Dogs Today_February_2021 : simplebooklet.com

Inside this month News features 4 Don t forget to tell the government you want chips checked R E T R A C TA B L E L E A D S 6 MADE IN GERMANY All fur coat and no nicks Pooch Perfect launches 12 In the first Wuhan lockdown Furry Angels took 100 pets into their home 16 Artist Katherine Jones says her Greyhounds are cats you can walk 20 Debbie Bridges asks if Dr Lennon Foo could be the vet for you 28 Home is where the dog is Will the law make landlords pet friendly 40 Beverley Callard loves Madge but she d love to see her other rovers return too Over to you 34 Postbag what matters to you 38 Great debate are routine anti flea meds too risky for the environment Training behaviour 48 Victoria Stilwell see the shut down signs 52 Peter Neville s True Case History Spooch for whom the bell tolls DogsToday The ethical pet magazine for people who really care about dogs Facebook Dogs Today Editorial beverleycuddy Dogs_Today Editor Beverley Cuddy Art Director Rosie Peace Chief Sub Editor Contributing Editor Claire Horton Bussey Deputy Editor Alessandra Pacelli Illustrator Kevin Brockbank Proof readers Katie Horton Bussey Alys Horton Bussey Roving Reporters Owen Haatchi Advertising sponsorship Advertising Sponsorship Manager Mike McGlynn 01276 402591 Office dogs Betty Old English Golden Retriever ish Madi collie cross Nellie Staffordshire Bull Terrier Isla Lurcher Beth Justine Poison Ivy Newfoundlands Betty s Personal Trainer Kirsten Dillon IMDT A Dip CBM Dogs Today Pet Subjects Ltd The Stables Saddlers Halt 86 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8LZ 01276 402599 enquiries dogstodaymagazine co uk www dogstodaymagazine co uk Publishers LIMITED Chief Operations Officer Graham Smith 01276 402598 graham wearebrandshare com Managing Director Beverley Cuddy 01276 402597 beverley dogstodaymagazine co uk Subscriptions Opinion 66 Confessions of a dogaholic ad break NEW COMFORT Walk with the Best www flexi de en Italian Greyhound Photo by Tim Rose www timrosephotography co uk Investigation 26 Q A how can you protect your pet from theft 42 Dog crush meet the Italian Greyhound Competitions shopping 56 Pop the kettle on and tackle our puzzles and competitions 58 Subscribers can clean up if they win a new Bissell vacuum For subscription queries call Pet Subjects on 01276 402599 or email subs dogstodaymagazine co uk Initial subscription rates UK BFPO 12 issues 39 50 24 issues 61 EU countries 12 issues 65 20 Rest of the world airmail 12 issues 79 80 Direct Debit offer UK only 9 99 for 3 months with 1 month free trial and a 1 sign up fee The editor is always pleased to consider articles and photos from freelancers However there is often a considerable delay before material can be assessed Please include an SAE if you want your work returned While every care will be taken no responsibility for loss or damage can be accepted Competition sponsors and their families are not eligible for any competition Dogs Today incorporating Perfect Pup is published by Brandshare Ltd The Stables Saddler Halt 86 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8LZ Tel 01276 402599 Brandshare Ltd reg office The Stables Saddler Halt 86 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8LZ Distributed by Marketforce UK Ltd 2nd Floor 5 Churchill Place Canary Wharf London E14 5HU Tel 020 3148 3333 www marketforce co uk Printed by The Manson Group 2021 Dogs Today The world copyright of the editorial matter both illustrations and text is strictly reserved Registered as a newspaper for transmission in the UK Next issue on sale February 19 To download Dogs Today for iPad go to the App store Android and PC versions are available from Pocket Mags the Kindle edition from www amazon co uk February 2021 Dogs Today 3

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Dear readers Beverley Cuddy I do hope you re all staying safe and coping in these very strange times As we go to press I am hearing news that some of the pandemic puppies that were panic purchased in the first lockdown are ending up in Dogs Trust The dreaded Pets4Homes also seems to be peppered with less altruistic souls trying to re sell their young dogs to try to recoup some of the thousands they spent on buying them Sometimes it s hard to keep positive about humanity isn t it I was hoping that the BBC s Pooch Perfect would prove the perfect antidote to the doom and gloom of another lockdown but you really can t please all the dog people all of the time can you When I watched the press previews of the first two editions I was impressed that all the dogs seemed very unstressed which is unusual for a doggie TV show The format transferred from Australia where the host was Rebel Wilson so the name was a play on the movie Pitch Perfect Perhaps Bitch Perfect might have reflected the UK audience a little better What was there not like about the show A percentage of dog lovers said they were refusing to watch Pooch Perfect as a protest Beverley Cuddy is Dogs Today s Editor and publisher She shares her life with Betty an Old English Golden Retriever ish dog from Many Tears She grew and grew and grew soon after this photo was taken 4 Dogs Today February 2021 because BBC3 had commissioned a dreadful programme called Will My Puppies Make Me Rich The producers have changed the title but 50 MPs are still calling for the show to be axed Another faction decided to boycott the show because one of the trailers included a glimpse of a Poodle with coloured ears Those who watched the programme mostly seemed to enjoy it But some didn t like the inclusion of Shih Tzus in round one because they were extreme pedigree dogs And some didn t like the Doodles in round two because they were designer crosses The RSPCA didn t like dogs being objectified Some folk didn t like the teddy bear trim because they didn t like people thinking of dogs as teddy bears Some people didn t like Sheridan Smith the presenter because her jokes were too lightweight they wanted it to be much more serious like MasterChef But best of all in my opinion were the people who thought it too risky to go out before the watershed I saw the headline online and had to find out more What had I missed I honestly had no idea that the phrase scissoring had another meaning But now I know it does turn watching the show into a snigger fest The response to what is a very positive mainstream dog programme exposes how quickly us dog folk divide Well you all need to pull together on this one the government has asked for your input on the microchip and there is a section asking if we want them to make it a legal requirement to scan You have till 17 February to take part I d say chop chop to encourage you to fill in the online form but I m now worrying if that has a double meaning too P http bit ly feb17gov

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Words BEVERLEY CUDDY Actors Sheridan Smith and Rebel Wilson rarely audition for the same roles but this was a dream job for them both It was as if they d been groomed to star in Pooch Perfect Sheridan Smith seated with Stanley and some of the contestants of Pooch Perfect W hat are you doggedly watching every Thursday at 8pm Was Aunty Beeb correct in predicting the nation wanted an incredibly high budget dog makeover show with all the glitz eccentricity and weird vocab of Strictly Comb Dancing crossed with The Great British Back Comb Judge Colin think Paul Hollywood blended with a less annoying Craig Fab u lous Revel Horwood has a trusty blue paper towel to check for soggy bottoms or paws As he says some thick coats suffer from rising damp Verity channelling more Tess Daly than Pru Leith is the neat freak judge and she can t stand a lack of symmetry The Pooch Perfect concept first aired in Australia and Colin is the only original cast member to appear in both shows The Oz version had probably an even bigger budget with massive prize money and film star Rebel Wilson as host Some of you may regretfully remember Rebel from her performance in Cats but this wasn t why she got the lead in this show Pooch Perfect was built around her the title being a nod to Pitch Perfect one of her best known movies All fur coats and no nicks 6 Dogs Today February 2021 February 2021 Dogs Today 7

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VANITY HAIR Rebel Wilson left with judges and professional dog groomers Amber Lewin and Colin Taylor on the Australian version of Perfect Pooch I was thrilled to be invited to the virtual launch of Pooch Perfect which dog mad Nick Grimshaw hosted Actor and dog lover Sheridan Smith makes her debut as a presenter but her co star the gorgeous Stanley licked her into shape I could tell the other news hounds in the press Zoom call were sniffing around for dirt Did any dogs bite Colin s feared comb Any Blue Peter esque pooing moments Did Sheridan fall in love with any of the doggie contestants was there a dog version of the Strictly curse No despite being one of the first TV shows filming in lockdown everything went smoother than a freshly Naired Chinese Crested Stuart Simons he of The Groomers Spotlight star of This Morning and many a musical production was behind the camera for a change and if there was an Will Pooch Perfect make lots of people want to have a go at dog hairdressing Stuart Simons is worried that the experts on the show may make it look easy it isn t Stuart Simons A groomer with a view W ith unemployment set to rise even further will people look for largely unregulated careers that allow them to earn a quick quid Pooch Perfect will make grooming look very easy but make no mistake these are highly trained professionals that have worked most of their life honing their skills The job of a groomer is not simply about haircuts This show will probably bring the grooming industry into the spotlight and it s important to know that this creative and highly skilled job isn t simply about playing with dogs all day Groomers have to work safely there is a lot that could go very wrong As seemingly unregulated as this industry is it absolutely isn t one to dabble in Those that don t know the difference between fur bearing and hair bearing could inadvertently render a dog bald for life An unexpected turn of the head could result in a huge vet bill and legal costs Incorrect use of the high velocity drier could blind a dog It sounds dramatic but some mistakes can be fatal Professional groomers make their job look easy and that is the last thing it is The patience and love of these incredible people is second to none They are quite simply a rare breed pardon the pun Handling techniques and body language are a large part of it A good groomer will be able to flag subtle changes in a pet early Their wealth of experience at reading how a dog feels will keep everyone safe and happy It s a skill that has to be learnt over time So when you are watching the fabulous Pooch Perfect please remember that these are highly skilled professionals Dogs don t understand that they need to stay still to get their hair cut But if you find a professional qualified groomer as early as possible your pup will grow to love being groomed as much as the dogs you will see on the show The Groomers Spotlight lists qualified groomers in your area www thegroomersspotlight com Oscar for doggie casting his name would definitely be on it Stuart interviewed all the dog models and made sure they d be happy in the studio and wouldn t be stressed by being groomed I got a call in the early days of filming asking for help sourcing four Shih Tzus with similar length coats that could be trimmed off I tried and failed Stuart must be a magician as he found brilliant dogs for all eight episodes during a pandemic without being able to bribe people It was the BBC after all As well as being involved in 8 Dogs Today February 2021 Stuart Simons with Stanley Rebel grew up in a dog showing family and was a top junior handler before Hollywood came calling and that s not Paul I ve already seen the first two episodes of the Brit version and I am addicted There s some great vocab I have previously struggled trying to explain how I d like my Betty s legs trimmed But now instead of saying we want her to look like she s wearing leg warmers we can say with confidence we d like her to have pedestal legs with floating feet I d already heard of a lamb cut and lion cut but not the teddy bear I can t wait to see a Betty bear A tasty complementary drink to your dog s daily water intake Furr Boost helps with your dog s Anxiety Digestion Healthy Immunity Metabolism Hydration Skin Coat My Hoo mum created this well being drink for me as part of a discovery journey into cleaner no junk foods for me Even though she said I was Paw fect before she wanted to ensure that I stayed hydrated with a natural ingredient drink as a refreshing complement to my water which is always readily available I really look forward to my tasty treat which can be given daily and is now made available for all dogs like yours I hope they enjoy it as much as I do From Phoebe 15 off your rst order Use code DOGSTODAY15 To nd out more please visit www furrboost com Find us on social media Facebook furrboost Instagram furr_boost

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100 meat and fish natural dog treats toys and accessories casting Stuart advised in most aspects of the show including coming up with the challenges along with Nikki Pinkus head of development for Beyond Productions A huge dog squad took all the dogs outside regularly for breaks Stuart a vet and a welfare expert checked the dogs before filming too You could see there was a lot of love in that huge room I soon forgot it was filmed in the pandemic You are transported to another world No masks but some contestants sometimes wore what looked like the nets that sprouts are sold in presumably to stop flying fluff getting up their noses It looks likely there won t be a series two of the Oz version it didn t fly like Alaskan Malamute undercoat but I have a feeling Pooch Perfect will do much better here petbuddyshop co uk es qu Re r ou ty 10 Dogs Today February 2021 EEue FcRatalog Any time soon we ll hear people talking knowledgeably about chunkers and diamond tassels in the way we ve all embraced armography and fleckerls The Pooch Perfect equivalent of a cr me pat on the back is the Golden Stanley I didn t see any human judges giving handshakes or awarding 10s but Stanley certainly does a solid high five I suppose the technical round is the breed makeover and the signature dish is the dog walk challenge where contestants specify a type of dog to groom into the weekly theme Star ba r ker is called Best in Show and those going home each week are in the dog house There is no shortage of dog puns so they ll probably need a second series to give them all an airing Sheridan sets the standard in episode one saying that the dogs on the cat walk were turning heads and sniffing backsides I have just one more request of the producers no glitter balls please That was a terrible Instagram trend I bet they were incredibly itchy P Showing Grooming Accessories Equipment Supplements etc 25 OFF SHAMPOOS Code POOCH25 Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer Offer expires 15 3 2021 www petcetera co uk ONLINE 01948 668100 CALL US IN STORE BRADELEY GREEN TARPORLEY ROAD WHITCHURCH SY13 4HD

