Easy Go

30/03/2025

WHEN TRAINING WON’T WORK

There is a common misconception that reactivity, anxiety or fear related behaviour can be “fixed” through training alone.

Barking, lunging, reactivity, aggression, constant hypervigilance - as though danger is waiting behind every corner, hiding or cowering away at the slightest trigger or sometimes shutting down completely are all signs of a nervous system that’s in overdrive and is unregulated.

This behaviour is not a training issue - it’s not bad behaviour, disobedience, stubbornness or some other type of negative label, - it’s a nervous system issue.

Although dogs and people have remarkably similar social and emotional brains, this doesn’t mean that dogs are able to think like we do, or have the words or means to process what is causing their stress or trauma.

When stress is not released, it remains stuck, keeping the nervous system in overdrive or in survival mode.

When a dog or a person is stuck in this state, the brain isn’t able to learn new things or learn to behave in a different way.

This is why trying to “train away” anxiety, fear or reactive type behaviour does not work. We first have to work on the nervous system.

Here are some links related to this subject that provide more information on how to help dogs that are struggling -

How to identify and remove triggers that keep a dog stuck in a cycle of stress and anxiety - Annie Phenix
https://phenix-dogs-canine-behavior-experts-llc.kit.com/7-steps

Creating a healing environment - podcast by Dr Laura Donaldson
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-laura-donaldson-compliance-is-not-cooperation/id1708279785?i=1000693042973

Trauma Informed Dog Training – Book by Sally Gutteridge
https://www.amazon.com/Trauma-Informed-Dog-Training-Professionals/dp/B0DS4T1W8M

What does it mean to be Trauma Informed - Dr Laura Donaldson
https://www.icbdogs.com/product-page/laura-donaldson-what-does-it-mean-to-be-trauma-informed

Ace Free Work – helps the nervous system relax, reset and rebalance
https://www.allpetseducationandtraining.com.au/ace-free-work.html

06/01/2025

Update on Stitch, now renamed Sunny☀️💛🐾:
Treatment is progressing at his own pace. Which is very important as Safety can't be taught it can only be Felt!!

So his challenges in the coming months (or whatever it takes) are:
✨ Practice relaxation as often as possible (help him down regulate this overstimulated stress response)
✨ Experience the emotional & neurobiological rewards of the success loop through minor problems solving activities,
✨ which will in turn increase his competence, confidence and feelings of control
✨ (and last but never least) try practice fun activities with no pressure or expectations. Simply be you and learn about own likes, dislikes, preference, needs and wants!

Or simply put - regain control of his own body, feel like a dog and become a content one!💛🐾✨

In traumatized animals, pharmacological support is often useful as it helps reduce the stress during and the length of the process, helps promote quality sleep, recovery and learning. In some cases to expect an animal to self regulate after prolonged chronic stress (HPA activation and dysfunction) is unrealistic because after a while a traumatized brain sustains neurochemical and neurophysiological changes that are beyond the creatures' own "will power". We are working hard with our lovely vets to provide him all the support he needs during this time and always.
Then, and only then, can training in the conventional positive reinforcement way may be considered!
It will be a long road and he may never feel safe in the same room with us or anyone and that's OK.
L💛ve 🐾 V. & P.

19/09/2024

... and why it shouldn't have been published

06/09/2024

Adolescence occurs between six months and 18 months of age—a time when guardians typically struggle the most with their dogs. Some guardians are so overwhelmed and underprepared for this developmental stage of their dog’s life, they choose to surrender the dog to a local shelter or rescue group. In a recent study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science found that the majority of the surrendered dogs (47.7 percent) ) were between 5 months and 3 years of age (M.D. Salman,John G. New, Jr.,Janet M. Scarlett,Philip H. Kass,Rebecca Ruch-Gallie &Suzanne Hetts, 2010)

The neurobiology of adolescence is fascinating, with some key events that alter both the structure and function of the brain.

During canine adolescence, changing s*x hormones effect the animals stress responses. Adolescent dogs have a decreased ability to process information they are receiving from the environment including the presence of dogs, vehicles, people, or really anything around them. They behave in ways that might feel frustrating or upsetting for the dog’s person.

The connectivity between the frontal cortex (responsible for decision making) and amygdala (responsible for emotional processing) decreases, resulting in less behavioral control. We see increased risk taking and more sensitivity to fear.

So what does this mean? This could mean that what was once no big deal to the dog now feels scary; what was once easy to do is now stressful; what once made sense is now confusing. At times, the world can feel like ‘too much’ for the adolescent dog.

As your puppy undergoes this transition into adulthood their inner world is intense, even chaotic. Many pet owners experience an increase in undesirable behavior and find themselves becoming increasingly frustrated. In turn, our own frustration and impatience can cause us to act unpredictably. This adds to our puppy’s inner turmoil. When the inside and the outside are both unpredictable it can be difficult for our dogs to adjust.

