Pet Sun Lounge - Corjo Exclusive Pets

Corjo Exclusive Pets is a dynamic new Australian business offering a selection of wicker pet sun beds, perfect for those lazy summer days in the backyard.

All their pet sun lounges are designed specifically for outdoor living. Their entire range is constructed from aluminium frames with UV-protected PE wicker material. The fabric cushions are both water-resistant and UV-protected and covers can be removed for washing.

This particular model is the Pet Sun Lounge with Round Cushion.

Features

• Cushion base plus back rest
• PE Wicker (8 x 1.4mm weave) in coffee colour
• UV protected & water-resistant cushions (50mm thick) in sand colour
• Light weight: only 9kg
• Dimensions: 810 x 740 x 530mm

Two other styles are available: one with a retractable tent cover and another featuring a solid hood.

Price and Where to Buy From

RRP $269.00 (model shown), plus flat rate shipping of $40 Australia wide.

For more details, visit the Corjo Exclusive Pets Facebook page.

Big Day Out for Dogs on December 13

The Big Day Out for Dogs which includes the Canine Christmas Market will be held on Sunday 13th December 2015 in Skye, Victoria.

This annual community event is organised by DOGS Victoria and both the entry and parking are free. You are welcome to bring your dog along to enjoy some fun canine activities as long as they are kept on a lead.

There will be a raft of attractions and activities to see and do:

MEET THE BREEDS

Clubs will be showcasing a wide variety of breeds and you will be able to meet the members and cuddle the dogs. Experts will be happy to answer any questions you may have and provide advice on the best breed to suit your family and lifestyle.

DOG SPORT DEMONSTRATION

You will see the dogs in action demonstrating a range of dog sports:

• Agility: A fast, exciting obstacle course where dogs and their owners have to ‘beat the clock’ through a series of jumps, ramps, elevated walks, weave poles, different types of tunnels and a see-saw.
• Obedience: Dogs must perfectly execute a predefined set of tasks when directed to do so by their handler, such as the basic commands of come, sit and stay, through to more advanced skills such retrieving, jumping and scent work. Rally Obedience incorporates the element of a course of designated stations.
• Dances with Dogs: watch dogs perform to music as they do routines with their human partners!

DOG SPORT COMPETITION

• Conformation: This is a traditional competition, where the dogs conformation (overall appearance and are judges by specialist judges against the breed standard. Many clubs will be hosting opens shows and member competitions where trainee judges officiate and it is considered the training ground for all judges, officials, dogs and owners. 

You and your dog can also have a go at either:

• Lure Coursing: Your dog can have fun jumping, pouncing, running and spinning and as they chase a lure around a course. 
• Tunnelling: Dogs can have a go at running through a tunnel course.

FUN COMPETITIONS

Is your dog the happiest dog? Or does he perform a spectacular trick? Or do you look like your dog, or does your dog look like you?... plus more! Enter and win some great prizes.

SHOPPING

The Canine Christmas Market is a pooch’s paradise with plenty of stalls and exhibitors with everything a dog may wish for. A great place to spoil your dog, and pick up some last minute Christmas gifts for your dog-loving family and friends.

CANINE ART SHOW COMPETITION

Variety of dog exhibits covering paintings, sculpture, and handiwork.

Kids activities include free face painting and jumping castles.

• Visit the Laurie Luxmore Library, the largest canine resource centre in Australia and the Canine Museum with a diverse collection of items to explore and purchase
• General and membership enquiries at the DOGS Victoria stand. Pick-up a show bag and enter into the prize draws
• Grooming demonstrations, puppy classes etc.

When: Sunday 13th December from 10:30am to 4:00pm

Where: State Dog Centre, KCC Park, Skye (Victoria).

For details, visit the Big Day Out for Dogs page

Positive Reinforcement Dog Training

Positive Reinforcement Training Techniques For Your Dog or "When Close Enough Isn’t Good Enough"...

Our goal whenever we are teaching anything to our puppy is to do it POSITIVELY! It’s up to us, as the puppy’s leader, to teach it how to become the dog that we want. 

Old School methods of crashing and banging the puppy through behaviours may have been tolerated in the past, however we now understand they decrease the puppy’s drive and motivation to learn. Not to mention the potential damage to our relationship with the puppy. 

All the behaviours we want to nurture and enhance in our puppy can be simply prompted with a lure and rewarded with food, affection or play. But what happens when the value of that Food, Affection or Play is less then the value the dog perceives in doing something else?

We advocate and promote active engagement with your puppy. We want our puppy to see us as the Sun, Moon and Stars. Always looking to us for leadership and guidance! Always wanting something that we have! 

We love to teach our puppies lots of different things. Some of them are cute tricks that are just fun to do. Others are obedience-based commands that might some day save our puppies life. So how can our puppy tell the difference between these? Well, THEY CAN’T!

