Dogs Today_June_2024 : simplebooklet.com

Inside this month...News & features 6 Jackpot or bust? Can you help the Cavalier win the genetic lottery? 12 Meet Nelson, George and Amal Clooney’s new St Bernard pup 14 Locked up: why are secret, secure police-approved kennels not regulated? 26 French connection: the cross-channel parenting philosophy that can help with dogs34 All about muzzles: what are the differences in shapes, sizes and materials? 46 The story continues: a disillusioned vet welcomes the spotlight on his profession Over to you!48 Great debate: should training people to work with dogs be regulated? 58 Postbag: your letters and emails Training & behaviour30 House arrest: living with a dog that has separation distress 40 Don’t be your dog’s dictator! Dogs are happiest when they have some choice and control Opinion 66 Confessions of a dogaholic: aftershock Investigation 18 Q&A: how best to remove pet hair and odour from the car and home; canine obesity; bin the TikTok bun trend; walking in the rain 50 Dog crush: meet the Cane CorsoCompetitions & shopping 56 Subscribe and win!60 Pop the kettle on and tackle our puzzles and competitions Cane Corso puppiesDogsTodayEditorialEditor: 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 CBMDogs 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.ukPublishers Chief Operations Officer: Graham Smith01276 402598 (graham@wearebrandshare.com)Managing Director: Beverley Cuddy 01276 402597 (beverley@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk)SubscriptionsFor 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.© 2024 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_TodayLIMITEDCover star: Naomi, a four-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, owned by Julia Wilson. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook @naomi.wilson__Hashtag: #naomiwilsonPhotography: Anna Brujeva (www.instagram.com/anna.brujeva?igsh=Mjc3ajBneHQxcHl5) Next issue on sale: 13 July 2024To 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.ukCavalier King Charles Spaniel, owned by June 2024 Dogs Today3

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4 Dogs Today June 2024 History was made on the last possible day of parliament. Rishi’s snap election announcement caught everyone off guard. Even though the Pet Abduction Bill had moved very quickly, the ﬁnal reading in the Lords was scheduled for the day after parliament should have prorogued.While everyone else was wondering why Rishi hadn’t borrowed an umbrella, I was pulling my hair out and emailing everyone I could think of! We had been so close.It was a huge relief to receive a swift email back from Lord Black of Brentwood.“Very brieﬂy, the Bill should go through tomorrow.”I looked on the parliamentary website and there wasn’t anything scheduled. And when I checked, there were still three steps before it could become law. It still seemed to be a gamble – and we had everything on (Lord) Black.Against the odds, he did it. Royal Assent was also super speedy and before all the politicians broke up for resigning or campaigning, the Pet Abduction Bill was passed. It was a miracle!Not everyone agreed, of course! There’s always someone who wants to have a moan, isn’t there?A group called ‘the SHG for the RSPCA problems’ posted against a comment I’d shared on my LinkedIn: “How was reducing the max sentence from seven years to ﬁve a good day? Popular policies do not always make good welfare law.”Well, technically, a seven-year tariff was possible under the old generic theft act, but it wasn’t used. Had the SHG followed the campaign more closely, they’d know that even the most heinous, planned theft by a gang only ever attracted suspended sentences. There was logic behind making pet theft a speciﬁc offence; the theft of scrap metal dramatically dropped after it was given its own law. Prior to the Pet Abduction Act, police did not have a way to categorise pet theft; it was just lumped in with the theft of inanimate objects like phones and wallets. Now, the police have very clear guidance that pet theft is a serious crime that deserves investigation and prosecution. At last, there is recognition for all those who know that having your dog stolen is completely different to the theft of property.The big charities were all quick to claim this law as their win, so their detractors were equally quick to attack it! Inevitably, by the end of the campaign, all the sector enthusiastically backed the bill, but that snowball started rolling many years before!When Debbie Matthews’ Yorkies were stolen from her car 17 years ago, she vowed to help others in the same situation. The police asked Debbie, “Was there anything of value in your car?” She was stunned – her dogs were priceless, but in the eyes of the law, they weren’t signiﬁcant.DIRECT ACTIONA huge thank you to Direct Line who, nine years ago, started asking police forces for their dog theft ﬁgures so we could prove the rise. In recent years, Dr Daniel Allen created Pet Theft Reform and wrote academic papers and petitions that helped focus the minds of the MPs.You need a team to build a dream! Well done to every person that helped get pets better protected. There are many more battles to win, but never let anyone tell you that something is impossible! 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.2024-03-05_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 27/1/24.To verify contact Vitabiotics Ltd, 1 Apsley Way, London, NW2 7HF. Vitabiotics Ltd will donate 35p + VAT from the sale of each SuperDog product to Battersea Dogs’ Home Limited which donates its profits to Battersea Dogs’ & Cats’ Home (registered charity number: 206394). Stockists may vary.

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he Cavalier ﬁ rst began when a very rich man offered a huge cash prize at Crufts dog show. He gave breeders a challenge: to breed a dog that looked like the spaniel in an oil painting he admired. Imagine if a competition could save the breed today, too.The ﬁ rst book I ever wrote was about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. It was in the 1980s in my gap year between working at the Kennel Club and starting at Dogs Today. I was missing dogs, doing a well-paid but dull corporate job. It was for an American publisher called TFH. It’s still on sale today, although I don’t get any royalties. The health section was very short. Back then, there wasn’t as much to say as there is today. We had no idea what was coming.I was shown an email from a famous vet talking about syringomyelia and Chiari malformations in the breed, which said “the only way to avoid the affected lines is to not get a Cavalier at all!” The breed’s health is now thought so poor that Norway has banned people from breeding Cavaliers unless they are crossed with a healthier breed. But despite all the issues, this sweet and gentle breed is still very much loved all over the world. It’s a depressing situation, but a few weeks ago, I saw a report from Australia that made me dream that there may still be a way to undo all the genetic bottlenecks and gene erosion.Australian scientists have found a very rare and promising gene in six Cavaliers – a gene that might prove to be protective against mitral valve disease (MVD), a ghastly heart problem that afﬂ icts half of all Cavaliers by the age of ﬁ ve.Now, I know there are a myriad other Cavalier problems, but this chink of light in an otherwise gloomy sky prompted Bridgette Evans (the Cavalier breeder that tipped us all off about that deadly McAdd fat-processing gene last year) to say the gene news made her “the most excited she has ever been”. I mulled over what to do with this information.PAIR OF GENESWe need to ﬁ nd more dogs with this gene and test if the protective theory is true. Could there be pockets of long-lost healthy genes in the world’s pet dogs? We need to ﬁ nd the lucky dogs that make it to ﬁ ve without a murmur and check their genes. How could we encourage every single pet owner of a Cavalier to get their dogs tested? Well, obviously, launch an international genetic treasure hunt for what I am calling ‘the Lucky Cavalier heart gene’!To further incentivise pet owners to take part, I am asking the lab people to consider bundling two tests together. Wouldn’t it be great if one cheek swab could look for the Lucky gene and also search for the newly identiﬁ ed McAdd gene?If you know your dog has McAdd, you can keep them safe by avoiding the fats that could kill them. Without knowing their genetic status, you’re playing Russian roulette every time you change food or treats.6Dogs Today June 2024Jackpot or bustCan you help the Cavalier win the genetic lottery?TWe carried an article on McAdd in the December 2023 issue, but we are hearing that many vets still aren’t yet aware of this newly identiﬁed issue with Cavaliers. And these usually ‘good fats’ can be found in some of the most superior pet foods – even those aimed speciﬁcally at the breed.My aim is to get the price of testing as low as possible to make it more affordable for all. I’d also love some spectacular prizes for those taking part in what we could call the Cavalier Genetic Lottery! By making the search fun, I hope the general media will spread the word so we reach as many pet owners as possible. As soon as Cavalier lovers hear there is a test that could save their dog’s life – and possibly help save the whole breed in the future – I’m sure they’ll want to do it. We just need a way to reach every Cavalier owner in the world.Imagine fun Cavalier garden parties with testing kits sponsored or subsidised by caring, altruistic companies. Maybe His Majesty King Charles might help his namesake by inviting the dogs to the grounds of Windsor Castle for a royal testing session? My ﬁrst mission is to partner with a lab to produce the combined genetic test at a good price.WHY THEIR HEARTS ARE BROKEN Mitral valve disease (MVD) kills many breeds of dog in old age, but the Cavalier has an early-onset variant that will sadly afﬂict approximately half of dogs by the time they are ﬁve years old.WHAT IS MVD?There are four chambers in the heart and four valves. The two upper chambers are called the left and right atriums, and they receive the blood. The two below are the left and right ventricles; the left pumps the newly oxygenated blood back around the body. The mitral valve – so named because it looks like a bishop’s hat – controls the ﬂow of the blood from the left atrium to the left ventricle (from the upper to the lower chamber). You get MVD if the mitral valve starts to fail. It can shrivel up, which allows some blood to leak back up. This causes the left atrium to increase in size and the left ventricle will grow, trying to pump extra blood to compensate for the lost leaked blood, and ﬂuid starts to accumulate in the lungs.When the vet listens, this will sound like a heart murmur. To get the full picture, a trained cardiologist needs to look at the size, shape and structure of the heart and watch it beating and how the blood is ﬂowing with an ultrasound (sometimes also called an echocardiogram or heart scan).Some Cavaliers live into old age with a murmur. Sadly, sometimes disease progresses rapidly.THE SYMPTOMS OF HEART FAILURE INCLUDE:■Lack of energy and exercise intolerance■Loss of appetite and/or weight loss■Laboured breathing■Fainting and swelling of the abdomen ■Coughing (ﬂuid accumulating on the lungs)Medication can help and there are some surgeons offering innovative surgery. But up until very recently, there appeared to be no way to predict which Cavaliers would be likely to succumb and which would lead a long life. >June 2024 Dogs Today 7 Words BEVERLEY CUDDY

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8 Dogs Today June 2024TEDDY has been my soulmate for 15 years, featuring in many health-conscious breeders’ lines. He was in the ﬁrst cohort of Cavaliers to be Dopplered aged nine. Sadly, he passed away a year ago, and is missed every day.Roxane HobbsOSCAR is 12 years old and heart clear as far as the vet is concerned. I hate MVD, as I’ve lost three Cavaliers to this awful disease, my ﬁrst one over 45 years ago.Julie DunfordWhen STARBUCKS was alive, we both used to advocate for healthy Cavaliers. There’s nothing I want more than for reputable breeders to be supported in their pursuit to improve the breed’s health and for puppy farms to ﬁnally end. Holly MosesTINA and ISLA, both 6½ and hearts clear. They are both very active little dogs, who love the outdoors. I’ve had two Cavaliers with MVD, and it’s heartbreaking to lose them. Hopefully, we can ﬁnd a way of eradicating the early onset of MVD from this beautiful breed!Laura DanksThis little nugget is CASSIE. Her sire is heart clear at age 9. He also has a very good MRI. I have high hopes she has the lucky gene; we need to be testing the clear dogs all over the world. We are on the east coast, in Vermont, USA.Liz HarwardHARVEY was magniﬁcent and had a passion for life despite being diagnosed with MVD when he was just two. His score increased each year until we lost him very suddenly just after his seventh birthday. We went through so much together; he comforted my stepson as he died aged just 34, he came through a serious car wreck and suffered a broken tail (it still didn’t stop him wagging it though). I felt so cheated when he died so young. I got myself a wonderful breeder who health tested and provided me with a beautiful little Blenheim boy, called PADDY, who is still heart clear as he goes into his ninth year. These beautiful little souls share our homes and our lives and should be protected. I would never want to be without them, so we should do everything in our power to help them stay in our lives as long as possible. Rebecca Hudson >GETTING TESTED How can pet owners currently access these tests? A simple cheek swab. For the next month, Laboratory Laboklin is kindly offering a 10% discount to readers who want to do the McAdd and/or the MVD test. Quote the code MVMC10 – it will be live for a maximum of two months and this discount may not be used in conjunction with other discounts.The tests are not yet bundled – so you need to buy them singularly. McAdd test 8288 and the Lucky gene test is MMVD test 8831. Visit https://www.laboklin.co.uk/For news of further testing discounts, Cavalier owners should sign up here:https://beverleycuddysmith.typeform.com/LuckyCavaliersJoin the Facebook community: The search for the LUCKY Cavalier heart geneAnd do get in touch if you can help the campaign with sponsorship or prizes!READERS WRITE...THE SCIENCEY BITCould dogs who are ‘heterozygous for the protective/wild-type alleles at the NEBL loci’ turn out to be the lucky ones? (Can you see why I call it the Lucky Cavalier heart gene? It is rather a mouthful!)Cavalier breeder Bridgette Evans says, “It could be a game changer. About 3-5% of purebred Cavaliers will have one copy of the N/MMVD gene. Dogs inherit a gene from each parent; most will have two copies of the MMVD gene. We are trying to ﬁnd the rare individuals who have inherited an ‘N’ gene from a parent, so that these individuals can be used to spread this normal or wild gene through the population.”

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www.naturopetfoods.com@naturopetfoodCheck out our NEWcat food range!10 Dogs Today June 2024RUBY, ROSIE and CHARLIE lived with us in Dubai and the UK and now we’re all living in Ireland. I’ve had ﬁve Cavaliers over the last 23 years and will do anything to help the future of this precious breed that is so close to my heart.Lesley LoughnaneIn loving memory of my girl FLORENCE, taken from me too soon by MVD in November 2022. No Cavalier or owner should have to go through the heartbreak this disease causes.Sally GunnAs a toddler, I was in an accident. I suffered a severe closed head injury. The medications the doctors gave me had horrible side effects. I didn’t know much about Cavaliers. I had a sort of vague idea that they could have heart problems and I knew that I wanted to avoid puppy mills, so I made sure that I was able to meet both of his parents and see where they were living. I thought the fact that the pups had been ‘vet checked’ was a good thing, having no clue at that point about health testing. BUG and I picked each other right away. We belonged together. Though I now regret purchasing from a backyard breeder, I don’t regret having Bug in my life. I intended for him to be a pet, but he became so much more. By 12 weeks of age, he showed both the ability and willingness to alert to my seizures before they happened, something I had never considered as a possibility. I found a trainer and was able to train Bug to be my seizure alert dog. For the ﬁrst time in my life, my seizures were under control. I was able to reduce my medications by 75%. I was able to drive. And I was able to go to law school with Bug. We walked across the stage together when I got my diploma. I passed the bar exam on my ﬁrst try. All things that were only possible because of one very special little dog. I was absolutely devastated when Bug was diagnosed with MMVD at two years of age. I was told not to expect him to live to be any older than ﬁve. I started researching. I changed his diet to raw food. I gave him Ubiquinol. I started him on Vetmedin early. I kept him in excellent physical shape and brushed his teeth every night to avoid tartar buildup. I made inquiries about surgery to ﬁx his heart, but was told that he wasn’t a candidate because he was not yet in heart failure. Bug’s ﬁfth birthday came and went. His MMVD was progressing, but not as quickly as I thought it would. I kept the idea of surgery as a possibility. If I am being honest, I would have cut out a part of my own body and given it to him if that could have saved him. I would have done anything for him. Bug never went into CHF. When he was 10½ years old, he woke me up at about 3am on the morning of 10 May 2021. He was coughing. He hadn’t ever really done that before. We had been at the beach just 12 hours before and, aside from his arthritic shoulder, he’d been ﬁne. I knew. I knew in my gut that it was bad. I took him to the vet that morning and an echocardiogram showed that he had ruptured all his chordae tendinea. They had all been intact at his last cardiology consultation. It was too late for surgery; nothing that could be done to save him. I held him in my arms and said goodbye to the dog who changed my life forever. I will never be able to repay Bug for the amazing gift he gave me, but I hope that I can help destroy the disease that killed him. Ashley ReneeThis is SHELBY and she is still heart clear. Her mom is clear at eight and a half, her dad till nine. Paternal grandmother heart clear pass 10. Maternal grandma grade 2, no meds at 10½ years. I absolutely love this girl.Jennifer LeeThis breed has a heart of gold. There is no threat in them. They are great with grandkids and are a wonderful companion, yet versatile. They can do agility, nose work, be your walking companion, your ofﬁce buddy and your travel partner. They don’t require much other than love and a lap.Yes, it is a very traumatic situation to watch your beloved pet struggle for air and feel their anxiety as they drowned to death. The sudden cardiac event is a frightening thing to live through. You are unable to do anything to help other than pray you make it to the emergency room to give them peace from suffering. I have had three out of six with MVD. I fully support the research. I fear if we don’t, we will lose the breed in its entirety.Carol Casey, USAMeet ZEF. We’re testing for the lucky rare gene in Australia.Loraine KorvingDAISY-MAE is 10 months old and McAdd affected. Thanks to the test, we know what to put in place to reduce the risk of the condition being triggered.Sue Pinkham

