The Importance of Making Children Dog Savvy

Hey everyone, sorry its been a while - we have been so busy and have lots of exciting plans and developments to share with you over the next few weeks!

This weekend we attended a lovely village fayre which was a huge hit despite the torrential rain! We were invited to do a talk to children in the local village about how to be dog savvy. So complete with our big coats me and Mavis braved the rain to show children how to meet a strange dog for the first time and Mavis was the star of the show getting lots of pats and strokes.

There is nothing more special than growing up with a dog, some of my fondest memories of being a child are with my dogs, Boozer and Spike. I strongly believe every child should have a dog in their life, OK I guess I am biased!

The main message we wanted to deliver to the children was that no matter how friendly or cute a dog looks there are a number of important rules they must always remember:

- Always ask the owners permission to say Hello! Some dogs are just so friendly that they could knock a small child over!

- Never approach head on, Children are more at a dogs eye level and approaching head on, particularly when excited can feel very confrontational and over-whelming for a dog - remember if they are on a lead and feel threatened like this they cant remove themselves from the situation and may growl or worse. This is not the dogs fault, if someone jumped on you and you felt trapped how would you react

- Always let the dog sniff and come to you, hold your hand and then when the dog has had a sniff then calmly and gently stroke him

- if a dog is off lead and approaches a child, the most important thing for that child to do is stand still, with arms across chest and dropping anything n the hands (especially if that is a toy). Dogs react to our energy so if a child runs screaming the dog may see this as a game and run after the child which can be terrifying for the child and their parents.

Every parent should spend time with their children ensuring they know how to greet a dog politely and how to react when the dog is being a little over friendly. If your child is scared of dogs then find a friendly, placid dog who you can safely introduce them to so they start to build up their confidence.

Contact us for more advice on this subject, I am passionate about helping dogs have happy, healthy lives with their families and will be happy to answer any questions you might have on this subject, equally if you are thinking of getting a dog we offer a support service helping you choose the right breed, age and introduce your new dog to the family in the right way.

And did you know - the only breed of dog with 'good with children' in its breed standard if The Staffordshire Bull Terrier' - of course that doesn't mean other breeds aren't good with children but it does demonstrate what wonderful dogs Staffies are and how they can be so misunderstood.

Becky x

Keep Your Best Friend Cool this Summer

As the summer months start and we get our first few glimmers of hot weekends and dust off the sunglasses its important to remember that we need to take care with our dogs in hot weather.

Dogs can get heatstroke and unfortunately this can be fatal, here are some top tips this summer to keep your best friend cool this summer:

· Always ensure your dog has access to clean, cool water throughout the day

· NEVER leave your dog in the car, also avoid long car journeys in the heat

· Ensure that your dog has access to shade to lie in

· Consider changing your walking routine to avoid the hottest parts of the day. In summer we generally have a walk early in the morning as well as after the sun has set.

· Avoid muzzling your dog wherever possible as this can restrict breathing

· Avoid walking in places of open space with no shade and where the sun can reflect off the ground such as the beach or large areas of concrete

Heatstroke

Heatstroke is a condition where the body overheats and the system cannot maintain a safe, normal range. Animals do not sweat like us and therefore find it harder to maintain their body temperatures and can get overheated much easier than we do.

A dog with moderate heatstroke (body temperature from 104º to 106ºF) can recover within an hour if given prompt first aid and veterinary care (normal body temperature is 100-102.5°F). Severe heatstroke (body temperature over 106ºF) can be deadly and immediate veterinary assistance is needed.

Warning signs

A dog suffering from heatstroke will display several signs:

· Rapid panting

· Bright red tongue

· Red or pale gums

· Depression

· Weakness

· Dizziness

· Vomiting – sometimes with blood

· Diarrhea

· Shock

· Coma

How to deal with suspected heatstroke

It is vital that you take action as soon as you suspect heatstroke. You must seek veterinary attention, before getting him to the vet it is important you try to lower the body temperature.

Do not submerge the dog in cold water, this can be counterproductive, the best way is to get a towel and soak this in cool water then place this over the dog and circulate air around using a fan ideally.

