The Tail End - Pet Behaviour

07/08/2024

In our fast-paced crazy world, where the pressure of productivity often drowns out the whispers of our inner selves, we mustn't overlook the value of downtime. It is in these quiet moments that we discover who we are, free from the pressures of expectation and the relentless tick of the clock.

Downtime is not merely an absence of activity; it is an opportunity for reflection, creativity, and rejuvenation. Just as a garden flourishes with periods of rest, so too do our minds and spirits. In stillness, we find clarity, we gain insight, and we reconnect with our passions.

Let us embrace the pauses in our lives, for they are not wasted moments but essential intervals that allow us to grow, dream, and be. In the embrace of downtime, we cultivate a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

💭 What does downtime mean to you? Share your thoughts below!

31/07/2024

The highlight of my week is to teach new puppy parents how to train their pups through positive reinforcement and forcefree ways Challenger Veterinary Hospital Puppy Preschool .

23/07/2024

Every day we learn more about our amaizing furry companions. Research is showing dogs can smell and respond our stress hormones. How does your dog respond to you when you are stressed or anxious?

https://neurosciencenews.com/human-stress-dog-emotion-26471/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2cxwHByh_4RmbYaStRO_B_sAnRZu5XIBSg46iFfFWMNRPbdU8_6J3onVY_aem_wQWcJYDZvYzreIh0w9Nifwttps://neurosciencenews.com/human-stress-dog-emotion-26471/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2cxwHByh_4RmbYaStRO_B_sAnRZu5XIBSg46iFfFWMNRPbdU8_6J3onVY_aem_wQWcJYDZvYzreIh0w9Nifw

New research finds that dogs exposed to human stress odors make more 'pessimistic' choices, indicating a negative emotional state.

19/06/2024

I love Lili Chin's illustrations on body language.

15/06/2024

What an awesome opportunity to be able to travel to Sydney to attend the conference 2024.

07/04/2024

🌟 Big news for little Taco!

I am so happy to hear that after making just a few small positive adjustments and knowing what body language to look for, we have witnessed a major shift in behaviour for little Taco.

Taco and his little brother Banjo were constantly getting into fights sometimes up to 3 times a day, which were very stressful for everyone in the house. It has now been an impressive 11 days without a single fight!

🎉 This is truly a remarkable achievement, and we owe a huge round of applause to Taco's dedicated and loving caregivers who have been patient and so open to my suggestions and to learn more about behaviour.

🙌 Keep up the fantastic work!

05/04/2024

31/03/2024

When you pitch up at your "office" for the first consultation for the week...

That'll do Monday.

10/03/2024

Body language is something that I discuss with all my clients.

🐶🐱 Understanding the subtle signals our pets give us through their body language is key to building a strong, trusting bond with our pets and to helping them navigate through all the scary things that this human world might have in store for them. 

By paying attention to minor signs of discomfort, we can always intervene and create a safe and comfortable environment for them before things escalate.

02/03/2024

Time to get your golden oldies checked 🩺🩺

March is Golden Oldies Month - Senior Pets need care, too! 🐶🐾🩺
Call us on 9419 4133 or book an appointment online. Appointments are available Monday to Friday.
Bring in your golden oldies (over 7 years) and take advantage of our special promotion.
Take a look at what you get!
Your pet’s complete senior testing program includes:
✅ Thorough physical examination: This is the cornerstone of the senior care program. Our veterinarians carefully assess all body systems, paying close attention to any lumps, bumps, arthritis, or potential abnormalities.
✅ Blood chemistry tests: These tests measure the levels of various substances in the blood and help diagnose diseases such as diabetes, liver, and kidney failure.
✅ Comprehensive blood panel with complete blood count (CBC) and Hematology: This provides a detailed analysis of the blood, aiding in the diagnosis of anemia or infection.
✅ Urinalysis: This test provides valuable information about kidney function and detects urinary tract infections. Remember to bring a urine sample from your pet when you visit us!
✅ Eye Exam: Our veterinarians will thoroughly examine your pet's eyes for cataracts, retinal bleeding, degeneration, inflammation, or detachment.
✅ Weight and arthritis check: We assess your pet's weight and check for signs of arthritis, ensuring their comfort and mobility.
✅ Dental assessment: We examine your pet's dental health, as oral hygiene plays a vital role in overall well-being.
✅ Cardiac assessment: We keep a close watch on your pet's heart health, monitoring any irregularities or concerns.
🐶 All for just $245 – valued at over $495 🐶
Program Benefits:
🐾 Allows the opportunity for early detection and treatment of disease. Early detection of disease often gives us more effective and less costly treatment options.
🐾 Opportunity to maintain health and prevent illness during your pet’s senior years. Helps establish normal baseline values for your pet, creating a point of comparison for the future
🐾 Peace of mind that you have provided the best care for the health and wellbeing of your pet in their senior

