Table of contents for November 2022 in Your Dog

Dogs are known for their stoicism — so often they soldier on despite feeling uncomfortable or experiencing pain. In our lead feature this issue, animal behaviourist Toni Shelbourne explains how pain can impact on your dog’s behaviour and be the hidden cause behind many behaviour problems. So, what does pain look like? And how can you spot the signs that all is not well with your dog? Turn to page 10 to find out. There’s more useful, practical advice on page 14 in our first aid feature‘How to cope in a canine crisis’. While most days out with our dogs are pleasant or routine experiences, how well prepared are you should the unexpected happen? First aid expert Kerry Rhodes recommends three items you should have with you at all times,…

NEW MILESTONE FOR ‘RUBBISH’ PET PORTRAIT ARTIST Hercule Van Wolfwinkle, whose fun animal drawings took the internet by storm, is celebrating after his fundraising for local homeless charity, Turning Tides, reached the £200,000 mark. Commissions flooded in when Worthing-based Hercule — aka Phil Heckels — drew a picture of family Labrador Nala for his son during lockdown and posted it online. “It never gets any less overwhelming when we hit these milestones and it’s so amazing how much support people continue to give the project,” said Phil, who thinks he still has 50,000 requests sitting in his inbox. YORKIE FINALLY FOUND AFTER BEING STOLEN FROM FAMILY FLEEING UKRAINE A Ukrainian family whose Yorkshire Terrier was stolen just six days after arriving in the UK, following a tortuous 2,000-mile drive across…

The first known UK dog-to-human and dog-to-dog transmission of a rare disease has been confirmed, after a Stoke-on-Trent owner became ill and her five dogs were put to sleep. Grandmother Wendy Hayes, 61, was hospitalised with a high temperature, chills, shivers, bad shakes, severe headaches, backache, and low blood pressure when she contracted Brucella canis (B. canis), an infectious disease brought into the country by a Belarusian rescue dog she was fostering. Wendy was devastated when her Jack Russell Benson (13); Patterdale-cross Dougie (11); Pug Tiny (4); mixed breed Max (9); and German Shepherd-cross Moosha couldn’t be saved. Now the British Veterinary Association and British Small Animal Veterinary Association are stressing the importance of vets wearing PPE and reporting suspected cases, to protect dogs, owners, and staff. The BVA is calling…

TOP TIP! Being prepared, and having thought situations through, can help you act decisively and effectively in a crisis. You’re setting out on your regular dog walk when the unexpected happens — your dog injures himself, becomes ill, or you encounter a stray — and suddenly you need resources that are just not to hand. Kerry Rhodes, who runs Rhodes 2 Safety, a company offering a full range of first aid training services including canine first aid, recommends three items you should have with you at all times. ● VET WRAP “I would honestly say if you have nothing else with you, take a vet wrap-type, cohesive bandage,” said Kerry. “With this, you can apply a muzzle if you have to; if you find a stray dog you have a…

WHY YOUR DOG MIGHT STRUGGLE WITH A BABY Each year tragic stories come to light of babies hospitalised or even killed by pet dogs. In April 2022, NHS England reported that 380 children aged four years old and under had received treatment for dog bites and strikes in the period from April 2021 – March 2022. Since January 2020, at least five children aged four years and under have died due to dog attacks. Many factors contribute to these tragic incidents. Dogs can be aroused by the sound and movement of babies, causing natural predatory behaviour to kick in. Others become very worried by the change of routine or the transfer of affection to a baby. Even an outstretched paw can injure a newborn, which is why careful, early preparation…

GET IN TOUCH… Email your letters to sarah.wright@warnersgroup.co.uk Alternatively, write to: Sarah Wright, Letters, Your Dog Magazine, Warners Group Publications, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 9PH. Please include your full name, home address, and daytime telephone number with your correspondence. The editor reserves the right to abridge and edit letters submitted. You can also pass your comments and views to Sarah through Twitter (@yourdog) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/yourdogmagazine). WE WERE BLESSED! I read with great pleasure Laura Dutton’s heart-warming letter (September issue) about her experience of owning littermates. I would also like to share my own experience. I, too, have had the privilege of raising two siblings (brother and sister). Back in 1998 our beautiful Border Collie had a planned one-off litter, resulting in four pups. My wonderful late…

