Michelle Hill Cpdt-ka

02/09/2024

02/09/2024

This is perfect for both canine and human

15/08/2024

It’s so important to see what the dog needs to be able to fix behavior problems!!

30/07/2024

Maggie Mae is at the clinic working on not barking so loud at her friends that come in! She is deaf so she doesn’t hear how loud her bark is. Alicia

07/07/2024

Congratulations to Lori & Jude and Debbie & Pheboe!! They both passed CGC tests today!

03/06/2024

A UC Davis study updates guidelines for when you should neuter or spay your dog to prevent increased risk of certain cancers or joint disorders.

21/04/2024

Oh my, what a dramatically marked, beautiful dog! Her name is Willow, and she’s still a baby girl Willow is just 7-months old. Her current weight is 30 pounds. She’s one of a litter of 7, and her handsome brother is in the program with her. Their mother died when the pups were just 5 weeks old. And they owe their lives to the wonderful foster who filled in for her. Willow is well-rounded…both ready to play and romp, and then to settle in a for nap on the sofa. She’s very sweet and well-intended. Willow already gets an A+ on her report card, and she just got here!

24/03/2024

The amount of times someone has said “but their tail was wagging”

A WORD ABOUT WAGS
“I don’t understand why that dog reacted so badly to me; his tail was wagging!”

Contrary to popular belief, a wagging tail doesn’t always mean a dog is happy.

Dogs communicate through so many different types of body language, but the wag and the tail position are probably one of the easier to notice.

As with most things it depends on the individual dog. Some breeds naturally carry their tails in a different position and some breeds wag their tails differently to others.

Wags and tail positions should always be looked at in context and together with the rest of the body language. Body language should always be looked at as a “video” and not as an isolated “picture”.

Noticing how your dog’s tail usually looks or how the tail behaves when they’re happy to see you or relaxed and contented, provides a good base line to interpret other types of tail language.

I often watch my dogs’ tails with fascination as they stalk or hunt for something, bark at something outside or see another dog approaching while out walking.

The type of wag and position of their tails gives me so much information about their emotional state.

Although some people won’t agree, I definitely see wags to the right when my dogs are happy and wags to the left when there is arousal, uncertainty, predatory behaviour or other emotions going on.

Not only is the tail an important method of communication but it also plays a role in balance, stability, movement and counterbalancing should a dog quickly change direction.

I believe that tail docking destroys an essential part of a dog's ability to communicate with other dogs by creating a distinct social disadvantage or misunderstanding as tail signals can’t be read.

People with working dogs believe that tail docking is necessary to prevent tail injuries or improve performance, but many countries have banned this practice either completely or only under specific medical circumstances.

Start taking notice of what your dog is doing with their tail - you may find it interesting and it may open up a new way of understanding how your dog is feeling.

Here is a link to a graphic I created with some different tail positions and what they might mean -

https://www.canva.com/design/DAF_7l_2LvA/UGXVDl-TOPc_FCqHXsCWRQ/view?utm_content=DAF_7l_2LvA&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=GOVbqw1dfw

24/03/2024

We did a pack walk yesterday for AKC’s Spring Scurry 5k. We had so much fun and the pups had a blast with all the smells!!

22/03/2024

Snips really likes saying her prayers

21/03/2024

We had a lot of interest in doing more dog fitness and group work. So we launched an AKC Fit dog group. We are going to do our first pack walk on Saturday 23rd (weather permitting) at 10am. Park at the softball fields and we will do a little loop. I’ll happily offer tips and tricks on leash walking. PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF THE OTHER DOGS! Do not let your dog get into another dogs face and be mindful of your surroundings.

20/03/2024

Announcing the First Annual AKC Fit Dog Spring Scurry 5K!

The AKC FIT DOG Spring Scurry is a virtual 5K (3.1 miles) that people do with their dogs. The non-competitive 5K Spring Scurry can be done all at one time, or in smaller segments on multiple days so that everyone (people and dogs) can participate at their own pace. This can be a walk or run activity. Walk or run with your dog and get your beautiful AKC FIT DOG Spring Scurry medal now!

https://www.akc.org/sports/akc-family-dog-program/akc-fit-dog/fit-dog-2024-spring-scurry-5k/?sc_src=email_678462&sc_lid=39809978&sc_uid=QznrA0NHyp&sc_llid=15987&sc_eh=f367277a55be089c1

08/03/2024

I have a couple of changes in the works, some new stuff and phasing out some old stuff.
Stay tuned!!!

Call now to connect with business.

01/03/2024

Maggie Mae had a happy visit to the clinic to work on being calm in the lobby when other dogs came in.

28/02/2024

For a little guy that only weighs 20 pounds, he has a personality the size of Alaska. This is Hudson, a nearly all white Jack Russell terrier mix. He’s 1-year-old, and true to his heritage, Hudson is a piece of work. Oh, he’s sweet and friendly, but he’s also bossy, stubborn, and ready to push the boundaries. All the boundaries. That’s how terriers are in general, and Jack Russells are in particular. They will do their best to run you, your household and everyone within six or seven counties. They need regular exercise and activities or they will get bored. And a bored terrier can be really bad. But terriers also love with everything they have and then some. They are loyal, hilarious and super smart. Hudson is friendly, charming and yes, a bit wicked. But that’s a terrier for you. They are fun and feisty and like no other dog group. And that’s the truth.

13/02/2024

Oh, Ginny is paying attention. To every single thing. All the time. You’re going to be hard pressed to ever catch her off guard. And that’s not a bad thing. Ginny is smart, focused and a touch shy. She likes to play with other dogs, but not if they play really rough. That scares her, which makes her mad. She’s a sweet, loyal little girl who would really do well with an older couple. She looks big, but she is not. Her current weight is 22 pounds and she’s already a year old. She’ll probably top out around 26 pounds. Ginny is listed as a bully breed mixed with a chihuahua. Maybe so and maybe not for the last half of that equation. Ginny is a fine young lady…who just needs a stable home with lots of love. And stuff to look at.

13/02/2024

If you’ve been waiting your whole life for your fairy princess to show up, we have wonderful news…we found her. And we have the pictures to prove it! Her name is JoJo, and there’s never been a prettier fairy princess. She’s lovely in pink and lavender or any other color. She can’t fly, but she can run. As for granting wishes, you decide. She can make you feel better about the world and yourself. She’s always willing to listen, even when no one else will. And she will always be happy to see you. JoJo can make you happier, healthier, and more active. That’s all stuff you’ve made resolutions about! So, yeah…she can make wishes come true. JoJo is a 2-year-old mix, probably kelpie. She’s fun, smart and true hearted. Because she’s your fairy princess!

12/02/2024

The name is Blanca, which means white in Spanish. If you want more Spanish for this girl, you can start with una perra bonita, dulce y amistosa. Translation, a pretty, sweet, and friendly female dog. That fits her to a tee in any language. Blanca is a Great Pyrenees mix. She’s 1-year-old and weighs 60 pounds. She will grow some more. Blanca was found roaming the streets of southwest Little Rock. No one claimed her. That’s nuts. This is a good, loving girl. She’s going to be a fantastic family dog. And she’s beautiful!

11/02/2024

Snips finds a rat