Huntington Beach Surfing Dogs USA

The coolest canines in California showed their wave skills, at the 5th annual Surf City Surf Dog competition, held in Huntington Beach.

Love surfing dogs? We sure do, and one of the premium surfing dog festivals is held each year at Huntington Beach California. This year, the 5th surfing dog event held at Huntington, Haole, Tillman, Abbie Girl, Bentley, Kona Kai and Hanzo/Kalani wibthe top spots in the six dog surfing divisions.

Surf City Surf Dog participants competed in weight class categories, and were judged on a variety of skills, including the ability to complete the entire ride on the surfboard.

Hanging 20 is not easy, but riding backwards and performing tricks is even harder. The Surf City Surf Dog showed there are new stars in the making.

Boards were equipped with mounted GoPro cameras. Levels of performance are increasing, every year.

"We want to see him having fun with all the other dogs and coming up for a day on the beach," says Tina Walters, owner of Stickers.

Loui has been considered the "Crowd Pleaser", while the Sugar scored the "Best Wipeout".

5th Surf City Surf Dog Results:

XL: 1. Haole 2. Hanzo 3. Turbo Large: 1. Tillman  2. Louie 3. Libby Med: 1. Abbie Girl 2. Sugar 3. Beans Small: 1. Bentley 2. Kihei 3. Toby

Tandem: Dog/Person: Kona Kai Dog/Dog: Hanzo/kalani Crowd Pleaser:  Loui Best Wipeout:  Sugar Best Grom/Newbie:  Beans

For more surfing dogs, check out Australia's own Surfing Dog Spectacular held in Noosa each year.

Simple First Aid and Emergency Care for Dogs and Cats

Every dog owner should have a simple first aid for dogs book at her fingertips. We've just been given a copy of a great new Kindle Book called The A to Z of First Aid and Emergency Care for Dogs and Cats, for review and overall we were impressed.

This straightforward dog and cat first aid book is organised simply, with each topic kept in Alphabetical order. What we particularly liked was that in almost all catagories, there was a short list of "What to Do" and another, perhaps just as important, list of "What not to do" when it comes to first aid for dogs.

This First Aid for Dogs Kindle book also had some handy checklists, to help you prepare a dog first aid kit, record a dog's "Normals" and more.

Now days it seems that every second person has a Kindle or other eBook reader, and by including a pet first aid guide in your electronic library, you're increasing your ability to respond to a pet emergency incident. For all Kindle readers, we recommend you check out he A to Z of First Aid and Emergency Care for Dogs and Cats.

Available at Amazon.com for $8.99: The A to Z of First Aid and Emergency Care for Dogs and Cats (2013 Ed)

Assistance Dogs Australia launches PAWS

Assistance Dogs Australia will be bringing together parents of children with autism to explore the potential that a pet dog might have within the family. The PAWS (Parents Autism Workshops and Support) program has been running successfully in the UK and the Netherlands for the past two years, and Assistance Dogs Australia will be seeking parents in Northern NSW to attend tailored workshops for existing and future dog owners.

The special chemistry shown between a child and dog through Assistance Dogs Australia’s work providing assistance dogs for families with a child with autism, has led ADA to realise that whilst for some children there will be a clear need for a fully trained assistance dog, a well-trained family pet dog can also have a massively beneficial impact.

For parents of autistic children who are considering getting a pet dog, the workshops will cover the pros and cons of getting a dog to help the child and the family. The workshops are designed to provide parents with the information and long-term support for sourcing, choosing, handling and training a pet dog specifically to benefit a child with autism and the family as a whole.

“We are very excited about this program, and are sure the families who attend the workshops will benefit from the advice about selecting and training a pet dog. The PAWS team will offer ongoing support to families after attending the workshops with telephone support and an online discussion forum” says Assistance Dogs Australia K9 trainer Carri Hoare.

