The UK’s lucky canines can expect to enjoy the festive season as much as their owners as an incredible 49% of owners will be preparing them their very own special doggie dinner at Christmas.

According to the recent survey carried out on behalf of Direct Line Pet Insurance, of the 1,021 dog owners questioned, almost half (49%) are planning to make a special Christmas meal for their dogs and with 46% planning a special family walk with their dog, it will soon be walked off!

Adam Whiteley, head of pet insurance at Direct Line, offered this advice to dog owners: “Dog owners going to the trouble of cooking a special Christmas dinner for their best furry friend are clearly doing so out of love and festive spirit. It’s worth remembering that there are a few things dogs shouldn’t eat at all, even on special occasions, as doing so can make them very ill or even cause death in extreme cases. Chocolate, raisins, onions, and added salt should all be avoided, as should sharp or small bones. It’s a good idea to make sure that all food items and treats are stored well out of reach of pets, during the holidays and all year round.”

According to the survey, 89% of Britain’s dogs can expect a delivery from Santa left under the tree for them to spend the holidays enjoying.

40% Britain’s dogs will have an average of £10 on presents spent this year with a lucky 9% having gifts worth more than £100 awaiting them.

Toys are the most favoured present of choice, but pampering with collars, leads and clothes also top the list of most desired presents.

However, with 26% of Britain’s dogs enjoying chewing presents, it might be advisable to make sure Santa’s little four legged helpers have someone keeping an eye out for them.

K9 Magazine editor Ryan O’Meara offered this thoughts on the findings,“The fact that nearly half of all dog owners are preparing to fully include their canine pals in the Christmas festivities is indicative of just how much the relationship between pets and their owners has changed in modern times. Dogs are now considered fully fledged members of the family and this research highlights just how seriously owners take that relationship. Dogs bring us so much joy every day, it’s nice to hear that owners take great delight in including them at this special time.”

Giving these dogs a good home is the most important thing that you can do. But if adopting a dog is just not an option right now, there are other things that you can do to better the lives of shelter dogs. Below are several suggestions to keep in mind.

1. Visit your local shelter and spend some time with the dogs. Donating some of your time to simply hang out and play with these canine residents can make a huge difference to their lives. Most of the time, shelter staff are very busy with their work and they do not have the extra time to interact with the dogs. Shelter employees can always use the help of others to come and play and socialize with their residence. They are more than happy to show you around and figure out what you can do to help out.

As a volunteer, you can take the dogs for a walk around the block, give them a little pampering by brushing their coats, or just be there and hang out with them. Shelter dogs get very little attention, and a short visit with them does a lot to improve their well-being.

2. You may volunteer to take these dogs to an obedience class that will better their chances for an adoption.

3. Take one day of the week to help wash and groom the dogs and then bring them to adoption fairs.

4. Sponsor a fund raising party and donate the cash to your local rescue organisation. You may also ask for donations of items that you can bring to the shelter. These include blankets, food and treats, collars, leashes, toys, kennels, etc.

5. You may also volunteer to be a foster parent and keep the rescued dog at your house until he or she finds a permanent home.

6. Inform people about dog adoption and being a shelter volunteer by placing an ad in your local paper or putting up signs on bulletin boards and at dog parks.

7. And last but not the least, keep in mind that the best way to prevent shelter overcrowding is to spay or neuter your pets and to spread the word about the benefits of getting these house pets fixed.

Find out more about dog adoption.

Here’s an example of the sort of question we receive regarding spaying female dogs:

Is it safe to spay a female dog while she is in season?

“Being the forgetful person that I am, getting my female dog spayed has always slipped the calender. Now she is in heat and it is worse than ever! I would like to have her fixed by getting an operation this week but was wondering if it were a problem to get her spayed while during her heat session.”

Answer:

It’s better not to spay a dog while she’s in season since it involves some risks that otherwise would not be present. When the female is in heat, her uterus and blood vessels are enlarged, and this is what poses the risk. However, if it is necessary, any competent veterinary surgeon can perform the operation.

All of the veterinarians that we have researched and asked about this situation agree that they would attempt to talk to a dog owner out of requesting the surgery until the animal had completed the heat cycle; but if conditions warranted the immediate surgery, they all agreed that they would perform it – after first making the elements of risk known to the dog owner.

