Raise your glasses...just not near the dog please!

It’s sad to believe but some people find it a little amusing and funny around their friend to give their pet alcohol. Large amounts of alcohol consumed can be dangerous to human and even a smaller can lead to death in our pets. Dogs and cats do not get the same ‘drunk’ effect that humans do and it is extremely unsafe for them to even consume the smallest amount.

Alcoholic drinks contain a large amount of ethanol which is extremely dangerous to our pets. In as little time as 15 – 30 minutes central nervous system signs can begin, this can include staggering, excitement or decreased reflexes. Their behavior can change, they can become sedated and very lethargic and they can increase the amount they urinate, as their condition worsens they can become depressed, have a slower respiratory rate and can go into cardiac arrest.

The serious danger of a dog being poisoned with ethanol is that they do become sedated and lethargic which can result in them not being able to adequately protect their airway therefore leading to aspiration pneumonia.

It’s not only alcoholic drinks that can cause this type of poisoning, ethanol is also present in medications and some bread dough’s. Although we may all be very cautious with alcohol around our pets and may not initially be allowed to access it, dog’s that are well known for stealing food or getting their noses into places they shouldn’t are at a higher risk. This time of year is especially important to be extra vigilant about cleaning up our left over’s and disposing of alcoholic containers.

The beautiful Rio, playing with dog friendly toys!

Your dog and fireworks.

 

 

All throughout the year, everyone likes to celebrate with fireworks but coming up to New Year's we all know it can't be avoided.

 Unfortunately for our pets, especially dogs and horses, this can be a terrifying times for them.

The best thing for you to do is be aware and prepared. If you know there are going to fireworks, try your best to stay home. Earlier in the day, take your mate for a nice long walk, burn as much energy as you can and feed him a few hours later. A well fed and tired dog is going be a lot more relaxing during the night for you. Once your dog begins to fret, don't sooth or comfort him. Doing this to a scared dog only increases the problem, you are showing them that there is something to be scared of and if they continue to react this way they are going to be rewarded with attention from you. Instead, be in control and up beat. Create a comfortable hiding place and distract your dog with games, food and even putting some music on. Try and encourage calm behaviour with praise and attention. Surround them with their favourite toys in a room  inside they are familiar with.

Bones and chewable toys are ideal as a distraction and should take up some time while they enjoy. Continue this up beat, positive behaviour from the second they start fretting and for a while after they have settled and the noise has stopped. If your dog settles and the noise stops don't just walk away and ignore your pet.

Sometimes bringing your dog inside isn't an option so you should look at possibly a carrier or even in the garage of shed. Dogs tend to try and run and get away when frightened so restraining them with a choker chain or lead should never be done, this can end in a horrible result.

Always make sure your dog is identifiable with tags and microchip in case they do happen to get out.

It is possible that dogs can be desensitised from being scared of fireworks and loud noises, remembering not all dogs are. Some dogs are at the opposite end of the scale and have a phobia of fireworks. In these cases, some dogs can be so frightened that it seems nothing will calm them down. In these cases, your vet should be

A Bulldog's approach...

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

A Russian couple was walking down the street in St. Petersburg the other night, when the man felt a drop hit his nose. "I think it's raining," he said to his wife.

"No, that felt more like snow to me," she replied. "No, I'm sure it was just rain, he said." Well, as these things go, they were about to have a major argument about whether it was raining or snowing. Just then they saw a minor communist party official walking toward them. "Let's not fight about it," the man said, "let's ask Comrade Rudolph whether it's officially raining or snowing."

As the official approached, the man said, "Tell us, Comrade Rudolph, is it officially raining or snowing?"

"It's raining, of course," he answered and walked on. But the woman insisted: "I know that felt like snow!" To which the man quietly replied: "Rudolph the Red knows rain, dear!"

Riding in cars with dogs!

