TRAIN ~ PLAY ~ LOVE
Qualified, professional and humane dog training and behaviour solutions
At DOGlife NZ, we actively promote and provide services to create and maintain happy, healthy lifestyles for all dogs alike. APDTNZ Endorsed Trainer
CANZ Accredited Training Instructor
CANZ Accredited Trainer
Welcome to DOGlife NZ....we look forward to working with you!
After a long weekend we finally have a smidge of stability and energy today, enough to worry about cleaning her feet’s ! A blood PCV check this afternoon and she may be coming home 🙏 we’re at Day 6 and are hoping to see that her meds are starting to get on top of this disease.
It’s been a tough week 😔. On Tuesday Maple was diagnosed with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA). It’s where her immune system starts attacking red blood cells. She’s been with the amazing team at Albany. We don’t know the outcome yet but she was ok to come home today and get back to snoring on the couch next to mum.
A big thanks to the ARC team esp, Kelsey,Lauren (?) + Maddy. We’ll see you tomorrow and the next day and the next day and the….
Please send 💛 and magic Maple’s way 🙏
Geeking out this morning with Behavior Works and listening to what Ryan Cartlidge from Animal Training Academy named a ‘hot topic’ in our industry…LIMA and what it means moving forward to do the best for our learners of all species 🐕👫🐱🐭🐰🐼🐵🐸🦆🐺🐝
If you're into podcasts and geeking out on aspects of the welfare and ethics of dog training, check out this podcast by Cog Dog Radio with Sarah Stremming
https://www.facebook.com/100063518561563/posts/990528909741052/?mibextid=WC7FNe&rdid=xG285AUQiLYGZpWN
Great fun spending the evening w the NZ Cert. In Companion Animal Care students teaching learning theory and training applications.
💖 Harlow 💖
Nervous of new people, we introduced protocol to ensure her bubble remained a safe place for her. She moved through the process remarkably well and was choosing to investigate me in a very short time. By giving our nervous dogs choice and the ability to maintain safety within their environments, we can support trust and build confidence.
Too good not to share!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/nv6wpCPC1RwA9fdE/?mibextid=WC7FNe
Meet these two mixed-breed dogs with a similar percentage of American Pit Bull Terrier in their DNA. Despite their diverse appearances, they share over 50% of their genetic background, showcasing the complexity of breed labels. Studies on DNA variations in mixed-breed dogs have revealed substantial genetic diversity and differentiation among populations, challenging the simplistic approach of visual breed identification. Let's rethink how we label and perceive dogs based on appearance alone. Link in caption
Fred doing his best and a great job of it too! A great dog for a start up or experienced trainer, worky, very handler focused and super fun! Currently looking for a foster home so if you have a space in your home let us know. He comes with a great team behind him to support his success in finding a forever or foster home.
This dogs duration behaviour was solid 🙌🤣
Looking for a new friend? This active guy is looking for a home or even a foster. He’s a very cool dog.
A good read to help identify your dogs predisposed functional need in the predation sequence and how to then meet that in healthy ways…some good ideas in this article.
Explore how selective breeding has influenced predatory behavior in pet dogs and discover practical tips to safely meet your dog's instinctual needs. Learn about the predatory behavior sequence and how it impacts dog welfare. Uncover ways to understand and manage these behaviors, offering safe outle...
If I was ever to have a stalker…this would be him 🩶
LuLu The Rottweiler, and her brother Henry.
Pippin in his new balance harness and training lead enjoying a snuffle mat during this mornings fitting 🐕
Hugely proud to celebrate the graduation of our 2023 Cert. In Animal Management Canine Behaviour and Training students today! Well done to each and every one of you 🧑🎓🐕🙌
Cheer yourself up with some cheapies at our end of summer sale!
DOGlife.co.nz/dogshop
Easter looked like it was starting well hanging at the beach w the cousies but then there was this….. ➡️
At least mum tried w the licki mat
🐾Maple
So important to get a pain and medical assessment first with any behaviour change in your puppa 🐕
‘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.
This boy is super cool…great w dogs and such a smoocher. If you’re interested in either fostering or a new family member let me know and I’ll connect you with his peeps. 🥰
Please share 🙏
Client feedback 🐕
Mia’s family are so committed to her training and nailed their off leash walk today! It’s not easy recalling away from other dogs esp when your dog is an adolescent (think teenager) Boxer, so full of beans 💃 🩷 Well done!!
