Peaceful Pets Pet Care

02/14/2025

Happy Valentine’s Day from Ramsey, and all of us at Peaceful Pets❣️

☮️🐾💜

02/10/2025

"I am SO SORRY ❗ My dog has NEVER reacted like this before"
Can this be responsible for those "Out of the blue" reactions💥
Reactive dogs ✅ Anxious dogs ✅
In fact this can affect EVERY dog.
"Why did he lunge at that skateboarder?"
"She didn't stop barking at that truck !"
There is a video link in the comments to a brand new video specifically on this very issue.
This dog training graphic is available from https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-nz-is-trigger-stacking-the-issue?srsltid=AfmBOopP02wjAdOhb_HUadmGjebv8CEq5P8vOFrEASTMagfydL7tDe63

02/09/2025

SETTING THE TONE
The tone of voice we use when speaking to a dog matters!

When someone is talking to us or asking us to do something, are we more likely to respond and want to connect with them if they’re using a specific type of tone than if their tone is harsh, shouting or domineering?

The more we use positive tones of voice with our dogs, the more they will want to connect with us and be more interested in doing what we are asking.

Some examples of why tone matters –

Calling your dog to come back to you in a happy, excited, high-pitched tone is far more likely to work than using a stern, loud, angry tone. Would you want to return to someone who sounds really angry?

Yanking on a leash and shouting at a dog for reacting to another dog or situation is far less likely to work than saying “lets go this way!” in a happy tone and creating distance to where a dog feels comfortable.

Saying “Yes!” when a dog has done what you ask will increase the behaviour you’re looking for instead of yelling “No!” in an angry tone when they don’t get it right.

Although these examples are based on positive reinforcement training, a study has also shown that dogs respond and pay more attention when we speak with a higher pitch and more variation, similar to how we would talk to a baby.

Given that a dog’s emotional capability is similar to that of a young child, this all makes sense and fits together, in my opinion.

Here’s a link to the study if you’d like more information -

https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-023-05217-y

02/06/2025

Persevere, Fudge. Persevere 😂

02/06/2025

I NOSE HOW YOU FEEL
One of the most incredible things about dogs is their ability to recognize and respond to our emotions, but just how do they know how we’re feeling?

They may not understand the emotion we are feeling, but their brains are wired to understand whether that emotion makes them feel safe or not.

From an evolutionary perspective; for their survival, it was and still is, important for dogs to know which humans were safe to be around and which were not.

Dogs recognize the different chemical scents we produce through our skin or breath, our facial expressions or body language and our tone of voice.

Although we’re not aware of it, we emit different scents when experiencing positive emotions compared to when we experience negative emotions. Dogs have an amazing ability to recognize these different scents.

A dog's sense of smell is incredibly powerful and far superior to ours. Dogs have +/- 300 million olfactory receptors in their nose, sometimes more depending on the breed, compared to +/- 5 to 6 million in humans. In addition to this, the part of their brain that processes scent is around 40 times bigger than ours.

Dogs also recognize our facial expressions and body language. Just like we might stay well away from or not want to interact with someone who looks really angry and be more drawn and responsive to a happy, relaxed looking person.

Tone of voice – more info on this in my previous post.

Dogs can be such a comfort to us when we need emotional support or aren’t feeling well, but some of our emotions many have a negative effect on them.

Working with or interacting with a dog when we’re feeling angry, stressed, frustrated or having a bad day is not a good idea. It’s far better to wait until we feel more relaxed and calmer.

Dogs have rich emotional lives – just as we should try to be aware of their emotions, also be aware of how our emotions may affect them.

