Table of contents for April 2024 in Your Dog

As the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches, it brings to mind two years of brutal, active hostilities in the country, resulting in numerous horrific events, casualties, and shattered lives. This also means many beloved pets are in dire situations. Research conducted by the Save Pets of Ukraine initiative to quantify the catastrophic impact of the Russian war on the lives of animals, states that as of January 2023, 25,799 dogs, and 19,473 cats are under the care of shelters and volunteers. These pets are evacuated, treated for injuries, cared for and fed, and efforts are made to find them new homes. The U-Hearts Foundation, which has supported the Save Pets of Ukraine initiative since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, reports that in two years of full-scale…

* Check before travel. THE GREAT BRITISH DOG WALK APRIL 28, 2024. Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury. Join hundreds of other dog lovers on a sponsored walk to help raise funds for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. The walk will take place at Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury, on 28 April, 2024, and the money raised will help to transform the lives of deaf adults and children. Did you know that hearing loss is rising? Deafness has a significant impact on people’s safety and mental health. By participating in this event, the funds raised will go towards the training of more amazing hearing dogs, who can alert to life-saving and important sounds, helping to break down those social barriers for deaf people. If you sign up today, you’ll receive a free dog bandana, and…

JB: Can all dogs do tricks? And what dog age is best to start doing trick training? TC: Trick training is a funny definition, because, as my colleague says, all dogs do tricks; all training is tricks. If I ask a dog to sit, technically, you could say that’s a trick. It’s kind of an enhancement to what we already teach them. Regarding age, start as soon as possible. Providing their limbs are strong enough and they’re healthy. There’s, there’s no age limit for tricks and that’s the beauty of them. JB: Why do we teach dogs ‘tricks’ beyond the standard training such as a sit? Is it good for the dog or is it just for our own entertainment? TC: I’ve been trying to get a definition of trick…

Teaching your dog to bow can be a fun and rewarding experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you: Step 1: Gather some small, tasty treats that your dog loves. Positive reinforcement with treats will encourage your dog to repeat the bowing behaviour. Step 2: Find a quiet and comfortable space for training where your dog can focus without distractions. Step 3: Encourage your dog to bow by gently lowering a treat to the ground between their front paws. As your dog follows the treat with their nose, they will naturally lower their upper body into a bow. Use the cue word “bow” as they perform the action and reward them with the treat. Repeat this process several times. Step 4: Practice the bowing behaviour regularly, using the cue and…

Such is the frailty of life. If you’ve not thought about what would happen to your pets if you died, it’s worth considering while you are healthy. If you decide to be a friend or relative’s pet guardian, there are legal implications you will need to consider. Legal ownership If the pet’s present owner is terminally ill, he or she may ask you to permanently care for their pet, or start to find a new home for them. Be aware that for the vet and insurance company to deal with you, you must have legal ownership of the animal. If the present owner is compos mentis, ask them to sign over all rights and responsibilities to you. This transfers legal ownership and you will now be able to act on…

The popularity of dog parks being set up in unused fields is only set to increase after a leading property consultancy won a planning appeal to create one in Cheshire. Property consultants Fisher German helped Steph Cheadle, director of the Dog Paddocks in Lower Whitley, gain retrospective planning permission on appeal after Cheshire West and Chester Council initially refused the application. Nia Borsey, Associate at Fisher German, led the appeal and believes the precedent set will result in an even bigger increase in an already popular diversification strategy for landowners. She said: “We’ve seen demand for dog parks increase significantly since the pandemic when many people decided to welcome a dog into their home but were not able to socialise them properly. Dog parks provide a private space for training…

● Name: Whisper (Female) ● Age: 3 ● Breed: Siberian Husky X Shepherd Whisper is a Siberian Husky X Shepherd who came to Three Counties Dog Rescue because her owners had to move and couldn’t take her with them. She is around three years old (DOB approx December 2020). Whisper is a very beautiful girl, with an absolutely stunning coat. She is friendly with everyone, knows all her basic manners, and she loves treats and takes them gently. She loves to be outside and, enjoys running around and playing. Ball games and chasing the ball are firm favourites, and she mostly brings the ball back! Whisper is a very large girl and strong on her lead, so she will benefit from the use of a harness. Because of her size…

After four decades volunteering as a mountain rescuer and search dog handler, covering some of the UK’s most notorious accident blackspots, hanging up her walking boots isn’t on Penny Kirby’s radar just yet. A former social worker with a cerebral palsy charity, Penny grew up in Hertfordshire, but fell in love with the Lake District while pursuing her interest in walking and rock-climbing. By the time her husband had secured a job in the area and they’d moved to Eskdale in 1972, Penny had become well and truly hooked on this rugged part of west Cumbria. One day in 1982, after Penny had completed Britain’s most famous mountaineering challenge, the Skye Ridge – the toughest of the Scottish Munros – she and a group of friends were relaxing in a…

From their unique tongue prints to the remarkable cooling prowess of panting, dogs’ tongues are fascinating and play a crucial role in their communication, grooming habits, and overall wellbeing. Here’s how: ● Similar to human fingerprints, each dog’s tongue has a unique pattern of grooves and ridges, often referred to as a ‘tongue print’. This distinct pattern helps dogs with activities like grooming and exploration. ● Dogs primarily use their tongues as a cooling mechanism. They lack sweat glands, so panting helps regulate their body temperature. The large surface area of the tongue allows for efficient heat exchange through evaporation. ● Dogs use their tongues for grooming purposes. The texture of their tongue, along with saliva’s antibacterial properties, helps clean wounds and remove dirt from their fur. ● While humans have…

