We have three plans for your cats and dogs. Additionally, we offer some
Choose what makes the most sense for you and for them.
And welcome to this, our first-ever edition of DQ Magazine.
After months of planning (and a tiny bit of panicking!), it gives us great pleasure to introduce you to DQ! We're so thrilled to have you with us and hope that this marks the start of great things.
But, before you dive in, we just need to extend a few thankyous. Firstly, we couldn't have produced such a fascinating array of content without the support of our contributors, who enthusiastically submitted articles and images for use throughout.
Secondly, our model means that we are reliant on advertisers to fund the magazine's production and allow it to be distributed free to all those who wish to read it. We couldn't be more grateful to all of those who have jumped on board and made this first edition possible. It is thanks to you that we can produce this magazine!
Finally, we need to thank you, our brand-new readers, for taking the time to check this out. It's wonderful to be a part of such a dedicated community, and we hope you find value in this publication.
There's a lot of great content here, but of course, we'd love to hear from you about the content you'd most like us to feature. What interests you? Which breeds do you want to know more about? Which topics should we focus on? Let us know, and we'll get to work!
For now, all that remains is for you to check out this first issue. Please also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more great content, and visit our website at www.dqmagazine. co.za for regular blog posts.
Until next time!
The DQ team xxx
Designer: Jason Crole
“Seems to be turning Harley back into a puppy”
Actions speak louder than words so rather than go into great clinical detail as to why WALKEASE® works so well in relieving pain and improving mobility, we thought some of our furry friends’ experience would express it best.
WALKEASE®is a 100% natural and biologically active form of undenatured type II collagen. The unique patented UCII®:
• Provides a significantly more effective and safe treatment for dogs with stiff painful joints
• Restores and maintains strong, healthy and optimally functioning joints and limbs
• Significantly improves the quality of life, playfulness and overall health of your dog
n BENEFITS OF UC-II®:
• Is available in a convenient powder form that is easily and quickly absorbed
• Is safe with no known side effects
• Has no evidence of liver, kidney or blood dysfunction
• Is significantly more effective in reducing symptoms of pain than the combination of Glucosamine and Chondroitin – Up to twice as good!
• Demonstrated a 62% reduction in overall pain at 120 days versus 24% with Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Put that spring back into your dog’s step – naturally!!
“Jack could no longer jump up on the couch and
“I added Walkease to his diet and he is bouncing! He is almost eight, which is fairly senior for a Great Dane, but runs on the beach and climbs stairs like a youngster.” Andrew Errington
Harley Great Dane
Lady Pitbull
“It smells amazing so it probably also tastes lekker! She loves it. She loves her run everyday and doesn’t seem to get very stiff anymore.” Mirjam Elsinger
“Jack could no longer jump up on the couch and he is now forever on the couch when I turn my head.” Lisa Rawlings
Jack Cairn Terrier
TEXT: DR CAROLINE HOWES
INSTAGRAM: @BEYONDTHEBORDERINARY
AN INTRODUCTION TO TRICK TRAINING
WITH DR CAROLINE HOWES
So why is it worth training tricks with your dog?
Admittedly, it can seem a little frivolous at first glance, especially given all our other responsibilities as pet owners and just how busy life can get, but this past year, in particular, I have learned just how handy training tricks can be!
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
My interest in trick training began while raising my first puppy, Kipling. Kip is a border collie straight from a sheep farm in the Northern Cape, and his ideal day involves hours and hours of mental and physical work. So, when he injured his hind leg at six months old, his rest period looked pretty daunting to me (and I assume, to him too).
As I considered what I could do with Kipling to keep him occupied while his leg healed, I came across trick training, and Kip and I began working on more and more complex tricks as we progressed through his recovery. The mental exercise helped him thrive and took the edge off of his frustration and boredom, and by nine months old, he and I had a closer bond than ever before, and he knew over 70 tricks and cues!
LESSONS LEARNED
So, when trying to answer the opening question of why it is worth training tricks, Kipling's story gives us the answers. Firstly, training tricks helps alleviate boredom for dogs of all ages and temperaments. By exercising your dog's brain and giving them a
productive outlet, you are less likely to see all sorts of undesirable behaviours from your dog (e.g. chewing furniture, digging up the garden, barking, etc.). And while tricks are not a complete replacement for good oldfashioned physical exercise, they certainly help release some excess energy. This makes them extra helpful for dogs recovering from injury or those who find the outside world a little scary or overwhelming and need something else to focus on.
If done in a kind and positive way, trick training also enhances your bond with your canine companion and increases your pup's confidence. Working together to solve problems in the form of tricks helps you and your dog communicate more efficiently and better understand each other's body language. Your dog also learns how to better use their brain and body, which can help them feel more self-assured. Building this confidence can be especially important for nervous dogs or new rescue pups. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, training tricks is fun! It is an activity that dogs of all ages, breeds, sizes and temperaments can love. I have yet to meet a dog who does not enjoy learning new skills and tricks once they
have figured out how the game works. And, it is not just fun for the dogs! Friends and family will love seeing the fruits of you and your pup's labour. What could be cuter than watching your pooch tidy his toys neatly into a toy box or balance a treat perfectly on his nose?
GIVE IT A GO!
So if you are convinced to give trick training a try, here are a few tips to get you started.
• Choose appropriate tricks for your dog. Trick training is supposed to be fun for you and your dog, so choose tricks your dog can perform with ease. When thinking about what tricks to teach, it is important to consider both your dog's mental and physical well-being, especially at the start of your training journey. This means that you may want to begin with tricks your pup can pick up quickly, like spinning in a circle or sitting in between your legs. Additionally, think of what your dog is physically capable of. For example, puppies should not be doing high impact jumping tricks, and your senior dog probably doesn't want to either.
• Start in a calm, quiet environment. One key element of dog training is to set your dog up for success. Reducing
• Keep training sessions short and fun. You don't need to train for hours at a time for your dog to learn some fun new tricks. Start with just five minutes a day before you feed your pup breakfast or dinner. Keep the pressure low during these sessions too. If you or your dog are getting frustrated, reward your pup for the last bit of work they have done and end your session for the day.
• Use high-value treats and don't be stingy with them (provided your dog does not have an issue with obesity). One of the best ways to keep your canine partner engaged is to reward them with a snack they really love. Treats like ham, viennas, and boiled chicken are generally super desirable for most pups (including my very picky border collie). Reward your dog heavily for their trick training work (especially initially). Anytime you see a behaviour close to what you are looking for, give your pup a treat. Rewards are key to cementing the new behaviour in their brain.
• Pay attention to what you are marking and rewarding. Timing is everything when it comes to dog training! If you reward your dog at the wrong time, you are
practice, but one way to help see if you are getting it right is to video your sessions so you can look back at your timing and see if you are indeed rewarding your dog for the desired behaviour.
• Break hard tricks into multiple pieces for easier training. This is especially important as you progress to more complicated tricks. For instance, if you want your dog to put a ring on a stick ('ring toss'), you first need to teach your dog separately to pick up the ring and approach the stick before asking for the full behaviour. Understanding how to break down tricks into more manageable parts is another skill that comes with time.
THE FUTURE
Once you start trick training, the sky's the limit! There are tons of great trick tutorials and ideas floating around social media to inspire you and some really great titles and certifications for you and your pup to work towards. But be warned, once you've started, you won't stop - trick training is addictive!
DID YOU KNOW?
In severe disaster situations, where search and rescue dogs struggle to recover many people or struggle (as in the case of 9/11) to get through the rubble and debris, handlers set up ‘dummy’ rescues at the site to help keep the morale of the dogs high for their work.
TEXT: GEORGIA HARLEY
THE RESCUE DOG JAKE
What makes a hero? Bravery? Selflessness?
Sacrifice? For years and years, dogs have been recognised as heroes for demonstrating just these qualities and more. In this series, we tell the stories of these remarkable dogs to make sure that their heroic pursuits are not forgotten.
The first dog selected for our series is Jake, an American black Labrador. Jake started his life as a stray, having been badly mistreated by humans, and ended up rescuing people from the 9/11 attacks on The World Trade Centre, as well as from the aftermath of hurricane Katrina and hurricaine Rita.
EARLY LIFE
Jake was originally found as a stray. When he was first picked up, he had a broken leg and an injured hip. It was believed he had sustained these injuries having been thrown out of a window by his breeders when they discovered he had been born with hip dysplasia.
Thankfully his fortunes changed at ten months of age when he was adopted by Mary Flood, a member of the Utah Task Force. After just a year of training together at home, Jake became one of just 200 government-certified Search and Rescue Dogs of the United States.
WORKING LIFE
In his role as a Search and Rescue Dog of the United States, he served his people, saving victims in both the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, hurricane Katrina and hurricane Rita. He found countless survivors, particularly in the floods after the hurricane. It was not unusual for Jake to work twelve-hour shifts to recover as many people as possible. After the 9/11 attacks, he was one of 300 dogs put to work
at Ground Zero. Many of these dogs were trained on search and rescue work in the mountains and struggled with the stressful city conditions. But Jake remained unphased, working tirelessly to save the survivors. He served in the dangerous conditions in the buildings there for 17 days.
