Animal Health Clinic

02/15/2025

Hang on a minute, I need a break.......
No thanks, not interested ✅
or even....Absolutely NOT❗
These can be very subtle or slap in the face obvious.
Dogs can communicate they need a break or are just not interested and they can do this in a variety of ways.
If we learn these signals, we open our eyes to how they feel and even their preferences.
They can tell us CLEARLY how they feel and they can tell others too......we just need to listen when they speak.

This dog training handout is available from https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-nz-playing-signals-to-back-off?srsltid=AfmBOopRPj8eONd7Wjo_ZXq8JgoZofVihu_iKAzqCbJhjFo7FjicxCD1

02/14/2025

02/14/2025

While chocolate and flowers are traditionally considered romantic Valentine’s Day traditions, dogs, cats and other pets who nibble on their owner’s gifts definitely won’t be feeling the love.

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has gathered a list of common and not-so-common Valentine’s Day toxicities to help you provide the best possible care to your patients.

https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/common-and-not-so-common-valentines-day-toxicities-pets?fbclid=IwY2xjawIZByJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHf1RMG-_E13zpWfObZltvxR68qLATBeN2aAJSstwfnnAl9BpOqe6y9yVFQ_aem_Rjk9f1Pnuj4R2fftIg-kcA

02/14/2025

02/14/2025

ARE YOU WORTH COMING BACK TO?

I’m often horrified when I watch people trying to get their dogs to come back to them when they call.

They call and call and get increasingly angry and frustrated as their dog keeps ignoring them.

When their dog eventually comes back, or has been chased and "captured” by the now really angry person, they get screamed at, yanked about, or punished in some way for taking so long and not listening.

Why on earth would a dog want to return to someone who does this to them!

The most common reason dogs don’t come back when we call is because it’s not a positive experience.

A new environment is generally far more rewarding, stimulating and exciting than coming back to us.
An exciting scent or seeing something to chase can all override a response to recall.

Make coming back to you well worth it by always making it a rewarding experience and keep practicing this throughout a dog’s life.

Have a little patience if it takes longer than you would like, let your dog finish what they’re doing before calling them, practice in different locations and environments and never reprimand or punish them for coming back.

There is never a guarantee of a perfect recall each and every time, but making it a rewarding experience will greatly improve the rate of success.

02/14/2025

Always a bit controversial when I post this.
Yes I know🙄🙂...the term "over socialised" doesn't make sense if the true meaning of socialisation is looked at BUT, I find this term really does fit these dogs.
These dogs have always been allowed to pull and drag their owners/guardians towards another dog, person or anything they want to get closer to.
They run into other dogs faces, they struggle with impulse control and self regulating their own emotions.
They can struggle to read another dogs body language because no time is taken to assess.
Some people insist these dogs are friendly....they may very well be friendly but they can cause some very big issues for others and one day there may well be an incident because very few dogs like or will even tolerate this behaviour.
Socialisation isn't about meeting and greeting every other dog.
It isn't wanting to play and mount other dogs.
These dogs can be reactive which is a surprise to some as they may view reactivity only as barking and "aggression".
These dogs may struggle to be calm at other times too.
There will be some videos in the comments that can help.
If your dog is displaying signs of being "over socialised" there are lots of resources out there and a good dog trainer can help.
This dog trainer graphic is available through https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-nz-over-socialised-dogs-common-issues?srsltid=AfmBOorfOWsNIp657raW71sbAkoKOLeHkfEhKN-iz3OyYC5f2cJb8RKe

02/14/2025

Puppy time 🐶! Biscuit is all kisses and wiggles.

02/11/2025

This is one of those "tricky" subjects 😐
One that needs to be bought up delicately to some clients.
It can be a real shock to some people that their dog doesn't really like being hugged.
"How can you tell, are you sure ?"
This graphic is then pulled out or a link to the videos given.
"Oh wow !!! I had no idea !" is then usually the statement that follows.
But guess what ❗
It can INCREASE their bond.
Dogs can start to initiate affection and for some their consent is given MORE.
Win, win win!!!
There will be videos linked in the comments about ways we can look at our dogs behaviour when hugged a bit differently.
This dog training graphic is available from https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-is-your-dog-enjoying-that-hug?srsltid=AfmBOor7HIHLrfRYXOjDXelpiLVEyu5y28ebZP_fL8gAT08F1Z2kOKsx

02/10/2025

Puppy time 🐶! Joey has beautiful blue eyes and was so patient for his exam and vaccinations.

02/10/2025

What do you need to know about ? We fit it all in this infographic!

AVMA members - Want to share this infographic with your clients? You can download it for yourself in our Social Media Tools for National Pet Dental Health Month toolkit! https://bit.ly/38AnoP3

02/08/2025

Planning to make Valentine's Day treats for your dog this weekend? If yes, always double-check your ingredients! Review our graphic for a quick guide of common baking ingredients to learn which ones are safe for pets & which ones are toxic.

Find out more by reading our blog written by Dr. Pylka, one of our emergency veterinarians, on pet-friendly baking tips: https://aercmn.com/a-baking-guide-to-homemade-dog-treats

02/07/2025

Caregivers should offer cats ample mental and physical stimulation. Your cat needs opportunities to hunt, stalk, and engage in natural, instinctive behaviors. For more suggestions on Cat Friendly play, visit https://bit.ly/3DaipRg.

02/07/2025

Today is National Wear Red Day and February is American Heart Month - a time when all people can focus on their cardiovascular health as well as the cardiovascular health of their pets. It's also an ideal time to discuss heartworm disease with your clients.

The AVMA has tools and resources to help you have those conversations. Find out more important information here 👉: https://bit.ly/42PKXO0 ❤️ 🐶🐱❤️

02/06/2025

Oh those Zoomies !!!!!⏪⏫⏩⏬
What if you are a "target"?😲
Should you just let them be ?
Can you lessen them ?
Before those questions are answered, it is vital that we ensure all our puppies and dogs needs have been met.
Over tired ?
Under stimulated?....over stimulated ?
Should you do anything about them...yes and no. ✅❌
On the whole the zoomies are natural and normal, BUT when YOU become a target, it can be an issue.
If they are predictable....after baths, after dinner, before bed etc, you can try and lessen them by doing some training games, getting that nose working on finding something and pull out some enrichment puzzles or make them yourself....but it isn't the time for food in a box that they can destroy as that can ramp up that energy again.
Think more along the lines of, a rolled up towel with rewards scattered through, lickimats, snuffle mats and plastic cups so you can play "find".
There is a video in the comments about how to start find...SO helpful to calm a dog and on days when you need to tire them out but it's perhaps pouring with rain.
This dog training graphic is available from https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-nz-the-zoomies?srsltid=AfmBOopH5SVfasdLy3Pfo5J9CF7Ir0VCJuNDjwpCOo7JAJQ3Zd4GnwNb