The top nasty k9 killers

You commonly see statistics reported on the leading causes of death in humans – things like cancer, obesity and heart disease. It serves as a good reminder of what you should look out for. But what about your dog? Let’s look at likely causes of mortality among the canine population, so you have a better idea about potential problems.

Unfortunately there’s nowhere near as much research into leading causes of mortality in dogs as there is for humans. But in the last decade or so there have been a few retrospective studies in the US and Europe, largely based on veterinary databases or surverys of owners, looking at the how, when and why of dog deaths.

The big three

The 3 killers reported consistently across most studies are cancer, cardiac disease and believe it or not, “old age”. So really, dogs are not all that unlike humans in their end of days. Of course while the first two are manageable, unfortunately none of us yet know how to prevent or treat old age…

The key to cancer is catching it early – if you do, treatment is available for your 4 legged friend. Surgical removal of tumors and chemo and radiotherapy are all options for treatment, and while they do come at a great expense, they can be extremely effective. Cardiac disease on the other hand comes down to both lifestyle and genetic predisposition. Annual vet checks will help to pick up any issues with your pup’s heart and a good diet and regular exercise will go a long way in ensuring good heart health.

TL;DR – keep your eyes peeled for signs of cancer or heart disease and act quickly to treat them

Young vs Old dogs

A US study out of the University of Georgia by Fleming et al (2011) has suggested that the leading causes of death are very different for old vs young dogs. They found that illness related to the gut (15%) and infections (25%) were common killers of young dogs, whereas these shifted to issues with the brain and nervous system (10%) and cancer (30%) in older dogs. An English paper from O’Neill et al (2013) came to a similar conclusion, with 15% of dogs under 3 years dying from gastrointestinal problems and 18% of dogs older than 3 dying from cancer.

TL;DR – watch out for tummy issues and infections in young dogs and cancerous growths in older dogs

A breed thing

Unfortunately, all dogs were not made equal thanks to many years of selective breeding in some pretty terrible directions. Thankfully, many breeders are now trying to rectify these mistakes and perform genetic testing on all breeding animals to ensure they don’t carry genes which predispose pups to conditions like cancer, skin disease and joint problems.

Here are common causes of death for some common breeds:

BEAGLE
Cancer (23-33%), infections (11%), heart disease (5%)
BOXER
Cancer (38-45%), old age (21%), spinal disease (9%)
DACHSHUND
Spinal disease (19%), cancer (9-17%), heart disease (14%)
GERMAN SHEPHERD
Cancer (11-28%), hip dysplasia (15%), trauma (11%)
GOLDEN RETRIEVER
Cancer (20-50%), old age (19%), trauma (8%)
GREYHOUND
Cancer (22%), trauma (17%), infections (16%)
LABRADOR
Cancer (31-34%), old age (23%), hip dysplasia (10%)
POODLE (STANDARD)
Cancer (27-30%), trauma (10%), heart disease (6%)
STAFFY
Cancer (44%), old age (20%), heart disease (7%)
MIXED BREED DOGS
Cancer (13-28%), trauma (7-16%), infections (10%)

If you want to know what conditions  various breeds commonly suffer (whether an inherited condition, or something the breed is just more disposed to developing), check out this awesome resource.

TL;DR – different breeds are more susceptible to different causes of death – learn more about the breed you own or when you are considering getting a dog

He’s gonna live forever

Thinking about your dog dying is a really hard thing and for most of us, it’s something we try our absolute hardest to not think about. But unfortunately, valar morghulis applies to dogs as well. The most important things to keep in mind is that some causes of death are preventable or treatable to a certain extent, so make sure you do your best to keep your dog healthy and give them as much time here as you can. Just as important is knowing when the time is right to let go – when their quality of life is declining, you need to forget about your own wants and needs and do what’s best for your furry pal.

With love,

References
Adams, V. J., Evans, K. M., Sampson, J. and Wood, J. L. N. (2010), Methods and mortality results of a health survey of purebred dogs in the UK. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 51: 512–524

Fleming, J.M., Creevy, K.E. and Promislow, D.E.L. (2011), Mortality in North American Dogs from 1984 to 2004: An Investigation into Age-, Size-, and Breed-Related Causes of Death. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 25: 187–198.

O’Neill, D.G., Church, D.B., McGreevy, P.D.,  Thomson, P.C., Brodbelt, D.C. (2013), Longevity and mortality of owned dogs in England. The Veterinary Journal,  198 (3): 638-643

Proschowsky, H.F., Rugbjerg, H., Ersbøll,  A.K.(2003), Mortality of purebred and mixed-breed dogs in Denmark. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 58 (1–2): 63-74

An open letter about the end of greyhound racing in NSW

Last week in Australia, the New South Wales state parliament passed a motion to make greyhound racing (and associated activities) illegal in the state from July 1st, 2017. I’ve got a few things to say about that, and I hope you’ll read along where ever you sit in this debate.

Our sooky Grey, Atlas

A Special Commission of Inquiry

Doubtless you heard that there was an inquiry into the state of greyhound racing in NSW after the Four Corners program got a lot of people thinking about a) the welfare of dogs (and other animals) within the racing industry and b) the level of policing within the industry. The inquiry was headed by a guy called Michael McHugh, who has been a practicing lawyer for 55 years, and a justice of the high court for many of those years. This inquiry started in May 2015 and took over a year to complete, with the report being delivered on June 16th 2016.

