Magnolia Animal Training

15/11/2024

Shutting down behaviours through aversive methods such as loud noises (shakers, rattles, clapping, shouting), air sprays or water sprays, shock collars or physical punishment may certainly suppress behaviour in the short term, which can be very reinforcing for caregivers.🐾🐈🐕

However, what we MUST consider is what effects this may have in the long term.🌟🐾

Animals will learn that they can no longer use certain behaviours to communicate, relieve stress or show their emotional state.🐶😿

This in turn may lead to learned helplessness, reduced welfare and quality of life, or in some instances to physical disease such as Feline Idiopathic Cystitis.💔

So, before choosing the easier option of shutting down behaviour, please consider what this may do to your pet in the long run…🌟🐕🐈

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02/11/2024

26/08/2024

Something I have become very passionate about over the last few years are financially friendly animal welfare services. Examples of these include low-cost medical services (vaccines, spay/neuter, etc.), food pantries, and boarding options for those facing domestic violence or other issues.

If you are a local animal welfare organization (shelters, rescues) or a business that provides care for animals, please take a few moments to look into Pet Help Finder!
(Qualifications - https://www.pethelpfinder.org/m/phf/224).
Their website provides a directory to individuals in need of financially friendly services.

Why consider this? Well, guess what's one of the easiest ways to reduce the homeless pet population and ensure pets receive essential care:
Provide services that help people keep their pets instead of having to relinquish them due to the financial burden.

I respect that not all organizations and businesses can provide these services. That's completely okay. However, I know that there are multiple food pantries not listed on this directory. I'm sure the same can be said for boarding and veterinary services.

Please help spread the word about this website and encourage organizations and businesses to list themselves if they qualify.

Thank you in advance for your help. While I'm informed on this topic, I ask that you please direct all questions about the directory to Pet Help Finder.

09/05/2024

Proud member of PPG. They have my full support when it comes to regulation and standards. Check out their website for CEUs. Lots of webinars available among other education options

28/04/2024

Interested in contributing to a pet supply drive for the Omaha, NE community? If you live in the area, you can drop supplies off at Petsmart - West Maple.

Here's two easy ways regardless of where you live:
1) Visit the Petsmart app or website to purchase items online. Just set the delivery method to "Pick up in store: West Maple." Put it under the name "Tornado Drive"

2) Visit the Petsmart app or website and purchase an E-gift card at any value. You can send it to [email protected]. (Name: "Tornado Drive") These E-gift cards will then be used to purchase items for the supply drive.
Receipts will be posted after these purchases (within 5 days of receiving gift card)
*I will be able to provide option 2 until the end of May.

Link to Petsmart - West Maple store page (select this store for option 1)
https://www.petsmart.com/stores/us/ne/omaha-store2038.html

Both in stores and online, you'll find that there are several items discounted right now. Some have 5x points offers attached to them as well. Donating can be hard on the wallet sometimes. Please take advantage of these deals, discounts, and extra points available to Treats Rewards Members.
You have to take care of your pets, too.

At Omaha PetSmart pet stores, you'll find essential pet supplies and services. This location offers Grooming, PetsHotel, Doggie Day Camp, Training, Adoptions, Veterinary and Curbside Pickup. Visit us at 17035 Evans Plaza or call us at (402) 289-1592 for an appointment. The PetSmart Treats program ea...

27/04/2024

27/04/2024

My community is in desperate need of donations right now. If you are interested in helping but don't live in the area, please donate to the following organizations and/or donate items online.

You can donate items by purchasing them through the Petsmart website, selecting the W Maple store and place them under my name (Laura Schaeffer). I will ensure they reach the victims.
Don't forget to use the code Save20 to donate even more for less.

(Please use this store when placing orders to be donated. https://www.petsmart.com/stores/us/ne/omaha-store2038.html)

Thanks in advance to everyone stepping up

21/04/2024

As cannabis-derived products have become more available across the US, veterinarians have seen increased cases of THC exposure in pets. Here are the most common clinical signs in dogs. If you suspect your pet may have ingested a cannabis product, contact your veterinarian.

For a detailed guide to cannabis and its impact on veterinary medicine, check out avma.org/Cannabis.

21/04/2024

You can, and definitely should, take your puppy to places early on. These are three easy ways to prevent your puppy from getting sick:
1) Wiping their paws (so they don't lick them to clean them)
2) Avoiding contact if the dogs aren't vaccinated, dirty, etc.
3) Avoiding areas that are obviously contaminated or high-risk such as dog parks and pet stores

Ten myths about canine behavior!
Myth 1: Puppies should not leave the house until fully vaccinated.
The critical socialization period for puppies occurs from about 3 weeks to 14 weeks of age, a time when they learn what is safe or not safe in their environment. They are also learning "doggie" social skills and what it means to live in the human world. Vaccinations are administered every 3-4 weeks apart until at least 15-16 weeks of age, which marks the end of this critical timeframe. If you wait until your puppy has received all vaccinations before exposing them to the world, your puppy may become more fearful as an adult and lack the necessary coping skills to live in the human world.

12/04/2024

Enrichment also helped keep my geriatric dog in great cognitive health. I would highly recommend incorporating enrichment into your daily routine.

12/04/2024

I just wanted to let everyone know that the dog (Rocco) in the profile picture was euthanized yesterday. If you aren't familiar with him, he is my personal dog of 8 years.

He was my handsome old man who fought to the very last breath. You wouldn't have guessed that he had a splenic mass taking up 50% of his abdomen. Or that he had near complete kidney failure. Or that he had liver cancer. It really wasn't until the last three days that I knew it was his time.

He was still walking, jumping, and prioritizing his dignity rather than doing what he could to rest up. He made it clear to me that he wanted to walk into the vet's office, not be pulled in on wagon. (That ended after I put him back in the second time.) He was 13 years old and still fooling people into thinking he was a puppy. I can't believe he was just two months shy of his 14th birthday.

For my followers who had the pleasure of meeting my dog, I am so glad you did. If you had the fortune of utilizing my dog to help your fearful/reactive dog overcome their issues, I want to thank you for trusting Rocco.

With that said, I am continuing my break from taking on clients so that I can properly grieve the loss of my dog. Thank you for understanding

05/04/2024

At Fear Free®, our mission is to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety & stress in pets by inspiring and educating the people who care for them.

09/01/2024

As of January 5th, 2024 -- Magnolia Animal Training will be taking a hiatus with no known return date for personal reasons. While I am not currently accepting clients, I do welcome requests for referrals. I may not be able to help you, but I can definitely direct you to someone similar to me.

The exception to this is training requests for livestock and equine. I have a special interest in teaching husbandry skills to both humans and animals. If you want to learn how to do things you didn't think were possible, contact me and then watch some zookeeping training videos. That's what our training is going to look like if you hire me. (I am not good at describing my methods.)