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Education is Key to Preventing a Dog Attack

A sad story with impact and hopefully with lessons for all of us.

In November 2021 a boy aged 10 was savagely mauled to death by a dog in South Wales.  I am not going to post the child’s name, as I have not asked permission to do so, nor is it relevant, however reading this very sad story made me realise that what WolfeEdu is setting out to achieve, by educating people especially children of how to share a safe space with a dog could prevent such an attack.

The Dog "B"

The dog was a troubled, 15-month-old, very large, 8-stone American Pitbull “type” called “B” ( for article purposes and out of respect we are not using his real name).  “B” in my opinion should have been responsibly passed over to a trained handler or euthanaised to avoid such a tragedy from happening. 

 

 

 

B had shown severe aggression towards other dogs.  His original owner had stated that “I’ve tried my best with him, I have other dogs and cannot put them at risk”.  And that he was “great with people”. 

 

 

 

I’m not here to speculate whether he was telling the truth or not, as the dog may well have shown no signs of aggression towards humans prior.  However, being the size of dog, and the “type”, showing aggression towards other dogs, alarm bells should have been ringing LOUDLY.

 

 

 

So “B” was mistakenly rehomed.   

 

 

 

In the short time that the new family had owned B it had attacked a cat, and an adult and lunged at a child. More clear signs that this was a disaster waiting to happen.

Then on this very tragic day, a 10-year-old boy was playing with a friend outside his house and decided to go back to his mate’s house.  This is where the event took place where he was savagely and violently attacked and sadly killed

Things Could Have Been Different

Now I have no idea exactly what happened, I can only imagine from the articles that I have read; therefore, this is only written out of assumption below are possible reasons why the dog attacked this child.

  • One scenario could be that the boy showed immense fear towards the dog and therefore omitted energy that the dog recognised as danger and attacked.
  • The boy could have approached the dog and didn’t understand the body language and the signals the dog was giving off, as he had never been taught, the dog was unable to flee and therefore his only option was to fight.
  • The dog did not show any prior signals or warn the boy. Due to mismanagement and poor treatment, these may not have been listened to in the past, so he has learnt to skip A & B and go straight to C which is attack!
  • The dog was extremely territorial and protective, and his instant reaction was to attack. Resource aggression can be reversed if done correctly, should your dog show any sort of resource aggression, it is important to contact a qualified Canine Behaviourist or Dog trainer.

The dog and the boy were allegedly unsupervised. Dogs should be supervised at all times when children are around no matter what breed. If you cannot supervise them then the dog should be removed from the vicinity and put into a safe, comfortable environment where they will not be disturbed.

I can surmise all the scenarios that happened and there are many more, but to be entirely honest I don’t know. So, the above is pure speculation.

What we Know is....

If this little boy was able to read the signs or even if the owners recognised that this dog was showing aggressive behaviour, then this may not have happened.  Education is so important to all, to keep us safe, keep our children safe and keep our beloved pets safe.

 

So as much as you love your dog be honest with people, and ensure they are not around others if they show signs of being uncomfortable, especially around children.  If you do have people coming around to your house give them a quick character reference of your dog and tell them how to act to ensure that everyone is comfortable and safe.  If your guests or the dog seem agitated, then put your dog in a safe secure comfortable room away from people or ask your guests to leave. 

 

Do not be afraid to offend by not letting your child go around to someone’s house if you feel that their dog may cause harm to your child.  If you suspect the dog to be volatile or unsafe do not allow your child around there.

You wouldn’t let your child go around to someone’s house if you knew that there was domestic violence there, would you? So do not let your child go to someone else’s house if you suspect that the dog could show signs of being unpredictable or aggressive in any way.

 Ensure you know who is at the house, not just the people but the animals as well, it is your responsibility.

Make your child aware of the dangers but do not instil fear.  Give them the skills that they need in case they are nervous around dogs and equally overly confident.

More education is required, and WolfeEdu recognises this.  The dog is not a human it doesn’t understand English, it understands commands and tone but cannot speak a specific language.  

 

Therefore, we need to understand the dog, we need to recognise the signs when a dog is exhibiting distressed or anxious behaviours!  You cannot rely on the owner alone to tell us this we have to be able to read them for ourselves. 

 

Wayne David, the Labour MP for Caerphilly, said: “There needs to be an examination of the Dangerous Dogs Act to see if the law needs to be strengthened.”

 

But there also needs to be education, people break laws!  Education to every single one of our children to prevent any future attacks!

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Not Everyone Loves Dogs

Not everyone loves dogs!  I know, I know, hard to believe but not everyone loves dogs, and even harder to believe that not everyone loves your dog (if you have one)!  It’s an unbelievable and painful truth. 

