Innholdsfortegnelse for August Issue#149 i Dogs Life

Hi DOGSLife readers, Welcome to one of my all-time favourite issues of DOGSL ife — the behaviour and training special! As a dog owner, I spend so much of my time wondering what my dogs are thinking and what I can do to understand Berry and Danger better, so this issue is right up my alley — especially the feature on canine communication on page 20. Make sure you check it out to help strengthen your bond with your pet. We also look at two of the most common dog behaviour problems: a pet that pulls on the lead and a dog that barks. Find out some simple techniques you can use to try to stop these issues for good. However, it’s worth noting that there are rarely quick-fix solutions.…

What do you think your dog would say if she could talk to you? Would she discuss world events, gossip about people you both know, or maybe just use her new-found vocal skills to request more tummy rubs? In some ways, the fact that our furry friends don’t have the gift of the gab is one of their most endearing traits. But it can also be confusing and at times frustrating as we struggle to make sense of what it is our canine companions want and need. The good news is that, while dogs may not be able to talk, they can communicate with us in many ways. “What humans need to do is learn the language so it can be interpreted correctly,” explains Chiara Perri from Point Cook Dog…

Did you know that humans make around 500 different sounds and there are more than 7000 spoken languages? That’s a lot of different ways to communicate using sound. Dogs have just four: growling, howling, whining and of course barking. Dogs bark for many reasons: they’re excited, to warn off intruders, or because something has captured the dog’s interest. Basil Theofanides, president of the Australian Association of Professional Dog Trainers Inc, says some breeds, like guarding dogs or terrier breeds, are also more prone to barking. “Barking for dogs is innate; they’re doing what comes naturally,” he says. “You don’t want a dog to stop barking, just to bark at the right times.” It’s when a dog barks excessively or inappropriately that it’s classed as exhibiting problem barking behaviour. While the…

STARMARK PRO TRAINING DELUXE CLICKER Ensure your dog knows when it’s performing the desired behaviour with the Starmark Pro Training Deluxe Clicker. Used and loved by the many professional trainers at the Starmark Academy, this product is conveniently pocket-sized and comes with a flexible hand strap to ensure it’s ready and easy to use when needed. Made from stainless steel, this clicker won’t rust and will have a lifespan that lasts as long as your pet. For more information, visit boredombusters.net.au ZIWIPEAK LAMB TREATS Every trainer needs a reward for their pet that is tempting but doesn’t endanger their health. That’s why we love ZiwiPeak’s Lamb Treats. These complete and balanced treats are made from fresh meat, bone and seafood, with no added nasties or by-products. Gently air-dried for superior…

Cancer is a scary word for many people and hearing their beloved pet has this deadly disease can be devastating. But a cancer diagnosis isn’t a death sentence anymore thanks to advances in canine cancer treatments. “Approximately one in four dogs will develop cancer in their lifetime, but thanks to more pet cancer awareness, improved preventative care and early diagnosis, we are better able to fight canine cancer,” says veterinary oncologist Dr Angela Frimberger from Veterinary Oncology Consultants (VOC) in New South Wales. Clinical trials in veterinary oncology are also growing in scope and importance as researchers evaluate new therapies aimed at improving the outcome and quality of life for companion animals, as well as human patients with the disease. Over the past couple of years, Dr Angela and her…

Deciding to become a puppy owner can be a big decision. Whether you’re opting for a purebred or a beautiful mixed breed from a shelter, the choice is bound to be difficult and checking your emotion at the door isn’t always easy. Here is the DOGSLife guide to staying focused when choosing your forever pooch. EXERCISE REQUIREMENTS Are you a bit of a couch potato or are you the sort of person who wants to get up and run 5km every morning? The level of activity you have and expect to have for the next 10 to 20 years is important when choosing a dog. You want an animal that will fit in with your lifestyle to ensure you both get the best out of each other. GROOMING Your pet’s…

Do you hate doggy discrimination? Do you feel frustrated when a campsite doesn’t accept dogs? Does it upset you that you can’t book into the caravan park located right on the beachfront because your dog is travelling with you? We’re on a year-long road trip around Australia with our dogs Keiko and Summer. We’re constantly on the lookout for dog-friendly spots to stay and have experienced some amazing places and properties that welcomed us. However, this also means we’re well aware of the number of places that won’t allow dogs. Disappointingly, it’s the poor behaviour of previous guests that can often be the reason behind such doggy discrimination. To try to prevent this, those of us who travel with our dogs need to set a good example so that better…

Nelson is no ordinary psychologist. This “young man” is a remarkable therapist with an uncanny ability to instil confidence or calm in anyone simply by being present. What makes Nelson so unique is that he has four legs, a wagging tail and plenty of fur to share! “Dogtor” Nelson is a two-year-old Labrador that works as a professional therapy dog at Newcastle Psychology and Health Clinic in Lambton, NSW. He belongs to practice owner and psychologist Dr Paul Spencer, who mainly treats children and adults with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Dr Paul says having a “therapy buddy” in the consulting room with clients has been so successful that clients call the practice to make sure Nelson is in before attending. He offers support to people from all walks…