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Words ALESSANDRA PACELLI Words ALESSANDRA PACELLI The angels of Wuhan Fita in Wuhan with some of the dogs she rescued As the restrictions were so tight I couldn t leave the house and so I kept all the pets we rescued here with me At one point I had 63 dogs and 50 cats with me and I couldn t even take them for a walk It wasn t easy but there was nowhere else for them to go 12 Dogs Today February 2021 outbreak things took a turn for the worse Belief that pets could carry the virus spread despite the World Health Organisation s repeated denials and terrified people either killed their own pets or abandoned them on the streets where they were at risk of being culled The severity of the situation prompted 65 animal charities and pet shelters from across the country to sign an open letter calling for compassion to dogs and cats in response to the Covid 19 crisis LEFT BEHIND Yet more people were forced to evacuate leaving behind their beloved pets with food and water in the belief they would be back home within days When travel restrictions prevented them from returning Chinese animal protection association Vshine stepped in to care for them in their owners absence Meanwhile Furry Angels Haven was struggling to save as many animals as possible despite the tight restrictions that made it impossible to run the shelter and difficult even to buy food Talking to Dogs Today through a video link and surrounded by 25 cats and 20 dogs Fita said As the restrictions were so tight I couldn t leave the house and so I kept all the for days F ita and Xenia began rescuing animals together in Wuhan in December 2018 and first rehomed a dog abroad the following month Throughout 2019 they were able to rehome about 200 dogs sending dogs to the US the UK Canada the Netherlands France and Germany We started out with a small shelter but the neighbours complained about it and we were forced to close Fita said Luckily we got some help from SPCA International and we were able to open a new shelter in the outskirts of Wuhan The situation in Wuhan was not good from the start Fita explains Animal abuse was rife and owning any dog taller than 45cm at the shoulder is illegal Police have a special body whose mandate is to kill illegal dogs even if they have owners A lot of dogs are adopted by couples and then abandoned as soon as a child is on the way Fita explained In China there is a concept that if you have a pet and become pregnant then the pet has to go So they are either abandoned or sold to the butcher When Wuhan suddenly became the epicentre of China s coronavirus Tank had been locked in a shop Run by only two volunteers Fita and Xenia Furry Angels Haven has been a lifeline for abandoned and abused pets in Wuhan since 2018 and after the city became the epicentre of a global pandemic their work became even harder pets we rescued here with me At one point I had 63 dogs and 50 cats with me and I couldn t even take them for a walk It wasn t easy but there was nowhere else for them to go Life on the streets was even harder because not only were people scared of them with all the shops closed many animals could no longer get even the scraps of food they relied on to survive before the pandemic Some of them came in so skinny One of the dogs we rescued a Bulldog called Tank had been simply locked in a shop and left there alone for days We were lucky that my husband was allowed to leave home for work so he would pick up the pets for me Food was also a problem While Fita had luckily stocked up before coronavirus struck buying more was difficult and soon it began to run out For the first two weeks of lockdown we found no food at all I was very worried I didn t know how we d keep the dogs and cats fed Fita said In the end we were able to find some at thrice the usual price It put a huge strain on our finances because we re a small rescue Xenia was able to raise some funds abroad and I borrowed money from my mother

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Mr Charm with a Dogbus volunteer Daisy was abandoned in Wuhan centre but is now safe right ADVERTISING FEATURE ADVERTISING FEATURE Recipes for success After being cared for by Fita Mr Charm and Daisy made the journey to the UK and after a few days in foster care they went on to their new families It was really tough but we were able to keep feeding the animals through lockdown Now life in Wuhan has returned almost entirely to normal but as the charity s funds and the aviation industry have taken a hit sending dogs to be rehomed abroad is much harder meaning Furry Angels Haven cannot free up much space for more animals in need Fita said In 2020 we were able to rehome only about 20 dogs just a tenth of those we rehomed abroad last year FREEDOM FLIGHT However flights have since been resuming Among the many animals in Fita s home at the time of the interview was Mr Charm a threelegged little dog who true to his name proved an absolute charmer He stole my attention throughout the interview and Fita s as well as she had to pause several times to give in to Mr Charm s demands for a belly rub Mr Charm already had a home waiting for him in Liverpool Paula McCartney Mr Charm s adopter said One of my dogs died in June and I had to put another to sleep in September so I was looking for a rescue dog My intention was to adopt a dog from Romania but I came across Mr Charm s photo online and fell in love I know there are fewer planes but I don t mind waiting Hopefully 14 Dogs Today February 2021 Mr Charm will be here by the end of November or early December Since the interview Mr Charm was able to leave China along with another rescue Daisy Like many others Daisy was abandoned out of fear she may transmit Covid 19 to her owners But she was among the lucky ones a young man found her and she was handed over to Furry Angels Haven After being cared for by Fita both Daisy and Mr Charm made the journey to the UK and after a few days in foster care they went on to their new families By the time you read this they will have spent their first Christmas in their new forever homes Their journey was made possible by UK charity Dogbus who raise funds to bring rescue dogs in the UK and are Furry Angels Haven s rescue partners Xenia says Donations and flight volunteers are vital for Furry Angels Haven to keep rescuing dogs in Wuhan and rehoming them abroad We are starting to use the hashtag DogsofWuhan to create awareness and promote our dogs available for adoption This past year has been really tough but we re still here and doing all we can to keep the pets of Wuhan safe Fita adds We are working on registering Furry Angels Haven Wuhan as a non profit charity in the USA We hope we can do this within the next few months REWRITING FUTURES As soon as travelling comes back to some sort of normal situation we want to accept volunteers around the world to come and visit us The shelter has bedrooms and bathrooms for guests It is located on a beautiful mountain about two hours outside the city The idea is still at its early stages but we hope next year we can start the programme Help from volunteers and donations can make the difference between life and death for the dogs and cats of Wuhan who only need some care and a second chance We can t change their past the rescue s website reads But together we can rewrite their future P Leads to follow To know more about Furry Angels Haven visit www facebook com HaveCompassionForAnimals To donate visit furryangelshaven org donations wuhan animalrescue For more information on Dogbus visit www facebook com dogbus999 Many of us spent the lockdown staring at four walls or binge watching Netflix but entrepreneur Luke Chapman used the time rather more productively to establish Vale Pet Foods V ale Pet Foods has launched a number of new dog food products including dry and raw food and a selection of treats The brand s new dry food products Succulent Salmon with Vegetables and Tremendous Turkey with Vegetables include minerals herbs and botanicals to provide added nutrition for dogs of all sizes while the new treats range including Air Dried Duck Ox Liver Training Treats and Air Dried Turkey Lavender Chamomile Bed Time Treats have been designed with dogs dietary and wellbeing needs in mind Vale Pet Foods has further added to the line up with a range of raw food recipes including Duck with Beef Turkey with Salmon and Duck with Tripe all of which contain the simplest ingredients and are each made from 80 meat 10 bone and 10 offal Vale Pet Foods was established during lockdown by Luke Chapman after he d spent 10 years working closely with dogs and became increasingly interested in dog welfare Recognising that diet was an instrumental factor impacting a dog s wellbeing and behaviour Luke wanted to produce a dog food that took a proactive approach to dietary needs and intolerances Since its launch Vale Pet Foods has grown its local and national sales and has even attracted celebrity endorsements with more exciting product launches and partnerships in the pipeline Luke said Our new products have been a long time in the making Lots of companies use low quality meat including meat meal and cheap fillers that don t provide pets with what they need so we have put every effort into ensuring our range contains only the very best ingredients Getting the products ready for launch hasn t been without its challenges during these unprecedented times We are very proud that our hard work has paid off and we can finally bring them to market and ensure people can provide their dogs with all of the vital nutrients they need to thrive P For more information visit www valepetfoods com February 2021 Dogs Today 15

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Photos KATHERINE JONES Collect memories not stuff the saying goes But our memories are often intrinsically linked with the stuff we accumulate What would you put in your own mini museum and what s the betting it includes something doggie T Words CLAIRE HORTON BUSSEY Curating memories ories 16 Dogs Today February 2021 he collection of objects we have around us are unique to every individual The items we re drawn to or are gifted are an expression of our identity I could identify friends by a selection of contents from their homes or even from inside their handbags Our choice of lipstick or perfume meaningful photos a favourite mug a wellworn keyring travel knick knacks or muchloved heirlooms they all tell a story of who we are So I was very excited to chat to an artist who has specialised in curation creations Katherine Jones from Cardiff is an animal loving architect turned artist Her distinctive pen ink and watercolour drawings feature cityscapes and buildings as well as animals and Welsh landscapes But memory boxes have also become a large part of Katherine s work The display boxes contain items unique to a person place or event Whether it s a Mamgu grandmother in Welsh box commemorating a much loved family matriarch or to celebrate an anniversary or a special trip each collection is unique While most can be wall mounted one of Katherine s commissions was made to be a central piece of furniture The one metre diameter coffee table for a holiday cottage was formed from an old window frame and filled with objects that had been collected from the site of the cottage including a 17th century button and an old rare coin Of course pets feature heavily in the collections being an integral part of people s families and the medium is perfect for dealing with grief and processing memories when a pet passes A collar and ID tag a favourite toy a bowl a fragment of blanket the map location of a favourite walk a lock of fur I ve already started listing items I d put in my own doggie box The love of a good dog is something that Katherine is no stranger to though she s only a relatively recent convert I grew up with cats explains Katherine My partner Sion wanted a dog I wasn t sure but then he mentioned adopting a rescue Greyhound Basically a Greyhound is a cat you can walk Drawn to the Greyhound s feline grace and character they are so lazy Katherine and Sion started looking and contacted Greyhound Rescue Wales who matched them to Lili an ex racer from Ireland It was a perfect pairing She s just so quiet and calm and loves her walks explains Katherine Whether it s 10 mile walks in the Lake District or Brecon Beacons or if we re really busy two 30 minute walks in one of Cardiff s lovely parks she s happy She loves lounging around on the sofa Lili s past remains something of a mystery All that is known is that she was an ex racing dog from Ireland no February 2021 Dogs Today 17

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ADVERTISING FEATURE ADVERTISING FEATURE one knows why she s missing a tail Perhaps it was caught in a trap Whatever her past Lili is now happy and settled and she s very much the light of Katherine and Sion s lives So much so in fact that Katherine and Sion are keen to support the charity that rescued Lili and to encourage others to consider rehoming a rescue Greyhound Katherine s print of Lili complete with tail is sold to raise money for Greyhound Rescue Wales with 100 per cent of all profits going to the charity Katherine and Sion have also produced Christmas cards for the charity and Katherine has even donned her architect hat to design the charity s new centre in Carmarthenshire which is awaiting planning permission It s a very dogcentric life for someone who three years ago would have described herself as more of a cat person But if there s one thing we know about dogs they are very good at getting on to your sofa into your heart and transforming your world P Leads to follow The mounted print of Lili measures eight by six inches and costs 15 with all profits going to Greyhound Rescue Wales It is available to order from Katherine s website www katherinemgjones com katherinejonesartist on Instagram and Facebook KatJonesArtist on Twitter Greyhound Rescue Wales www greyhoundrescue wales co uk 18 Dogs Today February 2021 Vet on the Net With the pandemic seeing a seismic shift to online services in all areas of our lives one innovative duo launch a new site providing online veterinary consultations and pharmacy services V etMedics Ltd has launched a new website for clients to receive expert veterinary care from the comfort of their own home with an online pharmacy to make an affordable convenient first class service Vet on the Net is an exciting new company offering video consultations to pet owners with a focus on knowledge communication and compassion while the pharmacy provides for all their pets needs in one accessible easy to navigate location Pet owners can now visit the new Vet on the Net site and explore articles browse extensive product ranges and book an appointment with a fully qualified experienced veterinary surgeon The service is developed and supported by veterinary industry insider Nicola Baird and registered veterinary surgeon Natalie Walters along with a handpicked team of vets sharing their expertise in a friendly approachable way ACCESSIBLE CARE Vet on the Net is our online consultation platform and pharmacy offering tailored advice and support to clients said Vet on the Net co founder and veterinary surgeon Natalie Walters We are passionate about improving the welfare of our patients by making high level veterinary care easier to access than ever before For more information regarding Vet on the Net contact Natalie Walters on 0333 242 0598 or use the online contact form on their website For full details of the services offered by Vet on the Net and to book an appointment head over to www vetonthenet com Alongside the experienced first opinion team the service connects clients and their pets with vets who hold further qualifications in exotic medicine behaviour internal medicine dermatology and emergency and critical care The site also shares informative blogs a wide selection of medicines pet foods and accessories CONTINUED SUPPORT In addition Vet on the Net is keen to explore the relationship between its online offering and physical veterinary practices to maximise the level of care provided to all patients Animal welfare and client service are at the core of everything they do When asked why owners might choose to see an online vet lead vet Natalie commented There are many reasons an online consultation could be right for you From convenience with appointments available daytimes evenings and weekends to wondering if you really need to see a vet or a pet that has a vet phobia Where we see the real strength of online consultations is in supporting chronic conditions such as arthritis and skin complaints These cases can really benefit from more in depth monitoring and support By having regular checks we can identify and implement small changes that could make huge differences to quality of life P February 2021 Dogs Today 19

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Words DEBBIE BRIDGES A trip to the vet doesn t have to be stressful for the owner or the pet G ood bad or indifferent ask six people how they feel about a trip to the vet and you ll probably get six different answers A quick straw poll of my own family and friends revealed strong opinions that though not entirely negative included dread of the crowded waiting area full of stressed out people and animals and dissatisfaction with hurried consultations that left questions unanswered No one mentioned looking forward to the experience and it seems it s all too often viewed as something to be endured and certainly not enjoyed Is this simply the way of things or could there be an alternative Arriving at a leafy industrial estate 20 Dogs Today February 2021 on the outskirts of Newton Abbot south Devon I m about to find out with a visit to Amity Veterinary Care where a small dedicated team are on a mission to change the face of veterinary medicine The difference to anything I ve seen before is immediately apparent push open the door at Amity and you could be forgiven for thinking you ve wandered into an upmarket spa by mistake There s the d cor for a start Terracottapainted walls are dominated by a floor to ceiling forest scene and not a picture of a flea or tapeworm in sight Then there s the scented candles which might account for the lack of reaction from my dog Ula whose highly tuned snout has clearly failed to pick up the sort of Photos by Emma Stoner Foo d for thought Above opening Amity Veterinary Care was a dream come true for Dr Lennon Foo and most of his patients are very pleased to see him left and above right telltale whiffs that would normally see her applying the brakes pretty sharpish Front and centre of the action is Dr Lennon Foo who tells me he s dreamed of opening a veterinary practice that offers something different since qualifying as a vet some 15 years ago although the seed was sown during his early years in Singapore where animals were an important part of his life I d taken my Miniature Pinscher Miu Miu to the vet he recalls I loved my dog I didn t know what was wrong with her and I was very worried Although I was given the medication needed to cure her bladder infection I left feeling confused and anxious with no real explanation of the condition or reassurance for my concerns Nearly four years ago with that memory vivid in his mind Lennon was finally able to realise his dream setting up a practice that nurtures the bond between people and their pets and places equal weight on the wellbeing of the human side of these unique partnerships Our core purpose is to empower through education he says It s all about communication and it s a two way thing Our pet guardians are the experts on their pets and we listen to everything they have to tell us about them while we take time to talk through medical issues and discuss the options available We get to know our pet guardians so we can take account of their individual circumstances when coming up with treatment plans and together we work towards the best possible ways to improve their pets lives SAFE SPACE To this end a consultation takes half an hour and the one in one out system many of us are familiar with is avoided A rapid tour of facilities takes in an area for non invasive procedures a fully equipped operating theatre an X ray room or photo booth as it says on the door a bright and airy recovery suite and three consulting February 2021 Dogs Today 21

