Jurassic Bark

03/06/2026

Contact the team at Lyttelton Animal Hospital to book your fear free vet visit.

Cuteness warning ⚠️ 🥹
Barely bigger than the treats jar 🐾💙🐾

Here at Lyttelton Animal Hospital every pet gets as many free treats and cuddles that they want

29/05/2026

Ever wonder how your dog sees the world? 🐶👀

Dogs don’t see in black and white — but they do see colours differently from us. While humans can see a full rainbow of colours, dogs mainly see shades of blue and yellow. Reds and greens often look more like dull browns or greys to them. 🎨

But what dogs lack in colour vision, they make up for in other superpowers:

✨ Dogs are far better at detecting movement than humans.
✨ Their eyes are specially adapted for low light, meaning they can see much better at dawn, dusk, and during the night.
✨ Dogs also have a reflective layer behind the retina called the tapetum lucidum — the reason their eyes glow in photos or in the dark!

26/05/2026

Congratulations to this weeks graduates Pippa and Rocco! Well done pups!
Thank you to our puppy pack sponsors

25/05/2026

Thinking of getting two puppies at the same time? Think twice! 🐾

Getting two puppies of the same age (or within a year of each other) might sound like double the fun, but it often means double the challenges.

When puppies grow up together, they can become so focused on each other that they struggle to develop confidence and independence as individuals. This is often referred to as "littermate syndrome" (although it can occur in unrelated puppies too).

Common challenges include:

🔹 Difficulty bonding with their humans because they rely heavily on each other.

🔹 Increased anxiety when separated, even for short periods.

🔹 Poor training progress because they are more interested in each other than learning.

🔹 Reduced social confidence when encountering new people, dogs, and environments alone.

🔹 Competition over resources such as food, toys, sleeping spots, or attention.

🔹 Increased risk of fighting as they mature, particularly between dogs of the same s*x.

🔹 Less opportunity for each puppy to develop their own personality, coping skills, and resilience.

Raising two puppies successfully requires separate walks, separate training sessions, separate socialisation experiences, and dedicated one-on-one time with each dog. For most families, this can be a huge commitment.

A better option? Raise one puppy, help them mature into a confident and well-adjusted dog, and then consider adding another dog later.

Sometimes the best gift you can give a puppy is the chance to grow up as an individual. ❤️🐶

18/05/2026

Why Do Dogs Bark?

Barking is a completely normal part of being a dog — it’s one of the main ways they communicate with us and the world around them. But not all barking means the same thing!

Here are a few common reasons dogs bark:

🔹 Alert barking
“Something is there!”
Dogs may bark when they hear a noise, see movement, or notice something unusual.

🔹 Excitement
“Yay! You’re home!”
Many dogs bark during play, walks, training, or when visitors arrive.

🔹 Frustration
“I can’t get to it!”
Barrier frustration, being on lead, or seeing another dog can trigger barking.

🔹 Fear or anxiety
“I’m uncomfortable.”
Some dogs bark to create distance from things that scare them.

🔹 Attention-seeking
“Please look at me!”
If barking has worked before, dogs may repeat it to gain attention, food, or play.

🔹 Boredom or under-stimulation
Dogs that lack mental or physical enrichment may bark simply because they have energy with nowhere to go.

💡 Important reminder:
Punishing barking without understanding the reason behind it can increase stress and emotions. Instead, ask:
➡️ “What is my dog trying to communicate?”

When we understand the WHY, we can help our dogs more effectively and compassionately. ❤️🐾

16/05/2026

Congratulations to this week's graduates!

16/05/2026

Thank you for sponsoring the puppy food samples at our vet classes!

16/05/2026

Thank you for sponsoring the Nutrition class samples!

07/05/2026

💩 Why do dogs eat p**p?
Also called Coprophagia...

🩺 Medical reasons

If a dog suddenly starts eating stool or does it obsessively, it’s worth ruling out underlying health issues:

Nutrient deficiencies – The body may be trying to “recycle” nutrients it didn’t absorb properly

Malabsorption syndromes – Conditions where the gut can’t absorb nutrients efficiently

Parasites – Intestinal worms can increase hunger and nutrient loss

Pancreatic insufficiency (like Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency) – Food isn’t properly digested, so stool still contains nutrients

Diabetes or thyroid disease – Can cause increased appetite (polyphagia)

Certain medications – Steroids, for example, can increase hunger dramatically

👉 If there are other symptoms (weight loss, diarrhea, dull coat, increased appetite), a vet check is important.

🧠 Behavioural reasons

In many cases, p**p eating is learned, reinforced, or instinctual:

Normal maternal behaviour – Mothers clean up puppies’ stools to keep the den clean

Curiosity (especially in puppies) – Exploring the world with their mouths

Attention-seeking – Even negative reactions can reinforce the behaviour

Anxiety or stress – Dogs may engage in displacement behaviours

Boredom or lack of enrichment – Especially in under-stimulated dogs

Learned behaviour – If it’s been accidentally reinforced over time

Punishment history – Dogs that are punished for soiling inside may try “hide the evidence”

Scent attraction – Cat p**p or herbivore f***s often smell appealing to dogs

⚠️ When should you worry?

Sudden onset in an adult dog

Obsessive or frequent behaviour

Accompanied by illness signs (vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss)

✅ What can you do?
Rule out medical causes first
Increase enrichment and mental stimulation
Supervise and interrupt
Train a strong “leave it"
Clean up promptly to prevent rehearsal