Willo's Doggy Sitting

09/06/2026

09/06/2026

🐾 PUPPIES & OLDER DOGS

One thing that is easy to forget is that puppies have not yet developed good social skills.

They jump in faces, bite too hard, pounce unexpectedly, grab ears, tails, and loose skin, and generally have very little understanding of personal space. While we may find their antics amusing, older dogs often do not.

Puppies are not being naughty. They simply haven't learned yet that other dogs may not appreciate this behaviour.

At the same time, many senior dogs are experiencing physical and sometimes cognitive changes. Even the most observant owners may not realise the extent of those changes.

An older dog may have aching joints, tender areas they instinctively protect, reduced vision, diminished hearing, or simply less tolerance for chaos than they once had.

To them, an incoming puppy missile isn't just annoying. It can be uncomfortable, overwhelming, or even frightening.

This is often when owners say:

"Oh! I've never seen my old dog growl like that before."

The growl is frequently not about aggression. It is communication. Your older dog may simply be saying, "Please give me some space."

If you bring a puppy into your home, one of your most important responsibilities is protecting your senior dog's physical and emotional wellbeing.

A dog who should be enjoying long, peaceful naps should not feel the need to remain constantly alert because an enthusiastic puppy might launch itself at them at any moment.

And just because your older dog is being "good" about it doesn't mean they are comfortable.

When people tell me how tolerant their old dog is with a puppy, I often find myself thinking:

"Please don't put that sweet old soul in a position where they have to spend their days tolerating things."

They've earned their peace.

The goal isn't for the older dog to endlessly tolerate the puppy.

The goal is to set both dogs up for success by teaching the puppy appropriate behaviour while ensuring the senior dog feels safe, respected, and able to enjoy their retirement years.

💭 What are some things you think owners can do to help both their puppy and their senior dog thrive together?

- Donna Williams,
Emerald Park Border Collies.
www.emeraldparkbc.com

"Making life better
- through understanding dogs!"

09/06/2026

A vibrant, wet Tuesday unfolded with Preston and Benji joining Lola, Ollie, and Teddy for an action-packed Pawsitive Playdate, proving rain can't dampen spirits.

08/06/2026

🌟 Restraining Dogs in Cars: A Quick Safety Reminder 🌟

We all love seeing our dogs ride along on adventures, but how they travel matters just as much as where you are going. 🚗🐶

🔴 Unrestrained dogs in vehicles can:

🔹Be seriously injured in sudden stops or accidents
🔹Distract the driver, increasing crash risk
🔹Become a projectile inside the car, putting everyone at risk

Even a short trip to the park or vet can be dangerous without proper restraint.

🔵 Safe travel options include:
✔ Crash-tested harnesses secured to seatbelts
✔ Well-ventilated travel crates secured in the vehicle
✔ Boot barriers for larger dogs, combined with secure crates where possible

A dog sitting on a lap, roaming the back seat or hanging out of windows might look harmless, but it is not safe for them or you.
If your pet is not yet comfortable with restraints, start with short positive trips and reward calm behaviour to help them adjust.

At Perth Vet Emergency, we often see preventable injuries from road accidents involving unrestrained pets. A few minutes of preparation can make all the difference.

Stay safe on the road, for you and your best mate. 🐾💞

08/06/2026

Monday's shenanigans before the weather forecast turned gloomy.

07/06/2026

Seeing something isn't the problem.
Losing everything else is.

Looking leaves room for everything else around them, including you.

Fixation doesn't.

The environment starts to get much, much smaller.
Your voice starts to disappear.

Food? Not much interest then either.

They are well and truly locked on.

And it can happen fast.

Their body becomes still.
Their eyes narrow or even widen and there's laser focus.
The neck can stretch forward and lengthen.
The mouth closes.

Your dog that was taking in the world around them is suddenly taking in just one thing.

That's the difference.

Fixation shuts everything else out.

07/06/2026

Are we sure it's a yes 🤔
Question is, how can you actually tell?

Because a wagging tail isn't enough.
A play bow?
Not enough info there either.

Both can mean much more than simply "play."

Looking for consent?

As weird as it sounds, stop watching what happens when they're together.
Start watching what happens when they're apart.

Do they come back to each other, loose and bouncy and wanting to continue?

There's a flow, an interest and usually an invitation.

What we do need to be mindful of is one dog insisting when the other has very little interest in continuing.

Consent can also be given and then taken away again, especially if one dog didn't appreciate what just happened.

But what happens next?

Are they willing to try again?
That's a good sign.

They may have simply needed a moment to work out the other dog's play style.

Dogs that are really good players don't base their decisions on just one moment or one signal.

Many need a few signals before they feel comfortable.

Maybe the biggest sign of consent isn't that they stayed.

It's that they left.

And chose to come back.