27 minute read
WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?
Dog ownership has risen dramatically in the last 18 months, mainly due to lockdowns and people having more time on their hands. But is it all it’s cracked up to be?
MANY OF US are dog lovers and owners and gain great pleasure from our four legged friends. Here at Active we have three dogs. Mary’s Midge and Kate’s two, Knibbs and Mae. And Mary seems to accumulate quite a few house guests along the way as her daughters’ dogs are frequent visitors. Thankfully they all rub along quite happily, curling up together and enjoying walks, which is just as well.
There’s nothing better than sitting with the dog keeping your feet warm or in Midge’s case sharing the sofa with you. And to be a dog owner means that you have to get out every day into the fresh air, whatever the weather to give them some exercise. This isn’t always the most enjoyable job when it’s pouring with rain and in a howling gale but you always feel better afterwards and there really is nothing better than heading out with the dog for a good long walk; you always have company, fresh air and exercise..
But there’s much more to owning a dog than just giving it a bowl of food every day and taking it for a walk. You need to look after your canine friend; its health, behaviour and social skills are all your responsibility So read on to fi nd out more about being a responsible dog owner; starting with fi nding one in the fi rst place
Adopt, don’t shop
Thousands of dogs are abandoned every year. Mary meets Gyll Mauchline from Three Counties Dog Rescue which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year
THE LURCHER THAT is lying on my feet I rescued as a pup over 10 years ago. He has been my constant companion and is a loving and loyal friend, if a bit of a Diva. I often look at him and think what if? If I hadn’t received that phone call from someone who knew I’d always wanted a Lurcher and could act quickly, he would have been destroyed along with the rest of his litter; it doesn’t bear thinking about. He joined me and my two border terriers, one of whom was also rescued, and my rehomed cats.
It’s a very sad truth that many dogs end up in rescue kennels, virtually always through no fault of their own. Some situations are very sad such as the death of the owner, divorce or separation or a new landlord is not amenable to a pet. Other situations such as a new baby or change of job/ hours or a change in lifestyle are other reasons for pets to end up homeless. And then there are of course cases of unspeakable cruelty, abandonment or strays.
Gyll Mauchline has seen it all, and then some. She’s been rescuing dogs for over 40 years, 31 of them based at Bourne. In the last two years the charity has been able to buy the kennels they’ve been based at and been able to introduce boarding for dogs and cats which they run alongside the rescue. The extra funding from boarding fees is fed back into the charity. And it needs the money. It costs £200,000 a year to run and rehome over 300 dogs as well as many, many cats. When I visited they had 52 dogs in residence and 14 cats all needing new homes.
Dogs in Gyll’s care come in all shapes and sizes, age and health. Some will be quickly adopted whilst others might be in the kennels for a long time, mainly due to medical or behavioural issues; even just their size can be a deterrent. Long term foster carers are also needed as some animals need quite complex medical help which the charity undertakes to fund.
If you wish to adopt a dog you always have to make an appointment to visit the site in Bourne. Gyll and her team will want to meet every member of your household (including other dogs) and will visit your home as well to make sure you have suitable fencing if required. And every dog adopted must be going to live inside.
‘I will often suggest a dog to families, particularly if they have young children. Once a dog has been chosen and we’ve done all the checks it goes out for a pre-adoption period of two or three weeks. We are always on the end of the phone if there are any problems, but there rarely is as we have usually matched correctly. Then the dog will be adopted and the new owner pays a fee of £150. Every dog we send out is neutered inoculated wormed and flea treated.’
So a happy ending usually awaits every waif and stray that Gyll takes in; and long may that continue.
Volunteers are always welcome either to help walk the dogs or in the charity shop, foster carers too.
To find out more visit www.threecountiesdogrescue.org
Picking a puppy
Some of us want a pedigree pup. If that is the case make sure you pick your breeder wisely, and do your research. Carla from Brimbleway Beagles gives us some tips
THANKS TO THE global pandemic, demand for puppies has been high. And because of this it’s not just experienced breeders who are having litters. So be wary.
