Winter is here and the chill in the air has a definite bite this season. With predictions that we will also see a very wet Winter, it’s important to start preparing your pooch for the colder months and ensure their warm, dry and toasty.
Night time crying or whining can be frustrating and detrimental to the health of both you and your pooch. While it’s easy to shrug off whining as just annoying behaviour, the truth is crying and whining are your dogs' way of telling you something.
Anxiety is a negative emotional system designed to help an animal to avoid danger or threat. For dogs, anxiety becomes problematic when it interferes with their daily life and the dog’s environment doesn’t justify their reaction. Anxiety is complicated and can arise from genetics, early life experiences, the present environment or a combination of these things.
Dog ownership comes with some powerful health benefits. The physical and mental health benefits are far reaching, and the ‘warm and fuzzy’ feeling is now backed by science.
If you’re a greyhound owner, then you will know about the Greyhound Scream of Death or GSOD for short. It’s a phenomena that is unique to greyhounds, where they can let out a spine tingling, ear piercing scream whilst holding up their paw as if they had just been the victim of an amputation.
1 - Holding the lead incorrectlyWhat are ways you recommend not holding the lead, and instead, how should you hold the lead and why?
Tip 1 - How to Pat a GreyhoundThe most important thing to consider is whether that Greyhound wants to be patted. We all want our dogs to love and want our fuss and attention so making sure they are comfortable with it is number 1.
It’s one of the most common questions that we are asked by families who are looking to adopt a greyhound – are greyhounds good with kids?
If you believe the old wives' tales, you can gauge a dog's temperature by touching their nose. By this measure - if a dog's nose is cool and wet they're fine, and if it's hot and dry, they're sick. This isn't true, and the only way to accurately determine if your dog has a fever is to take their temperature using a rectal thermometer.
Urinary tract infections are quite common in dogs, and more common in some dog breeds than others. Symptoms can vary in severity but the tell-tale signs are generally the same. While UTI’s are easily remedied, ignoring the symptoms can lead to serious kidney issues as well as put your dog in unnecessary pain.
If you’re a dog owner, you will know that dog ownership comes with a certain level of…well stink. Many accept a certain level of odour from our dogs (particularly after a walk in the rain or a swim), it comes with the territory.
Epilepsy is not commonly spoken about, however it is the most common neurological disorder seen in dogs and is estimated to affect 0.75% of dogs. Whilst there is no cure for epilepsy, it's important to note that dogs with epilepsy can lead full and happy lives with the right level of care.
If the last few weeks have taught Aussies anything, it's that Mother Nature rarely makes her plans known. The recent floods in QLD and the east coast of NSW have caused absolute devastation, and despite being warned of heavy rainfall, few were prepared for just how quickly the water would rise around them.
If you’re lucky enough to be a Greyhound owner, you will know that they are notorious for leaning on people. Sometimes it’s almost like they want to become a part of you, leaning in with all their weight and sticking like velcro, almost like they are being pulled by invisible magnets towards your body. It’s also common for dogs to lie with parts of their body against yours, like their head or paw in your lap whilst you're relaxing on the couch. This behaviour is particularly common in larger dog breeds.
The common belief is that whenever a dog flops on its back and exposes its belly, it’s inviting you to rub its belly.
Greyhounds are extremely intelligent dogs, making them easier to house train than other breeds. If you have adopted a retired greyhound, it’s important to allow them to familiarise themselves with your home, and then set the ground rules so they fit seamlessly into their forever home.
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Important terminology
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Dogs have a powerful sense of smell and the act of sniffing out new scents gives them mental and physical enrichment. Whilst puzzle toys are great to stave off boredom in the backyard, the simple act of allowing them to explore and sniff things during their walk is one of the easiest ways you can keep your dog stimulated.