Dogs Today 367 : simplebooklet.com

NEW natural treatsVery low calorieGrain freeHypoallergenicNo artif cial colours or preservatives NEWCALMINGNaturally settleanxious dogs Night-timerelaxation aidTRAININGVital nutrients for growth Prebiotics fordigestive health TRAININGJoint care,anti-inammatoryImmune support,with omega 3 & 6For more information please visit www.companyofanimals.comFind usInside this month...News & features 6 Special investigation: shots in the dark – the leptospirosis vaccination 32 A moving story: navigating through the many products available for joint and mobility problems 41 Dogsplaining: Bjorn, a Golden Retriever, delves into park politics 42 Broken Biscuits: the charity providing wheels and mobility aids for disabled dogs 46 End of the track: Wales declares a ban on Greyhound racing 48 Head in hands: canine cranial osteopathy can help with emotional as well as physical issues 50 Only rescues in the building: Selena Gomez introduces Winnie and Daisy Training & behaviour36 Littermate syndrome: is a puppy pairing always doomed to fail? Over to you!18 Great debate: should leptospirosis stop being classed as a core UK vaccine?52 Postbag: your letters and emails Opinion 66 Confessions of a dogaholic: out in the cold Investigation 22 Q&A: why is it important to keep dogs on a lead this spring?; what safety measures are available for harness escapees?; Dr Ian Dunbar: new rescue dog? What’s urgent and what’s important?; how daylight saving time can affect your dog’s sleep – and what you can do about it54 Dog crush: meet the Toy Poodle Competitions & shopping 60 Pop the kettle on and tackle our puzzles and competitionsToy Poodle. Photo by Tim Rose (www.timrosephotography.co.uk)DogsTodayEditorialEditor: Beverley CuddyArt Director: Rosie PeaceChief Sub Editor/Contributing Editor: Claire Horton-BusseyDeputy Editor: Alessandra PacelliIllustrator: Kevin BrockbankAdvertising & sponsorship Sales & Marketing Director: Mike McGlynn 01276 402591Office dogsBetty (Old English-Golden Retriever-ish); Honey (Cocker Spaniel); Lennie (Staffie cross); Loki (Border Collie-Kelpie cross); Sophie (Jack Russell); Triss (Jack Russell)Betty’s Personal Trainer: Kirsten Dillon IMDT A.Dip CBMPublishers Chief Operations Officer: Graham Smith01276 402598 (graham@wearebrandshare.com)Managing Director: Beverley Cuddy 01276 402597 (beverley@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk)Dogs Today is published by Brandshare Ltd, The Old Print House, 62 High Street, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8AA. 01276 402599enquiries@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk www.dogstodaymagazine.co.ukSubscriptionsFor subscription queries call Brandshare on 01276 402599 or email subs@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk. Initial subscription rates:UK & BFPO: 12 issues £46.99, 24 issues £85; Non UK: 12 issues £79.99, 24 issues £145.Direct Debit (UK only): £12.50 for 3 monthsThe editor is always pleased to consider articles and photos from freelancers. However, there is often a considerable delay before material can be assessed. Please include an SAE if you want your work returned. While every care will be taken, no responsibility for loss or damage can be accepted. Competition sponsors and their families are not eligible for any competition.Dogs Today incor porating Perfect Pup is published by Brandshare Ltd, The Old Print House, 62 High Street, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8AA. Tel 01276 402599. Brandshare Ltd reg. office: The Old Print House, 62 High Street, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8AA.Distributed by Marketforce (UK) Ltd, 2nd Floor, 5 Churchill Pl, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HU.Tel: 020 3148 3333. www.marketforce.co.ukPrinted by The Manson Group.© 2025 Dogs Today. The world copyright of the editorial matter, both illustrations and text, is strictly reserved. Registered as a newspaper for transmission in the UK.The ethical pet magazine for people who really care about dogsFacebook: Dogs Today@beverleycuddy@Dogs_TodayLIMITEDNext issue on sale: 17 April 2025To download Dogs Today for iPad - go to the App store. Android and PC versions are available from Pocket Mags & the Kindle edition from www.amazon.co.uk© 2025 Dogs Today. The world copyright of the editorial Issue 367 Dogs Today3

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4 Dogs Today Issue 367 For the last few months, I have been rather obsessively trying to research leptospirosis and the vaccines. I thought I already knew quite a lot, but the more I dug, the more I realised the less anyone seems to know deﬁnitively!There are anecdotes and opinions aplenty that are very strongly held, and an enormous divide seems to be developing. A worrying them and us.And that took me back to the 1990s when I ﬁrst met the late canine health campaigner Catherine O’Driscoll. Back then, the image we had of vets was much more wholesome – very James Herriot. Everyone loved and trusted their vets. These days, they seem to be almost as distrusted as MPs and journalists. Part of that must be down to the involvement of corporate groups buying up vet chains and drug companies. But we must always remember that the vets are pawns in this game, too. They chose their career before all this; they’re often unhappier about this than we are!Back in the 1990s, vets were still pretty much our gods and that illusion was probably helped because we didn’t have the internet to help us look stuff up!Catherine dared to suggest that we might have been over vaccinating our best friends for decades – that the immunity from vaccines probably lasted much longer than a year. A World in Action documentary followed and several scientists stepped up to agree. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) then advised that most vaccines lasted for three years at the very least.Along the way to this famous David and Goliath victory, Catherine was regarded with considerable hostility by big pharma. As does anyone who dares to rock the very lucrative boat of the establishment. Sadly, she’s no longer around to poke the bear and uncover unproﬁtable truths.Do read our coverage. We’ve tried to include all voices and facts so you can be ready to have the talk with your vet when lepto booster time comes around.Should dogs with underlying health issues be routinely vaccinated? Should you space the boosters out so you don’t give vulnerable dogs too many challenges simultaneously? INFORMED DECISIONIf you want to go ahead, you can still shop around for a different lepto booster containing fewer strains – or do you roll with the move up to L4 that affords better coverage? As you’ll read, no vaccine can cover all the strains your dog could encounter in the UK.Another goat (greatest of all time) Dogs Today contributor, Richard Allport, has come out of retirement to give his views. He’s about to retire from veterinary practice, so he says he’s less nervous about putting his head above the parapet – but, to be honest, he was always fearless.And Cat the Vet explains that vaccine reactions are still very, very rare statistically and that she happily gives the L4 to her dog.I think I’d be much more comfortable about that risk/reward equation if I could see the facts. My quest to uncover how many cases of lepto there are in the UK and which of the hundreds of possible lepto strains caused them hit a brick wall – due to a conﬁdentiality agreement between the RVC and the vaccine manufacturer!I’m no anti-vaxxer, and I didn’t blindly agree with everything Catherine O’Driscoll said, but she established the principle that someone needs to be looking over the shoulder of big pharma.Turkeys don’t vote for Christmas, do they? PBeverley CuddyIllustration by Beverley CuddyDear readersBeverley Cuddy is Dogs Today’s Editor and publisher. She shares her life with Betty, an Old English-Golden Retriever-ish dog from Many Tears, and Honey, a Cocker Spaniel.Expertly EngineeredWe’ve combined decades of innovative product development, premium craftsmanship, and advanced impact testing to bring you industry-changing pet protection systems that are evaluated against United Nations ECE child restraint safety criteria.TAVOPETS.COM | FROM THE MAKERS OF NUNA® MAEVE™ MEDIUM RIGIDDUPREE™ IIKEEP EVERYONE IN YOUR VEHICLE SAFE WITH TAVOPet Car SeatISOFIX Base IncludedCarry-On Pet Car SeatBuilt-In Rigid ISOFIXMAEVE™ SMALL FLEXMAEVE™ SMA L L FLEXROSCOE™Pet StrollerPet Car SeatISOFIX Base IncludedPet Protection Reimagined.IMPACT TESTED PET CAR SEATSWe’re taking your pet’s adventures inside and outside your vehicle to the next level. Designed to enhance your pet’s protection with their comfort and well-being in mind.

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LeptoLabyrinthThe L4 vaccine has always been a focus of unfounded concern in some quarters of the pet space and the issue has recently come to the forefront again because of the announcement from one vaccine company that they are discontinuing their L2 vaccine, the predecessor to L4.The fact that the veterinary profession has shifted so signiﬁ cantly to L4, to the point where demand for L2 has fallen so much it is no longer considered viable by some companies to manufacture, should tell you how widely the vaccine is used and how much conﬁ dence the veterinary profession has in it.We are also being encouraged by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA)’s 2024 Vaccination Guidelines Issue 367 Dogs Today7Back in the 1990s, we were working closely with the amazing canine health campaigner Catherine O’Driscoll. She embarked on a David and Goliath battle to question why our dogs were being vaccinated annually when the DHP (distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus) jabs lasted for three years or maybe much more. Our illustrator, Kevin Brockbank, produced this striking image (opposite page) and it’s true what they say about a picture being worth a thousand words. The imagery really resonated. We later heard that the drug companies were showing it at conferences – they thought someone had paid a big fancy agency like Saatchi and Saatchi to produce it. Catherine held big pharma to account. Of course, they’d known the vaccines lasted longer than a year – but it took one very determined Golden Retriever lover to expose the truth.There is only one vaccine left on annual rotation. Leptospirosis. Sadly, Catherine is no longer with us.With Nobivac withdrawing the L2 lepto vaccine, more people are being moved to the L4. Vets reassure us that it’s a safe vaccine against a deadly disease, but with petitions and pressure groups pushing against the annual jab, owners are feeling conﬂ icted and confused. Are you getting lost in the lepto labyrinth?Illustrations KEVIN BROCKBANKWords CAT HENSTRIDGE, BVSC MRCVSThe Lepto Labyrinth?Let’s step inside the lepto labyrinth. First, we’ll ask two very different vets for their views...I’m all for the L4My four-month-old Labrador puppy Maple, like my dogs before her and those belonging to my clients, is vaccinated against leptospirosis using the four-strain vaccine...he L4 vaccine has always been a focus of unfounded concern so much it is no longer considered viable by some companies to manufacture, should tell you how widely the vaccine is used and

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8Dogs Today Issue 367(complied by world-leading veterinary virologists) to use vaccines containing as many strains as possible (https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WSAVA-Vaccination-guidelines-2024.pdf). In addition, the leptospirosis vaccine is considered ‘core’ in the UK and has been for many years because of the frequency of the disease in dogs and the prevalence of the bacteria in the environment, and this was also reiterated in those WSAVA guidelines. This means all dogs, unless there is a very good reason, should receive the protection.DON’T WORRYHowever, I do understand why some people are worried and I hope this article will help calm any fears you might have.Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection; it is known as Weil’s disease in humans. Dogs most commonly pick it up from the urine of infected animals, generally rats, with it getting into the body through cuts or grazes or via the mouth, eyes or nose. The urine can be present in slow-moving or still water, such as ponds, streams and puddles, and it also survives very well in soil. Traditionally, I think it has been seen as a ‘countryside’ problem, but given the rat populations in cities and urban conurbations, it is no longer exclusive to just one type of area and no dog owner can be complacent about this disease.The infections it causes are serious, attacking both the kidneys and the liver and making the dog extremely ill. Most need intensive hospital care for many days and the fatality rate, even if the condition is caught early and treated well, is 20% and climbs rapidly if the dog is very poorly, has multiple symptoms or the diagnosis is not made swiftly.The symptoms of leptospirosis can be vague and variable in the early stages of the disease, with things like a high temperature, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea and drinking more than normal. Your vet will generally start to get concerned about the disease if they take blood tests and see liver and kidney changes together or your dog starts to develop jaundice.I often see the question being asked about why vets are so worried about leptospirosis and so supportive of the vaccine, when the reported conﬁ rmed infections are low. This is true. The number of conﬁ rmed cases annually are not high, but many dogs die before the results would be back. Testing can be complex, costly, specialist and often requires repeated analysis for a deﬁ nite diagnosis.Also, because the treatment is a general protocol, with supportive care and antibiotics, we don’t have any speciﬁ c drugs or antidote for leptospirosis. Most dogs with symptoms that ﬁ t are started on treatment as quickly as possible and once this has been done, it can impact on the reliability of some of the tests. Which means a negative result may not be a true negative, just that the treatment was already starting to work when the samples were taken.However, whenever vets are asked in forums or in polls if they have seen suspected cases of leptospirosis in recent times, the overwhelming response is yes.Now, let’s move on to the concerns that the leptospirosis vaccine is harmful, a remarkably persistent rumour which, thankfully for dog owners, has no basis in fact.OFFICIALLY RAREAccording to the most recent VMD ﬁ gures, updated just over a year ago in December 2023, the reported ‘adverse event’ rate for the L2 vaccine is 0.016%, or fewer than two adverse events for every 10,000 vaccines sold, and for L4 it is 0.045%, or fewer than ﬁ ve for every 10,000 vaccines sold. This makes reactions to both leptospirosis vaccines ‘rare’ on the ofﬁ cial scale and not signiﬁ cantly worse than the other vaccines we use to protect our dogs, as is so often claimed.(This is why, whenever you see anyone tell you something like, ‘The L4 vaccine has over twice the number of reactions than the L2 vaccines’, you need to look at the absolute numbers, not the relative ones!)Also, it is important to remember LeptoLabyrinthThe reported ‘adverse event’ rate for the L2 vaccine is 0.016%, or fewer than two adverse events for every 10,000 vaccines sold, and for L4 it is 0.045%, or fewer than ﬁ ve for every 10,000 vaccines sold2024-10-18_ADSPDCONPSuperDog takes our 50 years of award-winning nutritional expertise even further– all the innovation and careful, effective formulation you’d expect from Vitabiotics, now available for your special companion.From vitality to healthy joints and bones, SuperDog formulations provide optimum levels of micro-nutrientsto safeguard the diet of your furriest family member.Proud supporter of Battersea, caring fordogs and cats since 1860From , Amazon, Ocado, and Vitabiotics.com– all the innovation Joints & Bones60 Chewable TabletsHealth & Vitality60 Chewable Tablets*Nielsen GB ScanTrack Total Coverage Value & Unit Retail Sales 52 w/e 7/9/24. 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ROCKSTER: THE SUPERFOOD THAT CHANGED ONE DOG’S LIFE – AND COULD CHANGE YOURS TOO!It all started in 2004 on the sun-soaked steps of La Conca del Sogno. While honeymooning near Naples, Zoe and Sven found a frail, abandoned street dog. Emaciated and struggling, he had something special about him. They couldn’t leave him behind. Newly named The Rockster, he became their beloved companion and inspired the world’s ﬁ rst bio-organic superfood for dogs!Rockster isn’t just another pet food – it’s a game-changer. Made with a minimum of 80% ethically sourced, human-grade meat, it contains no an bio cs, growth hormones, chemicals, or pes cides. That means your pup gets only the best-quality protein to support strong muscles and overall health.The proof? The Rockster thrived on this diet, living 21 years and fathering a li er at 18!If you want your dog to thrive, not just survive, Rockster is the way to go. Because every dog deserves the best – this is superfood for life!Each product is packed with powerful bio-organic superfoods like pumpkin, lingonberries, spirulina, and cranberries, providing an oxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support immune func on, diges on, and vitality. Rockster delivers an an oxidant value equivalent to a dog’s ‘ﬁ ve-a-day,’ far surpassing standard pet foods.Natural prebio cs, like fermented Jerusalem ar choke concentrate, nurture the gut microbiome and enhance nutrient absorp on. Thanks to its gentle sous-vide cooking process, Rockster preserves vital nutrients without ar ﬁ cial preserva ves, ensuring every meal is as nutri ous as it is delicious.And transparency? Rockster proudly lists every ingredient – no hidden nas es, just pure goodness.therockster.com10 Dogs Today Issue 367that ‘adverse reactions’ can range from mild problems like a small lump in the skin or a mild fever, to more serious problems like seizures or even death. But again, it is important to make clear that the mild issues are vastly more common than the serious ones and, unless it is investigated and proven (which, in my experience, the vaccine manufacturers are keen to do), those more serious symptoms may not be related to the vaccine at all.Certainly, we can be sure that the risk of an adverse vaccine reaction to the leptospirosis vaccine is vastly lower than the seriousness of the disease.One criticism I often see of the reporting of adverse events to medications, not just vaccines, is that reactions are often not reported – and this is true. But it is mainly true for the mild issues; it is much less true for the severe ones, where vets will be keen to let the VMD and vaccine company know about a potential issue. So, it is likely, if anything, we would have over-reporting of severe problems after vaccination, even if they were not triggered by them. Also, reports are proportional. So even if not all reactions are reported, the ones that are, are likely representative of the overall picture and this is why the VMD will act on even small increases in reports, particularly of signiﬁcant symptoms, because they are aware of the under-reporting issue.QUESTIONS ANSWEREDThe other questions people often have are around the strains in the leptospirosis vaccines, how effective they really are and why they need to be given annually.While it is true there are hundreds of strains of leptospirosis, the most prevalent have been chosen for the vaccines.The ﬁrst two (Canicola and Copenhageni) have always been in the L2 vaccines, as they were historically the most common. The others have been observed to be on the rise and so added to the vaccine. Bratislava has been found all over the UK and Grippotyphosa is common in Europe and with the increased travel abroad of pet dogs and the continent-wide movement of rescue dogs, having that protection on board, even if your dog doesn’t leave the country, is very sensible. There is also some evidence of cross-protection to other strains, so if a dog is unlucky enough to pick up one of the rarer ones, if they are vaccinated, they should still have some degree of protection.PROTECT AND SURVIVENo vaccine is 100% effective, and this includes the leptospirosis vaccines. However, they do confer signiﬁcant protection to our dogs, meaning if they contract the disease or are exposed to the bacteria, not only are they far less likely to get sick or even die, but they are also less likely to shed the bacteria in their urine and therefore be an infection risk to the dogs and people around them. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 21 different studies showed that the lepto vaccines gave 84% protection against clinical disease and 88% against urine shedding. Which in the face of such a serious disease is easily the difference between life and death – or, at the very least, mild illness and long hospitalisation and large veterinary bills.As for why they need to be given annually, this is because of how the immune system works against bacterial infections and their vaccines, which is different to viral infections and those vaccinations. The protection doesn’t last to acceptable levels past 12 to 15 months. This difference in immune response is also why leptospirosis cannot be reliably titred for and indeed, given we know the protection doesn’t last long, even if we could, it would be a pointless exercise.Leptospirosis is not an uncommon condition in our dogs and annual vaccination is the only reliable way to protect them from this extremely serious disease that can also infect the humans around them. The L4 vaccine is based on solid science and research and is very safe.I protect my dogs with it, and I would advise that you do too. PI’ve never seen any solid evidence on the number of cases of lepto. Certainly, in my time in general (conventional) practice, I saw two cases in about 20 years, and I can’t imagine it’s that much more common now! The WSAVA classiﬁes lepto as non-core, so I don’t know any reason why the BSAVA should designate it as core in the UK. Incidentally, the NOAH website still seems to be showing lepto as non-core, but it links a reference on this to a 2015 VMD statement.I’ve always advised my clients not to give L4, as I’ve seen conditions such as epilepsy, atopy and IBD that seemed to have been triggered by lepto 4 vaccinations. Obviously, hard to prove this, but enough circumstantial evidence for me to give this advice. I strongly advise against its use (or any vaccinations of any sort) to dogs that have known immune system disease, or any chronic disease (‘Only healthy dogs should be vaccinated’ - as the vaccine data sheets usually put it). PWhy I say no to LeptoFor decades Richard Allport wrote for Dogs Today and is one of the most famous alternative vets in the worldWords RICHARD ALLPORT BVETMED, VET FHOM, MRCVS

