Blog

Fido Feature – Delilha

Welcome back to another Fido Feature!

We hope you enjoy getting to know our pack just that little bit better!

Meet Delightful DELILHA – Our black Labrador sweetheart!
Delilha brings so much energy and happiness to the Houndog pack.
She is a very well socialised dog with a great temperament.
Delilha loves to chase after the ball after saying hello to her friends around.
Delilha loves swim time too! One of the strongest swimmers in the group
she moves through the water effortlessly. It is vital for her breed to
get as much swimming in their exercise routine as possible.
The Black Labrador Retrievers are prone to Elbow and hip dysplasia,
aqua therapy is a non-resistant form of exercise which has very
low impact on their joints.

She has been coming to Houndog Daycare for some time now and has
a few buddies in the group; with her friendly temperament she is able to be
a great companion to new dogs who have joined the team.
She has a fantastic recall and loves special cuddle time.
But the thing she loves most, like any Labrador, are TREATIES!
When it is “treatie” time she is the first one there!
After a big day you will find Delilha snoozing in the side of the van.
Absolutely spent after her big day out! Delilha also likes to let the
driver know when she is almost home. Through her amazing
sense of smell and hearing she is able to identify when she is close
and will vocalise quite a bit in the back of the bus.

Her lovely owner always leaves her toys near the front gate
and we like to leave one last treatie in her toy. Thank you delightful Delilha,
we can’t wait to see you on your next daytrip!

All of our dogs are such loveable characters!

Have a suggestion for who we should feature next?

Let us know in a comment on facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/HoundogDayCare

Previous Fido Features:

Coco (Lab)

Ziggy

Honey

Alf

Horace

Dougie

Masen

What happens if your dog needs blood?

Just like us, dogs sometimes need blood to treat an injury, a lifesaving surgery, toxicity treatment or may even need a transfusion. Just one unit of canine blood can potentially save the lives of 3 critically ill dogs.

The University of Queensland’s VETS Small Animal Hospital has a blood donation program which helps to save dogs and increase awareness. It is every dog parent’s worst nightmare to find their dog struck with illness, or a car, so dog blood donations are vital. Most of us know friends or family who’ve had a dog with a serious condition requiring a blood transfusion.

Gary Fitzgerald is lead nurse at the program and he explains that many vet clinics do not have the facilities which would allow them to store blood, so most have to order it as needed. Just as there are multiple blood types in humans, there are 11 blood types in canines. There is always a need for blood in a veterinarian setting (just as there is in any hospital for people). It is critical for animals to receive a blood type compatible with their own.

Dog blood donations are similar to human donations whereby a screening process needs to be passed. A health check is conducted. There also needs to be enough haemoglobin and for the dog to be the correct weight range. Dog blood donors are usually 1 to 6 years old, with a calm temperament, weighing above 25 kilograms and up to date with vaccinations and all worming prevention. Then after the donation, the dog is given lots of treats and TLC.

Animals should not be kept ‘solely as a blood donors’ and that’s why it’s so important to have volunteer donors.

To find out more or if you are interested in signing up for the program please contact University of Queensland Vets Small Animal Hospital (07) 5460 1788 or email uqvets.sa@uq.edu.au

Leah & Angela O’Meara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)

Do you know the changes to rules on dog transportation?

For the comfort and safety of all passengers and staff, Stradbroke Ferries have reviewed their animal transport guidelines, which addresses passengers travelling with dogs. The company recognizes that pets are part of the family and understand they travel on the ferries for a number of reasons.

The two gorgeous (and beautifully behaved) dogs modeling here just love their trips to Straddie with us where they travel safely to and from, aboard the ferry, inside our Doggy bus.

The new policies as advertised by the ferry company are as follows…

When a dog is travelling inside a vehicle with you they must be restrained to the point that they are unable to bite another person.

When a dog is travelling with you and is ‘not’ in a vehicle, or is in an open part of a vehicle such as the back of a ute, they must be wearing an adequately fitted muzzle and leash.

A dog travelling on a passenger ferry should be clean and dry and is not allowed to sit on a seat which get used by passengers.

At all times, dogs and other animals must be accompanied and adequately controlled and restrained.

Dogs behaving in an aggressive manner can be refused admittance.

The above changes took effect from 15^thOctober 2018. Rules remaining unchanged are that owners are to clean up any mess made by their pets, and animals are not allowed in cafe areas where food is prepared or eaten.

Guide dogs, hearing and assistance animals are permitted on terminals and ferries throughout Qld where muzzling is not imposed, however handlers may be asked to show their identity card or assistance pass.

