Tuesday, May 14th, 2013
Becoming a guide dog is hard work!!
Becoming a Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) guide dog is a tough job!!
It takes up to 2 years to train a puppy and each one has to pass more than 55 different tests before they can graduate as a guide dog and be matched with a blind or partially sighted person.
But it’s all worth it in the end!!
Identified by their bright red coats, these guide dogs can be in service for 8 to 10 years providing confidence and freedom for blind or partially sighted people to live their lives independently.
The RNZFB is New Zealand’s main provider of sight loss services to the blind and partially sighted and receives no Government funding for guide dog services.
You can help support the training of these puppies by becoming a Red Puppy Sponsor online at www.redpuppy.org.nz or by calling 0800 PUPPIES (0800 787 743)
Your sponsorship will enormously assist blind and partially sighted Kiwis to live a full, independent life.
Tuesday, May 14th, 2013
Lost
“I was just following my nose sniffing around trees..how was I to know I’d get lost”
How would you feel if your beloved dog was to suddenly disappeared?
Getting lost happens all too easily and far too often to our companion animals. The ensuing uncertainty and heartbreak affects families throughout New Zealand until, hopefully, their animal comes home.
There is a positive way you can improve your dog’s safety and security…the microchip…a simple and effective tool in reuniting you with your lost dog.
The New Zealand Companion Animal Register provides an identification and retrieval system for all microchipped animals, offering user-friendly access to a comprehensive register for you, veterinarians, the SPCA, local authorities and animal retrieval companies, all helping to reunite animals with their owners and guardians.
The Christchurch Earthquake in February 2012 proved the value of dogs being microchipped. By mid-July, 85% of straying microchipped dogs and cats had been reunited with their owners with the vast majority only requiring a single phone call.
Microchipping is an absolute invaluable tool and any threat of cancer, realignment of the chip or cost seem barely an issue any more.
The benefits of microchipping have never been better illustrated than in this recent lovely story……
A beautiful Pembroke Corgi “Duncan” went missing from his Las Vegas home nearly 11 years ago… he simply vanished one day…his owners searched high and low and advertised widely.
Duncan ended up in a dog shelter and was subsequently adopted by an elderly woman who died a few months ago and her daughter took Duncan to her home in Missouri. But again Duncan wandered away and was picked up by a local dog rescue group. They discovered that he was microchipped which had somehow gone unchecked!
After nearly 11 years, Duncan was reunited with his original owners.
To learn more about how you can microchip your dog and how this wonderful service works, visit www.animalregister.co.nz
Wednesday, May 9th, 2012
Duck Shooting Opening Weekend 2012
Sasha doing what she loves best
Taprue Black Velvet
Sasha is 9 this year, she is the grandmother to 20 pups and still loves the sport of retrieving ducks from a pond near Kaitangata.
A regular group of 8 shooters headed off to thier Mi Mi Friday night , and Sasha along with 4 other dogs had a very busy time !!
I am very proud to know she was the best dog on the lake for the weekend , having retrieved most of the ducks and back to the mi mi to her master.
She never gives up………….
Wednesday, May 9th, 2012
Hawkshead Labradors Puppy Picnic
Hawkshead Labradors Puppy Picnic
A puppy picnic held in the gardens of Hawkshead Lodge on Sunday 1st April 2012, was a fun day had by all – owners and dogs.
3 generations and 13 pups in all from around the Wanaka region arrived on a beautiful sunny afternoon. There were games and hilarity for the dogs and then well deserved bones for them all , while the owners sat back and enjoyed the peace and quiet whilst eating thier way through a sausage sizzle.
Ven the great grandmother, Rocky the father , Sasha the grandmother and Rea the mother, all took on the pups like it was just yesterday and there wasn’t a scrap to be heard from any of them.
Hawkshead Labradors between the age of 4 months and 4 years stole the show and were admired by other owners.
After all it was all about them anyway !!
Thank you everyone for making this picnic such an event with dogs coming as far as Christchurch and Dunedin. Without you I wouldn’t have the joy of seeing my pups development.
Next date on the Calander – Autumn 2013
Tuesday, March 27th, 2012
Velvet Pure
Ted
Velvet Pure prides itself on offering ‘ New Zealand’s Finest Deer Velvet’s supplements into the market place today. Focusing on the health and well being, not only for our precious pets but for people too.
All Velvet Pure products are 100% pure ad natural, they are free from additives, preservative, gluten, corn, wheat and yeast.
The nutritional benefits from Deer Velvet are great in the respect that they contain high levels of chrondroitin and glucosamine which may assist with your pets joint conditions. The immune system may also be improved and build up your dog’s resistance.
Canine Pet Supplement – Nutritional way to help maintain healthy joints and muscles, support the immune system and promote a healthy coat and general well-being.
Velvet Pure Perfect For Dogs of All Ages
Tuesday, March 27th, 2012
Learning and Improving
Freddie
Keep learning and improving as a dog owner.
What does your dog love? What stresses him/her out? How do they communicate their emotions through body language? Understanding your dog will enable you to be a better friend to him this year and every year.
Make time for your dog. This may mean rearranging your schedule. It may mean going out in the cold or rainy weather to give them a walk. It may mean skipping something in order to take them to agility or Canine Good Citizens training. It may mean spending less time on the computer, watching tv or reading and more on playing, training and exercising with your dog.