02/03/2024

So interesting ❤️🐾

Shake it…shake it off…

A recent study by two researchers in France looked at sniffing, pulse rate, and leash length on walks. Sixty-one dogs were taken on three separate walks, five minutes each walk, once with a 1.5m leash, once with a 5m leash, and once without a leash at all (walk order was randomized for each dog). Off-leash dogs sniffed the most, more than 3x as long as the dogs on short leashes. Dogs on long leashes spent nearly as much time as unleashed dogs sniffing, almost 3x as long as dogs on short leashes.

This study also found that sniffing resulted in lowered pulse rates, and the more intensely they sniffed, the more their pulse rates lowered. Pulse rate was also lowered when dogs “shook off” during walks on all leash lengths. The “shake off” behavior was often seen when the dog’s pulse rate was particularly high.

Read more about it below!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HX77kp2HBDiTxmq/?mibextid=Le6z7H

https://www.tuftsyourdog.com/everydaydogcare/giving-your-dog-time-to-sniff-on-walks-will-literally-soothe-his-heart/

What else can we learn about dogs from their walking behavior? Take your best friend on a Sniffari and see what you observe!

25/01/2024

Punishment does not teach our dogs what we do want, it doesn’t ask our dogs what they need. It doesn’t look at the why. It mostly suppresses communication and damages relationships.

When we look at behaviours we don’t like, we need to look at them in much more detail. Is there a need I could meet or a skill I could teach that could better solve this problem? Because our dogs don’t know they’re doing wrong and punishment won’t show them that. Building skills will show them what you love, guide them into a more appropriate solution and support them through something they may find challenging.

04/01/2024

Thanks for the review!

Such a privilege to work with dedicated pet parents and their companions.

18/12/2023

I love it when clients are committed to helping their companions.

When working on reactivity, we need to eliminate as many triggers as possible while we work on changing behaviour or teaching an alternative behaviour.

For this particular pet, the front door bell is one of those triggers

💛🐾🚪🔔🛎🐶

06/12/2023

🐾 Cant think of a better way to end off 2023. Another amazing bunch of pups and their puppy parents in our December Puppy Pre-school Class. 🐶

Congratulations, Winston, Dusty, Prince, Norah and Otis.

It was a pleasure spending time with you, all the best on your learning journey 🩵🧡

-school

30/11/2023

This is little Cobloaf, she has been urinating in inappropriate places in her home. We have been assisting her mom in understanding the causes and finding ways to help her make more appropriate toileting choices.

Inappropriate elimination and box aversions are very common issues among our feline friends 💩

Inappropriate elimination refers to when cats refuse to use their litter box and choose alternative spots in your home.  This can be frustrating and messy, but it's important to understand the underlying reasons behind this behaviour.

Box aversions can occur due to various factors such as dirty litter boxes, inadequate box placement, or even medical conditions.

Follow these tips to prevent and manage inappropriate elimination and box aversions in cats:

Keep the litter box clean and scooped regularly. Cats are known for their cleanliness, and a dirty litter box can turn them away.

Provide multiple litter boxes in different areas of your home. This gives your cat options and prevents overcrowding.

Ensure the litter box is easily accessible and in a quiet, low-traffic area. Cats prefer privacy when using their litter box.

