Behaviour

How To Be Safe At The Dog Park

Posted on by peter

The dog park can be a fun place for dogs and their owners alike. However, there are always a few precautions you should keep in mind before putting yourself and your pet in an environment that could turn dangerous. Today we’re listing some tips you can use to ensure you’re being as safe as possible at the dog park.

 

#1: Make sure you exercise your dog beforehand

The dog park is full of stimulants your pet will find exciting: other dogs, other people, and a whole lot of socialising. However, an overly excited dog could annoy or offend another dog with their excitement.

To try and avoid this, try exercising your dog before letting them off lead at the dog park. This will help your dog release any excess excitement or energy that may have built up after a whole day at home. Think of it like a jog before the sprint!

 

#2: Double-check that your dog is suitable for the park

For the safety of your own pet and others at the dog park, you should ensure your dog is actually suitable for the park.

Don’t bring your dog to the dog park if he or she is:

  • A puppy
  • Pregnant/on the heat
  • Unvaccinated, or not up-to-date on vaccinations
  • Unregistered
  • Not desexed
  • Aggressive, possessive or antisocial

 

#3: Always bring plastic bags

All dog owners are responsible for picking up after their pets, and this rule is just as valid in the dog park. It pays to be prepared with your own plastic bags, especially because not all dog parks will offer them.

 

#4: Pay close attention to your dog’s body language

While you might see the dog park as a place to meet like-minded dog owners, your first priority should always be watching your dog’s behaviour. Failing to do so might lead to an altercation with another dog.

Not every dog enjoys the dog park, either. Your dog might be shy and if he or she is hanging around your legs, that’s a sure sign they are uncomfortable. Be attentive to these cues and remove your dog from the setting if you notice them.

 

Vets in Endeavour Hills is a Narre Warren vet that can assist with any concerns you might have about your pet. Call our friendly vets on (03) 9700 2264 to schedule an appointment today.

Behaviour, Dogs, Pet Tips, Puppies

5 Basic obedience and training tips for dogs

Posted on by peter

Training a new dog takes a lot of time and dedication, especially if you have a puppy. In the beginning, it can seem like an overwhelming amount of work. Just remember to be patient with your dog and take things step by step. In this blog, we are sharing basic tips to get you started.

Start early

Establishing your boundaries early and keeping them consistent will save you a lot of time down the line. Draw the line at the beginning so your dog doesn’t get confused when the rules change. If you don’t want your dog in the lounge room, on the couch or sleeping in the bed, reinforce that behaviour early on.

Commands

Every moment with your new dog is a learning opportunity. If you regularly use command words over time they will get familiar with them. The most useful ones to practise will be ‘come,’ ‘sit,’ ‘stay’ and ‘heel.’ It is also important not to make training sessions too long. Your dog can only concentrate for so long, so stay with short bursts (eg. 5-10 minutes).

Reward

A little positive reinforcement goes a long way. Your dog wants to do the right thing but they won’t know unless you show them. If you give them too much attention when they behave badly this can sometimes lead to bad habits. It can also distress your dog if you tell them off without showing them what the right thing to do is. So when your puppy or dog does the right thing, be encouraging and praise them or give them a little treat.

Ignoring

It may seem counterproductive but you’re better off ignoring bad behaviours. If your dog barks to get your attention and you tell them ‘no,’ you are teaching them that barking gets attention and they will continue acting up. It can be useful to ignore them until they stop or show disinterest, then give them attention.

Distraction

If your dog loves digging up plants, and no amount of ‘no’ will get them to stop, try giving them something else to do. Instead of telling them off, get them a toy to play with. Toys that allow you to place food inside can be very useful for this purpose.

Also, if your dog won’t listen to you because they are distracted, take them away from whatever is grabbing their attention.

If you need a little helping hand Vets in Endeavour Hills offers behavioural consultations and puppy pre-school. Enrolling your dog in school will give you the base skills to successfully train your dog with kindness. Give us a call on (03) 9700 2264.

Behaviour, Dogs, Pet Tips

Festive foods that are bad for your pets

Posted on by peter

We all love a treat over Christmas, but making sure your pet has the right ones is important.

It’s normal to go a bit over the top with food over the festive period, but whist you’re being merry it’s important to make sure your pet doesn’t join in. The following items are bad for your pet and should be kept away.

Chocolate

Most people know that chocolate can be toxic for cats and dogs, but with the sweet stuff likely to be floating around over the season it’s important that it is out of their reach.

Raw or undercooked turkey

For many it’s a tradition to have turkey on Christmas day, but as you’re preparing the bird it’s important to make sure your pets don’t get near any raw or undercooked meat. Should they have any of your cooked turkey make sure it is boneless.

Alcohol

Those who will be celebrating the end of the year with a glass of champagne should be vigilant none gets near their pet as alcohol can lead to a lot of nasty symptoms, including vomiting and breathing difficulties.

Wrapping paper

Wrapping can lead to intestinal obstructions if a pet digests it. It is also important to keep any plastic bags or covers out of reach as pets can suffocate if they get stuck in them.

Via:: Dr Kevin Pet Advice

Advice from Dr Kevin, Behaviour, Cats, Dogs, Health, Kittens, Puppies