Canine Conversations

18/12/2024

✨A Gut Feeling: Transforming Fear and Aggression✨

Did you know that your dog’s gut health plays a critical role in fear extinction, emotional regulation, and behaviour change? 🧠🐾

The gut-brain axis connects the gut microbiome to the central nervous system, directly influencing emotional resilience and memory processing—essential factors in overcoming fear and aggression.

Emerging evidence highlights that:
• Prebiotics like inulin and fructans (found in foods like banana and asparagus) support healthy gut bacteria, promoting resilience and reducing inflammation.
•A balanced gut microbiome may help reduce chronic stress and improve adaptability to new environments or triggers.

A huge thank you to Dr Amber Batson for her invaluable insights shared through Aggressive Dog webinars, which deepen our understanding of behaviour science and holistic solutions. 💡

Thank you Dr Kate for your clinical notes, I’m always learning. 🤍

By nurturing the gut, we can unlock the brain’s potential for calm, confidence, and lasting change in our dogs.

Take the quiz with ⬇️ceuticals https://canineceuticals.com.au/pages/dog-health-quiz

02/12/2024

https://www.poundpaws.com.au/post/christmas-gift-guide-paw-some-brands-to-spoil-your-furry-friends-this-year

1. Mon Petit Amour ManoloGift Idea: Luxury Dog Leads and Accessories - Give your pet the gift of timeless style with Mon Petit Amour Manolo’s handcrafted 14k gold dog leads. Functional and fashionable, these accessories make a statement for pets who deserve the very best.2. The Paws RoomGift Idea:...

21/11/2024

Choosing the right trainer for your dog is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a pet parent.

Sadly, many people invest time and money into aversive ‘trainers’ who not only fail to address the issue but often leave dogs traumatised.

By the time they reach an ethical trainer or behaviour consultant, we’re not just working on the original problem—we’re also undoing the damage caused by harsh methods. Sometimes, the consequences are devastating. 💔

What’s in this post?
👏🏻How to spot an ethical trainer.
👏🏻Red flags to avoid when choosing a trainer.
👏🏻Tips if you can’t afford a trainer right now.

Aversive techniques don’t “fix”behaviour—they suppress it. For dogs with pain (e.g., hip dysplasia), PTSD, health issues, or genetic predispositions, force-based methods make things worse. Ethical training focuses on trust, understanding, and creating lasting solutions. 💕

Save this post for later or share it with a friend who might need this advice. Together, we can help more pet parents make informed choices and save dogs from unnecessary harm. 🌟

10/10/2024

This website is a brilliant information hub to support healthier breeding, and welfare in dogs. Check out the health profile of Aussie Sheps!https://dogwellnet.com/content/health-and-breeding/breeds/breed-specific-health-reports/get-a-grihp-on-australian-shepherds-r715/

07/10/2024

I often see comments on Facebook about aggressive dogs needing to “know who is boss.” This mindset is not only wrong, but also dangerous and devastating. The key to reducing aggression is by being safe, consistent, and predictable—not through fear.

If “being the boss” seems to have worked, it’s likely because the dog has learned to suppress how they truly feel, simply to avoid worse consequences. At some point, they were scared or hurt, and now they see you as unpredictable. Some breeds, in particular, tend to find their way into homes with a heavy hand.

What a sad life—living in fear just to serve your ego and lack of education.

Every being deserves kindness and understanding.
An animal living in a human world is hard enough.

02/10/2024

DISCOUNT CODE 50% OFF 💚

https://lyka.com.au/join/CANINECONVOS?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=327042412&utm_content=327042412&utm_source=hs_email

25/09/2024

👀

I would love love love to shoot a Mondio or IGP trial. I find dogs heeling pretty so fascinating!

If you know who I can get in touch with to organise this, please reach out. 🤍

17/09/2024

Wooooo 🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌 no Electricity on the collars here!

16/09/2024

Spaying: Pros and Cons – Do Us Girls Really Need All Our Bits?

Deciding whether to spay your pet involves weighing the benefits against the potential drawbacks.

Pros:
✔️ Prevents reproductive diseases
✔️ Reduces unwanted behaviours related to procreating, like marking, inappropriate attention, and mess
✔️ Prevents pseudopregnancy if done at the appropriate time
✔️ Helps control pet overpopulation
✔️ Can help reduce behaviour shifts during pre-estrus

Cons:
❌ Hormonal changes affecting metabolism, bone density, skin, and coat
❌ Increased risk of urinary incontinence
❌ Potential impact on behaviour and cognitive function

Understanding these aspects can help you make a more informed decision for your pet’s health and happiness.

04/09/2024

I dont understand how it can be justified. Ever.

What are shock collars and why are they so ineffective (and unsafe) to use on dogs?

04/09/2024

https://www.barkandwhiskers.com/2024-08-30-flea-and-tick-treatments/?cid_source=bwinactive&cid_medium=email&cid_content=art1ReadMore&cid=20240830Z1&ref=bark-whiskers-newsletter

These chemicals are so toxic, they were banned - or at least restricted - for agricultural use. Yet the year after the complete ban of one of these chemicals, massive amounts were sold for the domestic pet market. Now, pets and the environment are paying the steep price.

01/09/2024

A fab blog on itchy skin from Lyka Pet Food

Wondering what to feed your dog with itchy skin? Lyka's expert guide is a great place to start: here's what you need to know.

15/08/2024

I’ve created this guide to support guardians in navigating communication with breeders. It offers insights to help you identify red flags, whether you’re dealing with potential scammers or breeders who lack a proper welfare plan. As science and information evolve, it’s crucial to stay informed—education over ego. Let’s continue to learn and grow for our dogs, because they deserve it.

04/08/2024

https://timberdog.com/blogs/all-blogs/are-dogs-as-smart-as-toddlers-unveiling-the-canine-iq

2 min read • By Leena Chitnis, Founder, Timberdog Dog lovers often marvel at their furry companions’ intelligence, but how smart are they really? Can our canine friends match wits with toddlers? Let's delve into the scientific research on canine cognition and see how dogs stack up against young ...

31/07/2024

🐾 If we had to face our fears EVERYDAY: real gut wrenching panicked fear. Wouldn’t you be extremely exhausted and completely overwhelmed? ABSOLUTELY! 🐾 🧘‍♀️🍃

What does your behaviour modification look like? I’m so interested to know. See you in the comments.🤓

26/07/2024

07/07/2024