Vanier Animal Hospital
23-C Selkirk St. K1L 6N1 Ottawa, ON, Canada

Announcing our new online store!!

WSAVA information on COVID-19 and Pets

Owning a dog may be associated with a decreased risk for cardiovascular disease. http://bit.ly/2rS07VQ

https://www.petmd.com//slidesho/6-common-ear-problems-dogs

MYTHBUSTING MONDAY: It's not dominance. Seriously, it's not. There is no dominant breed. You don't have a dominant dog. Your dog's behavior is not a "dominance... thing." Now, I realize those statements might be causing some hardcore cognitive dissonance right now. Because from the moment you even became aware of dogs, you have been told that dogs are pack animals and a bunch of dominance stuff based on that assumption. From the Merck Veterinary Manual: "The dogs social structure has been referred to as a pack hierarchy, but this does not accurately or entirely describe the relationship of dogs with other dogs or with people." "The term dominance...is a relative term established by the value of the resource to each individual and the cumulative effects of learning." For example, Animal A might challenge Animal B for a mate. Animal B might defer. But does that make Animal A the dominant animal? What if Animal B waits until Animal A is distracted and mates with that female at another time? Is dominance even relevant at this point? I would argue that learning is far more pertinent than hierarchy. The problem is that people tend to think of hierarchies in dogs just like hierarchies in humans. Governments, militaries, churches, schools, corporations all have linear hierarchical structures. However, when it comes to dogs, it's not that simple. "Hierarchy in dogs is neither static nor linear, because the motivation to obtain and retain a specific resource, together with previous learning, defines the relationship between two individuals for each encounter." In other words, if you push me out of the way to get the last chocolate truffle, and I walk away...but I don't actually like chocolate truffles (I don't), you're not actually establishing dominance. I didn't want the resource, anyway. Or maybe I learned that, by walking away, I will be given the key to the room full of caramels. Mmmmm. Caramels. What about aggression? "A 'dominant' animal is not the one engaged in the most fighting and combat. Most high-ranking animals seldom have to contest their right of access to a resource. Instead, high-ranking animals are usually better identified by the character and frequency of deferential behaviors exhibited by others in their social group and by their ability to respond appropriately to a variety of social and environmental circumstances." So, it is not the "dominant" dog who growls over a bone or fights with other dogs at the dog park. When your dogs are fighting at home, identifying the alpha is about as productive as a snipe hunt. Why does it matter? Because if you are told that your dog's behavior is the result of dominance, the solution is almost always some form of rank reduction. Everything from making the dog sit for every bit of affection to methods that are too disturbing to detail. And it's all called "leadership." Trying to change a dog's rank in an imaginary hierarchy only serves to delay behavior modification. In many cases, it makes the situation much worse. If we want to change behavior, we need to explore the dog's health, environment, and learning history, as well as identify triggers and consequences for the behavior. From there, we can develop a complete plan that addresses the needs of the individual dog, reducing their stress, increasing tolerance, and reinforcing desirable responses. Next time someone tells you that if your dog jumps, pulls on the leash, leans on you, sits on your foot, sleeps on top of the couch, barks, mounts/humps, doesn't listen, or anything else that isn't obedience or cowering in the corner, it's dominance, what they're really saying is that they don't understand dog behavior and are probably not someone you want to take advice from....let alone pay for that advice! Relax. It's not dominance. Now we've got that out of the way, let's focus on changing behavior! See more: http://www.merckvetmanual.com//nor/social-behavior-of-dogs -------------------- Need help with your dog? Subscribe to webinars on fear, aggression, and more! https://www.growlsnarlsnap.com/dogbehaviorwebinars --------------------- 2017 Lisa Mullinax. All rights reserved. Feel free to share, but downloading for redistribution in any form, for any reason is a copyright violation. Thanks!

Dog got the winter blues? Stimulate his mind with some fun activities! http://bit.ly/2lUOryD

It's National Immunization Awareness Month. Why is immunizing your pet so important? Although this page discusses human immunization specifically, it's also applicable to immunization for your pets. https://www.bit.ly/2ZSkspS

Although cats cannot legally be labeled as service animals, they can still be trained and can serve as emotional support or therapy pets. https://www.bit.ly/31RiUya

What is kennel cough and what should you do if your dog has it? https://www.bit.ly/2JVFwbT

When is a pet considered to be a senior citizen? https://www.bit.ly/2VNw4IS

These 7 steps are key to establishing good and healthy habits for your puppy. https://www.bit.ly/2xFWJgS

What are common causes of goopy eyes, when should your cat go to the vet, and what can you do at home to help your feline friend? https://www.bit.ly/2XsQUyK

Lilies, chocolate, Easter grass, and more - be aware of these holiday hazards for your pet! https://www.bit.ly/2UkCq1F

Springtime shedding can get hairy, but you can reduce the flying fur. https://www.bit.ly/2CHVyzm

Hermit crabs might require more care than you think. https://www.bit.ly/2EqBAfC

Is your dog constantly scratching and licking himself? A skin condition could be the culprit. https://www.bit.ly/2QmRBK4

Beautiful, curious patient Persephone <3

Cats actually can learn to walk on leash! Learn how to get started here. http://www.bit.ly/2Ohs0MQ

How to introduce your two furry family members to each other. http://www.bit.ly/2xPeFVE

Tips to give the best care possible to your kitten. http://www.bit.ly/2OUSPYo

Protect your cat from holiday candle accidents. http://www.bit.ly/2Q2KNN5

Tips to keep your kitty winter fit. https://www.bit.ly/2w9bloo

Discover the signs of canine heart disease and how to prevent it. https://www.bit.ly/2NflKFA

Left untreated, diabetes can be fatal in dogs and cats. https://www.bit.ly/2Mwjrl9

Do you like to dress up your cat or dog? Get some inspiration here. https://www.bit.ly/2mJXv6W

You share a home with your pet, but do you also share germs? https://www.bit.ly/2JCmylb

URGENT WARNING Please note that there is a person selling on/through Facebook what are listed as Australian Shepard/Alaskan Malamute puppies (shepherd spelled incorrectly) This person has alleged that we have examined and vaccinated, dewormed and microchipped these puppies. This is entirely untrue and the puppies could be at serious risk of potentially life-threatening infectious disease if a new owner believes that their young puppy has been vaccinated against diseases suc...h as parvovirus or distemper. The false record that we saw at our hospital had a record of a weight of a puppy in the future weight recorded on October 10th for example No microchip was implanted in the puppy that we saw here today and certainly the puppy had not been dewormed which of course we did here. Please do not buy puppies on Kijiji or through Facebook as often people will try to make money while putting puppies or kittens at risk. See the Ottawa Humane Society or the SPCA to adopt pets or reputable rescue organisations. Please feel free to share

Help your dog live a longer life by avoiding these common mistakes. https://www.bit.ly/2tjeQqa

The signs of urinary tract bleeding can be subtlewatch for these problems in your pet. https://www.bit.ly/2tmxhKC

These signs indicate that your cat may have injured her back. https://www.bit.ly/2KVwZSQ

Are your cat's eyes healthy? https://www.bit.ly/2rAdlUk

Is it okay to interact with a service dog that's working? https://www.bit.ly/2I7TQwP

What can you do to help your dog with separation anxiety? https://www.bit.ly/2Ia59QR

When should you seek emergency care for your pet? https://www.goo.gl/9kTqZJ

What you need to know if your dog or cat is scratching and losing hair. https://www.goo.gl/ybDLVT

Learn to recognize these signs of feline skin disease. https://www.goo.gl/oi2b9s