K9 Coaching

02/06/2024

04/05/2024

Ever worried that your dog might be experiencing pain or discomfort? Interested in a free gait analysis? Check out the website to see if your dog could be one of our case studies https://k9coaching.co.uk/dynamic-dog-case-studies

02/05/2024

I’m often asked for local vet recommendations so if anyone is looking to get their pet into a fantastic practice, Rouken Glen Vets is currently open for new client registrations ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Please can all our friends and followers share the news that we are open for new registrations. 📃

Here at Rouken Glen Veterinary Surgery we strive to provide excellent quality, modern, independent veterinary care with our highly experienced team.

Please contact our customer care team at reception on 0141 620 2580 or via Barbara at [email protected] to register new pets.

We cannot wait to welcome you 🐶🐱🐭🐹🐰

04/04/2024

My dog can’t be in pain, they don’t show any signs.

I spent the weekend walking around Cambridge for my birthday and I had a lovely time, but my chronic pain has flared up this week.

Even those people who know me best cannot tell that I’m in pain most of the time.

The signs start off so small you can barely see them unless you knew to look.

I walk with my right leg slightly turned out.
I come down the stairs on my left leg first.
I use my upper body more than I should to get myself out of bed.
My leg extension is shortened.
The list goes on!

My pain has worsened as a result of my lovely weekend away and at this point you can see a bigger change in my mental health.

I’m less tolerant and more cranky.
I’m reluctant to be hugged.
I am noise sensitive.
I don’t feel like being sociable.

Now, I still do things either because I want to (and they make me feel good) or because I have to. I continue to ‘behave’ because that is what society has taught me and I can just about handle it.

I am grateful that I am not attached to a lead, or walking on slippery floors, or overly exposed to things that make me feel triggered.

Don’t let it fool you. I am writing this from a place of ‘crankiness’ 😆 but I’m not limping or complaining or going to the doctors and my pain does affect me. My pain builds over time and fluctuates. My pain has a direct impact on my behaviour.

It’s the same for our dogs except they can’t ask for help.

17/12/2023

29/09/2023

Visit www.k9coaching.co.uk for further info.

Jennifer McCarthy - Dog Trainer and Behaviourist

21/09/2023

📣🐕 Muzzle training with our experts

If you own an American Bully XL type dog, you can start preparing them for the restrictions by making sure they are trained to happily wear a muzzle.

We’re offering free online sessions to help you do this and will cover:
👉 information about the most suitable types of muzzle
👉 how to ensure a good fit
👉 how to teach your dog to enjoy wearing their muzzle.

Book now 👉 https://bit.ly/3RsuUCw

Our expert trainers have muzzle trained thousands of dogs in our care and can answer any other questions you might have about how to prepare for any upcoming changes affecting you and your dog.

These sessions are designed to support owners of American Bully XLs in light of the recent news, but all dog owners are welcome to attend. It’s useful for all dogs to be able to wear a muzzle comfortably – for those who are anxious at vet visits, for dogs who like to eat undesirable things on a walk or to keep other dogs and people safe if dogs are worried.

15/09/2023

The APBC does not believe, and sees no evidence, that banning a particular breed/type of dog has worked in the past, or will work now.

There is no evidence that the American XL Bully and its variations are more predisposed to aggressive and erratic behaviour, than other dogs.

Regardless of breed, type or size, all dogs, including American XL Bullies, require responsible ownership.

Clearly, the stronger and more powerful the dog, the greater the responsibility on us humans to keep everyone safe.

The APBC recommends that a more considered approach is required to address the growing problem of dog-related injuries.

The situation is complex and an effective solution involves addressing the breeding and responsible sourcing of dogs, education on responsible dog ownership and enforcing animal welfare laws in order to protect both the public and dogs.

Anne McBride
APBC Chair

01/08/2023

Fantastic photographer for anyone wanting some special photos of their dogs. I would highly recommend him. Go check out his work

At Puppy to Pro Photography we have a passion for pet and landscape photography. If you choose to book as session with us we will endevour to create an experience your dog will enjoy and flourish in, to produce those pictures you will cherish.

13/04/2023

04/10/2022

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=466331538859575&id=100064481988623

We’re pleased to announce that our Nae Fireworks Night event is returning this year on Saturday 5th of November!
https://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/whitelee-events-and-clubs

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 from 6-9pm - don't forget to bring your re-usable cup to receive a discount off your hot drink and help us reduce our waste.

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 site's wildlife and livestock, as well as visitors…so please don’t bring them.

20/05/2022

Dr. Kendal Shepherd, veterinary surgeon and clinical behaviourist, reflects on the impact of breed-specific legislation, exploring whether the 30th anniversary of the Dangerous Dogs Act is a cause for celebration, or cause for concern.

04/05/2022

We humans are designed to focus on our needs. We like to say 'I want' a lot. But, what does the dog want? We can often forget this; for example.. 'I want my dog to stop lunging at people when we walk near them.' What does the dog need? The dog needs to know that you will maintain his space and keep....

03/04/2022

Bang!💥 Flashback to 10 years ago and a much younger Lexi (and me) having a bit of fun between classes at our old training centre in Kilmarnock 🤩

23/03/2022

Had a lovely time working with this stunning boy in the sunshine. Jack may look very grown up but he is only 7 months old and can still be a bit mouthy, especially if he is worried or over excited. We started teaching him some alternative behaviours and search based scent games to compliment the training his lovely owners have already been doing. He is a very clever boy 🤩

17/03/2022

This very good boy is Kai and he would like everyone to know that he had lots of fun learning some new things at his first training session …. Also he doesn’t know what happened to that teddy but he definitely didn’t kill it, thinks it just fainted 😇

09/03/2022

This gorgeous girl has loads of energy and enthusiasm for life, so much so in fact that it sometimes causes all her feet to leave the floor! Amber is SUPER smart and her family have already done lots of great training with her so with her new training plan in place she’ll have a handle on that self-control in no time!

