Fear Free Behaviour

How to introduce toothbrushes?

I’ve gone with making it fun, helping her get used to the feeling of the bristles in her mouth, and letting her do the majority of the work!

For the long term I want this important health regime to have trust and cooperation🐾

Workshops return 28th September! Book your place now🥳

Send and share😎😊

Hi everyone we’re still here!👋🏼

I’m in the prime stage of my thesis data analysis and it is keeping me very busy🤓 Only seven weeks to go now until I have finished my course completely🫣

Even though my head has been buried into my laptop, I have captured the training progress of introducing puppy to the world on her walks and other puppy behaviours in the home. I will share those moments with you very soon along with my other posts😁

Business hours will return to a normal five day week from 1st October🤩

Full time availability for one to one consultations for dogs and cats🤩

Saturday workshops for puppies and teenage dogs onwards return🤩

Check out my new website and structures if you haven’t already www.fearfreebehaviour.com

Enjoy the rest of your summer holidays!😎

Charlotte🐕🐈

Book now!🤩

When doing my behaviour assessments of your dogs and cats, there are two main elements that help me understand why the problem behaviour is being presented.

They help tailor the treatment plan to your individual dog and cat. For those of you that have had consultations with me know I am not a fan of generalisations for diagnosing behaviour. Each individual is different with their individual motivations and emotions.

The motivational element allows me to identify what feedback has been given to them from the environment and what learning has taken place.

The emotional element allows me to try and understand their perspective of the environment and how they may be feeling about the situation.

Animals are not robots, it is not about good - bad behaviour and yes - no consequences. It’s about an emotional learning experience and how it shapes their view of different elements of the world.

Oh the irony…

Guess who didn’t push her book far back enough and returned to see pupper with her mouth around it🤦🏽‍♀️

Number one rule with puppy management - Put items of value and that are unsafe out of reach🫣

(At least it’s still in one piece!)

Have you ever been in the situation where you thought a cat wanted fuss and within two seconds they are latched onto your body or swiping at you?

Just like dogs, cats show subtle body language before showing more escalated behaviours.

In this example, can you identify the body language (not what the cat might be thinking/feeling, we need context for that!)?

Body weight direction?
Ear position and direction?
Eye shape?
Pupil dilation?
Whisker position and direction?
Head position and direction?
And others?

Just like dogs, cats do not show aggressive and escalated displays randomly without a reason🐈.

There is so much advice out there on what needs to happen when you get your animal companion.

What do you work on first?

Recall? Lead walking? Separation training? Sit?

I like to start with building a relationship where my dog/cat knows they can receive fun, guidance, safety, love, and security.

Yes training can help build all of those things, but focusing on training alone can lead to a yes/no good/bad robotic relationship.

Instead, how about thinking:

How can I use recall to help build the relationship?

How can I use learning dog/cat body language to build the relationship?

How can I use loose lead training to build the relationship?

Ultimately that is determined by what type of relationship you want to have with your dog or cat.

Let’s try to make it the best one we can give🐕🐈.

Check this out to keep your pets cool over the next few days!🐕🐈

Whilst my social media page has been quieter than usual, I have been doing a lot behind the scenes!

My working location has changed to the Cannock area✅

Support is for both dogs and cats with expert tailor made treatment plans✅

Behaviour consultations are on veterinary referral only✅ view www.fearfreebehaviour.com to see the process for behaviour consultations - for more information on why they are on veterinary referral please do message me!✨

My workshops now have two classes, puppy and adolescent plus with goals to achieve at each class✅

Updated social media posts to help understand your pets behaviour easier than before✅

Most importantly my love for my job and helping you with your family companions has tripled❤️

Thank you!❤️

Hi everyone,

My name is Charlotte Bridgwater and I am recruiting participants for my thesis project on Hotspot body mapping of human directed dog bites for my Master of Science degree in Clinical Animal Behaviour.

If you or you have a child that has been bitten by a dog and you are comfortable with providing us with anonymous information, you can scan the QR code or click on this link https://unilincolnlifescienc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8cf9TFbO5EFns3A to take you to the survey.

Your participation is voluntarily and anonymous, and should take about 10-15minutes to complete the survey.

Please note, the topic is of a potentially sensitive nature. If it is likely to cause you distress, it is advised that you do not participate.

Thank you!

Charlotte Bridgwater: [email protected]

🤩PUPPY WORKSHOPS🤩
Beginning 28th September 2024
10am-10.50am
Pre-book only
Learn key puppy life skills to help develop through adolescence 😎
Email: [email protected]

🤩ADOLESCENCE PLUS WORKSHOPS🤩
Beginning 28th September 2024
11am-11.50am
Pre-book only
Learn key life skills to help your dog through adolescence and adulthood😎
Email: [email protected]

View website: www.fearfreebehaviour.com

While the sun looks so enticing to go out with your dog, please remember the dangers of going out in the sun! Your dog has an extra thick layer on already and will over heat.