But….. Don’t take it personally, what you see in your dog is not what everyone else sees and that is OK.

I remember when I got my beautiful puppy and I thought he was the cutest most adorable thing in the world.  He was a K9 unicorn!  Then I had a cold hard slap in the face and was told he had evil eyes… What….. No way… he’s perfect how can this person say this, I was mortified! Then I realised, it is their opinion and every single one of us is entitled to one.

Reasons for People Not Liking Dogs

Most dog people are totally oblivious to other people when they are out walking their dogs unless it’s another dog owner.  They do not realise that 1 in 20 people are absolutely petrified of your beloved doodle, your Labrador, your chihuahua, the mixed breed or your Mastiff, so there is a good chance when you are out walking that you will encounter someone, whether you realise it or not, who has that ingrained fear.

I’ve seen teenage boys jump on park benches to get away from a dog, that is 30 meters away. I have seen people paralysed with fear from a slobbering, waggy-tailed, overly affectionate dog, I’ve seen kiddies cling to their mums in the fear that a dog will get too close, I have even been pushed in front of someone who was so scared that they had no option but to put me between themselves and the dog due to fear, that sudden reaction resulted in me being nipped, and neither at fault as the dog just got startled.

Some people do not necessarily fear dogs, some people simply do not like dogs end of, and that too is OK!  They don’t like the barking, the relentless urinating, the smell, the neediness, the ball throwing, the dog poo, the bounding, the jumping up, the uncontrolled rude dog, not to mention the neurotic dog owner ohh the list goes on.

People do not like dogs for many reasons

  • They have had a bad experience
  • They suffer from cynophobia (the fear of dogs)
  • It is their personal preference
  • They like dogs just not your dog

So next time you are walking your dog be aware of other people around you, have your dog under control and please please don’t say to someone “don’t worry he won’t hurt you he loves people” as the feeling may not be mutual.  If your dog does run up to someone before you can get him on the lead and you can see they are uncomfortable recall your dog, remove them from that person’s crutch, apologise and acknowledge that it is your responsibility to keep your dog under control.

 

Bulgarian Mountain Dogs

I have been so very fortunate to go on a fabulous trip to Bulgaria last month and I will be completely honest I wasn’t disappointed.

 

We chose Bulgaria as we wanted to go on a family ski trip it has been a long time since we had a break and it was certainly needed!

 

Skiing is in our blood, both myself and Craig were ski instructors many moons ago, in what seems like a past life, and we so desired to teach our kids how to ski from an early age!

 

Traveling from Sofia Airport in Bulgaria the poverty was immediately apparent. I was saddened to see the depressed ruined buildings, the sadness in the brickwork, and the obvious inability to restore these homes to what many would consider liveable conditions. On our 2-hour transfer to the ski town of Bansko, I witnessed several dogs either chained up or hobbling on 3 legs, coats overgrown and matted and extremely mangey-looking.

 

 

In England, dogs are considered sentient beings and any dog in the state that we witnessed would see the owners prosecuted, but in Bulgaria and other countries this is the sad norm for many canines and unfortunately their reality.

Once we reached the mountain resort of Bansko everything changed! The vibrancy the fresh air, the feeling of lightness, and happiness. On our first day exploring we wandered around to familiarise ourselves with the alpine town, I noticed many dogs without collars just blending in! Beautiful dogs, big dogs, medium dogs, Mountain dogs!

Bansko Mountain dogs in snow

They interacted with each other just as dogs should and it was a pleasure to witness the social etiquette they had with each other without human interference. Two dogs in particular who looked almost related played in the snow and went scavenging for scraps of food that tourists had dropped. They were not bothered by people nor were they scared, aggressive, or intimidated they just existed in this symbiotic relationship of being free and living alongside us homo-sapiens, using us to their advantage.

 

Now, these dogs were not necessarily “homeless” “strays” or “abandoned” but they were left to their own devices during the day at the base of the gondola where everyone congregated in the morning to get up to the slopes ( at night I have no idea where they would go, or what they would do) “! Some dogs were sprayed, and tagged with ear tags much like those in a sheep, non that I saw running free had collars on, but they obviously belonged to someone or somewhere.

 

What I did love was seeing these dogs play together to interact with each other and people just left them alone (most of the time) at points people would approach them but the interaction was always on the dog’s terms, they would enjoy a loving scratch or would avoid the situation and trot on to where they needed to be.

