I have been feeding my dog raw for about a year now, buying my supplies from a pet shop every couple of weeks. Unfortunately my supplies have run out and I'm unable to drive the 10 miles to my supplier, as I can't even get my car off the drive for the snow and ice. I'm very lucky in that I have a small supermarket within a few minutes' walk, so none of us will starve! But of course I can't buy actual raw dog mince with ground bone. I have bought minced lamb and beef, and Max is very happy indeed to eat this, but I'm worried because it won't have the calcium he needs. Please don't suggest I give him chicken wings or bones, I'm just not happy to do this, but I really don't want to take him off raw, especially as the range of prepared foods at the supermarket is very limited. Is it ok to just feed human mince until the weather improves?
Darren Holmes, Ash, Surrey
Also posted on our feeding blog - click here
May issue
May issue
Saturday, 9 January 2010
My dog is child phobic - help!
I have a Labrador-sized crossbreed, Mollie, who came from a small rescue kennel two years ago, where she was estimated to be about two years old. Mollie has always disliked children, off the lead she will go out of her way to avoid them, but if cornered she has been known to growl. We have no idea of her history, but I'm sure she has been tormented in the past. I usually walk her in places where we are highly unlikely to meet anybody, but at present I can't drive as the roads here are so bad. We have a large field nearby where lots of people walk their dogs and it's all I can use until the weather improves.
Unfortunately, it's also full of kids playing in the snow. Many of them seem to have no idea how to approach a dog, and today a youngster of six or seven ran up to her before I could intervene and tried to pat her. She was taken aback and did growl at him; luckily the mother told the child off for running up to a strange dog but I could meet a less sensible mum next time. Mollie has never actually bitten anyone, and I really do not want to subject her to a muzzle. She is a young dog and needs her exercise, and even if I keep her on the lead there's no guarantee that children won't come running up, they seem to have no manners these days. What can I do?
Name and address witheld
Unfortunately, it's also full of kids playing in the snow. Many of them seem to have no idea how to approach a dog, and today a youngster of six or seven ran up to her before I could intervene and tried to pat her. She was taken aback and did growl at him; luckily the mother told the child off for running up to a strange dog but I could meet a less sensible mum next time. Mollie has never actually bitten anyone, and I really do not want to subject her to a muzzle. She is a young dog and needs her exercise, and even if I keep her on the lead there's no guarantee that children won't come running up, they seem to have no manners these days. What can I do?
Name and address witheld
Would love good gloves!
My collie loves to play fetch, and I always take a ball or Frisbee on our walks. At the moment though it's so cold, the Frisbee actually gets coated in ice! I'm in danger of getting frostbite throwing it. I have loads of pairs of gloves, wool, leather, synthetic – you name it, I've tried them. But the toy is so wet that before long my hands are damp and cold. My husband bought me a pair of waterproof mittens but they are so thick and unwieldy I can't even hold a lead while wearing them, let alone throw a toy. Please help before my fingers fall off!
Sue Chandler, Tunbridge Wells
I know exactly what you mean! Santa brought me a wonderful pair of gloves made by Sealskinz – www.sealskinz.com. They do a huge range, and yes, some are too thick for this purpose. I have just checked mine and they are the Versatility Glove – they are thick enough to keep my hands warm, but thin enough to enable me to pick up a toy or put on a lead. They are fully waterproof, and my hands stay really cosy in them. Pricey, but well worth it.
Christine Bailey, Dogs Today
Sue Chandler, Tunbridge Wells
I know exactly what you mean! Santa brought me a wonderful pair of gloves made by Sealskinz – www.sealskinz.com. They do a huge range, and yes, some are too thick for this purpose. I have just checked mine and they are the Versatility Glove – they are thick enough to keep my hands warm, but thin enough to enable me to pick up a toy or put on a lead. They are fully waterproof, and my hands stay really cosy in them. Pricey, but well worth it.
Christine Bailey, Dogs Today
Great balls of ice
My dog is very long-coated, and walking in the snow is a nightmare. Balls of ice gather in the fur on his legs, and between his toes and in his pads. It is obviously quite uncomfortable for him – he starts the walk with a real spring in his step, but after a few minutes he is trudging, tail down and looking very sorry for himsel
When we get home I have to try and get rid of this ice, and it's really hard. A towel can only do so much, and I can't get a comb through the wet coat. He spends ages licking and nibbling at his legs and paws. Any suggestion please?
Sarah Edlington, Manchester
I have just this problem with my Airedales. A friend told me she has heard that combing vegetable oil through the legs before you set out would stop the snow sticking, but that sounds very messy to me! I'm sure there must be a grooming spray that could help – anyone have any ideas?
As to getting the balls of ice from the feet, the best answer I have come up with is the paw plunger – www.pawplunger.co.uk. I have to admit that we received some samples of these in the office some time ago, and one has sat in my utility room pristine in its box ever since, but in a flash of inspiration I decided to use it on those iced-up paws – result! And if you happen to live in one of those regions where they have actually salted the roads(!) it will remove that too. You'll still have to towel the upper legs I'm afraid though....
