Companion Canines of Pocatello

08/30/2024

This is a great post about what a reactive dog is going through.

08/30/2024

This.❤️💯🐾

08/29/2024

Heads up! There are other ways to keep a dog from pulling and the first one is training.

The first time I saw someone do this I was shocked.
I thought it was a one off, clearly it isn't and social media "influencers" have started to spout this as a "solution".
When I first saw this a few years ago, I could see the skin under the belly twisting and stretching while a lead was tightly pulled up from above.
There was bruising and this dog was certainly in pain.
All because someone wanted a quick way to teach a dog to walk beside them.
Companies even sell carabiners that encourage using this method.
What people may not realise is this can kill a dog.
The belly is not well protected...at all.
The intestines are right there and there are no bones in that area to protect those precious and vital organs.
That constant pressure and squeezing can and DOES cause serious abdominal issues.
PLEASE don't be tempted to follow this trend if you have seen it on social media.

08/26/2024

It's National Dog Day! Let's see those pups!!

08/25/2024

🤣🤣🐾

08/16/2024

Thank you Heather Dawson for sharing this. ❤️❤️💯

08/10/2024

Xylitol is also known as Birch Sugar. Always check your ingredients, especially Peanut Butter.

Xylitol poisoning is an emergency that will not wait and requires immediate veterinary care to resolve xylitol toxicity.

08/10/2024

You should hear what I hear.🥺

08/10/2024

And we will never stop...

08/02/2024

❤️👇💯

Changing a dogs emotions takes time. ⏰✅
It isn't as "simple" as teaching a sit or stay, as this is ALL about emotions. Just as we humans need time and understanding to process our own emotions, dogs are absolutely no different.
However.... there are lots of steps (easy steps) you can do to help things go smoother and faster.
If you have a reactive dog, I know just how much effort you are putting in.
I am one of those trainers that LOVES reactive dogs (I think you all know that by now🙂). One of the reasons I love working with them is there can be such a transformation in everyone's lives !

Don't underestimate the power of stopping and taking a few deep breaths....all of our clients are encouraged to relax and breath when working with their dogs.
Often they take a few quick "shoulder breaths"....but when encouraged to stop and take some deeper belly breaths, their dog senses that too.
They know your stress has dropped.
They sense your heart rate has lowered.
They are aware your BP has lowered too.
Many dogs will respond amazingly well to just adding this in alone.
It certainly isn't a cure...but it helps lower everyone's stress.

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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.
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Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for unmarked graphics. All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

08/01/2024

As humans, we tend to focus on everything our dog is doing wrong, instead of rewarding him for what he is doing right. Dogs learn faster when they are being rewarded!🥰🐾💯

07/31/2024

This is a great article on helping your puppy to sleep through the night!

Puppies sleep schedules are irregular. Exercise, dimming lights, and companionship are great ways to get a puppy to sleep through the night.

07/31/2024

What is appeasement licking?

07/30/2024

Dogs communicate their feelings through body language and behavior. Pay attention to these cues to create a safe space and strengthen your bond with your loyal companion.

07/26/2024

This is no joke...watch for those algae blooms.

07/22/2024

I post about this every summer, please read thos article about water intoxication.

Water intoxication in dogs results from drinking too much water leading low sodium levels, or ingesting seawater leading to high sodium levels

07/18/2024

This is a great chart on reactivity. Do you guage when your dog is starting to feel stress when they are in the yellow light zone?
What steps can you take to get him back to green?

07/17/2024

Critical information for puppies. This is one thing we teach, not only in the puppy class, but all the other classes we teach.🐾❤️

07/15/2024

Great information on proper play with dogs!💯🙌

Are there bullies in the dog world❓ Absolutely ✅
Is all play good play❓Absolutely not ✅
Running full speed into play and not assessing or waiting for social cues is a big issue with dogs.
It can cause an immediate change in energy. Sometimes the high energy may be matched, sometimes it causes an immediate stillness and stiffening in the other dog.
THAT can become a very big issue.
While the focus is on the dog that has the highest energy, people can often forget about the other dog involved....BOTH dogs need read and not just the dog that has that extreme energy.
Don't forget who that energy is targeted at.
That quietness/stiffness and stillness from the other dog needs noticed...and intervene if necessary.

Play can turn in an instant...so it is important to advocate even when they are playing.
I am all for dogs communicating together and letting each other know what is appropriate and what is not, but unfortunately many dogs do have inappropriate play styles and are unable to read social cues. They have gone from 0 to 10 even before the lead is taken off to let play commence.
Dogs may react badly to pushy play styles or behaviour they may see as inappropriate.
Over excited/hyper dogs often have very little emotional self regulation.
They don't wait for those important social cues and some don't know how to read them when they are given.
They charge in with an immediate intensity that dogs can react very badly to.

Watch for sudden changes.
Read BOTH dogs and not just yours.
Advocate.

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 etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collections of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

07/13/2024

❤️❤️❤️

CULTIVATING CALMNESS

We teach our dogs all sorts of things, but maybe don’t realise that teaching “calm” is also an important behaviour that has so many positive applications for both us and our dogs.

“Calm” can be defined as the absence of agitation or excitement; a feeling of tranquility; serenity and peace. These feelings are so often lacking in both our lives and that of our dogs.

Besides teaching dogs to settle on a mat or in another place or capturing and rewarding calm behaviour, here are some other ways to promote calmness.

Scenting or sniffing is a really effective and simple way to promote relaxation. It lowers the pulse rate and creates feelings of wellbeing.

Chewing is another powerful relaxation tool. Dogs use the chewing to relieve stress, frustration or anxiety. Chewing has a calming effect on the adrenal-pituitary axis in the brain which triggers the release of endorphins. It’s like self-medication for stress or anxiety.

Relaxing music that is specifically made for dogs can also work well, especially with dogs that get over excited in a car or have storm or firework fear.

When playing an exciting, high-energy game with your dog, take frequent breaks before starting up again to help your dog wind down and become calmer.

Aromatherapy, ear or other types of massage are other ways to help create calmness.

Cortisol holidays are also really important after a stressful event to prevent trigger stacking and allow cortisol levels to return to normal.

Conventional wisdom says that the ability to remain calm is a character trait that most of us lack, but Neuroscience teaches us that remaining calm under pressure is not an inborn trait, but a skill that needs to be learnt, practiced and managed and this applies to our dogs as well.

07/09/2024

And one more to end the night!

With summer comes record temperatures across the states. in the summer while keeping them stimulated? Here's what we're doing in the hot weather.