Debbie Thomas CPDT

11/17/2025

There is nothing natural about large numbers of unfamiliar dogs partaking in high-intensity activity in a dog park, and this shouldn’t be the benchmark for a social dog. If your dog is not their best in such an environment, you are not doing anything wrong. 👏👏 There is nothing wrong with your dog. 👏👏 Your dog is normal. 👏👏

11/17/2025

In case you haven't seen, there's a proposed USD 1.9million settlement in a class action lawsuit in California about "gravely dangerous" shock collars. Amongst other things, the court filings say “In reality, Shock Collar Products are far from safe and harmless. In fact, the use of electric shocks is gravely dangerous to the pets’ physical and psychological well-being.” The class action is about different kinds of shock collars (bark-activated, barriers, fences) and Californians who purchased a shock collar between October 1st 2018 and October 31st 2022 are eligible for the settlement.

Details via the link in bio or https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2025/11/shock-collars-in-dog-training-are.html

11/17/2025

Dog's can respond better to hand signals than verbal cues, meaning dog sign language is a viable option for training any dog.

10/31/2025

SECONDS COUNT
This post is not advocating that dogs meet every other dog, but rather about how to go about it in a safer way, if and when it does happen.

The 3 second rule for dogs meeting each other is used as a guideline to help foster positive introductions, prevent either dog from feeling overwhelmed or trapped and prevent any potential reactivity and stress.

A short 3 second introduction is enough time to provide important information to both dogs.

Enough time and information for dogs to decide – “are you a threat?”, “do I like you?”, “do I want to learn more about you?”, “do I really dislike you?”, “do I want you to go away?” etc. Both dogs may not feel the same way – one may not be happy to engage while the other may want to.

All interactions should ideally happen like this, not just initially. Just like us, dogs can have off days – things like pain, trigger stacking, lack of sleep or a host of other reasons can influence a dog’s emotional state and whether a dog wants to interact or not.

There are countless times I have witnessed meetings or introductions between dogs that have gone on just a few seconds too long and have not ended well.

This can have long lasting effects on future behaviour when meeting other dogs.

Understanding body language is critically important. If we are going to share our lives with another species, protect them, advocate for them and help them feel safe, then we need to understand and respect their language.

The examples in this post of red and green flags are just a few general ones to look out for – there are many more and these will differ depending on the individual dog, context and circumstances.

Here are some resources that provide more detailed information about body language –

The Veterinary Behaviour Centre
https://bit.ly/4hwC8k1

On Talking Terms With Dogs - Calming Signals, 2nd Edition by Turid Rugaas
https://bit.ly/4oftWqW

Make sure those first 3 seconds count – they can make all the difference.

10/25/2025

"They're fine"
You don't need to be an "expert" to read body language.
You can just look at these three areas...they can tell you a lot!
Reading tails?
That's an area that can be particularly tricky, but this graphic shows some easier "tells".
There are some more general observations we can all make.

Mouths.
Dogs can close their mouths when they feel uncomfortable.
They can even clamp it firmly shut and you may see a slight "grin".

Eyes.
Dilated pupils, more white of the eyes showing and even a "refusal" to look in a certain direction can all be signs your dog may not be comfortable.
Blinking, squinting and wrinkling around the eyes can be a clue here too.

Ears.
Those wee ears can change position.
They can move flat against the head.
They may lower....sometimes they are almost "slick" against the head.

Face.
Tension shows here.
Wrinkling and tightness.
That tension can create changes to all the other parts mentioned, ears, eyes and mouth.

In saying all of this.....each dog can have their own unique "quirks".
This is just a general guideline.

If you are unsure, look around you.
What is happening near you both is often a clue too.
Context is key.

10/25/2025

Grinning dog?
One thing that we all need to be aware of. ⬇️
A dog's body language can be, and often is, easily misread.
A smile is one of those areas we need to look a bit closer at.

A commissure grin just means that the corners of the mouth (the commissures) are tighter and that can cause a dog to appear like they are grinning. These muscles can retract horizontally and this tightens the lips.
It looks like a happy grin, but it can also mean your dog is feeling some stress or anxiousness.
They could also be conflicted or scared, but hold the phone, yes, they can be happy too.

There are countless videos out there showing grinning dogs and people exclaiming how happy they are, many of them are anything and everything but happy.
Reading body language requires an open mind and a willingness to question what we may have always believed to be true.

There are no absolutes in deciphering a dogs body language.
Absolutes have no real place in dog training as there are always exceptions.

Always.

10/25/2025

https://rescuedbytraining.com/2025/05/26/dog-boot-camp-isnt-the-fix/ Your pet dog is not a WORKING military dog - don't send them to Boot Camp - choose to train positively.

Considering sending your dog off to training boot camp? It's not all it's cracked up to be. Read this first!

10/21/2025

DON’T FORCE ME TO BE SOCIAL!

It may be really disappointing or frustrating when our dogs are not the social beings we expected them to be.

Many people assume dogs should just naturally get along with other dogs, after all they’re the same species.

Some believe the “unsociable” dog has a behaviour problem that needs to be “fixed”.

Early, appropriately timed and proper socialisation is really important, but sometimes despite all of this, some dogs are just not that sociable or socially selective to varying degrees.

Sometimes this can be improved, especially if the cause is from a negative experience, but genetics, breed tendencies, individual personalities, health and age all contribute to tolerance and sociability, which also change throughout a dog’s lifetime.

If we, as a human species, don’t get along with everyone we meet, how can we expect our dogs to?

Do we label or try to fix every person that has an argument; doesn’t make friends with everyone they meet, dislikes some people, or just prefers not to be social as having a problem that needs to be fixed?

Why is it so easy to accept that every individual person is different than to accept that every individual dog is different?

When we have done what we can to improve our dogs’ social skills, we need to accept and acknowledge our dogs for the individuals they are, allow and respect their choice of whether to be sociable or not and never force interactions that dogs are not comfortable with.

10/21/2025

BRAIN UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The challenges of the teenage dog.

There’s a saying that most parents of teenagers can relate to - "Parents of teenagers understand why some animals eat their young!"

The changes that happen in the brain of a teenage dog are not that different to a human teenager.

The brain undergoes a period of "pruning" and "re-wiring". This process can cause some parts not to work, work sporadically or work too much.

To describe it in the simplest of terms -the prefrontal cortex of a teenage brain is at the “back of the queue” in this process. It’s still “under construction” and still developing. This area of the brain is responsible for making “logical” decisions, controlling impulses, learning, remembering, problem solving and social interaction.

Because the prefrontal cortex is being reconstructed, the brain relies more on a part called the amygdala to make choices and react.
The amygdala is involved in the “big feelings” we may see - emotional responses like fight or flight, anxiety, excitement, reactivity, impulse control and instinctive behaviour.

Being aware of the physical changes the teenage brain is going through in the process of maturing, helps us to be more understanding and accepting.

Statistics show that many dogs are surrendered or re homed during the teenage stage as their owners no longer “like” the way their dog behaves, can’t handle them or just give up on them.

Please don’t give up on your teenage dog. We need to manage our expectations and frustrations during this phase.

Understand and acknowledge what is happening in their brain. Help them through this stage with patience, consistency, love and acceptance.