Buttons & Leash Dog Training & Behaviour

05/08/2025

Hard to believe that is been 1 year since we said goodbye Tywin, the reason behind Buttons & Leash being a thing.

When he first arrived, I had no interest in dog training nor any idea that it would become my full-time job & passion. He was initially meant to be a surprise birthday present for me but he turned into something far more impactful.

Not only did he kickstart my journey into dog training but he made me passionate about helping dogs who would be described as "difficult". Alongside his impact on me, Tywin helped hundreds of other dogs and even a few kids overcome their fear of dogs.

Whilst life might calmer now, there's nothing I want more then to be woken up with you jumping on me, subtly demanding a walk by huffing at me or standing on the sofa inspecting my dinner.

We miss you more than words can describe & are eternally grateful to have been in your life.

04/08/2025

An excellent first session with Kiefer the other day.

Kiefer has recently joined his new owner after being rescued from Bulgaria, where he was used as a hunting dog but was too scared of the gunshots, so they let him go.

His new owner is wonderful and just needs some help with lead walking, focus and recall. For our first session we spent some time figuring out what motivates Kiefer and discovered his love of hunting games, tug and a clicker.

We've also noticed some potential issues with his rear end which could be a factor in his over-arousal and issues with certain sounds. We'll gathering some more evidence before speaking to the vet.

In the meantime, Kiefer and his owner will be working on their engagement with some new games and building a positive response to the clicker.

01/08/2025

Winnie has made a lot of progress since I started working with her a couple of months ago. When she arrived Winnie was very nervous of new people (particularly men), didn't like noises, struggled to rest and was very overwhelmed outside.

It would be very easy to simply put her behaviour down to "being a rescue". However, as part of our assessment process we look at the dog from multiple angles ✅ Behaviour ✅ Previous learning ✅ Genetics ✅ Physical & mental wellbeing.

During this assessment, we noticed some behavioural issues & physical abnormalities that are big red flags for underlying pain, specifially:

🚩 Ball obssession
🚩 Noise sensitivity
🚩 Very easily triggered from calm
🚩 Sensitive around rear legs & lower back

After the assessment, Winnie's owner contacted the wonderful Charlotte Duke Veterinary Physiotherapy, who confirmed our assessment. Shortly after, Winnie had an x-ray which showed hip dysplasia in both hips.

Winnie's behaviour has dramatically improved since starting her pain medication and in general is a much happier dog. We still have some work to do outside but so far the progress is amazing.

30/07/2025

Lovely review from Zeus's owners.

28/07/2025

When I started working with Zeus, him and his family were really struggling with his behaviour, specifically;

❌ Resource guarding toys, resulting in growling & snapping.
❌ Inability to rest
❌ Grabbing, mouthing and nipping at arms
❌ Repeatedly charging glass door
❌ Excessive barking out the window
❌ Very noise sensitive

During our initial session, it was clear that we had to help him relax whilst we investigated what's going. So we contacted his vet who prescribed anxiety meds, which helped him relax and made it possible for us to carry out a dynamic dog assessment.

Our assessment pointed towards potential issues with his spine and hips, which upon x-rays being carried confirmed exactly that. Zeus was then put on pain-killer which has been a gamechanger.

Since starting his pain medication he is;

✅ Sleeping more
✅ No longer mouthing, nipping or grabbing arms
✅ No longer charging the door
✅ No longer resource guarding toys
✅ Much more relaxed and getting a lot more sleep

I'm really pleased to have been able to help both Zeus and his owners. If you're struggling with your dog or if you have previously tried training that hasn't worked, please consider finding and trainer/behaviourist who can help you figure out if pain is affecting your dog's behaviour.

18/07/2025

Pain of Behavior?
PAIN!
Remember Dora the mouthy and restless puppy:

Behavior:
- Struggled with over arousal, even with proper enrichment and calm safe spaces
- Showed signs of separation distress
- Resisted rest in all forms
- Plopped on walks

What did I do?
- Took photo and video evidence of what I was seeing (sloppy sits, shortened pelvic limb stride and other hind limb compensation)
- Supported Dora's mom in helping her keep her vet team in the loop, finding answers in puppies can take time
- Pushed to see a board certified specialist when first round of diagnostics were clear but I was still seeing gait/posture abnormalities and behavior consistent with pain

Findings:
- Original x-rays: no significant findings (but that is common in puppies under 1)
- Board Certified Rehab Vet: Based on gait, exam and sensitivity to handling, suspicious of hip dysplasia, recommended physical therapy and repeat x-rays at an age where we would see more
- Second x-rays when older: hip dysplasia, spondylosis, arthritis. All by age 1.

