Table of contents for December 2022 in Your Dog

Christmas is coming and if you — like me — feel totally unprepared for all the festivities (despite your vow to ‘be more organised’ this year) I hope this issue will get you in the mood, and maybe offer a little inspiration. We’ve got lots of Christmas gift ideas for dog lovers (check out pages 31 and 55) and while our freebies prizes (page 24) don’t all have a Christmas theme, there are plenty of them — 66 in total up for grabs — because, after all, Christmas is a time for giving. Despite the festive vibe, there is still plenty of practical content in this issue, from learning all about vestibular disease, which is not uncommon in dogs (page 38), to winter care tips to keep your pet warm,…

On my first on-call Christmas, the pager sent to me a Basset Hound with nasty GE… The on-call pager went off at 8am, with a ‘Merry Christmas’ message from the pager company along with the details of the sick pet. I arranged to meet the owner and their elderly Basset at the clinic. The emergency complaint was vomiting and diarrhoea; gastroenteritis (GE). The dog also had a chronic skin condition and smelt rather pungent. He hadn’t vomited for 12 hours, he was eating and drinking, and was quite active for an elderly dog, so I prescribed treatment to continue at home, much to the horror of the owner. I suspect they wanted him hospitalised while the in-laws visited! Stomach upsets are common during the festive period with dogs getting treats…

1 PAWSITIVE VIBES: ‘The Little Book of Pawsitivity’, by Rosie Palmer, is a collection of life lessons, practical tips, and happiness hacks gleaned from our canine companions. Beautifully illustrated, the book highlights how dogs understand the key to happiness: eat well, play well, love well, and sleep well. ● Perfect for: Anyone who needs a pick-me-up. It will resonate with any owner whose dog has helped them through dark times. ● Price: £8.99 (hardback, published by Summersdale). ● Available from: Online and all good book shops. 2 LET IT SNOW: Ensure yours is the best-dressed dog this Christmas, thanks to Ditsy Pet’s Festive Snowflake range of bandannas, dickie bows, collars, and leads. ● Perfect for: Fashion-conscious dogs and their owners. ● Prices: From £14.95 (collar); £7 (slide-on bandanna); £6.50 (slide-on…

MEMBERSHIP OFFER: Luxury Family Hotels are offering Your Dog members a £28 dinner allowance per adult per night, and a free doggy travel pack for your precious pet as well. Take a closer look at what these five hotels have to offer… MORE INFO For the full list of over 400 offers and discounts, go to www.yourdog.co.uk/offers Luxury Family Hotels offer escapes to some of England’s finest locations. What’s more they are dog friendly, meaning your four-legged friend can come along too. NEW PARK MANOR — BROCKENHURST, HAMPSHIRE Situated in the heart of the New Forest National Park, New Park Manor has hours of woodland walks to enjoy on its doorstep, and is only a short drive from the beach. This former retreat of King Charles II offers a luxurious…

IT’S A WRAP Soft, cosy, warm and practical… there’s no better gift for your canine companion when temperatures plummet than a luxury Double Fleece Dog Blanket from Charley Chau. Breathable, moisturewicking, and washable, each blanket is made in England from two layers of Charley Chau’s fabulous fleece fabric and finished with a simple, stitched border. ● Key feature: These super-soft, quick-drying double fleece blankets are perfect for lining an existing dog bed or protecting your sofa or car interior. ● Colours: Wisp grey, powder grey, camel, charcoal. ● Sizes: Medium (70cm X 100cm), large (140cm X 140cm). ● Price: £45 – £80. ● Available from: www.charleychau.com PAWSOME PROTECTION Protect your pet’s feet this winter, courtesy of WildWash Magic Paw Balm for Dogs. Containing vitamin E-rich sweet almond oil, frankincense, and…

RETIRED MoD POLICE DOG SAVED An emergency operation has saved the life of a retired Ministry of Defence police dog, who kept the navy’s nuclear submarines safe during his six-year career. Eleven-year-old Flint suffered a twisted stomach and was in a critical condition. “I had to kiss and hug him and say goodbye; at his age, the operation was a huge risk,” said his handler Karen Crossley, who served with the MoD police for 30 years. Although the Belgian Malinois pulled through, Karen, from Launceston, Cornwall, had to find £2,000 to pay the vet’s bill as Flint is uninsured due to his working past. Luckily, the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, a UK-based organisation that provides financial assistance and support to those who take on retired police dogs, stepped in to…

