if they are unfamiliar to me, eating, chewing, sniffing, exploring, resting, sleeping, watching something interesting, or already engaged in another activity.

Asking is important, but asking is not always neutral. Sometimes the question itself creates social pressure. It asks the dog to respond to us, manage our proximity, and make a choice in a moment when they may have preferred not to be included in the interaction at all. That is why “ask the dog” should not mean interrupting whatever they are doing to offer touch.

Sometimes the more respectful question is the one we don't ask. Their body is not an open invitation just because they are nearby.

So, first: Don’t ask. Wait!

Notice what the dog is already doing. Notice whether they are awake, relaxed, and available for interaction. Notice whether they are choosing to come closer, stay nearby, orient toward you, soften, nudge, lean, or re-engage.

When there is some indication that the dog may be asking us, or is at least fully awake and engaged with us, then yes, ask before assuming. When we do ask, it needs to be an actual question, not a polite announcement before we do what we wanted to do anyway. We can ask by inviting them into our space. By turning slightly sideways instead of looming. Soft eye contact without staring. By inviting interaction without closing the distance.

The most important part is whether “no” was easy, safe, and respected.

A dog who turns away, ducks, freezes, licks their lips, goes still, moves off, exposes their belly, or simply does not re-engage has answered.

But better yet, LET THEM ASK YOU!

Dogs ask us in quiet and not so quiet ways. They come closer, sometimes guns blazing with tail wagging widely and a loose, wriggly body. They choose to stay. They make soft eye contact in conjunction with these other asks. They press into us. They nudge a hand. They lean a shoulder or hip against us. They paw our hand, they rest a chin on us give us a soft look. They return after we stop. They make the interaction mutual.

And even then, it is still a conversation, not a contract!

The dog who wanted touch thirty seconds ago may be done now. The dog who leaned in for a chest scratch may not want a hand over their head. The dog who enjoys affection on the sofa may not want it while chewing a bone.

So yes, ask the dog and never assume! But first, ask whether this is even a moment in which the dog should have to negotiate an answer.

05/20/2026

I miss this guy! Lovely memories ❤️

05/06/2026

So nice to be greeted by these two! Haven't seen them since November, but I got a joyous hello when I came into their yard 💜

04/28/2026

This video is wonderful. The trainer explains how they break down the steps, and they also explain how they caused the dog to perform undesirable behaviours.

Give them a follow.

04/21/2026

At Trick Woofs, we love play! But it works best when it’s constructive. It’s not about stopping the fun: it’s about helping your dog navigate their excitement. 🐾

Here are 5 simple ways to keep play focused and calm:

1. Keep it low: Ground-level play prevents jumping, injury and over-arousal.
2. Impulse control: Encourages self control, builds frustration tolerance and builds bonds.
3. Pause & Settle: Use mini-breaks to help them learn to regulate their emotions.
4. Move your feet: Bring the energy so they can match it!
5. Breed appropriate: Lean into their natural instincts: whether that’s sniffing, chasing, or tugging!
6. Build confidence: by letting them pull you about .

If it isn’t perfect every time, that’s okay. We see you and the effort you’re putting in! 💛

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