Jackie Pritchard Dog Training

07/30/2025

07/29/2025

Trainer Tip Tuesday:

07/28/2025

Trigger stacking explained brilliantly.

This is a pretty cool illustration of what we often call "trigger stacking", in dog training, from Incidental Comics.

The effects of stress are cumulative. Your dog's body responds to stress in preparation with stress-related behaviours, but those biological responses don't dissipate immediately. Repeated exposure builds on stress responses the body is still dealing with.

Stress isn't all bad - replace the word 'stress' with 'challenge', for a better understanding. What we often view as excitement may be building arousal, your dog's body and brain preparing to rise to challenge.

Think of a dog going out for a walk. Before the door is even open, the dog is already showing excited behaviour - this tells us his or her body is getting ready to face the sensory stimulation, potential social challenge, physical exertion and everything else that faces them when they go out.
Think how quickly those tetris blocks are falling...some slotting into place but others building and building to the point of overwhelm.

The more stressors/challenges that are stacked, the more difficult it is for that dog to inhibit their responses...so then we have big, demonstrative stress-related behaviours that seem "out of the blue".

But that's not really a thing...behaviour doesn't (usually) happen out of the blue. There's been a gradual build over time that we might have missed because we inaccurately tend to believe that the absence of lunging, barking, BIG behaviours, means the dog is doing ok.

Recognising the earliest signs of canine stress, that can be super-subtle, and understanding the conditions under which these behaviours happen, will help you help your dog. Getting started on stress-busting as early as possible is the most helpful of all; unfortunately, dogs don't come to me until their stress-related behaviours are so escalated that it's causing their humans major disruption. They've tried everything...but you don't need to do that, indeed STOP doing that. Get help and proper, evidence-based guidance as soon as you spot an inkling of concern.

07/23/2025

Look for a dog trainer with skills and credentials. Don’t look for the social media expert and influencer.
Your dog will thank you for it.

This so applies to dog trainers…

07/23/2025

Loose lead isnt natural. It’s a skill that has to be learnt. Biomechanically, dogs are built to move faster than us. Dogs choose to shift to a natural trot and on average walk at 2.5 - 4 mph (Hildebrand, 1966) where us naked monkeys on the otherhand average 2-3 mph walking (Kirtley, 2006). Do you know what 2.5 feels like? You should!

Because the mismatch alone creates tension — physically with the lead and emotionally in the relationship. Infact Dogs Trust found 30% of owners considered it a reason to rehome.

Now add in breed differences with research by Fischer & Lilje (2011) suggesting that Different breeds have different locomotive profiles based on original function. Malinois and Vizslas who are bred to move, track, cover ground; hearding breed like kelpies and collies who are bred to arc out infront; scent hounds like Beagles and Bloodhounds - designed to follow their noses with purpose, drive and speed; and of course breeds like Huskies who are literally bred and built to pull - it’s in the actual job description.

Its not a suprise that Rooney & Cowan (2011) found Lead tension and restricted gait was specifically a negative welfare marker for working breeds.

So when we expect all dogs to plod beside us through a park at human pace, ignoring smells, distractions, and natural instinct…we’re arent asking for a behaviour: We’re asking for the dog to restrain their pace, suppress their instincts, and constantly self-regulate.

In my opinion loose lead is one of the three essential skills I believe every dog pro needs to understand in depth - gait, drive, motivation, mechanics, assessment, different technique and exercise, consequence gradients and all.

Because when you understand what you’re really asking for,
you stop calling it stubbornness
and start training it like the advanced skill it actually is. And this leads to way better pet dogs with way happier relationships. ###

07/23/2025

Whether you're a dog walker, trainer, groomer, vet, vet nurse, kennel worker, pet sitter, or any other professional caring for animals one thing must be absolutely clear: the ability to read animal body language is not optional. It’s essential, and there is no way around that.

Understanding a dog’s body language isn’t a "nice-to-have" skill. It’s a core competency, just as important as knowing how to handle a lead or administer medication. Without it, the risk of miscommunication, stress, fear, and even injury increases for both the animal and the human involved.

Dogs cannot tell us how they feel with words. Their communication is entirely non-verbal through posture, facial tension, ear and tail position, vocalisations, and subtle shifts in movement or energy. These cues tell us whether a dog is comfortable, afraid, uncertain, overstimulated, or on the edge of aggression. If you miss those signs, you miss the chance to prevent a problem.

A dog that is freezing, lip-licking, turning its head, or showing whale-eye is communicating discomfort. A dog tucking its tail, yawning repeatedly, or panting in a quiet moment is not "being dramatic" ; they are likely anxious or stressed. When these signs are ignored, dogs often escalate in behaviour because they feel they have no other option.

If you are being trusted to care for animals in any capacity, you have an ethical and professional obligation to understand what they are communicating.

This includes:
Knowing the early signs of stress and fear
Recognising when a dog needs space or support
Being able to intervene or change your approach before things escalate

This isn’t just about safety; it’s about welfare. You cannot safeguard an animal’s wellbeing if you cannot read how they are feeling in real time.

A true professional should not only be able to read dogs but should be proactive in adapting their handling and environment to reduce stress and keep everyone safe.
The ability to read body language. It’s not an optional extra. It’s a basic requirement.

07/22/2025

THE RECIPE TO CHANGE BEHAVIOUR

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a recipe or instruction manual that when followed would guarantee to solve the problems of each and every dog and every situation?

There might be a general template that we can use to begin with, but there cannot be a specific recipe or a cookie cutter approach to change behaviour effectively or ethically.

Each dog and each situation have different “ingredients” that need to be assessed and considered. There are just far too many variables involved to use the same recipe.

Genetics, history, life experiences, environment, the individual dog, as well as the guardian or family situation and commitment, will all be different and have to be taken into account.

This is why ethical, suitably qualified dog professionals will often answer a question someone asks about dog behaviour by saying “it depends”, because it really does depend on all the different variables.

There are no quick answers, no quick fixes and no specific, cookie cutter recipes to bring about successful, lasting behaviour change.

Stay well away from promises or guarantees that there are.