Newcastle City Pets

29/05/2024

Anyone else puzzle over this when they are brushing their gorgeous furry friend?

28/03/2024

Towels and their uses for dog fun often feature in my consults. Here’s some more ideas of how to enrich your dog’s life with a simple towel!

How to build your bond with your dog, using an old towel!

Canine enrichment with a towel can involve a variety of activities that stimulate a dog's mind and engage their senses. Here are some examples:

Hide and Seek: Take a favorite toy or treat and hide it inside a rolled-up towel. Encourage your dog to use their nose to find the hidden object. This activity not only challenges their sense of smell but also engages their problem-solving abilities.

Tug-of-War: Hold one end of a towel while your dog grabs onto the other end. Gently pull back and forth to create a game of tug-of-war. This activity can help build your dog's strength and coordination, as well as provide a fun bonding experience between you and your dog.

Towel Obstacle Course: Place a rolled-up towel on the ground and encourage your dog to jump over it, crawl under it, or weave around it. This activity can help improve your dog's coordination, balance, and spatial awareness.

Overall, using a towel in different activities can provide physical and mental stimulation for your dog while also fostering a strong bond between you and your dog. It is important to supervise your dog during these activities to ensure their safety and to always make sure the towel is clean and free of any potential hazards.

29/02/2024

THIS!!! 👇

14/02/2024

Have you got a dog going through adolescence?! Fun isn’t it? No? Here’s some tips to help and contact Newcastle City Pets if you need advice for your furry teenager!

BRAIN UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

The challenges of teenage dogs

The saying - "Parents with teenagers understand why some animals eat their young" is something that many parents of teenagers will relate to.

Many people are unaware that dogs also go through a teenage stage and are frustrated and unprepared for the changes it may bring.
Statistics show that many dogs are surrendered or re homed during this phase as their owners no longer “like” the way their dogs behave, can’t handle them and just give up on them.

The teenage brain is going through many changes. Think of it as being “rewired”. The rewiring process can cause some parts not to work at all, work sporadically or have too much current. The re wiring process often causes new, out of character or unexpected behaviour.

There are many similarities to the changing human teenage brain. There’s a valid scientific reason why car insurance premiums for young adults under 25 are more expensive. The brain is not fully matured – irrational decisions, risk taking, poor choices and accidents are more likely to happen.

Be patient, understanding and most of all consistent with your teenage dog.

Don’t give up on them. They are feeling just as frustrated as we are.

Being aware of what is happening in their brain as it develops to full maturity helps us to be more accepting.

Remember that this is just a phase and it will get better.

13/02/2024

Does your active dog love the ball launcher? Increasingly we see problems caused by these!! Read on…

Ball launchers have become a popular accessory for dog owners who want to keep their dogs active and entertained. However, these devices can have negative effects on your dog's health and wellbeing.

Ball Launchers Can Cause Obsession:

Some dogs become obsessed with fetching a ball, which can lead to behavioural problems. They may become aggressive or anxious when they are not playing with the ball launcher, making it difficult to enjoy time with your pet. It's important to recognise the signs of obsession and to limit your dog's use of the ball launcher.

Ball Launchers Interrupt Natural Behaviour:

Dogs are naturally curious and enjoy exploring their surroundings through sniffing and relaxing. However, when they become obsessed with fetching a ball, they may lose interest in these natural behaviours. This can lead to boredom and frustration, causing your dog to become less active and less healthy.

Ball Launchers Can Cause Joint Problems:

Repeatedly launching a ball puts a lot of stress on your dog's joints, especially if they are a high energy breed. This can lead to joint problems such as arthritis, which can be very painful and expensive to treat. It's important to limit the amount of time your dog spends playing with a ball launcher and to give them plenty of rest breaks.

While ball launchers may seem like a fun and easy way to keep your dog entertained, they can have negative effects on their health and wellbeing. They interrupt natural behaviour, can cause joint problems, and lead to obsession. If you want to keep your dog healthy and happy, it's best to limit their use of ball launchers and encourage them to engage in natural behaviours such as sniffing, scent work, exploring and simply relaxing.

