Dogs Trust Dog School Edinburgh re-opens for face to face classes
Dogs Trust Dog School Edinburgh is celebrating welcoming dogs and their owners to face to face training classes once again.
Hundreds of families across the region have welcomed dogs into their lives over the last year and with the country experiencing national lockdowns, Dogs Trust Dog School in Edinburgh switched to teaching classes online to make sure dogs didn’t miss out on the chance to learn new life skills.
But now lockdown has eased, the training team are excited to be meeting up with four-legged friends and their owners once more to train dogs of all ages, from puppies and adolescents to adult dogs.
Julie Morrison, Head Coach of Dog School Edinburgh said: “We were so pleased to have been able to continue training dogs in such a difficult year and thousands of dogs have received their training classes online in recent months, but nothing beats hearing the pitter patter of paws in the training room!
“Life is going to change in the coming weeks and months for ourselves and our dogs, which means owners may need to start putting some adjustments in place. Our classes can help owners teach their dogs the skills they need to continue living happily alongside them and to cope with the different experiences that life out of lockdown will bring.
“This year, Dog School is being supported by funding raised by generous players of People’s Postcode Lottery. We want to say thank you to them as their support has meant we have been able to continue providing training to owners and their canine friends, despite the extraordinary times we have all experienced.”
Classes will be held at North Merchiston Club at Watson Cresent, Edinburgh Tabernacle at Inverleith Gardens and 71st Scout Hall at Corstorphine Road.
Classes will follow government guidance and there will be a maximum of six people allowed in a training class, ensuring social distancing measures can be followed. To make sure demand can be met, online training classes will also continue.
With Sun Awareness Week taking place between 3–9 May, Cats Protection would like to advise cat owners to be aware of the risks posed to their cat by the sun.
Pale-coloured cats, or those with unpigmented white noses or ears, are particularly at risk from the sun’s rays which can cause sunburn and skin cancer.
Those affected can suffer long term damage including, in severe cases, having to have their ear tips removed to prevent the cancer from spreading.
Following a few simple tips owners can help protect their cat from the harmful effects of the sun. These include keeping them indoors on sunny days between 10am and 3pm, asking your vet for advice about suitable sunscreen and ensuring you provide plenty of shade to enable your cat to shelter from the sun’s rays.
Yours faithfully,
Dr Sarah Elliott BVetMed MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats) MRCVS
At Cats Protection we have much to be grateful for. This year has challenged us like never before but we have come through with greater focus and a renewed commitment to improving the welfare of cats and supporting better cat ownership.
As we mark the anniversary of the first lockdown measures, we want to learn from our shared successes and experiences and acknowledge what we have achieved together.
One year ago we launched Hands-Free Homing, a pioneering online adoption process that has become the new normal. Prospective owners pick a pet from our website and, after a chat with our adoption team, the cat is delivered to its new home.
This programme has been a triumph, allowing us to successfully match more than 20,000 cats with their forever homes to provide much-needed companionship.
Additionally, the number of cats returned by their new owner has gone down by a third.
We do not underestimate this incredible achievement and the dedication of everyone involved in helping us reach this milestone.
It is just one example of how our team of colleagues, volunteers and supporters have risen to every challenge and proven how we can progress by embracing change. Thanks to their hard work, cats in need continue to receive our support, even in these most trying times.
I would like to thank everyone at Cats Protection who has contributed to our response to extraordinary circumstances and who continues to be part of our outstanding team.
Pet owners tired of their pups and kittens tearing up soft furnishings and making messes are being offered tips to prevent damage to their home.
The money saving team at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk are sharing advice on how to protect household items from ruin on a budget.
Parents of naughty pets can prevent costly damage from cat scratches with spray deterrents and encourage outdoor doggy toilet trips with a loud clap.
Because pets are known for being the best company, the number of new owners has increased over lockdown, but they can make more chaos than bargained for. A few home insurance policies cover pet damage and liability, so it is worth checking details of protection with the provider.
A spokesperson for NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “They are cute, funny, and you love them to bits. But, sometimes the furry members of the household can cause the most expensive messes.
“Regardless of if you are a new pet owner or if you have just started noticing new destructive behaviours, these tricks will help save money and protect your household items from chewing, scratching and biting.
“Animals tend to have very short memories, so they won’t connect their past naughtiness with your current yelling or other punishment, so it is best to take more of a tactical approach to prevent damage from happening ahead, saving cash in the long run.”
