Understanding how to safely restrain and position your dog in the vet clinic makes a HUGE difference in what treatments can be done, the examination quality, and most of all your dog's level of stress (and yours!).
So many of my clients have learned how to correctly and safely position and handle their dogs, meaning the vet team almost never need to take their dogs from them for blood collection, injections, ear exams, iv catheter placement etc and that's the dream!
If you're in NZ, you have the chance to hear about what all my hand waving is about in this video, and why it's so important when restraining the standing dog!
Aug 24th - Handle With Care! This seminar has been paired with First Aid give you all the tools you need to care for your dog in an unexpected situation.
Aug 25th - If you own or care for a dog that needs medication for anxiety, then Medication and Modification is for you! This one day seminar is essential to understand how to integrate a medication plan into a dogs behaviour treatment plan.
Tickets available through @dogtrainingseminarsnz
Not long until A-Z of ANXIETY drops in Canberra! Sunday August 4th, just a few tickets remaining so jump in quick!
If you care for, train, or own a dog with anxiety, then this one is not to be missed!
#vet #vetnurse #vetclinic #vethospital #veterinaryscience #vetmed #vetmedicine #vettech #dvm #rvn #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogsofaustralia #dogtraining #dogsofmelbourne #dogbehavior #dogbehaviour #veterinarybehavior #malinoisofinstagram #malinois #puppy #puppylove
Not sure why I thought I could quickly make this vid while Nara messed around with a tug, but anyway if you can understand me between the huffing and puffing that's a bonus!
August is a big month!
On the 4th I'm heading to Canberra thanks to @thecaninecampus to present my newest seminar, A-Z of anxiety! Tickets are selling fast so I've you've been on the fence, now's the time!
On the 24th, 25th and 26th I'll be in Auckland NZ presenting a first aid/handling seminar, then Medications and Modifications which covers the basics of understanding behavioural medicine, and them getting to hang out one on one with trainers and dogs.
Tickets available through @dogtrainingseminarsnz
To be announced are still seminars on the Sunny coast, and dear old Melbourne town, so watch this space.
Hope you see you soon at an event near you!
Good morning from another beautiful Sunday walk! I wanted to share some thoughts about the mindsets we can get caught up in when we are tackling problems, and how it can feel so scary to take a break.
If this resonates with you, let me know!
Have a beautiful and energising day, where ever you are!
#vet #vetnurse #vetclinic #vethospital #veterinaryscience #vetmed #vetmedicine #vettech #dvm #rvn #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogsofaustralia #dogtraining #dogsofmelbourne #dogbehavior #dogbehaviour #veterinarybehavior #malinoisofinstagram #malinois #puppy #puppylove
Sunday morning musings from nature with Nara. If you're struggling feeling like you're comparing yourself to others, you are not alone!
Ultimately the skills and input you need and want will vary hugely depending on your situation. Don't let others overshadow your work, disparage the path you choose, or make you feel small.
Your work is for you, and I'm proud of the hard Yakka every single one of my clients puts in!
#vet #vetnurse #vetclinic #vethospital #veterinaryscience #vetmed #vetmedicine #vettech #dvm #rvn #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogsofaustralia #dogtraining #dogsofmelbourne #dogbehavior #dogbehaviour #veterinarybehavior #malinoisofinstagram #malinois #puppy #puppylove
Just two gorgeous doggies who without help can't be handled or examined at the vets, chilling after successful procedures!
Bothe Rowdy and Nala (unrelated) are gorgeous, but sensitive and worried dogs who find vet visits tough!
With a combination of pre planning, pre visit medicines, owner coaching and handling, environment management in the clinic, and staff skill and training, we got these two through the whole day safely and calmly!
Each individual dog can benefit from a personalised plan, whether that's using equipment, restraint techniques, or other clever ideas to get things working!
If you've been finding vet visits a dread, there might be a solution, just for you!
#vet #vetnurse #vetclinic #vethospital #veterinaryscience #vetmed #vetmedicine #vettech #dvm #rvn #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogsofaustralia #dogtraining #dogsofmelbourne #dogbehavior #dogbehaviour #veterinarybehavior #malinoisofinstagram #bordercollie #puppy #puppylove
Dog to dog play can also be a great way to promote healthy emotional state, for dogs that enjoy it! Secure location, close supervision, and intentional pairing is a must!
Play allows dogs to fine tune their communication (receiving as well as giving signals)
It can help them to develop physical skills (like little Sport here who is learning how to dog!), and practice behaviours.
It also allows them to build relationships with other dogs, test and confirm boundaries, problem solve and learn to modulate their arousal levels and interaction styles.
