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Lokal K9, 150 Rykert Street, Saint Catharines, ON (2024)

10/04/2022

A Where’s Waldo of this years Aggression in Dogs Conference. It’s all about agency.

10/04/2022

The boys looking progressively more unimpressed at this years Aggression in Dogs Conference. I thought it was great 🤷🏻

09/17/2022

An excellent post with great tips to follow. We have rescues like this operating in our area commonly.

Please reach out to Lokal K9 for pre-addition counselling, behavioural assessments and matchmaking services.

A bit of patience at the outset can save a lot of heartache in the future.
Allison - Lokal K9

Rescue Red Flags

Responsible pet ownership starts early, from the minute you source your new family member. Whether you choose a breeder or a rescue, it’s your responsibility to do your research and make a responsible choice.

While we would like to believe that any “rescue” has the best interest of the animal at heart, this is simply not the case. By supporting unethical or predatory rescues, you are lining the pockets of organizations that cause harm. You are also putting yourself at risk of getting a dog with behavioural, medical, or other challenges you may not be prepared to manage.

We've compiled a list of five "red flags" to watch for:

⒈ Mass adoption events and mass transports. Do you see posts about a rescue taking in 10, 20, or even 50+ dogs at a time? Or hosting events where a large number of adoptions are done on-site? This is not a good sign. Most rescues are run by small teams of volunteers. When there are large numbers of dogs moving through their program, it can mean they are either “flipping” dogs for profit, or they are in over their heads and can’t possibly be providing the care, screening, and support the dog (and adopter) deserves.

⒉ Screening. Put yourself in a rescue’s shoes for a minute. Imagine you have rescued a dog who may have had a difficult life, and has lost the only home they have ever known. You owe them the best future possible. What would it take for you to be comfortable placing them with a stranger? A long conversation? A home check? A vet referral? A meet-and-greet to observe them interacting with the dog? Think this through, and research the steps reputable rescues take.

⒊ Rushing the process. The hallmark of a predatory rescue is fast-tracking the adoption. They will often give you excuses: this dog just “happens” to be available now and desperately needs a home. The dog is in another country in a “high kill” shelter and only has 24 hours to live. Or, your application was so strong that they will make an exception and drop the dog off today! A rescue that cares about the dog’s future will take time to ensure a proper match.

⒋ Disclosure. A rescue should provide a vet check, treat any medical issues, and provide basic vaccination, ID, and spay/neuter. They should partner with reputable trainers who can provide assessment and support for any issues that arise – especially if it is aggression or another serious behaviour. All of this information should be discussed with you in detail, and records should be provided. An ethical rescue will want you to know exactly what you are signing up for.

⒌ Emotional manipulation. Most rescues share stories about the dogs in their program to raise awareness and attract adopters. However, a good rescue will focus on the needs of the dog in front of them. They will use their head AND their heart to make a good match. Unethical rescues use emotional manipulation as their main marketing tool – they will focus on lurid details and a dramatic backstory. They will pressure you into making a decision and make you feel like a dog’s life is in your hands. As tough as it might be, do not fall for it. These stories are often fabricated or exaggerated in order to “flip” the dog quickly.

Keep these five tips in mind next time you or someone you know is looking to adopt! A little time and vigilance can make sure you make the right choice for you – and support organizations that are doing good things for animal welfare.

04/30/2022

Exciting new research published today by the IAABC and IAABC Foundation on the link (or statistical lack thereof) between a dogs breed and predictability of stereotypical behaviour.

I’ll link below both the full paper for the geeks out there, and an excellent New York Times article that reports on the research findings.

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abk0639?fbclid=IwAR3gU_S_j90LOW8vuK_aa53jyD6noub9bkkDONj0Sqq-LoAHYo-YyeRDdN0

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/28/science/dogs-breed-behavior-genes.html

Pairing owner surveys and genetics for pet dogs challenges behavioral breed stereotypes.

04/16/2022

A lovely senior still looking for his forever home as an only dog.

04/01/2022

Today’s Topic: Planned Mourning
***TRIGGER WARNING***

The expanding acknowledgment of animal behaviour and emotion as being parallel to human experience will greatly impact the quality of cross-species relationships.

Animals grieve. It has been an accepted phenomenon in multiple species for decades.

For our pets, especially social species like dogs, this is something we should consider in end-of-life planning within the scope of our control.
On the human end - pre plan for what will happen to your pets in the event of your death. And if possible leave the intended caretaker with resources not only for thier grief - but for the potential grief and associated behaviour changes that our animals may display after this traumatic event.

