Houndog News

Plight of the greyhound

Take a moment to imagine taking a 24km drive with me. We are going from Coorparoo to Cleveland. And the whole drive, beside the road is a single line of greyhounds nose to rump. That is how many greyhounds were reportedly put down because of the greyhound industry in Australia in 2015. Over supply and dogs either not well equipped for racing, or no longer racing were main reasons for the statistics. According to an article on abc.net.au (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-28/nsw-greyhound-racing-industry-in-crisis-inquiry-hears/6809724), approximately 17,000 greyhound deaths annually were related to the racing industry.

In July 2016 Premier Mike Baird announced closing down greyhound racing in N.S.W. by July 2017. He acknowledged that although some members of the industry have conducted themselves appropriately and will be strongly affected by the ban the degree of cruelty and irresponsibility of those who have not played by the rules is inexcusable and undeniable. Since then the decision has been reversed and the greyhound racing community has been given another chance with hopefully some tougher measures in place because even if the figure appearing above had been doubled (e.g. to sway opinion) it would still be unfathomable waste of life.

Australia is one of only eight countries in the world that allows greyhound racing and Premier Baird declared the announcement an animal welfare decision.

Dog shelters are already busting at the seams without the addition of discarded dogs from the racing industry and I was relieved to hear the decision. I don’t believe Mr. Baird is one who should be blamed for making a tough decision. Blame those who abused the system by not ensuring the appropriate care for their animals. It wouldn’t have come to light if it wasn’t happening. I wonder if the industry itself will afford to police things better. Jessie photographed here has a very loving home.

Leah & Angela OMeara

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

Pet Dinners for Dogs

If you are interested in steering away from the kibble, Pet Dinners is a local Brisbane based business promoting and selling all natural pet food. They also offer a weekly home delivery service so you don’t even have to leave the house.

At Pet Dinners the mission is ‘to optimize the health of your pets through a raw and natural diet and of course minimizing the cost to you.

On their menu poster you’ll find pet foods based on ‘Balanced Nutrition Range’ principles. Their food for pets is free from preservatives, additives, artificial colours and chemicals. They have a variety of minces, dehydrated tenders, necks, burgers and even a pet meat loaf !!

You can check them out on Facebook or contact them directly and chat to them about your needs.

https://www.facebook.com/petdinners/

Give them a call and find out when they deliver to your area.

Leah & Angela OMeara

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

End of life for dogs

I’ve had a lot of discussion about end of life for pets, speaking to others and reading much about this on the Internet.

The only thing I am totally certain of is that unless some event takes you by surprise, you are going to have to guess when is the right time to take your dogs life. There’s no need to wait until he has stopped breathing.

What could be more reassuring for a dog owner than to think his dog is in agreement about it being time to go? If only.

Do speak to a trusted veterinarian. He or she will look at factors such as mobility, pain and toileting to name a few. And if you let them know you specifically want to discuss end of life for your pet as the time approaches you will have more food for thought. Let them know you really want to hear what they’ve got to say even if you get emotional while they speak. You do not have to agree with them but let’s face it; they see dogs all year ‘round approaching this predicament. If you are waiting for a particular day to make the decision based on your dog’s degree of misery, please think again. It doesn’t have to be either ‘time’ or ‘not time’. Look at it more like a bracket of time or a spectrum of decline. The occasional tail wag or ability to gobble down a treat may not be reason enough to prop him longer if every other minute of his day is wretched.

This blog has no intention of scolding or judging anyone for his or her timing with such a heartbreaking decision. The only intention is to share what we’ve found out since having to make this decision ourselves.

You know your own pet. But in knowing him you will also know that a loving gaze can mean a lot of different things and we attempt to interpret for them all the time. How accurately we do that is not yet measurable.

One article quoted a saying from the veterinary field “It’s better to be a week too early than a minute too late.”

Leah & Angela OMeara

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

Dog Walkies

Barbara Woodhouse, a dog trainer who appeared on the BBC back in the early 80’s, made the expression “Walkies” famous. I don’t need a word to encourage my dog to keep up on a walk but this was just Barbara’s way of getting a dog to follow once the leash was on. Did you walk your dog today? If not, this is not attempt to apply guilt.

Just wanted to share some inspiration. I’m certain my duty to exercise the dog is stronger than the motivation of any gym membership. It sure is cheaper. Do you take responsibility for walking the dog or do you share this commitment with e.g. your partner? It doesn’t need to be a race. It could just be a loose leash walk with some sniffing included. Just move. If you can’t go for a walk try hiding some treats around and get your dog to find them, which will get his brain working.

Morning and late afternoon are the times of day your dog will have extra energy so these are ideal times to give exercise. Those living in small apartments need to take Ruffy for a walk for stimulation and so do those living on large blocks. Dogs benefit from fresh stimulation just as humans do. Remember that time alone out in a big yard is not a substitution for planned walks or exercise.