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rooms one each for dogs cats and small animals and exotics We keep them separate so there s no scent of another type of animal in the room which might give rise to fear or excitement Lennon explains Extraneous equipment and medicines are also kept out of sight to avoid over stimulation Sadly with Covid 19 still very much with us the waiting area and consulting rooms are not being used at the moment but the team are developing a plan to allow clients safely back into the building Meanwhile they re doing everything they can to ensure both pets and pet guardians are receiving a high level of service with barista coffees and speciality teas being whisked out to the car park where a veterinary assistant is on hand as soon as clients arrive We always greet people at their car says veterinary assistant Ella If anyone needs a hand perhaps with carrying something we can help them This strikes a chord and I m still recalling an incident that saw me on hands and knees trying to coax a hard won urine sample out from under a car when our first customer arrives Cookie is a Working Cocker Spaniel who s nervous of men and not at all fond of Lennon who s spent more time than Cookie would like poking around his nether regions BUILDING TRUST It started 10 months ago with a lump on his tail Cookie s guardian OJ tells me as she settles herself and Cookie under the gazebo where outdoor consultations are currently taking place Lennon takes up another chair and the conversation flows as OJ sips a mug of tea and shares her thoughts on making decisions about Cookie s health while her husband Andy who s in the navy is away As the minutes tick by Cookie starts to relax and Lennon is able to administer a sedative with the minimum of fuss They chat on as it takes effect discussing the general anaesthetic and biopsy Cookie is about to undergo By the time Lennon is gently scooping Cookie up and carrying him inside OJ is as at ease as it s possible to be in the circumstances She says getting to know Lennon underpins the trust she places in him when it comes to treating her precious Cookie and the time he takes to talk things through is invaluable He explains everything in a way that doesn t make me feel like a thickie she says And being able to phone him any time is brilliant especially when Andy s away I ve never phoned Lennon in the middle of the night but it s comforting to know I could Lennon s 24 7 availability is just one of the benefits enjoyed by those who choose to become members of the Amity family with three levels of membership available and paid for on a monthly basis much like a private gym And although membership isn t essential to access After talking OJ through Cookie s procedure bottom Lennon gently carries him inside below With no suspicious smells to set alarm bells ringing Ula walks calmly into the building left and is soon making friends with Lennon above Dog Insurance with up to 30 off Visit theinsuranceemporium co uk DT99 or call 03300 243 980 today Entertainment Leisure Insurance Services Entertainment Leisure Insurance Services Limited and Lifestyle Policy Limited are appointed representatives of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited The Insurance Emporium is a trading name of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited registered in England and Wales no 294940 which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority no 202748 The 30 discount is made up of 20 Introductory Discount plus 10 Multi pet Discount if appropriate The Introductory Discount is available for the rst 12 premium payments on lunar and calendar monthly policies or one premium payment on annual policies O er ends 31 12 2021 and is only redeemable on monthly policies and not where premiums are paid annually Our Defaqto 5 Star Rating applies to Lifetime Gold Pet Insurance policies 22 Dogs Today February 2021 2021 Dogs Today indd 1 24 11 2020 10 40

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Amity s services OJ says for her it offers complete peace of mind With Cookie s procedure successfully completed Lennon is ready to welcome his next patient Luna is also a Working Cocker Spaniel who though not as nervous as Cookie takes a few minutes to succumb to Lennon s charms and agree to a cuddle AN EXTRA MILE Amity is by no means the nearest veterinary practice for Luna s guardian Marika but she tells me she wouldn t take her two dogs cat and parrot anywhere else Our local practice was quite small she says But it turned into a large corporate concern and we found we never saw the same vet twice After an initial consultation with Lennon we knew it was worth travelling a few extra miles While the individualised approach is definitely a draw there s no doubt Lennon s personality plays a large part in Amity s growing success and there s one word that s repeated time and again to describe him by clients and staff alike That word is calm and perhaps it s this aspect of his character as much as the muted colours and scented candles that s behind the tranquility of the Amity experience even when it takes place in the car park He s also engagingly direct and has a way of tackling more sensitive subjects with an openness that many find refreshing One such subject is euthanasia and I hear from Bats whose 16 year old rescue Staffie Stanley was recently put to sleep that discussing their wishes with Lennon and making an endof life plan way in advance made things a lot easier And the fact that she and her partner Fay see Lennon as a friend made it easier still Keen to share his ideas Lennon writes a weekly blog of his musings conducts monthly webinars and recently published a book that bravely attempts to sweep away the mysteries surrounding the veterinary profession and encourage us all to form better 24 Dogs Today February 2021 Leads to follow www amityvets co uk www drlennonfoo com Is my Vet for Real by Dr Lennon Foo available through websites above or Amazon Photo by Emma Stoner Lennon checks Luna for signs of lameness in the car park above and listens to Marika s concerns top right There are separate consulting rooms for dogs cats and small animals and exotics to keep stress levels to a minimum right relationships with our vets In it he takes a candid approach to some surprising topics from what your vet might be thinking to that hoary old chestnut the eye watering vet bill It s all about people finding a vet who s the best fit for them and building a relationship says Lennon For our pets it s the most important relationship in the world It s certainly an interesting read but there s more to be found in the book s pages There s a glimpse of the man behind the words his humour and his irrepressible enthusiasm But what really shines through is his compassion not only for the pets in his care but for those who love them P

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Quick question Do you have a problem you d like answered by an expert Or do you Email your question to enquiries dogstodaymagazine co uk How can I protect against pet theft Pet theft is a harrowing crime UK laws are outdated and pose no deterrent until that changes what can dog owners do to keep their pets as safe as possible from thieves EXPERT ADVICE Illustration by Kevin Brockbank Dan Baker from the security specialist Oakpark Group shares some advice Why are criminals stealing dogs When you are trying to protect yourself from criminals it is important to identify their motivation for the crime Pet thieves are mainly looking to make money from stolen pets Some dogs especially pedigree and designer dogs can make very tempting targets thanks to the high value that is given to them However it is important to remember that thieves can make money from any breed of dog in a number of ways such as Selling on some pet buyers don t ask many questions when it comes to the origin and past of their new pets and thieves take advantage of this to quickly sell the stolen dog to make a profit This is one of the fastest and easiest ways for pet thieves to make money The only way to fight this is for everyone to buy pets responsibly Breeding the more industrial version of selling stolen dogs is breeding them and selling their puppies Some stolen dogs are taken to puppy farms where they are kept in crowded and poor conditions The more sought after and expensive breeds are more at risk here as they can provide the highest 26 Dogs Today February 2021 want advice from someone with personal experience of the issue When tied up outside shops many dog owners like to take their pets with them when they pop to the shops but most stores don t let you bring your dog inside This tends to end with dogs being left tied up outside shops for a short time leaving the dog vulnerable to theft Thieves only need a short time to seize the opportunity In the park or during walks dog parks are a prime hunting spot for dog thieves especially when it is busy It is easy to lose sight of your pet while he or she runs around and plays and opportunistic criminals will take advantage of the confusion to steal your pet Make sure your pet returns to your calls before you let them off the lead in public From a car leaving your dog alone in the car even for a short while is generally frowned upon due to the health risks involved and theft is another reason not to do it Thieves won t hesitate to smash your car window and steal your pet The common theme here is dogs being left alone and unattended Always keep an eye on your dog when you are in public WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG IS STOLEN If your dog goes missing or you suspect theft it is important to act quickly Retrace your steps if your dog went missing during a walk retrace your steps and see if you can find where he went Check local parks and obvious hiding spots in your area Put up posters and use a recent picture of your pet with your contact details Use social media sharing with friends and local information groups can spread the word quickly Report it to your local council contact your council and dog warden if your dog is missing They often have facilities that can help you and it helps them return your lost pet faster if it is found Contact local vets and shelters it is also a good idea to contact places someone might take your dog if found such as local vets and rescue shelters Vets can also be on the lookout for someone attempting to bring your dog in for treatment Tell the microchip database if your dog is microchipped and it should be let the microchip database know that it is missing and check your contact details are up to date In addition if anyone tries to re register the chip number they should alert you Register your pet online there are a number of online sites where you can register your pet as missing such as DogLost They have thousands of volunteers who will keep an eye out for your pet increasing your chances of a happy ending Report it to the police finally if you suspect your dog has been stolen then contact the police as dog theft is a crime Be sure to get a crime reference number so you can easily follow up on the investigation Provide as much information as possible such as a physical description of your dog microchip information and any details of the crime Be returns Having your dog neutered and making that known on the identity tag can help to prevent this Rewards and ransom some thieves have the intention to return stolen dogs to their owners but only if they are paid in some way This can take the form of either rewards or a ransom depending on how sinister the criminal is Many pet owners offer rewards when their dog is missing and some thieves pretend to have found the lost dog in order to claim the reward How are dogs being stolen The majority of pet thieves are opportunistic seizing any chance to steal a vulnerable dog that is left unattended such as From your garden you might assume that your garden is perfectly safe and let your dog run around unobserved However the Pet Census estimated that up to 52 per cent of stolen dogs were taken directly from their gardens Always keep an eye on your dog outside and make sure your gate is secured How to stop your dog being stolen Now that we have covered why and how dog thieves are stealing dogs here are some things you can do to make it harder for pet thieves and defend your pet from criminals Don t leave them unattended in public as mentioned above most dog thefts are opportunistic Do not leave your dog unattended in public even if only for a short while Microchip your dog and always make sure you keep your contact details up to date wary of strangers it is a lovely experience to receive a compliment from a stranger about your dog But it pays to be wary of strangers who ask too many questions as they might be targeting your dog for theft Include your details on the dog s collar as well as microchipping being mandatory it is also a legal requirement in the UK for dogs to wear a collar with the owner s contact details on when they are in public It helps authorities and strangers get in contact with you if they find your lost dog Be careful not to include your dog s name however as this could be used by thieves to call your dog to them Vary your walking patterns habits and patterns are often exploited by criminals and dog thieves are no different If you walk your dog at the same time and at the same place each day it makes it easier for thieves to target your dog Have your dog neutered as mentioned earlier some thieves motivation is to breed and then sell the pups Having your pet neutered removes this motivation Be sure to include this information on the dog s collar P February 2021 Dogs Today 27