In regards to ‘packmates’ - other dogs (or bonded animals in a social group) cohabitating in a household, this means assessing how to go about the acceptance and grieving process when a pack member dies.
It can be incredibly traumatic - when in today’s world many pets pass at a veterinarian’s office and are not buried at home - for a pack member to leave and just never come back.
This can lead to a prolonged process of anxiety and searching for/expecting the return of thier friend.
It can be important to the grief and acceptance process for packmates to actually witness and interact with thier pack member after they pass so they can understand the finality of thier departure and start grieving the loss.

In many developed countries and/or cultures we have been so detached from the physical process of dying that it has become a taboo subject.
It doesn’t need to be. Death is part of life, and planning for it in a compassionate manner can be very therapeutic.
For those uncomfortable with the topic I highly recommend the YouTube channel ‘Ask A Mortician’ for a modern, educational and interesting look at death historically and today.
And for anyone dealing with the emotional stress of behavioural euthanasia, the Facebook group Loosing Lulu - links below.

https://m.youtube.com/c/AskAMortician

https://m.facebook.com/groups/losinglulu/about/

Every animal, human or not, deals with grief in a different way.
If you are unshure about the most appropriate plan for yourself and your pets reach out to an animal behaviour consultant or veterinarian with behaviour knowledge to discuss the most appropriate options specific to your situation.

Lokal K9

TW: Loss of an animal, loss of loved one.

This Canada Goose is mourning his mate that was struck by a vehicle. Our officer came to pick up the goose, who has dead on arrival.

The partner was distraught the entire time the officer was on scene, and even tried chasing the car as it left. It's heartbreaking to witness. Yes, geese mourn the loss of their partners.

Please be extra cautious of Canada Geese on roadways at this time of year in particular. Pairs of geese are often seen near roads during mating season.

02/17/2022

So very true🤣 Definitely a shovel in your pjs day around here!

Yep

02/11/2022

Ready, set, learn!
Be back Monday, hope everyone has a great weekend.

02/04/2022

Please be patient and compassionate with your veterinarian clinics - there is also a healthcare crisis in the veterinary medicine field at the moment which can lead to long wait times and triaging care by case severity. We can’t afford to loose any more animal health professionals to burn-out or compassion fatigue; We all need to support each-other to get through this.

Ontario animal care services have been dealing with a combination of a shortage of veterinarians and an influx of people with new pets during the pandemic, and the Hamilton area has been no exception to the crisis.

01/23/2022

Winter blizzard tip:
Be very careful when you get deep snow and then a layer of ice or compacted snow on top.
Dogs can tear off their dewclaws which is very painful, and can need veterinary intervention if this occurs.

A good safety precaution if allowing your dogs to go through this type of snow is to wrap any of thier feet with dewclaws ( typically the front feet, also the rear feet for some specific breeds like Great Pyrenees) with a good quality vet wrap; which you can usually find at feed stores in the horse section (in lots of cool colours!).

You’ll need to wrap it quite tight in three or four layers - but be sure that you don’t leave it on long, and remove it immediately after coming inside. You do not want to cause any pinched nerves or numbness in your dogs feet. You should not use this as a long-term solution as it should not be wrapped this tight when meant to be worn for prolonged periods of time. But it’s great for a fun 15 minute romp in the backyard or as a precaution if you have to walk through deep snow to take your dog to the toilet.

Stay safe and enjoy the weather!
Lokal K9

09/25/2021

https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/what-does-that-dog-training-certification-mean

Find out what those letters behind a dog trainers or canine behavior consultants name actually mean so you are better prepared to hire a dog trainer.

09/23/2021

Tip of the Day: Early Life and Expectations

As most of you will know, this is my copilot Loki.
Loki is an amazing dog - but due to his early life experiences he has many lasting issues that need to be accommodated in our daily life.

This includes the fact that he will never be 100% reliable in public - no matter how cute or well behaved he may look; he is completely confused by how dogs interact. He has a pathological hyperattachment to me, and a very low tolerance for frustration before acting out physically. The deprivation and miss-treatment he experienced before coming to me created permanent neurological changes that affect his ability to form relationships, accept species-typical social interactions and control his emotions.

One example of this would be a child with ADHD. One aspect of ADHD is that brain functions which allow you to put the 'brake pedal' on when you become emotional are not sufficiently present to let the person have control over their emotions. This is a physical reality that you can't just 'work harder' to control; just like a person with diabetes can't just 'work harder' to produce their own insulin.

When dogs don't receive the right kind of developmental experiences it actually changes their brains. This does not just mean"proper socialization" from the human standpoint. It means being exposed to various stimuli and social interactions with their own, and other, species; strengthening the neural pathways that allow them to cope with environmental stressors (self soothe and recover) and accept social interaction as a positive and normal part of life.

