Helping Hand Veterinary Behavior Counseling

24/01/2025

Interactive play with your cats is so important!🐈‍⬛🐕🐾

23/01/2025

Have you noticed your cat's behavior change recently? Your kitty may be in pain and you might not have noticed. Here are 10 signs your cat may be in pain...

16/01/2025

New post! Counterconditioning is a really effective technique to help fearful dogs learn to like the thing they were previously scared of, but did you know that once you've done that training, it helps to do a little maintenance training from time to time? The reason is that the fear memories are not erased, it's more as if they are buried under all the positive memories you created with counterconditioning--and it helps to add more positive memories from time to time. It reduces the risk of the fear coming back at some point. Read more in my latest post available here or via the link in bio: https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2025/01/beeps-mean-treats-role-of-maintenance.html

14/01/2025

Love this graphic! Learn your dog’s whispers so they don’t have to shout. This is a big part of being your dog’s advocate.

Listen to the whispers

Whispers are soft, subtle and so easy to miss in our often busy, hectic lives, but making an effort to listen to them can prevent situations from escalating, resulting in reactive behaviour.

A dog’s attempt to communicate is so often misunderstood or completely ignored.

Body language is one of the only ways that dogs can let us know how they are feeling. When we know how they’re feeling, we can intervene, help them feel safe and prevent those emotions from boiling over.

Body language can be subtle and fleeting, but with careful observation and knowing what to look for most of us can learn to recognize and understand what our dogs are saying.

It’s always important to look at the context, the situation and especially what the rest of the body is doing when deciphering their language.

Being able to understand a dog’s emotional state through their body language helps us to predict behaviour, prevent potential problems or simply allows us to just enjoy observing what they are feeling.

Although dogs each have their own unique personalities and distinct way of communicating, there are many common signs that can give us insight. We just need to take the time to learn and then notice them. I believe dogs would be so grateful if we make the effort to learn their language.

Here are some resources and links to learn more about body language -

On Talking Terms With Dogs - Calming Signals, 2nd Edition by Turid Rugaas
https://www.dogwise.com/on-talking-terms-with-dogs-calming-signals-2nd-edition/?srsltid=AfmBOoqj8ruQJx5bCP7qWb03TqCyAGfmAvCj988UuWk_L1_UHbYcZsES&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0AaDd_wwhSC4JEUqkvQmOG9lU5bNdbAOEeHQb0st7P_DXrdAOR-utY_-k_aem_cqU0VLHHyjrKbce9ddT84g

The Veterinary Behaviour Centre
https://www.heska.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/TVBC-Canine-Dog-Body-Language-handout.pdf?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3mKGykzNJr7_yFf1_e6mc2sRHjNvjEok2GLvKTw-OMtTxEfjtlxM6vk4I_aem_B-YAlekmE0eV03c_1x8cyw

13/01/2025

Overstimulation occurs when a cat becomes overwhelmed often during interactions like petting or play. It can lead to sudden changes in behavior, such as biting, swatting, or running away. Overstimulation is common in cats with a lower tolerance for prolonged handling or those who are sensitive to touch.

Frustration in cats is an emotional state that arises when a cat is unable to achieve a desired goal or when their expectations are unmet. This can often manifest as redirected behaviors to owners or other animals.

By being aware of your cat's body language, behavior, and vocalizations, you can learn what triggers your cat to become overstimulated or frustrated.

Stay tuned for what you should be looking for in your cat's behavior and what can be done to help manage overstimulation and frustration.

13/01/2025

Has you pet's behavior changed? We always need to explore the medical side of things first.

When there's a change in your cat's typical behavior or daily routine, it's very important to rule out underlying medical causes. For example, if your cat eliminates outside of the litter box, don't automatically assume it's a behavior problem because there could be a urinary issue or other medical condition. If your normally friendly cat has started biting when petted or touched, it could be pain related. Always rule out medical issues first.

06/01/2025

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Changing a rescued dogs name can be a good thing.

