Polite Paws - separation anxiety specialist

12/08/2025

Lovely review from Diane and her handsome Labrador Billy!

Separation anxiety is hard....but it's even harder when you live alone and family are an hour or so away. Diane has been amazing with Billy....despite many bumps in the road testing her, and great progress has been made! It's been such a pleasure working with these guys!

03/08/2025

Someone sent me this yesterday, and it's now popping up on my feed ...it's a liquid you put in your dog's water that (if the marketeers are to be believed) miraculously helps your dog's separation anxiety.

This kind of product and marketing campaign really bothers me because it plays on the desperation of people who can't leave their dog, and convinces them that just adding a small bottle of liquid to their water will mean all separation related behaviours will be "fixed"

Well...let's look at the ingredients - Purified water, passionflower powder, balm extract, yeast extract). That's it!

So....the highest occurring ingredient is water (its the 1st ingredient listed)! Then passionflower powder. While passionflower has shown some potential for managing depression, anxiety & sleep disorders in humans, there is little evidence on its therapeutic efficacy and safety (I. kazmiercyzk et al, 2024).

While lemon balm has been associated with reduced anxiety and depression in humans, there has been limited research with regards dogs and much remains unclear about how to apply different dietary strategies into stress management (e.g., exact functions, side effects, and application guidelines (Z. fan et al, 2023)

And yeast extract....well that's marmite 🤣

There is no mention of the amounts of these few ingredients that are present. As the highest occurring ingredient is water, it's quite likely that it's mainly water!

What research there is for dogs also is not in relation to separation anxiety.

Now obviously I completely understand the huge amounts of stress & pressure having a dog with separation anxiety puts on you...I truly do. But if it was as simple as adding these few natural remedies to water then no dog would have anxiety being alone. So please don't fall for these marketing campaigns

Sure, it won't do any harm (although if your dog is on any meds please check with your vet as natural remedies can interact with pharmaceutical drugs)....but please don't expect it to be the miracle you hope it will be

29/07/2025

❗For sale!❗

* 3 Puzzle toys
1 - Nina Ottoson Dog Casino (blue and red one with white bones) - £15
2 - Nina Ottoson Outward Hound Dog Tornado (yellow and blue one) - £15
3 - Nina Ottoson Hide N Slide (brown one) - £10

*Trixie cones and poles

Only been used a handful of times. £15

All to be collected from me in Dorking.

28/07/2025

Having seen a couple of trainers recently that I thought were reward based and ethical, being involved with, hosting and being taught themselves by "balanced" trainers who openly use aversive tools (and with the trainer I thought was reward based posting multiple videos of her with dogs wearing prong collars), I've unfollowed and unfriended a load more people

I'm sorry but whatever they say, if a trainer you are working with, or considering working with, says hey don't use aversive tools but chooses to spend time and money working with, and hosting, trainers who DO use such tools, they absolutely are NOT against those tools and I wouldn't give them my money.

Someone made a very good point to me earlier ... Us reward based dog professionals KNOW the fall out that can occur as a result of using aversive tools .....so to know that and yet STILL choose to work with trainers who use them, and dogs wearing them, is something I simply can't get behind.

And believe me ....NO dog loves having their prong or shock collar on!!! It's pain...pure and simple! Yes pain can stop certain behaviours...but to what cost!

28/07/2025

Having seen a couple of trainers recently that I thought were reward based and ethical, being involved with, hosting and being taught themselves by "balanced" trainers who openly use aversive tools (and with the trainer I thought was reward based posting multiple videos of her with dogs wearing prong collars), I've unfollowed and unfriended a load more people

I'm sorry but whatever they say, if a trainer you are working with, or considering working with, says hey don't use aversive tools but chooses to spend time and money working with, and hosting, trainers who DO use such tools, they absolutely are NOT against those tools and I wouldn't give them my money.

Someone made a very good point to me earlier ... Us reward based dog professionals KNOW the fall out that can occur as a result of using aversive tools .....so to know that and yet STILL choose to work with trainers who use them, and dogs wearing them, is something I simply can't get behind.