LIMPING CONCERNS Q: Dear DOGSLife, My Staffy has started limping, raising her front right paw. It doesn’t happen all the time — just early in the mornings, when it’s a little colder and we’re first starting on her walk. Is this something I should get investigated early, or should I wait for her annual check-up in a few months? It’s been happening for about a week. Chelsea, via email Dr Michael Archinal says: Hi Chelsea, there are many potential causes for the foot issue you mention and because of this, just as many treatments depending on the specific cause. You say that she tends to “warm” out of the limp, which is an important piece of information. This means that simple issues such as grass seeds, toenail injuries, muscle strains,…

While there are dogs that can master the intricacies of expert-level agility skills, there are others that will be happy settling for the bare basics. These skills are not just for puppies either; they are the behaviours dogs need to be able to call upon throughout their lives to stay safe and happy, and as an owner you’ll be a big part of reinforcing them each day. So which skills should dogs learn and why are these important? START WITH BASIC COMMANDS AND DEVELOPING A RELATIONSHIP Before you get stuck into the basic commands, it’s important to lay the foundations that help your dog trust and respect you, Sarah says. “It’s important to teach a new dog to be calm, attentive, and to want to be around you,” she emphasises.…

Dogs become family members for many years, with some reaching up to 20 years of age. It’s no surprise, then, that they face the same life changes and stages we go through. Like us, our pets rely on routine, and these life events can be a difficult transition for them to adapt to. Dog behaviourist Laura Vissaritis says it’s hard, but we can help. “If you think from our pets’ perspective, this world is unpredictable and they have very little control over it. So a life that has patterns and expectations can be a great relief for them,” says Laura. “Any change to this can affect their mental health and behaviour. Moving to a new house, bringing home a baby or a new animal are changes that our pets are…

Fleas are the most common parasite that affects canines and they’re also one of the most preventable. Fleas will either jump or crawl onto your dog, and once they’ve latched on they can make your dog’s life a misery. Dr Paula Parker, president of the Australian Veterinary Association, says you may find fleas all over a dog but they prefer to set up home around the base of the dog’s tail. “If your dog has a flea problem, you’ll often see itching, scratching, biting, and losing hair in the area above their tail,” she says. If you can’t spot fleas hightailing it when you go searching for them on your dog, you may be able to see what they leave behind — flea dirt — which is really flee poop…

As a general rule, it’s pet parents that are keen on keeping their dogs clean and odour-free. Our four-legged friends would quite happily strut around emitting their unique “odour de dog” if we’d let them. But smell and home hygiene aside, it’s important to keep your dog’s coat in a well-maintained condition to avoid infections and skin complications that can occur from matted fur. Lara Shannon from Pooches at Play says regular brushing is vital. “The rule of thumb is to brush your dog once a week for every centimetre of hair. So if your dog’s hair is 1cm long then brush once a week, 2cm long then twice a week and so on.” Dr Joanne Sillince, managing director of Pets Australia, recommends undertaking basic training before you start grooming…

Dogs are our constant companions, bringing love, joy and a whole lot more into our lives every day. But some canines are more than just pets; they also have important occupations, heading off to work each day in a variety of industries and roles right across Australia. These are the dogs with jobs. Let’s take a look at what it takes to become a working canine as we meet a therapy dog, a canine real estate agent, and then investigate the hard work and training involved in becoming an assistance dog. RALPH, THERAPY DOG Two-year-old Schnoodle Ralph just loves being around people. “He wants to be in the same room as you, no matter what you are doing,” says Penny Gibson of her fur-baby. “He is smart, caring and empathic.…

DOGSLife: When did you first become involved with Forever Friends Animal Rescue? Saskia Adams: I co-founded Forever Friends Animal Rescue (FFAR) in 2011 with the help of a few of my animal-loving friends. Now our volunteer numbers reach over 700! These people help in a number of different ways, including fostering animals, transporting them to and from vets, fundraising, assessing behaviour prior to adoption, donating food and toys and, of course, taking on volunteer committee positions to help raise awareness in the community. DL: What makes your group unique? SA: Our mission is to rescue animals from death row and find them loving forever homes. FFAR is unique because it is a fully volunteer-run charity that receives no government funding. We rely solely on donations from kindhearted people. We are…

DR MICHAEL ARCHINAL ‘Dr Ark’ has been a vet for 25 years and runs three busy practices with more than 50 staff. For more than a decade, he has appeared regularly on Channel Nine’s Mornings and has been on ABC radio talkback for 15 years. He is passionate about the human–animal bond and gets invited to lecture around the world. He has also written a successful book on the subject. He has been married for 24 years and has three boys and many pets with attitude. PETA CLARKE Peta has trained animals professionally for 20 years. While her current focus is her lifelong love of working with dogs, she also has a long history training exotic animals for zoos and the film industry. Having studied psychology, Peta is a self-labelled…