Be appreciative of how wonderful your dog is. One of the biggest elements of successful training is looking for desirable behaviours and reinforcing them with something your dog likes and appreciates – a butt scratch. A game of tug, the opportunity to go for a walk. Never miss an opportunity to thank your dog for good behaviour.
Don’t get mad at your dog for your management failures. For example – if your dog loves chewing toilet tissues and you leave the toilet door open, its your fault that the toilet roll is messed up. If you leave shoes he loves chewing on where he can access them, its your fault. If your dog toilets in the house on occasions, provide him with plenty of opportunities to toilet outside by giving him meaningful frequent breaks.
Your dog needs and craves mental as well as physical stimulation. Mental stimulation includes playing, training, walking at new or infrequented places/venues, being allowed to stop and scent which conveys mental pictures in your dog’s mind of what he is smelling.
When you take your dog for a walk – it is their time , not yours.
Tuesday, March 27th, 2012
Water Fountain
Maisie
The fountain of a healthy life for your dog is in the water.
Many dog owners are very careful and selective with the food they provide their dogs but it is also very important to make sure your dog are getting plenty of fresh, cold, clean water everyday.
It is one of the easiest ways to keep your dog healthy. However many dogs do not drink enough water to maintain their body needs.
Some of the reasons dogs do not drink enough of refuse to drink, is the quality of the water and the cleanliness of the water bowl.
Stagnant water can quickly collect bacteria and debris. If water does not taste fresh and clean, many dogs will refuse to drink it or drink less than they would if given fresher, colder water.
Dogs can get ill and diseased through unclean water and food bowls. Please be responsible for keeping clean receptacles.
If reduced water intake continues over time, it can result in health problems such as dehydration and urinary tract infections. Tap water should be filtered as medications and chemicals etc in tap water are not advisable for the long term health of your dog. Certainly fluoride in the tap water supply is considered a health risk.
A wee story :
A 16 year old Labrador in the deep south of the South Island, who incredibly survived 58 days without any food or water. She was trapped in an unoccupied house, all she had was rain water dripping through a hole in the roof.
Tuesday, March 27th, 2012
Water Fountain
Maisie
The fountain of a healthy life for your dog is in the water.
Many dog owners are very careful and selective with the food they provide their dogs but it is also very important to make sure your dog are getting plenty of fresh, cold, clean water everyday.
It is one of the easiest ways to keep your dog healthy. However many dogs do not drink enough water to maintain their body needs.
Some of the reasons dogs do not drink enough of refuse to drink, is the quality of the water and the cleanliness of the water bowl.
Stagnant water can quickly collect bacteria and debris. If water does not taste fresh and clean, many dogs will refuse to drink it or drink less than they would if given fresher, colder water.
Dogs can get ill and diseased through unclean water and food bowls. Please be responsible for keeping clean receptacles.
If reduced water intake continues over time, it can result in health problems such as dehydration and urinary tract infections. Tap water should be filtered as medications and chemicals etc in tap water are not advisable for the long term health of your dog. Certainly fluoride in the tap water supply is considered a health risk.
A wee story :
A 16 year old Labrador in the deep south of the South Island, who incredibly survived 58 days without any food or water. She was trapped in an unoccupied house, all she had was rain water dripping through a hole in the roof.
Saturday, February 4th, 2012
Coconut Oil
Rea Playing
Here are 10 reasons why you should add coconut oil to your dog’s diet.
- Improves overall skin health and clears up eczema, flea allergies, contact dermatitis and itchy skin
- Helps moisturise dry skin and makes coats gleam.
- Applied topically- promotes the healing of cuts, wounds, hot spots. Stings and bites
- Helps reduce doggie odour
- Prevents and treats yeast infections and candida
- Improves digestion and nutrient absorption
- Reduces and can eliminate doggy breath
- Helps prevent diabetes and heart disease and promotes normal thyroid function
- Helps reduce weight and increase energy, promotes mobility in dogs with arthritis and joint issues
- Excellent for brain health
If stools become too soft, add pumpkin to diet
Coconut Oil is available from your local health food shop and chemist
Dosage – ½ teaspoon 5 –7 times a week
Saturday, February 4th, 2012
Four Tips To a Healthy Dog
Bella & Woody
PLAY – Dogs do not outgrow play but actively pursue throughout their lives. Unhealthy, unhappy dogs do not play. Play is a barometre of well being indicating a dog is in good health, well fed and content.
CHECK- UPS – Annual physical examinations by a vet is important to provide optimal health care and quality longevity. Dogs are very good at hiding pain and illness.
DIET – Dog nutrition continues to advance. A healthy, well balanced, daily intake of vitamins, minerals, nutrients and supplemented by fresh food, and fresh clean cool water is best for dogs.
MONITOR – Your dog for activity level, appetite, urine, water intake and bowel movement for any irregularities.
Owning a Dog teaches parenting. The first thing about being a father is Protection and Direction. It’s the leadership part. Fathers are more protective and disciplinary whilst mothers are more instinctual and nurturing.
Bloat – is a dangerous condition and expensive to treat. Symptoms of this condition are Pacing, Restlessness, Unproductive attempts to Vomit. Major causes of Bloat are food related. Don’t feed your dog only once a day. Your dog’s meals should not just consist of dry food. Don’t allow your dog to drink a large amount of water straight after a meal. No heavy activity / exercising after a meal. Eating slower and not allowing your dog to gulp down their food.