Bright Paws

30/08/2024

Yup😂🤣🐶🐺🐩🐕🐕‍🦺🦮🐾🐾

28/08/2024

28/08/2024

FACING THE FEAR
There is a common disbelief that comforting a dog that is feeling scared, anxious or stressed will only reinforce, encourage the feeling and make it worse.

This belief is incorrect. Fear is an emotional response and one that a dog does not choose or decides to feel.

An emotion is an involuntary, uncontrolled response that cannot be reinforced.

Punishing fear-based behaviour is even worse than not providing comfort as it creates even more negative associations with whatever the “scary thing" is.

Behaviour and emotions are intrinsically linked in important ways, but they are still not the same thing and require different approaches when they become a problem.

Imagine an intruder broke into your home, tied you up and took off with your belongings. After being freed and getting help, a friend arrives to see how you are.

Your friend tells you that she can see that you’re really anxious and scared but she’s just going to completely ignore you, is not going to attempt to comfort you, sit with you or support you because by doing so she will make you even more afraid and upset. Does that reaction make any sense?

Why should it be any different for dogs that also experience a range of emotions? Why then is it still believed that we should ignore our dogs?

Probably because there is confusion and misunderstanding about the difference between an emotional response - which is an involuntary response and a learned response - which has varying degrees of conscious control.

If we acknowledge that providing comfort and support to a dog that is experiencing these emotions will not reinforce them, do we know if providing comfort will reduce these emotions?

Research on this subject is showing evidence that providing comfort and support in stressful situations decreases a dog’s heart rate, salivary cortisol levels, reduces stress responses and increases calm behaviour.

Ignoring a dog’s emotions because of misinformed advice in the belief that this will change the behaviour is more damaging than helpful.

We need to accept and acknowledge that our dogs are having an emotional response and not a behavioural problem.

We need to show compassion, understanding, be a secure base, a safe haven and provide the appropriate comfort when our dogs need it.

28/08/2024

The first time I saw someone do this I was shocked.
I thought it was a one off, clearly it isn't and social media "influencers" have started to spout this as a "solution".
When I first saw this a few years ago, I could see the skin under the belly twisting and stretching while a lead was tightly pulled up from above.
There was bruising and this dog was certainly in pain.
All because someone wanted a quick way to teach a dog to walk beside them.
Companies even sell carabiners that encourage using this method.
What people may not realise is this can kill a dog.
The belly is not well protected...at all.
The intestines are right there and there are no bones in that area to protect those precious and vital organs.
That constant pressure and squeezing can and DOES cause serious abdominal issues.
PLEASE don't be tempted to follow this trend if you have seen it on social media.

27/08/2024

Always give dogs a choice....🩵🐶🩷🐶

Oh boy this can be tricky❗
Very subtle and easily misread. 💥
Yes, dogs can absolutely consent (or not) to play.
Many people think a sign that their dog doesn't want to meet or play with another dog is a growl (which of course there absolutely can be), however even before that growl there can be lots of other signals given that they do NOT want to meet.
These signs are often more subtle.
Scratching.
Sniffing.
Nibbling away at themselves or a stick on the ground, these can all be signs that they may not be comfortable with what is about to happen.
We need to pay close attention to this as these signals can be our dog saying.
"No thanks".
Unfortunately some of these signals can be subtle and easily misread by us, so we persist in letting dogs meet.
That is when our dogs need to use a much stronger signal such as growling, air snapping or worse.
It is important to note these signals as we need to respect just how our dogs are feeling.
They have every right to consent to meeting or playing, or not.
If these signals are shown, they may just need more time or careful exposure to this potential new friend.
They can certainly warm up to them.
Imagine how many incidents could be stopped if we just took the time to see exactly what they are trying to say to us and the other dog.

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22/08/2024

Yes! 💟

22/08/2024

It is hard...no doubt about it.
Having a new puppy is challenging. Also rewarding 🥳🍾😀.
We have just uploaded a new video to YouTube that covers all the tips and tricks we KNOW work, details in comments.
There will be good days, there will be bad days.
Puppy toileting issues are just as common as feeling the puppy blues and often they go together. It can be incredibly frustrating for everyone, including your puppy.

Hang in there new puppy guardians ! 🙂

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17/08/2024

Don't wait for the bark.💥
I cannot stress this enough when working with reactive dogs.
Unfortunately too many people only react to their own dogs reactivity when there is a bark.
A bark is just an audible sign of a reaction but there are many other signs given before that bark and when we don't recognise those signs, guess what happens ?
Barking, Lunges, Spins, Jumps and a dog unable to control their own emotions.
There is a LOT that is shown before the bark, even if it is very fast, it is still shown.
So why is it so important to know the unique signals and changes in posture and body language your dog shows ?
So you can STOP the escalation....and yes, even stop the barking from occurring in the first place.
Barking is often at the END of a longer chain of events.
First is usually (not always) a hard stare, a fixation.
THAT is a reaction.
It is not audible but it is often the first sign your dog has changed their emotional state, they ARE reacting.