The report prepared by McHugh (including information from hundreds of individuals, organisations, government bodies and industry participants) is an epic 3 volumes (747 pages in total), available to the public here. Why is it available to the public? Because it should be public knowledge, and if you have an opinion about greyhound racing, you should read it. If you don’t have the time or patience, try this summary sheet instead.

Whether you read the whole report or just a summary, there are facts that stand out. While the report is limited in terms of exact numbers (due to the incompetence of Greyhound Racing NSW and some industry participants in keeping appropriate records), the overall message is clear. In the last 12 years, 50 to 70% of greyhounds (read 40-60 THOUSAND) were euthanised due to being uncompetitive (whether this is failure to chase, not being fast enough, injury, etc). That’s an average of 3333 dogs a year – even at a low ball estimate this is around the same number (3435) of dogs euthanised by the RSPCA in NSW during 2014/2015 for serious medical, behavioural and legal reasons. This alone should be enough to convince anyone – whether part of the industry or not – that greyhound racing results in an unacceptable number of healthy dogs being euthanised.

This is the tip of the iceburg – if this doesn’t convince you that the sport is not being operated with the welfare of the dogs as the primary interest, I encourage you to read the report. It highlights the lack of effort put into tracing the lives and final outcomes of individual dogs, the prolific use of home remedies instead of veterinary attention for medical concerns and responses by GRNSW which demonstrate their concern for public perception over improvements in welfare. The outcome of the inquiry was that the NSW premier, Mike Baird, immediately announced an end to greyhound racing in the state. State parliament passed that motion as a law last week, so yes, it’s actually happening.

What it means for greyhounds

Greyhound Racing NSW have announced a supplement to the Greyhound Racing Prohibition Act (2016), which prohibits an owner from euthanising a greyhound without express written content from GRNSW. This is, I would assume, hoped to be a safeguard against mass euthanasia once greyhounds lose their monetary value. It’s a step in the right direction, but there’s no mention of how difficult (or easy) it would be to obtain written consent. Overall, I think the end of the industry means that a lot of greyhounds will be euthanised. Yes, probably less than if the industry continued for another 10 years, but a lot of dogs will still die.

Greyhounds as Pets, the industry supported rehoming program, didn’t really start up until 2008. In the 8 years it’s been operating GAP has been increasing the number of adoptions every year – but almost a decade worth of adoptions only adds up to 593 dogs according to the inquiry report. Projected estimates for adoptions by the end of this year are 435 dogs – just 5.5% of the number born on average each year. Only another 4.3% are believed to be rehomed by independent adoption groups. Even if private rehoming made up another 20% of retiring dogs, that’s still 70% of dogs unaccounted for. What it all means is that rehoming programs are already unable to deal with the number of dogs looking for homes and the end of racing will see a surge in that number.

Greyhounds can go one of three ways; be moved interstate to continue racing, become a pet (by private adoption, or through a rehoming group) or be euthanised. That’s it. What we need to do is make sure that for the vast majority of dogs, it’s option a or b.

Our last foster dog, Ivy

What it means for all of us

This decision comes as a light at the end of the tunnel for some; for others, it’s a horrible blow that may find them jobless within 12 months. Just consider that – whatever side of the fence you’re on, there’s someone on the other side. We all tend to get heated in this argument, but in the end what matters is that the people and the animals involved in the industry are given respect and handled appropriately as it winds down.

For people involved in the industry as breeders, owners, trainers and punters, life will no doubt change. For the rest of us, it probably won’t. Some people will lose a hobby, other people will lose a main source of income. Others may choose to move interstate, a big decision with significant financial cost. What I have to say to those people is firstly, I’m sorry you have to give up something you obviously enjoyed, and I hope that you can find your feet financially. Secondly, is that now is the time for action – don’t plan for any further litters and start trying to line up homes for your existing dogs early, because come next July, there will be thousands of dogs looking for homes. Now is not the time to try and rally, to change the industry or to argue the figures – the ban just became state law, so it’s your responsibility to take care of your dogs, not bicker about it.

What about those of us who have supported a ban from the outset? It’s time to put your opinions into practice. Adopt a greyhound. Convince your friends, family, coworkers, neighbors and random people on the street that they need a greyhound in their lives. It’s not hard – they are amazing pets (see here). Foster if you can to help increase the capacity of rehoming organisations. Volunteer at the kennels of adoption groups, hold a fund raiser and just generally do what you can.

Spread the love

Please get involved. I adopted Atlas from the NSW Greyhounds as Pets program and couldn’t be happier – I have a wonderful companion for life. I also volunteer with them from time to time at events to encourage others to do the same and we have foster dogs with us at home when we can. This program is industry based and encourages owners and trainers to behave responsibly, working with them to find a permanent home for their hound. There are many others involved in greyhound rehoming, including the RSPCA, Greyhound Rescue, Friends of the Hound, Every Greyhound and many other all-breed shelters (e.g. Sydney Dogs and Cats home, local pounds, No Kill Pet Rescue, etc).

Our first foster, who we struggled to let go of, Trendy

With love,

The Dog Commandments – “WAIT”

Welcome to a new blog series – the dog commandments. I’m going to talk about the ultimate commands for a happy and safe life with your dog. They’re easy to teach your dog and should form the basis for ongoing training. We are going to start with something simple and wonderfully adaptable – “wait”.

Why it’s useful

I think this is one of the most useful commands a dog can know because it gives you (aka the almighty dog master) control over precious, precious resources. And resources in the dog world are pretty basic; things like food, water, going for a walk and being allowed to get on the couch. By teaching wait, you can teach your dog that he needs your permission to use or keep using any of said resources. When linked with a “release” word, it allows you to tell your dog “don’t do anything until I say the special word” and “special word!”.