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Words ALESSANDRA PACELLI Many of them will give up their pets for nothing in the world they are all they have left Jade said We never pry on the circumstances that led to someone becoming homeless while caring for their pets but I did meet several people who became homeless because they needed to leave their rented accommodation and couldn t find anywhere to go that would accept their pets In the UK one in 10 homeless people has a pet but most hostels do not accept companion animals Along with blanket no pets clauses in council housing and private rentals this forces many to make heartbreaking choices But that may soon change CATCH 22 John Chadwick with Theo Home Home is is where where the the dog is Jasmine s Law On 14 October 2020 Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell proposed a private member s bill dubbed Jasmine s Law aiming to place strict limits on landlords ability to impose no pets policies in rented accommodation provided that renters 28 Dogs Today February 2021 prove they are responsible owners The Dogs and Domestic Animals Accommodation and Protection Bill which is backed by animal rights and animal welfare organisations including the RSPCA Battersea Dogs Cats Home Dogs Trust PAAW House Cats Protection and Dogs on the Streets is named after a dog who was separated from the owner Jordan Adams because of no pet clauses Every year pet owners who are trying to move into new rented accommodation are faced with the reality that their family could be torn apart Andrew Rosindell said ahead of the speech to introduce the bill in parliament He also cited the tragic case of John Chadwick a homeless man from Salford who ended his life after the only housing option his local council provided him with was one that meant separating from his beloved pets John Chadwick s close friend Dee Bonett said He was a gentle and kind man and one of the most grounded people I knew John was loved and respected by all that knew him The unconditional bond he had with his pets Theo Tinkerbell and Gizmo I cannot fully describe it wouldn t do it justice They absolutely adored him as much as he did them His pets were his lifeline his everything After being evicted by his private landlord John who d been homeless in the past and suffered from mental health issues was put in emergency accommodation by Maidstone Borough Council However when he was offered permanent housing it came with a no pets policy and refusal would have dire consequences If John had declined the offer he would have become intentionally homeless Bonett wrote He died by suicide on 16 March 2017 10 days after being separated from his beloved pets This was also the anniversary of his mother s passing His pets Jack Russells Theo and Tinkerbell and Gizmo the cat were all rehomed while Dee Bonett began campaigning for change In August 2020 her efforts paid off when Maidstone Borough Council introduced a 12 month pilot scheme allowing people in emergency accommodation to refuse permanent accommodation if no pets are allowed Dee said Maidstone Borough Council represented by John Littlemore and the StreetVet co founder Jade Statt A ny pet lover will understand that choosing between a roof over your head and the company of your beloved pet is no choice at all As co founder of StreetVet a charity working to provide vet care to the pets of homeless people across the UK vet Jade Statt is well aware of the devastating impact that no pets clauses have on the most vulnerable people in society and on their pets Many are left facing the cruel choice between giving up their beloved pet or staying on the streets Communities Housing and Environment Committee Panel have set the benchmark I am now striving to see this implemented on a national level across the UK Sadly what usually comes of tragedy is change for others Our hearts will always be broken John s legacy now truly lives on Dee was lost for words when news came that Chadwick s story would be brought up in parliament as Andrew Rosindell made his case for Jasmine s Law The MP for Romford said As a dog owner for 25 years I understand as well as anyone the Once homeless securing pet friendly accommodation can prove extremely difficult Under current regulations if people turn down housing due to no pets clauses they are told they are making themselves intentionally homeless and are refused further housing assistance Jade explained One of the many complex reasons that people remain homeless is because there are not enough hostels that can safely accommodate them and their pets In an attempt to change this dire situation StreetVet has launched the StreetVet Accredited Hostel Scheme which will enable hostels to accept multiple residents with their pets by offering free accessible veterinary care as well as support for hostel managers and staff to adopt and implement positive pet policies Jade added Our hope is that in setting up the StreetVet Accredited Hostel Scheme fewer people will have to make this impossible choice Access to pet friendly hostels is their first step towards independent housing With homelessness on the rise due to the economic impact of Covid 19 it was important to us to launch this scheme before Christmas as winter sets in The Elms in Hemel Hempstead is the first StreetVet pet friendly accredited hostel Its manager Sean connection a person can have with their pet and for too long I have heard tragic stories of pet owners separated from their pets because of blanket bans that landlords implement According to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home housing issues are now the second biggest reason behind people giving up their dogs to the charity Clare Kivlehan head of outreach projects at Dogs Trust said We would like to thank Andrew Rosindell MP for raising this important issue in parliament Sadly one of the main reasons for dogs being handed over to us is that their owners have had problems finding accommodation that will accept pets Jasmine s Law was introduced in the House of Commons under Standing Order No 23 The Ten Minute Rule allows a backbench MP to make their case for a new bill in a speech lasting up to 10 minutes if the MP is successful the bill is taken to have had its first reading Jasmine s Law received cross party support and a second reading has been scheduled for January 29 For more information on the campaign in John Chadwick s memory visit https bit ly 371OL3W February 2021 Dogs Today 29

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M UC KY PUP Hostel residents Debbie and her Sharpei Bluebell above have benefitted hugely from The Elms pet friendly accreditation by StreetVet an idea supported by StreetVet ambassador Clare Balding left Fitzgerald says We wanted to be part of this scheme because we see the benefits pets bring their owners every day with our residents The accreditation process is thorough but it s also simple with all the support you need provided by StreetVet The scheme helped us improve our pet policies and we know StreetVet will be there whenever we need them in an emergency We would encourage as many hostels as possible to get involved HOUSING CRISIS Those who will secure a hostel place or a permanent home will receive further support by pet food brand Webbox who pledged six months worth of pet food through their Forever Home Packages Presenter writer broadcaster and animal lover Clare Balding is a StreetVet ambassador She said This is a simple idea that will make an absolutely huge difference 30 Dogs Today February 2021 to pet owners experiencing homelessness and is a brilliant extension of StreetVet s excellent work treating pets on the streets The charity has made it as simple and low cost as possible for hostels to become accredited helping keep people and their pets together Pets are more than animals they are our family and friends No pet lover would want to be separated from their pet especially when going through a very difficult time in their life However the heartbreak caused by no pets policies is not limited to the homeless Similar policies in rented accommodations can mean responsible owners are forced to give up beloved pets if they need to move and are unable to find an affordable pet friendly place to rent StreetVet co founder Sam Joseph said Once people have been temporarily housed with pets they still face hurdles to access permanent accommodation due to many landlords banning pets For this reason StreetVet is also supporting Jasmine s Law and has shared our policies and procedures in the hope they can also be applied to permanent rented accommodation Our charity s purpose is to protect the human animal bond and keep our clients and their pets together P Leads to follow Hostels interested in learning about the scheme are invited to contact info streetvet org uk SHOP G RO O M I N G ESSENTIALS F O R YO U R POOCH

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SP Join our exclusive Sub Club With newsagents and supermarkets reducing their shelf space for magazines it s getting harder to find us Help us by subscribing and reap the rewards Buy Get your first issue for only 1 Then it s 9 99 quarterly by Direct Debit direct and save more than 17 a year UK only Save money enjoy a 17 04 saving over the year Delivered free to your door Subscriber only competitions page 59 15 voucher for PurrfectlyYappy com minimum spend 75 Call us for the special code Chance to win one of 50 Nerf dog toys EC IA LO FF ER BEST PET INSURANCE PROVIDER 2020 Voted for by pet owners at the Insurance Choice Awards You ll love our easy to understand lifetime cover backed by great customer service and a free online vet Up to 15k vet fee cover Zero excess option Easy to switch AUTUM N 2 0 2 0 GOLD RIBBON CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE Pet Insurance Get the magazine before it s in the shops Call 01276 402599 lines open weekdays 9am 5 30pm or subscribe online www dogstodaymagazine co uk product dogs today uk subscriptions All new subscriptions will commence with the current issue Overseas prices Europe 65 20 for 12 issues Rest of World 79 80 for 12 issues The first 50 new or renewing subscribers this month will receive a fabulous Nerf dog toy so even your dog can benefit It s a win win win situation Please remember to include your dog s breed size and age in Dog breed and size during checkout Subscription gifts are only available to the first 50 subscribers each month sorry UK subscribers only Free pet treat box worth 19 99 Buy a policy online at bbm link pet32 or by phone on 0345 646 0751 and get a free pet treat box worth 19 99 Terms apply Visit www bbm link terms21 for full details Pet insurance underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance SE Bought By Many Ltd is authorised and regulated by the FCA Register number 652623 Satisfaction score based on 404 responses 22 June 3 July 2020 from a sample of Bought By Many customers 32 Dogs Today February 2021

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Photo posed by models Postbag Your news views Get in touch We love to hear your news and views and see photos of your dogs Email editorial dogstodaymagazine co uk Write to us at Dogs Today The Stables Saddlers Halt 86 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8LZ Join the debate LOCKDOWN VET VISITS I ve just read the Great Debate for the December issue on whether pet owners should be allowed in vet practices during visits It was in March just before the big lockdown that Cleo had her dental appointment Being able to go into the vet s with her was great Cleo is from Spain and she s 12 years old I ve had her for five years Later in the lockdown I had to take Layla who is 10 and we found that she has issues with her hips She is also from Spain a very nervous girl It was heartbreaking to watch Layla being led into the Voice your opinions on news stories and other topics on our Dogs Today Magazine Facebook page or through our website www dogstoday magazine co uk vet s she kept turning around and stopping looking for me It was horrendous I had to take Sophie to the vet s during lockdown as well Sophie is also a ten year old rescue from Spain and she has medication for fits This time the vet was kind enough to do her checks in the car park as Sophie is really really nervous That was bad enough but bearable for Sophie and me Cleo has been twice since Her sight is not so clear so it s more than heartbreaking watching her put the brakes on turn around not being able to see me properly while being led off by a vet who is a stranger to her Knowing I was there would have kept Cleo from being so scared I m not being nasty to the vets they are all truly brilliant and I trust them 100 per cent but there has to be a better way for fur parents to be able to come inside with their poorly pet who needs the owner for reassurance Diane Campbell Merry recovering from surgery followed by an intensive period of rehabilitation therapy was poor Although he underwent bedrest to help his spine recover I researched options for dogs who lose the use of their back legs I measured Merry up for a custom built wheelchair When it arrived he took a day to get used to it After that point he was on a roll It was fantastic to watch him recovering his sprightly determined personality Merry never lets being disabled hold him back He loves charging about in his wheelchair playing ball each evening Most importantly he continues to enjoy his walks He easily keeps up with his sister Muffin The furthest he has ever walked or should that be rolled is five and a half miles quite a record for a disabled Dachshund By using his wheelchair he maintains his muscle strength and has regained some movement in his back legs His tail rarely stops wagging I hope his amazing story will encourage other people to see that with a few adjustments disabled dogs can lead long happy lives Seeing Merry taking his disability in his stride is a constant source of joy and inspiration to me Holly Kirby PARALYMPIAN DACHSHUND Merry my 14 year old Dachshund enjoys life to the full despite being disabled for over eight years Merry suffers from intervertebral disc disease a common condition in the breed The vet felt that the outlook of 34 Dogs Today February 2021

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Obituaries Your tributes If you want to pay tribute to a departed pet or have a suggestion for a lost star dog write to us at the address on page 3 or email editorial dogstodaymagazine co uk and put Tribute in the subject line Asta 1 April 2010 11 November 2020 A big black and tan light went out when we had to say goodbye to our girl Asta was a one off her own person and a wonderfully independent spirit In other words a typical Rottweiler Asta led a full and active life despite suffering a fractured elbow at four months old Although her leg was never 100 per cent this never held her back and she bounced through life with her customary zest She shared her life with various other dogs but was particularly attached to Daniel and when he died two years before some of the light went from her eyes never to return Over the last few weeks of her life her quality of life faded and we are grateful that she stayed long enough to welcome new puppy Forest to our home He certainly learnt who was boss lady very quickly Pickle you will be missed so much Thank you for those 10 years and being exactly how you were You will live on in our memories until we cross the bridge Your ashes will be scattered where Daniel rests with just a little that will float forever on the River Cray where you loved to paddle Our thanks to Jackie Grant your dedicated physiotherapist who worked tirelessly to keep your leg viable and to Mascotts Hydrotherapy for keeping you so fit and supple You would never have enjoyed the quality of life you did without their dedication Thanks to Carla and Adrian for all the turkey that you loved so much to Jill for the sits and to your vet Sharon who gave you such a peaceful end to your life God bless you Asta You are so missed and if I close my eyes and listen carefully I know I will hear your distinctive walk forever Rest in peace Big Girl and thank you Mum Gill Mandy Anders Skye and Forest Have you heard about Tailwise Tailwise breeders do their very best to breed happy healthy pups while giving their mums a wonderful life Tailwise helps puppy buyers make logical choices and then matches them to verified elite small caring breeders From Facebook Our Facebook followers told us what TV noises make their dogs go barking mad Clare Carpenter Any vacuum ads with dogs featured Our dog waits by the TV for the dog that usually appears and she tries to jump through the screen Jacqui Evans Our radio station has an ad for Sheba with a cat meowing It sets the dogs off every time isling McQuoid I would love to watch a nature programme without having to put the dogs out Doreen Therese Ruiz My hearing service dog responds to doorbells on TV 36 Dogs Today February 2021 Linda Poyin Chong Mine is set off by the sound of other dogs barking Derek Roe Fire alarms and alarm clocks Coll Ferguson I need a warning sign put up before random dogs bark in adverts Helen Pollard Whistles I have to mute the Fairy washing liquid ad Cathy Hartley I don t even have a doorbell but one rings in a commercial and all hell breaks loose Blair Thompson I hate ads on the radio with the sound of sirens They should be outlawed especially if your dog is a howler Alison Williams We don t even have a doorbell and yet he answers Teresa Dalleluche Car horns Please do join us it s completely free for breeders who share our ethos www tailwise com

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Photo posed by a model Great Debate If you have an opinion on this subject that is not already covered here putting Great Debate in the subject line Please limit your response to email enquiries dogstodaymagazine co uk 100 words This month s result 14 Ali Wilde I use Seresto collars for a couple of months when the ticks in the garden are particularly bad I remove them if the dogs go swimming although I realise that the insecticide will still be on their coats My dogs have only had fleas once in the last 15 years and I used the collars then for the first time I will not use spot on or oral flea tick killers Tracey Burton I have tried to use only natural products for flea control but as a dog and cat owner this has not been successful Treating cats with natural products is more difficult so I use Program tablets These are given once a month and I have found they work well Chrissy Crofty I don t think I would like insecticide on me so my dogs don t get any A recent study revealed that veterinary flea products used on cats and dogs are causing widespread pesticide contamination of English rivers However pet owners are nearly always advised to use regular flea treatment Should pet owners stop heeding this advice Yvette Hart I only treat for worms and fleas in spring and autumn If I spot anything in between then I treat again It concerns me that so many vets encourage the monthly treatment of perfectly healthy dogs I don t want my dogs exposed to chemicals unnecessarily I think it s just a way of vets and pharmaceutical companies to make money They create an atmosphere of fear in inexperienced dog owners who believe what the experts say I ve had dogs for over 40 years and never had an infestation 38 Dogs Today February 2021 Jerry Dean I read about this but couldn t understand how it could happen as you can t let your dogs get wet immediately after treatment and after that it s in their bloodstream not on their coat Unless they are talking specifically about shampoos and external coat treatments if so it s not very clear in any of the reports If it is that why not just stop selling the external treatments Julie Leithy Although I don t like using monthly flea prevention the problem is that once my dog got fleas it was a nightmare to get rid of them and sure enough I then had to use more chemicals than if I had used the monthly preparation Susan Smith I have Whippets who have a single coat I would never routinely use flea treatment or worming I have only used worming when needed and on the rare occasions when any of my dogs have picked up fleas I have used a mild flea shampoo Valerie Gale Surely it is possible to have regular treatments without the specific chemicals that damage our rivers I would encourage everyone to look into the various options as it s possible to keep our pets protected against pests all year long without contributing to the poisoning of England s rivers Carole Morton Think it speaks for itself how bad these are My dogs use more natural flea repellant We need to stop and think about the chemicals inflicted on them 21 65 Yes No Maybe Gillian Monk I haven t put flea or tick treatment on my girl for many years I guess we ve been lucky she s never had fleas and I just remove the occasional tick I don t use a wormer either Clair Amos Only treat if you need to treat Maggie Adley I avoid using flea shampoo for this exact reason as I know it will be washed down the drain and get to bodies of water I do regularly treat my pets against pests though I simply take care not to bathe them or take them out swimming too soon after applying the treatment I think it s a matter of common sense Lindsay Ford Treatment should only be put on dogs when they have fleas not when they don t It also damages the dog Sharen Clark I only needed it once in eight years P Next month s topic is As the Government has allowed teachers to estimate their pupils exam results should the Kennel Club find a virtual way of dogs becoming Champions as there will be a generation that otherwise misses their chance to shine The dog show system is meant to ensure the best dogs are bred on from could there be an online judging system with Virtual Champions created Email editorial dogstodaymagazine co uk with your thoughts putting Great Debate in the subject line or write to Great Debate Dogs Today The Stables Saddlers Halt 86 High St Chobham Surrey GU24 8LZ February 2021 Dogs Today 39 Ye No Ma

