Table of contents for August Issue#145 in Dogs Life

Hi DOGSLife readers, Welcome to another issue of the magazine. This time it’s our seniors and rescue special, something we’re super passionate about. It’s a sad fact that our pets get older, but it’s something we inevitably have to face at some time or other. Our beloved furry friends can’t remain young forever. My oldest dog turns nine this year, and while she’s hardly getting out the senior’s card when we visit the dog park (she’s far more likely to be found racing around like a mad puppy whenever she gets the chance), she is slowing down in other areas. For example, in the mornings she’s a little more reluctant to get out of bed. As well as that, her tolerance for our other dog has decreased somewhat; when Berry…

First you notice your active senior dog no longer wants to play fetch. Then he starts roaming around the house at night, and unusually has an ‘accident’ on the new living room rug. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) — also known as Dogzeimers or Canine Alzheimer’s — is a disease caused by physical and chemical changes to the brain that manifest in a range of altered behaviours. Dr Natalya Higgins from Greencross Vets Ocean Reef says generally dementia in dogs can present in one of two ways. “Failure to recognise owners, or becoming more clingy.” You may also notice your pooch staring at a bare wall or getting confused looking for his food bowl. It’s a disease that’s surprisingly common. According to the Australian Veterinary Association, CCD occurs in approximately 12…

Spring has sprung and while many of us rejoice at the onset of some warmer weather, there are plenty of people who dread the season for one simple reason: it signals the return of hay fever. People aren’t the only ones who suffer the inconvenient and uncomfortable symptoms of allergic reactions at this time of year; many animals can also be affected. “Seasonal allergies are extremely common in pets,” explains Dr Angus Hayes, veterinary surgeon and Ivory Coat Companion Goods ambassador. “Over the summer months, it is one of the most common complaints that vets see in general practice.” NOT JUST A SPRING THING If your pet suffers from seasonal allergies, spring usually heralds the arrival of many environmental allergens that they react to. However, negative reactions don’t occur only…

The world has changed a lot in the past decade. Society moves so quickly these days that we barely have time to catch our breath, let alone keep up. To make the most of what little free time they have, people are starting to outsource parts of their lives. For some, it may be work related. For others, it’s the cooking or the cleaning. And now time-poor dog parents can outsource the training of their dog. Board and train (also known as ‘sit and stay’ or ‘doggy boot camp’) is a service where a trainer keeps the dog for an extended period to eliminate problem behaviours and/or teach it new ones. Depending on the dog, the programs can last anywhere from 10 days to six months. And once the owners…

It’s a dilemma dog parents know all too well. Who will look after my pet when I’m away? Thankfully, there are lots of great options available while you’re on holiday, from boarding kennels to people who can come to your home and take care of your pet. But not all are created equal and it’s your gut feeling that will help you decide which option to choose. Because of this, making sure you visit the facility, or meet with the carer first, is essential. According to Andrew Biggs, CEO of Hanrob Pet Hotels, there are many differences to look into between kennels. “Some pet sitters and kennels do not have the high level of pet care standards you might think, so ask about care, interaction and security. You will find…

DOGSLife: When did you first become involved with your organisation? Dr Christine Cole: In 2009. DOGSLife: What makes your group unique? Dr Christine: I could say passion and dedication, but that goes with the territory. We have an amazing team on the ground who go above and beyond to achieve wonderful outcomes for our animals and our community. As a grass roots organisation, we rely on community support and commitment from our extraordinary volunteers and staff . We are a responsible rehoming animal welfare charity that serves as an impound facility for council, with our goal to rehome all healthy / treatable and adoptable animals. We have a shelter veterinarian on staff and accessible, which means that animal welfare is top priority. DOGSLife: Tell us about just one rehoming that…

AT A GLANCE Everything about the Afghan Hound gives this breed an air of majestic dignity. Aloof, aristocratic, independent, beautiful and intelligent — the list could keep on going. That is why the Afghan has an age-old reputation as the ‘king of dogs’. Or it could be the fact that this breed is thought to have occupied the hunting kennels of Afghanistan kings long ago. Some say the Afghan Hound is an ancient breed with origins stretching as far back as 5000 years. There appears to be no firm basis to confirm the theory that the Afghan existed in Egypt that long ago. Other sources theorise the Afghan was pictured in the caves of Afghanistan dating back more than 4000 years. According to the Afghan Club of NSW, the only…

