Delightful Dogs

11/02/2024

Sad Truth 😔

10/29/2024

🎃🐾 Halloween Dog Safety Tips 🐾🎃

As we gear up for a spooky and fun Halloween, let’s not forget about keeping our furry friends safe! 👻 Here are some tips to ensure your dog has a howlingly safe Halloween:

Keep Treats Out of Reach 🍬🍫: Many Halloween treats, especially chocolate and candy with xylitol, are toxic for dogs. Make sure all candy is stored safely away from those curious noses!

Costumes: Comfort is Key 👗🐶: If your dog is dressing up, make sure the costume isn’t too tight or restrictive. Avoid small pieces they can chew off and swallow, and make sure they’re comfortable and not stressed.

Watch the Door 🚪🐕: With trick-or-treaters coming and going, the front door will be opening a lot. This can be a great opportunity for an escape! Keep your pup secure, either by using a gate or keeping them in another room during peak trick-or-treat hours.

ID & Microchip 🏷️📲: In case your dog does slip out, make sure they’re wearing proper ID tags and are microchipped with up-to-date information.

Halloween Décor 🎃🕯️: Be cautious with decorations like candles, string lights, and small plastic parts. These can be dangerous if chewed or knocked over.

Stranger Anxiety 😱🐕: Costumes and lots of people can be overwhelming for some dogs. If your dog seems anxious or frightened, create a safe, quiet space away from all the action.

Have a fun and safe Halloween with your pets! 👻🐾 Let’s make sure it’s a treat for everyone!

10/28/2024

Have you ever watched a dog trainer working with a dog on a TV program or on social media, and the dog is barking and lunging? The dog appears really reactive or aggressive. It looks completely out of control. The trainer forces the dog to face their fears by fully exposing them with no option to flee and suddenly the dog is magically calm. They are no longer barking or lunging. They may even allow the trainer to touch them.

What is this sorcery?

While its often celebrated as magic behavioural change, this is actually behaviour suppression and learned helplessness. The dog did everything they could to get away from the feared stimulus, so they growled, barked and lunged. When the dog realises that all his efforts to escape are in vain, they give up and emotionally shut down. To the untrained eye, this dog appears calm because they are no longer 'shouting'. If the trainer uses an aversive, like a slip lead, prong collar or a shock collar, a dog will likely stop fighting and communicating much faster, especially if their breathing is compromised. (something that happens all too often)

How could removing all agency and choice, and completely ignoring the needs of a dog make them feel better about something they fear? It doesn't. Your dog has just learned to stop communicating and it is one of the most distressing things to witness if you fully recognise what is truly happening in that training session.

10/21/2024

DISTRACTED DOG WALKERS

The distracted dog walker is commonly seen chatting on their cell phone, wearing headphones or socializing with other people while oblivious to what their dog is doing, how their dog is feeling or what is going on in the environment.

This may not sound like a problem to some, but it is something that many people have a problem with, even more so if you have a reactive dog.

I compare walking a dog to driving a car. It’s not so much about our driving skills, but having to constantly be aware of the driving skills of others – trying to predict what they will do, which rules of the road they will ignore and how distracted they are. This is especially true in the country I live in, where driving can be a stressful experience.

I understand that we often need to multi task – there simply doesn’t seem to be enough time in our day to accomplish everything we need to, but walking our dogs should not be one of these times.

Some people might say – “but my dog is really friendly, well socialized, gets on well with everyone, is well trained, knows this environment well etc. and I hear that.

But another dog might not be – maybe they need space, are reactive, are not sociable, are recovering from an illness, might be terrified of another dog racing straight towards them chasing a ball thrown from a ball launcher etc.

If distracted dog walkers have no regard for other dogs or other people, they should at least have regard for their own dogs. Walking your dog should be a time of bonding, of relationship, of seeing the environment through the eyes of your dog, of reinforcing and teaching wanted behaviours, of keeping them safe and protected from the unknown.

Our dogs need us to be focused, to pay attention, to be aware and attentive.

Our dogs depend on us to advocate for them.

10/12/2024

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving 🤗

10/03/2024

😫 Please Watch! ⚠️

Want the inside scoop on Big Pharma's latest, Bravecto Quantum? 🐾 Dr. Judy quickly discusses its not-so-furry-friendly side effects 🐶, treatment timelines ...

