Friends Of The Dog NZ

31/12/2024

Happy New Year! May 2025 be a prosperous and successful year filled with abundant blessings from above... What are some of your new years resolutions?

26/12/2024

24/12/2024

Merry Christmas to you and your family! Remember the reason for this season and have a joyous and special time with human and furry loved ones xoxo

19/12/2024

Dogs often come pre-programmed with certain behaviours thanks to their breed's genetic predispositions. It's like having a phone with pre-installed apps—you can’t delete them, but you can manage how they’re used. If you’re considering a dog, think carefully about what their breed was originally bred to do, because those instincts will influence their behaviour, no matter how much training you do.

For example:
🐕 Herding breeds (like Border Collies or Australian Shepherds) are wired to chase, nip, and control moving things—whether it’s sheep, seagulls, children or the neighbour’s bike. If you don’t want to manage this behaviour, steer clear of herding breeds.

🐶 Terriers (like Jack Russells or Dachshunds) are professional diggers and demolition experts. They were bred to hunt pests underground, so don’t be surprised if they turn your garden or sofa into Swiss cheese.

🐕 Guarding breeds (like German Shepherds, Mastiffs and Rottweilers) are naturally protective and vigilant. They’re brilliant at keeping you safe, but might view every delivery driver as a potential threat.

🐶 Sight Hounds, i.e. Greyhounds, Whippets, Salukis, etc. are sprinters and hunters, hardwired to chase anything that moves. They might suddenly zoom off mid-walk if they see a rabbit in the distance... and good luck keeping up!

Choosing a dog breed is like picking a teammate—you’ve got to match their strengths and quirks with your lifestyle. So, if you want a relaxed, low-maintenance companion, don’t pick a high-energy working breed and expect them to be content as a couch potato. Instead, research breeds that align with what you want in a dog and what you can realistically provide.

17/12/2024

🎅🌲🌟

17/12/2024

🐾♥️

15/12/2024

Why Parents Don't Parent and Dog Owners Seem Irresponsible

A thought-provoking topic! There are various reasons why some parents may not parent effectively and dog owners might seem irresponsible. Here are some possible explanations:

Parenting Challenges
1. Lack of parenting skills: Inadequate parenting education, training or experience can contribute to ineffective parenting.
2. Mental health and stress: Mental health conditions, stress or anxiety can impair a parent's ability to respond to their child's needs.
3. Trauma and adverse childhood experiences: Unaddressed trauma or adverse childhood experiences can influence a parent's behaviour and parenting style.
4. Societal and cultural pressures: Societal expectations, cultural norms or peer pressure can lead to parenting decisions that might seem ineffective or neglectful.
5. Poverty and economic stress: Financial struggles can significantly impact a parent's ability to provide for their child's physical and emotional needs.

Irresponsible Dog Ownership
1. Lack of education and training: Inadequate knowledge about dog behaviour, training and care can lead to irresponsible ownership.
2. Insufficient resources: Limited financial resources, time or space can make it challenging for dog owners to provide proper care and attention.
3. Complacency or lack of motivation: Some dog owners might lack the motivation or initiative to provide proper care, training or attention to their dogs.
4. Prioritizing convenience over responsibility: Some dog owners might prioritize convenience or their own interests over their responsibilities as a pet owner.
5. Cultural or societal attitudes: In some cultures or societies, ideas around or attitudes towards animal welfare or pet ownership might contribute to irresponsible dog ownership.

Common Factors
1. Lack of empathy or understanding: Both ineffective parenting and irresponsible dog ownership can stem from a lack of empathy or understanding for the needs and feelings of children or animals.
2. Prioritizing short-term gains: In both cases, prioritizing short-term gains or convenience over long-term responsibilities can contribute to negative outcomes.
3. Inadequate support systems: Both parents and dog owners might benefit from stronger support systems, including education, resources and community networks.

By recognizing these factors, we can work towards creating a more supportive and educated community that promotes responsible parenting and pet ownership. It's essential to recognize that parenting and dog guardianship is a complex and multifaceted task. People may face various challenges that can impact their ability to respond effectively. Rather than judging or criticizing, it's crucial to offer support, understanding and resources to help parents and dog owners navigate these challenges.

15/12/2024

Discuss. How do you feel about raw hides?

25/11/2024

25/11/2024

🤭

19/11/2024

Understanding Your Dog's Body Language (5) - Eyes

🐶 Your dog’s eyes can say a lot about how they’re feeling. For starters, their eyes can appear either soft or hard. Soft eyes, with relaxed lids or a slight squint, show your dog is calm and happy. On the flip side, hard eyes, which look cold or intense, usually indicate a negative emotional state. You’ll notice this when a dog is guarding a toy or feeling threatened. A hard stare, where they lock their gaze on something for an extended period, is often a warning sign of potential aggression.

🐕 Eye contact is another crucial clue. While a hard stare can signal aggression, avoiding eye contact is your dog’s way of diffusing tension. If your dog looks away when stressed, they aren’t being stubborn; they’re trying to calm things down.

🦮 Then there’s the “whale eye,” when the whites of a dog’s eyes are visible. This usually means your dog is feeling anxious or uncomfortable. You might see this when they’re worried about losing a toy or when they feel uneasy about physical contact, like a pat on the head...

In conclusion, no single body language signal tells the full story. To truly understand what your dog is communicating, pay attention to the entire picture. Your dog is constantly “talking” to you. By learning to read these signals, you’ll strengthen your bond, building trust and respect. In addition to this, understanding your dog’s emotions helps you anticipate their behaviour and prevent potential issues before they arise 🐾❤️

12/11/2024

Understanding Your Dog's Body Language (4) - Facial Expressions

🐶 Dogs may have similar facial features to humans, but their expressions don’t always mean the same thing. Take yawning, for example. While people yawn when tired or bored, dogs often do it when stressed. According to Turid Rugaas, author of 'On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals', dogs yawn to soothe themselves or others during tense situations. If you yawn at your dog when they’re anxious—like during a vet visit—you might find it helps calm them. And don’t be surprised if they yawn back, as yawning is contagious for dogs, too!

🐕 Lip-licking is another misunderstood signal. Sure, dogs lick their lips after a tasty treat, but they also do it when they’re feeling anxious. It’s often a quick flick of the tongue, signalling discomfort rather than hunger or affection.

🦮 A furrowed brow signifies worry and tension. If you have a Shar-Pei or Bloodhound, you will probably never notice this expression. A dog lifting one eyebrow, especially the left one, could be processing something new in their environment, and this could be accompanied by a head tilt. On the other hand, when a dog raises both eyebrows rapidly, this can indicate a higher level of attention toward their surroundings, i.e. due to a favourite toy appearing, the rustle of a treat bag or the approach of a beloved human.

🐕‍🦺 The trickiest facial expression to interpret is smiling. When dogs bare their teeth, it’s usually a warning, especially with a growl, indicating they feel threatened. However, some dogs flash their teeth in a friendly, submissive grin, which looks similar but with a relaxed and wiggly body. This is their way of saying, “I mean no harm,” showing you they’re in a peaceful, playful mood... 🐾❤️

08/11/2024