K9 Rules

01/08/2025

This beautiful male Border Collie called Rocky was surrendered to the Swellendam SPCA. Rocky does not do livestock. We don't have any other details, please phone them to enquire. 📞 028 514 2083

01/08/2025

Congratulations Miley for graduating 🎓 Life Skills 3 👏

01/08/2025

Well done Leo for graduating 🎓 Life Skills 3.👏

01/08/2025

Welcome Alaska to a customised course.

Alaska's guardians adopted her and she has arthritis, which means her mobility is limited, so we teaching her enrichment games for mental stimulation.

01/08/2025

Welcome Storm to a customised class.
Storm's guardians adopted him and wants to start off on the right foot. Bringing in some fun focus games and brain games.

01/08/2025

Well done Fynn for graduating 🎓 Life Skills 1🐾🐾
Fynn's guardians adopted him and wanted to know how they can enrich their relationship and strengthen their bond.

28/07/2025

Do you need to be worried about your dog's "vagus nerve"?

I'm asked this often, and most of you have probably seen the sponsored posts selling a course on treating the vagus nerve for things like fear and reactivity. The vagus nerve is a large nerve that runs the "rest and digest" system, which is the opposite of fight or flight, so I get why people are curious. But do you actually need to worry about it?

The vagus nerve in dogs connects the brain to the body. It controls automatic things like breathing, digestion, and heart rate. When a dog eats, rests, or calms down after stress, the vagus nerve helps the body return to a relaxed state. It also plays a role in managing inflammation and keeping the nervous system in balance.

In some emergency situations, vets may stimulate a dog’s vagus nerve in a controlled medical setting. But this is not something pet owners should be doing at home.

The vagus nerve controls serious things. Messing with it can cause a dog to faint, vomit, or have breathing problems. It’s not a simple calming trick. If your dog is anxious or reactive, there are much safer and more effective ways to help them. Vets do not use vagus nerve stimulation for normal anxiety or daily stress. It is a medical procedure, not a routine tool.

If your dog struggles with fear or reactivity, there are safe, proven ways to help. You don’t need gimmicks or risky hacks. You can change how your dog feels about things using counter-conditioning. You can expose them gradually using desensitization. You can add routines so they know what to expect, use calming enrichment like sniffing games or food puzzles, teach simple safety cues like a u-turn, and work with a trainer who understands stress and fear. If needed, your vet might also recommend medication to lower anxiety so your dog can feel better and learn more easily.

The good news is, if you're thinking about the vagus nerve, you're trying to help your dog. In a time when everything is a "hack," it's easy to get pulled toward shortcuts that sound science-y. But there are better, easier, and safer ways to support your dog.

Talk to your vet before trying any medical procedure!

04/07/2025

Welcoming Fynn (all ears🤗) to Life Skills 1.

04/07/2025

Welcoming Digby to Life Skills 1. 🐕🐾

25/06/2025

Please people be kind.... and remember the homeless kids too...

🚨 WEATHER WARNING | 25 – 27 JUNE 2025
An intense cold front is on it's way – and animals are in danger.

The South African Weather Service has issued an intense cold front alert for the Western Cape, expected to hit from tomorrow, Wednesday 25 June, through to Friday 27 June.

We can expect:

🌧️ Heavy rain with localised flooding
💨 Strong, gusty winds – risk of damage to structures and uprooted trees
❄️ Bitterly cold temperatures and possible snowfall over the western mountain ranges
🌊 Gale force winds and very rough seas, with wave heights between 5,5 to 7,5 metres

🐾 Animals Will Be at Risk
🐶 Please bring your pets inside
🐄 If flooding is imminent, please move horses and farm animals to higher ground.

🔎Check on animals in your community. Share this post.

25/06/2025

Well done Luca and Neo for graduating 🎓 Life Skills 1.