Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2017 Issue#141 i Dogs Life

Hi DOGSLife readers, Just like any good parent, a good editor isn’t supposed to have “favourite” issues of the magazine. You’re supposed to love them all equally, no matter how well-behaved they are or easy to put together. Still, it’s a challenge for me not to get that little bit extra excited every time I start work on the puppy issue. This is without a doubt one of my favourite editions of the year. After all — puppies. Puppies. And did I mention puppies? Anyone who can resist the pitter-patter of little puppy feet is a stronger human than me. Having said that, one of the very serious problems we’re faced with today is that of puppy farms and irresponsible backyard breeders. These situations see dogs overbred in terrible conditions,…

In today’s day and age, it’s all too easy to jump online and search for some symptoms if your cat or dog appears to be ill. But just how much of a good idea is this? “Although there is a huge quantity of data on the internet, it’s probably fair to say that much of it is either trivial or inaccurate,” Dr Laurie Milner, who spoke about this issue at the Australian Veterinary Association NSW Division Conference earlier this year, says. “There are some specific topics that give rise to confusion including nutrition, vaccinations, the need for routine health checks, behaviour of dogs and cats, restraint methods, training methods, complementary medicine and the terminology used in veterinary science. There’s a lot of contradictory information on these topics, which often leaves…

DOGSLife has one PAW by Blackmores Care Pack worth more than $200 to give away. PAW BY BLACKMORES CARE PACK Does your dog have a killer smile like Pawl B More (pictured)? If so, we’d love to see it! Send us a happy snap of your dog’s best smile to win your furry friend an all-natural prize pack from PAW By Blackmores worth more than $200. Included in this fantastic prize is: PAW Osteosupport Joint Care Powder for Dogs to help in the relief of arthritic symptoms. PAW Wellness + Vitality Multivitamin & Wholefood Chews to maintaingeneralhealthwellness and vitality in dogs. PAW Multi + Tryptophan Multivitamin Chews to help maintain general health and nervous function in pets. PAW DigestiCare 60 probiotic food supplement for the maintenance of everyday digestive care.…

So you’ve just brought your new puppy home for the very first time. He’s cute, cuddly and full of mischief — which, of course, is a big part of what makes puppies so great — but he isn’t going to grow into a wellbehaved adult pooch all by himself. Puppyhood is a time of fun, excitement and plenty of laughter as you and your pet get to know one another and form a lifelong bond. However, it’s also a time when some bad behaviour problems rear their ugly heads and can cause much frustration for you as an owner. A patient and consistent approach to training is essential to ensure the minor issues that arise in those first few months don’tdevelop into big problems down the line. To help you…

No matter how carefully we might live our lives, accidents and emergencies can happen. When a child grazes his or her knee, we clean it up and put on a Band-Aid. If we suspect a broken arm, we keep it as still as possible and get to the hospital. We treat burns with cool running water and we perform CPCR on someone who has stopped breathing while we await the paramedics. Most of us have a fair idea of how to handle these situations. When it comes to humans, that is. Something about a furry body, four legs and a wagging tail makes us panic and draw a blank when it comes to dealing with an emergency. This is totally understandable because dogs are not people. I’ve met many who…

Rex the adventurous Shar Pei has only escaped once, but for his owner, Jodie Swift, that was one time too many. “My stomach dropped when I realised Rex was missing,” she says. “I came home from work, went to the back door to let the dogs in but Rex wasn’t there.” It turns out that Rex did what a lot of dogs do and took advantage of a moment of lax security to make his escape. “Thankfully, one of the neighbours spotted me walking and knowing that I own a Shar Pei, she asked if I had lost one, as she had seen one on a local buy-and-sell page on Facebook. We contacted the poster immediately and found that she had dropped my dog at a vet’s nearly 20 minutes…

A life without pets is barely a life at all. Whether you own a fabulous feline, a supercool canine, or something in between, we love our companion animals and consider them to be very much a part of our everyday life. They come inside with us, often leave the house with us and occasionally even annoy us (just as human family members do, too!). But we wouldn’t be without them and the love we have for them is unconditional. In fact, owning a pet has a whole host of benefits. As well as the mutual affectionbetween owner and dog, it has been proven that having a pet can reduce your levels of stress, increase your physical fitness (you might not feel like a “walk” today, but one look into Fido’s…

