The Darling Dog Company

The possible results of flooding your dog with socialisation

Every puppy owner wants to do the right thing with their socialisation. In my first week of puppy classes I do a 10 min talk on the rules of my class and what I will and won't accept. Two of which are on lead greetings and free play with the other puppies. People look at me like I'm mad and always question me afterwards. Some go away and listen to what I have said and others don't. I can't control this.

Every dog is different

However what I can comment on is those who repeatedly put their dogs in situations that it cannot cope with. Flooding is a training terminology used to describe when a dog or human is put in a situation they find very stressful. You over stimulate them with the fearful object/person/dog/situ and hope that they realise that nothing bad happened so they learn to cope. e.g. on lead greetings with other dogs. In my opinion, not a great way of doing things. For many years I had a severe needle phobia, I had to have hypnotherapy for it. Rest assured that just being in a room with needles laying on a mat but not doing anything to me would not have helped this phobia, in fact it would have made me so stressed that if I was a dog I would have bitten you very hard.

So with the above analogy you might now be able to get a little insight into why some behaviours start to show. A puppy was flooded with a particular experience they couldn't cope with but owners didn't notice so eventually the dog made owners notice. By on most occassions using aggression.

Anything that you want your puppy to learn must be done systematically and slowly. Don't rush and don't push them. And don't feel that you have to do something just because another owner in the park is telling you to. What works for their dog doesn't always work for anyone elses.

It's the 'Kate effect' on Cocker Spaniels

Every now and then I notice an increase in a particular type of dog coming to puppy classes. Since the end of last year it has been all about the Cocker Spaniel. I couldn't figure out why and then after discussing it with a client who owns a lovely working cocker called Lily, she called it the 'Kate effect' and its true.

Kate and William bought their bundle of energy Lupo home in 2012 and the Kennel Club reports a 50% increase in the public searching for Cocker Spaniel puppies on their website in January and February 2013. I do find it amazing that people are so easily swayed as the main reason for selecting a dog should be its ability to suit your lifestyle.

Living in London isn't always quite as easy with the working breeds

Now as anyone who works with dogs will tell you, Cockers are a brilliant breed but and its a big but they need to be with the right family. They are a working breed that is designed to be active and do a job so if you live in a one bed flat and only fancy a half hour stint around the block, you are going to be in big trouble with that dog. I've also had people selecting a working cocker on purpose which again, is great if you know what you are letting yourself in for. But there is a reason why they are often used as a sniffer dog, because they keep going and going and going. My grandfather who was a farmer describes them as the dog that is never satisfied which is true. So if you are an incredibly energetic and busy household who like to be out for hours then this could be the breed for you.

My concern is those who look at the dog on paper and think it looks lovely. Kate and William have access to a team of people for support so like when you are selecting any type of dog whether a puppy or a rescue, look at your life and then at the dog. As the Kennel Club says, working spaniels need a lot of activity and attention and hopefully those who take them on know this.

I do offer free advice on selecting the right dog for you, so do get in touch if you would like any help.

Pupaid in Parliament & on Primrose Hill

Last week saw Pupaid taking the message to the Houses of Parliament and to the masses on Primrose Hill. It was a great week for getting the word out that puppy farming is wrong, inhumane and has huge implications on our society.

I joined Marc the Vet, Debbie Connolly, the Kennel Club, BPFA in presenting our thoughts to Neil Parish MP. It was a great day that went extremely well and we can only hope that Neil Parish keeps his promises and moves us forward on the short and long term aims of Pupaid.

Pupaid at the Houses of Parliament

In addition to this, Primrose Hill saw an influx of dog lovers congregate to join forces and speak out against the awful practice that is Puppy Farming or Puppy Mills as they are called in the USA. It was a great day out for everyone involved with the focus on the dogs.

I helped in judging the 'Golden Oldies' category where we met a lovely array of older dogs. Third prize went to Barnacle Magnificent a Border Terrier cross, Second place to Maggie a 13yr old Labrador owned by Ben & Marina Fogle and first place to Tess the rescue terrier who was 18yrs old! They were an amazing group of dogs who were all so sweet and so active for their ages.