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12Dogs Today Issue 367I’m certainly no anti-vaxxer, and I didn’t blindly agree with everything Catherine O’Driscoll said back in the 1990s, but she ﬁ rmly established the principle that someone needs to look over the shoulder of big pharma. For decades, we were encouraged to give totally unnecessary annual DHP vaccinations. If the only source of evidence for vets and pet owners is the vaccine manufacturer – well, it’s a concern, isn’t it?Let’s not minimise. Lepto can be nasty – it can be fatal and it can be passed to humans. But could vets have been given an inﬂ ated impression of this vaccine’s efﬁ cacy? How many fully vaccinated dogs are dying from lepto each year? How many unvaccinated? Does anyone actually know? Could vets be missing cases that could have been saved? Are they more likely to look for lepto early in the unvaccinated? PRAYERS ANSWEREDI searched for answers and was delighted to ﬁ nd someone researching exactly this. Brian Catchpole, Professor of Companion Animal Immunology at the Royal Veterinary College and others were looking into ‘Canine leptospirosis: improving diagnostics and understanding of the epidemiology of disease in UK dogs.’ The study was due to end in November 2023. Surely, the results would be available by now? Full of hope, I ﬁ red off this email: “I am writing an article about lepto, and the work you are doing is obviously hugely relevant. When will you be ready to publish your results? Ahead of it, are there any indications as to how prevalent the disease is in vaccinated and unvaccinated dogs?“I have eventually found some data on how many lepto diagnostic tests were done in 2024 and 2023 and which strains were found, but it looks a very small number indeed. Would hate to underestimate the problem. I am suspecting very many more cases are being seen, but perhaps vets miss the window to test before treating – or decide Words BEVERLEY CUDDYThe risk versus reward of vaccinationLeptoLabyrinthI think we’d all be much more comfortable about that risk versus reward equation if we could see all the facts – or at least be reassured that our vets had them at their ﬁ ngertips. How many conﬁ rmed cases of lepto are there in the UK each year? Which of the hundreds of possible lepto strains caused them – and are these strains even in either iteration of the vaccine?Illustration by Kevin BrockbankInsurance for your dogs, cats, wedding and more with our wide range of policies.YOUR EXTENDED FAMILY. INSURED.PROTECT THE SPECIAL THINGSVISIT THEINSURANCEEMPORIUM.CO.UK/DT99call 03300 243 980 today!Lifestyle Policy Limited is an appointed representative of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited. The Insurance Emporium ® is a trading name of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited (registered in England and Wales no: 294940) which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority no: 202748.The maximum available discount is 30% - this is a combination of 20% Introductory Discount and 10% Multi-pet Discount. The Introductory Discount is available from the start of the policy untilits rst review/renewal dateON PET INSURANCEDISCOUNTUP TO30%

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knowing the strain isn’t going to inﬂ uence the treatment?“I would like to be able to warn all dog owners – vaccinated or unvaccinated – to be vigilant to the early signs of lepto, as from what evidence I am seeing, both are prone, since there are more strains around in the UK than are covered in the L4.“Any help – on or off the record – gratefully received.”The reply came very quickly.“We have published some of this work (Collette Taylor – former PhD student) and it is available on PubMed. The current project is subject to a conﬁ dentiality agreement with the commercial sponsor, so I am not at liberty to discuss results/progress. Kind regards, Brian.” Who funded this study and prevented the professor answering my valid questions? Stopping the publication of facts that could immediately start to save lives? MSD – the manufacturer of the Nobivac Lepto vaccines. My blood ran cold.Collette Taylor’s paper was published in 2021. It said: “This study identiﬁ ed low levels of testing and a low incidence risk in 2016 of leptospirosis in dogs under the care of a large cohort of primary-care veterinary practices in the UK.“The low frequency of diagnostic testing for leptospirosis and the subsequent low reported incidence of the disease in the VetCompass population suggested that there may be limited consideration of leptospirosis as a differential diagnosis by veterinary practitioners and/or that the presence of infection within the UK dog population is truly low.”I stumbled on some facts at APHA, the Government’s Animal and Plant Health Agency – they track zoonotic diseases. Among many other things, they monitor the results of diagnostic tests for lepto. There are 10 million or so dogs in Britain. But in the latest report Q3 2024, it says only 34 dogs tested positive for lepto. Dogs can have multiple strains simultaneously, so the total number of dogs will probably have been even fewer. This table shows which strains were identiﬁ ed.Those in bold are included in the L4 vaccine. There were as many positive tests outside the vaccine as within – 50% were for strains not covered by the vaccine.LEPTO STRAINS FOUND IN Q3 2024 DIAGNOSTIC POSITIVE TESTSL Australis 2L Autumnalis 1L Bratislava 1L Canicola 6L Copenhagenii 6L Grippotyphosa 4L Icterohaemorrhagiae 0L Pomona 1L Sejroe 1Source APHA zoonoses reportWHAT IF YOU DON’T VACCINATE?Erin Whitehouse felt very conﬂ icted about whether to vaccinate. She adopted Lurcher Wilson at ﬁ ve months. He was now 14 years old and struggling with arthritis, laryngeal paralysis, swollen salivary glands and early-onset kidney disease. But despite this, Wilson was still a very happy and extremely loved boy. He was up to date with his shots for distemper, hepatitis and parvo vaccines.Erin told me: “Due to the fact he has underlying health issues, was deemed to be low risk of catching lepto, and the horror stories I had heard about the vaccine, I decided not to give him his booster in 2024. I felt his risk from the vaccine was higher than his risk of catching lepto. He was last vaccinated against leptospirosis in March 2023 with the L2.”Wilson ﬁ rst started showing symptoms on the morning of Sunday 19 January this year.Wilson’s symptoms:■Loss of appetite ■Fever■Lethargy■Stiffness through the body■Gunky eyes■Dehydration ■Depression“He wasn’t that interested in his breakfast (he’s usually very keen for food). He ate some, but not all of it. I thought he might have an upset tummy (he has a sensitive stomach), so I let him rest and fed him scrambled egg later in the day, which he ate, but not as enthusiastically. “He needed a lot of encouragement to eat his dinner in the evening and just wanted to spend his time sleeping, which is not unusual for a Lurcher, especially an elderly one! He also needed encouragement to go outside to the toilet and seemed stiffer on his legs. “The next morning, he had deteriorated and was showing signs of dehydration (sunken eyes, tacky gums), so I took him to my vet.” On examination, Wilson was found to have a fever and was dehydrated, so he was admitted for IV ﬂ uids and antibiotics. “She mentioned the possibility of lepto, given the symptoms and the fact he wasn’t ‘up to date’ with the vaccine. The urine sample for the lepto PCR test needs to be taken before antibiotics are started, so they did that straight away. They also took bloods.”Wilson was on a drip for the full duration. During that time, his temperature began to drop and stabilise. His bloods showed raised kidney and liver levels, which both ﬂ uctuated while he was there. His kidney levels started to come 14Dogs Today Issue 367WilsonLeptoLabyrinthdown, but his liver levels went up a bit further, so he was started on medication to help detox his liver. “Thankfully, he was eating with more enthusiasm and started to gain strength. I visited him every day and saw small improvements each time. By day ﬁve, he was getting quite fed up and they felt he was well enough to come home to continue his recovery. He came home with 14 days of antibiotics, paracetamol and medication for his liver. “His latest blood test has shown that his liver levels are still high, so we are continuing this medication, plus milk thistle and vitamin supplements for a couple of months, and he will then have another blood test.“My two other dogs had to have antibiotics for 14 days as a precaution and we had to be very careful at home, as lepto is zoonotic. He was kept in isolation at the vet’s.Wilson’s PCR test came back as positive, and his second antibody blood test came back as positive for three serovars – three strains of lepto. These were Bratislava, Copenhageni and Australis. (The Australis strain isn’t included in the L4.)“As he wasn’t considered up to date with his vaccine, I was warned it is highly unlikely that my insurance will pay out. I will try to ﬁght this. So far, it has cost me £3,000 and growing.”THE BOTTOM LINEWe all obviously need sight of the facts – the vets need them too rather than just relying on what the vaccine manufacturers are telling them.Is it ever right to vaccinate an already unwell dog? Is it fair to invalidate someone’s pet insurance if their dog was just too poorly to be safely vaccinated?And what if, as was in Wilson’s case, a vaccine would not have covered all the strains the dog was challenged by – then surely, morally, the pet insurance should still be valid?We wait to hear what happens in Wilson’s case. If Wilson had been fully vaccinated, would the vet have tested for lepto so early, or just assumed it wasn’t possible? Could not being vaccinated have saved Wilson’s life?THE RISKS OF VACCINATINGOwners of dogs with serious health issues often worry about routinely vaccinating ill dogs. One owner whose vulnerable Cavalier died shortly after being given the L4 researched the training that vet schools give to students on how to avoid or deal with adverse reactions to vaccines. He was very disappointed by what he uncovered. Several years later, he maintains probably the most comprehensive resource there is on leptospirosis (www.lepto.co.uk).More than 44,000 people have joined a Facebook group set up to log suspected Nobivac L4 vaccine reactions. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) said in 2024: “Based on the most recent periodic safety update report data received for each product, the incidence of adverse animal events for all L2 vaccine products combined is Issue 367 Dogs Today 15 Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection. There are hundreds of forms of the Leptospira bacterium all over the globe. They are tiny, ﬂexible, spiral-shaped bacteria with pointed ends, often appearing like tight coils under a microscope. They have a characteristic hook at one or both ends of the cell, making them easily identiﬁable when viewed with a darkﬁeld microscope.This disease is zoonotic, meaning that humans can become infected too. In human medicine, leptospirosis is known as Weil’s disease and there is no vaccination currently available in the UK for humans. As infected dogs shed large amounts of Leptospira with their urine, owners are at risk of catching the disease from an infected pet.Leptospira thrive in warm, wet environments like damp grass, standing water, mud and lakes. In warm, wet conditions, the bacteria can survive for more than three months, but they cannot survive freezing temperatures. The organism is also rapidly destroyed by light and temperatures above 20°C.HOW DO THE VACCINES WORK?Lepto vaccines are designed to challenge the dog’s immune system to create antibodies that can help the dog to ﬁght off the illness. It introduces the dog’s body to a small, inactivated quantity of the bacteria. This helps train the dog’s immune system to recognise and ﬁght against that speciﬁc Leptospira bacteria. But does anyone know if the vaccine improves immunity to all the strains it doesn’t contain? WHICH STRAINS OF LEPTO DO WE HAVE IN THE UK?There are two types of lepto vaccines currently on the UK market: one that covers two strains (L2) and a newer one that has the L2 ones and two more, so four serovars in total (L4).By 2022, 14 strains of lepto had been identiﬁed by the government’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), although there are known to be more than 250 strains worldwide. FACTSIllustration by Kevin Brockbank

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16Dogs Today Issue 3670.016%; for L4 vaccine products this ﬁ gure is 0.045%.In other words, the VMD has received fewer than two adverse events for L2, and fewer than ﬁ ve for L4, for every 10,000 doses sold. The overall incidence of suspected adverse events for both L2 and L4 vaccine products is therefore considered rare.An informal poll of vets on Veterinary Voices UK found:■92% had never seen a serious adverse effects of the vaccination■6% had seen a case that happened shortly afterwards but was never attributed to the vaccine; correlation doesn’t always mean causation ■2% had seen an adverse effectThe most up-to-date published ﬁ gures released show that 18,064 dogs have been involved in either L2 or L4 suspected adverse reactions so far. WHAT WOULD A REACTION LOOK LIKE?A mild reaction would be: ■Tenderness or pain at the site of injection■A low-grade fever■FatigueThis is a snapshot of recent comments left on the ‘Nobivac Lepto4 – our experiences’ Facebook group. To post, you must show your dog’s vaccination card. Dog owners are allowed to write openly about their experiences in real time. Cavalier breeder Bridgette Evans runs the page: “For the nine years I’ve been running this site, I usually see three or four suspected reaction reports a week. Since the L2 was withdrawn and vets are pushing the L4 vaccine, that’s doubled. There have been eight reports alone this week. I sincerely hope it’s a blip and not a sign of things to come.”“I’m heartbroken. Took my baby to have these and he died four days after. I’m heartbroken. Anyone else had problems with these vaccines? RIP Marley. “We went for his ﬁ rst booster yesterday (he was one in December). Vet told me he’d had Lepto 2 as a pup so would need two shots of the L4. We asked if it had any major side effects and he said no, just the usual. Two hours after my Cocker Spaniel had the injection, he started to act strangely, lying in his crate and wouldn’t move. I went to check on him and he was now crying when I touched him and completely ﬂ at. “Went to the vets straight away. I had to carry him into the reception where the vet came out and just treated him there, as he wouldn’t move. Vet gave him a shot of loxicom and told me he was having a reaction to the L4 and that this can sometimes happen. I was in ﬂ oods of tears. He told me to take him home and let him sleep it off. “My dog couldn’t settle; he began panting and drooling, nostrils ﬂ aring as he was breathing so fast. Rang emergency vet (same one who gave him his booster) and again he reassured me my dog would be OK. He assured me he’d be ﬁ ne and it was just a reaction. “I’ve had no sleep, sitting up with him all night. Thankfully, he’s now drinking and wagging his tail and jumping on and off my bed, but it was awful.”“I’m convinced my beautiful six-month-old puppy was L4 vaccine damaged. The irony is, we are all anti-vaxxers since my dad got transverse myelitis after a tetanus vaccination (and none of us got the Covid 19 vaccines, as we didn’t think it had been tested enough). Our beautiful pup was put to sleep this morning.”“Our lovely two-year-old Springer Spaniel was very ﬁ t, with no underlying health conditions. Had the lepto vaccine, 24 hours later vomited, 72 hours later lethargic and still off food. Taken to emergency vet – likely gastroenteritis. Taken back in the middle of the night due to high respiratory rate. Bloods done and found to be in acute renal failure – IV ﬂ uids, antibiotics, analgesia. No improvement, so taken to RVC, and devastatingly passed away 24 hours later.“All ﬁ ve vets that cared for him said no to vaccine reaction despite all other tests coming back as negative and kidney biopsy as inﬂ ammatory response. Other four dogs in the family who didn’t have vaccine have showed no health issues.”MarleyRECENT REPORTSLeptoLabyrinthIssue 367 Dogs Today 17 ■Reluctance to eat or eating less than normal■A bump at the site of injectionMore severe side effects would include something like a serious immune-mediated reaction: swelling on the face, nose or muzzle, or around the eyes, difﬁculty breathing, even collapse. Some owners have reported seizures, neurological changes, and heart issues. But proving beyond all doubt that the lepto vaccine caused these problems is very, very difﬁcult. It’s easy for some vets to stereotype the enquiring pet owner as just annoying hysterical anti-vaxxers listening to social media lies. Grieving owners are unlikely to be quick enough to ask for a postmortem and most PMs are going to be inconclusive in any case. Causation and correlation are not the same thing. You might discover how your dog died, but you’ll not know what triggered it. Proving a vaccine link deﬁnitively will be near impossible.NEXT STEPSIf you want to use daycare, boarding kennels or have a breeder’s licence, currently you will have to vaccinate against lepto. With Nobivac withdrawing their L2, you may ﬁnd you’re faced with the upgrade to L4 or changing vets.There are two other manufacturers continuing (Canigen Lepto 2 by Virbac and Vanguard Lepto CI by Zoetis), at least for the moment, but you may need to start researching now to ﬁnd a vet that stocks these brands if you aim to swerve the L4. P“I wanted to share with you all Luna’s story. In January, she had her yearly vaccinations. She had a reaction two weeks after receiving the jab. She started limping, and, within 48 hours, she lost all use of her limbs. After a specialist referral, we were told she has a very rare reaction to the jab, which caused her immune system to attack her nervous system. “She is now home but still unable to move any of her limbs. We have been advised that it’s a waiting game for her nerves to mend and that hopefully she will get her reﬂexes and movement back. I’m sharing this not to scare anyone but to ask if anyone else’s fur baby has had the same reaction.”“Our little Border Collie, 13 months old, last night had L4. After an hour, we thought we were going to lose her. She was unresponsive for a few seconds, but it felt like a lifetime. She was very unsettled and acting scared, then she was just very sleepy. The emergency vet was not concerned, as she was by then more responsive. I have already made my mind up; she will never have that drug again.”“Three-year-old Pug Pebbles is going to the University of Surrey for a post-mortem. Four weeks ago, she had her check-up/booster. The vet said she had discussed with other vets and that an adverse reaction to vaccination usually occurs within 48 hours. I asked about the possibility of IMHA (immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia), and the vet was adamant that would not be the likely cause of death. The vet also said why it couldn’t be an autoimmune disorder and spoke very quickly with other acronyms and why it couldn’t be related to those either. “They said they could do an autopsy at the surgery for around £195, but that didn’t include the brain. Otherwise, I would have to take the body to the University of Surrey, and it would cost up to £400 minimum with an additional £250-500 for histology, pushing towards £1,000. “I’m not trying to blame this on the vaccine, but for the sake of other animals, it would be useful to know if using a bacterial vaccination can overload a dog’s system if they have an underlying health condition. “I understand that all the other circumstances and the timing of L4 could just be coincidental, but without access to a detailed autopsy, we will never know, and this information will be lost.”“Last Monday, I took 14-month-old Toy Poodle, Pippin, for her booster, and although previously she only had L2, she was given L4 (vet no longer has L2) without me realising. “After a couple of hours, she began screaming and didn’t want picking up. Drooling and staring at the wall and hiding under furniture. I settled her and let her sleep, and she seemed ﬁne after. I’ve liaised with the vet, and he’s recorded and reported details to the manufacturer. I will not be vaccinating her again nor my other dog.”“Devastated to have lost our Bean over the rainbow on Monday at just three and a half years old. He developed immune-mediated poly arthritis after having his Lepto 4 and has had to be on steroids ever since. “Every time we tried to reduce the steroids, he couldn’t walk. We knew it would affect his lifespan and make him susceptible to problems. “Hug your fur babies tight tonight.”LunaBean