TOILETING TROUBLES Q: Dear DOGSLife, My puppy keeps peeing in all the wrong places, such as on tyres and on all my husband’s stuff. We are finding it hard to solve this problem. Is there some way we can train him to pee in the right spots? Sanja, via email Dr Renee O’Duhring says: Toilet training takes patience and commitment and relies on consistent observation and positivereinforcement. This means observing your puppy closely for his toilet cues, such as waking after a nap, sniffing around the ground or looking to squat. When you notice these cues, take your pup to the place you want him to toilet without any fuss so as not to stress him, then block him with your body so he cannot leave until he has toileted. Follow…

BREED FEATURE: DALMATION One of the most distinctive breeds of dog, the Dalmatian is unmistakable and its endearing nature makes it even harder to forget. Elegant, humorous, active and intelligent, the Dalmatian is a highly sociable dog with a clown-like personality and a craving for companionship. The Dalmatian is believed to have originated in the eastern Mediterranean, spreading to India and then across Europe. The breed became known for accompanying carriages and clearing the road of stray animals, a job that required great strength, stamina and endurance. Boasting protective qualities, Dalmatians also served as guard dogs, war dogs, faithful companions, coach dogs and mascots for horse-drawn fire engines. As its history suggests, the Dalmatian will run with horses for long distances. This is something it has a natural affinity for,…

A huge congratulations goes to Sydney business Sitback Solutions, which won the Excellence in Business, Employer of Choice, and overall Regional Business of the Year category award in the 2016 Sydney City Regional Business Awards. One of the standout things about this company is that it lets employees bring their dogs to work — how cool is that? “Having dogs in the workplace creates a nice, relaxed atmosphere for both our staff and clients. It increases co-operation and productivity, creates necessary employee breaks involving light exercise and offers a nice element for recruitment that many offices can’t provide,” says business founder, Paul Armstrong. Sitback Solutions is very dedicated to its pro-dog message, with each of the company’s 37 staff members allowed to place a doggy bed next to their desks…

Do you have a budding veterinarian in your family? Or perhaps a young animal lover desperate to learn more about caring for his or her furry friend? Future Vet Kids Camp is a fabulous opportunity for any young person. Held over the summer school holidays, this camp caters for pet enthusiasts aged from nine through to 16 at Waverley College in Sydney. Program participants are split into three age groups — Wombats (aged nine–11), Kookaburras (12–14) and Junior Vets (14–16) — and each group has course content suitable for the students. From learning about different breeds, to tours of different reputable Sydney animal organisations, basic animal first-aid and more, this is the perfect school holiday program that will give participants a little more info on becoming a veterinarian. With Dr…

Everyone loves puppies, and often all it takes is just one look at an adorable little bundle of fur to know that he or she will make the perfect addition to your family. But before you decide to take that gorgeous puppy home, it’s important you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. Owning a dog is a huge commitment and if you’ve never had a puppy before, you could be in for a surprise or two in the weeks and months to come. Let’s take alook at some of the common puppy quirks and characteristics that every prospective dog owner should be aware of before they get a new pup. 1. THEY NEED TO BE TRAINED Training is not just something you can choose to do for your puppy…

‘Tis the season to be jolly … and to stuff your face with as many delicious treats as you can! That’s the approach many of us like to take when the festive season rolls around each year. Unfortunately, our tendency to overindulge at Christmas often spills over to our pets as well. From a tiny bit extra in your pet’s bowl come dinnertime to a few tasty treats after Christmas lunch, all those little things you do to spoil your pooch at this time of year can quickly add up. Dr Josie Gollan from Sydney’s Animal Doctors clinic says that just like forhumans, obesity is becoming a wellrecognised and ever-increasing problem for the dogs of Australia. “A 2005 study performed by The University or Sydney and the RSPCA looking at…

For many dog lovers, there are few greater pleasures than a big, sloppy kiss on the cheek from your four-legged friend. Sure, some people might think it’s a little bit gross, but it’s simply your dog’s way of showing his love and affection for you — isn’t it? Well, not necessarily. Licking is something that all dogs do, but have you ever stopped to wonder why your pet uses his tongue in all the ways he does? Sometimes licking can be a sign of canine affection, such as when your pooch gives you a wonderfully warm welcome as soon as you get home from work. But, other times, licking can be about a long list of things, from tasting his dinner or investigating something that looks and smells a little…

