Right Start Dog Training

30/08/2025

Pain is a very real issue that should always be considered where any type of behaviour change is noticed in our dogs. They can’t go and pop a pill like we can, they have to reach out to us, their guardians in the hope we will recognise when they need help and respond, not by telling them off but by getting them the help they need.

So often in my work with clients, I see pain being the main reason in behaviour change. Yes we can see the obvious signs like lameness but the more subtle signs are often missed.

If you notice any behaviour changes in your dog reach out for help and advice - they need and deserve us to be their voice.

Unwanted Behaviour or Unseen Pain?

Pain is one of the most overlooked causes of unwanted behaviour. Before we label, or train, we must ask: Could this be pain?

Dogs rarely vocalise pain directly. Instead, they show subtle shifts in behaviour—like withdrawal, irritability, or reactivity—that may be misinterpreted as training issues or simply unwanted behaviour.

Studies from Glasgow University and the development of the Glasgow Pain Scale highlight that behavioural signs are often the primary indicators of pain.

Pain is a major contributor to behavioural issues Professor Daniel Mills (University of Lincoln) and others have shown that pain is either the direct cause or a significant exacerbating factor in many cases of unwanted behaviour. In clinical reviews, pain was implicated in 28% to 82% of behaviour cases depending on the population studied.

Behavioural changes are often the first sign of pain. Dogs may not show obvious physical symptoms, but subtle behavioural shifts—such as increased reactivity, avoidance, or changes in social engagement—can be early indicators of discomfort.

Common pain-related behaviours include:

• Sudden aggression or reactivity (growling, snapping)
• Reluctance to be touched or approached
• Sudden aggression or reactivity
• Restlessness, pacing, or excessive licking
• Withdrawal or reduced social engagement
• Changes in appetite, sleep, or toileting
• Avoidance of walks or equipment
• Hyperarousal, excessive mouthing or vocalisation
• Repetitive behaviours like pacing, guarding, or licking surfaces
• Changes in sleep, toileting, or eating patterns

Musculoskeletal pain is a frequent culprit: A 2012 study found that 75% of aggressive dogs had underlying musculoskeletal pain, often from hip dysplasia or elbow osteoarthritis.

Unwanted behaviour isn’t always a training issue—it’s often a welfare one. Pain changes behaviour, and recognising that is the first step toward helping, not correcting.

05/08/2025

🚨 NEW EVENING DOG TRAINING COURSE! 🚨

Starting Tuesday 2nd September 2025 in Biggin Hill 🐶✨

Looking for a small, supportive group to build your dog’s skills and confidence?

Join our brand-new evening Right Start: Paws & Progress course – designed for adolescent and adult / rescue dogs who are new to training, or ready to build on what they already know.

✔️ Positive, reward-based training
✔️ 1 Zoom introductory session + 5 in-person classes
✔️ Only 3 dogs per course for plenty of individual support
✔️ Includes welcome pack, weekly notes, rosette & certificate!

📍 St Mark’s Church Hall, Biggin Hill from 8pm - 8.45pm

📩 Email Kaye to book your spot or find out more! - [email protected]

02/07/2025

Coming Soon!!!
New evening Adults and Adolescents Course starting in September at St Marks Church Hall, Biggin Hill 😃

02/07/2025

A very interesting article from the Canine Thinking team - behaviour that we consider ‘unwanted’ has a very different meaning from our dogs’ perspective

Rethinking "Unwanted" Dog Behaviour: It's Not Always About Your Dog Being Naughty

As dog guardians, we've all heard the seemingly simple advice: "If the behaviour is unwanted, then punish it." But this idea of "unwanted" behaviour is far too simplistic when it comes to understanding our dogs.

When your dog barks and lunges at strangers, growls at the groomer, or snaps when you approach their food bowl, it might be "unwanted" from our human perspective. But have you ever stopped to consider what is happening from your dog's perspective?

The Dog's Side of the Story:

Fearful of Strangers? For a dog terrified of new people entering their home, the "unwanted" situation isn't their barking and lunging; it's being put in a vulnerable position where they feel unprotected when strangers invade their space.

Sensitive to Touch? If your dog growls and bites at the groomer, the "unwanted" part for them isn't their reaction. It's being handled uncomfortably, especially if they have pain and their subtle signals of discomfort are being ignored.

Resource Guarding? A dog growling over their food isn't just being "unwanted." What's truly "unwanted" for them is the feeling of insecurity when people walk too close while they're trying to eat their dinner in peace.

Behaviour is Driven by Needs, Not Just "Want"

Reducing a dog's actions to "wanted" or "unwanted" ignores the complex reasons behind them. Behaviour isn't just about what a dog is "allowed" to do; it's profoundly driven by their needs.

Safety and Security: Dogs have a fundamental need to feel safe. Many "unwanted" behaviours are desperate attempts to manage situations where they feel threatened.

Physical Well-being: Underlying medical conditions or discomfort can manifest as behavioural changes. A dog in pain might lash out.

Emotions: Dogs experience a wide range of emotions—fear, anxiety, excitement, frustration—that can shift rapidly and drive their actions, even if we can't always see them. Ignoring these emotions and resorting to punishment is not only unfair but could be viewed as cruel, primarily when a behaviour is rooted in a genuine need.

The Guardian's Role: Understanding and Support, Not Just Punishment

Dogs aren't blank slates or clay for us to mould. They come with their own individual personalities, instincts, and inherent needs. Most of the time, a dog isn't acting out of spite; their "unwanted" behaviour was absolutely necessary to them in that moment.

