3 Steps Dog Training

28/06/2024

Ever wonder what breed/s your rescue dog is or if they are at risk for certain genetic health conditions? I just got back Raya's DNA results and we had Remi tested a year ago. Knowing what breeds make up your dog can assist with training and understanding why your dog does what it does. Her results show she does not have an increased risk for genetic health conditions. She will end up approx 5.9 kg (13 lbs) and have a long wavy mostly white coat, only time will tell!
I find Embark DNA tests the most reliable and accurate. The test results also include your dog's ancestry, genetic health risks, traits and relatives.

Click on the link if you want $50 off your kit! https://share.embarkvet.com/x/WyOUBh

13/06/2024

Raya & Remi learning to share and take turns, quickly becoming best friends. ❤️🐾

12/06/2024

Thank you to in Portmarnock for Raya's first groom today. It's very important to get them started young so they won't hate the groomer 😉. 14 weeks is a great age to start. I've been going to Bone Jour for 10 years now with my dogs and highly recommend!

31/05/2024

Our other rescue Remi ❤️. He loves his walks, playing with other dogs and agility training.

30/05/2024

13/05/2024

Now accepting new clients in Donabate, Malahide, Swords etc. I train older dogs as well in your home. Please message me if you're interested in setting up an appt. 🐕🐾

02/05/2024

Spring is finally here, get out with your fur baby and let them be "nosey".

29/04/2024

☣️Toxic to dogs, please don't let them run through these gorgeous yellow fields that are blooming.

07/12/2023

With temperatures having dropped, it's the pawfect time to read our tips on keeping your dog safe and warm this winter 🐶❄️
More tips: https://bit.ly/3EM0pzx

05/12/2023

Rescue groups are over flowing, please consider saving a life instead of getting a puppy!

12/11/2023

Before giving/getting a puppy for Christmas, please read the poem below and consider do you really have the time, money, dedication for a dog? To them, you are everything, not a new toy or object. A DOG IS FOR LIFE ❤️🐕🐾

🐾 POEM OF A DOG
I'm the one who's always waiting for you.
Your car has a special sound that I have imprinted on my senses, I can recognize it in a thousand.
Your steps have a magic bell.
Your voice is music to my ears.
If I see your joy, it makes me happy!.
Your scent is the best.
Your presence moves my senses.
Your waking up wakes me up
I contemplate you sleeping and for me you are my God, I am happy watching your sleep.
Your look is a ray of light.
Your hands upon me, hold the lightness of peace and the sublime display of infinite love.
When you leave, I feel a huge void in my heart.
I keep waiting for you again and again.
I am the one who will wait for you all your life today, tomorrow and forever:
I am your dog.

20/11/2022

When did a pet become a disposable item?

What sort of example are we giving to our children and future generations when the family pet can be so easily disposed of.

We've heard it all...I just can't look after him anymore. She's getting too big. I didn't realised it would be so much work. I don't have the time for him and it's not fair on him. She's not toilet trained. She shed's too much. I can't afford to get her groomed. I'm allergic. She's digging up the garden. He's too strong on the lead. I can't afford a vet. She tried to bit me. We're moving and can't take him with us. He's not good with other dogs. She growled and now I don't trust her around my kids...

They will love you for their whole lives and you must do the same for them.

Owning a pet is a huge commitment and not one to be made on a whim or because the kids want one. It is YOUR responsibility to be a responsible pet owner. You must care for your pet and plough through the tough times and not give up on them at the first hurdle.

We are sad to hear that a number of rescues have had to close their doors recently due to overcrowding. Please pause and think long and hard before you bring a pet into your life and make sure you can invest in training and socialisation, it is so important. Read the link below and ask yourself, "Are You Ready For A Pet?" before you do. If you are not in a position to treat them like a valued family member, then it's simple, do not get one. If you are always Adopt Don't Shop.

If you are struggling with unwanted behaviours from your dog, go and ask for professional help like you would for any member of your family, don’t just give up on them. DSPCA Dog Training
are here to help you if you are struggling with your pet.

Are You Ready For A Pet https://www.dspca.ie/what-we-do/adoptions

16/09/2022

Let your dog sniff on your walks 🐾🐕

Dog nose is a scientific wonder for many reasons, and it's the sense that provides information about their environment and everything and everyone in it.

22/08/2022

Interesting facts...

Ever noticed those slits at the sides of a dog’s nose? Why do dogs have them?

Once again, nature proves her elegance in the design of our dogs. When we humans inhale and exhale, air comes in the same way it goes out. Any smells that come in through our mouths are forced out as we exhale.

When a dog exhales through his nose, however, the exhaled air is released through those slits and off to the side so that nice, smelly air going into the dog’s nostrils doesn’t get diluted with the outgoing air. Put another way, the slits allow the dog to avoid smelling what he just exhaled.

The slits help the dog hold scent particles in the nostrils even as exhaled air passing out the slits creates a swirling air turbulence allowing interesting odors to be inhaled directly into the centre of each nostril. Since dogs breathe faster when trying to sniff a certain smell, they widen their nostrils to pull in more air which makes it possible for a dog searching for smells to have a steady stream of air coming in for up to 40 seconds, maybe even longer.

