Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2026 i Your Dog

Dogs keep us company, keep us calm, and remind us of what truly matters. They really are the best things on the planet. It never ceases to amaze me how incredible dogs are and how much they enhance our lives… for me, the best part of putting Your Dog together is I get to read these wonderful stories. And that’s also why we’re delighted to support a future guide dog and follow his journey through puppyhood (page 36). We’re also proud to sponsor a kennel at Bath Cats & Dogs Home, and each month we’ll introduce you to the current resident and share how the team is rehabilitating them and finding their perfect forever home. Go to page 14 to meet our current resident, the beautiful Saluki, Valerie. This issue…

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Fact file Name: Valerie Breed: Saluki Sex: Female Age: 4 years, 3 months Tied to a railing, starving, and heavily pregnant, Valerie was barely surviving when she was found as a stray in July. Everything changed for her when she was rescued by the local dog warden and brought to safety at Bath Cats & Dogs Home. Nine days later she gave birth to eleven puppies. So many puppies would be demanding for any mother, but Valerie was so underweight she couldn’t produce enough milk to feed all her growing babies. Luckily, she didn’t have to manage on her own as staff and volunteer fosterers stepped up to help Valerie in her hour of need. It took a community of people to care for the pups, with most needing to…

For many years those living in the private rented sector have struggled to find good quality rental accommodation that welcomes pets. Until now, landlords who had been concerned about possible damage caused by pets were within their rights to simply say no to pet owners, and with demand for rental property consistently outstripping supply, this caused a great deal of anxiety to people who were worried about where they might live. Now, with the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 completing its journey through parliament and achieving Royal Assent in October, tenants have a legal right to request to keep a pet in their home. Changes to the law will be introduced in stages throughout 2026, and the government will publish guidance before the new rules come into effect, but it can…

ABOUT VICKY Holistic vet, Vicky Payne BVetMed MRCVS, is based in East Sussex, and qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 2001. She uses a range of complementary therapies alongside conventional medicine and surgery Several clients have brought male puppies in to see me as they are concerned about ‘spots’ on their bellies. Almost always they show me a perfectly normal puppy tummy. When I ask them to point to a ‘spot’ all becomes clear. Both male and female puppies have two rows of nipples on their belly. In boy dogs there is often a pair either side of the sheath that are quite visible. Generally, if there are two of something on opposite sides of your dog then they are a normal thing. The other bit of anatomy that…

As a volunteer puppy raiser for Guide Dogs, I don’t get to meet my new pups until they arrive on my doorstep in the arms of my Puppy Development Advisor, Joan, and little Crumpet was no exception. He had quite a journey - all the way from the Guide Dogs National Centre outside Leamington Spa, to my home, and his home for the next 12 months or so, in Perthshire. Crumpet and his 12 siblings started life in the Cotswolds with their mum, Yori, but every guide dog pup heads to the centre for a pitstop – vaccinations, microchip, health checks, the works – before meeting their new volunteer family. Luckily Crumpet had his brother, Crumble, by his side for the 400-mile trip; his new family live in Scotland, too.…

“Yorkshire Terriers are little sparks of joy. They are fearless, fun, and full of heart.” James Buzzel, editor A little bit of history… The Yorkshire Terrier’s story begins in the smoky mill towns of nineteenth century Yorkshire, where Scottish labourers brought their small Terriers to help catch rats in mines and factories. From this tough working-dog background, the Yorkie evolved through crosses with Maltese and Skye Terriers, developing the elegant coat and compact build we know today. One famous dog, Huddersfield Ben (born 1865), is regarded as the foundation of the breed. He was so admired that his looks and temperament set the standard for generations to come. By the late 1800s, these plucky little Terriers had moved from the mills to the mansions. Recognised by The Kennel Club in…

Charlie and Eric win triple crown Prison Officer Charlie, 38, has achieved a remarkable triple victory at the recent HMPPS Dog Trial Finals, winning all three disciplines with his working partner, Eric, a black Labrador. Charlie, who joined the prison service in 2018, initially worked in security at HMP Pentonville. However, after observing prison dog handlers in action, he knew he had found his calling. “I saw the dog handlers and thought working with dogs is the best job,” Charlie explained. He was then able to apply for his dream role and began training with dogs right away. Charlie met Eric, a black Labrador, and their bond was instant. They developed a strong partnership, and with the support of Charlie’s team, he was encouraged to enter the HMPPS Dog Trials…

Dogs have some amazing qualities, and in this new series we look at the many ways they benefit the world we live in. We begin this month with the role of school dogs. Calm, gentle dogs, who love people, and will happily interact with children can be a great asset in a school. Volunteers have been taking dogs into schools for many years, but ever since the pandemic of 2020, requests for dog visits have risen. Many children struggled to adapt to school life after the confusion of lockdown, home education and classroom bubbles, and having a dog on the premises can help ease anxieties and reduce stress. To ensure the safety and well-being of dogs, volunteers, staff and pupils, organisations such as KAD (Kids Around Dogs) and the National…

Q: How difficult was it to find a rental property that allowed dogs? A: My partner and I started looking in 2017, but rental properties that allowed pets were slim pickings and we were turned down several times because of our dogs. We offered an extra pet deposit and around a year later we eventually found a private landlord who would rent to us with our three girls. In the end this resulted in me letting my elderly Corgi boy stay in the house he’d grown up in where he lived his best ‘retirement’ with my parents. Q: How has this impacted your life? A: Before we found our current house my partner and I were in ‘limbo’, living with my parents for a long time and not knowing if…

