Age concern

My Golden Retriever is now 10 and is a lot slower than she once was. Is it worth me switching her to a senior diet? What I want to know is what differences there are between adult food and senior food, and if the dog’s body changes to the point where a change in diet if necessary.

If you could provide me with some information I would be very grateful.

Mrs P. Austin, by email

Has anyone invented the top dog transporter yet?

What is the dream van for transporting several large dogs in comfort and safety?
And by several I mean up to six Labrador-sized dogs.
Here's my wish list:
Individual crates for each dog to keep them safe in the event crash.
Really good reliable air conditioning that can be turned on even when the van is stationery.
Do you have to buy a van and kit it out for yourself or does someone already produce these to order for you?
There must be a market - dog walkers, dog competitors and dog charities and the police force all must need to transport dogs safely.
What is the best dog carrier you have ever encountered?
What is the dream MDV - multi-dog vehicle?
If money was no object but dog safety was the aim what would you get?
Caroline Smith, London

Diddly-squat

Do dogs know their own gender? My collie cross is a girl yet she cocks slightly her leg slightly (not the whole way) when she scent marks. She does squat to actually wee. I don’t mind and it’s not a problem, I am just interested to see if anyone else’s dog does this too. It might not be anything to do with gender!

We think she was about a year when we got her and she is spayed. She was found straying at a few months old so we don’t know her background – perhaps she never had a female role model?

A. Jackson, by email

Force of habit

I was just wondering if any of my fellow dog owners could help me understand why my dog sneezes just before doing a poo. It is a mystery that I would like to get to the bottom of (excuse the pun!).

Helen Ruth, by email

Be cool

Dear Dogs Today,

Please could you advise me how I can keep by Bull Terrier puppy cool this summer? He is white and I have been told that suncream is a good idea. Can I use human suncream on my pup? And how can I avoid him suffering heatstroke?

Thank you,

Jen Greenfield, by email

In the spotlight

Hello,

I’d like to discover if my dog, Peaches, has what it takes to enter the world of modelling.

She is well behaved and calm, and has been on a few sets before because I'm a make-up artist so like to bring her to work with me when I can. She has been photographed while on photoshoots with me, too, so is defiantly not shy of the camera!

Who should I contact?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours,

Michelle Court, by email

Solid decision

Dear Dogs Today,

I picked up your magazine as we’ve put our names down for a Cocker Spaniel pup when the litter is born later in the year and before we welcome him into our family I’m doing all the research possible. I hope you can help me please.

We’re first-time dog owners and I’m unsure of how best to introduce our pup onto the food we’ll be feeding him. At what age do pups start eating dog food, and should I ask the breeder to start feeding our choice of food while he is still too young to leave his mum? If so, what age is this?

Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanking you in advance.

Sarah Lane, by email

Taste of home

Hello Dogs Today,

I am moving to the UK from the United States with my standard Dachshund, Fritzi. Over here there are a couple of companies that sell very thick US-made rawhide that last my dog for several weeks and do not upset his stomach.

As well as stuffed Kongs, they are an excellent way of giving him clean indoor recreational chewing. Chews from China or outsourced US hides are too fragile and cause diarrhea. Are there any companies in Britain that sell sturdy British or European-made rawhide chews?

Thank you very much for your time.

Nicole Larson, by email