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Paws welcome!

WE’RE ALL GOING ON…

a summer holiday AND YOUR DOG CAN COME TOO!

The UK’s most dog-friendly pubs

WHO’S AFRAID OF THE VET’S? OVERCOMING YOUR DOG’S FEARS

32 GREAT

THE GIFT OF LOVE

GIVEAWAYS! ✶ Cross-stitch kits ✶ Treat hampers ✶ Pet beds ✶ Dog toys

How volunteering can change your life

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10 new year training tips AND RELAX…

TECHNIQUES TO HELP YOUR DOG CHILL

PAMPER YOUR PET!

GIVE HIM A FUSS THIS VALENTINE’S DAY

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THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO THIS MONTH…

CONTRIBUTOR SUE CORFIELD “February means Valentine’s Day and on Valentine’s Day I always think, with love, of the dogs in my life — past and present — and give thanks for their enduring companionship.”

But, don’t discard your thermals yet! February is notorious for some end-of-winter low temperatures, and even ice and snow, so be prepared with our advice on coping in cold, snowy weather; find it on page 30. If the worst happens, why not make your way to a really dog-friendly pub and enjoy a drink, and maybe a bite to eat, along with your dog, who’ll be just as warmly welcomed — if not more so — as you are! On page 22 you’ll find the regional and overall winners of Rover.com’s Dog-friendly Pub Awards. Perfect!

wo major themes have been cropping up this month — firstly, it’s Valentine’s Day, so why not share the love with your faithful canine companion? We’ve got some great ideas on how you can pamper your pet, and make his day relaxing, enjoyable, and the perfect bonding opportunity. Check out our feature on page 26 this issue. Secondly, as February gets underway, we can all look forward to the first signs of spring. Slowly, but surely, the days are getting that little bit longer, the gardens are carpeted with snowdrops, and the first daffodils start to emerge from the frozen soil.

CONTRIBUTOR TONI SHELBOURNE “As February progresses, I am really looking forward to the days getting longer and watching for the first signs of spring. There is nothing nicer than walking with dogs in the early spring sunlight, as the world is awakening from winter.”

Editor

Image: Mark Taylor, Warren Photographic Ltd.

WHO’S ON THE COVER THIS MONTH? Our cover star this issue is chocolate merle Cockerpoo Cola, who was 10 just weeks old when these pictures were taken. She lives in Cheam, Surrey with her owner Debbie Mackenzie and her family. “She loves walks in Cheam Park and Nonsuch Park, and she loves her ball,” said Debbie.

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PAWS

welcome!

Jayne with Nerys.

The Fox & Hounds pub, in Theale, Berkshire, has beaten off stiff competition to claim the title of the most Dog-friendly Pub in the UK, for a triumphant second time. Elizabeth Perry asked landlady Jayne Tilsley what makes her pub stand out from the rest? knew immediately the pub had to be dog friendly. “There were so many places where I couldn’t take my dog so I wanted to provide somewhere for dog lovers to go,” explained Jayne. None of it would be possible without Miles, who is resident chef. “He’s the backbone of the pub who keeps it all together,” Jayne admitted. “And he keeps me firmly grounded; he’s my inspiration.” The team of 20 at the pub are all confirmed dog lovers. In fact, Jayne laughed as she revealed that the first question she asked prospective employees was: ‘Do you like dogs?’ The Fox & Hounds. The pub is home to resident woofers seven-year-old Jack

ayne Tilsley has poured her heart and soul into making her pub everything a dog lover could wish for. And with 40 years’ experience in the industry, she knows exactly what’s needed. “I grew up in my parents’ pub,” she recalled. “When I left school, I had no intention of following in their footsteps. I knew how hard it was. But my parents said I was destined to run a pub.” And they were proved right! Nine years ago, Jayne and her partner, Miles Teece, took on their first pub, moving to the Fox & Hounds four years ago. She

DID YOU KNOW? The Fox & Hounds was previously awarded the most dog-friendly pub title in 2017.

Russell Nerys, and French Bulldogs Debbie (3) and Rodney (4), all used to mingling with human and canine customers from puppyhood. Though there are often lots of dogs relaxing in the bar, the most dogs Jayne has seen at one time was when two French Bulldog clubs called in for a visit. “I actually had 32 French Bulldogs in my pub and I was in heaven,” she giggled. This year’s win in the Rover.com competition, which included being voted the South East regional winner, created a huge reaction. Jayne is overwhelmed

1 WALK THIS WAY… Indulge your pet a little this Valentine’s Day.

“Dog owners don’t have the choice that non-dog owners do.” by the response. “It’s been crazy. This time it’s really taken off, and my feet haven’t touched the ground.” The pub’s fame has spread far and wide, and Jayne has been inundated with interviews both on the radio and TV, including appearing on ITV’s ‘This Morning’ programme. Jayne wants to use the award to promote dog-friendly pubs. “We are losing so many pubs,” she explained. “It breaks my heart that you go somewhere and it’s an eatery and not a pub. So this competition is not about winning; it’s about people who want to go to a pub where they can take a dog. Dog owners don’t have the choice that non-dog owners do. I want to make a stand that it’s OK to be dog friendly and you can still run a successful business. I really want to keep the old-fashioned pub alive.”

TAKING THE LEAD Clearly, Jayne’s determination to promote the dog-friendly pub is already having an effect, as she explained: “Interestingly, since we’ve been promoting being dog friendly, all the pubs around us have followed suit.” Rover.com marketing director Simon Le Grice commented: “The superb service demonstrated at the Fox & Hounds shows real consideration for dog welfare and happiness, which we at Rover value above all. “The whole Rover pack is proud to congratulate Jayne and her team on winning the national UK Dog-friendly Pub Award and we hope that the awards will inspire dog owners countrywide to discover and support their local pubs.” Jayne is not one to rest on her laurels and is already planning how to make the Fox & Hounds even more dog friendly. Her latest idea is to hold a Valentine’s Day singles night, offering people with pooches the chance to meet like-minded partners. “We have single people who come in with their dogs, and it really is a great way of meeting new people,” she explained excitedly. With Jayne’s endless enthusiasm and innovative ideas, regulars at the Fox & Hounds can look forward to plenty of new dog-friendly events throughout 2020. ● To find out more, visit www.foxand houndstheale.co.uk

Run by Rover.com, the world’s largest network of pet-sitters and dog walkers, the Dog-friendly Pub Awards celebrate pubs with dog-friendly initiatives, and aim to encourage others across the country to welcome four legs as well as two. The overall winner was chosen from a regional shortlist of 12 finalists by a panel of judges from Rover, the RSPCA, ‘The Morning Advertiser’, Your Dog Magazine, and ‘The Guardian’.

Begin by taking your dog to his favourite spot to enjoy a lovely walk. Whether it’s an enclosed exercise field or a splash through the puddles, Valentine’s Day ‘zoomies’ are perfect for letting off steam before a pamper at home, as they will help to relax and tire your dog so he can enjoy the experience. If off-lead ‘zoomies’ aren’t

possible for those tykes who like to leg it, or you have an older dog who likes to mooch around, then try having some fun with scent games, by scattering treats in the long grass and encouraging your dog to use his nose to find them. Scent work is just as tiring as a long walk!

“There are many amazing shampoos on the market...”

breathing difficulties, seek immediate veterinary help. Once above 37.8 degrees C, remove the hot water bottle, but keep him in a warm room. Have him checked over by the vet even if he appears fully recovered. Frostbite can also occur when out in icy winds, snow, or low temperatures, affecting the extremities — tips of the ears and tails, toes, and nipples. Some breeds, such as Greyhounds and Whippets, can even get chilblains on their ears. Prevention is the best policy: take shorter walks and invest in some winter clothing.

Keep your dog on a lead around frozen water.

A rubber mitt.

DID YOU KNOW? Competition was fierce this year with over 2,500 pubs entering the awards and 17,000 votes being cast.

DID YOU KNOW? Apart from making him uncomfortable, snow stuck in your dog’s fur can hide antifreeze or salt, so make sure you remove it once you get home.

It’s bathtime.

THE KEEL ROW, WHITLEY BAY, TYNE AND WEAR (NORTH EAST WINNER)

THE OAK AT BAGINTON, WARWICKSHIRE (WEST MIDLANDS WINNER)

● www.thekeelrow.com “We are very proud to have won this again (this is the third time The Keel Row has been regional winner for the North East) for our community and their dogs,” said landlady Sharon Herron. This year the pub offered a free, professional photoshoot for dogs. Local dog charities also benefit from the pub’s dog food bank, which collects dog food, toys, and blankets.

● www.thebagintonoak.co.uk Gayle Goodwin at The Oak is thrilled. “We pride ourselves on being one of the most welcoming pubs for guests with four-legged friends,” she said. The pub offers pet-friendly accommodation with a dog welcome pack. In the pub are comfy beds, water bowls, and treats on the bar, plus half an acre of garden for dogs to run around in.

● www.thelionatbasford.co.uk “We have worked really hard for this,” manager Rosamund Powditch said. “And so, to have all our efforts recognised is amazing.” The pub offers a doggy menu, free treats, poo bags, and a selection of beds for dogs of all sizes, plus a well-stocked toy box. Dog day events include a photoshoot and agility courses.

PAMPER YOUR PET! Anna.

Selina

THE DOG AT GRUNDISBURGH, SUFFOLK (EAST OF ENGLAND WINNER)

Inside The Dog House.

www.yourdog.co.uk

SUITED…

3 TOOLS OF THE TRADE

THE LION AT BASFORD, NOTTINGHAM (EAST MIDLANDS WINNER)

● www.grundisburghdog.co.uk Dog lovers Eilir and Charles Rogers are “super-excited and grateful to everyone who voted for us!” Along with a doggy menu, treats, and water bowls, there is a toy box and blankets, and, in the summer, a paddling pool. The pub also hosts bespoke doggy parties, and photos of dogs go on the ‘Dog Wall of Fame’.

It’s easy to get lost in wintery conditions.

A pin brush.

Your Dog February 2020

We love our dogs all year round, but Valentine’s Day is the perfect time for a special groom to show how much you care. Groomers Anna Pollard and Selina West advise. Anna Pollard and Selina West are co-owners of The Dog House Leicester, a luxury grooming salon nestling in the Leicestershire countryside, established in 2017. The Dog House specialises in puppy grooming, socialisation, and pamper packages. Find out more at www.thedoghouseleicester.co.uk

rushing your dog regularly at home is incredibly important — not only for his coat maintenance, but because it builds a lovely bond between you and your pet. Valentine’s Day is the perfect reason to indulge him a little, so here are our six top tips to help make it the perfect occasion!

If a home bath is too difficult, book your dog into the groomer’s.

2 A BUBBLY BATH If your dog enjoys a pamper, then a home bath is perfect for Valentine’s Day, although you can hold off on the rose petals! Home baths really are very easy, especially if you have a small, short-haired dog. Begin by popping an old towel or anti-slip mat into the bottom of your bath to protect your dog from slipping. There are many amazing shampoos on the market, so make sure you select carefully, choosing a more natural option and diluting the shampoo as per the manufacturer’s instructions. If you fancy a Valentine’s Day touch of rose scent in your shampoo, then take a look at the Hownd ‘Got an Itch?’ conditioning shampoo, which smells amazing, as it is scented with rose and bergamot. However, if a bath is too much for your dog or he’s not the greatest fan, check out the huge range of body mists and doggy colognes available on the market. One of our favourites at the Dog House is Paw Naturel’s Paw de Parfums range, and we think there is a scent to match everyone’s taste. For the ultimate Valentine’s treat, why not book your dog in with your groomer for a bath and brush out, and even add a pawdicure or facial?

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Top tip if you’re going to bath a curly coated dog at home, you need to be prepared to thoroughly dry his coat with a hairdryer and then brush it out. It’s much easier to take him to the groomer’s!

It’s important that you use the correct tools for your dog’s coat type. We’re seeing more and more mixed-breed dogs coming through the door of the salon, and it’s crucial to keep their coats in good condition by brushing them at home. To do this properly you will need the right tools for the job, which could be a nice Valentine’s gift idea! Here are our tips for the right tools for different coats. ● For a dense, curlier coat it’s worth investing in a good, flexible slicker brush to that you can get down to the root of the hair. Remember that you do have to be gentle with a slicker and make sure you use it correctly or they can cause slicker burn. Your groomer

ow SnBUSINESS

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Two- and four-legged customers at the Fox & Hounds.

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WHAT ARE THE DOG-FRIENDLY PUB AWARDS?

Give your dog the chanc to let off steam before his pampering session.

A coat will help keep your dog warm while out; look for one deep enough to offer protection to thinly furred tums. Some designs have chest and tummy flaps, or you can buy doggy jumpers, or even fleece-lined, full-body suits. A coat with a turtle or polo neck collar can add to cosiness: some can be rolled forward to cover the ears; alternatively, buy a doggy snood, which can be added separately. Pick fabrics that will keep your dog dry as well as warm and be easy to care for. If ordering from the internet or a catalogue, carefully follow the guidelines when measuring up, and check on returns policy if it doesn’t fit. ● Have several changes of clothing so some can be in the wash, some drying, and some ready for wear. A dog coat may come in useful.

Beautiful though a glittering winter landscape may be, it can pose a risk to your dog, warns Karen Bush.

www.yourdog.co.uk

anuary and February are notorious for marking winter’s last stand, a final flurry of snow and icy conditions before the first green shoots of spring. So, it really makes sense to make sure that you and your dog are prepared — just in case the worst happens and we face a really chilly spell. Some dogs feel the cold more than others, including short and single-coated pets, lean, small, young, and senior dogs, and those with health issues. Even healthy dogs with thick fur may not be immune to its effects if they get soaked through, causing coats to lose their insulating properties.

FEELING THE COLD Most pet dogs spend a lot of time inside and are unused to extreme cold. Keep a close eye on yours and bring him in if he shows any of the following signs: ● Trembling. ● Shivering. ● Holding tail close to body. ● Cold ears, especially around the edges. ● Body feels cold. ● Whining. ● Lifting up paws. ● Stopping on walks, trying to find shelter from cold winds. ● Agitated or anxious. ● Lethargic and clumsy.

Boots can be added to the outfit to prevent paw injuries.

“Your dog may not take to them right away; be patient...” SLIPS AND SLIDES Slipping on ice can lead to strains and sprains for both you and your dog. Icy patches aren’t always easy to spot; walk slowly, encouraging your dog to do the same on a loose lead so you don’t interfere with each other’s balance. Pavement kerbs may not be obvious when covered with a thick layer of snow, so take care not to step off the edge. In wintery weather, many people fall over on their own footpaths and driveways, so exercise a bit of extra caution in these places. Teach your dog a ‘Wait’ command, and to move slowly through doorways when you are taking him out for a walk, so he doesn’t pull you off your feet on any ice outside.

FOOT CARE

HYPOTHERMIA AND FROSTBITE Dogs can become hypothermic, even when temperatures aren’t freezing. Signs include shivering, whining, and anxiousness, followed by disorientation, lethargy, loss of co-ordination and the ability to shiver, slow and shallow breathing, a drop in pulse rate, and low body temperature. If your dog becomes hypothermic, wrap him in warm blankets, place a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel against his tummy, and give warm fluids to drink. Take his temperature every 10 minutes. If it’s below 36.7 degrees C, his muscles seem stiff, he is barely moving, losing consciousness, or having

…AND BOOTED Nothing wimpy about boots! As well as preventing sore feet and cuts from running on icy surfaces, they protect your dog’s paws against grit, salt, and other chemicals used in freezing conditions. You may need to try a few different ones to find a set that does the job and stays on securely. Your dog may not take to them right away; be patient and introduce them before you really need them.

Karen’s dog Angel, in her super-snug, thermal-lined snow suit last winter. A few days later, it snowed, and snowed, and snowed…

Foot care is important all year round, but when it’s icy or snowy, extra maintenance may be called for! ● Trim excess hair between toes and pads to help prevent painful ice-balls from forming. ● Originally developed for sled dogs, Musher’s Secret is a breathable, non-toxic barrier wax, which helps protect paws from ice and snow. Spread between the pads, it helps prevent ‘snowballing’. ● Wash your dog’s paws after walking on gritted or salted pavements. ● Check for cuts and grazes, as ice can be very sharp when frozen into ridges. ● If you spot discoloration, deep cracks, fissures, or inflammatory lesions on the paw pads, take your dog to the vet for a check up.

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DOG-FRIENDLY PUB AWARDS

WINNER THE FOX

Your Dog February 2020

www.yourdog.co.uk

★ ON THE COVER PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS A subscription to Your Dog Magazine is the best way to guarantee your copy every month. For enquiries, call 01778 395177.

WHO’S WHO AT YOUR DOG Your Dog Magazine, Warners Group Publications, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 9PH. Call 01778 395070 Email editorial: editorial@yourdog.co.uk; email advertising: ads@yourdog.co.uk

EDITORIAL Editor: Sarah Wright Call 01778 395066 Designer: Chris Smith Digital editor: Laura Wright Marketing executive: Ellis O’Connell Media assistant: Beth Andrews

PRODUCTION Production manager: Nigel Fish Production controller: Mel Hudson Colour repro: Graham Warren

ADVERTISING Commercial manager: Andrea Walters Call 01778 395064 Account manager: Kay Cotterill Partnerships account manager: Lara Cracknell

Contents 6TALKING DOGS ★ 42THINK RESCUE The latest dog news plus your chance to win a pair of tickets to Crufts 2020.

NEW YEAR 1210 ALL GOING TRAINING TIPS ★ 46WE’RE ON A… ★ How to make 2020 the year you look at training in a more positive light.

GIFT 16THE OF LOVE ★ How volunteering at a dog charity can be a life-changing experience.

PUBLISHER

SOCIAL MEDIA www.facebook.com/yourdogmagazine www.twitter.com/yourdog www.instagram.com/yourdogmagazine www.youtube.com/yourcatyourdog www.pinterest.co.uk/yourdogmagazine

PRINTING Warners Midlands plc The paper used for this publication is a recyclable and renewable product. It has been produced using wood sourced from sustainably managed forests and elemental or total chlorine-free bleached pulp. This magazine can be recycled either through your kerbside collection, or at a local recycling point. Log on to www.recyclenow.com and enter your postcode to find the nearest sites. Cover pic: Cockerpoo by Mark Taylor, Warren Photographic Ltd.

Your Dog February 2020

…summer holiday. So, start planning and, the best news is, the dog can come too.

50AND RELAX… ★

Three easy-to-do exercises that can help your dog to relax, stay calm, and chill.

THE PAIN 20EASING OF ARTHRITIS 55PUPPY LOVE! Vet Vicky Payne on the best way to manage the condition and improve life for our dogs.

It’s St Valentine’s Day this month and readers are celebrating their very special canine partners.

YOUR 22PAWS WELCOME! ★ 56GET HEAD AROUND REFERRALS Announcing the winners of Rover.com’s Dog-friendly Pub Awards.

YOUR 26PAMPER PET! ★ In celebration of St Valentine’s Day, make a big fuss of your dog and give him a day to remember.

SNOW BUSINESS

Warners Group Publications plc Publisher: James Buzzel

Are you looking to welcome a dog into your home? Then maybe a rescue dog could be just what you’re looking for.

February can be one of the coldest, snowiest months of the year — so be prepared!

LETTERS Our readers share their views on the dog world and everything dog related.

35DOG SHOPPING

Highlighting the latest doggy products on the market. You might find something you’d like!

THE 36FIGHTING FEAR ★ Does your dog hate visiting the vet’s? It doesn’t have to be this way, says Julie Hill.

39FREEBIES! ★

There are 32 great giveaways up for grabs this month. Could you be among the winners?

How general practice and specialist vets interact to offer your dog the best possible health care.

ONLY 58IT’S NATURAL… Your questions on food and feeding answered by Edward Creaser, company director of The Natural Dog Food Company.

THE 60BUDDY BRAVE Buddy’s dogged persistence saved the lives of owners Martin and his wife, Margo.

62DOG ANSWERS

Expert help on all your dog-related problems, from health to training, behaviour, general care, and more.

70THE GALLERY

Who is featuring in our gallery of canine stars this month? Is your pet among them?

74THE LAST WORD

Model, reality TV star, and actress Jess Impiazzi on the unconditional love of dogs.

Your chance to win

our great giveaways! CLICK HERE TO ENTER

THINK RESCUE

THE JOY OF VOLUNTEERING

— PAGE 42

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SNOW BUSINESS

— PAGE 30

HOLIDAYS BECKON

— PAGE 46

ME AND MY DOG

— PAGE 60 www.yourdog.co.uk

Talking dogs

NEWS. CHAT. INTERVIEWS. PICTURES. COMPETITIONS.

Rocky on road to recovery

Rocky with PDSA Vet Manolo Hervada-Gonzalez.

New s

Rocky swallowed an entire sock.

Labrador puppy needed life-saving surgery after it was discovered he’d swallowed an entire sock! Six-month-old Rocky was taken to Bristol PDSA Pet Hospital by his owner Maxine Holiday, 53, when he started vomiting. X-rays revealed a foreign object, which had to be removed before the pup’s intestines ruptured. Vet Manolo Hervada-Gonzalez, who performed the t hour-long procedure, explained: “Rocky needed emergency surgery to remove the obstruction — surprisingly, socks are quite a common cause of blockages.” After recovering at an out-of-hours Vets Now practice, Rocky is now almost back to his normal, bouncy self. “I was really shocked to learn they had found a whole sock inside Rocky,” said Maxine, from Bristol. “I’ve no idea where he got it from, but I’ll be keeping a really close eye on him in future. “PDSA was really brilliant. I’m so grateful they saved Rocky’s life — I don’t know what I would have done without them.”

