Innehållsförteckning för September 2022 från Your Dog

Just like humans, elderly dogs are often overlooked as the years progress. Yet senior dogs have many wonderful qualities that it’s all too easy to take for granted — patience, wisdom, understanding, unlimited affection. Not for them the distractions of the outside world; they’ve seen it all before and in their twilight years it is their handlers and guardians who are at the centre of their lives more than ever. So this month, we’ve been catching up with some golden oldies and talking to their owners about how special their senior dogs are (see page 14). And we’d also love to hear from other readers about their elderly canines so we can continue to celebrate and pay tribute to them. Send in your pics and tell us a little bit…

WHAT’S ON IN SEPTEMBER? ● September 3: 12noon – 6pm: The Embassy Gardens Pawfect Street Party, Embassy Gardens, 3 Viaduct Gardens, London SW11 7AY. Hosted in partnership with leading global dog rescue foundation, Wild at Heart, this fun street party welcomes residents, members of the public, and their four-legged friends. The day will feature a host of canine activities, including a dogstacle course competition, relay race, poochie pose photo experience, and human Crufts. The programme will also include The Paawstival Awards 2022, with the winners of each of the six categories taking home £1,000. ● Cost: Free. ● More info: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-embassy-gardens-pawfect-street-party-tickets-325609967177 ● September 3 and 4: Gates open at 9.30am. Last admission is 3.30pm; event closes at 4.30pm. The North East Dog Festival, Kirkley Hall, Ponteland, Northumberland NE20 0AQ. Look…

TONI SHELBOURNE has over three decades of experience working with dogs and wild canids. She is an animal behaviourist (full member of INTODogs and ICAN), a Tellington TTouch instructor, real dog yoga instructor, and author. She lives in Oxfordshire. For more information visit www.tonishelbourne.co.uk Whether your cat and dog can intermingle freely in your house depends on a variety of factors. Cats and dogs brought up together, or where a puppy has come into an existing, confident cat’s home, might become best buddies but each animal is different, so don’t make any assumptions. A time and a place It is important to think of the comfort and safety of both animals. The first day of bringing a new cat or dog into an existing animal’s home is not the time…

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. “Cases of CRGV are more common from November to May and in dogs who walk in muddy or woodland areas.” I remember it well — the first cluster of cases was in the New Forest and was the subject of much discussion when I visited the area to do a lecture to vets on herbal medicines. Dogs were becoming ill after walks in the forest, and developing skin sores and kidney failure. But what was the cause? The disease was soon named Alabama rot, after a similar disease seen in America in the 1980s. The American…

Buying and owning a dog is a big responsibility, yet research by The Kennel Club has found that more than one in 10 puppy buyers wish they had spent more time researching their decision. Expectations and reality don’t always align when getting a puppy, but by doing thorough research, you’ll know more about what to expect and avoid unwelcome surprises, which could lead to devastating consequences. The Kennel Club’s #BePuppywise campaign is all about encouraging responsible puppy ownership, and its step-by-step guide to finding and caring for a happy and healthy canine companion is a good place to start if you’re thinking of welcoming a puppy into your home. Let’s take a look at some of the first things you should consider before taking the plunge… ARE YOU READY? THE…

ABOUT JACQUELINE Dr Jacqueline Boyd is an animal scientist and humane education specialist with a passion for applying and sharing scientific knowledge to improve animal health and welfare. She has five ‘multi-purpose’ Cocker Spaniels who do cani-cross, agility, gundog work, and heelwork to music. From bouncy puppy to sensible senior, as our dogs grow and develop they experience key life stage milestones. But did you know that their nutritional needs also change? Nutrition is one of the few aspects of our dogs’ biology on which we can have a direct impact. We cannot change their fundamental genetic make-up, which will determine how they look, behave, and even affect their health and longevity, but we can alter their nutrition. By tailoring their nutrition to specific life stages, we can help to…

STOP, THIEF! With dog theft at a seven-year high, a former criminal defence lawyer is fighting back. Following Direct Line Pet Insurance figures revealing 53 pets were stolen every week across Britain last year, Sara Burney has developed a revolutionary dog theft prevention iPhone app. HOWL checks on your location and status every 10 to 20 seconds during a walk, relaying it to a chosen emergency contact. If your dog is stolen, you can tap a button that sounds an alarm and records the theft so evidence is captured for prosecution purposes. Warwickshire-based Sara has also launched www.howlforhelp.com/tips packed with safety tips and advice. SHOWING AFFECTION TO OTHER ANIMALS CAN SPARK JEALOUSY IN OUR OWN DOGS, STUDY FINDS Researchers from New Zealand’s University of Auckland have found that dogs can…

