Innehållsförteckning för June 2022 från Your Dog

The first ever National Dog Survey (NDS) by canine charity Dogs Trust was completed by nearly 350,000 people, and has revealed some fascinating insights to the changing face of dog ownership, and the challenges that lie ahead. A staggering 3.2 million extra dogs joined families during lockdown, and Dogs Trust launched the NDS to help the charity develop its understanding of dogs and their owners, establish their needs, and help them in the future. To find out more about what the survey has revealed, and read our interview with one of the new breed of dog owners, turn to page 10. The stoicism of dogs is no secret, but their ability to bounce back from illness and accident is remarkable, and often has us all reflecting on how much we…

● IRELAND/UKRAINE: Ukrainian grandmother Violetta has been reunited with her 13-year-old Labrador Tasha, after a harrowing 3,000-kilometre, 12-day journey from war-torn Odessa across nine countries to County Clare. The 86-year-old refugee thought she’d never see her beloved dog again when she became stranded with her son and his wife at the Moldova/Romania border without a passport, and had to leave Tasha behind. But Irish woman Debbie Deegan helped coordinate the mammoth task of finding and transporting Tasha to Ballyvaughan, where the family have since settled. ● AMERICA: A Chihuahua-cross with a rare nerve condition that makes him look like he’s always smiling, is searching for his forever home. Staff at Front Street Animal Shelter in Sacramento, California, hope Jasper, who suffers from constant twitching and kidney problems, will be adopted…

Some dogs love the car, but others are a bit more anxious. Familiarisation with car travel will usually offer some relief, and Dorwest herbal products can also help create a calmer experience and prevent sickness from occurring. The experts at Dorwest Herbs have two natural solutions: ● Scullcap & Valerian Tablets help relieve anxiety without causing drowsiness by lessening activity in the nervous system. They can also reduce excessive salivation, limiting the likelihood of sickness. ● Often used as a complementary ‘top-up’, Valerian Compound is a quick-acting, liquid calming supplement given 30 minutes before a journey and lasting up to two hours. ● To find out more, visit www.dorwest.com, email info@dorwest.com or call 01308 897272.…

Actor Pam Ferris is a doyen of stage and screen with starring roles in ‘Connie’, ‘The Darling Buds of May’, ‘Where the Heart Is’, ‘Rosemary & Thyme’ and ‘Call the Midwife’. She is married to actor Roger Frost, and they live in East Kent with Jack Russell Elsie and Lurcher Stanley. Pam is an ambassador for Blue Cross and recently did a voice-over for the charity’s 125th anniversary film. She is also a patron for The Lord Whisky Sanctuary Fund. Interviewing Pam Ferris is a bit like being hugged by Ma Larkin. The actress exudes the same warmth and vivacity as the character she brought to life in the 90s TV adaptation of ‘The Darling Buds of May’. But the person sitting before me has a sophisticated edge: elegantly attired…

DOG THEFT UPDATE While dog theft is devastating, it is still relatively uncommon. In 2020 — when the pandemic saw a surge in demand for dogs — there were approximately 2,000 incidents of dog theft reported to police forces across the UK, which equates to around five dogs per day. Statistics gathered by The Kennel Club through Freedom of Information requests, using figures from 36 UK police forces, show that was a seven per cent increase on 2019. Arriving at any definitive statistics is challenging, as no national tally is kept, but mainstream media outlets latched on to dog theft during the pandemic, and momentum grew around the issue, giving it a high profile. With more cases hitting the headlines, awareness of dog theft has certainly increased, and that will hopefully…

WHAT A JOURNEY! I enjoyed reading ‘Your First Puppy’, the extra content in the April issue of Your Dog. I’m one of those new puppy owners, who purchased my first ever dog during the life-changing experience of the coronavirus pandemic. And what a journey it has been! I’d never considered having pets prior to the pandemic; it seemed too much like an unnecessary responsibility, but all that changed with lockdown. Suddenly, we were at home, and rediscovering the simpler things in life. I started exploring the countryside around my house, going for walks, and reconnecting with nature. During my outings, I came across many people with dogs, and, after a while, we’d stop for a safe and socially distanced chat, and I began to realise what a special relationship these people…

