Certified Assistance Dogs Australia

29/05/2026

Xylitol warning. ⚠️

Tonight I ended up trying to help a friend whose puppy ate a kid's vitamin containing xylitol. Simple accident: kid dropped vitamin, puppy scarfed it down. (Note: this household is knowledgeable and is xylitol free, but a relative bought the vitamins, unaware of the risk to the dogs.)

The puppy only ate *one* vitamin. Which turned out to contain 1500 mg of xylitol.

100 mg/kg is the threshold for hypoglycemia which can be fatal. At 500 mg/kg, hepatic necrosis occurs -- destruction of liver tissue.

So just ONE chewable vitamin ended up creating a serious problem for a 30 pound pup (which is not quite 14 kg).

The emergency vet induced vomiting. Thankfully, the puppy had had a meal and so there was food in her stomach. In the vomit was the orange tablet, identifiable though dissolved.

Quick thinking on the owner's part (including grabbing the bottle of vitamins) and fortunately a nearby 24/7 emergency vet hospital meant that this pup received prompt treatment, and should make a full recovery.

Check your medications, vitamins, gum, candy, toothpaste, mouthwash, peanut butter and more for xylitol, also known as birch sugar.

This is useful information to have on hand:
https://www.calculatorsfordogs.com/health-nutrition-calculators/xylitol-toxicity-calculator

ALWAYS contact vet and ASPCA Animal Poison Control center immediately!

As for everyone (the non-vets) recommending the use of hydrogen peroxide, please update your understanding:
https://www.gsvs.org/woodbridge-nj/blog/hydrogen-peroxide-for-dogs-emergency/

Pass this along. I hope you never have to use it.

25/04/2026

07/04/2026

I’m often asked what it takes to train your own assistance dog. This. Patience and sufficient love not to throw your dog in the deep end. are public access certified - they still spend time together in public settings (like this shopping centre) without pressure. That means the handler is not asking anything of her dog, except to enjoy feeling calm in an environment that is often anything except calm. If you also allow your assistance dog the opportunity to ‘watch the world go by’ like this, feel welcome to add your own photo.

05/04/2026

20/03/2026

Choosing a breed…

The message here is not “doodles are bad dogs” and it is not “purebreds are better.” The real message is that marketing myths are not the same as evidence. Good welfare depends far more on ethical breeding, the health and temperament of the parents, early life experiences, training, and realistic expectations.

A lot of people choose dogs like Cockapoos, Cavapoos and Labradoodles because they’re often marketed as the best of both worlds: healthier than purebreds, easy to train, and great family dogs. But two large UK studies suggest the picture is much more complicated than that.

The first study, published in 2024, looked at the physical health of more than 9,400 dogs and found that these designer crosses were not generally healthier than purebred breed. In 86.6% of health comparisons, there was no significant difference at all. In other words, the idea that doodles automatically benefit from “hybrid vigour” was not supported here. They were not healthier, but they were not broadly less healthy either.

The second study, published this month, looked at behaviour in the same three doodle types and compared them with their parent breeds using C-BARQ. This time, the findings were more striking. Across the behavioural comparisons, designer crossbreeds showed more undesirable behaviours in 44.4% of comparisons and fewer undesirable behaviours in just 9.7%.

Cockapoos stood out the most. They differed from Cocker Spaniels and Poodles in 16 out of 24 behaviour comparisons, and in every one of those they scored worse. Cavapoos also showed more undesirable behaviour in most of the comparisons where they differed from their parent breeds. Labradoodles were more mixed, scoring worse than their parent breeds in some areas, but better in others.

One of the most important takeaways is that being a crossbreed does not guarantee an easier temperament. The 2026 paper highlights higher scores in areas such as fear, excitability, separation related behaviours, and in some cases aggression, particularly in Cockapoos and Cavapoos. That matters, because many owners choose these dogs believing they will be especially easy to live with or naturally good with children.

So the message here is not “doodles are bad dogs” and it is not “purebreds are better.” The real message is that marketing myths are not the same as evidence. Good welfare depends far more on ethical breeding, the health and temperament of the parents, early life experiences, training, and realistic expectations.