Examples of how to use it

This is easily Atlas’s most well followed command because we use it 10-20 times on a daily basis. There are food related waits (before being served dinner, before being allowed to accept a treat), which are great because the reward for waiting is getting the food! There are also walking waits – we ask him to wait at the kerb, as well as the front door before leaving the house. We have also trained him to respond to wait even if we aren’t stopping at a particular place – he will stop mid stride and stand there if we call “wait”. It’s also useful for things like grooming, vet visits, standing on scales and accepting pats from inquisitive kids (I use it like the more traditional “stand” command taught in most obedience schools).

How to teach it

Believe it or not, “wait” is incredibly easy to teach – your dog can pick it up across all the above examples in a matter of days. If you want your dog to wait to tuck into their food or a treat:

1. Put their bowl or treat on the floor in front of them
2. Stand in front of them and hold their collar
3. Raise a hand with your palm flat in front of their face and say “wait” (or whatever command word you want)
4. When they are calm and not moving, release their collar and say “ok” (or whatever release word you want)

Each time you do this, try and have less and less hold on their collar – you can progress to a finger just resting on the collar, with the final goal being no hand on their collar at all. To take it further, have your dog “wait” several seconds before saying your release word.

To teach your dog to wait at the kerb or stand still even with an open door/gate in front of them, try this:

1. With your dog on lead, approach a kerb or a door
2. When you stop, say “wait” and move your hand in a swiping motion above your dog’s eyes
3. When they are calm and not moving, reward profusely
4. When you want to keep moving, say “ok” so they know they are allowed to continue with you

Don’t worry if your dog pulls on the leash, crazily trying to keep moving while you are standing still. Be firm and consistent and don’t budge an inch. They will soon learn that a) the fastest way to get moving is to stop when you ask and b) that they get treats just for standing still!

Once your dog is nicely waiting at landmarks like kerbs, ask them to wait at a random spot (e.g. when you need to bag a poop they just lovingly produced for you) and reward them when they do.

Here’s a short vid of Atlas demonstrating expert level waiting!

 

Practice every day and you’ll have it mastered in no time!

Happy training and much love,

 

How to fix your “naughty” dog

I try to be an optimist – I don’t think people are born bad, I think their experiences in life make them that way. I’ve got the same attitude to “bad” or “naughty” dogs – they weren’t born like that (and it also didn’t happen over night). I’m going to walk you through some typical naughty dog behaviour and more importantly, help you fix it! To refresh yourself on the basics of training, have a quick read of this.

The “I’m so excited to see you, I must jump on you”.

Does your dog jump up on you, your children and any visitors to your house? They aren’t a naughty dog. They are excited to see said person, but don’t know that it’s rude to jump up. So let’s fix that.

WHY she does it
to jump is to receive attention and be soooo close to you.
WHAT you need to do
as soon as they jump, turn around and cross your arms (ensure this is EVERYONE’s response to this behaviour). When 4 paws are on the floor, apply 10, 000 affection.
alternatively
teach your dog to sit. Have her sit whenever someone arrives – she will get attention as long as she remains sitting. Whenever she stands or jumps, attention goes away.
WHY it works
her aim is getting attention. If jumping gets attention, she will jump. If standing still or sitting gets attention, she will do that instead.

The “BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK”.

Does your dog bark insanely any time people or people with dogs walk the footpath outside your house? He’s not naughty. He is territorial and needs to be socialised. So let’s fix that.

WHY he does it
I am scared and/or angry when I see this thing walk past, so I yell at it. When I yell at it, it goes away.
WHAT you need to do
two part answer – the first part is that you need to teach your dog that people and other dogs walking part are ok. Have a neighbour and a dog owner prepared to do laps outside your front gate. As they walk past, feed him treats. Feed him as many treats as he can handle in a mouthful any time he is calm and not barking. The second part is in the next section!
WHY it works
dogs and people on the street suddenly turn into signals that a treat is coming! They are the treat bringers! I no longer need to yell at them!

The “I hate other dogs”.

Does your dog growl, snarl, bark or carry on when seeing other dogs on a walk? She’s not naughty. She needs reassurance that other dogs are ok, and education about how to interact with other dogs AKA socialisation (see here for a full blog on it). So let’s fix that.

WHY she does it
I don’t see many other dogs and I don’t know how to act appropriately around them, so I’m nasty just in case they are too.
WHAT you need to do
introduce your dog to other dogs, but SLOWLY. Start by watching other dogs from a creepily long distance away and avoid meeting dogs up close. Get closer each week. Reward calm behaviour EVERY TIME. Know your dog and how they are likely to react – don’t push them too far, too fast, this process can take time.
WHY it works
we ease her into interactions with other dogs through CONTROLLED exposure, which limits adrenaline-rush type responses. We show her that being calm and happy around other dogs is a good thing.

The “I have destroyed all your most prized possessions”.

Does you dog have a knack for finding either the thing that you love the most or the thing that was the most expensive and destroying it while you’re not home? They aren’t a naughty dog. They are either bored shitless and full of energy, upset that you have left them by themselves or both. So let’s fix that.