You can think of this like a neurotypical versus autistic individual. A neurotypical person may receive a hug from their sibling and feel comforted, loved, and the strengthening of social bonds. While an autistic individual being hugged by their sibling - not having the same cognitive processing abilities - may be confused as to why the other person is 'restraining' them, their anxiety may spike because they don't understand the social context of why this behaviour is happening, and their hyper-sensitization to physical stimuli may make them very uncomfortable because being hugged is making them feel hot and itchy; which creates irritation leading to more negative response to the situation. Their inability to influence their own emotions may create an overreaction or outburst to an outwardly normal event.

Thinking about dogs you have met, can you picture a dog that acted this way? An innocent happy dog frolics up to another dog at a dog park and the other dog 'for no reason' gets defensively aggressive?
These are the types of changes that improper environmental exposure at a young age commonly create in dogs.

Now, as someone with a home full of 'rejects', I obviously do not think that this means these dogs are any less deserving of a happy home. What it DOES MEAN is that you need to be very aware of where your dog came from and the LIMITATIONS that their history may impose on what you can expect them to be able to handle throughout their lifetime.

This is especially true of: feral dogs, dogs that are imported from other countries, come from puppy mills, backyard breeders or un-ethical/naïve breeders, and dogs with a history of severe neglect or abuse. Historically, unwanted canine behaviours have been looked at as problems to be handled purely with discipline and training. This is not the answer; not only for ethical reasons, but because it is simply not physically possible for some dogs.

While appropriate and ethical desensitization, counter conditioning and training can be helpful to any dog; dogs with a certain neurochemistry based on their earlier experiences or genetics will quite literally not be able to practice themselves into behaving differently.
In these cases you can almost always make a difference with the help of an appropriate behaviour consultant and/or veterinary behaviourist. Commonly psychopharmaceuticals can be incredibly helpful in creating a more neurotypical brain chemistry that allows the dog to respond to their environment in a way that creates a much better quality of life for everyone involved. And most importantly you must change your expectations of what you expect this dog to successfully cope with in daily life.

In very simple and practical terms - you can't force a dog to fit the picture you had in your head of what your life together was going to be.

Forcing dogs with a pathological inability to manage their own stress into social situations beyond their capability to handle is inhumane; and will not build their confidence. What you can provide for these dogs is a loving relationship and a safe home where they can enjoy their life, no matter what their previous experiences were.

So if your dog doesn't enjoy going on walks -DON'T GO ON WALKS! You'll see a much faster progression in their behaviour if you just Netflix and chill. Because they will see that mom or dad understands that all they want is to feel safe and be together - not be dragged through the haunted house freak show that we may think is just a nice walk to the park.

Remember that our dogs have no real choice with whom or where they end up living. So, as their caretakers and advocates we need to be willing to give up on what may have been our dream of the 'perfect dog' - in order to have a truly empathetic and meaningful relationship based on trust and understanding.

09/07/2021

First post covid outing for Loki, a lovely campfire barbecue with friends. has been amending services in response to the pandemic, but we hope to be back soon.

08/13/2021

IMPORTANT UPDATE:
Thank you for visiting Lokal K9; I am currently not holding steady office hours while completing some continuing education through the IAABC.
I am not closely monitoring email or the Lokal K9 page; but please feel free to leave inquiries at [email protected] and I will get back to you.

Current clients can reach me by text message.

Stay Safe,
Allison - Lokal K9

05/17/2021

Video of the Day:
Preparing your dogs for paddle sports

05/04/2021

Tip of the Day: Be Prepared for Renovations

One thing that is still chugging along during covid is the construction industry; which is lucky because Lokal K9 needs a new roof!

While you are busy preparing for any household renovations be sure to pre-plan for your 4 legged family as well.

There are multiple things to consider whenever you have contractors at your home with a dog:

First, will the contractors be coming in and out of the house?
If so you need to protect your dogs from both escaping through an open door, and from an unintended bite to a stranger entering the home. If any stranger will have access to the house either secure your dog in a room that won’t be entered or consider having a friend or family member watch the dogs at thier home for the duration of the work.

Secondly - the loud noises and strange people on thier territory can be very stressful. Not only for dogs with existing anxiety or fear issues, but for any dog. And the fact that you may be nervous or acting atypically can increase your dogs’ worry.
If your dogs are staying home consider talking with your vet about an appropriate sedative to lower the stress for your dogs while construction takes place. Be sure to plan ahead so you have enough on hand for the duration of the project; and know when to administer the drugs.
For example I was up at 5am today because the medication needs to be given 2 hours before the stressful event - and roofers start early!
This also means you need to know the half-life of the drug you are using. With the first dose given at 5am my guys will need a second dose to get them through to the end of the workday. And it’s important for fearful dogs that there is not a lull in the medication betweeen doses.

