Know Dogs Allowed Canine Enterprises

04/22/2025

Trying “everything” is not a requirement for considering compassionate euthanasia.

When your pet has health or behaviour concerns, there may come a time when euthanasia is a reasonable outcome. It might be different for each one of us; certainly for each of our pets.

A few weeks ago, I rushed my 6-year-old hedgehog, Fern, to the ER vet due to unexplained bleeding. The ultrasound showed a mass in her uterus. Blood work revealed anemia. I was given options: surgery to remove the mass; pain management and supportive care; or, euthanasia.

Fern had perfect behaviour – she was truly the sweetest hedgehog I’ve known – and her quality of life seemed fair, at least for an exotic pet. Spay surgery is relatively common in hedgehogs. Unfortunately, at her age, with a mass (cancer) and anemia, the prognosis was guarded at best. She might live a few days, weeks, or maybe months.

After a long discussion with the vet, I decided it would be too hard to ensure proper pain management, especially at her age and after major abdominal surgery. They curl up in self-defence, after all. I chose to euthanize her.

More recently, you might have noticed that my dog, Greta, has been sick. We know part of it is neuropathic, and part of it is her pancreas. There may be more. Pancreatitis doesn’t always show up on routine blood tests, so it’s hard to diagnose it when the signs are nonspecific.

Pancreatitis is extremely painful, and each recurrence causes additional damage. Eventually, it can become chronic. The inflamed pancreas leaks digestive enzymes into the abdominal cavity. This causes problems with other organs. Greta is digesting her own body from the inside.

Some treatments may be available, but Greta’s access to veterinary care is complicated by stress and aggression. Even if I believed I could safely change her behaviour, her behaviour is a direct indication of pain and fear. Reducing her behaviour will not relieve her suffering. Living in fear of asking for help is no way to live at all.

I can’t do everything for Greta, and I have to live with that. I can’t do everything, but I can choose kindness. It is kindest to alleviate her suffering.

04/19/2025

Inappropriate elimination (house soiling) in adult dogs. This comes up pretty frequently even among pro trainers. I’m on a “behaviour is a medical issue” tear (for the past several years and foreseeable future) so you’re welcome, or sorry, or whatever. I posted this in a group earlier, but it might help to make it public.

• “Ruled out a UTI” does not mean that house soiling is not medical. In-house tests are limited at most veterinary clinics. Sterile samples can produce different results than free catch samples.

• “Didn’t find crystals” does not mean that house soiling is not medical. Diagnostic imaging may not help visualize small crystals. Large crystals may not be possible to sample with sterile draw or free catch.

• “Already on pain management” does not mean that house soiling is not medical. Pain management does not eliminate pain and does not prevent breakthrough or new pain. Doses get missed. Low doses may not be effective. High doses may cause painful side effects. Certain drugs may not target the right systems to relieve the pain.

• “Always potties fine on a walk” does not mean that house soiling is not medical. Physical activity stimulates elimination; eventually, the dog will have to go. Elimination can facilitate escape from painful activities, like walks. Or obedience. Or barn hunt. Or whatever.

• “Only started after [life event]” does not mean that house soiling is not medical. Medical problems do not wait for a good time. Humans are superstitious.

If you didn’t do or see something happen to your dog that would obviously relate to their elimination behaviour, like getting shocked or attacked while peeing outside, please don’t assume that it’s behavioural.

Feeling really freakin’ inspired by a client who informed their vet, assessed their dog’s medication schedule, AND used management strategies to contain accidents until we could discuss the behaviour, instead of focusing on changing the behaviour itself. The behaviour resolved without my help and they now recognize it as a sign of discomfort.

Included is a photo of someone who doesn’t like to call them “accidents”. [Image: Close up photo of Greta the border collie giving side eye.]

12/16/2024

It’s been a wonderful year with my wonderful clients. Happy holidays to all the dogs in the Know!!

