Paw in Hand K9 Academy

20/11/2025

What is your dog trying to tell you? 🐶

It's normal to feel frustrated by your dog's behavior at times. However, all behaviors serve a purpose - to meet their needs.

So, when you notice a behavior you don't like...

👀 First: What are they doing?
Describe the behavior(s) you see. What are they trying to access or get away from?

👀 Second: Dig!
What body language do you notice before, during, and after the behavior(s) are performed? Based on your observations, can you tell what they might be feeling?

💭 Third: Plan
What actions can we take to help meet their needs? How can we prevent the unwanted behaviors from being rehearsed? How can we set them up to succeed next time we're in this situation?

Even when you're feeling frustrated, remember that all behaviors serve a purpose, and your dog is not doing something to spite you. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified, positive reinforcement-based behavior professional for help.

20/11/2025

** Important Message from our Director, Jo Middleton **

Today I’m heading to the House of Lords for something that feels genuinely historic for canine welfare ... the official launch of the Innate Health Assessment (IHA) Tool.

For as long as I can remember I have advocated to end the cruelty that humans have inflicted up dogs through breeding for aesthetics.

To be blunt, we have bred suffering into generations of animals who never asked for it.

Flat faces.
Spines that don't flex.
Bulging eyes.
Compromised breathing.
Painful skin, joints, and neurological issues.

All because, somewhere along the line, how dogs looked and our human egos became more important than welfare.

But today marks the beginning of a shift.

The IHA Tool, brain child of the All Parliamnetary Group for Animal Welfare, is launching.

This 10 point assessment is built from 15 years of RVC research and supported across the veterinary and welfare sectors. It gives everyone, including breeders and prospective guardians, a simple, accessible way to assess what healthy, innate conformation truly looks like.

And I’m incredibly proud that International Institute For Canine Ethics, Canine Principles and The International School for Canine Psychology and Behaviour - ISCP are supporters of this work amongst many others like our Canine Principles partners the BSAVA, RVC, the Kennel Club, Dogs Trust, Blue Cross, Battersea, Wood Green, Hope Rescue and many others ❤️.

Education and compassionate positive action at this level are truly powerful.

This tool empowers ordinary people to make extraordinary change.
It removes the guesswork.
It removes the excuses.
And, if used widely, it will save countless dogs from a lifetime of preventable suffering.

Today isn’t about blame.
It’s about progress.
It’s about choosing better for the dogs of tomorrow and giving people the knowledge to do so.

I completely get that many might look at this with scepticism and think, "people won’t use it." I know that not everyone will. But this is a MASSIVE leap of progress. And every guardian or breeder who does use the tool is one step closer to preventing a lifetime of suffering for a dog.

A breeding revolution has officially begun.

And I’m beyond excited to be standing in the room where it starts.

Link in the comments to for more info 👇👇👇

14/10/2025

🐶✨ Struggling with your dog’s behaviour at home?

I can help – using kind, science-based methods that really work.

I’m offering in-home training that’s force-free, fear-free, and punishment-free.

💡 Whether you're dealing with:
✔️ Pulling on the lead
✔️ Jumping up
✔️ Excessive barking
✔️ Reactivity or anxiety
✔️ Puppy basics or rescue challenges...

We’ll create a custom training plan that builds confidence, communication, and calm – for both you and your dog. 🐾

✅ **Positive reinforcement only**
✅ **No aversive tools or harsh corrections**
✅ **Fun, reward-based learning**
✅ **Real-life results – right in your home!**

📍 Based in Warner Beach
📅 Flexible times – evenings & weekends available

Let’s bring out the best in your dog – the kind, effective way. 💖

📲 Message me here on Facebook or contact:
📞 076 402 5581

17/06/2022

02/08/2018

Definitely!

30/11/2017

The holidays are here! Please take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of your pets.

Doreen Ingram Mendelson has chipped my dogs and I highly recommend her. She also comes to your home to do it, which really helps if you have a few pets, or have some that dislikes car rides.

14/11/2017

There are so many better options on the market, please do not give your babies this rubbish!

01/11/2017

Many problem behaviours can be solved by enriching your pets environment. Always keep it interesting for them.