There is nothing as lovely as the companionship of an older pet. These dogs may not be as fast, or as wild, as they once were, but they are wise and peaceful, and their unconditional love just gets stronger with age. THE PERFECT FIRST DOG Dog trainer Lucy Heath from Grantham, Lincolnshire, says she owes everything to 16-year-old Shetland Sheepdog, Ash. “Ash was my first dog after leaving home at 21,” said Lucy. “He was the last puppy in his litter, and I was so lucky because he was so easy. Although we did agility mostly, he liked every activity, including heelwork to music. “I was a post lady at the time, which gave me plenty of time for training classes. Eventually we became involved in displays and demos and…

“I had a high-pressure job but had time at the weekends to do something useful and a bit different.” “The longest I walked a dog for was seven years.” In 1999 we saw the launch of the Euro, the non-stop circumnavigation of the world by a hot air balloon, the opening of the London Eye and Millennium Dome, and Irish Setter Caspians Intrepid winning Crufts. But for retired housing association chief executive Rosemary Salter the last year of the 20th century marked the beginning of her connection with a rehoming centre that has endured for more than two decades, and become a major part of her life. A lot has happened at Dogs Trust Shrewsbury over the past 23 years, including a name change and a complete revamp of the…

AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE As a subscriber to Your Dog Magazine for over a year and someone who usually enjoys the in-depth articles, I was disappointed to read ‘Looking for Trouble? Is having two puppies of the same age twice as nice or a potential disaster?’ (July issue). After much deliberation, my husband and I made the decision to adopt two puppies from the same litter in April last year. We had always wanted two dogs but, as stated in your article, had heard of littermate syndrome and the potential for the two pups (both male) to form a close bond with each other to the exclusion of everyone else. Coupled with the potential for training, obedience, and human/dog bonding issues, it certainly wasn’t a decision we made lightly but despite…

When Rachel Rodgers’ dog, Rico, was around nine months old (his age is uncertain as he was rescued from Portugal) he injured himself during a walk. Behaviourist Rachel, from Nantwich, Cheshire, explained: “We went away for Christmas. Both my dogs have really good recalls, so we let them off because we were in the middle of nowhere, and Rico didn’t come back. Maisy came running over woofing at us and ran off again. We followed her, and she took us to Rico who was lying there, shaking and looking terrified. He wouldn’t stand up and was clearly in a lot of pain.” After a visit to an emergency vet, and then his own vet back at home, it emerged Rico had torn his gluteal muscle. He had intermittent lameness for…

In the same way that dogs vary in shape, size, and activity levels, age can have a significant effect on their overall nutritional needs. There is a wide range of different commercially available diets formulated to support specific life stages. Typical options include diets for puppy, junior, adult, and senior life stages. While at face value it might seem that there is very little difference between the formulations and ingredients of these diets, science has revealed that there are specific alterations in nutrient requirements at different life stages. Sometimes those changes are very subtle but important; the levels of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus are good examples and must be carefully balanced in the diets of growing puppies.…

Jane Warner, from Swansea, Glamorgan, already had Jack Russell Abbey when she decided to offer a home to six-year-old Mollie. Poor Mollie had been kept in a shed, and made to produce litter after litter at a puppy farm. She was not used to life in the real world. “We obviously wanted to get her spayed and we took her to the vet’s,” Jane recalled. “They explained she was lactating, and it was a phantom pregnancy. She was acting really strangely, getting all her toys and putting them in her bed, nesting, and just acting out of sorts. The vet said: ‘It’s all part and parcel of it — she believes she’s going to have another litter, and because she’s in a totally different environment from where she had her…

There is nothing quite like the joy of welcoming a puppy into your home and into your life, and you can look forward to many years of exciting adventures as your dog accompanies you on days out, short breaks, and country walks. Puppies can be expensive to look after, but even in times of economic uncertainty, we know you’ll want to provide your four-legged friend with the best life possible. An annual membership to Your Dog costs just £12 (that’s it for the year, no monthly fee!) and entitles you to a range of SAVINGS, DISCOUNTS, AND PERKS. THE YOUR DOG PUPPY PACK INCLUDES: ‘Your First Puppy’ book — a comprehensive guide to health, care, and training for your new pup. 2022/23 offers & Discounts book and membership card. Full…

ANY SUGGESTIONS ON EXERCISES AND ACTIVITIES I CAN TRY TO KEEP MY DOG AT HIS OPTIMUM WEIGHT? Plenty of exercise should help keep him trim but if he’s already overweight or obese, seek your vet’s advice first, start slowly, and then build up. Things to try include: ● On-lead walks. ● Hiking. ● Jogging. ● Rally. ● Agility. ● Dog parkour. ● Hydrotherapy/swimming. ● Scent work. ● Hoopers. ● Playing. ● Introducing challenges, such as training your dog to jump through a hula-hoop, or making him work to find his food. DO FEMALE DOGS HAVE A MENOPAUSE? No, unlike humans, female dogs do not have a menopause and, unless neutered, they continue to have seasons throughout their lives. If these continue for longer than usual, or stop altogether, consult your…

