Musical Tucker.

Ever wondered what your pooch gets up to when you're not at home?

The talented Tucker enjoys playing some music when his Mum & Dad are away - they were lucky enough to capture it on camera too!

Bully!

The British Bulldog is a wide, solid dog with a massive head. Also known as the English Bulldog they originated in the British Isles and descended from the ancient Asiatic Mastiff. Their original purpose was to attack full grown bulls in an arena but this practise was banned by law in the 19^th century. This was how their name came about and also due to the fact their robust look is similar to that of a little bull.

Today though, bulldog’s have a completely different temperament from those of their ancestors. They are among one of the gentlest breed of dogs. They are extremely affectionate and great with children though are very courageous and excellent guard dogs – their appearance alone generally does the trick! They are very much a people dog and require a lot of human attention to stay happy. They are very determined and persistent so training is a must from a young age. They are highly energetic as pups but do slow down with age. If they begin to show any signs of protective behaviour, either over toys or food this must be addressed straight away. This is the Bulldog showing they are the boss and you must show your place as the pack leader from the beginning.

Due to their facial structure they are prone to breathing problems with some dogs having small windpipes as well. They are very susceptible to heat stroke in warmer weather and poor eyesight. They can have quite sensitive skin and stomachs also and are known to have hip and knee problems. With the correct care, food and a good understanding of their breed, Bulldogs can live a happy and comfortable life.

The Bulldog’s primal instinct is to migrate so a daily walk is a must, you will find yourself with some serious behaviour problems if this need isn’t met. Again, with all dogs, make sure they are taught to walk behind you, reminding them that you are the pack leader. Their shorted haired, smooth cost is very easy to groom, only needing to bathe when necessary. Their wrinkles around their face will need daily cleaning. They a great member for an apartment lifestyle and are quite inactive indoors. They do have issues with cooling themselves down in the heat and staying warm in the cooler weather so living indoor is ideal, they can also live happily without a yard.

Two of our beautiful guests, both British Bulldogs,

The adorable Roy smiling for a photo.

Vegas, having a great time making everything muddy!

In a perfect world.

In a perfect world, every dog would have a home and every home would have a dog

- Unknown

Baz, Asher & Willow, having a great time at Dogs Country Club.

This is Puggy!

On the 8th of May 2009 - Puggy, a male Pekingese measured himself into a world record for his tounge!

The little pooch from Amercia's tounge is 11.43 cm long!

Rusty's Update.

Good Morning everyone,

I know it's been quite a while since my last blog so I thought I might give Gemma & Frodo a break from all their hard work.

For everyone who hasn't met me yet, I'm Rusty. I live here at Dogs Country Club & Kennel Resort in the 'Special Needs Suites' I spend my day very hard at work sleeping and enjoying the comforts of the resort with our other eldery and special needs guests.

I would also like to introduce you to our newest member to join the family, Marley, who is another Jack Russell has recently moved into Suites with me. We get along great, she helps to keep the other guests happy with me too! We have an excellent snoozing in the sun and I'm even letting her share the couch with me!

Gemma & Frodo better watch out, there is new pair of pooches at the resort... we might even take over their job if their not careful!

Introducing Marley - she's a little camera shy....

...But it didn't take her too long to warm up to the idea!



Stop a dog barking....

 

 

How do you stop a dog barking in the front yard?

 

Put him in the back yard!

 

 



Puppies & Cats can be friends...

Another adorable puppy video to brighten up your Wednesday morning

Hungarian hunter.

Pronounced ‘ VEESH – la’, the Hungarian Viszla is a medium sized, strong body hunting dog.



The beautiful Pesto.



They were originally bred by the Magyars of Hungry as hunting dogs and can be depicted in etchings dating as far back as the 10^th century. In Hungarian the word Viszla means ‘pointer.’ And it is believed that they have descended from several types of pointers. With their excellent sense of smell and endless amount of energy they were ideal hunters, being used to catch water fowl and rabbit. It was feared after World War II the breed would become extinct once the Russians took control of Hungary, in an attempt to save the breed Hungarians smuggled some dogs into America and Austria.