THE JW PUPPY CONNECTS Keep playtime stimulating and engaging for your pup with the customisable JW Puppy Connects, featuring three activities in one toy — a durable rope tug, a tough teething ring, and a plastic crinkly ball, all designed to stimulate your puppy’s senses. You can easily customise Puppy Connects with replaceable toys that simply twist in and out of the durable nylon centre part of the toy. Keep your puppy entertained with multiple ways to play! ● Available from Amazon or call 0115 982 3900. DOGMATIC HEADCOLLAR The award-winning Dogmatic Headcollar stops dogs pulling on the lead. It is comfortable to wear and doesn’t ride up or go near the eyes. Recommended and endorsed by behaviourists, trainers, vets, rescues, and breeders worldwide, it has won the ‘Product you…

TOY STORY TURNS INTO A TONGUE TWISTER Images: Vets Now. Vets are urging owners to discard broken, worn, or faulty toys after a lovable cross-breed became too attached to his favourite ball and nearly lost his tongue. Because Labrador X German Shepherd Harley constantly carried his rubber ball around, owner Lindsay Knight, from Lincolnshire, wasn’t concerned when it was still in his mouth hours later. But on discovering that the ball was stuck, and no amount of gentle tugging or manipulation would free it, Lindsay’s husband, Adam, took Harley straight to the Vets Now emergency clinic in Lincoln. “There was no sign of him struggling to get it off or being distressed so I didn’t realise there was a problem at first,” said Lindsay, who explained that Harley’s beloved green…

WHAT’S ON IN JUNE? ● June 4 and 5: 9.30am – 5.30pm: Dogstival, Broadlands Park, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 9ZD. Head on down to the ultimate canine Platinum Jubilee celebration for two days of fun and entertainment, including giant doggy Barkingham Palace street parties, huge canine thrones, a Jubilee Tea Pawty, stand-up canine comedy, live music, street performers, a vintage funfair, and shopping opportunities galore. Your dog can partake of a poocharoni doggy pizza, a glass of pawsecco, and baked goodies from the Pop+Bark Pupuccino Bar, while you sample the fine food and drink on offer. Plus, there’s barkour (Dogstival’s twist on parkour), agility, hoopers, flyball, a dog diving splash pool, gundog scurries, demonstrations, and educational talks. ● Cost: Day tickets: adults: £15; children (aged six to 16): £9; weekend…

Solving the problem of travel sickness is easier if you can work out the cause; it most commonly involves the vestibular system, but stress and anxiety can also play a big part. Puppies and young dogs are the most frequently affected, usually because the vestibular system — structures within the inner ear which help with balance — isn’t fully developed. Although this means that many dogs will eventually ‘grow out of it’, it’s estimated that one in four does not. Even if the problem does cease with maturity, negative associations with being in the car may have been forged by then, and the anxiety created can be enough to cause sickness before you’ve even started moving in some cases. When trying to determine the underlying cause you may need to…

ABOUT VICKY Holistic vet Vicky Payne BVetMed MRCVS is based in East Sussex, and qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 2001. She uses a range of complementary therapies alongside conventional medicine and surgery. I am a GP vet in primary practice, as well as a holistic vet, so my take on vaccines often surprises pet owners, who often think ‘holistic’ excludes the use of vaccines and conventional medicines. My experiences in general practice make me a firm supporter of vaccination, but I am always interested in how we can personalise a vaccine protocol to fit the lifestyle of a dog, for maximum protective effects and minimal side effects. HOW DO VACCINES WORK? Dog vaccines contain either a small amount of an inactivated pathogen, a live pathogen which has been…

My age-old shoulder bag with worn out straps had just about given up the ghost. I’d had to upend it for the hundredth time, tipping everything out, just to find my Cocker Spaniel Sofie’s lead — and it was falling apart. Enough was enough, I needed a new bag — and one that was fit for purpose! So, I’ve been road testing the perfect pack to take out with your pup — whether for an everyday, around-the-block leg-stretch, or a serious day’s hike. My ideal ‘pup pack’ would have enough pockets so that I wouldn’t have to frantically search for something I wanted in the bottom of the bag; it would also need to be waterproof, and be made to last. Here’s my verdict on the five bags and backpacks…

