Who can I turn to for help with my dog?
Often pet parents can feel alone or at least a little isolated in their care of their pets. This is particularly common since the global pandemic isolated the world from each other. As more people than ever before turned to online services, it is important to remember that we do have a huge community, and we are all here to help dogs!
Raw supplier / retailer
Local vet
Holistic vet
Dog trainer
Specialist dog trainer (i.e. scent work instructor)
Canine behaviourist
Massage therapist
Acupuncture therapist
Physiotherapist
Hydro-therapist
Groomer
Dog walker
and more!
Lets get to know some of these roles.
Vets
Vets are the medical professionals who perform a range of important medical activities on dogs and work with pet parents to best support their dogs' ongoing health and well-being.
Vets are the number one most important part of your dog's team. After all, they will be the ones who give your dog life-saving treatment in an emergency!
As a pet parent, you should always have your vet's contact number, as well as the out-of-hours contact number, just in case it is needed.
If you are traveling with your dog, it's good practice to look up in advance vet practices local to where you will be traveling.
Even if you believe your dog is fit and healthy, and even if you choose not to vaccinate your dog, we still recommend you visit your local vet at least once a year. This yearly check-up allows your vet to assess your dog's ongoing health and identify any areas of concern as quickly as possible. This is also a great opportunity to show them your stunning raw-fed dog with pride in your hard work!
Your vet can help you with a number of issues, including discussing alternative therapies, nutraceuticals, and medications.
Canine Behaviourist
A canine behaviourist is an unregulated job, so it is of extreme importance that you research them and ensure you find one who is fully qualified, insured, and a member of a governing body that has a code of conduct and ethical practice that you feel is of the highest standards.
If your dog has a behaviour issue, a good canine behaviourist will ask you to fill in a form about your dog, as well as ask you to get your vet to fill in a form about your dog before they can even schedule an appointment for you. The vet consent form is required to help the canine behaviourist understand any potential medical causes for your dog's behaviour.
It is good practice to request a vet appointment for your dog before you seek a behaviourist's help to get a general health check and see if there are any potential medical causes for your dog's behaviour.
It is important to note that dogs are very good at hiding pain from humans or other animals. Some dogs will show no signs at all. Others will seem restless, others will lick excessively, others may become reactive or appear aggressive. Some will pant, others will give indicators through body language such as reluctance to exercise. The list really is extensive!
Massage Therapist
A canine massage therapist is an unregulated job title, so it is of extreme importance that you research them and ensure you find one who is qualified, insured, and a member of a governing body that has a code of conduct and ethical practice that you feel is of the highest standards.
A good canine massage therapist will ask you to fill in a form about your dog, as well as ask you to get your vet to fill in a form about your dog before they can even schedule a face-to-face appointment for you.
The vet consent form is required to help the canine massage therapist understand any potential underlying medical issues that may affect the treatment they offer.
If your dog hasn't been seen by a vet before or has a new issue you wish to be addressed through massage therapy, visit your vet first.
Canine massage therapists may offer a range of treatment options. A great example of a fantastic canine massage therapist is Yorkshire Pooches Therapies, offering gait analysis, Marisha massage (which includes deep tissue massage, enhanced stretches, and detailed mobilization techniques), plus discussions on nutrition and all things natural!
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