The most common Vizsla’s found today are the smooth coat, though there are wirehaired coats and also a very rare long haired, though none are registered anywhere in the world some have been found through out Europe. Their smooth short coat is very easy to maintain, only needing to be brushed with a firm brush occasionally. They are a very gentle and loving dog who are keen to learn and very trainable. They require a firm, patient and calm owner who can provide them with mental stimulation on a daily basis. Without the attention they require they can become very stubborn dogs. They are reliable and great with children, especially helpful as they love to play for hours. They need to be socialized well from a young age and also exposed to different situations, they do adapt very quickly. Being hunters it’s best to introduce them to cats early but never leave them alone with smaller game such as rabbits and guinea pigs.

Pesto enjoying some sunshine.

Being a very athletic breed their physical exercise is just as important as their mental exercise. They have enormous stamina so a long daily run, preferably off lead, is a must! They are a great companion for an athletic owner and without this high level of exercise will become very destructive very quickly. Though they settle into new situations easily, the Viszla is not a breed for everyone. They loved to please, but without the right amount of stimulation do not work to their full potential. They also enjoy chewing. Without their hunting back ground in mind they are excellent for competitive obedience, tracking and retrieving sports. Be prepared if wanting to own a Viszla, their stunning looks will get you asked many questions.

Watchdog...

A watchdog is a dog kept to guard your home, usually by sleeping where a burglar would awaken the household by falling over him.

- Unknown.

Sweet Pea.

Sweet Pea, an Australian Shepherd x Border Collie owned by Alex Rothaker in Illinois, USA has got herself into The Guinness Book of Records. She was able to balance a soft drink can on her head for 100m and was the fastest dog to do so in 2 minutes and 55 seconds.

She then set the record again for being the dog to walk down the most steps facing forward with a 141g glass of water on her nose. She managed 10 steps this time at a show in Germany.

The record holding, Sweet Pea.

 

Gemma & Frodo Celebrate!

This week marks 5 years of Dogs Country Club & Kennel Resort!

Happy Birthday and a great big thank you to everyone along the way that has helped us.

An especially special thank you to our Mum & Dad, Paul & Cory. Their hard work and dedication has helped to create this beautiful environment.

So many changes have happened along the way and are still continuing to make the best resort possible for your pampered pooch! If you haven't yet had a tour of Dogs Country Club or did so a while ago, we welcome you to come down and have a look at how we work! We know you'll be greatly impressed.

As for us, we've decided to celebrate this week by kicking back and relaxing. With the lovely weather we've been having recently a nice dip in the pool and then a snooze on the couch has been perfect.

Until next week,

Gemma & Frodo.

Fear biting.

What is fear biting? 

One of the most dangerous dogs to have is a dominant dog who is not confident in new situations that fear bite. This type of dog will move towards you showing aggression until he feels the situation is safe.

The other type is a submissive or timid dog. This type of dog will generally be backing away from you and will only actually bite if they feel really threatened, for example being cornered or picked up.

What causes a dog to fear bite?

This type of behavior stems from the dog not being confident. This is caused by lack of socialization with people and other dogs. It can also occur if the dog has not been exposed to different situations, i.e.: noise, children, busy places.  If a dog doesn’t know how to deal with these situations or has never been made to work through it confidently, their natural reaction is to bite.

Being dog owners we tend to try and avoid putting our dogs through these situations. However, exposing them to different situations in a safe manner can help our furry friends develop a healthy, confident mind and give them the ability to cope with any situation without resorting to biting. This is especially important when developing a young pups mind. It is a lot easier to create a well rounded and stable dog from a younger age.

If you dog does have a fear biting issue we recommend seeking professional help (a trainer or animal behaviorist) to help you introduce your dog to new situations safely to help tackle your fear biting problems.

 

Beautiful little Murphy, having a great time with his toy at Dogs Country Club.

Top 10 Toxins.

Although we all try our best to avoid our pets getting into things they shouldn't, sometimes it's just by pure accident.

Listen below are the Top 10 Toxins that harmed pets throughout 2011. These are all common household objects so it's best to keep in mind just how dangerous these can be for our pets. Remember to keep dangerous items out of reach and securley stored, don't forget some dogs (and cats!) are very inquisitive so you need to be two steps ahead! Always contact your vet immeidatly.