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ABOUT TONI Toni Shelbourne has over three decades of experience working with dogs and wild canids. She is an Animal Behaviourist (full member of INTODogs & ICAN), Tellington TTouch Instructor, Real Dog Yoga Instructor, and author. She lives in Oxfordshire. For more information about Toni, her work, and books, visit tonishelbourne.co.uk Like us, dogs are social creatures that thrive in company so being home alone can be very disturbing for them. There are many reasons why he might not cope. Some just have frustration of missing out on a fun day out, but many have what we call isolation distress. Others are so attached to their guardian they can panic if that person disappears. Sometimes a dog has suffered a trauma while you are out, a loud noise that frightened…

Your dog can’t tell you when something feels off, but his body can. From coat shine to muscle tone, tiny changes often reveal what’s happening under the surface. A few minutes of gentle checking every day helps you spot problems early, keeps your dog comfortable, and deepens your bond. Make it part of your daily routine to run your hands over your dog from nose to tail. The more familiar you are with his normal shape and texture, the quicker you’ll notice when something isn’t right. Run your hands systematically over every part of your dog’s body – head, neck, shoulders, down each leg, across the ribs, and along the spine to the tail. Don’t forget his tummy and armpits, where lumps can hide beneath fur. A smooth, supple coat…

Stretching across 350 acres, this royal park is one of London’s most iconic landmarks. Behind its reputation for political rallies, protests, and legendary concerts lies a calming landscape that’s perfect for dog walking. Dating back to 1536, Hyde Park began as Henry VIII’s private hunting ground. It was King Charles I who opened it to the public in 1637, and today it welcomes more than 13 million visitors each year. Sounds busy? Don’t be put off. For dog walkers, Hyde Park has plenty to offer, including open meadows, shaded avenues, and waterside strolls. Start your walk beside the Serpentine, the park’s large ornamental lake, where swans glide across the water and the London skyline peeks through the trees. Dogs can’t swim here, but the path around the lake makes for…

AUCTIONS Didn’t get quite the present you wanted from Santa? Well, there is probably someone else, somewhere, who will want it. If you can’t return it for a refund or replacement, why not help out a good cause instead? Donating to local charity shops is one solution as to what to do with unwanted gifts, but if you specifically want to help a doggy or animal charity, get in touch with local rescue groups as they often need items in good condition for bric-a-brac stalls at shows they attend during the summer. There are also an increasing number of online charity auctions on Facebook. These can be great fun to take part in, as well as to donate to, and you’ll also get to see how much your goodies raise!…

1 Dress for the weather Wind chill can make it feel colder than it actually is. Layers of light clothing will trap air between them, creating an insulating effect, and if you find you get too warm, you can easily shed a layer. Choose wicking fabrics for layers next to your skin, and top everything off with a waterproof jacket. Feet can suffer in cold and wet weather, so replace leaky boots and don thermal socks and boot liners to keep toes feeling toasty. 2 Take care As temperatures drop, don’t keep puppies or seniors outside too long, or those with health issues such as autoimmune disorders, arthritis, and thyroid disease. Choose walks that have shortcuts you can take in case you feel your dog needs to head back home earlier…

“Monty is six years old, and has been visiting schools for three years,” she says. “I’m also a dog trainer, and a member of KAD and our visiting began after I spoke to our head teacher about how dogs can help in schools. Now Monty wears his official KAD school dog coat and comes in for two half days a week. “We started slowly, building up to him meeting the children and ensuring he felt comfortable. Monty fulfils many needs, including encouraging speech and language. Often children who are reluctant to speak to people will happily speak to a dog. Just being around a dog can reduce the heart rate and be calming. Several selectively mute children have been supported to speak through interacting with Monty. Monty also helps with…

NC: Where does your love for dogs originate from? FW: I think it’s from growing up with them. We’ve always had dogs in my family and it hits us hard when we lose one. Especially my dad. You could look at my dad and think he’s a typical HGV old-school lorry driver… a really masculine, manly man. But when it comes to dogs, he turns to mush. Animals are just a different kind of love. As a kid, I swear sometimes the dogs came first and it’s the way that it should be! Our holidays were always in a caravan so the dogs could come. Our lives revolved around them. And that hasn’t changed for me now going into adulthood. NC: Tell us about the dogs from throughout your life…

It’s hard to believe that a lovable and cheeky Cockerpoo, who was on the brink of paralysis just months ago, is now back enjoying holidays around Europe in a campervan with his devoted owners. After Ralph was diagnosed with a serious spinal condition in autumn 2024, solicitors, Andrew and Jacqueline Waugh, from Wilmslow in Cheshire, were convinced their eight-year-old dog would never return to chasing balls and squirrels or climbing mountains in the Lake District, Scotland, Switzerland, France and Italy. But they didn’t reckon on the expertise of a canine orthopaedic and spinal surgeon and his skilled team, who not only succeeded in stabilising the Cockerpoo’s spine during a challenging operation, but restoring his previous quality of life. Andrew, 53, first suspected that something wasn’t quite right in early September,…

Dog insurance call 03300 243 990 Some people get quite frustrated when their puppy won’t release an object, especially if it is something that they shouldn’t really have in the first place, such as their owner’s shoe, or a child’s favourite toy. Of course, it is easy to advise everyone to tidy away any items they don’t want the puppy to get hold of, but, in practical terms, this is not always feasible or possible. Teaching your puppy the leave command will help him to develop some self-control in other areas of his life, which can be very useful. 1 To begin, hold a low-value treat, such as kibble, in one hand, anda high-value treat, such as a piece of chicken or cheese, in the other, which is hidden behind…