Trails for Tails

13/04/2024

Dogs interrupt our signals really well, however, we haven't a clue when it comes to reading our dogs body language

04/04/2024

Bloodsports have no place in our society - some politicians argue that it's part of our culture and tradition - we need to call it was it is: abuse, barbaric, cruel

23 greyhounds suffered injuries at Enniscorthy stadium in 2023 and 9 of them were killed by a track vet.

It was the second highest number of deaths at the track since records began. The highest was in 2021, when 13 deaths were recorded.

The greyhounds who were "euthanised" last year had suffered broken hock/leg, fractured hock/wrist, dislocated toes/ruptured ligaments of toes and wrist injury.

The remaining 14 injured greyhounds were treated by a vet. Their injuries were sprained wrist, fractured hock, broken hock/wrist, cut toe, wound on right hind leg, shoulder injury, muscle cramp, suspected torn cruciate, sore hip, cut paw and cut to leg.

Sickening Greyhound Racing Ireland statistics show that in the past nine years alone, at least 186 greyhounds suffered injuries at Enniscorthy track and 54 of them died or were killed by a track vet.

At races around Ireland in 2023, 257 greyhounds were injured and 134 killed. Since 2014, at least 3,307 greyhounds sustained injuries and 1,194 died or were killed at races. The Greyhound Racing Ireland figures do not include the greyhounds injured at tracks and later killed elsewhere, or the thousands of greyhounds who are killed behind the scenes every year because they are not fast enough to win races.

Find out more at https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2019/03/27/greyhound-injuries-and-deaths-at-irish-greyhound-tracks/

SEE ALSO

Raced to death: 134 greyhounds killed at races in Ireland in 2023 https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2024/03/15/raced-to-death-134-greyhounds-killed-at-races-in-ireland-in-2023/

21 greyhounds injured, 6 killed at Enniscorthy stadium in 2022 https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2023/02/26/21-greyhounds-injured-6-killed-at-enniscorthy-stadium-in-2022/

Enniscorthy Track: Greyhound tested positive for prohibited substance Acetaminophen
https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2022/06/20/enniscorthy-track-greyhound-tested-positive-for-prohibited-substance-acetaminophen/

Greyhound Racing Ireland hiding video footage of dogs falling at Enniscorthy track
https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2021/09/15/greyhound-racing-ireland-hiding-video-footage-of-dogs-falling-at-enniscorthy-track/

Greyhound found dumped next to overturned kennel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOff2SNNdWs

Watch RTE’s award-winning “Greyhounds Running For Their Lives” documentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYTb2qBjlMM

ACTION ALERT

Don’t go greyhound racing. Please join us in urging the government to STOP the massive grants that are propping up this cruel, dog-killing gambling activity. Since 2001, Greyhound Racing Ireland has received €347 million in funding, including €17.6 million for 2022, €18.2 million for 2023 and €19 million for 2024. This is unacceptable and must be stopped.

Tell the leaders of Fine Gael, Fianna Fail, the Green Party and Sinn Fein to stop supporting this funding.

Simon Harris TD
Leader, Fine Gael
Telephone: +353 (0)1 618 3805 or +353 (0)1 889 2442
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
X: http://www.twitter.com/SimonHarrisTD
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DeputySimonHarris

Micheál Martin TD
Leader, Fianna Fail
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Phone: 021-432 0088
Leinster House: 01–618 3000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michealmartintd/
X: http://www.twitter.com/

Eamon Ryan TD
Leader, Green Party
Tel: 01 618 3894
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EamonRyanGP/
X: https://twitter.com/EamonRyan

Mary Lou McDonald TD
Leader, Sinn Fein
Tel: (01) 727 7102
Email: [email protected]
X: https://twitter.com/MaryLouMcDonald
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MaryLouMcDonaldTD

Please sign and share the petitions

Irish Government: Stop Giving Millions of Euro to Cruel Greyhound Racing
https://www.change.org/p/irish-government-stop-giving-millions-of-euro-to-cruel-greyhound-racing

Stop supporting the cruel greyhound “industry”
https://www.change.org/p/stop-supporting-the-cruel-greyhound-industry

