The Neurodivergent Dog Nerd

28/02/2025

Not a dog.
Oh, hey friends. Haven't been around here in a while. Hope everyone is doing OK with all the things happening. I know it's hard. I've been hyper focusing on the doom.
If you can, take some inspiration from these two. Stretch out, maybe have a snuggle, and most importantly, get lots of rest.

Love you all.

04/10/2024

If we could all just take a moment to celebrate Rambo actually relaxing while the kitten is in the same room.
We've progressed to not having him muzzled while loose most of the time. It helps that Kitten is also learning to chill from time to time. I can't imagine it feels nice for Rambo to constantly be on watch, monitoring, tracking. He redirects quite well, and we have lots of gates all over so that cats have space the dogs can't get to, and that helps also. I'm going to be trying some new meds with him that are more targeted towards compulsive behavior, which should in turn make it easier for him to learn new stuff.
Progress has definitely not been linear with this guy, but it is progress nonetheless. And I am thankful for the (often very frustrating) lessons that he teaches me and the opportunity to be his friend and help him navigate our fu**ed up human world.

08/09/2024

Some days, this guy is a lot. I mean, most days he's a lot- he's a weirdo cattle dog with a bunch of baggage. But some days, usually when I'm a little overwhelmed with life already, he can just be a bit of a weiner.
But then I realize that I probably haven't done enough to meet his needs yet today, and it's hard not to be a little extra when you aren't allowed to chase the kitten on the other side of the window. He's actually doing really well with little guy, and we've been having the kitten loose while Rambo is muzzled with a drag line. It'll take time, but we are getting there!
Anyways, we're off for a Sunday sniffy stroll! Hope you all have a beautiful day!

06/09/2024

Dog licks are often thought of as doggy kisses. But, it’s actually something to take a step back and notice. And could sometimes be considered a, “Kiss to Dismiss” (more on that below). These licks do trigger some questions that may seem a bit silly to ask in response. Something like, “Describe the licks for me. Fast, slow, and then does the dog move away?”
“Is it a full tongue or a little bit?”
“Full tongue lick or quick flick?”
“Is the child sitting and the dog approaches or vice versa, what level of mobility does the child have, is food present or remnant?

There’s many questions! But, these questions help us gather valuable information to help us understand what the dog may be communicating. At Family Paws Parent Education, we want to help parents consider and recognize that dog licks may not always be what we think they are, “affectionate kisses”, or indications of “love,” but could have other meanings. We refer to this as “Kiss to Dismiss”. If you are curious of these doggy “kisses” and if they are a “Kiss to Dismiss”, ask yourself,
🐶 Is your dog in need of space? (what just happened? Did your baby crawl closer to your dog?)
🐶 Is your dog in need of space and there is a reason they may choose not to move? (example: comfy spot, resource, pain)
🐶 Does this licking deter closeness or lead to an increase in space?

Thank you, Steve Bishop of Bishops Gate Dog Training for this graphic! Steve is also a Family Paws Parent Educator.
We do not recommend baby and dogs interact as shown in these illustrations. Never allow your baby to crawl up to or freely explore your dog in this way.

You can also find him on Instagram at

03/09/2024

I ❤️ surgery suits post spay. So much better than a cone. Bonus is that it stops her kitten from getting to her incision (he eats well on his own so no longer needs to nurse).
Also, these are my foster babies. Mama is from cat colony that I feed and was spayed Tuesday. She's supposed to be released, but she is just the friendliest thing in the world and not meant to be an outside kitty.

31/08/2024

So that's what it's all about!!!!

High Five

31/08/2024

I went with my friend last night to watch her play barnhunt with her dog. I ended up helping out in the ring, which gave me a chance to watch other people work their dogs, which might be one of my favorite things to do.
My biggest observation was how many people missed their dogs cues because they were so caught up in trying to get the dog to do the thing, instead of just letting the dogs do the thing and listening to them.
That said, I've never played the game myself, so who knows how much of a blundering idiot my dog would think I was.

29/08/2024

Omg what bad dogs!

Just kidding, I totally gave them permission. Rambo loves foraging for berries and Kiwi lives to dig. I've got a crazy busy day today, so I let them do something fun that I don't let them do very often, at least not in my garden...

29/08/2024

I love that there is more information being put out there. I've been homeless, I've been an addict. I've had pets during that time. Sometimes you really need a reason to live, and that pet is it.
Also, I've seen how these marginalized folk put their pets before themselves. I myself have gone hungry because a can of dog food was more important.

Join the movement – every person deserves animal aware care!

Register NOW for the Animal Awareness for the Substance Use Workforce course: https://ow.ly/3c7R50T8J7I

Learn about the transformative power of therapy dogs, service animals, emotional support animals, and our own companion animals in this one-of-a-kind, 5-hour, on-line course offered by the PAWSitive Connections Lab at the University of Saskatchewan.

29/08/2024

Look at this pretty little thing who never has to have another litter of kittens. Big shout out to Regina Cat Rescue for getting this sweet momma spayed and vaccinated. We're just waiting for the clinic to open.

27/08/2024

I feel like I would love this chair, nevermind tweens.

Every ND tween's dream chair...except they probably would sit on it, even weirder. 😆