Dog Training by Jarod

06/11/2024

🚨 Important Update: Leptospirosis Now a Core Vaccine for ALL Dogs
The 2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines have been updated to classify the leptospirosis vaccine as CORE for all dogs starting at 12 weeks of age – regardless of lifestyle, location, or breed.
Why the change?
🌆 ALL dogs are at risk—urban, suburban, and rural.
⚠️ Potentially fatal, even with treatment.
🔄 Zoonotic—it can spread from pets to humans.
🏢 Dogs in daycare and kennels also face exposure risks.
You can find the full update in the Nov/Dec issue of JAAHA, or check out the full 2022 Canine Vaccination Guidelines here: aaha.org/canine-vaccinations

28/10/2024

PSA: Just because your dog doesn't growl or bite when your child handles them roughly, it doesn't mean they should have to tolerate it.

The onus is on the parent to teach children age-appropriate ways to interact with dogs.

The responsibility of safety is NOT 100% on the dog.

Teach the kids, not just the dogs.

10/10/2024

You might not always notice, but dogs have their own way of showing when they're stressed out. These subtle signs, or "stress signals", can mean they're feeling stressed, anxious, confused, scared, or even excited.

Context plays a huge role in interpreting a dog's body language. If you want to get to the bottom of their stress when you see those signals, you have to consider everything happening around them.

Dogs may display stress signals even when they're experiencing a good type of stress, known as eustress (see previous post for the differences between eustress and distress). During moments of excitement or during a training session, you might notice them shaking off or yawning. These behaviors help them relieve stress, which is a healthy response and suggests that they are in the process of learning.

Shaking off and yawning in dogs can also be signs of distress, that's why it's crucial to take a step back and assess the situation to understand what's going on.

By recognizing these stress signals, you can better understand your dog and, if necessary, take action to help them feel more comfortable and less stressed.

30/08/2024

15/08/2024

On , we're sharing a few important reminders on the importance of microchips - such as:

➡ 1 in 3 family pets will get lost
➡ Microchipped dogs are more than twice as likely to be returned to their owners and microchipped cats are more than 20 times as likely to be returned to their owners

And remember - while microchips greatly increase the chances that pets will be reunited with their families if they are lost or stolen…a microchip only works if its registration information is accurate.

Visit avma.org/CheckTheChip to learn more.

02/08/2024

Did you know that dogs have a unique organ for detecting pheromones? 🐾🔍

The Jacobson's organ, or vomeronasal organ, is a special part of a dog's olfactory system dedicated to detecting pheromones.

Located in the nasal cavity, this organ helps dogs gather chemical information about other animals, such as their reproductive status, identity, and even emotional state, playing a key role in social and reproductive behaviors.

20/07/2024

18/07/2024

12/07/2024

Encouraging dogs to sniff on walks is not only natural and instinctual for them but also has many benefits for their physical and mental well-being.

Sniffing provides mental stimulation for dogs, which is important for their overall mental health.

A good sniff also helps them to learn about their environment, identify scents, and understand the world around them. Through sniffing they can also release pent-up energy, which can help to reduce behavioural problems.

Additionally, sniffing can help to alleviate stress and anxiety in dogs, making them feel more relaxed and comfortable on walks.

19/06/2024

⚠️⚠️⚠️

Something everyone should know👇

We should always avoid putting dogs in uncomfortable situations. Regardless of whether they're muzzled or not.

Just because a muzzle negates the risk to others, doesn’t mean that it changes the way our dogs FEEL!

It’s so important to treat your dog as you would if there was still a high risk of injury to another being because in doing so you will be more likely to keep your dog out of situations you know they’re unlikely to be able to cope with.

👉 Your dog will still be uncomfortable with dogs even if they're muzzled.

👉 With a muzzle on, your dog will still be uncomfortable at the vet.

👉 If your dog was so fearful they tried to bite your neighbour before, they still might try with a muzzle on.

A muzzle is a MANAGEMENT TOOL that keeps dogs and others safe, but a muzzle alone doesn’t create emotional change. 💕

Putting on a muzzle doesn't mean we can throw everything at our dogs that we couldn't before, just because the risk to others is lower. We help our dogs grow in confidence and feel safe, not them. We do it with good management, great, ethical training, and considering whether our dogs will enjoy our situations.

Let me know if you agree! 💗

07/06/2024

🎆Fireworks Season is right around the corner, and often times starts before the 4th of July! Help set up your dog for success during the loudest time of the year by checking out the tips below🎆

02/06/2024

PSA: it's not worth it!

Yes, you can see quick and dramatic behavior change when you utilize a punishment tool such as a shock collar.

They do stop behavior. I won't deny that. But I will tell you that in my professional opinion, it's not worth the risk.

Every day I meet dogs who have been previously trained using shock collars and they now have way more serious problems than they started with.

Their owners may have used it to stop something like jumping up or barking excitedly on leash, but now the dog is showing fear-based aggression towards people or other dogs.

Stop shocking dogs. The research shows that it is harmful to them.

Despite what you may have read or seen, there are other ways to modify behavior. There are strategies that don't involve scaring and harming dogs in the name of training. And a shock collar is the total opposite of what your anxious or "difficult" dog needs.

If you have used a correction tool in the past, it is not too late either! I'm not here to judge!

Reach out for a consult for other options!

30/05/2024

30/05/2024

New post! New research adds more dog breeds to the list of those for which there are guidelines on when to spay or neuter them based on the health risks, bringing the list up to 40 (and there are guidelines on mixed breeds by weight, too). Read more in this week's post https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2024/05/what-age-should-dogs-be-spayedneutered.html

30/05/2024

Walking with worried dogs can make walks hard, emotional and even scary. It's important to remember that even when a dog lunges forward, they are just trying to stay safe. We can help you to understand your dog and learn howe to make walks better, just drop us a line below.

27/05/2024

Ball launchers have become a popular accessory for dog owners who want to keep their dogs active and entertained. However, these devices can have negative effects on your dog's health and wellbeing.

Ball Launchers Can Cause Obsession:

Some dogs become obsessed with fetching a ball, which can lead to behavioural problems. They may become aggressive or anxious when they are not playing with the ball launcher, making it difficult to enjoy time with your pet. It's important to recognise the signs of obsession and limit your dog's use of the ball launcher.

Ball Launchers Interrupt Natural Behaviour:

Dogs are naturally curious and enjoy exploring their surroundings through sniffing and relaxing. However, when they become obsessed with fetching, they may lose interest in these natural behaviours. This can lead to boredom and frustration, causing them to become less active and healthy.

Ball Launchers Can Cause Joint Problems:

Repeatedly launching a ball puts a lot of stress on your dog's joints, especially if they are a high energy breed. This can lead to joint problems such as arthritis, which can be very painful and expensive to treat.

If you want to keep your dog healthy and happy, it's best to limit their use of ball launchers and encourage them to engage in natural behaviours such as sniffing, scent work, exploring and simply relaxing.

27/05/2024

Family mottos last a lifetime. Let this be yours!

In a world where dogs are misunderstood, be one who understands.