02/03/2026

is the key to confident, well balanced puppies who grow into remarkable assistance dogs and family companions. When a puppy leaves their litter, the new home and all who are in it can be overwhelming. Well meaning people say not to respond if your puppy cries or is barking. That lack of response will build an insecure attachment, resulting in anxiety, fear or reactivity. Support your puppy, sit by their crate or in their pen with them. Don't sook them, just be there with them. They will feel your support and they will settle. Ignoring babies of any species is a recipe for insecurity and even resentment. Love your puppies in a safe, balanced, present way.

Denmark is taking a major step by moving to end the “cry it out” method for babies after a nationwide study revealed potential harms. Over 700 psychologists warned that this sleep training practice could negatively impact brain development and parent-child attachment. The findings emphasise the importance of responsive caregiving during the early stages of life for healthy emotional and cognitive growth.

The study examined the effects of letting babies cry for extended periods and found links to elevated stress levels and possible long-term impacts on brain function. While some parts of the U.S. continue to recommend the method, Denmark’s decision reflects growing concern among experts about the risks versus the benefits of this approach. Advocates of alternative sleep strategies stress nurturing and gradual methods to promote better sleep without compromising developmental outcomes.

This move is sparking viral attention globally among parenting and health communities. It highlights a shift in understanding early childhood care and the need for policies informed by psychological research. Parents and caregivers are now encouraged to explore safer, evidence-based sleep strategies that support both healthy brain development and secure emotional bonds with their children.

11/02/2026

Uber quietly agrees to external review after woman sues over guide dog refusals. ABC

Uber has agreed to an external review of its operations after settling a Federal Court case brought by a woman refused more than 30 rides while travelling with a guide dog.

The woman and her legal team want Uber to use the review as an opportunity to fix a problem they say has become "endemic".

The external review will be chaired by a person with disability and its outcome, including an evaluation of how Uber implements the changes, will not be released until 2028.

ID: A person stands outdoors holding a smartphone, with a guide dog wearing a harness sitting calmly at their side. They’re in front of a building, with trees and a large rock behind them, in a shaded, leafy area.

10/02/2026

This is important to know. While assistance dogs travel in the cabin, without a fee, if you have human support & need assistance to fly Virgin Australia provide a 50% discount on the second fare.

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25/10/2025

Please be extra vigilant outdoors.

🐍 Snake Bite Alert – We’ve seen a spike in snake bites this week!

Over the last four days, we’ve treated several dogs for snake bites — including one serious brown snake bite on Sunday night. Thankfully, that dog made a full and rapid recovery after prompt treatment and antivenom.

Since then, we’ve seen several more snake cases, so please stay alert — snakes are on the move with the warmer weather.
If your dog suddenly becomes unwell and you even suspect a snake bite, don’t wait. Bring them straight in — we can run blood tests to confirm if they need antivenom. It can save their life.

⚠️ Common Snake Types & What to Watch For
🐍 Brown Snake
Sudden collapse (sometimes followed by a brief recovery)
Wobbly or weak back legs
Rapid breathing, pale gums
Later paralysis or collapse
🐍 Red-Bellied Black Snake
Vomiting or drooling
Brown or red urine (muscle damage)
Weakness or collapse
Bleeding from gums or wounds

🧠 Helpful tip:
If it’s safe, take a photo of the snake or bring it in (only if it’s already dead). It helps us confirm the species and choose the right antivenom — but never put yourself at risk.

🏡 How to Reduce Snake Encounters
Keep grass short around the house, kennel, and fence lines.
Remove rubbish, wood, or junk piles where snakes can shelter.
Avoid leaving pet food or water outside — it attracts frogs, rodents, and in turn, snakes.
Fence off dog runs with fine mesh or shade cloth at the base to block snake entry.
Keep dogs on-lead when walking near creeks, bush, or long grass.
Watch dogs closely around dams or water troughs — snakes are often found nearby.

🐾 If in doubt – come in. It’s always safer to check early.
📍 Moreton Bay Vets – D’Aguilar
📞 (07) 5499 0134 | Walk-ins & emergencies welcome

21/10/2025

Enrichment is a very important piece in the animal welfare space. Assistance Dogs utilise their sense of smell every day. Adding olfactory enrichment will greatly assist with decompression and stress management.

Follow Animal Behaviour Matters for great tips, research and fascinating stories about animal behaviour.