What are the chances that the animal behaviourist you’ve asked to offer insights about preparing for the arrival of a baby has just had her second little one? Quite good, it seems. Melbourne’s Dr Kate Mornement, an animal behaviourist who runs Pets Behaving Badly, recently welcomed a second baby boy into the family, and was keen to impart her professional and personal opinion on making the leap into parenthood with pets. Dr Kate says the best way to ensure a safe and smooth transition to having a tiny human around your beloved dog is preparation. “When we had our first baby in May last year and our second just last month, it gave me some additional insight into the reality of the process and really reinforced that early preparation is…

Competing in a room full of professional dog groomers and a watchful public can be daunting for anyone, regardless of the level of grooming and competition experience they have. It can also be stressful, even at the best of times. But putting aside the pressures involved, competing in grooming competitions allows you to showcase your skills and assess your work, which makes you a better groomer at the end of the day, according to international award-winning grooming expert and competition judge Sharon Hall. “Grooming competitions are certainly not for everyone because it is most stressful at the best of times. But anyone can compete, giving them an opportunity to grow as a groomer and become a successful competitor,” she says. Sharon is an International Certified Master Groomer from NSW and…

BREED FEATURE: SIBERIAN HUSKY A true pack animal, the Siberian Husky is an amazing dog that has always thrived on the company of others, both humans and canines. Not many breeds trace back to such heartfelt and uplifting tales of survival. With ample strength and incredible courage, the Siberian Husky was bred to be a different type of working dog to a hunting or sheepdog. Amazing tales surround this breed, which was developed over a period of 3000 years to become the hard-working, reliable and sweetnatured Siberian we know today. Originating in Siberia, as the name suggests, the Siberian Husky was bred to live in the ice-cold land inhabited by the Chukchi people and other tribes from the Eastern Siberian Arctic. Harsh living conditions forced these semi-nomadic peoples to expand…

BREED FEATURE: NEWFOUNDLAND This gentle giant has an interesting history. The Newfoundland was used as early as the 17th century on the east coast of Canada as a working dog, hauling sleds and carts and retrieving fishing nets. You may also know this breed as a rescue dog. If visions of Newfoundlands paddling out to sea to rescue drowning victims spring to mind, then you’re not far from the truth. There have been numerous stories of Newfoundlands rescuing drowning people at sea and hauling them to safety. They aren’t used as rescue dogs here in Australia, but are still used for search and rescue operations in the USA and Europe. There is some evidence that the very first Newfoundland (named Hector) that set foot in Australia did so on a…

It’s an eternal question that’s inspired many vigorous debates from pet lovers everywhere: which makes a better pet — a cat or a dog? Thanks to researchers Katherine Jacobs Bao and George Schreer of the Department of Psychology at Manhattanville College in New York State, we now have some more conclusive evidence on the issue. A recent survey conducted by the pair and published in Anthrozoös found that while there are more pet cats in America, there are more pet dog owners, with cat owners most likely to have multiple felines in the one household. But the real question, the one that we all want to know more about, is which makes a better pet — a cat or a dog? In this same survey, researchers asked respondents about their…

We all know that a dog can change a life and this is what many of the inmates at Numinbah Correctional Centre in Queensland have also experienced. In collaboration with the Animal Welfare League Queensland (AWLQ), this centre has seen more than 500 four-legged lives changed, and a few human ones, too. “A high number of mother dogs who come into the shelter are medium or larger breeds, often having large litters, and mums and litters always require unusually long two-to-three-month care, so we can have a hard time finding them foster carers,” CEO of AWLQ, Denise Bradley, says. “That’s where Queensland Corrective Services and Numinbah Correctional Centre stepped in, essentially changing and saving lives. “Our first mother had seven puppies and it went so well that we followed it…