The slits also allow dogs to wiggle each nostril independently which gives them the ability to know which nostril a smell entered. This is how a dog can pinpoint where a smell is coming from, and why a dog searching for smells on the ground will weave back and forth as he follows a trail.

We all know the superb smelling abilities of dogs, but let’s use an analogy between scent and sight to really put it into perspective: What we as humans can see at a third of a mile, our dog can see more than 3,000 miles away and still see as well.

17/08/2022

Very useful info!

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.

11/08/2022

Good to have!

Version 3 of our herbal dosage chart with some new additions! :)

Rodney Habib

08/07/2022

Myth: All Dogs Know How to Swim 🐕🌊

Swimming can provide excellent exercise and mental stimulation for dogs, but contrary to what most people believe, not all dogs are strong swimmers and some may not enjoy this summer activity.

If you’re planning to take your dog swimming for the first time, the first step you should take is to make sure it’s something they want to do. If they show interest in the activity, the next step is keeping them safe.



Read today’s free article to learn how to help your pet enjoy swimming safely: https://bit.ly/3ufssmi

19/06/2022

THE BEST BONES TO KEEP YOUR PET’S TEETH CLEAN! 🪥🦴

There are three ways to clean your dog’s teeth🐶🦷: your vet can professionally clean them, you can brush them every night, or you can encourage your dog to chew a raw meaty bone.🍖

Gnawing a raw recreational bones, especially a meaty one with cartilage and soft tissue still attached, is a great way for your dog to naturally get the equivalent of a good brushing and flossing.

⚠️But not all bones are safe for your pet🐶🐱 and certain types of bones are better than others for keeping your their mouth healthy. So today in the Inside Scoop, Dr. Katie Woodley Dvm and Dr. Laurie Coger are joining us to go over all the different types of bones and help you choose the right one for your dogs, cats and puppies!

We'll also be discussing:
⚡️When you should (or shouldn’t) deworm your pet
⚡️Natural repellants for fleas & ticks this summer
…plus download our TWO free ebooks on naturally cleansing parasites plus a bone guide!

Join us today at noon ET for this lively discussion! We’re looking forward to seeing your questions in the chat! 🙌

👉If you haven’t joined our subscription group of 2.0 pet parents and want to learn more, just head over to the Planet Paws page and click the blue "Subscribe” button to join our weekly Livestreams + Archives! Or use the link: https://www.facebook.com/PlanetPawsMedia/supporters/

16/06/2022

Even science agrees that it's hard to lose a pet.

12/06/2022

The most controversial topic when it comes to feeding your pet! 😾🗯

Despite arguments against it, mixing raw with kibble is not only safe but scientists in Finland have found adding some fresh food to your dog’s ultra-processed food can add significant health benefits. Several studies have found adding a small amount of raw or fresh food to your pet’s bowl can reduce inflammatory markers associated with several diseases, including IBD, allergies, and cancer. So next time you're preparing a healthy meal for you and your family, add some fresh food from your refrigerator to your pet's bowl as well! 🐶🥩🥦

Today in the Inside Scoop, the Rawpetmedics (Dr. Nick Thompson, Dr. Brendan Clarke, and Dr. Conor Brady) are joining me to discuss the do’s✅ and don’ts❌ of feeding your pet a raw food diet and help dispel some raw food myths and fears.

We’ll also be covering topics like:
🔥How to get started with raw
🔥Balancing with whole foods vs supplements
🔥The impact of bad quality meat on dogs and the environment
🔥How to make your pet’s water better

Whether you’re new to feeding fresh food or you’re an experienced raw feeder, you won’t want to miss this episode! Join us today at noon ET for this lively discussion! Looking forward to seeing your questions in the chat! 🙌

👉If you haven’t joined our subscription group of 2.0 pet parents and want to learn more, just head over to the Planet Paws page and click the blue "Subscribe” button to join our weekly Livestreams + Archives! On some devices, you may find the button under the “About” tab.

https://www.facebook.com/becomesupporter/PlanetPawsMedia/

07/05/2022

I've been tasked with the creation of an infographic table comparing raw to kibble.... Does anyone have anything to add?!! 😁😝🤭

30/04/2022

What type of dog water bowl do you use? 🐶💧

The dog water bowl has previously been identified as the third most contaminated🦠 item within the household and can be a breeding ground for dangerous germs & life-threatening bacteria🧫 that can put the entire house at risk, researchers at University Centre Hartpury have revealed.

So, which dish is best to use for a dog water bowl? The bowl that grows the least amount of life-threatening bacteria!

In the first study of its’ kind, Hartpury scientists found stainless steel grew the least amount of bacteria and over time, plastic bowls grew the highest amount, but the shocking part was the most harmful bacterial species (including salmonella, E. coli and MRSA) were most frequently identified in CERAMIC bowls!

