Archive for the ‘Dogs’ Category

Dog Training – How to Teach Your Dog to Sit

We hope you and your dog have been bonding over games of fetch since our last training tutorial. This time we we’ll be showing you a simpler command. Teaching a dog to sit is quite easy as it is natural for them to assume this position. The trick is to get your dog to react to a cue word, using repetition and positive reinforcement. This command acts as the foundation for more complex tricks such as ‘stay’ or ‘beg’.

Step 1

This can be carried out in almost any environment. Get the attention of the dog by making it clear you have a tasty treat for them in your hand. They will be rapt at the thought of getting their paws on it.

Step 2

Hold the treat just above the dog’s nose – don’t hold it too high as the dog will jump and grab it before they have completed their task.

Step 3

Say the dog’s name loudly, clearly and positively, followed by the cue word – ‘Sit’.

Step 4

Move the treat slightly – from above the nose to over the ears. This will naturally force the dog to sit down as they will want to keep their eyes and their nose on the treat.

Step 5

As soon as they sit down say “Good dog!” in an encouraging tone of voice and reward them with the food. If the dog doesn’t sit at first, do not get frustrated and push the dog down. Take a break from the training and allow the dog to act naturally. Anytime you see it sit down of its own accord make a fuss over it – pet it and vocally praise it.

Step 6

Repeat these steps 5-6 times, at least a couple of times a day. The dog will soon come to recognise the cue word and associate the sitting action and the delicious treat with it. You can gradually phase out the amount of treats you give as the action will begin to come very naturally to the dog. For even better results, carry out the training in the parts of the house that you would most like the dog to associate with sitting, e.g. beside their feeding bowl or at the front door.

By Sinéad. Posted in Dogs, Pet Care

Dog Training – How to Play Fetch

Playing fetch is an easy behaviour to teach and builds up a great bond between an owner and a dog. It’s a wonderful way for the dog to act on his natural prey urges and is a great way to exercise. A lot of dogs will play with balls and toys anyway and will love to interact with their owner and to learn a new trick. All they need is a little guidance and patience. There are a few steps that you will have to try out and repeat until you and your dog have the retrieving process down.

Step 1

Start out very simply. In quite a closed off environment with no distractions (perhaps the kitchen), get down to floor level with your dog. Get a ball or a toy that your dog has previously played with or showed interest in. Gently throw the toy within your reach and allow the dog to pounce on it and play with it. When they grab the toy in their mouth, gently take it from them with a few words of positive encouragement and a pat. Replace the toy with a small treat. If the dog doesn’t look like he’s going to let go of the toy, use the treat as a bribe. Try out this step a few times a day and always be enthusiastic with the dog.

Step 2

The next step builds on what the dog has learned in Step 1 – now you must introduce a cue word. Take the toy from the dog’s mouth or take it from the floor if he drops it and say aloud your chosen word. This can be anything you feel comfortable saying, such as “Thank you” or “Well done”. Following the phrase, remember to give warm encouragement and the treat. Always use the same phrase as the dog will begin to associate this statement with the releasing of the toy and the receiving of a tasty treat.

Step 3

Once the dog gets well used to releasing the toy, you can begin to lengthen the distance that you toss it each time. Start off by throwing it a good few feet – well out of your reach. Your dog will hopefully have gotten the idea that once you throw it, you want it back – no matter how far the distance. If he retrieves it, state your cue phrase and give plenty of praise and the treat. If the dog does not retrieve the toy, don’t make a big deal about it. Calmly wait until he brings it back to you in his own time. Perhaps he is not ready for the distance you have thrown – wind up the game and try it again later with a shorter distance.

Step 4

Try out the game often, in short spurts. Get adventurous with the distance you throw the ball – alternate between long and short. Try out different squeaky toys, balls or sticks. Bring the game out into open areas like the garden or the park. Remember to be positive and don’t scold the dog if he doesn’t retrieve. Dogs learn through repetition and positive reinforcement. Reward only good behaviour and they will soon learn what you expect from them.

Step 5

You are now ready to gradually reduce the treats. Of course too many treats will be bad for the dog’s health and they will come to enjoy the fetching process anyway, even without the reward at the end. It shouldn’t take long for you and your dog to build up a good rapport and the retrieval of the object will become very natural to the dog. It’s a great way to cement your relationship and the dog will get great pleasure out of it.

Note: Your dog will love playing fetch so much that they will want to play it all the time and with anybody. To avoid disappointment, make sure your dog knows the difference between a person and a statue:

This is the first in a series of dog training tutorials we will be running – let us know if there’s any tricks in particular that you’d like to see featured!

By Sinéad. Posted in Dogs, Pet Care

Arthritis in Pets

Arthritis is common in older pets and is a very painful condition. It is an inflammation of the joints that is caused by ageing and by natural wear and tear. Injuries and degenerative conditions may also be factors. It can occur in both cats and dogs but is not always easy to see – it is in their nature to hide pain.

Arthritis stops pets from enjoying the active and carefree lifestyles they may be used to, so it is important to spot it early so that treatment can be carried out effectively.

