Every Day Dogs

28/06/2024

It’s cold, wet, windy & I’m sick!

Here's a couple of our stay active indoor games that doesn't require much energy from me.
The girls don't miss out and brightens me up too!

What's your go to indoor games?

25/06/2024

Nailed it or not yet?

Is keeping your dog’s nails trimmed a cause of stress for you and your dog?
It’s a common concern.

Your dog may be doing well with nail trims but with an accidental cut of the quick, everything can change.

Nail care is essential not an option. Long nails can cause pain & problems.
'Long, unkempt nails not only look unattractive, but over time they can do serious damage to your dog (not to mention your floors). When nails are so long that they constantly touch the ground, they exert force back into the nail bed, creating pain for the dog (imagine wearing a too-tight shoe) and pressure on the toe joint. Long term, this can realign the joints of the foreleg and make the foot look flattened and splayed........
Unattended nails create a vicious cycle: When long nails contact surfaces, it's painful for the dog.... he avoids having them touched, which leads to unpleasant nail-cutting sessions, which makes both human and dog avoid them, which leads to longer intervals between trims, which leads to more pain …' (taken from Whole Dog Journal)

While we may not be able to help every dog love nail trims, just as we may never love going to the dentist or doctor, we can take time to find creative ways to help them be more comfortable to participate in their care whether at home, the groomers or vet.

Book your ticket today to hear groomer Tracy, from SpecialT Animal Health share her knowledge and many years of experience of doing nail trims and nail care in her talk on July 2nd.

See Link in the comments to book your ticket to start on your cooperative care journey.

24/06/2024

The 1st in a very special series I've been waiting for and just have to share with each of you.

Be sure to download the booklet.

Understand Animals thank you. 🧡

SILVER PAWS SERIES
Part One

“Growing Old[er] is mandatory, growing up is optional”. Carroll Bryant

In some more medical circles, it has become popular to discuss the “success” of an aging individual.
I m not sure I m on board with terms like “successful ager” as to me it somehow implies failure by the individual who isn’t.

As our pets age we can consider three categories:
- limited / mild physical (including sensory) and cognitive change

- increasing physical OR cognitive change

- increasing physical AND cognitive change

Over this series we ll consider what these may look like in our pets, predominantly dogs and cats.

“Age is but a number” as reportedly said by Joan Collins.

When are our pets considered to be “aged” or “senior” or even “geriatric” (as someone who was labelled a “geriatric mother” when I was pregnant at 40, don’t get me started on the impact of age labels!) ?

This is complicated and something we ll explore more in the series.
As an overly simplistic “rule of thumb” we often consider cats over the age of 10 to be “senior” (affected in part by breed) and dogs, well, in the main, the larger they are, the earlier they are aged/ senior. So a small breed dog like a Jack Russell terrier might not be considered senior until they are 12 or over, however a large breed dog such as Labrador may be considered aged from 8 years. A giant breed (over 45kg as an adult) perhaps from 5 or 6 years of age.

To be honest it’s complicated and we see that in humans too.
I prefer to look at the individual in front of me. To consider their health, their physical comfort or limitations (including sensory changes /abilities) and their cognitive and emotional states as well.

As we age, even from juvenile years into adulthood, our bodies change.
The older we get, the more likely physical including sensory changes away from the “norm” become, alongside cognitive and emotional change too.
It can be for the individual’s “better” and it can be a limitation or even potential source of suffering to that individual.

So first things first, health matters.

This is why regular check ups can be so valuable (whether with vets and/ or physios and/or other trained paraprofessionals)

This “tool kit” produced by BSAVA is a good starting point.
We ll be discussing all sorts of resources within the series.

Feel free to share your interests for information in the comments 😊

https://www.bsavalibrary.com/docserver/fulltext/bsava-petsavers-ageing-canines_booklet.pdf?expires=1716096262&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=E06A3D40AD8ED91FBD48AC2C08632165

23/06/2024

Each lovely dog featured in these calendars has a safe and happy home.
By preordering one or more calendars you are supporting dogs in need find theirs too.
Look Back and Smile 🧡

21/06/2024

Weekend’s here!
Will yours be relaxing or adventure?
I hope you’ll be enjoying a bit of both with your dog over the weekend.

Check back and share your weekend 📸 here!

Charlotte 💖 Jiro 🧡

16/06/2024

Be amazed and be inspired!