If you have a new puppy, you’re probably looking forward to lots of walks and even a bit of active playtime. But when it comes to exercise, too much of a good thing too soon can do more harm than good. There’s no doubt that giving your playful puppy plenty of opportunity to exercise is key to its emotional and physical wellbeing. Being able to romp and run, to search out and sniff new things, and to mix with other dogs will make for a healthy, happy and welladjusted dog as your pup grows and matures into adulthood. Exercise benefits a puppy in several ways — it allows him or her to burn off that often boundless puppy energy and it is a great way to develop socialisation skills. In…

DGG NATURAL THERAPIES PUPPY SHAMPOO From our good friends at Doggone Gorgeous comes the Natural Therapies puppy shampoo, perfect for bathing that sensitive puppy skin. This shampoo gently cleanses your pup, with the combined tenderness of all-natural botanicals and organic honey to help keep your young pet’s coat looking gorgeous. It is SLES and paraben free, and is pH balanced at 6.5–7 for minimal potential irritation. doggonegorgeous.com.au KONG PUPPY Little puppies have big, busy minds that can cause their owners all sorts of trouble. One way to exercise that canine brain, aside from daily training, of course, is with the KONG Puppy. This product is made with KONG’s exclusive teething formula, to help your pup with those aches and pains it may be experiencing at this point in his life.…

Most of us will know FB as Facebook for short. But there’s another FB we need to talk about, and this topic won’t annoy you with cryptic status updates or invite you to play Candy Crush. It’s time to get the low-down on foreign bodies and the risk they pose to our darling dogs and their mischievous ways. Canines are curious creatures. Anytoy, bone or sock left lying around might look tempting enough to have a chew on. I know a Cavalier King Charles who used to love eating tissues, a Staffy obsessed with chewing tennis balls until they were just a pile of rubbery bits and a Kelpie who took great pleasure in breaking off tree branches in the garden to amass in a tepee pile in the middle…

Do you have a canine that ducks for cover every time the doorbell rings? Perhaps your pooch shies away from other dogs at off -leash doggy parks, or is timid around certain types of people, such as men wearing hats? If your dog’s a little on the shy side, don’t lose heart — it’s possible to help him or her become more confident. Sometimes it might feel like a one paw forward, two paws back process, but trainer and canine behaviourist Cat Saunders from The K9 Company says it’s important not to rush the process. “Always try to see things from your dog’s perspective. Understand that theyare scared,” she says. “Taking things at a slow and steady pace is the best way to increase your dog’s social comfort.” WHY SO…

Imagine giving people with disadvantages an experience they never thought possible. Well, such is the life of surf dog Ricochet, who recently took part in a special session with several children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). What was so special about it? The children (and an adult) are all living with a disease that generally robs them of physical strength by affecting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, taking away the ability to stand, sit, crawl, walk, effectively swallow food or breathe. For a child with SMA, going from a stroller full of gear to a surfboard full of cheer gives both them and their parents the opportunity to experience something they never thought possible. So what did the event involve? Basically, a host of highly qualified volunteers…

“Our pets offer us unconditional love, affection and friendship. They are an important part of our lives and our families.” Our teams at Greencross Vets are ‘passionate about pets’ and love what we do. We understand and value the bond between you and your pet, and we are committed to offering you exceptional service, and the very best in veterinary medicine. Greencross Vets is Australia’s leading veterinary group with over 120 clinics located throughout the country. Your local pet care team consists of enthusiastic vets, nurses and receptionists who all have the common goal of providing the best possible care for their patients. DISCOVER MORE WITH GREENCROSS VETS We work closely with you to ensure that your pet receives individual care and attention based on their healthcare needs: VETERINARY MEDICINE…

BREED FEATURE: SCHNAUZER Originating in Southern Germany in the Middle Ages as a ratter and guard, the Standard Schnauzer is believed to have developed from the black Poodle, wolf grey Spitz and old German Pinscher, and is the original breed from which the Miniature and Giant breeds were later developed. The Miniature Schnauzer was originally bred to be a small farm dog, able to go after all kinds of vermin, and many say it was developed by mixing the Standard with the Affenpinscher and Poodle. Drovers who wanted larger, more powerful dogs for herding and guarding developed the largest of all the German Schnauzers, the Giant Schnauzer. They did this by mixing the biggest of the Standards with the Great Dane and Belgian Bouvier des Flandres and even though the…