Innehållsförteckning för May 2024 från Your Dog

* Check before travel. SPRING DOG SHOW MAY 5, 2024. Rockingham Castle, Nr Corby. RSPCA Northamptonshire Branch’s Spring Dog Show returns for 2024 and is held in the beautiful grounds of Rockingham Castle this year. It’s promised to be a fun day for both humans and their dogs, with local traders catering for everyone and some stunning views to soak up. The dog show will see nine categories of dogs in all shapes and sizes each trying to impress the judge. Admission to the grounds of Rockingham Castle is required to attend the dog show – meaning you can also enjoy the rich history that surrounds the site. Visit www.rockinghamcastle.com to find out more! ALL ABOUT DOGS SHOW MAY 5 – 6. Hylands Park, Essex. All About Dogs Show will…

THATCHED COTTAGE HOTEL BROCKENHURST, HAMPSHIRE The picture-perfect Thatched Cottage hotel is in the centre of Brockenhurst in the New Forest National Park, which offers miles of superb walking routes to explore. This quintessentially English building is a warm and welcoming Grade II listed hotel, originally built in 1627. Today, the Thatched Cottage offers a choice of historic and contemporary accommodation, with dog-friendly rooms conveniently situated on the ground floor with easy access to the garden. Matthew Lawson, the owner, was the proud owner of Cassia, a beautiful Black Labrador for 14 years. Although no longer a dog owner, Matthew is keen to ensure the hotel remains as welcoming as possible to dogs and their owners. “Dogs receive a warm welcome from our dog-friendly staff and will also receive a special…

Being a veterinary receptionist might be one of the toughest jobs there is. When the phone rings, you often need to calm down a worried pet owner and ask them questions to determine whether they have an emergency that needs to be seen immediately, an urgent case to be seen today, or something that could be treated at home or seen tomorrow. Whilst it can feel frustrating to be asked so many questions, many veterinary practices remain very busy, and this triaging is vital to ensuring everyone gets the treatment they need. Most practices will have guidelines to help the reception and nursing team allocate the right appointment. This chart is not exhaustive but shows some of the most common non-routine calls we deal with. When calling your vet, have…

Netflix Dog Gone A young boy’s beloved canine is kidnapped by a sinister organisation, plotting to use animals for harmful experiments. Determined to rescue his furry friend, he embarks on a daring adventure to bring his dog home safely, supported by a quirky cast of characters. JESS SAYS: “Okay I really enjoyed this film It’s about this kid called Owen, whose awesome dog gets stolen by bad guys. He doesn’t give up though; he goes on this wild adventure, meeting cool friends along the way. It’s good a mix of action and comedy, with some cute bits in there, too.” Disney+ Super Buddies A group of ordinary puppies discovers magical rings that grant them superpowers. With newfound abilities, they must stop an evil alien’s plot to conquer Earth. The pups embark…

Make your own crunchy blueberry, oat and peanut butter treats What you’ll need: • 1 cup blueberries (fresh, frozen, or dried)• ¾ cup oats• 2 ½ cup whole wheat flour• 2 eggs• 3 tbsp peanut butter (make sure it does not have xylitol in it)• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon• ⅛ – ½ cup warm water adjust the water depending on the texture of your dough after mixing Method: 1. Preheat your oven to 160°C 2. Add chopped blueberries to your mixing bowl, along with the oats and give these a mix. 3. Add the flour, eggs, peanut butter and cinnamon, mixing together thoroughly until combined. This should be dry and crumbly. 4. Slowly add about 1/8 cup of warm water and mix until the dough sticks together in a ball.…

Oldies Club (OC) is a small, volunteer-run charity that rehomes unwanted/homeless dogs over seven years old. They place the dog in an approved foster home where they will be thoroughly assessed and then featured on the website to await their forever home. Whilst in care, OC pay for all the vet bills for any treatment needed by the dog. This is a huge cost for a small charity, and they are always looking for donations and fundraising opportunities. What’s a typical day like? Helen: As with any role, there is a lot of admin related tasks that need doing to ensure we each work in a consistent manner, such as: Administration: we receive enquiries for fostering, donating and other rescues asking us to promote their older dogs – these enquiries…

1 Puppy or adult?Rescue or rehome? Puppies are full-on hard work, so we need to have the time and energy to give them and us the best start together. Many adult dogs dislike puppies, or simply need some peace and quiet from their relentless energy, so creating downtime for each by separating them needs to be planned. Dogs from rescue, no matter how well treated while in kennels, will have a certain amount of bewilderment or even trauma to work through, and those from abroad may never have seen humans as their friends. Many dogs end up in rescue as adolescents, and the majority of dogs can be difficult going through this phase, just as our own human teenagers can demonstrate. If we take on an adult dog from another…

