Down turn hits dog rescue centres

Pedigree puppies are being taken in by rescue centres because breeders cannot sell them. Dog rescue centres have said they have been left struggling to cope because of Christmas and the economic downturn.
Families were "thinking twice" about having a new pet because of concerns about how much it will cost. The authority's dog control officer said that the credit crunch was "definitely having an effect".
"Traditionally there is a slowdown in re-homing dogs at Christmas, but this year it has slowed down even further."
Pet is for life and not just for Christmas' remains an important one."
People are struggling to look after their dogs, because of financial reasons or because of the animal's behaviour. If this is the case then you should contact your local dog warden, turning a dog out on the street was not an option and is illegal.
People who can take on a new pet, to be loved and cared for "long after the festive season", are urged to contact the rescue centres.

It Is A Happy New Year

I couldn't have had a better New Year present than to receive my results of my course. I know have a Diploma in Canine Psychology, I got an A with 86% and have the letters Dip.dog.psy after my name.

Our Christmas was a great one too as the pictures show, grandchildren play with a new toy after we had our Christmas family breakfast. Then playing some silly games together and even Mica got presents from Santa.

Merry Christmas

We from Doggy-b-good wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
from Domino, Rusty and Mica

Give A Dog A Special Gift For Christmas

Dog Trust

You can Sponsoring a dog for just £1 a week by loging on to the Dogtrust website and give a dog a special gift.
Our hearts are full of love and we want to share it with you.
Our difficult pasts can make it hard for us to find a home, but Dogs Trust promise to look after us for the rest of our lives if we need them to.
Your £1 a week will help Dogs Trust keep their promise to never put down a healthy dog, and in return you'll receive photos and news from your sponsored dog three times a year. You can even sponsor a dog as a gift!

http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/sponsor_a_dog/

The Blue Cross

If you're considering taking on a pet, adopting an animal is a great way to find an animal companion. The animals in the Blue Cross animal adoption centres have a lot to give a responsible owner, and they deserve a warm and loving home. Please bear in mind that the animals you see here are only available for adoption subject to the centre's own screening processes.

http://www.bluecross.org.uk/web/site/CustomPages/AnimalsForAdoption.asp

PDSA

Become a PDSA Best Friend online today. PDSA 'Best Friends' is a special club for animal lovers. You can become a PDSA Best Friends and help support PDSA's work with a monthly donation that goes straight to helping sick and injured animals.

http://www.pdsa.org.uk/

There are many other animal charities that need your help to support their hard work they do. Please take some time and vist the link below where you will find different animal charities.

http://www.dogs.co.uk/dog-charities.html

Christmas Abandoned Dogs Warning

Don't Let This Happen To A Dog

In Derbyshire there has been a sharp rise in abandoned dogs found.

The number of dogs that the wardens have picked up has doubled since last year. It’s very sad as it is believed that many are older dogs that are being abandoned at Christmas time to make way for new puppies.

Please don’t buy puppies as presents and particularly at Christmas, dog’s are for life not for Christmas, you can’t exchange them or take them back. Puppies don’t come trained, and having a dog is a very big commitment and need proper train and looking after. You have to remember they need insurance and vet bill cost a lot of money.

RSPCA's PetRetreat service

This is the time of the year when most of us enjoy being with our families and friends. We enjoy good food and drink, open presents and have fun. But there is another side out side of our homes, and that’s families of domestic abuse. That is bad enough but there is one other factor that is not often though about, if there is an animal involved too, that where you can come in.

Pet foster carers are needed to provide temporary homes for pets belonging to families fleeing domestic abuse.

The RSPCA PetRetreat service relies on foster carers to give pets loving homes for around four to six months or even longer.

Fostering a pet can be a pleasant and rewarding experience, and is essential for the RSPCA's PetRetreat service to continue helping families and animals.

The following are typical characteristics of a PetRetreat fosterer.

A love of animals
Ideally with experience of owning a pet.

Patience
Animals may be frightened or anxious going into a new home and need time to settle and adjust.

Understanding and empathetic
About what the animal may have seen or been through, and aware that the animal may have been abused.

Dedication
Prepared to look after a pet for around six months - or possibly longer.

Extraordinary
It takes a special person to be a PetRetreat fosterer.

Give an animal a Happy Christmas

Deaf Dog’s Can Learn

Deaf Dog’s Can Learn

Sign language taught to deaf dog

Zoe a deaf Dalmatians is gaining confidence as she masters sign languish. Zoe an 18-month-old Dalmatian, is being cared for at the RSPCA's Little Valley Animal Shelter in Exeter. The Staff at the shelter were worried Zoe, who is almost completely deaf, may not be adopted. Staff say Zoe has taken to the new training so well and has learned seven sign commands which includes “sit”, “stay”, and “lie down”. An animal behaviour assistant at the shelter, said: "When Zoe came to the shelter she was timid and lacked confidence is soon become apparent she was deaf. Zoe could not be train with voice commands in the usual way, so the staff came up with the idea of sign language. The RAPCA is hoping Zoe’s new found confidence will help find a suitable home.

Please remember taking on a dog is a very big commitment, so taking on a deaf dog is twice the work but very rewarding, as is having any dog. Please make sure you are very committed.

BBC Cuts Crufts Coverage

The decision for the BBC to cut the televise coverage of Crusfts concern the RSPCA. The RSPCA believes it reflects deep scientific and public concern about the unacceptably high levels of disability, deformity and diseases affecting pedigree dogs.

In the wake of the BBC documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed the RSPCA decided not to attend Crufts 2009. This decion is to send out a clear message that urgent action must be taken to improve the health and welfare of pedigree dogs.
There are several other leading animal welfare charities and show sponsors that have since decided also not to atened Crusfts.