10.

Automotive Products

Products such as fluids and chemicals for cars, motorbikes etc were becoming a grave issue, though with more people allowing their pets to live inside the number of cases has dropped. This is excellent news as most of this products can be life threatening.

9.

Lawn & Garden Products

Many fertilizers and garden products are made of bone meal, manure and dried. This mixture is very attractive to our pets and leads to a number of un healthy cases.

8.

Plants

Unfourtunatly, because our animals spend a lot of time outside toxic plants can sometimes be hard to avoid. Check out some of past blogs on dangerous plants if your concerned about any in particular or contact your vet.

7.

Pest Bait

 Always think of your pets around the house when laying mice or rat bait. Being curious creatures they can be very percistant in trying to get themseleves in. Most baits are grain based and this makes them very attractive to dogs. Depending on the product, if your pest is able to ingest some they can cause internal bleeding, seizures or kidney failure.

6.

Veterniary Medications

Although this medications are prescribed for our pets, if taken in the wrong dosages they can cause many problems. With most medications, especially chewable ones, now being made in tasty flavours they are very inviting to our pets. Some cases have even been that dogs have chewed through and eaten packaging just to get the medication inside, this obviously can cause extreme issues also.

5.

General Houshold Products

It may seem like a vast catagory that can cover a lot of things, from paint to television remotes! Some dogs just like to chew and investigate everything. If you have a pet that is like this, it's best to safe guard your backyard and only them inside when supervised. Most dogs tend to go for your own personal clothing, socks, underwear etc. This is because your strongest scent is on this articles of clothing so be sure to have your dirty (or clean!) clothes put away safely.

4.

Human Food

Chocolate is the number one case for human foods! Always keep in mind that your dog's sence of smell is a lot better then ours and they will try their best to get to something they want. It may not be just what's left around the kitchen, garbage bins and very easy for dogs to access and wonderland for them once they are inside.

3.

Over the counter Medications

Headache relief etc tablets are highly dangerous to our pets. Never give your pet any over the counter human medications without first consulting your vet.

2.

Insecticides

This includes not only products you use on your lawn and around the house but also products for pets. Always read the label and be concious of what is around your property and on the garden that your pets can access. Never put anything on your dog that is only for cats or anything on cats that is only for dogs.

1.

Prescription Human Medications

These were the number one cases for 2011. Dogs especially are notorious for quickly gobbling up a dropped pill. Always make sure these medications are stored in a safe place and are never accessable by your pets. They can case fatal results.

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/top-10-pet-poisons-of-the-year.aspx

Puppies?

Nothing likes a video of cute little puppies to help you through a Wednesday.

The whole Spaniel thing...

The English Springer Spaniel is a medium sized compact dog who was the original founder of all English hunting spaniels. They were considered the ideal companion for the European hunter during the Renaissance and became very popular throughout American from the 1700’s. The Sussex, Welsh, Field, Irish Water and Cocker Spaniels were all developed out of the Springer Spaniel. At one stage the Cocker and Springer Spaniel were considered the same breed as they were born in the same litter. The smaller of the dogs were Cocker Spaniels and used for hunting woodcock. The large were Springer Spaniels and used to spring on game – hence their name. It wasn’t until 1910 that the English Springer Spaniel was recognized as its own breed.

Their extreme drive and talent for tracking, retrieving, watchdog, agility and obedience was what made them the ideal mate for hunting. They have a very gentle nature, are very sociable and are great with kids so are ideal for a family. They are quick learners so very easy to train but their rules need to be made clear and they thrive best with an owner who can give them consistent structure. If it isn’t made clear who is in charge they can be argumentative. They require a lot of mental and physical stimulation so daily walks are a must. Plenty of games are required to keep their mind busy and a lot of socialization with people and other pets will help with that, keep in mind as they are natural fowl hunters they shouldn’t be trusted with birds. It’s always best to remember what this dogs roots are, they love to retrieve and love to swim!

There are two types of Springer Spaniels, field lines and show lines. Field spaniels are bred for hunting and trial work, show spaniels are bred to show off their appearance and have more liver or black in their coat, their coats are also longer and fuller. Both types of Springer Spaniels are very intelligent, energetic though field lines have a higher energy level and drive.

