Cottesloe Vet

03/09/2025

We shouldn't be interfering with our dogs' food while they're eating 🍲 There really isn't any good reason to, and LOTS of reasons not to! It's very likely to cause more issues than it cures.
If you DO need to take away food from your dog (if they've taken something they shouldn't have or been given something by mistake) then using a "swapping" technique is a much better idea than just "stealing" their prize. Grab a treat and offer this to them in place of the thing they shouldn't have. This way they receive a reward for allowing us to interfere with their food, and don't feel threatened or as if they need to behave defensively :)

Those hovering hands?
They can cause more issues than solve.
"It worked for me"
Maybe it did.... for your individual dog and your exact circumstances but the advice of taking a bowl away and giving it back or patting a dog eating creates more issues than it prevents.

"I saw a trainer make a video and it worked for him".

Please.....I need to say this clearly, don't do it.

This is one area where following advice online does more harm than good.
They can bite.
That injury may not happen to you but to someone you love.

Puppy showing these issues?
Look to see if their food is adjusted in quantity as they grow.
Sometimes we forget just how quickly they are actually growing and how hungry they become because of that rapid growth.

Looking for more tips?
I'm really sorry..... there are none here.
This is an area that needs a thorough assessment, careful understanding and tailoring an individual plan.

There are no five minute fixes for such a complicated behaviour that affects everyone in the family.

Respect their need for space.

03/09/2025

Rain on the way ♡

03/09/2025

Paradise!
Off the Leash

02/09/2025

A quick video showing how to know when to stop during a nail trim! Of course it helps if your doggo is this well-behaved ;) If you aren't sure, you can book your pet in for a nail trim with us ♡

02/09/2025

It happens. 🐱😍

Had plans for the day but now they’re cancelled because there’s a cat on me.

02/09/2025

As dog guardians, a big part of our job is ensuring that our dogs feel safe ♡ So many behavioural issues stem from overlooking this incredibly important need.

I NEED TO FEEL SAFE!

Like all living creatures, ourselves included, dogs need to feel safe – it’s a basic need for survival.

It’s hard wired into our brains to keep asking and checking – “Am I safe?” or “Is this safe?”

When we think about feeling safe it’s natural to just think about not being harmed or being in danger, but it’s not just about physical safety - feeling emotionally or psychologically safe is just as important.

While physical safety may be obvious and simpler to address, emotional safety is far more complex and not always easy to recognise or identify.

The same applies to our dogs – they are sentient beings whose behaviour is triggered and driven by emotions.

So many behaviour problems that we see in dogs stem from the brain saying– “I don’t feel safe!”

A dog that lunges and barks or behaves aggressively with another dog or person is very likely doing so because they feel unsafe. They are trying to make the scary thing go away.

A dog that is guarding resources is doing so because they are afraid that the resource will be taken away – they don’t feel safe when another animal or person approaches that resource.

A dog that is reacting to fireworks or thunderstorms or other noises is doing so because they don’t feel safe.

The same can be said for separation distress – the feeling of intense panic when left alone – “I am not safe!”

Some dogs may never get over a specific fear, but doing all we can to help dogs feel safe in our world is one of the most important gifts we can give them.

Our first responsibility should not be about training, obedience or trying to change behaviour, but to focus first and foremost on building trust, self-confidence, resilience, creating a safe and secure base and being the person that our dogs can rely on and trust.

In the words of Dr. Gabor Maté - "Feeling safe is the treatment and creating safety is the work".

In my words (as it pertains to dogs) – It is our responsibility to put in the work to enable our dogs to feel safe and when they feel safe, this will be part of the treatment or the solution to the problem.

02/09/2025

Small senior doggo looking for love 😍

02/09/2025

Well, I mean, he WAS there first ;) 🥇

01/09/2025

Did you know you can recycle your food bags with us? Thanks to Royal Canin, we're a drop-off point for Terracycle ♻️ All brands of dry food bags and wet pouches accepted :)

01/09/2025

Have you ever wanted to gain the knowledge and skills to directly help injured wildlife? ♡

01/09/2025

When it comes to house plants, it's always best to do a little research to make sure your green babies 🌱 aren't toxic to your furry ones 🐶🐱! Because you just KNOW they're going to be tasted ;) 😋

01/09/2025

Our beautiful native neighbours ♡

Two generations of island locals. 🥰

Quokka joeys are out and about right now and while it's a special experience to watch them explore, it's more important than ever to give them the space they need to grow and thrive. Please never touch or feed the quokkas so we can keep them healthy, safe, and wild.

📷 (IG) marcokraus_