Our first cohort of puppies.
We met last week online and this week we enjoyed our first lesson in the Southern Highlands Veterinary Centre.
Tiny breeds like Mini the Chihuahua can be snappy, barky and defensive. This can often be because they have not developed confidence, they are constantly picked up and they haven't learnt any skills. Tonight she met gentle Hunter, loved the skateboard, the Mini sized ball pit, and learnt to drop it, on cue. Well done Mini and Hunter 🧡🐾
There are two spots left in our classes. We do a rolling enrolment so you can join any time (subject to availability) and still complete the full course.
For more information please call Shona on 0417 506 006
#puppypreschool #southernhighlandsveterinarycentre #puppy #southernhighlands #mossvale #bundanoonlovesdogs
We had torrential rain last night and so the ground is waterlogged and littered with huge puddles, which are Holly's particular favourite. These nuggets of enrichment for a dog with big feelings are the best. She loves puddle plunging and then a big towel dry when we get home.
Show me photos of your dog's favourite activity :)
PAIN CAN BE A FUNDAMENTAL REASON FOR YOUR DOG’S REACTIVITY.
I recommend booking a health check from your trusted practitioner to investigate, rule out or address any conditions your dog may be experiencing.
If you’re open to alternative therapies for your dog, I can’t recommend Amy Fisher from Vitality Body Therapies enough. Amy is a Bowen Technique practitioner.
She has been working with my dogs for 2 years now. Dear old Darcy (who passed away March 2023), was suffering with arthritis due to an old injury. He walked with a hunched back because of pain compensation and he was always reactive at the annual vet visit when they manipulated his legs. He would randomly attack Holly in our home, which I can only assume was because he was living with pain, but this compounded Holly’s existing nervous disposition.
Why was Darcy wearing a muzzle?
- He had a history of snapping when he was in pain during manipulation (wouldn't you!).
- This allowed Amy to be more relaxed.
- Protected my dog from repercussions if he bit.
- Prepared him, for occasions when he would have to wear a muzzle out of necessity, eg if he had injured himself, or a practitioner requested he wear it. It would be one less stressful event for him.
As you can see, he's comfortable wearing the muzzle and because Amy had built trust with him, he knew he could walk away if he was uncomfortable, and his trust and confidence grew.
Her methods are gentle and massively effective. Darcy began to feel the effects, and was always happy to see Amy. He would lay down in front of her voluntarily for his treatment. His pain was relieved, and he walked without a hunch. We continued with maintenance therapy, and he didn't require the muzzle to be worn.
Amy works using co-operative care principles, which enables the dog to have control in the consult resulting in an animal that is comfortable with treatment.
Here’s a link to her page: Vitality Body Therapies By Amy Fisher https://www.facebook.com/p
I'm not dissing classes, they have their place, and many, many dogs and guardians love classes.
However, let's be real, they don't suit everyone.
Have you had any of these experiences?
- You’re instantly nervous when you see all the dogs in the class.
- You’re very conscious that your dog is playing up.
- You’re yanking the lead and growling (pardon the pun) under your breath at your dog.
- You feel conflicted about your response to your dogs behaviour.
- You’re embarrassed that you can’t get your dog under control.
- You’re unable to listen properly to the instructor.
- You feel like a complete failure when you leave the lesson.
- You don’t want to return to classes.
- You’re at a loss of what to do with you’re dog.
- You are left with a mixture of emotions, deflated, frustrated, disappointed and at a loss of where to go now.
With a reactive dog, this environment is extremely challenging.
Take heart, you are unlikely to make progress. IT’S NOT YOU! If you want to chat about how I can help book a Discovery Call (pinned post at the top of the page).
Just having some Sunday afternoon fun. How does your dog like to be a dog?
FOOD DISPENSING TOYS. Do you give them to your dog, and what's the point? Because dogs are natural scavengers the active nature of extracting food from a dispensing toy taps into this innate behaviour and co-incidentally takes some mental energy for your dog to eat their meal. Some products can have your dog working for as long as 10 minutes to eat their meal. You will find that once they are finished, they are satisfied and will settle. The Kong Wobbler is a great favourite (as this puppy demonstrates here). Some dogs aren't good problem solvers so when you give your dog a new food dispensing toy they may need help. They may work it out straight away, but it may take them a number of goes to get the gist, and that's ok. (Remember to pick them up and clean them when your dog is finished).
What's your dog's favourite?
