Dogs Today_October_2023 : simplebooklet.com

Inside this month...News & features 6 XL Bully ban: it’s failed to protect for decades, but still the Dangerous Dogs Act grows 10 Crime scene investigation: can lessons be learned from footage of a fatal attack?28 Lend me your ears: AI gives back what cropping removed 38 Cliff Richard is the Peter Pan of pup! 40 Be puppywise: the scammers are getting harder to spot Over to you!44 Great debate: should the police stop training dogs for aggression?56 Your letters Training & behaviour32 The unavoidable inevitability: how can you assess when the time is right to say goodbye? 46 100 days of enrichment: the free training resource that’s improving dogs’ lives Opinion 66 Confessions of a dogaholic: Dianne and DempseyInvestigation 16 Q&A: should I worry about my dog’s bad breath? Why is my dog scooting his bum? Could his master’s voice be less interesting than his mistress’s? Are dogs getting brainier? 48 Dog crush: meet the Kooikerhondje Competitions & shopping 54 Subscribe and win!60 Pop the kettle on and tackle our puzzles and competitions Kooikerhondje. Photo by Tim Rose (www.timrosephotography.co.uk)DogsTodayEditorialEditor: Beverley CuddyArt Director: Rosie PeaceChief Sub Editor/Contributing Editor: Claire Horton-BusseyDeputy Editor: Alessandra PacelliIllustrator: Kevin BrockbankAdvertising & sponsorship Sales & Marketing Director: Mike McGlynn 01276 402591Sales Executive - Print & Digital: Tom Jones 01276 402593Office dogsBetty (Old English-Golden Retriever-ish); Honey (Cocker Spaniel); Lennie (Staffie cross); Loki (Border Collie-Kelpie cross); Vicky, Justine & Poison Ivy (Newfoundlands); Sophie (Jack Russell); Triss (Jack Russell)Betty’s Personal Trainer: Kirsten Dillon IMDT A.Dip CBMDogs Today, 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.© 2023 Dogs Today. The world copyright of the editorial matter, both illustrations and text, is strictly reserved. Registered as a newspaper for transmission in the UK.The ethical pet magazine for people who really care about dogsFacebook: Dogs Today@beverleycuddy@Dogs_TodayLIMITEDNext issue on sale: 9 November 2023To 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.ukOctober 2023 Dogs Today3

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4Dogs Today October 2023 An interesting press release landed in my inbox from Pets4Homes, Britain’s largest online dog-selling site. (Scary, isn’t it, that 2,500 people buy from this website every day.) It’s quite a useful place to get what the man in the street thinks; Dogs Today readers are far too well informed to be representative!Pets4Homes found that 49.6% of dog owners supported the proposed ban on the Bully XL. Interestingly, a quarter had only recently changed to that option. I too have sensed a swing in opinion; have you? For decades, the great and good were certain that BSL (breed-speciﬁ c legislation) didn’t work. If you remember, I was ﬂ agging up a sea change a few issues ago when owners of dogs attacked by others were calling for breed bans.The platitude was always, ‘There’s no such thing as bad dogs – only bad owners’. Increasingly, people are saying that genes play a huge part; that just as Border Collies are hardwired to herd, some dogs are just built to attack. Who’d have thought there would ever be nostalgia about Pit Bulls, but I’ve heard it argued that when vile people were illegally ﬁ ghting these dogs, they would cull those that couldn’t be trusted around people, and that as a result, the dogs were surprisingly gentle. Remember that Panoramadocumentary about shady folk running fertility clinics, even from inside prison? It all seemed to be about pyramid selling and maximising proﬁ t. Image was everything: massively muscular dogs in weird and wonderful colours – all with no ears – and macho people proudly using aversive methods. Status dogs somehow got supersized and super scary. Some American breeders of the XL seem horriﬁ ed at the mess we’ve made of their breed.Footage of a fatal attack was recently shared online. Did that horrible video change people’s mind about the ban? I, like millions of others, inadvertently clicked the link and saw that poor man being killed by two huge dogs. Weren’t the dogs surprisingly calm? They didn’t seem to have the faintest clue that what they were doing was wrong. Will adding the Bully XL to the Dangerous Dogs Act make people any safer? Most people are bitten by their own dogs in the home and that’s when the muzzle’s off.It will be so hard for everyone who has a gentle, well-brought-up dog of this type; life will change forever.Already the social feeds are full of Bully XLs getting dumped. But those ﬂ aky passive owners probably weren’t safe hands in any case, but where will all these rejected dogs go? Rescue was already bursting at the seams.I was sitting in the car yesterday and saw a young couple walk past with a Malinois pup. My heart sank. Are they the next big thing? Let’s hope they have model owners. Why do people love to pick the most difﬁ cult dogs? I asked the question on my Facebook proﬁ le, and someone said, “Because people are stupid. They’d all have lions if we let them!”I’ve been on so many phone-ins recently where people say, “My Bully XL is perfect with my grandchildren. I totally trust my dog around them.” My heart sinks then, too. Of course, none of us should be trusting our dogs to be good around kids unsupervised – no matter what breed. But, as a species, we just don’t seem to learn, do we? 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.WALKING ATTITUDE RELUCTANCE ENVIRONMENTAPPEARANCECan you seeI'm a bit unsteadythese days?Scan to learn moreThis may be a signI’m in painAn educational service from the makers of Metacam® and Previcox®. Further information available in the SPC or from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd., RG12 8YS, UK. Metacam® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, used under licence. Previcox® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health France SCS, used under licence. ©2023 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd. All rights reserved. Date of preparation: August 2023. UI-PET-0114-2023. Use Medicines Responsibly.

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For a start, exempted dogs must always be muzzled and on a lead in public (and ‘public’ includes your front garden and inside your car). These dogs willl never run free off-lead again unless you have a large very secure garden or the means to rent a private ﬁeld. No one we talked to has ever been able to get health insurance cover for an exempted dog. If you have pet insurance now, it will probably become invalid. You will have to take out third-party insurance to protect the public, but you can get this free if you join Dogs Trust as a member (£25 per year, half price for pensioners). The courts and the police are said to be very wary about exempted dogs being kept in homes with young children or being owned by people with a criminal record. Also, some social landlords will not allow their tenants to keep prohibited dogs in their properties. Dog behaviourist Emma Judson said, “Please be honest with yourself. If your dog’s behaviour and temperament are not bombproof – if you think there’s a reason in your past that a court will not grant you keepership of an exempted dog – then ﬁghting to keep your dog may result in your dog suffering in kennels for months on end with no chance of a positive outcome. If your dog injures someone while in the care of the local authority/police, you may be held liable for that. As hard as it is to accept, it may be better to euthanise your dog at home, with a familiar vet, calmly, than to put them through months of confusion only to be euthanised by a stranger. For many dogs, Words BEVERLEY CUDDY6 Dogs Today October 2023XL Bully BanIf you have a big, chunky bull-breed mix, we expect you’ll be very concerned about the upcoming ban. Please read this and pass to friends...he UK’s chief veterinary ofﬁcer has hinted that there might be an amnesty for responsibly owned Bully XL dogs – so they could hopefully stay in their own homes while they are assessed, waiting to be added to the exemption register. Originally, when the Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA) was ﬁrst announced, many homes were raided and dogs seized. Hopefully, the same will not be true this time. But then again, we never expected they’d add more dogs to the disastrous DDA.We have talked to owners of previously exempted dogs to ask what life is going to be like after the ban and they have urged everyone not to underestimate how life-changing living with an exempted dog will be...TPhoto posed by modelsbeing put through the kennelling and assessment procedure and waiting months for court dates is not in their best interest.”If you don’t think the courts would be likely to approve you and decide to rehome your dog, you need to do this before applying for exemption – but this person will need to be able and willing to have your dog permanently, as once a dog has gone through the exemption process, it is only possible to change the registered keeper of the dog if the keeper dies or becomes seriously ill. If you decide to apply for exemption, there are some things proactively you can be doing now. Lots of trainers are now offering free or discounted rates for XL Bully types, as you need to show your dog is well behaved in order to pass the assessment. ACT NOWEmma says, “Neuter if they’re old enough. It’s better if it is done by your own vet and in your care than elsewhere if your dog is later seized and held in kennels. Ensure you have proof of neutering from your vet, linking your dog’s chip number to the procedure both on their system and as a letter you can keep on ﬁle.”She also urges you to get your dog used to wearing an appropriate muzzle as soon as possible. “A basket-style solid muzzle, not a fabric ‘strap the mouth closed’ muzzle, as they are dangerous for anything other than a brief veterinary exam. Teach your dog that wearing this face-cage is fun; associate it with treats and praise. Really work on this – do not just slap it on your dog, as that will October 2023 Dogs Today 7

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8Dogs Today October 2023worry them and cause them to strop around on the lead, trying to get it off.”We’ve compiled a list (above) of the best places to ﬁ nd suitable muzzles – some are made to measure.WHAT IF THE POLICE/LOCAL AUTHORITY COME TO YOUR HOUSE? Emma says, “Stay calm – getting angry or defensive won’t help your dog. If your dog is calm around visitors, pop the muzzle and lead on, and then allow them in. You can ask reasonable things, like for them to take off hats or come into a room and sit down before you bring the dog in on a lead. If you’re calm and polite, they are much more likely to listen to you.”She warns, “Refusing to let someone see your dog is not going to stop your dog being seized, if that’s what is going to happen. Squash your instinct to refuse or kick off – it will just make this horribly stressful for your dog.“If they do decide to seize your dog – do not sign your dog over. Letting them seize and take your dog is not the same as signing the dog over. If you sign, you are handing ownership to the police and your dog will be euthanised. “If they seize your dog without your consent, they must kennel your dog, assess them, and then there is a chance you can go to court and apply to have your dog exempted and added to a register. If you can put your dog in their van yourself, please do so; this is far less stressful than a stranger taking your dog from your home.” PUSEFUL RESOURCESFACEBOOK PAGES■Draconian Dogs Act ■DDA Watch ■Deed Not Breed■Save Our Seized Dogs-Putting BSL to Sleep UKDOG LAW SPECIALISTS■Trevor Cooper www.doglaw.co.uk ■Wheldon Law www.wheldonlaw.co.uk ■Elliot Matherwww.elliotmather.co.uk/specialism/Dog+LawMUZZLES< Kareen KiddThis is a Muzzle Shop muzzle on my rescue dog. He developed a few problems due to lockdown, one being with men (which I have now sorted) and another with bikes (which is still a work in progress). He doesn’t need to wear it much now, but still will very happily, and I never found that it stopped people from talking to him.Joanne Deeks-Leggatt >I have this one – from L&J Pets UK on Amazon. I’ve tried several over the years and the leather ones so far are the best. Plastic ones don’t last very long on clumsy fat heads.Sue DrakeThe Muzzle Shop is great – they explain how to measure and select the right muzzle and they have some to ﬁ t XX Bullies, but probably selling fast!■Baskerville Muzzles: www.companyofanimals.com/uk/brand/baskerville■Bumas Muzzles: www.biothane.us/applications/animal/shop-products/dogs-pets/bumas/■L&J Pets UK: https://amzn.eu/d/cgHaAVl■Minky Muzzles: www.minkymuzzles.co.uk■Muzzle Movement: www.themuzzlemovement.com■The Muzzle Shop: www.themuzzleshop.com■The Muzzle Up Project: www.muzzleupproject.com■Trufﬂ e Muzzles: (Made to measure) www.trufﬂ emuzzles.com■Pawfect Fit: www.facebook.com/groups/924057441846435■Puppers: www.facebook.com/proﬁ le.php?id=100080123762036^Steph MacDonaldAt Puppers, I make bespoke colourful muzzles using biothane.Take a lead. Change a life. Would you be interested in having the benefits of a dog without the added costs or having to worry about working full time?Well you can do that with Guide Dogs! You can foster a guide dog in trainingduring the evening and weekends, taking them to training school during the day. We are giving someone with sight loss independence and that is what it is all about.Terry and Margaret – FosterersThe Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity in England and Wales (209617), Scotland (SC038979) and Isle of Man (1334). A710 09/23Start your fosterer journey today at: guidedogs.org.uk/DogsTodayFoster

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October 2023 Dogs Today11or at the scene, as happens all too often, we’re not going to be able to learn anything from the incident.”Not that we seem to have learned all that much in the 31 years since breed-speciﬁ c legislation came into effect. Dog bites have since gone up; study after study has documented the ineffectiveness of this legislation – including, in 2021, a report commissioned by the government itself – only to be entirely ignored. Thousands of pets are detained and killed for no reason other than their looks and measurements. Now, this seems set to include XL Bullies.COURT COIN TOSS“Human behaviour is that if something is not working, we keep doing it on the assumption that it will eventually work,” Dr Shepherd comments. “It’s guilty until proven innocent under Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act. You may as well toss a coin in court to decide who is going to be believed.”As a behaviourist, Dr Shepherd is often called upon to assess the temperament of dogs seized under suspicion of being a ‘type’. More often than not, the classiﬁ cation is made by police ofﬁ cers with no expertise, based on tape measurements and nothing else. “If they add the XL Bully to the list of banned breeds, it’s going to be a mess – every big, bull type dog is going to be potentially identiﬁ ed as an XL Bully and seized. As is already the case with suspected Pit Bulls, police will just ‘decide’ they are a type – it’s a ‘I think it’s a Pit Bull, therefore it is one’ kind of scenario, from ofﬁ cers who often cannot tell one end of the dog from the other,” she says. “Take Dalmatians, for example. Everyone can recognise a Dalmatian – and yet I had a police ofﬁ cer tell me in court that if a Dalmatian ﬁ ts the measurements, they’ll consider it a Pit Bull! It makes you despair, really.“As a society, we put our trust in people in power to make sensible decisions and laws, but if they can 107.552.50UK FATAL DOG BITES2000-20232000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 202310 Dogs Today October 2023Circulating online, there is a video that should never have become public: it is one of the recent, fatal attacks that prompted Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to announce a ban on XL Bullies in the UK – the same type of knee-jerk reaction that led to the banning of four dog breeds (or rather, types) in 1992. Just short of a minute long, the footage shows two dogs – believed to be XL Bullies – as they bite into a man, who later died, while people hit the dogs in a fruitless attempt to get them to relinquish their grip on the victim. We will not be describing the video in more detail here. We did, however, ask Dr Kendal Shepherd, who often assesses dangerous dog and animal welfare cases, for a professional opinion on the behaviour on display in the short video. “Having a video of such an attack is quite extraordinary – even if it means someone chose to ﬁlm rather than help – but it doesn’t show how the attack started,” she says. “Newspaper reports say that the dogs broke into the garden. Was the owner of these dogs present? We do not know. We can see that people present attempted to get the dogs off the victims – unfortunately, in all the wrong ways.”SILENT WITNESS In the video, several men are seen screaming and hitting the dogs, as well as trying to put something between them and the victim. While it may be a normal instinctive reaction when witnessing something so terrible, Dr Shepherd explains it usually has the effect of making the dog hold on to the victim even more.“In such a situation, a ﬁre extinguisher may have made a difference – it will almost always cause a dog to let go,” she says. “Perhaps the victim may have been saved this way – we’ll never know. Unfortunately, with both dogs dead, there is a lot we may never know.”According to police, one dog died “after being restrained”, while the other was put to sleep with an injection. This, Dr Shepherd says, should never happen. “I am not arguing to keep dogs involved in fatal bite incidents alive for the sake of keeping them alive,” she says. “I’d be perfectly willing to put to sleep a dog involved in a fatal attack. But this should never happen until there has been a proper investigation – one involving vets, forensics experts and behaviourists. In short, independent experts.“If you just kill your major witness and suspect straight away, you will never get answers. We need all the behavioural information possible to know what’s going on in the dogs’ heads; if they’re simply killed after being taken into custody Words ALESSANDRA PACELLIAs pet owners across the UK are left reeling by the announcement of a ban on XL Bullies, vet and animal behaviourist Dr Kendal Shepherd explains why we need to rethink our legislation around dangerous dogs as well as the way we investigate fatal incidents – and why responsible dog owners trying to minimise risks may ﬁnd themselves in hot water...Crime scene investigationPhoto posed by models