GAA: Stop club fundraisers at greyhound tracks
https://www.change.org/p/gaa-stop-club-fundraisers-at-greyhound-tracks

Tell Gain Pet Nutrition to Stop Sponsoring Greyhound Racing
https://www.change.org/p/jimtracy-glanbia-ie-tell-gain-pet-nutrition-to-stop-sponsoring-greyhound-racing

Injuries and deaths at Enniscorthy track (2023)

9 March 2023: Muscle cramp – Treated
9 April 2023: Fractured wrist – Euthanised by track vet
10 April 2023: Sprained wrist – Treated
22 May 2023: Suspected torn cruciate – Treated
29 May 2023: Broken hock – Treated
22 June 2023: Cut paw – Treated
26 June 2023: Dislocated toes / Ruptured ligaments of toes – Euthanised by track vet
26 June 2023: Fractured hock – Euthanised by track vet
29 June 2023: Broke hock – Euthanised by track vet
29 June 2023: Sore hip – Treated
10 July 2023: Broke leg – Euthanised by track vet
24 July 2023: Suspected hock fracture – Treated
03 August 2023: Cut to leg – Treated
14 August 2023: Broke right hock – Euthanised by track vet
21 September 2023: Fractured left hock – Euthanised by track vet
12 October 2023: Sprained right wrist – Treated
19 October 2023: Broke hock – Euthanised by track vet
16 November 2023: Fractured hock – Treated
23 November 2023: Broke wrist – Treated
23 November 2023: Cut toe – Treated
23 November 2023: Wound on right hind leg – Treated
7 December 2023: Wrist injury – Euthanised by track vet
7 December 2023: Shoulder injury – Treated

Please support our campaign with a donation
https://www.paypal.me/banbloodsports

28/02/2024

Great common sense post

04/12/2023

Great Post full of common sense information about how to behave around new puppies

08/11/2023

Yep just like us humans are not always interested in other humans - give me a dog any day 😀

Some dogs might not have the same level of sociability as others, and that's perfectly acceptable.

Full credit Canine Principles

Each dog has a unique personality, and much like people, they have their own preferences for social interaction. It's important to recognise and respect these differences.

A dog who seems more reserved or less inclined to engage with strangers isn't necessarily unfriendly or ill-tempered; they may simply prefer a more solitary environment or choose to interact primarily with their familiar companions.

When you encounter a dog whose interest in socialising isn't immediately evident, it's courteous to give them space.

Forcing interaction can be overwhelming and uncomfortable for them. By respecting their preference to keep to themselves, you demonstrate understanding and kindness towards their individual temperament.

Recognising and honouring each dog's personality not only contributes to their sense of security but also fosters a more respectful and trusting relationship between humans and dogs.

26/10/2023

"The level of cooperation we get from our dogs is usually equal to the level of connection we have with our dogs."
~Kathy Kawalec

Connection and cooperation go hand in hand.
Cooperation is not a means to an end. (that would be more like manipulation or coercion)
We are social mammals, and so are our dogs -- and by design, we NEED solid, reliable, mutually trusting social connections to feel safe, to feel belonging and to feel happily cooperative.
A relationship based on transactions (ex: 'you can have this, but only if you do what I want first') is nothing like a relationship based on kindness, respect, consent, understanding and trusting cooperation. We know this. You know this.
Sure, there is a place for transactions with our dogs ... but when obedience training is the centered strategy for living together, we find ourselves with stressed out, anxious, reactive, over-aroused, hyper-vigilant dogs.
No social mammal thrives under these conditions. Is it any wonder our dogs are struggling?
Is it any surprise that WE are struggling with trying to maintain that transactional lifestyle with our dogs, when it's not our natural way?
Connection first. Cooperation naturally follows.
Kathy xo

19/10/2023

Walks are for dogs not us. I get that when we walk our dogs we get exercised as well but that’s not the point. The point is to allow dogs the freedom to be a dog and do what dogs do and that is sniff their world. Depriving them of this basic instinct is robbing them from a very important and necessary primal instinct.

