Innehållsförteckning för April 2022 från Your Dog

Social services Do you know the difference between socialisation and habituation? Here are some frequently asked questions. Pre-second vaccination When you first get your puppy, he will probably not have had his second vaccination. However, even though he won’t have finished his course of vaccinations, it’s important to work on socialisation and habituation. You can still take your puppy to a variety of places, such as the school gates, local market, a dog-friendly pub, or a summer fete, so he can experience new sights and sounds and meet new people. Importantly though, when out and about, you should always carry your puppy until after his second vaccination so that he isn’t exposed to any nasty diseases in areas where unvaccinated dogs may have visited. If you visit a friend with a…

Try something new Once your puppy is a year old, a great many new opportunities will open up and you may decide to try a new sport. There are many activities to choose from, but here are a few ideas. AGILITY It is not advisable to train dogs on any agility equipment before the age of 12 months, but, as with many sports, you and your dog can enrol in a puppy foundation course to practise some basic techniques that will lay the groundwork for his future progress. ● For more information on agility, and how to find a reputable club, visit the KC website www.thekennelclub.org.uk and click on the ‘activities’ section. HEELWORK TO MUSIC If you love trick training and obedience, you may enjoy heelwork to music. You can…

Are you ready for a pup? Before you make the huge commitment of taking on a puppy, you must do your homework. The first stage of research is to assess your current situation, and there are several questions that you need to ask yourself, making sure you are entirely honest when answering them. To help, we’ve come up with a list of the most important questions, together with the reasons why they need some thought. Can I afford a dog? This is a really important question. When you take on a puppy, you need to have a certain amount of financial security and flexibility so that you are able to provide the basics, but also cope with any sudden costs that you may incur during his lifetime. Leading veterinary animal…

Talking dogs NEWS. CHAT. INTERVIEWS. PICTURES. COMPETITIONS. Hi-tech surgery puts Baxter back on his feet A severely lame dog can now walk normally, thanks to a hi-tech operation using the latest 3D-printing technology. After undergoing a CT scan at the state-of-the-art Vets Now hospital in Manchester, Baxter was found to have a complicated deformity, with a pronounced bend and twist on his radius and ulna. Vets planned the surgery carefully using a model of the one-year-old cross-breed’s leg created by Vet3D, which uses CAD (computer aided design) and 3D-printing techniques to perform virtual surgical procedures. “It was definitely one of the most complex ones we’ve seen in a while,” explained Paul Aldridge, a referral clinician in small animal surgery at Vets Now. “We sent Vet3D the CT images and they…

PUPPY love! Springtime, sunshine, and puppies! What could be nicer? Andrea McHugh reports. TOP TIPS! ● Puppy-proof your home thoroughly. ● Puppy teeth are sharp so hide phone cables and wires! TOP TIP! Manage introductions to existing pets carefully. As I write this feature, I’m surrounded by chaos, as one dog repeatedly chases another in and out of my office, followed by eight-month-old puppy, Dash. Undeterred, another dog is rummaging in the wastepaper basket, while a fourth destuffs a toy, scattering its foam innards everywhere. It’s madness, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! Dash arrived like a tiny whirlwind last August. With three other dogs, I’m often asked why I wanted a puppy. My oldest dog, Coco, is 12 years old, and retired from agility, while his half-sister, Honey, is…

LETTERS TIME, PATIENCE, AND LOVE… I recently read the sad letter from Tracie Charles (February issue). I also had a very close twosome; we’ve always had a multi-dog household of five or six retired Greyhounds, Lurchers, and Galgos. Boris was a Lurcher, and from the very beginning had a lot of problems with his back. He was constantly having check-ups at the vet’s, but he had a great zest for life. He was around three years old when I took in Brendan, a retired Greyhound. Boris was quite big and butch looking; in contrast Brendan looked so dainty, almost like a china ornament! But these two boys were so close; they’d play tug and chase, and slept and ate together. Boris passed very suddenly and unexpectedly, just a few days…

