• Pit Bull Terrier Breeds, includes the American Pit Bull Terrier
•  Japanese Tosa
• Dogo Argentino (Argentinian fighting dog)
• Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian fighting dog)
• Perro de Presa Canario
• Any dog that is any part restricted breed, declared by a Council under Division 6 of the Companion Animals Act
• Any other dog of a breed, kind or description prescribed by the Companion Animals Regulation
  
• If you own a restricted  breed

Effective from 13 January 2006, owners of a restricted dog must ensure that the following requirements are complied with. Severe penalties may be imposed and/or the dog may be seized if the requirements are not met:

• Distinctive collar

The dog must at all times wear a durable, secure, red and yellow striped collar, which complies with the Companion Animal Regulations.

• Lead and muzzle

Whenever the dog is outside its enclosure, it must be on a lead to prevent people, especially children, from having access to the dog and it must wear a muzzle to prevent it from biting any person or animal.

•  Responsible control

The dog must be in the control of a competent person with the leash being held or secured. One person handling more than two dogs is not considered adequate control if either or both are restricted.

•  Registration

All dogs must be identified by microchip and registered on the Companion Animals Register.

•  Supervision

The dog must not at any time be in the sole charge of a person under age 18.

•  Signage

One or more signs must be displayed on the property showing the words “Warning Dangerous Dog,” The sign must be able to be seen from the boundaries of the property and comply with requirements set out in the Regulations.

The Pros

Your cat or dog will be safe in a reputable kennel. They are in a secure environment and can’t escape and go walkabout or meet with an accident. They will be regularly fed quality food. A good kennel will offer grooming and training and encourage socialisation. While the environment may be unfamiliar, it will have a routine that is designed for the pet’s wellbeing. If they are well fed and exercised and have a warm, comfortable place to sleep, they will settle down. The staff are animal lovers and understand that pets need love and attention. While they can’t replace you, they are experienced at building relationships of trust and kindness to which your pet can respond. And just think of the joyful reunion when you come to pick your pet up!

The Cons

One of the issues you have to recognise is that the unfamiliar environment and routine will undoubtedly cause your pet stress. They may refuse to eat at first and become generally disengaged. You have to accept that your pet cannot be as happy in a boarding situation as at home, but it is only for a relatively short while and animals have very little sense of time.

Boarding with other animals exposes them to the possibility of picking up some illness. Kennel cough is the most common, but contrary to popular belief, it is not only animals that have been boarded who contract this respiratory infection. The reason it is known as kennel cough is because it is infectious and with many animals in one place, the odds are greater that an animal that has not been vaccinated could contract it. Before you put your pet in a kennel, ask your vet about vaccination. Prevention is always better than cure.

Most important, however, is the choice of a kennel. If can get a recommendation from your vet, an animal trainer, or someone who has had first-hand experience, that is a good start.

What to look for in a boarding kennel

If you don’t have a recommendation, look for:

• Certification, Accreditation, Quality Assurance, Awards and so
• Make an appointment to inspect the kennel personally, ask questions, don’t hold back. Your pet is worth the trouble.
• Look at the areas where to animals are kept. Are they clean, well ventilated and pleasant? Is there enough room for your pet to move around?
• Is there an exercise area?
• Are the staff well presented, friendly and polite? Are the staffing numbers adequate for the number of dogs boarded at one time?

How to prepare for your pet’s stay

• Take any regular medications with you, along with vaccination records and any other medical information that may be needed.
• Take any toys or activity items that might be favourites, eg a blanket, cushion, ball or squeaky toy.
• Let the staff know if your pet has any particular fears or habits, so that they understand him.

Your pet may have some behavioural problems when he first comes home. Don’t be alarmed, keep an eye for health issues, otherwise just give him the good old TLC he is used to and “she’ll be right”!

It is well accepted that both humans and dogs benefit from regular exercise. And while your health may suffer from not having enough physical activity, it is your responsibility and no- one else’s.

Animals depend on their owners to provide them with the exercise they need. Unless they live on a farm or a large property, city dogs generally have limited space in which to exercise and can easily become the doggy equivalents of couch potatoes. Some will simply become listless and lazy; others will find outlets for their energy by indulging in destructive or anti-social behavior. Don’t blame your dog! He has to let off steam some way and if you don’t give him an outlet for his energy, it’s not his fault.

Provide exercise opportunities and you’ll have a happy dog and a happy owner. So, if you don’t have time to exercise your pet, it is up to you to find someone who will take him walking and romping. He’ll come back bright, happy and thirsty and reward you with a boisterous welcome home, with wagging tail and a healthy appetite.

