SIT and STAY Dog Carers

04/01/2024

So true & people still get puppies that grow into neglected dogs.

DON’T GET A DOG…UNLESS YOU CAN MAKE A COMMITMENT

In an ideal world dogs would be included as part of our family and we would commit to sharing our time and life with them.

In an ideal world, we would take the time to learn about how they communicate, their emotions, their needs and updated, modern, scientifically based methods to understand or modify behaviour.

In reality, dogs are so often seen as an item of property, a commodity to be bred and make money from, a cheap, replaceable security system with a built-in barking alarm, a garden decoration, a toy to play with when the kids are bored or an accessory that looks good while out walking, running or taking selfies.

Dogs are not objects, just like us they are sentient beings with the capacity to feel a range of emotions.

A life spent confined to a backyard or fenced in with little or no human companionship is not a life.

Dogs are naturally social beings and need to spend time with their human family.

They need love and attention, exercise and mental stimulation.

They need routine, consistency and predictable patterns to feel secure in our world.

They need to feel safe, secure and protected if they are to be the best version of themselves.

Having a dog requires commitment, patience and dedication.

It’s hard work, it’s sometimes messy, dirty and stinky, it costs money and requires changes to our lifestyle.

It’s a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly or without making a commitment, but the rewards of forming a secure bond with another sentient being can bring so much joy and enrichment to both our lives and theirs.

01/11/2023

I need to write about normal.

An increasing number of people are giving up their dogs because they can't cope. However this seems to be because they do not really have an idea of what "normal" is and have a rather fantasy idea of what a dog should be.

Dogs are not people, however much we love them and it is important that this is realised.

The following things are all normal and any new dog owner needs to understand this:-
Puppies do not come ready trained and it is down to the new owner to work hard for a couple of years to do that training.
Puppies (all breeds) bite - it hurts.
Puppies chew stuff up. If you leave it lying around it will get eaten.
Puppies take a while to get house trained. The owner has to stand shivering in the garden at bedtime until the results happen. This can last for months.
Puppies - and indeed dogs - need to sleep a lot and should be left alone whilst doing so. They are not toys to be constantly carried around and petted.
Brain training toys do not make up for positive interaction and training with their owner.
Dogs rarely need clothes and wearing them indoors (except possibly for very old dogs) will make skin problems more likely.
Dogs don't necessarily like other dogs. They squabble can growl at each other and even fight. This is normal.
Bi***es come in season and have phantom pregnancies. These are normal body functions and should not cause anxiety.
Dogs and bi***es hump each other and objects. Not socially acceptable to humans but perfectly norma.
Dogs do not do spiteful or dominance or deliberate naughty or lots of other emotions people put on them They live for the day and can't differentiate between your new shoes and their toys.
If you spend your money in soft beds they will explode. The dog does not care how much it cost.
If a dog is bored or anxious it will chew stuff - this includes your sofa if you are daft enough to leave him unattended with it.

Dogs need exercise, love and attention and lots of training. They don't always get it right. If you can't accept all these normal things about a dog, please don't get one as the numbers being given up for normal behaviour is heartbreaking.

More details: www.whitebeamwood.co.uk

13/10/2023

https://www.facebook.com/638962176/posts/10160884146837177/

14/08/2023

Meet Alfie, Alfie and Alfie. 3 of our guests today. Slightly confusing 😊

27/06/2023

"Kids and Dogs" the images that fill our dreams, and haunt our nightmares 😇😈

With dog bites on the rise, we thought this an important topic to chat about.

"I'd never trust a dog with a child". This is a statement we hear time and time again. But let's delve a little deeper. 🤓

So what's the definition of the word "trust"?🤔
- firm belief in the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.

And what about the word "dog"? 🐶
- a highly variable domestic mammal (Canis familiaris) closely related to the gray wolf
- a domesticated carnivorous mammal that typically has a long snout, an acute sense of smell, non-retractable claws, and a barking, howling, or whining voice

All that we can "trust" is that a dog, will be a dog. Trust, belief and faith should be reserved only for those who understand their concepts, and the consequences of their actions. 👍

In a world where the general population is poor, at best, at reading canine body language, how can we expect our kids to be any different?

So if it's not a matter of trust, then what is it? 🤔 We could be here for years discussing such a hot topic, but instead, we'll give you our top tips summarised.

1. Don't mess with your dog's food.
Separate your dog when it's eating or chewing. Don't put your hands in your dog's bowl, don't take chews from their mouths, and don't allow your children to do the same. Ever.🥩

2. Personal space. Your dog didn't choose to have kids, that's your problem.🙃 Kid's in your personal space is one thing, in a dog's is another. Encroaching kissing, hugging, climbing on, poking, pulling etc. is not ok, whether your dog tolerates it or not.🚫 Always proceed with caution around dogs you do not know. Teach your child to admire dogs from a distance, to smile and wave. You don't have to pet the dog.

