Newcastle City Pets

31/07/2025

"All good ☺️Neither dog are growling"
Hang on.
Dogs can and do growl in play.
It can be completely normal.

"So how can I tell"?
It can be tricky to tell the difference between healthy play and those interactions that are something else entirely.
There are some areas we can look at to help us decipher.

➡️Immediate posture changes/rigidity/stillness

Some dogs pause, go still..... then explode with loose and wiggly movements. That’s often play.
The problematic kind of rigidness is different. It can linger for longer.
Even when the other dog is showing everyway they can "all's good here"
That stillness and posture is "tight".
It can come with hard stares, leaning or standing over.
Stiff body posture from either dog.....even the one on the ground.
That’s not play

➡️When high energy switches to frantic

Chasing and being chased.
Some dogs love this.
There can be an energy change with chasing that we need to watch for though.
It can turn.
It can become far more frantic and direct.

If one dog is always the chaser, and when they catch the other.....the tone changes, the body language tightens, the movements escalate and it stops looking mutual...that’s when caution is needed.

We don't want to stop dogs playing....but we do need to recognise when it is no longer fun for all dogs involved.

15/07/2025

I seriously think this is the best thing I’ve read when it comes to adopting your new family member ❤️

It takes time and patience! No dog deserves to be judged by its first hours, days, even weeks!! It takes time and work!

Adopting a pet? Congrats! You've just picked someone up in your car who isn't great at communicating, just got out of a tough situation, and isn't sure if they trust you yet. Sound familiar? That's because the first three days with a new pet are basically a 72-hour first date.

It's exciting, it's awkward, and it's definitely not the time to start planning your holiday cards or giving them a bubble bath.

No judgment, but some of y'all might need a quick refresher on first-date etiquette. So here's your official guide to early red flags (from you, not them).

🚩 Leaving them unattended like it's no big deal
Imagine showing up to a blind date and immediately getting ditched at a party where you know no one. That's how your pet feels when they're left alone right away.

Bottom line: Don't ghost your new pet. It's day one. Stick close.

🚩 Being too handsy
They're cute. You're smitten. But this isn't the moment for kisses, cuddles, or TikToks with voiceovers. You just met. They don't know your intentions yet.

This isn't a fling; it's the start of something real. Let them come to you. (Consent matters, even in pet parenting.)

🚩 Introducing them to your entire cast of characters
You ever meet someone and they immediately want you to meet their mom? Yikes.

Your pet doesn't need to meet your whole social circle (or animal crew) right away. Let them settle in, one face at a time. Save the group hangs for later.

🚩 Giving them a bath
You wouldn't give someone you just met a bath, and if you would… we don't want to talk about this anymore.

Yes, shelter pets can be a little stinky. But baths are a lot. They're wet, stressful, and weirdly intimate for a pet who doesn't even know your hobbies yet. Spritz some pet-safe essential oils around the house and give them time to decompress before sudsing them up.

🚩 Taking them on a spontaneous adventure
You are not on The Bachelor. No one wants a surprise helicopter ride on day one.

Keep things calm and close to home. No breweries, dog parks, or road trips. Your pet's just trying to figure out which room has the snacks, don't make them learn a whole new location yet.

🚩 Expecting instant love
Some folks swipe right, go on one date, and expect sparks to fly immediately. The same energy applies to new pet parents who expect instant attachment.

Sometimes it does happen, but more often, it's a slow burn. They might hide under the bed, bark at the fridge, or side-eye you for three days straight. It doesn't mean it's not working. It just means you're still getting to know each other.

💘 The Bottom Line: Love doesn't always strike like lightning. Sometimes, it starts with awkward silences, side-eyes, and mutually agreeing that you won't make any sudden moves. But give it time, stay patient, and keep showing up, and you just might find yourself in the best relationship of your life.

26/05/2025

25/04/2025

08/04/2025

It’s ok for your dog not to be “social”, each dog has their preferred way of interacting and is more comfortable when we acknowledge and respect that. Thank you ABC Dogs NZ

If you don't have a social dog....it is OK❗🙂
I know those that truly do have a social dog may grapple with that and may not realise that the majority of dogs can be incredibly choosy with who they wish to interact with.
Socialisation also morphs and it can change.
It isn't static for many dogs.
As they age it can also change significantly.
Whether your dog is a social butterfly, only likes dogs that are a similar shape or breed to them (fairly common), or just prefers humans, that is who they are.
Does it mean we shouldn't explore it a little more?
We should look at it a bit more in-depth , especially if we have a reactive dog.

