Part 3 of the Dog Social Behaviour Series Welcome to the third and final article in my Dog Social Behaviour Series. In Part 1, we explored why dogs don't need to meet every dog they see on a walk and how calm coexistence often leads to better social skills. In Part 2, we looked at how dogs build friendships, why quality matters more than quantity, and how to choose suitable canine companions. Now it's time to talk about play. Many people believe dogs need to play with other d

How everyday mealtimes can support your dog's emotional well-being When we think about feeding our dogs, most of us focus on nutrition. We compare ingredients, calculate portions, and try to choose the healthiest food we can afford. Those decisions are important, but they are only one part of the picture. As a dog behaviour consultant, I've come to see mealtimes differently. Every meal is much more than an opportunity to provide calories. It is also an opportunity to support

Many dog owners hope their dog will enjoy meeting and playing with other dogs. However, healthy socialization is not about encouraging every greeting or creating a dog who loves every dog they meet. In this second article of the *Understanding Dog Social Needs* series, you'll learn how to introduce dogs safely, why parallel walks are often the best place to start, and how compatible friendships develop over time. We also explore the spectrum of normal dog social styles, from

Type of dog socialization. What is good for your dog. Choose the right one!

Learn how vibration, beep, GPS and citronella dog collars actually work. A behaviour science explanation of why “no-shock” doesn’t mean non-aversive—and better training alternatives.

Publication in IAABC Foundation Journal, Issue 33 My peer-reviewed article was recently published in the IAABC Foundation Journal.You can read the full article here: https://journal.iaabcfoundation.org/reinforcement-shake-off-behaviour-dogs/ Note on evidence: This is not a controlled experimental study. It is a hypothesis based on field observations from my work, interpreted alongside current research. The article went through the journal’s standard review process (editor re

Once I worked with a client who had a tiny, fearful, and anxious four-month-old puppy. During our first in-person visit, I advised against force-walking the puppy beside busy roads or taking him to dog parks or crowded human parks. At that age and emotional state, those environments would not build confidence; they would overwhelm him. By our third session, we were still working in an empty parking lot in the middle of a small town. There were buildings, distant traffic sound

If your dog panics when you leave, chews the doorframe, howls for long stretches, or simply cannot settle, you are not dealing with a bad dog. You are likely seeing separation anxiety. This is a misunderstood, fear-based condition that affects dogs of all ages and backgrounds. The good news is that separation anxiety is treatable and most dogs can learn to be alone with confidence. What Separation Anxiety Really Is Separation anxiety is a fear response. It is not a training p

Do we really have more reactive dogs now? At the park or online, it can feel like reactive dogs are everywhere. Barking, lunging, growling, freezing. Are there actually more “problem dogs” than 20–30 years ago, or did our world and our expectations change? Science cannot give a simple yes or no. Long, comparable datasets are rare. But several big shifts explain why reactivity feels more visible and harder to live with in 2025: changes in environment, breeding, how dogs live w

You’re a good dog owner. You care, you read, and you try to do what’s best for your dog. The problem isn’t your effort, it’s the information. Dog training is full of urban legends , folk tales , and outdated science that sounded right decades ago but no longer holds up. Even advice from TV trainers or social media can lead you away from what truly helps your dog feel safe and learn calmly. Not every piece of advice online or generated by AI tools is true or based on curr

Five Minutes to Change Life on Both Ends of the Leash by Krisztina Harasztosi, CDBC — The Gibsons Dogrunner 1. What if we stopped scolding and started connecting? Years ago, researchers studying parents at risk for child abuse tried something surprisingly simple. Instead of talking about discipline or control, they asked these parents to spend just five quiet minutes a day playing with their children with no instructions, no teaching, and no criticism. That exercise became p

What Is Overarousal in Dogs? High arousal refers to intense excitement, whether the trigger is positive (fetch, play, sports) or negative...

When we talk about consent , most of us think about humans. Consent means having the freedom to say yes or no to what happens to our...

Understanding the Value of Behaviour Consults for Dogs with Emotional or Behavioural Challenges Before jumping into a training class,...

Introduction This 2025 study titled Understanding the Behaviour of Adopted Northern Canadian Community Dogs explores how dogs from remote...

Introduction Have you ever noticed your dog chasing after a squirrel, barking at the mail carrier, or digging furiously in the yard,...

For years, dog owners have been told that they need to be the alpha or pack leader to establish control over their dogs. The idea that...

When it comes to our homes, hardwood and tile floors might look chic and easy to clean, but for our dogs, they can be slippery traps....

Dog wellness is much more than avoiding illness or injury. Like humans, dogs thrive when their physical, emotional, and social needs are...

Why Practice Forest Bathing with Your Dog? For Humans: • Reduces stress and anxiety• Improves mood and focus• Lowers blood pressure•...