As we prepare to celebrate the holiday season, it's important to remember how much of a change this time of year can be for our dogs - especially if you enjoy decorating your home, both inside and out.
The tips below are a great reminder of how to keep your furry friend safe and happy before Santa’s arrival!

Toxic Foods to Watch Out For 🍫🍬🍇
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While some foods are available year-round, the holiday season often brings an increase in baking, cooking, and gift preparation and creates more opportunities for your dog to accidentally consume something harmful.

Common Christmas foods that are toxic to dogs include:

• Chocolate
• Grapes
• Raisins
• Onions
• Alcohol (even when cooked into food)
• Xylitol (a sweetener found in many lollies and sugar-free products)
  
  

❗Important:❗ If your dog consumes any of the above, take them to a vet immediately. Urgent treatment increases the chances of a full recovery.

Presents Under the Christmas Tree 🎁🎄

Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, which can lead them straight to food-based gifts under the tree. Even if wrapped tightly, your dog can still sniff them out. This can lead to them not only ingestion toxic foods and destroying someone's gift but also risks them digesting wrapping and packing material which can cause blockages. 
Consider placing food gifts out of reach of your dogs and away from the Christmas tree to avoid upset all round. 

Real Christmas Trees and Pets 🌲🐶

The beautiful smell of a real Christmas Tree is one of the special aspects of Christmas, but they also present hazards for  our pets.

Two key dangers for dogs include:

1. Tree needles: If ingested, these can cause gastrointestinal irritation, internal punctures, or blockages.
2. Tree water: The water in the tree stand may contain pesticides, fertilizers, and natural sap, all of which are toxic to pets. Make sure the base of the tree is covered or blocked off so your dog cannot access it.

Christmas Decorations and Lights 🎀🎇​

​Decorating your home is one of the joys of the festive season, but many decorations can be dangerous for pets.

Watch out for:

• Shiny ornaments that dogs may chew or swallow, causing mouth injuries or digestive issues
• Loose tinsel, ribbons, or string lights that can pose a choking hazard or lead to blockages if ingested
• Electrical cords, which may be tempting to chew and can cause electric shock or even death
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Always place decorations and cords well out of reach, and supervise your dog when new items are introduced into the home.

Festive Plants That Are Toxic to Dogs 🌿🌺

Many beautiful holiday plants are toxic to dogs.
Two common examples include:

• Holly
• Poinsettia
  
  

If you choose to decorate with real plants, make sure they are placed out of reach and are not accessible to curious paws.

The holiday season should be a time of joy for the whole family and this  includes our pets. By taking a few simple precautions, you can ensure your home is both festive and safe for your dog.
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Looking for more tips on pet safety during the holidays? Stay tuned to our blog for more seasonal advice, or speak to your vet about how best to prepare your home.

🐾 What Does It Really Mean to Be a Pack Leader?

Being the pack leader doesn’t mean yelling the loudest or running the fastest. It means providing calm, stable leadership that a dog naturally seeks out.
Although dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, many of their natural instincts remain hardwired into their DNA. Dogs are naturally pack animals, and in a pack, they look for a calm, confident leader who sets boundaries and guides them through life.
Without a clear pack leader at home, your dog may naturally assume that role. However, since they haven't been raised in the wild—or by a calm leader—they often don’t know how to handle that responsibility correctly. This can lead to unwanted behaviours like destruction, disobedience, and even aggression.

So, how do you become the calm, confident pack leader your dog needs?

🧠 Think Like a Dog, Not a Human

It’s easier than you think! The first step is shifting your mindset. One of the biggest mistakes dog owners make is treating their dogs like people. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t love your dog or treat them as part of the family - but it does mean you need to understand that dogs don’t process thoughts and emotions like humans do.
For example, if you allow your dog to freely roam the house, jump on and off furniture at will, or ignore your commands, here’s how the situation might look from different perspectives:

• Human view: "They’re my baby! This is their house too - I love them!"
• Dog view: "I’m in charge. I don’t need to listen. I do what I want - at home, on walks, at the park, everywhere."
  
