Tina's Happy Hounds

02/09/2025

Hundens velfærd er emnet på Dansk Kennel Klub konference i dag 😃

01/09/2025

Happy Birthday to a wonderful network of likeminded pet professionals! The best place to be a member.

Hvis du arbejder inden for kæledyr i Danmark kan du også være medlem. Træning, hundefrisør, hundeluftning osv.
Dette er et globalt netværk. Al materiale er på engelsk, men hvis det er en udfordring kan jeg være behjælpelig :)

It's our birthday! 🥳🥳🥳

8 years of community, collaboration and kindness. A safe place to grow your business and connect with like-minded professionals.

To help celebrate we have OPENED membership again for 10 kind and ethical Pet Professionals.

And we'll be doing celebration posts and videos all week and birthday meet ups throughout the month!

🐾🐾🐾

Find out more here:
https://www.petpronetwork.com/product/pet-pro-annual/

There's a choice of monthly or yearly membership bursting with goodies including:

🙌 A safe and supportive coaching community
🙌 Events
🙌 Hundreds of resources
🙌 Your very own learning hub (think Netflix for pet pros!)
🙌 A supportive team to guide you throughout your journey
🙌 A private group to ask questions and seek support

And much, much more! ✅️

We open till next Tuesday and then close again till later this year.

What are you waiting for!

Find out more here:

https://www.petpronetwork.com/product/pet-pro-annual/

'Together we are stronger'

29/08/2025

Skønneste hunde - hvis vi ikke allerede havde en schæferdame, der vil have al vores opmærksomhed, så stod jeg i kø til Sally

27/08/2025

🚗🐾 Using the “Find It” game to help dogs with triggers.

Does your dog bark at cars (or dogs, birds, cats…)? The “Find It” game can help turn scary things into positive experiences:

👉 Start at a safe distance where your dog notices the trigger but stays calm.
👉 Play “Find It” with scattered treats so your dog associates the trigger with good things. 👉 Gradually decrease distance, always going at your dog’s pace.
👉 If your dog struggles, take a step back — slow and steady wins the race.

Over time, your dog learns: cars = treats, fun, and safety. 🎉💡

Tip: You can start with parked cars or very quiet environments and build up gradually.

Consistency and patience are your best tools.

26/08/2025

Do you want to know how to use the "find it" game for your fearful or reactive dog? I will post video links in comments, but here are the steps (I've used cars but it could be anything your dog is triggered by):

Step 1: Start a safe distance
- Begin at a distance where your dog notices cars but doesn’t react to them.
- Start playing the game with a few treats and getting your dog into it.

Step 2: Gradual exposure
- Gradually decrease the distance to the car in small increments. (Go back a step if your dog starts to react).
- Continue to play the game and toss treats in a direction away from the car if your dog seems worried.

Step 3: Pair with positive experiences
- Associate cars with positive experiences, like playtime or favorite treats.
- Use praise and rewards consistently.

Step 4: Controlled environment
- If your dog is very fearful you can start with parked cars, then move to slow moving cars in quiet areas etc.
- Play the game every step of the way so your dog learns cars = good things happen.

Step 5: Increase difficulty slowly
- Gradually introduce more traffic and noisier environments.
- Keep sessions short and positive and always end on a good note. (If your dog is into play then end with a play session).

Step 6: Consistency and patience
- Repeat sessions regularly to build your dog’s confidence.
- Stay patient and celebrate small victories.

Slow and steady is the way to go.

26/08/2025

So happy to see Nimbus doing so well. He's grown so much!

26/08/2025

This is an important distinction.

When we see a dog pacing, spinning, or compulsively licking, it’s tempting to label it all as “stereotypic.” But as behaviour professionals, we know the terminology matters.
Abnormal Repetitive Behaviours (ARBs) are the broad umbrella, encompassing any behaviour that appears repetitive, exaggerated, and contextually abnormal. Many ARBs are directly linked to frustration, anxiety, or restricted environments, and may resolve if conditions change.

Stereotypies, however, are a narrower subset: invariant, functionless, and often emancipated from the original trigger. Once established, they can persist even when the initial stressor is removed.

All stereotypies are ARBs, but not all ARBs are stereotypies. Recognising this distinction is vital for accurate assessment, welfare considerations, and intervention planning.

Our latest infographic highlights some of the common ARBs seen in dogs — a reminder that repetition is rarely “just a quirk.” It’s a communication signal that deserves professional curiosity and compassion.

How do you approach distinguishing ARBs from stereotypies in practice, and how does it guide your intervention choices?

26/08/2025

Show me your dogs enjoying nature 🥰