Luna's Puppies for Adoption

21/09/2022

😊

21/09/2022

17/09/2022

😂

16/09/2022

Did you know?

Mental stimulation tires dogs out more than physical, a balance between the two is key!

14/09/2022

THE CHOICE TO CHOOSE
WHY DOGS SHOULD BE ALLOWED CHOICE
Imagine that every little detail of your life is controlled - what and when you eat, where you sleep, when you’re allowed inside or outside, when you’re allowed to go out for a walk and if you’re allowed to stop and explore, who you’re allowed or forced to interact with, what activities (if any) you’re allowed to participate in, when you’re shown affection or receive attention, where you’re allowed to be touched etc., etc.…. This situation would create stress and anxiety, a feeling of helplessness, apathy, a lack of confidence and many other negative emotions. The same is true for dogs.
Dogs live in a world where just about everything is controlled by us. Allowing choice, no matter how simple that choice may be, provides many benefits. The context in which we allow choice is obviously relevant. Safety, boundaries, environmental factors, other people or animals always need to be taken into account.
Dogs that are allowed some control over their environment and how they respond to situations are more confident, more emotionally balanced, better able to cope with stressful situations, less anxious, less stressed and have fewer behaviour problems.
Allowing simple choices like which direction to take on a walk, which tree to wee on, how long to sniff that fascinating blade of grass or which toy to play with, which treat to choose, what game to play or allowing your dog to choose to interact or be touched by someone are all simple ways that we can provide choice for our dogs and help them to cope in a world that controls them.

14/09/2022

Meet Rocky, the 16-month-old Golden Retriever!

Rocky is partaking in a 4 week Lifestyle Stay and Learn to address his over-arousal, barrier frustration and leash skills. Being a young, excitable breed, Rocky will often jump and nip people when he’s excited. He was also an excessive barker, especially through windows.

Throughout Rocky’s program, we worked on his leash skills around numerous distractions including people, other dogs and vehicles – he even worked in the busy streets of Two Wells! We also taught him to adopt a calm mindset through place training which will help massively in preventing the jumping, barking and nipping behaviours.

Dog training is not all about the dog; we often have to change our own behaviours and routines to support our training goals. If you’re struggling to see progress, here are some simple swaps you can make in your everyday life:

1. Instead of frustration, try feedback

After returning home, we recommend guardians to keep a leash on their dog in the home to facilitate quick and clear feedback. For example, if they move off place before you’ve released them, you can simply grab the leash and guide them back. This prevents you from having to touch them as physical touch is often a reward for many dogs – it doesn’t matter if it’s a belly rub or being pushed back onto a place bed, they thrive off it all the same! By using the leash, you are providing clear communication of what you want them to do at that point in time without reinforcing the undesired behaviour through touch.

2. Instead of free roaming, try crate or place

Time spent on place or in their crates provides dogs with the opportunity for structured decompression and mindfulness. It provides dogs with a job, therefore easing the burden of decision-making and therefore preventing undesired self-reinforcing behaviours and destructive habits.

3. Instead of using words, try using your body

Dogs first method of communication is physical, then visual, then verbal. They don’t understand our language and a common mistake that handlers do is overcomplicating their training by overloading the dog with words. Try a day of using as few words as possible and see if that gives your dog more clarity of your instructions!

4. Instead of co-dependency, try boundaries

Co-dependency isn’t healthy for the human OR the dog! Boundaries force us as handlers to lead and guide our dogs, rather than micromanaging or acquiescing them. They will also increase the respect between BOTH parties and are an essential ingredient for the recipe of reducing reactivity!

5. Instead of impulsiveness, try thoughtfulness

Practice threshold manners at all transitions, such as doorways. This guides your dog to practice thoughtfulness before they enter the next activity, rather than being impulsive and bursting through. Bringing a calm and NOT anticipatory energy to the next activity will set you both up for success!

6. Instead of a free-for-all walk, try a structured walk

Utilise walks as a relationship builder between you and your dog. They are great opportunities for you to practice advocacy, providing feedback and leadership. The heel position is also a mental workout for your dog and gives them a job to do!

7. Instead of co-sleeping, try crating at night

If you’re struggling with your dog being pushy, blowing off commands or resource-guarding, the amount of time spent on furniture should be limited to permission-based ONLY. Crating at night provides a boundary through structure and routine. They’re still sleeping all the same, just in a different location.

09/09/2022

Best cake ever!

05/09/2022

Luna's face everytime! 😅

05/09/2022

5 mins or 5 hours, its all the same for Luna and the greeting I get never changes 💓

05/09/2022

100%

So true... Happy weekend ❤️

05/09/2022

🙌🙌🙌

05/09/2022

Dogs are the best people

05/09/2022

I wish...
www.shakepaws.com

05/09/2022

Well thats why they invented the bissel isn't it?😅

05/09/2022

Chasey boi 😍

05/09/2022

😴😴😴
Theyre so worth the neverending feeling of exhaustion 🐾😂🐾

05/09/2022

05/09/2022

Chase, Rocky and Luna playing out front thismorning😍

Why do i still have 3 dogs? Why on earth is noone claiming Chase? He truly is the SWEETEST BOY! So well behaved and very obedient, had his vax and is microchipped with his healthy pup certificate. Almost house trained. This dog is gorgeous and i would keep him if i could but i cannot afford insurance for 3 dogs nor the care of 2 growing puppies, a toddler and 2 teens on my own. So i HAVE to find him a new home. Only $400 for the last pup and that is just to pay for his vetwork and care.
Please spread the word?

04/09/2022

😂😂😂

03/09/2022

If pulling on the leash gets you to move faster and to where a dog wants to go, they’ll do it. If barking from the crate gets them out, they’ll do it. If jumping on people gets them pets, they’ll do it. If growling moves you away from a prized toy, bone, or space, they’ll do it. If exploding at another dog on a walk “makes the other dog go away”, or simply gives a rewarding adrenaline dump, they’ll do it. If “screaming” at you as you approach makes you stop approaching, they’ll do it. If barking at the window for hours feels good, they’ll do it.

We love to make things overly complicated, but dogs are extremely simple. They do what works to get them what they want.

Your job is to decide what truly works best for you and your dog, and then ensure that’s what occurs. In other words, your job is to be smarter than your dog, and ensure that that which is unwanted, unhealthy, unpleasant, or dangerous, doesn’t work.

02/09/2022

RiRi and Rocky bonding 😍

02/09/2022

My Rockstar! 😎
Went for our first proper walk thismorning 😁 He was SUCH A GOOD BOY 😍

01/09/2022

By the end of today there will only be 2 😍 and our lives with Rocky really begin! Cant wait to take him EVERYWHERE like I did/do with Luna. Except dog parks, we dont do them 😁

Everywhere else though, absolutely the BEST way to
socialise a pup imo! 🙌

Pictured: Marshall, Chase, Violet and Rockstar! 😍

01/09/2022

The last pic I took of Luna and Violet before V went off to her new home 🐶🐾❤
Now I miss my girls so much but i know they ALL have good homes, with lovely owners and are now getting trained properly, are spoiled rotten like they deserve to be and are LOVED!
What more could I want for them?