Canine Behavioural School Inc.

15/06/2026

*TRAINING CANCELLED 15th JUNE*

Unfortunately due to the dreadful weather, classes have once again needed to be cancelled. It appears the weather has a prejudice against Monday evenings at the moment. We are crossing our fingers for clearer skies next week.
Stay warm and dry, folks, and we will see you on the oval next week.

13/06/2026

11/06/2026

Brilliant advice - ‘reactivity’ doesn’t always show up as a result of not meeting enough dogs or having scary experiences with dogs. It can also arise because the dog hasn’t learnt that not every dog is for greeting, which leads to frustration when their expectations aren’t met. It is very important that dogs learn neutrality around other dogs - something that classes can be very helpful to achieve!

Our insistence is a problem.
We can be so focused on wanting them to play, wanting them to have friends and wanting them to meet that dog across the road, that we forget what we are trying to actually achieve.

It is always with the best of intentions.

Truly it is.

And then suddenly, “out of the blue”, your dog is now dragging you towards that dog in the distance.
They’re single mindedly intent.

It can start as puppies, its cute and you’re thrilled they want to make friends.

“She just wants to say hello to every dog”
She probably does but are we already knee deep into a well-rehearsed habit?

What happens when they don’t meet?

Is your dog scrambling to get closer on the lead?
Is there barking or whining?
Obvious frustration?

Are they able to walk away and accept “not now”?

More won’t necessarily teach the skills they need.

What does?
Being choosy and careful, especially when on a lead.

Because not every dog wants interaction.
Not every dog is socially skilled.
Not every dog is a good match.

And a few appropriate interactions often teach far more than dozens of random greetings.

02/06/2026

It is crucial to remember that the dogs we share our homes with are just that - dogs. They are not little humans. They have doggy behavioural needs that people can never quite understand. It is important for their welfare that our dogs get the chance to practice these completely normal dog behaviours in a healthy, safe manner.

While the first 3 domains focus largely on the inputs that influence welfare, the Fourth Domain also asks us to look at behavior itself as evidence of welfare.

In other words:
▪ Is this animal doing what they would naturally be doing if captivity were not preventing it?
▪ Are the behavioral interactions this dog is having with the environment, other dogs, & people reflective of their natural history, behavioral ecology, & natural motivations?
▪ What does that actually LOOK like in dogs?
▪ How can we effectively support natural canine behavior when, as an industry, we have barely identified which natural behaviors dogs need to express for good welfare in the first place?

Worse still, many of the natural behaviors dogs are most motivated to perform have been mislabeled as “behavior problems” when expressed in modern pet environments.

Too often, our efforts have focused on suppressing these behaviors rather than understanding what they were for in the first place or why they are important now.

We were never taught to see many of these behaviors as welfare needs.
But animal welfare science is changing that.

We now have the frameworks, principles, & evidence to begin flipping the script on canine behavior entirely.

Not by creating less dogness in the name of “good” behavior.
Not by shaping unnatural performances.

But by creating healthier, more complete expressions of true dogness.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be exploring these Behavioral Interactions.

We’ll discuss how to identify these behaviors & provide some hacks to support them appropriately in modern life.

Because the expression of natural behavior can be evidence that welfare needs are being met.

And their absence, as well as “behavior problems”, can be evidence that they are not.

This series will also pave the way for the public release of the complete Total Welfare Ethogram, & the Total Welfare client management and behavioral diversity tracking app this July.

We will be redefining our field - together - as welfare literate & competent professionals in 2026.

Whatever your next step is, get ready to take it.

The dogs are counting on us.


Images Commissioned By: Trick Woofs

02/06/2026

Great guidance from local trainer, Alexis, on improving those loose lead walking skills! This is a nice easy one to do at home :)

01/06/2026

TONIGHT’S CLASSES CANCELLED!

Tonight’s (1st June) classes have been cancelled due to predicted storms and dangerous weather conditions. Stay home, stay safe, chuck on your heater, and snuggle with your dog ❤️

29/05/2026

Before a dog growls, lunges, or snaps (the “shout”), they are almost always communicating in “whispers.” These are the subtle, easily missed changes in their body language:

⏺️ Whites of the eyes showing - A whale eye

⏺️ A brief lip lick or yawn when they aren’t tired

⏺️ Walking away

⏺️ A slow, low tail wag that looks more like hesitation than joy

When we miss or ignore the whispers, dogs are forced to turn up the volume to get their point across. By learning to read the quiet moments, we can step in, advocate for them, and keep everyone safe and comfortable.

What’s a “whisper” your dog frequently uses? 👇

26/05/2026

Excellent advice from Merit Dog Project.

If your dog struggles around other dogs or people, here’s something worth remembering: We need to be less reactive and more proactive!

That doesn’t mean avoiding the world forever. It means showing up with awareness. Awareness of your dog’s emotional state, of what’s happening in the environment, and of your own body language and expectations.

When we respond only in the moment by tightening the leash, cueing frantically, or (figuratively) bracing for impact, we often add pressure to a situation that already feels overwhelming.

Dogs don’t need reactive humans.

They need thoughtful support that helps them feel safe before they feel threatened.

Being proactive isn’t about avoiding triggers indefinitely. It’s about making the environment workable so your dog can learn, succeed, and build confidence. That might look like:

🐾 Giving more space than you think is “necessary”
Distance isn’t avoidance, it’s clarity. It helps your dog stay under threshold, so they can observe, process, and breathe.

🐾 Choosing routes and times that reduce overwhelm
Fewer surprises = more capacity to learn. This isn’t about hiding, it’s about building trust, one safe experience at a time.

🐾 Responding to early signs of stress, not just big behaviours
If your dog glances away, freezes, slows down, or starts scanning, those are signs they might not be okay. Intervening early with a little calm guidance prevents escalation and communicates that you’ve got their back.

🐾 Rehearsing useful behaviours when nothing stressful is happening
We want our dogs to feel fluent in their coping skills before they need them under pressure. That takes time, practice, and compassionate pacing.

Being proactive is about awareness.

It’s about supporting dogs emotionally, not just behaviourally.

And it’s about doing what we can before it becomes a crisis.

Let’s set them up to succeed, not to cope.

22/05/2026

Such a great reminder! Just like human teenagers, canine teenagers have big feelings and frequently don’t know what to do with them. Classes can be hugely beneficial in helping you to cope during this challenging period.