24/12/2023

Things to definitely avoid your pets eating over the next few days 🙏

20/12/2023

Newcastle City Pets will be closed from 22 December 2023 - Friday 5 January 2024. Wishing everyone a happy, relaxing Christmas and New Year with your friends, pets and families 🐾🎄🐈

09/12/2023

Have seen so many people walking their dogs today 😠Even a puppy that was clearly heat affected. Please share with everyone you know that has a dog. Heat stroke in pets and burnt and blistered paws DOES happen 🐾

23/11/2023

Unlike humans, dogs have very limited control over their external environment, which can significantly affect their well-being and behaviour.

Dogs can't alter the noise level in their surroundings, choose their own meal times, or decide when to go for a walk. Their daily lives are largely dictated by the routines and decisions of their human companions, leaving them with few choices about where to go, what to do, and when to do it.

This lack of control can sometimes lead to feelings of stress, anxiety, and frustration. For example, a dog may become anxious if constantly exposed to loud noises but can't retreat to a quieter space. Similarly, a dog may display signs of stress if their routine is frequently disrupted without warning.

However, as dog guardians and primary caregivers, we can help mitigate these feelings of stress by creating an environment that caters to a dog's need for safety, predictability, and stimulation. While we can't give dogs full control over their environment, we can aim to understand their needs and preferences, and adjust their surroundings to make them feel more comfortable and secure.

Helping our dogs to feel safe is the most important part of being their guardian in this World.

Way more important than changing their behaviour.

02/11/2023

Senior dogs are one of our favourites to work with. Do you know what changes can happen when your dogs reach their senior years? And it’s possibly sooner than you think 🐾

AGE ISN’T JUST A NUMBER
Aging in dogs is really not that different to the way that we age, but the sad reality is that when our dogs age, it all seems to happen so fast.

Considering their life span, we really have so little time with them.

It’s important to be aware of the changes that come with aging and do what we can to make this time of their lives as comfortable as possible.

Senior dogs often have a more difficult time coping with things that didn’t seem to bother them before.

Many behaviour changes in this life stage are due to an underlying age-related condition that is causing pain or from a decline in hearing, sight or perception.

Unexpected touch, movement or noise may cause already sore or stiff areas to jerk or tense up in response. That touch, movement or noise is often associated with more pain, creating a new negative reaction.

Managing any medical conditions through regular vet checks, feeding a balanced, age-appropriate diet, increasing mental stimulation to slow down cognitive decline, shorter, slower walks, allowing lots of time to sniff, keeping predictable routines and supervising children or other animals so they don’t bother our senior dog are just some of the things we can do to help our dogs navigate this stage in their life.

Much like how we should be patient and understanding and adjust the environment to accommodate the changing needs of our human seniors, we should be doing the same for our senior dogs.

“Dogs' lives are too short. Their only fault, really.” - Agnes Sligh Turnbull

19/10/2023

19/10/2023

When we seek help for our dog's behaviour we tend to focus on stopping something unwanted.

Our aim is to make that behaviour go away.

But there's much more to it than that.

Dogs act how they do based on their feelings and their motivations.

They can’t tell us what either of those things are unless we know their language.

Unless we identify what they need.

Then work out another way to meet that need for them.

Ethically, we can't dive in to make the dog stop doing something.

We must start by watching and listening.

Learning from the dog.

Asking the following questions.

14/10/2023

12/10/2023

Clever and easy to understand guide to why a wagging tail doesn’t always mean what you think.

11/10/2023

Is your dog anxious? Maybe consider alternatives to going for a walk. Walks can actually be a source of anxiety for some dogs 🐕.

While regular exercise is important for most dogs, the type, frequency, and intensity of that exercise can vary.

You have options.

Meeting Energy Needs Indoors: Not all dogs require intensive exercise outdoors. With the right indoor activities, like playing fetch, tug-of-war, or even interactive toys, a dog can get a good amount of physical activity. Mental stimulation can also tire a dog out — so things like puzzle toys, training sessions, or even hide-and-seek with treats can be beneficial.

