Woodleigh Dog Training

01/06/2026

❤️

29/05/2026

29/05/2026

We had been here a bit before I started to film. Again we are at a point where Maxi has got “stuck” and can’t quite bring himself to move around the open door and go into the house. There are boxes behind me and bits of hose that aren’t normally there which could be bothering him but also we have a smallish gab he needs to get through to get around the door. He was taking food in front of him but as you can see by the food on the step, he isn’t prepared to take a risk for food so he will wait there! Again, I’ve had to stop and look at what I’m doing and so thought that his harness and lead in my hand resting against the door isn’t helping so I move it and then he feels happier to take some food and then move on to the food on the steps and then into the house. Well done Maxi. Every day is a school day with Maxi in our lives

29/05/2026

Tonight I ended up trying to help a friend whose puppy ate a kid's vitamin containing xylitol. Simple accident: kid dropped vitamin, puppy scarfed it down. (Note: this household is knowledgeable and is xylitol free, but a relative bought the vitamins, unaware of the risk to the dogs.)

The puppy only ate *one* vitamin. Which turned out to contain 1500 mg of xylitol.

100 mg/kg is the threshold for hypoglycemia which can be fatal. At 500 mg/kg, hepatic necrosis occurs -- destruction of liver tissue.

So just ONE chewable vitamin ended up creating a serious problem for a 30 pound pup (which is not quite 14 kg).

The emergency vet induced vomiting. Thankfully, the puppy had had a meal and so there was food in her stomach. In the vomit was the orange tablet, identifiable though dissolved.

Quick thinking on the owner's part (including grabbing the bottle of vitamins) and fortunately a nearby 24/7 emergency vet hospital meant that this pup received prompt treatment, and should make a full recovery.

Check your medications, vitamins, gum, candy, toothpaste, mouthwash, peanut butter and more for xylitol, also known as birch sugar.

This is useful information to have on hand:
https://www.calculatorsfordogs.com/health-nutrition-calculators/xylitol-toxicity-calculator

ALWAYS contact vet and ASPCA Animal Poison Control center immediately!

As for everyone (the non-vets) recommending the use of hydrogen peroxide, please update your understanding:
https://www.gsvs.org/woodbridge-nj/blog/hydrogen-peroxide-for-dogs-emergency/

Pass this along. I hope you never have to use it.

20/05/2026

Bee and wasp stings can happen to our cats and dogs 🐝

Bees often leave a sting behind in the skin, while wasps can sting multiple times.

If your pet shows signs of swelling or an allergic reaction, contact your vet straight away ⚠️

For more advice on insect bites and stings, visit our Pet Health Hub: https://pdsa.me/gJ5J

[Visual description: Infographic titled 'what to do if your pet is stung by a wasp/bee'. Signs and symptoms: swelling, licking or biting the sting, whining and crying, limping or holding up a paw, drooling, and hives. If your pet is having an allergic reaction, they could have more severe symptoms. If this is the case, get them to your vet as soon as possible. If your pet is showing signs of swelling around the mouth or throat area, see your vet immediately. Never squeeze a sting, as this can make things worse. If your pet's reaction is mild, call your vet for advice and closely monitor them for signs of an allergic reaction.]

19/05/2026

🐾 Struggling with a dog that jumps up on people? Here’s a simple tip that really helps:

When your dog jumps, avoid giving attention — no touching, talking, or eye contact. The moment all 4 paws are on the floor or they sit (you decide), calmly reward them with praise or a treat. Consistency is key! 💛

Dogs jump because it gets a reaction, even if it’s negative. Teach them that all 4 paws on the floor or their bottom on the floor gets the attention instead. Note….if your dog is highly excitable, asking for a sit maybe a step too far, so I would go with all 4 paws to start with and then progress to sitting.

Small daily practice = big results 🐶

14/05/2026

Love this. Bottom line is get to know your dog and what he/she loves to do. Also, and this is a big one, what is your dog bred to do? AND if you have a mixed breed, take in to consideration the separate breeds that make up your dog (for example, is your dog half spaniel half poodle 🤔. Spaniel, super active, working dog and the poodle, highly trainable, working dog) . And yes…..a bit tricky if you have a mixed bag of breeds in your pup but it’s likely that one breed will shine through.

What’s your dog’s “thing”?
Because it might not be the $70 enrichment toy sitting untouched in the corner.

Enrichment has become a massive buzz word lately.
Every second product promises mental stimulation, calmness and fulfilment.

But real enrichment?
It’s much simpler .

Some dogs would choose shredding cardboard over a puzzle toy every single time.
Some want to sniff every blade of grass.
Some thrive on running, jumping and movement.
Some love chewing and licking.
Some enjoy solving problems.
Some just want to quietly watch the world go by.

That’s the bit we can miss.

We start choosing enrichment based on trends, marketing or what other dogs enjoy instead of observing our own dogs and what brings them joy.

A dog walking away from a puzzle toy is not “failing enrichment”.
They may simply be telling you
“This isn’t my thing.”

So what is?💭

11/05/2026