How much exercise is enough?

So how much exercise does your dog need? This depends on the age and breed. Small dogs can gain exercise by playing ‘fetch’ and other games around the house. Large dogs need long walks. If you walk your dog on weekends and play during the week, you can probably get away with a dog walking service on alternate weekdays, depending, as we have said, on the breed and age of the dog. Discuss your dog’s needs with your vet or with the dog walking service to determine the level and type of exercise.

Dog walking

Every day in the suburbs you’ll see brisk, healthy people walking one or more dogs. Contrary to what you may think, not all of these are the owners – many are professional dog walkers running a much needed service, providing pets with exercise and companionship and their owners with peace of mind. All this comes at a surprisingly reasonable cost – from $25 to $35 per hour, with reductions for more than one dog. Some offer half hour walks which gives you flexibility in how many times a week you want your dog to have a walk. Most dog walking services are owner operated and the larger ones have trained staff. Many offer obedience training as well.

Dog and cat sitting

When you go on holiday, unless you have a friend or relative who will take your pet in, you have a choice of placing it in a kennel or engaging someone to look after the pet in your home. This is clearly the least disruptive option for your pet and pet sitting services offer not only feeding, grooming, walking and playing, many will water your plants, empty bins, collect mail and generally look after your home. This takes care of a lot of the issues that bother people when they go on holiday.

This alarming figure could be related to two main factors, a) the sedentary lifestyle we tend to lead – which means not enough exercise (for us or the dog), and b) food – we simply are feeding our dogs too much, and much about feeding is emotional – for example offering treats, a little bit extra or left overs from the family dinner.  More and more we see our pets as members of the family and start feeding them as though they were people!  But of course, they are not people and they have very different nutritional needs to humans.

The serious side of obesity in dogs

Many of the problems caused by obesity are under-estimated by owners.  The obvious problems are the same that we find in humans, for example diabetes.  But heart, respiratory and skin disease can also result and the extra weight obviously puts strain on muscles and joints, which in turn means problems with arthritis and mobility can develop.  Major organs like the pancreas, liver and kidneys can also be affected. 

Is your dog overweight?

You should be able to see a waist line behind the ribs and you should also be able to feel the ribs like corrugated iron, but not see them.  If you can’t feel the ribs, your pooch is carrying excess weight!  But before you start a weight loss plan, it is suggested that you check with your vet to make sure there are no underlying issues such as hormonal problems that can cause weight gain.  Also important to bear in mind that there is no “one size fits all solution”, you need to feed your dog according to it’s life stage, it’s ideal weight and lifestyle.  It’s important to apply some tough love too  – imagine a pellet of food being the equivalent of a piece of steak and feeding extra can make a huge difference, especially with a small dog.  It has also been suggested that splitting the food into portions which are fed over the course of the day can be beneficial as the food will be better absorbed and less likely to turn to fat. As with us humans, exercise is vital, and your dog should get at least 30 minutes every day as a minimum.  Not only will this help with the weight, but also tone muscles, assist with digestion and improve the cardiovascular system.

Remember most dogs don’t have any self control when it comes to food and they rely on us.  Breeds such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Beagles and Spaniels will never say no to food!  Our job as owners is to provide the solution by  being tough with diet and ensuring exercise.   So whilst it may be hard to say no, making the hard decisions is the kindest decision in the long run – and looking after our pet’s health is the least we can do.

Maintaining your dog at a healthy weight also makes sense financially.  A healthy weight means better health and less trips to the vet and fewer expensive vet bills!

However, talk to a passionate cat lover and they will tell you quite a different story. Marilyn, for example, has a Burmese – Lolly – who demonstrates all the qua lities of that particular breed.

 “My Burmese is extremely friendly and loving. She greets me the moment I open the front door and will climb onto me when I flop down of the sofa. My friends say she is more like a dog than a cat it makes me mad, because I find that so condescending! Lolly is fabulous pet in her own right, not by comparison with a dog or any other furry creature.”

Lolly was acquired from a breeder and shortly thereafter Marilyn rescued a little white kitten from an animal refuge. In this case it was an act of kindness that somewhat backfired, as the kitten was frail and sickly and after $2,000 worth of veterinary care, the poor little creature went to cat heaven. “Pet insurance would have helped me,” sighs Marilyn, “but I didn’t even know it existed. This incident certainly made me aware.”