Tips to prevent animal damage in the home:
1. Chewing
Canines love sinking their teeth into stuff. It is a natural, but annoying habit for dog lovers. To discourage destructive chewing of remote controls, shoes and furniture, owners can make a natural deterrent spray. Dogs will not like the bitter taste of vinegar or citrus oil, but it is harmless to them and will keep them from putting things coated in it in their mouths.
Seeing as chewing is natural, pet parents should make every effort to make DIY chewable toys from old household items. Using materials like old denim, ropes and old t-shirts is a great way to make money go further and give a new lease of life to old items ready for the bin.
2. Inside toilet trips
Puddles of pee and piles of poop are never fun for pet owners. They require lots of time to deep clean and can put costly stains on carpets.
A dirty litter box is one of the first things that sends a cat elsewhere to do their business, so make sure your kitty’s is kept clean and empty.
If it is the dog who always gets caught in the act of doing their business inside the house, try and startle them slightly every time they get caught. A loud clap should stop the pup’s pee mid-stream, allowing owners to lead them outside gently and in an encouraging way.
To prevent repeat offenders, clean accidents with an enzymatic cleanser. It will destroy the odours that are likely to attract your pet back to the same spots.
3. Scratching
Couches and chairs are key targets when kitties want a scratch, but they are often the costliest items in the living area.
To prevent damage from scratching cats, special herbal sprays can be bought at a pet store. They replace the scent of a cat’s territorial “markers” with a smell that is unpleasant to them but is barely noticeable to the human nose.
If the spray doesn’t work, it might be an idea to use a double-side sticky tape strip on particularly problematic areas, as paws are extremely sensitive to touch, making sticky surfaces exceptionally annoying.
If your problematic area for scratches is around doorframes and the wooden legs, consider putting a post made of cedar in their space.
4. Tearing up
Dogs are known for suffering from separation anxiety and vets advise they shouldn’t be left for more than four hours on their own.
Sometimes it is unavoidable, but when dogs are anxious, they are notorious for tearing up anything they can get their paws on or teeth around.
The best way to prevent it is by making sure the pup is too tired to cause a mess when no one is in the house. Tire them out by walking and running before they are alone and leave engaging and interactive puzzles, to mentally stimulate and exhaust them.
5. Rule out medical problems
Sometimes, problematic behaviour from a pet can be a cry for help. It is important to rule out any potential medial issues. Dogs are known for soiling indoors as a result of incontinence problems, but also because of a change in diet, new medications, gastrointestinal upset or anxiety issues.
Cats often produce more urine and have more accidents when they are suffering from urinary tract infections or even kidney failure.
Major, President Biden’s shelter rescue dog, has been hitting the headlines for all the right reasons. First adopted by President Joe Biden in 2018, Major becomes the first shelter rescue dog to live in the White House.
This is welcome news for many pet lovers who have already taken the step to foster or adopt a dog or cat in need.
In this article Perfect-Pets Books explores the growing trend of high-profile politicians who have famously rescued a pet. If you are interested in rehoming or fostering a dog Rescue Dogs the Essential Guide by Perfect-Pets Books is a great place to start. Full of essential information the guide addresses the key points one should consider before taking in a dog and re-homing it:
The recent election results which confirmed Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 U.S. presidential election has sparked a few fireworks to say the least. However, one of the nicer stories to emerge was the announcement that the Biden family will be bringing their two German Shepherd dogs Major and Champ to live in the White House.
The last four years has seen no pets in the White House and this announcement drew smiles and applause from animal lovers across the country.
The ASPCA president and CEO Matt Bershadker said: “We’re thrilled the Bidens’ dog Major will be the first shelter dog ever to call the White House his home. This is a wonderful opportunity for people to see how fostering and adopting animals saves lives, helps animal shelters, and brings love and joy to families.”
It has also been hinted by President Biden’s wife, Dr Jill Biden, that they also have plans to add a feline companion. If so, it will be the ‘first cat’ since George W. Bush’s cat India a.ka. Willie.
Giving a home to a rescue dog or cat has been given a great boost in recent years by high-profile politicians.
When Prime Minister Boris Johnson moved into Downing Street, he made headlines with his rescue dog Dilyn. Dilyn was rescued from a breeder by animal charity Friends of Animals Wales before being adopted. He was moved into Downing Street in September 2019.
