It's Not About The Dog

29/01/2025

"Dogs and humans speak two different languages, leading to miscommunication. While dogs are great at reading us, we don’t always pick up on their signals. Misunderstanding cues, inconsistent training, and sensory overload can cause stress or behaviour issues with your K9 buddy. Patience, consistency, and learning to understand K9 lingo are key to building a deeper bond and connection."

24/01/2025

Not many k9 parents are aware of this.

Thanks to all of you who are reading and joining in the conversation around over-vaccination, and what to do about it. This is an incredibly important issue, one that all pet guardians MUST understand so that they can maximise protection from disease while minimising the very real risk of vaccination injury (which can cause death in some cases, and often triggers chronic diseases).

TITER TESTING is a simple blood test that measures antibody levels. If your pet has adequate levels of antibodies, they are immune and protected from that disease. It's that simple!

Dr Ronald Schultz's extensive scientific research has proved beyond doubt that once a pet is older than 16 weeks of age (this is when we know that maternal antibodies can no longer interfere with vaccination), and they are vaccinated, an immunity of at least 5-7 years (and often longer, up to life-long) is the result.

So how often should you titer test?

I err a little on the side of caution, because the consequences of missing the rare few who don't respond to the vaccine can be awful.

I suggest the following:

- Titer test 2-4 weeks after the last puppy/kitten vaccination (age 16 weeks or older) to make sure that the animal has mounted an immune response to the vaccine.

- Titer test at 3 years after the last vaccination.

- Titer test at 5 years after the last vaccination.

After this, depending on your need to know, you could choose to titer test yearly, every two years, every 3 years, or not at all.

If you need to kennel your dogs, put them in doggy daycare, or if you are involved in dog sports, showing dogs (or cats), you may have to titer every year to satisfy their need to know for sure that your animals are protected.

What I am suggesting is taking extra care. But it's up to you to decide on your appetite for risk, and make an informed choice that suits your circumstances!

If you want AFFORDABLE titer testing, ask your vets to order in and use the Biogal Vaccicheck in-house test kits. I use them, you can see the test comb in the image with this post. Any vet can order them in, they are easy to run, and WAY more affordable than sending the tests out to external labs.

In AUD, vets can charge around $120-150 (+/- a consult fee, blood collection fee, etc) for these in-house ones, as compared to $300-800+ for sending out to an external lab!

Insist! It's the only way that the industry will change.

Let me know in the comments - do you titer test?

How long have your pets had good antibody levels after vaccination?

How often do you test?

I help animals all over the world heal and be well + happy with holistic veterinary care, kind training, and energy healing. If you want me to help your pets, message me! Zoom and in person appts available.

23/01/2025

A awesome very early morning get together before the heat hits us today.
The 3 musketeers as we call them have an amazing relationship with each other.
Always looking out for each other
Respectful of each other
Interact and play by each other’s rules.
Listen to each other without conflict.
Their relationship between each other is easy.
Relationships are not meant to be hard and they aren’t when respect and understanding of each individual is there.
As always feeling blessed and grateful🙏🏼🐾❤️

22/01/2025

I do love to read.📚
I have made a commitment to read 52 books this year
Yay my reading books for Feb have arrived.
I still like the hard copies there is something about holding the book and turning the pages.

21/01/2025

Allowing puppies to sleep with you can help strengthen the bond between you.
Sleeping with you provides comfort and security, especially during their early development. It can reduce anxiety, promote a sense of safety, and foster trust. Additionally, sleeping together can make training easier as the puppy feels more connected to you, aiding in behavior development and building a strong emotional connection.
It is a myth that allowing your puppy to sleep with you will create separation anxiety, it is quite the opposite.

20/01/2025

Spending quality time with your dog strengthens your bond, and deepens trust and affection. Interacting with your dog can boosts mental health, improving mood, lower blood pressure, can reduce feelings of loneliness, and help you just switch off.
Physical activities like walks or playtime are not only fun but improve the health for both you and your dog. Being mindful in the moment enhances your emotional well being, while the routine and structure you create bring security to your dog’s life. Your dog’s joy and enthusiasm can lift your spirits, and remind you to appreciate the simple pleasures in life. Finally, spending time together fosters patience and empathy, improving your connection and understanding.
It is not the quantity of time it is the quality of time that matters.
When you are intentionally with your dog give yourself and your dog the gift of just being in the moment together.

18/01/2025

After a big day of work and teaching k9 lingo
my boy got to hang out with his BF at his house. Had a good run around and sniffathon in the garden while I got some down time with good friends.
Breathe of fresh air when relationships are just so easy.
Nice way to end a day with all needs met🐾🌻❤️

16/01/2025

Does your dog pull on the lead or try to go in all different directions?
It is not natural for dogs to walk in a straight line they are driven by their noses and love to explore scents along the way. For a dog to walk calmly on a loose lead, it takes training. Walking on a leash can be one of the most challenging exercise for a dog to learn, as it goes against their natural instincts to follow smells and explore. If you would love to have a dog that walks nicely on the lead, check out my 4-week Dog Walking the Marshall's Way program!
Start date: Saturday 1st February
Time: 8am
Cost: $220
limited 3 dogs ( yes I keep my group sessions small.)
www.itsnotaboutthedog.com.au

14/01/2025

Next puppy lifestyle program starting Saturday 18th January.

