Beech Behaviour Centre

02/09/2025

01/09/2025

This week I am starting a series of posts trying to answer the question what do our dogs need as I am asked this question every day in my work as a Clinical Animal behaviourist
Every dog is an individual and the relationship we have with our dogs is different for every one of us. But there are core elements of natural canine behaviour and needs that we can as loving owners ensure we offer in their daily routine. We might need to adjust what we do sometimes to ensure they feel safe, or they get enough sleep or have enjoyable interactions not only with us but with their own species.
WHAT OUR DOGS NEED -Today we are thinking about three core needs:
Eating and drinking – I love thinking about how we can offer our dogs variety in their diet whilst still meeting their nutritional needs. Various textures such as the wonderful chews that are available now, or a range of fruit and vegetables they can eat safely. Offering more than one feeding and drinking place in our homes adds variety and freedom of choice too. Maybe the bowls we use are making a noise when they drink and this worries them
Sleeping area – Draft free areas especially in winter are very important versus where they slept over the hot summer period. Cosy and soft bedding if they like those textures but clearly understanding what they do like. Sometimes it changes as they age or with illness. Making sure they are comfortable and the bed or crate is big enough so they can easily move around or snuggle into. Placing their bed in a quiet place not the main kitchen thoroughfare so they can rest in the day too. Offering more than one bed choice in their home with additional beds maybe have different sleeping textures or are at various heights. The freedom to select the one they want at that time is a valuable reward for many dogs.
Safety – Our dogs need to feel safe in their home and in the environments in which they experience with us just as we do too. When they don’t feel safe, we often see behavioural problems based on fear or frustration as our dogs are exposed to triggers, that they find fear eliciting. Sometimes we do need to walk in quieter areas, have a safe plan when visitors come over that is less stressful for our beloved dog and us too! Ensuring our garden is safe for them to experience and they cannot escape or other dogs or even cats can easily enter. When we are out with them , using walking equipment that they feel securely and safely connected to us and which does not cause them any pain or discomfort or that they can escape from. Hiring secure fields are a lifeline for many dogs I see and there are some fantastic ones in our local area.

17/07/2025

3 DAYS TO GO....

In aid of Endangered Rhino Conservation

15/07/2025

Do you and your dog worry about a vet visit? Is going to the groomers an ordeal? Then we've got the answer - our Canine Cooperative Care Course.
Starting in September our 6 week course aims to take the stress out of vet and groomer procedures. Small class lead by Sandra Raw, Clinical Behaviourist, & Michelle Scott, senior trainer.

📅📅📅Wednesday 17 September
⏰⏰⏰5.00 - 6.00pm & 6.15 - 7.15pm
📌📌📌Kempsey - Worcester
📋📋📋Handouts & videos for additional supported learning
🩺🩺🩺 Practice with a REAL vet on week 6
‼️‼️‼️ Places are limited so book now click the link below ⬇️⬇️⬇️

https://www.worcesterdogs.co.uk/service-page/canine-cooperative-care?category=8317ed7a-1996-406a-af8d-b073064bba3d&referral=service_list_widget

24/06/2025

27/05/2025

If you missed it this morning, here’s our very own Sandra Raw on BBC Hereford and Worcester Radio talking about rhinos. 🦏

01/04/2025

We Need Your Help!

We are looking for new venues for our Scent Detection Training and we need your help! Do you own or work at a premises that we could use? It could be anywhere; a school, office building, pub, sports ground, nightclub, museum, activity centre, hotel or even a church.

18/11/2024

19/02/2024

Feeding our dogs is a subject often talked about . Being creative with their meals is a great way to make mealtimes more interesting and stimulating for our dogs . Making it fun but we must be careful we don’t build frustration with puzzles that are too hard for younger dogs or older dogs even . I love boxes like those pictures below with their dry food or a few treats sprinkled in . Easy to make up and reuse so gets easily part of everyday life .

Tomorrow I will look at ‘taking food away from our dogs’ to teach them not to be possessive ! In fact the opposite outcome is more likely …….

16/02/2024

There's still time to book onto our Kennel Club Bronze Class starting Saturday 2 March 11.00 - 12.00.

16/02/2024

Friday happiness !

Love this photo and it makes me smile as all puppies starting their journey with us are super cute 🥰

With puppies it is really important to remember TWO THINGS

1. Dogs are always learning and being trained . Whether we are reinforcing their behaviour or punishing it unconsciously , they are still learning. The behaviour I see most that dogs are learning from us , is when we lean over and stroke them when they jump up ! Jumping up ‘pays’ really well so it happens again !
2. Training that happens throughout a day becomes an easier activity for us so more happens every day . A 1 minute session or longer or less it makes a difference to life with them and for them. They learn why is expected of them in real life moments .
Little mini training sessions make it easier for us to do and dogs enjoy these mini learning moments with us . Having a cup of tea and waiting for the kettle to boil and doing some sit and down cues or sitting watching the lunchtime TV news and training a settle cue or making a sandwich is a good time for a nice sit behaviour in presence of food !