The Muzzle Movement
Since 2024, we are proud to have partnered with The Muzzle Movement in order to offer our clients one of the most comfortable and thoughtfully designed muzzle options currently available.
A well-fitted muzzle should be comfortable, safe, and allow the dog to move, breathe, pant, and engage with the world naturally. These muzzles are designed with both functionality and aesthetics in mind, ensuring that dogs can remain comfortable while still enjoying their daily activities.
Wearing a muzzle should never mean that a dog’s life becomes restricted. Dogs who wear muzzles should still be able to walk, explore, train, and participate in the activities that make them happy.
As part of our partnership, Happy Dogs clients can also benefit from a special discount code.
Association of Dynamic Dog Practitioners
Between 2023 and 2026, I was the first certified Dynamic Dog Practitioner in Switzerland and a member of the Dynamic Dog Practitioner Association. This programme is the first of its kind to train professionals to identify potential pain and discomfort in dogs using specific, measurable, and professional assessment techniques.
Research by Daniel Mills et al. (2020) highlighted the link between pain and behaviours that are often considered “undesirable” in dogs. Veterinary clinics surveyed in the study reported that behavioural problems observed during consultations were associated with chronic pain in 23% to 82% of cases. The medical conditions most commonly linked to these situations are primarily orthopaedic, but may also include ear disease, dermatological conditions, gastrointestinal disorders, or dental conditions.
Since 2023, I remained a member of the Association of Dynamic Dog Practitioners in order to keep my knowledge up to date. The objectives of the association are:
- Promoting the benefits of Dynamic Dog analysis to improve the lives of animals and their owners.
- Building a reliable and inclusive professional community and resource centre to support members and advance professional standards.
- Promoting, supporting, and providing opportunities for Continuing Professional Development (CPD), with an annual reaffirmation of our CPD requirements and our code of practice.
IAABC
IAABC members have diverse practices and methodologies, but they are all based on the scientific study of behavior. We believe that animal behavior consultants can help owners manage and modify problem behaviors, and in the process, help strengthen the relationship between an owner and their pet.
IAABC members work to minimize the use of aversive stimuli and maximize the effective use of reinforcers to modify animal behavior. Members agree to adhere to LIMA (less intrusive, less aversive) and the IAABC Code of Ethics on joining. Within this framework, the IAABC welcomes diversity and openness. Positive respect and respect for differences are part of our core value, always striving to work solidly, efficiently and positively reinforcing.
The mission of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants is to raise the standard of animal behavior consulting worldwide by fostering continuing education, peer support and development, promoting ethical practices through the use of LIMA principles (least intrusive and least aversive) and providing quality resources for animal professionals and the advertising public. The IAABC believes that our strength is in our community and we strive to provide a supportive learning and networking environment for animal behavior professionals so that they can better serve their learners and each other.
Pet Professional Guild (PPG)
PPG partners, members and affiliates focus on the physical, mental, environmental and nutritional well-being of every pet by adhering to a holistic approach to pet care and education.
Founded in early 2012, the PPG began with the very simple goal of serving the pet industry and as an educational antidote to the scientifically unfounded and dangerous methods and practices popularized by entertainment television.
ITS CHARTER DECREES THAT:
a) By combining and coordinating our knowledge, efforts, skills, talents and passions in pursuit of a common goal, we can accomplish far more together than any one of us could alone. (…)
b) (…) Pet Professional Guild members and affiliates focus on the physical, mental, environmental and nutritional well-being of a pet, a holistic approach to pet care and education.
IBH
The work of the members of IBH eV is characterized by closeness, reliability, trust, discretion and loyalty in dealing with people and dogs. Autonomy and voluntary action on the part of people and dogs are fundamental elements of our cooperation.
They attach particular importance to:
- a scientifically oriented foundation for their work
- Non-violence, especially the use of humane training methods
- Safety and well-being of their customers and their dogs
- strengthening the self-efficacy of humans and dogs in everyday life
- needs-oriented and structured action
The aim is to expand the scope of action for humans and dogs in everyday life. To do this, we will use the least stressful, most positive and most effective measures.
In addition, the training should be based on a clear hierarchy for behavior change: “Most positive, least intrusive effective intervention” (according to Dr. Susan G. Friedman, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, Utah State University).
This approach is particularly oriented towards the “learner” and is competence-oriented, based on positive reinforcement and understanding of the learner (human as well as animal) and means systematic problem solving and development of solution strategies – regardless of what desired or undesirable behavior is involved.