Woofz to Wagz

27/08/2024

Check out these beauties! 3 goldens in one day!

26/08/2024

We are so lucky to have such dedication and talent in Dunedin! Opening soon!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/KUcxFhDsu9ZA12Ut/?mibextid=qi2Omg

24/04/2024

22/03/2024

Great advice!

‘My dog is naughty/bad/untrainable/dominant/stupid’

I hear this most weeks on intake forms. Usually I get pretty excited to see these cos I know I’m gonna get to change a dog and owners life!

So often we write our dogs off as any adjective that fits the above and honestly, I’m yet to meet a dog who fits any of those adjectives (and I have worked with 10k plus dogs over the ten years I’ve been doing this!). I do however week in week out meet dogs with health issues that contribute to their slow progress in terms of training. Did you know dogs don’t show pain or discomfort how we do? We often think ‘oh he isn’t limping or yelping so he is fine’.

Please read the examples below ⬇️

🐾 A huntaway cross who I work with who bit his owner. Reluctant to have his feet cleaned, got spicy over any intense handling, had periods of seeming insanity and relentless barking and being unable to calm down. Huntaways are vocal dogs… but…

Turns out he had hip dysplasia. This dog didn’t limp. He wasn’t lame in any way. He chased his ball and sprinted and jumped and had no issues physically on the surface however under that behaviour was pain.

🐾 A French bulldog. Resource guarding to the extreme. Bit his owners while resource guarding the knot pattern in their wooden floor. Also bombed around without a worry in the world and had no outward signs of pain.

Turns out he had a severe spinal condition causing intermittent excruciating pain.

🐾 A young spaniel owned by a very good friend who was having confidence issues. She would ‘tap out’ of training on the regular and my friend went from ‘this is my ticket dog who will represent my country’ to ‘is this even possible?’

Dog had hormonal issues and likely spikes of hormones left right and centre. A carefully timed spay and she is now grade 6 in agility.

🐾 A friends Border Collie. Owned by a very experienced and talented agility handler and trainer. Regularly ‘checked out’ of training sessions, seemed to not be able to learn things that were moderately straightforward. Described by other trainers as ‘oh she is just a border collie it’s what they are like’.

Turns out she is mostly deaf.

🐾 A black Labrador. Always social and friendly and attended brilliant puppy classes and adolescent classes. Had the best start training wise you can imagine. He started showing some intermittent aggression to his owners in the home and aggression to other dogs out and about.

Turns out he had bilateral elbow dysplasia.

🐾 Young German Shepherd. Always energetic and silly in her behaviour but suddenly got worse. Excessive zoomies, inability to settle, increased reactivity to other dogs, reluctant to get in the car, obsessive destruction at home.

Turns out she had an infection in her va**na that was causing discomfort and exacerbating all those teenage behaviours to the point of being unmanageable.

🐾 My own dog! My NSDTR started missing his dog walk contact early last year. I was tearing my hair out trying to fix it.

Turns out he had a minor iliopsoas strain and some physio fixed the issue for us.

———————————

All these dogs have one thing in common. They are not stupid or untrainable or naughty or dominant. They are uncomfortable and that is triggering extreme behaviour fallout.

None of the above issues would be resolveable with training. All of the issues will be resolveable with training ONLY when the pain is resolved. Some of them will have drastic improvement from the moment the pain or discomfort is managed!

If your behaviourist or trainer doesn’t immediately advise a veterinary visit if any aggression, excessive ‘naughtiness’ or strange behaviour is present, walk away immediately. Even if you think your dog is fine, visit the vets. Ask for a thorough examination and push for a proper evaluation of your dog from nose to tail and potentially blood tests too. If you’re still not sure, get a second opinion.

You cannot train the pain or discomfort out of your dog. Address THIS first and foremost.

22/03/2024

Different tracks no end....

26/01/2024

A few highlights to start 2024!

27/09/2023

Wet and Wacky Wednesday with this crazy team this morning!

22/09/2023

We didn't let the weather dampen our adventures today! Missy scored herself a Bindi and loads of fun in the water! With a special wee message on our way home! 🙏🐶🐾💜

02/08/2023

While Max eats his breakfast! 💜 my clients!

07/07/2023

We miss you all! Hopefully you are all keeping warm! We hear it's a bit chilly back home?

IG will only allow 10 photos to be published at a time! Sorry I couldn't fit you all in 1 post.

07/07/2023

We miss you all! Hopefully you are all keeping warm! We hear it's a bit chilly back home?

FB will only allow 10 photos to be published at a time! Sorry I couldn't fit you all in 1 post.

