Many dogs don't do well at public off-leash dog parks, yet still need the opportunity to run about and play in new places and spaces for their mental and physical health and well-being. Fortunately, SniffSpace is a new online directory of safe, dog friendly private dog parks and play spaces that are available to rent by the hour around Australia. As a dog behavoiurist and...
Thunderstorm anxiety is common in many dogs, causing them to be come extremely stressed and fearful long before us humans can even hear a rumble thunder. Dogs have much an acute sense of sound and can hear far better than we do. They hear nearly twice as many frequencies than we do, so they can hear sounds much farther away and higher than we do....
Focus training is extremely important and can be useful in many situations when you need to bring your dog’s attention back to you. This can include training your dog to "Look at Me" or "Focus”. I find this particularly useful for reactive dogs that bark or lunge at other dogs and people, for those that like to chase moving, noisy objects, as well as for...
Dogs that bark and lunge at other dogs, people and a wide range of other environmental triggers around them are often viewed as being aggressive. In most cases however, a reactive dog is 'acting out' due to fear and is using this dog behaviour to make the thing it fears go away. Having a reactive dog is a common dog behaviour issue A reactive dog...
This week’s breed in focus is the Rottweiler, bred in Germany and named after the German town of “Rottweil”. During the Middle Ages they were used as herders, guards, messenger dogs and cart pullers, but almost became extinct due to industrialisation in the 1800’s since they were no longer needed for these jobs. Fortunately, despite almost becoming extinct, Rottweiler lovers found them a new purpose,...
With so many puppies missing out on that critical early socialisation they need due to Covid-19 restrictions, and many rescue dogs being re-homed, there are now many nervous dogs that can be reactive when meeting new people, particularly those coming into their home. If you have a nervous dog or one that reacts to people inappropriately, it is important you don’t introduce them to too...
Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for our dogs. You can help keep your dog’s brain stimulated with interactive toys, taking them on new routes or different dog parks when out walking, brain games and other playful activities. Many common dog behaviour problems such as chewing, digging, barking and other destructive behaviour can be managed, if their bodies and brains active during...
There can be a number of reasons for a dog not eating their food and, as much as you may not like me saying it, it often it has to do with what we owners are doing. If your dog doesn’t seem to like a new food you are serving, or they are a fussy eater in general, you may find you are over-feeding them,...
This week’s breed in focus is the Brussels Griffon, a toy breed originating from the city of Brussels in Belgium and bred to hunt and kill rats. Temperament The gorgeous little Brussels Griffon characters have been around for 200 years and are best known for their trademark beards, almost human expressions and proud appearance. They are super eager to please and bond well with their...
When treating a dog with separation anxiety, different circumstances call for different treatments - what is applicable and acceptable for one household, may not be suitable for others. The type and intensity of the separation anxiety, the available space, household routine and the carer’s attitude are all factors that affect the decision on how to treat the problem. Although separation anxiety doesn’t have a single...
Many dogs don't do well at public off-leash dog parks, yet still need the opportunity to run about and play in new places and spaces for their mental and physical health and well-being. Fortunately, SniffSpace is a new online directory of safe, dog friendly private dog parks and play spaces that are available to rent by the hour around Australia. As a dog behavoiurist and...
Thunderstorm anxiety is common in many dogs, causing them to be come extremely stressed and fearful long before us humans can even hear a rumble thunder. Dogs have much an acute sense of sound and can hear far better than we do. They hear nearly twice as many frequencies than we do, so they can hear sounds much farther away and higher than we do....
Focus training is extremely important and can be useful in many situations when you need to bring your dog’s attention back to you. This can include training your dog to "Look at Me" or "Focus”. I find this particularly useful for reactive dogs that bark or lunge at other dogs and people, for those that like to chase moving, noisy objects, as well as for...
Dogs that bark and lunge at other dogs, people and a wide range of other environmental triggers around them are often viewed as being aggressive. In most cases however, a reactive dog is 'acting out' due to fear and is using this dog behaviour to make the thing it fears go away. Having a reactive dog is a common dog behaviour issue A reactive dog...
This week’s breed in focus is the Rottweiler, bred in Germany and named after the German town of “Rottweil”. During the Middle Ages they were used as herders, guards, messenger dogs and cart pullers, but almost became extinct due to industrialisation in the 1800’s since they were no longer needed for these jobs. Fortunately, despite almost becoming extinct, Rottweiler lovers found them a new purpose,...
With so many puppies missing out on that critical early socialisation they need due to Covid-19 restrictions, and many rescue dogs being re-homed, there are now many nervous dogs that can be reactive when meeting new people, particularly those coming into their home. If you have a nervous dog or one that reacts to people inappropriately, it is important you don’t introduce them to too...
Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for our dogs. You can help keep your dog’s brain stimulated with interactive toys, taking them on new routes or different dog parks when out walking, brain games and other playful activities. Many common dog behaviour problems such as chewing, digging, barking and other destructive behaviour can be managed, if their bodies and brains active during...
There can be a number of reasons for a dog not eating their food and, as much as you may not like me saying it, it often it has to do with what we owners are doing. If your dog doesn’t seem to like a new food you are serving, or they are a fussy eater in general, you may find you are over-feeding them,...
This week’s breed in focus is the Brussels Griffon, a toy breed originating from the city of Brussels in Belgium and bred to hunt and kill rats. Temperament The gorgeous little Brussels Griffon characters have been around for 200 years and are best known for their trademark beards, almost human expressions and proud appearance. They are super eager to please and bond well with their...
When treating a dog with separation anxiety, different circumstances call for different treatments - what is applicable and acceptable for one household, may not be suitable for others. The type and intensity of the separation anxiety, the available space, household routine and the carer’s attitude are all factors that affect the decision on how to treat the problem. Although separation anxiety doesn’t have a single...