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12 Dogs Today October 2023have such blindness to the evidence in front of them, how can we trust them? This legislation is ineffective: it kills innocent dogs and doesn’t protect the public. It won’t become any more effective once another breed, or type, is added to the banned list.”While there have been suggestions that aggression is genetically rampant in the XL Bully population due to a genetic bottleneck traceable to a single dog, Dr Shepherd says that without genetic research into each dog, it’s all speculation – and that it may be a self-fulﬁlling prophecy.“If a certain line gains notoriety as supposedly being particularly vicious, based on word of mouth, then it’s a given that people who want a vicious dog will be drawn to it,” she says. “And these people will not properly socialise their dogs – they want them vicious. They want them to be ready to attack, to bite, to be threatening. Say that these people are getting and breeding dogs from a line known for being aggressive – is aggression really in the dogs’ genetics, or are they aggressive because that’s how their owners expect and want of them?”GOOD INTENTIONSAs things stand, the law makes no distinction between these people and a pet owner who ﬁnds out, in the worst way possible, that their family dog ﬁts the measurements to be considered a ‘type’ and seized. The lack of clarity over how to even recognise a XL Bully has caused a certain amount of panic among owners of large bully dogs, who are now rushing to get behavioural advice, muzzle train, or neuter their dogs. However, Dr Shepherd says, this well-intentioned attempt to be proactive might land responsible owners in trouble should their dog ever be considered a ‘type’ and seized.“Based on my experience in court, this is often used against owners of dogs suspected to be ‘types’. What look like responsible precautions – such as taking preventative behaviour advice or muzzle-training the dog – will be presented as proof that the dog is indeed dangerous and that the owner knew it.”FLOWER POWERDamned if you do, damned if you don’t – this is the result of legislation that assumes guilt and expects owners to prove their dog’s innocence. Plus, Dr Shepherd adds, rushing to neuter a large dog before it’s at least 18 months or even two years old is not advisable. She adds, “I suggest picking muzzles that are pink, or ﬂowery, or both – in short, non-threatening. People tend to fear muzzled dogs. When it comes to gentle dogs forced by law to wear muzzles, a pink ﬂowery muzzle is the best form of protest.”The ban on XL Bullies has been promised “by the end of the year”, although there will be a grace period for existing owners to get their dog exempted. As for fatal incidents, Dr Shepherd has been working on something new: a body of independent experts to investigate dog bite incidents.“This group – at the moment it has the placeholder name of Forensic Dog Bite Incident Investigation Group – will be an independent service. Forensic psychologists, doctors, forensic vets, behaviourists, all working together to give each bite incident or fatality the kind of investigation that is given to a murder scene. “Of course, to do this, we need the dogs involved alive and available to assess. Unless there is no choice, you don’t immediately kill your murder suspect at the scene; it should be the same with dogs, too. We need a holistic view to see an incident in its entirety, to help inform bite prevention schemes. Until these incidents are properly investigated, we’re not going to learn anything.” >If you just kill your major witness and suspect straight away, you will never get answers. We need all the behavioural information possible to know what’s going on in the dogs’ heads; if they’re simply killed after being taken into custody or at the scene, as happens all too often, we’re not going to be able to learn anything from the incident”Illustration by Kevin BrockbankForsomeinlife,destinyisjust...A mysterious chocolate Labrador Retriever appears one day and begins to change the lives and fate of those he encounters.Eight-year-old Eddie Dunmore has a perfect life until chance throws him a curve ball on a damp and foggy December morning. A ﬁ re breaks out at school and traps ﬁ ve classmates inside the gym. By the end of the day, four students and a school janitor are dead, with only Eddie le alive.For years a er the tragedy, survivor’s guilt haunts Eddie spiraling him downward until one night, he discovers the truth and begs God to grant his one wish.  e following morning in a garbage-ﬁ lled alley, he awakens and begins a journey that will change his future forever...One Wish Away is the second novel of Michael E. Riley, author of the well-received mystery novel  e Long Last Out, two screenplays and countless short stories relating to the human condition.  e diverse people and situations he encountered throughout his extensive career conducting and documenting criminal investigations in the law-enforcement sector have become the sources for his novels’ memorable characters and unique plots. He started writing professionally at the age of 70, guided by one philosophy: “You’re never too old to shoot for the stars.”Scan the QR code to order or search for “One Wish Away” on Amazon.co.ukOUT NOW!Available in the UK from Amazon.co.uk as a Perfect Bound Paperback and a Kindle EditionPUBLISHED BY

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14Dogs Today October 2023Because he’s mine, I walk the line Words BY SEAN POGSONREPORTED UK DOG BITE DEATHS BY BREEDSince 2000American Bully XL . . . . . . . . . . 9Pit Bull type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Stafﬁ e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8American Bulldog . . . . . . . . . . 7Rottweiler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Bullbreed cross . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4GSD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Unknown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Cross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Stafﬁ e cross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Alaskan Malamute . . . . . . . . . . 1Bordeaux Bulldog . . . . . . . . . . 1Bullmastiff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Cane Corso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Chow-GSD cross . . . . . . . . . . . 1Dobermann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Husky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Jack Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Lakeland Terrier cross . . . . . . 1Neapolitan Mastiff . . . . . . . . . . 1Preso-Bullmastiff cross . . . . . 1Springer Spaniel . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Stafﬁ e-Mastiff cross . . . . . . . . 1Stafﬁ e-Pit Bull cross . . . . . . . . 1The problem with bull breeds is the bullshit that surrounds them. Beau has never been involved in any incident, but that’s not because he wouldn’t harm a ﬂ y. With poor management, he would be a bloody liability. Even unintentionally or in play, he could seriously hurt someone. I have no doubt about it. I spent a lot of time researching these dogs. I’ve owned bull breeds and Mastiffs for years. I spent time going to shows and canine athletic events, talking to and meeting owners and their dogs before we got Beau. I did all this for about 10 years before he came. I did all that and yet it did not prepare me fully for the dog I now share my home with. LOVED TO DEATHBeau is by far the most powerful dog I have ever owned. It’s taken another 10 years of learning about him and learning how to train, manage and care for him appropriately. What’s the biggest thing that has kept my dog safe – and the community he lives in? It’s not that he is soft and wouldn’t harm a ﬂ y, but my realisation that should he be put in certain poorly managed situations, he would be a danger. It’s not just bull breeds, but when it is a dog like Beau, you are looking at the extreme end of the scale. Who kills bull breeds? Answer: bull breed owners by loving them to death – which is not enough. The biggest thing Beau ever taught me was I needed to change my own behaviour to keep everyone safe. Beau is approaching 12 years old. He will be the last dog I ever own and until then, because he’s mine, I’ll walk the line. P2023JANUARYAlice Stones, 4, unconﬁ rmed breedNatasha Johnston, 28, Pit BullAPRILWayne Stevens, 51, unconﬁ rmed breedMAYJonathan Hogg, 37, American Bully XLJUNEUnnamed, 70s, unconﬁ rmed breedSEPTEMBER Ian Price, 52, two American Bully XLsMarie Stevens, 40, two Rottweilers OCTOBER Ian Langley, 54, American Bully XL2022JANUARYJohn William Jones, 68, three BulldogsMARCHLawson Bond, 2, RottweilerBella-Rae Birch, 1, American Bully XLKyra Leanne King, 3 months, HuskyMAYKeven Jones, 62, American Bully XLDaniel John Twigg, 3, Cane CorsoJULYJoanne Robinson, 43, American Bully XLAUGUST Ian Symes, 34, American Bully XLOCTOBERAnn Dunn, 65, American BulldogDECEMBERShirley Patrick, 83, American Bully XL cross2021FEBRUARYKeira Ladlow, 21, Stafﬁ e crossAPRILLucille Downer, 85, two American BulldogsNOVEMBERJack Lis, 10, American Bully XLDECEMBERAdam Watts, 55, American Bully XLMOST RECENT UKFATAL DOG BITE VICTIMSSean with BeauThe Generation Pup cohort study is a type of research project run by Dogs Trust in which dogs are monitored throughout their lives. The ground-breaking study tracks puppies under 16 weeks of age through to adulthood, which will enable researchers to gain pioneering new insights into our canine companions to improve dog welfare for future generations. The results of the study will enable the charity to investigate whether, and to what extent, early life experiences, genetics and environmental factors inﬂ uence health, welfare and behaviour of dogs as they age. Have you recently become a puppy ‘paw-rent’? Sign up now to take part!Dogs Trust is hoping to recruit 10,000 puppies on to the study and is calling on puppy owners to sign up to the project. Generation Pup recently welcomed its 8,000th recruit, which means the charity is looking for a further 2,000 pups to join before the end of 2023. The study will cover various aspects of your puppy’s life, behaviour and experiences, to reveal common trends or themes that occur between dogs. In order to take part, owners need to be 16 years of age or over and live in the UK or Republic of Ireland, and their pups need to be under 16 weeks old.Sign up now Participants are asked to complete questionnaires (on average, there is one every two months in the ﬁ rst 18 months, then one every six months). They can also get involved in other aspects, such as sending in samples (eg hair/urine) and asking their vets to complete cards relating to their dog’s weight, heart and dental health and/or sharing their dog’s medical records.To ﬁ nd out more information, please contact Generation Pup at: Phone: +44(0)7434 843460 Email: generationpup@dogstrust.org.uk Website: www.generationpup.ac.ukADVERTORIAL FEATUREOctober 2023 Dogs Today15Dogs Trust is looking for puppy participants like Inka and Roger to join a ground-breaking studyGeneration Pup!How to take part■Go online to ﬁ nd out more and how to sign up: www.generationpup.ac.uk ■Spread the word to friends and family with new puppies■Like and share Generation Pup on social media – ﬁ nd us on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter)■Get involved today!■The UK’s largest dog welfare charity is calling for puppy owners in the UK or Republic of Ireland to sign up to their innovative study■Dogs Trust is looking to recruit more puppies under 16 weeks of age (or under 21 weeks if they have been through quarantine)throughout their lives. The ground-InkaRoger

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16 Dogs Today October 2023 Illustration by Kevin BrockbankQuick questionShould I worry about my dog’s bad breath?Do you have a problem you’d like answered by an expert? Or do you Email your question to enquiries@dogstodaymagazine.co.ukEXPERT ADVICEKatie McCaul, an expert nutritionist at Tuggs, talks about the health concerns behind doggie breath and the breeds most at risk…October 2023 Dogs Today17“Brachycephalic dogs (those with short noses) tend to have a higher risk of bad breath, as the teeth can be forced closer together, allowing food to be trapped and result in unpleasant smells,” said Katie. “This can also include dogs with less exaggerated ﬂ at faces, like Boxers and Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. A build-up of plaque and tartar on the teeth can lead to bacterial growth, causing a foul odour. If left untreated, it can progress to gum disease and tooth decay.”But it’s not just these breeds that are at risk. According to research by Tuggs, dental disease is the most common disease seen in veterinary medicine, with 80 per cent of dogs in the UK suffering from bad breath, which can be caused by a plethora of issues – some more sinister than others.■Poor dental hygiene“Before becoming domesticated, dogs would naturally clean their teeth by chewing on carcasses,” explains Katie. “As dogs’ diets have changed over time and the foods that they consume have become softer, it’s become more common for dogs to experience a build-up of tartar, which can lead to gum disease and bad breath.”Solution…“Find a quality chew that your dog chews on for at least half an hour a week. Teach them to tolerate tooth brushing, and look at some natural products that contain seaweed, as these are proven to reduce plaque.”■Medical conditions“Persistent and foul-smelling breath can be an indication of underlying medical conditions that produce gases, causing foul odours. It can be a sign of a poor microbiome or digestive and gastrointestinal issues. Other problems can include kidney disease, diabetes, liver problems and respiratory infections.”Solution…“Seek advice from a vet if your dog is displaying unusual behaviour, or if the smell continues to worsen. Add probiotics to improve your dog’s digestive health, or try switching them to a fresh diet in order to improve their oral microbiome.”■Diet“Foods that have strong smells, such as ﬁ sh or liver, can cause temporary bad breath in dogs. A poor-quality diet can also cause dental and overall health problems, resulting in bad breath.”Solution…“A fresh, well-balanced diet will improve a dog’s overall well-being and reduce bad breath.”■Chewing habits“Chewing on the wrong things can irritate a dog’s gums, break teeth and even cause loose objects or materials on the toy (like a rope toy, for example) to break away and become lodged in your dog’s mouth, leading to infections that can cause bad breath.”Solution…“Introduce natural chew toys or rubbery toys that can help remove tartar and plaque on your dog’s teeth. This will also help to keep them entertained.”u want advice from someone with personal experience of the issue? EXPERT ADVICEDr Anna Foreman, Everypaw Pet Insurance’s in-house vet, has spoken out about an “ineffective” viral TikTok hack for curing bad dog breath with canine breath mintsIn short, no. This video – of the making of a home-made ‘fresh breath’ treat for dogs – will either be ineffective, or potentially mask bad breath when the source is what needs to be addressed.Firstly, these treats are unlikely to be particularly palatable, given the ingredients, and so getting a dog to consume them may be tricky. Secondly, from an ingredient perspective, none of these ingredients will help to clean a dog’s teeth chemically. Thirdly, from a mechanical perspective, this treat’s format and ingredients are not ﬁ rm or long lasting enough to clean a dog’s teeth physically. A dog will not chew this treat like a human will chewing gum (over an extended period), which will mean the mint scent will not spread around the mouth or last long.The ingredients contained with this treat include:■Mint – mint leaves themselves are non-toxic to dogs in small quantities. They are not particularly palatable and so dogs tend not to want to ingest them regardless. Mint essential oil is highly toxic to dogs, however, and so substitution of this ingredient with the essential oil is extremely dangerous. This Are homemade breath mints a good way to ‘cure’ a dog’s bad breath?mean the mint scent will not spread Are homemade breath mints a good way

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18 Dogs Today October 2023 may be a temptation of owners to do if they don’t have fresh mint to hand.■Parsley – as with mint, parsley is non-toxic but not palatable to dogs.■Spinach – as with parsley and mint, it is non-toxic. It is a slightly more palatable ingredient.■Natural yoghurt – natural, unsweetened, plain yoghurt is safe for dogs to consume in small quantities. In larger quantities, it may cause gastrointestinal signs, particularly diarrhoea, as it contains lactose, which dogs are intolerant to. However, yoghurt containing artiﬁcial sweeteners such as xylitol is highly toxic to dogs and so should be avoided. Again, ingredient substitution could be dangerous here.■Apple cider vinegar – a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar is considered safe for a dog to consume, but larger quantities may lead to gastrointestinal upsets. Animals with kidney disease are less capable of processing acidic substances and so their consumption should generally be avoided.WHAT CAUSES BAD BREATH?Bad dog breath is caused by the presence of bacteria due to poor dental hygiene. Dogs do not clean their teeth twice daily like humans do, and so food and other substances stick around on the surfaces of their teeth, particularly at the gumline. Combined with normal oral bacteria found in the mouths of dogs, this leads to the build-up of tartar/plaque on their teeth. This starts to affect the gumline, leading to gingivitis (gum inﬂammation and infection).The bad smell from a dog’s breath is a combination of the smell of the food they eat, bacteria and tartar/plaque formation. Simply chewing a mint treat will only mask the bad breath (if anything) not address the underlying cause.TREATING BAD BREATHThe best way to deal with a dog’s bad breath is to address the underlying cause – the build-up of tartar/plaque. It is difﬁcult to get rid of this unless the pet has a procedure called a ‘scale and polish’ under general anaesthetic at the vet’s. This is where all surfaces of the teeth (including the backs and below the gumline) are cleaned and polished to remove tartar/plaque. At the same time, a vet will probe all the teeth and the gum lines to check for abnormalities, which may indicate a tooth needs to be removed. Teeth scaling performed at a non-veterinary establishment (eg groomer’s) should be avoided. Removal of tartar/plaque in this fashion is not only uncomfortable for an animal, because there is no anaesthetic, but the teeth cannot be cleaned on all surfaces. Additionally, teeth cannot be removed during these procedures (it is illegal for teeth to be extracted by a non-veterinary surgeon), and so scaling, which may expose the roots or pulp of teeth that should be extracted, is very uncomfortable and could lead to further tooth deterioration and infections.PREVENTIVE CAREUnfortunately, tooth brushing tends to be ineffective against a heavy tartar/plaque burden, but may improve the overall gum health and is worth trying. But once the teeth have been scaled and polished under anaesthetic, regular brushing can prevent future tartar build-up.Physical tooth brushing (either with a normal or ﬁnger toothbrush and dog-speciﬁc toothpaste) is the most effective method, but dental chews (both edible and non-edible), and food and water additives can be used to a lesser effect.VET CHECKIf a dog has bad breath, seek veterinary advice. The vet will be able to look in the dog’s mouth and decide what course of action is best. They will be able to check for pathology (infection, inﬂammation, masses, foreign bodies etc), which may be the cause of the smell.It is important for owners to consider that even with severe dental disease, the majority of dogs will still be drinking, eating and not exhibiting obvious signs of pain. More subtle signs often present ﬁrst of all, such as favouring one side of the mouth when eating or chewing, excessive lip licking or wincing when opening and closing the jaw.A vet will be able to assess your dog’s mouth properly. Dental disease can have a massive impact on a dog’s quality of life, and can even lead to issues such as endocarditis (infection of the heart) and sepsis (infection of the body through blood spread), and so needs to be taken seriously. PPhoto posed by a modelQuick questionBamboodles would like to introduce you to the newest way to satisfy your dog’s inherent need to chew. The Bamboodles T-Bone is created using a bamboo and nylon mix. The natural strength of the bamboo ﬁ bre combines with the nylon ﬁ bres to create a longer-lasting, chew toy that is not only satisfying but also durable – for even the most aggressive of chewers.The amazing T design means dogs have the autonomy to use their paws and hold the bone upright, giving them ease and independence to gnaw away to their heart’s content. The raised nubs help to control plaque and tartar build-up, promoting clean teeth and healthy gums. Get a grip!ADVERTISING FEATUREDid you know that chewing is scientiﬁ cally proven to calm your dog down? These T-designed Bamboodles help your dog to hold their own chew while they blissfully gnaw away Designed to make your dog’s tail wag■Occupy your dogDiscourage destructive chewing■Care for their teethRaised nubs help to control plaque and tartar build-up, promoting clean teeth and healthy gums■Easy to useThe ‘T-bone’ shape allows your dog to hold their Bamboodle with their paws and keep it stable while chewing ■Enjoyable realistic textureMimics wood for an authentic and satisfying chew experienceyour dog’s tail wagThese cool T-Bone chews come in three sizes and three flavours (beef, chicken and peanut butter).For more information, visit www.bamboodles.co.ukor check out Bamboodles on Facebook and Instagram