Dogs are being paired with no thought about health, temperament or pedigree. Health testing? What’s that? And you’re getting charged ridiculous amounts for these puppies.
If you’re looking, do your homewor first he ennel lub is a good place to start. It gives sound advice as well as the names of trusted and experienced breeders, most of whom are dedicated to their breed and very knowledgeable. Research what health tests should be done and speak to the breeders. Ask questions. No reputable breeder will mind any number of questions, or you going to meet them.
Don’t expect to go and pick up a puppy tomorrow as breeders will probably have a waiting list. But trust me, a healthy and happy puppy from someone with a wealth of knowledge is worth the wait. Never buy from an unknown source. And if something doesn’t feel right, it might be best to walk away.
The perfect match
I must not get a dog, I must not get a dog, I must not get a dog… Mary visits Wood Green with one aim, ‘I must not get a dog’
WOOD GREEN, THE Animals Charity was founded in 1924 by a Miss Louisa Snow, who wanted to help the large number of dogs and cats that were being turned out on to the streets after WWl. And of course it started in Wood Green in north London. Today the main site is at Godmanchester near Huntingdon, and has been since the s t covers acres with pet accommodation o ces exercise areas, a veterinary surgery and everything else you can think of to cope with the 3,500 animals that are rehomed every year: dogs, cats and small animals including rats, rabbits, hamsters and mice. And don’t forget the chickens, including some quite vocal cockerels.
Wood reen is first and foremost about helping pets and that does not necessarily mean rehoming them; that is very much a last resort he charity offers a bespo e service for every situation and is able to support owners so they can hopefully keep their pet with them. Wood Green is split into several different departments which wor together to get the best outcome for each pet.
The Community Support team deal with Outreach and Education. They work with schools to educate the future generations of pet owners, and support current pet owners in need of a helping hand. Wood Green will help with medical bills and even food bills for a few months if necessary. This team, run by Chris Bennett, will also liaise with housing associations and landlords. Some will approach Chris saying an owner needs help, whilst in other circumstances the Outreach team will work with landlords to persuade them that an owner will be better off eeping their pet. Often vulnerable, a pet can be a great comfort to many owners and help with their physical and mental health. he team of ehaviour and raining Specialists offer free expert advice to pet owners – which is particularly popular for pooches. Virtually all dogs, however well behaved they are as puppies, turn into tricky adolescents that push the boundaries. This is where Wood Green can help. ‘Talk to us early so we can offer advice and help with training rather than leave it too late and then your pet needs rehoming,’ says atalie Wells from Wood reen he charity offers puppy training courses as well as adult dog training courses and these are available for anyone to do, and they are great value for money.
Circumstances change and owners sometimes can no longer offer their pet the care it needs even with Wood Green’s help. This could be because of divorce, bereavement, health, having to move or a change in financial circumstances ets are in good hands in Wood Green’s care teams, which some of you will have seen on the hannel programme ‘ he og ouse’ that’s filmed at their centre.
The show is all about matching people with dogs, which is exactly what the charity does well. You might recognise the Welcome Centre from the programme and Natalie Wells, the centre’s manager, oversees matching prospective owners with a pet. And it really is like on the programme, almost like a dating agency but the needs of the pet are always put first ime and patience is what is needed from a new owner as well as fle ibility to help a new animal settle in, and of course love.
Thousands of people apply each year for a pet and it is certainly altruistic to want to rescue an animal rather than buy one. But it isn’t always easy. Remember that any animal that needs rehoming has gone through some sort of turbulence to be in the situation they are in, and this can be reflected in their behaviour Wood reen are aware of this and behavioural specialists work with every dog (and many cats) that comes through the centre. This work will continue with the new owner as well and help and advice is always available. On average a dog will be rehomed within 4-6 weeks, but not always; one poor Rottweiler cross was with them for 15 months. And there’s no rush, a dog will not go to a new owner until the charity feels they are ready and can cope. ets at Wood reen get the very best care but some dogs and cats do not cope well in a kennel or cattery environment. For a previously rather spoilt pooch used to sleeping on its owner’s bed every night, or a stray cat who has been fending for themselves, the upheaval can be traumatic. Around half the pets are fostered in temporary loving homes until they are matched with a new owner, especially pregnant cats, and dogs who need ongoing training in a home environment.