“As new dog owners we weren’t aware of the prevalence of dog theft,” said Hayley Durham, from Narborough, Leicestershire. “Until this happened to us, it wasn’t something that had even crossed our minds.” Sixteen-week-old working Cocker Spaniel Fudge had been put into his crate in the car while his owner popped to the toilet at a country park. Minutes later — at around 9.45am — the car’s back window lay in shards on the ground. Fudge was gone; his collar was found discarded nearby. He was missing for five agonising days. “We also received hoax calls and messages, which were just so unnecessary and, at times, scary,” recalled Hayley. “There were negative comments on the social media posts asking why a puppy would be left alone in a car. He…

Here’s Buddy having a ride; he’s 13 and can’t walk so far now. Nicola Owst, on Facebook. Six-month-old Molly had a beach day and found a crab leg, which she absolutely HAD to bury in the sand! Shelly Massingham, on Facebook. This is Molly; she’s a one-year-old chocolate Labrador. She loves all animals, especially donkeys. When we go to feed them, it’s carrot or apple for the donkeys but, of course, Molly gets some too. Amanda Milley, on Facebook. This is Finn! He is a four-month-old Border Collie, who is very cheeky and is enjoying exploring the world around him… although his favourite thing to do is go to work with his dad at the pub and cuddle customers all day! He also loves chasing my pet rabbits around the…

BEE SMART Get buzzing this spring, thanks to Ditsy Pet’s beautiful new collection of collars, leads, slide-on bandannas, and dickie bows. The Nottingham-based family business’s Busy Bee range is sure to make your dog stand out from the crowd. Both the collar and lead are reinforced with an inner webbing for extra strength, while the collar features the finest contoured buckle, which sits comfortably on your dog’s neck. The elasticated dickie bow easily stretches on and off your dog’s collar. ● Key feature: All products can be handwashed at a cool temperature and are Scotchgarded to help repel dirt and keep them looking cleaner for longer. ● Sizes: XXS, XS, small, medium, large, extra large (collars); extra small, small/medium, large/XL (leads); S, M, L (slide-on bandannas); small, large (dickie bows).…

Sponsored by THE EXPERT PANEL HEALTH WHY WON’T HE EAT? Q I have a six-year-old foster Shih Tzu. He came to us with a back problem, few teeth, and a history of being very picky with food. Vets have prescribed Metacam for his back, but it’s very hard to get him to eat. We have tried various soft foods but he shows little interest, even in treats. Margery Steel, Wiltshire. Vicky says: This is not an easy question to answer! First, I would ask how he reacts to human food. If he is keen on this, then a change of diet may help. He might prefer one of the fresh food diets that are cooked at home. If he becomes suspicious of his food when his arthritis medication is added,…

1 TAKE A DIP Invest in a paddling pool for some cooling fun; the self-supporting sort sold for dogs don’t need inflating and the plug in the side makes them easy to empty. Solid plastic toddlers’ clam-shell-type pools are also robust enough to withstand doggy claws, but add a bath mat to the bottom to ensure they’re non-slip. Make sure that the sides of the pool and depth of water aren’t so high that small dogs will be out of their depth and struggle to get out; don’t leave any dog unsupervised anyway. Fill with fresh water in the morning and clean it out in the evening. ● Add floating toys and a few healthy treats such as carrots and apples cut into batons. 2 COVER UP Invest in a…

CALLING ALL PUPPY-LOVING VOLUNTEERS… Dogs for Good is appealing for members of the public to volunteer as puppy socialisers, as part of its new Do Something Good campaign. The UK charity, which supports those with a wide range of disabilities and conditions via highly trained assistance and community dogs, is keen to hear from people with time on their hands who are willing to make an 18-month commitment and attend local monthly puppy classes. Volunteer roles entail caring for a pup in your home until they are 12 to 18 months old and teaching them to be polite, well-behaved, and confident in many different environments. ● For more information and to register an interest, visit www.dogsforgood.org/something VETS UNITE FOR UKRAINE British veterinary professionals around the UK are collaborating to supply…

