What’s the best flea treatment for my dog?

Last updated Mar 1, 2018 | Published on Feb 7, 2018 | Health & Safety

What’s the best flea treatment?

The most effective flea treatment, in our many years of experience, is Advocate. It can cure dogs or cats of fleas and also prevent them catching them if they come into contact with them on another animal or in a particular environment.

Does it cover anything else?

Advocate is the most comprehensive product available and covers a range of other conditions. These are roundworm, hookworm, heartworm and ear mites in dogs. It also treats lungworm, whipworm, biting lice, sarcoptes and demodex.

How do I give my pet this treatment?

This is what is known as a ‘spot on’ treatment. It is a liquid in a pipet that you put on the back of your cat or dog’s neck once a month.  Try not to stroke or cuddle them in that area for about 24 hours or wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

Where can I get my flea treatment?

All good flea treatments require a prescription. At Happy Hounds & Cooler Cats we insist on this if your dog is to mix with other dogs. So you will need to see your vet as no vet in the UK can prescribe medication without physically seeing the animal first. A prescription can be fulfilled by your vet OR you can often get cheaper deals online if you have the prescription. You can discuss how long a prescription your vet will give you and ask about the possibility of repeat prescriptions.  Each dose of advocate lasts 1 month, though some animals have a shorter cycle and may need treatment every 28 days or so.  Keep a close eye on your pets and see if they start scratching.

Anxiety in dogs: dog training tips

Last updated Jul 20, 2020 | Published on Oct 14, 2017 | Blog, dog health & behaviour

Anxiety in dogs

Dog aggression, anxiety or both?

Anxiety in dogs. Lots of dogs are anxious and this can show itself in many ways, but probably the most common is as aggressive protection of the owner or territorial guarding behaviour of the home.

Why is my dog anxious?

This is often because they don’t know where they are in the pack and feel it is THEIR job to look after you. Not the other way around.

How can I make my dog seem less anxious?

So, to change this behaviour, you the owner need to change where the dog feels they are in the pack, ie. at the bottom.

This may feel uncomfortable, but you need to establish that YOU are in charge, YOU are top dog and that YOU are looking after them and therefore they don’t need to worry about it. The home is not their responsibility to guard. It is YOUR responsibility and when you’re out, YOU are watching out for danger, not them.

This doesn’t have to be a permanent situation – 5 seconds stroking only??? – and once the new regime is established you can relax things a little so you can have some more cuddles. Follow these rules consistently and make sure everyone who has responsiblility for your dog, is following the same rules as much as possible.

  • Train on a regular basis (every day)
  • Don’t play tug of war or hand teasing games
  • No food treats unless the dog has worked for it. g. Sit, down.
  • The dog is only fussed for five seconds at a time and only after s/he has been made to respond to a command such as SIT. He is not stroked for minutes on end.
  • When the dog demands to be fussed he is given a command such as SIT before he is fussed. Only fuss for 5 seconds.
  • At the end of 5 seconds, the owner says NO MORE or ENOUGH, folds his arms and ignores the dog. Never resume fussing for a full 10 minutes after you have told the dog NO MORE.
  • Always call your dog to you. Do not go to your dog.
  • Owner must go through all narrow openings like doorways, stairs, and passageways first. Make the dog follow you.
  • Do not allow your dog to demand a walk. Make the dog sit to have its collar and lead fitted.
  • Do not allow the dog to dictate the route you take, i.e. don’t’ let your dog walk in front of you. You’re pack leader, you walk in front or at the side.
  • Mix the dogs food up in his presence. Make them wait for it whilst you go through the act of eating it yourself. This instinctively tells the dog that YOU are pack leader.
  • Teaching the dog to fetch will help him to learn to work for you.
  • If the dog is in your way as you move around the house, tell him to move even if you have to wake him up. This also tells the dog you are pack leader.
  • Tell your family and friends not to fuss the dog if you haven’t given it a command.
  • Deny your dog freedom of movement around the house. Shut doors for a few days until your dog accepts its new lower rank. Only pack leaders have complete freedom.
  • You keep the dog’s toys, give out to play, then put away.
  • Sometimes stand in your dog’s bed or anywhere else it likes to sleep.
  • Do not allow your dog to sit on the furniture, on your lap or sleep on your bed.
  • Groom your dog daily

I know this can seem drastic, BUT for an anxious dog displaying what can be seen as aggressive behaviour, especially in a strong dog, it is essential to create a safe situation for all, INCLUDING your dog.  They must know how to behave and that you are in control of them, not the other way round.