In his later years, Jake helped to train younger prospective rescue dogs and their handlers. He helped other dogs to learn to track scents in difficult places and terrain, including under snow and up trees.
Even after his retirement from search and rescue work, he continued to serve people as a therapy dog for children recovering from burns and senior citizens in need of company and support.
DEATH
Jake was laid to rest at the age of twelve due to hemangiosarcoma, a blood-borne cancer. His owner reportedly took him for one last walk through the fields and creeks of Oakley, Utah, before he was put to sleep.
LEGACY
Jake the Labrador became an American hero, even famously earning a steak dinner in one of Manhattan’s top restaurants. He will be remembered for his courage, bravery, selflessness and for, overall, being a very good boy.
DID YOU KNOW?
Labradors are often used for search and rescue due to their ability to stay concentrated on a scent for a prolonged amount of time. Labradors are also calmer than many other breeds, meaning that in more dangerous or stressful situations, they still have the ability to track a scent and find the person.
ENRICHMENT
PART 1
TEXT: SARAH WANLESS
Canine Enrichment refers to any activity that engages your dog’s innate behaviours, such as digging, sniffing, chewing, and licking. In other words, it provides an outlet for the expression of species appropriate behaviours and is essential for creating healthy, happy, well-behaved dogs. Enrichment helps you to find ways of allowing your dog to engage in natural activities or behaviours that we often suppress, such as digging or chewing, but in a positive manner that we can wholeheartedly encourage.
WHY ENRICHMENT?
While it goes without saying that is important to physically exercise our dogs, there are many other elements of dog care that are just as important but get sidelined, such as sensory or cognitive enrichment activities. Just like us, dogs need a variety of interesting, appropriate, and challenging activities to keep them happy, while also
leaving them physically, emotionally, and mentally satisfied. Enrichment activities can often tire them out more than a 5km run!
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ENRICHMENT
There are a whole range of different types of enrichment we can provide for our furry friends, and they can be categorised into the following groups: social, cognitive, sensory, physical, food-based, and toy-based. You’ll often find that one particular activity will span several categories. We strongly recommend doing some research on your particular dog’s breed or breeds, as understanding their breed purpose will help you to know what enrichment activities would work best for them. For example, a herding ball for your Border Collie, digging experiences for your Jack Russell and playing fetch (retrieving) with your Retriever, would all be highly beneficial.
THE BENEFITS OF ENRICHMENT
Enrichment activities have a multitude of benefits for your dog and can help reduce frustration, boredom and the occurrence of unwanted behaviors. These activities have also been proven through research to improve your dog’s overall well-being, and, of course, any activity that involves spending time with your pup will naturally strengthen your bond.
THIS SERIES
Here at DQ, we are committed to improving the well-being of our dogs so we will be providing monthly enrichment ideas (from all categories) for your pup. Ranging from the expensive to the (virtually) free, from store-bought to homemade, we’ll make it easy for you to incorporate enrichment activities into your pups’ daily lives.
rubber base, and fabric strips that are knotted through the holes. While it sounds (and often looks) a little strange, it’s what’s inside that really counts. All these loose pieces of fabric provide a plethora of places to hide treats (and even kibble) and your dog will love sniffing them all out!
We would recommend starting with higher value, tasty, good smelling treats for the first few tries while your dog is learning what the mat is all about. You can then gradually transition to lower value treats, or even ditch their dinner bowl entirely and feed them full meals in the mat, once they have the drive to work for it.
This type of enrichment is classified as sensory, as it’s all about the nose. A dog’s sense of smell is his most important sense. Dogs prefer to smell to investigate, so
incredibly satisfying for your pooch (think about the mental goodie) and allow your dog to participate in scent work and scavenging behaviors.
It is important to remove the mat when your pup has found all the treats (give it a good shake when you think they’re done to get rid of any of the well-hidden ones). This is important as it signifies the “end” of the activity, which is key. We also don’t recommend leaving the mat lying around when not in use, as the fabric will start smelling like treats and dogs may chew and potentially ingest the fabric.
Snuffle Mats are now widely available, but we’ve had great experiences with mats from Snuffling Tazz and Groot Poort Clothing Co. We love their homemade, custom designs, patterns, sizes and colours. Check them out today!
Mats shown here are by Snuffling Tazz!
Physiotherapy
Underwater Treadmill
Therapeutic exercises Kinesiotaping Laser
Healthy Hound
Q&A WITH THE TEAM
Courteney Ferreira from the DQ Team caught up with Healthy Hound to ask them a few questions about their important and exciting work in the canine community.
Q: For those new to your work, can you explain what Healthy Hound does?
A: Our goal is to reunite families with their lost pets by using specially trained sniffer dogs and our own training as missing animal consultants.
Q: What led you to start Healthy Hound?
A: In 2020, Diane purchased K9 Zizou with the intention of doing human search work with her, but when Zizou was sterilised at Blue Bush Animal Clinic, Dr Sheila Hahn approached Diane and said that she was wasting this dog's talents doing missing people and should rather search for missing pets. Diane looked into this and saw that it was a
Q: How do you train dogs in finding other animals?
A: Searching for dogs is based on the same principles as tracking and trailing humans, so the dogs in training are started on humans and then moved onto other animals' scents. As a rule, we never use the same scent twice with one dog for tracking, as in our work, it is very unlikely that
searching for cats in general. Once again, we never use the same feline scent for the same dog. Our cat detection dogs are also trained on other species such as rabbits, wild animals, hamsters etc so they are used to finding a variety of scents. This also allows us to have dogs that are able to assist in finding more unusual animals, such as lemurs! It takes approximately six months to train a cat detection dog and 12 to 18 months to train a dog detection dog.
Q: Which dogs are best suited to the work?
A: Any dog that has a good drive, a good nose and a friendly personality is suitable. We are biased towards Dutch Shepherds for these qualities, as well as their athleticism. We also find Belgian Malinois to be excellent, but we are extremely selective as to where we get our Malinois from. We recently acquired a dog that was purpose-bred for tracking who is a Bavarian Hound x Dutch Shepherd, and we also have a little mix breed who is exceptional for finding cats. If we had to pick, going forward, we would consider working Springer Spaniels or working line Labradors.
Q: What do you need from clients who want you to search for their animal?
A: We just need something that the dog or cat has used, such as a bed, to carry out our search.
Q: Where are you based?
A: At the moment, we are based only in Gauteng, but we are prepared to travel if a client needs us. We are looking at expanding to Cape Town quite soon as there is a great need for our work there.
DOGS AT WORK
Q: How do you care for your dogs?
A: It is an extremely physical and mental job for the dogs, so to keep them fit for their work, the dogs are taken on regular off-leash walks at various parks. They also do a lot of parkour type workouts to keep flexible and agile, and they are taken regularly to our preferred kennels (The Hound Hotel), where they not only get to run and keep up with their socialisation skills but where we encourage them to swim. Swimming is excellent for them to keep in top form physically. For mental fitness, we do regular training with them, and we also do other fun scent games with them to keep them interested and entertained.
Q: What are the costs of your service?
A: As much as we want to help everyone for free, we are a specialised service, so we have to charge, but we keep our
XARA
We were called on the Monday afternoon about a seven month old dog, Xara, that had gone missing from the scene of a fatal car accident, where she lost her human mother. We were asked to see if we could track Xara using Zizou. Diane responded to the callout, and Zizou tracked Xara to a particular area in Diepsloot. Both Diane and Zizou were out until late with this case, but were really grateful to the Midrand CPF for their backup. Diane and Zizou worked alongside Xara’s owner Reino, Ben from The Dogs’ Trust, as well as Rory and Noel from Woodrock Animal Rescue. The resultant search during the week was centred around where Zizou had indicated she could detect Xara. Diane and Zizou were out every day with the other volunteers assisting and checking areas for scent. In the end it turned out that Zizou was right and Xara was found exactly where Zizou had indicated! Xara was happily reunited with her human father.
fees as low as possible. We are the only team in SA doing this work, and we are doing continued studies to keep us up to date with the latest research in our field. A search takes on average two hours, but we do offer unlimited support and help after this at no extra charge. In fact, we coach a lot of people without charging a cent because we can't help them or they can't afford a search.
Q: What would you like people to know about your work?
A: We just encourage people to get in touch sooner rather than later. We think of the animals we found deceased every single day, and sometimes, if we had just been called earlier, we could have found the animal alive. This is heartbreaking for us, so we just want people to know we are here. We are dedicated individuals who live for helping our clients, and we put our everything into each search. If
THERMO
HOLI ST I C PE T
Holisticpet is dedicated to improving the lives of animals by developing and manufacturing solutions and products to aid post surgical recovery as well as ageing, handicapped and debilitated pets.