We’re now at that time of year when everyone is either having the family over, or packing the car up and heading off. For some of us it isn’t an option for us to take our pets, but for those that can here are some important things to remember when travelling with Fido in the car.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your pet is transported correctly and safely and is provided with the essential needs, this includes food, water and protection from the elements whilst still in a safe position in the vehicle.
It is against the law for a dog to travel in the boot of a sedan type vehicle, regardless of how short the trip is. The only way for a dog to travel in this sort of car is in the cabin, this is allowed also in an SUV or wagon type vehicle. Dogs are also allowed to travel in wagon and SUV cars in the back behind a cargo barrier. If travelling in the back of a ute or trailer the dog must be correctly and safely tethered or cage. If tethering a dog, make sure you are aware of their behavior whilst travelling, if they are an anxious or nervous dog this isn’t the safest option for them. Your dog must secured with a lead or chain and have enough length sit and lay down but be short enough that they cannot reach the sides of the car. Long tethers can be more dangerous than nothing at all, with the risk of the dog jumping out and strangling themselves or being dragged beside the car. It is ideal to use a swivel hook when attaching the tether to the vehicle, this will minimize the risk of tangling. The most common injuries caused to dogs whilst travelling in the back of utes are: falling off the back of a moving vehicle, hanging over the side of the vehicle and being struck by passing cars, dogs being dragged along beside a car and attempting to jump from the moving vehicle.  
Regardless of what section of the car your dog is travelling in they must be provided with adequate ventilation, if travelling in a container it must have multiple ventilation holes, with a minimum in at least 3 sides of the container.

Be aware of the temperatures and weather expected for your days of travel, even if open in the back of the vehicle dogs can still suffer heat stroke, if temperatures are expected to be high its best that your dog travels inside the cabin with you with the air conditioner on. If the weather is going to be at the other extreme, wet and rainy be considerate of your pet both inside and outside of the car. If travelling in the cabin and you have the heater on, remember most dogs have a thick coat designed to keep them warm so you want to avoid overheating. Even if your dog enjoys the water, if travelling in the rear tub of a vehicle in the rain be mindful of how your pet may cope. With dogs sensitive hearing rain can actually be uncomforting for them and travelling at high speeds doesn’t help with this. If this is the only option for your dog possibly look at crating them and protecting the crate from the elements.

When your dog is travelling inside the car with you, the safest mode of transport is to have them in the back seat restrained or in the boot of a wagon type vehicle behind a cargo barrier. It is in the safety of both humans and the pets travelling in the car that the dog is correctly restrained. An unrestrained dog can cause distraction and in the case of an accident can become a projectile and have some severe damage caused to themselves. It is not safe for a dog to travel with their head hanging out the car window, small particles in the car enter the dog’s eyes, ears and nose and cause injury or infection.

If you are planning on your travelling with your pets in the car and have any questions, check out the website below ;
http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/pets/dog-care/travelling-in-vehicles-with-dogs

Gemma & Frodo and all of our guests who travel in the K9 Kab enjoy the luxury and safety of their own crate.

Dashing through the snow...

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

From all the Doggy Doaters and pooches at Dogs Country Club and Kennel Resort we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe New Year!

Have a fantastic day - and if your furry family members are spending their Christmas with us, don't worry, Santa Paws doesn't forget Dogs Country Club!

Fido's first Christmas...

It's the day before Christmas
And all through the house
The puppies are squeaking
An old rubber mouse.

The wreath which had merrily
Hung on the door
Is scattered in pieces
All over the floor.

The stockings that hung
In a neat little row
Now boast a hole in
Each one of the toes.

The tree was subjected
To bright-eyed whims,
And now, although splendid,
It's missing some limbs.

 

I catch them and hold them.
"Be good", I insist.
They lick me, then run off
To see what they've missed.

And now as I watch them
The thought comes to me,
That theirs is the spirit
That Christmas should be.

Should children and puppies
Yet show us the way,
And teach us the joy
That should come with this day?

Could they bring the message
That's written above,
And tell us that, most of all
Christmas is love.

Doggie Christmas Rules

1. Be especially patient with your humans during this time. They may appear to be more stressed-out than usual and they will appreciate long comforting dog leans.

2. They may come home with large bags of things they call gifts. Do not assume that all the gifts are yours.

3. Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you. They seem to get some special kind of pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.

