Your Senior Dog

28/08/2024

Ideally a dog’s front legs should be straight for appropriate weight bearing and activity - though there are a few breeds who’s conformation deviates from this - such as Corgis, Dachshunds, Bully Dogs etc.

When the front legs are NOT straight, this can put excessive strain on joints, muscles and connective tissues.

26/08/2024

“Pacing” is where a dog moves both the fore and hind limb on the same side, at the same time.....bit like a kid walking like a Robot.

This results in a slight swaying motion as the dog shift their weight from side to side.

This help to stabilize the core part of the body, resulting in less pain than the normal walking four-beat gait.

23/08/2024

An arched back (aka Roach Back or Kyphosis) when standing, can be an indication that your dog is experiencing pain or discomfort in their back, hips, or hind limbs.

Arching of the back can help alleviate some discomfort by shifting their weight forward....but this can easily overload their front end.

An arched back is really common in dogs with IVDD (like Jasper here), osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, GI issues etc and indicates that pain is present and should be brought to your vets attention.

Got any questions? Feel free to DM me.

21/08/2024

Uneven wear, scuffs and/or scratches to your dog's nails can indicate that there's an area of pain or discomfort in the body.

Normally a dog's paw is able to clear the ground when walking without scuffing their nails, or causing uneven wear - if this isn't the case, this would be grounds for further investigation, and something to bring up with your vet.

19/08/2024

Rosie is a much loved member of the family but finding the right pet sitter, who can embrace her unique quirks and personality, has been challenging to say the least.

Thankfully this summer I was introduced to a local woman who specializes in Reiki and Animal Communication….and also offers a pet/house sitting service.

I was thrilled to find someone who had the patience and skills to work with Rosie’s anxiety….and if she could do a little energy work and communication to help with the transition, all the better - my husband wasn’t so into the woo, but I fully embraced it.

So, earlier this month I finally took my kids on a five day camping trip - leaving Rosie in the hands of our pet sitter (for the first time….ever).

To say I was nervous was an understatement.

So much was riding on this trip.

If all went well, and Rosie was able to settle with someone “new” in the home, it meant that we would be able to travel internationally as a family. We could visit family in Europe, and friends up island…..I would have freedom again that I haven’t experienced since before I had kids.

Why do I share this with you?

Because this is a challenge that nearly 90% of my clients also struggle with - and something that frequently causes a feeling of shame, heartache, anxiety and isolation, especially for families with no local support.

Be it separation anxiety, reactivity, sensitivity to kids, special dietary needs, or senior dogs with complex medical needs - everyone needs a support system around them…..and it can be hard to find.

I am happy to announce that Rosie’s experience with the house sitter went better than planned….with some interesting revelations that I’ll share with you in a later blog post…..but for now let’s just say that I’m finally looking at dates for a trip to Europe in the New Year. 🥳

11/06/2024

Rosie wants to say thank you to everyone who sent us messages over the weekend.

On Saturday we had to make an emergency vet visit to get Rosie’s leg stitched up, after she sliced it open on her food bowl of all things!!!

Rosie likes to jump up at the back door when she wants in - on Saturday the deck was wet after the kids were playing with water-bombs. Rosie must have slipped mid jump and fell, landed on her Pyrex food bowl…..resulting in a broken shard slicking her leg open…..there was a lot of blood….everywhere.

I will be forever grateful to for their wonderful care and outstanding service.

I’m also grateful that I still have pet insurance for Rosie….this visit could have been a LOT more expensive than it actually was.

30/04/2024

Jasper has arthritis and IVDD. We no longer do long hikes in the forest trails, but instead opt for multiple short adventures each day….weather permitting.

Our yard is on a slope, so we practice walking up and down hill - strengthening his hind end, and stepping through long grass so Jasper has to pick his feet up - working on core and balance.

Send a message to learn more

16/04/2024

The two sides of Rosie.

The Guard Dog: Constantly on the move. Barks at butterflies, shadows, squirrels, delivery people…..oh, and Grandma….she’s not the biggest fan of Grandma.

The Goof-Ball: This is the side of her we see the most. The side of her that absolutely LOVES the kids, snuggles on the couch…..and drops toys onto my keyboard during Zoom meetings.

