All throughout the year, people love to celebrate with fireworks, but as New Year’s Eve approaches, we all know it’s impossible to avoid them. Unfortunately, for many of our pets, especially dogs and horses, fireworks can be absolutely terrifying and anxiety inducing. 💥🐾
The best thing you can do as a pet owner is to be aware and prepared.
Here are some helpful tips to make the night a little easier for your furry (or hooved) friends.

🏠 Stay Home if You Can
If you know there are going to be fireworks, try your best to stay home with your pet. Earlier in the day, take your dog for a nice long walk and burn off as much energy as possible. Then feed them a few hours before the fireworks begin.
A well-fed and tired dog is far more likely to stay calm and relaxed during the night. 

🎶 Keep Calm and Carry On
If your dog begins to fret, avoid over-soothing or fussing over them. This can accidentally reinforce their fear, as they may think there’s something to worry about.
Instead, stay calm, confident, and upbeat! Create a safe and comfortable hiding place indoors, ideally in a familiar room they are already comfortable in, and help distract them with toys, treats, or even some gentle background music. 
Encourage calm behaviour with praise and affection when they’re relaxed. Surround them with their favourite toys, and provide chewable treats or bones to keep them occupied.  Chewing for dogs actually releases hormones that are considered 'happy hormones' like serotonin, dopamine and endorphins and is an activity that a dog needs to concentrate on. So something they can focus on and chew on can benefit them in many ways. 
Continue this positive, reassuring energy both during the fireworks and after the noise has stopped, don’t just walk away the moment things quiet down.

🚪 When Bringing Them Inside Isn’t Possible
Sometimes bringing your dog indoors just isn’t an option. In that case, set up a secure and enclosed space such as a garage or shed, and cover any windows to reduce flashes and noise.
⚠️ Never restrain your dog with a choker chain, rope, or lead. Frightened dogs can panic and injure themselves trying to escape.

🆔 Make Sure They’re Identifiable
Scared dogs often try to run away from the noise — and fireworks can come from all directions, making it even more disorienting. Always ensure your pet is wearing an ID tag with your current phone number included and is microchipped with up-to-date details. This greatly increases the chance of being reunited if they do escape. 

🩺 When to Talk to Your Vet
Some dogs can be desensitised to fireworks over time using gradual sound-training techniques. However, not all dogs respond to this. Others may have a true phobia of loud noises and can become extremely distressed.
If your dog shows severe anxiety, shaking, drooling, trying to escape, or not eating, consult your veterinarian. They can recommend behavioural strategies or safe anxiety-relief medications to help manage your pet’s fear. 

​With a little planning, patience, and understanding, you can help your pets feel safe and secure during firework season. Here’s to a calm and happy New Year for you and your furry family! 🎆🐾✨

The Dachshund, the Sausage Dog, Hotdog or Schnitzel Von Krum – whatever you call them, they are adorable, full of personality and absolutely lovable.

🐾 Origin of the Dachshund

The Dachshund originated in the early 1600s in Germany. The breed was created by crossbreeding several German hunting dogs, including types of Bracke hounds, Pinschers and other scent-tracking breeds. Selective breeding over the years produced the small, long Dachshund we know today.

🎯 Purpose

The Dachshund was developed to be a fierce and fast hunting dog. Their short legs and long bodies allowed them to follow prey into burrows underground. They were primarily used to hunt badgers and rabbits and were also employed to track foxes and even otters.

🐕 Appearance

There are three recognised coat varieties of Dachshund: Shorthaired, Wirehaired and Longhaired. All three varieties come in two sizes, standard and miniature.

The Standard Dachshund can reach up to 27 cm in height and weigh up to 15 kg.

The Miniature Dachshund can reach up to 18 cm in height and weigh up to 5 kg.

Their coats come in a wide range of colours and patterns. These include solid colours such as red, black and chocolate, as well as combinations like black and tan, chocolate and tan, and blue and tan. Acceptable patterns include dapple, brindle and piebald, which may appear over any base colour.

✂️ Coat Care

Longhaired Dachshunds require daily brushing and grooming. Being low to the ground, they easily pick up sticks and dirt that can tangle in their coat. Extra attention should be paid behind the ears, along the belly and under the arms.

Wirehaired Dachshunds should also have their coats checked daily for debris. They can be wiped over with a damp cloth, but they require professional grooming and trimming once or twice a year.

Shorthaired Dachshunds are very low maintenance. They only need cleaning when dirty.
All Dachshunds tend to grow nails quickly, so regular nail trimming is essential to avoid discomfort and difficulty walking.

💛 Temperament

The Dachshund is a perfect example of a big personality in a small package. This brave little dog is full of confidence and character. They require a calm, consistent leader, as they can be strong-willed and may challenge authority if boundaries are not set early.
Rules and routines should be established from the moment a Dachshund joins your family. Without guidance, they may develop poor behaviour or even become snappy. Early socialisation with new people, places and animals is essential to keep them balanced and well-adjusted.

A well-balanced and happy Dachshund is playful, affectionate and energetic. They love spending time with their people and enjoy a decent daily walk, as they have impressive stamina for their size.

🩺 Health
​
Jumping should always be discouraged and care should be taken when picking up a Dachshund to protect their spine. Their body shape makes them prone to intervertebral disc disease, a common back problem in the breed. They may also be predisposed to urinary tract infections, diabetes, mast cell tumours and heart disease.
Dachshunds gain weight easily, which can put strain on their back and legs, so a well-managed diet and regular exercise are crucial.
The expected lifespan of a Dachshund is between 12 and 15 years.

