Wild K9s

24/04/2025

Just loving this story 💚 And the best part is that after the CFS, the garden will be relocated to Battersea ❤️ Well done Ned!

14/04/2025

⏳ Time is One of the Greatest Gifts You Can Give Your Dog ⏳

In a world that moves fast, where everything is about instant results and quick fixes, our dogs remind us to slow down. They’re not here for long—but while they are, what they need most from us isn’t perfection or performance. It’s time.

⏰ Time to learn. Whether it’s building life skills, gaining confidence, or developing new ways of coping with the world around them—learning takes time. Real learning, the kind that creates lasting change, can’t be rushed.

⏰ Time to sniff. To a dog, the world is made of scent. Sniffing is not just enrichment—it’s essential for wellbeing. It’s how they process their environment, lower their heart rate, and find joy in the everyday.

⏰ Time to decompress. Just like us, dogs need moments of peace to recover from stress, overstimulation, or excitement. Quiet time, predictable routines, and safe spaces help them feel grounded.

⏰ Time to process. Not every experience is immediately understood. Whether it’s a new environment, person, or sound, dogs often need time to figure things out in their own way. Rushing them can tip curiosity into fear.

⏰ And most of all—time to just be with you. To share your world in simple ways: a walk in the woods, a game at home, sitting together as the sun sets. Dogs live in the moment. Let’s meet them there more often.

Because ultimately, your time is love in action. And for our dogs, it’s everything. ❤️

06/04/2025

Beautifully written and resonates with me so much having a highly sensitive and emotional dog ❤️

Living with a complex dog is not for the faint-hearted.
This blog is a reflection on what it means to love a dog like this. The heartbreak, the beauty, and the emotional tightrope we walk every day.
It’s raw, it’s real—and if you've ever loved a dog who doesn’t quite fit the mould, it’s for you.

💭 Read it here: https://www.thedogenius.com/blog/reflections-on-living-with-a-complex-dog?site_template_id=5ff1a4a86d1adc18b637a892

27/03/2025

Humans are bad at reading dogs’ emotions – but we can learn to do better

Even experts get dog body language wrong at times.

23/03/2025

It’s a contentious subject: Raw vs Dry dog food, and whilst I agree that raw may not be suitable for every dog, please please please don’t be put off by the misinformation around its safety. This article is very helpful - written by one of the worlds leading canine nutritionists 🥩 🥕🥦🥚

RAW V DRY, WHICH IS SAFER?!! COME ON, YOU'RE NOT STILL ASKING THAT...
There are studies out there showing some raw dog foods can be higher in bacteria you wish weren't in there. No doubt. And those companies should be dealt with the same way as any other food company. Because it's never OK.

Hazardous microbiological contamination can be avoided with good sourcing, good manufacturing and good storage practices, as the majority of other raw dog food manufacturers are clearly showing us.

Yes, fresh food can harbour nasties - carrots and leafy greens lay out 100's of us a year - it's not a reason to avoid them in favour of.....what's a nutritious food product made by Mars or Nestle for humans?!! Answers on a postcard....it's a reason to clean up the food chain.

And remember, as ever, you have to choose your monster. Vets, if you're going to scare folk away from fresh food, where are you sending them to? Do dry food?! On what basis would that be?!!

To recap where dry food is in the debate:

A recent study of healthy dry-fed dogs found they house MORE species of E.coli and in greater abundance in their faeces and around their a**s than raw-fed dogs.

This stands to reason - studies show raw feeding promotes gut health. It feeds a more healthy gut biome, reducing gut dysbiosis and Clostridium species.

I mean, did you know that, unlike raw dog food, authors have isolated the same species of drug-resistant Campylobacter jejuni from a dog fed a commercial dry diet as detected in a girl infected with the same species.

And as ever, recalls for Salmonella in dry dog food dwarf those in raw. From 2020-2023, dry food accounted for 99% of the pet food recalled (by weight) for Salmonella in the US, despite it only being 59% of the market.

A study in 2022 analysed 162 dry and canned pet foods and found Salmonella in 41% of brands (and 64% contained Listeria!).