Our job as responsible dog guardians isn't to punish them for these deep-seated needs. Instead we must

Show them alternatives: Gently guide them to understand that their current coping mechanisms might not be necessary, and there are other ways to handle situations. This often involves careful, positive re-exposure and building new associations.

Modify their environment: Often, the simplest solution is to change the situation so they don't need to react that way. For example, relocating a food bowl out of a high-traffic area can resolve resource guarding without the need for punishment.

We've learned so much about canine behaviour. Embracing a more empathetic, understanding approach that respects our dogs' individual selves and their fundamental needs.

If you need help with your dogs 'unwanted' behaviour email [email protected] and we can have a chat.

30/06/2025

So often clients tell me their dog must be ‘happy’ because they are wagging their tail - not always the case! It all depends!!!

27/06/2025

One of the most rewarding parts of my job as a trainer and behaviourist is working with new puppies and their new families!

Continuing the good work that a reputable breeder puts in place for their puppies is crucial and this should start the moment they arrive in their new home.

This is the advantage of my one to one online Puppy Lifeskills Course – the support and guidance can start from day one, long before they step out of the door for their first proper encounters with the world and is specific to each puppy and their family.

This important early support can easily be covered online, in the safety of their new home – hall environments are way too much for very young puppies to cope with in the first few weeks - a very vulnerable stage in their development.

Meet Cooper, my most recent ‘graduate’ from the course – he and his family started out their journey with him a few weeks ago at just 8 weeks of age.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing (puppyhood never is!) but they have done an amazing job together and now have a pup who has gradually built the confidence and resilience that will enable him to take life in his stride. It will also help Cooper and his new family to navigate adolescence, when it comes, much easier and in a really well-informed way.

I will see them again in October for the next stage of their journey in the Adults and Adolescents Course in Biggin Hill 😊

If you would like help with your puppy or to sign up to my one to one Puppy Lifeskills Course email me at 🔗[email protected]

26/06/2025

Interesting article from the amazing Canine Arthritis Management group. Pain isn’t always obvious as our dogs can hide how they feel quite effectively - often it is just the very subtle changes in their behaviour that will give us clues. How well do you know your dog?

MYTH: Dogs with arthritis will always cry or limp if they’re in pain.

✅ Fact:
Many dogs with arthritis don’t cry out or limp, and that can be misleading.
Instead, they often show much subtler signs of pain, like hesitating to go for walks, struggling to get up after resting, avoiding stairs, or simply seeming "not themselves."

You might notice they’re less playful, more withdrawn, or sleeping more than usual. These changes are easy to dismiss as “just getting older,” but they’re often quiet signals that your dog is in pain and needs help.

Recognising these signs early is key to improving their comfort and quality of life.

If you're interested in tailored advice for your dog, our Teleguidance service is for you!
https://caninearthritisteleguidance.co.uk

25/06/2025

It’s always a joy to work with dedicated families keen to do the right thing for their dogs when it doesn't quite go to plan and getting lovely feedback is really rewarding…..

“Kaye, it was such a pleasure to meet and work with you. Your advice, tips and guidance and information (the whole ‘Online PLUS Face2Face’ package) these past few weeks have been so valuable.
Having a puppy / adolescent has been challenging for us but your help has made a huge difference - so thank you so much.”

Little Alby is rather cute as I am sure you will all agree!

Do reach out if you need a bit of help to get back on track with your training or have a new puppy that you want some guidance to help build that very special enriched relationship between you.

🔗Email [email protected], I will be happy to help

23/06/2025

That's another Adults and Adolescents Lifeskills Course completed with flying colours at St Marks Church Hall, Biggin Hill!

Well done to Poppy and Maple (featured below!!), sisters!! and Molly, who was poorly today so wasn't able to join us but of course she will receive her certificate and rosette in the mail (graduation photo to follow!!)

Next course starts next week - 2 spaces left - do give Kaye a call if you would like a space! https://www.rightstartdogs.co.uk/basic-lifeskills-course/

Watch for the new evening course starting September!

24/03/2025

Do you recognise the signs of stress in your dog?

Common Signs of Stress.

It's crucial to understand that our dogs communicate through subtle cues, and misinterpreting these can lead to unnecessary stress for your dog. Here are some commonly misread signs of stress in dogs:

Yawning: While sometimes a sign of tiredness, excessive yawning in a non-sleepy context can indicate anxiety.

Lip Licking: Frequent lip licking, particularly when there's no food present, is often a sign of stress or discomfort.

Panting: While normal after exercise or in warm weather, persistent panting in a cool environment can signal anxiety.

Whale Eye:This refers to when you see the whites of a dog's eyes, often indicating they are feeling uneasy or threatened.

Stiffness: A dog that suddenly becomes stiff or tense may be experiencing fear or anxiety.

Avoidance: If your dog is consistently avoiding eye contact, turning away, or trying to move away from a situation, it's likely they are feeling stressed.

Front Paw Lift: While sometimes seen as 'cute' or a sign of anticipation, a repeated front paw lift can indicate anxiety or uncertainty.

Shedding their coats: while shedding is a natural process, excessive, out of season shedding can be caused by stress.

Understanding these subtle signals is vital for your dog's well-being and strengthening your trust. If you observe any of these signs, please take into account the context and remove your dog from the potentially stressful situation.

Let's strive to better understand our dogs and create a stress-free environment for them.