 

People would be skiing with their dogs, dogs would be waiting patiently for their owners at the bottom of the mountain whilst they had a day up the slope, dogs waiting patiently for their owners outside of shops, and no sign that anyone was wary that someone may decide to take them home! They were very happy pooches indeed. However, many stray dogs in Bansko do require rehoming and a neutering program is essential to reduce the stray dog population to find out more you can click here

Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Separation Anxiety is a Hot Topic Right now in the World of Canine Behaviour!

The population of dogs has rapidly increased in the last few years from 8.5 million in 2018 to a whopping 12.5 million today and that’s just in the UK!! This increase in lockdown dogs has also given rise to an unwanted behavioral trait! 

One that I’m afraid we humans have created out of love and circumstances is called Separation Anxiety.

Many of us have gone back to a pre-March 2020 way of life, but our 4-legged friends have no idea what the bleep is going on!  One minute you are there, with your little canine shadow, following your every movement, and the next you have left, gone, vanished, vamoosed! Leaving them all on their lonesome to defend themselves and they simply cannot cope!

A dog is a pack animal that we have domesticated to become part of our pack!  Packs provide safety and security and when the safety and security of pack members disappear the dog will become distressed, anxious, and unsettled! 

So, what can you do??

Well, the first thing to know is that it’s not a quick fix and you have to put in the work and reverse engineer the damage, but here are a few little tips to get you started!

  1. Understand why your dog has separation anxiety
  2. Lower your vibration! Do not make a big deal about leaving or be over excited on your return as hard as this can be, blend in as if you have never been away, and leave like you are going nowhere!
  3. Practice stimulating games, boundary platforms, and separation games (YouTube can give you a tonne of ideas for this)
  4. Brain Stimulating Puzzle Toys like a snuffle mat, box, Kong, etc… there are so many to choose from
  5. Change your exit routine, mix it up. If you normally go out the front go out the back, if you usually have breakfast before a shower change it up, put your keys in your pocket the night before! Reduce the number of triggers that intensifies the anxiety.
  6. Practice separation whilst you are in the house do not let your dog follow you to the toilet, or sleep in the same room as you, do not allow him/her to be your shadow 24 hours a day! Encourage them to find a comfortable, quiet space to be on their own.
  7. Make sure your dog has had adequate exercise before leaving for a prolonged period.
  8. Register for the WolfeEdu Separation Workshop a 5 week course that will give you all the tips and trick you require to help combat this crippling behavioural issue!

Recall Training

How can you make yourself super attractive to your dog?

How can you make yourself super attractive to your dog (and not in the I’m pretty kind of way)?  What if you could call your dog and he or she is there by your side, despite any distractions?

 

We love to see our dogs having a wonderful time with other dogs, nose down bum up, tail wagging, on a scent that is invisible to the human nose!  As dog owners, we love to see them run and bound and just be free!

But…

Ohh there’s always a but, we want them to be sharp on the recall, to disengage immediately from whatever it is he or she is into and to come back on command, which is not always that easy!

Most owners do not want their dogs on the lead all the time.  I think we would have all seen those canine gods who walk down a busy town center with their dog at their heels no further than 2 paces in front or behind with no man-made piece of tethering equipment in sight.  We all look at them in awe, admiration, and amazement, I know I do!

 

 

So, what do they have that you don’t?  

Well, they have mastered the art that they are so much more attractive to the dog than anything else, that their dog feels safe by their side, that their dog is in-distractable!

Below are some Top Tips to Help You be Sexier than anything Else (in a dog’s eyes), hopefully, this will give you some guidance on improving the recall and in turn the relationship with your dog, as there is nothing more frustrating than calling your dog umpteen times and them totally ignoring you, it could also save your dog’s life!

Ten Top tips to help your dog to think you are the most desirable thing on this planet!

Let’s aim to make that squirrel running up the tree so bland compared to you, that that fox poo they have just wandered past is not for rolling in as being by your side is waayyy better than the beautiful sweet-smelling aroma of fox poo, that the dog passing you by who appears to want to savage your dog is completely ignored!

Every dog has its unique thing that they love that they will do almost anything for, food, balls/toys, even commands (games), stimulation, love, and attention!  It’s up to you to work out what that is!

