Page 12 - Summer 2022 Newsletter

BETTER BEDDIE BEHAVIOUR

Cuddles, grooming and going to the vet … to change what you’re doing. And
what do they mean to your beddie? remember, this might mean they enjoy
touch, but just not where and how you
Touch is a big deal for our dogs. It’s a very touched them in that moment.
human thing actually – we touch and
engage physically with our dogs far more Sometimes they choose to accept touch
than dogs do with each other and in very that isn’t their preference because it is
different ways. Have you ever really looked better than no touch at all or because they
at how your beddie responds to touch don’t feel able to stop it. And none of us
from you and other people? And what want that! Give them choice and respond
touch they genuinely choose and initiate? to their preferences and snuggles will be
And how this varies in different magical – for both of you.
circumstances. And I mean REALLY looked,
no assumptions, just an objective standing Grooming and vet visits tend to range
back and observing your dog as though for from ‘not great’ to ‘utter torture’ for many
the first time. It is rarely what we expect of the beddies we see – and it’s

to see. Most dogs would choose to change heartbreaking because it absolutely does
something about the way we physically not need to be like that. Grooming in
interact with them. Genuine enjoyment particular is so important for beddie
and pleasure are very different to health and wellbeing and it is something
tolerance and co-operation and even more that has to happen so regularly, it is critical
different again to compliance. that it is a harmonious, co-operative
process. Unfortunately some of the dogs
Cuddles – lots of beddies love a snuggle who suffer the most are actually those
on the sofa, to sprawl over your lap, to that just ‘stand there’ feeling really
come for a fuss when they greet you. But miserable, or worse still, in pain – and yes,

not all – some are less tactile. Even those grooming can be painful – these are the
that love contact can have preferences compliant dogs who have resigned
about how and when they are touched. themselves to what happens because they
Soft tickles, scritches, circular strokes, feel they can’t change it.
head – or not, left shoulder – or not, along
their back – or not! Touch for pleasure You’ll have read the BTRF stories of dogs
like Jiminy Cricket, Itchie Richie and Luna –
should always be mutual and that means who all found grooming really difficult
making sure your beddie not only
tolerates it, but ENJOYS it. And that comes when they first arrived in rescue. In some
cases it was as a result of previous poor
from being able to read their quiet body

language that tells you how comfortable grooming experiences, in others because
they really are. of undiagnosed pain, in others because of
things like skin and ear conditions, in

Lip licking, skin twitching, yawning, turning others a fear of handling (from a variety of
heads away, goofing about … these can all causes) – but the transformation to
co-operative health care is incredible –
be signs your beddie would quite like you
AND REALLY SIMPLE!

info@bedlingtonrescue.co.uk
www.bedlingtonrescue.co.uk