Pine Hill Pet Care

05/12/2024

Well that was quite the shaker now wasn't it!

02/12/2024

I BELIEVE IN ETHICAL DOG TRAINING!

I find it such a shame, that in 2024, we as ethical dog trainers are STILL seeing an INCREASE of outdated, unethical aversive dog trainers popping up using training methods and tools which are PROVEN to cause long term emotional and physical damage to a dog.

When you hire a dog trainer, you expect them to be guiding you and giving you THE BEST training methods which allows you and your dog to THRIVE.

Unfortunately, training tools such as these below are continuing to be used by dog trainers – but WHY is this?

There are a couple of reasons to why this is happening –

1) A lack in quality education

The dog training industry is not a regulated industry, meaning that anyone can pop up and call themselves a dog trainer without having sought out means of educating themselves.

Through this lack of education and knowledge of the science of dog training and behaviour, it is unknown to these trainers just how much damage these tools and methods are actually causing to the dogs that they’re working with.

2 ) THE QUICK FIX EFFECT!

Even though these training tools are harmful to many degrees, they DO work very quickly in reducing the unwanted behaviours that your dog is exhibiting because they are causing pain, discomfort and for many tools - structural damage to your dog.

Not only that, by using these tools, you are not only breaking the bond between yourself and your dog, but also suppressing unwanted behaviours rather than fixing them – meaning that you are likely to see problems pop up in other areas!

Back in 2014 when I became a dog trainer, I had hope that as time went on there would be more opportunities for dog trainers to become educated (which now there is – YAY!), and that therefore the amount of outdated and unethical trainers would decrease.

But this is not the case – which is VERY frustrating and completely upsetting for dog trainers who just want to make sure that dogs are given the highest quality dog training advice, which is safe and humane.

When looking for a dog trainer, please ask questions about what training methods they use, ask questions about what qualifications, certifications, experience they have.

And if you have found yourself in a position where your dog trainer IS using harmful, forceful methods and tools to teach your dog to ‘comply’, then please walk away!

There are loads of good quality and ethical dog trainers out there - one way that you can you can find one in your area is through the IMDT website https://www.imdt.uk.com/find-a-qualified-imdt-trainer

02/12/2024

ANTI BLACK FRIDAY GIVE-A-WAY!
We saw Kayak Trinidad post an Anti-Black Friday Giveaway in protest of rampant consumerism, and we thought it was inspiring. We want to adopt this as an annual tradition as well!

This year we will be doing TWO giveaways- one on Facebook and one on Instagram- for your choice of Adventure Dog Gear.

Winners will pick a custom 6 ft Biothane Leash or an Aventure Dog Harness in their choice of color and size. These are newly launched on the shop section of our website: https://www.pinehillpetcare.net/s/shop

How To Enter:
Like our page, like our post, and tag a dog-loving friend. Each additional tagged friend is another entry! Be sure to enter on both Facebook and Instagram. Winners will be picked Friday Dec 13th

Not sure what size harness your pup wears? No problem! We can help you size them in person if you're in Eureka or the surrounding area! Reach out if you have any questions. Hope to see ya on the trail! 🐾

01/12/2024

Tag yourself 😆 I'm Bite Marks

05/11/2024

29/10/2024

Humbodt's Adventure Dog Daycare pack hike!
Depending on where pups are at in their recall training and how often they hike with us, they may be on a 10-30 ft long line with their harness or off leash. We also utilize Tractive GPS trackers for further saftey and peace of mind. No paws left behind!

29/10/2024

It's that time of year dog guardians dread. Never fear! You might not like to slog through the rain, but we are prepared to provide all-season enrichment for your pup!

We are now accepting new clients for all our services. Check out more about us on our website or text us 707-672-3352 to set up a free Meet and Greet!

19/10/2024

Im out with Old Town Community Alliance at the Blue Lake Block Party today until 7pm. Dog costumes, fire dancing, vendors and food trucks!

OTCA is accepting clean fall and winter clothing for their street outreach, as well as monetary donations. Come pick up a mushroom patch, sticker, delicious banana bread or fudge !

18/10/2024

Cute ideas for those folks who want to participate in Halloween but have big time barkers❗️📢🐕

07/10/2024

Leash walks are honestly one of my favorite things. I get the opportunity to enrich my doggo friends' lives while we explore different neighborhoods in Eureka that I might not otherwise explore. We are so lucky to live in such a creative place! Lovely gardens, colorful murals, home made folk art, and victorian houses. Yesterday Hippo and I saw 4 different varieties of passionflower 🏵

30/09/2024

Verizon, our phone service carrier, is experiencing widespread outtages this morning! If you need to reach out in the meanwhile feel free to DM us or email [email protected]

16/09/2024

“Balanced” is one of the more deceitful words used in the unregulated field of dog training. This approach utilizes both positive reinforcement (rewards-based) methods and aversives (physical punishment). It might sound appealing to use all of the tools available. However, there is no evidence to suggest dogs, regardless of learning style or ability, learn more effectively when aversive training methods are included in the process....

