Bloemfontein DOG Training CLUB

13/10/2025

I recommend these puppy classes. My pup and I went and had a ball there.

Our next puppy course starting on 25 October is open for enrollment. Closing date is 20 October.

22/09/2025

There was a post on my FB page regarding the Rabies Report for KZN.
So if you are going that way for holidays, please remember to have your dogs vaccinated against Rabies. This can be in their yearly vaccinations or in a separate injection.
Keep your pets safe!

Send a message to learn more

22/09/2025

Not near us, fortunately, but distemper can always pop up.
Please remember - distemper and the parvo virus are NOT the same thing. Know your dog and cat, so you can pick up any change in them. And remember your vaccinations.

Alert - Canine Distemper Outbreak

The SPCA has confirmed recent cases of Canine Distemper in the Tshwane/Pretoria area. This is a highly contagious and deadly virus.

While this isn’t in our immediate community, we believe it’s important to keep everyone informed. By staying aware and taking precautions, we can all work together to help protect our pets and prevent the spread of this virus.

How is Canine Distemper spread?
• Direct contact: Dogs catch it by coming into contact with saliva, urine, blood, or other bodily fluids from an infected dog
• Aerosol (airborne) droplets: Sneezing or coughing can release virus particles into the air, which nearby dogs inhale.
• Shared environments/items: Bowls, bedding, toys, and kennels can carry the virus if contaminated.

Symptoms to Watch For:
• Fever, eye or nose discharge
• Coughing, vomiting, diarrhoea
• Lethargy, loss of appetite
• Seizures, tremors, paralysis
• If you detect any symptoms in your pet, contact your vet immediately. Quick veterinary care improves chances of recovery.

What You Should Do Now:
• Check your dog’s vaccinations immediately and get them vaccinated if they are out of date.
• Isolate sick dogs – If you notice any symptoms, keep your dog away from others and get to the vet urgently.
• Avoid contact with strays – Stray dogs may spread the virus.

If you are concerned about your pet, please take them to the vet immediately.

22/09/2025

Was it bad info?
"They said this dog was cat and dog friendly!"
➡️They may be good around dogs and cats.
That doesn't mean a newly adopted dog needs to or should meet your dog or cat right away.
They've been through a lot and it would be a rare dog indeed that has been through an adoption/rescue situation and has absolutely no stress surging through them.

➡️Some may be in "survival" mode.
This can mean they will bond very heavily to someone that is now providing resources. Resources can cause some very big problems in the animal world.

➡️Territorial issues.
Your new animals may really not want this "intruder" here either.
They can make those feelings very clear and that can cause more stress for everyone.

➡️You've rushed into it.
Everyone's excited.
It's natural to want everyone to get along, but that doesn't mean they should meet just yet.
If you've rushed this, you'll now know why taking it slow is a very good idea.

So was it bad information you were given?
Not deliberately.
We don't live in a world where we can know everything about a dog's past life.
Yes, they may have been tested with dogs and cats.
They may have passed that test beautifully, but again there are a hundred reasons why they were ok in that environment and may be struggling in your home now.

Rescues are doing it tough.
The strain on everyone is evident, there are just too many dogs needing homes and not enough room at the "inn".
Rehoming demand is gaining momentum and that momentum is getting faster and faster.

It’s difficult for them to keep up and for many, it’s becoming impossible.

22/09/2025

12/09/2025

Bark and Purr Conversations has announced there are only TWO spots left for dogs and handlers in their scent work class on the 24th of September.
However, there are still spots available for spectators.
Do go along and maybe you will be inspired to join them next time.

Send a message to learn more

11/09/2025

A big thank you to VetHealth for this generous offer.

🦠🐾 September is Rabies Awareness Month! 🐾🦠

Rabies is a 100% preventable disease—but once symptoms appear, it’s almost always fatal. The best way to protect both your pets and your family is through timely vaccination.

💉 Did you know?
✔️ All dogs and cats should receive their rabies shots starting at 3 months old.
✔️ Rabies can spread to humans through bites or scratches from infected animals.
✔️ Vaccinating your pets not only saves their lives but helps keep the whole community safe.

Let’s work together for a Rabies-Free Community! ❤️🐶🐱

📍 Visit us at 3 Eric Rosendorf Drive Fichardtpark
📞 Call 051 522 7686 for more information.

11/09/2025

Forcing them to remain near something that bothers them can lead to emotional shutdown. Even worse, some mistake this for good behaviour as the dog appears to be calm. The fear is still there, but the dog feels there is no point, no escape is coming, so they just have to 'wait it out' until they are eventually able to get away.

This might be using high value food treats, a much loved toy, or other thing that the dog really likes when that thing is nearby but at a safe distance so the dog does not feel the need to react, so that the bad thing becomes a predictor of something good and so is not as scary any more.

It might be sitting at that safe distance and quietly supporting the dog while they are observing and processing the presence of the scary thing, as this can also be a very powerful way of helping them to feel more comfortable.

It might be giving them something else to do while the thing that bothers them is around. One of my own dogs finds people he doesn't know to be scary. We get out his mostly flat football so he can carry that around or ask for it to be thrown for him. We will then see him sneaking looks at the person while having something else to focus on. Usually, after a few sessions of this around the new person, he will eventually give the ball to them to throw or kick, and we know he's started to feel comfortable around that person.

It's important to find which force free method works for your dog, the things they value most, and how they as an individual prefer to process their world. Once you have found these, the changes for your dog (and by association, you) can be massive.

10/09/2025

I know these dogs and their handlers and they have a ball everytime the scenting equipment comes out. In view of the previous post, I would suggest you come and give it a try.

10/09/2025

I NEED TO BE NOSY!

There are so many benefits in creating activities that allow dogs to use their strongest sense – the sense of scent or smell.

Although dogs have an incredible ability to scent, so many dogs are never given the opportunity to use this sense in a way that’s meaningful to them.

We often expect our dogs to conform to our very visual and verbal human world, neglecting the fact that they largely perceive the world through scent.

The picture in this post is my eldest Schnauzer, Sophie. At 12-years-old, one of her favourite things to do is to find hidden treasures in empty boxes stuffed with balls of paper containing tiny treats. She will then proceed to shred the box into pieces, just in case she missed anything!

Yes, it makes a mess and has to be cleaned up, but being able to watch her sense of enjoyment, purpose, achievement and the calmness and relaxation she feels afterwards, is priceless.

I believe that scenting activities for dogs should be considered an essential need. It really doesn’t have to be difficult, time consuming or expensive.

Scent work is especially beneficial to dogs that may be nervous, fearful, lack confidence, are reactive, have big feelings or are high energy. It gives them a “job” to do in a world where they often have no outlets to fulfil this very natural, biological need.

Provide opportunities for your dog to be “nosy”, it really will make a difference to their wellbeing.

10/09/2025

10/09/2025

Absolutely agree.