Cats-dogs.co.uk | Pet Advice

Farmers this year are more likely to adopt a “shoot first, ask questions later” policy to sheep chasing, a top Cumbria dog trainer has warned. As the lambing season gets underway, Ingrid Grayling of Penrith says that demand from dog owners for anti-chasing courses has increased significantly.

It follows recent reports of dogs being shot and killed because they were worrying livestock in parts of the UK where lambing begins earlier. As Cumbria’s season prepares to get into full swing, says Ingrid, owners fear that their pets will be next in the firing line if they chase sheep.

“Farmers are entitled to act if they see an uncontrolled dog pursuing animals on their land - and they are defending not just their livestock, but also their livelihood,” said Ingrid. “With the increasing financial pressures being put on farming enterprises, they can’t be blamed for trying to prevent their sheep being savaged or killed.”

“Increasingly, this means having a zero tolerance approach to dogs running wild, even if the owners are present and frantically trying to recall their pets,” she added.

Ingrid says that this year she is using her own flock of sheep to cure dogs of their sheep-chasing habits which could put them into the farmer’s firing line.

She defends her use of electric collars for training, and says that they are the kindest and most efficient way of achieving a remedy which will last the dog’s entire life.

After just one 90-minute session, claims Ingrid, most dogs can then be safely taken in the presence of sheep without fear of them being overcome by an instinct for the chase:

“It’s just an exciting game for the dog when it sees a flock fleeing in fright, and few would actually go as far as attacking a sheep,” she says.  “But the farmer doesn’t know whether the game will end in bloodshed or simply a field-full of distressed stock - and some will prefer to act first and ask questions later.”

Conventional training rarely work for sheep-chasing, explained Ingrid. The crime is often committed a long way from the owner, and the dog is unlikely to understand why it is later being reprimanded.

The remotely-controlled electric collars she uses deliver a brief jolt the second the dog begins to chase - usually bringing the it to a complete standstill, says Ingrid.

It is then summoned back to the owner, lavished with praise, and given a small doggy treat.

Most dogs, said Ingrid, learn extremely quickly - and maintains that her methods are much kinder and more effective than metering out a pointless punishment when the dog is retrieved.

As one of the UK’s best-known trainers, Ingrid is currently working with the University of Leicester in a research study into the use of electric training collars.

More information on the training courses run by Ingrid Grayling is available from 01931 715282, or see her website at www.ingrid-grayling.com.

When you see the ‘Puppies for Sale’ sign in your local pet shop it is important that you know how to care for the animal and diet is essential for the well-being of your dog. An increasing number of pets for sale have been brought up on a poor diet and when you purchase a pet you must know about their dietary requirements in order to help them back to health. This post focuses specifically on dogs but the main point of the piece is that all pet owners must do their research before taking ownership of a pet.

It has recently been reported that the obesity levels of dogs in the UK has reached epidemic proportions. It seems that Britons are feeding their pets an atrocious diet of junk food. Fatty foods, such as cheese, chips and crisps, are being given to dogs as treats but they are creating severe health problems in our Dogs. Pets are increasingly suffering from diseases associated with obesity in humans. Malaise, asthma, diabetes and heart disease are becoming more and more common amongst our household pets. Some owners are even feeding dogs chocolate, which can cause fatal heart attacks for our canine brothers.

There have been recent calls for pet owners who over-feed their pets to be prosecuted under the Cruelty to Animals Act (1876). Like humans, good health is the result of a balanced diet. Here are some tips when considering your dog’s diet.

Milk is a fantastic source of Calcium but beware. A dog only needs a moderate amount of milk and therefore milk should never substitute water in a dog’s diet as this may cause severe diarrhoea. Puppies and pregnant dogs do need extra calcium in their diet but this can be added to their diet by other foods such as, green vegetables and fish. If you do give your dog fish make sure that it is cooked thoroughly as the consumption of raw fish has been attributed to vitamin deficiencies in dogs. A further result is possible abnormal posture, loss of appetite, weakness, and even seizure.