Wood Green are always looking for foster carers and are keen to recruit from our area so do get in touch. They have a courier service for taking pets back to Wood Green so it is not necessary to be able to drive. And they are always looking for volunteers to help in the shops as well, our nearest one is eterborough
And I stuck to my guns and did not come back with a dog. The Lurcher sitting on my feet that I rescued as a puppy and his companion, a rescued Labrador are quite enough at the moment…
Wood Green receives no government funding and relies on the generosity of supporters to enable its work. To find out more or to donate to Wood Green, visit www.woodgreen.org.uk or call the team on 0300 303 9333.
Grub’s up
You’ve chosen your dog, you’ve brought the little bundle of joy home, and now you want to know how to give it the best chance to grow and thrive nutritionally
course, buy your dog food from a supermar et and there are specifi c ranges for puppies adults and older dogs. But we’re very fortunate to have independent pet suppliers in the area whose main aim is to off er one-to-one advice and a range of ood uality food that is complete with a balance of protein, fat and Omega 3 and 6 oils, plus essential fatty acids. ulie ollins is the nutritional advisor at og ield in arringworth She suggests that complete dog food gives your pet full nutritional support to maintain its development throughout its life. ‘Every dog needs its own path mapped out with their food for health, exercise routines and age. Like humans, no dog’s diet is the same. Dietary support is needed as early as a puppy, with intolerances appearing through weaning or, later in life with hay-fever symptoms or inhaled allergens here are a number of diff erent issues that can arise and that is why we off er hour nutritional support here is no shame in needing simple advice about what is best to feed your dog. We all do, it’s not easy.’ hey off er high protein and fats recipes for nourishment grain free recipes for intolerances, and low protein recipes for senior or dietary re uirements ulie went on to say that they ‘do off er diff erent recipes for diff erent aged dogs however we only advise a change of food if the health of the dog re uires it his comes down to e ercise limitations lifestyle changes or advice from a vet.
‘Many dogs nowadays have sensitivities, and this can be for a number of diff erent reasons o dog is the same so we examine every dog’s food intake, its environment, its exercise and behaviours to give us a rough idea of what the dog is eating. Through a process of elimination we study all these areas to fi nd out what has caused these sensitivities in the fi rst place ’
Often people own just one dog or possibly two to keep each other company. But there are owners and, of course, breeders who have many more animals to feed. ‘Just because you have a pack of dogs,’ says Julie, ‘doesn’t mean the nutritional value has to be low. We make it our job to ma e it aff ordable ’
As an independent supplier they have built up relationships with many dog owners, locally and online and they know how invaluable personal advice is, particularly in the early days hey off er free puppy pac s to all breeders, or anybody that has a registered litter. They include a range of puppy goodies and a off voucher for the fi rst bag of puppy food delivered to the door free of charge. hey also off er a three tier saving scheme irst buy two bags and get off Secondly a ennel scheme minimum order of si bags you can mi and match and receive off each bag lus once a customer is a ennel Schemer they’re entitled to off all e uipment orders when they call and order over the phone. And trade accounts come with even larger discounts across the full product range which includes leads, canvas dummies, game bags, drying coats to training vests, gilets and headwear.
And then, of course, there’s the treats. What dog doesn’t like a treat? And what could be nicer to chew on than a pig’s ear or dried buff alo s in or even a large ostrich bone
Visit www.dogandfi eld.co.uk or phone the team on 01572 729707 for a friendly chat.
Raw hide
Another option is to go raw. Many dogs are benefitting from this type of feeding style
WE KNOW THAT dogs are carnivores (they eat meat and bone) so according to Carla Laughton from Betsy’s Raw Food, it’s no real surprise that more and more dog owners are feeding their furry friends a raw diet.
