The Gibbons House 

Dogs very rarely snap without reason. And they very rarely show no signs beforehand. In this post, we’re going to explore what stress stacking is, how it builds up quietly over time, and how to spot the subtle signs before things boil over. Because once you know what to look for, you can start preventing those so-called “out of the blue” moments.

In this post, we’ll break down what luring and shaping are, the pros and cons of each, and why shaping might just become your new favourite training tool. Let’s dig in.

A quick sniff! This post dives into why mental stimulation is crucial year-round – it tires them out more effectively than endless physical exercise and prevents boredom-related "bad" behaviours. The best part? You can create engaging, brain-boosting toys and activities using everyday household items. Learn how a short burst of mind games can equal a long walk, and get ready to whip up fun DIY ideas like the Muffin Tin Game, Treat Hide and Seek, and the clever Cup Game, all d

In this post, we're going to dig into why your word choices matter, how your tone of voice can make all the difference and how to keep things simple for your dog.

Hello, my favourite human! That's right, it's me, your dog! You are the person who gives me yummy treats, belly rubs and the best butt scratches ever! However, some things are often misunderstood between us. I have written this letter to help you understand me better and to share with you the things I have always wanted you to know.

Today, we’ll explore the importance of establishing boundaries for our dogs while addressing common misunderstandings and mistakes related to rules in canine behaviour.

Today, we're diving into the important role emotions play in dog training and how they can significantly impact the outcomes.

Have you heard of the term Operant Conditioning? This is a scientific theory behind learning, both in animals and humans. There are 4 quadrants to Operant Conditioning; last week, we dove into positive discouragement, this week we are tackling negative discouragement, the final quadrant of operant conditioning. If you missed the first week's post about positive reinforcement, you can catch up with it here!  The post about negative reinforcement is here and last weeks post on

In today's post, we will focus on positive discouragement, what it means and how it works.

Have you heard of the term Operant Conditioning? This is a scientific theory behind learning, both in animals and humans. There are 4 quadrants to Operant Conditioning; last week, we dove into positive reinforcement. Today, we look at negative reinforcement, and over the next 2 weeks, we will cover the final 2 quadrants. If you missed last week's post about positive reinforcement, you can catch up with it here! Operant conditioning is a learning principle that was developed

Have you heard of the term Operant Conditioning? In today's post, we will focus on positive reinforcement, what it means and how it works in dog training

Myth 1 - "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" Myth 2 - "This is just puppy behaviour, they'll grow out of it!" Myth 3 - "Dominating my do

Here are the 7 things I wish I had known when I first brought my dog home

Today, we'll look at dog crates, their benefits, different types of dog crates, how to crate-train your dog and bust some common myths!

Why is physical exercise so important for dogs? Signs that your dog might not be getting enough exercise, and ways to keep them active

Hey there, TJ here! It's so great to have you visiting the blog. Does your dog only listen to you when they feel like it? Do you feel like they don't respect you? Today's post has 10 tips to improve your relationship with your dog while maintaining (or improving) your role as top dog. Why? Because a stronger bond between the two of you will result in better behaviour and easier training on their part, producing a better family pet and reducing your stress levels. I rescued a

We are often too "different" to be considered part of the typical population, yet many of us are not "different" enough

It's Christmas! Well, almost! I was wracking my brain for a Christmas-themed blog post I could write when the other day at work, I struck up a conversation with a carer from Poland. He shared with me a delightful tradition they follow during the holiday season, and I was instantly captivated by how another culture celebrates this famous holiday. It sparked my curiosity, and I wanted to learn more! So, I embarked on a true hyperfocus journey through Google, diving deep into th

In this post, we’re going to explore what the Spoon Theory is, how it works, and what it means for those of us with chronic illnesses

The Thursday just gone was my mother’s birthday, and to celebrate her, I thought I would dedicate this week’s blog post to her