Here are some of the easiest ways of spotting an arthritis problem in a pet.

• Difficulty getting up from a rest
• Being still much more than usual – sitting, lying down
• Stiffness
• Slow walking
• Limping
• Inability to get up heights – into car, upstairs

It is particularly difficult to catch arthritis in cats as they are small and very agile. Here are some of the tell-tale signs that your cat may be suffering from this immobilising ailment.

• Less jumping than usual – on furniture, through cat flap
• Sleeping more frequently
• An unkempt and matted coat – the cat will be unable to groom their fur as they usually would
• A change in behaviour – arthritis will cause them to become cranky and stressed

You can help ease the pet’s pain by taking a few simple steps.

• Keep moving – gentle exercise is important to keep joints active – don’t over do it though or you could cause more pain
• Make sure the pet’s necessities – food, litter, bed – are in easy reach
• Make the pet’s bed as comfortable as possible – extra blankets, cushions
• Don’t allow a dog onto a wet, slippy floor – they’ll be unable to catch themselves before a fall
• Try to avoid stairs
• Control the pet’s weight – monitor what foods they are eating

If you think your pet may be suffering from arthritis, don’t hesitate to bring them to the vet. They will be able to help in a number of ways.

• Carry out x-rays to confirm a diagnosis
• Prescribe medications for the animal to deal with the pain and to relieve the inflammation of joints
• Provide supplements to strengthen joints
• Recommend a proper diet for the pet
• Carry out procedures to relieve pain and to allow movement – e.g. hip replacements

By Sinéad. Posted in Cats, Dogs, Pet Care

The Queen and her Corgis

As the Queen is busy in Ireland this week, she has had to leave her beloved dogs at home for a few days. She’s known for her love of animals, but in particular for her fondness of the Welsh Pembroke Corgi. Here’s a little background on her long relationship with the now iconic dogs.

Her father, King George VI, first brought the breed into the family in 1933 and they have been a mainstay of royal life ever since. The Queen got her first very own corgi on her 18th birthday and named her Susan.

Since then, it is thought that she’s had over 30 corgis, all descended from Susan. The Queen is very hands-on with her pets – she takes care of them herself and the corgis travel with her to her various residencies throughout the UK.

At present she has four corgis – Linnet, Monty, Willow and Holly, as well as three dorgis named Cider, Candy and Vulcan. Dorgis are a mix between corgis and daschunds.

It’s no wonder she loves Corgis so much. These short-legged dogs are particularly cute when they’re little and are said to have a very unique temperament – a mixture between that of a cat and a dog. They are independent and can be a bit belligerent at times but are also very loyal and affectionate.

By Sinéad. Posted in Dogs, News

Pet Dental Health

Poor dental hygiene is one of most widespread health issues to be found amongst pets. Very often it can lead to bigger problems down the line. Of course, pets can’t look after their own teeth in the same way that we do but they can still suffer from gum disease and tooth decay. Instead, dental problems can be avoided through proper gum exercise and a good diet. A pet’s teeth should also be regularly checked out by a vet to catch any issues ahead of time.

Here are some of the most common ways in which poor oral hygiene can be seen in pets:

1. Plaque and Tartar
If only present for a short while, plaque and tartar will be mostly insignificant. However, if the problem is allowed to build up, the pet’s mouth will become a breeding ground for bacteria. A severe accumulation of plaque and tartar will lead to grey and brown masses in the back of the mouth and will eventually make it painful for the pet to eat certain foods. Harder food keeps the mouth mostly free of plaque and tartar build up, while some owners may choose to brush their pet’s teeth. If a build-up does occur, a vet should remove it before the problem gets worse.

2. Gingivitis
A build up of plaque will cause an infection. Gums will become inflamed and will cause severe irritation for the animal. Teeth can be lost as their supporting tissues are eroded. Look out for red or purple gums, bleeding or puss in the mouth and foul-smelling breath. These are the warning signs of gum disease, or gingivitis in animals. It is reversible but is best caught early.

3. Periodontitis
Untreated gingivitis will result in periodontitis. This is an extremely destructive problem. Bacterial plaque will destroy gums, tooth enamel and even bone. It is important to note that these problems will be common among animals that only eat soft and tinned food. This is why it is important to give your pets hard and dry foods regularly to help work away bacterial build ups and to exercise the gums.

4. Feline Stomatitis Complex
This is the inflammation of a cat’s oral cavity caused by plaque and a poor immune system – caused by Cat Flu, kidney problems, diabetes or malnutrition. It is a very painful condition and any breed of cat can suffer from it. The most noticeable symptoms are red gums and very bad smelling breath – halitosis. If this inflammation is allowed to continue, it can spread towards the back of the throat and will cause the cat to have trouble with breathing and eating. Cats with this problem can lose a lot of weight and may have to have all of their teeth removed.

Through the breakdown of the protective barrier of the cat’s gums, bacteria will be allowed into the body and could eventually cause fatal kidney failure. Again, a good diet of varied foods and regularly check ups will help prevent this, while vets can prescribe treatments and antibiotics to cure the issue.

By Sinéad. Posted in Cats, Dogs, Pet Care