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20 Dogs Today October 2023 EXPERT ADVICETV vet Dr Scott Miller, head vet for Barking Heads, explains…When you think of dogs in pop culture, you almost always see a scene in the movies where a dog is scooting, and it’s always funny, but in real life, if you spot your dog scooting, it may be a sign of a deeper issue in your dog’s digestive system or butt.IS SCOOTING BAD FOR DOGS?The action of scooting isn’t bad for dogs when it’s an isolated incident here and there, as dogs may scoot because they have an itch or some debris stuck on their bottom. But, if you start noticing your dog scooting on a regular basis over a few days, this may be a sign of a deeper issue in your dog’s gut. Too much scooting may also irritate your pup’s skin, making it sensitive and uncomfortable during examinations near their buttocks. When it comes to what causes scooting in dogs, there are many possible issues. The top causes of scooting are: ■Blocked anal glands■Worms■Itchy skin■Matted fur■Intestinal parasite■Food allergies■Urinary tract infection■Cognitive decline■An abscess in their anal gland■Furunculosis For some dogs, scooting may be a sign of a neurological issue such as anxiety. However, in most cases, dogs scoot due to anal issues (like matted fur around their butt) or blocked glands.SHOULD I TAKE MY DOG TO THE VET FOR SCOOTING?Yes, you should take your dog to the vet if you notice them scooting frequently, as they will be trying to dislodge whatever is causing them discomfort or pain, like how we would scratch a rash even though we know it is bad. Scooting is a symptom, and your vet can help you ﬁnd the cause and the right treatment. For example, if it’s caused by a stomach issue stemming from food allergies, your vet can recommend dog food that is good for sensitive tummies or has more ﬁbre in it. Or, if there is an anal gland block, your vet can tell you how to spot the signs at home so you know when to book a vet appointment to have them unblocked.Once the root problem is ﬁgured out, your dog should stop scooting and will be happier and healthier for it. But remember, one or two scoots are absolutely normal. It is only a problem worth dissecting if it becomes regular. PPhoto posed by a modelQuick questionWhy is my dog scooting his bum?VISIT THEINSURANCEEMPORIUM.CO.UK/DT99or call 03300 243 980 today!DOG INSURANCELifestyle 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.PROMO CODE:WOOF99Offer ends 31/12/2023 and is not available in conjunction with any other promo code.We have extended our range of dog insurance so you can choose a policy to suit your needs and budgetUP TO 30%DISCOUNTThe 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.

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22 Dogs Today October 2023 EXPERT ADVICEDoes it matter how you talk to your dog? Science has proven that domestic dogs are starting to listen…Have you ever wondered why we use a silly voice when talking to dogs and babies? Science now tells us we do it because it works! Dogs’ brains really do light up when we talk to them like babies. When we try to communicate to those who can’t talk (such as infants and dogs), we often use a different intonation to grab and maintain their attention. This silly baby talk is what scientists call ‘exaggerated prosody’. It’s very important for a child’s cognitive, social and language development for them to listen and learn. Studies have already shown that baby brains are tuned to our ‘baby voices’, but could dog brains also be sensitive to the way we speak to them?Scientists in Hungary used functional MRIs to looks at dogs’ brain activity when exposed to a variety of human voices. Trained, conscious family dogs listened to speech recorded by 12 women and 12 men in real-life interactions with dogs, children and adults.“Studying how dog brains process dog-directed speech is exciting, because it can help us understand how exaggerated prosody contributes to efﬁcient speech processing in a non-human species skilled at relying on different speech cues (eg, follow verbal commands),” Anna Gergely, co-ﬁrst author of the study, explained.The study revealed that the dog’s auditory brain regions responded more to the dog- and infant-directed speech, which is the ﬁrst neural evidence that dog brains are tuned to speech directed speciﬁcally at them.Speech sensitivity was more pronounced when the speakers were women and was affected by voice pitch and its variation. These results suggest that the way we speak to our dogs does matter, and that their brain is speciﬁcally sensitive to the female voice.“What makes this result particularly interesting is that in dogs, as opposed to infants, this sensitivity cannot be explained by either ancient responsiveness to conspeciﬁc signals or by intrauterine exposure to women’s voice,” explains Anna Gábor, co-ﬁrst author of the study. “Remarkably, the voice tone patterns characterising women’s dog-directed speech are not typically used in dog-dog communication — our results may thus serve evidence for a neural preference that dogs developed during their domestication.“Dog brains’ increased sensitivity to dog-directed speech spoken by women speciﬁcally may be due to the fact that women more often speak to dogs with exaggerated prosody than men.” PIllustration by Kevin BrockbankCould his master’s voice be less interesting than his mistress’s?Quick question

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24 Dogs Today October 2023 EXPERT ADVICEIt had always been assumed that domesticated animals would have smaller brains than their wild counterparts, but a new research study suggests that modern dogs are closing that gap.A new study published in the journal Evolution compares brain size in modern and ancient dog breeds. The researchers used CT images of the brains of more than 850 dogs of 159 breeds and found that the further dogs evolve away from the wolf, the larger their brain size. “We couldn’t explain this based on the tasks or life history characteristics of the breeds, so we can only speculate about the reasons,” said Enikó Kubinyi, a senior research fellow at the Department of Ethology at ELTE University in Hungary. “The domestication of dogs began approximately 25,000 years ago, but for 10,000 years, dogs and wolves did not differ in appearance. Many ancient breeds, such as sled dogs, still resemble wolves today. However, the transition to settlement, agriculture, pastoralism and the accumulation of wealth offered various tasks for dogs, requiring guard dogs, herding dogs, hunting dogs and even lap dogs. However, a signiﬁcant portion of the distinct-looking breeds known today has only emerged since the industrial revolution, primarily in the last two centuries, as dog breeding has become a kind of hobby.“The results show that the breeding of modern dog breeds has been accompanied by an increase in brain size compared to ancient breeds. Perhaps the more complex social environment, urbanization, and adaptation to more rules and expectations have caused this change, affecting all modern breeds.”The study concluded that functional category, skull shape, longevity, and litter size all had no association with relative brain size.”These ﬁndings are supported by research indicating that ancient breeds known for their independence were much less attentive to human cues and barked less compared to modern breeds. PIllustration by Kevin BrockbankAre dogs getting brainier?Quick questionwww.ambrosiapetfood.co.ukAvailable now on amazon.co.ukRated★★★★★Combining two protein sources coming from high quality fresh meat and ﬁ sh, AMBROSIA oﬀ ers a holistic, hypoallergenic, grain-free formula packed with wholesome ingredients, including real fruits, vegetables and herbs, providing a delicious and nutritious meal for your pet, making it worthy of its divine name.Hypoallergenic grain-free formula for enhanced digestion and reduced food sensitivitiesAdded prebiotics, probiotics and clay minerals for optimal digestion and a balanced gut microbiomeChondroitin & glucosamine for joint health and taurine and L-carnitine for a healthy heart and overall vitality

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26 Dogs Today October 2023 EXPERT ADVICEScientists from the University of Lincoln, the University of Sussex, the University of Saint-Etienne, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock have conducted research that shows that a women’s vocal pitch increases when addressing dogs who have larger eyes.The paper, ‘The Puss in Boots Effect: Dog Eye Size Inﬂuences Pet-directed Speech in Women’, conﬁrms that pet-directed speech (PDS) is consistent with previous research that showed we respond differently to dogs that look like puppies. They call it the phenomenon of neoteny, the retention of juvenile features in adult mammals. Their research found that dogs with larger eyes tended to elicit an increase in the pitch range of women’s voices.The team conducted a speech test with 21 men and 24 women to assess the pitch used when addressing images of dogs whose eye sizes had been manipulated to increase or decrease from their breed baseline. More than 400 people were also asked to rate the sex, age and ‘cuteness’ of the images in an online survey.The researchers conﬁrmed that large eye size induced pet-directed speech in women but not men. The women also rated dogs with a 30 per cent larger eye size as younger than dogs with apparently smaller eyes.Holly Root-Gutteridge, postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Lincoln, said, “The research tells us a new fact about how men and women respond differently to ‘cuteness’, even at an unconscious level, as men responded less to the changes in eye size than women.“It also conﬁrms that as humans, we do respond more to the perceived youthfulness of animals.”Jemma Forman, doctoral researcher at the University of Sussex, said, “Women increase the range of their voices when viewing bigger eye sizes. Conversely, when the eye size becomes too big and looks out of place, an ’uncanny valley’ effect takes over in which the dogs become overall less pleasant and more unsettling to view.“Therefore, women speak with a less exaggerated vocal range to the dogs with large, uncanny eye sizes. This effect is more obvious in breeds such as the Pug or Pomeranian, breeds of dog who already have relatively large eyes for their head size.”Raffaela Lesch, assistant professor in zoology and bioacoustics at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, said, “When analysing the acoustic data of all participants, it was impressive to discover how strongly certain participants modulated their voices.“During interactions with dogs, we can’t really help it, but use this very speciﬁc type of speech and it is very similar to the type of speech we use around little kids.”Katarzyna Pisanski, researcher at the French National Centre for Scientiﬁc Research (CNRS), said, “Our voices are like social tools. Humans have an incredible capacity to control our voices voluntarily, which we often use to our advantage by modulating the way we speak in various social contexts, including when talking to kids or pets.“This ability for vocal control is likely to confer various social and even reproductive beneﬁts, and thus may have been favoured by selection in our evolutionary past.” PPhoto posed by a modelWhat big eyes you have!Quick questionWoofz Even the most experienced dog owners should keep their dogs mentally challenged – and the Woofz app can guide and inspire youAs a dog ages, it becomes increasingly important to train it and keep it busy with new tricks. Woofz, a must-have app for any dog lover, is a perfect solution and is recommended by leading dog behaviourists, such as Annie-Mae Levy, a dog behaviour expert at Woofz, who has trained thousands of dogs with behavioural problems, ranging from aggression to severe separation anxiety.“Woofz’ main goal is to create a joyful experience that fosters a stronger and healthier relationship between owner and the pooch. All training in the Woofz app is based on positive reinforcement and aligned with LIMA principles. Not only does it aim to givee help and support to build stronger bonds between you and your pet pooch, but it also provides a wide variety of 70+ training lessons and activities,” says Levy.The courses available from the Woofz team employ clear, user-friendly language, covering topics such as adopting a dog, teaching toilet training and managing transportation logistics. Considering the fact that raising Spitz dogs and German Shepherd Dogs requires different methods, Woofz places considerable emphasis on personalised content. The Woofz team strives to facilitate a successful nurturing process for both pet and owner – all breeds and temperaments are welcome.AdvertorialTo ﬁ nd out more, visit www.woofz.com or scan the QR CodeNatural, Healthy, HappyYOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!We are raw dog food suppliers who have a real passion for what we do. Our aim is to help you understand the proven benefits of feeding a SARF – Species Appropriate Raw FoodTM diet – the appropriate raw food for dogs, rather than commercial synthetic human made biscuit/tinned “foods”. A SARF diet will ensure that everything consumed in the form of food will assimilate into the body at a cellular level and the waste created from processing will be eliminated efficiently, this means it doesn’t back up in the body leading to inflammation and ultimately disease – dis-ease of function or motion. The natural result of this is, of course, a reduction in vet visits as well as bills.With a SARF diet, you can essentially remove the chance of a negative impact on health by understanding the root cause of issues such as arthritis, lack of energy, allergies, skin conditions, dull coats, bad breath, smelly dogs and more. Feeding your pet a SARF diet and when done correctly will be beneficial for both their physical and mental health.www.sure4pets.ukJOIN OUR SARF COMMUNITYFree advice, guidance & support available for all our regular customersAlpha Canine Health (ACH) has evolved from sure4pets knowledge and experience of the benefits of feeding a SARF – Species Appropriate Raw Food diet™. The whole purpose of ACH is to benefit both you and your dog through education and healing enabling your dog to live a long and healthy life. There are a number of key areas that ACH aims to help:#1 Is to help you treat health conditions using the most natural approach possible - the Canine Bio-mineral Balance™ – dealing with the issue at the root as opposed to just treating the symptoms. #2 Is to provide you with the knowledge that will help you truly understand the meaning of the phrase “we are what we eat” whereby using and following the Canine Bio-mineral Balance™ you are able to feed the correct food in the correct amount – and nothing else.ACH will help you truly understand your dog as a species by showing you the difference between the raw diet and sure4pets SARF – Species Appropriate Raw Food diet™. In conjunction with this you will gain a deep insight into the causes of disease and how to prevent it. Prevention is, of course, better than cure.The Canine Bio-mineral balance™ is a totally natural dietary approach that works with the body at the cellular level and when dealing with disease in particular, it applies an Intra-cellular Chelation™, alongside an Intra-cellular Revitalising™ process which allows the body to use its own innate healing ability, fundamentally allowing the body to first eliminate the cause of the problem followed by assisting in the regeneration. The result is function with ease rather than dis-ease. To book a consultation that will help you understand the root cause of disease as well as introduce an approach that allows us to work with your dog’s body cleansing and revitalising at the cellular level helping to bringing health and vitality back, please contact Alpha Canine Health.Email: enquiries@alphacaninehealth.comTel: 07908 090892 His body was close to giving up when all it was screaming for was to stop having the meds from the vets and to allow his body to heal with natural remedies. Before anyone allows their pet to get to this stage please just see this man and get some advice! He truly knows his stuff. THANK YOU!“AfterBefore