The scientific research on dog training clearly highlights the numerous risks associated with aversive methods. These include a weakened bond with your dog; increased levels of stress, fear, anxiety, and aggression; reduced effectiveness of training; and a more pessimistic outlook in your dog (e.g., China et al., 2020; de Castro et al., 2019; Ziv, 2017).

The evidence is so compelling that many organizations, such as the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB), firmly oppose such techniques:

'The ACVB opposes training methods that cause short- or long-term pain, discomfort, or fear. Aversive methods can endanger both people and animals, threaten animal welfare by hindering learning, increasing fear-based behaviors, and causing direct injury.' "

By Mary Angilly, force-free positive dog trainer and Marc Bekoff, Ph.D.

*Full article is linked in the comments- including further information on what evidence based training methods are suggested to effectively train with consideration to emotional and physical wellbeing

15/09/2024

Pine Hill Pet Care is now accepting new clients!
We are Humboldt's only Fear Free certified pet care providers. We are licensed, bonded, and insured as well as Red Cross pet first aid certified. We service all breeds of dogs and many other species, but we specialize in dogs with high energy or who may experience stress, anxiety, or other behavior concerns.

Booking for this upcoming holiday season-
Oct 1st - Jan 13th

- Open Availablity -
• Drop-in Care
• Dog Walking / Enrichment
• Pack and Solo Adventure Walks
• Custom Training / Enrichment Plans

- Limited Availablity -
• Overnight Pet Sitting
• Home-Style Cage Free Boarding
• Adventure Dog Daycare

For rates and more information visit
www. PineHillPetCare .net
If you've filled out our online contact form in the past but we haven't yet connected please text us to expedite scheduling your free Meet and Greet!
(Text) 707-672-3352

13/09/2024

❓️When is too hot for a dog to be left in your car?
I did an experiment today to find out.

I recorded the temperature before beginning errands in Eureka/Arcata. I was parked in the sun all morning with windows rolled up. Today is a clear sunny day.
(59° outside - 90° inside)

Then recorded after driving for 60 minutes with the AC on.
(63° outside - 69° inside)

Then recorded again, after leaving my car in its cooled down state with the windows down and the windshield sun block up. Again, 60 minutes.
(63° outside - 82° inside)

Even with precautions taken, the temperature jumped 13° and into a potentially dangerous zone in those 60 minutes. In conclusion- even if it's mild and comfortable outside, it may not be inside your car!

Fast changes in temperature and temps 75° and above for prolonged periods can cause heat stroke. This is especially possible for dogs whom are not acclimated to those temperatures, are brachycephalic breeds (pug, shih tzu, French bulldog, boxer, boston terriers, bully breeds), or are elderly, under 6 months, XL size, obese.

Parking in shade and providing access to drinking water can provide extra relief, but it's best to keep trips where your dog must be in the car by itself limited to 15 minutes.

11/09/2024

How to introduce dogs for the best success!
Avoid leash reactivity!

We handle many dog-selective dogs and first impressions really are everything. One way to introduce new dogs and let them get to know eachother in a comfortable low-stress way is "parallel walking".

An important thing to note: stranger dogs meeting head to head for greeting, especially when on leash and pulling towards eachother, can quickly escalate into conflict. This happens even if dogs are normally nice and playful and just pulling forward to say hi and play. Dogs view direct eye contact and face to face greetings as aggressive. The leash tension can make them feel restrained, trapped, anxious, and overwhelmed. This is where leash reactivity happens.

"Parallel walking" is a method where both dogs are walked separately, a decent distance apart, in the same direction. This gives the dogs the opportunity to see and smell eachother without pressure to interact. Once both dogs both show comfortable body language, the distance between them can be decreased. Once you're close, you can offer the opportunity for short greetings, being careful that the leash remains loose.

For full instructions with pictures- click the link in the comments!

06/09/2024

‼️IMPORTANT READ FOR HUMBOLDT DOG OWNERS

Sept. 6, 2024 - Two dogs die after swimming in the Eel River near Fernbridge

"Environmental health officials are reminding community residents to be on the lookout for harmful algal blooms after two dogs died a short time after swimming in a small pool off the Eel River near Fernbridge on Thursday, Sept. 5. "

Link to the article in the comments.
Just wanted to signal boost this submission from Amandy Ali from Humboldt County Dogs