Prevents
Holisticpet products are designed to: Assist with immobilising or supporting joints or body parts
Protect against injury or prevent injury re-occurring Correct or prevent deformities or injuries
Assist with function and ease of movement
All products are proudly made in Cape Town, South Africa.
Holisticpet products are endorsed by a veterinarian.
DACHSHUND WALKER
TEXT: COURTENEY FERREIRA
Jack Russell Terriers
TENACIOUS BUT TINY HUNTERS
Known for their small stature but big personality, the Jack Russell Terrier is a petite but solid breed.
These dogs stand about 30-35 cm tall and weigh around 6-8kg, but don’t let their size fool you; they have seemingly endless energy and stamina!
HISTORY
Originating in England in the mid to late 1800s, they were bred in response to a need for a dog smaller than the foxhounds to hunt foxes. A pastor named John Russell saw the need for a small terrier that could follow the fox into the ground and started a selective breeding program aimed at developing a bold and athletic dog.
Unfortunately, there is little documentation of this breeding program, but the most likely conclusion is that the Jack Russell originated from selectively breeding white terriers (now extinct) with English foxhounds.
The Jack Russell’s popularity skyrocketed from here, as they were able to keep up with the horses on a chase and had tenacity which made them successful at hunting other animals like raccoons and other smaller game. Their trademark was their prey drive and agility, and their ability to flush the fox from its hiding places was unmatched.
Fox hunting is not something we do in South Africa but the Jack Russell is still a firm favourite among horse owners and you will often find them in tow at equestrian shows or on the farm as they make for great rat catchers!
TYPES
The Jack Russell Terrier has two coat types, smooth and broken or rough. Both are double coats with a rough texture. The broken or rough coat is slightly longer and dogs have a bit of a beard and eyebrows. Their coats can be white, white with black or tan markings or tri-colour. Grooming is straightforward as they only need to be brushed weekly to remove dead and loose hair, with broken or rough coats needing to be stripped twice yearly.
HEALTH
Jack Russell’s are generally healthy and hardy little dogs but can suffer from a handful of health problems such as patella luxation (slipping of the kneecaps), deafness, skin allergies and Legg Calve Perthes disease which is a congenital orthopaedic disorder that causes degeneration of the hip joint. When looking to acquire a pup from a reputable breeder, always enquire as to whether any health tests have been performed on the parents.
SUITABILITY
Though they may be small, they have major exercise needs and are not your average lap dog. They thrive on structure and routine. If you are unable to commit to them in terms of exercise and mental stimulation as well as training, then you will have to deal with the barking, chasing and holedigging in your garden as a result!
In terms of personality, they are extremely loyal little companions and older children can find them to be a happy and affectionate playmate.
SUMMARY
In essence, if you want a dog who has boundless energy, is highly trainable but also very independent and determined, then these fearless little terriers are for you.
TEXT: SARAH WANLESS
DIRTY DOG
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU BATHE YOUR POOCH?
As is the case with most things related to our furry friends, there is, unfortunately, no hard and fast rule about how often they need to be bathed. While most of us shower daily, it isn’t the same for dogs and bathing them too often can be more harmful than helpful. But don’t despair; here at DQ we pride ourselves on finding the information you need to keep your BFF happy, healthy and huggable.
BATH TIME TIPS
1. If your dog is anxious and hates baths, an anxiolytic like CBD oil prior to bath time may help make the process a lot less stressful for your pooch.
2. It is important to use the right products. At DQ, we recommend a dog-specific shampoo that is hypo-allergenic and allnatural to keep the skin (and eyes) happy and healthy!
3. If you are going to use your bath or shower for bathing your dog, having a sticky/rubber bath mat is important to help your dog feel safe and secure during the bath.
4. Make sure you brush your dog before you bathe them. This helps remove any tangles and excess hair before you start.
5. Be prepared. Bathing your dog can be a messy process, so make sure you have everything you need (shampoo, jug for rinsing, towel and treats) ready before you start.
6. Having a lick-mat with some dog-friendly peanut butter stuck to the wall will help keep your pet still and distracted during the bathing process. NOTE: The act of licking is a naturally calming behaviour and should help your dog feel less stressed.
7. Temperature matters - think of a nice lukewarm temperature that would be suitable for a baby or toddler.
8. Wash from the bottom and rinse from the top. Starting at the bottom, wash the paws, legs and tummy first. This allows you to focus mainly on the dirtier areas, prevents soap from running into the eyes and ears, and reduces the chance of a shake occurring. Rinse from the head downwards until the water runs clear. This helps to ensure that the water runs away from the more sensitive areas.
9. Towel dry your pooch, especially if it’s chilly. Covering your dog with a towel immediately after bath time means less water all over your bathroom and a quicker drying time.
10. Try and make bathing a fun and enjoyable experience for your dog. As it is a necessity, it is ideal if your dog can enjoy the process. Take it slow in the beginning and praise your dog throughout. Ideally, it should be a bonding experience for both of you!
For all dogs, whether they be indoor sofa pups or outdoor working dogs, it is important to have a regular grooming and hygiene regime. This is important for managing their general hygiene and skin health, but it also gives you a chance to give your dog a once-over and check for unwanted parasites and any lumps and bumps. The ‘standard rule’ is that you should wash your dog every three months, which is a pretty safe bet for the standard dog. However, there are several factors to consider when deciding when to wash your pooch. These include activity level, coat type and length and health conditions.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
It stands to reason that an indoor dog that is limited to on-leash walks will require less frequent baths than your off-leash explorer who prefers to spend their time digging, swimming or rolling in something deliciously stinky. While it is recommended that you select a dog with a shorter to medium-length coat if you plan to be outdoors a lot, there is no reason you can’t have a longer haired breed (think Border Collie) and still live the outdoorsy lifestyle; it just means more frequent baths.
TOP TIP
Advice from celebrity dog groomer and author Jorge Bendersky “We should wash our dogs when they are no longer huggable!”
when you bathe your dog. As you may have guessed, longer-haired breeds will require more frequent baths due to the coat’s ability to hold dirt. For this reason, it is recommended that dogs with longer and curlier coats be bathed every four to six weeks. Generally, shorter coats are less maintenance, and you can often get away with wiping down the coat with a damp towel and just adding in a bath every three months. It is also important to note whether or not your furry friend has a double coat. The base coat of a double coat plays a vital role in temperature control, and bathing them too often can disrupt the oil production, which interferes with this process and can cause skin problems. In these cases, bathing very frequently is a definite no-no.
HEALTH CONDITIONS
Finally, health conditions also play a role in bathing frequency. There will be certain instances where, medically,
your dog will need to be bathed more frequently, such as in the case of certain skin conditions or allergies. This recommendation will most likely come from your vet and will probably involve the use of a medicated or prescribed shampoo. In this instance, it is important to listen to your vet’s recommendation and bath your dog as frequently as stipulated.
Looking for the best physiotherapy team for your pet?
DID YOU KNOW?
The name ‘Dachshund’ is actually German for ‘badger dog’ because these small dogs were originally bred for the purpose of hunting badgers! Dachshunds' short legs keep them low to the ground to track scents, and their narrow bodies allow them to crawl into burrows, looking for badgers. Despite their small size, Dachshunds are brave and fierce so were not intimidated by this hunting role. Over time, they were bred in different varieties to hunt different kinds of prey.
TEXT: COURTENEY FERREIRA
DESTINATION DOGS
TRAVELLING SAFELY IN A CAR WITH YOUR DOG
How often have you pulled up at a traffic light and looked over to see a big dog in the tiny hatchback next to you, staring out the window and decorating it with his nose prints? Or, how about that time you drove back from the beach behind a bakkie with a few dogs in the back? We probably smiled and remarked how ‘cute’ this all was, but, unfortunately, travelling with dogs in this way is not at all safe.
Car safety is majorly overlooked by most of us as dog owners, with many of us entirely unaware of how to transport our dogs safely. Here we give you some top tips for travelling safely in the car with your dogs.
CAR SAFETY TIPS
1. Keep important information and contact details in the car: Using brightly coloured paper or card, make an emergency note informing the first responders that you are travelling with your dog or you may have pets left alone at home. You can include your personal information on this card as well as your pet’s name and emergency contacts or vet’s contact details in case your pet needs emergency care. You can add in, “I have pets at home or travelling with me. Please get in touch with these people if I am injured.”
2. Rein it in! Although it might seem cute seeing your dog’s ears flapping in the wind, allowing your dog to dangle out of
DID YOU KNOW
In a car crash, a 15kg dog becomes a 500kg projectile when travelling at a mere 48km/h.
your car window is extremely dangerous. Wind and debris can cause serious injuries to their face and eyes and the dog can prove a real distraction for you as the driver.
