We hope everyone has a lovely Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
In the lead up to Christmas, why not remind yourself about:
Keeping dogs safe at Christmas
Reducing your dog's stress at Christmas
or you could even find out about Christmas at the RSPCA kennels.
Monday, 19 December 2016
Tuesday, 29 November 2016
Scentwork, breeding dogs and lead work
Today we met Hannah Molloy from Pawfect Dogsense who discussed with us the pros and cons of breeding our dogs and making sure we are breeding the right temperaments and creating healthy puppies. Hannah also showed us a few lovely fun scentwork exercises with Skyler (pictured), and also demonstrated how to stop a dog from pulling on the lead.
Monday, 10 October 2016
Do As I Do with Dog & Bone
This week we have been promoting Naturally Happy Dogs at the Dog & Bone seminar 'Do As I Do'. It's a fascinating technique where you teach your dog a cue to 'copy the action I've just done'. Sandy and Skyler both had a go, and seemed to be getting the hang of it by the end.
We filmed Claudia explaining the technique a while ago, you can watch the video here: Do As I Do with Claudia Fugazza
We filmed Claudia explaining the technique a while ago, you can watch the video here: Do As I Do with Claudia Fugazza
Tuesday, 20 September 2016
Three simple training exercises that really work
It's lovely to learn a simple training method that really changes things for you and your dog, and today we learned three of them!
Tony Cruse from TC dog training showed us three exercises he teaches to his class:
"Chuck the Cheese" is a very easy to teach method to get your dog to pay attention to you, and ultimately offer you some behaviours before they rush off to play with other dogs. Skyler helped out as the 'more advanced' training demonstrator.
"Drop, Step and Treat" is a nice little exercise to do occasionally with your dog so that if you ever drop your lead, your dog's response is to look at you. Imagine how useful this would be if you dropped the lead near a busy road.
"Food bowl manners" - does what it says on the tin! When explained in these simple terms, it's clear how effective Tony's methods will be to ensure dogs are happy when you are around their food bowl.
Sunday, 4 September 2016
Large Munsterlanders, Weimaraners, Salukis
Wow - three breeds in one week!
And what lovely breeds they are. The Large Munsterlanders were very sociable, friendly dogs, although you need to not be too house proud to own one as they do like to get a little muddy when out on walks!
It was amazing to see the Salukis run, and we got some lovely slow motion footage to add to our video. Their owners warned us about how attached Salukis can get to their first owners, these really are a dog for life as they don't cope very well with being rehomed.
And finally, the Weimaraners, the 'grey ghosts' showed their sensible and playful side, while their owners told us how good these dogs are at reading a situation and acting accordingly.
And what lovely breeds they are. The Large Munsterlanders were very sociable, friendly dogs, although you need to not be too house proud to own one as they do like to get a little muddy when out on walks!
It was amazing to see the Salukis run, and we got some lovely slow motion footage to add to our video. Their owners warned us about how attached Salukis can get to their first owners, these really are a dog for life as they don't cope very well with being rehomed.
And finally, the Weimaraners, the 'grey ghosts' showed their sensible and playful side, while their owners told us how good these dogs are at reading a situation and acting accordingly.
Tuesday, 30 August 2016
Car sickness, Firework phobias TTouch sessions
Today we filmed the lovely Toni Shelbourne in Berkshire to find out more about car travel problems, firework phobias and what actually happens during a TTouch session. As usual, Sandy and Skyler were on hand to help out and were more than willing TTouch participants!
Skyler is a very active little dog so we wonder if it will have an effect in calming her down a little, we're ever hopeful!
Skyler is a very active little dog so we wonder if it will have an effect in calming her down a little, we're ever hopeful!
Friday, 26 August 2016
Agility filming
Today we have been filming with Marianne Tembey from Patchwork Training for some more agility articles...
- Using jump grids to affect stride
- Teaching the 'wait'
- Agility exercises for dogs under 12 months.
- Using jump grids to affect stride
- Teaching the 'wait'
- Agility exercises for dogs under 12 months.