New series LOOK and learn Observing your dog is an important part of being his guardian, says behaviourist Sarah Fisher. Images: Bob Atkins. “ACE Free Work can be a great place to start developing your powers of observation…”N Noting your dog’s movement, preferences, and behaviour helps you tailor every aspect of his care to create the best possible outcomes for both of you. But even though you may spend time watching your dog, while out on walks or around the house, you might not be getting the full story — or even be in the best position to observe him properly and in detail. ACE Free Work can be a great place to start developing your powers of observation in a relaxed and stress-free way. DID YOU KNOW? Free Work often…

MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNTS & OFFERS Check out the latest dog-friendly offers and discounts exclusive to subscribers. THE QUEEN’S HEAD (CUMBRIA) ACCOMMODATION — DOGS STAY FOR FREE Part of the esteemed Askham Collection, The Queen’s Head is a cosy 17th century village pub with bedrooms, located in the pretty village of Askham in the Lake District. JO SCOTT (ONLINE) PET PHOTOGRAPHY — 10% OFF Jo Scott is an award-winning dog artist and illustrator, who designs for Moonpig and Thortful, exhibits at Crufts, and is known for capturing the character of dogs so well it’s made people both laugh and cry. PAWFECT TRADING (ONLINE) SHOPPING/DOG ESSENTIALS — FREE SHIPPING Created in October 2021 by two qualified canine hydrotherapists, Pawfect Trading is an online shop that caters for all stages of a dog’s life:…

Starting school Tips and advice to help your puppy learn the basics of training. Even if you don’t have ambitions to compete, or continue with training classes, it’s still important to ensure that your puppy learns the basics, as this will help him to develop into a confident, happy dog, who is a pleasure to take into different situations. Image: Dogs Trust. Teaching recall It’s easy to teach your puppy to come back to you when called, and the more he learns that he gets a great reward whenever he does so, the more he will make the connection that you are much more fun to be with than anything else he might be doing. Begin by making sure your puppy knows his name. Keep him close, and say his…

A meeting of minds Julie Hill discovers more about the remarkable partnerships being formed between veterans and rescue dogs. DID YOU KNOW? The charity considers dogs aged between 6 – 36 months with the right qualities. DID YOU KNOW? PTSD assistance dogs spend between 9 – 12 months in training, depending on the individual dog and recipient. Those who serve in the armed and emergency services are often exposed to traumatic incidents, and these can result in them developing post traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is individual in nature, but can include debilitating symptoms and leave sufferers struggling to live a ‘normal’ life. But, having a specially trained dog by their side can alleviate the symptoms for veterans, and enable them to enjoy life again. Service Dogs UK matches veterans suffering from…

FREEBIES Check out our freebies this month — your chance to win some fabulous prizes! Image: Calm Care Box. 1 TO GIVE AWAY DOG CARE BOX SUBSCRIPTION The Pawfect Trading Co. sells one-off and subscription care boxes for your dog. We have a 12-month subscription to give away to one lucky reader. Choose from Original, Golden Oldie, or Calm and receive a care box each month, plus one extra — 13 in total! Each month’s box will be filled with a mix of hand-baked treats, chews, a toy (100 percent plastic-free), shampoo made with natural oils and essences, and plastic-free, home compostable and biodegradable poo bags — to name just a few. ● For more information, visit www.pawfecttrading.co.uk PACKS OF JOINT SUPPLEMENT We’ve teamed up with nutravet to offer 10…

YOUR RESCUE DOG LIFE SKILLS LESSONS Behaviourist Toni Shelbourne advises on what to do in the three-week to three-month post-adoption period. Once your adopted dog has been with you for around a month or more, he may well be starting to come out of his shell. If all is going well, he’s beginning to relax, and get used to you and his surroundings. For some dogs though, this is when behavioural issues can emerge. It is extremely difficult to assess dogs in a rescue kennel, and staff cannot predict or be blamed for issues that may arise once your dog is home with you; they may simply not have known about the problem. If you are struggling with your dog’s behaviour, contact the rescue organisation, or seek the help of…