4. They may bring a large tree into the house and set it up in a prominent place and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as this may seem to you, it is an important ritual for your humans, so there are some things you need to know: - Don't pee on the tree - Don't drink water in the container that holds the tree - Mind your tail when you are near the tree - If there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell interesting or that have your name on them, don't rip them open - Don't chew on the cord that runs from the funny-looking hole in the wall to the tree

5. Your humans may occasionally invite lots of strangers to come visit during this season. These parties can be lots of fun, but they also call for some discretion on your part: - Not all strangers appreciate kisses and leans - Don't eat off the buffet table - Beg for goodies subtly - Be pleasant, even if unknowing strangers sit on your sofa - Don't drink out of glasses that are left within your reach

6. Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important: - Observe all the rules in #4 for trees that may be in other people's houses. (4a is particularly important) - Respect the territory of other animals that may live in the house - Tolerate children - Turn on your charm big time

7. A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night. DON'T BITE HIM!!

Thanks to

http://www.dezert-rose.com/humor/christmas/dogrules.html

for this one.

Chocolate!

Although chocolate isn’t the first thing that pops into mind when you think of Christmas, it is a common treat at this time of year. We all know chocolate isn’t good for our dogs but why is this?

What is the dangerous ingredient in Chocolate?

Chocolate contains a natural chemical compound called ‘theobromine’, this is a stimulant and falls into the same family as caffeine. Theobromine stimulates the cardiovascular system, central nervous system and increases blood pressure.

What does this do to our pets?

Animals such as dogs, horses and cats are unable to metabolize theobromine as quickly as humans can which mean the effects are much more severe in our pets. The side effects from toxic levels of theobromine include; vomiting, diarrhea, muscle twitching, increased urination, excessive panting, whining, dehydration, digestive problems, seizure and a rapid heart rate. Some of these symptoms can lead to a fatal result.

How much is too much Chocolate?

This all depends on the individual dog, their size, age and also what sort of chocolate they have eaten. Obviously the larger the dog, the more theobromine they can handle, though an older dog would have less chance of survival.
In regards to the chocolate, cocoa powder contains around 16 times as much theobromine as milk chocolate. The most popular forms of chocolate fall somewhere between these two, with white chocolate being the exception, containing insignificant amounts of theobromine.

In saying this, it is not safe for your dog to consume chocolate. Being that there is no set amount that is safe for any dog to consume, it is better to be safe than sorry. Any of the symptoms that can come from theobromine toxin can escalate quickly and result in a fatal situation. For these reasons it is best to avoid giving your dog chocolate at any point. If you have found they have consumed some, regardless of the amount, it is best to seek veterinary advice immediately.

 

Reindeer.

The Reindeer is a species of deer native to the Arctic and Subarctic regions. Although wide spread overall, some of its subspecies are rare and at least one has already become extinct.
The Reindeer is easily noticeable with it large antlers which both sexes grow, though are typically large in the males. On average, a male reindeer’s antlers are the second largest of any deer, coming second to the moose. In the Scandinavian populations, older males’ antlers will fall off in December, younger males’ in the spring and female’s fall off in the summer. Throughout the populations the size and colors vary, with females generally growing up to 205cm in length and weighing up to 120, males are typically larger and can measure as long as 214cm and weighing 182kgs, though some exceptionally large males have been known to reach a very large 318kgs.

They are an ancient creature and can be traced back to long before the 19^th century, but today we just like to think of them as Santa’s mode of transport and enjoy them throughout December. Santa’s reindeer were first name in the poem ‘A visit from St.Nicholas’ in 1823. Back then they were known as Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Coment, Cupid, Duner and Blixem. Not too long after Dunder was changed to Donder (Thunder in German), which today is known as Donna. Blixem was then changed to Bliksem, then later Blitxen, which is German for lighting. Rudolph wasn’t added to the family until 1939.
According to a British comedy panel, they believe all Santa’s reindeer must be female, as the male’s lose their antlers throughout December!

Keeping your pooch safe at Christmas time.

Christmas time can become stressful around the house for us, so imagine what it must be like for our pet!

Things around being moved around the house, bright flashing trees are going up and lots of visitors are coming and going.

This can all be very exciting for our dogs can also a little intimidating at the same time. Here's some tips to help keep Fido comfortable and enjoy the festive season.

