How children learn important life skills by interacting with dogs As dog owners, we are so focused on teaching our dogs new things, that we often forget to look at what our dogs can teach us as human beings. One thing that adults can learn from dogs is to live more in the moment. But […]
Q: How can I determine what scares my 13-week-old puppy when I walk towards him? I’ve never hurt him in any way or even scolded him. A: It’s unusual for a 13-week-old puppy to be showing fear when approached, especially if there appears to be no apparent reason. Without having more information, such as if
Q& A: Scared puppy Read More »
Are you contemplating whether you should bring a new doggy into your life, or do you need to convince someone that you need a dog? Here are some valid reasons why owning a dog will bring you lots of happiness. But do keep in mind that dogs are not toys that you can play with
5 Reasons to own a dog Read More »
Humans and animals share a special and close bond, especially when it comes to our beloved pets and our livestock. But think twice before giving your parakeet an affectionate peck on the beak, letting your dog lick your face or cuddling up with your new kitten until your pet has received a clean bill of
Curbing the spread of zoonotic diseases Read More »
Fetch, fetch, fetch… Dear Patches Who needs to watch TV when you can just sit on the windowsill and watch your neighbours and their dogs? I swear that if I made a movie of them, it would be a blockbuster! But what I don’t understand is this: why do dogs continue to fall for the
Ask Patches: Fetch, fetch, fetch and liquid cats Read More »
Q: My dog will not stop barking at visitors. I’ve tried giving her treats, taking her to another room, and even outside. What should we do? A: This can be a frustrating problem for both you and your visitors, especially if everything you have tried is not working. Dogs might bark at visitors because they
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Long, sunny days have made way for snuggling under warm blankets with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. Fortunately, in most parts of South Africa, we don’t have extremely cold winters, but most of us still want to take things a bit easier and stay warm. And, while WE might (on some days) get away
4 grooming tips for the colder months Read More »
Anxiety and stress can be detrimental to our health and cause various health issues. The same goes for our pets – prolonged stress and anxiety also have a negative effect on their wellbeing and behaviour. Animaltalk asked Kathy Clayton, Animal Behaviour Consultant for dogs and cats, how to identify stress and anxiety in our pets
How to manage stress and anxiety in our cats and dogs Read More »
Hillbilly biscuit thief Dear Patches, My owners decided that it was time for a new puppy and brought home the most out-of-control dog they could find. I call him Tornado because he runs through the house as if the devil is behind him and leaves a trail of devastation. Nothing is safe where Tornado goes.
Ask Patches: Hillbilly biscuit thief and No bell prize Read More »
Most of us love comfy food on a cold day – anything from a hearty stew to a delicious soup could make us feel cosy. So, why not jazz up your dog’s food on a cold day as well? He will love you for it, and you can curl up on the couch and chat
Comfy food for winter Read More »
Bothersome bees Dear Patches, Why are there so many annoying bees flying around the garden? Don’t they have anything better to do? Last week, I saw one of those buzzing insects flying from one flower to the next. I was curious, so I followed him. My doggy brain wanted to know what was so fascinating
Ask Patches: Bothersome bees and food rations Read More »
In the ideal world, we could take our pets to the office with us. We won’t have to worry about them being home alone or whether they are doing fine. And of course, we won’t miss them so much, we won’t have to hurry home and we will all be happy at the office. Or
Pets at the office – is it ideal for them? Read More »