And believe me ....NO dog loves having their prong or shock collar on!!! It's pain...pure and simple! Yes pain stops behaviour....but to what cost!

BREAKING NEWS: I’M A VERY GOOD BOY WHO LOVES BEING ELECTROCUTED!

Just slipped on my sleek, stylish neck taser—oops, I mean e-collar—and I am SO EXCITED to be emotionally and physically micromanaged today!!

Nothing screams “trust-based relationship” like a remote-controlled pain button!
Me: breathes too loud
Human: ZAP
Me: “Thank you, Alpha! I was out of line!”

Today’s agenda:
- Walk exactly 0.00002 mph behind my human
- Maintain unbroken eye contact with their kneecap
- Ignore every squirrel, dog, tree, and joy that enters my field of vision
- Get shocked anyway just to keep me on my toes

Don’t get it twisted—I’m not stressed, confused, or suppressing my natural instincts. I’m just suddenly extremely obedient because I LOVE this tool. LOVE IT.

Remember folks: If your dog doesn’t listen, just electrocute them until they act like they do! Problem solved!

Dont be put off by the positive, caring, empathetic trainers, that are against these tools, they have no idea how they work, and no idea how we love living in constant low-voltage suspence!

14/02/2025

I'm really proud to be a Dynamic Dog Practitioner. Since qualifying at the end of last year I've already been able to make observations during my assessments with multiple dogs, that have been communicated to the referring Vet in a thorough report, and has meant the Vet has been able to have more information in order to focus their investigations. These dogs are all now on treatment.

Before this I would refer a dog back to the vet and say I have suspicions that the dog is in pain, which is so vague....and it would be near impossible for the Vet to get anywhere as it's like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack. A huge amount of dogs also won't show signs of discomfort unless doing certain activities, and will be so nervous and anxious in the Vets that any pain responses are masked.

A Dynamic Dog assessment is there to HELP the Vet, and indeed I have had several vets thank me for such a comprehensive report. Only a vet can diagnose - we are there to help give the Vet information that can assist them. We do NOT diagnose - that can ONLY be done by a vet!

A Dynamic Dog assessment and report is not something to choose instead of seeing vets and physios at all! It's there to ASSIST those professionals. We are all there to help the dogs!

What is the role of a Dynamic Dog Practitioner?

Dynamic Dog Practitioners are trained to provide detailed observations in a language and manner that can assist professionals, such as vets, in identifying potential issues that may not be immediately obvious. The purpose of the Dynamic Dog process is to speed up the pathway to appropriate care, not delay it.

The Vet should always be the first port of call!

However, In the past, there have been cases where dogs were referred to professionals with vague concerns, such as "I believe there is pain," but with no clear observations to support this. This can result in dogs being sent away without further investigation. Dynamic Dog Practitioners aim to bridge this gap by providing structured observations that can prompt a second look by vets or other professionals who can help.

It is important to emphasise that any dog showing signs of pain or experiencing a change in behaviour should go straight to a vet. The Dynamic Dog process is designed to assist in cases where signs are subtle or not immediately obvious, helping to quantify concerns so that the right professionals can take action. At no point should a Dynamic Dog Practitioner offer any form of diagnosis.

If anyone has experienced delays or inappropriate behaviour from a Dynamic Dog Practitioner, or someone claiming to be one, please let the association know at [email protected]. Maintaining high standards includes holding ourselves accountable. Dynamic Dog Practitioners are not simply trained and sent on their way; we are committed to ongoing learning and improvement.

We also recognise that there are specialist referral centres in the UK that have more time to take detailed histories and provide fantastic care. However, many vets only have 15–30 minutes per consultation. Dynamic Dog Practitioners aim to provide additional observations to support the whole team in these cases.

We actually have vets, physio’s and hydrotherapists on the Dynamic Dog Practitioner Programme 🥰

3 vets have contributed significantly to the syllabus!

If you want to FULLY understand what Dynamic Dog is all about then please do get in touch.

13/02/2025

Not exactly dog related but I went to a one day introduction to animal sculpture course at the amazing in Devon yesterday....I have wonderful friends in North Devon who I'm very lucky to be able to stay with!