All dogs can benefit from coaching and supervision of their play, and this small snippet was only part of a carefully orchestrated meet up.
Can you see some hallmarks of helpful play behaviour in this clip?
β Sharing of chaser and chasee role
Moments of fast movement and moments of slow movement
β Breaks to reaffirm that the chasing is not aggressive
β Exaggerated spins and movements to signify the behaviours are 'pretend'
β 'Sharing' or coaching by the older dog to teach the young dog how the play should look
β Younger dog has access to his human safety net when things get a little scary.
#vet #vetnurse #vetclinic #vethospital #veterinaryscience #vetmed #vetmedicine #vettech #dvm #rvn #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogsofaustralia #dogtraining #dogsofmelbourne #dogbehavior #dogbehaviour #veterinarybehavior #malinoisofinstagram #malinois #puppy #puppylove
I've had a great morning in the picturesque (and rainy!) British countryside. How could you say no to the opportunity to get out on horseback and see the beautiful buildings and nature this area has to offer.
#vet #vetnurse #vetclinic #vethospital #veterinaryscience #vetmed #vetmedicine #vettech #dvm #rvn #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogsofaustralia #dogsofmelbourne #dogbehaviour #veterinarybehavior #horse #pony #puppylove
I've worked hard on developing neutrality and relaxation around horses since Nara was young, and it's paid off!
You never know when you might need your dog to be neutral around a stimulus, so in young puppies it pays to assume you'll need it all, and get plenty of exposure to a wide range of experiences.
#vet #vetnurse #vetclinic #vethospital #veterinaryscience #vetmed #vetmedicine #vettech #dvm #rvn #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogsofaustralia #dogtraining #dogsofmelbourne #dogbehavior #dogbehaviour #veterinarybehavior #malinoisofinstagram #malinois #puppy #puppylove
I got to say hello to heaps of folks working at @kiphappystays throughout Melbourne this week!
Their daycare and boarding teams all got some in depth training on first aid specific to their settings, with special emphasis on the common issues they might see.
Knowing your dog is be cared for by empathetic as well as skilled professionals is a great relief, and the Kip team were all so engaged and obviously love dogs!
Thanks to all the awesome staff who attended, and asked great questions.
I'll be running further first aid events to the public in 2024, and you can get early access to tickets through my bio.
If you're seeking training for your professional dog industry teams on everything from medicines and behaviour, to first aid and handling, I've got you covered! Send me a DM for more info.
#vet #vetnurse #vetclinic #vethospital #veterinaryscience #vetmed #vetmedicine #vettech #dvm #rvn #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogsofaustralia #dogtraining #dogsofmelbourne #dogbehavior #dogbehaviour #veterinarybehavior #malinoisofinstagram #malinois #puppy #puppylove
Enjoying the simple sounds of the creek this morning during a little paddle.
I train my dogs for many reasons, but this has got to be one of the nicest pay offs. Allowing them freedom to explore, ensuring their safety, and enjoying so much time together in the great outdoors.
PS we have to have a cue for swimming for Herriot, or he will be in every body of water be sees from puddle to ocean!
Hope you are enjoying some sun and air with your pets this weekend wherever you are!
#vet #vetnurse #vetclinic #vethospital #veterinaryscience #vetmed #vetmedicine #vettech #dvm #rvn #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogsofaustralia #dogtraining #dogsofmelbourne #dogbehavior #dogbehaviour #veterinarybehavior #malinoisofinstagram #malinois #puppy #puppylove
I thought about doing a training session this morning but my brain is fried! So we are taking a nice long walk along the creek with plenty of yells for good measure.
#vet #vetnurse #vetclinic #vethospital #veterinaryscience #vetmed #vetmedicine #vettech #dvm #rvn #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogsofaustralia #dogtraining #dogsofmelbourne #dogbehavior #dogbehaviour #veterinarybehavior #malinoisofinstagram #malinois #puppy #puppylove
A little baby fledgling noisy miner was brought into the clinic by a well meaning person today. It can be hard to imagine that these little bubba's are actually supposed to be out of the nest, learning to flap and fly. Unless they are injured, being with their family rather than the clinic is the place for them to be!
Luckily I was able to reunite this little tacker with their family promptly. I popped baby I'm a cardboard box with leaves and sticks. First I checked that I had found the right family, and that these birds weren't going to attack baby. Once the reunion was over, I put the little box safely up a tree, where the family could care for baby and keep it safe from predators
If you find a baby bird, it's worth calling your local clinic for advice, as many of them belong exactly where they are π¦π¦
#vet #vetnurse #vetclinic #vethospital #veterinaryscience #vetmed #vetmedicine #vettech #dvm #rvn #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogsofaustralia #dogtraining #dogsofmelbourne #dogbehavior #dogbehaviour #veterinarybehavior #malinoisofinstagram #malinois #puppy #puppylove #wildlife #bird
We are both pumped to be heading to @michael_ellis_school organised by @refineyourcaninedogtraining and hosted by @prodogtraining today!