The coat of a field Springer is quite easy to maintain and regular brushing will help to keep it healthy. Show Springer’s require more attention, their coat needs daily brushing to avoid matting. Mats occur once the long coat is wet and if not attended to immediately will tighten and become more painful as they get wetter. Due to the fact this breed loved water this is a regular job. They are prone to ear infections so their ears need to be checked regularly and it’s best to shave the underside of the ears. Bathing should only be done when necessary and they are an average shedder.

Charlie, a beautiful Springer Spaniel, pulling so faces for the camera!

Giving us a lovely close up!

Dogs are better...

Dogs are better than human beings because they know but do not tell.

Emily Dickinson

Mr. Roy is not camera shy at all!

Space Dog.

Laika, a stray found wandering the streets of Moscow was chosen by Soviet scientist to be the first dog to orbit the Earth. Scientist began this mission in order to discover if humans would then be able to survive the conditions of outer space.

Laika was put through extensive training and was launched into outer space on 3rd November, 1957 in the space craft Sputnik 2. Laika was chosen for a number of reasons, the main one being they believed a stray had already learnt to survive through extremely cold weather and hunger.

Unfortunately, at this time, they had not yet developed the technology to de orbit so there was no real expectation on Laika's survival. At first information was given that Laika died only a few hours after take off but it wasn't until 2002 that the true cause of her death was released. The Soviet government claimed prior to her oxygen running out on day 6 that she Laika was euthanized.

Her trip into outer space proved that a living creature could survive being launched into orbit and paved the way for human spaceflight. In 2008, Russian officials erected a monument for Laika.

Laika preparing for her big trip.

Gemma & Frodo Update.

Where is Spring?!

Unfortunately this yucky weather has delayed some of our work down the back but our concrete is finally down and we are ready to begin work on the K9 grass exercise yards!

But fear not, the rain does not stop any of our guests from getting out and having play times all day! Everyone has their own undercover exercise yard attached to their room so the weather hasn't bothered our guests in the slightest.

Due to the delay in our concrete it has effected our tours slightly as there is a section of the property we are unable to walk on until the path dries. We are extremely sorry to anyone that was affected by this but we can promise you that you'll be so happy with the results it will be well worth the wait.

Can't wait for the warm weather to arrive, until then....

Gemma & Frodo!

Guarding our new path, making sure no one walks on the wet conrete.

The area prepared for the K9 Grass exercise yards.

See you next week :)

Separation Anxiety.

Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Dogs that are in a kennel/shelter environment may display behaviour that we often mistakenly label separation anxiety.

The behaviours that are displayed are usually not from being separated from their owners, but are because they are unsettled. 

Some reasons why they demonstrate these behaviours are:

 

-   They are not well socialised with people, other dogs or unfamiliar environments.

-   They have self esteem issues that have not been dealt with.

 

-   They are a dominant or submissive dog in strange surroundings

 In order to understand the actions of our dogs we need to understand the psychology of dogs.

Background of Dog Psychology

 

Dogs require to be a member of a pack in the natural order of life.  This pack must have a leader.  Domesticated animals look to their human to be the leader of the pack.  Without this leader they are unbalanced.

 

They do not require a lot in their lives in order to feel psychologically and physically fulfilled.  It is when we attempt to humanise dogs, imparting our emotions and how we react to situations, onto them that they become confused and potentially react in an undesired way.  Dogs do not have the same psychological make up as humans do, therefore our actions can confuse them.  Dogs don’t understand human emotions.

 

For example if a person is angry about something that is not to do with the dog, the dog may try and come and snuggle up to or stay really close to the person.  This is perceived by the person as the dog being understanding and supportive.  In reality the dog is being submissive as it believes that the emotions are directed at them.  They are unable to determine the difference between the emotions directed at them and those that are not.

 

Another example we can use is digging in the garden.  A dog may have dug a hole in the garden just after its pack leader left for the day.  They return home to discover the hole, get angry and start yelling.  The dog comes rushing around the corner scared out of its mind not because the hole has been discovered (that job was completed way earlier in the day), however it does think it’s in trouble, but just not why.  The dog cannot connect the digging of the hole with the anger of the person.