• Keep your dogs routine as regular as possible, if you are planning on having guests around try and exercise your dog as much as possibly. The more energy he burns before hand, the less he is going to use when the guests arrive.
• When preparing food remember that this all smells very lovely and tasty to our pets so even once the rubbish has been thrown out make sure it is secure so even the sneakiest pet can shove their nose in and help themselves. Something as small as the mesh netting around meat can get caught up in the intestines and possibly lead to fatal bloat, so you can never be too safe.
• If your pooch is an inside doggy, be mindful of this when decorating your tree. If there is a particular spot in the window that he likes to sit in or through place the tree elsewhere as you could find it coming down after him. Placing decorations higher on the tree and leaving the lower branches bare will also help to minimise the risk of someone helping themselves to the shiny pretty objects.
• If you have a live Christmas Tree be sure to regularly change the water as it can contain Pine Tar which is poisonous to dogs.
• Be mindful of any gifts already wrapped under the tree, especially if they contain food. Dogs have an excellent sense of smell and will most likely eat all the packaging plus the food inside.
• Keep your guests aware that Fido is hanging around as well. Something simple as an alcoholic drink placed down or a dropped cigarette but can cause internal issues for your dog and needs to be avoided. 

With a little bit of caution and plenty of attention, you and your furry family members can enjoy a safe and happy Christmas together

Doggie Christmas treats...

A snack for the doggies at Christmas, this one sounds like a crowd pleasure so grab a pen and paper!

Dogs have many friends...

'The reason dogs have so many friends is because they wag their tails, not thier tounges.'

-Unknown. 

Charlie, being a little bit cheeky!



Leaping Cinderella.

The world record for the highest jump cleared by a dog is held by Cinderella May.

At the Purina Incredible Dog Challange National Finals in October 2006, Cindy jumped and cleared the hight of 68 inches. Not only does she hold this world record but is also a certified therapy dog. 

Gemma & Frodo's Update!

Good Morning to all our friends!

As always, we have been very hard at work, with the Arrival's and Departures area completed it's time to stick our noses into our next project!

Our Luxury Penthouse Retreat's K9 Grass exercise yards is next on the list and it is quite a long process indeed. As the grass lays onto of a drainage system (which makes it very hygenic for doggies!) we've had to dig quite deep into the ground, lay the correct underlay and prepare the ground for the K9 Grass.

We like to use K9 Grass for a number of reasons here at Dogs Country Club, for obvious reasons it's alot easier to clean and disinfect, it doesn't heat up in the sun light and is completly safe for dogs with allergies to play on!

We have finally reached the stage of laying the K9 Grass and are very impressed with the results, tell us what you think!

Digging of the ground underneath.

Preparing to lay the grass and....

Vuala - K9 Grass is complete.. and looking awesome too!



It's BATH TIME!

Is bath time an issue in your house... for the dogs that is?!

Sometimes you can end up covered in more water then your pooch and the end result isn't really what you wanted.

If this is a problem for you then fear not, everything can be fixed!

 

Firstly, if bathing has been a problem in the past you first need to be calm and at peace in your own mind that this is all going to fine. Your dog will feed off your energy and if you are un easy about something then they are going to project the same emotions. Bathing your dog is a good thing, as long as it is done correctly and not too often. Your dogs coat produces it's own natural oil which help to protect it and too much bathing can ruin this, but every so often when they become a little smelly or have decided to roll in something not so nice is fine. It's also a great chance for you to feel all over for any unatural lumps or bumps.

If your dog has issues with the bathing experience it is your job to make it as comfortable as possibly until they realise there is nothing to be affraid of. Take your dog for a nice long walk before hand, this will help burn off some energy reduce stress. Once you are ready to begin bathing make sure you have everything ready to go, if using the bath rub or shower at home place a non slip matt on the floor. Nothing is more stressful for a dog having to roll and fall all over the place.

Collect your dog, the best way to do this and is to not even talk to them. More importantly do not 'baby talk' to your dog! As soon as your dog begins resisting or showing any signs of discomfort you do not want to give into this. When your behaviours in this way and you being cuddiling them and speaking to them you are actually telling them that you encourage this behaviour and if they act this way than they will get the attention that they want.

Calmly lead your dog into the bath and gently begin wetting them with a slow stream of water. If your dog becomes comfortable you are safe to increase the pressure of the water and work your way around their body. If, at any time during this, your dog becomes unsettled you must remain calm. Showing your dog that you are confident helps to remind them they have nothing to fear.