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WHAT IS CROPPING? Ear cropping is the cutting of the external ﬂaps of dogs’ ears. In the US, it is done during puppyhood at about eight to 12 weeks old while the ear cartilage is not fully developed, and normally performed under anaesthesia by licensed veterinarians. It is not uncommon for people to crop their dogs’ ears at home themselves, sometimes not using professional tools or anaesthetics. In 2020, Amazon was still selling “bully breed at-home ear cropping kits”, until a petition pressured them to remove the kits from their listings. Still, it’s very easy to ﬁnd online guides and still buy those kits, and people have reportedly used knives or scissors to perform the ablation. The top search result I found while googling this issue, instructed, among other steps: “Use the scalpel or kitchen knife and carefully trim the ‘unwanted’ part of the ear. Hold the ear with the forceps during the procedure.” One of the common reasons people crop their dogs’ ears is because they are under the impression that it will prevent ear infections. This has not sing the artiﬁcial intelligence system Dall-E2, I prompted AI to rebuild some of my models’ ears. All the dogs featured in these photographs are rescue dogs who came to the shelter with their ears cropped. It is unknown what motivated the original owners to crop their dogs’ ears in the ﬁrst place. Using my photographs, I erased the area where the ears should have been, then prompted AI to add ‘dog ears’ in the empty area. I let AI work on the images with as little interference as possible. I wanted to see what the algorithm thought dog ears should look like. Words & photos SOPHIE GAMAND (www.sophiegamand.com)28 Dogs Today October 2023Lend me your earsEar cropping is illegal in the UK, though it is still performed by some unscrupulous breeders. Elsewhere in the world, cropping is common; in fact, it’s estimated that 130,000 puppies are cropped each year in the United States. Award-winning photographer Sophie Gamand, based in New York, used AI to give shelter dogs back their ears – and the results are stunning... Ubeen proven. More often than not, ear infections are linked to environment, hygiene, allergies or even genetic predispositions, and have little/nothing to do with the ﬂaps of the ear. Poodles and Cocker Spaniels appear to be the most prone to ear infections, yet they are not traditionally cropped. And though some attribute the infections to these breeds’ heavy, hairy ears, studies have found ear infections in Cocker Spaniels are likely linked to genetic traits. Another argument is to prevent ear injury, particularly with working dogs. But this argument seems weak considering most working dogs have intact ears, and injuries, though they do happen, are fairly uncommon. Moreover, most dogs today are pets and not working dogs. Ear cropping is often done on so-called guarding breeds purely for looks. The idea is to give a menacing ‘erect’ look to the dog. It is rooted in traditions of blood sports such as bull-baiting and bear-baiting. There are various types of crops: the long crop, the show crop, the short crop and the shortest one called the battle crop, where the ears are cropped very close to the skull, which can lead to serious health issues. The battle crop is routinely seen on dogs who end up in rescue. The ear canals are exposed to the elements and debris, and these dogs may suffer ear infections because of this.VETERINARY OPINIONUnless done for rare medical reasons, vets around the world agree that ear cropping is an unnecessary procedure, done for cosmetic reasons, which can lead to short- and long-term problems for the dog. An increasing number of vets are now refusing to perform the procedure when it is not medically justiﬁed. Ear cropping is banned in many countries where it is considered an act of cruelty. Most of Europe, the UK, Scandinavian countries, Australia, New Zealand and parts of Canada have banned the procedure already. In North America, the practice is legal and still very common, despite organisations like the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) clearly opposing it. BREED STANDARDSIn the United States, breeders and dog owners continue to cut off their puppies’ ears, sometimes following breed standards but not always. For example, the Staffordshire Terrier or Cane Corso breed standards (two breeds that are often cropped) do not call for cropped ears, and leave the option up to the breeder. But the Dobermann’s breed standards does call for cropped ears. Although cropping is not always prescribed by breed standards, it is recognised by breeders as an important trait of many breeds. The American Kennel Club’s position on the matter is unequivocal. “The American Kennel Club recognises that ear cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal, as described in certain breed standards, are acceptable practices integral to deﬁning and preserving breed character and/or enhancing good health.” It continues, “Mislabelling these procedures as ‘cosmetic’ is a severe mischaracterisation that connotes a lack of respect and knowledge of history and the function of purebred dogs.” EXCUSES, EXCUSESBreeders’ main argument – similar to the one used to defend tail docking – is that some breeds have had their ears cropped for centuries or decades, and therefore we must continue (“preserve”) the tradition/look. This, they ﬁnd, is particularly important for breeds viewed as working or guarding breeds. They fail to acknowledge that most dogs are not working dogs, but rather pets living safe, comfortable lives in their owner’s home. Another surprising argument I have heard when speaking with breeders who crop their dogs’ ears, is that the ancestor of the dog we know today, tens of thousands of years ago, had erect ears, and that ﬂoppy ears are not natural, and only happen through domestication. Therefore, cropping ears is akin to reverting to a more natural look for dogs. They fail to consider that there is a major difference between a dog born with erect ears, and for which nature will have likely provided

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thick hair or other natural barriers protecting the ear canal, and dogs born with ﬂoppy ears that are now removed surgically, exposing the ear canal to rain, debris and other things. There is a major difference between slow, natural evolution, and hasty surgery/artiﬁcial selection.RISKS TO THE DOGEar cropping, like any surgery, can go awfully wrong. Recovery can be particularly tricky and traumatic and can take months. The ﬁnal shape of the ears is not guaranteed. The AVMA lists several types of medical/welfare risks for the procedure itself, including the anaesthesia risks, post-operative care, and potential complications. Beyond the surgery, dogs may suffer long-term effects. Even if the puppy recovers well from the gruesome surgery and post-operative care, they might still experience lifelong issues, some of which we might not be fully aware of. For all we know, it is possible dogs suffer from phantom pain as well. Some owners have noticed their dogs being more sensitive to the cold or the wind, for example. This isn’t a far-fetched idea, given that the tip of the ear is now a permanent, probably sensitive scar.Perhaps the cruellest aspect of ear cropping is that it robs dogs of one of their most important communication tools. Dogs need their ears – ﬂaps included if they are born with them – for a variety of reasons. The ﬂaps help gather more information: moving their ears in the direction of a sound, using the 18 muscles that dogs have in their ears, dogs capture more information and use their ﬂaps to funnel sounds into the ear canal. Dogs also use their ears and ﬂaps to emote and communicate with other dogs, and with humans. With their ears, dogs communicate whether they are nervous, alert, relaxed, reactive... It’s an important tool for them to express appeasement, for example. They will ﬂatten their ears backward, tight against their head, to signal to others that they wish to de-escalate a stressful situation, or tell the other guy, “Hey, I am a friend and want no trouble!” This motion is impossible if the ears are cropped, especially if they’ve been healed in an erect position. An erect ear might actually signal the wrong message to other dogs.Dogs use their ears to signal to others what their feelings or intentions might be. Dogs today do not live like their ancestors did. Many dogs have intricate and complex social lives, meeting dogs during their walks and at the dog park, living in humans’ homes and having to contend with children, and more. Robbing dogs of their ears as a communication tool could lead them to feel powerless, and perhaps more inclined to escalate behaviour when their attempts at expressing themselves more peacefully and subtly are ignored. Cropping ears is a bit akin to tying someone’s hands behind their back and making them approach someone in silence. The other person might grow increasingly nervous, not knowing what intentions are at play. PTo see the full gallery of Sophie’s ear construction images, visit www.sophiegamand.com/ai- ear-reconstruction30 Dogs Today October 2023Blinx (now Peanut) was rescued in New York. Before he came to the rescue, his previous owner had Peanut’s ears cropped very short, for reasons unknown. His adopter, Heather, notices that Peanut gets a lot of ear infections, which could be linked to his allergies, but especially after water may have gotten into them, like on a rainy day. The scars where the ear ﬂaps used to be are very sensitive and can bleed when Peanut scratches them too hard. “I also wonder sometimes if he has difﬁculty with sound location. There are times when he perks up at a sound but looks in what is obviously the wrong direction, or looks around. When I saw the ear reconstruction, I found myself suddenly, unexpectedly in tears! It compounded my existing sadness about Peanut’s ears. I often think about them and imagine what could have been.”The #FlopNotCrop campaign ﬁghts to close the loopholes where ear-cropped dogs can be imported from abroad and sold – loopholes that act as a smokescreen for those illegally cropping in UK. The petition successfully reached over 100,000 signatures, sparking a debate in Westminster in June 2021. It subsequently made it into the ill-fated Kept Animals Bill, which was unceremoniously dropped by the government in June this year.Thankfully, we haven’t had long to wait before it was revived – included in a bill dealing with puppy smuggling.Dogs Trust explains, “We’re delighted that yesterday a bill was introduced to parliament which will take vital steps towards ending the cruel puppy smuggling trade. Thank you to our all our supporters for campaigning with us on this issue and Elliot Colburn MP and all the MPs involved in bringing the bill forward. We couldn’t have done this without you. “The bill will ban the import of puppies under six months, pregnant dogs in speciﬁc circumstances and dogs with cropped ears and docked tails. These are issues we have been campaigning tirelessly for over the past decade, and we’re excited to see how the bill will help so many pups in future.”#FLOPNOTCROP

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When we bring home a new four-legged family member, there is much excitement and hope for the future. New food bowls, toys, beds and name tags are ready and waiting. As pet guardians, we want to push the idea of illness, disease, injury or old age as far away from our thoughts as possible. We want to believe that our pets will defy the odds and live forever, that they are impervious to pain or ill fate and that they will be the exception to the rule. I know I do. Sometimes, even the thought of losing my dogs makes me want to burst into tears.The reality, however, is that we and our pets are susceptible to ageing and the injustice of injury or disease. For most of us, there will be one or two unexpected vet visits throughout the lifetime of our beloved pets that will result in either veterinary hospital stays or a few days of medication and rest at home. These periods of illness or injury can cause stress for the animal and us as guardians. Thankfully, most of these periods result in full recovery, and we all return to our daily routines. Unfortunately, not all situations are resolved as quickly. In a horrible twist of fate, our precious pets may be diagnosed with a disease or illness that will eventually result in declining health and quality of life. In these situations, it is difﬁcult for us to comprehend the possibility of losing our pets because they are not just animals but our companions, best friends, and the epitome of unconditional love. For some, they are the only family left in the world or the reason we get out of bed because we know we must feed and walk them. As pets age, we start doing things to slow the clock. We feed senior foods, add joint powder to meals, provide pain medication for stiff bodies, buy orthopaedic beds, etc. We never want to cause unnecessary suffering for our pets; however, letting them go can be too much to bear because we cannot imagine a world without them. But when is prolonged treatment detrimental to our pet’s quality of life? When does 32 Dogs Today October 2023Illustration by Kevin BrockbankThe Unavoidable InevitabilityCaring for your much-loved companion to the end and ensuring a digniﬁed death is the ﬁnal act of love. But how do you know when it’s time to say goodbye? Words CHRISTINA MILNEour effort to slow down the clock start clouding our ability to see our pet’s pain or discomfort? How do we know when humane euthanasia is our precious pet’s best and last step?Not a single pet guardian looks forward to the day they realise their spirited pet can no longer live the life we know they used to. It is agonising to accept the idea of letting our pets go. For this reason, there are tools available that make these inconceivable decisions less distressing for us. Dr Alice Villalobos developed a tool that guardians can use to track their pet’s quality of life. This tangible tool can be used with the treating vet to adjust or change medication, assist in mapping the progression of symptoms if illness-related, and, when necessary, help us make the tough decision of humane euthanasia when it is necessary. The HHHHHMM Scale is an easy-to-use table that gives the power back to guardians by enabling them to score the daily quality of life their pets have based on the most basic daily tasks their pet should be able to accomplish in 24 hours. The score for each section is out of 10, with 0 being the lowest score and 10 being the highest. Any score from 35 upwards indicates an adequate quality of life score. A lower than 35 score indicates a negative quality of life. At this point, the complex discussions must start happening, as difﬁcult and heart-wrenching as they may be.HHHHHMM STANDS FOR: ■Hurt: 0-10 This accounts for any pain the pet may be in, whether muscular, skeletal or neurological. Breathing is also included in this section. Most guardians forget that the inability to breathe correctly can cause a pet extreme pain.■Hunger: 0-10If the pet is not receiving the correct amount of nutrition, the body will start to deteriorate quickly. Malnutrition can accelerate illness or disease. Pets that are not eating need to be seen by a vet as soon as possible. Is the animal receiving adequate nutrition daily? Either through eating normally or by a feeding tube?■Hydration: 0-10As a survival instinct, all animals seek out water. Ailing or ageing pets may forget that they have yet to have water or need more energy to seek it out. Subcutaneous ﬂuids may be needed as a top-up method to keep the pet adequately hydrated.Is the animal receiving enough hydration in a day?■Hygiene: 0-10Pets should be cleaning themselves a few times a day, especially cats. The pet should be able to clean themselves after urinating or defecating. If they have wounds, they must be clean with no infection. If there is an infection, it must be treated with antibiotics from the treating vet. Is the coat matted or dirty? Can the guardian brush out the coat without causing pain or discomfort? If the pet is immobile, is it being kept out of its waste to the best of the owner’s ability?■Happiness: 0-10Does the animal express happiness? Do they respond to items that previously brought joy (toys, guardians, food time)? Is the animal depressed, anxious, or displaying isolated behaviour more than before?■Mobility: 0-10Can the animal get up with little to no assistance? Can they climb stairs they usually could without assistance? Can the animal go for walks in the garden or out into the world? Are they able to support their body weight when they walk?■More good days than bad: 0-10The saying “nobody knows your pet better than you do” strongly applies here. When there are more bad days than good days, the animal’s quality of life is compromised, and it is important to be honest with yourself. Is the animal in front of you today the same animal you saw six days, one week or three months ago?Once an animal’s quality of life is no longer favourable, and the decision to euthanise has been advised or suggested, how does a pet guardian prepare? There are a few points to keep in mind when preparing for euthanasia. PREPARING THE FAMILY■Give all family members the opportunity to say goodbye. Some parents feel it is better to omit the truth of euthanasia. However, it is important that children get to say goodbye to their pets to allow them to process the loss. ■Give all those who wish an opportunity to spend some alone time with their pet. This allows them time to say the things they may be too ashamed to say aloud. >CHRISTINA MILNE Christina Milne is a MHERA-qualiﬁed, force-free behaviour consultant in Pretoria, South Africa. Christina has a Diploma in Animal Behaviour from Coape and a Certiﬁcate in Companion Animal Nutrition. Working primarily with dogs, Christina works on a wide variety of behavioural challenges that pet guardians face. She has many years of experience in the veterinary industry, which has given her exposure to all aspects of pet care. With a soft spot for the golden oldies, she has found a passion for helping guardians manage older pets and has been expanding her knowledge on palliative care for ill or ageing pets.October 2023 Dogs Today 33

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34Dogs Today October 2023■If available, arrange a photo shoot with those who wish to be present to preserve the good memories with the pet.■If not known, discuss the process of euthanasia and answer as many questions as possible.PREPARING YOURSELF ■Allow yourself time to grieve, even if the pet is still with you. ■Decide if you would like to have the euthanasia at home or at your vet’s clinic. Once you have decided, set up the appointment.■Decide what you would like to do with your pet’s remains. Would you like them cremated and returned to you? Would you like the ashes returned in a particular manner? Discuss this with your vet to see what options are available.■Write down your wishes and either hand them to the person who will be with you or email them to the vet beforehand to avoid these uncomfortable discussions during euthanasia.■Write your pet a letter. You can put anything you would like in the letter. You do not need to read it to anyone; however, this may help you later in the grieving process. Sometimes, we need to remind ourselves why we made the decisions we made.WHAT TO DO AFTER YOU SAY GOODBYE■Even though it seems obvious, allow yourself time to grieve. Sometimes, people feel shame or judgement for their emotions related to the loss of their pet. It is important to remember there is no right or wrong way to grieve.■Having plans in place will make it easier for you to reintegrate yourself into a social setting. Set up plans beforehand with friends and family for a few days after the euthanasia. By doing this in advance, people will be aware of your situation, can help you grieve and will be more sensitive to your needs.■Join support groups on Facebook if you need to speak to people who understand, or contact a bereavement counsellor to assist you.■Do not feel pressured to replace your pet before you are ready. The grieving process can take weeks, months or years. You are entirely in control of your process.SUPPORTING OTHERSWhat if you have not lost an animal, but someone you know has. DO ■Express your sympathies to the guardian. ■Offer to assist them with mundane tasks to alleviate the Coape International’s Karin Pienaar takes the baton from longtime contributor Peter Neville, to present training and behaviour features on all aspects of living with dogs. KARIN PIENAARCoape International PartnerDipCABT (Coape) OCN, CertCAB, CAPBT Practitioner, ICAN Member, CABKarin has worked in animal behaviour therapy since 1997. After more than 20 years of consulting with dog and cat owners, Karin now focuses mainly on managing Coape International (www.coape.org), presenting the Coape Diploma and mentoring students. Karin is also responsible for course advancement and developed the industry-changing MHERA™ concept. Her book, MHERA: Mood Matters, is available in both paperback and e-book format from DogWise Publishers and is a must-read for anyone working in the industry. Karin is the behaviour consultant to numerous pet companies, such as Eukanuba and Ascendis Animal Health, and is a regular contributor to several local and international magazines, as well as appearing on television and radio when time allows. She is often a guest speaker at behaviour-related events and conferences. When she has time to spare, she consults on particularly challenging cases and as an expert witness in legal cases involving animal behaviour.

