Dogs of South Taranaki

20/06/2025

****PLEASE SHARE****

Our pal Pango is still looking for his new home 🐾

Give the Animal Management team a call to meet him 💚💛

30/04/2025

🐾 Got grubby pet beds, blankets or fur-covered gear? Bring them down to Washo Laundromat! 285 High Street, Hawera 🧺

19/03/2025

Here're some great reminders and info about owning our doggos from the owners of Pawtea - Kennels & Cattery in Patea.

We'll share the summary of what was said at "Know your dog" work shop last weekend 🐶🐾

🔶 Dogs are created from wolves, so dogs have their DNA, even the ones that look just like teddy bears. We must not underestimate what dogs are actually capable of.

🔶 Dogs hunt. Going for walks = hunting time to dogs.

🔶 Dogs hunting style varies, though it often goes with:
1.Sniffing
2.Gathering more info with their ears and searching with their eyes
3.Stops to analyze the situation
4.Lunging
5.Grab to hold
6.Grab to kill

🔶 How dogs detect things is mainly/firstly via their noses, and is very sensitive and delivers information to their brain very quickly compared to humans.

Which means humans need to keep a close eye on their actions & body languages at all times when outside, to avoid any unfortunate events happening.

When you find your dog lunging at other animals, it could be too late.

Redirect the dog by calling him/her to come to you, or start walking to the other direction before he/she starts chasing the other animals - ideally when the dog starts sniffing.

🔶 The important thing is to train your dog with recall, as well as impulse control.

However, if their target starts running away, this training is most likely no use and your dog would chase the target.

To be in control of your dog and not to hurt other animals, you should keep your dog on a lead when outside. The length of the lead can be extended depending on your confidence level. (once again, remember dogs do hunt and they act faster than us)

Also when there is more than one dog, the whole pack has an impact on their actions. Dogs communicate well with each other in a way we can't even notice, and act as a pack. Well behaved dog at home can behave differently when he/she is surrounded by other dogs.

🔶 Dogs need physical and mental stimulation to thrive and satisfy, especially some breeds with high intelligence.

Taking dogs outside off leash isn't the only way to do this - using a long lead while you have the control of the dog and him/her being able to explore outside, using puzzles or toys to keep them stimulated. (the easiest method is to flip his/her food bowl upside down and put their food in the gap, so they need to use their brain to get the food!)

Kennel & run is also a good option to keep your dog outdoors safely when you can't supervise.

🔶 Dogs have better vision at night than ours, especially at dusk. Some animals are nocturnal, so it is recommended to let the dogs outside before dark.

If you must, leash him/her and supervise when outside even just for a short toileting.

It sounds a little extreme, but remember dogs behave differently when you are not watching.

🔶 Use positive reinforcement to train your dog, using food that is most valuable to him/her is proven to be quite effective as food produces dopamine to his/her brains and easy to link the activity with positiveness.

If your dog is not a foodie, use his/her favourite toy instead.

🔶 Use simple & short commands ideally with a neutral voice (not excited, not upset). If you find it difficult, using a whistle can be useful.

And it has to be consistent, otherwise it's confusing.

🔶 Reward him/her within 5 seconds when he/she behaves the way you wish, otherwise the behaviour and reward can not be linked to the dog.

🔶 As mentioned above, dogs have influence on other dogs. If you have several dogs at home, train one dog at a time.

We hope it covers everything and is somehow helpful to you 💚

Any other workshops going on regarding dogs, please share🫶

22/02/2025

Leanne Diamond-James is ready to breed from her 2 year old Siberian Husky, and is looking for a suitable entire male of the same breed. Please contact her privately if you have the perfect partner for this to happen. Stratford based.

22/02/2025

Diamond-James from Stratford is ready to breed from her 2 year old Siberian Husky, and is looking for a suitable entire male of the same breed. Please contact her privately if you have the perfect partner for this to happen.

26/01/2025

Awesome to see the new Gathering Cafe in Hāwera is advertising they're dog friendly and welcome them with their owners on premises.

We 💚 dogs!

Your fur babies are welcome at The Gathering Tuesday to Sunday.

We have reserved Monday as a service dog only day and we ask if you do see a service dog inside that you keep your fur baby away from them please.

Otherwise they are welcome inside, warning though the staff may fuss over your fur friend and smoother them with cuddles 💓🐕‍🦺🐕

P.S we have a one bark policy, one bark is allowed, anymore and they will have to bark off 😆

20/12/2024

Some good advice in here for dog owners - we do all hope you have a lovely Christmas - from our dog and animal whanau to yours.

Please be extra vigilant about what your pets eat over the festive season. Refrain from sharing human food with your pets, and think twice about leaving food in places that might be easily accessible to pets.

17/12/2024

Great news for dogs in Eltham!

Media release about a new water tap and dog bowl installed at Taylor Dog Park, Eltham.

13/12/2024

Henry takes his work very seriously.

Henry the schnauzer has an important job, helping comfort people who have just lost someone they love.

11/12/2024

I'm sure we're much more original in the South....

While "Autobot" and "Winnifred Wolf Allen" appear on the list, a much more standard name is proving popular in New Plymouth.

22/10/2023

17/09/2023

15 October... time to get your registration in and train - you and your doggo. A great activity you can do with your best fur friend! All the info in the link.

Finally, a running or walking event that you can take part in with your dog. Participants will enjoy the beauty of Taranaki farmland with a heart beat at their feet. With views of Mount Taranaki and the Waiwhakaiho River. Running With Paws is proud to support Gabby's Starlit Hope.