● Switch food — explore if there is a cheaper food that is still high welfare and meets your dog’s needs, or try mixing it with a cheaper brand to make it last longer. Although the upfront cost of dry food can be higher, it goes further than wet food. But check with your vet first before switching your pet’s diet, and make any changes gradually. ● Buy prescriptions online — usually much cheaper than buying direct from your vet. ● Start up a responsible community group where you can all help each other out with pet care. ● Payment plans — ask your vet’s if they offer this service, to help you spread the cost of any large bills. ● Shop around for insurance to see if you can…

● AMERICA: The Department of Homeland Security is trialling robot dogs to climb over inhospitable terrain as they search for contraband and life-threatening hazards while patrolling the US-Mexican border. Built by Philadelphia-based Ghost Robotics, it’s hoped the ‘automated ground surveillance vehicles’ will help boost border patrol agents’ safety in the future by covering a huge geographical area, often under harsh conditions. These 100lb battery-operated robot dogs are essentially computers with a camera and sensor, which move around on four legs and transmit real-time data to humans operating them remotely via laptops or hand-held devices. The technology has already been tested in hills, ravines, rocks, tight spaces, and high heat and low oxygen conditions in Texas. • FINLAND: A University of Helsinki study has found that dogs can be re-trained within…

1 TO GIVE AWAY DRINKING FOUNTAIN The Zeus Fresh & Clear Drinking Fountain provides an ever-flowing stream of fresh, clean water for your dog. It has a raised drinking surface at a comfortable height for small to medium-sized dogs, and a translucent reservoir that enables you to check the water level. Available with either a waterfall spout or splash guard, there’s a Zeus Fresh & Clear Fountain for every type of drinker! We have one drinking fountain with a waterfall spout to give away. For more information, visit www.zeusfordogs.com PAIRS OF DISCOVER DOGS TICKETS Discover Dogs returns to ExCeL London this autumn, giving visitors the opportunity to meet over 200 pedigree breeds, find out more about them from breed experts, and benefit from advice on choosing the right breed and…

Having large breeds, I’d always err on the side of caution. I’d rather find I’ve wrapped them in cotton wool and I didn’t need to, than discover by the time the dog is three they’re permanently lame,” said Kerry Rhodes, from Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, who has three Rhodesian Ridgebacks: Rain, Dice, and Coda. Kerry and her dogs love agility, and she starts training the basics — requiring no impact, twisting, or turning — as soon as the pups are vaccinated. Kerry’s aim is that her dogs will still be enjoying agility when they’re 10 years old. “I’m very careful with mine on the stairs, and I carry them for as long as I possibly can, but they grow very quickly,” said Kerry. “Then I teach them to go…

In animal nutrition, we often talk about nutritional individuality — each animal is genetically unique and has their own unique set of circumstances. This translates to individual nutritional requirements that might differ from another dog only very slightly or much more significantly. This is a key reason life stage nutrition can be really useful. For example, I live with my four-legged family of five Cocker Spaniels. This might suggest that they all are fed the same, but I can confirm that they most definitely are not! They range in age from two to 12 years old; three are very closely related. Two of the girls are spayed, and one had a litter of puppies this year. My two boys are entire (unneutered). All are very active and my younger ones…

Bumble Wolf Gifts Bumble Wolf Gifts specialises in doggy hamper boxes, which include high-quality, hand-selected toys and treats picked especially for your dog’s size and breed. All items are approved and tested by self-appointed toy and treat tester, Nova, a four-year-old Husky. Membership offer 10% off. Find out more www.yourdog.co.uk/dog-friendly-attractions/bumble-wolf-gifts Kennel Mate Dog Beds Kennel Mate provides the highest quality dog beds in a variety of colours and sizes, made from a specialised material, which is tear, water, odour, and mite-resistant. Whatever you’re looking for, Kennel Mate can supply the right size and shape of dog bed in a variety of colour options. All beds can be hosed, scrubbed, and sponged, have removable, machine-washable covers, and comfortable inner cushions. Membership offer 10% off. Find out more www.yourdog.co.uk/dog-friendly-attractions/kennelmate-dog-beds Miss Bouba Boutique…

GROOMING A CUT ABOVE! QWhat is a teddy bear cut and which breed/type of dog is it suitable for? I have a six-month-old Cavapoo. Stacey Fielding, Cheshire. Joanne says: A teddy bear trim is basically to make the dog look cute — like a teddy bear! It is generally the body clipped shorter with longer, scissored legs, and a round head. The length of the trim can be varied, from a full scissor body and full legs, to a range of blade lengths or comb attachments on the body and legs to shorten the coat to a manageable length. It’s a very versatile, popular trim for Lhasa Apsos, Shih Tzu, Cockerpoos, Cavachons, and Cavapoos, so would suit your dog perfectly. HEALTH RUNNING TIPS FOR DOGS Q This autumn, I’m planning…

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 facebook.com/yourdogmagazine Twitter @yourdog. Please, no images of dogs playing with sticks or wearing extreme clothing!…