Hundreds of thousands of dogs are suffering and have disease because they’re primarily bred for how they look rather than their health, welfare and nature as the main focus. Dog shows using current breed standards as the main judging criteria are flawed and don’t do our pedigree dogs no favours. It allows and supports both the breeding of deformed and disabled dogs and the inbreeding of closely related animals. This is morally unforgivable and has to stop.”

The RSPCA wants to see changes within dog shows so that health, the emphasis of dog shows shifted away from arbitrary appearance, so that health, wellbeing and temperament are considered first and foremost. The association wants to help ensure that pedigree dogs have the best possible chance of being fit, healthy and happy with their lives they will lead as pets.

Virus Kills Five Dogs In Cornwall

Dog owner are being advised to get their pet dogs vaccinated to avoid an out break of the deadly virus. Five dog have know died in Cornwall, any dogs that display symptoms of severe sickness and diarrhoea, who will not eat or drink need to be taken to the vet immediately. As dog owners we need to make sure we vaccinate our dogs to stop out breaks of canine viruses. If you are not sure about vaccinations then contact your nearest vet.

FUR TRADE IT MUST STOP

O my god I had to watch this video that was sent to me about the fur trade, as I always want to face the horrible seen to do with the fur trade. The shock and horror I felt watching the video is nothing to the pain and curtly animals go though for humans to wear fur, it‘s and disgrace and it’s disgusting. We have our own skin why should we kill and take the skin of animals to wear just to look good. Maybe these fur traders who do this, should have their head bashed on the ground, and while still conscious take part of their skin taken off and see how they like it.

The following video is of excruciating violence. Its painful silences affect us all deeply. If we don't protect animals from this type of brutality, we become accomplices.

http://www.petatv.com/tvpopup/video.asp?video=fur_farm&Player=wm&speed=med

Please sign and forward to all your contacts -

Our Mica

Mica is now 7 months old and she is doing great with her training. She is a loving dog and loves being around me and the family. She knows 8 verbal words and 6 hand signals, not bad for a 7th month old puppy. She has two certificates for her obedience classes. She won 5th places in a fun show for waggies tail and done a charity walk for Brest Cancer. Here are some special photos of my special girl. You can also see how she has progress since she came home with us on my other web site dominobrettsworldlive.com and click on our dogs, then Mica.

RSPCA Rescues 100 St Bernard Dogs From Kennels

The RSPCA has rescued 100 dogs from Wardana Boarding Kennels & Cattery in Northamptonshire. RSPCA inspectors removed the dogs from a kennels near Northampton following a tip-off to the police on Saturday evening. Two of the dog were in such bad condition they died. The dogS which include puppies had been locked in their cages with out food for several days.

A spokesman for the charity said 99 dogs have been sent to rescue centres in Nottinghamshire and Cambridgeshire and are being given treatment. They will eventually be re-homed.

There where four other dogs boarding at the kennels and have been returned to their owners, theRE was no concern over their welfare. Investigations into the dogs conditions are being carried out.

Many of the dogs were covered in their own excrement. The kennels belonged to a well know dog breeder, Mary-Ellen Collis. The police and RSPCA have been unable to trace her.
For someone like this breeder who in the pass has look after her dogs it is very strange. What is your comment on this story?

The Christmas Dogs

If your heart is set on getting a puppy for Christmas please don’t let the calendar decide on their fate. A puppy is not for Christmas but for life. Letting the calendar dictate when to add a pet to your family often leads to disastrous results. If you are thinking about bringing a puppy home then please do your research on what it means to own a puppy that ends up an adult dog. Big or small mean a lot of reasonability.

Once you have decided on owning a dog then the next step is where to look. Think about what sort of dog you are looking for, a rescue or a breed. If you decide on a rescuaued then check out all re-homing places like Battersea or BlueCross. If it’s a breed then you need to decided what breed of dog that you want, once you have decided, then get in contact with breeders. Go to dog shows, these are a great place to connect breeders

Remember you have to understand that setting foot into any pet shops that sell live dogs mean that these establishments obtain their dogs from puppy mills and/or, at best, from uninformed backyard breeders. Although that adorable, warm orb of fur that tugs at your heartstrings is indeed irresistible, “saving” this one puppy only encourages the suppliers to churn out puppies as cash crops, in deplorable conditions, to take this one's place.
The pet shop clerk will take your cash, check, or credit card and ask no questions. These impulse-buys provide public and private shelters and rescue organizations with more than enough work year-round. This applies to both mixed breed and purebred dog because pet stores often sell hybrids and so-called designer dogs that have become so au courant.
The concept of having a dog appeals to many people, but not everyone is in a suitable place in his or her life to take on the jumbo commitment of caring for a living creature with as many needs as a dog. It’s not a character flaw; it just is.

Pcs Sentenced For Kicking Their Pet Dogs

Two Police officers from North Wales where sentences after being filmed kicking and throwing their pet dogs around. Anja Mason, 29 and Craig Macleod, 34 were court on film by a neighbour who watched the abuse at a house in Prestatyn. They have admitted to curtly and causing suffering to the dogs They where given community sentences and banned from keeping animals for five years.

Keep your dog’s teeth and gums clean

It’s the same for dogs as it is for humans to keep their teeth and gums clean, they have the same problem with plaque bacteria that constantly forms in the mouth, this can accumulate on the teeth, gums and the tongue ensuing in bad breath and gum disease, tartar and tooth decay. If your dogs teeth are left untreated this can lead to pain and needless or early tooth loss. Bad breath is usually the first sign of any tooth or gum problems.

For more information on dogs teeth and gum problems, go to my FAQ.

Doggy-B-Good T-Shirt and Mug

This is just the start of my new product for sale on Zazzle so take a look, the link is below. I will be designing different products so don’t miss out.

http://www.zazzle.com/my/products/public

Sports For Dogs

Your dog can become a sporting supper star too. There are a number of sports that you can get your dog involved in. Taking up a dog sport is not only good for your dog but for you too, you will make new friends, enjoy being out side in the fresh air, and having a lot of fun too. Check out about the dog sports on my FAQ page, there you will find information on six popular canine sports.

