Mason's Chesapeake

12/28/2024

Hank from the Oceans Litter says “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!” 🎉🥳🎊

12/24/2024

12/17/2024

Happy Birthday to the Oceans Litter 🥰 (Hank pictured below)

12/12/2024

THE PERILS OF PUNISHMENT

It’s easy to stop or suppress a behaviour by using punishment, force or pain and say that it really works, so why even bother to do it differently?

Punishment based methods may well “fix” the behaviour quickly, are far easier, require far less effort, less knowledge, less education, or even just be based on traditional belief, but these methods come at a great cost - destroying trust, creating insecurity, fear, anxiety, provoking aggression, causing dogs to shut down or feel helpless and prevent dogs from learning an alternative, more acceptable behaviour.

There is so much modern, scientific evidence to support force free, positive reinforcement methods as being the most effective and successful way to modify behaviour.

There is nothing admirable, ethical or intelligent in physically or emotionally forcing any sentient being to comply.

Take the time and make a commitment to understand and learn about positive, force free, science-based methods.

12/12/2024

DON’T GET A DOG…UNLESS YOU CAN MAKE A COMMITMENT

In an ideal world dogs would be included as a family member and we would commit to sharing our time and life with them in the relatively short time they have on earth.

In an ideal world, we would take the time to learn about how dogs communicate through their body language, their emotions, their needs and keep learning about updated, modern, force free / pain free methods to understand or modify behaviour.

In reality, dogs are so often seen as an item of property, an object, a commodity to be bred and make money from, a cheap, replaceable security system, a garden decoration, a toy to play with when the kids are bored or an accessory that looks good while out walking, running or taking selfies.

Dogs are not objects, just like us they are sentient beings with the capacity to feel a range of emotions.

Dogs are naturally social beings and need to spend time with their human family.

A life spent confined to a backyard or fenced in with little or no human companionship is not a life.

They need love and attention, exercise and mental stimulation. They need routine, consistency and predictable patterns to feel safe and secure in our world.

Having a dog requires commitment, understanding, patience and dedication.

It’s hard work, it’s sometimes messy, dirty and stinky, it costs money and requires changes to our lifestyle.

It’s a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly or without making a long term commitment, but the rewards of forming a secure bond with another sentient being can bring so much joy and enrichment to both our lives and theirs.

12/11/2024

'Tis the season for Pawblic Service Posts. Be aware.
If you're still stuck on giving rawhides----to each their own; we hope you'll give extra thought to sourcing, design, supervision, and timely disposal.
Of course many dogs do not experience choking or blockage with rawhide, but, please have empathy for those who've lost (or nearly lost) dogs to such an incident, and respect those who've chosen to avoid the risks over something that is, after all, just a treat, not something necessary to survive or thrive.

12/10/2024

Started up with our seasonal Pawblic Service Posts for those who don't yet know some of the dangers the holiday season comes with for pets.

12/08/2024

Hank update.

11/27/2024

Avoid a trip to the emergency vet this Thanksgiving!

Learn more: https://bit.ly/49pi1Al

11/26/2024

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all! 🧡 Please be responsible and feed your pet's their normal diet during the holiday season. No matter how cute and irresistible their begging might be. 😉

11/24/2024

Photos of Ron and Tinkerbell in the field

11/23/2024

Update from Sarge from our Oceans litter

11/17/2024

11/17/2024

Happy 4th Birthday to Luna’s Pie litter! ♥️