The Lotus Dog

07/29/2026

I am having a easy afternoon reading’ This Dog Will Change Your Life’ and I am reminded of so many incredible stories on how dogs have changed our lives or saved someone we love.

06/26/2026

06/24/2026

Congratulations to Tannille and Kuna on completion of their private lessons. I’m excited to see how much you have grown after the summer. Excellent job👏🥳

06/12/2026

It's exhausting.

I know everyone just wants that one thing that makes it stop.

The answer that everyone else seems to know.
That one tip.
The missing technique.
The secret.

Reactivity is one of the most challenging behaviours a dog can have.

It will test your patience, your timing and your consistency, time and time again.

Above all else, that's what it requires.

Consistency.

"Sometimes" is a big problem with reactive dogs.

Sometimes we reward.
Sometimes we don't.

Sometimes we move away.
Sometimes we don't.

Sometimes we have a plan.
Sometimes we don't.

And that can keep both you and your dog stuck in that never-ending trigger/reaction cycle.

So why does a checklist help?

Because preparation matters.

And that prep work doesn't happen when you're standing in front of a trigger.

That's where you're putting all that practice into action.

The skills.
The rewards.
The timing.
The plan.

That's the reality of living with a reactive dog.

You need a plan before you need the plan.

06/12/2026

If your puppy pees when excited, it's usually not a house training problem. It's often a normal emotional response that can happen when puppies are greeting people, meeting someone new, or getting lots of attention.

They aren't choosing to do it, and in many cases they don't even realize it's happening. 😅

The most effective way to help is to keep greetings calm, reduce social pressure, and build your puppy's confidence through positive experiences and games. Most puppies improve with maturity when we focus on helping them feel confident rather than correcting the behavior.

⬇️ Linked in the comments: Read our latest blog post to learn why it happens, common triggers, and how confidence building games can help your puppy succeed.

06/12/2026

📣SAVE THE DATE! Join us at Bear Creek Animal Clinic with Thistle Brew Co. and Bandaged Paws Animal Rescue Association for an Adoption Day Fundraiser!

Bear Creek Animal Clinic will be donating $2 from every drink sold to our friends at Bandaged Paws Animal Rescue Association! 😍

June 24- 10am-2pm

Come out and help us support! Coffee and pets? This may just be the key to our hearts!🐾☕️💗

05/26/2026

These dogs can “give in” instead of growl.
And because of that, there’s no obvious conflict, but there can be discomfort.
“They’re OK together.”
“Let them work it out.”
“They’ll get used to each other.”

Tolerating something happening is not always the same as feeling safe with it.

Some dogs become very good at avoiding conflict instead of resolving it or escalating.
Some will just simply endure social pressure.

Being aloof can work for them too.

A quieter dog, that doesn’t move too much or isn’t vocal around others has sometimes worked out how to “fly under the radar”
Now there really isn’t anything wrong with that, but we need to be mindful.
Some freeze as a dog approaches.
Some repeatedly roll over and just stay there until the other dog loses interest.

But sometimes they can escalate only after ‘tolerating’ things for too long.

Unfortunately, these quieter dogs are often the ones people can miss completely.
They can also be put into social situations they don’t want to be in at all.

That quietness is mistaken for calmness, acceptance.

Not every struggling dog is loud.

05/26/2026

05/26/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and within the veterinary profession, this conversation is especially important.

We are asking our community to please remembers that your veterinary team is human

Both recently and historically, our field has experienced heartbreaking losses that have deeply affected veterinary professionals across the country and around the world. Behind every appointment, emergency, difficult conversation, and late night is a team of people who care deeply about animals and the people who love them.

Veterinary professionals face one of the highest rates of mental health struggles and su***de among professions. Compassion fatigue, emotional exhaustion, financial stress, staffing shortages, and the emotional weight of caring for sick and injured pets every day can take an enormous toll.

A little kindness goes a long way. Patience, understanding, and respectful communication matter more than you may realize. Even during stressful situations, your words have impact.

We also encourage our clients and community members to help advocate for veterinary teams when you see misinformation, online attacks, or disrespectful behavior directed toward veterinary professionals. Supporting respectful conversations and showing compassion for the people behind the profession can make a meaningful difference.

Organizations like Not One More Vet (NOMV)
work tirelessly to support the mental health and wellbeing of veterinary professionals and remind those in our field that they are never alone.

Our teams come to work each day because we love animals and are committed to helping the families who trust us with their care.

Please continue to support the veterinary professionals in your community — not just this month, but every day.
To our fellow veterinary professionals: you are valued, appreciated, and never alone. 💙