All Laughing Dogs Training

12/07/2025

Recent research by Vet Compass and the The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) showed correlation between human heat warning and heat stroke cases.

Yellow heat health alerts are now in force with temperatures expected to hit 34C (93F) in parts of the UK this weekend.

Is it true that if we use cold water on heat stroke pets they will go into shock?

One of the most common things we still hear is that we can only use tepid water on a pet with heat stroke, incase they get some complications like hypothermic overshoot, peripheral vasoconstriction hindering a cooling response, and cardiogenic shock...

We have heard not to use cold water in case it causes shock... this rarely happens!

But guess what? In a recent study over 26% of dogs presented with heat stroke died, with flat faced breeds making up nearly half of heat stroke cases seen in the study.

You should:

💧Get someone to call the local veterinary practice and tell them you're going to travel down with a heat stroke patient
💧Pour, hose or if safe immerse the pet in very cold water (this should obviously be done under constant supervision, ensuring the head is fully above water and immersion should not be attempted if the animal is too large, or you are unable to do so without hurting yourself)
💧NB: If using a hose pipe, make sure it has run through until cold, as they can often contain water that is extremely hot in the tubing initially
💧Do not drape in towels and leave them in situ. Keep the cold water flowing.
💧Move to a cool, shaded area
💧Prepare to transport to vets in a cold, air conditioned car

In studies they found that:

🌅International consensus from sports medicine organisations supports treating EHS with early rapid cooling by immersing the casualty in cold water.
🌅Ice-water immersion has been shown to be highly effective in exertional heat stroke, with a zero fatality rate in large case series of younger, fit patients.
🌅Hyperthermic individuals were cooled twice as fast by Cold Water Immersion as by passive recovery.
🌅No complications occurred during the treatment of three older patients with severe heat stroke were treated with cold‐water immersion.
🌅Cold water immersion (CWI) is the preferred cooling modality in EHS guidelines and the optimal method applicable to UK Service Personnel
🌅Studies suggest using either ice-water or cold-water immersion

The best intervention is PREVENTION, but if you find yourself with an animal with heat stroke, using cold water either by pouring, hosing or ideally (if safe) immersion then this may help reduce their temperature to safe levels while you transport to a veterinary practice.

Read more below with updates from Hot Dogs - canine heatstroke education for dog owners

https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/post/cool-icy-cold-or-tepid

01/07/2025

26/06/2025

This is a great post which backs up what I'm always saying about collar vs harness.

✨ Structures Around Your Dog’s Neck – Why a Harness Matters ✨

Collar vs Harness is a frequently debated topic, but from a musculoskeletal and neurological perspective, the evidence strongly supports the use of a well-fitted harness over collars—particularly for dogs that pull on the lead.

❗ Contrary to popular belief, harnesses do not encourage pulling—lead pulling is a training issue, not a consequence of the equipment used.

⚠️ Potential Risks of Neck Pressure from Collars:

1. Muscles of the Neck:
Collars can cause soft tissue trauma including contusions, strains, and micro-injuries to cervical muscles, contributing to pain and dysfunction (Pauli et al., 2006).

2. Spinal Cord & Vertebrae:
Repetitive or forceful pressure may result in cervical spinal compression, intervertebral disc herniation, or spondylosis deformans. This can lead to chronic pain and impaired mobility (Ogburn, 2020).

3. Nerve Damage – Including the Vagus Nerve:
The vagus nerve, which runs through the neck, influences heart rate, digestion, and respiratory function. Chronic pressure may lead to gastrointestinal upset, or cardiovascular changes (Dobias, 2015).

4. Arteries & Veins:
Neck pressure can increase intracranial pressure, restrict cerebral blood flow, and raise intraocular pressure, potentially exacerbating neurological or ocular conditions (Pauli et al., 2006; NTU, 2020).

5. Larynx, Oesophagus & Trachea:
Force from collars may cause laryngeal bruising, tracheal collapse, or difficulty swallowing—particularly in small or brachycephalic breeds.

6. Hyoid Apparatus:
Although rare, trauma to this delicate structure, which supports the tongue and larynx, may cause pain or swallowing dysfunction.

7. Thyroid Gland:
Located in the neck, the thyroid gland is vulnerable to chronic trauma. Repeated collar pressure may cause inflammation, leading to immune-mediated hypothyroidism, particularly in large, strong-pulling breeds (Dobias, 2015).

8. Eyes & Vision:
Studies have shown that pressure on the neck from collars significantly increases intraocular pressure, posing risks for dogs with glaucoma or corneal injury (Pauli et al., 2006).

🙏 Please consider:

If your dog pulls, or if you’re guiding them by a collar or head collar, you may be unknowingly putting these critical structures at risk.

