Tabla de contenidos para Dog Days en Dog Days

The bond between humans and animals is as old as humanity. It’s an almost inexplicable relationship. It is also the relationship that makes the tie between humans and nature. The reality of the human world becomes like a fantasy, because we cannot fully comprehend the world of animals. We watch and learn, we think we understand; yet, there will never be clear communication that can explain this symbiosis. And it is as it should be. The mystery of animals is exactly what draws us towards them. Words cause people to drift apart but acts of kindness unite us – it is in these wordless conversations between human and animal that emotion, deeds and compassion strengthen the bond. I’ve learnt through the years that the heart speaks louder than the mouth…

If you’re after a specific breed or have a particular need a dog needs to fulfil, a puppy might tick the right boxes. Yet Marycke says it’s worth keeping in mind that many rescue organisations help mostly older dogs of popular breeds to find homes. Puppies come with a full curriculum: house training, socialisation, puppy school, adolescent chaos and the long game of shaping a dog you enjoy living with. “Not many people have the luxury of flexible schedules to take on a puppy. An older dog, used to being part of the family, is potentially easier or often less demanding. They may be fully house-trained and could even have basic behaviours in place, like recall, sit and stay.” That said, adult dogs aren’t plug-and-play. Training is still recommended for…

In 2013, Lucy Breytenbach founded Just Dogs Behaviour in Cape Town. A few years later, she was asked to train South Africa’s first diabetic alert dog (DAD). At the time this was unheard of locally. Motivated by a desire to help a family who was in need of such a service dog and realising the cost of importing service dogs, Lucy partnered with Debby Kay to develop a homegrown training model. Honey, a rescued golden retriever, became the first DAD in the country and the namesake of Honey’s Garden. What began as a one-dog solution grew into a national initiative that now trains service dogs for a range of needs. Lucy says the cornerstones of Honey’s Garden are behavioural precision, practical empathy and the belief that a well-trained dog can…

POODLE POMPADOUR Indeed. Some poodles look as though they have just stepped off a Paris runway. But the iconic pompom appearance is more than a slightly strange fashion statement. Poodles were originally water dogs, and hunters clipped them in such a way that certain body parts would be kept warm while other parts were shaved closely for ease of movement in the water. Those pompoms kept the joints and chest warm. While Coco no longer retrieves fallen ducks from the water, the look lives on – part tradition, part style, always elegant. SHORT NAILS FOR COMFORT Think of your dog’s nails like you would of your car’s tyres. Let them grow too long and it throws everything off balance. Nails that are too long push the toes into awkward positions,…

1 START BY CONFINING YOUR CAT TO ONE ROOM Place her litter, food, water and bed all within reach. No escape routes. Keep cat and dog separate while you work through each step. Slow beats sorry. 2 FEED EACH PET ON OPPOSITE SIDES of the closed door – smell meets supper. This is a lowstress way to build positive associations. Don’t crowd the bowls; if tension trumps appetite, you’re too close. Shift dishes gradually until both are munching contentedly, nose-to-nose on either side of the barrier. 3 ONCE BOTH PETS ARE CALMLY EATING NEAR THE DOOR you can wedge it open just enough for a sliver of visibility – no squeezing through, no unsupervised heroics. Big dogs can brute-force flimsy setups, so stay present. A glass sliding door works too,…

WE ALREADY TALK WITH OUR ANIMALS ON A DAILY BASIS. UNFORTUNATELY, WE USUALLY ONLY TELL THEM WHAT THEY ARE DOING WRONG. “DOWN, BOY! DON’T JUMP!” Have you ever owned a dog so full of gusto and willpower that you wondered whether it would be best – for both of you – to find a new home for him? More than a decade ago, this was Anthea Myburgh’s dilemma. Her Rottweiler, Sofia, did not respond to traditional training. Frustrated and saddened, she was at a crossroads. The idea of saying goodbye to Sofia felt like failure. But then a friend sent her in a new direction: animal communication. It led her to Wynter at Animaltalk Africa. And everything changed. By making contact intuitively and really listening, Anthea and Sofia’s relationship blossomed.…

TREAT BALLS Spoil your dogs with these simple balls. I always have a bowl of these in the fridge – it’s the perfect little bribe that will make their day just so much better. Makes 24 balls • 125 ml pumpkin purée (boil the pumpkin in water without any salt or sugar)• 125 ml sugar-free, unsweetened apple purée• 60 ml sugar-free, unsweetened peanut butter (make sure that it doesn’t contain xylitol)• 60 ml plain unsweetened yoghurt• 1 bacon rasher, fried until crispy and crumbled finely• 240 g (750 ml) rolled oats Place all the ingredients in the bowl of a mixer but set aside a handful of the oats. Mix until a dough forms. If needed, add a bit of extra peanut butter to bind the mixture. Use a 50…

