Better Cavs

Better Cavs Using the Puppy Culture program,
the proof is in the puppy. Hi, my name is Julie, and I am a boutique breeder of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

I am proud to say that I do the very best I can for the litters I have by bringing them through the Puppy Culture Breeding Program and you can tell because the proof is in the puppy. I have created this group to adopt out new puppies, share pictures, stories and ideas that may help your journey with you baby a little easier.

Something to be aware of, especially with children.
01/04/2025

Something to be aware of, especially with children.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

We’ve all seen it – a peacefully snoozing dog, curled up in a sunlit patch on the floor or in their special place on the sofa. It’s a picture of serenity. But what if that peace is suddenly interrupted? What if a child, excited and unaware, rushes over to cuddle the dog? What if an owner, thinking it’s harmless, shakes them awake?

In the wake of recent dog attacks, it’s more important than ever to understand what might drive a dog to respond aggressively – even towards the people they love most.

Dogs, like humans, have something called a STARTLE REFLEX. It’s a deeply ingrained survival response, designed to react to threats before the brain has a chance to catch up. When a dog is startled awake, especially from deep sleep, their instinctual reaction can be defensive. For some dogs, that momentary confusion can lead to growling, snapping, or even biting. It’s not malice. It’s fear and protection wrapped in a split-second response.

And for those dogs who may have experienced past trauma, this reflex can be even more heightened.

We need to remember that even the most gentle, loving dog is still an animal with instincts. Just like we wouldn’t jolt awake a sleeping child or a tired friend, our dogs deserve that same kindness.

👉 The key message?

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie.

Teach children to respect a dog’s space, especially when they’re resting. Create a safe, quiet space for your dog to sleep undisturbed. And always be mindful of those subtle signals that your dog might need more rest or alone time.

Understanding your dog’s behaviour and communication is the first step in preventing difficult situations. Let’s work together to build safer, more compassionate relationships with our dogs.

Dinner time. The older puppies are being fed in crates getting ready to start sleeping in them.
24/03/2025

Dinner time. The older puppies are being fed in crates getting ready to start sleeping in them.

Hmmm I wonder?
24/03/2025

Hmmm I wonder?

Shop 1 nail scraper dog scraper for dogs with sensitive nails trimming scratch pad nail grinder file board with treats 2 sheets of sandpaper at the lowest price at Temu. Check reviews and See of pet supplies. .

22/03/2025

WHY LOVE ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH

This is a very belated Valentine’s related post, but still falls within the month of love!

Dogs need so much more than just our love.

I would presume that we all love our dogs, but just loving them is not enough.

Love is far from just the name of an emotion or feeling – a noun.

Love is a verb – a “doing” word.
It’s the doing word of building relationship, trust, understanding, patience, acceptance, communication, consent, respect, nurturing and a commitment to ongoing wellbeing.

Love is asking – What can I do to meet my dog’s needs? Instead of asking - How do I make my dog behave? When a dog’s needs are met, behaviour problems often solve themselves.

Just like one person loving another, loving a dog is a “doing” word, not just something that we feel.

22/03/2025

WHEN TRAINING WON’T WORK

There is a common misconception that reactivity, anxiety or fear related behaviour can be “fixed” through training alone.

Barking, lunging, reactivity, aggression, constant hypervigilance - as though danger is waiting behind every corner, hiding or cowering away at the slightest trigger or sometimes shutting down completely are all signs of a nervous system that’s in overdrive and is unregulated.

This behaviour is not a training issue - it’s not bad behaviour, disobedience, stubbornness or some other type of negative label, - it’s a nervous system issue.

Although dogs and people have remarkably similar social and emotional brains, this doesn’t mean that dogs are able to think like we do, or have the words or means to process what is causing their stress or trauma.

When stress is not released, it remains stuck, keeping the nervous system in overdrive or in survival mode.

When a dog or a person is stuck in this state, the brain isn’t able to learn new things or learn to behave in a different way.

This is why trying to “train away” anxiety, fear or reactive type behaviour does not work. We first have to work on the nervous system.