06/03/2022

I had the pleasure of working with the very talented (and ridiculously cute) Shuggie and his lovely family today where, with a little help from Murdo (aka No1 stooge dog), we started teaching Shuggie that maybe other dogs aren’t so scary. He was an absolute superstar 🤩

30/01/2022

There have been many episodes of this show that have caused me to despair but this episode was particularly difficult viewing. The very first piece of advice should have been to take this dog for a vet check and pain assessment. Calling her a “diva” and stating that she’s just thinking she is “in charge” when she is clearly frightened to walk on a slippery surface is reprehensible. TV producers might think this show makes for good tv ratings but sadly it does not make for good dog training, or happy pets. https://chng.it/jdB54BwG6t

Get 'Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly' taken off air

27/01/2022

2024 update -

This post was made two years ago and has recently been getting attention again. The sad thing is that actually nothing has changed. This program is still being made. There is ( as far as I know - and very happy to be corrected if I am wrong) no veterinary involvement with these dogs prior to filming.

How many more dogs are going to be labled as awkward, difficult, stubborn or just lazy when actually there is an underlying pain issue?

We have so many wonderful trainers and behaviourists that could fill this man’s shoes and provide far more valuable advice and training. Stop giving people like this man air time… pick someone who actually cares about the wellbeing of the dogs they work with instead of the cash going to line their pockets…

-

Some phrases used on this particular episode of ‘Dogs behaving (very) badly’ where 8 year old Ruby would only get off the sofa if the rug was over the laminate flooring, and would sit down and stop on walks…

‘being a madam’

‘Controlling the diva’

‘Indulging her with rugs’

‘Thinks she’s in charge’

OR

Is this actually a dog in pain, a dog scared of slipping and hurting, a dog trying to tell everyone that she’s uncomfortable?

It’s not indulging her with a rug, it’s making sure her own home is accessible and safe for her. She’s not ‘being a diva’ and refusing to walk, she’s telling you it hurts and she’s uncomfortable.

I’m very glad that the owners realise that this dogs weight is having a significant impact on her life but there are other things that need addressing here. I have no doubt they absolutely adore their girl, that is very clear to see, but I desperately wish they had the right kind of support for Ruby, not just let’s force her to walk and walk on a floor she’s is scared

Dogs Behaving Very Badly and The Dogfather (Graham Hall)… I’m afraid the blame falls to you on this occasion. You have a massive platform with thousands of dog owners watching every episode. How about talking about signs of pain? Indicators of discomfort? When behaviours actually tell us somethings wrong? Ways to adapt houses for older dogs and those that struggle with mobility? You could educate SO MANY owners but no, it doesn’t happen. Instead we just see an uncomfortable dog being forced to walk when she doesn’t want to, and live in an environment that she is scared of.

Dogs need us to advocate for them, to realise when we need to do more and to learn the ways that they tell us something isn’t right. Owner education is the key to this and this could have been a brilliant opportunity to do just that.

21/01/2022

🐾🦴🐾🦴🐾🦴🐾🦴🐾🦴🐾🦴🐾🦴🐾

Hip Dysplasia is the commonest orthopaedic condition in dogs. It most frequently affects large rapidly growing dogs, although small and medium dogs can also be affected. It is most commonly diagnosed between 6 and 12 months of age. It is rare for dogs to demonstrate overt signs of pain at home, although clinically affected dogs are often very painful when their hips are extended by a veterinary surgeon.

🦴Pets with canine hip dysplasia respond mostly to pain relief and physiotherapy/hydrotherapy. Some may require surgery if the condition is severe or fails to respond to conservative management.

🦴Some dogs begin to show signs of hip dysplasia when they are as young as four months of age. Others develop it in conjunction with osteoarthritis as they age. In both cases, there are a few symptoms that owners should be familiar with. These symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the disease, the level of inflammation, the degree of looseness in the joint, and how long the dog has suffered from hip dysplasia. Although hip dysplasia in dogs may sometimes go undetected, common signs include:

🦴Decreased activity
🦴Decreased range of motion
🦴Difficulty or reluctance rising, jumping, running, or climbing stairs
🦴Lameness in the hind end
🦴Swaying, “bunny hopping” gait
🦴Grating in the joint during movement
🦴Loss of thigh muscle mass
🦴Noticeable enlargement of the shoulder muscles as they compensate for the hind end pain
🦴Stiffness or limping

💖Stanley was referred for physiotherapy and hydrotherapy to assist with the management of left hip dysplasia.

He is doing really well and his owner reports he seems more comfortable and much brighter at home since starting his sessions with us☺️
Stanley is a star pupil and great fun!😁.
We will continue to see him in to further improve and maintain his joint range of motion and muscle strength😊⭐️

Isn’t Stanley a real cracker!!😍

🦴🐾🦴🐾🦴🐾🦴🐾🦴🐾🦴🐾🦴🐾

13/01/2022

Free online workshops from Dogs Trust on helping your dog to cope when   left alone🐾💛

Happy Dog Happy Home 🐶
Dogs Trust are running free online presentations to support dog owners to help their dogs become happy and settled when left home alone 💛
Book for free today 👉 dogstrust.org.uk/happyhome

23/12/2021