WHY he does it
energy build up, separation anxiety, lack of stimulation. Basically, being in solitary confinement.
WHAT you need to do
walk your dog regularly – once a day is ideal, particularly for ANY working breed. Limit the time your dog spends alone. Make life interesting – provide toys and rotate them frequently, give long lasting treats or hide small ones, let them see the outside world (through the fence or a window). Provide company in the form of a radio switched on, a canine companion or a cuddly toy and blanket. Don’t make a big deal of leaving or coming home.
WHY it works
if dogs are tired they will sleep. If given toys and things to chew, they will stop destroying other things. Company and not even noticing you leave or come back can help to limit separation anxiety.

The “I’m taking the human for a walk”.

Does your dog drag you down the street, zigzagging from lamp post to mail box and back again? She’s not naughty. She has no idea why her throat always hurts or that you would prefer to walk at a regular pace with her by your side. So let’s fix that.

WHY she does it
the more I pull, the more I get to sniff and wee on all the things! Plus, no one’s ever stopped me.
WHAT you need to do
take charge. Decide which poles your dog is allowed to pee on and ONLY allow her to go to those poles. If she pulls towards ANYTHING, do not allow her to get to it. This is your walk, and she’s coming along. Keep her to one side and next to you with a short leash – tell her “AH” and redirect her body if she tries to barge to the other side. Hold a treat over her nose to position her exactly where you want her to walk and reward often. Invest in a front attach harness like this one as a training aid to prevent pulling. For every pull, give a short and sharp (but gentle) tug and tell her “AH”. Reward when not pulling. Don’t exhaust this precious tool – if your dog does not respond, stop walking as soon as they start pulling. Note: this will test your patience to the limits, but it is well worth the commitment to have a dog who doesn’t pull.
WHY it works
She now sees that she’s not allowed to sniff anything she damn well pleases. She also knows that while rushing ahead just causes discomfort, sticking right by you means lots of tasty treats!

A note on “naughty” dogs

Naughty dogs are like naughty children – they haven’t been provided with the rules of engagement, or have been given no incentive to follow them. So really, no dog is to blame for being naughty and no dog is “born bad”. Invest time, treats and patience in your dog and they will return your efforts ten fold in good behaviour.

With love,

For the love of science; 6 myths about dogs discredited

There’s nothing I love more than being a myth buster – it’s part of my job, really. I consider it a public service to counteract “Well I heard that…” with “[Authors] concluded that”, and that’s what you’ve gotten yourself in to here. So sit back and get ready to have your mind blown by science!

1 human year = 7 dog years

In a perfect world, we would have a one size fits all to determine how old dogs “actually” are (i.e. how their anatomy and physiology are deteriorating in relation to that of a human). I’ve been told time and time again that this magic ratio is 1:7, which would make Atlas a hot young bachelor with the world at his paw tips (aka age 35). However, according to info from the AVMA when I account for his gargantuan size, he’s probably something closer to mid forties (even though he still tells everyone he’s in his 30’s). In the end, there’s no solid conversion of dog to human years, but once a dog is 6 for large breeds or 7 for smaller dogs, they are considered seniors (don’t tell Atlas).

Old? ME??!?

Eating grass? He’s SICK I tell you!

Some owners will see their dog eating grass and immediately freak out. They think that their dog is on his death bed, but not all grass eating is indicative of a problem (or followed by a revolting dog chuck). Bjone et al (2007) showed that over 709 events of grass eating by dogs, vomiting only occurred 5 times – a strike rate of just 0.7%. Aside from showing it’s not just to induce vomiting, these authors managed to demonstrate just how common a behaviour it is for dogs, concluding that it really shouldn’t be perceived as an issue by worried owners.

Dogs can’t sweat

This is an out and out lie. Yes, it’s not the main mechanism of cooling in dogs, but that doesn’t mean that they a) don’t have sweat glands and b) never sweat. While the exact physiological stimulus for dogs to sweat is still unknown, dogs do have the same type of sweat glands we have in our stinky armpits – they just have them on their paw pads. They’re called atrichial (aka eccrine, aka merocrine) sweat glands and (although anecdotal) have been noted to produce sweat in nervous or excited dogs (Muller & Kirk, 2007). So next time some one tries to tell you dogs pant because they can’t sweat, tell them they are wrong – dogs pant because although they have sweat glands and can sweat, it is more efficient for them to lose heat through evaporative cooling via the airways.

A dogs paw pad hides more than just scales..

Female dogs should have a litter before being desexed

For me, this is the same as saying “Women should have a baby to calm them down/prevent disease/any other stupid reason”. I’ve already had a big rant about desexing and why it’s important in an earlier blog. This myth is a reason that some people think it’s a good idea to hold off on desexing, and I can confirm that it is 1000000% bull shit. Oestrus (aka ‘heat’) and pregnancy are two triggers for dog-dog aggression discussed by Sherman et al (1996), particularly between female dogs. And their solution? DESEX THEM. Retrospective studies have also found no link between a female dog’s reproductive status and human directed aggression (Casey et al, 2014).

All dogs came from domesticated gray wolves

This is a popular one which people often throw out there as trivia. While modern dogs do share a lot of genetic similarity with the gray wolf, they are actually ‘sister’ species rather than ancestor/decedent, as are many other extant wolf species. It’s a rather muddled story in terms of the genetics, because while dogs were becoming a distinct subspecies, they still interbred with wolves, increasing the amount of common DNA between them (Parker & Gilbert, 2015). The current theory is that a now extinct wolf species diverged in two or three directions, creating the genetic basis for both the domestic dog, the gray wolf and also an extinct Siberian wolf (Skoglund et al, 2015) . An important thing to note is that this may or may not have aligned in time with domestication – the modern dog may have been well on the way to becoming a unique subspecies well before any interaction with humans.