This dog training graphic is available through abcdogsnz.com (just click the dog training graphics tab).

21/02/2025

Lot's of talk about letting dogs decompress.....but how ❓
Newly adopted dogs really need to know you and your home offer safety and security.
Here are some good tips on key areas to help a dog decompress.
Enrichment while working on all the other areas in this dog training graphic is a key area.
Enrichment HELPS decompression and you can easily do this by teaching a simple "find" and then expanding that when they are ready.
In the middle of this video (video in comments) it shows you how to start this....you may find other concepts in the video helpful too. While it isn't strictly about newly adopted dogs it has lot's of tips and hints to help a dog relax.
This dog training printout is available through https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/decompression-for-adopted-dogs-abc-dogs-nz-dog-training-handouts

19/02/2025

Yes your dog can be like this! And it’s not fun or good for anyone including the poor dog unable to self-regulate. Need some help with your pet? Contact City Pets!

Always a bit controversial when I post this.
Yes I know🙄🙂...the term "over socialised" doesn't make sense if the true meaning of socialisation is looked at BUT, I find this term really does fit these dogs.
These dogs have always been allowed to pull and drag their owners/guardians towards another dog, person or anything they want to get closer to.
They run into other dogs faces, they struggle with impulse control and self regulating their own emotions.
They can struggle to read another dogs body language because no time is taken to assess.
Some people insist these dogs are friendly....they may very well be friendly but they can cause some very big issues for others and one day there may well be an incident because very few dogs like or will even tolerate this behaviour.
Socialisation isn't about meeting and greeting every other dog.
It isn't wanting to play and mount other dogs.
These dogs can be reactive which is a surprise to some as they may view reactivity only as barking and "aggression".
These dogs may struggle to be calm at other times too.
There will be some videos in the comments that can help.
If your dog is displaying signs of being "over socialised" there are lots of resources out there and a good dog trainer can help.
This dog trainer graphic is available through https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-nz-over-socialised-dogs-common-issues?srsltid=AfmBOorfOWsNIp657raW71sbAkoKOLeHkfEhKN-iz3OyYC5f2cJb8RKe

13/02/2025

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, please be mindful of the flowers you bring into your home 🌻

While a bouquet is a lovely gesture, some blooms can be dangerous to pets. Even a small nibble can lead to serious health issues, including vomiting, organ failure, and in some cases, fatal reactions 💀

To keep your furry friends safe, opt for pet-friendly alternatives like roses, sunflowers, or orchids—because love should never come with risks ❤️

If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic plant or flower, contact your vet immediately. Acting fast can make all the difference.

19/01/2025

Simple, easy and very rewarding enrichment technique for your dog (works with cats too!)

06/01/2025

With temperatures rising today, if you’re not sure whether it’s too hot to walk your dog, just follow the 5-second rule 🖐🐶

Simply place the back of your hand on a surface for five seconds. If you can’t handle the heat, your dog can’t either and it would be best to wait till things cool down before venturing out 🚶‍♀

Your dog can easily overheat when walking in the warmer weather. Dogs cool themselves through their paws and by panting. They simply can’t do this if the ground and air is too hot! 🥵

To avoid burning your pooch’s pads, try walking early in the morning before the pavement has heated up or later at night on cooler grassed areas 🌿

If you think your pet has overheated or is suffering from heat related issues, call an RSPCA veterinary hospital or your local veterinarian immediately.

04/01/2025

Such a damaging and difficult never ending loop‼️
More exercise❓More ball throwing ❓more, More, MORE ‼️
The stamina these dogs have is incredible and the exercise they require is unsustainable.
Many people get stuck in this loop where they have to constantly keep their dog moving, entertained or focused on play.....because if they don't their dogs can start to show unwanted behaviour.
You CAN stop the over arousal loop.
More exercise is usually never the answer to these issues and can FUEL this behaviour.
Get some calm into their lives.
Teach them HOW to switch off.
One of our most popular videos about this subject has over 16,000 views and can help you start the process, link in comments.
Make 2025 the year for real change.

This handout is available abcdogsnz.com