3. Harnesses and seatbelts: Safety restraints in the form of seatbelts are (hopefully) non-negotiable when travelling in a car, especially when transporting children. Why should our dogs be any different? You may have seen pet seatbelts in your local pet store or veterinary clinic, but bear in mind not all restraints are created equal. Plastic buckles can snap or break. Anything holding your dog in the seat should not be plastic. Instead opt for a belt with a metal buckle, and look at the stitching and material used to make the seatbelt. Using a harness with wide, padded straps with the seatbelt will distribute forces more evenly than a thinner one in the event of a collision. NOTE: It is also safer to harness your dog in the back seat to avoid any possible injury from the front airbags.
4. Crates: A solid and secure travel crate is often the safest place in your car for your dog. How do you know if
crash, as some crates have one door while others may
Never place the crate on the passenger seat as the airbags could cause serious injury should you be in a collision. The crate is safest either in the footwell against the passenger seat or braced against the back of the
TAKE HOME MESSAGE
Next time your beloved Bingo joins you on a trip, be it down to the coast on holiday or just around the block, make sure you have taken the necessary safety precautions to keep you both safe.
TOP TIP
Travelling in a crate can benefit dogs suffering from travel sickness. Get your dog used to being in a crate by letting them spend short periods in it and rewarding them with tasty treats and lots of praise.
Get your dog used to their crate before travelling with them.
DID YOU KNOW?
EACH DOG’S NOSE PRINT IS AS UNIQUE AS A HUMAN’S FINGERPRINT.
DID YOU KNOW?
Just like humans, some dogs have bad posture, which can lead to chronic pain.
BODY LANGUAGE EXPLAINED
PART 1: POSTURE
Most dog owners would love to know what goes on in their dog’s head. The good news is that dogs are remarkably communicative through their body language and that, unlike humans, they don’t ‘fake it’ or pretend to feel one way when they feel another. This means that understanding your dog is actually much easier than you might expect, and by simply learning a little about body language, we can start to ‘read their mind’ just by looking at them.
AN OVERALL PICTURE
Many elements make up the overall picture we call ‘body language’. For this, our first edition, we start with posture, but over our next few editions, we will be diving into the specific body parts in some detail to examine exactly what they can all tell us.
POSTURE
The way your dog holds his body reveals a lot of information about his mood. Happy dogs stand in a relaxed manner, with their weight spread evenly over all four of their feet.
They might bounce or bow or jump. Confident dogs will stand tall and alert, with their ears and tails standing to attention. Cautious dogs lean backwards as though they are preparing to retreat or run away, and scared dogs try to make themselves as small and unobtrusive as possible by getting low to the ground and tucking their ears and tails underneath them. Aggressive dogs, on the other hand, stiffen up, leaning forwards and making themselves as big and intimidating as possible.
ANGRY
An angry dog will hold a tense posture with his tail up, hard eyes, his ears forward, and his teeth bared. He may even start snapping at the perceived threat.
CAUTIOUS
When a dog is uncertain about a situation, a person or another dog, they often adopt a submissive posture. Their body language aims to show that they are not a threat. They lower their centre of gravity, avoid direct eye contact, and lift their lips slightly to show a ‘smile’. They may also tip their weight backwards in case they feel the need to run away.
INTERESTED
When a dog feels alert and curious, they stand upright, lift their ears, point their tail, and look forward. They share their weight evenly across their paws and turn towards any sights or sounds that catch their attention.
SCARED
When your dog feels scared or intimidated, they will try to make themselves as small as possible. They want others around them to know that they are not a threat. They cower towards the ground, tuck their tail underneath them and pull their ears back. An anxious dog may even roll over to expose their belly.
CONFIDENT
A confident dog will tilt their body weight forwards and lean into their front legs. If the hair between their shoulder blades stands up, their posture becomes stiff, and their eyes fix into a hard stare, they are moving into a more aggressive state. If they are particularly ready to assert themselves, they might even pull their lips back to show their teeth.
STRESSED
Stressed dogs will cower and tuck their tail. They generally keep their eyes averted and their ears back. They may tremble, and in some cases, even bare their teeth.
HAPPY
A happy and relaxed dog tends to take on a loose posture, with their weight distributed evenly across all four paws. Everything about them is relaxed, from their tail to their tongue. They might bounce, jump or bow if they want to play, and their eyes will look soft and interested.
WORRIED
Worried dogs often appear fidgety. Their tail will be held low, and they often show whale eyes. Their ears tend to be down, and they may yawn or lick their lips.
DID YOU KNOW? Dalmatian puppies are born completely white; they develop their spots as they get older.
SOUTH AFRICA’S
TEXT: SAMANTHA WALPOLE
DON’T HOPE
RATHER FACILITATE
When we add a dog or puppy to a home with existing dogs, ‘hoping’ that they will get on is not an appropriate strategy. Facilitating good relationships requires forethought and planning.
Our responsibility as an owner is to ensure that old, young, small and large are happy and safe, physically and mentally.
We cannot simply add the new member to the family and:
• Let the dogs ‘get on with it’
• ‘Hope for the best’ or
• ‘Leave it up to them’ to sort things out
INTRODUCING A NEW MEMBER TO THE FAMILY
A multitude of factors come into play when adding a dog to existing dogs:
• Breed tendencies
• Size
• Age
• Temperament
• Health deficits
• Energy levels
• Sociability
• Experience of the older dog to help raise a puppy
• Other people in the home
• Size of the home
All of these factors matter and we need to take the time to examine these factors and also
TO MAKE THE SITUATION EASIER
When choosing who is coming home make an informed decision for a good fit instead of an emotional decision. This makes the process much easier.
understand ‘dog rules’ and how dogs function together, instead of considering dynamics from a human perspective. Ultimately a lot of management strategies are going to need to be employed to help build healthy relationships in line with the needs of each dog. Furthermore, strategies will continuously change as the oldies become more compromised with age and a puppy goes through adolescence and reaches maturity.
This may seem like a lot of work, but ultimately adding a dog to a home is a bit like an arranged marriage. The dogs didn’t have a say so the responsibility falls on us to help everyone in the multi-dog household to live peacefully together without fear or stress.
We really must watch, listen to and believe our dogs if any of them are showing discomfort. No-one should be worried or afraid.
Owner of Be The Dog Behaviour and Boarding
Full Practicing Member SABCAP Full member Pet Professional Guild Advanced Animal Training Illis Trainer McKaynine Training Centre
TAKE HOME MESSAGE
It is vital that you prepare and change your home management in line with how your dog or dogs respond to the new canine companion. It may take several approaches and lots of time before you get this right, but be patient – it takes time to build relationships!
SAMANTHA WALPOLE
DID YOU KNOW? THE OLDEST DOG BREED IN THE WORLD IS THOUGHT TO BE THE SALUKI. THE BREED IS BELIEVED TO HAVE EMERGED IN 329 BC AND WAS REVERED BY EGYPTIAN ROYALTY.
WHO ARE WE?
CDS is one of the leading debt collection law firms in South Africa. CDS specializes in a process known as “Soft collection” to collect on outstanding Debt. This process is fast becoming one of the leading processes of debt collection throughout South Africa due to its minimal fee structure and maximum gain approach.
WHAT IS SOFT COLLECTION?
Soft collection is the Process used to collect debt BEFORE the matter is moved over to the Litigation phase. Soft collection uses specific debt recovery methods such as:
• Sending Legally correct Letters of Demand via Registered post;
• Telephone Calls;
• SMS’s;
• WhatsApp Messaging;
• Tracing systems;
• Black-listing systems with all various Credit bureaus across South Africa.
FUNDA NENJA
MAKING A DIFFERENCE DIFFERENTLY
In the township of Mpophomeni in the KZN Midlands, children are learning that caring for one’s dogs enhances one’s own sense of self-confidence and develops the values of compassion, empathy, and kindness.
Funda Nenja, which translates to “Learning with a dog” in isiZulu, is a One Welfare NPO that uses dog training as a vehicle for personal development and humane education. Their aim is to improve the quality of life for both township children and their dogs. Funda Nenja believes that instilling values of kindness, respect, and compassion through positive reinforcement training of their dogs changes children’s attitudes and emotional responses towards their dogs. Adrienne Olivier, the founder of this ground-breaking NPO, said, “We are investing in the future, not just applying a Band-Aid approach to animal welfare. These children will become agents of change and role models of responsible, caring dog owners in their communities.”
THE ORIGINS
Olivier, a professional dog training instructor and founder of Funda Nenja, saw the need for humane education while volunteering at SPCA outreach clinics in the local townships. “It was greatly distressing to see the cruel, coercive manhandling of the dogs. It made sense to show people a better way of dealing with their dogs.”
With the help of local SPCA field officers, Olivier advertised the first workshop. The goal was a short-term project aimed at teaching school children the humane handling of their dogs. “I rounded up a group of SPCA volunteers and some relatively experienced handlers from my dog school to assist with instruction. We had no idea what the response from the community would be, and we set out with no real plan other than a determination to make a difference”. The first session was attended by 12 boys and their dogs. Each week the numbers increased.