Assistance Dogs Australia is a charity that trains Labradors and Golden Retrievers to give freedom and independence to people with physical disabilities. Assistance Dogs do everyday tasks for their recipients that people with physical disabilities find difficult if not impossible to achieve like opening and closing doors, pressing the button at the traffic lights, retrieving dropped items and even getting the phone. Each dog takes two years to train and is worth an investment of $27,000 but are placed with recipients free of charge.
For further information about how you can help and details about the PAWS Program please call Assistance Dogs Australia on 1800 688 364 or view the website at www.assistancedogs.org.au (PAWS – http://www.assistancedogs.org.au/pages/paws-program.html).

Just How Extraordinary Is Cesar Millan?

Cesar Millan is currently the most popular dog owner trainer and dog psychologist there is—that is what he dreamt of becoming ever since he saw “Lassie” and “Rin Tin Tin” on TV. His “Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan” show on National Geographic was followed by 11 million people and aired in 80 countries. It’s been nominated 3 times in the Emmy Awards and has won the 2010 People's Choice Award for Favorite Animal Show. The Cesar Millan Inc. has paved the way for the creation of the Cesar Millan Foundation and has partnered with Yale University to draw up a curriculum that would teach kids how to care for their dogs. Nicolas Cage, Hillary Duff, and Jada Pinkett Smith are just some of his clients.

In the course of his career, Cesar has written a total of six books and three of them became New York Times bestsellers. Cesar also releases a monthly magazine called Cesar’s Way and has his online website, the cesarsway.com. In 2005, Cesar received Special Commendation from the Humane Society of the United States Genesis Award Committee and was awarded honorary membership of the International Association of Canine Professionals the following year. In the same year that he founded the Cesar Millan Foundation, he received the Michael Landon Award for Inspiration to Youth Through Television and won the award for TV Best Variety or Reality Show at the 23rd Annual Imagine Awards in 2008. He was also recognized as a "Treasure of Los Angeles" in the same year.

In 2012, Cesar ended the Dog Whisperer show after a falling out with MPH Entertainment. He has begun hosting Leader of the Pack in 2013 and is managing his foundation and business himself.

Cesar admitted just recently that he has attempted to take his own life when Ilusion, his wife of 16 years, announced that she wanted to get a divorce a few months after his most loyal dog, Daddy, passed away. What made it unbearable was how his relationship with his kids turned sour. No longer seeing the point in living, he took assorted pills hoping he’d die. Instead, he woke up in a psychiatric center surrounded by fans.

After surviving suicide, he figured that it’s still not time for him to die. After realizing that he still has a lot of things to do, he found the motivation to move on. He began by attending church and putting his business back in order. He’s learned important business lessons the hard way and he figured that after being left broke in spite of Dog Whisperer’s success, there’s no way he’s going to be duped again. He now sees his divorce with Ilusion as a wakeup call.

He talks about his arrangement with his new girlfriend, Jahira Dar, in an interview with eHarmony Advice:

"To me, having a person around my pack … my pack meets many people and they tell me: “We like them, we don’t like them.” It was very important to me that my pack accept my new relationship and also my kids. Kids and dogs are not going to lie to you. When they like something, they like something; when they don’t, they don’t. I come with a big family. The question is: “Are you okay with my big family?” My big family is 15 dogs and two kids. Plus, she didn’t have a problem when we asked her: Is it OK if we do a prenup? We are not getting married but just something like that. She said, “No problem.” From a legal perspective that is important."(Source: eHarmony)

Cesar is an inspiration. He braved leaving his country to find his dreams in a foreign land as an illegal immigrant. After months of being homeless, he worked odd jobs. His skill as trainer soon preceded him and catapulted him to fame only to be dashed by people he trusted the most. He reached his lowest point but still managed to get out of that state.

"Some people turn to cigarettes and alcohol when they have problems... I use hard work."

For that, Cesar very well deserves a second chance. It’s not yet the end for the legendary dog whisperer, after all.

Source: http://www.thextraordinary.org

Aussie Facial for Dogs

Pioneers of the Pooch Pampering industry, Aussie Pooch Mobile has done it again. The first mobile dog wash franchise in the world, in November last year the company launched an exciting new service - the Aromacare Doggy Facial, which is also an Australian first.