‘You’ll probably spot a raw-fed dog a mile away, because they’re the ones with the super shiny coats, clean and healthy teeth, and teeny tiny poops!
‘And whilst there are many raw feeding styles, we follow the 80:10:10 version which means our complimentary meals are made up of 80% muscle meat, bone and offal ut you don’t ust have to stop at meat because dogs love raw eggs, fresh fruit and cooked vegetables alongside an array of herbs which will have a multitude of benefits eeding all these components together will achieve a balanced diet over time.
‘It’s really simple, the frozen food is stored in your freezer, which you simply defrost in the fridge. A calculator is available on the website, free to use, if you need to work out how much to feed a day. Plus a starter guide will help you get going.
‘ he beauty of raw is it offers variety and te ture Faced with a bowl of raw beef, with some steamed broccoli and kale, plus a dash of rosemary? If I were a dog, I’d go for that!’
www.betsysrawfood.com
Sit and stay!
Now you’ve got the feeding sorted out, it’s time to get down to training. Kate talked to Lily Woodford from Chilternlily Dog Training about the best way to start
WE’VE ALL SEEN people being pulled along by their dogs, and none of them look like they’re having much fun. Surely a well trained dog is better for both pet and owner? It was the first uestion as ed ily
‘ he more time and effort you put into your dog the easier life will be for both of you,’ she told me. ‘But training doesn’t have to be dull or strict. The important thing is to make it fun!’
Lily grew up with a pack of nine dogs. Her mother is a dog groomer and Lily has always enjoyed picking up and beating on local shoots, so she knew she wanted to work with animals. After a two-year foundation degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and a BA in Animal Management she went on to become a manager at a kennels in Oxfordshire, then operations manager at the Dog’s Trust in Loughborough. But she always dreamed of becoming a dog trainer, and she’s found the ideal spot to do it on a farm just outside Fotheringhay, near Oundle.
She runs group puppy, gundog and agility training classes, and one-to-one sessions for all three plus obedience classes. ‘Some new owners are nervous when they bring their puppy home, so I’ll go out to see them and give them reassurance on things like house training and play biting. Then as soon as they’ve had all their vaccines, they can start puppy training. It’s good for socialisation and for the puppy to learn to focus on their owner. One problem many people encounter is their dog is too keen to engage with other dogs on their walks and doesn’t focus on its owner. We can easily work on that.
‘Many people come to me every two to three weeks, but the practice they put in at home in between counts too. Training is not just about sitting, staying and recall. It’s actually what you do in your own environment that’s important. Also have they got enough food, water and a comfy place to sleep? You have to watch your dog like a hawk to learn what they’re trying to communicate and why.’
A perfect example of this is that my three-year-old cocker Mae is a jumper. She jumps up at my legs all the time which can be very annoying. Most of the time I just push her down, but she keeps at it. ‘She’s excited to see you and wants to come up to your level,’ Lily told me. ‘The key is being consistent and using positive rewards – either treats or praise – to change her behaviour; pushing her down or raising your knee won’t work long term.’ With Lily’s help I identified the split second warning she always gives before she jumps up so in that exact moment I need to tell her to sit then reward her with a treat.