What did we do after?
- Create a customized behavior and enrichment plan to help with her behavior, which we know is rooted in pain
- Work with regular vet for behavior and pain management, including medications to help Dora’s brain and body be ok with training and life
- Rehab vet for continued treatments, physical therapy and progress checks
- Recognize Dora will be in lifelong management. Regression in behavior is a sign of pain. We can train to help her thrive but always need to have her vet team in the loop

Where is Dora now?
- She is a friendly girl and likes to make friends (people and doggies alike!)
- Enjoys a good adventure, splashing in puddles and sniffing
- Enjoys loose leash walks
- Can be left alone without distress
- Better able to entertain herself and self soothe without destroying inappropriate objects (most of the time)
- Respects her shi tzu brother and his needs
- Respectful of Mom and finds safe ways to express she needs help or an outlet.

Is Dora a perfect push button dog? No. And that is ok. Dora is the best Dora she can be and her mom is an amazing guardian that understands Dora's why (ok minus her love of snacking on dead worms, you do you Dora).

Do you have a Dora in your life? A bully breed that is extra and has big feelings? Don't blame the breed, don't use painful tools or methods, find their why.

18/07/2025

Gradually we are gaining more information on how disease in companion animals can influence their behaviour.

I see a fair number of "pica" cases - both in first opinion "GP" vet practice and as a vet and behaviourist. Gut health can influence this tendency in multiple ways.
In this NEW PUBLICATION the authors discuss how potentially nausea, visceral pain and an inability to absorb enough calories or key nutrients may be the motivators for this behaviour. There is no doubt that pica can occur for reasons unlikely linked to a long standing gut issue (what we refer to as a chronic (gastro)enteropathy) but as the paper discusses, it is essential to thoroughly consider the presence of gut issues in these cases.

Sadly, we still see many dogs in particular, being muzzled, punished or repeatedly trained in some other way to "leave" items whilst the underlying cause is not effectively addressed. Given inflammatory conditions can be worsened by certain stress experiences, this type of approach might actually negatively impact the medical condition further.

Definitely worth a read.

And if delving into science papers isn't your thing, or you are keen on considering how we can practically use this type of information to help dogs and the people who share their lives ... watch this space for some exciting news about a new online course I have coming out later this year :))

Perez, J., Ford, S. and Lynch, H., 2025. Pica as a clinical sign of a chronic enteropathy in dogs and cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1(aop), pp.1-6.

17/06/2025

🧠 The Canine Gut-Brain Connection: How Your Dog’s Diet Influences Their Behaviour

🏎️💨🏁TL;DR: If your dog struggles with reactivity, anxiety, hyperactivity, or poor impulse control — it’s time to look beyond training. The gut and brain are in constant communication via the gut-brain axis. What’s happening in the gut can shape how your dog behaves, learns, and emotionally responds.

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We’ve long accepted that food fuels the body — but now science tells us it shapes the mind too. And not just in humans.

Dogs have a fully functional gut-brain axis, which is the bi-directional communication network connecting the gastrointestinal tract with the brain via neural (vagus nerve), immune, and hormonal pathways.

🧬 But what does this actually mean?

1️⃣. The gut is a hormone powerhouse.
Around 90–95% of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, stress response, social behaviour, and even impulse control, is made in the gut, not the brain.
If the gut is inflamed, lacking microbial diversity, or under chronic stress (from diet, meds, or environment), serotonin production can be impaired — which can increase anxiety, poor tolerance to change, and behavioural reactivity.

2️⃣. Gut bacteria can influence the brain’s wiring.
Research shows the gut microbiome plays a role in modulating the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which governs how the body — and brain — responds to stress.
Dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut bacteria) has been linked to overactivation of the HPA axis — meaning your dog may have an exaggerated response to minor stressors.

3️⃣. Dogs with healthy microbiomes may behave more flexibly.
A 2021 study found dogs on high-quality, fresh food diets showed greater microbial richness and resilience, which correlated with improved cognitive flexibility and reduced fear of novelty.
This means a more balanced gut can help dogs better cope with new environments, unfamiliar people, or training challenges.

4️⃣. Behavioural issues may be inflammatory in origin.
Inflammation in the gut can contribute to inflammation in the brain — known as neuroinflammation. This has been associated with compulsive behaviours, increased noise sensitivity, irritability, and poor sleep in both humans and animals.

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🔎 So what’s behind gut-brain dysfunction in dogs?

• Ultra-processed foods (many dry kibble formulas) are high in AGEs (advanced glycation end-products), oxidised fats, and synthetic additives that can damage gut lining and microbial balance.

• Antibiotics and frequent dewormers can cause long-term shifts in gut flora.

• Low-fibre diets reduce the diversity of beneficial bacteria that produce SCFAs (short-chain fatty acids), which help regulate immunity and inflammation.

• Chronic stress (emotional, environmental, or dietary) also impacts gut integrity — contributing to leaky gut and immune dysregulation.

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🥦 So what can we do?

✅ Prioritise prebiotic-rich foods like dandelion greens, chicory root, green bananas, mushrooms, etc.