Jen's Canine Psychology Course

Well I have finally finished my Canine Behavior Psychology Diploma Course; all I have left to do is send it off and wait. I feel great at finishing it and very excited about the out come if I pass (when I pass lol). I would like to thank one person who found the course for me, and he is also my web site host from EzDesigns Hosting and friend, thank you. Let's hope that the announcement that I will make on my blog is a good one when I find out the result, so I can do another dog course. WATCH THIS SPACE

The Pedigree Trio Mystery

The RSPCA has a mystery on their hands, three pedigree dogs have been found wandering around a town in north Wales, a male and two females. The dogs were not friendly when first pick up as they where in a lot of pain from their matted coats. The dogs where a lot happer and calmer once their coats were shaved off. None of the dogs where micro chipped and they didn’t have collars.

Once again it saddens me when I read stories like this. When we take on a dog it is our responsible for its whole life.

How do I tell if my dog has Worms

Every one that has a dog needs to know about worms. There are two diffrant types of worms that dogs can have, Roundworm and Trapeworm.

How do I tell if my dog is infected?

Large infestations of roundworms may cause a characteristic pot-bellied appearance in puppies and in extreme cases may actually block the intestine and cause death. They may also experience diarrhoea and vomiting, in which roundworms may be visible. If left untreated, infestations may also cause retardation of growth. Symptoms are rarely seen in adults who seldom have major infestations of roundworms. The most accurate way of detecting roundworms is to visit your vet who will analyse a faecal sample from your dog for the presence of eggs.

For more information on worms in dog check out my web site doggy-b-good.com

Pet Insurance

If your pet becomes ill, providing the best care quickly without worrying about costs will be priority. Taking out pet insurance will give you peace of mind and there are many pet insurance company you can rely on. So, if it's cat insurance or dog insurance you need, so check out the link below, there are many pet insurances to choose from so you and provid the best care for your pet. Make sure you read about each insurance carefully.


http://www.moneysupermarket.com/petinsurance/

Doctor dog wins pet therapy prize

It so nice to hear about a lovely story like this.

A Leonberger called Simba is a volunteer dog with Pets as Therapy; he gives cuddles to people and has won the national charity competition. Simba visits care homes, helps children with dog phobias. He has won the PAT’s dog of the year prize for his friendly nature. Want to know more about PAT go to http://www.petsastherapy.org/

Grieving For A Lost Pet

When someone close in your life dies it is natural to feel sad and express grief. Family and friends provide understanding and comfort.

Unfortunately it's not the same if the companion who died was an animal. Many consider grieving inappropriate for someone who has lost a pet; NOTHING could be further from the truth. Grieving is a natural human emoshion so why shouldn‘t we feel the same when our pet dies. If you have lost a pet you can read about greving on my frequantly ask questions.

Frequently Ask Dog Question

There has been many questions I have been ask about dog health, training, behaviour. I have updated the FAQ page with information on these and other subjects on dogs. If you do have any questions regarding your dogs you can email me, you will find my email on my web site and I will get back to your as soon as possible. Any information from my web site or blog is to help give a more understanding about our dogs. If you deside to use any information regarding your dogs health you need to contact your vet before you use any meidcation.

Spot Boirs

It is with great sadness that I have to tell this news, and my heart go’s out to Rebecca on the lose of her beautiful and handsome boy Boirs. He was the father of my camp Domino and was an inspiration to me, he will be greatly missed. To see more about Boris go to http://www.koroyza-dalmatians.com/

A Birthday Remembrance for Domino

Yesterday was my champ boy’s birthday; he would have been six this year. For those who know him and those who didn’t, Domino was my Dalmatian dog. I lost him March this year and still find it very hard not having him around. He has his very own web site so take a look and enjoy the world that I was lucky to share with Domino.

To check out Domino web site, go to doggy-b-good.com click on links then click on Domino’s picture.

A Great New Link

Here is a link that you can add to your browser, once you add the link you can listen to the radio, receive messages, and it can take you to the Crazys Palace of Trivia and Fun, the best Trivia site in the world. Become a member and have lot’s of fun and make new friends, play many different games, check out the news, more links, and lots lots more, it’s a great site and it’s all free.

Copy and paste the link below into your browser and press enter, scroll down the page and press download, it will take you to Crazys Palace.

http://CrazysPalace.Media-Toolbar.com

Dog Shot Dead in Wales

THE RSPCA NEEDS YOUR HELP

A female dog was found shot in the head and dumped in woodland in Rhondda, South Wales on Monday. The dog, a lurcher had a piece of string attached to its collar, the theory is the dog was led there to die. The dog was shot at close range and deep wounds were found to its right ear and blood in its mouth.

The RSPCA need your help for more information regarding this incident, so please if you heard the sound of the gun fire in that area, get in touch with the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999

Remember, Remember the Fifth of November

This Wednesday is firework night and even though its fun for us, for our four legged friends it’s not so much fun. The loud bangs and the bright lights can scare your dog; different dogs will react in different ways. Please take a look at my FAQ for more information on dogs and fireworks.

Responsible Dog Ownership What is it?

With Christmas just around the corner I feel that it is important to make it very clear that a dog is for life not for Christmas. But if you are considering a dog, responsible dog ownership means more than loving your dog. Dog ownership is a serious commitment that consists of vital duties. I will be adding more information about dog ownership on my FAQ page on my web site very soon.

RSPCA and Hills withdraws from Crufts

RSPCA and Hills have withdrawn from 2009 crufts dog show because of concerns about the health of pedigree animals. The Kennel Club which runs Crufts has insisted the vast majority of dogs are healthy, but it recognises some problems with certain breeds. It says it is working hard to improve the health of dogs. What is your opinion on dog breeding and the thought of interbreeding?

