Canberra Behaviour Vet

12/08/2024

This is such a great post on the F's of fear in our canine friends.

WHAT THE F?

Recognising stress responses in dogs.

Fight or flight are well known reactions to fear or stress, but these other “F” words are also important to understand and be aware of as they may not always be so obvious.

Freeze, Fawn, Fidget or Fool around are also responses to stress or fear and are also commonly seen in people.

Some dogs may have a genetic predisposition to one type of response while some react based on previous experience - what has worked for them before or what hasn’t. Some dogs have different reactions depending on the specific context.

Recognising and taking note of situations or circumstances where these responses are seen is important in understanding how our dogs are feeling.

When we recognise a fear or a stress response, we are able to intervene and advocate for our dogs.

26/06/2024

What a great outcome, that will hopefully help others in a similar situation.

03/03/2024

The Tiny Vet Clinic was on The Project! Super embarrassing watching myself on TV, but here is the link if you would like to see the show:

Vet care is incredibly expensive, but Eloise Bright and her team of volunteers are helping to care for pets in need in Canberra. She also provides free health checks to pet owners with a healthcare card.

18/10/2023

What a great little video about cats and why they love boxes so much.

WHY DO CATS LOVE BOXES!? Simon’s Cat Logic is a fun new series where we speak to a Cat Behaviour Expert at Cats Protection (http://www.cats.org.uk) about why...

14/10/2023

Such a great conference, so many practical implications for us all!

10/10/2023

This is why I'll never be on TV (the only reason I'm sure ;) ). Real behavior modification is often is very boring to watch. Unless you've got an emotional attachment to the dog or decent level of understanding of dog behavior, it often won't look very interesting. This moment here is a huge win, but one that would make for dreadful TV. When I started working with this dog, he was reactive to other dogs across the other side of an oval and there was no way he'd eat. Today he could lie down and chew a chew while the another dog was about 20 meters away. Yes that's still quite a distance and yes we have far to go, but that improvement is massive!

07/10/2023

Just a little plug for what else keeps me busy when I'm not helping with pet behaviour!

30/08/2023

The wonderful Jaak Panksepp talking about the neurochemistry of emotion in animals.

Given an inherent subjective nature, emotions have long been a nearly impenetrable topic for scientific research. Affective neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp expl...

24/08/2023

Come work with me. It is awesome at the RSPCA!

We're Hiring! Could you be the paw-fect match for our team?

RSPCA ACT has a wide range of employment opportunities available:
🐾 Casual Animal Care Assistant
🐾 Communications Officer
🐾 Dog Training – Contractor
🐾 Qualified or Enrolled Cert IV Veterinary Nurse
🐾 Veterinarians Part-time, Casual, New Grads

If this has your tail wagging, head to our website for more information and to apply now.
https://buff.ly/44iVoZP

18/08/2023

TRAINING TUESDAY - Jumping!

Jumping can be a frustrating & problematic behaviour. Dogs can jump on us, our visitors or even strangers on the street. Responding with attention, even negative attention, can make the problem bigger. From the dog's point of view, jumping gets results!

This article takes you through some simple steps to alleviate problem jumping, including:
* decide on an alternate, and incompatible, behaviour that you can reward (e.g teaching your dog to have 4 feet on the floor)
* start with low level distractions then practice, practice, practice
* get your timing right - be prepared & ready!
* a lead or baby gate can be useful while learning

Delve into more detail here: https://ppgaustralia.net.au/Jumping

12/08/2023

TRAINING TUESDAY

MANAGEMENT - What does it mean in dog training terms?

Management generally limits your dog's ability to access a particular environment. This could include:
🐶removing items to prevent chewing them
🐶baby gates across doorways to more easily stop access to certain areas
🐶blocking vision out of certain windows or gates
🐶using a lead

Limiting your dog's ability to access a particular environment can really, really help:
🐶set up for success
🐶teach & practice under lower distractions
🐶avoid practicing undesired behaviours

It is not to be underestimated!

If you can't actively train, then manage!

PPGA member Zara from Witty Woofs delves into more detail here: https://www.ppgaustralia.net.au/Behaviour-Management

26/06/2023

If you would like to learn more about dog behaviour and training, there is an amazing seminar on this weekend in Canberra. Would love to see you there!

Helping owners and trainers upskill their knowledge of dog behaviour. A seminar with lectures and demonstrations to help you upskill.

26/06/2023

Massage definitely isn't for every dog, but if your dog genuinely loves touch and is prone to developing muscle soreness after exercise, there is a great video about how to gently massage your dog. If nothing else, a systematic approach to touching those muscles can identify what might be tight or tender.

Dr. Narda Robinson, DVM shares a few canine massage techniques that you can use with your own pet at home.

