March 18, 2019
Love Dogs but allergic to dog hairs?
Or maybe you have a family member who is allergic and therefore cannot have a family dog?
Have you considered getting a Hypoallergenic breed of dog instead!
These breeds are considered allergy free and their coats never shed
March 11, 2019
March 08, 2019
March 06, 2019
After marriage, moving house and having children, it is strongly suggested that getting a puppy is the single most significant responsibility you can take on. This is often because the romantic image of having a new and lovingly devoted best friend often overrides the multitude of other considerations that need to be made before you or your home is ready for this newest addition, espeically if said addition is a little puppy or - equally important - an older dog from a sanctuary who has a story all of its own. We'll get to the latter in a future post, but for now we're looking at the epic responsibility of getting a puppy.
For the last few weeks, I've been going through dog breed information listings for Hoobynoo and each time I see the price of a new puppy (Kennel Club registered or not) I always find myself double-checking to see if I read the numbers correctly. Dogs are expensive and unless you're adopting them - which can also involve adoption fees - you're looking at anything from £500 to £5000 for your new pet.
There are also other costs, not so much hidden but easily described as that because they're so often overlooked: a dog lead and collar, food (which can be almost prohibitively expensive if you're determined to do everything right when it comes to nutrition) and even a kennel if your little friend is going to spend any length of time outdoors in the summer.
Path of Destruction
I once walked into a friends house and didn't recognise the place. I'd been there only a year before but now all the skirting boards were rotted away, the wallpaper was torn and most of the furniture looked damaged. They'd got themselves ONE new puppy. Evidently, they'd decided not to get new stuff for the house until their latest addition had grown a bit but I'm guessing that was a steep learning curve. To this end, I would definitely have any spare money put aside for the potential of replacing damaged property.
Vet Bills
The one thing few dog owners manage to prepare themselves for are the occasionally astronomical vetinary bills: these can include routine procedures like vaccinations, flea treatments and worming solutions right the way through to - heaven forbid - operations needed as a result of dog attacks or other unforeseen sicknesses and ailments. Vet bills are never cheap and I know of very few appointments that have ever cost me less than £40, even in the case of a very brief check up.
A Savings Account and Pet Insurance
The two indespensible tips for getting a new dog are also arguably the most obvious: establishing a savings account for emergencies and getting your pet a good insurance policy. The one often goes in hand with the other as many policies require an excess fee to be covered before any substantial payout is instructed.
The Essential Tasks and Items
We've spoken about some of the essential items, but it's time to go into some more detail about items AND tasks that need to be completed even before your puppy arrives.
1. A collar and leash or lead sounds like an obvious necessity for your puppy, but the need for a collar really cannot be understated. The Law in regards to the legal requirements for Dog Tags in the UK is now very clear: every dog while in a public place should wear a collar with the name and address of the owner inscribed on the collar or on a plate or badge attached to it. Our up to date page on the UK Dog Law 2019 can be found here.
2. Choosing a vet and making sure that it's the right vet for your puppy is a real prerequisite to dog ownership. Remember that the vet you select is likely to be with you right the way through your dog's life from beginning to end and it must be an individual or a firm that you feel really cares about your dog. Other things to take into consideration are the proximity of the surgery to your home and how well organised it is in terms of making your pet feel less anxious or more at ease while waiting for a consultation.
3. Proofing your house. It is unfortunately true that you have to take the same level of precautionary care with preparing your house for a puppy as you would if you were doing the same for a child. This can include putting child locks on the cupboards, covering all the electrical chords and making sure things like medicines or dangerous food items are all on high shelves and/or locked away.
4. Halti and Other Anti-Pulling Equipment. When your puppy is eventually ready to go for his or her first walk, they're going to be filled with the sort of excitement that just can't be contained and to that end they're also going to pull. A lot. Constantly. While a good lead will ensure that your puppy stays with you, it might also ensure that you get your arm yanked from the socket! To stop this happening, it's worth investing in a good halti or some other dog-friendly pulling aids that don't hurt your puppy but protect you from injury. To find out more about them, click here.