12/13/2024

I’ve taken this course and I’ll be taking it again! I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to gain confidence and skills in writing, whether it be about dogs or anything else. Eileen is a competent and accommodating teacher. I really cannot say enough good about this mentorship!

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11/06/2024

🚨 Unpopular opinion? A lot of muzzles I see on social media are too big for their intended purpose!

Head on over to my Muzzle Training 101 course for more info:

https://www.knowdogsallowed.com/course/muzzles-mini-course

Use code PWYC2024 for the $15 CAD (less than $11 USD today!) rate, or pay $30 CAD (less than $22 USD) if you can. Same course, same lifetime access. Just pay what you can.

This course has been fully upgraded to video format with examples and a hands-off measurement tutorial! Downloadable PDF training plans included.

Already bought the course? Check out the new format!

10/10/2024

Watch out, I’m about to drop a true fact ⬇️

Here’s the thing about good dog training, at least in my niche: most of it is about addressing causes of behaviour, rather than focusing on teaching new behaviour.

Yes, of course we teach new behaviour, too! For the majority of my clients, there are underlying factors we need to treat first. Your trusted vet team will be an invaluable part of our work together.

Do these signs of pain sound bananas? Check out the link for the full article! 🍌

https://www.knowdogsallowed.com/blog/cant-train-past-pain

I recently upgraded my website, which means you can now find my blog at the link in my bio or
https://www.knowdogsallowed.com/blog

10/08/2024

Treats don’t work for every situation. Rewards can!!

Greta had to fast for spay surgery, so we couldn’t use treats at the vet.

We gave an extra generous dose of pre-visit medication (with veterinary blessing), which worked so well that it will be our standard protocol for future visits. Look how loose and silly she was!

I didn’t think to take a toy, but Greta found a doorstop and couldn’t get enough. She continued to play on her own while I chatted with the technician about how the surgical prep and recovery would go.

Good, brave girl, Greta!

10/06/2024

Three ways to make fetch safer ⬇️⬇️⬇️ Read the caption! You don’t have to give it up entirely.

Hard stops, explosive starts, and tight turns are biomechanically costly. These are the activities that are more likely to contribute to injuries, and they’re easy to modify.

🥏 Send your dog to a “dead” toy on the ground, instead of a bouncing ball.

🥏 Hide the toy so your dog can use their nose to find it.

🥏 Break up the game with other activities by using fetch as a reward.

We play fetch as a scent work exercise and to build our retrieve to hand, but it doesn’t have to be that deep. You can just have fun with your dog.

10/02/2024

It’s not training if it’s fun 🤷

My favourite part of cooperative care training is how easy it is to have a good time!!

A kiddie pool can help practice for:

🐾 Baths

🐾 Foot soaks

🐾 Wipes

🐾 Crate and potty box training, too!

Like training games? I have a new website and upgraded Happy Husbandry course launching soon… 🥰

10/02/2024

Give your dog - and yourself - some grace. Find ways to make the task smaller. You’ll be more successful and progress more quickly.

09/29/2024

Hey fellas, is it animal cruelty to trim a little paw fur and then pay with a giant whimzee? Asking for a border collie

If your dog is sensitive about handling, make sure to check out my Happy Husbandry course! It can get better!

09/29/2024

Quit spitting! Teach your dog to swallow medicine.

Start with a tasty medicine pocket: cream cheese, peanut butter, cheez whiz, king stuffing, wet cat food, or greenies can all work, if the medicine is compatible with a bit of food!

Give 3-5 small, empty pieces of treat pocket in a row.

Give a bunch of treat pockets with kibbles in them. Repeat 3-5 times or until your dog is swallowing without chewing!

Give them one with the medicine. Make sure to COVER THE TABLET. I just left it visible to demonstrate.

Follow up with a few empty pieces of treat pocket again, or a jackpot of something great!

Go quick, and make sure if the tablet is bitter, don’t get medicine residue on the outside of the pocket! Make sure they’re swallowing without chewing at all before trying this with something yucky.

Follow for more happy husbandry tips!