When drying, if your dog is comfortable with this you can use the blow dryer on a slow level. If not, gently dry them with a towel and if the weather is warmer take them outside for a walk. Whilst your dogs coat is still damp, don't allow them allow outside off the lead. Dog's are notorious for rolling in the dirt after a bath in order to try and re scent themselves.

 Keep up the positive energy throughout the whole exerpiance and after a few goes you may find not only you enjoy bath times but your pooch may too.

For more great tips check out;

http://www.cesarsway.com/dogcare/grooming/How-to-Successfully-Bathe-Your-Dog



Summer Hazards for Dogs.

Within Summer beginning there are more hazards just the heat stroke for our pets.

Drowning. Our dogs enjoy a nice dip in the cool water just as much as the rest of us but can drown if they become overtired or simply forget to get out. Sometimes dogs can also be having too much fun that they forget their body is waring out. If they have been swimming for a long period of time they need to be taken out for a break and a rest. Also, some backyard pools can be incorrectly fenced, meaning your dog can either scale the fence or somehow make their way through. This is a serious hazard, not only for children but if you dog is able to get in the pool and is then unable to get themselves out or simply forgets to in time, can result in drowning.

Respiratory problem. Particular breeds are prone to this in the heat, these are generally the breeds with squished noses like Pugs and English Bulldogs. Too much high heat will cut off their air and could result in death. These breeds of dogs are highly recommended to be kept indoors in the cooler on if possible.

Parasites. Although parasites, such as fleas, are a problem all year round they thrive in the warmer weather. As they bury their larvae in the dirt and dogs commonly dig to cool downs it really adds to the issues. Not only are monthly flea preventions a must throughout this time, when bathing try and use a flea rinse also. If you live on a dusty property and have had issues with fleas there are yard treatments available at most garden and farm supplies.

Poison Ingestion. Again, another issue that is a problem all through out the year but it seems poison ingestion cases are a lot higher in the warmer weather. This is believed to be due to the fact that people begin to spend a lot more time in the gardens and working on cars. The smell of oil is actually sweet to dogs and they are very interested in having a taste, which can cause some serious internal problems. It's also best to read what garden and lawn products you are using, remembering that your dog can get to them once they are spread across the property.

The beautiful Tess enjoying a splash in the pool on a warm afternoon.

The Complete Healthy Dog Book

 by Betsy Brevitz

Dog makes friends with... a crow?!

Dogs really can be friends with anyone...

The Malamute.

The Alaskan Malamute is a thick, well built dog and often confused with the Siberian Husky, although very similar in temperament the Malamute is a larger dog and if you are ever needing to tell the difference a Malamutes tail will curl over their back. A Husky can also have brown or blue eyes or one of each while a Malamute can only have brown eyes.
The Malamute is the largest of all Arctic dogs and can grow as tall as 66cm and weigh up to 43kgs. The breed descended from the Arctic wolf and used as Nordic sled dogs by the Alaskan tribe, Mahlemuts – hence their name. They were used as far back as 3000 years as a form of transportation and have participated in many polar expeditions over the years. They were ideal for this line of work due to their will to work, their strength and endurance and also their excellent sense of direction and sense of smell. They are cousins to the very similar Husky, Samoyed and American Eskimo dog.

The Malamute is a very intelligent and extremely loyal breed of dog. They bond well with their master and are very affectionate towards them. They are excellent with children once the child is old enough to play safely and they do mature as they age. Due to their very friendly nature they aren’t suitable as guard dogs but more as family pet. As with all dogs the Malamute must have a firm leader that can keep them as part of the pack, this is only in their natural instincts to follow their leader and without this can be a difficult dog. This is especially important if you have a male Malamute as they can be quite dominating. They are happy to live outdoors providing they are still included in the family and require plenty of daily mental stimulation. They love outdoor activities and although can be difficult to train do well with firm encouragement. They will surprise you at feeding time as they don’t tend to eat as much as you would expect but they are prone to bloat so be cautious during meal times. It's safe to leave them alone with smaller animals but due to their natural instinct to prey it best to supervise, but there have also been stories of Malamutes raising kittens as their own. In comparison to a lot of other dog breeds they are considered a quite dog though do like to howl and dig especially if bored. Both male and female Malamutes can be combative with other dogs to socialization from a young age and firm training is needed to avoid this.