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Words BERNARD BALE Trials and celebrations about being in Corrie When it came to an end I really didn t expect to be going back especially as a different character but I am so glad that I did It was not my first soap of course People often forget that I was in Emmerdale as Angie Richards a year before I made my first appearance in Coronation Street I think Emmerdale was a little easier for me because I am a Yorkshire lass by birth Beverley with Madge Instagram GOING LIVE Corrie star Beverley Callard was a firm favourite on I m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here an experience she loved But she certainly missed her home comforts husband and of course her dog L ife has been getting better and better in the last year said Beverley I have been through some tough spells but I cannot remember when I have been so happy I seem to have had a year or so of coming through obstacles and talking freely about problems and now the future looks so much brighter Two people in my life have been there for me and one of them is my dog although there has been some sadness there as well Much of Bev s happiness is due to her husband Jon McEwan who has been at her side throughout her problems He is my very best friend as well as my husband and I love him 40 Dogs Today February 2021 to bits she said We met on a blind date and to be honest it wasn t love at first sight When we got chatting though things changed and I am so glad they did We ve been through all sorts of problems together including illness financial worries and so on but I haven t had to face these things alone Jon had bankruptcy family illness and so on We ve been through so much together and it just makes us stronger My other best friend is Madge our Bull Terrier We lost Norman and Trev our other two dogs and I was devastated You know what it s like you think you will never have another dog because you can t stand the upset but then you realise that you can t not have a dog and you can perhaps provide a nice home for one so Madge is now the newest part of our family I still miss Norman and Trev but Madge needed a home and here we are all together and she has settled in really well with us instantly part of the family SOAPY START It is amazing to think that Beverley Callard first came to our screens as Liz McDonald on Coronation Street back in 1989 more than 30 years ago but keen Corrie fans will know that she had been in the soap before then I first appeared in 1984 when I had a brief spell as June Dewhurst a friend of the Gail s Bev recalled It was only for a short time and I did enjoy it There is a great family feel I was born and brought up in Morley My dad was a baker and my mother was a concert pianist so you could not have got more different jobs and influences I always wanted to act from a very early age I liked being in all the school dramas and I wanted a career in acting I was reminded that it wasn t quite that simple so while I was trying to get an acting career going I became a shorthand typist I started getting stage work and some television so the day came when I had to decide what I was going to do with my life Acting won easily of course and here we are today As well as acting Beverley has had another career as a fitness instructor I have loved that she said When you go through unusual or bad spells in your life it can easily affect your health and many of us simply put weight on and become less fit than we would normally be As an aerobics instructor it has been great to be able to help people I started off taking classes a couple of times a week and then it spread to videos and books I have had some lovely responses from people which is nice because you feel that you have done something worthwhile Bev has always liked a challenge which is why she enjoys her theatre work as well as her many and varied screen roles You get a real buzz from a live audience and you have to get it right on the night she said I have played many different roles in many different productions from real drama to comedy and there is something special about waiting in the wings ready to walk out on stage You know you are going to be judged by your audience and you want to give them a really good experience I have always been nervous but thrilled at the same time Although Bev is a star of many stage productions and TV shows she is still always best known for being Liz McDonald I don t mind that really she said Liz is quite a character and has had many strong story lines Over the years Liz has been unfaithful been cheated on been a battered wife and even been kidnapped so there have not been many dull moments She is a very strong character and you have to be able to cope with her I don t think I am like her at all She will put on some skimpy little dress and that s it I take ages to decide what I am going to wear and even then I am You know what it s like you think you will never have another dog because you can t stand the upset but then you realise that you can t not have a dog and you can perhaps provide a nice home for one not sure if I have made the right choice I like to look my best if we are going out Having Trev around made a huge difference to Bev s recovery from her low ebbs We gave him a home and he was just the softest boy in the whole world said Bev Even after his injuries he had been abused he was still cheerful and willing to be friendly You would think that he would never again trust a human being but Trev was not like that He read how you were feeling If you just wanted to curl up he would curl up with you If you needed a little sympathy he would give your hand a lick If you needed cheering up he would come to life and try to distract you He was marvellous ROVERS IN THE ROVERS I don t know how people can ill treat their dogs or any other pets I don t know how people can get a dog and then act as if they are not there Your dog is part of your family and you have to make sure he feels that He will reward you with total loyalty and be there for you whatever is going on in the house or in your head Trev went with me on to the Coronation Street set once to the Rovers to be exact A lot of us took our dogs for a charity event to help raise funds for a rescue centre that had been damaged by fire I recommend a rescue dog Once they become your friend you will have a very best friend and they appreciate what you have done for them by doing as much as they can for you They need time to settle and a lot of reassurance but we have never had any regrets about Trev joining us and then Norman and now Madge Madge doesn t know or care what I do for a living she just loves us for who we are P February 2021 Dogs Today 41

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Sponsored by NO MORE PULLING NO MORE RIDING UP NO REVOLUTIONARY HEA Awarded Best Dog Collar Manufac Endorsed by Dr David Sands BSc PhD CFBA F Call to join the ever growing number of people cha Our survey of Italian Greyhound owners revealed Character M any of us have dog crushes soft spots for breeds or types that we love but know we ll probably never own for lots of terribly sensible reasons Maybe you don t have enough hours in the day for the dog you dream of Perhaps you have a wandering eye and there are just too many dogs to fit into a lifetime Or you already have a house squashed full of adored allsorts that chose you In this feature we go through popular dog crushes and take a fresh look at what it would be like to actually live with them 42 Dogs Today February 2021 Italian Greyhound Italian Greyhounds can be very lively when out but tend to be couch potatoes at home They can be sensitive and wary and don t like being left alone They are also quite delicate and might not be the best choice for a family with young children They are cuddle bunnies and love to snuggle up preferably under a blanket or even inside your clothes Affectionate and loving is one way of putting it clingy and needy is another They are like the perfect mix of cat and dog says one owner Small lap dog that acts like a kitty cat concurs another Training exercise Only a quarter of our sample have excellent recall and these dogs can move fast too despite their size Just like their larger sighthound cousins they have a strong prey drive and may give chase to small furry things They don t need hours of exercise but most enjoy a good run off the lead They tend to be fair weather walkers and are not keen on getting wet They are intelligent and love to learn tricks Roscoe is an excellent therapy dog explains one owner He s engaged focused and extremely well behaved on the job Photos by Tim Rose www timrosephotography co uk T My Dog Crush hese sweet natured little dogs might be dainty but Italian Greyhounds can be surprisingly zippy That s when they re not burrowed under the duvet of course Coat care Italian Greyhounds have low maintenance coats and shouldn t be washed too often or over groomed because they have very thin coats and sensitive skin They need regular nail clipping and teeth cleaning Over 90 of our owners say their dogs need to wear clothes to cope with the British weather and half say their precious Iggies have at least five outfits in the wardrobe They have so many T shirts jumpers and coats admits one owner I have lost count Health 60 of our owners say their Italian Greyhounds are no more or less healthy than other breeds but they are prone to dental problems and they have delicate bones that fracture or break more easily than most dogs They are also known to suffer from luxating patellas and sensitive stomachs For Dog People by Dog People Because your dog deserves the BEST NO MORE PULLING NO MORE RIDING UP NO MORE RUBBING NO MORE COMING OFF NO MORE DISCOMFORT REVOLUTIONARY HEADCOLLAR Awarded Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2018 UK Winners 2013 2019 Dogmatic UK Ltd is on Facebook Endorsed by Dr David Sands BSc PhD CFBA Fellow of the Canine Feline Behaviour Association Call to join the ever growing number of people changing to Dogmatic 01952 245330 or visit us at www dogmatic org uk February 2021 Dogs Today 43

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My Dog Crush Downsides Prone to separation anxiety Tend to suffer from dental problems Delicate legs that are easily damaged Not keen on cold weather Can be tricky to housetrain Origins Q uite possibly the first dog in history to be kept purely as a companion the Italian Greyhound has roots that go way back Depictions of Greyhound type dogs of all sizes have been found on Egyptian Greek and Roman antiquities These diminutive versions were immensely popular in Renaissance Italy which may be how the breed acquired its name The Italian Greyhound became highly fashionable in the courts of Europe these dogs have sat on royal laps and been painted by many of the greatest artists The quest for ever smaller dogs threatened the soundness of the breed and it went into decline until the late Victorian period when it was revived by a group of dedicated breeders 44 Dogs Today February 2021 Traits Affectionate Snuggly Gentle Lively Loving Playful Owner s view I am owned by two Italian Greyhounds Olivia aged three years and Esther nine months They keep my rigorous schedule and have me well trained I am trained to open the garden door every time they think about toileting but then decide to play place the blanket over them so they can be warm and ensure they have a bedtime biscuit every night before going to sleep By the end of Q1 they d also like me to be able to give them chicken on command but progress is slow I will always love bringing them joy Their eagerness to please loyalty amusing ways and reserved elegance is everything I need in return Laura from lauraandleader com Best Facebook Groups Keep Calm and Papillon Papillon Lovers For Dog People by Dog People Because your dog deserves the BEST NO MORE PULLING NO MORE RIDING UP NO MORE RUBBING NO MORE COMING OFF NO MORE DISCOMFORT REVOLUTIONARY HEADCOLLAR Awarded Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2018 UK Winners 2013 2019 Dogmatic UK Ltd is on Facebook Endorsed by Dr David Sands BSc PhD CFBA Fellow of the Canine Feline Behaviour Association Call to join the ever growing number of people changing to Dogmatic 01952 245330 or visit us at www dogmatic org uk February 2021 Dogs Today 45

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My Dog Crush Love the breed Shop the breed Fancy a Pup of Tea a Pup of Coffee or some Pupcorn These adorable enamel pins are from Sass Artworks on www etsy com for 9 49 each Best names Mitzy Lorenzo Dash Sparky Pasha Ziggy Astra Luigi This striking adjustable ring is crafted from brass and 18k gold plating with high quality enamelling Fawn white and black coat options 86 12 from Good After Nine on www etsy com This mug features a wrap around illustration by Sandra Coen and is dishwashersafe 7 from www amazon co uk Leather purse with an Iggy motif perhaps to remind you to buy treats when you re shopping Lots of colour options and personalisation available for an extra charge 22 24 from The Klassek Store on www amazon co uk Italian Greyhound antics She climbs under your sweaters Likes to walk around with her tongue sticking out Always has to be under blankets Silently invaded the grocery bags on the kitchen table as I was unloading the bags from the car She tattles on her dog siblings when they re doing something they shouldn t Zoomies are the best He ll run in circles until he collapses This ceramic heart decoration 10 95 would make a lovely gift for an Iggy lover with an accompanying gift card 3 15 from Paint My Dog on www etsy com Best Facebook groups United Kingdom Italian Greyhound Society Italian Greyhound Lovers Italian Greyhound A6 lined notepad 50 sheets 5 from Dusty Moon Co on www etsy com For Dog People by Dog People For Dog People by Dog People Because your dog deserves the BEST NO MORE PULLING NO MORE RIDING UP NO MORE RUBBING NO MORE COMING OFF NO MORE DISCOMFORT REVOLUTIONARY HEADCOLLAR Awarded Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2018 UK Because your dog deserves the BEST NO MORE PULLING NO MORE RIDING UP NO MORE RUBBING NO MORE COMING OFF NO MORE DISCOMFORT REVOLUTIONARY HEADCOLLAR Winners 2013 2019 Dogmatic UK Ltd is on Facebook Awarded Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2018 UK Winners 2013 2019 Dogmatic UK Ltd is on Facebook Endorsed by Dr David Sands BSc PhD CFBA Fellow of the Canine Feline Behaviour Association Endorsed by Dr David Sands BSc PhD CFBA Fellow of the Canine Feline Behaviour Association Call to join the ever growing number of people changing to Dogmatic 01952 245330 or visit us at www dogmatic org uk Call to join the ever growing number of people changing to Dogmatic 01952 245330 or visit us at www dogmatic org uk 46 Dogs Today February 2021 February 2021 Dogs Today 47