Our friends at K9 Magazine have put together a really comprehensive guide that covers a lot of the bases regarding spaying female dogs and neutering in the male dog. Read dog spaying and neutering.

This needs to be addressed while they are young because dog bites can lead to all sorts of problems including legal action.
It may seem fun and funny to have a puppy biting but a full-grown dog can do a lot of damage, particularly to children if they are in the habit of biting.

Dogs have surprising strength in their jaws and even a playful nip can do permanent damage to a child, particular if it’s on their face.

Generally, puppies are taught to control their biting from their mothers (bite inhibition) but in most cases we get puppies as pets that have been taken from their mothers at a very young age and it is up to us to teach them as puppies not to bite.

By letting your dog socialise with other dogs from a young age they will quickly learn from their elders, provided they have been taught well, that the desire to bite needs to be curbed to avoid retaliation and an ensuing fight.

More Information: Cure Puppy Biting

The sooner the puppy is taught not to bite by the owner or by interaction with other dogs, the less aggressive they will become as they grow older and the more pleasant they will be to live with.

Taking a puppy to a dog training school will allow it to interact with other dogs where it will quickly be corrected for any misbehaviour.

Puppies should generally learn to interact with other dogs within the first three months of their life.

The longer this is left the more difficult it becomes for your dog to socialise correctly and they can become dangerous later in life.

As with children, the sooner your puppy can learn correct behaviour patterns the better they will be in the long term.

It is also wise to get the puppy to behave correctly in the presence of other animals including cats and any other pets that they might come in contact with over their life.

There are many items that are available from the pet stores and vets that can give your puppy suitable satisfaction to chew and bite upon.

This will allow your puppy to learn what is right and what is not right to bite.

More Information: Cure Puppy Biting

In this guide we’ll look at the importance of a dog nutrition plan for the older dog. As many older dog’s tend to show decrease in appetite as they reach their senior years, we get a lot of questions from readers who want to know whey their older not eating has suddenly started to manifest itself.

Older Dog Not Eating – But Why?

A proper, well-balanced diet is essential, especially for the older dog. Every degenerative disease your older dog suffers, whether it is a heart problem, arthritis, cancer, kidney failure, or cataracts, is in some way related to nutritional deficiencies or to poor absorption of nutrients. Older dog’s may start to lose their appetite and knowing exactly what to do to match their lifestyle to their diet is the key ingredient in providing your older dog with an age specific feeding programme. Older dog not eating the right food for their particular stage of life can actually cause significant health problems so let’s examine this further.

Most authorities agree that the older dog needs more vitamin and mineral supplementation, as well as a smaller quantity of higher-quality, all-natural food (higher biological value). Many of the experts, however, do not properly interpret degenerative symptoms into recognition of substandard nutrition. When your dog is young, time is on his side, even considering the numerous nutritional errors that were provided to him in his daily menu. Your dog does not know or care that he is not getting optimum nourishment.

However, you, as his owner, need to realise that many of the old dog’s illness are preventable through proper nutrition!

Older Dog Not Eating The RIGHT Food?

In the hopes that your older dog can enjoy a golden age that you never thought possible, it is wise to look into the inclusion of a nutritionally wholesome, additive-free, all-natural dog food. The rewards would be a constant improvement in the overall health of animals fed on such a natural diet. Such rewards include the improvement of almost every disease and condition affected by nutritional deficiencies.

Is Your Older Dog Not Eating The Right Ingredients?

Food is a highly significant factor in your older dog’s health. The broadest food classifications are proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The three classifications help us in assessing the major components of a food. Foods are generally considered to be of the category that predominates in their composition. But this does not mean that a carbohydrate such as wheat contains no protein because it does. Or that a protein such as liver contains no carbohydrates because it certainly does. Similar to people, pets need a proper ratio of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in their diet in order to maintain proper health.

Proteins are vital to the growth and development of all body tissues. Protein helps in the formation of hormones; it regulates the acid-alkaline and water balances; and it helps the body to form enzymes and antibodies. Protein also aids in the formation of milk during lactation, and in the process of blood clotting. Protein can be used as an energy source when fats and carbohydrates are insufficient in the diet.

