In this episode, we’re unpacking something that affects more Pugs than we often realise—canine anxiety and reactivity. From sudden reactivity on a walk to the silent worry that plays out behind big, brown eyes, anxiety in our Pugs isn’t always loud — but it is always worth understanding.

We’re so lucky to have our fur-end Sarah Rutten, canine behaviourist and author of the bestselling book The Canine Perspective, coming back on the show to help us break down exactly what anxiety and reactivity mean, how they show up in our Pugs, and most impawtantly, how to spot the early signs — like what’s behind that sudden freeze, or why your Pug growls at a stranger they’ve seen a dozen times before.

As always, Sarah brings both science and compassion to the conversation, helping us understand what’s really going on in our Pugs’ brains and bodies — and what we can do to help them feel safe again. Plus, there might be a Floyd the 5-month-old Pug bark or two in the mix as well!

If you’ve ever worried that your Pug is not coping or behaving strangely then this episode is for you.

In this episode we talk about:

• 03:15 Tell us about yourself and your fur-family
• 07:00 Fear imprint periods
• 08:22 What causes anxiety and are there different types of anxiety?
• 17:00 Confusing signs of anxiety – how easy it is to mistake your Pugs messages for something else
• 21:00 The difference between separation anxiety and anxiety
• 25:20 COVID Dogs – triggered by the hooman world and their Pawrent going back to work
• 27:00 The impawtance of being sub-threshold and how medication can help achieve that to then enable your Pug to then undertake de-sensitisation work
• 33:25 What is primary and secondary needs and why it’s impawtant to meet them to reduce the likelihood of anxiety development
• 38:15 How does reactivity and anxiety interact?
• 42:00 What should a Pug Pawrent do to help their Pug reduce their anxiety
• 50:35 How to recognise behaviour escalation
• 56:00 Where can you find Sarah to learn more or ask for help?

WANT TO LEARN MORE about The Canine Perspective or Force-free training Methods? Check out all of Sarah’s guidance here:

• Website: https://www.thecanineperspective.com.au/
• Book: https://www.thecanineperspective.com.au/the-canine-perspective-dog-training-book/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecanineperspective/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecanineperspective/

WANNA JOIN US FOR YOUR VERY OWN EPISODE? Book your recording session here:

https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/

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