tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62659502102867553462024-02-07T15:36:24.369+00:00Cloverleaf canine centreCanine Behaviour Specialist, Dog Groomer, Dog Day Care and WalkingCloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-77836802879744872872020-01-23T17:54:00.000+00:002020-01-23T17:54:30.923+00:00Still in the news<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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TV dog trainers are still making the news. TV dog trainers are still using methods that aren't entirely ethical and some are against the Animal Welfare Act. AKA the 5 Freedoms which are<br />
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<div class="di3YZe">
<div class="RqBzHd">
<ul class="i8Z77e">
<li class="TrT0Xe"><b>FREEDOM</b> FROM HUNGER AND THIRST. by ready access to fresh water and diet to maintain health and vigor.</li>
<li class="TrT0Xe"><b>FREEDOM</b> FROM DISCOMFORT. by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.</li>
<li class="TrT0Xe"><b>FREEDOM</b> FROM PAIN, INJURY OR DISEASE. ... </li>
<li class="TrT0Xe"><b>FREEDOM</b> TO EXPRESS NORMAL BEHAVIOR. ... </li>
<li class="TrT0Xe"><b>FREEDOM</b> FROM FEAR AND DISTRESS.</li>
</ul>
And have been the basis of animal welfare in the UK since the 1960s. Lets just take Freedom from pain etc, yes this means that if your dog is injured you need to have it treated but it also means that we should not inflict pain and the Freedom from fear and distress.<br /><br />TV dog trainers and a lot of people who are running dog training clubs, or who are offering dog traning and behaviour on a one to one basis use methods that cause pain (there are studies on the use of shock collars showing they cause pain and studies on the use of choke chains showing the same).<br />Just the other day I heard of a puppy in its first training class learning about not going through doors, how? By having the door slammed in its face. Pretty sure that this would have caused fear and distress, the owner says it upset them. There is another training class where people are being told to use choke chains to control their dogs, the trainer there also has said to me that although they haven't used them personally they would recommend the use of prong collars.<br />
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<br />There is more than enough written about dominance theory, another favourite of TV and club trainers. I wrote a Facebook note on it in 2010 https://www.facebook.com/notes/olwen-turns/dominance-in-dogs/452104104531/ and I also did a Facebook note on TV trainers in 2017, https://www.facebook.com/notes/olwen-turns/this-morning/10155269588569532/<br /><br />There is a trainer from "over the pond" advertising a UK tour, although not publishing venues! This person is well known for their use of punitive, physical punishment of dogs which is certainally not in keeping with UK law.<br /><br /></div>
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Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.comMaylan Rd, Corby NN17 4DR, UK52.5121663 -0.692868699999962752.5073343 -0.70295369999996271 52.5169983 -0.68278369999996269tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-78414796371283898072018-10-30T15:04:00.000+00:002018-10-30T18:07:14.624+00:00Animal Licensing Laws (England)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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DEFRA recently brought out some new laws on how dogs, are to be looked after when away from their homes.<br />
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This is having a huge impact on the home boarding and day care industry. While some of the large commercial day care centres are fine the small ones, like mine, are having a harder time. It's worse for those who offer both home boarding and day care in their houses. <br />
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Some of the rules contradict others and put some people at a disadvantage. For instance if your dog goes to a traditional boarding kennel they are allowed just under 2sq meters per kennel. But if you are a home boarder you have to allow one room per dog, but some parts of the house are excluded. If you have previously been allowed to have 5 dogs at a time but your house is the average size, kitchen, lounge/diner and 3 bedrooms you could in theory still have 5 dogs. If any bedroom is used by someone under 16 then that is excluded, if you have your own dogs you have to allow one room for them. That could leave the home boarder with 2 rooms available for boarding, cutting numbers from 5 to 2. This would include any day care dogs they have. <br />
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On the day care front each dog must be allowed a space of 9 square meters. It doesn't matter if you have a home based day care or a unit based day care the rule applies to all. My own sitting room is not this big. I am not sure if it applies to boarding kennels that offer day boarding.<br />
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The rules on how long a dog can be left for have been changed, whereas it was 3 hours for any dog it is now 3 hours for boarding dogs and 0 hour for day care dogs. The limit the dogs can be crated for in a 24 hour period is 3 and one. People who are offering a home from home service and need to collect children from school are now tied to having to chose between day care and looking after their families. <br />
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Fortunately this week we have had the on lead/off lead rule changed. It was boarding dogs can be off but day care dogs on. You can only imagine the chaos that was coursing. And with the rules about how long dogs can be left anyone with more than 4 dogs in their care would have to leave some behind as we can now only walk 4 at a time. <br />
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DEFRA aren'y alone in the blame, they worked alongside some other organisations and held a consultation https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/animal-welfare-reviewing-animal-establishments-licensing-in-england. But this did not include day care centres and as far as I know people in the industry weren't widely aware of the consultation. The Guidelines weren't released until the day that the law became statute which meant there has been no time for any changes to be done. <br />
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As an industry we are fighting to have the law and guidance reviewed, we have been successful on some fronts but feel that we are not being taken seriously and are given non answers to some of the questions. <br />
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The biggest thing for all of us is the vaccines that DEFRA insist are used but research data shows they can be dangerous. Lepto vaccine is the deal breaker for a lot of people as some don't want to vaccinate their dogs, including clients, although titre tests for the other vaccines are accepted.<br />
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They have included vaccines for breeders also. It not only effects big puppy farm breeders, which the legislation does nothing to deter, but it effects "hobby breeders" those who only breed a litter every couple of years in order to keep their own line going for show or sport. <br />
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The law was brought in to supposedly make things standard across the country, but some councils are still making up their own rules and the costs of licensing vary hugely. This includes confusion over hobby breeders with some councils saying that they are out of scope and others saying that if they even sell one puppy they have to be licensed.<br />
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I sent an open letter to DEFRA as well as to other involved people, the only reply I have had is from my MP who has passed it on to Michael Gove.<br />
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<a href="https://preview.tinyurl.com/yc9jxxyz"><b>https://preview.tinyurl.com/yc9jxxyz</b></a><br />
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<br />Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0Maylan Rd, Corby NN17 4DR, UK52.512256099999988 -0.6919414999999844452.509840099999991 -0.69698399999998439 52.514672099999984 -0.68689899999998449tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-86010712975390578452017-03-14T17:24:00.000+00:002017-03-14T17:31:12.537+00:00Dog Training, the good and the bad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Social media has been buzzing lately with loads of arguments from the different dog training camps. Those who use punishment based training and those who use reward based training have been clashing again. All because of a TV programme that aired on Channel 4 on Friday 10th March.<br />
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Why has this programme caused such a stir? Well to be honest I haven't watched it and I don't think that it is ethical to bash another trainer, but I do think that for the good of dog it is ethical to point out the right from wrong when it comes to training our pets.<br />
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Why haven't I watched and what makes me think I can then comment on something I've not experienced? I have experienced this trainer's methods, the trainer uses dominance, punishment based training to cure dogs of their behaviour issues. I have been called in to help owners who have dogs that have been trained in this way "as a last resort". I haven't watched the programme as I know the trainer by reputation, plus I was at work helping people to train their dogs using positive reward based training when the programme aired and frankly life is to short to bother watching something that I know will upset me, especially if the comments I've seen are anything to go by.<br />
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When looking for a dog trainer what should you be looking for? There are a lot of phrases and words out there that are popular and misleading. You want a trainer that is using reward based training; Science shows us time and again that this is the best way that dogs (and all other animals) learn. Skinner has said that even using a no reward marker can impede the learning ability; sorry for the jargon, a no reward marker (NRM) is often used to indicate that the dog isn't doing what is wanted, for instance "A-ah". Whereas a reward marker has the opposite effect, ie using a clicker to let the dog know that is what you want it to do. <br />
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Some trainers will talk about corrections, what do they mean by this? Well most trainers using corrections mean that they will use a form of positive punishment, often this is used to teach dogs not to pull on lead, dog pulls handlers jerks the leash, also called leash pops. In training positive means to add something and negative means to take it away; a bit like maths, it doesn't mean good and bad that's the reward or punishment bit. So positive punishment is adding an aversive, something the dog doesn't like, such as a jab in the neck with a choke chain.<br />
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One of the popular training types is called balanced. This means that the trainer is using positive and negative training methods adding and taking away rewards and punishments. So for pulling on the lead the trainer may do a leash pop and follow it up with "good dog" when the dog is beside them.<br />
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What about me? Well I use a holistic approach. What is this? I look at the dog as a whole and try to find out why it is behaving in the way it is. I will look at what the dog is eating and how this may impact on behaviour, how the dog is feeling at the time it is doing the behaviour, the dog's reasons for doing the behaviour and what the dog is like on a day to day basis in it's general mood. I also use a method known as LIMA which means Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive. What one dog finds aversive another dog may find rewarding, and vise versa, which is why I believe that a holistic view is the one that is needed when dealing with any other being, whether your pet dog or another person. It's putting yourself in that situation and finding out how to make it better, for the dog and for the people around the dog.<br />