Dog Boredom

There are times when we go out and leave our dog, either to go to work or pop down the shops. Some times when you return you find a mess where the dog has torn something up, chewed the furnisher or even done a poo and wee. there can be a number of reasons why the dog may do this behaviour, but two come to mind, one is “Boredom” and the other is “Separation Anxiety” There are a number of things that we can do, you will find some help in my FAQ page on my site www.doggy-b-good.com

Separation Anxiety In Dogs

Separation anxiety can be an enormous problem in the dog world and can start at any age. As dog lovers we can prevent separation anxiety or at least treat it effectively. We love the experience of the tight bond we get with our pet, but if your dog becomes too dependant on you, then separation anxiety can develop. If you know or think that your dog has a problem with separation anxiety, then read about the 4 step program that may help on my FAQ. Please remember this is only a guide and diffract circumstance will need different methods.

Vets prescription charges

Vets can know charge prescription fees; this could mean as much a £15 for a prescription, even for worming tables, the consolation free alone can be £20/£30 pounds so you are looking at £35/£45 pounds all together. If you find that you do need worming tables, Front line for fleas it best to buy in plenty. I do sell these on my web site so please tack a look www.doggy-b-good.com . Remember to check with your vet about prescription charge.

A DOG IS FOR LIFE, NOT JUST FOR CHRISTAMS

Every year around Christmas dog shelters make appeals to everyone to think before buying a puppy or any pet as a Christmas present. The message is “A DOG IS FOR LIFE, NOT JUST FOR CHRISTAMS” Please think and consider the implications of owning a pet.

After Christmas every year hundreds of dogs end up in shelters or on the streets because of being an un-wanted present. It is all well and good when you first get a puppy, how quite how sweet, but they grow and need a lot of care, food, walking (in all sorties of weather), brushing, play and training.

Puppies are very hard work, they chew, soil, walk you up in the night, dig the garden up, and are very attentions seeking, like children. Puppies take up a lot of your time, do you have time to look after a puppy and do all these jobs every day? If not DON’T BUY A PUPPY.

Body of a dog found in a Pond

The RSPCA has started an investigation after the body of a Staffordshire bull terrier was found in a pond in Nottonghamshire. The female dog was put in a canvas laundry bag and weighted down with concrete in Worksop. The dog had horrific injuries to the head and had been dead seven or ten days. The dog was found by a group of children in Godfreys Pond in Sandy Lane on Sunday. A RSPCA inspector removed the body and took it to a vet after discovering the injuries. The dog had multiple serious wounds to the jaw and head where it was struck repeatedly with a heavy object, and it appears to have been caused deliberately. The dog suffered a lonely and painful death. People convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to animals could face a maximum six-month prison sentence and/or a £200,000 fine. It sickens me to read this curtly that is happening to animals in this day and age. Six months in prison or £200,000 fine is not enough.

Dog Obesity

It makes me so sad that dog owner are in fact killing their pets with kindness by over feeding and give treats. Dogs are natural scavengers, and as scavengers they believe that each meal is their last. Dog always appear hungry even thou on many occasions they are not.
We should have a good knowledge of the implication of overfeeding our dog/s; dogs don’t have the sense to relises that to keep eating can course health problems. All dogs will continue to eat if given the chance; this is part of the reason why there are so many obese dogs. Giving your dog one or two meals a day is adequate and the dog is not going hungry despite that the dog may seem so. I will be adding more information on dog obesity on my frequency ask questions page.

Rottweiler rescued from cliff fall

A dog has been rescued in the Isle of Man after going over a cliff edge on Thursday evening. The Rottweiler, named Rasta, slid down the 200ft (61m) cliff on the Marine Drive, just south of Douglas. The coastguard was call out to rescue him, and found then uninjured after searching in the dark. The owner was praised by the coastguard for calling for help, instead of risking his own live.

Happy Ending

Thieves return pedigree bulldog puppies after publicity about the theft. The puppy’s theft was reported by the owner after the thieves broke into the kennels at the back of his house in the Llanedeyrn area. The owner found his pets in a local car park after tacking an anonymous phone call telling him where to find the puppies. The stolen dogs included the bitch Rocket, and he’s French bulldog Whooie.

This is a happy ending and a very lucky one because the puppies are too young to be microchip. But adult dog are stolen too, so it is important to have your dog/s wear name tags and micro chipped. For more information read about micro chipping in my FAQ page.

Doggy B Good

It’s simple and fast, if you want to add the doggy-b-good link to your web site just copy and paste the code below , then you can visit us with a just click of your mouse, keeping up to date with the latest dog news and fun.

<a href="http://doggy-b-good.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://doggy-b-good.com/dbg_adban1.gif" style="border:1px solid #000000" /></a><br />

Insert the copied code between the <> < body > tags on your html page where you want the banner to appear on your website.

Pro Cancer Research Fund

Well we went to the Breast Cancer Dog Walk at Trent Park and what a turn out it was great, a beautiful day and the sun was shining. It was so nice to see all the different breeds of dogs with their owners/families, young and old enjoying the day. We meet at the café and signed in, got our badge and pink balloon which we had to let go at the end of our walk.

Breast Cancer Month

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
AND PCRF ARE HOLDING THEIR ANNUAL WALK!

Make it a special day and a memorable one by celebrating the survivors and those who lost their battle.

Bring your dog to Trent Park and walk with us its free, all dog are welcome and it healthy and social.

Date: SUNDAY 12TH OCTOBER 2008
Time: Start @ 11.00 am – finish @ 12noon

Place: Trent Park, Cockfosters Road entrance, EN4

Meet: By the Café/Car Park Area off Cockfosters Road

All dogs will receive a certificate of participation

Medication Update on Vet Prescriptions

from the beginning of October your veterinary surgeon is now allowed to charge for the issuing of a prescription: so it even more important that you ensure you are getting value for money. Below you will see some advise on ensuring you are receiving a fair deal!

