FairlyDunn Dog Care & Training

21/08/2024

It's vital to make your research carefully in order to maximise the chances your puppy will be healthy with a sound temperament. If unsure, ask help from a trainer or a behaviourist. I am happy to help with selecting your new puppy. I recently helped a family member, and there were so many red flags for me with various sellers that this person did not recognise. It's not easy to spot them unless you are an experienced dog enthusiast.

Survey found almost a third of UK dog owners spent less than a day researching the breeder

20/08/2024

Cutiepie Cocapoos having a blast😍

12/08/2024

Early morning trip to Paws 2 Pasture before the heat

01/08/2024

More about pain !!

Teaching owners to recognise signs their dog is in pain is an ongoing and lifelong commitment for me.

Dogs are exceptionally good at hiding pain and owners are sadly very good at either not seeing the subtle signs or choosing to ignore them. This creates the perfect storm.

Naturally, owners don’t want to feel that their dog is in pain or suffering so they don’t see it. This is known as perception bias and is now thankfully becoming much more widely recognised. Of course you want your dog to be well and happy, we all do ….but in some cases this can lead to denial and avoidance of seeking help for issues that are right there in front of you. Sadly I see this day in day out.

On top of this ,often the changes that come with chronic pain are so subtle and develop so slowly over time that owners don’t pick up on these changes at all and they are considered the new normal and therefore go untreated.

Remember ‼️

Dogs will rarely vocalise chronic pain (whimpering, yelping, whining).
Limping is a more obvious sign something is wrong but your dog could display his pain in other subtle ways.

Things to look out for include:

✅Sleeping more
✅More reluctance to walk
✅Reluctance to play
✅Not wanting to go up stairs
✅Not wanting to jump on the sofa
✅Not wanting to walk on slippy floors
✅Being more clingy with you (often mistaken as being more loving so owners see it as a positive trait in their dog)
✅Wanting to spend more time alone
✅Changes in their coat
✅Changes in how they move/ sit/ stand
✅Being more grumpy with other dogs or people
✅Becoming more anxious
✅Excessive grooming
✅Noise sensitivity

Remember ‼️ when you are in pain you have options- you can take some pain medications, you can alter your daily activities, you can go and see a doctor or a specialist for advice.

When your dog is in pain he doesn’t have these options. He relies on you to do the best by him.
It is your choice if you want to ignore your dogs pain or if you want to help him .

Choose to help him /her 🐾

Please share to spread the word!

01/08/2024

Give me that treat! 😄

26/07/2024

Lovely walk in the sunshine with a fellow dog walker. Photos by Mirka Kaaria from Mia’s petcare

25/07/2024

22/07/2024

We are already taking bookings for 2025, so its time to share our price list for next year. In September, FairlyDunn will have been 10 years in business! Time really flies when you are having fun! Thank you for trusting your dogs and other pets in my care!

22/07/2024

Our pets can be in pain for many reasons, such as arthritis or injuries. The signs can be subtle, for example, a chance in gait or behaviour. Talk to your vet about any suspicion of pain! Don't leave your pet suffering, because you are wary of the side effects of medication. Such effects are rare and the improvement in quality of life can be substantial 🐾

The consequences from pain far exceed the rarity of adverse effects associated with analgesics.

According to Simon BT, Scallan EM, Von Pfeil DJF, et al., in their 2018 study published in Veterinary Surgery, effective pain management is crucial for the well-being of pets.

The study highlights that while there are minimal risks associated with analgesics, the benefits of alleviating pain are substantial. Ensuring proper pain relief can significantly improve the quality of life for dogs and cats undergoing surgery and dealing with chronic conditions.

Don’t hesitate to prioritise pain management for your furry companions!

18/07/2024

It's essential that every puppy learns to enjoy being handled, especially on the parts of the body that turn into common bite triggers. Early puppyhood handling and socialization is easy to do and makes a huge difference in a dog's temperament and quality of life, for the rest of their life!