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Back to pulling on the lead, why does a dog do it? Basic science is pressure causes counter pressure so if the dog starts to forge ahead the handler will try to pull it back, the dog then will lean into the collar (almost all pullers are in collars) and pull harder, this results in a loop where the handler pulls back more and the dog tries to pull ahead more. We've all seen the dog walking down the street, handler's arm at full length and the dog's tongue almost on the floor, "who's walking whom" is often the quip. Why else is the dog pulling? It could well be that the dog is having it's only form of mental and physical exercise of the day and is desperate to get to the park having just spent the last 23 hours in the house, with a huge chunk of them alone. Maybe the dog pulls so much that walkies becomes a huge event because it doesn't happen that often. Maybe the dog just hasn't ever had basic training on lead walking, after all who wants to spend the time training walking? Isn't walking the dog training it? Well it's certainly giving the dog the practice at pulling. Walking the dog isn't training it if the dog is pulling, unless you want a dog that pulls.<br />
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So my holistic approach, why is the dog pulling and what can be done to make walking the dog enjoyable for both dog and handler? Go back to the very basics, put a well fitting harness on the dog, harnesses do not cause the damage to the dog's throat and spine that a collar dogs, plus the dog is getting a different sensation, I prefer harnesses with front rings as well as the one on the back, used with a 2 point lead this can make all the difference. Then reward the dog for being beside you. I'm happy if I can touch the dog, ie the dog is in a radius that could be reached by my hand and if my lead is loose. This may mean one step at a time and the dog's 30 minute walk doesn't get as far as the garden gate for a few days, you can always pop the dog in the car and drive to a safe place for exercise. I also use a technique known as bottle feeding where the treat is in the hand closest to the dog. How do my methods help, and why doesn't the dog get frustrated at not walking or get fat? The dog is learning and at the same time earning a treat reward, yes I use food for this the yummier the better, but the dog won't get fat because the rewards become random as the dog gets better on lead, so the dog will stay on a loose lead as it has learnt that this will bring a reward but it doesn't know when. Remember that a reward is something the dog likes, which can be switched from food to a ball, or a tug toy or to get off lead at the park.Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0Maylan Rd, Corby NN17 4DR, UK52.512256099999988 -0.6919414999999844452.509840099999991 -0.69698399999998439 52.514672099999984 -0.68689899999998449tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-43354341423234714522016-11-04T10:13:00.001+00:002016-11-04T10:13:20.463+00:00Things that go BANG! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">It’s
that time of year that dog owners dread. Along with the dark, cold
nights comes fireworks. If possible avoid walking your dog in
the dark as you never know when a firework will go off overhead and spook your dog.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">It
has been proven that dogs who are exposed to sights and sounds get habituated to
them and they become part of the everyday background. A CD or DVD with firework
noises or display on will help with this. Start by playing noises quietly and gradually
getting louder while your dog is doing something it enjoys. Remember that
your dog shouldn’t get scared during this as it may cause a set back. Start as soon
as you can so your dog is used to the noise before Bonfire Night.</span></span></span><br />
<br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;">If your dog is already worried about loud noises and
fireworks there are different
ways of managing this.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;">If it is a new problem try to act as if there is
nothing to be scared of—jolly your
dog along and reward for positive behaviour.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">If your dog has a serious or longstanding problem studies show that
giving your dog the attention he needs will not encourage the unwanted behaviour
as your dog will be too scared for it to act as a reward but will be able
to take comfort from having you there.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;">Essentially try to find what helps your dog to cope
and let him do this. If he feels
safest hiding under the bed then let him do this. But do not shut your dog
in as he may feel trapped and panic. Also don’t leave your dog alone as he
may panic and injure himself.</span></span></span><br />
<br /> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;">A high carbohydrate meal such as white rice, pasta
or mashed potato with chicken,
turkey or white fish in the late afternoon may help your dog to feel sleepy
and calm in the evening.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">There are many products on the market that may help your dog, these include Pet Remedy spray, Thundershirt and other anxiety reducing jumpers, Adaptil and Calmex</span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">,
although they affect every </span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">dog
differently and don’t always work.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">If
your dog has a serious problem, don’t forget, you can always talk to Olwen
about </span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">a
desensitisation programme. You can contact Olwen through the Cloverleaf website <a href="http://www.cloverleafcaninecentre.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.cloverleafcaninecentre.co.uk </a></span></span></span>Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0Cloverleaf Canine Centre, Maylan Rd, Corby NN17 4DR, UK52.512256099999988 -0.6919414999999844452.509840099999991 -0.69698399999998439 52.514672099999984 -0.68689899999998449tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-48307321414347139062016-10-27T00:30:00.000+01:002016-10-27T16:00:17.279+01:00Ringcraft Training Classes from a trainer's POV<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Little Tatty is 5 months old today. For the past few weeks I've been taking her to Ringcraft classes as I would love to show in breed classes. Who knows she might even qualify for Crufts.<br />
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Last year her uncle Caleb was at another Ringcraft class but that closed down so we found a class that's a bit further away to go to. <br />
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This is the 21st century and dog training has moved a long way since the 1960s. Apart from at Ringcraft it seems.<br />
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Tatty's first week was just to get her used to the atmosphere so I was watching my puppy rather than the other dogs and what was going on.<br />
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Ringcraft is generally structured differently from general pet dog training classes, there are mats on the floor making a triangle for you to run along and a dissecting line from top to bottom so you can do a straight run at the "judge" who is the trainer. They are designed to help you in your dog show journey.<br />
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So week 1 of Tatty's lesson, this is the first time she has been on a show lead, the first time she has been on a lead attached to her neck, usually I walk my dogs on a harness. First thing I get told is to have my lead tight, and coming from the top of her neck, right behind her ears. Border Collies are shown on a loose lead and it comes from the side not the top. I tell the trainer this and that if she'd taught on a tight lead she's always going to be looking for a tight lead. I get told that I'm wrong, you have to start on a tight lead so they know they're on a lead! I was also told that when she's jumping up to stop, pop the lead and shout NO!<br />
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Week 2 as Tatty is doing her run down the middle mat there is a commotion at the end between a couple of dogs. Tatty freaks so I pick her up to move her away. Trainer (this time the lady trainer, last week it was the man) tells me to put her down because (quote) "you're raising her up in the hierarchy". I am not sure what hierarchy I'm raising her up in and why this doesn't count for the small dogs that get carried around the place, or even if a 4.5 month old pup understands this very human concept of how dogs interact.<br />
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Week 3 It's the man again. Tatty is being a banana and bending away from him and leaning in to me when she's being "gone over" a technical term that means the judge puts their hands on the dog to feel it's shape and muscles. I'm told to make her stand still and when she leans on mum to push her away and sharply tell her no. (Hmm I want my dog to come to me when not sure about something). We do the running up and down the mat, she's ok but during the 2nd run along the centre mat she starts the jumping. Again I told to do the leash pop (he doesn't term it leash pop he says pull her back) stop and shout no.<br />
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Then he notices the clicker! OMGoodness you'd think I'd brought in something evil. His actual words were "oh you have a clicker" but the tone was total disgust, it couldn't have been worse if Tatty had left a pressie for him to step in.<br />
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I have also witnessed a lot of leash corrections going on with dogs who are on show chains (like choke chains but thinner as they don't ruin the line, think along the thickness of cheese wire). I have also seen dogs being run with their leads so tight their front feet aren't touching the ground (nothing is said). I have seen a tiny terrier breed puppy, at what I think is his first time, stop in the run and the owner being told to keep going, dragging the puppy behind! This is so the puppy doesn't learn he can get away with stopping<br />
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So having paid a membership to this ringcraft club I have to decide do I
keep going and keep with the R+, ignoring the trainers who are very
P+. <br />
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Tatty seems to enjoy it. She is a social butterfly. Do I maybe not go weekly just go the week before there is a show and keep training her at home with my clicker. There is another Ringcraft class about the same distance away, I'm thinking of going along to see what happens there.<br />
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What I do know I'm going to do is start up my own Ringcraft club as part of GDTS. Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0Maylan Rd, Corby NN17 4DR, UK52.512256099999988 -0.6919414999999844452.509840099999991 -0.69698399999998439 52.514672099999984 -0.68689899999998449tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-83178077661848887222016-10-26T17:43:00.002+01:002016-10-26T17:43:58.248+01:00Welcome back<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9y6P8eaQv2DPGuUOQNw3KjE00fWIXpdSRf3PBydWw02pPhm_cM9Hk2RXPpJqOvaJ9JPtbyuJpHVnfzJIOoM7gGgpmqPS8wMRjmM8Wf3ZMnN_3lRqZO9Pzfzfwf8T-LV2tRSpDOxat/s1600/284856_185682524826566_185681464826672_493684_928505_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9y6P8eaQv2DPGuUOQNw3KjE00fWIXpdSRf3PBydWw02pPhm_cM9Hk2RXPpJqOvaJ9JPtbyuJpHVnfzJIOoM7gGgpmqPS8wMRjmM8Wf3ZMnN_3lRqZO9Pzfzfwf8T-LV2tRSpDOxat/s200/284856_185682524826566_185681464826672_493684_928505_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>I thought it was high time this blog was reinstated. It will become an extension of the other social media used at Cloverleaf. Which includes Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. All of which will hopefully join up.<br />
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Some of the posts will be personal, most will be from a dog training stance, you might even get a mixture both. Hopefully the articles will be informative, but I want to make the blog more from my viewpoint rather than from a third party type view.<br />
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<br />Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0Maylan Rd, Corby NN17 4DR, UK52.512256099999988 -0.6919414999999844452.509840099999991 -0.69698399999998439 52.514672099999984 -0.68689899999998449tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-20161030481697204392015-01-19T11:51:00.000+00:002015-01-19T11:51:52.489+00:00Pawprints on your heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's a very sad fact that we will, in general, out live our pets. Some people may say "don't worry it was only a dog/cat/rabbit, you can always get another one". They are probably the same people who would commiserate with a lost pregnancy by saying "you can always try again" Ignore them, they obviously don't understand the relationship between a person and their pet.<br />