08/06/2023

Who else felt the chill this morning? Actually this was just after midday!

25/04/2023

Wacky Wednesday! What an awesome crew! 🙏🐶🐾💜 Enjoy!

10/03/2023

Bit of a different post!

I'm so grateful for all of our wonderful clients!
Look at the colourful collection and variety!

❤️ 🐾❤🐾

07/03/2023

Wild and Wacky Wednesday from the Woofz to Wagz crew!
Bree Bently Gandalf Harpo Lola and Maggie

15/11/2022

Who let the dogs out? Woof woof! We did! 🙏🐕🐾💜 Many people ask how do you control so many dogs? This crew have been with us a while.

02/09/2022

1080 Warning

Shared from the Mosgiel Notice page.....

Letting all dog lovers know that TBfree have 1080 Mt Allan 2 days ago.

Apparently not far up from the Glen at Outram is also getting 1080.

Be aware if u are walking your dogs.

Better still stay away!

26/08/2022

Please share to find this dogs owner!

26/08/2022

Celebrating International Dog Day! Every day is a doggy day in our eyes 🙏🐕🐾💜

18/08/2022

We've missed these faces!
🙏🐕🐾💜

21/06/2022

Heads up on Possum trapping Flagstaff

Information about the services and facilities provided and managed by the Dunedin City Council for residents and visitors to Dunedin.

07/06/2022

Although it’s not illegal to have an unrestrained animal in your vehicle, pets should be safely restrained with an appropriate harness or restraint, in a cargo barrier, cage or crate.

Before going on any trip, read through our top tips on protecting your pets from a ruff car ride

🐾 If possible, try to get your pet used to being transported before any long trips to reduce stress. This can be done through gentle and patient training of the animal in the vehicle, making sure their experience is positive. Introduce them to short trips first. Build up to longer trips slowly and only when your pet is ready and coping well.

🐾 Pets can easily jump out of a vehicle’s windows, so keep windows up or slightly open. A rule of thumb: if your pet can get their head out then they can get completely out!

🐾 The safest way for a dog to travel in a vehicle is contained in a crate that has been securely anchored. An alternative is to use a properly fitted dog harness that has passed safety-tests and is securely attached to the vehicle as directed by the manufacturer.

🐾 If transporting a cat, keep them contained in a carry cage that is partially covered to make them feel more at ease; as cats can easily become scared in a car. The carrier must be ventilated and safely secured so it does not move around and hurt your cat.

🐾 Pets should be kept in the back seat of the car, rather than the front. This will prevent them from being injured if an airbag deploys.

🐾 Stop frequently during longer trips to allow your dog to exercise and go to the toilet. When leaving the car with your dog, they should always have a collar, ID tag, registration, and leash on.

06/04/2022

We miss you wee Lucy!

02/04/2022

Heads up Hoomans!

Daylight Savings People!! Clocks go back one hour tonight ⏰

10/03/2022

Bree The Rottweiler shared her 5th birthday with some of her good friends this week! Happy birthday Bree!

24/02/2022

Woofz to Wagz would like to welcome back Chap and Holly! They have both spent several months on the Chatham Islands! Happy 5th birthday Molly! So pleased we could celebrate with you! A couple of new pooches join the homestay family & Also a few pics of a few regulars! Enjoy!

23/01/2022

Introducing...... taaa daaa! George! Welcome to the Woofz to Wagz Whanau little man!
😥

15/01/2022

Fun times at the Beach this morning! Bree Bently Maggie and Jess!
🏖☀️🌊 🏖☀️🌊

24/12/2021

And that's a wrap for 2021!
I'm sure some of you can relate! Aye Rufus?
Merry Christmas to all our amazing clients and all of their pets!
Safe travels, happy holidays.
We hope Santa spoils you all 💜
🎅🐕🐾🐟🐱🐴🐤

15/12/2021

Please be aware!

A bumper breeding season could be on the cards for Dunedin’s sea lion population this summer and dogs may need to be on lead more often at the city’s beaches.

A number of the 28 breeding age females from the Otago Peninsula population are expected give birth and rear pups over December-January.

To make sure they get the space they need with their new pups, temporary restrictions for dogs may be put in place at some beaches.

Restrictions are already in place at Smaills Beach, where 4-5 female sea lions have made their summer home. Dogs are only allowed on lead at this beach.

We’ll be keeping an eye on the sea lion mums and where they settle with their pups. Some beaches or areas where people can usually walk their dogs off lead may change to on lead only temporarily to help keep both the sea lions and dogs safe. We’ll put signs out if this is needed.

More: https://bit.ly/3J1e0o2