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Halloween is a fun time of year for humans of all ages, but for our dogs, certain elements of this holiday can be confusing, overwhelming and scary. These are some tips to make the spooky season as stress-free as possible for our canine companions.

Stress impacts all living creatures, including dogs. Since dogs cannot speak, they exhibit stress through subtle body language and behaviours. Recognising and understanding these signs helps to prevent stress escalation and promotes your dog’s overall wellbeing.

I am thrilled to announce my participation as a speaker at the Pet Professional Guild British Isles Summit 2024. This event, aimed at dog trainers and behaviour professionals, combines academic and practical training aspects around the science of force free animal training.

Set out for enjoyable dog walks by choosing proper equipment like comfortable harnesses, using rewarding treats or toys, practicing patience, planning your route and timing wisely, and managing realistic expectations for your dog’s behavior.

An assistance dog is specially trained to aid disabled individuals with various tasks, enhancing their independence and confidence. Unlike pets, they serve as auxiliary aids under UK law and are protected under the Equality Act 2010.

Welfare is essential in dog training to ensure pets’ well-being and emotional health. Force-free methods avoid pain, fear, and discomfort, contrasting with aversive techniques that can harm dogs’ trust and lead to negative outcomes like aggression and anxiety.

Using food as a tool in animal training is beneficial, but sometimes its application can be flawed. This post discusses what some of the common errors and mistakes people make when using food and how to avoid them in your training.

Recall is crucial for dog safety, as it can prevent accidents. Effective recall training involves using high-value rewards, avoiding negative associations, and not overusing the cue. Management is important, including using a lead or long line in unsafe areas.

The use of food in dog training can sometimes be criticised. However, this approach is more effective and humane compared to coercion-based methods. Positive reinforcement with food or other motivators can reliably train and maintain behaviours, is endorsed by trainers, and supported by research.

ThinkDogs Training & Behaviour offers expert dog training services in Northamptonshire and beyond. We provide one-to-one training, behaviour consultations, and more, led by qualified, experienced, and insured trainer Jasper. Our ethos focuses on humane, positive reinforcement methods.