Teaching cooperative care skills is possible and vital for every animal within our care.
It’s about their welfare, having the understanding and skills to feel comfortable to willingly and actively participate in their own health care and grooming experiences.

Shouldn’t we afford our dogs the same level of respect and care?

See comments to book your ticket our Cooperative Canines Seminars.

Early Bird tickets close today!

15/06/2024

No puppy family need miss out!

Because we know no two families or puppies are alike, PupSkills Puppy Programs provides a range of flexible learning opportunities to support every puppy family, whatever your situation, wherever you live.

Message today find out how we can help you raise a happy, healthy puppy, anywhere!

14/06/2024

Coat care - brushing can be challenging for some dogs and can easily become a stressful experience for dogs and their people, something both may prefer avoid.
However, the lack of proper coat care between grooming can lead to significant health issues and increased anxiety for dogs causing unnecessary suffering.

The lack of regular or improper brushing in between grooming or going too long between grooming appointments negatively impacts on dogs and a groomers ability to provide them with a comfortable and safe environment for the grooming experience.

Local groomer, Tracy from SpecialT Animal Health will explain about importance of coat care and more during her talk on July 2nd and will ease us into the 2nd seminar, Better Vet Visits on July 9th.

Get your Early Bird ticket to saving time, money and stress for your dog’s grooming and health care today.

*Early Bird ticket close this Sunday 16th June.

https://www.facebook.com/share/8Zz1AanuMWAkHMfN/

11/06/2024

10/06/2024

Send a message to learn more

09/06/2024

Setting up for Success or Stress?

Whether it's your first puppy or fifth, raising a puppy can be a daunting task!
There's a lot, possibly a lifetime, riding on the experiences our puppies have in their first few months of life.
It's stressful & challenging for people, pups and our professional caring practitioners when dogs become anxious about their day to day health care needs.

Providing positive experiences, developing practices and skills that help puppies feel comfortable and safe are essential for home health care, vet and groomer visits.
These are vital for our dog's well being throughout life.

Are you about to be or are a new puppy parent?
Maybe you've already had first hand experience of a dog being anxious about health care and grooming and are concerned for this not to happen for your next puppy.

You're welcome to share your thoughts or concerns (and puppy photos) with us. We'd love to hear from you.

Check out in the comments how you can learn to set you and your puppy up for success not stress.

07/06/2024

Stop in and Stock up!

I love providing Albany dog lovers with this popular range of treats, snacks and toppers from local supplier Rex’s Mission to help keep your dog happy and healthy.
Conveniently located at Great Southern Stock Feeds.
Plenty in stock, easy parking, fantastic customer service!

So Stop in and Stock up for your Goodest Dog soon!

04/06/2024

Vet Visits
Stress-FULL or Stress-FREE ?

Is your dog a Nervous Nelly when it comes to VET VISITS or a Casual Clancy taking it all in his stride?

Does your dog think a Vet Visit is just the bees knees and considers everyone their best friend or panting and clearly showing signs of stress
as you pull into the car park?
Maybe you have to medicate your dog before you leave home or even organise home visits when appropriate to do so.

If this is an anxious time for your dog it's most likely a stressful time for you too, or are vet visits like a pleasant walk in the park for you?

Care to share your story?
Your experiences and emotions around VET VISITS for you and your dog/s?
We'd love to hear. Share a fave photo too!

02/06/2024

There'll be No guess work and chance for this new puppy family!
They're keen to ensure they are implementing the most current information to raise their puppies.....

Say hi to Charlotte 🐾🐾💞
This gorgeous pup and her family recently joined our PupSkills Complete Puppy Program. Charlotte is currently enrolled in puppy pre start and will be joining our group classes very soon.

Cute as can be, Dash is about to join his new family soon and our PupSkills community too!

Determined to ensure they are not leaving their pup’s well-being to guesswork, chance and unnecessary frustrations, Charlotte & Dash’s family understand they are investing in and preparing for theirs and their pups best futures together.

They are keen to experience more joy and less struggles as they raise their pups using the most current information about raising puppies. They will enjoy peace of mind and save precious time as they know who to ask for tailored advice and individualised support to find timely solutions as puppy problems arise.

We look forward to having Charlotte & Dash belong to our growing PupSkills Community and enjoy all it's additional benefits and opportunities.
🐾🐾🧡

Message us today to enjoy the same peace of mind,benefits and opportunities that PupSkills Complete Puppy program has to offer you and your puppy.

