Your Dog and You

I don't know about you, but I've got my weekends planned for the next little while. For those of you who love to plan ahead, upcoming puppy class dates for 2024 are-
31st March.
5th May.
9th June.
14th July.
Classes run on Sunday morning at 10am for 4 weeks and class size is strictly capped at 4 puppies. If you would like more information, jump on my website or give me a call. 🐶💚

All set up and ready to go!! Looking forward to some puppy lovin’ tomorrow! 🐶💚

I can't wait to get back into puppy classes for the year. February's puppy class is starting on Sunday 11th at 10am.
Link to enrol is in the comments. 🐶💚

There's only one spot left in my puppy class starting this Sunday 10th September. Jump on my website to enrol or give me a call for more information. 🙂

You can now enrol in puppy classes months in advance. Follow the link below to find out more information.

Start Strong Puppy School For puppies 8 - 14 weeks old

It has been a while, but I'm really excited to be kicking off puppy classes again on Sunday April 2nd at 10am. Like, seriously excited. I mean, when my therapist asks what brings me joy, puppy classes are near the top of the list excited.

With a maximum of only 4 puppies in my classes, you know you will get the attention you and your puppy need to be successful in these early stages of training. If there are other suitable puppies in class, we also have small play sessions to help you and your puppy understand what good puppy play looks like. You get lifetime access to my video vault with over 50 bitesize videos to refresh your memory, share family members and there is also other new tricks and cues to teach that aren't covered in class. You will learn about the importance of socialisation, enrichment, how to understand your puppy's body language and how to understand the list of ingredients on your puppy's food. You also get 6 months of unlimited phone and email support after classes have finished. If you enrol now, that support starts now. So you don't need to wait until April to get advice on the common puppy problems you may be facing right now! Message Your Dog & You today for an enrolment pack or go to my website to enrol. 🐶💚

There are still places available in my November puppy class. Classes start on Sunday 6th November at 10am. Send me your email address for more information or call during business hours for a chat about your puppy! 🐶💚

THIS IS A PSA

Puppies bite. They bite a lot. They bite hard. Their teeth are sharp. You might bleed. It might seem relentless.

Scaring the pants off them by yelling, pinning, shoving or shouting will not only do precisely zero, it will potentially create a fearful adult dog.

Puppies bite more when;
They are tired
They are hungry
They are bored
They are overstimulated
They are teething

Read that again. They bite MORE when they are the above. They will also bite when they are absolutely fine. They are dogs not dolls.

Be compassionate not scary. They will grow out of it but only if you teach them a good alternative. Trade for toys. Use a pen or a crate. Teach calmness. Reward gentle interactions. Grit your own teeth and ride it out while reinforcing good stuff and proactively managing bad stuff.

Be proactive when you know biting happens like after some play, when excitement goes up, when they are overtired (7-9pm witching hour anyone?) and give them a good chew or help them settle, or channel that energy into some training.

It does get better basically. Don’t panic. Most puppy biting isn’t aggression. Be CONSISTENT and PROACTIVE and expect more than a few bites along the way.

Signed,
Aalto the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (aka the ginger shark)

There's still some spots left in my August puppy class. Don't leave it until the last minute to book your puppy into a puppy class. You can follow the link to enrol now online, send me your email address for a brochure or call during business hours for more information.
https://yourdogandyou.newzenler.com/courses/start-strong-puppy-school

Food for thought if you feed your dog raw chicken or chicken necks.

Raw chicken linked to paralysis in dogs University of Melbourne vets have found a link between eating raw chicken and a paralysing condition in dogs, advising owners to stick with regular dog food.

Enrolments are open for my July puppy class. With a maximum of only 4 puppies in my classes, you know you will get the attention you and your puppy need to be successful in these early stages of training. If there are other suitable puppies in class, we also have small play sessions to help you and your puppy understand what good puppy play looks like. You get lifetime access to my video vault with over 50 bitesize videos to refresh your memory, teach family members and also help you discover other new tricks and cues to teach that aren't covered in class. You will learn about the importance of socialisation, enrichment, how to understand your puppy's body language and how to understand the list of ingredients on your puppy's food. You also get 6 months of unlimited phone and email support after classes have finished. If you enrol now, that support starts now. So you don't need to wait until July to get advice on the common puppy problems you may be facing right now! Message Your Dog & You today for an enrolment pack.

At this stage there are still places available in my Good Manners course starting this Sunday (5th June.) I think I've replied to all enquiries asking for information course. If you commented on the post in a BSS group asking for information and I haven't sent you a message, can you message me at Your Dog and You as there is a good chance I have missed your request. 💚🐶

Ever wondered why a puppy's behavior seems erratic during adolescence, which occurs between six months and 18 months of age?

The neurobiology of adolescence is fascinating, with some key events that alter both the structure and function of the brain.

During canine adolescence, s*x hormones are changing which effects the animals stress responses. Adolescent dogs have a decreased ability to modulate sensory processing and subsequent behavior.