DID YOU KNOW? A Labrador’s mouth can be so gentle that he can hold a raw egg in his mouth without breaking it. Dog trainer Steve Mann is the founder of the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT) and the author of several best-selling books including ‘Easy Peasy Doggy Squeezy’ and ‘Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy’. Renowned for using straightforward language and having a great sense of humour, Steve aims to help people understand more about their dogs so they can become much-loved family members. His latest project is the publication of a new series of ‘Easy Peasy’ books, with each book focusing on one of the UK’s most popular breeds. Your Dog caught up with Steve to find out more… DID YOU KNOW? The word game Scrabble allows use of…

7 TO GIVE AWAY CROSS-STITCH KITS Heritage Crafts is offering readers the chance to win two lovely Christmas cross-stitch designs from the Golden Years range by Peter Underhill. Both Togetherness and the Christmas Time Coaster are counted cross-stitch designs containing whole stitches only, so they are suitable for beginners or a quick stitch for the experienced. Each kit contains Zweigart 14ct aida fabric, stranded cottons sorted onto numbered cards, a needle, and clear charts and instructions. We have seven kits to give away. ● For more information, visit www.hcrafts.com or call 01889 585666. 3 TO GIVE AWAY DOG BEDS Taking inspiration from Scandinavian design, the Scruffs Oslo range of dog beds brings a fresh, contemporary look to pet bedding. Made from high-quality velvet, in four earthy tones, with 100 per…

Sometimes, a longer holiday can seem unaffordable when money is tight, but a mini-break could be the solution! Two or three nights away with your dog, exploring new walks and relaxing together, can be incredibly beneficial. Here are six very different dog-friendly holiday venues to consider… DUNSTER, SOMERSET YARN MARKET HOTEL The Yarn Market Hotel, in the medieval village of Dunster, is described as extremely dog friendly, with just four of its 28 rooms free for non-dog owners. Up to three dogs (possibly more) are welcome in rooms. A drying room is also provided for wet clothes, and a‘woof guide’ includes ideas for walks and dog-friendly eateries. Although dogs are not allowed in the main restaurant, they are welcome in a separate, smaller dining room. Your Dog Membership offer Located…

JUST £18 A YEAR! A wealth of expert advice and dog-friendly adventures awaits! WHAT’S INCLUDED? ACCESS OVER 6,000 ARTICLES Members get access to our back catalogue of over 6,000 articles from the last six years of Your Dog Magazine. All articles are fully searchable making it easy to get instant advice and training guides by keywords. 400+ DOG-FRIENDLY OFFERS & DISCOUNTS! We’ve done the hard work for you and collated hundreds of offers and discounts to dog-friendly places, including days out, short breaks, and must-have essentials. WELCOME TRAVEL PACK You will also receive our handy travel gift set, which includes a dog paw towel, Tick Twister, shopping bag, pet bandage, and lots more. Perfect for the car boot! LATEST ISSUE ADDED EVERY MONTH Each issue includes the latest behavioural advice, training…

With her heart firmly set on adopting a rescue as a companion for her Belgian Malinois, Hayley Flynn felt disappointed and deflated when most of the charities she approached failed to reply. But just when she was on the verge of giving up, a Basingstokebased non-profit animal rescue not only acknowledged her application but responded that very same day. “I applied to loads of rescues in the UK but many didn’t get back to me,” explained Hayley, who’s 22. “But Helping Dogs and Cats UK Rescue contacted me straight away, and I actually got to speak to a real person rather than just filling in forms online.” Hayley explained that she initially applied to the organisation for a Belgian Malinois called Zoe, thinking she would be the ideal match for…