#vet #vetnurse #vetclinic #vethospital #veterinaryscience #vetmed #vetmedicine #vettech #dvm #rvn #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogsofaustralia #dogtraining #dogsofmelbourne #dogbehavior #dogbehaviour #veterinarybehavior #malinoisofinstagram #malinois #puppy #puppylove
By the time folks get to me for a veterinary behaviour consultation, they've been through some methods of trying to address their dog's behaviour.
For a some, that's meant trying at home with bits and pieces from the internet.
For others that's been working with a trainer, of varying qualities.
It's often the case that owners will in hindsight realise the training recommended was dodgy, unskilled and unethical, and in some cases down right abusive.
It can be really upsetting to think that they've done something that has been detrimental to their dogs. That takes guts and kindness to process!
Often a quick check of the trainer's website will give me hints as to the quality of their work, or their ability to produce dogs with joyful and happy outlooks.
Here's just a few of the red flags that I've seen in cursory glances at the websites.
So come, join me on the red flag tour!
π© 'We don't use food' is a quick way to exclude the major motivator for many dogs. While it's ideal to have mutliple motivators, when a trainer rules them out inherently, it tells they're missing out a huge part of the picture.
π© 'One session and we are done', if it sounds too good to be true, it is.
π© 'Guaranteed results' assumes your life, your dog's development, and the issues you are dealing are always going to be the same, and that's extremely short sighted.
π© 'Natural communication, energy, pack leader' and their buzzword mates have no role in what's ultimately understanding learning theory, having a broad skillset and applying science in a creative and artistic manner. While there's almost elements of educated guesswork, it shouldn't be the body of your work. Leave your vibe at the the door.
I'm sure I'll get to see many more in my journey!
On the other hand, some green flags are:
β
Seeing fun, accurate and impressive work in videos of the trainer and their dog.
β
Seeing the trainer work and have success with dogs like yours
β
Seeing techniques used that encoura
Did you know that before I was a vet, or trained dogs that I worked with horses? Unfortunately due to the demands of vet school I had to give up my passion, but today I stepped back in time and visited my old riding school to help out and work a little pony (pictured here)!
Daisy was very sweet but a little shocked that she couldn't be cheeky with me!
I had such a great day reliving some of the best memories of my life. I'm so lucky to have friends that still allow me a peak into the riding school I pretty much called home from the age of 9 til about 24.
#vet #vetnurse #vetclinic #vethospital #veterinaryscience #vetmed #vetmedicine #vettech #dvm #rvnΒ #horses #horse #dogsofinstagram #dogsofaustralia #dogtraining #dogsofmelbourne #dogbehavior #dogbehaviour #veterinarybehavior #pony #poniesofinstagram #painthorse
Good morning from me and the flash.
#vet #vetnurse #vetclinic #vethospital #veterinaryscience #vetmed #vetmedicine #vettech #dvm #rvnΒ #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogsofaustralia #dogtraining #dogsofmelbourne #dogbehavior #dogbehaviour #veterinarybehavior #malinoisofinstagram #malinois #puppy #puppylove
Yoink!
Ball courtesy of @resdogsretail
Training hoodie custom sewed by yours truly!
Totally normal way to sleep right? Anyone elses dog sleep with completely extended forelimbs? π
#vet #vetnurse #vetclinic #vethospital #veterinaryscience #vetmed #vetmedicine #vettech #dvm #rvnΒ #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogsofaustralia #dogtraining #dogsofmelbourne #dogbehavior #dogbehaviour #veterinarybehavior #malinoisofinstagram #malinois #puppy #puppylove
Good morning from me and my first born π
Herriot is just an amazing dog. He's pushing 12 now and things are starting to slow down. I am forever grateful for his amazing attitude, his enthusiasm to learn and work, and most of all his (now) bombproof nature.
We went for a coffee together this morning, before a quick dash at the park before work.
I'm no longer looking to perfect, fine tune and push his work. I'm just enjoying it, and savouring the time we spend together.
#vet #vetnurse #vetclinic #vethospital #veterinaryscience #vetmed #vetmedicine #vettech #dvm #rvnΒ #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogsofaustralia #dogtraining #dogsofmelbourne #dogbehavior #dogbehaviour #veterinarybehavior #malinoisofinstagram #malinois #puppy #puppylove #bordercolliesofinstagram
#bordercollie
