The Mutty Professor blog
Check out our ever growing resource of free dog training and behaviour articles
The walk habits that put dogs at risk (without you realising)
Most weeks I encounter at least one person who appears unaware that the situation they are allowing their dog to get into may be putting them at risk of conflict with another dog. If you want a deeper look at why these encounters happen and how to reduce them, I've written more on how to…
Could your dog’s behaviour problem be a gut health issue?
A significant number of our behaviour cases have a history of compromised gastrointestinal health — either in the past, or as an ongoing, unresolved issue at the time we meet them. It is a connection that, in my experience, is still not taken seriously enough. And it matters. What does compromised gut health look like?…
What I do to keep my dogs happy and healthy
I’ve had seven dogs to date, six of whom were rescues, most with a tricky, traumatic past. Whilst Kanita may not be considered “easy” by some, I personally don’t see her as a problem dog. I don’t know whether it’s because I know how to pick them (nature), or whether it’s due to how I…
How to prevent dog-to-dog reactivity on walks
The vast majority of dogs in the UK live in single-dog households. Social opportunities, from whatever age a puppy or dog was acquired, are often obtained through chance encounters with unfamiliar dogs on walks. Living in a multi-dog household does not automatically make a puppy or dog better able to cope with chance encounters. For…
Being an active person is not a good enough reason to get a working line
Whilst at the climbing centre, a friend approached me and asked for advice on getting their first family dog. He told me he was thinking of getting a Working Cocker Spaniel. They’re a super active and fit family, but upon learning what breed he was considering, my first bit of advice was: DON'T GET A…
Post-conflict protocol for your dog
What to do if your dog gets into a fight or is attacked Conflicts and or attacks do have the potential to really knock a dog's confidence and can even result in the onset or escalation of a behaviour problem, such as becoming over reactive, anxious avoidant, or defensive during up close interactions. Risk factors…
What you’re really paying for: Why professional dog behaviour support costs what it does
Every so often, a comment pops up in the dog world along the lines of: “Ooooof… you’re way too expensive!” It’s completely understandable. Behaviour support is an investment, and for many dog parents, it isn’t immediately obvious what lies beneath the surface of a behaviour case. You see the session itself — an hour or…
A prolonged break from walks: beneficial or stressful?
About 10 years ago, I used to recommend most of my reactive dog cases take a 2–3 week break from walks to lower the stress caused by reacting to triggers throughout the day. This served as a 're-set' period for the dog. Back then, it seemed to work. Many caregivers reported their dogs sleeping more…
The important role of management in dog behaviour: When and why it matters
What is management in dog behaviour? ‘Management’ refers to preventing a dog from rehearsing problem behaviours by making it difficult or impossible for them to occur. This is often achieved by adjusting the environment or human behaviour. Examples of management include: Management alone does not teach a dog a new behaviour, but it can be…
Why I don’t encourage anxious or fearful dogs with treats, toys, or praise
Why I don’t use encouragement with fearful dogs When a dog or puppy is scared, I do not actively encourage them forward, whether that’s with food, praise, toys, or movement. Doing so can actually increase anxiety by creating motivational conflict. The dog is torn between wanting to avoid the scary thing and wanting the treat…
How to successfully visit another dog’s home with your dog
Dogs don’t naturally invite other dogs into their homes. We humans facilitate these visits, often without considering how unnatural the situation may feel for our pets. Imagine if someone burst into your home uninvited, rummaging through your cupboards and jumping into your bed—even if it were your best friend, you’d likely feel uncomfortable! Why do…
🐿️ Identifying and Managing Predatory Behaviour In Dogs 🦌
Here's a video of me managing my three dogs after recalling them off three running deer! I put Mohawk on lead, because he gets VERY excited by deer scent, and he is very good at tracking scent at speed! I didn't want him to rehearse this, even if I could recall him off it each…
