Dog Days WA

17/05/2024

If a fear reactive dog is in the height of a reaction your dog is beyond learning anything. They are in their flight, fright or fight state and correcting this does absolutely nothing to teach your dog how to not be reactive.

When a dog is reacting it means that the dog has lost control of logic and their brain is flooded with stress hormones. This makes reasoned thought or learning impossible.

Your dog cannot learn in a reactive state.

Counterconditioning and desensitisation, while keeping your dog under threshold is a proven, effective way to lessen reactivity.
The best thing to do if your dog goes over its threshold and reacts is to walk away in the opposite direction.....keep going until your dog stops and do a U turn to reengage at a better distance.

If you do not reengage your dog will begin to think their reaction worked (it created distance between themselves and the fearful stimuli)....and you can have a cyclical reaction.

Always work under your own dogs threshold .

Celebrate the wins and remind yourself this is a process.

17/05/2024

17/05/2024

So simple, very powerful and so important. You wont regret adding this in to your everyday interactions with your dog.
This really is for all dogs✅ However it is especially helpful for reactive dogs.
If you have yet to add a movement word in, do it! 🙂

You will no longer struggle to get their attention away from the dandelion they have been sniffing for 2 minutes (because you really have to get home)....say your movement word and watch the automatic response.
Fantastic !!!
Every reactive dog and every dog that we teach a loose lead walking technique soon know the power of a movement word....and it really is powerful !
Practice it when your dog naturally starts to walk, NOT when you want them too (just yet).
They need to understand that it means movement, so practice it when they start to move.
You will be surprised just how often you can slip it in during the day.
Toileting.
Doorways.
Getting up from a nap.
It doesn't take long and if you start to remember every time you begin walking again to say it, you are well on your way to have an automatic response from your dog.

Give it a go, add it in whenever you can and you will be amazed how it can be used....but use it with a little caution.
Don't use it to make your dog walk towards something they dislike.
BUT....you can use it to make your dog move away from something they really like or are triggered by.
Use it to change direction.
Use it to distract away.
Use it to advocate ! 🙂

🙂Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collection of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

17/05/2024

​CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA,
Fear Free Certified
AnimalKind by BC SPCA)
​​Family Dog Mediator ​L.E.G.S.®

16/05/2024

Today I saw three very different dogs for three very different reasons but I said the following to all three because these 3 simple things can transform your dog's experience outside.

𝙎𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣
You're not power walking or trying to squeeze the maximum amount of steps into the shortest amount of time. You're just spending some quality time outdoors with your pal. Slow down. Be present.

𝙐𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙣
A longer lead allows for more freedom of movement, more natural movement, allows you to see more clearly where your dog chooses to be and results in less time under tension. The minimum I'd suggest is 6 feet.

𝙇𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙨𝙣𝙞𝙛𝙛
We are visual creatures. Our dogs are olfactory creatures. They make sense of the world around them through smell. They obtain information via scent in ways we can't even conceive...who has passed by? how long ago? were they humans? dogs? rabbits? mice? Were they boys? girls? what's their reproductive status? old? young? healthy? ill? relaxed? stressed? Taking a dog for a walk and not allowing them to sniff is like asking a person to walk around blindfolded.

I say these things to new puppy owners, to the owners of dogs who pull on the lead, whose dogs are reactive or frustrated or overexcited or anxious.

I say it to almost everyone because these three simple things can make a 𝙝𝙪𝙜𝙚 difference to your dog's experience and, as a result, to their behaviour. It can settle dogs who are overwhelmed or overexcited by the world. It can help busy, frantic dogs drop down a gear or two. It can build confidence by allowing a dog to gather information about the world around them.

Try these three simple things the next time you are out with your dog and see how it changes the experience for both of you...

15/05/2024

15/05/2024

Toilet Training Guide 📖💦

Other tips:
- ditch the puppy pads, they muddy the rules about where is and isn’t appropriate to toilet.
- put toileting on cue.
- use enzymatic pet cleaners.
- do NOT reward them the moment they START toileting in the correct place. You might interrupt them.
- don’t scold mistakes, learn from it and move on.

15/05/2024

Rug is Ripley’s favourite game! 🐾

🗣️ Playing tug-of-war with puppies can be beneficial when done correctly! Here are some reasons why it’s okay and even advantageous:

1️⃣ Impulse Control: Tug games can help puppies learn impulse control. When they wait to go for the toy or drop it when asked, it reinforces desired behavior.

