DOGBLOG

  The photo above is of a previous puppy I raised to become an Assistance Dog – here she is on a farm having plenty of socialisation – made possible by her puppy pram!  She is now a fully qualified working  C anine Partners  Assistance Dog – this means she has the same public access rights as a Guide Dog. Without a huge amount of correct socialisation and training these amazing assistance dogs cannot be prepared for their future working life. Whilst a pet dog owner will not need the pram, it is still important that you carry your pre-vaccinated puppy (or use a puppy sling) to take your puppy outside to socialise and habituate to the sights and sounds of everyday life.   Please ensure you have a securely fitted collar and/or harness on plus ID tag and hold your puppy comfortably and securely. Please note that legally you need the ID tag on as well as the microchip.   Unvaccinated puppies should not be allowed to walk in public areas or have contact w...

  To ensure you buy the healthiest puppy possible, and to ensure you are not funding unscrupulous and uncaring breeders, please read on. A responsible breeder will have carried out relevant breed health checks on parents before breeding.   You can check the puppy parents’ health testing results via the Kennel Club if they are Kennel Club registered and have had the recommended tests done.   You will need to ask the breeder for the parents’ Registered Name or Registration/Studbook Number and check online at the Kennel Club: Health Test Results Finder | The Kennel Club A note on buying cross-breeds Even when buying a cross-breed puppy, their parents should have been health-checked and if the parents are KC registered they can also put the results on the Health Test Results (as above).   This is however quite rare but failing that, the breeder should still show you the original veterinary certificates – see also advice from The Doodle Trust below and link to fur...

  Dogs may be at risk of leptospirosis if they have contact with infected water Titre Testing Titre testing (serological testing for antibodies present in the blood) can give an idea of how well protected your dog is from previous vaccinations.   However, it is not available for every disease and may not be 100% relied on to make sure your dog is protected. Just for your information, the Oxford English dictionary notes that ‘titre’ can be pronounced ‘tighter’ or ‘teeter’ – just so you know when you speak to your vet. Your vet might recommend a titre test if: ·       You are unsure whether to vaccinate your dog (because previous vaccinations may still be sufficient to give cover and you do not want to vaccinate unnecessarily) ·       You are avoiding vaccination because of a specific worry (eg, if your dog previously had an allergic reaction to their booster or if their immune system is not functioning properly). ...

  Alabama Rot is not a common health issue but it does exist, and can be fatal.  Please see the link below to view areas in West Sussex where this has been reported.  Live Map of Cases |Check Your Location | CRGV | Alabama Rot Therefore, it is useful for owners to be aware of the causes and symptoms of   this potentially fatal disease so that treatment can be sought immediately.   If not treated promptly, acute and fatal kidney failure may occur. Causes The disease is thought to be contracted by dogs whilst walking in muddy woodlands and was first recorded in the US in the 1980s and believed to be caused by the E Coli bacteria, which may be living in rotting vegetation in woodland grounds, streams and puddles.    Symptoms If you have walked your dog in muddy woodlands, particularly in winter and spring, you will need to check them carefully for: Skin sores (lesions) on paws and legs are a common sign, but legs are not the only place...

It will soon be the height of the firework season and if you've not yet had time to accustom your dog to the sights and sounds of fireworks then you will need to manage the situation.  If your dog is particularly upset by fireworks and you know there is an event planned close to your home then it may be worth speaking to your vet about medication for that occasion.   Talking of medication for pets, you may be interested to know that you can view all patented medication for your pets via the Veterinary Medicines Directorate:   http://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/ProductInformationDatabase/Default.aspx However, vets often suggest Zylkene or Calmex and these are ‘neutraceuticals’ which means they are derived from food sources which are claimed to have extra health benefits in addition to the basic nutritional value found in foods.   Whilst popular and reported to be effective in many cases, these are not a recognized medication and so are not listed on the VMD site. Please alw...

One common issue I am asked to help with is puppies and adolescent dogs which are play biting and chewing. Why do puppies and dogs play bite and chew There are several reasons: ·                 Teething (around 4 – 7 months) ·                 Adult teeth settling in (around 7 months to 10 months) ·                 Some breeds are more prone to chew, such as some gundog breeds ·                 Boredom – puppies and young dogs need mental ‘entertainment’ as well as physical exercise ·                 A lack of reliable training commands (such as ‘Leave’ and teaching a good ‘Down-Stay’) ·   ...