HOUND-UP

RESEARCH REVEALS PUNISHING YOUR DOG MAKES HIM A PESSIMIST Even relatively mild admonishment, like shouting or jerking a lead, can stress pet dogs and make them more ‘pessimistic’, scientists believe. Researchers at Portugal’s University of Porto compared 42 dogs from reward-based training schools with 50 dogs taught using negative reinforcement techniques. Before and after training, the dogs’ saliva was tested for the stress hormone cortisol. Those trained using negative reinforcement exhibited more stress-related behaviours, and had a higher level of cortisol in their saliva. Meanwhile, the dogs in the reward-based training group showed no changes in cortisol levels. Additionally, it was found the harder a dog was punished, the more pessimistic he became. HERO POLICE DOG HONOURED A police dog, who was stabbed three times by an armed assailant, has received a prestigious award.

Your Dog February 2020

Accompanied by his handler PC Dean Allen, PD Axle was presented with a PDSA commendation for his devotion to duty and bravery, in a special ceremony at Derbyshire Police headquarters in Ripley. The seven-year-old German Shepherd received emergency treatment for wounds to his neck and body, but has since recovered and returned to duty. “I couldn’t be prouder of Axle,” said PC Allen. “He is an exceptional police dog and it is a real honour to see him receive this award.” Axle with his handler, Police Constable Dean Allen.

MEN LESS LIKELY TO HELP AN INJURED PET, SAYS SURVEY Women are more likely to stop and help a dog or cat injured in a road accident, according to a report. The research, commissioned by Yorkshire-based pet insurance provider, The Insurance Emporium, found that 25 per cent of men would not stop for an animal hit by a car, compared to 16 per cent of women. Meanwhile, just 29 per cent of men admitted they would check a dead animal’s ID tag, while 53 per cent of women claimed they would. SPEAK EASY: UK BOASTS MORE MULTI-LINGUAL DOGS Britain leads the pack when it comes to owning dogs who can understand diferent languages, claims a new report. Research by Busuu reveals that UK canines are more likely than their European or US counterparts to understand foreign commands. The global language learning platform found that Spanish is the most popular, with 22 per cent of dogs understanding the

Last year’s Best in Show winner, Papillon Dylan.

WIN! New test bids to stamp out fatal Pug condition I

A pair of tickets to Crufts

UK only

t’s hoped that a new oicial DNA testing scheme, approved by the Kennel Club, will be the irst step towards erasing a progressive and fatal inlammatory brain disease in Pugs. Pug dog encephalitis (PDE) is considered a priority condition, and the Kennel Club, breed clubs, and breeders are keen to eradicate it. Signs of PDE can include seizures, not walking correctly, and blindness. Unlike most other DNA tests, the test for PDE evaluates a dog’s risk of developing the disease, rather than giving a deinitive result. Tested dogs will be recorded as ‘minimal risk (0)’, ‘minimal risk (1)’, or ‘increased risk (2)’, depending on the number of copies of the PDE gene variant a dog has. Gary Johnson, KC breeder services manager, said: “DNA technology is making huge advances year upon year. It is very good news that Pug breeders are taking advantage of this technology, which will be of huge beneit as breeders work towards eradicating this condition from this popular and loving breed.” ● To ind out more about the DNA tests that the Kennel Club record for speciic breeds, visit www.thekennelclub. org.uk/worldwideThere’s a new testing dna-tests/ scheme for Pugs.

lingo, followed by French (17 per cent), German (10 per cent), and Polish (10 per cent). Furthermore, a quarter of owners surveyed claimed their dog responds to commands in three or more languages. “Dogs really are the ultimate in multi-lingual communicators,” said animal behaviour specialist and canine body language expert Sarah Whitehead. TED IS TOP OF THE CLASS Researchers at Northumbria University have concluded that human-animal interactions are fundamental to the healthy development of youngsters, after studying schoolchildren’s relationships with a classroom dog called Ted. Their research found that caring for Ted was of mutual beneit to both the Springer

Spaniel and the pupils. The study, by Donna Carlyle and Pamela Graham, focused on how children describe their relationships with animals. Three-year-old Ted joined Beech Hill Primary School in Newcastle as a puppy, following a landslide victory in a mock election when pupils voted to get a school dog. He also takes part in lessons, reading time, and play activities. PRETTY POLLY’S A PRIZE POSER Congratulations to Pointer X Labrador puppy, Polly, who has been crowned the 2019 Face of Amazon Pets. The ‘Pointador’ was chosen from thousands of entries in a nationwide competition and captured the judges’ hearts with her loving personality and winning smile.

t’s almost that time of the year again, when the world’s greatest celebration of dogs rolls into town. There will be lots Taking place from March 5 – 8, 2020, of displays and at Birmingham’s NEC, Crufts is set to demos to enjoy. welcome more than 150,000 visitors and 27,000 canine contestants, all vying for the honour of being crowned Best in Show. We have teamed up with the Kennel Club to ofer 20 pairs of general admission tickets, valid on any one day of Crufts 2020 (excluding entry to Best in Show). Boasting a unique atmosphere and a myriad things to see, do, learn, and buy, How many the world’s most famous dog show will be dog breeds broadcast on Channel 4 and live streamed can visitors meet on the Crufts YouTube channel. in the Discover As well as top-class showing action, displays, and competitions, don’t miss the Dogs area at thrilling climax to the prestigious Kennel Crufts? Club Friends for Life competition, which CLICK A 50. recognises unsung canine heroes, and HERE TO B 120. culminates in the announcement of the ENTER C 200. public vote on Sunday evening. Other major highlights include the inal of Scrufts, the popular annual celebration of cross-breeds, and the chance to explore the Discover Dogs area, which showcases 200 breeds, including the Harrier, a native hound, who’ll be represented for the irst time this year. Meanwhile, the Barbet, an ancient French breed, will be making its show ring debut. There’s also the chance to learn more about the Kennel Club’s breed rescue organisations and partnerships with veterinary and animal health organisations. And, with over 400 stands selling an array of dog food, toys, beds, outdoor clothing, and other equipment, Crufts 2020 will ofer the ultimate canine shopping experience. ● This year, the Utility and Toy groups will be judged on Thursday, March 5; Gundogs on Friday, March 6; Working and Pastoral breeds on Saturday, March 7; and Terriers and Hounds on Sunday, March 8. For more information and to book tickets, visit www.crufts.org.uk

TO ENTER To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to Crufts 2020, answer the question (above) and enter online, by visiting www.yourdog.co.uk/ competitions. The closing date for online entries is February 15, 2020 (UK only). For full competition terms and conditions, visit www.warnersgroup.co.uk/competition-terms/

www.yourdog.co.uk

Talking dogs

NEWS. CHAT. INTERVIEWS. PICTURES. COMPETITIONS.

Owning pets beneits society as a whole, says Blue Cross A

Pets can have a positive impact on those sufering from mental health issues.

n animal charity has launched a report examining how pet ownership positively impacts on poverty, mental health, and isolation. Experts on pet welfare, mental health, poverty, and loneliness met at a Blue Cross conference to discuss how society could beneit from pet ownership, and to call on the Government to recognise the positive efect animal interactions have on people’s lives. The charity would like to see the Department of Health undertake a comprehensive review into the use of animal-assistance therapy (AAT) for mental health patients, along with scientiic research into the beneits of pet ownership on alleviating loneliness for disconnected young

WARNING AFTER CHEW TRAPS PUPPY’S FACE

n owner wants to raise awareness of the dangers of bufalo horn chews after her puppy needed emergency surgery to remove one from her jaw. Frances Howlett, from Fleet, Hampshire, was shocked when the spiral-shaped toy she had bought for £5 from her local garden centre became wedged onto Kali’s face. Kali in the clinic.

Your Dog February 2020

Kali was sedated.

“It seemed such a safe, sturdy thing for her to play with,” explained childminder Frances, who’s since alerted the suppliers in an efort to prevent other dogs sufering the same fate. “The smaller bit was curled right under her jaw and was trapped by her incisor teeth. It was just one of those freak accidents.” By the time Frances and her husband, James, had rushed their eight-month-old German Shepherd to Vets Now Farnham, it was after midnight. Senior vet Stephanie Timmons sedated Kali before using an oscillating saw to cut of the bufalo horn in a 45-minute procedure. “This is the irst time we have ever seen anything like this,” said Stephanie, who was concerned about possible damage to Kali’s jaw, and stress. But although the pup was a little subdued afterwards, she was soon back to her usual self with no lasting damage. “They did an amazing job,” added Frances, 60. “I can’t thank them enough.”

people and isolated pensioners. Blue Cross will be piloting schemes in 2020 to develop closer community links in areas of need, and focus on removing the barriers for people on lower incomes to aford their pets. The charity aims to continue developing services and partnerships that support owners, emphasising that pets aren’t just for the wealthy. “I cannot stress strongly enough my belief in the beneits of companion animals when it comes to mental health issues, loneliness, and isolation so I hope this report is widely read and its recommendations implemented,” commented TV presenter, wildlife expert, and environmental campaigner Chris Packham.

DOG DATA

A Blue Cross survey found that 70 per cent of pet owners on a low income would borrow money to cover emergency vet fees, while 66 per cent said they would use a pet food bank if one existed in their area.

Success for Stephanie Timmons and team.

● A dog abandoned and left for dead in Castle Rock, Colorado, USA, has become Denver sherif deputy Patrick Hynes’ K-9 partner after he adopted her. Following seven months’ training, Belgian Malinois Karma has graduated as a fully trained explosives detection dog. “It’s very cool to go from a stray to a working dog,” said Deputy Hynes.

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World

Bear, who is sponsored by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), has been undertaking search and rescue operations in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, where it’s feared hundreds of koalas have already perished. To donate towards the rescue mission, visit www.secure.ifaw.org/ united-kingdom/

pupdates

● Detection dogs Bear, a Border Collie X Koolie, and Springer Spaniel Taylor, have been trained to snif out koala droppings or fur so they can locate and save these injured or distressed marsupials caught up in Australia’s devastating bushires.

I t ’s a date

WHAT’S ON IN FEBRUARY?

● February 2: 11am – 12.30pm or 3pm – 4.30pm: YOKO healthy treat making workshop, The Boiler House, Truman Market, 152 Brick Lane, London E1 6RU. Healthy dog food brand YOKO is running 90-minute workshops exploring the wide variety of organic plant-based ingredients that can be used to cook up simple, healthy, home-made dog treats. As well as focusing on the beneits of the core ingredients, foodstufs that dogs should always avoid will also be highlighted. ● Cost: £35. ● More info: www.myyoko.co.uk/workshops

A koala.

DOG DATA

Dog treat brand Good Boy’s fun interactive quiz, ‘All Dogs New Tricks’, found that 83 per cent of owners have taught their canine companion to kiss on command.

Image: Owen Humphreys, PA Media.

Borrowing Bessie gives students paws for thought A

university has recruited a four-legged member to its well-being team as part of a new initiative to help students manage their mental and physical health. Jack Russell Bessie is available throughout the day to students and staf at Newcastle University for stress-busting walks or cuddles. The three-year-old terrier, who belongs to director of student health and well-being Sally Ingram, is already proving popular. Philosophy student Paige Coope and James Woods, who’s studying business, media, and communication, both recommend the ‘Borrow Bessie’ scheme, especially for anyone stressed with exams or missing

Jack Russell Bessie is proving a popular recruit.

their own pets. “Bessie is sure to bring you some much-deserved downtime when you need it,” said James. Bessie follows hot on the heels of retired Greyhound Frankie, from Therapy Dogs Nationwide, who helped the university’s Business School students de-stress and unwind during exams. In addition, the School of Psychology

is also trialling a ‘Dogs for Welfare’ scheme, which enables staf to bring their pets into work one day a week to help manage stress, promote physical activity, and encourage social interaction. Dogs who successfully complete their ‘pawbationary’ period are given a ‘PAWSport’ that allows them to come into work with their owner.

www.yourdog.co.uk

Talking dogs

NEWS. CHAT. INTERVIEWS. PICTURES. COMPETITIONS.

LABRADOR

Back on top — the Labrador.

REGAINS NUMBER ONE SPOT AS BRITAIN’S TOP DOG T

he Labrador has overtaken former favourite the French Bulldog to reclaim its crown as the UK’s most popular breed, according to new Kennel Club data. However, figures reveal that some British breeds have become so unpopular that they risk disappearing from our streets and parks for good. The Pointer, one of our oldest breeds, now faces extinction after its numbers have fallen to a record low. Conversely, the popularity of the breed’s continental cousin, the German Shorthaired Pointer, has risen by 25 per cent in a decade. Also falling out of favour are the West Highland White Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Boxer, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Border Terrier, while the numbers of Parson Russell Terriers are at an historic low. Courtesy of their royal connections, two historic native breeds are bucking the trend — the Welsh Corgi (Pembroke), famous for featuring on the Netflix series ‘The Crown’, and the Sussex Spaniel, who shares its name with dog lovers the Duke and Duchess of

Your golden oldie may be younger than you think!

Sussex. Meanwhile, at the other end of the scale, the popularity of small European breeds, such as the Dachshund, Pomeranian, French Bulldog, Miniature Schnauzer, Chow Chow, and Japanese Shiba Inu, continue to soar.

WHY DOGS’ AGES NO LONGER ADD UP R

esearchers from the University of California have calculated a new formula for working out the human age of a dog — and have revealed why we’ve been getting it wrong all along. Apparently, the traditional way of converting canine years to human —multiplying a dog’s age by seven — is a myth. Scientists have discovered that, as with humans, canine DNA changes over time, and dogs’ ageing processes actually share certain similarities with our own. For the purposes of their research, the team focused on

Your Dog February 2020

a single breed, the Labrador, and were able to come up with a scientific formula, which can be used for dogs aged one and above. So, to work out your dog’s human age, enter his age before pressing ‘ln’ on a scientific calculator. Then multiply this figure by 16 and add 31. Using this new formula — 16 x ln(dog’s age) + 31 — a two-year-old dog is 42.1 in human years (compared to 14 using the former method), a five-year-old dog is 56.8 (35 the old way) and a 10-year-old dog is 67.8 (70 before).

What’s in a name?

WE LOVE

lfie and Bella topped Rover.com’s list of the most popular canine names for 2019, ahead of Max, Charlie, Teddy, Buddy, Poppy, Lola, Luna, and Molly. Interestingly, Bella was also the favourite female name for dogs taken in by the RSPCA in 2018, while Molly, Lola, Poppy, Daisy, Coco, and Ruby also made both lists, as did Alfie, Max, and Milo. Buster was the RSPCA’s most chosen male name. According to Rover’s database of more than a million pets, owners continue to call their dogs after celebrities, from film stars and musicians to Love Island contestants and the Royals. Meanwhile, names inspired by food — particularly breakfast choices, alcohol, and sweets — are perennial favourites. However, despite changing trends, head of the RSPCA inspectorate Dermot Murphy claimed that traditional names, such as Buster, still remain popular. “But regardless of name, each animal we take in deserves a loving home so if you could offer one, please get in touch with your local centre or visit www.rspca.org.uk/findapet,” he said. ● Struggling to name your new canine companion? Then head to Rover’s dog name generator at www.rover.com/blog/uk/dog-namegenerator/ for inspiration. You’ll find the most popular name for your pet’s breed and gender, along with a wild card suggestion.

K EE AC FR L P IA TR

in+ qu ial tra etr nu fre 01 of k/ og ck o.u rd pa t.c ou al ve : y tri tra ode pply EE .nu k c ns a FR w ac onditio ur ww l p & C yo ing tria Terms t e * aim isi re Cl y v se f b U

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NEW ON THE MARKET AND CATCHING THE EYE OF THE YOUR DOG TEAM…

… that this classic picture book, Osbert, has been rediscovered after 70 years and turned into a gorgeous new edition. From Noel Streatfeild, the award-winning author of ‘Ballet Shoes’ and one of the most popular authors of her day, this charming time capsule of a book has rarely been seen since its first publication in 1951. Featuring the original illustrations by artist Susanne Suba, this lost classic is full of warmth, humour, heart, and touching 1950s period details, and is perfect for those who love dogs and whimsical nostalgia. Find out if family dog Osbert receives a makeover in time to attend Aunt Cathy’s posh wedding. ● INSIDE INFO: Published by Scholastic UK, Osbert is available from all good book shops, priced at £9.99 in hardback. Visit www.shop.scholastic.co.uk/products/120107 … that Sleepeezee’s new luxurious dog bed collection is handmade, personalised in the UK, and washable at 60 degrees. Whatever their shape and size, your canine companion is guaranteed a good night’s sleep, whether he’s curled up in comfort in the basket style bed or lounging on the flat version. Each bed is made using a soft memory foam filling, providing cushioned support for your dog’s joints — ideal for canine pensioners or breeds like Whippets. The outer fabric features bamboo and charcoal materials that boast odour-neutralising and moisture-absorbing properties. And even better, for every bed sold, Sleepeezee will donate £4 plus VAT to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. ● INSIDE INFO: Available in three neutral colours: biscuit, blue, and pewter, the beds come with a two-year guarantee. Price: Flat beds start at £49.99, while basket beds range from £79.99 (small) to £109.99 (large). Visit www.sleepeezee. store/pets

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www.yourdog.co.uk

10training tips

NEW YEAR

Why not make 2020 the year you start looking at dog training in a more positive light? Carol Price can help with the following 10 tips and insights. ABOUT CAROL Carol Price is a leading canine behaviourist, trainer, and writer, and a world-recognised specialist in the Border Collie breed. She was recently appointed an official ambassador for The Border Collie Trust GB, the largest collie welfare/rehoming organisation in the UK.

have always loved training dogs, not least because of the ever stronger bond it allows you to build with your canine best friend, so it saddens me how many owners view the process more negatively. Training is something they feel obliged to do, rather than really want to do, or they don’t really understand how dog training ‘works’, or they get demoralised if they don’t get the results they want quickly enough. So, if any of this describes you, it’s time to take a different view.

Training builds the bond between you and your dog.

Your Dog February 2020

UNDERSTAND WHY YOU ARE TRAINING YOUR DOG

Every new year, people book their dogs or puppies into training classes, without really asking themselves: ‘Why am I doing this?’ or: ‘What difference will training make to my dog’s future behaviour?’ The best answers I can give you are that, first, training is the key to all communication with your dog, and his ability to better understand what you want him to do at any given time. Without it, you just find yourself shouting more and more in frustration at a progressively more stressed animal, and also get pretty stressed yourself. Second, you cannot keep a dog who is not trained safe, or stop him harassing or endangering others. Finally, well-trained dogs always have more freedom and live happier lives. So many dogs spend their whole lives on leads, simply because they are not trained.

Teach your dog to keep watching you.

“...you cannot keep a dog who is not trained safe...”

You cannot begin successfully training any dog until you understand how dogs learn, which is from the immediate consequences of their actions. So, if they do something and instantly get some reward from it, they will want to repeat the action. If they get a more negative response instead, they won’t. Often dogs only develop and ingrain ‘bad’ behaviours because they have been consistently allowed to derive some reward from these, even if this is just attention, or the release of some kind of inner tension or stress. The only way to change this is to keep making more desirable behaviours far more rewarding for your dog instead. Timing is also critical, in that a dog needs to be rewarded for a right behaviour within the second it occurred, if this lesson is to be reliably retained.

THE VALUE OF TEACHING FOCUS

How often do you see owners who cannot hold their dogs’ attention for more than a leeting second, before it vanishes again somewhere else? This is because people do not realise the need to teach their dogs to focus, and keep attention on them, is a separate and critical irst training exercise in itself. For if you can’t hold your dog’s attention whenever required, how can you ever teach him anything else?

To do this, start by asking him to sit and ‘Watch’ you in the least distracting environment, like at home. If he watches you for just a second, instantly reward him with a treat. Then build up to making him ‘watch’ you ever longer, up to ive, 10, or even 20 seconds before rewarding him. Also ask him to ‘watch’ you for up to 10 seconds before he gets anything rewarding from you, like a walk, toy, or his meal. The more rewarding you make ‘watching’ you for your dog, the ever better his concentration on you will get.

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UNDERSTAND HOW DOGS LEARN

THE VALUE OF ONE-TO-ONE

Group training sessions or classes certainly don’t suit all dogs, especially if they are more nervous, easily distracted, or generally get stressed out by the amount of noise and commotion going on around them. This is why one-to-one training for you and your dog can often bring far better results, providing both you and your dog feel totally in tune with the trainer concerned, and ind the whole experience highly positive and enjoyable. Dogs need the least amount of sensory distraction in order to learn new things. Then, only once they have learned these well, can you gradually increase the level of distraction going on around them, while still getting the same quality of response. One-to-one training can often bring better results.

www.yourdog.co.uk

Focus on priorities — such as loose lead walking or recall.

START WITH YOUR MOST IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES

Owners can often get overwhelmed by all the things they feel they need to teach their dog. But it is always best to focus first on priorities, in terms of what commands or exercises will best help you manage your dog’s behaviour, or make the greatest difference to your lives together — things like recall, or lead training, or just everyday good social manners.

‘DOWN’ AND ‘WAIT’ — THE BRAKES ON YOUR DOG

Apart from the all-important focus on command, one of the best things you can ever teach your dog to do is lie down and wait, or stay, until you tell him to move again. Because, if you think about it, these are the basic brakes on your dog, in that whatever he is doing that you do not want him to do, he has to stop it in order to lie down and wait. Similarly, this is an incredibly useful safety command, in situations where your dog might otherwise get into trouble — like near a busy road, or running towards cliffs, or when you do not want him to approach other less friendly or sociable dogs. Time after time this training has got my dogs out of tricky or potentially dangerous situations, and I recommend it to everyone. ‘Down and wait’ is a really useful exercise to teach.

When things go wrong, it is often down to our poor communication.

DO NOT COMPARE YOUR DOG TO OTHERS

It is very important to understand that not all dogs have the same level of ability when it comes to the speed of what they can learn and retain. The training of any dog must take this into account, and it is futile constantly comparing your dog to others on this front. Also, keep remembering that training is not something you do to a dog, but with him, always working as a team or partnership. So, you can only progress at the speed he is capable of going. Sometimes dogs may have other background worries or stresses, or even some source of pain, that is hindering their ability to concentrate or respond to what you are asking them to do. These must be identified and addressed if you want ever greater success in training. Most of the things that go wrong in training are to do with our inability to communicate to a dog what we’d like him to do, or not make this consistently rewarding enough for him.