MARVELLOUS MUGS Launched in 1985, British ceramics manufacturer Emma Bridgewater has added new designs to its popular dogs range of handmade mugs. Breeds such as the Dachshund, fox red Labrador, and Border Terrier now sit alongside other pure and cross-breeds in the collection, traditionally crafted from cream-coloured earthenware in Stoke-on-Trent, the home of British pottery. • Key feature: Aimed at lovers of dogs and classic modern pottery, each mug is touched by 30 pairs of hands before it reaches the customer. • Price: From £22. • Available from: Emma Bridgewater shops and online at www.emmabridgewater.co.uk NO MORE MUD MONSTERS Set to mark this year’s Muddy Dog Day on October 29, a new product from Distinctive Pets will mean mucky pups are a thing of the past. The Muddy Dog Survival…

“He looked so sad and wouldn’t move. His ears were pinned down and he wasn’t perky — nothing like a Labrador puppy should be.” Being in the right place at the right time certainly paid off for puppy Parker and his devoted new owner, Poppy Watkin. The patient care assistant at Hertfordshire-based small animal referral hospital Davies Veterinary Specialists had spent her whole life wanting a Labrador puppy. But she could never have foreseen the circumstances that would lead to the realisation of her dream. In fact, when Parker was first admitted to Davies in December 2021 — just a fortnight before New Year — the team tasked with caring for him thought his chances of survival were slim at best. Poppy, 23, who lives near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, explained…

 To be included in our gallery, emailyour photos to gallery@yourdog.co.uk or post traditional prints to the address on page 4. Include your name, address, and daytime telephone number, plus your dog’s name and breed. Alternatively, you can share your images on social media at www.facebook.com/yourdogmagazine Twitter @yourdog. Please, no images of dogs playing with sticks or wearing extreme clothing!…

Our cover star this issue is Akita Tupac, who was 10 weeks old when our picture was taken, and has just recently gone to his new home. “Tupac is a cheeky, happy young pup. He’s very empathetic and loving, taking after his dad,” said breeder Sarah Dalziel-Riddell, from Guildford, Surrey. “He loves playing with his toy duck and tennis balls and has started to make friends down at the park. He’s only just started puppy classes, but he’s doing great so far with his basic commands and walking on the lead.”…

• November 6: 10am – 4pm: The Dog Breeding Reform Group Symposium 2022, School of Veterinary Medicine, Vet School Main Building, Daphne Jackson Road, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7AL. This symposium, for vets, vet students, dog owners, breeders, vet nurses, breed health coordinators, canine welfare organisations, and anyone interested in the health and welfare of dogs, focuses on hereditary and breed-related skin problems. • Cost: £55 (£25 for students). • More info: www.dbrg.uk/dbrg-symposium-2022.html • November 12: 9am – 4.30pm: The Kennel Club Health and Welfare Conference 2022, Chesford Grange, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2LD. Bringing together dog health experts and enthusiasts, the conference aims to open up discussion on pertinent topics and encourage collaboration to improve the health, well-being, and welfare of dogs, now and in the future. •…

TOP TIP! Take note if your dog’s behaviour suddenly changes. This can often be linked to a pain issue. TONI SHELBOURNE has over three decades of experience working with dogs and wild canids. She is an animal behaviourist (full member of INTODogs and ICAN), a Tellington TTouch instructor, real dog yoga instructor, and author. She lives in Oxfordshire. For more information, visit www.tonishelbourne.co.uk Every day I see dogs I suspect are in pain, and that discomfort is often the root cause of their behaviour issues. I’m not a vet and cannot diagnose a health issue, but I can support and signpost dog carers towards getting a diagnosis. Research by Lincoln University in 2020 revealed that up to 82 per cent of behaviour cases studied were found to be pain-related or exacerbated…