The connectivity between the frontal cortex (responsible for decision making) and amygdala (responsible for emotional processing) decreases, resulting in less behavioral control.

So what does this mean? This could mean that your dog, who used to come when called, suddenly cannot. This could mean that your dog, who didn't jump up on guests, suddenly does. Your dog that walked nicely on leash is now pulling. Or perhaps it seems like some days your dog responds to behaviors you ask of them, and some days they don't, without any rhyme or reason.

We also see increased risk taking and more sensitivity to fear.

As your puppy undergoes this transition into adulthood their inner world is intense, even chaotic. Many pet owners experience an increase in undesirable behavior and find themselves becoming increasingly frustrated. In turn, frustration and impatience sometimes cause us to act unpredictably.

This adds to your puppy’s inner turmoil. When the inside and the outside are both unpredictable it can be difficult for puppies to adjust.

By understanding this we can gain greater compassion and understanding. When we approach adolescence with patience we can help create a world that is predictable and gentle so our puppies grow up to be their best selves.

Enrolments are now open for my next Good Manners Training Course. This course is aimed at all dogs over 6 months of age. Numbers are capped at 6 dogs, so your dog wont be overwhelmed and you can receive the individual attention you need to be successful. Enrolment in my classes comes with lifetime access to my exclusive video vault with over 50 bitesize videos to help you with your training. You also get 6 months of unlimited phone and email support once the classes end. During classes we will work on recall, walking on a loose lead, sit, down, stay, polite greetings, mat training and more. You will also receive education on a variety of dog related topics like the benefits of positive reinforcement training, enrichment, how dogs communicate, diet and how to understand the ingredient list on dog food. If you've been thinking you need some help with your dog, now is the time to take action. Message me today for more information.

Taking enrolments for my June puppy class. Yes, it's nearly JUNE already!!! Enrolment in my class comes with 6 months email & phone support, lifetime access to my video vault, small class sizes so you get the attention you need to be successful and your puppy isn't overwhelmed by others barking. Message me for more information or you can enrol on my website and secure your place today.

📣 Poison Prevention Awareness Week 📣

Five Common Pet Poisons

This month is National Pet Poison Prevention Month, and SASH have teamed up with the Animal Poisons Helpline to bring you information on the five most common pet poisons dangers in Australia. Last year, the Helpline provided advice for nearly 10,000 animal poisons exposures involving over 600 different poisons. Many of the calls made to the Helpline were regarding one of the following five most common poisons.

5. Grapes: Most of you will know that grapes, raisins, and sultanas should not be fed to dogs. Dogs that ingest these common food items may be at risk of kidney injury. Despite research efforts, the exact compound that causes harm remains unknown. Some dogs seem to be able to eat grapes and not develop any complications. It is not known if this is because only certain dogs are sensitive to the toxin, or only some grapes contain the toxin in sufficient quantity to result in problems.
Dogs will often eat grapes that are dropped on the ground during unpacking or preparation. Another common scenario is a well-meaning child feeding grapes to the family dog. If you own a dog, be careful when preparing grapes and never leave a dog, a young child, and a bowl of grapes unsupervised!

4. Wild Mushrooms: Australia is home to over 10,000 mushroom species. Pets that eat wild mushrooms can develop a range of symptoms depending on the mushroom species and toxin involved. Whilst many mushrooms result in either no symptoms or a transient and mild gastroenteritis, some mushrooms such as Amanita phalloides (commonly known as the Death cap) can be life-threatening even with small amounts. As some wild mushrooms have a fishy or rotten meat odour, they can be highly attractive to pets.
Consider keeping your pet on a leash during walks at times of heavy mushroom growth. Heavy growth periods typically occur in the weeks after heavy rain, particularly in autumn and early winter. For wild mushrooms that grow in your garden, daily picking each morning during growth periods is a good way to reduce the risk to your pets.

3. Fertiliser: Organic fertilisers are typically made of different types of manures, blood meal, bone meal, and other meal products. Many dogs think that organic fertiliser smells fantastic, and therefore it’s not hard to see why fertiliser was the third most common call to the Helpline in 2021. Some dogs will ingest very large quantities of organic fertilisers if given a chance to do so. This has the potential to result in severe gastroenteritis, gastrointestinal obstruction and possibly pancreatitis.
Please keep your pet safe by restricting access to fertiliser containers or packaging. Keep in mind that dogs can readily chew through packaging, so they need to be stored out of reach. Apply fertiliser as per the manufacturer’s recommendations (do not use excessive amounts) and always water in pelletised organic fertilisers after application.

2. Chocolate: Contains theobromine which is toxic to most small animals. The risk of poisoning is dependent on the type of chocolate, the amount ingested, and the size of the animal. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning can include increased urination and thirst, vomiting, restlessness, increased heart rate, tremor, and potentially seizures. Dark chocolate and cocoa powder are particularly dangerous, as they contain high concentrations of theobromine.
Easter is rapidly approaching and is a particularly high-risk period for chocolate poisoning in our pets. Please be vigilant in storing all chocolate containing items out of reach, and do not feed your pet any chocolate or cocoa containing food items. This includes chocolate brownies, hot chocolate, Milo, and Nutella.

