Most children at some point ask their parents for a pet and looking after an animal can be a great learning experience for children, teaching them a sense of responsibility and care. However, dogs are a huge responsibility and lots of thought must go into deciding if the whole family can take it on as it is a commitment for everyone in the household.

A pet like a dog requires as much attention as any other member of the family. A dog will need attention, grooming, exercising and of (more…)

Most ‘townies’, if you can forgive the term, will usually make the use of dog walking amenities close to home. When you take your dog to the countryside however, there are a few important things to remember to make your walk enjoyable for both you and your dog.

Keep the collar and lead to hand

It may be tempting to let your dog have a good run unhindered by a lead, but keep it with you; there are times when it is imperative to call your dog to heel and clip that lead back on. If your dog is caught worrying livestock, for example, the farmer is legally entitled to shoot at the dog. If your dog is very young or not very obedient, don’t let him or (more…)

Certain signs should not be ignored and could mean that your dog needs to go to your vet without delay. Symptoms to watch out for can include:

• Visible wounds that won’t stop bleeding
• Fitting or loss of consciousness
• Unable to move
• Trouble standing or getting up
• Rise or drop in body temperature

Short term lack of interest in food could just be a tummy upset, has the dog eaten anything suspicious lately? A change of routine can causes stress in some dogs or puppies resulting in temporary loss of appetite. Dogs, just like humans, can go some time without food but not without water, if they are not drinking than he or she should be (more…)

Dogs do need to travel by car these days, to go to the vet or to reach a favourite walk, some go to work with their owners. It’s important to make the journey safe and comfortable for both the dog and yourself.

Keep your dog secure

Dog guards exist for all cars and small vans, most are easy to fit and relatively low cost and will keep your dog safely in the rear of the vehicle.

If you prefer your dog to travel on the back seat there are specially designed (more…)

To make sure that your dog enjoys the festive period as much as you do here are a few tips, after all Christmas can be stressful enough without having a miserable dog to worry about.

Dogs and parties

Most dogs enjoy social gatherings and will not get stressed if noise levels are above average for a short while. If your home is going to be noisy for a long period, it is best to remove your dog from the immediate vicinity to an area where he can relax. Keep him or her provided (more…)

It’s a sad fact of life, your dog will age. As they get older a dogs’ needs change, taking a few simple steps will ensure your old dog’s comfort and continued enjoyment of life.

Feeding

Too many old dogs suffer from unnecessary weight gain. It has serious health implications and can lead to premature death just as in humans. An older dog’s diet should be adapted as they age. There are many senior dog foods on the market; it should be simple to find (more…)

The cost of owning a dog goes far beyond the price that you have paid initially for your new puppy. Puppies will require vaccinations, spray/neutering to add to this cost alongside all the supplies that a new puppy will require such as dog food, a collar, a crate or a bed. Do you have the funds to make sure that your puppy has everything they need when you bring them home and do you have the money to update your puppy’s essentials such as their bed, collar and lead as your pet starts to grow bigger by the day?

To keep your dog in good health, it is important to consider paying for pet insurance which can help should your beloved dog be in need (more…)