Black Shadow Schipperke

22/11/2024

Magic has fun on the winter morning walk

22/06/2024

07/06/2024

Magic, the babysitter

26/05/2024

Unser Magic (Black Shadow Germany‘s Magic, 1 3/4 Jahre jung)

20/03/2024

A WORD ABOUT WAGS
“I don’t understand why that dog reacted so badly to me; his tail was wagging!”

Contrary to popular belief, a wagging tail doesn’t always mean a dog is happy.

Dogs communicate through so many different types of body language, but the wag and the tail position are probably one of the easier to notice.

As with most things it depends on the individual dog. Some breeds naturally carry their tails in a different position and some breeds wag their tails differently to others.

Wags and tail positions should always be looked at in context and together with the rest of the body language. Body language should always be looked at as a “video” and not as an isolated “picture”.

Noticing how your dog’s tail usually looks or how the tail behaves when they’re happy to see you or relaxed and contented, provides a good base line to interpret other types of tail language.

I often watch my dogs’ tails with fascination as they stalk or hunt for something, bark at something outside or see another dog approaching while out walking.

The type of wag and position of their tails gives me so much information about their emotional state.

Although some people won’t agree, I definitely see wags to the right when my dogs are happy and wags to the left when there is arousal, uncertainty, predatory behaviour or other emotions going on.

Not only is the tail an important method of communication but it also plays a role in balance, stability, movement and counterbalancing should a dog quickly change direction.

I believe that tail docking destroys an essential part of a dog's ability to communicate with other dogs by creating a distinct social disadvantage or misunderstanding as tail signals can’t be read.

People with working dogs believe that tail docking is necessary to prevent tail injuries or improve performance, but many countries have banned this practice either completely or only under specific medical circumstances.

Start taking notice of what your dog is doing with their tail - you may find it interesting and it may open up a new way of understanding how your dog is feeling.

Here is a link to a graphic I created with some different tail positions and what they might mean -

https://www.canva.com/design/DAF_7l_2LvA/UGXVDl-TOPc_FCqHXsCWRQ/view?utm_content=DAF_7l_2LvA&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=GOVbqw1dfw

05/03/2024

When you finally welcome your 8 week old puppies, please keep this picture in mind. Their bones aren’t even touching yet. They walk so beautifully with big, flexible legs and bench movements because their joints are made up entirely of cartilage, muscles, tendons and ligaments covered with skin. Nothing is well adjusted or has real grip yet.

When you make them run excessively or don't limit their exercise to prevent them from overdoing during that time, you're not giving them the chance to grow properly. Every big jump or bounce and excited run creates bone-breaking impacts.
In reasonable quantities, this is not problematic and normal wear and tear will do.

But when you let the puppy jump off the couch or bed, take him for long walks, you damage this joint in training. When you let the puppy move on slippery tiles, you damage the joint.

You only get once to make them grow up. A well built body is something that comes from excellent upbringing and good education. BOTH , not just one

Once you’re an adult, you’ll have the rest of your life to spend playing and engaging in high-impact exercises. So keep him calm while he is still young and give him the gift that can only be given once.
Shared from Clinique Vetérinaire Vetolistic - Dr. Marie Eve Cresci

20/02/2024