So the Maltese breed has been added to New South Wales' Government's list of dangerous dog breeds recently.
According to their Dog Attack Register, there were 12 attacks by Maltese dogs between June and September this year, eclipsing the result of the most popular breed of dog in the world, the Labrador Retriever.
Also featuring on the list are the Australian Cattle Dog and the German Shepherd, but by far the dog most identified on the list is the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
It makes me wonder how the majority of these dog attacks happen, and why they are happening more frequently. In the many years that I have been surrounded by dogs and have worked with dogs, I have never been subject to an attack, and can only recall once incident involving a dog that happened to a workmate while at a veterinary clinic.
This incident occurred because the dog in question (an intact male pig dog) had been recuperating at the clinic for approximately 3 months and come to enjoy the attentions of all the female staff who were responsible for caring for him. When a male locum vet was employed by the practice, the dog felt threatened due to his presence (and probably wanted to protect 'his girls') and bit the vet on the leg one day.
In a clinic situation, these incidents are almost to be expected as it is an inherent risk when you work with animals. However, all practicable steps are taken to ensure the severity of these incidents are minimal and uncommon.
In my opinion, what we need to do to avoid dog attacks is learn about dog behaviour and body language. For me it's pretty easy to tell many of the emotions at any given time for both cats and dogs, but for someone who isn't used to being around animals or isn't aware of their various indicators, this can spell disaster when in a confronting situation.
It seems sad to me that entire breeds are being labelled as 'dangerous' or 'menacing' when it may simply be due to a misunderstanding of the language differences between people and a particular dog, or even worse, the misidentification of some breeds because this is what the victim perceives the dog to be.
As has been described, and will always be stated by animal professionals, especially those dog behaviourists, all dogs have the potential to be dangerous. It is a matter of knowing how to read the signs to avoid a dangerous situation.
We will endeavour to describe and source information on dog behaviour and body language on The Pet Hub to give you the information you need to read, interpret and understand dog language.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Spring news
Spring is finally here and despite the thick layer of frost I saw on the houses and streets around me this morning, it has turned into a bright, warm and sunny day.
It is also the time of year that traditionally heralds the beginning of breeding season, so if you haven't had your pets desexed and are not planning on breeding from them, please do this important act. It will benefit both your pet as well as you. If you know of someone who hasn't desexed their pet, please encourage them to do so. If breeding is something that you are wanting to do with your pet, there is one golden rule to follow - do your research!
The beginning of spring also means a new round of pet magazines are available! We don't have many pet-related magazines in New Zealand but the ones we do have are pretty good quality and I encourage you to take a look at them. There's Paws for Thought, Pet Magazine, and Two Cats One Dog (only available through your vet clinic).
This season, the magazines feature stories on Police Dogs, Arthritis, Lumps, and Caring for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs (2C1D); Pet Genetics, Pet Health Maintenance, RNZAF Working Dogs, Liver and Kidney Diseases, Sharing Custody when a relationship sours, and oxygen therapy (Paws for Thought); and Understanding Cat Speak, Training Dogs, Enjoying a Good Relationship with your Vet, an Interview with Mike King and a new Animal Sanctuary is profiled in Pet Magazine.
Take advantage of the longer days of spring with your pet - but beware of those critters that might dart across the road at night right in front of your car - this is also the time of year that cats are more active, and hedgehogs begin to come out of hibernation. If you do hit an animal, please stop to see how badly it is hurt (this is a legal requirement!), and if it didn't survive, please move it to the side of the road so no one else can run it over.
It is also the time of year that traditionally heralds the beginning of breeding season, so if you haven't had your pets desexed and are not planning on breeding from them, please do this important act. It will benefit both your pet as well as you. If you know of someone who hasn't desexed their pet, please encourage them to do so. If breeding is something that you are wanting to do with your pet, there is one golden rule to follow - do your research!
The beginning of spring also means a new round of pet magazines are available! We don't have many pet-related magazines in New Zealand but the ones we do have are pretty good quality and I encourage you to take a look at them. There's Paws for Thought, Pet Magazine, and Two Cats One Dog (only available through your vet clinic).
This season, the magazines feature stories on Police Dogs, Arthritis, Lumps, and Caring for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs (2C1D); Pet Genetics, Pet Health Maintenance, RNZAF Working Dogs, Liver and Kidney Diseases, Sharing Custody when a relationship sours, and oxygen therapy (Paws for Thought); and Understanding Cat Speak, Training Dogs, Enjoying a Good Relationship with your Vet, an Interview with Mike King and a new Animal Sanctuary is profiled in Pet Magazine.
Take advantage of the longer days of spring with your pet - but beware of those critters that might dart across the road at night right in front of your car - this is also the time of year that cats are more active, and hedgehogs begin to come out of hibernation. If you do hit an animal, please stop to see how badly it is hurt (this is a legal requirement!), and if it didn't survive, please move it to the side of the road so no one else can run it over.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The Plight of Pet Ownership
It appears to be increasingly difficult to front up with enough cash to pay for our pets these days.
This may be pretty obvious to most people, and wording like "current economic situation", "recession", "affordability" and "cost of living" certainly isn't helping. However, it is both sad but also encouraging to see ads such as this and this on TradeMe.
Let me elaborate on what I mean by that.