Leah & Angela OMeara

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

Dogs and the law

In years gone by a dog or a child was considered property in the eyes of the law. This meant that they no more rights than for e.g. a chair. I can just imagine dogs now picturing…perhaps a big comfy chair or a soft place to snuggle on a cold winter’s night?

Finally the law recognized that canines (and children) are thinking beings with emotions and are deserving of protection. They were then, along with farm animals and other domestic animals formally classified as sentient beings. Some internet definitions of this term include preferences, intentions, matter, sensation, perception, mental formations and consciousness. Scientific studies of animal brains have helped to confirm this definition and provided basic guidelines for animal rights.

We’ve come a long way, but there’s still a way to go. Thankfully children are now offered greater degrees of protection. Perhaps there will be a model for dogs, which can offer canines a greater deal of sanctuary. Dogs are awfully easy to come by and there doesn’t seem to be a lot of funds available for policing things like puppy mills and care. A property may be entered and animals seized but an owner can easily fly under the radar with a dog.

Our hope is that we continue to study and educate ourselves about these complex and wonderful animals. As dogs have become such an important part of our lives may we strive to be their voice.

Leah & Angela OMeara

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

Hot Dogs

In light of a media story released Feb 2017 about a Qld Police dog (Waco) dying of heat stroke I ask everyone to be vigilant about providing a cool place for your dog to retreat to. Waco’s handler would be devastated. I also believe that had this not been a police dog, it wouldn’t have even made the news.

Whilst other folks are cancelling a hike or event due to extreme temperatures the ‘force’ are still out there trying to keep us safe. Police dogs are cared for with the height of vigilance but crime still occurs regardless of the weather. This particular event happened on one of our hottest days on record whilst tracking an offender. Dogs can be extremely focused when they are ‘doing’ something and I’ve no doubt this was the case. The problem is that animals don’t always display signs of trouble until the trouble has taken hold. Many a dog with an injured paw would still fetch into pain and then further until he literally couldn’t walk, if his drive was strong enough and if given the opportunity. Let’s face it, determination and reliability are two of the great qualities which have made dogs such excellent work partners for humans.

In the future there may be a device we can attach to our working animals to monitor things like body temperature. Then of course each animal is unique in its make up just as people are. My heart goes out to Waco’s handler as the case is investigated due to police dogs being recognised as staff.

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

Dog Psychics

Not to be confused with Physics please. Some folks appear to have a gift in being able to communicate with animals. Although I don’t posses that gift I am not prepared to claim they do not. It really sounds fascinating. If Police departments have used psychics for their work, then why not use them for animals?

Psychics have helped people to communicate with their dogs for health issues, find lost dogs and even to have contact from ‘the other side’.

The idea is not to use them instead of e.g. vet care but as (a means of) getting to the root of what is happening to your dog.

When I read a little further I found that much of the communicating is done via images… that the reason they cannot give exact directions for lost dogs, road signs, street number etc. because your dog cannot read. So therefore your dog is not communicating that to them. However they can ask the missing dog questions like whether the dog got into a car or not. They’re likely to give descriptions about a location and whether there is another pet/people present for example.

It can be difficult for them to tell whether a lost pet has passed on due to dog afterlife because the images the dog sends can either be from present or what they can do now they are no longer burdened with an ailing body.

I must admit that I’ve always been a little skeptic but a friends’ dog went missing and there hadn’t been any news for about 2 months. I was in touch with an old friend who you might describe as a little ‘bewitching’. She told me of a few words for the owners to repeat whilst they held a photograph of the dog. I passed this on to them knowing they had nothing more to lose. Imagine my surprise when they located their dog after nearly 3 months. He was in a suburb far away and the vet got in touch with his original owners when his microchip details were followed up.

Leah & Angela OMeara

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

Dog Behaviour Adjustment Training

Behaviour Adjustment Training can be used for dogs suffering from fear, frustration or anxiety. Even if the above has displayed aggression B.A.T. is still a helpful tool. It involves gradually introducing the dog to the stimulus but in a very controlled fashion. This type of training is often arranged with ‘set-ups’ e.g. your buddy with a mobile phone up the end of the footy field. You can let him know when to appear from behind the brick building and when to disappear. Perhaps he will have a decoy dog with him if the problem has been with other dogs. The scenario acts like a rehearsal for real life situations.

The dog is exposed to the stimulus and receives reinforcement for any behaviour which is acceptable. If the dog has a reaction e.g. lunges toward the stimulus then the trainer has moved too fast as the idea is to always work under the dogs threshold. The trainer waits for a cue such as body language to indicate a level of ‘calm’ before retreating from the stimulus. Even a brief ‘look away’ would do. Gradually the distance is reduced.

