Dogs Today_November_2021 : simplebooklet.com

Slow down the effects of ageing and extend your dog s longevity with the power of nature Don t let chronic joint pain ruin your dog s mobility and active life assist with repairing injured joints and ligaments The ethical pet magazine for people who really care about dogs News features 4 Editor s letter why Tailwise is the Jamie Oliver of 6 Award winning oligopeptide discovery can help your dog to recover from even the most extreme cases of injuries chronic pain and immobility helps to regenerate damaged tissue DogsToday Inside this month 10 14 18 22 the dog world Pet concierges dog friendly champagne on arrival and a complimentary bowtie for your best friend we reveal some of the finalists for the Top Dog London Hotel 2021 award Raider crusaders 200 dogs and pups rescued from an unlicensed puppy farm Christmas stars ever wonder how the rich and famous celebrate the festive season Peace at last Brexit shortages are good news for those who dread fireworks Old bones dogs are living longer but are the extra years happy and pain free Facebook Dogs Today Sales Marketing Director Mike McGlynn 01276 402591 Office dogs Betty Old English Golden Retriever ish Honey Cocker Spaniel Madi collie cross Nellie Staffordshire Bull Terrier Sophie Jack Russell Vicky Justine Poison Ivy Newfoundlands Betty s Personal Trainer Kirsten Dillon IMDT A Dip CBM Over to you 34 Postbag what matters to you 38 Great Debate is it ethical to interrupt an accidental Dogs Today Brandshare Ltd The Old Print House 62 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8AA 01276 402599 enquiries dogstodaymagazine co uk www dogstodaymagazine co uk Training behaviour 26 Is your dog a pain in the neck because he has a pain in his neck Publishers 30 Pees and Qs how do you prevent puppy puddles 48 Victoria Stilwell It s Me or the Dog returns 52 Safari adventure the Cape fox Opinion 66 Confessions of a dogaholic Rothermere s revenge LIMITED Chief Operations Officer Graham Smith 01276 402598 graham wearebrandshare com Managing Director Beverley Cuddy 01276 402597 beverley dogstodaymagazine co uk Investigation 40 Q A what are the pros and cons of spaying 42 Dog crush meet the Rhodesian Ridgeback Subscriptions Competitions shopping 50 Subscribe and win 56 Pop the kettle on and biogenic pet vitalitychallenge Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies Photo by Tim Rose www timrosephotography co uk tackle our puzzles and competitions beverleycuddy Advertising sponsorship pregnancy Give BiogenicPet Vitality a chance to get back your dog s vitality and active life alleviates chronic and inflamed joint pain Editorial 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 For subscription queries call Brandshare 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 Old Print House 62 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8AA Tel 01276 402599 Brandshare Ltd reg office The Old Print House 62 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8AA Distributed by Marketforce UK Ltd 2nd Floor 5 Churchill Pl 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 10 December 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 November 2021 Dogs Today 3

Page 3

Dear readers Beverley Cuddy I t s hard to believe that I ve been at Tailwise a year It has really grown but if we are to change the way people think about buying dogs it needs to get massive It s been a strange year for dogs from being panic bought at the height of lockdown to prices in free fall and rescues filling up Boom and bust is hard on dogs they shouldn t ever be traded as mere commodities For decades we ve all tried pretty much everything to end puppy farming but the more we frighten people the more they seem to convince themselves they are rescuing these poor pups What Tailwise seeks to do is a bit like what Jamie Oliver did for chickens and eggs make the public aware that buying a well bred dog from a caring breeder isn t just morally the right thing to do but it will make the experience so much better too It comes as a surprise to some that a home reared dog is much easier to housetrain than one reared in a shed Those first eight weeks really matter So it s Tailwise s mission to change the perception of a new generation of dog buyers Adopt Don t Shop is a great slogan but unless you lessen the mass production of poorly reared dogs that are mis sold to a na ve unprepared public the flow of dogs into rescue will never slow down And with the best will in the world not every person is in an ideal position to take on a rescue If the good breeders stopped breeding the bad ones would definitely increase production and fill the void I strongly believe that if the majority of dogs were bred by those who give whole of life help and advice and who are fussy about who can buy their precious dogs the numbers of unwanted dogs in council pounds would dwindle All good breeders know where their puppies end up and help if personal circumstances ever change Tailwise also wants to lobby for fairer legislation that encourages those who breed well on a smaller scale and treat the mums as family not stock Please do point other like Beverley Cuddy is Dogs Today s Editor and publisher She shares her life with Betty an Old English Golden Retrieverish dog from Many Tears and has just been joined by Honey a Cocker Spaniel puppy 4 Dogs Today November 2021 minded souls towards Tailwise both good breeders and potential puppy owners The bigger the group of good people underneath the Tailwise umbrella the stronger the voice for change We also need to challenge the way breeders are perceived I ve been talking to lovely folk who have had terrible abuse from people who think all breeding is bad Let s make it much easier for the public to be clear about who the good guys are A huge number of people have voted in the inaugural BarkMark awards Every single nominee should be so proud of themselves it s an amazing group of people and causes We ll announce the winners next issue but as we go to press it looks likely that Pen Farthing will win the first BarkMark medal and the top four jostling for the most votes in any category are Missing Dogs Team Wales DogLost Jordan Shelley for his ear cropping campaign and Fabulous Finn for his bravery which inspired two laws to change P

Page 4

Words BEVERLEY CUDDY Imagine money were no object Which London hotel would you and your hotels ever being this dog friendly It seems our best friends are finally Where top dogs want to stay Shangri La the Shard 31 St Thomas Street SE1 My husband and I stayed at the Westminster suite following our wedding and Jimmy the doorman made our stay extra welcoming and really pleasant especially the way he treated and cared for our dog Shangri La the Shard London best friend stay in for a once in a lifetime experience I don t remember being recognised as the very important family members that they are Size 202 rooms Poshest rooms Shangri La suite Facilities Floor to ceiling views sauna and gym coffee machine gowns and slippers Special touches BAR K 31 happily welcomes dogs and their owners for a drink on the terrace Tuesday to Saturday from 11am spa treatments can be done in room valet parking Claim to fame The highest infinity pool in western Europe Toiletries L Occitane Cost per dog 75 Most expensive suite for two nights 10 000 Cheapest room for two nights room only 638 Trip Advisor The Egerton House Hotel Knightsbridge SW3 2BX 1 2 3 4 5 e asked you what makes a hotel really dog friendly and not just dog tolerant Here s your top 10 Somewhere you can eat and drink where the dog is welcome Staff who like dogs Not always being allocated the worst rooms Somewhere to wash your dog if they get muddy No excessive cleaning charges do they charge extra for kids This is a boutique Victorian townhouse close to Harvey Nicks which I don t think is dog friendly If they have changed do tell us If your dog wants to be in the Chelsea set the hotel will rustle up a delicious doggy afternoon tea served in the dining room chicken and beef meatloaf homemade dog biscuits and dog ice cream the dog tini is an extraspecial experience served with doggy canap s It s not just dog guests who get the posh drinks the Egerton apparently does the finest Martini in London You can even book a masterclass so you can learn the secret Your dog gets their own embroidered towel to take home and resident dog Millie is reported to be very friendly Trip Advisor reviewers were gushing When not if you go you must sample the best Martini of your life and if you have a dog do bring them as they were treated even better than the human guests 6 No size breed or number restrictions 7 Treats in reception or on the bar 8 Dog sitting being offered so you can go out for the evening 9 Ground floor rooms with easy access to grounds 10 Room service menu for dogs You will be able to vote for your 2021 Top Dog London Hotel destination and there s an impressive shortlist of 20 dog friendly 5 star venues This month we feature the first of our finalists more coming next month So in no particular order Shangri La the Shard 6 Dogs Today November 2021 Size 28 rooms Poshest rooms Victoria Albert suite Style Each bedroom differently gorgeous Facilities Fresh fruit and flowers coffee machine plush bathrobes well stocked mini bar laptop safe isn t that a great idea my laptop is my world Special touches Should your dog need a makeover the hotel can arrange a pre groom consultation eye cleansing ear cleaning nail clipping cleansing shampoo with massage tidy up haircut or a full body hair cut fresh breath treatment and teeth brushing free access to the V A access to the Aquilla spa and miles of jogging tracks they have a partnership with Boxcentric so you can learn martial arts Toiletries Floris Most expensive suite for two nights 950 Cheapest room for two nights rooms only 320 Trip Advisor November 2021 Dogs Today 7 The Egerton House Hotel W

Page 5

The Athenaeum Royal Lancaster Hotel Lancaster Terrace Hyde Park 20 per pet per night or free if you join the Friends club The wonderful restaurants and bars are sadly off limits for dogs but there is a Paw cierge pet sitting service for 25 per hour I could find no Trip Advisor reviews mentioning dogs The Athenaeum Hotel 116 Piccadilly W1J 7BJ Royal Lancaster Described in a Trust Pilot review as a home from home by a family with two dogs who became suddenly homeless when their house burned down Dogs are on the official website home page and the VIPup package is impressive I wonder if there was an incident with an extending lead and a waiter as dogs must be kept on a six foot or less lead when outside of your room There s also a 1 000 deposit to pay in case there s an incident All rooms and suites in this family owned establishment are dog friendly There s a Stately Hound mattress and bowls and a Mini Bar k menu that includes roast chicken and steak tartare There is one restaurant you can dine in with your dog Dog sitting walking and grooming also available Size 411 rooms Poshest rooms Royal and Lancaster Suites on the 18th floor Facilities Coffee machines in the deluxe rooms bathrobes and slippers waterfall showers gym Special touches In room spa treatments electric vehicle charging Toiletries The White Company Most expensive suite for two nights 2 711 20 Cheapest room for two nights room only 389 Trip Advisor Size 111 rooms Style Modern meets Art Deco Poshest rooms Green Park suites or a residence with your own front door Facilities Spa and 24 hour gym with Peloton probably the largest selection of whiskies in London coffee machines in all rooms robes and slippers Special touches Bowtie to take home for the dog Toiletries REN Location Great for all the royal parks and the Kennel Club Cost per dog 40 Most expensive suite for two nights 1 285 20 1 366 05 for a residence Cheapest room for two nights room only 614 25 Trip advisor Bring Fido Many of the hotels specify only small or medium dogs in their small print to avoid upset be transparent when booking After all Betty is very small compared to an Irish Wolfhound but huge compared to Honey P Royal Lancaster 8 Dogs Today November 2021 Which of these hotels would be the one you d pick if you had the choice Do vote here www surveymonkey co uk r topdogLondon June 2020 Dogs Today 9

Page 6

Words ALESSANDRA PACELLI Little Olive When almost 200 dogs and puppies were rescued from an unlicensed animal welfare charities rose to the challenge of looking after them Raider crusaders O Photos Alpets Poundies Rescue Hope Rescue n 17 September an operation led by the Trading Standards Wales Regional Investigation Team saw 194 breeding dogs and puppies removed from the premises of an unlicensed breeder at an undisclosed location in Carmarthenshire As is often the case with dogs from puppy farms many of them were in dreadful condition and required extensive veterinary care due to eye and ear infections rotten teeth and worms The dogs were taken in by various rescues called to the scene One of the rescues involved Alpets Poundies stated We were asked to assist along with other local rescues with a large scale operation to rescue dogs from an unlicensed breeder found in the most appalling of conditions Of 10 Dogs Today November 2021 puppy farm in Carmarthenshire last month the 194 dogs rescued we managed to take 11 in which means we are bursting at the seams Our small team is working hard to get them the expensive veterinary care that they need as well as carefully grooming them so that they are more comfortable We have rescued Bichon Frises Cocker Spaniel crosses and Cavaliers who once assessed will all be looking for new homes FASHION VICTIMS Among the dogs who required immediate veterinary care were Smarties a Cocker Spaniel with infected bite wounds and a severe ear infection and Hazel a nursing Bichon Frise whose fur was so matted maggots were found in it After being taken in by Hope Rescue along with 45 other dogs including five nursing mums with a total of 18 puppies five pregnant mums and a further 20 adults Smarties and Hazel as well as her pups are on the mend West Wales Poundies also stepped up to take in the dogs and said I don t think anything prepares you for the horror that goes on in these places Unfortunately this is a sight we are seeing more and more of The conditions were horrendous the dogs traumatised and terrified living in filthy cramped conditions Row upon row of kennels crammed with dogs all huddled together We finally took 14 adults a mum and her three pups that were days old and a mum and her pup that was found clinging on to life but sadly we lost him a few days later They are all safe now and the long road to recovery can start Hopefully the emotional scars will heal and they will go on to live happy lives with people who love them Most of the dogs were of popular breeds such as Bichon Frises Shih Tzus Cockapoos Cavaliers Labradors and Cocker Spaniels there is little doubt the puppies would have hit the market in the run up to Christmas Hope Rescue founder Vanessa Waddon said The rescue centre was already near capacity before Only a couple of days before the 194 dogs were rescued in Wales another victim of puppy farming was found straying in Charing Kent Olive an unneutered Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was found by a member of the public on 15 September and handed in to a vet surgery the next day After checking her over staff at the clinic contacted the RSPCA RSPCA inspector Clive Hopwood said This poor dog was in such a sorry state she had terrible teeth awful eye infections which may well leave her partially sighted and a horrible skin condition Someone has clearly neglected her for some time She was unneutered so we suspect she may have been used for breeding in the past and has received a very low standard of care She was microchipped but the chip was not registered and the chip company told us they could not pull any usable data from her account He added To allow her to get into this state is totally heartless I d like to speak to anyone who recognises her or who may have information as to who was responsible for her care Please call us on 0300 123 8018 and leave me a message if you can help our enquiries November 2021 Dogs Today 11