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12 Dogs Today June 2024 Words BERNARD BALEogs are just so hard to resist,” said George. “Anyway, who wants to resist them? I was brought up on farms in Kentucky and you can’t live in a farm without having a dog. And to a boy as I was, his dog was his best pal, in part because both had amazing amounts of energy and could play all day without getting bored and tired.“I don’t think I have changed that much; I still like having dogs around. They are great companions, great playmates and really good pals when you need someone to talk to.”George has been a champion of dogs and other pets for a long time and likes to support rescue dog groups.“I don’t like to hear of dogs being let down,” he said. “It is bad enough when it is a human being, but dogs and other animals treated badly is almost as horrible. Nobody or animal deserves to be badly treated. Dogs especially do not judge us humans; they always see the best in us.ANIMAL RIGHTS ADVOCATE“A dog doesn’t care who you are outside the house or how much money you have or how poor you are – none of that is an issue. Are you their pal? Do you play with them and talk to them? Do you make sure they are looked after? That’s what it is all about for dogs. In return, they will give you constant friendship and loyalty. You cannot get better than that.”George and his wife, Amal, take a keen interest in dog adoption and rescue work, hence their own dogs coming from exactly those sources.“I am passionately interested in the world around us,” said George.” Nelson’s column inches George Clooney is never out of the headlines for very long and recently has been followed by photographers not because of a new ﬁlm, but because he has a new member of his family – a St Bernard pup!‘‘DHow we treat that world and how we treat each other is a concern to me. I like to try to make some sort of difference. That is probably one of the reasons I have mostly adopted my dogs and other pets in the past. It is very rewarding to provide them with a home and family who love them – often something they have never experienced before.George and Amal are as good as their words and have made a big difference to the lives of Millie and Louie. Millie is a Basset Hound, while Louie is a Cocker Spaniel. They are both rescue dogs and became part of the Clooney family, as did Einstein, another Cocker Spaniel, who has since sadly passed away.Einstein was ﬁve when George adopted him from a shelter in California – only just in time, too, as Einstein was very overweight and was shortly to be put down. “He was clearly a character, he was housetrained and he had a great attitude,” George explained. “He was ﬁve, but that was not a problem. I wasn’t particularly looking for a pup. I liked him from the start, but I did worry that he might not like me. He turned out to be a good pal, though, throughout his time with us.FAMILY PACK“When we brought in other dogs, we introduced them to each other ﬁrst and spent a lot of time playing with them and making them all feel at home and on good terms with each other, making them feel a part of a family pack. I think that is very important. You cannot just bring in a dog and expect him to feel at home and know all the house rules without spending time with him. Your other dogs will be all the more enthusiastic about welcoming a new family member if they are not made to feel that they are no longer important.”George has never stopped taking in dogs himself, but he has also recommended dog adoption to others and has often found great homes for dogs, even with his own parents and friends.“When my mum and dad had to have their dog put to sleep after many years of being with them, they were really traumatised and said they would never have another one. Their house seemed pretty empty without a dog, so I adopted another one for them. I think they were a bit surprised but for some time now they have been very happy to have another dog around.”The latest addition to the Clooney household is living proof that they do not do things by half. Nelson is a St Bernard pup who is like a big cuddly toy at the moment but will simply grow and grow. He joined the family as a birthday gift from George to Amal, who is thrilled to bits with him and has been seen taking him for walks, although Nelson seems to enjoy being carried for much of the journey.“It won’t be long before he is just too big to be carried, perhaps then he will be carrying us!” George joked.SAINTHOODIn fact, George speaks from experience, as he has another St Bernard, which tends to shun the spotlight but is nevertheless a much-loved member of the family. Her name is Rosie and she was named as a tribute to George’s much-loved aunt Rosemary Clooney.“Both have a special place in the family heart,” said George.So, who knows who or what will join the Clooney household next.“At the moment, we are not thinking of adding any further pets to the family, but who knows? Sometimes you look into an animal’s eyes and they look right back at you and you just have to take them home with you.”Since George is also famous for once having a pet pig as a long-term pal, it might be a good idea for him to start worrying what living gift he might receive at his next birthday! PPhoto posed by a modelJune 2024 Dogs Today 13 It won’t be long before he is just too big to be carried, perhaps then he will be carrying us!” inches

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14Dogs Today June 2024I’ve never conducted so many ‘off the record’ interviews before for a story. So many people are afraid to go on the record about what they have seen while working within Britain’s allegedly secret, secure police-approved kennels.If you end up locked up in police cells or in a human prison, independent people check on prisoners’ welfare. Even if you are a dog suffering torture in a vivisection laboratory, there are still welfare checks in place. But if a dog is taken away by the police, it’s a lottery what happens – and one with very poor odds.For a start, the kennels will usually be the same size as a normal boarding kennels, which are only designed for a very temporary stay. Plus, those holiday homes will take copious notes about your dog’s medicines, likes and dislikes, and you can supply your own food, comfy bed and favourite toys. You will get updates while you are away so you don’t worry. An ex-kennelmaid at one of the secret kennels told me that no matter what medical need or allergy, the dogs were fed the same very poor-quality food. And the food trolley for delivering the bowls also doubled up as a gurney to remove the dead.My source was very young when she started in the job; she received no training on how to safely interact with the dogs. She told me she was supervising dogs that had been seized for reasons she was never told. Her instinct was to try to become their friends, to try to make these dogs’ lives as enriched as possible. But with no natural light, no outside exercise allowed and clock-watching bosses, there was little she could do to help the poor bewildered dogs. She still suffers PTSD to this day.WHO’S NEXT?The only time she remembered seeing the vet on site was to put a dog to sleep. She’d know they were coming, but her bosses wouldn’t reveal which one was to be killed. She was always banished during the vet visit. When she saw the food trolley trundle the body bag away, she’d rush to check all the kennels to see which one of ‘her’ dogs had been killed.One of the dogs was pregnant, which was harrowing. What a horrible place to give birth. Of course, they killed all the pups.It’s a very draining job for any dog lover; the pay was terrible, too. The excellent group Save Our Seized Dogs helps owners in these distressing situations. Its Facebook page has posted far too many cases of owners appalled at the condition of their dogs when they are returned. Sometimes they don’t come home; they die in kennels.Many people have tried to elevate standards. The RSPCA brought out a very clear and achievable code, but the Home Ofﬁ ce refused to implement it.It didn’t help that breed-speciﬁ c legislation was so suddenly expanded. The overstretched secure police-approved kennels were already overﬂ owing. With such a vague description of what constitutes a banned breed, very many dogs are being wrongly seized and released.Critics want all ‘no fault’ cases involving identity to be handled by Interim Exemption Orders, allowing dogs to stay in their homes, muzzled and on-lead, until they are assessed. Words BEVERLEY CUDDY Illustrations KEVIN BROCKBANKDirty secret police kennelsI could think of nothing more distressing than police at your door, wanting to take your dog away, until I started looking at what happens to the dogs after they’re locked upJune 2024 Dogs Today15This would save the government money, free up space, and stop well-behaved dogs from being broken by serving time.The problems are huge. There’s vague legislation, largely untrained police ofﬁ cers and unregulated police-approved kennels. No dog could thrive locked up, away from home, for months. Sometimes, though, it’s years.BLITZ SPIRITBlitz very sadly died recently. We reported many years ago when this poor young dog was seized through no fault of his own. He was to spend the next ﬁ ve long years banged up in police kennels totally pointlessly. Blitz wasn’t ever a danger to the public. Eventually, after a heroic effort, Blitz was released, but all those years took a terrible toll. He was to enjoy fewer days of freedom than he did incarcerated.BLUBlu was seized in August. His family went to court to ﬁ ght for his return and were overjoyed when they won. But the family’s joy turned to sadness when they saw what awful condition he was in. His ears were crusted, he could barely open one of his eyes, his body condition was emaciated, and his face was sore and covered in cuts. >HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THE DOGS THAT HAVE SUFFERED IN SUPPOSEDLY SECURE POLICE KENNELS...

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16 Dogs Today June 2024HUGOHugo was only seized for two weeks, which is just as well, as his deterioration in that short period is inexcusable. Dogs do stress in kennels, which means they eat less, so a small amount of weight loss is not unusual. In Hugo’s case, the weight loss was very noticeable; his fur loss is also a matter of concern.NARLANarla was seized as a suspected Pit Bull type. Four months later, her owner was granted exemption. On return, the vet noted her skin was ﬂaking and she was too skinny for her size. Narla also seemed depressed and now exhibits food aggression with the other dogs, something she never did before.Save our Seized dogs commented, “Long-term seizure of dogs who have not displayed any concerning behaviour is not only a drain on the taxpayer, police resources and court time, it can actually create unwanted behaviour in dogs who were perfectly well behaved prior to being taken.”BEARIn just four months, Bear became shut down, skinny, was urine stained and his upper canines were so ground down, they are now level with the rest of his teeth. Bear is a young dog; he should be bouncing around, wagging his tail and greeting people.ROCCORocco was just three years old when he entered police-approved secret kennels. He was a much-loved, young, healthy Stafﬁe when he was seized by police along with the other family dog, Luna. His family had been told that both dogs were well. Before his case could be heard, the family received a phone call to say Rocco had been found dead in his kennel.They insisted on a post-mortem, which revealed a foreign object had blocked Rocco’s digestive system. The subsequent enquiry into this death cost thousands in legal fees and specialist reports; costs increased due to the police failure to respond to requests made by the legal team. Reports were commissioned by expert vets, one being a forensic vet, and it was agreed that Rocco would have suffered for up to seven days before he died. He would have shown clear signs of discomfort, along with refusing food and not toileting. A vet could have saved him in those seven agonising days. Rocco’s family said, “We’d like to massively thank everyone at Save Our Seized Dogs, along with all their supporters. You all mean so much to us. You have all been an essential part of our lives and, most importantly, Rocco and Luna’s, and we are grateful for your friendship. “You have been there for us during the most difﬁcult time in our lives, and we will always cherish you for that. We hope you know how much we value your friendship and appreciate everything you have done for our family and, most importantly, for Rocco and Luna.”June 2024 Dogs Today 17 GEORGEGeorge was returned with ribs, spine and hip bones all easily visible; there was no palpable body fat. The vet found no underlying health conditions that would lead to this unacceptable weight loss.SKYSky spent just a few weeks in police-approved kennels. She was going to be allowed home on Interim Exemption Scheme and Sky’s owner was told to collect her from their vet after mandatory neutering. The vet informed her that Sky was underweight and had a runny nose, which indicated a signiﬁcant infection.WILSON, a four-year-old American Bulldog with no history of aggression, was seized by police in March 2023 after getting into a ﬁght with another dog and injuring the owner of the other dog in the process. Although there was only one bite, the injury was serious, which meant that Wilson was very much at risk of destruction and his owner at risk of a custodial sentence. With the assistance of an excellent report from independent expert Jeff Turner, Wilson could return home subject to conditions, which include walking him on a lead and muzzle. The owner was sentenced to a community order with a requirement that he carries out 200 hours of unpaid work in the community. He was additionally ordered to pay a signiﬁcant sum in compensation to the injured party.Unfortunately, this case ended in tragedy. The owner’s stepfather collapsed during the hearing. Despite paramedics’ best efforts, they were unable to save him. He adored Wilson and missed him terribly in the year that he had been seized, but the last piece of information he received before his untimely passing was from his wife, informing him that Wilson was coming home.IT’S NOT JUST THE DOGS THAT SUFFER...The wording is: “We want the government to create an independent national welfare team to monitor kennels used by police forces. This should include checking that staff are trained to meet the welfare standards in the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and reporting those who fail to meet those standards for prosecution. “We are concerned that the XL Bully ban has massively increased seizures under the Dangerous Dogs Act. We believe that many seized animals are not having their needs met and, in some cases, are being returned to owners in ill health.”The petition has around 600 signatures so far. We need 10,000 for the government to answer it. 100,000 gets it debated.It could be your dog next. Remember, it’s not just BSL cases where dogs are seized. Please sign at: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/659337PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TO HAVE KENNELS USED BY THE POLICE MONITORED BY AN AN INDEPENDENT WELFARE TEAMFURY After release, Fury was discovered to have signiﬁcant fur loss, scabs, sore ears and was emaciated. Fury’s owner was heartbroken at seeing him in such a state; he had known allergies, which the police were informed of.

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18 Dogs Today June 2024 EXPERT ADVICEExperts at LeaseCar.uk have named ﬁve tips for pet owners to keep their vehicles clean and fresh... Lint roller1Roll a lint roller across the area where your pet sits to easily lift up any hairs that have become stuck to the vehicle interior. This method will pick up hairs quickly. Just remember to change the sticky sheets often in order to collect as much hair as possible. Rubber gloves2Rub the car seats with rubber gloves to lift off any pet hair. Using rubber gloves is a good way to get in between the seats and remove any hair that has fallen into hard-to-reach areas. Baking soda3Generously sprinkle baking soda over the interior of your car to loosen any pet hairs that have become stuck to the fabric. After 30 minutes, vacuum over the area to achieve a clean ﬁnish. Leave the baking soda to sit overnight to help eliminate any pet odours too. White vinegar 4and waterMix one part white vinegar and one part water together to create a solution, spray this over the car and let it sit for around 15 minutes. This DIY cleaning solution will help to neutralise any smells from pets. Air the car out by keeping windows and doors open to stop the vehicle smelling of vinegar. Blankets and towels5Gather some old blankets and towels to cover up the car seats to stop pet hair and smells sticking to the interior. These can be shaken out or vacuumed regularly to remove pet hairs and then washed at a high temperature to deodorise.Quick questionDo you have a problem you’d like answered by an expert? Or do you want advice from someone with personal experience of the issue? Email your question to enquiries@dogstodaymagazine.co.ukHow can I remove pet hair and odour from my car?June 2024 Dogs Today19NATURAL CLEANING HACKSDavid Chapman, owner of custom logo mat company Ultimate Mats, outlines some useful cleaning hacks that incorporate natural, non-harmful ingredients to ensure that your home stays gleaming, without risking any harm to four-legged family members...■Floor coverings Deodorise carpets, rugs and door mats with baking powder. No matter how often you vacuum, ﬂ oor coverings can absorb and retain various odours, such as spillages and pet smells, over time. After vacuuming your carpets or mats, sprinkle them with dry baking powder. Wait 15 minutes before vacuuming up the powder, leaving your carpets smelling fresh and clean.■Polish your woodwork Mix one part white vinegar with one part lemon juice to create a natural and environmentally friendly furniture polish. Combining the vinegar with the highly concentrated citric acid of the lemon juice makes for the perfect cleaning solution, which will leave your woodwork gleaming, from chairs to table tops.■Carpet and furniture stains As well as an item that may already be stored in your kitchen for creating mixed drinks with, soda water can also be used as a fantastic cleaning solution around the home. The carbonic acid in the soda water makes the drink particularly effective for breaking down stains. The best method for doing so is to ﬁ ll a spray bottle with soda water, apply to the stain, and then blot with a damp cloth until the stain lifts. For heavy-duty stains, try pouring the soda directly on to the area for greater coverage.■Neutralise fridge odours Certain strong-smelling foods can begin to leave an unpleasant odour in the fridge. Coffee grounds have a special ability to absorb and neutralise odours, due to their porous structure, enabling them to absorb any foul smells. Place your used, dry coffee grounds into a bowl or open container and leave them in your fridge to neutralise any unpleasant smells from your leftovers, like chopped onions or cooked eggs.■Deodorise your microwave Your fridge isn’t the only area in the kitchen that can begin to smell unpleasant – the microwave is another place that can beneﬁ t from being deodorised, using natural remedies to create a fresh scent. Slice a lemon into approximately eight pieces and then place in a bowl with around one cup of water added. Microwave the lemons for ﬁ ve minutes, and then allow them to sit for a further ﬁ ve minutes. This will leave your microwave smelling fresh, banishing any foul odours.■Clean windows and unblock drainsWhite vinegar is one of the most effective, natural cleaning solutions that you can use around the home. Simply mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water, and apply to a cloth for a streak-free window cleaner.White vinegar can also be used to unblock drains when combined with baking soda. Simply pour one cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of white vinegar and allow it to sit for around 15 minutes before rinsing with hot water. This hack is a great way to avoid drain blockage chemicals, which are particularly harmful if ingested or if they get on the skin.■Red wine stains Red wine can be one of the most difﬁ cult stains to remove from light-coloured carpets or soft furnishings around the home. Mix a solution of two-thirds of a cup of rubbing alcohol and one tablespoon of white vinegar and cold water. Soak a cloth in the solution and gently blot the stain until it lifts. Be sure to avoid rubbing, as this will further ingrain the stain into the ﬁ bres. Be sure to test an inconspicuous area ﬁ rst. ■Clean your iron The bottom of an iron can get dirty over time, particularly if you have a large family and are carrying out laundry and ironing duties daily. This can lead to the iron burning clothes if left untreated. Fortunately, the underside of the iron can be easily cleaned simply using a combination of salt and newspaper. Sprinkle an adequate amount of table salt to a piece of newspaper, then iron the newspaper in circles until the dirt and grime have been fully removed.

