My Vet is Leaving

admin | 29 February 2012

I was very lucky when I found a wonderful caring vet that I could trust completely when Jasper was around 1 years old. I have always felt that my vet worked in the best interest of my animals and did not overcharge me for her services. Finding a vet that you can trust is very important as our animals cannot communicate their symptoms.

During this difficult time with Jasper she has proven once again how devoted she is, going so far as to give me her home phone number so we could keep in contact in case Jasper need immediate attention.

This is her last week at the clinic I currently use, as she is returning to her home in another province. She has promised that we can stay in touch and will do her best to continue to oversee Jasper’s health issues through email. She has taken a year leave from the clinic although may make this move permanent. I am very saddened that she is leaving and questioning now what to do with my animals. I am not comfortable with any of the other current vets at this clinic except for one that is presently on maternity leave. I require a knowledgeable vet who is opened minded to holistic practices, understands raw diet feeding, and the vaccination protocol I want to use.

I am currently looking into vets that can offer me the care I am used to in case my vet does not return. I will continue to use the clinic I currently attend, but lately they have made a lot of changes which I am not in favour of, but would accept if my vet returns.

Rogan

admin | 23 February 2012

I will be taking Rogan in the car with me more often, building on our bond and preparing her for visiting clients on a more regular basis. She is very well behaved in the car as all my dogs are, and I enjoy the company. Within the next month I should be able to access whether she can be used for my business as a demo dog or whether she will require additional training.

Rogan is doing well with her training at home, although I need to spend more time with her, and at this time I am very busy so I do a little each day. I need about an extra 5 hours to my days right now they go by so fast!

Working Rogan in drive with the ball gives me a happier and livelier dog and for me it’s more fun too! I have had no time to work her this way and look forward to Dog Club on the weekend where I will get this opportunity.

My goals with Rogan are to continue her tracking, go for her BH Title, do pet visits and use her as my demo dog. I cannot compare her to Jasper, as she is a very different dog. She cannot be used to socialize other dogs as it is not in her temperament. Her obedience is good and I will continue to build on it. I know at first she will be under some stress as she adjusts to her new jobs, which is why I will slowly integrate her. Sometimes it will just be a car ride, and she will be with me during the lessons for short durations at first.

As I continue to develop my skills as a trainer both Rogan and I will go to higher levels!

Jasper – Great News

admin | 17 February 2012

My vet just called me with Jasper’s Cushing’s and liver enzymes results. I had increased the milk thistle and is has dramatically reduced the liver enzymes, although they are still high they have decreased almost in half. The liver enzymes are higher than normal when a dog is on anticonvulsant drugs.

As for the Cushing’s Jasper’s resting Cortisol level is in the normal range, but his levels after the injection of Cortisol were a little elevated. The vet feels he may be in the early stages of Cushing’s or that the diabetes is causing the elevation. For now we treat the diabetes being very careful to watch for any signs of a pancreatitis attack so we can treat quickly to avoid him going off food for a few days and prevent having to stop insulin while he is not eating.

Overall I am ecstatic and feel my prayers have been answered and I will continue to treasure each day I have with him.

Now to update all those who have been supporting and sending us good thoughts!!

Thanks so much!!!

What is Temperament?

admin | 09 February 2012

I regularly talk to my clients about temperament it is foremost in choosing a dog. I hear so often my dog is really great but it is afraid of strangers and just needs to be socialized. Sometimes this is the case but more often than not, the dog does not have a sound temperament.

Temperament is genetics, it is a collection of drives, nerves, thresholds and instincts that are inherited and innate. Temperament is not something that can be developed it is what the dog is born with and is a product of its genetics. The core of a dog’s temperament will never change, although sometimes behaviors can be modified by behavior/training techniques if there is movement in the temperament. For example let’s consider a dog that has high prey drive and is ball crazy. With training you can teach the dog to control its drive but you cannot take a high energy, high prey drive dog and make it a low energy, low prey drive dog. Trainers can use the drive to redirect and build obedience but the drive has to be there. Just as you cannot take a dog that has very low prey drive and no interest in the ball and make it into a ball crazy dog, if the temperament is not there you can not build or develop it.

A dog with a sound stable temperament will always be a dog with a good temperament regardless of the lousy environment in which it might be raised. Just as unstable or unsound temperament will not change regardless of the fabulous environment in which it is raised. Temperament is not the dog’s personality. Personality is developed by interaction with other living creatures usually humans. Proper and early socialization will build and develop the traits that are already there and may progress a weaker temperament to the level it is capable.

Determining a dog’s temperament is not specific to the breed, it all depends on the genetics. The breed of a dog can give us some indication of the possibility of the temperament, but it all goes back to the genetics. An example is a Lab, often chosen as a family dog, because the breed is known to be good with people, other animals, have an easy going loving nature, responsive and easy to train. I have also seen Lab’s that are aggressive, full of anxieties, and dominant this is genetics and not what is expected but shows how poor breeding can produce lousy dogs.

I understand the need to want to fix every dog, but I also know this is not always possible. Everything begins with temperament, sure a good trainer/behaviorist can develop, train and fix some behavior issues, but only if the temperament allows it.

Always choose a dog based on its temperament, a solid stable dogs behavior will be predictable, responsive, easier to train and a well mannered pet with the proper training, socialization and environment.