The sad thing about these ads is the lack of affordability for the owner for their pet's treatment, but let's face it, the cost of veterinary treatment is not cheap. And of course recessions and increased living costs have made an impact too.
The encouraging thing about these ads is the fact that these owners are prepared to do whatever it takes to get their loved pets the treatment that they need. Even more encouraging is the comments from people at the end of the auctions who are so selflessly willing to help.
I have read a number of stories from people in a crisis situation, whether it be financial or due to a change in circumstance, where the threat of their pet or pets not being with them anymore fills them with despair. As a result, the messages of support, help, encouragement and even financial contributions in some cases have proven that most people are inherently kind-hearted and willing to share what they have with someone in a less fortunate position.
This is a lesson we should all remember - both when it comes to our pets and as we live life in general. I firmly believe that what goes around comes around, and that if you are willing and able to help, no matter how small you feel you can, it makes a significant difference to the person you are helping.
I also encourage you to think about opening a separate bank account specifically for your pets, or look into taking out pet insurance. It could mean the difference between a second chance at life or no chance at all.
This may be pretty obvious to most people, and wording like "current economic situation", "recession", "affordability" and "cost of living" certainly isn't helping. However, it is both sad but also encouraging to see ads such as this and this on TradeMe.
Let me elaborate on what I mean by that.
The sad thing about these ads is the lack of affordability for the owner for their pet's treatment, but let's face it, the cost of veterinary treatment is not cheap. And of course recessions and increased living costs have made an impact too.
The encouraging thing about these ads is the fact that these owners are prepared to do whatever it takes to get their loved pets the treatment that they need. Even more encouraging is the comments from people at the end of the auctions who are so selflessly willing to help.
I have read a number of stories from people in a crisis situation, whether it be financial or due to a change in circumstance, where the threat of their pet or pets not being with them anymore fills them with despair. As a result, the messages of support, help, encouragement and even financial contributions in some cases have proven that most people are inherently kind-hearted and willing to share what they have with someone in a less fortunate position.
This is a lesson we should all remember - both when it comes to our pets and as we live life in general. I firmly believe that what goes around comes around, and that if you are willing and able to help, no matter how small you feel you can, it makes a significant difference to the person you are helping.
I also encourage you to think about opening a separate bank account specifically for your pets, or look into taking out pet insurance. It could mean the difference between a second chance at life or no chance at all.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
The Dominion Post, 12 Aug 2009. Page 17
Heidy Kikillus uses TradeMe to help research turtle populations in New Zealand
Great story and photo - well done Heidy!
The Dominion Post
12 Aug 2009
Great story and photo - well done Heidy!
The Dominion Post
12 Aug 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
A timely reminder that pet First Aid is vital
August is Pet First Aid month at The Pet Hub, with the launch of our very own Pet First Aid Kits and Pocket First Aid Guides at Pet Expo on the 1st and 2nd of August. We are also going to be expanding on the information contained within our Cat and Dog Emergencies sections and hope to bring you much more on First Aid for smaller pets such as rabbits, rats, mice, guinea pigs, and our turtle and reptile friends.
In the meantime, the following video, recently posted on the LA Times website, shows an everyday situation (childrens' birthday party) during which a Chihuahua needed CPR. Yet another reason why pet First Aid training is so important:
If you own or care for a pet, you should know what to do in a pet emergency situation. If you are interested in learning more, or taking part in a Pet First Aid course, contact us and let us know.
In the meantime, the following video, recently posted on the LA Times website, shows an everyday situation (childrens' birthday party) during which a Chihuahua needed CPR. Yet another reason why pet First Aid training is so important:
If you own or care for a pet, you should know what to do in a pet emergency situation. If you are interested in learning more, or taking part in a Pet First Aid course, contact us and let us know.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Not too long left for WCC's draft dog policy
Submissions for the new Draft Dog Policy for residents of Wellington City Council's suburbs close on the 7th August (next Friday).
For those residents who want to have a say regarding this proposed new policy, please see the Council's website here.
In summary, the Council proposes the following changes:
It is important to note that there is no mention in the Dog Policy Proposal document of making dog exercise areas safer or more accessible to dog owners and walkers by installing lighting or watering stations, increasing the number of rubbish bins or improving access to the areas. These are the key things I think are of most importance to dog owners in Wellington City.
To make a submission to Council (and oral submissions are encouraged as they "will carry weight with councillors" according to Councillor Iona Pannett), see the details on the Council's website.
Councillor Pannett also welcomes discussions with interested residents - her contact details are listed below.
Associate Social Portfolio leader and Wellington City Councillor (Lambton Ward)
Address: 27 Caroline Street, Mt Victoria, Wellington 6011
Telephone: 384-3382 (work)/021-227-8509 (mobile)
E-mail: iona.pannett@wcc.govt.nz
For those residents who want to have a say regarding this proposed new policy, please see the Council's website here.
In summary, the Council proposes the following changes:
- five new off-leash dog exercise areas
- improved access for dogs and their owners to the waterfront through the central business district
- a proposal for a destination dog park
- new provisions for Responsible Dog Owner status
- criteria to determine the need to neuter menacing dogs
- new policy objectives that recognise the positive community health benefits of owning a dog.
It is important to note that there is no mention in the Dog Policy Proposal document of making dog exercise areas safer or more accessible to dog owners and walkers by installing lighting or watering stations, increasing the number of rubbish bins or improving access to the areas. These are the key things I think are of most importance to dog owners in Wellington City.
