4Paws Outdoors' Dog Blog

Top 10 toy dogs in the US

2010-03-17T21:36:00.000Z

Toy Dog Breeds: The Top Ten Toy Dogs in the US

The Toy Group includes most of the very small and miniature lap dogs and apartment-sized companion dog breeds. Toy dogs play a critical role in the lives of people that live alone and their presence can have beneficial effects on the health of the sick, the elderly and the housebound. Toys are popular companion dogs for people living in cities and adapt well to apartment life. Many Toys distrust strangers and make great watchdogs and don't need a lot of exercise beyond what they get running around and playing indoors. Toys make great traveling companions and are readily accepted just about everywhere. Toy dog breeds are always difficult to housebreak but usually adapt well to apartment life. If your Toy isn't completely house trained after 3 months then you should seek professional help. Toddlers and small children are too rough for toy dogs that may bite in self-defense. The top 10 most popular Toy breeds in the US according to the American Kennel Club 2005 registrations are discussed below and their registration rank is included in brackets. The inclusion of the Toy Poodle as #2 is incorrect as its rank is a composite total of all 3 Poodle varieties - Toy, Miniature and Standard. It probably belongs somewhere in the top ten but not in the #2 position.

Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkie (#3) almost overtook the Golden Retriever as the second most popular dog in the US in 2005. This rugged toy dog is very popular because it has all the admirable attributes of larger dogs but in miniature. The typical Yorkie plays hard and has limitless energy. With persistence a Yorkie can be obedience trained. Some are bright and learn quickly, while others are more obstinate and opinionated. Yorkies get along well with other pets but they can be very possessive of their food and toys. The Yorkshire makes a better pet for older and calmer children. The Yorkshire will bark at strangers, often in a high pitched voice. Early socialization is required so that the dog doesn't become too shrill and to ensure barking is controlled.

Poodle (Toy)

All the wonderful things that you can say about a Standard Poodle don't all apply to the Toy or Miniature versions. Toy Poodles (#8) are less than 11 inches at shoulder height but the same American Kennel Club standards apply across all sizes. Toys are generally more sensitive than the Standard and are also more active, louder and less confident. Early socialization and training to curb excessive barking and leg lifting is required. Even though these dogs are very small, they still enjoy lots of playtime and long walks. Toy Poodles will do fine with older considerate children.

Shih Tzu

The exotic looking Shih Tzu (#9) is one of the sturdiest and most robust of the toy dog breeds. Shih Tzus are intelligent, playful, affectionate, friendly, self confident and outgoing. Shih Tzus make great apartment dogs and companion dogs for the elderly. These charming and personable dogs are devoted to their owners and their families. They make great traveling companions and rarely show any aggressive behavior toward strangers or strange animals. The breed gets along extremely well with older, considerate children.

Chihuahua

The Chihuahua (#11) is the smallest of the toy dog breeds. Chihuahuas are intelligent, charming and loving dogs who are devoted to their owners. This breed needs close contact with its family and make great companions. Chihuahuas can have delusions of grandeur and self-confidence and will challenge much larger dogs. Chihuahuas are good with older children if raised with them. Chihuahuas are intelligent and can be trained fairly easily. Some Chihuahuas can be overly insecure and are prone to excessive barking and early socialization and training while a puppy is recommended.

Pug

The Pug (#12) is a sturdy small dog that is one of the most popular and largest of the toy dog breeds. This charming, adorable and playful small dog will make you laugh. The Pug is an even tempered, easygoing, pleasant and friendly companion. This sturdy, small dog breed gets along well with children and with other pets although toddlers and small children should be supervised carefully to ensure they don't injure the dog. The Pug doesn't need much training but enjoys the process and is fairly easy to train.

Pomeranian

Pomeranians (#14) or "Poms" are one of the smallest toy dog breeds. The Pom is lively, spirited and animated. This breed is a keen-eyed extrovert who is very inquisitive and must check out all activities going on around him. The Pom is a proud and confident, even cocky, toy dog that requires early and thorough socialization with strangers to minimize its tendency to bark. This toy breed is intelligent, eager to learn and takes readily to positive and gentle training methods.