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36 Dogs Today October 2023was needed. Sometimes, this can be misinterpreted by the guardian, making them feel more guilty. As a spouse, friend or family member, the best thing you can do for a grieving guardian is to simply ask what they need. Sometimes, the guardian will give you an answer; other times, they may not be able to organise their thoughts long enough to respond. And that is ﬁne. You are there in the capacity that the guardian needs you to be, even if that is someone who simply makes tea and hands them tissues. Losing a pet can be an extremely emotionally charged time for a guardian and can cause friction between families, spouses, friends or even work colleagues. It is important to remember that grief is a process, and no one can predict how the road to healing will be paved. Still, we must make an effort to deal with the loss, or it could escalate into complicated grief, which will require professional psychological assistance. If you or someone you know is struggling with extreme grief, ask for help. There is no shame in seeking out support for the loss of a pet. Contact a grief hotline in your country, ﬁnd a grief counsellor in your area or join a Facebook group for pet bereavement. It is important to remember that you are not alone, and there are always people who can help.It is normal to feel guilt, anger and sometimes shame about the decision to let your pet go; however, it should be seen as an act of love by making the decision for them that they cannot make for themselves. Remind yourself that you are releasing them from pain and suffering. Ppressures of life following the death of their pet.■Ask if they want company, even if it involves sitting on the couch in silence.■Offer to fetch their pet’s ashes from the vet if needed. Sometimes, collecting ashes, collars or blankets from the vet after losing a pet can be too difﬁcult for the guardian to do themselves.■Call or text the guardian. A simple text to a grieving guardian can remind them that they are not alone.DON’T■Don’t say, “It was just an animal; you can get another one” or “I know exactly what you are going through”.■Offer to replace the lost animal with another unless the guardian has indicated they are ready to do that themselves.■Don’t force them to talk about the loss of their animal if they have expressed that they are not ready to do so. ■Remind the owner why euthanasia Purrfects Dog Walking Bag The Purrfects Dog Walking Bag combines style and function to make stufﬁng your pockets on walks a thing of the past.The poop bag dispenser ensures you always have a bag handy and the detachable treat bag keeps treats close at hand, plus there are plenty of pockets for your phone and anything else you might need for your walks.www.purrfects.com contactus@purrfects.comThe Rosevine Hotel Staying with us is like staying at a home from home. This big house by the sea welcomes you and your family, even your furry friends! The beach is just a stone’s throw away. You can wander on the sand and dip your toes in the water, or tie up those walking boots and have a long walk across the coastal path – the trail provides some stunning views and green open space for your pooch. Then return to the Rosevine, put your feet up with a G&T and warm up in front of the ﬁre.01872 580206 www.rosevine.co.uk Best Behaviour Online Best Behaviour School For Dogs is Kent’s leading and most qualiﬁed dog behaviour company. We have been successfully growing over the last 20 years and have gained full membership to the CFBA, the most elite organisation for behaviourists in the UK. Pippa and her highly professional team, Megan and Vix, are now excited to be expanding their business to support dog owners in the form of online videos. Best Behaviour Online tailors videos to the needs of our customers, resolving all dog behavioural issues, from puppy training to more complex conditions, such as aggression and separation anxiety.www.bestbehaviour schoolfordogs.co.uk/ online-dog-trainingSix of the bestOutdoors & AdventuresSoar Mill Cove HotelHere at the cove, pooches are always assured of the friendliest welcome. You only have to ask our residents Mr Biscuits and Daisy to know that is a bona-ﬁdo fact…So, if you are looking for a pet-friendly location that deﬁnitely has the bow-wow factor, you’ve come to the right place.We have a pooch-friendly dining area, pet shower, treats waiting in the room, acres of beautiful National Trust coastline to explore and our own sandy beach only a quick scamper down the hill. It’s deﬁnitely a dog’s life at Soar Mill Cove.01548 561566 www.soarmillcove.co.ukOctober 2023 Dogs Today 37 Designs on Dogs If you love outdoor adventures with your dog, then drying coats and ﬂeeces are essential accessories. These innovative products are designed to ensure your dog stays warm and dry after a wet and muddy excursion.Drying coats ﬁt snugly around your dog’s body, covering the torso and extending to cover the neck and ears. They are highly absorbent, soaking up moisture from your dog’s fur, and minimise the amount of dirt your dog brings into your car or home.A dog ﬂeece is another fantastic accessory. Warm, moisture-wicking and quick-drying, ﬂeece really is a wonder fabric. www.designsondogs.co.ukUltimate Outdoor Accessory The Ruffwear Powder Hound is a hybrid dog coat that offers the warmth of synthetic insulation with the range of motion of technical stretch fabric. This weather-resistant and insulated jacket is ideal for cold-weather activities. Ruffwear’s Powder Hound Jacket comes with recycled 250g of high-loft polyester insulation, providing warmth to your dog without weighing them down. The reﬂective trim ensures that you can keep track of them during twilight walks. Find your four-legged friend a Ruffwear coat and many other outdoor accessories at Purrfectly Yappy.www.purrfectlyyappy.com

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Purrfects Dog Walking Bag The Purrfects Dog Walking Bag combines style and function to make stufﬁng your pockets on walks a thing of the past.The poop bag dispenser ensures you always have a bag handy and the detachable treat bag keeps treats close at hand, plus there are plenty of pockets for your phone and anything else you might need for your walks.www.purrfects.com contactus@purrfects.comThe Rosevine Hotel Staying with us is like staying at a home from home. This big house by the sea welcomes you and your family, even your furry friends! The beach is just a stone’s throw away. You can wander on the sand and dip your toes in the water, or tie up those walking boots and have a long walk across the coastal path – the trail provides some stunning views and green open space for your pooch. Then return to the Rosevine, put your feet up with a G&T and warm up in front of the ﬁre.01872 580206 www.rosevine.co.uk Best Behaviour Online Best Behaviour School For Dogs is Kent’s leading and most qualiﬁed dog behaviour company. We have been successfully growing over the last 20 years and have gained full membership to the CFBA, the most elite organisation for behaviourists in the UK. Pippa and her highly professional team, Megan and Vix, are now excited to be expanding their business to support dog owners in the form of online videos. Best Behaviour Online tailors videos to the needs of our customers, resolving all dog behavioural issues, from puppy training to more complex conditions, such as aggression and separation anxiety.www.bestbehaviour schoolfordogs.co.uk/ online-dog-trainingSix of the bestOutdoors & AdventuresSoar Mill Cove HotelHere at the cove, pooches are always assured of the friendliest welcome. You only have to ask our residents Mr Biscuits and Daisy to know that is a bona-ﬁdo fact…So, if you are looking for a pet-friendly location that deﬁnitely has the bow-wow factor, you’ve come to the right place.We have a pooch-friendly dining area, pet shower, treats waiting in the room, acres of beautiful National Trust coastline to explore and our own sandy beach only a quick scamper down the hill. It’s deﬁnitely a dog’s life at Soar Mill Cove.01548 561566 www.soarmillcove.co.ukOctober 2023 Dogs Today 37 Designs on Dogs If you love outdoor adventures with your dog, then drying coats and ﬂeeces are essential accessories. These innovative products are designed to ensure your dog stays warm and dry after a wet and muddy excursion.Drying coats ﬁt snugly around your dog’s body, covering the torso and extending to cover the neck and ears. They are highly absorbent, soaking up moisture from your dog’s fur, and minimise the amount of dirt your dog brings into your car or home.A dog ﬂeece is another fantastic accessory. Warm, moisture-wicking and quick-drying, ﬂeece really is a wonder fabric. www.designsondogs.co.ukUltimate Outdoor Accessory The Ruffwear Powder Hound is a hybrid dog coat that offers the warmth of synthetic insulation with the range of motion of technical stretch fabric. This weather-resistant and insulated jacket is ideal for cold-weather activities. Ruffwear’s Powder Hound Jacket comes with recycled 250g of high-loft polyester insulation, providing warmth to your dog without weighing them down. The reﬂective trim ensures that you can keep track of them during twilight walks. Find your four-legged friend a Ruffwear coat and many other outdoor accessories at Purrfectly Yappy.www.purrfectlyyappy.com

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38 Dogs Today October 2023 have been an animal lover all my life, but possibly especially dogs,” said Cliff. “There is nothing quite like a dog because they are all such amazing and different characters. I have had a number of dogs over the years and every one of them has meant so much. Those that have gone have never been forgotten.“I think they have all been special for different reasons. Some have been simply a lot of fun, comedians in many ways, while others have been there for me at times when I have been a bit low. We all get those times and is there anything better than having a dog around to be your closest friend at a time of need?”It is hard to think of Sir Cliff ever being low because he seems always to have been so successful since he ﬁrst appeared on the music scene in the late 1950s and had such a huge hit with Move It.“I sometimes look back over the years and I still cannot believe it,” he said. “One minute I was in a skifﬂe group and the next minute I was in a recording studio. A few minutes later, here we are in 2023 and I am still performing, still recording and just having a wonderful life.”It was not quite so wonderful a few years ago when he was being accused of all sorts of things, but bravely Sir Cliff did not hide in the shadows: he came out ﬁghting to clear his name and strike a blow for others falsely accused.“I have always hated injustice of any sort,” he said. “As with others in the public eye who have been falsely accused, I went through the mill. It was a dreadful situation and you feel like you have fallen or been pushed into a hole you can’t get out of. It is bewildering because you can’t help wondering why.“I was both upset and disappointed to ﬁnd that people can tell a lie about an innocent person. Then when some say that ‘there is no smoke without ﬁre’, that can make it worse. It is a very stupid but damaging saying.UPS & DOWNS“Meanwhile, life goes on and I am so grateful to all those very many people who stuck by me during those bad times and are still with me, celebrating the good times again.”That was one of the low periods that Cliff was mentioning when he said how dogs can see you through the bad times.“I have had different dogs over the years, both here at home and in my home in Portugal,” he said. “I think “IPeter Pan of pupThe legend that is Sir Cliff Richard needs no introduction. Throughout seven decades in the public eye, he’s had sell-out shows all over the world and countless albums that have been enjoyed by millions. And dogs have been beside him every step of the way… October 2023 Dogs Today39that a dog becomes part of the family very quickly and as well as being great fun and great companions, they also regard the house as theirs and will protect it no matter what.“There have been times when dog travel was restricted and that was difﬁ cult because in my career I have spent a lot of time travelling and touring and miss them being there when they have had to stay home. You feel like you ought to be phoning home to talk to them.“Another thing about dogs is how they have this great ability to look so cute and understanding one minute and then if you are late with dinner, they can be so accusing, not to mention ferocious if someone makes them cross. Just like humans, I suppose.”There is another advantage of having a dog around, according to Sir Cliff.“I still work on my ﬁ tness and dogs can be wonderful for that because they demand walks and play and you can ﬁ nd yourself walking miles without even realising it,” he said. “I still like a gentle game of tennis although I am, as always, better at watching it than playing it. I think that applies to all sports really. I have always been into music more than sport, although I like to watch football. I used to go and watch Leyton Orient some years ago. I have been to the races quite a number of times, but I still don’t know much about it. Having said that, not long ago I went to the races at Chester and actually had some winnings from my bets – I won a whole ﬁ ver!ROCK’N’ROLLOVERS“As for exercise and diets, I have tried many of them at some stage but really simply watching what you eat, how much you eat and making sure you get some exercise holds the key to a balance. It is no use getting obsessed by diets and things; you just put pressure on yourself and then you want comfort food! Even that can be helped by dogs because if you give in to comfort food, they will help by eating at least half of it for you!””Sir Cliff’s humility always shines through and he does not congratulate himself on his success.“I’ve always felt that I was fortunate to have been born into a genuine era of change in music – we seemed to jump from Frank Sinatra to Elvis and Chuck overnight – and even though Elvis, as a solo singer, was my inspiration, Chuck was the man with the guitar and the lyrics that gave life and meaning to the new wave that will always be referred to as rock’n’roll.“When I started to make my ﬁ rst TV appearances, there was a danger that I was going to be branded ‘the British Elvis’, so I shaved off my sideburns, following the advice of the wonderful Jack Good. I have always tried to listen to advice and I am grateful to all those many people who have helped me along the way.“I think all of us have someone or something to be grateful for and may I suggest that we include dogs in that. They are our friends, but also think of all those wonderful dogs in police forces, military forces, guiding blind people, being the ears of those who are deaf, comforting those who need some kind of therapy and just being there whenever any of us need them.” PWords BERNARD BALE“T h e r e h a v e b e e n t i m e s w h e n d o g t r a v e l w a s r e s t r i c t e d a n d t h a t w a s d i f ﬁ c u l t b e c a u s e i n m y c a r e e r I h a v e s p e n t a l o t o f t i m e t r a v e l l i n g a n d t o u r i n g a n d m i s s t h e m b e i n g t h e r e w h e n t h e y h a v e h a d t o s t a y h o m e . Y o u f e e l l i k e y o u o u g h t t o b e p h o n i n g h o m e t o t a l k t o t h e m ”

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Words BERNARD BALE There have been times when dog travel was restricted and that was difficult because in my career I have spent a lot of time travelling and touring and miss them being there when they have had to stay home You feel like you ought to be phoning home to talk to them that a dog becomes part of the family very quickly and as well as being great fun and great companions they also regard the house as theirs and will protect it no matter what There have been times when dog travel was restricted and that was difficult because in my career I have spent a lot of time travelling and touring and miss them being there when they have had to stay home You feel like you ought to be phoning home to talk to them Another thing about dogs is how they have this great ability to look so cute and understanding one minute and then if you are late with dinner they can be so accusing not to mention ferocious if someone makes them cross Just like humans I suppose There is another advantage of having a dog around according to Sir Cliff I still work on my fitness and dogs can be wonderful for that because they demand walks and play and you can find yourself walking miles without even realising it he said I still like a gentle game of tennis although I am as always better at watching it than playing it I think that applies to all sports really I have always been into music more than sport although I like to watch football I used to go and watch Leyton Orient some years ago I have been to the races quite a number of times but I still don t know much about it Having said that not long ago I went to the races at Chester and actually had some winnings from my bets I won a whole fiver ROCK N ROLLOVERS As for exercise and diets I have tried many of them at some stage but really simply watching what you eat how much you eat and making sure you get some exercise holds the key to a balance It is no use getting obsessed by diets and things you just put pressure on yourself and then you want comfort food Even that can be helped by dogs because if you give in to comfort food they will help by eating at least half of it for you Sir Cliff s humility always shines through and he does not congratulate himself on his success I ve always felt that I was fortunate to have been born into a genuine era of change in music we seemed to jump from Frank Sinatra to Elvis and Chuck overnight and even though Elvis as a solo singer was my inspiration Chuck was the man with the guitar and the lyrics that gave life and meaning to the new wave that will always be referred to as rock n roll When I started to make my first TV appearances there was a danger that I was going to be branded the British Elvis so I shaved off my sideburns following the advice of the wonderful Jack Good I have always tried to listen to advice and I am grateful to all those many people who have helped me along the way I think all of us have someone or something to be grateful for and may I suggest that we include dogs in that They are our friends but also think of all those wonderful dogs in police forces military forces guiding blind people being the ears of those who are deaf comforting those who need some kind of therapy and just being there whenever any of us need them P October 2023 Dogs Today 39 Cliff Richard indd 39 06 10 2023 18 19