5. The Dog Bed. Never buy a bed just big enough for your puppy: buy one that can grow into and one that feels like home. Admittedly, a large dog bed can be quite intimidating for a young puppy so aim for a medium sized bed that you're not going to have to change for a year or so. Go for one with a soft interior and remember that your puppy is going to want to be close to you in the evenings for a long time so ensure that you get a bed you actually like looking at yourself! For a good guide, click here.
6. Puppy Gate. Like a child gate (it's the same thing) a puppy gate prevents your puppy from falling downstairs, going upstairs (if it's a small/toy dog stairs can damage their spines at a certain age) or even screening them off from rooms in which they could get themselves into trouble. These gates need to be sturdy and yet easy to open when you're moving between rooms yourself. A good selection can be found here.
7. Grooming equipment. Depending on the type of dog you're getting, grooming equipment is either important or absolutely essential (unless you're thinking of using a professional dog groomer in order to keep your puppy in good condition). A really good selection of dog brushes and nail trimming utensils can be found by clicking here.
8. Outdoor kennels. There may be times when your dog has to spend a few hours outdoors and therefore requires a kennel: these need to be comfortable places for your dog to shelter from the sun (in Spring/Summer) or the rain (in Autumn/Winter) and should be considered very carefully. Remember that even a small amount of time outdoors alone may be distressing for your dog, as it may be seen initially as a form of punishment: the better the kennel, the lighter the experience for your puppy. A good selection can be found here.
9. Shampoo. Arguably, nothing smells worse than a wet dog....unless it's a wet dog that hasn't been shampooed by its owner! Dog bathtime - like children's bathtimes - can be either stressful or fun for your puppy. If you make it fun, you'll never have to worry about telling your dog that it's time for a bath! Dogs like feeling clean and smelling fresh: they also like all the fuss with the towl afterwards! You can get puppy shampoo from pet shops or in most supermarkets.
10. Toys. These are absolutely essential for your puppy's development process, not to mention the fact that they're loads of fun. Aside from rubber bones and squeaky chew-toys, there are also lots of other treat toys like kongs (where you place a piece of food inside and the dog chews at the toy endlessly to get one delicious piece after another). To see some, click here.
Don't Give Up - It's STILL a Great Idea
Here at Hoobynoo we literally eat, sleep and breathe puppies and kittens and we're certainly not trying to put you off changing both your life and the life of your new little beauty in the most rewarding way imaginable: we just want you to be adequately prepared for the great adventure that is dog ownership.
February 23, 2019
February 15, 2019
Many of the best tips for protecting your pet may seem obvious but it's amazing how many things get overlooked on a daily basis by dog owners.
Be sure to keep your horse passport in a convenient location and completely up to date with information. Whether or not you live close to your horse stable, you should still visit the horse very regularly to keep checks on it. Always make sure that your horse tack and accessories are security marked and protected and always seek legal advice before loaning out your horse. If you can afford it, try to install a CCTV on or around your horse's stable.
Hopefully, you will get your pet back unharmed. In the case of horses, much of the above information is still relevant...but do also check out websites like Equine Data and Tracing Equines in the UK. These can be found at http://www.tracingequines.co.uk and http://www.equinedata.co.uk/
Here at Hoobynoo we produce dedicated and personalised Id tags to help identify your dog in a way that conforms with dog law regulations.
Every dog while in a public place should wear a collar with the name and address of the owner inscribed on the collar or on a plate or badge attached to it.
February 14, 2019
and other human-ish sentences...
Do dogs talk to us?
If we can teach them tricks and they understand our words.
Can they be taught to speak human words too?
February 04, 2019
Have you ever caught yourself thinking that your furry loved one looks uncomfortable in their movement or wondered if they are in pain? It could be that they require some physio. We interviewed Sofia Graham, Veterinary physiotherapist, to find out what steps should be taken if you are considering physio therapy for your dog or horse...
My name is Sofia Graham, and I qualified as a Veterinary Physiotherapist in 2012, from Canine and Equine Physiotherapy Training (CEPT). I’m a member of the Institute of Registered Animal and Veterinary Physiotherapists (IRVAP), and the Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP). This is important because this means that I am suitably qualified, and insured appropriately, and need to do a minimum of 25 hours of further training each year, though I usually do a lot more!
