Waggy Tails and Purring Noses, Malta

06/08/2015

Isn't science just amazing?! Only years ago we had not way of communicating with animals the same way they communicate between them and now we do. No I am not talking about some brain reading gadget from sci-fi but pheromones. After isolating pheromones secreted by cats and dogs and experiments to determine their effect, 3 synthetically manufactured pheromones are available in pet therapy. One is for dogs and two for cats which communicate safety and familiarity and can help bridge the gap between animal and human, but just like words they mean nothing if the animal thinks you're lying. It is not as simple as plugging a diffuser but guidance from a qualified behaviourist can help you get the results you're looking for.

29/07/2015

If there only was a pill to make you feel cooler! On the subject of pills I often am asked or feel it appropriate to discuss drug therapies to help in solving a problem behaviour. There are two types that they'll fit into: 1) drugs that suppress behaviour through sedation, 2)drugs that improve mood. While the first type may be appropriate in some situations when dogs get so excited or are just so playfully restless that it is impossible to examine them or groom them because all they want to do is play, they are never recommended in treating fear or anxiety related behaviour because they actually make things worse. The second type can be used in cases where depression, anxiety or fear are either causing so much distress to the animal that it has become a welfare issue (needing immediate improvement) or are so intense that the animal is unable to learn new coping strategies and therefore training alone couldn't help. HOWEVER, it is important to understand that all of the above are CONTROLLED DRUGS and can only be prescribed by a veterinary surgeon for your pet working with your behaviourist, so the physical health of the animal is always safeguarded too. Most drug therapies require a very slow weaning phase as they create dependencies. These are all things that should be discussed before starting any drug therapy.

17/05/2015

Every trip to UK for my COAPE diploma is a pleasure...but did not appreciate the wasp during case studies. Insired by it i'd like to bring up the subject of fears and phobias. Forget that old "rewarding fear" myth. The only way to increase fear is through increasing intensity of things that cause fear. More importantly the reward system cannot be engaged when the fear system is active. Question is do you know for sure its fear?

23/04/2015

Thanks to the new likes. It has been a hectic few months. Just back from another UK educational trip with the APDT this time. always aiming to learn more to provide something better to dog owners in Malta. In the meantime it is worth noting that spring is upon us and the temperature is rising again. Don't forget to keep flea treatments updated and provide adequate ventilation and fresh water to all your pets. we can't expect unhappy dogs to learn new behaviours.

30/03/2015

Great news! You do not have to teach your dog anything you do not need him to know. Why spend hours training your dog to do something unnecessary? I say let's be practical. That way everyone's happy and no one gets disheartened.

15/01/2015

Hey all! So 2014 is finally over and for 2015 we have so much positive going on for Waggy Tails that it's easy to stay positive. We believe that every dog owner has right to choose what they want from their dogs and that every dog is good at something. You'll hear many people trying to feed you general statements like "Dogs should all walk to heel" or "Dogs should never be allowed on the bed/sofa" or "Dogs should all go out 3 hours a day" or our (least) favourite "Dogs should all enjoy a game of fetch". While it is true that some dogs get protective of beds and sofas and shouldn't be allowed on it is not a universal rule. Some of you want their dogs to heel most of the time, most of you just want a dog to walk on a losse lead, while some would prefer their dog to pull them along for sport. Some high energy dogs needs 3 hours walking, others do better for joint health with an hour walk and some off lead exercise, and others can actually suffer exhaustion in half an hour walking. If your dog like to chase a toy, it doesn't mean he'll give it back willingly unless they learn it is rewarding and some just don't really see the point of fetching a ball you keep dropping. Work on what your dog is good at and you'll have something to bond over. Insist on your dog doing things he doesn't like and you'll loose his interest quicker than you can say fetch. If you've fallen in these traps before, 2015 is the perfect time to change pace and be your dog's friend.

07/10/2014

When you start using the services of a trainer, you trust them because they should be there to help you, right? How many trainers have you visited that have a code of ethics? How many take responsibility for the advice they give you and any consequences of that advice? How many of them make claims they can never back with updated literature? How many have the knowledge required about breed traits specific to your dog? How many of them use a scientific approach? Think long and hard before trusting the welfare of your dog in the hands of someone who can't answer these questions to your satisfaction.

05/10/2014

So the trip to the UK was very informative. It is great to be around like-minded people for a change and to be able to back my practice with science. On that topic (science) it is with great sorrow I share with you the news of Dr Sophia Yin's passing at 48. She is who I want to be when I grow up (eventually). Her breakthrough low stress handling techniques for groomers and vets needs to spread to the Maltese practices. Her advocacy of motivational techniques in training dogs, especially coming from a vet, were refreshing. Her scientific approach towards dog training is inspiring. Her willingness to share her knowledge for FREE is something rarely seen within the professional. A true champion for animal welfare, without a doubt selflessly devoted. We can only hope that her work is not forgotten and that more people learn from her research. http://drsophiayin.com/

Internationally-acclaimed veterinarian/animal behaviorist, Dr. Sophia Yin, is known for her ability to solve problems of aggression, fear, barking, jumping, biting in dogs and cats

12/09/2014

Dog bit for September: As I'll be en route to the UK when this post automatically goes up I thought of suggesting a few ways to get dogs used to travelling. Break the trip down in small chunks you can identify: sounds, smells, sights, textures, movement and social isolation. Try to recreate separately the sensations the dog will experience being on the flight. Get the crate way ahead and start using it as the dog's go to place for a bone. Get on flight recordings to play back to the dog during meals and play. Find out what the place looks like and find somewhere similar to take your dog several times before the flight for a game of tug and fetch. If there is no place similar re-create as much of it as you can at home. Smells may vary between flights so make sure your dog goes to as many places as possible so nothing is new. Social isolation may be an issue with larger dogs that have to go cargo, so make sure to get that separation anxiety way before. We are not missing any rough roads in Malta so recreate the movement of turbulence by going over rough roads regularly and make sure you make a fuss of your dog for behaving well and coping. When the flight is approaching you want to start adding each chunk one by one so you finally can recreate the whole experience without going on board. Finally if you do not have the time for this, ask your vet if he can prescribe anything to make the experience less traumatic or help him forget it afterwards.

16/08/2014

Dog bit for August: Why is my dog ok with being left in the car but not at home? Put simply they are two different places and dogs behave and feel differently in different places. In all likelihood you always return to the car sooner than you return home from work. Just remember it is August and the dog shouldn't be in the car alone even if you have all the windows down in the shade. Dogs die that way. There are ways to train dogs to be ok with being left.

16/07/2014

Dog bit for July: What is the difference between training a big dog and a small dog? A dog is a dog is a dog is a dog. Meaning that although manipulating a smaller dog is within most people's physical capability, the fact that most people would struggle to put enough pressure on a big dog to push his bum down, then this technique should not be used on any dog. The big dog would eventually rebel the coercion while the small one will give into it and feel abused. Why use force when it is so much easier to get cooperation with the correct use of a reward?

17/06/2014

Dog bit for June: Should dogs be allowed on furniture or not? The dominance believers will always say no because they say it causes dominance. If that were true then all dogs that are allowed on sofas would rule the world. I would say the first thing you need to decide is whether you are willing to put up with dog fur, dog chew crumbles, bones hidden between cushions and the occasional soil stain and all than possibly being stuck to your face when you fall asleep. If not you may wish to train your dog to go to his bed by luring him there with a treat and rewarding him when he settles down there. If all that doesn't trouble you all you need to do is train your dog to get off the sofa so you can sit on it without having an argument. Just lure him off, pair the action of getting off with a command and you will get cooperation much sooner.