Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2024 i Your Dog

As I write this, the patio doors are open, and the sun has just set, casting a warm glow over the garden. The dogs are sprawled out on the cool concrete, and today, there’s a peaceful harmony between the cats and dogs, each respecting the other’s space and sunshade. We’ve seen the headlines about European heatwaves and flash floods. Even here in the UK, the weather seems to be changing. This year’s rain has been different, and it’s hard to ignore the impact of global climate change. I’m lucky not to live in an area prone to flooding, but I’ve still found myself contemplating how to prepare for extreme weather. With two dogs and two cats, the horrible thought of ever needing to evacuate adds another layer of concern for…

To look at Warrior now, no-one would think that just a few months ago, this lovely Labrador was undergoing a life-saving operation. The now 10-month-old puppy, who’s in training to become a service dog for British charity Hounds for Heroes, is described as “extremely intelligent and super cheeky” by his puppy parent, Eimear Hobby, who lives in Portsmouth, Hampshire. Although Eimear, 35, had terriers as a child, this is her young family’s first foray into caring for, and training, a dog. “Having Warrior has been glorious chaos for us!” laughed Eimear, a former commercial manager. “He’s a little delight, and is having an unbelievable effect on my two children’s maturity and confidence, both in themselves and around animals – we are really enjoying learning how to have a dog as…

SPONSORED BY LC: What is enrichment? TC: I’ve sort of chiselled together a definition that sums it up nicely… enrichment is to improve the quality of something, in this case the dog’s overall life and well-being. You are effectively making your dog’s home life more valuable by providing stimulation – mostly mental, which your dog might exercise in the ‘wild’. All dogs are kitted out to scavenge and hunt for food, so it’s all there, it’s what they’re designed to do. LC: How does it differ from all-out exercise? TC: It’s very different. Some people think that just taking your dog to the park and run off lead for 30 minutes is going to satisfy your dog’s day, to then go home and just relax. Your dog may go home…

● Name: Tiggy (Female) ● Age: 3-6 years ● Crossbreed Tiggy is a gentle giant with so much love to give, she is described as a cat in dog clothing due to her funny personality and play traits. Despite her size she considers herself to be a lap dog who likes nothing more than a cuddle and a fuss. She’s a pleasure to walk on the lead and is quite content to gently plod beside you, happy to just take in the surroundings. She adores food, which is great for helping with any further training that she requires in dog socialisation and muzzle wearing. Experience with large breed dogs is required, and a calm home with a decent size garden with someone who is home the majority of the day.…

A stunning dog portrait by award-winning artist Violet Von Riot, who specialises in producing bespoke eco-friendly cut-and-torn collages out of recycled magazines. Visit www.violetvonriot.com to see more of her creative pieces. WHO’S WHO AT YOUR DOG CONTENT EDITORS REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS/EXPERTS ANDREA MCHUGH, JACQUELINE BOYD, JOANNE BEDNALL, TONY CRUSE, TONI SHELBOURNE, TAMSIN DURSTON, VICKY PAYNE, JACKIE DRAKEFORD Your Dog Magazine, Warners Group Publications, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire, PE10 9PH Call 01778 395070 Email: Editorial@yourdog.co.uk…

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There is currently no legislation in this country that specifically addresses pet theft. In the eyes of the law, animals are defined as property and pet theft is dealt with under the Theft Act 1968. Campaigners have long called for a change in the law, as low prosecution rates and lenient sentencing has failed to deter thieves. A Private Members’ Bill, introduced by Conservative MP Anna Firth, recently passed its second reading in the House of Commons, and proposes the creation of two new criminal offences of dog abduction and cat abduction in England and Northern Ireland. Such crimes would carry a maximum prison sentence of five years. On 19th April 2024, the Pet Abduction Bill successfully passed through its final stage in the House of Commons. A delighted Anna…

Co-owners Johanna Whetall, her boyfriend Jesse Rendell and his parents, have transformed a run down 29-acre plot in South Wales into a fantastic secure dog park, sensory dog play and most recently, a luxury dog hotel, called The Cwtch Animal Homestay. With the work now complete, they opened the doors to the dog hotel at the beginning of June to welcome their first guests! After being diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and forced to drop out of work, Johanna realised life is too short and to focus on what makes you happy. She compiled a business plan, which was signed off in 2017 and by 2020, the project came to life during lockdown. They found the perfect plot nestled in the countryside of Henllys, just 1.6 miles from Cwmbran and…

A dog’s olfactory bulb, the part of the brain responsible for processing smells, is about 40 times larger than that of humans. This allows dogs to detect odours at concentrations nearly 100 million times lower than humans can. Dogs have dreams just like humans do. During the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage of sleep, their brains exhibit the same activity patterns as they do when awake, suggesting they are replaying daily activities or responding to imagined scenarios. You might notice your dog twitching, barking, or moving their legs as if running while they dream. Dogs, like humans, have a brain that is divided into two hemispheres. Interestingly, their left and right hemispheres process information differently. For example, the right hemisphere is more active when dogs are reacting to negative stimuli,…

