Rico's Recalls

05/12/2023

05/12/2023

Here are our popular Cat Urns, beautifully designed to keep your beloved cats ashes safe at home 🧡

We have the adorable and discreet Cat on a book urn, cast resin in antique bronze, these can also be personalised with a plaque with your chosen words.

We also have the wooden Sleeping Cat Urn, discreet and stylish choice for your cats ashes.

24/10/2023

24/10/2023

Our compassionate and dedicated team are here to help.

24/10/2023

Knowing when to begin discussing end‑of‑life for a pet is just as difficult as making that ultimate decision. Consider starting the discussion at the beginning of a pet’s decline instead of the end.

We recognised this at Haven Vets and have produced a booklet to help you. The booklets are in our Reception areas and you can just pop in and pick one up to read at home.

There is no one perfect moment in time to make a euthanasia decision about your pet. But being able to make an informed choice when the time does come makes it easier on your pet and yourself.

24/10/2023

Top Tip 🎆 More dogs go missing during fireworks season than any other time of year. It is a legal requirement for dogs to be microchipped and wearing a collar and ID tag when out in public, which must include their owner's name and address and postcode. So make sure this is up to date and that your dog is securely tucked up at home.

24/10/2023

Dog owners - watch out for toxic toadstools!

It’s that time of year when different fungi pop up. Some are edible, some are mildly toxic and others are deadly. Talk to your vet immediately if your dog eats wild mushrooms or toadstools. Find out more at thekennelclub.org.uk/toadstools.

28/08/2023

🌈

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day 🌈

Today is all about remembering and honouring all the beloved pets that have crossed over the rainbow bridge. No matter how big or small your pets were, losing them can be difficult to handle and whilst the pain of losing a pet somewhat heals over time, they are never forgotten.

27/08/2023

All set up at Withernsea Carnival down at Valley Gardens
The sun 🌞 is shining, come down and join in the fun & grab your pooches some tasty, healthy & nutritious treats 🐶🐾

27/08/2023

Did you know that artificial grass retains nearly double the amount of heat? 🌡️ Which can be unbearable for our pets.

As temperatures rise today, be aware of the dangers of artificial grass and make sure you always put a cooling mat out for your pet.

23/08/2023

Hypoallergenic mixed treats 🐾🐶

£5.00

Fish skin flats - Rich in Omega 3 & protein, with a rough texture which is also great to keep on top of plaque & tartar 🦷

Camel skin - Long lasting, high in protein & great for teeth too !!

Goat skin - Fab for smaller dogs as long lasting chews 🐶

Lamb muscle meat - High in protein & aids dental hygiene

Trachea - Rich in Glucosamine & Chondroiten, a fantastic treat for older dogs as aids joint care

Beef muscle meat - high in protein, low in fat, long lasting and fab for dental health

Message me to order, local delivery available 🚙

23/08/2023

This is most definitely one of the most important parts of training your dog.
I know many of you just want your dog to listen when they are at the beach and you call them.....but if they barely listen to you in your own home, there is no way they will listen to you elsewhere.
It doesn't just magically happen.
If your dog doesn't listen to you elsewhere, go back a few steps with training...really solidify exactly what you want in your own home, then your yard, then on your local walk.....gradually increasing those distractions helps everyone....including yourself.

You start to see momentum, and momentum is so important with training for both yourself and your dog.
Momentum builds confidence.

23/08/2023

Hi all, so has been a busy summer training 🐾 not had much chance to get treat bags done recently 🐶 but have some hypoallergenic mixed bags coming up, watch this space 👀

08/08/2023

A reminder that this FREE fun family event is taking place on Thursday 11am - 3pm in Valley Gardens and Memorial Gardens.

08/08/2023

08/08/2023

Self soothing....sometimes not as helpful as it may sound.
When does self soothing become obsessive ?
Simply put....when it becomes excessive. What excessive means from one dog to another may be completely different.

Every dog is individual.

Mouths are used in many (but not all) self soothing behaviours. Self soothing can be an attempt to reduce anxiety....and it works for many dogs.

However....there is a point where this can begin to turn and become damaging.

Licking paws.
Dogs that continually lick paws until they are red, inflamed or raw need help. Veterinary help must always be sought FIRST before behavioural reasons are looked into. While you may be convinced it is just a "habit" that habit has lead to chronic dermatitis, a yeast infection or maybe that compulsive licking and nibbling at paws is actually from a grass seed and is now infected and is scouring its way internally up your dogs leg.

