Clumber K9

03/08/2026

Drop me a DM to start the transformation in you & your dog’s relationship!

01/08/2026

Socialisation isn’t saying hello to every dog 👀

One of the biggest mistakes I see is owners thinking their dog needs to meet every dog they pass, or they let interactions with dogs be crazy exciting

They don’t need to at all - I don’t care if they are friendly

In fact, constantly allowing greetings often creates the problems people are trying to avoid

Dogs start pulling on lead towards every dog they see.
They become frustrated when they can’t get there.

Some bark, lunge or whine .. not because they’re aggressive, but because they’ve learned to expect every dog is there to interact with

That’s not good socialisation

Off lead they will blow off recall for other dogs..

Good socialisation is teaching your dog that other dogs are just part of the environment

Sometimes they play..
Most of the time, they simply carry on walking

A well-socialised dog should be able to:

• Walk past another dog without pulling.
• Stay engaged with their handler.
• Settle in busy places.
• Ignore distractions when asked.
• Be calm around other dogs without needing to interact.

The goal isn’t to have a dog that wants to be friends with every dog they meet

The goal is to have a dog that can confidently exist around other dogs without feeling the need to say hello. That is a safe, manageable and enjoyable dog that everybody wants!

Calmness is a skill

And for most pet dogs, it’s far more valuable than being the dog that wants to greet everyone

31/07/2026

Love me a client review!!

Your feedback truly matters 🫶

28/07/2026

If you’re new here…. Hey! 👋 💙

27/07/2026

27/07/2026

JK, I love my job. Working with dog behaviour is no joke, and these are the moments that keep me totally obsessed with what I do:

·The look on the clients face when their dog doesn’t react for the first time

· Seeing a nervous dog open up, let go and play

· Seeing the light bulb moment in real time where the owner now understands the behaviour

• Making new little buddies with all the dogs I work with and seeing them through the process

All of these moments are part of the journey

DM me to book in or visit the website in the bio

26/07/2026

Pain or touch aversion?

When a dog reacts to handling, it’s easy to assume they’re being “stubborn” It’s just as easy to assume it’s always pain.

The truth? It could be either or both.

Pain can make handling uncomfortable!! A vet assessment should always be considered if there’s a sudden change in behaviour, sensitivity, or movement.

Touch aversion can develop even when there’s no pain. Dogs can become uncomfortable with handling due to genetics, lack of positive early experiences, past negative experiences, or simply because they’ve learned that being touched predicts something they don’t enjoy.

As trainers, our job isn’t to guess it’s to investigate.

✔️ Rule out or address medical issues
✔️ Observe body language without assumptions
✔️ Build positive associations with handling
✔️ Respect the dog’s communication while teaching the skills they need to cope with everyday life

Not every dog who dislikes being touched is in pain
Not every dog in pain will show obvious signs!

Dogs like my Walter mask pain incredibly well

The best outcomes come from considering both possibilities, working alongside vet professionals when needed, and creating a training plan based on the individual dog - not social media trends.

I can assure you that there are techniques that enable handling for all dogs no matter the intensity!

My go to experts in dog health are:

Caitlin Briggs Veterinary Physiotherapy
vet.chiro.vic

26/07/2026

Curly head is 4 today 💙🎉