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newsletter 3: August / September 2014
Dogs in Hot Cars
We have all seen the sad story in the news about a neglectful dog owner
who goes into a store ‘just for a minute’ and returns to find his dog dead
inside the car, where, on hot days, interior temperatures can reach over
160 degrees in just ten minutes. In happier endings, the police arrive to
smash the car window to rescue the dog in time.
The sun is shining on Norfolk. The kids are on holiday. Each weekend
offers abundant ‘day out’ options from country fayres to welcoming
beaches but please (please) consider leaving your four legged family
member at home and in the cool.
Already this year, in our region, dogs have died in cars, in conservatories and while attending
country events (walking in crowds of people isn't fun for a dog).
It is a criminal offence to leave a dog to suffer in a car with recent sentences handed down
including prison sentences and large fines.
If you see any animal in distress please call the police immediately and attempt to locate the
owner. If you cannot locate the owner (and have already contacted the police) you are entitled
to use reasonable force to gain entry and remove the animal into a safer environment.
Home Farm Barns
Downham Road
Crimplesham
Norfolk
PE33 9DU
Vulnerable Native Breeds are a group of dog breeds originating in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and identified by The Kennel
Club (KC) as having annual registration numbers of 300 puppies or fewer. The need for such
a list was first identified in June 2003, with research conducted by the KC to identify the
extent of the vulnerability and viability of each breed. It was a joint project, with the KC
working with the British and Irish Native Breeds Trust, later to be known simply as the
Native Dog Breeds Trust. The breeds on the list have been promoted at events such as
Discover Dogs and Crufts, and by asking that owners of these breeds mate their dogs rather
than having them spayed.
The majority of the list come from the Terrier Group, a group mostly derived from breeds
with backgrounds in the British Isles. The most marked drop in popularity is that of the
Sealyham Terrier which registered 1,084 puppies in 1938, but by 2004 was registering only
sixty dogs a year. In October 2011, British magazine Country Life highlighted the breed on its front cover, with the heading "SOS:
Save our Sealyhams", and launched a campaign to save the breed. The Otterhound, popular during the time of Henry VIII, has
numbers of less than a thousand world wide and is described by the British & Irish Dog Breeds Preservation Trust as "twice as rare
as the Giant Panda".
The list was originally compiled in January 2006, and included 28 breeds. Later in 2006, the Miniature Bull Terrier was added. In
2007, after consultation with the breed clubs involved, the Bloodhound, Gordon Setter and King Charles Spaniel were re-classed as
"Viable" rather than vulnerable. The English Setter is the newest addition to the list, having been added for the first time in 2012.
However, during 2012 the number of English Setter puppies registered increased to 314, so the breed was moved to the Kennel
Club's 'At Watch' list, which is for breeds with registrations from 300-450.
We are still offering FREE dog
micro chipping in partnership with
the Dogs Trust. Please contact the
office for full details.
SEARCH VETS 1
LIMITED TO FIND US
ON FACEBOOK
‘The Dog’s Dinner’
Has your little pooch sampled
the Vets 1 own brand dog
food yet? Seriously healthy.
Seriously delicious and
competitively priced. Free
samples available (most of the
time - but get eaten quickly!)
Hands 4 Hounds Canine Remedial Massage
Remedial massage for dogs can be used alongside traditional vet treatment to address reduced
mobility in older dogs or dogs with joint conditions such as arthritis or hip or elbow dysplasia. It can
also be used after accidents or injuries to address any lameness and after hip or cruciate surgery.
Owners have reported increased interest in walks and playing, increased ability to manage steps and
stairs, greater sociability and confidence and that their dog just appears happier. By working to keep
muscles flexible massage has a role in preventing injury too, particularly for dogs who work or
compete. For further details visit or www.hands4hounds.co.uk or call Louise on 01553 670021
Mel's Complete Pet Care is a complete pet care service that will look after your animals when you are
unable too. They offer a range of services which are tailored to your own pet's individual needs
including home feeding for all types of pets, Dog Walking, Pet & House sitting, Animal Taxi and Long
distance Animal Transport. They are fully Licensed, Insured and CRB Checked. Alongside this they
have also completed a Pet First Aid course. They understand that pet care is not a one size fits all
service and pride themselves on ensuring your care is specific for you. For further details visit
www.melscompletepetcare.co.uk or call 01366 387718/07775691481
Goodbye Colonel Meow
Colonel Meow, the cat with the longest fur in the world and the brooding face of an evil genius, has sadly passed away.
The two-year-old Himalayan-Persian cross-breed was an internet sensation,
the cantankerous cat stealing hearts and minds long before grumpy cat
came on the meme scene.
Colonel Meow was loved for his regal eyes, furry frown and contemptuous
curl of whisker.Sadly after falling ill last year, the ‘World’s Angriest Cat’
passed away on Wednesday night. His fans raised £20,000 to cover his vet
bills when his illness was first discovered and had already had a blood
transfusion.
Last night there was speculation that Meow had succumbed to heart failure.
Despite his ailing health, Meow remained haughty to the end, with his
owners known as ‘Human Slave Beasts’ and his followers as ‘Minions.’ His
owner Anne Marie Avey posted on his Facebook page a final farewell to his
350,000 fans writing: “Thank you so much for your understanding minions,
your love and support has meant the world to us both”
The Vets 1 Rough Guide to Clicker Training
Clicker Training is a dog training method that is based on positive reinforcement and gentle
handling. In fact, in clicker training there is little or no physical intervention on the part of the
trainer or handler. The clicker is a simple device that creates a distinct metallic sound that is
used to deliver accurate information to the dog. The scientific research and evidence regarding
the validity of this training method has been known for years and the great researcher B.F
Skinner is one of the pioneers of this behavioural field.
One of the most important aspects of animal training is the timing. In order for the dog to
learn that a certain behaviour gets him a reward, the reward must be delivered while the
behaviour is taking place. The more accurate we are, the easier it is for the dog to learn. The
more we postpone the reinforcement, the less is the ability to associate between the behaviour
and the consequence. For example, if I want to teach my dog to sit, I need to deliver the treat
right as the dog’s behind touches the ground. This is where the clicker comes in: by establishing a connection between the
“click” and the treat, I can manage to deliver information to the dog immediately.
How does it work?
The idea is simple. We create an association between a “click” and a treat. We click and immediately treat, we click and
treat. We repeat this dozens of times and the dog realizes “ok , when I hear this sound, I get a good thing”. Now, when
this association is made, we can use this click to deliver information to the dog about his behaviour. We will click the
clicker the instant a behaviour we want occurs. The dog sits, we click immediately when the dog’s behind hits the ground
and deliver the reinforcer right after – the dog realizes “ok – putting my behind on the ground is good”. The clicker
eliminates the need to deliver the treat as fast as possible. It allows for a gap or bridge between the behaviour and the
reinforcer. It is important to note that once the association is established, it is important that every click is always followed
by a treat. If you click and you do not treat, you weaken the association. Also note, that the reinforcer does not have to
be food. Many dogs would love to work for a game of tug, or a Frisbee throw. The reinforcer that comes after the click
can be anything the dog wants at the moment and it is important to know your dog and what he loves. Some dogs will
work for food indoors, while outdoors they would much rather chase a tennis ball. For more information visit
www.clickerzoneuk.co.uk