A prescription can contain more than one drug so you should not be charged for several prescriptions when you only need one if you use more than one medicine.

A prescription can be repeatable, indeed should be if you are using medications for the longer term; a prescription can and should cover your entire check-up period which incidentally cannot be altered by your vet because you are obtaining medicines elsewhere.

Also Product License Update: As from this month Program suspension for cats and Program tablets for dogs can now be bought without prescription (This is prevention and control of flea infestation). This long overdue change in product license is very welcome giving you a choice along side Frontline Spot-On for your routine flea control.

Keep Pets Safe And Calm On Fireworks Night!

Fireworks And Our Pets

November the 5th is not far away and every year thousands of animals will suffer as a result of fireworks being set off, and at the hands of curl people. There has been a marked rise in pets requiring veterinarian care weeks before and after, due to cruelty. Also some animal including dog get very stressed at this time, loud bangs and whistles may cause them actual pain in their ear. Here are some simple guidelines for you to follow so your pet need not suffer.

Make sure your pet is safely inside and secure all doors and windows. If your dog or cat wants to hide where they feel safe, let them.

Make sure your dog or cat is microchipped and tagged, so if they do escape, if found they can be identified.

Weeks before firework night, change your dog walking habit to early evening, and provided your cat with a littler trays for them to get use too it.

On the night draw curtains, play music or have the TV on to help mask the noise of the fireworks.

Please remember to ignore any fearful behaviour and do not try to comfort your pet, this can only make things worse.

If your dog is howling or crying please do not punish your pet, this will only confirm that there is something to be afraid of.

Try not to go out while fireworks are going off, see you acting normally will help your pet feel more settled.

Also if you go to my doggy arcade and click on dog health in search, then below type Stress, it will bring up the Dog Appeasing Pheromone collar and the Dog Appeasing Pheromone Diffuser + 48ml Vial. They are use to help dog under stress. Please speak to your vet first before purchasing.It ia alway best to talk to your vet, they will be able to advices.

Mica’s Second Certificate

I am very proud as Mica has got her second certificate in the intermediate obedience class. She is doing so well, and will be continuing classes. The next stage is clicker training which I have already started at home with Mica.

If you are a dog and cat person and you are worried if both can live together, then read my information on how to get your dog and cat to successfully live in harmony, just go to my Frequently ask questions page.

New Dog Name Page

I have been working on a new Dog Name page on my site. If you have a new puppy and need to give it a name but have not thought of one, there are plenty to choose from. You can choose from normal every day name’s to the unusual.

Microchiping

The best thing you can do to protect your dog is to be a responsible owner and have him/her microchip. Microchips are designed to last for the life of a dog, no need to be charged or replaced and completely permanent. For more information on microchinping check out my frequently ask question on my site.

Dog Questions

If you have any questions regarding a new puppy, dog behaviour problems or just a general dog query, then you can visit my website www.doggy-b-good.com You will find frequently ask questions page. If your question is not there just email me and I will get back to you.

Fun Fun Fun!!

As promise the games page is now open. To play the games go to www.doggy-b-good.com click on Doggy Arcade there you can Play Husky Racers: you choose your sledge of huskies and race them on a track of you’re choose. You can play a single game or challenge a friend.

Lost Puppy: Take a walk in the park and find your lost puppy. You see a picture of a lost puppy and you look for him in the park.

Pup World: Take your dog for a walk and avoid all the distractions.

Play the Disney Scenes: here you have to find the differences between to disney pictures.

Net a pet: Adopt a puppy or kitten; you look after your pet. Feed and give them water to drink, play ball and teach them tricks.

Dr Daisy Pet Vet: Play at being a vet, look after the different animal that come your surgery.

Pet School: You job is to keep the puppies happy. You move in between rooms looking for grumpy puppies and make the puppy happy by giving it a toy to play with.

Perfect Day

What a lovely day I had, It started off with Mica playing in the garden after breakfast. Then we went to visit some relatives with my daughter, son-law and my two beautiful granddaughters.
After dinner we went for a walk in the country, the grandkids found a small park and had a go on the swings, slide and seesaw. They feed the ponies and see some geese’s. We then had a paddle in the river and see some fish. What a perfect day.

World Animal Day

British Wildlife: lost and living in association with The UK Wolf Conservation Trust, has a fun day out on Sunday 5th October, 2pm - 6pm. There will be many different things going on, talks on Birds of Prey, learn about different wild life, Children's wildlife walks and talk and much more. It will be a great day out for all the family, for more information about the day check out the website www.ukwolf.org

Two New Pages Add To The Web Site

I have added two new pages to the web site, and over the next few weeks I will be adding to them. One is a games and competitions page where there will be games to play and puzzles to do.

The other one will be for frequently asks questions about dogs. So if you have a question about your dog or dogs in general, then email me and I will add it to the page.

Crack Down on Dog Owners/Walkers

Greenwich Council is taking tough new measures on dog owners, owners and dog walkers will be given on the spot fines of £75 under the new Dog Control Orders, if they let the dog:

Fail and don’t clean up after the dog
Let the dog off the lead in a designated area or on public paths
Allow the dog into exclusion areas.

There will be other spaces with restrictions on the number of dogs that one person can have under their control at any time. It will also be an offence if you don’t put your dog on a lead when instructed to do so by an authorised officer.

What is your view on this?