Ludo Fogle and his dog Maggie who came 2nd place

I also thought you might like to see this photo of the brilliant Boxer boy I met called Cass. A hulking great lad but who so very delicately walked around with a balloon in his mouth. His owner had started giving him them to carry as it stopped him focussing on other dogs and kept him happy. Isn't it a great photo though?

Boxer and his balloon!

Pupaid - An evening for dog lovers

On September 8th we see the Pupaid event moving to the London location of Primrose Hill, which is fab news for all dog owners. The event will be bigger, better and more fun - take a look here at what is going to be taking place and how you can get involved.

Ahead of this big event, Marc the Vet is hosting a free evening for dog owners where people can come to learn a bit more about the event, how to choose a healthy, happy dog and about first aid for dogs. The event is free and being held on Monday 13th August in Primrose Hill at 7.30pm (at English folk dance society hall on Regents Park Rd, NW1)

If you own a dog then you should definitely come along for the first aid information, it is free and so incredibly useful for us all. And if you are considering getting a dog then you should also be in the crowd as Marc will be giving in depth information on how and why to avoid buying a puppy farmed dog.

Please pass both of these events on to any dog owners you know. We look forward to seeing you there.

Genius cooling toy for dogs

I've long been an advocate of using water in play with dogs, they love it and when its hot like this, they need it. So you can imagine my happiness when I stumbled across this toy the Hydro Ball They have others in the range but this is the one that is most appealing to most dogs. A ball with holes in it and a foam core hidden inside. So you can either fill it with water so that when playing with the ball it keeps your dog cool or best of all you can freeze it.

Hydro ball with holes for water to come out of when playing

A brilliant cooling dog toy and if you have a puppy that is chewing, its a cooling teething ball too. The ball is only £6 from Pets at Home which I think is quite reasonable.  Plus when not full of water its a normal rubber ball that your dog can happily chase. Dual purpose, thats what I like to see!

The Sleeping positions of your Dog

There are many guestimates on how long the average dog sleeps per day, it varies from age to size to breed to activity levels and so on. What I do know is that dogs love a good sleep especially after an energetic walk and a bowl full of supper, a bit like us. But I thought you may find it interesting to understand a little bit more about the way your dog sleeps.

A bit like us, your dog will have a favoured sleeping place, one that makes them feel secure, safe and cosy and it may not be where their bed is. You may already have picked up on the positions they sleep in when they are in a deep sleep, in comparison to when they are just bored or snoozing or waiting for you to hurry up and finish the emails so they can go on a walk!

All dogs are very different but there are some common positions that most will share, I've tried to find photos of clients dogs to highlight these to you as its easier to see it than to describe it.

The Snoozer - this is the dog that is quite happily having a nap, its not in a deep sleep but is quite content snoozing some hours away. This is the type of sleeping position where your dog is still listening to whats going on around them but not actively participating unless it sounds really good fun!

Daniel the Spaniel in the Dogs Trust offices

The Curly Whirly - many puppies sleep like this as it keeps them warm and snug but you also find many of the shorter haired breeds like to curl up. It keeps all the body heat in and this is a position that a tired dog will get into. Its definitely a clear sign that a dog does not want to be interacted with, they are closing themselves up to get some rest.

Viva is tired and in the curled up position

The let it all hang out sleeper - this is a position that only a very relaxed, calm dog will sleep in. It isn't a common sleeping position for a dog in say rescue kennels where they can feel very stressed, unsure and exposed. A dog that does this feels happy to splay themselves out and just relax! I've had to put two pics in for this as I love both of these

Bailey the Golden Retriever puppy I fostered

Hungarian Vizsla sleeping on the sofa!

