Sit For Success

10/02/2021

Our (senior) cat-proof deck is done! Nelson has already settled into nosy-neighbor mode 👀

We had to redo our front deck this summer and we decided early that we wanted it so that both Harriet and Nelson could enjoy it with us!

At first Nelson was a bit confused, but felt it out and quickly settled into his new role as the neighborhood watch 🕵️‍♂️

This project worked out for us because Nelson is a seniors and can’t climb or jump over the railing, a younger cat would have a lot more we’d need to consider. He also won’t be able to be allowed out without someone supervising. I don’t think he’ll mind the company though!

Harriet enjoyed the warm deck for a few minutes but ultimately prefers hanging out with her dad :)

09/08/2021

This is Zoe, I wanted to share her win with you. She gets so nervous, during grooms that she will become aggressive. One of the problems she’s had is biting hands and the scissors as they come towards her face.

What makes this video extra special, is not just that she is allowing me to being the scissors near her face, but that she is actually CHOOSING for me to start moving the scissors towards her!!

Zoe is demonstrating a beautiful Start Button behavior. Every time she looks up at my face, she causes me to start the process of the scary thing (bringing scissors close to her face), then followed by a reward. If Zoe does not want the scissors to come near her, all she has to do is not look at my face and I will wait.

We often think of human problems when we think of need for bodily autonomy, but in grooming as well as vet care, often the scariest part for the pets is that they don’t have any control over what is happening to them. This is really cool because it puts Zoe in the drivers seat. It also means she doesn’t need to bite the scissors to make them stop when she needs it!

06/22/2021

Meet Kai! This guy got lost in my camera roll, but I wanted to share him with you anyway.

He needed some help with learning some manners and loose leash skills and boy did he learn fast! His mom did a great job of practicing and teaching him new skills so he could become the gentleman he is today!

10/13/2020

The Cat Clinic featured Nelson today! I wrote a post for them that explains all the work we've been doing with him!

Nelson would like to introduce his mom from Mackenzie Joan Training & Grooming for a special guest post!

At home I worked with Nelson on two main components to help him be braver at the vet. The first was his crate training. Nelson did not like his crate and getting him in it was always a fight. Which meant he would be stressed out before even getting to the clinic. I used his joint supplements as treats (to avoid adding more calories to his diet) and worked on it a little every morning. First getting him near the opening of the crate, and building up to us signalling for him to go inside and wait for us to close the door and lock him in! It was a HUGE win in reducing his stress and fear at the clinic.

The second part was mostly at the clinic. First, I worked with Nelson teaching him how to follow a wooden spoon with his nose at home. This helped Nelson build the confidence to better focus and follow a food lure when stressed out in the clinic. At the clinic we came once a month with extra special treats he only gets for vet visits. Using exciting treats paired with the target work I did with him, Nelson was able to walk out of the crate, onto the scale without anyone having to handle him! When we got his weight, we sent him straight back into his crate to have the rest of his treat while I talked with Angie about our options for Nelson's weight loss and Fear Free training.

I think it's important to mention when we started Nelson needed mediation before the clinic visits to help him relax a bit. We eventually made enough progress to having no medication needed for his weigh- ins and Angie was even able to pet him! It took some work, but Nelson has gone from an overweight cat that we dreaded bringing into the clinic due to his stress and aggression to a fit boy who doesn't need medication and can be pet and enjoyed! He's come so far and I'm so proud! For anyone who is interested, I talk a lot more about animal training on my blog at https://www.mackenziejoan.com/blog and you can see more videos of Nelson's training at on instagram!

08/20/2020

Yesterday, Brad gave cutie-pie Winston his first puppy nail trim! Winston's owner is holding him close for comfort and giving some tasty treats so he can have a completely Fear Free experience!

Groomed By Brad

07/31/2020

Happy Friday!

07/29/2020

From the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) Twitter page Many mosquito repellents, including DEET, citronella and some essential oils, are toxic to pets. If you'll be using any of these products, be sure to keep them out your pet's reach. For a list of other potential hazards, visit https://www.ovma.org/pet-owners/basic-pet-care/pet-safety-tips/

06/11/2020