MK9Plus Dog Training and Behaviour

Picture this scenario: your dog starts barking incessantly, guarding possessions with aggression, or showing signs of separation anxiety. But here's the twist - you're not at the beginning of a new problem; you're halfway through it. The key to resolving these issues permanently lies in a fundamental shift in mindset. This isn't just about fixing a barking problem; it's about recognising a deeper underlying issue. In our quest to solve these problems, we often seek quick fixes from various sources. Yet, the danger lies in finding unqualified individuals or relying on methods that only address the surface. Consider this: imagine a pond losing water. It's easy to find someone to refill it, temporarily resolving the issue. However, the root cause, the hole causing the water loss, remains unattended. Likewise, quick fixes may momentarily suppress the behaviour, but the real issue endures. To truly heal these behaviours, we need to approach them differently. Rather t...

  The Hidden Truth About Smelly Plug-ins for Dogs We've all been there: a loud bang, a thunderstorm, or the vacuum turning on, and our beloved furry friend starts trembling in fear. Seeking out a quick solution, many dog owners turn to those smelly plug-ins that promise to calm your pet. But are these plug-ins truly the answer, or could they be worsening the problem? The Intended Use of Calming Plug-ins The idea behind these scented plug-ins is straightforward: they're designed to release calming aromas that can help soothe anxious dogs and promote sleep. On the surface, it seems like a brilliant, hassle-free solution. However, there’s a catch. The Unintended Side-Effect: Conditioning Fear Imagine this: every time your dog shows signs of fear, you rush to plug in that calming scent. Over time, instead of associating the aroma with peace and relaxation, your dog might start thinking, "Every time I smell this, something bad or scary happens." This is classical condition...

Rethinking Separation Anxiety: Understanding Separation Distress in Dogs Do you suspect your dog suffers from separation anxiety? It's time to reconsider. Your pet might instead be experiencing separation distress, a less severe but equally impactful condition. By understanding this distinction, you can better address your pet's needs and improve their quality of life. Separation Distress: More Common Than You Think Unlike separation anxiety, separation distress is not as extreme but still impacts a dog's well-being. It's often triggered by lifestyle factors and mental issues such as noise phobias, fear, stress, boredom, frustration, and high arousal, among other things. The Telltale Signs: Separation Anxiety vs Separation Distress A key distinguishing characteristic lies in the dogs' activity levels during separation. Dogs with separation anxiety maintained their activity level throughout the entire separation period. On the other hand, dogs with separation distres...

  As dog owners, it can be a distressing and frustrating experience when our furry companions exhibit behavioural issues.  It is essential to understand that just like humans, dogs also experience emotions like anxiety, fear, and stress, which can manifest as problematic behaviour. To effectively train and manage our dogs, identifying the root cause of the behaviour is crucial. For instance, if your dog is exhibiting destructive behaviour, they may be experiencing stress or anxiety. On the other hand, if your dog is growling or snapping at other dogs or people, they may be feeling fearful or in physical pain. Unfortunately, many dog parents tend to rely on punishment or food-based training methods without addressing the underlying cause of the behaviour. While these methods may produce short-term results, they do not provide a long-term solution. In fact, using punishment can even worsen the behaviour and increase the probability of different issues arising. Dogs do not misbeh...

 Do you know that dogs can experience stress? Yes, dogs are not immune to stress and can develop it just like humans do. However, a common misconception among many people is that dogs need to experience stressful situations to develop stress. This is not entirely true because that is the least common way dogs develop stress. So, what is stress? Stress is a natural response to a perceived threat or challenge. There are three types of stress: acute stress, episodic acute stress, and chronic stress. Acute stress is a sudden and short-term response to a perceived threat, like a loud noise or a scary person. This is commonly known as their fight or flight response. Episodic acute stress is when a dog experiences acute stress on a regular basis, such as when living in a chaotic environment or being exposed to certain triggers repeatedly. This is very common when a dogs human isn’t noticing how stressful walks are for a dog and they just keep taking them there. Chronic stress, on the othe...

While calming dog toys can effectively decrease arousal in dogs, promote relaxation and boost their mood, it's important to note that they may not necessarily reduce anxiety. Anxiety is a complex condition characterised by a constant feeling of unease and worry, even in the absence of stimuli. It can be caused by various factors such as genetics, past experiences, and lifestyle, and can manifest in many different ways. However, calming dog toys can be a helpful tool for decreasing arousal in dogs, which can be the leading cause of anxious behaviours and stress. If we can keep anxious dogs in a positive or calm state as often as possible, it can help tremendously in our journey to recovery. Our goal with anxious dogs should be to fill their days with activities that promote seeking, such as sniffing for food, exploring familiar environments, breaking through boxes to get food, and practicing their breed-specific behaviours. These activities might not be as calming, but they are bene...