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Victoria Stilwell Self preservation society A dog that looks calm might be anything but Shutdowns and learned helplessness are extreme ways of coping in adverse circumstances Victoria Stilwell is a world renowned dog trainer best known as the creator and host of the international hit TV series It s Me or the Dog as well as Greatest American Dog on CBS Dogs Might Fly on Sky One and her web series about police K9s and their handlers Guardians of the Night A passionate advocate for positive dog training methods she is the founder of the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training Behavior www vsdta com and the CEO of Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training www vspdt com Visit www positively com for news about Victoria s work and details about her books The Secret Language of Dogs Train Your Dog Positively and It s Me or the Dog Illustration KEVIN BROCKBANK 48 Dogs Today February 2021 T he pandemic has altered our lives in ways we could never have imagined and adapting to lockdowns has inhibited our ability to work travel and get together with family and friends As if this weren t enough the United States has endured one of the most divisive elections in its history For the past year Covid 19 political duelling and campaign ads have dominated television news and social media feeds What does an American election and fighting for the soul of a nation have to do with dogs It might seem an odd line to draw between the two but actually this political turmoil has had a profound effect on human behaviour and many of us have experienced something akin to shut down Before Biden was elected friends of mine shared that they could no longer watch the news doom scroll through Twitter or engage with anyone over Facebook because it was just too painful The stress that we experienced waiting for election results and the battle that has ensued over baseless claims that the election was rigged and stolen has tipped many people over the edge Biden supporters are victorious yes but this debacle has played out on top of a deadly virus that has inhibited our lives and continues to threaten our every move It is not surprising that in order to survive both physically and mentally we have had to shut down emotionally by avoiding the mayhem as much as we can Shutdown is a way for animals and humans to self preserve It occurs when environments or situations become so overwhelming that the body switches to autopilot or survival mode It is a physical and emotional state that occurs when an organism has endured more than it is equipped to handle so the body and mind shut down until there is relief Most of the time people can choose to avoid situations that overwhelm them or recover quickly from situations that do but for people and animals that cannot practise avoidance and where there is no escape shutdown can lead to something a lot more serious learned helplessness NO ESCAPE Through my work as a trainer I see many dogs that have been shut down by the methods and techniques used on them by punitive trainers that have gone before me Punitively trained dogs will shut down emotionally in order to cope with and or avoid punishment They might continue to comply and go through the motions with their handlers but their actions look almost robotic as the light has gone from their eyes It is distressing to watch these dogs tentatively perform behaviours with the fear that putting a paw wrong will incur another punishment While punitive training causes shutdown learned helplessness occurs when a dog has suffered continued aversive experiences and cannot escape I see this in dogs that have lived their entire lives at the end of a chain and have never been able to escape their predicament Even when rescue comes and the chains are removed many dogs don t move or run for freedom because they don t know how Years of disempowerment and having no control over their lives means they have no idea what to do Breeding dogs rescued from February 2021 Dogs Today 49

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puppy farms exhibit similar behaviour They don t bite when you first touch them because even if human interaction terrifies them they don t know how to respond These dogs don t play or engage with humans because they have never learned to do so and it can sometimes take months of encouragement to gain their trust almost zombie like around people and don t show any of the overt signs of stress one might expect While behaviour appears very passive in dogs that are experiencing learned helplessness dogs that are shut down tend to show passive and active behaviours especially when they are pressured into complying These dogs respond to their handlers when asked but do so with little happiness They obey their handlers in FEAR OF PUNISHMENT order to avoid punishment and often move in a frenetic Science has given us a better understanding of what and unfocused way They might tuck their tails hunch causes learned helplessness by studying what happens their bodies or dance on their paws as if walking on hot when different species such as dogs rats and people coals These body signals are often misunderstood or are exposed to aversive events that they cannot control missed by inexperienced or abusive handlers In the 1960s American psychologists Seligman and Punitive trainers will often use a technique called Overmier conducted the alpha roll to correct horrifying experiments behaviour they don t at the University of like where a dog is Pennsylvania by forcibly rolled on to its While behaviour appears very passive exposing dogs to side or back and held inescapable and down until it gives up in dogs that are experiencing learned unavoidable electric calmly submits helplessness dogs that are shut down or shocks When these Sometimes dogs really same dogs were given do look as if they calm tend to show passive and active a chance to escape down when being behaviours especially when they are an electric shock in forcibly restrained another situation they pressured into complying These dogs because their breathing did not even try to becomes slower and respond to their handlers when asked leave because they their bodies seem had learned that escape to relax but studies but do so with little happiness They was futile show that regardless obey their handlers in order to avoid Later experiments of these outward have served to confirm physical signs a dog punishment and often move in a the depressive effect that is being restrained frenetic and unfocused way of having no control in this way is anything over something that but calm is aversive For example in one experiment humans Applying this type of correction increases the performed mental tasks in the presence of distracting production of cortisol otherwise known as the primary noise Those who could use a switch to turn off the stress hormone or nature s alarm system which noise rarely bothered to do so yet they performed prepares the body for fight or flight The mythical state better than those who could not turn off the noise of calm submission is actually the body responding Simply being aware of this option was enough to to that internal alarm and temporarily shutting down substantially counteract the noise effect a survival strategy designed to affect a positive A 2011 study found that animals with control over behavioural change in others If the dog displays stressful stimuli exhibited changes in the excitability of passive behaviour towards an aggressor by doing certain neurons in the prefrontal cortex Animals that nothing it is more likely that the aggressor will stop lacked control failed to exhibit this neural effect and what they are doing and back off showed signs consistent with learned helplessness LEARNING TO BE DOGS and social anxiety demonstrating that uncontrollable Dogs that are shut down with no hope of relief are aversive events produce greater emotional disruption under a constant state of stress and this impedes than aversive events that are controllable their ability to learn These dogs are often labelled The evidence is clear When events are as disobedient or stupid because they have trouble uncontrollable the organism learns that its behaviour learning new skills or can t remember how to do and outcomes are independent and this learning old ones so practising avoidance becomes a much produces the motivational cognitive and emotional easier option The amazing thing about dogs though effects of uncontrollability is that they are incredibly resilient and even the most Dogs that experience learned helplessness are repressed dogs can be guided to find the joy in life often unresponsive to social interaction and practise again I will tell you how this can be done in next avoidance by averting their eyes and turning away month s issue P from all stimuli Breeding dogs in puppy farms become 50 Dogs Today February 2021 TIME FOR A NEW BED F I N D A WAR M C O S Y B E D T O DAY AT P U R R F E C T LY YAP P Y C O M June 2020 Dogs Today 25

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True Case History by Peter Neville Peter Neville has talked dog for many many years But until now he s never talked to a Finnish dog of a Canadian breed in Swedish The background The client Pet parents Stella Grgic and now me Address Helsinki Finland Dog Spooch Moya Breed Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Age 8 years Sex Neutered male L ove me love my dog so the saying goes and the cats and the complete change of environment culture and language that went with moving to Finland two years ago to live with my partner Stella Not only was that one of the most joyful decisions and events in my life but it also turned out to be a most fortuitous time to leave the UK what with the Russians poisoning my old home city of Salisbury the turmoils of Brexit the rancorous divisive politics of recent times and then the horrors of Covid 52 Dogs Today February 2021 Finland is a calm serene place and has been very little affected by Covid compared with other European countries and so our daily lives and work have hardly been altered or restricted other than in the curtailment of many of our international travel and safari plans But if you are going to be stuck anywhere I couldn t have picked a nicer spot than on the edge of a beautiful forest with plenty of walking trails on a peninsula in the Gulf of Finland about 100 metres from the sea or nicer company with my partner her pets and her lovely family nearby Fortunately I have not had to learn Finnish which I probably don t have enough time left to do anyway so difficult to grasp as it is as Stella and her family are Finn Swedes Swedish is their mother tongue which is the second national language of the country and her father and brother speak fluent English as well Stella s mother who is originally Croatian but used to live in Vienna and I usually converse most easily in German and now that I have learned a bit of Swedish in our own combined Swerman speak So family gatherings are a bit like the United Nations but I am very lucky that everyone is happy to use English as the family lingua franca and also that getting around generally in Finland is no trouble as most people speak at least some English Moya is Stella s dog and has been a key part of my assimilation and enjoyment of life here But when I first met him he just didn t look like a Moya to me even though Moya means beautiful in Spanish and he is very beautiful He looked like a pooch with an S to me so I called him Spooch and now he has two names He has been very well trained over the years by Stella and so to talk to him I had to learn his Swedish vocabulary which all helped get me started in the language He took a while understandably to get to know me and accept that I was staying as he had only ever known life alone with Stella or with her parents when they look after him from time to time I had never known a Toller before and never had one as a client in over 30 years of practice so it was all a new experience for me too For some reason Tollers are very popular in Finland and having hardly ever seen one before I soon got used to seeing at least two a day as one of our near neighbours also had one They certainly are very striking against the snow in winter and very well adapted to the cold they enjoy swimming in all the lakes and sea around us here but then they also look fantastic against the green forest and granite boulder landscape all year round Finnish life is very much spent outdoors in all seasons and so the energetic fit enthusiastic Toller makes a great companion and I have really enjoyed the impact he has on our lives It s cold and dark for long hours in the winter but having a dog that needs so much exercise helps to keep me exercised when the temptation might some days be to stay indoors on the couch and stroke the cats instead And then in the contrastingly long summer days of 22 hours of daylight all three pets revel in the freedom and outdoor life as we decamp to the summerhouse on a small island in the middle of the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Finland We spent four glorious months there last year completely avoiding Covid and more than compensating for the postponement of our African safari schedule Spooch swam in the sea every day came on long walks along the shore and through the woods and chased along moose and white tailed deer trails but as ever failed to toll even once at the myriad of ducks or wildfowl along the shore Peter Neville is an adjunct teaching professor at The Ohio State University USA and a director of Coape International an online education provider of pet behaviour therapy courses www coapesa com and www facebook com COAPEInternational Peter has presented a behavioural case history from his practice for Dogs Today since the very first issue He now lives in Finland with his partner Stella their Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Spooch and cats Bulldozer and Asla but he frequently disappears to Africa to help guide safaris specialising in tracking and studying African Wild Dogs and other large predators with Rae Safaris www raesafaris co za A different dog And therein begins the tale of why Spooch is such a different kind of dog Designed and bred specifically to detect and yell at ducks as part of his very breed name he doesn t Ever Instead he tolls at boats passing a kilometre away on the sea below the summer house or at the merest hint of a visitor s car arriving along the track or at anyone walking past the house back in Helsinki and with great gusto at anyone ringing the doorbell His tolling then escalates both in volume and intensity He stands on his hind legs and yells barks and howls at the same time pausing only to charge at the door and then begins again No ducks for him this is his self appointed noisy tolling guarding job and he is extremely good at it Furthermore he is not to be deterred in his enthusiasm either by our attempts to distract him our pleading insistence to stay calm or our attempts to induce and reward him for some other calmer alternative such as sitting and waiting on the rug when the doorbell rings Disinhibition is his middle name and he neither hears us above his own cacophony or if he does he doesn t care He February 2021 Dogs Today 53

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True Case History quietens only if our visitor is a known friend or if we let others into the house but they need to be quite stout of heart to want to enter past this orange explosion But this is not why Spooch is so different Many other Toller owners report similar alerting behaviour in and around the home and value their dogs enormously as such great guards Like us they simply do their best to restrain and introduce their Tollers to guests knowing that once they are indoors they are accepted friends and the tolling will cease No Spooch is different because I understand him now to be something of a special needs dog He is on the one hand a superbly well trained dog who responds eagerly and precisely to the many cues Stella has taught him and continues to teach him every day He would compete very well in any obedience trial and he learns new behaviours responses and sequences very well indeed As a former teacher of adolescent kids Stella is a brilliant trainer and Spooch is quite one of the best non collie trained pet dogs that I have ever met Spooch not only does all the usual sit stay down roll over 54 Dogs Today February 2021 by Peter Neville paw beg come stuff plus an array of fun tricks but he has also been trained for basic healthcare procedures at home such as brushing his teeth trimming his coat clipping his nails and waiting to be towelled dry when wet after swimming or getting rained on and to accept all examinations by the vet without fuss As soon as we go in he jumps on the scales to be weighed catches his treat and then heads right into the examination room to see how to earn the next treat He s been trained to place his chin on an outstretched flat hand to keep his face and mouth safely still while other parts are examined and his amazing self restraint at such times is at total odds with his tolling frenzies back home Outdoors he trots along on walks enjoying smells and following trails and being perfectly calm off the lead He isn t a hugely social dog with other dogs and simply ignores small ones but he has few friends that he greets and chases around with mainly other active breeds such as collies and his best pal a Large M nsterlander But I wouldn t describe their behaviour as particularly playful or sociable together they are simply other dogs to chase and be chased by and it all seems more functional than friendly Spooch simply breaks off and carries on with his walk when he s had enough and rarely looks back Canine conundrum All of this is in stark contrast with Spooch s normal demeanour at home As with his interactions with other dogs who try to be friendly to him he is rather detached most of the time and rarely sidles up for a fuss or to be in direct contact with me or Stella He enjoys the physical sensation of being brushed petted or scratched when he feels like it but it doesn t usually come with much sense of social bonding He will bring a chew toy to us sometimes not so that we can play with him but so that we can hold it while chews the other end and he often ignores requests to come and sit or lie with one of us He often seems to live in a kind of alterative world in the same room in company and yet rather alone FOR WHOM THE DOG TOLLS Perhaps more telling is that while Spooch has been well accustomed to being left quite happily at home alone for up to three or occasionally four hours when required he often barely bothers to acknowledge us when we get back or even get out of his bed or off the couch He barks and tolls when he hears us coming but as soon as he recognises us he invariably goes back to where he was Not so much as a tail wag or wet nose in greeting more an unemotional Oh it s you you re back OK This lack of enthusiasm and disinterest in is I have to say quite disappointing especially when we have been away for a couple of weeks and Spooch has lived with Stella s mum and dad When we return there s no massive blood rush and excitement just a very flat Fine Life is as it was again I guess Such is life with the very unique Spooch I am no expert in the matter at all but I have often remarked that he seems to bear many of the hallmark self contained behaviours and detachment of an autistic child He very much likes his routines and the predictability of key events in his life such as meals and walks and also his daily training sessions and he becomes quite agitated if they are delayed or occur out of sequence but then so do many dogs It is more the detachment of his personality in between these events that mark him out as special Like all dogs he has his quirks too He is perfectly happy for cyclists and strangers to travel past him on walks and pays no attention at all But if a cyclist stops to talk or simply dismounts and then tries to remount and start to cycle away or someone he knows stops to chat and then expects to simply walk away Spooch explodes into a disorganised cacophony of tolling barking and leaping up violently on the lead and has to be physically restrained from injuring himself and others Once the cyclist or person has got a few metres away he simply switches right back into his normal calm own little world as if nothing happened And while he is so easy to train in so many respects and has learned to respond totally and immediately to so many cues over the years through Stella s calm and brilliant teaching these are his ways Despite many efforts to train alternative behaviours desensitise him have cyclists and friends reward or ignore him these are his things and are what he does on every occasion like clockwork Again such persistence to performing specific almost ritualised responses and his total lack of reception to any cues or influences when super agitated also bear striking similarities to some forms of human autistic behaviour Yet to my knowledge autism has not been recognised in dogs or other animals not anything akin to the scale of autism now recognised in many people LIFE WITH SPOOCH So there we are Not a True Case History this month as Spooch is not a case per se but he has proved a fascinatingly different type of dog to live with and one completely outside my experience in behaviour practice He is very lovable but very distant much of the time he is very well trained but sometimes completely detached he likes life to run in predictable patterns and is often discomforted by changes in routine while at the same time he has been taught to be very adaptable within his usual framework of existence And while he does acknowledge my existence on occasion accepts his meals from me and comes for walks very happily with me and even responds to my clumsy Swedish cues when asked I get the feeling that I am often little more than a resource for him the opposable thumb bearing holder of his chew toy when he wants to chew it or the scratcher of his itches rather than his buddy And so life with Spooch goes on always fun sometimes confusing and definitely different A Labrador Retriever he will never be He is what he is his own unique and beautiful version of a Nova Scotia Non tolling at Ducks Tolling Retriever and I am learning just what that means all the time P February 2021 Dogs Today 55

