Aldy & LuLu's Dog Gone Issues

08/09/2024

I’m officially a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator by the American Kennel Club. I worked diligently for this and feel honored. Another “Dog Guide” milestone for me…

24/08/2024

Trail walking with my boys... (Our Cues are in Vietnamese.)

24/08/2024

Trail walking…

21/08/2024

I'm enthusiastic to hold learning sessions with people who want a happy life with their dog. What I won't do, though, is stand by when someone else in your household sabotages my efforts by using intimidation and bullying as soon as I walk out the door. I will advocate and I will educate.

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18/08/2024

At the park with my babies…

13/08/2024

No significant findings in Sir Riley's radiographs and ultrasound! Thank you Miranda Simpson for taking such good care of my little man this morning. A weight has been lifted from my shoulders...

30/07/2024

https://www.facebook.com/reel/966514491782762

24/07/2024

All three of our pups were adopted as adults.

20/07/2024

Down at the creek with the boys. 🐕🐕💯❤️💯❤️

15/07/2024

She is our absolute treasure. I'm grateful for the day she showed up at work so that I could "foster fail" her with unconditional love.

10/07/2024

💯💯💯

07/07/2024

06/07/2024

The number one reason for euthanasia of dogs worldwide is “behavior problems.” Sadly, the things that come naturally to dogs often conflict with what we humans expect. Let’s show your pup what TO do instead of what NOT to do in this world with us, accomplishing this in a non-punitive, safe space…literally for life.

There are no "quick fixes" for unwanted behaviors unless you choose to use violence and/or intimidation. Frankly, if a "trainer" tells you that aversive methods are good to use in any situation, what that person is really saying is that they are impatient (at best) and don’t have the skills to show you and your dog how to cooperate together.

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01/07/2024

Mr. Berns is a gentle giant to Emoji. 💯❤️

28/06/2024

Mt. Nittany with the boys…

24/06/2024

Carry treats on your walks with your pup. It's a great way to get their focus on you when faced with a stimulus that overly-arouses them. Eventually that stimulus will be seen as a pleasant one because..."Yipee! Every time I see _____ I get a tasty treat!"

22/06/2024

If one method doesn't work, there are infinite other ways to elicit cooperation from our dogs. One size doesn't fit all, so don't be discouraged.

18/06/2024

https://www.facebook.com/538569208/videos/1273435643616544/

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03/06/2024

In the summer time, leaving your dog in the car, in the shade with the windows cracked, can turn deadly..quickly. Making your dog run beside you while you're on a bicycle in the summer time can turn deadly...quickly. Hot pavement can do irreversible damage to your dog's paws.

24/02/2024

Borrowed from my friend and colleague Jazzie Brazell:

"Room one is a euthanasia. You’ve known this dog since she was a little puppy. You’ll never forget that day, when the new owners excitedly burst through the door to show off their new baby. It was so many years ago but the feeling was electric. While she isn’t yours, you still love her. There was always an audible cheer through the staff when we saw her on the schedule.

Room two is a client upset about the wait time. It’s 30 minutes past their appointment time so, we get it, what an annoyance! But we struggle to tell the family in the other room to hurry up while saying goodbye. We just can’t do it. So we will take the brunt.
The phone rings. We are being blamed over the high prices we charge. Prices that aren’t within our control. We are told we are only in this for the money. The money we make that doesn’t cover our bills. They’re going to switch to another vet and tell the community that we are money hungry.

The phone rings again. Switch gears to pure joy because this person is booking an appointment for a new kitten they adopted! You beam with excitement because you know you’ll be able to be in this precious kittens life for its entirety.