Your Dog February 2020

“In all my years of working with dogs, the most valuable lesson I have learned is to not be afraid to fail.”

Rewards are important.

BE MORE PATIENT

In general, far more is achieved in training through patience and persistence, than any amount of shouting and jumping up and down. Understand that the latter is simply the way we express our own frustration at not being able to communicate better with our dogs. Dogs do not understand this, however, and instead just get increasingly stressed by the more hostile or pressurising way we behave towards them. It is also a sure-fire way to put dogs off the whole training process, due to the more negative associations they then make with it.

YES, REWARDS DO MATTER!

Frequently owners will tell me that they don’t think dogs should be given food or other rewards in training, and just respond to them instead out of ‘respect’, whereupon I ask them if they go to work every day out of respect for their boss, or because they get paid. Motivation is everything in training, and nothing makes dogs learn quicker or respond better than the prospect of getting something they really prize — be this food or their favourite toy. The brain of a dog, like that of a person, is hard-wired to want to repeat whatever rang the reward bell before. Often, I will see owners out with young dogs who are behaving so well, and no one is consistently rewarding them for this, in order to keep the good behaviour continuing. Instead they ignore it, then just give the dogs attention when they behave badly, which simply makes bad behaviour more rewarding for the dog.

Don’t lose your patience! Find out what your dog prizes as a reward — be it food or toys.

DO NOT BE AFRAID TO FAIL

In all my years of working with dogs and training them, the most valuable lesson I have learned is to not be afraid to fail. Sometimes certain exercises won’t initially go so well for a particular dog, because they need a different approach to it, or simply just more time. There is always so much more of value to learn from what goes wrong in training than what goes right, as it is the former that forces you to get far more imaginative in your approach to dogs, in order to solve their problems. Also, remember that no one has ever failed in dog training until they give up. So just never give up! May 2020 be the year that you and your dogs learn something really valuable and new. www.yourdog.co.uk

Working with rescue dogs can be very special.

The gift of

love Volunteering at a dog charity can be a life-changing experience, as Andrea McHugh reports.

Andrea and Martes.

Volunteers may go out fundraising.

“I couldn’t bear the thought of Martes going anywhere else...” I would deinitely foster again. I had been a single mum for many years and my daughter was growing up. She didn’t need me in the same way as she had in the past, so looking after lovely Martes and seeing her blossom in my care had illed a gap and made me feel useful again. I had begun to discover the magic of volunteering!

HELPING STRAY DOGS

Martes was a gentle, loving dog.

Since that time I have become more involved with Hound from the Pound. It was founded and is run by Marianne Jackson, who lives near Sleaford in Lincolnshire, and spends most of her time trying to help dogs who end up in the council pound. Thanks to Marianne’s eforts, no Lincolnshire stray dogs are put to sleep, as they all receive any veterinary care they need, are spayed, microchipped, and fostered, or placed with reputable rescue organisations that help Exercising the dogs can be one of the volunteer’s them to ind new lives in many duties. loving, forever homes. To date this small, not-for-proit organisation has helped 1,500 dogs, and is entirely dependent on volunteers to continue the work it does. “We work with dog wardens, vets, local authorities, and the police, and mostly help dogs who ind themselves in the pound, stepping in after the dogs have served their statutory seven days,” said Marianne.

Helping a dog to ind their forever home can be hugely rewarding.

“However, we do occasionally help other dogs, such as those from private homes whose owners can no longer care for them, or dogs at risk of being placed on selling sites where they are vulnerable to exploitation, with potentially dire consequences. “We’ve also helped fund life-saving veterinary treatments for stray dogs, so we rely heavily on fundraising activities and generous donations, as well as the volunteers who help with fostering, transporting, and running events for us. We are incredibly grateful for any help that people can give, even if it’s just joining our Facebook Group and sharing information so we can try and reunite lost dogs with their owners. “We are very careful about where the dogs go, carrying out comprehensive home checks for potential fosterers to ensure they have a secure home and garden, and the necessary experience to help dogs who are often very traumatised. However, it’s very rewarding to see how quickly many of these dogs come out of their shells, and settle into family life. “The assessment of a good fosterer can be vital in helping to ensure that dogs are placed in the right homes in the future.”

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ome dogs can instantly capture your soul, as I discovered in 2016 when I spotted a picture on a Lost and Found Facebook Group of a beautiful old girl who had callously been dumped in remote woodland. I took one look into her sad, brown eyes and knew I had to help her. I contacted Hound from the Pound, the small, local charity that was trying to help Martes, and ofered to foster her. After a home check, my ofer was accepted, and although Martes turned out to be 15 years old and totally deaf, she was the gentlest and loveliest dog I’ve ever been lucky enough to share my home with, settling in perfectly with my two resident dogs and providing a calming maternal presence that they seemed to enjoy. It’s true to say that my fostering experience only lasted about 30 minutes as I decided that I couldn’t bear the thought of Martes going anywhere else, so I quickly ofered to adopt her! Due to her age and various medical problems, Martes was only with me for eight months before she passed on, but in that time she gave so much love and enriched my life so much that I knew

www.yourdog.co.uk

Since fostering Martes, I have gone on to foster several dogs, and made lots of new friends. Some of the people who have taken on dogs that I have fostered have kept in touch, and it’s lovely to receive photographs and progress reports. Some of these dogs had never even experienced a proper walk before, so it’s a delight to see them enjoying a happy life, exploring and having adventures with their new owners. I have also collected dogs from the pound, and got involved with fundraising, and even created a Hound from the Pound Christmas tree at our local Christmas tree festival. Last year Hound from the Pound was lucky enough to be selected by Pets at Home Grantham as its chosen charity, which will be a great help, but it means that volunteers have to be in the Pets at Home store for set times throughout the year.

Be t of all world s s

Case study

VOLUNTEERING ON Sourcing tombola prizes, meeting and greeting customers, and explaining what A BIGGER SCALE Hound from the Pound does are just some It’s not only small, local charities that of the activities I’ve been involved in. need help from volunteers. Dogs Oh, and I did manage to acquire another Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare failed foster too — adopting my charity and cares for over 15,000 dogs lovely young Border Collie Sango, each year through a network of who often accompanies me to 20 UK rehoming centres. fundraising events. There are currently DID YOU If your life circumstances 3,500 volunteers KNOW? have changed and you helping at centres The work of Dogs Trust have a few hours to spare, all over the UK, and volunteers is continually then I would highly their work is vital. added up, enabling them recommend contacting All volunteers must to work towards a merit your local dog charity and be over the age of 18, award of 100, 200, 500, ofering your help. but full training 1,000, 3,000, and 5,000 is provided. hours! There are a variety of MORE INFO For more information on Hound from volunteer roles to choose the Pound, visit from within Dogs Trust; the www.houndfromthepound.co.uk main ones are canine assistants, who work behind the scenes in kennels. Volunteers are also trained to help with home visits, so they can go out and assess potential new homes for dogs. In addition there are reception staﬀ roles, events team opportunities, and tearoom volunteers, as well as a chance to work in one of 41 Dogs Trust charity shops that are based around the country. Dogs Trust relies on volunteers for its Home from Home scheme, where families foster dogs who cannot be in kennels. These may include dogs who need extra medical attention, particularly stressed dogs, very young puppies, and pregnant mums. It’s not all work though, as each year, to thank everyone for their time and eﬀort, all of the volunteers are invited to two parties!

inda and David Wells, from Widnes, in Lancashire, began volunteering at Dogs Trust Merseyside rehoming centre 11 years ago, when work commitments prevented them from having their own dog. Linda recently retired from her job as a personal assistant, but instead of taking things easy she now helps out at the centre at Volunteer Linda Wells. least ﬁve days at week! “I absolutely love volunteering so it made perfect sense to “All dogs deserve a great start in life. me that once I’d retired I’d spend as much To help puppies get used to as much time as possible here with the gorgeous as possible before they meet their new dogs!” said Linda. families is really important as they will “It is such a great thing to do that then settle in much better and become I don’t see it as me giving my time, I just happy adult dogs,” she said. “It’s really see it as a wonderful opportunity to spend rewarding and wonderful seeing them, time with dogs who deserve the best and all of the dogs, leave with their of everything while they wait for their excited new families. forever homes.” “David and I deﬁnitely want to give Linda has clocked up more than 5,600 a dog a forever home when he retires, hours of volunteering — over 230 days but that won’t stop us volunteering. — and does everything from dog walking We will both still come to the centre to home checks, as well as working on throughout the week to help out, but the puppy block, which is one of her we’ll have our own dog too. That will be favourite jobs. the best of all worlds!”

Your Dog February 2020

GREAT EXPECTATIONS Dogs Trust expects its volunteers to go through an interview process to help match them to their perfect role, using personal skills and experience along with full on-the-job training. Volunteers in each centre are provided with a rota to come into the centre for a day or two each week, but some do many more days than is expected of them. The best volunteers are enthusiastic, hard-working, and happy to help in any area. ● For more information, visit www. dogstrust.org.uk and check out the ‘Get involved’ section.

Be prepared for the unexpected What seemed like a yummy treat to him could actually be something far more dangerous. So what should you do next? As a member of Dogs Trust, you’ll be able to call Vetfone™ any time of the day or night. Their qualified vet nurses can give you instant advice, saving you a sleepless night, an expensive trip to the vets – or maybe even your dog’s life.

Join Dogs Trust for £25 a year and enjoy: • Peace of mind, with unlimited free access to Vetfone™ – a 24-hour emergency advice service. • Wag! Magazine, filled with all our doggy news. • FREE third-party insurance of up to £1 million per incident, if your dog causes damage or injury to another person, their property or pets.

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I t ’s a vet ’s life!

ABOUT VICKY Holistic vet Vicky Payne BVetMed MRCVS is based in East Sussex, and qualiied from the Royal Veterinary College in 2001. She uses a range of complementary therapies alongside conventional medicine and surgery.

EASING the pain of arthritis

There are ways to manage the condition, both in the surgery and at home, as Vicky Payne explains.

rthritic dogs make up a large part of my caseload, and that isn’t surprising. VetCompass data from 2018 suggested that 200,000 dogs are afected by osteoarthritis every year. The true igures may be even higher as many owners miss the signs that their dog is in pain, or dismiss the symptoms as ‘just getting old’. Some owners are worried about the cost of their pet starting treatment for arthritis, or the possible side efects of medication, but there are many options out there to help your older dog live a comfortable life, and something to suit every budget. One of my own dogs, Rebus, is a very active 12-year-old English Springer Spaniel who recently started to show some stifness in his back after longer walks, and some swelling in the joints in his front feet. All my dogs take a joint supplement from an early age to try to protect their joints from the rigours of gundog training, agility competitions, running, and swimming at the beach! The joint supplement contains a blend of chondroitin, glucosamine, omega 3, curcumin, vitamin C, and MSM, and costs about 25p a day. The scientiic evidence for joint supplements is poor, except for green lipped mussel extracts, but many clients feel that their dogs are more comfortable when taking them. The quality of these supplements is variable, so I recommend asking your vet for advice.

Your Dog February 2020

Rebus about to have his laser treatment.

Recently, I took the decision to start Rebus on some painkilling medication and decided to use a recent addition to our pharmacy: grapriprant. This drug targets one receptor (called EP4), which is the primary mediator of pain and inlammation in canine osteoarthritis. Because it is so targeted, it has less impact on the liver, kidneys, and digestion than older drugs. It comes in a tasty

tablet, which Rebus has each day an hour before his breakfast. As a new drug, it is more expensive than some of the other options, but I can treat 18kg Rebus for around £1 a day. Rebus is also having therapeutic laser therapy for his feet. The laser reduces inlammation and promotes healing, and after three treatments I think the swellings on Rebus’s feet are smaller. Rebus isn’t my only laser patient. I am always happy to see the very big Great Dane, Hugo, when he comes for treatment. Hugo has acupuncture to help with his hips and back as well as laser treatment for his elbows. Many of my patients have acupuncture and it has been shown to help increase circulation, promote healing, release endorphins, and aid perception of chronic pain. Hugo now has a combined laser and acupuncture session every six to eight weeks, and his owner says he has returned to being a playful and happy dog. The cost of the combined treatment is about £70.

ARTHRITIS DRUGS Later, I sat down to dispense repeat prescriptions. Unsurprisingly, a lot were for arthritis drugs. Despite new products like grapriprant becoming available, most of my patients are on meloxicam. This is one of the older, non-steroidal anti-inlammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which inhibits both COX 1 and COX 2 enzymes. While both can produce prostaglandins that cause pain and inlammation, COX 1 also produces prostaglandins that promote clotting and protect the stomach lining. This means that the older NSAIDs carry a risk of causing stomach upsets, as well as kidney and liver damage when used long term. For this reason, we recommend blood tests before starting them, and every 6 – 12 months thereafter. Meloxicam remains popular because it comes in a liquid formulation and is inexpensive, as little as 15p a day for

February 2020

a medium-sized dog. One prescription I dispense is for a collie with a sensitive stomach, who gets on better with the COX 1-sparing robenacoxib (around 60p a day). Despite concerns over drug side efects, I see few severe reactions, even in dogs who need painkillers for a long time. When one medication doesn’t suit, there is usually an option that is better tolerated. For more severe pain, we may add in tramadol or gabapentin, but the efect of these medications is not as predictable, and Ensure your dog has sometimes they require dosing three a comfy bed that he can get in and out of easily. times a day, which can be diicult for owners. Many ways in which you can help your arthritic dog may have no cost at all. Weight loss is probably the most important thing that you can do, and a veterinary nurse will be happy to advise on how to control weight safely, through altering the amount fed and adapting exercise levels. You might also want to use a rug to keep your dog warm and dry on cold, wet days, and make sure he has a bed that he can get into and out of easily. Adaptations at home can help arthritic dogs too. Another elderly spaniel, Dudley, was slipping over when trying to eat his food, but by putting a towel on the loor for him to stand on, and raising his bowl a few inches of the ground, he can now eat in more comfort. I often recommend rugs over laminate or tiled loors to help older dogs move around, but a client recently showed me samples of the new, non-slip wood-efect looring they were getting for their home, all to make their dogs’ lives easier! Acupuncture can help many dogs with arthritis.

www.yourdog.co.uk

DOG-FRIENDLY PUB AWARDS

WINNER THE FOX

Two- and four-legged customers at the Fox & Hounds.

& HOUNDS

PAWS

welcome!

Jayne with Nerys.

The Fox & Hounds pub, in Theale, Berkshire, has beaten off stiff competition to claim the title of the most Dog-friendly Pub in the UK, for a triumphant second time. Elizabeth Perry asked landlady Jayne Tilsley what makes her pub stand out from the rest? knew immediately the pub had to be dog friendly. “There were so many places where I couldn’t take my dog so I wanted to provide somewhere for dog lovers to go,” explained Jayne. None of it would be possible without Miles, who is resident chef. “He’s the backbone of the pub who keeps it all together,” Jayne admitted. “And he keeps me irmly grounded; he’s my inspiration.” The team of 20 at the pub are all conirmed dog lovers. In fact, Jayne laughed as she revealed that the irst question she asked prospective employees was: ‘Do you like dogs?’ The Fox & Hounds. The pub is home to resident woofers seven-year-old Jack

ayne Tilsley has poured her heart and soul into making her pub everything a dog lover could wish for. And with 40 years’ experience in the industry, she knows exactly what’s needed. “I grew up in my parents’ pub,” she recalled. “When I left school, I had no intention of following in their footsteps. I knew how hard it was. But my parents said I was destined to run a pub.” And they were proved right! Nine years ago, Jayne and her partner, Miles Teece, took on their irst pub, moving to the Fox & Hounds four years ago. She

DID YOU KNOW? The Fox & Hounds was previously awarded the most dog-friendly pub title in 2017.

WHAT ARE THE DOG-FRIENDLY PUB AWARDS?

by the response. “It’s been crazy. This time it’s really taken of, and my feet haven’t touched the ground.” The pub’s fame has spread far and wide, and Jayne has been inundated with interviews both on the radio and TV, including appearing on ITV’s ‘This Morning’ programme. Jayne wants to use the award to promote dog-friendly pubs. “We are losing so many pubs,” she explained. “It breaks my heart that you go somewhere and it’s an eatery and not a pub. So this competition is not about winning; it’s about people who want to go to a pub where they can take a dog. Dog owners don’t have the choice that non-dog owners do. I want to make a stand that it’s OK to be dog friendly and you can still run a successful business. I really want to keep the old-fashioned pub alive.”

TAKING THE LEAD Clearly, Jayne’s determination to promote the dog-friendly pub is already having an efect, as she explained: “Interestingly, since we’ve been promoting being dog friendly, all the pubs around us have followed suit.” Rover.com marketing director Simon Le Grice commented: “The superb service demonstrated at the Fox & Hounds shows real consideration for dog welfare and happiness, which we at Rover value above all. “The whole Rover pack is proud to congratulate Jayne and her team on winning the national UK Dog-friendly Pub Award and we hope that the awards will inspire dog owners countrywide to discover and support their local pubs.” Jayne is not one to rest on her laurels and is already planning how to make the Fox & Hounds even more dog friendly. Her latest idea is to hold a Valentine’s Day singles night, ofering people with pooches the chance to meet like-minded partners. “We have single people who come in with their dogs, and it really is a great way of meeting new people,” she explained excitedly. With Jayne’s endless enthusiasm and innovative ideas, regulars at the Fox & Hounds can look forward to plenty of new dog-friendly events throughout 2020. ● To ind out more, visit www.foxand houndstheale.co.uk

DID YOU KNOW? Competition was ierce this year with over 2,500 pubs entering the awards and 17,000 votes being cast.

THE KEEL ROW, WHITLEY BAY, TYNE AND WEAR (NORTH EAST WINNER)

THE OAK AT BAGINTON, WARWICKSHIRE (WEST MIDLANDS WINNER)

● www.thekeelrow.com “We are very proud to have won this again (this is the third time The Keel Row has been regional winner for the North East) for our community and their dogs,” said landlady Sharon Herron. This year the pub ofered a free, professional photoshoot for dogs. Local dog charities also beneit from the pub’s dog food bank, which collects dog food, toys, and blankets.

● www.thebagintonoak.co.uk Gayle Goodwin at The Oak is thrilled. “We pride ourselves on being one of the most welcoming pubs for guests with four-legged friends,” she said. The pub ofers pet-friendly accommodation with a dog welcome pack. In the pub are comfy beds, water bowls, and treats on the bar, plus half an acre of garden for dogs to run around in.

THE LION AT BASFORD, NOTTINGHAM (EAST MIDLANDS WINNER) ● www.thelionatbasford.co.uk “We have worked really hard for this,” manager Rosamund Powditch said. “And so, to have all our eforts recognised is amazing.” The pub ofers a doggy menu, free treats, poo bags, and a selection of beds for dogs of all sizes, plus a well-stocked toy box. Dog day events include a photoshoot and agility courses.

THE DOG AT GRUNDISBURGH, SUFFOLK (EAST OF ENGLAND WINNER) ● www.grundisburghdog.co.uk Dog lovers Eilir and Charles Rogers are “super-excited and grateful to everyone who voted for us!” Along with a doggy menu, treats, and water bowls, there is a toy box and blankets, and, in the summer, a paddling pool. The pub also hosts bespoke doggy parties, and photos of dogs go on the ‘Dog Wall of Fame’.

▼

“Dog owners don’t have the choice that non-dog owners do.”

Run by Rover.com, the world’s largest network of pet-sitters and dog walkers, the Dog-friendly Pub Awards celebrate pubs with dog-friendly initiatives, and aim to encourage others across the country to welcome four legs as well as two. The overall winner was chosen from a regional shortlist of 12 inalists by a panel of judges from Rover, the RSPCA, ‘The Morning Advertiser’, Your Dog Magazine, and ‘The Guardian’.

www.yourdog.co.uk

THE STABLES, KIRKINTILLOCH, EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE (SCOTLAND WINNER) THE MALTINGS, WARRINGTON, CHESHIRE (NORTH WEST WINNER) ● www.facebook.com/maltingswarrington This is the second time The Maltings has won the regional award. “It’s about allowing people to bring their dogs knowing they are as welcome as their humans,” explained Andrew Moriarty. The pub ofers treats, water, and towels, plus freshly-made dogs’ dinners and beer, and regular doggy events, including a ‘Dog of the Week’ competition.

T THE SHIP INN, TEIGNMOUTH, T DEVON D ((SOUTH WEST WINNER) W ● www.theshipinn tteignmouth.co.uk Ellie C Cameron credits Elli dit the customers for their support. “Being dog friendly means that our four-legged customers get just as good (if not sometimes better) treatment as our two-legged ones,” she said. The pub ofers a doggy corner, complete with towels, to dry of after a swim in the sea, plus balls, toys, and dog leads.

THE CALDER VALE HOTEL, WAKEFIELD, WEST YORKSHIRE (YORKSHIRE WINNER) ● www.facebook.com/ludditebrewing Ian Sizer is thrilled that the pub he opened with two friends is Yorkshire’s most dog-friendly pub. He said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate with our super-supportive customers and dogs. A new batch of our Luddite Brewing Co malt dog g treats is in the oven!”

WAGS N TALES, SURBITON (LONDON WINNER)

THE SUN THE SUN TREVOR, TREV TR EVOR OR LLANGOLLEN, CLWYD (WALES WINNER)

● www.wagsntales.com “We were thrilled when we heard we had won,” said owner Raj Tank. The pub ofers home-made treats, including pupcakes and puppacinno. Tables are well spaced to allow room for dogs to lie down, plus there are hooks to tether leads. Plans for the future include dog networking groups and special dog afternoon teas.

● www.suntrevor.co.uk Paul Jones at the The Sun Trevor said: “We are extremely proud to have this honour, voted for by our friends, customers, and their four-legged families. Being able to take your pet to the pub is important; your dog is family.” Dogs are welcomed with treats, bowls of water, and beds for weary paws.

