Canine Bond Dog Behaviour & Training

07/12/2025

I’m currently in the middle of a couple of courses, and one of them is the Level 1 Canine Arthritis Management course. I’m really enjoying it!

This course feels especially important to me because my first dog, Charly was diagnosed with arthritis at around 12 years old. She continued to want to play, and run around, but she started to slow down, hesitated about getting in the car, resting, lying against the sofa. Once we finally knew what was going on, she started on pain medication, and we were lucky to have another beautiful three years together. Sadly, just before she turned 16, I had to make the heartbreaking decision to let her go.💔

Looking back, I’m really not sure how long she had been coping before we noticed. But If I knew then what I know now, I would have done things very differently. Maybe I would have noticed the subtle signs sooner and supported her much more with things like home management, changes to her routine, her diet and adapting her exercise to meet her needs, so her quality of life was better for longer.

People often say dogs hide their pain and while they might not show it in obvious ways, I think they actually find ways to cope. So it’s not that they’re not in pain, it’s that they don’t always show it in the ways we expect.

Another thing we often hear is they can’t be in pain if they’re still running, chasing or playing. But that really isn’t always the case. When our dogs are moving around at a higher arousal level, the chemicals released in their body can actually mask discomfort for a while afterwards, acting a bit like pain relief. So a dog doesn’t connect the running around with the feeling of pain that may come later.

Sometimes we hear or use the words like our dog seems grumpy, stubborn, lazy, or reluctant, but are only labels and those signs can be early clues, it’s worth asking ourselves why is our dog feeling that way.

This is why noticing even the smallest changes in behaviour is really worth paying attention to and having your dog checked by a vet if anything feels not quite right.

One thing that can really help is keeping a daily diary, what your dog does each day, how they feel, whether it’s a good or bad day. Videoing their movement around the home, in the garden, or on walks can make such a difference, especially if your dog finds the vet environment stressful. It can be really difficult to explain subtle changes so being able to show your vet is really valuable.

Did you know arthritis isn’t just an old age disease? It affects around 80% of dogs over 8, and potentially up to 35% of dogs of all ages.

Charly the Border Collie - a dog that showed me - there’s always so much to learn about our dogs and learning never stops ❤️

30/11/2025

Sensitivity… could it actually be a good thing?

We might hear some say that being sensitive is a weakness, something that needs “fixing” in people and with our dogs. But what if that sensitivity could be a superpower?

Some days it does feel tough feeling sensitive to the world, especially when we’re supporting a dog who feels everything so deeply too. But when we really know them, we start to notice how much their sensitivity is something truly special.

Murphy is sensitive about certain things, and instead of seeing this as a weakness or needing to change, it shows me just how tuned in he is to the world. He notices and feels the tiniest things that others might miss. That sensitive, curious and awareness about himself and his surroundings can also give me information which opens up conversations between us.

A moved object at home, something new in the room, if I haven’t given him a moment to check it out, he’ll be the first to tell me. Outside, a bin, a flower pot, a tree branch that wasn’t there the last time. Even the smallest change in our tone and energy, he’s very aware of it all.

To us, that’s not a weakness, it’s his strength. His way of being very present and able to communicate those subtle changes he notices with and to us.

Standing with his nose twitching in the air, a flicker of his ear, maybe hearing a sound in the distance, eyes following a leaf falling from a tree, shifting his body towards to gather more information or away when creating more space are all small but subtle ways he communicates.

Murphy like other dogs that are sensitive are also funny, confident, playful and clever. It’s all part of who he is.

Sensitivity isn’t something we need to change or “fix.” It’s something to understand and learn more about their curiosity and connection to the world.

When we really know and understand someone, a dog or human, exactly as they are, sensitivities and all, we can support and embrace them to feel “their safe” and to be their true selves. 💙

26/11/2025

Loved seeing Bertie & Larry for their scent work session. Their first time being indoors together and they were fantastic!

💙We gave them each their own space they needed.

💙Looked at different heights for their searches

💙Supporting them through their searches when needed

💙Giving them time to explore a new setting

💙 They did so very well and super proud of them both & their handlers 💙

25/11/2025

Taking our dogs for their walk isn’t just about distance being covered, it’s about what they experience along the way.

