Keeping cool - How to keep your pet cool when its hot out.

Summer is on its way here! Beach trips, picnics, barbecues. Lots of fun to be had in the sun.

However it also poses several risks which we all need to be aware of. Today I am focusing on brachycephalic breeds and their unique needs in extremes of weather.

Picture credit: Google.co.uk

Brachycephalic (short or flattened nosed) breeds like some pugs, bulldogs, shih tzus, boxers, and other similar breeds with short muzzles have a harder time taking in enough air in the warmer weather so special care should be taken with them to ensure they are kept cool and calm at all times in hot weather. Darker coloured dogs and elderly or ill dogs are also at higher risk than young, pale coloured, healthy dogs.

Pippi - Pug cross Chihuahua

My own Pippi is a pug mix. She does not have a flattened nose but still struggles in the heat, partly due to her breed, partly due to her age as she is at least 16 years old, and her other health problems. In summer we have to make sure she has access to cool (not ice cold) water at all times, we use cooling coats and cool mats to lay on, or a wet towel to lay on to keep herself cool. She loves to lay in the sun so she has to be monitored closely at all times to make sure shes not getting too warm. We force her to come inside or into the shade regularly, and keep her inside during the hottest part of the day.

No dog has died from missing or delaying a walk, but sadly many have from being walked when it is too hot. If you must take your dog out, ensure the walks are short as possible to allow them to relieve themselves but not run about, make sure they walk on the grass, are kept in the shade and have plenty of water on hand at all times.

If your dog shows any sign of overheating or dehydration, please get them immediately to the vets. It is better safe than sorry!

Trick Dog Training - Do More With Your Dog

Trick Time!

Our beautiful little chihuahua Maisie has been working hard all year on her new favourite type of training. She has been adding Trick Dog to her list of abilities!

So far, Maisie has passed her Novice, Intermediate and Advanced titles, and is 1 trick away from passing her Expert title. We will be working towards her Champion title soon.

She is earning her titles at Fun Trick Dog Training classes, run by Kathleen Tepperies. If you are in East Sussex, I highly recommend joining up through her! She is a Certified Trick Dog Instructor, and knows how to help you get the very best out of your dog. In her Trick classes, you work towards to Do More With Your Dog titles.

Trick Training is a lot of fun. You work together with your dog to learn new skills, strengthening the bond between you. Most dogs love learning new things, and love spending time with their owners, so combining the two makes this a very fun and interesting thing to do with your dog! 

Because there are so many different tricks you can learn, there is something for all dogs, no matter how big or small they are, even puppies and senior dogs can learn new things. It's a fantastic way to keep your pet active as well as providing mental stimulation.

Some of the tricks Maisie now knows are - 

• Spin (Novice)
• Crawl (Novice)
• Roll out a carpet with nose (Novice)
• Barrel Racing (Intermediate)
• Opening the Door (Intermediate)
• Back-up (Advanced)
• Double Balance Beam (Advanced)
• Ringing a Bell (Advanced)
• Peanut Rolling (Expert)
• Box Search Game (Expert)

And so many more too! These are just a few examples of what she has learned over the past 12 months, and your dog can too. 

These tricks are so much fun for Maisie to perform, and she loves her classes too. Make sure to pay your pet well in treats and praise, and they will enjoy their training sessions even more. 

This is a PDF list of the different tricks for all the different levels, and books and DVDs you can get to help you towards them. Check it out if you are interested in earning any of these titles with your pet!

Preparing a foster dog for his new home!

If you are fostering a dog, there is much more to it than just finding another home to go to. This is some of the things we do to make sure the dog is ready for their new home.

• Vet Care - We make sure the dogs health is ok. In some dogs, there is nothing needed to be done, in others there may be health conditions that need treating, they may need their teeth cleaned or need some extractions, and they will be spayed or neutered if this hasn't already been done.
  
• Micro-chipping - If the dog comes to the charity without a microchip then they will be micro-chipped. If they already have a chip then their details will be updated.
  
• Training - Many dogs come with some training but we try and make sure all the dogs we foster know the basics at least. Learning to Sit, Wait, Walk on a lead, Give back a toy/chew etc. This ensures that when they go to their new home they know what is being asked of them, and also allows them to bond with their new family through the training.
  
• Socialization - If the dog isn't socialized with other dogs, with people etc then they will be taken out and socialized with as many people and friendly dogs and animals as possible. Even if the dog is well socialized this is all done to ensure they keep it up.
  
