Your Dog December 2022

Christmas is coming and if you — like me — feel totally unprepared for all the festivities (despite your vow to ‘be more organised’ this year) I hope this issue will get you in the mood, and maybe offer a little inspiration. We’ve got lots of Christmas gift ideas for dog lovers (check out pages 31 and 55) and while our freebies prizes (page 24) don’t all have a Christmas theme, there are plenty of them — 66 in total up for grabs — because, after all, Christmas is a time for giving. Despite the festive vibe, there is still plenty of practical content in this issue, from learning all about vestibular disease, which is not uncommon in dogs (page 38), to winter care tips to keep your pet warm,…

RETIRED MoD POLICE DOG SAVED An emergency operation has saved the life of a retired Ministry of Defence police dog, who kept the navy’s nuclear submarines safe during his six-year career. Eleven-year-old Flint suffered a twisted stomach and was in a critical condition. “I had to kiss and hug him and say goodbye; at his age, the operation was a huge risk,” said his handler Karen Crossley, who served with the MoD police for 30 years. Although the Belgian Malinois pulled through, Karen, from Launceston, Cornwall, had to find £2,000 to pay the vet’s bill as Flint is uninsured due to his working past. Luckily, the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, a UK-based organisation that provides financial assistance and support to those who take on retired police dogs, stepped in to…

With a long sandy beach, the UK’s only Royal Harbour, one of the warmest climates in the country, buzzing waterfront bars, cafes, and restaurants, beautiful architecture, miles of walking trails, and stunning views across the marina, dogs and their owners will be spoiled for choice in Ramsgate. Thanks to the launch of a new Dogs are Welcome initiative by Active Ramsgate, the east Kent coastline provides the‘pawfect’ playground for you and your canine companion. We are offering a fantastic two-night stay for two people and a dog at one of the many canine-friendly hotels or B&Bs in this cosmopolitan coastal town. You’ll be able to check out Ramsgate’s ever-growing dog-friendly eateries, art galleries and attractions, set sail on a boat trip, embark on a geocaching expedition, or soak up the…

Dogs enrich our lives — but they can diminish our bank balance too. With the cost of living having increased alarmingly, many owners are struggling. Sadly, the RSPCA has seen a 25 per cent increase in the number of pets being abandoned, which means over three million people have made the heartbreaking decision to give up their pets (primarily dogs) this year. Even when they’re fit and healthy, dogs cost money, and then there are those unexpected expenses, which can be devastating. However, there are ways to reduce day-to-day costs, and protect yourself from emergency bills. We spoke to some experts from the dog world, who shared their advice on cutting costs, not corners. SPREAD THE COST PDSA vet nurse Shauna Spooner reminds owners that spending quality time with their…

DID YOU KNOW? A Labrador’s mouth can be so gentle that he can hold a raw egg in his mouth without breaking it. Dog trainer Steve Mann is the founder of the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT) and the author of several best-selling books including ‘Easy Peasy Doggy Squeezy’ and ‘Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy’. Renowned for using straightforward language and having a great sense of humour, Steve aims to help people understand more about their dogs so they can become much-loved family members. His latest project is the publication of a new series of ‘Easy Peasy’ books, with each book focusing on one of the UK’s most popular breeds. Your Dog caught up with Steve to find out more… DID YOU KNOW? The word game Scrabble allows use of…

DID YOU KNOW? Not all senior dogs need a senior dog diet — it depends on their health and activity levels. A sad reality of dogs is that they age faster than we do. This means that anyone living with a dog is likely to experience changes in their pet’s health, behaviour, and even appearance over time. While ageing and age-related changes are inevitable for dogs, you can implement some essential care and management measures to help keep them happy and healthy for as long as possible. Thinking about their nutrition is an important part of this. But do dogs really need nutritional changes or ‘senior’ diets as they age? And what changes might we want to make? WHAT IS A SENIOR DOG? Smaller dog breeds and types have a longer…