Total Dog Magazine

Category: Dog News

The latest dog news from around the world

  • New Research Says Half of Grieving Dog Owners Take Time Off Work

    New research out today has revealed that half of dog owners who have lost a pet have taken time off work to mourn their loss. A third of those who have taken time off as a result of their dog passing away, took just one day off work to deal with their grief, while an additional 29 per cent took two days off.

    The research, which has been released by Direct Line Pet Insurance, highlights the deep rooted emotional attachment people have with their dogs as nearly one in five British dog owners whose pet died took a week or more off work as a result of their grief.

    dog owner photo
    Photo Credit: BPPrice

    While some dog owners took the time off work as annual leave, the majority (almost two thirds) were honest with their employers about the reason for their absence. Some owners, however, clearly felt embarrassed about their feelings, with one in eight phoning in sick and one in 10 claiming it was a family bereavement.

    The research also highlighted that women were more likely to be honest with their employers about the reason for their time off work, with 64 per cent telling their employer their dog had died compared to just 39 per cent of men. Men were much more likely than women to tell work there had been a family bereavement.

    Prit Powar, head of pet insurance at Direct Line, says: “Losing a dog often feels like losing a member of the family and our research shows that dog owners frequently need time at home to deal with their grief. Our policies include a bereavement help-line which helps owners deal with their loss. As a nation of dog lovers, it is important to recognise the emotional impact on someone who has lost a beloved pet and be sympathetic to their loss.”

  • Emmerdale’s Gemma Atkinson Launches Fundraising Campaign for Animal Sanctuary (& She Needs Your Help!)

    Emmerdale’s Gemma Atkinson Launches Fundraising Campaign for Animal Sanctuary (& She Needs Your Help!)

    Actress and well known dog lover Gemma Atkinson has this week launched her fundraising campaign in aid of Lancashire based Bleaksholt Animal Sanctuary.

    A vice patron of the animal sanctuary, Gemma is taking part in the Great Manchester 10k run to raise valuable funds to build new kennels and help the sanctuary home the unwanted pets arriving in their care.


    Photo Credit: Instagram/gemmalouiseatkinson

    Speaking about the run Gemma said: “I used to run for Manchester as a teenager but in the 100m sprint so it’s a completely different fitness requirement to run long distance. Any donations to our just giving page will be hugely appreciated. Even £2 will help buy us some dog or cat food.”

    Apparently Gemma has also promised to dress in fancy dress for the event! The sanctuary relies on donations and legacies to offer a safe haven.

    Show your support for Gemma and Bleaksholt Animal Sanctuary and donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/BLEAKHOLT-ANIMAL-SANCTUARY

  • If You Own a Pet You’re Likely to Be More Satisfied With Life, New Study Says

    If You Own a Pet You’re Likely to Be More Satisfied With Life, New Study Says

    If you’re a pet owner you’re likely to be more satisfied with life, according to a new study revealed by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology Convention in San Diego this weekend (30/31st January).

    The study, which was conducted by Katherine Jacobs Bao at Manhattanville College in New York, uncovered that pet owners are more satisfied with life than non-owners.

    8 (2)

    But when comparing dog owners to cat owners said: ‘Dog owners were higher in well-being, more conscientious, less neurotic, and marginally more extroverted and agreeable than cat owners.’

    Miaow!

    What do you think to the research? Let us know by commenting below!

  • TV Presenter Chris Packham Says Britain Not so Dog Friendly After All

    TV Presenter Chris Packham Says Britain Not so Dog Friendly After All

    TV presenter and all round animal lover Chris Packham has spoken out about Britain being a ‘dog-ist’ society by restricting dogs access in restaurants and shops.

    Speaking ahead of his new BBC show ‘Cats vs Dogs’ the wildlife presenter said his two miniature Poodles are the ‘most important organisms on the planet’ and was surprised at their levels of anxiety when left.

    When speaking with the Radio Times he compares the UK to France where dogs are welcomed into restaurants and shops openly saying “When I’m in France, no one gets het up at all, and why would they? The dogs sit under the table. No problem.”


    Photo Credit: Graham Racher

    However, as we reveal in our next ‘Pet Friendly Europe’ feature within K9 Magazine, France might not be all that dog friendly after all at first glance (outside of restaurants, bars and bakeries). Read Paul Wojnicki’s experiences of visiting France with his Jack Russell, Falco here: http://www.k9magazine.com/one-man-his-dog-discover-how-pet-friendly-france-really-is/

  • Ex-Police Officer Sells Home to Help Animals in Need

    Could this be the most hands on animal charity volunteer in the UK? Ben Wilkes, an ex-police officer from Staffordshire, is a volunteer at the Border Collie Trust GB.