3. Children & Dogs should never be left unattended. Not while you make coffee, not while you run to the bathroom, and it's not safe for your dog to visit your child's room while they are sleeping. 😴

4. Remember that dogs are dogs. Whether you have a Golden Retriever, a Staffy, a Jack Russell, Springer Spaniel or a Bichon Frisé, you still have a dog. Remember their capabilities. 🙏

You may read this thinking "What nonsense, our kids climbed on and kissed the dog for years, and always ate from it bowl." Good for you! You had luck and a very very patient dog. Not all dogs are like this, and it shouldn't be expected.🐶

Love your dogs, they play a vital role in your family. Just be smart, be conscious, be safe. 💕

Not sure, call a trainer. 📞

What are your thoughts? 🤔

02/03/2023

27/02/2023

18/08/2022

Great advice

THE GIFT OF THE GROWL
Why growling should never be punished and also never be ignored
Not all growls are negative. Some growls are play growls, attention seeking growls, pleasure seeking growls or frustration growls. They may all sound a little different and may be unique to the particular dog. This post is not about different types of growls, but about warning or aggressive growls.
When a dog growls, maybe even at us, the natural human response is to feel offended and maybe even angry. Surely dogs need to learn not to growl, growling is bad, growling is unacceptable, growling is a problem and needs to be punished so a dog learns it’s wrong, disrespectful and not to do it again, right?
NO, this couldn’t be further from the truth! A dog that growls has just provided us with a very valuable communication signal. In their way, they have just communicated to us how they feel without resorting to a bite. Dogs use growling in an attempt to avoid having to resort to biting, not to initiate it. They could just as easily have not even bothered to growl and gone straight to a bite.
Growling is a dog's way of saying "please stop," "stay away from me," "go away," “I’m not comfortable with this and I’m feeling threatened”. A dog that growls is trying hard to communicate and punishment suppresses this ability to communicate. Punishment doesn’t change the level of the dog's discomfort; it creates more stress and the dog will feel more threatened.
Growling is not the problem. Growling is the result of and the symptom of a problem. A dog that bites without the warning of a growl is a far more serious problem than a dog that growls but doesn’t bite.
Look for any other early warning signals that may precede a growl. Recognize and take note of what makes your dog feel threatened and create distance between your dog and whatever is triggering them.
Be grateful for the gift of a growl - it provides us with an opportunity to address the cause & prevent the bite.

03/07/2022

One of the saddest parts of my job is the sheer volume of rehoming requests I get from dog owners. Several times a week I receive a call, message or email, and it is always the same - Do I “know somebody who wants a [6-18 months old] [highly energetic working dog]? The dog needs more activities than the family can provide.”
This week it has been a Heeler, a Lab and yesterday a Border Collie. Other weeks it is a German Shorthair pointer, a German Shepherd and a Goldendoodle. Or a Weimaraner, a Malinois, an Aussie, a Husky … you get the idea.
First - no, I likely do not know anybody who would be a good match for the dog. I have a list of people looking for dogs - currently it has zero names - and a list of people with high-energy breeds wanting to re-home their dogs. This list is very, very long.
Please do not get a puppy if you cannot meet the needs of his breed. The vast majority of dogs needs more than a full food bowl and a pat on the head. Especially during the first 2 years of a dog’s life, expect him to require DAILY training. Throughout the dog’s life you should plan on providing enrichment, mental stimulation and physical activities. You have work, errands to run, a family to take care off, TV shows to watch, books to read - but your dog only has YOU.
If you chose a working-bred dog, expect him to not be content with a 15 minute leash walk. Your dog needs more. He is only doing what he was bred to do - having a high energy level, intense desire to move and work, no quits.
If you want a beginner dog or a laid-back dog - there are plenty of lap dog breeds who have lower exercise needs (though they still need some!). There are plenty of adult or senior dogs in rescue. There are retired racing Greyhounds. There are shelters looking for volunteers and fosters - that way you can get your feet wet before committing to a certain breed.
If you get a puppy of a working breed, expect him to take up a big chunk of your time for many years to come!
Please don't first acquire and then rehome your dogs because of who they are - instead, invest time into researching your chosen breed upfront.

06/06/2022

A pet in a parked car, even with the windows open, can quickly overheat and die on a warm day!! WHY do people insist on taking their dogs with them?

If you see an animal in distress in someone’s car, call 911 immediately and try to find the owner. If you cannot find the owner immediately, and you are still waiting for first responders and the animal seems to be in grave condition, state law allows you to break the car window or make entry to save the pet’s life.

04/05/2022

Update; Sandy is found safe and well.

Sandy is gone missing since last Saturday. In Newforest area. She never wanders. Please keep an eye out for her. Contact page with any info. Please share this and help bring her home.

30/04/2022

Some information on rapeseed from the Veterinary Poisons Information Service and Animal PoisonLine

16/04/2022

Fun in the sun for Easter holidays.