Another appointment enters just then. Someone else with a beautiful kitten. But this kitten’s gums are white. Hematocrit is below 15. You and the staff struggle to pull blood because her pressure is to the floor. This kitten won’t survive the night.
A client with gratitude in their eyes comes in. A tray of homemade cookies and a really meaningful card. We diagnosed their pet with a treatable disease and are finally able to manage the pet’s symptoms. We can tell they’re so appreciative.
The door swings open. Dog attack victim rushing in with wounds covering her body. Hurry and rush her into the back and es**rt the frantic owner into the bathroom to wash off the blood. This is definitely going to be an emergency surgery, it’s a shame we are already short staffed. These clients waiting are going to be SO mad! Well, prepare to be yelled at after prepping the dog for surgery. Comes with the territory.

Bill out, restrain, make appointments, clean, keep up with the work flow, answer the phones, smile, cry, no time for a breather.
This wasn’t our day today but it is not uncommon when it does happen. At least two of these scenarios take place daily, and sometimes we are hit with it all at once.

A reminder, human doctors make an average of $280,000 per year , while veterinarians make an average of $99,250.
The average salary for an RN is $93,000 in NY. For a licensed vet tech it is $46,000. For a veterinary assistant it's half of a tech's (and the assistants do the majority of the most unpleasant cleaning, repairing, and preparing).

We take a lot of abuse for very little money. But we still come to work everyday because of the thank you’s, both by the grateful clients and also from the silent patients who say it with their eyes.

Su***de rates of veterinarians are double or more those of dentists and doctors. Our field is drowning and the numbers don’t lie.

Owning pets is expensive, we know. Most of us have more than we can handle, too. And their care, despite our jobs, isn’t free.
But we are working everyday because through the sea of abuse we endure, there are those bright moments that you try to place above the rest."

17/02/2024

I'd rather be respected out of love from my dogs than to compel them to obey through punitive methods and means. If you're having trouble...

16/01/2024

This is also an effective alternative for those who would like to learn and practice together anywhere in the world, multiple times a week! (This option is useful if you would like to work on things like loose-leash walking, fear-based issues, meet-and-greets, etc.)

16/01/2024

We're now offering Online Virtual Learning Sessions at Aldy & LuLu's Dog Gone Issues! This is a terrific alternative for those who desire the same quality guidance but may live out-of-state or overseas. This is also an effective alternative for those who would prefer not to have in-home visits on a regular basis. Reach out today so we can chat about your sweet pup and schedule a time to get started..!

31/12/2023

Pet Toxicology Experts Release Top 10 Pet Poisons List for 2023, Announce Toxin Tails Voting According to case data released by Pet Poison Helpline, ma*****na is on this year’s Top 10 Pet Poisons list for dogs, while cats don’t seem to be too interested in sampling the jazz cabbage. Chocolate, h...

31/12/2023

Please always keep in mind that some environments for dogs are harmful to their well-being. Blasting loud music in your car with your dog, smoking in your car or inside your home with your dog, and making your dog ride on a motorcycle with you are just some examples of events that are scary and downright harmful to them.

04/12/2023

Start getting your puppy used to being handled for grooming and veterinary care as early as possible. Be gentle, of course, and make it rewarding for them by using lots of enthusiastic praise and tasty treats. Look in their ears, nose, and eyes. Handle their feet and toes. Expose them to the sound of fur clippers and briefly hold it against them so they feel its vibration. Trim their nails and reward each clip with the best treat ever!

08/11/2023

SHOCK AND PRONG COLLARS
Shock and Prong Collars are aversive devices that have been banned in many countries, but sadly they are widely used in the United States. They are punishment-based mechanisms that suppress instead of teach. These collars almost always bring out emotions and behaviors you don’t want to see in your dog. You’ll exchange a minor problem like pulling on the leash for something fear-based and more serious, like aggression, anxiety, or depression. Prong collars and Shock Collars are completely unnecessary.
Frankly, if a "trainer" tells you they are good tools to use, what that person really is saying is that they don’t have the skills to show you and your dog how to cooperate together.
These devices don’t solve problems, they create them.

31/10/2023

I would rather be respected out of love from my dog than respected out of fear and intimidation.