Taken directly from Skoglund et al (2015), depicting the relationship between gray wolves, the extinct Siberian wolf and domestic dogs.

Black dogs don’t get adopted 😦

This has gained a lot of momentum through social media, with numerous posts encouraging people to remember the poor forgotten black dogs when searching for a new best friend at a shelter. As far as I can tell, it was originally derived from the anecdotes of shelter workers and has now become a “phenomenon”. Funnily enough, some research has shown the opposite, that colour is not an indicator of either a dog being less likely to be adopted or waiting longer for adoption (Protopopova et al, 2012). Other studies have suggested that while being a black dog means you are adopted 13% less than the most adopted colour, you’re still above red and orange coats. In addition, coat colour in this case was shown to be a pretty poor predictor of adoption behind things like age, breed and size (DeLeeuw, 2010).

Who wouldn’t want a sleek and shiny black dog! Or a sleek and shiny dog of any colour while we’re at it.

We hope we have helped to dispel the myths and encourage you to always try and find solid proof from a reliable source before spouting dog (or any other) facts!

With love,

References

Bjone S.J., Brown W.Y., Price I.R., 2007, Grass eating patterns in the domestic dog, Canis familiaris. Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition in Australia, 16: 45-49
Casey R.A., Loftus B., Bolster C., Richards G.J., Blackwell E.J., 2014, Human directed aggression in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris): Occurrence in different contexts and risk factors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 152: 52-63
DeLeeuw J.L., 2010, Animal Shelter Dogs: Factors predicting adoption versus euthanasia. PhD thesis, Wichita State University
Miller W, Muller G, Scott D, Griffin C, Campbell K. Muller & Kirk’s Small Animal Dermatology [e-book]. St. Louis, Mo: Saunders; 2013
Protopopova A., Gilmour A.J., Weiss R.H., Shen J.Y., Lawrence Wynne C.D., 2012, The effects of social training and other factors on adoption success of shelter dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 142 (1–2): 61-68
Parker H.G. & Gilbert S.F., 2015, From caveman companion to medical innovator: genomic insights into the origin and evolution of domestic dogs. Advances in Genomics and Genetics, 5:239-255
Sherman C.K., Reisner I.R., Taliaferro L.A., Houpt K.A., 1996, Characteristics, treatment, and outcome of 99 cases of aggression between dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 47 (1–2): 91-108
Skoglund P., Ersmark E., Palkopoulou E., Dalen L., 2015, Ancient wolf genome reveals an early divergence of domestic dog ancestors and admixture into high-latitude breeds. Current Biology, 25: 1515-1519

Dumb stuff your dog definitely doesn’t need but you should still buy this Xmas

Christmas is by far my favourite time of year. Summer has finally rolled around and for the whole month of December and most of January, not a lot of work gets done. Plus there are so many celebrations – family, friends, work colleagues, other people you’ve met on occasion – any excuse for a party really. Of course the silly season has become very commercialised and centres around material things…so make sure your dog isn’t left out of the frivolity, by buying another present that the receiver probably doesn’t need but will enjoy (or not) none the less.

The Ugly Christmas Sweater

Dog apparel is a booming business. Unfortunately for my ungainly, gangly orang-utan of a dog, most of this is tailored to tiny rodent-esque dogs, but there is definitely at least one thing you’ll be able to find that fits your dog. There are a plethora of Etsy shops which sell dog apparel, and lucky for your dog, they know how much he likes being dressed up especially for Christmas.

They wouldn’t be making them if there weren’t people buying them. Simple logic; you need one.

You can find tees, jumpers, onesies, bandanas and (my personal favourite) bowties in every candy cane-pine tree-striped-spotted-bauble bearing-red and green fabric under the sun. This year I’m buying a bow tie from Sydney based ‘The Sophisticated Pet‘ because they’re a) cheap, b) real cute and c) local, so I’m supporting local business. And also dog bow ties. Come on, you know you (don’t) need it.

Santa Photos

This is one of those things that applies equally to kids and dogs – people enjoy both of them having photos taken with a stranger dressed up in a cheap velvet suit, sweating profusely in the Australian summer heat, surrounded by fake snow. Pet supply retailers have caught on and many have started offering pet Santa photos, with some like Pet-O donating proceeds to re-homing programs. Others offer them for free if you’re buying something in store (which of course you already are, because your dog needs more things).

“For God’s sake humans, you do not need another photo of me because it is a particular day of the year”

Vaguely Christmas-y Treats & Toys

There is a marketing genius somewhere (probably on a yacht in the Caribbean) who realised that at Christmas, you are willing to buy anything that is even vaguely christmas-y. Yep, that includes dog toys. Of course there are really Christmas-y dog treats and toys, like squeaky Santa and Reindeer toys, dog-friendly candy canes and poochy christmas pudding (yes really).  Then there’s the slackers who just want to sell you something that fits in with Christmas, without having to change too much about their production line. My favourites are normal toys with tiny Santa hats or red bows added. Whether they have been crafted in true or lazy Christmas spirit, your dog will definitely enjoy one of these (for a short time, before it is abandoned and thereafter remains invisible to your dog).

Atlas unwrapping his present last Christmas. Yep, it’s food.

