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Dog Behaviour Specialist Paws in Nature is a Dog Behaviour & rehabilitation service

18/07/2025

The Importance of Thresholds

Before heading out for a walk, it’s crucial to get things right inside the house first, especially if your dog tends to be overexcited, pulls on the lead, or shows signs of reactivity. One key area to focus on is how your dog approaches doorways.

In this example, you’ll see Andrew using calm body language and clear cues to create space and encourage calmness around the gate way. He rewards the dog when she displays calm, balanced behaviour, helping her transition out onto a walk in a more relaxed state of mind.

If a dog bolts out the door full of adrenaline, the walk is already off to a difficult start. Teaching calm behaviour at thresholds helps your dog leave the house in the right frame of mind, it also reminds us to centre ourselves before a walk and to take that deep breath and relax before you leave.

Understanding dog behaviour means looking at the bigger picture. Sometimes even by making the smallest of changes to our own routines and awareness, we are creating more harmony in our lives with our dogs.

17/07/2025

Free shaping is one of our favorite techniques when working with dogs. It gives them the freedom to think, problem solve, and discover the right behaviours on their own, with rewards along the way. This approach helps build confident, resilient dogs with a strong understanding of what’s being asked of them. Nearly all of the training I’ve done with my own dog, Bruce, has been through free shaping and the results speak for themselves.

Now lets see how free shaping helps with Olives development and training 😍

16/07/2025

Frankie is currently undergoing training for dog aggression. When he sees another dog from a distance, he tends to react strongly. There are many techniques we use to address this type of behaviour, each is tailored to achieve the best results for the individual dog. Here’s a quick example of how we can begin to shift Frankie’s emotional response to another dog, such as Biscuit, the fiery Lakeland Terrier, almost immediately. Once we identify the most effective approach for Frankie, we can then apply it in real world situations and gradually condition him to remain calm and focused in a variety of environments and scenarios.

11/07/2025

🐾 Tips to Prevent Heat Stroke in Dogs 🐾

1. Avoid Midday Heat 🥵🌞

- Walk your dog early in the morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler.

- Keep them off hot pavement, it can burn their paws and increase body heat.

2. Provide Constant Access to Shade and Fresh cool water at all times. 💦🚰

- Create shady spots outdoors (trees, umbrellas, or canopies).

- Indoors, use fans or air conditioning if possible.

3. Never Leave Your Dog in a Parked Car
EVEN with the windows cracked, cars can reach dangerous temperatures in minutes. 💀👎⛔

- It’s one of the most common, and deadly causes of heat stroke.

4. Use Cooling Products 🧊❄️
Cooling vests, mats, or bandanas designed for dogs can help regulate temperature.

- You can also offer frozen treats (like ice cubes with broth or fruit).

5. Limit Exercise on Hot Days 🐕‍🦺🚶
Dogs can overheat quickly, especially flat-faced breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs.

- Opt for shorter walks and more rest. Maybe even skip that walk!

6. Monitor High-Risk Dogs Closely
Some dogs are more prone to heat stroke: 🐶

- Brachycephalic breeds (e.g., Pugs, Frenchie's, Boxers)

- Older dogs

- Overweight dogs

- Thick-coated breeds

Keep these dogs indoors during heat waves as much as possible.

7. Use Kiddie Pools or Sprinklers
Let your dog splash in shallow water under supervision to cool down. 🏊

8. Groom Appropriately
Brush regularly to remove loose fur.

- Do not shave double-coated dogs, their coats protect them from heat and sunburn.

08/07/2025

Pickle has just begun his two week immersion training with us.

He displays reactivity toward female humans, bikes, joggers, and other dogs. Yesterday marked his first day here, and we focused entirely on building a solid relationship as the foundation for training.

Interestingly, while it’s more common for dogs to show reactivity toward males, Pickle is more reactive to females. This made it especially valuable to walk Kim through the specific steps she needed to take to avoid becoming a trigger for him.

Pickle tends to escalate from 0 to 100 very quickly, which means we don’t always see the usual warning signs before a reaction. Despite that, we wrapped up the day with a really positive session and some great progress.

We look forward to documenting his progress over the next two weeks 🐶

07/07/2025

Working with “thin-nerved” dogs like Chi Chi always brings an extra layer of challenge. Building her confidence takes time, care, and a thoughtful approach, but it’s absolutely essential to helping her thrive.

In this session, you’ll see Andrew using subtle, hands-on techniques to begin shifting some of her overly submissive behaviours. Chi Chi has a strong tendency to lower herself and display signs of learned helplessness behaviour that she’s picked up as a way to avoid conflict. By gently encouraging a more upright posture, Andrew is not just adjusting her body, he’s helping reshape her mindset.

We absolutely adore this little dog. These small but meaningful changes will have a lasting, positive impact on her future.

06/07/2025

Look how happy Ted is passing dogs now 😍🥹

This is Ted, he came to us showing lead reactivity towards other dogs, even from a distance. His owners made the right decision by reaching out early, giving us the opportunity to step in and support them.

He joined us for a two-week training program, during which we focused on:

🐾 - Obedience
🐾 - Lead control
🐾 - Impulse control
🐾 - Reactivity to triggers

At the end of the course, we held a workshop with the owners to transfer the training and ensure they felt confident moving forward. The results were fantastic, and the pup made great progress.

Of course, this is still a work in progress. We’ll continue supporting the owners to ensure consistency and to help them adjust if any new challenges arise.

05/07/2025

Are you a new Puppy owner? Or getting ready to get a new Puppy? Here are 5 quick tips to help with your new addition.

1️⃣ - Introduce Crate Training Early – Teach your puppy that their crate is a safe, comfortable space where they can relax and feel secure.

2️⃣ - Expose to New Environments – Gradually introduce your puppy to a variety of sights, sounds, surfaces, and people to help build confidence and reduce fearfulness.

3️⃣ - Build Engagement with You – Create a strong bond by making yourself the most rewarding part of your puppy’s world through play, praise, and consistent interaction.

4️⃣ - Establish a Routine – Set predictable feeding, toilet, and training schedules to create structure and help your puppy feel secure.

5️⃣ - Reward Desired Behaviours – Use their own food, toys, and affection to reinforce good behaviour.

Photography courtesy of Andrew Lang (Olive our new team puppy)

30/06/2025

Teaching Olive respect around Shetland Ponies &horses

27/06/2025

Missing from CHAPEL HILL RD MORETON WIRRAL CH469RR since 8:30 am 27/06/2025

Not wearing a collar. Very friendly but fast and will run.

Please DO NOT shout, chase, or grab.

Report sightings immediately by calling 0330 124 2004 &

Contact:
Mandi: +44 7710 254796
OR
Andy: +44 7926 943501

Last Sightings:
Birkenhead North Station
Bidston Moss

27/06/2025

‼️🚨DORIS HAS GONE MISSING - PLEASE HELP🚨‼️

Name: Doris
Last Seen: This morning near tracks of Bidston Moss Train Station, Wirral
Breed: Terrier mix (Romanian Rescue)
Distinctive Features:

• Reddish-brown face with darker back

📍 She may be trying to make her way home or could be hiding. If spotted, do not chase—call immediately.

📞 Contact:
Mandi Whorton – 07710 254796
OR
Andy – 07926 943501

Please SHARE THIS POST and help us bring Doris home!!!

18/06/2025

Reactive dog workshop

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