Lara’s Blog

Veterinarians, groomers and animal welfare advocates including myself are calling on the Victorian Government to deem all dog grooming services an essential service, to help thousands of dogs that are currently suffering severe pain and health issues due to the current restrictions. With over 80,000 domestic dogs and only 1300 groomers in metropolitan Melbourne, these groomers were struggling to keep up with the backlog and...

Anyone who has tried renting with pets knows how incredibly hard it can be to find a landlord who is welcoming of your pets. The very real and sad fact is that many dogs and cats end up being surrendered to the pound or animal shelters, re-homed with friends or family, or even worse, euthanised through no fault of their own. That's why it is...

With millions of people struggling with mental health issues and turning to their dogs to help them cope, I'd like to encourage dog owners to check in on the mental health of their dogs as we celebrate National Dog Day 2021. Over the past year many households across the country welcomed a new puppy or rescue dog into their home, enjoying the much-needed stress relief,...

Independence training is important at all stages of a dog’s life to help build their confidence and comfort in being left alone. As people start to return to work in the new year, this is more important than ever. As a dog behaviourist, I am seeing many owners that are having problems with their puppies and even older dogs due to anxiety and a lack...

The first-ever National Tick Awareness Month was launched this month to help shine a spotlight on the dangers of paralysis ticks and call on pet owners to ensure their pets are protected against these potentially deadly parasites. As a dog owner I ensure my two boys Darcy and Vindi are protected all year-round with a monthly chew, to help protect them from those parasites that...

Given the endless support and love that dogs bring to us, it is no surprise many homeless people across Australia live on the streets with a dog by their side, so I'd like to encourage people to think about the pets of the homeless. With 1 in 200 people falling under the Australian Bureau of Statistics’s definition of homelessness and the 2016 Australian Census showing...

Not only has the pandemic seen a surge locally in pet ownership, but it also has seen many Australians seek out legal separation and divorce advice* in “unprecedented” numbers, prompting the question, should couples have a pre-nup for pets? It is unfortunately inevitable that some of these animals purchased or adopted during the pandemic will find their way to, or back to, a shelter as...

I'm so excited to announce that Pooches at Play Series 6 starts on Saturday June 26 at 2pm on Channel 10 and 10Play On Demand. Tune in for more fun-filled episodes and expert tips and tricks on how to be the best carer and friend to your favourite furry pal. Hosted by me, Lara Shannon, with presenters Dr Melissa Meehan and Morgan Burrett, Pooches at...

Depending on where you live around the world, my tips for exercising a dog indoors will come in handy during some of the challenges many dog owners currently face. Whether you are currently in strict COVID lockdown and can't walk your dog outside at all. Or, the upcoming Summer heat or Winter freeze will make it tough to take your dog outside for walk as...

If you have ever wondered about exercising puppies and how much exercise your puppy needs, you are not alone. Many new puppy owners can be confused about how little or how much exercise is right for their puppy, and whether it is a good or bad thing to get them running about as much as possible during the day, in the hope of a peaceful...