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How did this dog protect 1000’s of air passengers?

Traverse City, Michigan USA is the home of the Cherry Capital Airport. This year they have sadly said farewell and paid tribute to a very special dog called Piper. For three years Piper’s owner and handler Brian Edwards worked at the airport where Piper scared off any birds or wildlife which pose a safety threat to aircraft. Brian said the airport was like their second home and Piper was so good at his job that during work on and around the runways, he chased off over 8000 feathered hazards. He patrolled nearly 2000 miles whilst working appox. 6000 hours. Birds get used to the sounds of aircraft or shotgun blanks over time and become comfortable at the airport but when a dog takes chase they follow their flight instinct.

As well as keeping the runways clear, Piper would detect the furry creatures that attract birds of prey such as rodents or ground hogs. Come rain, snow or shine Piper was out there doing just what he was born to do… run and chase. Working dogs find a job thrilling and Piper couldn’t wait to start work each day.

He also loved meeting staff and other folks working at the airport. Occasionally you could catch a glimpse of him in a helicopter, posing for a photograph or other times he was just a ‘blur of fur’ on a mission. Once Piper sustained a fracture causes whilst chasing a snowy owl. Mild revenge was taken in the form of a cartoon pic of a snowy owl being applied to Piper’s leg cast with the letters ‘Wanted’. Early 2018, Piper tragically lost his battle with prostrate cancer but he will be well remembered for his great service to humans.

This dog was nothing less than legendary. 95,000 Instagram followers can’t be wrong. Like to see him in action and see just how ‘badass’ he looks in goggles? Check out the link below…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDUO85Yjzsg

Leah & Angela OMeara

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

What are the powerful reasons to ditch the dog food bowl?

That’s right, it sounds more like a movie title but ‘gone in 60 seconds’ is often what happens when you simply toss that dog food in a bowl and your hound steps in to ‘chow down’. The food bowl has even been described as one means of your dog missing out on a favourite activity… looking for food. When dogs have to work for their food it isn’t mean. It’s absolutely fabulous. It’s rewarding and fulfilling.

Canines are wired to work for food. It’s what they spend a large portion of their day doing (if it’s not delivered on a plate), foraging, sniffing, hunting. If we deliver all the food in one go that makes the rest of the day pretty ‘freed up’ so what’s he going to do in that time? He’ll find ways to occupy himself but it may not be doing something you want him to.

Because food rewards are so valuable in training, the food bowl devalues meager treats (used for training) in comparison. A food bowl left around with an ‘all day long’ supply from which the dog can ‘graze’ might be convenient however it is likely the dog sees the bowl as a much bigger resource than his owner. We want your dog to see you as a major source of good things… food, company, exercise, enjoyment and entertainment.

When a dog owner divides some high quality food into smaller portions and incorporates it into games, desired behaviours and nosework, mealtime suddenly becomes an adventure. It also reduces the chance of bloat which occasionally canines are susceptible to, especially if they are speed eaters. Some of the daily food quota can also be stuffed into kongs so your dog is rewarded for settling down while he chews on it.

Whilst some dog owners say their dog is not food motivated when it comes to training, they may mean their dog is greatly motivated by a toy reward such as a game of tug instead. What we propose is, that if your dog did not already devour a bowl of food for his dinner then you’ll find he is much more motivated around food as a training reward. It’s just that before, he didn’t have to output an ounce of effort to get it.

For anyone who does not agree, we invite you to try this, and just experience the difference feeding time makes if your dog has to work for the food. Feeding this way is especially valuable when you have a puppy.

If your dog is perfectly behaved, go ahead and feed from a food bowl, but if your furry friend still needs some occupation, stimulation or even just needs to value you a little more, consider ditching the bowl for now.

Leah & Angela OMeara

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

Is there an alternative to this for your dog?

There’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it come to preventing Miffy from paying unwanted attention to a healing wound or stitches. For a long time it was the ‘cone of shame’ or nothing but in recent years some wonderful products have been developed for this purpose.

Although the standard style plastic Elizabethan style collar is in incredibly useful, sometimes a dog’s injury can be protected using an alternative product, which doesn’t send your shins into high alert every time your dog approaches.

We have used the ‘Comfy Cone’ many times and we love the flexibility of removable stays, and being able to fold back the entire collar for feeding etc without having to remove it completely. It is also a little quieter than the plastic design. You could also take a look at Kong offering the EZ Soft Collar which imitates the soft style cone.

Another personal favourite (for dogs recovering from upper body injuries) is the inflatable or cushion neck collar which looks much like a doughnut. Although it won’t stop a dog from reaching paws etc, this design is less obtrusive, affects the dog’s peripheral view less and he or she can easily take a drink or meal without it causing too much trouble. We used one when our dog had stitches in her shoulder and decided to thread our dog’s regular collar through the tabs on the inside of the inflatable collar to keep it more secure. Check out ‘ProCollar’ and you will find several other brands available. Some brands do not secure as well as others.