  

🍽️ Establishing Boundaries at Mealtimes

Small changes in your daily routine can make a big difference.
Meal times are highly significant to pack animals. In the wild, the pack leader always eats first, and the rest of the pack eats in order of status.

👉 In your home, you should feed your dog after the humans have eaten. This reinforces your role as the leader and helps your dog understand their place in the "pack."


🚶‍♂️ Walking: Who’s Leading Who?

Walks are another major indicator of leadership.
How your dog behaves before and during a walk can quickly reveal how they perceive their position in the pack. If your dog bolts out the door ahead of you, pulls on the leash, or walks far in front of you, they see themselves as the leader.
To change that:

• Always walk out the door or gate first.
• Keep your dog walking beside or behind you, not out front.
• Use a short or structured leash to maintain control and focus.

A dog leading the walk is calling the shots, which often leads to reactive or dominant behaviour. A dog allowed to call the shots is not confident can be come very anxious with this responsibility and an anxious dog is a bite risk!

🏡 Give Your Dog Their Own Space

Inside your home, your dog should have a designated area that’s theirs alone, a space away from kids, other pets, or distractions. This acts as a calm, safe zone where your dog can relax and decompress.
This space should also be the place where they stay until invited onto the couch, bed, etc. Why?

1. It reinforces boundaries and your role as leader.
2. It provides mental and emotional stimulation. Staying in their space requires self-control and focus, which is beneficial for their behaviour and overall well-being.

😌 Calm Energy = Strong Leadership

Your dog will not follow your direction if you’re anxious, angry, or frustrated.
Dogs are extremely sensitive to human emotions. They pick up on your facial expressions, body language, tone of voice and even subtle changes in your scent caused by stress hormones.
If you want your dog to listen, you must lead with calm, confident energy. That’s when they’ll trust and follow your guidance.


💖 Leadership Is Love

Being a pack leader isn’t about being stern or harsh—it’s about creating a safe, calm environment where your dog feels secure. When your dog knows you’re in charge, they can relax and stop trying to take control of situations they don’t understand.
A calm, confident dog is less likely to develop behavioural problems, anxiety, or stress—and that contributes to a more peaceful, happy home for everyone.

✅ Fact Check Summary:

• ✔️ Dogs are pack animals by nature – True. Despite domestication, dogs still retain many pack-driven instincts.
• ✔️ Pack leaders eat first – True. In wild canine groups, leaders control food access.
• ✔️ Dogs lead walks if they’re in front – Generally true. Dogs in front often feel responsible for decision-making, which can result in reactive behaviour.
• ✔️ Dogs sense human emotions – True. Scientific studies confirm dogs can detect emotions through body language, voice, and scent.

We are so lucky to be able to offer Post-Operative Rehabilitation Care for our guests who require it – but what exactly does that mean? Let’s dig into the details of our post-operative accommodation and care!

💛 What is Post-Operative Rehabilitation Care at We Love Dogs?

Once your dog has completed their surgery at the vet and is ready to be discharged into your care, this is where We Love Dogs can step in to help.
Regardless of the type of surgery your dog has had, we can accommodate them. Most dogs recovering from surgery need to be isolated from other dogs, have restricted movement, attend follow-up specialist appointments, receive medication, and be closely monitored.
All of these needs can be challenging to manage at home, especially if you have other dogs or work outside the house. We can take care of all of this (and more!) for your dog.
Our loving team of Doggy Doaters will manage all required home-style care right here at the Resort, including transportation to and from any necessary vet or specialist appointments.
We work in close communication with your vet, surgeon, or specialist to follow your dog’s ongoing treatment plan. This may include:

• Confinement
• Exercises, physical therapy, and on-leash walks
• Medication administration at any time of the day or night
• Wound cleaning and bandage changes
• Transportation (to and from vet visits, specialists, or therapy sessions)

Our team monitors and keeps detailed daily notes for all post-operative guests. These notes are used to keep you and your vet updated on your dog’s progress. Notes include time stamps of feeding, medication, and exercise as well as recording when urine and bowel motions pass and if anything is out of the ordinary. With a senior staff member living onsite, all guests are attended to 24/7.