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If you want to look at it scientifically it has been proven that alloparenting (apoting and looking after another species) releases the same chemicals in the brain, such as oxytocin, that are involved with pair-bonding and maternal attachment.<br />
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Or if you prefer, we love our pets on the same level as we would love any other family member. When they die the grief is just as real and as deep as if we'd lost a human family member or friend. For some people the pet is their best friend, and may be the only other being that they speak to from day to day.<br />
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There are set stages to grief and you will go through them, shock, denial, guilt, anxiety, depression, anger etc. There are also cognitive, physical, social, spiritual and physiological aspects of grief. Grief is individual to each person and everyone will have to find their way though at their own pace.<br />
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I believe that the loss of a pet probably brings out the guilt aspect of grief more than any of the other emotion, the feeling of "have I done everything to save my pet's life" or for some people not being able to afford ongoing vet bills, the act of signing the slip of paper to allow the vet to euthanise the pet all contribute to this. Part of loving someone is knowing when to love them enough to let them go and leave their life of pain, although it will leave you heartbroken.<br /><br />Don't neglect yourself after the loss of a pet, you will be emotionally fragile, think about how you would advise someone in your postition, what about holding a memorial service?<br />
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Do what you have to do to get through each day; don't let the guilt overtake you when you do something you enjoy. Treat yourself, maybe to a film or a box of chocolates, don't keep your feelings bottled up. Other family members and friends will also be feeling the loss, talk about your pet and about how you are coping, journal if you don't think you can cope with talking out loud. You may even want to talk to your GP about grief counselling or antidepressants to help you through the worst.<br />
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You may also have lost your routine, getting up in the morning to look after your pet, walking the dog after work, mealtimes and time spent together have all gone as well. Try to find a new routine so that you don't focus on the what you would have done.<br />
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Remember the intense feelings of immediate loss will lessen as time
passes. One day you will look back on your memories and smile, know
this is a sign of recovery and not forgetting. That is when you can start looking to the future, it may be time to give all that love to another pet, or to help a neighbour with theirs. You could volunteer at a rescue centre, you never know if that will lead to finding a new best friend.<br />
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<br />Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0Corby, Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 4DR, UK52.512256099999988 -0.6919414999999844452.509840099999991 -0.69698399999998439 52.514672099999984 -0.68689899999998449tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-63147342609444665192014-09-04T17:46:00.000+01:002014-09-04T17:46:06.472+01:00Where's Mum?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcW_XNvICUig3QbKIQf5iCW5oOvM9I0Khqw10LmBjbR4ZS0fHGm3XIdpN3BgrJUjLPtNvw_E2Bw77mk4NQ-Cq6B5G2L4PGOm_W0YjNOW1uQJsoBfTaPQalagdPXUVkiaA-3hzojSL/s1600/DSCF0641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcW_XNvICUig3QbKIQf5iCW5oOvM9I0Khqw10LmBjbR4ZS0fHGm3XIdpN3BgrJUjLPtNvw_E2Bw77mk4NQ-Cq6B5G2L4PGOm_W0YjNOW1uQJsoBfTaPQalagdPXUVkiaA-3hzojSL/s1600/DSCF0641.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #a64d79;">Responsible breeder bred puppies</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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There was a debate in parliament today about puppy farming:<a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/hansard/commons/todays-commons-debates/read/unknown" target="_blank"> http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/hansard/commons/todays-commons-debates/read/unknown</a> There has been a campaign, headed up by Marc Abraham MRCVS and some dog welfare charities including Dog's Trust and Blue Cross aimed at stopping puppies and kittens being bred and sold by what is commonly called "puppy farmers".<br />
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The word farm conjurers up images of green fields and fresh air. Not so when it comes to puppy farms, also called puppy mills or even backyard breeders. Think more along the lines of battery farming. The parent dogs are usually kept in small crates in barns, with crates piled on top of each other, the crates underneath getting covered in mess from the crates above. The dogs are only brought out of crates in order to be mated and are then put back, the puppies may well be born in these crates and spend the first weeks of their lives there.<br />
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So although Snoopy from the Peanuts cartoons may have fond memories of the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm, most of these puppies they don't have the best start in life and if they live past the first few weeks they are taken from mum early and sold on to pet shops, or they are advertised on the internet and you meet the breeder at a service station on a motorway or in a lay-by somewhere. Occasionally you will go to the home of the breeder and see the puppies, but usually mum is in such a state the "she's on a walk as she doesn't like strangers" or "she will be upset to see the puppy go so she's with a friend". This "breeder" is often a dealer, they have brought a litter of puppies from a puppy farmer and are passing them off as their own, or they may be associates of the puppy farmer where the profits are split.<br />
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Which brings us to the question of where do I get a dog, puppy, cat or kitten from?<br />
As dogs are my area of specialty I'm going to talk about them more than cats. <br />
There are a lot of rescue centres up and down the country rehoming abandoned pets. They can range from very reputable to ones that may not be much better than a puppy farm anyway. But if you do go to a rescue centre expect to have your entire life looked in to, you will usually have home visits before you can adopt a pet, some places will come out to you 2 or 3 times. You will be expected to fill in a questionnaire and be asked about your contingency plans for holidays and emergencies.<br />
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After all that you may be placed on a waiting list until the rescue thinks they have a dog that is suitable for your life style, or you may even be turned down as the criteria for adopting from that particular place hasn't been met (many won't home to people who are at work all day or who have young children). What won't happen is you turn up in the morning and are walking away with your new best friend at lunchtime.<br />
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The other option is to buy directly from a breeder. But the trick is knowing which breeder to buy from. Do not be put off if you come away from the breeder thinking that they don't think you are good enough to have one of their offspring. You should be happy that they are concerned enough about the welfare of the animals they breed that they are being thorough in finding the best homes possible. You may have to go through some of the same processes as you would in getting a rescue pet.This tends to apply to breeders of pedigree animals, cat breeders can be especially picky. <br />
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You may find that the occasional or accidental breeder isn't giving you as many hoops to jump through, they may have had a roaming romeo mate with their female and now they have a litter of babies to rehome. They will still want as good a home as possible but they tend to be charging very little or offering the babies free. This is the way most of us got our pets in the 1960's - 80s, dogs and cats had more freedom to roam then and there were more accidental litters, if you wanted a pet you always knew someone who's dog or cat had some babies.<br />
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Today if you want a new puppy you have to find someone who is breeding the type you want, pedigree or designer cross breed you will still need to track down the puppies. Some are advertised on websites such as preloved or gumtree but for a pedigree dog the kennel club should be your first point of contact as they have a "find a puppy" section on their website. Champdogs is also used a lot by pedigree breeders to advertise their litters.<br />
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As I have said, expect some hard questioning, don't be afraid to ask questions of your own. Find out about health tests, see certificates, pedigree dogs may be registered with the kennel club and have papers, but they may not be and the price will reflect this. Ask why they aren't registered there may be a good reason for this but it also may be that they have bred the same bitch twice in one year and only one litter can be registered or there has been a close family mating.<br />
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To be sure you are getting the puppy that has had the best start it possibly can have see them in their environment, this may be the kitchen or it may be an outdoor kennel. A lot of professional dog people will have the litter bred in the house and once the puppies are mobile move them outside. Ask what basic handling and socialisation the puppies have had. A really good breeder will have used the Puppy Plan or something similar and have a progress chart for you. Another thing a good breeder will give you is a folder with all the paperwork you will need including information on your chosen breed, how to look after and train your puppy. You may receive a contract from the breeder which outlines their and your responsibilities for the puppy, usually you have to give the puppy back to the breeder at any point in its lifetime if you are unable to look after it. You will also be told if the puppy has had any vaccinations or parasite treatment and when, some breeders will also give 4 weeks free insurance<br />.<br />
Being able to see mum and the other litter mates is a big advantage, there may be a rare occasion where mum isn't available, for instance if she rejected the puppies or she died as a complication of birth. The puppies will have a good relationship with their surrogate, usually the breeder will have hand fed and raised them, there may be a substitute adult dog helping to care for the puppies too. <br />
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Many breeders have the extended family of their puppies about, ask if any are available. You should be able to gain a good idea of how your puppy will turn out by seeing its relatives.<br />
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Most of all, if anything makes you worry, walk away. Do not feed in to the puppy farm business by buying a puppy because you feel sorry for it. <br />
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Links<br />
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<a href="http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/our-resources/kennel-club-campaigns/puppy-farming/">http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/our-resources/kennel-club-campaigns/puppy-farming/</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog-or-puppy/finding-the-right-breeder/where-not-to-buy-a-dog/">http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog-or-puppy/finding-the-right-breeder/where-not-to-buy-a-dog/</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.chelseadogs.com/blog/crazy-puppy-party-official-pup-aid-video/">http://www.chelseadogs.com/blog/crazy-puppy-party-official-pup-aid-video/</a><br /><br />
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<a href="http://www.celiahammond.org/images/pagemaster/yorkie_neglect_at_puppy_farm_H04_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.celiahammond.org/images/pagemaster/yorkie_neglect_at_puppy_farm_H04_1.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.celiahammond.org/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=30%253Cbr%2520/%253E">http://www.celiahammond.org/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=30%253Cbr%2520/%253E</a>Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-28789547658557155242014-07-25T11:09:00.003+01:002014-07-25T11:11:57.723+01:00Rescue centres part 2<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnueZwJRR8ZUW-tdzBhCh0uoW6Nhd48Dwmhym0sNAKeRuv2yUhfv7llQKtUPM_YcWKTKF4nk7UhtkpExu9wago02pp468KSJQfUrfvSzoBNDtOdgUj9aprGG8AKm9I0aIDGrDHltH/s1600/DSCF0234+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnueZwJRR8ZUW-tdzBhCh0uoW6Nhd48Dwmhym0sNAKeRuv2yUhfv7llQKtUPM_YcWKTKF4nk7UhtkpExu9wago02pp468KSJQfUrfvSzoBNDtOdgUj9aprGG8AKm9I0aIDGrDHltH/s1600/DSCF0234+(4).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rescued dog</td></tr>