When you’re the owner of a healthy young dog, vet visits generally consist of annual check-ups, vaccinations and the occasional emergency trip to treat various ‘accidents’. Keeping an eye on your pets usually means keeping them out of mischief more than being on the lookout for changes to diet, toileting habits and other signs of senior decline. But as your dog ages, you’ll need to keep a closer watch on his health to keep him in tip-top mental and physical health. SEE THE VET AND WATCH YOUR PET Senior pets should undergo routine wellness checks every six months in most instances, says Dr Matthew Muir, an integrative veterinarian from All Natural Vet Care in Sydney. He says this will involve taking a thorough history and a physical examination, including heart…

With thousands of dogs across Australia and New Zealand sent to shelters every year, the rescue market is sadly booming. Giving a new forever home to an animal is one of the best things you can do, both for the dog and yourself. There are many reasons to choose a rescue. Often, people put their pets up for adoption because their circumstances change due to international moves, relationship breakdowns or family additions, meaning the dog isn’t broken — it’s just got the raw end of the deal. Despite what you may think, rescue doesn’t have to mean the dog was poorly behaved or riddled with health problems. On top of that, rescue pets have some of the biggest hearts the DOGSLife team has ever encountered. If you do decide to…

Ivy is a special dog for many reasons. A mix of enchanting beauty and loving personality, the two-yearold blue-eyed Great Dane cross is a rescue from Fetching Dogs charity — a ‘foster failure’, in fact — quickly capturing the heart of the Stone family in Sydney. More importantly, Ivy is completely deaf. “We believe that Ivy’s hearing loss is due to poor breeding,” says owner Julie Stone. “She also lacks pigment around her eyes, her ears and on her nose, which is an indicator of possible deafness.” Being a special education teacher, Julie is familiar with using sign language so taking on a deaf dog and teaching her signs wasn’t such a daunting idea. But raising Ivy was a little harder than she’d imagined. “It was challenging to find the…

In off -leash dog parks across Australia there’s always at least one. A bouncy, happy hound that pointedly ignores its master in pursuit of a ball, or perhaps a new doggy friend. Despite plaintive calls, heartfelt pleas, and sometimes even chasing after the mischievous mutt, the dog refuses to come when called. So why is it so challenging for a dog to grasp the recall command? And what can dog owners do to teach their pet? We put those questions and more to Daniel Mannix from Victorian Dog Training Academy to get the inside scoop on how the experts do it. Daniel says there are many good reasons why a dog should be correctly taught a recall command. It keeps the dog safe, and if a dog happily returns to…

CANINE ANXIETY Q: Dear DOGSLife, I have a six-month-old Staffie, Chux, who so far seems quite relaxed. However, I’ve heard that anxiety, particularly in Staffies, is a very common problem. Do you have a list of behaviours I should keep an eye out for to make sure Chux is okay? Lachie, via email Dr Kersti Seksel says: Hi Lachie, anxiety can occur in any dog, regardless of the breed. It can also be seen in any age group. It is a common problem that occurs in more than 20 per cent of dogs. There is usually a genetic predisposition so it often runs in family lines. It is caused by a problem with how the brain processes information, so the dog becomes worried about things which are not truly dangerous…

AT A GLANCE Although its name is supposedly derived from the Welsh word “Corrci”, meaning “dwarf dog”, the Corgi breed is anything but dwarf. Small in stature, maybe, but this is a big-personality, impossible-to-ignore dog which becomes larger than life when taken in as a member of the family. The Corgi is made up of two distinct breeds: the Cardigan and the Pembroke. Although both are Corgis, the Cardigan and Pembroke are actually different dogs, originating from different lineages and with different characteristics. Despite their individual traits, however, both breeds are fun-loving, loyal and very alert. Both make outstanding family pets and both have the ability to become irreplaceable members of those households lucky enough to have them as part of the family. THE CARDIGAN WELSH CORGI Although not as…