Your Dog February 2020

● www.vintageinn.co.uk/restaurants/ scotland-northern-ireland/ thestableskirkintilloch “We love to have our four-legged guests in, and ofer a wide range of amenities for them,” enthused Stuart Brand. “It’s really great to hear that our guests love it as much as we do.” The Stables ofers treats, water bowls, blankets, a canine menu, and a doggy beer! Outside there is a doggy station to clean muddy paws.

SUNFLOWER PUBLIC HOUSE, BELFAST (NORTHERN IRELAND WINNER) ● www.sunlowerbelfast.com “I am absolutely delighted and I think all our four-legged customers will be over the moon too,” said manager Robert McManus. “It’s safe to say we have a very dog-loving culture within the pub.” The pub ofers water bowls and treats to visiting dogs, as well as holding special dog-related events including a very relaxed dog show.

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PAMPER YOUR PET! Selina.

Inside The Dog House.

Your Dog February 2020

Anna.

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❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ 1 WALK THIS WAY… Begin by taking your dog to his favourite spot to enjoy a lovely walk. Whether it’s an enclosed exercise ield or a splash through the puddles, Valentine’s Day ‘zoomies’ are perfect for letting of steam before a pamper at home, as they will help to relax and tire your dog so he can enjoy the experience. If of-lead ‘zoomies’ aren’t

possible for those tykes who like to leg it, or you have an older dog who likes to mooch around, then try having some fun with scent games, by scattering treats in the long grass and encouraging your dog to use his nose to ind them. Scent work is just as tiring as a long walk!

“There are many g shampoos sham amazing market ” on the market...

A rubb rubber ber mitt mitt.

It’s bathtime. A pin brush.

If a home bath is too diicult, book your dog into the groomer’s.

2 A BUBBLY BATH If your dog enjoys a pamper, then a home bath is perfect for Valentine’s Day, although you can hold of on the rose petals! Home baths really are very easy, especially if you have a small, short-haired dog. Begin by popping an old towel or anti-slip mat into the bottom of your bath to protect your dog from slipping. There are many amazing shampoos on the market, so make sure you select carefully, choosing a more natural option and diluting the shampoo as per the manufacturer’s instructions. If you fancy a Valentine’s Day touch of rose scent in your shampoo, then take a look at the Hownd ‘Got an Itch?’ conditioning shampoo, which smells amazing, as it is scented with rose and bergamot. However, if a bath is too much for your dog or he’s not the greatest fan, check out the huge range of body mists and doggy colognes available on the market. One of our favourites at The Dog House is Paw Naturel’s Paw de Parfums range, and we think there is a scent to match everyone’s taste. For the ultimate Valentine’s treat, why not book your dog in with your groomer for a bath and brush out, and even add a pawdicure or facial?

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It’s important im that you use the correct tools for your dog’s coat type. We’re seeing more and more mixed-breed dogs coming through the door of the salon, and it’s crucial to keep their coats in good condition by brushing them at home. To do this properly you will need the right tools for the job, which could be a nice Valentine’s gift idea! Here are our tips for the right tools for diferent coats. ● For a dense, curlier coat it’s worth investing in a good, lexible slicker brush to that you can get down to the root of the hair. Remember that you do have to be gentle with a slicker and make sure you use it correctly or they can cause slicker burn. Your groomer

▼

3 TOOLS OF T THE TRADE

Give your dog the chance to let of steam before his pampering session.

www.yourdog.co.uk

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ can show you how to do this. ● If your dog is shedding his coat and dropping his special ‘dog glitter’ all around your home, then a good undercoat rake is a must. A slicker brush can also be used to remove undercoat. ● For silky, lowing coats a pin brush will do the job perfectly, as round-headed pins minimise hair breakage. ● We highly recommend using a Greyhound comb to help get

through any tangles. The teeth of Greyhound combs have a combined spacing so you can alternate between a wide and a ine-toothed comb as you work through the coat. ● A rubber brush or mitt is great for deceptively short coats that shed an enormous amount of hair. They are also great to use in the bath to help get shampoo into the coat and grime out.

Remember to brush right down to the roots of the hair.

6 WHERE TO START? 4 BRUSH UP ON YOUR SKILLS Brushing isn’t as simple as it sounds! It’s best to work methodically so you know where you’ve been, plus by consistently brushing your dog in the same way, he’ll get to know what to expect. Be patient; professional groomers have years of experience, working on several dogs a day, so be easy on yourself and it’ll come in no time. You don’t have to brush your dog from top to tail in one sitting either; little and often is better all round. To help you avoid brush burn, try testing the pressure on your own skin irst. Put the lat face of the brush onto your forearm, and using the handle as an arrow, draw the brush down your arm. You should notice that it doesn’t hurt. Next, try brushing while only using the tip of the brush. You will notice that it digs in, which you need to avoid to prevent brush burn.

5 GETTING SETTLED Help your dog to enjoy his Valentine’s grooming experience by giving him a stufed Kong or Lickimat, which can be illed will tasty dog-friendly foods. If you pop them in the freezer they’ll last even

longer. This is relaxing and provides great enrichment for your dog while you’re giving him a brush. For the ultimate Valentine’s pamper, why not ind a relaxing doggy music playlist for him to zone out to? Enhance your dog’s experience by giving him a Kong.

When grooming your dog it’s best to start at the feet and work your way up. However, some dogs object to having their feet brushed, so this is something you may have to work at. Brush your dog’s coat in sections; begin by gently holding the paw in one hand and use the other to brush in a downwards direction, taking up a little more hair with each stroke. Take care to move all the way around the foot and leg, and don’t forget the insides. Before moving onto the next section, ensure the brush glides easily through the coat, from root to tip. If you come across a knot, gently prise it apart and then move onto the next area. There are some great detangling sprays on the market that can help to keep your dog’s coat in tip-top condition in between grooms.

Top tip When grooming, remember that it’s really important to get to the root of your dog’s hair. We often see dogs who look perfectly well brushed, but are matted underneath. Always keep in mind that your brush needs to get from the root to the tip of your dog’s hair.

“Brushing isn’t as simple as it sounds! It’s best to work methodically...” 28

Your Dog February 2020

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Keep your dog on a lead around frozen water.

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Beautiful though a glittering winter landscape may be, it can pose a risk to your dog, warns Karen Bush.

anuary and February are notorious for marking winter’s last stand, a inal lurry of snow and icy conditions before the irst green shoots of spring. So, it really makes sense to make sure that you and your dog are prepared — just in case the worst happens and we face a really chilly spell. Some dogs feel the cold more than others, including short and single-coated pets, lean, small, young, and senior dogs, and those with health issues. Even healthy dogs with thick fur may not be immune to its efects if they get soaked through, causing coats to lose their insulating properties.

Your Dog February 2020

FEELING THE COLD Most pet dogs spend a lot of time inside and are unused to extreme cold. Keep a close eye on yours and bring him in if he shows any of the following signs: ● Trembling. ● Shivering. ● Holding tail close to body. ● Cold ears, especially around the edges. ● Body feels cold. ● Whining. ● Lifting up paws. ● Stopping on walks, trying to ind shelter from cold winds. ● Agitated or anxious. ● Lethargic and clumsy.

HYPOTHERMIA AND FROSTBITE Dogs can become hypothermic, even when temperatures aren’t freezing. Signs include shivering, whining, and anxiousness, followed by disorientation, lethargy, loss of co-ordination and the ability to shiver, slow and shallow breathing, a drop in pulse rate, and low body temperature. If your dog becomes hypothermic, wrap him in warm blankets, place a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel against his tummy, and give warm luids to drink. Take his temperature every 10 minutes. If it’s below 36.7 degrees C, his muscles seem stif, he is barely moving, losing consciousness, or having

breathing diiculties, seek immediate veterinary help. Once above 37.8 degrees C, remove the hot water bottle, but keep him in a warm room. Have him checked over by the vet even if he appears fully recovered. Frostbite can also occur when out in icy winds, snow, or low temperatures, afecting the extremities — tips of the ears and tails, toes, and nipples. Some breeds, such as Greyhounds and Whippets, can even get chilblains on their ears. Prevention is the best policy: take shorter walks and invest in some winter clothing.

DID YOU KNOW? Apart from making him uncomfortable, snow stuck in your dog’s fur can hide antifreeze or salt, so make sure you remove it once you get home.

It’s easy to get lost in wintery conditions.

SUITED… A coat will help keep your dog warm while out; look for one deep enough to ofer protection to thinly furred tums. Some designs have chest and tummy laps, or you can buy doggy jumpers, or even leece-lined, full-body suits. A coat with a turtle or polo neck collar can add to cosiness: some can be rolled forward to cover the ears; alternatively, buy a doggy snood, which can be added separately. Pick fabrics that will keep your dog dry as well as warm and be easy to care for. If ordering from the internet or a catalogue, carefully follow the guidelines when measuring up, and check on returns policy if it doesn’t it. ● Have several changes of clothing so some can be in the wash, some som drying, and some ready for wear. A dog coat may come in useful.

…AND BOOTED Nothing wimpy about boots! As well as preventing sore feet and cuts from running on icy surfaces, they protect your dog’s paws against grit, salt, and other chemicals used in freezing conditions. You may need to try a few diferent ones to ind a set that does the job and stays on securely. Your dog may not take to them right away; be patient and introduce them before you really need them. Boots can be added to the outit to prevent paw injuries.

“Your dog may not take to them right away; be patient...” SLIPS AND SLIDES Slipping on ice can lead to strains and sprains for both you and your dog. Icy patches aren’t always easy to spot; walk slowly, encouraging your dog to do the same on a loose lead so you don’t interfere with each other’s balance. Pavement kerbs may not be obvious when covered with a thick layer of snow, so take care not to step of the edge. In wintery weather, many people fall over on their own footpaths and driveways, so exercise a bit of extra caution in these places. Teach your dog a ‘Wait’ command, and to move slowly through doorways when you are taking him out for a walk, so he doesn’t pull you of your feet on any ice outside.

Karen’s dog Angel, in her super-snug, thermal-lined snow suit last winter. A few days later, it snowed, and snowed, and snowed…

Foot care is important all year round, but when it’s icy or snowy, extra maintenance may be called for! ● Trim excess hair between toes and pads to help prevent painful ice-balls from forming. ● Originally developed for sled dogs, Musher’s Secret is a breathable, non-toxic barrier wax, which helps protect paws from ice and snow. Spread between the pads, it helps prevent ‘snowballing’. ● Wash your dog’s paws after walking on gritted or salted pavements. ● Check for cuts and grazes, as ice can be very sharp when frozen into ridges. ● If you spot discoloration, deep cracks, issures, or inlammatory lesions on the paw pads, take your dog to the vet for a check up. www.yourdog.co.uk

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FOOT CARE

“Romping around in the snow can be thirsty work...”

Have fun!

Enjoying the snow.

WINTER TIPS ● Clear a path to a toilet area in the garden when snow falls thickly. ● If putting out food for garden birds when ice and snow make foraging diicult for them, make sure your dog can’t access it — illing up on seed and tasty nuggets of suet isn’t good for him. ● Romping around in the snow can be thirsty work; take water along to ofer your dog so he doesn’t try to eat snow instead. It’s very poor at quenching thirst, may contain harmful chemicals, and will lower his core temperature. ● Make walks shorter in snowy weather, not just because of the cold but because running around in snow can be more tiring. ● If snow starts falling heavily while you are out, recall your dog, put him on the lead and head for home. Snow can be as disorientating for him as it is for you: it’s easy to get turned around even on familiar walks, and tracks can be quickly covered. ● Be prepared! Sometimes not a lot of snow is needed to get cut of. Keep enough food stocked up (especially if it is a specialist diet) and also suicient supplies of any medications your dog needs. ● Avoid walking in areas where there are

sledgers if your dog is likely to become excited and chase them. It will also ensure no one collides with him. ● Tempting though it may be to let your dog run across that lovely pristine stretch of snow, it may conceal ditches and other hazards, so check it out irst. ● Keep your dog on-lead near frozen bodies of water so he cannot run of onto them. Apart from the risk of injury slipping on the surface, there’s no way of knowing whether the ice will hold his weight.

Fun t hing s to do in t he snow

● Throw snowballs to chase. ● If there is a deep enough fall, make a snow maze. ● Hide a toy in the snow for your dog to search out — don’t bury it too deep to start with!

Watch out for snowballs!

NOT GOING OUT If you can’t get out for your usual walks, there are plenty of ways you can provide mental stimulation and a little gentle exercise indoors. Try: ● Doing some training. ● Teaching some tricks. ● Having a game of tug. ● Playing hide-and-seek.

Your Dog February 2020

● Providing brainteaser puzzles. ● Stuing a Kong. ● Having an indoor treasure hunt. ● Making a ball pool with treats or toys to ind in it. ● Learning a new skill your dog will appreciate, such as Tellington TTouches or massage.

GET IN TOUCH ...

LETTERS

Email your letters to sarah.wright@warnersg roup.co.uk Alternatively, write to: Sarah Wright, Letters, Your Dog Magazine, Wa Y rners Group Publication s, The Maltings, West Str eet, Bourne, Lincolnsh ire PE10 9PH. Please includ e your full name, home address, and daytime telephone number wit h your correspondence y otherwise, regretfully, any prizes cannot be forwa rded. The editor reserv es the right to abridge an d edit letters submitte d. You can also pass your comments and views to Sarah through Twitter (@yourdog) or Faceboo k (www.facebook.com/yo urdogmagazine). )

Off-lead success M

Max.

y dog, Stanley, recently turned two years old, and we have been introducing him to of-lead walking. When we began teaching him, we irstly had to work on his recall with tempting treats, which proved to be diicult as he can become very anxious on walks, and the last thing he wants to do is eat. However, once we started walking him in the ield close to ourr home, we noticed a huge improvement in his conidence, and he e even came back to us when he was called to get a treat. A few weeks of using this technique went by, and we felt conident that he was ready to be walked of-lead. The day came, e, and the lead came of! He absolutely loved it and returned to Stanley. us each time he was called. It showed us that with patience and dedication, Stanley was able to learn something new. It has now been several months since Stanley started walking of-lead and he seems like a new dog. His increased conidence is amazing, and he seems to enjoy his walks much more!

BRIEFLY... BRIEFLY My beautiful boy Max was a rescue and he entered our lives one Valentine’s Day. From being a scared little pup of 16 weeks, he transformed into a loving and giving boy. He adores cuddles and will give kisses when asked. He protects his best doggy friend (who is very nervous) from other dogs, by using his body to delect their attention. There isn’t enough space to tell you how amazing he is!

Karen Hanthorpe, Lincolnshire.

Tracey Wellard, on Facebook.

passage I wrote (plus a picture of Errol) when I was asked what are the best moments of being a dog owner: It’s 6am, I’m not even sure the birds are awake and tweeting yet. Errol is awake though, ready to attack the day. He leaps on to the bed, waking me and my girlfriend — the day has started. “It’s your turn,” she says, rolling over. Grumbling to myself, I roll out of bed as Errol eagerly waits for me to get dressed — he has an agenda! We make our way downstairs, one of us is moving quicker than the other. I make a pitstop at the kettle before letting him out into the garden. Like clockwork, Errol snifs his way round the garden, inspecting his territory.

Alex Robinson, via email. The hairy alarm clock!

DOGS’ INTUITION Reading the feature ‘Small Wonder’ in the Me and my dog October issue was a reminder that dogs never cease to amaze us. Lily-Rose deservedly won a Blue Cross award for being a self-taught assistance dog and saving the lives of both her owners. Now, it is not unheard of for dogs to be lifesavers, to be the most incredible assistance dogs for their owners, and to complete marvellous feats of agility and skill. The thing that strikes me most though, is dogs’ natural intuition about what humans need. Wanting to protect and help owners comes naturally — even though we are not the same species — and is why they make the best companions.

Small wonder! A delighted Jenny with life-saving Lily Rose.

A self-taught assistance dog, who saved both her owners’ lives in separate incidents, has received a prestigious medal for her many talents. Joanne Bednall reports.

Offering a helping paw…

ittle Lily-Rose is no average assistance dog. For a start, she’s a rescue, who passed through three homes in four months, and instead of being a typical spaniel, retriever, German Shepherd, or Labrador, she’s a cross-bred Papillon. But what Lily-Rose lacks in size and traditional service dog breeding, she more than makes up for in heart, intelligence, skill, devotion, and patience. From inauspicious beginnings — it’s thought she was born in a puppy farm — Lily-Rose has blossomed into the constant companion and saviour of 57-year-old Christina Deakin, who suffers from a heart condition and degenerative arthritis affecting her hips, knees, hands, and neck. In fact, it was on doctor’s advice that dog lovers Christina and her daughter, Jenny, started searching for a canine companion eight years ago. “We’d been told that walking a dog would help get Mum out and about and benefit her arthritis,” explained 33-year-old Jenny, who lives with Christina in Brentford, Greater London. After scanning adverts for some time, dog groomer Jenny spotted Lily-Rose online. By the time she and Christina viewed the then four-month-old puppy at a flat in Earls Court in April 2011, Jenny’s mind was made up. “As soon as Mum saw Lily’s little face

Dropped items are easily returned to Lily’s owner.

peering out from behind the man’s legs, she knew she was coming home with us,” continued Jenny, who soon overcame the young dog’s initial food aggression and lack of house training. “Despite her unsettled start in life, Lily just wanted a cuddle, and we could tell she was a quick learner.” But it wasn’t until Christina dropped a tea towel, and Lily dashed in before Jenny to pick it up, that the now eight-year-old dog’s talent as a canine home help first surfaced. “She wouldn’t let me take the tea towel off her; only Mum,” recalled Jenny, who thinks Lily had been studying her caring for her mother for a while. “Soon, she was picking up all manner of items that my mum had dropped, as if she knew it was her job. She picks up Mum’s phone, keys, TV remote, slippers, walking stick, coins — which are really tricky — and boxes of tablets, although she’s learned not to pick up individual pills.” The Deakins have since built on Lily’s skills and taught her to lend a paw with essential household chores, such as loading and unloading the washing machine, along with everyday tasks like taking off Christina’s socks, fetching her handbag, and opening and closing doors. “When Lily came to join our family, we had no idea what a difference she would make to our lives,” continued Jenny. “At first, we didn’t think that what she was doing would become a thing, but now she makes Mum’s life so much easier. “As well as caring for her when I am not there, Lily gives Mum companionship and independence; she’d be lost without her. “And she also provides me with peace of mind because I know I can go to work and not have to worry about anything Mum has dropped becoming a trip hazard.” But it was an incident three or four years ago that elevated Lily from

Canine carer Lily offers help around the home.

“Lily is everything we could have dreamed of and more.” life-changer to lifesaver. “One evening, Mum had gone to bed and I was sitting on the sofa with a cup of tea and biscuit,” recalled Jenny. “I bit into the biscuit, but a piece lodged in my throat, making me choke. I couldn’t breathe and started to panic. All I knew was that I had to get to the phone. The next thing I remember is coming to on the floor and seeing Lily looking agitated on the sofa. I couldn’t get up and thought: ‘This is it.’ Then, all of a sudden, Lily launched herself oﬀ the sofa, landing on my chest with such force that I coughed violently and dislodged the biscuit. I felt very sick and weak, but managed to stagger to the bathroom, where I saw my reflection in the mirror. My face was grey, my lips were blue, and I was shaking uncontrollably, but I gave Lily the biggest of cuddles.” Then, as if to prove her lifesaving skills were no fluke, Lily sprang into action again last summer, this time coming to Christina’s aid. Mum and daughter had both gone to bed, but having recently been diagnosed with angina and feeling a tightness in her chest, Christina got up in the night. She

collapsed, and started calling out, but heavy sleeper Jenny didn’t hear her cries for help. “I woke up with Lily barking and pawing me, and it was then that I heard Mum shouting,” explained Jenny, who rushed to the bedroom to find her mother on the floor complaining of chest pains. “Mum was due at the hospital the following morning for an angiogram and it was then that they told us she had suffered a heart attack. She had to stay in hospital and undergo an angioplasty, but if it hadn’t been for Lily, I would never have found Mum in distress.” Jenny felt so indebted to Lily that she nominated her for the prestigious Blue Cross Medal, an annual award that celebrates the amazing achievements and life-changing actions of the UK’s pets. “I didn’t have any expectations when I filled in the online form in February,” said Jenny, who was amazed to receive an email a month later telling her that Lily had been shortlisted. “I know Blue Cross has a massive number of people nominating their amazing animals and I was just so proud of Lily to get that far. But when I received another email saying that she’d won, I couldn’t believe it. I just burst into tears.” Jenny and her mum still haven’t come back down to earth since Lily was presented with her medal. “She loved all the fuss and attention, and even appeared on ITV News with Nina Hossain — so many of my customers spotted us on TV.” But this isn’t the first time that Lily has starred on the small screen — three years ago she featured in Superstar Dogs, a canine game show on Channel 4, presented by John Barrowman. “Lily won the first two tasks, but then ran out of the arena,” laughed Jenny, who is still reminded of her dog’s sharp exit by people she meets in the street who remember the episode. But Lily has more than redeemed herself for this minor misdemeanour, especially as she is currently taking on a new challenge with Jenny’s niece, Olivia Robinson. Earlier this year, the eight-year-old handled Lily to third place in the Young Kennel Club crossbreed final at Crufts, and is hoping to qualify for 2020. “When I think back to the way Lily saved us both, as well as how much she helps Mum, she is everything we could have dreamed of and more,” concluded Jenny. “She means everything to us and is the most perfect dog you could wish for.”

From our October 2019 issue.