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uppy farmers are harder to spot than you think. They know prospective owners want to see home-reared pups with mum present. As puppy buyers are becoming more knowledgeable, so the rogue breeders are becoming more cunning. Rachel Atkinson, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, bought a Cockapoo, Fynn, in August 2021. Fynn was poorly from the moment she collected him, suffering from parasites and viruses common in puppy-farmed dogs, and nearly dying just three days after coming home. Although Fynn survived, due to extensive care and love from Rachel and multiple vet visits, others in his litter weren’t so lucky.“I looked on the internet and found a well-written advert with pictures, references that the puppies were home-reared, the puppies’ birth dates and highlighting that purchasers could see the mother. I rang the number and a lady answered. She was a little vague 40 Dogs Today October 2023PBe Puppywise: look beyond the puppy-dog eyesThousands of unsuspecting puppy buyers each year are duped by rogue breeders and traders. To counter this, the Kennel Club has launched its Be Puppywise campaign, to help people responsibly ﬁnd, buy and care for a puppy Words CLAIRE HORTON-BUSSEYPhotos posed by modelsTelephone: 07910 944 826Email: lordsteph@hotmail.co.ukwww.theknifesharpenerguy.co.ukThe Knife Sharpener Guy sells the World’s BEST knife sharpener. Sharpens any steel blade including some scissors. The brand new Pro Chef Rnage is now available in Brass, Copper and WolframTHE KNIFE SHARPENER GUYDog PawtraitsWhy not treat yourself to a unique, special portrait of your favourite pooch or as a gift for a friend. Cost depends on size and complexity. A4 size (painted or pencil) from just £195 (+p&p). For more details just get in touch - I’m friendly! PET portraits by Graham Henderson, GAvANellie Maisiemy Lottygrahamhe@hotmail.co.uk tel: 07747 529880 www.grahamhendersongava.co.ukGraham Henderson, GAvA Aviation

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42 Dogs Today October 2023on details and emphasised her son was the breeder. I rang back later to query details about the puppies’ parents, like vaccine certiﬁcates and veterinary health tests, and she seemed slightly taken aback that I should ask. “When I visited the puppies, the house was very clean and the garden was beautifully kept. I should have known – no one with that many dogs can maintain an immaculate garden. A very thin and tired female Cocker Spaniel was wandering around; we were told it was the puppies’ mother. I noticed she did not seem particularly protective of her puppies. I wondered whether she was worn out from over-breeding, or perhaps not even the real mother… “The lady was reluctant to give me her name. Instead, she continued to reiterate that her son was the breeder. All the puppies were in a travelling crate, as if they had just been brought to the home for viewing. Alarm bells should have been clanging in my ears, but I had fallen in love with a little chocolate male, Fynn. I should have walked away and reported them, but I couldn’t; I was sucked in by puppy eyes... I paid the deposit of £150 to her son’s bank account and agreed I would collect the puppy when he was eight weeks old. “On collection day, my daughter and I returned to the house, but only my Fynn seemed to be there. There was no sound of other dogs barking or moving around, and no mum dog. I asked about the food the puppy had been fed, so I could keep it the same, but she didn’t know and said her son fed them. I wasn’t altogether happy, but paid the remaining £1,000. GUT INSTINCT“As my daughter and I put Fynn into our dog crate, we were told, ‘Don’t worry if he is a bit loose because he has just had his vaccines’. Vaccinations had never made any of my other dogs ‘loose’, but I took her word for it. As we drove away, within moments, there was puppy diarrhoea everywhere. We stopped and I cleaned him up and at home I bathed him. Before the end of the day, my little Fynn was extremely poorly, so I took him to my vet. “Fynn’s faeces was tested. He had a parasite, giardia, chlamydia and rectal streptococcus, likely from the mother. The vet wanted the breeder’s details to inform them of the diagnosis, so they could let the other owners know, and he asked to have their ‘facilities’ inspected. It was obvious to me and my vet that these poor puppies had been bred in a warehouse and sold from a neutral location, hiding the reality. “I was looking after Fynn alone, and it was heart-breaking to stand outside the vet’s and see them peel back the blanket Fynn was wrapped in and hear them say Fynn could die, just three days after bringing him home. The cost was ﬁnancial, but also costly in time, emotion and worry. “While Fynn is now doing well and has no lasting effects from his horrendous start in life, it took many months of vet visits and medication. My vet did have more puppies come to him, which were obviously from the same litter, because they had exactly the same problems, but sadly they didn’t make it. “I felt dreadful when Fynn became ill. I felt stupid. I should have known better. I have owned dogs for over 20 years, and I ask myself how I become ‘sucked in’ even though I had a gut feeling right from the beginning that something didn’t quite ‘add up’.” PWise up Rachel’s story with Fynn illustrates how easily rogue traders can lure in unsuspecting puppy buyers and use clever guises to hide a puppy’s true background simply to make a proﬁt, without any concern for their health or welfare. “While there is nothing wrong with seeing an advert for a puppy online, you should always then be looking to see the puppy’s home environment and the puppy with its mum,” said Mark Beazley, chief executive of the Kennel Club, which is urging the public to Be Puppywise. “Be cautious of adverts using words that try to lure you in with promises of ‘rare’ dogs or a quick sale, or cute photos on social media.“For anyone thinking about getting a dog, avoid this heartache and incredible suffering, and make sure you look beyond the ‘puppy dog eyes’ and take your time with any decisions.” Alongside this urgent warning, the Kennel Club has advice and practical resources – from videos to top tips – for would-be owners to help them Be Puppywise as part of its campaign: thekennelclub.org.uk/bepuppywise The government’s Petﬁshed campaign also has lots of useful information on avoiding being duped by puppy-farmers: https://getyourpetsafely.campaign .gov.uk/Report any sellers you think might be deceitful to the RSPCA Cruelty Hotline: 0300 1234 999MUCKYPUP?SHOP GROOMINGESSENTIALS FOR YOUR POOCH

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44 Dogs Today October 2023 Maura Rua✓The Met have form in this regard. For many years, Battersea would not rehome to them because of their cruel training methods and the death of a dog. Sadly, the training is macho/dominance-based and can produce a very agitated dog and often an agitated handler trying to control a situation and a dog at the same time. I observed the police doing crowd control with dogs some years ago and it was a very disturbing scenario. Those dogs were hyped up and spoiling for trouble. That level of hype and agitation is not natural.Illustration by Kevin BrockbankGreat 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 Following the incident of a police dog who had to be killed by ofﬁcers after turning on its handler, and who had a previous history of attacking a member of the public, some are asking: should police stop training dogs for aggression?Maxine Grears✓I think they should stop training and using them to catch criminals. Many of them have been stabbed by criminals; it’s cruel to use them.Isobel Deeley✗We used to have a police-trained guard dog – he was a GSD – who accompanied my partner while working night shifts on security duty. It was a work partnership, but he was also my partner’s companion. The dog was excellent at his job and more than once cornered intruders, but he had to be kept on a lead while out and about, as he was reactive with other dogs. Although very good with us, I had a healthy respect for him and always followed speciﬁc rules of approach and interaction with him (my partner was his handler, not me), and he would never be left unattended with anyone he did not know.These dogs, once trained, need very careful and speciﬁc handling. They can be wonderful pets with those who know them, but you have to understand them and follow set rules. They carry out a valuable service, but they do have to be handled carefully once trained. They should not be rehomed with the general public, but should see out their lives with their handler. Ours did; he was with us until the end.Sophia Collins?I’m on the fence on this one, but I certainly would like more accountability. If a police dog goes out of control and harms a member of the public, the trainers should be held responsible. If a dog is deployed in a situation that does not call for it and someone is hurt, the ofﬁcer who made the decision should be held responsible. October 2023 Dogs Today45Wendy Johnson✗I get that PC Jax’s case is awful, but we need those police dogs for serious situations. Remember Finn, who saved his handler’s life? We just need better training and control, not ditching them altogether.Sam Robinson✓Many years ago, I saw a police dog deployed to stop a ‘suspect’– he was a homeless man with mental health problems, known to everyone in the area. He was never violent, but may have shoplifted, and the police were called. An ofﬁ cer decided to deploy a dog. It was a horrifying scene; the man was bitten and terriﬁ ed. The dog wouldn’t let go. There was absolutely no need to use a dog in that situation. It destroyed all veneration I used to have for the police and police dogs as a boy. All I saw was a cruel man, using his fancy attack dog on a vulnerable person.Maria Heskins✗Keep them, they’re needed now more than ever. They are brave dogs who seem to love their lives and the jobs they do. A GSD bred to work is not like your average pet dog, they want to protect and really enjoy it. Our ﬁ rst GSD was of security dog parentage and he had such drive, he was a wonderful dog and protected us all without a second thought. He was magniﬁ cent and brave, and needed careful handling, but what a dog! He inspired us to go on and have 11 GSDs over the years. Each one was different, some keen to protect, some soppy registered therapy dogs, but even my softest natured stood in front of me ready to protect once when needed. It’s something the breed wants and enjoys doing. Do please keep them.Ella Foster✓I was almost bitten by a ‘retired’ police dog while jogging, and it was horrifying. Honestly, I don’t trust the police as a body to properly train their human ofﬁ cers – I am not surprised to see that canine ones can go out of control, too.Mia Davis?It’s a tricky one. PC Jax’s case is a wake-up call, but we can’t ignore the times when police dogs are real heroes. Then again, they don’t really get a choice, do they? I think that if we were to ban aggression training, it would need to be phased out over time, with ofﬁ cers trained on alternative methods to secure a suspect.Dan Mitchell✗PC Jax’s case is tragic, no doubt, but let’s not forget how valuable police dogs can be. They can save lives. We need better training and control, not giving up on them entirely.Ellen Meyer✓I think they should stop training police dogs to be aggressive. PC Jax’s story is heartbreaking, and it’s not the only time this has happened. We have tasers and pepper sprays now; why risk innocent people getting hurt? It’s time for a change.Colette Kase✗I’m far more concerned about the methods used to train police dogs in the US. The US does not have an overall police service. Each state, county, and city/town, have their own police service and they source and train their dogs however they choose. Many choose shock and prong collar training along with other very questionable methods. Poorly trained and handled police dogs in the US are the norm. Additionally, police in the US regularly shoot pet dogs. By regularly, I mean, unbelievably often. The estimate is 20-30 pet dogs daily in the US are shot and killed by police. There truly is no comparison between US police and their attitude towards dogs and welfare and the UK. It’s like lemons and bananas. Pe, email enquiries@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk o 100 words.Next month’s topic is: “Latest research shows that dogs’ brains are being radically changed by selective breeding and some people are questioning if certain Bully XL breeders have selected on qualities that made the dogs more likely to kill than other breeds. With the onset of more breed-speciﬁ c legislation, do we now accept that some dogs might be born to be bad?”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 8AANoYesMaybeThis month’s result42%42%16%

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46Dogs Today October 2023 Enrichment is always one of the ﬁ rst recommendations given when people ask for advice on how to stop their dogs from engaging in behaviours that are often quite natural and fun for the dogs but not particularly convenient or helpful. “My dog is digging up my garden!” “My dog is constantly stealing things and trying to get me to chase him!”“My dog won’t pay attention to me on walks!”The ﬁ rst thing many caring dog guardians do is search for enrichment ideas online and discover all kinds of interesting, ingenious and often expensive gadgets. Then they are left trying to decide which one ﬁ ts their budget and wondering if just one toy is really going to make that much difference.Well, dog lovers can take a substantial collective breath of relief because Anne Rogers, dog trainer and certiﬁ ed behaviourist extraordinaire, has taken on the genuinely gargantuan task of creating an immense library of enrichment ideas for dogs. This may be one of the most valuable resources for dog carers ever created, and it is available to everyone – for free. Anne launched 100 Days of Enrichment in 2019 after being inspired by popular tech community ‘#100daysof…’ hashtags. These started with events like #100daysofcode and then took off to include all kinds of initiatives, from #100daysofmacrame to #100daysofgratitude. Anne, known as a pioneer and innovator in animal welfare and behaviour through her education programmes at AniEd, decided to run with it. Even she could never have guessed that she would change the lives of thousands of dogs and their people worldwide.COMMON KNOWLEDGEA list of equipment you will need for the enrichment exercises is provided every week. These are usually just things you can ﬁ nd around your home, such as blankets, cushions, paper and toys that most dog people will have. Every day for the 100 days, an enrichment exercise is provided. On Freestyle Fridays, participants are encouraged 100 days of enrichmentLife as a pet dog can be pretty boring without a job to do. If you are struggling for ideas beyond Kong stufﬁ ng, behaviourist Anne Rogers’ new resource will have your dog snifﬁ ng, chewing, searching, dissecting, digging, playing and foraging to their heart’s contentOctober 2023 Dogs Today 47 to use their ingenuity to create an enrichment activity using several different items, which may include random things like a Pringles tube. Then they share their ideas and photos of their dogs enjoying them.Anne could be easily described as a dog behaviour and training disrupter. Instead of turning this into a business idea, she gave it away, believing that these tools, so very useful to every dog guardian, should not be commercialised. Anne set up a Facebook page and blog and offered her very detailed and cleverly crafted enrichment ideas to anyone interested. She now has a vibrant community of 6,000 members on Facebook and over 3,000 blog subscribers from every continent, who have gifted her, in return, with their incredible stories and innovations of her original ideas. Their enthusiastic participation has turned #100daysofenrichment into an evolving and growing resource of fantastic, fun and inexpensive ways to build the bond between dogs and their people and, quite simply, elevate the quality of their lives.ALL WELCOMEAll dog professionals will have come up with or borrowed enrichment ideas to help their own dogs and the dogs of their clients. There are a lot of listicles online that will provide several suggestions, and often they are the same ideas, recycled over and over again. Anne had been producing original enrichment activities for her clients and students for years, which were always supported with professional guidance. During the initial conception of 100 Days of Enrichment, she realised that if she was creating something ‘open source’, she would need to put safety ﬁrst and provide an abundance of pointers to ensure that the enrichment exercises were as risk-free as possible.One unique and quite incredible thing about Anne’s online 100 Days of Enrichment community is that there is no drama. This has a great deal to do with her approach to inclusivity. She does not ban people who use punishment-based methods, prong, or shock collars from her page, even though it goes against everything she believes in and teaches. She insists that the programme stays true to its educational intention, and she remains consistent and committed to her professional principles of positive reinforcement and offering alternative behaviours, even for humans. Anne believes that when people have access to other dog enthusiasts using positive methods, and getting great results, they are more likely to open their minds to new ideas. FREE FOR ALLI asked Anne what her favourite enrichment exercise was of all the activities she has created, and her answer is probably the single best piece of advice that anyone with a dog should hear. “Ask your dog!”Not only is Anne’s 100 Days of Enrichment an excellent programme for people and their companion animals (did I mention that this isn’t just for dogs – people living with cats, horses, parrots, chickens and even donkeys have taken part?), but it has become a vital tool for other animal professionals. There really is no longer a reason to reinvent the wheel. Especially when that wheel is made of toilet-paper rolls and full of treats. PYou can learn more about #100daysofenrichment and become part of the community by joining Anne’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/100daysofenrichment or by subscribing to her blog https://aniedireland.comIf you want to get started now, you can ﬁnd all the exercises on the AniEd page https://aniedireland.com/100daysof enrichmentWords COLETTE CASEAnne’s dog Dexter with homemade activities from 100 Days of Enrichment (above & facing page) and a puppy participant (left) - photos by Anne Rogers. Paige the Beagle enjoying an enrichment activity (facing page, right) - photo by Beth Moose.