To help commuters follow the new ferry guidelines, muzzles are available for purchase from Stradbroke ferries and their offices located in Cleveland, Redland Bay and Dunwich. We recommend using care when purchasing a muzzle (which should be suited to the size and shape of your dogs face). ‘Baskerville’ brand is an excellent choice but such a purchase is best made when you have plenty of time. In fairness to your dog, we also advise acclimating your dog to tolerate wearing a muzzle. This is best done well in advance of the occasion where it is required to be worn.

Leah & Angela O’Meara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)

Want a Doggy fun-packed Weekend?

That’s right, the Dog Lovers Show is on in Brisbane this weekend 3^rd& 4^thNovember. If you’re up for a happy and hairy good time this is for you. The show was a huge success last year as crowds were wowed, entertained and educated.

Australia’s leading dog trainers will be there to offer a host tips and tricks to teach your dog. Veterinarian experts will inform you and debunk some of the myths around canine health. And if you love to shop you will not be disappointed, with thousands of dog products and services to choose from. You’ll never have to think up ideas for a Christmas stocking again!

For those who enjoy a splash-down theme, you can catch the ‘high diving hounds’ or for the sporty, the ‘common woof games’. Want to find out more about dog breeds? This is the place to be. Vets, canine experts and breeders will help broaden your knowledge. Catch a presentation or just have a chat. Over 100 different dog breeds will be there for you to see and more than 40 breed clubs will be present. If you’ve been thinking about getting a dog or adding another dog to your home, Dr Harry Cooper takes the stage to help you choose the breeds most suited to your life and home. The Dog Adoption Zone & Perfect Match will also be there to assist you too.

Planning on staying a while? No problem; some of Brisbane’s tastiest food trucks will be in attendance so there’s no shortage of choice when you’re ready to ‘chow down’.

Although you will need to leave your dog at home, you will find loads of inspiration about how you can create a fulfilling life for any pooch. There will be other dog loving folk enjoying the displays and the day with you. Face-painting is free for the kids or perhaps you’d like to pose for a selfie with a famous Instagram doggy star !

Head on down to the Brisbane Showgrounds and get into the buzz. There is a whole lot more than what we’ve mentioned so check out the link below for more details…

https://dogloversshow.com.au/brisbane/

Leah & Angela O’Meara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)

How do treats translate nutritionally for dogs?

Most people are fairly set in their ways when it comes to their dogs diet but not all agree that all table scraps are bad.

We don’t begrudge anyone treating their dog but before you toss that ‘treat’ ask whether this food is for dogs? If it’s just human food that a dog likes to eat, such as a potato crisps or a bikkies, it may even do harm. Some foods which are fine for humans can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even pancreatitis in dogs. If the leftover meat has gravy on it, the gravy contains more salt than a dog needs. Anything with onions (cooked, raw or powdered) it can be highly toxic. Chocolate is also toxic and grapes or raisins can cause kidney failure. Then there are portion sizes to think about. E.g. feeding a single cookie to a 10Kg dog is like a human eating a cookie the size of a dinner plate. If you have a large family, you might be surprised what a dog eats in a week if you saw every treat delivered from family members combined. How hard is it to resist that ‘pleeease’ look from your dog? Umm, very.

Hillspet have created a few tables to illustrate equivalents of dog snacking versus human snacking including the one pictured here which is a handy tool. But it is difficult for folks to make the comparison between a chunk of cheese and an entire cheeseburger, especially if their dog is not overweight. Kristina Johansen (Canine Dietary Consultant) from Elmo’s Kitchen promotes both raw and cooked foods for dogs but impresses the importance of a diet catering to your dogs’ individual nutritional requirements. Breed, age, existing health conditions and activity are some factors to be considered when building a custom designed canine diet.

While some are strong advocates for raw feeding, others argue that some cooked meat is fine. We do support raw feeding but most importantly, we support giving your dog food specifically for canines.

Your dog won’t expect table scraps if you don’t start the habit. Sharing a little can be ok, just make sure it’s safe. Have some dog-friendly treats put aside and stick to those. It’s a lot easier to keep track of how much they’re getting each week.

You can find an example of a translator here…

https://www.hillspet.com/pet-care/nutrition-feeding/human-food-treat-translator

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)

Doggy Dancing – Want to see the truly remarkable?