With demand for pooch pampering at an all-time high, and dog lovers wanting not only to spoil their dogs, but also wanting the health and wellbeing benefits the service offers, it was time to introduce something new to the market.

  

“People have been enjoying the health and relaxation benefits of face and body massage for centuries,” explains Aussie Pooch Mobile Founder, Christine Taylor, “so we thought why can’t dogs enjoy those benefits too?”

“We already wash and blow-dry dogs, provide ear and eye cleaning, offer clipping services and doggy massage, so a doggy facial was the next logical step.”

“We researched the facial with the help of a beautician, a dog masseuse and customer feedback from our initial testing which provided us the platform to launch this unique service.”

The Aromacare doggy facial (including head massage) cleans, exfoliates and nourishes the dog’s skin, to ensure it looks and feels great. During the treatment the dog’s face and head is thoroughly cleaned to target slobber, gunk and tearstains.

The Aromacare solution used is a unique, naturally based and lightly foaming fragranced cleanser, containing optical brighteners to help remove tearstains. Infused with vitamin E, lavender and chamomile pure essential oils it also helps with mild facial irritations.

Best Way to Clean Dogs Teeth

Knowing how to clean your dog's teach properly is important for her good health and quality years. Veterinarians recommend daily dental care at home for pets. It’s best to begin at an early age (eight to twelve weeks) during puppyhood, but it is never too late. You can buy a dental kit at your online pet-supply store.

It is also good practise to get your dog used to having its mouth inspected.

• Acquaint the pet with mouth care slowly. Gently open the animal’s mouth and run your finger around the lips for 30 seconds on the first day and progress to a couple of minutes at a time.  Reward the animal with a small treat at the end of each session.
• Next, use a washcloth wrapped around your index finger or wet toothbrush on the teeth (NEVER use a human toothbrush).
• Next lift lips. Massage the outer surface only of the upper and lower teeth minutes.

Remember to have good strong teeth they need to be cleaned so tartar etc. does not build up. A dogs way of doing this is to eat bones and dry food so make sure your dog has these available at all times.

Chewing and grinding bones fulfills the natural instincts for bone crunching; it also acts as a natural teeth cleaner and can be a great reliever of boredom for the urban dog. City-slicker dogs are somewhat soft and certain bones cause a lot of problems, especially in the very young.

You should never feed your dog cooked bones.

Like us if a dogs teeth aren’t attended to they will need to be professionally cleaned by your veterinarian. Prevention is better than cure.

Sponsored link:

Dog Toothpaste Australia - get it and all your dog health needs at VetShopAustralia.com.au 

Say No to Chocolate for Dogs

Never feed dogs chocolate

Our love for our pets can sometimes go too far. A line is crossed if our love also harms our pet’s health. Yet it’s not uncommon: there are frequent reports of people feeding dogs chocolate.

It’s easy to understand how it happens. When you’re treating yourself, and you love your pet, it’s only natural to want to treat your pet too. But unfortunately, when people feed dogs a chocolate biscuit, chocolate cake or a square of chocolate, they’re neglecting their responsibilities as a pet owner. Chocolate can seriously harm your dog’s health.

Treat with danger 

Chocolate is a powerful stimulant. It’s banned in horse racing due to its performance enhancing properties. And for dogs, its effects can overwhelm their small bodies.

Killer ingredients

Chocolate contains naturally occurring methylxanthines caffeine and theobromine, both of which are toxic to dogs (and cats). Whereas humans can quickly metabolise methylxanthines, they can hang around in a dog’s bloodstream for 20 hours. At high enough quantities they may cause hyperthermia, heart attacks, epileptic seizures and even death.

Early signs of toxicity may include drinking and urinating more than normal, vomiting, diarrhoea and restlessness. Due to their small body mass, chocolate is even more dangerous for puppies.

If there’s a chance your dog or puppy has eaten chocolate, contact your vet immediately.