We soon realised the project might extend for longer than originally anticipated, and so Funda Nenja was formally registered as an NPO.
Ten years later, Funda Nenja went from exchanging ropes and chains for flat collars and leads, and teaching the basics of dog training using lure and reward, to becoming a nationally sought-after programme attracting attention from international welfare organisations and media from across the globe. Olivier explains, “It started as a loose, informal activity that happened once a week with the help of volunteers. We’ve developed into a completely structured non-profit organisation with full-time staff and a dedicated team of more than 20 volunteers who share the passion and vision of Funda Nenja.”
TODAY
Funda Nenja’s activities in the area consist of three touchpoints. Firstly, the dog school teaches basic dog training skills and teaches children how to care for and communicate with dogs on a weekly basis during school terms. In addition, the Animal Welfare Education Officer pays each family registered with the organisation a home
visit to give further guidance and support while ensuring that the lessons learnt at the dog school are implemented at home.
Secondly, the overall health and welfare of the dogs are monitored, with free rabies and deworming given to all, while community dogs in need of veterinary care have access to the weekly primary veterinary care clinic on site. A monthly sterilisation clinic helps stem the tide of puppies and controls the dog population.
Finally, Funda Nenja also offers a Family Support Programme in which a social worker provides services and support to children, caretakers, parents and extended family. Following a One Welfare policy, Funda Nenja recognises that human and animal welfare is interlinked and dependent upon each other. Lisa Button, the project administrator, says, “Funda Nenja is serving the entire community through our social welfare programmes. We assist the very poor families with clothing and food parcels in certain circumstances. Our social worker also offers free family counselling and assistance in getting birth certificates, child grants etc., a service no one else is offering in Mpophomeni.”
addition, it has provided career skills for other dog-related jobs. Past participants from the Funda Nenja dog school programme have gone on to find work as dog handlers, dog groomers, and kennel assistants at local veterinary practices and boarding facilities.
However, the whole initiative’s starting point is the children’s relationship with their dogs. “By offering dog training classes to the community, bonding and education takes place, and both the dogs and their humans enjoy a richer relationship and a happy, healthy life together,” says Olivier. “We now very rarely see a dog looking underweight or suffering from bad mange, for instance. Over the 12 years that we have worked in Mpophomeni we are seeing
allowed to sleep indoors at night.”
Button adds, “Funda Nenja believes that if we can get dog owners to value their dogs and develop a bond with them, then the quality of life of the dog will be enhanced.”
LEARN MORE
Funda Nenja’s model of animal welfare is inspiring other animal welfare organisations to start similar projects in their part of the world. To assist this process, Funda Nenja is presenting a seminar in early August to share their lessons learnt and give some guidelines on how to go about things. For further information, contact Lisa Button at projectadmin@fundanenja.co.za.
DID YOU KNOW?
THE REASON DOGS KICK AFTER RELIEVING THEMSELVES IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE SCENT GLANDS ON THEIR PAWS THAT ADD FURTHER MARKINGS TO THEIR TERRITORY.
TOGS 4 DOGS
PHOTOGRAPHERS WORKING FOR A GOOD CAUSE
In an age where the taking of photos has become short of imperative, and handheld image quality is improving at an astronomical rate, we still find a large divide between those who aspire to always have the latest smartphone and those who aspire to have as little communication online as possible, and are still sitting with their trusty Nokia N90. I'll put that into animal welfare terms and exaggerate slightly for effect:
It's not often that you'll find a welfare staff member, or even founder, driving a Jag and rocking an iPhone 27XL. This is mainly because they spend most of their money on their six foster fails and pump what's left of their 'salary' back into the NGO they started 16 years ago in their backyard. I'm not saying one can’t ‘have it all’, but that would be the exception to the unwritten rule.
THE PROBLEM
Why is it that the dogs at, let's call them Soupy's Snoopies Animal Welfare, will struggle to be adopted? Dear sweet Soupy has put literal blood, sweat and tears into this shelter. Along with her loyal and equally dedicated staff, she has sacrificed salary increases, luxuries, and family time to raise, rescue, and rehome hundreds of dogs over the years. So, why is their adoption rate so low?
THE EXAMPLE
There is a multitude of factors that affect animal adoption, including breed, age, compatibility with other animals and visual appeal, among others. Here is an example of a typical situation where the names are obviously fictional, but the general situation is very real:
You're a pawrent. Thanks to the much-loathed algorithm, your social media is inundated with sponsored posts of pet food, accessories, and – you guessed it – adoptions. You come across a scroll stopping-image of a doe-eyed pupper staring at you woefully over velvet-like paws, and your little dog-loving heart breaks, so you tap on the ad. However, once the shelter's page loads, you're visually assaulted by scroll after scroll of rough and tumble, ungroomed types, looking forlorn and half covered in sand. As you slow your scroll on a particularly sad-looking grey-brown wire haired 'x-breed', you think to yourself, "Ag no, shame. The poor boy is probably fresh off the streets." Despite yourself, you 'like' the page to get updates, just in case you have some spare cash to donate next month.
What you don't realise is that Thorn, the doggo you're looking at, has been at Soupy's for over a year. The photo was taken on a flip phone with a scratched-up lens, at a rare opportunity when he was sitting still and Soupy herself
TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY: LEE VAN HUYSSTEEN
was not being dog piled by six other animals ecstatic to see her. Also, Soupy can only afford to get a proper groomer in three times a year, so there's that. But I digress.
A few days later, you're sitting in bed scrolling as usual and are absolutely arrested by a pair of sparkling amber peepers. You blink a few times because you SWEAR you know this dog. You look at who made the post and realise this isn't an ad. This is a real post. This is a doggo up for adoption on the page you followed the other day, Soupy's Snoopies. You weren't even thinking about it, or maybe you were, but you cannot help but sit up straight as you tap on the post and pray there are more photos of this beautiful, sweet pup of your dreams. His name is Thorn. He's a wire hair. You barely skim his description in the caption because the more photos you see, the more in love you are. You have to meet this dog; you just know he's meant for you. He's a little scruffy, but that's nothing good grooming can't fix. You're looking way past that now.
Cue "Jane", the unsuspecting photographer who's not
much of a pet person, but is pretty good at her job.
On a rare Saturday off, which is usually fully-booked with family photoshoots and weddings, Jane joins her old school friend, Rob, on a visit to this random shelter he found while Googling. Since it's on the way home from the wine farm they were just shooting at for Rob's social media, Jane agreed to go with, and figures, why not take the camera in. Who doesn't love dogs, right??
With permission, Jane takes some random photos with her DSLR around the farm-style shelter while Rob hugs one sand-covered rescue after the other. One doggo, in particular, a grey-brown wire haired 'x-breed', takes to him like he's covered in treats, and Jane can't help but capture deeply emotive images of the happiest, tailwagging dog ever. She picks up the chart on the gate; his name is Thorn.
Something makes her stop for a moment and look around. They're actually all happier since Rob was with them, she muses briefly but shrugs it off. He must just have that effect because he's such a dog lover.
Photography is an art of observation. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them
– Elliott Erwitt
As Rob chats to a kennel man about bigger breeds, Soupy approaches Jane and, expecting the worst, nervously asks what she will charge her for copies of the photos. The surprised photographer says, "There's no charge. These were just snapshots for fun; you're welcome to have them."
A week or two later, having exchanged details and sending over the images, Jane gets a sobbing but joy-filled voicemail from Soupy, "These are the most beautiful photos I've ever seen! Especially of Thorn! His real personality was shining so brightly; his eyes were sparkling! He was adopted within days of me sharing your photos, and his new mom said that she had seen the photo I took of him before but couldn't believe it was the same dog. I'll be taking him over after some inspections, but I can't thank you enough!"
THE POINT
The dog was the same; the shelter was the same; the viewer was the same. What was the difference? Again, I will not dare say that great photos are the sole reason, or even the predominant reason, for higher adoption rates, but great photos are most definitely in the top five.
THE PROJECT
During the last five years of my tenure on cruise ships, I was in the fortunate position to be able to make regular financial donations to two shelters close to my family.
As with many others globally, the pandemic dried up my income and then my savings, and as a result, the donations became less and less and eventually stopped.
Upon returning to South Africa in January 2021, and in a very random turn of events, I started a working relationship with the Animal Anti-Cruelty League Cape Town, photographing their 'residents' up for adoption every three weeks, then twice a month. The reaction of awe and gratitude by the AACL staff and their audience was immediate and is never-ending.
For this reason, Togs 4 Dogs was born in January. It will become a community of professional and hobbyist photographers who donate their time and talent, at no charge, to an animal welfare or shelter nearby their home by providing high-quality images of their pets up for adoption. The first goal is to have 80 photographers allocated to 20 shelters across the Western Cape by the end of 2022, so that each shelter has one photographer per week, to capture new arrivals, projects, products for raffles and fundraisers, special events and success stories for use on their websites, social media platforms and marketing materials.