To make a submission to Council (and oral submissions are encouraged as they "will carry weight with councillors" according to Councillor Iona Pannett), see the details on the Council's website.
Councillor Pannett also welcomes discussions with interested residents - her contact details are listed below.
Associate Social Portfolio leader and Wellington City Councillor (Lambton Ward)
Address: 27 Caroline Street, Mt Victoria, Wellington 6011
Telephone: 384-3382 (work)/021-227-8509 (mobile)
E-mail: iona.pannett@wcc.govt.nz
What do you want to see done with Wellington City Council's dog exercise areas?
Sunday, July 5, 2009
An update from The Pet Hub
Wow time certainly goes quickly when you have a big event coming up. For those of you in the Pet Club, you will have received our email newsletter a few days ago letting you know that we are going to have a stand at the upcoming Pet Expo being held at the Addington Raceway (1st & 2nd of August). We have been super-busy preparing for Pet Expo and we're keenly looking forward to it. Drop by our stand (we will be on the ground floor in the dog area near the stage) if you come along - don't be afraid to say hi! We will have some great items to give away, exciting demonstrations that we hope you will be able to check out, and many other fantastic reasons for visiting. We very much hope to see you there.
It's also a good time of year to remind you to book your pets Christmas holiday accommodation. I know, July? But trust me, all the best accommodation providers will be near capacity already so get in now to avoid disappointment and pre-Christmas stress for you and your pets.
During July, we hope to also bring you new information about caring for your pet turtle, and how you can keep these cool pets happy and healthy.
We are also in negotiations to have an ongoing presence on another prominent web site which is very exciting. We'll update you as soon as we know whether this is confirmed.
Please bear with us over the next few weeks in the lead-up to Pet Expo. We will continue to work on the site as well during this time. And don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or queries whatsoever.
Purrs and woofs!
Rochelle and Francesca
It's also a good time of year to remind you to book your pets Christmas holiday accommodation. I know, July? But trust me, all the best accommodation providers will be near capacity already so get in now to avoid disappointment and pre-Christmas stress for you and your pets.
During July, we hope to also bring you new information about caring for your pet turtle, and how you can keep these cool pets happy and healthy.
We are also in negotiations to have an ongoing presence on another prominent web site which is very exciting. We'll update you as soon as we know whether this is confirmed.
Please bear with us over the next few weeks in the lead-up to Pet Expo. We will continue to work on the site as well during this time. And don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or queries whatsoever.
Purrs and woofs!
Rochelle and Francesca
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Be aware of misinformation - it could harm your pet
Today I discovered a new pet blog available on a prominent website. It only began in recent days and the introductory post discusses the site's intentions to have experts as well as pet owners blogging on pet topics and issues.
While the posts themselves (the small amount that have been posted to date) have been fairly generic about a topic that affects most pet owners, my concern is in the comments that have been numerous and, quite frankly, incorrect in most cases. So this blog is just a short warning to you to be very careful where you get pet health information from.
It is my hope that the site owners do find genuine experts to blog - as yet, I don't know how they are picking their sources however I'm sure they have a system for doing it. So if you do come across information on a website posted by "some random person" whose credentials you cannot identify or who have no credentials at all, be very careful if you decide to take this information on board. Do your research - visit veterinary health-based, factual websites, or contact your veterinary clinic if you want to clarify any information you have seen or heard of. The last thing any veterinary health professional wants is for your pets to become unwell because of unsolicited advice.
Have you heard any advice that you weren't so sure about? Tell us about it in the comments. Don't forget that we also have our Ask a Vet column - if you have any questions you would like clarification on, just ask!
While the posts themselves (the small amount that have been posted to date) have been fairly generic about a topic that affects most pet owners, my concern is in the comments that have been numerous and, quite frankly, incorrect in most cases. So this blog is just a short warning to you to be very careful where you get pet health information from.
It is my hope that the site owners do find genuine experts to blog - as yet, I don't know how they are picking their sources however I'm sure they have a system for doing it. So if you do come across information on a website posted by "some random person" whose credentials you cannot identify or who have no credentials at all, be very careful if you decide to take this information on board. Do your research - visit veterinary health-based, factual websites, or contact your veterinary clinic if you want to clarify any information you have seen or heard of. The last thing any veterinary health professional wants is for your pets to become unwell because of unsolicited advice.
Have you heard any advice that you weren't so sure about? Tell us about it in the comments. Don't forget that we also have our Ask a Vet column - if you have any questions you would like clarification on, just ask!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Free Kibble!
As part of my daily routine I read up on all the animal related news items from around the world, and the occasional blog now and then. I also religiously go to one of the cutest and easiest sites on the internet where all animal lovers can make a difference with one single click of their mouse. This site is http://www.freekibble.com/
I love the trivia - it's normally pretty easy but if you can't bear to be wrong, just open up a new tab, go to Google and type in the question. The answer should pop back pretty quickly.
Free Kibble is the brainchild of a young American girl who (with help from her parents) created the website to help feed animals in US shelters. Her idea has really taken off and they regularly receive daily visitors to the site. Going by the kibble tally at the bottom of the question section and dividing the number by 10 (which is how many pieces of kibble are donated each time an answer is guessed - whether correctly or incorrectly), it appears as though freekibble and freekibblekat users have played 12,113,880 times. That's 12 MILLION, 113 thousand, 880 times (as at 9 June 09)!