The Perfect Gift

Dogs are a lot easier to shop for than people, because they don’t tell you they like something while they think about whether they can return it within the 7 day limit. They blatantly enjoy or are not impressed by your gifts – so go off past experience. If they like food (read: for every dog), then let them eat cake (figuratively…unless it’s a special doggy cake). If they love chasing things, get them things to chase. It also doesn’t have to be material – if they love to swim, take them for a dip. If they love playing with other dogs, take them to the dog park for an extended period or more regularly than usual. Or, do like the rest of us are going to do and buy them something mentioned earlier in this blog.

Wishing you and your fur babies a wonderful festive season full of love, laughter and vaguely Christmas-y things.

With love,

“Keep your dog on the bloody leash” – A Rant

If there’s one thing I can’t stand more than Sydney traffic, pseudoscience and a badly made cup of tea, it’s off leash dogs.

I know you probably just said “what a tosser” to yourself, so let me explain myself before you go storming off on a high of self righteousness.

*Conditions Apply

What I’m talking about (generally) is off leash dogs anywhere that has not been designated as a legal off leash area by local council.

If you only let your dog off leash in designated off leash areas, good on you.
(Although I STRONGLY encourage you to review whether your dog should be let off leash at all. Does your dog have near-perfect recall? If not, it probably shouldn’t be off leash, ever.)

If you are constantly letting your dog off leash regardless of the location, or you walk your dog regularly without a leash, please, for the love of dog, read on.

Why it’s good to not be a jerk

If you are one of the above mentioned people, I’m sorry to be the one to inform you, but you are in fact being a jerk.

I know it may not seem like it and I know you’ve probably never been told directly before, but let me assure you, that you are in fact being a jerk.

Photo related: dogs can also be jerks.

But WHY am I a jerk?

Because you Sir, are doing the wrong thing. There are several very good reasons that council asks you to keep your dog on leash at all times outside designated off leash areas, and here are a few:

• most dogs have no traffic sense
• many people do not appreciate being approached by your dog
• it is harder to keep track of your dog and its waste and hence clean up after it
• it puts native wildlife and bush regeneration programs in the area under increased threat
• certain areas may have high levels of foot traffic and many young children, not a particularly good mix for a dog not under your direct control

Believe it or not, council don’t make up every single law to be jerks – in fact, many of them encourage YOU not to be jerks.

The REAL reason it irks me

The above is in no way diminished by what I’m about to say, but above and beyond everything else there’s one reason I hate seeing dogs off leash outside off leash areas: other dogs.

“I’m SOOOOOOO friendly”

All too often, in ON LEASH areas, I encounter dog owners whose (often small) dog will come bounding up to mine, while (from a kilometre away) they yell:

don’t worry, he’s friendly!

That’s all well and good, but do you have any idea whether or not my dog is? Do you know if my dog is anxious when approached by other dogs? Do you know if my dog is leash reactive? Do you know if my dog is well socialised or not? Do you know if my dog has any contagious pathogens? Do you know anything at all?

No, you don’t.

When people choose to walk their dogs in any area without an “off leash” sign, they should reasonably expect not to be assaulted by “friendly” dogs “just wanting to say hello”. I don’t care if your dog is the nicest, sweetest, friendliest dog in the whole god damn world – I have chosen to walk here because I do not want to encounter other dogs off leash and I have as much right to be here with my dog as you do.

If you are selfish and can’t follow very simple rules because it’s too hard to walk or drive somewhere off leash, you make life very difficult for many other dog owners.

No one likes being a jerk, so let’s see if we can fix that. If everyone reading this promises to never let their dog off leash outside designated public areas, we can make the world a better place.

Atlas would like to add that being walked on leash is really not all that bad. Definitely not as good as chicken necks, but much less bad than having your ears cleaned.

With love (and a bit of anger),

The Golden Greyhound

Anyone who owns a greyhound will tell you that you need to own one too. Thousands of people worlwide can’t be wrong; they are the best dog breed, hands down (bums up).

A Hound for the Ages

“I should like to go and wee on that bush over yonder.” “Oh, yes quite my good sir.” Refined 18th century greyhounds

The origin of greyhounds is unclear, with some suggesting that they emerged as a loved companion as early as the time of the Egyptian empire (Wilson, 2013). Some more solid evidence suggests that the predecesor of greyhounds, the vertagus (swift runner or boar hunter;  Schrumpf, 1877) emerged in Europe with the rise of the celts of the east and then spread across the booming continent. Where ever their true origin, greyhounds became an extremely popular breed in England during the 1700’s, and this is where all modern blood lines can be traced back to. Amazingly, greyhounds have changed very little in their appearance, performance and health in hundreds of years, thanks to well intentioned selective breeding.

No, he doesn’t bite

When I get stopped by the general public, I almost want to have a recorded reply that I just play off my phone. I get asked one of about 10 questions, guaranteed. They usually include; does he race? is he aggressive? does he need heaps of exercise? does he eat a lot? can he run fast? No, no, no, no and yes, but he is such a fatty that he hardly ever runs around.

Yeah I love running…to the couch

I feel that one of the biggest and most damaging misconceptions is that greyhounds are aggressive. A comprehensive review by Duffy et al. (2008) concluded that greyhounds were grouped into the least aggressive breeds, with only one report of aggression towards humans or dogs in a sample of 62 dogs. What SOME (25% of) greyhounds are likely to exhibit, to some extent and within a short time of rehoming, is prey drive (Elliot et al. 2010). Because greyhounds have been bred to chase, this ‘predatory’ instinct can make them want to chase small animals, including small dogs. This means that some greyhounds are not cat friendly (although not all) and greyhounds with a high prey drive need adequate socialisation and appropriate supervision.