Worse again, just a year later, a study in 2023 analysed 35 EU dry pet foods and found that 100% of the dry dog foods were contaminated with pathogenic bacteria. The presence of Coliform bacteria is one measure of a product's quality. You don't want too much of them. Coliform bacteria were present in 52% of the grain-free dry foods analysed and 67% of the grain-containing dry foods! Staphylococcus spp. were found in >9% of both types of dry food. 17% of dry foods tested positive for Clostridium. And E.coli? Well, 43% of grain free pet foods and 33% of the grain-containing foods failed for that too.

One third.

So, I can say with some surety, dry dog food too has some MAJOR microbiological concerns and with not so much as a dickie bird from the likes of the BVA or RCVS, people are going to get harmed by these products.

In fact, in the US alone (as they're the only ones really trying to record it...), from 2006-2016, dry-fed dogs poisoned 140 people, half of them TODDLERS under two years of age.

Never mentioned by vets or mainstream media that one.

In that time exactly ZERO people were harmed by raw dog food.

Just last year the CDC said another 7 cases of humans getting food poisoned across 6 states - all dry dog food again, all toddlers.

And lest we forget, our side has the retrospective safety studies in our pockets, not dry dog food supporters. The most important work in that regard found 3 potential cases of food poisoning across 16,750 households (that is over their lifetime, thus millions of dog meals). In other words, that is a vanishing small risk, smaller than say, the risk of consuming raw carrots in the UK

A similar work containing more than 2000 homes in New York verified these figures almost exactly. That is a vanishingly rare instance of cross-contamination. No such safety analysis has ever been conducted on dry dog food.

And this is just the microbiology.

Can we talk about excess mineral toxicity events? Do you know how rife aflatoxin is in cereal-based pet food?! Did you hear that concentrations above the MAXIMUM TOLERABLE LIMIT for aluminum (32% of dog foods tested, 11% of cat foods), mercury (100% of dog foods, 86% of cat foods), lead (81% of dog food, 32% of cat food), uranium (96% of dog food, 86% of cat food), and vanadium (75% of dog food, 29% of cat food) has been found in many brands?

On and on and on.

And, as ever, why is nobody talking about the fact tens of thousands of pets have died eating the stuff over the last few decades alone? Complete raw has killed less than 10.

Looking forward to hitting South Africa next week to set the record straight.

22/03/2025

Brilliant if your dog is hitting their teenage stage! 🐕

Adolescence has arrived in this house! Six months old, and Bertie is changing by the day — sometimes hour to hour. One minute he’s leggy and sweet, melting into me for a cuddle on the sofa. The next, he’s flinging himself headlong into life like a teenager who’s overdone the Red Bull and found the front door unlocked.

He cocked his leg to p*e the other day for the first time. It was awkward and unsure, more of a sideways lean than a proper lift. But still, it felt like a big deal. A rite of passage. He’s not just marking territory; he’s beginning to carve out his place in the world. There’s a new kind of confidence about him, and with it, a steady trickle of challenge!

He’s started pushing back. Not in any dramatic way, more like subtle, everyday defiance. That slow turn of the head when I call him, the pause before deciding whether coming back is worth it. It’s less about being ‘naughty’ and more about him figuring out his autonomy. “Do I have to?” “Can I do it my way?” “What if I don’t?”

And then there’s the over-arousal. He goes from 0 to 100 in a blink. A passing dog, a gust of wind, a rogue crisp packet, it’s all so much. Sometimes he barrels into things, all noise and movement, tail high, energy spilling everywhere. Other times, just as quickly, he backtracks, visibly unsure, tail tucked, scanning the environment, and me, for answers. It’s like he’s caught between two selves: the big man explorer and the nervous kid.

What’s been most striking is how often he still looks to me; not for control, but for backup. I can almost hear the subtext: “You’ve got me, right?” It’s not about needing to be told what to do, but needing to feel supported while he works it out. That small moment of eye contact before he dives into something chaotic, or the quiet lean against my leg after a big reaction says so much.

From a behaviour perspective, this stage is where a lot of learning happens; not neat and tidy learning, but messy, layered, deeply emotional stuff. He’s not trying to ‘test boundaries’ in the way people often assume. He’s mapping the world. Testing himself. Seeing what holds steady, especially when he doesn’t.