  1. Always practice at home in a safe familiar environment, with no distractions.  Start by recalling your dog on a lead or training line! Work out what it is your dog loves is it a squeaky ball, a treat, a tug toy, or simple praise?
  2. Use clicker training, positive reinforcement, and rewards! Clicker training is so powerful and used in conjunction with a physical reward, the dog will learn to associate the sound of the clicker with a positive outcome.  Find out more by clicking here
  3. Increase the distance slowly between you and your dog and always release!  When your dog returns to you after being called via name, whistle, or any other command that they prick their ears up to, ensure that after they are praised you release your dog and allow them to go back to what they were doing.
  4. Ball throwing and retrieving is always a good exercise but not all dogs are the retrieving type! If they are an avid fetcher when they do retrieve the object always praise and reward them and release!  Do not continually throw the ball when working on the recall but use the ball as a tool for your dog to return to you on command.
  5. When a dog comes to you even if it takes half an hour do not chastise them.  Reward them so they learn being with you is far better than being away, you are their happy place. You are rewarding the current behavior, the now behavior not the what was behavior!
  6. Using clear commands, “come”, “heel”, and “here” being clear & concise is key, using a whistle can be beneficial as it is a sound that is only used for recall and the sound waves can travel further distances!
  7. Once mastered at home go to a quiet external location and keep your dog on the training line or lead, extending the distance as their recall improves. Always release and do not overuse the commands, whistle or your dog’s name, your dog will simply switch off if you use their name without an outcome!
  8. Try off the lead when and where there are no distractions. Only venture to this step once you are comfortable and know that they will return to you when called.  
  9. Go to a place where there are distractions go back to the lead and training line, and start the process all over again!
  10. Once you know your dog has all eyes on you and that you are sexier than the poodle on the other side of the park, or the squirrel up the tree, or the ducks in the pond it’s time to let them off and practice the recall! You & your dog may not get it right every time but when your dog does praise him, positive reinforcement is the most powerful tool you have! Ignore the bad behavior praise the good!
 

 

Always ensure that your dog and others around you are safe at all times, do not put your dog in a place of danger where he can harm others or itself! Please note that the steps above should be carried out consistently over months of training it is not a quick fix, for optimum results start with your dog when he/she is a puppy if you have an adolescent dog or an adult dog start now!  Should you be having ongoing issues contact a local qualified dog trainer or drop a comment in the box below!

Retractable dog leads and why they are BAD for most dogs

Retractable dog leads and why they are BAD for most dogs!

Retractable leads have a place, for just a handful of dogs and owners.  For most dogs retractable leads are not their friend or yours!

Put yourself in your dog shoes (or paws) out for a nice walk you sniff that delicious pungent smell of another dog’s scent and you simply must go and smell it.  You zoom forward, you are freeeee with that sweet-sounding zip line sound zzzwwhmming through your ears, cock the leg then off to the next glorious odour!  You go from side to side doing your thing, life is good!

 

 

Next minute you are walking down a street and you smell those same smells that you so desperately want to sniff, you see your mate across the road so you want to go and see them this time you hear a click and that same zipping sound, with no warning you are sharply zapped back half strangled pulled back into place next to those size nines!!  It’s all very confusing! 

Do not get me wrong, Retractable leads have a time and a place.  The time you should never use a retractable lead is if you have a dog in training (which is pretty much all the time), never use one on a puppy, a dog that pulls, a dog with behavioural issues and last but not least a dog you do not let off lead.

 

Yes yes yes, I can hear you now saying but I need to give my dog exercise and I can’t let him/her off the lead!

 

Look to the route cause. Why can’t you let your dog off the lead?  Go back to basics and get the information you need to rectify this! 

WolfeEdu firmly believes in training the human first, if we humans understand basic animal behaviour and have the key training foundations then 90% of behavioural issues will be irradicated before they have even manifested themselves!

 

The only time you should use it is for a mature well-trained dog who is no bigger than a Westie and even then I’m reluctant to say use one!

Dogs require clear and concise training!  A retractable dog lead is not clear and concise, it’s erratic, messy, and inconsistent, and there is no security in one. 

 

  Needless to say, you and your dog can get terrible rope burn, they are cumbersome, the mechanism can fail,   tangalation (not sure if that is even a word), and lack of control, therefore, putting both yourself and your dog in danger and the dog does not understand its boundaries.

It’s all very nice letting your untrained pooch shoot from one bush to another like they are on some gladiator Bungy getting hoicked back when they reach the end of the line!  But please put yourself in your dog’s shoes your free you running oh no you’re not.. HOICK… Not Fair, not to mention the damage that can be done to their throat! 

What to do!

 

Place your retractable dog lead to one side or in a box never to be opened again!!!

 
  1. Cement the recall!
  2. Purchase a classic lead, a training lead, not too long not too short and relax.
  3. Understanding how the type of lead you have chosen will help when leading your dog. 
  4. And get his or her recall down. 

Please note some but not all links are affiliate links should you choose to purchase a recommended product via the link, WolfeEdu will receive a small commission to say thank you for pointing you in the right direction to great products.

Clicker Training is an effective way of training with positive reinforcement.  Do not use the clicker training method unless you understand how to carry out the process effectively.  A dog can easily become desensitized/unresponsive to the clicker if training is not carried out appropriately.