18/10/2023

Great advice

06/10/2023

This is SO true - our dogs growl when they're unhappy with something - if we stop them doing that then the next step is the snap and bite - of course generally there are other signals that come b4 the growl e.g. lick nose/yawn, turns head away, turns body away, walk away, tail tucked, leg up, stiffens/stares, growls, snaps, bites - we need to get to know our dogs body language through observation when we walk them

When we punish dogs for growling, we aren't helping them feel better about whatever it is that is threatening them. Instead, we are teaching to stop letting us know when they feel unsafe.

The result? A dog who stops giving warning signs and "bites out of the blue."

02/10/2023

That's true and unfortunately it's the dogs who pay the price

01/10/2023

Very well said

IS YOUR DOG “STUBBORN”, OR STRUGGLING?

It is all too easy to describe our dogs as stubborn when we are feeling frustrated that they don't seem to be listening to us, or aren't being very cooperative. “Nose down, tail up, ears off!” is often repeated when it comes to scent hounds. However, if we aren’t achieving the response that we are looking for from our dogs, we need to consider why and how we can help them out.

*Are we being clear in what we are asking of them, and do they understand?
*Is our teaching and reinforcement history adequate?
*Are we asking too much of them too soon and not building solid foundations first?
*What is happening in the environment which may be impacting them?
*Are they trigger stacked and not in the right frame of mind to be able to focus and learn new things? *Are they suffering from undiagnosed pain?
*Are they physically capable of what we are asking them to do?

When our dogs aren't able to do as we ask, we need to consider why, and understand that they are not purposely being difficult, but need some help from us. We may not always be aware of potential problems: a worrying scent, a noise in the distance that we are unable to hear, or they might be experiencing pain or discomfort. To automatically label their behaviour as stubbornness, naughtiness or disobedience is a great disservice to our dogs. Being unable or unwilling to do something is vital information that we need to acknowledge, take on board, and respond to appropriately. We should always be questioning WHY.

With any behavioural concerns, it is really important to get a thorough veterinary check to rule out any undiagnosed medical conditions; we know that up to 80% of behavioural cases have an underlying pain component.

If in doubt, always get checked out!

© Trailie Paws For Thought
https://www.trailiepawsforthought.com/

I'm very happy for all of my content to be shared, but please do not copy and paste (to avoid sharing from source), screenshot, or download any part of it. THANK YOU! 🐾 🐾

30/09/2023

Lots of signals go before a bite, we just miss them or don't understand them - biting is the very last resort

We charge through life.
Imagine how fast paced and confusing that can be for our dogs?
Slowing down and listening can show a dog they are safe and don't need to defend themselves.

30/09/2023

Very practical advice

**** RULES FOR RAISING A PUPPY ****

1 - They don’t turn up understanding anything you expect of them. Show them how to get by, don’t just wait to have a go at them when they get it wrong.

2 - Puppies are puppies. Expect them to bark, bite, p**s, s**t, growl, jump, whine etc. It’s what you sign up for when you get a puppy. Appropriate training will help both you and then live in harmony. If you’re not sure how, get a decent trainer to help you.

3 - They are not out there to dominate anyone or anything. They are just trying to get by in your made up world. Help show them how to get by.

4 - They need a lot of sleep! Don’t try to tire them out, they don’t need to be exhausted. They just need down time constantly throughout the day.

5 - Play with them as much as you can. Reinforcement is what drives a behaviour and most people use food. But if you use play from the get go you’ll build a much better reinforcer that they will likely want to engage with as they get older no matter what the competing motivators are. Especially if you play with them in a way that they REALLY love. Get a trainer to show you how.

6 - Expose them to things but don’t over do it. Socialisation is about teaching dogs to be less sensitive to things they will need to be around as they get older. We don’t want them to be excited about these things, we just want them to accept and be comfortable around these things.

7 - If they’re acting up, the chances are they are tired. Don’t try to train them, create an environment that they can relax in.

8 - Use their food to reward the stuff you like. Don’t just feed them out of a bowl. Use their daily allowance and capture the stuff you like so they offer those behaviours more often.

9 - Expect them to frustrate you. Raising a puppy isn’t always fun. Expect things to go wrong. If you get through the puppy stage without them s**tting in the carpet I commend you. Just don’t lose your s**t towards them.