We look forward to bringing you these articles soon :)
Monday, 11 July 2016
What to do if your dog is lost or stolen
Our dogs are an important part of our family, and so when he suddenly goes missing it can be absolutely devastating. Regardless of whether he has been lost or stolen, you will probably feel sick with worry until his whereabouts have been traced. Your natural instinct may be to panic, but it is important that you keep calm and act quickly to have the best possible chance of safely recovering your beloved pet.
Here is our guide to what to do if your dog is lost or stolen.
Report your dog as lost or stolen
The very first thing that you should do is report your dog as either lost or suspected stolen (whichever applies) to your local council’s dog warden, as this is the person most likely to pick up your pet if a member of the public finds him wandering around.
You should also report your dog as either lost or stolen to local branches of the RSCPA and veterinary practises, again because these are places that a lost dog may be taken by the finder.
If you have reason to believe that your dog has been stolen rather than become lost, then you should report it as a theft to your local police station. Unfortunately, not all police are willing to record missing dogs as theft, and so you may find you need to be insistent and provide any proof that may be left behind.
Finally, you should report your dog to the microchip database. They will then know to inform you if anyone tries to re-register the chip number associated with your pet.
Search the neighbourhood
While it is completely understandable to want to get straight out and start searching for your beloved dog, a methodical and well thought-out search is almost always more beneficial. By visiting the locations that you usually take your pet for a walk, including nearby parks and walking routes, you will be able to speak to other dog owners about your missing pet. Go armed with photographs and post-it notes with your contact number on, so that anyone that may have seen your dog can get in touch.
Then spread your news wider
Some dogs have the ability to run for very long distances, and if your dog has gone missing then he may be further away than you anticipate. If you don’t have any success in tracking your pet down within the first 24 hours then spread news of his disappearance further afield.
Utilise the power of social media
Social media is currently one of the most powerful tools at our disposal, and news of your dog’s disappearance can spread extraordinarily quickly. Ask your social media friends to like and share the information, as this significantly increases the number of people who will hear that your dog is missing and will dramatically improve the likelihood of recovering your pet safe and well.
Make posters
Even with the evolution of technology, there is still a definite place for traditional methods when it comes to tracing lost or stolen dogs. Create a poster using one or two very clear and recent photographs of your pet. Include the details of when/where your dog went missing or was stolen and remember to put your contact details on too. Display the poster in as many places locally as you are able to, including shop noticeboards, schools and libraries.
Don’t give up hope
Some dogs that have gone missing are not found for several days or even weeks. Don’t give up hope and keep circulating information about your pet.
Here is our guide to what to do if your dog is lost or stolen.
Report your dog as lost or stolen
The very first thing that you should do is report your dog as either lost or suspected stolen (whichever applies) to your local council’s dog warden, as this is the person most likely to pick up your pet if a member of the public finds him wandering around.
You should also report your dog as either lost or stolen to local branches of the RSCPA and veterinary practises, again because these are places that a lost dog may be taken by the finder.
If you have reason to believe that your dog has been stolen rather than become lost, then you should report it as a theft to your local police station. Unfortunately, not all police are willing to record missing dogs as theft, and so you may find you need to be insistent and provide any proof that may be left behind.
Finally, you should report your dog to the microchip database. They will then know to inform you if anyone tries to re-register the chip number associated with your pet.
Search the neighbourhood
While it is completely understandable to want to get straight out and start searching for your beloved dog, a methodical and well thought-out search is almost always more beneficial. By visiting the locations that you usually take your pet for a walk, including nearby parks and walking routes, you will be able to speak to other dog owners about your missing pet. Go armed with photographs and post-it notes with your contact number on, so that anyone that may have seen your dog can get in touch.
Then spread your news wider
Some dogs have the ability to run for very long distances, and if your dog has gone missing then he may be further away than you anticipate. If you don’t have any success in tracking your pet down within the first 24 hours then spread news of his disappearance further afield.
Utilise the power of social media
Social media is currently one of the most powerful tools at our disposal, and news of your dog’s disappearance can spread extraordinarily quickly. Ask your social media friends to like and share the information, as this significantly increases the number of people who will hear that your dog is missing and will dramatically improve the likelihood of recovering your pet safe and well.
Make posters
Even with the evolution of technology, there is still a definite place for traditional methods when it comes to tracing lost or stolen dogs. Create a poster using one or two very clear and recent photographs of your pet. Include the details of when/where your dog went missing or was stolen and remember to put your contact details on too. Display the poster in as many places locally as you are able to, including shop noticeboards, schools and libraries.