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18 Dogs Today Issue 367 Laura Bolin✗I wholeheartedly believe that lepto should not be dropped as a core vaccine. It’s a zoonotic disease and people have died from it. I think it’s bonkers that, at a time when brucellosis and leishmaniasis are coming over from the continent and elsewhere, we are considering lowering protection for a preventable disease. I have nursed a dog with leptospirosis ictohaemorrhagia, and the poor dog went through hell before ultimately dying. During its short but horrendous illness, all veterinary personnel were exposed to a zoonotic disease. We really should be paid danger money.Great DebateIf you have an opinion on this subject that is not already covered here, putting ‘Great Debate’ in the subject line. Please limit your response to Photo posed by modelsShould the leptospirosis vaccine stop being classed as a core UK vaccine?Zoe Taylor✓I nearly lost my puppy to this. I can never vaccinate again. The vets have even advised against it. But my dog can’t board, go to dog sitters, etc. Even if we titre test, we still can’t, as lepto isn’t included in the test. The cases are few and far between, rarely serious, can be treated, and the vaccine doesn’t cover even a tenth of the strains. It’s a money-making scam. It is not needed as a core vaccine.Issue 367 Dogs Today 19 Kerry Storey✗Anyone who has seen a dog with leptospirosis dying from a potentially preventable disease, will have an opinion on this… bloody ludicrous! This, along with children contracting measles etc, due to lack of vaccination, is a welfare/wilful neglect issue and should be punishable as such!Natalie Skinner✗When I lived in Canada 20 years ago, I assisted in the treatment of four dogs who contracted leptospirosis. I don’t think Canada would be described as having a tropical climate. One dog passed away from the illness, two were euthanased, as their prognosis was extremely poor, and one survived with neurological deﬁcits. I vaccinate my dogs here in the UK with the L4 vaccine. One is 20kg, the other is 6kg, and neither has had any untoward side effects.Beverley Lamb✓My nine-year-old Vizsla had a severe reaction to her booster. That night, she developed autoimmune issues and pancreatitis. She reached 14 but had to be put to sleep due to complications. I will never vaccinate again.Louise Keeble✗I am a vet and, over my career, have seen several conﬁrmed cases of leptospirosis in dogs, all of which were either unvaccinated or had lapsed vaccinations. I have never seen a case in a vaccinated dog, hence conﬁrming the importance of this vaccine for prevention. As for ‘homoeopathic vets’, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has discredited this branch of veterinary care, and so the opinions of this group are not to be taken seriously. Finally, Facebook is an inappropriate forum for adverse reaction reporting for the L4 vaccine, as laypeople do not understand how coincidence can affect their judgment. If they have a genuine issue, it should be reported through the appropriate channels – the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). Please help stop scaremongering on social media and leave science to the scientists.Paul Seamons✓The leptospirosis vaccine should revert to its pre-2018 status. It should be the owner’s choice, not Defra’s or the VMD’s. It was a cynical introduction to ensure the veterinary profession continued its annual ‘bread and butter’ income. Dog health must come before vets’ wealth.Sarah Wallace✗I wonder how many people who have seen their dog die of lepto would refuse the vaccine again. I bet it’s zero. I’ve been in the vet sector as a nurse and vet for over 20 years. I’ve seen more lepto in the last four years than in all the previous years combined. Nearly all affected dogs have died horriﬁc deaths, despite every effort to save them. The reality is: the risk of vaccine reaction is low. The risk of death from a vaccine reaction is very low. The risk of catching lepto is moderate to high, especially around rats, watercourses, or farmland. The risk of dying from lepto is very high. If vaccination rates fall, the disease will thrive, increasing risk even to vaccinated dogs. I understand fear of vaccine reactions, but why isn’t there more fear of the disease? It is brutal. I can guarantee that no one who has seen lepto will refuse vaccination. Happy to be corrected if there is.Vicky Lee✓As a home boarder and owner of two dogs who had adverse reactions, I am desperate for lepto to lose its core vaccine status! Owners deserve a choice. They should be allowed to choose top-quality care for their dogs without having to over-vaccinate them. >e, email enquiries@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk o 100 words.

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20Dogs Today Issue 367 Laura Ryan✗I’m a veterinary surgeon who has worked in small animal and emergency care in the UK. I have vaccinated with both L2 and L4 vaccines, depending on what was stocked by the clinic and client preference. It’s safe to say I’ve given thousands of vaccines in my career, and I can count the number of side effects on one hand, with almost all being pain at the injection site and mild lethargy that self-resolves. I did not see any difference in side effects between the L2 and L4 vaccines. I have also seen cases of leptospirosis in unvaccinated dogs (older dogs as well, not just puppies) that were very serious, with severe outcomes like liver failure, requiring hospitalisation. Leptospirosis is a very serious disease, and it is also zoonotic (can spread to people) and can cause severe illness in humans. While it’s true that the vaccines, like ﬂ u vaccines, only cover certain strains and dogs can still get lepto despite vaccination, the strains used are the most common in the UK. An increase in cases despite vaccination is the reason vets now often vaccinate with L4 instead of just L2, to provide better protection for dogs and humans. In Europe, they vaccinate for even more strains. It is incredibly rare to see lepto in dogs in the UK that have been vaccinated with the L4 vaccine. If anything, dogs still contracting lepto despite vaccination is an argument to vaccinate for further strains, not to stop vaccinating altogether. If we stopped vaccinating, we would see horrible outbreaks, causing major health problems in both people and dogs.Stefﬁ Millington✓Should be stopped, 100%. I lost a Dachshund puppy after the L4 vaccine eight years ago. Dangerous stuff.Pez Perry✓Never again. Lost my Greyhound a week ago after his ﬁ rst L4. He deteriorated rapidly, developing a neurological disorder. Drug companies and vets had no answers. He was only seven.Mont Jjen✗I’m a vet and I have my dog vaccinated against L4. I weigh up the tiny, tiny, tiny risk of a vaccine reaction vs the horrendous death if she caught lepto. Good vets in practice are so happy to talk through with you the risks vs beneﬁ ts of any treatment or vaccination. You don’t have to vaccinate if you don’t want to, as long as you make an informed decision. My clients come back to me year on year, as we always have an open line of communication and they know they can trust me and they will not be judged for their opinions or preferences. Vets would make more money if people didn’t vaccinate, so please don’t listen to people who suggest vaccinating is proﬁ teering. I will continue to vaccinate my dog against L4 yearly. And if I ever see a reaction to the vaccine (I haven’t in my 14 years in practice) I will report it.Caroline Fowler✓Lepto should not be a core vaccine. None of my dogs will ever have it; it’s not worth the risk, and no one should be forced to poison their dogs to be able to take them to daycare or leave them in kennels.Alice Dawson✗I have seen multiple conﬁ rmed cases of leptospirosis over the last 12 years. All but one were unvaccinated, and many suspected cases went unconﬁ rmed because owners chose not to spend money on testing when survival was unlikely. It is a horrendous way to die, and having had to watch patients die like that has left me awake many nights. I can only recall one or two dogs that survived it. Whereas, having vaccinated thousands of dogs in my career, I have never seen a fatal vaccine reaction. It horriﬁ es me how many people are prepared to leave this to chance. No vaccine gives bulletproof protection, but watching my dog die of something I may have been able to prevent is unthinkable. I also don’t know a single colleague who believes it should be removed as a core vaccine. Maybe actual evidence should be collected before making such statements on behalf of my profession. PNext month’s topic is: Recently, the ﬁ rst commercially made dog food made with ‘lab grown’ meat went on sale. Synthetic meat is, apparently, indistinguishable from real meat and less damaging to the environment. Plus, it doesn’t involve killing animals. Will you choose to feed this new protein?Email editorial@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk with your thoughts, putting ‘Great Debate’ in the subject line or write to ‘Great Debate’, Dogs Today, The Old Print House, 62 High St, Chobham, Surrey, GU24 8AAGreat DebateYes No MaybeThis month’s result50%50%carnilove.co.uk | 01737 488400CARNILOVE DOG FOOD AND TREATS MADEWITH WILD-ORIGIN MEATSAWAKEN THEIR INSTINCT

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22 Dogs Today Issue 367 Quick questionDo you have a problem you’d like answered by an expert? Or do you Email your question to enquiries@dogstodaymagazine.co.ukPhotos posed by modelsWhy is it important to keep dogs on a lead this spring?Issue 367 Dogs Today 23 EXPERT ADVICERichard Green, wildlife expert and head of production at leading pet-food supplier Kennedy Wild Bird Food and Pet Supplies, warns all dog walkers about how they risk hefty ﬁnes up to £1,000 over the next ﬁve months if they fail to keep their dogs on leads during the critical nesting season...During the nesting season, typically from 1 March to 31 July, it’s important to keep your dog on a lead to protect vulnerable wildlife, especially ground-nesting birds. Local councils can enforce regulations, such as Public Spaces Protection Orders, and ﬁnes for not following these rules can reach up to £1,000 if taken to court. To protect these birds, it’s a legal requirement to keep dogs on leads no longer than two metres on open-access land. Failing to control your dog in designated areas during this period can also lead to ﬁxed penalty notices of £100.Dog owners often don’t realise the wider impacts of their pets. Just the presence of a dog off-lead can scare wildlife and livestock. Even a quick chase or scare can make birds abandon their nests, leaving eggs or chicks to die. This is especially worrying in spring when many birds travel long distances to nest here.Even the best-behaved dogs can accidentally disturb wildlife if they’re off the lead. Birds see dogs as predators, and just one encounter can stop them from breeding or cause their numbers to drop. Using a short lead and keeping to paths can make a big difference to keeping wildlife safe. Letting dogs swim in ponds, rivers or other water areas will not only upset the wildlife living there, but can also contaminate the water itself from chemicals in the coat from ﬂea treatments.Many ground-nesting birds, like nightjars, willow warblers and meadow pipits, rely on undisturbed habitats during the breeding season. Familiar garden birds, such as dunnocks and blackbirds, can also nest close to the ground, making them vulnerable to unintentional damage from dogs off leads. On beaches, species like oystercatchers and little terns camouﬂage their eggs among pebbles, where they are easy to disturb.It’s worth checking ahead when visiting nature reserves, as some areas may restrict access to protect rare or fragile species. By sticking to designated paths and following rules, dog walkers can help protect precious wildlife while still enjoying quality time with their pets. Shorter walks with lots of snifﬁng opportunities can be just as stimulating for dogs as running off-lead. Responsible dog walking not only supports wildlife conservation but also ensures pets remain safe and healthy. Pou want advice from someone with personal experience of the issue?

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24 Dogs Today Issue 367 BEVERLEY WRITES...I developed lead envy when I spotted a professional dog walker with something I’d never seen before. It was like a normal single lead, but it was attached to the harness and the collar. I liked that it wasn’t tight – it was obviously a safety back-up should the harness ever fail. Honey (our Cocker Spaniel) has a habit of somehow getting one leg out of her Ruffwear harness. (She’s very ﬂexible and has quite short legs, so if she lies down and breathes in, the harness loses tension, and it can twist.) I want to routinely have the safety of a back-up rather than the faff of having two leads ﬂapping around. I asked on social media if anyone knew who made this clever lead. It was simple and elegant – just a normal lead, but with a safety catch, like you’d have on an expensive brooch you’d never want to lose. We keep hearing about dogs getting lost when they back out of their harnesses. What safety devices can help you avoid this happening? I went in search of the special safety lead and here’s a selection of the advice I got…What safety measures are available for harness escapees?READERS’ ADVICEMarilyn Anne EvillThis lady makes the attachment from harness to collar to order (above) – so they can be any size you like: https://www.facebook.com/variareleadsShirley HinchliffeSadly, since many dogs get out of a harness, they need a slip lead as well. I personally hate harnesses. Nothing like a good old-fashioned buckle-type collar with tag.Ann WattHurtta has double-ended leads. There are loads if you type in ‘double-ended leads’.Lynley SeatonJulius K9 make good double-ended leads; we had two of them. They also have additional D-rings to lengthen or shorten as you choose.Eileen JonesYou can connect the two with a puppy or cat collar.Alison Fitzherbert-StewartI’m not a harness fan. I use a Halti headcollar on my big dog, because I have a bad back.Linda ButtonI use a Halti double-ended lead on a Perfect Fit harness, as one of mine has disc degeneration in his neck, so I can’t use a lead on the collar, unfortunately.Vanessa HolburnMy dog has disc problems in his neck, so I could never use a collar and lead. He has the Ruffwear Web Master.Hannah Maria Ester WardHave you tried the Ruffwear Flagline harness?Lynne DriscollRuffwear do an escape-proof harness – the Web Master. There’s a cheaper one that’s very well made, called Rabbitgoo on Amazon; it’s just like the Ruffwear.Brenda WhiteDragon Leads do a Standard Double Training Lead (above). Sue McCaffertySome dogs excel at getting out of harnesses unless they have an extra back strap. I cringe sometimes when I see dogs in badly ﬁtting harnesses.Quick questionIssue 367 Dogs Today25Tamara Cartwright-LoeblSarah Fisher’s TTouch harness or the Perfect Fit would be my recommendation. I would be cautious attaching an emergency connector to a collar that isn’t normally under tension. Not only would a sudden stress be potentially harmful, but necks build up thicker (almost scar) tissue over time and a sudden yank on an unprepared neck could be tragic. Equally, it could foster a false sense of security if the collar is not forced for use but more ornamental. A better alternative is something like the Haqihana Double H, where the extra, loose loop is towards the end of the rib cage and only tightens at all if the dog tries to back out. Again, another area that shouldn’t have regular pressure, but backing out will cause a lot less trauma than a sudden snap to the neck.Polly KingPerfect Fit harnesses work well; they are designed to have parts that can be changed as the dog grows, so legs coming out of the harness should not happen.Kattie StonemanFor my Chewie, who seems to be an escape artist, I have a Halti-branded attachment (below). This is attached to his lead, then his lead to his collar, and the attachment to his harness as a failsafe. >ADVERTORIALDawn Inett We use a Halti link – a short clip on a loop that goes around the clip on to the lead and is then attached to the collar. They’re great at going from the harness to a collar.

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26 Dogs Today Issue 367 Jacqui BallantyneI love the Perfect Fit harness, but my Lurcher can very easily reverse out of it (it was ﬁtted by the Dog Games people). So, I use the Haqihana Double H now.HISTORY OF THE HARNESSAfter decades of people stomping and jerking and hurting dogs’ delicate necks, many of us changed over to what we see as a gentler method of being connected. You might imagine that dog harnesses are a recent invention. They’re not! Let’s look back…The museum at Leeds Castle houses the world’s biggest collection of dog collars. These date from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries and were mainly designed to protect our best friend. Wolves and wild boar still roamed freely, and the throat of the dog was vulnerable to attack. Some collars bristled with spikes – on the outside – unlike the nasty prong collars we see today. There’s really nothing new in dog misery.A wall painting in the Etruscan Tomb of the Augurs from approximately 530-520 BCE shows a dog wearing a collar with a nail turned in toward the neck, presumably designed to make the dog angry and attack whenever the lead was pulled.But some people invented collars that aimed to calm dogs. A gold collar mentioned by Pliny the Elder was reputed to stop the dog from barking unnecessarily.The oldest evidence of dogs being on a lead has been found in north-eastern Saudi Arabia. An 8,000-year-old rock painting shows two dogs linked to a hunter by what looks like a long line. The Ancient Egyptians were the ﬁrst to put their dog’s name on a collar and the Ancient Greeks are said to have invented the choke chain.Those in China and Japan put small bells on dogs’ collars, to ward off ghosts and evil spirits. The Scandinavians also saw dogs as spiritual defenders and the Norse people frequently buried dogs with their masters to defend them in the next life.Christopher Columbus reportedly used Mastiffs when he was trying to scare off the indigenous people of what we now know as Jamaica. They wore thick leather collars with studs and spikes – reminiscent of the Roman war-dog collars. Columbus said the dogs were more valuable than most of the troops.The Celts developed a wide-band style of collar for controlling large dogs (such as the Irish Wolfhound) and it was the Native American tribes of North America that developed the harness, as they used dogs for pulling sleds and carts.But, crucially, no one invented a safety leash to stop them backing out of those harnesses – that is until 2025!Canvas harness for a dog, Natasquan band of Nascapee, Quebec, Canada. Collected in 1927 by anthropologist Frank G Speck. Photo © National Museum of the American Indian/Smithsonian. https://americanindian.si.eduQuick questionSam BradleyI’ve always used similar with foster dogs – below is a very old photo that I used to use to explain to other people how to do it. I’ve used old collars too, to create the link. A foster dog would have been double- or even trebled-leaded to start, though. >Laura JeanIf you ever wanted to bring the Perfect Fit back into use, there is an extra strap sold that should turn most harnesses into an escape-proof one by adding the extra strap. Look for the Barkley Dogwear No Escape Harness on Etsy (above left & right).Darlene ForresterI think it’s a coupler attachment (below).You can give a greyhound a life after You can give a greyhound a life after racing and the forever home they deserve.racing and the forever home they deserve.CHARITY NUMBERS: 269668 & SC044047There is a greyhound close to you looking for a home with you, to ﬁnd out more visit www.greyhoundtrust.org.ukIf you can’t home a greyhound, please consider donating or shopping with us at www.greyhoundtruststore.comThere’s no place like homePlease give a greyhound a place to call home. Don’t delay, call us today.You can give a greyhound a life after racing and the forever home they deserve.Find your local store www.justforpetstores.co.uk

