GM News - March 2026
 

In this edition (No.76), rather than Canine Body Language, we're taking a deep dive into the Canine Senses (fascinating stuff!), and checking out possible reasons your dog loses focus during training and what you can do about it (guidance from the always excellent Nicole Wiebusch).

Until next time, thanks for being on our mailing list :-)
Amanda, David, & Ruth
Gentle Modern School of Dog Training
 

Canine Senses

Canadian Human-Canine Brain, Body and Behaviour Coach Andrea Davis considers canine senses in a special blog series.  I highly recommend you check out the series; the facts are fascinating, and Andrea highlights how sensory input, emotion and behaviour intertwine.  Plus, Andrea suggests different ways we can learn more about our dogs through sensory activities.

Here's a few quotes to encourage you to check out the full text :-)

How Dogs Taste: Brain-Gut Connection & Behavior Explained
"Taste Never Works Alone - When a dog eats, the brain blends multiple sensory inputs into a single experience.
Smell enhances and deepens flavor.
Texture influences comfort and interest.
Temperature affects palatability and safety.
Touch contributes to how food feels in the mouth.
Emotional state determines whether eating feels safe or stressful."

How Dogs Experience Touch
"Whiskers amplify even tiny changes in air movement or surface contact and send this information through facial touch pathways in the brain. This allows dogs to detect proximity, movement, and spatial changes, especially in low light or tight spaces."
        
How Dogs Hear: Understanding Canine Auditory Processing
". . . sudden noises can trigger immediate responses. A dog may startle, jump, bark, or orient before they have any idea what the sound actually was.  From the outside, it can look dramatic or excessive. From the nervous system’s perspective, it is efficient risk management."

Seeing the World Through Your Dog’s Eyes
". . . dogs are especially sensitive to motion, but less sensitive to color and sharp visual clarity.
Dogs are dichromatic. Blue and yellow appear bright and clear.
Red and green tend to look dull, muddy, or greyish.
And dogs mostly have a 20/75 vision compared to the normal human vision of 20/20. In other words, they have to be 20 feet away to see something clearly as a human can see 75 feet away."

The Power of the Nose
"A dog’s emotional and arousal state influences how scent information is processed. When arousal is high, scent can trigger faster, more intense emotional responses. When a dog is calm and regulated, scent becomes information rather than a trigger."
 

Could your dog be a blood donor?

Canine blood supplies in Melbourne are low.  Australian Dog Lover outlines what's needed to be a donor.
 

Could Your Dog be an Adventure Dog!?

Adventure Dog is on Sunday 12 April 2026
Hosted by Animal Aid, the event sees dog lovers and their four-legged teammates tackle a 4km course featuring 25 obstacles, water crossings, and plenty of mud. Whether you choose to run, jog, or walk, the focus is firmly on teamwork and fun, making it accessible for all fitness levels.
Where: Wandin Park Estate, 305 Victoria Rd, Wandin North VIC
Who: Participants aged 12+ and dogs 12 months and older
Registrations: $75 per human  Sign Up and More Info
 

Top Tip: Why do dogs lose focus during training?  

In Why Do Dogs Disconnect? Understanding and Addressing the Challenges, by Nicole Wiebusch, Nicole examines possible factors.  Here are the highlights, but do check out the whole article:
"Handler Disconnection
If you lose focus on your dog, don't be surprised when they lose focus on you.
  • Be Present: Make a conscious effort to stay engaged with your dog during training. 
  • Teach your dog a clear release word to signal when they're free to disengage. 
  • Plan Ahead: Keep treats, toys, and other tools within arm's reach to reduce the need for unnecessary breaks.
Disconnect After Rewards
  • Reward and Reset: After rewarding your dog, immediately ask for a simple behavior, like eye contact or a hand touch, to keep them engaged.
  • Incorporate Movement: Use rewards that encourage continued engagement, like tossing a treat or initiating a game of tug.
  • Randomize Rewards: Mix up when and how you reward to prevent your dog from predicting the end of an exercise.
Stress, Lack of Confidence, or Too Much Pressure
  • Break It Down: Simplify tasks and set achievable goals. For example, if your dog struggles with a complex behavior, focus on a tiny piece at a time.
  • Watch for Stress Signals: Learn to recognize your dog's body language and adjust your training accordingly.
  • Build Confidence: Use positive reinforcement to celebrate small successes, helping your dog feel more comfortable and capable.
Reducing Reinforcement Too Quickly
  • Transition Gradually: Slowly decrease treat frequency while introducing other forms of reinforcement, like praise, toys, or play.
  • Reinforce Effort: Occasionally reward extra effort with a jackpot treat to keep your dog motivated.
  • Layer Rewards: Combine verbal praise with treats, gradually shifting emphasis toward praise as the primary reward.
Dog Not Ready to Work
  • Acclimation Time: Allow your dog a few minutes to sniff and explore the area before starting training.
  • Pre-Training Routines: Develop a consistent routine that signals it's time to focus, like a short walk or a warm-up game.
  • Check Readiness: Observe your dog's behavior to determine if they're ready to work.
Generalization Challenges
Dogs don't automatically understand that a behavior learned in one context applies everywhere.
  • Train in Various Settings: Practice behaviors in multiple locations to help your dog generalize.
  • Add Layers Gradually: Introduce distractions and environmental changes one at a time.
  • Reinforce the Basics: Revisit foundational behaviors in new contexts to reinforce understanding."
 

Pluto says Hi!
 
 
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