    Having spent his time volunteering for 18 years he was invited to become a Trustee in 2000 and made the life-changing decision in 2004 to sell his family home in order to move into the Trust to help provide 24-hour care for the dogs, after the former residents retired from their work with charity. Initially visiting the Trust in 1997 solely to donate blankets for the dogs under its care, Ben felt compelled to pledge his spare time to the charity as soon as he stepped foot inside the centre.

    While he works for the charity on a voluntary basis, he is so committed to helping Border Collies in need, that he has even recruited his own wife to the charity’s cause, with the two of them available day and night for all of the charity’s various needs. From dog collection to DIY, Ben turns his hand to the full range of tasks at the centre.

    Ben and Reilly

    “Sometimes in life you just happen to be in the right place at the right time – and that was the case with me becoming a volunteer at the Border Collie Trust. I’m now such a part of the furniture that people are surprised when they learn I’m a volunteer – they think it’s my career! Rescue work is a very unusual beast in that it can be very unpredictable, but it’s great bringing the police force mentality to the role as it gives me real focus and structure.”

    For his considerable passion and hard work, Ben was presented with Petplan’s Animal Charity Volunteer of the Year 2015 award. The accolade celebrates the outstanding work, dedication and commitment of animal charities and not-for-profit organisations across the UK and the charity teams, volunteers and employees that go above and beyond in their mission to improve animal wellbeing.

    The pet insurer’s 2016 awards are currently receiving nominations – if you know someone who deserves to be nominated share their story online: www.petplan.co.uk/charityawards

  • Would You Change Your Dog’s Name to Jeremy for £100?

    Dog owners around the country are being offered the chance to make extra money by simply changing their pet’s name to ‘Jeremy’.

    Owners who agree to change their dog’s name using the hashtag #Jeremy on Twitter (www.twitter.com/BeagleStreet) will be sent a £100 cash payment in return for wearing a ‘Jeremy’ labelled collar for the rest of the month.

    beagle photo

    The stunt is being carried out by online life insurance provider Beagle Street in an effort to create a nation of four-legged ‘Jeremys’ after the star of its new TV advert – a talking dog called Jeremy.

    The name-changing initiative follows research revealing Max, Jack and Daisy to be the most popular dogs names in the UK. Traditional dog names like Rover, Rex and Buddy were nowhere to be seen with the most popular list dominated by ‘human’ names including Bob, Alfie and Millie.

    Speaking about the name change stunt Matthew Gledhill, Managing Director of Beagle Street, said: “There are over 9 million dogs in the UK and each name tag is a potential ad for us so we are very happy to put some pounds back in people’s pockets and make our Jeremy famous. It’s a bit barking but we’re hoping that dog owners up and down the country will help us celebrate his arrival by renaming their own furry friends – and of course there is a handsome reward up for grabs for those that do.”

  • Scooby Doo Named Favourite On-Screen Pooch

    Scooby Doo Named Favourite On-Screen Pooch

    Snoopy may be stealing the headlines as the star of the new ‘Peanuts’ film, but a new poll has revealed that Scooby Doo is the UK’s favourite on-screen dog.

    The mystery-solving Great Dane, and the longest running cartoon dog on TV, came out top dog ahead of on-screen favourites Lassie, Snoopy and Beethoven. Others in the top ten include Family Guy’s Brian Griffin and Santa’s Little Helper, the family dog in The Simpsons.

    The poll was carried out by life insurance provider Beagle Street to celebrate the arrival of ‘Jeremy’, the talking dog who stars in its new TV advert.

    As part of the talking beagle’s debut on TV screens, dog owners around the country are being offered to chance to make £100 by changing their own pet’s name to ‘Jeremy’.

    Ten owners who agree to change their dog’s name using the hashtag #Jeremy on Twitter (www.twitter.com/BeagleStreet) will be sent a £100 cash payment in return for wearing a ‘Jeremy’ labelled collar for the rest of the month.

  • Scottish Dog Owners to Be Fined Double for Not Picking up Pet Mess

    New plans being introduced by the Scottish government will see Scotland’s dog owners fined double if they don’t pick up their pet’s mess from 1st April.

    Following a public consultation and ‘overwhelming’ support, the fine (which will increase from £40 to £80) is part of a plan to deter offenders and protect public health said Minister for community safety, Paul Wheelhouse.

    dog walk photo

    The fixed penalty charges for the offence now matches the level of fine served on those caught littering.