Learn more or download the PDF version: https://dunbar.info/puppy-handling

14/07/2024

Benny rooting for England 🙏🥳🐾🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

12/07/2024

Harris has settled in just fine on his first day of day care😍

03/07/2024

"𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘫𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘱?"
"𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨?"

Not barking. Not jumping up. Not pulling. These aren't behaviours. These are the absence of behaviour and we can't teach a 'nothing'. We're always behaving, every moment so while it's possible to suppress one behaviour (if you use punitive methods, which I don't) that has to be replaced by something else and there's absolutely no guarantee that what it's replaced with will be what we want! A dog who is punished for jumping to get attention may decide to bark for it instead....

A lot of behaviour problems arise because we have never taken the time to actively teach our dogs what we'd like them to do in a given situation. So in the absence of direction from us the dog simply does what makes sense to them.

Breige has recently discovered that the sofa is a nice place to be but her owners would prefer she doesn't go on the furniture. So instead of making our focus "how do we stop her going on the sofa" instead we're teaching her that settling on her bed on the floor is the most rewarding place to hang out. And, as an added benefit, as well as learning a useful behaviour (settle on a mat) in this context she's also learning a transferable skill which will be useful in other contexts - going to a cafe, visiting friends, travelling on public transport etc.

So the next time you find yourself thinking "𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱..." instead flip that on its head and ask "𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦...". because proactively teaching your dog what you'd like them to do and making it easy & rewarding for them to do it is a far better long term recipe for harmony and success than wasting your energy constantly saying "stop it".

28/06/2024

What's your suggestion for the name of these bands😜 perfect album covers☺️

25/06/2024

JUST A REMINDER, TO ALL DOG OWNERS.

⚠️🚙⚠️ Despite the warnings, hundreds of dogs in the UK die every year after being left in a hot car. Someone you know may need to read this very important message. ⚠️🚙⚠️

SIX MINUTES is all it takes for a dog to overheat in a hot car.

Your dog could suffer serious injury or die in a matter of minutes if left alone in a car.

• The temperature inside a closed vehicle left in the sun can double within 12 minutes.

• At least 75% of the temperature increase in a closed vehicle occurs within 5 minutes of closing the vehicle, and at least 89% of the temperature increase occurs within 15 minutes of closing the vehicle.

• Temperatures exceeding 104˚ F can lead to death or serious injury for the occupants.

• Temperatures in a closed vehicle sitting in the hot sun can reach 160˚F and above. An animal will suffer immeasurably and may die before the temperature reaches 150˚F.

• Even when parked in the shade, the vehicle temperatures can exceed 104˚C.

• Leaving windows down more than 2 inches on an unattended vehicle will not prevent a car from reaching extreme temperatures.

• Even if the animal is revived, they can die due to severe internal organ damage.

Your dog trusts you to have their best interest at heart ALWAYS.
Please don’t risk their safety.

If you are not taking your dog inside your destination with you, PLEASE leave them at home where they are comfortable and safe.

When using transporters, NEVER feel embarrassed to ask to check if they have an ADEQAUTE air conditioning system direct to the cages!

21/06/2024

Afternoon visit to a dog walking field, pups needed a little break in the shade. Poppy seems to know the cue 'middle' or she just like to stick her head to the front 🤣

20/06/2024

Duke and Winnie go to water at every opportunity, and today I felt like joining them 🌞🌞🥵

18/06/2024

A few more photos from the weekend visits to Paws 2 Pasture

18/06/2024

Smudge and Bella, two of the dogs today 🥰

17/06/2024

September this year we have been in business for 10 years 🤩 This photo is from five years ago. These little Frenchie puppies certainly kept us busy😍

16/06/2024

Paws 2 Pasture again today. Dexter smashing the selfie🤩 his little brother is doing his best😍

14/06/2024

Play time at Paws 2 Pasture 🐾🐾

14/06/2024

Paws 2 Pasture today with the dogs🐾

08/06/2024

To Neuter Or Not?
Castrating male dogs, also known as neutering, is a common surgical procedure that involves the removal of the testicles.

Here are some key points to consider very carefully before neutering.