Though we have not used the BiteNot collar personally, this design appears more like a neck brace. A harness keeps the collar in place. Once again, this product is more use for an upper body injury.

For facial injuries you could also consider Novaguard or Optivisor which act pretty much like a clear mask leaving the dog a lot of freedom of movement and offers protection way less cumbersome than other products. This option is purchased according to size and length of snout.

One forum entry we read told of a dog owner who had success making a swimsuit style costume for her dog because the dog had destroyed it’s Elizabethan collar within a couple of days.

Remember to always purchase a product appropriate for your dog’s size and the application. Speak to your veterinarian about the pro’s and cons of varying products and investigate on-line forums for the low-down on what others have tried.

Leah & Angela OMeara

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

Trying to think of a Father’s Day gift?

Sure, we know every day is Father’s Day but with Sunday September 2^ndjust around the corner you might be eager for some ideas to make Dad feel very special.

If Dad is a reading buff there a number of later releases available including ‘Wine Dogs Australia’, ‘The Dogs that made Australia’ or perhaps he’d prefer an old classic such as ‘White Fang’. Check out a few popular canine DVD’s whilst you’re shopping.

An etched or engraved key ring is a delightful long lasting gift Dad can use every day. If you can’t afford a custom engraved one with the image of your dog you might find one with the breed as a good likeness or have some wording engraved. If Dad needs reminding it’s time to take Fido for a walk, what could be more apt than a new leash from the dog?

How about a photographic gift in the form of a voucher so Dad and the pooch can have their own photo-shoot? A professional photographer will certainly give the image something special. However if you’re saving some pennies you could take your own pic of the two of them and have it enlarged on canvas as a surprise. Maybe you already have a favourite pic filed somewhere that’s just begging to be displayed. There are a number of artists offering pet portraits so Dad can admire the striking beauty of your family Fido on the wall.

Are you tired of lint-rolling Dad’s car weekly to remove dog hair? Help him to keep his back seat tidy with a waterproof pet hammock seat cover. The straps go over the front and rear headrests. Make sure your dog wears a harness and is secured to a tether or other design-specific seat belt strap.

Strapped for cash? How about including a cake for Father’s Day decorated with a doggy theme? A homemade card made with your dog’s picture will provide a sentimental note. A coaster with a doggy image is a friendly place for Dad to park his cup of tea or a beer. Perhaps he’d enjoy a personalised mug?

You’d be amazed how many T-shirt designs there are for dog lovers and if it’s Poochy you want to dress the part, we just love it when the dog wears his/her special bowtie or bow to formalize Father’s Day. You can stitch an elastic loop at the back for his/her collar to slide through or buy a pet accessory from the pet supplies.

Leah & Angela OMeara

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

Does a dog’s ear shape affect it’s hearing?

At birth the ear canals of a newborn pup are closed and open about a week later. The shape, thickness and placement of ears on a dog’s head differ between breeds. In addition, the way a dog moves his ears affects the ‘expression’ when we read his body language. Most humans can wiggle their ears but a dog, equipped with 18 muscles in his ear can change their angle or direction (individually if he wishes) in order to change expression or listen without even having to turn his head. Generally the different shapes we see in breeds today have come about according to either a ‘look’ or work purpose specific to the breed.

Candle flame shape is represented in the English Toy terrier whilst the Basenji sports a hooded ear. The Corgi and Chihuahua has a bat ear and the French Bulldog blunt or ‘round ears’. The Greyhound has a rose ear. German shepherds and Malamutes have pricked ears or erect ears, sharp and pointed along with other wolf-like breeds. Sound is basically funneled down the ear. The pendant or drop ear is common to the Basset Hound and his ears act almost like an air scoop as he moves along. The folded ears of the bloodhound act in much the same way because scent molecules are stirred up in their movement. The Vizsla and Doberman present with a V shaped ear. The filbert shaped ear (which is named after the shape of a tree’s leaf) appears on the Bedlington Terrier. Collies have a cocked ear that is partially bent. This is also described as semi-pricked. Then the Jack Russell Terrier and Schnauzer are button eared where an erect ear folds over to the front, hiding the ear canal from view. Butterfly ears can be seen typically on the Papillon.

Ok, now that we’ve examined a few furry lobes let us announce that whilst many would argue pricked or erect ears would be able to hear the best, it is in fact the following 4 breeds trumping the hearing stakes. Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Poodles and Cocker Spaniels. Each has exceptional hearing. Ear shapes can affect hearing distance and while humans can discern about 20 to 20,000 hertz, a dog’s hearing is well beyond ours being able to hear from 40 to 60,000 hertz.