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20 Dogs Today June 2024 EXPERT ADVICEDr Guy Sandelowsky, vet and director at Omni, plant-based pet food, explains how to spot signs of obesity in your dog…WHY ARE DOGS GETTING FATTER?We’re over feeding dogs diets that are too rich in calories and fat and not exercising them enough – the result is that one in two dogs are overweight and suffering as a result.DOES THE UK HAVE A PET OBESITY PROBLEM?The UK has a pet obesity problem for sure. Food is used by pet owners to bond with their pets as a cultural norm, but portion sizes are too big, treats are given in excess and generally the nutrient proﬁles of many diets are optimised for palatability rather than health. A lot of the growing millennial population with pets are not exercising their dogs enough, many spending most of the day at work with their pets left at home and living a relatively sedentary lifestyle, contributing to a positive calorie balance, predisposing to weight gain.I have noticed that dogs are getting arthritis earlier in life due to the extra weight and strain on their joints. As vets, we often turn to lifelong prescription pain medication to maintain a pet’s quality of life, but over time this can have negative consequences for their vital organs like their kidneys and liver. Sadly, obesity also predisposes dogs to other life-shortening diseases, like diabetes.CAN WE LEARN FROM OTHER NATIONS?No nation is perfect, but there are reports of dogs maintaining more optimal body condition scores and weights in India, where a lot of dogs are fed plant-based diets, mirroring that of their caregivers. They also tend to have more land to run around and burn more calories day to day compared to dogs living in cities like London.ARE SPECIFIC BREEDS AFFECTED?Some breeds are already genetically predisposed to joint disease, like Golden Retrievers, so when these become overweight, everything is accelerated. It doesn’t help that certain retrievers also have a mutated satiety gene, which basically means they never feel full! There is also a misconception that some small breeds, like Jack Russells and French Bulldogs, do not require much exercise due to their size, so I do see a lot of overweight smaller breeds as a result.WHAT CAN OWNERS DO?Work with your vet to calculate your dog’s optimal daily calorie intake. This will vary depending on their weight, size, breed and lifestyle. Then try to ensure this calorie target is not exceeded, accounting for all food, treats and other extras (eg dental sticks) in the daily ration. An initial monthly weight check with your vet will help to indicate if you are on track or need to make any adjustments. Choosing reputable diets that are optimised for a healthy weight helps too, and plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep their metabolism up.HOW FAR CAN DIET HELP?Even overweight dogs can beg for food and seem to be hungry all the time – this can make limiting their daily calorie intake via diet reduction challenging. There are calorie-restricted ‘obesity’ diets out there, but palatability and portion size adherence can be problematic. Dietary modiﬁcation is sometimes the only option available, as overweight dogs often suffer with joint disease, so they may not be able to exercise more to create a calorie deﬁcit.Quick questionWhat are the signs that my dog may be obese?SIGNS YOUR DOG MIGHT BE OBESE■Large deposits of fat over the neck, spine and tail base■Absence of a tucked appearance at the abdomen■Limited ability to feel the ribs with gentle palpation/stroking due to the thick layer of fat■Prone to overheating in summer months■Exercise intolerance and joint diseaseQuantock Cottages - not just dog tolerant...Reactive Dogs Welcome | Exempted Dogs Welcome | All Dogs Loved!Enjoy exclusivity, luxury, space & style●Enclosed 6 + dog secure gardens●Private covered hot tubs●Outside bars●3 on-site exclusive use 6 + fenced enclosed exercise  elds●2 on-site exclusive use agility courses●9,000 acres of heathland at the end of your garden●Coast 1.5 milesSpecial summer holiday offer: 20% off for remaining few dates in August!Quantock Cottages - not just dog tolerant...Quantock Cottages - not just dog tolerant...Truly dog friendly cottages!Our 3 Boutique Cottages are tucked away on our private country estate at the top of the Quantock Hills in SomersetTaking your dog on holiday this summer?Don’t get caught out!£5000 ﬁne!If you do not secure your pupwhen driving you could face a..Get roadtrip readywith the SötnosHigh Comfort TravelHarness & Travel Safety Range. Ask forSötnos by name at yourlocal pet store or scan the QR code for more info.www.sotnos.co.uk/travelsafetyTRAVELSAFETYRANGE

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22 Dogs Today June 2024 EXPERT ADVICEDr Anna Foreman, Everypaw Pet Insurance’s in-house vet, has spoken out against another ‘painful’ and potentially damaging TikTok trend that has gone viral, where people are tying their dogs’ ears up with hairbands. The #PutItInABun challenge originally went viral in 2019 but has now gone viral once again, with one particular video amassing 3.8 million views...Looking at this video, a dog’s normally ﬂoppy ears have been tied up on top of its head with an elasticated tie. The dog looks very uncomfortable, both before and after its ears are tied up.Although there are a few situations where dogs with very ﬂoppy, heavy and hairy ears (such as spaniels) beneﬁt from having their ears ‘out of the way’ or inverted to expose the ear opening, often a dog’s ears are tied back for fun or aesthetics.When a dog is being sick, particularly repeatedly, it beneﬁts them to have their ears out of their face, so they do not become soiled. Some dogs are prone to repeated ear infections due to having poorly aerated ear canals from heavy, ﬂoppy ears, and so periods of aeration (for example, after cleaning to allow the ears to dry) can be helpful. However, from a veterinary point of view, these really are the only scenarios that these sorts of actions could be deemed acceptable.WHAT ARE THE HEALTH DANGERS?Tying a dog’s ears up is very unnatural for them, and can be painful, particularly if secured with an inappropriate, thin elasticated hair tie, as in this video. Doing this can pull on the hairs and damage the delicate skin of the pinnae (the outer part of the ear).By exposing their ear opening, particularly for extended periods of time, these dogs are also more prone to aural foreign bodies, such as grass seeds. Dogs with ﬂoppy, heavy ears are generally prone to aural foreign bodies regardless, but tying the ears up does not help prevent these; instead, thoroughly check the outside of the ears after a walk.If a dog with these sorts of ears is not prone to ear infections, then tying the ears up may increase the chance of an infection due to an alteration in the ear’s already stable environment.WHAT ARE THE BEHAVIOURAL CONSEQUENCES?Most dogs will show signs of anxiety and stress when having their ears tied back, as it is very unnatural. Although these signs may start subtly – for example, in this video, the dog is showing ‘whale eyes’ (the whites of the eyes seen) in the ﬁrst half, and avoiding eye contact altogether in the second half – dogs can quickly escalate to growling and biting, especially if ignored.One of the comments under the video that’s received over 1,000 likes is: ‘I love how dogs just let us do stuff to them’, followed by a laugh emoji. What would your response be to this comment?As part of the innate ﬁght/ﬂight/freeze response, many dogs, and other animals, will freeze as a response to being threatened. This behaviour could be misconstrued as ‘letting us do stuff to them’, when actually it is an inbuilt defence mechanism when an animal is terriﬁed.A freeze response can quickly escalate into extreme aggression (ﬁght) if it is ignored, with the risk of growling or biting then occurring. Dogs then wrongly get blamed for ‘aggressive tendencies’, when in fact it is naive owners or other people forcing a dog to display this behaviour.With repeated episodes of ignoring more subtle signs of stress like this, dogs will often then escalate straight into growling or biting as a ﬁrst instance rather than showing warnings. 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24 Dogs Today June 2024 EXPERT ADVICEEach time weather warnings are issued for thunderstorms, be it summer or the dead of winter, dog owners up and down the country ask themselves, ‘Is it safe to take my dog for a walk?’ and ‘What happens if my dog drinks rainwater?’ Emma Scales-Theobald, canine behaviourist and partner of Canine Cottages, has some advice…■Be hyper-aware of hazardsWet weather can make things slippery and risk your dog getting loose, either from the lead slipping your grip, them slipping out of their collar/harness, or by you falling and letting go of the lead. Make sure your dog’s harness is on securely and you keep a tight grip of the lead throughout. Consider your route carefully.■Avoid letting your dog drink from puddlesPuddles might not be safe for your dog to walk in or drink, as they might contain things like bacteria, car oil or other chemicals, potentially leading to skin irritation or illness.■Wear high-visibility gearThe increased cloud cover and disturbance from the rain can also make you and your dog less visible to cars, so make sure you wear high-visibility gear, reﬂective accessories and/or a light. ■Weather proof Your dog might enjoy wearing a raincoat in the rain to stop them getting wet and to keep them warmer. It can also help to reduce the time it takes for you to dry off your dog after a walk in the rain too.‘Paw wellies’ or dog boots are important for dogs to wear in conditions which could potentially damage their paws, such as in snowy/icy conditions or hiking over rough terrain. However, they are unlikely to be necessary in rainy weather and therefore not recommended for all dogs.■Dry thoroughlyIt’s important to make sure our dogs dry off properly after being in the rain, particularly their paws. This is because skin conditions, such as rain rot (dermatophilosis), yeast infections and hot spots (acute moist dermatitis) can occur when there’s prolonged moisture exposure on the skin. These can be very sore for dogs, leading to red and inﬂamed skin, fur loss, open sores and scabs.If you have a long-haired dog, it’s also important to make sure your dog is brushed/groomed after rainy weather because their fur can become matted and tangled from the rain. Matted fur can pull at the skin, causing bruising and discomfort, as well as trap moisture against the skin, leading to potential skin conditions.SHOULD YOU TAKE A DOG WALK?Heavy rain can often be accompanied by strong winds, thunderstorms or ﬂooding, which can pose potential dangers for you and your dog. For example, if your dog has anxiety about the sound of thunder, they might try to bolt if caught by a surprise rumble during a walk. If you’re feeling unsafe, your dog is not keen to walk, or conditions are becoming unmanageable, cut the walk short and come home.If you have to go out with your dog, keep walks brief to allow them time to do their business, consider if a raincoat would make them feel more comfortable and try to stick to more built-up and sheltered areas. You could also consider bringing treats if your dog looks anxious and go at your dog’s pace if they seem reluctant to go out or keen to go home.Have you any advice for walking your dog in the rain?Quick questionLifestyle 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.VISIT THEINSURANCEEMPORIUM.CO.UK/DT99or call 03300 243 980 today!Offer ends 31/12/2024 and is not available in conjunction with any other promo code.PROMO CODE: WOOF99The maximum available discount is 30% - this is a combination of 20% Introductory Discount, 10% Multi-pet Discount and 5% Dogs Today reader Discount. The Introductory and Promo Code Discounts are available from the start of the policy until its rst review/renewal date.UP TO 30%DISCOUNTDOG INSURANCEProtect your pooch with cover for vet’s fees, loss by theft or straying, and death of pet.Available on Time Limited, Maximum Benet and Lifetime.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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Words DEIRDRE RYANFrench connectionCan a cross-channel parenting philosophy help with raising your dog? Oui! o you ever wonder if the way you treat your dogs will echo the way you treat your children and vice versa? I certainly didn’t! After a decade of failed relationships, I decided to take matters into my own hands. In 2013, I became a solo mum to twin girls Natalie and Stella.My parents and some friends were horriﬁ ed. I had never been very vocal about my desires to be a mum and had always prioritised my dogs. How was I going to keep two babies safe and my sanity intact?Thankfully, my wonderful twin sister, Maeve, had the hindsight to send me a book that her London baby mummy friends were recommending. It was called French Children Don’t Throw Food,by Pamela Druckerman. An English woman, rearing children in Paris, Pamela was perplexed as to how most of the French mothers she met were chic, well rested and had calm, well-behaved children.When my children were around ﬁ ve, I bought Pamela’s more concise version of this book, French Parents Don’t Give In. It summarised her ﬁ ndings into 100 concise chapters, and a light bulb went off in my brain.Finally, out of the baby/toddler haze and getting back to running classes and competing with my own dogs, ﬂ ashes of phrases from the book would come to me as I devised a training plan. Was it possible that the French way of parenting was similar to my way of parenting… my dogs?HERE ARE MY TOP FIVE OBSERVATIONS:1 ‘La pause’ or ‘la paws’ Having a child that does not sleep is sheer horror for any parent. Babies, like puppies, can make lots of different noises when they are trying to get to sleep. French parents will not rush straight in, but instead will wait a couple of minutes to see if the baby settles again. If your puppy cries in their crate or scratches it and you immediately return and open the door, they will learn very quickly how to elicit this response from you. A well-rounded puppy, whose needs are met and doesn’t have a separation issue, should be able to tolerate time alone from you in a crate or other puppy-proofed area. It should be taught gradually and kindly, but you must be aware of the danger of rewarding attention-seeking behaviour. Pause and listen for two minutes and the puppy may ﬁ nd that tasty chew or Kong and settle peacefully. Try to only let them out when they are calm and quiet.2Letting off steam The French parent recognises that children need to let off steam occasionally or swear a little. A ‘caca boudin’ is a mild French swear word that children are typically allowed to use. Being aware of your dog’s individual quirks is important. A pet dog’s life can be quite restrictive and stressful and the ability to let off steam can vastly improve the joy in their lives. One of my dogs, Riley, is a demon for water! She will swim, splash, paw, bark at and overall have a ball anywhere near it. I want her to be happy, so whenever I can, I will bring D26Dogs Today June 2024Photo posed by modelsJune 2024 Dogs Today27I ﬁ nished writing my own book in France and saw many dogs during my trip. I was astonished to see zero demonstrations of reactivity. Were dog owners here already treating their dogs like their children? Teaching them calmness and self-control in public?

