DOG DAY AFTERNOON

Behavioural problems are common in dogs from all walks of life. This could be attributed to the fact that more and more dogs are being left at home whilst we are out at work. Or it may be because they are being treated as family members rather than just workers or Pets. In the past a dog with an aggressive problem was more likely to have been destroyed. However in modern times more and more owners are turning to ‘professionals’ to seek help and give the dog a chance to work through the problems before turning to rescue centers or worse putting them to sleep. Problems occur for a variety of different reasons. Each issue can be different because dogs are different, from very simple issues too much more complicated. These problems can manifest themselves for various reasons; Lack of socialisation Boredom Excess energy Owner behaviour Unrealistic owner expectation Breed specific traits Diet Inadequate or incorrect training. Medical conditions or illnesses The

THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF NEUTERING.  The most fundamental of all changes that owners make to their dog is to decide whether or not the dog or bitch will breed. Both dogs and bitches are born genetically programmed to reproduce their genes, and thus provide the next generation. Owners may choose to do this by ensuring that the dog is secure within their home and garden so that he cannot go in search of a mate, or that the bitch is confined to the house or exercised on a lead while she is in season twice a year. Or they may decide the safest method of prevention is to have the dog castrated or the bitch spayed. This surgery is permanent and irreversible, and it does have benefits other than preventing unwanted puppies. Male puppies receive a surge of the male hormone testosterone shortly before birth which induces their male outlook on life. As they reach maturity testosterone will again come on stream, and the dog will begin to actively see

Government ministers are planing a reform of the law regarding dangerous dogs in the UK. But how long has the government been trying to tackle this problem? It may surprise you to know that dog law has existed since the Roman times. The ancient Lex Pesolania was probably the first edition of the Dangerous Dog Act., which made owners responsible for any anti social behavior of their dogs. Dogs featured greatly in early Roman lives, often used as weapons of war and kept as pets. In the third century anti social dog behavior was such a big problem that a law was passed to make owners responsible for any injuries suffered or damage caused as a result of a dog attack. According to the late historian and liberal MP John Roby "if a dog was in a square or public road and not tied up in the daytime and did any mischief, the owner was liable". The first fines for anti social dog behavior came about under Alfred the Great. The law dated back to 849 AD, said "If a dog tear trouser

Recently I turned 53 and became a Grandfather for the first time. Does that mean I am now officially old? Old age affects people in different ways but how does it affect our dogs? It is really difficult to comprehend that as your dog gets older you have to make changes to how you communicate with him. Both my black labs are now nine years old. Ben, the male, has gone through two major operations in his life, which most people tell you add to your years. Mentally and physically they have always been very active. They have always gone to training school and are part of a demonstration team that carry out demonstrations throughout the summer at local agricultural meetings on obedience and fun agility. The club we are with has an agility night once a month which they go to. We have a holiday home in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, were we go twice a month and for all our main holidays. At Berwick they go for even longer walks and swim in the sea, regardless how cold or rough the sea is, wouldn’t

In April of 2012 the BBC ran a story on the proposed scheme of compulsory micro chipping of every new born puppy. The idea behind this proposal is so that it makes it easier to trace and prosecute owners of violent dogs. Northern Ireland has already introduced a law on Microchipping this year. At the moment Scotland has no plans, but that may change. There are two voices on this proposal, firstly all the major charities welcome the idea stating that in addition it will be easy to reunite dogs with their owners should they become separated or worse stolen. Well that’s not true is it? If you read July’s issue of Dog’s Today magazine they have done a piece on the subject of micro chipping and in it they highlight a case where a woman ,Faye Moore, had her Pug stolen from the garden a few years back and had been searching frantically for it ever since. To their amazement they were contacted by the micro chip company to be told the dog had turned up somewhere near Somerset . The new owne

Rolan Tripp, DVM of the Colorado State University Veterinary School , says “ Whether it's puppies, kittens or children, Nature insists on play. Play is a requirement for healthy development of a loving personality as well as for a healthy body. In addition, play is the basis for a social structure. Individuals of any species that do not play when they are young are severely mentally and socially compromised when they become adults .” Play for a puppy is extremely important and begins as early as four weeks. Puppies will play with their mother and littermates at this age. Play will teach a puppy many important skills, for example bite inhibition. Bite inhibition is the most important thing the puppy can learn. Puppies need to develop ‘soft mouths’ for when they get older. Dogs without the skill of knowing how much pressure to use when mouthing either their human family or when the play fight with other dogs will very quickly find the game stops and no one will

Miya is a white Northern Inuit dog. Seen here with my other dog Ben the black Lab. I rescued Miya from an animal rescue center here in Glasgow when she was about 14 months old. I had been to see her a couple of times and decided I wanted to give her the type of home that would let her reach her full potential. I lead a fairly active doggy life. Involved in dog training and spend a lot of weekends doing dog related stuff, like trekking and agility stuff. So I can give a dog like Miya a good life. She was hard work at first, I am her third owner. She was bought as a puppy from a breeder in Central Scotland and given to young children as a Christmas present. I can imagine that at eight weeks old she must have looked like a stuffed pure white wolf cub some kid would have on their bed. Who couldn't resist her. Three months later and sprouting somewhat, she became a bit of a handful. Originally cross bred from German Shepherds and Huskies, Northern Inuits are not Labs. And need a b

Whilst sitting in my back garden enjoying some rare sunshine, I thought I would relax further by taking off my boots and socks and putting my sandals on. I call them my slippers because I wear them around the house. So there I was reading a good book, "How dogs Learn". by Mary Burch and John Bailey. Sitting on my decking in front of the summer house. I had just got back from work and the dogs were milling around the garden. I live in a corner property with a substantial back and side garden, which I have made completely dog proof. i.e. they cannot escape. I had taught Ben my Black Lab a few tricks and one of which was "Fetch my slippers". Labs love to "find" things, and teaching him to suss out where they were and bring them to me was a great game. I cant for sure say I know what he's thinking when he's playing this game, but you can tell from the enthusiasm he shows when I give him the cue that he is enjoying himself. But then if he didn't wan