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Dogs and Fireworks

10 Tips on How to help your dog through Firework Season

 

Dogs and Fireworks!! It’s that latter time of year again in this crazy world where we like to celebrate with Fireworks. 

Fireworks

Thanksgiving, Diwali, Guy Fawks Night, Christmas, New Year, and more!  

 

Such a wonderful festive time of the year…

 

But….. It can be a nightmare for a lot of dogs and their owners!

 

Many dogs have an ingrained fear of unpredictable, erratic flashing lights, intense screeching, and loud bangs, which for most dog owners is hard to prepare for. Reports of dogs running away, hiding, cowering, barking, whimpering, shaking etc…

 

 

Worried Dog

Quite often as owners, we go into survival mode rather than recovery mode.  This means we try anything to lessen their stress during this time.

Thunder jackets are used, head scarves, cotton wool placed into our dog’s ears, moving to a place where there are no fireworks, playing loud or soothing music so it drowns out the sound of the fireworks etc…

There is nothing wrong with these methods as making our dogs as comfortable as possible without channeling our emotional energy is all great practice, but some are more effective than others!

In an ideal world what we should be doing is desensitising our dogs from an early age, incorporating noise reactions into their early year’s training.  

Retraining our already stressed-out dogs to reduce their reactivity to these loud bangs and other noise-sensitive issues can be hard and not always effective.

Noise sensitivity is a stressful thing but can be overcome with careful, consistent, focused training.  As always WolfeEdu encourages getting in front of a problem before it ever arises!

Sad Dog

10 Do’s and Don’ts to help your dog through Firework Season

No one wants their dog to be fearful or anxious so following these dos and don’ts will only help your dog to be more comfortable, and less reactive and reduce their heightened levels of Anxiety during this banging time.

 

As an owner, we must understand that our dog doesn’t comprehend what fireworks are. Many dogs have never been introduced/desensitised to these loud bangs and unfamiliar stimulants, therefore it is quite likely that their natural instincts will kick in which can be flight, fight, or avoid!

So what to DO………

  1. Stop telling your dog it’s OK, nothing to worry about, awwwww poor poochy you only heighten their anxiety.  Ensure your dog is comfortable but keep everything as normal as possible. We can’t just tell them it is ok they simply don’t get it and feed off your emotional energy and convert it into worry! Do not react do not empathise verbally or physically. If you stroke them compassionately and emotionally, use verbal reassurance this will only heighten your dog’s anxiety or stress as he will feel the energy you are omitting. No reaction is the best reaction, positive reinforcement, keep your dog close but do not comfort them cuddle them etc… Dogs do not rationalise like a child.  Your dog is not a child your dog is not human no matter how much you think they are!
  2. Redirect Exercise – Use this time to do a little bit of basic training to reward good behavior by distraction / redirecting exercises.  You can withhold their daily meal and use their dinner allocation as a reward instead of treats.  Your dog will be more focused on the food and your commands rather than the noises outside.
  3. As an owner, it is up to you whether you let your dog go to their safe space and ride out the noises or you can keep them with you on a relaxed lead.  Incorporate all the other tips to reassure them that there is nothing to worry about, be neutral!
  4. Increase exercise a tired dog is likely to be less reactive
  5. Desensitising sounds – Firework sounds are played (can download, stream, or buy CDs)  start at a lower quieter intensity, and build up the volume.   Sound desensitising needs to be practiced before the fireworks start exploding in your neighborhood when your dog is in a calm state!  Sound desensitising is good practice but has a minimal effect on a lot of dogs.  Digital firework sounds cannot replicate the sounds, the vibration the lights of the real thing.  By all means, try it but do it in conjunction with crate training, increase exercise, do not react, and all of the other do’s and don’ts!
  6. Hemp Oil, Calming diffusers, collars, and medication can help to reduce the level of stress and anxiety this does not cure their anxiety but may help over this time.  If you should choose this route it is highly advisable to speak to your veterinarian about options. 
  7. Use a Kong– fill a Kong or likes of with something very tasty like dog peanut butter, doggy ice cream, or wet food and freeze it.  Give this to your dog when fireworks are happening this Provides mental stimulation, and distraction and will tire them out 
  8. Crate training if taught properly pop them into a crate or bed where they are relaxed. Do not stick them in the crate and shut the door if your dog has never been trained to relax in a crate.
  9.  Do Not Tie your Dog up Outside or leave it in a garden unattended.  Yes believe it or not this does happen for many reasons, some people believe saturation will help the dog to become comfortable with the bangs and flashes, and others just do not want them in the house as a quivering, barking, whining, mess making wreck.  This is just cruel and reflects on these people as dog owners! 
  10. Other – Calming compression vests, Turning the tv up to drown out the sounds, closing the curtains, Lick Matts, Stimulation toys, and soothing music.
Happy Dog

Measure the level of stress that your dog exhibits during the fireworks season.  If they take themselves off to a safe space, hide etc.. do not take drastic action as this is how they manage themselves.  