Make Your Dog Safe in the Car

By law you have to wear a seat belt in your car so why not make your dog safe too? A dog on the loose in the car can KILL. There are a few safety procedures you can take 1) is a good safety Harness, these works with existing car seatbelts, they keep your dog safe, stops your dog from jumping around and distracting your driving, preventing the dog being thrown and injured if an accident happens. 2) Is a good dog guard theses are available cheaply, they consist of bars or mesh panels that expand to fit the width of the car. These may discourage your dog from jumping over to the rear seats, but for better protection you should get a crate. 3) Create are the safest way for your dog to travel. A proper car crate is the best solution, they are built strong and designed to fit most models of car. They are easy to fit, lift in and out of the car and don’t need to be bolted to the car. For more information on harness, dog guards and crates go to www.doggy-b-good.com Click on doggy arcade, there you can purchase any of the items above.

Hot Oil Attack on Dog

A Terrier that went missing for a week returned in home after being seriously injured. Pip a Jack Russell was scalded with hot fat, the burns are so severe he needed surgery and his fur may never grow back. Lia Hammond was delighted to have Pip back home but was devastated when she sees his injuries. Pip has to be given antibiotics, painkillers and cream has to be applied to the burns twice a day. The RSPCA is investigating to try and find who is responsible.

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My Canine Behavior Course

Well I am happy to say that my Canine Behavior course is going very well. I have completed the first test paper, which leaves 3 more to go, and then I have a 1000/2000 essay to write.

Mica is at training tonight so no studying. Mica has come on leaps and bounds with her training. She know has a very form sit, down and stand. We are working on wait's, leave it's. Leave it's are to make sure she don't touch any thing that I don't want her to i.e food that maybe harmful to her out in the street. With the leave it she has to make eye contact with me first,(this is called checking in), to see if she can have what I have told her to leave. This is a good excerise to teach your dog, as most of the time they should be checking in with you before they can have what it is on the floor.

Dog Grooming

Every dog needs grooming on regular bases. It is important for you dog’s health, helping remove dead hair and dirt and prevent matting. Dog that is regularly groomed have a healthier a shinier coat because it stimulates the blood supply to the skin. Grooming your dog can also be a good way to bond with your dog, and it’s important to get them used to it form an early age. Dog learn that their routine brushing as an alternate petting and another source of affection and attention. Make sure you get a good quality brush and comb; this will help you with your dog’s coat. Remember to check your dog all over, eyes, ears and clip their nails. If you are not confidant in clipping your dogs nail the vet will do it for you. The are diffrant grooming aids to see these just look on my web site Doggy-b-good.com click Doggy Arcade, then click link for dog grooming and you will find what you need.

Thunderstorm Anxiety in Dogs

Winter is coming and this means thunderstoms, dose your dog get very upset during thunderstorms, many sympathetic owners try and comfort their pooches with this anxiety, but consoling your pet may not help but make things worse. Thunderstorm anxiety is very common among dogs, they start shaking, and panting and pacing the floor getting very nervous and even send them hiding under your bed or even tearing up furniture. Studies show the stress hormone cortisol to be up to three time’s normal levels while the dogs heard recordings of a thunderstorm. In dogs that lived in households with other dogs, their response was not as high and seemed to come back to normal more quickly. Please don’t go out and get another dog, but talk to your vet about behaviour options or medications, vets say medications may be more effective.
If you have a dog with thunderstorm anxiety I would like to hear your story and how you deal with. I may even post it on my web site.

Electric Shock Dog Collars

What is your opinion on electric shock dog collars, are you for them or against. The use of electric shock collars will soon be made a criminal offence in Wales announced minister Elin Jones. There are a range of electric shock products available that can be activated to train against bad behaviour.
What is an electric shock collar; it’s a small box that contains electrical components and a battery which is fitted to a collar. There are two metal probes that stick out of the underside of the box and makes contact with the skin on the dog neck. The collar when activated administers an electric shock which we know that can hurt. Most shock collars have various settings to increase the strength of the stock. It sounds nasty doesn’t it?

Canine Behaviour Psychology Diploma Course

Well my studies are about to start, I received everything that is needed to complete the course, including a relax Cd, they have thought of everything lol, it is all very exciting. This won’t interfere with me doing the blog or web site. I will be adding information on different dog breeds this will take some time as there are a lot. If you have any comments on any of the blogs I will be glad to hear from you. Or if you have any questions regarding your dog/s please ask.

Mica's first Rosette

What a great day at the National Animal Welfare Trust fun dog show. The weather was not great but many people turned out with their dogs. There where various shows that you could enter your dog into, Best Looking puppy, Best bitch, Best Dog, Best senior, Best Rescue and waggies tail. Mica was entered into the waggies tail and come fourth, getting her first rosettes, toys and some treats. She was very good around people, children and other dogs, as well as doing good walking to heel, sits and downs. Taking your puppy to shows like this, help with socialising and gets them use to entering show rings if you are thinking of showing your dog or competing in agility.

There will be a picture posted here soon

Doggy B Good

It’s simple and fast, if you want to add the doggy-b-good link to your web site just copy and paste the code below , then you can visit us with a just click of your mouse, keeping up to date with the latest dog news and fun.

<a href="http://doggy-b-good.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://doggy-b-good.com/dbg_adban1.gif" style="border:1px solid #000000" /></a><br />

Insert the copied code between the <> < body > tags on your html page where you want the banner to appear on your website.

National Animal Welfare Trust

Open Day and Fun Dog Show

On Sunday 7th September 08 I will be taking Mica to a dog fun open day, children under 5 and dogs get in for free!! There will be a barbeque and refreshments with different food and fun stands, also a pet photographer and much more. Its fun for all the family and all contributions will help with the work that the NAWT do. For more details look on the NAWT website

Start Date & Time: 07 Sep 2008 12:00
End Date & Time: 07 Sep 2008 16:00

Wolves Eating Habits

What do you imagine wolves eating salmon or deer? Well new research suggest that when salmon is available they perfuer to eat that. A wolf reduces deer hunting when salmon is available. Chris Darimont from the University of Victoria and the Raincoats Conservation Foundation, Canada, went with a team of researchers who studied the wolves feeding habits, over a course of four years. Remains was identified in wolf dropping by a chemical analysis of shed wolf hair to determine what the wolf eat thought out the year. Most of the year wolves eat deer. In the autumn salmon becomes available and the wolves shift their preferences. Information says, one would expect wolves would move to salmon only if deer was in short supply, data show that this is not the case. Have any comments, look forward to hearing from you.