Page 7

this intake due to the predicted rise in abandoned dogs following the lifting of lockdown restrictions However we are fortunate to have an incredible network of foster homes who didn t hesitate to open their hearts and homes to help the physical and emotional rehabilitation of these traumatised puppy farm dogs many of whom were trying to raise their puppies in such appalling conditions The sad reality is that this puppy farmer was no doubt gearing up for G Leads to follow Alpet Poundies Rescue www alpetpoundiesrescue weebly com Hope Rescue www hoperescue org uk West Wales Poundies www westwalespoundies org uk the Christmas puppy market Sadly puppy farming is still very much alive in Wales and we were pleased to support the excellent work being undertaken by the Trading Standards Wales Regional Investigation Team We urge everyone looking to add a four legged family member to do their research Please check out your local rescue centre first and if you are going to purchase a dog ensure it is from a reputable breeder and follow the RSPCA advice on https www rspca org uk adviceandwelfare pets dogs puppy P The UK s No 1 vitamins available now for those with 4 legs When Lucy s Law came into effect in England last year later introduced in Scotland and Wales as well third party puppy and kitten sales became illegal This meant that anyone seeking to purchase a puppy would need to buy directly from the breeder rather than going through a pet shop or a dealer Meeting the puppy in person along with the rest of the litter and their mum was part of the process Of course puppy farmers were always going to look for loopholes in order to keep selling pups a common ploy was to have an unrelated dog pose as the pup s mother or having people pose as the dog s owners and breeders selling them to members of the public from a rented address Dogs Today has since heard of a pregnant bitch being delivered to a breeder and then sent back after the puppies were born and sold At least in these cases Lucy s Law could still prevent the worst cruelty from puppy farmers if members of the public are to see the puppies mum showing them a dog with teeth rotting out of her head infected eyes and ears and burns from sitting in her own urine all day is simply not an option so at least some veterinary care would have to be provided if certainly not out of care for the seller s own interest Unfortunately just before Lucy s Law came into effect in England in April 2020 the country entered its first lockdown making it extremely difficult if not impossible to meet a mum and her litter in person Puppy farmers made the most of it using the Covid 12 Dogs Today November 2021 crisis as an excuse to incentivise virtual meetings and the click and drop buying of puppies passing it off as a matter of safety as they hid their dreadful breeding practices behind a screen And it seems this trend didn t end with the restrictions According to the Kennel Club a quarter of Brits admit that post lockdown it s still normal and easier to meet a puppy virtually rather than in person before purchase Half the dog owners who click and collected a puppy during the pandemic would be happy to do so again even now that restrictions are gone the Kennel Club states Almost half of those who did not see the puppy with its mum would buy a pup the same way in the future Mark Beazley chief executive of the Kennel Club said It s understandable that many of us may have developed some fairly harmless bad habits during multiple lockdowns such as ordering one too many takeaways getting up late or having multiple deliveries to our doors But when it comes to puppy buying these bad habits must be reversed While the message about always seeing a puppy with its mum in its home environment seemed to have finally got through and was reinforced in new laws in 2020 this research shows the pandemic s alarming impact on the way people expect to buy a puppy with many now seeing virtual puppy buying click and collect or pup deliveries as the norm taking us backwards in terms of dog welfare and responsible puppy buying Of course there is nothing wrong with seeing an advert for a puppy online but we re urging potential owners to be puppywise and always then see the puppy interacting with its mum in its home environment in real life as lockdown restrictions are no longer in place If a breeder is offering to deliver the pup to your house or asking to take money from you before you ve even seen the pup alarm bells should be ringing Scammers rogue breeders and cruel puppy traders can and will cash in on this dangerous virtual puppy buying world with devastating consequences for dogs TM SuperDog takes our 50 years of awardwinning nutritional expertise even further all the innovation and careful effective formulation you d expect from Vitabiotics now available for your special companion From vitality to healthy joints and bones SuperDog formulations provide optimum levels of micro nutrients to safeguard the diet of your furriest family member Joints Bones Health Vitality 60 Chewable Tablets 60 Chewable Tablets Canine expert See my expert tips to help care for your SuperDog Paul Manktelow Visit www super dog co uk Proud supporter of Battersea caring for dogs since 1860 From UK s No 1 Vitamin Company 2021 04 21_ADSPDCONP French Bulldog puppy Photo posed by models Covid side effects Available from www super dog co uk SCAN FOR INFO Source Nielsen GB ScanTrack Total Coverage Value and Unit Retail Sales 52 w e 30 01 21 To verify contact Vitabiotics Ltd 1 Apsley Way London NW2 7HF UK s leading supplements for humans Vitabiotics will donate 10p from the sale of each product to Battersea Battersea Dogs Cats Home registered charity number 206394

Page 8

Words BERNARD BALE Words BERNARD BALE Christmas stars Ever wonder how the rich and famous celebrate Christmas It s not that different to how us humble lot do it with our beloved dogs at the heart of it all Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton is usually first over the line and he has admitted that he likes to do his Christmas shopping early Simon and that includes presents for Cowell takes his beloved Bulldog Roscoe a similar view I couldn t go shopping without I love my dogs buying something for Roscoe so much I take he is my biggest pal said them on holidays I Lewis The F1 season let them sleep in the goes on longer now and bed and sometimes there is less time for one gets in the bath Christmas shopping so with me Come on I try to buy things in own up I am not the only one whatever country I am Of course they must have a share in the in For Roscoe though festivities and their gifts can be wrapped I get a few treats and and put around the tree just like anyone sometimes a new toy else s because it s a fir tree they don t get You wouldn t think that he would still be into the wrong idea toys but dogs like to have of what it is things to play with even there for when they are quite either I like old Roscoe thinks I them to am just his ragdoll join in the fun though so hopefully the special treats will distract him from that He is part of Christmas and likes his share of the goodies 14 Dogs Today November 2021 Would you go as far as buying your dogs brightly coloured wellies No don t knock it until you have tried it ask Hollywood star Hugh Jackman It s true he admitted I have French Bulldogs and they are not very big so if the ground is wet they get a bit messy and they hate it So I saw these little boots and coats to match and bought them as a present They wondered what they were for at first but they soon got the idea and became quite proud of their bright boots So there s the answer if you don t know what to buy your dog this Christmas just look for some bright wellies How about giving your dog a diamond encrusted collar Well maybe the diamonds don t have to be real your dog is probably Christmas at TV not an expert However if you are presenter Lorraine Kelly s Paris Hilton then you can afford to house always includes the pets ensure your dog has nothing but and Angus the Border Terrier gets his the very best including that share of the fun food and festivities diamond collar I think he is extra happy because we are I have always loved my dogs happy and he joins in the laughter even if and given them the best he doesn t fully understand the joke He gets possible I used to have a excited when the unwrapping starts because he knows there will be a few goodies heading Chihuahua called Tinkerbell and it was so sad when his way If we wrap his presents she died She was my he loves it he doesn t care constant companion what s inside he just has a great time and friend Now I have shredding the another Chihuahua and paper I called her Diamond Baby Why Because she looks like a Diamond Baby to me So when I buy her that Christmas gift it has to be something really special yes including a diamond collar

Page 9

Page 10

Words ALESSANDRA PACELLI distress in smaller pets livestock and wildlife While organised displays can be a frightening experience at least they can be predicted and plans can be put in place to ensure the safety of pets in nearby households Sudden unpredictable bangs that go off at all hours of the day can take owners unawares and cause dogs to bolt in an instant RSPCA campaigns manager Carrie Stones said We know that some councils including Leeds and Dunstable have announced cancellations already this year so we do have concerns that people may hold events in their own gardens While we can prepare our animals for one night of disruption it s difficult when Bonfire Night now tends to last for days or weeks either side BANGING ON Could an unintended side effect of Brexit spare our pets the nightmare of firework season this year B rexit and the supply chain crisis are threatening to put a dampener on this year s Bonfire Night firework displays as distributors warn that import problems have reduced stocks by up to 70 per cent and forced up prices an article from the Guardian reads 18 Dogs Today November 2021 A wholesale company based in Doncaster has warned that there won t be enough fireworks for the usual Bonfire Night celebrations and that price rises are inevitable writes the Independent and the Express talks of a shortage misery If this prediction turns out to be true millions of pet owners across the UK will breathe a sigh of relief The so called firework season which kicks off on 5 November and ends with New Year s is a long nightmare for pets and wildlife as well as for people who suffer from PTSD and noise sensitivity The loud noises and bright flashes of fireworks can be extremely distressing for animals who may Corgi Photo posed by models Peace at last hurt themselves in their fright As technology advances many hope fireworks can be replaced by silent and less polluting alternatives such as breathtaking drone displays so that celebrations can still go ahead with far less suffering involved Unfortunately this goal still seems far away Every year dogs spooked by a sudden bang will bolt running on to roads in the dark and becoming lost or killed by vehicles According to the RSPCA around 62 per cent of dogs 55 per cent of horses and 54 per cent of cats in the UK show signs of anxiety when they hear fireworks Loud bangs and bright flashes are also known to cause fear and Last year Faye a nine year old Greyhound who had been rescued from a dog meat farm in China and rehomed to the UK fell victim to fireworks She was spooked by the sudden explosions in Fleckney Leicestershire and bolted Owner Richard Wilford said She was fine in the house We d been watching TV and I waited for a break in the fireworks to take her out into the garden to go to the toilet before bed All of a sudden there was an almighty explosion followed by two more as three fireworks were set off nearby Faye panicked and bolted for the house running straight into the patio doors The sound of the impact was as loud as the fireworks She fell on to the ground and started convulsing Within two minutes she was dead It was horrendous A 2020 survey by the Blue Cross revealed that 70 per cent of people interviewed think the sale of fireworks outside specific licensed displays should be banned in the UK Petitions to restrict the sale of fireworks to the general public and limit their use to traditional dates such as 5 November New Fright night Advice from the British Veterinary Association BVA If your pet gets distressed by fireworks or other noises contact your vet to discuss treatment options This may include drugs to help dogs with noise phobias or pheromone products to apply next to your pets den and around the house to keep them calm Create a well padded den for your pet to access ahead of fireworks season so they have a safe place to hide when fireworks start Ensure your pet is microchipped and your details are up to date on the database in case they run away from home Close windows and curtains and provide background noise to help mask the fireworks If your pet is distressed remain calm yourself trying to reassure your pet can inadvertently reinforce anxious behaviour Restlessness or toileting in the house can be signs of stress so don t punish them Keep livestock housed at times when fireworks are likely to be set off locally and remove any firework debris from grazing pasture before letting them out Horses may be better turned out in a field than stabled as they may feel enclosed and unable to move in a stable Owners should consult a qualified equine behaviourist if they have significant concerns about their horse s response to fireworks If you re hosting a fireworks display avoid setting them off near horses livestock or companion animals Dispose of any debris and remnants of fireworks responsibly November 2021 Dogs Today 19

Page 11

Year s Eve Chinese New Year and Diwali received hundreds of thousands of signatures A 2019 House of Commons Petitions Committee deemed the current law inadequate and called for measures to better protect animals and people from the stress caused by flashing lights and loud bangs Despite all this no real change has resulted Each time the petitions were debated in parliament we would get to know how many MPs have dogs and how much they love them but little else ever came out of it Something is changing among distributors however supermarket chains Sainsbury s and Co op ceased selling fireworks citing animal welfare concerns long before concerns about a supply chain crisis Will a reduced supply mean fewer sudden bangs and flashing light frightening pets across the nation Time will tell but even if we hope for the best it doesn t hurt to prepare for the worst with the tips below HIGH VISIBILITY And in case everything goes wrong and your pet bolts small precautions such as making sure your dog s tag and microchip details are up to date and using reflective vests or beacons to improve visibility in the dark can save their lives and help them return home where they belong P Provide your dog or cat with a safe haven Create a doggy den in a quiet area of the house and make it a special safe place by placing tasty treats and favourite toys inside Make sure your cats always have access to plenty of places around the house to hide Advice from the RSPCA Photo posed by models Keep your pets safe this firework season 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 Pheromone diffusers Speak to your vet about using a calming collar or diffuser that disperses calming pheromones which may help your dog or cat feel more secure in support of yellow some dogs space dog Introduce changes to your pet s routine slowly It s sensible to keep your horse in a familiar environment following their normal routine with their usual companions If you re planning to bring your horse or livestock into a stable or barn overnight during fireworks start to introduce the change of routine weeks in advance to get them used to being inside Walk dogs during daylight during fireworks season so if this is different to your normal routine begin to alter the time of your pet s walk to get them used to it gradually Provide extra bedding Rabbits guinea pigs and other small animals who live outside should have extra bedding to burrow into or you can cover their housing with a blanket for extra sound proofing Begin to introduce this now 20 Dogs Today November 2021 Start desensitising them to sounds Teach your pet to deal with the sounds by using training CDs We recommend Sounds Scary which comes with guidance on how to use it You can also muffle the sound of fireworks by using calming music such as classical playlists This is a long term approach so it may be worth starting now ahead of next year Speak to neighbours If you want to plan for dates of local displays check local press and websites and speak to your neighbours and local councils schools etc to find out dates ahead of time so you can plan now to help your pet Ask organisers to site fireworks well away from your horse and aimed in the opposite direction Bring pets inside If you re planning to bring them indoors to better protect them start to make this change ahead of fireworks night to get them used to the new sights smells and sounds inside Remember remember Soundproof your house Simple steps like closing windows and curtains can help your house seem safer to your pet so begin doing this now if it s different to normal to get your pet used to it Get help If your pet has a severe fireworks fear speak to your vet or clinical animal behaviourist now to come up with a plan or to discuss whether there are any treatment options to help them this firework season make sure they re relaxed with Serene UM Mark and Chappell are turning yellow We are proud to support Yellow Dog and will make a donation for every promotional pack of Serene UM sold to help their great work over years of caring For more info visit www markandchappell com or email us at info markandchappell com