A change in ear position IS a reaction.
Puling harder on the lead IS a reaction.
A lengthening of the neck/leaning in IS a reaction.
A wrinkled face IS a reaction.......use that information!

Remember a reaction is a change in their emotional state.....and those non verbal signs are a reaction.

A bark is just a reaction we recognise more.

Imagine how we can help our dogs with their reactivity if we started to recognise all those other changes and escalations in their emotional states as easily as we recognise a bark.....

Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make. Everyone is free to share on social media🙂, however off social media use of these marked graphics is prohibited.
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 or for personal use.
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14/08/2024

DON’T TOUCH MY STUFF!
Resource guarding – also called possessive aggression

We all guard our resources, it’s a natural reaction to a threat of something we value being taken away.

It’s essential for survival and dogs or other animals would not survive in the wild if they didn’t guard their resources.

We also don’t get to decide what’s valuable and what’s not – different things have different value to different dogs and at different times.

Food is usually the most common, but toys, furniture, different items, places, or even a certain person are all things that may be seen as a valuable resource.

A dog turning their head away, freezing, a hard stare, whale eye, moving away, growling or snapping may quickly escalate into a serious bite in an attempt to protect that valuable possession.

Punishing or forcing a dog to give something up is probably one of the worst things to do.

Resource guarding is rooted in the emotion of fear – the fear of that resource being taken away.

Punishment and force further increase that fear, which only increases and reinforces the need to protect that resource.

When a dog is guarding food or an object, we can change the negative emotion of that fear into a positive one by swopping or trading something that has a similar or higher value than what the dog has.

This is one of the most effective ways to address resource guarding of objects as it works at the root cause of the behaviour by changing the emotional response.

A dog resource guarding a person is more complicated to address. A full history of the individual dog, family dynamics, attachment styles, situation and environment all have to be assessed before planning and working on a solution.

Resource guarding can usually be prevented, managed and addressed and by starting early, understanding why dogs feel the need to resort to this behaviour and doing what we can to prevent it from happening in the first place.

20/07/2024

Bad behaviour… really?

19/07/2024

It's essential that every puppy learns to enjoy being handled, especially on the parts of the body that turn into common bite triggers. Early puppyhood handling and socialization is easy to do and makes a huge difference in a dog's temperament and quality of life, for the rest of their life!

Learn more or download the PDF version: https://dunbar.info/puppy-handling

16/07/2024

Proper crate training is an absolute must. Dogs cannot just be put in the crate and be expected to cope.

Crates. Either you love them💓 or hate them❌ .
This can be a very divisive issue and I am aware that they are banned in many countries.
This is not a step by step guide on crate training (because it is also SO individual), however it is a reminder that YOU are the main reason why your dog will love or despise their crate.
If you want them to love them, make them fun, comfortable, safe and that happens with time, food, fun and positive associations.

If you want them to have a negative association with them there are things people do which may or not be obvious.

❌Don't drag your dog/puppy into the crate.
❌Never use the crate as a place of "time out" as a punishment.
❌Don't put them in areas where they cannot rest easily (a busy lounge with young children may not be the best place).
✅Check the crate isn't noisy whenever they move, some rattle with every movement.
❌Frantic crying shouldn't be ignored and "cried out".
❌In times of excitement in the lounge is the puppy or dog always crated? This can cause frustration.

If you do want to crate train or are having difficulty look at HOW you use the crate.
What do you do with the crate and the associations your dog or puppy may have with it are key to how they will feel about it.

Love them or hate them, crating is a very good option for many puppies or dogs.
It can be a sanctuary or it can be a place of distress.

🙂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 our collection of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

16/07/2024

It's so important that we recognise signs of stress in our dogs, so that we can help them feel better.🐶🐾🐾

Stress signs, they can be very subtle or are slap in the face obvious.💥. Not all stress is bad either.
I know some people do struggle to see signs of stress in their own dogs, so I made this to help show some of the more common ones.
There are plenty of others.✅
Sniffing.
Attempting to disengage from a situation by being suddenly very "interested" in a scent.
Tail position.
Wags can mean the opposite to happy and stiff tails, high stiff "flagging" tails.
Coat.
It can bristle completely or only in parts, tail, rear rump or along the whole spine.
Hesitancy. Suddenly stopping, changing pace, lowering the head and maybe stretching it out.
Stressed or uncomfortable dogs tend to have closed mouths and tighter faces, but those closed mouths open when drooling, panting or lifting the lips to give a front mouth grin. They can even open up just enough for a tongue to flick out.
Ear positions should also be looked at, they are often a sign of being uncomfortable in many dogs...but not all.
Not all are listed and you may know your own dogs stress signals.
It is important to note that some of these signs are also shown when a dog is in a state of excitement, context and situations all need to be taken into account.
It is ok if your dog shows some signs of stress. It is communication and is very valuable information for you to quickly address what is happening, or about to happen.

