Shaw Paws Fitness and Training

23/02/2024

01/02/2024

Let’s set the scene. This may become a bit sensitive for some, and I apologise in advance.

You’re out somewhere. You might be at a restaurant, a bar, a public park on a sunny day enjoying the sunshine with your family. It may be that you’re on your way home from work or trying to catch the bus. You’re just minding your own business.

Suddenly, a person comes straight up to you. They give you anxiety. What is this person going to do? I don’t know! The person is walking with a friend and the friend sees you’re a bit anxious and calls out to you saying “Don’t stress, she/he’s all good!’’ But they keep approaching you. And when they finally reach you they randomly hug you. Touch you. Walk circles around you. Start talking to you. Don’t let you leave.

What would you call that? Harassment? Assault in severe cases?
How would this make you feel?

Now, after the initial shock you find your courage and you ask the person to go away. Leave you alone. But the person doesn’t stop and instead touches your arm or your hair. “Oh come on, we’re alright. I’m not doing anything bad I’m friendly! Just let me be around you.’’You get upset and might push the person. Shout at them. If you’re a bit more of an assertive person you might punch them. Who knows.
Then the person and the friend get upset. Well? WHY are you here then? What are you doing in this public space if you don’t like being around other people? You have no business to be here, minding your own business in this park with your family without allowing me to sit with you, play with you, touch you, talk to you. Actually, you know what you should do? You should be more social! You should go more often to random groups of people.

_______
Do you see what I did there?
If you thought any of the above situation is not okay (and I sure as heck hope you do), then why do we think it’s okay to let dogs run up to strange dogs and say ‘It’s okay he’s friendly’?

What we do in the dog world is the exact opposite what we should be doing. We label the harassed dog as aggressive and the harassing dog as the victim.

Dogs have emotions. They have feelings. They have their own characters and personalities. There are many, many dogs that are not interested in making new friends or being with dogs they don’t know they can trust.

And sure, some dogs love playing with other dogs. Those are the extraverted dogs. Just like we have people that LOVE hugging or love making new friends even as adults, but to be honest.. how many of those people do you know? I think if you put it into a % its lower than the people that rather just are with their select group of people and be left alone by random strangers in public spaces.

So don’t assume the dog your dog is running towards on the beach, is willing to play with your dog. Being in a public space means you need to have your dog under effective control. And if you can’t call your dog back, it should be on a long line until you can.

——-

In case you’re interested.. after quite a few requests I made a video version of this blog as well.

Your dog is NOT friendly, he's harassing others
https://youtu.be/YlWf02MHKCo

25/01/2024

2024 update -

This post was made two years ago and has recently been getting attention again. The sad thing is that actually nothing has changed. This program is still being made. There is ( as far as I know - and very happy to be corrected if I am wrong) no veterinary involvement with these dogs prior to filming.

How many more dogs are going to be labled as awkward, difficult, stubborn or just lazy when actually there is an underlying pain issue?

We have so many wonderful trainers and behaviourists that could fill this man’s shoes and provide far more valuable advice and training. Stop giving people like this man air time… pick someone who actually cares about the wellbeing of the dogs they work with instead of the cash going to line their pockets…

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Some phrases used on this particular episode of ‘Dogs behaving (very) badly’ where 8 year old Ruby would only get off the sofa if the rug was over the laminate flooring, and would sit down and stop on walks…

‘being a madam’

‘Controlling the diva’

‘Indulging her with rugs’

‘Thinks she’s in charge’

OR

Is this actually a dog in pain, a dog scared of slipping and hurting, a dog trying to tell everyone that she’s uncomfortable?

It’s not indulging her with a rug, it’s making sure her own home is accessible and safe for her. She’s not ‘being a diva’ and refusing to walk, she’s telling you it hurts and she’s uncomfortable.