Don’t give up hope
Some dogs that have gone missing are not found for several days or even weeks. Don’t give up hope and keep circulating information about your pet.
Wednesday, 6 July 2016
How to protect your dog from theft
Animal theft in the UK has grown steadily over the last five years, with dogs being the primary target of both opportunistic thieves, and highly organised and experienced gangs of snatchers. Some target pedigree dogs with the intention of selling them for profit or using them for breeding. Genuine pedigree puppies can sell for upwards of £600, but pups from a puppy farm are often sold considerably cheaper in order to turn a fast profit. Puppy farms are created by individuals or groups who mate their dogs and bitches with one intention – to create as many pups as possible. This often means that bitches are forced to carry litters too frequently and in poor conditions, putting her and her puppies at risk. The pups are often sold too early, and without any of the necessary vaccinations, treatment or paperwork. Other thieves target older dogs of any breed so that they can be used as bait dogs in illegal dog-fighting rings. Both of these scenarios are heart-breaking for dog lovers and it is understandable to worry about the security of your pet. That is why we have put together this guide detailing some of the best ways to help protect your dog from theft.
Dog Theft Protection at Home
Although your dog is safer at home than anywhere else, there are still some steps that you can take to ensure that your pet is well protected from theft.
* Make sure that your garden is as secure as possible, particularly if your dog likes to dig! If you don’t mind higher fences, then this is a good way to stop potential thieves from seeing your pet to identify its age and breed, and makes it much harder to get in and out of your garden if the gate is locked.
* Consider fitting a bell or similar noise-making device to your garden gate so that you will hear if anyone tries to open it.
* Don't leave your pet unattended in the garden, keep him firmly in sight.
* Consider covering the garden, and front and rear entrances to your property with CCTV.
* Install a burglar alarm for your home.
* Keep pets away when answering the door. This is especially true if you have multiple dogs who tend to rush to the front door when you have a visitor, as the confusion may make it easy for a thief to snatch and run with a smaller breed.
If you breed puppies
If you breed puppies, you are at greater risk of theft as you need to invite people into your home to view them. Minimise your risk by:
* Making sure another family member or friend is present when you show the puppies.
* Place a limit on the number of people that you show the puppies to at any one time.
* Show the puppies in a secure area of your house that has only one access point.
Outside your Home
Your dog is most vulnerable when they are outside of the home. Here are some preventative measures you can take against theft.
* Don’t leave your dog tied up outside a school or a shop as this makes him an opportunistic target. If you need to run an errand, leave him at home and take him out for a dedicated walk later.
* Don’t leave your dog unattended in the car. Not only does it put him at risk of serious dehydration, but it would also only take a thief a matter of seconds to break a window and snatch him.
* Some thieves have been known to target specific dogs by monitoring their daily activities. Change up your walking routes and times so you don’t become predictable.
* Be wary of strangers asking lots of questions about your pet.
* Train your dog to return when called and don’t let him off the lead until he can reliably do so.
* When letting him off the lead, try to only do so in areas where you can keep a close eye on your dog, such as open fields and parks.
* If you want to use services such as a dog groomer, walker, sitter or kennels, make sure you use a reliable and reputable business, and get first hand references wherever you can.
General Rules for Dog Security
* Microchipping your pet is the single most important thing that you can do as it means that if your dog is lost and then found he can be returned to you. However, it also means that if you believe your dog is stolen and you let the microchipping database know, if anyone else tries to re register the chip in their name, it will instantly flag up that the dog has been stolen. Just remember to keep your address and phone details up to date so that you can be contacted.
* Make sure your dog has a collar and ID tag with your name, address and phone number on so that you can be contacted without taking your dog to a veterinarian for a chip scan.
* Take plenty of pictures of your dog on a regular basis, and particularly of any distinguishing features. You should also take pictures of your dog with you and other family members as this will help prove ownership in the case of a dispute.
Don’t let your pet be an easy target. Follow some of the advice listed above and protect your dog from theft today.
Dog Theft Protection at Home
Although your dog is safer at home than anywhere else, there are still some steps that you can take to ensure that your pet is well protected from theft.