🛏️ What is the accommodation like for a dog in Post-Operative Care at We Love Dogs?

Our post-operative guests enjoy the comforts of our luxurious 7-star suites, each fitted with heating and cooling for year-round comfort. Every room is customised to suit the individual needs of your dog and their stage of recovery.
This ranges from crate confinement (for guests immediately post-ACL or spinal surgery, for example), to limited-movement spaces for dogs nearing the end of their recovery.
Guests are taken for short leash walks for toilet breaks throughout the day and night. These walks are gradually increased with vet approval based on recovery progress.
Each suite also features a TV for comfort, and mental stimulation is offered through puzzle toys, slow feeder bowls, and interactive food toys. Bedding is low to the ground for easy access, and slip-proof mats are placed on the floor.
We also have specially designed rooms with small undercover outdoor courtyards for dogs at the later stages of recovery. These allow for some free movement while still keeping safety a priority.

🚐 Transport and Vet Visits

Our K9 Limousine Service is available for all post-operative guests. Your dog can be safely collected from your home at the start of their stay and returned at the end. They’ll travel in their own secure crate and be lifted in and out by our Doggy Doaters—no jumping required!
If your dog has follow-up vet visits, specialist appointments, or needs therapies like hydrotherapy, Bowen therapy, or acupuncture, one of our team members can accompany them. We’ll transport your dog, attend the appointment with them, and bring them safely back to the Resort.
You're also always welcome to attend any appointments and meet us there so you can be involved in your dog’s recovery process. 

🐶 Can I visit my dog during their stay?

We understand that being away from your dog is hard—especially when they’ve just had surgery and you’re at home without them.
While we absolutely welcome dog owners to visit their pets during recovery, we do assess this on a case-by-case basis.
Here’s why: If your dog has stayed with us before, they may associate seeing you with going home. When you visit and then leave without them, it can cause confusion or stress. Stress is the last thing we want to add to a post-operative guest’s day, as it can slow their recovery.
Some dogs, however, handle visits just fine and settle back in easily. That’s why we assess each situation individually and always keep an open line of communication with you. If a visit seems beneficial, we’ll gladly welcome you.

💌 Reach Out Anytime
If you ever find yourself in a situation where your dog requires surgery and you’re unsure or unable to manage post-operative care at home, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
We’re here to answer all your questions and would love to welcome you down for a tour of our Resort to see what we offer for our post-operative guests.

What Is Pancreatitis?
The pancreas is an organ located in the abdominal cavity of a dog. Its role is to produce digestive enzymes, which help break down food as it passes through the digestive system. When something disrupts this process and overstimulates the pancreas, it can cause inflammation, leading to the painful condition known as pancreatitis.


What Causes Pancreatitis?
There are three main causes of pancreatitis:

1. A high-fat meal or diet 🍖
2. A dog getting into food, waste, or scraps they shouldn't have 🗑️
3. Idiopathic (the cause cannot be determined)

Certain breeds are also predisposed to pancreatitis and are at a higher risk than others, including Beagles and Miniature Schnauzers. In some cases, medications can also contribute to the development of the condition.


Signs of Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis can present in two forms: acute (sudden onset) and chronic (long-term illness).
Signs and Symptoms of Acute Pancreatitis:

• Abdominal pain (dogs may stretch out in a "praying position" to indicate discomfort)
• Ongoing vomiting
• Severe lethargy
• Persistent diarrhea 💩
• Dehydration
• In some cases, collapse and shock

Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Pancreatitis:

• Abdominal pain (again, the praying position may be seen)
• Continued vomiting
• Lethargy
• Weight loss
• Low to no interest in food 🍽️

If your dog displays any signs of pancreatitis, they should be taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible, as their condition can deteriorate quickly.