I’m very glad that the owners realise that this dogs weight is having a significant impact on her life but there are other things that need addressing here. I have no doubt they absolutely adore their girl, that is very clear to see, but I desperately wish they had the right kind of support for Ruby, not just let’s force her to walk and walk on a floor she’s is scared

Dogs Behaving Very Badly and The Dogfather (Graham Hall)… I’m afraid the blame falls to you on this occasion. You have a massive platform with thousands of dog owners watching every episode. How about talking about signs of pain? Indicators of discomfort? When behaviours actually tell us somethings wrong? Ways to adapt houses for older dogs and those that struggle with mobility? You could educate SO MANY owners but no, it doesn’t happen. Instead we just see an uncomfortable dog being forced to walk when she doesn’t want to, and live in an environment that she is scared of.

Dogs need us to advocate for them, to realise when we need to do more and to learn the ways that they tell us something isn’t right. Owner education is the key to this and this could have been a brilliant opportunity to do just that.

23/12/2023

Have a listen to this, there are many good points raised.

We should let our dogs have a chance to be dogs, whilst physical exercise is important, we need to look after our dog's mental and emotional wellbeing too.

When you can, let them sniff the things, let them roll in the things, let them get muddy, let them decide where you're walking, make sure they have offlead or long line time (whichever is appropriate for you and your dog's situation, offlead isn't appropriate for everyone everywhere)

Basically, let your dog be a dog

https://www.facebook.com/1248157133/posts/10223379832344528/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

22/10/2023

BORN THIS WAY?
Why is a dog the way they are? Why do they behave that way? Are they just born that way?

Genetics certainly play a part, but it’s so much more than that. Genetics, environment, life experiences and individuality all play a role in their behaviour and who they are.

Dogs are unique individuals, each with their own personalities, emotions, likes and dislikes, sociability, preferences or different health issues. These can also change over time.

Just as we learn through our life experiences, so do dogs. Negative or positive life experiences, trauma, stress, learned habits, training methods, trust, feeling safe and secure, predictability and stability are all part of how life experiences affect their behaviour.

Many dogs live in environments that are not compatible with their genetics or are not meeting their needs.

Genetics are not always predictive, but they can provide insight as to what to expect.

We selectively bred dogs to do important jobs like guarding, herding, hunting, pointing, scenting, tracking or companionship. When dogs that were bred for specific jobs, find themselves “unemployed” and have no outlet for what they were originally bred to do, this often leads to pent up frustration and behaviour problems.

Conflict between the environment and a dog’s genetics are an increasingly common reason for behaviour problems in our times.

Yes, a dog may have just been “born this way”, but always look at the whole picture to understand the why of behaviour.

Genetics, environment, individuality and experiences – they all matter.

10/08/2023

Can you teach old dogs new tricks? 🤔

The answer is a resounding yes!! 🤩

So often people stop training and working with their dogs once they have 'grown up' as they don't realise it is either possible or necessary to continue training beyond that point. Not only is it entirely possible for dogs to learn new skills as they age, it is also extremely beneficial.

Here are some excellent reasons to keep training your dog even as they get older...

🐶 Older dogs aren't as active and easily distracted as puppies, so can focus for longer periods of time.

🐶 They have better mental acuity and reasoning skills so they can figure out more complex tasks they may have struggled with before.

🐶 Mental exercise has been shown to delay cognitive decline in older dogs and humans. For your dog this could be training, brain games and learning tricks!

🐶 Older dogs may not be able to do as much physical exercise as their younger counterparts and will get bored at home, training gives them an alternative outlet.

🐶 Topping up a dog's training throughout their life is always useful, when training a dog we are teaching them a second language, and just like learning a second language if we don't use it, over time we start to forget it.

🐶 You don't know how much time you will have left with them and every moment you can spend together counts, training is another fantastic activity that can bring you happy memories together.

I still train with my dog Suzi every day and she is 16 years old. We work on fun things we can both enjoy together like our trick titles with More With Your Dog! .

Training doesn't just have to be a chore, something to do to accomplish a specific goal, it can also just be another way to spend time together. ❤️

You can check out the study mentioned in the graphic for yourself here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26728398/

29/05/2023

Since the death of their daughter nearly two years ago, Sophie Putland's family has worked tirelessly to advocate for change in the veterinarian industry.

18/05/2023

Plenty of good avice here

06/04/2023

Any sport is a good sport! We call fast cat "sprint dog" here, and while it's not up and running as yet there is work towards barn hunt starting too.