Page 12

Words CLAIRE HORTON BUSSEY Case History Photo posed by models of Liverpool She also has an OAP of her own Myself and my research associate Lisa both currently own dogs who are senior citizens and we are acutely aware that their health and behaviour changes as they get older and how difficult it is to know when to seek veterinary advice she says Many owners may not be aware of the signs of serious age related diseases as they attribute them to normal agerelated changes and veterinarians have indicated to us that owners often wait too long before bringing their dog into the surgery This project will help us to better understand how to ensure owners recognise and seek care appropriately for their ageing dog and also help the veterinary team to support owners in the most appropriate ways by understanding what owners notice and value about their ageing dog BEHAVIOUR ASSESSMENT Old bones Canine longevity has doubled but a long life isn t a happy one if it s spent in pain A new research project aims to help vets and owners identify areas of concern and provide the best care for their senior dogs D ogs are living up to twice as long as they did 40 years ago which is great news for those that dread losing them but long life doesn t necessarily mean those extra years are spent in good health As longevity increases so too does the length of time our dogs can spend dealing with chronic debilitating conditions which has worrying welfare implications For owners it can be difficult to distinguish between normal agerelated changes and serious diseases that require veterinary treatment To help address this problem PetSavers the grant funding division of the 22 Dogs Today November 2021 British Small Animal Veterinary Association BSAVA is funding a major research project at the University of Liverpool Old Age Pets that will help vets and owners to provide the best care for their senior and geriatric dogs GOLDEN YEARS The past 18 months has been spent investigating owner expectations experiences and attitudes to ageing in dogs Pet owners were invited to submit diaries photos or videos and have carried out in depth interviews to share their experiences of living with an older dog And now owners are being asked to complete an online survey about their personal experiences which can be found at https bit ly PetsaversOAPSurvey The findings will be used to develop a guidance tool with the intention of helping veterinary professionals and owners provide the best care to senior dogs Dr Carri Westgarth who is leading the project is probably a familiar name to most readers An APBC Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors trainer and behaviourist Carri has just published The Happy Dog Owner book recently reviewed in the magazine and is a senior lecturer in humananimal interactions at the University Far from owners finding their dogs old age difficult to manage the research so far has revealed the opposite that oldies are easier to look after But this in itself can be cause for concern Carri explains From our interviews and the video photo diaries one of things that owners talked about was that as their dogs became senior they were often easier to look after rather than harder as one might expect So perhaps it is the lack of behaviours that might become important What I mean here is that senior dogs may recede into the background of our family life They no longer demand as much attention from their owners they are less enthusiastic to go out on walks especially if the weather is bad they sleep longer and more deeply and perhaps are not so quick to greet friends and loved ones on their return home For the majority of owners this is normal and expected at older ages and so their dog s gradual change in behaviour does not ring alarm bells We know from previous studies that activity and excitability decreases linearly with age so Barney from lump to pumped Barney could barely walk 100 metres as a young adult but shifting 18 kilos saw him tackling four miles with ease Now in his senior years the new Librela injection has given him another new lease of life W hen James and Gill Westwood adopted Barney from Black Retriever X Rescue in April 2015 the two and a half year old Lab Retrieverish cross with a hint of GSD weighed in at a hefty 51kg He was an enormous lump remembers James Unable to walk more than 100 metres before having to rest a return to fitness plan was put together by his care team at Severn Edge Vets in Kinver south Staffordshire This included an exercise and diet routine so he was not overly exerted with four half hour walks a day His light diet portioned for a 39kg dog was split between morning and early evening Barney s weight fell quickly and by September 2015 had dropped to 40kg Exercise was stepped up and he was soon coping with a fourmile walk in the morning and 30 minutes in the late afternoon Over the course of the next 12 months he reached his target of 33kg fluctuating between 34 37kg over the years to March 2020 In early 2016 he displayed signs of lameness and X rays showed mild OCD osteochondritis dissecans in both hocks ball chasing was stopped to reduce the sudden impact on his joints Barney s health and fitness remained good apart from when he had major surgery in January 2019 to investigate a worrying mass that turned out to be two tennis balls lodged against his stomach wall In March 2020 the lameness returned and gradually worsened through lockdown to the point that further X rays showed up a marked deterioration of the OCD Barney s weight went up to 43kg by summer 2020 through the lack of exercise and he embarked on both hydrotherapy and acupuncture Neither of these worked for him and by April 2021 his mobility around the house was severely impaired In May James heard about Librela It s created quite a buzz among pet owners to the point that many practices have a supply shortage at the moment It s a monoclonal antibody injection given monthly that blocks pain signals Following a discussion with the vet Barney had his first injection in May The impact was pretty much immediate confirmed by his groomer when he was able to stand for the duration says James Barney has now had six injections and is back to where he was two years ago and shows no sign of discomfort no side effects and quite happy doing a five mile walk It s quite remarkable from where he was in March The vet nurse who has known Barney from the day I had him is amazed at his turnaround November 2021 Dogs Today 23

Page 13

dogs given the choice may naturally reduce their activity levels as they get older in line with a reduced metabolism and increased incidence of osteoarthritis However just because they no longer constantly demand attention and activity does not mean that they no longer require it and many of these changes could also indicate that the dog may be experiencing pain and should be checked out at the vet Other important pain related behaviours include excessive panting shaking adopting a low or altered body posture increases in aggression or a more grumpy disposition increased crying whining excessive licking or scratching a specific area lameness limping stiffness after rest and a change in or loss of appetite or drinking behaviour Case History Survey Do your bit Old Age Pet researchers are aiming for around 1 000 responses from as wide a spread of dog owners as possible including different breeds of different ages and healthy dogs as well as those suffering from sensory loss age related diseases and or acute or chronic conditions The survey is anonymous easy to complete about 25 minutes and you could be in with the chance to win an Amazon voucher More importantly your input will help inform the development of a new guidance tool for vets and owners to help provide the best care for senior dogs Fill out the survey at https bit ly PetsaversOAPSurvey Kay Stewart is a contemporary pet portrait artist from Essex She focuses on bringing out the unique qualities of your pets character immortalising them forever What s worked for you We asked our online community what they have found most helpful in helping dogs live their twilight years to the fullest BRAIN EXERCISE The brain ages as the rest of the body does and sometimes the change in behaviour can indicate cognitive decline Something that we have noticed in our own dogs and many owners also tell us is that their senior dog sometimes acts odd and confused perhaps waking in the night staring at walls or closed doors or bumping into things explains Carri One of my dogs decided that he suddenly wanted to go out of the house through one door but back in through another door that we had only briefly used for a short period a few years before when we had building work done He stood outside staring at it and waiting Recent studies suggest that mobility and activity have a protective effect on the ageing dog s brain It was found that dogs that got little exercise were more likely to develop a dog form of dementia known as canine cognitive dysfunction CCD This emphasises the importance of keeping our senior dogs active and engaged within the family to the best of their ability You can and should teach an old dog new tricks P Find out more about the research project at www petsavers org uk our research oldagepets 24 Dogs Today November 2021 YuMove so good I bought the human version for my dad Benji Collier Fifteen year old terrier Pablo above was adopted from a kill pound at the age of nine with no hip joint and only two teeth Five years of raw food Innocent Hound turmeric sausages and extensive hydrotherapy and he runs over four miles every day Jacqueline Baker YuMove made a difference within three to four days for us The fact that our dog thinks it s a delicious treat makes it even easier to use Saffron Joyce Celtic Connection we add therapeutic amounts of glucosamine chondroitin and MSM to ensure pets get their dailies without needing to add them separately It s already in the food Celtic Connection Holistic Pet Food I put mine on YuMove fairly young but when my oldest started limping due to arthritis in her wrists upgrading to YuMove Plus made a big difference for her That was a couple of years ago now and still going good she s nearly 14 The other single biggest thing you can do is keep your dogs lean Even just a small amount of excess weight will really make things a lot harder for them TM Hudson Fine Art Kitty seems to find YuMove very helpful Jo Goss YuMove plus regular hydro swim sessions Tracy Ryan Write in or email us and share your experiences of what has helped your oldie And don t forget to complete our Older Dogs survey at https www surveymonkey co uk r olderdogs2021 For further details on how to commission Kay email kay kaystewartartwork com or call her directly on 07815596026 www kaystewartartwork com www facebook com kaystewartartwork www instagram com kay stewart artwork June 2020 Dogs Today 31

Page 14

Words CLARE WILLIAMS Pain in the neck or pain in the neck It s no surprise that if we re achy or uncomfortable we can be grouchy But if a dog becomes over sensitive or snappy pain is often the last thing we consider H ave you ever thought that your dog might be a pain in the neck because he has a pain in his neck There is a growing understanding that pain or discomfort can significantly affect a dog s behaviour The seminal paper by Professor Daniel Mills and a group of veterinary behaviourists entitled Pain and Problem Behavior in Dogs and Cats found that a painful condition was suspected to be contributing to the unwanted behaviour in between 23 and 82 of the behaviour cases referred to them These conditions included musculoskeletal neurological and gastrointestinal problems Dig deeper and we learn that a whole range of unwanted behaviours can be linked to pain from dog to dog or dog to human defensiveness through to resource guarding attention seeking behaviour pica eating non food items and compulsive type behaviours such as excessive licking This presents a whole new dimension to be considered in canine behaviour cases and one that is not always easy to unravel Dogs are masters at working through pain partly because they need to continue to perform everyday functions but also because they want to please us if they are asked to jump in the car they will Moreover adrenaline can mask pain in an exciting situation so a dog in pain may still want to play or go for a walk All this makes it hard for caregivers to tell if their dog is in discomfort The detection process is sometimes just as difficult for our hardworking vets who are limited to a short consultation with a stressed dog whose pain response is probably being masked by the stress hormones or adrenaline The big question is how we bridge that gap between a suspicion that the dog may be in pain and providing the information to the dog s vet to enable them to make a diagnosis or propose a trial of pain relief Such a trial will help assess whether the unwanted behaviours improve with pain medication which would then suggest there may be some underlying discomfort Our dogs give us so many clues not just in their behaviour but also in how they use their bodies when they are static or moving For example if a human has a painful hip or knee they will most likely adjust their body to bear more weight on the opposite side and the same is true of dogs Sarah Fisher of Animal Centred Education ACE started the ball rolling for me in her Dog Detective course in 2018 using the now well established ACE Free Work She showed how much you can learn from quietly observing our dogs how they arrange their limbs when they stand sit or lie down how they move what surfaces they choose to walk over and which ones they avoid the directions they choose to move in and even how small changes in their coat pattern can indicate an underlying problem I was able to take this to the next level when Gemma Hodson of All About the Dog launched her unique Dynamic Dog Practitioner course in April 2021 The course offers a deep dive into canine anatomy conformation gait and posture analysis pain and its impact on behaviour and shows how to present your observations to a dog s vet in a way that would facilitate their investigations The fourth and final month is spent completing five cases studies using behaviour cases where pain is a suspected contributor The role of a Dynamic Dog Practitioner is never to diagnose but to provide as much relevant behaviours possibly influenced by pain defensive distance creating Dogs may choose defensive behaviours Dogs in pain may prefer to keep humans to avoid being touched in painful areas and other dogs at a distance to avoid The behaviour can be anything from mild any contact This often happens when avoidance to biting usually targeted at the dog is lying down and can the hand It can occur not just when sometimes exacerbate resource stroking the dog but also when guarding if the dog fears they putting on the collar or may be handled to be moved harness and when grooming away anxious repetitive Pain can make dogs more anxious They Repetitive compulsive types of can become hypervigilant both around behaviours may actually be a sign of the home and when out worried about pain in a dog For example star gazing factors in the environment that may fly snapping exacerbate their pain This can include surfaces may indicate gastro intestinal or excessive licking of boisterous dogs strangers discomfort Behaviours such as uneven ground and walking constant digging eating non food items on slippery wooden floors in pica or being always on the go may be the home redirected activities for dogs with musculoskeletal pain who struggle to Clingy settle Excessive licking or chewing of a particular limb can also be a result of Like humans dogs in pain seek comfort pain but due to the complex workings from the familiar A caregiver may find of the dog s nervous system not that their dog becomes necessarily in that particular limb more attached to them Repeated stretching after rest or than usual and may during exercise may suggest develops separation issues musculoskeletal or gastrointestinal discomfort noise sensitivity Stubborn Musculoskeletal pain can be the cause of new noise sensitivities particularly in Dogs coping with pain may mistakenly older dogs Also the muscle tension and be described as stubborn Pain may sudden movement caused by being mean they become reluctant to exercise startled by a loud noise may as much less responsive to sit or get up aggravate any painful areas or they may simply refuse to making a dog more sensitive enter an area with a slippery to similar loud noises floor Sources Dynamic Dog Practitioner Course Animal Centred Education ACE Pain and Problem Behavior in Cats and Dogs Daniel S Mills et al Noise Sensitivities in Dogs An Exploration of Signs in Dogs with Clare Williams 2021 and without Musculoskeletal Pain Using Qualitative Content Analysis Ana Luisa lopes Fagundes et al Some images used under license from Shutterstock com November 2021 Dogs Today 27