It is only your dog, which chooses to move closer to the predicted stimulus. He may move anywhere he wishes except for to be making a ‘bee-line’ for the stimulus in an aroused fashion. The stimulus is usually 2 to 3 times the distance than what would usually cause a reaction in that dog. The beauty of this method is letting the dog choose the behaviour.

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

Docking and cropping dogs

I was recently reading a forum regarding the docking of dogs tails and cropping of dogs ears. The conversation began with a new dog owner trying to decide whether she should have her dog’s ears cropped or leave them natural.

Ear cropping and tail docking are not legal in Australia. In Queensland the ruling tells us that the only reason justifying a tail dock is if the vet surgeon considers it to be in the best interests of the dog’s welfare. Also no other person (non-vet) is permitted to do perform the procedure. The bans are applied for puppies and adult dogs. Keep in mind that some breeds are born with a bobtail.

The forum I refer to was international and I was blown away by the variety of justifications put forth in favour of these procedures. Along with some folks just thinking it ‘looks better’, ‘it doesn’t hurt the dog’ and ‘the pup won’t remember it anyway’, one person suggested that the ears should be up because someone had probably intervened and bred them to be down. I am not kidding when I say one contributor wrote ‘No pain, no gain’. Three breeds which up until the early 2000’s (in Australia) commonly subject to this type of cosmetic surgery were dobermans, great danes and schnauzers. Since the ban here I have heard of people ordering their dog from a country overseas where the practices are still allowed.

The tail dock, even though I am alarmed by the idea can have a practical reason as far as dogs tending to damage certain designs of tail. As far as ears I believe a flapped ear can help keep dust and dirt down beautifully. I suggested if someone is considering ears or tails being operated for visual appeal then I would consider that the wrong reason.

But there came a barrage of stories about dogs with natural ears relating to ear infections. I stand by what I say as far as it shouldn’t be done for ‘visual’ reasons. Would it mean for e.g. if environment, breed or care delivered were not factors, that if the numbers on infections etc. are great enough…. vets would be happy to recommend an ear crop for the astonishing number of dog breeds with floppy ears? They could make a fortune. I always imagined that the reason you don’t see beagles, labs, GSP’s and the rest of the multitude weren’t cropped is because those who chose to crop were going for a certain look… like giving the appearance of a cleaner line or so the dog looks like it is ‘on alert’. Perhaps I was imagining wrong. pets.webmd.com says research shows around 80% of dogs won’t get ear infections and the breeds most commonly presenting with them are cocker spaniels and poodles.

Then there was the person who asked ‘Why is it that people are happy to take their dog to the vet for de-sexing but are against ear cropping? Well, if you don’t know the answer to that question, go and visit your local pound or research the amount of unwanted dogs rehomed or euthanized in your state annually. I’m pretty sure a flapped ear has never been responsible for that type of problem

Please be aware that any surgery or anesthesia carries risk. Also, parts of the body containing nerve endings if operated on or cut off, have the potential to cause pain well into the future even long after the wound is healed. This is true of humans and animals alike due to our neurology.

Leah & Angela OMeara

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

Dogs jumping for joy

Let’s talk about jumping up on people because that is one of the most common behaviours things that get dogs into trouble. It’s a natural thing for a dog to do and he just wants to get your attention. But I can see no practical reason for anyone to encourage this action in a pet dog. He doesn’t know the difference between your gardening gear and your best dinner suit. He may trip up or scratch an elderly person with delicate skin. He may scare the heck out of a child (yes, even if he’s small). If you want to show him your love, don’t reward him for jumping, go and spend some time playing with him.

How often have you heard the expression “Don’t show your dog attention for behaviours you do not want repeated”? So let’s say you want to discourage from doing something. There are two parts to this. The first is to reduce or extinguish the unwanted behaviour. The second is to provide an alternative to the unwanted behaviour.

To your dog … looking at him is attention
pushing him away is attention.
speaking to him (or even yelling at him) is attention.

The recipient should completely ignore, freeze or turn away and not pay the dog attention for around 30 seconds. But if other house members or guests do not do the same, every time, guess what? Intermittent reinforcements are very addictive to your dog. And people too for that matter. Just say there’s a tree on your walk where your dog gets very excited when he sees a possum. If your dog only sees that possum every 4^th or 5^th time you pass by he will persist to look for the possum just as much, if not more than if he’d seen it every time.

Training a ‘sit’ (for example) as default behaviour is a nice easy way for a dog to ask politely and to please you. Believe me, for every visitor that says they don’t mind if your dog jumps on them there 10 that do mind. If your dog cannot sit for some reason you can simply wait until they are standing or plain old ‘calm’ before going ahead with whatever it is you want to do.

Please remember that ‘calm’ is gold and that even from a ‘sit’ position a dog can quickly spring up into a jump if excitement overcomes him.

Leah & Angela OMeara

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