And that’s where I come in. My job isn’t to clamp down or try to skip ahead to the ‘well-behaved’ adult dog. It’s to walk with him through the unpredictability. To let him stretch and stumble, knowing I’ll be there when he swings back, not with judgement, but with quiet steadiness.

There’s something incredibly touching about this phase. Frustrating and annoying? Yes. Exhausting? Often. But underneath all the noise and growing pains, I can see glimpses of the dog he’s becoming. He’s finding his shape. And every time he returns to me, after the zoomies, the barking, the bouncing off the sofas, he brings a bit more of that future self with him.

So I breathe a bit deeper, remind myself to be patient and keep showing up. I laugh more than I sigh (most days). And I remind myself: this stage isn’t forever, but it is important. It’s where trust is deepened, not just taught. Where we learn to read each other in the chaos, not just the calm.

If you have an adolescent dog, remember it's not forever!

21/03/2025

Spring Fever in Dogs – Why Is My Dog Acting Differently All of a Sudden?

As the days get longer and the sun finally starts to show its face, you might notice your dog behaving a little… differently. More excitable, easily distracted, or suddenly full of beans? You’re not alone – some dogs really do experience a kind of “spring fever.”

So what’s going on?

Spring brings a big change in your dog’s world – more daylight, warmer weather, new smells, wildlife, and more people and dogs out and about. All of this stimulation can cause some dogs to feel more energetic, distracted, or reactive than usual. Their behaviour might feel unpredictable or out of character – but they’re simply responding to a much more exciting environment than they’ve been used to over winter.

You might notice:
• More pulling on the lead
• Less reliable recall
• Increased barking or reactivity
• Sudden zoomies or restless energy
• A general drop in focus

Naya certainly feels it!

My own dog, Naya – an 11-year-old Springer Spaniel – is usually calm, steady, and has fantastic recall. But every spring without fail, she gets a case of the zoomies and seems to forget her recall training momentarily! It’s like someone presses a puppy-reset button. She’s not being ‘naughty’ – she’s simply responding to the season, and her brain is fizzing with all the stimulation around her.

How can you help your dog through spring fever?
• Go back to basics – Revisit focus and connection games that help bring their attention back to you.
• Let them sniff – Decompression walks in quiet areas can help settle their nervous system.
• Adjust your training environment – If they’re more distracted, work in lower-stimulus places and build things back up gradually.
• Stick to routines – Dogs thrive on predictability, especially when the world around them is changing.

The key takeaway?

Not all dogs are affected, but if yours is acting a little differently right now, spring could be the reason. It’s not misbehaviour – it’s a natural response to a busy, stimulating world. With a little patience and support, they’ll soon find their rhythm again.

Has your dog caught a bit of spring fever too?

14/03/2025

Wonderful advice if you have a dog … rescue or not 😊

Bringing a rescue dog into your life is an incredible journey, but it’s not always an easy one. Many rescue dogs come with past experiences—some good, some very difficult—that shape how they see the world. Adjusting to a new home, new people, and a new routine can be overwhelming for them, and this is where patience and consistency make all the difference.

It’s easy to feel frustrated when progress seems slow or setbacks happen. You might wonder why they’re still nervous around strangers, why they haven't quite got house training, or why they struggle to settle when left alone. But change doesn’t happen overnight. Building trust takes time, and every positive experience, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction.

Consistency is just as important. Dogs thrive on predictability—it helps them feel safe. Using the same cues, routines, and reinforcement methods means they can start to understand what’s expected of them and, more importantly, that they are secure in their new environment. Mixed messages can create confusion and slow progress, so keeping things clear and structured will help them learn and grow in confidence.

Some days will feel like a breakthrough, and others might feel like a disaster—that’s completely normal. The key is to keep going, even when it feels challenging. Your patience and consistency will be what transforms uncertainty into trust, fear into confidence, and hesitation into a lifelong bond.