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Something that came to mind after I wrote yesterday's article.<br />
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People also complain about rescues wanting fees to take thier pet in or an adoption fee if you want a pet. There is no government funding for any animal rescue, even the RSPCA relies on donations.<br />
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To take in an unwanted pet costs the rescue centre. For instance a dog that comes off the street as a stray with no history will require a vet visit, vaccinations, neutering, worm and flea treatment as a minimum. This animal will also need housing and feeding while it undergoes various assessments. Once they are completed there is the advertising of that animal for rehoming as well as the ongoing care.<br />
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Even animals that are owner surrendered have to have checks done, owners are not always truthful when giving up their pets. Many come with glowing reports about how they are the perfect pet but suddenly someone in the house has developed an allergy to the fur. Often this means that Rover has serious behaviour issues that have been allowed to develop to the point that the family can't cope and don't want to pay for a trainer, they'd rather pass the problem on. Or it may mean that Kitty has become pregnant and the family don't want to have the hassle of helping rear and home a number of baby cats.<br />
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All of these problems cost the welfare organisation taking in that pet. An average rehoming donation is £200 this does not cover the money laid out to get the pet to the stage where they are able to be rehomed. Animals that are euthenised cost the rescue and there is no way they can get back a fraction of that money.<br />
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The shelters that ask for an abandonment fee may only ask for between £50 and £100. Add that to the rehoming donation and that is a maximum of £300. <br />
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Boarding a dog while you are on holiday costs around £15 a day. If we add this to the equation the basic cost of rehoming a dog goes something like this:<br />
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Daily board at £15 a day for 30 days = £450<br />
Vaccines ......................................... = £25<br />
Neutering..........................................= £100<br />
Worm and flea treatment ..................= £25<br />
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Total cost ........................................ = £600<br />
Total rehoming fees........................... = £300<br />
Cost to shelter ................................. = £300<br />
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So assuing a dog that is owner surrendered at a cost to the owner of £100 needs vaccinating, worm and flea treatment, neutering will cost the rescue shelter £300 after they have have had a rehoming donation of £200. This does not cover any rehabilitation and training work the dog might need, treatment of any medical conditions or any other expenses that may come with that dog.Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-50320910943766109932014-07-24T17:28:00.002+01:002014-07-24T18:11:50.731+01:00Rescue dogs and dog rescues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvgoNnuGLRB6Wf375jkDQ_c5-X1l2H9S1MTABAUjdVRLWyzqSIJa_0FhGFCIdfgKNDXnNL0YFMLKx7feHwDI1jl6sUIZDX6ZEK_xqW7K1PloWYPxl_UKwILzoEmaQhn6LDBvBZFOF/s1600/2005_0806Image0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="dog in rescue centre" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvgoNnuGLRB6Wf375jkDQ_c5-X1l2H9S1MTABAUjdVRLWyzqSIJa_0FhGFCIdfgKNDXnNL0YFMLKx7feHwDI1jl6sUIZDX6ZEK_xqW7K1PloWYPxl_UKwILzoEmaQhn6LDBvBZFOF/s1600/2005_0806Image0010.JPG" height="240" title="Dog in rescue centre" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dog in Rescue Centre</td></tr>
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I live in Northamptonshire, we don't have any national rescue centres in this county but we do have a few small scale local rescues that look after everything from horses to hamsters.<br />
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Recently many of these centres have been getting some flack, I am neither condemning nor condoning any in this blog. I am just giving my opinion in general.<br />
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We did have a national rescue centre, they closed to save money, the dogs were moved to other sites around the country.<br />
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Just think, if a national multi -centre rescue was having trouble, what is it like for the small guys? Some of these are run by families, some are one (wo)man bands, some have committees. All of them have limited resources. Resources does not only mean money, it includes volunteers, space, facilities, etc. <br />
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Some rescues are slated because they run an appointment only system; remember they have limited resources, the people running the centre may only have themselves as staff and have animals to look after, especially on weekdays.<br />
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Maybe they don't want people wandering about unescorted as the rescue is
part of a larger outfit such as a boarding kennel, maybe the rescue is
in someone's home, they are fostering a few animals while looking for a
permanent placement. There may be other reasons they don't want people wandering around. Think about the dangerous dog act, if someone was just walking around a rescue, poked their fingers into a kennel and got bitten that dog will lose its life. Or it might be a cat or horse that injures someone this may remove that animal from the rehomable list, due to limited resources that could be a life lost. Remember the people looking after these animals know them very well, they may have animals that get stressed while people are peering through the bars like looking at a zoo exhibit. If you want to know why the rescue centre you have chosen to visit operates an appointment only system ask them.<br />
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Some rescues will have a chat with you about your life style and your ability to take on specific animals in their care, they may then bring a few to meet you. This could be that they would rather you had a particular animal that is compatible to you instead of you walking around and falling in love with the looks of a pet that would not suit your home. For instance could you look after the needs of a husky when you are at work all day or would a greyhound be a better fit? Would an older pet be better than a younger one? I know of at least one national rescue that doesn't even put up photos of their charges in order to reduce that problem.<br />
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All the animals in a rescue centre will have some heart rending story to tell, all will be damaged in some way. Granny dies and no one wants to take on her pet, that animal has lost everything and has been placed in to what amounts as a prison cell. The dog warden may have found a dumped dog, it could have been abused before it was cast out with the bins, a TV programme the other night showed just that scenario.<br />
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Our local rescues often open the gates in the morning to find a parcel on the door. That parcel will probably contain an abandoned animal. How much better would it be for them to open the parcel to find some needs have been met? A bag of food, blankets, a gift for the humans, a volunteer?<br />
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The photo at the top of this article was taken by me at a national centre a few years ago, this centre does allow people to walk around, after you have been greeted at reception and given your details, you are also generally escorted. On this day I wasn't escorted as it was an open day. Look closely at that dog, does he look happy to have someone peering though the bars of his kennel or does he look stressed? Is he happy and wagging his tail or is he turning his head away? What else can you see, can you see the dog that is hiding in the indoor area just peering though? Is this a happy dog or a worried one? <br />
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Rehoming a pet from a rescue is choosing a member of your family, if you are not comfortable with that rescue, do not feel you have to take one of their animals "to get it out of there" in the same way as if you were buying a dog or cat from a breeder. Don't take an animal because you feel sorry for it, it could be a decision you regret, and because you felt you had to rescue from the rescuers what are you going to do with an animal that was taken in the heat of the moment.<br />
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Or course that is if the rescue lets you turn up and take away an animal. Some do, but some want you to be fully prepared, and they want to be fully prepared. You may have to have a home visit, they may ask you to make some changes, is the garden fenced enough or could your new pet get out and straight under the X4 to Peterborough. Some will not allow you to have one of their animals if you have children under a certain age, remember the pets have baggage. Some rescues sign the pet over to you completely as they don't want the responsibility, if down the line the animal causes damage to person or property, if the rescue is the registered keeper they will have to answer for the behaviour of that animal even if you've looked after it for the past 10 years. Some rescues want to regain control of the animal to safeguard the future, if for some reason you are not in a position to keep the animal the legal owner is the rescue and that is where it should be returned or you can be accused of theft.<br />
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Rather than moan about what rescues are doing why not find out if you can make life easier for the animals and staff. If conditions are really bad (I have seen horses that have not had their stables cleaned out for months, animals with no clean water etc), animals are suffering and dying then help or if this is refused, contact the appropriate people. A local breeder was raided and lost the dogs because the conditions were so bad, dogs were found dead in the kennel block, so not just rescues get overwhelmed at times.<br />
<br />
Don't forget that many of our local rescue people will suffer from the stress of managing the centres, not just the day to day stuff, but also the bigger stuff that comes with it. Being on their own they have no one to let off steam to maybe you could be that listening ear.<br />
<br />
So that is some of my thoughts on rescues. I have
helped out and supported local rescues. My latest family member was
a gift from her breeder but other than that I have had second hand
dogs. <br />
<br />
<br />Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-89406106720255189692014-07-24T16:06:00.002+01:002014-07-24T16:16:33.827+01:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9rTaHN-q5OXpW_ud6m0HglF88QCFhILQcz8ARiWVEyEHA-bGBsTON9fsj7ee75GB8TSCWZrH8LXm5RgGpYCxdXNyIdjeQdAAdpP9pz9GUhnoZgX4poTuUOqBwLsOWeBUi2Btt-ex/s1600/1040542_4957896635263_1338141163_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9rTaHN-q5OXpW_ud6m0HglF88QCFhILQcz8ARiWVEyEHA-bGBsTON9fsj7ee75GB8TSCWZrH8LXm5RgGpYCxdXNyIdjeQdAAdpP9pz9GUhnoZgX4poTuUOqBwLsOWeBUi2Btt-ex/s1600/1040542_4957896635263_1338141163_o.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Keeping your dog cool in summer</u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">With
the weather heating up for the summer there is always the danger of
your dog overheating. Dogs with heavy coats or dark hair can be
especially susceptible. Everyone knows about not leaving a dog in a
car, even for a couple of minutes; but what about the rest of the day?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />There
are fantasic cool coats that you can buy for your dog; just soak in
cold water and put on your dog, great when you are out and about. At
home you can have a paddling pool in the garden, but if you don't want
that mess and water dragging through the house, open as many doors and
windows as possible, put on a fan and enjoy the cool air with your dog.