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48 Dogs Today October 2023 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.KooikerhondjeOctober 2023 Dogs Today49The Kooikerhondje (pronounced koy-ker-hond-jay) is the Dutch dog with a duck-entrancing tail and striking ears. CharacterKooikers generally get along with other dogs and cats provided they are socialised properly from a young age. In our survey, 40% of owners said their Kooikers are not interested in other dogs, 63% dislike some dogs and 11% dislike all other dogs. One owner advised, “When you get a pup, immediately contact a positive reinforcement trainer to focus on dog-dog socialisation.”The breed’s guarding background is still evident, with 57% saying their dogs are a bit wary of strangers and 80% describe their dogs as territorial in that they will give a warning bark if people come to the door.80% like people they already know and 51% describe their dogs as being ‘very affectionate’. Training & behaviourNo one said their Kooiker was hard to train; in fact, 69% said their dogs were easy to train and 91% said housetraining was a breeze. 45% have a very reliable recall, 97% sit when asked, 74% lie down, 60% high-ﬁ ve, 71% give paw, 57% nose nudge, and 49% fetch. “Loves, loves, loves to learn and do tricks. Retrieves or will ﬁ nd toys by name,” said one Kooiker owner. Another told us, “An absolute joy to train, very clever and works things out.”Agility, obedience, ﬂ yball, canicross and scentwork were hobbies enjoyed by the owners in our survey. There were some reports of noise sensitivity – 40% hate ﬁ reworks and 26% are scared of thunder and lightning. Our survey of Kooikerhondje owners revealed:Exercise37% from our survey have an hour’s daily exercise, 31% enjoy 90 minutes and a lucky 11% get two hours or more every day. Given their history, you’d think all Kooikers would love the wet stuff – and many do. But 20% from the survey ‘steer clear’ of water. 34% stay in the shallows, 28% love getting their paws wet, and only 17% are ‘fantastic swimmers’. GroomingOnly 11% of our survey owners say Kooikers shed a lot. 46% agreed that the breed sheds quite a bit but that it’s easily managed through regular grooming but 45% said the shedding is no worse than in other dogs. 32% groom less than every fortnight, 21% once a fortnight, 29% once a week, 12% more than weekly, and 6% daily.HealthThe Kennel Club recommends DNA testing for HNM (hereditary necrotising myelopathy) and VWD type III (von Willebrand disease). HNM is a degenerative spinal disease that results in paralysis of the hind limbs. There is no cure. Von Willebrand disease is a blood-clotting disorder and type III is the most severe form. A new test has just been developed for polymyositis, an immune disorder that results in muscle loss.All three conditions are autosomal recessive, meaning the dog has to inherit the gene from both parents to be affected. If only one parent has the gene, the dog will be a carrier – it will be unaffected but will still pass the gene on to the next generation. Our survey respondents reported allergies (31%), ear infections (23%), epilepsy (15%), cancer (15%) and urinary issues (8%).Photo by Tim Rose (www.timrosephotography.co.uk)SPONSORED BY

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My Dog CrushOriginsThe Kooikerhondje’s work as a duck decoy is well known. They attracted curious waterfowl by waving their white-tipped tail and then luring the ducks to the hunter’s net. They are very versatile dogs and have also worked in pest control and as guards (reportedly saving William of Orange in 1572 by barking at intruders who were planning to assassinate him). As well as being all-purpose working dogs, they also have a long history as companions and their stunning looks have been captured by the Dutch masters, including Vermeer, Rembrandt and Steen. The breed’s popularity declined after the First World War when duck hunting developed and gun use increased. Thankfully, a patriotic Dutch woman, Baronesse von Hardenbroek van Ammerstol, set about saving the breed before it disappeared. In 1939, while the Netherlands was under German occupation, the baroness hunted for foundation stock for her Walhalla kennel and the breed achieved ofﬁ cial recognition from the Dutch kennel club in 1971. 50Dogs Today October 2023 ●Clever●Loving ●Loyal ●Independent●Energetic ●Work ethic ●Sensitive Traits●Clara●Amber ●Piper ●Hamlet ●Remi ●Scully ●Kookie ●Milo ●Freya ●OskarBest namesOctober 2023 Dogs Today 51 by Claire Johnson I have had the privilege of sharing my entire life with Kooikers. I currently have two, Inka and Pepper, but have had the honour of sharing my life with well over 100 Kooikers, be that as part of the family, owned by friends or coming to me for training. I couldn’t imagine not sharing my life with the breed, but they are most deﬁnitely not for everyone. The Kooiker’s downfall is their perfect size, stunning looks, easy coat and giant brain. Spaniel looks, but with an off-switch – amazing! On paper, they really should be everyone’s perfect family pet, and as soon as people learn about the breed, they inevitably want one. However, one thing all Kooiker owners can agree on is that they are complex little souls. Bred for centuries to work, one man and his dog, in silence, luring ducks has led to a dog that bonds closely with their owners, is not fussed about strangers and is hyper aware of body language. Mixed into that, they were expected to act as an alert to guard the farm and to keep it free of vermin. All those working traits mixed together can mean that you have a dog that is exceptionally quick to react like a terrier, can be distrusting at ﬁrst, and will base all their assumptions on body language. This can lead to dogs that struggle around unpredictable or unknown people or dogs. Because of this, in my opinion, a Kooiker is not suited for ﬁrst-time dog owners, or to living with young children who, by the nature of being children, display very confusing body language to a dog. This is, of course, a breed generalisation. There are many, many Kooikers out there who not only live with children, but love their children, including many of mine. However, there are just as many who cannot cope with the way children play and show emotions. KOOIKER COMMUNITYI always tell people who ask about the breed that they can be good with children, but I would never buy a Kooiker expecting them to be able to cope around them. This point needs very serious consideration from prospective owners, as issues are unlikely to show themselves until three years of age, at which point the family are naturally very bonded with the dog.With that said, I am clearly besotted with Kooikers, or I wouldn’t be sharing my life with them! I like having a dog that doesn’t jump all over guests when they visit, but will happily chill out on their beds. As long as they get a good walk (a minimum of an hour a day) to different places with lots of free time to sniff and explore, they will happily spend the rest of the day snoozing on the sofa. (If you own a Kooiker, it will be on your sofa, this is not your decision!) Equally, if I decide that I want to go on a full day’s hike, my girls will be with me step for step and won’t break a sweat. My own dogs have won KC Good Citizen awards, trick titles and love going to dog shows. I also know Kooikers that compete in agility, obedience, rally, heelwork to music, man-trailing, work on shoots and paddleboard! A bond with a Kooiker is like nothing else, and together you can really try and tackle anything. The other point about owning a Kooiker is that you don’t just buy a dog, you become part of a Kooiker community – a Kooiker-owning family that you didn’t know you needed, but wouldn’t live without. POwner’s view

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My Dog Crush52Dogs Today October 2023 Best Facebook group●Kooikerhondjes in the UKWhat would you change?●“Possibly the alarm function, when they bark at something they ﬁ nd strange.”●“Reduce aggression to strangers.”●“Less reactive.”●“Friendlier to strange dogs.”●“Food obsession and scavenging.”●“Would like our older dog to be less scared of the world, to be more conﬁ dent and less scared of bigger dogs. I’d like our youngest to be less into chewing things we love.”●“Prey drive.”Advice for wannabe owners●“Be prepared. They are easy in the beginning but between one and three and a half years can be a rocky road and then they mature!”●“Just be prepared to get training and socialising in early and continue until over a year old, as their personality can change.”●“They require tons of early socialisation. Kooikers don’t like hyper dogs.”●“Think long and hard - they are not just a pretty face.”●“Know the breeder and the temperament of the parent dogs.”●“Do your research – meet the breed and talk to owners. They are a complex breed. There’s no guarantee that you won’t get a reactive or difﬁ cult temperament despite doing everything right as a puppy.”Kooiker antics●“Looking at a duck while walking along the canal, not concentrating where he was going, he fell into the canal!”●“My dad worked away from home and came home on Thursday evenings. She knew exactly which day was Thursday and would wait in the window for Dad to come home.”●“She could shell peanuts with her teeth, the end result looking no different to a human shelling them by hand. We’d always accuse each other of eating the peanuts, when in fact, our Kooikerhondje was the one to blame!”October 2023 Dogs Today53Love the breed? Shop the breed^ Wire art name, to remember a special Kooiker. Price dependent on the number of letters. This one cost £9, from TheBespokeWireCo on etsy.comv T-shirt available in grey, white, navy and black in sizes small to 2XL. £12.47 from FellowFriendsCo on etsy.com^ This Kooiker cookie cutter is great for making gifts for a breed fan – or dog cookies for the special dog in your life! £9.59 from the Drukowanko store on etsy.com< Stainless-steel ID tag or keyring, laser engraved with a name and phone number or your own custom text. £19.43 from the MjavHov store on etsy.com ^ Various greeting cards, printed on super thick and luxuriously textured card. Blank inside for your own message. £3.99 (for one) from AmberMariesStudio on etsy.com (multipacks available)

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54Dogs Today October 2023 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!KIEZEBRINK UK LtdFOCUS ON FOODExotic Animal Feeds & Raw Food DietsTOP QUALITY RAW FOODSExtensive range of raw meat (BARF)and whole prey diets•Single source proteins andelimination diets•Fast, frozen and next day delivery•Online ordering facility•See our full range of products on ourwebsite: www.kiezebrink.co.ukEmail: ofﬁce@kiezebrink.co.uk01284 810779

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56 Dogs Today October 2023 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 Join the debateVoice your opinions on news stories and other topics on our Dogs Today Magazine Facebook page or through our website www.dogstodaymagazine.co.ukPhoto posed by modelsBRUCELLA PROTESTIn May, I removed myself from the RCVS veterinary nursing register in protest over the veterinary profession’s handling of Brucella canis. Many owners of overseas origin dogs have been forced to test for this disease or accept the withdrawal of veterinary care or euthanasia. Owners ought to be told the facts. Serology tests are not proof their dog is infected, only that they have antibodies to the disease. If we looked for antibodies to Covid-19 in humans, very many humans would have these, but very few would be currently infected.This current testing protocol is effectively a cull policy, more commonly used worldwide for low-value livestock rather than much-loved family pets. In America, this approach is not taken.A cull policy accepts there will be high levels of collateral damage – false positives, dogs wrongly labelled as diseased – as many as 50 per cent of dogs that test positive will not have antibodies. Of those that do, some may not be currently infected. The gold standard test for diagnosing B canis in humans is a blood culture because this provides direct evidence of a current infection. Yes, B canis is a zoonotic disease, but we continue to provide veterinary care for affected dogs with other diseases that are infectious to humans. For example, Bordetella bronchiseptica, a common cause of kennel cough, can infect susceptible owners and cause signiﬁcant illness. B canis was ﬁrst identiﬁed in the 1960s and is endemic in some countries, yet there have been no human deaths ever reported. Of the handful of human cases reported, none implicate this pathogen in any pregnancy or fertility-related issues for women. Yet I have been told of many owners who have been scared and misled. They have been told that B canis has caused deaths to UK veterinary professionals and the disease will prevent women from successfully carrying children. Yet, to date, only one UK veterinary professional has been reported to have become infected and they remain symptomless.In the case of dog-to-dog non-reproductive transmission, the available evidence suggests it is likely to be negligible in neutered dogs. John McGiven, the Animal, Plant and Health Agency (APHA) Brucella expert, speculated at a recent conference (Ofﬁcial Veterinary Conference 2023) that if infected dogs were neutered, the infection may simply die out.In September, the government’s Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance (HAIRS) group published a revised Brucella canis risk assessment. The risk has been reduced to ‘very low’ for the general human population and ‘low’ for those at greater risk of exposure to infectious material – for example, vets. I also take issue with the claim that B canis is not a curable disease. We do not know for certain either way. There is some evidence that dogs left to naturally ﬁght the infection appear to spontaneously recover, albeit that it can take months to years to do so. I am happy to report that several veterinary corporates have now produced revised policies for the testing and care of overseas dogs that better reﬂects the risk. Fear-based medicine has no place in veterinary practice and it is critical that veterinary professionals improve their understanding of diagnostic testing. I am calling on Dogs Today readers to help. Print off a copy of the HAIRS report, read it and drop a copy to your local veterinary practice marked for the attention of the clinical director. Louise Buckley BSc (Hons), BA (Hons), PG (Cert), PG (Dip), PhD SFHEA and former RVN HAIRS report 2023: https://bit.ly/HAIRSreporthttps://www.facebook.com/BrucellaCanisFormerRVN A longer version of this letter is published on our website at www.dogstodaymagazine.co.ukPostbagA G I L I T YNaylor Agility iscelebrating the 40thAnniversary ofmanufacturing qualitytunnels with thelaunch of their new,NON-SLIP PLUSrangewww.nayloragility.co.uktel: 01226 444378 Textured Non Slip+ Made in the UKYears ofexcellence4Since 1979 we have been making our dog beds in the UK. With washable and waterproof covers we know that you will love them as much as your dogs will. A bean bed gives excellent orthopaedic support and we promise them a restful night’s sleep. Our beds are handmade in the UK which is how we can guarantee our workmanship. Don’t take our word for it though, check out our many 5 star reviews.Working towards sustainabilityWe make all our dog beds, dog coats, leads and collars in the United Kingdom and source materials as close to home as possible. And we are working on reducing plastic where we can, including Bio-foam ﬁlling options and the packaging our beds are delivered in, which is recycled and/or easily recyclable.Most importantly, our life-time warranty ensures ‘reﬁll instead of landﬁll.’0800 096 2443 | www.barkaparka.com Helping you to manage your wet dog!www.billowk9.comBillowk9PRACTICALSUSTAINABLE

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58Dogs Today October 2023 Your news & viewsLIFE WITH LEISHI read your article about Brucella canis with interest (August 2023), as I have three Spanish rescue dogs who all came to me as leishmaniasis positive. I understand that the UK does need to be careful about dogs coming into the country from abroad and I understand the thinking that our dog homes are already packed to the brim with unwanted dogs, so why add to the burden by bringing foreign dogs over? However, your article quoted: “even if they are symptom free when adopted, most will relapse and many will pass away from kidney failure.”This is not always the case. My own three dogs all came to me with active leish and needed medication for the ﬁ rst couple of years of their lives until the levels had fallen so low that they no longer have to take medication. I’ve now had my three dogs for nine years, eight years and four years, and all are healthy and active. Two are elderly now; one takes supplements for her joints and one is a tad deaf, but if I compare my three leish dogs to my previous dogs, they are actually far more healthy in their old age than the dogs I bought as puppies from pedigree breeders!Yes, I’m aware that leish could become active again, but I gave them all a home knowing the full facts about this disease.If people could actually see the neglect and cruelty that befalls dogs abroad, they would understand why some people choose to rescue from foreign countries. I would urge anyone adopting to research your shelter thoroughly, as, like in the UK, some are not all that they seem. But there are many fantastic people who offer full support and back-up and make sure their dogs entering the UK meet all the health requirements.My three dogs have gone from wandering abandoned and ill treated and chained for years to a tree in the boiling Spanish heat, to being much-loved companions. They are no more a threat to anyone than a badly bred puppy from a dodgy greedy breeder.Karen JonesFrom Facebook...Linda PulleyMy Labrador brought a lamb leg home. Apparently, a neighbour across the street put it on their doorstep to cool down, but my dog smelled it...Karen MatherMy dog kept escaping and would steal the milk from the doorstep next door!Patsy LouiseMy dog brought home a stringer full of freshly caught ﬁ sh... Good boy!Sally FarrerMy Greyhound, Poppy, stole a pack of minted lamb legs from someone’s shopping basket... ate one and chewed the other!Janice KingMy dog brought home a ham studded with cloves and pineapple slices on top on Christmas Day. We are on a farm with no near neighbours and we are vegetarian!Christine AndersThe ﬁ rst dog I had got out of the garden and a short time later, I found him in the front garden eating someone’s Sunday roast! It was so embarrassing hearing the lady of the nearby house shouting, ‘Where’s the meat gone? Someone’s been in the garden and stolen the meat’! She’d put it outside to cool down… very happy dog that day!Ellen GromerWhen I was a kid, our dog stole the neighbour’s pizza.OUR FOLLOWERS SHARED THE ODDEST KIND OF FOOD THEIR DOG UNEXPECTEDLY PICKED UP SOMEWHERE…MEET ELLWOODWe rescued a Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla aged three months from Hungary last November. His name is Ellwood Allwood aka Cockwomble! We adopted him from Vizslamentes, who rescue Vizslas from Hungary and rehome in the UK. We owned two Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas: one 12-year-old called Bailey and a deaf girl with epilepsy called Kazz, a rescue through Vizslamentes. Unfortunately, we lost Kazz on 5 November last year after having eight seizures, and the next day Ellwood’s little face popped up on Vizslamentes’ Facebook page. We decided to take him as a friend for Bailey. Unfortunately, Bailey died just two weeks after we got Ellwood. He is a lovely boy, always up to mischief. He does regular pupdates on Facebook Vizsla pages, telling stories of his life as he sees it!Linda AllwoodPostbagIllustration by Kevin Brockbank