02/06/2025

Happy second birthday to our Weim Princess, Lil Bea❣️

☮️🐾💜

02/01/2025

01/21/2025

01/20/2025

This really is our "fault" as a society.❗
We seem to promote play instead of acclimation.
Socialisation is a very warped term.
"Socialisation" really isn't play, play is a separate and important skill BUT if your dog or puppy is actively encouraged to play with every other dog or puppy they encounter...that in itself can be the beginning of a lifetime of reactivity.
I have been criticised for promoting "too much" calmness around other dogs and puppies...."Why can't they show emotions", "Why can't they play"?
Never said they couldn't....however, because of the societal pressure to play with all other dogs and puppies (wherever we take them) we can VERY easily set our dogs up to view all dogs and puppies as a source of constant amusement at the mere glimpse of one, a reason to go to the very extremes of emotions.
They may "dig in" and drag you closer.
The barking, shrieking and spinning can start....for two reasons, the emotional extremes dogs now have attached to other dogs and the frustration because they can't reach that other dog quick enough.

So maybe the term "socialisation" is the issue, because for us it means "socialising".
Acclimation is a far better term.
Yes this dog trainer handout is available https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-nz-socialisation-a-misunderstood-concept?srsltid=AfmBOoqgDG7Dz4PA1Dux7WQJJTop1g9IMIB8KhAnvFL0fKik2CShlc65

01/20/2025

"Terriers ARE reactive, it is part of their breed"
"Collies ARE velcro dogs, they will panic when you leave them"
"Greyhounds WILL fight other dogs, what did you expect"
Nope, no, nopeity NOPE ❗❌
There is a very big difference between breed traits and behavioural issues.
While breeds can absolutely have inclinations, behavioural issues shouldn't be dismissed as "just what their breed does".
It is completely unfair to let a dog live with serious behavioural issues because people are wrongly told it is "just the way they are".
Unfortunately confirmation bias and unhelpful comments in dog groups can further exacerbate a persons belief their dog is biting visitors because of their breed, is showing separation anxiousness because it is their breed trait and are showing serious behavioural issues because "it is what it is".

This dog training handout is available through abcdogsnz.com

01/14/2025

This has been around a while but it still amazes me whenever I see it!

01/14/2025

Happy endings amid devastation.

01/13/2025

What is H5N1?
H5N1, commonly known as avian influenza A or bird flu, is a highly pathogenic strain of influenza virus that primarily affects birds, but cases have recently been reported in wildlife, cattle, cats, and humans.
What do we know about the latest outbreak?
Recently H5N1 influenza cases have been reported in cats that have consumed contaminated commercial raw food diets, unpasteurized milk, or had contact with wild birds and cattle.
Precautions:
Consider discontinuing your pet’s raw diet. Even if their raw food is human grade, frozen, or freeze dried, this does not prevent the potential spread of pathogenic bacteria, parasites, or H5N1 that may be present in the food. Consider cooking your pet’s raw food and/or consulting your veterinarian about diet change.
Limit your pet’s access to wild birds that may be carrying the virus and avoid giving them raw milk.
What are the symptoms to watch out for in our pets?
Clinical signs in pets may include the following:
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Neurologic signs (ataxia, circling, tremors, seizures, sudden blindness)
• Copious oculonasal discharge
• Difficulty breathing
We recommend seeking veterinary care if your pet shows any of these signs. If they are having any life-threatening symptoms (neurologic signs, seizures, difficulty breathing, or collapse) seek veterinary care immediately.
Can this cause illness in humans?
Yes, H5N1 can cause illness in humans. Current human infections have been linked to contact with infected cattle and wild birds. There is no current evidence of human to human transmission.
What is being done?
The CDC, FDA and USDA are closely monitoring cases as they develop. One voluntary product recall has been issued for contaminated raw food diets for cats & dogs. We are continuing to monitor this emerging virus.
Follow our animal health centers' social media accounts for regular updates.
https://hubs.la/Q031WZ2g0

01/13/2025

Not sure there would be many dog trainers that would disagree with this list.
The longer a behaviour is practiced, the sooner it becomes a habit and that is for both unwanted and wanted behaviours.
Please don't delay.
They very, very rarely "grow out" of unwanted behaviours and if left they can certainly escalate.
In saying that, when they DO show us the behaviour we want, it NEEDS rewarded.

Dog training handouts available through abcdogsnz.com

01/12/2025

Happy 6th birthday to our very own Spunky Brewster!
With the Love Pack, including Holmie, Mr. Tibbs & Lil Bea.

☮️🐾💜

01/10/2025