And then there is side sleeper - again this is usually reserved for deep sleeping. You often find after a long, exhausting walk that your dog begins by snoozing and then when its time for the quality sleep, they roll over. Most dogs will try to have their back against something like your leg if on the sofa, the back of their bed or a wall as again it makes them feel secure whilst resting. My dog who is deaf will only do this in certain places where she feels totally safe and that nothing can come at her to scare her. Which makes sense because she can't hear approaching people. In this photo you can see she is asleep with her head resting against my leg and the cat is against her back.

Cookie Dog sleeping on her side

As is the case with all sleeping dogs, try not to have to disturb them and never let children do this. A tired and sleeping dog can react with aggression if scared or shocked when fast asleep. Just as a human would if fast asleep and you started prodding them. Try to make some noise away from them or if you have a deaf dog, very often the vibrations of people walking around will rouse them. And make sure your dog has somewhere to take themselves to for sleeping that isn't in a busy hallway, doorway or where they are subjected to lots of traffic in the house. Sleeping should be a time for rest, recuperation and to feel safe.

The Importance of Play for Dogs

Many years ago I used to work as a senior children's researcher, looking at how children's lives have changed, how they interact and one of the topics to investigate was the importance of play. Yesterday I was talking to someone on the phone about their dog and they said it wouldn't play with them, it was a rescue dog. The new owner had only tried the ball and then given up when the dog wasn't interested.

Having the conversation got me thinking back to the days when I worked on this topic with kids, although a different species in my eyes the importance and relevance is exactly the same. Children and dogs use play to learn about the world, to understand the rules and boundaries. If you look at many of the tasks children and dogs do in the early stages its all about improving cognitive behaviour and co-ordination such as grip, hand/paw and eye co-ordination. Then as time progresses its role reversal, testing the boundaries and then there is a lot of running in there, as their curosity and interest in the world means that everything must be done at a really fast pace! Are you seeing the similarities now?

In my eyes, with the work that I do, play has a huge role, in fact I try to make most of my training about play and games. As usually it keeps the dogs interested and motivated. On top of that play is good for us adults, playing with our dogs calms us down, soothes us and makes us happy plus the benefits for your dog. Some dogs have been deprived so do not know how to play or some may have been controlled so tightly that they dare not play. This can be changed but it takes time and patience.

Below I've put a list why in my eyes play is so very crucial for our dogs and I'm not referring to dog on dog play I'm talking about the games and fun they have with us because in my opinion, if a puppy is from a decent breeder with a good mother, much of their dog on dog socialisation will be learnt by the time they arrive with  you at 7/8 weeks. The mother will have taught them when enough is enough, how hard to bite, when to stop and litter mates should have played a role in creating boundaries, role reversal and so forth. So your job as an owner is to continue this play and teach them the ways of the world that they are now going to live in as a dog in a human world.

The benefits of play to your dog:

• It will make your dog happy
• It will build confidence in a nervous dog and maintain confidence in a balanced dog
• As an energy outlet, play is a wonderful way to mentally & physically stimulate your dog
• To learn the rules - i.e. dogs teeth & human skin don't make contact, not to jump up
• As a recall reward
• To make your dog want to be with you and hang out with you, if you are dull and dogs are more fun why would they hang around with you?! Harsh but true I'm afraid.
• As a way to train an exercise or task
• It can be a great motivator. If you do this you get to play this game
• To release stress and anxiety in a dog
• To keep the brain active which is especially important in older dogs
• Balance, co-ordination and life skills such as hunting, fighting etc.
• Because its fun, for everyone involved

The other thing to remember is, don't get caught up on what you 'think' your dog should play with. If you are obsessed with your dog retrieving a ball and it doesn't seem interested, don't worry about it. Move on and find something that they do love playing with. Find out what motivates your dog as every dog is not the same even if they are from the same breed group, there will be similarities but also differences.

Deer Deer Me - a great new dog chew

Whether you have a teething crocodile of a puppy or a senior that just loves to chew, we are all constantly looking for ideas of how to channel the chewing. Puppies need to chew to relieve the pain of teething and many adult dogs either just enjoy the activity or it can be a stress reliever or a way to while away the time. Whatever way you look at it, chewing serves a purpose. 