1. Brodifacoum: The most common call to the Helpline in 2021 was brodifacoum. This is a potent second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide that poisons rodents by reducing the ability of the blood to clot. Unfortunately, pets that ingest these baits can also be at risk of bleeding, which can be life-threatening if not treated in a timely manner. Rodenticides are often formulated in grain-based baits which are designed to attract rodents. Dogs are also attracted to grain-based baits and will often eat large quantities if given a chance to do so.
Where possible, reduce your use of anticoagulant rat baits and consider humane traps or alternative products such as salt-based baits. If you must use an anticoagulant bait, consider using first generation baits (such as warfarin or coumatetralyl) which carry less risk of secondary poisoning. When using anticoagulant baits, only use as much as is necessary and ensure that they are removed when they are no longer required. Always ensure baits are secured and placed in areas that your pets cannot access.

If your pet has been exposed to any poison, please phone your local SASH North Ryde 02 98890289 Central Coast 02 43111311, Adelaide 08 81335300 or contact the Australian Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738 for advice. Some poisons have delayed effects and it is important to seek immediate expert advice even if your pet looks well.

Last spots available for April puppy classes starting Sunday April 3rd. Don't miss out, contact me today for information on how to enrol! 💚🐶

Dog Training Classes starting Thursday 24th February. This is a 6 week course working on all your doggy issues like recall and loose lead walking. We will also cover basics like sit, stay, go to your bed etc. Places are limited, so contact Jodie at Your Dog and You for information on how to enrol today!

Puppy classes will now be starting on the first Sunday of each month and will run for 4 weeks. Next classes will begin on Sunday 6th March. Enrolment will be available months in advance, so if you know you're getting a puppy soon enrol now! Don't wait until you have your puppy because as many people find out, puppy classes in Wagga book out early! Please contact me for details on how to enrol.

Until recently, I really had no idea just how common puppy scams are. Last week I received a call from a client to say that they have to cancel their enrolment in my puppy class. Unfortunately, they were one of the many Australians to fall foul of online puppy scammers this year. The day their puppy was meant to arrive should have been filled with joy and happiness, but it turned into a day of heartbreak and anger. When their puppy didn’t arrive at first, they were told they had not paid for the right shipping container, and that they needed to send more money for a better container to keep their puppy safe and comfortable while it travelled. Their puppy still didn’t arrive. They contacted the “breeder” again and were asked, yet again, to send more money. After a few more messages (these scammers rarely communicate by phone) these people stopped replying to any messages and their very convincing website disappeared along with any hope of the puppy arriving.

It would be too easy to sit back and think how foolish these guys were. We can shake our heads and think that this would never happen to you or me. However the fact is, this is happening to people every day all over the country! This year alone scammers have already stolen over $2.5 million from Australians wanting to buy a puppy. That’s up from $2.2 million last year and $350,000 in 2019. The isolation and loneliness many have suffered from during our covid lockdowns has made this scam all too easy to accomplish.

In the lead up to Christmas, there will be a lot of people looking for puppies. So what can you do to avoid being scammed??

The easiest way to avoid being scammed is to consider going to one of the wonderful local shelters we have and buying a rescue dog. Obviously, not everyone wants a rescue dog, they may have their heart set on a particular breed of puppy and that’s ok. So now what??

Firstly, do your research. No matter how legit the breeder’s website or page may seem. The pictures they use are usually stolen from elsewhere on the internet and will often show up in a reverse image search on google. If they claim to be associated with a relevant breeders association in your state, contact the association and double check their credentials. Don’t trust the little icon they have on their website because that is easily stolen as well. Stalk their page. How long has it been active? Do they have comments or reviews from happy customers?? Visit the breeder to view their establishment. Obviously in this day and age, that may not be possible, so organise a video chat with them instead. A quality breeder will happily answer all of your questions. (In fact, they should have more than a few questions of their own because a quality breeder will want to make sure that their puppy is going to the best home possible!) Is your puppy being transported to you from interstate? Does the transport company even exist? If they do, contact them and ask if they transport puppies for this breeder. If your breeder will only communicate via text or email there really should be alarm bells ringing and you should listen to them!!

Finally, it’s important to note that it’s not only people looking for puppies who are being targeted with these types of scams. People have been duped by others posing to have a much loved family dog that they need to rehome for any number of tragic reasons. All you need to do is cover the cost of transport.... 🙄

Due to a late cancellation I have one spot available in my next puppy class starting this Sunday. If you want more information please give me a call. 💚🐶

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MORE PUPPY CLASSES!!
Due to more enquiries for puppy classes, I am running another class starting Sunday October 10th at 11:30 am. Please contact me directly for details on how to enrol. I have 2 places available. 💚🐶