Kirstie's Cats and K9s

24/08/2024

05/08/2024

I've seen some posts doing the rounds spreading misinformation about treating heat stroke. Remember - get them wet get them to the vet!

🔥 It’s too hot! 🔥

Please don’t walk your dogs it’s a risk that just isn’t worth taking.

There is a lot of misinformation out there about what you should do if your dog is over heating.

🔥 Get them wet, dripping wet

🔥 Get them to the vet, now!

28/05/2024

To change your dog’s behaviour you need to understand your dog and why they are doing the behaviour. Their behaviour is a form of communication.

This goes for everything from lead walking to separation anxiety to reactivity.

If you follow dog trainers on social media you may see some amazing ‘transformations’. This dogs aren’t ‘fixed’ or ‘recovered’. They are shut down.

Shut down means basically giving up, learnt helplessness.

Using tools like e collars, prong collars, French slip leads don’t actually resolve issues for dogs. They just cause your dog fear/discomfort which causes them to stop the behaviour. Dogs often shut down and walk nicely because they don’t really have any choice. Comply or feel pain.

I often see posts saying “what lead can I use to stop my dog pulling?” It really isn’t about the lead, it’s about understanding your dog and why they are struggling then teaching them in a way that are able to learn what we would like them to do.

If you have a dog that barks and lunges at other dogs instead of repeatedly saying ‘No’ let’s try to work out what is going on for that individual dog, why are they behaving that way, are they worried, over aroused, frustrated etc. To change behaviour you need to look at the bigger picture you can’t expect your dog to be able to change the way they feel without your patience, support and guidance.

If you are following people that are saying they can sort your dog’s issues out in an hour then they aren’t truly dealing with the underlying issue just the unwanted behaviour. It’s a bit like sticking a plaster on a massive wound. It might help short term but sooner or later it’ll stop working.

There are no quick fixes, changing a behaviour takes time, energy, patience, support, knowledge, practice, consistency and so much more.

The great thing is that there are so many amazing behaviourists/trainers out there to support you. Just make sure you work with someone who is helping you get to the route of the problem.

08/04/2024

I'm proud to say I recently updated my Canine First Aid training. The training applies to Canine and Felines! 🐈🐕

22/03/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/cTRiHbUhDNbjAPpa/

Dogs behave the way they do for many reasons. They do NOT do things deliberately to be stubborn or ‘naughty’, nor do they aim to assert control. Outdated mythologies and training methods have detrimental effects on well-being and strain the relationship between a dog and their caregiver.

🧬A dog's breed and genetic makeup can play a significant role in determining certain behavioural traits. Dogs have genetic predispositions and breed-specific tendencies that contribute to their behaviour.
Some breeds are predisposed to specific behaviours, such as herding, hunting, or guarding.

The environment in which a dog is raised and lives can profoundly impact their behaviour. Early socialisation, which involves exposing a puppy to a wide range of people, animals, and environments during their critical developmental period, is crucial for building confidence and shaping a dog's social behaviour to reduce fear or aggression.

Overstimulation can cause all kinds of unwanted behaviours as it overwhelms their senses and can lead to hyperactivity or erratic responses. For example, if a dog is exposed to loud noises, multiple people, and various stimuli all at once, or on a daily basis, they might exhibit excessive excitable behaviour, poor impulse control, become agitated and exhibit behaviours like jumping, barking, or pulling on the leash, as their senses are overwhelmed by the excessive input.

Previous experiences and learning consequences can influence a dog's behaviour. Traumatic experiences, in particular, can lead to fear, anxiety, or aggression.

How a dog is trained and educated by their caregiver or handler can significantly affect their behaviour. Consistent, positive reinforcement-based training can lead to desired behaviours, while harsh or inconsistent methods can result in confusion or fear.

A dog's health, including their physical and mental well-being, can influence their behaviour. Illness, pain, or discomfort can lead to changes in behaviour.

A dog's emotional state, including fear, anxiety, and excitement, can affect their behaviour. For example, a fearful dog may display unpredictable defensive reactive behaviours or might avoid any encounters and run away trying to hide. While a confident dog may exhibit playfulness and a relaxed demeanour.

A dog can become frustrated and destructive if their mental and physical needs are not met. This dog, full of pent-up energy and boredom, may become frustrated and exhibit poor impulse control. In their frustration, they might resort to destructive behaviours, such as chewing furniture, digging up the garden, or incessant barking. This destructive behaviour is often an expression of their frustration and an attempt to alleviate their built-up energy and mental stress.

The type of diet a dog receives can significantly influence their behaviour, with high-quality nutrition promoting better energy levels, mood, and overall well-being, while poor diet choices can lead to issues like irritability, hyperactivity, or digestive problems.

As dogs age, they may experience canine cognitive decline, which can manifest as changes in memory, learning, and behaviour. This condition can lead to increased confusion, disorientation, and altered social interactions in older dogs.

It is really important to understand that each dog is unique, and their behaviour can vary widely, even within the same breed. Dogs use body language, vocalizations, and other forms of communication to express their needs, emotions, and intentions. Understanding a dog's communication cues is essential for interpreting their behaviour.