A walk isn’t just a physical activity. Every sniff, sound and sight, every little discovery they explore with us, helps them use their senses, understanding and learning more about the world around them.

20/11/2025

A client shared a lovely reminder.

“When supporting a dog, one thing I’ve learnt is progress doesn’t look perfect and it doesn’t follow a straight path.”

We may see steps forward, a few back and some wobbles along the way, what should matter most is a journey with our dogs who feel safe with us, communicating how they feel and a relationship built upon trust, connection, compassion and understanding.

Thank you to Mitch and his caregiver, a beautiful reminder ❤️

15/11/2025

We sometimes may notice our dog seems more alert than usual, barking at sounds they would normally ignore or reacting more to other dogs and people and wonder why.

Just like us, dogs have an emotional bucket, cup or tea cup depending on an individual and how they are feeling, filling up with daily stresses and excitements. Some experiences add just a few drops, while others can fill up more quickly.

It’s like how we might feel after a bad night’s sleep, a stressful day, too many things happening at once, even the smallest of things can then feel big and then we might react differently, needing a moment or more to have some time for ourselves.

When the bucket, cup or tea cup reaches the top and overflows that’s when we may see a a reaction, signs that everything has become too much.

Every dog is different, but doing more can often make things more difficult to reduce their stress. Slowing things down for them, having a quiet sniffy walk or skipping a walk. Gentle calming enrichment activities like chewing, licking, sniffing or scent work, using calming aids such as Pet Remedy and making sure they have enough sleep and rest, can help them emotionally, physically and mentally.

Just like us, we may need a moment or more to help reduce the stresses, with people around us that understand that’s ok.

It’s also important to have a recent vet check to rule out any physical concerns that you feel may be contributing to your dogs. Keeping a diary can help noticing patterns in your dog’s day, making small changes when needed.

When we learn what fills and empties our dog’s emotional bucket, we understand them more deeply and can better support how they feel inside.

11/11/2025

Love this sweet girl ❤️

I had the pleasure of working with Custard and her big brother a while ago and it was lovely to meet up again to offer them some more support.

Custard was such a little sweetheart, her communication was beautiful to watch.

A big thank you to Kobi and his mum for joining us at the secure field! Kobi was our wonderful helper dog, giving us the perfect opportunity to build on our observation skills and support Custard at her own pace.

Looking forward to seeing them again soon ❤️

07/11/2025

What Behaviour Tells Us…

When we see someone struggling, maybe our child, a friend, or even ourselves, we might notice the behaviour first. Maybe they get cross, get frustrated, tearful, go quiet, or give up. But behaviour is a sign that something’s hard for them.

It’s the same for our dogs. When a dog barks, growls, pulls away, or doesn’t listen, it’s easy for some to jump to fixing or controlling. Some might think, “I need to correct that,” or the old saying, “reward the good, and ignore the bad.”

But behaviour always happens for a reason. A dog might bark because they’re unsure, growl because they’re scared, or not respond to us because they don’t understand or don’t feel safe in that moment. Being ignored or corrected isn’t helpful for another to feel safe to communicate how they feel.

If we only look at the behaviour and not look at what’s behind it, we can miss what they’re really trying to tell us.

How can we help an individual including our dogs feel safe and supported, we might ask ourselves why are they finding this hard right now? What might they need from me right now? How can I help them better next time?

When we look at behaviour with kindness and curiosity, we stop trying to control it and start understanding it. That’s where connection, safety and trust starts to grow.

06/11/2025

I hope your doggies are ok after another night of fireworks… it seemed to be a very long evening again hearing the big bangs.

Murphy was ok, bless him, but we’re taking it easy again today, keeping things as calm as possible. Sniffy wonder, some scent work, Murphy’s favourite enrichment and catching up on his much needed sleep.

I hope you, your dogs and other animals are ok ❤️

31/10/2025

🎃 Helpful Tips for a Happy Halloween 🐾

Halloween can be fun for some, but for many dogs, other animals and people, it’s a stressful time, knocks at the door, costumes, decorations, and dreaded fireworks.