There is also lure coursing which is the longer version of sprint dog/fast cat, with turns instead of straight.

Another great intro sport is tricks! Almost no gear required, so it's only training required.

For anyone considering starting in sports and don't know where to start/what to do, i am always happy to help, and I'm at almost all of the local trials if you need someone to talk to on the day!

With all of that said, to those who do already do sports, please don't 💩 on those who are just starting out, not everyone wants to/can afford/has the time/or even knows about being able to do "all the things". Let them enjoy their sports, let them enjoy their journey. It's not lesser to only want to do some sports and not others, they have every right to have fun and be proud of their dog for making it out there!

19/01/2023

ADOPTION DAY TIME 🐾
If you're on the search for your next family member, stop by Petbarn Rockhampton this Saturday 21st January!

You can meet our animals, take a look at what other animals we have in care and chat to us so we can help point you in the right direction. We want to make sure you find your perfect match.
.or if you just want a cuddle, that's perfectly fine too! 😊

Here are the profiles of all our current furbabies in care -> https://www.petrescue.com.au/groups/11695

10/01/2023

The homework for the junior & seniors trick classes will be emailed out either late tonight or tomorrow

14/12/2022

For those who travel with their dogs, you may need to look at your tick regimen sooner rather than later and discuss it with your vet in view of the fact that erlichiosis has made it from Mt Isa and Cloncurry across to Townsville now

For those who don't travel with your dogs, in the space of a year we've gone from no cases in qld to it now being across NQ and FNQ as well as western qld, so it will likely to continue spreading south in the not too distant future, so you should also have a chat to your vet the next time you're there about your tick prevention regimen

📢 EHRLICHIOSIS CASE CONFIRMED 📢

An emerging tick-borne bacterial disease has now had a confirmed case in Townsville.

Erhlichia canis is a disease transmitted to dogs by the Brown Dog Tick. This disease has been emerging around Australia and has recently been confirmed in Townsville.

E. canis infection can cause serious disease, ranging from a mild fever and inappetence, through to life-threatening blood clotting disorders.

Is it preventable?

✅ E. canis IS preventable! In addition to your regular worming medications, we recommend also using a Seresto Tick Collar.

Why is there a need for additional tick prevention?

❗️ Many products such as Nexguard, Bravecto and Simparica, whilst highly effective, rely on ticks biting your animal to ingest the product and kill it. E. canis is rapidly transmitted between the window of a tick biting, and the ingestion of the product. Repellents are therefore necessary to prevent the tick from biting in the first place.

Seresto Collars are currently the only product registered as prevention against E. canis.

13/12/2022

A little PSA/soapbox here....

We are tired of hearing the stories over and over of dogs being attacked and chased by off-leash dogs.....take a stance and make a difference in your dog's life!

Lots of folks and their dogs out on trails, at parks and out for a walk with their dog this time of year. Unfortunately, not all owners have taught their dog bombproof recalls. It's common to hear...."oh he's friendly!"

But those people fail to realize the dog their dog is approaching may not be so friendly when a strange dog charges towards them or their pack members or when other dogs run up and get in their face!

As a dog owner/guardian/parent, whatever you want to call yourself, you are responsible for the safety and well-being of your own dog. If you allow your dog to be off-leash when they do not have a strong recall, you are failing to be responsible and failing your dog.

An attack in this situation can cause a dog a lifetime of fear or reactivity issues if the owners allow it to happen. There are leash laws for valid reasons!

PLEASE don't be THAT person that allows or encourages your unresponsive/unreliable dog to be off leash...advocate for your dog and keep and others around them safe.

Owners need to advocate for their dog and take appropriate safety measures to prevent their dog from being attacked or stepping up to handle the situation themself (i.e. become reactive to drive the offending dog away). It will help your dog tremendously when they realize you will take care of the situation and they don't have to when they are ill-equipped to do so!

Stop with the "he's friendly" or "he just wants to say hello" nonsense...instead train your dog to be neutral around other dogs, mind their own business and keep enjoying their walk paying attention to YOU.