Christine Bailey, Dogs Today
When we get home I have to try and get rid of this ice, and it's really hard. A towel can only do so much, and I can't get a comb through the wet coat. He spends ages licking and nibbling at his legs and paws. Any suggestion please?
Sarah Edlington, Manchester
I have just this problem with my Airedales. A friend told me she has heard that combing vegetable oil through the legs before you set out would stop the snow sticking, but that sounds very messy to me! I'm sure there must be a grooming spray that could help – anyone have any ideas?
As to getting the balls of ice from the feet, the best answer I have come up with is the paw plunger – www.pawplunger.co.uk. I have to admit that we received some samples of these in the office some time ago, and one has sat in my utility room pristine in its box ever since, but in a flash of inspiration I decided to use it on those iced-up paws – result! And if you happen to live in one of those regions where they have actually salted the roads(!) it will remove that too. You'll still have to towel the upper legs I'm afraid though....
Christine Bailey, Dogs Today
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Snow fun
Are some dogs feet better adapted to the snowy conditions?
For example, Tess our Springer seems to move around unimpinged yet Oscar the Beardie, who you think was designed for cold weather, very quickly gets painful ice balls inbetween his pads. He very soon looks like an abominable snow man but the snow seems to bounce off Tess's coat.
What sort of feet work best and do even Huskies struggle with the wrong sort of snow?
Anyone got any miracle products to make walking on gritted, icey roads less of a pain? I'm sure there's something like doggie chap stick for their pads developed in Scandinavia. Anyone know what it's really called?
Beverley Cuddy
For example, Tess our Springer seems to move around unimpinged yet Oscar the Beardie, who you think was designed for cold weather, very quickly gets painful ice balls inbetween his pads. He very soon looks like an abominable snow man but the snow seems to bounce off Tess's coat.
What sort of feet work best and do even Huskies struggle with the wrong sort of snow?
Anyone got any miracle products to make walking on gritted, icey roads less of a pain? I'm sure there's something like doggie chap stick for their pads developed in Scandinavia. Anyone know what it's really called?
Beverley Cuddy
Park life
Yesterday, while filming a short item for BBC South News in Farnborough I witnessed a very strange event. In the middle of the park was a beautiful Wire Fox Terrier apparently doing a perfect sit stay. In the car park some distance away were two women sitting in a car who the dog was watching intensely.
My husband and kids were keeping warm in the car, eager to get off to the cinema and they were watching this scene while I was doing my interview. Eventually curiosity got the better of them and they decided to ask the women what was occurring.
Turns out this happens most days. Their dog decides he's not coming home and does this sit protest for sometimes several hours. If they approach, he runs off and sits a little further away. He isn't remotely interested in food so that hasn't worked. Their only hope is if someone with a dog comes along, he'll then either run over to the dog and make friends and then can be caught or he'll be afraid of the dog sufficiently to run to the car for safety.
Isn't it amazing that they've put up with this situation without stopping letting him off the lead in the first place or investing in a Flexi lead!
They confessed to some days giving up, going home and coming back a bit later when they hope he's got bored. They say he used to run after the car and jump in if they started to leave, but even that has stopped working recently.
What would you advise them to do next?
They confessed they have vented their frustration on him when they have finally got him back so that may be part of the syndrome.
I don't have their contact details but I guess we could always leave a copy of the magazine in the car park for them to read as they do seem to spend a lot of time there!
What would you tell them to do.... sounds like something like doggie Relate is needed!
Beverley Cuddy, Editor
My husband and kids were keeping warm in the car, eager to get off to the cinema and they were watching this scene while I was doing my interview. Eventually curiosity got the better of them and they decided to ask the women what was occurring.
Turns out this happens most days. Their dog decides he's not coming home and does this sit protest for sometimes several hours. If they approach, he runs off and sits a little further away. He isn't remotely interested in food so that hasn't worked. Their only hope is if someone with a dog comes along, he'll then either run over to the dog and make friends and then can be caught or he'll be afraid of the dog sufficiently to run to the car for safety.
Isn't it amazing that they've put up with this situation without stopping letting him off the lead in the first place or investing in a Flexi lead!
They confessed to some days giving up, going home and coming back a bit later when they hope he's got bored. They say he used to run after the car and jump in if they started to leave, but even that has stopped working recently.
What would you advise them to do next?
They confessed they have vented their frustration on him when they have finally got him back so that may be part of the syndrome.
I don't have their contact details but I guess we could always leave a copy of the magazine in the car park for them to read as they do seem to spend a lot of time there!
What would you tell them to do.... sounds like something like doggie Relate is needed!
Beverley Cuddy, Editor
Monday, 4 January 2010
Gentle approach to arthritis
My lovely Border Collie is getting a bit stiff but I am loathe to put him on strong pain meds as he's only eight years old and I am hoping he'll live a very long time and he'll probably need to be on drugs for life now. Is there anything gentle I can try to put pack the spring in his step? I've been to the vet and he's ruled out major structural problems, he thinks this is the start of arthritis.
What have you tried that works? Ideally I'd like to avoid NSAIDs if at all possible.
Charlie Holdsworth, Watford
What have you tried that works? Ideally I'd like to avoid NSAIDs if at all possible.
Charlie Holdsworth, Watford
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