10 - Don’t listen to a word the dog daddy says. He’s a t**t.

www.thinkdog.nz

29/09/2023

26/09/2023

Great advice - positive reinforcement, reward based training, patience and multiple repetitions builds trust with our dogs - coercive training doesn't work - we don't react positively to bullying, pain and coercion so why would our dogs?

Urgh! Alpha Theory! *cue eye roll* 🙄

This extremely outdated advice is still being given, and it is so incredibly harmful.

Alpha theory holds zero scientific ground!

Not with dogs or wolves.
You don't need to show your dog who's boss or be a pack leader.

Instead, be their friend and guardian. 🐶

22/09/2023

So true and of course they have four legs so will always walk faster

19/09/2023

Great advice - our dogs react to stress Just like we do - it will help them if we're alert and try to read the signals they give us - licking their lips, yawning, turning away, body tense, tail tucked can all be indicators of stress and if we continue to walk towards the fearful thing they have no choice but to react

A dog can 'react' for many reasons. Sadly many get labeled as aggressive when they do - that is not always the case! A dog can react to many things and it can be anxiety to an overload or fear of something new (the list is endless) so always think twice and look at what they are reacting too and think about how you can change that for them to make them feel safer.

12/09/2023

Great advice

A sudden behaviour change can be a sign that the dog is in pain or feeling unwell. A good and ethical canine professional will always ask when the dog last visited their vet and will recommend a check up to rule out any medical cause for the new behaviour before beginning to make a plan to help the dog and their people.

10/09/2023

We are huge influencers of our dogs behaviour, mood and choices - they are very good at understanding us but we need to learn to understand their language 😀

🐾 Ever wondered about how the profound connection you share with your dog influences their behavior, including reactivity?

Join us in Episode 277 of "Enlightened by Dogs" for a journey of exploring the depth of this connection, where words are only the beginning.

Get ready to:

✨Recognize the depth of the emotional connection between you and your dog.
✨Empower yourself to influence your dog's responses through awareness of your own emotions.
✨Rewrite the narrative of the reactivity spiral, and start over with nurturing a harmonious partnership with your dog.

Are you ready to bridge the gap between what's said and what's felt? 🐶❤️ 🎧Tune in to learn more! 🐕‍🦺

Tap the link👇
EBD on Apple: dancinghearts.link/apple
EBD on Spotify: dancinghearts.link/spotify

09/09/2023

Puzzle toys are a great way to get our dogs thinking

08/09/2023

Great idea

08/09/2023

07/09/2023

Dublin's premier dog training centre. Accredited & professional dog trainers offering both group tra

06/09/2023

Back to school? That doesn’t mean back in the hutch. If your kids have rabbits, so do you.

Rabbit care should never be left solely to children, and they certainly should not be left alone in a hutch all day!

Head to our website to see what requirements your rabbits need so they do not suffer with loneliness and boredom: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/rabbit-housing/why-a-hutch-is-not-enough-the-5-welfare-needs/

05/09/2023

This book is invaluable for all dog owners and their dogs - it explains how our behaviour, tone of voice, expression and even how we stand can have a huge impact on our dogs behaviour and choices - it encourages us to see the world through our dogs eyes - she promotes force free, relationship based & positive reinforcement as teaching methods - and many many more valuable insights

What an honor to have The Other End of the Leash, which first came out twenty-two years ago, named as one of the best dog training books of 2023 by Spruce Pets. I’m so grateful!



https://www.thesprucepets.com/best-dog-training-books-4164678

05/09/2023

Dog training has come a long way in recent years and yet some methods that are rather archaic still exist in the dog world. Despite science demonstrating how dogs learn and the benefits of positive reinforcement, such techniques still manage to resurface. Why is this the case?

05/09/2023

We mainly take the world in through our eyes and dogs take the world in through their noses SO let your dog smell - it's hugely enriching for them and also has a calming effect

Dogs can sniff out disease and analyze new odors even as they exhale. But how?

28/08/2023

Positive Reinforcement is a kind and effective way to train - it works with all animals - coercion never works and destroys relationships and trust

17/09/2022

Lovely walk this morning in Aughinish Nature Reserve - Tilly loved her first visit so we'll defo be going back