For anyone supporting a rescue dog, remember: every bit of effort, every kind word, and every moment of understanding counts. You are their steady place in an unfamiliar world, and with time, they will learn that they are home. ❤️

12/03/2025

🚨 FREE this week! 🚨

I’m so excited to share this incredible book, Dogs About Our House by my friend Jo Gilfillan! ❤️

This heartwarming read tells the inspiring journeys of three remarkable foster dogs—Sunny, Elmo, and Bobby—who arrived misunderstood and uncertain but, through patience, kindness, and empathy, blossomed into beloved companions. 🐶💛

Jo captures the magic of second chances, showing how trust, safety, and joy can transform even the most anxious dogs. It’s a book filled with hope, love, and the power of rescue—and it includes a fantastic guide on welcoming a rescue dog into your home!

Best of all? When you buy this book, all proceeds go directly to SuperDogs Rescue, supporting more dogs like my Zuri who need a fresh start. 🐾✨ https://www.thegreatbritishbookshop.co.uk/products/dogs-about-our-house?srsltid=AfmBOopV8o_CcMFhvoYgNGGFCZ1a4ggm2VHD5amIAI8Em8q9FV_4Vt1g

📖 This week only, you can download it for FREE! So, if you love dogs (or know someone who does), grab your copy now and spread the word! 📚👇

🔗 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dogs-About-Our-House-Loved-ebook/dp/B0DZ6XGF8N

Let’s help Jo raise as much as she can for dogs who need us. 💛 🐕✨

Step into the heartwarming world of three remarkable foster dogs: Sunny, Elmo, and Bobby. Each of them arrived misunderstood and uncertain, but through patience, kindness, and empathy, they transformed into cherished companions. In these pages, you'll follow their inspiring journeys of rehabilit...

09/03/2025

I love this and often use this analogy with my clients … it’s just rude!

There are some great ways to prevent food aggression, but messing with, taking or putting your hand in your dogs food is not one of them.

The more we mess with our dogs stuff, the more likely they are to become defensive around it. Just like we might!

07/03/2025

🌟 Friday Wins! Let’s Celebrate Your Dog’s Progress! 🌟

It’s the end of the week, and I LOVE hearing about the wins—big or small—that you and your dog have achieved! 🎉

Maybe your dog…
🐾 Nailed a recall in a tricky situation?
🐾 Managed to settle more easily at home?
🐾 Walked past another dog without reacting?
🐾 Felt more confident in a new situation?

Whatever it is, it matters—because progress isn’t about perfection, it’s about those little moments of success. 💛

Drop your dog’s win of the week in the comments and let’s celebrate together! 👇🐶✨

07/03/2025

What is Agency and how can you introduce more into your dogs life?

That you The DoGenius Institute for this excellent article 🐕

As dog guardians, our responsibility goes beyond providing food, shelter, and affection. One of the most important—and often overlooked—ways we can improve the lives of dogs is by giving agency. Agency refers to a dog’s ability to make choices and exert some control over their environment, which is critical for their mental and emotional wellbeing.
In many cases, we unintentionally limit a dog’s autonomy by prioritising convenience or imposing human expectations on their behaviour. However, small changes can empower dogs to live more fulfilling lives:

Choice in Activities: Rather than dictating every walk or play session, allow dogs to choose the pace and direction during walks or the type of play they enjoy most. Sniffing, exploring, and interacting with their surroundings are natural and enriching behaviours.

Respect for Communication: Dogs communicate their comfort levels through body language. Pay attention to their signals and respect their boundaries—whether they indicate discomfort around other dogs, new people, or certain environments.

Mental Stimulation: Offering problem-solving opportunities through puzzle toys, scent work, or interactive games allows dogs to exercise their natural instincts and engage their minds.
Variety in Enrichment: Providing diverse experiences, such as different walking routes, environments, or sensory opportunities, helps prevent boredom and supports their emotional resilience.

Time to Be Dogs: Dogs need time to engage in instinctual behaviours like sniffing, digging, or running freely in safe spaces. Structured environments often suppress these needs, leading to frustration or anxiety.

By focusing on these areas, we can create an environment where dogs feel secure, valued, and free to express themselves. Supporting their agency not only improves their quality of life but also deepens the bond between guardian and dog.

What steps have you taken to support your dog’s autonomy?

06/03/2025

Zoomies, Sniffing, and Chewing—Your Dog’s Self-Care Routine

Dogs don’t journal, meditate, or run a bubble bath after a stressful day—but they do have their own ways of regulating emotions and processing experiences. The key is recognising these natural coping strategies and allowing them to happen.