Before we can discuss how to handle a situation where your puppy isn’t doing what you ask of it, we need to all get on the same page and explain how you know for sure that your puppy knows what you want. 

#1. Teaching Phase

Whenever we are teaching something new, we start in a distraction free environment. There is nothing of interest but us and we will have the puppy’s full attention. 

#2. Introducing a Distractions Phase

When we have the puppy going through the motions of whatever behaviour we are teaching in a distraction free environment we slowly start to introduce distractions. A distraction could simply be having another person nearby and then build up to being right amongst an environment so busy that the dog has to really focus to stay engaged with us. 

#3. Proofing Phase

This is where we test the puppy. We must be 100% sure the puppy knows what is being asked of it. We must have put the puppy in a similar situation with similar distractions and have had success. We ask the puppy to complete the behaviour and if it doesn’t then and only then do we compel it to comply. 

So, what behaviours do we proof and what do we not? The answer is ALL OF THEM! All behaviours can be proofed with very simple techniques, causing almost no stress to the puppy. 

So why is all this relevant?

Imagine a scenario where a pet dog owner is in the park with a group of friends. In front of their friends they ask the dog to sit, but it doesn’t. 

Normally, through embarrassment or to avoid an uncomfortable situation everyone laughs it off and the dog continues to play. You may hear an excuse like “oh it’s because I don’t have food with me” or “he’s tired, that’s why.” The people go back to talking and the dog continues playing and everyone puts the situation behind them. 

Everyone but the dog! 

The dog has just learned that he can choose not to listen to his leader. And not just when the leader says to sit. But when the leader says anything! 

So what went wrong? Does the dog not know how to sit on command? Or did he choose to ignore his leader. Either way it’s the human’s fault. And that human may just have put his dog’s life in danger. 

When we are training a dog, or living with a dog we consider fully trained, CLOSE ENOUGH IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. If you are going to ask your dog to do something for you, you must be in a position to reward it for that behavior and be prepared to take control of the situation and guide the dog into that behavior if need be. 

So how do we keep our dog safe WHILE avoiding embarrassment? I’ll tell you.

1. Put the work in and concentrate on training those key behaviours that are going to keep your dog safe. 

a. RECALL

b. HEEL

A dog heeling properly matches his owner's pace

c. DOWN AT A DISTANCE

2. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. If you haven’t proofed a behaviour then look around, assess the level of distraction you are working under and make an informed decision on whether you should even give that command.

3. Follow through. If you do end up in a situation where your dog ignores you then you need to correct it and carry out the necessary retraining right there and then. 

Remember our goal is always to develop a bond so strong with our dog that their engagement and focus on us will make any distraction fade off into the background, but if you are not there yet, be careful. Close enough is not good enough. 

written by Pat Stuart from The Canine Paradigm, November 2015 for Australian Dog Lover (all rights reserved).

Picnic in The Park Sydney - December 13

The annual Picnic in The Park gala charity event will be held on Sunday 13th December in Centennial Park.

Pets in the Park is a charity organisation that helps homeless people care for their pets.

Anyone can attend this event held to celebrate and thank their volunteers, corporate partners, and donors during Community and Philanthropy Partnerships Week #CPPW.

Please note this is your last chance to buy tickets to Picnic in The Park as sales have been extended until Wednesday 2 December. Tickets are $70 for a 3 course gourmet picnic lunch and delicious wines from Mudgee, entertainment and games.

If you are unable to attend the event but would like to contribute, you can still purchase a Raffle Token (only $25 to win one of the many pet pamper packages on offer) or simply make a direct donation by visiting petsinthepark.org.au

When: Sunday 13th December from 11am to 3pm

Where: Centennial Park

NB: Ticket sales ONLY extended until Wednesday 2 December. 

For more details or to buy tickets, visit the Events page 

Flaxseed Oil Supplement for Dogs - Fourflax

Fourflax Flax Seed Oil is a 100% natural premium cold-pressed oil used as a food additive for dogs (and also horses).

Also called linseed oil, flax seed oil is derived from the seeds of the linseed crops and has been used as a more aesthetically pleasing alternative to fish oil supplements (which may impart a fishy smell to the breath or skin).

Most pet foods and pet treats are manufactured to have a high quantity of Omega 6 fatty acids much less Omega 3 fatty acids because of the cost involved in manufacturing pet food. It is this lack of Omega 3 that is often cited as the cause for several inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, skin problems and allergic reactions.

Below are some of the key signs of Omega 3 deficiency in your dog's diet:

• Dry itchy skin conditions
• Allergies and allergic reactions
• Inflammation
• Joint pain and reduced mobility
• Slow wound healing
• Gastrointestinal disorders

It is believed that an approximate ratio of 5:1 of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids is essential in promoting health and maintaining homeostasis in your pet's body. 

