Your Whole Dog

22/08/2025

Wolly’s always pleased when the Flexiness shipment arrives with the new products … he gets to stand around and have snacks. One of his favourite activities!

He’s tested out the new SensiPaw Discs. Says they’re just right - not too small, not too big. And, since he’s an elder gentleman, he’s a big fan of the wave pattern sensory bumps.

Tigg is patiently* waiting her turn …

*thats a lie; she’s not remotely patient 😆

19/07/2025

One of the many things I enjoy about training is how much it teaches us and provides an opportunity to really pay attention, not just to the behaviours we’re working on, but to everything else our dogs are showing us. They are talking to us all the time, and we really need to listen! Their posture, how they move, how they take food... it all tells a story. And sometimes, the smallest detail can make a whopper change. Wolly illustrated that beautifully for me today!

We were working on a sustained chin rest to an object - a small side table. I had a front foot target in place to help Wolly line up straight. He was doing okay. And then I noticed that, over the course of a few reps, his rear feet were starting to creep in under his body. Not ideal. I didn’t want him standing like that, as it means he’s unbalanced. And almost certainly uncomfortable. Not ideal for any dog, especially one as aged as Wolly!

So, I added a textured mat under his rear feet to give him some sensory feedback and a bit of traction.

Almost immediately, his stance improved. He shifted his weight, planted his feet more evenly, and settled into a much more comfortable position. We carried on for a few more reps and his posture continued to improve. By the time we finished he was standing pretty much square.

And then it dawned on me … not only was his posture better, but so was the behaviour. He was no longer fidgety and twiddly. He was coming into position and holding it. Beautifully. The whole picture had changed. Not because I asked differently. Not because I changed my criteria. But because I helped his body feel better.

I hadn’t really registered the fidgeting until it stopped. My eyes had been on his feet. But it’s all connected, isn’t it?

It is precisely these kinds of moments that are why I spend so much time encouraging people to observe more, ask questions, and get curious:
Is my dog comfortable in their body right now?
Does this behaviour feel doable to my dog?

So, next time things feel a bit wobbly, pause and look a little deeper. There’ll be a reason. And the dog is always right!

Illustrations by Wolly!
1st picture - the last rep on the carpet.
2nd picture - very next rep on the sensimat
3rd picture - our final rep of the session

16/05/2025

Earlier this year, I added a review widget to the online shop. I figured it might help. I also said I’d ditch it if it was a disaster.

Well… it’s gone.

Was it a disaster? Not exactly. But out of all the review requests sent, only a teeny-tiny handful resulted in actual reviews. Most were left unread, unsubscribed from, or marked as spam.

That tells me something: people don’t really value leaving reviews. And maybe, just maybe, they don’t value reading them much either. I mean, you can’t have one without the other, right?

So, if you like shopping spam-free, review-free, and with a small business that prioritises ethics, sustainability, and actual real-life recommendations over algorithms … I'm here for you.

Just another way I choose to do things differently. Forge my own path. Resist the relentless pressure of mainstream retail in a world of rampant consumerism.

Featuring Tigg, who also forges her own path (and has ears that refuse to conform)

12/05/2025

I’ve been second-guessing myself lately.

Running a small business that doesn’t play by the “rules” is tough. I don’t offer ‘free’ shipping - it’s a myth, there is no such thing; I don’t work 24/7 or answer emails in my sleep; I have zero interest in influencer culture. And, I’m a bit of an outlier in my approach to training and behaviour.

Over the weekend I had one of those lightbulb moments: I’m not giving in to ‘free’ shipping, why should I give in to the other expectations and industry norms?

I’m committed to helping dogs feel well, both physically and emotionally. That might mean we pivot our ‘training’, scrap the sit-stay, or choose a bush walk over suburban chaos.

It’s not a fast fix. It’s a better, long-lasting one.

So if your neighbour, Aunt Betty, or Bob from accounts is horrified that you let your dog sniff and make choices, that you prioritise wellbeing … ignore them. You're doing great.

Forge your own path. Your dog will thank you. 💜

Wolly says: roll how you want, sniff what you like, and ignore Bob from accounts.

07/05/2025

Progress isn’t always loud and flashy.

Sometimes it’s:
💜 a single second of stillness where there used to be chaos
💜 a calm decision you didn’t even ask for

It might look boring. In fact, it should look boring.
Boring is good. It’s better for your nervous system. And your dog’s, too.

Progress doesn’t have to mean big behaviours or complicated training plans.
It’s about trust, predictability, and quiet moments.

There was a time when trucks on the driveway sent Wolly into a spin.
Now? They send him to his bed to wait for cookies.

That didn’t happen overnight.
It came from setting realistic goals, noticing the small shifts, and celebrating every approximation. Generously.