🐾 Zoomies after stress – Ever noticed your dog racing around after a bath, a vet visit, or a training session? That sudden burst of energy isn’t just random—it’s a way of shaking off tension and resetting.

🐾 Sniffing everything on walks – It’s easy to think of excessive sniffing as ‘dawdling’, but for dogs, it’s essential. Sniffing isn’t just how they gather information—it actively lowers heart rate and reduces stress.

🐾 Chewing or licking objects (or themselves!) – Chewing releases endorphins, providing comfort and stress relief. If a dog suddenly chews obsessively or licks themselves excessively, they may be using it as a coping mechanism—or signaling underlying discomfort.

🐾 Digging, shredding, or ‘deconstructing’ toys – Sometimes dismissed as ‘naughty’ behaviour, these are natural ways dogs relieve frustration and fulfil their instincts. A dog with no outlet for this may start targeting furniture instead!

🐾 Sudden scratching, yawning, or shaking off – Ever seen your dog pause, have a quick scratch, or do a full-body shake after an intense moment? That’s them resetting their nervous system—it’s like a deep breath for dogs.

When we listen and allow these behaviours (rather than trying to stop them), we help our dogs regulate their emotions in healthy ways.

🐶 Instead of rushing your dog on a walk, let them sniff to decompress.
🐶 Instead of getting frustrated with zoomies, recognise they’re releasing stress.
🐶 Instead of discouraging chewing, provide safe, appropriate outlets.

Our dogs know what they need. It’s up to us to respect it.

For more on understanding your dog’s natural behaviours, follow Wild K9s. 🐾

Wild K9s

Image copyright: Amy Lacey

05/03/2025

🌟 W’s Journey: From Fearful to Flourishing! 🌟

When I first met W at the end of 2024, she was living in a near-constant state of anxiety—barking and lunging at strangers and movement, nervous around other dogs, and struggling to feel safe.

Fast forward to today, and this little superstar has made incredible progress! ✨

🐾 She’s so much calmer in the house, no longer feeling the need to react to every sound or movement.
🐾 She’s gaining confidence when she’s with her big brother, and even managed a brief interaction with another dog before choosing to disengage—huge!
🐾 She’s less reactive towards new people—she didn’t bark at all when I arrived this time and even came in for cuddles!
🐾 We’re now focusing on consent-based handling, making grooming and bathing less scary and more of a positive experience.

W has had a tough start in life, but her resilience and her amazing family’s dedication are helping her thrive. 💛

Every small step is a big win, and I couldn’t be prouder of this little superstar!

Drop a 🐶 in the comments to celebrate W’s progress! 👏🎉

04/03/2025

"Consent Matters in Dog Handling—Are You Really Listening?"

Just because a dog tolerates something doesn’t mean they’re comfortable with it.

Dogs communicate consent through body language, yet their signals are often ignored—sometimes because we don’t recognise them, and sometimes because we assume they’ll ‘get used to it’. But imagine if someone hugged you when you didn’t want to be hugged, or kept touching you when you were trying to move away.

🐾 A dog turning their head away when you go to stroke them—is that an invitation, or a polite request for space?
🐾 A dog shifting their weight when you reach for their collar—are they being ‘difficult’, or just trying to avoid being grabbed?
🐾 A dog licking their lips when you go to pick them up—do they want to be lifted, or are they feeling uncomfortable?
🐾 A dog freezing during grooming or handling—are they ‘behaving’, or shutting down because they feel they have no other choice?
🐾 A dog giving their paw—are they responding to a cue, or politely pushing your hand away?

Consent isn’t just for humans—it applies to dogs too. If a dog tries to move away, turns their head, freezes, or avoids eye contact, they’re saying no. And when we respect that, trust grows.

Instead of forcing interactions, try:
✅ Giving them choice—letting them come to you instead of reaching for them.
✅ Using positive reinforcement to make handling a good experience.
✅ Slowing down and watching their body language—are they leaning in, or subtly leaning away?
✅ Stopping before they feel the need to escalate their signals.

A dog who knows their choices will be respected is a dog who feels safe.