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Mia waiting for Dad to give her release cue 🙌 🐕
Is that a collective “awww” I hear? 🥰
Such a privilege to be down in Christchurch teaching this years South Island based canine behaviour and training Environmental and Animal Sciences - Unitec students with Jo from D For Dog Training and Yolanda from Happy Dog Training 🐕🤩
Having a great week down south teaching the Christchurch canine behaviour students with Sacha from DOGlife NZ and Yolanda from Happy Dog Training 😊 Even got to catch up with little Gypsy, our foster dog from many years ago who was adopted by Yolanda and Dennis 🥰
Taking adventure to a whole other level 🤩
Paragliding with your best mate in a Doubleback™ Full Body Dog Harness in the devine
Please note this harness is a Strength-Rated Safety Harness. Adventure sports with dogs is recommended using safety tested specific gear.
🇭🇲
Dogs + Kids
Love this co-exist concept from Constructive Canines. The relationship should develop naturally and without pressure. 🩷
🐶👧👶 Aim for co-existing rather than being besties 👶👧🐶
When we have dogs and children in our homes we sometimes aim for too much with their relationship. We want them to be best friends, we want them to do everything together.
We expect too much.
We expect our dog to know how to act around a tiny human, we expect them to understand that their shrieks and cries aren't anything to worry about, we expect them to understand what are human toys and what are dog toys.
We expect children to know to use gentle hands around dogs, we expect them to leave a dog that is sleeping or eating, we expect them to know not to climb or stand on a dog.
Start lowering your expectations to having them co-exisiting together. Being in the same room, but not actually interacting. Help them slowly learn about one another, while they are both calm.
Start doing simple activities that involve both the child and dog, but make sure you listen to any cues that either one of them doesn't want to do it.
Some easy activity examples:
🟣 a short walk - attach a second lead to the handle of your dog's normal lead. This means your child can't accidentally pull or apply pressure to your dog's lead. It also means that if your child no longer wants to hold the lead and just drops it, your dog is still attached. Keep a look out for your dog constantly monitoring what the child is doing, it could show the dog's discomfort with the activity.
🟣 highchair fun - letting your child drop dog safe food items from their highchair for your dog to eat is a fun activity for both. I often save this until the end of meal times when theres usually already food on the floor so the dog has focus on the floor, and then interacting with child for food is an added bonus for the dog.
🟣 fetch - start playing fetch with your dog and then when your dog drops the ball for you, pass it to your child for them to throw. Occasionally give your child a go at throwing the ball. Please ensure your dog returns the toy to you rather than your child trying to take the toy off of the dog. If your dog chooses to end the game then that is fine, same with if your child doesn't want to throw the ball. It may be a good idea to have two of the same ball/toy so if your child doesn't want to play with the dog anymore but keeps the ball then you still have a second one to continue the game with the dog.
I adore seeing the relationship developing between my two little girls and my dog Kai 🥰
The biggest and most important aspect of their relationship has been the no pressure part. There is no pressure to interact, both child and dog have the choice to say no.
The interesting part is that now they're not being asked to interact, they're choosing to. They have a relationship that has been built out of mutual trust and learning about each other slowly and at their own pace.
In the photo for this post Kai was asked to come lie down and he chose to lie where he is. Would the picture be more perfect if he was a bit further back and in line with the girls? Sure, but this photo is all about his choice to be close. The girls can still touch him so they're happy, but also everyone has the ability to move away from each other and stop the interaction, without having to confront one another.
What other easy activities do you get your children and dogs to do together?
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Photo description: a young girl and baby girl sit on long grass with their dog Kai, a brindle bull breed.
From us to you ❤️
Tip #347 😉
Imagine that driver going 40km on the motorway and you can’t get past…well this is the dog equivalent.
Just say no to laser toys!
Pain can have a huge impact on behaviour. Sarah from Fluent Dog discusses the how’s and why’s it is so important to tick this off the list when dealing with changes in your dogs behaviour.
Thanks for sharing your story Dog
I went through a period of a few years recently, living with chronic pain.
During this time my behaviour changed. A lot.
I was more sensitive to touch and would react if I thought someone might be about to bump into me or even just touch me on some days.
I lost a lot of confidence and would become hesitant (sometimes fearful) if I needed to do something that might trigger my pain in some way or there was a chance I might fall and cause more damage.
I didn’t always want to do things when people asked me to and my overall ability to cope with stress reduced dramatically.
All these things affected my quality of life and I became a bit of a miserable sod. Sometimes I resorted to coping mechanisms that were not entirely healthy.
I tried so many times to get in shape and modify my behaviour to live a better life and I just couldn’t do it. It’s hard to try and make progress when pain can be such a huge variable from one day to the next.
Pain changes behaviour. Sometimes it might be big dramatic changes that appear to come on very quickly. Sometimes it might be a lot more subtle or a bit of a slow hum that starts to creep up over time.