Therefore, it is important to supplement most pets on commercial pet food with quality Omega 3 fatty acid supplements, which can easily be added to your pet's food bowl or given in a small amount of a treat. 

Even with self-labelled super premium foods, the product is often advertised as containing Omega 3, however both the exact amount of Omega 3 and details of the source are rarely published.

Supplementing your dog's daily feed with Fourflax Flax Seed Oil can help rectify the imbalance of Omega 6 and 3, prevent and treat all sorts of inflammatory conditions, as well as support your dog’s immune, circulatory and digestive systems.

The oil contains 60% Omega 3, 15% Omega 6 and 15% Omega 9. It is processed in Canterbury, New Zealand in exactly the same way as the manufacturer’s food grade oils and therefore meets food grade standards. 

Fourflax Canine Flax Seed Oil is palatable and very easy to add to your dog’s daily feed  as the bottles come with pourers in the lid. The suggested daily feeding rate is 1ml of oil per 2kg of body weight as a starting point which will help your dog to adjust to the oil. 

The product promises to deliver visible results within 10-14 days, as long as the oil is fed every day. The coat will be softer and shinier, and if your dog was suffering with a joint problem, you should see a difference in mobility. If you are treating a specific condition, such as a skin problem or allergies, then you may need to increase the amount that you feed after 2 weeks to see results, as the amount required depends on the severity of the condition. 

Please Note: if your dog has ever suffered from Pancreatitis or a Pancreatic condition then flaxseed oil should NOT be fed due to the fat content of the oil. 

Flax seed oil should be refrigerated to prevent rancidity. When kept refrigerated the oil will remain fresh and tasty for up to 3 months.

Price & Where to Buy

RRP: from $12.50 (250ml) at petsonthepark.com.au

The manufacturer’s website includes a handy daily Cost Calculator making it easy to decide what size bottle to choose (depending on your dog’s weight) and associated daily cost.

Dog Bad Breath: Mega Oral Care for Dogs from Joseph Lyddy Pet Indulgence

The Joseph Lyddy Pet Indulgence Mega Oral Care is a food additive you can easily spray on top of your dog’s (or cat’s) food. It does not make any specific claims in relation to controlling or removing plaque and tartar but promises to help improve oral health and assist with freshening your dog’s breath. You could refer to it as a doggie mouthwash.

For the record, our dogs don’t have bad breath (I checked with all three .. thoroughly .. a few times) and it probably has a lot to do with the food they eat. We won’t recommend any particular brands here but the reality is that if you feed a high-quality balanced diet, this is one of the added benefits in addition to a longer, healthier life.

According to the AVA (Australian Veterinary Association) 4 out of every 5 dogs (or cats) over the age of three show signs of oral disease. Bad dog breath also appears to be a common issue for many dog owners and we thought we should trial one of the latest oral care products available for dogs and cats.

One of the key things to prevent dog bad breath from occurring in the first place is to ensure proper dental hygiene to avoid the build up of tartar or plaque (bacteria accumulate and end up surfacing on your dog’s teeth). You can do this by using daily a dog toothbrush and toothpaste or scheduling a doggie dental at the vet (which usually lasts a couple of years).

Providing the occasional raw bone or chicken wing appears to be more effective than a lot of crunchy or chewy dog treats on the market as these end up being swallowed by our pack in a matter of seconds.

If these tips still don't work for you, you can reach out for the Joseph Lyddy Pet Indulgence Mega Oral Health Care food additive.

The 125ml pump bottle contains a combination of Pomegranate, Green Tea and Orange Oil synergistically blended, thought the exact % breakdown is not listed in the ingredients’ panel.

The amount used will depend on your pet’s weight: 
Allow 2 squirts per 5 Kg of body weight. This meant 12 pumps (around 6ml) for our 30 Kg Belgian Malinois Porthos - who volunteered for this project. We added the Mega Oral Care to his food twice a day – it depends on how often you feed your dog of course. My limited human nose could only detect a faint orange oil fragrance after it had been sprayed onto his dry kibble.

For the sake of this review, I actually squirted a small amount of product on my finger and found its consistency quite viscous.

For the record, my dog could not have cared less. He has never been able to tell when I’ve added something to his food including his medication after an operation and he will eat with enthusiasm the same food every day even when fed using a slow food bowl. 

Probably because humans win the sensitivity contest for taste with 9,000 taste buds as compared with only 1,700 for our dogs.

It will take a few days to detect any noticeable difference and it will also depend on how serious your problem was in the first place.

Our verdict is to give the Mega Oral Care freshener a try if you have serious issues with your dog’s bad breath, however please ensure this is not the sign of a more serious health issue by having first a wellness check at your local vet.

RRP: $19.99 (125ml). Available at mypetwarehouse.com.au 

Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Dog Breed

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are tough, stocky and boisterous and the clear winners as one of Australia’s favourite dogs. Once used as bull-baiters, modern Staffies are friendly to a fault, well behaved if trained early and adored by their owners.

