Dog Training Help

13/09/2024

The courier just brought a package from Hoselink..

13/09/2024

"Scorching Summer: How to Keep Your Dog Safe in the Heat"

As the summer sun beats down, it’s important to remember that the soaring temperatures affect our furry friends much more than they do us. Dogs don’t sweat like humans; instead, they regulate their body heat by panting and through their paw pads. That’s why those long, sunny days can be dangerous for your canine companion. In this blog, we’ll explore essential tips to protect your dog from the heat, including hydration, snake-proofing your yard, and understanding when it’s safe to walk your dog.

Hydration is Key
One of the simplest yet most vital things you can do to help your dog in the heat is to leave out multiple bowls of fresh water. Dogs lose moisture quickly in warm weather, and they need constant access to cool water to stay hydrated. Ensure that their water bowls are placed in shady areas and refill them several times a day—stale or warm water won't do much good. Consider placing water bowls in different spots around your home and yard to give your dog easy access no matter where they wander. Hydration is their first line of defense against heat exhaustion!

Snake-Proof Your Yard
Summer often brings out snakes, which can pose serious risks to curious dogs. Snake-proofing your yard is essential if you live in an area where snakes are common. Clear away debris, wood piles, and rubbish, as these are the perfect hiding spots for snakes. Keeping your grass short also removes potential shelter, making it less attractive to these slithery visitors. Remember that prevention is key—snakes tend to avoid areas where they can’t hide, so keeping your yard clean and tidy can greatly reduce the risk of an unwanted encounter.

When Is It Safe to Walk?
Walking your dog during the cooler parts of the day—either early morning or late evening—is crucial in summer. The pavement and roads heat up fast, and those paw pads are particularly sensitive. An easy way to test if it’s safe for your dog to walk on bitumen is to place your palm on the surface for 10 seconds. If you can’t keep your hand there without feeling discomfort, it’s too hot for your dog. Be aware that even if you don’t see signs of distress, such as a sweaty paw print, the heat can still harm your dog.

Dogs sweat through their paws, so if you spot those tell-tale prints, it’s a sign your dog is already feeling the heat. Always err on the side of caution—common sense goes a long way when it comes to protecting your dog from heatstroke.

Beware of Artificial Turf
Astro or artificial turf can become extremely hot in the summer sun, sometimes even hotter than natural grass. This synthetic material heats up rapidly, and walking on it can quickly cause burns to your dog's paws. Just like you check the pavement, you should also test artificial turf before letting your dog run or relax on it. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot for your dog to be on.

Provide Plenty of Shade
If your dog is spending any time outdoors, multiple shaded areas are a must. The sun’s position shifts throughout the day, so having just one shaded spot may not be enough. Dogs need somewhere cool to retreat to when they’re feeling hot, so whether it’s trees, shade cloth, or a dog-friendly pergola, make sure they have constant access to shelter from the sun. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can lead to heatstroke, which is a life-threatening condition for dogs.

Final Thoughts
Summer is a time for fun, but it’s also a season when the heat can quickly become dangerous for dogs. By ensuring they stay hydrated, providing shaded areas, and taking extra precautions during walks, you can keep your canine safe and comfortable all summer long. Don’t forget to snake-proof your yard and avoid hot surfaces like artificial turf. A little preparation can go a long way in protecting your pup during those scorching summer months!

12/09/2024

"Too often, I hear owners of older dogs say, 'I wish my dog could be calmer around other dogs' — sound familiar?

This is why quiet and calm time is a key feature in our puppy school program. It's all about teaching puppies essential life skills before they need them. As the saying goes, 'It's easier to teach a puppy what to do than how to undo unwanted behaviors.' Wise words from a seasoned dog training guru!

Want to know more about what we cover in our puppy program? Send us a message to find out!

11/09/2024

He might be little but he is mighty!

"Meet Dobby" he is a Chi x JR x Maltese and he is a robust and resilient little socialiser, just what we love to see in a young puppy.

10/09/2024

Why Continuous Enrollment in Puppy School is So Important 🐶

At our puppy school, we run on a continuous enrollment basis — and there’s a good reason for that! Unlike block format programs, continuous enrollment means your puppy can join at any time, without having to wait for a new class to start. Here’s why that matters:

✨ Flexible Learning: Puppies go through critical developmental stages, and starting training as soon as possible is key. With continuous enrollment, you don’t miss out on valuable time waiting for a block to begin.

✨ Ongoing Support: Every puppy is different, and having the option to continue beyond a set time frame gives you the chance to keep building skills and confidence at your own pace.

✨ New Learning Opportunities: Your puppy gets to meet and interact with a greater pool of puppies of various ages and experiences throughout the program, creating a more well-rounded learning environment.

By allowing puppies to join at any time, we ensure that they get the help they need when they need it most.

10/09/2024

Same Same ?

You could be excused for thinking so! These 2 beauties are current participants in our puppy school program.