Because handling should be a conversation, not a one-way street.

For more ways to build trust with your dog, follow Wild K9s. 🐾

Wild K9s

(Image: A dog giving clear feedback—are we paying attention?)

03/03/2025

"But My Dog’s Definitely Not in Pain… I Would Know!"

It’s something I hear a lot. And I get it—if a dog was in pain, surely they’d show us, right? They’d limp, cry, or stop doing things altogether?

Not necessarily.

Dogs are masters of getting on with it. In the wild, showing weakness makes an animal vulnerable, so many dogs instinctively mask discomfort until they can’t anymore. Exercise can even temporarily hide pain by releasing endorphins—natural painkillers that can make a sore dog seem full of energy, only for them to struggle later when they’ve cooled down.

Some dogs don’t slow down—they just adapt. They shift their weight, change their posture, or avoid certain movements without anyone noticing. They might even keep running, jumping, or playing through the pain, only to seem ‘grumpy’ or ‘lazy’ at home.

So, if dogs aren’t always showing pain in obvious ways, how does it manifest?

🐾 A dog who has suddenly become more reactive on walks—because moving hurts, and they’re on high alert.

🐾 A dog who growls or flinches when touched—because they’ve learned that handling = discomfort.

🐾 A dog who’s restless, pacing, or struggling to settle—because they just can’t get comfortable.

🐾 A dog who seems lethargic or less keen to play—because movement isn’t enjoyable anymore.

🐾 A dog who suddenly has accidents indoors—because pain makes it harder to hold or get into position.

🐾 A dog who avoids the sofa, stairs, or jumping into the car—because those movements hurt.

🐾 A dog who gets snappy with other dogs or family members—because they’re constantly on edge.

Research by Mills et al. (2020) found that as many as 82% of dogs referred for behaviour problems had an underlying painful condition. That’s a huge percentage of dogs who weren’t ‘acting out’—they were trying to tell us something.

If your dog’s behaviour has changed, it’s worth considering:

✅ Are they moving differently? Stiffer, slower, or hesitant?
✅ Are they licking, chewing, or rubbing a certain area?
✅ Do they seem more withdrawn or irritated?
✅ Are they reluctant to be touched or handled in ways they used to enjoy?
✅ Are they struggling with stairs, jumping up, or getting up from lying down?

If any of this sounds familiar, a vet check could be the next step. Because behaviour is never ‘just behaviour’—it’s communication.

And when a dog is in pain, they don’t need training. They need relief. ❤️‍🩹

Reference in the comments

Wild K9s

02/03/2025

Behaviour Problem or Unmet Need?

Before labelling a behaviour as a ‘problem’, it’s worth asking—what is your dog actually telling you?

A dog who barks and lunges at every person or dog they see on a walk. A behaviour problem? Or a dog who feels completely overwhelmed by their environment but has no choice but to face it head-on, day after day?

A dog who digs up the garden and shreds the sofa cushions. A behaviour problem? Or a dog who spends most of their time alone, without enough opportunity to exercise their body and brain?

A dog who growls when you try to move them off the sofa. A behaviour problem? Or a dog who has learned that their choices aren’t respected, and this is the only way they can make themselves heard?

A puppy who won’t stop biting and seems impossible to settle. A behaviour problem? Or a young dog who is overstimulated, overtired, and just needs more sleep?

When a dog’s needs—physical, emotional, social, and mental—aren’t met, their behaviour reflects that. And no amount of training can replace unmet needs.

Before trying to ‘fix’ a behaviour, ask yourself:

❓ Does my dog get the right kind of exercise for their age, breed, and personality?
❓ Do they have opportunities for safe, positive social interactions?
❓ Are they getting enough rest as well as stimulation?
❓ Am I feeding a diet that supports their overall wellbeing?
❓ Could pain or discomfort be affecting how they behave?
❓ Do they have a way to express natural behaviours—sniffing, chewing, digging, exploring?
❓ Do they have a predictable, safe environment where they feel secure?

Dogs aren’t ‘being difficult’ for the sake of it. They are communicating.

So instead of asking “How do I stop this?”, try asking “What does my dog need?”

Because when needs are met, behaviour starts to change. ❤️

Wild K9s