LEIGH SHENKER is an animal behaviourist and marketing manager, and a lecturer at COAPE International. For more information visit coape.org DR AILEEN PYPERS is a veterinarian behaviourist, the owner of Pets at Play Veterinary Behaviour Consultancy and one of the experts at PawPedia, a free online learning resource by Hill’s South Africa. For more information visit petsatplay.co.za and pawpedia.co.za DR DAVE MILLER is a specialist veterinary physician who co-runs the medical department of Johannesburg Specialist Veterinary Centre. He has authored more than 10 book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles, and has presented at both local and international veterinary conferences. He also chairs the National Veterinary Clinicians’ Group of South Africa and serves on the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s finance committee. For more information visit jsvc.co.za or call 011 792 6442.…

“Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers are great family dogs if you already have children. They are very gentle and loving,” says Jason. Marycke, who breeds golden retrievers, adds that people should bear in mind that they are very energetic dogs, so make sure you can accommodate that. She also adds that pets aren’t toys – dog interactions should always be supervised. “A dog or any pet that you add to the family should be there because one or both adults are invested in having a pet and are prepared to put in the time. Children can grow up around pets, but until they reach their middle teens, the pets are there for the adults,” she says. Planning a family? Get the dog first. “It all has to do with having…

If you have cats, chickens and rabbits, rather adopt a puppy. That way you can socialise him with the existing animals in your household. But if you prefer peace over puppy pandemonium, an older dog may already come house-trained, socialised and blissfully uninterested in chewing your slippers. Remember that a rescue isn’t shorthand for “problem”. From puppies to pedigrees, the full spectrum lands there, giving you options to choose a dog that truly suits you. Pick a shelter with ethics and insight. Be upfront about your lifestyle – clear expectations help them match you with a good fit, not one that simply tugs at your heartstrings. Choosing a rescue dog means saving a life, dodging puppy mills and welcoming a dog that is already sterilised, vaccinated and ready for a…

1 DIABETIC ALERT DOGS (DADS) Type 1 diabetes is an incurable autoimmune condition that demands constant blood sugar monitoring and daily insulin management. For families, especially those with diabetic children, it’s a full-time job with unpredictable variables. Dogs have more than 200 million sensors in their noses that can smell individual scents at 1 part per trillion. Rapid changes in blood sugar levels are expressed on a person’s breath and skin. DADs are trained to associate this change in scent with a reward and to be persistent about receiving it. DADs are trained to detect any changes in their owner’s glucose level up to 30 minutes before a blood glucose monitor would, giving the person time to adjust their insulin level or sugar intake before symptoms occur. Studies show DADs…

Through the eyes of a dog Guide dogs play a key role in the lives of people with visual impairments by enabling them to move around independently and confidently. These dogs are not only loyal companions but also offer the support that their owners need to overcome challenges and be actively involved in community life. The South African Guide-Dogs Association (SAGDA), active since 1953, supplies guide dogs, service dogs and autism support dogs to people with visual, physical or developmental challenges. The organisation empowers hundreds of people with disabilities to gain a measure of independence with the help of a dog. Many volunteers give their time and effort to raise and train these special dogs so that they can eventually change someone’s life. Visit www.guidedog.org.za or dial 021 674 7395…

The secret to changing a dog’s behaviour isn’t just in the technique – it’s in the backstory. Every wag, woof and wayward shoe theft has its roots in genetics, upbringing and a dash of evolutionary drama. “The dog breeds we have today have all been bred for very specific reasons. Labradors, for instance, have been bred to retrieve water birds that were shot while hunting. They are very people-oriented and good at working one-on-one, because they were bred to listen to individuals and follow them,” says Dr Aileen Pypers, veterinary behaviourist from Pets at Play and Hill’s PawPedia. “Jack Russell terriers, on the other hand, were designed for solo missions – hunting vermin independently – and are therefore much more self-reliant.” But breed alone doesn’t write the behavioural script. Nature…

She stood in front of the large elephant – a massive being with eyes that told stories of pain and hope. The gentle breeze glided through the grass, but inside her all was quiet. She opened her heart and sent her thoughts towards him. Images of what would come: the truck, the road, the people who would help, the place where he would arrive. She showed him every step of the journey so that nothing would catch him off guard. Then it came … a “voice”, crystal clear, from his soul: “Am I going home?” She waited for a moment, aware of the gravity of this question. What does home mean to an elephant that had to endure so much? She asked softly: “What does home mean to you?” The…

THAT BALL? HIS TROPHY! You throw the ball and Spotty chases it as though his life depends on it. Again … and again … until you are exhausted! It is his hunting instinct in action – the excitement of the chase, the “catch” and the triumphant return. Breeds like Labradors and golden retrievers were especially bred to retrieve wild animals, usually birds, for hunters. Fetching a ball is the epitome of joy for them. Even dogs who were not bred especially for this purpose, enjoy a good game of fetch. It strengthens your bond, provides exercise and a satisfying moment of success. In your eyes it is a slimy old tennis ball; in his eyes, a trophy. CHEW ON THIS Puppies chew to relieve their discomfort when they are teething.…