You can forgive me for saying so, but Clay & Silk are just stunning.

04/09/2024

Discover the Exciting World of Canine Hoopers! 🌟

If you’ve heard of agility, then you’re going to love Canine Hoopers—Australia’s latest and fastest-growing dog sport! While it’s still relatively unknown, that’s all part of the fun! You and your dog can be among the first in the country to experience this innovative sport that’s perfect for dogs of all ages and abilities, from playful puppies to seasoned seniors.

Unlike traditional agility, Canine Hoopers is a ground-level activity with no A-frames or jumps, making it accessible and safe for every dog. But don’t let the simplicity fool you—Hoopers is not just about having fun (though there's plenty of that!). It’s also a fantastic way to teach your dog essential obedience skills like focus, off-leash work, distance control, and recall.

Ready to give it a try? Join us for a 30-minute 1:1 Have-a-Go session and see if Canine Hoopers is the perfect fit for you and your dog. Be a trailblazer in this exciting new sport and watch your dog’s confidence and skills soar!

When: Sunday 8th September 8:30 and 9am
Where: Bayswater
or
When: Thursdays 19 September 9:30, 10, 10:30am
Where: Midvale

Message to book your chance to get involved and have a go.

28/08/2024

Canine Hoopers Group Classes are now open! Bayswater & Midvale - text 0403948040 for details now!

25/08/2024

🌟 Happy International Dog Day 2024! 🌟

Today is all about celebrating our four-legged heroes who bring so much joy, love, and tail wags into our lives every single day! 🐕❤️

Let's honor our furry companions by sharing our favorite moments with them. Post your most memorable photos or stories in the comments below, and let's fill our feeds with the smiles and wagging tails that make every day better.

22/08/2024

Compassionate vets are my heroes. This is such an important message to share, to keep YOUR vet practice safe! ❤️‍🩹 Ccommunicate with your vets to let them know what your dog needs, and listen to what they have to tell you 🐶💖

📣 IMPORTANT SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT 📣

At Foothills Animal Hospital, we love caring for your pets and we strive to always provide a safe working environment.

We place the safety of our valued clients and their pets alongside with our team as our highest priority.

We sadly had a traumatic incident last week, where two of our team members, a Veterinarian and a Nurse, suffered a severe and unprovoked dog attack, one of them requiring emergency surgery for a broken bone. They were fortunate to receive excellent medical care and are now thankfully recovering, however, this incident has highlighted again the importance of our safety.

At our hospital we help many large, unsociable and aggressive dogs that present a danger to our team. These dogs often do not venture outside their properties, nor do they encounter other dogs or people. It is important for the owners of these dogs to understand the stress a vet visit can cause. Due to the unpredictable nature of our interactions, we need the Owners of these pets to have full control of their animals while visiting our hospital including the carpark and particularly in the small confines of their consult room where a pet is more likely to feel trapped and stressed.

With this in mind we would like to share our hospital guidelines to help minimise the risks associated with working with animals.

• Please understand the risks we take at work and never be dismissive of a team member that is careful around your pet, until we know your pet, we might be cautious and that is ok.

• Never dismiss a Vet or a Nurse that is cautious around your pet, they might have had a traumatic experience in the past.

• When making an appointment, please advise if you have any concerns about your pet’s past behaviour and experience at home or in a public setting. We will tailor your pet’s care to ensure they feel comfortable and at ease.

• A friendly pet can behave very differently at the vets as fear overrides their trust.

• Please warn us if a pet is likely to bite or has snapped in the past.

• We ask that you bring all dogs likely to bite muzzzled, and to call ahead so that we can plan your visit in the safest manner.

• Chat to our team about calming pills for your pets to reduce their fear and make our interactions safer.

• Help us by always having your pet on a leash whilst at our hospital or safely contained in a pet carrier.

• Always present your pet with the most capable handler and never send a pet to the hospital with a minor.

• Our team will always advocate for your pet. If at any time during your visit with us, a team member advises that we need to stop what we are doing, please understand that this is in the best interests of your pet.

• If you fail to disclose the risk, you are putting our team directly in harm’s way and can be held responsible.

Our team are trained to handle pets with compassion, aiming for a fear-free experience that fosters a positive and reassuring atmosphere. We implement various measures to provide a high standard of care whilst keeping our patients’ stress levels to a minimum.

PLEASE HELP KEEP OUR TEAM SAFE SO THAT WE CAN BE AVAILABLE TO KEEP CARING FOR YOUR TREASURED PETS.

Thank you,
Foothills Animal Hospital 🐾

21/08/2024

The birds are talking about spring. So please take care of your garden and keep your dog and your local reptiles safe! 🐍😍 Don't let any of them get hurt like this poor (but lucky) little mite! 😰

30/07/2024

🐾 Happy International Day of Friendship! 🐾

Friendship isn't just between humans—our dogs are our best friends too! Today, let's celebrate the unconditional love and companionship our furry friends bring into our lives. Whether it's a walk in the park, a fun playdate, or just some extra belly rubs, show your dog how much you appreciate their friendship.