The protein content that is recommended for dogs is 20-30 percent. You should include protein-rich foods such as Chicken, Lamb, and Salmon. Dog’s also need fats and oils in their diet for taste and for digestive reasons. Egg’s are also an excellent source of protein but any foods which contain raw eggs should be avoided as this may lead to Dermatitis, loss of hair and poor growth in your pet.

Carbohydrates are also important to provide energy and fibre to improve the digestive capacity of the dog.

Dogs, like humans, should be fed at scheduled times at regular intervals. If you do give your dog treats be careful. Keep a check on what treats you are giving your dog and adjust their ‘standard’ diet accordingly. Don’t feed your dog table scraps, as it will result in the dog developing the bad habit of begging. Remember a Dog is smaller than a human. One chip is the equivalent of a whole portion of chips.

Pet shop dog-food is an easy way to provide your dog with the nutrients that it requires, but be sure to buy high-quality dog food that is appropriate for your dog’s weight, breed and age.

This advice is not all-encompassing but it provides a good framework for ensuring that your dog is receiving its essential nutrients without becoming obese. The important message is that, like humans, Dogs need a balanced diet in order to lead happy healthy lives but always remember that dogs are not humans and react differently to certain foods.

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Nine out of ten vet professionals believe UK pets are at serious risk of diet related diseases, mirroring the alarming trends seen in human health, and the recession has increased the risk.

A study of more than 100 veterinary professionals suggests their daily case loads are weighed down with a host of serious “man-made” dietary-related problems including obesity, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, simply because owners are not feeding their pets appropriately. What’s more, these problems are on the increase as a result of owners switching to lower quality food – or feeding a man-made diet of crisps and chocolate as in the case of Barney the 70kg dalmatian uncovered recently.

“As a nation, our modern lifestyles of fast food, large food portions, and too little exercise are taking a toll on our health, our children’s health, and now our pet’s health. Excessive calories and lack of physical activity are leading to alarming rates of obesity, which has become the most common form of malnutrition in pets today. As the links between obesity and disease are becoming clearer, it is vital that pet owners adopt healthier practices such as feeding appropriate portions of food, avoiding too many snacks and treats, and exercise with their pets,” said Pet Obesity Task Force Committee Member and Veterinary Nutritionist, Dr Daniel Chan, DVM, DACVECC, DACVN, MRCVS.

Alarmingly, despite obesity being the most physically obvious diet related disease in the UK, the vet professionals who participated in the Hill’s Pet Nutrition study agreed unanimously that owners do not realise their much-loved but overweight pet is actually suffering from malnutrition. If the most physically obvious diet related disease is not recognised as a health problem, little wonder vets have such concern regarding the more ‘silent’ yet no less deadly diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

The vet professionals were also in agreement that not all pet foods are the same, believing to some degree you get what you pay for. Yet worryingly, 83% of vet professionals believe our pet’s health has been another casualty of the economic downturn, as cutbacks in the family budget saw trading-down on pet food. Vets suggest the effects of these cutbacks will lead to increases in cases of diet related diseases in the next two years, with a surge in potentially fatal conditions such as diabetes (61%), intestinal problems and pancreatitis (66%).

Adrian Pratt BVSc MRCVS, Hill’s Pet Nutrition Veterinary Affairs Manager, said: “The results make sombre reading. Almost all (98%) of the vet professionals who participated report seeing a host of preventable diseases in practice which are the result of inappropriate feeding. While obesity tends to be caused by an excess of ‘empty calories’ and too little exercise, inadequate nutrients or excess nutrients like salt, will also affect a pet’s general health and wellbeing, leading to sickness or long-term diet related diseases.”

Other findings of the study include:

· Diet-related problems that cause suffering on the most widespread scale include problems in the intestines and pancreas, which 40% of vet professionals saw at least once a day in practice. Pancreatitis is one of many dietary-related diseases that can be fatal.