Marilyn has another cat as well – a tabby called Tabitha– who also has a sweet and loving nature.” The two cats get along very well,” says Marilyn. “They are both quite inquisitive and playful if encouraged.

“Burmese in particular can be quite destructive, so I have a scratching post. But Lolly still gets into the furniture at times. I guess that’s one of the compromises you have to make in return for all the good things my cats bring to me. There’s nothing more comforting and peaceful than cuddling up and watching TV with my two pets.”

Marilyn’s cat Lolly demonstrates the typical personality of the Burmese – gregarious and well attuned to humans. They like a lot of attention and are not as independent as other breeds and while they can defend themselves against other cats, they are seldom, if ever, aggressive towards humans. They like being indoors, are good with children and get along fine with dogs.

And let’s not overlook how utterly gorgeous they are!

While we generally talk about a human year being equivalent to seven dog years, a lot depends on the breed. While large dogs will age more quickly than small breeds, it’s fairly safe to say that by the time your dog is seven or eight years old, you can consider it to be at some point in middle age.

As far as cats are concerned, they appear to have a slightly longer life span than dogs, so let’s say a 10 year old would equate to a human in their late 50’s.

What are the signs of ageing in pets?

Many of the symptoms observed in humans apply to dogs and cats. As we get older we tend to slow down and experience some stiffness in getting up, climbing stairs and so on. Many humans also suffer from age-related arthritis and other conditions, such as diabetes and thyroid problems. Dogs in particular can develop hypothyroidism.

Like humans, dogs start to go grey around the face. Cats, on the other hand, don’t show a greying tendency, although here and there you may see a few white hairs sneaking through. They are more likely to show a dulling of their coat, rather than greying.

Again, many humans experience some hearing loss and/or impaired vision, including cataracts, anytime from age 60 onwards.  Dogs and cats can also become deaf when grow old, but you’ll notice it more easily in dogs, largely because they are generally more overtly responsive than cats. In cats hearing loss is more gradual and subtle and seems to take longer to develop into a severe deficiency.

What can you do about it?

Stiffness: it’s best to consult your vet and if arthritis is the cause there are many medications available with which to manage the condition

Hypothyroidism: the symptoms are general slowing down, weight gain and deterioration in your dog’s coat due to hair loss. They may even develop bald patches. To obtain an accurate diagnosis your vet will run a test and if positive then will prescribe appropriate medication to balance the hormones.

Diabetes: Both dogs and cats will demonstrate severe weight loss or gain as well as excessive drinking and frequent urination. Cats tend to get urinary tract infections and weakness in the hind legs, while dogs often develop cataracts and may go blind. A blood test is recommended to establish the blood sugar levels.

Hearing and vision: if your pet is hard to wake up or seems to be startled if you approach from behind, it may be getting deaf. Best to have your vet examine the ears to ensure that there is no infection, or foreign object in the ear. Otherwise, not much you can do. Humans have the advantage of being able to use hearing aids. Unfortunately at this stage this is not possible for animals. So be extra careful with traffic and boisterous kids. If you notice that your pet’s vision is impaired, check with your vet in case this is caused by cataracts.

Remember, just like the elderly members of the community, your loyal pet deserves loving care as it grows old.  It’s time for us to give back to them what they have given to us over the years.  Love and loyalty.

Written by Marcelle Grolman

A well trained dog is a pleasure to be with and as a result tends to be included in more activities and spend more quality time with it’s owner.  They are also less likely to end up in animal shelters, and if an owner is forced to surrender a pet, they are much more likely to be adopted.  Bottom line the effort of training will reap rewards for both you and your dog.

Reward based training has gained popularity over the years as not only is this method very effective, but most dog owners prefer to reward their pet rather than punish them.  Like humans, dogs are more likely to repeat behaviour if there’s something in it for them – ie if it’s rewarding.

Rewards reinforce desired behaviour by creating and reinforcing a positive association with that behaviour.  But each dog can be motivated by different things. Whilst the majority of dogs are motivated by food, some may be more motivated by play or by the opportunity to interact with their owner.  And of course, what the food is also can make a difference.  Some dogs go whacko for schmakos, others can’t go past a liver treat.  Those motivated by play may prefer a squeaky toy over a tennis ball, especially if a tennis ball is part of the normal play activity.

So the first step is to find what motivates your dog, and consider whether the time of day can have an impact on the motivator.  In other words, if the dog has just eaten he may be less inclined to be motivated by food.  Try to work out when your dog would be most driven to earn the treats, and try and work that timing into your routine.