I offer my time and talent free of charge because if I am not able to help financially, at least I can do this. Is that too much to ask of another person with a passion and aptitude for photography - to make a difference in their community with time instead of money? In my opinion, no, it's not.
ABOUT LEE
Lee van Huyssteen is the photographer behind Belle Lumière Foto, specialising in couples and canines. Her wide scope of genre experience over her 20-year career was vastly influenced by her early move to Johannesburg, where she established her first studio and shot for various print and online magazines. Thereafter, she spent 10 years on cruise lines abroad, where she worked her way up to managerial lead photographer on Disney Cruise Line and won multiple awards for both her photography and her excellent client interactions. She is currently based in Durbanville, Cape Town, where, in addition to her shooting schedule, she continues to give informal one-on-one photography classes and offers her time to various animal welfares. You can find her work at www.bellelumierefoto.com.
For more information on Togs 4 Dogs, please visit https://www.facebook.com/togs4dogssa
DID YOU KNOW?
The Great Dane is the national dog of Germany, as the breed originated there.
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FEEDING FOR LIFE STAGE
NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF PUPPIES, ADULTS AND SENIORS
One of the best ways to ensure good health for your dog is through optimised nutrition. As you might expect, the optimal food for your dog does not remain the same throughout their life. In fact, nutritional requirements change considerably at each life stage, and while dogs will always need their full complement of vitamins and minerals, certain elements become more important at certain points.
PUPPIES
KEY ELEMENTS: Calcium and protein
A food specially designed for puppies is perfect for the healthy growth and development of bones and joints. Bones grow from growth plates found at the end of long bones, and when these growth plates close, the dog is considered fully developed. This closure may occur at around 9-12 months for small breeds, but it may not happen until the dog is 18-24 months old in large puppies.
This means that what a puppy eats at this life stage can affect them for their whole life due to its impact on their development. In fact, many orthopaedic problems that show up in adulthood actually develop during the rapid growth phase when the dog is a puppy. While this can be due to over-exercise, some vital dietary factors can increase the risk of skeletal disorders, especially in larger breed dogs.
CALCIUM
Before the age of six months, puppies cannot regulate how much calcium they absorb from the diet and are at greater risk of excessive levels. Calcium does not affect the growth rate, but excess calcium harms the developing bone,
meaning the level supplied must be tailored for puppies. Therefore, it is particularly important that you never feed a puppy food that is designed for an adult dog before they reach six months of age.
ENERGY
Again, the key is only to provide puppy food for puppies and avoid giving adult dog food to puppies. Adult dog food provides too much energy (calories) for the rapid growth phase when the puppy is 3-6 months of age. Although growing puppies need more protein than when they reach adulthood, this protein must be supplied in a way that doesn't provide too much energy. Therefore, puppy feeds are formulated to include plenty of protein but without highcalorie levels. In addition, feeding a food that is too high in energy can cause your puppy to put on weight, and the increased body weight puts extra strain on the joints.
In summary, the puppy phase requires specific puppy food up until at least six months of age.
The growth plates are still open in this puppy.
ADULT DOGS
KEY ELEMENTS: Energy, protein, vitamins, minerals and fibre
A complete and balanced food formulated for adult dogs will ensure that the dog has enough energy for their dayto-day activities. As a general rule, if the dog's energy requirements are met, their requirements for vitamins and minerals will also be met.
It is also worth looking for a food containing the correct fibre type to meet your adult dog's needs. Soluble fibre forms a gel in the gut and can help to keep the dog feeling fuller for longer. Soluble fibre does not have to be listed in the nutritional information, but it will be added in the form of ingredients like sweet potato. On the other hand, if you want insoluble fibre to help prevent or treat constipation, this is easier to supply, as it is listed in the nutritional information as 'crude fibre'. Look for levels of around 2% crude fibre.
In addition, all of the critical nutrients recommended below for senior dogs can be brought in earlier before the dog reaches their senior years to help offset some agerelated changes.
SENIOR DOGS
KEY ELEMENTS: Energy, protein, joint care nutrients and antioxidants.
As dogs age, they require less energy (calories) because they gradually lose muscle mass over time, like humans.
This loss of muscle mass can be offset by daily walking and also through a diet formulated especially for senior dogs. Senior dog food is formulated to have slightly lower calories per serving (usually because it is lower in fat) with enough protein to maintain muscle mass. This is preferable to simply feeding a smaller portion of the adult formula, as providing a lower portion than recommended for a dog's weight results in deficiencies of other essential nutrients.
Antioxidant nutrients can also be beneficial in senior years because the body's cells become more prone to free radical attack. Antioxidant nutrients mop up these free radicals, and so have the potential to have an anti-ageing effect. Foods that have antioxidant properties are termed superfoods. Sometimes these are added to senior dog foods, but you can add them yourself. Examples include berries, green leafy vegetables and fish oils.
In addition, senior dog foods are often fortified with joint care supplements, including the following ingredients:
• Chondroitin sulphate, glucosamine and collagen: In the healthy state, glucosamine is made in the joint, but in osteoarthritis, this process is compromised, and so to offset this, glucosamine can be included in the diet. Glucosamine supplements are made from the exoskeletons of shrimp, lobsters and crabs. Chondroitin is also sourced from animal or fish cartilage and acts in the body to slow the rate of cartilage damage. Therefore, chondroitin and glucosamine work together to promote healthy cartilage in the joints. Most supplements have a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate and other compounds such as manganese ascorbate, flavinoids and collagen. They are well researched, and there is good evidence for their benefit in joints.
• Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): MSM is a natural substance that may have anti-inflammatory properties. Human nutrition studies have suggested that it may effectively treat osteoarthritis, removing pain, and increasing function of joints.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega3 fatty acids are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. A good quality omega-3 oil is a much better source of omega-3 than fish liver oils, as fish oils often contain contaminants.
Osteoarthritis is a major issue for senior dogs.
VITAMINS
Vitamins are organic substances that are needed for normal cell function, growth and development.
TAKE-HOME MESSAGE
All of this demonstrates the importance of feeding for the correct life stage and promptly transitioning to the next phase when required. Changing a puppy over to an adult formula or an adult dog over to a senior formula at the right time can have substantial health benefits. It will also prevent unwanted weight gain, which is very important, whatever the life stage your dog is currently in.
MINERALS
There are two kinds of minerals: macro-minerals and trace minerals (micro-minerals). Dogs need more significant amounts of macro-minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride and sulphur but only small amounts of trace minerals. Trace minerals include cobalt, copper, fluoride, iodine, iron, manganese, selenium and zinc.
If you have questions about the current life stage of your dog and their feeding requirements, chat to your vet or a canine nutritionist.
ASSESSING HEALTH
NORMAL DOG PARAMETERS
Assessing your dog’s well-being and health status involves knowledge of the normal parameters of their vital signs. If you know your dog’s normal vital signs, you can quickly spot when something is amiss and contact your vet much sooner.
Of course, one needs to keep in mind that the figures given here are approximate and do not apply to every dog in every situation. If you have concerns regarding your dog, you should consult your vet for advice.
TEMPERATURE
A normal temperature for a dog is between 38.3°C to 38.7°C. You should have a digital thermometer in your canine first aid kit for whenever you need to check the rectal temperature.
TEMPERATURE ABNORMALITIES INCLUDE:
• Pyrexia: This is a raised temperature caused by infection
• Hyperthermia: This is a raised temperature often as a
result of heatstroke
• Hypothermia: This is a lower than normal temperature
• A diphasic temperature: This fluctuating temperature is caused by distemper and other neurological conditions.
PULSE
The normal pulse rate for a dog varies according to size:
• Small dog: 100 beats per minute
• Medium dog: 80 beats per minute
• Large/giant dog: 50 beats per minute
The best place to take a pulse rate is from the femoral artery, which is found on the inside of either back leg in the mid-thigh region, or from the heartbeat itself which is found just behind the elbow.
TOP TIP
When taking a pulse rate, count how many beats you can feel in 15 seconds and multiply this by 4 to get the beats per minute rate. This avoids having to keep your dog still for the full 60 seconds!
PULSE ABNORMALITIES INCLUDE:
• A high rate
• A low rate
• A weak pulse
• An irregular pulse
RESPIRATION RATE
The normal respiration rate for a dog is between 10 to 30 breaths per minute.
RESPIRATORY RATE ABNORMALITIES INCLUDE:
• Tachypnoea: This is where the breathing rate is raised.
• Bradypnoea: This is where the breathing rate is lowered.
• Dyspnoea: This is where the dog is experiencing breathing difficulty.
MUCOUS MEMBRANE COLOURS
Discolouration of the mucous membranes (gums) can be caused by a lack of oxygen, blood flow abnormalities or dehydration. The gums can also feel ‘tacky’, meaning they are dry and sticky, where they should be moist like the inside of our own mouths. Another sign to look out for on the gums is capillary refill time. To assess this, you press gently on the gums until they lose colour and then remove your finger. The blood should have fully returned to the area within 1-2 seconds in a healthy dog.
