Feeding BARF without a freezer

I want to feed my dogs a natural diet but am unable to store raw food so it is not an option.

Can you advise on what options there are for those of us who want to give our dogs a good biologically-appropriate diet but without all the rubbish that’s in some foods?

Kind regards,

Mrs E. George, Wiltshire

Breed advice for allergy sufferers

My family and I are desperate for a dog. I’ve always lived with dogs, and my two boys (11 and 6) would love a dog. We live in a perfect place for a dog - we have a large, secure garden, surrounded by woodland.

My husband also wants a dog - but he is allergic to many things. Cats really set him off and some dogs, so we want to make sure we get the right dog for him. How can we find a hypoallergenic breed? Someone mentioned to me that there’s no such thing! How can we reduce his chances of reacting?

K West, by email

Internet shopping

Is it safe to buy a puppy online?

Dogs Today reader, by email


Rachel Cunningham, Blue Cross public affairs manager, advises…

Although many people now find their new pet online it is important to be vigilant when looking for a pet advertised on the internet. Although all the big animal rescue charities use the internet to advertise their dogs needing homes, and so do many reputable breeders – there are also many unscrupulous breeders and dealers that use classified websites to churn out low cost pups in high volumes.

We treat many sick pups that have been bought after being advertised online. We also take in and rehome all sorts of pets bought on a whim after being spotted whilst browsing the web. Blue Cross and other organisations have been working to improve the standard of online classified pet advertising, but it remains a totally unregulated area. Consumers should only look for a pet on websites that meet the Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) minimum standards.

When looking for a new puppy, always do your research; follow all the good advice out there and make an informed and considered choice. Avoid getting swayed by the cute pictures and immediate availability because you may well get a lot more than you bargained for!

Not so easy rider

I’m after some advice for car journeys. My girl is not a particularly good traveller but we are fortunately to live in walking distance to woods so she doesn’t go in the car too often. She is a Cocker Spaniel.

I have tried a dog guard with her in the boot, but she does not like to be separated from the family and whines. I’ve also tried her with a harness that clips into the seatbelt plug so she can be with us, and she does like this better as she can sit next to one of my children, my partner or me, if there is someone else in the car other than the driver, but she does try to take the harness part off and is not happy when it is just me driving and her in the back. Is there something else I can try that will keep her calm and safe on car journeys?

Any advice much appreciated. Thank you.

Sarah Price, by email

Mega hope for Mega-E

Where can I get advice about feeding a dog diagnosed with megaesophagus? I have seen a video on Facebook where a a dog ‘stands’ on his back legs in a sort of three-sided box, flips a tray on a hinge across the front of the box, and the owner places the food bowl on the tray so he can eat comfortably. ( https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10200229585371258&set=vb.1501248026&type=2&theater)

Are these chairs available in the UK or are they home made? I would love to know how owners have trained their dogs to eat in this way.

Home cooked meal

Hello

Is there anyone who cooks daily for their dog(s) that can either recommend a good nutritional recipe book to buy, or advise what to add as a minimum to a dog's daily diet should I prepare her food myself?

Would it be beneficial to your readers to run a series of articles advising on how to prepare and what to cook your own dogs daily food. Or maybe for you guys to publish a book, I am sure it would be a great seller at present.

Thank you,

Dianne Evans, by email

Let's be friends

Hello there, I'm after some advice please.

I have a six-month-old Golden Retriever and a four-year-old Chihuahua- Jack Russell cross. But I just can't seem to get them to get a long.

My retriever just wants to play but my other dog is just not interested and gets snappy with her. It even appears that it's bringing out a sign of aggression of my retriever, as they got in an argument over a plastic duck yesterday and ended to fighting. My retriever didn't mark my other dog but she bit my retriever’s ear and made it bleed.

Tessa (my retriever) has started to get funny about possessions of hers and even growls at me if I try and take something away from her that's not hers. Any advice would be much appreciated!

I have an 18 month old boy so want to have an aggressive dog around him. This only happens at home. If we are walking together there's no sign of aggression whatsoever.

Many thanks,

Kathleen, Cambridge

Karen Wild, behaviourist, advises…

It sounds like there are a few issues here so I will try to unpick them a little.

Older dogs often do not want to play with a puppy. I like to give them a bit of time apart so the older dog can settle down rather than have to try to discipline a younger dog who really needs to learn a few manners. If the older dog is smaller than the pup, this can create other issues since the smaller dog cannot easily prevent the puppy from doing things and this might explain why she bit the retriever’s ear. Definitely give your older dog some space and time to herself and encourage your puppy to play and learn from other older dogs elsewhere, which will help.

It also sounds like there are issues to do with possessiveness and this is something I would consult a professional about, without delay. You can find an APBC member near you on www.apbc.org.uk - this is particularly important as you have a young child, who is probably not likely to notice any warning signals, as kids simply don’t spot these things. A registered behaviourist will be able to advise you on the signals to look out for, the possible risks and other ways to manage and prevent this behaviour long before it escalates.