I often get asked why I called our business ABC Dogs.
All
Behaviour is
Communication (ABC 😊)
and stress behaviours are certainly communication. 🙂

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Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

16/07/2024

Always reward the Calm🐶

This is SO easy.✅
Some people find the concept difficult as it seems too easy. So what is this super duper easy peasy trick to a calm dog ?🤔
Reward the calm.
Reward often and reward the "nothing".
So why on earth would you want to reward "nothing" ?
Because that is exactly how you will have a dog that shows you calm behaviour.
Behaviour that is rewarded IS repeated.

Make sure they ARE actually calm though and not "bursting out of their skin excited"....which dogs certainly can be and their bodies can be still but they are about to explode with energy at any second.
Don't equate stillness with calmness.
You can have a dog moving and being calm. Reward that too !

Carry rewards on you and capture that calm...often.
In a week or two (or even in a day or two for some) watch what happens !

🙂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 our collection of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

15/07/2024

Are there bullies in the dog world❓ Absolutely ✅
Is all play good play❓Absolutely not ✅
Running full speed into play and not assessing or waiting for social cues is a big issue with dogs.
It can cause an immediate change in energy. Sometimes the high energy may be matched, sometimes it causes an immediate stillness and stiffening in the other dog.
THAT can become a very big issue.
While the focus is on the dog that has the highest energy, people can often forget about the other dog involved....BOTH dogs need read and not just the dog that has that extreme energy.
Don't forget who that energy is targeted at.
That quietness/stiffness and stillness from the other dog needs noticed...and intervene if necessary.

Play can turn in an instant...so it is important to advocate even when they are playing.
I am all for dogs communicating together and letting each other know what is appropriate and what is not, but unfortunately many dogs do have inappropriate play styles and are unable to read social cues. They have gone from 0 to 10 even before the lead is taken off to let play commence.
Dogs may react badly to pushy play styles or behaviour they may see as inappropriate.
Over excited/hyper dogs often have very little emotional self regulation.
They don't wait for those important social cues and some don't know how to read them when they are given.
They charge in with an immediate intensity that dogs can react very badly to.

Watch for sudden changes.
Read BOTH dogs and not just yours.
Advocate.

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 our collections of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

02/07/2024

Reactive Dogs.
I know just how much hard work you put in, everyday👍. Many of you will know reactive dogs are an area I am passionate about.
Maybe you are new to having a reactive dog or have just noticed reactivity in your own dog creeping in. It's OK and it CAN get better🙂.
What can be confusing for some are terms which are used....and importantly what they actually mean and why we stress the importance of these when working with reactive dogs.
This is a very non technical explanation of what some of the terminology means.....a very general and hopefully easy to understand explanation of terms.

This isn't just for fear reactive dogs, even over excited/hyper dogs can have high levels of stress in fact some dogs that are just on the "go" ALL the time often have very high levels of stress hormones. Nervous or newly adopted dogs can also benefit.

🔵Stress levels/Stress hormones
Reactive dogs have releases of stress hormones when they react, the difficult thing with this is they can stay at a high level and can take hours or DAYS to reduce, so....if your dog reacts many times a day those levels may be very high, and stay high. These levels need to come down to help reactivity.
They have to reduce.
As mentioned even overly excited/hyper dogs can have high levels of stress hormones.

🔵Lowering stress hormones/stress levels/decompression.
Simply put these are ways to help your dog lower those stress levels. Lowering the pressure your dog is feeling.
Ways to help lower those levels include not adding to those stress levels (avoiding situations where dogs react again and again). If your dog reacts again and again, those levels may not drop and they can stay high. Every reaction can "top up" stress levels.
We also add in ways to help your dogs life by helping with confidence, enrichment and creating relaxation which can be a natural way to lower those stress hormones.
Sleep is VERY important for reactive dogs.
Helping a dog use their nose is extremely helpful for reactive dogs.

🔵Trigger stacking.
Small issues that can occur in a short period of time (or over a few days) that add to stress in a dog.
These can be seemingly small when looked at individually. These smaller "triggers" stack on top of each other and can cause reactions. They may react to something they have always been ok with if they have had multiple smaller scares/stressful situations, even if there are very small outward signs or reactions, they can "add up".
They may also have a much bigger reaction if they have had multiple smaller issues during the day. These can be as innocent as a very small startle when a door is closed too quickly, or a car toot as it goes past......these can have an accumulative effect on your dog so they will be MORE likely to react to something else, react more strongly and at a far greater distance than they may normally have an issue with.
Understanding trigger stacking is important with reactive dogs.