01/06/2024

Stress-FULL or Stress-FREE?

Is your dog a Nervous Nelly when it comes to some or all things grooming and nail care or a Casual Clancy taking it all in his stride?
Maybe your dog thinks going to the groomer is the highlight of the week and will happily give you her paws at home for nicer nails.

Depending on how our dogs feel about grooming and nail care, this will often dictate how we feel too. Is this an anxious time for you? Maybe you feel a level of stress even thinking about it or perhaps not at all.

We'd love you to share your experiences and emotions around grooming and nail care for you and your dog/s. Share one of your fave photos too!

30/05/2024

Don’t miss reading this article!

And as always be in touch if you need help to connect with your dog, behaviour training support or raising a puppy and keen to learn problem prevention skills.

LotsDogs 🧡

If you want to connect with a dog. If you want to help a dog to regulate their emotions through calmer responses. Then you will probably need any triggering exposure to be below their emotional threshold.

Make sure the dog is able to remain connected, to process new information (in example, changing their mind about triggers that they remembered as being a potential threat) and to self-regulate at a slower, more relaxed pace.

You can even co-regulate if you are both calm, having a calming effect on each other. No rush😇

I wrote an article about thresholds, you can read it here: https://lotsdogs.com/behavior/threshold.html

A quote from the article: "Each dog can have different preferences, different ranges of resilience, different coping mechanisms and a different recovery speed which can change under different circumstances."🤓

© LotsDogs| www.LotsDogs.com

Copyright notice | Support my page and show some love❤️
Help me reach more people! Please share my image using the 'share' button (you can share in groups, on your business page, on your timeline, etc..all possible through the 'share' options). This is highly appreciated!🥰💞
Please do not download/save my content on your device and upload my work elsewhere. This diminishes my ability to reach people.📵 Many thanks for understanding.

25/05/2024

Can you trust your dog’s DNA test?

Understanding your dog's genetics can indeed provide valuable insights into their behaviour, health, and care needs. However, not all dog DNA tests are created equal, and there are several factors to consider when evaluating their reliability:

Database Quality: The accuracy of a dog DNA test largely depends on the size and diversity of the database it draws from. A larger and more diverse database increases the likelihood of accurate breed identification and genetic health screening. Some companies may have more comprehensive databases than others, so it's essential to research and choose a reputable provider with a robust database.

Collection, Storage, and Transport: The quality of the DNA sample collected from your dog can affect the accuracy of the test results. Saliva collection kits provided by DNA testing companies should include clear instructions on how to collect and store the sample properly to ensure the integrity of the DNA. Improper collection, storage, or transport may lead to degraded DNA and less reliable results.

Limitations: It's crucial to understand the limitations of dog DNA tests. While they can provide valuable information about your dog's breed composition and potential genetic health risks, they may not be able to detect certain factors. For example, current DNA tests may not be able to detect Dingo DNA accurately, as Dingoes are a distinct species from domestic dogs.

Overall, dog DNA tests can be a useful tool for dog owners, but it's essential to choose a reputable provider with a comprehensive database and follow proper sample collection and handling procedures to ensure accurate results. Additionally, it's essential to understand the limitations of these tests and consult with a veterinarian for any specific health or behavioural concerns regarding your dog.

20/05/2024

Take time today to delve into this amazing infographic and update your knowledge and understanding.
LotsDogs 🧡

"The more you know, the more you realize you don't know"

Each new piece of information (or piece of the puzzle) uncovers new fresh paths to explore.🤓

After years of studying and years of practical experience and spending a fortune on gaining knowledge, I am still learning and evolving which I hope will never stop. This made me update this cartoon of mine. It's an ongoing process☺️

Understanding and influencing behaviour can be complex. So many influences on behaviour can be at play. Never stop learning.

Dogs are complex mammals (just like humans; you'll be amazed how many similarities there are, but of course there are many differences too).

Each dog is a unique individual and there can be many factors influencing behaviour.

© LotsDogs| www.LotsDogs.com

Copyright notice | Support my page and show some love❤️
Help me reach more people! Please share my image using the 'share' button (you can share in groups, on your business page, on your timeline, etc..all possible through the 'share' options). This is highly appreciated!🥰💞
Please do not download/save my content on your device and upload my work elsewhere. This diminishes my ability to reach people.📵 Many thanks for understanding.