Some dogs love to crunch on ice cubes or have a lactose free ice cream. Keep fresh water always available.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />If
you are going for a walk, choose the cooler parts of the day, early
morning or late evening are good for dogs and people. If you are going
out in the heat of the day, be prepared. Try to go somewhere that you
know has water your dog can swim or paddle in and take water and towels
with you. If your dog is overheating you can offer a drink and you can
soak the towels to put over your dog.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />To quickly cool your dog you
can pour cool water on to the inside of the thighs, there are large
blood vessels there that are close to the skin.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />In an emergancy you
will need to get your dog to a vet as quickly as possible, keep an eye
on the colour of the mucus membranes in your dog's mouth and eyes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />Be
vigialant, even on car journeys, if you don't have air con in your car
check your dog often, it only takes 20 minutes for your dog to become
seriously ill from the heat.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">If you want to go out but think it's too hot for your dog ask about day care or home visiting. </span></div>
Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0Corby, Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 4DR, UK52.512256099999988 -0.6919414999999844452.509840099999991 -0.69698399999998439 52.514672099999984 -0.68689899999998449tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-77165876011137955402014-01-08T19:00:00.001+00:002014-01-08T19:01:58.859+00:00Poison <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIzw_PdQoKN8dTCzGrAdDr2guPUWTB_tN9717ArjVRHaqufGqX-IgWpH4j8xFhLOsxEgLftXbC3VmJoSWKZaaK18lqmp_FBc8Du6OTM1d56x8wg0f6p3fecb-IAIpahlAWTsUDQ7u/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIzw_PdQoKN8dTCzGrAdDr2guPUWTB_tN9717ArjVRHaqufGqX-IgWpH4j8xFhLOsxEgLftXbC3VmJoSWKZaaK18lqmp_FBc8Du6OTM1d56x8wg0f6p3fecb-IAIpahlAWTsUDQ7u/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px;">Not everyone wants to feed a commercial pet food to their dog, or some people want to give the dog a little something extra. More and more people are opting to feed home cooked or raw food diets to their dog.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px;">However, in order to properly home-cook for your pet, you should know what foods are harmful to dogs. Some foods which are safe for human consumption can be poisonous for our canine companions. Here is a list of 25 common human foods that are toxic to dogs. Of course, when in doubt, always check with your vet. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>1. Onions</b> (Both onions and garlic contain the toxic ingredient Thiosulphate. But onions are more of a danger. Many dog biscuits contain *small* amounts of garlic - garlic contains less of this toxin so huge amounts would need to be consumed to be toxic. And, by the way, this poison builds up the system - it can be toxic in one large dose - or with repeated consumption of small amounts.)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>2. Chocolate</b> (Chocolate contains Theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic. This can be fatal to dogs.)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>3. Grapes</b> (Grapes are dangerous because of an unknown substance which is toxic to dogs - affects canine's kidneys). Some commercial dog food contains grape extract, I'd avoid that too.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>4. Raisins</b> (See above.)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>5. Most Fruit Pits and Seeds </b>(Contain Cyanogenic Glycosides resulting in cyanide poisoning - though the fruit itself is OK.)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>6. Macadamia Nuts</b> (Macadamia nuts contain an unknown substance that is toxic to dogs.)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>7. Cooked bones</b> (Most bones should not be given cooked (especially chicken bones) because they can splinter and cause laceration of the digestive system and/or become lodged in your pet's throat - so they also pose a choking hazard.) Raw bones are ok to feed your dog and are beneficial.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>8. Potato Peelings and Green Potatoes</b> (Contain Oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>9. Rhubarb leaves</b> (See above.)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>10. Broccoli </b>(Broccoli is only toxic in large quantities.)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>11. Green parts of Tomatoes or Green Potatoes</b> (Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>12. Yeast Dough</b> (Yeast Dough can produce gas and swell in your pet's stomach - leading to rupture of the digestive system)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>13. Coffee, Tea, Soft Drinks</b> (Coffee, tea, & most soft drinks are dangerous due to the caffeine.)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>14. Beer/Wine/Alcohol of any kind</b> (Alcohol of any kind could lead to coma or even death.)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>15. Human Vitamins</b> (Human vitamins, especially those containing iron, can cause damage to the lining of the digestive system as well as cause kidney and liver damage)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>16. Moldy or Spoiled Food</b> (I think this goes without saying.)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>17. Persimmons</b> (Persimmons can cause intestinal blockage)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>18. Raw Eggs and Raw Fish</b> (Raw eggs and some raw fish can cause Salmonella poisoning.)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>19. Salt, Baking Soda, Baking Powder</b> (In large amounts these can cause an electrolyte imbalance - and severe electrolyte imbalances can lead to muscle spasm or even congestive heart failure.)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>20. Mushrooms</b> (Mushrooms may contain toxins which could cause liver and kidney damage)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>21. Xylitol</b> (Sugar-free foods containing Xylitol have been found to cause liver failure in some dogs.)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>22. Nutmeg</b> (Nutmeg can cause tremors, seizures, and central nervous system damage.)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>23. Fatty Foods including turkey skin </b>(Excess fatty foods can cause Pancreatitis.)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>24. Avocado</b> (All parts of the avocado and avocado tree are toxic to dogs.)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
25. Diary Products (Dairy products don't usually pose a great danger; but many dairy product have high fat content (see number 23) - and many pets are lactose intolerant - some pets more than others. Lactose intolerance leads to gas and diarrhea; though small amounts of yogurt and cheese are usually fairly well tolerated.) Dogs can however have goat milk products as it doesn't contain the same lactose as cows milk.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
Keep these 25 toxic foods in mind when cooking for your dog. There are other foods that your dog can not consume, I will try to expand the list when I get the time.</div>
Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-50836715202731806862013-12-03T13:41:00.001+00:002013-12-03T13:48:02.355+00:00Dog Grooming Don'ts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9QSaOMTRbA_7qV4QAW0hgehVpuXU0LoAiOOjJL69y57byMKnTrfzjHfeA3nRjDguBfzsmcDngOnW5rXL0lvJhQMkYbIY3yB_fMD6FKhU2Le0KIQTL1p8_fMnTP3bJFHsNWVBEDeC/s1600/DSCF1009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9QSaOMTRbA_7qV4QAW0hgehVpuXU0LoAiOOjJL69y57byMKnTrfzjHfeA3nRjDguBfzsmcDngOnW5rXL0lvJhQMkYbIY3yB_fMD6FKhU2Le0KIQTL1p8_fMnTP3bJFHsNWVBEDeC/s320/DSCF1009.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">I was asked today if I'd pick up a dog, groom it and then take it home again.<br /> <br /> The simple answer to this is no. The reasons are complex but...<br /> <br />
I have up to 10 dogs in day care so that means leaving them while I
spend time collecting and dropping off one dog. (this is also time I
could be booking in or working on another dog)<br /> <br /> Also, if I have never met your dog before I don't know its temperame<span class="text_exposed_show">nt, if it likes strangers, how it travels, what condition its coat is in. <br /> <br />
I don't have a crated area in my car which means your dog will be
traveling loose and could therefore distract me (which is against the
law). <br /> <br /> If I have custody of your dog and it causes injury to
someone then I am liable under the Dangerous Dog Act, even if it's the
first time we've met.<br /> <br /> I'm not comfortable that you are ok with handing your dog over to a complete stranger without knowing how I handle dogs.<br /> <br /> I am unable to perform a pre-assessment of your dog to let you know what your price would be for that groom.<br /> <br /> You are unable to make an informed decision on your choice of groomer as you will not have all the knowledge you need about me.<br /> <br /> You are unable to sign the required paperwork to allow me to work on your dog.<br /> <br /> These are the reasons off the top of my head but I am sure there are others if I sit and think about it.<br /> <br /> But are you happy to hand your dog over to a complete stranger?</span></span>Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0Corby, Northamptonshire, UK52.492298299999987 -0.6842332999999598552.414950299999987 -0.84559479999995979 52.569646299999988 -0.52287179999995992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-7326141959847785952013-11-23T23:17:00.002+00:002013-12-06T11:01:20.285+00:00Day care game video <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnIMYxYRusBgrqlkujZAe5hx3jffO4tDMaGxYsee_kfi-B5LSyy9ZRNIWD0CrW47WJWfOHUZJTd5J5x2ye-8ijK9ruFd8vomRAyOjQHBTKzqlpSQwYDqKpzFfdY-VuFdTgFvlpl8a/s1600/DSCF1006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnIMYxYRusBgrqlkujZAe5hx3jffO4tDMaGxYsee_kfi-B5LSyy9ZRNIWD0CrW47WJWfOHUZJTd5J5x2ye-8ijK9ruFd8vomRAyOjQHBTKzqlpSQwYDqKpzFfdY-VuFdTgFvlpl8a/s200/DSCF1006.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/gz4HURnbeFE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
A fun little video of the dogs playing in Day Care. Watch the other videos too.Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-716344149456215652013-11-19T17:04:00.000+00:002013-12-06T10:48:03.955+00:00The Law is an ass!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihx5voV9LkxtSJymEt1Uoj8gzQYtvIBb2BS4xYLovt6p_yB_WgROhbUsejJJ9uLvn_CLzUIG3Ln_8NbOLCcFIV3q7P3oF-Tc9b5ufgJyWcA0W18_vtbbJ3svvIBpJ09BNlpgjopYks/s1600/284856_185682524826566_185681464826672_493684_928505_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihx5voV9LkxtSJymEt1Uoj8gzQYtvIBb2BS4xYLovt6p_yB_WgROhbUsejJJ9uLvn_CLzUIG3Ln_8NbOLCcFIV3q7P3oF-Tc9b5ufgJyWcA0W18_vtbbJ3svvIBpJ09BNlpgjopYks/s320/284856_185682524826566_185681464826672_493684_928505_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
So said Mr Bumble when told that the law supposes his wife acts under his direction in Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens.<br />
<br />
Well it seems that, 175 years later, the law is still an ass and it's not going to change anytime soon.<br />
<br />
I was at a dog law seminar over the weekend. Dog Law in the UK is a bit more messed up than it ever was and it's getting worse for the dog owners in this country. We currently have the Dangerous Dogs Act that everyone has heard of. This includes the breed specific legislation that is either loved or loathed. There are around 2300 dogs registered under this ruling, all but 6 are of pit bull type.<br />