The best place to start is to observe your dog and work out his preference. You might notice he chooses a particular material or prefers a firmer surface to snooze on. Or maybe he likes to nap up high off the floor. His age will also be a consideration and needs to be a factor in your choice of material, shape, and size. Even the time of year will make a difference to a dog’s liking. He may also have different sleeping places and positions throughout the day, and require several beds in multiple locations. Dogs are polyphasic sleepers, meaning he can get restorative sleep at any time of the day or night. His daytime favourite bed may be different from this nighttime resting place. Some dogs, especially those with…

NUTRACALM – FAST ACTING SUPPORT FOR STRESS AND ANXIETY Nutracalm is a fast-acting natural calming supplement to help stressed and anxious pets. It has been specially formulated using a unique combination of natural ingredients. The natural solution helps pets that have been affected by stressful situations such as fireworks, loud noises, separation anxiety, travelling, vet visits and kennel stays. RRP £12.99 for 15 capsules. We have three packs to give away. For more information, www.nutravet.co.uk/product/nutracalm 3 TO GIVE AWAY CRUNCHY CHICKEN AND CALCIUM BONES CASE Made with 100% natural chicken, these treats by Good Boy will get your dogs’ tail wagging! They are roasted in their own juices, creating a tasty chicken treat to reward your dog with at home, or while out and about. They’re the ideal treat for…

WHO’S WHO AT YOUR DOG CONTENT EDITORS REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS/EXPERTS ANDREA MCHUGH, JACQUELINE BOYD, JOANNE BEDNALL, TONY CRUSE, TONI SHELBOURNE, TAMSIN DURSTON, VICKY PAYNE Your Dog Magazine, Warners Group Publications, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire, PE10 9PH Call 01778 395070 Email: Editorial@yourdog.co.uk…

READERS’ SPRING PICS!…

The St Bernard is a true giant of the dog world, and everybody recognises this legendary life-saving dog with his massive jowled head, gentle eyes and short, thick orange and white coat. They are an incredibly loyal and affectionate breed – embodying a protective nature and nurturing instinct. Known for its calm demeanour and friendly disposition, it’s a beloved family companion and loyal friend. They are capable of defending their owner and property, but are also slow thinkers, steady and have an amazing unity with children. The St Bernard is a quick learner if taught kindly, but can be stubborn and boisterous at times. It’s worth noting that with a big dog comes big slobber and big bills… so be prepared for what you are taking on, and accept that you…

Nose targeting is often called “Touch” and it is where your dog touches a target with the tip of their nose. A quick and easy trick that’ll impress your friends! Step 1: Have a bag of your dog’s favourite treats to hand. Pop a treat under your thumb and hold your open palm about one inch away from your dog’s nose. Step 2: Hold your hand still, and wait for your dog to come to your hand and sniff with their nose. Step 3: Say “YES!” once their nose touches your palm. Then give your dog one of the treats with your other hand. Step 4: After several successful nose touches, remove the treat from under your thumb and repeat with an empty hand. Gradually increase the distance between your…

Communication: A dog’s tail is a vital tool for communication, showing a range of emotions and intentions. For instance, a wagging tail typically indicates happiness or excitement, while a tucked tail may indicate fear or submission. Balance and coordination: The tail helps a dog to maintain balance and coordination, especially during quick turns or swift movements. It is a counterbalance, helping dogs precisely navigate various terrains and situations. Temperature regulation: Dogs use their tails to regulate body temperature. In hot weather, they may hold their tails up to increase airflow and dissipate heat, while in cold weather, they may tuck their tails close to their bodies to conserve warmth. Social interaction: Dogs often use their tails during social interactions with other dogs and humans. A relaxed, gently wagging tail can…

Minerals are micronutrients with mega functions. From forming the structure of bones and teeth to supporting normal body function, minerals are critical for our dogs’ day-to-day health and well-being. But what exactly are minerals and why is it so important that they are in our dogs’ diets at the right levels? WHAT ARE MINERALS? Minerals are chemical elements required for key body structures and to support metabolic functioning. Some are well-recognised, such as iron, calcium, and copper. Others, such as selenium and manganese, are less well-known but retain key roles in overall health. Minerals such as calcium and phosphorus are known as macrominerals, and are needed in relatively high levels in the diet (often grams per day). The microminerals (or trace elements) are needed at much lower levels. About 4%…

Dogs are naturally groupliving animals, preferring alternative places to toilet than where they generally rest/sleep, play and“hang out”. However, while the bladder, and bowels of young puppies continue to grow and strengthen, they can feel the urge to toilet suddenly, which can mean they tend to toilet in the home, often soon after waking, eating or exercising energetically. Adult dogs might take a while when learning to get the hang of going outside, especially if they’ve been toileting inside historically. Because going to the toilet feels rewarding in itself – we can all identify with that feeling of relief when you really need to go – and dogs repeat behaviour that“feels good” to them; if they do toilet inside, it’s likely to feel good at that moment. It’s important NOT…