If your dog is noticeably anxious is causing themselves, you and your family stress then address the issue.  Gauge the level of your dog’s anxiety around this time in relation to what you need to and can do for your dog. Or start trainign today for these annual events so your dog is preparared!  

 

Be a good leader to your dog and get in front of the problem before it even arises! 

 

 

Fireworks season is fairly short in alot of cases the fear is inground and can be hard to overcome, making the dog as comfortable as possible is OK during this time.

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Things to Know about feeding your Dog

Are you overwhelmed when searching for the right dog food and do not know what to look for?!

I lived in New Zealand for 12 years and 8 of those 12 years, I was fortunate to absorb a plethora of knowledge around canine nutrition where I advised farmers, dog owners, breeders, trainers etc.. the most suitable food for their dog! Since then, I have gained a Diploma in Canine Nutrition.

Now some of these names will not mean much to a lot of people but just for credential purposes I shall spout of but a few!   I worked alongside companies such as Purina, Masterpet, Royal Canin, Black Hawk (my personal favourite for a dog kibble), Mars, K9, Workdog, Coprice, Superior Chunky, Tux and more! 

 

All saying how wonderful their dog food was, why theirs was better than their competitors! It was my job to match the right dog food to that of the clients and their dog’s needs taking into consideration of their budget, type, breed, age and size, the health of the animal, their daily exercise, & behaviour!

 

I am now living in the UK and OMG there is just an overwhelming amount of choice of what to feed our dogs, it’s mind-blowing the number of different dog foods all claiming to be the best!  

 

Gone are the days of just a handful of choices like beef or chicken Pedigree chum, cracking open a tin and slopping it into a bowl and being done with it!

 

This blog is highlighting our dog’s nutrition and simple tips to provide you with an educated choice on what dog food you should and should not feed your beloved pooch! 

 

Science alert!! The gut is the animal’s second line of defence the skin being the first!  When food enters the stomach, it goes through processes to be able to separate the good nutrition from the bad.  However, if the bad outweighs the good then this can over time lead to some catastrophic health issues for your dog.  The gut is so important in both dogs and humans, what you put in is what you get out.  Bad nutrition can lead to skin disorders, organ failure, lethargy, hyperactivity, hyper and hypo thyroid conditions, weight gain, weight loss and behavioural problems.  

 

These issues can all be addressed by looking at what food is going into your dog first! 

 

(always get veterinary advice should your dog be experiencing any of the above conditions)   

 

What I should be looking for when feeding my dog! Whether you decide to go the route of Raw, Cooked, Dry, Wet, a Mix, feeding once or twice a day, or making your own then there are lots to consider before becoming too rigid in your thoughts.

1st up the Marketing – just because the bag looks fancy and you have seen adverts all over the place, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best food for your dog!  Some companies spend more money on marketing than they do on the actual dog food itself!  The claims are mind-blowing, and the facts can be somewhat different!  It is important to understand what is in your dog food and a lot of the time a lesser amount of ingredients equals better food for your dog.

Homemade vs Commercial – A dog requires 50% Meat (Protein & Fat), 25% Carbohydrate (rice) and 25% Fruit & Vegetables to be able to sustain a healthy life (this may vary in accordance with your dog). However, giving a dog these 3 things alone is not enough.  Dogs also require specific vitamins and minerals to live a healthy life, which when making your own “homemade” dog food can be hard to get right, not to mention time-consuming and can be expensive and not all that sanitary.  Commercial dog foods provide your dog with the ingredients on the back of the bag.  By law, this is what is expected of these dog food companies they have rules and regulations to stick by.

 

Always look for the number of preservatives, artificial colours and flavourings that can be in your dog’s dog food!  Those words that you do not understand can be an indication that nasties have been added to make the food more palatable and appealing and last longer on the shelves!

 

The amount of salt/sodium in most dog foods is adequate for their daily requirements of 0.3mg per day.  However, when you top this up with dog treats and scraps you can quickly go over this recommended daily intake and slowly kidney damage will occur usually unveiling itself in a senior dog.  It is important when feeding your dog that they do not have over the recommended daily intake of salt.  (Please note this is a basic guide some dogs require more and some less. )  

Many dog foods are rendered (sprayed with) with fat and not nice fats, a bi-product of the manufacturing of these foods.  They do this to make the kibble more palatable for the dog and more appealing to the human eye, but it doesn’t mean it is providing them with any extra beneficial nutrition! 