2️⃣ Confidence Building: Tug can boost a puppy’s confidence. It allows them to focus on you in distracting environments, which is essential for training and socialization.

3️⃣ Bond Strengthening: By playing tug, you nurture a strong rapport with your puppy. Letting them “win” during the game doesn’t mean they dominate you; it shows that engaging with you is fun and rewarding.

4️⃣ Physical Exercise: Tug games provide an excellent outlet for physical activity. Puppies burn energy, strengthen their muscles, and improve coordination while tugging on a toy.

5️⃣ Mental Stimulation: Tug-of-war engages a puppy’s mind. They need to strategize, focus, and react to your movements during the game. This mental stimulation is essential for their overall well-being.

6️⃣ Teething Relief: Puppies go through a teething phase, and tugging on a toy can help soothe their sore gums. Make sure the toy is appropriate for teething and not too hard.

7️⃣ Training Opportunities: Tug can reinforce behaviors like “drop it” or “leave it.” Use the game as a training tool to teach obedience and impulse control.

📣 Remember a few simple rules:

✔️ Use an appropriate toy (not your hands or clothing).

✔️ Maintain light resistance, especially with young puppies or senior dogs—be gentle with tugging. Match your tugging intensity to their size and body

✔️ Always supervise playtime.

Happy Tugging! 🐶🐾

13/05/2024

Dog parks are not always safe spaces! Be aware and look out for your doggo 🐾

08/05/2024

Sometimes this is obvious...other times it is very subtle that you may not even know what caused it ❓
Somedays your walk will turn to custard and you may have no idea why, it could very well be trigger stacking.

If your dog is normally ok with motorbikes going past them.....and today they maybe barked and lunged at a motorbike going past.....did you notice the neighbours dog barking a few minutes ago? Did you know they can actually be connected ?

Did you also see the child on the scooter a minute before that?...your dog did and individually these wouldn't be an issue but in a short space of time your dog has had their stress levels rise and and then "bam" your dog has a reaction to something they have always been ok with.

Its not the end trigger that started this chain of events....this started with the scooter going past. Did you notice your dog was just a little spooked by it but happy to continue walking...they certainly didn't bark or react but they definitely were not comfortable with the scooter.
Then a minute or two after the scooter your neighbours dog barked...normally your dog doesn't care about this dog...perhaps it always barks...and your dog then started to show some signs of stress, tension in their body and face.....then the motorbike passed and the barking started.
All we may see is the reaction to the motorbike but the whole chain of events started a few minutes ago....this is trigger stacking.

At reactive class in the arena (a strange environment for some dogs so they are a little stressed to start with)....I hear a loud car going past and I warn people your dog may be about to react....I am usually told "oh my dog is ok with cars", car goes past and their dog reacts.
That is trigger stacking.
Uncomfortable things for your dog that individually wouldn't cause an issue ...today they are barking at.

The next time you walk your dog..listen to the environment around them, watch the stress in their body and face, hear the dog in the distance barking, watch the bird land right in front, or look at the child on the bike and WATCH your dogs reactions and if they are close together....the next trigger could be the one to cause the reaction (even if they have ALWAYS been fine with it before).

If you can see it coming, you can get focus back on you, change direction, perhaps a pattern game, encourage them to sniff the ground....there are lots of ways we can interrupt the chain of events unfolding before us.

Trigger stacking is especially important in reactive dogs and it can be the simplest thing, a sound that they have never reacted to before or a cat they normally have no issues with.
Dogs are not immune to stress. They cant tell us they are stressed but they can certainly show it in their body, face, gait and behaviour..... and there is a lot to read before a reaction.

Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make. Everyone is free to share on social media🙂, however off social media use of these marked graphics is prohibited.
Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters or for personal use.
Screen shots are a violation of the copyright.
Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for unmarked graphics. All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

07/05/2024

07/05/2024

There are many ways to view our available foster dogs and one way is to visit SavourLife Adopt A Dog website. When you adopt one of our dogs through their website SavourLife kindly gives you a free bag of kibble to take home to your new fur buddy, you just need to register after the adoption has been logged. How great is that?

SavourLife also donate a % to Greyhound Adoptions WA for every hound adopted through them. Awesome right?!

Check out their website today to see our available foster dogs: https://www.savour-life.com.au/adopt-a-dog/rescue-groups/175372/Greyhound-Adoptions-WA

04/05/2024

When I’m out with a dog and see you and your dog, don’t be offended if I stop, slow down, take a wide berth or change direction and go a different way.

