Monthly Archives: September 2017

To really understand our dogs you need to be able to listen and more importantly see what they are trying to tell us Canine language is not just verbal; it is a rich visual language, where dogs are able to converse with each other irrespective of breed or nationality. A Collie from Wales can converse with an Akita from Japan and a Poodle living in France with a village dog in Ethiopia. Dogs Language Dogs have a truly universal language that can be incredibly subtle and wide ranging. This marvellous language is one that we can also learn and understand, and through that ability communicate with our dogs far more effectively. However this is a language that needs to be…

Fearful, Nervous, Anxious Submissive dog by Stan Rawlinson Socialisation is Critical Socialisation is so vitally important that it almost outweighs all other considerations. Lack of early socialisation is the most important and common contributing factor causing fearful, anxious and timid dogs The fear of infections has led breeders and owners alike to make the tragic mistake of keeping their puppies isolated until they have completed their vaccinations. Your dogs can mix with people and other vaccinated dogs from the day they are born. The two most important timeframes are 0-12 weeks Human Socialisation Period and 0-16 weeks Canine Socialisation Period. Your puppy should have been handled by a minimum of a 100 people by the time it is 12 weeks…

Whilst researching how best to deal with this issue in the pack, I came across a great article  in the Whole Dog Journal. Please see below. Luke, at age two, had been practicing his mounting behavior for many months. In addition, as a mostly Cattle Dog, he was assertive and controlling. When Shane attempted to voice his objections, Luke let him know that he would brook no resistance. Shane, a Shepherd/Husky mix, also had an assertive personality, so rather than backing down in the face of Luke’s assertions of dominance, he fought back. Neither dog was willing to say “Lassie,” and so the battles escalated. In contrast, we later introduced Shane to a somewhat timid but playful four-month-old Lab puppy. Dunkin…

Ready for a summertime game of catch with your favorite four-legged friend? Not so fast. If you’re feeling the heat, you can bet your dog is, too. And for him, overheating can be dangerous. “Heatstroke is by far the greatest concern,” says Andrea Hilden, DVM, a veterinarian with Animal Care Center of Green Valley in Arizona. A Hebrew University study found that 50% of canines with heatstroke won’t survive. Also known as hyperthermia, heatstroke happens when a dog’s body temperature rises above 106 F. Normal ways your pal’s body cools off, like panting, can’t control it when it’s that high. Warning signs include fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and, at the worst, confusion and seizures. Here’s how to keep your dog cool…

Excerpted from Decoding Your Dog For dogs and humans alike, physical exercise is fundamental to good health. We all know the couch-potato lifestyle comes with a host of health problems. But in dogs, a lack of activity can also prompt nuisance behaviors. The majority of dogs were bred with a working purpose in mind – and that’s not just the herding and hunting breeds. For example, the seemingly dainty Yorkshire Terrier was originally meant for rat hunting. Providing dogs with vigorous, daily exercise has profound effects on their behavior. Tired dogs chew less, bark less, sleep more, and are more likely to relax when home alone. A good daily workout and, if the dog is social, regular play sessions with…