If you notice any change in your dog’s gums, whether in their colour, texture or capillary refill time, contact your vet immediately.
MUCOUS MEMBRANE ABNORMALITIES INCLUDE
• Pale gums can be caused by a loss of blood, whether due to anaemia, internal bleeding or perfusion problems.
• Blue to red-purple gums are a sign of cyanosis, which is caused by a lack of oxygen. This is most commonly seen on the tongue.
• Yellow gums are a sign of liver issues and jaundice.
If you notice any change in your dog’s gums, you must contact your vet.
Very pale mucous membranes must prompt a call to your vet.
DID YOU KNOW THE COLLECTIVE-NOUN FOR A GROUP OF PUGS IS A “GRUMBLE”.
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TEXT: COURTENEY FERREIRA
AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM WORMS
Most of our dogs love sniffing and eating the most terrible things imaginable…They have a nose that can sniff out the decomposing bird from a mile away, find it and get it into their mouth before you can say, “Leave!”
Whilst we can’t always prevent our dogs from eating these ‘questionable’ items, we can reduce the impact of the parasites they pick up in the process.
WORMS
Parasites ‘worm’ their way into your dog one way or another at some stage of their lives, and even if he’s a canine Gordon Ramsay, your dog is likely to still find himself inhabited by a few slimy friends. This means that all dog owners need to be aware of the risk of worms, the symptoms that dogs with worm burdens present, and how we can treat them.
SYMPTOMS
Your dog may have worms if they have the following symptoms:
• Weight loss with a change in appetite
• A pot-bellied appearance
• Poor coat condition and lethargy
• Diarrhoea
• Chronic coughing
• Scooting their hindquarters along the ground (although this can also be indicative of anal gland issues)
• Tapeworm segments visible in the fur around the anus
• Roundworms visible in the stools, looking like tiny grains of rice
Not all dogs with worms will have symptoms.
CONFIRM THE WORM
Before you go rushing off to buy the first dewormer on the shelf, you should confirm if a) your dog has worms and b) what type of worm you are dealing with. This makes sure that the treatment you choose is effective. The best way to test for worms is to provide your vet with a fresh stool sample to check for adult worms or worm eggs under a microscope. This is because most worms like tapeworms, roundworms and hookworms reside in the intestines and will, therefore, be found in the faeces.
TREATMENT
Once the worm or worms have been identified, your vet will advise you on the best type of deworming medication and treatment protocol for your dog. Treatment is essential, especially in young puppies, as worm infestations can, in extreme cases, prove fatal.
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
As with all things health-related, prevention is better than cure. Preventing worms is easier said than done with our dogs, but there are still lots of steps we can take to reduce the risk of exposure in our precious pooches:
1. Scoop that poop! Keep your yard clean by picking up your dog’s stools regularly.
2. Schedule regular faecal floats with your vet to confirm your dog is worm-free so that you are not deworming unnecessarily.
3. Avoid walking your dog in high ‘traffic’ areas like parks too often, as this is where they are most likely to come into contact with infected dogs.
4. Wash your own hands often to prevent any possible spread of worms between the dog and yourself or one dog and another in your household.
Most worms live in the intestine so can be found in the faeces.
Worms can be seen under the microscope.
OSTEOARTHRITIS AND OBESITY
Obesity has been called the most important health problem facing humans in the Western World by the World Health Organization. Unfortunately, it is affecting our pets as well. Some of the literature and statistics from Veterinary Clinics show that more than 50% of dogs that come into the vet clinic in the United States are overweight or obese. This makes obesity the most common nutritional health problem facing dogs.
THE LINK WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease that causes loss of joint cartilage, thickening of the joint capsule and inevitably leads to pain and dysfunction in the body. OA can also occur
secondary to other orthopaedic conditions such as hip or elbow dysplasia, patella luxation or cruciate disease. OA affects many dogs, and reports show that over 50% of dogs that have OA are also overweight.
DID YOU KNOW?
Of course, the increase in pain and inflammation associated with OA in overweight pets is in large part due to the increased wear and tear on the joints, but did you know that fat (adipose tissue) is biologically active and actually secretes hormones and chemicals that cause and enhance inflammation and thus pain?
TEXT: COURTENEY FERREIRA
that increased loads on the joints due to being overweight will impact articular cartilage and the structures around the joint itself. Carrying this excess weight thus sets the stage for joint damage and, subsequently, OA, leading to chronic pain. This risk of OA also increases with age and the size of the dog.
Thus, it is evident that weight management plays a significant role in managing and preventing OA.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF OA
What you may think is 'just old age' might be OA. In dogs, signs of pain or OA include the following:
• Sitting with a hind leg loosely out to one side
• Loss of interest in playing
• Difficulty rising from rest
• Reluctance to go up or downstairs
MANAGEMENT OF OA
A good quality diet and the appropriate daily amount for your dog's desired weight is recommended. The addition of joint supplements can be welcome but serve little purpose if the dog continues to be overfed and carry too much weight. Treats can be given, but remember to take these calories out of your dog's daily meal portion so that they are not ingesting extra calories over and above their
recommended caloric intake. Treats given should preferably be low in sugars and carbohydrates. Just remember that feeding does not demonstrate love! Instead, go for a walk, scratch their tummy or teach them a new trick. It will be better for them in the long run - we promise!
Regular weigh-ins will keep you, as an owner, accountable, for your pet's weight, and this is an integral part of the process you should commit to. Should OA be significant, your vet will likely recommend Non-Steroidal AntiInflammatories to be used as directed or on an ongoing basis. You should also consider using a Veterinary Physiotherapist who will be able to assist in maintaining the range of motion of your pet's joints and overall mobility and comfort in order for them to live as comfortably as possible. All of these things will contribute to allowing your pet to have the quality of life they deserve, despite the OA.
TAKE HOME MESSAGE
At the end of the day, the take-home message is this: obesity in pets causes pain and predisposes them to a myriad of other diseases. As a responsible pet owner, it is up to you to keep your pet as healthy and lean as possiblefor his own good.
YOUR DOG QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What are dewclaws?
A dewclaw is a non-weight-bearing toe on a dog’s paw located on the inside of the leg near the carpus (the wrist area). Dogs are typically born with two front dewclaws, but some may have one or more dewclaws on their hind limbs as well.
Dewclaws contain nerves, blood vessels and a nail that grows just like the other toenails. The dewclaw also typically contains bones and is firmly attached to the leg. It can be moved slightly by the animal.
However, some dewclaws – especially the rear ones –contain no bones and may appear to dangle from the side of the leg. The nail will grow as normal, but there is no bony attachment to the limb, and the dewclaw is immobile. These are called detached dewclaws. Many people argue that front dewclaws serve no purpose for dogs today. After all, dogs without dewclaws seem to be perfectly fine without them! However, while they are not essential, they can be pretty useful for many reasons. Firstly, dewclaws can help dogs dig, climb and hold objects or prey. Watch a dog handling a toy or treat, and you may notice that they use the dewclaws to stabilise the object.
Also, when dogs run, their dewclaws make some contact with the ground and can serve to stabilise the carpus. Rear dewclaws are quite different and are considered vestigial structures that serve no function. Dewclaws commonly cause no issue for dogs. However, there are situations where problems with the nail occur. Most commonly, dewclaws can grow too long, curl and grow into the skin of the paw pad.
This causes pain, inflammation and often, infection. Dewclaws can also get caught on objects and bedding, especially if they are too long. If a toenail gets caught on something, it may tear the nail or even fracture the toe. Detached dewclaws are at the greatest risk of getting caught simply because they hang freely. Most dewclaw problems can be avoided by checking the nails regularly and trimming the nails as required.
Why do dogs sniff each other’s butts?
A dog’s olfactory system is complex and advanced, making their sense of smell far superior to our own. To give you some idea of the difference, consider that humans have 5 million olfactory receptions in their noses, and dogs have about 220 million. Dogs can smell layers upon layers of scents even when we can smell nothing.
Many people consider butt-sniffing among dogs as a type of greeting, but it is so much more than that! Through sniffing, dogs are able to learn so much about
AN UNFORTUNATE SPIN-OFF
Many dogs will also try to find out more about humans through crotchsniffing!
each other. The scents they pick up are especially potent around the genitals and anus. Scents in this area can tell another dog about gender, reproductive status, diet, health status, temperament and much more. A dog can also remember scents and determine whether they have met this particular canine before. If dogs are healthy and well-socialised, it is a good idea to let them sniff each other as much as they want. However, if one dog is overdoing it and the other dog becomes irritated or stressed, then the dogs should be called away from each other.
Why do dogs like squeaky toys?
Your dog may enjoy their squeaky toy for a variety of reasons. Still, most canine behaviour experts agree that the three main reasons dogs like squeaky toys are related to their natural hunting instincts, their desire to chew and the sound of the squeak itself.