History

Staffordshire in England is the birthplace of fine china (Wedgwood and Spode), and one of Australia’s most popular dogs, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

While Josiah Wedgwood was slaving away at his kiln in the 1700s, just down the road the Staffies’ forebears were probably being readied for another round of bull-baiting.

It was thought beef would be tough unless the beast was ‘hot’ before slaughter and so Staffordshire Bull Terriers were developed to tease cattle. Bull-baiting was a popular pastime, later replaced by dog fights. Today’s dog, however, is literally centuries away, and is proving to be a faithful, attractive and surprisingly popular choice for pet owners.

Surprising because it is not a breed immediately recognisable from other bull terriers. Yet owners are besotted by these strong, stocky dogs, with their broad skulls and short snout.

Appearance

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are well muscled in the hindquarters with a strong tail. Coat colours are red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any of these colours with white. Any shade of brindle or brindle with white is also acceptable.

• Height: 36-41cm

• Weight: Males 13-17kg, Females 11-15kg

For the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed Standard, visit Dogs Australia

Temperament

The breed is very human-oriented and loyal, although they can be aggressive to other dogs. It is essential that pups between 8-18 weeks are well socialised, especially with children and other dogs. Breeders warn, too, that the friendly nature of most Staffies means they go to strangers readily and risk being stolen for use in illegal dog fights.

Health

Some Staffies can suffer from a few hereditary diseases that can be tested by DNA as a puppy, such as Hip Dysplasia (degenerative bone disease), Luxating Patellas (slipping kneecaps) and Entropion (an eye disease), but none are common in the breed. 

Staffies are known to be at a higher risk from mastocytoma (mast cell tumours) than the general population of dogs. Learn more about evaluating lumps and bumps in your dog here.

Grooming

Staffies are happiest indoors with the family; they shed little hair and are easily house-trained. Fortnightly bathing is adequate if the dog spends most of its time indoors. 

Training & Exercise

As with any dog breed, proper training is a must for the Staffy. This is a very intelligent dog breed that can be stubborn, following his own will if permitted. Therefore, obedience training is essential in order to manage your Staffy.

The Stafford is an athletic dog breed with plenty of energy, so routine exercise is very important. Whilst they enjoy a walk (20 minutes is ideal), be cautious not to overdo it in warmer weather, as this breed is sensitive to heat. 

Staffies will especially benefit from dog sports that challenge them mentally and physically. Regardless of the type of exercise you give your Stafford, be sure it is provided about twice daily or more.

Recommended for 

• Temperament: tenacious and playful 
• Lifespan: 12 years 
• Maintenance: medium 
• Recommended for: families with older children

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are suited to families and they are said to be good watchdogs.

Commonly known as the "Nanny Dog", the Stafford is prized for his patience with and love of children, although it goes without saying that no dog should ever be left unsupervised with children. They are strong, enthusiastic dogs and may bump over smaller children.

For more details on the breed, please contact:

The Stafforshire Bull Terrier Club of QLD Inc.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of SA
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Victoria Inc.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of WA Inc.

If you're interested in adopting a Staffy, please visit

Staffy Rescue

Stafford Rescue Victoria

Related Stories:

 8 Tips for Living with High-Energy Dogs

5 enriching activities you should dog with your dog every day

Boxer - Breed Profile

Boxers are big dogs yet they love to clown around. Highly energetic, they make playful and loving family pets. Protective of their family, they are reliable watchdogs.

History

The Boxer's ancestors were the German Bullenbeisser (literally bull-biter, a dog that descended from Mastiffs) and the Olde English Bulldog. The Bullenbeisser was used as a hunting dog for centuries to hunt bear, wild boar, and deer. Its task was to catch and hold the prey until hunters arrived. Over time, they began to be used by farmers and butchers to guard and drive cattle.

The Boxer we know today was developed in the late 19th century in Germany. In 1894, three Germans decided to stabilise the breed and put it on exhibition at a dog show. This was done in Munich in 1895, and the next year they founded the first Boxer Club.

The breed became known in other parts of Europe in the late 1890s. Around 1903, the first Boxers were imported into the U.S. When World War I broke out, Boxers were enlisted into the military, serving as messenger dogs, carrying packs, and acting as attack and guard dogs.

Boxers started becoming popular in the U.S. in the 1940s when soldiers coming home from World War II brought their Boxer mascots with them. Through them, the breed was introduced to more people and soon became a favourite as a companion animal, show dog, and guard dog.

Appearance

Boxers are the tallest member of the Brachycephalics: those breeds are distinguished by their short snouts and undershot jaws such as the Pugs and French Bulldogs. Breeders say the development of this undershot jaw was encouraged as it was believed to be better suited to holding its prey.