We don’t need our dogs to greet tradies with tail wags.
We just need them to feel safe. And use their inside voices!
Instead of “don’t bark”, “don’t lunge” what if we taught them what to do?

👉 Wait on a mat
👉 Hop onto the sofa
👉 Hang behind a baby gate

Less stress. More calm. For everyone.

Going from 100 to 0 isn’t realistic. Those steps in between?
That’s where real progress lies.

Need help spotting the quiet wins? That’s what I’m here for!

30/04/2025

We’re currently without power (along with half of Wellington 💧☔️🌧️⛈️💨🌬️💨💨💨), which means no internet and no work.
There’s a problem, right there.
My instant thought, after I’d massaged and taped Wolly, was “oooh, I’ll catch up on some reading” …
So I grabbed the nearest pile ⬇️⬇️⬇️
See a theme? 😆😆
Spot the odd one out?!
My brain had a little chat with itself, as it’s prone to doing.
And as a result, Rest is Resistance wins.
We’re so full of “should” and “must” and being busy and productive and not wasting opportunities. It’s ridiculous. It’s not healthy. It’s not good for us, or our dogs!
Give your dog something to sniff and shred, put your feet up, stay safe and cosy 🐾

27/04/2025

My continuing education nerd is well and truly switched on this weekend!

I'm in the midst of the Chronic Pain Symposium hosted by Canine Arthritis Management. It’s a four-day deep dive into all things arthritis, pain, and what we can do about it to help our dogs feel and move better.

A few powerful reminders:

🐾 Pain is often a major hidden driver behind behavioural challenges.

🐾 Osteoarthritis (and the pain it brings) is a disease of all dogs. Young, old and in between.

🐾 Keeping dogs lean (4.5/9 body condition score) is the single easiest and most affordable way to help them.

🐾 Appropriate exercise is vital. Not moving is not the answer; it's about smart movement, appropriate to the dog.

🐾 Early intervention beats chasing your tail trying to manage it later.

🐾 Pain changes movement, and not always in obvious ways. Gait changes, posture shifts, subtle asymmetries… these are our first clues.

🐾 "Normal" x-rays don’t always mean "no problem". Pain can exist without dramatic imaging findings.

🐾 Pain isn’t constant. It flares, waxes, and wanes.

🐾 Chronic pain is not the same as acute pain. Acute pain serves a purpose (it’s protective and self-limiting). Chronic pain lingers and becomes maladaptive.

🐾 No one-size-fits-all protocols. Care plans need to be dynamic and individualised.

Unsurprisingly, this has only hardened my resolve to always consider underlying pain when helping dogs (and their humans) with behaviour concerns.

Our dogs deserve to live without pain.

👉 Gait and posture checks are part of every behaviour consult, helping you spot hidden pain early.

👉 As a CAM Advocate and canine massage and mobility therapist, I also help craft individualised exercise plans, home environment adjustments, and lifestyle tweaks to support dogs living with pain — helping you make your dog’s day better.

19/04/2025

📚 Tigg and I just wrapped up a fantastic 4-week live class:
Is it Enriching? Making Your Behavior Change Plans Count with Pet Harmony’s Emily Strong & Allie Bender, through the Karen Pryor Academy.

Even though I’m already familiar with Pet Harmony's Enrichment Framework, and use it to guide the plans I create for clients, it was so valuable to revisit it from the learner’s side with my own dog! And, because real life be real life, I uncovered a few gaps in Tigg’s plan. It was super helpful to have Emily’s support as I made tweaks (and pivots) that better suit our current reality. And, because it’s cyclical, I can review it again in a few weeks and refine as needed.

My top 3 takeaways:
💡 Enrichment is defined by outcomes. What does your dog tell you about the activity, event, or experience? Was it enriching for them?

💡 Enrichment isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what actually helps your dog (and you) feel better.

💡 Enrichment guilt is a thing. Whether it’s your next-door neighbour, Aunty Beryl, or your Instagram feed whispering in your ear… your plan needs to be relevant, do-able, and sustainable. Doing it for a day or two is one thing. Can you do it for a year? That’s your litmus test.

If you’ve ever felt “enrichment guilt,” you’re not alone.

Want some support to create realistic, sustainable plans that support your dog’s behavioural and emotional health without burning you out? I got you 🐾

11/04/2025

Prefer your myths busted in blog form?
I got you!

Your Whole Dog busts 7 common myths about using food in dog training - why food isn’t bribery, doesn’t spoil your dog, and can be your best training tool.

09/04/2025

Y'all know how I feel about food.
I mean, a dog gotta eat ...
Why waste the the opportunity?!

07/04/2025

Y'all know how I feel about vet visits.
They're harder than they need to be.
Let's help you make your dog's next visit a bit less hard.

11/03/2025

Slippery floors are a common problem, and this is a good read

The Hidden Danger of Slippery Floors for Dogs