Recently added to the site is a tally of which countries Free Kibble is being played in. I found it very interesting that New Zealand is ranked in 15th place out of a total of 135 countries. That puts us in the top 12% of countries playing. That's pretty awesome for a country with such a tiny population! What this tells us is that New Zealanders are big animal lovers and we're generous enough to want to help another country give food to their animal shelters, which is very noble.
Good on Mimi Ausland for her inspiration to create the site and good on you, New Zealand, for helping to support unwanted animals in another country.
I love the trivia - it's normally pretty easy but if you can't bear to be wrong, just open up a new tab, go to Google and type in the question. The answer should pop back pretty quickly.
Free Kibble is the brainchild of a young American girl who (with help from her parents) created the website to help feed animals in US shelters. Her idea has really taken off and they regularly receive daily visitors to the site. Going by the kibble tally at the bottom of the question section and dividing the number by 10 (which is how many pieces of kibble are donated each time an answer is guessed - whether correctly or incorrectly), it appears as though freekibble and freekibblekat users have played 12,113,880 times. That's 12 MILLION, 113 thousand, 880 times (as at 9 June 09)!
Recently added to the site is a tally of which countries Free Kibble is being played in. I found it very interesting that New Zealand is ranked in 15th place out of a total of 135 countries. That puts us in the top 12% of countries playing. That's pretty awesome for a country with such a tiny population! What this tells us is that New Zealanders are big animal lovers and we're generous enough to want to help another country give food to their animal shelters, which is very noble.
Good on Mimi Ausland for her inspiration to create the site and good on you, New Zealand, for helping to support unwanted animals in another country.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
A sad day for animal carers
Yesterday, Mr Dalu Mncube was fatally attacked by one of the big cats he worked with at Zion Wildlife Gardens, just out of Whangarei in Northland.
It is alleged that Abu, a Royal White Tiger, was the animal who killed Dalu. Abu was put to sleep following the incident.
It is a sad day for all concerned, and our hearts go out to Dalu's family - his partner Sharon Arnott and their one year old daughter Starskea, as well as the rest of his family back in South Africa. He was only 26 years old.
Dalu set an excellent example of the commitment and professionalism that comes as part of the job when you work with animals - no matter what type of animals they are. Dalu had a special gift with the cats he worked with, and his enthusiasm and passion were obvious to all who met him during the course of his work or watched him on the television series, 'The Lion Man'.
It is a reality that when you choose to work with animals, you prepare yourself to take the risks that this kind of work entails. I admire and commend those keepers who work with large and potentially dangerous animals on a daily basis - they really know what they are doing and have years of training and experience to back themselves up. They are a credit to the species that they care for.
Dalu was no exception to this - in fact, if anything, he was the ultimate rule.
Dalu, you have helped show millions of people just how precious these endangered cats are. You have given us a rare insight into the caring and handling of these cats, and your respect and awareness of them is truly inspirational. You will be sorely missed by those close to you as well as those of us who watched you from afar. Your memory will live on in all the cats at the park as well as in the work that keepers do with big cats every day.
Thank you, Dalu.
It is alleged that Abu, a Royal White Tiger, was the animal who killed Dalu. Abu was put to sleep following the incident.
It is a sad day for all concerned, and our hearts go out to Dalu's family - his partner Sharon Arnott and their one year old daughter Starskea, as well as the rest of his family back in South Africa. He was only 26 years old.
Dalu set an excellent example of the commitment and professionalism that comes as part of the job when you work with animals - no matter what type of animals they are. Dalu had a special gift with the cats he worked with, and his enthusiasm and passion were obvious to all who met him during the course of his work or watched him on the television series, 'The Lion Man'.
It is a reality that when you choose to work with animals, you prepare yourself to take the risks that this kind of work entails. I admire and commend those keepers who work with large and potentially dangerous animals on a daily basis - they really know what they are doing and have years of training and experience to back themselves up. They are a credit to the species that they care for.
Dalu was no exception to this - in fact, if anything, he was the ultimate rule.
Dalu, you have helped show millions of people just how precious these endangered cats are. You have given us a rare insight into the caring and handling of these cats, and your respect and awareness of them is truly inspirational. You will be sorely missed by those close to you as well as those of us who watched you from afar. Your memory will live on in all the cats at the park as well as in the work that keepers do with big cats every day.
Thank you, Dalu.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The Irresistible Puppy
Have you ever walked past a pet shop and been drawn in by the cute puppy in the window or perhaps surfing the net and stumbled (deliberately or otherwise) upon the pets for sale section? If you have you are not alone. Residing in Christchurch I frequently listen to More FM in the morning and the antics of Simon Barnett and his sidekick Gary McCormick. This will be a familiar story for those who listen in, but for the non locals - some years ago Simon recounted a story of how he walked into Animates in Christchurch one day to look at the puppies with his kids and walked out with not 1 but 2 puppies. A case of the kids convincing him to get one and then not being able to leave the litter mate alone in the cage. Its a common scenario!