16/05/2024

Watch, listen and learn how you can become a supporter of childhood literacy through the wonder of Story Dogs 🧡

13/05/2024

Are you a too BUSY puppy parent?

I know you have all the LOVE to give and best intentions in the world but I wonder, are you giving your puppy the TIME he/she really needs?

I wonder if you have you recently embarked on your dream journey of raising a puppy to complete your life only to find your dreams and expectations are not meeting the reality of your puppy's development time frame and needs?

Are you now spending more of your precious time googling your questions only to find conflicting answers leaving you and your pup feeling confused?

You're not alone!

It's common for time poor puppy parents to experience confusion as their dreams of a wonderful life and all that puppy cuteness begins to disappear into a haze of puppy problems & frustrations.

Problems are a normal part of raising a puppy. However, many common problems can be prevented through giving our puppies our focussed time combined knowledge and skills that thoughtfully meet their needs.

At PupSkills we understand what you’re going through and know that raising a puppy can be an unexpectedly challenging time.
Our professional, knowledgeable advice helps new puppy parents learn how to raise their puppy making their time more enjoyable together.
They experience relief as they learn how to teach and provide for their pups by meeting their needs, as well as reducing frustrations and unrealistic expectations.
PupSkills puppy parents feel equipped & empowered to be proactive and find timely solutions that support their puppy throughout the early developmental life stages and prepare for the fast-approaching challenges of adolescence.

Are you looking for an opportunity to embark on a journey of change and times of MORE JOY, LESS STRUGGLES with your pup?

🐾 Contact us today for timely support and find solutions for the problems you and your puppy are experiencing.

What’s in store at PupSkills for you and your VIP (very important puppy)?

PUPPY PARENTING 101:
🔸Learn the essentials of raising a happy healthy puppy, including what to do when things go wrong.
🔸Understand healthy social exposure & experiences, through our 10 week small groups program.
🔸 Expand your knowledge and understand your puppy’s body language, behaviour and needs through our resource rich, interactive program.
🔸 Develop skills and engage in learning a range of fundamental skills, games & activities that help today and prepare for tomorrow.
🔸 Enjoy 12 months of continued support through our private community fb page
🔸 Special PupSkills rates for in-home consults.

🐾 Enrollments are open now to help you lose the doubt and worry and develop the confidence you long for in raising your puppy.

Contact us today if:
🔸your puppy is from 8wks to 6 months.
🔸 you can’t make it along to groups in person
🔸you’re expecting a puppy (best time to be in touch).

🐾We have solutions & programs to tailor to your unique and individual family/puppy situations🐾

🔸 Message today to ensure you not only love your puppy but invest the best of your time.

11/05/2024

They’re special & unique family members that we feel & care for with a mother’s love.

Our lives are richer for the love they give.

Take a photo of the dog/s your mum to and share with us today. 🧡

10/05/2024

My girls eat them raw & cooked regularly and are offered in a variety of ways.
🥚🍳🪺
For breakfast today, Pippa & Penny had raw egg in the shell with home made bone broth, their daily banana & sardines in spring water served in their LickiMat OH bowl for extended licking time.
Simple to serve. So nutritious!

Eggs 🥚 are a perfect protein, and they’re the richest source of choline, a vitamin critical for cell and brain health but is often deficient in pet food.

COMMENT “EGGCELLENT” and I'll message you our Egg Guide with a CHOLINE CRISP RECIPE to make this brain nourishing snack for your dog or cat. You'll also find dozens of recipe ideas and a section just on eggs in The Forever Dog LIFE where we show you how to select, prepare, and store eggs.

05/05/2024

Can’t Wait!

My copy of Forever Dog Life along with some of my health & nutrition conscience clients, is already on pre order.

Being passionate about canine health & nutrition, it brings me a lot joy knowing that I’m doing all I can to give my dogs a longer health span not just a long life span and promoting it to others.
I love seeing my dogs enjoying a wide variety of fresh unprocessed, life enhancing foods (and it’s not that hard to do).

It’s so exciting that this book is soon to be released. It’s the perfect companion to their first book, Forever Dog.

Australia’s FDL release date is mid July!

30 DAYS until our brand new book, The Forever Dog LIFE, is here!

We wrote this book to spark something inside of you. We wanted you to have instant access to hundreds of easy recipes for dogs, cats, puppies and kittens, money-saving nutrition-boosters and all the latest science for perspective shift, when it comes to the incremental nutrition, health and lifestyle improvements our animals deserve.

