Hounds Hooves Paws

17/11/2024

“Breakfast please!” 😉

17/11/2024

Another meowy welcome this morning from F, who patiently waited for his breakfast and some pats. Then he went to “hide” behind the blind on the window sill. 😊😺

16/11/2024

Vocal welcome at my cat visit tonight 😉

16/11/2024

Cat visit for Mr F this evening… and he tucked straight into his dinner once it was served. 😊 😺

09/11/2024

Many people are not aware…

WHEN SECONDS COUNT

This post is not advocating that dogs meet every other dog, but about how to go about it, if and when it does happen, in a safer way.

The 3 second rule for dogs meeting each other is used as a guideline to help foster positive introductions, prevent either dog from feeling overwhelmed or trapped and prevent any potential reactivity and stress.

A short 3 second introduction is enough time to provide important information to both dogs.

Enough information for dogs to know – “are you a threat?”, “do I like you?”, “do I want to learn more about you?”, “do I really dislike you?”, “do I need you to go away?” etc. Both dogs may not feel the same way – one may not be happy to engage while the other may want to.

All interactions should ideally happen like this, not just initially. Just like us, dogs can have off days – things like pain, trigger stacking, lack of sleep or a host of other reasons can influence whether a dog wants to interact or not.

There are countless times I have witnessed meetings or introductions between dogs that have gone on just a few seconds too long and have not ended well. This can have long lasting effects on future behaviour when meeting other dogs.

Understanding body language is critically important. If we are going to share our lives with another species, protect them, advocate for them and help them feel safe, then we need to understand and respect their language.

The examples in this post of red and green flags are just a few general ones to look out for – there are many more and these will differ depending on the individual dog, context and circumstances.

Here are some resources and links to learn more about body language -
On Talking Terms With Dogs - Calming Signals, 2nd Edition by Turid Rugaas
https://www.dogwise.com/on-talking-terms-with-dogs-calming-signals-2nd-edition/?srsltid=AfmBOoqj8ruQJx5bCP7qWb03TqCyAGfmAvCj988UuWk_L1_UHbYcZsES

The Veterinary Behaviour Centre
https://www.heska.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/TVBC-Canine-Dog-Body-Language-handout.pdf

Make sure those first 3 seconds count – they can make all the difference.

02/11/2024

Here's some tips to help your pet keep safe during upcoming fireworks. 🎆

27/10/2024

Hounds Hooves Paws is proud to (partly) sponsor this great show by local Monklands Light Opera!

Come along for a great show.

20/10/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/A8myMCvRqCESBQfe/?mibextid=WC7FNe

We’re pleased to announce that our Nae Fireworks Night event is returning this year on Tuesday 5th of November!
If you’re looking for somewhere quiet to get away and walk your dog(s), in the company of other like-minded owners, then Whitelee Windfarm is the place for you. The Whitelee Countryside Rangers, Whitelee Visitor Centre and ScottishPower Renewables staff will be on site to run the event and do our very best to maintain a firework-free zone - although please understand this can never be fully guaranteed! We recommend that dogs are kept on leads during the event.
Whitelee Windfarm Visitor Centre will be open to dogs and owners, for hot drinks and cake until 9pm - don't forget to bring your re-usable cup to receive a discount off your hot drink and help us reduce our waste. New for this year, there will be coffee vans on both the grass in the visitor centre car park, and at turbine 40 at the bottom of the hill from the visitor centre. There will also be portaloos at turbine 40.

For more details including parking details and helpful information for visiting please follow the link:
https://tinyurl.com/NaeFireworksNight24

As always – spread the word that fireworks are not permitted at Whitelee windfarm. They pose a danger to site infrastructure, can cause peatbog fires, and cause distress to the sites wildlife and livestock, as well as visitors…so please don’t bring them.

09/10/2024

CONKERS (from the Horse Chestnut Tree)
Are you aware of the dangers?

As autumn approaches, dog owners are cautioned to keep their pets away from conkers which are highly poisonous if chewed and eaten. They are also very dangerous if swallowed whole by dogs as they may cause a serious blockages.
Signs of poisoning usually appear within one to six hours. Clinical signs are drooling, excessive drinking, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
Conkers are highly toxic and a Danger to Dogs.
We would always recommend contacting your vet for advice if you are concerned.

25/09/2024

Being the guardian of a teenager (human or canine 😉) is tough. But being a teenager is tough, too...

Adolescence is a time of huge change, physiologically & neurologically. It's a heady combination of increased impulsivity, increased frustration, increased risk taking and increased arousal mixed with poor self control, lower tolerance for stress and only partially developed social skills. Previously reliable behaviours regress, your previously attentive dog suddenly goes deaf and they may become more reactive in situations they were previously cool with.

When you take all that into account is it any wonder your previously adorable 7 month old isn't quite so adorable any more?

How can we make life with an adolescent a little bit easier?

• Consider carefully what you expose them too. If some environments are just 'too much' don't go...for now
• Have realistic expectations of behaviour. If you wait for perfection you're likely to be disappointed
• Slow things down...your teenage dog needs less arousal, not more
• Back to school! Revise the skills your dog seems to have forgotten - recall, settling, calm engagement.
• Create clear boundaries. Someone with lots of impulsivity and poor decision making skills won't make good choices...so you have to.
• Walk away if you have to. Adding your own frustration into the mix helps no one so take a breath, remember they're struggling too and cut everyone a bit of slack.

Adolescence can be a rollercoaster. But the ride does end. So hang in there....

14/09/2024

Hounds Hooves Paws is on Holiday
Services resume on 1st October 2024

13/09/2024

The lovely trio in action 😎

13/09/2024

One last Garden Visit to this lovely trio today - Ms B, older Mr A and younger Mr A were so happy to see me and did their deeds once outside (for a treat of course). I’ll miss them! 😊🐾🐾👍

02/09/2024

The only girl took the longest to do her deed today 😉

02/09/2024

Initial standing about, considering their options… 😜