Mindfulness4Dogs

24/09/2025

Important read.

🚨 New Dog Tethering Rules in Effect Today (25 Sept 2025) 🐶

From today, new dog tethering regulations under the Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations are active in New Zealand.

These rules aren’t about banning tethering entirely - they’re about preventing harm and protecting dogs. SPCA New Zealand have put together some great FAQs you can read on this at the bottom of this post - but here's a quick summary:

⭕𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟱𝗔 – 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴
It will now be an offence to tether a dog if two or more “signs of prolonged tethering” are present. Examples include ground worn bare, buildup of faeces, injuries from the tether, locked collars, fly strike dermatitis, or behavioural signs like constant pacing or barking.
⭕𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟱𝗕 – 𝗩𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗴𝘀
Tethering vulnerable dogs (puppies under 6 months, pregnant or nursing dogs, dogs in heat) will only be allowed in very short, supervised situations (e.g. for vet care or brief necessary tasks). Otherwise it’s prohibited.
➡️𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗻
Dogs can still be tethered for periods of time - as long as they’re not showing signs of harm, and especially not vulnerable dogs outside the allowed exceptions.
📖𝗘𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 & 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Inspectors will begin with a focus on education, helping people understand the new rules. But in serious or non-compliant cases, infringement fines can be issued ($500 for prolonged tethering, $300 for vulnerable dog violations). Importantly, the regulations give inspectors clearer legal backing to step in earlier where harmful tethering is occurring.
❓𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗮 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝘁𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗹𝘆
If you suspect a dog is tethered in breach of the rules (signs of harm, vulnerable dog, etc.), SPCA encourages you to submit a welfare complaint via their website or contact your local SPCA centre.

These regulations aren’t aimed at responsible dog owners - they’re designed to protect dogs in situations where, until now, inspectors haven’t had the legal tools to step in.

If you’re a dog guardian, now is a great time to double-check how and where your dog is tethered - make sure it’s safe, supervised, and doesn’t show signs of stress or physical harm.

SPCA FAQ: https://www.spca.nz/news-and-events/news-article/dog-tethering-regulations-faqs

20/09/2025

Had a great time at the Pet Expo in Auckland yesterday. Good opportunity to catch up with friends, learn new things and make new connections. Its still on today, so pop along and support a dog charity.

19/09/2025

🐾 Why Do Dogs Get “Raised Hackles”? 🐾

Ever noticed the fur along your dog’s back standing up like a little mohawk? This is called piloerection, and it’s basically your dog’s body saying, “I’m feeling something really strongly right now!”

Raised hackles don’t always mean aggression. They just mean arousal — that could be excitement, fear, surprise, or even play.

✨ Happy Hackles: Loose, wiggly body, tail wagging, playful vibe.
⚠️ Warning Hackles: Stiff body, tense face, tail high or tight — your dog may be scared or ready to defend themselves.

Always look at the whole dog — ears, tail, face, posture — to read the situation correctly.

👀 Next time you see hackles, take a moment to observe before reacting. Your dog is giving you valuable emotional info in real-time!

12/09/2025

Suzy’s (aka CeCe) our Rescue Dog's doorway dance 💜🐾

This wee rescue girl didn’t grow up being invited inside. For the last 6 months, “coming in” has been big feelings: peek in → grab a treat → zoom back out. Repeat. (Today’s hero snack = tiny carrot coins 🥕)

What you’ll see in the video:

suzy edges to the door, checks the room, nibbles a carrot, then chooses safety outside again.

the other dogs stroll in/out like it’s no biggie — that “copy-dog” confidence boost helps.

Our approach:

Her pace, not our agenda. No pulling, no pressure, no shame.

Choice & retreat allowed. Brave seconds count. Retreating is part of learning.

Good feelings at the threshold. Door open, pathway clear, soft voices, treats arrive, scary stuff doesn’t.

Tips for other nervous rescues:

make the doorway a “good news zone” (quiet, comfy mat, yummy but simple treats).

let your calm dogs model.

several tiny reps beat one “big push.” end on success, even if that’s a nose poke and a sniff.

Six months of micro-wins add up. Today suzy came one paw further. Tomorrow? Maybe two. We’re cheering for brave, not perfect. 💫

11/09/2025

New Puppy in the family? 🐶🎉
Here’s your job list (no formal training yet — just life skills):

• Habituation: tiny tours of the world — different floors, smells, umbrellas, hats, wheelie bins, light rain. Keep it short + yummy.
• Desensitisation: spooky stuff at puppy pace — car doors, vacuums, skateboards. Start far/quiet → feed treats → finish before they worry.
• Gentle socialisation: calm, kind people and safe dog friends. Quality over quantity. One great hello beats ten chaotic ones.
• Handling love: paws, ears, collar, vet-style cuddles = treat party.
• Alone-time micro-moments: 30–90 seconds in a safe space, chew to enjoy, you return like it’s no big deal.

Golden rules: short, sweet, positive. If pup looks unsure, add distance, lower the volume, try again tomorrow. 💜

Want a step-by-step plan? Grab our FREE Puppy Survival Course — comment PUPPY and I’ll send you the link! 🐾

10/09/2025

Had a lovely coffee at Gathers Container Cafe over the weekend. Wonderful coffee and the best thing is there is plenty of room for your dogs to enjoy themselves too. Check them out.

29/08/2025

🐾 Ever wondered what your furry friend is trying to tell you? Join the conversation about understanding your dog\'s language and becoming Bowlingual on our latest blog post! Plus, learn tips on de-escalating aggression. Let\'s chat about all things pup-related! 🐶💬

A great discussion with Wallace regarding how to understand your dogs language, becoming Bowlingual, and how to de-esculate aggression.