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28Dogs Today Issue 367 Steven FeaseyI used to use Julius K9, but my escape artist Husky learned that if he kangaroo-hopped backwards, he could escape. I moved on to the Rabbitgoo tactical harness, which was great until one of the metal locks at the front of the harness broke, and my Husky wiggled free and ran off. I have since moved on to the OneTigris tactical dog harness (above), which locks in six places (three either side of the dog) and, so far, it seems escape-free and sturdy. It even has a handle in the centre, and you can physically lift your dog using it. It’s expensive but worth it.Chris HurlockThe only harnesses that are perfectly safe have the third belly strap. I have Safety Link, which goes between the collar and harness; I got mine from Indi-Dog about 10 years ago. As well as three-strap harnesses, she also sells a separate Houdini belly strap that can be used to make a normal harness safe.Linda WardMost dogs escaping from a harness are going backwards (in my experience as a dog walker), so the collar needs to be ﬁ tted correctly as well, otherwise they will just get out of both. I don’t like double-ended leads, especially for little dogs who don’t pull on the lead, as they just keep putting a paw over it, or it tangles. Annette EvansWe use the TTouch Harmony Leash – formerly Liberty Leash (above) from XtraDog.Kelly KilfeatherI got mine made for me by Nicky’s Leads (above). She does a Slip and Clip, or two clips if you prefer to use a collar. safe.WHAT DID WE GO FOR IN THE END? I took Joy up on her very kind offer and I absolutely love the lead she made for Honey; it’s exactly what I wanted. You too can get one for your dog!https://scrufts.co.ukQuick questionGill HamiltonWe use Wolters Professional Adjustable Leads. We have a different colour for each of our three dogs, which makes it easier to take one or two dogs from each other in a busy place! Sarah GibsonSass (sled dog gear) do a safety lead.Joy Flowers from ScruftsLet me know if you’d like one Beverley, as I’m sure I can help.Gill HamiltonSounds good. Joy’s products are brilliant, I have some great collars from her. When Ziggy had an op last year and couldn’t wear her harness, I ended up putting two collars on her and using a double ended lead, as I like the security of a harness (having once had a collar – not Joy’s – break when we were out walking).Issue 367 Dogs Today29EXPERT ADVICEGetting a new rescue dog can be overwhelming. There’s so much to consider – but where do you start? The great Dr Ian Dunbar (PhD, BVetMed, MRCVS) is here to hold your hand to ensure you tackle the time-sensitive essentials...MOST IMPORTANT ■Selection, selection, selection! No matter what your lifestyle, the right dog is out there somewhere, waiting for you, and so search well and carefully evaluate each dog’s temperament.If you are a homebody and would like a dog just to hang out with at home, maybe select a calmer companion that would enjoy your peaceful lifestyle of reading and gardening, for example. However, if you would like a dog to play with your children, to socialise with loads of friends, and take to the dog park, make sure that you select a dog that you have seen play with children, happily interact with lots of adults (particular men), and/or comfortably walk by or play with several dogs. Be certain about what type of dog you are selecting. It would be unfair to return the dog to the shelter.MOST URGENT ■Teach basic household manners from the ﬁ rst day at homeThe training techniques are identical for what we use for puppies (see last issue). However, training adult dogs only takes three days — the ﬁ rst three days at home. Teaching new rules for a new household is easiest and most effective when done from the outset.I keep all new puppies and dogs on an hourly schedule for potty/play breaks so that by the end of their ﬁ rst day in their new home, I have heavily praised and rewarded the dog for eliminating in their new toilet area a dozen times, praised them for settling down (on cue) with a partially food-stuffed Kong at least a dozen times, and had a dozen training sessions teaching come, heel, sit, down, stand, roll-over (for examination), and settle and shush on cue. PQuick questionNew rescue dog: what’s urgent and what’s important?New rescue dog: Please enjoy and share my three free downloadable eBooks, free courses, and other resources at DunbarAcademy.com and consider subscribing ($20/month) to have full access to the entire humongous archive of video instruction and entertainment, including all our courses: The Essential Puppy Training Course, The Behaviour Problems Compendium, Reactive Dog Toolkit, Reliability and Games Training Workshops, Science-Based Dog Training (with Feeling), and our shorter courses, Dog Training for Children, Dog & Cat Behaviour Problems, Biting and Fighting, Social Behaviour and the Doggy Dominance Myth, and Canine Sexual Behaviour. We offer a free one-month’s subscription for you to check out and binge watch all the courses, plus, for just a short time, an annual subscription for $150/year ($12.50/month) from https://dunbar.info/freepupbooks

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30 Dogs Today Issue 367 EXPERT ADVICEAs time springs forward this March, it’s not just us humans who need to adjust — our furry companions can struggle when the clock goes ahead for an hour, too. Dr Aimee Warner, resident vet at insurance provider Waggel, shares a list of signs pet owners need to watch out for and what they can do to maintain healthy sleep patterns during the time change...■Restless nightsA pet’s internal body clock doesn’t automatically adapt when the clocks change on 30 March. Furry friends may wake up earlier or later than usual during the ﬁrst week of daylight saving time (DST). Be on the lookout for restlessness or increased night-time activity. Create a consistent wake-up routine by establishing quiet time before leaving the bed, so your pet can take cues from you and learn an acceptable wake time.■Changes in appetitePets are creatures of habit and thrive on routine. Time changes may also affect feeding schedules, which can be confusing for them. If your pet is used to eating at a speciﬁc time, slowly adjust feeding time by 10 to 15 minutes a day leading up to DST. Achieving consistency can help recalibrate their internal clock.■Increased anxietyIs your furry companion pacing more than usual or being extra clingy? A change in routine may cause anxiety in pets. This can be addressed by creating a wind-down routine at night to help signal that bedtime is approaching. You can play gently or even brush their coat to help them relax and calm down.■Change in energy levelsWatch out for lethargy or hyperactivity in your pets. An imbalance in energy may happen because of a shift in schedule. Stick to consistent daily exercise times to help regulate their circadian rhythm.■Confusion about the bathroom scheduleIs your pet having accidents in the house, or are they asking to be let out for the loo during unusual times? These are expected during the adjustment period. Be patient and maintain a regular toilet schedule so they can readjust quickly.Dr Warner concludes, “The daylight saving time adjustment can be confusing for our pets, who thrive on routine and cannot understand why their schedules have changed. This confusion can lead to changes in behaviour and sleep disturbances. “To help your furry companions adjust smoothly, maintain consistent feeding and exercising schedules, gradually shifting them by 15-minute increments in the week leading up to the change. Environmental cues also play a role in helping pets adapt. Give them plenty of natural light exposure during the day and create a calming environment at night to support good sleep. “Be patient and supportive, as most pets adjust within a week or two. If your pet shows persistent signs of distress and changes in behaviour, immediately consult your veterinarian to rule out health concerns and get personalised advice.” PHow daylight saving time can affect your pets’ sleep - and what you can do about itQuick questionTotal Dental Care From toothbrushes to complementary products such as Beaphar Dental Powder and Beaphar Plaque Away the comprehensive Beaphar Dental Range helps provide complete protection for a healthier mouth.beaphar.com

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32 Dogs Today Issue 367t’s heartbreaking to see your dog start to suffer with joint pain. Most of us would do anything to make their lives a bit more comfortable. The pet industry knows this and there have never been quite so many options available! But the risk/reward debate is complicated. How do you choose which way to go?Some of the licensed drugs available for joint issues and pain relief are very powerful – when they work, it’s nothing short of miraculous. But there are also huge pressure groups online, cataloguing their suspected adverse reactions. Confusingly, not everything you can buy online is legal. Unless your vet is happy to prescribe cannabis-related products that are not yet licensed for animal use, you and they are probably breaking the law. There have also been huge medical advances that you may not yet have heard of. Referral vets can offer solutions such as stem-cell treatments should you have some savings or good pet insurance. These options may reduce the need for strong pain relief, which may then extend your dog’s life expectancy.I decided to ask what’s worked for others. But I also wanted to look at what’s new. A moving storyA new product or treatment for mobility and joint issues seems to appear every week! But where do you start? We navigate through the myriad of choices, looking at what’s new, what’s illegal, and what has helped others with their own creaky oldies...Words BEVERLEY CUDDYIEVERY STEP THEY TAKEMany mobility issues start early or may even be genetic. Some shapes of dog just aren’t ergonomic, and you need to make sure issues aren’t compounded by letting dogs become overweight or inﬂict damage when they’re still growing. But if you’re inheriting a rescue dog, you just have to do your best to mitigate what may have gone before.HOW DO WE MANAGE PAIN?We know all human drugs have known side effects, yet we all still take them when we’re in pain. The vet’s ﬁrst line of defence will typically be to prescribe non-steroidal anti-inﬂammatory drugs (Nsaids). Common drugs in this category are meloxicam (eg Metacam) or carprofen (eg Rimadyl). Sometimes a corticosteroid anti-inﬂammatory drug will be prescribed instead of an Nsaid, but they can’t be used together. Gabapentin works differently to Nsaids or corticosteroids and is useful for dogs unable to take Nsaids.Other less commonly used drugs include tramadol, amantadine, and acetaminophen.Librela is a relatively new monthly injection that has been available in the UK since 2020 and in the USA since 2023. Bedinvetmab is the active ingredient, and it is designed to bind to canine nerve growth factor, to prevent it from interacting with its receptors. Some dogs can show a decrease in the signs of pain as quickly as seven days after their ﬁrst injection. A human version of the drug was discontinued, as the beneﬁts for people didn’t outweigh the risks. As of October 2024, there have been 21,123 cases of adverse reactions worldwide reported – but there have been a huge 25 million doses distributed. There are currently four petitions live on change.org asking for Librela to have further testing or be recalled. It would seem Librela is either loved or loathed.ALTERNATIVE PAIN RELIEFAcupuncture can help without side effects. Qualiﬁed chiropractic and medical massage may also be worthwhile. Some vets are now offering therapeutic laser, and hydrotherapy using an underwater treadmill. GOING TO POT!Some believe cannabidiol (CBD) can help with joint pain and inﬂammation, but there’s very little research on dogs. CBD doesn’t induce a feeling of being ‘high’ in the user (it is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), not CBD, that is the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis). The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has authorised CBD for veterinary use only. Only a vet can legally prescribe CBD for your dog and they would have to satisfy the ‘cascade’ before doing this. That means that other licensed treatments would have to be used or discussed ﬁrst.The VMD website says: “Our view is that because of the effects they have, products containing cannabidiol (CBD) should be regulated as veterinary medicines. This means that these products require a marketing authorisation (licence) before they can be sold or supplied in the UK. “Currently, there are no CBD products authorised in the UK for veterinary use and giving your pet an unauthorised product containing CBD obtained without a veterinary prescription is an offence under Regulation 8 of the VMR [Veterinary Medicines Regulations].”It is a frustrating situation for consumers, as the human versions of these products are already widely available for legal use, but no one can legally market them for pet use. As CBD couldn’t be patented (unlike, say, a new chemical pain killer), it’s probably not commercially viable for anyone to go through the expensive and complex process of applying for VMD authorisation. Some companies are now openly selling dog treats containing hemp. Both hemp and cannabis plants are the same species. While science doesn’t differentiate between ‘hemp’ and ‘cannabis’, the law does. Legally, the key difference is the THC content. In America, hemp is deﬁned as a cannabis plant that contains 0.3% or less THC, while marijuana is a cannabis plant that contains more than 0.3%.Farmers in the UK are only allowed to grow hemp that contains less than 0.2% THC, but the Sunak government asked for a rise to 0.3% to be considered for the future. The number of UK hemp licences has grown from six in 2013 to 136 in 2023. SURGICAL INTERVENTIONFor the most extreme cases, surgery can help. Hip replacements and femoral head/neck ostectomy (FHO) can have good results, as well as some joint fusion procedures. Elbow or knee replacements may sometimes be considered. Your vet will, of course, guide you on what is recommended for your dog’s own speciﬁc circumstances.STEM-CELL THERAPYMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are ‘adult’ or tissue-resident stem cells. MSCs were ﬁrst found in bone marrow but have since been detected in many different tissues. Injecting stem cells into joints can reduce pain and increase limb function in dogs with osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease. Injecting stem cells into injured tendons and ligaments can also aid the healing process. The recovery period for these procedures is short and your dog will likely go home the same day. Following treatment, two days of rest is usually recommended, followed by on-lead exercising for a week to 10 days.In April 2012, Dr Stewart Halperin was one of the very ﬁrst vets in the UK to carry out adipose-derived stem-cell transplants in a dog with osteoarthritis. Dr Halperin then went on to start Stem Cell Vet and now carries out regenerative therapies on dogs daily. The Royal Veterinary College also offers stem-cell transplants.Your vet may be able to refer you to a specialist and some pet insurers are covering these costs. >Issue 367 Dogs Today 33

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34 Dogs Today Issue 367OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP THE CREAKY DOG■Start using ramps to reduce unnecessary jumping – one for the car, the bed, the sofa. ■Install stair gates. ■Change to more supportive dog bedding – memory foam can help. ■Use raised feeding bowls to minimise bending. ■There is a plethora of diets with ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin and omega fatty acids. Blueberries, ﬂaxseed, salmon and turmeric have all been said to be helpful. ■It is vital to keep your dog at a healthy weight to reduce extra stress on their joints. ■Collagen depletion is a natural part of the ageing process. It’s been a hugely popular supplement for humans lately and some studies show that it may help reduce joint pain and improve joint function. It’s believed that collagen peptides YOUR RECOMMENDATIONSJayne DendleEaseﬂex Plus for my two old creakies, they’re 11 and 12 and still enjoy a three-mile romp through the countryside most days.Sams Home BoardingI am currently using Pawable Collagen; I can’t tell how effective it is unless I stop it, as it was more as a precaution for a new rescue I took on. I buy human-grade green-lipped powder (for joints) and human-grade kelp (for teeth). I also use human-grade linseed/ﬂaxseed. I have human-grade milk thistle, dandelion and boswellia to use as and when I need. Mandy SpraggettPawable Collagen worked wonders with one of my 14-year-old Huskitas, but not the other.Tess Eagle SwanJointly365 is the best. Mine are all on it. Tried all the others and nothing is as good as this by far.Julie BotterillOld, creaky dogs are on Kater4K9 – this stuff is fabulous. We give to our rescue GSD, Marshall, as I’m paranoid about his joints and give it to everyone as they age. GD the Crestie girl has it too.Sarah BeddingtonWe use Jointly365 and Hedgerow Hounds for Evie, our rescue girl. We think she is about 13. She is still bouncy and happy despite losing her eye in July.Tami MoreleyGreen-lipped mussel powder for joints for my disabled dog, which is a powerful joint aid.Jacqui BakerYumove Daily Bites for Polly – her leg was broken and allowed to mend untreated.Sam DeVancheFor joints, I’m using a combination of Antinol and Maxxiﬂex. Tried a lot over the years and these seem to be the best so far. Maisie is 17 now and still pretty sprightly. We’ve recently added a EQU StreamZ magnetic collar, which made a marked improvement overnight!Jane PooleI use Nutraquin+ for old, creaky dogs. My 17-year-old Shih Tzu-Dachshund cross still loves a 25-minute walk or run.Olive ArmstrongI use dried rosehips, which help connective tissues for Vesper, who is nearly 12. This was recommended by a good friend who specialises in essential/ﬂoral oils/products for animals.Jess KempNo set supplements, but a well-rounded diet full of natural fruits and vegetables help with all the above.Most of us want to do everything possible to protect our dogs’ joints so we can delay the need for more radical or inva There are just so many to choose from! I asked our readers for recommendations on social media…© Jayne Dendle© Sams Home Boarding© Julie Botterill© Sarah Beddington© Sam DeVanche © Olive Armstrong© Tess Eagle SwanIssue 367 Dogs Today35may stimulate the production of new collagen in the joint tissues, potentially slowing down the progression of joint degeneration. Human collagen supplements may contain additional ingredients that may not be suitable for dogs, so look out for a supplement labelled safe for pets. Beaphar Flexiﬁ tSoft, tasty, one-a-day supplement to support joint function in dogs. The advanced, multi-action formula contains undenatured type-2 collagen as well as glucosamine, the building block of cartilage, omega 3 and antioxidants vitamin E and C. Covetrus NutriCareVet Joint Support Plus Soft Chews Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, L-methionine, devil’s claw extract, green-lipped mussel, vitamin C and vitamin E. These chews also contain a triple-action formula consisting of glucosamine, chondroitin and egg-shell membrane.DasuquinChewable tablets. The only joint supplement on the market to include the formulation of avocado-soybean unsaponiﬁ ables (ASU), glucosamine HCl and chondroitin sulphate.Flexadin A chicken-ﬂ avour soft chew containing undenatured type-2 collagen (UC-II), combining the beneﬁ ts of glucosamine, chondroitin and devil’s claw.Omni Rescue - Joints and Mobility supplement With chondroitin, glucosamine, MSM, hyaluronic acid – one treat a day. There’s a new kid on the block; you might have seen them on Dragons’ Den. All Omni products are formulated with calorie-controlled, novel protein.Pooch and Mutt Hemp ChewiesThese bite-sized supplements are vet-developed and THC-free. According to their website, it contains high-strength 6% hemp, L-tryptophan and micro algae. Includes 5% collagen.SeraquinThese chewable tablets contain natural, science-backed ingredients, such as turmeric, glucosamine HCl and chondroitin.Synoquin This is apparently the only joint supplement to contain Dexahan, a puriﬁ ed source of krill, which is a great source of highly bioavailable omega 3 fatty acids and is easy to administer thanks to its tasty formula. It also contains chondroitin and glucosamine.YuMOVE Joint Care Plus Max Strength BitesConvenient bite-size treats containing ActivEase® green-lipped mussel, glucosamine, manganese, hyaluronic acid and vitamins C and E.TASTY TREATS THAT CAN HELPBon AllenWe use K9 Laboratories UK (run by a fellow Chow owner in Europe) – the joint mobility chews and calming chews. We started using them when Noa had her big surgeries last year. We use the joint supplement to support the leg she had a metal plate in, and the calming supplements helped her in recovery (and now when we go somewhere that might cause sensory overload). All natural ingredients. It helps that we can speak to the person directly too.Karen LaweMy two, Ice and Dale, have pumpkin powder to help their digestion. Dale is also on Yumove, as he is 13. He doesn’t struggle with longer than usual walks and has mad zoomies a few times on most of our daily outings. inva sive interventions. © Bon Allen © Karen Lawe

