Embark Pet Care

16/12/2024

Not all training lessons go to plan. And not all training plans are easy to implement due to so many variables - environment, handler's skills, timing and other external factors...

But when they do go to plan and even exceed the expectations, it is amazing to witness! This little Aussie is so switched on and easy to train - she really is a model student (along with her family, who are doing everything to help her overcome her fear of Poodle crosses... 🐩).

👏🇦🇺

14/11/2024

🌍While recharging my batteries, I can't help but reflect on how dog-friendly much of Europe is.

Here’s a pet dog at Zürich airport, patiently waiting to board a plane. No Public Access Test, no special vest needed. Just some good manners and a pet passport of course (and must be small enough to fit in a carrier...).

26/09/2024

📣 Please help find a loving new home for Pearl, a young Tenterfield Terrier born in June 2023.

Pearl has a lovely temperament, she is super smart, quick to learn and keen as well. She loves food reinforcement! Pearl likes all people and is also good with dogs of all sizes once introduced properly. She is still a young dog and can be bouncy, so young children may not be ideal. She would be suitable for an active family or person. She travels well in the car.

Please contact Sandy Patterson on 0421 509 185 for more information. Pearl is in Mackay until mid-October, then will be in Dalby (QLD) until she finds the right home.🐾

20/09/2024

Before someone else calls me to help with my "social media presence" (which I know is sporadic, but I am OK with that), here is an overdue post from last weekend.

👩‍🏫 I was invited to speak at the Hill's Nutritional Nurse Consultant's Conference in Noosa on two topics close to my heart: reducing stress for patients at the vet clinic and resource guarding.

It was a great weekend spent with so many like-minded animal lovers. I learned a lot from the participants and other presenters too and realised how bad I am with follow-ups (not just with social media😎)!

23/08/2024

Well-said! 👌👀 🐾

07/08/2024

Lovely Maggie is totally dominating me😅 (OK, relax, I invited her to jump up on me).

We've been working on her dog-to-dog interactions and she's been so responsive to previously learned cues even at a cafe with so many dogs around (but at a safe distance) - high five Maggie 🐾

18/07/2024

👏 Such great news for Story Dogs and I am so proud to be helping out with dog assessments.

Thank you Qantas for the support, go Macy! 🐾

(Click on the link below, it is not a spam.)

10/06/2024

📖Story Dogs is an amazing volunteer program whose vision is to "make reading fun for children, so they become confident lifelong readers."

I've been an assessor for Story Dogs since 2017 and my role is to help find suitable dogs that enjoy the company of kids and are able to calmly "listen" while the kids read to them.

Feel free to share it far and wide - it would be great to see a Story Dog in every primary school. 🐾

Dive into the heartwarming world of Story Dogs with our brand-new video! Prepare to be enchanted as we unveil the magic behind this extraordinary program th...

29/05/2024

🏝️ While on holidays, I can't help myself not to interact with the local dogs and cats. They have a very different life compared to Australian or European pets. Most are living as free ranging pets, no collar, no leash, but I've also seen untreated skin issues, fleas running around them and they mate whenever they have the urge...

Most of the islands of French Polynesia don't even have a medical centre, let alone a hospital for humans. There are a few vet clinics on some bigger islands, but not on smaller ones, so veterinary care is not as accessible here.

Despite the odds, I've seen some very happy dogs splashing around in the ocean for hours or snoozing on the beach, so I feel they do have a good life here... 🐾

08/04/2024

✈️ + 🐶 =❓After Virgin Australia's earlier announcement regarding travelling with pets in the cabin, many pet owners got excited that they will be able to fly with their dogs and cats...

Before we get too excited, let's look at the reality. Even if cats and dogs will be allowed in the cabin, they will have to fit under the seat in front of you in an approved pet carrier. There will also be weight limits, but if you can imagine the space in front of you, it will only fit small (tiny!) dogs.

"We are still working through the specific rules of the service, but can confirm that only small dogs and cats will be allowed onboard, which must be able to fit comfortably in Virgin Australia approved pet carriers, stowed under the seat in front for the duration of the flight."
https://newsroom.virginaustralia.com/release/cats-out-bag-virgin-australia-signals-intent-launch-nations-first-ever-pets-cabin-flights

Looking at suitability to fly - besides temperament -, we also need to consider the health of dogs (and cats). Qantas has special conditions for booking brachycephalic breeds such as Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs, Shih-Tzus and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels:

https://freight.qantas.com/pets/brachycephalic-breeds.html

27/02/2024

Great post from the Pet Professional Guild Australia. With all barking problems, we should address the underlying emotion, not just the symptom.

That's why we always start with a behaviour questionnaire and a thorough assessment of the problem behaviour. Once we identify the triggers for excessive barking, then we can work out a plan how to reduce it using evidence-based, force-free methods.

If barking is driving you mad, get in touch:
https://embarkpetcare.com.au/home/dog-behaviour-consultation/

TRAINING TUESDAY
Barking can be for a number of reasons; to alert you, social interaction with other dogs, make someone (or something) go away (e.g. fear), from pain or illness, for attention, for frustration, to protect, when they are excited and happy or from boredom.

Firstly we need to treat the problem and NOT the symptom.

For example, if it is for attention, then we train the dog that quiet behavior gets attention. If it is for alert barking, then we train the dog that one bark is sufficient and sometimes even then a recall back to you. When it is for attention, we train an alternate behaviour (e.g. bring me the toy, go to your mat) and if it is fear based we look at desensitizing them to the triggers.

14/02/2024

I never thought this would be possible one day.

Bindi relaxing inside with friends (including kids) who she hasn't seen for a while. She is quietly observing us play a very animated game called "Activity".

Love you my girl! 🥰

10/02/2024

🌎 Mr P is a world traveller. Born in Guatemala, he's been to Mexico, the USA, lived in the UK, visited Italy and now a permanent doggie citizen of Australia.

We've been working on dog-to-dog interactions, not chasing wildlife and management around unfamiliar visitors.

Despite having a rough start to life, he is one very lucky chap to have been rescued by his humans and taken on so many adventures around the world.

Now it's time to get used to kangaroos, bush turkeys and all the Aussie locals...

09/02/2024

Love the information handouts from "The Family Dog". This one is called "Pat Pet Pause" and is available in multiple languages, including Hungarian 🐶

Often we don't ask for consent from unfamiliar (or familiar) dogs and just go up to them, thinking they sure want to be petted. But think about it... Do you want to be hugged or even touched by a total stranger?

Always:

🐾 let the dog choose if they want to come up to you - if they don't approach, that means "no thank you" (even if they just come up for a quick sniff, it doesn't mean they want to be touched)
🐾 pat with one hand, where the dog likes it (some are head shy, some have arthritis, so always check with the owner)
🐾 stop petting after a few seconds and wait if the dog wants more or had enough

If you're an owner of a shy/fearful dog, it is OK to say "no" to people wanting to pat your dog straight away ⛔️

More info and additional resources:
https://www.thefamilydog.com/stop-the-77

29/01/2024

🏠 This gorgeous young Border Collie x Kelpie is looking for a new home (based near Sydney).

Her story and contact info in the post. Please share so she can find the right home 🐾

25/12/2023

22/12/2023

What a difference a few weeks can make!

Maverick has attended puppy lessons and has grown so much! Enjoy your puppies while they are small - they become teenagers way too soon ⏳

Check out our Puppy School course for pups 8-16 weeks of age:
https://embarkpetcare.com.au/puppy-school/