Dilyn, who is a Jack Russell, has proved to be quite popular and has a growing following on Instagram. His Instagram page has attracted more than 2,000 followers.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has not been the only PM to add a rescue to Downing Street.
Back in 2011 Larry the Cat, a rescue from London’s Battersea Cats and Dogs Home moved into Downing Street. Larry was known for his high chase-drive and hunting instinct developed during his time on the streets and came highly recommended.
Even after David Cameron left office Larry remained at Downing Street. Larry never actually belonged to Cameron and instead belonged to a civil servant, but his story made great headlines.
Larry the cat is one of a long line of Downing Street cats, known unofficially as Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office. One of the most famous and longest serving cats was Humphrey adopted in 1989. Humphrey was adopted after wandering into No 10 as a stray while Margaret Thatcher was prime minister. He remained throughout the administration of John Major and eventually moved out six months after Tony Blair won the 1997 general election.
The re-introduction of four legged companions in the White House will certainly get tails wagging. Although Biden’s dog Major is said to be the first dog shelter rescue to live in the White House, research says this is not entirely true as there was a previous dog rescue. What makes Major special is that he was adopted from a shelter.
According to the fact-checkers at Snopes.com they have found that President Lyndon B. Johnson’s mixed breed dog Yuki was found by Johnson’s daughter Luci at a gas station on Thanksgiving Day in 1966. Luci officially gave the dog to her dad as a birthday gift in 1967.
Nevertheless, the story of Major is a happy one and it raises awareness about pet abandonment. Animal shelters are desperately in need of owners for the many strays that fill their centres.
Covid has created an explosion of pet ownership with many owners truly appreciating the companionship of their new addition(s) during these difficult months. Equally, reports show Covid has also created a growing number of pet abandonments. These have occurred for a variety of socio-economic reasons such as unemployment or a lack of research from owners.
If you are interested in adopting a new pet or acquiring a pet from a breeder Perfect-Pets Books have an extensive range of essential guides for dog and cat lovers that offer advice and information to help owners provide the best care possible. Books such as First Aid for Dogs, The Essential Guide to Dog Rescue and the Essential Guide to Dog Training act as great complements to Perfect-Pets’ most popular dog and cat breeds essential guides.
To learn more visit www.perfect-pets.org for further information. Use code Perfect20Off at checkout and get 20% off.
Christmas came early for a Doncaster widow when her long-lost cat was found 75 miles away and she made a cross-county dash to Skegness to bring him home.
Laddo became a much-loved companion to retired NHS worker Sybil Gillatt after the unexpected death of her husband Keith. So when the long-haired black cat went missing last November, she felt the great loss of the family cat.
Mrs Gillatt, aged 70 years, said: “Laddo didn’t come back as usual that evening. I didn’t worry too much because he’d sometimes do that and would sleep under the shed, but when he didn’t come when I called him in the morning, I knew that wasn’t right.
“The weather was quite bad that day so my son thinks that Laddo might have climbed in the back of a trailer from a nearby farm without the driver knowing. I looked for him for days and put up notices but nobody had seen him. He was gone.”
Even then, Sybil couldn’t allow herself to lose all hope. One year on she still kept his bedding, toys and scratching post in the hope that Laddo, three years old when he took off, might return.
Mrs Gillatt said: “I lost my husband, Keith the year before. We had so many plans, then suddenly it was just me and Laddo. He was company for me. So when he disappeared I was lost. I’ve had a horrible year without Keith and Laddo, I really have.
“My family kept saying they’d get me another cat but nothing could replace Laddo. Although I started to fear that I wouldn’t see him again, there had to be hope. People might think it sounds silly but I needed to believe that.”
What she couldn’t have known was that, for eight of those 12 dreadful months, Laddo was being fed and cared for as a stray in a garden near Skegness – 75 miles from home.
Cat lover Karen Rice, said: “In April what I thought was a feral cat started to visit my garden. When he turned up he was thin, his coat was a mess and he was very timid. He wouldn’t allow me anywhere near him but I took pity on him and named him Foxglove.
“I fed and wormed him and it reached the stage where I could get close enough to stroke the top of his head. That was a turning point and he enjoyed fuss on his own terms. Gradually over the months he gained weight and he is now quite a big cat. He’s a really handsome lad.
