DeltaDogz

30/09/2025

Looking at the why behind a behaviour is the best thing we can do for our dogs, and ourselves.

When we see behaviour for what it really is, we realise it’s not personal, just practical for our dogs at the time.

Find new and exclusive comics for a perspective change, on the comic membership.

24/09/2025

21/09/2025

This!

06/09/2025

Did you have a cup of coffee or tea this morning?
Did you call a friend to catch up?
Watch your favorite show on Netflix?
Take a painkiller when you had a headache?
Go to the gym?
Treat yourself after dinner?
You probably did multiple of these. You can take care of your own needs whenever you choose.
Your dog cannot.
Your dog cannot decide to meet their social needs. They cannot go outside and walk off their energy. They cannot grab a snack or a chew when they’re bored.
They cannot call a doctor when they don’t feel well. They cannot choose to go for a run, see their friends or go swim on their own.
Dogs are captive animals. They depend on us to meet EVERY need in their lives.
And what amazes me is how patient and hopeful they are about it.
They wait for us to take them on a walk. They wait for us to fill their bowl. They wait for us to give them play, comfort, and care.
Sometimes, we forget how extraordinary this relationship is. We forget the sheer weight and privilege of being someone’s entire world.
It's a huge, precious responsibility.
Their lives are so short. And in that short time, they rely on us for everything. And yet they do it SO joyfully, meeting us each day with hope, love, and excitement.
In return, they give us friendship, fun and endless happiness.
Take a moment to just appreciate how extraordinary that is.
So here’s my challenge to you: stop scrolling.
Close Facebook. Put your phone down.
And just take your dog for another walk (today, and every other single day.)
Don’t leave them crated for hours on end. Give them chances to run, sniff, chew, play, and just be your friend.
Because remember: they cannot do ANY of this on their own. Not one single thing. Every need they have depends on you.
Their whole precious life is in your hands.
It's your amazing privilege to make it the very best one.
With the most walks, games, adventures, playtimes and memories.
Don’t ever waste that chance to make it the most amazing life.

04/09/2025

01/09/2025

And that’s why medication for behaviour problems should not be the first go to. The absolutely first thing is making really sure there is no pain or discomfort. That is already not as easy as it seems. Next are the five needs Susan points out below. Behavioural medication can be a life saver when used right, but used as a quick fix attempt is problematic.

Have you checked out one of our new episodes of Shaped By Dog?

🐶💡 It’s called "Behavior is Communication: Decode Your Dog By Understanding Their 5 Core Needs", and it’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to raise a dog who’s not just surviving, but thriving.

When dogs struggle with behavior, it’s often because one or more of their core needs are being overlooked without us even realizing it. This episode breaks those needs down into 5 clear categories:
✨ Physical
✨ Emotional
✨ Social
✨ Mental
✨ Daily Thrive

Each one plays a huge role in your dog’s wellbeing and the way they interact with you and the world.

30/08/2025

25/08/2025

There are safe ways to socialise, and no, puppy class is not enough.

Myth busters #9: Puppies should not be walked until they are fully vaccinated.

Puppy socialization is a critical learning and developmental period between 3 and 12 weeks of age. Puppies not appropriately exposed to their environment during this time may become overly afraid, anxious, and possibly aggressive. Vaccine protocols are completed between 16-18 weeks of age. If puppies are not socialized until after vaccines are completed, the risk of behavior concerns, and potentially behavioral euthanasia, is much greater.

23/08/2025

We throw a lot at dogs.

We expect them to tolerate being touched by strangers.

We expect them to tolerate children climbing on them.

We expect them to tolerate ‘friendly’ dogs rushing up and getting in the face.

We expect them to never show NORMAL behaviour like growling or biting.

We expect them to let us handle them at any time we want.

We expect them to ignore the environment and walk nicely next to us.

We expect them to come back when we call them even though they rarely get any freedom.

We expect them to be an ornament whilst we get on with our day.

This is very abnormal for them.

An abnormal response to an abnormal situation is normal behaviour.

Dogs aren’t designed to do the things we want them to do which for the most part is to be indifferent to nearly everything they come across and to simply inhibit what we consider ‘bad’ behaviour.

We need to train them but we need to allow them to express their natural behaviours.

We also have to get to know our individual dog and if that means they struggle in crowds, then maybe your dog just isn’t going to be a cafe dog.

That’s okay - there’s plenty more things you can do with them that they’ll actually enjoy too.

www.thinkdog.nz