• Grooming - Every dog needs grooming of some sort. Their nails are clipped, they are given a bath, dried, and combed through if they have a long coat. If they are a breed who needs it, they will also be clipped to keep their coat short and in manageable condition. If the dog comes in with a matted coat, this will all be shaved off as matting is very painful for them and can also cause sores, cuts and infection of the skin, and harbor parasites such as fleas and more. If we can get the dog used to grooming and handling, then it makes things much easier for new owners or a professional groomer if you use one.
  
• New Items - Any dog I foster is given a new collar or harness, lead, blanket or bed, and toys. This makes sure they go to their new home with familiar items with their own scent on. This helps the transition and is less stressful for them.

These are the main things that a foster carer has to do for each dog in their care. No matter how long the dog is with us, how well they are, or what special needs they have, they always have the very best of care as if they are one of my own pack. 

Crufts 2017!

Maisie had a fantastic time at the Worlds Biggest Dog Show. She got lots of cuddles, New toys, treats and grooming items, and loved being center of attention and meeting so many of her fans. (Photo above is from 2016 - My favourite one of her there!)

We went along on Toy and Utility Day, where there were lots of other Toy Breed dogs, as well as Utility breeds, Flyball and Agility dogs, and of course lots of PAT dogs and other dogs with very special jobs! 

Both varieties of Chinese Crested compete together in the same classes. The Powder Puff has a long flowing coat, and the Hairless has just small amounts of hair on its body. Otherwise, they are judged against the same breed standard.

We watched several breeds being shown including Standard Poodles, Shih tzus, Chihuahuas (both Longcoats and Smoothcoats), and Dalmations. Maisie got a little jealous that she wasn't able to go in the ring when she saw others of her breed, but she was there to work, not to show.

She spent most of the afternoon meeting some of her fans, shopping, sampling new treats and food, and taking lots of photos! When it came to home time she was exhausted, and slept almost all the way home (a full 5 hours travel!) on her new Vet Bed. It was such a fun day and Maisie still gets excited if she hears the word "Crufts" so I think she wants to go back next year too!

Another surprise foster dog!

Today we had another little dog come to us as an emergency foster case.

This sweet little long legged Jack Russell Terrier is called Mutley. He is about 9 years old and the poor baby was found alone with his human dad, who had sadly passed on suddenly.

His body is in fairly good condition however his nails were extremely overgrown to the point of his toes being damaged from the length of them and for how long he must have had them like this. This photo doesn't show off how bad they actually are, his nails were snapping, breaking, and generally in poor condition, along with being extremely overgrown. This would take years to get to this point and shows he hasn't been walked properly in a very long time either. They have of course been clipped now and he is already much more comfortable. We hope there wont be any long lasting effects from this.

His teeth are in awful condition. Not only do they have an extreme build-up of tarter, but he also has such inflamed gums that the slightest touch makes them bleed. This would be extremely painful for him too. This little dog has been suffering for a long while sadly. He was clearly well loved but didn't have the all care he needed.

We have been told he has an esophagus (throat) problem that means he can only eat mushed up food, but he has managed a couple of tiny bites of chicken without any sign of a problem, so maybe the issue is not as bad as we were told. His vet check will tell us more details.

Mutley will be booked in to have a dental, neutering, and if needed, any other veterinary care he requires. Once this has been done and he has had a proper assessment, he will be available for adoption through the rescue.

Crufts is coming!

Very excited - Crufts 2017 is coming! 

Maisie has received her Crufts pass so she get go and review it for us again for both Pretty Pooches and for her Instagram account Maisies Adventures (@MaisiesAdventures) - We are all very excited to be back at the worlds biggest dog show!

Last year we went and had a lot of fun shopping, meeting some lovely people, talking to some of the exhibitors, and generally having an amazing time. Pretty Pooches aims to go every year, and Maisie loves all the attention she gets there too. Our lovely friend Claire is coming too which just makes it even better!

Anyone else coming along - if so let us know what you are looking forward to most! Are you competing? Let me know and feel free to post a photo of your dog getting ready! 

Foster dog - Update! And new foster bunnies!

Foster Dog Update! 

This is the update I have been waiting to write. Very pleased to say the lovely little dog we were fostering has been adopted by a lovely family and is now living with a wonderful family, including a very sweet Staffordshire Bull Terrier who is her new best friend! 

She has now been settled happily in her new home for several weeks and I get updates on her progress. She is doing very well, and her training is being continued. We couldn't ask for a better home for such an adorable little dog. 

Since a few weeks ago I also have been fostering 2 rabbits. They belong to a family member who is currently unable to care for them so we now have 4 little rabbits hopping about!