Great Outdoors Dog Academy

19/03/2025

BIRD FLU: Keep cats safe! Cats are very susceptible to H5N1, also known as bird or avian flu, but at this time the overall risk for exposure and infection is believed to be low. The virus has ravaged poultry farms, leading to the mass killing of over 150 million birds. Now, it's been detected in dairy cows, cats—even humans.

Signs of H5N1 infection in cats:
⛔ Respiratory problems like coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, trouble breathing
⛔ Lethargy
⛔ Neurological disorders, such as disorientation or trouble walking
⛔ Sudden onset of severe disease or death without prior signs of illness or injury

Share this graphic to keep pets safe and read more at aspca.org/birdfluandcats 🧡

26/02/2025

20/02/2025

Have you seen our latest Infographic with the data from our Pet Suffocation Survey? 🐶🐱

Do you want to know what types of food bags pets suffocate in the most?

Do you want to know where pets found most food bags?

Do you want to know what to do to help protect your pets from pet suffocation?

Share this Infographic with friends, family, pet sitters, pet groups, and veterinary staff, etc. to help spread awareness and prevent pet suffocation! You can also print it off from the Infographics page on our website. Spreading awareness is our best defense against pet suffocation!
www.preventpetsuffocation.com

28/12/2024

Despite my strong stance against aversive dog training methods, I understand their appeal. They can often get quick results, and punishment for the dog’s behaviour, may be reinforcing for the human. However, my concerns are twofold: Firstly, for me dog training/behaviour isn’t just about getting the behaviour I want; It’s about seeking the dog’s willing participation. This means they actively want to engage, rather than being compelled to go along with it. Secondly, no behaviour occurs in a vacuum; there is always a plethora of other effects. Everything that happens to them changes how their mind works and their emotional responses to the world around them.

An example: I saw a trainer recently shocking a dog to teach them to leave food on cue. It’s an instant result and people find that impressive. For me, I’d like to teach it in a way the dog finds pleasant. If that’s possible, why not do it? Leaving ethical arguments aside, the shock training is probably faster, but how might it affect how their dog sees the world? Might they be more anxious while eating? Might they be more likely to act aggressively if somebody (possibly a child) brushes past them while eating?

Because of the vast number of different scenarios, there are no certainties here, but do we want dogs acting through fear and discomfort, or do we want to increase optimism and reduce fear?

22/12/2024

“they can’t even experience sunlight on their bodies unless we deem it so” 😭😭

We all know there are all different types of dogsport owners ranging from excellent to horrific.

I’m reminded of an owner who nearly every time I was around them was cleaning p**p fulled crates. The dogs themselves were rarely seen, out for a few minutes, then back into a dark crate. This type of behavior should be shunned in the sport world yet it’s not. People are afraid to speak up, afraid to offend anyone, afraid to be a Karen. The dog suffers in silence living their life tucked away in a box 20 + hours a day.

Don’t assume what you see on social media is representative of how people treat their animals. I have learned firsthand, to my utter shock, how normalized ghastly animal husbandry skills are.

People bragging their dog doesn’t need to go p*e for 17 hours, dogs who stink so bad you can’t touch them without reeking, wear marks on their hips and sides from crate spinning… I’ve seen and heard enough to make me completely fed up with the silence that’s so often greets this behavior.

It starts with a club culture, that culture tends to spread. If the leader of the club treats their animals like this, the club members are more likely to follow. That’s why with our own club we’ve made guidelines and rules if you’re gonna come out. The dogs must get out of the crate at least every four hours and they must be walked before and after working, not just worked and thrown back in the car like a drill on a construction job.

These animals give everything to us and it’s pure selfishness and laziness that individuals are not cognitive of bathroom,hydration and fresh air needs. When animal rights extremists come calling, I want to be proud to defend my sport. We’re not there yet.

Meme credit 👉

18/11/2024

A lot of breeders are getting ready for their biggest month of the year. As they take in thousands of dollars (per dog, in some cases), shelters and rescues are still at max capacity and desperately need people like you to choose adoption.

If nothing else, please consider the difference in cost! While we do not encourage getting dogs as Christmas gifts, we know that many people have waited for this season to finally make the commitment to a new family member. You do not need to spend $4,000 on a puppy, and we beg you not to support the breeders and pet stores who see these lives as nothing more than revenue. We have 20+ puppies that will be available next month, and they deserve great homes too.

Save a life this holiday season; we promise you’ll get back more than you give.