The Holistic Pet

10/11/2024

Today we remember the courage of the brave humans and animals who lost their lives in service.

26/08/2024

🐶 Happy National Dog Day!

Have you ever wondered how long dogs have been with us? We are fortunate that man's best friend has been with us for at least 15,000 years! It's time to post pictures and enjoy cake to celebrate our canine companions. 🎂🎉

💗 Raising awareness about adopting these animals, who are currently in rescue centers, is the goal of promoting this day. Or you can donate to your local animal shelter or SARA here: https://buff.ly/2YYy2XU

📷 Photo credits to SARA members.

03/11/2023

22/12/2022

Great advice from Ashley at Reach Your Pawtential Dog Training Glasgow . Have a great Christmas 🎄🐕☃️🎄

🌲 I'm dreaming of a calm Christmas 🌲

Did you know that over the Christmas period behaviourists receive an increase in enquiries from incidents that have happened over the Christmas break 💔

Every single dog is capable of biting if they are pushed beyond their threshold for coping...think of it as 'the straw that breaks the camel's back' 🐪

Managing your dog in a busy household can be challenging so here are some top tips for a peaceful Christmas ✨️

❤️ Know the Signs ❤️
Bites rarely happen without warning...know the signs to look for that mean your dog is asking for space! Look out for yawning, turning their head away, ears back, whites of the eyes showing, stiffening up and staring - these can all be warnings of an approaching growl, snap or bite! If you spot these behaviours, stop what you are doing and give your dog a break from the situation ⚠️

❤️ Safe space ❤️
Make sure your dog has a safe space where they can rest away from the noise and hubbub! This can be especially useful for excitable visiting children! You can use a crate, baby gate or pen to section off a safe space! Practice over the next few days in advance of the big day 🐾

❤️ Enrichment ❤️
Preparation is key! Make up some activities in advance, such as a Kong, Lickimat or long lasting chews! Prep destruction boxes with treats for snuffling to promote calm! Having these prepared means they can be deployed as needed...perhaps when you're cooking, everyone is eating or present unwrapping 🎁

❤️ Visitor Ground Rules ❤️
Don't be afraid to advocate for your dog's needs! Ask visitors to text you when they arrive, rather than knock to keep things calm! Ensure visitors know what you'd like them to do, and what you'd not! Whether your dog is anxious or excitable, keep them busy or give them a break at high activity times! Over excitement and lots of attention can lead to overarousal and an escalation in behaviour 🚀

❤️ Down Time ❤️
After excitable events give lots of time to recover. Nice slow, pottery sniffy walks, treat scatters and rest days can help reduce adrenaline levels! Try to stick to your daily routine as much as possible to help prevent too much change 🥰

Wishing you all a safe Christmas 🎅🌲🐾

Featuring Chip, one of the magical Muttlins Mutts 😍✨️💜💜💜💜

04/12/2022

03/11/2022

26/10/2022

New research published in Sciendo, June 2022, confirms the effectiveness of Lavender essential oil for reducing anxiety and depression. The oil was tested among patients suffering with Acute Coronary Syndrome in cardiac care units and was found to be a cost-effective, non-pharmacological intervention for reducing psychological tensions and anxiety and increasing patient satisfaction during hospitalisation.

Buy our premium French Lavender essential oil from only £3.12 http://ow.ly/NlAK50LkqwY

25/10/2022

More 'Be Fear Free' & 'Chillout' Pet melts winging their way to The Pet Empawrium - little nests of peace and tranquillity !

13/10/2022

There is no 'one size fits all' solution to fear and anxiety,, animals are as individual as we are, all with different life experiences to add to the mix. Desensitisation is one approach that can have a positive effect.

➡️We know you don't want to hear it... but it's October!

➡️So, only one month until bonfire night and three months until new year's eve.

This can only mean one thing...

🎆 Fireworks season 🎆

🎶Noise Desensitisation: Taking the nervousness out of the noise🎶

➡️Noise anxiety: 50% of dogs react fearfully to some noise.

➡️This can make firework season a very stressful time of year for both you and your dog.

➡️Noise phobias can be managed a number of ways but one very useful method is desensitisation and counter conditioning.

➡️Through repetition of quiet noise ( that are scary in louder levels), the dog learns to ignore the stimulus and the level of stimulation can be increased until higher levels of the stimulus are ignored.

➡️This is something that is best taken slowly with dedication, commitment and persistence and only using positive training techniques.

➡️If you start now you may make a positive difference to bonfire night and new year fireworks.

Check out this website for more information on noise phobias 👇

https://www.petdialog.co.uk/noise.aspx

04/10/2022

MONDAY 10th October 7.15pm

Enjoying a walk with your dog is good for you both, don’t let lead pulling take them enjoyment out of walks, learn with your dog that walking together is the way forward.

All lessons are taught with force free methods by two qualified trainers.
Over the 5 week, together we will cover theory, in class exercises and games as well as taking our training out to the real world together.

We will also be giving handouts and homework to set you and your dog up for success 💫
The course costs £95 and will take place over 4 weeks with homework and tasks sent in between.

To book please head to;
www.heartandsouldogtraining.co.uk

* due to this being taught in a group environment we unfortunately cannot accept dog or human reactive dogs *

02/10/2022

[QUICK TIP]

We want to share a quick tip with you today!🤩

Since there are many blogs on our website now, it's getting a little harder to find useful information. We want you to get the best out of these blogs - so if you have any particular questions or interest in a certain topic we suggest using the SEARCH function on the website.🔎

You can access it in the Blog section of our website www.smilingleash.com

or by following the link: https://www.smilingleash.com/search

By simply typing in the topic or a key word of interest you will be able to see all the related articles. For example: walk, leash, equipment, pulling, etc.

Our articles contain both practical advice and information about dog behaviour, so please feel free to dive in. 😊