Recently Oprah Winfrey in the US has exposed puppy farms (or puppy mills), where bitches are bred over and over again to get maximum numbers of puppies making it a profitable business. Unfortunately these puppies are not necessary well socialised or given the basics in health care. The same goes for their parents. In addition to this an article appeared in last week's Sunday Star Times magazine 'Sunday' talking about puppy purchasing. It is that article, which a colleague showed me, that has inspired me to write this post. I have also recently written an article on responsible dog breeding on The Pet Hub which was inspired by me seeing a client while working as a veterinarian one morning who, when I was explaining at the clients puppies vaccination about desexing, said "oh, I'm not going to spey her, I plan to breed from her". The puppy had been purchased from a pet shop and no history of the parents/genetics was known for a start.
As well as it being important for breeders to breed responsibly, it is also important that as purchasers, you purchase wisely too. If you make poor purchasing decisions on your new puppy, this encourages the poor breeder (and if it is from pet shop with poor policies on puppy selection) to continue the poor practices and in addition you may find yourself with a time bomb on your hand medically and or behaviourally. This translates to a monetary and social cost for you.
Please don't purchase puppies on Trade Me or other sites, without first viewing the puppy and finding out about its credentials, in terms of the parentage. If you purchase dogs prone to hip dysplasia like Labradors make sure the parents of your new puppy have been hip scored. If they haven't, search elsewhere for your puppy. Your veterinarian can advise on what specific things you should look out for on the breed you are choosing.
If you are purchasing from a pet shop, quiz them on there puppy purchasing policy and ask them what they know about the parents of the puppy you are purchasing and what the breeding facility is like. They have a responsibility to have done this research before taking on the puppy.
Purchasing from a place like the SPCA, Dogwatch or GAP (Greyhounds as pets) for example can provide a useful alternative place to purchase pets and they offer some good options. However, choose carefully. Make sure the dog will suit your situation. GAP run a very comprehensive assessment and retraining programme for example and offer great pets for people that have a suitable situation for a greyhound. What is avaialble at the likes of the SPCA vary from day to day and week to week and it may take a while to find a pet that will suit you.
Articles on The Pet Hub which provide useful information for the prospective puppy purchaser are:
Which type of pet is best for me? and
Which dog breed is best for me?
Please avoid purchasing on a whim. The ramifications can be quite serious. Ensure you check out the source of your new puppy properly. Do not rush into your puppy purchase, but take time, do the research on firstly whether getting a dog is right for you, then on the best breed for you and then on the best breeder to purchase from.
Dr. Francesca Matthews
Veterinarian and Director of The Pet Hub
Recently Oprah Winfrey in the US has exposed puppy farms (or puppy mills), where bitches are bred over and over again to get maximum numbers of puppies making it a profitable business. Unfortunately these puppies are not necessary well socialised or given the basics in health care. The same goes for their parents. In addition to this an article appeared in last week's Sunday Star Times magazine 'Sunday' talking about puppy purchasing. It is that article, which a colleague showed me, that has inspired me to write this post. I have also recently written an article on responsible dog breeding on The Pet Hub which was inspired by me seeing a client while working as a veterinarian one morning who, when I was explaining at the clients puppies vaccination about desexing, said "oh, I'm not going to spey her, I plan to breed from her". The puppy had been purchased from a pet shop and no history of the parents/genetics was known for a start.
As well as it being important for breeders to breed responsibly, it is also important that as purchasers, you purchase wisely too. If you make poor purchasing decisions on your new puppy, this encourages the poor breeder (and if it is from pet shop with poor policies on puppy selection) to continue the poor practices and in addition you may find yourself with a time bomb on your hand medically and or behaviourally. This translates to a monetary and social cost for you.
Please don't purchase puppies on Trade Me or other sites, without first viewing the puppy and finding out about its credentials, in terms of the parentage. If you purchase dogs prone to hip dysplasia like Labradors make sure the parents of your new puppy have been hip scored. If they haven't, search elsewhere for your puppy. Your veterinarian can advise on what specific things you should look out for on the breed you are choosing.
If you are purchasing from a pet shop, quiz them on there puppy purchasing policy and ask them what they know about the parents of the puppy you are purchasing and what the breeding facility is like. They have a responsibility to have done this research before taking on the puppy.
Purchasing from a place like the SPCA, Dogwatch or GAP (Greyhounds as pets) for example can provide a useful alternative place to purchase pets and they offer some good options. However, choose carefully. Make sure the dog will suit your situation. GAP run a very comprehensive assessment and retraining programme for example and offer great pets for people that have a suitable situation for a greyhound. What is avaialble at the likes of the SPCA vary from day to day and week to week and it may take a while to find a pet that will suit you.
Articles on The Pet Hub which provide useful information for the prospective puppy purchaser are:
Which type of pet is best for me? and
Which dog breed is best for me?
Please avoid purchasing on a whim. The ramifications can be quite serious. Ensure you check out the source of your new puppy properly. Do not rush into your puppy purchase, but take time, do the research on firstly whether getting a dog is right for you, then on the best breed for you and then on the best breeder to purchase from.
Dr. Francesca Matthews
Veterinarian and Director of The Pet Hub
Sunday, May 17, 2009
New experiences
I went to a dog club Championship Obedience Show yesterday. It was very interesting. I've never been to a dog show of any sort to be honest, so this was all new to me. Unfortunately I didn't arrive in time to see anything terribly exciting in terms of obedience, although I was lucky enough to catch the 'Paws n Music' display.
