Innholdsfortegnelse for February Issue#142 i Dogs Life

Hi DOGSLife readers, Welcome to another edition of the magazine dedicated to people who love their fourlegged friends just as much we do. Yes, here at the DOGSLife office, it’s no surprise that we are indeed crazy for all things canine, just like you. That was why it surprised me to receive a letter from a concerned reader who felt that something I had written implied that I was perhaps against a certain breed of dog and that I had perhaps insinuated it was dangerous. The dog in question was the Staff ordshire Bull Terrier. I know this is a topic near and dear to many people’s hearts, because guess what? It is close to my heart, too. I own two Staffies and they are hands down my favourite breed…

The RSPCA has joined forces with the talented Dr Katrina Warren to produce a new series of videos, available to watch for free online, designed to help people that are bringing home a new dog. Starring Dr Katrina’s Riley and a host of adoption dogs, as well as the good doctor herself, this series focuses on a range of techniques, including exercise, rewards-based training and interactive toys, designed to help dogs settle into their new home sooner. “Our latest annual national statistics reveal the RSPCA rehomed more than 16,000 dogs nationally in the past financial year,” RSPCA Australia’s Jane Speechley says. “While it’s difficult to get an accurate understanding of the reasons dogs might be surrendered to the RSPCA, anecdotally, we know behavioural problems are sometimes the cause. And that’s…

You don’t have to be Dr Doolittle to know that when a dog growls, it’s time to listen Seasoned animal behaviourist Dr Joanne Righetti explains that growling is a canine vocalisation that communicates a dog’s intentions to another animal close by. “Generally, growling is present when the dog is either playful or feeling threatened.” So, there’s one of the first myths busted. A growling dog isn’t always unhappy. Sometimes, they’re just trying to play. Dr Jo says the key to knowing the difference is watching the pattern, as growls can often be part of a sequence of threatening or defensive behaviour. “At first, the dog’s body may stiffen and/or show signs of anxiety such as licking its lips or yawning.” If the perceived threat continues, the dog may growl, which…

Some dogs would rather smell the daisies, while others just love to run. It’s wired into their DNA to take off in the pursuit of prey. Anyone who has ever watched a dog fly off into the scrub after a rabbit will understand the thrill of the chase. Lure coursing is the hottest dog sport to tap into dogs’ natural instinct to chase prey, bringing together the dog’s ability to sprint and focus in an adrenalinpacked adventure. Debra Huon, who heads Victoria’s Lure Coursing club, says the sport dates back to the 1800s, when it was popular with kings and landed gentry to race sighthounds for what they were bred to do. Lure coursing is all about sight, not scent. Dogs just need to keep their eyes on the prize…

Most dog owners have heard of heartworm. It’s one of the many routine treatments your vet will recommend and if you’ve had your pooch for more than a year and opted for annual treatment through your vet (the recommended way to go), no doubt you’ve been sent a reminder or two for the next round. PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE When it comes to heartworm, Dr Kate Adams of Bondi Veterinary Hospital says heartworm disease is easily prevented, with a choice of three classes of preventive medication to choose from. Daily medications are cheap, but not recommended as they need to be used every day — missing even one dose opens your pet up to the risk of contracting heartworm. Monthly medications come in many forms — oral tablets or…

You know the drill: it’s been a long day at work and the last thing you want to do is take the dog for a walk. You kick off your shoes and get comfy on the couch when you see them — two very sad, woeful eyes are watching you and judging your every move. The guilt starts immediately and as it courses through your veins, you have to make a choice: do you go for that walk or do you run the risk of disappointing your pet further? Charlotte Swanborough knows very well the power of a pair of puppy-dog eyes. Her six-year-old Labrador, Ebony, is an expert at giving the good old canine guilt trip. “I feel incredible guilt,” Charlotte says. “I feel guilty for not providing Ebony…

A sleeping dog can be a hilarious creature, moving his legs in a running motion, and yipping and twitching as his eyes roll around in his head. Then there are the snorers that can put a fully grown adult to shame. And most dogs have no problem catching enough sleep — in fact, a puppy might sleep for up to 18 hours a day as it grows, and larger breeds also clock some major zeds. Adequate sleep is a key component of dogs’ continued health and wellbeing so when things go wrong, it is worth seeking expert advice or trying to address the issue yourself if you can (always seek professional advice if you are looking at medication, diet or your treatment plan isn’t working). #1: SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE FOR…