If you’ve never heard of Dog Dancing or are wondering if it is an actual ‘thing’ you might like to take a peek at the video below of Ms. Eibogina from and ‘Larry’ her border collie. This routine was performed for the F.C.I. Dogdance World Championship Freestyle Final in the Netherlands. Once that music kicks in, Larry gets to show everyone that he is a first-class doggy dancer. Canine Freestyle is compiled of trick training choreographed to music.

Larry clearly has no trouble staying focused on the presentation, and his timing is impeccable. Dog Dancing routines can last up to 4 minutes and requires a special connection between dog and handler. Each official championship has their own set of regulations addressing rules, eligibility, technical difficulty, dog health, dog welfare and judging. No harsh handling is permitted. Rules vary between countries but the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) has a common set of rules.

All breeds are able to perform on an equal footing and the objective of dog dancing is that a handler and dog work together on a routine, demonstrating the dog’s obvious co-operation and willingness to work with a supportive handler. A typical performance would include twists & turns, walking backwards, weaving, jumping and other synchronised movements.

The head judge checks up on dogs outside the ring before the competition begins and determines whether they appear fit to perform. The judge also has the authority to demand a veterinary evaluation if deemed necessary. Handlers competing may be dressed as they please but dogs may only wear a simple neck collar (which can be decorated), a neck scarf or nothing. Once inside the ring the dog must be off-leash.

Whether you consider it sport or purely entertainment, Dog Dancing is something that attracts a lot of attention. To watch Larry shine click here…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfw7KuHb1rU

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)

Who loves the thunder?

With the storm season already here it’s our dogs that sometimes fear them most. There’s no doubt that dogs cope with thunderstorms differently. We’ve had two dogs that responded like opposites. Your dog will use all her senses when a storm is brewing. She hears way beyond our auditory range and will hear the rumblings of thunder long before we do. Her body detects changes in barometric pressure and also the static electric field beforehand. Wind and flashes of lightning can send her scuffling. Dogs that wouldn’t usually attempt to leave the property at any other time, can become desperate to escape, whilst others will be reassured enough just by laying at your feet. Cats will try to climb into a tight spot when a storm is at hand but some dogs will try too. Others have been known to injure themselves when they get stuck in a tight place or to have even chewed on door handles to ‘get away’.

Not all experts agree on the best steps to help your dog weather a storm but we definitely advise allowing your dog indoors whenever possible during such an event. The two things your dog will most likely do is let you know there’s a storm coming and attempt to seek shelter. Noises can startle humans too so an interior room helps dampen sound a little.

Playing some music on the stereo or turning the weather channel up louder can help dull the punctuation of thunder. Try not to fuss over your dog and please don’t scold them. Allow them to huddle in an ‘out of the way place’ such as behind the sofa or in the bathroom if that’s where they choose to hang out but only if it’s safe and they won’t get stuck. Put a blanket there for them too. Dogs with thunder phobias often choose a tiled area. If your dog regularly uses a crate as a safe place, ideally leave the crate door open.

You can investigate using a ‘gentle-pressure’ item such as a Thundercoat or Thundershirt specifically designed for your dog to wear. If correctly fitted they generally help to reduce fear symptoms in around 80% of dogs. The method is based on the same principle as swaddling a baby, applying pressure to reduce anxiety.

If your dog has a really desperate time with storms you can speak to your vet about sedatives but you do have to be present to administer them and remember that they do not remove the cause of the fear. Make sure your dog is micro-chipped so if they do flee, you can be reunited quickly.

The Vet Shed sells Thundershirts at…https://www.thevetshed.com.au/buy/thundershirt/THUNDERS?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl76unf-M3gIVWnRgCh2UzAGzEAAYASAAEgJD_fD_BwE

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)

Do you know the Australian Cattle Dog story?

In early colonial Australia working dogs were brought over from Britain to herd stock. Smithfield’s were a popular herding dog at the time. The breed had trouble coping with the heat, terrain and some very tough cattle. Also, their barking drove the drovers to annoyance and the stock to agitation, often causing them to stampede. After crossing several breeds at an attempt to come up with a quieter dog which was better suited to the work, the breed as we know it today is a descendant of the Hall’s heeler amongst other strains such as the Highland Collies from Scotland, Dalmatians, and has a portion of native Dingo with colours resulting in combinations of a mottly blue and speckled red.

Other bloodlines were tried and eventually the breed presented a dog which would snap at the heels to drive cattle rather than working around the head of the stock. The addition of a stud working dog owned by Tom Bentley resulted in a blaze on the forehead and black spot at the tail. Often present also is a ‘mask’ marking on the face.

This intelligent and watchful breed is compact and sturdy on his feet. He displays exceptional endurance, making his kind a highly sought after working dog. It is difficult not to notice his thickset neck and dense coat.