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First things ﬁrst: littermate syndrome is not a medical condition. It is not a diagnosable disorder in the same way that physical health conditions are. Instead, it is a term that has been coined to describe a series of behavioural challenges that can arise when two puppies from the same litter (or pups that are very close in age) are raised together. These challenges often stem from issues in training, socialisation and relationship dynamics between the dogs and their human caregivers.While the term can sound ominous, littermate syndrome actually means a set of behaviours that emerge due to how the puppies interact with each other and with their environment, as well as the way they are raised. It’s not a foregone conclusion that puppies adopted together will develop these problems, but understanding the potential risks is important for new dog owners, particularly those who are raising two puppies simultaneously. For the purpose of this article, we will use the term ‘littermate syndrome’ purely because it is the commonly used term, but please keep in mind that we are actually referring to the set of behaviours, as the syndrome is not an actual condition. COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS There are several misconceptions about what causes littermate syndrome and how it affects puppies. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common myths:36 Dogs Today Issue 367Littermate syndrome If you’ve ever had two puppies at the same time, you may have heard the term ‘littermate syndrome’ thrown around by well-meaning friends or fellow dog owners. It’s often used with an air of caution, as if adopting two puppies together is a sure path to behavioural chaos. But is it a real issue, or a myth? Words MICHELLE BEUKESAustralian Shepherd Dog puppies. Photo posed by models■It’s a physical condition Some people believe that littermate syndrome is a medical issue that can only be ﬁxed with medication or professional intervention. In reality, it’s a behavioural phenomenon related to how the puppies interact with each other and with the humans around them. It often results from insufﬁcient individual socialisation and training.■It only happens with siblings While littermate syndrome is most often discussed in the context of puppies from the same litter, the behaviours associated with it can occur when two puppies are close in age, even if they’re from different litters. The key factor is that the dogs are raised together and spend a signiﬁcant amount of time in each other’s company, which can lead to some of the same problems.■Puppies shouldn’t bond with each other Some people think that puppies from the same litter should not form a strong bond with one another, and that doing so will cause behavioural problems. However, bonding is a natural and healthy part of a puppy’s development. The issue is not that the puppies bond, but that they may become overly reliant on each other for comfort and security, which can lead to difﬁculties when they are apart.■The puppies can’t get along Another common misconception is that puppies with littermate syndrome will automatically be at odds with each other. While some behavioural challenges, like resource guarding or rivalry, may arise, it’s also very possible for two puppies to live happily together and form a healthy sibling bond. The key to success lies in how the puppies are raised and trained.WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?The core issue with littermate syndrome is that the puppies struggle to form their own individual identities. Puppies, like people, are social animals, and when they are raised together, they tend to rely heavily on one another for comfort, security and companionship. This can prevent them from developing independence and conﬁdence, both of which are critical for their long-term behavioural development.Here are a few reasons why littermate syndrome might arise:■Lack of individual socialisationWhen puppies are raised together, it’s easy for the handler to focus on the group dynamic rather than each puppy’s individual development. If both puppies are constantly together, they don’t get the chance to experience the world alone. This can lead to issues like separation anxiety, difﬁculty bonding with humans or other animals, and a lack of conﬁdence when faced with new experiences.■Reinforced co-dependency If two puppies are always together, they often develop a strong reliance on each other. For example, if one puppy gets scared or anxious, the other may provide comfort, and vice versa. While this sounds cute, it can lead to unhealthy behaviours, such as excessive whining when one puppy is left alone, or a tendency to cling to each other rather than to their human caregivers. This co-dependency makes it difﬁcult for the puppies to navigate situations where they must be independent.■Competition for attention In multi-puppy households, especially with two puppies of the same age, there’s a risk that the puppies might compete for attention from their human caregivers. If one puppy receives more attention than the other – whether through play, training or Issue 367 Dogs Today 37 MICHELLE BEUKESMichelle Beukes runs Happy Hound Behaviour, based in Johannesburg, South Africa. She has a small dairy goat farm with her husband and is a holistic, science-based animal behaviourist specialising in dogs and livestock, with a deep commitment to using the latest behavioural science and compassionate, ethical methods to improve the lives of animals and their families. As a qualiﬁed Coape animal behaviourist and dog trainer, using cognitive science and positive reinforcement training, Michelle takes a comprehensive approach to understanding and addressing behavioural concerns and strengthening carer-animal relationships. “Nothing brings me more joy than to see a well-adjusted, happy and fulﬁlled animal with their family members,” she says. MEET THE PRACTITIONERS...

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38 Dogs Today Issue 367affection – it can cause jealousy or feelings of insecurity. This can lead to resource guarding, where one puppy tries to claim food, toys or even human attention as their own, leading to tension between the puppies.■Trauma or difﬁcult beginnings Many puppies adopted together, particularly from rescue organisations, have had a rough start in life. These puppies may have experienced trauma or neglect, which can cause them to form deep emotional bonds with each other as a coping mechanism. In these cases, the puppies may become so dependent on one another that they struggle to adapt to their new environment without the other for comfort and security.SYNDROME SIGNSSo how can you tell if your puppies are developing behavioural challenges that are linked to littermate syndrome? Here are some signs to watch for:■Excessive whining or barking when separatedIf your puppies cry or become excessively vocal when they are separated, it may indicate an unhealthy level of attachment to one another. ■Inability to settle without the other puppyIf one or both puppies can’t calm down or relax without the other present, it may be a sign that they are overly reliant on each other for comfort and security. ■Disinterest in other dogs or peopleIf your puppies are uninterested in interacting with other dogs, people, or even toys when they are together, it may indicate a lack of socialisation outside of their sibling bond. ■Difﬁculty engaging in trainingIf your puppies struggle to focus or follow commands during training, they might be distracted by each other or lack individual motivation to engage with their human caregivers.MANAGING TWO PUPPIESRaising two puppies together doesn’t have to be a recipe for disaster. With the right approach, you can help your puppies thrive individually and as a pair. Here are some strategies to help:■Separate training sessions It’s essential to train each puppy individually. While they can learn basic commands together, they should also have one-on-one time with you to learn without distractions. This helps each If one puppy receives more attention than the other – whether through play, training or affection – it can cause jealousy or feelings of insecurity. This can lead to resource guarding, where one puppy tries to claim food, toys or even human attention as their own, leading to tension between the pupsLabrador puppies. Photo posed by modelsHANDMADE DOG TREATS - MADE WITH THE FINEST INGREDIENTSSince its establishment in 2009, Poochʼs Treats has been a labour of love driven by our unwavering commitment to excellence. We take immense pride in handcrafting each treat using locally sourced, premium ingredients to ensure the highest quality.BESPOKE CRATES, TAILGATE GUARDS & DOG GUARDSBarjo Dog Crates and Vehicle guards are hand-made here in the UK by our team of highly skilled engineers from the point of order to dispatch. All of the materials we use are the very best available on the market which helps make us stand out from the rest. We take the  me to ensure that every item we produce has the quality and ﬁ nish that makes our customers come back to us  me and  me again. With over 50 years experience we are rated excellent on Trustpilot.www.barjo.co.ukemail: info@barjo.co.uk phone: 01189 890240

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40 Dogs Today Issue 367puppy develop its own identity and allows you to strengthen your individual bond with each one.■Individual socialisationTake the time to socialise each puppy separately. This means exposing them to different people, environments, animals and situations without the other puppy present. It will help them build conﬁdence and resilience when they are apart, and allow them to develop their own social skills.■One-on-one time Spend quality one-on-one time with each puppy. Whether it’s playtime, walks, or simply sitting together, these moments help you bond with each puppy as an individual and strengthen the overall relationship.■Gradual separation Start with short separations to help the puppies get used to being apart. This can be as simple as putting one puppy in another room for a short period while you give the other puppy attention. Gradually increase the time apart, rewarding calm behaviour. The goal is to teach both puppies that being alone isn’t something to fear, and that they can be independent without relying on each other for security.■Supervised enrichment Provide enrichment activities for your puppies when they are separated. Puzzle toys, treat-dispensing toys, and chew toys can keep them busy and entertained, helping to ease any anxiety during alone time. Always supervise these activities to ensure they are safe and appropriate for each puppy’s age and size.So, to conclude: can two puppies live happily together? Absolutely! With the right training, socialisation and attention to their individual needs, puppies from the same litter — or close in age — can grow up to be well adjusted and well behaved. Littermate syndrome is not an inevitable fate, but a set of behaviours that can be managed with proper care and attention.The key to success lies in understanding the potential pitfalls, being proactive in your training and socialisation efforts, and ensuring that each puppy gets the individual time and attention they need to develop into conﬁdent, independent dogs. With patience, consistency, and love, two puppies can thrive together — and form a bond that enriches your family for years to come. PLittermate syndrome is not an inevitable fate, but a set of behaviours that can be managed with proper care and attentionIssue 367 Dogs Today41ello readers, what a dark time this is. I don’t know what’s going on in your world, but in our local park, we’ve had some dreadful shenanigans involving some new interlopers. It has always been relatively tranquil, but the recent arrival of a peculiarly orange American XL Bully, and his fellow attack dog, has completely upset the order of things. In particular, this dastardly duo has been terrorising a very popular park regular, a feisty Ukrainian bearded sheepdog. This Ukrainian has been a leading light in preserving the values of the park, making sure that humans deposit their doggie waste in the Vladimirs. Or poo tins, as we call them. I mean, nobody wants to tread on one of those landmines that stick to your shoes, do they?The entire dog community, from French Poodles, German Schnauzers and Canadian Labradors, are rallying around, trying to protect our Ukrainian friend, but it’s hugely difﬁ cult given the unpredictable behaviour of the XL Bully. I don’t understand why he’s so aggressive, but I did notice that a piece of his ear lobe was missing. Ears are vitally important for one’s equilibrium, so perhaps that explains why he’s so deranged. But it’s no excuse to behave as though you’re the king of the world. As for his young, sinister partner in crime, it’s difﬁ cult to judge what his origins are. He’s deﬁ nitely not a pedigree. The pair are so scary that I’ve kept my distance. But using my wonderfully ﬂ uffy Golden ears, which are ﬁ ve times more powerful than a human’s, I deﬁ nitely heard someone call him JD. So, making an educated guess, I’d say he’s a cross between a Jack Russell and a Dobermann. How that happened, Lord only knows. I suppose it’s possible a male Jack Russell might have pulled off a Hail Mary pass. More likely, a Dobermann carried out a war crime on a poor helpless female Jack Russell. And JD is acting out second-generation trauma by emulating his XL Bully chum. I’m not saying that all interbreed relationships are bad. But some can go dreadfully wrong. Look at the poor French Bulldog and its breathing problems. My theory is it’s the result of congress between an English Bulldog and a gas mask. DOUBLE AGENTSAnyway, the rumour in the ivy bushes is that the XL Bully and JD are rescues. From Russia. I think it’s wonderful that humans take in rescues, but sometimes you don’t know what they’ve been through and when they might turn. Are you aware that the KGB used to train Chornyi Terriers for the Soviet military? Maybe the XL Bully and JD have come under the inﬂ uence of these hounds. Certainly, our park feels like it’s under threat from the Ruskies. If only Golden Retrievers could talk, then perhaps we could raise the alarm. Luckily, my human – or owner, as he likes to call himself – speaks ﬂ uent Golden Retriever. He just has to look deeply into my eyes to understand what I’m thinking. And as an added bonus, that instant connection between hound and human generates a burst of oxytocin, the love hormone, for both of us. Anyway, I’ve authorised Bacon Man, as my human is called, to speak on my behalf as I issue an urgent appeal to one of the most powerful people on the planet. His name is Elon Musk. You know, the man whose Tesla car range is now being boycotted across Europe because of his megalomaniac behaviour. Elon, it’s time to reject the dark side. Stop interfering in Germany’s elections and use your undoubted scientiﬁ c skills. Upgrade dogs’ voice boxes from version 1.0 so that we can articulate our thoughts. It might be the best thing you could do for humanity. If life were a level playing ﬁ eld, then there’s little doubt that the UN Secretary General would be a Golden Rretriever. We are friends with absolutely everybody and anybody and we do not discriminate. If I could compare us to one human personiﬁ cation of peace, it would be Mahatma Gandhi. Except we’re not vegetarians and we’ve got bigger appetites. But if someone could transform our yapping into eloquent speech, we could solve climate change, feed the world, and bring about global peace. Sorry, got to dash. Just seen a squirrel... PDogsplaining is available now at https://amzn.eu/d/4tqEgcuPark politics An orange bully and his mannerless sidekick are tormenting a popular member of the dog community Words BJØRN, THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER, NARRATOR OF DOGSPLAININGH

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42 Dogs Today Issue 367Having been given an older Pug, Loulou, who had wobbly back legs and other health issues, I found myself needing a new vet, preferably one with experience of dogs with disabilities. I struck lucky locally: Dr Vanessa Waite of The Vet Station had recently opened her own practice. Guiding me through the issues, Vanessa introduced me to Broken Biscuits, the disabled dog charity she worked with, and it was through them that I was able to borrow a set of wheels for Loulou, who had been diagnosed with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). These wheels are a special piece of kit in various sizes and it’s preferable to get them ﬁtted by an expert so the height and length are correct. No well-meaning dog owner wants to incorrectly ﬁt their pet with wheels and inadvertently make their condition worse, so I sought Vanessa’s expert help. I had so many questions: when is the right time to get wheels ﬁtted? Would it be better to ﬁt them sooner, when there is still some use of the legs, or wait until there is no use? Vanessa advised that it’s better to use them sooner. BACK TO BASICSIVDD is caused by a gradual deterioration of the shock-absorbing parts of the spine, known as intervertebral discs, which are located between the vertebrae. As dogs age, these discs can degenerate and harden. Slipped discs and spinal cord compression can result, causing a variety of symptoms, including pain in the neck, spine and limbs, wobbly legs and paralysis. An MRI scan is used for a deﬁnitive diagnosis; crate rest and surgery are then recommended courses of treatment. The Royal Veterinary College says the following on its website: “Small brachycephalic dog breeds, such as the Pug and French Bulldog, are prone to develop speciﬁc neurological conditions and spinal disorders in particular. One group of conditions heavily associated with the body conformation of these dogs are vertebral and spinal malformations.’’WHAT NEXT? With the rise of affected dogs, what happens if your dog is diagnosed with IVDD? Who do you turn to for help? What if you ﬁnd it’s too much for you with your own life commitments? That’s where Broken Biscuits comes to the rescue.Looking after a pet that has been diagnosed with any sort of disability is not for the fainthearted and it can really take its toll on even the most loving of owners. Broken Biscuits work with owners and vets to enable disabled pets to live a full, happy, healthy life with Broken BiscuitsWords CLAIRE LOUISE BALLASupporting a disabled dog is a life-changing commitment and can be overwhelming. It can also be costly, but one charity has stepped into the breach, providing wheels and mobility aids to dogs in needDr Vanessa Waitesupport while remaining with their families. They currently have 211 sets of wheels out on loan to dogs in need. In instances where it is not possible for dogs to remain with their families, Broken Biscuits will step in to help where they can, but they need more support and awareness to promote their cause. When was the last time you saw a disabled dog in an advert? I am unable to think of another rescue that has advertised a dog using wheels needing to be rehomed.Classing themselves as a sanctuary for disabled pets, Broken Biscuits has a seven-acre play park for disabled dogs. Based in Lincolnshire, they welcome those who wish to come and try out wheels for their dogs, helping with the correct ﬁt and care. If you’re not able to visit in person, they can provide online consultations. With expert advice on the best care for a disabled dog, more owners feel empowered that they can manage their dogs’ condition within their home environment, possibly saving another dog from being rehomed or put to sleep. Recently, Broken Biscuits attended the All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group (Apdawg) at the Houses of Parliament, where Marc the Vet invited them to discuss IVDD. Dr Vanessa Waite, together with Tim Giles, Broken Biscuits’ co-founder, spoke about what can only be described as the ‘French Bulldog crisis’. You can ﬁnd out more about their talk in the Houses of Parliament by visiting the Broken Biscuits Facebook page. Please do visit and give them your support – it’s worth a look just to see the happy dogs zooming about in their wheels.And while you’re on Facebook, another good resource is ‘Wheelie Pugs’, a supportive group with lots of fact-based information.LIFE-CHANGING IVDD is on the rise, and is now commonly seen in a wider range of breeds. Why are we still breeding Pugs and Frenchies with these health problems? Will pet insurance companies put up their premiums, as they did to me, or will they just refuse to insure them? Who’s to blame for this: the breeders or the buyers? My heart breaks when I think of these dogs. I remember the nights awake with each of mine struggling to breathe or barking for attention. I recall helping my last girl to go to the toilet by expressing her bladder and washing her delicate areas. There were piles of washing each day to keep everyone clean, dry and comfy. I had to change my work to accommodate their special needs, allowing me to take them to work with me and ﬁt in various vet trips. I couldn’t leave them for fear they may hurt themselves or struggle to move. I had to change cars to one with powerful air-conditioning to keep their little bodies cool and purchased an air-conditioning unit for home. Caring for a disabled dog is the biggest commitment mentally and ﬁnancially. No one mentions this when they see those cute bundles at the breeder’s. What are the chances your Looking after a pet that has been diagnosed with any sort of disability is not for the fainthearted and it can really take its toll on even the most loving of owners. Broken Biscuits work with owners and vets to enable disabled pets to live a full, happy, healthy life with support while remaining with their familiesIssue 367 Dogs Today 43 Photo © Furreal Photography

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French Bulldog has IVDD? Is there a test breeders can do? As a general guide, they appear to show symptoms at around three to four years of age. The Kennel Club says their lifespan is estimated at over 10 years, so that’s how many years of care they will need. The ﬁ nal word goes to Broken Biscuits. ‘‘When life as they knew it took a turn and they struggled with the changes, Broken Biscuits 44Dogs Today Issue 367are here to help. We stand by them when they are given up on, when others have written them off as too hard to help. Too difﬁ cult do rehome. Recoveries that take months and medical bills that cannot be covered by insurance. “Broken but not beyond repair. They just needed someone who cared. “That’s us.’’ Pwww.brokenbiscuits.orgwww.facebook.com/BrokenBiscuits.orgTim Giles, Broken Biscuits’ co-founderPhoto © Furreal Photography100% natural chews & treats, sourced sustainably, in the UK and Europe.Deluxe artisan confectionery for dogs and Shampoo Soaps made with goat’s milk, neem and especially picked aromatherapy oils.Artisan deluxe confectionery chocolate for your dog to celebrate gotcha days, birthdays, seasonal festive occasions or simply just because!Made by hand from healthy and safe ingredients that your dog will love. As well as carob, maple syrup, peanut butter and coconut oil, we aim to titillate the taste buds by using various vegetables for diverse ﬂavours and colouring. They come in many shapes and sizes: hearts, ﬂowers and leaves, buttons, stars, doughnuts, seasonal shapes and even dinosaurs – just for fun!www.dogdancing.orgdogdancingltd@gmail.com07535 176 317Help CAGED NATIONWIDE to entirely phase it out. We welcome you to join us at the March for the Murdered Million to be held in London in 2026. Follow our Facebook page and website to ﬁ nd more details coming soon. www.CAGEDNW.co.ukwww.facebook.com/cagednwYou can support our work with a donation: www.paypal.me/cagednwPrevious March for the Murdered Million on the 90 year anniversary of British Greyhound racing MARCH FOR THE MURDERED MILLION2026UK Greyhound racing began at Belle Vue Stadium in Manchester, England on July 24th 1926; there were once over 200 licensed Greyhound race tracks in the UK with 33 in the city of London alone, but now less than 19 remain in England and Wales, with none in Scotland. So why the steep decline? It’s a dying industry that depends on cruelty to Greyhounds!100 year anniversary of Greyhound racing cruelty