I took the dog down to the beach, as is my wont. Once or twice a year we sojourn to Byron Bay. There’s a Mexican joint there at the top of the main street that does excellent margaritas. That alone is reason enough to visit but the main purpose of driving for a couple of hours is to walk the dog. The local government authorities maintain a relaxed attitude on the question of hounds set loose upon their sands. Most beachside local government authorities are implacably opposed to allowing dogs anywhere near the beach, but Byron, being in the thrall of Greens and vegans and winged fairies, has set aside an entire bay where you can walk your best friend. Sophie, my ageing Labrador, loves it, of course. A city…

BREED FEATURE: ROTTWEILER AT A GLANCE Grooming: _____ Exercise: _____ Size: Large Lifespan: 10-14 years One of the oldest breeds, with descendants going back to Roman times, the modernday Rottweiler originated in Germany in the 1820s. Bred to be a guard and cattle dog, the breed was named after the town of Rottweil in Germany and was originally known as the Rottweil Metzgerhund or Butcher Dog. These days, the breed is used frequently in police and security work throughout Europe and is one of Germany’s most popular working dogs. With positive-reinforcement training, a loving environment and a firm hand, the Rottweiler can also make a great family and companion pet. Mark Cejpek, of the Rottweiler Club of NSW Inc and National Rottweiler Council (Australia), has been involved with the breed…

We know all too well the smile a dog can bring to our dials and now, thanks to the people at Bathurst Correctional Centre, some of our war veterans are also able to experience this joy first-hand. The Dogs for Diggers program is run at the minimum-security facility and involves inmates training rescue dogs to become companion animals for former soldiers suffering from physical and mental health problems. Corrective Services officer Chantelle Raso, who runs the Defence Bank-funded program, says the daily school and nursing home visits had been a great by-product of Dogs for Diggers. “It’s amazing, as some of the elderly residents have dementia and don’t move all day, but when they see the dogs their faces just light up,” Chantelle says. “Just to sit with the dogs,…

Welcome to the National College of Traditional Medicine. It is never too early or too late to start your educational journey of researched knowledge and proven outcomes with each of our courses in natural medicine for companion pets. Your studies will lead you to an industry-accredited qualification to work with companion pets. The National College of Traditional Medicine enables you to consider the whole aspect of health and wellbeing by studying nutrition and herbal medicine, a naturopathy diploma or the companion pets health package. These course subjects can be started at any time throughout the year. The next Canine Myofunctional Therapy (CMT) — Professional Canine Massage course starts 8 February, 2017. ABOUT CANINE MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY Canine myofunctional therapy has been recommended by veterinarians and animal-care experts across the world as…

DOGSLife has a Growl Towels gift pack valued at more than $80 to give away. GROWL TOWELS If you’re lucky to have a dog that loves his bath, congratulations! For the rest of us, doggy bath time can be a bit of a challenge. Bathing is essential to maintain a happy, healthy dog, and Growl Towels believes it’s also an ideal time to bond with your dog using the company’s specially designed dog-themed towels for bath, beach, home or office. The beautiful and versatile 100-percent- cotton towels are the perfect hygiene solution. Have you ever used an old towel and then forgotten which towel was set aside for the dog? When your pooch has his own designated Growl Towel, there’s no chance you’ll end up using it by mistake. You…

We’ve all been there: wiping doggy drool offour chin when an excitable pooch has licked our face in greeting, or having almost been bowled over by a large dog jumping up to say hello. Teaching how to greet properly is an important part of establishing canine etiquette. But, according to the experts, it’s something many of us get wrong. Your greeting ritual with your dog should be calm. You may think that by saying hello in an overexcited way that you’re letting the dog know how much he or she means to you but, according to Emma Tucker from SitDropStay Dog Training on the Gold Coast, by greeting your dog in an overexcited manner, you may be doing more harm than good. “If there is an intense overstimulating energy, it…

The ability to effectively communicate with your dog is a skill every canine owner should have. From understanding his or her name and basic commands, through to more complex behaviours such as coming when called, you and your dog need to develop an understanding and trust that you can rely on in any situation But what are the words that every dog should understand? Sharon Nelson, dog trainer from Melbourne’s Manners for Paws Dog Training, nominates “come”, “stay”, “leave”, “wait”, “sit”, “drop” and “look” as essential words you should teach your pet. “Teaching your dog to come, leave and stay are three important words every dog should learn as they could potentially save their lives,” Sharon explains. “If you’re planning on taking your dog to an off-lead dog park or…