09/30/2024

How do you calm an over excited dog? Helping an over excited dog relax is exactly what we look at in this video and it is a really easy and effective method ...

09/27/2024

This post really tugged at my heart. We live in such a chaotic world where everyone is in such a rush and technology often takes away from us enjoying the simple beauty of things. Such a great reminder to put the phones away and enjoy time and those walks with your dog. Have a wonderful relaxing weekend everyone. 🤗

Walk with me; don’t just walk me. Slow down and see the world as I do. I know you’ve got things to do, places to be. But out here, with the ground beneath our feet and the sky above us, there’s a whole world worth noticing.

The autumn chill is in the air today, crisp and full of new smells. It’s different from yesterday, and different from the day before. Every day is new. The leaves crunch under my paws, and I stop to breathe in the rich, earthy scent of them. To you, it might just be a pile of leaves, but to me, it’s a story—one I can’t help but dive into, nose first.

There’s a squirrel somewhere nearby, I can sense it, darting up a tree, its tiny heart beating fast. And the wind carries whispers of things far away: a family cooking dinner, the trace of a cat that passed by early this morning, and the faint perfume of flowers holding on to their last bit of summer. It’s all here, swirling around us if you just take the time to notice.

You tug on the leash, eager to move on, and I can tell you’re thinking about something far away from here. But when we walk, truly walk, you and I can be in this moment together. Feel the cool air brush against your skin, let it wake you up. Notice how the sun filters through the branches, casting shadows that dance on the pavement. Hear the crunch of the leaves beneath our steps, like a secret rhythm just for us.

To you, it might be just another walk, a daily routine to tick off the list. But for me, every step is an adventure. Each scent is a clue, each sound a piece of a puzzle. When you walk with me, really walk with me, you’ll see it too. The world is bigger than what we’re rushing toward. It’s right here, in the small moments, in the quiet spaces between your thoughts.

So, slow down. Breathe. Let the chill fill your lungs and the colours fill your eyes. Walk with me, don’t just walk me. See the world as I do, if only for a little while. It’s all waiting for you, just beneath the surface.
Natalie P
2024
Picture created with AI

09/25/2024

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Nail trim services for Dogs, Cats and Small animals
are back every Wed with 100% of proceeds donated to Hobo Haven Rescue
Appts are required, please call 519-664-3366 or email [email protected] to book now!
We also do basic paw fur trimming and nail grinding for additional $5 each
Creature Comfort Pet Emporium
1553 King St N, St Jacobs

09/25/2024

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09/23/2024

We're back! I hope you all had a wonderful relaxing summer. 🌞 Really looking forward to our Fall classes starting this week and working with wonderful puppies/dogs and their owners again. 😄 My last day of holidays yesterday was certainly eventful as Mavrick ended up getting sprayed bad by a skunk who thought it was a great idea to find a home under our shed with 2 huskies living here. 🤦‍♀️ Was able to trap the skunk last night and got it released safely this morning. 🦨 So today has been busy trying to continue to de-skunk everything (including him) as well catch up in the office. 😵‍💫 I'll do my best to post some articles again later this week for you all. Give your fur-kids love and kisses for me! 💕

06/26/2024

We will be closed for the Summer from June 28th – September 22nd, 2024.
Online class enrollment form submissions will be followed up on during our closure and all other inquiries will be returned on September 23rd.
For more information such as classes, schedules, links, private training options or to enroll in an upcoming class, visit our website at: www.delightfuldogs.net
For training behaviour tips or advice, visit the resources page on our website or do a keyword search on this business page.
*Business Will Return To Normal Hours Again September 23rd, 2024*
Wishing you a Safe and Wonderful Summer! ☺️

06/22/2024

06/20/2024

This is such a habit for us....and it really is US that needs to look at a solution to this issue.👀
Everyone has done this and even after clients have this pointed out to them, they will still repeat themselves (even straight after having this explained)
Why ?
Because habits can be so hard to break and when we are unaware of them they are even harder to break.
If your dog is off looking at a leaf, head down and interested in it...repeating yourself 5 times (and raising your voice and altering the tone each time) does nothing but frustrate you....and create a habit.
It is a bad habit.
We don't wait for focus before asking.
We repeat their names over and over and get grumpier each time we say their name.
Even when you have focus repeating a cue "sit...sit...sit...SIT...SIT" is habit and pattern forming. Some dogs are so clever they will wait until you repeat "sit" five times.
We expect "immediate" results when a dog may not actually know what you want or has never done as you ask with heavy distractions outside.