I’m not making a judgement about your dog’s size, type or breed.

I’m giving the dog with me what they need so that they can stay confident in themselves and continue to believe I’ll look out for them, and only place them in situations they can handle.

I’ll also look out for your dog- if their behaviour begins to deteriorate, I’ll move away- not because I think your dog is doing something ‘bad’- but because I want to give them (and you!) the best possible chance to resume feeling calm and confident, as quickly as possible.

Sometimes it takes a village to train a dog- if we were all considerate of each other, training for ALL types of dogs and owners would be considerably easier, less stressful and more successful.

Be part of the village.

04/05/2024

Loosing control of our emotions sometimes is normal, feeling guilty is normal, feeling bad you had to force your dog to do something for welfare is normal.

When clients say they feel like a bad guardian, it tells me they are actually a good one because they care about what kind person they are to their dog.
There are so many others out there who don’t.

03/05/2024

Not every dog loves to be social and not every dog loves the dog park.

Just like other mammals you have some that love to be social butterflies and others are very selective when it comes to friends.

Izzy for example has a few besties she loves to play with but does not enjoy attending social hour and that is ok.

It is normal to be friend selective. It’s unusual to enjoy and be friendly with every single dog.
Thank you Every Dog Behavior and Training and Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin for this brilliant infographic

03/05/2024

Public Service Announcement from Bonnie & Clyde:

🩷 WE NEED TOWELS 🩷

If you have any towels at home that are no longer needed we would love to take them off your hands!!

Due to limited storage space, we are unable to accept any doona’s, sheets or blankets and don’t accept cushions or pillows. We would love your towels!!

📍 58 Sunshine Place, Nambeelup 6207

If you aren’t able to pop in during opening hours, we have blue donation bins at the front of our office building where you can leave them! 🐾

03/05/2024

03/05/2024

03/05/2024

03/05/2024

Hercules Morse and a Schnitzel von Krumm have a new friend in town!

Kiki Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy is here. A bit bigger than her cousin Hairy, but just as amiable and kind, Kiki is ready to find a new foster home or better yet, her forever.
At just 18 months old she is full of fun and great with kids and other dogs. She hasn’t shown much interest in cats so could be ok with a careful introduction.

If you have room in your home and heart for Kiki please fill in an application here:

Foster: https://haart.org.au/foster/dogs/

Adopt: https://haart.org.au/adopt/pre-adoption-questionnaire-dogs/

She is so excited to meet you!

03/05/2024

Sometimes when our dogs seem to be playing up, it can be a good idea to look at our own behaviour first.

Has our work load increased? Stress? Or anxiety?

‘Naughty’ behaviour might just be your dog crying out for the reassurance or attention that’s missing.

Life happens and that’s okay, but remember to support your dog and yourself through where you can. These moments are usually just a phase and when our behaviour returns to normal so will our dogs. And when we can identify a cause, we can understand the why better.

02/05/2024

🐾 Puppy Training Classes at Perth Pet Vet 🐾

When: 14th May 2024 at 6:30pm
Where: Perth Pet Vet - 12/233 Berrigan Drive Jandakot
What’s included: 6 training sessions, a puppy pack, ongoing support and much more!

Book your spot 👉 https://t.ly/tJT08

Why choose Dog Days WA?
🐾 we only use force free training methods
🐾 classes are run by an experienced and registered veterinary nurse
🐾 our courses teach you how to teach your dog, so you don’t need us anymore!

02/05/2024

30/04/2024

** please when you share my content use the share button at the bottom of the infographic rather than screenshotting.

This helps to keep the content with the original copyrighted owner and allows people to find my page which then leads them on to further factual based information and opinions.

Thank you! **

I'll admit it.

I'm not a big fan of high impact dog sports.

I think they can be fun, but not when we add competition into the mix.

Sure, it's a great feeling for us when our dogs do well, but I'm not sure that we always have the dog at the center.

We have a lot of control over our dogs so if you're putting emphasis on (and the only real outlet that your dog has) is a dog sport of course they are going to get excited about doing that activity.

On the home site for agility it says that agility is supposed to "mimic the way that a dog would naturally move their body".

(Now I've seen A LOT of dogs moving their bodies... But not in the way an agility course is set up. 🤔)

I think there is a place for dog sports, if you don't get too caught up in the intensity.