This showcased three levels of skill in both handler and dog, from beginner to advanced beginner and then a low-ish level of more highly advanced (yes, I realise now that I should have noted what the levels are officially called). Regardless, it was simply a delight to see the dogs and handlers having such a good time. What I did find out was that the two beginner levels are based on a discipline called 'Heelwork to Music', which is heeling and obedience commands set, as the name suggests, to music. The dogs were still relatively new to the sport, and it showed, but despite the trivial mistakes it was still entertaining to watch. You really have to commend both the handler and the dog for giving it a go, they performed exceptionally well under pressure (and who wouldn't melt at the sight of the matching costumes!).
The advanced handlers and dogs were just brilliant. It amazed me to see how well a dog is able to respond to simple verbal commands, hand gestures and body language and positioning. They really do read us like a book.
As this was an obedience show, all sorts of dogs were there - both purebreds and mutts. They were entered into the Paws n Music competition, and each dog performed to the best of their ability. There was definitely no difference between the application of skills of an oversized Yorkshire Terrier cross to a large German Shepherd. I must admit that this German Shepherd impressed me very much. He was very highly trained in this discipline, and showed nothing but complete dedication to taking his cues from his owner.
I think the best thing about watching heelwork to music is that it really looks enjoyable. I'm sure that it is even more fun being the handler/trainer though. Seeing your dog understand and respond to your commands after days, weeks or even months of training would definitely make it all worth it. The dogs must love it too - it gives them something to think about, and a bit of a workout at the same time. Below are two YouTube videos of two extremely well trained dogs performing a routine with their handlers. Both videos are less than 5 minutes long, and well worth watching!
This showcased three levels of skill in both handler and dog, from beginner to advanced beginner and then a low-ish level of more highly advanced (yes, I realise now that I should have noted what the levels are officially called). Regardless, it was simply a delight to see the dogs and handlers having such a good time. What I did find out was that the two beginner levels are based on a discipline called 'Heelwork to Music', which is heeling and obedience commands set, as the name suggests, to music. The dogs were still relatively new to the sport, and it showed, but despite the trivial mistakes it was still entertaining to watch. You really have to commend both the handler and the dog for giving it a go, they performed exceptionally well under pressure (and who wouldn't melt at the sight of the matching costumes!).
The advanced handlers and dogs were just brilliant. It amazed me to see how well a dog is able to respond to simple verbal commands, hand gestures and body language and positioning. They really do read us like a book.
As this was an obedience show, all sorts of dogs were there - both purebreds and mutts. They were entered into the Paws n Music competition, and each dog performed to the best of their ability. There was definitely no difference between the application of skills of an oversized Yorkshire Terrier cross to a large German Shepherd. I must admit that this German Shepherd impressed me very much. He was very highly trained in this discipline, and showed nothing but complete dedication to taking his cues from his owner.
I think the best thing about watching heelwork to music is that it really looks enjoyable. I'm sure that it is even more fun being the handler/trainer though. Seeing your dog understand and respond to your commands after days, weeks or even months of training would definitely make it all worth it. The dogs must love it too - it gives them something to think about, and a bit of a workout at the same time. Below are two YouTube videos of two extremely well trained dogs performing a routine with their handlers. Both videos are less than 5 minutes long, and well worth watching!
| Gladiator - Canine Freestyle | You're The One That I Want - Canine Freestyle |
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Is your city or town dog friendly?
by Rochelle
I think I live in the least dog-friendly city ever to exist. Wellington City Council would beg to disagree with me however, citing that they currently have over 40 'Woof Woof Ruff' dog exercise areas, specifically built and maintained for the enjoyment of all dogs and their owners in Wellington - but with either no or inadequate fencing, no or inadequate numbers of rubbish bins, and not one light in any of the parks for safety after dark.
The City Council was presented with a petition signed by over 400 people (and that's just the number who signed their e-petition) one year ago, requesting that lighting be installed in dog exercise areas, for the safety of the public as well as the dogs. No action has been made on this (yet).
There has been recent debate here on the responsibilities dog owners face for owning a dog in the Wellington City Council governance. One of the debates is regarding a very popular dog-accessible area close to where I live - the Karori Cemetery. Many dog owners take their dogs here for exercise. The current status of the Cemetery is that dogs are allowed in the grounds anytime, on lead only. Many dog owners want this rule to change, and a petition has even begun which is asking for the Council to consider making Karori Cemetery accessible for off lead exercise during weekday mornings.
The latest proposal that the Council has put forward is to fine dog owners & walkers $300 if they are seen walking a dog and do not have a doggy poo bag and/or dispenser with them on their trip. It is commendable that the Council want people to take responsibility for their pet's messes, but I don't think threatening people with an excessive fine will stop those irresponsible owners from doing what they have no doubt always done. And, how on earth do they propose to police this? I can't see 8,500 Council members shadowing the same amount of registered dogs during each and every walk they go on. Which begs the question, what about those unregistered dogs?
A possibly positive piece of news to come from the Council's meeting is the proposal to either develop or build a dog park with rubbish receptacles, water stations, fences and perhaps (let's hope) even lighting. A 'destination dog park' you might say, for all dog owners to take their dogs to. That is definitely something that Wellington is sorely missing.
The Council has recently met to discuss the WCC dog control bylaw and will be opening recommendations, suggestions and debates to the general public from June onwards. It will be interesting to hear what comes of this.