I hope that may clarify a few terms commonly used with reactive dogs.🙂

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 our collection of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

01/07/2024

Some easy things you can add in now with your reactive dog.✅ Changing a dogs emotions takes time and effort. There are lots of steps (and EASY steps) you can take to help your dog with how they view triggers. ✅
If you have a reactive dog, I know just how much effort you are already putting in.✅ There may be something in this graphic which you may have never thought about.
It can be a frustrating process, stressful and sometimes a slow process too, but when you first see those improvements it is a great feeling.
A feeling of "WOW, I CAN actually do this"...and you can ! ✅
When your dog starts to understand too....that is another reason to celebrate.

There are tough day ahead too though, and that is absolutely OK.
Nothing is perfect.
Something that isn't talked about much with reactive dogs is how our own emotional state can either help or hinder a dogs progress.
Our clients are encouraged to breathe, relax, and drop those shoulders when doing this work and it helps enormously.
After 3 deep slow breaths their dogs own stress level has reduced.
Dogs sense our emotions.
They can sense how stressed we are....and walking a reactive dog can be stressful.

Breathe....Relax and trust that you CAN do this.✅

Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make. Everyone is free to share on social media🙂, however off social media use of these marked graphics is prohibited.
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 or for personal use.
Screen shots are a violation of the copyright.
Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for unmarked graphics. All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

27/06/2024

31/05/2024

Prepare yourselves!

The weather service has issued a warning for light snow expected in Gauteng next week.

Keep your pets indoors.

Here are some helpful tips:

Keep Pets Indoors: Bring pets inside to protect them from the cold. Provide a warm, comfortable place for them to sleep.

Limit Outdoor Time: If your pets need to go outside, limit their time, and supervise them. Ensure they are wearing appropriate protective gear like pet sweaters.

Check Paws: After being outside, check your pet's paws for ice, salt, and chemicals. Wipe their paws with a damp cloth to remove any irritants.

Provide Warm Bedding: Ensure your pets have a warm bed or blanket to snuggle into. Consider using pet-safe heating pads if necessary.

Hydration and Nutrition: Ensure your pets have access to fresh water and are well-fed to help them maintain their energy levels in the cold.

Exercise Indoors: Engage your pets in indoor activities to keep them active and entertained if outdoor play is not feasible.

Keep your pets entertained!

For Dogs:

Interactive Toys: Use puzzle toys or treat-dispensing toys to keep your dog mentally stimulated and engaged.

Training Sessions: Teach your dog new tricks or commands. This helps with mental stimulation and strengthens your bond.

Indoor Fetch: Use a soft ball or toy to play fetch in a safe, open area inside your home.

Hide and Seek: Hide treats or toys around the house and encourage your dog to find them.

Tug-of-War: Play a game of tug-of-war with a sturdy rope toy to burn off energy.

DIY Obstacle Course: Create a simple obstacle course using household items to give your dog a fun challenge.

For Cats:

Interactive Toys: Use laser pointers, feather wands, or motorized toys to stimulate your cat’s natural hunting instincts.

Catnip Toys: Provide toys filled with catnip to encourage playful behaviour.

Scratching Posts: Ensure your cat has access to scratching posts or pads to satisfy their need to scratch.

Climbing Structures: Set up cat trees or shelves to give your cat places to climb and explore.

Stay warm and safe.
Synergy Canine Health & Rehabilitation

31/05/2024

Absolutely

31/05/2024

Walking with worried dogs can make walks hard, emotional and even scary. It's important to remember that even when a dog lunges forward, they are just trying to stay safe. We can help you to understand your dog and learn howe to make walks better, just drop us a line below.

31/05/2024

BARRIERS TO LEARNING – WHY SOME DOGS STRUGGLE TO LEARN

“My dog is stubborn, doesn’t listen to me, a slow learner, not the smartest, tries to be in control, will only do it at home, will only behave sometimes, is uncontrollable……” – these are comments that are often heard.

Just like us, dogs need the right kind of conditions to either be able to learn something new or to bring about a change in behaviour.

Dogs are not robots that can be programmed by a set of specific inputs that guarantee consistent results. They are individual, sentient beings that need to be understood.

If we’re feeling stressed, anxious, tired, over excited, too distracted, not feeling well, have no motivation etc. we will find it really difficult, if not impossible to learn something new, change our behaviour or change a habit. The same applies to dogs.

A dog’s emotional state, the surrounding environment, motivation, age (pups, adolescents, seniors) or any health issues all have a significant impact on their ability to learn.

If your dog is having a hard time learning something, look at these factors and see if there is a reason that may be preventing progress.

Maybe your dog is just having an “off” day, just like we do.

Try again tomorrow or next week and set your dog up for success by having realistic expectations.

Learning or changing behaviour takes time, patience, consistency, understanding and the right conditions.