Bright Paws

14/02/2025

This is a great way to check for tight muscles in our dogs backs.🐶🐾🐾🐕

12/02/2025

ARE YOU WORTH COMING BACK TO?

I’m often horrified when I watch people trying to get their dogs to come back to them when they call.

They call and call and get increasingly angry and frustrated as their dog keeps ignoring them.

When their dog eventually comes back, or has been chased and "captured” by the now really angry person, they get screamed at, yanked about, or punished in some way for taking so long and not listening.

Why on earth would a dog want to return to someone who does this to them!

The most common reason dogs don’t come back when we call is because it’s not a positive experience.

A new environment is generally far more rewarding, stimulating and exciting than coming back to us.
An exciting scent or seeing something to chase can all override a response to recall.

Make coming back to you well worth it by always making it a rewarding experience and keep practicing this throughout a dog’s life.

Have a little patience if it takes longer than you would like, let your dog finish what they’re doing before calling them, practice in different locations and environments and never reprimand or punish them for coming back.

There is never a guarantee of a perfect recall each and every time, but making it a rewarding experience will greatly improve the rate of success.

12/02/2025

Dog treats

06/02/2025

30/01/2025

Not all fear reactive dogs fall into this cycle...but many do and it can be a very difficult transition out of it.
Your dog may not react to another dog, but do they bark when a courier arrives, and then stop when they leave ❓
For some dogs that is enough to make a connection between reacting and "making" that trigger leave.
It worked ❗and the tricky thing is, it can expand.
Reactivity is hard, there is no doubt about it....In the comments you will find some videos to help you.
It won't just disappear without understanding and changing the way we look and do things.
This dog trainer handout is available through https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-fear-reactive-the-fear-reactive-cycle?srsltid=AfmBOoolPWW4ZHA9lH2uUyJK1WZasUyEwKGJhE1Kg2ei7nlWogNdEkgm

30/01/2025

🐶💚🧡Bookings are open, come and join the fun🧡💚🐶

🐶 Bookings are open!🐶 Join the fun🐶
Places are limited, so book now to secure your spot.

29/01/2025

What we think is happening can be for a very different reason entirely.
Hyper dog ❓
Did you know the excited and "over enthusiastic" behaviour they show can actually be from anxiety and stress ❓
It is SO easy to misread anxiety in dogs, we have all done it....thinking a dog is having the time of their lives because they are running around leaping and running full speed at people or other dogs....or perhaps we have labelled them as "naughty" because they keep jumping and leaping at visitors and refuse to listen, so we label that as misbehaving.
Over excited behaviour and a dog "having the time of their life" can be from fear.
Fear responses are tricky, they need looked at carefully and critiqued with an open mind.
This dog training handout is available https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-nz-anxiousness-in-dogs-lesser-known-signs?srsltid=AfmBOoo7B4PfE2ZvsZPiWqoRP9OdAhMXAxu8AzvUBzasSOuO7uFcIEM1

26/01/2025

26/01/2025

Using food is great ✅
However it can also be used incorrectly and cause confliction ❌
If you really want to make progress with a nervous dog, these tips can make a huge difference.
✅Be mindful of where they are. Are you are backing them into a corner or attempting this in an area where they feel they have no escape? That can cause confliction and more stress.
✅Watch your eye contact 👀. You need to keep a careful watch of their position but not actually stare at them. Eye contact can frighten some dogs and can make them react aggressively if they feel threatened.
✅Don't insist on a sit or a down, it may not be helpful at all as for many nervy dogs it is just a change of position, they are still just as nervous and we can misread a sit as "Oh good they are ok now".
✅Be mindful of your body. Keep your movements limited and when you do move be thoughtful. Slapping your thighs or clapping to get a nervous dogs attention can be intimidating.
✅Keep your voice natural and light. Some dogs may respond better when there is silence especially if they feel they have been "tricked" before by someone coaxing them and then doing something they viewed as unpleasant.
✅Do you have an escape route planned, that may sound extreme but some dogs can behave unpredictably when stressed and your safety is a priority.
✅Personally I never crouch in front of a dog to do this, crouching can put your centre of gravity off balance and there is an extra few seconds involved if you have to stand and retreat.
✅Are you nervous to even attempt this ? The time to do this may be later when you do see a better opportunity or when your nerves have lessened. Dogs easily pick up on our own emotions

Take your time.
You may need to repeat this multiple times until you see that little glimmer of trust.
It is much better for everyone not to rush this.

This dog training handout is available through https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-nz-increasing-trust-adult-visitors?srsltid=AfmBOooTuRsoPDkDbdYPpFD-qbbtIJ2jtVkQUiRZKtDBAT9QQ7gAa1ai

26/01/2025

A big issue for many walking their dogs on leads (for any one of a number of reasons) can be uncontrolled loose dogs running up to their dogs. Three of the most common reasons are shown in the image - an older dog who may be hurt in an over-enthusiastic and excitable greeting, a dog recovering from illness/injury/surgery, and a dog who is scared - perhaps the victim of a previous dog attack.

