Willo's Doggy Sitting

Willo's Doggy Sitting We love caring for doggy fur babies in our well fenced and gated yard. Your dog's happiness the best.

01/09/2025

This is an issue that is creeping into our dogs lives.
Too much energy➡️crate
Visitors coming around➡️crate
Dinner time for us➡️crate
Can't settle➡️crate
Don't get me wrong, if a crate is introduced well and a dog loves their safe space then using for some of the reasons above is absolutely fine.
There's just some that over rely on them.
Training takes a back seat to confinement and that's the problem.
What about teaching to settle outside of the crate?
Mat work or a special area that they can chill out without relying on the crate so much?
Can you work on the excitement when visitors arrive?

Crates are a management tool.
A good tool when well conditioned and well loved.

Over using is a niggling issue I see slinking into a dogs life

01/09/2025

As we spring into Spring, watch out for more “creepy crawlies” about! 🐜🌼 As well as increased activity of common parasites like fleas and ticks, the warmer weather will likely bring your pet into contact with more ants and bees.

For most dogs, ant and bee stings result in local irritation or pain only, although this may still require veterinary treatment to settle.

However, for pets with severe allergies, an insect sting may trigger dangerous anaphylaxis. This leads to severe allergy symptoms such as weakness, vomiting, breathing difficulties, and pale gums, and necessitates urgent veterinary care.

🐶 For more information on allergies in pets, contact our allergy-aware team.

01/09/2025

What?...Isn't their name enough?
It depends on how you use it, the circumstances and the emotions you have when you use it.
There is nothing better than having a recall that works.
Fantastic!
There is nothing that irks some people more than it not working.

So why would you stop using their name?

Look at how you use their name.

Have we fallen into the trap of expecting them to figure out what we mean....just by saying their name, "differently"?
How many times do you say their name in a day or even an hour.
Are you using their name as a negative....often.
Is it paired with punishment.
Do we have lengthy conversations that has their name sprinkled throughout?
Do we say their name when we are frustrated with them?

The answer to why they are not responding to their name is often clearer than we think.

26/08/2025

"They're not in pain, they don't whine"
Do you?
When you are in pain or discomfort, do you always show it?

"She's just being stubborn".
No she's not.
Her pain is in her toes, leg joints and now she's compensating for those long nails by changing her gait...her walking style so she can get some relief.....but that's causing issues too.
Moving hurts.

"I'll just run him more on concrete"
They're too long now.
All that will do is cause more pain.

"My dog's nails aren't the issue with his reactiveness"
They are a contributing factor....no doubt about it.

Just because they aren't verbally expressing it, it doesn't mean they aren't affected by the pain those nails are causing.
It comes out in behaviour.
Changes in energy and routines.
Not wanting to do what they always did before.
Reacting in ways we "don't understand".

"I would know if my dog was in pain"
With kindness and respect, many don’t realise it… but your dog is in pain.

26/08/2025

Going wild at the window?
Frantic when the mail arrives?
"My dog loves it though !"
It may look like fun and yup for some it is.... but it is one stressful game they are "playing".
Is it a healthy game?
Do they rest and sleep or sit there and scan for hours?
Obsession is obsession....whether it is fun or not.

Stress hormones are still released whether this is from fun or fear....they don't just disappear either. They can compound and cause issues in other ways.
They change a dogs behaviour.

If you are struggling with reactivity outside of the home.
Stop the "game'.
It fuels reactivity.

Running from window to window to follow that person or dog seems ok to some people....but how is it truly affecting this dog?

25/08/2025

Yup...you can be teaching your dog to ignore you.
No one likes to be nagged.
We are just so impatient!
Give them time.
Let them actually process what you have said before you say it again.
Bite your tongue a bit before you repeat, it helps.
Count to 4 (in your head).
After you ask....take a breath....watch what happens.🏆

We slip into these bad habits and they do require recognition from us that we have actually fallen into them.
So easily done and it starts as early as those first few days at home when they're pups.