I've tried a few different dog sports with my dogs, but I always approached teaching by letting the dog lead me on their interest level.

My dogs have always deviated towards natural behaviors like wanting to sniff, dig, chew, deconstruct, chase. Running is also an interesting one. I observe they often run in short bursts rather than long stretches. I would say most of the time they canter.

Observation without bias is critical to understanding what behaviors your dog actually engages in.

(Of course that is in the absence of fear, anxiety and other pressures.)

With my dogs I thought Nero would love fly ball and he had no interest past the first 2 sessions. He would have 2-3 goes and then take the ball off and played by himself! (That was a clear message 🤣)

My high drive, working-line GSD Lycan didn't care for bite sports, but he loves playing tug with me. Lycan became too aroused during the initial lessons and I was told I had to have him "work through it", but I wasn't going to push him.

Something that I absolutely can I get my head around is dogs in sports with aversive tools.

Can you even call that participating?

Dog sports are elective if your dog needs an aversive tool to be a part of that sport - participation is for you, not the dog.

What are your thoughts on this?

30/04/2024

Less likely of a threat maybe, but definitely not comfortable for anyone involved. I always say, if your dog was a Rottweiler and exhibited this chihuahua’s behavior what would you do? Size seems to make it a nonissue, but nothing is further from the truth. Teach and reinforce what you want dog to do instead no matter the size.

30/04/2024

You may have heard about enrichment before but not quite sure where to start.
This is an excellent first step to take.✅
No equipment needed....just that amazing nose and some rewards.
Reactive dogs❓Try this when the trigger is at a distance they are comfortable with (only when it has been practiced).
Anxious dog ❓Using their nose can help to calm an anxious dog and helps to build confidence.
Once your dog starts to understand this confidence boosting and rewarding game, you can expand it in so many different ways.
Use your imagination, use everyday objects, use different levels for them to reach up and seek out.

Scatter feed their dinner on a clean lawn and watch them enjoy just being a dog, searching and snuffling around.
Start this by keeping the area small and slowly expand.
Enjoy watching your dog be a dog !

Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make. Everyone is free to share on social media🙂, however off social media use of these marked graphics is prohibited.
Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters or for personal use.
Screen shots are a violation of the copyright.
Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for unmarked graphics. All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

27/04/2024

This is why when an owner asks me, “should I crate train my dog?”, my response is usually, “it depends on what you will be using it for”. Crates are not for punishment, and therefore need to be used in context.

𝙏𝙤 𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙤𝙧 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚?

A while ago someone called me to enquire about crate training for their dog who was biting when they tried to put him in his crate. The crate he was kept in for almost 18 hours each day. And, to be frank, I'd probably bite you too if you tried to do that to me...

Crate training has a place. A crate can help keep puppies safe when unsupervised for short periods. It can help puppies get the good quality rest they need. It can provide a safe haven for a dog from grabby kids. It is sometimes a necessity after surgery. It can provide a safe travel space for your dog.

What a crate is not is a way to contain your dog long term for your convenience. It is not a babysitter. It is not a place for time outs and punishment. It is not a place to leave your dog while you go out to work all day.

Questions to consider when thinking about crates... Is using the crate for the dog's benefit or for mine? Could I achieve the same result using a pen or a room divider which allows the dog more freedom of movement? If I need the crate in order to be able to safely leave my dog alone should my dog be left alone in the first place? If my adult dog truly loves their crate then is there any need to shut the door?

Dogs are social animals who need adequate space to move. Social & spatial restriction can cause chronic stress with all the welfare implications that brings. Closed crates can be useful equipment during early puppyhood but they must be used thoughtfully and (other than very specific uses) I'd question their desirability in adulthood. What do you think?

𝘙𝘦𝘧𝘴:
• 𝘉𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘢 𝘉, 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘔 𝘉 𝘏, 𝘷𝘢𝘯 𝘏𝘰𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘑, 𝘥𝘦 𝘝𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘏 𝘞, 𝘔𝘰𝘭 𝘑 𝘈 (1998). 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭, 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘢, 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘪 𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘰𝘨𝘴, 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘈𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 58: 365-381.
• 𝘉𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘢 𝘉, 𝘉𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘞, 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘔 𝘉 𝘏, 𝘔𝘰𝘭 𝘑 𝘈, 𝘷𝘢𝘯 𝘏𝘰𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘑 (1999𝘢). 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘤 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘰𝘨𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘰𝘯𝘦: 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘴, 𝘗𝘩𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘳 66: 233-242.