At Christmas a few of my clients bought from me and tested some deer antlers. A variety of dogs tried them, varying ages, backgrounds and breeds. The feedback was great, I only had one dog not use the antler, all of the others loved them. 

The great thing about the antler chews is that the dogs have to grind them down, they can't just snap pieces off. So the antler slowly gets smaller and smaller and the dogs enjoy the stimulation and activity. The thing I love about these are that they are ethically sourced from free range Venison living up in Yorkshire. They also last, so they are no one minute wonder! Plus because the antlers are effectively a bone, they are very rich in calcium and magnesium.

The antlers come in varying sizes from small up to extra large with prices starting from 3 - 10 pounds. I now have stock of these antlers at my office. If you want to buy, take a look or see what other goodies I have available, get in touch. You can either drop by or order and collect.

Dog of the Week - Teddy the Foster Pup

I picked up Teddy the cross breed puppy on Friday afternoon. He had been dumped at a police station a week before and then put into external Council kennels as the ones on site were full to the brim. When he came back to the kennels in London I saw him and took him home with me. He needed to be learning about the world, not sat inside removed from it.  Its impossible to tell what he is but there is some bull breed in there somewhere and who knows what else! In terms of age, around 12-14 weeks.

My name is Teddy and I will sit for everything!

Teddy is doing really very well, for a dog so young & having been in kennels for 2 weeks he has got to grips with his toilet training brilliantly. We had a break through today, he went and sat at the back door to go for a wee, normally its just me looking for his patterns. One of his ways that I know he needs a poo is very random, he goes into the garden and puts himself in the drain area on the floor of the patio then walks off. He only ever does it when he is going to find somewhere to poo. Its a great reminder of how each dog has their own little signals and as the owner you need to pay attention to them.

He is a bit of a gobbler when it comes to food, he eats like his life depends on that meal which perhaps at some point he did. So we are working on slowing him down a bit, calming him down and giving him little and often to get some weight onto him.

He had his first shower yesterday as he did smell pretty horrible. He took it all in his stride and now he smells soooo much better! At night time he sleeps in his crate in the living room and we have got him up to 7hrs which I'm really happy with. There are a few barks at first when you put him in but he gives up, curls up and sleeps very well.

Teddy wasn't too keen on the lead to begin with and we noticed he really didn't like it when my husband especially tried to take him out at night time. He was better with me. He is getting better each day on the lead and he really does respond to encouragement. His walk is quite a jaunty little tail wagging waltz which when he is doing it, is very lovely to see.

And one thing I've been keen to get underway with him is to have him off lead which he is doing really well with. I'm not allowing him to use Cookie dog as his safety net, I don't want him following her, I want him following me. He sticks so closely to my feet that sometimes I think I've lost him but I just can't see him! He is really food motivated and loves a stroke on his muzzle. His sit is near perfect now and he does it for everything!

Not the most elegant of poses!

All in all Teddy will make someone a great friend for life. He adores to lay on a lap and lay tummy up after a walk. I'm eager to get him into a home asap so that they can continue Teddy's learning but also build up their relationship with him from the word go. He is eager to please, bouncy, fun and full of energy. He is a dog that needs firm boundaries and I would like him to go to a home where they understand the importance of the right socialisation not just the stuff I see in the park which makes me cringe.

Teddy is a great dog for a family or couple who want to take on a rescue dog but would also like to experience owning a puppy.

Genius Idea for Puppies & Elderly Dogs

I've just come across this online and thought some of you might be interested. Its a genius idea. If you have a puppy looking to nestle into some warmth or an elderly dog that feels the cold, this could be a great solution.

From what I can gather its an electric heat pad that goes underneath the bed to keep the dog warm. For puppies it may help settle them when they are getting used to sleeping alone rather than with their litter. And for elderly dogs who suffer from stiff joints or feel the cold, it could really benefit them.

Plus its on sale in some outlets like here