<br />
Under the Control of Dogs Order 1992 all dogs in a public place <b>must </b>wear a collar with the name and address of the owner on it. This can be stitched into the collar, on a name plate attached to the collar or more commonly on a disc attached to the collar. It is a criminal offense to allow your dog to be out and about without this and you can be charged. A few exceptions apply to this rule such as working dogs while they are working. The maximum fine for this is £5000. The inside of your car is classed as a public place if the car is on the road, but not if it is on your property.<br />
<br />
In addition to this from April 2016 (March 2015 in Wales) dogs must be microchipped. Oddly there are no rules on keeping databases up to date (there are a few databases already) and there is no restriction on who can implant a microchip, there are people out there watching youtube videos, buying chips and equipment from auction sites and setting themselves up. The entry on to a database is not a proof of ownership!<br />
<br />
<b>New Developments</b><br />
Apart from the guidelines for sentencing being changed in August 2012 and the compulsory microchipping coming in a couple of years, what else is there for us to worry about?<br />
<br />
Section 3of the DDA is to be extended to cover private places. Police can bail a dog under section 1. Dog Control Orders will be replaced with Public Spaces Protection Orders and there is will an introduction of Community Protection Notices.<br />
<br />
The new developments are due to start in Spring 2014. Currently Dog Control Orders must be advertised in the local papers, but, Public Spaces Protection Orders will not have to be advertised although "reasonable" signage must be put up, but there is no clarity on what reasonable is or if costs can deem the signs to be unreasonable! PSPOs are only valid for 3 years and then they must be renewed.<br />
<br />
Community Protection Orders can be given by the local council or by the police, they are for individual, not for the wider public, and they can include dog orders, for instance you can be ordered to put your dog on a leash. CPNs can be enforced by a fixed penalty notice or you can be taken to court with a maximum £2000 fine.<br />
<br />
Electric shock collar ban does not look likely and the current ban in Wales is due to be reviewed. The outcome is, so far, anyone's guess.<br />
<br />
There is a new proposal that dogs can be put to sleep if the owner is not deemed to be a fit and proper person (the owner may also be given a ban on keeping animals). Because of this there are proposals to have fit and proper person tests.<br />
<br />
Under the Antisocial Behaviour Crime and Policing Bill sentences for DDA prosecutions will be going up from a maximum of 2yrs in prison to 5years and the maximum sentence for a dog causing death is going up to 14years. Of course these are sentences for people not for dogs.<br />
<br />
Where your dog is when it comes under section 3 of the DDA is changing to include private land where the dog has a right to be but is not an offense if there is a trespasser in a dwelling. This means if your dog chases a burglar and then bites them in your garden that is an offense, although if the dog bites them inside the house that isn't.<br />
<br />
If the neighbour's child kicks a ball over your fence then climbs in to get it and the dog injures them then the dog is again at fault.<br />
<br />
There will be a new offense of injury to an assistance dog, this will carry a maximum of 3yrs prison sentence.<br />
<br />
<b>What You Probably Didn't Know</b><br />
The RSPCA can give people improvement notices but the legality of these is debatable. Improvement notices must be given by someone appointed by the council. They also have no powers under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, although it is the RSPCA that bring the most cases to court.<br />
<br />
Under the DDA the person being prosecuted can be a person looking after a dog and not necessarily the owner, for instance you leave you dog in the hands of a dog walker and it causes harm. But, and this is a big one, the harm can be as simple as the dog bruising someone, it doesn't have to be a bite. Harm can also include mental harm, for instance some is so frightened by your dog that they no longer leave their house. There is no minimum level of injury and provocation is not a defense. <br />
<br />
Politicians want it to be a criminal offense if a dog injures another dog, this doesn't matter if the injured dog was the original aggressor and the injury is caused through self defense. The RSPCA want this to extend to other animals, Blue Cross want it to extend to horses and the Cats Protection League want it to extend to cats. This could come in within the next four months, so by the end of March 2014 your dog can become a criminal and, by extent you,if your dog injures a cat that has entered your garden.<br />
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The maximum penalty for dog cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act is 51 weeks prison but these cases are heard in a magistrates court where they are limited to giving 26 week (6 month) sentences. In addition to this if someone enters an early guilty plea they are automatically given 1/3 off this which means they can spend as little as 4 months - 16 weeks in prison. But they can also be fined up to £20,000.<br />
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Another scary thing is, although the dog is in law seen as chattel ie property if someone steals your dog and it ends up in the hands of a 3rd party, such as through adoption from a rescue centre, then you have no rights to your dog! If the council finds your dog as a stray, after 7 days it becomes their property; if you have not claimed it back; and they have the right to dispose if it as they see fit. This could be your dog is put up for adoption or it could be that it is put to sleep. <br />
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For a little bed time reading I suggest looking at the<br />
Control of Dogs Order 1992<br />
Animal Welfare Act 2006<br />
Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953<br />
Animals Act 1971<br />
Dogs Act 1871<br />
Dangerous Dogs Act 1991<br />
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You can also keep up to date on what's happening with dog law by looking at the Dog Law website <a href="http://www.doglaw.co.uk/">www.doglaw.co.uk</a> and by liking them on Facebook.<br />
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Keep your eyes out for any consultations about dog law that come up. You have the right to be consulted and most of these are conducted on line. You can also engage with your local MP about laws and how they vote.<br />
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<br />Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0Corby, Northamptonshire, UK52.492298299999987 -0.6842332999999598552.414950299999987 -0.84559479999995979 52.569646299999988 -0.52287179999995992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-2147326433771195822013-11-06T10:56:00.001+00:002013-11-06T11:03:41.292+00:00Dog AttacksYet again the news is full of a small child being "mauled" and "shaken like a rag doll" by a family pet.<br />
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I don't know the circumstances about this latest tragedy; but I do know about dogs. Any dog is capable of biting; generally it is a last resort for a dog who has given every other signal that it is uncomfortable in a situation that it can. Unfortunately a big dog vs a person is going to cause more harm than a small dog. Even cats give nasty bites and scratches, although these are less life threatening to people.<br />
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Learn and look out for the signs. Behavourists call these appeasement signals and we also refer to the ladder of aggression. Dogs may have learnt that the signals are ignored, or (worse) punished by people. If your dog gets to the growl stage do not punish the dog, respect what it is saying and give it the space it is asking for. Your dog is not trying to be dominant or rule you, it is asking you to take notice of its feelings and to help it in a situation that it cannot remove it self from.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihb_qvYovbbVioLBsxRY4aKQj2wrEB115IlUJ7CmCUaxwzmJNZRkbCOrc6kUTOHSnK9ZsWPiKqwmgSpvjvcUp_vIQ-duCl4w033pah_fK3kU5rYSL-ArFbsjJZ_NwZRNmQWZ1hhr9J/s1600/ladder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihb_qvYovbbVioLBsxRY4aKQj2wrEB115IlUJ7CmCUaxwzmJNZRkbCOrc6kUTOHSnK9ZsWPiKqwmgSpvjvcUp_vIQ-duCl4w033pah_fK3kU5rYSL-ArFbsjJZ_NwZRNmQWZ1hhr9J/s400/ladder.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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One report of the dog in Leicestershire says that the little girl was ill in bed and the mother was there tending to her child. For some dogs a crying child; and we don't know if this child was crying at the initial instance; can sound like a prey animal that is in trouble and their instincts kick in. Other things that can trigger a dog into a bite situation can be people hugging each other. Hugging is not something that dogs do or particularly like if it is done to them. Many dogs will try to split up a hug by getting in the middle of it. This triggers a reaction from people where the dog is pushed away, yelled at or even slapped, all of these can lead to a defensive bite from a dog.<br />
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The wonderful Lili Chan has great drawings on her website that illustrate dog body language beatifully <a href="http://doggiedrawings.net/post/842176625" target="_blank">http://doggiedrawings.net/post/842176625 </a>please take the time to look at them.<br />
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For some good dog news. An abandoned baby was found by a dog. <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-24770596" target="_blank"> http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-24770596 </a>and named after it.<br />
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<br />Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 4DR, UK52.512256099999988 -0.6919414999999844452.509840099999991 -0.69698399999998439 52.514672099999984 -0.68689899999998449tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-87372519098297333432013-10-27T18:12:00.002+00:002013-10-27T18:14:27.438+00:00Updates<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaW1RAOLasU-wCbGUobQQhaKMFSvBhSK0xOM8uBmAtcrCIbdo-tIxE36jtJ2qsgymHQYi6MEnBMvtjWl_MnKuS2Yv-nrYDbjeE0T0uNY1kA7onCOFB17Unj4zQYeNxOcQUi6gOLHw/s1600/944619_520916357991492_780811978_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaW1RAOLasU-wCbGUobQQhaKMFSvBhSK0xOM8uBmAtcrCIbdo-tIxE36jtJ2qsgymHQYi6MEnBMvtjWl_MnKuS2Yv-nrYDbjeE0T0uNY1kA7onCOFB17Unj4zQYeNxOcQUi6gOLHw/s320/944619_520916357991492_780811978_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>I've not managed to blog for quite a while so here are some updates for you.<br />
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Cloverleaf Canine Centre is getting quite big and well known now, which is great. I've been working alongside Tresham College, the Job Centre and the local MP Andy Sawford's office to give some people work experience. There's been a mixture of tasks from looking after the day care dogs to playing with the IT.<br />
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Which brings me to - the new phone line. Yes, Cloverleaf now has a landline and internet connection. This makes it easier for people to get hold of me and it also means I can take card payments using paypal and the website <a href="http://www.olwenturns.co.uk/">www.olwenturns.co.uk</a><br />