 

Dogs do not need much to keep their lives full and balanced.  Unfortunately we can make it difficult for them by humanising them and perceiving what fulfils our needs will full fill their dogs.  In many dogs this encourages unwanted behaviour in order to meet their needs.

A Dog's Outlook  

What a dog requires from us: 

-   direction

-   structure

-   exercise/a job

-   food, shelter & protection

-   love (affection) 

When a dog is living in a situation that does not require them to take on any kind of leadership role, then these are generally dogs that display little or no problem behaviours.  These dogs could be said to be leading well balanced and fulfilled lives.

 

That is to say they are comfortable being part of a pack that provides discipline, structure, protection, shelter, food and affection.  These dogs, in essence, are followers and have no need to feel anxiety or stress as they are living the ideal life of a dog.  Knowing exactly where in the pack they fit, and what is expected of them as a member.

A Human's Outlook 

What humans sometimes expect from owning a dog

 

-   companionship

-   love

-   shoulder to cry on/ good listener

-   grief counsellor

                                                      -   surrogate child                                                    

However, if this balance is knocked off kilter by owners applying human psychology to their dog, this can result in dogs becoming confused about their position in the pack and what is expected of them as pack members.   

Dogs will revert to their natural behaviours compelling them to take action to ensure the survival of the individual and of the pack.  The dog will take on the leadership role left vacant by the humans, resulting in what is often seen as unwanted behaviours in the eyes of the human as most dogs are not suited to lead a pack, let alone a pack of humans that do not speak the same language or more frustratingly, fail to follow the law of the pack. 

Over time the resulting reactions to these behaviours by the humans will more often than not reinforce the dogs need to be an assertive pack leader.  As the human becomes more frustrated, the dog sees this as a weakness and reacts accordingly.  The relationship between human and dog soon spirals out of control (the humans control) and as it does there is an increase in the dogs undesirable behaviours.

Problems Caused By Humanising Dogs

If the dog is not balanced some of the following behaviours may be exhibited by the dog to name a few: 

-  Shyness

-  Destructive behaviour

-  Fearful

-  Aggression towards people

-  Anxiety

-  Noisy (barking)

-  Nippy (breed specific)

-  Snappy (breed specific)

-  Pushy (breed specific)

-  Herding (breed specific)

Adaptability of Dogs 

If the dog considers itself to be the pack leader , then any behaviour problems that are normally displayed when owners are around or within a dogs' territory (which may or may not include the front and backyard as well as the entire street), will in most cases not be displayed once owners are not present and/or on neutral territory.  If not in the owners presence then most of the time the behaviour will change straight away as they do not feel they need to lead and protect (someone else who is calm and assertive has taken the job of pack leader).

If not being influenced by an emotional person, dogs can revert to their natural way of living with surprising ease following the orders of a pack leader not having to be the decision maker and enduring the stress of being pack leader.  Some dogs may take a little longer to give up their position, but as soon as the person proves they can be trusted as a pack leader, they will gladly give up their position of power.

How to Secure Pack Leader Status

Be calm – don't rush, get frustrated or flustered

Be assertive – believe in what you are wanting the dog to do, no hesitation or backing down

Be patient – don't attempt to ask a dog to modify its behaviour if you don't have enough time to complete the task

Be consistent – don't change how you convey a message once it works.  If a dog has been well behaved don’t let it get away with any undesirable behaviour as a reward for a job well done.  Once is enough for a dog to learn anything, sadly that goes for "bad" lessons as well.

 

Using Dog Psychology/Behaviour to Your Advantage

Positive reinforcement, mutual trust and respect, confident handling, consistent leadership and direction can give any dog confidence to deal with new situations.

Avoid falling into the trap of talking or chatting to the dog in a high pitched or anxious/excited voice as this can confuse the dog and runs the risk of the wrong message being conveyed.  This also helps you to stay calm and focused on the job at hand.

Fearful Submissive Dog in an Enclosed Area  

Below are some steps to approach a fearful submissive dog in an enclosed area.  They may need to be repeated to obtain the desired result.