Your Dog October 2019

www.yourdog.co.uk

When dogs are ttrained be Wh d i d tto b assistance dogs, it builds on this natural instinct — there are other species that no matter how much efort you put in, you would never be able to train them to be as helpful as dogs. More amazingly, I still think there is more to come. I don’t think we’re near to fully understanding dogs or making the most of the enormous

www.yourdog.co.uk

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I thought I would share a short

You can see the cogs whirring in his brain: ‘Who’s been in my garden?’ he asks. After his morning inspection and toilet break is complete, we work in tandem; he chases the ball, I drink cofee. As the world starts to wake, and the sun beams through the trees, it’s in this moment that I wouldn’t change my hairy little alarm clock for the world — it certainly beats reading about Brexit on my phone!

Images: Helen Yates/Blue Cross.

MY HAIRY ALARM CLOCK

Your Dog reader, via email.

REAPING THE BENEFITS I wanted to write to say how much I have enjoyed and beneited from your ‘My problem puppy’ puppy series. MY em probl PUPPY!

From our October 2019 issue.

anything by force? Would YOU like to be taught ‘wrong’? Of course not, Being punished if you got it s are no diﬀerent. says Steve Mann, and puppie your ike me, I’m guessing you’d like training sessions to be fun, never boring, and extremely rewarding! I think sometimes, as super-keen in owners, we can get caught up and that…’ a: ‘I can teach that, and that, portfolio a with up end mentality, and can ‘kinda’ of exercises that our puppies fear the do. As Bruce Lee says: “Don’t kicks, fear man that’s done a thousand kick the man that’s done the same a thousand times.” In other words, three become an expert in two or than rather essential core behaviours, a novice at 20 exercises. your So, what are you going to want three most puppy to do? Here’s my top go-to puppy exercises:

Sit — Of course, sit makes almost everything easier; putting on/taking it’s a great oﬀ leads and harnesses, and to teach ‘mutually exclusive behaviour’ puppy to do, instead of practising as jumping unwanted behaviours, such up at visitors. wants to Loose lead walking — No one their dog, be dragged down the road by especially on icy winter roads! you say Recall — If puppy comes when every ‘Come’, exploration, walks, and much day-to-day interaction becomes

TEACHING A SIT

sniff it. Once Take a treat and let puppy a few engaged, slowly raise the treat head. As centimetres up over puppy’s the bottom soon as the head rises and , and give BEGINS TO LOWER say ‘Good’ puppy the treat. As above, but say ‘Sit’ as puppy ‘Good’ lowers his bum and delay the touches until puppy’s bottom actually is still the floor. Make sure the bottom say ‘Good’. touching the floor when you PROOFING THE SIT class, but ‘He always does it at training common he never does it at home’ is a training mantra I hear from owners at haven’t classes, and that’s because they ng your proofed the behaviour. Proofi training is the way to get fluency for and reliability for all your cues all occasions. make To generalise your training and valuable as therefore and it as reliable — in as — as possible, you need to practise can. Be many different locations as you you back creative, the only thing holding is your imagination! When you’re willing to bet £100 when you hard cash that puppy will sit ask, then start

easier and more pleasurable. per cent Really, that’s going to be 90 going to of the behaviours you’ve ever Start there, really need from your puppy. you lay strong foundations, THEN can upgrade to Ninja level!

ABOUT STEVE One of the most high-proﬁle dog trainers in the UK, Steve Mann runs the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (www. imdt.uk.com) and presents courses on canine training and behaviour all over the world. Steve’s new book ‘Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy’ is out now and available from all good book shops.

more and transferring the behaviour into as: doorbell more realistic scenarios such the door (on rings/ you go with puppy to the door/ a lead to start with)/ you open to ‘Sit’/ puppy visitor is there/ you ask puppy visitor steps in sits and remains sitting/ the to reinforce the and goes down low to say ‘Hi’ to say ‘Hi’ at sit at puppy’s level (going down t in the early puppy’s level is super-importan to jump up out sessions as it takes the desire of the equation). SIT TEACHING THE AUTOMATIC — ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO SIT! We want puppy to be thinking: ● If in doubt, ‘Sit’. in ● If I think there’s something it for me, ‘Sit’. ● How can I get Dad to give me a treat? Oh yeah, ‘Sit’. ● How do I get Granny to say . ‘Hi’ to me? ‘SIT!’ SIT HOW TO TRAIN THE AUTOMATIC by luring Train a sit in the first instance and when his puppy’s head up with a treat ‘Good’ and bottom touches the floor, say 10 as above for deliver a treat. Get 10 out of a few sessions. prior to Lure as above. A split-second floor say ‘Sit’ puppy’s bottom touching the and and when puppy sits, say ‘Good’ treat as above. one When you can achieve stage two perfectly, three times a day for days, then move on to the next puppy into stage. Have five treats. Lure

TOP TIP! Practise your automatic sit in so many locations that puppy has absolutely no doubt what behaviour to offer to make the good times roll.

sits, a sit and give your cue ‘Sit’; puppy treat along then reinforce by rolling the pick it up the ground so puppy can run, as puppy then return to you. As soon mark with returns to you, ask for a ‘Sit’, by a ‘Good’, and reinforce as before repetitions, rolling the treat. After a few stand as puppy returns to you, just your body still; don’t massively change seen position from what puppy has a ‘Sit’. Here’s previously, but don’t ask for thinking where puppy needs to get his food? cap on — ‘Why’s Mum not rolling What made How do I make her roll food? BOOM!’ her roll food last time... Oh yeah! the As soon as puppy’s bottom touches food and ﬂoor you say ‘GOOD!’, roll that you to wait for puppy to run back to plant that sweet derrière again! road’. Now it’s time to ‘take it on the stages. Get other people to do all the do When consistently successful, added it in other places. Do it with durations distractions. Do it for longer and you (time between puppy sitting saying ‘Good’).

Your Dog October 2019

SCRAGGS

“Prooing your training is the way to get fluency and reliability...”

Teach the sit in various locations.

E THaRkE ind

I picked up the magazine for the irst time in a few years when I got a new puppy several months ago. I thought it would be a good idea to refresh my knowledge and sharpen my focus on all things dog as we welcomed our new addition into the house. I never expected it to be so worthwhile, as Steve Mann’s series proved brilliant timing and there have been lots of tips and techniques I have used over the last few months. I think the mantra that hit home with me was to understand things from the dog’s perspective and think about their motivations — it makes such sense! I have really taken that to heart and tried to adopt it at each stage with my puppy. And while there are always bumps in the road and we’re by no means a perfect pair (it is a team

by Richard Duszczak

Your Dog February 2020

Walking on a loose lead needs to be rewarding.

turns (what straight lines, no 90 degree 90 degree is it with dog trainers and some out turns?). Take nice small steps; then to the front, some in a crescent, and backwards; super-slow, super-small, constantly changing direction. move, you as if, Here’s the deal: and give the lead is slack, say ‘Good’ the treat to puppy a treat. Ideally, give It’s a great your puppy ‘on the move’. that good opportunity for puppy to learn the monkey stuff sometimes comes from as when when you’re walking, as well ever treat you’re stationary. If you only still, the puppy when you’re standing you’re on puppy will soon zone out when the move.

G LOOSE LEAD WALKIN lead,

long Start with puppy on a nice in length, approximately 1.5 metres harness. attached to his comfortable by your Have your two hands together treat pouch belt buckle area. Have your make sure clipped onto your waist and but it’s loaded with plenty of small amazing treats. walk You’re going to very slowly any one no more than ﬁve steps in ‘un-dogdirection in a style that is as No fast trainer-like-fashion’ as possible.

REINFORCEMENT PLACEMENT the good Puppies, like us, hang out where puppy stuff is. If, in the future, you want then that’s to walk on your left-hand side, If where the treats should be delivered. on your you want puppy to be walking make sure right-hand side, that’s cool, just delivery reinforcement that is where the it’s occurs. After several short sessions, as before, and time to raise the bar. Set off slack lead for the first few repetitions of time you’re say ‘Good’ and treat. The next is slack, don’t slowly moving and the lead www.yourdog.co.uk

T he

outsiders

Try to be kinder and more understanding of owners with reactive dogs.

s a behaviourist, you learn that the dog world can comprise two distinctly different canine cultures. There are the dogs you regularly see out with their owners, happily meeting other people and playing with other dogs, and the ones who clearly have bigger social problems or issues. These are usually displayed by a combination of aggression and anxiety, either lunging, barking, and snapping frantically on the lead at anyone who passes, or cowering and shivering like jellies between their owners’ legs, refusing to interact with anyone or anything. People can often be quick to judge owners with dogs like these for their less sociable behaviour. But what they might consider less is what it is actually like to live with them 24/7, because I can assure you that it is usually pretty hard. Being constantly viewed as the ‘failing owner’, with the ‘problem dog’ everyone pities or wants to avoid, can not only be stressful and demoralising, it can also be very, very lonely.

ABOUT CAROL Carol Price is a leading canine behaviourist, trainer, and writer, and a world-recognised specialist in the Border Collie breed. She is an official ambassador for The Border Collie Trust GB, the largest collie welfare/rehoming organisation in the UK.

SOCIALLY DIFFERENT If there is one message I would like to get across in this feature, it is that no one chooses to have a dog who becomes a social liability, or, worse, a danger. It can often severely limit the quality of their own lives, as well as that of their dogs. Sometimes it really is just better or worse luck that gives us the dogs we own, but also a lower understanding of why any dog is more likely to develop social problems than others. One of the biggest misconceptions in the canine world is that all dogs possess, inherently, the same level of social ability or capacity, when they most certainly do not. And it is only because people believe

From our December 2019 issue. 30

It can be lonely with a dog with social issues.

Your Dog December 2019

With the right help, you can work through a dog’s problems.

DID YOU KNOW? An estimated 30 to 60 per cent of dogs in the UK aren’t regularly taken out on walks, often because of some kind of behaviour or training issue.

that it is more ‘normal’ for dogs to always be socially friendly and outgoing that anything that falls short of this behaviour gets judged so harshly, or must mean that his owner has either mucked up his rearing or training or that he is just an innately ‘nastier’ character. What gets less considered is that maybe — just maybe — his whole mental wiring is different. He has far lower levels of social awareness, ability, and adaptability than other dogs. Or his need to protect and control his personal space and environment may be a far stronger urge and priority than that to socially engage or ‘play’. He genuinely may not know how to play with other dogs. He may have a much shorter fuse, aggression-wise, whenever he feels under threat. In general, he may struggle to understand different social signals and cues, in terms of what is threatening or benign. He may come to see other dogs and/or other people as the enemy. All these factors can cause immense mental pressure and anxiety in dogs, as soon as they leave the relative safety of the home environment, or when the outside social environment — in terms of visitors to the home — puts this safety under threat. It also greatly explains their subsequent behaviour.

BEING KINDER People who own dogs with these types of social issue will often feel their situation is made a lot harder not just by the unkinder or more condemnatory reactions of others, but also by their own sense of failure. And it is the latter, particularly, that often stops them pursuing the right help, for fear they will be told, once again, that their dog’s behaviour is all their fault. This is sad, not least because sometimes what might seem a major issue in a dog is easily resolvable with the www.yourdog.co.uk

efort when training your pup!), it has really helped. My favourite feature in the series was in the October issue, which focused on the three most important training exercises: sit, loose lead walking, and recall. It is so true that these are the foundation of training, and a great relationship. I have focused on these three and am pleased to say that it has proved beneicial. We have a solid sit, which is useful when out and about and dealing with so many situations. Our walks are also a pleasure too, as we have a reliable recall. It was well worth picking up the magazine!

YOU’RE NOT ALONE Thank you Your Dog 41

“...no one chooses to have a dog who becomes a social liability... ”

Trainer and behaviourist Carol Price takes a look at the loneliness of living with a ‘problem dog’.

Your Dog reader, Leicestershire.

beneit they can have on our lives. For example, dogs can have a huge impact on mental well-being and health, while dogs’ incredible noses can be used to detect diseases, such as cancer. I can see a situation where, eventually, government and society cotton on to the power of pets and they will play an even more prominent role in our lives. I can see a time when doctors will prescribe therapy that includes bonding with dogs — it’s that natural canine intuition that can break through and connect with people, sometimes when even our own kind can’t.

Magazine and Carol Price for ‘The outsiders’ (December

LETTERS

issue), a brilliant, insightful article about an all too common problem. I was one of those people with a ‘problem dog’ and I know how diicult it can be. Blade, a rescue, never really felt comfortable with other dogs, and I was lucky to have some fantastic help later in his life. I managed the situation, and he had a fulilling life despite the challenges. I am now the owner of a ive-year-old terrier-cross who is a very laid-back character. However, I’ve never forgotten my previous experiences and, if I see someone out on a walk with a reactive dog, I try not to avoid them, but make a point of stopping to talk (if appropriate), even if the dogs need to be at a safe distance from each other. I wish more people had done this for me when I had been out with Blade. Trisha Godston, Hampshire.

Dog

SHOPPING

From quirky signs and toys to practical beds and seat-belt tethers, we’ve got plenty of bright ideas to keep canine shopaholics happy this month. IT’S A FURST!

TRAVEL SAFE This Essential Classic Solid Colour Adjustable Dog Seat-Belt Tether from Umi by Amazon — the online retail giant’s own pet brand — is designed to comfortably and safely restrain a dog in the car. Compatible with most vehicles except Volvos, the tether clips on to your pet’s harness — NOT a collar — while the other end clicks securely into the seat-belt slot. ● Key feature: Machine washable in cold water on the gentle cycle. ● Price: £9.99. ● Size: 2.5cm (width) X 42 – 65cm (length). ● Colours: Yellow, pink, red, purple, grey, olive, and navy. ● Available from: www.amazon.co.uk/umi

Personalised children’s gift brand My 1st Years has launched its My FURst Years pet range. In keeping with the company ethos, the pet range features high-quality, aﬀordable, and personalised bow ties, neckerchiefs, harnesses, coats, beds, and toys that start from £10. We couldn’t resist this brown giraﬀe pet toy — just the job for any dog to get his teeth into. ● Key features: This 100 per cent polyester toy is washable at 30 degrees and can be personalised with up to nine characters. ● Price: £12. ● Size: 39cm. Available from: www.my1styears.com

A GOOD SIGN Olive & Berry, a new West Yorkshire-based online interior boutique for pet owners, has launched a range of canine accessories that are stylish AND sustainable. We really like these signs, which boast a range of slogans guaranteed to make any dog-lover smile. Simply attach to your gatepost, hang in your shed, or aﬃx above your dog’s bed with a nail, screw, or piece of string/ribbon. ● Key feature: Signs can be personalised too (allow an extra two weeks for delivery). ● Price: £20. ● Colours: Various choices of background and text. ● Available from: www.oliveandberry.co.uk

SLEEP TIGHT Made from high-quality 900-denier Oxford material, the Real Pet Store’s durable and long-lasting Oxbridge dog bed has been designed for a good night’s sleep and to withstand the harshest conditions and most enthusiastic pets. ● Key features: Water resistant and 100 per cent washable, with a non-slip base and handle for easy manoeuvrability. ● Price & size: £19.99 (small); £24.99 (medium); £34.99 (large); £44.99 (extra-large). ● Colours: Black, red, purple, and blue. ● Available from: www.realpetstore.co.uk/ oxbridge-luxury-dog-beds

IN FOR A TREAT Made from 100 per cent galvanised steel, this practical pet tin from Sophie Allport is the perfect place to store your dog’s favourite treats. Available in two sizes, the tin’s ‘Walkies’ design features a range of dog breeds, Sophie’s signature handwriting on the front, and small white bones around the rim of the lid. ● Key feature: Scoop included! ● Price: £18 (small); £24 (large). ● Size: Small: 23cm (width) X 26.5cm (height) X 15.4cm (depth) — nine-litre capacity; large: 33cm (width) X 27.3cm (height) X 22cm (depth) — 19-litre capacity. ● Available from: www.sophieallport.com from the end of January.

www.yourdog.co.uk

Many dogs are afraid of vet visits.

“...we take them to this funny place that doesn’t smell like anywhere else.”

ABOUT JULIE Julie Hill has hosted DogCast Radio, written, and broadcast about dogs for over 10 years. She lives in rural Shropshire with her family — both two- and four-legged.

FIGHTING THE FEAR

Do you and your dog start to panic every time you approach the veterinary surgery? It needn’t be like this, says Julie Hill.

Your Dog February 2020

any dogs develop a fear of the vet’s surgery and, from a dog’s point of view, it’s a fairly logical reaction. “We do all this work socialising them, habituating them, teaching them people are nice,” pointed out behaviourist Fiona Whelan. “Then, randomly, we take them to this funny place that doesn’t smell like anywhere else. We have people that smell

Rachel Malkani is a veterinary researcher who is helping to make vet practices more dog friendly.

funny, who stick thermometers up their bums, and needles in their necks, and all sorts of unpleasant things. Of course they develop a fear.” Fiona is a behaviour consultant at The Company of Animals, and is seeing increasing numbers of dogs with a fear or phobia of the vet’s. As a vet, Cat Henstridge has to deal with

Cat Henstridge advises owners to ask their vet for help.

Fiona Whelan is behaviour consultant at The Company of Animals.

Forward t hinking

Bullmastif X Stafordshire Bull Terrier Maz is people and dog reactive, and going to the vet was her worst nightmare, so owner Beth Richardson, from Buckley, Flintshire, did a lot of desensitisation training with her. She also practised treatment ahead of time. “When my vets need something doing they tell me what it is, and I go home and train it. A lot of owners will ind this useful — I taught a hand touch. I say ‘Touch’, and she puts her nose on my hand and she can hold it there solidly for up to 30 seconds, which is more than enough time for an injection.” Beth’s vet is forward thinking and

suggested that Beth stay with Maz for a pre-med before surgery, and be the one who took her out of the kennel afterwards. With lots of support, Maz has even become happy with hands-on treatment. Beth has been delighted at how the hard work has paid of. “The physio was terriied of her initially; now they’ve got the sweetest bond. She really likes Maz; Maz will walk in, know what’s coming, and reverses up to the physiotherapist as if she’s saying: ‘Massage please!’ “You have to advocate for your dog. It just shows how much diference doing that little bit of training — and having a really good vet — can make.”

Maz (right) with sibling Flo.

the issue regularly. “It’s hard if you have a dog who’s afraid of the vet’s. It can make visits a stressful experience for both of you, not to mention potentially embarrassing, and the temptation to never cross the clinic threshold again can be strong!” However, owners of fearful dogs need to be honest with their vet. Veterinary researcher Rachel Malkani advised: “Owners need to let the vet know that their dog is anxious or nervous; however, the vet also needs to be astute at reading dog body language and interpreting how that dog is feeling during the consultation.” With time and training, your dog can learn to be comfortable at the vet’s surgery. Rachel said: “It depends on what the

Maz has learned to be comfortable even during hands-on treatment.

“Make a deliberate effort to regularly look at their teeth...” dog is scared of. If the dog is nervous in the waiting room environment as a result of noise, or other animals, if a consultation room is free, let them sit in there with lots of treats. Treats are key in the veterinary setting; they can help change a negative mindset to a positive one.” Owners are not helpless. Cat said: “One thing you can do which will have a massive impact is to make a deliberate efort to regularly look at their teeth, lift up their ears, feel their paws, and clip their nails. If they are used to it at home, they’ll be far more accepting of it at the vet’s.”

Fiona has numerous suggestions to extend this habituation. “I get something as simple as a biro, because a dog doesn’t know if it’s a pen or a syringe. I have a tub of very small, very tasty treats where the dog can see them but does not have access, and then I literally start by showing him the pen, use a marker word such as ‘Yes’, then reward; show him the pen, ‘Yes’, reward.” If the dog responds well, Fiona’s advice is to progress to touching him somewhere he doesn’t mind being touched with the pen, mark, and reward. You can then build up to touching him all over in the same way and

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Case study

Beth put a lot of time and efort into helping Maz to be comfortable at the vet’s surgery.

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Case study

The right vet

German Shepherd Mika was happy at the vet’s as a puppy, but unfortunate experiences, and monthly immunotherapy injections, left her extremely distressed. Owner Natalie Smith, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, said: “Mika lost trust in the vet’s, and every time we went, she would hit the loor and wet herself; she would shake like anything; she hated it. I was one of those people literally dragging their dog across the loor into the vet’s room, which isn’t nice.” Things remained grim until Mika was 10 and developed spondylosis throughout her spine, hips, and tail. By now the family had moved house, which meant consulting a new vet. “Finding that vet who actually listens to you saying: ‘I’ve got a nervous dog’ helped Natalie inally found a vet who enormously. All the nurses are good with her put her and Mika at ease. too, and I think that’s what makes the diference — that and perseverance.” Natalie also found it useful to spray the car with Adaptil, use a Thundershirt, give lots of treats, and arrive early to allow Mika to acclimatise. Natalie’s younger German Shepherd, Rufus, has been seen by the same understanding vet since he was eight weeks old. “It’s been a long road with Mika. For me, it’s been about inding the right vet!” said Natalie.

Natalie Smith’s dogs Mika (right) and Rufus are now both happy to go to the vet’s.

Mika was incredibly distressed at the vet’s but inding the right vet was the answer.

“...it’s vital to always work under their emotional threshold.” eventually to holding the scruf of the neck and gently prodding it with the pen to simulate, and take the fear out of, vaccinations. Fiona has helped many dogs with fear of the vet, and she has many strategies — but it’s vital to always work under their emotional threshold. “You can assess whether your dog’s below threshold, by seeing if he will accept food. If, under normal circumstances, your dog would eat a bit of sausage, and maybe perform a simple trick such as sit, in order to gain that sausage, you can use that as a benchmark to see where he is. If he won’t take the sausage, then he’s over the threshold and you are practising the problem, not resolving it. “If you leave the practice at the point when your dog won’t take the food, then the stored memory of that event is a fearful one — even if nothing bad actually happened to your dog on that occasion. So, he needs to be kept in situ until he is below threshold, until he’s calm enough to take the food, or perform a task. If he can, that means he’s in a place you can work with. If you leave at this point, his stored memory can be of being calm and receiving a reward, not of being frightened.”