His personality delivers loyalty to his owner and he is generally wary of strangers. He definitely falls into the ‘easy to train’ category but due to his background in herding, he may also show the desire to round up the kids. If early socialization is provided, the Australian Cattle Dog is capable of excellent behaviour around children and other pets.

This dog does well when he is given work to do and is ‘always’ ready for the next task. Stamina is no problem and although he is not suited to apartment living, he does cope well in both hot and cold climates. He requires a weekly brushing to maintain a healthy coat.

For more coverage on this breed check out the following video…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koq1G5eDDEE

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)

Fido Feature – Mac

Welcome back to another Fido Feature!

We hope you enjoy getting to know our pack just that little bit better!

Meet MacHappy! Mac has such a positive and optimistic outlook on life.
He enjoys playing with all dogs big and small. He’s been coming to our
DayTrips for years and whenever his parents go away, we take pleasure in
looking after him at the Houndog Hotel. He is a delight to pick up
in the mornings for daycare and enjoys a nap after the morning’s activities
in his private little abode in the bus. His Dad would always take him for a little walk
in the mornings so Mac could do his morning business and limber up for the day’s activities.
We love this because it ensures no surprise movements in the bus.
When we appeared to collect him, they were waiting down on the corner,
out in the street (ok, we know that sounds a bit like a Creedance song).
Anyway, Mac would give us his usual teeth-chatter routine and a polite
little ‘paw raise’. Some would say it was more of a high five.

Westie’s are known as larger than life characters and are unaware that
they are small in stature. They are spunky, self-assured and look equally adorable
either clipped or unclipped. Though some have an independent streak
they are highly social. And that’s Mac; he’s always up for anything
whether it is a swim, a long walk or hanging out with the big boys at the park.
The entire terrier family are very fast and Mac at high speed is just a white blur.

Mac and his family are about to getting ready to move over to New Zealand.
The entire Houndog team wishes Megan, Dom and Mac all the pawsitive vibes
as they em’bark’ on their new adventure! We know there are plenty of rolling hills
over there to explore. Lots of border collies rounding sheep too.
So Mac with your strong Scottish background, you might even be able to
show them a thing or two. We just know that in true Westie style you’ll be
keeping on eye on all the local neighbour comings and goings.
Thank you for bringing us so much joy into our lives MacHappy.
We all need a “Mac” in our lives!!!

All of our dogs are such loveable characters!

Have a suggestion for who we should feature next?

Let us know in a comment on facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/HoundogDayCare

Previous Fido Features:

Coco (Lab)

Ziggy

Honey

Alf

Horace

Dougie

Masen

Why is this SmartDoor so smart?

We’d love to tell you about the PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor.

You may have already the discovered the convenience of a pet door giving your dog freedom outside and the comforts of indoors. If you’re held up at work, you don’t need to enlist a neighbour to let your pet out and you don’t have to play ‘doggy nugget hunt’ on your return. Adult dogs can often help house train a pup as the pup has the freedom to follow the example. An emergency such a fire in the home also poses less of a threat to your dog when he has his own exit.

However a pet door is not without its problems, until now. In the past a pet door meant freedom, but at a price. A friend of ours woke one night to a racket with the neighbours cat and her own having a punch up in the loungeroom !! Doors suiting larger dogs are big enough for a small person to climb through (uninvited of course). An adventurous neighbours dog may be capable of entering for a game of ‘chase me’ on your furniture and rogue possums have even been know to come in for a piece of fruit. Also, like our friend, if you forgot to put the lock latch on at night you’d have to get up again.

Well now you can have a whole lot more control with a variation of programs. Just say you have several dogs. One is great at toileting outside and is no problem being indoors or out. The other is great with the indoor potty however if she gets out, will swim unsupervised in the dam before retuning to the lounge to shake off again and lay her muddy coat on the sofa. Or perhaps you want the dog to be able to let himself in and out but not the cat? (Sorry puss).

You can program the PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor to suit multiple pets using the door but with a different ‘key’ for each. A pet needing to use the door wears a ‘key’ on their collar. When close enough to the door, radio frequency signals for the door to open, and then it can lock again once the pet has passed through (if that’s what you have programmed).

Program modes allow the door to be automatic, locked or unlocked. The Petsafe Electronic Smart Door also allows you to program that your dog can exit but not re-enter.

To check out all the features and read more to find out if a PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor is right for you…

https://www.australianpetdoors.com.au/product/petsafe-large-electronic-smartdoor/

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)