Table of contents for Issue#56 2016 in Pets

Hi PETS readers, Welcome to another issue of PETS. We’ve dedicated the first half of this issue to a topic I think every pet owner should be focussing on whether you have a kitten or a senior dog — training and behaviour. Having a well-behaved pet that responds to a host of commands is vital for all of us. Not only does it make life easier, but stimulating your pet’s mental ability can wear it out faster than a long walk or other form of physical exercise. How fabulous is that? To help keep our pets in shape, we’ve taken a closer look at clicker training. While it’s not for everyone, it could help your pet master new and more advanced tricks. We also look at some of the most…

According to investigations performed by Animals Australia, unwanted greyhounds that can’t make it on the track are being exported to Macau and China, despite the industry rules and regulations. When overseas, they don’t have access to some of the adoption programs we have available here, and can be killed once they outlive their usefulness. Thankfully, Animals Australia is calling on Australia’s agriculture minister, Barnaby Joyce, to support regulatory amendments that will prevent greyhounds being exported to countries with inappropriate welfare standards. For more information, including details on how you can help, visit animalsaustralia.org…

When it comes to training animals, we pet owners have a lot of theories and schools of thought to choose from. Over the last few decades, clicker training has emerged as one of the most popular means of training because it’s proven to be a simple, effective and positive method for getting the best out of your pet. So what is clicker training and how is it useful for training animals? HISTORY OF CLICKER TRAINING In the late 1930s, American psychologist BF Skinner conducted extensive research into human and animal behaviour. His interests centred on the study of ordinary, emitted behaviour — also known as operant behaviour — and how it could be controlled by its consequences. Skinner believed that consequences had a direct effect on determining whether or not…

When Aussie farmers were out droving big mobs of stock, there was always a trusty companion by their side — the working dog, traditionally a Kelpie — paws out in front, hunched low to the ground, narrow amber eyes squarely set on the band of skittish, bleating sheep with a look that said, “Stop that nonsense, you lot. Now follow my lead.” Herding trainer Hannah Barry grew up in the city, but now lives the country life with a sheep farm in Mickleham, on the northern outskirts of Melbourne. Her family of working dogs includes her 14-year-old Kelpie cross, Minty. “I was city born and bred, but I rode horses when I was young and I always loved animals,” recalls Hannah. Ten years ago she started obedience and agility training…

TOILET TRAINING TROUBLES Q: Dear PETS, we have just gotten a new puppy, Android. He is a Golden Retriever and has completely stolen our hearts! I was wondering if you have any tips for toilet training him as, so far, he is not winning as many hearts as he could with his lack of outdoor skills. Hilary, via email A: Hi Hilary, congratulations on the arrival of Android! Puppies are the best. Toilet training is a common problem for new puppy owners as it can take up to six months for puppies to learn that outside is the toilet and to stop making mistakes inside the house. Going to the toilet is a rewarding behaviour (no matter if Android goes inside or outside) because he gets a sense of relief…

As its name suggests, the German Shepherd originated in Germany, with the first official German Shepherd Club (SV) founded in 1899. When cavalry officer captain Max von Stephanitz bought his first German Shepherd, he was smitten. Widely recognised as the “father of the breed”, Captain von Stephanitz led the way in promoting German Shepherds and was instrumental in introducing them to life in the service. Recognising their high level of intelligence and ability to be trained, the newly formed German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany encouraged the German police service and army to make use of these adaptable canines. By the end of WWI, in 1918, 48,000 German Shepherds were enlisted in the German army. These dogs were used for what could have been the very first search and rescue…

Hi! My name is Cate. This is a true story about my cat Jack and his love for us, our home and garden. Jack is a very special cat because he adores us. He seems so grateful and he loves to talk to us! Something interesting about Jack is that when we bought our house, he was a stray living in the previous owners’ garden. They actually gave him to us for free — so we like to say we bought a cat and the house came with him! We have no idea how old Jack is (neither does the vet), but we can guess he’s very old — maybe even 16 or 17 years. He is a grey tabby cat, though we think he might have a little Maine…

Not passing a big exam, or failing to make the rep netball team, doesn’t feel great. Nobody likes to bomb out at things they’ve given their best shot at. But there’s one thing we think it’s quite okay to fail, and that’s fostering pets. Some temporary carers fall so much in love with their furry charges that they can’t bear to give them back to the rescue centre to find a permanent home. It’s called foster fails. PETS caught up with a couple of these bighearted carers to find out more. TINY TINKERBELL Sharon Hopkins is proud carer to gorgeous tabby Tinkerbell, aged one, and 15-year-old tuxedo-suited Daisy, who is big sister to Tink. Tinkerbell came into Sharon’s life when the tiny kitten was just a few days old. “She…

Some might say life with a Siberian is like a fun day out at the circus; you have a clown, gymnast, and a lion all rolled into one super-cute package. Breeder Mandy Bugeja from SugarNspice Siberians describes the breed as affectionate, loyal and highly intelligent. “Combined with their beautiful appearance, hypoallergenic qualities and highly social temperament, they truly make for a gorgeous household companion and furry family member!” she says. COOL BEGINNINGS The breed originated in Russia, which is why it has such a thick luxurious coat — to keep out those winter chills! The Siberian is one of the most ancient feline breeds on the planet and it is also a little bit famous. They have had starring roles in a few Russian fairy tales and folklores. In the…

Hi PETS readers, Welcome to our Feathers & Fins flip book! We’re so excited to bring you lots of exciting information on some of our favourite pets — those with feathers and fins! After all, who doesn’t love a gorgeous parrot or a beautiful fish or reptile? In this issue we tell you how to set up your koi pond and give you some great tips for those looking to break into one of the biggest crazes around — reptile keeping! We also find out about owning a very lovable lovebird as a pet! We hope you enjoy this feather and fin flip book. Lauren, editor pets@universalmagazines PS: Don’t forget to turn the magazine over to view your regular issue of PETS.…

