The Canine Coach

05/10/2023

Dear community!

Our team wanted to share a very important message.

We all know that summer is just around the corner. For pet owners, it means that we will need to keep a careful eye on our animal companions. Why - because snakes and ticks are back.

The last few weeks have been unseasonably warm, and our team has already observed an uptick in cases of tick paralysis and snake envenomation. Many of these patients were successfully treated, but sadly not all could be saved.

As with most things, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In the unfortunate event your animal companion is effected, early intervention is critical.

Below are typical symptoms of tick paralysis and snake envenomation to help you stay prepared. Make sure you closely monitor your pets this summer to help them avoid unexpected trips to the vet.

Typical symptoms of tick paralysis include but not limited to:

Weakness in back legs
Change or loss of voice
Retching or frothy vomit
Panting, grunting, loud breathing
Moist coughing
Inability to stand
Coughing and severe respiratory distress

Typical symptoms of snake envenomation include but not limited to:

Collapse
Dilated pupils
Staggering or wobbly gait
Drooling and vomiting
Muscle tremors
Dark urine
Loss of bladder and bowel control
Respiratory distress

Please remember to always be up to date with tick prevention and keep a close eye on your pets.

If you are concerned about any of the symptoms above, please contact a vet practice ASAP.

21/08/2023

Join Jessica Strain and Dr Emily Lucas as they discuss repetitive behaviours in our companion dogs. Emily is a behaviour veterinarian and qualified dog trainer with over 10 years of experience and will discuss compulsive behaviours, what they look like, why they can happen and how medical management has a role. Jessica Strain will present management and behaviour modification approaches with a specific focus on herding breeds. Finally Nola Anderson will talk about her experience and road to success with her five year old border collie Bree who was diagnosed with compulsive disorder as a puppy.

This webinar is suited to trainers, pet owners and veterinarians looking to expand their knowledge.

Tickets are on sale now via eventbrite. Click on the link to see event details and purchase your ticket.

The webinar will be held on Wednesday the 13th of September at 7:30pm AEST. The webinar will be recorded for those unable to attend the live presentation.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spinning-pacing-and-chasing-compulsive-disorders-in-dogs-tickets-700137208237?aff=SocialMedia

18/04/2023

Thanks for this important message.

05/03/2023

This is a great option in Canberra for those who want to dive into training a little more.

Helping owners and trainers upskill their knowledge of dog behaviour. A seminar with lectures and demonstrations to help you upskill.

02/03/2023

DO YOU HAVE AN EXIT STRATEGY?
An exit strategy for dogs is something that is pre planned and continually practiced until it becomes second nature.

Having this plan in place has huge benefits for dogs that react to triggers in the environment - be it other dogs, children, people, cyclists, skateboards or similar.

The exit strategy of quickly increasing distance when a trigger appears decreases stress levels, provides an opportunity to process information and helps dogs learn to respond in a different way from a space of safety.

Practicing quick U-turns, a sudden change in direction, speeding up or even hiding behind a tree are all useful ways of creating a strategy. Over time, some dogs will learn to remove themselves from a trigger on their own, before they start panicking, having learnt that moving away is an option they have.

Forcing a dog to face whatever is triggering them results in increased anxiety, stress or fear. They won’t just get used to it. A brain that is flooded with cortisol (the stress hormone) is unable to learn, process information, think clearly, or make better decisions.

After a long time of using exit strategies with one of my dogs that is reactive, she has begun to move away and create her own distance. Through practicing this pattern of creating distance she has realized that this is what she should do when that scary thing appears.

Some dogs may never get to this stage, and that’s also ok. Each dog is an individual, with different genetics, backgrounds and learning experiences. Accept your dog for who they are.

Think about how we may use exit strategies to help us cope and how they make us feel better.

Some time ago I suffered from debilitating panic attacks after a series of traumatic and life changing events. I couldn’t drive on a highway or be in an enclosed space. My daughter was graduating from university and I could not miss this event, but what if I had a panic attack in the auditorium, couldn’t get out and embarrassed her and myself?

A therapist that I was seeing at the time helped me to develop an exit strategy which enabled me to cope. I arrived at the venue early and found a seat right next to the exit. If I started panicking, I could just leave through the door. Just knowing that this option was available made such a difference to my state of mind and I ended up being able to make it through the entire ceremony.

The same strategy helped me cope on highways. I just had to drive to the next exit.. and then the next and the next if I felt up to it.

