The Feral Behaviourist

We’re often taught that a “good dog” is one who is quiet, still, and compliant.But what if that quietness isn’t calmness…but coping?In this episode of The Feral Behaviourist, we explore the difference between:* Safety vs suppression* Calmness vs inhibition* Behaviour vs emotional stateAnd why some of the “goodest” dogs are the ones we need to look at more closely.This episode introduces the concept of the performance of safety, and how shifting our perspective can transform how we support our dogs. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muttsandmischief.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I explore why we can’t cue a dog into calmness, and why regulation must come before repetition, obedience, or skill-building.We look at:• What regulation actually means• Why arousal is often misunderstood• How “stubbornness” is frequently stress• Why training only sticks when the nervous system feels safeWhen we shift from control to co-regulation, everything changes.Training becomes clearer.Progress becomes steadier.And dogs feel understood, not managed.If this resonates, you’ll love the deeper nervous system work inside my memberships and resources.Regulation first. Always. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muttsandmischief.substack.com/subscribe

Hi everyone, and welcome back to The Feral Behaviourist, where we talk all things dogs, behaviour, emotions, and connection — always with kindness at the heart. I’m Tasha Attwood, your host, and today I want to explore something that’s been changing across the dog training and behaviour world — and something I’m really passionate about — the language we use to describe dogs who struggle emotionally.Specifically, why I, and many others in the welfare-first community, are moving away from the word “reactive” and instead using “emotionally challenged.”Now, I know what you might be thinking — “It’s just a word, right?”But actually, the words we use carry huge weight. They shape how we perceive behaviour, how we talk about our dogs, and even how we feel about them in those difficult moments.“Reactive” has become a bit of a blanket label. We use it to describe dogs who bark, lunge, growl, snap, or show big emotional displays towards people, dogs, or certain triggers. But over time, it’s also become a label that defines the dog, rather than describing what they’re going through.And that’s where I feel we can do better.When we say a dog is reactive, it tends to frame the dog as the problem — as if they’re choosing to “overreact.”But when we say a dog is emotionally challenged, we’re acknowledging that what we’re really seeing is a dog who’s struggling to cope with an emotion — fear, frustration, anxiety, or even excitement — in that particular moment.It reframes the behaviour from being a fault to being a form of communication.Think about it this way: if a child was overwhelmed, frightened, or anxious, we wouldn’t call them “reactive.”We’d probably say they were finding something difficult or that they were emotionally dysregulated. We’d look for the why — not just the what.Dogs deserve that same compassion.They don’t wake up in the morning thinking, “I can’t wait to bark at that Labrador today.”They’re responding from emotion, not intention.And when we recognise that, it completely changes how we approach helping them.Using the term emotionally challenged helps guardians see their dog through a trauma-informed lens.It encourages empathy. It invites curiosity instead of frustration.When a guardian hears “reactive,” they often feel embarrassed, ashamed, or even defensive — like they’ve failed.But when they hear “emotionally challenged,” they can start to think:“Okay, my dog is struggling emotionally. What can I do to help them feel safe?”That’s a much healthier starting point for both the dog and the guardian.And from a behaviourist’s point of view, it also helps us guide training in a more holistic, relationship-based way.Because we’re no longer focusing on suppressing a reaction — we’re focusing on supporting an emotion.That means meeting needs, adjusting environments, using enrichment, collaborative care, and gradual exposure — not punishment or pressure.It also ties into neuroscience — when dogs are emotionally flooded, the thinking brain, the neocortex, simply goes offline.What we’re left with is the limbic system — fight, flight, freeze, fawn.By addressing the emotion, we help the brain re-regulate and reduce the intensity of those responses over time.So, the change in language isn’t just about being politically correct — it’s about being scientifically and emotionally accurate.It’s about reminding everyone that behind every bark, growl, or lunge is a feeling.And behind every feeling, there’s a story — of fear, pain, confusion, or unmet need.When we call a dog emotionally challenged, we leave room for that story to be heard.So, next time you see a dog struggling on a walk, or your own dog reacts to something that feels “too much” — try to reframe it.Instead of saying “My dog is reactive,” try saying “My dog is emotionally challenged right now.”You might be surprised at how that small shift in language changes your mindset — and your compassion.Thanks for joining me for this short but important episode.If this resonated with you, you can find more about this topic in my Zero to Hero Volume 2 – Emotionally Challenged Dogs ebook, where I dive deeper into emotions, neuroscience, and practical strategies to help your dog feel safe again.Until next time — stay kind, stay curious, and remember: it’s never about control — it’s about connection. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muttsandmischief.substack.com/subscribe

Prey drive is a natural instinct in dogs—some have more of it, some have less, and it can be influenced by genetics, environment, and training. But here’s the thing: prey drive is not a justification for punishment.I often hear the argument that dogs with a strong prey drive must be managed with shock collars to prevent them from chasing wildlife or livestock. But that simply isn’t true. In the videos I’m sharing, you’ll see my dogs in close proximity to a herd of deer, cows, and even a horse. The fencing and hedging separating them is only 4ft—something they could easily clear if they wanted to. Yet, they choose not to. They watch, they observe, and they disengage without issue.This isn’t because I’ve punished them into submission. It’s because I’ve built a foundation of trust, engagement, and choice. They don’t need force to make the right decision—they need guidance, reinforcement, and an understanding of expectations.As a wheelchair user, I can’t rely on physically intervening if my dogs make a sudden movement. Instead, I focus on long-distance handling, reinforcing communication and connection so my dogs actively choose to disengage. This proves that mobility challenges don’t mean you need harsher tools—just smarter training.If you have a dog with strong prey drive, punishment isn’t the answer. Instead, focus on:🦌Management – Secure areas, long lines, and controlled environments.🦌 Training – Teaching disengagement, recall, and alternative behaviors.🦌 Fulfillment – Satisfying their needs through appropriate outlets like scent work, flirt poles, or structured play.A dog’s instincts should never be a reason to resort to pain or fear. With the right approach, we can work with their natural drives, not against them.Mutts and Mischief is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muttsandmischief.substack.com/subscribe

I hope whomever you choose as your dog professional, looks at your dog like this! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit muttsandmischief.substack.com/subscribe