Houndog News

Tex & Bundy (the dog on the bike)

If you’ve attended a fundraising event there is a possibility you may have seen ‘Tex & Bundy’. The famous pair support charity fundraisers with their presence and man do they get around. ‘Bundy’ is a stumpy tailed blue cattle dog who goes everywhere with her owner ‘Tex’ and she’s known as ‘the dog on the bike’. She just loves her time on the motorbike and the duo is regularly spotted at motorcycle events amongst other gatherings.

Tex & Bundy can contest they have ridden in excess of 600,000km together in the name of fund raising for charity. So when Bundy’s not catching the breeze on the motorbike she’s greeting, dressing up, smooching up for a photo or just lapping up the life of a famous canine. It’s pats all-round for this pooch that is also a qualified Assistance dog. Their visits at hospitals and hospices are a highlight for those facing injury or illness. Appearances at schools promoting the KidSafe message creates quite a buzz amongst the students.

The duo has helped raise funds for loads of worthy causes including CanTeen, Lifeline and the Black Dog Institute just to name a few. So keep your eyes peeled for that bike with the number plate ‘DOGGY’. You can check them out on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/Tex-Bundy-Charity-Fundraisers-242350032489815/ or on their website at http://www.texandbundy.com.au/demo.html

Although the lovely pooch photographed here is not Bundy, they both owe their good looks to the same breed.

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

Best time to train your dog

Most folks are so busy that training Fido happens when they can fit it in. We often remark that small chunks of training often are better than long sessions occasionally. This of course is to keep your dog fresh and interested.

But if you want to make even more headway the timing of what comes before and after training also makes a difference. Here’s an example. Fido has been locked up for the night. It’s morning and he is about to explode with his normal ‘Yes !!! it’s a new day’ type energy. Right now is a great time to train. Afterwards give him his breakfast. Naturally a lot or even all of his breakfast can be included in the training session. You know you are going to get a lot of focus from him. Say your dog has been confined in his crate whilst you had some trades people over fixing the plumbing. Now he’s allowed out. Do some training with him before he gets to roam the yard free again.

This type of timing really builds your training value. If your dog is hanging out in the yard sniffing the trails of last nights possum movement and then you call him over for a training session, no matter how fun you make it there still may be somewhere else he’d rather be.

Confinement or quiet time is best followed by training/fun. Then following that is a great time for feeding, a walk or free time in the yard.

Be sure to always mix play with training and vice versa so it never feels like a chore for you or your dog.

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

Australia Day with your Dog

If you’re planning a get together on 26^th January your pooch will need some consideration too.

When it comes to food please make sure you practice your safety rules with your dog. You can let people know that pats are welcome but not to feed the dog. This is the only way you can ensure that he’s not eating what he’s not meant to. Dogs who’ve eaten onions, herbs, salt, corncobs and cooked meat bones can truly come off second best. You could arrange a special plate for him to chow down on while you sit down for your own meal.

Those who like to dress up might like to put a matching bandana or bow tie on their dog. Make it something you can remove in a hurry should you need to and don’t insist she wear it if it’s stressing her out.

No body paint please.

Hot plates and fires can be a hazard for your pooch. When you hear the sizzle of that BBQ you don’t want it to be your dogs tongue and a smokin’ hot sausage can be a strong temptation. If you’ve lit a fire in the ground loose coals can lie around the outside unnoticed and many a dogs paw has been burned this way.

If guests are coming and going, remember to check your gates are secure. People can forget and if they’re drinking they can forget a lot.

Make sure there is a place or bed your dog can go to without being pestered by people and check his water bowl regularly.

Leah & Angela OMeara

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

K9 Grass for your Dog

Have you been watching your neighbour’s lawn? ‘Green’ with envy? Have your dogs have worn a sheep track in your yard or created enough dust for a ghost-town film scene? Maybe it’s time to consider K9 Grass? Those fed up with destroyed lawns or constant weeding may have been tempted to buy a patch of fake grass from the local hardware or otherwise however not all such products are suited to dogs. Before you throw up your hands and decide to concrete the back yard take a look at this product by ‘Forever Lawn’. It’s designed for pooches with a flow-through backing and some protection against microbes that helps the smell factor.