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Tea break Put the kettle on and have a go at our competitions In the ring Winners of the Breedsearch Cross Question and Caption Competition will receive a bottle of the wonderful shampoo from The Missing Range from Completely Conkers Unscramble the jumbled letters in the circles Breedsearch O P T I Can you find the names of three of the oldest dog publications R H P A H C Y D L R T O N P R V O D S O M R A Z E E O H E O U M T M F C T I Just for fun A I E P I I A R R V V P B B U U L A O T S Z A R N A L E U E O I L L K TAKEN EZEE UR K W E R N D V O M S M N E J V Y R A I O O O A V W A G N D S L M L N L E R M N B Q N F A I L K A E A T A R O M A N I T R E A S U R E I T K W I Z E Y P Q N B E I H O N E Y T E X Y D E V O L E B R A E D C A V J T G D X X U P U H O S U J V O R H E A R T T H R O B N J M Z L F W K D F S R G I G H Find the valentine themed words listed below Search up down forward backward and on the diagonal to find the hidden words ADMIRER HONEY PET BEAU INAMORATA SUITOR BELOVED INAMORATO SWAIN LOVE SWEET DARLING LOVEBIRD TREASURE DEAR LOVER TRUELOVE FLAME ONEANDONLY VALENTINE HEARTTHROB PARAMOUR What to do if you see a lost dog This bespoke collection of natural dog grooming products is blended using only the finest pure essential oils that smell divine Each shampoo features a very special missing dog The range is dedicated to all missing dogs wherever they may be and is inspired by Conker a much loved Spanish Water Dog who went missing on 22 November 2013 in Oxfordshire and has not yet been found The manufacturer s greatest wish is to reunite the featured long lost dogs by telling their stories on the bottles of Completely Conkers The first lost dogs to appear will be Izzy Megan Chester Lexi Hansum Hugo and of course Conker You can hear each dog s story in their owners own words at https completelyconkers co uk Speak softly don t call whistle or chase STOP DROP THINK That bath you gave me this morning really helps the mud stick Jessica Meredith Don t attempt to catch or restrain the dog unless you re confident that you will get him or her the first time Send your Breedsearch Cross Question Caption Competition entries together with your contact details via email to comps dogstodaymagazine co uk or post to February Competitions Dogs Today The Stables Saddlers Halt 86 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8LZ to arrive by 19 February 2021 Cross Question Flourishes in marshy conditions Well you did call him Marshall Laura MacGregor Winning caption Christine Smith If the dog runs away don t chase Follow from a distance stopping and dropping if the dog turns around C December Caption Runners up Don t look directly at the dog avoid eye contact Lure with food if possible throwing it away from you but also not directly at the dog MHY Do you have a funny pic you d like us to feature Please email it to us at the address on the facing page Sit crouch or lie on the ground keeping the dog in sight Use slow movements show you are not a threat NLT Can you come up with a witty and amusing caption for this photo I m in a better position than the horse I m standing on Contact owner if you are actively looking for a missing dog Don t approach head on at speed How to enter Caption this G December Cross Question Solution Rollo s parents are a West Highland White Terrier and a Lakeland Terrier The first correct answer came from Leslie Gold Well you said I needed a bath and a mud bath is good for the skin June Murdy Can you guess which breeds Yoda Puddlejumper s parents are Well every girl needs her beauty treatments During this pandemic the salons are closed so I m just improvising here Alison Glen In the ring answer A Our Dogs B Kennel Gazette C Dogs Monthly 56 Dogs Today February 2021 February 2021 Dogs Today 57 West Highland White Terrier Lakeland Terrier by Tim Rose www timrosephotography co uk COMPANION Eight lucky winners of the Breedsearch picked at random will win a bottle of luxury dog shampoo from The Missing Range from Completely Conkers and the winners of the Cross Question and Caption Competition will each win a bottle too O DOS Photo submitted by Alabama P Q R O I

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Prize crossword Compiled by Gyles Brandreth Quick clues Down Across 1 2 Philip poet 6 1 4 And 13 Across Rough coated French hound 7 9 3 Congo dog 7 4 Dog chewed ring off 7 5 Laika s nationality 7 9 Home of the Belgian 4 Across 8 10 French holiday cottage 4 6 Bruce vet dog expert and Ben s dad 5 9 Capital breeding place for a 4 Across 8 11 Lowchen Little Dog 4 7 12 French Hound 8 8 Dog s high pitched cry 4 13 See 4 Across 14 Major trading city of ancient Greece 7 See 17 Down 18 Terrier originally bred in Pembrokeshire 8 Acquire 6 15 Offends 7 16 Layer at back of eyeball 6 21 Husky for example is such a dog 4 22 Charles toy spaniel 4 23 Type of sheepdog from Scottish islands 8 17 And 1 Across Canine association 6 4 24 Island breed 7 19 Not heavy 5 3 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 See 17 Down 12 13 Breed of 4 Across observed raven is in trouble 9 18 About end of day has meal prepared for dog 8 22 Male leader of the pack 4 23 With tiny bit of tact handles wild breed of sheepdog 8 Down 2 Poet frolicking endlessly 6 16 18 3 Breed of dog humble New Jersey one 7 15 14 13 17 20 19 21 5 Hurryin noisily like Moscow Toy Terrier 7 6 Pea soup given to the French dog expert 5 7 Get in boat perhaps 6 8 You record canine noise 4 23 14 Sheep wandering over American city of old 7 24 Name _________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ____________________________ Postcode _________________ Telephone _____________________________________________ Email address ___________________________________________ Breed type of dog _______________________________________ 58 Dogs Today February 2021 15 UN lists terribly offensive remarks 7 25 We occasionally loan our address list to charities and companies we feel may be of interest to you Please tick if you do not wish to receive this information Q 16 Concerning metal put over a part of the eye 6 17 And 1 Across Its members are a dogged lot 6 4 19 Source of illumination that s easy to carry 5 20 Assembly of hounds and food for them I hear 4 Win this The winner of this month s crossword will receive a pack of Soopa Kale and Apple Dental Sticks Find more Soopa dog treats at PurrfectlyYappy com How to enter Complete the crossword grid then post your entry to arrive by 19 February 2021 to February Crossword Dogs Today The Stables Saddlers Halt 86 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8LZ The first correct entry pulled out of the hat after the closing date will win the prize The judge s decision is final December Solution Across 1 Tibetan 5 Ascot 8 Eater 9 Mastiff 10 Schiller 11 Peke 13 Bear 14 Cane 18 Eels 19 Springer 22 Podengo 23 Lhasa 24 Eagle 25 Bone dry Down 1 Tsetse 2 Bitch 3 Tyrolean 4 Number 5 Apso 6 Chinese 7 Tufted 12 Papillon 13 Bulldog 15 Kelpie 16 Aplomb 17 Treaty 20 Grand 21 Anne Code Breaker Can you crack the code to find this poor dog joke We ve given you the word DOGS to get you started A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U VWX Y Z 17 Tibetan Mastiff by Tim Rose www timrosephotography co uk 22 Our lucky winner this month will receive a BISSELL SmartClean Pet Cylinder Vacuum worth 249 99 This is a pet owner s best friend with exceptional bagless vacuuming power that rapidly removes dust and debris While pet hair and long human hair can be some of the most challenging messes to manage this is no issue for the motorized Tangle Free Brush eliminating irritating hair wrap once and for all The BISSELL SmartClean Pet uses Automatic Floor Type Recognition Technology which detects the floor type and adjusts the suction power on the go for optimal performance eradicating the need to adjust the settings when moving from carpet to hard floor If you aren t lucky enough to be picked the BISSELL SmartClean Pet Cylinder Vacuum can be bought from bisselldirect co uk Good luck 12 After operation s over I get vet back in for dog 8 25 Fish served with nothing else 4 11 This month s prize 11 Animal kept by billionaires 4 24 Friends seen going round lake with English dog 7 10 Not yet subscribing Visit www dogstodaymagazine co uk or turn to page 32 to rectify that immediately 10 Holiday cottage in which I get disorientated 4 21 In Carlisle dog transport 4 20 Encounter 4 25 Part of shoe 4 1 Hello subscribers We think it s time for you to get even more perks than just getting the magazine cheaper postage free and before everyone else This area of the magazine is just for you to say thank you for supporting us by buying your magazine direct We really appreciate it and it really helps us Cryptic clues Across Sub Club Dogs Today 5 ___ ___ ___ ___ 22 11 26 16 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 21 6 9 20 7 8 D ___ O ___ G ___ S ___ 23 17 16 5 8 G ___ O ___ O ___ D ___ 5 D ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ S ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ S ___ ___ 17 6 7 24 20 ___ ___ ___ ___ 26 6 4 20 9 8 6 O ___ ___ ___ 23 11 16 10 20 24 6 ___ ___ ___ ___ 12 20 19 23 14 8 20 16 16 17 ___ ___ ___ ___ 23 26 20 21 ___ ___ ___ ___ 19 20 20 23 How to enter Email your answers to comps dogstodaymagazine co uk and put February Sub Club in the subject line We will need your full name and address to check you are on our current subscriber list Or post the answer with your name and address to February Sub Club Dogs Today The Stables Saddlers Halt 86 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8LZ or enter online at www dogstodaymagazine co uk category competitions One winner picked at random after 19 February 2021 will win the prize For full terms and conditions see page 3 February 2021 Dogs Today 59

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Holidays Products Products Classifi ed adverts Classified Adverts Holidays Want to advertise your Want to advertise your business business in ed section inour ourclassifi classified section Contact james petsubjects co uk Contact mike orpetsubjects co uk call now on 01276 858 880 or call now on 01276 402591 Luxury self catering lodges in the Yorkshire Dales Yorkshire Cottage Style Double Storey Lodges two bedrooms sleeps 2 to 4 Set in a peaceful valley just over one mile from Richmond in North Yorkshire are these Self Catering Yorkshire Cottage Style Lodge Accommodations They offer great value Yorkshire Dales self catering holidays all year round 01748 822406 info flowerydell lodges com L U X U RY S E L F C AT E R I N G A C C O M O DAT I O N g Do friendly Now with Hot Tub www yorkshirelogcabins com Dog friendly holiday park in Cornwall theparkcornwall com Three beautifully converted Victorian farm stables ooer elegant luxury and peaceful retreats situated on our working farm surrounded by the beautiful Saltmarshe Delph Nature Reserve and bordered by the River Ouse Comfort really is at the heart of Appletree Cottages spacious single story layouts means weary legs can easily rest after a day exploring before you discover one of our lovely nearby pubs Visit appletree cottages co uk 01430 430 677 vivienne sweeting btinternet com PEAK DISTRICT Family run hotel near Ashbourne Good food real ales Pets welcome veggie choices and special diets catered for Over 15 of our properties are dog friendly with enclosed gardens complimentary dog bowls and even a doggie bag full of goodies will be waiting your arrival There are many pubs and restaurants in the area that welcome dogs with open arms DOG FRIENDLY BREAKS O N T H E P E M B R O K E S H I R E C OA S T 2 PEOPLE 4 NIGHTS Autumn Breaks available FROM ONLY Dog Partridge Country Inn with rooms in the grounds 01335 343183 www dogandpartridge co uk With some great accommodation deals to choose this is the perfect place to stay We are Dog Friendly so feel free to bring your little friends with you 1 Night when you come Midweek B B just 140 to stay Your subsequent nights pets can run free 50 off on our stunning grounds whilst you take in the breathtaking scenery Dog Friendly Accommodation in Wales 01639 731 167 Craig Y Nos Castle www dogfriendlywales com or www craigynoscastle com T C s Apply H o l i d a y s yo u r d o g wo u l d l ove The WooF Guide BY COASTAL COTTAGES Call us on 01437 772 742 Or Visit thewoofguide com Pet Service of the Month Heal with Neil I am a natural healer who connects telepathically to provide distant healing for cats dogs horses in fact any animal and humans too I cater for illness injury behavioural disorders and preparing animals or people for passing over AWARD WINNING HOLIDAY PARK IN DORCHESTER DORSET Luxury stone built self catering holiday cottages deep into Hardy Country near Dorchester in Dorset Almost half of our properties are dog friendly and the grounds include a fully enclosed dog exercise area perfect for a gentle morning stroll before setting out for the day www greenwoodgrange co uk hello greenwoodgrange co uk 01305 268874 I work in addition to vets doctors providing healing which can work on four different levels physical mental emotional and spiritual for troubled sick injured or terminally ill animals or people I must stress that all clients tell their vets or doctors that their animals or themselves are receiving healing Neil Grimes Natural Animal People Healer Brecon Road Pen y Cae Powys SA9 1GL Mobile 07938 193 176 outside UK 0044 7938 193 176 Instagram healwithneil Pet Product of the Month Dogs Today Today July February 60 2020 2021 6 0 Dogs Energy healing is a non invasive complementary yet very effective therapy that can be used to help improve health and behaviour in both pets and people Nature s Greatest Secret We are delighted to be nominated as Pet Product of the Month February 2021 Dogs Today 61