Page 15

Photo Megan Sheridan Photo Mary Wilson Simon move comfortably in all paces Some dogs in pain find it much easier to trot than walk as walking requires all four limbs to move in succession whereas trotting has two diagonally opposite limbs hitting the ground at any one time providing greater support PAIN REPORT information and evidence as possible to help the vet with their diagnostic process In a behaviour case the Dynamic Dog assessment process begins with a 90 minute consultation with the caregivers to learn about the dog from their perspective This includes the medical history any changes in the dog over time things they can no longer do or struggle with how the dog reacts to being touched or having a harness put on even down to how the dog stoops to poop and whether they can maintain that position The caregiver is also asked if there is anything that the dog does regularly that may seem odd such as stretching every time they get up or constantly licking a paw This is followed by an analysis of photos and videos of the dog specified by the practitioner and usually taken by the caregiver Photos tell a lot about how the dog arranges their body when still Do they shift their weight to one side or place one hind leg to the side or behind them when they stand 28 Dogs Today November 2021 Do they prefer to sit with one hind leg sticking out or both hindlegs through their forelegs Do they curl up or stretch out when they sleep Photos are also useful for highlighting changes in the texture colour or pattern of the coat which can be supporting evidence of issues in that area Ear symmetry is also a useful clue one ear higher than the other can suggest greater tension on that side of the body VIDEO EVIDENCE Videos especially when slowed down enable observation of how the dog moves identifying areas of stiffness particularly along the spine as well as the distribution of their weight across all four legs where they place their feet such as putting the opposite hindleg towards the centre of the body for support when the painful hindleg is on the ground and if they can Photo Christina Zukowski Clockwise from top left Ruby chooses to sit with her right hind leg positioned out to the side Photo Susie Everett rather than placing it in line with the foreleg as she does on the left Wyatt chooses to lie with his hind legs stretched out between his forelegs rather than with his hind legs bent at the knee as you would normally expect Piper has an unusual coat pattern which is smooth along the top and fluffier at the sides Also the coat lies in a different direction about two thirds of the way down her back Bodie sometimes sits or stands with his right fore paw turned in causing his elbow to rotate out Videos of the dog transitioning into the sit or down and how they get up again are also reviewed and assessed It can be that a dog with a weakness in his hindquarters may lever himself up from lying down with his front legs rather than push up with his hindlegs Videos of climbing stairs or jumping in and out of the car can also provide valuable information as can a video of the dog urinating and defecating Although embarrassing to film a dog may place one foreleg in between his hindlegs in the poop stoop suggesting he is not comfortable putting his weight on the other foreleg or may move about mid poop A huge amount of information is analysed and distilled into a concise two page report for the vet acknowledging the limited amount of time a busy vet will have available to read any reports The summary provides an overview of the caregiver s observations the Dynamic Dog practitioner s assessment and the key areas of concern supported by relevant marked up photos and a very short compilation video From here the investigations begin with the caregiver vet Dynamic Dog practitioner and other relevant professionals ideally all working together as the dog s support team Pain and discomfort should always be considered as a possible cause for a dog s unwanted behaviour and learning to identify the signs of pain is going to become a vital new skill for both caregivers and professionals as we learn more about the links between pain and unwanted behaviour P To find a Dynamic Dog Practitioner or to find out more about the Dynamic Dog Practitioner course visit www allaboutthedogtherapy co uk dynamicdog

Page 16

Words ALISON MERCER Pees and Qs It s the question we get asked most by puppy owners how can I stop my dog peeing in the home I t s so simple need a pee have a pee everything feels better But you can t just do it anywhere right There are rules about that kind of thing Peeing on the street might see you in trouble whereas a discreet pee in the woods would be fine as long as you don t sit on a nettle eh girls Now I can t advise on potty training humans but I have had quite a bit of experience when it comes to our canine friends and I ll tell you this for free they just like us need a pee have a pee and feel much better But this most basic and straightforward of functions is one of the most asked about issues in dog training how do we teach our dogs to pee outside and not on our lovely floors If you re lucky enough to have lovely floors I have three dogs instead Well it begins at the beginning Our beautiful little puppies start life being entirely dependent on their mum not just to put food in but to deal with what comes out the other end too She will lick their bums and bits to stimulate elimination that s peeing and pooping to you and me and voila nice clean puppies and no mess in the bed box wardrobe wherever it is that the dam has chosen to nest Once pups are mobile there will be a change towards them leaving the bedding area to do their business This seems to be entirely instinctive in order to keep the sleeping space clean healthy and not attract predators Clever stuff This is where puppy farmed dogs lose out among all the other things they cannot leave the bed area if they are stuck in a tiny filthy cage This can create problems for owners later as the technique of using a crate to help with housetraining often won t work the dog is already used to soiling its sleeping area and might well continue to do so However if the puppy is properly bred and reared such things shouldn t be a problem What can be an issue is what surfaces they have available to go on and therefore what habits they form at this age I m pretty sure that a puppy with its bum an inch from the ground is going to prefer to pee on a nice soft absorbent surface rather than a hard splashy one I know I would Pups are naturally going to seek out grass soil rugs carpets and such like as those are far more appealing than tiles gravel paving or decking If the breeder helpfully uses things like squares of real or fake grass in the litter s play pen the pups are quite likely to use them and make an association between those kinds of surfaces and the pleasure of relieving themselves When they have access to outside they can feel the difference between the hard and soft surfaces and will learn that it feels nicer to pee on the soft ones especially if they are reinforced by the breeder when they get it right On the issue of getting it right remember a dog has absolutely no concept of whether something is right or wrong They only know what is effective safe and feels good If a pup is praised or given a treat for peeing on the grass say it learns that peeing on the grass when that person is around is a good thing If however it is punished for getting it wrong when they pee on something the human has decided they shouldn t the pup just learns that peeing in the presence of that person is not safe This then leads the dog to pee where the person cannot see or reach them They are not being sneaky it s just safer that way PAD PROBLEMS Back to the puppies when they re taken to their new homes guess what It s pretty confusing Everything looks and smells different the routine is different and there are new people and maybe other animals to deal with Any familiar toilet areas surfaces are gone and pup is bamboozled How can we make it easier for them If there is an option of bringing a bit of their fake grass to put in their pen for a few days then do so If not you ll have to use something else I m pretty sure that a puppy with its bum an inch from the ground is going to prefer to pee on a nice soft absorbent surface rather than a hard splashy one I know I would Pups are naturally going to seek out grass soil rugs carpets and such like as those are far more appealing than tiles gravel paving or decking November 2021 Dogs Today 31

Page 17

Labrador puppy Photo posed a by model surface indoors is good to use or become so fixed on peeing on the pad that they then won t go out in the garden or fail to make the distinction between indoors and outdoors From a human point of view our main goal is usually to teach them Peeing outside is good please don t pee inside But using puppy pads inside for too long without using outdoor space enough can cause puppies confusion especially if humans get impatient and cranky when the puppy gets it wrong in human eyes BUILDING HABITS TOP TIPS FOR HOUSETRAINING REGARDLESS OF THE AGE OF THE DOG Decide where you want them to toilet and stick to it Reinforce generously for going in the right place but let them finish first You don t want to interrupt take them in and then have them finish inside Never ever get angry and punish them for going in the wrong place just clean up properly and work out why it happened barring illness it s usually our fault If it s summer keep the door closed as much as possible it helps them learn the difference between inside and outside Be consistent and kind You ll see progress quickly if you do If a dog is still really struggling after a month check there s nothing medically wrong with them and then seek the advice of a good trainer 32 Dogs Today November 2021 perhaps a tray of turf It depends what you want them to learn At which point we must address puppy pads I know lots of people swear by them I also know lots of people loathe them So let s look at the pros and cons from the pup s point of view because they re the one who matters On the plus side a soft absorbent pad is a pleasant place to pee It s also quite a fun thing to pull around wrestle with tear to shreds I did say this was from the pup s point of view The pad becomes a target to pee on wherever it s put especially if the pup has been generously reinforced for using it On the other hand the pup may start to think that any soft Whether we use pads or not the main thing is to make this simple function as simple as possible to perform and that means being vigilant and consistent We have to be aware of when our puppies are most likely to need a toilet break and make sure they are taken to the best place to do it Every time they wake up take them out when they finish a meal take them out when you let them out of their crate take them out when they start nosing around and looking like they re trying to find a comfy spot to go take them out It takes a while to get to know their rhythms but it s worth taking good notice as it minimises those oops moments With the right start good management vigilance consistency and some yummy treats even a young puppy will crack this in no time P Alison Mercer is a trainer based in Exmoor north Devon She runs Carefree Dogs specialising in bespoke one to one training behaviour modification and activities for pet dogs With a background as a search and rescue dog handler and a keen interest in the links between physiology and behaviour she is a Real Dog Yoga accredited instructor and is working towards Animal Centred Education trainer status with Sarah Fisher She is also a scentwork instructor for Rachael Landymore at The Haven Dog Training Centre A member of Sarah Whitehead s Inner Circle she continues her learning with the UK College of Scent Dogs and TAGteach International and is now back at college to further her animal studies Basing her work on modern kind and effective methods Alison prides herself on creative practical and good humoured routes to success Visit www carefreedogs training to find out more The Northern Inuit Society The Northern Inuit breed was started around 33 years ago The idea was to develop a dog that resembled a wolf but that would t well into family life The Northern Inuit Society began ve years later to further develop the breed and hold a register for all Northern Inuit dogs and breeders to ensure that type health and temperament are kept as standard All breeders registered with the Northern Inuit Society complete all health tests relevant to the breed before breeding a litter Northern Inuits not only have stunning looks and intelligence they are good all round dogs with skills in other areas They have appeared in many TV series lms and adverts Recently they were chosen to play Direwolves in Game of Thrones because of their wolfy looks trainability and their wonderful temperament around children They were also chosen to ll the role of Rollo in Outlander Northern Inuits enjoy taking part in many outdoor activities such as canicross bikejoring agility and obedience Some have been trained as assistance dogs and even search and rescue dogs Despite all these talents they still retain their comical clown like disposition which has earned them the nickname of Nitwits The Society as the governing body of the Northern Inuit holds its own shows for the breed and also attends many fun events around the country The breed is gaining worldwide recognition with a growing community in America and Europe The Northern Inuit Society runs its own rescue in the rare event that a dog is returned by its owner These dogs are then rehomed by the Society after health checks assessment and neutering Find out more about this wonderful breed or contact us via www nisociety com Or join us on Facebook on the Northern Inuit Society Dogs page or follow us on Instagram For more information contact Julie on 01636 681082 or 07547 253516 June 2020 Dogs Today 21