For Sarah’s 12-year-old Border Collie, Merlot, treatment for her diabetes has been a part of everyday life for the past two years. She needs to be injected with human insulin via a needle every 12 hours. “We have a young family, but also like to socialise, so the times we have chosen are 8am and 8pm roughly,” Sarah says. Life changed for Merlot one late summer’s morning when she collapsed while on her usual 2.5km walk. “After testing at the vet’s, her glucose levels were very high and her sodium levels very low,” Sarah explains. “Merlot’s symptoms were not straightforward as she didn’t excessively drink.” Before Merlot was diagnosed and started on her insulin treatment, Sarah says she needed to install a clip-lock on the door fridge because of Merlot’s…

Most experts agree that doggy routines are a good idea; however, opinion is divided on whether a routine helps or hinders a dog suffering from separation anxiety. A spokesperson from the Animal Welfare League Qld explains, “Routines can be both beneficial and detrimental to dogs. It all comes down to the breed, nature and the previous history of the dog. “If a dog shows signs of separationrelated anxious behaviours, routine can be detrimental to them as you are giving the signals that indicate your eminent departure. Whereas for a greyhound, which is new to life in a home, routine would be immensely beneficial as the dog can learn to predict the routines and patterns of the family, allowing it to ‘settle’ in more quickly.” Dr Karen Davies from Victoria’s Direct…

DL: How did your rescue organisation start MM: Back in 2005, a group of animal rescue volunteers in the north-west Sydney area came together to start a new group based solely on a fostercare platform and on a basis that is now commonly known as no-kill or low-kill. In particular, we had a focus on larger-breed dogs and cats that were over-represented in the pound system in Sydney. We believe the best way to match up a rescue pet with a suitable new home is to assess the animal in a real-world home environment. With this in mind, our rescue pets don’t often move homes and have a low risk of ending up back in a pound system. We’ve always prided ourselves on putting our foster carers first and helping…

BREED FEATURE: CHINESE CRESTED AT A GLANCE Grooming: ____ Exercise: _____ Size: Toy Lifespan: 13-15 years The Chinese Crested is a relatively lesser-known dog, particularly in Australia. First exhibited at a dog show in Britain in 1881, the breed eventually became more and more popular due to its charming personality and striking looks. Today, there are approximately 50 registered breeders in the country. TWO TYPES There are two types of Chinese Crested — the Powderpuff and the Hairless. Perhaps the best known of these two is the Hairless. It’s hard not to recognise this almost hair-free canine, which has a beautiful crest of hair on its head, more hair from toes to hocks, and a strong, plume-like tail. The Powderpuff has a coat that covers it in its entirety, although…

According to the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), anxiety is probably the most common class of disorder in dogs today. At the AVA Western Australia Division Conference in October last year, animal behaviour expert Dr Gaille Perry talked about recognising and diagnosing anxiety and ways to manage it. “Stress plays a key role in the development of many anxietyrelated conditions. There may be a genetic propensity to develop anxiety, but learning also plays a major part. Anxiety is a medical condition and if an owner suspects that their pet is displaying signs of the disorder, they should speak to their veterinarian as soon as possible so that a diagnosis can be made and a treatment plan can begin,” Dr Gaille says. To diagnose anxiety, a vet will rely on an owner’s…

A bored dog left home alone can cause a whole lot of trouble. From digging up your backyard to destroying your furniture, ripping washing off the line and driving the neighbours mad with incessant barking, any pooch that loses a battle with boredom can cause chaos. Tim Ring, dog trainer with the RSPCA School for Dogs in Brisbane’s inner suburbs, says that we are beginning to understand more and more about what causes dogs to act out. What would once have been considered the behaviour of a “naughty” dog, we now know might be caused by a lack of mental and physical stimulation. “Gone are the days where we assumed that the extent of an animal’s desires were food, safety and procreation. Science has proven what most of us who…

From coming when called to greeting strangers in a calm and relaxed manner, there are plenty of behaviours that every dog should know. If you’re an experienced dog owner, you might be lucky enough to have all the training knowledge and skills you need to teach your dog exactly how to behave. For many of us, however, and especially for first-time owners, we sometimes need some professional help when it comes to training our pets. If you want some extra assistance to ensure your playful pup, unruly adolescent or naughty adult dog turns into a well-behaved member of the family, you’ll need to enlist the services of a professional dog trainer. But as Tim Ring, dog trainer with the RSPCA School for Dogs in Queensland, explains, choosing a trainer is…

