Innehållsförteckning för March 2024 från Your Dog

Watergate Bay, Cornwall The dramatic landscape of Watergate Bay is considered one of Cornwall’s best beaches. With a huge stretch of sand, enormous waves and views out across the Atlantic Sea, the beach is popular with surfers, tourists and dog walkers – as it’s dog-friendly all year round. It is a European Designated Beach and has achieved the highest standard for UK bathing water. At low tide, there’s such an expanse of golden sand, which your dog will love, and the beach leads you along to Newquay, about 3 miles away. Located between Trevelgue Head and Stem Point, the coast path is definitely something to explore with rock pools and large caves along the way. This walk must be timed carefully to ensure you can cross between the beaches at…

The study, conducted by the security experts at ADT, looked at the number of pet thefts per 10,000 people in each city to reveal the areas in which pets are in the most danger. The study also looked at data from previous years to determine the areas that have seen the highest increase in pet thefts. The full study is available at: https://www.adt.co.uk/blog/pet-thefts-index-2024 Cumbria takes first place, with a total of 406 pet thefts from 2019-2023. Despite its smaller population compared to more urban areas, this region shows a significantly higher number of pet thefts relative to its population size. Cumbria, however, is seeing a gradual decrease in pet thefts, dropping from 85 per 100,000 people in 2019 to 50 in 2023. Reporting 841 pet thefts and a rate of…

OWLBURY HALL BARN SHROPSHIRE If you are looking for an idyllic taste of rural bliss with your dog this spring, then check out beautiful Owlbury Hall Barn in Snead, Shropshire. Located on the edge of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Owlbury Hall Barn is perfectly situated in eleven acres of private grounds, which include paddocks, long grasses and woodland areas that are perfect for dog walking. Owlbury is also ideal for exploring the stunning countryside of Shropshire and Wales. With superb views, this dog-friendly accommodation offers everyone a friendly welcome and has secure exercise areas plus an enclosed secure garden where you can relax in the hot tub whilst your dog roams free. It is also great for letting the dogs out for an early morning or late night…

The first half of September last year saw me cramming all my patients into a couple of weeks so I could go off on a trip. Not a holiday exactly, a return to the Falkland Islands for two weeks of dog training. Regular readers will know that alongside being a GP and holistic vet, I am a qualified dog behaviourist and trainer. In this capacity, I was invited down by the wonderfully named FIDO, Falkland Islands Dogs’ Organisation. FIDO was set up after my visit in 2019 to provide support, and a voice for the dogs and dog owners of the islands. My flight down was from RAF Brize Norton, a very different experience from a typical holiday airport. I am sure my luggage, crammed with clickers, ACME Alpha dog…

FURBO 360° DOG CAMERA A fabulous way to check on your dog… this full HD camera has a 360° rotating view for full room coverage, day and night. Stunning 1080p live view and high-quality 4x zoom let you easily check on your home, speak to family, and toss treats to pets. Know what’s going on in your home from anywhere - no more missed moments or blind spots. Toss a treat to your dog via the free Furbo iOS/Android app. All-new Treat Toss allows you to adjust the treat size to suit your dog’s needs. Fill Furbo with your dog’s favourite treats to use as a reward or as a distraction for symptoms of separation anxiety like pacing, barking or licking. Smart alerts give you reliable insight into what’s happening…

The Springer Spaniel is an incredibly versatile breed that will try anything with great enthusiasm. A lively, energetic dog, best suited to an active lifestyle. These dogs are innately happy and are incredibly loyal, friendly, and affectionate, especially towards their human family. They are very sociable and love to be included in family activities. Springers are natural extroverts, but shouldn’t be hyperactive and, given the correct training with an understanding owner, are obedient in the home, and while out and about. • There are two varieties of Springer Spaniels, the English Springer Spaniel and the Welsh Springer Spaniel. While they share similar origins, they have different characteristics and appearances. • Springer Spaniels are named for their ‘springing’ gait… the breed's name comes from its distinctive way of flushing out game birds.…

Dogs Trust has released more results from its most recent National Dog Survey, which detail UK dog owners’ worries about caring for their pets. The National Dog Survey — the largest ever survey of the UK’s dog owners — generated responses from almost a quarter of a million people. The results show that, following the Covid boom in dog ownership, the cost-of-living crisis has left many owners now struggling to provide for their dogs’ needs, from food and veterinary care to finding affordable dog-friendly rental accommodation. In the past year, over 45,000 owners enquired about giving up their dogs to Dogs Trust. The National Dog Survey responses suggest that the current cost of living has been a major contributing factor. Nearly a fifth of respondents (19%) said they may have to consider…

* Check before travel. DOGS AND DAFFS CHARITY WALK MARCH 17, 2024. Hatfield House. Banish those winter blues and head over to Hatfield Park with your dog to take part in the Fun Dog Show, and enjoy a walk on one of the lovely park walks the grounds have to offer. Held in aid of Riding for the Disabled Association, the beautiful grounds are opened exclusively for walkers and their dogs to take part. Early Bird tickets are £7.50pp, and tickets on the day are charged at £9pp. Children under 12 go free! • Find out more by visiting www.hatfield-house.co.uk/event/dogs-and-daffs-charity-walk JOLLY NICE PUPPY MEET UP MARCH 2, 2024. Jolly Nice Farmshop. If you’re local to Stroud and have recently taken on a new puppy, you might fancy joining other fellow…

The forest was originally created in 1079 when William the Conqueror named the area his new hunting forest. Over 1,000 years later, the New Forest remains a protected area with over 7,000 animals freely grazing the land. It was designated a National Park in March 2005, becoming the first national park in the south of England. Located mainly in south-west Hampshire, the park reaches Southampton Water in the east, the edge of the Wiltshire Downs in the north, and the Solent coast in the south. Less than half of the New Forest’s 220 square miles are actually covered with trees. There are large areas of grassland and heathland, plus 26 miles of coastline. For the millions of tourists who visit every year, there are also 150 miles of public footpaths…

