Most dogs will automatically use their noses to search for things to eat or to investigate new objects. Harnessing this instinct and teaching your dog to sniff on cue is great fun. Not only is it fun, but it helps grow confidence in timid or young dogs. Gaining confidence in solving tricky scent puzzles can […]
Fun with Flash: Switching on his nose! Read More »
Q: How does the colour of my dog’s tongue and gums tell me whether he is ill? A: A healthy dog’s gums and tongue should be pink, just like yours, from all the tiny blood vessels running close to the surface. Common changes in gum and tongue colour, and what they could mean, include: Pale
When we go through difficult times, we tend to feel so much better if there is someone with us who will never leave our side and who will never betray our trust. In many cases, those special beings are our pets. Animaltalk asked Prof Nicoleen Coetzee why people lean on their pets so much during
How our pets comfort us during stressful times Read More »
Mdzananda Animal Clinic started from humble beginnings when Mr Joe pushed a trolley with water buckets around the community of Khayelitsha to bath and feed the community’s pets. With the help of volunteers and funds, the clinic was founded in 1996, and today, it is fully functional and operates six days a week. To continue
Mdzananda Animal Clinic assisting communities Read More »
Q: What is the correct way to hold and carry a puppy? A: The best way to pick up a puppy is the one that is safest for him. I prefer placing one hand under the puppy’s chest, where the rib cage is, just behind the front legs, away from his belly and soft tissue,
Q & A: Puppy safety Read More »
If you’ve made the decision to emigrate to another country, you’ve likely considered taking your pets with you. You may be concerned that costs will be exorbitant, but this isn’t always the case. The emigration process takes time – for many, a good number of years, so if you are serious about taking your pets,
Emigrating with your pet – your questions answered Read More »
Have you ever wondered what is the rave about puppy schools and why puppies should attend these classes? Behaviourist Samantha Walpole explains why it is important for your puppy. The general socialisation stage for a puppy is between three and 16 weeks. This is a critical one-time window of opportunity. We never get this
Why puppy school is crucial Read More »
Animal lovers know how the presence of dogs has a positive effect on our mental health and research has proved it as well. With this in mind, Woodrock Animal Rescue started a pilot project with Discovery South Africa, called Paws @ Work. This project is actually a pet therapy programme where Woodrock staff bring therapy
Dog therapy for schools and businesses to assist with mental wellness Read More »
Q: What is the easiest way to teach my puppy his name? A: This is an important first step in building a relationship between the two of you. As your pup learns to respond to his name and focus his attention on you, teaching other basic commands becomes much easier. Be consistent in always using
Q & A: Fido, come! Read More »
Dogs have been living in close proximity to people for 15,000 years and during this time they have channelled their natural talents to develop some really amazing skills. Most of us are aware that dogs are intelligent beings with superior senses and some particular abilities that far surpass that of people or machines (for example,
10 Things dogs do really well Read More »
Although there is not much we can do about certain sudden loud noises, like lightning during a thunderstorm, there are ways to prepare our dogs from an early age to cope in these situations. Unfortunately, some dogs will always struggle with loud noises, but you can make it easier for them, to a certain degree.
24 tips to prepare your dog to handle loud noises Read More »
Q: Why should I teach my dog to sit? A: Teaching your dog to sit may seem very basic, but a ‘sit’ is actually one of the most important things for your dog to learn. Teaching your dog to sit on cue is very simple and is a good exercise to do to prevent other
Q & A: Valuable lesson Read More »
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