Social con reaction and affection isn’t just cute or serving the human, it is an important part of a whole picture recovery. Be it surgery or an emotional event, being with your dog in a way where you both feel connected matters. Here the hubby is in Snickers’ recovery “apartment” watching tv, getting quality together time during sofa and exercise restriction. What do you do to connect with your dog? ❤️🐕🐾❤️
One thing I will never be confused for is an interior designer. This is all in a day’s management for our geriatric house of furkids with one recovering from surgery and other just older and all of us enjoying extra cushion and customized litter trays for the arthritic and disabled littles. But this is an important part of management for us and for so many of my teams. So let’s embrace the spaces designed around the needs of our furkids!
#forcefree #management #rabbitsofinstagram #dogsofinstagram
Another Puppy Head Start proud Dora moment: grabbing a toy on her own with her favorite chew toy around (other dogs) AND ignoring a friend around a treat toy AND ignoring a bunny (who is behind a physical/visual blind for safety and sanity).
Dora had a rough start in life but has an amazing guardian who understands some things will be tough for her and she is helping D thrive ❤️. It is absolutely normal for Dora who is only 5 months to struggle to settle and to want to play but we also need to help her in these exciting times.
Gold start of the day goes to Team Dora 🤩
#puppytraining #pitbulltraining #pitbullsofinstagram #showmeyourpitties
Nothing like a little lemon balm and acupuncture to start your day with #cokeycutie who is now permanently disabled and her awesome vet team @avianandexotic ! Did you know that even small animal companions benefit from acupuncture AND fear free and enrichment filled visits?
#fearfree #cooperativecare #rabbitsofinstagram
Puppy Head Start: it isn’t all about robot training in public.
Now sure, Dora and I had an awesome sniff and stroll and even met new friends in @downtowncarypark . But this is another important piece. This is the hardest part. Settling around small fluffy animals and being separate from friends (her senior dog friends are having a nap in a different room). Taking a break and entertaining herself in an exciting developmental moment.
Dora’s mom is doing the work at home with exposure and enrichment and a renewed interest in self settling and it is paying off. Way to go Dora!!!
Myth: force free is treats and 🦄 🌈unicorns farting rainbows
Facts: We address the whole picture. Marty struggles with being unsure of certain things and reacts to neighbor dogs at home and has done a bit here (we have very reactive dogs on one side). He just had a little fear period so all I’m doing is helping guide to more distance from biggest trigger (riding mower with stranger on top) and offering support while asking/offering consent for affection. This won’t work for dogs over threshold and some of my teams may start this with outdoor air locks or from indoors. But Marty knows he can trust me and ask for help and that will help him thrive!
#puppytraining #totalpetnc #totalpettrainingllc #forcefreetrainer #forcefreetraining
Dora is here today working on a few skills. One thing she really struggles with is crating and separation from excitement and friends while not at home. Crating or being alone in a room is an important life skill so we are making this a fun game. This game also helps build her “place” cue skills. This is super hard for her because there is a rabbit behind a barrier 3’ away and her two dog friends just outside the door that she can smell and hear. Pretty sure she rocked it! What do you think?
For treats we are using humane options: Bright Planet Better Brats and Benovo Puppy Kibble
#puppytraining #forcefreetrainer #pittiesofinstagram #totalpettrainingllc #totalpetnc
Dora is back at Puppy Head Start. It was time to make snacks and this turned out to be a great time to work on loud scary noises (very loud food processor) and place cue for safety. This was placed where I could get to her quickly but not so close she felt the need to flee.
#puppytraining #forcefreetrainer #dogtraining #totalpetnc #totalpettrainingllc #pittbullsofinstagram
Vet visit tip: Sniff scatters can help dogs relax and also just have a bit of fun at the vet regardless of age. (Pardon the tufts Beefy is blowing his coat)
#fearfreevet #rplus #forcefreedogtraining
Emergency Rabbit Care (or any animal care) tip: play yummy icky. It has been a wild week of sick animals, Val has an arthritis flare and possibly an E.C. Flare. He needs to eat high calorie food but doesn’t want to. We use his meds as the “yummy” (but you can make a species safe smoothie as the yummy). Feed yummy, maybe more yummy, then quick icky, right back to yummy. This is way less stress than burrito-ing him (stress can have huge negative impacts on health especially in rabbits). Is this helpful?
#rabbitcare #rabbitsofinstagram #ecuniculi #houserabbitsociety #cooperativecare
Does your dog hesitate with leashing up or wearing equipment?
Snickers hesitated to harness up even with training, massage, and food. After a check with our integrative vet for hesitating to jump up we were referred to a rehab veterinarian. This was such a good investment. It turns out that he had a bilateral shoulder tendon injury. We never thought to ask our vets and he looked healthy at visits.
When your dog hesitates to wear gear, it can be a clue to investigate for pain. Does your dog hesitate to wear gear?
Let's talk pain. Pain is a very commonly missed root cause to behavior change. And the signs can be subtle. I have a challenge for you. Start to pay attention to your dog's preferences for resting positions and any time they might hesitate to sit, lay down, or even jump up on furniture.
So often when I consult on a case where there is hyperactivity, reactivity, anxiety, or aggression, there is a report of "my dog knows how to sit but is stubborn and doesn't always do it". Your dog is not being "stubborn" they are trying to politely tell you it hurts. And yes, if we ignore that sometimes they tell us impolitely. I have seen a "sit to say please" turn into a trigger for a dog to bite.
Does your dog hesitate to go into any positions or movements? What do you see?
