Pet Potential

26/08/2026

It seems only fitting on National Dog Day to introduce the newest member of the Pet Potential family.

Meet Chilli, our ten-week-old Labrador puppy, officially Henleywood Summer Sunrise. I had the very special privilege of helping to welcome Chilli and her littermates into the world, so bringing her home eight weeks later felt particularly special.

She has already brought a great deal of fun, learning and Labrador mischief into our lives.

As a Clinical Animal Behaviourist, it is rather lovely to be experiencing puppyhood from the other side again, although Chilli is making quite sure that theory continues to meet reality!

I’m sure she will appear here from time to time as she grows, learns and discovers the world. Welcome to Pet Potential, Chilli. ❤️🐾

05/11/2025

With tonight being one of the most popular days to set off fireworks, here are some last-minute tips to keep your dog safe and happy. We are thinking of all the pets out there who might find tonight difficult 💛

For more advice around fireworks, click here 👉 https://bit.ly/42mWeqF

[Image description: This infographic contains some tips to help dogs cope with fireworks. The text reads 'Dogs all react differently to fireworks so identify your dog's individual ways of coping and be prepared to support them. Let your dog hide away or play as they please. Give your dog comfort if they seek reassurance, ignoring them won't help. Make sure your house is secure so your dog can't escape. Walk your dog well before dark. Drown our whizzes and bangs with music or TV. Never force a dog outside.]

31/10/2025

So many dogs, cats, horses and wildlife struggle with the noise from fireworks. This petition calls for quieter fireworks so everyone can enjoy them safely — people and animals. Fireworks don’t have to be so loud to be beautiful.

💚 Sign this petition here to help make a difference: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/738192

Once you’ve signed, you’ll receive an email — please click the link there to verify your email address and complete the process. You’ll also see the name of your local MP after signing — consider emailing them about this petition and asking for their support.

Thank you. Alison

We think each year, individuals suffer because of loud fireworks. We believe horses, dogs, cats, livestock and wildlife can be terrified by noisy fireworks and many people find them intolerable.

04/09/2025

Pain hides behind perfectly polite dogs; vet records help me see it.🐾

When I ask for your dog’s veterinary history, it’s not just for me to tick a box. Health and behaviour are closely linked, and past issues can flare up again.

I’ve seen these before …

🐾A dog with recurring ear infections that finds hugs from a child uncomfortable.

🐾A dog with sore joints or lameness that has snapped when a child has bumped into them or tried to climb on them.

🐾A dog with sore a**l glands who was less tolerant when the child approached to touch them from behind.

Knowing this helps me give the fairest, safest assessment for both the child and the dog. 💙

Not every dog owner realises it, but vet history can be key to behaviour work. 💡

Save this for later, or share it with someone who might need it.

01/09/2025

Could your dog be hiding pain from you? 🐾

September is Pain Awareness Month, so I’m helping to raise awareness of the subtle signs of pain in our dogs.

Dogs are masters at masking pain. In the animal world, showing weakness can be risky, so many stay quiet until they’re really struggling.

Do you know that a dog can still run and jump for a ball even if they’re in pain! Why? Because the motivation to chase and play can temporarily override the discomfort. That doesn’t mean the pain isn’t there, it just means the drive to do something exciting is stronger in that moment.

That’s why we need to learn to spot the subtle clues they won’t shout about.

✨ I’ll never forget one dog who’d been wonderful with the family’s two young children for years. They could cuddle him, lie on him, and he never minded. But one day, he lunged and snapped at them! It was completely out of character, and understandably the family was shaken. His owner even asked me if he should consider putting him to sleep.

Instead, I suggested an immediate vet check. It turned out he had undiagnosed back pain!

💡 And just to bust a common myth … pain can affect dogs of ANY age. Most people only think of pain in older dogs, but I’ve seen it in puppies too.

Some subtle signs of pain include:

🚶‍♂️ Slowing down on walks or refusing to move forward
🎾 Not playing as much as usual
🛌 Difficulty standing after lying down
😴 Sleeping more than usual, or struggling to settle
👅 Licking one spot repeatedly
🍗 Loss of appetite or lack of interest in food
🔊 Suddenly becoming scared of noises
😠 Becoming grumpy, snappy, or “not themselves”

Every dog is different, but these are often early clues something’s not right.