Maltese

The Maltese is one of the most intelligent and most gentle of all the toy dog breeds. This lively and agile little toy dog loves to play games. This toy breed is cheerful, loving, playful, smart and has lots of personality. Maltese should have early socialization while they are puppies to give them more confidence and overcome their distrust of strangers and minimize their tendency to bark. Maltese enjoy obedience training and some will do well in competitive obedience and agility competitions. This toy breed does fine with older and considerate children.

Miniature Pinscher

The Miniature Pinscher or Min Pin is the most active and lively of all the toy dog breeds. Miniature Pinschers are full of energy, alert, loyal, intelligent and very courageous for their size. Min Pins think they are much larger than their toy size and can be aggressive towards other dogs. These toy dogs can be stubborn and need lots of early socialization and obedience training while puppies. The breed does fine with older considerate children and household pets. Outdoors, this toy breed should be on a leash or in a securely fenced yard as they can disappear quickly.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (#31) is a graceful and happy toy spaniel that is larger than its close relative, the English Toy Spaniel. The Cavalier is a gentle, even-tempered, happy and playful small dog. Cavaliers make excellent family dogs who even like to play with small children (always under supervision of course). The Cavalier finds all humans delightful and loves to cuddle in their laps and snuggle in their beds. However, these comfort-loving Spaniels love to run in the yard and chase chipmunks, squirrels, and birds. Cavaliers are easy to train but require early socialization as puppies to overcome their natural timidity.

Papillon

The Papillon (#35) is one of the oldest European toy dog breeds and the French word for butterfly was used to describe this lively toy breed with the erect butterfly ears. The Papillon is a friendly, affectionate and intelligent dog that is much more robust than it appears. The Pap is definitely not a lap dog and is high spirited, active and loves to play outside and go for walks. This breed is very smart and can be trained to be a good agility and obedience dog for competitions. If the Pap is socialized early and trained properly, and not pampered and spoiled, it becomes a confident and outgoing companion who gets along well with older children and pets

Canine oral hygiene month

2010-03-10T20:46:00.001Z

Research has shown that up to 80% of dogs show signs of oral disease by age three.

Most people are aware that their pet needs to be well looked after to try to prevent future healthcare problems. One part of the pet however is often overlooked – the teeth.

Many owners complain that their dog is suffering from bad breath and are keen for a cure. Far fewer are interested in the root causes of bad breath or how to address them, namely proper oral hygiene.

Without proper attention dogs can suffer from damage to the teeth, gums and jaw. In particular toy dogs, with their crowded jaws, are prone to tooth loss.

So what are the signs of dental disease?

If you look at your dog's teeth (especially the molars at the back of the mouth) you may see plaque.

Plaque is a yellowish deposit on the surface of the teeth resulting from a build up of debris and bacteria. It is the same 'furry' substance which we can feel on our own teeth if we go too long without brushing.

If plaque is not removed then over time it builds up and hardens to a brown tartar. Tartar is far harder to remove than plaque and encases the teeth like a coat of cement. Rather than simply being able to be brushed off it needs to be chipped off.

Besides looking unsightly tartar build up contributes to stinky breath and gum disease.

Gum disease, gingivitis, is recognisable by red or inflamed gums rather than salmon pink healthy gums.When gingivitis progresses to periodontal disease, the bone around the roots of the teeth becomes infected, and begins to recede. Not only does this increase the likelihood of tooth loss, but it also allows bacteria into the bloodstream which can affect internal organs.

As with so many things prevention is better than cure, it is therefore important to try and clean your dog's teeth on a weekly if not daily basis. Where there is significant tartar build up then it is likely your dog's teeth will have to be cleaned under anaesthetic at the vets.

Cesar Millan at the O2 and in action

2010-03-10T20:11:00.000Z

Millan is the Dog Whisperer. He believes that to control a dog you have to think like a dog, act like a dog — and prove to the dog that you are its pack leader. If that means rolling it on to its back, jabbing it in its face, and attaining the near-universal condemnation of dog behaviour experts, then so be it. Tens of thousands of devoted dog owners — and a handful of specially selected troublesome dogs — appreciate his approach, and have tickets to his UK tour to prove it.

