Kiara's Pet Sitting

26/07/2023

Sigh 😕

23/07/2023

These dogs really are everywhere.
They are often mislabeled as friendly by the guardian/owner as that is how they are seen by them.....They barge right in to "play" with other dogs the second the lead is taken off, before then they are straining, bursting out of their skin to get to whatever they are desiring at the time....and allowing dogs to do this is half the issue.

This behaviour has been rewarded by the "play" and fun of interacting.....Why would they behave any other way around other dogs?
They are not friendly.
Dogs do not consider these dogs friendly either.
Why?
These dogs take no time to assess the situation, their energy is off the charts and they immediately assert themselves into play, and demand interaction from other dogs.

They cannot read cues, or they completely ignore them when given by other dogs.
Reading other dogs play styles is non existent.
Focusing on you or redirecting is impossible.
There is absolutely no impulse control or emotional self regulation.

These dogs are often seen at a dog park running from dog to dog in a hyper aroused state and they often have an almost manic appearance, all of this causes fights, injury, stress and is a direct causation of reactivity occurring in either dog.

I have used the term "socialisation" but socialisation is NOT play....it never was....it is about calmly accepting other dogs exist through controlled exposure.
That calmness allows self regulation, allows reading cues from others and impulse control is practiced.
As a society we have a twisted view that socialisation means dogs play with all other dogs....and they should get on.
The reality of TRUE socialisation is the opposite.

If you do have a dog that has these issues...you can help (but if you reach out to a good behaviour modification trainer, you will save yourself years and years of issues).

Teach engagement with you in ever increasing distractions.
Practice and learn calmness....it is a skill.
Manage the environment for calm and limited exposure at a distance....and reward calm.
Praise and reward when they look away from the other dogs....that IS praise worthy.
Mental enrichment with these dogs helps everything.
Learn the body language of your dog (and others).

You are not alone in struggling with this behaviour, it is very common.
Take a chance that your dog CAN behave in a different way, they just need to be shown how by you or a great trainer.

Limit where and when they can practice this behaviour......and most important dog parks and meeting endless other dogs will do nothing but fuel all of this behaviour.

22/07/2023

📣 Announcement 📣

Hiya lovely pet sit community I have big news! I will be relocating to Tasmania mid-September this year!

As excited as this new chapter will be, I would be lying if I said I’m not going to miss this business and all of the beautiful furbabies I’ve have the privilege of caring for!

I’m so grateful to the support shown by my incredible clients over the past 4 years and I’ve learnt so much about animal care and running a small business.

So THANK YOU ALL again for choosing me as your pet sitter - it was a privilege to love and care for your pets and I will cherish the memories I made forever ❤️

18/07/2023

🤣

Not today. Not on my watch!

Cartoon created by

16/07/2023

Hey guys we are in urgent need in foster carers so we can start taking surrenders again. As some people know I'm pregnant and have been having a rough time with it.

If you could help with our piggies please let us know :)

01/07/2023

28/06/2023

Early mornings don’t suit my pups… they’d much rather I stay in bed🤭🤣

27/06/2023

Thanks Ragnar, Maya and Potato for keeping me company - I absolutely adored your cuddles ❤️

26/06/2023

Little Frankie and my baby Aubie having a lovely little play date ❤️

I’ll keep these memories with me always🥰

🐾

17/06/2023

❤️ Gold Sponsor alert ⭐️
Weiner walkways are a long standing supporter of DRA . Ramps are hand made to order and DRA gets $10 from each ramp. So far Weiner Walkways has donated thousands of dollars to Dachshund Rescue Australia. Protect your Weiner and grab a walkway 🙌🏽

https://www.weinerwalkways.com/

14/06/2023

Some important things to consider if your are thinking about adding guinea pigs to your home

28/05/2023

16/05/2023

‼️ A gentle reminder: We are a Volunteer run branch

Please remember that most animal rescues are volunteer manned. We all have work and family commitments, so cannot always drop everything to assist. We have to work full time jobs to support our family’s, human and fur kids alike. It is important to remember this, especially on a day like Mother’s Day, that we too are human.

Like you, we have family emergencies, are required to work late, work weekends, feel overwhelmed, and need time out from time to time.

Calling the branch phone 10-20 times in a row, will not illicit a response. If we’re at work, we can’t answer; that doesn’t change 10 seconds later when you hit redial. Asking us to call back that evening, straight after work, doesn’t mean that we can neglect to do our washing, feed our animals or forget our children.

Messaging the page for us to collect your dog/cat/hedgehog now, as you’re moving house TODAY doesn’t help us help you.

Threatening to shoot, drop to the pound or ‘put down’ your precious family member, does not suddenly give us the ability to leave work/drive a 3 hr round trip/leave our kids waiting at the bus stop wondering how they’ll get home.

