It is all very well having strict training regimes for a dog but persuading a less outgoing animal to put themselves out there can be tough. There are a number of helpful tips to consider bringing your shy canine out of their shell: Gently does it Keeping patient and calm are great indicators for a dog that everything is ok. […] Continue Reading
Scientists and dog lovers alike have long debated the extent of dog emotions. It is an interesting debate and recent research has suggested that dogs have a similar emotional state to that of a two year old. This is interesting on a number of levels, namely that infants of this age do not have a fully established range of emotions, […] Continue Reading
Don’t let your dog sit in the corner any longer with simple training skills… It can be difficult to socialise and introduce particularly shy and nervous dogs to other people and canines. Extreme cases can be upsetting and cause ill health for pets so it is important to build their confidence from a young age. History If you have adopted […] Continue Reading
Has your dog ever caused a fuss on the move? A huge number of canines never adapt to traveling in cars, trains or buses. There are various circumstances and reasons that lead to such fears and anxieties but often it relates to incorrect puppy training. It is crucial to take your dog in the car from the outset. Puppies are […] Continue Reading
It is estimated that three in five dogs suffer severe anxiety when you leave them alone in the house. It is a startling statistic and demonstrates the extent to which dogs are highly social animals. If your pet suffers with being left alone, there are a number of training techniques to help deal with the problem. Firstly, always ensure to […] Continue Reading
Applying the Human Animal Bond in a Therapeutic Intervention Part 6 The findings of Martin and Farnum’s study reflect previous research, suggesting that animals can encourage the growth of desired communication skills. However, it remains unknown whether the changes were as a result of the dog itself or whether they were due to the combination of all three conditions (live […] Continue Reading
An Introduction to Animal Assisted Therapy – Autism Part 3 There are several techniques used in OT to treat autism, where the sensory integration technique is one which is most commonly used by occupational therapists (Pfeiffer et.al 2011). The treatment is designed to provide controlled sensory experiences so that an adaptive motor response is elicited (Baranek, 2002). There is research […] Continue Reading
An Introduction to Animal Assisted Therapy Part 2 Autism was first recognised by Kanner in 1943 and confirmed by Wing and Gould in 1979 (Volkmar & Pauls 2003). According to the Autism Society of America (2012), autism is a “complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and […] Continue Reading
It may not be as dramatic as MaCaulay Culkin’s 80s exploits, but numerous owners leave their canines home alone every day. It is an unavoidable part of daily life and recent studies have suggested that much can be learned during this solitaire period. There are three distinct negative emotional behaviours that exist in dogs when left by themselves: Fear Many […] Continue Reading