In order to change old patterns, beliefs or habits, you have to identify the root causes of the issues (why we wrote The Forever Dog). Pinpointing lifestyle and environmental roadblocks naturally motivates us to make changes that result in better outcomes for our animals. Once we know the problems, we become desperate for replacement strategies for healthier solutions, and that’s exactly why we wrote this “how to” guide. Easy, simple solutions for better bowls and healthier homes.

COMMENT “30DAYS” and I’ll message you the link to reserve your book today! Don’t wait…our first book sold out in only 90 seconds, so to guarantee you get your book on June 4th you want to preorder your copy today!

26/04/2024

Perspective.

While it might not seem like it, our dogs spend much more of their lives waiting for us than we do for them. Waiting for walks, food, us to come home, look up from our phones.
So what’s a few extra minutes at that lamppost.

25/04/2024

We will remember them

💜 Lest We Forget 🌹 💜🐾 An ANZAC Tribute to our canine war heroes: https://bit.ly/3W9Vwe1
(Plus visit our War Dog Heroes section on the website for the heart-warming stories of Sergeant Stubby, Digger, Rags and more)

24/04/2024

🎉Congratulations 🎉
to Sammy & and her lovely pup, Nelly on completing their PupSkills Comprehensive Puppy program.

We’ve loved watching them grow a lovely bond, enjoyed watching new tricks learned as well as hearing about puppy antics.

Together they’ve learned & practiced important life & social skills. They’ve avoided many unnecessary puppy problems through being proactive and seeking early solutions to common puppy struggles.

Sammy is well equipped for the challenging life stage of adolescence as Nelly continues to grow & develop. She can be confident they’ll share more joys than struggles and are preparing for their best future together.

We look forward to having them continue to be a part of PupSkills community and provide additional learning opportunities and support over the next 12 months.

Well Done Team Sammy & Nelly 🎉🧡

07/04/2024

Sunday favourite foto share 📸

This is one of my favourite photos of Fleur, Penny & Pippa. Taken in 2018.
This brings a lot of joy and sadness as I still miss Fleur a whole lot.

How about sharing one of yours? It could be recent and could be from the past.

28/03/2024

Have Safe & Happy Easter with your lovely dogs.

Be mindful of extra risks to our dogs during holidays and DO keep the chocolate well out of reach.

28/03/2024

Why a variety of veggies are an important inclusion in my dog’s diet ⬇️

Your dog & cat’s microbiome🦠 is EVERYTHING. Literally! If you aren’t diversifying food groups🍄🥛🥩🫐🥕 for you and your pets, this WILL stunt the development of the gut biome diversity and overall immune health. Science is clear about that.

With so many myths🙅🏼‍♀️ about what’s good and what’s bad, “pet nutrition experts”🧑🏻‍💻 have vilified some amazing plants that have documented incredible health benefits for pets, forcing pet parents to revert back feeding ultra-processed foods by confusing the life out of our choices. Shameful, and with no scientific justification. 🤯

Quotes like: “the group I’m in says to never feed root veggies because they’ll kill my pet, they are too starchy to feed a carnivore and will cause inflammation & pancreatitis.” Um, what? In contrast, the Dr Cave study showed how quickly a dog’s microbiome crashed when no prebiotic veggie fibers were included. Carnivores need a lot of fiber, but they don’t need starch! With mountains of animal science showing the benefits of fiber from plants, these self-proclaimed “dog health experts” have caused tremendous food fears in the pet world, pushing folks to feed completely fiber-free diets that are creating havoc with our animals’ guts, causing serious GI problems resulting in vet visits, with vets concluding all fresh food diets are AWFUL and are so poorly formulated they create unnecessary disease 😖😭😤🤬. How about we just do things right, based on science?! How about following the latest gut research and literature, telling us what dogs and cats need to create a healthy microbiome?! For instance, when it comes to turnips and other cruciferous vegetables — a lower risk of cancer because they contain DIM (3,3′-diindolylmethane). They also contain a compound called sulforaphane, which plays an integral role in cancer prevention. Sulforaphane interferes with the function of histone deacetylase, an enzyme that plays a role in the progression of cancer cells.
Join me and Mama Becker tomorrow, for a Science Saturday LIVE in the The Forever Dog Learning Lab where we’ll show you how to make our Root Veggie Super Stew recipe to super charge your pet’s gut! See you, live, tomorrow❣️🐾🥕