If you have an adolescent dog, what can you do? You can give your dog the time and space to observe what is going on around them when on leash at a distance away from the activity when possible. You can give your dog long walks to sniff and explore in nature, giving their brain time to decompress. You can offer your dog a quiet space to sleep so that they can consolidate memories effectively. You can continue training various skills, breaking them down into easier steps that can be generously reinforced.

By understanding what our adolescent dog is experiencing we gain greater compassion and understanding. When we approach adolescence with patience we create a world that is predictable and gentle so our puppies grow up to be their best adult selves.

26/08/2024

Happy international Doggies Day 💛🐾
Too many pics to choose from ☺️
Feel free to share your favourites in the comments 🤩

13/08/2024

At Easy Go we are delighted to be member of one of the Founder Organisations of the UK Dog Charter.
We strive for progress and continuous development in order to provide kind, empathetic, science and evidence based support to our clients.

At its heart, the UK Dog Behaviour & Training Charter™ is a code of conduct, ethics and methodology. More than that however, the Charter is a collaboration of many of the UK’s leading behaviour and training membership organisations who for the first time have come together cooperatively under th...

29/07/2024

Ethology,Neuroscience,Applied Animal Behaviour,Sentient,Sentient beings,Emotions,Animal Welfare,Dog,Cat,Training,Dog behaviour,Cat behaviour,Animal behaviour,Animal rights,Enrichment,Agility,Dog agility,Cat toys,Dog toys,Animals,Behaviour courses,Behaviour problems,Naughty dog,Naughty cat

17/07/2024

Most behaviour difficulties guardians experience may be only the tip of iceberg.
Here is a good explanation as to why it's so important to use a holistic approach to treatment and training, tailored to individual clients needs.

02/06/2024

Ethology,Neuroscience,Applied Animal Behaviour,Sentient,Sentient beings,Emotions,Animal Welfare,Dog,Cat,Training,Dog behaviour,Cat behaviour,Animal behaviour,Animal rights,Enrichment,Agility,Dog agility,Cat toys,Dog toys,Animals,Behaviour courses,Behaviour problems,Naughty dog,Naughty cat

29/05/2024

Help Us Provide The Antidote to Harmful, Aversive Training & Pet Care – Learn About Celebrating Life Together
Come and join us—you are welcome—to learn about our August 2024 Advocacy Event and how you can get involved.
⏰June 4, 2024, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (ET)
Register for Free here: https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/webinars-events/webinars/help-us-provide-the-antidote-to-harmful-aversive-training-pet-care-learn-about-celebrating-life-together/

21/05/2024

THE LOOK AWAY
Looking away is one of the calming signals in dog body language.

Just like a hard stare or prolonged eye contact may be a sign that a dog’s about to react, looking away is meant to calm a situation down.

The head position when looking away will vary – from side to side, holding in one position or subtle quick turns are all common variations, all while avoiding direct eye contact.

I have often watched in fascination when one of my dogs uses this form of communication with an insect! Her favourite thing to do is to hunt, catch and then play with a Parktown Prawn (King Cricket).

She means them no harm (I think) and just wants to engage in a game of how high can you jump before I can catch you.

She will carefully carry the cricket in her mouth without hurting it to the middle of the garden where there are no bushes where it may escape to.

After a quick play bow (from her, not the cricket!) the games begin. The game can go on for some time and when the cricket gets tired or plays dead, she will stop playing, sit quietly, avoid eye contact and keep looking away before starting the game again.

By this time, I usually feel really sorry for the cricket, will rescue it and put it out of reach, but I think this is a good example of how she uses the body language of looking away to try to calm the situation down, even if her intentions are completely selfish! I have no idea if the cricket understands what she is trying to communicate.

Body language can be subtle and fleeting, but with careful observation and knowing what to look for most of us can learn to recognize and interpret what our dogs are saying.

It’s always important to look at the context, the situation and especially what the rest of the body is doing when deciphering this amazing language.

Being able to understand a dog’s emotional state through their body language helps us to predict behaviour, prevent potential problems or allows us to just enjoy observing their language.

14/05/2024

Welcome to Easy Go 🐾 - Animal Behaviour Therapy & Training!

I am a COAPE Certified Animal Behaviourist (Dip CABT) C.C.A.B. and a member of CABTi (COAPE Association of Behaviourists and Trainers International) and The UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter.

I am passionate about finding creative and empathetic solutions tailored to each unique individual needs for both - animals and their guardians aiming at helping them overcome their behavioural struggles, reconnect and restore their relationships, promote animal wellbeing and welfare.

I use holistic approach and most up to date science and reward based methods only.

I offer Behaviour Consultation Programmes and one to one training packages.

I am based in East Anglia at the Norfolk Suffolk border near Lakenheath, but I do travel further afield if required.
I offer both online and in person Behavioural Consultations, support & training.

I work with dogs of all ages and with various struggles including frustration, reactivity or aggression, guarding or separation related issues.

Please, feel free to email me on [email protected] for more information.

Vicky 🐾