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28 Dogs Today June 2024her for a walk near water. The joy in her eyes and sheer exuberance she shows brings me pride in myself as a dog owner that I have given her this opportunity to fulﬁl her natural desire. On a selﬁsh note, I know she will settle quickly on the couch beside me that evening, as she will be content both physically and mentally. Owning a dog is gift and sometimes we must park our own needs and put them ﬁrst – like children. 3Sensitivity French parents believe in watching their babies closely and learning to interpret their body language and cues. American scientists call this ‘sensitivity’ and believe it’s the most important quality of a caregiver. Similarly, new puppy owners should learn to read their puppy’s body language and learn from their behaviour. When my puppy, Cassie, ﬁrst arrived, she struggled to settle at night in the crate in the living room. After a few nights, I noticed that, given the choice, she preferred to nap on a mat in the kitchen. So, rather than continue to battle it out in the lounge, I respected her choice and moved the crate to the kitchen. We don’t get to decide where our puppy feels safe; they will tell us, if we listen. She never got upset in the crate again.4Boundaries ‘Cadre’ means ‘framework’ and refers to the boundaries and rules the French have with their children. French parents have no problem saying no to their children. They don’t believe that denying their child something will crush their spirit or ruin their relationship; au contraire, they believe children blossom best within set limits and are reassured that someone is taking control. I believe we should teach our dogs boundaries kindly and without pain or fear. Did you ever have a teacher in school that never shouted but whom you never wanted to disappoint? Mine was called Ms McEntee. If she was unhappy with you, her facial expression and change of tone to disappointment was enough to make you desperate to do better next time. An expression of disappointment with voice, tone and body language can be a powerful inhibitor of a dog’s unwanted dangerous behaviour, especially a puppy’s. Emotions should also play a big part in rewarding our dogs. I make a point of smiling, praising and petting my dogs as I deliver a food reward. I want them to desire to please me and see food as a bonus, so when the day comes where I reward without using food, or use less food, they are still happy and willing to work for me.5 Freedom Conversely, within the ‘cadre’, French parents aim to give their children lots of freedom to be themselves. The best advice I ever got as a trainer was learning how to bond with my dogs through play. This was highlighted again to me recently. Tilly had injured her leg, so was on a lead. My four dogs are usually fully off-lead for all our walks, and we stop to play ball along the route. For three days, there was no ball playing, as I didn’t want to excite Tilly. My other collie, Cassie, didn’t seem to mind too much – until she started racing into the woods, chasing squirrels. Something she had never done before. Alarmed, I promptly decided to walk Tilly on-lead separately and brought Cassie’s toys out again. As I tell my clients, “You can’t keep a squirrel in your pocket.” When you tap into your dog’s play/prey drive and allow them to practise it with you, through play with toys, your dog will be easily motivated to focus on you on walks and you will possess the ultimate reward for training.I ﬁnished writing my own book in France and saw many dogs during my trip. I was astonished to see zero demonstrations of reactivity. Were dog owners here already treating their dogs like their children? Teaching them calmness and self-control in public? Who knows, but I certainly believe my dogs and I have beneﬁted from Pamela Druckerman’s observations. I am proud to take my dogs and children out in public and know they will behave. But more than that, I am proud to be their conﬁdante, their role model and their protector. PBeing aware of your dog’s individual quirks is important. A pet dog’s life can be quite restrictive and stressful and the ability to let off steam can vastly improve the joy in their livesDeirdre Ryan is a fully qualiﬁed dog trainer (QQI) and behaviourist (IMDTB). Her book, Trained Puppies Don’t Bite Children is available on Amazon, as a paperback or ebook. More information on her online course ‘Zen your Dog’, can be found at drdogcare.ieOdorKillOdorKillUse wherever there’s a bad smell, like wet dog smell, dog pee, cooking etc.Mop with it, spray it - indoors, outside, on ﬂ oors, dog beds, on astro turf, patios etc.Dilute just 20ml in a litre of water.A 1lt bottle will make 50 lts.Just 25p for 1lt of air freshener. at is GREAT value.5lt bottle will make 250 litres,making it as little as 14p a litre.EVEN BETTER VALUE.www.animal-health.co.uk01787 476 400USE CODE DOGSTODAYGET 5% DISCOUNT ON ODORKILL Code one use per customer. Valid until 31.07.24 DOG TRAINER OF THE MONTH

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Words JO SELLERS Illustrations KEVIN BROCKBANKhen collecting your new dog, you were full of excitement and exhilaration for the life you will now have – long walks, cuddles and being able to leave your dog while you go for coffee or to the shops. To your horror, this last part is not working, as your dog is wailing when you only leave the room. A recent RSPCA survey showed that nearly 85 per cent of dogs cannot cope with being alone, and about half of these have owners who just don’t realise. Separation-related behaviour is a complex issue and includes a range of responses, causes and treatments. At the extreme end is separation anxiety, which is a phobia, and it’s a long road to get them better. But what is it really like for the owner? Seeing your dog pant, drool and cry in a distress is heart wrenching. It is common for owners to experience a range of emotions. Remember, you are not alone, and with the right help from a Certiﬁed Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer (CSAPT) like myself, then all of these feelings will turn to hope, relief and happiness in time!WHY ME?To begin with, you could feel frustrated with the situation. You realise you cannot leave the house without fear of what is happening at home in your absence, so all your plans get cancelled. It is common to question why your dog is behaving like this and get annoyed with them, yourself and even the loss of your life as you knew it. Your pup has caused you to become a prisoner in your own home and become a recluse. Anger rises – why me? If your pup is great in all other areas, you can really start to question why leaving your home is so challenging – and why it’s ruining your life.All your friends are going out, spending time together and posting the photos on social media. And there you are, stuck at home. Separation anxiety can be very isolating, as you refuse all the social outings offered by friends and family. Maybe you live with others who just do not understand the full extent of the situation. Relationships can fracture with the dog being the centre of the blame game. You may get a lot of well-meaning advice of just getting on with it and letting your dog cry it out, as surely they will get used to it eventually… But the latest science shows that this doesn’t work. If your dog is in a state of panic, then keeping them in the scary situation will make the panic continue or get worse. The only resolution is for you to be there with them. Other owners may say that ‘in their day’ there was no such thing as separation anxiety and they might judge you for being soft or ‘babying’ your dog. These comments can be hurtful and knock your own conﬁdence. Trust your gut on this, as you want the best for your dog (and you), but you just haven’t found out how to help them yet.GUILT COMPLEX Guilt is a common emotion. Perhaps you feel that you did something wrong when your dog was younger, which caused the problem. The easy answer to this is no, it was not you. Dogs have been domesticated to be with humans and most dogs have some level of being genetically predisposed to suffer levels of anxiety when alone. Not all cases manifest into the full-blown W30 Dogs Today June 2024House arrestDogs aren’t the only ones who suffer separation distress. Owning a pet who hates to be left is turbulent for people too, whose lives quickly become subsumed by the problem When we ﬁrst realised we couldn’t leave Maple, we felt disappointed that we had let her down. For us, the anxiety really started during her adolescent stage when she suddenly couldn’t sleep alone any more, or even be on the other side of a stairgate.Jo reassured us that we hadn’t done anything wrong. As ﬁrst-time owners, we questioned every little thing we did in the ﬁrst few months, but understanding more about separation anxiety made us feel less guilty. There is a lot of conﬂicting advice online, but having the one-to-one support was vital to learn exactly the point where Maple started to show anxiety as soon as we got up from the sofa. Had we gone it alone, we would have missed that and training would have failed.If you’ve never had a dog with separation anxiety, it is really easy to dismiss it. It was really hard to explain to even very experienced dog owners that we just couldn’t leave her. Having someone who understood really, really helped. Now we are much more hopeful! We’ve gone from not being able to stand up to departures long enough to be able to take a book and cup of tea to the car. We’re still going slowly (and will need to wean ourselves off from watching the ‘Maple cam’), but we have hope of a dog-free date night in the future!Maple is less reactive to noises, and is generally calmer in the house too and following us less each day. All our helpers have noticed the difference in her.Chris HarrisMAPLE’S STORYJune 2024 Dogs Today 31 panic disorder, but hardly any dogs really enjoy being alone. Your dog may have been OK before, but perhaps there has been a life change, such as a house move, a family break-up, or even the recent pandemic when your dog was used to more of your company and now you have to leave them again. Maybe your dog was rescued and had a traumatic past and journey before they got to you. Many older dogs develop separation anxiety too. REACHING OUTAll this can lead to desperation, or even depression, but please don’t feel alone. You have reached the end of your tether, and it is often at this point that owners reach out to a specialist in separation anxiety as a last hope before rehoming the dog. Finding someone who truly understands what you are going through can be a huge relief. But this may not be the end of the range of emotions you will feel. Once you start the training, you need to take it slow and steady, only working at the dog’s pace. You may get impatient, wanting to get your life back to normal. It is tempting to push your dog too far too fast, resulting in a crash back to the beginning. Frustration can kick in again here. The role of your trainer is to support you and to keep you on track for the best results.One of the key aspects to successful training is to not leave

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32 Dogs Today June 2024your dog longer than they can cope with. You may already be doing this, but it can take a small army of helpers to give you any respite. Planning and organising is a massive effort – calling in favours and ensuring that helpers never leave your dog at all under any circumstances. It’s exhausting to micromanage your life and ﬁnd a plan for every move you make and cover any eventuality.SMALL WINSGoing through the training process and sticking with the plan can bring joy and relief to you and your dog. You will start to notice little wins, such as them not following you while you go to make a cuppa, or the joy of grabbing a pint of milk from the local shop, knowing your dog is chilled on the sofa home alone. You will be glued to your dog webcam, and then your trainer will be working with your separation anxiety and wean you off slowly from watching your dog sleep! PJo Sellers from Pippin Pets Dog Training is a Certiﬁed Separation Anxiety Behaviour Consultant. Jo says, “My dog Reba, a Cocker-Bichon cross, was my inspiration to learn how to help others who were in the same situation as I was in. “I was so excited about getting her as a puppy, but had no idea of the trauma I would go through for the ﬁrst years of our lives together. I hadn’t even heard of separation anxiety at the time! I felt isolated, desperate and verging on depression about what I had done taking her on, but with the right help and support, not only do we have an amazing relationship, but it changed my career path. And now I can pop out whenever I need to, knowing she is relaxed and settled at home. It’s my goal to help other owners to get their spontaneous lives back on track, and for their dogs to be relaxed when home alone.”Jo is an ABTC accredited trainer and Certiﬁed Separation Anxiety Specialist and the author of Adore Your Adolescent Dog.For more information, check out her website www.pippinpetsdog training.co.uk or email jo@pippinpetsdogtraining.co.ukYou can also follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/pippinpets_separationanxietyAt the beginning, I was stressed. I was out being active, going to the gym and playing golf, but could no longer do that, as I’d need to get someone to look after the dog. It’s difﬁcult because you can’t even pop to the shops because the dog destroys the crate and the house. There was no way for me to relax, as I was always thinking about the next time she had to be left and who could come and look after her. After starting to work with Jo, it made me feel like I’m not alone. I especially was struggling at looking at the big picture, rather than the little picture, and she helped us with advice on what may be causing Luna’s anxiety (the crate) and also made us feel like we weren’t alone. She’s helped me see a light at the end of the tunnel and that things will get better, as my view a lot of the time was to send Luna back because it was too much. Luna is making great progress. She is so relaxed when we leave the house now for a short period of time. It’s showing me that this isn’t what our life has to be and hopefully, in time, she will be able to be left home on her own for a prolonged time so we can get back to being social and active again.Charlee BealeyLUNA’S STORYDOG BED OF THE MONTHI went through all the ‘Teething’ problems of a chewy, new puppy – time-consuming and expensive. Emotionally and ﬁ nancially exhausted – I decided – No More! Providing my tooth monster, Harry, with a Forever Bed, which would be cost-effective (DIY repair) and comfy (raised, safe, hygienic), became my mission! After solving this problem for myself, now you too can have a Forever Bed!Proudly made in Manchester, England, contained in a handy bag, your new bed can be posted directly to your door.The raised design makes cleaning around and under the bed a breeze, but more importantly it does not have a hard base, but lets the dog rest, hammock-style, on the fabric which makes it a great orthopaedic choice for pets with joint or age-related issues. Raising the bed from the ﬂ oor also allows for air circulation, keeping your pet cool and preventing the dreaded ‘Soggy Bottom’!To make the bed super safe, I do not use nails, screws or even glue.Replacement parts or change of cover, are readily available on request, so you really can - “Buy Once, Buy Well and have a Forever Bed!”There are currently three sizes and four colour choices.A unique dog-friendly Welsh castle, conveniently set within a glorious 40 acre country park, with idyllic shaded woodland paths, lakes and oﬀ -lead dog walksExperience dog-friendly Wales atCraig Y Nos Castle“There’s plenty of space to roam freely oﬀ the lead. I won’t get lost, but if I do, their dog-friendly parkland is all fenced in”“Dogs stay free so I can holiday with my owners, and they’ll save on kennel fees!”“In the evening I can keep my owners company in the dog-friendly Patti Bar“Craig y NosCastle has 25 dog friendly en-suites, so my owner has plenty of rooms to choose from”Join our Dog-Friendly Discount Club for free and receive regular discounted Dinner B&B oﬀ ers and our monthly newslettersCall: 01639 731167 or 01639 730205Email: info@craigynoscastle.comwww.dogfriendlywales.comBook now for summer!For more information on how to place an order, please visit www.rosierickard.com or contact Rosie directly for a custom quote: hello@rosierickard.comRosie Rickard is a London-based artist, specialising in bespoke pet portrait commissions. She offers a range of mediums and sizes – smaller digital prints as well as larger oil paintings. Rosie will work closely with you throughout the process to create the perfect commission of your pet. Her unique artworks make perfect gifts for loved ones too!

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uzzles have long been seen as the sign of an aggressive dog. People have crossed the road to avoid dogs in muzzles and even made passing comments that the dog is ‘nasty’ or ‘dangerous’! Guardians who need to muzzle their dogs often feel embarrassed or that they are letting their dogs down by making them wear a ‘horrible’ basket on their face. Many members of the public see muzzled dogs as frightening and there are numerous misconceptions about their use. Muzzles are in the public eye more than ever right now – their use has been highlighted in the media storm since the ban of XL Bully types in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and with Scotland following suit. In February 2024, Defra announced that over 55,000 dogs have been added to the register of exempted dogs and all of these dogs are required to wear a muzzle in a public place at all times.However, for many guardians and dog professionals, muzzles have been a part of their lives for much longer and for a variety of reasons.Many dogs do wear muzzles due to the risk of aggressive behaviour; they might be muzzled to keep people or other dogs safe when in public, or in certain situations such as in veterinary or grooming settings. Some dogs have very high prey drive and muzzles are used as an additional layer of management to keep other animals safe. Some often overlooked reasons are to stop or reduce the dog from scavenging, or maybe the dog has been muzzle trained simply to ensure they are happy and comfortable to wear a muzzle if ever needed. For example, a dog who is usually very tolerant and happy to be handled is more likely to use aggressive behaviour or potentially bite if injured or in pain. CHANGING PERCEPTIONA muzzle can be used to keep everyone safe, but if the dog has never worn a muzzle before, this can add further stress to an already traumatic situation for the dog and their human. Muzzle training can also just be a fun activity to take part in, for guardian and dog, and offers mental stimulation while building a useful skill. Muzzling doesn’t have to mean an end to them having fun – they can live a fulﬁlled, happy life, taking part in the same activities as other dogs, and enjoying the freedom that being muzzled can offer.The perception of muzzles in the dog world is changing and hopefully this will continue to change in the wider public. Introducing muzzles during group training classes is starting to become more commonplace, which is a great way to plant the seeds for ongoing muzzle training of all dogs in case of emergency situations. There is now 34 Dogs Today June 2024All about muzzlesWords ANNIE DOWELL-CAFFREYThe 55,000 dogs that have been registered as XL Bullies now must wear a muzzle in public. For many, it’s the ﬁrst time they’ve ever had to wear one, but for dogs of all breed, size, type and temperament, learning to be happy in a muzzle is one of the most important training lessons there isMalso more variety of muzzles available, with different materials and colours, which helps to break the stigma attached to them. A dog in a pretty pink or beautiful blue muzzle is often much less intimidating than a solid black muzzle, plus they are more visible from a distance, which is great for dogs that need space.TYPES OF MUZZLEThere are different types of muzzle to suit a variety of uses, budgets and preferences.WIRE-BASKET MUZZLESPros■Generally give good bite protection■Can be bent/modiﬁed■Often have good nose padding■Good variety of shapes and sizes■May encourage people to give you space■Good ventilation■Can eat/drink/pant when ﬁtted correctlyCons■Can be heavier than other muzzles■Not usually suitable for scavengers■Can be painful when muzzle punched/rubbed by a dog wearing them■Can be uncomfortable to rest in■Some people feel they look ‘scary’ or ‘intimidating’ >June 2024 Dogs Today 35

