My Dog Trainer

19/11/2024

17/11/2024

It's a rainy, thundery day. Do something to help your pets. In two weeks time, it's Independence Day in Bim = Fireworks, time to start Desensitising your dog to Fireworks NOW! Call me, I can help!

16/11/2024

"I am a board-certified, veterinary technician, specialist in behavior.

A secondary socialization period from 12– 16 weeks is not recognized. The brain stops growing ex-utero at roughly 12-13 weeks; this is defined as the sensitive period for socialization.

It is important to gently expose puppies to everything possible before 12 weeks of age, assuring that they have pleasant memories without fear. This should begin as soon as the puppy is 5 weeks of age, at the breeder.

Puppies should be interacted with different textures, gentle handling, and veterinary care. They should have “protected exposure” to different environments, meet all kinds of people and children and a wide variety of “ known” and reasonably gentle, vaccinated, healthy adult dogs and puppies.

Caution should be taken to not expose puppies to sick dogs, puppies with unknown vaccination histories, and frightening experiences.

Food is used for counter conditioning, to prevent negative emotions from “sticking” when inadvertently bad experiences happen.

I ran puppy socials at a veterinary behavior service for six years. We included puppies as young as eight weeks, after they received one set of vaccines and were cleared as negative for parasites and other communicable diseases. We wanted to know that they were in the home for at least a few days to assure that they were asymptomatic for respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms.

Occasionally, we had an outbreak of Giardia or a tracheobronchitis which was quickly detected and contained. We would simply notify everyone and cancel one social if needed.

The risk of not exposing puppies under 12 weeks to other dogs, children, and people has profound detrimental outcomes for many dogs. When dogs have serious behavior problems, lack of socialization before 12 weeks is considered just as detrimental as genetics and epigenetics.

Many veterinarians are still touting incorrect information. I work with clients all over who tell me that veterinary hospitals tell them not to expose the puppy to dogs or take them out of the house until after the rabies vaccine at 14–16 weeks.

This is incorrect information and we have significant scientific data to prove it.

Most of this information has been widely available for 30 years or so, but I find that the veterinary community doesn’t readily listen to the specialty of veterinary behavior medicine as much as they would perhaps listen to an oncologist or an orthopedic specialist.

It is important to continue to give puppies over 12 weeks of age pleasant experiences, and gentle exposure but they are no longer in the sensitive period for socialization."

12/11/2024

Have you tried using herbs to help your dog?

Something I hear an awful lot of, in my work as a herbalist for humans as well as other species, is the simple lament that "herbs don't work". Sometimes

05/11/2024

Who here uses turmeric, for yourself and/or your dogs?

02/11/2024

One of my beloved dogs, Ripley ❤️, went through two TPLO surgeries for torn ACLs. Looking back, I wish I had known more about how to support his recovery nutritionally. If your dog is about to undergo surgery or has limited mobility due to an injury, here are some essential nutrition tips I’ve learned along the way.

➡️ 𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿: Your dog’s activity level will drop significantly post-surgery. Cutting back on their current diet could mean fewer nutrients—less food = fewer nutrients! Adding pumpkin or green beans can help them feel full but doesn’t cover nutrient loss.

➡️ 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀:It’s tempting to give bones and bully sticks to keep them entertained while confined, but those can add up fast in calories. Include low-calorie options in puzzles, like cooked egg whites mixed with veggies, low-fat yogurt with mashed berries, or frozen bone broth for a fun, healthy option.

➡️ 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: A fresh food diet tailored to their needs will make it easier to meet all essential nutrients without excess calories. Nutrient-dense foods and high-quality proteins can help your dog feel satisfied as they recover.

➡️ 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Tissue repair depends on collagen synthesis, which requires nutrients like Vitamin D, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and B vitamins. Ensure your dog’s diet is rich in these for optimal recovery.

➡️ 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻 𝗖: Vitamin C helps with collagen synthesis. Think peppers, berries, green leafy veggies, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts to give a natural boost.

➡️ 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: The right balance of essential fatty acids helps manage inflammation. Aim for a diet with antioxidants to support recovery without contributing to excess inflammation.

➡️ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁: It’s challenging to meet all nutritional needs on a reduced-calorie, dry-food-only diet. Adding fresh foods and targeted supplements can make a big difference.

A 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 diet, whether raw or cooked, is crucial for healing. For me, this means meeting National Research Council (NRC) guidelines for nutrient balance.

📌 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆.

02/11/2024

I still have a couple of of spots available for Boomerang Buddy - teaching your dog to COME BACK to you with Distractions. WhatsApp me NOW for details and to book YOUR spot, since Classes are small to ensure Individual attention -
#(246) 243-4338.

23/10/2024

TWO Courses being offered - Boomerang Buddy AND Walk Nicely. 4 Sundays in November - 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th. TOTAL cost for 4 Classes = $125

15/10/2024

🍽️ Beef & Broccoli Bites 🥦🍖

While this isn’t a complete and balanced meal, it’s a great fresh food topper for kibble diets. Loaded with antioxidants from broccoli, parsley, and tomato paste, plus high-quality protein and fat from beef and eggs, it’s a super nutritious boost.

Tip: If your dog is new to fresh foods, opt for lean ground beef (15% fat) and drain off the excess fat after cooking to mitigate sudden diet changes.

🥩 How to Make It:

1. Finely chop or pulverize broccoli and parsley.
2. Mix all ingredients together and shape into small meatballs.
3. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes or until cooked through. Let the meatballs rest on a paper towel to drain any extra fat. (You can also serve them raw if preferred.)
4. Feed as a small treat to check tolerance before increasing the portion.

✨ These meatballs freeze well, so you can always have a quick, nutritious topper ready to go! Just thaw and add to the bowl.

🧑‍🍳 Recipe Breakdown (per raw weight):

• 1200 calories
• 102g Protein
• 80g Fat
• 11g Carbs

14/10/2024

TIP: If your dog STEALS,
DON'T leave out food, tissue, shoes, socks, etc.
Don't complain if YOU forgot to prevent stealing.