Better Cavs

23/09/2025

A fear period to be aware of.

At around 8–10 months, many pups go through what’s known as a secondary fear period (the first is usually between 8–12 weeks). It’s a normal developmental phase, not a sign something has gone wrong.

What happens during this stage

• Your pup may suddenly act fearful or suspicious of things they were previously fine with (people, dogs, objects, noises, environments).
• Reactions can include barking, backing away, refusing to approach, hiding, or freezing.
• Hormones are changing at this age, so emotions are often bigger and more intense.
• It’s a temporary stage, but how you handle it can shape their confidence long-term.

How to deal with it

1. Stay calm and patient
• Don’t scold or force them to “face their fears.” That can backfire and create lasting anxiety.
• Keep your tone upbeat and relaxed to show them there’s nothing to worry about.

2. Control exposure
• Avoid overwhelming situations (e.g., crowded dog parks, noisy events).
• Let your pup observe at a distance where they feel safe.

3. Pair fears with positives
• If your pup is wary of something, pair it with treats, praise, or play when they notice it from a safe distance.
• Over time, this builds a positive association.

4. Keep socialisation going — but gently
• Controlled, calm introductions to friendly dogs and people are ideal.
•Quality over quantity: one good experience is better than five stressful ones.

5. Practice confidence-building activities
• Training games, puzzle feeders, sniff walks, and new tricks help shift their focus and boost resilience.
• Let them succeed often, so they feel capable.

6. Avoid punishment
• Correcting fear-based reactions usually makes them worse. Focus instead on redirecting and rewarding calm behaviour.

7. Give them choice
• Allow your pup to move away if they’re uncomfortable. Being forced can make fears stick.
• Approaching at their own pace helps build trust.

✨ The good news: This fear period usually passes within a few weeks to a couple of months if handled well. Supporting your pup through it calmly will help them grow into a more confident adult dog.

Subscribe to emails on www.bettercavs.co.nz for further information and things to do

17/09/2025

I was in a position to help this organization by donating a large
bag of Royal Canin dog food and another lovely follower also did, as a thank you to me for helping her out.
They do a lot of great work, do you know who does this kind of help on your area?
I also take donations on my website to help people with training or good causes like Hearing Dogs.
Go to www.bettercavs.co.nz if you would also like to help.

Rescue, Rehabilitate, Educate, The Dog Rescue Project

17/09/2025

These dogs really are everywhere.
They are often mislabeled as friendly by the guardian/owner as that is how they are seen by them.....They barge right in to "play" with other dogs the second the lead is taken off, before then they are straining, bursting out of their skin to get to whatever they are desiring at the time....and allowing dogs to do this is half the issue.

This behaviour has been rewarded by the "play" and fun of interacting.....Why would they behave any other way around other dogs?
They are not friendly.
Dogs do not consider these dogs friendly either.
Why?
These dogs take no time to assess the situation, their energy is off the charts and they immediately assert themselves into play, and demand interaction from other dogs.

They cannot read cues, or they completely ignore them when given by other dogs.
Reading other dogs play styles is non existent.
Focusing on you or redirecting is impossible.
There is absolutely no impulse control or emotional self regulation.

These dogs are often seen at a dog park running from dog to dog in a hyper aroused state and they often have an almost manic appearance, all of this causes fights, injury, stress and is a direct causation of reactivity occurring in either dog.

I have used the term "socialisation" but socialisation is NOT play....it never was....it is about calmly accepting other dogs exist through controlled exposure.
That calmness allows self regulation, allows reading cues from others and impulse control is practiced.
As a society we have a twisted view that socialisation means dogs play with all other dogs....and they should get on.
The reality of TRUE socialisation is the opposite.

If you do have a dog that has these issues...you can help (but if you reach out to a good behaviour modification trainer, you will save yourself years and years of issues).

Teach engagement with you in ever increasing distractions.
Practice and learn calmness....it is a skill.
Manage the environment for calm and limited exposure at a distance....and reward calm.
Praise and reward when they look away from the other dogs....that IS praise worthy.
Mental enrichment with these dogs helps everything.
Learn the body language of your dog (and others).

You are not alone in struggling with this behaviour, it is very common.
Take a chance that your dog CAN behave in a different way, they just need to be shown how by you or a great trainer.

Limit where and when they can practice this behaviour......and most important dog parks and meeting endless other dogs will do nothing but fuel all of this behaviour.

16/09/2025

She thinks it’s an extension of my lap and my chair. Oops.