17/06/2023

This reminds me of the Great Dane story a while back, where the dog had eaten 43.5 socks. Sometimes things can stay in the stomach for quite a while before causing any symptoms. It’s hard to imagine not noticing all those missing socks, but his family just put it down to natural sock attrition. And of course being a dog he didn’t show any symptoms until he ate that last sock and started vomiting!

https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Lifestyle/oregon-great-dane-eats-44-socks/story?id=25245334

It's all fun and games until someone ends up with a foreign body in their intestines...

Let's face it, many dogs and cats are obsessed with their owners socks. It's not uncommon for a dog to chew on or even eat their owners smelly socks, and many a cat can be found rubbing their face all over their owners shoes and socks. The truth is, your feet emit odors that are irresistible to the pets who love you.

To save yourself a big vet bill and to save your pet a whole lot of suffering, prevent ingestion by popping your socks straight in the laundry basket. We might sound like your nagging mother, but trust us, cutting socks out of your beloved pets intestines is not something your vet wants to spend their weekend doing.

14/06/2023

Many of my clients struggle with leash reactivity in their dogs and are often incredibly frustrated when the things that are supposed to work don't work with their particular dog or situation. What I love about this article is the emphasis on empathy and protecting your dog.

This week I met a wonderful client who has reserve right outside her front door that is unofficially used as an off-lead dog park. Every single dog walking there is off-lead, which is incredibly stressful for her reactive dog.

This means that every time she tries to take her dog for a walk, she has to run the gauntlet of dogs racing up to her on-lead dog. And this is terrifying for her and her dog. She is close to retirement and her dog is big and strong and could easily pull her over.

Number one is always safety. Safety for the dog, safety for the owner. And of course empathy. Reactivity is not because you have a 'bad' dog, often the basis of the behaviour is fear. The best defence is a good offensive attack after all.

And so for many dogs, going for a short drive in the car to a quieter location can be much better, even if the walks are less frequent. And sometimes, no walks at all for a while can be better than those scary walks, at least until the overall emotional state improves.

What to do if your dog is reactive to other dogs or other people on walks.

12/06/2023

Good explanation of the Yerkes Dodson law as it relates to dog training. This is why a stressed dog or a dog who is over-excited or anxious can't learn.

Ideally we want a dog who is receptive to learning whenever we are trying to train. Unfortunately, many dogs who have an underlying anxiety disorder are stressed the majority of the time when they are out and about. And sometimes these dogs get called stubborn because all their training goes out the window as soon as there is a little bit of distraction.

https://youtu.be/jsva1bKdYQg

11/06/2023

This great infographic combines two of my great loves, the Play Way by Amy Cook and Lili Chen and her gorgeous Doggie Drawings!

The power of social play for our dogs can't be overstated. It gives us a way to interact that doesn't involve toys or walks (incredibly important for dogs who find the big scary world overwhelming) and encourages clear communication and the all-important skill of listening to what our dogs need in the moment.

If you prefer to watch, Amy talks about the power of play in this YouTube clip too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at65LzzwoUg

10/06/2023

What a great article about the role of behavioural medicine in pets!

Our wild, loud, disobedient dog turned out to be a terrified dog.

08/06/2023

I think about how emotionally draining it can be having a pet with a behaviour problem all the time. Sometimes my clients have tried so many things over months and years before they get to me. And the issues can be pretty limiting, they are no longer able to have visitors over, walks are a nightmare and their whole life revolves around their pet. There is almost a grieving process as well, as we let go of our hopes and expectations for the dog (or cat) we hoped we would have and get used to the pet we ended up with instead. Maybe we will never be able to take a walk without worrying about what might set off a display of aggression. And there is likely no chance we could ever sit peacefully at a cafe while our companion sleeps at our feet.

There is a great article here that goes through the challenges of living with a pet with behavioural issues:

Loving pets with behavior problems can be a heavy psychological burden.

31/05/2023

Love this concept of the 'leash smile' I think the person I learnt the most from about leash management was John from Canberra Canine Nosework. I tend to use a 5m leash with my doggos so they have some room to sniff, but it is easily tangled and they can run full-pelt to the end of the lead and get je**ed around. Watching to make sure the lead is loose and comfortable requires a bit of attention, but certainly makes things more enjoyable for everyone.