Your Dog February 2020

Random household articles can simulate treatment, for example ‘scanning’ your dog with a cofee coaster. Shining your phone torch briely into your dog’s eyes and ears can also help. Fiona advocates always using rewards, and allowing choice. “If at any point he wants to back of he’s allowed to, but he simply doesn’t get fed for saying no. I let him move away, and I wait for him to re-engage. I might shake the treat tub to remind him of the tasty sweeties I’ve got, and when he comes and re-engages with me, he’d have to let me touch him with the pen to get the treat, but I’d go back to a lower level. If the dog’s saying no that means you’re doing too much, too fast.” You can also get your dog accustomed to being held, standing on tables, and build up to family members and friends handling him too. Muzzle training can be hugely useful as well. Rachel recommends worried owners ask for help. “If an owner is concerned about how their dog is feeling, then it is likely that their dog is probably not having a good time. Always speak to your vet/nurse regarding your concerns; they completely understand and sympathise with you.”

Fiona’s TOP TIP

“Get a tub that’s reasonably big, but narrow enough so that your dog can’t get his whole nose in. I put some really stinky cheese in it and leave it on top of a radiator, or somewhere else where it’ll get warm, gooey, and even more stinky. At the vet’s, I let the dog spend a little time getting used to it, then maybe put him on the table, and get the vet to come and talk to him. I then put the tub on the table, and take the lid of, and the dog’s nose is full of stinky, gooey, melting cheese as he shoves his nose in and is busy licking. The vet can quickly vaccinate, and the dog doesn’t even notice it’s happened!”

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ABOUT JULIE Julie Hill has hosted DogCast Radio, written, and broadcast about dogs for over 10 years. She lives in rural Shropshire with her family — both two- and four-legged.

Think

Your Dog February 2020

Research suggests that an estimated 130,000 dogs come into UK rehoming charities each year.

rescue Are you looking for a dog? Rescue could be the answer, suggests Julie Hill.

nstead of a ‘designer’ cross-breed, look for a dog designed to make you happy. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is currently running a ‘Rescue is Our Favourite Breed’ campaign aimed at encouraging animal lovers to consider adopting irst, instead of going online and searching for a speciic breed. There is concern that the popularity of trendy cross-breeds is causing a downturn in the number of dogs being adopted, yet, ironically, many fashionable breeds are themselves ending up in shelters. So, what’s the secret to inding a dog you can live happily ever after with? Don’t get hung up on a particular breed, argues Rob Young, Battersea’s head of operations. “Think about inding a personality that will complement yours, and have patience. Somewhere, the perfect canine soulmate is waiting for you.” We caught up with some dog lovers who’ve found their perfect canine partners at a rehoming centre.

Tazzie is a poster boy for Battersea’s campaign.

DID YOU KNOW?

Diana with partner Alex and Tazzie and Scamp.

Case study

“THERE’S NOTHING THAT HE CAN’T DO!”

“Battersea has always been the place I’ve thought of going to get a dog,” said Diana Betts, from Waltham Forest, London, who, with partner Alex Royffe, went to the centre with a completely open mind. The couple were introduced to Staffordshire Bull Terrier Tazzie, “We didn’t actually realise he was a three-legged dog, because, first of all, we just saw him in his kennel. He’d recently had an operation — not for his leg — and he was lying down and wearing a buster collar. Because he’s a back-leg amputee, his back leg was obscured by the buster collar. When we

Tazzie and Scamp love hanging out together.

were having a chat with the rehomer, she said: ‘Did you realise he’s only got three legs? Would this be a problem?’ We actually started laughing — not because it’s funny that he has three legs — but because our previous dog, Ambrose, was a three-legged dog too, so this was meant to be!” Diana is adamant: “Life with a three-legged dog is absolutely no diﬀerent from life with a four-legged dog! There’s nothing that he

Case history

“WE JUST FELL IN LOVE WITH HIM — WITH HIS MASSIVE EARS!”

“Tazzie isn’t an amputee survivor, he’s just a sweet-natured dog.” can’t do, except for scratch that side of his body, so we do it for him!” Tazzie lives very happily alongside Scamp, another rescue dog. Diana said: “He loves to hang out with his brother, going for walks, eating, and exploring Epping Forest. He’s an aﬀectionate boy and likes snuggling up, and he loves having his head massaged! “If I had to sum Tazzie up, I probably wouldn’t even think about the missing leg; to be honest, we rarely do think about it. He isn’t an amputee survivor, he’s just a sweet natured and very happy dog.”

These two are good companions.

Laura and Robert Dufy wanted an active dog but didn’t mind what breed he was.

Laura is enjoying life with young Floki.

“Although she’s a pup, she’s got quite a calmness about her, so our two accepted her almost straight away.” Jane is now an enthusiastic rescue advocate. “I found the whole experience smooth and pleasurable. I felt everybody was doing the right thing for the right dog to be with the right family, which is very important. Whoever we spoke to, it was always about Calla, rather than us wanting a dog; it was all very positive. If I wanted to rescue another dog I’d deﬁnitely go through Many Tears again; they handled it the right way.”

Calla itted in well with Jane’s Belgian Shepherds.

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Enjoying a walk.

When Many Tears Animal Rescue took in young collie-cross brother and sister Floki and Calla, they were considered too young to be in kennels. As founder Sylvia Van Atta said: “At Many Tears we always try to place our puppies in foster homes, as this is a wonderful stepping stone to their new lives, and helps them learn about socialising, introducing them to new things.” Laura Duffy, from Banbury, Oxfordshire, adopted Floki. “I did want a younger dog if possible, but not necessarily a puppy. We weren’t set on a particular breed. When we saw Floki, we just fell in love with him — with his massive ears!” she said. “Rescue centres are very good at getting to know you, and your lifestyle, and then matching the dog to you. We wanted an active dog; we do a lot of hill walking and my husband runs. I think if Floki hadn’t been right for us, Many Tears would have recommended another dog; they were brilliant.” Floki arrived at around 15 weeks old, settled in quickly, and only had one wee in the house. “He’s very affectionate and loving, and for a collie quite calm; as long as you keep him busy, he’s very settled in the house,” said Laura. She wholeheartedly recommends rescue. “We love Floki very much; he’s wonderful! We couldn’t be happier with him!” she said. Jane Bennison, from Little Hampton, West Sussex, adopted Floki’s sister, Calla, who has fitted in beautifully with her Belgian Shepherds, Aisha and Lillie. “It’s been a great experience for us. This is the first hands-on experience of rescuing for me, and it’s nice to think you’ve given a little pup a better start in life than she might otherwise have had. She fits right in.” Jane wanted a dog who would be suitable for agility, and Calla is exactly that. “She is very confident; she loves to do things — anything; she just throws herself right into it,” said Jane.

Jane and Calla.

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Amy Ockelford can’t remember life without proud mongrel Sammy.

Kate Leaver with Bertie.

Case history

“SAMMY IS SUPER-DUPER FRIENDLY!”

Adopting Sammy led Amy Ockelford, from Horsham, West Sussex, into working for the RSPCA. Sammy is a proud mongrel. Which breeds are in there? “I have no idea!” laughed Amy. “Your guess is essentially as good as mine!” The important thing is that Sammy is “super-duper friendly!” According to Amy: “He comes to work with me each day — he’s pretty much always with me, and he loves to be by my side. He loves people and attention — he’s not really interested in other dogs — he just wants to be with people! He’s a sweetheart, bless him.” Sammy was in the care of charity Valgrays, in Surrey, and Amy spotted him on its Facebook page. Originally microchipped in 2005, Sammy had a responsible owner, who had to give him away due to family circumstances, but then a few years down the line found himself homeless. “He must have had a lovely family at some point,” said Amy. “He came to us knowing ‘Sit’, and ‘Paw’, and being house-trained. It’s sad to think he had a lovely home and for whatever reason that didn’t work out. “I feel really proud that I adopted an older dog. He’s 14 and he’s slowing down; he’s a bit stiﬀ and a bit deaf, but he’s still going strong. Older dogs deserve that attention. “You can teach an old dog new tricks! Getting a rescue dog isn’t getting a lost cause or a damaged dog. You’re getting a dog who’s going to love and appreciate you so much more because of the experiences he or she has had. These dogs have their own story and their own history and that’s what makes them who they are today.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, VISIT: ● Battersea Dogs & Cats Home www.battersea.org.uk; ● Many Tears Animal Rescue www.manytearsrescue.org; ● Valgrays www.valgraysbcrescue.org.uk; ● Bertie www.instagram.com/littlebertiethedog/

Your Dog February 2020

Case history

“HE’S A DREAM TO LIVE WITH…”

Being a rescue dog is no bar to Instagram success. Kate Leaver, from north-west London, believes everyone can ﬁnd someone to love in a rescue shelter. She found her someone in Bertie, at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. “He’s aﬀectionate, sweet, and stubborn,” she said. “He seeks out cuddles and physical contact all the time — he’s a real snuggler and I love that about him. He’s a dream to live with, really. He often comes with me if I go out, to a cafe or a pub, or a meeting. He’s quite well travelled, but a lot of the time he’s napping by my feet as I write. I’ve actually just written a book about him and how he helps with

Kate believes everyone can ind someone to love at a rescue shelter.

my depression; it’s called ‘Good Dog’.” Bertie also has an Instagram account @littlebertiethedog. Kate started out writing posts in ‘dog speak’, but gave it up in favour of a more conventional style. “I just go for something a bit funny, a bit quirky, often just honest about how I think he’s feeling that day. “I probably portray Bert online as being pleased with his own handsomeness, comfortable with his body, a little bit mischievous, and obsessed with cats, naps, and cheese!”

“He’s aﬀectionate, sweet, and stubborn. He seeks out cuddles and physical contact all the time. He’s a real snuggler and I love that...”

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etting to spend lots of quality time with your dog is not only a brilliant bonding experience, but a great way of discovering and exploring new areas you might not otherwise have considered visiting. Plus, of course, you’re spared tearful farewells and fretting about your dog’s welfare while you’re away.

WHAT SORT OF HOLIDAY? What do you fancy? You could opt for a really dogcentric holiday, oﬀering activities you’re both interested in, or maybe try something completely new, ranging from agility to rally, hoopers, or scenting. As well as organised activities, there’s usually time factored in for you and your dog to do your own thing. Alternatively, this could be the perfect opportunity to tackle one of those long distance walks you’ve always promised yourself… or perhaps you’d rather take things more slowly, relaxing and exploring new walks and attractions. Whatever you choose, just make sure it is something you will both enjoy!

WHAT SORT OF ACCOMMODATION? When it comes to accommodation, there’s something to suit all tastes and budgets. Camping can be fun, and you will certainly get to know your dog very well; if a tent isn’t quite your style, a caravan or campervan allows you to rough it in a bit more comfort, and can be hired if you don’t own one. Alternatively, consider glamping with the choice of anything from a yurt to a shepherd’s hut! A step up from camping, static caravans can be a reasonably priced option, with

Your Dog February 2020

Summ er holiday At this time of year, it’s nice to have a holiday to look forward to — and the perfect break is, of course, one that includes your dog.. Camping works for some families and their pets.

a bit more space and basic built-in mod cons, which you may both be grateful for after a busy day out and about. A self-catering cottage will be more of a home-from-home, but if you want a break from cooking and cleaning entirely and fancy a bit of cosseting

DID YOU KNOW? Recent research suggests that more than half of dog owners prefer to travel with their dogs because they enjoy their holiday more with them.

A holiday with your dog is a chance to enjoy some serious walking.

Check out dog-friendly attractions online before visiting in person.

What should you ask before booking?

instead, then a hotel may be just the thing. ● As well as your own personal preferences and budget, take into account how your dog will cope. He may take to camping with enthusiasm while in his prime, but as he grows older may prefer a bit more comfort.

WHAT’S THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO GO ON HOLIDAY? Work commitments may mean you have to take your holiday at a specified time, but if you can be flexible then the off-peak season is often best. There will be fewer tourists, you can avoid the hottest days of the year, accommodation is usually much cheaper, and if you have beach visits planned, you are more likely to find them open to doggy visitors.

“...this could be

the perfect opportunity to tackle one of those long distance walks you’ve always promised yourself…”

ARE YOU COVERED? Hopefully nothing will happen, but be prepared anyway; a dog-friendly proprietor should be able to provide details of local vets. You can also locate veterinary practices online at www. ﬁndavet.rcvs.org.uk Check your dog has adequate insurance cover — not just for vet bills, but in the event of him causing any accidental damage to property, or injury to people or other animals.

EATING OUT Picnics are nice, but eating out is a nice change from sarnies, and an enjoyable holiday treat. Find places to eat and drink where both humans and canines will be made welcome at Doggiepubs on Facebook; www.doggiepubs.org.uk

More and more cafes and bars are becoming dog friendly.

Some places advertised as being ‘dog friendly’ are ‘dog tolerant’ rather than openly welcoming of dogs, so do your research before booking. ● Adverts and brochures aren’t always up-to-date, and proprietors, managers, and policies can all change. Even if you’ve visited before, ring or email to check canine guests are still accepted; the response you get can also be a good way of gauging just how welcome your pet will be. ● Ask if there are any restrictions on the size or breed of dog you can take — and if you have more than one, on how many. ● Some places have a ‘dogs go free’ policy, but most add an extra charge for dogs. Find out how much this is, and if you have more than one, whether it is per dog. ● What doggy facilities are available? Are there any special exercise areas for example, so that early morning and before bedtime wees and poos are easy to manage? Are there poo disposal bins on site? Is there a dog-sitting service, or dog-washing facilities if your dog becomes very muddy? Some places do supply welcome packs including biscuits, bedding, and towels, but it is not the rule. ● Policies can vary considerably: enquire whether there are areas out-of- bounds to dogs. In some hotels this may include dining rooms and bar areas, in which case find out what alternative arrangements are available, such as room service. Most places ask that you don’t leave your dog alone in your accommodation, allow him on the furniture, or pop him in the bath; there may also be requirements that he is vaccinated and insured. Some will supply a list of guidelines for doggy guests, but if not, assume nothing and make a point of asking. ● Word of mouth is often the best recommendation; friends and social media can be a good way of finding your ideal holiday accommodation, as well as checking online reviews. ● When you make your booking, confirm by letter, email, or phone that you will be bringing your dog. www.yourdog.co.uk

Relax and enjoy a summer picnic.

Is your dog it enough? Build your bond and create some fabulous memories.

CHECK OUT NEARBY ATTRACTIONS AND WALKS It can really spoil a holiday if you arrive and have no idea where to go for dog-friendly days out. Many online UK tourist guides include dog-friendly sections nowadays, which can be helpful in finding the best walks as well as attractions you can both visit. Do your research and have lots of options planned, which you can choose from according to the weather and how you are feeling that day. ● Plan more active outings for the earlier part of the day so your dog can let off a bit of steam, and will then be more settled if you want to visit attractions, or to simply indulge in a bit of loafing around. ● To help get you started, suggestions for dog-friendly days out can be found at: English Heritage: www.english-heritage.org.uk National Trust: www.nationaltrust.org.uk Dog-friendly beaches: www.thebeachguide.co.uk/dog-friendly Forestry England: www.forestryengland.uk Forestry and Land Scotland: forestryandland.gov.scot Country parks: www.gov.uk/government/ publications/accredited-country-parks -in-england

Your Dog February 2020

WILL YOUR DOG WANT TO GO ON HOLIDAY? Not all dogs will enjoy going on holiday; an elderly pet may be too arthritic to enjoy a change of venue, routine, or a long drive to your destination, let alone an action-packed itinerary. If you aren’t sure, try booking a short weekend or midweek break not too far away, so you can see how he copes. If it doesn’t work out, you can return home again quickly without too much disappointment or loss of money. If you really feel the need to get away, but your dog isn’t up for it, look into having him stay with a friend or relative or, better still, ask a friend or relative to move into your house so he can remain in his own familiar environment. Engaging a house-sitter can be another option, but do your homework very thoroughly ﬁrst; not all are as caring as they claim, and there are plenty of horror stories as well as happy ones! Of course, you don’t need to go away to have a great holiday with your dog: a home-based one can be just as enjoyable. Visit local dog-friendly tourist attractions, enjoy some pub lunches and picnics, meet up with friends for a walk, and treat yourself to a takeaway or two so you get a break from cooking.

Your dog may get a lot more exercise than usual when he’s on holiday, which can lead to aches, strains, or injuries unless you’ve prepared in advance. Ask your vet to give him a health check, and if all is well, start helping him to get in shape and increase his stamina — your vet should be able to give you advice on how to For the most fun on the go about it. beach, avoid peak season.

Plu s...

● If you’re going to be driving around to visit diferent areas and your dog isn’t a great passenger, start doing some travel training now. ‘HELP! My Dog doesn’t travel well in the car’, by Toni Shelbourne and Karen Bush, is available from Amazon. ● Plan for the journey there and back. Make it a relaxed and enjoyable part of your break by researching the route for good walking spots where you can stop along the way, to allow your dog to stretch his legs and take a bathroom break.

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Help your dog to chill.

“Taking slow, deep breaths can provide more oxygen to the brain...”

And

relax...

TONI SHELBOURNE RN NE has three decades es of of experience working ing g with dogs. She is a behaviourist (full ull member of INTODogs Dog gs & ICAN), Tellington on TTouch practitioner, ner,r, Real Dog Yoga Instructor, and author utho t or of three books and nd co-author of the ‘HELP! My Dog...’ book bo o k oo series. She lives in n Oxfordshire, England land ents, where she sees clients, runs workshops, d and gives talks and e webinars. For more ww. information, visit w www. o..uk tonishelbourne.co.uk

Your Dog February uaryy 2020 ua 200220 202 20

You can help your dog to chill out using these easy-to-implement techniques. Toni Shelbourne explains.

ogs can be the masters of relaxing, sleeping, on average, for around 12 hours a day. But this isn’t the case for all dogs. Hyperactivity can occur for a number of reasons, and if you are worried, you should seek the help of your vet to ensure the cause isn’t medical. If a clean bill of health is given, then the input of a certiied behaviourist might be helpful. There are many techniques that can be employed to aid relaxation; here are three simple ones for you to try at home.

ZEBRA = ZZZZS

▼

Gentle, slow touches can increase levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin, which has a part to play in our moods, and oxytocin, also known as the ‘cuddle hormone’. Being touched can decrease heart and breath rate, helping us calm down and feel more at ease — think of a time when a loved one has hugged or gently stroked you when you have been stressed or upset. That feeling of serenity that comes over you is the efect of the endorphins being released. The Tellington TTouch training method uses a system of non-habitual, pressured movements of the skin, which can have the same beneits for your dog. These TTouches, as we call them, help the AND BREATHE…. sympathetic nervous system, the ight and Fearful, anxious, or hyperactive dogs tend Start at the side of your dog light part, to settle. There are many to have a change in their breath variations of the TTouches, which rate, often holding their breath include ways of moving the skin or panting fast. Taking slow, in circles, lifts, and strokes; try deep breaths can provide DID YOU the Zebra TTouch if your dog more oxygen to the KNOW? is unsettled or anxious. brain and stimulates the Studies in rehoming parasympathetic nervous centres suggested that system. This is the rest HOW TO DO IT: dogs felt more relaxed and and digest side of the ● Position yourself calm when listening to nervous system, which to one side of your classical music. can decrease respiration dog, preferably facing and heart rate, and increase the same way he is; he digestion. Breathing slowly can be sitting, standing, and deeply promotes relaxation or lying down. Start with your Slide your hand down. and helps quiet the mind, as well as having ingers and thumb relaxed and countless other beneits. Teaching dogs to gently curved. Resting your hand regulate their oxygen intake to promote on the top of his shoulder, slide relaxation is simpler than you think. it downwards over the opposite shoulder to the one you are sitting by, allowing your thumb HOW TO DO IT: and ingers to spread apart as ● Take a pot of small treats and sit on they move towards the top of the the loor in a quiet room with your foreleg. Try to keep your palm in dog. Start to take deep breaths and contact with his body or else the exhale slowly and audibly. If you sit slide can feel a little tickly. slightly to the side, you can watch ● As your hand comes back up your dog’s ribcage. If you see a breath, Move back towards the spine and allow the towards the spine, allow the simply feed a treat. ingers to close together. ingers to loosely close together ● If you need to encourage a breath, again. Keep the pressure light, let your dog snif the food in your no more than the weight of your hand and when you see a lare of hand, but irm enough that you the nostrils, feed. Keep repeating don’t tickle. For a long-coated this: breathe — feed — breathe dog, you may ind it easier to — feed, but try to start targeting allow your ingers to nestle into the deeper inhales. his coat a little as you return to ● Eventually, over many sessions, the top of his back. you will be able to add a cue word ● Change the angle of your hand like ‘Relax’ so your dog will take slightly each time you complete a deep breath on cue. This is useful for an upwards or downwards reactive dogs, hyperactive dogs, and Allow your hand to travel the movement, so it travels along for competition dogs too. It focuses length of your dog’s body from the length of one side of your the mind and stills the nerves while shoulders to hindquarters. dog’s body from shoulder to calming the body.

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hindquarters in a zigzag pattern. If you can, then do the other side, but don’t worry if your dog is lying down, just continue the Zebra TTouch on the side you can reach. ● Keep repeating slowly and continually, and watch your dog start to settle.

Encourage your dog to be calm, still, and relaxed.

HOW TO DO IT:

POSTURES FOR PEACEFULNESS To help us relax, we often lop into our favourite chair and put our feet up. This simple act in itself is calming, but you wouldn’t see an angry person in this position. What we do with our bodies afects our minds. Darwin said: “The free expression by outward signs of an emotion intensiies it.” In other words, taking on a conident posture, even if we are feeling unsure, can help us feel more in control; smiling when we are sad will ease our sorrow. Posture is important; pick the right one and it can aid rest, and it’s the same for our dogs. In Real Dog Yoga, created by Jo-Rosie Hafenden, we teach dogs to take and hold postures, and perform actions and expressions. These are designed to help a dog learn to become, or maintain, calmness; they can also increase body awareness, muscle control, and communication skills. The postures are executed slowly and mindfully, and held for a length of time which can also de-escalate arousal. We can teach a dog postures that help to bring the body back into balance externally and internally. Once dogs learn a calming posture, they often start to use it in everyday life without us prompting them. They feel the soothing beneits of sleeping in a side rest, or lying settled on one hip with their heads on their The ‘Sad’ position. forelegs, which we call ‘Sad’.