There is a misconception that 'good' dogs will love all other dogs and, if in a public area, should be prepared to play and interact with any other dog in the area. The truth is that, just as we are, most dogs are at least a little selective in who they want to interact with. They will show this in their body language which - subtle as it may be to humans - a socially competent dog will be able to read and respect.

The problem is that these 'good' and 'friendly' dogs as their humans perceive them are generally not actually all that socially competent, and don't respect those subtle signals asking for space and to be left alone. They can keep pushing and pushing until the on lead dog (who is not able to avoid them because they are on lead and can't get away) feels they have no choice but to defend themselves. And then it's often the poor on-lead dog who is labelled as 'bad' when they were just trying to get out of the scary situation.

An off lead dog should not be allowed to approach unknown on-lead dogs. If you see your dog approaching an on-lead dog, call your dog back and keep them close by, either by calling them to heel or putting them on the lead. For the sake of everyone's enjoyment of the space you are in, keep your dog under control for the few minutes it takes to give the on-lead dog space, and then carry on.

If your dog cannot be called back from approaching an on-lead dog, they are not ready to be off-lead in a public place. Use a longline while working on strengthening their recall around distractions - for their own safety, as well as that of the other dogs around.

26/01/2025

🌞 HIGH TEMPERATURE ALERT: KEEP YOUR PETS COOL & SAFE! 🐾

With temperatures soaring, our furry friends are at risk of heat stress, dehydration, and even heatstroke. Dogs and cats are especially vulnerable as they cannot cool themselves as effectively as humans. Here’s how you can help keep them cool, calm, and safe during this hot weather:

💧 Ensure constant access to water: Keep their water bowls full and in shaded areas. Add ice cubes to help keep the water cool.

🌳 Provide shade and ventilation: If your pet is outdoors, ensure they have access to a cool, shaded area. Indoors, use fans or air conditioning to keep the space comfortable.

🚫 Avoid hot surfaces: Pavements, sand, and asphalt can get extremely hot and burn their paws. Walk dogs early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler.

🛁 Cool them down: Wipe your pet with a damp cloth, or provide a shallow kiddie pool for dogs to splash in. Avoid ice-cold water, which can cause shock.

⚠️ Never leave them in cars: Even for a few minutes, parked cars can become death traps in the heat.

🐕 Keep exercise light: Reduce intense activities or long walks during peak heat hours.

🐾 Watch for warning signs: Look out for heavy panting, excessive drooling, lethargy, or disorientation. If you notice these symptoms, cool your pet immediately and contact your vet.

Let’s keep our beloved pets safe and comfortable as the heat rises. They depend on us to protect them!

20/01/2025

This really is our "fault" as a society.❗
We seem to promote play instead of acclimation.
Socialisation is a very warped term.
"Socialisation" really isn't play, play is a separate and important skill BUT if your dog or puppy is actively encouraged to play with every other dog or puppy they encounter...that in itself can be the beginning of a lifetime of reactivity.
I have been criticised for promoting "too much" calmness around other dogs and puppies...."Why can't they show emotions", "Why can't they play"?
Never said they couldn't....however, because of the societal pressure to play with all other dogs and puppies (wherever we take them) we can VERY easily set our dogs up to view all dogs and puppies as a source of constant amusement at the mere glimpse of one, a reason to go to the very extremes of emotions.
They may "dig in" and drag you closer.
The barking, shrieking and spinning can start....for two reasons, the emotional extremes dogs now have attached to other dogs and the frustration because they can't reach that other dog quick enough.

So maybe the term "socialisation" is the issue, because for us it means "socialising".
Acclimation is a far better term.
Yes this dog trainer handout is available https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-nz-socialisation-a-misunderstood-concept?srsltid=AfmBOoqgDG7Dz4PA1Dux7WQJJTop1g9IMIB8KhAnvFL0fKik2CShlc65

20/01/2025

Whoa there ❗
All of this is habit forming (for you and your dog).
How should dogs actually meet each other ?
Are they dragging you towards another dog? Are they staring, panting and digging in to drag you closer and closer.....finally getting there and something suddenly changes 💥
Let's take that tension off the lead.
There will be some videos in the comments which can help.
Number one.
Lower the excitement before the walk even begins !
Number two.
Look at a better way for dogs to meet each other !

This dog training handout is available https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-nz-remove-the-tension-to-remove-the-tension?srsltid=AfmBOoqw2gitjxroSoyFC6S99o2G-64oBgtifLO_BOv4blFSLQ-7azXW

20/01/2025

🐶 Bookings are open!🐶 Join the fun🐶
Places are limited, so book now to secure your spot.