Sometimes we all need an exit strategy, our dogs included. It’s not about running away from or not facing a problem, but developing a plan to help us or our dogs cope in a situation where we’re uncomfortable.

15/02/2023

🐾🐾

05/02/2023

Slow your walks down and let your dogs sniff!

01/01/2023

Happy new year! Wishing all my clients with paws a year of plentiful snacks! Speaking of which…try this. Put a tin of sardines into an empty margarine container. Fill with water and freeze. A great long lasting treat on a hot day! (definitely one for them to enjoy outside….unless you really like the smell of sardines). 🐾🐾🎉🎉🐾🐾

24/12/2022

11/12/2022

I recommend Kiaora Park Pet Care if you need accomodation for your dog. My dogs stay there and love it!

10/11/2022

After training thousands of puppies over the past 20 years, it’s time for me to call it a day! It’s been a joy working with people to get their puppies off to the best possible start in family life. Thanks to Weston Creek Vet Hospital for hosting me for the past decade. Keep up the training! 🐾🐾

10/11/2022

Congratulations to Wookie, Honey, Tilly, Mr Bingley, and Wally - all graduated puppy classes tonight! Keep up the training! 🐾🐾

04/11/2022

Important!

Dear clients, please please please put your pets on tick prevention. There is now a nationwide shortage of the antiserum we use to treat cases of tick paralysis. If your pet gets a paralysis tick, their survival, chances are significantly lower as we cannot guarantee the availability of tick antiserum. Even if your pet never leaves Canberra, we recommend having them on a preventative, especially during this time of antiserum shortage.
Your

03/11/2022

12/10/2022

One spot is available for my evening puppy class starting on Thursday 20 October. Contact Weston Creek Vet Hospital directly to book in.

04/10/2022

In case you are interested in fostering a dog!

‼️H E L P 🆘

We are very short of foster carers at the moment in the following areas:

🐶NSW - all areas
🐶QLD - all areas
🐶ACT - all areas
🐶VIC - Melbourne only (other areas please do not apply)

We pay for all medical costs and preventative medication (worms ticks and fleas) and assist with all admin matters, we have a dedicated state coordinator in each state to help you, and loads of support if needed via our foster cater forum. You will need to supply food (though we often have donations), a bed, love, and lots of cuddles!

If you can see yourself opening up your home )and your heart!) to some of our dogs in need please apply via the link below - we can’t wait to hear from you! 🐶🐶

Www.Labrescue.Com.Au/become-a-foster-carer.html

04/10/2022

Dogs of India 🐾🐾

01/10/2022

Dogs of India. 🐾🐾

28/09/2022

Dogs of India! 🐾🐾

18/08/2022

Congratulations to Bertie, Olly, Griff (and Hank and Poppy) who graduated from puppy classes tonight! Great progress was made! Keep up the training! 🐾🐾

02/08/2022

A good article on puppy management. 🐾🐾

Training Tuesday
Being Proactive means planning ahead ......especially when you have a new pet
Not something many of us like to accept, in our crazy busy lives But never the less, a truth.
Here is a great Blog that should help all puppy owners http://www.deltadogz.com.au/puppy-management-solutions.html

17/07/2022

Congratulations to Jinx, Rusty, Leo and Lola who graduated puppy classes this week! Great improvements! Keep up the training! 🐾🐾

30/06/2022

⚠️Leptospirosis⚠️

Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal infection to dogs.

It is spread through contact with rodents, rodent urine and with contaminated water.

Previous cases have been confirmed in Newcastle and the south coast, with the latest case being in the Queanbeyan/Jerrabomberra area.

Symptoms can include:
🐾 Vomiting
🐾 Diarrhoea
🐾 Lethargy
🐾 Jaundice
🐾 Changes to appetite
🐾 Changes to frequency of urination

Prevention:
• Vaccination is the best prevention and requires two vaccinations 2-4weeks apart and then an annual booster.
• Monitoring your dogs activities and ensuring the do not have access to stagnant water.

If you require further information or to book you fur family member in for a vaccination please call our friendly reception team on 02 6288 4944.

24/06/2022

A great opportunity if you would like to work with animals. 🐾🐾

💥We are BUSY and HIRING 💥

Permanent part time and full time kennel attendant positions are available for an immediate start !

Weekend work and public holiday is required .
Shifts vary 7-3:30 / 9-5.30 / or split shifts on a rotation roster .

