Happy Dogs

28/01/2025

What we think is happening can be for a very different reason entirely.
Hyper dog ❓
Did you know the excited and "over enthusiastic" behaviour they show can actually be from anxiety and stress ❓
It is SO easy to misread anxiety in dogs, we have all done it....thinking a dog is having the time of their lives because they are running around leaping and running full speed at people or other dogs....or perhaps we have labelled them as "naughty" because they keep jumping and leaping at visitors and refuse to listen, so we label that as misbehaving.
Over excited behaviour and a dog "having the time of their life" can be from fear.
Fear responses are tricky, they need looked at carefully and critiqued with an open mind.
This dog training handout is available https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-nz-anxiousness-in-dogs-lesser-known-signs?srsltid=AfmBOoo7B4PfE2ZvsZPiWqoRP9OdAhMXAxu8AzvUBzasSOuO7uFcIEM1

23/01/2025

There are some very serious problems with pack walks and dog day care and it needs to be recognised. While there are some good and GREAT dog day cares and walkers, there are also some that will affect your dog for a very long time.There really are some great ones out there, no doubt about it. They t...

22/01/2025

WHOSE WALK IS IT ANYWAY?

Imagine going on a long-anticipated walk, through new scenery and exciting smells after being cooped up in the same place all day, but you have been fitted with a blind fold and are being dragged or yanked along at a fast pace.

I imagine that this is how dogs feel when we don’t allow them time to stop, sniff and explore the environment.

Dogs largely perceive their world through scent and it’s how they collect and process information to help the world make sense.

Taking away an opportunity for sniffing on a walk really isn’t being fair.. As much as physical exercise is important, the mental stimulation that sniffing provides is equally, if not more important.

Allowing dogs to choose when to stop and sniff provides so many benefits – increases self-confidence, promotes calmness, lowers stress and anxiety levels, lowers pulse rates, reduces cognitive decline in older dogs and provides important mental and environmental enrichment.

Make time for a slow sniffing walk when you can, where your dog is allowed to choose which direction to go and allowed time to just investigate, interpret, process the environment and follow wherever their nose leads them.

It may take far more time and patience as we wait for them to finish smelling that particular blade of grass, but the benefits are well worth it – after all, whose walk is it anyway?

21/01/2025

"Awwww they're having SUCH a good time"✅
Nope, only one dog is.❌

Play is one of the MOST misread of all dog to dog interactions.
ALL dogs have their unique play style.
The difficulties with this though, is we may not recognise when another dog is "playing" inappropriately...simply because it can be completely different to our dogs play style.
We may know our own dogs play style and ways they may show they need a break, are frustrated, tired...or are indeed having a great time.
Do we really have an understanding of the other dog?

This dog training handout (and many more) are available https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-playing-or-pushy?srsltid=AfmBOordk0WFsSjaHQK0bMGbKxTbuAhzehRWOeNgXFYfoC-ERjB37aNG

27/12/2024

Their excitement is often the ONLY reason we want them to meet another dog.
They can drag us (often at speed), towards another dog they want to meet.
Even with the happiest/friendliest dog that pulls towards another dog....things can change in an instant once they actually meet.💥
Sometimes the over excitement of seeing another dog means they haven't assessed the situation and often we haven't assessed the situation either, we just want to make them happy!
Face to face, tight leads and over excitement when meeting another dog can and does lead to very big issues.
Take the time to assess.
Take the time to teach your dog how to meet dogs in a way many dogs appreciate!

28/11/2024

Thanks to for this !

20/11/2024

https://youtu.be/8jh4AyEt270?si=jRLT6vELJffQsyIT

In this video, we delve into the world of slip collars and the potential harm they can cause to our beloved canine companions. We explore the truth behind th...

18/11/2024

16/11/2024

THEORY THURSDAY - dog body language

Understanding how dogs are feeling by interpreting their body language is essential for us when living and training with them. PPGA member Mel Ritterman of Cooper and Kids penned this article with some great tips on "reading dog".
https://www.ppgaustralia.net.au/Owners/Advice/Dogs/Understanding-Dog-Body-Language

While you're there check out the left-hand nav for other great resources for pet owners :)

16/11/2024

MYTH: "Don’t take your puppy anywhere until they're fully vaccinated."

FACT: "The primary and most important time for puppy socialization is the first three months of life. For this reason, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior believes that it should be the *standard of care* for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated. Behavioral issues, not infectious diseases, are the number one cause of death for dogs under three years of age." (AVSAB Position Statement on Puppy Socialization)

FACT: If you wait until your puppy is full vaccinated, you've missed their critical socialization period.

Vets, rescues and breeders who are clinging to the outdated belief that dogs should be prevented from socialization until fully vaccinated are not keeping up with the current research, literature and recommendations from behavior professionals.

19/09/2024

Balanced dog training using positive reinforcement (rewards-based) methods and aversives (physical punishment) is no better than simply using force-free positive methods and love.