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On Tuesday 18 February, the Welsh Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies MS, announced that the Welsh government will support a ban on Greyhound racing in Wales.“Our consultation on a national model for animal welfare, which included questions relating to Greyhounds, received over 1,100 responses. In that consultation, the question asking for evidence and views on a phased ban found almost two-thirds of respondents were in favour of such a ban,” he said, adding that a petition to stop Greyhound racing in Wales received over 35,000 signatures.“We also note what is happening in other countries across the world, who are taking steps to ban this activity,” he said. “As a result, I believe that now is the right time to move to ban Greyhound racing in Wales. We are proud to be the ﬁ rst nation in the UK to do this.”According to ﬁ gures released annually by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), 2,700 racing Greyhounds have died since 2018. In 2023, a total of 359 died or were put to sleep, and there were 4,238 recorded injuries. The Welsh government wants the ban on Greyhound racing to come into force “as soon as practicably possible”, and will set out speciﬁ c proposals in the near future.The news of the upcoming ban was welcomed by the Cut the Chase Coalition, comprising charities and organisations such as the Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, Greyhound Rescue Wales, Hope Rescue and the RSPCA. The coalition has long campaigned for the end of Greyhound racing across the UK.Chris Burghes, Blue Cross chief executive, said, “We are delighted to hear the news that the Welsh government have decided, further to their consultation last year, to end Greyhound racing in Wales. Alongside our colleagues from the Cut the Chase coalition, we have been actively campaigning for a phased end to the sport since 2022. In that time, sadly, many more dogs have lost their lives or suffered serious injuries in the name of entertainment. The Welsh government’s announcement today will save the lives of countless Greyhounds across Wales.”CUT THE CHASEMark Bird, CEO of the GBGB, said the announcement has “nothing to do with Greyhound welfare and everything to do with pressure from the extreme animal rights movement”.“The Welsh government’s own Summary of Consultation Responses highlighted the lack of evidence to End of the trackWords ALESSANDRA PACELLIGreyhound racing seems set to become a thing of the past – at least in Wales...46Dogs Today Issue 367support the case for a ban on the sport. This summary made clear there has been a coordinated campaign against licensed Greyhound racing, seeking to drown out the voice of local people including those whose livelihoods rely on the sport,” he said. “Questions should be asked as to why – despite repeated requests – the minister has failed to meet with the industry in Wales, or its regulator, and pre-empted his own timeline to make this call. Meanwhile, the minister has engaged on numerous occasions with campaign groups known to use shock tactics and misleading information to achieve their ends.”The Cut the Chase coalition has since reached out to the GBGB with an open letter, calling for cooperation to safeguard the welfare of all Greyhounds affected by the upcoming change in legislation.“We want to work collaboratively with the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, the Valley Greyhound stadium, owners, trainers, the wider industry and other stakeholders to ensure that each and every dog has a permanent home which can provide them with a good life,” the letter reads. “While we recognise that some owners and trainers will want to keep their Greyhounds, there will be some who are unable to and will require the assistance from rehoming organisations such as ourselves. We are here to help provide support for care, rehabilitation and rehoming.RETIREMENT HOMES“We know safeguarding the welfare of each and every racing Greyhound in Wales will also be a major priority for the GBGB and the Valley Greyhound stadium; it is something we all have in common. Recognising the major role that rehoming organisations will continue to provide in securing a safe future for many dogs, we would like to ask GBGB to reconsider their decision to remove each member from the Greyhound Retirement Scheme. In doing so, and by allowing members to rejoin the scheme, this would release £400 per Greyhound. This sum would go part-way towards the costs of rehabilitation and rehoming, which for many dogs has been in excess of a thousand pounds.“As Greyhound racing is phased out in Wales, members of the coalition will make contact with owners and trainers to provide our support. We would also like to encourage those who don’t have an existing relationship with any of our organisations to get in touch so that we can help. We also hope that GBGB and the Valley Greyhound stadium will commit to working with the coalition to ensure each and every Greyhound is protected during this transition. We would welcome a meeting to discuss this.” PIssue 367 Dogs Today47MEANWHILE, ELSEWHERE...Following the announcement of the upcoming ban on Greyhound racing in Wales, Dogs Trust chief executive Owen Sharp said, “With Wales now committed to ending Greyhound racing, it’s time England, Scotland and Northern Ireland followed suit and put a stop to this inhumane form of entertainment once and for all.”However, this does not seem likely to happen in the near future, as the Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, has said the government has “absolutely no plans” to ban Greyhound racing across the UK.“We have absolutely no plans whatsoever to ban Greyhound racing. We appreciate the joy that it brings to many, many people in our country and the economic contribution that it makes,” she said.Different news might yet come from Scotland, where Mark Ruskell MSP has brought the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Scotland) Bill, which would put an end to Greyhound racing in the country.

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48 Dogs Today Issue 367Canine cranial osteopathy is a gentle, hands-on therapy focused on the optimal functioning of the whole dog in terms of structure and function from the cranium and its connections to the rest of the body. Originating in human osteopathic medicine, it has been adapted for animals including dogs. My way of working involves using subtle movements of bones, membranes and ﬂuids within the dog to promote balance and optimal function throughout the body. In dogs, cranial osteopathy works on the principle that, in health, nothing is rigid and ﬁxed, but has slight natural movements. When these natural movements become restricted due to trauma, stress or developmental issues, it can lead to discomfort, dysfunction or disharmony elsewhere in the body. Dogs can be burdened by situations they have lived through or their guardian’s emotional conﬂicts. Every dog is individual and I will share a couple of stories in this regard shortly. HEAD STARTIn recent years, qualiﬁed osteopaths can train and study further to treat animals. The training includes the high-velocity joint manipulations that need to be applied by qualiﬁed and registered individuals. Over the years, I have developed my treatment with dogs by exploring all of the approaches in osteopathy, chiropractic and physiotherapy. They all have their strengths. I specialise in cranial osteopathy and consider it to be the best way to help the dogs that visit me. This way of working does not involve any thrust techniques.Cranial osteopathy has a unique deﬁned body of knowledge and cannot be effectively learned via the internet or simply by reading books; it needs teaching with hands-on guidance from skilled, trained practitioners. The wonderful thing about working with dogs in this way is that they actively engage with the treatment process; there are no sudden jerks or unconsented thrusts jarring the animal. I work with the dog, using the animal’s own inherent forces to overcome tissue and joint strains throughout the body.The dogs I work with invariably engage with and enjoy their treatment because no forceful technique is used and they seem to feel understood. If you consider the dog’s anatomy, it is interesting that many of their muscles and fascias blend and attach into and with other muscles and fascias, so there is a continuity through the dog. Therefore, I am often working at places distant to the assumed problem. Because my work is non-invasive and calming, it is often well tolerated by dogs, even those who are anxious or reactive.You may be aware of your dog compensating through his or her body when there is discomfort in an area. Dogs can conceal their pain from you and look normal except for a few little telltale signs, such as seeming a bit depressed, withdrawn, or not wanting to jump on to the sofa or into the car. We are all familiar with the occasional physical pain that occurs during life, and, like us humans, this can also be on an emotional level for your dog. Anyone who has loved a dog is familiar with the knowledge that their dog can demonstrate joy, sadness and bereavement, among other emotions.A collie dog I had treated for some months came for routine treatment. The guardian told me that, sadly, she’d had to say goodbye to her older collie, which was a very sad event for her. Head in handsWords JENNIFER CANDLISHAs pet guardians, we are always seeking ways to ensure our beloved dogs are happy, healthy and free from discomfort. While traditional veterinary care is essential, holistic treatments like canine cranial osteopathy are becoming increasingly popular...Photo © Jennifer Jeffries Photography“He hasn’t been bothered at all,” she said, gesturing to her boy.I observed him as we talked, then I settled down with him on my mat to see how I could help and support him. It was clear from his ‘felt sense’ of tissue qualities that he didn’t seem at all disrupted by the loss of his buddy. However, his real concern and care was for his guardian, unbeknown to her in her grief. At the end of the session, I reﬂected this to her, pointing out how, when she arrived, her boy had quietly and obediently sat closely at her side. This is something he’d never done when visiting me before, he was always so bouncy and wanted to get on with life. Today, however, he was carefully supporting and glancing at her repeatedly throughout our session. His whole self at that time was dedicated to the loyal support of his guardian.GIVING CONSENTI treat all types of dogs, from serious competition dogs, where I’m involved with maintaining them for their comfort and peak performance to companion and elderly dogs. I also work with dogs pre- and post-surgery where appropriate. I was asked to treat a small terrier recently, who had strained his hind leg. However, when it came to seeing how I could help him, he became rather anxious, not wanting me to even look at his hind limbs let alone treat him. I always allow extra time for these situations, as consent and trust must sometimes be earned from the dog. He was clear that if I made any attempt toward his quarters, he would bite me! I acknowledged his concerns and, with his guardian sitting on the mat with us both, I managed to negotiate an area he was comfortable for me to place my hands, which was towards his shoulders. I quietly sat with him, engaging in conversation with his guardian so he was reassured by her calmness and conﬁdence.I slowly worked towards his lower back. He was beginning to tense slightly and his guardian was aware of this, as she has a great connection with her dogs. “I’m just going to stay here for a while until he’s comfortable,” I said, as I could already feel him relaxing slightly with my unchanged contact. I mentally gave him lots of space, more space than that little dog would ever need, but what we did next was up to him. So far, he had dictated the entire session for his safety and comfort and I had acknowledged this. And then the most beautiful thing… he slowly lifted his poorly hind limb out to the side, giving it to me for treatment – with his consent. His guardian was amazed, realising what she had just witnessed. I was then able to work with the little lad without any apprehension from him at all. GENTLE SUPPORT I have used this work to help dogs who are experiencing pain as a result of arthritis, lameness or to help alleviate discomfort associated with musculoskeletal issues. Sometimes, just improving overall mobility can really help a dog suffering with stiffness and a reduced range of movement.Cranial osteopathy can support the dog’s natural healing processes, making it beneﬁcial for dogs recovering from injuries or surgeries. Some competition dogs will beneﬁt greatly from this type of treatment.Regular sessions may contribute to better digestion, improved sleep patterns and a strengthened immune system. This gentle treatment I use can also help calm a dog’s nervous system, reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation.If you think your dog may beneﬁt from this type of treatment, there are a few experienced cranial canine osteopaths throughout the country. If you are unsure as to whether this type of treatment may be suitable for your dog, or you require further information to ﬁnd someone in your area, please contact me for a chat: jenniferlatchford@gmail.com PJennifer Candlish ND DO MRO, GOsC registered, RAMP MemberJennifer graduated as an osteopath in 1988 from the British College of Osteopathic Medicine. In 1998, she took a teaching post in London at the University College of Osteopathy (now the University of Health Sciences), teaching cranial osteopathy with learned colleagues and on postgraduate programmes. Jennifer was invited to teach cranial osteopathy at an osteopathic college in Munich, Germany, which she did in 2004. In the meantime, she was attending many canine events. In 2013, she wrote and presented her ﬁrst course for osteopaths: ‘An introduction to cranial osteopathy for dogs’. Jennifer opened her dog treatment centre in 2017. In 2018, she was invited to teach her cranial canine work to experienced osteopaths in Finland and was invited back to teach an advanced level course.Since Covid, Jennifer has been employed by the University College of Osteopathy as the external examiner to the Osteopathic Centre for Animals (OCA). She continues to run a busy practice, whilst teaching in term time and on postgraduate programmes.Issue 367 Dogs Today 49

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50 Dogs Today Issue 367 aking people happy with your performance is great, but it can create a lot of pressure and that leads to health issues,” she said. “Having a dog around makes so much difference and having two fantastic dogs is even better. I owe mine so much.”It is no secret that Selena has had health issues, attributed to her incredible work schedule. Being in demand can take its toll. Her canine back-up team has provided a great distraction and she loves them to bits.“They are always there for me,” she said. “They don’t care about my latest recording or tour dates, they just welcome me home and immediately want to play. They are there when I take time out, and, because they are so loving, they become my number-one focus and we have so much fun.”Selena was a very young actress when she appeared on the popular children’s TV show Barney and Friends. That led to more work offers, and, for ﬁve years, she was a regular on the Wizards of Waverly Place, a big hit series on the Disney channel.“My mother was an actress, so I think that probably inspired me,” she said. “Unfortunately, we became a split family and my mum worked extra hard to look after us. I can remember times when we were putting coins on the table to Only rescues in the buildingSelena Gomez is a global star, who has been famous for much of her life. But through the ups and downs of it all, she never fails to give credit to her rescue dogs, Winnie and Daisy Words BERNARD BALE“MIssue 367 Dogs Today 51 see if we could afford some gas. So I appreciate all the more how life has been good to me and I try to help other people.”Selena also likes to help animals and what better way than to give a home to a dog that was in need of a roof and some TLC? Little Winnie was a dog in need of rescuing.“She is a Poodle, and when we met, it was love at ﬁrst sight,” said Selena. “We both just knew straight away that we were going to be friends and that is how it turned out. “I took her with me wherever I went, as much as possible. You can’t always do that because work schedules mean that you have to be in studios or whatever for very long hours. It would not be fair to take your dog when they could be comfortable and relaxed at home.”PICKING A DAISYWinnie is more than just a favoured pet; she has proved to be a very close friend and has helped Selena through a particularly challenging time.“When I went through some health issues and a few upsets, Winnie was always very special – a special friend. She didn’t care about anything as long as she and I were OK. While I was with her, she was the centre of attention, which proved to be great therapy.”There was a concern a little while ago, when Selena met Daisy at a rescue shelter. It took just one hug and Selena knew she had to take Daisy home. How would Winnie react, though?“They were both brilliant and took to each other straight away, “Selena revealed. “There was no stand-off, quite the opposite. Winnie soon showed Daisy where everything is and how we live. She could not have been better and they just hit it off.”They look very similar and could almost pass-off as being from the same family. Selena has explained that Winnie is white while Daisy is a kind of caramel colour.“The main thing is, they know who they are,” she said. “They know who I am and we are three very close friends. When I have time off, I like nothing better than to just be with them, have a few treats maybe, but just play, walk and relax, then play, walk and relax some more.”Selena’s dogs have become quite famous since they are often seen on social media, and Selena gives her many, many fans little newsy items on how the dogs are faring and what they have been up to. She also talks of the joy the two dogs have brought her and how they have helped her to get through the trials of life.“Winnie and Daisy seem to be loved by everyone and I have told many friends how good it is to have a dog in your home,” she explained. “You can just adopt a dog or act as a foster home. I know a number of friends and others who are fostering right now, just to give animals a safe place.”DOG THERAPYSelena’s career has never been busier; she is constantly in demand for stage, TV and movie appearances. “I like to be busy, but I have also learned about burn-out, so I try to make sure that I don’t overdo things, that I can cope with whatever is on my work list, and keep healthy. I like to think that I have done well in getting through some tough health problems, but the truth is, I don’t know how I would have managed. Family and friends have been great, but I don’t think I can ever praise too much my two therapists – Winnie and Daisy.” PI like to think that I have done well in getting through some tough health problems, but the truth is, I don’t know how I would have managed. Family and friends have been great, but I don’t think I can ever praise too much my two therapists – Winnie and DaisyPhotos © Instagram @selenagomez