If a dog has come from an unpleasant or abusive background, or even an unknown background, they may associate their name with negative experiences.

A previous owner may have shouted their name when doing something unpleasant to them.

Changing a dog’s name can be a fresh, new beginning and can provide an opportunity to rebuild broken trust and build new bonds.

There may be concern that changing a dog’s name will confuse them or may cause some form of emotional distress, but dogs really don’t see their names in the same way that we do.

Dogs really don’t care what we call them, as long as that name is associated with positive experiences it will be a good name.

A dog’s name is more important to us than it is to a dog. A name is really just a cue to get your dog’s attention so they respond.

The way a new name is introduced and taught is important. Care should be taken not to attach any negative associations with the new name.

The new name should always be paired with something positive whenever your dog hears the sound.
Call the new name and every time your dog reacts, responds or looks at you, reward this with a treat, lots of praise, a game or a toy.

Keep repeating this and dogs will quickly begin to associate their new name with something good about to happen and will start responding to the new sound in a positive way.

“It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.” - W.C. Fields. This quote sums up the importance of pairing a name with something positive so that it will always be what a dog wants to answer to.

A previous name may always be linked to a traumatic past, but a new name can be the beginning of a happy ever after and forever home.

29/12/2024

If you're consistent in your litter box scooping schedule, it could help you detect a potential problem if there's a change in the appearance or number of urine clumps left by your cat.

12/12/2024

DON’T GET A DOG…UNLESS YOU CAN MAKE A COMMITMENT

In an ideal world dogs would be included as a family member and we would commit to sharing our time and life with them in the relatively short time they have on earth.

In an ideal world, we would take the time to learn about how dogs communicate through their body language, their emotions, their needs and keep learning about updated, modern, force free / pain free methods to understand or modify behaviour.

In reality, dogs are so often seen as an item of property, an object, a commodity to be bred and make money from, a cheap, replaceable security system, a garden decoration, a toy to play with when the kids are bored or an accessory that looks good while out walking, running or taking selfies.

Dogs are not objects, just like us they are sentient beings with the capacity to feel a range of emotions.

Dogs are naturally social beings and need to spend time with their human family.

A life spent confined to a backyard or fenced in with little or no human companionship is not a life.

They need love and attention, exercise and mental stimulation. They need routine, consistency and predictable patterns to feel safe and secure in our world.

Having a dog requires commitment, understanding, patience and dedication.

It’s hard work, it’s sometimes messy, dirty and stinky, it costs money and requires changes to our lifestyle.

It’s a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly or without making a long term commitment, but the rewards of forming a secure bond with another sentient being can bring so much joy and enrichment to both our lives and theirs.

07/12/2024

It's cold....check your cars before traveling.

03/12/2024

Dogs, babies and toddlers all need the ability to learn, grow and explore in a safe environment! 🐾 💚 👣

Management is incredibly important to help create this success! ✅

If the child does not have the ability to follow guidelines or regulate their emotions in the moment due to their age or other reasons like being over tired, there needs to be management in place to support success for EVERYONE!

When in doubt about the closeness or proximity of your dog, baby and toddler, space it out!

✏️ Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin

22/11/2024

If your cat is stressed going to the veterinary clinic, ask your vet about this FDA approved medication for vet visits.

18/11/2024

Who doesn't want to understand their dog better? If we understand them..... who they are, what they need, etc, we can provide them with more fulfilling and stress-free life. Set aside an hour to watch Ethologist, Kim Brophey's presentation that's been generously shared on YouTube. You'll be so glad you did!

FULL PRO COURSE!https://kimbropheylegscourses.thinkific.com/courses/legs-applied-ethology-family-dog-mediation-professional-courseYOUR DOG is not broken, and...

09/11/2024

This is why I recommend the Balance Harness to all of my clients.

06/11/2024

Train your dog just for fun!! After all, training should always be fun!😃

Happy cats and happy dogs, thanks to science. Companion Animal Psychology by Zazie Todd PhD is the trusted resource on your pet's behaviour