Beech Grove Stable and Kennels

19/08/2025

Good read!

When the "problem" is rooted in instinct and mismatched environment how is constant intentional physical punishment as feedback fair?

Lets take livestock guardian breeds as an example. Im not an expert on these wonderful dogs. I have had the pleasure of working with a few and each has been described and presented as non motivated by food, toys or praise rewards, and have little interest in taking direction from a human.

Yes, each dog is an individual, but these breeds were literally created to function without human direction. Their “reward system” is not toys or treats or human praise, but the satisfaction of doing the job they were bred for: calmly watching, independently deciding, and protecting, its beautiful to watch.

When we transplant them into an urban environment, full of noise, traffic, strangers, fences instead of open land, we are asking some of them to go against every fiber of their genetic blueprint. And when they “fail” (from a human’s perspective), punishing them is acceptable?

We dont think this could add stress and frustration, and still fail at changing their internal motivation?

Worse, it can erode trust with a dog whose relationship with humans is already meant to be more equal partner not obedient servant.

The real problem isn’t the dog. It’s the mismatch between environment, breed, and human expectations.

You can’t punish away independence, suspicion of strangers, or a low food/play drive, those aren’t “behaviours,” they’re identity traits.

You can punish a dog enough to shut them up, you just leave all those emotions bubbling away with a fear of expressing them, how sad.

So, no: punishment doesn’t make sense here. What does make sense is:

Education for owners about what dogs are and aren’t.

Management strategies and finding suitable outlets to meet breed triats.

Respect for their nature, understanding them for who they are.

Careful rehoming, because some of these dogs simply won’t thrive in a city, no matter how much work you put in, (the same for some street dogs, home is a prision)

It’s heartbreaking to see people blame the dog for not bending to an environment they were never designed for.

I want to be clear some will adapt, some wont, each dog varies, but.......

Just like left-handers weren’t “wrong", some breeds/types of dogs when placed in urban environments cant cope, they’re in the wrong context and intentional physical punishment to make them " fit" just doesnt sit well with me.

07/08/2025

Check out "Rabies surveillance in the United States during 2023". The United States is one of the examples of what happens when vaccines and public health policies exist. That said, it's important to realize rabies is still very much a thing.
Veterinary workers: Get vaccinated!

Read more here about species that transmit rabies and the importance of :
https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/aop/javma.25.05.0344/javma.25.05.0344.xml?tab_body=fulltext

31/07/2025

Good info. to know.

⏳🧬 Why Timing Matters: What the Research Really Says About Early Spay & Neuter✂️

As loving pet parents, we all want to do what’s best for our dogs — and that includes making the right decision around spay and neuter.

For years, early des*xing (before dogs reach s*xual maturity) has been widely promoted as standard practice — often as early as 8–16 weeks in rescues or before a first season in females. But emerging research over the past decade is prompting a much-needed rethink.

Here’s what the science is showing us.

⏱️ What Does “Early” Really Mean?

“Early spay/neuter” typically refers to des*xing before the dog is hormonally or skeletally mature. That means:

🔹 Females: Spayed before their first season — often under 12 months
🔹 Males: Neutered before 12–18 months, depending on breed size

But these are the very life stages when s*x hormones like oestrogen and testosterone are doing critical work — not just for reproduction, but for bone growth, immune development, mental resilience, and long-term disease prevention.

🔍 So, What Did the Research Actually Find?

Several large-scale, peer-reviewed studies have shown links between early des*xing and increased risk of:

🦴 Joint disease and poor skeletal development
• Early des*xing delays growth plate closure, increasing the risk of hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and cruciate ligament tears — especially in medium to large breeds.
• One UC Davis study (Hart et al., 2020) found that neutering male Golden Retrievers before 6 months tripled their risk of joint disorders.

🧬 Increased cancer risk
• Early neutering has been associated with a higher incidence of certain cancers, including hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, and osteosarcoma.
• Vizsla-specific research (Zink et al., 2014) showed that spayed females were 9x more likely to develop hemangiosarcoma than intact females.

🧠 Behavioural and cognitive changes
• Early spay/neuter has been linked to increased risks of fear, reactivity, and noise sensitivity, especially in females spayed before maturity.
• This may be due to the loss of s*x hormones that influence brain development and emotional resilience.

🦠 Immune dysregulation and chronic disease
• Early removal of s*x hormones affects the endocrine system and may play a role in autoimmune disease risk, urinary incontinence (especially in females), and even cognitive decline in older dogs.

📚 Just a Handful of the Studies Behind These Findings:
• Hart, B.L. et al. (2020) – UC Davis 35 breed study
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00388
• Torres de la Riva et al. (2013) – Golden Retrievers
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055937
• Zink et al. (2014) – Vizsla Health Study
• Root Kustritz (2007) – Review of gonadectomy timing
DOI: 10.2460/javma.231.11.1665
• O’Neill et al. (2021) – UK VetCompass longevity data
DOI: 10.1136/vr.105828

And many more studies continue to support a breed-specific, age-appropriate approach to des*xing.

💡 So What Are the Options?

