Doggie Decorum - Eleanor Lewis - Dog Behaviourist Expert

The Dog Whisperer comes to the UK

eleanor — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:27:29 +0000

If you get the chance to see Cesar Millan’s UK show you must go.

It is a fabulous show, lots of humour, passion, information and Cesar’s emotion reaches out to every person in the audience, with his beliefs on dog psychology explained in easy to understand analogies.

This will be two hours of your time well spent.

Remaining UK tour schedule:

Wednesday 10th March 2010 @ Trent FM Arena, Nottingham

Saturday 13 March 2010 @ Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Tuesday 16 March 2010 @ The Odyssey, Belfast

Wednesday 17 March 2010 @ The O2, Dublin

Saturday 20 March 2010 @ Echo Arena, Liverpool

Sunday 21 March 2010 @ Sheffield Arena, Sheffield

RIP little Freddie

eleanor — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:53:28 +0000

Sadly today - 15th December 2009 - young Freddie, the family’s 16 month old blenheim Cavalier King Charles, was peacefully put to sleep and out of his misery, after being ill througout the best part of his short life.

As a young puppy his eyes were never as they should be, and it was diagnosed that he had a dry eye. But now it appears that this was the first sign of poor Freddie suffering from autoimmune deficiency.

The vets did a good job trying to figure out what was wrong - firstly thinking it was lungworm, then cancer, and lastly deciding on autoimmune disease - but unfortunately, after months of trying to make him better, nothing could be done to cure him that was satisfactory, or that would allow him to lead a normal dog’s life.

Little Fredstar: August 2008 - December 2009

Lungworm - the dangers

eleanor — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:58:03 +0000

Lungworm Angiostrongylus vasorum (also known as French Heartworm) is a parasite carried by slugs and snails that infects dogs. The adult of this particular lungworm lives in the heart and major blood vessels supplying the lungs, where it can cause a host of problems. Left untreated, the infection can often be fatal.

The problem arises when dogs purposefully or accidentally eat these common garden pests when rummaging through undergrowth, eating grass, drinking from puddles or outdoor water bowls, or pick them up from their toys. Research in other parts of the world has demonstrated that, under certain conditions, lungworm larvae infective to dogs, can be released in slime from aquatic snails.

Foxes can also become infected with the lungworm, and have been implicated in the spread of the parasite across the country.

There are two main problems caused by dogs becoming infected with lungworm:

Infection with lungworm can cause serious health problems in dogs, and is often fatal if not diagnosed and treated.

Dogs infected with lungworm spread the parasite into the environment, as the larvae of the parasite are expelled in the dog’s faeces. This increases the chances of other dogs becoming infected.

To find out more about Lungworm speak to you vet.

Why dog owners MUST be their dog’s PACK LEADER!!!

eleanor — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:08:55 +0000

The recent CCTV footage of a terrier-type dog attacking a chocolate labrador guide dog demonstrates just why it is so important you must be your dog’s pack leader.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8368627.stm (source BBC website)

Although the dog gets blamed and is more often than not destroyed when they attack, it is NOT their fault! It really is the owners fault and their responsibility.

Any dog is capable of attacking other dogs and humans if they are not lead by a calm, assertive pack leader. However, please note this does not mean all dogs who do not have pack leaders will attack. As humans it is down to us to ensure dog attacks do not happen.

Please be a responsible dog owner and learn how to become his pack leader so he can be a happy, balanced dog.

Update on Cesar Millan New York

eleanor — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:35:47 +0000

What a truely inspiring person! If you believe in the power of the pack I strongly recommend, if you get the chance, you see Cesar Millan’s live tour.

Cesar gets across the importance of treating dogs as dogs, and being their pack leader in a very entertaining and amusing manner.

Within four days returning home I found out, much to my delight, that Cesar Millan will be touring the UK in 2010. Luckily for me, I have already got a pre-sale ticket so will be seeing him again in March 2010.

Cesar Millan - New York

eleanor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:18:15 +0000

Looking forward to listening to all Cesar has to say on his latest tour.

Update coming soon…

Trapped dog alive in badger sett

eleanor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:13:03 +0000

An good reason why it is important that your dog keeps you in his sights on walks:

Source: bbc.news.co.uk

A five-year-old dachshund is recovering after surviving six days trapped in a badger sett.

Lucy was out with her owners at Burley in the New Forest, Hampshire, when she went to explore the sett and disappeared 8ft (2.4m) down.