⭐“Make the Leash Smile” - Chirag Patel via Claire Goyer
Often, by the time pet owners seek out training assistance for their dog’s leash manners, nobody is smiling - not the dog, not the handler, and certainly not the leash! Typically all three are very tense and neither the human or dog are enjoying the walks as much as either would like. 😔
🤔What on earth is a “leash smile,” you may wonder? We want to see a nice “U” or “J” shape in the leash from your hand to the dog’s harness or collar. When the leash is less tense, so are you and your dog.
⚡While leashes are important safety tools and help keep dogs, people, and other animals safe, relying on a leash as the only thing that keeps a dog by their side on walks inevitably becomes a source of frustration for both parties; the least fun game of “tug of war” ever. No harness or collar or fancy leash will teach your dog to stay by your side if the leash is the only thing keeping you connected, you both need training to help you connect together as a team.
💡If you’d like to see more smiles in your leash, your dog, and yourself on walks, consider joining us for our first ever loose leash walking foundations class, “Walk More, Worry Less!” It’s always best to jump start teaching behaviors in your home where you and your dog are most comfortable and then begin introducing them in new environments. So start now while the weather is cold and the sidewalks are icy so that you are ready to hit the sidewalks with your best friend when spring arrives!
📄To join as an auditor and have access to the class materials and recordings click below! Enroll today! Use code "AUDIT"

https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/course/worrylesswalkmorejun23

27/05/2023

Great recycling-based enrichment! My favourite type. No need for fancy food puzzles when you can use things that would otherwise be thrown away.

05/03/2023

If you are interested in behaviour and training, there is an event happening in July that you should definitely come along to!

Canberra Canines Upskilled - 1st & 2nd July Canberra
Helping owners and trainers upskill their knowledge of dog behaviour. A seminar with lectures and demonstrations to help you upskill.

DOG BEHAVIOUR SEMINAR - Aimed at trainers, dog enthusiasts, foster carers, vet nurses, pet care professionals. a great opportunity to upskill those clients who want to learn.

DAY 1 - Aimed at dog owners, enthusiasts, foster groups, vet nurses, dog trainers or anyone wanting to upskill their dog behaviour understanding.
DAY 2 - Aimed at trainers looking to upskill their behaviour knowledge and business acumen.
Dr Isabelle Resch (Canberra Animal Behaviour Services),
Jess McNamara-Rice (ABCDOG Dog Training)
Geraldine Gel Wickham (Gel.Dog)

Helping owners and trainers upskill their knowledge of dog behaviour. A seminar with lectures and demonstrations to help you upskill.

04/02/2023

Sleep is so important for memory consolidation and sometimes our busy dogs are just not getting enough. One of the common signs of high arousal, stress and anxiety is lack of good quality rest. I certainly know i’m not at the top of my game when I sleep poorly!

😴 Sleep is characterized by being in a state of altered consciousness, during which time sensory activity is inhibited, muscle activity is reduced and interactions with surroundings are decreased. During sleep, essential functions, such as memory consolidation, neuronal pruning, cellular repair, and restoration of vital resources for metabolic functions occur throughout the brain and body to maintain healthy brain function and physical health.

From dolphins sleeping one brain hemisphere at a time, to fruit flies having deep rest periods, nature acknowledges the importance of sleep, ensuring all animals benefit from the restoration that occurs during sleep. In dogs, sleep has been shown to play critical roles in vital functions such as immune, metabolism, and cognitive health, and disturbed sleep can act both as a trigger for disease processes and a diagnostic indicator for disease.

Sleep impacts learning and memory, both directly and indirectly through changes to processes within the brain and body. By understanding the internal mechanisms associated with sleep, you can actually impact the animal's neurobiology, thereby creating a training plan to support this.

You can learn more about sleep and its impact on learning by joining us for this webinar: ⬇️

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tired-minds-how-sleep-impacts-learning-behavior-what-we-can-do-about-it-tickets-504848634857

27/01/2023

The holy grail of dog training in my opinion...teaching your dog to take a deep breath. This can be so useful to encourage calm behaviours. Here is Karen Overall talking about how to do this, including some videos on how to shape the behaviour.

https://www.karenoverall.com/techniques-for-encouraging-dogs-to-relax/

26/01/2023

Nosework is such a confidence-building sport for our dogs. And it is wonderful for reactive dogs. When you learn with John at Canberra Nosework Training the dogs work one at a time, so it is perfect if your dog finds groups and other dogs overwhelming.

14/01/2023

Do you know the signs and symptoms of snake bites? ⁣

Find out everything you need to know about snakes and snake bites, including signs and symptoms, and treatment > https://bit.ly/3DrMvUh

08/01/2023

Anyone who knows me, knows I love courses and learning. And what could be more fun than learning more about our dogs and how they tick. If you haven't already stumbled across Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, now is your chance to check out all the great courses they have coming up this year. They also have some excellent recordings in their archives, not just for dog sports, but cooperative care, reactivity, enrichment, pattern games and massage. And the best part is they don't cost a bomb.

This one on teenage dogs really caught my eye...and here is my very own teenage nitwit Eevee, looking very innocent here. Keeping her out of trouble has been a particular challenge lately.

https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/29480