    The move has been welcomed by the organisation ‘Keep Scotland Beautiful’, who recently published research showing that almost seven in ten people rated dog fouling as the issue that most spoilt the environment.

     

  • US Dog Owners Warned as H3N2 Dog Flu Spreads

    US Dog Owners Warned as H3N2 Dog Flu Spreads

    US dog owners are being warned as the bird flu virus, H3N2, which has adapted to infect dogs, appears to be on the rise with concerns arising in Washington and Montana after King County Public Health says a suspected outbreak at the Holiday Kennels in Kent may have affected 80 to 90 dogs in December. Several dogs developed flu-like symptoms including runny noses and coughs, according to Fox35.com.

    Speaking with the news outlet veterinary expert Dr. Davidow said: “Respiratory viruses are very contagious. We see kennel cough more often, which is much more common, and influenza looks a lot in some cases like kennel cough.”

    Kennel cough has now been ruled out after officials learned that a dog who had stayed at the kennels in question had traveled to Georgia with its owners and had interaction with two other dogs that tested positive for H3N2. Test results are pending for the sick dogs at present.

    Pet owners are being asked to remain vigilent in and around the areas currently at risk. While humans can’t contract H3N2, we sure can pass it along Dr Davidow confirmed to Fox35 that “It’s airborne, so if a dog coughs on you, coughs on your hands, you pet another dog you, could give it to another dog.”

  • New Study Reveals Dogs Understand Human Emotions

    New Study Reveals Dogs Understand Human Emotions

    If you are one of the millions of dog owners across the globe who have told friends and family for years that you know your dog understands what type of mood you’re in, then you’ll be pleased to hear that a new study today confirms just this.

    The findings released jointly by the University of Lincoln (UK) and the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil) show that dogs can recognise emotions in humans by combining information from different senses – an ability that has never previously been observed outside of humans.

    The researchers presented 17 domestic dogs with pairings of images and sounds conveying different combinations of positive (happy or playful) and negative (angry or aggressive) emotional expressions in humans and dogs. These distinct sources of sensory input – photos of facial expressions and audio clips of vocalisations (voices or barks) from unfamiliar subjects – were played simultaneously to the animals, without any prior training.

    The team found the dogs spent significantly longer looking at the facial expressions which matched the emotional state (or valence) of the vocalisation, for both human and canine subjects.

    The integration of different types of sensory information in this way indicates that dogs have mental representations of positive and negative emotional states of others.

    Researcher Dr Kun Guo, from the University of Lincoln’s School of Psychology, said: “Previous studies have indicated that dogs can differentiate between human emotions from cues such as facial expressions, but this is not the same as emotional recognition.

    “Our study shows that dogs have the ability to integrate two different sources of sensory information into a coherent perception of emotion in both humans and dogs. To do so requires a system of internal categorisation of emotional states. This cognitive ability has until now only been evidenced in primates and the capacity to do this across species only seen in humans.”

     

  • Alabama Rot Confirmed in Wiltshire as Two Dogs Die

    The mystery disease which killed two Wiltshire dogs at the end of 2015 has been confirmed as Alabama Rot, according to the BBC.

    Symptoms of the dogs affected by the disease has been on the rise since 2012 across the UK with outbreaks concentrated predominantly in countryside/woodland areas, but was first identified in the US in the 1980s.

    A website has been set up to track the latest hot spots for outbreaks of the disease across the UK here

    dog photo

    Owners are asked to remain vigilant for sores and lesions as well as signs which may point to kidney failure, including vomiting, reduced appetite and tiredness, but if you suspect your dog might have been affected then you should contact your vet immediately.

  • These 10 Dogs Would Love a Home to Call Their Own for the New Year – Could It Be With You?

    These 10 Dogs Would Love a Home to Call Their Own for the New Year – Could It Be With You?

    As another year draws to a close, the UK’s animal rescue and charity system has experienced yet another rise in dogs being abandoned and taken into care, according to the UK’s largest dog adoption site, www.dogsblog.com.

    But there is hope for the dogs currently sitting in kennels and foster homes across the UK, and that’s the hope that someone out there is looking for a dog just like them.

    Here are 10 dogs who are looking for a loving new home to call their own in 2016, could it be with you? If you know someone who’s thinking of getting a dog please do share far and wide. Your share could be the one which helps their dream of a forever home come to life.

    Meet Benny!

    Benny’s a beautiful 3 year old brawny, active Staffie boy who has spent over a year in rescue waiting for a new home to call his own.