Dog SHOPPING Feast your eyes on this month’s selection of great buys. BONUS SHARE Northumberland dog-lover Eve Jones swapped a career in mental health nursing for inventing and marketing a clever dog training tool, after she struggled to find something similar for her Cocker Spaniel, Mave. Bonus is an affordable, soft dog food dispenser that’s a simple and easy way to train your dog. It enables you to use food compatible with your dog’s diet, and give as much or as little as you choose. Simply squeeze out the desired amount for an instant reward. Fill the dispenser with natural yogurt, pureed fruit or vegetables, dog pate, xylitol-free peanut butter, mashed fish or wet/raw dog food — its no-leak, one-way valve can be removed for thicker foods. Reusable, non-messy, dishwasher-proof, and…

DOG Answers Got a problem with your dog? Whether it’s about behaviour, training, health, or general care, the Your Dog experts are here to help. Our panel includes some of the top names in the dog world, so you can rest assured that you are getting the best quality advice. Just email your problem/query to editorial@yourdog.co.uk or, if you prefer, you can post it to ‘Dog Answers’ at our Bourne address (see page 4). You can also post your query on Facebook www.facebook.com/yourdogmagazine. BEHAVIOUR Is my puppy anxious? Q My puppy is six months old and has started to destroy his bed whenever we leave him alone in the house. He is never left alone for long, probably one to two hours at most, and I always leave him with…

The Gallery Give your dog his five minutes of fame. To be included in our gallery, email your photos to gallery@yourdog.co.uk or post traditional prints to the address on page 4. Include your name, address, and daytime telephone number, plus your dog’s name and breed. Alternatively, you can share your images on social media at www.facebook.com/yourdogmagazine Twitter @yourdog. Please, no images of dogs playing with sticks or wearing extreme clothing!…

Welcome to the world It’s time for your puppy to explore the big wide world. Follow our advice to keep him safe and happy. As your puppy continues to grow, and his second vaccinations are finally complete, you can look forward to planning lots of adventures, and enjoy exploring the world together. Follow our tips and advice to help ensure that your puppy can cope with his new experiences, and understands the training skills that will make him a pleasure to take out. Unvaccinated puppies are very vulnerable to nasty canine diseases, some of which can be fatal. Vaccines contain weak or commercially manufactured versions of a disease, which trigger the body to produce antibodies that will fight the disease. If your puppy encounters any of these diseases in the future,…

Editor’s letter Ahh puppies — don’t you just love them! Even when our dogs get older, we can still recall their puppy days, and many of the memories are guaranteed to make us smile, or even have a bit of a giggle when we remember some of their antics. Our lead feature‘Puppy love!’ (page 12) this issue perfectly captures some of those unforgettable moments — and some of the challenges — with three different puppy owners. While it can be tough on occasions, as contributor Andrea McHugh says of her pup, Dash: “he’s worth every broken night’s sleep, chewed cable, puppy puddle, and extra expense.” And I think most of us would agree! If you’re planning on getting your first puppy, or maybe getting a puppy after many years with…

news HOUND-UP PAWS THROUGH YOUR DOORS! Hot on the heels of the Government’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme to boost businesses following lockdown, a City-based booking site for Londoners with dogs has launched its own canine version. Wagit, co-founded by Nadia Leguel and her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Lola, in 2020, is campaigning for the capital’s venues to welcome customers with dogs by offering incentives on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays when it’s quieter. “There are 251,000 dog owners in London,” said Nadia. “It’s tough to find places that’ll allow you to take your dog, so I thought why not encourage venues to offer guests with dogs something extra for visiting during quieter periods?” Already, 27 venues have signed up, providing discounts and offers including champagne on arrival and free…

Paws by my side New series Diane Morgan & Bobby When it comes to her Poodle Bobby, actor, comedian, and writer Diane Morgan just wants him to be happy. She spoke to Alison Gallagher-Hughes about life with her much-loved pet. “There’s a different sort of bond, a responsibility to give him a really good life.” Diane Morgan is a regular on our TV screens — from mockumentaries and sitcoms to comedy dramas including ‘Cunk on Britain’, ‘Mandy’, and ‘Motherland’. She is currently starring alongside Ricky Gervais in the final series of ‘After Life’ streaming on Netflix. Fans describe her as a “21st century Joyce Grenfell” — a talented writer and performer, who is outrageously funny, with a dry humour and quick wit. Originally from Bolton, she currently lives in central London with…