They require as much mental exercise as they do physical exercise and are not ideal for smaller living. Large yards are a must and daily walks are essential, though watch them in the warmer weather. Their thick dense coat is designed to protect them from the cooler weather so they can over heat easily. There coat is very durable and odorless, they don’t require regular bathing as it tends to shed dirt readily. They do need a good brush out at least twice a week and their undercoat will shed in clumps twice yearly.

The Malamute is a great family pet for someone who is willing to take control and be a firm yet calm pack leader. A family that has the time to spend with dog will reap the best benefits and gain a loyal friend for life.

Chris, showing off how beautiful she is!

Most popular..

According to research the top 12 breeds of dog in Australia for 2012 are;

1. German Shepherd.

2. Pomerian

3. Labrador Retriever

4. French Bulldog

5. Golden Retriever

6. Rottweiler

7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

(Yay we made it! - Gemma & Frodo)

8. Shih Tzu

9. Dachshund

10. Cocker Spaniel

11. Staffordshire Bull Terrier

12. West Highland Terrier

What do you think of the Top 12?



Frisbee Rose.

Rose, a 6 year old Labrador cross Border Collie earnt herself a spot in the Guiness World Records.

She was able to catch and hold 7 frisbees, all thrown separatley, without dropping any of them.

Her owner Edward Watson discovered that when Rose was holding a disc she refused to drop it, even if she had one already.

Gemma & Frodo - 'Tis the season...

It's that time of year, time to get the tree out and decorate!

Christmas is such a great time at Dogs Country Club and Kennel Resort, many of our good friends return for a holiday and we get to meet so many new friends too!

Check out some of our upcoming blogs on how you can make this Christmas comfortable and safe for all of the family, four legs and two!

We're going to continue decorating and get our Resort prepared for Santa Paws' arrival in the next few weeks!

Enjoy the start of the festive season,

Gemma & Frodo.

Natural Dogmanship.

Natural Dogmanship is the art of learning how dogs naturally behave and communicate amongst one another in dog language.

Natural Dogmanship seems to have been lost simply because dogs are so closely bonded with the human species. Most humans forget about their dogs natural instincts and some even take it as far as seeing those who do speak dog to their dog as cruel.

Dogs have a natural instinct to want structure, rules, boundaries and leadership - they are pack animals. They want to know where they stand among their pack (your family) and believe it or not, they do want rules and need consistency of those rules.

There are some that believe this is a cruel way to raise your dog but it actually is more cruel to assume your dog is a human and over look their natural needs and wants. Every behaviour issue that any dog has stems from humans or are not practising natural dogmanship. This can be anything from not enough exercise or stimulation, both mentally and physically, and also not displaying the leadership your dog craves.

Though humans and dogs may be similar in many ways, something that affects a human one way may be the total opposite to a dog.

Dogs all around the world constantly receive mixed signals from humans. Any dog that misbehaves is missing something from it's life and a dog's behaviour is a direct result of the owner's ability to understand him and give them what they naturally need as a canine.  

  

There is never a bad dog, just uneducated owners and you can always teach an old dog new tricks. It's just about you understanding your dog, his needs and how to be the pack leader. It's never too late to change a dogs behaviour. Animal behaviourist and dog trainers are always an option if you feel you need help in understanding your dogs needs.

Ollie poses for his glamour shot!

For more great info check out

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com

Dog Bark Park Inn.

Came across this one and just had to share it!

Dog Bark Park Inn is Bed & Breakfast located in Cottonwood, Idaho.

The building you stay in is a 12 foot huge Beagle called Sweet Willy. You have your own private 2nd story deck and everything at Dog Bark Park Inn is doggy!

Owners Dennia and Frances are chainsaw artists and sell alot of their art within the gift shop.

The pictures really speak for themselves -

Check them out;

http://dogbarkparkinn.com/index.html

This is the life...

Some dogs have it all....



Border Terrier.

The Border Terrier is a small sized sturdy dog with short, wiry double coat. They were first bred in the Cheviot Hills near the border of Scotland and England and are possibly one of the oldest breeds of terriers in Great Britain. They were used by the farmers to drive foxes out of their dens so the farmers could kill them, they were ideal for this work as they were small enough to follow the fox into the den but big enough to keep up with the horses.