Page 18

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 Old Print House 62 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8AA Join the debate THE FLYING SPANIEL I am a dog walker based in Romsey Hampshire I recently took this photo of one of my own dogs This is Mabel a lemon and white Cocker Spaniel She is nine months old and was enjoying a lovely run around with her mum and uncles Emilie West READING WITH DOGS I m a children s author from Cumbria On Wednesday 15 September I officially opened the new school library at the Gillford Centre a pupil referral unit PRU in Carlisle PRUs are a type of school that caters for children who aren t able to attend a mainstream school Pupils are often referred there if they need greater care and support than their school can provide I also work as an English teacher and librarian at a secondary school and love to champion anything related to improving children s literacy skills so I was honoured to be asked to open the library at the school I was accompanied by my dog Petra as she is the lead character in my new book the second in the Daley s Dog Tales series Petra and the Dogs in Danger In addition to opening the library I also delivered an author visit to the pupils where 34 Dogs Today November 2021 I spoke about my books and explained how I write about my real life animals Voice your opinions on news stories and other topics on our Dogs Today Magazine Facebook page or through our website www dogstodaymagazine co uk Because I know them so well it s easy for me to make them the main characters in my books I used pictures of Petra and Petra herself as she was present during the visit to talk about her personality and how that helped me to plot the storylines for The Dalmatian that Lost its Spots and Petra and the Dogs in Danger After that the pupils were excited to start planning their own story involving Petra It was great to get back out to deliver an in person author visit again and having Petra with me made it extra special She really engaged the pupils and the teacher told me she d never seen them so focused before I m hoping Petra will be able to come with me on more school visits in the future to inspire children to want to read and write because of course after meeting her they couldn t wait to read her book Helen Haraldsen A Dog s World Imagining the Lives of Dogs in a World without Humans Freya Johnston From two of the world s leading authorities on dogs an imaginative journey into a future of dogs without people This thought provoking book examines what the world would look like if all of us annoying treat wielding doggie day care arranging grown ups suddenly disappeared and dogs could run free We might like to believe our dogs would be lost without us but the reality might surprise you Zibby Owens The Washington Post

Page 19

Postbag continued TOWEL OFF DOG SHAMPOO NOT SO LITTLE PRINCE Meet Prince He is 17 and had an appalling start in life with five homes before the age of nine months The last so called rescue we got him from housed over 50 other dogs running free in a two bedroom house in Kent We were advised he was great with other dogs but we soon found this was not the case when we got him home and he attacked our three other dogs Despite his aggression problems which we have never been able to overcome even three behaviourists advised he was beyond help he has now reached the age of 17 He is supposed to be a Pomeranian but we believe he is actually a German Spitz due to his size Michelle Cherrington NO WATER REQUI RED Our Deep cleansing pet shampoo easily washes away stains and odours including mud dirt fox mess blood urine and all types of faeces no water required before getting back into your car home COCONUT PEPPERMINT MULBERRY From Facebook OUR FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS SHARED THEIR DOGS ARTISTIC SKILLS WITH US Marie Komoda Gonzales Biscuit s work Natural Flea Cleans Fox Mess Spot Cleaning Tick Repellent Muddy Paws Fur SUITABLE FOR ALL PETS Simply Apply Massage to a lovely foam and Towel Off GET 20 OFF THE ENTIRE RANGE USE CODE EDITIONDOG20 AT WWW WATERLESSDOGSHAMPOO CO UK C TI IO IS OB TIL PR UB NS S AI US NT ILL CO AC B Cherry Eddy I did a Christmas wreath one year where I did my big boy s paws in green for the pine and then my little Pomeranian s in red for berries My family hangs it up every year and it s adorable Suitable for Puppies April Marie KC 2006 2020 gave me this for my birthday I will cherish it forever Because a healthy dog is a happy dog Maintain your dog s digestive health with our prebiotic probiotic vitamin and electrolyte formulation Supports overall health and immune system Lizzy Keane For Father s Day 2021 Doreen Sumoski Hancock This is what my baby Tripp and my hubby did for my December birthday 36 Dogs Today November 2021 Leyleni Marino Zapata My little Otis did this what an artist Essential during illness veterinary treatment Lisa Boyd Brown Our four boys and even our little bird purple painted this Recommended by Vets Add to food www vetark co uk info vetark co uk 01962 844316

Page 20

Photo posed by models Great Debate If you have an opinion on this subject that is not already covered here email enquiries dogstodaymagazine co uk putting Great Debate in the subject line Please limit your response to 100 words Beth Wilkins Get your animals spayed when appropriate My intact female had a few false pregnancies and it was heartbreaking to see her wander around looking for her babies snuggling her stuffies nesting them in her crate Sadly she died of kidney disease before we could get her fixed But she was terribly unhappy during those times I can t imagine what it would have been like if there had been a pregnancy Jean fran ois Montpetit It is the responsibility of the owner to watch over their dog in the first place Second shelters are full of abandoned dogs so I would terminate an unwanted litter but I respect the choice of each owner Emma Judson Yes people should use the mis mate injection to terminate a potential pregnancy in the early stages I also believe people should do a termination spay in some situations particularly where the bitch is young and they don t know the size of the dog involved or where they do know that the dog is significantly larger than the bitch as long as it is safe for the bitch to do this There is really no excuse for accidental litters in owned dogs it will happen in strays and it can be hard to tell what stage of pregnancy a bitch is at when they first come into a shelter or rescue but if a bitch has a home owners should be aware of their bitch s health status and should take action quickly if they suspect a mating has taken place It is shocking the number of people who own bitches who have no idea of their reproductive cycle for example people still believing a bitch has finished her season when she stops bleeding or thinking a season is the same as human menstruation and who also think there is nothing that can be done once a mating has taken place Accidental matings and litters often occur in families that did not plan to have puppies are unequipped to look after their pregnant dog and don t have any experience raising puppies or screening potential adopters to ensure each pup goes to the right home Many surrender the puppies to rescues to make sure they are properly looked after but this does put a strain on them Is interrupting a pregnancy the ethical thing to do in the event of accidental mating Natalie Sargent If it s early enough to terminate do it Handing over puppies to shelters does not guarantee that they go to the right homes however good the rescue is and just adds to their already overloaded workload If you re going to quote about depression after termination at least cite a paper that has looked into that I d also argue that most human depression comes from the emotional loss of a much wanted baby as much as hormone imbalance slightly different to a canine pregnancy They re not sitting there picking out colours for the nursery There is nothing ethical about bringing more puppies into an already oversaturated canine population Have you not seen the article doing the rounds from a vet sharing how hard it is to put healthy dogs to sleep just because they re unwanted 38 Dogs Today November 2021 Becky Ulrey Pittman The ethical thing to do is have her spayed at the appropriate age before she becomes pregnant in the first place Livingston Gaby Iris I feel it should be done more often than trying to deliver unwanted puppies then the streets of many cities wouldn t have homeless dogs Jane Burke Every intrauterine puppy kitten saved by these so called animal lovers dooms another to linger in misery or die in the streets It s not rocket science and I don t believe they do not understand They don t care Sarah Jane In a world that s literally killing millions of healthy living dogs and cats a year due to overpopulation because no one wants them Yes terminate unwanted pregnancies ASAP It shouldn t be a debate There needs to be more sterilisation mandates for pets because this has got so out of control everywhere This month s result 7 40 53 Kaz Smith Spay them for God s sake If pups are not wanted the best thing to do is spay Colette Kase I don t honestly see this as a debate An unplanned litter is an unplanned litter If you can t manage your dogs fertility and have chosen to keep intact dogs in a situation where this can happen I m not sure you should be rearing a litter To be honest the only time I have encountered the belief among people that pregnant dogs should not be sterilised is among those who know nothing about responsible dog ownership Most animal welfare organisations are already overwhelmed How are they supposed to take on the costs of all these additional puppies Debbie Miller Neuter your dog in the first place and it won t happen Yes No Maybe Michelle Hart I can t see why not Better than swamping already full rescues or making a mess of raising a litter of pups you don t know how to raise Carmen Brock If you don t want puppies have her spayed around six months old Courtney Brooke Yes it is There are enough dogs in rescue as it is and most families who didn t plan for puppies are not prepared to care for them not to mention for the mother throughout the pregnancy I know losing puppies can be hard on the dam a friend s rescue dog was sad and restless for a couple of weeks afterwards but it does get better and in the end there are no unwanted pups clogging up rescues everywhere I d argue the same should be done for any stray found pregnant as long as it is safe for the dam P Next month s topic is Should the 2018 breeding licence abolish the business test and instead focus on the number of litters bred Email editorial dogstodaymagazine co uk with your thoughts putting Great Debate in the subject line or write to Great Debate Dogs Today The Old Print House 62 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8AA November 2021 Dogs Today 39 Yes No Ma

Page 21

Illustration by Kevin Brockbank Quick question Do you have a problem you d like answered by an expert Or do you want advice from someone with personal experience of the issue Email your question to enquiries dogstodaymagazine co uk To spay or not to spay EXPERT ADVICE Dr Jessica May UK lead vet at the video vet service FirstVet gives her insights on the advantages and disadvantages of spaying Spaying is the removal of a female dog s reproductive organs It s a serious surgery so the decision to spay is not something to be taken lightly Usually it involves an incision along the midline of the abdomen through which the ovaries and uterus are removed More recently some clinics have offered keyhole surgery in which only the ovaries are removed ovariectomy and the uterus is left in place However the procedure for each dog should be considered on an individual basis so that the best option is chosen There are divided opinions about the best time to spay a dog but it is generally accepted that it is safe to spay dogs after six months This is the time when most female dogs reach sexual maturity Many dogs are spayed after their first season another term for being in heat Female dogs are typically in season twice a year or every six months however some smaller breeds may come into season more frequently and some larger breeds may come into season less often It is important to remember that spaying should be planned at least three months after the end of the last season to reduce the risk of complications The dog should also be healthy and an appropriate weight What are the benefits Spaying can help female dogs to stay relaxed as it means they do not come into heat and so they avoid the hormonal fluctuations associated with this It also means that female dogs cannot get pregnant which is particularly important for those with both male and female dogs in the household The process can also have other health benefits for dogs 40 Dogs Today November 2021 later in life such as helping to control the symptoms of diabetes Another significant health advantage is that female dogs cannot get a uterine infection pyometra A pyometra is a bacterial infection of the uterus which is most commonly seen in older dogs It can pose a serious danger to the dog s health and the most common treatment is spaying However it is far safer to choose elective surgery as a preventative measure in a healthy dog than to operate on a dog in a medical emergency as there are more preoperative risks to consider What are the disadvantages The operation itself can be a risk for dogs although a relatively low one Pre and post anaesthesia checks are designed to reduce these risks but it is nonetheless something to consider particularly for dogs with any underlying conditions One of the main impacts of spaying is that it significantly reduces a dog s metabolism This means that spayed dogs will require a new diet and a reduced calorie intake which is adapted to suit their new nutritional needs Owners may have to reduce their dog s total food intake or alternatively there is commercial food available that is made specifically for neutered dogs If a spayed dog s diet is not managed properly this can lead to obesity which comes with a number of potential health issues such as osteoarthritis diabetes and heart disease to name a few There can also be rarer side effects after spaying Some dogs particularly larger breeds may suffer urinary incontinence after the operation although this can usually be medically managed In some cases dogs can also develop changes in their coat after spaying where the coat may become fuzzier or rougher than before If you want to fully understand some of the possible side effects of spaying and how they may affect your dog you should discuss the process with a vet P POST OP CARE If you do decide to have your dog spayed it is important to know how to prepare and how to support her through her recovery from the operation Dogs can usually go home on the same day as the operation although they may be kept in for a night or two as a precaution or if there are complications Where stitches or staples have been used she will have to return to the vet after 12 14 days to have these removed and to check that the incision has fully healed When dogs do return home they will be given a buster collar or bodysuit to stop them licking the surgical site as well as some painkillers for a few days after the surgery Rest is a very important part of recovery after spaying as excessive movement may put strain on the delicate tissues and slow down the healing process Recovering dogs should be kept on the lead for toileting walks only for the first month and they must be lifted from the car or sofa rather than allowing them to jump due to the risk of bleeding The recuperation time after keyhole surgery can be shorter than a month but it is always best to be cautious and check with your vet as to what is best for your dog November 2021 Dogs Today 41

Page 22

R My Dog Crush hodesian Ridgebacks have a striking dignified appearance but they have a funny side and can be quite the entertainer They are loyal affectionate and cuddly and will take up a big space in your life Sponsored by Photo by Tim Rose www timrosephotography co uk NO MORE PULLING NO MORE RIDING UP NO REVOLUTIONARY HEA Our survey of Rhodesian Ridgeback owners revealed Awarded Best Dog Collar Manufac Endorsed by Dr David Sands BSc PhD CFBA F Character Photos posed by models 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 November 2021 Rhodesian Ridgeback Some might be surprised to learn that Rhodesian Ridgebacks are actually quite chilled two thirds of our owners describe their dogs as couch potatoes and 75 says their pets are highly affectionate They are greedy though and will eat pretty much anything They can be protective and tend to be aloof with strangers While many owners describe their dogs as gentle the breed s powerful build may be a bit alarming to some members of the public Ridgeback play looks very aggressive explains one owner This can scare other dogs and owners Whatever passers by may think Ridgebacks have a sensitive side Ridgebacks are emotional dogs I need my Ridgeback and my Ridgeback needs me Health Half of our owners say their dogs are no more or less healthy than other breeds but Ridgebacks are prone to a number of genetic conditions including hip and elbow dysplasia and a condition known as juvenile myoclonic epilepsy The Kennel Club recommends screening for these conditions The breed is also prone to a condition called dermoid sinus a developmental abnormality that affects the dog s back Our owners also report that Ridgebacks are susceptible to allergies Exercise Training Call to join the ever growing number of people cha These are clever dogs and they should respond well to consistent training but they can be wilful and only a third of our owners say they are easy to train Some owners describe how their dogs pout when things aren t going their way Recall can be a bit of a challenge too with less than half of our sample reliably coming back when asked to do so If you ve got the knack though they can be trained to do lots of tricks and they enjoy participating in dog activities such as parkour man trailing scent work and agility Despite their size Ridgebacks don t necessarily need bags of exercise most of our sample are happy with an hour or so Also they are fair weather walkers so good luck getting them outside in the rain Many of our owners emphasise that Ridgebacks need mental as well as physical stimulation and they are not the ideal dog for the novice owner The best advice says one owner is Train train train and then train some more Even if it s just the simple basics make them solid A well behaved Ridgeback is a pleasure to live with A Ridgeback will always be cheeky and test boundaries accept this trait and you will forever laugh at them Coat care Ridgebacks have fairly low maintenance coats They do shed but this can generally be managed with regular brushing 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 November 2021 Dogs Today 43

