Canine Body and Mind

06/23/2025

Happy Sunday Morning! Now is the time to get out and take your pets on a walk, let the cats go out in the Catio, play fetch, etc. It is “safe temps” in the early morning and in the late evening — for you and your pets! ☀️ 🥵 🐾

06/22/2025

Want to learn to dock dive?
Need some practice In the pool for distance jumps?

Open Dock night this Friday 5-7pm come anytime between 5&7pm, stay as long as you’d like with us. $10/dog (Dock Club members jump free)

**the Rig will Not be used this night, please attend the Wednesday night event for AR and HD practice.

06/22/2025

Last chance to join our next Novice Rally Class starting tomorrow night at 6:30pm! This is an introductory 4 week class. Rally is a fun dog sport where dog and handler navigate a course of 10-20 signs. Each sign provides instructions on the skill to be performed at that station. This sport is a great way to build foundation obedience skills and strenghten focus and engagement. Registration closes at 6:30pm today! Cost is $160 for the 4 week course. If you miss the deadline, but would still like to join please text 269-262-1952 and we will add you to the class!
Direct scheduleing link: https://CanineBodyAndMind.as.me/?appointmentType=78425022

06/21/2025

Obviously, we love dogs, but there is a lot to consider before bringing one home. They are an investment. An investment of time, money, effort, and emotion. They will have their own unique needs and wants. Please be prepared to meet those needs.

06/20/2025

6 Great Reasons to Bring Your Dog to Us for Vet Visits!

1. No busy waiting room. 👫
2. Your dog will be the only one in the building. 🐕
3. We take our time and allow your dog to acclimate. ⏳
4. We can teach you about your dog's body language and what it says about their stress level during the visit/procedures. 🩺
5. We can prescribe behavior meds as needed. 💊
6. Lots of treats! 🦴🦴🦴

AND... you can self schedule an appointment from home!
https://CanineBodyAndMind.as.me/NewPatientWellnessVisit

06/19/2025

Our next Shed Hunt workshop is Monday June 23rd at 7:45pm! This is a single day, 1 hour intro to the world of antler shed hunting. This is a sport in which dogs smell out and retrieve shed antlers for fun or competition. We will go over what trials look like, teach you how to get started with your dog, and practice some hides. We will have the antlers and scent. Required materials: your dog, a 20' long line, yummy dog snacks. Please do not allow your dog to chew antlers of any type at home leading up to this event and practice your recalls and "drop it" commands. Workshop cost is $35.

Sign up with the link below! https://CanineBodyAndMind.as.me/?appointmentType=77716502

06/19/2025

This is fascinating.

We often think of trauma as something that happens to an individual, a specific event, a particular hardship. But what if that trauma can be passed down through generations?

It turns out, this isn’t just theory. In both humans and animals, generational trauma is real and we’re starting to understand just how deep it runs.

One of the most striking studies on this was conducted with mice. In this experiment, researchers exposed a group of male mice to the scent of cherry blossoms while delivering mild electric shocks. Unsurprisingly, the mice began to associate the smell with danger and displayed clear signs of fear whenever they encountered it.

Here’s the extraordinary part: their offspring, and even their grand-offspring, were also afraid of the cherry blossom scent, despite never having experienced the shocks themselves. Analysis showed changes not only in behaviour but in the structure of the mice’s brains and even their DNA. Trauma had left a biological imprint that was inherited.

This concept of epigenetic inheritance may explain why some dogs, particularly those from puppy farms or rescue situations, can present with significant behavioural challenges even if they’ve never experienced direct abuse or trauma themselves.
In puppy farms, for example, generations of dogs may be born into high-stress, deprived environments. Mothers often suffer extreme neglect, lack of enrichment, and chronic stress. Their puppies even when adopted into loving homes can carry the emotional residue of that experience. It’s not just poor socialisation. It’s a history written into their nervous systems.

Understanding this changes everything.

When working with fearful, reactive, or shut-down dogs particularly those from difficult or unknown backgrounds we must approach them with greater compassion, patience, and a trauma-informed mindset. It’s not always about “fixing” a behaviour, but understanding its roots, and giving the dog a chance to feel safe enough to start healing.

If you’re living with a dog who seems stuck in fear or overreacts to the world in ways that don’t make sense you’re not alone, and they’re not broken.

06/13/2025

🐾 A Historic Win for Dog Welfare in the Netherlands! 🇳🇱🐶

"Short-nosed pedigree dogs can finally breathe a sigh of relief."

On June 4, 2025, the Amsterdam District Court ruled that the Dutch kennel club, Raad van Beheer, must stop issuing pedigrees for 25 flat-faced dog breeds unless there is proof of legal, welfare-compliant breeding.

These breeds — including French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, Shih Tzus, and more — are often bred with excessively short snouts, causing lifelong health issues like:
🔹 Breathing difficulties
🔹 Eye and dental diseases
🔹 Skin fold infections
🔹 Hernias and birthing complications

📣 “That pedigree wrongly gives buyers the idea that they are buying a healthy dog,” said Dr. Kelly Kessen from Dier&Recht, the animal rights organization that filed the complaint.

From now on:
✔ Pedigrees can only be issued if both parent dogs meet minimum muzzle-length standards, confirmed by a vet.
❌ If they don't, no pedigree will be granted.
💶 A fine of €2,500 per unlawful pedigree will be enforced.

This landmark ruling sets a new legal and ethical precedent and we hope it will inspire similar action across Europe to protect the health and welfare of dogs over harmful appearance-based breeding.

📄 Full verdict (PDF):https://www.dierenrecht.nl/sites/default/files/2025-06/vonnis.pdf
📢 Press release: https://www.dierenrecht.nl/persberichten/rechtbank-verbiedt-misleidende-stamboomhandel

🛑 It's time to put health before looks — no dog should suffer for fashion.

06/11/2025

Beautiful night for Community Puppy Class! If your puppy has taken our Puppy Class or STAR Class they are welcome to join our next Community Puppy Class Wed July 29th.
https://CanineBodyAndMind.as.me/?appointmentType=69710105

06/11/2025

Our newest dog employee, Polaris, had her first day on the job today! Her favorite parts were settling on the mat, eating hot dogs, and getting belly rubs! Welcome to the team, Po!

06/11/2025

A huge congrats to Ivy for earning her Intermediate Trick Dog title as well as mastering her reactive dog skills and graduating to group class!

06/09/2025

We had so much fun with this crew on the fit dog walk today (plus Klaus who’s the only one not pictured!). We cannot wait for the next one!