We’ve all seen it: a mischievous mutt that pulls and tugs on his lead. It’s uncomfortable to have your arm stretched and pulled, and without sufficient control of your dog it can potentially place both of you in danger. Some people think a dog pulls on the lead because he wants to be top dog, but according to dog trainer Steve Austin, the reason is far less complex. “The dog learns that pulling is the best way to get him where he wants to go because when they pull, we follow them,” he says. A dog is keen to explore the world outside the confines of his yard, and a human’s ambling pace often isn’t fast enough for a dog that just wants to romp and run with carefree abandon.…

Nowadays, a reward-based approach forms the basis of train ing for many dogs. When the dog does something good, they get a reward — and that reward usually takes the form of a tasty treat. “Rewards work because positive reinforcement works — the psychology behind it is the same psychology that impacts us as humans,” explains Sarah Wahjudi, head trainer at Melbourne’s Positive Pups. “At its most basic, a reward is something that you enjoy or want and if repeating a certain behaviour or action gets us more of it, we are more likely to continue with the same behaviour. The same can be said for our four-legged friends.” But what if your dog isn’t food motivated? Take Harry, the seven-year-old Swiss Shepherd, for example. A loyal, lovable and playful…

Spring is here and the flowers are out. While it’s lovely to see them bloom after a long winter, this also means an increase in pollen in the air and those dreaded allergies. A whole range of triggers can cause allergies and they are not exclusive to humans; your dog can be affected by them too. “An allergy occurs when a dog’s immune system overreacts to a substance, called an allergen, in the environment,” explains Dr Leigh Davidson from Your Vet Online. “An allergen for one animal may not be a problem for another animal, and reactions can be different.” Dogs can be affected by three major allergies: flea allergies, food allergies and environmental allergies, also known as atopic dermatitis. The latter can be caused by a reaction to grass,…

Many of us have experienced the cheeky, sometimes misguided behaviour of our dogs. Some pooches may have barked incessantly while we were out, while others may have taken themselves for a walk, jumping or digging under the fence to escape. While this is commonly seen as boredom, anxiety or fearful behaviour by trained dog behaviourists, many councils will not accept it and if repeated, owners can end up with a hefty fine. So how can this be avoided? Dog behaviourist Laura Vissaritis says it all comes down to respecting the rules and being a responsible pet owner. “If I had a wish list, I would want dog owners to complete a course that challenged their understanding of what responsible pet ownership is,” she says. “Owning a dog doesn’t just involve…

Gail May signalled for Lola, her now-deaf Alsatian Kelpie cross, to lie down on the Persian rug in the lounge. Working hard to maintain a “stiff upper lip”, she watched as the vet shaved Lola’s leg and gave her the injection. The minutes waiting for 12-year-old Lola’s heart to stop were agonising, even though Gail knew the right time had come. Afterwards, she was devastated, but also confused. “My dad had had cancer for a really long time, and when he finally died, I was happy that he was out of pain,” the 58-year-old management consultant explains. “Then when our dog died, I was really sad. I thought how bizarre is that — that I could be happy for a human at peace but not for my dog.” While losing…

BREED FEATURE: RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK Shaped like a blade, a line of hair runs in reverse along the back of this breed. The widest area sits on the shoulders and the point of the “blade” is directed towards the tail. This is the distinctive marking that gives this breed its name, the Rhodesian Ridgeback. Part of the hound group, this strong and muscular breed is large, with a short tan-coloured coat ideally suited to South Africa, where it was renowned for its hunting skills. With their grand stature and lovely nature, these animals are intensely captivating. As with most breeds, there are some mixed theories about the Rhodesian Ridgeback’s origin. It is thought that when the Dutch, German and Huguenot people immigrated to South Africa in the 16th and 17th centuries,…

WeatherBeeta Therapy -Tec WeatherBeeta Therapy-Tec is designed to boost blood circulation and ease muscle strain and soreness, speed recovery and enhance relaxation. This is the perfect choice for active dogs pre- or post-exercise to help them warm up and down (reducing lactic acid build-up), relieve pain associated with arthritis, or simply to keep your companion warm and comfortable. The warm, breathable fleece outer fabric wicks away moisture and is a great choice for dogs that prefer a lightweight warmth option. WeatherBeeta Therapy-Tec has a RRP of $44.99. For more information, visit weatherbeetadog.com.au Endogard Protecting your pet against worms is part of being a responsible pet owner. That’s why we love Endogard, the simple chew solution for dogs and cats. It protects dogs against roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and tapeworm, and cats against…