Population Control: Helps reduce the number of unwanted puppies. An important consideration when there are so many unwanted dogs in this country.
Behavioural Benefits: Can sometimes reduce aggressive behaviour, roaming, and marking territory.
Health Benefits: Can lower the risk of certain cancers (testicular and prostate cancer) but in general these cancers are seen in senior dogs.

What is the best age to neuter? Many vets are still recommending neutering around 6-9 months of age, which is during adolescence however more recent studies indicate that this procedure should be delayed until the dogs growth plates are closed and they are fully mature both physically and emotionally before neutering. Dogs go through several stages of psychological sensitivity known as critical periods before the age of 18 months. If they are neutered in one of these sensitive periods the potential trauma of the surgery, fear and pain can have a lifelong impact on their confidence.

Understanding the behavioural effects of castration is essential, particularly if your dog has any signs of anxiety.

Pros: Reduction in aggression and dominance-related behaviour towards other male dogs - Studies indicate that castration can reduce certain types of aggression, especially those related to dominance fighting or competition with other males. Testosterone plays a significant role in such behaviours, and its reduction can lead to decreased aggression. In addition some neutered dogs can become defensive or aggressive towards intact male dogs so you need to manage your male dog carefully in this time of rampant hormones.
Less Distracted by scent and other dogs - some owners find it hard to train and manage an entire male dog as they are distracted by scent.
Decrease in roaming - Castrated dogs are less likely to try to escape or roam in search of a mate, which reduces the risk of getting lost or involved in accidents .
Reduction in scent marking behaviour - Castration can significantly decrease urine marking, which some owners might find beneficial.
Lower Incidence of some health issues - Castration eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and can reduce the risk of prostate problems .
These benefits are often a compelling reason for many owners to choose to neuter
However there are disadvantages to castration.

Cons:
Potential for increased anxiety and fearfulness - Some studies suggest that castration can lead to an increase in anxiety and fear-related behaviours in certain dogs . This could be due to the reduction of testosterone, which plays a role in confidence and social interactions.
Changes in energy levels and weight gain - Castrated dogs may experience a decrease in metabolism, leading to potential weight gain if their diet is not adjusted accordingly . This can result in obesity and associated health problems like diabetes and joint issues.
Alteration in Play Behaviour - Some research indicates that castrated dogs may show a decrease in certain types of vigorous play behaviour.
An increase in the potential for cruciate ligament injuries - early castration affects how the bones develop which can be implicated in other injuries

It is important to consider these facts very carefully before diving into castrating your male dog.
There is also now chemical castration which is an implant that is inserted under the skin of the dogs scruff and which lasts 3-6 months. Chemical castration is often used by breeders to prevent their dogs fertilising others by mistake as well as for other reasons. Chemical castration is a useful tool that can be used to assess a dog to see if castration would be behaviourally beneficial. There are some initial side effects including a potential increase in aggression for a period of time until the hormones settle down, but in my experience - as long as the dog is managed carefully during this window it can be a useful assessment tool . After all - once they are surgically removed, you can’t stick them back on!

Speak to your vet and a certified behaviourist if you are unsure or if your dog is demonstrating any signs of anxiety or aggression.

06/06/2024

Lovely 4 mile/6.5km walk this morning 🐾😍

02/06/2024

I'd take a bet that there's not a dog trainer alive who's not heard this...

But if a dog behaves 'better' during a training session it's not because they're trying to impress the 'teacher'. Or because the trainer exudes any mystical power. There's no 'dog trainer magic' at work. If a dog behaves 'better' it's almost certainly because -

• the trainer rewards more generously
• the trainer has better timing
• the trainer rewards anything that's better, no matter how small the improvement, instead of waiting for perfection
• the trainer doesn't put the dog in situations they can't cope with

And the good news is these are all skills that you can learn!

If you are struggling to see progress or have stalled in your training journey it's worth asking yourself whether you could improve on any of these. And if you can...do!

18/05/2024

New wheels for the dogs finally ready to go😍🐾 thanks to Canine Cage Craft Ltd

18/05/2024

Penny for your thoughts, Isla 🐾

14/05/2024

Nala and Bella love to play🐾♥️