DOGSKOOL

27/01/2025

Really important points in this post by Canine Arthritis Management 🐾

For January's Walk Your Dog Month, it's important that we can understand how to tell if our dogs are in pain during their walks 🦮

Dogs are often great at hiding discomfort, but subtle signs can indicate pain – especially during walks. Here’s what to watch for to ensure your dog stays happy and healthy ✨

1. Limping or Favoring a Leg
One of the clearest signs is if your dog limps, avoids using one leg, or shifts weight to one side. This can indicate joint pain, muscle strain, or injury.

2. Changes in Gait
A stiff, unsteady, or hopping gait can indicate pain, as your dog may try to minimise pressure on certain joints.

3. Reluctance to Walk or Exercise
A dog that usually loves walks but becomes hesitant to leave the house might be experiencing chronic pain or discomfort.

4. Excessive Panting or Whining
While panting is normal during exercise, excessive panting, whining, or vocalising may signal pain or discomfort, even if the temperature is mild.

5. Frequent Sitting or Lying Down
If your dog sits or lies down frequently during walks, they may be trying to relieve pain or avoid using certain joints.

What to Do if You Notice These Signs:

Rest and Monitor: Give your dog time to rest and avoid strenuous activity.

Consult Your Vet: If signs persist, schedule a vet visit to explore treatment options.

For more information, head over to our free downloads section on our website for some useful monitoring tools:
https://caninearthritis.co.uk/how-cam-can-help/downloads/

26/01/2025

Can anybody offer a retirement sofa to this gorgeous older girl who is currently with Dobermann Rescue UK & Europe reg charity no 1169697

She walks beautifully on her lead and enjoys a gentle potter, she's arthritic so doesn't go very far. She loves snuggling on the sofa so would really suit someone perhaps older that doesn't want to walk miles but would love the company.

She doesn't deserve to be in kennels at this point in her life

25/01/2025

Are you looking for something new to do with your dog?
Are they over 12 months old and have good recall?
Why not give Flyball a go…? 🎾

Our Tuesday night class will be starting up again in the spring so it’s the perfect opportunity to sign up

25/01/2025

So funny! Who is going to have a go at this? 🤣 Send us your videos!

23/01/2025

23/01/2025

Our beginners course starting at the end of February is full and we’ve already started taking bookings for the course starting in March!!

If you are looking for a beginners training class for your dog don’t delay in booking 🐾
You can choose to pay using Clearpay at checkout to spread the cost of the course too 💰

22/01/2025

🤣🤣🤣

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17xEz5ForL/?mibextid=wwXIfr

21/01/2025

There must be someone out there for Mabel 🥰 She’s such a loving girl!!

19/01/2025

Own up! Who has their dog on the bed? (I do!)

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/165awUGdLY/?mibextid=wwXIfr

19/01/2025

🌟 Mental stimulation 🌟

This is Daisy, a young working cocker spaniel with boundless energy. She has been coming to our flyball class and loves learning the game.

We have now upped the mental stimulation for her by adding another dog in to the equation when she is doing her runs. Half way through the class today Daisy was nice and tired and had a little rest 😴

This is not physical tiredness, this is mental tiredness from using her brain to do a job with her owner. Her needs are satisfied 🥰

Never underestimate the power of mental stimulation for your dogs 🧠🐾

18/01/2025

Doggy event for local people!

17/01/2025

The Winner of a FREE place on our Perfect Your Recall Workshop 9.30-11am tomorrow in Alsager is…..

Nicola Norcup!! Congratulations! 🥂

Message me Nicola and I’ll give you the details.

15/01/2025

When the XL Bully was added to the banned breeds list, I predicted that the Cane Corso would be next!

14/01/2025

Back to School Saturday!! Struggling with recall or lead walking?

Two workshops this Saturday in Alsager!
9.30-11am Perfect Your Recall, £30
11am-12.30pm Lead Pullers Bootcamp, £75 includes a one to one follow up session.

MESSAGE US TO SECURE YOUR PLACE!

13/01/2025

Dogs generally engage in attention seeking behaviour when they are bored or frustrated. It may be that they are not getting enough exercise or mental stimulation. Lots of dogs are completely reliant on their owners to keep them entertained. They haven’t learned to occupy themselves or self-soothe. If your dog is constantly bugging you for attention, pawing at you, barking etc, you need to teach them to be a little more self-reliant.
A good motto generally with dogs is....”If your dog is doing something you don't like, what would you like them to do instead?” That may throw up a training need such as teaching good leadwork for pullers, or it may be a management thing eg keep them quiet with a stuffed Kong, lickmat or a chew, when they’re bored, when visitors are around or the kids are playing. “No, Stop it!” “No, Stop it!” Repeat.........Sound familiar? The most important thing with attention seeking dogs is to keep them occupied and relaxed. We know that good canine enrichment, allowing your dog to work his or her brain, has a calming effect. There are so many things you can do nowadays to entertain your dog. Encourage the feeding and chewing activity. That will save your skirting boards! I recommend giving frequent chews (I prefer the natural kind such as pigs’ ears, cows’ tails, pizzle, snouts, rabbit ears etc) and stuffed Kongs (use meat, sardines, cream cheese, your dog's kibble, vegetables, rice, pasta, etc and freeze to make them last longer and help with teething problems for young dogs). There are many interactive toys that you can use and put food inside. Dogs are meant to be scavengers. Free roaming dogs will scavenge for 12 hours a day. We give our dogs a bit of food in bowl that takes 30 seconds to eat. How boring is that?? Use puzzle toys, interactive feeders, slow eat bowls, scatter the food around your garden! Make eating fun for your dog. In hot weather, dog lollipops (made with low salt chicken or fish stock and bits of sausage, cheese or meat thrown in!) are great fun or even just simple ice cubes. Snuffle boxes are great fun. Get an empty box with a low side so that your dog can reach inside. Fill in with screwed up paper, cardboard, toilet roll insides, egg boxes, plastic bottle etc. Then put small pieces of food or treats in amongst it all for your dog to snuffle out. A great activity using their fabulous sense of smell. Any nosework is a calming activity and promotes wellbeing in your dog. Snuffle mats or Lickimats are another great way to keep them busy.

Any attempt to demand your attention should be ignored. But it may be that this is your cue to give your dog something to keep them busy. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you are rewarding your dog when they’re attention seeking. By the time you’ve got the Kong, lickmat etc, they have forgotten what they were doing anyway!
Prevention is key. You will know the times when your dog is more likely to be attention seeking and demanding. They may be hyped up after a walk, excited when you come home or when visitors come. Prepare in advance. Have something ready to give them to keep them occupied.

Dealing with behaviour problems in dogs is always about creating alternative behaviours. Never think about STOPPING behaviours, think about TEACHING the ones that you do want. If you need any advice, don’t hesitate to contact us [email protected] or inbox us.