A medium-sized dog, slightly taller than an Australian Cattle Dog, the Boxer has a smooth, sleek coat. The Boxer is a sturdy dog of short square figure and strong limb. Boxers have a strong, well-muscled physique with a broad chest and barrel-like forequarter tapering to a narrow hindquarter. 

The recognised colours are fawn and brindle, frequently with a white underbelly and white on the feet. These white markings, called "flash", often extend onto the neck or face, and dogs that have these markings are known as "flashy".

Brindle is a striking tiger-striped pattern of black stripes on a fawn background. White markings usually appear on the belly or feet and shouldn't cover more than one-third of the coat.

Boxers with white markings covering more than one-third of their coat – conventionally called "white" Boxers – are neither albino nor rare; approximately 20–25% of all Boxers born are white. Genetically, these dogs are either fawn or brindle, with excessive white markings over the base coat color. Like fair-skinned humans, white Boxers have a higher risk of sunburn and associated skin cancers.

• Height: Males 57-63 cms; Females 53-59 cms 
• Weight: Males 30-35 Kgs; Females: 22-28 Kgs

For the Boxer Breed Standard, visit Dogs Australia

Temperament

Fearless and self-assured, the Boxer can cast a striking and imposing figure when alert and watchful. This is a lively dog, bouncy and energetic and be prepared for your Boxer to take up to two years to be fully mature.

Most Boxers make vigilant watchdogs - meaning they will bark when they see or hear something out of the ordinary. Their guarding and territorial instincts, though, vary a great deal. Most Boxers react to strangers with a joyous "Hi there! Come on in!" (often accompanied by enthusiastic jumping and tail-wagging). Other Boxers are sensible and polite with strangers, neither fawning over them nor threatening them.

Aggression in Boxer dogs is a common type of behaviour mostly seen in untrained dogs of misinformed owners.

Because Boxers are extremely loyal to their families and feel a deep attachment to their people, separation anxiety can develop. Proper levels of physical activity and mental activity can keep separation anxiety from becoming a problem.

Training & Exercise

Boxers have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train.

Many Boxers are passively stubborn and will brace their legs and refuse to do what you want them to do. Some are dominant and will make you prove that you can make them do things. Boxers need obedience training early in life to curb their natural exuberance, but respond well to thoughtful training and continued positive reinforcement.

Exercise needs vary from long daily walks for more sedentary Boxers to vigorous daily romping for high-energy individuals. Play fetch, take him for long walks, or get him involved in dog sports such as agility or flyball.

They should not, however, be exercised too heavily in hot weather as they are prone to heat stroke.

Health & Lifespan

The breed isn’t without its health concerns.

Cardiomyopathy (commonly characterised by an irregular heartbeat) is specific to the Boxer; however, similar symptoms have also been reported in English Bulldogs.

Fainting or even sudden heart failure can occur, and some patients can develop congestive heart failure. It tends to occur in dogs that are at least two years old, although symptoms in dogs as young as six months have been reported.

Unfortunately cancerous tumours are also common to the breed and any unusual lumps should be reported to the vet. Other health concerns include eye diseases (such as corneal ulcers), digestive diseases (such as ulcerative colitis), hypothyroidism, itchy allergies, and more.

These health issues cause the Boxer to have an average lifespan of only 10-12 years.

Housepet Potential

A large backyard is ideal and high fences are a must as Boxers are notorious jumpers. Without daily exercise and mental stimulation, you may expect your Boxer to become bored, hyperactive and destructive in the yard.

He requires a warm place to sleep and prefers to sleep indoors. Your pool should be securely fenced as boxers are not natural swimmers — many swim well but others sink like stones!

Maintenance

The short, close lying coat sheds little and requires minimal grooming. A wipe-over with a damp cloth once weekly will generally suffice and all-in-all, Boxers are very easy to care for. 

White patches on the face and paws can suffer weeping lesions if exposed to the sun for prolonged periods. Applications of sunblock to these sensitive areas may be required.

Recommended for

The excitable nature and strong physique of this breed makes it unsuitable around small children or those shy of dogs. However the Boxer is an ideal family dog for those with older children, bonding well with its family members and always up for a game or a walk. 

For more information on the breed, please contact

Boxer Club of NSW Inc
Western District Boxer Club of NSW 
Queensland Boxer Club Inc

If you're interested in re-homing a Boxer, please visit 

Boxer Rescue Network
Boxer Rescue Victoria

Related Stories:

Cancer in Boxer Dogs identified as a health priority

Rescue Dogs Helping Veterans with PTSD

K9s for Warriors is a non-profit organisation which pairs veterans with dogs rescued from kill shelters.

Shelter dogs are gaining a new leash on life from U.S. military veterans. K9s For Warriors, an organization based in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, is pairing shelter dogs with veterans coping with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic injuries. The group rescues dogs, mostly from kill shelters, and trains them as service canines to live with struggling veterans, which helps them and their families’ transition back to civilian life.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates 11 to 20 percent of U.S. veterans who served in missions to Afghanistan and Iraq have suffered from PTSD in a given year. The mission of K9s For Warriors is “to empower our heroes to begin their recovery with their new service dog.”