🐕‍🦺 If your children are dressing up:
Let your dog watch you change into costumes, face masks, and wigs so they don’t get spooked by sudden changes.

🎃 Keep lit pumpkins safely away from wagging tails.

🦴 Costumes aren’t for everyone including our dogs

🍫 Keep sweets and chocolates out of reach

🌙 Walk your dog before it gets dark, before trick-or-treaters and fireworks begin.

🏠 Safe space: quiet areas away from busy doorways.

🚪 Use a stair gate or separate room giving your dog choice and a calm place.

🧩 Enrichment activities: Forage for treats in their toy box. Licki mats or snuffle mats. Stuffed Kongs for calm licking and chewing

🚸 Trick-or-treating
Look out for houses with pumpkins or decorations, these are inviting visitors. If a house doesn’t have decorations, there’s usually a reason, be kind and let them enjoy a quiet evening.

💥 Extra support for fireworks nights:

🦮 Walk or garden sniff / toilet before it gets dark.
🎧 Play background music or white noise (washing machine, tumble dryer, or fan) to mask bangs.
🕯️ Close curtains and keep lights on to reduce flashes.
🐾 If you haven’t started any desensitisation with fireworks- Pair firework sounds with treats and playing their favourite games, if this helps your dog to help build positive associations.
💙Some dogs may choose a safe place just with you being with them.
🧺 Have a comfort kit ready (favourite blanket, chews, familiar scents- Pet remedy using caninebond25 for 25% off and enrichment prepared ).
🧡 Comfort and reassure your dog. Being there - offer gentle touch, respect their space.

🌳 Just like us, dogs may need extra time after busy and stressful events.
This can include:
Quieter, sniffy walks
Sleep and rest
Favourite enrichment activities, like snuffle mats, scatter feeding, scent work, chew toys, or a stuffed Kong

24/10/2025

So very proud of Spud and great to hear how he’s been doing.

When I first met Spud, he was finding many things in life challenging, he’s only a young boy but we identified some gait abnormalities which we wanted to have checked out. With support from their vet, and physio on board, he’s now continuing to make really lovely progress, feeling more comfortable, less stressed and a happy boy with a brilliant relationship with his family.

I’m so proud of him and his family for their hard work and ongoing support… look forward to seeing them again soon 💙

17/10/2025

Great advice about what we can do now to start preparing, supporting our dogs around the firework evenings.

We re very sorry but we are going to have to say the F word
….
Freaking Fireworks 😔🎆

Here in the UK the days are shortening rapidly and we move into one of the most dreaded times of the year for many animal carers -bonfire night / Guy Fawkes / November 5th …. But events and random fireworks just as likely for sometimes 2 weeks before and after.

So …. We highly recommend taking action now

We ll do a separate post on other animals, but here focus on dogs

- start shifting your evening walk if you do one, a bit earlier every day
- play some calm music when you arrive back, and as you close curtains / blinds earlier than normal and turn both TV and radio on if you have available
- use this as a signal to your dog you are about to do something together that is calm and fun … maybe a lickimat or similar with you say nearby, or some grooming whist you tell them a story, a massage or stroking session, some new odour / toy investigation
- at this time, practice giving a firm treat or piece of kibble wrapped in some pate (to mimic any medication giving)
- during the calm, connection session turn on some extra background music with a good beat (like rhythmic drumming or similar). Start quietly and over a few nights, increase the volume Leave this on every evening for an hour or more already so it is part of the routine

- if you think your dog might benefit from anti anxiety or anti anxiety and sedating medication on nights of anticipated noise, call your vets now to organise a weight and health check and get that prescribed
It can also be a good time to get their chip checked - is it working, are your details up to date ?

- for some dog / caregiver combos, you might find that heading off on a drive with the radio on whilst you head somewhere away from events is a helpful avoidance. Just ensure you set off early to avoid trying to get in your vehicle when bangs may go off, and always make sure your dog is wearing a secure collar / harness / lead with all your contact details.

I know many of us would really prefer there were no such events or loud noises, not just for our animals but for wildlife too (and many humans) but as that still isn’t the case, prepared is preferred