Tell us about your dog exercise areas and Council initiatives to help dog owners enjoy exercising their dogs. What are you allowed to do? What can't you do? Where is the best place to exercise your dog?
I think I live in the least dog-friendly city ever to exist. Wellington City Council would beg to disagree with me however, citing that they currently have over 40 'Woof Woof Ruff' dog exercise areas, specifically built and maintained for the enjoyment of all dogs and their owners in Wellington - but with either no or inadequate fencing, no or inadequate numbers of rubbish bins, and not one light in any of the parks for safety after dark.
The City Council was presented with a petition signed by over 400 people (and that's just the number who signed their e-petition) one year ago, requesting that lighting be installed in dog exercise areas, for the safety of the public as well as the dogs. No action has been made on this (yet).
There has been recent debate here on the responsibilities dog owners face for owning a dog in the Wellington City Council governance. One of the debates is regarding a very popular dog-accessible area close to where I live - the Karori Cemetery. Many dog owners take their dogs here for exercise. The current status of the Cemetery is that dogs are allowed in the grounds anytime, on lead only. Many dog owners want this rule to change, and a petition has even begun which is asking for the Council to consider making Karori Cemetery accessible for off lead exercise during weekday mornings.
The latest proposal that the Council has put forward is to fine dog owners & walkers $300 if they are seen walking a dog and do not have a doggy poo bag and/or dispenser with them on their trip. It is commendable that the Council want people to take responsibility for their pet's messes, but I don't think threatening people with an excessive fine will stop those irresponsible owners from doing what they have no doubt always done. And, how on earth do they propose to police this? I can't see 8,500 Council members shadowing the same amount of registered dogs during each and every walk they go on. Which begs the question, what about those unregistered dogs?
A possibly positive piece of news to come from the Council's meeting is the proposal to either develop or build a dog park with rubbish receptacles, water stations, fences and perhaps (let's hope) even lighting. A 'destination dog park' you might say, for all dog owners to take their dogs to. That is definitely something that Wellington is sorely missing.
The Council has recently met to discuss the WCC dog control bylaw and will be opening recommendations, suggestions and debates to the general public from June onwards. It will be interesting to hear what comes of this.
Tell us about your dog exercise areas and Council initiatives to help dog owners enjoy exercising their dogs. What are you allowed to do? What can't you do? Where is the best place to exercise your dog?
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
A storm's a'brewing ...
This morning I was woken suddenly by what seemed to be the loudest, most soul-shuddering thunderclap I think I've ever heard. I stayed still in bed, relatively calm, and after what seemed like a few minutes, drifted back off to sleep. Then again, suddenly, another boomingly loud thunderclap, followed shortly afterwards by an incredibly bright flash of lightning. By this time, my young cat was fully awake and alert, swinging his head from side to side like a periscope searching for land. I then realised that this was most likely, his first thunderstorm. Tiger, my older cat, is well versed in matters relating to earthly physics and natural phenomena, so she was tucked up soundly in a ball near my feet.
The thunder and rain has continued here for the best part of the day, but I'm not too worried about the effects that it might have on my cats as they are indoor-only (well, Nauty is, Tiger still has outside privileges). Unfortunately, it is all too common a situation where a pet (usually a dog) hasn't been properly acclimatised to storms and adverse weather conditions, and if kept inside, can create chaos with the house furnishings or even the physical house itself. There have been cases of dogs jamming their heads in cat and dog door flaps, ripping the frames to pieces in an attempt to remove themselves from the situation that is happening around them. Some pets have also broken glass doors and windows to remove themselves from the noise, either narrowly escaping with their lives or unfortunately being found lifeless by their owners on their return home because of injuries the pet has sustained in its escape attempts.
With winter quickly approaching and storm surges on the rise, I urge you to ensure your house and property is as safe for your pets as possible. Make sure that any possible escape routes for your pets are safe, and if possible, add stickers or cover the bottoms of glass panels so that they are more visible to your pets. Have your cats wear elasticated or easily breakable neck collars, and keep an up-to-date tag on your pets' collars in case they do escape your property. By law, all dogs over 3 months of age must be microchipped - currently this is the only form of permanent identification available for pets. I strongly encourage you to consider microchipping your cats also - if they go missing, they are more likely to be reunited with you sooner than if they didn't have a chip. If you find that your pet has gone missing in stormy conditions, call your local veterinary clinics, the SPCA, animal control and put flyers in letterboxes in your neighbourhood asking your neighbours to contact you if they find your pet.
You can also purchase CDs that have recordings of thunderstorms on them which are used to desensitise pets to the noise of a storm. Play them at a low level to begin with, and engage your pet in a fun activity such as playing with a toy, training with rewards, or just gentle cuddling and stroking (provided your pet isn't scared at the time, otherwise you will inadvertently reinforce their fear of storms). As your pet begins to ignore the noise (and if played low, it shouldn't bother them anyway), gradually turn up the volume so they become more accustomed to the noise level.
As we share our lives with our pets, we need to understand their needs. Something we have become accustomed to will be new for them and we must respond to their needs appropriately. Then we can be sure that they will be able to accept anything.