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36 Dogs Today June 2024BIOTHANE MUZZLESPros■Fully custom ﬁt■Colourful/approachable■Great for dogs who are not a bite risk■Can eat/drink/pant when ﬁtted correctly■Fairly ﬂexible and comfortable when ﬁtted wellPLASTIC MUZZLESPros■Often a cheaper option and readily available■Can give good bite protection■Can be colourful, so often seen positively by public■Can sometimes be heated and reshaped for minor adjustments to ﬁt■Some designs can be suitable for scavengers■Good ventilation■Can eat/drink/pant when ﬁtted correctlySOFT PLASTIC/RUBBER MUZZLESPros■Cheap and easily available■Can drink while wearing one■Can be heated and reshaped for a better ﬁtVINYL MUZZLESPros■Custom made for perfect ﬁt■Can eat/drink/pant when ﬁts well■Can offer good bite protection and can be suitable for scavengers■Lightweight and can be padded for comfort■If well made, can offer great pant roomOCCLUSION MUZZLESOcclusion muzzles are often known as a nylon, mesh or fabric muzzle. They work by physically holding a dog’s mouth closed to stop bites, rather than being a barrier. Occlusion muzzles are not a safe muzzle to use for anything other than very short periods or emergency situations. Also, these muzzles do not allow a dog to drink, eat and most importantly, pant – so dogs wearing them are unable to regulate their body temperature. >■The function of the muzzleWhat does your dog need a muzzle for? For bite prevention, safety at the vet’s, scavenging? Different muzzles are suited to different jobs, so choose the right kind of muzzle for your dog’s needs.■Room to pant A well-ﬁtting muzzle should allow a dog to open their mouths enough to fully pant. Occlusion muzzles don’t allow a dog to open their mouth at all, and most muzzles available in pet shops only allow for a partial pant. Dogs can pant when they are stressed and to regulate their temperature, so a dog who cannot pant fully is at risk of overheating. Ideally, a muzzle should allow a dog to yawn – and generally the recommendation is to have 4-8cm (depending on the size of the dog: 4cm for smaller breeds, 8cm for giant breeds) of extra space in the muzzle below the dog’s closed jaw, to allow for this. Dogs who need to wear a muzzle at all times in public, on walks, while doing activities/sports, in warm weather, or for long periods must have space for a full pant. Muzzles with only space for a partial pant may be suitable for short periods, in low-stress and cool conditions, or brieﬂy when being restrained. ■The right lengthA muzzle that is too short can be uncomfortable for the dog, especially if their nose is rubbing on the end of the muzzle. A muzzle that is too long (over 1.5cm past the tip of the dog’s nose) may rub on the dog’s eyes or make it difﬁcult for the dog to sniff and take treats.■The correct widthSome muzzles sit only around the mouth of the dog, and when the muzzle is too narrow, it can squash the dog’s lips. If the muzzle is a design that sits further back on the cheeks, or if it’s too narrow for the dog, it could dig in or rub causing discomfort. A muzzle that is too wide can bounce around on the dog’s face.IMPORTANT AREAS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING AN APPROPRIATE MUZZLE:Cons■Can be expensive■Can be heavy■Unsuitable for most dogs who are a bite riskCons■Often no padding on the nose band ■Often only available in slim/long-shape Greyhound muzzles ■Cheaper/poor-quality ones can be very thin plastic, which may not offer much bite protectionCons■Not suitable for most scavengers■Less secure when sized for adequate pant room■Unsuitable for most dogs who are a bite risk■Big jumps between sizes■Generally along/narrow ﬁtCons■Often expensive■Reduced airﬂow■Can possibly impact a dog’s ability to sniff■Usually long order times due to made-to-order natureFor more information on the Baskerville muzzle range and muzzle tips and advice please visit www.companyofanimals.comDesigned for new horizonsDesigned for safetyOur unique basket design provides an advanced bite protection and peace of mind for dogs and people around.Designed for a custom ﬁ tOur TPR (thermoplastic rubber) basket is re-shapable in hot water for an optimal ﬁ tting.Why choose Baskerville CLASSIC Muzzle?Backed by 30+ years’ experience and a deep-rooted love of dogs, Baskerville provide industry-leading muzzles for pet owners. Each muzzle is designed dog-ﬁ rst, focusing on safety and wellbeing to provide the best experience for you and your dog.Our range of muzzles can be used to support the training of dogs with reactive, challenging or anxious behaviours or to safely enable everyday activities – such as a visit to the vet or groomers, for travelling on public transport, or for the daily dog walk. A muzzle is also handy in preventing the scavenging of food waste and protecting wildlife.Enjoy the conﬁ dence and safety that a Baskerville muzzle provides to allow you and your dog to live a life full of enrichment and adventure together.Find usBacked by 30+ years’ experience and a deep-rooted love of dogs, Baskerville provide industry-leading muzzles for pet owners. Each muzzle is designed dog-ﬁ rst, focusing Designed dog-ﬁ rstOur humane muzzles allow the dog to pant, drink and receive treats freely(with the anti-scavenge guard removed). Ideal for training and daily use.

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38 Dogs Today June 2024THE MUZZLE MOVEMENTThe Muzzle Movement found a huge lack in the availability of muzzles that were readily available, comfortable and functional, and decided to change this by designing a brand new muzzle in a range of beautiful colours, which are comfortable for dogs as well as giving them plenty of space to pant, drink and eat. Since 2021, the Muzzle Movement has continued to grow and release new sizes and designs. The team is largely made up of people with a background in training and behaviour, especially within the rescue industry, and are passionately force-free.Pros■Lightweight yet strong: injection-moulded plastic basket with waterproof Biothane strapping■Specially designed treat hole for training■Can drink/eat/pant when ﬁtted well■Can give good bite protection■Colourful so may improve public perception■Can be heated and reshaped slightly if needed■Customisable colour combinations and competitively pricedCons■Currently a limited size range (but growing all the time!)■Not suitable for some scavengers (anti-scavenger guard attachment coming this year)■Very difﬁcult to choose which colour combination to go for!FIND AND FIT Some common issues guardians may ﬁnd when muzzling their dog are related to inappropriate ﬁt. For a long time, we have only had access to a small range of shapes and sizes of muzzle for our dogs, and the use of ill-ﬁtting muzzles has been normalised due to a lack of other options.RIGHT MEASUREMENTSWhen deciding which size muzzle to get, make sure to check the measurements required by the muzzle company you are buying from, as most will require different measurements to check the ﬁt of their muzzles. When measuring your dog, try to introduce a measuring tape prior and pair it with something good happening, such as food or play, to make it an enjoyable experience! If your dog has no resource-conﬂict history, try using soft cheese or peanut butter on a surface for your dog to lick while you measure. If your dog is unsure, measure over multiple sessions or give your dog breaks if needed. Another top tip would be to set up a camera to record or take photos if you can, or have a second pair of hands/eyes to help you check your measurements. A muzzle slightly too big is preferable to one being slightly too small, as it can be secured with additional straps.Even with accurate measurements and a choice of muzzle styles, some dogs just have slightly awkward head shapes! Muzzles can come with, or have the option to add, extra straps. A head strap attaches to the top of the muzzle and goes over their head to attach to the buckle strap, which can be useful on shorter-nosed dogs. Some straps can be attached to the bottom and back of the muzzle, which can then be looped through their collar to ensure that the muzzle can’t be removed by the dog. A chin strap can help to stabilise or secure a muzzle with lots of space and can be useful for dogs with small or cropped ears.CARPET RUBS One of the most common problems that guardians ﬁnd when initially muzzling their dog is that they try to get the muzzle off! They may try pawing at it, rubbing their face on the ﬂoor, rolling or just refusing to move in protest! It’s important to remember that the dog is not being naughty – they are just not comfortable wearing the muzzle! If you have thoroughly checked that the muzzle ﬁts your dog well and is physically comfortable, and ruled out possible health causes (perhaps dental problems, sore ears, skin issues etc), it’s likely that the dog needs more time spent on appropriate muzzle training to ensure they are happy!Next month, we will look at the best ways to introduce a muzzle to your dog and how to begin muzzle training in a fun, positive way. PAnnie Dowell-Caffrey is community education and engagement ofﬁcer at the Muzzle Movement. www.themuzzle movement.comCommitted to creating the perfect canal cruise for you, your family and your four legged friends in the heart of England.www.kateboats.co.uk 01926 492968 Self drive narrowboat hireReleases a flow of water each time your dog licksExceptional Dog GearUse code “DOGSTODAY15”to get 15% off your entire orderwww.longpaws.co.ukLick ’n Flow Dog Water Bo le3 sizes availableHygienic stainless steelLeak resistantNo one chooses to muzzle their dog, and the choice and style out there can be confusing. Our aim is to help you choose the correct style and size of muzzle, to ensure the best possible ﬁ t for your dog whilst making the experience as stress-free as possible. We are based in West Yorkshire, UK but happy to post worldwide.Visit us ﬁ rst:www.themuzzleshop.com

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40 Dogs Today June 2024Don’t be Agency: what is it and why Words JILL THOMPSON When I ﬁrst read the phrase, “It’s a relationship, not a dictatorship!” in an article about dog behaviour, it stopped me in my tracks. I began wondering what the implications were and if maybe I – without realising it – was guilty of being a dictator. So began my journey to examine more mindfully how I was interacting with my own dogs. After all, if I meant to advise clients, then I’d better practise what I was about to preach. A relationship is about bidirectional connection, communication and understanding. Ideally, it is where one interacts in mutually beneﬁcial ways with another. For this to happen, trust plays a vital role and for trust to ﬂourish, it must take root in a foundation of safety. For example, when your dog tries to tell you that he isn’t feeling safe, you listen to him and act so he can feel safer - he learns that he can trust you. In this way, trust and safety reinforce one another. This aspect of trust – of when our dogs feel that we are ‘listening’ to them and respond to what they are trying to tell us – requires a solid understanding of a dog’s body language. It is, after all, a dog’s ﬁrst language. The signals that dogs convey to us and to other dogs can be very subtle and easy to miss or to misinterpret. Learning our dog’s body language requires commitment; one could compare it to learning a foreign language.So then, what about safety? Many caregivers equate safety with a dog being obedient to them, and so will immediately gravitate to training of that nature. Obedience training typically comes with an expectation for compliance, and with all good intentions, we humans assume that compliance/obedience equals safety. But do we truly understand what safety means from our dog’s perspective?A crucial factor in the way our dogs experience feeling safe is when they get to make choices. This is referred to as agency – the ability to make choices about interacting with one’s environment. In essence, it is a feeling, a perception, of being in control. There are two versions of agency: one is individual, meaning that one has a self-directed or independent inﬂuence over one’s environment; and the other is proxy, meaning one’s will and making choices is channelled through another being. This is highly relevant because as one considers modern dogs’ lives now and compares it to how those lives started out, it becomes abundantly clear that the domesticated dog has very few opportunities to independently control his interactions. Most of our canine companions’ ability to make choices has been taken over by us – their caregivers. We have become the proxy for our dogs’ agency.It is important to point out that agency is not about giving your dog choices between good and bad outcomes. Rather, it is in having choices between two or more favourable outcomes. So, telling your dog he must either stop barking or get squirted with a spray bottle does not qualify as an act of enabling agency. Conversely, offering your dog a choice between two or more favourite toys to play with is providing agency. WHY IS AGENCY IMPORTANT?Allowing more choices adds up to a dog feeling they have agency. Studies on both humans and animals have shown that having this perception, this agency to be in control, contributes signiﬁcantly to a robust sense of well-being. Having agency decreases anxiety and stress. Knowing you have a choice to move away from an aversive trigger, for example, reduces the trauma that it might otherwise cause. Feeling one has no control in such situations increases the stress response. Increased stress will produce high levels of cortisol, which take time to leave the nervous system. And if this stress becomes chronic, it can lead to physical and mental health problems, as well as becoming foundational causes of behavioural issues that can be difﬁcult to resolve.When we enable our dogs’ sense of autonomy, they become empowered to express their natural behaviours. This can deeply satisfy many of a dog’s needs and foster deeper trust in caregivers. This, in turn, will lead to a genuine partnership where dogs become enthusiastic and willing participants with us in a variety of activities. FOSTERING AGENCYAs mentioned previously, whether we’re aware of it or not, we’ve taken on the proxy role in our dog’s expression of free will. And that implies that it is our job to educate ourselves on how to play this role humanely, effectively and safely. For that to happen, there needs to be a perception shift among us humans as regards nature in general – and our dogs in particular. We humans have tended to believe – perhaps subconsciously – that if we don’t perceive something, it doesn’t exist! Fortunately, this outdated mindset has started to change with the advent of new technologies available to the sciences. Studies are revealing astounding things about the animal kingdom. Sonic readings of birds, insects, orcas, whales and dolphins (to mention a few) demonstrate intricate patterns of nuanced communication we never knew existed. Advances in fMRI imaging technology have revealed the true complexity and sophistication of the canine olfactory system, where neural pathways are traced from the nose directly to the brain in ways we humans never imagined. Being aware of such things and attuning to our dogs in new ways is a good place to start when learning how to foster a sense of agency. Seriously examining the reality of our dogs living enclosed lives reveals that they don’t choose where they go to live, when and what they eat, how often they can go out and explore, and with whom they play. Thus, we begin to see that they are our captive animals. This new perspective can motivate us to take action to change the way we interact with our dogs such that their choices – their sense of agency – can blossom.Becoming adept at reading canine body language and vocal expressions can provide a profound insight into what our dogs are trying to communicate to us and enable us to respond in ways that deepen the trust bond and, ultimately, our relationship with them. It must be said, though, that enhancing our dogs’ agency does not mean allowing them to do whatever they want. Ensuring that choices made are within the limits of what is safe is still an important responsibility for caregivers. And choices don’t have to involve major events; small things that we never thought of as important, such as choices in everyday situations, can be signiﬁcant from a dog’s point of view. Below are just a few examples to give you an idea of just how ordinary and simple allowing choices can be. Really, the only limit is what we caregivers can dream up. >t be your dog’s dictator!y is it important for our canine companions?Illustrations KEVIN BROCKBANKDogs Today June 2024 41

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42 Dogs Today June 2024■Put rugs, mats or beds in various places throughout your house and outside area (if available). This allows your dog to choose where to rest or sleep.■Set up situations where your dog can choose from an assortment of various puzzles, toys or games what to play. Rotate the assortment so it stays novel and fresh. ■Organise play dates with dogs you know your dog enjoys playing with, in places he enjoys. However, watch the body language intently and stop play if any of the dogs show signs they want to disengage but the others aren’t respecting the signals.■If your dog wants to play with you or asks for your attention – make time for that engagement.■Plan walks not by distance or destination, but by time available and then let your dog choose which directions to go. Along the way, encourage your dog to sniff different spots and wait for as long as he takes to gather all the information from the scent. ■Walk your dog on a long lead or off-leash in areas you are sure it is safe. ■Prevent unwanted interactions from people or other dogs (familiar or unfamiliar). Ask people to abide by the ‘three-second rule’ if they want to touch or pet your dog. This is where a person pets your dog for three seconds and stops. If your dog turns his head or moves his body away, then he’s had enough and the petting stops. ■Always allow your dog to disengage from any activity or situation where he appears uncomfortable or frightened, as opposed to ﬂooding by forcing him to ‘deal with it/get used to it’.As we humans evolved from hunter/gatherers to urban dwellers, and dogs evolved from free-ranging feral canines to domesticated pets, the physical space we both occupy has contracted. In a way, our worlds have gotten smaller. And though we may not be able to do much about our physical space, there are other ways to mutually offset this contraction. By becoming a mindful proxy for the expression of our dogs’ free will to make choices about their environment, we can co-facilitate the growth of a sense of agency and thereby expand their world – and deepen our relationship with them. And by us observing and understanding our dogs’ body language, by watching what their noses engage with and reactions to the scents they detect, our dogs can become our proxy into the sensory world they inhabit. Even a small glimpse of what was previously beyond our perception will gift us with a truly deep appreciation and sense of awe regarding the nature that surrounds us - thereby expanding our world. I can’t think of a more exciting and humbling adventure to embark on. PJILL THOMPSONJill Thompson is a proud graduate (with distinction) of the Coape Diploma course on animal behaviour. She and a colleague started a business, Dogventure, using force-free, positive reinforcement to:■Improve human and dog relationships ■Provide updated information on animal behaviour ■Facilitate a secure space where dogs and their guardians can enjoy working and playingJill also conducts one-on-one consultations to help human clients understand what their dogs are telling them, and then devises a strategy where both human and dog clients learn to adjust their behaviours for a mutually beneﬁcial outcome.MEET THE PRACTITIONERS...When we enable our dogs’ sense of autonomy, they become empowered to express their natural behaviours. This can deeply satisfy many of a dog’s needs and foster deeper trust in caregivers. This, in turn, will lead to a genuine partnership where dogs become enthusiastic and willing participants with us in a variety of activitiesAt Mark Hewitson Photography, we understand that your dog is a cherished member of your family, so they deserve to have portraits that take pride of place on your walls. Each portrait session is a joyful and unforgettable experience, expertly guided by Mark Hewitson, a seasoned professional with a passion for immortalising the unique bond between you and your dog.With over 13 years of experience and an artist’s keen eye, Mark brings out the unique personality and charm of every canine companion, transforming moments and expressions into timeless pieces of artwork that you’ll treasure forever. Whether it’s the playful glint in their eye, the wag of their tail, or the warmth of their companionship, Mark captures it all. Our bespoke studio provides a welcoming environment where your dog can feel comfortable and relaxed, allowing their true spirit to shine. Don’t miss this opportunity to create the most personal piece of artwork you will ever have of your beloved dog. Contact us today to schedule your session and experience the magic of a Mark Hewitson portrait. QUOTE ‘DOGS TODAY’ WHEN YOU ENQUIRE BY 31ST AUGUST 2024 TO RECEIVE AN EXCLUSIVE OFFER OF A 50% DISCOUNT ON OUR PORTRAIT CREATION FEE.Visit markhewitson.photography to see more of Mark’s incredible work or get in touch at 01844 278015 or studio@markhewitson.photography LET US HELP YOU CELEBRATE THE LOVE AND JOY YOUR DOG BRINGS TO YOUR LIFE WITH A PORTRAIT AS EXTRAORDINARY AS THEY ARE.