Walk in lower temperatures and use environmental enrichment to help manage your dogs energy levels.

Environmental enrichment doesn’t need to be food based if your dog is on a diet or you’re worried about weight gain!

If you are worried about your dog in the sun please speak to your vets, and they have great infographics on what to do in this weather!

I am taking a break until completion of my Master’s degree in September 2024🎓 when I come back there will be:

✅ an updated website
✅ improved consultation structures
✅ support for pet cats, as well as dogs

Support for my current clients are still ongoing and I thank you all for your continued support🤩

Charlotte🐾🐕🐈‍⬛

Puppy toys delivered ready for my new puppy workshops beginning 22nd June!🐕🐾

Do you ever get that feeling you’re being watched?👀

Trying to do assignments with this beautiful boy looking at me like that is more challenging than the actual work😆

Happy Easter to all of you! Have a lovely bank holiday weekend🐇🐥

Every consultation with my clients I make sure we take time to evaluate their dog’s body language and arousal level.

This is to help my clients identify if their dog is comfortable at each learning stage and the progress being made.

The labels listed on the diagram are the main things I get them to look for (I couldn’t fit all of them on there!) and ensure they include context of a situation.

The reason context is important is to prevent making generalisations about a dog’s behaviour/temperament.

Take the dog in the image, I can describe the body language being shown but I cannot confirm why because I do not know the context. Can the dog hear a thunderstorm? Is the dog creeping past a cat that has previously given him a swipe? Are the family children running around screaming? Is he hiding something in his mouth and taking it to his bed without anyone knowing?

So many possibilities!

Without this information of context I cannot provide accurate support of how to help this dog effectively and individually.

This is something I know I say at least once to my clients.

It’s so easy to compare ourselves to others and to do the same with our animals behaviour.

It’s also easy for us to feel disheartened when we’re trying to teach our dogs to walk without pulling our shoulder out and we see a dog across the other side of the road walking with a loose lead.

Please remember this is a snapshot we will see of that dog and owners life (unless you know them and see them all of the time!).

They may have had consultations too for calmer lead walking way before you started and that’s the result of strong reinforcement. Who knows!

The main thing is, you’re doing great with your dog as you want to help improve your situation and comparisons generally make us feel rubbish. Keep focusing on what your situation is and what your dog needs🐕🐾

I didn’t realise he was turning into a cat…🐈‍⬛ SpringerCat🐕🐈‍⬛

Happy Valentines Day!

The love you have for your animals is something no one can ever fully know. Homer (left dog) would have been 15 years old today and this boy had such a drive for affection. He would actively come up and lean on whoever was available to give him shoulder and chest massages❤️

Fleur (right dog) was not one for affection (😂) she would prefer to have her own space. However, her love in life was chicken and cheese! Whenever those items were being prepared, it does not matter if she was fast asleep or in the garden, once she got the scent she was a shadow right next to us❤️

What is your dogs love in life?🤩

Today we’ve worked on mat training. This can be called “bed”, “mat”, “spot”, “place”, etc.

Why should dogs have this skill?

Is it for obedience? It can be.

Is it for a cool trick? It can be.

Is it for boundaries? It can be.

Why do I teach it? For safety, clear guidance, relaxation, and frustration resilience.

This can be utilised anywhere with your dog!

Socialising your puppy/dog? Yes!

Guests coming over? Yes!

Taking a break at a cafe on your walk? Yes!

Preparing mealtime with a VERY interested dog? Yes!

Exams done!✅
Final assignment submitted!✅

Now to have a break and spend time with you and your beautiful dogs for the remainder of the week before semester two starts😊

Thank you again for your continued support and patience while I further develop my knowledge and skill set❤️

What a year 2023 has been…

🐾Started the year with wonderful supportive new clients, only four months into my new business

🐾Completed my canine first aid course

🐾Helped a wonderful couple on their wedding day by bringing their dog to be the ring bearer

🐾Created my first workshops and had a wonderful turnout for my first attempt

🐾Enjoyed the three day gundog conference meeting amazing professionals

🐾Completed my first ever self assessment (that was taxing - excuse the pun!)

🐾Started university to begin the process of my dream of being CCAB certified (Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist)

During this time, two personal events happened with polar opposite emotions. The first, I got engaged to my partner. The second, I lost my beautiful best friend Fleur. Both mean the absolute world to me.

Next year brings lots of exciting things for me professionally and personally✨

But first, just like many other professionals, we will be dealing with the effects of the XL Bully ban. A very emotive start to 2024.

As always, thank you for your support and I am always here to support you wonderful lot.

Happy New Year❤️

Happy Christmas Day!🎄🎄🎄

I hope you and your dogs have had a lovely time🤩

Are your dogs fast asleep yet like these two?😴😴🎄🎄

Merry Christmas and Happy new year to all of you!🎄

Thank you for making my 2023 amazing with your support❤️

I will be back intermittently throughout January and I have lots of exciting things planned for 2024🤩

Enjoy your rest and love your dogs❤️🐾