The course was amazing! We made little mini fox heads! Having previously tried my hand and knitting (not my thing!), crochet (prefer to knitting but haven't kept it up!), this is definitely more enjoyable!

If you want to learn about sculpture (animal or human or both) this is the place to do it! People come from all over the place to study with them!

10/02/2025

I posted about Wallace the Cocker Spaniel last week - one of my lovely separation anxiety clients who, after I conducted a Dynamic Dog assessment as part of my initial assessment process, was discovered to have hip dysplasia.

Wallace has had a short break for a few days after the veterinary investigations and we started back up again with our live reassessment - and wow what a difference already!

I have updated the post accordingly!

Wallace has been on pain medication for 5 days (today being the 5th) and there was such a noticeable difference in his behaviour and body language during our live reassessment!

Dogs do not show pain in the way we might expect them to do so, but that does not mean there is not pain, and pain has such a HUGE impact on behaviour.

Have a little read!

Meet the lovely Wallace! Wallace is an approximately 2.5 year old English Show Cocker Spaniel who I have, at the time of writing, been working with for 3

07/02/2025

As a Dynamic Dog Practitioner, I assess every dog I work with for potential signs of pain/discomfort as I know how much pain impacts a dog's behaviour, and also that pain is not usually blindingly obvious with dogs.

Pain shows in ways we might not expect.

This is a little case study of a dog I have recently started working with for separation anxiety - Wallace the Show Cocker Spaniel (who incidentally is absolutely gorgeous!). It shows how even though Wallace was happy, bouncing around and not limping along, he ended up having underlying pain which was resulting in significant behaviours including separation anxiety

Have a little read!

Meet the lovely Wallace! Wallace is an approximately 2.5 year old English Show Cocker Spaniel who I have, at the time of writing, been working with for 3

27/01/2025

PAIN & BEHAVIOUR

Yep...this again! I speak a lot about this, because so so many dogs I work with end up having an underlying medical conditions/joint pain diagnosed which is either the main factor contributing towards their separation anxiety (or other unwanted behaviour) or is playing a big role in preventing them being able to work through it.

Pain has a HUGE impact on behaviour.

I write this lying in bed because of my back. I've had herniated and bulging discs twice previously and the pain is excruciating. Since Friday my lower back has started to "not feel good". It's not yet at the point I can't sit, but it is feeling like it's on that trajectory. So it's more comfortable to lie flat than sit up most of the time ...so I'm doing that right now (watching Tell Me Lies on Disney Plus...if you haven't seen it I recommend by the way!).

This got me thinking about dogs. Bear with me....I will get onto dogs shortly 🤣

I went to meet a friend for coffee earlier on between Zoom separation anxiety clients. My back was uncomfortable, but I'd taken painkillers & it was bearable. If I moved or sat in a certain way there was a sharp pain but I don't think anyone would have realised from looking at me. However I am also feeling low, with a shorter fuse and definitely less sociable because of the pain. So...how can we possibly tell if a dog is in pain JUST by looking at them? We cannot!

Now I also live with chronic knee pain which is there to some extent every single day, but for the extra pain due to my back has affected my mood, and my behaviour. My knee pain also varies from day to day...some days it's a strong ache, other days it's much more painful....and I can assure you my mood fluctuates with it.

Dogs are the same. The difference is, they can't tell us AND tend to hide pain until it's roughly an 8 out of 10 or so. They also don't show pain how we would often expect them to. And pain has such a massive impact on behaviour. This is exactly why I choose to do a functional assessment to check for any signs of potential discomfort in all dogs when I start working with them....because just because your dog isn't limping or yelping, it doesn't mean pain isn't impacting their behaviour...and until that is managed, your dog will simply not be able to make any progress.

If there are regular inconsistencies in your dog's behaviour or separation anxiety protocol that you can't account for, and you haven't already considered medical conditions or pain, this is vital to do so.

As a Dynamic Dog Practitioner I can help with this ...if you would like to discuss this further please get in touch.

Photo of me (rare because I hate being on social media) in my current position!