The POSITIVES of greyhounds are never ending, but let me sum up a few:

1. Happy go lucky attitude to life (may be a general dog thing…)
2. Minimal dog stink (except their farts, oh holy jesus)
3. Minimal grooming
4. Minimal exercise requirements
5. Good snugglers
6. No barking (depends on the dog, but Atlas has barked 3 times. Ever.)
7. Minimal health issues, relatively long lived
8. Tolerant…will let you dress them up
9. 100% perfection of puppy dog eyes
10. Equal parts regal and goof ball

Go Green

Greyhounds are required to be muzzled by NSW law under the Companion Animals Act, first instated in 1966. There are no reasons given and most people assume it’s because greyhounds are so aggressive they might attack some one (or thing) on the street. See the paragraph above.

Does this greencollar make my neck look fat?

Thankfully, some forward thinking people have realised that muzzles are a) unnecessary for the vast majority of greyhounds and b) really ugly and off putting. This means that through the Greenhound program (and similar programs in other Australian states), you can have your grey temperament tested and approved to be MUZZLE FREE! I personally think it’s a good idea for EVERY dog to be put through this test, greyhound or not, because there are a lot more non-greyhounds which really should be muzzled in public.

Put me down for 10

If you’ve just decided you can’t live another minute without a greyhound, or you need to spend the next 3 hours trawling photos of adorable dogs and not being able to choose just one, listen up. Each state has an industry affiliated re-homing group which ensures a smooth transition from trainer to loving family. Whether you’re an advocate of racing or not should have no bearing on whether you choose to adopt through these groups – they are doing the RIGHT thing and helping greys find new homes. Here they are by state:

NSW – Greyhounds as Pets [our old mates]
VIC – Greyhound Adoption Program
QLD – Greyhound Adoption Program
WA – Greyhounds as Pets
SA – Greyhound Adoption Program
TAS – Greyhound Adoption Program

There are bucket loads of other private re-homing groups, also trying to help with the large numbers of hounds looking for loving homes each year. Because these groups take in many greyhounds from council pounds, you are less likely to know about your dog’s history and some dogs are in poor condition. This doesn’t make them any less a big smush bucket of love, but some may require extra care and attention as a result. Here they are again by state:

NSW – Greyhound Rescue, Greyhound Adoption Program
VIC – Greyhound Safety Net, Amazing Greys
QLD – Friends of the Hound
WA – Greyhound Angels, Greyhound Adoptions WA
NT – Greyhound Rehoming Association NT
TAS – Greyhound Haven
Australia wide – Gumtree Greys, RSPCA, Every Greyhound

There are also plenty of dogs advertised through various Facebook pages, so have a quick search if you want your newsfeed constantly flooded with dogs you need to have right now.

Atlas has too much love to give and has to take some of it out on his toys.

Make sure you meet your prospective cuddle bug before adopting – choose the right hound for your lifestyle, family, house and other fur children. And most of all, make sure you can commit to provide a loving home for life – it’s just not fair for these dogs otherwise.

So, we assume we’ll see you at the next monthly greyhound walk?

References

Elliott R., Toribio J.L.M.L, Wigney D 2010, The Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) in Australia and New Zealand: A survey of owners’ experiences with their greyhounds one month after adoption. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 124 (3–4):121-13
Schrumpf, G. A. 1877, VERTRAGUS ACER. Notes and Queries. 5-VII (179): 426
Wilson, J. A. 2013, Culture of Ancient Egypt, e-book, accessed 10 October 2015, http://USYD.eblib.com.au/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=1605227

Benefits of the Wolf Pack

Far from being (just) a garbage disposal and source of incredible stinkiness, research shows that dog ownership is beneficial both physically and mentally.

The Physical

Before we got Atlas, we were pretty big couch potatoes (and of course some times we still are). As a dog owner you’re statistically more likely to be an active person – in particular, you’re far more likely to take part in recreational walking and the time of any walks you take is likely to be longer. Some research suggests that women especially could be as much as 30% less likely to go for a walk if they have no human or dog companion (Cutt et al, 2007). This increase in physical activity is likely linked to pet owners’ lowered risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease (Knight & Edwards, 2008), so you can see how it’s a win-win!

Of course, Atlas can only be so active himself before he needs an 8 hour nap to recover

Apart from acting as furry disease prevention units, some research suggests that dogs can also be beneficial for recovery from serious illness. Dog owners were almost 9 times more likely to still be alive 1 year after a heart attack, compared to non-dog owners (Wells, 2007). The mechanisms are far from understood, but research does point in the direction that dogs are beneficial for both preventing and recovering from ill health.

The Psychological

Ever stopped while you’re walking to pass the time with a stranger? Having a dog makes this much more likely! A study showed that 70% of dog walks involve some sort of social interaction, because let’s face it, everyone wants to pat your adorable dog (see Cutt et al, 2007 for review). Of course your cute fluff ball makes you more interesting and approachable – take note single men. There’s a lot of scientific support for the theory that dogs act as “social catalysts” (Knight & Edwards, 2008), and hence keep you in touch with others, removing feelings of isolation and helping create a balanced mental state.

A dog will become part of your family and help spread the love and joy – here’s Atlas celebrating xmas with us (although he was just as spoiled as every other day of the year).

Apart from enhancing your social life, dogs have been shown to have considerable impact on your personal life too (in a good way!). Surveys carried out by Knight & Edwards (2008) showed that people believe that owning a dog enhances quality of life, as they provide companionship, comfort, therapy and unconditional love. For single females, dog ownership is even positively associated with a lower rate of depression (Clark Cline, 2010). Even brief but regular contact with dogs is beneficial – this much is made obvious by the fact that therapy dog organisations like Delta Dogs exist.