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52Dogs Today Issue 367 Your news & viewsPOSITIVELY PODCASTThank you, Beverley Cuddy and Victoria Stilwell, for that wonderful podcast – two people who actually know what they’re talking about! I’m a devoted ex-racing Greyhound guardian, now on my second one. Although my family has owned dogs for all of my, ahem, 54 years, and I have previously owned Whippets, it’s only in the past eight years that I have joined the ‘do no harm/positive training revolution’ (thanks mainly to Victoria). I have truly learned and absorbed knowledge about behaviour and dog welfare, and have realised what a cruel and ignorant world we are living in regarding dog breeding and ownership.As was highlighted in the podcast, we need to overhaul the whole dog training, breeding and ownership ‘industry’ because, sadly, I think we are now in a maelstrom of greed, arrogance and irresponsibility (and we can’t blame the pandemic forever!).The breeding side in the UK is out of control, and the meteoric rise of the ‘designer mongrel’ is at a tipping point — especially the Doodles, which, in my opinion, have now become primarily a money-making scheme and really need to be scrutinised. Similarly, whilst I think the whole XL Bully mess is just that, I do agree that no more of these dogs should be bred and sold because it’s obvious they were created for all the wrong reasons, with no interest in welfare, health, good genes, etc. Of course, in the main, they are just ‘trophy’ dogs falling into completely the wrong hands (with exceptions, of course).I also believe the Control of Dogs Order needs a complete overhaul, and that leash laws need to be strengthened.And I haven’t even started on training and behaviour, which, thanks to TV, social media and most people’s lack of willingness to invest time and effort, is now causing far more harm than good — especially with said ‘designer’ mongrels. (I’m not anti-mongrel at all, by the way, but in my day, they were called ‘accidents’!)It’s sad that the Kennel Club and microchipping systems are in such a bad way. I totally agree with you that microchipping could be broadened to link back to breeders, but it’s all about money, isn’t it? And the government (of any persuasion) just isn’t interested (and don’t get me started on Defra!).Anyway, I am now following you on Facebook and will watch developments with interest.Jenny ColeyPostbagIf you want to pay tribute to a departed pet or have a suggestion for a lost star dog, write to us at the address on page 3 or email editorial@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk and put ‘Tribute’ in the subject lineYour tributesObituariesIn memory of OchoIt’s been a week since the traumatic loss of my perfect boy and while I come to terms with moving on, I’ve also been contemplating how I can help others as a result of this awful circumstance.There are many amazing services out there to help with missing pets, from ground searches to thermal cameras, to drones and tracking teams. As I live in an isolated area, I had no idea which way Ocho had gone and there are so many ﬁ elds here to cover. Even if he had been wearing a tracker, I wouldn’t have known, as his collar vanished.There are only two lost-dog tracking teams in the south, and, as you can imagine, they are inundated with requests to help. They were unable to come out to help me until three days after Ocho was missing, due to being so busy helping others. Being a ‘live’ victim of a lost dog, I’ve realised how many pets go missing and how much help is needed.Anyone who knows me knows how hugely out of character this type of post will be. I’m a ﬁ ercely independent person, who runs a business, runs a smallholding, lives by herself and generally never asks for help! I want to give back, but the cost of living on your own is hard and I simply can’t do this without help funding it.I’d like to complete the Lost Dog Tracking courses (three levels) in order to help other guardians ﬁ nd their missing pets on a voluntary basis. Reef (Ocho’s cousin genetically) has shown huge potential with mantrailing and I believe he’s the right dog for the job. Nobody feel obliged to donate, but I just thought it was worth a try. If the amount supersedes what is needed, the remainder will be donated to Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue where Ocho’s uncle (my old boy Mylo) came from. To donate, please visit: https://gofund.me/2a6ee034Rosie Reidon Facebook and will watch developments with interest.Jenny Coleyon Facebook and will watch developments with interest.Jenny ColeyOchoIssue 367 Dogs Today53Get in touchWe love to hear your news and views, and see photos of your dogs! Email editorial@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk Write to us at Dogs Today, The Old Print House, 62 High Street, Chobham, Surrey, GU24 8AA Join the debateVoice your opinions on news stories and other topics on our Dogs Today Magazine Facebook page or through our website www.dogstodaymagazine.co.ukWE ASKED OUR FOLLOWERS WHETHER THEIR DOG PREFERS WINTER WEATHER OR THE SPRING THAW...From FacebookOWNER’S CALLA few readers wrote in concerning the story of Mr Bones from our December/January issue and the subsequent Great Debate...I read the entire tragedy surrounding Mr Bones in your previous issues, and my heart breaks for this poor boy. It really was an extreme case, and I do agree he deserved a chance to try to live his life on three legs.However, I do not think a blanket rule would work. I have adopted rescue dogs for all my life; if this legal precedent cited in the article leads to anything, and dog rescues will get to have a say over whether a dog adopted from them at any point should be put to sleep, then that is the day I never adopt again and start turning to (ethical) breeders instead.My dogs are mine. I love them, look after them, feed them, play with them, pay for their care. They are my responsibility and ultimately, if I think their quality of life is no longer acceptable, whether or not they are to be put to sleep needs to be my decision alone. If anyone thinks they should have a say, they’re welcome to pay half of every single vet bill, dog food bag, medication, toys and training my dogs get – only then might I entertain the idea of letting them have a say!Jessie EdwardsWhat happened to Mr Bones is terrible, but this legal precedent is ridiculous. If I adopt the dog, then the dog is mine. I have a Whippet from a rescue, who was a year old when I got him in 2017. He is now nine years old, and he has some health issues. He copes with them well, but if it gets to the point where a decision should be made, why in the world would I be required to involve people who have not seen him in some eight years?Eileen MoserNO DOG PARKINGI appreciate that I am quite late with this reply to your Great Debate, but I absolutely agree with the notion that ‘dog parking areas’ outside shops and businesses should be a thing of the past. No one in their right mind would leave their purse outside while in a shop, or their car open with the keys in the ignition – we’d rightly consider it a foolish thing to do, as we can very well expect we might not ﬁ nd the purse (or car) when we return. I struggle to see how this is considered an acceptable risk for dogs. No, there aren’t dog thieves lurking behind every corner, but is it truly worth the risk of who knows what happening to your dogs, and going for the rest of your life without knowing what became of them? Believe me, the theft of a dog will hurt for years after the loss of some money or a car will have faded from memory.Vicky BillingtonPhoto posed by a modelSarah WoodMy terrier mix haaaates winter so much. The only bright side are the runs on the beach, as it’s deserted.Andrea HerreraI have a Boxer and he will take summer and spring over cold, wet weather all the way. He might like winter better if we actually had snow, but most of the time it’s just wet and miserable with some half-frozen sludge on the ground. No fun at all.Debbie OlsonI have a Greyhound. I’ll let you guess what kind of weather she likes best! She does love her coats, though.Annie BriggsSpring – if anything because the ground is easier to dig!Nicholas MurphyWinter all the way. But he is a Husky, what else could I expect?Kelly SuttonSpring. Her sad face when the door opens and it’s raining outside almost breaks my heart!Albert MashewMy dog thrives in cold, wet mud. The car interior on the way back home, not so much.

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54 Dogs Today Issue 367 My Dog CrushMany of us have ‘dog crushes’ – soft spots for breeds or types that we love but know we’ll probably never own for lots of terribly sensible reasons. Maybe you don’t have enough hours in the day for the dog you dream of. Perhaps you have a wandering eye and there are just too many dogs to ﬁt into a lifetime. Or you already have a house squashed full of adored allsorts that chose you.In this feature we go through popular dog crushes and take a fresh look at what it would be like to actually live with them.Toy PoodleIssue 367 Dogs Today 55 CharacterToy Poodles are charming companions. “Smart, funny, engaging, adorable, warm, quirky,” described one survey respondent. Another said, “They are great for people who want an emotionally responsive companion.”They can be opinionated, but not all are vocal. A trainer told us, “Mine doesn’t bark much at all, but I have had lots of Toy Poodles come to me for barking training, as they are very vocal. There seem to be two groups on this – the ones that are quiet and the ones that are very noisy.”They love their humans – sometimes too much, with separation-related issues often being cited by owners. 44% from our survey hate to be left. Early training from puppyhood to get the dog used to being on their own for short periods is important, so they don’t become overly dependent. It’s also important not to wrap them in cotton wool because of their size. One person advised, “Be aware of their size and the implications this has when around other bigger dogs, as they could get hurt. But they don’t need to be babied. Treat them as if they were a Standard Poodle. Proper training is the best thing you can do.”From our survey, 39% like every dog they meet, 58% love people, 31% are a bit wary of strangers, 43% are good with cats, and 82% are very affectionate. Training & behaviour“They are so loving, so good-natured and highly intelligent. After all, Poodles are number two on the dog intelligent list,” said one owner. Another, “They like to be worked. They are very intelligent and can get bored and make up annoying games if not stimulated.” 65% said their Toys were easy to train and 59% were good at fetch. The breed is very versatile; those who answered our survey gave an impressive list of activities that their Toys take part in, from pet therapy work to top-level agility.ExerciseMost of our survey (38%) have up to 45 minutes of exercise a day (for fully grown adults), followed by an hour (33%). 19% had 90 minutes or more, and the remaining few had just 20 minutes a day.“It totally depends on what you’re doing with them and how much training you are giving. My boy can deal with 20 minutes just as well as he does with an hour and a half,” one owner said. “Depends on age. When younger, my Poodles needed a 30-minute walk in the morning and an hour in the evening to be sensible. Now they are all 10-plus, they need about half that,” said another Toy fan. HealthThe Kennel Club recommends hip and eye testing, plus a DNA test for progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA). Allergies, recurrent ear infections, anal gland issues, dental problems, slipping kneecaps, heart problems, collapsed tracheas and pancreatitis were mentioned in our survey. The Poodle Council has a useful page dedicated to Toy health at www.thepoodlecouncil.co.uk/healthtoypoodlePhotos by Tim Rose (www.timrosephotography.co.uk)NO MORE PULLING • NO MORE RIDING UP • NO MORE RUBBING • NO MORE COMING OFF • NO MORE DISCOMFORTREVOLUTIONARY HEADCOLLARCall to join the ever growing number of people changing to Dogmatic 01952 245330 or visit us at www.dogmatic.org.uk Awarded ‘Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020 - 2021, UK’11 TIMES WINNER OF ‘Product I can’t live without’For Dog People by Dog People Because your dog deserves the BEST Winners 2013-2024WINNER2020Global100Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020 – UKEndorsed by Dr David Sands BSc PhD CFBA Fellow of the Canine & Feline Behaviour AssociationThe teeniest of the glam Poodle family, this breed is a Toy in name only. Yes, they are cute and cuddly – but they are no one’s playthings. These little characters are 100 per cent dog with big personalities. Underestimate them at your peril! Our survey of Toy Poodle owners revealed:

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My Dog Crush56Dogs Today Issue 367 ●Clever●Funny ●Sweet ●Playful●Loving ●Loyal ●Happy ●Non-shedding ●Alert ●InquisitiveTraitsOriginsThe Toy Poodle shares the same breed standard as its larger Miniature and Standard versions – they are all differentiated only by size. The Toy is the smallest of the trio, at under 28cm (11 inches). Water dogs at heart, the Poodle originates from Germany, where it was bred to retrieve shot duck. The fancy Poodle clips hail from this work, to help the dog’s buoyancy in the water and to protect the joints and tail from the cold. The breed was developed in France, and so is one of the few breeds that has dual nationality – you could say it’s European through and through, but it’s incredibly popular across the world. The Poodle – and especially the Toy – has a global fanbase, particularly as modern living favours the smaller-sized dog, and especially a non-shedding one. Best Facebook groups●Toy Poodles UK ●Toy Poodle Group The Original Issue 367 Dogs Today 57 Laurel AlperI grew up with Toy Poodles, who are beautiful, loving and fascinating creatures. With their elegant posture and high-stepping trot, every step shows you how special they are. And if you ever forget, they’ll remind you – whether it’s through a soulful gaze from their beautiful almond-shaped eyes, or by burrowing their little faces into you, demanding attention and affection.Poodles are Velcro dogs. They will become your shadow, following you everywhere. They thrive on companionship and can be prone to separation anxiety, so it’s important to get them used to periods of ‘alone time’ from early puppyhood.Are they noisy in the house? Well, let’s just say that Toy Poodles have opinions! They’re not the type to bark endlessly at nothing (they’re too intelligent for that), but they’ll absolutely let you know if someone dares to approach your front door, walk past the window, or another animal invades their garden. They’re watch dogs more than guard dogs. Some can be quite talkative, while others are more reserved; they all communicate with their human, one way or another.SMART COOKIESThey’re extremely quick learners. I trained my current Toy Poodle, Scampi, not to toilet in the house in seven days. They are also social butterﬂies, who enjoy making new friends, both human and canine, but they are picky. If they like another dog, you’ll ﬁnd them friendly and playful. If they don’t, they turn their little noses up and trot off. As with all dogs, socialisation from a young age is key. If they grow up meeting other dogs in a positive way, they’ll be conﬁdent, friendly companions on walks. Because of their intelligence and independent nature, they are prone to bolt if something takes their interest.Despite their dainty appearance, Toy Poodles are surprisingly athletic and full of beans. They don’t need miles of walking every day, but they do love to stay active. A couple of good walks and some playtime should keep them happy, but don’t be fooled: these little dynamos have stamina.In addition to physical exercise, they crave mental stimulation. They’re one of the most intelligent dog breeds, thriving on puzzle toys, obedience training, and learning new tricks. If you don’t keep their minds busy, they’ll ﬁnd their own entertainment, and that might involve rearranging your shoes.Grooming is an essential part of life. Poodles need brushing every day, unless they are shaven. They don’t have fur – they have hair, which doesn’t moult or stop growing, meaning the hair mats quickly. They need professional grooming every four to six weeks. If you prefer a lower-maintenance look, the short puppy cut or complete shave can make life easier. Regardless of the hairstyle, grooming is a lifelong commitment for a Toy Poodle. Luckily, most of them love being pampered, so if you start grooming early, they’ll enjoy the process (although, I’ve never met a Poodle that likes blow dryers!).What do I love about the breed? Their playful personalities, their endless affection and their ability to make you laugh every single day. Toy Poodles are big dogs in tiny bodies, oozing conﬁdence and charm. They’re incredibly loyal, always up for fun, and surprisingly athletic for their size. Plus, they excel at dog sports, from agility to obedience.But most of all, it’s their emotional intelligence. I’m sure mine have spoken English. They seem to know exactly what you’re feeling and will be right there to offer comfort when you need it. They form deep, loving bonds with their owners and truly become part of the family.BESTIES FOR LIFEIf I could wave a wand and change just one thing, it would be their sensitive tummies! I’ve had ﬁve Poodles, and each one has needed particular care with what they’re fed. Owning a Toy Poodle is like having a tiny, curly-haired best friend who loves you unconditionally. They bring energy, love and plenty of personality into your home. If you’re willing to put in the time for training, exercise and grooming, you’ll have an incredibly intelligent and devoted companion for years to come. POwner’s viewNO MORE PULLING • NO MORE RIDING UP • NO MORE RUBBING • NO MORE COMING OFF • NO MORE DISCOMFORTREVOLUTIONARY HEADCOLLARCall to join the ever growing number of people changing to Dogmatic 01952 245330 or visit us at www.dogmatic.org.uk Awarded ‘Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020 - 2021, UK’11 TIMES WINNER OF ‘Product I can’t live without’For Dog People by Dog People Because your dog deserves the BEST Winners 2013-2024WINNER2020Global100Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020 – UKEndorsed by Dr David Sands BSc PhD CFBA Fellow of the Canine & Feline Behaviour Association

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My Dog Crush58Dogs Today Issue 367 GroomingThe coat is a big draw – it’s non-shedding and can be crafted into very different looks. But it’s far from low maintenance. 32% of our survey groom daily, 28% more than weekly, 21% once a week and 19% once a fortnight or less. “Brushed daily, full groom every six weeks,” one owner told us. “It depends on the style you choose to have,” said another Toy guardian. “Short, maintainable styles can last four to six weeks between grooms. The ﬂ ufﬁ er you get from there, the more often your Poodle should be groomed.” 52% use a professional groomer – the rest did it themselves (and quite a few were professional groomers anyway).31% use a towelling suit, 51% a grooming table, 60% wet-weather coat/boots, 23% a snood and 62% a dog hairdryer. ●Noodle ●Albie ●Dennis ●Pepe ●Mr Big ●Coco●Paris ●Nugget ●Teddy ●LolaBest namesNO MORE PULLING • NO MORE RIDING UP • NO MORE RUBBING • NO MORE COMING OFF • NO MORE DISCOMFORTREVOLUTIONARY HEADCOLLARCall to join the ever growing number of people changing to Dogmatic 01952 245330 or visit us at www.dogmatic.org.uk Awarded ‘Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020 - 2021, UK’11 TIMES WINNER OF ‘Product I can’t live without’For Dog People by Dog People Because your dog deserves the BEST Winners 2013-2024WINNER2020Global100Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020 – UKEndorsed by Dr David Sands BSc PhD CFBA Fellow of the Canine & Feline Behaviour AssociationToy antics●“Took a gardening magazine from the letterbox and started to bury it in the garden. In his defence, the envelope did show a picture of ﬂ owers.”●“My cleaner comes every Sunday. She follows the same routine when she leaves. She picks up her coat, handbag and shoes from the spare room when she’s ﬁ nished work. One Sunday, Pixie watched her put on her shoes and coat, then he went and picked up her handbag strap in his mouth and took it to her. It was unbelievable!”●“A true problem solver! I left the kitchen towel on the fridge handle. She pulled it open and ate the leftover chicken breast!”●“She is my service dog, but amazed me by doing something not trained for. I awoke to her jumping all over me. As I sat up, I heard the ﬁ re alarm going off (my deaf ear had been buried in the pillow). Issue 367 Dogs Today 59 Love the breed? Shop the breedNO MORE PULLING • NO MORE RIDING UP • NO MORE RUBBING • NO MORE COMING OFF • NO MORE DISCOMFORTREVOLUTIONARY HEADCOLLARCall to join the ever growing number of people changing to Dogmatic 01952 245330 or visit us at www.dogmatic.org.uk Awarded ‘Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020 - 2021, UK’11 TIMES WINNER OF ‘Product I can’t live without’For Dog People by Dog People Because your dog deserves the BEST Winners 2013-2024WINNER2020Global100Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020 – UKEndorsed by Dr David Sands BSc PhD CFBA Fellow of the Canine & Feline Behaviour Association^ Poodle-head candles in various fragrances (pina colada, cinnamon and vanilla, fresh linen, vanilla or unscented) and colours (brown, light brown, dark grey, white). From £8.49 from JaaMandco on etsy.co.ukA square watercolour Poodle Parlour print, printed on quality paper. Unframed, unmounted, 210 X 210mm. Perfect for a grooming room – or in a Poodle-loving home. £8.99 from RockandRolland on etsy.co.uk v^ These full-body candles are far too nice to light! A perfect gift for a Toy Poodle fan in various fragrances (including lime, basil and mandarin) and natural white, apricot red, lilac grey, chocolate brown and black. £17.99 from MissConnieCandles on etsy.co.uk ^ Handmade in Edinburgh, these earrings have a high-gloss UV resin as a protective ﬁnish to prevent fading, and 925 sterling-silver posts for sensitive ears. £12.99 from ThreeWeeCoos on etsy.co.uk < Is it time for dinner, a walk, a grooming session, or a cuddle? This Poodle clock watches the time as closely as your own real-life companion! Various options to personalise, with different coloured dogs for each number. From £25.49 from PawblesByBear on etsy.co.uk^ Feeling crafty? These cute kits are Japanese but despatched from the UK. From £20 from MonkeyBrian on etsy.co.uk< Etsy cards for Toy fans. Balloon card, £3.75 from Pet Illustration Red roses, £3.99 from AmberMaries Studio

