Happier Dogs - Training & Behaviour

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Please follow the lovely Laura’s advice and feed your dogs separately

IT’S FINE TO FEED YOUR DOGS SEPARATELY

I work with loads of lovely multi-dog households and it’s really common for mealtimes to be a bit tense 😅

It’s often not the main issue they come to me about but it quietly adds a lot of stress and can really impact how dogs feel around each other.

I see it all the time:
🐕 Dogs fed in different corners of the same room
🍖 Bowls a few feet apart while the owner stands in the middle like a referee
🐶 One dog finishing first and then hovering over the other
🐩 Bowl inspections after eating that cause stress

A really simple change?
Feed them in separate rooms.

THE BIT PEOPLE OFTEN MISS

If you don’t know what to look for, it’s easy to think your dogs are “fine” eating together.

But subtle stress can look like:
– Eating really quickly when another dog comes near
– Slowing down or stopping eating
– Standing still and hovering over food
– Taking food away to eat elsewhere

And then the clearer signs:
– Stiffness, stillness, lip curls, growling
– Making themselves small, tucked tail, worried body language

Those are all dogs saying: “I’m not comfortable.”

SEPARATING THEM ISN’T A FAILURE

If you’re having to stand between them, they’re not relaxed.

Feeding separately isn’t admitting they “don’t get on”, it’s actually really normal in multi-dog homes.

In fact, it often improves their relationship because you’re removing pressure.

BUT AREN’T DOGS SOCIAL EATERS?

Yes, but that doesn’t mean eating right next to another dog.

“Social” can be:
– You in the room with them
– Another dog behind a stairgate

I actually love stairgates for this, they allow that sense of company without the pressure or risk.

WHY THIS REALLY MATTERS

Even if there aren’t full-on fights, small moments of pressure add up.

A dog hovering, rushing over, licking another dog’s bowl- these things can slowly build resentment over time.

A lot of issues between dogs don’t come from one big event, they come from lots of small, repeated stresses.

Feeding separately:
✅ Reduces stress
✅ Helps dogs feel safe
✅ Protects their relationship

It’s not a failure, it’s good management.

Laura McAuliffe, 2026 Dog Communication

Perfectly written by the amazing Laura

PUPPY SOCIALISATION- IT’S NOT ABOUT EXPOSURE

Five years ago, I was fostering Twig and at 9 weeks old, I focused heavily on how I socialised her.

This didn’t mean busy parks, crowds of people, or meeting dozens of dogs. Instead, it was the complete opposite.

Twig met a very carefully selected handful of dogs that I knew would be kind, calm and gentle with her. Socialisation was always about quality over quantity.

From early on, she learned how to interact with other dogs, not through endless exposure, but through the right experiences:
• Dogs of different ages, breeds and sizes
• Dogs who were tolerant and emotionally stable
• Dogs who helped her feel safe and confident

I remember her meeting Henry (or HCloud as we called him 😂). He was my Sylvi’s best friend and he was perfect, a calm hello and then mostly ignoring her. No pressure, just a safe, positive experience. She was fascinated by his fluffy tail and he was incredibly gentle with her.

I was very aware that one of the worst things that could happen at that age was a bad interaction.

There was never any need for her to meet dogs who would “put her in her place.”
I always say now- if someone tells you that, walk away.very fast!

Over the years, I’ve worked with lots of dogs who were frightened or attacked during those early experiences and many are traumatised and carry that anxiety long term.

So back then, I was careful:
• I was selective about who she met
• I checked with owners first and If there was any hesitation it was a no
• I made sure their dogs were genuinely good with puppies

There was no rush. She didn’t need to meet 100 dogs by 12 weeks old.

What she needed was:
✔ Safe experiences
✔ Positive associations
✔ Kind “auntie and uncle” dogs to learn from

And that approach paid off.

Twig is now an adult who really likes other dogs and she has good social skills

What should socialisation involve?
Early socialisation isn’t about “getting them used to everything” it’s about shaping how they feel about the world.

Puppies don’t need lots of exposure. They need good emotional experiences.

One positive interaction builds confidence.
One negative interaction can create lasting fear.

When we prioritise safety, predictability and calm role models, we’re not just socialising puppies. we’re building resilient, emotionally secure adult dogs 💛

Why Distance Alone Doesn’t Resolve Leash Reactivity

Distance can be helpful, but it isn’t a solution on its own.

A dog can be far from a trigger and still overwhelmed.
A dog can be close to a trigger and coping well.

Thresholds aren’t fixed lines. They shift based on stress, environment, prior experiences, and emotional state.

When we treat distance as the only variable, we miss opportunities to support regulation, recovery, and long-term change.

Understanding thresholds helps guardians and professionals make better decisions about when to move forward, when to pause, and how to set realistic expectations.

Save this for your next walk.

I feel seen!!

Yes Sweden 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻

Sweden is often praised as one of the most animal‑friendly countries in the world, and its attitude toward dogs is built on one core idea: emotional wellbeing matters. Dogs are not meant to spend endless lonely hours pacing around an empty home, staring out the window, or waiting by the door in silence.​
Rather than a brand‑new headline‑making “law,” Sweden’s long‑standing animal welfare rules clearly state that dogs must never be left alone so long that they experience stress, anxiety, or suffering. Official guidelines from the Swedish Board of Agriculture emphasize regular human contact, toilet breaks, social interaction, and both mental and physical stimulation throughout the day.​
Many local authorities interpret this to mean that no dog should be left alone for more than about six hours, and young dogs or puppies for even less time. More importantly, this principle is embraced by the culture: employers allow dog‑friendly offices, dog‑sitting networks are common, neighbors look out for each other’s pets, and many people shape their schedules around their dogs’ needs.​
In Sweden, a dog is not “just a pet,” but a family member and an emotional being whose feelings matter. Instead of focusing on punishment, the system is designed to encourage kindness, reminding the world that truly loving animals means respecting their hearts as much as their basic needs.​

Really nice explanation for people who share their lives with a rescue dog 🐶

Here is what I see happening far too often in the dog training world: every behavior issue gets romanticized into a trauma story. A dog pulls on the lead? Must have been a rough start in life. Barks at other dogs? Probably scared from a bad experience. Reactive? Definitely abused.

But the reality is this: dogs are living, breathing individuals with their own personalities. Some are naturally pushy. Some are opportunists. Some are simply clever enough to realize they can get away with whatever they want because no one has ever told them “no.”

I have lost count of the number of dogs who behave like absolute maniacs for their owners… and then within five minutes of handling them calmly and confidently, they are walking beautifully, quiet, and relaxed. Did I suddenly erase their tragic backstory? No. I simply set clear boundaries and followed through.

Here is the thing about constantly blaming trauma. It takes away the owner’s power to change anything. It frames the dog as broken and fragile when in reality, they might just need some structure and accountability in their life.

Not every behavior problem is a psychological wound. Sometimes it is a training problem. Sometimes it is a lack of rules. And sometimes the dog is just being… well, a dog.

Assiging them a traumatic story (if you're not 100% sure its true) or hanging into a bad event that happened 7 years ago doesn't help you or your dog.