Caroline Lewis of Help at Hand Dog Behaviour is a force-free dog behaviourist who specialises in Rescue Dogs, Adolescent Dogs and Deaf Dogs. Back in 2022, Caroline posted throughout April, providing some thoughts and suggestions regarding many different aspects of dogs and working with dogs.

Having previously attended Caroline’s online Rescue Dog Seminar and been in discussions with her about a dog that needed help, I contacted her to ask if we could collate her posts into a PDF to share. Caroline graciously agreed, you can download the PDF by clicking the image below. Alternatively, you can keep reading and find all the information further down the page in this blog post.

A huge thank you to Caroline for letting us collate and share this information.

This blog explores positive dog training advice. It's important to remember there are various effective training philosophies. We encourage you to research different methods and choose the approach that best suits you and your dog's individual needs.

Dog Awareness by Caroline Lewis

Day 1

“I came across this information recently on where the word 'educate' originates, and it struck a chord for many reasons. It's easy when 'training' to focus on what we need or want to achieve with dogs. It is however REALLY important to enable the dog to develop these skills for itself from self-confidence and guide as they develop. This way we gain a calm dog who has life skills and can cope. April is going to be about providing some thoughts and suggestions regarding many different aspects of dogs and working with dogs to help achieve this, and what we can create without realising it if we don't.”

“Asking for help, guidance and understanding of our dogs can make us feel vulnerable in a world where we are meant to have the perfect dog and know all the answers.

It is actually an important thing to do, never be afraid to ask, just remember to ask the right people. You ask a hairdresser about your hair, and a dentist about your teeth, and your friends can provide opinions, but whilst all well-meaning none of these will have fully studied dog behaviour.

Find the right people to ask, then ask yourself do their methods fit in with what you need to know, do they fully understand and listen to me?”

“This is so important and in our eagerness to get it right for dogs, it can be overlooked.

Particularly when so much training is about doing, shaping and distracting. It is important to always ensure you recognise when the dog is displaying anxiety, not coping, is overwhelmed etc.

It needs time, without that what appears as a little bump in the road in development, can quickly and easily turn into anxieties with many aspects of life.”

“This is a huge area for dogs, and throughout April I will cover it in more and more detail to bring awareness and show a way forward.

We don't always recognise its importance in dogs, predominantly because we can be conditioned into seeing anxiety as a weakness in ourselves.”

“We enjoy our meals and treats as do dogs. So it is important not to create stress for them or make it always about working for food.

If we make it a big deal then it can become an issue for the dog.

It can be a human trait that we only do something when we get something in return, and if don't we stop doing it. But we don't need to carry this on to our dogs.”

“Sometimes it is the simple things that make all the difference to our dogs, and they can be really important too.”

“Sometimes dogs can worry about the sudden, unpredictable movements children make. The running around, getting excited etc., can also be exciting or alarming to dogs, so to walk around/near them if the dog is jumping up etc. as an example.

And with the Easter holidays starting for many, let's remember that dogs are not necessarily going to get their normal rest and sleep during the day and may not want to play with the children as much as the children may want to play with them.

So allow for essential rest time, and ask the children to create calm activities for the dog, such as shown in the picture. To spend time just sitting with the dog relaxing together.

There are many things we can implement and put in place. What I have suggested and guided are just a few we can change to build a great and essential friendship between them and the dogs.”

“Enjoy quality moments with your dog. A chance to relax, spend time and just observe.”

“Working with anxious dogs is something I do all the time, and it's important we really do understand how to help them overcome their worries in a way that builds confidence.”

“When the timing is right, great results are created for us and our dogs.

Sometimes it happens quickly. When anxiety and fear are involved it can longer and we need to learn how to support, when to act and to take the steps needed at the right time.

It may be a step forward or to remain consistent and wait. The most important thing is not to lose patience, and instead use it as an opportunity to observe your dog.”

“A good starting point for people wanting to ensure their dog's recall gets better and better. Your body language is really important, and makes them feel so clever for coming back.”

“Helping a dog achieve those calm, relaxing times when young is as important as it is with children. This super boy in the picture fully embraced it.

We can sometimes be advised that some breeds need to be kept busier than others. But actually, when we give them an all-round balanced approach to life they develop into the fantastic dogs we want them to be.

None is achieved through force, insistence or removal of choices. It's by understanding the natural development and needs of dogs as they grow.”

“Enabling your dog to grow in self-confidence and life skills creates a chance to celebrate brilliant outcomes and results.

So no matter how this shows itself for you and your dog today, celebrate the feeling just like this super chap.”

“Celebrate each step with your dog, be proud to be a part of it and the confidence grows in all of you.”

“Creating the confidence in our dogs to enjoy being part of our lives is the most fantastic mental stimulation for them. It's done at the rate that suits them and their development.”

“This is a short insight into understanding why your puppy, adolescent or adult dog may use this form of communication.

You may have been seeing more of it perhaps during the holidays with the children home and the dog not sleeping as much.

Don't panic! Just understand, think of the cause, change it and help the dog cope.”

“Meals should never be a time of stress or worry for any of us, dogs included.

Creating additional activities such as putting treats in puzzles, searches, snuffle mats etc. away from set meals is good for mental stimulation, developing problem-solving skills and self-confidence.”

“Let your new arrival settle in and get used to you, the new home and surroundings and then expand its' world slowly as the days and weeks go by.

A big 'do not' is picking the puppy up, straight to vets, or/and pet shop, bath it, meet extended family all on the first day. That's very overwhelming, so plan things out slowly and it will come together for everyone.”

“Always be aware of how dogs can struggle in the heat so make changes to keep them safe.

If you suspect your dog has heat stroke take action and call the vet immediately - not a friend, consult social media, or decide to wait and see if the dog settles.

This is serious and time is critical.”

“It takes strength to reach out and find the right person to help when your dog has anxiety-related problems. Then courage to trust that person will work with you, truly understand anxiety in dogs, and be as invested in you and your dog as you are.

The first step is honesty.“

“Wherever we feel we want to get our dog from to welcome into our home, we always want to get it right because we care.

Some of this post applies to many different places we may choose, but some are important to just remember when we decide on one from another country. Also very important is to ensure you find good rescues to connect with.

I mention being aware of our body language. A good basic guide to this is to look up Dr Sophia Yin and she has diagrams showing some general tips we may not always think about.”

Are you looking to adopt a rescue dog? Spanish Happy Tails support Animals Help, a shelter in Northern Spain. Our mission is to connect incredible Spanish rescue dogs with loving families in the UK.