I recommend considering a pharmaceutical in these instances even if you don’t typically rely on them, because your dogs are in thier home - thier safe place - when construction occurs; And you don’t want anything causing a lasting trauma related to thier home environment.

Lastly, plan for the potty!
Some jobs, like roofing, create construction debris like nails that can be dangerous to your dog before the end of day cleanup occurs.
Plan ahead with your contractor so there is a safe route to your dogs’ bathroom area.
For us this meant asking that the roofers start at the front of the house so that the porch potty area would be the first place work is completed and will be cleaned up and safe for the dogs before they need thier next washroom break.

*Pro tip: if your dog continues to alarm bark you may need to bring them outside and let them see what is causing the strange noises. The most stressful thing for some dogs is not the noise itself - it’s not knowing what’s causing the noises.

Lokal K9 remains available for distance services during lockdown - email [email protected]
with any inquiries.

Stay safe

04/08/2021

COVID 19 UPDATE

As per provincial guidelines during the emergency stay-at-home order ,starting at midnight tonight, Lokal K9 will only be able to offer virtual services until the state of emergency is lifted.

Lokal K9 has a complete selection of new options to account for distance and combination services. Please message here or email - [email protected] - for a detailed PDF of 2021 fees and services.

Stay home & stay safe - Lokal K9

04/06/2021

03/22/2021

First installation of a great quick reference for breed specific traits that are genetic - not problem behaviours.

Genetics matters when it comes to dogs and their behavior. It's not just "how you raise them". After reading the book, Meet Your Dog, by Kim Brophy (from The Dog Door) this idea has become even more clear to me and to my clients.

One of my favorite parts of Kim's book categorizes dogs into groups and then identifies common challenges that people with these dogs may experience. These are not "problem behaviors" - these are behaviors that are common across each group based on what they were bred to do. They may seem problematic because of the life we have thrust upon them - but they represent what the dog was intended to do.

This requires a huge mental shift. Your dog may be growling at your child - but that's because the breed is sensitive about their personal space. Of course, there is variation across each breed and each individual may be different than the others. But there are certain tendencies that are consistent - and we need to learn how to adjust our expectations so that we don't see these dogs as "problem animals".

Guardian dogs include breeds such as Anatolian shepherds, Great Pyrenees, St. Bernards, Great Danes, Newfoundlands, Mastiffs, Bernese and Greater Swiss Mountain dogs. Many of these breeds are commonly used to guard livestock, so their traits (that some people consider "problems") should come as no surprise.

Suspicious of visitors
Aggression to strangers, especially on their property
Wandering off
Not coming when called
Protective of owners and other pets
Territorial barking
Male-Male conflict
Independent and challenging to motivate and train

NOTE: I am not here to argue with you about which breeds to in which groups. Kim has done ample research here. You may disagree with where a breed has been placed, but please remember that not only are their variations in individuals, but that many traits cross groups.

I have consulted with Kim Brophy in the creation of this series of graphics.

03/15/2021

Loki wants to remind everyone; with spring on the way, and another big season for covid-safe outdoor activities, don’t forget that safety first applies to our four legged family members as well!
With paddle boarding being our preferred activity it’s important to get a PFD specifically designed for dogs. Don’t assume your dog can swim to safety, especially if they’re not conditioned for it!
Loki is modelling his SALUS skippy PFD - and as if being safe and spiffy wasn’t enough, SALUS is a small company and thier products are handmade in Canada!

Lokal K9 wishes everyone a safe and happy season, get out and get active!

03/14/2021

Red says spring is on the way!

03/08/2021

The low-down on the flat-faced breeds.

They are super cute we totally get it, but have you ever stopped to consider how it feels to be a flat-faced/brachycephalic animal?

Years and years of breeding for the sole purpose of creating flatter faces has crammed a lot of anatomy into a very small space. The President of the British Veterinary Association has compared their every day experience to a person spending their entire lives trying to breathe through a drinking straw. Others have described them as living with constant air hunger.

Not tons of fun.

On top of that these animals often have any number of other congenital conditions waiting to rear their heads: cardiac abnormalities, spinal and orthopedic problems, eye disorders, megaesophagus and difficulties giving birth. Many live a shorter lifespan than the average dog.

Despite this, and despite the fact that a number of organizations are speaking out about flat-faced animals, their popularity is sky-rocketing.

Which leads us to Kane. When this English Bulldog was brought into our care he could barely see, and was having extreme difficulty breathing. He required major facial reconstruction surgery just to allow him some comfort, possibly for the first time in his life. The cost of his ongoing care is likely to be higher than average and his lifespan will probably be too short.

Believe it or not, the photo included in this post is his 'after' shot.

It can be a cruel and unfair existence for many of these animals, and we encourage animal lovers to do some soul searching before purchasing a companion who may lead a life of hardship just to fulfill our desire for cuteness.