21/03/2024

Hello everyone.
Just to let you know that my Facebook messager hasn't received any messages since February so best to text/WhatsApp on 07790914445 or email on [email protected]
Thanks 😊

08/03/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/HokVdjQWm4pegMb4/

Date for your diary: Tuesday 26th March
Our friends at Blue Cross are holding a FREE cat microchipping event at their Marsh Barton site. Come along with your cat from 2-4pm. Please contact them for further details.

24/02/2024

https://www.facebook.com/100063698673883/posts/884989606967654/

One of Bernie Rollin’s ideas was to apply the idea of telos to animals. In Greek philosophy telos relates to having a sense of purpose. With animals he said it meant the things that gave an animal its identity - or “the dog-ness of a dog”.

21/02/2024

Brotherly love ❤️

21/02/2024

An exclusive from exclusive catalogue shoot 📸

15/02/2024

and ready to take on the world!

15/02/2024

and Dancer doing what Sighthounds do best (apart from sleeping!)

29/01/2024

Love this photo of and ready to start their walk!

29/01/2024

So pleased to be back to work this week after having COVID on my week off! Thank you everyone for your understanding on the week before my holiday. It wasn't my plan to get ill before my week off!
Started the day getting to know some gorgeous new kitties and looking forward to going on some sniffari adventures with my regular doggies later!

10/01/2024

📸 Look at this post on Facebook
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=696701675986615&id=100069403658526

The clock is ticking.... ⏰️

By June 10th 2024 ALL cats must be microchipped and correct owner details held by the microchip database.

This is not optional.

It's the Law.

Vets are NOT responsible for updating microchips - you are.

Is your cat old or ill?
It still needs microchipping.

Is your cat indoor-only?
It still needs microchipping.

Is your cat rarely home to get it to the vets?
It still needs microchipping.

The only exceptions are feral cats (obviously) and cats under 20 weeks old.

No excuses will be accepted.

What do volunteers at Hector's House Residents feel about this?
We're absolutely delighted.
We're hoping it will cut our workload significantly.

Not only will it be easier to identify a cat's owner, but if a cat ISN'T chipped, we won't have to deal with the backlash from the keyboard warriors.

It also means that if an unchipped cat is brought to us as a suspected stray, any treatment that cat then receives will be charged to any owner that comes forward.

It also means that injured cats won't have to lose limbs due to having to wait 7 days before surgery can go ahead, or even put to sleep.

So, if your cat isn't microchipped, please get it done as soon as possible.
It's relatively painless, takes seconds, and costs about £15.

And make sure you register the microchip- again, this is YOUR responsibility, not the vets.

Here's to looking forward to a better life for the cats 🐈

08/01/2024

Something I've always loved is that moment where a really shy cat (one who hides all the time) decides to come out and make friends. So special. I always feel honoured ❤️😻

31/12/2023

I would like to thank all my lovely clients for entrusting me with their wonderful furry, feathered and four legged family members this year. I still think I have the best job in the world! Happy New Year Everyone 🎉

23/12/2023

I'd like to wish all my wonderful clients and their wonderful furry, feathered and four legged friends a very Merry Christmas 🎄🎁⛄

23/12/2023

Me at the moment 😻

23/12/2023

Just a heads up on holiday/day off dates in 2024...
January
Monday 1st January
Saturday 13th January
20th January-28th January inclusive
February
Saturday 10th February
March
Saturday 2nd March
April
Saturday 6th April
May
Saturday 4th May
Friday 17th-Monday 20th May
June
1st-9th June
29th June
July
Saturday 6th July
August
10th-18th August
September
14th September
October
5th-13th October
November
2nd November
December
7th December
13th December I am unavailable in the afternoon/evening but working from 630am until around 2pm
Wednesday 25th December/Christmas Day.
And after taking Sundays off has been such a success this year I will be continuing to do so into next year.
Thank you 😊

23/12/2023

I want to wish all my wonderful clients and their furry, feathered and four legged friends Merry Christmas 🎄🎁

13/12/2023

*Update*
I will not be taking any new bookings now until the week of the 2nd due to being so busy!

29/11/2023

One of the loveliest things about my job is when I look after multiple generations of pets. Dolly was the Greyhound who started my love of Greyhounds almost ten years ago. I've had a soft spot for them ever since. I was sad when I heard Dolly had passed over the rainbow bridge and I will never forget her and all the lovely memories I have of her.
I was so pleased when I found out that Dancer was their new houndie family member and am thoroughly enjoying seeing her coming out of her shell (not that she is shy at all) and getting to know each other ❤️

28/11/2023

I'm so lucky to walk an Instafamous doggy influencer like I even borrowed him this afternoon to see a friend in a care home. He was an excellent boy and everyone loved him ❤️

22/11/2023

Unfortunately this summer dear old Reuben passed over the rainbow bridge.
Everyone liked Reubs- people and dogs alike.
I still remember him as a young dog chasing flies around the house in the most comical way. And I remember how he would go up to random people in the park and bark at them to throw his ball. He provided me with many laughs and will be sorely missed!