Assonet Animal Hospital

16/06/2024

13/06/2024

13/06/2024

This!!

True love ❤️🥹

13/06/2024

For many reasons, some dogs need time to themselves. Learn to recognize how to give dogs space.

12/06/2024

FYI

New research has redefined the best age to spay/neuter popular dog breeds. Delaying the procedure can prevent joint disorders and certain cancers.

06/06/2024

Yes!

If a dog is repeatedly not following a cue, it's important we don't decide they are being 'stubborn'. Dogs are not stubborn because they choose to be.

It may be that they haven't actually learned the cue properly.

They may be feeling unwell.

There may be distractions in the environment that mean they can't concentrate and respond to the cue.

The reward on offer might not be motivating enough for them in that moment.

Look at the environment for distractions, look at the coaching history to see if the cue has been fully established and proofed in the wider world, and look at the value of the rewards you are offering.

04/06/2024

ESSENTIAL ENRICHMENT

Imagine being kept in the same space each and every day. You know every blade of grass, every scent, every brick, every piece of fence. You have no books to read, no TV to watch, no one to talk to, no interaction with the outside world and absolutely nothing to do.

Would this situation begin to affect your behaviour and influence your emotional, mental or physical state? What about our dogs?

Many dogs live in this type of environment and yet we wonder why they develop behaviour problems, bark excessively, destroy the garden, become over excited, over aroused or maybe just shut down or sleep all day having completely lost interest in the world.

Many behaviour problems are caused by boredom, a lack of mental and physical stimulation or being confined to the same space every day.

Providing enrichment for dogs is so important for their wellbeing and really doesn’t require that much effort from us.

There are so many simple ways to provide enrichment. An online search for DIY enrichment ideas will provide lots of ideas.

Older dogs may enjoy a ride in the car, sitting at a window watching the world go by, bringing the outside in – sticks, cones, grass etc. from different areas placed in a box for them to rummage through and smell, dinner in the park, or even just playing some doggie music will make a difference.

“Chronic inescapable boredom can be extremely aversive, and under-stimulation can harm neural, cognitive and behavioral flexibility.” - A biological perspective on animal boredom and suggestions for its scientific investigation by Charlotte Burn - The Royal Veterinary College

Here are some links for enrichment ideas -
Enrichment ideas by Laura Gendron
https://missbehaviortraining.com/blog/diyenrichment

DIY boredom busting toys by Luke Balsam
https://wunderdogmagazine.com/care/awesome-diy-dog-toys-our-dog-trainer-made-some-boredom-busting-toys-and-you-can-too/

Link to a free introduction on ACE free work by Sarah Fisher -
https://animalcentrededucation.teachable.com/p/watch-this-space

27/05/2024

🇺🇸🇺🇸

🇺🇸Wishing everyone a safe Memorial Day🇺🇸

24/05/2024

Send a message to learn more

24/05/2024

This!!!!

Send a message to learn more

22/05/2024

A Little Possession - We are fools to believe that dog owners are dog owners, its the other way around, they own us. They eat our shoes, hog the sofa (the times I've ended up sitting on the floor), stick legs poking your eyes out in bed, and thats when your pushed over to the very edge, they capture our hearts, memorise us with their gazing adorable eyes. We are their Possessions. But we wouldn't have it any other way.

16/05/2024

Is it time for your furry friend to get their Leptospirosis vaccination? 🐾 For most pups in our neck of the woods, the answer is a resounding "Yes"! 🌳🐶 Living in beautiful Merville and the wider Comox Valley means our four-legged pals often encounter infected water sources like puddles and streambeds, as well as contaminated ground.

Curious about the ins and outs of Leptospirosis? Dive into our information sheet for all the details on this disease, its treatment, and what signs to keep an eye out for.
https://tsolummobilevet.com/leptospirosis
https://tsolummobilevet.com/leptospirosis-brochure

To schedule a Leptospirosis vaccination for you pet, or if you would like to know whether your dog has received the vaccine in the past, call or text us on 778 428 6401 or drop us an email.

16/05/2024

Annual Vet Visits - Eye Exams

Your pet's eyes can tell a lot about their overall health. The vet will examine and look for signs of issues or potential deficiencies. Did you know that sometimes eye issues can mean issues with teeth?

