Ava’s Ark-Dog Boarding and Training

27/04/2024

Doggie dump from the last two months

18/01/2024

Should your dog work for your love? Should you give it away for free?

Dogs are not children, this is fairly obvious. They look different, behave differently and think differently too.
However when it comes to raising a dog or a baby the similarities seem to over power the differences.

There are very few parents to human children who do not believe in being affectionate and loving with their children.

If a child is throwing a tantrum it is very normal for a parent to pick up their child and comfort them without receiving negative comments and feedback from most of the population. Why isn’t this the case with our dogs? Most often when a dog owner tries to comfort their distressed dog they will be told they are reinforcing the behaviour. Does it not cross your mind that calming the dog down may put a stop to displaying the unpleasant behaviour in the first place?

Dogs like humans work from an emotional space. You can shock/choke a dog who’s screaming out of fear and get them to stop. It may appear like the problem is solved on the outside, however the fear hasn’t gone anywhere and your dog is now terrified and also in pain.

These people will then go on to say that their dogs’ listen out of respect. If someone was choking you, I’m sure you would listen too-there is NO correlation to respect.

The more a dog feels emotionally stable, content and happy the less behaviour problems you are going to have. Be a safe space for your dog, do not neglect them when they cannot handle their emotions and do not punish them for expressing themselves. Give them as much love as you can(provided the two of you speak the same love language).

Children who have not received comforting physical touch when they are young generally grow up not craving it more but finding it uncomfortable. Depriving your dogs will not make them value you more.

Would you value someone who always took care of you more or someone who sparingly provided you just enough to survive ?

Control and respect are different. You get to pick which one you can have with your dog, choose wisely.

18/12/2023

Begging for food-a rather controversial topic in the dog world.

A lot of dog trainers and dog owners find this behaviour completely unacceptable. However there are no rules that fit all. If your dog is well mannered and not jumping up and snatching etc, just sitting there and making the cutest eyes at you just full of hope then you can let them do it ! It does not make them bad dogs.

Personally I have no issue with it and actually quite enjoy the meal time company. However if you find it annoying and don’t like it, very simply don’t ever feed your dog from your plate and within no time they will not even bother to beg.

The problem usually occurs when different people in the house want different things, this can confuse the dog and leave them not knowing what to expect. So make sure everyone is on the same page-if you feed the dog he will beg.

It is important to maintain certain boundaries and make sure that your dog is not stealing or trying to steal-this could land up with them ingesting something that is dangerous for them.

Please don’t feed your dogs things that are not safe for them to eat and make sure they are not over weight. Ask your veterinarians and nutritionists what you can and cannot feed your dog.

THIS POST IS WRITTEN FROM A BEHAVIOURIST’S POV, NOT A VETERINARIAN OR NUTRITIONIST.

15/12/2023

The dark side of working with pets.

A lot of people think that people who work with animals have great jobs because they get to meet so many of them. Which is absolutely true!

What people may not think of is how strong of a bond we can form with them and how hard it can be to say goodbye.

I’ve lost three dogs this year, starting with Lucy who was my dog, then Winston and now Skippy.

It may not be like losing your own dog, but it does take away a piece of your heart. We love the animals that walk into our doors just like they are our own.

It’s such a morbid thought that all of the dogs I know today will be dead in the next 15 years. Do you think their life span was made so short so we could enjoy the company of several dogs through out our life times ? Learn many different lessons from them? Learn how to deal with grief and loss ?

Could not have more respect for veterinarians who must face more death and suffering than I could ever imagine being able to deal with. You guys are truly amazing.

11/12/2023

Should your dog sleep on the bed with you ?

As a behaviourist this is one of the most common questions I am asked by my clients. Well the answer is simple-if your dog has a good temperament with no territorial/guarding behaviour it is completely upto you !

If you are ok to give up space, cleanliness and a full night’s sleep you have a lucky dog !

However, for dogs who guard the bed and dogs who are not completely toilet trained I do not advise allowing them onto the bed until these issues are first resolved.

Enjoy your time with your dogs, sadly it is limited. And don’t get caught up on silly rules made by people who believe that dogs deserve to know their place below us. Anyone with any sense knows dogs are on a way higher level than we ever will be.

PS-If your dog does not like to sleep on the bed, stop trying to convince them to! They aren’t pestering you to leave your bed and sleep on the floor!

17/09/2023

21/08/2023

A little more of 🇹🇭

21/08/2023

Just me on my first solo trip, in an international country, having the time of my life🇹🇭