26/08/2025

Thinking of getting a Bichon Frisé?

Ah, the Bichon – the little white fluffball that looks like it rolled straight out of a bubble bath and into your heart. But don’t be fooled by that teddy-bear face; under all that floof is a clever, resilient wee dog with a fascinating history.

Originally, these charmers weren’t just lap warmers. Back in the day, Bichons worked as ship dogs and companions to sailors, even helping control shipboard vermin. Later they became circus performers and street entertainers – that happy-go-lucky energy and clown-like spirit made them natural crowd-pleasers. Their real job? Spreading joy. And honestly, they still do it better than most of us.

A Bichon in your life means laughter, games, and a dog who thinks every visitor is there purely to see them. They thrive on company, love learning tricks, and yes, they need that gorgeous coat looked after (think regular brushing, not “see you next year” at the groomer).

They’re not just decoration – they’re sensitive, smart, and need just as much mental exercise as physical play. Treat them with kindness, teach them thoughtfully, and you’ll have a loyal little buddy who lives to make you smile.

Are they right for you? That depends on whether you’ve got the time to be their partner-in-fun – and their hairdresser!

What do you reckon – do you have a Bichon in your life? Does yours do the clown routine or the “royalty on a cushion” act? 🐾

22/08/2025

"Want to build a stronger bond with your rescue dog? Try giving them… a little more space! 🐾

It might sound backwards, but sometimes being less available to your dog can actually help them engage more with you. Many rescue dogs have had a tough start — they’ve learned to either cling like velcro or retreat into their shell. Both are survival strategies, not signs of trust.

By gently creating moments where they have to make the choice to check in with you — rather than you always being right there — you give them the gift of agency. Freedom to explore (safely!), freedom to come to you because they want to, not because they have no other option.

It’s like dating… if you text someone every five minutes, you don’t give the relationship space to grow. Dogs are the same. 💜

Practical ways to do this:

Let them wander on a longline in a safe area, and wait for them to look back at you before calling.

Take mini “mindful breaks” at home — read a book, ignore them for a bit — and celebrate when they choose to approach.

Build short training games where they initiate interaction.

It’s not about ignoring or withholding love; it’s about encouraging choice and building trust on their terms. That’s how real connection grows.

21/08/2025

🐶 Become Bowlingual® — Dog Communication Basics
Most “bad behaviour” is actually clear communication we’ve missed. Our dogs speak volumes with eyes, ears, tails, posture and breath. When we learn the signals, we change the story—from conflict to connection.

Quick Bowlingual® cheatsheet:

👀 Eyes: soft blink = “I’m OK”; hard stare = “I need space.”

🐕 Ears: neutral/loose = curious; pinned = worried.

🌀 Tail: loose wag at mid-height = friendly; high and tight = on alert; low tucked = stressed.

🧍 Body: curved/sidelong = polite; stiff/forward = “back off.”

😬 Mouth: soft lips + sniff/lick = calming; teeth + stillness = stop now.

🐾 Movement: sniffing, shaking off, turning away = de-escalation, not “being naughty.”

🔥 Pro tip: Consent Test — invite → pause → observe. If the dog chooses you, proceed. If they turn away, respect it. That’s how trust grows.

🎙️ LIVE TONIGHT on RNZ
I’ll be chatting with Wallace on The Panel at 7:10pm (NZST) about decoding dog talk and preventing bites through better communication. Tune in and let’s get Bowlingual® together!

If you’ve got a question about your dog’s “mystery signals,” drop it below and I’ll try to tackle a few on air. ⤵️

20/08/2025

Been a bit of a media week!

I’m so passionate about helping people really understand their dogs and the communication they share with us every day. It’s not just about what our dogs are saying to us, but also what we are unconsciously saying back to them.

We call it becoming Bowlingual 🐾 — learning “dog talk”

Big thanks to Catherine for the great article showcasing what we do at Mindfulness4dogs.

And of course, the gorgeous George stole the show with his very own photo shoot 📸

The truth is, so many bites, attacks, or so-called “bad behaviours” could be prevented if we simply took the time to listen to and understand how our dogs are talking to us.

https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360790377/man-teaching-mindfulness-dogs

19/08/2025

Thinking of getting a Dachshund – normal or miniature?

Before you fall for those big eyes and the “I’m really a Rottweiler trapped in a sausage body” act, let’s talk.

✅ The Standard Dachshund – Built a bit bigger, bred for chasing down badgers. They’ve got stamina, sass, and more stubbornness than a toddler refusing broccoli. If you want a dog who’ll try to out-argue you, this is your jam.

✅ The Miniature Dachshund – Same long body, but with extra “carry-on luggage” vibes. Minis are still bold, still bossy, and still convinced they’re bigger than the neighbour’s German Shepherd. Don’t be fooled by size – the attitude is economy plus plus.

Both types are:

Loyal shadows who will follow you everywhere… yes, even there.

Prone to back issues (that long body has a cost). Think ramps, not stairs, and no Olympic high-jump training.

Hunters at heart. That means barks, digging, and chasing things that move (including your socks).

Smart enough to learn quickly, cheeky enough to pretend they “forgot.”

So, before you bring home a Dachshund (standard or mini), ask yourself:
👉 Do I enjoy comedy with a side of stubbornness?
👉 Am I cool with rearranging my furniture for a spine-friendly lifestyle?
👉 Can I commit to giving a small dog big-dog enrichment and exercise?

If the answer is yes, welcome to the Sausage Club. If not, maybe swipe left and look at a breed that doesn’t come with built-in mischief and a Napoleon complex.

— Darran the Dogman 🐾