We are a small, dedicated team, who try our hardest to help where possible. Please understand, that we have to work around everyone’s availabilities, yours included, to arrange meet and greets, surrenders and transportation etc.

This is the situation for the majority of rescues, and human volunteer organizations alike. So we just ask that you please be patient, and understanding, that we are trying our hardest; and that sometimes we break too. We will enforce our boundaries, to prevent our team unnecessarily burning out or breaking, because our team are amazing, incredible people.

Much love and appreciation to our volunteer team, fosters and community who by and large in the majority, are an incredible support. 🥰

Unfortunately, this shouldn’t need to be a reminder. However, education is the key to raising awareness and understanding. We don’t get paid, we don’t have an office. We do what we do from the kindness of our hearts, and opening our homes to animals in need.

Please consider thinking how you can help, be it by donating your time, goods, or just being patient and understanding. By working together we can help save more furbabies. 💕

Credit to Charlie Mackesy for the artwork.

15/05/2023

I think my business makes this plain to see 🤣

😂😂

11/05/2023

Would you like to start feeding your pup raw bones to gnaw on, but just not too sure which bones is best for your doggo? 🦴 🐩

Check out this Bone Size Feeding Guide! If you'd like a little bit more info on why we always refer to Raw Bones being 'Nature's Toothbrush' check out the article here:

https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/guides/can-bones-be-fed-to-your-pet

06/05/2023

A wagging tail is a big dog smile. 🐶

Image description: A cartoon of a small dog showing it's heart connected to it's wagging tail, with the caption 'This is how it works in case you didn't know ☺️.'

18/04/2023

My piggies wish you a relaxing week…clearly no week could be as relaxed as theirs😄

I hope you are all doing well and that you’re taking care of yourselves the way I know you care for your furbabies!

15/04/2023

What a sorry sight. Aubie after his desexing is a little needy man🥰🥺

13/04/2023

Please donate if you can, this poor family deserves all the support they can get after such a tragedy.

Anyone who met Lauren instantly felt the warmth, kindness and love that she radiated. She was truly o… Yara Oulabi needs your support for The Thompson family

07/04/2023

Happy Easter weekend everyone, from me and my pet sit pup Thor💛

I hope you have a safe and relaxing weekend and that you all take some time to look after yourself!

04/04/2023

PREVENTING DOG ATTACKS
As dog parents we hope that this will never happen to our dogs, but in reality, many of us have personal experience with this really traumatic event.

The consequences of a dog attack are immense - not just the potential physical injuries, but the emotional trauma that often changes a dogs behaviour from there on.

I often wish that I could go back in time, knowing what I know now. I wish that I could have prevented what happened to my dogs if I had tried some of these methods. All I did at the time was scream – I didn’t know what else to do. Screaming only escalated the situation.

My dogs were attacked while out walking in the neighborhood as a person arrived home and opened their front gate just as we had walked past. 2 big dogs chased us up the road and attacked my dogs. One of my dogs had serious injuries requiring stitches, drains and days at the vet. She recovered physically, but years later is still fearful of bigger dogs and hides behind anything she can find in the environment until they have disappeared.

One of my other dogs, although not physically injured at the time, began reacting to any dog that was bigger than her and still does this, years later. The emotional trauma is often far greater than the physical.

Knowing what methods to try in an attempt to prevent a dog attack are so important. It may seem like a hassle to have to carry a few extra things when out walking or to always have to be aware of the environment.

It may sound terrible to have to resort to putting your little dog into a nearby dustbin to protect them or to use a spray or horn device to deter the approaching dog, knowing that it will affect your dog as well.

There is never a guarantee that these methods will work and every situation is different, but we need to do all we can to prevent an attack from happening.

28/03/2023

23/03/2023

Next Saturday our first market of the year...

So excited to see everyone and to show you all our new products

20/03/2023

Not listening outside of the home is a very big issue.

There are so many distractions for your dog outside...new smells, sights, movement...other people and other animals including dogs.
Many dogs struggle to listen to the "basics" in these environments and yet we expect them to.

If you really want to help with this take a step back.

Get those basics in while slowly expanding those distractions.
If you go from your home to a park......that may be too much for your dog....so start outside your own house in your yard...or just on your street away from your house a few metres.

Let your dog be your guide to this.
They will tell you they are distracted by their focus and actions...so help them by not increasing those distractions until you can have focus in the slightly distracting areas....build on that.

All of this when done well builds confidence in your dog.

Help them in these environments....they need you to limit these and not increase until they are ready...there is no rush for this.

You will also need distance from distractions....too close and your dog will likely not listen.

Remember to PRAISE when your dog has done well....it is really difficult for some dogs to listen to you when there is so much going on around....when they do well, show them.

12/03/2023

Look at this sleepy creature!
Darling Finn, you handsome pupper! We are all enamoured with your little face❤️🐶