The Mindful Dog

Christmas time can be difficult and hectic so make sure you are thinking about your dog. Often dogs get very stressed out around Christmas and get forgotten. Or more worryingly they do silly things like bite guests. Make sure you are making provisions for your dog in the festive holiday. The Sunday Cafe is hosted and produced by Mel Homer, the technical editor is Geoff Rooke.

Choosing to be a responsible dog owner means doing what’s best for your dog, even if it’s not always the most convenient option. Most animal professionals agree that meals versus free-feeding is the better option for our dogs. The Sunday Cafe is hosted and produced by Mel Homer, the technical editor is Geoff Rooke.

It’s a disease that every dog gets, no matter how large or how small? GROWING UP!!! Those Teenage Years. When that little cute fluffball of a puppy hits the teenager stage it’s likely to be a bit of a shock for the owner. Did you even know that puppies become teenagers, with all those lovely behaviour that we associate with our two legged teenagers? How to tell if your dog is becoming a teenager? Suddenly for no reason he becomes selectively deaf! That once perfect recall just seems to disappear. He become stupid and can’t even follow the most basic of commands like sit? Your bruises and bite marks from puppy biting have just healed, but now your dog seems to want to get in the ring with you again! Your fluffy slippers suddenly become your dog's best friend!   The Sunday Cafe is hosted and produced by Mel Homer, the technical editor is Geoff Rooke.

Dog parks provide a great safe space for people to exercise their dogs, and watch them play. They can facilitate socialization with a variety of different dogs and people. They can be a wonderful place for adolescent dogs that have too much energy and no place to put it. The disadvantages can sometimes come in the availability to repeat unwanted behaviours.  And often, owners unknowingly contribute to behavioural problems because they don’t recognize—or don’t interpret correctly—what their dogs are actually doing and learning.   The Sunday Cafe is hosted and produced by Mel Homer, the technical editor is Geoff Rooke.

Man’s and women’s best friends have lived in harmony with us for over 30,000 years. Helping protect us, and support our working practices. Domestication has seen dogs bred for herding , hunting, and baiting amoungst other things.  Nowadays most of our dogs don’t get to exercise that drive that has been selected for so they are resigned to just be companion animals which are left at home to fend for themselves while we go out to work.  Not surprising they get bored! Excessive barking can be a real problem for neighbours. Although over the years we have become much less tolerant of our cooperative friends, maybe due to the sheer number of dogs now owned as pets and the lack of training opportunities that most experience.   The Sunday Cafe is hosted and produced by Mel Homer, the technical editor is Geoff Rooke.

A very common problem with young and older dogs and something that most dog owners will experience during the life of their dog. This is where a dog will protect something, like a toy or food or someone very aggressively. Often people think the dog is showing dominance, not the same. Generally speaking when something is in short demand a dog is likely to protect or guard that resource, but often this outlook on life already exists in your dog before you pick them up as a puppy. And can be caused by the way the breeder manages or doesn't manage their puppies.   The Sunday Cafe is hosted and produced by Mel Homer, the technical editor is Geoff Rooke.

Why are some dogs scared of fireworks and some dogs not? If their exposure to fireworks when they were puppies was a positive one they are less likely to react badly when they get older.  Fireworks are unpredictable - Guy Fawkes night is just another night for your dog, so the won;t be expecting the sudden onslaught of noise that accompanies the parties. The loud noises and flashes of light will be unexpected to your dog. Each firework will look and sound different so your dog will not get the chance to get used (desensitise) to them during the evening.... The Sunday Cafe is hosted and produced by Mel Homer, the technical editor is Geoff Rooke.

Are you thinking of getting a puppy after lockdown? Did you know the first 12 weeks of your puppies life is the most important time for them. So much to do, the stopwatch is counting down... 5 things you need to think about when you get a new puppy. STRESS FREE BEGINNINGS THE NEED TO SOCIALISE MAKE NEW THINGS AND NOISES OK LEARNING IS FOR LIFE THE POWER OF PLAY The Sunday Cafe is hosted and produced by Mel Homer, the technical editor is Geoff Rooke.

Dogs have always been raised on a meat rich diet, but does that need to change due to the large Carbon footprint that this creates? The pet food industry in the US is worth over $42 billions a year and is expected to grow to $44billion by the end of 2021.  In NZ we spend in excess of $200 million dollars a year, that's 43,000 tonnes on our dog food and treats. And we spend $275 million dollars on our cat food and treats which is a staggering 30,000 tonnes a year.   Dogs have always been raised on a meat rich diet, but does that need to change due to the large Carbon footprint that this creates? The pet food industry in the US is worth over $42 billions a year and is expected to grow to $44billion by the end of 2021.  In NZ we spend in excess of $200 million dollars a year, that's 43,000 tonnes on our dog food and treats. And we spend $275 million dollars on our cat food and treats which is a staggering 30,000 tonnes a year.   The Sunday Cafe is hosted and produced by Mel Homer, the technical editor is Geoff Rooke.

We control pretty much every aspect of a dog’s life. From the time that get up, have food, what they eat, where they stay, who they see, how much exercise they get and finally what time they go to bed.  And this is normally the same for our dog, day in day out. Probably not a lot of difference to some owners lives. The problem is that a lack of variety in a dog’s life can lead to behavioural issues, health problems related to stress, boredom and a lack of energy. We discuss some of the ways that you can enrich your dogs life, and the great thing is it doesn't have to be expensive.   The Sunday Cafe is hosted and produced by Mel Homer, the technical editor is Geoff Rooke.

We control pretty much every aspect of a dog’s life. From the time that get up, have food, what they eat, where they stay, who they see, how much exercise they get and finally what time they go to bed.  And this is normally the same for our dog, day in day out. Probably not a lot of difference to some owners lives. The problem is that a lack of variety in a dog’s life can lead to behavioural issues, health problems related to stress, boredom and a lack of energy. We discuss some of the ways that you can enrich your dogs life, and the great thing is it doesn't have to be expensive.   The Sunday Cafe is hosted and produced by Mel Homer, the technical editor is Geoff Rooke.

We continue our talk about crate training and why its so important. But there were lots of phone calls today so we'll picking this subject up again next time.   The Sunday Cafe is hosted and produced by Mel Homer, the technical editor is Geoff Rooke.

We start out talk about crate training and why its so important. But there were lots of phone calls today so we'll picking this subject up again next time.   The Sunday Cafe is hosted and produced by Mel Homer, the technical editor is Geoff Rooke.

I was walking in one of my local parks this week with one of my dogs and I was amazed at the amount of dog poo that was left on the floor. And I’m not talking about a few little bits here and there. I mean there were 10 -15 deposits on the path on the grass all over the place. In fact only around 60% of dog owners pick up their dogs poo. Check out the Blog - https://www.mindfulness4dogs.com/radio/pick-up-your-dogs-poo-please/ The Sunday Cafe is hosted and produced by Mel Homer, the technical editor is Geoff Rooke.

Trick Training is a great way to expand your dog's thinking skills. It will enhance your bond with them and give you hours of fun. We talk about why it's important and the best ways to train them. Check out the blog at https://www.mindfulness4dogs.com/mindfulness4dogs/why-free-shaping-tricks-is-important/ The Sunday Cafe is hosted and produced by Mel Homer, the technical editor is Geoff Rooke.