How Is Pancreatitis Diagnosed?
A vet can often diagnose pancreatitis through a clinical examination. If necessary, further testing, such as an ultrasound of the pancreas, may be conducted to rule out other health conditions.

Treatment of Pancreatitis
Treatment will vary depending on the severity of the flare-up. In most cases, care involves supportive treatment at home. Your vet will assess your dog’s diet, and if they are on a high-fat food, it will be adjusted. A bland diet is usually recommended during recovery to ease the strain on the pancreas.
Medication may also be prescribed, including:

• Anti-nausea medication 🤢
• Pain relief
• Appetite stimulants
• Antibiotics (if needed)

In severe cases, hospitalisation may be required for IV fluids and close monitoring.

When to See a Vet
If you're ever concerned that your dog may be showing signs of pancreatitis, don’t wait. Seek veterinary advice and a full examination promptly to prevent the condition from becoming more serious.

Watching your dog suffer a seizure is a deeply distressing and confronting experience, one that no dog owner ever wants to face. Unfortunately, for some of us, it’s a situation we may encounter, either as a one-off event or recurring due to an underlying health issue. It’s important that, as dog owners, we are prepared for this possibility and know how to help our dogs through it as safely and calmly as possible.

So—do you know what to do if your dog has a seizure?

We know—it’s easier said than done. But your calmness will help you respond in the best way possible. When your dog comes out of the seizure, your calm energy will be reassuring. Remember, dogs feed off our emotions.

​During a seizure, your dog may move uncontrollably. Make sure there’s nothing around them they could hit their head on, and ensure they’re away from stairs or ledges. If you need to move them, use a blanket or towel to gently slide them to a safe space. Never try to restrain or pick up your dog unless they are in immediate danger. Also, never put your hands near your dog’s mouth during a seizure, as they may bite involuntarily.

​Take note of when the seizure starts. Once your dog is safe, try to record a video of the seizure (if this is out of the ordinary for your dog to suffer a seizure.) This footage can be incredibly helpful for your vet in diagnosing the cause and determining appropriate treatment. Also, track when the seizure ends so you can inform your vet of its duration. If multiple seizures occur, continue noting the times and symptoms between each one.

When the seizure finishes, your dog may be disoriented and unable to stand. They may also have urinated or defecated during the seizure. Sit with them and give them lots of cuddles and reassurance. 
Check for signs of overheating—seizures lasting more than a few minutes can cause a rise in body temperature. If you don’t have a thermometer, feel inside your dog’s ears or groin area. If these areas feel much warmer than normal, your dog may be overheating. Use a fan to gently blow cool air over them, or place a damp, cool cloth on their paw pads.
Once your dog is stable and able to stand, offer them some water and gently clean them up.

As soon as your dog is safe and the seizure has ended, contact your vet. Share all the information you've recorded and book an appointment for an examination as soon as possible.
If your dog has multiple seizures in a short period or a single seizure lasts longer than five minutes, seek emergency veterinary care immediately. If it’s after hours, find the nearest 24-hour veterinary clinic and get your dog there as soon as possible.

Vestibular Disease—often nicknamed “Old Dog Vestibular Syndrome” or “Old Dog Syndrome”—occurs when something affects the vestibular system of a dog’s inner ear. This system controls balance, movement, and posture, so when it’s disrupted, it can significantly affect your dog’s ability to move and function normally.

🐶What Causes Vestibular Disease?

There are several potential causes of Vestibular Disease in dogs, including:

• Ear infections – Both inner and middle ear infections.
• Injuries – Trauma or direct injury to the head or face.
• Tumours – Growths or masses within the inner ear or around the brainstem.
• Idiopathic causes – Meaning the cause is unknown (this is the most common type).
• Other health issues – Such as hypothyroidism.

Your vet will likely run diagnostic tests to try and identify the root cause. If it’s something treatable—like an ear infection—resolving that condition will often cure the Vestibular Disease as well.

