I’m sure many of you have been keeping up to date on the latest series of Britain’s Got Talent as there are some really great acts on this year. But the one that has got everyone talking is the dog act called Pudsey and Ashleigh. This is a 15 year old girl who has trained her dog, Pudsey to do amazing dancing and tricks along with her.
The duo impressed all of the judges in their audition but they really stepped up their game for the live semi-final where they were given a standing ovation by all four judges. The show’s creator, judge and well-known dog lover, Simon Cowell, said “this is the moment I have been waiting for my entire life”. He also joked that they should breed Pudsey so that he could have the puppy.
There have been dog acts on the show before but none that have had the wow factor and close relationship between trainer and dog that is so evident between Ashleigh and Pudsey. They are one of the favourites to win the show alongside Jonathan and Charlotte, two young opera singers who have amazing voices. This makes to competition tough for Pudsey but I’m sure he can handle a little competition with those moves. You can see the video on the official ITV website or you can see watch a little clip here:
Dog TV is set to hit the whole of the USA after a very successful trial period in San Diego. The aim of dog TV is to stimulate your dogs senses and keep it entertained by what is shown on screen. It is also to be put on when you leave your dog home alone to keep it company. I suppose it’s basically the same as what we humans watch!
With 47 million dog owning homes in the USA it is likely to make the creators a small fortune as they are charging $4.99 per month for the exclusive viewing on digital channels. The TV is said to have relaxing programmes, which involves things like a snail crawling across a screen, and exciting things, like other dogs playing Frisbee.
The producers say that there are going to be no re-runs and no adverts, meaning that Dog TV will be on 24 hours a day to entertain your furry friend.
Now, at that rate I would say it will not be long before Dog TV ventures over to the UK and when it does I envisage that it will have similar success to what it has over in the USA. When it does your dog will need a lovely place to rest while watching their relaxing TV, and what better than the Ruff & Barker Dog Bed Duvet. This dog bed will be your dogs favourite TV spot, just like your favourite arm chair!
I recently gave our friend, Sue McCabe, a short questionnaire to answer on a couple of points that most dog owners will be interested to know. Sue is the founder of Muttamorphosis, the North Easts top dog behaviourist and training company. She is a magnificent dog trainer and comes highly recommended by all dog owners that have used the services at Muttamorphosis. If you wish to found out more about Sue and Muttamorphosis visit www.muttamorphosis.co.uk. Here is what she had to say:
1. What would be your favourite breed of dog and why? I don’t have a favourite breed of dog, though I chose to share my life at the moment with German Shepherds & Collies. I think everyone becomes comfortable & familiar with the breeds they live with, their good points & bad. It’s about what you’re used to. Professionally I love any breed with sparkle, a little, but not too much attitude, who are keen to learn and interact.
2. Is there a breed of dog that is generally the most difficult to train and why do you think that is? That would depend what it is you’re trying to train the dog to do. For example, I’m sure it would be possible to train a dachshund to herd sheep, but their ability both mentally and physically will always be lacking compared to a Border Collie or German Shepherd. If you have the right motivation, something the dog is prepared to work for, and then most dogs can be trained to live happily as family pets, so long as the family are willing & able to do the training.
3. If you could recommend one thing to a new puppy owner, what would that be? Crate train your dog. Crates are wonderful for house training your dog, but more importantly they teach your puppy self control, something dogs are rarely born with. Crates allow your dog a safe space when you can’t supervise & as den animals, if done correctly, they usually love the security a crate can offer. Crates allow your dog to have your company, without constantly having to correct them for naughty behaviour & avoid bad habits being built up. I think they are by far, the most wonderful training tool to be used in recent times.
4. What is the hardest thing you have taught a dog to do? My old German Shepherd Scout believed that every dog was put on the planet for him to play with. The most difficult thing I have ever done was convince him that not all dogs loved him as much as he loved them.
5. What is the most common dog behavioural problem and how would you fix it? Dog to dog aggression is becoming more and more common and it now consists of approximately 50% of my private behaviour consultations. The rise of dog to dog aggression is most like the result of uncontrolled dog interaction during puppy-hood. Under the guise of ‘socialisation’, owners allow their dogs to run up to every dog they see, without any training or control. These dogs learn impolite greetings & bad canine body language. They are often told off by other dogs for this & as a result become defensively aggressive. Owners need to take time to teach their dogs to be calm & controlled around other dogs & allow interaction mostly with sensible adult dogs, rather than manic ‘dog-play-dates’, as occurs in most parks. It’s far easier to prevent dog aggression than it is to fix it, a complex & often difficult retraining for both dog & owner.
As you can see, Sue highly recommends dog crate training your dog from an early age. If you are looking for a dog crate that is not too highly priced and can be talking anywhere with your dog then I’d recommend the Heavy Duty Collapsible Dog Carrier. This will allow your dogs to have a place to feel relaxed and secure wherever they are as this is a portable dog carrier. Listen to the expert and get a Heavy Duty Collapsible Dog Carrier.
Whether you currently own a dog, have owned one in the past, are looking to purchase one in the future or just love them in general then this will interest you. Over the last few years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of puppy farms in the UK. These are not proper breeders who supply the majority of the UK; these are the breeders who are looking to make easy money by selling dogs cheaply.
