Crackerjack Canines

11/03/2024

11/01/2024

10/18/2024

🚨🦇 ATTENTION Pet owners and the Community of Saskatoon! We have been notified that a rabid bat was confirmed in the BREVOORT PARK neighbourhood which is near the area of our clinic (8th Street/Circle Drive). We encourage all pet owners to check the status and update if needed their pets’ rabies vaccination. Rabies is a fatal disease and is considered zoonotic meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. The virus is spread most commonly via saliva through bite wounds, where it infects the animal and then moves through the nervous system to the brain. Once infected there is no treatment and no cure for rabies. While post-bite exposure treatment in humans is available the BEST prevention is vaccination of our dogs and cats along with using extreme caution and avoiding wildlife ESP those that are acting strange or aggressive. It is recommended to vaccinate even strict indoor cats against rabies as accidents can happen and they sneak out of the house or bats can even get into attics and crawl spaces and enter the home. If you find a bat that is deceased or acting strange it is recommended to NOT handle it, or do so with extreme caution, wear thick protective gloves and use additional barriers to not handle the animal directly and contact the appropriate authorities.

*See below for more information on where to report a rabies suspect or bite incident and for more information on rabies. If you have any questions or need to inquire about your pets rabies vaccine status Give us a call or email!! 💉🐶🐱

🚨 Report a Contact with a Rabid Animal https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/agriculture-natural-resources-and-industry/agribusiness-farmers-and-ranchers/livestock/animal-health-and-welfare/rabies

🩸 Rabies https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/health/diseases-and-conditions/rabies -saskatchewan-rabies-response-program



✅It is important to note that bats play a very vital and important role in our ecosystems and most bat species in SK are sadly endangered. This PSA is meant to provide helpful information to pet owners on updating their pets’ rabies vaccinations if needed as a way to help protect them, as well as provide the public with helpful information and the proper authority contacts should they encounter a rabies suspicious case! Please do not approach, harm or injure any bats or wildlife you encounter! Rabies is considered endemic in Canadian wildlife and it is not uncommon that a few times a year we are notified of a rabies positive case in wildlife in the Saskatoon or surrounding areas. Thankfully through vaccinations of pets and diligence of the public, animal to human infection cases are very rare! Thank you for all the shares and helpful comments!

10/17/2024

“If there are any dogs that need clear communication, it’s reactive dogs. They need clarity. They need consistency. They need predictability. If we can’t provide that, it will only create more anxiety.” - Emma Parsons

10/13/2024

Cooperative care via positive reinforcement training 😊🐾

10/13/2024

Cooperative Care across species!
😊🐾

10/09/2024

The idea of a constant and fixed hierarchy, where one dog is always “alpha” or “top dog” is highly flawed and often misunderstood.

10/06/2024

Pol says it’s time to chillax on this Sunday Snoozeday
😊🐾

09/26/2024

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.

09/26/2024

https://www.thedogbehaviorinstitute.com/growing-families

Growing Families Laying the foundation for life with dog and baby Supportive education that facilitates harmony in your home Lay the groundwork for household harmony If adding a new family member to your household is stirring up feelings of excitement, alongside a fair bit of worry about the relatio...

09/25/2024

09/25/2024

Many people ask where to start with cat training. Just like with a puppy, start with the basics!

09/21/2024

Have you noticed that your dog zigs and zags on walks? Your dog isn’t trying to drive you crazy. They’re following their incredibly powerful sense of smell, which is how dogs experience the world!

Humans have 6 million olfactory receptors, compared to dogs, who have up to 300 million!

Those zigzags (and let me tell you, Finch is the zig-zaggiest) are your dog following scent trails, catching up on neighborhood gossip, and gathering information. (If only they could share what they learn with us!)

If you start to feel frustrated on walks, remember that sniffing is essential to your dog’s happiness, enrichment, and well-being! ❤️

Alt text: A small gray dog on a blue background with a speech bubble that reads, “Walking in a straight line is more of a human thing.”

09/19/2024

It's okay to ask a dog trainer what their credentials are - and you should expect them to have some, whether it's a degree or a certification. Safe and effective dog trainers are constantly learning, not just through experience, but by seeking out education.

09/19/2024