They can still be used today as farm dogs to help control vermin but are mostly companion dogs. They are a very alert, bold and agile breed and are great for tracking, agility, competitive obedience and also make good watch dogs, though not aggressive. They are very keen and willing to push themselves through any narrow space to check out what’s on the other side. They are lively and enjoy playing with children; they aim to please their owner and mild mannered and easy to train. From a young age they need to be socialized well, introduced to new surrounds, loud noises and other pets. Never forget that they are hunters so should never be left alone with smaller pets. At a young age, Border Terriers are very active, provided they get plenty of exercise they do mellow out as they age. They require a firm, confident pack leader to avoid separation and small dog syndrome.

There is a recently recognized canine health problem that has been found to be hereditary in Border Terriers. Canine Epileptiod Cramping Syndrome, which sometimes gets confused with canine epilepsy. It is being considered as a metabolic, neurological or muscle disorder so best to research the blood lines of a new pup. As they were originally bred to hunt they have a great stamina and plenty of energy. They require a minimum a long daily walk, some play time with their family will also keep them stimulated. They can live comfortably in smaller living arrangements if this exercise requirement is met. Their durable, wiry coat needs weekly brushing and a professional groom twice a year. They shed very little hair and are ideal for people with allergies.

Our good mate Cyril, an adorable Border Terrier!

Scratch a dog...

Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job.

-'Franklin P. Jones'

Anastasia and her balloons...

Anastasia, a Jack Russell Terrier just loves balloons!

Owned by Doree Sitterly in the USA, Anastasia's balloon obsession got her into the Guinness World Records.

She got the fastest time for a dog to pop 100 balloons - she managed it in 44.49 seconds. 

Check her out -

  

Gemma & Frodo's Update.

What a crazy week we've had!

We hope that everyone was able to safely enjoy the warm weather! You'll be happy to know that all our guests at Dogs Country Club & Kennel Resort were enjoying the comforts of pools and play times with the hose throughout the past few days! Our special needs guests were very comfortable with their air conditioners running and we all enjoyed a relaxing day off (for the doggies that is!)

Our Doggy Doater friends here did an excellent job at keeping everyone calm and laid back and we did our best to splash a bit of water back at them too!

Regardless of the weather, though, work can never stop here! We are nearing the final stages of our Arrivals and Departures renovation and we are loving the great feed back! All of our lucky guests that have been able to use it are very impressed so it's great to see all our hard work pay off.

We wish everyone a happy and safe weekend and we'll catch up with you next week ...maybe with a sneak preview of our next project!

Gemma & Frodo.

What do you think of our handy work?



Keeping your pet cool.

Summer has approached us quickly this year and with the current warm weather we are feeling it can be difficult to know how to keep our pooches cool.

Here are some excellent tips to help;

• If needing to exercise make sure it does very early in the morning or later at night. Also, purchase your dog poochy shoes, available at most good pet supplies. Dogs absorb and release heat through their feet and the hot ground is very sensitive on their pads.
• If your still wanting to give your doggy exercise but not go for a walk a swim is ideal! There are dog pools around but the beach is perfect. This is a great bonding exercise and also keeps you and your pup cool.
• Make sure there is plenty of water available, if your dog is staying outside for the day make sure there are multiple bowls placed around the yard in shady spots, remember the sun will move throughout the day and you can never supply too much water.
• Ideally it would be great to bring your dog inside on some cool tiles, if you have air conditioning or heating as well. If this isn't an option set up a kiddy pool in the shade outside. If you are going to be home throughout the day spray your dog with cool water underneath and on their feet. This is how dogs to cool down to spraying them on their back is less affective.
• Wet a towel and lay this down for your dog rest on, this again will help to cool them from underneath.
• Dog's don't understand sometimes why they are inside and not going for their walk, allow them every now and then to step outside and check the weather, and also have a toilet break!
• If your dog wants to dig in the warm weather and there is spot in the garden that they can do so, then allow them too. This is a natural way for dogs to cool down with the coolness of the dirt underneath them.
• NEVER EVER for any reason leave your dog in a parked car even when the weather is only slightly warm. Dogs over heat very quickly and the temperature in the car can rise rapidly.

Heat stroke.

What is Heat stroke?