07/12/2022

This is a great price for lovely portraits by a local artist

06/12/2022

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a noticeable jump in summer temperatures in Queensland from tomorrow, so make sure your pets keep hydrated and cool too. 🐶 Some regions are expected to hit the 45 degree mark! Here's some timely tips from our friends at the RSPCA QLD to help you keep them safe and sound in the link bit.ly/3VL6EKK

20/11/2022

And this is why going to puppy class is a good idea 😂

Comic credit: https://www.facebook.com/1714392595502434/

02/11/2022

Sharing this for the second time as I cannot express how important it is to prevent ticks if there is no paralysis tick antiserum available.

Having previously had a dog get sick from a paralysis tick despite prevention many years ago (she was treated with antiserum and lived many years after), you do NOT want to go through that with a dog without any antiserum.

Please ensure your dogs have been adequately treated, and even consider one of the topical sprays to help prevent ticks attaching when you are out

31/10/2022

Ticks are definitely out and about all year here in CQ. With the recent rain and warm weather there will be more than usual around. Please make aure your pets are treated appropriately!

URGENT NOTICE!

QLD cannot access Tick Antiserum.
This means if your pet becomes symptomatic there is no treatment.

Some clinics have bare minimum supply on hand but this will run out - and run out quickly.

PLEASE HAVE YOUR PET ON PREVENTION. Prevention is key and at this stage, the only way to keep your pet safe - and potentially alive, when it comes to paralysis ticks.

If you are unsure if your pet is up-to-date, there's a good chance they're not. Nexgard, Nexgard Spectra, Braveto chews and topspots, Revolution Plus are all fantastic options - please call if you need to confirm.

28/10/2022

HEATSTROKE
We are coming into summer and with high temperatures set to soar in Central Queensland, we want to make people aware of the dangers of heatstroke.
Dogs don't have the ability to sweat like we do, they eliminate heat by panting. When panting isn’t enough, a dog’s body temperature rises, and this can be fatal if not rectified quickly.
Please consider when walking your dog that the ground will be hot and they don’t get to wear shoes! If you can’t stand barefoot on a surface for more than a few seconds, then your pet shouldn’t be exposed to it either. This includes trays on the backs of Utes, where they are also exposed to the full force of the sun.
The most common cause of heatstroke is a careless action by a pet owner, such as leaving the dog in a car while running errands, walking or running the dog on a hot day, forgetting to provide water and shade to pets that are outdoors.

Physical Symptoms of Heatstroke:
Excessive panting
Signs of discomfort
Unable or unwilling to move around
Drooling
Reddened gums
Severe signs:
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Mental dullness
Loss of consciousness
Collapse
If you think your pet is suffering from heatstroke seek immediate veterinary attention. Remove the dog from the hot environment immediately and place a wet towel over the dog, keep wetting the towel, alternate between two towels as they can absorb heat from the dog. On your way to the vet travel with the windows open or the air conditioner on. Please call your Vet Clinic and let them know you are on your way so we can be prepared and treat your pet immediately when you arrive.

Torenbeek Vet Clinic
(07) 4928 2593
339 Dean Street
Frenchville
Qld 4701

28/10/2022

Biloela class lists are posted, there's still two spots left if anyone wants to come and join the fun :)
Class starts Sunday!

20/10/2022

SNAKES ARE ON THE MOVE!

As the beautiful weather starts to roll in, PLEASE REMEMBER - you and your pet aren’t the only ones enjoying the warm spring sun!

It is this time of the year when South Australia’s SNAKE population is coming out of winter hibernation. Many snakes will be on the move looking for food and water whilst also searching for a mating partner. A snakes’ venom is often at its most potent after hibernation, as they have not been using is whilst lying dormant. It is important to be wary of snakes when both exercising your pet and in your own home. The inquisitive nature of our beloved pets can often land them in strife, so it’s best to keep a watchful eye on them during this time. We have already seen a number of snake bite cases in the last two weeks.

01/10/2022

Never be afraid to be weird with your dog, it pays off!

Improving your dogs response to you isn’t all about lengthy training sessions.

Sometimes all you need is to reduce chatter, bring out your dog’s favourite things and make yourself reinforcing.

24/07/2022