There are 3 types of motivator generally used in rewards based training, ie treats, toys and affection.

Treats are by far the most widely used, as this satisfies a very basic need in dogs  But choose a treat that is rewarding to your dog.  Try a variety to see which is the favourite.  Small pieces of cooked chicken, or liver treats are irresistible to most dogs.   Once you know what the favourite is, don’t feed it regularly, keep it special to maintain it’s value.

Dogs love to play, and toys can also play an important part as a motivator.  Again find out what turns your dog on.  Tug?  Fetch?  Again only use the motivating toy as part of training, not everyday play.

Many dogs are people pleasers and will do anything for a bit of love. Training these dogs can be convenient as all you need is your voice and hand.  But again what do they really love?  A scratch behind the ears?  A back massage?  Whilst you need to keep that type of affection for training sessions doesn’t mean you don’t give your dog affection – just not with that type of affection outside of training sessions.

Timing is everything.  When using motivators to reward a desired behaviour it is important that the reward is delivered during or immediately after the behaviour so that the dog can get the association.  If you wait too long, the moment is lost and they won’t be able to make a connection.  This is where a “bridge” comes in handy.  A bridge is simply a noise (eg click of a clicker) or a word (eg good, yes).  The bridge is given during the behaviour and bridges the time lag between the behaviour and the delivery of the motivator.  Motivators are most effective in training new behaviours when they are certain, quick and strong.  Once the dog knows a new command and reliably performs it, food and play reinforcers can gradually be reduced or phased out, but verbal praise should always be used to maintain the desired behaviour.

For example, pregnancy, as well as elective treatments such as de-sexing, micro-chipping and cosmetic surgery are generally not covered by standard insurance, although small amounts may be recoverable when you opt for Wellness (or Routine) Care with your policy. 

Most policies will not cover pre-existing conditions, including those that develop during the waiting period (for example the waiting period for cruciate conditions is 6 months with Petsecure, but this can be waived if your vet can certify that no cruciate conditions exist when you join).  Also, pets must be fully vaccinated, and generally any condition that can be avoided through vaccination is not covered (for example Kennel Cough).

With Petsecure hereditary and congenital conditions are covered providing there is no sign of them before the cover commenced, but this may not be the case with all pet insurance policies.  With some policies tick paralysis is not covered at all.  With Petsecure there is a maximum benefit payable of $500 for tick paralysis under the Accident and Illness cover option.

With Petsecure the premiums are based on the age and breed of the pet, and you can choose whether you want to have a 75% or 85% benefit payment, with no extra excess to be paid when you claim.  Some policies may have a higher benefit payment, but then also have an excess that is paid for each claim.    

One of the biggest mistakes people make with Pet Insurance is to leave it too late.  Many of us don’t think about insurance until our pet is already sick, but as most policies won’t cover pre-existing conditions it means the pet cannot covered for this ailment.  It’s no different to any other insurance – you couldn’t get insurance to cover an incident in a car that has already happened, and it’s no different with pet insurance.

Whilst pet insurance for some may seem like a luxury it’s important to consider the bigger picture.  With premiums averaging around $600 per year you would spend around $6,000 – $8,000 over the lifetime of the pet – and vet treatment for just one injury and on-going care for an illness can easily come to that, and more. In fact, according to Hollard Insurance the highest claim received for treatment of fractures was $13,500 in 2007.   

This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of exclusions, but just gives an idea of what to look out for when choosing your pet insurance. Whichever policy you choose, you should be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement so that you fully understand the terms and conditions and the exclusions before you make your decision. 

This is not advice, and does not take account of your individual circumstances.  Please read the product disclosure statement about the product you are considering before making any decision to purchase pet insurance.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease which involves the slow erosion of joint cartilage  causing the bones to rub together, which as you can imagine would be very painful and debilitating for your pet.  Osteoarthritis can be genetic (eg hip dysplasia), part of the ageing process, or the result of an injury.  Fortunately there are a few treatments which can help including anti inflammatories, nutrition and dietary supplements and an exercise regime.  Natural therapies can be an alternative for those of us who want to manage paid without the use of chemically based drugs.  Just like humans, remedies include acupuncture, chiro, massage, stretching and special exercises.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles into specific points that release energy.  Whilst it doesn’t sound very pleasant, in fact it can be very relaxing and many dogs fall asleep whilst being treated!  Acupuncture is based on energy flowing through meridians and the needles affect the flow of energy.  The results can be a reduction in pain and inflammation, increased mobility, and generally improvement in wellbeing and quality of life.  One the advantages of acupuncture is that there are no side effects to worry about which means the dog can undergo treatment for many years without concern.