Understanding Small Dogs for Australians

Australia has become a nation of small breed dog owners, with over 1.3 million households now housing pint-size pooches. Over the last five years, according to the Australian Companion Animal Council (ACAC), there has been a staggering almost 40 per cent rise in the number of people who own small dogs.

This  growth has been put down to the increasing numbers of us who are living in high and medium density urban areas, which smaller dogs tolerate well.

However, it seems that Aussies don’t understand the special requirements that small dogs have – and it can result in unhealthy and unmanageable pets.

“Small dogs are still dogs, but some owners treat them like toys,” says renowned animal behaviourist and Purina Ambassador, Dr Jo Righetti. “They accept behaviour from a small dog that they would never tolerate in a big dog, such as jumping up on people or growling.

“Over-indulging your small dog can lead to a well-recognised animal psychological disorder called Small Dog Syndrome, where a dog can fail to obey commands, yap incessantly and behave in an overly possessive way, which can make living with them quite a handful.”

Surprisingly, small dogs have different nutritional needs than large dogs, according to Dr Righetti.

“Small dogs have a much higher metabolic rate to that of their large canine friends, meaning they need to consume more calories per kilo during meal time. Their mouths are smaller, so they need smaller sized dog biscuits or kibble which is easier for them to eat and still keeps their teeth clean. This is especially important for small dogs which live longer than larger dogs and can develop severe dental problems if they are not looked after.

“Petcare companies such as Purina are taking this into account and making pet food specially formulated for small dogs, such as Purina ONE for Small Breeds,” Dr Righetti says.

Some hints and tips for owning a small dog

• Just because your dog is little and cute doesn’t mean it should get away with bad behaviour. Set rules and boundaries and ensure all family members stick to them
• Don’t allow your dog on the counter or table for meals
• Don’t over-treat – be sure to schedule meals so they come to understand that food is not something they receive whenever they like
• Play with your dog regularly and allow your dog to play with others in an appropriate manner
• Small dogs can benefit from obedience classes. Ask for commands to be obeyed, such as a “Sit” before feeding them
• If they dislike larger dogs, introduce them to ones that you know are friendly and gentle in a neutral location like the local dog park

“It’s important when you choose a small breed dog to understand their different needs and the care that goes with it, especially when it comes to their diet and behaviour.”

The new Purina ONE Small Breed range retails at $8.99. To sign up for a free trial of Purina One Small Breed, visit www.purina.com.au/smallbreed

As much as you pride yourself on your own appearance, so too does your dog. Dogs and puppies will groom themselves to a certain extent but no matter what breed of puppy you have, whether he’s long or short haired, small or large, it’s important for their health and general well-being that they’re groomed regularly. 

How to master brushing

Removing loose hair and keeping long hair untangled is best achieved by brushing. If your puppy or dog won’t sit still, give them a few treats and they’ll appreciate your attention a lot more. 

Here are few tips:

•   Choose the right brush for your pet. There are a number of brushes available for grooming and you’ll need to choose the one that’s most beneficial for their fur. In general, bristle or pin brushes, metal wire brushes and combs can be used for wiry short-haired breeds, right through to silky, long haired dogs. You can use a combination, depending on how knotted their fur can become

•   If your dog’s hair is particularly tangled, matting and loose hair can be removed by using long, firm strokes across the length of their body

•   Dogs with long coats will benefit from regular clipping to prevent mats

How to master bathing

•   That ‘wet’ or ‘dirty dog’ smell is never attractive and can linger in your home. Bathing your furry pal on a regular basis is important to keep these smells at bay and also to ensure your pet is clean and fresh, ready for cuddles

•   Choose a gentle shampoo over a harsh soap-based product. There are a number of suitable products available from your Vet or your local pet store. Specially formulated dog shampoo is better for your puppy’s skin than soap.Soap-free shampoo should be used with top-spot products such as flea, tick and worm treatments

•   Before you get your puppy in the bath, make sure their collar is still on. This will help you control them, in case they wiggle about. You can also use this to hold their head up as you pour warm water over them

•   When you are gently rubbing the shampoo into your dog or puppy’s coat, avoid getting shampoo in their eyes or mouth. You don’t like it, and neither does your pet! 