What’s your typical day like? I am a self-employed dog trainer, so I spend most of my day training people and helping with lots of behavioural issues. I also do part-time work for a water safety training company, so I can often be found splashing around in Staffordshire waterways, teaching people from various industries what to do if they fall into the water during their work. I also volunteer with the Staffordshire Search and Rescue Team where I am the deputy chair, a search planner, a power boat operator and a Search Dog Handler. As secretary of NSARDA, my days usually start early in the morning, answering e-mails before going out to my first dog training appointments. As a volunteer with the search team, my phone can go off at…

The Fennec Fox, scientifically known as Vulpes Zerda, is a small and charismatic canid that calls the vast deserts of North Africa its home. Instantly recognisable by its distinctive large ears, the Fennec Fox is perfectly adapted to the arid environments it inhabits. Physical characteristics: The Fennec Fox is characterised by its petite size and iconic oversized ears — which serve a dual purpose, both as a means of dissipating heat, and enhancing auditory capabilities to detect prey and potential threats. The fox's creamy coat helps it blend seamlessly with the desert sands, providing camouflage and protection. Habitat: Originating primarily from the Sahara Desert, The Fennec Fox has evolved to withstand extreme temperatures and scarcity of water. These foxes are highly nocturnal, avoiding the day’s scorching heat by burrowing into…

Canine vision is vastly different from our human sight. Let’s start with colour perception. Very simply put, dogs have more rods than cones, which supports night vision. However, this has a detrimental effect on the range of colours they can see. Blue and yellow are the two primary colours dogs can detect. This is called dichromatic vision; we have a trichromatic vision, which includes the full-colour spectrum. Due to this limited range, they can struggle as many colours look similar. Put this in the context of finding a red or orange toy on green grass — without the movement you can see why he may strain to find the toy when it appears to be right under his nose! The positive flip side of limited colour perception is that dogs…

The main difference in appearance between a show Springer Spaniel and a working Springer Spaniel lies in their form and coat. Show Springer Spaniels are bred for the standards set by kennel clubs, emphasising a more refined and symmetrical appearance. They often have longer, flowing coats with distinctive colour patterns, usually black or liver-coloured markings on white. In contrast, working Springer Spaniels prioritise function over aesthetics, resulting in a more athletic and practical appearance. They typically have shorter, more weather-resistant coats and may display a wider range of coat colours. Working Springers tend to be more compact and agile, allowing them to excel in the field, while show Springers prioritise adherence to breed standards for dog shows.…

• Phoebe (Female) • Age: 3 • Breed: Greyhound Sweet Greyhound Phoebe is a sensitive soul who is looking for a loving home where she can live her best life. Nervous when she arrived at Battersea’s Old Windsor Centre, Phoebe has slowly but surely come out of her shell, and this sweet lady is now looking for new owners who can dedicate their time to helping her continue to grow her confidence and help her fun-loving personality shine through in a home environment. She would like a peaceful garden she can explore in her own time, and could potentially live with a sociable sighthound in her new home that could help her settle in and act as a confident canine chum for her. She could live with older teenagers who…

Step 1: Start with basic commands like sit and stay to ensure your dog is focused and responsive. Step 2: Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose and slowly move it down towards the floor to encourage your dog to move from sitting to laying. Once your dog is laying down, move your hand (with the treat) to the side, and your dog should follow the treat with their nose. They will naturally start to roll onto their side. Use the command “roll over” or any chosen cue while doing this. Step 3: Once your dog successfully rolls over, immediately reward them with the treat and praise. Be enthusiastic and make it a positive experience. Repeat the process, gradually requiring more movement until your dog completes a full roll.…

Walking your dog on a slack lead JB: This year, I’m determined to discover some fantastic places for dog walks. Enhancing that experience involves having a dog that walks comfortably on a slack lead, avoiding the constant struggle of pulling. How can we achieve this smoother walking experience with our dogs? TC: In dog training, we call it loose-lead walking. The old-school method of teaching dogs to heel, with a tight lead and the dog almost stuck to the owner’s leg, is a thing of the past. The focus now is on ensuring both the dog and the owner have a stress-free walk. The key is to maintain a slack lead, especially when walking on pavements – not everyone walks their dogs in parks. Whether on a pavement or elsewhere,…

Individual attention This is especially rewarding in multi-pet households, and is a good time to work on specific training or behavioural matters that apply with individual dogs. The very fact of having a significant human to themselves is a massive reward to start with, and the additional reward for then complying with training is a double whammy. Even elderly dogs that know it all really enjoy some one-to-one interaction, which boosts their morale because they know exactly what we want from them. Responsibility Dogs don’t like to take responsibility and, if we allow them to delegate upwards, it eases their minds in any situation. We can easily think it’s a reward to let a dog decide something, but in truth they are usually much happier to let us do so.…

Located in Twyford Wood (close to the A1 Colsterworth roundabout), RAF North Witham was utilised by American forces and played a pivotal role in a top-secret pre-D-Day strike in 1944. Nowadays, it is owned by Forestry England, and has transformed into an eerie blend of concrete and trees, resembling what a post-human apocalypse might look like. An exaggeration? Possibly, but it certainly feels distinct from anywhere I’ve walked locally and makes for an excellent open space for dogs to run free, darting along the runways like Spitfires fuelled by the excitement of being somewhere new. The dogs loved it, though Rachael, my wife, not so much. To be fair, she enjoyed it initially when the afternoon daylight painted the skies with wonderful orange and red hues, but as winter darkness fell…