For many dog owners, just standing next to their dog’s lead can send their pooch into a tailspin. Walking is a must for all canines, and it’s no secret that it’s good for our health, too. But did you know just how beneficial this activity really is? “The simple act of walking for half an hour, on all or most days of the week, can reduce your risk of heart disease by as much as half,” says adjunct professor John Kelly, national CEO of The Heart Foundation. And our canine friends sure are great motivators! Australian research from the University of Western Australia found that dog owners do an extra 55 minutes walking each week compared to those without pets. “Keeping your dog healthy also keeps you healthy — so…

Watching your young and energetic pet slow down as he progresses into old age can be a heartwrenching experience. While older dogs are beautiful, loyal and loving, it’s hard not to wonder whether your pooch longs for the days when he used to have the energy and strength to go at full speed all day long. But watching your dog grow old doesn’t have to be a sad experience. In fact, there’s plenty you can do to increase your pooch’s comfort and quality of life, helping him stay happy well into old age. According to Dr Joanna Paul, veterinarian from creatureclinic.com, there’s something very rewarding and relaxing about caring for an older pet. “The puppy stage is a special time, but it’s also very challenging,” she says. “Older dogs are…

Do you want a dog but can’t commit long-term? Are you unsure if you’re ready to add another dog to your family? Do you have space in your heart and home to give a dog in need a second chance? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might want to consider becoming a foster carer. With almost 40 per cent of Australian households owning a dog, there’s no doubt we Aussies love our canine companions. Indeed, many couples are deciding not to have children in favour of having ‘furkids’. So, it might come as a shock to learn that hundreds of thousands of dogs are admitted to animal shelters and council pounds across the country every year. For those dogs that pass their temperament assessment and are…

These days, Duchess the Groodle is the model of a well-behaved family pet. Seven years ago, however, it was a very different story. Despite owner Pam Brossman’s diligent efforts to train her, Duchess’s behaviour was so unruly that Pam considered finding her a new home. “We were doing basic training like sit, fetch, teaching her to wait for permission to eat and, most importantly, being able to walk around her when she was eating,” says Gold Coast-based Pam. “My biggest concern was that she thought she was the leader of the pack with my then six-year-old son, Hunter. A couple of times I saw her bowl him over and then at one time I saw her growl at him. That really freaked me out because I did not want kids…

Do you ever get the feeling that your dog sometimes finds you a bit annoying? Does your pet ever roll his eyes at you or seem impatient when you’re slow to grasp whatever it is he’s trying to communicate to you? If you answered yes, you’re probably not alone. Although much of the focus in dog training is on the behaviour of our pooches, sometimes it’s the behaviour of their owners that’s the source of some problems. While our knowledge of canine behaviour is increasing all the time, sometimes we can be a little slow to put that knowledge into practice when dealing with our four-legged friends. In fact, some of the things you do every day without even a second thought could be driving your pet to distraction. “It…

Handedness is not only a ‘thing’ with canines, it’s also been the subject of some pretty serious study. In fact, research suggests that when it comes to canines, lefties and righties may be two different beasts. Dr Stanley Coren, prolific author of doggy behavioural tomes, and veteran in the field of studying the differences between humans who were left-handed and those who are right-handed, says lefties — both canine and homosapien — are more prone to negative emotions. In his article on handedness for Psychology Today, he reports, “The reason for studying handedness is not simply an interest in motor coordination, but because some neuroscientists believe that handedness tells us something about the way that a person’s brain is organised.” He adds the left side of the brain controls the…

I remember the first time I saw my pets ... Tex’s breeder sent us pictures of him at just a couple of weeks old and I remember being struck by what a ‘human’ face he had — it was so expressive and I felt immediately that this dog was a thinker. As it turned out, Tex is actually something of an overthinker. He has an anxiety disorder, which means his brain is wired in a way that makes it hard for him to predict the outcome of events. That can make his behaviour unpredictable at times, but I love him unconditionally. The first time I met Delilah, three years after I got Tex, I was surprised by how light her coat was compared to Tex’s. He’s always been a deep…