When changing a dog’s food always introduce the new food slowly to avoid stomach issues vomiting and diarrhoea.  Start by adding just a small amount to their existing food and over 5-7 days slowly increase the amount of the new food and decrease the amount of the old one!

New dog foods will not change the condition of your dog overnight, good dog foods suitable to your dog will start to show their value over time.  Your dog’s behaviour may change, and their coat will be shinier, less malting reduced itching, their breath will not smell as much, less defecating as they will be absorbing more of the good nutrients passing out less of the bad, and fewer health conditions, become more balanced in activity, less anxious and many more besides.

You often feed a lot less of the more expensive premium dog foods as they have little to no fillers, therefore, keeping your dog fuller for longer and providing them with all the nutrients, they required to live a better chance of a healthy existence.

 

( Should you be concerned about your dog in any way it is important to contact your veterinarian, a canine nutritionist or your qualified behaviourist ) 

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Why the Domestic Dog should not be treated like a Wild Wolf

There is less than a 1% DNA difference between the domestic dog and its cousin the wolf, so surely, we should treat and train them the same as if we were the Alpha in the pack and replicate the dominant behaviour.

hmmm, let’s look into this further…

The Wolf and the Dog look kind of similar, but their temperament and their environment are hugely different, so treating them the same just does not work!!  

Wolves generally avoid any human contact; they do not require, nor have they evolved into needing human interaction to survive!  However, the domestic dog has evolved to depend on humans to survive and live in a comfortable co-inhabiting style! 

The theory of having a dog and the owner taking on the “alpha wolf role” is ridiculous and will cause behavioural problems, a terrified, anxious, fearful dog that will become submissive, aggressive or both.  

We can learn from the wolf’s behaviour in a pack and whilst we can certainly pick up some training techniques being the untrained alpha and pushing your dog into submission is not one, we should entertain.  Humans are not wolves, and most humans are not wolf biologists so it is crazy to think we can replicate the pack mentality in a domestic environment.  

Many thousands of years ago between 32,000 & 18,000 years, the ancestral wolf was evolving into the domestic pooch that we have today!  Humans realised by having this type of Canis Linnaeus around would provide protection, warmth, and companionship.  In return, the Wolf learnt that he too would receive shelter, warmth, companionship and best of all food! 

So how did it all begin?  Many thousands of years ago humans moved around a lot and with that so did their food and their food scraps.  The Wolves realised by following the camps they would get these scraps and became expert scavengers!  They soon learnt that by being confident and less fearful of men that they would get more food and hunt less.  They became scavengers much like the 21st century suburban Fox!

 

Over the years, the wolf started to evolve and change its outward appearance.  Its snout become shorter, it developed a wider scull and smaller teeth compared to that of the wild wolf as they no longer need these for hunting…

With this their behaviour also changed, there was no need to have a hierarchical pack order, and there was no need to be precious and fight over resources!  Their social behaviours changed, the more sociable the animal, the more food it would receive and the more likely that they would be selected to breed from.   

As time has gone on selective breeding has not only been about temperament, but it has also been about getting the desired outcome from the dog that suits the human need.  We have developed and selectively bred dogs to work which is varied according to the lifestyle, country, demand, the environment etc… whether a German Shepherd Guard Dog, A Border Collie or Australian Cattle Dog Herding Dog, The Husky – Drafting, Bloodhound – Tracking, Labrador — Therapy, Service Dog – Beagle etc… the different dogs were and are selectively bred for a purpose and therefore leading to the array of pedigrees that we have today. 

Unfortunately, now many dogs are not bred for a specific role but bred for the way they look which has caused many different health disorders along with behavioural issues (but that is for another blog)!

In the pack there is a constant hierarchal battle, especially over resources where there is always another wolf wanting to fight its way to the top by asserting its dominance, sometimes it succeeds and sometimes it loses!  In a domestic environment, it’s not about winning or losing it’s about co-existing in a harmonious environment!  Understanding your dog and using positive reinforcement and suitable training.  As an owner, it is your responsibility to learn effective kind training methods to teach your dog in the best possible way and not use archaic outdated methods.  Only then you will have a well-rounded domestic dog and not a fearful submissive wolf!

Dogs and Wolves are separated by thousands of years of evolution.  So are humans and apes, therefore if we treat humans like monkeys and vice versa it just simply wouldn’t work! 