She’s not the dog I thought I was adopting, but she is the dog our family needed.

Here’s to loving the dog in front of us.

16/04/2024

Jasper can’t walk far these days (and he definitely shouldn’t be running 😱) so I’m grateful that we have a yard that has lots of exciting spots to explored….and sit to soak up the sun.

Send a message to learn more

15/04/2024

EGGS. A great source of omega 3, vitamins B & D, and between 50-100 cals depending on size. Rosie’s gets eggs 1-2 a week, along with other tasty toppers.

Send a message to learn more

13/04/2024

This is a pretty awesome study. A number of Veterinary Behaviourists were asked, in hindsight, how many of their past "behavioural cases" had PAIN as a contributing factor.

The results are staggering!!

Even if you just focus on the lowest number - nearly 1/3 of behavioural cases had pain as a contributing factor.

That's huge....
...but thats not what the study found.

Different clinics reported different percentages....and some of percentages were closer to 80%

READ THAT AGAIN......over 80%!!!!

So, if you are struggling with separation anxiety, reactivity, sound-sensitivity, resource guarding etc.....there is a high chance that UNDIAGNOSED PAIN could be a contributing factor.

If this sound like something you'd like to explore further, reach out - I'd love to help you.

10/04/2024

Dog trainers talk a lot about how pain affects behaviour, and how you should "go see your vet for a health check before starting to work on your dog's behavioural challenges".

BUT what they don't tell you is that most veterinarians have a REALLY HARD TIME identifying the subtile signs of chronic pain during a consultation:

1. Your dog may be tense or fearful, masking the behaviour while at the clinic.

2. Most vets have limited training in animal behaviour - especially behavioural observation.

This is where advocating for your dog is important....
....if you suspect there's a problem, ask your vet to do further investigating, or refer you to a specialist who knows what to look for.

You don't need to wait until your dog is limping, yelping or snapping at people before taking action.

Your vet is amazing - they can help you find the answers you need, you just need to ask the right questions.

If you need help in this area feel free to reach out - it's what I specialize in.

08/04/2024

Anticipatory grief will strike well before you're ready!

For me, Jasper was five years old when I first noticed that his muzzle was no longer a bright ginger, and was in fact transitioning into the distinguished shade of grey it is now - it had me in a bit of a funk for a few days.

Since that day we've had a lot of fun adventures together....some as simple as hunting for rats in the greenhouse, others involving boats and remote islands.

Some of my favourite recent memories just involve the two of us sitting in the yard surrounded by dandelions...soaking in the sunshine.

It's never too late to start creating a Bucket List for your senior pup.

So, what are you going to plan first?

Comment below and let's create a list together!!

05/04/2024

Keeping a tidy kitchen is near impossible in my house, BUT what I AM good at is helping my Separation Anxiety clients reach amazing milestones!!

Wanna know more? Comment “HELP” below and I’ll send you a link for a 30 min free chat.

Send a message to learn more

04/04/2024

Cooper has a very special place in my heart - not only is he an IVDD surviver, but he's also the Soul Dog of a very dear friend of mine.

Not all veterinary clinics are alike - you are always allowed to ask for a second opinion, either from someone else in the practice, or a specialist in that field.

If you're not sure what questions to ask, DM me - I have a list for you!!

12/09/2023

I have some challenging assignments due this week...but OMG is this fun!!

I've been on a deep dive into Canine Anatomy & Physiology - learning more about the skeletal system than I ever did in my undergrad.

Stay tuned for some awesome Dynamic Dog updates.

16/08/2023

That's right, dogs don't have a collar bone, so their fore limbs and scapular are only attached to the main body by mussels and connective tissue!

It sounds crazy when you think about it!

03/08/2023

What a transformation!! Eight weeks ago, when we did our initial assessment, Paddington's parents couldn't get out the door without Paddington escaping into the yard, and the barking and howling that followed was only something a Samoyed could produce.

Yesterday, during our weekly assessment, Paddington took himself into his parents bedroom....and fell asleep!

Paddington's Mom returned after 42 minutes, only because the laptop ran out of power.