Here are some links related to this subject that provide more information on how to help dogs that are struggling -

How to identify and remove triggers that keep a dog stuck in a cycle of stress and anxiety - Annie Phenix
https://phenix-dogs-canine-behavior-experts-llc.kit.com/7-steps

Creating a healing environment - podcast by Dr Laura Donaldson
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-laura-donaldson-compliance-is-not-cooperation/id1708279785?i=1000693042973

Trauma Informed Dog Training – Book by Sally Gutteridge
https://www.amazon.com/Trauma-Informed-Dog-Training-Professionals/dp/B0DS4T1W8M

What does it mean to be Trauma Informed - Dr Laura Donaldson
https://www.icbdogs.com/product-page/laura-donaldson-what-does-it-mean-to-be-trauma-informed

Ace Free Work – helps the nervous system relax, reset and rebalance
https://www.allpetseducationandtraining.com.au/ace-free-work.html

Within this article there is a link to information about separation anxiety.I like this site because they talk about the...
18/03/2025

Within this article there is a link to information about separation anxiety.
I like this site because they talk about the why, not just the reaction. And can learn more about how they think. That will always help you and strengthen your bond.

In this guide to relax, instantly we will show you some effective strategies how to calm a dog down and make him happy at the same time.

This seems to be the easiest way to move them around at the moment. They do enjoy it though.
17/03/2025

This seems to be the easiest way to move them around at the moment. They do enjoy it though.

Love Dogs Disclosed
15/03/2025

Love Dogs Disclosed

DOUBLE TROUBLE
The challenges of raising two puppies together.

The problem behaviours that are commonly seen in dogs that are raised together is often mistakenly called “litter mate syndrome”, but these behaviours are not specific to dogs from the same litter and can occur with any 2 dogs that are raised together.

The problems that may develop have nothing to do with sharing similar DNA or coming from the same litter, but depends on how the pups are raised and how their environment is managed.

Problem behaviour is usually a combination of relational dynamics, poor socialisation, habituation, a lack of separate experiences and no individual resilience or self-confidence building.

Many people believe it’s a great idea to get two pups at the same time. They’ll be able to keep each other company when left alone, they won’t be bored; they’ll have each other to play with; they will always have a friend; both children in the family can have one; the breeder said it’s a good idea, you just couldn’t bear to leave the other one behind….and more, but this can lead to long term problems if there is no awareness of how to prevent potential problems.

Relying on the relationship between the dogs to fill the missing pieces of responsible pet parenting is setting the stage for the development of problem behaviours.

Although sibling pairs or 2 pups together may come with unique challenges, pups raised together can absolutely form healthy human bonds and develop into well-adjusted, confident dogs as long as their care givers are aware of what could go wrong and are prepared to put in the work to raise them.

All puppies vaccinated, wormed, checked out by the vet. Healthy with no problems.Rubys have also been microchipped but w...
13/03/2025

All puppies vaccinated, wormed, checked out by the vet. Healthy with no problems.
Rubys have also been microchipped but waiting a couple of weeks to do Reba’s because they are smaller.
Will be done before any collections and wormed just before they leave to come home.

13/03/2025
13/03/2025

Introduced them to the playground today. They all loved the slide, some much more than others. It was fun.

Watch this space!1. I will be posting updated new pictures.2. There are 2 Blenheim Boys available and I am getting prett...
10/03/2025

Watch this space!

1. I will be posting updated new pictures.
2. There are 2 Blenheim Boys available and I am getting pretty attached to Paddington, he is a sweet dog.
3. I will be releasing pictures of my chosen ones. These are the ones that are my favorites because of looks and personality, so I have chosen them to advertise last.
I have posted photos before but not encouraged their sale.
There is a Tri-colour girl, a black and tan girl and a ruby girl that my family is still struggling to release.
This will be done over the next week.
So watch this space!

08/03/2025

Love using slo-mo

07/03/2025

Yep! 🥰🐾

This is how it feels having 7 puppies. She is trying so hard to stay awake. Sleep baby sleep.
07/03/2025

This is how it feels having 7 puppies. She is trying so hard to stay awake. Sleep baby sleep.

Address

Bell Block
New Plymouth
4312

Telephone

+64211588445

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Better Cavs posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Better Cavs:

Videos

Share

Category