Say it once?
No.
You may need to repeat especially if there are distractions, temptations or they are struggling with focus....but even then, don't get into the habit of nagging.

You will turn yourself into background noise.

22/08/2025

If you don’t physically exhaust them… they just won’t stop.
Whoa there.
Let’s look at the bigger picture.... not just a quick “fix” for today.

I get it, I really do.
Running them longer..... throwing the frisbee for another 10 minutes, chucking that ball again and again, because if you don’t, they’ll pace, whine and struggle to settle.

Here’s the tough question.
Is it helping your dog… or just creating a cycle where they crave more and more?

Their stamina climbs higher.
Their demands increase.
Their adrenaline is off the charts.

Then "suddenly" the amount of exercise you need to give them is unsustainable .
There just aren’t enough hours in the day to “satisfy” them.

What's the solution?
Do less… but carefully.
Reduce that high energy exercise, while adding enrichment in its place.

Low arousal activities that tire them in a different way:

Scatter feeding
Scent walks
Enrichment games
Puzzle toys

Still not convinced?
Try it.... really try it , for a few weeks.

You’ll never look at “tiring them out” the same way again.

22/08/2025

Is it really?🤔
Or are we pointing the finger at our dogs when in reality we carry far more responsibility for their actions than we think?

If we don’t provide enrichment and physical exercise ➡️ it’s not their fault they go looking for it wherever they can.

When we don’t take the time to show them what we would like instead ➡️ it’s not their fault those unwanted behaviours keep repeating.

If we disregard how tempting food can be when it’s left within easy reach ➡️ it’s unfair to expect them to just ignore it.

If we don't take the time to train a response....it's not your dogs fault.

It's well and truly ours.

20/08/2025

VELCRO DOGS
Dogs that follow us everywhere and always want to be with us.

When I say "I'M JUST GOING TO THE BATHROOM." My dogs hear: “FAMILY MEETING, ASSEMBLE NOW!" – I’m not sure where this saying originates from, but it’s so true.

Should we be concerned because by allowing dogs to do this, we might be encouraging separation distress (signs of stress and / or panic either when a dog thinks we are about to leave or what they do after we leave?
Are we encouraging neediness, clinginess or demanding behaviour, or is this behaviour a normal, natural need of a social being that is actually a compliment as to the way our dogs feel about us?

It can be a fine line and it’s always a good idea to encourage some independence and alone time to build self-confidence and resilience, especially in puppies, younger dogs or rescues.

It’s also a subject that like so many others, depends on the individual dog, history and circumstances.

This post is about recognising and accepting that the need to be with us and follow us around is a very normal and natural behaviour.

It’s a compliment that says “I feel safe with you, you are so important to me, I feel connected to you, I trust you, have a bond with you, being with you makes me happy!”

That’s not to say that dogs that don’t follow us around don’t feel that way about us!

Each dog is an individual with different social preferences.

Some dogs are loners, more independent and enjoy spending time alone.

Older dogs and seniors that are secure and confident in their environment may just not feel the need to be with us all the time.

If you have a Velcro dog that isn’t stressed or panicked when you leave home, accept the compliment, you’ve clearly earned it!

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Love Furbabies

11 years ago our precious dog passed away and we were totally devastated. Fortunately, 3 weeks later, we found a beautiful border collie x blue heeler aged 3 yrs in need of a forever home, so we adopted her so happily. Then began an 11 yr pet love affair with her, Gary and I. She was our everything !!!! Then the terrible event happened in October when her heart gave up, alone again !!!!!

There was born the idea to sit people’s dogs whilst they go on holidays. We always made sure Jessie only went to the best kennels, but it wasn’t the, close one to one home care.

We would love to offer this to other dog owners, peace of mind !!

We have registered under an RSPCA accredited Australian Company called PetCloud who take 19% of our earnings to pay for donations to RSPCA also Comprehensive Insurance to cover us a your sitter.