Page 23

My Dog Crush Traits Loyal Intelligent Independent Sensitive Enthusiastic Protective Origins Simba Zsushaunna Zonda Photo by Harry Lessman Photography www harrylessmanphotography co uk Downsides Can be a bit stubborn Hate wet weather Strong chase instinct Owner s view C laire Staines is a dog trainer and long term Ridgeback owner who now lives with 11 year old Flea Claire first became aware of these majestic ginger dogs while living in South Africa as a child I love everything about Ridgebacks she says although she does admit they are not necessarily the easiest of dogs They are very intelligent but they are free thinking and have minds of their own You need to put in a gazillion training hours when they re young to be sure of a perfect adult companion With the right amount of positive training you end up with a dependable loyal companion Photo posed by a model Photo posed by a model O riginally developed as a scent hound in South Africa to track a variety of game the Rhodesian Ridgeback is probably the result of crosses between indigenous African dogs and breeds brought from Europe by settlers who arrived in the continent from the 17th century Although sometimes known as lion dogs Rhodesian Ridgebacks were much more likely to be used to track lions rather than actually kill them 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 Simba Zsushaunna Zonda Photo by Harry Lessman Photography www harrylessmanphotography co uk November 2021 Dogs Today 45

Page 24

My Dog Crush Best names Love the breed Shop the breed Blaze Amber v Soy candle with a Ridgeback label in Elsa Zebedee eight different scents 22 from Home and Hound London on etsy com Beau Simba George Marjorie v Two designs of Ridgeback card 3 99 for a single card multipacks available from Amber Marie s Studio on etsy com Stunning handcrafted Ridgeback card from original mixed media signed artwork 3 25 by Kimberley Cooper GB on etsy com Simba Zsushaunna Zonda Photo by Harry Lessman Photography www harrylessmanphotography co uk Ridgeback antics Our dog was opening the front door to let himself in and out by 11 weeks old v Large A3 print v Cute cookie cutter for making gifts for breed lovers or doggie of a Ridgeback watercolour and pen painting 32 from Ruth Eales Art on etsy com biscuits for your own Ridgeback 8 47 from Bakerlogy on etsy com Tries to walk under my Pug Jasper Sits at the dining room table like a human trying to trick us into giving him a meal Their style of play always seems to involve a good body slam Best Facebook groups Best Facebook Group Rhodesian Ridgebacks UK Photo posed by a model When he doesn t get his way he will turn away from us and sigh He s a pouter 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 November 2021 November 2021 Dogs Today 47

Page 25

Victoria Stilwell incredible Yes it is unbelievably challenging at times and there is little room for error both in terms of welfare and success but it is also so rewarding I m a continually learning and evolving dog geek and this is a chance to geek out again I love teaching and I love watching dogs learn and as any good dog trainer will tell you helping families smile again is what it s all about I m just blessed that I get to do it in front of a worldwide audience It s back TV nostalgia is high with many of our favourite programmes returning to our screens and now it s the turn of It s Me or the Dog 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 November 2021 A fter an eight year break I m filming again in the UK for a brand new season of the show I can t reveal what network it s for as I m still in the middle of filming but everyone in the UK should be able to access and enjoy an all new batch of episodes that will start airing imminently When It s Me or the Dog finished filming in the States in 2013 I was exhausted After eight series of the show 110 episodes filmed over nine years I was done Working with extreme dog and at times human behaviour left me exhausted but validated If I could tackle complex behaviours in a humane way within the incredibly short time I had with each family surely I had done my part to help show that there was little need for the traditional punitive training methods still used regularly by trainers around the world I promised myself I would never do the show again I wanted my life back and most importantly I wanted to be home more for my daughter whose earliest childhood was spent travelling the world playing in her mother s film trailers or on the stage of my husband s latest play We were a happy travelling family but it was time to settle in one place in part for personal reasons but also so that we could more effectively focus on building the VSPDT network Positively and VSA the Victoria Stilwell Academy Education has always been at the heart of everything I ve done both on and off screen so it was a natural progression to move towards developing our industryleading academy and helping other aspiring dog trainers to chase their dreams Even though I produced and worked on other projects in the media including amazing TV shows like Dogs Might Fly and Dogs With Extraordinary Jobs I hadn t been interested in training on television again until BBC s One Show came calling and I got back in the saddle with Help My Dog is Out of Control It seemed like an age since I had trained in front of the camera but I felt strangely at home and when talks began for a possible new series of It s Me or the Dog I was excited to explore the opportunity again BREAKING GROUND PANDEMIC PEAK VSA is an online school with an optional in person add on track which attracts aspiring professional dog trainers from all over the world who are ready to learn from home So when the pandemic hit we were inundated with new students and VSA reached even higher levels I heard stories of people using the unexpected additional time at home to read long deferred books and learn how to bake bread but between running VSA wrapping up various TV projects continuing to write my new book and simply being a mum to my teenage daughter I had never been busier The only difference was that now for the first time in over 15 years I wasn t spending half my life on an aeroplane which was a strange but wonderful adjustment Then I got the call I have worked with the same production company since It s Me or the Dog s inception in 2004 including for the One Show so this was an opportunity to work with many of the people I had grown to love and respect and more importantly to show viewers at home more updated training techniques It s very rare in the TV business to get the chance to re launch an idea or format after being given the time to continue to develop but that s exactly what this opportunity provided a chance to bring It s Me or the Dog into the 2020s So here I am again going into people s homes under a strict Covid 19 production protocol but still managing to work with dogs and their families Despite how easy it may look from the outside I have always maintained a healthy respect for just how unique and challenging my job as a dog trainer on TV is and this new season has proved no different trying to work miracles in an absurdly short amount of time with a punishing schedule tests me on many levels HIGH STAKES HIGH REWARDS I can t say that I have missed the pressure What s the saying Never work with animals or children We regularly do both at the same time But the incredibly high stakes involved in what I m asked to do is also exactly what makes this job so People often ask how I teach a dog to do something in such a short time The answer to that question has evolved as the show has gone through different incarnations over time It started as a 30 minute programme on Channel 4 and ended as an hour long show on Animal Planet US which meant that I had between two to four days to actually train with each family It s true that such a concentrated training period poses challenges but as long as I stay organised it can actually provide some advantages For this series I have even less time with each family but still the same ultra intense behaviour issues so I have to prioritise what I can and cannot cover in that time Filming It s Me or the Dog again has been a fantastic opportunity to reframe for dog lovers how best to achieve harmony and happiness with their beloved canine family members I m incredibly proud of the material we ve created over the past 15 years but I ve never been more excited to help point the way towards a new era in dog training The chance to be able to share not just some new tips and tricks but literally some groundbreaking new ways of thinking about our relationship with our dogs is one that I m so excited to tackle and I can t wait for you to see what we have in store when it hits your television screens P November 2021 Dogs Today 49

Page 26

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 BENTLEY S TASTE OF THE OCEAN 5 Star Dog Food Rated 5 5 onallaboutdogfood co uk Uk s First Grain Gluten and Dairy free All Life Stages Nutritionally Balanced Low Carbohydrate Diet High In Omegas 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 01206 251 941 info bentleysdogfood co uk www bentleysdogfood co uk minimum spend 75 Call us for the special code Chance to win one of 50 Nerf dog toys Get the magazine before it s in the shops Call 01276 402599 lines open weekdays 9am 5pm 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 KIEZEBRINK UK Ltd FOCUS ON FOOD Exotic Animal Feeds Raw Food Diets TOP QUALITY RAW FOODS Extensive range of raw meat BARF and whole prey diets Single source proteins and elimination diets 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 By entering you confirm that your details will be passed on to the company providing these prizes for the purposes of distribution marketing 50 Dogs Today November 2021 Fast frozen and next day delivery Online ordering facility See our full range of products on our website www kiezebrink co uk Email office kiezebrink co uk 01284 810779

Page 27

Continuing on our African safari this month our tour guide introduces the Cape fox I n the July article on bat eared foxes I observed that we are somewhat starved of fox like creatures in Southern Africa The bat eared fox is probably the bestknown and most often sighted of the species we do have but there is another little fellow that quietly inhabits the arid and semi arid expanses of southern Africa Despite being rarely seen because of its secretive crepuscular nocturnal habits and subterranean denning behaviour the Cape fox Vulpes chama is a widespread species Also called the cama fox or the silver backed fox this is a small species native only to southern Africa It is occasionally considered a South African version of the fennec due to its similar big ears but it is the only true fox occurring in sub Saharan Africa and it retains the primitive characteristics of the Vulpes genus because it diverged early in the evolutionary history of this group The fennec by the way is native to the Sahara desert much further north and the Sinai region between Egypt and Israel and the Arava and Negev deserts in Israel all a long way from the home range of our Cape fox here in southern Africa The Cape fox is a small canid 52 Dogs Today November 2021 usually measuring 45 62cm long excluding the tail which measures between 30 40cm It is 30 35cm at the shoulder and weighs between 2 5 4 5kg The ears are large and pointed the muzzle is small and it is silvery grey in colour tawny at the back of the ears with white hairs appearing around the side of the pinna The colour of the neck and sides is lighter and the underparts are pale tawny to pale buff The head is dull red and the lower jaw is dark brown there are white marks on the throat and the legs are a richer tawny than the rest of the body The tail is dense and bushy and can be silvery pale fawn buff with a brown or black tip or dull yellow The tail tip is always dark and there s a dark spot over the caudal gland NIGHT HUNTERS The fur is soft and composed of a thick wavy underfur of around 25mm in length covered with a dense top layer of guard hair Moulting occurs in the wet season from October to November Both sexes are very similar in size and appearance This is the only species in the Vulpes genus that exists in Africa south of the equator It primarily occupies arid and semi arid areas such as the Karoo and fynbos biomes of the Cape in South Africa though it is occasionally found in areas of higher rainfall and denser vegetation In the central and western regions of southern Africa the species is widespread Their range here extends into south western Angola It is also widespread in Zimbabwe Botswana and South Africa occurring in most parts of the Western and Northern Cape provinces the Eastern Cape excluding the south eastern side the Free State western and north western KwaZulu Natal and the North West province It also occurs in Lesotho a high mountainous region The Cape fox is crepuscular and nocturnal being most active just before dawn or after dusk and so when it is spotted it is usually seen during the early mornings and early evenings During the day it shelters in burrows underground or in dense thickets It is an active digger and can excavate its own burrows and den although it generally modifies an abandoned burrow made by another species such as the spring hare or aardvark to suit its specific requirements Cape foxes are generally solitary and although they do form breeding pairs the males and females are often found foraging alone Occasionally however they also gather in loose groups to feed Although the Cape fox shows signs of territoriality such as scent marking the overlapping of home ranges is quite common Although normally silent the Cape fox is known to communicate with soft calls whines or chirps It also utters a loud bark when alarmed and longrange yelps or yapping barks have been described but they do not seem to howl When aggressive the Cape fox is known to growl and spit at its attacker They also use other forms of communication such as facial expressions and tail posturing Arousal and excitement are expressed by a lifting of the tail the height of the lift indicating the measure of excitement Cape foxes are completely omnivorous and opportunistic feeding mainly on small mammals such as rodents and insects but also commonly eating birds small reptiles carrion and fruit Other food items include hares bird nestlings and eggs and a range of vegetable material including seeds roots and tubers They may also consume larger mammals like steebok Raphicerus campestris and other carnivores such as the yellow mongoose Like many other foxes they are also known to cache food when they have killed excess for one meal While Cape foxes have been reported killing livestock the predation level is unknown and they would likely only be large enough to take free ranging young or small goats and sheep FAMILY DYNAMICS The Cape fox can be hunted by lions and its young may be also killed on occasion by the honey badger It is also sometimes preyed upon by black backed jackals and other predators such as the leopard caracal and various birds of prey The Cape fox is a known wild vector of the dog tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus and other canine diseases such as such as rabies and canine distemper During the breeding season of July and August monogamous pairs may form but the duration and persistence of these partnerships from year to year is not well known Paired adults usually only have contact during the mating season The female Cape fox has a gestation period of 51 to 53 days and gives birth to a litter of one to six kits that typically weigh 50 100g at birth They are reared underground in burrows and stay close to the den until they are about four months old Several females may share the same den at the same time The cubs are weaned around six to eight weeks of age but do not begin to forage until they are about four months old Both parents care for the young with the male also providing food to the female for at least one to two weeks after she has given birth Cubs usually become independent at between 5 12 months of age when they disperse typically in June or July up to 22km away from the natal den although young females may choose to remain within their mother s range Some sub adults have been observed stealing food brought to new kits at the den by the parents A family group usually consists of the parents and their offspring but different family groups can sometimes mix during feeding Multiple litters are possible and have been observed the female usually chasing out the cubs from the last litter when she is expecting the next one Cape foxes are fully grown within about a year with both the female and the male reaching sexual maturity at nine months of age They have a life expectancy of about six years in the wild but reach up to 10 years in captivity Habitat loss doesn t appear to be a major factor influencing the conservation status of the Cape fox in fact in some regions changing agricultural practices have resulted in range expansion for this species As these foxes are presumed to prey on livestock in particular lambs they are common targets by farmers using various control methods such as gin traps and the illegal use of agricultural poisons but this does not seem to have had a major impact on populations of the Cape fox Many are killed on the road as they move around searching for food and mates during the Peter Neville with dingo by Andrew Rae Rae Safaris Johannesburg Peter Neville above was an Adjunct Professor at the Ohio State University USA for many years and one of the co founders of the cutting edge behaviour and training course provider Coape the Centre of Applied Pet Ethology see www coape org Andrew Rae with African Painted Dog Cape fox Gregor van Kleef Safari adventures Peter now works as an ethology guide with our guest author Andrew Rae of Rae Safaris above specialising in tracking and studying African Wild Dogs and other large predators all over southern and East Africa and on Iceafaris in Antarctica www raesafaris co za When he is not doing that he lives in Helsinki Finland with his partner Stella Spooch their Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and two loud cats Peter has presented a canine behavioural case history for Dogs Today from his behaviour practices in the UK and South Africa since our very first issue and has invited Andrew to step in to write the current special series covering Africa s wild canids including foxes and hyenas Peter and Andrew have just finished writing a book Memoirs of a Safari Guide with former Dogs Today cartoonist Russell Jones covering their many amazing and hilarious experiences in Africa Publication is due later this year November 2021 Dogs Today 53