Other service members and their families have been able to adopt military working dogs. At the height of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, about 2,500 military working dogs were trained to detect improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Former handlers and in rare instances, their families, have been allowed to adopt these hero dogs.

Closer to home, Assistance Dogs Australia has also been working with sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in line with mounting fact-based evidence on the benefits of Assistance Dogs for returned servicemen, women or veterans.

Assistance Dogs can be trained to provide a combination of physical task-oriented and emotional support to assist their owner and help them to overcome fears.

Assistance Dogs placed with PTSD sufferers can be trained to pick up on their owner’s emotions, and can detect signals of anxiety. Upon sensing their owners anxiety, the dog engages in eye contact and body contact to comfort their owner and divert their attention.

The dogs can master bespoke cues to help their owner overcome psychological trauma linked to specific situations, eg:

• “Block” directs the dog to stand in front of their owner offering a barrier and space .
• “Behind” tells the dog to position itself behind their owner, a technique known as “posting” which helps to ease hyper-awareness, the feeling of being constantly on edge.
• “Lights” signals for the dog to enter a room before the owner and turn on the lights so they don’t have to enter a dark space.
• “Sweep” is the cue for the dog to enter a room or house and sweep it for people or intruders, alerting its owner by barking.

Stephane and Veo's Story

After serving in the armed forces for 18 years, both at home and abroad, Stephane was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

After being matched with Veo, Stephane has told us how his life has changed, and continues to change each day they are together. 

"Veo's company is an endless source of support for me.I find myself laughing at his mischief; seeing new things that I couldn't see before; having the motivation to leave the house and also having protection at all times.''

"By being by my side when I withdraw and disappear, Veo has given me the mental fortitude to do the things I would normally shy from and or avoid.''

Veo has had an impact on not only Stephane, but the whole family too.

"Most of all, my little girls love him and he brings us all together.''

If you are experiencing difficulties with PTSD or know someone who is, please contact:

LifeLine: 131114
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636

A nationally registered charity, Assistance Dogs Australia trains dogs to help people with a range of physical and mental disabilities achieve greater freedom and independence.

Give a Dog a Bone - Christmas Appeal (Nov 15 - Dec 15)

Give a Dog a Bone, Keep Kitty Happy (GADAB) are running their 9th Christmas appeal (Sydney) that assists animal shelters and other animal services by providing them with toys, treats and food for the cats and dogs in their care.

You can help by placing one pet item (a treat, toy or food for cats or dogs) in your shopping trolley and taking it to one of the designated collection points located throughout Sydney. The items are then collected and distributed to animal shelters and services in need prior to Christmas.

Please pass on this information about the appeal to your friends, work colleagues and the wider community. 

The Give a Dog a Bone, Keep Kitty Happy appeal is held in the lead up to Christmas to capture the spirit of giving that is part of the festive season and draw attention to the particularly serious strain placed on services caring for homeless animals at this time of year.

• Animal services often experience an influx of animals over the Christmas period or directly after.

• People in the community want to do something to assist animal services. Offering this opportunity to donate one item provides a simple means to do this and has a direct positive impact on the animals and the service. 

• To raise awareness of the many animals who do not have a home. 

• Donating to this appeal will also directly assist animal shelters as well as organisations helping homeless people or people who are in financial need to care for their pets (Way2Home, Pets in the Park and many more). 

When: NOVEMBER 25 to DECEMBER 15, 2015

Where: For a complete list of drop off points, visit giveadogabone.info/

Why Should You Vaccinate Your Dog?

Whether you are choosing a puppy from a reputable breeder or re-homing a dog from your local shelter, you need to ensure that your dog is both microchipped and vaccinated against a number of diseases. The last thing you want is anything to go wrong with your precious new dog in his first few months and you should therefore seek proper veterinary advice and care.

Modern veterinary medicine is all about prevention. It is preferable that an animal isn’t exposed to sickness whenever possible. Additionally, it will prevent heartbreak and grief and in monetary terms prevention is cheaper than a cure, which can often be very expensive.

The Australian Veterinary Association advises that vaccinations are the best way to protect pets against diseases like canine parvovirus, which are easily spread and are life-threatening.

What diseases should your dog be vaccinated against?

#1. Parvovirus

Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes severe, debilitating disease in dogs of all ages but young puppies are most vulnerable to infection. 

Parvovirus attacks the gastrointestinal tract of the dog and common signs of infection include profuse vomiting, diarrhoea (often containing blood), severe abdominal pain and depression. There is a high mortality rate but some dogs may survive depending on how quickly they receive treatment, which usually involves intensive care in a veterinary hospital for several days.