THE EXPERT PANEL TAMSIN DURSTON is a canine behaviour officer in Dogs Trust’s canine behaviour and research team. TONY CRUSE is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers. VICKY PAYNE BVetMed, MRCVS is a holistic vet based in East Sussex. HOLLY MASH BVSc, MRCVS specialises in herbal medicine, acupuncture, and nutrition. JOANNE ANGUS LCGI is a founder member of the Guild of Master Groomers. JOHN BURNS BVMS, MRCVS is a vet, and founder of feed company Burns Pet Nutrition. STEPHEN JENKINSON is access adviser to Your Dog, the Kennel Club, and local councils. HEALTH SORE PAWS Q Now the weather has turned, my Springer Spaniel seems to be going into wet and muddy undergrowth and coming out with scratches and cuts to…

With a long sandy beach, the UK’s only Royal Harbour, one of the warmest climates in the country, buzzing waterfront bars, cafes, and restaurants, beautiful architecture, miles of walking trails, and stunning views across the marina, dogs and their owners will be spoiled for choice in Ramsgate. Thanks to the launch of a new Dogs are Welcome initiative by Active Ramsgate, the east Kent coastline provides the‘pawfect’ playground for you and your canine companion. We are offering a fantastic two-night stay for two people and a dog at one of the many canine-friendly hotels or B&Bs in this cosmopolitan coastal town. You’ll be able to check out Ramsgate’s ever-growing dog-friendly eateries, art galleries and attractions, set sail on a boat trip, embark on a geocaching expedition, or soak up the…

DID YOU KNOW? Not all senior dogs need a senior dog diet — it depends on their health and activity levels. A sad reality of dogs is that they age faster than we do. This means that anyone living with a dog is likely to experience changes in their pet’s health, behaviour, and even appearance over time. While ageing and age-related changes are inevitable for dogs, you can implement some essential care and management measures to help keep them happy and healthy for as long as possible. Thinking about their nutrition is an important part of this. But do dogs really need nutritional changes or ‘senior’ diets as they age? And what changes might we want to make? WHAT IS A SENIOR DOG? Smaller dog breeds and types have a longer…

DID YOU KNOW? According to the Met Office, winter officially starts on December 1 and ends on the last day of February. DID YOU KNOW? Signs your dog is feeling cold include lethargy, shivering, crying, seeming anxious, huddling in a corner, or snuggling up close against you. Out on a walk, he may also slow down, stop, or keep holding up his paws. TOP TIP! Don’t wait until the mercury drops below 10°C to pop a coat on your dog — keep an eye on him and let him be your guide as to when he needs to wrap up. Some aspects of winter are a delight — watching your dog romp through freshly fallen snow, or taking companionable tramps together through a landscape transformed overnight into a glittering wonderland.…

Lots of you like to express the affection you have for your dogs through verse, and we receive many poems from readers whose dogs have passed away, who are keen to share just how much their pets have meant to them. I know this moving tribute to rescue Greyhound Woody will resonate with many of you. A tribute to Woody by Christina Cruse It’s as though a light has gone out in my world,Nothing now will be the same,I want to scream out loud when I try and whisperyour name. Bring back those muddy paw prints on the carpet,on the floor,Smudgy prints of your lovely black noseYou have left on the garden door. Those holes you have started to dig,In the garden on the grass,Now break my heart in twoEach…

How will your dog be celebrating Christmas? Wrapped up warm and comfortable with some new toys and a turkey dinner, perhaps? Then spare a thought for the poor pets in Ukraine, many of whom now face the festive season struggling to survive on the streets after being separated from their owners fleeing the Russian invasion. Images of cats and dogs left behind by their desperate families as they ran for their lives continue to touch the hearts of animal lovers around the world. No story symbolises the scale of the devastation more succinctly than that of Krym (Crimea), a traumatised dog who remained sitting, scared and alone, on the ruins of his home in Ukraine’s fourth largest city, Dnipro, after a Russian rocket killed all four members of his family,…

Add a playful touch to your home this season with a Sophie Allport Christmas stocking, covered in festive dogs on a winter-teal-coloured background. This stocking will look lovely hanging by your fireplace or underneath the Christmas tree. As a special offer to Your Dog readers, when you purchase a stocking for £19.99, you’ll also get two free Christmas-themed dog toys, plus a LickiMat for your dog to enjoy. LickiMats are designed to entertain your dog and reduce stress and anxiety — and they’re perfect for treats like xylitol-free peanut butter and mashed banana! ● To order, visit www.yourdog.co.uk/store/petshop More gifts available online!…