✨ Spotting pain early means more comfort, better outcomes, and fewer behaviour struggles down the line.

👉 If anything here sounds familiar, don’t wait, speak to your vet.
📌 Save this post or share it with someone who might need to see it.

And for brilliant resources, check out www.caninearthritis.co.uk

31/08/2025

🐾 Help children stay dog-safe with the G.E.N.T.L.E. rule
It’s a simple, memorable way to teach safe play between kids and dogs:

G – Give space
Let your dog choose to come to you. No chasing or tight hugs.

E – Eyes on the dog
Watch their body language. Stop if you see yawning, lip-licking, or turning away.

N – No taking of your dog’s things
Food, toys, beds, and crates belong to your dog. Taking or using them can make some dogs feel anxious or protective.

T – Take turns with toys
Play with dog-safe toys like balls or tugs … never with hands or rough play.

L – Low & slow
If your dog wants to say hello, crouch sideways and use gentle strokes on the chest, side, or back. Pause often.

E – Everyday supervision
An adult should always be present when children and dogs share space so they can spot early signs of stress and step in if needed.

💛 Safe play = happy children + relaxed dogs.
👉 Share this with someone who needs it!

21/08/2025

There's always something before the growl. Here's what you're probably missing!

Dogs have many polite ways of saying “I need space” before they growl.
Do you know what to watch out for? 🐾

Before dogs growl, they usually give subtle signs that they’re uncomfortable, but these signals can be very easy to miss, especially around children.

As a behaviourist, I often support families with fostered or adopted children. One common theme I see is how easily these early signs go unnoticed. Dogs don’t go from calm to growling without reason. They escalate when their quieter requests haven’t been heard.

A growl isn’t bad behaviour, it’s communication. It’s your dog saying, “I need space. Please stop.”
If we learn to listen before it gets to that point, we protect both our dogs and our children.

Here are five common signals to watch for (though there are many more):

👅 Lip-licking (not food-related)
😮 Yawning (not due to tiredness)
👁 Whale eye (showing the whites of the eyes)
👀 Turning away, moving off, or leaning back
❄️ Freezing or going still

These are your dog’s way of saying, “I’m not comfortable.”
The kindest and safest response is to give them space and reduce the pressure they’re feeling.

That might mean gently asking your child to stop what they’re doing, for example, hugging the dog, following them around, or playing loudly nearby. Instead, guide them towards a calmer activity like colouring, reading, or quiet play in another room.

Separation and distance are key.
A baby gate, a separate room, or a quiet space with a chew or snuffle mat can really help.

This isn’t punishment, it’s giving your dog what they’re asking for: space. And by doing that, we build trust.

When we respond early and respectfully, we prevent things from escalating and help everyone feel safe and understood.

Notice the whispers.
Prevent the growl.
Keep kids safe.

👀 Have you noticed any of these signs in your dog?
❓Do you know the other subtle signals dogs use?

Feel free to share below, and if you’d like more support around safe child–dog interactions, I’m here to help.

15/08/2025

Here’s how I measure success (and it’s not what you might think).

The most rewarding part of my work isn’t something you can photograph.
It’s not the final “yes” for a child’s placement, or a child being able to stay in their current foster home … although of course, that’s always amazing.

It’s the quiet moment I’m asked back for another assessment.

That second call means my work helped. Quietly, behind the scenes. Someone trusts me to help again. It means a child is one step closer to the right home.

That’s enough for me.

If you're working to find the safest match between a child and their future home, and need to ensure the family dog fits in, my inbox is open.

14/08/2025

You’ll get this… if you’ve ever been ambushed by a soggy, muddy fur bomb.

When I arrive for an in-home assessment and your dog greets me fresh from the water bowl (or straight out of the garden), it’s always a memorable hello.

They’re not just welcoming me… they’re hydrating me and redecorating my clothes. 😅💦🐾

💬 Drop a 🐾 in the comments if this has happened to you.