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60Dogs Today Issue 367 Tea breakName: _________________________________________________________Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Postcode: __________________Telephone: _____________________________________________________Email address: ___________________________________________________ISSUE 366 SOLUTION: Across: 1 Wolf; 3 Watchdog; 9 Leisure; 10 Ingle; 11 Heart; 12 Dinmont; 13 Enters; 15 Advert; 18 Russell; 20 Nacre; 22 Exist; 23 Orinoco; 24 Springer; 25 Asks. Down: 1 Welsh Terriers; 2 Laika; 4 Amends; 5 Cairn; 6 Dog rose; 7 Goes to the dogs; 8 Hunter; 14 Tastier; 16 Dandie; 17 Alcove; 19 Eaten; 21 Cross.591210201481715321131618122274196231 1Gyles Brandreth’s Prize Crossword!Complete the crossword grid, then post your entry to arrive by 10 April 2025 to: Crossword 367, Dogs Today, The Cottage, Church Street, Wyre Piddle, Pershore, Worcs WR10 2JD. The ﬁ rst correct entry drawn after the closing date will win a Kong Wubba Zoo Koala dog toy worth £12. Available from PurrfectlyYappy.com How to enterQuick Clues Across1 Child’s term for dog (3-3)5 Child’s term for cat (4)8 Member of cat family (4)9 Site (8)10 King Charles’ type of spaniel (8)11 Command to dog to follow closely (4)12 Flat expanses of land (6)14 One lacking courage in battle (6)16 What a dog might do if missing his owner? (4)18 Thick-coated spitz type, originally from China (4,4)20 Document containing dog’s history (8)21 … and begs? (4)22 (And 2 Down) Scottish breed (4,2,5)23 Dorothy L …, writer (6)Cryptic Clues Across1 Youngster’s dog has a kind of tie: gosh! (3-3)5 Feline sups in messy way (4)8 Large feline; one seen in London? Not half (4) …9 … and it swallows duck and ‘5 Across’ in this place (8)10 Type of spaniel found unexpectedly alive in car (8)11 Sounds like he will give command to Rover (4)12 More like one aircraft heard somewhere in Georgia (6)14 Yellow kind of farm animal on a road (6)16 Long for a tree (4)18 Oriental breed, a bit clumsy – and how! Twice over! (4,4)20 Breeding record (8)21 Obey master’s command: it is given in ship (4)22 (And 2 Down) I fall on game, possibly – aided by this terrier? (4,2,5)23 A detective novelist, they utter (6)Down 2 See 22 Across3 Girl is to roam, we’re told (5)4 Outing for pooch was… like… awful! (7)5 A beastly competitive event (3,4)6 Film-director Oliver might be a precious sort (5)7 Evidence of injury from atrocious carnage (4)13 This might describe Ibizan breed held captive in Siberia nowadays (7)14 These jewellery items might take your breath away (7)15 Birds errs too, oddly enough (7)17 One trade that couldn’t be better (5)18 Joker, perhaps, sent on holiday? (4)19 Breed caught disturbing Skye (5)Complete the crossword grid, then post your entry to arrive by 10 April 2025 to: Dogs Today, The Cottage, Church Street, Wyre Piddle, Pershore, Worcs Wyre Piddle, Pershore, Worcs WR10 2JD. The ﬁ rst correct entry drawn after the closing date dog toy worth £12. Available from PurrfectlyYappy.com Complete the crossword grid, then post your entry to arrive by 10 April 2025 to: Dogs Today, The Cottage, Church Street, Wyre Piddle, Pershore, Worcs WR10 2JD. The ﬁ rst correct entry drawn after the closing date dog toy worth £12. Available from PurrfectlyYappy.com Down 2 See 22 Across3 A Fish Called …, John Cleese comedy film (5)4 Barbara Woodhouse’s call, prior to outing (7)5 Competition for dogs etc (3,4)6 Sharon …, movie star (5)7 Craggy rock formation (4)13 Spanish (7)14 Close-fitting necklaces (7)15 The Rolling ‘6’s sang of a little red one (7)17 Perfect (5)18 Birthday or Christmas greeting (4)19 Type of terrier (5)Put the kettle on and have a go at our competitions!Issue 367 Dogs Today61Please, please let me do Please, please let me do the dishes tonightthe dishes tonightWinning captionPhoto by Jo Sellers (www.pippinpetsdogtraining.co.uk)Siberian Husky by Tim Rose (www.timrosephotography.co.uk) & Border Collie (posed by a model)Stevie Henry365 Caption Runners-upCross QuestionI knew I shouldn’t have swallowed that daddy longlegsJulia O’ConnorHands together, eyes closed, now say graceJayne DendleThe writer of the winning caption and sender of the ﬁ rst correct answer to the Cross Question will each win a Kong Wubba Zoo Mandril dog toy worth £12. Available from www.purrfectlyyappy.com. The judge’s decision is ﬁ nal in all competitions. Email your Caption Competition & Cross Question entries together with your contact details to comps@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk or post to: Competitions 367, Dogs Today, The Cottage, Church Street, Wyre Piddle, Pershore, Worcs WR10 2JD, to arrive by 10 April 2025365 Cross Question SolutionBlaze’s parents are a Siberian Husky and a Border CollieThe ﬁ rst correct answer came from Sue Withyhays Brown +Introducing the lesser known species, the Labratable, closely related to the LabradoorTo Be Sure Pet ServicesRalphie realised he was a good colour blend with the counter top. The master of subterfuge now waits for a food offering to present itself…Jess HemmingDo you have a funny pic you’d like us to feature? Please email it to us at comps@dogstodaymagazine.co.ukHow to enterChile, Venice & Rio, Standard Poodles. Photo submitted by Carly HearsumWinners of the Cross Question and Caption Competition will win a prize from Purrfectly YappyWinners of the Cross Question and Caption Competition The judge’s decision is The judge’s decision is Winners of the Cross Question and Caption Competition Can you come up with a witty and amusing caption for this photo? Caption this!Can you guess which breeds Reba’s parents are?

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62Dogs Today Issue 367 www.foreverhoundstrust.orgPRIORY ROAD ASCOT BERKSHIRE SL5 8RJ01344 882689We are a non-destruction sanctuary for abandoned & unwanted dogsRegistered Charity No. 256728established 1958NEUTER AND SPAY,NO MORE STRAYSWe neuter and spay thousands of dogs and cats in Romania every yearCharity No: 1172316www.animalsni.ukPayPal email: donations@animalsni.ukwww.animalsni.ukCharity SpotlightWelcome to Charity Spotlight - a handy reference point for good folk doing great work. We’re helping to raise the proﬁ le of this diverse group and we encourage you to get involved with them, by offering a forever home, fundraising or volunteeringIf you’d like to see your organisation featured in these pages, please call us on 01276 402591 for more detailsLincolnshire Greyhound Trust (LGT) is an independent charity (1103656) with kennels near Boston in South Lincolnshire and near Epping in Essex. We were formed in 1998 as a branch of a national organisation, but became an independent charity in May 2004. We have homed over 2,400 Greyhounds since we began.What we doWe home retired racing Greyhounds and consider homes in any area of the UK (if we aren’t able to help, we’d be happy to suggest a responsible homing group in your area).Any Greyhound we home would be spayed or castrated in advance, vaccinated and microchipped. We provide a walking-out coat, collar and lead, muzzle plus the option of four weeks’ free insurance. Most importantly, we provide lifetime back-up for any Greyhound we home in case of any issues whether relating to the Greyhound or personal circumstances, and we also have an excellent community of fellow owners in our Facebook group.Why a Greyhound?Greyhounds are often lazy, laid-back dogs, who need just two 20-minute walks a day, although some are happy to do more (and some happy to do less!).We home them with the elderly, as they are a great companion and not over demanding; with families, as they can be very tolerant of young children; with people who work full-time, providing they can split the day; and some Greyhounds can also go to people with other pets, including cats.Most of our Greyhounds are between three and ﬁ ve years old and have come from racing owners and trainers who trust us to ﬁ nd them better homes than they can. We do sometimes get younger Greyhounds in and also older Greyhounds that have been returned from homes often through no fault of their own.Can you help?The main way people can help is to get in touch and take on a Greyhound as a pet or by promoting LGT to their friends and family. But if you can’t do that and want to help, we have a weekly lottery at just £1 a week, payable by standing order, which pays out over £100 every week. Just get in touch for more information.Find out more We hold regular awareness days where we take Greyhounds to meet the public, and they can all be seen on our website www.lincolnshiregreyhoundtrust.co.uk If interested, please call Kev on 07941 313025 or email kev@lincolnshiregreyhoundtrust.comLincolnshire Greyhound Trust Charity of the monthIssue 367 Dogs Today63As a rescue charity, Rushton helps abandoned, abused and unwanted dogs on a international scale. Rescuing dogs from all over the world. especially the meat trade in Asia and China.Registered Charity in England and Wales No. 1139999Call Now:+44 (0) 1823 49 10 52To rescue, rehabilitate and rehome vulnerable and at risk dogs from YorkshireSaving Yorkshire’s DogsRegistered Charity No 1167291Tel: 07562 986101Email: savingyorkshiresdogs@gmail.comWeb: www.sydrescue.org.ukFind us onWE RESCUE KILL SHELTER AND ABANDONED DOGS FROM ROMANIA AND REHOME THEM IN THE UK AND GERMANYwww.barkingmaddogrescue.co.uk@barkingmaddogrescue @bmdrdogs www.petsavers.org.ukFinding the cures for serious pet illnesses, helping them live longer, healthier liveswww.leicesteranimalaid.org.ukTel 01455 888257Registered Charity No. 242560Rescue and rehoming centre for dogs and catsRegistered Charity No. 1077588Help us to help moreWe rescue and rehome 100s of dogs and cats in London every year themayhew.org020 8962 8000We are a small dog and cat rescue that specialises in the rehabilitation of pets who need their second chance at happiness. No matter your age, location or family status PAWS gives everyone a chance to be a part of the rescue story. www.pennineanimalwelfaresociety.orgGreyhounds make great pets★ Lincolnshire Greyhound Trust has been rehoming Greyhounds since 1988★ We have rehomed over 2,300 retired Greyhounds★ Kennels in Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire & Epping Greyhounds since 1988 We have rehomed over 2,300 retired Greyhounds Kennels in Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire & Eppingwww.lincolnshiregreyhoundtrust.co.uk07941 313025kev@lincolnshiregreyhoundtrust.comRAYSTEDERegistered charity no 237696www.raystede.org01825 840252Rescuing and rehoming animals in Sussex

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64Dogs Today Issue 367 Caged Nationwide2026 marks the 100-year anniversary of Greyhound racing cruelty. Join Caged Nationwide in the loudest call to end the suffering of Greyhounds by attending the largest and most emotive international anti-Greyhound racing rally ever, when we will march for the dogs in London, on Saturday 25th July 2026. Follow our work on Facebook or on our website to see more details coming soon! We have documented over a decade of evidence showing that Greyhound racing is inherently cruel; along with continuous failures by the regulatory board to help protect the dogs. Be their voice! Support the dogs at Caged Nationwide. Please donate to: paypal.me/cagednw www.CAGEDNW.co.uk | www.facebook.com/cagednw Canine Service of the MonthAdvertising featurewww.dogs-holiday.co.ukDogs stay free!Boturnell Farm CottagesHome from home for you and your dogs. If they are relaxed, then you can relax. Every cottage has an enclosed garden for those late night & early morning comfort breaks. PLUS: 8 acres of woods ● Throws for the furniture ● Animal ﬁ rst aid kit Want to advertise your business in our classiﬁ ed adverts section?Call Mike McGlynn now on 01276 402591 or send an email to mike@dogstoday magazine.co.ukPEAK DISTRICTDog & PartridgeFabulous beer garden & terrace serving dinner, lunch and drinks.Overnight stays or short breaks available. Breakfast, lunch and dinner can also be served in the bar so that your pet can join you.Very dog-friendly family-run Country Inn with self-contained rooms in the grounds We can’t wait to see you!Dog walking service available01335 343183www.dogandpartridge.co.ukHolidays, Charities, Services & ProductsClassiﬁ ed advertsIssue 367 Dogs Today656622JulyWestie ReHoming @westierehoming4www.westierehoming.org information@westierehoming.net 0844 879 4260 PO Box 4204, Swindon SN2 9LA UK Westie ReHomingRegistered Charity England & Wales 1108659 Scotland SC045329Westie ReHoming is a charity dedicated to the welfare and rehoming of the West Highland White Terrier. We take in westies needing a new start in life and place them into a suitable home where they will be loved and have their needs met. DedicDedicatDedicatDediced to the ed to the ated to the atWeWest Higst HigWest HigWeWest Highlhlst Highlst Higst Highland and hland hlhland WWhihiWhiWWhithihie te tTTiTiTiidvertsEvery product is handcrafted by our very own skilled artisans who draw on years of specialist experience, a love of creativity, a passion for quality and a huge appreciation for functionality ... but with flair.07774 626677 | sales@annrees.co.ukwww.annrees.co.ukHandmade Dog Collars & Coats6622JulyBarjoBarjo dog crates and vehicle guards are hand-made here in the UK by our team of highly skilled engineers from the point of order to dispatch. All of the materials we use are the very best available on the market which helps make us stand out from the rest. We take the time to ensure that every item we produce has the quality and ﬁ nish that makes our customers come back to us time and time again. With over 50 years experience we are rated excellent on Trustpilot.www.barjo.co.ukCanine Safety Product of the MonthAdvertising feature6622July

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When I came up with the Wag and Bone Show, I was still naive. I had signed the show over to the care of the charities for £1, the same sum I had paid for Dogs Today all those years before. I would come to deeply regret my altruism!Each year, the show grew in every way. It was such a positive event, celebrating all that was great about dogs. It was my baby and became something rather magical. It was an enormous amount of work, but I lived and breathed it.More and more people and dogs came, and there was more and more for the media to love about the show. Unlike other dog events, it never attracted a single piece of negative coverage. At ﬁ rst, the charities seemed delighted. But with hindsight, the more successful it became, the less grateful they became! I was shocked to discover what the charities had been scheming. They announced they wanted to invite other event organisers to pitch to run what I had always considered to be ‘my’ show. Remember, I wasn’t charging them for my time – I was doing all this for the love of dogs.I was fairly conﬁ dent that this was just a charity box-ticking exercise – that they needed three quotes to show they’d done their due diligence. They said that I should be charging for my time, and they’d like me to put a ﬁ gure on what I did for the show.There weren’t that many companies interested in running this hugely complicated event, but there was one very posh company that they were obviously keen on. As several of the charities had a royal warrant, it impressed them that these guys had put on some glitzy horsey events for the Queen. But they were very expensive professional events people, and they made it clear they would want to be paid very much more money than the event had ever taken in ticket sales. I could sense a strange atmosphere at the board meeting where the decision was to be taken. But the vote was just window dressing; it had obviously already been decided, as they’d kindly pre-booked me a taxi home. They assumed I would be shocked and upset – that I’d burst into tears when they revealed their plan to take ‘my’ show away.OUT IN THE COLDIt was such an illogical decision, but I didn’t cry. I just stated the obvious: why would anyone move a very successful show to a much more expensive organiser? But I’d been stupid enough to sell them the show already – my opinion didn’t matter.I didn’t go to ‘their’ version of Wag and Bone Show, but it lost a fortune and the charities had to cover their posh organiser’s fee before they liquidated ‘my’ show.They do say a camel is a horse designed by a committee. I’ll never understand what made them do what they did – but they obviously badly underestimated what I had always done for love. They’d probably imagined that the charities were the magic ingredient and all the sponsors would stay without me. It must have surprised them that the Daily Mail left and said they’d always back any future show I wanted to put on.That’s how the Cold Wet Nose Show was created! And this time, I worked with much smaller assistance-dog charities, who appreciated the value of money and positive PR. But we were unlucky. Our ﬁ rst show was a bit too cold and wet! My love affair with putting on outdoor dog shows had come to an end! PIllustration KEVIN BROCKBANK66Dogs Today Issue 367 Confessions of a dogaholichen I came up with the Wag and Bone Show, I was still naive. I had signed the show over to the care of the charities for £1, the same sum I had paid all those years before. I would come to deeply regret my altruism!Each year, the show grew in every way. It was such a positive event, celebrating all that was great about dogs. It was my baby and became something rather magical. It was an enormous amount of work, but I More and more people and dogs came, and there was more and more for the media to love about the show. Unlike other attracted a single piece of negative coverage. At ﬁ rst, the charities seemed delighted. But with hindsight, the more successful it became, the less grateful they I was shocked to discover what the charities had been scheming. They announced they wanted to invite other event organisers to pitch to run what I had always considered to be ‘my’ show. Remember, I wasn’t charging them for my time – I was doing all this for the love of dogs.I was fairly conﬁ dent that this was just a charity box-ticking exercise – that they needed three quotes to show they’d done their due diligence. They said that I should be charging for my time, and they’d like me to put a ﬁ gure on what I did for the There weren’t that many companies interested in running this hugely complicated event, but there was one very posh company that they were obviously keen on. As several of the charities had a royal warrant, it impressed them that these guys had put on some glitzy horsey events for the Queen. But they were very expensive professional events people, and they made it clear they would want to be paid very much more money than the event had ever taken in ticket sales. I could sense a strange atmosphere at the board meeting where the decision was to be taken. But the vote was just window dressing; it had obviously already been decided, as they’d kindly pre-booked me a taxi home. They assumed I would be shocked and upset – that I’d burst into tears when they revealed their plan to take ‘my’ show away.I didn’t go to ‘their’ version of Wag and Bone Show, but it lost a fortune and the charities had to cover their posh organiser’s fee before they liquidated ‘my’ show.They do say a camel is a horse designed by a committee. I’ll never understand what made them do what they did – but they obviously badly underestimated what I had always done for love. They’d probably imagined that the charities were the magic ingredient and all the sponsors would stay without me. It must have surprised them that the Daily Mail always back any future show I wanted to put on.That’s how the Cold Wet Nose Show was created! And this time, I worked with much smaller assistance-dog charities, who appreciated the value of money and positive PR. But we were unlucky. Our ﬁ rst show was a bit too cold and wet! My love affair with putting on outdoor dog shows had come to an end! Out in the cold REVOLUTIONARY HEADCOLLARStops dogs pulling on the lead and gives you back control.Life-Changing products for you and your dog!Also available: Collars, Non Slip Leads and Gripper Training Leads oﬀering added security and conﬁdence throughout the winter months.‘Matching accessories in a selection of colours’ with high quality workmanship and ﬁttings.Endorsed by Dr David Sands BSc PhD CFBA Fellow of the Canine & Feline Behaviour AssociationCall to join the ever growing number of people changing to Dogmatic 01952 245330 or visit us at www.dogmatic.org.uk ‘PRODUCT I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT’AWARDED ‘Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020-21 - UK’ and Most Innovative Dog Collar Manufacturers 2019For Dog People by Dog People Because your dog deserves the BEST NO MORE PULLING • NO MORE RIDING UP • NO MORE RUBBING NO MORE COMING OFF • NO MORE DISCOMFORT

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