Porthos and Aramis at 3 months recovering from
Parvovirus at the rescue shelter

“Dogs that have not been vaccinated are unnecessarily at risk of contracting the virus. 

Research shows that around 80% of untreated cases of parvovirus result in death. These statistics really highlight the importance of preventing the disease.

“Puppies from six weeks of age should be vaccinated to protect them from parvovirus and other diseases. Follow up vaccinations are required and until these have been completed puppies should be kept away from any areas where parvovirus outbreaks are known to have recently occurred,” said Dr David Neck.

Australia’s national pet disease surveillance system, Disease Watchdog (www.diseasewatchdog.org), has recorded 158 cases across the country and has identified several hot spots where outbreaks have occurred in the last few months of 2016. These include:

• Wagga Wagga area in NSW with more than 30 reported cases
• Tamworth region in NSW with close to 20 reported cases
• Mildura region in Victoria with more than 25 reported cases
• Armadale and surrounds in WA with more than 15 reported cases
• Northampton in WA with more than 10 reported cases
• Adelaide Northern suburbs in SA with 17 reported cases

In 2021, Paws for A Purpose launched a new detection, tracking and outbreak-alerting website ParvoAlert.com, where Australian vets can quickly and easily report any canine or feline Parvo case they see.

It is a hardy virus that can remain in the environment for over 12 months and your local dog parks, dog boarding kennels and nature strips are all potential sources of infection. The virus is usually spread when the dog comes into contact with contaminated faeces or soil. 

Failing to vaccinate against this disease is the leading cause of preventable death from communicable disease in dogs.

Please note that a new form of the common and highly contagious canine parvovirus (CPV) has been discovered in Australia by researchers at the University of Adelaide. While the new strain, known as CPV-2c, is spreading around the world, until now there has been no confirmed evidence of its presence in Australia.

Also, most of the cases reported have occurred in dogs already vaccinated against parvovirus, although the clinical signs are typically milder than in unvaccinated dogs.

Until more is known, it’s important that dog owners continue to vaccinate for Parvo (CPV) and take their dogs to the vet if they are unwell. Signs of CPV infection include some or all of the following: decreased appetite, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhoea. CPV has a high mortality rate.

#2. Canine Distemper

Canine Distemper is an often fatal viral disease that can affect dogs of all ages but especially puppies and unvaccinated dogs. This virus attacks the nervous system and typical signs include fever, discharge from the nose and eyes, respiratory problems (with the possibility of pneumonia developing), loss of appetite, skin reactions, vomiting, diarrhoea.

Many dogs will also develop muscle spasms, convulsions and progressive paralysis. Dogs that do recover may end up with thickened foot pads, damaged teeth or even permanent brain damage. Outbreaks of canine distemper occur in areas with low vaccination rates and all dogs should be vaccinated against it.

#3. Canine Cough

Canine Cough, also known as "Kennel Cough" is a disease primarily caused by the bacteria (Bordetella bronchiseptica) and the canine parainfluenza virus.

This disease is typified by a persistent hacking cough that often ends up with gagging. The coughing is usually made worse by exercise, excitement or pressure on the throat region.

It is a highly contagious disease and despite its name, it is not confined to kennels but it generally spreads from dog to dog in areas where they socialise like dog parks, training classes, dog shows, vet clinics, kennels, and animal shelters.

It is not usually fatal but it causes significant distress to the dog and owner. Some animals will stop eating and may become depressed and lethargic. Canine cough can be treated with antibiotics, nursing and rest, however, it is best to try to prevent the disease in the first instance.

It is possible that severely affected dogs may develop pneumonia as a consequence of contracting this disease. All dogs should be vaccinated annually to help prevent this disease.

#4. Canine Hepatitis

Canine Hepatitis is a highly infectious disease caused by the canine adenovirus which causes liver damage. It is particularly severe in young dogs and death may result in 36 hours.

Puppies are most at risk and signs of infection include fever, corneal opacity (also called “blue eye”), depression, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea and severe abdominal pain (due to an inflamed liver). The virus is contracted through contact with the urine, faeces or saliva of infected dogs. 

A carrier dog may recover, but he will continue to spread the virus via its urine for up to six months. All dogs should be vaccinated against Canine Hepatitis.

Other diseases such as Leptospirosis and Coronavirus can be vaccinated against. These vaccines are only given to those dogs that are at high risk of developing the disease which are usually younger dogs. Your veterinarian can advise you if any of these vaccines are required or are appropriate for your dog.

When does my dog need to be vaccinated?

For maximum protection by vaccination, it is recommended that you discuss the vaccination programme with your veterinarian. Below are general guidelines that will provide some direction towards a vaccination protocol for younger dogs, however your vet can offer specific advice for your dog.