🩺Symptoms of Vestibular Disease

Dogs with Vestibular Disease may show the following symptoms:

• Difficulty standing or walking – Wobbliness, staggering, or falling over. Difficulty transitioning from sitting/lying down to standing.
• Head tilt – The head may tilt to one side, either occasionally or constantly.
• Rapid eye movement (Nystagmus) – Involuntary eye movements, either back and forth or in a circular motion.
• Walking in circles – Dogs may pace in a circle, usually in the direction their head is tilted.
• Disorientation – Struggling to navigate familiar spaces; appearing confused.
• Nausea and loss of appetite – Refusing food or water, sometimes accompanied by vomiting.
• Wide-legged stance – To maintain balance, dogs may stand with their legs farther apart than usual.

💊How Is Vestibular Disease Treated?

The good news is that most cases of Vestibular Disease resolve within 2–3 weeks, especially if the cause is treatable. For instance, when an ear infection is treated, the vestibular symptoms usually clear up as well.
In Idiopathic Vestibular Disease (with no identifiable cause), dogs often recover on their own with rest and supportive care.
Vets may also prescribe medications during recovery, such as:

• Anti-nausea drugs
• Appetite stimulants
• Anti-inflammatory medications (if appropriate)
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Some dogs may retain minor symptoms—like a head tilt—even after recovery, but most return to normal behaviour fairly quickly.

Vestibular Disease can appear suddenly and be frightening to witness, but it's usually not life-threatening. It often points to another treatable condition, and with proper veterinary care, most dogs make a full recovery.
If your dog begins acting unusually or shows signs of Vestibular Disease, don’t wait—consult your vet as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can make all the difference.



🐾 Have you experienced Vestibular Disease with your dog? Share your story in the comments to help support other pet parents going through the same experience!

Winter can be a tough time for our dogs — especially our golden oldies. As dogs age, the drop in temperature can make it much harder for them to move around comfortably. Just like us, older dogs feel the chill in their bones, and their joints can really start to suffer during the colder months.

❄️Arthritis and Winter: Why the Cold Makes It Worse 

Cold weather can cause a dog’s joints to stiffen, which increases pain and makes movement difficult. This happens because colder temperatures can constrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the limbs and joints.

👉 Decreased blood flow = increased inflammation
👉 Increased inflammation = stiffer, more painful joints

For older dogs already dealing with arthritis, this can lead to serious discomfort and reduced mobility.

🧦Cold Feet: Yes, Dogs Feel It Too! 

Just like hot pavement in summer, dogs can feel the cold through the pads of their feet — and in extreme cases, they can even suffer frostbite. If your dog is exposed to low temperatures for too long, it can become dangerous.
A good rule of thumb: If you wouldn’t walk barefoot on that surface, your dog shouldn’t either.
If you need to walk your dog in freezing temperatures, dog booties can protect their paws and keep them comfortable.

🐶How to Help Your Dog in the Cold

There are simple, effective ways to help your furry friend stay warm, comfortable, and mobile during winter:

•  Encourage light movement: Even your senior dog needs to move. Short walks — even just from one end of the house to the other — a few times a day can help keep their joints flexible.
•  Dress for the weather: Use dog coats and booties when heading outside, especially if it’s wet, icy, or freezing cold.
•  Create a warm indoor space: Make sure their bed is away from cold drafts and consider using heating pads or blankets made for pets.

Want more tips to keep your pup toasty and safe during winter?

👉 Check out our full blog on how to keep your dog warm in winter HERE!

​The winter solstice marks the longest night and shortest day of the year. For us here in Australia, this occurs in June, while in the Northern Hemisphere, it takes place in December.
The winter solstice is a result of the Earth’s axial tilt and occurs when our part of the planet is furthest from the sun.

​Just like humans, dogs can be affected by changes in daylight hours. Shifts in our sleep patterns can disrupt our circadian rhythm, which in turn can impact energy levels and mood.
It’s important to keep your dog’s routine as consistent as possible during seasonal changes and to keep them active during daylight hours. It’s easy to slip into a slump as the mornings and nights become darker and colder, but physical activity is key to maintaining a positive mood—for both humans and dogs.
If your dog spends time outdoors, be sure to bring them inside earlier than you normally would, as the chilly night air sets in much sooner than it used to.

