Hollybush Dog Training Services

11/12/2024

WHEN SECONDS COUNT

This post is not advocating that dogs meet every other dog, but about how to go about it, if and when it does happen, in a safer way.

The 3 second rule for dogs meeting each other is used as a guideline to help foster positive introductions, prevent either dog from feeling overwhelmed or trapped and prevent any potential reactivity and stress.

A short 3 second introduction is enough time to provide important information to both dogs.

Enough information for dogs to know – “are you a threat?”, “do I like you?”, “do I want to learn more about you?”, “do I really dislike you?”, “do I need you to go away?” etc. Both dogs may not feel the same way – one may not be happy to engage while the other may want to.

All interactions should ideally happen like this, not just initially. Just like us, dogs can have off days – things like pain, trigger stacking, lack of sleep or a host of other reasons can influence whether a dog wants to interact or not.

There are countless times I have witnessed meetings or introductions between dogs that have gone on just a few seconds too long and have not ended well. This can have long lasting effects on future behaviour when meeting other dogs.

Understanding body language is critically important. If we are going to share our lives with another species, protect them, advocate for them and help them feel safe, then we need to understand and respect their language.

The examples in this post of red and green flags are just a few general ones to look out for – there are many more and these will differ depending on the individual dog, context and circumstances.

Here are some resources and links to learn more about body language -
On Talking Terms With Dogs - Calming Signals, 2nd Edition by Turid Rugaas
https://www.dogwise.com/on-talking-terms-with-dogs-calming-signals-2nd-edition/?srsltid=AfmBOoqj8ruQJx5bCP7qWb03TqCyAGfmAvCj988UuWk_L1_UHbYcZsES

The Veterinary Behaviour Centre
https://www.heska.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/TVBC-Canine-Dog-Body-Language-handout.pdf

Make sure those first 3 seconds count – they can make all the difference.

10/20/2024

10/20/2024

Over excited, "hyper" dogs.
No amount of exercise seems to be enough for these dogs. ‼️
You just can not "tire" these dogs out without increasing amounts of exercise and even then it is often not enough.
So what do you actually do to help stop this cycle❓
What if I told you the secret to TRULY help most of these dogs is gradually decreasing exercise while increasing enrichment.
Too good to be true ❓.. or are we tapping into what these dogs actually need to lower that extreme energy.

Where on earth do you start this?
If you haven't tried enrichment using their nose and really don't know where to start...the video in the comments have instructions which are really easy to follow and implement today.
There is a reason this is the most popular video on our new channel✅

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Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
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10/20/2024

Rupture of the CCL is one of the most common reasons for hind limb lameness, pain, and subsequent arthritis. The development of this problem in dogs is much more complex than in humans. Furthermore, dogs suffer from different degrees of rupture (partial, complete).

10/20/2024

Training and conditioning is as important for conformation dogs as it is for dogs participating in any other sport. These training and conditioning skills will help increase your dog’s confidence and support getting them ready for their first show.

10/12/2024

Osteosarcoma (OSA) is one of the most common types of bone cancer in dogs, often diagnosed in large or giant breed dogs, such as Rottweilers, Great Danes, St. Bernards, and Golden Retrievers. The tumor commonly grows on the long bones of the forelimbs or hindlimbs, causing pain and lameness. Unfortunately, this is a very aggressive tumor and often metastasizes (spreads to the lungs) early in the disease. While there is no cure for OSA, there are treatment options to help delay the progression of the disease and alleviate pain.

Clinical signs
OSA is often very painful. The most common signs of OSA may depend on the tumor location, often include:
• Lameness, or reluctance to walk
• Firm, localized swelling, most commonly on the limbs
• Loss of muscle mass to the affected limb

Treatment
Osteosarcoma treatment may depend on several factors, including tumor location and individual needs, but the main focus is pain management and your dog’s quality of life. You may be referred to a veterinary oncology specialist.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for osteosarcoma, but the best chance of extending time and quality of life includes multimodality therapy that involves:
• Pain management: Oral medications such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories), gabapentin, amantadine, opioids, or a combination are often used to control pain.
• Surgery: When OSA affects a limb, surgery to remove the limb (amputation) is often recommended as the best way to remove the tumor, manage pain from the tumor, and remove the risk of pathological fractures. If OSA occurs in a location other than the limbs, such as a rib or jawbone, local surgical resection is often recommended (e.g., removal of a rib or part of the jaw).
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy after amputation aims to delay the onset of metastasis and is often well-tolerated by dogs. Medications such as carboplatin given IV (intravenous) are often performed every three weeks for 4-5 months.