The African Wild Dog, scientifically known as Lycaon Pictus, is a captivating and endangered species native to sub-Saharan Africa. Often referred to as "painted dogs" or "African hunting dogs”, these canids are renowned for their strikingly unique coat patterns, resembling a vibrant mosaic of black, yellow, and white. Physical characteristics: African Wild Dogs exhibit a slender and athletic build, marked by large, rounded ears and a distinctively bushy tail. Their fur is adorned with irregular patches, a distinctive feature that sets them apart from other canids. In terms of behaviour, these dogs are highly social and form tight-knit packs, displaying remarkable cooperative hunting strategies. Habitat: African Wild Dogs thrive in diverse habitats across sub-Saharan Africa, from savannas and grasslands to woodlands. They navigate an ever-changing landscape, relying on expansive territories…

QMy Golden Retriever seems to be shedding more than usual. Is this normal, or could it be a sign of an underlying health issue? AVicky Payne replies: Most dogs will have a big shed in the autumn and spring, and can look quite baldy! Bitches may also shed a lot of coat after a season. If the coat is not regrowing, the skin seems dry or your dog is otherwise unwell, then the hair loss could be a symptom of illness. Hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease, as well as skin allergies, can all cause hair loss. A health check from your vet would help to rule anything out. QHow do I properly brush my Shih Tzu’s long coat to prevent tangles? AJoanne Angus replies: Shih Tzu’s with a long coat require…

Ashridge Estate was taken over by the National Trust in 1926 and covers 5,000 acres of the Chiltern Hills AONB. The National Trust team manage the landscape, continuing 3,000 years of tradition. Using livestock to help look after the different habitats and foresters to fell timber – ensuring the health of the woodland. With stunning beech and oak woodlands, commons, to chalk downlands, each of the differing landscapes is home to a variety of wildlife – from beautiful butterflies in the summer, fallow deer in the autumn and the captivating carpets of bluebells in the spring. If you visit the estate with your dog in the spring, don’t miss the chance to take a walk through Dockey Woods, which sees a large area of bluebells flowering at this time –…

SUNNYSIDE COTTAGE ROBIN HOOD’S BAY, WHITBY Sunnyside Cottage in beautiful Robin Hood’s Bay was bought by dog lover Rachel Spencer in April 2023. This former fisherman’s cottage first opened its doors to guests and their dogs in June 2023, and people are loving it. “When I bought Sunnyside, I really wanted it to not just be dog-friendly, but what I call ‘red carpet dog-friendly!’ says Rachel, who is the proud owner of a little terrier dog called Patch. “I want people to feel relaxed as soon as they walk through the door and to know that we realise their dogs are special. Dogs can go absolutely everywhere in the house, including on the beds, as I think there’s nothing worse than arriving somewhere, and being greeted by a list of…

Ingredients: ● Watermelon (2 slices)● Raspberries (a large handful)● Greek yoghurt (4 tablespoons) Method: Chop your watermelon slices into small chunks, and add a generous handful of raspberries. Using a fork, gently mash the fruit down until most of the lumps are removed, and then slowly stir in the Greek yoghurt. Once the ingredients are evenly mixed together, spoon into a mould tray of your choice, and pop it in the freezer. Once frozen, let your dog enjoy a yummy treat or two!…

Agility has become one of the most popular canine activities in the UK, with thousands of dogs and their owners taking part, and enjoying the fun. The sport is open to people and dogs from all walks of life, whether you’re just looking to have a bit of fun, or you want to progress through the ranks and make your way to the top. But be careful – it’s addictive once you get started! WHAT IS AGILITY? Handlers ask their dogs to navigate a course of different obstacles, including jumps, tunnels, and ramps, using voice and hand signals. It doesn’t matter whether you own a pedigree or a cross-breed, all dogs should be able to have a go at agility — the obstacles are altered accordingly. There is no age…

There are touch receptors all over a dog’s body; these are more highly concentrated in the pads of the feet and face. Around the nose and eyes are particularly sensitive, which makes sense when you examine how dogs investigate their world. The receptors are responsible for perceiving pressure, temperature, pain and help the proprioceptive system, which is responsible for assisting a dog to navigate through the environment. Dogs also have a fifth type of touch receptor called mechanoreceptors, which detect indentation and stretch of the skin. The whiskers on the muzzle, side of the face and above the eyes are extremely important to a dog, and should not be cut, plucked, or pulled. They are as sensitive as our fingertips and play an important role in sensory perception. These specialised…

Nothing makes me happier than opening my computer at work to see that I have a puppy vaccination booked! Not only do I get to snuggle a puppy (perks of the job), but I also get to start the puppy, and their people, on the right path for long-term health and well-being. Ideally, your new puppy will have been examined by a vet before you collect them. I do home visits to microchip and health check litters, which means breeders can discuss any health issues with buyers before they take their puppy home. The most common problems I find are umbilical hernias, overshot and undershot jaws, and boys with testicles that have not descended. A pre-sale health check allows buyers to change their minds about taking on a puppy before…