Fats (lipids) are the most concentrated energy source in the diet. When oxidized, fats yield more than twice the calories of proteins or carbohydrates. Fats act as carriers for the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. By helping vitamin D to be absorbed, fats make calcium more available to body tissues. Fats also aid in the conversion of carotene to vitamin A. Fats insulate major organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys, and help to maintain body heat.

Pet Supplements from Carob-Plus

Carbohydrates are the major source of energy for all bodily functions. They are a splendid source of quick energy. They assist in the digestion of other foods, and they are essential in regulating protein and fat metabolism. Carbohydrates are considered the fuel in which the fat burns. Carbohydrates consist of sugars, starches, and cellulose. Simple sugars, as in honey and fruits, are easily digested.

Some Useful Resources

• Dog Nutrition Advice
• Older Dog Tips
• Dog Health Advice
• Locate a Veterinarian

If you see your older dog not eating suddenly it’s imperative that you contact your vet and discover if their any underlying health issues that need immediate attention. As your older dog requires a different nutritional profile in their senior years, by matching his age, lifestyle, activity levels (and even breed type) to the right diet, you can ensure he gets the best fuel for his body and mind in his older years.

The thing is, however, there is a responsible way to adopt a dog and, by definition, an irresponsible way to go about it.

The number of ‘boomerang dogs’ (dogs that are adopted and then return to shelters) is a real cause for concern.

Adopting a dog entails the same level of commitment as any other form of dog acquisition.

Committing to a dog means exactly that. The dog’s life will be in your hands until the end of its natural life.

Responsible Dog Adoption Checklist:

• Find out as much as you can about the dog’s background
• Speak at length to the rescue shelter about the dog’s personality
• Decide early on who will be the dog’s main carer and make a plan regarding time availability at home
• Budget for dog ownership (it can be expensive)
• Don’t panic if a dog develops a minor behavioural problem (they are easily fixed most of the time)
• Make contacts with dog trainers and responsible owners BEFORE you get the dog (they can be an excellent source of practical advice later down the line)
• Ensure the dog’s health is catered for by having regular vet checks
• Don’t expect shelters to just give you the dog of your choice – you will be interviewed and screened and you should view this experience as a positive thing
• Consider the type of dog that is going to best suit your lifestyle (as well as its age, breed type and personality)

Being a responsible dog owner is a joy and adopting a dog responsibly can double the enjoyment!

5) In situations where your dog shows fear towards strangers or visitors to them home, try and explain to visitors that you would prefer if simply ignored the dog completely, not even looking at the dog once or paying them the slightest bit of attention. Very often visitors feel the need to try and ‘comfort’ the dog and this can lead to the dog feeling even more threatened.

Once the dog has learned not to react at all to visitors, ask the occasional ‘dog-knowledgeable’ guest to nonchalantly and without any ceremony, simply drop a treat by the dog and then walk off in another direction. It is important they don’t try and make a fuss of the dog or offer the treat from the hand. Doing this regularly with different guests will accustom the dog to the idea that all visitors are not intruders to the ‘den’ and they are not intent on causing harm to the dog or his pack.

4) Complimentary therapies and treatments can be very helpful for aiding nerves. Diet also plays an important role. If a dog is unusually nervous, listless, depressed or lacking coat condition a change of food may be in order. There are specialist dieticians and holistic vets who may be able to greatly increase your dog’s physical and psychological well-being, thus improving the dog’s confidence and reducing nervousness. Try the Internet or Yellow pages and look for holistic vets and animal dieticians.

3) Keep in your mind at all times how your body language impacts the shy or nervous dog. You are a very large creature with an ability to make all sorts of frightening noises (hoovers, washing machines, shouting at the TV). Imagine another creature that was the equivalent distance in size to what you are to a dog and you will have an appreciation of how the shy or nervous dog may see you.

Now imagine that creature ‘bearing’ down on you with wide eyes, a booming voice and hands the size of saucepans on their way to touch your face. Frightening isn’t it? Well, to a shy or nervous dog that can be how they see the world of humans and your body language can be interpreted wrongly by the dog.