A beautiful 19th century public park, which has a walled botanic garden and a Grade II listed curator’s lodge. The garden was initially constructed as a private botanic garden, but was made into a public park in 1846. One of the surviving features is the curator’s lodge, which was built in 1836 and is a Grade II listed building. It has been in use since September 2013 as the Botanic Lodge Nursery for children, retaining some of its original features. Today, visitors can enjoy the surrounding dog-friendly parkland – which is mostly used as playing fields with a sports pavilion and a children’s playground. With it being very easy to get to via public transport and with Edge Hill station just a short walk away – you can escape the…

According to research undertaken by Tesco Bank Pet Insurance, as many as two in five (44%) of owners don’t have pet insurance following a comprehensive look at pet ownership in the UK, and how the nation is caring for their pets amidst the cost-of-living crisis. For dog owners, over a third (35%) say they have no cover for their dog, with cost being the key driver as the cost-of-living crisis continues to put pressure on people’s finances. Two in five (40%) of pet owners haven’t purchased an insurance policy because they think it’s too expensive, 20% are unable to afford it and 19% believe that with the cost of excess, it isn’t worth paying for. Unsuspecting pet owners may find themselves significantly out of pocket if their dog or cat…

“A sassy madam” and “highly intelligent idiot” is how 25-year-old Jazz Turner best describes her super-special support dog, Phoebe. The Team GB para sailor, from Seaford, East Sussex, says she simply could not live her life – let alone pursue her dreams - without the five-year-old rescue Golden Retriever by her side. Jazz was diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a life-limiting progressive condition, when she was 18. Suffering from this chronically painful connective tissue disorder means that Jazz’s body doesn’t make any collagen, so her joints dislocate regularly – in fact, her hips dislocate every time she gets out of her wheelchair. The condition also affects Jazz’s heart and lungs, and she has to be fed intravenously. Four years ago, after an unsuccessful attempt at training a Cavachon as an…

When you start researching the qualities of all the different dog breeds, you soon see the spectrum of personalities, from the energetically exuberant to the delightfully laidback.Here we have delved into the charm of three beloved dog breeds renowned for their leisurely lifestyles. Greyhound The Greyhound, renowned for its speed and elegance, may surprise some with its reputation for laziness! Despite being bred for racing, Greyhounds are often content with lounging for extended periods. This trait stems from their efficient energy conservation strategy. With bursts of incredible speed, they conserve energy by resting between activities. Their relaxed demeanour and low energy levels can be misleading, but Greyhounds are simply masters of conserving energy until they need it. Basset Hound Known for its droopy ears and soulful eyes, The Basset Hound possesses…

The raccoon dog, also known as Nyctereutes procyonoides, is native to East Asia. The raccoon dog, also known as the Tanuki in Japan, is a fascinating creature that often sparks curiosity due to its unique appearance and behaviours. Despite its name, the raccoon dog is not closely related to raccoons, but belongs to the canid family, making it a distant relative of domestic dogs. Originating from East Asia, particularly Japan, China, Korea, and Siberia, the raccoon dog has a rich cultural significance in these regions. It is often depicted in folklore and mythology as a mischievous and shape-shifting creature, with supernatural powers. In Japanese folklore, the Tanuki is portrayed as a playful trickster capable of transforming its appearance to deceive humans. This portrayal has led to its inclusion in various…

Name: Carla (Female) Age: 4 French Bulldog Carla has not had an easy life so far and deserves to find her forever home. Since arriving in the care of Almost Home Dog Rescue, she has been a sweetheart and fitted straight into her foster home without an issue. Carla is spotless in the house, eats well, travels well and adores playing with toys. Sadly, she has had many ear infections which haven’t been treated, and now she has got a lot of scar issues around her ears. She’s currently on some ear drops to help with the itching. In every other way, she’s passed her health check. Despite not being walked much by her previous owners, she’s a good girl and really enjoys her walks. She loves being out and…

Q My two-year-old Border Collie seems to be suffering with separation anxiety every time I leave the house as he barks a lot and chews the furniture, how do I train him to settle better, or do I need to reduce the time I am out? A Thank you for this excellent and common question. Separation anxiety is when your dog is anxious without you and anxious upon your return. If your dog is distressed, has severe separation anxiety and is not coping with being left alone, speak to your vet or a clinical animal behaviourist.Here are some tips on how to spot and reduce separation anxiety: Being destructive: chewing and ripping objects, digging, or scratching can also be the result of boredom or lack of exercise, as well as…