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Vet Visits

Visits to the vet office can be very stressful for both our dogs and us! Lots of dogs have learnt that the vet office is where nothing but scary stuff happens! This problem can be avoided if we start our puppies out right. Adhering to the following protocol can also help with dogs who have already become fearful of the vet office. If we meet the dog’s needs and give him time and space, he can learn that the vet’s office is a good place to be! To do this, we’ll need some basic equipment: Wa...

Teaching Your Dog Not To Eat Rocks

First and foremost you must make sure there is no medical component to this behavior. Ingesting rocks can be the result of a dietary deficiency or digestive disturbance. I recommend a full medical exam including blood work, urinalysis, fecal & physical and, of course, anything else your vet suggests. Talk to your vet and tell her if your dog has been vomiting, even randomly, eating other unusual items, been lethargic or suddenly aggressive. Discuss your dog’s nutrition with your vet to make s...

How To Prevent Poop Eating (Coprophagia)

Yuck! So, what can we do about poop eating? The best strategy is to start from the very beginning with puppies and make sure they never learn this nasty habit. ...

Crate Training Tips

Use MULTIPLE crates when first starting, or move the crate with you so the pup can be nearby.   I suggest a bedroom crate for overnight,  and a living/dining area crate for TV or meal times....

Puppy Biting

OUCH! Puppy biting! It's a problem! But it's a totally normal and important developmental period. Hopefully, puppies were not sold before 8-10weeks old or this problem can be exponentially more difficult for the new family! Why? Well, because their mother is their first teacher about using your teeth carefully, and that happens at natural weaning. Too many times I hear "oh they sold them at 6/7 weeks because the mother was being mean, or the mother wouldn't feed them anymore, or the mother didn'...

How to Find a Great Dog Daycare

Question: I think my dog would benefit from spending time with other dogs in day care. But I’m concerned about finding the best facility for her. I’ve scouted some places, but they aren’t meeting my expectations: too many dogs, not enough employees to watch them. Some places have a distinctive “dog” odor that I don’t want to bring home. How do I know my dog will be safe at the facility (Safe from snatching or safe with the other dogs)? What kinds of things should I be aware of when i...

What Should You Look For in a Dog Daycare?

(Hint: It's definitely not the mere presence of a whole lot of dogs running around.)...

CYANOBACTERIA & ALGAE

The algae typically presents in rivers as dark brown or black mats, with a slimy or velvety texture and a musty smell. These mats can detach and cause rafts in the water. In lakes, it is often suspended in the water. The algae can make water look cloudy, discoloured, or like it has small globules in it.Animals can get very sick if they ingest the potentially toxic algae. Unfortunately, dogs love the musty smell of potentially toxic algae and are naturally drawn to investigating it – usually by...

What is LIMA?

“LIMA” is an acronym for the phrase “least intrusive, minimally aversive.” LIMA describes a trainer or behavior consultant who uses the least intrusive, minimally aversive strategy out of a set of humane and effective tactics likely to succeed in achieving a training or behavior change objective. LIMA adherence also requires consultants to be adequately educated and skilled in order to ensure that the least intrusive and aversive procedure is used.LIMA does not justify the use of punishm...