“As the nights got colder I tried coaxing him in but he seemed to prefer being outdoors whatever the weather. There was some tension with one of my other cats and I knew that if they couldn’t accept him, I would need to contact Cats Protection to find him a new home.”
Before that decision had to be made, Karen borrowed a scanner to check the microchips in her own cats. Luckily, Foxglove was around that day so she scanned him too and was surprised by what she found.
Karen said: “I couldn’t believe it when he was chipped. I contacted my local Cats Protection branch, gave them the chip number and the next day they phoned to tell me that the owner had been traced. She was over the moon that her cat had been found.”
Mrs Gillatt added: “I couldn’t believe it was true. I am so grateful that Laddo had been looked after by a cat lover like Karen and that Cats Protection were able to trace me. I’m so glad we got him microchipped. Without that chip, I wouldn’t have been driving over to collect my boy.
“When I brought him home, Laddo sat in the middle of the room and had a good look round. Then he went and sat by the settee where he always used to sleep. Later that evening he kept going to the cupboard where I always kept his food and I couldn’t think why. He’d been fed and had his treats, so he couldn’t be hungry. But then I remembered his favourite brush.
“As soon as I took it out he rolled on his back to be brushed. He really was so pleased to be home, he remembered everything. He hasn’t asked to go out once – and I’m just fine with that. I really am so grateful to have him home again. This is the best Christmas present ever.”
Laddo’s joyful homecoming perfectly illustrates the important message of Cats Protection’s Christmas campaign to encourage microchipping for cats.
The tear-jerking animation created by multi award-winning Aardman Studios (www.cats.org.uk/christmas) is inspired by the true story of a young boy reunited with his missing cat, Casper.
Fiona of Cats Protection’s Skegness and District Branch said: “It is such a lovely story, especially at this time of year. It’s heartwarming that we were able to make Christmas special for at least one more cat and his owner, especially as the story was so similar to the magical Cats Protection Christmas animation.”
Cats Protection’s work has continued throughout the COVID-19 crisis, thanks to the charity’s generous supporters who make it all possible.
According to Cats Protection’s CATS report 2020, over a quarter (26%) of owned cats in the UK are not chipped. The charity is actively campaigning to change this by making it a legal requirement for cats to be microchipped, as it is for dogs.
Curiosity can have a notorious effect on cats, so the advent of tinsel, baubles and seasonal plants can turn a cosy Christmas home into a tempting playground of hazards for our furry friends.
To help keep kitty safe this Christmas and New Year, Cats Protection has shared 12 top tips for feline-friendly festivities to ensure the season can be enjoyed by all.
Christmas trees present a tempting challenge so avoid placing breakable ornaments within reach and discourage climbing. Real trees can seep toxic preservatives so the base should be a no-go area for puss.
Glass baubles, tinsel and decorations with tiny parts can be dangerous to cats and should be avoided. If your tree is real, vacuum often as pine needles are a choking hazard and can hurt feet.
Dressing up your cats will make them stressed. It can be tempting to involve your cat in festivities, but fancy dress can restrict movement, risk injury and prevent grooming or stretching.
Toxic plants like holly, ivy, poinsettia, lilies and mistletoe are potentially dangerous to cats. A full list of harmful plants can be found on Cats Protection’s website here.
Human food is not for cats and rich foods like chocolate can be toxic and should definitely be off the menu. Overfeeding can make a cat overweight and risk health problems such as diabetes.
Christmas can be loud and cats may want a safe place to retreat to when things get noisy. Cats can be startled by bangs such as Christmas crackers, party poppers and general commotion.
Tidy away presents and wrapping after opening gifts. Wrapping paper, elastic bands and ribbons can be a tempting hazard so keep your cat from nibbling at them.
Cat-friendly toys can be a treat at Christmas but pick ones with embroidered features, not plastic or glass ones which can come off. If you buy cat edible gifts, go for special pet treats.
Screen open fires and don’t hang decorations near them. Avoid danger by reducing temptation.
If you’re going away consider a cat sitter over a cattery. Cats like a familiar environment so keeping your cat at home can ensure they feel less stressed. Most of all; make plans early.
Prepare for fireworks especially at New Year, when the loud bangs and bright lights can cause anxiety, so keep your curtains closed and consider a calming pheromone plug-in diffuser.
Do not give cats as presents. Cats are a commitment beyond Christmas and are not to be treated as novelty gifts. Cats Protection does not home cats during the holiday season.