•   When you’ve finished and they’re all clean, rinse and dry their head before you dry their body. Always use clean, warm water in the bathing process

•   Dry your puppy with a towel, remembering to keep them covered and warm. If you give your dog a bath they enjoy, they’ll be more likely to co-operate the next time round… and less likely to run soapy bubbles all over your house!

Source: http://www.friendsfurever.com.au

Qantas now carrying more breeds of dogs internationally and domestically

Want to fly with your dog? Qantas announced this week that it will make changes to its live animal policy that will allow the carriage of American Staffordshire Terriers and certain other previously banned breeds on all its international and domestic flights.

The previous ban, made last year, had dog lovers perplexed at why their beloved pooches couldn't fly with them, despite dangerous animals such as crocodiles being allowed on board. But transporting dogs by air in Australia has never been easy.

Unhappy staffie supporters around Australia stormed the Qantas Facebook page and threatened to boycott the airline, calling the policy "discriminatory". The breed isn't subject to any restrictions in Australia.

A Qantas spokesperson said the prior ban had been made following cases where staffies had destroyed their cages, and caused damage to a plane. It had explained the ban by saying "certain breeds are not permitted to travel on Qantas flights as they are traditionally known to be aggressive or highly agitated animals".

However, after a successful trial and many requests from dog owners, the airline has decided to lift the restriction.

A Qantas spokesperson said: "We know that there are many American Staffordshire owners in Australia who love the breed. These new guidelines help meet their needs in terms of being able to transport their pets and our needs in terms of safety."

The staffies must be transported in an airline-approved guard dog cage or a CR-82 wire mesh reinforced cage, which is designed to prevent the dog from breaking out and thus avoiding damage to the aircraft, or the dog itself and bookings must be made via a  transport agency specialising in dog air transport Australia .

More snub-nose dog breeds are now also permitted on international Qantas flights following a trial by the airline, but the owners will need to sign an indemnity form acknowledging the breathing risks these breeds have on planes including British bulldogs, Pugs and Pekingese. These difficult to transport by air breeds  were previously only allowed to fly on domestic routes.

Qantas said it had received constant calls from passenger wanting to bring the animals on-board.

"Changes to the policy will allow more breeds of dogs and cats safe travel on Qantas."

"Snub-nose breeds of dogs  are very popular pets and we receive many requests for transport, including on long flights."

"We obviously want all pets to arrive safe and sound and so with snub-nosed pets we strongly recommend using a cage that is twice the minimum required size to make sure there is plenty of air circulation."

For more information, visit the Qantas Dogs policy here.

Woof! Tip: Calm Dogs Travel Better! - make sure your dog is calm and relaxed during the trip. Stress is the No 1 killer of dogs on flights. Products like Adaptil and Tryptophan can work wonders for stressed or nervous dogs.

Dog Quote by Roger Caras

“If you don't own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life.”
― Roger A. Caras

The Quest to Buy Cheap Frontline Plus Online

Shopping online for pet products not as easy
as the ads make it look

I've been buying Frontline Plus from my vet for about 16 years, but the vet I've know all this time recently retired and his vet clinic bought by a multinational company, so I decided I could look at shopping online for flea control without feeling disloyal. Today I decided to buy Frontline Plus online from an Australian company. I had not realised how hard it would be.

I started of course with a google search, and received over 3,990,000 results for my search for "frontline plus online". Because I wanted to buy from an Austalian online pet store, I narrowed my search to "frontline plus online australia" and the result count was down to just under 500,000 but still overwhelming.

I decided to try "cheap frontline plus online australia" and got 272,000 results, and "cheapest frontline plus online australia" got it down to just over 100,000 results, so decided to start there. Interestingly, the first result was for VetShopAustralia.com.au which I already new about, because it is an advertiser on Woof! Australia, so I thought I'd look at the other options first.

Without naming names, I was disappointed and not a little frustrated. Some websites were hard to use, one wasn't even based in Australia and two more I couldn't find out how much they charged for postage and handling. After about 25 minutes, I gave up as it was time to cook the kids dinner.

