Happy Doggie : Free Style

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We will come with you on a walk with your dog. Thisgives us theopportunity to observe your dog's walking habits and behaviour whilst out and about. It alsogives your dog another chanceto familiarise themselves with us, and for them to begin the process of associating our presencewith going out for a walk. There is no charge for this. It's essential to consider the specific situation and what's normal for your dog when reading their body language. What might be relaxed behaviour in a home environment can mean something different in a public setting. Age So, whether you are a busy, elderly or infirm owner,or you're simply looking to createa little 'you' time, The Happy Dog has a high qualitypet care service just for you! You can relax happy in the knowledge that your four legged friend is receiving the very best care and attention from dedicated animal lovers! Use positive reinforcement: Positive reinforcement is the most effective way to shape behaviour in your dog. By reinforcing desired behaviour with rewards such as treats, praise, or toys, you can encourage your dog to repeat the behaviour you want to see more of. Just like a happy dog, it’s also very easy to spot an uncomfortable and worried dog from their body language, if you know what to look for. Signs to spot include:

By understanding the context of your dog's behaviour, you can choose how to respond and what to do if the situation happens again. Factors to consider when interpreting your dog's behaviour Just like people, dogs have their own personalities that influence their behaviour. Some dogs may be more outgoing and confident, while others may be more timid and anxious. Breed Their body’s relaxed. If your dog seems relaxed in their posture and not tense or stiff, this is a good indication they are feeling good. Loose shoulders, soft eyes without a fixed gaze, and a dose of ‘wiggliness’ or pure ‘flopped-outness’ are all clues that your dog’s feeling super chill. Puppies and older dogs will behave very differently due to their stage of development and age-related changes. Puppies are likely to be more energetic and playful, while older dogs tend to be calmer. Personality

Tip 10: Show them love and affection 

Try to be understanding with your dog and don’t force them into situation where they will be uncomfortable. Keeping them in their comfort zone will mean you and your dog both have a great time and stay best of friends. If your dog is showing signs that they are anxious or stressed on a regular basis, take them to the vet as there could be an underlying cause. If there’s an obvious reason like a certain dog or situation, your vet can give you some initial pointers and recommend an accredited behaviourist or trainer as appropriate. Sometimes, when our dogs get very unhappy and feel threatened or extremely frightened, they feel like they have to resort to aggressive behaviour because, to them, it seems like there’s no other way out of a situation. There are a range of reasons and situations which might cause a dog to feel threatened and these can be different for each dog. If a dog is in pain, this could also mean they are more likely to feel anxious and are at a higher risk of lashing out. The most important thing to look out for are the changes in body language, which will help you to identify if a dog is struggling in a certain situation. A dog is more likely to resort to aggressive behaviour if the signs that they are unhappy and worried have been ignored, so keep a close eye out for those too. Signs that a dog may become aggressive very soon include:

Avoid punishment: Punishment, such as shouting or physical force, can worsen the behaviour of a distressed or aggressive dog. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement and training to encourage good behaviour. The Happy Dog isowned by Maxine Domleo and is based in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire.'Berkeley' isherhandsome Cavalier King Charles Spanielandher inspiration for creating The Happy Dog. He is also an invaluable member of staff, ensuring that all newteam membersfeel happy, relaxed & safe.

Tip nine: Regular visits to the vet and groomer

Both you and your dog will be invited for a visit to The Happy Dog house to enable your dog to becomefamiliar withtheir new surroundings and to meet Berkeley. The aim is reduce anxiety levels in your pet in readiness for their forthcoming visit, but it works a treat for the pet owners too! Your pet gets 1 "star" every time you interact with it. But will lose them slowly if you ignore the pet for too long. You can then get new goodies with "stars" Hiding and walking away. If your dog is unhappy at something or someone making them stressed, they may try to hide behind you or another object, or take themselves off to another area if they can. Let them do this and don’t follow them or push the interaction, as your dog is letting you now they need a time-out.

Whilst looking out for the behaviours above will help you understand what your dog is feeling, here are some factors to bear in mind: Context The recent addition ofour cat sitting service ensures staff at The Happy Dog get their 'cat cuddle fix' since the recent loss oftheir gorgeous Persian Chinchilla, Mia at the grand old age of 17! The Happy Dog provide fun, stimulating, & securedog walks & playdatesin thelovely woodlands and parks throughout Mansfield, Ashfield &it's surrounding areas.Ourcanine 'sleepover'&'staycation' servicestake place in the calm ofour cosy, well appointed home justa stone's throw from Sutton Lawns parkland. We will visit you and your pet at home to discuss their specific requirements, character, level of obedience, medical & vaccinationhistory etc. Yourpet will also get the chance to decide if they like us! If we are a good fit wewill thenarrange an accompanied walk or familiarisation visit.Create a safe environment: Create a safe and comfortable environment for your dog. This might involve using barriers or gates to limit their access to certain areas and provide a calm, quiet space for them to relax. They lean in to you. A relaxed dog who enjoys your company is more likely to also enjoy your attention. They may come to you for attention and it’s a good sign if they lean into your hand when you stroke them.