📸 Share a photo of your dog with their best friend, whether it's you or another dog, and tell us why they are the best friend anyone could ask for. Use the hashtags to spread the love and joy!

Remember, friendship makes the world a better place, one wagging tail at a time. 🐶❤️

25/07/2024

Sniffari is a fabulous activity for your dog 😃

23/07/2024

This is AWESOME! I wish more councils were this proactive about pets and wildlife. This is a great initiative to let people know that "catios" are a thing! 😍

Baysie cat owners, listen up 😻

We're offering up to $500 towards building a catio on your property, as part of our new Catio Rebate Program.

Catios are fully enclosed structures that allow cats to roam in a safe outdoor environment. They're the purrfect solution to letting your feline friend enjoy the stimulation of the outdoors in a safe environment 🐈🏡

Not only do catios keep your pets safe, they also help protect our local wildlife🦜

📅 Expressions of interest close 4pm, Friday 13 September.

To read more, visit https://ow.ly/9Eur50SFLzQ

Pictured: Deputy Mayor Elli Petersen-Pik, City of Bayswater - Independent with Dianella resident Sandy Newby and her cat Neva.

10/07/2024

You can also follow us on Instagram! :-D

06/07/2024

Embarking on a new journey with your furry friend? Embrace the joy and help them become their best selves at our puppy school!

03/07/2024

Are you dreaming of carefree walks with your new puppy?

But did you know: bad equipment will impede your progress, and can seriously injure both you and your dog? Retractable leads (or "flexi leash") teach your puppy two very bad habits:

1. Always pull on the leash to get what you want
2. Run away from and ignore the human

Retractable leads can also be bad for your dog's health, creating situations where pups are traumatised, tangled, cut by the line and get serious neck injuries.

A good leash, used well, is your safety line and doesn't undermine your dog training progress. Imagine all the off leash adventures you can have together! Good dog training will get you there. 😀🐕

Do you need help teaching your puppy to walk nicely on leash, and aspire to have them run and play off leash? Give me a call!

19/06/2024

Puppy owners often tell me, "But my puppy doesn't like treats."

Is this you?

I love hearing this! Because it gives me the chance to put on my dog trainer hat and help you discover what truly motivates your puppy.

Together, we can find other effective strategies for reinforcing your pup!

Remember, food absolutely has its place and it's possible you just haven't found the right treat but having a variety of reinforcers is essential for your puppy's training and development.

Let's explore what makes your puppy tick and create a fun, motivating environment for learning!

18/06/2024

Hey everyone! We've been chatting a lot lately about why winter is actually the best time for snake avoidance training. It might sound a bit odd, but hear us out! 🐍

We usually get calls after someone’s already had a close encounter or when the weather starts heating up, and social media is buzzing with snake sightings. The thing is, snake avoidance training isn’t tough, but it does take time to get that rock-solid reliability we all want for our pups.

So, why not start now? Winter is the perfect time to get ahead of the game. ❄️🐕

If you're curious about how to keep your dog safe from snakes (and protect our wildlife too), give us a shout! We’d love to chat about how being a proactive, snake-aware owner can make a big difference for you and your dog's future.

Message or call NOW 6256 5670.

12/05/2024

A fun dog sport to teach great manners

05/02/2024

"Progress." 😊

Sometimes running a business isn't all puppies and Hoopers rainbows. It is finding out what colour your desk is on your day off! 😂

20/12/2023

Starting my work day with some entrepreneurial inspiration. Good timing, as I recently celebrated 1 year of Dog Safe Snake Avoidance and prepare to start Canine Hoopers classes in early 2024!

Every founder struggles with the transition from entrepreneur. This post examines what the two roles are, and how you move from one to the other.

24/11/2023

NEW - Canine Hoopers dog sport Come along and Have A Go with your dog. Awesome obstacle course fun plus learn bonus skills. Text 0403164748 with "HOOPERS" for info 😀🐕

04/10/2023

I'll be judging! Eek! :-o

Entries open tonight.

Gain ring experience.

Limited numbers so fewer distractions.

Courses designed by International Canine Hoopers Judge: Carrie-Anne Selwyn.

Help the new Canine Hoopers World Judges gain real life experience so that you get to run more fantastic courses in the future.

07/09/2023

My inspiration to get outside and have some healthy, happy times! What inspires you?

24/08/2023

One of my trainer friends is hosting this AWESOME event here in WA. If you are a dog trainer and want to get into a new and growing dog sport, check it out!! 😃😎

20/07/2023

Get ready before Summer! Train your dog to avoid snakes safely 🐍

13/07/2023

05/07/2023

Want to save your dog from the trauma of being bitten by a venomous snake? Find out more about the online snake safety training that is starting this month. Join us live to ask questions and find out more!