K9 Confidential Training and Behaviour

17/12/2025

Did you know that a practitioner “being there” changes the dynamic and your dog may not behave as it would in its natural/normal setting...

What’s The Answer?

Remote/ Virtual Consults

Book a FREE Discovery Call Now to see if this would benefit you and your dog

https://www.k9confidential.co.uk/behaviour-counselling-swindon.php

16/12/2025

"Dogs shouldn't be fed table scraps."??????

While it's true that some human foods can be harmful to dogs, many foods that are safe for humans can also be safe for dogs in moderation. It's important to do research and be mindful of any potential hazards, but it's okay to occasionally share small amounts of safe, appropriate human foods with your dog as a treat. Think about a few left over veggies from dinner - that way you also know you are not giving too many extra calories.

Foods to be wary off that can harm dogs - Large amounts of Garlic and Onion and Chives (this can also cause alot of bloating), Chocolate, Raisins/Sultanas, Grapes, Cob from corn of cob can cause obstruction, Cooked bones can splinter, Macadamia nuts, Avocados and check ingrediants do not contain Xylitol or birch sugar :-)

As always try your dog with a little something new but if they get alot of wind or sloppy poops do not feed again. Try Carrot, Peas, Brocolli, a little cheese, Turkey Mince (2% fat) - but just a little - say around 10% of their daily intake. VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE and that goes for food too.

15/12/2025

"I used to think my dog was just stubborn, but now I realize he's just smarter than me."

(Image: dog on sofa and human on rug on the floor)

10/12/2025

At The End of Your Tether?

Noticed a Change in Your Dog?

Feel Like You Are Out of Control?

If you are concerned about you dog, we can help you. Work with us and introduce lifestyle changes, learn new skills and discover effective tools. You will gain an understanding of your dogs needs allowing for a more relaxed situation for you all to enjoy.

Are You Facing Any of These Situations With Your Dog? Aggression, Barking, Reactivity, Urinating in the home, Anxiety....

Book Your Free Discovery call at https://www.k9confidential.co.uk/behaviour-counselling-swindon.php

09/12/2025

Debunking the myth of punishing dogs for bad behavior. Studies have shown that punishment can actually harm your furry friend. It can also force a dog to use more "aggressive" behaviour to try and communicate it desperately needs someting, such as a growl as it needs space. If punished this will turn into a bite. Positive reinforcement such as rewards and praise work wonders in teaching behaviour. But ethichal training will always prioritize your dog's physical and mental needs over the task a human wants the dogs to perform. Let's teach and LIVE with our dogs with love and understanding instead of punishment.

08/12/2025

"I wish I could be as excited about anything as my dog is about going for a walk."

(Image of a dog excited with tail up and tongue out)

07/12/2025

07/12/2025

Chicken is a pro-inflammatory food. Or is it?

I recently heard that dogs recovering from pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) shouldn’t be fed chicken, because it is a pro-inflammatory food.

However, this is an oversimplification of a much more complex subject. We simply cannot categorise foods into ‘pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory’ as it is much more complicated than this.

Why do people think eating chicken causes inflammation?

Chicken, particularly the skin, is a source of Linoleic acid, which is an omega-6 fatty acid. Omega-6 fatty acids are involved in the body's inflammatory process, which may be why some people believe they should be avoided. However, it’s not as simple as this and omega-6 fatty acids have many benefits too.

Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid for dogs, which means they cannot make it themselves; it must be obtained from their diet. It has many functions, supporting energy use and storage, maintaining a healthy skin and coat, and dogs can convert it into another omega-6 fatty acid called arachidonic acid.

Arachidonic acid is responsible for inflammation. When the body is injured, arachidonic acid is broken down and converted into substances that help start the inflammatory response. It’s important to note that inflammation is not always harmful; in fact, it's the first stage of the healing process. It happens when immune cells move into the injured area and activate the body’s defences. When inflammation is well controlled, it actually helps the tissue to heal. Problems arise only when inflammation becomes ongoing or uncontrolled, which can contribute to disease.

So, while arachidonic acid is linked to inflammation, the real issue is balance — particularly the omega-6-to-omega-3 ratio. Omega-3 fats can help to reduce inflammation, so having a good balance of both is essential.

Interestingly, a 2024 study in humans found that during fasting, arachidonic acid actually reduces the activity of a protein complex called ‘NLRP3 inflammasome’, a key driver of inflammation. It would therefore be interesting to investigate if it has the same effect on dogs, as dogs with pancreatitis often go without food for several hours due to the nausea and pain associated with the condition.

Another factor that may make people consider chicken as pro-inflammatory is the cooking method. Fried chicken, for example, may be cooked in hot vegetable oil, which can form harmful compounds when heated too high or when the same oil is used repeatedly. Plain, gently cooked chicken is very different from deep-fried chicken.

So to summarise:
Chicken isn’t automatically inflammatory. Its effect depends on:
• the dog’s overall diet
• the balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fats
• how the chicken is prepared
- and may depend on when the dog last ate (fasting period) – although this is yet to be researched.

So, feeding your dog chicken as part of a recovery diet for pancreatitis is usually perfectly fine, provided you follow your vet's or a qualified nutritionist's advice. This usually includes offering small, frequent meals, using lean chicken without skin, and cooking it gently.

03/12/2025

VISIT http://www.k9confidential.co.uk to BOOK an Exclusive Slot for just you and your dog/s. During Winter We cannot accept new accounts.

02/12/2025

"Did you know that the misconception that dogs only drink water is not entirely true? While it's true that dogs need water to survive, they can also get hydration from other sources such as moisture in their food. So don't be afraid to mix things up and offer your furry friend some wet food every once in a while to help keep them hydrated. "

01/12/2025

They cannot be comfy lol?????

[image of two dogs in strange sleeping positions]

26/11/2025

Want more information on how we assess your dog before committing to a session?

Book a FREE Discovery Call now to meet me online and to discover how I work with you.

https://www.k9confidential.co.uk/behaviour-counselling-swindon.php