If you’ve ever had an ear infection, you’d know how horrible and painful they can be. Our canine friends can suffer from ear infections, too, often more frequently than us humans do. Just like people, there are many reasons why dogs get ear problems. Among the most common are foreign materials such as grass seeds entering the ear, allergies and ear infections caused by microorganisms. Dr David Mason from Adelaide Vet says there are three common types of infection that can develop in a dog’s ear canal. “These include yeast, a staphylococcusbased staphylococcusbased infection, or rod-shaped bacteria (pseudomonas) — and each of these are treated differently.” EAR CARE TIPS • At bath time, take steps to ensure you aren’t getting water down the ear canal. • Avoid allowing your dog…

When it comes to cancer, everyone has a story. Sadly, this condition not only impairs but takes the lives of millions of humans and animals every year. Canine cancer doesn’t get quite the same amount of airtime as its human counterpart but for those whose pet is suffering, the situation can be extremely traumatic. Watching a member of your family become crippled by such a debilitating illness is one of the hardest things you can ever have to do. Of course, there are some treatment and management options available for pets with cancer, just as there are for humans. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are two common options that can help increase an animal’s chance of survival — although these can come with a cost, both on your wallet and your…

Dogs are creatures of habit. When we change their routine by moving house, it can create some issues for them. They may develop behavioural problems or even go missing. But with a little bit of planning, you can keep your dogs safe and happy throughout the moving process. BEFORE THE MOVE Veterinarian Dr Bronwen Slack suggests you start planning a few weeks before you move. The first thing to do is inspect the new home to make sure it’s safe for your dog. “Check for any gaps or holes they could escape through,” she says. “Check the garden for plants that may be toxic to dogs, such as oleander or yucca. Check the shed for any rat or snail bait and throw it away. Make sure compost bins and rubbish…

DIG-IN BENEFITS Dig-In can help your pet by: • Assisting with itchy ears • Easing skin irritation • Relieving digestive issues • Improving poor coat quality When it comes to your dog’s diet, it can be hard to work out what it needs and what it doesn’t. There are so many different food products out there — how can you tell which one is best for your pet and which one is just a waste of money? One product that’s recently caught our eye is Dig-In’s Digestive Gravy Powder. This all-natural food-based health supplement is simply sprinkled over the top of your pet’s meal and promises to aid with common symptoms of food allergies. Not only that, but dogs seem to love the taste, too — a definite added bonus!…

BREED FEATURE: GOLDEN RETRIEVER AT A GLANCE Grooming: Exercise: _____ Size: Large Lifespan: 12 years COAT CLIPPING TIPS When grooming your Golden Retriever, breeder Rose advises to: • Keep the feet clipped back. • Trim the tail. • Clip back the feathering on the back legs. • Clip around the throat and ears. • Remember that desexed dogs grow heavier coats. Need help? Ask a qualified groomer who knows the breed. With its beautiful golden coat and affectionate nature, the Golden Retriever is an icon of the dog world. Extremely popular and adored for its beautiful nature, the Golden makes the ideal companion. It was in 19th-century England and Scotland that this breed became recognised for its irreplaceable qualities of loyalty and hard work. Bred to retrieve wild birds on…

BREED FEATURE: LAGOTTO ROMAGNOLO AT A GLANCE Grooming: _____ Exercise: __ Size: Medium Lifespan: 14-16 years Originating in Italy, the Lagotto Romagnolo dates back to the 1200s. Initially developed from a breed expert at retrieving water fowl from lakes and lagoons, this dog then went on to be trained in the art of truffle hunting, thanks to its keen sense of smell and active nature. Even the Lagotto’s thick, curly coat was useful in this endeavour, as it protected the dog’s skin from scratches in some of the thorny woodland areas it was required to hunt in. Many of these traits are retained by the Lagotto today, including its love of getting wet and its ability to fetch. “Lagottos love water, swimming and retrieving,” Belinda Walker from Inanna Kennels says.…

Want to see more of these cuties? Check them out online at: doxiesdownunder.com, facebook.com/DoxiesDownUnder, instagram.com/doxiesdownunder or theblueroom.bupa.com.au/ contributors/karan-white I remember the first time I saw my pets. It was love. And holding each of them in my arms for the first time was an amplification of that love. The way a dog looks in your eyes to give you their absolute trust and affection is a feeling like no other. What I love most about my pets is … the way they provide happiness in its simplest form to our family. They make our family complete and we go out of our way to ensure they can be included in our plans as much as possible every day. We spend time together often … every day! Fella and Tidda spend…