Page 28

Cape fox Gregor van Kleef Safari adventures breeding season and the young males especially disperse at maturity Despite losses on the roads and through disease populations of this charming little canid are currently stable across their entire range My guiding colleague Gregor and I were deep in the rolling dunescapes of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park somewhere along a desiccated stretch of the Nossob riverbed earlier this year We had just spent some time around sunrise with a coalition of male cheetah and we had decided to move on before the heat picked up and wildlife activity dissipated I caught some far off movement near a series of burrows at the base of a bronze dune We stopped the Land Cruiser and scanned the area with our binoculars A pair of ears slowly appeared above the edge of 54 Dogs Today November 2021 Are you new to Peake Petcare If you would like to try our products before buying one of our full size products then why not start with out new Trial Pack the den site followed by small pointed muzzle and then slowly the rest of the animal emerged into the crisp early morning desert light A Cape fox We exhaled sharply Sightings are rare enough sightings in daylight are nonexistent in either of our safari diaries We spent the rest of that beautiful desert morning in the company of what eventually emerged as a whole little family of these adorable creatures as they gambolled about the den site and groomed themselves and one another It was pure safari utopia Africa wins again P I have used your products on my clients dogs for many years have always recommend them The shampoo lotion are great for dogs with problem skin and makes such a difference to skin coat condition It really works I tried everything on my dogs sore ears but nothing seemed to work until I started using this product A real improvement was seen after a week

Page 29

Tea break A S G O O D A S I T G E T H A I S A T S U S A E B Y O Y R E L S A T S U S A E B Y O Y R E A R W D G E O R C U J O D E R N E D A H N T W L E E U E O U A A T O L V D O L T O D O O N Y S H E A O O F E E K D C J D E C S S H G L G F I S H L R O D S T D E E A H G N G O R N U I E A T N N C D A O O A M U O E E Y O D G A O T D C M U I L Y L O O B R M S H R A I T D Y R B R R S Can you find three people going the extra mile for dogs C Y E O S D E N M O I W L O Y N E O S T H R J A H RNN GPF AH IT E UCAN IIIS MDS WET EBB B V Airbud Marley And Me Dogdays Hotel For Dogs Scooby Doo I Am Legend Beethoven Hachiko Lassie Do you have a funny pic you d like us to feature Please email it to us at the address on the facing page B C Search up down forward backward and on the diagonal to find the dog movies Showdogs As Good As It Gets Red Dog A Dogs Journey Cujo Turner And Hooch Whitefang Bolt Oldyeller Can you come up with a witty and amusing caption for this photo Unscramble the jumbled letters in the circles R L G E R B U D D Y O O U S Caption this Just for fun Criss cross 1 2 Send your Caption Competition Cross Question entries together with your contact details via email to comps dogstodaymagazine co uk or post to November Competitions Dogs Today The Old Print House 62 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8AA to arrive by 10 December 2021 And I tell you there is nothing at all behind this cushion 4 Can you guess which breeds Jessica s parents are 2 A male chicken and a number two 3 Crappy sparkling wine from Spain 4 Mixed up ugly one from Beano s the Bash Street kids for example Punky abbreviated spelling mistake 4 Brits in Oz where the stars belong Winning caption Ruth Lawson I ll have a beer and a bag of nuts if you re going to the kitchen please Lizzie Field October Cross Question Solution Willow s parents are a Poodle and a Bichon Frise The first correct answer came from Margaret Anderson In the ring answer A Pen Farthing B Sir Iain Duncan Smith C Debbie Matthews 56 Dogs Today November 2021 November 2021 Dogs Today 57 Poodle Bichon Frise posed by models 1 Hi my name is Chocco I like going for walks sleeping and lots of treats Looking for friendship and fun times Pat Bright Cross Question Pull up a chair kid and I ll tell ya how to get some treats Carol Bohls Across Down October Caption Runners up No sorry I don t recall seeing a packet of biscuits on the coffee table Ask the cat Nia Mair Check your chip TIP Keep a note of your dog s microchip number and database details on your mobile phone Notify the microchip company immediately if your dog goes missing and register on www doglost co uk The person who sends the first correct answer to the Cross Question will win a pack of SmartBones a healthy alternative to rawhide from www purrfectlyyappy com How to enter 3 Don t know which database your dog s microchip is registered with Type your chip number into www check a chip co uk The winning caption will win a Fuzzu A Gorilly Named Billy Dog Toy worth 13 99 from www purrfectlyyappy com Just for fun Use the clues to fill in the words below to give some Doodle ingredients Words can go across or down Letters are shared when the words intersect Since April 2016 it has been compulsory for all dogs over 8 weeks of age to be microchipped and details registered and kept up to date with an authorised database Have you checked that your dog s chip is working is correctly registered and all contact information is up to date Winners of the Cross Question and Caption Competition will win a prize from Purrfectly Yappy Photo submitted by Laura Jean via email In the ring Just for fun Photo submitted by Karen Burdett via email Breedsearch Put the kettle on and have a go at our competitions

Page 30

Prize crossword Compiled by Gyles Brandreth Quick clues Down Across 1 8 9 10 11 13 15 17 2 Dog like African mammal 5 3 Gazelle hounds 7 4 Young dogs 4 5 Nationality of Styrian Coarse haired hound 8 6 WW2 German torpedo vessel 1 4 7 Breed of Mali origin 7 12 Dogs formerly Aberdeen Terriers 8 14 Cane Corso s nationality 7 16 Canker for example 7 18 Sniff 5 20 Good judgement discrimination 5 21 Responsibility 4 1 19 22 23 24 North American retriever 10 3 Command to dog to walk close by 4 Beethoven s sixth symphony 8 See 23 Across Fine toothed cutting tool 7 Extension of bird s lung 3 3 North American native 6 Smooth haired long eared hounds 7 Hound developed by German immigrants in USA s Smoky Mountains 5 See 23 Across And 10 22 Across Russian hunting dog developed from spitz type breed 4 8 5 UK gundog 7 6 1 2 3 4 6 5 7 8 9 10 11 13 15 17 19 22 23 8 9 24 11 10 17 14 15 18 16 20 19 23 24 Name _________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ____________________________ Postcode _________________ Telephone _____________________________________________ Email address ___________________________________________ Breed type of dog _______________________________________ 58 Dogs Today November 2021 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 2 Dog like creature heard greeting a lady 5 3 Dogs Silas raised going round Britain 7 4 Little dogs ripping middle out of gym shoes 4 5 Train a US mongrel like a Dachsbracke 8 6 Snake in alien warship 1 4 7 Extreme characters with a wild hawk and a dog from Africa 7 12 Author that is seen with small dogs 8 14 One with wagging tail is given a name such as Spinone 7 16 Well your dog can t have it 7 18 Scent left at foot of rotting elms 5 20 Sat up note for a small amount to eat 5 21 Burden shouldered by America 4 Not yet subscribing Visit www dogstodaymagazine co uk or turn to page 50 to rectify that immediately This month s prize 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 10 December 2021 to November Crossword Dogs Today The Old Print House 62 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8AA The first correct entry pulled out of the hat after the closing date will win the prize The judge s decision is final Code Breaker October Solution Across 1 West Highland 7 Winner 8 Elsley 9 Bearded 10 Wagon 12 Fetch 14 Barking 17 Trains 18 Insist 19 Bernese Hound Down 1 Shar Pei 2 Alaska 3 Unrecognised 4 White Terrier 5 Senor 6 Glen 11 Pariahs 13 Cairns 15 Kishu 16 Isis We are feeling very Christmassy this issue and to get you in the festive mood we have a Sub Club prize fit for St Nick himself or rather his dog As we all know Christmas cakes for humans are off the menu for dogs as dried fruit is deadly for our four legged best friends But with this Small Star Christmas Cake your dog can take part in the seasonal festivities and enjoy a yummy treat that is canine friendly The vanilla sponge is lovingly drizzled with vanilla yoghurt frosting and topped with a green bone and a dot of red frosting for that festive feel If you don t win the competition you can buy one from Purrfectly Yappy 10 99 at https purrfectlyyappy com products the barking bakery smallstar christmas drizzle cake limited edition Your dogs would love to find one in their Christmas stocking Decode the message Each letter in the phrase has been replaced with a random letter or number A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U VWX Y Z West Highland White Terrier by Tim Rose www timrosephotography co uk 21 22 Perhaps chase Pekingese say on Internet auction site and get a retriever 10 3 When speaking he will shortly give a command to Rover 4 Former type of examination related to country life 8 See 23 Across Become agitated having spotted a sharp implement 7 Displays bill and extension of lung cavity 3 3 Father when gripped by pain is brave 6 Hunting dogs in British property 7 Announced plan for a breed of hound 5 See 23 Across And 10 22 Across I see Alsatian bark angrily biting one hunting dog 4 8 5 Dog for one devising language examination 7 6 Down 12 13 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 26 12 O __ __ __ __ 1 25 18 18 __ __ __ 8 9 14 __ D __ O __ G __ 9 26 18 12 7 O __ __ O __ G __ __ S __ __ __ __ 15 21 18 O __ __ __ __ 9 18 17 7 4 18 12 21 19 G __ S __ __ __ 8 9 O __ __ __ __ __ 18 11 25 7 __ 12 19 14 9 11 9 9 11 12 19 __ 17 26 __ __ __ __ __ __ 9 5 9 14 21 17 7 __ __ __ __ __ 9 4 21 __ __ __ __ G __ S __ __ __ 11 19 D __ __ __ 9 21 __ 9 4 3 7 D __ __ __ 9 __ __ __ 17 26 11 25 7 __ __ __ __ __ 8 25 9 4 7 How to enter Email your answers to comps dogstodaymagazine co uk and put November 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 November Sub Club Dogs Today The Old Print House 62 High Street Chobham Surrey GU24 8AA or enter online at www dogstodaymagazine co uk category competitions One winner picked at random after 10 December 2021 will win the prize For full terms and conditions see page 3 November 2021 Dogs Today 59