‘Dogs are that bit harder to train when they’re older as they’ve had more time to practice behaviours. But all dogs can be trained. It’s a good idea to know your breeds before you get a dog so you can work out if you’ll meet their needs. It’s no good buying a collie if you’re not an active person; you’d be better off with a greyhound because after a ten minute blast outdoors they’re very happy to curl up next to you all day on the sofa.’ ily also teaches agility and has a field of obstacles including tunnels, tyres and ramps for the dogs to practice on. ‘It really helps with steadiness, recall and focus because you have to do each obstacle together. And it’s such a great bonding experience. But most of all, it’s fun.’ Lily competes with her working cocker Spider. They’re currently just one win away from Grade 6 and are a perfect example of how to work in tune with each other, looking for each other’s cues and enjoying the results of learning good behaviour. For full details visit www.chilternlily.co.uk
Doggy day care
Sometimes we just can’t be there for our animals, so we have to ask the professionals. Kate met two dog carers who are trusted with beloved pets
RACHEL WOOLLEY GREW up on her family farm near Carlby outside Stamford and worked in the livery yard so was always able to have her cockapoo Maggie with her during the day. It was only when she went to work elsewhere that she realised dog owners had a need for dog sitting and walking services. Rachel thought on her feet and decided to repurpose one of the farm fields into first a dog wal ing area and now a doggy day care nursery he dog wal ing field is used by achel and her team of walkers who collect up to nine dogs in a specially adapted van and e ercise them throwing balls playing games or simply letting them e plore the field hey cannot get out over or through the very tall fences so it gives dog owners complete peace of mind. Or people can pay an hourly rate to hire the field to wal their dogs themselves his is particularly popular with the elderly or physically challenged as there are places to sit and watch your dog run around ‘ eople even bring picnics and meet their friends ’ said Rachel.
And now Rachel has a brand new doggy day care nursery on site here are two nurseries which are spacious bright and airy with heating in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. And plenty of sleeping areas for when the dogs want a lie down! here’s access to another enclosed field with toys agility poles and paddling pools ‘ eople who wor long hours even if they’re wor ing from home want to now their dogs are being well cared for and entertained during the day f they can’t provide that themselves they now we can ’ said achel ‘ nd some clients like to know they can have a regular day out to go shopping for appointments or to meet their friends without worrying about the dog ’
Dogs must be socialised and they are kept on a long lunge line for the first time to see how they behave ccording to achel ‘ f ust one dog is unsociable it affects the whole group We do find that certain breeds stic together and play around in groups; spaniels and dachshunds in particular t’s li e a gang of friends having fun together ’
www.maggies-mates.co.uk
THIRTY MILES SOUTH west Fran Cheshire runs Grrs 2 urrs at he Manor in ur angton another dog wal ing and sitting service hey also cater for clients who for various reasons can’t wal their dogs themselves be it because of ill health appointments or because they’re busy wor ing ‘We always wal directly from the customer’s property we don’t transport the dogs ’ said ran ‘We try to incorporate a mi ture of paths and par s to allow the dog to en oy lots of different areas Some customers use us for set days and times whereas others as us to visit multiple times a day he dogs really loo forward to us coming we brea their day up ’
Wal s usually ta e from minutes to an hour but can be tailored to the customer’s needs ran and her staff only wal dogs together from the same household so there’s rarely a problem with socialisation. ‘We provide day sitting for dogs who can’t be left at home alone and we provide holiday cover too t can be ust for one night or up to two wee s ’ t’s not ust dogs ran caters for either some cats need interaction. ‘We might only visit for 15 minutes but some cats li e multiple visits throughout the day too!’
www.grrs2purrs.co.uk
Anyone for a trim?