After dinner, I thought there must be a better way to find the best Australian online store selling Frontline Plus, so I decided to harness the power of social media and ask my friends. That was a much happier experience, and got heaps of recommendations. Here are the 3 most recommended places to buy Frontline Plus online in Australia (according to my friends):

37 recommendations - VetShopAustralia.com.au - main reasons: cheap, easy to use website, vet owned, paypal.
28 recommendations - VetProductsDirect.com.au - main reasons: vet owned, loyalty points, mobile ap
16 recommendations -  Aussiepets.com.au - main reasons: cheap, paypal

I also got warned off a couple of sites that I actually thought looked not bad, and while I won't name them, I'm glad I did ask my friends. I'm now convinced, asking my friends where they buy Frontline Plus online is so much better than searching on google. Now,has anyone got a recommendation on where I can buy a toddler car seat?

Dental Health for Dogs

Dogs can develop gum disease, tooth infections and other dental problems, just like us. Bad breath is caused by a build up of bacteria in the mouth due to overgrowth of tartar. If your dog’s mouth is starting to pong, it could be an indicator of dental disease. If left unattended, this can be very painful for your pet (have you ever had a toothache?) and can progress to rotten teeth, bleeding from the gums and decreased appetite. Prolonged dental disease can also lead to bacteria from the mouth being swallowed and ending up causing disease in other parts of the body, such as on the heart valves, so it’s best to get your friend checked as soon as possible.

How to care for your dog’s teeth at home

It’s a great idea to have your dog’s teeth examined regularly by your vet, who’ll give them a professional dental clean if necessary. Regular home care can help avoid problems to start with.

Dental home care may include:

• Tooth brushing (3 or more times a week). There are many products available such as doggy tooth brushes and beef flavoured toothpaste to assist you with this and it’s the best way to avoid problems with your dog’s teeth

• Use Mother Nature's toothbrush – raw bones (NEVER COOKED BONES). The chewing of the tough cartilage on bones such as chicken necks and wings and brisket bones can help scrape tartar and plaque off teeth

• Dental exercisers like chewy toys, as well as special diets, can all assist in reducing plaque

Why you should start dental care early

The earlier you start giving attention to your dog’s teeth the better. Puppies learn very quickly to accept dental home care as part of their daily routine. 

Older animals can also learn and benefit from the same routines in home dental care, but they might take a little longer to get used to it. Regular and frequent attention to your dog’s mouth and teeth will help avoid painful dental problems for your canine friend and costly visits to the vet..

How to teach your dog to tolerate tooth brushing

It might seem like a losing battle at first, but with the right attitude and a little affection and gentle persuasion, tooth brushing for your dog will become easier. It’s important to start slowly – this will be a new sensation for your pet and you don’t want them to be scared. Here are a few tips:

• Start by handling the mouth very gently, using your finger to rub their gum line. Wrap a piece of wet gauze around your finger, (dip it into water first) and gently scrub your dog’s teeth along the gum line 

• Progress gradually to using special animal toothpaste, on an animal toothbrush or a soft children's toothbrush - both will be fine for the job

• Never use human toothpaste, baking soda or salt, as these can cause problems in older animals

• When you first start brushing, lift the upper lip on one side to expose the outer surfaces of some teeth. To brush, make gentle circling motions from the gum's towards the ends of the teeth

• Keep the initial tooth brushing period short and if your dog starts to object, don’t push it 

• Even if you don’t get very far at first, always reward your dog. Give praise and a treat after each session, so they’ll come to associate tooth brushing with rewards

Source: http://www.friendsfurever.com.au

Amazing Australian Surfing Dog Video

Do you love Australian surfing dogs? We sure do and we just loved Dr Harry's feature on Aussie Surfing Dogs on Better Homes & Gardens. 

 

For more information about the Surfing Dogs at the Noosa Festival of Surfing, visit www.surfingdogspectacular.com.au 

Australian Wedding Dogs Book Out Now

or many of us, the idea of having our wedding day, one of THE most important days of our lives without our precious pooches, is simply unthinkable. 

