Speak Dog

23/07/2025

Soooooooooo

The long awaited Part 2 Learning to Listen is here!

If you are ready to go beyond the observations and take the next step of truly listening, then please do.come joun us.

If you have a bought a Part 1 ticket through your professional, please do ask how to purchase a ticket through them OR you can purchase a ticket through the Speak Dog

website www.speakdog.co.uk/events

23/07/2025

I read a post the other day where a professional claimed that everyone was being tricked when they are told you need to know why a behaviour is happening.

Now, ive read some pretty dodgy posts in my years but this is particularly uneducated and dangerous.

Behavior Is Communication, and we absolutely need to listen and understand why.

Without that information how do we know what the right support will need to look like.

The only time you DONT need to know, is if your tool belt is so limited, that you're a one trick pony to every case, totally ignoring the individuality each case brings.

Treating all Resource Guarding cases as the same for example.

Often, what we see as “bad behaviour” is a dog trying to communicate and cope.

It’s our job to decode what they’re telling us, rather than shut down the symptom lets try and understand the cause.

There is a great saying:
“Nature loads the gun and the environment pulls the trigger.”

Choose to be the environment that disarms the situation with empathy, knowledge, and compassion.

( Picture of the team coach, Lettie Spaghetti)

21/07/2025

It's Okay to Not Know – But It's Not Okay to Do Nothing Once You Do

It’s okay to not have all the answers about your dog’s behaviour. We all start somewhere. Not knowing is not a failure — it’s human.

What’s not okay is learning what your dog needs and then choosing not to act on it. Understanding your dog’s behaviour is just the first step. Real change, real support, comes from implementing that knowledge.

Paying for behaviour support is an investment in understanding. It gives you insight, tools, and strategies. But those only work if they’re used. Without follow-through, even the best advice can’t help your dog thrive.

So yes, ask for help, seek reputable guidance. But most importantly, take action.

21/07/2025

Hahaha this made me laugh 🤣

21/07/2025

Displacement behaviour refers to actions a dog might perform that are out of context or unrelated to the immediate situation, often occurring when the animal is experiencing internal conflict, stress, or anxiety.

These behaviors serve as a coping mechanism, helping dogs to manage emotional tension when they are unsure how to respond.

Common displacement behaviours in dogs include excessive scratching, yawning, licking, sneezing, sniffing the ground, or suddenly engaging in seemingly random activities like digging or grooming.

While these actions may appear normal on their own, little clues can indicate that the dog is using these to communicate something different.

My girl Tesla uses sniffing A LOT to try and stop unwanted play advances from Rodney ( one of her sons) to play, he is bit too rough in play style for Tesla.

In this short video Rodney had ran at her to play just as i got my phone out, notice she is sniffing but its false, her goal is to be left alone and she comes straight to me for safety ( Rodney doesnt always listen)

Understanding displacement behaviour can help caregivers better recognise when a dog is feeling overwhelmed and take steps to provide comfort or reduce stressors.

20/07/2025

Weve had scorchio weather here in the uk.

Weve had a dash of heavy rain but despite the temps dropping the humidity has been bloody awful, so exercise and activities have been adjusted accordingly.

However, this morning was fresher, the dogs were feral in the dog field 🤣

Derek took great pleasure in annoying his sister Marlene 😅

20/07/2025

I just read a post from a fellow dog guardian who's planning to move to the area in a few months and is already looking for a groomer who can meet her dogs specific grooming needs.

I just wanted to say how much I admire and applaud her forward thinking and dedication.

It’s so heartening to see someone putting in the effort to make sure their dog continues to receive the right care,.even before the move happens.

That kind of preparation shows a deep level of love and responsibility, and it's exactly the kind of thing that helps dogs thrive during times of transition.

Wishing her and her and her dog a smooth move and hoping they find the perfect groomer! 🐾💛

(Video of my gorgeous old girl Miss Mouse losing a few pounds in fur and me starting a snow storm, she has some lumps and blasting is preferred over brishing for her )

19/07/2025

Don’t Confuse Fatigue with Fulfillment in Dogs 🐾

Just because your dog is tired, it doesn’t mean they are necessarily content.

It’s a common mistake to think a long run or hours of fetch will make our dogs happy because they’re worn out afterwards. But exhaustion isn’t the same as emotional or mental well-being.

Using exercise to “drain energy” can actually mask unmet needs.

Overworked dogs may seem calm, but often they’re depleted, and this can mask or even exacerbate other issues such as reduced tolerance or increased aggression if there is a pain element for example.

On the flip side, it's essential to highlight the importance of providing some dogs with appropriate exercise to avoid possible behaviour-related issues.

There are other ways we can fulfil our dogs' needs, consider:

🧠 Mental stimulation (training, enrichment, problem-solving, scent work, etc.)
🧍‍♂️ Connection and calm companionship
🐶 Freedom to sniff, explore, and be a dog.

Yes, physical activity is important, but not as a substitute for a well-rounded, fulfilling life.

Let’s raise dogs who are content, not just tired. ❤️

19/07/2025

Excitability in dogs is often mistaken for simply having excess energy or needing more physical activity, but it can actually be a sign of deeper underlying issues.

While some dogs are naturally energetic, persistent even, overexcitement, especially in response to " normal day to day events, may indicate stress, anxiety, pain, lack of emotional regulation, or even confusion about what’s expected of them.

In some cases, dogs use hyperactive behaviour as a coping mechanism to manage insecurity or frustration.

Misinterpreting this as just a need for more exercise can inadvertently reinforce the problem, rather than addressing its root causes.

Understanding the emotional and psychological components behind excitability is key to helping dogs and supporting humans.

18/07/2025

REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep in dogs is a critical phase of their sleep cycle, during which dogs experience vivid dreams and important neurological activity.

This stage is characterised by rapid eye movements, irregular breathing, and muscle twitching, often visible in their legs or face.

Just like in humans, REM sleep plays a vital role in memory consolidation, brain development, and emotional processing for dogs.

Ensuring your dog gets enough uninterrupted sleep, including REM cycles, is essential for their overall health and well-being

My little sweetheart Tesla demonstrating some REM for us 🥰

( sorry about the background noise, its not actually that terrible but the video enhanced the sound of the fan)

18/07/2025

The Holistic Grooming Academy is one of our wonderful business collaborators. How exciting there is another book about to be published to support considerate grooming 😍

🤩 I am so thrilled to be launching pre-orders for my latest book this August 8th, 'HELP! My Dog Hates Grooming!'.

FINALLY a resource for dog carers who want reliable advice and support in helping their dog overcome fears of grooming, while also working in tandem with their chosen pet care providers 🥰

It's a blend of actionable advice and layman-terms theory, uncovering the truths about many grooming myths while giving you some much-needed reassurance that there IS hope in helping your dog overcome grooming-related stress 😀

I'd say this should be in ALL dog carer's bookshelves, but I guess I am bias!

If you would like to pre-order your kindle copy for just 99p, you can sign up to The Holistic Pet Care Conference 2025 (it's FREE) and listen out for the steps!

Otherwise, hang tight, as I will also be popping details on this page for those who cannot make the conference but still deserve to have access to this book!

18/07/2025

Rodney wants to ask 🤣