Page 31

Products HolidaysTraining Products Classifi ed adverts Classified Adverts Holidays Want to advertise your Want to advertise your business business in inour ourclassifi classified ed section section Contact james petsubjects co uk orEmail call now on 01276 858 880 mike dogstoday magazine co uk 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 In accordance with the government road map 01430 430 677 vivienne sweeting btinternet com DOG FRIENDLY BREAKS PEAK DISTRICT Very dog friendly family run Country Inn with self contained rooms in the grounds Open e from th l 12th Apri 2021 Dog Partridge 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 We can t wa it to see you Fabulous Beer Garden Terrace serving Dinner Lunch and Drinks Overnight stays short breaks available from 12 4 21 In room dining also available for all meals including breakfast and drinks 01335 343183 www dogandpartridge co uk With some great Kate accommodation Boats deals to FROM ONLY 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 Craig Y Nos Castle Dogs Today Today July November 60 2020 2021 6 0 Dogs Pet Health Products of the Month Peake Pet Care Formerly Quistel Recommended by vets proven by champions naturally the best for your pet We re Quistel and we produce a fantastic range of natural and organic grooming therapies for your pets We re passionate about animals and their health so we ve developed an amazing range of shampoos conditioners lotions ear cleaners and Omega 3 for your dogs puppies cats kittens horses and ponies In fact our products are so versatile and effective that they can be used on most pets such as rabbits guinea pigs and birds to name just a few Recently we have also extended our product range to incorporate Xenca Pet Care premium health supplements these are available for cats dogs and horses They help to maintain healthy joints coats and hooves aid recovery from injury and support tissue repair Would you like to be the first to find out about our special offers new productions and competitions Then please sign up to our mailing list and keep up to date with Peake Pet Care see our corporate advert on page 55 to find out more www peakepetcare com November 2021 Dogs Today 61 Advertising feature choose thisnarrowboats is the perfect We are a family owned business with self drive for weekends and short breaks place to stay We are Dog and week long holidays from both bases Stockton or Warwick We also have boats available Friendly so feel free to for longer hire periods when you want to escape andlittle include your canine family member bring your come This is not camping on water the boats equipped friends with you with everything you need for a 1 Night when you come relaxing holiday afloat fully equipped galley including fridge andAWARD 4 hob gas cooker a bathroom with a flushing Midweek B B WINNING HOLIDAY PARK IN DORCHESTER DORSET just 140central to stay Yourand a TV Luxury toilet and a shower plenty of hot water heating for the days you need toholiday catchcottages up withdeep the into realHardy stone built self catering subsequent nights pets can run free near Dorchester in Dorset Almost half of our properties are world Don t forget with narrowboat50 hire is the holiday Country you don t need to allow for those expensive days off the boat dog friendly and the grounds include a fully enclosed dog exercise on our stunning area perfect for and a gentle morning setting for are the day out during the week Our quoted prices INCLUDE diesel and damage waiver linen andstroll car before parking ifout you grounds whilst you www greenwoodgrange co uk hello greenwoodgrange co uk 01305 268874 comparing prices with other narrowboattake holiday firms make sure you compare like for like in the breathtaking scenery Star ratings for each narrowboat are displayed on the relevant pages and online availability and reservation Dog Friendly Accommodation in Wales 01639 is now also a feature but feel free to phone or email if you would like to discuss your canal holiday plans 731 167 Brecon Road Pen y Cae www dogfriendlywales com or www kateboats co uk Phone 01926 492968 Email enquiries kateboats co uk Powys SA9 1GL www craigynoscastle com Advertising feature Holiday of the Month 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

Page 32

Classified Adverts adverts Classified The Dog Lovers Registration Club Charities Products Art Charities Training Art UK Westie ReHoming Registered Charity England Wales 1108659 Scotland SC045329 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 loved and have their needs met Register your Pedigree puppies and adult dogs online for beautiful gold bonded pedigree paperwork with same day processing For more information visit www dogregclub co uk or call either 0161 792 2479 or 0161 729 2350 www westierehoming org 0844 879 4260 Westie ReHoming information westierehoming net PO Box 4204 Swindon SN2 9LA westierehoming4 TIME FOR A NEW BED Heathway Colton Rugeley Staffs WS15 3LY Tel 01889 577058 www bordercollietrustgb org uk 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 p061_DogsMonthlyApr19 indd 1 PY single page indd 1 www mekuti co uk info mekuti co uk 01132 590 589 after 10 30 weekdays www dogsforgood org 01295 252600 info dogsforgood org November 2020 2021 62 6 2 Dogs Today July Organic Dog Food of the Month Rocketo exciting update Rocketo the dehydrated raw pet wellness company has just launched a wide range of organic herbal fruit and mushroom based supplements helping to improve skin coat joint vitality digestive and dental health All the ingredients are gently dehydrated under 40 degrees Celsius to ensure all minerals vitamins and enzymes are preserved in their natural state Rocketo relies on whole natural ingredients nothing synthetic thereby providing anti oxidant anti inflammatory and immune stimulating properties The full range includes the brands Plak All In One Flex Halo Ohm Gut and Detox You can find these supplements as well as a range of foods and treats at www gorocketo com November 2021 Dogs Today July 2020 Dogs Today 663 3 Advertising feature Dogs for Good needs your help At to Mekuti double the of people with disabilities we number believe dog training is about teamwork and mutual respect not we can support with dogs We re an innovative charity exploring ways dogs hard work dominance or a battle of wills Our products help with dog training and can help people overcome specific challenges and enrich and improve lives behaviour in a gentle force free and animal centered way We ask ourselves the and communities We are passionate about our future and how we can help How more people with the use of ourquestion assistance dogs would the dog like to be trained Discover all of the ways we help The Mekuti Balance Harness with double ended lead is designed to stop pulling on lead Usingadults a Mekuti can help you to achieve great results which Assistance Dog our assistancethe dogs support andHarness childrensystem with a range is why so many trainers recommend the Mekuti Balance Harness to their clients of disabilities and also children with autism alsotheir has products help with other Community Dog our communityMekuti dogs and specialist to handlers help to dog behaviour problems such as noise improve their independence wellbeing and skills anxiety nervousness or aggression Using many of the principles of phobia separation Family Dog our Family Dog team givesall advice and supportfocus to help TTouch Mekuti products on families the well being of the dog and are kind and gentle with an autistic child to get the most out of their relationship with their pet dog Advertising feature Canineof Product of the Month Charity the Month Dogs For TheGood Mekuti Balance Harness 25 02 2019 26 11 2018 16 16 17 58

Page 33

CharitySpotlight Spotlight Charity established 1958 We are a non destruction sanctuary for abandoned unwanted dogs PRIORY ROAD ASCOT BERKSHIRE SL5 8RJ 01344 882689 We rescue and rehome 100s of dogs and cats in London every year themayhew org 020 8962 8000 Registered Charity No 256728 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 Sponsor a puppy from just 1 a week BORDER COLLIE TRUST GB Registered Charity No 1077588 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 Help us to help more 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 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 Labrador Lifeline Trust barkingmaddogrescue Charity of the month Charity of the month Smokey Paws provides pet oxygen masks to the fire service Founded in 1963 Chilterns Dog Rescue Society CDRS has a long The Labrador Lifeline Trust is now entering its 27th year of history ofand rescue and rehoming andill treated continues and to grow thanks to rescuing rehoming unwanted abandoned the dedication and enthusiasm many Labradors irrespective of age orofinfi rmitydog lovers DogsToday TodayNovember July 2020 2021 64 64Dogs Registered Charity No 1077588 please call us on 01276 402591 for more details 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 But many more masks are needed LA many years of hard work took its toll and CDRS an independent ikefter with other rescues Covid 19 theisprice of Labradors charity It CDRS bought itsmeasure own premises no Government funding increased beyond Owners werereceives demanding money for dogs they and in Chivery nearkeep Tring Along Herts came and Barney who relies entirely on the generosity of the could no longer was eight months old with severe developed purpose builtWe facilities for public to him continue its vital rescue and elbow and hip dysplasia were determined to get the operations he dogs with nowhere else to turn work Your support would needed to live a pain free life The cost of hisrehoming first operation was quoted at 5 000 The Rescue Centre be greatly appreciated Meet Matt Cook withhas his 40 dogkennels George a yellow Labrador who is nearly six years andMatt a small team over of highly old is cycling 4 000trained miles from Waterlooville in Hampshire clockwise staff who For further information please around theprovide coast of outstanding England Wales and Scotland He is hoping to cycle around 100 care for dogs ages to types and this challenge contact CDRS miles a day andofisall aiming complete in around six weeks backgrounds in need of protection Tel 01296 623885will be donated to Matt is collecting sponsorship for this ride and all money training and rehoming in addition to Lifeline enquiries cdrs org uk the Barney Fund and supported Labrador dogs If you live anywhere along a 5route star licence boarding www chilternsdogrescue org uk his see thefor website for the itinerary then I am sure he would appreciate a Large kennelstohave floor wave of support spurunder him on heating plentycan of natural light Donations be made by with visiting our website at https labrador lifeline indoor and outdoor areas Green com matts ride for barney technology has been incorporated to reduce running costs Sensitive Labrador Lifeline Trust landscaping has created a woodland walk for potential adopters to get www labrador lifeline com to know the dogs wildlife areas and If you d like toReg seecharity your 1076061 organisation 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 rescue and rehome Saving We collies and collie crosses throughout the UK Why not Yorkshire s subscribe to our Border World quarterly Dogs Collie magazine Only 10 00 pa Registered Charity No 1167291 To rescue COLLIE rehabilitateTRUST and rehome BORDER GB vulnerable atour risk dogsforfrom Yorkshire Please contact usand or visit website more information Heathway Colton Rugeley Tel WS15 07562 Staffs 3LY 986101 Tel 0871 560 2282 Email savingyorkshiresdogs gmail com www bordercollietrustgb org uk Web www sydrescue org uk Reg Charity No 1053585 Find uscentre on Rescue open daily 9 11 am 2 4 pm Become a Companion AS Keep Tails Wagging SEEN ON N1EL BCT_0310 4x1 indd H C ANWith a Regular Gift Registered Charity in England and Wales No 1139999 4 As a rescue charity Rushton helps abandoned Bringing pets abused and unwanted dogs on a international and people scale Rescuing dogs from all over the world especially the meat trade in Asia and China closer together 4 1 10 16 55 42 woodgreen org uk 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 Registered Charity No 298348 00526nc0819 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 barki www petsavers org uk Smokey Paws provides pet oxygen masks to the fire service But many more masks are needed www November 2021Dogs DogsToday Today665 July 2020 5 We r of do

Page 34

For Dog People by Dog People Because your dog deserves the BEST Confessions of a dogaholic I 66 Dogs Today November 2021 Rothermere s revenge in the next hour I will remove all my other business interests from his company He sounded so disappointed in me Could you possibly phone him I doubt he ll believe me No Phone me back after you ve made the call Lord R had bought his shares in our magazine via an offshore company but if you went on Companies House you couldn t see he was connected to us I was shaking when I made the call Lord Rothermere has told me to say that if you don t courier the cheque to us within the hour the Daily Mail and all his other titles will no longer be distributed by your company It hadn t been the killer blow Lord R had made it sound The man on the end of the phone was laughing maniacally Eventually the anger resurfaced You don t even f ing know Lord Rothermere F off I always said you d go bust but you re even more stupid than I thought you really deserve it I burst into tears I had failed Sobbing I phoned Cathy and she asked exactly what he had said to me I had to apologise for the swearing She put me on hold and Lord R sounded like thunder Phone me when it s resolved He d probably run out of patience I d blown my chance I was back on the phone to my parents All the staff were asking relatives for money too The knock at the door made everyone jump A man in black leather handed me an envelope Inside was a cheque and a note saying sorry from the distributor Lord R had immediately sanctioned removing all his titles He decided to sell quite a few of them too when their publishers kicked off about being used as a pawn in Dogs Today s argument What a legend 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 0 21 UK 2 0 2 r re tu c fa Manu tive Dog Most Innova cturers Collar Manufa 2019 Illustration KEVIN BROCKBANK was never fond of rollercoasters but this was the biggest dip since we were closed I had just discovered a 20 000 hole in our cash flow Our old distributor had been difficult to work with and when he made a bad mistake I decided to move to a new firm What I hadn t predicted was that the man who had never warmed to me would find a way to hold on to our money for six months My first call was to the Bank of Mum and Dad Could I borrow the money The distributor would have to release it after six months they d get it back Could they remortgage the house It was Mum who answered the phone Dad might have said yes She pointed out that Lord Rothermere was the seventh richest man in Britain so perhaps he could loan me the money It was a fair point I hated admitting I was probably the worst businesswoman in the world Lord R s super efficient secretary Cathy answered She could tell I was upset and asked me to tell her the whole story I explained the distributor had always been very frosty towards me and perhaps I should have realised he was going to play dirty after we ended the contract Could I possibly borrow some money She was very interested in hearing exactly what the man had said to me before he hung up I was mortified repeating that I was a jumped up little bitch who deserved to go bust A few minutes later Lord R was on the phone and he sounded furious No I won t lend you the money Phone him back and tell him I am one of your shareholders and if he doesn t pay you 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 andToday fittings June 2020 Dogs 67

Dogs Today_November_2021

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Page 5

Page 6

Page 7

Page 8

Page 9

Page 10

Page 11

Page 12

Page 13

Page 14

Page 15

Page 16

Page 17

Page 18

Page 19

Page 20

Page 21

Page 22

Page 23

Page 24

Page 25

Page 26

Page 27

Page 28

Page 29

Page 30

Page 31

Page 32

Page 33

Page 34

Page 35

Page 36

Page 37

Page 38

Page 39

Page 40

Page 41

Page 42

Page 43

Page 44

Page 45

Page 46

Page 47

Page 48

Page 49

Page 50

Page 51

Page 52

Page 53

Page 54

Page 55

Page 56

Page 57

Page 58

Page 59

Page 60

Page 61

Page 62

Page 63

Page 64

Page 65

Page 66

Page 67

Page 68