Using Kong's to stimulate your dog

As we all know our dogs can get bored when left alone, and this is when they can get destructive. There are a few things that we can do to stimulate them, and that is toy stuffing/kongs. Kong are specially made materials that are very difficult for your dog to tear apart so very safe, unlike raw bones or cook bones. If you give your dog chicken bones this can course problems as the bones can split.

There are different variety of shapes and sizes of kongs, and you can stuff them with various food items. You will learn what works and what doesn't, what makes it easy for your dog to extract. There are three levels of kong stuffing. It is necessary to teach your dog how to extract the food from the kong so it must be very easy to start. First levels is Novice

What ever food you have for your dog, dried or tin can be use. If you use dried you can add water to soften it. First you put some we food at the bottom of the kong, then some dry food in the middle with some tasty treats, then finish with we food. By doing this it will make it reasonably easy for your dog to extract the food. Continue to do this until he has mastered this level. Above is an exarmple of how you can stuff a kong.
If you have any questions/comments I will be glad to hear from you.

First certificate

Well Mica has got her first certificate in obedience. She has completed the first 6 weeks beginner course, and now she is in the next intermediate class. In this class she will have to work harder with the exercises that we have been working on. Training is hard work, but it’s all so very rewarding, it’s great when you start to see all your hard work taking affect.

Tomorrow some tips on using kongs.

Great Web Sites to Visit

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I would be good if you could give some feedback on these web sites

Arthritis Awareness

Coming this September, Canine Arthritis Awareness Month will again be raising the profile of this debilitating disease. This year vets will be participating and supporting the campaign even more intensively by offering free arthritis checks. You as the owners can also benefit from a £5 voucher off the cost of treatment if your dog receives a new diagnosis of arthritis, so it really is worth having your pets or working dogs checked out.
Arthritis is painful and progressive loss of mobility will surely follow without treatment. Ask your vet if they are participating in Canine Arthritis Awareness Month.

What memories are made of?

Well last night I had one of my 2 year old granddaughters staying over, and what a great time we had, we was dancing a singing to Van the Man, she love music. Then today for the first time in months I had my family together for Sunday dinner. Its been a while since we have all been together for a Sunday dinner, as we are all very busy, but today here we all where, my son and daughter with their partners and my grandchildren. Even Mica my Dalmatian behaviour well for a five month old puppy.

Mica's Training

I had a good week with Mica’s (my Dalmatian) training. She is progressing very well with her sit, down and stand. I am going to bring in the stay command; this can take a very long time for the dog to learn. The walking on lead has been very hard with Mica, but now she is focusing more on me and walking nicely beside me, rather than keep sniffing the ground.

On September the 7th my obedience trainers/friends are doing a dog demonstration to do with obedience and agility training, so I will be take Mica along, I will take some pictures as this will be her first fun dog show. All in all I look forward to an enjoyable day, and I will update the blog with news of how the day went.

Sponsor a Support Dog

The Aquavet, Sheffield’s Canine Hydrotherapy Centre is holding a unique fundraising event on Sunday 14th September 2008. The special event is a Canine Swimathon that will see almost 70 dogs take part in a 12 hour swimming marathon. Each dog will do 15 minute relay of the hydrotherapy pool under supervision of the Aquavet’s staff.

As well as receiving a certificate each dog taking part will receive a gift. In addition to the main Swimathon event, there will be a variety of stalls featuring merchandise and games plus a free veterinary check for dogs visiting the event on the day.

Swimathon is 8.00am - 8.00pm
Fun Day 10.00am - 4.00pm

If you are interested in tacking part in the swimathon you need to reserve your dog’s place soon as place are filling up fast, go on Support-dogs.org

Freedom

As any Dalmatian owner knows Dalmatian enjoys nothing better than a good run off lead. Today we took Mica over Trent Park for the first time, we took her off her main lead, and put her on a very long rope lead, this way she had the freedom to run but if she decided to run off, we had some chance of catching her.
But as always with Dalmatians never disappoint , she had fun running about and made some new friends, but most of the time she stayed with me, I even did some training i.e. sits, downs and recalls, and she did perfectly.

Training at its Best

I had a great day yesterday Sunday 24th August. In the morning I took Mica (my Dalamtian) to her training class, and what a good class she had. We had to do doggy press ups, this is to get the dog to do a sit, down, sit and stand. At this early stage in training we still give the dog rewards on each exersise, so I get Mica to sit and give her a treat, then put her into a down, she gets a treat, back into a sit, another treat and then into a stand, and at this stage a lot of fuss and a handful of treats.

The next exersise was getting Mica to do a wait, we start this with some heel work and then give the command wait and just lightly check the lead, as soon a the dog stops you give them a treat. She did this extremly well.

We are also introducing the stay exersise, this can be done when the dog is in a sit or down. Choose the one that your dog is more stable in. This exerise can take a while for your dog to learn, remember be patient.

Dog Food Credit Crunch

As we all know there is a recession and everything has gone up, I replenished my supplies of my James Wellbeloved dog food today and it had gone up £3 a bag, a 15kg is now under £39. I have always used James Wellbeloved and I am reluctant to swap to anything else as it suits Mica (my Dalmatian) very well, and is excellent for food allergies. The worry is the recession is going to continue and prices will continue to go up, will our dog suffer, will dog owners have to give up their four legged friends.

Pedigree Dogs Exposed

Inbreeding of pedigree dogs is causing genetic diseases of dogs an investigation has found. The BBC documentary says that breeding dog for shows is more important than the suffering of acute problems of dogs. The documentary show spaniels with brains that are too big for their skull causing severer pain, boxers suffering form epilepsy, pugs with breathing problems and bulldogs who are unable to mate or give birth unassisted.