“A confident posture can help us feel more in control...”

● Encourage your dog to hold the down position calmly. Try to take three slow breaths while your dog is calm, still, and relaxed. You may have to start with one breath and work up to three over several short sessions. ● It is important to give your dog lots of short breaks when training. To help you do this, you can count out a number of treats to match the repetitions you wish to ask for in one go. So, for example, you might have 10 treats in your hand, a pot, or treat bag. Once they are inished, you can release your dog to go and have a snif or a wander while you count out 10 more treats, ready for your next session. ● With your dog in a down and the 10 treats nearby, put one in your closed hand, bring it down in front of your dog’s nose and hold it on the loor between your dog’s front paws. Mark (either with a clicker or a marker word like ‘Yes’) and reward with a treat from your other hand every time your dog’s nose comes down to your hand or the loor to investigate. Now repeat the same action until you have used up all the treats. ● After a break, count

out 10 more treats and ask for a down. This time do not have a treat in your hand, but hold it level with his nose and point to the ground and say: ‘Sad’. Wait for any movement towards the loor with his head, and mark and treat even the smallest movement of his head towards the loor. Once he is consistently looking down towards the loor, begin to reward only the bigger movements, until eventually your dog places his head between his paws and rests it on the loor (or on his paws). Then, take a break. ● Count out 10 more treats and ask for the down, point to the loor, and say ‘Sad’. Once he consistently responds, start to hold of with the click or marking the behaviour with your voice a second at a time until you can build up a good duration of him lying with his head on the loor or resting on his paws. ● This posture will not be perfected in one training session; you may have to re-visit it over a series of sessions before your dog understands the cue: ‘Sad’. It doesn’t have to be perfect to begin with; this is supposed to be fun for you and your dog so make sure you both enjoy training it. ● Teach this enough and you should spot your dog taking and holding this posture when you are not training and he is just chilling.

● If you and your dog enjoyed these three simple exercises, you can ind out more by visiting Tellington TTouch training, www.ttouchtraining.co.uk; Real Dog Yoga, www.therealdogyoga.co.uk

Your Dog February 2020

Anxiety & Behaviour Solutions Firework & Thunder Fright?

Body Wrap

Calm your dog with a Body Wrap to reduce: • Firework fright and thunder sensitivity • Trembling, panting and whining “My dog was terribly distressed during thunderstorms or ireworks. At irst I was sceptical about such a simple idea, but with the body wrap on he’s a diferent dog! He even slept through a recent thunder storm for the irst time ever. It was miraculous, everyone else was terriied but he just settled down to sleep! This Body Wrap is marvellous!” M. Houghton

Anxious dog?

T-Shirt or Jumper

A T-Shirt or Jumper can help to reduce: • Sound sensitivity • Car and travel problems • Aggression towards dogs and people “Although he doesn’t ‘love’ the car he is happier to get in but the biggest improvement is towards other dogs, he used to get very aggressive and see red but S. Stevens, Berkshire now he’s as quiet as a mouse!”

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My little rescue boy, Tafy, came to me on Valentine’s Day. He is my perfect boy; he has a way of looking at me that melts my heart. Nicole Turner, on Facebook.

Veli is my rock. She has made my life all the brighter. She is always there for me and I will always be there for her. Ella Simmonds, on Facebook.

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Nugget will always come and lie on my stomach when I’m sick. She won’t move an inch from my side until I am OK again. Kristel Vonckx, on Facebook.

What better time to celebrate the unique bond between dogs and their owners than the month of St Valentine? Your Dog readers share what makes their dogs so lovable.

Fred is the most lovable chap going. He loves everybody and everybody loves Fred. Claire Stanton, on Facebook.

Mabel and Hogy are the most lovable dogs. If they aren’t looking out for us, they are looking out for each other! Beth de Lacy, on Facebook.

This is Nevaeh, my Alaskan Klee Kai. I don’t know where I’d be without her. She’s my best friend. Sandra Young, on Facebook.

This pair (Maizie and Mollie) have seen me through a very rough year. They love me unconditionally and are patient with me when I have migraines. They are simply amazing! Anne Ward, on Facebook.

This is Lulu. She absolutely adores people and is always looking for snuggles and kisses. Corinne Saunders, on Facebook.

Mollie is my best friend; she’s a super-afectionate soul and so caring. She brings joy and light to my day. I feel incredibly blessed. Gemma Sanders, on Facebook. www.yourdog.co.uk

Get your head around

referrals!

Some dogs require specialist equipment, such as MRI scanners, which necessitates referral.

When it comes to our dogs’ health, the roles played by general practice vets and specialists can seem confusing. Sue Corfield explains about referrals.

s pet owners, we put considerable trust in our vets, going to them for advice, diagnosis, and treatment whenever there is an issue with our dogs. However, there may be certain instances when your pet’s condition is outside their skills set or experience. In those instances, the irst opinion or general veterinary practitioner may look for specialist diagnosis and treatment, in much the same way that general medical practitioners refer human patients to specialists in hospitals. On these occasions, general veterinary practitioners (GPs) will look for specialists with particular skills pertinent to the pet’s condition, and with facilities with

Your Dog February 2020

appropriate diagnostic equipment, and recommend them to the pet owner. Equally, the pet owner can request a referral or second opinion if they feel their pet is not responding to the treatment programme. The pet owner can also inluence which facility they would like their pet to go to if

they have a preference or have used a service previously, or if there is one at a convenient location. A referral may be for diagnosis, procedure, and/or possible treatment, after which the case is returned to the referring vet. A second opinion is only for the purpose of seeking the views of another veterinary surgeon. GP vets can also consult with referral clinicians on X-rays, medication, and certain conditions. The referral clinicians will, in many cases, advise and guide them free of charge but, ultimately, if the pet needs special care they will advise them accordingly.

WHEN TO REFER USEFUL CONTACT For more information on the RCVS code of practice, visit www.rcvs.org.uk/settingstandards/advice-and-guidance/

All vets should adhere to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ (RCVS) Code of Practice, which states that veterinary surgeons should ‘recognise when a case or a treatment option is outside their area of competence and be prepared to refer it to a colleague, organisation, or institution whom they are satisied is competent

Indie with owners David and Janet Royle, and their other dog, Fenton.

“GP vets may feel specialist help is needed...” to carry out the investigations or treatment involved.’ ChesterGates Veterinary Specialists in Chester is a multi-discipline referral hospital. Hospital manager Jackie Evans commented: “GP vets may feel specialist help is needed to ind a diagnosis or an alternative treatment. “The vet may have an understanding of the pet’s problem but it is not within their GP capabilities to undertake it, for example cruciate ligament surgery or brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) surgery. “Specialist equipment and skills may be needed for the diagnosis and treatment of the condition, for example MRI scans for protruding spinal disc and surgery, heart scans and surgery, brain tumours and so on. “One of the main reasons a pet owner can’t self-refer is that the GP vet needs to ensure that the pet is going to receive the specialist care he or she needs, but the owner can discuss this with their vet and request a certain facility.” However, a great many GP vets are suitably experienced and qualiied to ably deal with most illnesses and injuries. East Sussex-based Your Dog vet Vicky Payne said: “Many GP vets are highly skilled and spend a lot of time and money to ofer referral level services in-house, and to develop the skills to diagnose the majority of common problems. Referral should be discussed in cases that aren’t going to plan or are unusual, and always when the problem is outside the vet’s skills set.”

Sometimes dogs are referred for diagnosis of a complex condition.

Case study

Life-saving referral I

ndie, a two-year-old Border Collie from Wigan, Greater Manchester, recovered from a life-threatening condition caused by a congenital inability to absorb vitamin B12, thanks to a timely referral to a specialist hospital. Indie sufered from a catalogue of infections, from conjunctivitis to kennel cough and water infections, during his early life. A severe infection later resulted in him being hospitalised. After another brief recovery, Indie’s health took a dramatic downturn, and he collapsed, sufering from severe diarrhoea and in a distressed state. His owners, the Royles, rushed Indie to a pet hospital in Manchester where he was put on a drip in intensive care and treated for gastroenteritis and sepsis. “We were told that he was unlikely to survive the night, but, thankfully, he was still with us by the next morning,” said Janet Royle. Staf were unable to reach a diagnosis as to why these infections kept recurring, so they referred Indie to veterinary specialists ChesterGates, who immediately ran tests and diagnosed his condition as sepsis with low blood sugar and low calcium, in turn related to the deiciency of vitamin B12. Janet said: “ChesterGates took him in and ran tests on him. They were really thorough and prescribed 12 weeks of antibiotics. “One of their tests — a genetic test

Indie.

— revealed that he had vitamin B12 deiciency.” A ChesterGates’ spokesperson explained: “B12 deiciency is caused by the genetic inability to absorb the vitamin. It is an uncommon, but recognised, condition in certain breeds of dog including Border Collies. Usually, dogs present with vague signs, including failure to thrive, or neurological signs secondary to the absence of B12. “Indie’s presentation was much more unusual, and at the time we had only seen it in one other dog. We know that low B12 levels often lead to diarrhoea and poor gut function in dogs and cats, and the theory was that the gut had become so compromised in Indie’s case that bacteria from the intestine were able to enter the blood stream, causing sepsis and secondary low glucose. The low calcium was due to the poor gut function leading to reduced calcium absorption. This case required some detective work! Symptoms start to show when the dogs are between ive and nine months old, and the infections get worse and worse until, sadly, the dogs are usually euthanised.” Indie is now on weekly vitamin B12 injections and will remain on these for the rest of his life. www.yourdog.co.uk

Exercise is a key part of keeping your dog healthy and preventing weight gain.

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Your questions on food and feeding answered by Edward Creaser, company director of The Natural Dog Food Company.

Why are so many dogs overweight? Unfortunately, it is reported that half of all dogs in the UK are now considered overweight. Being overweight, or obese, brings with it the risk of health problems, such as bad joints, heart issues, and diabetes. The most common cause of dogs being overweight is simply not having enough exercise and over-feeding. Walking and playing more with your dog will help to burn of extra energy and lose excess weight; it also has great physical and mental health beneits for us! While it is important to follow feeding guides (found mostly on the back of the food pack or online), it is also important to remember that they are guides only. Designed for all dogs and breeds, this means that if your dog is less active than the average dog you should be feeding less than the guide suggests. If you are unsure how much to feed, it is always best to contact the food manufacturer directly for advice.

Your Dog December 2019 February 2020

Obesity is a big problem in pet dogs and brings with it all sorts of health issues.

How do we tackle this? Reducing the feeding amount gradually, with help from your vet or the food manufacturer, and increasing physical activity will help to reduce weight. For those who cannot get out more to walk their dogs, consider a dog walker or ask family members to help you. There are also many products available, such as Natural Dog Food Company Senior/Light variety, which have lower calorie content to help mature or adult dogs who are prone to weight gain.

What other nutritional issues are facing our dogs today? Food intolerances along with certain dietary diseases, such as diabetes,

are becoming much more common. This is partly due to diet; choosing a natural and balanced diet, along with exercise, can keep these in check. Food intolerances are generally not too serious, but they can cause lots of unwelcome problems.

How can I identify a good-quality dog food? The irst few ingredients usually give an idea of the quality and type of dog food. For example, the irst ingredients listed should be meat and, more speciically, it should state what kind of meat. Meat and animal derivatives, maize, and cereals are to be avoided as they are vague and usually less nutritious. Most brands will also include vitamin and mineral supplementation; again, less is better as highly supplemented food usually suggests poor-quality raw ingredients. Natural Dog Food Company products use only high-quality raw ingredients, including our fresh fruits, herbs, and vegetables, so we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to add anything artiicial whatsoever.

“Intolerances to cereals and certain grains are becoming more common...”

Can you explain food labelling and how to read the labels correctly? The front of any food packaging is designed like any other product, to look great and draw your attention; the detail is in the ingredients list, which is on the back. You should be able to understand what the ingredients are, and a small number of high-quality ingredients are better for a dog than a large number of poor-quality ingredients. Brands do not have to state the full information on the front of the bag; they may say ‘with chicken’ yet only include four per cent chicken in the inal product. All information on the back must list ingredients and their percentages in order of quantity included; they must be accurate, so be sure to check the back of the pack!

How important is protein in a dog’s diet; what is the optimum amount? And how should it vary depending on the dog’s lifestage? Puppies need more protein in their diets as it is necessary for growth and development. It is advised that a higher protein puppy food is used until around 12 months of age. Although many breeds may seem fully grown at this point, they are still developing internally. The quality of the protein is also very important; the higher the quality of the protein, the more easily digested and nutritionally beneicial the food is. A protein level of between 22 and 32 per cent suits most adult dogs, and between 26 and 36 per cent for puppies. Protein plays a role in helping to keep your dog it and healthy. It is an important part of your dog’s diet as it helps build and repair tissues throughout the body, including muscles. Protein is also helpful in the forming of new skin cells, hair, and much more.

What does hypo-allergenic mean? Hypo-allergenic means relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction, although nothing can be certiied as causing absolutely no reaction. However, by eliminating common allergens, companies can promote themselves as producing hypo-allergenic products. Natural Dog Food

● For more information, visit www. naturaldogfoodcompany.com, call Freephone 0800 848 8049, or email info@naturaldogfoodcompany.com

products are free from dairy, wheat, soya, beef, and pork, all of which are common allergens in dogs. They are also free from all artiicial ingredients.

There are lots of grain-free dog food ranges now. Why is this, and what are the beneits of being grain free? While most dogs can easily digest grains, intolerances to cereals and certain grains are becoming more common; this has led to grain-free products being created. Natural Dog Food Original range is free from cereals and is completely gluten free; it contains brown rice and rolled oats, which are packed with nutrients. The Grain Free range is both cereal and grain free, which allows more choice for customers who are experiencing intolerance issues.

Lots of dog foods are promoted as ‘natural’ products. What does this actually mean? Many dog food brands promote themselves as ‘natural’ or ‘100 per cent natural’ to appeal to popular opinion. However, at Natural Dog Food Company, we believe that nature knows best and that natural should mean ‘derived from nature’. That is why we use only the highest-quality ingredients, with a unique blend of herbs and vegetables, to create truly natural products using no artiicial supplementation whatsoever.

Puppies, in particular, need protein in their diet for growth and development.

Twitter @Natural_DogFood; Instagram @naturaldogfoodco; Facebook The Natural Dog Food Company

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59 5

Images: Gary Bradshaw, Medivet.

Me and my dog Buddy walking with owner Martin.

“Buddy’s always had a special place in our hearts but this trauma has brought us all closer together.”

Buddy

THE BRAVE

Without Cocker Spaniel Buddy’s persistence, Martin Soorjoo and his wife, Margo, would have perished in the ﬁre that destroyed their London home. me. Joanne Bed Bednall reports. Martin is full of praise for his brave dog.

Your Dog February 2020

espite once reducing a dog trainer to tears, Cocker Spaniel Buddy inally proved his worth one hot summer’s night seven on months ago. mo In fact, owner Martin Soorjoo is convinced his three-and-a-half-year-old co dog’s stubborn streak saved his life and that of his wife, Margo. Not a bad achievement for an ‘unplanned’ dog who Martin took on after his 75-year-old mother struggled to cope with her puppy’s boisterous, headstrong behaviour. “We looked after Buddy for short spells, but had him on a permanent basis when he was about a year old,” explained barrister-turned-highperformance coach Martin, 52. “He is very friendly, loving, playful, and protective, but can also be stubborn and mischievous. “In the early days, Buddy had

a tendency not to listen or come back and we went through three dog trainers — the last one burst into tears. “But following a chance encounter with dog trainer William Dwen, Buddy’s behaviour has been completely transformed, and he no longer pulls on his lead or has problems with recall. He’s calmer, less excitable, and more centred and grown up. William’s methods are simple, clear, and efective — he’s a magician!” Buddy’s early misdemeanours, however, have long since been forgotten after he demonstrated an act of amazing heroism and devotion late last June. It had been a sweltering weekend, so before retiring at around midnight, Martin switched on a portable air-conditioning unit in the master bedroom of his Clapham home. As usual, Buddy was curled up in his own bed, on the loor next to the couple. Just hours later, though, the air-con unit started to malfunction, and soon, smoke was silently illing the room. Sensing all was not well, Buddy refused to leave his sleeping owners and began barking in an efort to raise the alarm. But, already overcome by smoke because he was the closest to the unit, Martin didn’t stir. An increasingly agitated Buddy ran around to the other side of the bed and tried to

wake Margo by barking more urgently and pounding his paws on the bed. Finally, Margo, now also drowsy from the fumes, awoke, and struggling to breathe in the smoke, desperately tried to rouse Martin. “I remember seeing an orange glow and trying to make sense of it,” recalled Martin, whose neighbours had already spotted smoke billowing out of the air vent and called 999. “Gradually, I realised there was smoke and lames in the bedroom and knew we had to get out.” Grabbing Buddy, the couple stumbled downstairs, where Margo punched a code into the ADT alarm pad, which alerted the emergency services. Meanwhile, Martin quickly reassessed the situation and felt sure he could tackle a small electrical ire by himself, so headed back upstairs and gingerly re-opened the bedroom door. Within seconds, he was met by a wall of lames — the whole room was alight. Trying to quell the rising tide of panic, Martin led downstairs but in all the chaos, Buddy had disappeared. “I searched frantically for him downstairs and inally found him lying quietly in his safe space — under my chair in the kitchen,” continued Martin, who wasted no further time in leaving the house. Within a minute of the trio exiting the front door, the windows blew out and their home erupted into a ireball. “It was an inferno,” said Martin, who watched as all of his and Margo’s possessions went up in lames, save the boxer shorts and one shoe he was wearing. “We lost everything — no one has a plan for something like this and you wouldn’t wish it on anyone. “Due to the trauma, I can’t remember much of what happened, but ireighters arrived within ive ive minutes and spent three hours tackling the blaze. A ire ire investigator nvestigator later told us that ignition to full blaze can take just Mihael Pungartnik.

three minutes. Half the street were out at 3am watching events unfold, but everyone was fantastic, giving us clothes to wear. “We put Buddy in the back of our Jeep where it was safe and quiet, before calling William, who agreed d Buddy’s persistence have hi him ffor a couple tto h l off proved life-saving. days.” A colleague of Margo’s o’s kindly ofered to put the three hree of them up in her house in Camden amden for a month while they processed ocessed the horror of what had happened. ned. “It was really generous of her her, particularly many levels and just couldn’t function,” as Buddy could come too, so he joined recalled Martin, who struggled to cope with us after two days,” continued Martin, who even basic day-to-day tasks. hopes to move back into their rebuilt home Although Buddy initially showed no by the summer. ill-efects, Martin took him to be checked Although Martin, Margo, and Buddy were over by vets at Medivet Battersea three or all lucky to escape with their lives, it came four weeks later, as he seemed out of sorts. at a cost. The couple were diagnosed with “Buddy was lethargic and just not smoke inhalation, chemical poisoning, and himself,” explained Martin, who was post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) while shocked when tests revealed elevated Martin also sufered an Addisonian crisis, enzyme levels in the spaniel’s blood stream, and nearly died. suggesting smoke inhalation. “After the ire, we were afected on so “We could tell that he was also psychologically traumatised and was very easily startled. The air-con unit had made banging noises and even closing a door made him nervy, while ireworks became “Buddy’s owner reported that he was a particular challenge. more lethargic, anxious, had some “There is no doubt that he sufered to discharge coming from his eyes, and save us but luckily, further tests showed had started howling,” said Medivet there has been no long-term damage.” Battersea’s lead veterinary surgeon Martin is understandably full of praise and branch p partner Mihael Pungartnik, and admiration for his brave dog. “We had who attributed tthe spaniel’s change in always valued Buddy, but on the back of his behaviour to stress, stre trauma, and heroics, we are now much more conscious a change of environment following envi of that value,” he concluded. “But for him, the ire. we wouldn’t be here now. In fact, the ire “There was no crackle in his lungs brigade was crystal clear that we would or coughing and we couldn’t ind have died otherwise. any other abnorm abnormality, but blood “Buddy’s always had a special place in our tests showed two types of enzyme hearts but this trauma has brought us all were elevated.” closer together. Although this indicated smoke “We now pay more attention and listen inhalation, which can result in severe very carefully when he barks.” lung injury in do dogs (just as it can with Martin is hugely grateful for the help there were no other humans) the and support shown by William Dwen and clinical signs and it’s hoped si the Battersea and Clapham branches of won’t develop any Buddy w Medivet, where Buddy has attracted his long-term physical efects. long-t own fan club among the staf. “But we will be “B “As a result, Buddy is back to where he monitoring him every mo was — super-loving and just a little bit six months for any stubborn,” added Martin. respiratory abnormalities, res “But without that streak of stubbornness, and a cough of any an I hate to think what would have become kind will raise suspicions,” of us.” added Mihael. adde

Vet ’s view

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Got a problem with your dog? Whether it’s about behaviour, training, health, or general care, the Your Dog experts are here to help. Our panel includes some of the top names in the dog world, so you can rest assured that you are getting the best quality advice. Just email your problem/query to editorial@yourdog.co.uk or, if you prefer, you can post it to ‘Dog Answers’ at our Bourne address (see page 3). You can also post your query on Facebook www.facebook.com/yourdogmagazine.

DOG

Answers HEALTH Things going on outside may be enough to trigger barking in the house.

SMELLY BREATH

My dog, Trules, a Border Collie-cross, has recently developed bad breath. I’ve noticed this when he is panting. Could you recommend a herbal treatment? His overall health is very good, as is his appetite! Margaret Curtis, Hampshire.