Protein is a macronutrient, and our dogs need a regular dietary supply of quality, digestible protein for their health and well-being. Like the other macronutrients – carbohydrates and lipids – protein is needed in much larger amounts than the micronutrient vitamins and minerals. A well-formulated diet will ensure our dogs obtain all essential nutrients in the right forms and amounts; protein is one of these. Why is protein important and what should you know about protein in your dog’s diet? Here, we continue our exploration of canine nutrition know how, focusing on protein. WHAT IS PROTEIN? Protein is important for supporting body growth, repair and regeneration. It is a macronutrient and macromolecule, referring to the amounts needed per day in the diet (grams per day), and its chemical structure. Protein…

Fasten your seat belt. Hold on to your sanity. Mind your language. Your sweet puppy has been stolen by the fairies and replaced by an adolescent. I promise that this situation does come to an end eventually, but how long it takes is different for each individual. I’ve had one that took less than a month to morph into the most wonderful dog, while his mother took around a year and a half. Very trying she was, too. Rather than be at loggerheads with your youngster, hold firmly to the understanding that it is only a phase – but oh, what a phase! “When confrontation between dog and owner is likely, we change the subject.” The adolescent dog can’t help these changes, and he isn’t doing any of this to…

SPONSORED BY Betty cowers from other dogs Q My six-year-old spaniel, Betty, has become very timid when we are out on walks. She will cower between my legs every time we come across another dog. What is causing this and how can I increase her confidence? A You say Betty has become like this, which suggests that she used to be more confident. If she has gone through a sudden behaviour change you should ask your vet to examine her since physical problems can result in personality changes. Otherwise, I would also be interested in whether she has had a bad experience with dogs or whether she didn’t have much early socialisation, and has just gradually become more and more concerned by them. Betty is attempting to escape and it’s…

ESCAPE TO CORNWALL FOXHOLE 5 CRANTOCK, NEWQUAY Dog lover Roxanne Butcher runs the uniquely named Foxhole 5 luxury static caravan on the award-winning Trevalla Park in Crantock, Newquay. “My mother, who has three dogs, owns the caravan, which has three bedrooms and can sleep up to eight people,” explains Roxanne. “She bought it in 2019, and since then we’ve had lots of repeat visits from happy guests. The caravan is bright, modern and spacious, and equipped with everything needed to give a cosy, home from home vibe. “Foxhole 5 is in a great, peaceful location; just a few minutes’ drive or 30 minutes’ walk from gorgeous Crantock beach, which welcomes dogs all year round. The river Gannel flows down the right-hand side of the beach and, at low tide, reveals…

1 Identification: Keep your dog’s microchip number and the microchip company’s contact details on your mobile phone for quick access. 2 Stranger danger: Pay attention to people you don’t know asking questions — thieves can be very clever at extracting information about your dog and routine. If asked, say your dog is neutered — even if that isn’t the case — and over-inflate his or her age. 3 Routine: Try to vary the times and routes you walk your dog and avoid leaving him home alone at set times on certain days. 4 Anti-theft technology: Although a GPS tracker on your dog’s collar can quickly and easily be removed by thieves, at least it enables you to follow your dog’s movement in real time and pinpoint his last-known location. Consider…

JOKE CORNER How do dog catchers get paid? By the pound! Why did the Dalmatian hide? Because he didn’t want to be spotted! What did the dog say when he sat on sandpaper? Ruff! We’ve lost Maude! Can you help find our dog? She’s somewhere in this magazine! Psst: answers on page 35! »» Mustard in the maze Help guide Mustard through the maze… Wordsearch Can you find all eight words? ☐ BED ☐ CRATE ☐ SNIFFING ☐ BONE ☐ GROOMING ☐ WHIPPET ☐ CANINE ☐ KENNEL Spot the difference! There are five differences between these two pictures, can you spot them? Guess the breed! Can you guess the breed pictured above? Here are some clues… ■ I’m often seen herding sheep with incredible precision and agility, using my intense…

Q I’ve recently taken on my Mum’s Pug due to her becoming unwell and I’m concerned about him getting over heated in the hot summer months. What do I watch out for to spot heat exhaustion in a dog and how do I make sure to avoid it? A Thank you for your excellent question. Pugs are a short-nosed breed, also known as brachycephalic, and like bulldogs and boxers, they are particularly susceptible to overheating in hot weather. Seek to provide them with cool shady areas where possible and avoid any exercise in hot weather. To identify heat exhaustion in a dog, look out for them becoming agitated, breathing rapidly, their skin will be hot to touch, or they will be drooling or vomiting. Stop moving straight away, give them…