* Make sure that your garden is as secure as possible, particularly if your dog likes to dig! If you don’t mind higher fences, then this is a good way to stop potential thieves from seeing your pet to identify its age and breed, and makes it much harder to get in and out of your garden if the gate is locked.
* Consider fitting a bell or similar noise-making device to your garden gate so that you will hear if anyone tries to open it.
* Don't leave your pet unattended in the garden, keep him firmly in sight.
* Consider covering the garden, and front and rear entrances to your property with CCTV.
* Install a burglar alarm for your home.
* Keep pets away when answering the door. This is especially true if you have multiple dogs who tend to rush to the front door when you have a visitor, as the confusion may make it easy for a thief to snatch and run with a smaller breed.
If you breed puppies
If you breed puppies, you are at greater risk of theft as you need to invite people into your home to view them. Minimise your risk by:
* Making sure another family member or friend is present when you show the puppies.
* Place a limit on the number of people that you show the puppies to at any one time.
* Show the puppies in a secure area of your house that has only one access point.
Outside your Home
Your dog is most vulnerable when they are outside of the home. Here are some preventative measures you can take against theft.
* Don’t leave your dog tied up outside a school or a shop as this makes him an opportunistic target. If you need to run an errand, leave him at home and take him out for a dedicated walk later.
* Don’t leave your dog unattended in the car. Not only does it put him at risk of serious dehydration, but it would also only take a thief a matter of seconds to break a window and snatch him.
* Some thieves have been known to target specific dogs by monitoring their daily activities. Change up your walking routes and times so you don’t become predictable.
* Be wary of strangers asking lots of questions about your pet.
* Train your dog to return when called and don’t let him off the lead until he can reliably do so.
* When letting him off the lead, try to only do so in areas where you can keep a close eye on your dog, such as open fields and parks.
* If you want to use services such as a dog groomer, walker, sitter or kennels, make sure you use a reliable and reputable business, and get first hand references wherever you can.
General Rules for Dog Security
* Microchipping your pet is the single most important thing that you can do as it means that if your dog is lost and then found he can be returned to you. However, it also means that if you believe your dog is stolen and you let the microchipping database know, if anyone else tries to re register the chip in their name, it will instantly flag up that the dog has been stolen. Just remember to keep your address and phone details up to date so that you can be contacted.
* Make sure your dog has a collar and ID tag with your name, address and phone number on so that you can be contacted without taking your dog to a veterinarian for a chip scan.
* Take plenty of pictures of your dog on a regular basis, and particularly of any distinguishing features. You should also take pictures of your dog with you and other family members as this will help prove ownership in the case of a dispute.
Don’t let your pet be an easy target. Follow some of the advice listed above and protect your dog from theft today.
Wednesday, 29 June 2016
Competition time
Enter to win....
* A years subscription to NaturallyHappyDogs.com
* A goody bag from Natures Menu
and...
* A GPS device courtesy of Locate your pet Enter today at
http://www.naturallyhappydogs.com/pages/competition
* A years subscription to NaturallyHappyDogs.com
* A goody bag from Natures Menu
and...
* A GPS device courtesy of Locate your pet Enter today at
http://www.naturallyhappydogs.com/pages/competition
Friday, 15 April 2016
Brenda Aloff seminars
We had a great time at Brenda Aloff's seminars with Dog & Bone this week, Brenda was discussing Handling Reactive Dogs and Training Reactive Dogs and we had a stand at the Bedfordshire and the Yorkshire events.Brenda was a fascinating speaker and obviously a fan of Naturally Happy Dogs, so much so that she was more than happy to do some more filming before her seminars even started. We look forward to editing those three new videos and putting them live soon.
The NHD stand was very popular at the seminars, with many people coming over to sign up.
Monday, 29 February 2016
The camping and caravan show.
Dog lovers are often going to want to take their dogs on holiday with them but may also be away from home with their dogs for other reasons, too, such as entering multi-day doggie events. For this reason, something like a motor home or caravan can offer the freedom to take your dog(s) with you.
On 24th February Naturally Happy Dogs set off to the NEC in Birmingham to explore the sort of vehicles that are currently on the market. The choice is bewildering: a huge range of sizes and types but more especially a wide range of internal layouts. Ones that particularly caught our eye were motor homes where parts of the interior could be removed, altered or moved. We even found a small motor home with generous room for dog crates under a bed.
