Is Your Dog An Opportunist? is a post from: My Dog Magazine

Dog Owners – Do You Know This Feeling? is a post from: My Dog Magazine

Bulldog x Jack Russell Terrier – What Do They Look Like? is a post from: My Dog Magazine

This little video has raised a few smiles from various video sites I’ve seen it appear on. But, desperately trying not to sound like a boring old killjoy, I can’t be alone in expressing some concern about the scenario shown?

1. The dog is tied up. A dog with an inability to flee a stressful scenario can become quite agitated and display a much higher level of defensive aggression (maybe the kitten would escape, but the next person/child to encounter the dog could be walking in to an accident waiting to happen).

2. By permitting one animal to ‘tease’ another, this can cause some socialisation issues down the line. It may be humorous to watch but for many dogs, it can simply reinforce a defensive response to other animals.

On the one hand, what this little clip does show is that Rottweilers are not big old meanies, they are one of the most tolerant breeds on the planet. Also, that cats are pretty fearless creatures. And again, desperately not wishing to sound like a killjoy, but little scenarios like this can often be the catalyst to much bigger problems with more serious consequences.

What’s your view?

Cat v Rottweiler – Funny or Dangerous? is a post from: My Dog Magazine

Pet ownership has declined in recent years, and veterinarian Kate Freeman believes this has resulted in more animals in shelters and fewer homes with loving pets; however, she concedes that it also reflects responsible pet ownership/guardianship.

PRESCOTT, Ariz., Sept. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — USA Today reports that the number of pets in American households has diminished by 2 million dogs and 7.6 million cats between 2006 and 2011. The article chalks this up to both economic and demographic reasons, citing financial limitations and fewer individuals living with families as catalysts for this decline. Veterinarian Kate Freeman believes that this reduction in pet ownership has had multiple effects on animals and pet owners, but that, ultimately, it indicates that many individuals are acting responsibly in terms of taking on pets only if they can afford it.

The article reports that this is the first decrease in households that have dogs and cats since 1991. Today, 36.5 percent of the homes in the United States have dogs and 30.4 percent of these homes have cats. Karen Felsted, of Felsted Veterinary Consultants, believes that the economy is to blame for the drop in pet ownership.

“It’s clearly the economy,” Felsted comments. “The percentage of households that owned at least one pet was down 2.4 percent […] It’s a significant number.” Significant, indeed, as this 2.4 percent represents 2.8 million homes that forwent the responsibilities of pet ownership.

Veterinarian Kate Freeman agrees that it seems likely the economy has played a major role in this decline. It is probable that the inability to care for pets—financially—is a prominent reason why owners would find new homes for dogs or cats or decide not to adopt new animals. The effects of such decisions, Dr. Freeman believes, are two-fold.

“When families decide not to adopt a pet they give up the quality of life they would have with this additional family member,” asserts Dr. Freeman. “Dogs and cats bring a great deal of joy into the homes of pet owners, and it is sad that the economy has gotten in the way of that. Unfortunately, this creates an even worse situation for the animals that are not adopted or that are surrendered. This drop in animal guardianship likely means that there are more animals in shelters. This not only puts a strain on the resources to which shelters have access, it may indicate that more animals are being euthanized due to space limitations, which is a tragedy.”

Nonetheless, Dr. Freeman applauds individuals for practicing responsible pet ownership/guardianship and not adopting animals that they cannot care for; however, she hopes that pet guardianship will rebound so that fewer dogs and cats are relegated to shelters.

Vet Bemoans Economic Impact on Pet Ownership is a post from: My Dog Magazine

9 Common Words Used in Dog Training is a post from: My Dog Magazine

Do You Dress Your Dog Up? is a post from: My Dog Magazine

It seems it really is a dog’s life, as a new study from Churchill Pet Insurance shows that over half of dog owners (57 per cent) let their pet sleep with them, either on or in their bed, at night.

If that wasn’t proof enough of Britain being a nation of dog lovers, nearly half of those people (48 per cent) say that their own sleep is interrupted as a result of their dog sleeping with them. Given that approximately 6.5 million UK households own at least one dog, it is safe to say that many of us are not getting enough sleep each night.

Peter Bishenden, pet insurance expert at Churchill, comments, “This study shows that dog owners really do go the extra mile when it comes to their pet, putting their own comfort second to that of their dog.”

The most popular reason given by dog owners for letting their dog sleep with them is the feeling of companionship (68 per cent), while 22 per cent cite the feeling of security that a dog brings at night.

Just over a third (34 per cent) of dog owners also admitted to taking their dog into account when buying a new bed.

K9 Magazine editor Ryan O’Meara comments, “It’s no surprise to me that Britain’s dog owners are taking their dogs needs into account when buying a new bed. Having seen first hand just how much dogs like to wriggle, stretch and take up as much space as they think they can get away with, factoring them in to a bed purchasing decision seems like a sensible plan.”

Churchill the dog can currently be seen in his first ever pet insurance television advertising campaign. Entitled ‘Bones’, starring ‘Churchie’ and Martin Clunes, the commercial sees dogs coming from far and wide, overcoming obstacles along the way, to thank Churchill for his pet insurance as only a dog would; with bones.

Almost Half Of Britain’s Dog Owners Have Sleep Disturbed By Pet’s Every Night is a post from: My Dog Magazine

If you haven’t heard, there’s a lion on the loose in Essex (probably ((not)).

Any way, experts have been lining up to explain what the feral feline probably is and the general consensus is(n’t) that it’s maybe, or could be a Pit Bull type dog.

This is, of course, not possible. Pit Bulls are banned in the UK (so therefore they are just as unlikely to be roaming the countryside as lions, right?) Lions, which CAN be kept provided you have the right paperwork (a DWAL – Dangerous Wild Animals Licence) are thought to be frightened of Pit Bull type dogs and will cower when faced with any bull breed type dog above the age of 6 months (source: some science guy).

Locking Jaws & Flesh Eating

With their infamous locking jaws and fondness for consumption of human flesh, it makes sense to us (and Ken Baker) to call for this lion/Pit Bull to be swatted with the biggest tranquilliser gun the Police can get hold of, before being contained in a top security kennel for (oh, let’s say 3 to 4 years?) whilst more ‘experts’ argue before a judge about whether it is in fact a Pit Bull or a lion.

A warning to any would-be captors of the Essex Lion/Pit Bull, most Pit Bulls/lions are able to fight off the effects of tranq guns due to their genetics, which also enable them to climb tall buildings, carry large (Olympic sized) weights and (some say) ‘attain wingless flight’.

Somebody Think of the Children

For the sake of our children, let’s hope that the Essex Lion/Pit Bull can be caught/tranquillized asap.

(PS: end Breed Specific Legislation, it’s really rather silly)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK4XacxY1oQ

Essex Lion “Probably a Pit Bull” is a post from: My Dog Magazine

Petition To Ban Puppy Farms (Please Sign) is a post from: My Dog Magazine