    We are confident that with lashings of TLC, some encouragement and patience a true friend and great pet is waiting underneath his sometimes nervous exterior. Once on his walk, Benny enjoys taking in the air and keeps a cracking pace comfortable with human company and would be best suited to experienced owners who can work with him and in an environment with older children.

    Find out more about him here: http://www.dogsblog.com/benny-38/

    Meet Ripple!

    Ripple is 1 year old and a English Springer Spaniel cross who is as fun loving as she is gorgeous. She has long legs and doesn’t really act like a Spaniel so could have some sighthound in her.

    We are looking for a calm home that can continue with her training. She can get very excitable around children, so we are looking for an adult only home or a family with teenage children.

    Could she be the ripple to your raspberry?

    Find out more about her here: http://www.dogsblog.com/ripple-5/

    Meet Norman!

    Norman is a 7 month old Doberman boy who’s legs clearly belong to another bigger dog or possibly a giraffe! He is going to be a big boy and this should definitely be something to consider.

    A fan of the Christmas jumper trend, we are looking for a home that already has a resident dog to show Norman the ropes and continue his love of doggy company and is fine with cats. He can live with children over 7 years old as he is still a goofball puppy.

    Find out more about him here: http://www.dogsblog.com/norman-17/

    Meet Precious!

    Precious is a 3 year old small, female Chihuahua cross Shih Tzu. She’s a girl of few words who’s looking for a home with lots of cuddles and in return she’ll repay you with bucket loads of love.

    Being so small, she’s looking for a home without larger dogs and would be best suited in a home without small furries.

    Find out more about her here: http://www.dogsblog.com/precious-5/

    Meet Sherman!

    Sherman is an adorable 14 year old Parson Russell Terrier boy who is in an Oldies Club foster home in Lincoln, waiting for someone to offer him a permanent home. He would make a wonderful companion for an older person who he can snuggle up with, once he trusts them. Life is very much on Sherman’s terms (and who can blame him!).

    Sherman’s favourite pastimes: Eating and sleeping, with occasional bursts of energy playing with his fosterer’s little Yorkie. He also likes squeaky toys, but they don’t last long.

    Sherman has been good with his foster carer’s grandchildren aged 10+. He should be fine to live with sensible older children who will allow Sherman to do his own thing.

    Find out more about him here: http://www.dogsblog.com/sherman-4/

    Meet Alice!

    Pretty Alice is a friendly and happy young medium sized tan and white 13 month old Podenco girl, with a cheeky loving character. A very lovely girl and standing about as big as a Springer Spaniel. She was abandoned in a box on the pavement outside a shop at only 4 weeks of age.

    She is very intelligent, and learns quickly and would easily take to obedience or agility. She has a comical air about her and she keeps her foster carers laughing with her antics. Alice loves her cuddles as you can see and is fine with other dogs but isn’t keen on cats (sorry cats!).

    Find out more about her here: http://www.dogsblog.com/alice-32/

    Meet Badger & Bowen!

    Badger and Bowen are two 10 month old Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross Sharpei’s brothers who are looking for a loving new home together. This beautiful double act have come into the Leicester centre as their owner could no longer care for them.

    They are medium sized, neutered dogs and such happy souls, full of spirit and can’t wait to get back into a home and a routine. They are very friendly, a little too enthusiastic sometimes but are just eager to love everyone they meet!

    They LOVE to play and would need a supply of non-destructive toys to enjoy and an active new home where they could continue their adventures together meeting new people and other dogs along the way.

    Find out more about the boys here: http://www.dogsblog.com/badger-bowen/

    Meet Cinnamon!

    Cinnamon is a gorgeous 6 month old female Lurcher cross with a Collie (we think). She is a wonderful, friendly, playful girl and all she wants to do is play, cuddle, run, play some more.

    She’s a fantastic all rounder, great with everyone and other dogs. What a super personality lovely Cinnamon has. Everybody who’s met her loves her – could she be the one for you?

    Find out more about her here: http://www.dogsblog.com/cinnamon-2/

    Meet Milo!

    Milo is a one year old standard Chihuahua, who is being fostered in South Wales but can be rehomed to the right home anywhere in the UK.

    Milo is large for his breed and there is potential that he has some terrier in him, but we are not 100% sure of this. He’s a gorgeous boy, who’s also a handful having no real manners and little socialisation until arriving in rescue. But he is young and so can be taught while he grows, and he’ll repay you in spades for all you teach.

    Milo is very active and loves going out for his daily walks and can walk for miles and miles. In the evening he is contented to curl up on a lap or sofa to watch TV with his humans.

    Find out more about him here: http://www.dogsblog.com/milo-159/

    Meet Holly!