For more tips and ideas on how to keep your pooch warm this winter, check out our blog here!

As we continue our blog series on 'Common Household Toxins' it's important we share some common signs and symptoms of toxicity in dogs.
It's important to remember that every case is different and depending on what toxin has been digested can change the signs or symptoms a dog may show.
If at any time you are worried your dog may have digested something they shouldn't have or you are concerned about any changes in behaviour, you should always consult your vet for an immediate examination. A quick diagnosis and medical care is the best chance your dog has at a full recovery. 

Be sure to consult with your vet immediately should you be worried about your dog's health at any time. 

As our beautiful doggies enter their golden years of life, it's time for us to reassess their day to day activities and what we can adjust to help make them more comfortable. Below are some great tips on where to start! 

​A dog’s diet and their weight plays a huge roll in their life expectancy as they age. Moving your dog to a ‘senior’ diet involves reducing the amount of fat and protein in the diet, to make it easier on your dog’s organs to process and to reduce weight gain as their exercise begins to decrease as well.
A senior diet or a specific diet suggest by your vet can help to support kidney function, arthritis and joints as well as heart health.
It's essential, as your dog reaches their later years in life, that they aren’t carrying any extra, unnecessary weight. Extra weight adds extra pressure to a dog’s joints and can worsen arthritis.
A raised food and water bowl for taller breeds is a great way to reduce stress and tension in the neck and back for older dogs. The less bending down they have to do, the easier it will on these areas for them. 

​Although the level of activity your dog can handle will decrease as they age, it’s important to continue a suitable amount of exercise to help keep your dog healthy, keep them from gaining weight and to help support their joints.
You will find you may need to reduce the pace on your walks and also the length and may even need to include some little stops and breaks along the way. It’s best to avoid large hills and any steep inclines or declines, as this just creates extra work for your dog.
Keep in mind the time of day for your walks too, as cooler weather will aggravate arthritis and heat can be overwhelming on the heart of an older dog.
A great alternative to walks for older dogs is water exercise, including swimming and hydrotherapy.
If transporting your dog and you are unable to assist them in and out of the car or if you have stairs around your home, a ramp is a great idea to help them move around. 

​Daily grooming and body checks of your dog are a great way to keep an eye on any new lumps and bumps that may appear, which is very common in older age. Be mindful of any warts or skin tags when brushing as these can easily be caught in a brush and open up into bleeding sores.
Keeping your dog’s nails well clipped and at a shorter length will also assist with their mobility, as they can easily grow into their pads causing a great deal of pain. 

​Senior dogs should be spending most of their time inside, enjoying the quiet life. They have no reached their retirement and deserve some good R&R now. You should assess your dog’s sleeping and resting areas for the day and night and ensure that access is easy, with not gaps or small spaces they could fall into or get stuck (ie: between a couch and wall or down the side of a raised bed) Orthopaedic beds are great for providing support and comfort whilst still being soft and gentle on their joints. Beds that are too soft can be difficult for an older dog to get in and out of and very firm or solid beds will offer no comfort or relief to their arthritis.
During the cooler weather, arthritis and sore joints can flare up, so keeping a safe but warm environment will ensure your dog stays comfortable. Electric blankets and direct heat can quickly cause a dog to overheat so should be avoided, however a warmed room without a chill in the air can be a lot more comfortable to them. 

​We are so lucky now with how far pet care and research has some and now have a variety of options to offer support and relief to our older pets. Your vet can suggest a number of options to offer pain relief and joint support as your dog ages. These range from oral medications to injections. Your vet should always be consulted prior to beginning any new medication or supplements for your dog as this could affect other medication they are currently taking or other organs.
There are also options of physiotherapy and more natural approaches such as red light, acupuncture and natural herbs and supplements through a holistic vet as well.