training

Using ‘baby-talk’ gains attention and supports the human-dog bond

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Data suggest dog owners tend to anthropomorphise their four-legged friends more than cat owners (Dotson et al., 2010).  Indeed, in recent years research has explored dog owners use of ‘baby-talk’ and how they are more likely to cradle their pet much like you would hold an infant (Serpell, 1996), highlighting similarities between the dog-owner relationship […]

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Podcast: Fixed versus Growth Mindset

With 2017 just around the corner, many of us will be thinking about adopting some New Year’s resolutions.  That’s why I’ve put together this podcast about adopting a growth mind set.  Studies have shown that the brain is ‘elastic’, meaning if you have always been bad at maths you can change this if you get […]

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Human lung disease found in dogs

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A new study has discovered that a rare form of pulmonary hypertension (PVOD), previously only thought to occur in humans, has been discovered in dogs.  This is the first time the disease has ever been documented in another species. Kurt Williams, the lead author of the study conducted by Michigan State University said: “PVOD is […]

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How a break-up can affect your pet

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According to the Office of National Statistics around 42% of marriages in England and Wales end in divorce.  With an estimated 12 million (46% of) households owning pets, it’s likely that a number of these animals will be impacted when a relationship breaks-down.  Of all the species, John Wright, a Professor of Psychology at Mercer […]

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Mirroring and matching in dogs

Most people know I’m almost obsessive when it comes to how dogs communicate, especially canine body language.  But I’m also hooked on human interactions too; whether that’s understanding how a person recalls an incident by watching their representational systems, or being completely honest – useful when asking the other half how many pints he had […]

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Aggression in dogs

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Aggression is usually a defence reflex, initially exhibited as a threat or warning, ultimately exhibited in a real form when there is no other option left. It can usually be avoided if you understand the cause, can read the signs and know how to desensitise the dog’s lack of trust towards the situation.

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