✅ Add fermented foods (in safe doses) such as kefir or fermented vegetables

✅ Choose diets high in bioavailable protein and low in fillers to reduce gut burden

✅ Include omega-3 fatty acids (from algae, green-lipped mussel or fresh fish) to reduce neuroinflammation

✅ Avoid highly processed foods with long shelf lives, artificial preservatives, and colourants

✅ Rebuild the microbiome with broad-spectrum canine-specific probiotics when needed

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If you’ve ever felt like your dog’s training isn’t working… or that they’re “wired wrong”… the missing piece may not be their brain — it may be their gut.

This is the hidden connection between behaviour and biology. And it’s where true, lasting change begins.

📖 Click the link in the comments to read our full science-backed article:
“The Canine Gut-Brain Connection: How Your Dog’s Diet Influences Their Behaviour”

💬 Already feeding for gut health? Tell us what’s worked for your dog 🐕 in the comments.

🐾 Want personalised support and to connect with likeminded owners?
Join our free community group for deeper discussion, shared results, and practical tools.

👉 Come and join us over in The Balanced Canine

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📚 Sources referenced in the full article:

• Berding K. et al. (2021). Diet and microbiota modulation in dogs: implications for behaviour and cognition

• Mondo E. et al. (2020). Gut microbiome differences between aggressive and non-aggressive dogs

• Kirchoff NS et al. (2018). Effect of probiotics on canine anxiety and gut microbiome balance

• Re S. et al. (2008). Neurotransmitter precursors and dietary supplementation in dogs

• O’Sullivan E. et al. (2015). The role of the gut-brain axis in animal behaviour and stress regulation

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📍 Click the link in the comments to learn more.

Because changing your dog’s diet might just change their life.💚

17/06/2025

The photo one of my clients sent as part of their Dynamic Dog homework... take pictures of your dog sleeping 😭

16/06/2025

We still have no news and are desperate to find her...please please share.
She is neutered and microchipped and loves her food so it is rare that she travels too far away from her food bowl.
Last seen in the Redehall Road area of Smallfield on Tuesday so she has been missing for almost a week. 😿
Please check sheds and outhouses and if anyone has found her please contact us here at [email protected].👑💜
She is a much loved family pet and we desperately want her home.

03/06/2025

03/05/2025

💊 It’s Not About Being 'For' or 'Against' SSRIs — It’s About What’s Right for Your Dog PART 2 💊

🧠 Did you know…
The use of behaviour medication is often misunderstood — and oversimplified.
✅ There are many different types of behaviour medication not just SSRIs — and in fact there is more than one SSRI too!
✅ Each medication works slightly differently, and individual dogs can respond in very different ways.
✅Some of the primary behaviour medications are only licensed for use alongside appropriate behaviour modification support - i.e. they cannot be used without and it is not about just giving a tablet in isolation! (please note licensing may vary outside the UK).
✅ One of the most important roles of a skilled clinical behaviourist is helping you and your vet explore not only which medication might help (and why)…
…but also whether behaviour medication is actually needed in the first place!

Sometimes it’s absolutely the right tool

Sometimes, it’s not.

And sometimes, it’s needed temporarily while we work on other aspects of health, emotional wellbeing and life skills.

Every single dog needs and deserves an individual plan, that is optimised for their unique situation and needs. Behaviour medication may .... or may not .... play a role in that. As always 'It Depends!' (sorry team, I had to sneak that phrase in somewhere!)

🧩 So what else do we explore?
🔍 Your dog’s blueprint — breed, personality, and life experiences
❤️ Physical well-being — pain and discomfort, gut health, sleep, nutrition, hormones, hidden disease
🌿 Emotional well-being — sense of safety, how to meet intrinsic needs, having agency and choice, pleasure
🗣️ Essential life skills — confidence, resilience, communication, training approaches
Jumping straight to behaviour medication without understanding the bigger picture could mean missing something crucial.

In fact:
➡️ Many dogs avoid needing behaviour medication when we address things like pain and gut health, reduce stress through better communication and management and provide the right opportunities for safe, enjoyable learning. (And yes, this includes some of the most serious cases that we see each year).
➡️ Others benefit immensely from the thoughtful use of psychopharmaceuticals as part of a well-rounded plan.

💬 This is where expert behaviour support truly makes a difference:
💡 We work alongside your vet to build a holistic plan for your dog which looks at all aspects of well-being, physical and emotional.
💡 We help identify if behaviour (or other!) medication is needed, what type, and how to introduce, test and optimise it — including how and when to change and/or fade it out
💡We work with you to put in place all the other supportive measures that are critical for success.
💡 We consider your dog’s whole world — health, history, routine, emotions, relationships.....
💡 And we help make the plan work for you too.

🔔 Let’s be clear — this isn’t about being “for” or “against” behaviour medication.
✅ It’s about knowing when it’s the right tool, for the right dog, with the right support in place.

Because that’s what true expert behaviour and wellbeing support looks like.