NEW YEAR… NEW PUPPY?
By Paul James Marshal l COTTAGE CANINES
Thinking of adding a new puppy to your family this year? Here are a few pointers that may help you in your search.
Research well. There are many breeds and breed crosses and it is important to find one that suits your family so you are able to fulfil your
dog’s needs. Think first what you can offer your new family member in regard to time and exercise and what activities you may like to do with your dog as they grow.
Find a good breeder. You may find the puppy advertised locally or further afield by looking online. Speak to the breeder. Check health tests. A good breeder will ask you questions. If you’re looking for a pedigree dog then the Kennel Club or Breed Club is a good place to start.
When visiting the puppy always see the mother with her puppies. Do not accept stories such as ‘she is out walking’. Do not be tempted to be met half way and take your puppy from the back of a car. Be sure that the puppy has been brought up in a happy, healthy environment. Buying a puppy from a poor environment may seem the ‘kind’ thing to do but this is simply putting money into a Puppy Farmers pocket and perpetuating the trade. Report such breeders.
And finally, don’t forget to look in dog homes and shelters. Puppies do appear, in fact sometimes whole litters are born in need of homes.
Paul is happy to offer advice on all aspects of your new puppy and has a very popular Puppy Package to support you during those early months. Drop him a line.
For more information visit
www.cottagecanines.co.uk, email
info@cottagecanines.co.uk or call 01983 731282.
NEW YEAR, NEW IDEAS!
By Sharon and David Groves PETS WITH HART
Here we go again, the start of another year, did you all make New Year resolutions? How useful are they and do we all carry them out? I gave up with them years ago!
With our pets, it’s easy with the dogs to say well, I’m going to take them out for longer or join a group for training or go to agility classes. Some are held indoors in the winter, which in this wet weather is great. Even if you just go along for some socialisation for your dog there is a definite benefit.
It’s really important to keep it up as well, dogs look forward to going out regularly and it keeps them in good shape – something that’s not easy when the weather is grotty. Suddenly you realise your once-svelte dog is now a bit too chunky!
It can be a good idea, if exercise has to be curtailed, to use food in treat balls so they have to work for it. Keep an eye out for puzzles to occupy them for a while as well as games you might be able to play with them indoors. You can also cut their food back a little bit if all else fails.
Cats might not go out so much in the winter; heaters and fires are much more attractive! Again, there are lots of interactive toys that can get them moving a bit more, as well as balls to put the food in to make them work for it. Just keep an eye on their waistlines too!
Rabbits and guinea pigs can usually benefit from coming in out of the wet and cold but try not to make the house too hot for them and make sure they’re getting plenty of hay. If they are in outside housing they need plenty of bed to be able to snuggle in and make sure the housing is completely waterproof, as well as windproof from all directions. On nice days they will benefit greatly from going out to play, they should always have some access to a run for a good part of the day anyway, be that indoors or out.
Summer is just around the corner again and before you know it we’ll be moaning about it being too hot!
Paul James Marshall Qualified Dog Behaviourist
Home Visits for Relaxed Assessments with written reports and follow-up training.
Hands-on work with your dog. Positive methods used.
Separation anxiety - Lead pulling - Recall - Unsociability Mouthing and nipping - Not listening - Jumping up and more Plus one-to-one Puppy Training
Visit -
www.cottagecanines.co.uk Or call Cottage Canines on 01983 731282
118
styleofwight.co.uk
Experienced, qualified staff | FREE Island-wide Delivery The Island’s only National Award Winning Pet Shop 17 Holyrood Street, NEWPORT PO30 5AU
Experienced, qualified staff | FREE Island-wide Delivery Experienced, qualified staff
The Islands only National Award Winning Pet Shop Huge selection of pet foods & accessories
...where the animals come first * Where the Animals Come First *
* Where the Animals Come First *
The Islands only National Award Winning Pet Shop Huge selection of pet foods & accessories
Huge selection of pet foods & accessories FREE Island-wide Delivery
T: 01983 522019 T: 01983 522019
17 Holyrood Street, NEWPORT PO30 5AU
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