Physiotherapy focuses on managing, maintaining and improving your animal’s musculoskeletal health, through a variety of therapy modalities, exercise programmes and appropriate management.
I can’t give you a diagnosis of you animal’s issue, only a vet is permitted to do that, but once you have a diagnosis, I can help manage the condition in the best way possible.
During a physiotherapy appointment, I use lots of different techniques, depending on what is appropriate in each case. Alongside more ‘traditional’ physiotherapy techniques, such as massage, mobilisations, passive and active stretching and exercise programmes, I use a lot of myofascial release techniques and acupressure. I also have a Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy unit and laser/phototherapy unit with blue/red/infrared heads to use for a variety of conditions.
I have always wanted to work with animals, and feel very lucky to do what I do. I have also previously worked as a Canine Carer for Dogs Trust, and spent nearly three years working as a Canine Hydrotherapist, too.
Working with animals is all I’ve ever wanted to do! I wanted something hands-on, with a bit of variety, but wasn’t quite sure what. When I had nearly finished my undergraduate Animal Science degree, my course leader mentioned animal physiotherapy, which I’d never heard of before. It fit the bill perfectly and I’ve never looked back. Every day is different, and there’s something new to learn from each client.
That’s a difficult question, as there are so many answers!
There are the more ‘obvious’ times when they may benefit – for example if they are having surgery, physiotherapy can help both pre and post-op. Therapy can also be a conservative option instead of surgery for certain dogs, such as elderly ones, or those who have a condition that means they may not cope well with an anaesthetic.
For both horses and dogs - one of the most important indicators can be a ‘change in behaviour’. This can mean many things, and may be very subtle, but if they suddenly seem grumpier than usual or more reluctant to exercise, getting them checked over is a good idea.
Stiffness is a very common indicator that physiotherapy may be useful, but I should also mention that if your horse or dog goes lame, they MUST see the vet for a diagnosis before they can be seen by any musculoskeletal therapist.
For horses it can be ‘big’ things like bucking or rearing when ridden, or more subtle things, like they might struggle to bend slightly more on one rein, they may lean on the contact on one side, they may be resistant in the contact, they might stick their tongue out while they’re being ridden… lots of things in varying degrees!
During the first session with a new client, a detailed history will be taken. This will be followed by an in-hand gait assessment. If necessary, the horse may need to be shown on the lunge and/or ridden too. The horse will then be palpated all over, and I’ll talk you through what I can feel. Based on a combination of the assessment, previous medical history and your aims, we’ll proceed with appropriate treatment.
I use of lot of different techniques, so each treatment will vary a bit, depending on what is suitable in each case.
An appointment begins with a discussion of the current issue that the client wants to address, previous medical history of the dog, and the outcomes the owner would like from the session. This part also gives me an opportunity to watch the dog and get to know them a little bit while we’re chatting. They may be asked to show your dog at walk, trot and gallop, and demonstrate some simple exercises, such as ‘stand to sit’ and ‘stand to lie’. The dog’s active and passive range of motion will be assessed, and neurological/proprioceptive deficits will be checked for.
They will then be physically assessed for any muscle spasm, soreness, asymmetry etc. Based upon these findings, we will devise a treatment programme. This may involve both manual and electro-therapy techniques, and they may be given a home exercise programme too.
This is a question you could write a whole book about! To put it briefly, firstly, a physiotherapist can advise on any exercise or home changes you can make to help keep your dog comfortable – your dog may not be able to chase balls in the park, but they can hunt for treats around your garden! Or they may benefit from raised food bowls, or some rugs on slippery floors. Exercise should be low-impact but consistent.
Secondly, targeted exercises can help build muscle to support the joints, and encourage good movement – we’re aiming to keep the dog supple and gentle exercises can be great for reducing joint pain.
Thirdly, a lot of discomfort from arthritis can come from compensatory issues, like tight and overworked muscles, so I use techniques like massage, acupressure and gentle joint mobilisations to ease to make them as comfortable as possible.
The short answer is no, not without some assessment and hands-on guidance, as it’s so individual.