This year due to the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns pet ownership has soared and many charities are warning would be pet owners to consider adopting or rescuing a pet this holiday season rather than shopping for one from an online breeder.
Sadly, the RSPCA has reported that in 2020 there has been a sharp increase in pet abandonments and the charity, like many other pet charities, has concerns that these numbers will continue to rise. Perfect-Pets Books looks at the growing number of pet abandonments and the crisis of re-homing that charities face due to the Pandemic.
Perfect-Pets Books have a variety of essential guides full of practical information to help owners and potential owners provide the best care possible for their furry friend. Why not give a book as a present for Christmas? Visit:perfect-pets.org to browse the full catalogue. Get a 20% discount off any Perfect-Pets book enter Perfect20OFF at checkout.
This year the rise in pet ownership has been complicated by the Coronavirus pandemic. A recent report by Letterone has found that during lockdown a staggering 41% of current pet owners got a new pet, 95% were existing pet owners who got another animal and 5% did not previously own a pet before the lockdown. Some of these pets would have been bought from online breeders with little research done about the breed or the breeder.
According to research by the Kennel Club, the coronavirus crisis has led to a surge in puppy ownership across the UK.
Bill Lambert, head of health and welfare at the Kennel Club said: “There is unprecedented demand. Normally, I get one or two inquiries a month but now it is four or five a day.”
“We do have concerns about those puppies which may have been bought on impulse, without owners doing their homework on how or where to get a dog responsibly, or fully realising a puppy is a new family member for life, not a short-term commodity.”
Although there has been a great surge of interest in pet purchases charities have equally noticed an increase in pet abandonments.
RSPCA’s chief inspector for Cambridgeshire reported a dramatic rise in pet abandonments in her region. She said: “We’ve seen 30% of our usual annual total for abandoned animals in just three months.”
As the UK braces itself for the full economic impact of the pandemic, Dogs Trust is warning we could see a sharp rise in the number of dogs being given up or put to sleep if families struggle to cope with the resulting hardships of the crisis.
The Trust estimates that up to 40,000 more stray or abandoned dogs will be in need of help, especially if – as economists indicate – the country sees a financial crisis on par or worse than the crash of 2008.
Meanwhile, the RSPCA has reported that it is experiencing a “cat crisis” due to Coronavirus and lockdown restrictions. During the first lockdown the charity took more than 600 felines into care, which is more than any other pet. More than 7,000 cat related incidents have been reported to the charity’s hotline since lockdown measures began.
Cats Protection has had some success re-homing its abandoned cats. The charity reported that it has re-homed about 2,400 cats since it began its new “hands-free homing” process during the first lockdown.
The number of cat and dog abandonments reported are staggering and they do not account for the vast array of pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs who are also being abandoned. Many charities are asking potential buyers during the Christmas season to consider re-homing or adopting instead of shopping for a new puppy or kitten.
Even for those not looking for a pet simply offering a donation to support the work of charities such as the RSPCA, Dogs Trust and Cats Protection can help during these difficult times.
For any potential dog owners looking to adopt Rescue Dogs the Essential Guide by Perfect-Pets Books offers clear and precise information about how to adopt and make your home a safe and comfortable environment for a new dog.
Cat Care the Essential Guide is useful for any cat lovers who want to rehome a cat or simply provide a happy home for a new feline friend.
Top tips from the team behind the all-natural Be:Loved pet care range
Covid-19 has put the dampener on public Bonfire Night events this year, which means private displays will be the order of the day. With our skies lit up more than normal at this time of year, pet owners will be eager to ensure that their beloved pets are saved from the brink of fear with every whizz, pop and bang.
One company which cares deeply for pets of all shapes and sizes is Podium Pet Products, the supplier of the utterly divine Be:Loved range of 100% natural pet care products including shampoo bars, nose & paw balms, skin & coat oils, sun protection and room fragrances.
Here the company’s founder, Carina Evans, shares some top tips for keeping your pets safe and stress-free this fireworks night:
Preparation is key. Start by rescheduling your dog’s walk for during daylight hours and, if possible, add a little extra to the walk to ensure they will be worn out come nighttime.
As nighttime approaches close all windows and draw the curtains to muffle the noise from outside, as well as minimising visibility of flashing lights.