· Vet professionals expect to see an increase in diseases associated with malnutrition such as kidney disease (55%), lower urinary tract disease and urolithiasis (58%), heart disease and high blood pressure (30%). Over half (56%) also anticipate an increase in growth abnormalities and/or skeletal deformities and skin diseases (51%). All of these conditions can be avoided or managed with the appropriate diet.

· On the point that you are what you eat, 93% of vet professionals agree that this is relevant to pets just as it is in humans.

· More than three-quarters of vet professionals agree that feeding quality will save money in the long term.

· In addition to trading-down on foodstuffs, owners have been tightening the purse strings and cutting back on vaccinations, worming and flea treatments (80%), routine surgeries, such as neutering (51%) and pet insurance (50%).

The study was conducted by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, global leaders in pet food and makers of Hill’s Science Plan, one of the few products available in the UK that provide specifically tailored nutrition to ensure that pets receive the optimal range of nutrients, every day.

Click here or below to shop at GJW Titmuss for Hill’s products.

By Laura Dutton

It was rather ironically, whilst delivering leaflets door to door offering a reward for the return of my beloved kitten, Nelson, I got bitten by an Alsatian!  It wasn’t the type of attack that saw me pinned to the ground having my arm torn off - it was more of a nip through the letter box - but boy what a nip!

As I dragged my hand back through the letterbox to safety I was confronted with the full horror of this ‘nip’.  Across my fingers now lay an impressive imprint of canine dentistry!   My fingers had literally been punctured by its teeth, blood was oozing, layers of skin were hanging and the pain was searing.

Somehow I managed to drive myself to the nearest ‘non emergency’ hospital, where I was jabbed up for Tetanus, cleaned up and bandaged.

“Did the owner apologise,” asked the nurse.  I hadn’t even considered this being the fault of the owner, as far as I was concerned - I walked on to their property and stuck my hand through their letterbox - my fault surely?

Not according to the law - I had a case to sue the owners, but chose not to go down this route - after all I have to live on the same street as these people.

The whole incident got me wondering about many dog owners are actually aware of their responsibilities when it comes to such incidents and how many, if sued, would have adequate pet insurance to cover the legal costs of a claim.

Here are a few tips to becoming a responsible dog owner

• If you have a volatile dog, make visitors aware of this by putting up a ‘Beware of the Dog’ sign
• Install a post box on the outside of your property for people delivering post
• Make sure that when out walking your dog, you always have them on a secure lead.
• You may want to consider fitting a muzzle if your dog is particularly aggressive
• Small children should not be left alone with dogs in the home - or when out walking.  They don’t have the experience or strength to deal with a dog should it become aggressive.

Pet Insurance can be not only prove invaluable when paying for life saving veterinary treatment but the right cover can give you legal protection too.  You can compare Dog Insurance policies at http://www.moneysupermarket.com/petinsurance/ to ensure that you receive the correct cover for you and your dog.

Dogs have always been known as man’s best friend. With long walks in the park and nights cuddled up in front of the TV, the relationship we share with our canine companion is a special one.

Simple dog agility exercises can be an ideal way to develop even further the bond you have with your pet as well as improve your dog’s obedience and behaviour. And it’s not only an enjoyable way to not only improve your dog’s health and fitness, but yours too!

Best of all, it’s easy to do and absolutely anyone can give it a go. Pet owners can use nature’s resources to construct their own course, from weaving in and out of trees to jumping over logs. You can also buy training kits at minimal cost to set up in your back garden or local park.

Of course, with all of this additional exercise a well-balanced diet has never been so important for your dog. Look for hearty foods like Supadog from Burgess, make sure they are nutritionally-packed, provide energy and sustenance, and will set him or her up for a good work out!

In the following video, Jeremy Edwards and his five-year-old Boston Terrier Molly are put through their paces by dog agility expert Gina Graham. Jeremy and Molly demonstrate just how accessible dog agility is, whilst showing us the great benefits it can bring - including good health, bonding and interaction, and best of all fun!