Event Date: October 23, 2024

Shane Stanis, CDBC, CPDT-KSA, Behavioural Consultant and Founder of Mighty Mutts Dog Training joined The Beagle Alliance Town Hall for our October 2024 Town Hall.

Shane discussed obvious stress signals, such as shaking or hiding, as well as the more subtle cues that many of us may miss. He talked about body language cues and reviewed some common signs and symptoms of trauma related triggers and PTSD.

Shane has 20 years of experience working with special needs dogs. He is The Beagle Alliance’s “go-to” consultant when we, our dogs and our fosters and adopters need a little extra support and understanding of the specific behaviours of our best friends.

Resources:

Safe Spaces

Here’s a super basic handout – Click Here

Human Body Language Handout

Making Friends with Your New Dog by Mighty Mutts – Download Here

Lick Mats for the Pacing Dog

Lick mats are useful for helping dogs to regulate arousal as they slow consumption of high value foods, and promote licking, a self soothing behaviour for many dogs. They can also provide comfort for some dogs during stressful situations.

Common “recipes” for lick mats include:

• Peanut butter
• Banana
• Yogurt
• Wet dog food
• Cottage cheese
• Pumpkin or sweet potato puree
• Commercially available dog spreads

These products are popular enough that if you search “dog lick mat” on google, amazon, or pet specialty sites, you’re sure to find a variety of options. It can be difficult to see quality online, so if your dog is a heavy chewer, you may want to check reviews. In general, this should be used under supervision, and not left with the dog if they begin chewing, as any mat can be destroyed by a dog left to their own devices. However, particularly thin mats may lose some of their ridges more easier than sturdier ones. Outward Hound and the “Lickimat” brand both tend to be sturdy products.