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44Dogs Today June 2024Two years after the success of the previous Scientiﬁ c Conference, Coape Polska and the Coape Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers are proud to present the next instalment of this biennial event. The 2nd International Scientiﬁ c Conference of Animal Behaviourists and Trainers takes place on 22-23 June 2024 at the University of Agriculture’s Congress Centre, Kraków – and online – and will highlight the latest advancements and practical applications in companion animal behaviour therapy and behavioural science. The theme for this year’s conference focuses on the crucial role of emotions and emotionality in animals, recognising their signiﬁ cance in the regulation of behaviour and their potential for modiﬁ cation as a key factor in animal therapy and training.The conference will delve deeply into two critical aspects of animal emotionality: the importance of emotional well-being (mood) and the challenges associated with emotions such as fear and anger, which often lead to behavioural challenges. By exploring these facets, the event seeks to provide insights into improving animal therapy and training practices, enhancing the well-being of A landmark event Coape International’s Karin Pienaar is guest speaker at the 2nd International Scientiﬁ c Conference of Companion Animal Behaviourists and Trainers, discussing the role of emotions 2ND INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE OF COMPANION ANIMALS BEHAVIOURISTS AND TRAINERSwww.coape.plSCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE BEHAVIOURISTS AND TRAINERSGuest speaker Karin PienaarWords JENIZE HECHTER June 2024 Dogs Today45companion animals across the globe.The conference programme is designed to provide a thorough exploration of animal emotions and their impact on behaviour, including a series of lectures, presentations and discussions led by experts in the ﬁ eld, from qualiﬁ ed animal behaviourists, animal behaviour researchers and veterinarians, as well as Coape International’s very own Karin Pienaar as the guest speaker. Karin is a specialist in animal behaviour, who has been working in the ﬁ eld since 1997. A partner at Coape International, Karin is the author of Mood Matters: MHERA: An Innovative Assessment Approach to Animal Emotionality in the Treatment of Behaviour Problems. Karin will be discussing the groundbreaking concept of MHERA and how to approach assessing animals’ emotionality in the therapy of behavioural challenges throughout the length of the conference. The conference promises to be an enlightening event for animal behaviour professionals, with a stellar line-up of speakers and a focus on the emotional lives of animals. Join us in Kraków, either in person or via online attendance, for an unforgettable weekend dedicated to the emotional well-being of our beloved animal companions. PThe conference is a summary of the latest knowledge and practice in the ﬁeld of behavioural therapy of companion animals and behavioural sciences. This time we will focus on the emotions and emotionality of animals, considering these mental processes as the most important in the regulation of behaviour. The ability to inﬂuence them at various levels of behaviour regulation as key in the practice of animal behaviour training and therapy.We will particularly focus on two aspects of animals' emotionality - the importan-ce of emotional well-being (mood) and problems related to the emotions of fear and anger, which generate the most behavioral problems.2ND INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCEOF COMPANION ANIMALS BEHAVIOURISTS AND TRAINERSnowoczesna terapia zachowaniazwierząt towarzyszących'MOOD MATTERS' - EMOTIONS AND MOOD - APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT EMOTIONS AND EMOTIONALITY IN THE PRACTICE OF DIAGNOSING THE CAUSES OF BEHAVIOURAL DISORDERS AND IN TRAINING AND THERAPEUTIC WORK WITH ANIMALS AND THEIR CARERSUniversity of Agriculture in Kraków Congress Centre31-482 Kraków, Poland22/23 June 2024Saturday/Sunday Aleja 29 Listopada 46SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE:mgr Andrzej Kinteh-Kłosiński dr Olga Lasek mgr Beata Leszczyńska mgr Piotr Leszczyński mgr Madgalena Michałek mgr Ewa Pasikowska prof. Michał Urbaniak lek.wet. Martyna Woszczyło lek.wet. Agnieszka Żółtowskahttps://coape.pl/ORGANIZERS:Centrę of Applied Pet Ethology (COAPE) PolskaSzkoła Żywienia Psów przy Wydziale Hodowli i Biologii Zwierząt Uniwersytetu Rolniczego w Krakowie Stowarzyszenie Behawiorystów i Trenerów COAPE w PolsceThe special guest of the conference is Karin PienaarKarin Pienaar ((COAPE) OCN, CertCAB, CAPBT Practitioner) is a specialist who has been working in the ﬁeld of animal behavior and behavioral therapy in South Africa since 1997. She completed a Diploma in Animal Behavior Therapy in the UK (Centre of Applied Pet Ethology (COAPE) and is a practicing member of the COAPE Association of Behaviourists and Trainers (CAPBT) in the UK and South Africa.She is the author of the book Mood Matters, which presents animal trainers, behaviorists and anyone working or living with animals with the groundbreaking concept of MHERA, which was developed to assess the role that an animal's emotional states and mood play in its overall behaviour.JENIZE HECHTERJenize Hechter serves as the public relations manager for Coape International. Her passion extends beyond corporate realms, as she actively collaborates with local welfare organisations, dedicating her efforts to fostering, rehabilitating, and rehoming neglected and abused animals. MEET THE PRACTITIONERS...For more information, a review of the programme and to purchase tickets, visit https://coape.pl/2nd-international-scientiﬁ c-conference-of-companion-animals-behaviourists-and-trainersThis highly anticipated event is organised by Coape Poland and the School of Dog Nutrition at the Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology of the Agricultural University of Kraków. The conference will be streamed virtually and translated simultaneously from Polish to English, and English to Polish, enabling participation worldwide.

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46 Dogs Today June 2024The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) recommendations coming shortly will probably play no part in controlling how the corporate practices will continue to operate worldwide and what, if any, role the Royal College can play to change corporate practices to further the welfare of animals. Instead, we need to look at veterinary treatment in a different way because if we keep on looking backwards at all that has happened and has been discussed, all we will get is a sore neck. What has happened has happened and we need to look forward to really debate how we can improve the welfare of our animals, and reduce the stress put on vet surgeons and staff who have been put in an invidious position due to the perception of clients thinking they are being overcharged. We need to get back to some of the basics, which our profession was so good at years ago. We need to use the knowledge that we attained either as new graduates who have so much fresh knowledge or the older veterinary surgeons who have so much experience. THE FORGOTTEN ARTThe art of veterinary medicine and science has, in many cases, been put on a backburner as the gold standard required by the Royal College is more related to standards to be attained in veterinary specialities. The investments required nowadays to set up a veterinary practice are huge, but, as in human medicine, not all GP practices have CT scanners and MRI scanners on site. We need to think that our vet surgeons are more like GPs. They need to understand what you, the client, is trying to say as a history, as no one knows your animal better than you. Then, with an open mind and with all the knowledge they have, they need to make a tentative diagnosis and try to make a plan with you to improve the condition of your companion. This may not be a cure, but it is to make the life of your companion better. Sometimes, simple treatments given initially produce great effects, and, working with these improvements, your pet may have a better quality of life than before. Neither doctors nor vets can put back time, and no treatment can do that either. My father, a human surgeon, used to say to me, “We all have the right to die, but all we can hope is to die peacefully at the right time.” I think sometimes the welfare of animals does not allow us to say these words: “I’m sorry, it’s the right time.” But rather some practices look to end-of-life care plans and try to prolong the life of those who have lived their life. We must remember that compassion is an essential part of veterinary treatment. I propose that the art of vet medicine is considered as the primary method for initial diagnosis and then subsequent treatment. If the animal needs further tests and specialist care, then that should be determined by the case at hand in consultation with the client. Do we need to put cannulas in for every operation? Do we need to sedate or anaesthetise a dog for one or two stitches? Can’t we lance an abscess without having to sedate? That is done in a lot of cases in human Words DAVID THOMSON MRCVSDavid Thomson with PepperLast month, a vet with over 50 years’ experience talked about his disillusionment with the profession he’s dedicated his life to – and the response has been incredible...The story continuesI am astounded at the reaction I have received from you the public and I’m gratiﬁed and feel empowered by your responses. Veterinary drugs and treatments are expensive, but the welfare of our animals and clients, together with the mental health of our veterinary staff, should be a priority. Unfortunately, it seems that the corporates are in such a strong position in the veterinary world and are able to make proﬁt-led marketing decisions, forcing protocols on veterinary surgeons and staff when they are dealing with clients and inﬂuencing the perception of welfare of animals. A&E, and if it’s good enough for humans, surely we can consider doing the same. Why has treating animals become more expensive than treating humans in a lot of cases? I’m not suggesting that we become barbaric, but perhaps more practical and pragmatic in what we do. I would like to see more research done on the appropriate means and simpler methods of treating animals. Some animals needing hospitalisation and observation overnight may be under much less stress by sending them home, where they will have the best nurse in the world looking after them – the owner. So much has changed that we have forgotten to use our basic skills. My father also asked why we need to use the most expensive drug and the most expensive test when sometimes the simpler drug will do 80 per cent as well and give a reasonable outcome. PROFIT & LOSSWe should not be doing X-rays to ﬁnd what’s wrong. We should have a tentative diagnosis and the X-rays are just conﬁrmation. The London Vet Symposium questioned why so many animals were being scanned. MRI and CT scans are brilliant diagnostic tools, but they have to be used correctly after all other options have been considered. In some cases, vets are no longer using all their learnt diagnostic skills before starting tests. They need to concentrate on what the owners are saying, or not saying, so as to determine the next course of action. These additional tests aren’t necessary in every case. Why do we not try a simpler route? Science has come a long way, but the art seems to have gone and with it the knowledge of what we have learnt about animals. Think about what you’re doing and not only will you get a better response from your clients, you’ll probably improve the welfare of the animals. All the client really wants is for their little dog or cat (or other animal) to improve and get well, not necessarily cured but to get better. This way the outcome may be a smaller bill, which will make the client happier, and reduce your stress – and because you are in communication with the client about further tests if needed, they will know and understand what you’re doing and be able to understand any further costs. We need to think more how the client perceives the course of action we are taking to improve the welfare of their animal. Unfortunately, some corporates create protocols that seem to insist on so many different tests. You, the client, need to ask if all these tests are really needed. A lot of unease has been created by proﬁt-oriented corporate-owned practices and that has ﬁltered into the minds of clients about veterinary practices in general. Our life is stressful enough as veterinary surgeons not to create further stresses, so have some compassion and think on how you would like to be treated; think what would be best for your friend and companion. Veterinary surgeons are humans and have taken on a true vocation. They have vowed to try to alleviate pain and suffering in the animals they are treating. They have feelings and empathy with these animals and will try to help answer your questions even in those dark times. Remember, they feel the pain too. PJune 2024 Dogs Today 47 Photo posed by modelsWe need to think more how the client perceives the course of action we are taking to improve the welfare of their animal. Unfortunately, some corporates create protocols that seem to insist on so many different tests. You, the client, need to ask if all these tests are really needed”

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48 Dogs Today June 2024 Emma Judson✓Yes – the difﬁculty is in who regulates it, how it is regulated, who decides what’s acceptable and what isn’t, and how that is actually policed? It is extremely difﬁcult to get owners to make robust complaints about trainers who use aversive methods; where there is a case to complain to police, to trading standards, and to the RSPCA, owners are reluctant to do it. They fear (and in some cases rightly so) upsetting a trainer who has turned out to be a bully or has hurt their dog. I have heard from owners threatened with ‘revenge reports’, where the trainer claims to have video evidence that their dog is dangerous and they’ll report to the police, resulting in the dog being seized and destroyed! Others do not want to admit they made a mistake or were conned – and I can understand why they feel this way. But until owners understand that they can already contact a trainer’s professional body, that they can speak to someone if their dog is harmed, and they feel safe to do so, what use is further regulation? Owners want to know that their problem with their dog will be ﬁxed. They currently do not know (in a broad sense) that there is any difference in training methods, that some are dangerous, that some are harmful. They do not know which of the myriad professional bodies are good and which are merely ‘pay-to-join’ clubs, nor even why a professional should belong to a professional body! So yes, we need regulation, but it needs to be the right regulation, and we need owners to understand more about training, about what a good trainer looks like and what they can do if the trainer they have does not have the knowledge, or their dog’s best interests at heart.Jo Pick✗Who is going to regulate it? How would they regulate? (I already know of trainers who train under the banner of one training institute, for example, who aren’t positive only). How will you enforce it? Perhaps we should be regulating who owns dogs? I see so many people who have taken on rescues or bought high-drive dogs that really shouldn’t be owning them and the lives of those poor dogs are horrible.Photo posed by modelsGreat 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 Colette Kase✓When I see this bit: “Critics argue that regulation could stiﬂe innovation and diversity in training methods. The current system allows for a variety of approaches, catering to the different needs of dogs and their owners”, I see: “Unskilled people using outdated techniques argue that regulation could stiﬂe their use of pain and fear to train dogs and the development of new technology to hurt and frighten dogs. The current system allows us to do whatever we want to dogs in the name of training, catering to dog owners who want quick ﬁxes.”Susan Thompson✗When choosing a trainer, owners should always check out their own dogs ﬁrst. If a trainer can train to any standard, it will reﬂect in their own dogs. This country is becoming too regulated and there are already a number of organisations who offer training for the trainers. Training dogs is not an exact science and never will be. It should remain self-regulated and let the owners who pay for it decide on who is worthy of it.Pat Miller✓I am a professional trainer in the United States and my answer is an unqualiﬁed yes – our profession needs to be regulated. There is far too much at stake to leave dog training to a ‘buyer beware’ approach. There is an appalling amount of animal abuse in our industry – dogs die, people get injured… and all too often, by the time someone realises the ‘trainer’ they’ve hired isn’t competent, irreparable damage has been done to the dog – and to the dog-human relationship. Regulation doesn’t stiﬂe creativity; regulation fosters competence and protects consumers and their beloved animal companions.Should training people to work with dogs include some form of regulation?June 2024 Dogs Today49John Doherty✗The dog training industry is diverse, with various methods and philosophies. Imposing strict standards could limit the ﬂ exibility that trainers need to address the unique needs of each dog. If each dog is its own unique case, there cannot be a one-size-ﬁ ts-all approach.Stephanie Golding✓Yes. Would it be easy to enforce? No. Would it be perfect? Also no. But it would at least be something! In other countries, this is normal: unless you have ofﬁ cial qualiﬁ cations, you cannot call yourself a dog trainer. I don’t call myself a nurse because I got some experience looking after my mum when she was sick – and if I did and tried to get hired as one, I’d get in a world of trouble!Shannon Brown✗Imposing mandatory credentials for dog trainers would create unnecessary bureaucracy and increase costs for trainers and pet owners. Many successful trainers have learned through experience, and additional regulation could stiﬂ e any passion in the ﬁ eld.Kim Stuart✓Regulating the dog training industry is not easy, but I think it’s the only way to achieve high standards and accountability. Accredited programmes would guarantee that all trainers meet a minimum level of competence – but to be honest, I think the greatest argument for it is the fact that Cesar Millan was not allowed to preach his horribly outdated methods in Germany! You must pass a test to be allowed to operate as a dog trainer in Germany, and Millan very famously did not pass it.Dianne Gale✓Introducing mandatory credentials for dog trainers would protect pet owners and their dogs from unqualiﬁ ed individuals. A self-learned trainer may be the best dog trainer in the world, but how is an owner supposed to tell apart those who are genuinely good from the bad apples who just call themselves dog trainers because they had a dog once, or watched a Dog Daddy video online?Martin Jones✗Requiring accreditation for dog trainers may not necessarily improve the quality of training. Instead, focus should be on educating pet owners to make informed choices and seek out reputable trainers. Too much red tape always burdens small businesses and discourages entry into the profession.Edith Boyd✓Mandatory regulation would protect dogs from at least some of the ineffective or harmful training methods that are peddled to pet owners. Not that I think it would be foolproof, but what other way is there?Ann Rachel Smith✗Which allows someone to join an organisation after becoming a dog owner a couple of months earlier and declare themselves ‘the’ master dog trainer. One such person has allegedly trained 4,000+ dogs in 15 years (works out at around one dog per day). Having worked for over 40 years with abused and shutdown rescue dogs, I know that is not possible, even with pets living in decent situations. You cannot solve a dog’s behavioural issues in 24 hours. I don’t think pure theory-based qualiﬁ cations are the answer either, but a good understanding of canine behaviour is needed. It’s down, in my humble opinion, to educating the public as to what is or isn’t force-free. Pe, email enquiries@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk o 100 words.Next month’s topic: Should rescues be rehoming brachycephalic dogs?A recent issue of Vet Record highlighted how Dogs Trust has advertised brachycephalic dogs for rehoming, using words such as ‘adorable’ and ‘cute’ – despite the charity being part of the Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare (ACCAW), which has asked advertisers and media groups to stop using images of ﬂ at-faced dogs, as this risked ‘driving demand’ for such breeds, whose abnormal features can negatively impact health and welfare. Vet Emma Milne, founder of Vets Against Brachycephalism, questioned whether brachy breeds were healthy enough to qualify for rehoming, saying that even those that could breathe normally could still suffer from a range of other health problems. Euthanasia could arguably be considered a more appropriate option, she suggested.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 Street, Chobham, Surrey, GU24 8AANo Yes MaybeThis month’s result46%54%