HUNTING INSTINCTS
Many squeaky toys are shaped like something a dog may instinctively want to hunt. The squeaking sound they make may even be similar to the alarm sounds of prey. This goes some way to explaining why hunting breeds have a higher affinity for squeaky toys than non-hunting breeds. This also explains why some breeds, such as terriers (which were originally bred for ratting), may love destroying their squeaky toys.
DESIRE TO CHEW
Some dogs love to chew things. This is especially true for teething puppies. In fact, different dogs are thought to have different preferences for chewing textures. Teething puppies tend to enjoy softer, rubber toys, whereas older dogs, especially smaller breed dogs that
are prone to dental disease, may prefer soft, stuffed squeaky toys. Power chewers may do well with so-called indestructible dog toys with a squeaky element.
SOUND
When your dog chews on their favourite toy and gets a squeak, they get a sense of immediate satisfaction. This can trigger something like a positive feedback loop. Hearing the squeak triggers dopamine to be released from the reward centre of your dog’s brain, and the dog keeps squeaking the toy to keep getting that dopamine rush. Another element to this positive feedback loop will occur if they learn that squeaking their favourite squeaky toy around you causes you to play with them!
SAFETY WARNING
Squeakers, stuffing and even rubber pieces can be hazardous to your dog if they eat them, so it’s important always to supervise your dog when they have a toy. Toys should be checked regularly for any rips or tears, and plush toys with holes must be removed or repaired before the dog plays with them again. Plastic toys can become sharp, so these must also be disposed of once they develop rough edges.
Why do dogs circle before they lay down to sleep?
Most professionals believe that circling before lying down is an instinct passed down from dogs’ wild ancestors. A wild dog can survey all of their surroundings by making a circle. They can get one last look at everything around them to ensure there are no potential predators in the immediate vicinity. They can also make a final check on where all other family members are to ensure that everyone is safe. Making a full circle also allows a wild dog to determine where the wind is coming from. If they work this out, they can sleep with their nose to the wind so that they can smell the scent of any predator before the predator can smell them. Additionally, wild dogs will walk in circles to tamp down tall grass and even rustle out any insects or wildlife hiding in their sleeping place. This preparation of a sleeping area is also a clear indicator to other wild dogs in the family that the sleeping position is taken! Then, in terms of responding to the climate, for wolves and coyotes that live in colder areas, circling can avoid them sleeping
NOTE
For the most part, circling before laying down is completely normal behaviour. However, if your dog seems to circle excessively or is suddenly circling more than normal, it may be worth chatting to your vet. This excessive or more frequent circling can result from pain, leading your dog to struggle to find a comfortable sleeping position and need to circle more. Some neurological conditions can also cause this circling behaviour. Other dogs suffering from obsessivecompulsive disorders can start to circle excessively as another manifestation of this condition.
on the top of the cold snow and allows the snow to be used as insulation from the freezing temperatures around them. The circling also enables them to curl up in a tight ball with their nose under the tails to help to conserve body temperature. Similarly, wolves and coyotes living in warm areas may circle to churn up the sand or soil to create a cooler place to rest. Thus, while science doesn’t give us a definite answer about why dogs circle before lying down, there are some pretty logical explanations for this behaviour.
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OUTsurance
At OUTsurance, we would like to assist you to ensure that your pet, as a valued and irreplaceable member of your family, gets the best quality medical care to be able to live a long and happy life. We offer the basics that will cover your pet for common accidents, to extensive cover that includes all of your pet’s essentials, and a plan with increased limits and added extras should your furry friend have special requirements.
Why OUT is better than IN
• Only pay a fixed excess, regardless of the claim amount.
• Receive a cash OUTbonus after three consecutive claim-free years.
• Get a premium discount if your pet achieves
an ideal body score.
• Enjoy benefits such as puppy socialisation classes with our Pet-Act-OUT benefit.
• The premium you pay is unique to your pet. With our advanced underwriting model, you could pay less to insure your pet with us and you will not subsidise any other pets.
• We pre-assess Illness and Accident claims with estimates above R15 000.
• Enjoy cover for rehabilitation treatments as part of our Help-Pet-OUT optional cover.
• Get cover for corrective behavioural treatments under our Pet-Act-OUT benefit.
• We have a simple benefit structure and pay up to the maximum cover amount, subject to annual aggregate limits.
Walkease
We love Walkease as a joint supplement for your dogs because it is a 100% natural and biological active form of Undenatured Type II Collagen (UC-II), which promotes healthy, working joints!
Did you know that UC-II is safe with no known side effects and also no evidence of liver, kidney or blood dysfunction. It is also significantly more effecting in reducing symptoms of joint pain than Glucosamine and Chondroitin combined - actually twice as effective! UC-II demonstrated a 62% reduction in overall pain at 120 days versus 24% with glucosamine and chondroitin.
Animotion – orthotic and prosthetic solutions for animals
ENABLING MOTION
Animotion are looking to change the way animal disabilities have been treated in the past, by merging our background in prosthetics and orthotics with new technology.
Products
• Custom made orthotics/ prosthesis
• Custom made mobility aids
• 3D printed orthotics/prosthesis
Contact us
Phone: 081 039 3296
Email: animotioninfo1@gmail.com
Holistic Pet
STICKY PAWZ
Biodegradable, re-usable, light weight, non-skid rubber socks provide traction for dogs with weak limbs (e.g. arthritis, neurological weakness) or for those pets walking on slippery floors e.g. tiles, wood, laminate. They are thin enough for your dog to feel the ground, providing a sense of security.
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The Balanced Pet
HEALFAST THERAPY PETPATCH LOOPS
Drug-free treatment for pain and swelling from sprains, strains, injuries and conditions like arthritis and hip dysplasia.
Light, flexible loop antenna design with integrated push button on/off switch delivers award-winning ActiPatch shortwave therapy for your pets or horses. Therapy lasts for 720 hours and a push button on/off switch extends the life when not in use.
New technology enhancements have made this product lighter and more cost-effective.
The loop relieves muscle and tendon pain, and also reduces swelling and inflammation.
It improves mobility, accelerates healing of wounds, incisions, and bruises.
There are no contra-indications or side-effects.
6 WAYS YOUR DOG IS SAYING ‘I LOVE YOU’
Most humans are not fluent in “dog”, so let me translate some of the ways us canines express our love.
1. Gazing lovingly into your eyes. Oxytocin is released when your dog gazes into your eyes; this exchange makes each participant feel so good. Oxytocin is the same bonding chemical that is released between moms and newborn babies. My soppy English Pointer brother, Nelson will often sit and have long “conversations” gazing into mom’s eyes. He is a bit overdramatic at the best of times, often trying to convince her that he should be an only dog, but most of all, his gaze simply says, “I love you”.
2. We get excited when you come home. Let me explain - for us, our humans are our world. When they walk through the door, it’s like Christmas morning… every time (no matter how long you have been gone). We know our human’s habits and could probably tell you more than them about their bowel movements, what shampoo they use and what they are feeling. We watch and observe them all the time. Please don’t be too hard on us; our excitement is hard to contain.
3. Leaning on you or cuddling. Olivia, my deaf Great Dane sibling, is a big leaner. She often comes along and gently, at first, starts to lean against her favourite human’s legs. Soon all her 65kgs of weight is being shared as she leans in for a cuddle and scratch behind the ears.
4. Bringing you our favourite toy or other ‘gifts’. I always bring mom something as a gesture of my love. These tokens of deep affection can range from my favourite smelly toy to a highly prized dead mole.
5. Sleeping with you or near you. In the wild, dogs would often have travelled and slept together as a pack. The
CONTRIBUTED BY:
George. Dictated to his mom, Sarah Swainson, as his typing is terrible.
George is a handsome black lab and the CEO of a brand for dog lovers - Life of George www.lifeofgeorge.co.za.
consensus seems to be that dogs don’t want to be separate from you, even in sleep mode. This topic can be controversial, and there are many different opinions on whether your dog should sleep with or near you. Please consult with your behaviourist or vet if you are experiencing problems or want to know what you should do! I can only speak from personal experience; I love being close to my humans.
6. You move, we move. Dogs show their love by following their dog parents around - yes, even to the loo. Keeping you in our sight is a way of protecting you and gives them a sense of security.
There are very few things that trump the unconditional love of a dog. I hope that each human experiences this companionship, and each dog has a human to spend their days right beside.
The Sushi and Panda Foundation is a registered NPO, which strives to Save South Africa’s township animals.
Animals treated, vaccinated and dewormed - far too many to keep count
We have also fed, provided adequate shelter, blankets, bowls etc and improved the living conditions for hundreds of animals in Touws River and Tarlton township as well as educating and continuing to educate both communities on animal care.
This coming year we hope our campaign to “Make Rescues Fashionable” will really take off and that thousands of animals will be adopted nationwide.
If you are looking to adopt an animal please contact us on 0829050277. Please follow us on social media to see our work.