Inbreeding of dogs can be between brother and sister, father and daughter, Mother and son, grandfather and granddaughter. Even thought The Kennel Club says it works to improve the health of pedigrees dogs, why is it that dogs that suffer from genetic illness are being aloud to compete in dog shows, some going on to win “best in breed” despite their poor health, and the dog owner being aloud to breed the dogs, which means the genetic gene being pass down to the next generation of dogs.

Surly we as caring dog owners should be more vigilant of screening breeders making sure that there is no inbreeding of our pedigree dogs.

What are your commends on this issue

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Lazy Sunday

Not got much going on today. My puppy Mica dosen't have a training class today, so will do extra at home with her. Will see my son and grandaugther today. At the moment not much is happening with web site but I need to sort out the emails soon.

Mica News

I would like to introduce you to my four month old Dalmatian puppy Mica. Mica was born on the 23rd April and she is a right little miss, like all puppies she gets up to mischief. I started training her the day she came home, it is very important to make sure right from the beginning you put rules into place. In July she started going to training classes too. Here she can make friends with other puppies and this help with socializing. She is doing well in her training and I will keep you up date with her progress.

As you can see Mica is doing a nice sit in her training class

Walthamstow Greyhound Tracks History Ends

Walthamstow greyhound track prepares to close its doors after 75 years Wednesday, 13 August 2008 Walthamstow greyhound track, London icon After 75 years, Walthamstow greyhound track in east London has run its course, and on Saturday, the dogs will burst from the trap for a final time.Many of them should be more concerned with finding new homes than catching the hare.The boisterous east London stadium - which has hosted everyone from Sir Winston Churchill to Lana Turner, Vinnie Jones and Brad Pitt - has been sold to housing developers.The stadium featured on the front of Blur's album Parklife.The pink and red neon of the stadium's famous sign will no longer glow with the promise of gambling, fun and excitement.Walthamstow was opened in 1933 by William Chandler, a local businessman who started out operating as an illegal street bookmaker.

Dog Cruelty on the Increase

Dog unidentifiable after being starved
Birkenhead, Wirral, Merseyside
Deputy Chief Inspector Leanne Hardy
Case number 07-0117
A dog was so thin when he was taken to the RSPCA centre in Wallasley, Merseyside, that staff and volunteers couldn’t identify what breed he was. The male boxer bull-mastiff-cross had been starved to half his natural body weight.
Andrew Ward (d.o.b 26.02.83) of Alwen Street, Birkenhead, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide adequate diet and failing to exercise reasonable supervision of the dog, called ‘Buster’. He was banned from keeping all animals for five years, given a supervision order for two years to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay costs of £300 at Wirral Magistrates Court in March 2007
RSPCA deputy chief inspector Leanne Hardy said: “Buster was in a pitiful state when he came to our attention. He was very thin, hadn’t been exercised and had no social skills. He was really timid and frightened of everything.”
Animal centre manager Joanne Hughes said: “It was touch and go whether Buster would make it at all when he first arrived. He had to be fed a couple of spoonsful of food every few hours and it took months for him to recover physically.
“Mentally, he needed a lot of TLC, but when he left us he was a beautiful, bouncy dog with a lovely personality.”

Dog Mess 'Spies' Catch Offenders

Enforcement action for dog fouling will also be stepped up
Four people have been prosecuted in an undercover operation to catch pet owners who fail to clean up dog mess.
Wyre Council in Lancashire uses plain-clothes council staff and police community support officers to catch owners who leave dog dirt.
The council has issued 11 fixed penalty notices and prosecuted four people since starting the operation a few months ago.
The council said its methods were "well supported" by the public.
'High on agenda'
One of the dog owners prosecuted was a man found guilty on five counts of not cleaning up after his dogs who recently lost an appeal against his conviction.
Michael Pyke, neighbourhood services' enforcement officer, said: "Dog fouling is a big concern in Wyre and is high on the agenda at many neighbourhood meetings.
"Because it doesn't tend to happen when uniformed officers are around, we need to be in plain clothes to catch offenders.
"Our efforts are well supported by the public, a number of whom have come forward to give evidence against irresponsible dog owners."

A New Life for Keria

Abused Dog Makes A Difference In Iraq


"Keria with handler Yvonne Watspn"
Keria, a four-year old Springer Spaniel and her handler, Lance Corporal Yvonne Watson have been working hard finding illegal weapons of war in an effort to reduce the tensions that are present in Iraq.Yvonne, 30 is a Dog Handler in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and Keria is a four-year-old spaniel who was rescued from abuse to start a new life in the Army as an Arms Explosives Search Dog, often referred to as a ‘sniffer’ dog. They are both on their second tour of operational duty.A victim of mis-treatment by children, Keria is still apprehensive in the presence of young people, but is an excellent search dog. They have both served a tour of duty in Afghanistan before coming to Iraq.

Called out whenever there is a suspicion that arms and explosives may be hidden, the duo deploy by helicopter, armoured personnel carrier or Land Rover to where they are needed. It is hot and difficult work, temperatures are already reaching 50oC in early May, and summer has still to fully arrive.Yvonne and Keria trained together at the Defence Animal Centre in Melton Mowbray and have been working as a team for two years now. “She is a lovely dog,” said Yvonne. “I really think that we are making a difference out here to the local people. They are trying to get their lives together and I would like to think that we are helping.“We have been very happy working together. I have applied to keep her after she has retired which is in another four years.”The dogs are housed in air conditioned kennels and even have their own swimming pool and will move to Cyprus at the end of their tour of duty in Iraq.Yvonne joined the Army three years ago after the downturn in the dairy farming industry. Her parents still live in Monikie, Dundee.