Search Results for: puppy

As both a Veterinarian and pet owner, I understand how important it is to reduce stress in puppies, especially when it comes to vet visits. Given with all the learning and new experiences puppies face, we need to be aware that emotions and stress can actually affect gut health by disrupting the balance of bacteria. Particularly, for puppies whose gut microbiome is still working itself...

When training a puppy or dog new skills, using positive reinforcement (ie: rewarding the desired behaviour) works best. It is also important to know how to use a ‘Schedule of Reinforcement’ correctly during the different stages of training a puppy or dog with the aim of strengthening the behaviour you are after. Fnd what motivates them When training a puppy or dog you need to...

Grooming a puppy and anxious dogs can be tough on everyone involved. The dog, owner AND groomer! Whilst a dog can be genetically predisposed to anxiety, it can also be triggered by events and other experiences the dog is exposed to in life, particularly during their critical period of development. Grooming can be one of those highly stressful triggers that can cause anxiety in dogs,...

If you’re in the process of toilet training a puppy, or perhaps you might even have a dog that still has some issues with peeing inside, then there are a few things you can do that can assist in the process. Toilet training is not a quick process and there WILL be accidents around the house, so it is important to never punish your puppy...

Grooming puppies and anxious dogs can be tough on everyone involved so it’s important when you wash a puppy for the first time that you make it a positive experience. Get them used to their paws being touched Before you wash a puppy, you first want to get them used to having their paws touched by gently massaging them between the pads. This also helps...

Puppy scams have become an all too common occurrence since the pandemic as more people than ever have been seeking to bring a new puppy into their home. When people act on emotion, they are easier to scam and that’s especially true for pet lovers who want a furry friend at a time that it has been harder than ever to find a reputable breeder...

Everyone loves a new puppy, a bouncing bundle of joy. But with a new puppy also comes many new challenges. From mouthing and biting, to digging and chewing, it's important to address common behaviour problems early on to avoid them becoming a major dog behaviour problem later on. In this segment, Pooches at Play host and dog trainer, Lara Shannon meets up with the gorgeous...

Taking your dog away on holiday requires some preparation, but when taking a puppy on holiday, there are even more considerations to keep in mind. Identification Most puppies come microchipped but, if you’re not 100% sure, get a vet to check and also make sure they are wearing a collar and ID tag with your mobile number on it. All dogs should have one, but...

The popular children's Ooshie toy has also proven popular with curious puppies and dogs, leaving one dog requiring emergency life-saving surgery at Lort Smith Animal Hospital in Melbourne recently. A two-year-old Pinscher cross Doberman called Coco had a lion Ooshie and another plastic object removed from her bowel during emergency surgery, highlighting the threat that small plastic children's toys pose to our dogs, particularly young...

Puppies love treats so it’s important to choose a puppy treat that will help meet the different nutritional needs puppies have compared to an older dog, like the Vitapet Milky Sticks. What to look for in a puppy treat Because puppies have a lot of energy to burn we need to feed them more frequently than adult dogs, with different protein and fat levels, as...