Congratulation Team Paddington - this is a huge achievement.

05/05/2023

Team Clover rocked a solid 26 minutes of alone time this evening...only ending because Zoomed timed out!

Only separation anxiety clients appreciate the awesome milestone of having to "upgrade" their Zoom account.

03/05/2023

This is the book I wish I’d written - but if I had it wouldn’t have been half as good as .

This is an easy read, packed full of great info for every dog owner….the tips are relevant for ALL senior dogs, not just those suffering from cognitive decline.

Go add it to your reading list!

02/05/2023

I did it! I scored 100% in my final exam (and 99% in my mid-term). Eeeeek!

This was a huge undertaking, and I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to learn from and her wonderful team.

I've specialized in separation anxiety training since 2021 - so it feels really nice to be able to add CSAT to my professional credentials.

26/03/2023

Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (aka Doggie Dementia), doesn't just affect seniors.

Though this condition cannot be cured there are a number of interventions that can help to slow the progress of this disease - which your vet can help you with.

Behavioural indicators to be on the lookout for:

1. Disorientation in and around the home.
2. A change is sleep patters - more lethargic during the day, or restless at night.
3. House soiling or forgetting basic training cues.
4. A change in behaviour - increased anxiety, reactivity, or lack of interaction.

There is a LOT that can be done, but the sooner you start the better.

Your senior dog should be active and enjoying life. They will slow down but if you notice any of the behaviour changes listed above go see your vet.

These behaviours ARE NOT part of the normal aging process, and can be caused by a number of different health issues, Doggie Dementia being one of them.

Spread the word - share this post with a friend.

22/03/2023

What may look like separation anxiety in senior dogs will often be a result of an undiagnosed medical condition, or a reduction is senses due to age.

Because of this it's important to talk to your vet about your dog's change in behaviour - especially if there is no history of anxiety prior to becoming a senior.

Pain can be reduced, dementia can be managed (the earlier the diagnosis the better), and anxiety caused by impaired vision/hearing can be greatly relieved by a few simple changes to the home environment.

A separation anxiety protocol can help reduce your senior dog's anxiety, but only if the underlying health issues have been addressed first.

If you have any questions, send me a DM.

06/02/2023

Today marks a full year since Jasper was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disk Disease, loosing the use of his hind legs, requiring months of rehabilitation.

This experience was the catalyst for big changes in my business, and the reason I now specialize in senior dog care.

Exciting things coming this year:
⚡️CSAT certification
⚡️ Dynamic Dog Practitioner (currently only 3 in Canada)
⚡️Your Senior Dog: The Golden Years - online course

Comment below if you have questions about how to best support the senior dog in your life.

13/12/2022

Last year I specialized in Separation Anxiety cases. I graduated from Julie Naismith's SA Pro certification program in 2021, and since then SA clients have made up 70% of my work.

I love this topic dearly, and it's in perfect alignment with my mission to reduce fear, pain and anxiety in our four-legged friends (especially the senior ones).

For the last 12 months I've been on the waitlist for Malena DeMartini-Price's CSAT certification course - this is the Gold Star for professionals who work in this field.

I'm excited to announce that I'll be starting this intensive 4 month course in January, and if all goes well I'll be a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT) in May.

Yes, I specialize in seniors, but when it comes to separation anxiety I'm happy to work with all ages.

27/07/2022

It’s 34 degrees on the west coast of Canada today - that means it’s tub-time for Jasper.

25/07/2022

Minor slips as a senior can do a lot of damage to already sore joints.

24/07/2022

Who doesn't love a good bar chart!?

This shows the amazing progress of Olive, one of my amazing separation anxiety clients.

What this graph doesn't show is the two and half weeks we spent on Door Is A Bore to get us to 2 seconds. Olive's owners have worked really hard to get her to this point.

Today we celebrated 1 minute and 5 seconds of alone time.

Well done Team Olive

22/07/2022

Puzzle stuffers don’t need to be complicated, or full of empty calories. Jasper loves to chew, but he’s still on a restricted diet due to IVDD.

Cucumber for the win!!

21/07/2022

Old dogs have more fun!!

Any one else with a “hearing selective” senior dog? 😆