Share your beautiful Dachies with us at our socials below! We love to see your little hotdogs!​
📷​🌭

Christmas time can get a little stressful around the house for us, so imagine what it must be like for our pets! Things are being moved around, bright flashing trees are going up, and lots of visitors are coming and going. It can all be very exciting for our dogs, but also a little intimidating at the same time.
​
Here are some tips to help keep your dog comfortable and ensure everyone enjoys the festive season 🎅🐶

🕒 Stick to Their Routine
Try to keep your dog's routine as regular as possible. If you're planning on having guests over, make sure to give your dog plenty of exercise beforehand. The more energy they burn off, the less they'll have to burn when the guests arrive!

🗑️ Watch That Trash!
When preparing food, remember it smells amazing to your pets! Even once the rubbish is thrown out, make sure it’s secure! Even the sneakiest pets can sniff it out and help themselves.
Something as small as mesh netting around a roast can cause serious problems if ingested, potentially leading to intestinal blockages or even fatal bloat. You can never be too careful!

​🎄 Tree-Safe Tips
If your pooch is an indoor dog, be mindful when decorating your tree. If they have a favourite spot near a window or in the living room, try placing the tree elsewhere, or risk it coming down when they go for their usual perch!
To minimise temptation, place decorations higher up the tree and leave the lower branches bare. Those shiny baubles can be very tempting to curious paws and noses!

🌲 Live Trees & Water Hazards
If you have a real Christmas tree, make sure to regularly change the water at the base and block your dog from accessing it. The water can contain pine tar and other chemicals, which are toxic to dogs. A simple barrier can prevent a lot of trouble!

🎁 Beware the Wrapped Treats
Keep an eye on wrapped gifts under the tree, especially if they contain food! 🎁 Dogs have incredible noses and may not wait until Christmas morning to unwrap something tasty (and possibly dangerous). They’ll eat the packaging and all!

🍷 Mind Your Guests (and Their Drinks)
Let your guests know that Fido is around. Something as simple as a glass of wine left on the floor or a dropped cigarette butt can cause serious internal issues for your dog. Keep an eye on where drinks and other hazards are placed during your celebrations.

With a little bit of caution and plenty of love, you and your furry family members can enjoy a safe and yappy Christmas together! 🐾🎅🎁

Be sure to share your pooches Christmas photos with us - we love to see them! ​

Assistance dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but their job is always the same: to support and assist their person. They often stay by their handler’s side almost all day. There are laws in Australia that protect assistance dogs and it’s important we all understand these laws, so we can respectfully and safely welcome anyone who has an assistance dog with them.

In Australia, trained assistance dogs and their handlers are protected under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (the DDA). This means that, in general, a qualified assistance dog must be allowed access to public services and public places, including public transport, restaurants, shops, supermarkets, medical clinics, hospitals, and more. 

Refusing someone access to a public place simply because they are with a trained assistance dog is unlawful, unless there is a legitimate exemption.
​
There are a few limited circumstances when access can be restricted: for instance, in areas that require sterility or pose safety risks, such as industrial kitchens or some clinical environments.

Typically, working assistance dogs will wear a harness or vest that identifies them as an assistance dog. The harness may also include the name or logo of the organisation that trained or provided the dog.
​
If needed, you are permitted to ask for identification. Many certified assistance dogs carry an ID card showing they are properly trained. Under the DDA, a trained and suitably behaved animal qualifies as an “assistance animal” and its handler may be asked to provide evidence of that training if required.

When out in public, the handler (owner) of the assistance dog is responsible for the dog’s behaviour and any messes it causes. However, if the dog has an accident or leaves a mess, it may be helpful to offer assistance with clean-up, if the handler is comfortable with this. Always ask first and get clear confirmation before helping.

When an assistance dog is working, it should not be approached or petted. These dogs are concentrating on staying alert and focused to support their handler and to ensure safety. Engaging with the dog (talking to it, making eye contact, attempting to pet it) can distract it or interfere with its work, which may endanger the handler.

It's best to treat the dog as you would a mobility aid, such as a wheelchair. If you would not touch or distract a person’s wheelchair, you should not touch or distract their assistance dog.
​
You are welcome to speak with the handler directly, many people appreciate the interest and enjoy talking about their dogs, but some may prefer discretion or decline a conversation.

To qualify as an assistance dog, a dog must be trained to help a person with a disability, and must meet high standards of hygiene and public behaviour. 

In parts of Australia a formal training and certification process exists. This includes a formal assessment known as a Public Access Test (PAT). The PAT confirms the dog is safe, behaves well, and that the handler can maintain control, even in public environments with distractions.

As part of that process, many accredited organisations require the dog to:

• Be fully trained in basic obedience;
• Be able to perform at least three defined tasks or disability-related functions that help mitigate the handler’s disability;
• Meet hygiene and behaviour standards appropriate for public settings;
• Demonstrate reliable and controlled behaviour in public under the PAT. 
  
  

Once a dog and its handler pass all requirements, they are typically issued a handler ID card (or other official recognition) that confirms their legal status as an assistance dog.

It’s worth noting that while some Australian states and territories have formal registration or accreditation schemes (for instance under the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009), this is not universal. In some states, assistance dog accreditation or registration is voluntary or absent.
​
Nevertheless, under federal law (the DDA), a properly trained assistance dog still has public access rights, whether or not the handler has gone through a formal registration process

For more information public access rights and laws surrounding Assistance Dogs, specific to your state - read here!

⚠️⚠️ - Be sure to avoid high protein and sugar free peanut butters for pets as these can contain Xylitol which is toxic to dogs! ⚠️⚠️​