Poo eating (and other nasties)

Last updated Mar 1, 2018 | Published on Aug 22, 2017 | Health & Safety

Poo eating (and other nasties)

Poo eating…some dogs eat poo. There. I said it. It’s not lovely but it happens. First things first. If your dog does this, then you may want to lay off the face licks.

But more seriously it can cause problems. Sometimes it’s a behavioural habit that’s come from poo being cleared up too quickly when a puppy. They think the poo has to disappear. And so they make it disappear. Who knows why some do it and others don’t. We’re not here to judge.

However at a practical level, if you want to stop them poo eating, because it can cause upset tummies, then you need to keep a very close eye on their behaviour and just before they’re going to do it, distract them with some something they like. Whatever motivates them: food, squeaky toy, come here for a cuddle, whatever works. This is to get them out of the habit.

However, this is not always possible. In which case you might think about a muzzle. The Baskerville muzzle is what we would recommend as even though it looks a bit Hannibal Lecter it means they can still breath pant, and drink. But it prevents them being able to grab at whatever ‘treat’ they’re after. Worth having one in your box of tricks.

When you first use it, always do it with LOADS of positive reinforcement. Make if fun and rewarding. So you can integrate it into play: make it a ‘chase me game’ so as soon as it after it’s on get them to ‘come and get you’. Give them lots of praise and some favourite treats before, during and after. Do that while they’re adapting to it.

Good luck. Some dogs will always do it and if it’s persistent it may be a dietary problem rather than a behavioural one so always worth clarifying with a vet to make sure they’re not lacking in some nutrient they’re trying to get from their scavenging. Good luck!

How to keep my dog cool in hot weather

Last updated Jan 25, 2018 | Published on Jun 3, 2011 | Health & Safety

Hot dogs!

How do I keep my dog cool in hot weather?

When it’s a scorcher out there, remember don’t forget to sunscreen your short haired dogs, and keep plenty of water about.  Walk in the shade and make sure windows are open in cars. Give them a little spray on their tummies if they’re really hot: they’ll love it!

Top tips for making your hot dog a happy hound!

Last updated Mar 5, 2018 | Published on May 3, 2011 | dog health & behaviour

Hot dogs!

Top tips for cooling down your pooch.

“Turn your hot dog into a happy hound!”

Top tips for keeping your dog cool. When temperatures are soaring, it is important to keep your dogs in mind when it comes to keeping cool. Here are our top tips for beating the summer heat!

  • Don’t forget your dog can’t sweat! They keep cool by panting so if you see your dog drooling excessively it means they are overheating.
  • Don’t forget the water bottle! Different dogs have different needs when it comes to battling the heat. Dogs with darker coats absorb more heat than those with lighter coats. Also don’t forget to carry a bottle of water when going on a walk with your dog.
  • Pooches cools from the bottom up. Don’t forget to spray the paws and stomach of your dog rather than just the top when spraying with water. Also a wet towel is much more effective under your dog rather than on top.
  • Get Wet! Swimming is a great way to quickly cool off your hot dog, but be sure not to let your dog become overtired in the water. Even good swimmers can tire to the point where it could get dangerous.
  • Mind those paws! Try to walk your dog on grass and avoid concrete or paving. Walking on hot pavements can burn your dogs pads so park or forest walks are best.
  • Cream up! Shorter haired and light coloured dogs need to wear sunscream particularly round their most sensitive area. Any areas that have little or no hair should be sunscreened. Consult your vet to see if this is something that applies to your dog.
  • Avoid the summer crowds. While it may seem like a good idea to bring your pooch along to summer events, the heat noise and crowds mean your dog is almost always better off at home.

 

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