An improved mental state is great, but it also ties back in with physical advantages. With more frequent positive moods, part of your central nervous system becomes less active meaning you are less likely to be affected by stressors (like work) and may also explain lowered blood pressure in pet owners (Arhant-Sudhir et al, 2011). All of this feeds into a lowering of your risk for cardiovascular disease, the single leading cause of death in Australia (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2013).

“Daddy, let me fix your heart! You just need to give me one million pats.”

We hope that we’ve helped to show you the light when it comes to the health benefits of dog ownership. Apart from, of course, all the wet noses to wake you up, the sniffs in your ear, the adoring looks, the head in your lap and the waggly tails.

With love,

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2013). Causes of Death, Australia, 2013. <www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/3303.0~2013~Main%20Features~Leading%20Causes%20of%20Death~10001>
K. Arhant-Sudhir, R. Arhant-Sudhir, K. Sudhir (2011). Pet ownership and cardiovascular risk reduction: Supporting evidence, conflicting data and underlying mechanisms. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 38 (11); 734-738
K.M. Clark Cline (2010). Psychological Effects of Dog Ownership: Role Strain, Role Enhancement, and Depression. The Journal of Social Psychology, 150 (2); 117-131
H. Cutt, B. Giles-Corti, M. Knuiman, V. Burke (2007). Dog ownership, health and physical activity: A critical review of the literature. Health & Place, 13 (1); 261-272
S. Knight & V. Edwards (2008). In the Company of Wolves: The Physical, Social, and Psychological Benefits of Dog Ownership. Journal of Aging Health, 20; 437-455
D.L. Wells (2007). Domestic dogs and human health: An overview. British Journal of Health Psychology, 12; 145-156

The Doggy Toy Box

Toys should be an integral part of any dog’s life – they provide relief from boredom and stress, fun and excitement, dental care and tasty treats. But finding the right toys for your dog can be overwhelming; there are more types of dog toys than there are varieties of milk. We’ve got a few hints to help you find something your pup will love, and use it to the best of its potential.

Engaging Natural Instincts

The easiest way to figure out what  kind of toy your dog will enjoy is to think about their breed. For instance, sight hounds (greyhounds, borzois, salukis, etc) have super keen eye sight and usually respond immediately to quick movement. That’s why the lure I picked up at a stall at the Sydney Dog Lovers’ Show this year is now Atlas’s favourite toy. Similarly to sight hounds, gundog breeds (e.g. labs, golden retrievers, vizslas) chase for fun and particularly love combining this with water.

Atlas’s favourite toy, made with naturally dyed suede and sheep skin

Working breeds tend to be quite clever dogs, so put them to the test with puzzle toys like kongs and similar treat dispensers. The more stocky breeds also come with a lot of strength and love showing it off with games of tug o’ war – so a good strong rope toy is a must. For many breeds their original purpose has long since given way to aesthetics, and in that case, it’s just a case of trial and error to find out what interests your dog.

Did you know you can do it yourself?

If you’ve ever wandered into Pet Barn to buy dog food and ended up with 11 toys, you will have noticed that the expected total just tripled. For some reason, companies who produce most high quality dog toys expect you to pay a premium for them, whether they’ll last 10 years or 10 minutes with your dog. For the latter, buying toys ends up as part of the monthly budget and can become really expensive. I also know all too well the buyer’s remorse of spending $30 on a toy, only to have a certain stinking greyhound show absolutely zero interest in it (forever).

So with that in mind (as well as my being a poor, poor student), I LOVE anything DIY. The video above shows just how much fun dogs can have with homemade toys. If you’re not quite that handy, don’t worry, there are easier things to make. Got a bunch of old rags? You’ve got yourself material for a rope toy or a lure. If your dog is a shredder, give them a cereal box or toilet paper role filled with treats and sealed up. You’d be surprised how entertaining an empty milk bottle can be for imaginative dogs. Turn an ordinary tennis ball into a treat dispenser with a kitchen knife alone. If you’re looking for more ideas, hit up pinterest for a bazillion suggestions. Just make sure to be aware of choking hazards, pointy bits and things which are unsuitable for consumption.

My Dog Is Broken

For a long time I thought I had a broken dog. Actually he kind of was. Atlas came to us not knowing how to play. He showed zero interest in toys and was actually afraid of most of them. If you’ve adopted an adult dog and find yourself in the same situation, know this – dogs can definitely learn how to play. Time and their relaxation into your home environment are big factors, but your interaction with them also plays a big role.

We realised after about 10 months that if we riled Atlas up by running around and generally acting nuts, he would want to play. We started off just racing around the yard, but soon introduced toys into the mix. We would run, stop, throw a toy, pick it up ourselves and run away again – soon he got the idea that we were after the toy, and of course he wanted to beat us to it. Even now he still isn’t as toy obsessed as many other dogs I’ve met, but he has at least learned how to get some enjoyment out of deading all of his toys. My main piece of advice – try every toy more than once! What they hated 6 weeks ago they may go crazy for today.

The Golden Ticket

Once you’ve found the perfect toy for your dog, you’ll be amazed at what you can do with it. From redirecting destructive behaviours to exercise, fun and even as a reward during training, the perfect toy is a golden ticket to a happy, healthy and well adjusted dog.

We hope you find something your dog loves to bits – if you’ve got a favourite toy, share it with us!

With love,