The fact that you are so much bigger than him and the fact that people at large generally have a tendency to approach dogs from a standing position thus bearing down on them can make the world a scary place. Always try and narrow the size difference with a nervy dog by getting down to their level. Avoid direct eye contact at all times, don’t wear sunglasses (to a dog, they look like a pair of wide, staring eyes that never go away) and remember how the dog sees the world from different angles than you. Body language is vital in helping nervous dogs overcome their fears.

2) Make use of other dogs. Dogs, as a rule, will copy and emulate their canine counterparts. If you have a nervous dog it can be a wonderful experience for him or her to meet a carefully selected friend. Just one other dog to begin with. Let them play, let the explore and the nervous dog will very soon begin to absorb the confidence of their bolder playmate and mimic their behaviour around people. It may take a while but regular ‘play sessions’ with other dogs can be the ultimate technique for curing many of the nervousness dog’s hang-ups about life.

Ensure the play mate is well selected, is playful but not boisterous and has no aggressive tendencies. Don’t, under any circumstances try and help a nervous dog by introducing them to an equally nervous playmate, it will double the problem. Meeting other dogs is a pastime best done socially where a ‘screening’ process can take place. Taking a nervous dog somewhere where there are likely to be lots of other dogs can be problematic. Explain your problems to friends, family, co-workers and be honest about your need to find a well-mannered, confident dog for yours to play with from time to time.

1) Consistency is a word used by all dog trainers and behaviour experts on a, well, consistent basis. Never is it more pertinent than in the case of the nervous or shy dog. You may be an erratic person, disorganised, impulsive, loud, prone to bad moods or shouting with none of these characteristics meant for the dog’s consumption. However even the most ebullient of pooches will catch the vibes if something’s ‘up’ in the household.

Ensuring stability, calm and an even tempered approach to home life will not only allow you to live longer and avoid an ulcer it will, above any other training tip or technique, help the more nervous of dogs to adjust to the world. Be patient, be calm, be understanding and be empathetic towards the dog’s disposition. Even if he or she has done something particularly naughty you must accept that there are certain ways to correct the problem that may work on 99.9% of dogs, even on dogs you have previous owned, but on THIS nervous or shy pet, the wrong response from you could literally kill their spirit.

Dogs who chase their tails aren’t necessarily as happy as they appear. When they don’t know how to deal with a situation, such as meeting a strange dog, chasing their tails acts as a distraction. It buys them time while they think about what they’re going to do next.
This sounds like a silly way to cope with confusion, but people do similar things. It’s called displacement behaviour. Suppose you’re having an internal debate about whether to complain about the service in a restaurant or just to keep the peace and keep eating. While you’re making up your mind, you may rap your fingers on the table or fiddle with the napkin.

The physical activity is a stalling tactic, and it helps dispel some energy at the same time. Dogs who chase their tails may be doing something similar. Any stressful situation can lead to tail chasing. Dogs aren’t able to say, “Hey, take a break; it’s stressful”. Instead, they turn to a behaviour they know, as a way of calming themselves.

Dogs who chase their tails all the time may have a compulsive personality disorder. One clue is whether they do other odd things as well. For example, dogs who chase their tails also may chase shadows or the moving sunlight on the carpet. Or they’ll groom themselves constantly. Compulsive behaviours can be quite serious, and often need medical treatment.

Chasing Their Pain

Dogs do a lot of things that are utterly mystifying to people, but sometimes the underlying reason is the simplest one imaginable. Some dogs chase their tails because they hurt, and they want to give them a lick and bite for relief. Sometimes, a dog gets her tail caught in a door, stepped on, or injured in a fight, and no one even knows it’s wounded until they call their vet because they’re worried about the tail chasing. Once the problem is taken care of, the tail chasing will stop as well.

It might seem like harmless entertainment to watch dogs chase their tails, but it’s something that shouldn’t be encouraged.

It’s best for your dog if you work on distraction techniques if they start chasing their tail. Begin by simply encouraging your dog to stop the behaviour and reward them when they do.

