Billyswagtails Dog Trainer - Positive Rewards for Positive Outcomes

18/06/2025

09/06/2025

06/06/2025

Warm in Winter, Cool in Summer

01/06/2025

27/05/2025

21/05/2025

Do you recognise when your dog is reaching their emotional threshold?

An emotional threshold looks different for every dog, but there are common signs that you can look out for which will tell you that your dog is approaching or has gone over their threshold.

Before reaching threshold (under threshold):
The dog is alert but still responsive.

They can take food, respond to cues, and make eye contact.

Body language might include ears relaxed, tail neutral or wagging softly, and relaxed movement.

Approaching threshold:
The dog starts to become tense or hyper-alert.

They may stare, freeze, or show signs of stress like lip licking, yawning, panting, or pacing.

Their ability to listen or take food may start to fade.

Over threshold (emotional flooding):
The dog may bark, lunge, growl, try to run away, or shut down completely.

They often stop responding to cues or food.

Their body may stiffen or thrash, eyes may widen (whale eye), and they seem “checked out” or in a state of panic.

In this state, the dog is reacting instinctively, not thinking or learning. It's a clear signal that we've gone too far, too fast, and need to adjust the environment or approach.

Merlin can quickly reach his threshold if I do not monitor and manage his environment - once reached Merlin is no longer in a learning place.

https://thedogwithin.co.uk/

21/05/2025

💔 A Heartbreaking Announcement 💔

It is with deep sadness and devastation that we share some truly difficult news.

Last month, it came to our attention that our now former treasurer has allegedly embezzled a significant portion of our rescue’s funds. This betrayal has left us not only shocked and heartbroken, but also almost entirely without the resources we depend on to care for our animals.

We want to assure our supporters that this matter has been reported to the appropriate authorities, and both the police and our bank are fully involved. Sadly, we have been advised that it is highly unlikely the stolen funds will be recovered.

In response, we have taken immediate steps to implement stricter financial protocols to protect the rescue moving forward.

Right now, we have 30 dogs in our care, many of whom urgently need medical attention and desexing — and we are facing the painful reality that we don’t currently have the means to cover these essential costs.

We humbly ask you to help us through this painful time.

Please, if you are able, help us get back on our feet so we can continue doing what we love most: rescuing and protecting dogs in need.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us.

💚💙 The Mornington Peninsula Dog Rescue Incorporated Team 💙💚

To assist us to help the many dogs we have in care, please follow the link:

https://www.mpdogrescue.com.au/donate-to-mpdri
Thank you so much 💓

19/05/2025

06/05/2025

Introducing doggy daycations!
Want to help out a dog in need but are not able to foster or adopt currently? Try a dog day out! This program will allow you to come in and sign a dog out for the afternoon! This not only gives our dogs a fun day out doing new things, but it also helps us learn more about them outside of a shelter setting.
Here's the basics:
🐾Come into the shelter during business hours
🐾Fill out our doggy daycation application (only needed the first time)
🐾Pick which dog you want to take out
🐾HAVE FUN (and be safe)
🐾Dogs need to be back at the shelter by 5:00 pm (3pm on Saturdays)
If you have any questions about doggy daycations please email [email protected] or come into the shelter during business hours!

06/05/2025

***MAY MADNESS SPECIAL***

With so many urgent dogs needing a spot in care, and adoptions slowing for the Winter, we’ve dropped the adoption fee on these 3 gorgeous doggoes, to $200, to help them find their forever fams, allowing us to save more dogs!

Wesley - 2 year old kelpie x border collie.
Gino - 6 year old Maremma.
Jellybean - 1 year old female Australian cattle dog x kelpie.

Check out their profiles at https://dogs4jobs.com.au/available-dogs/