One of the most important things you can do, is make note of what is normal for your dog, and be pro-active when that changes. For example, is your dog shuffling/pacing rather than properly walking or trotting? Are they only cocking one leg consistently, rather than using both? Have they stopped using a particular bed, or do they only ever lie on one side? Are they suddenly tiring much faster than they did previously? All these things can seem very minor, but might be early indicators of discomfort. A dog won’t limp unless something hurts!
I am currently based in Whitstable, but travel out to people’s homes or yards for the treatments, and cover most of the Kent area. Most animals seem to settle better in a familiar environment, and it’s important that they’re as relaxed as possible.
A typical equine session lasts around an hour and a half, and would be recommended at least 2-4 times a year, depending on how much work the horse is doing, and may be more often if there is a specific issue to deal with.
Canine sessions tend to be a little bit shorter, typically around an hour, sometimes up to an hour and a half, and the recommended frequency can vary hugely. Sometimes a dog will just have one session, for some guidance following a diagnosis of a condition like hip dysplasia, or some prefer to have regular reviews and check-ups. For example, I see several dogs with arthritis every 4-8 weeks, depending on the season and how they’re coping.
For competing dogs, it’s a good idea to get them checked at the beginning and end of the season, and possibly more often if they are doing a lot, or have injured themselves at all.
Dog’s undergoing rehabilitation may need a more intensive course, but that can also vary from roughly 4-5 sessions over 3 months for cruciate ligament surgery, up to sessions once or twice a week for a dog with severe spinal problems.
I would love for every dog that was diagnosed with a condition like arthritis or dysplasia would be referred by their vet for even just one session of physiotherapy – just to go over some simple exercises and easy management changes, that can add up to a massive difference for the dog.
http://www.sofiagrahamvetphysio.co.uk/
Sofia Graham Vet Physio - Facebook
January 31, 2019
This Valentines Day, Hoobynoo is celebrating our most popular gift for couples by stocking up on our unique personalised memory book to get all those special memories down on paper. This can be embossed with your names and contains plenty of prompts to give a complete picture of your relationship to date.
Give your loved one the most thoughtful gift with this special memory book filled with prompts to help you record your journey as a couple so far, with every left page being a space for photo's tickets or mementoes. Your partner will be lost for words when you hand them this book filled with your memories in your own words of your journey together.
Each spread has a prompt on one side such as 'Our first holiday' with a blank page on the other side for you to add photo's or ticket stubs. As you fill the book you will be creating a permanent record of your journey together, it will be the best gift you ever give them. There is also space for future entries. This would also make a wonderful gift to a couple or the perfect 1st anniversary gift. The headings are also general enough to make this the perfect gift for your oldest friend.
Prompts are as follows:
How we first met - The first time I saw you I thought - Our First Date - Our First Kiss - Our Favourite Restaurant - The moment I knew it was love... - Our First Trip - Our Favourite thing to do on a Friday night - Our Song - Our Movie - One of my favourite memories of us - The best show/concert we have seen together - Our Favourite things to do together - A moment you made me feel amazing - Our First Christmas - When you met my parents - Our First Holiday - Our Favourite holiday together - The holiday that didn't go to plan - That weekend away.. - The best hotel we've stayed in - The worst hotel we've stayed in - Top 10 Places we've visited - Top 10 Places I want to visit with you - My favourite birthday with you - The time you were there for me - A Milestone Moment - A Special Day - That Special Occasion - When we became a family (Photo space reads Pets, Kids or just you two) -
The back then has six pages of 'More Memories..."
This high quality gift book is made from hard board with a foiled cover, the paper inside is a heavy weight 160gsm The book measures 20 x 20cms and is approx 75 pages.
January 29, 2019
January 24, 2019
"This little potato is called Phife - we adopted her from our local animal sanctuary as a pup. She's crazy! It was amazingly easy, home visits, and a few forms to sign and fee paid. Painless really. The fact we knew she'd had her vet checks etc already was brilliant. Gave us that extra peace of mind that she was fit and well. Our local vet also has an agreement with them so we even got a discount off neutering too. All that plus we got to give a special little dog a loving home." Helen, Hoobynoo Pet Community.
https://www.battersea.org.uk/dogs/10-reasons-adopt-battersea-rescue-dog
https://www.peta.org/living/animal-companions/8-reasons-adopt-buy-dogs/
January 14, 2019