Be sure to add additional sounds to the home, such as the TV or radio. If possible, increase the volume throughout the day to gradually drown out exterior noises.
Make sure your pets are kept indoors and ensure that their favourite place to sleep or relax is accessible.
Why not add a few extra distractions to the evening – extra cuddles, a few more rounds of catch, and treats and snacks that will keep their attention away from the fireworks.
If you pet does want to hide then give them plenty of space to do so, and don’t be tempted to drag them out of their hideaway. Instead, stay with them, offer soothing words and comfort as much as possible.
Pheromone diffusers are available but natural solutions do also deliver results. Scents such as Lavender, Chamomile, Marjoram, Frankincense Carterii and Valerian are well-known for their calming abilities so look out for candles, room fragrances or other products, including essential oils, which contain these scents to create a calming environment.
Though Carina notes: “Essential Oils have so many healing benefits for our furry friends but with them are associated risks if the “blends” and quantities are incorrect. Just like humans can eat lots of chocolate without too much trouble, a dog doing the same can become fatally ill.
“Cats in particular are very sensitive to essential oils as their kidneys and other organs have real trouble processing them. It is therefore incredibly important that pet parents carefully check the dosage allowed, and only use pure oils if they choose to administer essential oils to their pets.”
Let Be:Loved offer a calming ‘hug’ this Guy Fawkes night
The inspiration for Be:Loved came in the form of an old family heirloom: a farmhouse recipe book. This book held a treasure trove of recipes for treating common ailments for both farmer and livestock alike, and it is these recipes which have been reimagined within the Be:Loved collection.
Drawing upon years of experience, and lovingly handmade in the UK, each Be:Loved product has been carefully designed to deliver results whilst providing the ultimate pamper experience for pet and owner. All the products are tested on humans so we know they work whether you have two legs or four!
This November reach for the Be:Calm Shampoo Bar (£5.00) . With the calming scent of lavender and extra moisturising goat’s milk, Be:Calm is the perfect way to help your pet unwind, making it perfect for bath lovers to stay distracted whilst your neighbours enjoy celebrating November 5th .
For those pets that enjoy cuddles and strokes, the Be:Silky Skin & Coat Conditioning Pet Massage Oil Rub (£20.00) is the perfect companion. Help your pets drift off as you massage the enriching and conditioning blend of natural botanical oils and essences, including Grape Seed, Lavender, Vitamin E, Sweet Almond and Rose, into their coat and skin.
Or why not reach for the Be:Loved, Soothing and Nourishing Nose & Paw Balm (£8.00)? Enriched with shea butter, Vitamin E, avocado oil and manuka honey, this balm will not only tackle cracked paw pads, elbow callouses or dry noses, but it will help you to soothe your pet with the most delicious massage session, perfect for banishing the fireworks blues whilst strengthening the bond between pet and pet parent.
Whilst you are at it, set the scene for some pure relaxation with the Be:Calm – Lavender & Chamomile Mud & Boot Room Candle (£15.00). Perfect for the boot room, kennels or kitchen, this odour-eliminating candle is formulated with enzymes which not only cover up but remove household odours – whether from pets or cooking smells. Come November 5th, the candle comes into its own, helping to waft the gentle and soothing aroma of lavender around the home.
All of these products, plus the full Be:Loved range can be purchased via www.wearebeloved.co . Every product is backed by the Be:Loved EcoPledge, which means no plastic is used anywhere in the range and is fully designed to be recycled or repurposed, whilst everything also benefits from being free from ‘nasties’ including MIT and paraben.
With the demand for puppies soaring during the coronavirus pandemic and many people bringing a new four-legged friend into their homes during or just before lockdown, Dogs Trust Dog School is offering some top tips for new puppy owners to help their young dogs adjust to new experiences.
Despite Dogs Trust Dog School face-to-face training classes pausing for five months during the pandemic, the demand for classes from new puppy owners was unprecedented – with over 5,000 enquiries about training classes during lockdown (15th March-15th August 2020).
Since 17th August, classes have started to re-open, where safe to do so, and the team already have over 1,400 new dogs booked onto classes and had over 450 enquiries per week.
Whilst many people have enjoyed the quality time with their four-legged friends, a return to ‘normal’ life may be a difficult transition for new puppies as their owners return to work and school. Which is why Dogs Trust Dog School has released some quick and handy tips to help puppies cope with life after lockdown – from being left alone, to meeting people in facemasks and settling when their owner is working from home.