15/05/2024

🤣

Logical

15/05/2024

Yesssss!

Who lives with a dog that rains hair? I have a northern inuit and at the moment I can easily brush a carrier bag full of hair out a day as she’s mega shedding. There’s hair everywhere- in my coffee, in my keyboard and I found some in my oven last night 😂 no one wears black, ever, in my house. This is actually my inuit at the moment. What breed is your hair shedder?

14/05/2024

Thanks to better care, pets are living longer now than they ever have before—and as pets get older, they need extra care and attention. Regular veterinary examinations can detect problems in older pets before they become advanced or life-threatening. They also can improve your pet's chances for a longer and healthier life.

During today's theme of "Plan for their care: Give them a lifetime of love," learn more about basic considerations when caring for senior pets. https://bit.ly/2A8mMl8

13/05/2024

From the Office of the Town Clerk…
If you have not yet licensed your dog for 2024, act fast – late fees are being added soon! By now, all owners of unlicensed dogs should have received at least one mailed reminder and, if we have your current email on file, several email reminders. You must have a valid and current rabies certificate on file with the Office of the Town Clerk to license your dog – make sure to bring a copy with you when you renew or call/email the office to verify we have it (508-644-2201 x2 or [email protected])! You can renew in person at the Office of the Town Clerk, via mail or online (only if we have a valid & current rabies certificate on file). Please visit https://www.freetownma.gov/dogs for more information!

09/05/2024

🤣

02/05/2024

Unfortunately, something as simple as not having your pet’s teeth cleaned regularly could seriously impact their health. Left unchecked, a dental disease could spread to their heart or lungs and cause major issues.

30/04/2024

Cats too!

Send a message to learn more

30/04/2024

Traditional Chinese medicine embraces the body, soul, and spirit as being different parts of the whole. It seeks to reach the heart of a problem and not to just put a bandaid on the surface issue, which is why it is known as a "holistic therapy."

26/04/2024

If you have a reactive dog you probably didn’t sign up for this. You probably didn’t take them on knowing how your life would change and how hard many aspects would be.

You’ve probably changed your expectations about your life as a dog parent, going to the busy park on a sunny day and sitting in a busy pub garden may be off the menu for now. Although this is incredibly hard to adjust to and it’s stressful at times, life with reactive dogs teaches us lessons that will impact on every other dog we ever share our lives with.

As well as working with so many reactive dogs I’ve had 3 of my own so I know all too well what life with them is like and it’s hard, really hard at times but it’s not all negative.

🥇 You learn to celebrate the small victories, you don’t take for granted your dog walking past another dog and staying happy and relaxed- it’s a win that makes your day!

🥷 You find the quiet walks that no one else knows about and where you won’t meet anyone and your super ninja senses mean you see things that other people may miss.

🌈 You don’t just enjoy a walk on a gorgeous sunny day and you find the beauty in a grey, rainy day walk as you know you won’t meet anyone!

🐶 Your understanding of canine behaviour will increase immensely- we’ve had clients who have become as good as the best trainers and whose understanding of the science behind their dog’s behaviour equals that of most behaviourists. They read, they learn, they listen and they take it all onboard and these skills will help every other dog they ever care for.

🥰 You will have such understanding and empathy for other owners of reactive dogs and you may help them in their own journey. Reactive dogs owners are the best at acts of kindness to other owners; long after your reactive dog is gone you will go out of your way to give an onlead dog space and offer a nod or a smile to someone else who is trying their hardest to manage their dog on a walk.

🐕 You will know your dog better than you could have ever imagined; your ability to read their every mood, their subtle changes in posture or that extra wrinkle on their brow would be totally missed my most people but not by a reactive dog owner as they are so in tune with their dogs. I miss my previous reactive dogs each and every day, life wasn’t always easy with them (although they improved so much) and I’m always thankful for the lessons they taught me.

Laura McAuliffe, 2024, Dog Communication. If you like my posts please share them using the share button. Please don’t copy and paste or edit my images. Sharing my posts allows me to reach more people and share the message

25/04/2024

One of the biggest health threats to watch for if you have just brought home a new kitten is an upper respiratory infection. Symptoms of this type of infection include sneezing, a yellow goopy discharge, and a runny nose.