This unique 8 week Puppy lifestyle program will help build a strong foundation for you and your pup!
Start off on the right paw with our fun and interactive educational puppy classes! Learn to teach your pup essential requests, boost social skills and confidence while you build your skills understanding K9 lingo.
I will personally guide you and your puppy through positive, reward based techniques that will strengthen your bond and connection.
Includes: complimentary puppy socials until your pup is 6 months of age + complimentary access to my online puppy lifestyle program + complimentary phone assistance until your pups 1st birthday
limited spaces so book now on 0409321793

14/01/2025

Boundaries are essential for creating balance and well-being in all areas of our life.
Boundaries foster respect in personal relationships, prevent resentment, and improve communication.
At work, boundaries help protect your time, reduce stress, and boost productivity by keeping you from overcommitting.
With family, boundaries create healthier dynamics, prevent codependency, and ensure your needs are respected.
In friendships, they maintain emotional balance, protect your peace, and allow for authenticity.
For self-care, boundaries prioritise your mental and physical health, promoting rest and relaxation. Boundaries also encourage personal growth by helping you stay focused on your goals and values without external distractions. Ultimately, setting boundaries leads to more fulfilling relationships, better mental health, and a more intentional life.
Now let's look at the benefits of boundaries in our relationship with our dogs.
Teaching boundaries to your K9 buddy is essential for both their well being and your relationship with them. Clear boundaries promote better behaviour and manners, your K9 buddy learns what is acceptable, like not jumping on furniture or staying calm during mealtimes.
Boundaries reduce anxiety by providing structure, which makes your K9 buddy feel more secure and less stressed in their environment. This clarity strengthens the bond between you and them, as they learn to trust and respect your relationship. It also encourages positive socialisation, helping your K9 buddy interact appropriately with other animals and people, reducing the likelihood of behavioural challenges like aggression or fear.
Furthermore, teaching boundaries plays a key role in training, as dogs become more responsive to everyday requests when they understand limits. Over time, these boundaries boost their confidence, making them more comfortable in different situations. Ultimately, setting boundaries creates a happier, well behaved dog and a stronger, more trusting relationship.
I personally have set boundaries in all areas on my life and those boundaries are never crossed.
Not with work colleagues, not with clients, not with friends and not with my dog.
Having boundaries is healthy and needed for your mental health and I believe helps us have better healthier relationships that are truly built on respect for the individual.
I am all for a simple life with easy going relationships.

12/01/2025

Just one of the puppy classes today with these 4 gorgeous pups.
Such a chilled out session.
This group we are doing clicker training for teaching all requests.
Number one behaviour focused on is settle.

10/01/2025

2 gorgeous girl Rotties started their private puppy lifestyle program today.
2 girls from the same litter and so very different from each other.
No real signs of sibling syndrome both did really well learning, settle, respond to name and go to mat.
The main focus over the next couple of weeks is teaching them to have a little time alone.
These 2 will be joining all the puppy socials.
Feel blessed as their human came to me a few years back.

07/01/2025

Looking for double the love?❤️❤️
Please share and for these 2 handsome boys new 4ever humans INATD will provide a complimentary session if they require any assistance in settling the boys in.

06/01/2025

Understanding a dog's emotions and body language is so important for both their well being and our relationship with them. Dogs, like humans, experience a range of emotions, and their behaviours often reflect how they feel in any given moment as every behaviour is driven by an emotion.
By learning how to interpret a dogs signals, we can better meet their needs and ensure they feel safe, secure, and understood.
K9 communication is made up of body language, facial expressions, vocalisations, and even scent. For example, a wagging tail doesn't always mean happiness, it could signal excitement, anxiety, or even nervousness depending on the situation. Similarly, a dog that shows its teeth might not necessarily be aggressive, it could be a sign of fear or discomfort.
By developing a deeper understanding of these signals, we can respond in ways that help reduce stress, alleviate pain, and provide comfort when needed. This understanding fosters trust and strengthens the emotional bond between humans and their dogs. It also allows us to intervene early if something is wrong, whether that is addressing medical issues, providing mental stimulation, or helping them navigate stressful situations.
When we tune into our dogs emotional needs, we are not only improving their lives, but we're also enhancing the quality of the relationship we share with them. Keep doing the best you can in learning their language! It is a rewarding journey for both you and your dog.
Want to learn how to speak K9 lingo like a Pro?
K9 body language workshops start up in February so keep checking in.

05/01/2025

There is nothing like the human / animal connection
To truly get the deep bond and connection you have to understand the species/animal you want to connect with. You need to understand their behaviour , you need to see the world from their point of view, you need to learn and understand their language.
All solid relationships are built on trust, respect and clear communication with each other.
No relationship is built on control.

02/01/2025

Awesome morning outing at underwood.🐾🐾
Our boys just cruised and watched the wildlife, no request was needed and never a E- collar has ever been used.
If a dog trainer tells you to use a -E- collar run and run as fast as you can, no dog requires negative tools to teach them.

01/01/2025

6.30pm and my boy has put himself to bed.
Big afternoon with friends and their children and wow my boy was amazing with the 2 gorgeous young children. Ryda made great choices and everyone listened to him. He loved all the attention and the games and positive engagement with the children.
Set a dog up for success, understand k9 lingo and then listen to them = a happy dog and a happy dog = happy humans.
So proud of the dog my Ryda boy has become.
Just loving the deep connection we now have.

01/01/2025

To my awesome clients, followers and my amazing friends.
I wish you all the absolute very best for 2025.
Blessings Zigrid " the voice for dogs"