Dogs Archives - Page 2 of 4

Puppies who pick things up or eat things they shouldn’t…

Puppies explore with their mouths. They don’t have fingers or opposable thumbs to investigate items, so everything goes in the mouth. Most of the time, if the environment is enriched enough with appropriate items for the puppy to play with and chew on, including novel items to maintain interest, they will choose to interact with these objects or return to them quickly after investigating other things. If we respond to them putting items in their mouth or stealing things either verbally or by trying to take the item from them/remove it from their mouths, we risk creating problems. The puppy […]

By petsense|2020-05-01T12:28:20+01:00November 22nd, 2019|Dogs|0 Comments

Crate training a puppy

Sometimes I think that crates are used purely because new owners think it’s the ‘done thing’ and too often puppies are just put into the crate and expected to be ok. I crate train. The main reason is for transportation. For 90% of the time, I expect my puppy to choose to take herself into her crate and have no reason to shut it. Some advantages of a crate are that it provides a clear boundary for people so that it is harder to disturb a sleeping dog; it can create a cosy dark cave; some puppies and dogs prefer a […]

By petsense|2020-05-01T12:29:15+01:00November 22nd, 2019|Dogs|0 Comments

Bringing your new puppy home

Bringing a new puppy home is a very exciting time but it’s also important to aim to set the environment up for success from the start, with the aim of preventing potential problems from developing. Young puppies are amazingly versatile – in the space of a few hours they have to experience: – Being separated from their siblings, mum, familiar people and possibly other familiar dogs. – Being taken away from their familiar environment & scent profile and put into an alien one. – A car journey with unfamiliar people. – Introductions to new pets. – Being introduced to a collar […]

By petsense|2020-05-01T12:30:42+01:00November 22nd, 2019|Dogs|0 Comments

Thinking about buying a puppy?

Buying a puppy is a long-term commitment. It’s important to research breeds and breeders thoroughly and consider what would happen if your circumstances change at any time during the dog’s lifetime. Some things to look out for in a reputable breeder: – All health tests relevant to the breed have been done in both the Sire and Dam, and they are only used for breeding if the results are acceptable. “Vet checked” does NOT mean health tested. – Kennel Club registration is not a guarantee of quality nor that the breeder is reputable. However, reputable breeders of pedigree dogs will […]

By petsense|2020-05-01T12:31:37+01:00November 22nd, 2019|Dogs|0 Comments

Raising puppies to prevent behaviour problems – Crufts 2019 article

Understanding common dog behaviour problems is the first step to preventing them, writes Rosie Bescoby, Clinical Animal Behaviourist at Pet Sense. Bringing a new puppy home is an exciting time for the family but can be an overwhelming experience for the pup – it is usually the first time the puppy has been separated from its mum, littermates, familiar people and surroundings. The first few days and weeks in a puppy’s new home are significant in terms of emotional development – a puppy’s perception of the world can be permanently influenced by new experiences at this stage in its life. […]

By petsense|2020-05-01T12:34:26+01:00March 7th, 2019|Dogs|0 Comments

Preparing clients appropriately for firework period

(Featured in Vet Nurse Times, October 2018) Fear responses to noises are a common problem and represent a serious welfare issue for dogs. It is customary for veterinary practices to produce displays outlining advice to owners for the firework period sometime close to the season. At this stage, advice typically includes building a den, plugging in an Adaptil diffuser and ignoring the dog if it seeks attention. But how useful are these tips just a few weeks before fireworks usually begin? How can these standard instructions be adjusted to maximise success in reducing fear responses and improving coping strategies in […]

By petsense|2020-05-01T12:36:00+01:00October 11th, 2018|Dogs|0 Comments

Multi-dog households: Introducing a new dog to a home with one or more existing dogs

(Written for the International Association for the Protection & Welfare of Animals http://iapwa.org ) The initial introduction between a rescue dog or puppy to a household with an existing dog (or dogs) is so important yet is often overlooked, with the new addition being taken straight into the home to meet its new housemate(s). Everyone tends to assume all of the dogs involved will just sort themselves out. However, the reality is that the newcomer has a) just been taken away from everything familiar, b) experienced a journey of variable length, c) met new people, d) encountered an unfamiliar environment – and […]

By petsense|2020-05-01T12:37:02+01:00October 11th, 2018|Dogs|0 Comments

Ask The Expert

(Featured in February 2017 veterinary publication ‘Companion’) Fear aggression in the vet practice. Personally I have seen how socials can make a massive difference especially in a young dog. What is the best way to carry out a social and any top tips? When dogs are brought into the veterinary practice they experience some or all of the following: Invasion of personal space and restraint by unfamiliar individuals; unusual and aversive smells, noises and floor surfaces; pain (either delivered to them or already in pain when they are brought in); being placed up high on a table where […]

By petsense|2020-05-01T12:37:55+01:00October 10th, 2018|Cats, Dogs|0 Comments

The link between pain and behaviour

Recently I was referred a case of a fearful dog. The referring vet was suspicious that the dog had something medically abnormal and had run some bloods but wanted the client to receive some behavioural advice whilst waiting for the results. Laika the young rescue dog was a little joy when I met her. A tiny little Staffie-cross who quickly requested some cuddles. She was adorable. Laika was tiny because she was underweight. The owners struggled to get weight on her and this was the vet’s main concern and reason for investigation. Although Laika was initiating cuddles during my […]

By petsense|2020-05-01T12:39:02+01:00August 20th, 2017|Dogs, Pet News|0 Comments

PUPPIES!

Following on from my last two blog posts about owners who decided to obtain a rescue dog instead of a puppy, this blog post is all about how we can help reduce the number of dogs that end up in rescue in the first place. I have no qualms with admitting that both of my dogs were obtained as puppies. I researched the breeders thoroughly. I ensured that the parents were of sound temperaments. The puppies were reared in an enriched, domestic environment. Socialisation was well underway by the breeders. I selected my breed choices carefully. I then ensured that […]

By petsense|2020-05-01T12:40:07+01:00February 15th, 2017|Dogs, Pet News|0 Comments

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Thank you very much Rosie for all your helpful advice. It was really very interesting and useful and has given me lots to think about….

Pica - kitten problem prevention phone consult

Harry was a rescue dog. Whilst in kennels he became very stressed and was constantly barking at other dogs. Rosie assessed him for us and…

Andy & Harry

Brilliant advice on my cat troubles, so quick, helpful and thorough. Thank you very much!…

Auden & Becca

This is sending a MASSIVE “Thank You!” to Rosie Bescoby, for all of her support with our feuding bulldogs! (I have been recommending Rosie’s expertise…

Enid & Stella

The first few days after we rehomed Prince it was extremely hard work. Literally – blood, sweat and tears. We were left thinking ‘what have…

Charlotte & Prince