ThinkDogs Training & Behaviour

18/09/2025

A big congratulations to Psychiatric Assistance Dog Adela for passing her public access test with us! 👏

Well done team for your hard work and incredible achievement. ⭐️

18/09/2025

It’s National Inclusion Week! We’ve made a bingo card as a fun way to see how many accessibility actions you can tick off—can you get a full house?

Alt text: Alt text:
A colorful bingo-style poster for National Inclusion Week created by the INTODogs Social Inclusion Team. At the top, large text reads “It’s National Inclusion Week.” Below is a 5x5 grid of accessibility and inclusion actions written in alternating blue and green squares. Examples include: “Alt texts on posts,” “Accessible doors,” “Wheelchair ramps,” “Accepting of assistance dogs,” “Non-slip, high-contrast flooring,” “Lowered reception desk,” “Easy-read versions of documents,” “Sign language interpretation offered,” “Quiet/sensory-friendly spaces,” “Multiple ways to contact (phone, text, email),” “Wide aisles/walkways,” “Captions/subtitles on all videos,” “Reserved accessible parking,” “Disability leave or adjusted induction,” and “Clear guidelines for employees bringing service animals.” The center square has a green heart with “SIT” written inside. At the bottom, it says “INTODogs Social Inclusion Team.”

17/09/2025

This week is National Inclusion Week, and it is more important now than ever to push for diversity, inclusion and equality both in the animal training and behaviour profession and in society as a whole.

We are proud to champion these values. As a disabled, trans, queer-led business, these values underpin all of our work.

At ThinkDogs Training & Behaviour, we accept everyone no matter their race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, disability, or any other features of their background.

💚 You are always safe with us.

💚 Everyone is welcome.

💚 We support LGBTQ+ rights and liberation.

💚 We don’t believe human beings are illegal.

💚 We stand against the genocide of human beings and animals.

💚 We stand against racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, ableism, xenophobia or any form of discrimination.

This week we are delighted to take a strong stand and encourage you all to speak up - to make your commitment to equality and inclusion known.

We recognise that for many, the world is a very frightening place at the moment. to speak loudly about equality, diversity and inclusion, against injustice, and drown out the voices who wish to incite hatred and division.

17/09/2025

I am looking forward to receiving mine, beautiful designs by Lili Chin in support of the wonderful work done by Sulala Animal Rescue in Gaza. 🇵🇸💚

✨ I’m so excited to share this collaboration with the amazing Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin ✨

We’ve designed two special badges together 🐾 available for just £2.50 per badge + postage. Delivery to UK/Ireland only.

💯% of proceeds will be donated directly to سلالة - Sulala Animal Rescue in G*za.

These badges are more than just accessories. They’re a symbol of compassion, solidarity, and hope for a better future for all those in G*za. 🌿❤️

👉 Wear them proudly.
👉 Share the message.
👉 Stand together.

Please dm us to purchase!

13/09/2025

Dogs communicate at different “volumes.”

Noticing and listening to the more subtle signs (low volume) enables us to intervene and help dogs feel more comfortable so they don’t resort to the more overt signs (high volume).

Get your copy here: https://rescuedbytraining.com/dog-communication-infographic/

09/09/2025

Not as quick as I thought it would be but fun to make! Give your dog a great toy- tie lose you can stuff treats into it / tie tight and it makes a great tug toy.

25/08/2025

"If you are listening to this and you do actually use shock or prong collars or leash corrections, or you yell at your dog, don't do those things. Stop." In the most recent episode of our podcast, we made the assumption that people listening don't use aversive methods with their dog. We said that because there are some truly amazing pet guardians and pet professionals who follow this page. Don't you wish everyone knew this?!

Here are all the links to listen, watch, or read the transcript:
Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2183505/episodes/17695165
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/how-to-help-your-reactive-or-fearful-dog/id1685998335?i=1000722651589
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1mpy2QgJgBGyMg3flyTAAF
Youtube: https://youtu.be/Ju-Id_vg5lA
Website to listen, watch, and read a transcript: https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2025/08/how-to-help-your-reactive-or-fearful-dog.html

Get Bark!: https://amzn.to/4oHPL2S

24/08/2025

Your dog might not like physical praise !

We humans have a natural tendency to want to stroke, cuddle, and hug our dogs. It feels good to us… but did you know not all dogs enjoy physical contact? For some, it can even feel aversive.

Dogs are always having conversations with us through their body language and behaviour. The problem is we don’t always listen because we don't 'see' what they're saying. When those conversations go unheard, dogs often end up stressed, showing displacement behaviours like:
👉 Mouthing
👉 Over-arousal
👉 Hu***ng
👉 Silly “zoomy” behaviour

These are not “naughty” dogs. These are dogs working hard to cope with something they find difficult, and sometimes the only option left is to bite.

💡 My work with these dogs is about listening first. We find their baseline: what they like, what they tolerate, and what they really don’t. From there, we can build two-way conversations and where it’s needed begin counterconditioning so grooming, vet checks, or daily handling become safe and comfortable.

✨ But equally important we respect who they are as sentient beings, and we don’t force unnecessary touch just because we want it.

From a social point of view, dogs can value two very different things:
1️⃣ Being close to you, hanging out, even leaning against you, wanting to lay next to you on the sofa.
2️⃣ Physical contact, touch, stroking from you

The dogs who love 1️⃣ but not 2️⃣ are the ones who often get misunderstood. They want to be with you but not necessarily be touched by you. And that’s okay.

Some dogs even change their minds mid-fuss thinking they want it until they don’t. That’s okay too.

I get it, because I’m the same I like people, but I don’t like hugs.

Here’s Huey 🤎 we’ve done lots of work so he can cope with handling and grooming. He can even enjoy a fuss now. The key was that he felt understood and listened to. Having a voice that is heard is empowering.

When people meet Huey I tell them, he might look like he wants you to fuss him, but he doesn't. I know the people that meet him might not speak his language so I speak for him. That's my role as his guardian.

22/08/2025

I do not recommend allowing your dog to mix with dogs that are trained with prong or shock (electric) collars, for these reasons. The known side effects of these devices are too risky. This is a great & informative post!

16/08/2025

It only takes a second to go from polite butt sniff to impolite Arghhhh - be vigil! Remember- dogs reactions are 'nano' seconds faster then yours so never hesitate to say NO to a meet and greet if you think your dog would be uncomfortable. IF they are in greet mode then stay alert and remove them as needed. Remember you know your dog- you don't know other people's dogs!