The thunder and rain has continued here for the best part of the day, but I'm not too worried about the effects that it might have on my cats as they are indoor-only (well, Nauty is, Tiger still has outside privileges). Unfortunately, it is all too common a situation where a pet (usually a dog) hasn't been properly acclimatised to storms and adverse weather conditions, and if kept inside, can create chaos with the house furnishings or even the physical house itself. There have been cases of dogs jamming their heads in cat and dog door flaps, ripping the frames to pieces in an attempt to remove themselves from the situation that is happening around them. Some pets have also broken glass doors and windows to remove themselves from the noise, either narrowly escaping with their lives or unfortunately being found lifeless by their owners on their return home because of injuries the pet has sustained in its escape attempts.
With winter quickly approaching and storm surges on the rise, I urge you to ensure your house and property is as safe for your pets as possible. Make sure that any possible escape routes for your pets are safe, and if possible, add stickers or cover the bottoms of glass panels so that they are more visible to your pets. Have your cats wear elasticated or easily breakable neck collars, and keep an up-to-date tag on your pets' collars in case they do escape your property. By law, all dogs over 3 months of age must be microchipped - currently this is the only form of permanent identification available for pets. I strongly encourage you to consider microchipping your cats also - if they go missing, they are more likely to be reunited with you sooner than if they didn't have a chip. If you find that your pet has gone missing in stormy conditions, call your local veterinary clinics, the SPCA, animal control and put flyers in letterboxes in your neighbourhood asking your neighbours to contact you if they find your pet.
You can also purchase CDs that have recordings of thunderstorms on them which are used to desensitise pets to the noise of a storm. Play them at a low level to begin with, and engage your pet in a fun activity such as playing with a toy, training with rewards, or just gentle cuddling and stroking (provided your pet isn't scared at the time, otherwise you will inadvertently reinforce their fear of storms). As your pet begins to ignore the noise (and if played low, it shouldn't bother them anyway), gradually turn up the volume so they become more accustomed to the noise level.
As we share our lives with our pets, we need to understand their needs. Something we have become accustomed to will be new for them and we must respond to their needs appropriately. Then we can be sure that they will be able to accept anything.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sharing the love ...
I have just finished walking around my local dog park this evening with two of my regular charges, the pugs Angus and Tassie (soon to be 'Pets of the Week'). We go out an average of three times a week together for exercise because their human 'mum' (an ex-vet nurse and now groomer by trade) is pregnant and waiting for bubs to arrive.
Angus and Tassie are well behaved dogs, they love meeting new friends, and at 8 and 5 years old respectively, they've "seen it all before". Often in my area there are families exercising and socialising their new additions, and it is great to see so many people interacting with their dogs. It gives other dog owners (and walkers like myself) the opportunity to speak to these people about their dogs and find out a bit about that breed, their dog's behaviour, good habits, bad habits, and you can share ideas and information on pet care. I really love it how dogs are such excellent ice breakers when it comes to other dog owners or people who just want to pat or touch your pet.
There are often stories in the media portraying vicious, aggressive dogs, and unfortunately often these stories centre around maulings and even deaths that people have suffered at the hands of someone else's, and in some cases, even their own dog. Luckily these stories are very few, as the dog owners in NZ are excellent examples of animal carers. Their dogs are for the most part, well behaved, well socialised, healthy and happy dogs. And I'm in a privileged position in that I am welcomed into their families through the work that I do by being an 'aunty' to their beloved pets.
So I think we, as animal lovers, should show our love to our pets - cats, rabbits, mice, rats, guinea pigs, turtles, lizards, chinchillas, and everything else not mentioned (as well as our dogs of course!) - by giving them a big hug and just spending as much time with them as we can.
Tell us about your dog and where you like to walk with them in the comments.
Angus and Tassie are well behaved dogs, they love meeting new friends, and at 8 and 5 years old respectively, they've "seen it all before". Often in my area there are families exercising and socialising their new additions, and it is great to see so many people interacting with their dogs. It gives other dog owners (and walkers like myself) the opportunity to speak to these people about their dogs and find out a bit about that breed, their dog's behaviour, good habits, bad habits, and you can share ideas and information on pet care. I really love it how dogs are such excellent ice breakers when it comes to other dog owners or people who just want to pat or touch your pet.
There are often stories in the media portraying vicious, aggressive dogs, and unfortunately often these stories centre around maulings and even deaths that people have suffered at the hands of someone else's, and in some cases, even their own dog. Luckily these stories are very few, as the dog owners in NZ are excellent examples of animal carers. Their dogs are for the most part, well behaved, well socialised, healthy and happy dogs. And I'm in a privileged position in that I am welcomed into their families through the work that I do by being an 'aunty' to their beloved pets.
So I think we, as animal lovers, should show our love to our pets - cats, rabbits, mice, rats, guinea pigs, turtles, lizards, chinchillas, and everything else not mentioned (as well as our dogs of course!) - by giving them a big hug and just spending as much time with them as we can.
Tell us about your dog and where you like to walk with them in the comments.
Welcome!
Welcome to The Pet Hub blog! We feel that it is important for businesses and websites to have a more "informal" presence on the web, and this is what we hope to achieve. Both Francesca and myself love interacting with 'pet people' (pet owners) - how could we not in our lines of work?! So we've created this blog to provide opinion and views on topical subjects relating to pets and animals. We hope you enjoy our posts and we look forward to reading your comments and opinions!Francesca and Rochelle
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