Nibbling/sucking bedding.
You may have a dog that suckles or nibbles their blanket...maybe there are some "cookie cutter" mysterious holes in the blanket....your dog has likely ingested the material. Teeth rubbing continually against textured fabric can cause big dental issues.

Biting/chewing objects.
This is something that very few people see as an issue, as dogs chew. If your dog is spending a long time chewing a toy and does this at various times during the day....observe them, there could be a pattern of seeking comfort after something they found stressful. We may not see the preceding event as stressful...but your dog did. There could very easily be a pattern.
Your dogs teeth may be becoming blunt and worn away from continually chewing....they may then feel they need to chew more as they now have pain in their mouth.

Nibbling/biting themselves.
This often looks like something is annoying them, they may nibble or chew holes in their own body, tails can be a target too. Your dog can actually start to nibble off their own tail, it may get shorter and shorter and you may start to see destructive biting on what was once a healthy tail.

Have you come home and your dog has chewed a piece of furniture or a door?....there is a reason for this behaviour....
Instead of looking at your dog as "naughty" or "bad" perhaps your dog was highly anxious when you left and attempted to self soothe.

Some dogs that are destructive have underlying high level anxiety issues. They are attempting to feel better the only way they can in that moment.

Self soothing behaviours are fine...your dog has managed to figure out how to calm themselves and feel better emotionally.
BUT..... there is a point when they are far more damaging than we think.

Self soothing behaviours can turn to become the opposite of what they were first started for and can actually cause stress and anxiety.

Vet check first, then you can look into behaviour modification.

08/08/2023

On sunny days, pavements can get too hot for dogs to walk on.

To check, place the back of your hand on the pavement for 7 seconds; if it’s too painful for your hand, then it’s too painful for your dog’s paws. Find out more: thekennelclub.org.uk/hotpavements.

08/08/2023

This one is always a bit controversial for some....It is a repost from several months ago.
Socialisation.
Play is NOT socialisation. Play is a separate and important skill.....but it isn't socialisation.
What is socialisation ?..... Calmness and acceptance.
What it isn't......over excited, scared, hyper, wary behaviour or PLAY.

I know that seems like a big statement to make for some people but society has some strange ideas of what socialisation is.

That doesn't mean dogs and puppies shouldn't play, it simply means one of the FIRST things they need to learn in life is be calm and accepting of dogs in general....then play can be added as a separate skill.

Calmness and acceptance IS socialisation.
Play is play.
Two completely separate things.

Dogs and puppies are a very small part of having a socialised dog. An important small part... but a very small part in a much bigger picture.
The word socialisation seems to be associated with play and that is a big issue with new puppy guardians/owners.

How you let other dogs meet yours and how your dog meets other dogs forms patterns of behaviour.
The more these dogs have over excited, over aroused and hyper behaviour around other dogs...........the more they understand this IS exactly how to meet dogs....and that is really problematic for many dogs.

True socialisation is acceptance and calmness in ALL the world has to offer.
Everything you encounter in everyday life...is exactly what you need to expose your dogs to.

Little and often
Positively and calmly......and you are well on your way to a well socialised puppy or dog.

One of the best lessons you can teach your puppy or dog is they do NOT need to interact with others.
They don't need to go to that hyper excited behaviour when other dogs are near.

They can be calm, assess the situation and choose to play and interact if they wish.....

That is true socialisation.

24/07/2023

Thresholds.
Not as simple as just going over or staying under....and not as simple as an outward bark.
There are a LOT of tell tale signs your dog has moved from one emotional state to another...the difficult thing is (for some) it is very quick.....but there are still signs, even if this all happens in what seems like a split second.

There is a certain point when your dog.... faced with a trigger, has become hyper aroused, barking, spinning, lunging (always a strange word to spell) or growling and for these dogs it is very easy to see that they are over a threshold...a point where their emotional state has changed dramatically. Often we immediately add distance between them and what they are reacting to.

Then there are other dogs.......

These dogs have different ways they show they are over threshold when faced with a trigger....these are often missed as they are far more subtle....but these triggers are just as concerning and troublesome for these dogs....but we can dismiss these more easily...

Quietness
Stillness
Posture changes
Stress shown in their ears, eyes and mouth......

Many of these dogs that don't audibly (or "dramatically") react are STILL struggling in the face of a trigger, yet these signs can easily be dismissed by us....

"Just give him a minute"
"Awww, she just wants a pat"

Many people may not recognise their dog has reacted to being over threshold by "freezing". They may be far too close to a trigger and yet they are not given distance to help as these reactions may appear to us as being "ok".
If these dogs were able to bark in the same way other dogs do when over threshold....they would be listened to loud and clear.

