Happy Houndz Dog Obedience Training

18/07/2025

The iliopsoas muscle in dogs, is a major hip flexor, crucial for bringing the leg forward and stabilizing the core.
It's a combination of the psoas and iliacus muscles, which fuse together and runs from the lumbar vertebrae and attach to the femur.

Iliopsoas injuries are relatively common, especially in athletic or older dogs. BUT are commonly missed or misdiagnosed.

It often shows as lameness of the hindlimb; difficulty with movements like rising, jumping, or seen to be struggling to support themselves for defecating.

Common Causes include:

▶️Overuse and Hyperextension:
Excessive stretching of the iliopsoas during activities like agility training, jumping, or roughhousing can lead to strains or tears.
▶️Splaying the Rear Limbs:
Sudden splay-legged movements, such as slipping or falling, can strain the muscle.
▶️Pre-existing Conditions:
Dogs with hip dysplasia, stifle injuries, or osteoarthritis are more prone to iliopsoas issues.
▶️Sudden, explosive movements without proper warm-up can also contribute.

What can we do?
We can assess your dog during our "Joint Care Assessment" for indications of discomfort in this region and any compensatory issues.

Contact us to discuss and arrange an assessment;
Either via Facebook message, WhatsApp or call 07498873068, or email: [email protected]

06/06/2025

We often talk about exercise and exercise modifications especially for those with chronic pain, and their capabilities change, or perhaps recovering from surgery and on restricted exercise......

It's about the time spent together not the distance you've travelled.

Remember when you are walking your dog;

💚 Take some time out.
💚 Enjoy your walk.
💚 Relax, breathe and take in the scenery.
💚 Allow your dog to smell the grass.
💚 Allow your dog to observe something.
💚 Allow your dog to take a rest
💚 Allow your dog to be a dog.
💚 Visit new places.

I hear regularly....we walk X miles every day.

Mental enrichment is often just as tiring as physical exertion but is most likely to be much more rewarding mentally and physically (without the risk of creating compensatory issues and increased pain)

Time is precious with them...make every day count.

30/03/2025

22/02/2025

Yippee!
We're fully booked for our courses starting in March 🐾
Now taking bookings for May!!

23/12/2024

Lots of wags & woofs and a Merry Christmas
to all our friends.
From Gerri & Lesley
Happy Houndz Dog Training🐾

07/11/2024

𝙅𝙪𝙙𝙜𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩.

Yesterday a passer by at the park felt the need to pass loud judgement on a dog I was working with when they were having a 'moment'. It wasn't kind, it wasn't helpful and it wasn't necessary.

Something I often hear from clients is how aware they are of the judgement of others when they are out with their dogs.

If their dog is lunging, barking or otherwise seen as behaving 'badly', they feel the weight of strangers' eyes on them. Sometimes the judgment is just an eye roll or a tut....sometimes it's more explicit - being shouted or sworn at. Either way they feel shamed and embarrassed.

I can say, almost certainly, that those doing the shaming have never had a reactive dog themselves. They have never had to deal with not getting the dog they hoped for. Never had to walk their dog at the crack of dawn or late at night in an attempt to avoid other people. Never felt their heart sink when something unexpected happens and their best laid plans go wrong. Never felt the mixed emotions of embarrassment, sadness and frustration when their dog kicks off yet again. Never cried when they've had to abandon another walk. Never felt dread at the sound of "it's ok...he's friendly". Never felt the pressure to correct their dog because they need to be seen to be 'doing something'.

For those feeling judged remember that other people's opinions affect you only as much as you let them. Take a deep breath, shake it off and move on. Easier said than done at first but, like any skill, it gets easier with practice. Don't compare your dog to others. No two dogs are the same and, as the saying goes, comparison is the thief of joy. Ditch the shame. It's corrosive and toxic. Do the best you can in any situation and seek help if you need it. If you do that no one can ask more of you. And know that you're not alone. For every eye roll you receive there's probably also someone who's watching sympathetically because they've been there.

And if you've caught yourself eye rolling and tutting and rushing to judgement try to put yourself in that person's shoes. No one enjoys being the person with 'that' dog. It's never what people planned and they are generally trying their best in a bad situation. When you see a reactive dog kicking off know that, in that moment, both the dog and its owner are having a hard time and ask yourself whether a critical comment from you is going to make things better for anyone?

Being the owner of a reactive dog is hard enough. Let's not make it any harder.

04/10/2024

Deny Entry to the UK for Ivan Balabanov due to Animal Cruelty Practices

03/10/2024

29/09/2024

Yippeee!!
Tell your pooches -
Beginner's classes starting in Hope-
Weds 23rd Oct @ 1.15pm

09/06/2024

A dogs neck is a very delicate part of their body!

The neck and cervical spine contain the spinal cord, this is where the nerves of the front legs originate. Excessive paw licking is quite often misdiagnosed as allergies when it is in fact pain.

Putting stress on the neck can cause painful disc damage and shoulder problems

A dog has the same number of vertebrae as a giraffe (think about that before choking a dog)

One of the most important structures of the nervous system "The Vagus Nerve" originates at neck level and this controls life essential organs like lung, heart, stomach, and intestinal tract.

The Thyroid gland is located in the neck. If this gets inflamed the immune system trys to remove the inflamed cells.
The destruction of the Thyroid gland cells can lead to hypothyroidism

Increased pressure put on the Jugular vein can cause seizures
Ear and Eye issues are significantly increased

Being je**ed on a lead causes whiplash and bruising.

The epidermis of a dog is only 3-5 cells thick
A humans is 10-15 cells thick

So WHY would anyone want to use a noose ....sorry I mean a slip lead?

A well fitted Y shaped harness is the safest and kindest peice of equipment to use.

01/05/2024

⭐ Great RECALL session yesterday using food reinforcers and games with 4 year old Labrador Max. We'll progress this at the next session. ☆Never to late too late to work on that recall (or anything else)!
🐾Happy Houndz Obedience Training 🐾

29/04/2024

Meet Effie!!

Another newbie this week… a 2.5yr old ‘Newfypoo’… she’s a cross between a Newfoundland & Standard Poodle! She’s a big girl (40KG)… with A LOT of fur!

Effie came to us due to her owners ill health.. she’s a loveable girl with a big personality! Effie loves people - she’s very friendly and sociable… she’s not used to living with children, but could be homed in a home with older children.. she’s got a very placid nature.

Effie is great with other dogs, and has had play dates with some of the dogs in our care! She could go to a home with another dog - depending on a dog meeting. She’s not used to cats.

She loves her walks… playtime is the great.. but her favourite is water!! She loves a paddle and a swim 🙈. She will need an active home..

Due to her size, Effie has the potential to be very strong on the lead… however, for the most part she does walk nicely. Her new owners must have time to dedicate to her ongoing training.

Effie isn’t really used to be left on her own, so time along may need to be built up gradually.

Obviously due to her parents, Effie has a lot of fur and is minimal shedding - she will need regular grooming!

Enquiry form ⬇️
https://ashbourneanimalwelfare.org/dog-adoption-enquiry-form-2/