Stressful Outdoor Environments: Some dogs, especially sensitive dogs or those with traumatic backgrounds, might find the outside world overwhelming. Noises, strangers, other animals, or even just the vastness of open space can be sources of anxiety. For such dogs, forcing daily walks can be counterproductive. It's essential to work on their confidence and slowly introduce them to the outdoors rather than push them into what could be a distressing situation.

Other Ways to Socialise: If you're avoiding outdoors because your dog is reactive or scared, you can consider controlled environments like playdates with known dogs, or just sitting and watching the world go by in a big safe space. Over time, these experiences can help increase a dog's confidence.

It's important to note too that walks aren't just for exercise. They offer sensory stimulation, opportunities for socialisation, and a chance for dogs to engage with their environment. If you choose to skip regular walks, ensure you're compensating with other forms of engagement.

Always pay attention to the individual needs of your dog.

If they're content, healthy, and their energy is appropriately channelled, you're likely on the right track, regardless of how often you venture outside.

08/10/2023

Slowing down with our dogs is good for them and good for us.
Let's spend more time being with them, and less time doing with them.

06/10/2023

“Socialised” can mean different things to different dog owners, and sometimes it’s an excuse for poor behaviour…a socialised dog is well mannered, understands other dogs’ signals and boundaries and responds to their owner. Thank you ABC Dogs for this information.

These dogs really are everywhere.....and the term "socialised" is a loose term to describe these dogs.
They are often mislabeled as friendly by the guardian/owner as that is how they are seen by them.....They barge right in to "play" with other dogs the second the lead is taken off, before then they are straining, bursting out of their skin to get to whatever they are desiring at the time....and allowing dogs to do this is half the issue.

This behaviour has been rewarded by the "play" and fun of interacting.....Why would they behave any other way around other dogs?
They are not friendly.
Dogs do not consider these dogs friendly either.
Why?
These dogs take no time to assess the situation, their energy is off the charts and they immediately assert themselves into play, and demand interaction from other dogs.

They cannot read cues, or they completely ignore them when given by other dogs.
Reading other dogs play styles is non existent.
Focusing on you or redirecting is impossible.
There is absolutely no impulse control or emotional self regulation.

These dogs are often seen at a dog park running from dog to dog in a hyper aroused state and they often have an almost manic appearance, all of this causes fights, injury, stress and is a direct causation of reactivity occurring in either dog.

I have used the term "socialisation" but socialisation is NOT play....it never was....it is about calmly accepting other dogs exist through controlled exposure.
That calmness allows self regulation, allows reading cues from others and impulse control is practiced.
As a society we have a twisted view that socialisation means dogs play with all other dogs....and they should get on.
The reality of TRUE socialisation is the opposite.

If you do have a dog that has these issues...you can help (but if you reach out to a good behaviour modification trainer, you will save yourself years and years of issues).

Teach engagement with you in ever increasing distractions.
Practice and learn calmness....it is a skill.
Manage the environment for calm and limited exposure at a distance....and reward calm.
Praise and reward when they look away from the other dogs....that IS praise worthy.
Mental enrichment with these dogs helps everything.
Learn the body language of your dog (and others).

You are not alone in struggling with this behaviour, it is very common.
Take a chance that your dog CAN behave in a different way, they just need to be shown how by you or a great trainer.

Limit where and when they can practice this behaviour......and most important dog parks and meeting endless other dogs will do nothing but fuel all of this behaviour.

Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright. Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for Graphics

05/10/2023

Please note Newcastle City Pets does not recommend taking a ‘nose print’ of your cat’s nose! 🙀

07/09/2023

I know this is a very big issue.
Many people continue to let their puppies/dogs meet this way in the hope that the more dogs they meet, the more calmer they will become.
It has the opposite effect.
Unfortunately all this approach does is show a dog if they pull hard enough, bark loudly enough...they WILL meet the other dog....because that is the way it has always been.
For them...it works.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with dogs showing excitement....but if you have an over excited greeter....you will know the level of excitement they can reach.

