My Hero Dog Training (& Sports)

04/16/2026

Why do dogs tilt their heads? It isn’t just cute. It's all about being able to listen and process information better. Almost all dogs tilt their heads, but scientists still aren't sure why. There are countless TikTok videos that go like this: Someone says something to their dog, the dog’s head s...

01/20/2026

Dominance Is Not a Personality Trait in Dogs

One of the most common mislabeling still given to dogs is “dominant.”
But dominance is not a personality trait, or a diagnosis.

Dominance is a communication mechanism, a momentary social strategy used to negotiate access to resources, space, or safety.

Its not a dog that constantly bullies other dogs despite what some videos would like you to believe.

In behavioural science, dominance refers to a relationship or interaction, not an individual identity.

Dogs may use dominant behaviours to avoid conflict, communicate boundaries, gain or maintain access to resources (food, space, toys, rest areas etc.)

It’s context-dependent, temporary, and flexible not a fixed characteristic.

A dog can display dominant behaviour in one situation and more appeasing behaviours in another, sometimes within minutes.

In healthy social systems, dominance can often be subtle and calm, not constant aggressive, forceful, or violent behaviour.

Dominance is often used as a catch-all label when a dog:

Growls

Guards resources

Doesn’t comply immediately

Appears confident or independent

Sets boundaries with people or dogs

But these behaviours are often far more accurately explained by understanding the emotion behind the behaviour.

This can include fear, anxiety, frustration, pain or discomfort etc.

Calling a dog “dominant” often stops the conversation rather than opening it up to further investigation and understanding.

It can push people into believing that using more confrontational or punitive training methods are needed.

By throwing a label at something, we might ignore emotional and environmental factors and miss opportunities for humane, effective solutions

Dominance does not explain behaviour, context does !!

(Picture of Rodney being a plonker)

01/12/2026

KNOW ABOUT MY NECK!

A dog’s neck is really not that much different to ours.

In fact, it may be even a little more sensitive, as the outermost layers of the skin are thinner than ours.

In additional to the damage that using choke collars, prong collars, slip leads or shock collars cause in a psychological and emotional way, the physical risks are also often not acknowledged or understood.

Here are just some of the physical risks these aversive tools can cause –

The Vagus nerve runs down both sides of the neck and controls so many vital functions - heart rate, breathing, digestion, emotional regulation and communication between the brain and other major organs.

Pressure on the neck can compress the trachea, making it hard to breathe properly -decreases oxygen to the brain and other organs, potentially causing long-term damage.

Pressure can also damage the thyroid gland, injure nerves and muscles and bruise soft tissue.

Compression of the neck can cause intraocular pressure which affects vision.

The neck and cervical spine contain the spinal cord, where the nerves of the front legs originate. Excessive paw licking is often misdiagnosed as allergies, when it’s actually caused by pain.

Compression of the Esophagus – the tube that carries food to the stomach, can cause digestive and gut issues.

I find it really hard to understand why these tools are still so widely used and promoted.

What could possibly be admirable or intelligent in using force, inflicting pain, causing physical and emotional harm to control another sentient being, when there are far more effective, humane, ethical ways?

"The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves" – Jayne Goodall

01/12/2026

01/12/2026

HURTING IN HIDING
WHY WE OFTEN MISS THE SIGNS THAT A DOG MAY BE IN PAIN

It’s natural to assume that dogs don’t have pain if they can run, play, fetch, jump or pull excitedly on leash, but dogs often hide pain extremely well, not just by nature, but from a flood of chemicals that the brain releases in response to various emotions.

These chemicals block and mask pain signaling and can take hours or even days to wear off. By the time we see obvious symptoms, the pain may have been there for a long time.

Often the earliest sign of pain is a change in behaviour, which is why pain should always be ruled out before starting any kind of behaviour modification plan.

I have often found it so frustrating when taking one of my dogs to the vet for what I can clearly see is a painful condition. Maybe it’s a limp, skipping or hopping when running or an aversion to touch in a certain body part. As soon as we get to the vet, the symptoms just magically disappear! The vet can find no pain, no abnormalities and I end up feeling like a neurotic mother!