A consortium of 26 animal welfare organisations, meanwhile — including the RSPCA, the Australian Veterinary Association, the Kennel Club and the British Veterinary Association — has written an open letter ahead of the show, warning that Millan’s methods will lead to “pain and fear”, and are “not only unacceptable from a welfare perspective, but not necessary for the modification of dog behaviour”. Some, privately, say that they will be attending to see if he breaks animal welfare laws.

Millan is used to this criticism and his producers have a standard response letter. “The canine experts, pet shelters and rescue groups around the world that agree enthusiastically with Cesar Millan’s techniques far outnumber Mr Millan’s detractors,” it says.

In any case, Millan is a man with a higher mission. “The goal that God and I have together,” he says, “is the whole world transformed through a dog.”

Divine or not, all that’s important, say his many clients, is that his methods work. Millan has trained Jada Pinkett Smith — Will Smith’s wife — to be pack leader to her rottweilers. The action stars Vin Diesel and Nicholas Cage have been shown how to be alpha males in their own homes. Oprah Winfrey, who previously called dogs “little people with fur”, was chastised for not showing any canine leadership to her dog Sophie. They are all grateful, and highly remunerative, clients. And 2010 is the year that Cesar Millan expands his doggy empire into Britain: starting with a national tour and leading to a British version of his hit TV show,The Dog Whisperer.

All of which is very impressive for a man who began his career 20 years ago as an illegal immigrant from Mexico, without any English or any money. Millan’s legend — a canine American Dream — is by now familiar to most of the 11 million Americans who watch his TV show. Penniless in California, he found himself in a world of dog beauty clinics and dog birthday parties. Originating from a Mexican village, where he was known to his family as El Perrero (dog boy) this was confusing.

He started walking dogs, handling difficult animals and inevitably, this being LA, gained some extremely powerful clients. It was then that he started to formalise his theory of dog behaviour, which, at its core, is simple: dogs are pack animals, human beings should be the dominant pack member.

“If what you do is say, ‘I’m sorry, baby, Mommy has to go, blah, blah, blah’, the dog only understands that you are in a soft state and he is dominating you,” Millan explains. This is not good for you, or a healthy dog. “If a dog is OK with just love, I would not be in business,” he says. Dogs need discipline, they need to know you are in charge. “Don’t let a dog walk in front of you. You’re the leader.” His fans love this approach, but to conventional animal behavourists it is snake oil.

“Basically, with a smile, he’s going to war with these dogs,” says Nicholas Dodman, a veterinary behaviourist.

If it is a war, then it’s a war fought with the rhetoric of a self-help guide. “Anything that is realistic, if I create it in my mind, it can become reality,” Millan says of his ambitions. He says he likes dogs because “they accept you as who you are . . . but they won’t be around unstable energy.”

On the covers of his books — Be the Pack Leader, Cesar’s Way, A Member of the Family — his grin is so fixed and dazzling, his forehead so tight and tanned, that every picture looks as if it could be the same headshot, Photoshopped into different, soft-focus doggy Utopias.

Alas, however, his is not quite the doggy Utopia it once was. Daddy, the pitbull star of so many of his shows, died last week. The obituary on Millan’s website described him as “one of the most influential pitbull ambassadors the world has ever known”. And for those who might consider the world of pitbull ambassadors to be too rarefied, it adds: “His name is now added to that honourable roster of dogs gone by whose influence is still felt today . . . Rin-Tin-Tin,Lassie.” It is not an idle boast. Beneath are 50 pages of condolences, each containing 50 comments. Some of those commentators will doubtless be watching on Wednesday night, eager to learn from the world’s greatest dog guru.

But Millan must know that the crowd will also contain representatives from Britain’s most-respected animal welfare bodies — watching, with equal keenness, to see if the dog-boy-made- good is breaking the law.