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50 Dogs Today June 2024 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.Cane CorsoJune 2024 Dogs Today51This Italian mastiff is a guardian at heart, with a long history of protecting farms, livestock and property. But the breed has many other strings to its bow, including hunting and herding. Nowadays, it the Cane Corso mostly a companion dog, but it still needs lots of mental stimulation and physical activity.Character80% agreed that their dogs are ‘big dogs, big softies’ and 73% agreed that their dogs were lap dogs if given the chance! “They are the most loyal, loving and vocal breed, and look majestic. They give me a reason to smile every day,” one Corso owner told us. Like any dog – but particularly a large, powerful one – temperament should be impeccable. Sadly, that isn’t always the case. One owner told us, “Unfortunately, the UK has a huge issue with backyard breeders, and, as a result of this, most Corsos are being bred un-health tested and bags of nerves. The Corso should be a strong, independent and conﬁ dent yet stable dog; unfortunately, due to poor breeding, most are scared of their own shadow.” This sentiment was echoed several times in the survey. “We are plagued with backyard breeders only in it for the money and churning out really awful puppies – in temperament, conformation and health.”It’s important to ﬁ nd a reputable breeder and ensure the parents’ temperament and health are excellent – and then ﬁ nd a good trainer for puppy classes and socialise and train with vigour. Training & behaviourThe Corso has brains as well as brawn and is highly trainable. 93% of owners said their dogs would sit when asked, 83% lie down, 51% nose nudge, 58% retrieve and 37% give a high-ﬁ ve. Recall is hit and miss: roughly half will reliably recall if there are no distractions and the others will go selectively deaf at convenient times. The breed closely bonds with loved ones and 37% hate being left. From our survey, 34% dislike some other dogs and 51% are wary of strangers. 81% are described as territorial. Considering the breed’s history, these statistics aren’t surprising, but they do underline the importance of thorough socialisation and training. The time you invest is deﬁ nitely worth it. “Yes, they’re extremely hard work, but that hard work is repaid over and over again.”HealthDental skeletal retinal anomaly (DRSA) is a hereditary disease in the Cane Corso that affects the development and growth of the skeleton and teeth, and progressive retinal degeneration resulting in vision loss. A test is available to identify this recessive condition. Epilepsy is present in the breed; “buy from ethical breeders who are selecting and pairing bloodlines that present very low risk, as we cannot currently test for this,” advised one breed enthusiast. From our survey, 39% had experienced eye problems, 27% allergies, 27% ear issues, 24% skin problems and 22% cruciate disorders. The American national breed club recommends heart, hip and elbow testing. Good health insurance is strongly recommended. SPONSORED BYOur survey of Cane Corso owners revealed:Lively Labrador?BUY COLLARS, LEADS & HARNESSES

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My Dog CrushOriginsThe Cane Corso’s name roughly translates as ‘bodyguard dog’, but the breed’s ancestors – the Greek Molossers – weren’t only protectors, they were fearless war dogs, who ran into battle with buckets of ﬂ aming oil strapped to their backs. It’s thought the Romans brought them from the Greek islands to Italy where they bred with native breeds, including the Neapolitan Mastiff. These dogs then were used as all-purpose farm dogs where they worked in a variety of roles, including guarding, droving cattle and hunting fearsome wild boar. Over time, the dogs were needed less, as farming practices changed, and the breed was almost lost. Measures to save the breed started 50 years ago, when a group of farmers joined forces. The breed was recognised by the American Kennel Club in 2010, but it is not yet recognised by the British Kennel Club, though the breed has a dedicated following. 52Dogs Today June 2024 ●Loyal●Protective●Stubborn ●Aloof●Loving ●Playful●Devoted●Intelligent ●Powerful ●EnergeticTraitsJune 2024 Dogs Today53Louis Provis When my ﬁ rst Corso, Bonnie, was born, in 2009, there were only a handful of Molosser fanciers in this country who had even heard of the Cane Corso Italiano. Today, Bonnie is no longer with us, and the present Cane Corso landscape is unrecognisable in comparison. Everyone and their mum has a Cane Corso now (or a dog they’re calling a Cane Corso, at least!). It’s impossible to put a number on it in the UK, where the breed is not Kennel Club recognised, but in the US, the Cane Corso now ranks in the top 20 of breeds registered, despite having only been AKC recognised in 2010.Sadly, they are not the dog for everyone. They’re not even the dog for most people! Their popularity boom has resulted in thousands being put up for rehoming, into rescue centres or euthanised every year – because they are a hard dog to raise right. Whilst typically discussed in the same breath as their cousin, the Neapolitan Mastiff, or its English counterpart, the Mastiff, these dogs are more akin to Rottweilers in most respects: size, athleticism, intelligence… stubbornness! Historically, indeed, they were farm utility dogs, catch dogs, herding and guarding dogs. They are very powerful and typically ‘assertive’; they will guard fearlessly, without any training to do so; and they need a lot of exercise. If someone isn’t prepared for those three things, they should look elsewhere for a dog.But, for those of us who are prepared – and know that to be loved by a Corso is to know true happiness – they are the best breed in the world, full-stop. No other dog combines strength, stamina, and pure ‘presence’ quite like a Cane Corso, and no dog I have ever known loves harder, either. What is special about a Corso’s love, beyond its great weight, is that it is for you alone. Many wonderful other types of dog will cuddle up to strangers like long-lost friends, and greet all to their home with a wagging tail, but not this dog. You earn her love. Then, when you do, you have it for life. A dog with an innate aloofness with other dogs and a wariness of strange humans is not a dog for everyone, but not many things will make you feel more special than this breed’s intense loyalty.EARLY LESSONSFor that reason, though, they are more prone to separation issues than many of the more independent guarding breeds of the type. Teaching self-soothing from as early a date as possible is as important as ensuring that all other needs (food, water, exercise, fulﬁ lment) are met. Indeed, with a dog that grows like a weed, and can sometimes exceed 50 kilograms in the larger specimens when fully grown, the earlier you get started on all training and acclimation tasks, the better! Neglect this, and you’ll soon have a 30kg adolescent wild thing to contend with… and that’s before their guarding instinct kicks in, typically at around one year old.NEVER LONG ENOUGHA well-bred and well-raised adult Corso is a joy to live with. She wants to be close to you, but won’t demand your attention. She will keep a weather eye on the door and sound the alarm when intruders are afoot, but she’s unlikely to bite. She will sleep at your feet while you write your emails, but leap into life when it’s time to train, to walk, to play, to work! My Bonnie saved my life, on too many occasions and in too many ways to list, and it is because of her memory that I insist on being truthful about the breed. To love a dog is to respect its history, its purpose, and its overall ‘dogness’. Thirteen years was not enough time for such a dog, but I like to think I gave her a good one because of that. POwner’s viewDirty Dachshund?Dachshund?BUY SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER & SPRAYSBonnie

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My Dog Crush54Dogs Today June 2024 Best Facebook group●Cane Corso UKTrendy Terrier?BUY BANDANAS & BOW-TIESAdvice for wannabe owners●“Make time for long walks, mentally stimulating games, and hours and hours of continuous training”●“Do your homework – they are not ideal for ﬁ rst-time dog owners – and train, train, train”●“Washable wall paint”●“It’s nothing like owning Labs; these are very serious dogs who need correct handling”●“Think twice! They are not easy dogs and need lots of experienced handling and training●“Find an ethical breeder who health tests. If you’re turned down by them, don’t then buy off pets4homes, look at a different breed! Have a relationship with a trainer from day one”●“Research, research, research and then research some more! This breed isn’t for the masses, they’re hard work!”What life adaptations have you made?●“Moved previous items to above 6ft or into the loft till puppyhood was over”●“Buying tons of kitchen roll – get used to slob!”●“Started my own business to work from home, as they don’t like being left on their own”●“Bigger car!”●“Cleaning and washing more due to slobbering”●“Keep slobber towels strategically placed round the house”●“I don’t go on holiday abroad any more; I’ve worked so hard to get my boy to where he is that I don’t trust anyone else to walk him, so we stay together and I am OK with that”●“Higher, stronger garden fences”●Bella ●Bear●Mabel ●Hercules●Lottie●Frank●Amica●Frank●Nova●BumbleBest namesJune 2024 Dogs Today55^ Stained-glass jigsaw puzzle. Crafted with meticulous precision, this puzzle is fashioned from premium wooden materials. Available in three sizes: 300, 500 and 1,000 pieces. From £23.72 from ArtofSocksShop on etsy.comLove the breed? Shop the breedPlayful PapillonBUY TOYS, TUGS & TREAT HIDERSv Cane Corso cookie cutter – perfect for making doggie biscuits for your waggy best friend, or for making human biscuits for other CC fans. £10.16 from Bakerlogy on etsy.com^ Metal wall art, available in raw steel or black powder coated. £33.95 from CreativeMetalUK on etsy.com< This 220g soy wax Cane Corso candle features a captivating aroma made from natural essential oils and a blend of sugared almond, vanilla and white musk. With a longlasting burn time (over 40 hours), this makes a thoughtful gift for a Corso fan. £14.99 from makesterofﬁ cial from etsy.comA Cane Corso for your >cuppa! Wooden raw-backed 9cm by 9cm coaster. Durable with a glossy photo ﬁ nish. £3.52 for one, or various price options for multiples. A matching glass chopping board is also available. From acbdesignetsy on etsy.comPersonalised >ceramic mug, available in nine colour variants. Dishwasher- and microwave-compatible. £12.99 from PandaMugzUK on etsy.com

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56Dogs Today June 2024 Dogs Today is only £12.50 quarterly if you pay by Direct Debit* ■Save more than £20 over the year■Delivered free to your door Plus you also get:■A £15 voucher for PurrfectlyYappy.com(minimum spend £75). Call us for the special code!■The chance to win one of 50 Nerf dog toysJoin our exclusive Sub Club! Call 01276 402599 (lines open weekdays 9am-5pm) or subscribe online www.dogstodaymagazine.co.uk/product/dogs-today-uk-subscriptionsAll new subscriptions will commence with the current issueOverseas prices: £79.99 for 12 issues or £145 for 24 issuesWith newsagents and supermarkets reducing their shelf space for magazines, it’s getting harder to ﬁ nd us. Help us by subscribing – and reap the rewards:The ﬁ rst 50 new or renewing subscribers this month will receive a fabulous Nerf dog toy – so even your dog can beneﬁ t. It’s a win-win-win situation!Please remember to include your dog’s breed/size and age in ‘Dog breed and size’ during checkout. Subscription gifts are only available to the ﬁ rst 50 subscribers each month (sorry, UK subscribers only).Help us by subscribing – and reap the rewards:Buy direct and save more than £20 a year!*UK only. By entering, you conﬁ rm that your details will be passed on to the company providing prizes for distribution & marketing purposes.SUBSCRIBE NOW& start saving today!Come and see us at Stithian Show, Cornwall on15th July and Merlins Country Fayre at Griggs Cornwall 6th-7th July.Dry your soggy doggy this summer with our iconic Bone Dry® drying coat – and help keep your vehicle clean on the way back from the beach too!Starting at only £32, Trover Coats are handmade in Cornwall by Toni and are very easy to wash and dry. She has a range of designs and sizes in stock and even oﬀ ers a bespoke service.Go to www.trovercoats.com @ trovercoats 07300 836943www.trovercoats.com07300 836943Trover Coats ‘got my back covered®’Trusted by dogtrainersOrderOrderNowPremium dog foodAll naturalFREE2WEEKTRIAL2WKTRIALUse codeNo fillers or additivesWheat/Gluten freeHigh meat content