Lead can also be a problem when using ceramic bowls, and the endocrine disrupting chemicals found in plastic bowls are a no-go! Also be aware plastic bowls🥣 can cause Plastic Dish Nasal Dermatitis🙀: Chemicals in plastic absorb through the skin and inhibit the synthesis of melanin, leaving the nose👃🏼 and adjacent areas with pink blotches.

So stainless steel🍴 bowls are the safest, right?

Well not so fast…. there’s even been recalls on stainless bowls😫. In our upcoming The Forever Dog book, in the chapter titled Environmental Impact and the section labelled “Toxic Toys, Chews, and Beds", we cover how to choose the best chemical-free bowls🚫 that won’t leach contaminants over time. The Forever Dog is available now for pre-order, worldwide, check out the www.ForeverDog.com/about

13/04/2022

Very interesting and definitely worth your time reading. I've been titre testing my dogs for years and they haven't needed a vaccine in years!

SO JUST HOW LONG DO YOUR PET’S SHOTS LAST?

Definitely longer than a year!

According to the top pet immunologist (aka vaccine expert) in the world, Dr. Ronald Schultz, Ph.D. – “ Annual revaccination provides no benefit and may increase the risk for adverse reactions.”

What the heck are adverse reactions (or side effects)?

Well according to the other rock star pet immunologist Dr. Jean Dodds:

“Side effects from dog vaccinations can occur anywhere from instantly up to several weeks or months later. Vaccines can even cause susceptibility to chronic diseases that appear much later in a dog’s life (Dodd, 2001).

Severe and fatal adverse reactions include:

•Susceptibility to infections.

•Neurological disorders and encephalitis.

•Aberrant behavior, including unprovoked aggression.

•Vaccines are linked to seizures. Distemper, parvovirus, rabies and, presumably, other vaccines have been linked with poly neuropathy, a nerve disease that involves inflammation of several nerves. (Dodds,2001)”

SO HOW LONG EXACTLY DOES YOUR PET’S VACCINE LAST?

According to the recommendations of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), (basically the dudes who set the standards for the vets): “Among healthy dogs, all commercially available [core] vaccines are expected to induce a sustained protective immune response lasting at least 5 yr. thereafter”

Here’s the breakdown of the core vaccines from Dr. Ronald Schultz:

Minimum Duration of Immunity for Canine Vaccines:

Distemper- 7 years by challenge
Parvovirus – 7 years by challenge
Adenovirus – 7 years by challenge
Canine rabies – 3 years by challenge

The moral of the story here, if you have no idea when your pet is due or has been vaccinated, then just run a titer test and this will confirm if you are due, rather than over-vaccinate your poor pet, setting the stage for future problems!

What’s a titer test?

A titer test (pronounced tight-errr) is a laboratory or in-house veterinary test measuring the existence and level of antibodies (necessary to fight off disease) in your pet’s blood. Basically, it’s a test that will tell you whether or not you actually need to vaccinate your pet.

It’s also super useful when making a decision about vaccinating a pet with an unknown vaccination history, or for determining if pets have received immunity from vaccination.

Vaccinating your pet is super important so don’t lose the overall message here: VACCINATE, JUST DON’T OVER-VACCINATE!

According to Dr. Dodds:

“Vaccines have achieved many important benefits for companion animals, and has saved more animals' lives than any other medical advance.”

Want more on titer testing? Check it out:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153271303942028&set=pb.509362027.-2207520000.1461100680.&type=3&theater

Rodney Habib

"An educated, informed and well-researched community of pet owners can only put more pressure on the pet food industry to be better! When pet owners know better, they will only do better!"

31/03/2022

Very interesting. It's so difficult nowadays to just feed your dog! What your vet recommends is not always the best, do your homework.

16/12/2021

“Pets, it turns out, also have last wishes before they die, but only known by veterinarians who put old and sick animals to sleep. Twitter user Jesse Dietrich asked a vet what was the most difficult part of his job.

The specialist answered without hesitation that it was the hardest for him to see how old or sick animals look for their owners with the eyes of their owners before going to sleep. The fact is that 90 % of owners don't want to be in a room with a dying animal. People leave so that they don't see their pet leave. But they don't realize that it's in these last moments of life that their pet needs them most.

Veterinarians ask the owners to be close to the animals until the very end. ′′It's inevitable that they die before you. Don't forget that you were the center of their life. Maybe they were just a part of you. But they are also your family. No matter how hard it is, don't leave them.

Dont let them die in a room with a stranger in a place they dont like. It is very painful for veterinarians to see how pets cannot find their owner during the last minutes of their life. They dont understand why the owner left them. After all, they needed their owner’s consolation.

Veterinarians do everything possible to ensure that animals are not so scared, but they are completely strangers to them. Don't be a coward because it's too painful for you. Think about the pet. Endure this pain for the sake of their sake. Be with them until the end.”

- Tricia Mo’orea

Photo credit: Travis Patenaude.

25/11/2021

Puppies are ALOT of work, please think carefully this holiday season.

12/11/2021

Please help end this horrific cruelty, just donated..