Your Dog January 2023

As we head into the darkest days of winter, it’s a good idea to focus on the positives and raise the spirits. No, it’s not all gloomy mornings and torrential downpours, a wet, filthy dog, and a load of muddy boots and equally muddy dog coats. Trainer and behaviourist Jackie Drakeford explains how winter dog walks can be fun for you and your dog (page 10), and has some ideas on how you can spice them up and make them more of a brain workout for your pet. Of course, keeping your dog looking‘respectable’ is always a challenge at this time of year, and now probably more than ever because of the additional pressures of rising costs. But Andrea McHugh has some great ideas on how you can keep your…

HOT UNDER THE COLLAR A leading canine first aid expert is urging owners to remove their dogs’ collars at home, in a bid to prevent nasty accidents. Veterinary nurse Rachel Bean, author of training provider iPet Network’s canine first aid course, explained that she has seen a number of preventable injuries caused by dogs wearing collars indoors. Serious injury and even death from choking have occurred after collars caught on door handles or radiator dials, or during boisterous playtimes. According to Rachel, there’s no reason for collars to be left on when your dog is not being exercised. “All too often, these indoor collar injuries and tragedies can be avoided by simply taking off the collar,” said Rachel, who added that collars and harnesses should also be removed in indoor…

Three inspirational disabled dogs have completed a 26-mile marathon to raise nearly £72,000 towards a new canine sanctuary and rehabilitation retreat in Greater Manchester. Affectionately known as‘the handicans’, Lollipop, Bran, and Odin achieved one mile a day for 26 days between them in aid of Dogs4Rescue. Found as a puppy in Ukraine, two-year-old Lollipop had to have both hind legs removed and now gets about on wheels, as does five-year-old Bran, whose back legs were paralysed after he was hit by a vehicle in Spain and left by the side of the road for five days. Two-year-old Odin bounced his way through the challenge, despite suffering involuntary tremors caused by cerebellar hypoplasia — a condition meaning he can’t stand or move normally. “The boys don’t know they are disabled,” explained…

The first not-for-profit clinic for preventative veterinary care has been opened in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, by animal welfare charity Mayhew. Mayhew Georgia’s new clinic will provide neutering, vaccinations, and parasite control for pet dogs, as well as those roaming the city’s streets and in shelters. The four-strong team, which comprises three vets and one vet assistant, neutered more than 1,000 roaming and pet dogs from a temporary facility 20km north of Tbilisi during 2022. It’s hoped the clinic, which will also serve as a training centre for other veterinary professionals across the former Soviet republic, will help local authorities humanely manage the city’s roaming animal populations. Dr Ana Metskhvarishvili, head vet at Mayhew Georgia, said: “It is an important step to have a high-standard, stress-free environment for animals,…

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has joined forces with Amazon and eBay to crack down on products being sold to illegally mutilate dogs. Aware that sellers have been marketing products intended for lamb castration — a legal procedure in the UK — for docking the tails of puppies, the BVA contacted both websites. The flagged listings were swiftly removed and additional measures put in place to prevent future adverts appearing. Under the Animal Welfare Act (2006), it is against the law for non-vets to remove dogs’ tails, while vets can only undertake this procedure for medical reasons or with certain breeds of working dog. Amazon and eBay also took immediate steps in early 2022 to remove listings for DIY ear cropping kits, following an urgent letter from the BVA. “I’d…

• PAW-LITICAL PUP PABLO VOTED TOP DOG IN WESTMINSTER DOG OF THE YEAR West Bromwich East MP Nicola Richards and her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Pablo, have been crowned winners of the Sir David Amess Pawblic Vote Award in the 2022 Westminster Dog of the Year competition. Nine-month-old Pablo beat 25 paw-litical opponents, pipping MPs Nadia Whittome with Hattie and Peter Gibson’s Clemmie to the title, renamed to commemorate dedicated dog-lover Sir David. Run by The Kennel Club and Dogs Trust, the annual event provides an opportunity for MPs to engage with canine experts while encouraging open dialogue on dog welfare issues. • GLOBAL DOG HEALTH INNOVATORS HONOURED Congratulations to the winners of the prestigious 2022 International Canine Health Awards. Sierra Latshaw received the Undergraduate Student Inspiration Award for her…