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58Dogs Today June 2024 Your news & viewsGet 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 DOG PARK WOESI just needed to vent about something that’s been really getting on my nerves lately. I love taking my dog to the local park to let him run around and socialise. But honestly, I’m getting so fed up with people bringing their badly trained dogs there and letting them off the lead.It’s like they think just because we’re in an enclosed space, it’s OK for their dogs to run wild. The problem is, the rest of us and our dogs are stuck in there with them. It’s not fair to anyone, especially our pets who just want to play and have a good time without being harassed.I hate to point ﬁ ngers, but the worst offenders are small dogs. It’s like their owners don’t think it’s worth teaching them some manners because they can’t be “dangerous”. Of course, if their harassment leads a bigger dog to react, the bigger dog gets blamed!I’ve seen three ﬁ ghts break out recently because of this. It’s scary and so stressful. It’s only a matter of time before something really tragic happens. These owners seem to think it’s all in good fun, but it’s not fun watching dogs get into scraps and having to constantly keep an eye out for troublemakers.I really wish people would take the time to properly train their dogs before letting them loose in shared spaces. It’s not just about their dog’s safety, but everyone else’s too.Holly TaylorIllustration by Kevin BrockbankJoin the debateVoice your opinions on news stories and other topics on our Dogs Today Magazine Facebook page or through our website www.dogstodaymagazine.co.ukBUDDING ARTIST – AND HANDLER!In our May issue, we misspelt the lovely Iyla Toft’s name. Nine-year-old Iyla won the spring colouring competition run by the Blackberry Veterinary Clinic in Lingﬁ eld, Surrey. Here’s a photo of Iyla with her two rescue dogs, her prize-winning art - and an update by her proud mum...We went to Paws in the Park in Ardingly in May and all of Iyla’s caring for her dogs really paid off. Jasmine (the small dog with the pink coat that she is holding) got ﬁ rst place for AV Terrier. Jasmine, age 16, also got third place for Best Veteran. Iyla’s other dog Farfalle, age two, got fourth place for Open Dog (he is the one that I am holding in the picture of the four of us). Farfalle also got a Judge’s Special! Iyla led both dogs round the ring conﬁ dently and at ease, showing her natural ability to handle dogs, as well as the close bond that she has to them. Both are rescue dogs and are loved very much!Rachel ToftPostbagJune 2024 Dogs Today 59 Your news & viewsAlice BartonOur Beagle mix met his best buddy, a yellow Lab, at the park. They instantly clicked and now we arrange playdates every week. It’s the highlight of his week!Noelle CarterI have a Mini Dachshund who plays every day with a St Bernard. They’re the funniest pair you’ll ever see, and he’s always so gentle with her!Sarah GunnMy dog met her best friend at the park and it’s not a dog! He befriended a kind elderly man who visits the park daily. They have a special bond, and she always looks forward to his treats and belly rubs.Emma JeanMy dog has a special friendship with a spaniel he met at the park. It started with a shared stick, and now they’re inseparable park mates.David TillThere is a young man who jogs through the park, usually around the same time every day. Missy loves running alongside him, and I think he loves the company! Meeting him always makes my dog’s day. I struggle a bit to keep up with them though...From FacebookSOME OF OUR FOLLOWERS TALKED ABOUT THEIR DOGS’ BEST PARK MATES…OLD BUT GOLDI wanted to share a little bit about my experience with adopting an elderly dog and hopefully encourage more people to consider it. When I ﬁrst met Bella at the shelter, she was already eight years old. Most people overlooked her because she wasn’t a playful puppy any more, but there was something about her gentle eyes that drew me in.Adopting Bella was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Older dogs have so much love to give, and they’re often much calmer and better behaved than younger ones. Bella ﬁt into my life so well – she already knew the basics, was housetrained, and her mellow nature was perfect for my quieter lifestyle.One of the biggest myths is that older dogs won’t bond with you as strongly, but Bella proved that wrong from day one. She’s incredibly loyal and affectionate, and our bond is just as strong as if I’d raised her from a pup. Plus, it’s been incredibly rewarding to give her the comfortable, loving home she deserves in her golden years.Senior dogs end up in shelters for all sorts of reasons, and it’s heartbreaking to see them overlooked. If you’re thinking about adding a furry friend to your family, please consider an older dog. They still have so much to offer and can bring a lot of joy and love into your life.Jill VennPostbag

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60Dogs Today June 2024 Tea breakName: _________________________________________________________Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Postcode: _________________________Telephone: _____________________________________________________Email address: ___________________________________________________Breed/type of dog: _______________________________________________5912102014817153211316181222741961 1Gyles Brandreth’s Prize Crossword!Complete the crossword grid, then post your entry to arrive by 4 July 2024 to: June Crossword, Dogs Today, The Old Print House, 62 High Street, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8AA. The ﬁ rst correct entry drawn after the closing date will win a Kong Shakers Honkers Flamingo dog toy worth £8.99. Available from PurrfectlyYappy.com The judge’s decision is ﬁ nal in all competitions. How to enterPut the kettle on and have a go at our competitions!Quick Clues Across6 Japanese breed (4)7 Type of King Charles Spaniel (8)9 Current (6)10 Bitch (3-3)11 Takes a bite (5)12 Powerful, short-haired breed (7)14 ‘13 Down’ shepherd dogs (7)16 Go swimming (5)19 AJ …, author (6)20 Popular ‘13 Down’ breed (6)21 Welsh breed (8)22 … Pei (4)Down1 Stocky, smooth-haired and short-nosed breed (6,7)2 Cosmetics (4-2)3 Mischievous sort (5)4 … Finney, actor (6)5 Unleashed (3,3,3,4)8 Serf (6)13 Nationality of Bichon Frise, for instance (6)15 Tame (6)17 Awaken from sleep (6)18 Surf (5)Cryptic Clues Across6 Dog scattered oats (4)7 Type of spaniel that shows a haughty disregard? (8)9 Master changed the flow (6)10 Potential producer of puppies is to go back behind garden hut (3-3)11 Bites brandy biscuits? (5)12 Breed that makes graduate tense (7)14 ‘13’ breeds, raging in the extreme when soaked in ales (7)16 Cricketer takes male for dip (5)19 Novelist cavorting in corn (6)20 See 13 Down21 A hay smell endlessly spread about by this breed (8)22 … Pei has a nasty rash (4)Down 1 Breed involved in historic tea party? (6,7)2 Invent how to become friends again (4,2)3 Naughty little dog has bitten end off seafood (5)4 Lad confined to dismal berth (6)5 Fated, Theo fell clumsily when given freedom on walk (3,3,3,4)8 Serf, a fool imprisoned by Val (6)13 (And 20 Across) Servile Parisian? (6,6)15 Fellow finds Lassie losing heart, easily controlled (6)17 Stimulate a Rottweiler, initially, on Yorkshire river (6)18 Foam caused by tailless puma diving into endless sea (5)MAY SOLUTION Across: 1 Smooth; 4 Barks; 8 Later; 9 Kennels; 10 Bernese; 11 Steve; 12 Rottweilers; 17 Akita; 19 Raw meat; 21 Spinone; 22 Happa; 23 Tense; 24 Ankles. Down: 1 Sell-by; 2 Otter; 3 Torment; 4 Bones; 5 Roe deer; 6 Sussex; 7 Skye Terrier; 13 Opinion; 14 Lowchen; 15 Basset; 16 Steaks; 18 Alone; 20 Expeldecision is ﬁ nal in all competitions. decision is ﬁ nal in all competitions. June 2024 Dogs Today61Is this Is this what you what you meant when meant when you said you said you’d got a you’d got a crap job?crap job?Winning captionPhoto submitted via email Beagle & Pug by Tim Rose (www.timrosephotography.co.uk)Julia O’ConnorApril Caption Runners-upCross QuestionCan you guess which breeds Lexi’s parents are? Don’t worry about using Veet – everyone looks better with a beard!F RaynorEllerby thought it only polite to show an interest in her owner’s toilet habits. She stopped short of saying ‘Good girl’ and ‘Hurry up’, though...Seja DaviesThe winning caption will win a K9 Immortals Octopus dog toy worth £12.99 and the person who sends the ﬁ rst correct answer to the Cross Question will win a Kong Shakers Honkers Duck worth £10.99, both available from www. purrfectlyyappy.comEmail your Caption Competition & Cross Question entries together with your contact details to comps@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk or post to: June Competitions, Dogs Today, The Old Print House, 62 High Street, Chobham, Surrey, GU24 8AA, to arrive by 4 July 2024Caption this!April Cross Question SolutionPrincess’s parents are a Beagle and a PugThe ﬁ rst correct answer came from Jackie Paterson +Herrrrre’s Doggy!Pasquale LiberanomeThe politicians soon realised that wearing a very realistic dog suit got them a much warmer welcome when they started canvassingHelen CarrDo you have a funny pic you’d like us to feature? Please email it to us at comps@dogstodaymagazine.co.ukCan you come up with a witty and amusing caption for this photo? How to enterAmber, a Shih Tzu Photo submitted by Liz Middleton, via emailWinners of the Cross Question and Caption Competition will win a prize from Purrfectly Yappy

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62Dogs Today June 2024 6644Julywww.foreverhoundstrust.orgPRIORY ROAD ASCOT BERKSHIRE SL5 8RJ01344 882689We are a non-destruction sanctuary for abandoned & unwanted dogsRegistered Charity No. 256728established 1958ecueCharity 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 detailsNEUTER 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.ukEden Animal Rescue is a registered charity which has been caring for animals since 1995. We started with a small number of people who fostered animals in their own homes. We help and care for neglected or unwanted animals and arrange for the provision of good homes for them. The scale of our work is huge; in an average year we home 400+ cats and kittens and 120 dogs – not to mention rabbits, ferrets and guinea pigs.Eden Animal Rescue is proud of the fact that we have a non-destruct policy and believe that NO healthy animal should ever be put to sleep. We always seek the opinion of our vets and behaviourist and it would be only on their advice that an animal would be euthanised.For many years our busy rescue centre was located near Shap, Cumbria, but in 2016 we moved to a purpose-built centre at Moorlands Head Farm, Newbiggin, Temple Sowerby, Penrith. Our new home has proved to be a wonderful place for our animals – the space, atmosphere and surroundings contribute massively to their wellbeing. As well as welfare needs and behavioural work, we also pay veterinary bills for vaccinations, neutering, any treatment required and microchipping. While an animal is with us, we provide care, companionship and understanding and do all we can to match them to a great new home and owner.Having only a small team of dedicated staff, we rely heavily on the work of our fantastic volunteers. To be able to do the valuable work we do at EAR, we are continuously fundraising and we rely on your support and donations. We really could not do it without your generosity.If you would like to donate to Eden Animal Rescue so we can continue our work, please contribute via BACS transfer using the reference ‘Donation’: Bank Barclays Bank plc Sort Code 20-66-97 Account Name Eden Animal Rescue Account Number 40558877 Follow us on our website & social media: www.edenanimalrescue.org.ukFacebook: Eden.Animal.Rescue Instagram: edenanimalrescueFor adoption enquiries: Email admin@edenanimalrescue.org.uk Phone 01931 716114THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.Registered Charity Number 1117113Charity of the monthEden Animal Rescue June 2024 Dogs Today636644JulyJuly6655As 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 livesBecome a Companion & Keep Tails WaggingWith a Regular GiftScottish Charity No. SC006914www.seniorsta yclub.co.ukseniorsta yclub@hotmail.co.ukSenior Staffy ClubOur aims are:www.leicesteranimalaid.org.ukTel 01455 888257Registered Charity No. 242560Rescue and rehoming centre for dogs and catsRegistered Charity No. 1077588We rescue and rehome 100s of dogs and cats in London every year Please help us to help more www.themayhew.org020 8962 8000 Sponsor a puppy from just £1 a week. Visit guidedogs.org.uk/DogsToday A charit y registered in England and Wales (209617) and Scotland (SC038979).Please contact us or visit our website for more information.Heathway, Colton, Rugeley, Staffs WS15 3LY Tel 0871 560 2282www.bordercollietrustgb.org.ukReg Charity No 1053585 Rescue centre open daily 9-11 am 2-4 pm We rescue and rehome collies and collie crosses throughout the UK. Why not subscribe to our ’Border Collie World’ quarterly magazine? Only £10.00 pa.BORDER COLLIE TRUST GBAS SEEN ON CHANNEL 4woodgreen.org.ukBringing pets and people closer togetherRegistered Charity No. 298348 00526nc0819Smokey Paws provides pet oxygen masks to the ﬁre service.But many more masks are needed. You can donate via www.smokeypaws.co.uk or email info@smokeypaws.co.ukThe next pet saved could be yoursRegistered 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 June 2024 Pet Industry Service of the MonthPet Trade Innovations was founded by Steve Driver in 2016 to help bring new ideas to the pet trade. He thrives on helping up and coming businesses reach their sales goals and ambitions.Steve has worked in the Pet Industry for many years and has huge experience in bringing small brands into the market and turning them into multi-million pound brands.Pet Trade Innovations is supported by an amazingly talented team, all able to support the smaller business with sales, marketing, logistics and overall strategy, in the pet, vet and animal welfare markets.Pet Trade Innovations will happily help take the stress and worry out of building your business, so feel free to call to discuss your goals and ambitions, we are at your service!Advertising featurePet Trade Innovations www.pettradeinnovations.com | +44 (0)1276 919808 | info@pettradeinnovations.com 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.ukwww.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 EXMOOR COAST & COUNTRYWoodcombe Lodges & CottagesSet in 3 acre gardens on a quiet country lane on the edge of the Exmoor National Park yet within 1 mile of shops, pubs, beach & seafront.South West Coastal Path, Coleridge Way, Two Moors Way.Prepared walks from our door. Dogs welcome, Free Wiﬁ.www.woodcombelodges.co.ukwoodcombelodges@outlook.com | Telephone: 01643 702789Classiﬁ ed advertsHolidays, Charities, Services & ProductsJune 2024 Dogs Today656622JulyCraig Y Nos CastleHalf-way between Swansea and Brecon, Craig Y Nos Castle is an excellent venue for your Wedding in Wales and also for Dog Friendly Accommodation and Accommodation in South Wales.With some great accommodation deals to choose from, Craig Y Nos Castle is the perfect place to stay. There are loads of excellent walks in the Brecon Beacons National Park and all our B&B deals include full cooked breakfast while there is a well-stocked bar and á la carte meals served in the evenings. We offer Dinner Bed & Breakfast deals throughout the year – dates are subject to availability and will be listed on our website.Dates are regularly added and if you wish to be added to our mailing list please email info@craigynoscastle.com - and you will be one of the ﬁ rst to know.www.dogfriendlywales.comHoliday of the MonthAdvertising featureBook now for summer!

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Dad’s funeral was well attended. He had been loved by so many people, who were all shocked at his sudden death. It was obvious that Mum wouldn’t feel safe living in the big, remote house all on her own. They had barely spent a night apart in all the years they’d been together. A professional dog sitter was employed to both look after all the many Beardies and to show potential buyers around the house so Mum could sell up and move south.Kevin drove us back to our little house in Sunninghill. There had been long and tearful days and not much time to grieve. Unbelievably, things were about to get much worse. As we opened the front door, the landline was ringing. It was the dog sitter – just after we’d left, he had managed to leave both the double security gates open and all the dogs had escaped. Most of them came back.I didn’t have the time or energy to react. Why hadn’t he phoned my mobile? It had happened hours before. He said he’d hoped Poppy would come back on her own – but she hadn’t. LOST IN GRIEFI was on autopilot – I just drove Mum and Sally straight back. Outside the house was a very busy A-road. Worse, it led to the East Lancs road one way and the M57 the other.Poppy was Sally’s dippy daughter. She was the sweetest dog imaginable, but not the brightest. I remembered ﬁ nding her almost exhausted after trying to run away from a metal coat hanger that was caught in her hair. On walks, if she saw someone in the distance, she would run towards them as if she knew them. She’d realise she didn’t, as she got near, and then she’d gallop back to the rest of the dogs. Then she’d turn around and see them in the distance again and forget she didn’t know them and repeat until exhausted.This was not the sort of dog with road sense or homing instinct. She was vulnerable and old. Thinking of little Poppy lost, cold and hungry was just devastating.On the long journey, Mum and I made plans. It was before DogLost existed and the internet wasn’t widely used – but I did at least have a mobile phone! By the time we got to Knowsley Village, all the Dogs Today staff knew and were getting leaﬂ ets printed locally.POPPY FIELDSOn arrival, the dog sitter shocked us by throwing a strop. He said he couldn’t deal with the unspoken pressure of our collective disappointment in him, that he was leaving because, after all, she was ‘just a dog’ and everyone can make a mistake and his mental health was more important. We didn’t yell; we just watched him leave, totally speechless.I spent what was left of that night searching the surrounding ﬁ elds for Poppy in case, in the quieter hours, she might have been brave enough to move. I hadn’t much concern for my own safety, but I probably looked too mad to approach.My emotions were scrambled. Was I starting to mourn my dad, or was I crying about Poppy being lost and afraid? Katie Boyle, our magazine’s agony aunt, phoned my mobile in the early hours. She said she was certain I was going to ﬁ nd her and that I shouldn’t give up. Other people were more pragmatic.It was snowing overnight. There were so many very busy roads she’d have probably crossed.Were we already too late? PIllustration KEVIN BROCKBANK Confessions of a dogaholicKatie Boyle, our magazine’s agony aunt, phoned my mobile in the early hours. She said she was certain I was going to ﬁ nd her and that I shouldn’t give up. Other people were more pragmatic.66Dogs Today June 2024 Aftershock?REVOLUTIONARYHEADCOLLARStops 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.NO MORE PULLING • NO MORE RIDING UP • NO MORE RUBBINGNO MORE COMING OFF • NO MORE DISCOMFORT‘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 toDogmatic 01952 245330 or visit us at www.dogmatic.org.ukWINNER2020Global100Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020 – UK‘PRODUCT I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT’For Dog People by Dog People Because your dog deserves the BESTWinners 2013-2024AWARDED ‘Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020-21 - UK’ and Most Innovative Dog Collar Manufacturers 2019

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