Consider the type of litter you use. Some cats have preferences for certain textures or scents, so experiment with different options.

If the issue persists, consult with a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be causing discomfort or pain 🐾💕

16/11/2023

November fun 🩵💛🧡

12/10/2023

Wednesday fun...

09/09/2023

🐾 Really enjoying my 1on1 Puppy life skills training with this cutie called Willow and her dedicated humans.

05/09/2023

Such an amazing group of pups and humans in our Sep class.

Ruby, Chloe and Blue 🐾🐾

01/09/2023

🐾 Happy Ginger Cat Appreciation Day! 🧡🧡

Ginger cats come in all shapes and sizes, each with their own unique purr-sonality. Let's spread the love for these fabulous felines and show them the appreciation they truly deserve. Tag a friend who adores ginger cats, too and let's make this day extra special for all our ginger buddies! 🧡😺

22/08/2023

🐾 Did you know that growling in dogs is a unique form of communication? 🐶🗣️

Our furry companions have a wide range of ways to express themselves, and growling is one of the most fascinating! While it might seem intimidating to some, it's important to understand that growling is a valuable means of communication.

When a dog growls, they are trying to tell us something. It could be their way of expressing discomfort, fear, or a need for space. It's their version of saying "Hey, I'm not okay with this!" or "I need my personal bubble right now, please!" 🐕💬

💕 As responsible pet parents, it's crucial to pay attention and respect our furry friends' growls. By doing so, we can better understand their emotional state and provide them with the support they need. It's all about creating a safe and trusting environment for our beloved companions!

Remember, when a dog growls, it's their way of speaking up and telling us something important. Let's listen, respect their boundaries, and show them the love and understanding they deserve! 🐾💙

15/08/2023

Love it when Tuesday ends with puppies 🐶 😍

02/08/2023

Was lucky enough spend some time with this adorable bunch in our Puppy Pre-school

Theo, Heidi, Mack and Dorris 🐶💓

27/07/2023

So true 🩵

06/07/2023

Please be mindful where you get your dog training information from. Unfortunately there are still such old school ideas being broadcasted on mainstream media it's frightening and sad.

Let's take the intimidation and force out of training and choose to be kind to our little companions and train positive.

https://www.australiandoglover.com/2023/07/network-10s-new-dog-training-tv-show.html?fbclid=IwAR39AuTKbl5Vn5wo3ui-8fOQElgvY3bPyMIfpbpGgqcJpp-wLW0l-DVeRQk&m=1

22/06/2023

Join the PPG today!
Your business registered on the PPG website makes it easy for to find you and they will be fully confident that you are ‘force-free’ forever and your professional colleagues and vendors can recommend you without hesitation knowing what your philosophy and are…

16/06/2023

Walks should be fun for you and your dog, teaching them to walk with you on a loose leash is an important part of it. With a little bit of patience and training, you can teach your furry friend to walk calmly by your side. 🙌🏼 Not only will it make your walks more enjoyable, but it will also strengthen the bond between you and your pup. 🐶🧡

13/06/2023

Best part of my job has always been to connect with puppies and their guardians.
We had so much fun in our puppy pre-school 🐾🎓 with Rocky, George, Cody, Oliver, Banjo, Puddles and Diesal.

03/06/2023

Teaching your puppy bite inhibition is an important aspect of their training. This involves teaching your puppy to control the force of their bite and to stop biting altogether when you tell them to. Here are some steps to teach your puppy bite inhibition:

1. Use a high-pitched yelp or "ouch" sound when your puppy bites too hard.

2. Stop playing with your puppy immediately and ignore them for a short time, so they learn that biting too hard results in the end of playtime.

3. Redirect your puppy's attention to a chew toy or other appropriate object for them to bite and chew on instead.

4. Praise and reward your puppy for gentle play and for responding to your "ouch" sound by stopping their biting.

5. Be consistent in your training and continue to reinforce good behavior.

Remember, it's important to be patient and consistent with your puppy's training. With time and practice, they can learn to control their bite and play safely with you and others.