Apart from being habit forming a very real issue resulting from this is your own dogs inability to stop, take a breath and read if the other dog is even interested.
If your dog approaches another with that energy....they can be in danger from the other dog.
I also have to add that dogs do not need to meet all other dogs.....it can end in disaster, but if you have a puppy or dog that enjoys the company of others (or you want them to meet other family members dogs)....work on the over excited greetings.

These dogs may also show over excited or hyper behaviour in all sorts of situations.

06/07/2023

Attention all pet and livestock owners! 📢

We all want the best for our furry friends, and being prepared for emergencies is key! Being prepared is not just for our own safety but also for our beloved companions, who can't save themselves! 🐾

Do you have a plan to transport them in the case of an evacuation?
Make your plan today! www.getreadyanimals.nsw.gov.au

27/06/2023

Cats often miss out because we think they are ‘independent’ but cats enjoy a schedule, sensory stimulation, play, and human company. What do you do with your cat?

23/06/2023

PESKY PULLERS

Why dogs pull on leash

This is a really common problem and one that often causes us huge frustration.

It can make walks really unpleasant or we may even stop all together because our dogs pull so much.

Understanding why dogs pull is important. They don’t pull because they are trying to be the Alpha, be the top dog, trying to dominate us or take over the world.

Getting out for a walk is a really exciting, stimulating time for our dogs, especially if they’ve been cooped up in the same place for hours or days at a time without anything to do.

Pulling is normal, natural behaviour. Having to walk slowly, calmly, stuck to our side when the only thing our dogs can think about is pulling forward and exploring the environment requires a huge amount of impulse control that may be just too much for many dogs to master.

Yanking the leash, using choke collars, prong collars, slip leads or similar types of tools in an attempt to control this natural impulse is not the answer.

They may provide us with a feeling of being in control but leave our dogs feeling even more frustrated or they pull even harder in an attempt to make us move forward.

Do we really need to have our dogs walk calmly stuck to our side? Is this being fair to them?

Learning and practicing loose lead walking, using a long line when it’s safe to do so, taking your dog for a decompression walk where they can choose which direction to go and when to stop and sniff, booking a sniff spot or a walking area, driving to a safe, open area where they can explore, rewarding them for checking in with you are all ways to meet their natural needs and might even result in a dog that stops pulling.

08/06/2023

You may never look at dogs playing in quite the same way once you start to recognise the signals they want to stop (or not even start to play). This is often tricky for other dogs to pick up on.....sometimes you need to advocate and stop the play they no longer want to participate in.....because if a dog keeps pestering when these signals are given, it can cause the most serious of incidents.

Sometimes these signals are given after a few minutes.... purely to let the play calm down a bit and then both dogs reengage and are happy for play to recommence (so they can be used as a quick interval and then continue).

If you notice your dog suddenly VERY interested in anything else (esp if they move away from the action), it can mean they need a break, or are just not interested.

Sniffing the ground....following a trail.
Scratching.
Yawning.
Seeking you out.
Moving away while chewing a stick.....
Showing sudden interest in ANYTHING else other than interacting with the dog in front of them, they are signaling to the other dog that they either need a break....or they just don't want any interactions (or issues).

The tricky part of this is some dogs just cannot read these signals and will persist in attempting to interact... pestering and insisting.

That can lead to very big issues.

To read these signals, the playful dog needs to have had prior instances when these signals were given. This would have been a normal part of litter life and is also part of early exposure to other dogs and puppies....if they have had limited experience playing with other dogs while growing.....they may not read these signals.

So the next time you are able to watch dogs play.....look for these signals they give.
Are they disengaging from play?
Is the other dog respecting that?
Is this just a quick break or is this "nope not interested anymore".

If you are in any doubt that another dog isn't listening to your dogs signals....... advocate and separate.

That helps all dogs involved.

26/05/2023

I often hear “He just wants to be friends” or “She wants to run up to every dog we see”. STOP. It’s bad dog manners and can lead to negative interactions. You don’t know what is going on for the other dog and their human. Be responsible and respectful.