A correctly fitted Y-front or support harness helps distribute pressure across the chest and shoulders, protecting the delicate anatomical structures of the neck.

📚 References:
• Pauli, A. M., Bentley, E., Diehl, K. A., & Miller, P. E. (2006). Effects of the application of neck pressure by a collar or harness on intraocular pressure in dogs. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 42(3), 207–211. PMC4925585
• Nottingham Trent University. (2020). Collars risk causing neck injuries in dogs. NTU Article
• Dobias, P. (2015). Dog Collar Injuries Can Cause Thyroid Disease. Peter Dobias DVM Blog
• K9 Bridle. Dogs That Pull on the Lead. K9Bridle

⸻

📧 [email protected]
📞 07418 082 240

21/04/2025

Some very good advice from Action4Dogs

The Spaniel, the busy little bee of dogs.

Spaniels are delightful little characters and have their own unique look which makes them popular pet dogs.

However, they are hunters to their very core and live every moment to fulfill that purpose.

The bond and connection with the human is vital if we are to have a relationship outdoors in wilder and tantalising habitats that provide the spaniels nose and hunting instincts to go to work.

Early and ongoing training for the dog is crucial in establishing attentiveness, steadiness, obedience, recall, and understanding of clear direction and commands.

These are all the educational building tools necessary in moving forward as your spaniel’s instincts and body mature.

Working handlers are very aware of how important easily foundations are and how to gradually expose to richer environments once solid basics have been instilled.

If a working spaniel as a pet dog has been given a lot of free roaming prior to laying those foundations you are likely to have a hunting machine on your hands quicker than you know it.

More than likely owners have fallen for those endearing looks and purchased a spaniel on that basis, and in some cases have put in a little basic training.

Spaniels benefit hugely, as do the owners, from gundog foundation training. The human part of the equation learns how to direct those instincts, improve on focus and steadiness, and gradually take the training through different levels of exposure.

Notice that the focus is not so much on socialisation here, although that is important and has its place, but on recognising that the hunting instinct of a spaniel is never far from the surface in what is a rapid phase of development from puppy to young dog.

Common concerns are pulling on lead (hunting), recall issues (hunting), deaf to commands once they get a scent (hunting).

When one acquires a sporting or gundog breed they are bringing a hunter into their home. Different breeds will hunt in different ways and those instincts will show very quickly…

If you have a busy little bee in a spaniel the subtle signs are there to see at early stages.

Don’t just have a dog, have a plan!

Have a plan on how you are going to map out the road ahead by knowing what your dog is likely going to do and how it will interact with the natural world.

It will not eliminate challenges but it will forearm you with anticipating them and how you deal with them. The life you imagined with a dog will be so much easier to realise with clear foundations put in place.

To do that we need to be busy little bees ourselves…

21/04/2025

Sometimes, I feel there's so much we can learn from the simple life of a dog. They don’t dwell on the past or stress about the future—they embrace the present with pure joy. Whether it’s a walk, a treat, or simply being with loved ones, they find happiness in the little things.

Dogs teach us that true contentment doesn’t have to be complicated. Their effortless way of living reminds us to appreciate the moment, cherish what we have, and never take life’s simplest pleasures for granted.

~ R. M. Drake from Dog People

~ Art by Steve Sanderson

29/03/2025

This is so important! Please be aware that puppies do not need a lot of exercise and too much is very bad for their physical growth.

🤷‍♂️What the majority don’t realise and most won’t tell you…

When you take home your 8 week old puppies, please keep these images in mind. Their bones do not even touch yet. They plod around so cutely with big floppy paws and wobbly movement because their joints are entirely made up of muscle, tendons, ligaments with skin covering. Nothing is fitting tightly together or has a true socket yet.

When you run them excessively or don't restrict their exercise to stop them from overdoing it during this period you don't give them a chance to grow properly. Basically you’re reversing the fusing process by overexercising your pup. Every big jump or excited bouncing run causes impacts between the bones. In reasonable amounts this is not problematic and is the normal wear and tear that every animal will engage in.

When you're letting your puppy jump up and down off the lounge or bed, take them for long walks/hikes, you are damaging that forming joint. When you let the puppy scramble on tile with no traction you are damaging the joint.

You only get the chance to grow them once. A well built body is something that comes from excellent breeding and a great upbringing-BOTH, not just one.

Once grown you will have the rest of their life to spend playing and engaging in higher impact exercise. So keep it calm while they're still little baby puppies and give the gift that can only be given once.

🦴 Many of your German Shepherds puppy bones are not fully fused until around the 15 to 18 months of age👌👌👌.

22/03/2025

Yes to this!