** Note – you MUST be in a calm state and feel comfortable prior to initiating the below steps.

1.  Enter the enclosure calmly (don't be hesitant, but don't rush either) 

2.  Don't stare at the dog 

3.  If the dog doesn't move, sit down facing side on to the dog

4.  If the dog moves, stand side on and wait for it to sit down and only then sit down

5.  If the dog begins sniffing the air, moves closer to sniff you then you can initiate contact – calmly.

6.  If the dog doesn't move then move closer without talking or looking at the dog, and stay calm

7.  When you are almost close enough that your arm or leg is nearly touching part of the dog, wait for the dog to totally relax (lays/sits down, has open mouth pant, not jumpy and tense or acting flighty at noises or you being in the enclosure).

8.  Eventually the dog will either come to sniff & investigate you. It may then initiate physical contact that you can respond to.

9.  If the dog moves away slowly then wait to see if it becomes comfortable with a little more space before moving closer or initiating contact.

10. Once it has relaxed begin moving closer again. If the dog begins showing signs of stress/anxiety, STOP and wait for the dog to relax again.  Once it is calm, leave the enclosure and return later to repeat process.

The Point of View from Both Human and Dog 

Human Definition of Separation Anxiety:  Our dog wants to come with us, he loves us, he is scared on his own, he is lonely on his own and he misses us.

Human Reaction:  I must go back to my dog in an attempt to reassure him.  I should tell him that he is a good dog and that it's okay, not to worry, I’ll be back soon.  I am worried about leaving my poor dog because he becomes anxious and I feel guilty that he is staying home by himself.  Here is a pat on the head to let him know that he is a good dog.

Results:  Over time the anxiety and guilt in us increases each time we are preparing to leave our dog (poor dog hates being left home alone), causing the them to feel that we are not in control of the situation, they need to lead the pack and worry about their pack member when they leave the house.

Dog Definition of Separation Anxiety:  A member of my pack is leaving without the permission of the pack leader and I won’t be able to protect them from danger.

Dog Reaction:  I need to tell them to come back (become vocal) and run around the yard to find a way out so I can bring them back.  I am really anxious and stressed about them going out without protection of the leader.  Oh, finally they are back, however they are quite stressed and worried….I really need to make sure they are protected when they go out again.  They are giving me affection for being so concerned for their wellbeing, so I should definitely protect them.

Results:   Our dogs get worked up each time we show signs of leaving the protection of the pack.  Each time this happens and we reward them on return it compounds that their behaviour is appropriate and it should be continued.  

What Should Happen When a Human Leaves a Dog

We should expect our dog to happily accept and trust, that as pack leaders we are leaving our pack member in a safe environment, and that they will wait patiently for the pack leader to return.  By behaving in the desired manner the dog is fulfilling its role as a member of the pack.

What a Dog Should Do When a Human Leaves

Okay pack leader is out for the day my job is to behave properly and wait for them to come back.  Until then I am free to sniff, pee, poo, chase doves and sun bake.  When they come back I will get a walk, a feed, a play and a belly rub. Too easy!

What different signs are there that a dog is not settling into a new environment?

Barking, pacing, scratching, howling, not moving around freely, not eating, unsure, running away, tail between the legs, shaking/shivering, skittish, growling, biting, snappy with other dogs or humans and not moving on lead.

Constant barking may not mean that a dog is upset, “feeling alone” or anxious.  Dogs use barking as a form of communication and if they are bored to get attention (not because of fear, loneliness or anxiety, but to gain stimulation). 

What are the signs of a well settled dog?

Curious, sniffing, boisterous, playful, open mouth panting, eating, interacting freely, laying/lounging and sleeping.

Different Ideas to Help Dogs Settle into a New Environment

-   Move them to quieter area

-   Move them to an area with more human traffic

-   Take note of behaviour of other dogs in immediate vicinity (are they compatible or causing anxiety) and shuffle dogs to keep the peace

-   Has a dog been settled, but when a new comer has arrived it has changed the dynamic?  Shifting new arrivals may calm all parties down

-   Big dogs and small dogs may antagonise or terrify one another so keep them in separated areas

-   The placement of, or the type of bed may help a dog to feel more secure/comfortable

-Sam

K9 Kalmer