13/09/2025

𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘 – 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪

Did you know our after hours service runs from:
🕕 6pm–7:30am on weekdays
🕕 Friday 6pm–Saturday 9am
🕕 Saturday 12pm–Monday 7:30am

During this time, our full daytime team of 25+ staff reduces down to just 2 vets who are on call, working overtime to look after emergencies. Because of this, an after hours consultation is usually about double the daytime price.

Example: If you get home at 4pm during normal business hours and your pet doesn’t look well, please call us then — don’t wait until after hours. Daytime consults are more affordable, and you’ll have the whole team and full resources available.

𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝘀:
❤️Breathing difficulties
❤️Continuous vomiting/diarrhea
❤️Seizures or collapse
❤️Trouble giving birth
❤️Serious accidents or injuries

We’re proud to offer this service to our clients and with your help we can make sure pets get the right care at the right time.

When you need our afterhours service - simply call our normal phone number (06) 7584006 - leave a message and a vet will call you asap.

𝙋𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙚: 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝙋𝙡𝙮𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝙑𝙚𝙩 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙥 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙩 𝘼𝙪𝙗𝙮𝙣 𝙑𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙘 𝙧𝙪𝙣 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚.

11/09/2025

09/09/2025

06/09/2025

Should I crouch down?
Some will say "Yep", it makes us less threatening.
I tend to say "Nope".
Worried, anxious, stressed dogs can react in ways we "can't" predict.
Those sweet puppy dog eyes, yearning for love.
They are more than likely yearning for space and for this situation to be over with.
When we push them, want to hug them and take away their discomfort we can come from a place of wanting desperately to make things better for them.

We tend to rush this.
We also tend to look at them through our human rose tainted glasses.

Crouching down in front of or in the vicinity of a stressed dog puts your centre of gravity off balance.
it's another second or two before you can react to anything that may be about to occur.
We also tend to crouch way to close.

So for me.
I keep actions slow and deliberate (without being unnatural).
Lot's of space is given (where possible)
I make sure I give them options to leave (I don't block the exits).
Weirdly, I tend to mimic others movements in the household (wee thing that I notice works well over the years).
I offer calming signals to them.
No direct eye contact and I don't approach.

This is the fastest way I know to help anxious dogs.

I don't want confliction.
It's connection I really want.

05/09/2025

Good sleep is often hard to come by, especially in today’s stressful world. But studies suggest that women may find their deepest rest not beside a partner, but beside a dog. The reason lies in the steady comfort and security dogs bring to the bedroom.

Dogs are naturally attuned to their owners. Unlike human partners who may toss, turn, or snore, dogs tend to align themselves with a woman’s bedtime routine. Once they settle in, they remain still for long stretches of the night, minimizing sleep disruptions. This stillness creates the kind of calm environment that allows women to slip into deeper sleep cycles.

There’s also an emotional layer at play. The quiet breathing of a dog, the warmth of its body, and the knowledge that it’s standing guard instill a sense of safety. For women, this reassurance eases the mind, reducing nighttime anxiety and lowering stress hormones that can otherwise keep them awake.

The takeaway is simple yet profound: women aren’t just choosing companionship when they let their dog sleep in the bed. They’re choosing comfort, emotional balance, and the possibility of waking up more refreshed. Dogs, in their quiet loyalty, have become unexpected healers of our most basic need—rest. 🐶💤

31/08/2025

✨ Gorgeous Ruby Cavalier Girl Coming Available! ✨

She’ll be about 8 months old when she returns mid–late September 💖
She’s been happily homed with a family including children and cats, so she’s well socialised and gentle.
She will be offered at a special rate for families who already have one of my pups.
Up to date photos to come.

📞 Call to reserve her forever home!ab

31/08/2025

Hi everyone! 🐾

For those with one of my pups from this year, some new (and sometimes challenging!) stages are either here or just around the corner. 🎉

📩 I’ve sent out emails with survival tips on:
• 🦷 Losing baby teeth & getting adult teeth – this usually starts around 4–6 months and finishes between 6–8 months.
• 🎭 Adolescence – starting anywhere from 6–18 months, when your sweet puppy may test boundaries and show their “teenage attitude.”
• 🌸 First season (for the girls) – often between 6–12 months, though it can vary.

If you didn’t receive the email and would like the info, just send me a message and I’ll make sure you get it. 💌

Hang in there—you’ve got this! These phases are completely normal, and I’m here if you need extra support. 💕

👉 Has anyone else found tiny puppy teeth on the floor, survived a teenage tantrum, or noticed their girl acting a bit “grown up”? 😂 Share your stories—I think we could all use a laugh (and reassurance we’re not alone)! 🐶

26/08/2025