Koi are stunning fish, and with the potential to live from 30 to 50 years, they may be around to keep you company for decades. Dr Richmond Loh, The Fish Vet, describes them as living jewels due to their striking colours and patterns. “Koi are different from goldfish because they have barbels (a slender, whisker-like sensory organ near the mouth), an elongated body and a slight down-turned mouth. Goldfish lack barbels, their body shape varies, and their mouths point slightly upwards. “Koi breeds are determined principally by their colour and patterns, scale form and finnage. Their unique markings make it easy to tell individuals apart. They have a gentle nature, are not aggressive, and can be kept with a variety of other types of pond fish. Koi have soft mouths…

WRITE TO PETS! Do you have an amazing pet story or a hilarious animal joke to share? How about some feedback on one of our articles? Or did you recently get a new pet? PETS would love to hear from each and every one of you (and your furry buddies). Drop us a line at Paws for thought/PETS, Locked Bag 154, North Ryde NSW 1670 or email pets@universalmagazines.com.au with “Paws for thought” as the subject heading. Letters, poems, photos, collages and drawings are also welcome. Be as creative as you like! LIKE AN ANGEL ... Hi PETS, I am a big fan of your magazine. Before I got my pet bird, Angel, I was getting your magazine every month. I was trying to convince my parents to get a pet…

While you might not want to train your cat to do tricks, you can definitely get her to do what she wants when you want her to. Cat behaviour is not as mysterious or as unpredictable as you might think, and cats have been poorly served by being compared to dogs — we should really appreciate their direct links with the big cats, particularly tigers, and we know what magical things a trained tiger can do! Dr Kim Kendall has run her own cattery and grooming service for more than 20 years (that’s 100 cat years!) and has adopted out 5000 cats and kittens. She has also been involved in every aspect of cats in the urban home. While researching feline medical issues, she discovered that many problems were related…

Dogs are highly social animals and can become anxious when separated from their owner. Signs of anxious behaviour can include being destructive, barking excessively, digging, pacing, attempting to escape and toileting inside. The RSPCA has some top tips for avoiding separation anxiety: • Find a doggy day-care or friends or relatives who can provide company • Exercise your dog every day to help expend energy • Provide mental stimulation and things to do. Chew and KONG-like toys with food are great distractions • If separation anxiety seems severe, always chat with your vet Check out more tips at kb.rspca.org.au…

Puppy preschools are designed as a way to meet the important need of puppies for exposure and socialisation in a clean, safe, supervised environment. Exposing your pup to other people, dogs, animals, sounds and places allows them to become familiar and comfortable with the variety of things they will meet later in life. Dogs are most easily socialised between 8 and 14 weeks of age when they will approach new situations with curiosity and interest as it is the time nature intended for pups to start exploring away from the den. Dogs that are not exposed to these things until after that important ‘time window’ are more likely to be anxious and to display this as fear or aggression when exposed to new experiences. A well socialised dog is one…

How does your dog behave when people come to visit? Does he greet them happily but calmly, giving them a brief sniff and a friendly wag of his tail before returning to what he was doing? Or does he get overwhelmed with excitement and energy and jump all over your guests as soon as he gets the chance? Dogs jumping up on visitors is a common complaint of dog owners. Although our pooches only have the best of intentions and simply want to say hello to some new people, jumping is not a behaviour you want to encourage. Not only can your guests end up with dirty paw prints all over their clothes, but if they’re a little timid around dogs they’re going to be completely traumatised by the experience.…

While we may have had years of practice as pet owners, practice doesn’t always mean perfect. When it comes to the acceptable behaviour of our pets, we have a huge role to play. And if we get it wrong, it can have long-lasting ramifications. So what do we need to work on? According to Dr Joanne Sillince from Pets Australia, there are three major things we get wrong when it comes to our pets’ behaviour: inconsistency, rewarding bad behaviour, and failing to provide enough human interaction. INCONSISTENCY CONFUSES OUR PETS Being inconsistent with behaviour can be seriously detrimental to our pets, so it’s important to set clear behavioural rules and stick to them. Any slip sends mixed messages to your dog; if you think it’s cute that Rover jumps onto…

The Akita (Japanese) is a relatively new breed to Australia, being recognised by the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) in late 2012. Separated from the American Akita by looks and temperament, this breed is smaller than its American counterpart and is only permitted to be in four different colours: red fawn, sesame, brindle or white. Some have compared the Akita-Inu’s looks to a fox, whereas the American’s can be described as more bear-like. Looks aside, there’s a lot to love about this beautiful and loyal breed. “What I really love about them is that they’re so majestic,” Angelica Hartshorn, breeder from Fire & Mist, says. “Loyalty is a big thing; they are this beautiful creature that looks up to you and would do anything for you.” Angelica is not alone…

If you’re an animal lover who adores all creatures great and small, perhaps a traditional pet like a dog or cat might not be quite right for you. Dogs and cats are great, no doubt about it, but you want something a little different — a pet that’s as interesting as it is beautiful. If this sounds like you, a reptile could very well be your perfect pet. “Reptiles are unique,” says Michelle Marks from Western Reptile Rescue. “I have no doubt that this is the fundamental reason for any owner’s interest in them.” Having spent nine years working as a reptile specialist in a large pet store, and now running a reptile rescue organisation that accepts and re-homes pet reptiles and amphibians, Michelle knows why the prospect of keeping…