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Joe and Joe have also set up a Cloverleaf youtube channel <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/cloverleafk9" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/user/cloverleafk9 </a>videos include training as well as more light-hearted subjects.<br />
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The next 6 week training course starts in January but until then you can enjoy Monday night fun from 25th November through December there'll be a free trick training sessions, including teaching your dog to read and possibly paint.<br />
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Don't forget to find Cloverleaf on G+ as well as Facebook. Good Dog Training School also has a Facebook page and there is the Corby Dogs Chat group too.<br />
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I have a new puppy! Faie is a Border Collie and is now about 9months old. She was gifted to me by Helen Bloore of Skyspirit Border Collies. An absolute beauty Faie loves balls and is getting great at UKRally. Look out for us at Crufts in 2015 as that's the aim.<br />
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<br />Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0Corby, Northamptonshire NN18 0LE, UK52.4815796 -0.7264847000000145352.4803706 -0.72900620000001448 52.482788600000006 -0.72396320000001457tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-34215137198808183502013-03-24T22:14:00.001+00:002013-03-24T22:14:41.455+00:00RehomingAre you looking for a new friend? NANNA in Irthlingborough have a lot of animals needing their furever homes.<br />
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NANNA don't have just dogs but cats, rabbits and other furries too. Have a look on their website, or the Facebook page to see if the new member of your family is there.<br />
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Forrest has been in NANNA's care for quite a while and is looking for a new home. I've played with her and she is a lovely dog. She doesn't get on well with other animals but loves people. She's 10 now and is looking for somewhere with a warm bed to live out her twilight years. <br />
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If you haven't got space in your home for a new pet then why not see if there is another way you can help. NANNA is looking for bedding, toys, food and even a couple of hours of volunteer work if you have the time. There is also a vet bill that needs paying so funds can be freed up to help the animals that are needing NANNA's care.<br />
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Look at the NANNA website <a href="http://www.nannaanimalrescue.co.uk/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.nannaanimalrescue.co.uk </a>to see how you can help. Even if you aren't local to NANNA you may be able to do something; if not for NANNA then may be for your local rescue who will also be grateful for any help you can give.<br />
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It's 3 months since Christmas and there seems to be an influx of dogs and cats appearing in rescue. It's also the start of school holidays, another factor that seems to have an influence on the number of abandoned pets looking for new homes.<br />
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Because of the varied histories of the animals in their care don't be put off by rescue centres wanting to do a home check. They need to know that the animal you are falling in love with is a suitable match, a busy family environment with people coming and going is not going to be the best place for a shy, retiring animal but would be great for one who is more extravert.<br />
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I've had rescue dogs all my life and they give so much pleasure to you, especially when they realise that you are not going to abandon them.<br />
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Forrest is eligible for a free "getting to know you" session at the Cloverleaf Canine Centre or a free 6 week course with Good Dog Training School if she gets a new home in the local area.Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-48367190815714573592012-12-09T18:29:00.003+00:002012-12-09T18:34:06.562+00:00Dogs and kids, do they mix?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Is it possible to have both? Are they mutually exclusive? </div>
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Yet another child has been killed by a family dog, this time it was a Jack Russell Terrier. The child was only a week old. </div>
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The horror stories always make the press. I am not going to comment on the tragedy as I haven't got any of the facts. </div>
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There are a huge number of families out there with dogs and kids who get along great. It is a shame when things go wrong, but follow some golden rules and everything should go well.</div>
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1. <b>Never leave dogs and children in the same location and unattended</b>. If you go to make a cup of tea take one of them with you, it's a great time to get in some training with your dog while the kettle is boiling. Think of the dog as a burning candle, you wouldn't let your child play in the same room as a naked flame with no supervision would you?</div>
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2. <b>Never think that the dog has to learn to deal with it.</b> Do you enjoy your child climbing on you all the time, pulling your hair, standing on your feet, trying to drag you around? Do the other members of your family enjoy it? Why then should your dog have to learn to put up with this from a child? Even the best behaved dog has off days and could snap, causing fright or injury.</div>
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3. <b>Make sure your dog has an appropriate diet</b>. Some dogs are effected by their diets as much as some children are. Your dog should be eating a diet that is based on meat and is colouring free. Check the label on your commercial food, how much meat is in the food? 4% in the meaty chunks is not enough!</div>
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4. <b>Make sure your dog has been properly trained.</b> Find a trainer who uses reward based training methods, preferably one that has been through some sort of registration process so that you have back up if they do something wrong. Ask for advice and act on it! Reward based training is not permissive but it gives the dog guidelines with positive outcomes for doing what is right, a bit like parenting, giving a gold star or a lollipop when the child behaves appropriately.</div>
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5.<b> Make sure your dog has enough play and exercise.</b> Like children a tired dog is a good dog; but a stressed one from too much play and exercise is fractious. Find activities the whole family can enjoy. Going out to the park? Why not take the dog along? All dogs are different, some will play ball until they drop (= stress = fractious) but most will just enjoy hanging out with the family.</div>
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6. <b>Give the dog its own space. </b> If your dog has somewhere it can rest, knowing it is not to be disturbed then it is more likely to take itself off there to get away from it all.</div>
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Not trying to sound old here, but when I was young the dog was part of the family, we had rules such as no dogs upstairs or on the furniture, but with 4 children there was probably enough mess. Where the family went the dog went, within reason, not to the supermarket, but yes to a walk in the woods or to a pub (usually with a garden but once upon a time dogs were allowed in family type pubs).</div>
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I hardly ever see dogs being walked now, except on a Sunday at a local park if it's not raining. I very rarely see whole families out with the dog enjoying being together. It almost seems as if the dog is a chore that has to be seen to. </div>
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If you choose to have a dog make sure it's part of the family and is used to being around your children and their friends. If you are just about to have a baby, get the dog used to what will be a new routine before the baby comes along. Have a doll as a baby substitute so the dog learns what your boundaries and rules are long before you bring a little bundle into the house.</div>
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Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-77713200891976070922012-10-07T19:46:00.001+01:002012-10-07T19:49:54.607+01:00FIREWORK HINTS AND TIPS<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">It’s
that time of year that dog owners dread. Along with the dark, cold
nights comes fireworks. If possible avoid walking your dog in
the dark as you never know when a firework will go off overhead and spook your dog.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">It
has been proven that dogs who are exposed to sights and sounds get habituated to
them and they become part of the everyday background. A CD or DVD with firework
noises or display on will help with this. Start by playing noises quietly and gradually
getting louder while your dog is doing something it enjoys. Remember that
your dog shouldn’t get scared during this as it may cause a set back. Start as soon
as you can so your dog is used to the noise before Bonfire Night.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">If your dog is already worried about loud noises and
fireworks there are different
ways of managing this.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">If it is a new problem try to act as if there is
nothing to be scared of—jolly your
dog along and reward for positive behaviour. </span><span style="color: black;">If your dog has a serious or longstanding problem
the recent studies show that
giving your dog the attention he needs will not encourage the unwanted behaviour
as your dog will be to scared for it to act as a reward but will be able
to take comfort from it.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Essentially try to find what helps your dog to cope
and let him do this. If he feels
safest hiding under the bed then let him do this. But do not shut your dog
in as he may feel trapped and panic. Also don’t leave your dog alone as he
may panic and injure himself.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">A high carbohydrate meal such as white rice, pasta
or mashed potato with chicken,
turkey or white fish in the late afternoon may help your dog to feel sleepy
and calm in the evening.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">DAP or Rescue Remedy may also help your dog,
although they affect every</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">dog
differently and don’t always work.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">If
your dog has a serious problem, don’t forget, you can always talk to Olwen
about</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">a
desensitisation programme. You can contact Olwen through her website www.olwenturns.co.uk, don't leave it too late to start. The Canine Centre will be open on the 5th November in the evening to give those dogs who need it a break from the load bangs and whistles.</span></span></span>Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-1929530371161091512012-08-16T20:30:00.000+01:002012-08-16T20:30:33.956+01:00Shooting Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