It has been popular choice for commercial areas like daycare, boarding facilities and residential homes too. There are a number of uses as you can also purchase product in 3 mat sizes in case you want something to go inside a crate or a designated place on the patio. The length of the blade provides durability, which is needed for dogs that love running about. The drainage design of the backing allows number 1’s to drain through and the short pile (pardon the pun) makes a number 2 easy to remove.

So if you’re feeling ‘forlorn’ about ‘your lawn’ think about making your way onto their website. We’ve not yet tried K9 Grass but would love to hear from you if you have.

You can check it out the practicalities and spec’s further (including indoor and outdoor applications) at…

K9 Grass Website

Hands off Cesar

Hi folks, I’d like to talk about an Internet article I recently read about the Cesar Milan’s ‘Showdown with Holly’ episode. It was a scathing attack on Cesars approach and the way he dealt with a labrador that resulted in him being bitten. I couldn’t resist responding with the following… “I agree wholeheartedly with much you are saying however let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Criticism is best when constructive right? Even though Cesar Milan uses some techniques I don’t agree with I don’t remember him claiming to be perfect. Also every episode I ever watched starts by asking folks not attempt the techniques they are about see without a professional. This in itself can raise a discussion e.g. ‘I also like shows which say please do try this at home’.

I think most folks are discerning enough to know their own skill level when it comes to interacting with their own animal, particularly when it comes to aggression. When I first began my obsession with dogs I asked a well-respected trainer what they thought of Cesar. His answer was “He is fantastic, but he is also dangerous”. It actually took me a few years to appreciate the content of this answer. I cannot forget the volumes of basic, non-confrontational relationship rules that Cesar encourages people to develop with their dogs is extremely valuable and honestly believe that he has helped 1000’s of viewers with simple problems free of charge. I was sorry to see that the dog in this case escalated to the outcome that occurred, but viewers get a sobering look at the speed and power of a dog from a quiet standstill. I hope plenty of people get a look at the segment for this reason alone.

Cesar has not hidden the episode. He has aired it, no doubt because he understands its importance. Let’s hope that all our dog lovers employee trainers where it is needed. In addition, lets hope they access the Internet with thousands of hours of dog training in a variety of styles and approaches. We can all find what we need to know. We just have to care enough to look for it. Please be WARNED that the video shows a dog bite a human – in real time, then slow motion.

Leah & Angela OMeara

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

Yellow dog project

The Yellow Dog Project is a not-for-profit campaign creating a global awareness of dogs that need more space. If approaching, do so with caution.

Some of the many reasons dogs may be wearing a yellow ribbon is because they are fearful, recovering from injury, in training, in service, not friendly or just take a little longer to build trust.

Many people know what it is about and most obedience clubs encourage the yellow ribbon where required but it is evident from comments on the Internet pages that there are still many folks oblivious to understanding the yellow ribbon.

So the next time you spot a pooch with a yellow ribbon feel free to make a positive remark about this marvellous idea…. And in saying so, you may just educate one more person about the concept. Check with your child’s school to find out if they can obtain some posters and possibly include it in their agenda.

You can check out the website or visit their facebook page…

https://www.facebook.com/TheYellowDogProject/?fref=ts

Leah & Angela OMeara

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

Dog helps rescue bees

Without bees our food cannot grow. A disease called American foulbrood now threatens hives in Australia and dogs are great at being trained to sniff out problems. Foulbrood is a bacterial disease affecting the brood and leaves behind a spore, which is contagious. Hives in countries with a white winter have periods where the bees stay inside for longer but here in the land down under most areas do not have snow in the winter.