The vehicle that appealed most to us, though, was the least practical: a caravan made entirely of lego. It wasn't something you could take on holiday but was utterly charming.
On 24th February Naturally Happy Dogs set off to the NEC in Birmingham to explore the sort of vehicles that are currently on the market. The choice is bewildering: a huge range of sizes and types but more especially a wide range of internal layouts. Ones that particularly caught our eye were motor homes where parts of the interior could be removed, altered or moved. We even found a small motor home with generous room for dog crates under a bed.
The vehicle that appealed most to us, though, was the least practical: a caravan made entirely of lego. It wasn't something you could take on holiday but was utterly charming.
Photizo Light therapy
Naturally Happy Dogs have always taken the approach of finding out what's out there for a dog's health and leave the decision to the owner about which to choose. We recently met Ruth from Danetre Health Products who offers Photizo LED light therapy.
It sounds very exciting and multi-purpose and so easy for everyone to use. Ruth had a willing volunteer in the form of her young cocker spaniel who seemed very relaxed receiving their treatment.
It sounds very exciting and multi-purpose and so easy for everyone to use. Ruth had a willing volunteer in the form of her young cocker spaniel who seemed very relaxed receiving their treatment.
Saturday, 13 February 2016
Crufts is celebrating 125 years
We thoroughly enjoyed this look back at the last 125 years of Crufts dog show
We found it fascinating to see the breeds from the 60's and 70's and how similar they look to today's breeds.
We spotted the below breeds in this video…
Afghan, American Cocker Spaniel, Basset Hound, Bloodhound, Border collie, Borzoi, Dalmatian, English Setter, Golden Retriever, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Maltese, Poodle, Rough Collie, Samoyed, Scottish Terrier, Smooth Collie,
Did you see any others?
We found it fascinating to see the breeds from the 60's and 70's and how similar they look to today's breeds.
We spotted the below breeds in this video…
Afghan, American Cocker Spaniel, Basset Hound, Bloodhound, Border collie, Borzoi, Dalmatian, English Setter, Golden Retriever, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Maltese, Poodle, Rough Collie, Samoyed, Scottish Terrier, Smooth Collie,
Did you see any others?
Friday, 5 February 2016
Beco Pets
Today we met with Beco Pets in Kent to film an article about their company and products. It's amazing just how many dog toys and poo bags can be fitted into one warehouse - and that was apparently only 2 weeks supply!Beco now sell products to 33 different countries, it's no wonder as we think their eco friendly products are great.
Sunday, 17 January 2016
Ston Easton Park
The NHD team were very fortunate to be asked to visit the beautiful Ston Easton Park country house hotel this weekend.
Since the 1980’s Ston Easton Park have welcomed dogs to stay with their owners with open arms – they even have their own on-site dog 'Oscar', who is announced as the real boss of the establishment, and when we first arrived he was the first to greet us.
Set in 37 acres of beautiful Wiltshire countryside and with a river running through the estate, Ston Easton Park felt like a real get away, and we were in for a treat. As well as the warm welcome from Oscar, the staff were very relaxed and welcoming, fussing over their four-legged guests, our film crew and pooches felt immediately at home.
The room was very spacious and comfortable, and the rest of the hotel followed this trend. The food was amazing, and we enjoyed the chance to dine with our dogs joining us in the lounge rather than the restaurant (which has to keep dogs out to adhere to health and safety rules). The view from our room was simply stunning, and the antique furniture throughout the venue with the large ornate ceilings meant we could sit for hours, simply enjoying looking around the rooms. We could go on about what a wonderful time we had, but we’d rather show you in our video review coming up shortly on the Naturally Happy Dogs website.
We would like to thank everyone at Ston Easton Park for inviting us, and making us feel so welcome. We have a feeling we will be returning in the future as normal customers, when we find time in our busy schedules!
Wednesday, 6 January 2016
Pregnancy scanning
It was amazingly quick and easy to find out that two of the attending dogs weren't pregnant and the other had 7 puppy fetuses that were just 3-4 weeks old!
We look forward to receiving pictures of the litter after they're born.
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