Behaviour

Dos and Don’ts of Dog Park Etiquette

Posted on by peter

The dog park is the perfect place for you and your dog to make new friends while getting some fresh air and exercise. In order to make the experience fun and peaceful for everybody, there are rules and etiquettes you should follow. If you’re not sure what they are, don’t stress. In this blog, we are going through the do’s and don’ts of visiting a dog park.

 

Dog park do’s

  • Pick up after your dog. Leaving your dog’s poo in a public place makes it less enjoyable for other users and there are also all sorts of diseases and parasites in dog faeces that can be dangerous for other animals as well as the environment.
  • Keep an eye on your dog at all times. It’s easy to get distracted when chatting with other owners, so make sure you’re checking on your dog while you are doing so.
  • Intervene carefully when playing gets a little too rough.
  • Leave if your dog becomes aggressive or anxious. Keep an eye on your dog’s behaviour and if you are struggling to keep them under control then it’s time to leave.
  • Supervise your children around animals (including your own). Take the time to teach them how to approach dogs and how to respect them. If a child that isn’t yours approaches your dog, don’t assume that they know how to safely engage with it and provide instructions if appropriate.
  • Be careful entering and leaving the park. Make sure you’re not accidentally leaving with an extra dog.

Dog park don’ts

  • Bring a dog that is in heat or isn’t de-sexed or vaccinated. You’ll be putting your pet and other’s dogs at risk of unwanted diseases and pregnancies.
  • Bring a dog that hasn’t been socialised or is anxious around other dogs. A dog park can be a lively place, so if your dog isn’t used to it they might lash out or become distressed. Puppy school is a great way to introduce your puppy to other dogs in a safe environment.
  • Bring a dog that doesn’t play well with others. Your dog might be lovely towards you but if they are aggressive or overbearing they are bound to stir trouble in the dog park.
  • Don’t bring food as this might cause tension between dogs. This is because dogs can get aggressive when protecting their food.
  • Pick up a small dog when they are frightened. The dog chasing yours might jump at you, knocking you over, or even bite you.

If you’d like to start going to a dog park but you are struggling with your dog’s behaviour, we offer dog obedience services at our Cranbourne veterinary clinic. If you have any questions or want to book an appointment, please call us on (03) 5995 3444.

 

Behaviour, Dogs, Puppies

Does Your Dog Suffer From Separation Anxiety?

Posted on by peter

As any seasoned dog owner knows, pooches can get up to some serious mischief if left to their own devices. Barking, chewing things they shouldn’t, forgetting their toilet training and digging trenches in the backyard are just some of the classic bad behaviours that come with the territory of owning a dog. While these behaviours may be signs that your dog requires more training, when they are coupled with other symptoms of distress, they may be signs of separation anxiety. In this article, we’ll explain what separation anxiety looks like in dogs, and what to do if you think your pet is a sufferer.

What is separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety may occur when dogs become upset or distraught when left alone by their guardians. Symptoms of separation anxiety include agitation when the owner is about to leave, anxiety or depression when left alone, and escape attempts.

 

The common symptoms of separation anxiety are:

 

  • Barking and howling; while it’s normal for dogs to bark in response to stimuli, animals suffering from separation anxiety will begin barking or howling for no reason other than that they have been left alone. It may also last for extended periods of time.

 

  • Pacing; some dogs will pace when left alone, and usually this occurs within a fixed pattern. It’s important to remember that if this is caused by separation anxiety, this type of pacing will not occur when the guardian is present.

 

  • Destruction; behaviours such as chewing, digging, or other kinds of destruction can result in self-injury and damage to households. If your dog only exhibits this kind of behaviour when left alone, they may suffer from separation anxiety.

 

  • Urinating or defecating; for some dogs, urinating or defecating can be a sign of separation anxiety. In some cases, the dog may defecate and then consume some or all of its excrement. If any of these behavioural patterns only take place when the dog is left alone, it may be suffering from separation anxiety.

 

  • Escape attempts

When left alone, dogs may try to escape from the area where they are confined by digging or chewing. Escape attempts can result in injuries such as broken teeth and nails as well as cuts and scrapes.

 

If your dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms, it’s best to consult your veterinarian. Vets On Cranbourne are experienced pet professionals, and can help you to determine whether these behaviours are the result of insufficient training or are indeed caused by separation anxiety. Once diagnosed, there are a range of different treatment options to help your pet manage better when left alone. Get in touch by calling 03 5995 3444 for more information.

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