Her owners John and Janet West, from Burley, heard a faint whimper coming from the sett after she had been missing for five days.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service used a mechanical digger to rescue the dog.

‘Wagging tail’

Specialist crews used listening equipment and a snake-eye camera to examine the network of tunnels, but at first they could find no sign of the sausage dog when she disappeared on 24 October.

They were granted a specialist licence to dig into the sett when she was heard five days later.

Lucy suffered a bald head from burrowing and was given a clean bill of health from a vet.

Mrs West said: “I saw her little nose pop out, she shook her head and crawled out of the hole. She saw us and her tail started wagging.”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/8339756.stm

Source: news.bbc.co.uk

World’s oldest dog

eleanor — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:49:57 +0000

A dog from Shropshire has been crowned the world’s oldest canine, which his owners have put down to a “wholesome diet of Sunday dinners and vegetables”.

Otto Jones, a Dachshund terrier cross from Reabrook, Shrewsbury, is 20 years and eight months old.

He has been recognised as the oldest living dog by Guinness World Records and despite his age still enjoys playing ball with neighbours’ children.

His owners Lynn and Peter Jones said he was a “loveable, affectionate rogue”.

The couple have had him since he was a puppy.

TV appearance

He is a bit deaf, but apart from a few grey whiskers and a touch of arthritis they said he was fit and healthy.

“The only thing I can put it down to is plenty of good wholesome food. He loves his Sunday dinners and his vegetables,” Mrs Jones said.

His owners said the children in his street regularly call for him to play.

“Nothing seems to faze him,” Mrs Jones added.

Otto, who is a single bachelor, is due to be feature on the Paul O’Grady Show on Channel 4 next month and has also been invited to open a dog show.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/shropshire/8326977.stm

Source: BBC News website, 26th October 2009

Have you ever considered giving a home to an elderly dog?

eleanor — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:59:07 +0000

If you have considered it but haven’t yet adopted an older dog, I would personally recommend you do - so long as you can afford/budget for the possible vet bills that might come along more frequently with these lovely golden oldies. However, it is worth remembering some dogs homes pay for the veterinary treatment of their elderly re-homed dogs.

The 19th September 2009 saw our elderly Collie’s ‘first birthday’ with my family. Now aged 12, Holly the Collie has truely settled in to her forever home and is a joy to own.

When we first brought her home you could see the confusion and uncertainty in her eyes, but soon her eyes had softened and she began to show her true colours as the truly wonderful, gentle dog she is. Holly settled in very easily with no mishaps, and literally just copied her new best friend Molly the chocolate lab.

Now, a year on, her eyes are beautifully soft, and, when she’s not out and about, she happily lies around the house in one of her many beds. She is now confident, happy and relaxed, and loves her early morning walks when she bounces down the drive, tail wagging and looking over her shoulder to see if we’re going to get into the car or carry on by foot. She loves her second daily walk too, but her morning ones appear to be her favourite.

According to her records we are her third home and I just have to say I really don’t understand why!?!? Apart from a little flatulence (which is easily curbed with daily doggie probiotics on her tea) she is a wonderful, gentle and perfect dog. After just a couple of weeks we knew we had absolutely made the right decision taking on an elderly dog - she is so calm and well behaved, and instinctivly knows what to do.

We were probably lucky to have chosen a dog who was well balanced, but it’s worth remembering that dogs can easily become unbalanced if their owners do not demonstrate leadership qualities.

We didn’t really know what Holly was like before we took her home, but she is now a very happy and relaxed dog due to the fact that from day one with us she has lived with calm, assertive pack leaders, who on a daily basis give her exercise, discipline and love - in that order. We are consistent with her rules and boundaries so she knows what is expected of her and knows what is acceptable behaviour.

If Holly had not received this leadership when she came to live with us, a year on I might be telling you a different story. All dogs need calm, assertive, well balanced pack leaders in order for them to be well balanced.

If you are thinking of adding a dog to your family please do not forget these wonderful elderly dogs are also looking for a second chance. They really are fabulous to re-home.

Quintuplet puppy birth confusion

eleanor — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:55:20 +0000

A dog that gave birth to five puppies became the target of newspaper interest when she was mistaken for a human.

An announcement in the births section of The Times newspaper said Kate Pong had had “beautiful” quintuplets called Beyonce, Tyra, Bobbi, Barrack and Earl.

Source: BBC website