Check out our health topic below for more information.
https://hubs.ly/Q02QBB3M0

09/01/2024

This really does have the ability to help reactive dogs 💥✅
I know it may look a little confusing which is why we made a video that shows EXACTLY what to do and when.
Those that know about movement words and u turns...know just how powerful these two small steps can really be when helping a reactive dog.
The link to the video is in the comments. 🙂

Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make. Everyone is free to share on social media, however off social media use of these marked graphics is prohibited. Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters or for personal use. Screen shots are a violation of the copyright.
Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for unmarked graphics. All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

09/01/2024

I hate being separated from my dog.

09/01/2024

So interesting.

AAFCO guidelines allow pet food to be marketed as "natural with added vitamins, minerals and trace nutrients.”

08/31/2024

Learn about the current trends in pet food marketing and labeling litigation, as well as some pitfalls to avoid in your own claims so you never have to worry about it.

08/29/2024

The Northern Border, LLC is excited to announce that we will be hosting a variety of weekly agility classes starting September 25th with esteemed instructor Courtney Huther! 🙌🏻 🐶 🐾 We will be posting a bio of Courtney’s accomplishments in the following days, but trust us, you will not be disappointed 🔥… We only accept the VERY best trainers in the different venues at our facility!

Spots are filling up fast! If you would like to sign up, please send us a PM with the class you are interested in, your name, dogs name, phone number, and email address! ✔️⭐️

Performance Puppy -
Get your pup started young for a bright future in any sport. Burn off energy, build confidence, body awareness and focus while having loads of fun.

Agile Puppy -
Min Age 3 months
Know you want to do agility in the future with your pup? Then this is the class for you.
Focus, Drive, Confidence and Fun age appropriate games and skills.

Beginner/Intermediate -
Min Age 6 months
Continue to learn teamwork , intro to obstacles and sequencing. Class emphasis will be on both handlers and dogs having FUN while learning the sport of agility.

Agility Coursework -
Pre-Reg - Intermediate Graduate or prior trainer permission
This class will aid both dogs and handlers with polish and skills to navigate courses. Dogs need to have solid obstacle performance and solid recall.

08/19/2024

If your dog is throwing up yellow vomit in the morning but is otherwise healthy, they could have bilious vomiting syndrome. Learn more about this condition.

08/19/2024

Reactivity 💥and fixation👀.
Often hand in hand.
While many may be familiar with the hard face, stiff body and possible closed mouth when fixating...there are plenty more signs your dog may be fixating.

Raised hackles/Piloerection.
This can cause a dog to "fluff" up or bristle their tail...it could be in just a few areas or the whole coat. This can certainly happen at many other times too and many of these are not connected to reactivity/fixation.
As with everything in reading your dog...context is everything.
As is the whole picture.

Another sign your dog may be fixating is the lengthening of the whole neck, straining forward while usually not moving the body any closer. Often this is paired with the chest puffing/sticking out and legs anchored well back.
The lengthening and stretching out can accompany a lower or higher neck/head position or just straight out in front.

Peeking is often displayed too.
This is a dogs head moving their head side to side without turning their head.
It can look like they have an invisible tree in front and need to peek around it to see the stimuli....but the body usually stays still.

These are only some of the signs of possible fixation.
There are many more and some dogs will certainly not display them all. Some breeds will never have their hackles raised due to their type of coat but may certainly have other signs.

Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make. Everyone is free to share on social media🙂, however off social media use of these marked graphics is prohibited.
Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters or for personal use.
Screen shots are a violation of the copyright.
Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for unmarked graphics. All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.