Relax Rover

01/07/2025

Relax, Rover. will be saying goodbye to FB in a couple of days. I can no longer support this platform as it moves further right and continues to cause harm in the world.

Take care and be safe in the turbulent times ahead.

Namaste.

10/05/2024

This is a massive welfare issue for dogs and we need to take this seriously. There is evidence that upwards of 80% of behavioral issues in dogs have an underlying medical issue either exacerbating it or causing it. Sometimes the ONLY thing we see is the behavioral issue. Think about how your own behavior is affected when you are in pain. Dogs are less likely than people to show they are in pain in ways that we would recognize as pain.

This is becoming a welfare issue!

Im tired of hearing “the vet says there is no pain” by a guardian after they have taken their dog to the vet. It leaves me deflated and frustrated and feeling so sorry for the dog.

Myth Bust:

PAIN CANNOT BE RULED OUT IN ANY ANIMAL (dog, cat, horse or hamster), by anyone!

* A quick palpation - CANNOT RULE OUT PAIN

WHY?

The dog may shut down due to environmental factors or dislike of a strange human touching them, they keep still to get it over with ASAP!

The dog may be over aroused or overwhelmed by the clinical environment (excited/scared etc) to the point that adrenaline is so high it blocks pain!

* Blood Tests - CANNOT RULE OUT PAIN

There is currently NO blood test that can detect pain.

* Diagnostic imaging - CANNOT RULE OUT PAIN

Yes they can pick up a variety of conditions, but even the GOLD standard MRI doesn’t pick up everything, but NONE of them can detect PAIN.

Just because a source cannot be found doesn’t mean there is no pain.

PAIN is subjective, it is whatever that being (human or animal) perceives it to be!

Pain can come in many different forms, it is extremely complex, and can effect the individual in many different ways. A dog may get injured, the injury may have healed, but the pain remains … this is known as maladaptive pain.

Behaviour can be a HUGE indicator for PAIN:

* There could be a change of behaviour that has been directly caused by PAIN.

* There could be a worsening of behaviour due to an increase or new presence of PAIN.

* There could be a lack of “normal” behaviour due to PAIN.

* There could be behaviours that are present but that the guardian/owner don’t deem to be problematic that are indicators of PAIN.

* The dog may have ALWAYS displayed behaviours that are indicators of PAIN, but they have been ignored and put down to “just the way they are”.

* There may be NO problematic behaviours at all …. And the dog might still be in PAIN!

* The dog might be energetic, always on the go … and still be in PAIN.

* The dog might be lazy … and still be in PAIN.

* The dog may zoom up and down stairs … and still be in PAIN.

Diagnosing PAIN is not simple and can be difficult to get on top of.

A PAIN relief trail can be great! But often only one type of analgesic is tried and sometimes this doesn’t get results leading to the ASSUMPTION that there is no PAIN!

Here’s why:

* The drug was only trialed for 2 weeks - when living with chronic pain it can take longer to relieve. 2 weeks is not enough.

* The drug used wasn’t targeted to the type of pain the animal is feeling; soft tissue, bone, nerve or a combination of all.

It might take a number of different medications or a combination OVER TIME to see a difference.

ALWAYS keep in mind, NO ONE can rule out another being’s PAIN.

NO ONE. Not me. Not you. Not a Doctor. Not a Vet.

06/27/2024

Thank you, Annie Phenix! This was so much fun! Please take a look at the The Phenix Advocacy Center for Canine Professionals summer auction happening now through June 30! There are so many incredible goods and services to bid on for both dog guardians and dog pros!

06/26/2024

Dog guardians and dog pros! Live auction, June 21-30, with amazing things to bid on!

Please support the the Phenix Advocacy Center for Canine Professionals - a one-of-a-kind nonprofit, run by the most incredible volunteers who have undergone professional training, that provides peer-to-peer support for R+ canine professionals.
Whether you are a dog guardian or a dog pro, there is something amazing at this live auction for you!

"Canine professionals have had incredible opportunities for decades to learn the science behind training dogs. We endorse modern science that acknowledges that dogs have emotions and that they live happier lives with positive reinforcement training.

Our advocacy center provides what has always been missing in the industry: a safe place for professionals to gather to support each other and to learn about well-being from one another. We are here to provide peer-to-peer support for R+ canine professionals. Our volunteer team has undergone professional training and we are ready to offer our support and collective wisdom."

Help Us Help Dog Pros!!

10/28/2023

When a new dog joins your family, it's so important to give them time to decompress, settle in, and build a relationship with them based on trust and joy. Give them the gift of helping them to feel safe, first and foremost. Skills can be taught at any time. Building trust, deep safety, and joy are more important than teaching sit.

09/20/2023

Kindness first and always

As “gentle parenting” has become a popular method of raising kids punishment-free, a parallel shift is happening in the world of dog training.

09/07/2023