Age for vaccination	Vaccinate against
6-8 weeks	Canine Distemper Canine Hepatitis Canine Parvovirus Canine (Kennel) Cough
12-14 weeks	Canine Distemper Canine Hepatitis Canine Parvovirus Canine (Kennel) Cough
16-18 weeks	Canine Distemper Canine Hepatitis Canine Parvovirus Canine (Kennel) Cough

After their primary vaccination course, dogs should be vaccinated annually.

If you have never owned a dog before, you may get confused by the acronyms used by your veterinarian. You will hear them talk about C3, C4, and C5 vaccines. A C3 vaccine (known as ‘core’) protects your dog against parvovirus, distemper and hepatitis. The C4 will also protect against parainfluenza, while C5 protects your dog against the aforementioned diseases plus the Bordetella bronchiseptica (primary cause of the Kennel Cough).

A C5 vaccination is a mandatory requirement for most boarding kennels. It should also be administered to dogs such as show dogs or therapy dogs, which are exposed regularly to other dogs and people.

What are vaccines?

Vaccines are health products that trigger protective immune responses in pets and prepare them to fight future infections from disease-causing agents. They lessen the severity of future diseases and certain vaccines can prevent infection all together. Today, a variety of vaccines are available for use by veterinarians.

Fortunately, in Australia there are fewer highly infectious diseases of dogs than are common in other countries (such as rabies) around the world. However outbreaks of canine infectious disease do occur from time to time around the country, and for an animal with a correct vaccination program in place the chances of this occurring are very slim.

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines work by exposing the body's immune system to a particular modified infectious agent. This causes the white blood cells to react to fight the infection by producing proteins (antibodies) that are able to bind to and neutralise the infectious agent (antigen). Antibodies work together with other white blood cells (lymphocytes) that are able to identify and kill cells within the body that have become infected by the agent (cell mediated response). 

After exposure to a vaccine, the body 'remembers' the particular antigens so that when they are encountered again it can mount a rapid and strong immune response, preventing the dog from showing clinical signs of disease.

Is vaccination really necessary?

Vaccination is a very important and necessary part of your dog's preventative health program. The immunity your dog gains from being vaccinated will diminish with time. Yearly vaccination is the only way we can ensure protection against several serious and potentially fatal diseases.

Annual vaccinations are mandatory if your dog is to stay in a boarding kennel, attend an obedience school or travel on a plane. Unvaccinated animals will not be accepted in these situations.

Annual vaccinations also provide an ideal opportunity for the veterinarian to perform a complete health and wellness check of your dog and to discuss any concerns you may have.

My dog never mixes with other dogs. Does he still need to be vaccinated?

Yes, your dog still needs to be vaccinated. Many of the diseases we vaccinate against are airborne - such as Canine (Kennel) Cough or can be brought into the home on your shoes (e.g. Parvovirus). Your dog therefore does not need to come into direct contact with another dog to become infected.

The fact that your dog does not mix with other dogs means it is isolated. This removes any opportunity to be naturally 'vaccinated' and re-immunise themselves. As a result their level of immunity may in fact be lower than dogs that are allowed outside.

My dog never goes to boarding kennels. Why does it need to be vaccinated against kennel cough?

Kennel cough is a highly contagious disease. It does not require direct dog-to-dog contact to be transmitted. For this reason vaccinating against the disease is advised for all dogs.

When can I take my puppy out now that it has had a vaccine?

Your puppy may not have developed complete immunity against the diseases it is being vaccinated for up to one week after he's received his second vaccine. However puppies are best socialised to other dogs, people and places between the ages of 8 and 14 weeks. This is the same period when they are at the greatest risk of being infected with diseases, particularly Parvovirus. 

If you are to take your puppy out, then avoid public places such as parks and beaches. Your puppy should only socialise with dogs that are known to be fully vaccinated and in an environment that you know has been free of any dogs with Parvovirus.

Is the vaccine 100% effective?

The immune response is a biological response. There are a number of factors that influence this response and as such a vaccination can never be 100% guaranteed. In the vast majority of cases the vaccine will produce an immune response that results in the animal developing adequate immunity to protect against disease. 

There is however a very small number of animals that may not develop this required level of immunity and may still be susceptible to infection.

Do vaccinations have any side effects?

Some holistic veterinarians think all vaccinations are actually harmful and destructive (and ignore the fact that human diseases such as smallpox and polio are almost non-existent today due solely to the use of vaccines to protect the population from these diseases).

It is highly unlikely that the vaccine will make your pet sick or have any side effects. A very small percentage of animals may experience a temporary reaction such as a stinging sensation or be a little lethargic for 24 hours. More serious reactions are extremely rare. 

If your dog has an allergic reaction to a vaccine then obviously, a different approach is needed than to repeat that vaccine.
You are the final authority regarding your dog's health care.

Once you feel you are comfortable with your assessment of the vaccine topic, no one should pressure you into doing something different.

Article last updated 13th December 2023

Related Topics:

The Great Dog Vaccination Debate