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Classified Adverts adverts Classified The Dog Lovers Registration Club Charities Products Art Charities Art Lintran K9Westie award winning dog UK ReHoming equipment transport systems Registered Charity England Wales 1108659 Scotland SC045329 Estate Cars Dog trailers pick up s vans All 4 x 4 vehicles Register your Pedigree puppies and adult dogs online for beautiful gold bonded pedigree paperwork with same day processing Westie ReHoming is a charity dedicated to the welfare and rehoming of the West Highland White Terrier We take in westies needing a new start in life and place them into a suitable home where they will be Dogloved Gunand System have their needs met T 01673 885959 enquiries lintran co uk www lintran co uk For more information visit www dogregclub co uk or call either 0161 792 2479 or 0161 729 2350 www westierehoming org information westierehoming net 0844 879 Lintran 4260 PO BoxHouse 4204 Swindon SN2 9LA SS Brentwood 30 YEARS Lincoln Road Faldingworth westierehoming4 Westie ReHoming Market Rasen Lincs LN8 3SF missed with the due to retire inspirational speaker John Rogerson Heathway Colton Rugeley Staffs WS15 3LY Tel 01889 577058 www bordercollietrustgb org uk Products Services The Emotional Art of Dog Training not to be by Toast Cartoons produces bespoke caricatures and a range of gifts Visit us online and get in touch for a quote 07970 014 576 toastcartoons gmail com www toastcartoons co uk 2020 Martin Peers Toast Cartoons Charity ofofthe the Month Charityof the Month Charity Month DogsRescue For Good JR Whippet was founded in 1971 by the late Mrs Joanna Russell when she realised there was aofneed to rehome Whippets due to a change in their Dogs for Good needs your help to double the number people with disabilities Dogs for Good needs your help to double the number of people with disabilities owners circumstances Aexploring mentionways in herdogs breed note column in Dog World we can support with dogs We re an innovative charity we can support with dogs We re an innovative charity exploring ways dogs can help resulted in donations being made to help her with task can help people overcome specific challenges and enrich and improve lives people overcome specific challenges andthe enrich and improve lives and communities and communities We are passionate about our future and how we can help We are passionate about our future and how we cancan helpoffer moreapeople with the use of If you would consider giving a home to a rescue Whippet or short term foster more people with the use of our assistance dogs our assistance dogs home for a Whippet in need whilst they are waiting for their permanent loving home Discover all of the ways we help Discover allwith of the ways we help or if you are willing to help transporting the Whippets please contact Beverley Assistance Dog our assistance dogs support adults and children with a rangedogs support adults and children with a range of Assistance Dog our assistance on 01359 259300 or email rehoming whippetrescue org uk of disabilities and also children with autism disabilities and also children with autism Community Dog our community dogs and specialist handlers to To support the their rescue you can become a member of and Thetheir Friends of JRhandlers Whippet Rescue Community Dog our help community dogs specialist help to improve improve their independence andCall skills and you will receive a newsletter wellbeing twice a year Dot Graham on 01505 503238 or email deltamikegolf btinternet com their independence wellbeing and skills Family Dog our Family Dog team gives adviceFamily and support to help families Dog our Family Dog team gives advice and support to help families with an to find out more with an autistic child to get the most out of theirautistic relationship their petout dog child towith get the most of their relationship with their pet dog Dogs For Good Toast_Classified indd 1 07 10 2020 14 33 For more information please visit our website and see our online shop at www whippetrescue org uk www dogsforgood org 01295 252600 info dogsforgood org www dogsforgood org 01295 252600 info dogsforgood org www dogsmonthly co uk February 2020 2021 62 6 2 Dogs Today July March 2020 81 February 2021 Dogs Today July 2020 Dogs Today 663 3

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CharitySpotlight Spotlight Charity We rescue and rehome collies and collie crosses throughout the UK Why not subscribe to our Border Collie World quarterly magazine Only 10 00 pa established 1958 We are a non destruction sanctuary for abandoned unwanted dogs Welcome Welcome to to Charity Charity Spotlight Spotlight a handy reference point for good folk le of folkdoing doinggreat great work work We re We rehelping helpingto toraise raise the the profi profile of this diverse diversegroup group of of people people and and we weencourage encourage you youto to get get involved involved with withthem them be beitit fundraising fundraising or or even even volunteering volunteering PRIORY ROAD ASCOT BERKSHIRE SL5 8RJ Sponsor a puppy from just 1 a week BORDER COLLIE TRUST GB 01344 882689 Please contact us or visit our website for more information Heathway Colton Rugeley Staffs WS15 3LY Tel 0871 560 2282 www bordercollietrustgb org uk Visit guidedogs org uk DogsToday Reg Charity No 1053585 Rescue centre open daily 9 11 am 2 4 pm Registered Charity No 256728 AS SEEN ON EL BCT_0310 4x1 indd CHANN1 A charity registered in England and Wales 209617 and Scotland SC038979 4 1 10 16 55 42 4 Bringing pets and people closer together woodgreen org uk www foreverhoundstrust org Registered Charity No 298348 00526nc0819 WE RESCUE KILL SHELTER AND ABANDONED DOGS FROM ROMANIA AND REHOME THEM IN THE UK AND GERMANY Chilterns Dog Recue barkingmaddogrescue Charityofof themonth month Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary Charity the Smokey Paws provides pet oxygen masks to the fire service Pine RidgeinDog is a small independent animal Founded 1963 Sanctuary Chilterns Dog Rescue Society CDRS has a long rescue rescue and and continues rehome dogs history organisation of rescue andWe rehoming to grow thanks to the dedication and enthusiasm of many dog lovers But many more masks are needed please call us on 01276 402591 for more details DogsToday TodayFebruary July 20202021 64 64Dogs Registered Charity No 1077588 A We rescue and rehome 100s of dogs and cats in London every year Please help us to help more www themayhew org 020 8962 8000 W e are a small independent animal rescue organisation founded in 1958 by Mr Bernard Cuff fter many yearspassion of hardinwork is an independent whose life was to rescueCDRS and rehome dogs that charity It CDRS bought own premises receives no Government funding and would its otherwise face a very bleak future in Chivery nearPine Tring Hertsis and relies entirely on the generosity of the Ridge currently run by Mr Cuff s widow Connie developed purpose built passion facilitiesand for love for public to continue its vital rescue and whose equal all canines is at the dogs with nowhere elsesanctuary to turn giving these rehoming Your support would heart of the dogs awork better future The RescueThese Centre has 40 kennels be greatly appreciated are clearly difficult times for everyone but Pine and a smallRidge team relies of highly trained solely on donations from the public who staff who provide outstanding For further information incidentally have been quite wonderful But this help please care for dogs of all ages CDRS is needed nowtypes moreand than ever contact so if anyone wishes to backgrounds in need of protection Tel 01296 assist be assured that every penny raised623885 goes to our training anddogs rehoming in addition to enquiries cdrs org uk welfare a 5 star licence for boarding www chilternsdogrescue org uk Large kennels have under floor heating plenty of natural light with indoor and outdoor areas Green If you can help or for further information please contact us technology has been incorporated By phone 01344 882689 to reduce running costs Sensitive By post Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary Priory Road Ascot Berkshire SL5 8RJ landscaping has created a woodland By email pineridgedogs yahoo co uk walk for potential adopters to get Or visit www pineridgedogsanctuary org uk to know the dogs wildlife areas and If you d like to see your Registered charity organisation 256728 featured in these two DogZones to provide grassy pages please call us on 01276 enrichment paddocks for the dogs to If you d like to see your organisation featured in more thesedetails pages 858880 for play socialise and relax bmdrdogs www barkingmaddogrescue co uk The next pet saved could be yours You can donate via www smokeypaws co uk or email info smokeypaws co uk Registered Charity in England and Wales No 1139999 Saving Yorkshire s Dogs Registered Charity No 1167291 To rescue rehabilitate and rehome vulnerable and at risk dogs from Yorkshire Tel 07562 986101 Email savingyorkshiresdogs gmail com Web www sydrescue org uk Find us on Become a Companion Keep Tails Wagging With a Regular Gift As a rescue charity Rushton helps abandoned abused and unwanted dogs on a international scale Rescuing dogs from all over the world especially the meat trade in Asia and China Your chance to win at www aht org uk lottery Call Now 44 0 1823 49 10 52 mail rushtondogrescue co uk Registered Charity Number 209642 Scottish Charity No SC006914 Senior Staffy Club Dogs Today 2018 Charity spotlight lottery23 01 2018 advert v3 indd 14 47 10 1 Our aims are Rescue and rehome sta ordshire bull terriers and sta y cross dogs aged 7yrs Recruit foster carers all over the UK Encourage volunteers at En our kennels in Sta ord and Worcester www seniorsta yclub co uk seniorsta yclub hotmail co uk Rescue and rehoming centre for dogs and cats www leicesteranimalaid org uk Tel 01455 888257 Registered Charity No 242560 Finding the cures for serious pet illnesses helping them live longer healthier lives www petsavers org uk February 2021Dogs DogsToday Today665 July 2020 5

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For Dog People by Dog People Because your dog deserves the BEST Confessions of a dogaholic W 66 Dogs Today February 2021 Ad break The wealthy owner of the Manchester pet shop was furious Back then no one was yet speaking out about the cruel puppy farm trade As soon the mag published he filed for damages I don t think he realised we were part of the Mail He probably thought he could bully us into a retraction Our publisher was furious with me libel was something he was terrified of Was I mad Mail very expensive But when the Mail s lawyers looked at the case they were delighted we could verify everything The court case would give the cause even more publicity The pet shop owner must have had millions in the bank but he backed down and paid all our costs John our publisher became more and more sure I was crazy I remember the day he walked in while I was making Sally my beloved Beardie a Scooperdog outfit to match boyfriend Brian s Scooperman costume He just shook his head and left We were definitely not like other journalists Always the first to arrive and last to leave apart from the week Sally s relatives came to stay in our tiny Windsor town house Mum and Dad wanted to visit my brother in Canada so I volunteered to dog sit I saw the neighbours net curtains twitch anxiously when a seemingly neverending line of Beardies emerged from Mum and Dad s modest VW Polo They had all been sleeping on top of each other being many generations of the same family meant they didn t mind Sally was initially delighted to see her relatives again but she was more than pleased when they went home But would we be staying Those TV ads kept being delayed P 100 2020 WINNER Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020 UK REVOLUTIONARY HEADCOLLAR Stops dogs pulling on the lead and gives you back control Life Changing products for you and your dog 8 TIMES WINNER OF Product I can t live without NO MORE PULLING NO MORE RIDING UP NO MORE RUBBING NO MORE COMING OFF NO MORE DISCOMFORT AWARgDCoEllDar Best Do r 2020 21 UK re tu c fa u n a M tive Dog Most Innova cturers Collar Manufa 2019 Illustration KEVIN BROCKBANK e were still being told to prepare for three more months of national advertising Covers would be very important the dogs needed to be great on TV too Top dog acting trainer Ann Head loaned us the famous Boxer who had been the star of the Colman s Mustard adverts Photoshoots were long days but great fun We needed the dog to look straight down the lens My repertoire of silly noises was getting larger I could do a convincing cat impression that sometimes got me into trouble and I could bark in several breeds too Everyone still shot on film in those days We wouldn t know if photographer Tim Rose had got the shot till days later The editorial team started putting down roots We were growing and finding the campaigns that really mattered It was already very much more than just a job for all of us When I d lived up in Liverpool I had seen the problems caused by a huge flashy puppy supermarket that sold nearly every breed Naive soap stars and football players bought these expensive pups All the local vets groaned when they heard the shop s name The store s reputation was terrible I decided to do a feature on pet shop pups and point out where these often sickly puppies came from and how the shops encouraged people to buy dogs like pizzas It was wonderful to have a chance to warn people We launched a petition to take the puppy out of the pet shop and our readers really embraced it It would still take nearly 30 more years to succeed in that objective with Lucy s Law Global Also available Collars Non Slip Leads and Gripper Training Leads offering added security and confidence throughout the winter months Endorsed by Dr David Sands BSc PhD CFBA Fellow of the Canine Feline Behaviour Association Call to join the ever growing number of people changing to Dogmatic 01952 245330 or visit us at www dogmatic org uk Winners 2013 2021 Dogmatic UK Ltd is on Facebook Matching accessories in a selection of colours with high quality workmanship and fittings

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