While I fully appreciate that we are not supposed to anthropomorphise our dogs, sometimes we really need to put ourselves in our dog’s experience of life to have a chance at understanding what they may be going through so we can help them.
Pain isn’t an emotion. It’s an actual and very real sensation felt by all sentient beings at some point and to some degree. Chronic pain has the ability to make us even more sensitive to acute pain.
Possible pain and underlying health issues should always be a priority consideration for any trainer working with you and your dog. Good trainers know how much of an impact these things can have on behaviour.
The hard thing with many dogs is that they can be incredibly stoic. Sometimes the dopamine released by doing something fun in the moment can be a much bigger pay off than the avoidance of doing something that afterwards may make pain worse (or more difficult when that dopamine isn’t around).
To make things even more 🤯 for us as pet guardians, physical examinations can make it very difficult to assess some underlying pain.
Some dogs just find physical exams so stressful that they do whatever they need to, to get it over with. Including being very still and showing very little reaction to the stranger bending their limbs around or prodding and poking them.
My experience with my own pain showed me that sometimes a second opinion is needed. Multiple trips to the GP resulted in me being told there was nothing wrong with me.
It was only after a referral from and incredible physio for an MRI that the cause of my pain and necessity for surgery was detected.
It’s okay if you as an owner wish to get a second (even third or fourth) opinion on whether your dog may be struggling with an underlying health issue or pain also.
If I hadn’t advocated for myself, I would still be living with that pain every day (and I had the ability to communicate verbally with those around me how much my life was being impacted). Our dogs don’t have that luxury…
So it’s up to us to advocate for them and make sure they are as healthy and pain free as possible.
This should always be the first thing we address before we start trying to change our dog’s behaviour to make our own lives easier. Even something we go back and reassess regularly throughout that journey as we get better at watching and reading our dogs 🐾
✨Peanut ✨
When your food drive is so high that your beginner heel position is on point 🙌
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Giving back where hopefully I can really help support the amazing hardworking committed and passionate team at SPCA Auckland Centres Thankful to Environmental and Animal Sciences - Unitec for supporting this passion of mine. #uniteclife #doglifenz #spcaauckland #volunteerspirit #changingtheworldonedogatatime #giveback #payitforward #nzdogrescue #aucklandrescuedogs #dogtrainer #forcefree #thislittlelife
When everyone’s posting serious dog training videos and you’re doing dog dna mashups 🙄🤗😁 #gottahavefunwithit #doglifenz #dogtrainer #dogtraining #dog #aucklanddogs #northshoredogs #nzdogs #aucklanddogtrainer #dogsofnewzealand
Maples licki mat tonight, ft. steak 🥩 juice. Important ‼️do not leave dog unsupervised w plastic meat packaging and remove all gladwrap before giving to 🐕. #doglifenz #dogtrainer #dogtraining #dog #aucklanddogs #northshoredogs #nzdogs #aucklanddogtrainer #dogsofnewzealand
K mart scentwork mashups #doglifenz #dogtrainer #dogtraining #dog #aucklanddogs #northshoredogs #nzdogs #aucklanddogtrainer #dogsofnewzealand #scentwork #novice @kmart.nz #maple
Amateur gardeners #doglifenz #dogtrainer #dogtraining #dog #aucklanddogs #northshoredogs #nzdogs #aucklanddogtrainer #dogsofnewzealand
Scentwork saturdays 👃 #doglifenz #dogtrainer #dogtraining #dog #aucklanddogs #northshoredogs #nzdogs #aucklanddogtrainer #dogsofnewzealand #novice #noseworkdog #noseworktraining #scentworkdogs #cederwood #maple #oldgirlnow #mentalstim
Poor sad dawgs not being allowed in to play w the horses 🐴 #doglifenz #maple #farmlife
Tough day for Maple today 😩
Completely busted but also full credit for the effort Maple👍 #doglifenz #dogtrainer #dogtraining #dog #aucklanddogs #northshoredogs #nzdogs #aucklanddogtrainer #dogsofnewzealand #uniteclife
She likes to sneak in a lick 👅 before holding 😂 #doglifenz #scentwork #cederwood #oldgirls #hibiscuscoastdogtrainingclub #scentworksaturday
We celebrated the end of semester 1 with a games day 🌟 Jo @dfordogfarm and I are so proud of our amazing akonga! Congrats 👏 #unitec #environmentalandanimalsciences #cbt #caninebehaviourandtraining #camcbt
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Babies all grown up 😢 #doglifenz #dogtrainer #dogtraining #dog #aucklanddogs #northshoredogs #nzdogs #aucklanddogtrainer
Gotta love the predation process #eye #behaviourisbehaviour #anyspeciesanytime #pre-stalk #enrichment? #frustration #naturalbehaviours
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