We understand there are situations where spay/neuter is necessary — for example, in rescue dogs or to prevent accidental litters. But there are options that preserve your dog’s hormones longer while still preventing pregnancy:

✅ Chemical castration (Suprelorin) – a reversible implant that allows males to mature before permanent castration
✅ Ovary-sparing spay (OSS) – removes the uterus but preserves the ovaries and natural hormones
✅ Vasectomy – blocks s***m without removing testosterone-producing te**es

These approaches can allow dogs to develop normally before decisions that affect their lifetime health are made.

💊 What If My Dog Was Already Des*xed Young?

If your dog was spayed or neutered early — don’t panic. You didn’t do anything wrong. You made the best decision you could with the information you had.

But there are things we can do now to support their health:

🌿 Consider discussing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with a reproductive or integrative vet

🐕 Support their joints, hormones and immunity with:
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Bone broth & collagen
• Antioxidant-rich foods
• Endocrine support supplements

We’re happy to recommend brands we trust.

🐾 Final Thoughts

This isn’t about creating fear or guilt — it’s about equipping you with science-led knowledge so you can make informed choices for your dog.

As we learn more about how vital natural hormones are to your dog’s long-term health, it’s clear that when we spay or neuter matters just as much as whether we do.

❤️ At Poochie Park & Pantry, we’re here to support you with holistic, evidence-led information — no judgment, just help.

Have questions or want to explore safer options for your pup? Just reach out — we’re happy to chat.

19/07/2025

Millie says,..luxury suites for small dogs, older, less active dogs and cats are the best! Luxury suites are in a separate building to insure a very quiet and calm environment

Beech Grove Stables and Kennels offers boarding for horses, cats, dogs, exotic pets, and farm pets.

09/07/2025

So true 😛😾

06/07/2025

This is an excellent read. If you are thinking of adopting or buying a dog or puppy.
It is the rule of three.
First three days, decompression
First three weeks, settling in.
Three months, starting to feel at home.

Sharing again because EVERYONE needs to read this if you are thinking of adopting!!!! Here lately we have more returns coming back and if everyone would think of it this way it could avoid that! We work soooo hard with these dogs and put months of work, foster care, interviews, education to fosters/adopters in and we finally celebrate an adoption…….or do we???? Not usually because seems like lately more are coming back than going out 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

It takes time and patience! No dog deserves to be judged by its first hours, days, even weeks!! It takes time and work!

Adopting a pet? Congrats! You've just picked someone up in your car who isn't great at communicating, just got out of a tough situation, and isn't sure if they trust you yet. Sound familiar? That's because the first three days with a new pet are basically a 72-hour first date.

It's exciting, it's awkward, and it's definitely not the time to start planning your holiday cards or giving them a bubble bath.

No judgment, but some of y'all might need a quick refresher on first-date etiquette. So here's your official guide to early red flags (from you, not them).

🚩 Leaving them unattended like it's no big deal
Imagine showing up to a blind date and immediately getting ditched at a party where you know no one. That's how your pet feels when they're left alone right away.

Bottom line: Don't ghost your new pet. It's day one. Stick close.

🚩 Being too handsy
They're cute. You're smitten. But this isn't the moment for kisses, cuddles, or TikToks with voiceovers. You just met. They don't know your intentions yet.

This isn't a fling; it's the start of something real. Let them come to you. (Consent matters, even in pet parenting.)

🚩 Introducing them to your entire cast of characters
You ever meet someone and they immediately want you to meet their mom? Yikes.

Your pet doesn't need to meet your whole social circle (or animal crew) right away. Let them settle in, one face at a time. Save the group hangs for later.

🚩 Giving them a bath
You wouldn't give someone you just met a bath, and if you would… we don't want to talk about this anymore.

Yes, shelter pets can be a little stinky. But baths are a lot. They're wet, stressful, and weirdly intimate for a pet who doesn't even know your hobbies yet. Spritz some pet-safe essential oils around the house and give them time to decompress before sudsing them up.

🚩 Taking them on a spontaneous adventure
You are not on The Bachelor. No one wants a surprise helicopter ride on day one.

Keep things calm and close to home. No breweries, dog parks, or road trips. Your pet's just trying to figure out which room has the snacks, don't make them learn a whole new location yet.

🚩 Expecting instant love
Some folks swipe right, go on one date, and expect sparks to fly immediately. The same energy applies to new pet parents who expect instant attachment.

Sometimes it does happen, but more often, it's a slow burn. They might hide under the bed, bark at the fridge, or side-eye you for three days straight. It doesn't mean it's not working. It just means you're still getting to know each other.

💘 The Bottom Line: Love doesn't always strike like lightning. Sometimes, it starts with awkward silences, side-eyes, and mutually agreeing that you won't make any sudden moves. But give it time, stay patient, and keep showing up, and you just might find yourself in the best relationship of your life.

04/07/2025

Amen!

24/06/2025

In heat like this, the two most important things are the AC in the kennel and a splash pool!!!
Viking sure enjoys his cool water

23/05/2025

So true! 🤦

It never fails…

11/05/2025

Just another Sunday afternoon.

07/05/2025

Good advice.

30/04/2025

😥Had a friend lose her Doberman recently. Any leads on Doberman or Rottweiler puppies or adults for rehoming or purchase, please let me know.