    Holly is the most beautiful girl with ears almost as big as her personality, she’s just super. She is the most beautiful, obedient, Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross French Bulldog and we think she’s approximately 5 years old.

    She came to us from the council pound as an unclaimed stray, she was due to be put to sleep and so we took her in, as such we have no previous history for her.

    In foster care she is impressing everyone she meets, she is always on your lap wanting cuddles. She is fantastic on and off the lead, brilliant with other dogs but untested with cats.

    She is not food aggressive and will not steal other dogs food. She enjoys a good play session with a ball and is eager to please.

    Find out more about her: http://www.dogsblog.com/holly-153/

     

    You can find many more dogs of different ages and breeds all looking for a loving new forever home online at www.dogsblog.com

    #bring joy, adopt a dog!

     

  • Dog Owners Warned as Christmas Chocolate Poisoning Strikes

    Dog owners are being warned to keep tasty presents under wraps and out of reach after a dog from Glasgow became seriously ill when she munched her way through a box of chocolates.

    Three-year-old Bichon Frise, Faith, sneaked into a room where her owners were keeping Christmas presents meant for family and friends. She was lured by the smell of a box of mint chocolates and after climbing over a pile of presents, took the box from a wicker bag and tucked in.

    Owner Anne-Marie Smith, 47, said: “I got home with my daughter and she spotted the half-empty box. Faith had taken it into the lounge and eaten 27 chocolates. She had also been sick on the Christmas tree, we think she might have chewed the tree to make herself sick. I was really worried because I know chocolate is toxic to dogs, so we took her straight to PDSA.”

    On arrival at PDSA’s Pet Hospital on Shamrock Street, Faith was again sick and became limp. Chocolate is toxic to dogs because it contains a substance called theobromine which attacks the central nervous system.

    The darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains and the greater risk to a dog’s life. Faith had eaten a dark chocolate mint selection.

    PDSA vet, Hannah McIvor, said: “Unfortunately, Faith had eaten dark chocolate and lots of it. Because it was making her so sick, we had to put her on a drip to keep her fluids up and also reduce any damage being done to her kidneys. We also gave her medicine to help stop her vomiting. Thankfully, being sick at home seems to have helped prevent her suffering the worst symptoms and after being kept in overnight under close observation, she was able to go home again.”

    Faith has now made a good recovery and the team at Shamrock Street hope she will be the last dog they see with chocolate poisoning this Christmas.

    Hannah added: “Thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery we are now going to raise awareness about the danger of chocolate to dogs and we hope Faith is the last poorly pooch we see this Christmas as a result of a chocolatey snack!”

  • Dogs Rescued in UK Floods

    Dogs Rescued in UK Floods

    Four flood rescue teams of specially trained RSPCA officers have been out rescuing animals and people during Storm Desmond.

    Cats, dogs, rabbits and even chickens have all been rescued, mainly from residential properties across the north of England, where their owners were forced to evacuate the rising flood waters.

    As well as helping animals, the RSPCA’s flood teams have also been assisting other emergency services and have so far rescued 36 people.

    Among those was a semi-conscious elderly man who had to be stretchered out of a nursing home in Carlisle and transported on an RSPCA boat, before he was taken to hospital.

    The RSPCA has received calls about 77 flooding incidents since Friday (4.12.15) with 20 flood trained officers travelling from across England and Wales to join their colleagues in Cumbria and Northumberland to assist the ongoing rescue operation.

    So far RSPCA flood rescue teams have rescued eight dogs, seven cats, four rabbits and three chickens.

    Inspector Ben Strangwood, who has coordinated the RSPCA’s flood response, said: “It has been a huge challenge as the flooding is so widespread across a large geographical area.

    “Although the water levels are receding in some areas, elsewhere the water levels are expected to remain quite high which is leaving many roads inaccessible. It is extremely difficult to get around to where we need to be.

    “We have received a lot of calls, mainly to help people who have had to leave their animals when they have evacuated their homes. However, we have also had to contend with extremely dangerous conditions and fast flowing water.”

    Inspector Stangwood said the RSPCA was likely to have flood rescue teams working in the north of England throughout the rest of the week.

    “We have been pitching in and helping the other agencies, including helping to move people to safety.

    “It is good to be able to put our training to use and be able to make a difference to those animals and people in need our help,” he added.

    Owners of animals in areas at risk of flooding are advised to move them to higher ground or other areas of safety.

    Members of the public are urged never to put their own or another person’s life in danger to attempt an animal rescue.

    Anyone who wishes to report an animal emergency can call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.

    The RSPCA’s full flood advice is available at http://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/seasonal/floods