Positions involve :
The day to day care of dogs and cats of all shapes and sizes . This includes but is not limited to feeding , health checks , exercise and enrichment .
Communicating with owners
Answering phones and responding to emails
Making new bookings
Lots of cleaning !

Applicants must have :
Customer Service experience
Some experience in animal care is desirable
A high level of attention to detail
Excellent communication skills
A happy and positive attitude

Please send your resume to [email protected]

09/06/2022

Congratulations to Wicket, Kiki and Yuki - and also Juno and Mudgee the border collies - on your graduation from puppy class tonight! Great to see your progress over 4 weeks! Keep up the training! 🐾🐾

02/06/2022

As this post outlines, scent training and nosework is a really great activity to do with your dog. Here in Canberra, there are some great courses run by John at Canberra Nosework Training

SCENT DETECTION! 👉 Something every dog should learn.

The majority of work we do relies on our team of dogs and their incredible noses. But it’s not just working dogs that should learn the art of scent detection. It’s a skill that would benefit every pet dog as well! (It’s well worth it when you are rushing out the door and can’t find your keys... trust me!)

Here’s a few reasons why we think you should teach your dog to find something..

🐕 It provides a physical outlet.

🧠 It stimulates their brain and helps develop problem solving skills.

🧬 It provides important genetic fulfilment: Dogs were born to use their nose. The part of a dog’s brain that is dedicated to smell, is 40 TIMES GREATER than that of a human!

💗 It’s a great way to bond with your dog.

🔑 It’s a useful skill to have! Sick of losing your wallet, phone, keys... no problem.. train your dog to find them.

☔️ It’s the perfect lazy option on a cold and rainy winter’s day (like today) to exercise your dog. Ask Fido to wait in the loungeroom while the kids run off to the other end of the house and hide the keys, then cue the dog to find them while you sit back and enjoy a cuppa.

No matter whether your dog is big or small, old or young, active or a couch potato they will all enjoy the process of learning a new skill!! 👌👌

We offer an online scent detection course and with a little google search you are likely to find a trainer that runs a noseworks or similar course near you. You won’t regret it and your dog will love you for it!

This is Sebbi’s happy little face after a day working as Lord Howe Island’s Biosecurity Dog.

23/05/2022

A good reminder from www.silentconversations.com

About 1/3 of my walking time with my dogs is spent allowing them to sniff and really explore their own natural instincts. 🐾🐾

05/05/2022

Congratulations to Fred, Harvey and Benji for graduating puppy class tonight! Keep up the great work! 🐾🐾

01/05/2022

My next puppy class starts on Thursday 19 May at 7pm for puppies up to 15 weeks of age. Call Weston Creek Vet Hospital to book your spot! 🐾🐾

27/04/2022

🤣🤣

24/04/2022

An interesting story. I have certainly witnessed this with my own dogs over the years.

Research finds behaviour changes in dogs who have lost a canine companion

19/04/2022

Lickibowls and lickimats are a great enrichment activity to keep your dog busy. You can smear them with mashed banana, yoghurt, peanut butter - lots of things. Available from most pet stores. 🐾🐾

14/04/2022

Have a great Easter with your dog! Perfect weather for long walks! 🐾🐾🐾🐾

25/03/2022

🐾🐾

We love it when the science tells us what we already knew!

This recently published controlled trial found that a 10-minute visit with a therapy dog, along with usual medical care, may clinically reduce pain, anxiety, and depression in emergency department hospital patients, compared to usual care alone.

https://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262599

23/03/2022

My puppy classes at Weston Creek Vet Hospital are back from Thursday 14 April. Puppies between 8-15 weeks of age. Numbers are strictly limited. Please call the vet to book your spot! 🐾🐾

18/02/2022

A week in the life of The Canine Coach. I have the best clients! All those happy faces. 🐾🐾

14/01/2022

I am back to work on Monday! Hope everyone has enjoyed the holidays! Please note I have no capacity for new walking clients at the moment. 🐾🐾

31/12/2021

🙋🏼‍♂️

22/12/2021

And that’s a wrap! I will be back on Monday 17 January! Merry Christmas to my amazing clients- Merlin, Buddy, Monkey, Blue, Toby, Thea, Bear, Suzy, Kali, Buddha, London, Memphis and Maisie (and their humans) and my FB followers! Enjoy some down time with your dogs! And keep up the training! 🐾🐾