Dog groomers are busier than ever. Kate wonders why they’re so popular so asks Fran Cheshire from Grrs 2 Purrs in Tur Langton
W S ’S whole range of haircuts for dogs there’s the lion cut which is ust li e it sounds r the teddy bear cut which is supposed to ma e them loo cute and cuddly ut most dogs ust have a natural groom where they are washed blasted and combed which helps get rid of dead hair and stops it from moulting as much t also eeps the dog smelling clean and fresh nd isn’t that what it’s all about? wners have their dogs groomed for a variety of reasons often ust to ma e them loo more appealing and to protect the carpets but mostly to improve their health Whilst the dog is being groomed it is also being chec ed for things li e embedded grass seeds in the paw pads and s in and cuts which can become infected hey also have their nails clipped and ears chec ed and pluc ed and e cess hair cut away from their eyes
‘Many health issues can be detected early ’ said ran ‘ nd this could potentially save money on vet bills ’ rooming also helps to prevent dogs overheating Matting of the fur can cause some s in conditions and pull on the animal’s s in and become painful Methods used to remove the e cess fur varies depending on the type of dog and its coat some are cut using clippers or scissors whilst others li e border terriers with wiry coats are hand stripped ‘We’d probably only need to hand strip twice a year ’ said ran whereas we’d recommend a coc apoo would come appro imately every si to eight wee s ’ wondered if most dogs li ed being groomed or if they had many problems with dogs who absolutely hated it ‘ he earlier they come to us the better as they get used to the environment We offer a free first groom for puppies under si months providing they’ve had both vaccinations and they come in for a very basic groom and trim n the rare occasion we have a dog that doesn’t en oy a visit we wor very closely with the owners in helping the dog get used to us We can have the dog in on visits to get them used to being in the salon and to socialise with other dogs r we can wor on things li e clipping nails building up the time in the salon and doing a few bits e tra each time f a dog is very nervous we can bring it in early before the start of the day when there’s not many people around We never give up on a dog whatever its issues we’ll always wor with the owners to resolve the dog’s an iety
‘ hat situation is very few and far between though ’ said ran ‘Most dogs love coming into the salon and seeing the staff and li ewise we welcome any e cuse for a cuddle ’
www.grrs2purrs.co.uk
Dry dogs easily...
ONCE YOU’VE PAMPERED your pooch, you won’t want him getting wet and cold after a walk. So you could wrap him up in a double layered towelling drying coat made by uff and umble whose warehouse is in a ham Simply put on and fasten and leave it on until the dog is completely dry his way there’s no messy piles of towels smelly dogs or bac brea ing rubbing down his limited edition teal slate drying coat has been made to support the ogs on the Streets harity with from every coat sold going to help dogs loved by the homeless hey are offering off this coat until the end of ovember with the code
www.ruffandtumbledogcoats.com/products/dots-limitededition
Dexas MudBuster Dog Paw Cleaner
This quickly defeats dirty feet! It provides a quick and thorough cleaning of a dog’s muddy paws... before they track it into your car or all over the house. Price: From £9.99 from www.innerwolf.co.uk
Ruff wear Float Coat Wave Orange Life Jacket
Specifi cally designed for dogs who love the water and adventures with their owners, be it aya ing rafting boating surfi ng or paddle boarding. This keeps your pooch safe and buoyant in the water and caters for canines of all shapes and sizes. The life jacket has a perfectly positioned handle enabling you to lift your dog out of the water, it also features a lead clip in point as well as a refl ective trim to enhance visibility in poor light conditions. Price: £94.95 from www.tallingtonlakesproshop.com
Pet Products
We’ve found some local suppliers Dog & Field Endurance24 Salmon and Potato
The Dog & Field Endurance24 is made with hypoallergenic ingredients and is free from wheat and gluten. A complete dog food that is suitable for any breed but specially formulated for those with intolerance or sensitivity to wheat products. Price: £29.99 per 12kg from www.dogandfi eld.co.uk
My Family pet tags
ID tags in a range of fonts and either single or double-sided. They come in all shapes and styles from plain to crystalencrusted. And can be paired with the My Family collars and leads. Price: From £4 from www.grrs2purrs.co.uk
The Original Clone® Realistic Dog Training Dummies – Set of 3
1lb pheasant, 1/2lb partridge & 100g snipe dummies. Add game bird realism to your training. Price: £24.99 from www.dogandfi eld.co.uk
Betsy’s Yummy Beef
This follows the 80:10:10 formula and is available in both 500g and 1kg compostable tub sizes. Price: 500g - £2.40 /1kg - £4.25 from www.betsysrawfood.com
Will’s Walks, 21 rambles around Stamford and Rutland
Now you’ve got a dog you need to know where to walk it. This book is perfect for local inspiration. Split into three sections ranging from up to an hour walks to well over two, there’s something for everyone and every walk has a pooch perspective too. Price £7.95 from www.theactivemag.com or many local shops including Walker’s Stamford and Oakham