They are in fact very much apart of the family so after all, why shouldn’t they be apart of this important occasion as well? Wedding Dogs is for everyone who knows the joys of having a four-legged companion in their lives. It’s a celebration of people and their furry family members, sharing special moments on a very special day. It’s a place for dog lovers to be inspired, share their experiences and source useful information on having their precious pooch involved in one of the most important days of a persons life-their wedding day. 

Wedding Dogs captures man’s best friend at 70 weddings—dogs as the best man, maid of honor, ring bearer, or another member of the wedding party! Decked out in little doggy tuxedos or sporting a wreath of roses around their necks, these pooches share in the wedding couple’s big day. Each photograph is accompanied by a brief essay telling the dog’s (and the couple’s) story. A perfect wedding, bridal shower, or groom’s gift, Wedding Dogs shares the joy of the moment when dogs join in the celebration of their owners’ most special day. 




Wedding Dogs celebrates that special bond that people have with their dogs. It’s this strong bond and connection which we have with our pets that ensures we couldn’t have our wedding day without them! 

For more information visit: wedding-dogs.com

Dog Quote by Carrie Underwood

“The more boys I meet the more I love my dog.”
― Carrie Underwood

Keeping Aussie Dogs Warm this Winter

There’s no mistaking that winter chill in the air, and dogs feel it too.

If they’re exposed to too much cold weather, dogs quickly become uncomfortable, and they’re also susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite. Here are some precautions you may need to take over winter.

Exercise

Unless you keep exercising your dog over winter, he could quickly start piling on the pounds. So stick to your exercise routine in the colder months. But remember to exercise gently for the first five minutes – dogs need to warm up their muscles too.

Arthritis

Older bones really do feel the cold. If your dog has even mild arthritis, joint pain and stiffness generally worsens over winter. To help manage his old bones, keep him warm at home, take him for gentle walks, and visit your vet regularly. 

Fleas in winter

You’d think over winter fleas would have the courtesy to give you break. No chance. Though they’re harder to find, they’re still around. One reason fleas often escape the eye over winter is because they’re in the cocoon stage of their life cycle. So it’s important to continue treating your dog for fleas right through winter to help prevent an outbreak when the weather warms. To find out more about fleas and how your choice of Advantage, Advantix or Advocate gives your dog the best protection against fleas, visit here.

Doggie Jackets

Obviously some breeds with lush coats such as Huskies and Malamutes can cope with very cold weather much more easily than breeds with little or no fur. For breeds such as greyhounds, miniature pinschers, Chihuahuas and whippets, get your pooch a doggie jacket for when you’re outdoors. 

To make sure a doggie jacket fits your pet correctly, measure your dog’s size around the neck, across the shoulders, and around the chest.

Not all dogs will tolerate wearing a doggie jacket. There’s no need to force the issue; simply keep them out of the cold for long stretches.

Shelter

In very cold weather you should supervise your dog when he’s outside. If they spend too much time romping around a cold garden their ears, tail and paws are susceptible to frostbite. 

If your dog must live outdoors, and you live in a part of Australia prone to cold weather, consider providing a heated dog bed. Also ensure your dog’s shelter is dry and draft-free. 

In winter beware of fireplaces both inside and outside your home. Never leave a fire burning unattended with a pet nearby. Also ensure you use a safety screen to keep your pet safe from soot, flames and embers.

Paws for thoughts

In cold weather it’s prudent to pay your dog’s paws a little extra attention. 

Your dog’s paws are susceptible to frostbite, and if there’s snow on the ground it can disguise dangerous objects that can harm their paws.

So after he returns from being outside, check your dog’s feet for cuts or abrasions. Also wipe away any frost or snow. Maintain your dog’s paws in winter by trimming any excess fur in between his toes (if he’s a long-haired breed). If your dog lets you, consider fitting him with booties to protect his feet. 