Modern training is a hands-off approach we do not use force, we do not use aggression, we do not use dominance!  We do use positive reinforcement, kind leadership and understanding of our dogs.  

Dogs are extremely sensitive to our cues more so than we are to theirs.  Erno Teglas an infant psychologist studied communicative intent! Live Science continued his discovery in 2008 of how dogs can read our cues by using eye-tracking methods and directive speech.  They understand verbal cues like a pre-verbal infant.  Teglas noted that wolves do not share this astute way of reading humans that the domesticated dog does!

Therefore, the huge flaw that we should be the Alpha, dominating our pet Chihuahua as if he were part of the pack is simply ludicrous, but the same goes for a Rottweiler!  

If you are having behavioural problems with your dog please be a responsible owner and search for a local certified Canine Behaviourist or Dog Trainer, it will make all the difference! 

(If you enjoyed his article and would like to provide feedback, add a comment or require additional information,  please fill out the form on our contact page).



Why Shouldn’t I Let my Dog Lick My Face?

Why You shouldn’t let your dog lick you…

 

Why not!  Because it’s gross, dangerous and can make you very sick!

The types of bacteria that are found in a dog’s mouth are very different to that from the ones in a human’s mouth.  We both have very different mouth flora to keep things balanced according to the types of foods we eat and the potentially harmful pathogens that we are exposed to.  

 

FACT: A dog’s mouth is not cleaner than a human

Dogs don’t brush their teeth! Dogs lick their balls, their penis, their vaginas, their bums, they lick other dogs’ bums, and they eat all sorts of faecal matter, garbage and dead things!  Delightful!

 

If that’s not enough to turn you off the next slobbery kiss then I don’t know what will!

We all carry bacteria in our saliva, it is part of how we keep healthy we need bacteria in our mouths but not all bacteria are safe.  For example, e-coli is often present in dogs’ saliva which isn’t present in humans’ saliva, e-coli is a bacteria found in faeces.

Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Capnocytophaga Canimorsus are all different prokaryotic microorganisms often found in dogs’ and cats’ mouths which do not affect them but can affect humans, especially those who are immunocompromised.

 

Dogs eat shit, it is true whether you think your dog does or not it more than likely does! Whether it is other dogs’ poop, fox poop, horse poop, bird poop, rabbit, cat ohhh yes dogs love a few feline faeces, puppy poop (it’s a natural thing for a bitch to eat their puppies poo to keep them clean) even human poop!  Given the chance, they are quite likely to either go and give it a sniff, take a sneaky lick or lap it up entirely.  A lot of the time you wouldn’t even realise it. 

 

It’s not only bacteria that your dog has in its saliva but parasites and other pathogens too.   Parasites that can be passed onto humans like hookworm, roundworms, tapeworm, and whipworm. Protozoa called Giardia which if you become infected with giardia can make you very sick and although treatable can be a long and arduous process to rid the little blighters from your body!

 

Toxocariasis is an infection between animals and humans caused by the roundworm parasite. If larvae infection is transmitted then it can cause sight loss, coughing, lethargy, abdominal pain, and wheezing.  It is important to immediately consult your doctor should you be experiencing any of the above.  

 

Raw Food Diet.  If you feed your dog a raw food diet then there are much higher chances of your dog having salmonella, campylobacter and other potentially harmful pathogens.  

 

It is important to remember that not everyone likes being licked by dogs! Just because you love the wet lapping of your dog’s tongue on your skin, it is important to be aware that many other people do not!  Often you see babies being licked as they are at the same height as most dogs and easy licking picking!  

 

Licking is a sign of affection but there are other ways that dogs can show how much they love you other than the lick!  

A quick question… Do you lick your dog? Errr I am guessing the answer is more than likely a No.  Therefore surely this shows that it is a one-way affection train purely to make you feel loved, needed, wanted etc…!  

 

It’s a myth that a dog’s saliva has antibacterial properties and will help a human cut to heal!  I was speaking to a nurse and she relayed an account of a patient who she had been treating who developed Sepsis after letting his dog lick a small cut on his hand.  Sadly this man who albeit had a very positive attitude lost his nose, some fingers, his penis and other parts of his body, all for letting a dog lick his wound!  So please don’t do it it’s not worth the risk no matter how small.  

 

I’m sure you wouldn’t kiss another human if you saw them licking their balls, or eating faecal matter so why do we let our dogs lick our faces?!

 

There are so many other ways that a dog can show you affection, that is not a lick and keeps you safe!  You can easily train your dog to stop licking you as a display of affection!  So next time your dog goes to give you a big slobbery kiss remember the above and I can assure you, you won’t be enabling this behaviour for very long!