The dogs used to breed the puppies are kept in horrific conditions and are bred constantly for most of their lives until they are unable to do so, resulting in upsetting consequences. There have been up to 200 breeding dogs found in a single puppy farm in the UK, often kept alone 24 hours a day and in the dark. The puppies, too, are kept in these unfathomable conditions until they are ready to be sold on to pet shops or to dealers. 98% of the puppies bred in puppy farms are sold in pet shops, so if people stopped buying from pet shops then these farms would be dramatically reduced. Unfortunately due to the way these puppies have been brought up they will often have various behavioural or physical difficulties that mean they are often sent to rescue centres or just abandoned.
Even though these puppy farms have been exposed in the media, some people still seem to want to go for the “cheap deal” and even more shockingly the government still allow this to go on. I will not show any pictures of the puppy farms as they can be distressing but if you would like to put a stop to puppy farming then signing this e-petition would be a good start:
It will only take a few seconds of your time and could help thousands of puppies all over the country.
Seeing videos of this made me want to adopt all of the dogs in these farms and give them a nice home with somewhere warm and comfortable to sleep. The first thing that came to my mind was the Orthopaedic Slab Bed by Purely Pet Beds. This bed is specifically designed to soothe the aching joints of older dogs. With carrying puppies their whole lives those girls will certainly need a good lie down on a comfortable dog bed. I would recommend it as a comfortable lie down for any aged dog after a long work or a run on the beach!
If you haven’t already done so, you need to seriously start considering what to get your pet for Christmas. There’s nothing better on Christmas morning than watching your dog trying to rip into a tightly wrapped present filled with whatever you think they will love. If you are struggling for ideas, I am here to help with a few suggestions of very popular dog gifts.
I’m sure you all know what your dog will like the most, whether that be a few tasty treats or a nice new toy for them to chew on all day long. Maybe you could even get them more than one present if you’re feeling really generous!
A good present for dogs that like to chew is a Kong dog toy as they are very durable and are resistant to strong jaws. You can get different types and sizes of Kong toy that will appeal to different breeds and personalities of dogs. My personal favourite is the Kong Classic due to the fact that you can stuff treats into it and have a great time watching your dog try to get them out. It’s fun for you and the dog! They have plenty of stuff available that you can stuff into the Kong, great to leave a dog with while you’re at work.
Another good present is what we used to call a ‘Raggy’. I’m sure you’ve all seen them, the thick pieces of rope with knots at either end, I’m not sure of their technical name but I know they’re available at nearly every pet shop across the UK! They’re really good for interacting with your dog, making them fetch it or playing tug of war which is always fun on Christmas day!
I’d say the number one gift to get your dog this Christmas is a new dog bed for them to curl up in and shelter them from the cold floor in the cold weather. Dog beds are essential for any dog to have a place that they know is their own. If you can see your dog curling up in a little nest then I would recommend the Poi Dog Oval Dog Bed as it has high sided walls and a comfortable, soft pillow on the inside to keep them warm. The outer material is waterproof and the pillow is washable for when the summer comes and they get soaking wet and jump on the bed!
Whichever present you choose for your dog they will be happy with it and most importantly you will enjoy watching them rip it open on Christmas Day!
As a pet owner do you think you have all the knowledge and understanding to love your pet as much as possible? I thought I did…but when I was checking out my iPhone one day I found the 5 NECESSARY Apps to ensure the happiness of your pet.
‘Pet Phone’
There’s one called ‘Pet Phone’ which I really like where it allows you to track the weight and health of your pet every time you go to the vets to make it as simple as possible and as painless for your pet as possible!
‘ Dog-a-Log’
If you don’t yet own a dog then the app that you need is’ Dog-a-Log’. This app shows you the different types of dog breeds and all the information you need to know about that particular breed. This makes it the perfect app for people considering or new dog owners.
‘Dog Tricks 101′
All dogs need training, but some owners like to make their dogs into a bit of a show off and if you fit that description then the ‘Dog Tricks 101′ is the app for you. It gives you a photo and video walkthrough of how to train the dog to doing simple things like sit, to the circus show hoop jump!
‘Dog Fails’
Or if you’re just up for a good laugh then the app ‘Dog Fails’ is truly hilarious. This app is filled with dogs doing stupid things and even getting beaten up by cats! A very funny app for those with a sense of doggy humour.
‘Off Leash’
If your dog loves frolicking in the wide open spaces, then also be sure to download the ‘Off Leash’ app which is a dog friendly park tracker to locate the nearest or biggest parks imaginable to let them loose to have the time of their lives.
But let’s face it, the summer is nearly over and the weather has taken a turn for the worse and if your dogs are anything like mine they’re going to get absolutely soaking! It’s a nightmare trying to dry the off with a towel too! Why not invest in a ‘Poi Dog’ car boot liner to save all that mess in the back of your car? The fact its wipe clean is a Godsend! Trust me…it’s worth the price of £34.99.
When you return from that long day in the local park or just for a stroll down the road (getting dragged I should say) you’ll want nothing better than to just lie down and fall asleep in front of the fire. Well how do you think your pets feel? Be sure to treat them to a pleasurable, pampered, Purely Pet Bed.