Holly says: Poor Truffles! In addition to any supportive treatments you may use, don’t forget that you will need to start brushing Truffles’ teeth. Ask your vet to check them over and give you the lowdown on how to do this safely and gently, as it’ll take some getting used to. The herbs sage, parsley, and thyme are commonly added to many dental products as they are excellent for freshening breath and helping to keep the oral mucosa healthy. You can even add some chopped or dried parsley to Truffles’ es food.

BEHAVIOUR EHAVIOUR

Early wake-up call

Parsley.

My Border Collie, Alaska, wakes up around 5am every day, barking. He doesn’t need to go to the toilet and don’t want to start feeding him so early. I do How can I train him to wait until a more Ho reasonable hour? rea

Sage.

Bryony Marlow, Somerset. Thyme.

Kate says: With all dogs who show concerning behaviour, I always suggest a full veterinary examination, to make sure the behaviour isn’t being triggered by a medical cause.

Quick-fire questions

THE EXPERT PANEL

KATE ELLAM is professional development canine behaviour oicer at Dogs Trust.

TONY CRUSE is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers.

VICKY PAYNE BVetMed, MRCVS is a holistic vet based in East Sussex.

HOLLY MASH BVSc, MRCVS specialises in herbal medicine, acupuncture, and nutrition.

Look and listen out for any triggers that might set the behaviour of, by either being around at the time the behaviour happens, or ilming Alaska in the room and seeing what happens before he barks at 5am. For instance, is there an animal outside, a neighbour going out or coming back from work, refuse collection happening, and so on? Where possible, try to recollect when this irst started and how long it has been going on for. Sometimes, one-of experiences impact a dog greatly and he anticipates this happening again, so practising the behaviour of barking becomes a habit. If you can identify the reason, it will help when preparing a behaviour modiication programme with a certiied clinical animal behaviourist, sourced via the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB). A qualiied, experienced behaviourist will be able to visit you in order to understand the underlying reason for your dog’s barking. Although it can be frustrating, avoid any negative responses towards the dog, as this could worry him and afect your relationship, and could even make the behaviour worse. While you are seeking professional help, if you can identify a trigger for the behaviour, consider whether you can avoid him seeing/ hearing it, either by shutting doors, closing curtains, or having some music on to block any sounds. You can also try to encourage him to sleep in another area of the house, or provide a dog crate with a cover over it, so it creates a safe space and a den area for your dog to go if he feels worried by something happening outside. Another option could be to feed him later in the evening as it may be that he is hungry. If you decide to try this, make sure you give him the opportunity to toilet before bedtime. Hopefully, with some professional support, you will be able to work through this.

JOANNE ANGUS LCGI is a founder member of the Guild of Master Groomers.

JOHN BURNS BVMS, MRCVS is a vet, and founder of feed company Burns Pet Nutrition.

STEPHEN JENKINSON is access adviser to Your Dog, the Kennel Club, and local councils.

GROOMING

WHICH BRUSH TYPE FOR MY DOG?

What’s the best type of brush to use on my Norfolk Terrier? Do you have any tips on keeping her coat under control? Sally Ennis, Merseyside.

Joanne says: A slicker brush would be a good brush to use on your dog. Pay particular attention to the legs, undercarriage, and beard, but be very gentle brushing the body coat as the hair is much shorter here. A Norfolk Terrier should be hand-stripped to maintain the correct texture of the coat. I would recommend a visit to a professional groomer who offers a hand-stripping service around every eight weeks to help keep the coat in top condition. To find a qualified groomer, visit www.thegroomersspotlight.com

HOW MANY TEETH DO DOGS HAVE? Dogs have two sets of teeth during their lives: the deciduous or milk teeth, and the adult or permanent teeth. The milk teeth naturally fall out when the permanent teeth start to appear. Molars are the only teeth with no deciduous predecessors. In puppyhood, dogs have 28 deciduous teeth. The average adult dog has 42 teeth: upper jaw: six incisors, two canines, eight premolars, and four molars; lower jaw: six incisors, two canines, eight premolars, and six molars.

WHY DOES MY DOG DIG AT, MESS UP, AND CIRCLE IN HIS BED BEFORE FINALLY SETTLING? It’s an instinctive behaviour. In the wild, a dog would do this to create a comfortable bed by making a small hollow in the earth and lattening the grass. Bear in mind that if your dog is repeatedly digging and circling and won’t settle, then he might be too hot, too cold, or uncomfortable.

A slicker brush would be a good choice for a Norfolk Terrier.

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DOG

A dog’s nails vary depending on the conformation of the foot.

Answers GROOMING

Her nails keep scratching my skin

I am never sure how long my dog’s nails should be. They seem long to me and are very sharp, too. However, the vet said they do not need cutting. Do you have any suggestions as to how I can keep them from scratching the skin when she catches them on me? Saskia Noland, via email.

Joanne says: It is extremely diﬃcult to say how long an individual dog’s nails should be as it is dependent on how often they are walked, the surfaces they are walked on, the conformation of the

foot, the dog’s age, size, and weight. If you walk your dog on hard surfaces, then the nails should wear down naturally, and have a smoother edge. If you walk on softer ground then they may not wear down as much. As your vet has

TRAINING

Why won’t Albert play with his toys? Don’t leave your dog’s toys scattered all over the loor.

said they don’t require cutting, I would suggest filing the nails to remove any rough edges. A harsh emery board will suffice; hold your dog’s foot firmly, depress each toe individually, and file the edge gently.

My puppy, Albert, isn’t bothered by toys; he has no interest in playing with them. However, he will pick up anything he isn’t supposed to play with. My children want to be able to play games with him, such as fetch, but he doesn’t seem interested. Any suggestions as to how we get him to enjoy playing with toys? Neale Dean, Tyne and Wear.

Tony says: It sounds like Albert is choosing items that get him attention — they’re all toys to him. As soon as a dog picks up something he shouldn’t, there is engagement with the owner, even if it is a reprimand. And any attention makes grabbing articles more likely to happen next time. A mistake many dog owners make is to leave all the dog’s toys on the ﬂoor, available 24/7. This devalues the toys and makes them

appear dull. It’s why a dropped sock becomes the best thing ever! So, keep a few toys special, in a safe place, and out of reach of the dog. Surprise Albert by whipping out a toy. Playing is about human/dog engagement via the toy. Make the toy appear alive, move it around the ﬂoor, and then hide it behind your back; pull it out again and let your dog grab it. When the toy is active, game on; make it still and you can carefully get hold of it to take it back. Keep all games short, maybe two or three minutes. Always end the game with the dog wanting more fun, so the next time you produce the toy, the fun will restart! If all else fails, one of the best toys you can create for your dog is an old sock with a tennis ball inside! Knot the end of the sock; make it wriggle like a snake, tease a little, and look for engagement. I would put money on it that Albert will be interested!

TOP TIP Watch what your dog does when excited. Experiment with a few toys, and mimic your dog’s natural play behaviour.

Your Dog February 2020

Quick-fire questions WHAT IS FLYBALL?

Having two dogs can mean double trouble!

BEHAVIOUR

Don’t leave me home alone!

Our irst dog is a 15-month-old Cockerpoo called Barney. He is such a lovely, sensitive dog, and loves to play with others. He hates it when we leave him alone for a couple of hours. We are thinking of getting Barney a ‘brother’ to keep him company. Is this OK, and, if so, which breed of dog would match Barney’s personality?

HEALTH

Worried about Jug health issues

My partner and I are considering getting a small dog. The breed we are interested in is a Jug; we think they’re great little dogs. However, I am aware that Pugs are known for poor health, with breathing-related issues. If we were to get a Jug, would he still have the breathing issues that a Pug has, or would it help that he was a cross-breed?

Kevin Parry, via email.

Leanne Coles, Merseyside.

Tony says: When alone, a severely anxious dog will not eat, and may defecate, urinate, and chew carpets or door frames near the home’s exits. However, many of the cases I have seen are not necessarily because the dog is overly anxious, but because the dog is bored. Getting another dog may appear like a solution, but the idea can spectacularly backfire, meaning you are left with two dogs with separation anxiety. Plus, you have the other issues such as double insurance, double training, double walking, and twice the amount of poo to pick up! Why not leave your dog with something to do when he is alone? If he gets a tasty, stuffed Kong when you leave the house, he will look forward to you going. The Kong also gives him something to do. Chewing can have a calming effect. It is essential that when you return, you carefully take back the tasty Kong regardless of whether he’s finished it or not. Remember, he only gets it when he’s alone. If he refuses to eat the food from the Kong when he is alone, either the food is too dull or there is a degree of anxiety. Consider getting a professional to visit to help address the issue. You can find a local trainer from one of the recommended organisations mentioned on page 66.

Vicky says: The trouble with a cross-breed is that you can never be entirely sure what you are going to get! Pug X Jack Russells tend to have longer noses than Pugs and less breathing issues, but many that I have seen have either under- or over-shot jaws, which can cause dental problems. Do lots of research on the breeder and see the mum (and at least photos of the dad), just as you would if choosing a pure-bred dog. Choose a puppy that has been raised in a family home and never buy a puppy if you think something isn’t right. Sadly, Pugs and their crosses are often produced by puppy farmers in appalling conditions. Your ideal puppy should be viewed with the litter, Mum should be seen with the pups, and the puppies should all look healthy and active.

This high-adrenalin sport is simply a relay race for dogs. Two teams of four dogs each take turns to jump over hurdles and trigger a box to release a ball, then return, without making any mistakes. The team that completes the race in the fastest time is the winner. There are six dogs in a team, but only four run at any one time — the other two dogs are similar to subs on a football team.

I’VE HEARD ABOUT FEAR PERIODS IN PUPS; WHEN DO THEY OCCUR? SHOULD YOU AVOID SOCIALISATION AT THESE TIMES? All puppies are diferent, depending on their breed and type — be guided by your own puppy. Generally, you will see fear periods (or hazard-avoidance behaviour) at around seven weeks old, and again with the onset of adolescence. But it’s far more important to watch your dog than watch the calendar. If your puppy is showing fear responses to anything, take it slowly, increase the distance from the object of worry, and keep it all rewarding. Don’t introduce new things or experiences in these periods.

The Jug is a cross between n a Pug and a Jack Russell.

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DOG

Answers Hands-on tuition should be part of your course.

CAREERS

Which grooming course should I pick?

I am hoping to follow a career in dog grooming. There is lots of information online, and many courses available. However, the courses vary in price, content, and length. What sort of course is best to develop my career, and what are the preferred qualiications a business would look for?

BEHAVIOUR

Too shy to toilet

We’ve recently got a Border Collie, who won’t go to the toilet when we’re out. She’s only seven months old, but it is becoming a problem if we want to go out all day. As soon as she returns home, she will go straight to the toilet in the garden. Do you have any advice?

Adam Burton, East Yorkshire.

Joanne says: As with many careers, there is an established route to becoming a qualified groomer. The one major factor to consider is that you MUST have practical training. You cannot learn a practical skill with no hands-on tuition. There are many training schools that offer a range of courses and qualifications, and while some may seem more expensive than others, it is probably because they have more experience and deliver better tuition. Research the training schools by checking the experience and qualification levels of the main tutor. A lot of schools offer taster sessions before you book a course, and I would definitely recommend these or, at the minimum, a visit for a look around and a chat. Training schools can be found by visiting www. summitgroomertraininggroup. co.uk The industry recognises City &

Your Dog February 2020

Guilds Qualifications, International Certified Master Groomer, and Open College Network qualifications. The starting point on the City & Guilds ladder is to gain Level 2 Dog Grooming Assistant before progressing to Level 3 Dog Grooming Diploma; you will be classed as fully qualified at Level 3. The International Certified Master Groomer (ICMG) is not on the national framework for qualifications but is industry recognised and, again, it is broken down into different units before attaining full qualifications. The OCN is available at Level 3 Diploma. The recognised qualifications require a minimum amount of guided learning hours, City & Guilds being 483 hours for Level 2 and 3, some of which may be home study. So, you can expect to spend approximately eight weeks practical training. My main advice is to research and chat before you spend any money. Good Luck!

Georgina Griffin, Shropshire.

Tony says: Border Collies can often be sensitive to their immediate environment, so perhaps something is spooking her outdoors, for example traﬃc or other dogs. Take her somewhere quiet and be calm and patient. Try not to prompt her with words. Another tip is to come home after a walk, and instead of going straight out to the back garden, go out of the front door for another walk. She is then more likely to be ready for a wee. Similarly, you could walk her

out to the garden when she is still on the lead. Could it be she doesn’t want to wee or poo when you are close by and attached to a lead? Regardless, you need to reward her well for weeing or pooing when she is on-lead. If it’s in the garden, give her a piece of her dinner kibble. However, when it finally happens on a walk, straight after she has been (poo or wee), gently praise and go big, providing a delicious treat (liver cake/chicken/low-fat cheese). She will soon figure out that weeing and pooing on walks pays off.

FIND OUT MORE! You can ind a local trainer to help you via the following organisations: The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT); www.apdt.co.uk or The Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT); www.imdt.uk.com

HEALTH

Could herbs help?

My Labrador, Teddy, is 12 years old, and, lately, I have noticed he is getting stif in his joints. Our walks are getting slower and slower, although he still enjoys going out. Please could you recommend a herbal treatment to help him? His general health is good besides this problem.

Margaret Wicken, Surrey.

Holly says: Acupuncture is a great complementary therapy for many dogs who are slowing down and feeling the eﬀects of arthritic joints. It is a natural way of stimulating the release of the body’s own pain-relieving chemicals, without any of the side eﬀects of the usual medicines. More and more

vets are training in basic acupuncture, so ask your vet whether he or she can recommend anyone local, or check out the Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists’ website (www.abva.co.uk). In addition, you can ask your vet about herbal remedies that support joints such as devil’s claw and bosswellia.

Gentle exercise is best if your dog is feeling the efects of arthritis.

Quick-fire questions WHY DOES MY DOG SCRAPE UP THE GRASS AFTER HE’S TOILETED? By scratching the ground, dogs are leaving their scent marks for others to smell, thereby emphasising the scent mark made by their urine or faeces. Dogs may also scrape the ground without going to the toilet — to attract a mate if entire, or if they smell a strange dog in the area. Some dogs may develop a habit of doing it and perform it every time they toilet.

WHY DOES MY DOG ROLL IN SMELLY THINGS? One of the most common theories is that they do it to disguise their own scent for hunting. Another is that pungent smells somehow heighten a dog’s status to others.

FEEDING

Are vegetables good for my dog?

I am hoping to introduce more vegetables es into my dog’s diet. I am aware that I should avoid some, but which vegetables are appropriate to feed my dog, and how do I incorporate these into meals?

Carrots and broccoli are good vegetables to feed.

Jackie Moore, e, Wiltshire. Wiltshi hire.

John says: You should avoid onion and garlic, but otherwise it is ﬁne to give any vegetables to your dog, including cooked potato; you need to reduce the amount off pet food accordingly. Vegetables like carrot, broccoli, and green beans can be given raw or cooked, but, as always, avoid any major, sudden changes to the diett as these may cause digestive upset. You can includee vegetables at mealtimes or they can be given as a healthy, non-fattening treat. www.yourdog.co.uk

DOG

A dog could make a good goling buddy.

Answers

TRAINING

Looking for a goling buddy! Q

In the past we have owned Bouvier des Flandres, and loved having them. We have not had a dog for several years, but I am now retired and so thinking of getting another dog. I have played golf for most of my life but, as I am getting older, my sight is not what it used to be. I can no longer follow the light of the ball so it is now diicult to play the game. Could I train a dog to be a ball spotter on the golf course? Of course, I would not want the dog to retrieve the ball, but to ind it, then sit next to it, until I got there. If this idea is practical, could you advise how to carry out the training? Also, what type of dog would you recommend? Having downsized on retirement, as much as we loved our Bouviers, they are probably a bit too large for our current house. But, like them, we would like a low-shedding dog. Bob Russett, Bristol.

Tony says: What a fascinating question! On the golf course, you could consider utilising the dog’s primary sense… smell. Having an idea of, roughly, where the golf ball lands, you could walk the dog to the overall location and use a search cue. Your dog could work similarly to a drug detection dog, who is taught to passively indicate (sit or stare)

Your Dog February 2020

always impresses me, because at the article (in this case, your TOP TIP! they are accurate, diligent, and golf ball). totally enjoy nosework, are The training would To ind out which golf Labradors. However, a breed require getting the dog courses across the you may interested in a particular country welcome dogs, not have considered is odour (catnip or lavender check out the website a Labradoodle. Labradoodles are examples) and then www.doggolf.info possess the intelligence of scenting up your golf balls. A the Poodle and the super competent dog trainer should nose of the Labrador! Plus, be able to help with the training. Labradoodles can be medium-sized and low However, you would need to check with shedding, so they meet your requirements. the golf club regarding the use of a dog on Good luck in your search for a suitable the course. dog… and enjoy the golf! I run scent workshops, and the breed that

HEALTH

Lens luxation in JRTs Q My partner and I recently bought a Jack Russell puppy. A local dog walker told me that they are prone to cataract problems. Is this true? Are there any supplements I can give my puppy to try to prevent this?

Joshua Pettle, Tyne and Wear. Jack Russells have a higher risk of primary lens luxation.

Vicky says: Jack Russells are not particularly prone to cataracts. Like many terriers they do have a higher risk of primary lens luxation, where the ligaments holding the lens in place break. When the lens falls into the front of the eye, it causes pain and inﬂammation and surgery is required to remove it. There are no measures you can take to reduce the risk, but breeders should avoid breeding from dogs with a family history of lens luxation as it is believed to be an inherited problem.

Dogs need to be suitably restrained in the car.

Quick-fire He can’t wait to questions TRAINING

go ‘walkies’

My Sprocker, Bailey, gets so excited when I say the word ‘walkies’ that it takes ages to get him ready because he doesn’t let me put his harness or lead on. How can I calm him down?

BEHAVIOUR

Car calming advice

My three-year-old Shih Tzu gets extremely excited in the car. She often distracts the driver, and other drivers on the road, as she leaps around and scratches at the window. I hate the thought of putting her in a small crate during car journeys, especially if they are long. Do you have any suggestions on how I can calm her down? Suzie Sayer, West Midlands.

Kate says: Rule 57 of the Highway Code states: ‘when in a vehicle, make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so that they cannot distract you while you are driving, or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage, or dog guard are considered safe ways of restraining animals in cars.’ Depending on the vehicle you have, you could teach your dog to feel comfortable about travelling in the boot with a dog guard up, or you could carefully introduce a harness and seat belt. Your Shih Tzu may have associated journeys in the car with something fun, such as going for a walk or visiting friends and family. You still want her to see the car as a positive thing, but encourage a relaxed state so she (and anyone else in the car with her) feels at ease. It may be that she is worried by travelling in the car, rather than excited. With any concerning behaviour, it’s always worth having your dog examined by a vet to rule out any potential medical cause. Your vet will also be able to refer you to a certiﬁed clinical animal behaviourist registered with the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour or the Animal Behaviour and Training Council. An accredited behaviourist will be able to help you get to the bottom of the emotion underlying her behaviour, and give you a personalised plan to work on for both you and your dog.

HAVE YOU GOT ANY ADVICE ON TAKING YOUR DOG TO THE BEACH?

Lisa Todd, Leicestershire.

Tony says: ‘Walkies’ has become the predictor of a very exciting walk. If you want to start the walk calmly, don’t use the word. Chaos may also begin at the sight of the harness and lead. You can make these tools appear dull by showing them to your dog and then putting them away again. If you do this 15 times a day, they stop predicting a walk. When you do go for a walk, a tip regarding harness ﬁtting is to hold a Kong with a tiny amount of chicken paste or peanut butter smeared inside. As your dog licks the yummy Kong, with the other hand Leave the house calmly.

you can ﬁt the harness. The Kong technique has two advantages: 1 It provides a pleasant distraction for the dog. 2 The harness becomes a pleasant thing to wear because it’s soon associated with the tasty Kong. Once you have the harness and lead attached, never rush out of the door. Wait a couple of minutes to allow your dog to calm down a little. If walks are crazy and over-exciting, the excitement ‘bleeds backwards’. This means the time before the walk has begun also becomes crazy and exciting, so add in a few calm pauses.

● Check beforehand that the beach you’re visiting is dog friendly and what times of year dogs are welcome. The local council, tourist oices, and holiday guides may be able to help. ● Pack a supply of poo bags, sun cream — the sun can get strong even in the winter — and plenty of towels to dry your dog of once he’s had a swim. ● All sorts of rubbish can be washed up on a beach — keep an eye on your dog to make sure he doesn’t pick up anything he shouldn’t. ● Don’t let your dog drink sea water, it could cause tummy upsets — take plenty of fresh water with you for when he is thirsty. ● Don’t let your dog eat anything he inds on the beach. ● If your dog likes to swim, be observant and check for any warning lags or signs. Don’t let him swim too far out, and make sure he doesn’t overdo it — swimming is a tiring activity. ● Always wash your dog of when you get home to get rid of any ‘nasties’ he may have picked up.

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Gallery Give your dog his ive minutes of fame.

To be included in our gallery, email your photos to gallery@yourdog.co.uk or post traditional prints to the address on page 3. Include your name, address, and daytime telephone number, plus your dogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name and breed. Alternatively, you can share your images on social media dia at www. facebook.com/yourdogmagazine dogmagazine Twitter @yourdog. Please, lease, no images of dogs playing with sticks or wearing extreme clothing!

Golden Retriever Mika, from Runwell, Essex.

Cocker Spaniel Coco, from Norwich, Norfolk.

Charlie.

Border Terrier X Jack Russell Terrier Beau, from Staford. Alie.

Bonnie.

Max.

Bruce.

Alaskan Alaska Ala skan n Malamute Malamut Mala mute e Roc ky, from from Castleford, Castle Cas tlefor ford, d, Rocky, West Yorkshire. Yorkshi York shire. re. West

German Shepherds Lupo and Koda, from Rothersthorpe, Northamptonshire. Enzo.

Your Dog February 2020

Everton.

Whippet Skye, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.