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Hi Reader, You’ve perhaps already seen on social media that we’ve got a lovely little sheltie pup (if not, check out my instagram page - link below)! We’re really enjoying spending time together and he is incredibly cute and incredibly fast. It also amazes me to see how much pee and poo comes out of such a tiny little thing, but that's a story for another day. What I wanted to discuss is that this breed is quite sensitive to sounds and noise phobias are a real risk. I'm running a prevention protocol now based on what the science says about what we can do to prevent sound sensitivity early in life. I've made a short podcast for you about this on YouTube so click on the link below and see what the science has to say about prevention. I'm also going to show you a brief example of what we're doing the moment.
If you are a professional and you want the full framework for noise phobias, then sign up for the wait list for my noise phobia course. The course will open up soon and then you'll be the first to receive all the info + a nice bonus that will help you work more effectively with owners.
Cheers, Dr. Else |
Dr. Else Verbeek is a highly skilled and compassionate dog behaviorist who is dedicated to helping dogs overcome fear and anxiety. With a strong foundation in evidence-based practices, she utilizes her scientific expertise to create effective strategies for addressing behavioral issues in dogs.With over 15 years of experience in the field, Else has honed her skills in understanding and modifying canine behavior. Her background as a scientist specializing in behavior, emotions, and stress physiology allows her to bring a unique perspective to her work with dogs. Else's approach is grounded in the latest research, ensuring that her interventions are based on solid scientific evidence. She recognizes that every dog is an individual with unique needs, and she tailors her methods to suit each dog's specific circumstances. In addition to her work with individual dogs, Else is also passionate about education and knowledge-sharing. She regularly teaches problem behavior courses to dog professionals, empowering them with the tools and knowledge to better understand and address canine behavioral issues. Else is equally dedicated to helping dog owners navigate their pets' problem behaviors. Through her compassionate and patient guidance, she assists owners in understanding the underlying causes of their dogs' issues and provides practical strategies to improve their pets' behavior and quality of life. With her extensive experience, scientific background, and commitment to evidence-based practices, Else stands out as a respected and trusted authority in the field of dog behavior. Her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of dogs and their owners has made her a sought-after expert in the industry. Do you want to understand your dog's behaviour, solve unwanted behaviours and improve your relationship with your dog? Sign up to my newsletter now!
Hi Reader, When we work with a sound-fearful dog, keeping them calm feels like the obvious goal. Soft sounds in the background, a relaxed dog, nothing that stirs them up. It looks kind and welfare-friendly, and it's everywhere. I've even seen videos of dogs almost massaged to sleep while firework sounds play quietly behind them. The dog is settled, clearly not distressed, and the whole thing looks lovely. But is this actually helping the dog? Not really. Because a dog who is that relaxed,...
Hi Reader, The million-dollar question is how to guide noise phobic (and noise sensitive) dogs towards more confidence around sounds. In a study by Herwijnen et al. (2024) a questionnaire was sent to 3,009 dog owners (and 622 cat owners!) asking about their experiences with fireworks. Here are the key findings from the Study: ✅ Early-life noise exposure reduces the risk of developing noise sensitivity. ✅ Dogs with suboptimal early socialization are more prone to fear loud noises. ✅ Noise...
Hi Reader, Noise phobias can really suck the life out of any good dog trainer. That's exactly why I'm hosting a free masterclass about noise phobias. In this master class, we will discuss what's happening behind the behaviour: what is going on in the brain of a dog that is shaking with fear after a thunderclap, and why it is not the noise itself that's really the problem? I will be giving the master classes on five different dates and all of them are LIVE. The first one is on June 16, and the...