If you notice cold weather is cracking and drying-out the pads on your dog’s feet, consult your veterinarian about an appropriate moisturiser (never use a moisturiser made for humans or you could harm your dog’s paws rather than help them).

Hypothermia

If a dog is left outdoors in very cold weather, hypothermia can develop. This is when a dog’s body temperature falls below normal due to the cold. Mild hypothermia makes dogs weak and inactive, and they can’t stop shivering. As hypothermia gets worse they become unresponsive, and their breathing and heart-rate slow. If you notice any of these symptoms, get your dog into a warm place immediately, and take him to the vet. To help keep your dog warm during the journey, use a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel.

To help your dog cope with the colder weather, follow these simple tips and you’ll keep them happy and healthy throughout winter.

Source: http://www.friendsfurever.com.au

Awesome Secret Life of Dogs Martin Clunes

We loved him in Men Behaving Badly and Doc Martin but you'll love him even more narrating this fabulous Secret Life of Dogs TV show from ITV1.



Did you know there is a puppy born every second? Did you know that dogs spin their heads 180 degrees when shaking off water? Learn about these and so many more facts about dogs with Martin Clunes in this Secret Life of Dogs youtube video.

Part natural history, part science and part pure celebration of man's best friend, this programme highlights just how extraordinary dogs truly are. Narrated by Martin Clunes this disarming and revealing film, bringing you dogs as you've never seen them before. 

Using state-of-the-art technology - including some amazing slow motion footage - we find out how our favourite animal sees, smells and experiences its very different world. Follow the life of a cute puppy from birth through to its own pregnancy, and hear personal accounts of dogs that have saved lives, rebuilt marriages and detected diseases. Part natural history, part science and part pure celebration of man's best friend, this programme highlights just how extraordinary dogs truly are. Secret Life of Dogs TV on ITV with Martin Clunes.

Is My Dog Depressed? 4 Signs to Look For

Depression in dogs is often the result of a constant or traumatic stress in their environment. Intense or distressing interactions with other animals, physical injuries and infections are among the most common causes of canine depression.

Dog Quote by Johnny Depp

“The only creatures that are evolved enough to convey pure love are dogs and infants.”
― Johnny Depp

Fitting A Dog Harness Right is Important!

A dog harness is useful to have under many circumstances, such as for walking your dog,  or for securing your dog in a car for a trip to the vet. Large breeds of dogs, and dogs with heads smaller than their necks, benefit from the use of a harness when you're walking them; a harness helps prevent injuries to the neck and escape from your control.

Dog Quote by Jack London

“A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog.”
― Jack London

One Day At The Vet Clinic

A man runs into the vet’s office carrying his dog, screaming for help. The vet rushes him back to an examination room and has him put his dog down on the examination table. The vet examines the still, limp body and after a few moments, tells the man that his dog, regrettably, is dead. The man, clearly agitated and not willing to accept this, demands a second opinion.

The vet goes into the back room and comes out with a cat and puts the cat down next to the dog’s body. The cat sniffs the body, walks from head to tail, poking and sniffing the dog’s body and finally looks at the vet and meows.

The vet looks at the man and says, “I’m sorry, but the cat thinks that you’re dog is dead, too.” The man is still unwilling to accept that his dog is dead. So the vet brings in a black Labrador retriever. The lab sniffs the body, walks from head to tail, and finally looks at the vet and barks. The vet looks at the man and says, “I’m sorry, but the lab thinks your dog is dead too.”

The man, finally resigned to the diagnosis, thanks the vet and asks how much he owes. The vet answers, “$650.”

“$650 to tell me my dog is dead?” exclaims the man.

“Well,” the vet replies, “I would only have charged you $50 for my initial diagnosis. The additional $600 was for the cat scan and lab tests.

Cooking Up Canine Casserole

What do you call this love? Canine Casserole! And your dogs will love it as much as the family from the movie The Castle. Give it a try!

• 1 cup boiled poultry chopped

• 1/2 cup cooked brown rice

• 1/2 cup boiled mixed vegetables

• 3 to 4 tablespoons unsalted chicken broth

Stir together and serve at room temperature.