But the condition is really there, it’s just been blocked and masked by a flood of chemicals in response to the stress and anxiety of the vet visit.

Dogs in pain might also pull more on leash when in pain. Just the anticipation of going out for a walk releases brain chemicals before the walk even starts. Moving forward at a fast pace may also reduce discomfort by shifting weight away from painful limbs or joints. This can make a painful dog look excited, eager and full of energy, even though they’re really struggling with pain.

“Trainers” that use aversive tools like prong collars, shock collars or choke chains will claim that they don’t cause pain or discomfort. The dog may look fine, unconcerned or even happy, but that’s because the chemical surge has blocked pain and discomfort in response to fear and anxiety.

Pain can be complicated to address when it’s not a visible condition like a dental problem, an ear infection, injury or similar.

The first step should always be a full vet check, remembering that stress at the vet can mask pain. A trial of pain meds is often beneficial.

It’s also useful to take videos of your dog showing symptoms that you could show to your vet.

An accredited Dynamic Dog Practitioner who is trained to assess gait, posture, and movement is so beneficial. This is done at your home over a period of time in a relaxed environment and a detailed assessment is provided to your vet for further evaluation.

We owe it to our dogs to look deeper when we feel something is “off”. Dogs don’t have words to tell us where it hurts. It’s our responsibility to advocate for them.

Changed behaviour usually means something physical changed first.

10/29/2025

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.

10/03/2025

THE RECIPE TO CHANGE BEHAVIOUR

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a recipe or instruction manual that when followed would guarantee to solve the problems of each and every dog and every situation?

There might be a general template that we can use to begin with, but there cannot be a specific recipe or a cookie cutter approach to change behaviour effectively or ethically.

Each dog and each situation have different “ingredients” that need to be assessed and considered. There are just far too many variables involved to use the same recipe.

Genetics, history, life experiences, environment, the individual dog, as well as the guardian or family situation and commitment, will all be different and have to be taken into account.

This is why ethical, suitably qualified dog professionals will often answer a question someone asks about dog behaviour by saying “it depends”, because it really does depend on all the different variables.

There are no quick answers, no quick fixes and no specific, cookie cutter recipes to bring about successful, lasting behaviour change.

Stay well away from promises or guarantees that there are.

09/24/2025

DO YOU HAVE A HSD? - A highly sensitive dog

Just like people, some dogs are just different. It’s estimated that around 15 to 20% of us are a HSP (highly sensitive person) and around 1 in 6 dogs are HSD (highly sensitive dogs).

It’s not a disorder or a fault or a problem that needs to be fixed, but part of our genetic makeup, personality or character.

If you are a HSP, it will probably be easier to recognise and understand your dog’s personality.

Although we can improve sensitivity through careful controlled exposure, counter conditioning or desensitisation, we cannot change something that is part of who we or they are.

One of my dogs is highly sensitive. Before I knew anything about dog behaviour, I really struggled to understand why she behaved the way she did and tried really hard to change her. Many years ago, she was assessed by a “behaviourist”’, who concluded that she was just really odd and could give me no answers.

I understood “odd”, because I too could be considered odd and I now recognise myself as a HSP. This understanding and acceptance was a revelation in the way that I saw both myself and my dog.

Although being highly sensitive can be challenging, it does have advantages.

The HSD often develops strong connections and bonds and can be incredibly emotionally supportive to us.

Training is often easier because the HSD is far more intuitive and perceptive, noticing visual, auditory or environmental cues more easily.

Positive reinforcement, praise and connection may be even more valued by the HSD.

Let’s be more sensitive to the needs of sensitive dogs, accept them for who they are and stop trying to change them.

For more information on this topic, here is a link to a book on this topic by Dr Christine King - The Highly Sensitive Dog - explains the science of sensory-processing sensitivity, then offers some practical strategies that make life easier for these wonderful dogs and for ourselves in return.

Highly Sensitive Dog: Making Life Easier for These Wonderful dogs
https://www.amazon.com/Highly-Sensitive-Dog-making-wonderful/dp/B0F947Z4WN