Flight/Flee, Fight, Fiddle or Freeze.....these can ALL be signs that dogs have changed their emotional state....and many (not all) do this from fear.

If the quieter over threshold dogs were given as much consideration as the louder barking, snarling, growling dog.....they would be able to be seen as going through the same emotional changes.
A barking dog and a very quiet dog can have exactly the same emotions bubbling underneath....they just show it differently....but it can be equally as intense.

24/07/2023

These dogs really are everywhere.
They are often mislabeled as friendly by the guardian/owner as that is how they are seen by them.....They barge right in to "play" with other dogs the second the lead is taken off, before then they are straining, bursting out of their skin to get to whatever they are desiring at the time....and allowing dogs to do this is half the issue.

This behaviour has been rewarded by the "play" and fun of interacting.....Why would they behave any other way around other dogs?
They are not friendly.
Dogs do not consider these dogs friendly either.
Why?
These dogs take no time to assess the situation, their energy is off the charts and they immediately assert themselves into play, and demand interaction from other dogs.

They cannot read cues, or they completely ignore them when given by other dogs.
Reading other dogs play styles is non existent.
Focusing on you or redirecting is impossible.
There is absolutely no impulse control or emotional self regulation.

These dogs are often seen at a dog park running from dog to dog in a hyper aroused state and they often have an almost manic appearance, all of this causes fights, injury, stress and is a direct causation of reactivity occurring in either dog.

I have used the term "socialisation" but socialisation is NOT play....it never was....it is about calmly accepting other dogs exist through controlled exposure.
That calmness allows self regulation, allows reading cues from others and impulse control is practiced.
As a society we have a twisted view that socialisation means dogs play with all other dogs....and they should get on.
The reality of TRUE socialisation is the opposite.

If you do have a dog that has these issues...you can help (but if you reach out to a good behaviour modification trainer, you will save yourself years and years of issues).

Teach engagement with you in ever increasing distractions.
Practice and learn calmness....it is a skill.
Manage the environment for calm and limited exposure at a distance....and reward calm.
Praise and reward when they look away from the other dogs....that IS praise worthy.
Mental enrichment with these dogs helps everything.
Learn the body language of your dog (and others).

You are not alone in struggling with this behaviour, it is very common.
Take a chance that your dog CAN behave in a different way, they just need to be shown how by you or a great trainer.

Limit where and when they can practice this behaviour......and most important dog parks and meeting endless other dogs will do nothing but fuel all of this behaviour.

24/07/2023

Watch out for bee and wasp stings!

Dogs that have been stung can usually be cared for at home, but some exceptions might be a bit more serious. Find out more at thekennelclub.org.uk/stings.

24/07/2023

Blue-green algae is a toxic substance that’s found in lakes and rivers around the UK. It can be very dangerous to dogs and can even be deadly. We urge all owners to be vigilant when walking dogs near water after the first scientifically confirmed case of blue-green algae death was recorded. To read more about this visit thekennelclub.org.uk/bluegreenalgaedeath.

To find out more about blue-green algae, where you would find it and the effects it can cause, follow thekennelclub.org.uk/bluegreenalgae.

28/06/2023

Spotting arthritis with early and timely treatment can change the course of the disease and slow its progression. This is important as arthritis affects more pets than previously thought and can actually begin at the puppy and kitten stage.

We’ve pulled together lots of useful information about arthritis, how to tell your pet is in pain and the treatments we offer at Aldgate, including hydrotherapy, laser therapy and acupuncture.

Read the blog here: https://www.aldgatevet.co.uk/latest-news/rehabilitation-therapies-to-treat-arthritis-in-dogs-and-cats/

28/06/2023

How can a dog that struggles with appropriate play and interactions suddenly gain those skills to pass on ?
They cannot.... without serious action from you.
Dogs left to teach a puppy will do just that.....and you may not like the outcome and these harmful habits can last a lifetime.

Many dogs lack the skills needed to teach puppies healthy interactions....yet some insist that the puppy just needs to "learn" from the older dog.

I often hear people state that their dog will "show" their new puppy....or that letting dogs play with puppies will make them learn how to play well.......
If you do want that to happen, your dog MUST have the skills to teach....it DOESN'T just magically happen.

I am ALL for having a dog teach a puppy appropriate interactions and play....BUT many dogs should never teach a puppy anything.

Yet many people insist that dogs will teach puppies how to interact.....
Of that there is absolutely no doubt....