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60Dogs Today October 2023 Tea breakName: _________________________________________________________Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Postcode: _________________________Telephone: _____________________________________________________Email address: ___________________________________________________Breed/type of dog: _______________________________________________September Solution Across: 6 Bull; 7 Elkhound; 9 Agassi; 10 Eskimo; 11 Great; 12 Wearily; 14 Harrier; 16 Fight; 19 Spring; 20 Trials; 21 Sleepers; 22 Apex. Down: 1 Hungarian Puli; 2 Alaska; 3 Felix; 4 Cocker; 5 Animal shelter; 8 Keeper; 13 Beagle; 15 Raised; 17 Ibizan; 18 Stash591210201481715321131618122274196231 124Gyles Brandreth’s Prize Crossword!Complete the crossword grid, then post your entry to arrive by 30 October 2023 to: October 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 Wild Knot bird - a squeaky plush toy, with internal knotted rope and minimal stufﬁ ng for minimal mess! Available from PurrfectlyYappy.com The judge’s decision is ﬁ nal. How to enterPut the kettle on and have a go at our competitions!Quick Clues Across1 ... Apso (5)4 See 24 Across8 Type of gundog (7)9 Miniature (5)10 Type of hound – named Tarka? (5)12 Could describe setter or sheepdog (7)14 An event that really makes the news (3,5,3)17 Colonist (7)18 Type of fever (5)19 Breed associated with Queen Elizabeth II (5)21 Country home of a Wolfhound (7)23 Reverend who had trouble with his words (7)24 (And 4 Across) A mountain-rescue dog (5,7)Quick Clues Down1 Small canine that sits on knee (6)2 French word for ‘friend’ (3)3 Type of flower (5)4 Dog located where two countries meet? (6,7)5 Announces intention to leave job (7)6 Bother (3)7 Nationality of a partridge dog (5)11 Breakfast food (5)13 Golf clubs (5)15 Nationality of Laekenois or Tervueren (7)16 Brigitte ..., French actress and animal-rights champion (6)17 Bags (5)18 Town of West Yorkshire (5)20 Aussie jumper (3)22 ... Baba (3)Cryptic Clues Across1 ... Apso has got into Los Angeles (5)4 See 24 Across8 See 15 Down9 Bolted round river, like a Sealyham for instance? (5)10 Type of hound from Rotterdam? (5)12 Like an old sheepdog? Glen is retraining first of his (7)14 Headline news in Dogs Today? (3,5,3)17 Hunting dog is carrying pounds for one who’ll pay off debts (7)18 Girl has a fever (5)19 Commanding officer and soldier take in royal Welsh breed (5)21 I dash into road, home of one type of setter (7)23 Who will turn 19 Across into Gorky, says? (5)24 (And 4 Across) Rant ‘Brandies!’ when in distress? This dog might come to help (5,7)Cryptic Clues Down 1 Cuddly canine, one from a cold country, do you say? (6)2 French friend and American one (3)3 Dog owner has lost his head: a bloomer! (5)4 Dog for a soldier in lodgings, we hear (6,7)5 Writes name and again and quits (7)6 Fuss caused by tailless dog (3)7 Type of sheepdog for the wife? (5)11 Drink to a 24 Across (5)13 Actor Jeremy removes creases from clothes (5)15 (And 8 Across) Dog tearing bone apart with lip (7,7)16 Animal-loving actress is to ban little Spot! (6) 17 Fires casks, strangely enough (5)18 Items of canine equipment, we’re told, from a town in Yorkshire (5)20 Aussie animal, not entirely well groomed (3) 22 Foreign gent left in capital (3)Complete the crossword grid, then post your entry to arrive by 30 October 2023 to: October The Old October 2023 Dogs Today61Day 12 of training, and the Day 12 of training, and the missing-sock detection missing-sock detection dogs were still no closer dogs were still no closer to qualifyingto qualifyingWinning captionPhoto submitted by Della Curtis. Photo by Jubilee House Pets Dachshund & Lhasa Apso (by www.timrosephotography.co.uk)Josh ParryAugust Caption Runners-upCross QuestionCan you guess which breeds Barkley’s parents are? Guess I’ll hang my own coat out to dryJulia OConnorI do wish she’d stop putting the scentwork hides in her smalls!Clare WilliamsCall me old fashioned, but it’s much quicker if you use a hairdryer Helen Cassidy Is the new laundry detergent really getting the underwear clean enough? Time for a sniff test…Jordan Fletcher Can you come up with a witty and amusing caption for thisphoto? Do you have a funny pic you’d like us to feature? Please email it to us at comps@dogstodaymagazine.co.ukThe winning caption will win a Fuzzu A Gorilly Named Billy Dog Toy worth £13.99 from www. purrfectlyyappy.comThe person who sends the ﬁ rst correct answer to the Cross Question will win a pack of SmartBones, a healthy alternative to rawhide, from www. purrfectlyyappy.comWinners of the Cross Question and Caption Competition will win a prize from Purrfectly YappyEmail your Caption Competition & Cross Question entries together with your contact details to comps@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk or post to: October Competitions, Dogs Today, The Old Print House, 62 High Street, Chobham, Surrey, GU24 8AA, to arrive by 30 October 2023How to enterWinners of the Cross Question and Caption Competition will win a prize from Purrfectly YappyWinners of the Cross Question and Winners of the Cross Question and Caption Competition will win a prize from Purrfectly YappyPhoto submitted by Helen BurtonCaption this!August Cross Question SolutionZebedee’s parents are a Dachshund and a Lhasa Apso The ﬁ rst correct answer came from Mary Coates+

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62Dogs Today October 2023 6644Julywww.foreverhoundstrust.orgPRIORY ROAD ASCOT BERKSHIRE SL5 8RJ01344 882689We are a non-destruction sanctuary for abandoned & unwanted dogsRegistered Charity No. 256728established 1958ecueWith over 1,500 animals rehomed since 2010, PAWS needs your help! PAWS has acquired a four-acre piece of land, enabling us to care for more animals in need. We are now in the midst of a further appeal to build a new rescue centre:Cattery: a state-of-the-art cattery with a dedicated quarantine space for those requiring medical attention and new arrivals awaiting assessment. Kennels: covered and uncovered areas for eating, sleeping and socialising. There will also be a dedicated space for assessments and training.Secure exercise areas: outdoor space to play, train and exhibit natural behaviours. The canine exercise ﬁ eld will have plenty of space and security, allowing dogs to have fun and socialise with each other. Purpose-built ‘catios’ so our feline friends can roam, play and sunbathe in a secure environment.PAWS is committed to sustainability. Our eco-friendly plans include incorporating solar panels to harness renewable energy, as well as creating an environmentally conscious remembrance garden for PAWS’ beloved pets and past residents.Donations of ﬁ nancial contributions, building materials and the valuable time/expertise of skilled tradespeople are desperately needed. Every contribution, large or small, will make a signiﬁ cant difference in creating a safe, welcoming sanctuary for animals in need.Sue Curran, founder of PAWS, says, “The success of our new rescue centre is reliant on the kindness and support of our community. With your help, we can continue providing a second chance at happiness for animals in need.”www.pennineanimalwelfaresociety.orgRegistered charity number: 1159544Charity 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 detailsCharity of the monthNEUTER 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.ukPennine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)We need your help to build a future for PAWS. Any contribution will make a big difference. If you can donate, please scan the QR code or visit our PAWS GoFundMe appeal page at www.gofundme.com/f/f6y8rh-save-our-shelter or email us at enquiries@pennineanimalwelfaresociety.orgOctober 2023 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 charity 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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Help us to help more We rescue and rehome 100s of dogs and cats in London every year themayhew org 020 8962 8000 Registered Charity No 1077588 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 GB Please contact us or visit our website for more information Heathway Colton Rugeley Staffs WS15 3LY Tel 0871 560 2282 www bordercollietrustgb org uk Reg Charity No 1053585 Rescue centre open daily 9 11 am 2 4 pm BCT_0310 4x1RR CSinEHeAEdAANsdYS4NcONSuN1ETiLnEgDE BacaraSennlunrohdiisdmnossemegapxrliisenntioggonpgpleeetthser woodgreen org uk 4 1 10 16 55 42 www raystede org 01825 840252 Registered charity no 237696 Registered Charity No 298348 00526nc0819 Smokey Paws provides pet oxygen masks to the fire service But many more masks are needed The next pet saved could be yours You can donate via www smokeypaws co uk or email info smokeypaws co uk WE RESCUE KILL SHELTER AND ABANDONED DOGS FROM ROMANIA AND REHOME THEM IN THE UK AND GERMANY barkingmaddogrescue bmdrdogs www barkingmaddogrescue co uk We rescue and rehome 100s of dogs and cats in London every year Please help us to help more www themayhew org 020 8962 8000 Registered Charity No 1077588 Registered Charity in England and Wales No 1139999 As 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 Sponsor a puppy from just 1 a week Visit guidedogs org uk DogsToday A charity registered in England and Wales 209617 and Scotland SC038979 We 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 pennineanimalwelfare society org Saving Yorkshire s Dogs Registered Charity No 1167291 To rescue rehabilitate and rehome vulnerable and at risk dogs from Yorkshire Tel 07562 986101 Email savingyorkshiresdogs gmail com Web www sydrescue org uk Find us on Become a Companion Keep Tails Wagging With a Regular Gift GreySheonuinodrsSmtaakfefygrCelautbpets Lincolnshire GreyOhouurndaims are Trust has been rehoming Greyhounds since 1988 We have rehomed over 2 300 retired Greyhounds Kennels in Lincolnshire Oxfordshire Epping www lincolnshiregreyhoundtrust co uk www sen0io79r4s1ta3ff13y0c2l5ub co uk skeenvi olrinsctaolffnyshcliruebg reyhhootumndatirlu csot c uomk Rescue and rehoming centre for dogs and cats www leicesteranimalaid org uk Tel 01455 888257 Registered Charity No 242560 Call Now 44 0 1823 49 10 52 mail rushtondogrescue co uk Finding the cures for serious pet illnesses helping them live longer healthier lives www petsavers org uk Charity Spotlight_October indd 63 Scottish Charity No SC006914 OcJtuolbye2r0220023DDogosgsToToddayay6653 09 10 2023 14 31

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64Dogs Today October 2023 Pet CorrectorWhether you’re struggling with barking, jumping up, bad house manners or aggression, Pet Corrector provides a distraction that enables you to retrain and reward your pooch. Loved by millions of owners around the world, Pet Corrector helps you put a stop to bad behaviour.Created by renowned dog behavioural expert Dr. Roger Mugford, the Pet Corrector Spray uses compressed air to mimic the natural warning hiss that swans and other animals make. When used as part of Dr Roger’s tried and tested W.A.G. training technique, you can disrupt the unwanted behaviour, giving you the opportunity to teach your dog the rules of the house.When you witness bad behaviour, act immediately and give one short burst. Remember to direct the can away from your dog as they only need to hear the noise. When your dog stops the unwanted behaviour, give them a command (e.g. quiet) and reward them, either with lots of praise or a tasty treat. www.companyofanimals.com | 01932 566696Canine Control Product of the MonthAdvertising featurewww.dogs-holiday.co.ukDogs stay free!Boturnell Farm CottagesHome from home for you and your dogs. If they are relaxed, then you can relax. Every cottage has an enclosed garden for those late night & early morning comfort breaks. PLUS: 8 acres of woods ● Throws for the furniture ● Animal ﬁ rst aid kit Want to advertise your business in our classiﬁ ed adverts section?Call Mike McGlynn now on 01276 402591 or send an email to mike@dogstoday magazine.co.uk6622JulyHolidays, Charities, Services & ProductsClassiﬁ ed advertsOctober 2023 Dogs Today65T: 01673 885959 enquiries@lintran.co.ukwww.lintran.co.ukLintran (SS), Brentwood House, Lincoln Road, Faldingworth, Market Rasen, Lincs LN8 3SFLintran K9 award-winning dog equipment transport systems30YEARSEstate Cars | Dog trailers, pick up’s & vans | All 4 x 4 vehiclesDog & Gun SystemDo you trust your dog sitter?Even if you believe you have found a trustworthy and reliable dog sitter, and evenif you don’t think the unimaginable will ever happen to you... it can. Believe me, I know.My poor lurcher Juno escaped from her dog sitter and was missing for 10 days. She was eventually found on the railway tracks at death’s door, barely conscious and in need of immediate life-saving treatment.Juno’s Journey is a true story of pain and fear - but it is also a story of hope and survival - and of how the amazing people in your community can rally around when you need help most.So be careful who you trust to look after your beloved dogs; you never know what could happen.So be careful who you trust to look after your Available now on AmazonCraig 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 in South Wales.With some great 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.craigynoscastle.comHoliday Venue of the MonthAdvertising featureNOW TAKING CHRISTMAS BOOKINGS

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In the August/September 1995 edition, which launched Dial-A-Dog, we carried a feature about a Pit Bull Terrier called Dempsey. She was to become iconic: a dog that made everyone aware of how pointless and unfair the Dangerous Dogs Act was.Dianne Fanneran had been given the pup as a present from her son in 1990. Back then, she had no idea what a Pit Bull Terrier was, but when the Dangerous Dog Act became law in 1991, Dianne registered Dempsey and had her microchipped, neutered and insured, and agreed that she would always be muzzled in public, even though her dog had done nothing wrong.One day, Dianne’s friend offered to take Dempsey on a walk to the shops, and, on the way back, Dempsey started trying to be sick. The muzzle prevented her from opening her mouth wide enough and she began choking. The friend, Mark Cichon, did what anyone would do: he removed Dempsey’s muzzle to allow her to clear her throat. Unluckily, two police ofﬁ cers saw him do it.SICK TO DEATHThe police called around to see Dianne and check Dempsey’s paperwork was all up to date, which it was. When she heard nothing more, Dianne assumed that was the end of the matter. What she didn’t know was that Mark had received a summons and, without telling Dianne, had attended court and pleaded guilty to removing Dempsey’s muzzle. He was ﬁ ned £50. The judge ruled that Dempsey must now be destroyed.When Dianne found out, she immediately appealed this ruling, but Dempsey was seized and taken to a secret kennels. Dianne told our readers, “I was devastated. Dempsey had done nothing wrong, but she was sentenced to death just for being sick in the street.”All the early appeals were thrown out. A ﬁ nal appeal went to the House of Lords in 1994. Shortly after this, Mark Cichon disappeared; without him being present, the appeals process stopped. Dianne decided to take on the law herself. She secured the services of a very young solicitor, Trevor Cooper. He wrote to the Home Secretary, Michael Howard, to try to secure a pardon. Bridget Bardot, Carla Lane, Lynsey de Paul and Doris Day all got involved, too. Dianne told our readers, “I was at my lowest ebb. Dempsey was still locked up three years later.” TAKING THE MICKDianne began considering whether it would be kinder to let Dempsey be put to sleep than spend any more time locked away. Dianne asked for permission to visit her, and this was agreed for a fee. An emotional 45-minute reunion convinced her not to give up.We knew Lord Rothermere read the magazine very closely, but this article would move him to virtually kidnap the Home Secretary. He invited Michael Howard to dinner and then stood over him while he read every word of the article in our magazine.Perhaps Michael Howard underestimated just how upset Lord R was. In case there was any room for doubt, Dempsey’s incarceration made the front page of the Daily Mail on 7 September with the headline: “End the ‘Dangerous Dogs’ ﬁ asco”.It was one of our most memorable photoshoots in our Slough studio. As a closed set, not a public place, beautiful, kind, gentle Dempsey could be photographed for our front cover without her muzzle. After spending nearly half her life locked up, she was still the sweetest, most trusting dog. Meeting Dianne, who had fought so hard, against all the odds, was one of the proudest days of my career.Knee-jerk breed-speciﬁ c legislation hurts so many more people than it ever protects. We will continue to ﬁ ght it. PIllustration KEVIN BROCKBANK Confessions of a dogaholic66Dogs Today October 2023 Dianne & Dempsey REVOLUTIONARY HEADCOLLARStops dogs pulling on the lead and gives you back control.Life-Changing products for you and your dog!Also available: Collars, Non Slip Leads and Gripper Training Leads oﬀering added security and conﬁdence throughout the winter months.NO MORE PULLING • NO MORE RIDING UP • NO MORE RUBBING NO 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 to Dogmatic 01952 245330 or visit us at www.dogmatic.org.uk WINNER2020Global100Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020 – UK‘PRODUCT I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT’For Dog People by Dog People Because your dog deserves the BEST Winners 2013-2023AWARDED ‘Best Dog Collar Manufacturer 2020-21 - UK’ and Most Innovative Dog Collar Manufacturers 2019

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