Yes! This is indeed a CAT in the video! My daughter and her cat, Basil, are staying for a couple of weeks so I thought I'd show you our set up (He is an indoor cat due to a medical condition).
He's in the largest bedroom which also has an ensuite and walk-in-robe. His toys, scratch mats, litter tray, food and water are all in this space. He has lots of space to move around. There's a baby gate at the door and we can shut the bedroom door too. This is an absolute 'NO GO ZONE' for Holly. She has the run of the remainder of the house.
Not all dogs would be able to handle this and honestly, I'm so proud of Holly. She has remained curious and calm, but she hasn't been fussing at the bedroom door.
If my daughter had wanted to bring a dog I would have advocated for Holly and said 'sorry... not possible 😔 as she is reactive to dogs and no-one would have a good time!'
If you're worried about visitors that want to bring a pet to your home with your reactive dog. Consider the following:
🐶 Do you have the capacity to ensure that the dogs don't meet? This also means being confident that your visitors will be diligent too.
🐶 Will this affect your ability to enjoy your visitors company?
🐶 Are you confident that you can advocate for your dog? (You may find people infer that you are over-reacting about your dogs behaviour and try to persuade you to compromise your dog's safety to meet the other dog)
🐶 Be kind to yourself. It's bloody difficult having a reactive dog. If we want to support them it involves making compromises.
Alternative suggestions might include:
🐶 Ask your visitors to leave their dog at home.
🐶 Leave your dog at home and you go visiting.
🐶 Stay at home with your dog 😉
NB: Lots of training has gone in to achieving this result with Holly and Basil. Please get advise for your individual pets before doing this set up.
Help your anxious dog calm down by tapping into their natural instinct to scavenge. Provide opportunities for them to work for their food. It takes a lot of energy for them to work out how to get food out of these dispensing toys and they are more satisfied after their meal. They are particularly important for an anxious dog, as it provides a focused activity. Holly scavenges for all her meals, (and occasionally from a bowl). It can take her 10 to 15 minutes to eat her meal sometimes and quite often she comes up to me after, puts her chin on my knee and wags her tail, as if to say thank you, and then she settles. They are an investment. I recommend buying one or two and stocking up on your long lasting treats for the holiday season.
Do you have one already? What’s your dog’s favourite?
Shell pools are great for a quick cool down on a hot day. Dogs sweat from their mouths and their paws so even a small amount like this for Holly will help.
If it's all getting a little chaotic, and you're worried the kids and dog/s are going to be out of control over the Christmas period, here are 6 tips that will change your life. No training involved!
We have been working hard with Diesel and he is progressing well. To briefly recap his story, he has a history of trauma with Vets and vaccinations. His rehabilitation is lengthy but I wanted to show this video to you. Believe it or not he is playing with the Vet, after a training session. So proud of this boy and his owner.
Zoe is loving the new training. She is engaged and happy. We will gradually increase the length of her walk and the distractions. Well done!
Zoe is progressing well. She is calmer at home, less jumpy at people and engaging well with the lead walking practise. Well done to you both.
Gorgeous Zara is demonstrating the Aussie Dog Home Alone toy. It's safe, robust and fantastic enrichment. I highly recommend these toys for tough players
Not every puppy is a confident greeter with another unfamiliar puppy. Managing the environment allows your puppy to take his/her time without being overwhelmed.
I highly recommend visiting your vet practice just to say hello. If your dog only visits your vet to have a vaccination or when they are sick it can create a negative association and potentially increas difficulties with your appointments. This is Cooper. His owners have just moved to Goulburn, so Cooper visited Goulburn Vet Clinic to say hello, and have a big sniff to check it all out. To make this trip extra special he learnt to go on and off the scales on cue and earn a few treats. He blitzed it, and I'm sure he went home thinking "that place was pretty good!" Well done Cooper 😃
Fendt is an 8 month old German Short Haired Pointer with a magnificent nose. His owner wants to have better lead walks and get him to listen to her more. Our first lesson focussed on getting Fendts attention and then getting his attention when there are distractions. He was an absolute star and I can’t wait to work more with this team
If you have a dog that is truly worried during storms have a look at the tips below. Shelters always take in an increase of dogs, so to ensure your dog is returned to you as quickly as possible make sure they are wearing a collar and tag.
Thundershirts provide a swaddling effect and Rescue Remedy and Adaptil promote calmness in times of stress.
Fingers crossed these storms will be over soon.