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As we head into Autumn the shooting season has started. This can make walking with your dog an adventure. Some dogs will be excited if they hear the local shoot and some will be scared by the gunfire.</div>
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Be aware of which days your local shoots take place and where. Most shoots are carried out on private land but the shoot may take place across a public right of way such as a footpath or bridleway. Most shoots will stop the drive to allow a member of the public to use the right of way but it is an offence to stop the lawful activities of the shoot.</div>
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If you do find yourself near a shoot put your dog on its lead, this safeguards your dog from straying into the drive, being mistaken for game, or from bolting if frightened by the noise of gunshot. It is not unknown for these accidents to happen. </div>
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Some people are happy to pay a lot of money to attend a shoot and will become a bit trigger happy, shooting at shadows! I advise that you and your dog are wearing high viz clothing when out in the countryside, especially at this time of year. </div>
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The vast majority of shooting people are very friendly; every one is enjoying the countryside in their own way.</div>
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Don't forget that even off season there are people out and about with guns; this could be farmers protecting their stock and crops from pests as well as an increasing number of poachers. As soon as you hear the sound of guns try to work out where it it coming from and if possible take your dog in the opposite direction and put it on a lead.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Keep your pet safe </b></span></div>
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Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 4DR, UK52.5122561 -0.691941552.509840100000005 -0.696877 52.5146721 -0.687006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-17540603981772947742012-04-04T22:55:00.002+01:002012-04-04T22:58:00.679+01:00The Gran Whisperer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vc7myT8V1jM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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I came across this today and thought it was a good way to show why the dominance myth is not the best method to use when rehabilitating dogs. The dictionary definition of rehabilitation is - <i>Rehabilitation is a treatment or treatments designed to facilitate the
process of recovery from injury, illness, or disease to as normal a
condition as possible.</i><br />
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Most dogs who need "rehabilitation" in the form of behaviour modification are not suffering from injury, illness or disease but are more likely to be misunderstood or untrained or they don't meet their owner's expectation. Behaviour modification is about changing the dog's behaviour to enable it to fit in with human society, or even changing the owner expectations of what thier dog is and is not capable of and managing the situations. For instance, if your dog sits in the chair by the window and barks at all the people who are going by, move the chair and give your dog more mental and physical stimulation as this type of barking is often the result of boredom and the dog has learnt that s/he can get your attention by barking.<br /><br />If this behaviour is happening during the day while you are at work and you have neighbours that are complaining, why not book your dog into the local day care facility for a couple of days a week?<br /><i> </i>Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 4DR, UK52.5122561 -0.691941552.509840100000005 -0.696877 52.5146721 -0.687006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-40915823941431737362012-02-28T11:30:00.001+00:002012-02-28T11:39:32.871+00:00Pedigree Dogs ExposedDid you see Pedigree Dogs Exposed part 2 last night? It was tucked away on BBC4 rather than being in a prime TV slot. I'm not sure if this is so that the controversy caused by the previous programme wasn't as heated or because in the few years since the original programme there has been such a huge shift in viewing and more channels added that the BBC thought this was a great place for people to find the programme.<br />
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Whatever the reasons, die hard dog lovers watched this and have been commenting on social media. Unlike the last programme it hasn't been all over Breakfast News.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqQX4MIIHaGqNYYMfVvvIcmyeuZiACUlE6mIeHLriX8ByYBIWKJmQF_MMrcNgYrusrVRhSX6g035Z-QKUH5SYZ-chvWO46qrlv7hbzvEsEm4J8HZ1gq1C9nJ10ml-wJEg9YE1caEa/s1600/1803_bd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqQX4MIIHaGqNYYMfVvvIcmyeuZiACUlE6mIeHLriX8ByYBIWKJmQF_MMrcNgYrusrVRhSX6g035Z-QKUH5SYZ-chvWO46qrlv7hbzvEsEm4J8HZ1gq1C9nJ10ml-wJEg9YE1caEa/s1600/1803_bd.jpg" /></a><br />
I, and most of my dog training and behaviour colleagues as well as vets around the country are all saddened by the lack of movement with breed clubs and the Kennel Club in improving the health of pedigree dogs. Some breeders seem to be deliberatly ignoring the health of dogs for the way they look. This includes "culling" puppies that don't meet some ideal written down somewhere. Instead of having this pups put to sleep, why not have an exclusion that stops them being bred from? Or better still, include them in the breeding programme as they are possibly healthier than their perfect looking siblings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZukGDoYOjqQKTRG6B85cYtew4Pm1602jwiamlT17-ODkgD5ktdYkkwZPLR6zJBMVAndmcKwqFr0n0vr2jgZCT_zfwCLoxgNgph2VCwde_endCzoMymDJalbqqUgMIYWbfCftmmAp/s1600/hotshotnewunframed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZukGDoYOjqQKTRG6B85cYtew4Pm1602jwiamlT17-ODkgD5ktdYkkwZPLR6zJBMVAndmcKwqFr0n0vr2jgZCT_zfwCLoxgNgph2VCwde_endCzoMymDJalbqqUgMIYWbfCftmmAp/s200/hotshotnewunframed.jpg" width="200" /></a>The Great British Bulldog is one dog that has really suffered at the hands of people. I have a couple of books on dog breeds, one that shows breeds from the 1930s and one that has earlier pictures. The Bully is totally unrecognisable as the dog that it is today. Pre the banning of bull baiting these dogs looked more like Staffordshire Bull Terriers or American Bulldogs, the dogs of today cannot give birth without human help and many have a hard time walking around the park, they would never be able to take down a bull. The Kennel Club talks about "fit for function" and some dogs, such as the Border Collie can't have full championships unless they are able to do the job they were meant for and round up sheep, the Bulldog will never be able to prove that it is "fit for function" put at least it should be able to move without panting for breath. The same for the poor pug, some of this breed have to have operations to clear out the shortened nasal passages of excess flesh, just to be able to draw breath.<br />
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All the right noises have been made by breed organisations and the Kennel Club but they seem to be an attempt to placate rather than any real work on improving breed standards, a bit of rewording here and there, adding words like desirable instead of must be. Judges are still going to be looking for desirable and placing those dogs with desirable traits above dogs that are, for instance, less extreme. A lot of pedigree breeds seem to be more about how the dog looks than what the dog should be able to do. Does it matter that a Dalmation has Pointer genes in enable her and her off spring to be able to pee? She looks like a Dalmation, the bloodlines have been Dalmation for years. <br />
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Breed societies should remember that their breed came about through the mixing of other breeds or types to make something unique. Outcrossing should be to improve the plight of the dog they claim to adore. There are some breeders out there who are trying to make things better, but there are some, such as the Boxer breeders who refuse to admit they have problems, juvinile kidney disease has been traced back and genetically proven to be a problem with a certain line, but these dogs are still being closely bred, giving their pups a double copy of the faulty gene and a death scentence.<br />
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While I don't like the creation of designer breeds for profit (White GSD x Bichon puppies available in Scotland for more than the same breeder is selling pure Bichons) there are some cases where outcrossing helps improve the breed.<br />
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In horses some breeds have to pass grading tests before their progeny can be registered, even pure bred foals are excluded unless both parents are graded. Some of these breeds have a sliding scale of grading. If your horse doesn't pass the grade it's babies are not eligable, if it's male horse you are expected to have it neutered. It's about function and not "beauty". Maybe the dog world should take a leaf out of the horse world's book. <br />
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<br />Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com07 Farmstead Rd, Corby, Northamptonshire NN18 0LE, UK52.4815796 -0.726484752.4719081 -0.7462257 52.491251100000007 -0.7067437tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-15800048334539081852012-02-26T16:01:00.000+00:002012-02-26T16:01:03.950+00:00MovingCloverleaf has a new premises and will be offering new services from March 1st.<br />
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5 Maylan Road, Corby will now house the Dog Training, Behaviour and Grooming along with Day Care. Headed up by <a href="http://www.olwenturns.co.uk/" target="_blank">Olwen </a>you can be confident that your dog will be handled in the ethos of Kind Fair Effective<br />
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A clicker workshop is planned for the 17th March and a loose lead walking workshop is set for 25th. you can download a booking form from the Cloverleaf website.Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com0Corby, Northamptonshire NN18 0LE, UK52.4815796 -0.726484752.4791621 -0.7314202 52.4839971 -0.7215492tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265950210286755346.post-25554610783675659572012-01-24T09:49:00.001+00:002012-01-24T09:50:47.121+00:00Liver LoversLiver Cake Recipe<br />
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The ultimate training treat! No dog will be able to resist your<br />
charms when you carry a pocketful of livercake! Try it and see!<br />
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1 lb (450g) liver (lambs or pigs)<br />
1 lb (450g) gluten free flour<br />
3 eggs<br />
2 cloves of garlic (optional)<br />
One teaspoon of oil<br />
Dash of milk<br />
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Liquidise liver with eggs, milk, oil and garlic in blender. Add to flour<br />
and mix. Put into a microwave dish and cook on full power for<br />
about six-ten minutes.<br />
The cake should bounce back when pressed lightly, when cooked.<br />
Cut the cake into slices and freeze.<br />
Take out of freezer when required.Cloverleafk9http://www.blogger.com/profile/02068277245915684036noreply@blogger.com07 Farmstead Rd, Corby, Northamptonshire NN18 0LE, UK52.4815796 -0.726484752.442891100000004 -0.8054487 52.5202681 -0.6475207