Nine-month-old Lurcher puppy Mabli was enjoying a walk in a private, hired field when the seeds of disaster were sown. “She’s young, very excitable, and her recall is sketchy, so every so often I hire this local field where it’s all fenced in,” explained owner Helen Conway, from Wrexham, Denbighshire. “She can run around like an idiot, and I don’t have to worry about her jumping on strangers. “Mabli found this tennis-ball-sized foam ball in the grass, and loved it. I don’t know why, but there was no way she was giving it up. No treat was good enough to swap for this ball, and in the end, to avoid us getting the ball off her, she swallowed it practically whole. She spent the next 24 hours vomiting it back…

ABOUT SARAH Canine and equine behaviour adviser Sarah Fisher has worked with animals for over 20 years. Experienced with a wide range of breed types, she teaches staff workshops for many of the UK’s animal welfare organisations, including Battersea, as well as in Europe. She is a regular contributor to international and national seminars, and is passionate about helping dogs and their with learning. guardians fall in love with learning. Image: Bob Atkins. Image: Bob Atkins. “…sometimes these choices need refining, with input and guidance from the dog…” When we talk of giving a dog a choice about whether he engages with us or not, and how he does this, we need to bear in mind that he can only choose from the options we have made available. The more…

6 TO GIVE AWAY COOLING DOG MATS Many pets can suffer from the heat during the summer months. The Scruffs Cool Mat is designed to provide relief for your dog. Filled with a non-toxic gel, this self-cooling mat will be typically 5 – 10 degrees cooler than room temperature. When in use, the mat will maintain its cooling properties for about one hour, depending on the environment. To reset the mat’s properties simply leave it unused for an hour — there’s no need to freeze or refrigerate. We have six cool mats to give away to readers. ● For more information, visit www.petslovescruffs.com or email tellmemore@petslovescruffs.com 5 TO GIVE AWAY BAGS OF DOG FOOD ORIJEN Pet Foods is giving away a 2kg bag of ORIJEN Original to five lucky winners.…

“I was screaming on the floor basically. I I’ve never had a reaction like that to anything in my life. The world went dark,” said Johanna Kerwien, from Grays, Essex, recalling the moment she and partner Michael Fox returned to their van in the car park to find their Russian Bolonka, Bjorn, was missing. When the police attended the crime, Johanna was horrified to be told there was a “low chance” of ever seeing her dog again. Johanna’s mother bred Bjorn, and Johanna and Michael drove to her native Sweden and back to bring him home. “In Sweden we leave dogs in cars all the time; it’s perfectly normal to leave them outside the shops in your locked car — you’d think it was as safe as being in your…

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Debi Emmett runs the Pet Food Bank Service based near Cardiff, which covers 10 outlets across South Wales. She is trying to raise funds to acquire a warehousing facility within a 15-mile radius of Cardiff so that she can store donations as they arrive. She currently uses two shipping containers, but knows these will become e too hot for food storage during the summer months and that the need for help will only rise as the increased costs of fuel begin to cause real hardship to many families who are only just managing at the moment. Zoo Plus recently featured the Pet Food Bank Service as its charity of the month and will be donating six to eight pallets of food in the near future — hence the need for…

LOST RECALL Our 16-month-old Lurcher seems to have lost her recall. She was very good at puppy training classes but now it’s not so good, particularly when there are other dogs around. ● A return to training classes could help as she’s entered a new phase of development and other things are more distracting now. ● Reassess the things she finds rewarding and score them from one to 10. ● Use the appropriate reward for the appropriate situation, so when there are few distractions use lower level rewards; when things are tougher for her, use higher level rewards. ● Only use the recall command when you are confident she will come back, or the word or noise you use may become irrelevant to her. ● If this has already happened,…

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, e, no images of dogs playing with sticks or wearing extreme clothing!…