Which shape are you dogs listening devices?

Leah & Angela OMeara

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

Did you know Tick season is here?

Whilst some ticks are harmless (there are over 70 different species in Australia) it is important to know how to recognize a paralysis tick. In Queensland, paralysis ticks can be found all year ‘round but incidence is higher from Spring to Autumn. The paralysis is the result of a toxin the tick releases as it feeds on the dogs blood. Some native bush land animals and livestock carry ticks. Long grasses and scrubby areas lend themselves to providing a tick friendly environment.

Rainfall from the previous year determines how heavy the tick season is and this parasite is found predominantly along the east coast of Australia. Pets should be checked daily so begin a routine of checking your dog’s body and you can make it an enjoyable massage at the same time. A paralysis tick can attach anywhere on a dog but are more commonly found around the front end of the body.

If you have a longhaired dog suited to clipping you may want to consider it during the hotter months of the year and this will make detection a little easier. Check your dog’s entire body all over. You need to look and feel. Pay special attention between the toes, around the anus, under the neck collar, on, around and under lips, around eyes and inside ears. With the ears, look inside and be sure to examine the pouch (that little fold of skin on the outer ear). Generally the tick appears as a small brown dot which most people would need a magnifying glass to recognize, but once a tick has attached and has become engorged with blood the body has increased around ten fold in size and it appears a bluish grey colour.

Paralysis ticks can also be harmful to humans and if you do find a tick on your dog, there may be more than one. Have some disposable gloves handy in case you locate a tick and a clip seal bag or lidded jar to contain a tick once removed.

Some symptoms of paralysis ticks in canines are difficultly rising or standing, different sounding barks, labored/rapid or noisy breathing, dilated pupils, gagging, coughing or vomiting.

Although no single tick treatment is 100% effective, please speak to your vet about prevention.

If your dog shows any of the above symptoms seek medical help immediately at your vet or a 24hr emergency veterinary hospital. In case the airway is compromised, do not offer food or water. Please do not wait until morning.

The video below will give you some important tips…

https://www.petmd.com/dog/parasites/how-to-remove-a-tick-from-dog-cat

Leah & Angela OMeara

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

Which 10 dog breeds are the fastest?

The Jack Russell Terrier is also known as the Parson Russell Terrier. His breed was developed for fox hunting two centuries ago in England. He can reach speeds up to 40 km/hr.

Border Collies (as pictured here) originated from the British Isles and were highly suited for herding livestock. He is well known for being employed to work with sheep and has been clocked at 48 km/hr.

The Doberman Pinscher can reach a top of 49 km/hr if the incentive is right. Originally bred in Germany to accompany a tax collector, these days the tax department sends a letter of demand instead.

The Whippet is related to, but smaller than the greyhound and is incredibly agile. This delightful sight-hound breed originated in England and can reach 57 km/hr on the clock.

The Weimaraner is hunting breed that were even used by royalty for larger game such as deer and bear. He was highly praised for his intelligence and courage and has been recorded at 56 km/hr

The Borzoi’s background is in Russia. Also know as the Russian wolfhound, his bloodline stems from central Asia. This tall fellow can reach speeds of 58 km/hr.

The Dalmatian, commonly know for his spotted coat is quite a speedster being able to reach 60 km/hr. He was used as a carriage dog and his roots are from Dalmatia, Croatia.

The Vizsla from Hungary is a sporting dog. This pointer-retriever breed is a red hot racer being able to reach 65 km/hr. This versatile dog was used in forest and fields. He will also venture into the water.

The Saluki from Arabia is a swift contester reaching a speedy 64km/hr. This is a very old dog breed and sports a very lean body. He was used as a hunter by nomadic tribes.

The Greyhound, also an ancient breed comes in first at speeds of 70 km-hr. around Not surprising this sight hound has commonly been used for coursing and racing.

Even though you may not own a breed appearing on this list, open a cheese wrapper in the kitchen and you’ll see how fast any dog can move.

Leah & Angela O’Meara

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

Struggling to keep your dog low-key post surgery?

Wouldn’t it be great to just explain to a dog she needs to rest?

Because every pet is different there is no ‘standard procedure’ for surgery recovery. When your dog first returns home she may be a little lethargic for a day or so as the drugs wear off and sensation returns.

So it is with all canines that the mind is more willing than the body. The amount of confinement is advised according to the risk of tissues being damaged with movement e.g. the size and depth of incisions. It would be a tragedy to undo any delicate work done during surgery and healing takes time.

We are big advocates for crate training dogs and the potential need for surgery presents another good reason. It is likely your dog will be crated at the vet. Once home, if rest is essential, your dog can hang out in her crate or pen where she can see all the family and still feel like she’s part of the group. She needs to be comfortable using such an area long before the need arises. It’s unfair to try this type of training in a hurry. Ideally a recovery space is at least large enough for a dog to stand, stretch and turn around in a full circle.

