Understanding the Dog Behind the Behaviour: What We’ve Taken Away from Canine Neuroscience

Introduction

Throughout September, we attended a four-part online seminar series with Jo Croft, exploring canine neuroscience and its relationship with behaviour. It gave us plenty to reflect on and bring into our work at Lola’s House.

Some discussions helped explain things we have observed for years. Others encouraged us to ask different questions. We often found ourselves talking through a session over the following day or two, connecting the theory with dogs we have cared for and trained.

One message stayed with us throughout: behaviour is the part we can see. Understanding what contributes to it means looking more closely at the dog as a whole.

Being quiet and feeling relaxed

Another discussion that resonated with us concerned crates and how we recognise rest.

A crate can be a comfortable resting place for a dog who has been gradually introduced to it and feels secure there. What matters is how that individual dog experiences the space.

Jo discussed dogs who become quiet inside a crate despite being highly aroused before entering and again after leaving. This reminded us of patterns we have seen and encouraged us to question whether stillness always reflects relaxation.

That pattern alone does not prove a dog is “shutting down”. It prompts closer observation: are they sleeping comfortably, showing relaxed body language and choosing to use the space?

The quality of a dog’s rest deserves as much attention as the amount of time set aside for it.

Opportunities to settle and recover

Emotional regulation was another central theme: how a dog manages emotional experiences and returns to a more settled state after excitement, frustration or worry.

It encouraged us to reflect on the balance of a dog’s day. Alongside exercise, play and interaction, we want to provide opportunities for quiet, uninterrupted rest.

We also took away the importance of supporting dogs through manageable everyday challenges and allowing time to recover afterwards. This means observing their responses and adjusting our expectations. If a dog is becoming overwhelmed, they need support and a change in approach.

Physical comfort and behaviour

The discussions around pain sharpened our awareness of changes that can be easy to overlook. Reduced activity, altered social behaviour or sensitivity to touch may warrant veterinary investigation, even without an obvious limp. Chronic pain can be subtle and mistaken for ageing.

We also explored the gut–brain axis—the communication between the digestive system and the brain. Research into its relationship with canine behaviour is still developing, but it is another reason to consider physical health alongside emotional wellbeing.

Final Thoughts

Much of the course reinforced the foundations already present in our boarding and daycare resting places, predictable routines, appropriate exercise and thoughtful management of interactions. We will continue with those foundations, bringing a deeper understanding to how we observe each dog.

In our training work, we will give careful consideration to health, medication history and emotional wellbeing when exploring what may be contributing to a difficulty.

We are grateful to Jo for a thought-provoking course. Continuing to learn helps us question our assumptions, explain our approach and provide thoughtful care for the dog in front of us.