BEFORE YOU LEAVE Allow your four-legged travel buddy to get used to the car by taking shorter, pleasurable trips – even just around the block. Pack for him: enough food and water, feeding bowls, an extra collar and leash, his favourite toys, medication and a first aid kit. Remember to pack extra towels, a spray bottle for hygiene, and bags for accidents. And, yes, his blanky. (Tip: Do not wash it beforehand. If it smells like home, it will help to keep him calm.) Make sure his inoculations are up to date and remember his “ID” in which these are documented – it’s especially important if you’ll be crossing the border or making use of pet-friendly accommodation. A collar with your phone number on it and a microchip implant could…

A small space doesn’t always mean a small dog. Jason warns against judging by size alone. Jack Russells, for example, can be compact chaos with a cardio streak. “It depends entirely on personality. Some are chilled, others not so much,” he says. Marycke agrees that urban compatibility hinges more on energy, arousal and vocal habits than dimensions. “Breeds or breed types one can consider here are bulldogs, bassets, French bulldogs and some of the toy breeds like pugs or chihuahuas, Pekingese and whippets,” she says.…

1 HAIR LOSS “All breeds shed to some degree,” says Mandy. But if you’re after minimal moulting, poodles and bichons frisés top the low-shed list. 2 EASY-CARE COATS Smooth, single-coated breeds like beagles, whippets, smooth dachshunds, French bulldogs, Dobermanns and boxers are low-maintenance charmers. A quick brush and you’re good to go. 3 START EARLY, STAY SANE “It’s preferable to make grooming a part of your puppy training and playtime to keep it fun for everyone. Start with a soft brush and progress to a breed- and coat-appropriate brush. I personally start the bathing and clipping procedure from about four weeks of age,” says Mandy. She encourages paw parents to start with grooming at parlours as soon as possible after the last vaccinations, ideally before the fear imprint phase sets…

Not all dogs are wired for apartment life. Take care to choose the right breed with intent, not impulse. Here are some examples: Temperament trumps size – a couch-loving greyhound beats a high-octane border collie any day. Low-energy adaptable charmers like pugs, cavaliers, shih-tzus or French poodles are ideal. Medium size picks like beagles, Frenchies and standard poodles also work well. If you want a bigger breed, Airedales, giant poodles and Great Danes may thrive in roomy flats. Got other pets? Prioritise social compatibility of the existing breed with the new dog. Above all, match energy to lifestyle, not fantasy. RULE OF THUMB REGARDING SIZE Small breeds (under 10 kg) generally thrive in tighter spaces like studios and one-bedroom flats. Mediumto-large breeds need more room to breathe and do better…

EARS Forward ears An indication of curiosity, interest, alertness and a readiness to investigate. Ears held back Your dog might be feeling shy or showing fear, submission or even a little aggression. Flat ears This happens when your dog is feeling very anxious, scared or even aggressive. MOUTH Relaxed mouth When your dog’s mouth is gently open, with his lips soft, and maybe even a little tongue hanging out, you’re looking at peak contentment. No tension, no drama – just pure, tail-wagging bliss. Lip licking and yawning Sure, dogs lick their lips after a tasty treat, but if there’s no food in sight, that tongue flick might be stress talking. The same applies to yawning – your dog could be doing it to calm himself when he’s feeling nervous. Baring…

If you ever find yourself in an eco-estate in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and hear someone chatting to a woollynecked stork or negotiating politely with a Boston terrier, it is most probably Yulinda Noortman – economist turned animal communicator, eternal student and co-founder of the Boston Terrier Action Group (BTAG). Yulinda’s story does not follow a straight line. At the age of 32, a bone marrow tumour rendered her partially paralysed. The physical healing process was only the starting point. Her job in Johannesburg suddenly felt senseless. So she started studying – psychology, languages and literature, mysticism and, finally, animals. Nala Moonbeam was her and her life partner’s second Bostie. “Before her arrival, I sent her mental images of our home,” remembers Yulinda. “I didn’t know why. It just felt right.”…

Your dog does not need words to convey his love of food. Whether he looks at you with those droopy eyes while you’re having dinner (or trying to) or does a happy dance when you open the treat jar, it is clear that this is what his day largely revolves around. But what you put in his bowl can do more than merely put a wag in his tail. A balanced diet can boost his energy, make his coat shine, support his joints, improve his longevity and, yes, even influence his behaviour. RAW FOOD VS. KIBBLE It is heavily debated in the canine world whether raw food or kibble is best for your wet nose. Every dog owner has an opinion. Visit an online forum about the topic and you’ll…