Even if the dog appears to be recovering always seek veterinary advice to ensure there are no further complications

Remember the best treatment is prevention – have a safe, fun summer with your best friend!

This article is brought to you by Bright Paws, specialists in canine behaviour, therapy and health.

www.brightpaws.co.uk

Puppy Love!

We all love puppies! Cute and full of fun? Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue have recently taken in 5 pups who are about 5 weeks old and are just adorable as you can see.

Sadly they were rescued after they were found in a house, neglected. Their mum had to be put to sleep as she was so emancipated - she'd obviously fought to keep her pups alive and as healthy as she could. Such a sad story but with a happy ending as the pups are now safe and being very much loved and looked after at www.sbtrescue.co.uk.

Even the adult rescue Staffies are lending a paw! As you can see the gorgeous Missy (pictured in the bed with the pups), herself waiting for her forever home is helping Chris at the rescue with vital puppy lessons!

Amy on the other hand is helping them learn how to get on the sofa! A vital lesson for a spoilt pooch. Amy is also waiting for her forever home after she came into the rescue almost bald with mange, as you can see she is doing great now with the love and care she is receiving!

So how can you help?

Please consider helping www.sbtrescue.co.uk with vital funds to help make sure these pups and every other Staffie in need receives the love and care they need, when they need it most! With your help many more can be saved and rehabilitated!

If you would like to make a difference please go to www.sbtrescue.co.uk and click on donate.

If you are thinking of getting a dog, please rescue! There are many dogs looking for wonderful homes - please apply through the website! And once they are old enough these little pups will also be available for rehoming.

A friend from downunder

I love the fact we get hits on the blog from all over the world, including Australia. Here's a little post from a gorgeous dog in Australia called Floyd who has to deal with some rather different backyard visitors to the neighbours cat!

It’s me “The Handsome Debonair” Floyd here. I’m popping in to tell of my adventure that happened on the week end.

I was just minding my own business in “my” backyard, just having a good ole scratch & roll on the grass when something caught my eye. The “thing” was greyish, scaley & it was invading my property !!!!!!!!!!!.

It was about 20” long & sunning itself on the path. Well I just couldn’t stand around & watch it, I had to do my “brave” duty, well it does say in my breed standard that my breed is “Bold & Fearless” so I just had to live up to that didn’t I....

I flexed every muscle I have & charged like a raging bull over to the thing & barked at it, the thing was brave also, it just laid there hissing & poking it’s tongue out at me.

Mum came running outside to see what I was barking at. Mum was telling me to get away & to go back inside the house because the “thing” is not my dinner nor toy thing etc . Ok I was being good & listened to Mum & I followed her back in the house.

Mum got her camera thingy & went back outside with me in tow to take some pics of the “thing”. The poor thing was now being harassed by those stupid Indian Minor birds, Mum was nudging the “thing” along the path towards the pool garden so it could hide safely under the palm trees & out of sight from the birds.

While Mum was taking pics I just had to be nosy & keep a watchful eye on the “thing”, needless to say I was not impressed about sharing my backyard & gardens with another!!!!!!!!!!!.

Mum did ask me not to chase, go near or harm the "thing" or other critters look nearly the same as the "thing", just in case they was aggressive, poisonous & deadly
So now I will be watched like a hawk for my own safety when ever i'm in the backyard. Mum doesn't want to risk me being bitten by a deadly snake......


PS.. this next little text is from Mum...... We live on the east coast of OZ & there a numerous deadly snakes throughout OZ, certain variety of snakes only inhabit certain regions of OZ...

Our neighbor has found a live very aggressive deadly & toxic "Eastern Brown Snake" & a "Red Belly Black Snake" in he's back yard/ gardens, one bite from either of those snake can easily kill a 60 kilo dog or child within 30-60 mins. We live in rural suburbs & don't often come across snakes in our gardens that much.. but often see them sun baking on the roads or just passing through our yards etc..

And here is the gorgeous man himself - G'Day Floyd!