Heat stroke or heat stress is a case of extreme hyperthermis that results in thermal injuries to the tissues. It is a very serious condition that can lead to multiple oragan damage and even failure, this includes the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, the blood system and the brain - these all can be fatal.

What causes this?

When the heat generations exceeds the body's natural ability to loose heat, causing the body to over heat.

What can add to the risks of Heat Stroke?

• A warm, hot or humid environment
• Lack of water and shade
• Lack of ventilation
• Obesity
• Short nose breed dogs
• Respiratory issues
• Cardiovascular disease
• Elderly or younger dogs.
• Central Nervous system issues.

What are the signs of Heat Stroke?

Symptoms may vary but can include;

• Constant panting
• Weakness, fatigue
• Vomiting
• Diarrheoa
• Muscle tremors
• Muscle spasms
• Signs of confusion, delirium
• Staggering
• Laying down or collapsing

How to lessen the chance of your dog suffering from Heat Stroke;

Provide your pets with plenty of cool shaded area that has plenty of ventiliation at all times. Adequate air flow is vitaly important to allow dogs to cool down via evaporative cooling (panting)

Plenty of clean, fresh water and extra in case of spillage.

Bring your pets indoors if possible on the hotter, humid days, allowing them access to open windows, air coniditioning, shade or fans if able to.

If your pet is required to stay outside, move their bedding into the shade, some dogs may continue to lay in their bedding even if in direct sunlight.

Don't exercise your pets in hot, humid conditions. Try and walk them as early as possible or later in the afternoon to avoid the hottest part of the day.

DO NOT leave your dog lock in a vehicle, even when the windows are down it is too easy for a dog to overheat and pass away in a short period of time.

How to treat Heat Stroke?

Firstly, a vet should be contacted immidetly. Given the seriousness of this condition it is a lot safer to get your dog examined before it's too late.

Initial treatment should begin at home to try to normalise the body's temprature. Apply or spray cool water on the pets fur or skin and fan the wet fur. Do not use extremley cold watre or ice as this may exacerbate the problem.

Cat won't come home?

Having problems getting your cat to come back inside?

Maybe you need the help of this little fella...

Thanks to our friends at Cooinda Cat Resort for this adorable video!

http://www.cooindacattery.com.au/

Airedale.

Riley, a cheeky Airedale.

The Airedale Terrier is the largest of all the terriers and stands to a medium height with a square appearance. The breed was developed about 100 years ago in the country of York and was originally known as Waterside and Bingley Terriersand. They had descended from the now extinct tan and black type terrier and were later cross bred with the Otterhound to improve their swimming. Their name arose from the Valley of the Aire in England which was heavily populated with small game, it was here they were used as vermin hunters. They were also used to hunt big game throughout India, Africa and Canada. Over the years they have been police dogs and a wartime guard during World War II.

Today they are primarily a companion dog, though through the generations of breeding the Airedale today looks completely different to the original line. They are a courageous and protective dog who, if socialized well, can do well with children though can play a little rough with very small ones. They need obedience training at a high level and are very responsive. They are a fun loving and playful pup and are always happy to please. The Airedale is an extremely loyal dog but is a natural hunter so will need to keep a watchful eye if any smaller pets are around. They are a very rowdy and lively dog and require a high level of daily mental and physical exercise. This, along with stern training, will stop them from becoming bored and destructive and remind them who the ‘Top Dog’ and ‘Pack Leader’ is. An Airedale who feels they are in charge will become disobedient but remember they do not respond well to overbearing or harsh forms of training They are a very intelligent dog and smart enough to perceive quickly what is required of them, but if asked to do the same thing continuously may refused. A confident but firm and consistent handler is ideal to make the best relationship.

As the Airedale was bred for very active lines of work they do require a large amount of exercise and therefore are not ideal for apartment living. They are quite inactive in doors but do need a large yard to move around it as well as long daily walks or runs. Most enjoy ball play and swimming and are a lot more active during their first few years of life, tending to mellow out over time. Their short haired, hard double coat needs to be plucked at least twice yearly. With the correct grooming care they will shed little to no hair. Unfourtunatly with the Airedale daily brushing is not sufficient enough to maintain their coat. Their beards can easily get dirty after eating so many need daily cleaning also. They are a very hardy breed and don’t tend to have many health problems if cared for correctly.