The 3,800 square kilometre Cairngorms National Park welcomes around 1.4 million visitors annually, many of which are dog owners. While visitors and are encouraged, they need to be mindful that areas such as these are home to vulnerable wildlife as well as landowners and farmers.

This has led to the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) launching an awareness raising campaign to educate dog owners on what it means to be a responsible dog owner in the Scottish countryside and about the issues that can exist between their pets, farmers’ livestock and wildlife. The campaign is based around three key messages about dogs relating to farming; natural heritage and dogs in public open spaces.

As a country estate set within the Cairngorms National Park, Glen Tanar is supporting CNPA’s campaign by jointly hosting a ‘Dogs and the Code’ responsible dog ownership educational event aimed at local residents.

Michael Bruce, Glen Tanar Estate Owner, says, “While we actively encourage visitors and want our countryside to be enjoyed, we do not want this to be at the expense of nature. Glen Tanar is home to an abundance of wildlife including deer and rare capercaillie making it essential that dogs are kept under close control and do not chase such wildlife. Ideally dogs should be kept on a short lead during the bird breeding season so not to upset or harm ground nesting birds or disturb their nests.

“By supporting CNPA’s campaign through hosting this event, which will take place in February, Glen Tanar can work with the local community to encourage responsible behaviour among dog owners and ensure greater compliance with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. This is turn will ensure the safety of our visitors as well as the conservation of the wildlife.”

Justin Prigmore, CNPA’s Outdoor Access Officer says, “The Cairngorms National Park is home to 16,000 residents and tourism related business accounts for 80% of the park’s economy. The support received by Glen Tanar in conveying our message to its local residents and visitors is very welcomed as only by working with local landowners can our campaign be a success”.

There are nine key points that The Scottish Outdoor Access Code recommends to dog owners, which are promoted at CNPA ‘Dogs and the Code’ events:

· Don’t take your dog into fields where there are lambs, calves or other young animals

· Don’t take your dog into fields of vegetables or fruit unless you are on a clear path, such as a core path or right of way, but keep your dog to the path

· Never let your dog worry or attack farm animals

· If you go into a field of farm animals, keep as far as possible from the animals and keep your dog on a short lead or under close control

· If cattle react aggressively and move towards you, keep calm, let the dog go and take the shortest, safest route out of the field

· During the bird breeding season (usually April to July), keep your dog under close control or on a short lead in areas such as moorland, forests, grassland, loch shores and the seashore

· Pick up and remove your dog’s faeces if it fouls in a public open place or where there is a risk to farming interests

· Some reservoirs and streams are used for public water supply. If there are intakes nearby, keep your dog out of the water

· In recreation areas and other public places, avoid causing concern to others by keeping your dog under close control

For more information on Glen Tanar visit www.glentanar.co.uk or call 013398 86451. For more information about the campaign to promote responsible outdoor access with dogs, please contact Justin Prigmore at the CNPA on tel: 01479 870533 or email: justinprigmore@cairngorms.co.uk

5.) Aggression towards other dogs – Watch your temper! If you are tense, frustrated, or angry, your dog will mirror that energy right back at you, so it’s especially important to remain calm when dealing with an aggressive dog. But remember, always put your safety first! Seek the help of a professional to deal with this potentially dangerous issue.

4.) Overexcitement or hyperactivity – Overexcited or hyperactive dogs are not being challenged enough. Most often, they just require more exercise! Find a new activity to try with your dog – hiking, swimming, agility courses – or step up your current walk routine. Dogs require at least 30 minutes of a structured walk every day. Talk to your vet about how much exercise your dog can safely handle.

3.) Barking while the owner is away – This is most often a symptom of separation anxiety. You can help your dog to relax by communicating that being apart is no big deal. Instead of showering your dog with affection, practice no touch, no talk, and no eye contact for at least five minutes when entering or leaving your home.

2.) Barking at a specific stimulus – Take time to simulate the cause of the barking, and practice correcting your dog. If it’s the doorbell that sets your dog off, ring it when no one is coming over, so you can stay focused on the task at hand: helping your dog overcome this unwanted behavior.

1.) Problems on the walk – A canine pack leader leads, and so should you! Your dog should always be next to you or behind you, never out in front. Make sure you are the first one out the door and the first one to come back in.