It is easy to judge the other dog when it was our dog that initiated the altercation by being overly friendly

17/05/2023

From the very beginning, teach your kitten appropriate play. It's tempting to use your fingers as toys but you don't want to send a message that biting flesh is acceptable. Always use toys and make sure the technique for playtime encourages naturing hunting behavior. Remember, playtime is not just physical. Playtime for a kitten helps them learn about their emerging skills, helps balance, coordination, and accuracy, and builds confidence. It's also a great way for a kitten to develop positive associations with you and their new surroundings.

10/05/2023

Socialisation.
Play is NOT socialisation. Play is a separate and important skill.....but it isn't socialisation.
What is socialisation ?..... Calmness and acceptance.
What it isn't......over excited, scared, hyper, wary behaviour or PLAY.

I know that seems like a big statement to make for some people but society has some strange ideas of what socialisation is.

That doesn't mean dogs and puppies shouldn't play, it simply means one of the FIRST things they need to learn in life is be calm and accepting of dogs in general....then play can be added as a separate skill.

Calmness and acceptance IS socialisation.
Play is play.
Two completely separate things.

Dogs and puppies are a very small part of having a socialised dog. An important small part... but a very small part in a much bigger picture.
The word socialisation seems to be associated with play and that is a big issue with new puppy guardians/owners.

How you let other dogs meet yours and how your dog meets other dogs forms patterns of behaviour.
The more these dogs have over excited, over aroused and hyper behaviour around other dogs...........the more they understand this IS exactly how to meet dogs....and that is really problematic for many dogs.

True socialisation is acceptance and calmness in ALL the world has to offer.
Everything you encounter in everyday life...is exactly what you need to expose your dogs to.

Little and often
Positively and calmly......and you are well on your way to a well socialised puppy or dog.

One of the best lessons you can teach your puppy or dog is they do NOT need to interact with others.
They don't need to go to that hyper excited behaviour when other dogs are near.

They can be calm, assess the situation and choose to play and interact if they wish.....

That is true socialisation.

23/04/2023

We need to talk about rehoming dogs. I realize I will stir up some … conversations with this.
But there's a stigma associated with rehoming that we have to change.
Ideally, everyone researches breeds and gets exactly the dog that fits their family.
And that dog does pretty well and everyone manages to get along, circumstances don’t change too much and all live (reasonably) happy ever after.
I would estimate that far more than 95% of my dog training students are in this situation.
In some cases however - things don’t go so well.
Perhaps the dog’s breed and personality are a poor match with the owner (I have seen dog and owner teams that were definitely not cut out for each other).
Or maybe, there is already a pet in the household and they really do not get along at all with the dog, no matter how much training and management is put into place.
Or circumstances change - jobs are lost, someone gets seriously sick, and there are just not enough time, money and other resources to make things work.
I have seen many families in exactly these situations. Situations in which *responsibly rehoming* the dog would make everybody happier.
But it’s not done out of fear of the stigma around rehoming.
I want to be very clear:
If your dog doesn’t behave the way you want, you should train them (don’t bring them to the shelter).
If your dog chases the cat, you should put up baby gates and - also - train them (don’t bring them to the shelter).
If you move to a different city, take your dog with you (don’t bring them to the shelter).
There are irresponsible pet owners who do not invest the care, time, effort, finances and love into their dog that they should and simply give them away instead. That's not okay.
But I know that those people will probably not read this post anyway ;)
I also am in no way saying that rehoming should be the first - or second - or even third solution for any issue that pops up.
But there’s a difference between having an “issue” and living in a situation that’s a profound daily challenge for everyone.
Many years ago a close friend rehomed one of her dogs because the setup was a BIG daily challenge for everyone (not going into details here - trust me). While I didn’t say so, deep down I initially judged the decision.
But then, in the following weeks, I saw what an improvement it was for *everyone involved*.
My friend and their spouse were much happier. The dogs that lived in their household were much happier. And the dog that was rehomed was actually happier than I had ever seen her.
In the years that followed, I have witnessed many other cases where the same was true.
If you are ever in a situation where you feel like *responsible* rehoming is the one option that would increase your and your dog’s happiness: Consider it.
And if others judge you for it, write to us. We’ll have an open ear.