The best thing you can do is SHOW your dog what the cue means again.
Give them time to process what you have asked....you will be surprised if you stop, say it once and wait 3 - 4 seconds they may just show you exactly what you wanted.
Processing time IS important and as a society we expect instant results from everything in life, including our dogs.
Take a step back (especially if it is more miss than hit when you ask).
Gradually increase environments, use rewards, use praise and when your dog has done well listening in the trickier times....that is especially praise worthy.

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06/20/2024

06/20/2024

05/29/2024

With summer festivities kicking off, we want to remind you about the symptoms of heatstroke and prevention tips:​

🚗Never leave your pet unattended in a car​

☀️When hot/humid, keep your pet’s time outdoors limited ​​

💦Keep your pet hydrated​​

🌬️Ensure your pet has ventilation and a cool environment​​

➡️Dogs with short noses are at higher risk due to their condensed facial anatomy and restricted ability to cool themselves​​

If any signs of heat stroke appear, please contact our team immediately. ​​

Please help us spread awareness by tagging your pet parent friends in the comments and by sharing this post!​

Shared from Vernon Veterinary Clinic

Want to learn more? We cover this in our dog first aid programs! Check out our upcoming course offering on our website 🐾

05/29/2024

Blue-Green Algae is very dangerous for dogs, as well as people and other animals❗

What is is though?
Warm weather promotes the growth of cyanobacteria in bodies of fresh water which is toxic when ingested.

The Algae can stick to the dogs fur and then when they clean themselves it gets into their system, so even if you think your dog will not drink the water do not let them swim in it either!

Here are some signs of toxicity from blue-green algae to watch for:
❗ Panting
❗ Excessive Drooling
❗ Diarrhea
❗ Disorientation
❗ Respiratory Failure
❗ Seizures
❗ Liver Failure
❗ Vomiting
❗ Collapse/Unconsciousness
❗ Weakness / Lethargic
❗ Death

If your dog is showing any symptoms of toxicity contact a vet immediately! Monitor vital signs and provide emergency first aid assistance.

05/28/2024

05/24/2024

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05/24/2024

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THE LOOK AWAY
Looking away is one of the calming signals in dog body language.

Just like a hard stare or prolonged eye contact may be a sign that a dog’s about to react, looking away is meant to calm a situation down.

The head position when looking away will vary – from side to side, holding in one position or subtle quick turns are all common variations, all while avoiding direct eye contact.

I have often watched in fascination when one of my dogs uses this form of communication with an insect! Her favourite thing to do is to hunt, catch and then play with a Parktown Prawn (King Cricket).

She means them no harm (I think) and just wants to engage in a game of how high can you jump before I can catch you.

She will carefully carry the cricket in her mouth without hurting it to the middle of the garden where there are no bushes where it may escape to.

After a quick play bow (from her, not the cricket!) the games begin. The game can go on for some time and when the cricket gets tired or plays dead, she will stop playing, sit quietly, avoid eye contact and keep looking away before starting the game again.

By this time, I usually feel really sorry for the cricket, will rescue it and put it out of reach, but I think this is a good example of how she uses the body language of looking away to try to calm the situation down, even if her intentions are completely selfish! I have no idea if the cricket understands what she is trying to communicate.

Body language can be subtle and fleeting, but with careful observation and knowing what to look for most of us can learn to recognize and interpret what our dogs are saying.

It’s always important to look at the context, the situation and especially what the rest of the body is doing when deciphering this amazing language.

Being able to understand a dog’s emotional state through their body language helps us to predict behaviour, prevent potential problems or allows us to just enjoy observing their language.

05/16/2024

Have a wonderful and safe long-weekend everyone! 🤗

Keep your pets safe this long weekend!