Top tips include:
Being left alone
Young puppies may not be used to spending time on their own after so much company during lockdown.
Start now to teach them that being on their own is a normal and positive part of life. To do this:
Make sure your puppy has a comfy bed or den, where they can relax, and give them something fun to keep busy, like a long-lasting treat or puzzle toy.
Start to move away from them whilst they are settled: only move as far as you can without them becoming worried and trying to follow you. Go back and reward them for staying calm. If they have got worried or tried to follow, then start again but move less far away. Once the puppy is relaxed with this you can start to build up to taking more steps away, being in a different room and then leaving the house.
The key to success is progressing slowly – always only increase the distance and time away for which your puppy stays relaxed. Any signs of distress, and you’ve progressed too fast and need to go back a stage.
Teaching a puppy to be left alone positively from the start is much easier than treating established anxiety problems. So putting some time in now to get your puppy relaxed when left will save you both a lot of work and worry later in life.
Meeting and greeting other people
It’s really useful to train your puppy to stay calm when visitors come to the door or into your house, as well as meeting people on walks. In both cases, it is important to build up new experiences slowly, so your pup learns to be calm and relaxed. Reward them when they are quiet and relaxed.
Teaching your pup to go to their bed in a different part of the house when they hear the doorbell can make greeting visitors easier.
Ensure your puppy has their own safe space to retreat to when you have visitors, remembering that they can find excitable human noises worrying (as, no doubt, you’ll be excited to see your friends and family after a long time!).
Always remember to wash your hands regularly before and after interacting with your dog and ask your guests to do the same. A dog’s coat, lead, toys etc, could carry coronavirus just like any other surface.
Do not be afraid to ask people not to pet your puppy if he or she is worried, don’t feel comfortable or if your dog needs more space.
Out and about with your dog
If your puppy hasn’t been out in the car much, if at all, in the past few months, get them used to travelling by carefully introducing them to the car and their travel harness or crate. Use lots of tasty treats to reward them.
Use our handy guide to teach your puppy to feel comfortable with seeing people in facemasks, particularly if you are using public transport.
Homeworking
If you’re working from home on a longer term basis, it’s especially important for an excitable puppy to learn to relax, lie down, and have time on their own when you’re busy on phone calls or video meetings.
Start training at times when your puppy is more likely to be already relaxing. You’ll know your dog is truly settled when they lie down, not asking for attention, and not easily distracted by what’s going on around them.
To begin with, sit quietly on a chair with your dog lay on a blanket on the floor. Drop tiny bite size treats to your dog as a reward for settling down on the blanket. Don’t say anything to your dog whilst doing this. Gradually only reward more relaxed behaviours.
You can then start to increase the amount of time they must be settled before you reward them.
Dog owners can access training videos, owner handbooks and more by visiting the dedicated page on the Dogs Trust website.
Dogs Trust Dog School has recently resumed classes for some of its Dog Schools, with smaller classes and other safety measures in place. To see if your local Dog School has reopened visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-school.
For schools that can’t reopen just yet, online one-to-one sessions or full online training courses are available. Please note, we’re experiencing a high volume of enquires to our Dog Schools that have re-opened so there may be a delay in booking onto a class.
With Dogs Trust predicting more dogs at risk of abandonment due to behavioural issues that have developed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Dogs Trust’s Dog School has never been so vital in helping to support owners with their dogs’ training. This year, Dog School is being supported by funding raised by generous players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Julie Morrison, Head Coach at Dog School Edinburgh, says: “Dogs will have got used to having their favourite humans by their side day in day out during lockdown. Whilst many puppies will have been happy to have their human family at home during the past few months, they may need help adjusting to life when their families go back to work and school.
“They may also need help getting used to car travel and support with feeling comfortable seeing people in facemasks.
“Keep in mind that whilst we’re easily able to slot back in to old routines, young puppies may find this a confusing time and a more difficult transition, which is why we have lots of top tips to help them find their paws in the ‘new normal’.
“The most common reason dogs are handed into Dogs Trust is due to behaviour-related issues, so we would urge owners of puppies bought during lockdown to act now to prevent these developing.
“We would like to thank the players of People’s Postcode Lottery for their continued support, which allows us to give dog owners the information they need to understand their pooch and prevent common behavioural issues from arising.”