HOW TO ENTER FREEBIES For your chance to win these fabulous prizes, enter online by visiting www.yourdog.co.uk/freebies, quote the code RSJ15JSR, and follow the instructions on screen. The closing date for entries is November 15, 2022 (UK only). Please note, you can enter online from October 7, 2022. For full competition terms and conditions, visit www.warnersgroup.co.uk/competition-terms 10 TO GIVE AWAY PERSONALISED PET BLANKETS Mr Mole cosy, soft, and personalised pet blankets come in a wide choice of colours and are the perfect, practical pet accessory. Machine washable, you can use the blankets in your pet’s bed, on a chair or sofa, in the car, or — for very lucky dogs — over a bed! Each blanket can be embroidered with the name of your choice (to a maximum of 12…

Got a problem with your dog? Whether it’s about behaviour, training, health, or general care, the Your Dog experts are here to help. Our panel includes some of the top names in the dog world, so you can rest assured that you are getting the best quality advice. Just email your problem/query to editorial@yourdog.co.uk or, if you prefer, you can post it to ‘Dog Answers’ at our Bourne address (see page 4). You can also post your query on Facebook www.facebook.com/yourdogmagazine. 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.…

● CANADA: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has banned the importation of commercial dogs — those for resale, adoption, fostering, breeding, exhibition, and research — from around 100 countries, considered to be at high risk of rabies, until further notice. Although the agency said that Canada doesn’t currently have any active cases of canine rabies, dogs with the disease were imported into the country last year, and the Public Health Agency of Canada and provincial health authorities asked the CFIA to act to protect people, pets, and wildlife. ● AMERICA: Officials in Michigan are investigating a mysterious illness, mainly affecting dogs aged under two, that has so far claimed more than 20 lives. Some dogs have died within days of showing symptoms, which include vomiting, diarrhoea, and bloody stools.…

Fern showed hyperactivity and issues around being touched, especially on the left-hand side of her lower back, hindquarters, and tail. She could also be very mouthy and resource guarded items and food, as well as having a history of biting. Initially, behavioural work went well, and a first vet examination showed nothing remarkable. Fern did however have difficulty when asked to give her left paw, became distressed at the sight of her harness, and continued to be wary and reactive to touch. Work was started on muzzle training so a further vet check or chiropractic visit could be safely conducted. Fern’s resource guarding reduced but her behaviour towards family members was still an issue and she nipped/bit a few more times. X-rays showed no issues, but a drug that is…

ABOUT VICKY Holistic vet Vicky Payne BVetMed MRCVS is based in East Sussex, and qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 2001. She uses a range of complementary therapies alongside conventional medicine and surgery. ANTIFREEZE TOXICITY Ethylene glycol is an ingredient used in engine antifreeze, which is very toxic to dogs and cats. Pets are at risk if they lick fluid that has leaked from car radiators or been spilled during a top up. I have only ever seen this poisoning in cats, but dogs are equally at risk due to the sweet flavour. Ethylene glycol causes acute kidney failure and by the time symptoms show it is too late to save the pet. If you see your dog drink potentially contaminated water, contact your vet for advice immediately. There…

POOCH & MUTT ADVENT CALENDAR Get your furry friend involved in the festive fun with a daily nutritious treat from the Pooch & Mutt Advent calendar. Behind every door, you'll find two tasty Turkey & Cranberry Meaty Treats packed with added goodness like collagen for a healthy skin and coat and probiotics for healthy digestion, as well as a sprinkling of seasonal cinnamon for added festive cheer • Find out more at www.poochandmutt.co.uk THE AWARD WINNING DOGMATIC DOG HEADCOLLAR The Dogmatic Headcollar stops dogs pulling on the lead, is comfortable for the dog to wear, and does not ride up or go near the eyes. Dogmatic has a wide range of dog headcollars in leather and padded cushioned webbing, with matching collars and training leads, offering a kind, comfortable solution…

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO EXERCISE YOUR DOG’S BRAIN? Very — particularly for clever dogs and herding breeds. As one dog trainer explained: “a stroll around the block is comparable to saying to Einstein: ‘Did you know one and one is two?’ and then wondering why the dog is frustrated!” DO BORDER TERRIERS NEED A LOT OF SPACE? Border Terriers aren’t big dogs so they don’t need a large house or garden to live in. However, you do need to ensure that your garden is safe and secure. Due to them being bred to go down holes after foxes, they are excellent escape artists and can dig out of gardens and fit through very tight spaces in fences and hedges. Similarly, if you live near a busy road, you need…