GM News - November 2025

Thank you for opening any of our newsletters this year. We don't take your time for granted :-)

Amanda, David, & Ruth
Gentle Modern School of Dog Training

Top Tip One

Start as you mean to go on to reduce confusion and resentment. For example:

If you don't fancy your dog sleeping on your bed, don't let them do it sometimes
Don't start by walking your dog three times a day when realistically you will only be walking once a day, ultimately
It's not safe to have your dog sit on your lap in the front seat of the car - don't set that expectation by allowing it when they're tiny and cute

Top Tip Two

Have an exit strategy
Meeting a friend at a café with your dog can be a pleasant experience. However, ensure you're monitoring your dog and the setting so you can ‘call it quits’ before your dog becomes overwhelmed or upset (the aim is for you and your dog to have positive rather than grin-and-bear-it experiences – short and sweet is generally a good maxim :-). With that in mind, take care to have an exit strategy – for example, at the café, sit where you can quickly and easily leave (with few obstacles to navigate) with your dog if the café (for example) receives a noisy, rattling delivery.

Body Language

Whole Dog Journal has collected all their dog body language articles under one URL
Examples:

Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails?
Why Do Dogs Sit on You?
Why Do Dogs Lay on Your Feet?
Why Dogs Sneeze When They Play
Dog Kisses: Is Your Dog Really Kissing You?
Do Dogs Smile?

An Excellent Resource!

A plug for our Facebook

We share weekly ideas and info, including upcoming/free resources from trainers and experts we respect.
For example, the topics of our last four posts:

'Would You Know If Your Dog Was in Pain?' by Erika Liljefelt, Pets and Their People Blog, is an excellent article highlighting how the signs we expect to be pain indicators (limping, whimpering, etc.) may not appear in our dogs, or might only appear when the pain has been longstanding or become significant.
What Sensitive Dogs Really Need to Feel Safe and Loved - Free online event
What can help if, heaven forbid, your dog is lost?
Have you ever considered throwing your dog a birthday party? - Important considerations for party planning that ensure your dog will enjoy the experience

https://www.facebook.com/gentlemodernschoolofdogtraining

Snakes

Alexis Davison, the founder of UnChase (great training programs designed for dogs who chase anything, including snakes), has the following tips to reduce the chance your dog will encounter a snake in the upcoming warmer months:
✂️ Keep grass short and garden beds tidy
🪵 Store wood and materials off the ground
🐦 Remove food sources like spilled bird seed or pet food
🏡 Block small gaps under sheds and doors
💧 Leave water bowls for wildlife away from the house

When away from home, take special care near water sources (e.g. rivers, drains, dams) and avoid thick undergrowth or rocky areas. Be alert day and night, as in warm weather, snakes can be active in the dark.

Reward for Reading to the End

Speaking of Facebook, Mary shared a fun, all-too-real FB video of what sadly happens to stuffed toys at the hands of many dogs