This makes getting close to the hive difficult for a dog. But a very special black Labrador in South Australia named Bazz is the dog for the job, only he needed protection from the bees. His owner ‘Josh’ came up with a design specific bee suit for Bazz.

Bazz’s outfit is an all white suit covering his entire body up to his neck with four cute little booties. The section to cover his head is based on the Elizabethan style covering but looks more like a clear waste paper basket with mesh in front of the face.

Dogs are already being used for the same purpose in the United States.

Leah & Angela OMeara

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

Greyhounds and Animals Australia

If you watched ABC’s episode of 7.30 regarding racing greyhound export from Australia, you’ll understand the angst we felt whilst watching the abhorrent treatment of animals for the sake of human entertainment. We feel truly ashamed knowing this export has not been stopped.

Included below is a link which contains a video highlighting short portions of some issues covered in the documentary however we caution you that viewing the video may be disturbing to some viewers. We do not recommend viewing by children.

Also on the link is a letter set up ready for you to express you request or concerns if you wish. It can be forwarded to your local member for you via the website in the hope of stopping this export. Every single person can help by doing this and getting the numbers to object. But if you do nothing, please do not expect this cruel situation to change.

Once the greyhounds were no longer needed for racing they were exterminated in a ghastly manner whereby they were injected with poison in the form of a pesticide not designed for such a purpose. They struggled on until they took their last breaths whilst humans held them still. Killing is tragic… torture is inexcusable.

http://www.animalsaustralia.org/take_action/stop-greyhound-exports-macau-china-vietnam/

Leah & Angela OMeara

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

Is ye dog olde?

Is ye dog greying gracefully? Here are a few tips to help.

Consider warming up food to not only make it more palatable but to ‘entice’. Warm food always smells stronger than cold food.

Look at surfaces around the home. If you have slippery tiles you may find your dog more reluctant to walk in these areas due to slips or skids. Even a small slip can cause considerable pain to an elderly dog.

Ramps, retractable or otherwise can be fabulous for loading your pooch in and out of the car but remember it may take some encouragement and practice. You need to find one long enough that your dog can handle the angle it creates. A steep ramp will pose as much of a problem as having to jump in.

No need to demand all the tricks he previously knew. For some olde dogues even a ‘sit’ position is no longer comfortable.

Protect him from the elements. In summer access to a cool floor such as tiles or concrete and in the cooler months check that his coat is sufficient and a good fit.

Talk to your vet about your dogs changing dietary needs and also how much exercise is appropriate. Keeping those muscles in shape will help support the entire frame of the skeleton. Check whether you may need to provide a thicker, softer bed for those tired bones. Many dogs in old age lose body condition some of their own natural padding. Along with joint pain, a supportive bed is a must.

Leah & Angela OMeara

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

Dogs guilty look

You know that look.

The guilty ‘yes, it was me’ look your dog gives you. I was certain that a dog knew when he’d done something really wrong but it turned out that my body language alone was giving it all away. Dogs are well conditioned to our happy demeanor so when they see us suddenly annoyed or angry they respond immediately and it doesn’t have anything to do with whether they did something wrong. But how could we be sure? How could I dispute whether folks truly know when their dog looks guilty?

Sorry, but it’s merely us humans trying to project our human feelings onto the dog. Our dog can read us faster than another human and they know us very well. They know right away when ‘something’s up’ but they may not know what is up exactly.

The video evidence is in. Provided the owner displays appearance and tone of voice precisely as he/she does upon finding an alarming scene

E.g. Owner enters the kitchen to find the dog has emptied the trash-can onto the floor. Humans’ eyes widen, their face changes and the tone of voice and choice of words is drastically different.

If there is no trash-can spilled and nothing wrong, given this display from the human, the dog still takes on the ‘guilty’ look. It’s simply the dog trying to appease, avoid, his ears will probably go down and he may even slink out of the room. He is giving you calming signals and body language to reduce confrontation.

Leah & Angela OMeara

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