Trigger point therapy

Trigger points are spots in muscles that form after injury or misuse.  Trigger point therapy releases the trigger point to help with the pain.  The first step with trigger point therapy is to deactivate the trigger point with acupuncture and then stimulate the painful point itself.  Then a strong massage to stretch out the point for a good minute.  Whilst it can be uncomfortable for your pet, it does help to improve mobility.

Chiropractic adjustment

An animal with sore hips will automatically shift their weight to compensate, which in turn can put stress on their back which results in muscular tension.  This can cause back pain and creates difficulty with walking.  A simple back massage and stretching exercises at home can help in between adjustment sessions with the chiropractor.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy aims to rehabilitate and improve musculoskeletal disorders through a variety of techniques.  Some techniques include using machines, bandaging or strapping to treat swelling and support joints, warmth and ice for pain, swelling or spasm control and hands on massage, manipulation and joint mobilisation.  Physiotherapy can be good for looking after joint health and keeping a range of movement, but it is also good to get assistance with joint nutrition.  Walking is generally good, but dogs with arthritis may need more frequent shorter walks, rather than long walks.  Treadmills offering a range of speed and training modes can also be of assistance.  But this needs to be done with a professional as it is important to be gently so that there is not extra strain on the body.  Good thing is that come rain or shine, conditions are always right!

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is exercise, treatment or rehabilitation in water, generally heated pools or underwater treadmills, or both.  Hydrotherapy builds up muscles without putting strain on painful joints.  Swimming is of course also great for general fitness, but if a dog as had cruciate ligament surgery or hind limb problems it does better with walking as it needs to bear some weight.  Also bear in mind that dogs can cheat – they use their front legs instead of their hind legs, so you need to watch them to make sure you know what they are up to!

Most pet insurance policies unfortunately do not cover alternative therapies, however with Petsecure wellness care option you can claim $50 per year for one item which includes acupuncture, hydrotherapy and massage.

Ask your vet for a referral or for more information on natural therapies visit www.acupet.com.au or www.naturalvet.com.au or www.sydneyanimalphysiotherapy.com.au  or www.allnaturaldog.com.au

You go back to work and leave your new puppy or that you got for Christmas, or your old faithful four legged friend home alone after an extended period together.   

Problem is, each day a feeling a dread hangs over you as you anticipate the destruction that awaits you.  Chewing, scratching, barking.  It wasn’t supposed to be like this was it?  A dog in the family is supposed to be a fun, wonderful experience.  But sadly this scenario can happen and can lead to a permanent break in the bond between you and your dog, often resulting in punishment, putting in a shelter or euthanasia.

Why does this happen?

One likely reason for such behaviour is separation related distress (separation anxiety).  Symptoms can be barking, whining, howling, pacing, chewing at doors and windows and escape attempts.  This can happen when the dog doesn’t have access to family members or his “pack”.

Diagnosis

Don’t assume.  The signs can be caused by other medical or behavioural conditions.  Speak to your vet, and get as much information as possible. Ideas for getting information could be to set up a webcam – this will help you see whether the dog is distressed or having the time of his life as he chews up the house!  If barking is the problem, record it.  Is it an “who’s walking past my patch” bark, or distressed whining and crying.  Find out how often it happens, and whether there is a pattern – could it be a noise phobia, for example.  Age can also be a factor – whilst it can happen with dogs and cats of any breed at any age, it is more common in older pets.

Treatment – the good news

The good news is that once diagnosed separation anxiety can be successfully treated .  If severe the best results are achieved with a combination of behaviour modification and medication.  The aim is to teach your dog to relax independently.  The medication can just take the edge of anxiety.  Speak to your vet to see if they can refer you to a behaviourist to assist.

Other things you can do to help, would be:

a)      Avoid punishment.  Dogs do not experience guilt or spite.  Your dog is not getting even or punishing you.  That guilty look is trying to appease you.  Punishment will only add to anxiety and make the problem worse.

b)      Make it feel at home.  Leave a TV or radio on during the day.  If your dog is outside consider a doggy door allowing access to the house.

c)       Keep up the walks.  Like people regular exercise definitely can help an anxious dog.  However to avoid the association with you arriving home by delaying the exercise by 30 minutes or so. 

d)      Massage.  Anxious dogs are tense and massage can help them relax physically.

Adapted from an article in Dogs NSW