Once its safe and your dog is capable, snuffle mats, nose games and ‘find it’ can help keep your dog thinking before she’s allowed to venture far outside. A brain workout is better than no workout at all.

Discuss post op care with your vet beforehand and find out ways you may need to physically assist your dog. Assess and plan ahead of time whether you might need to enlist some help, equipment or take any time off. Some ‘very high energy dogs’ may require sedatives. If your dog is not supposed to be running about, keep her by you on a leash to reduce the chance of her taking off.

If your dog is having difficulty standing, a sling (homemade or purchased) can cradle your dog’s undercarriage and help you to bear a little weight or stabilise her as she walks to the car or into the house. Naturally this is not for dogs with abdominal issues.

Regardless of your dog’s condition, avoid slippery surfaces at all times.

Check out Donna Hill’s video below for 20 game ideas.
Remember that if your dog’s daily portion of food is delivered in a bowl it is gone in seconds. If you use it to play games it goes a lot further.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfL99xcEpXc&feature=share

Leah & Angela O’Meara

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

What’s the magic surrounding Labradors?

The ever-faithful Lab has always been a family favourite amongst Australians and this ‘easy to train’ pooch has been employed as a customs, service, retrieving, detecting and guide dog.

Labradors are a sporting breed developed in Newfoundland in North America where they made useful workers for fisherman. Their ancestors were known as the St. John’s water dog. A Lab’s coat is dense and mildly water resistant. They helped fisherman tow nets and were used to working in Arctic conditions. Luckily, their thick undercoat does not pose a problem with grooming. A quick daily brush is all they need.

When the sweet natured breed was taken to the U.K. Labradors were a popular gun dog and were handy for retrieving birds. Their devotion was quickly recognised and they made faithful companions for all manner of owners. Although Labs don’t always appear the most ‘visually agile’ of breeds they are still strong and have a substantial exercise requirement. It is not until later life you might expect them to slow down. Even though some are more rowdy than others, they all thrive on stimulation and activity. You may have to choose when to end play sessions because they are willing to play until exhaustion.

Labradors are usually very social dogs with both humans and animals. Labs thrive best being a part of interaction, one of the many reasons they are suited to living with families. Occasionally they can be as clumsy as a bull in a china shop so it might be an idea to place your fancy ornaments perched a little higher.

Rapid growth in their first year can make Labs susceptible to bone disorders, and as the dog ages, joints, hips or elbows may need some medical attention. Owners also need to check their Labs ears regularly.

Chocolate, black or yellow? All colours of pups can appear in a single litter!! Wow, how Labradorable.

Leah & Angela O’Meara

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

When Can’t your Dog learn?

We are always impressed with the way renowned dog trainer Susan Garrett delivers a concept. You may have heard about her famous ‘Recallers’ program. We’d like to share with you the way she illustrates her idea called the ‘Fun-O-Metre’.

What Susan impresses is that a dog’s learning will be successful provided it is delivered whilst the dog is in an appropriate state of mind (just like people). The optimal time is in the absence of fear, extreme excitement and distractions. In addition, if you make it fun and in a setting where your dog feels safe you are well on the path to making learning effective andyour dog will want to do it again.

Imagine a pie chart divided into triangular portions. Each portion contains a word to describe a particular canine state of mind. We move clockwise around. It begins with a dog feeling fear and anxiousness. As you move further around it indicates ‘not much going on’ with possible boredom and next up is the dog feeling comfortable in his surrounds. This can easily increase to being interested or excited (a great place for training/learning to occur). Then the last quadrant is devoted to states she calls ‘Wired’ and at highest state of arousal ‘Red-Lining’. Although a dog can still learn when he is wired he is over excited and on the brink of red-lining where he will no longer be thinking about you or listening to you. One example of red-lining is a dog in such a wound-up state it runs into something. The human no longer means anything and the dog will not respond to the human.

Susan describes just how quickly a dog can from move from one state of mind to another. She explains the segments of this pie are not even, and vary from dog to dog. For example, some dogs end up spending a lot of their day in the anxious zone, whilst the dogs spending a good deal of their day in the bored zone are most likely you chew up your couch simply because there’s nothing better to do. Dogs at the other end of the scale have trouble calming down. Susan asks that dog owners practice assessing whereabouts their dog is at any given in time in this circle of fun.

It is only fair that we attempt to train by paying mind to, or persuading a dog’s state of mind. If the environment and motivation is right, he can focus and learn. Susan encourages owners to ‘grow’ their dog’s comfort zone in order to reduce the amount of time spent in the anxious zone or highly aroused zones.

If you’d like to find out more about Susan check out her website below…

http://www.susangarrett.com

Leah & Angela O’Meara

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