Cesar Millan’s UK Tour, March 3-21: 08444 99 99 55;cesarmillanlive.co.uk

Problem dogs? Try my mother’s poodles

We all know that a selfish parent creates a needy child, an angry parent a chaotic one. And, so it turns out, the same psychology is true of dogs and dog owners. Happy calm people tend to own happy calm animals. My mother, by contrast, owns two anxious poodles — Milo and Oscar — who hate each other: they never obey commands and have no respect for authority. My mother’s last hope was Cesar Millan. He is a short, stocky man with intense eyes and when he walks into the room he is much like a dog himself: sizing up Milo and Oscar, taking in their every move, analysing their relationship with my mother, my mother’s relationship with me. Oscar is snarling at Milo and my mother holds him to reassure him. Millan is having none of it.

“This is the wrong time to give the dog affection,” he says. “You are going to nurture his anxiety. You are going to reinforce it. Dogs don’t know that you are trying to protect them. They only sense the energy, your state of mind. He knows that you are nervous and that’s making him more nervous.”

Millan grew up on a farm in Mexico. There he learnt how to communicate with dogs. He discovered that he could always elicit a calm, submissive and co-operative response from dogs by being confident and being the pack leader. Now 40, he left Mexico as an illegal emigrant for California. He has a ranch in the hills outside Los Angeles and a dog psychology centre. He lives with his wife, Illusion, and sons Cesar Andre, 13, and Calvin, 8. And 30 dogs ranging in size from chihuahuas to American bulldogs.

He warns us against humanising the dog: “Dogs don’t live intellectually. Humans live in four worlds: intellectual, instinctual, emotional and spiritual. Dogs live only in instinctual.”

He encourages us to be what he calls the “leader of our own pack” , to find our inner dog and walk it. What he seems to be saying is that there are no problem dogs, just problem people. But in front of me are two problem poodles and a mother struggling with her inner canine. Oscar is afraid of going down the stairs, so he simply whines at the top and has to be carried down.

Millan thinks it’s possible that a human being can transfer fears and phobias to the dog. “A dog will mirror how you feel: phobias, depression, anxiety. Dogs are afraid of what the humans are afraid of, it’s not so much the stairs as the human projecting.”

Millan takes Oscar on his lead down the stairs and then he does it again without his lead. In minutes Oscar is cured because Millan doesn’t have fear of stairs and Millan is a leader of the pack. He tells us that powerful people who control everything at work are often reluctant to be domineering at home. “CEOs have worked hard all day. When they come home they want to be loved. But as they take off the hat of leaders and put on the hat of love, it means the dog will do what it wants.”

All very well, but some dogs are difficult. “Their self-esteem is on the floor. It can take months to build it. It is easier to rehabilitate an aggressive dog than a fearful dog. An aggressive dog has good self-esteem and I can redirect aggression by rollerblading with them or putting them on a treadmill. Moving forward makes you happy. Depression keeps you in one place. Depression doesn’t exist in the animal world, only in the human.”

Having sized up the situation, he recommends that we buy a doggy treadmill for Oscar and Milo so that they can run off their energy. My mother is nodding appreciatively, but I’m sceptical. Millan asks my mother to take the dogs for a walk, but the second the leads are out, the dogs start growling and snapping. “Let me do that,” Millan says. He drops the leads on the floor. Oscar and Milo register shock: nobody is going for a walk. The dogs quieten down. Millan slips the leads on effortlessly.

Then my mother has a go. Oscar immediately panics. She attempts to pet him, but Millan tells her not to “reinforce his anxiousness”. “The ritual of putting on a lead shouldn’t be this hard. By dropping the leads we are breaking the pattern. You must constantly correct them when they misbehave.” He concedes that separation anxiety is a difficult problem between dogs and their owners. “It’s in their DNA: you must stay with the family. They are pack animals. You have to teach them that it’s OK not to be together all the time. Exercise plays a big role here because it is easier for a dog to stay on his own and sleep when he is tired.”

Millan departs with two golden rules: don’t nurture a dog in an unbalanced state of mind. And get a treadmill. A month later, what have the dogs learnt? They don’t yet have a treadmill, but my mother has mastered the Cesar art of putting on their leads and has learnt to control her anxiety in their presence. It turns out Millan is a mother whisperer too.
Chrissy Iley

Government suggests 'dog tax' and compulsory microchipping

2010-03-10T20:04:00.000Z

From The Times:

Dog owners face a new pet “tax” in a government initiative to tackle the menace of dangerous dogs.

Compulsory microchipping of every dog — which would cost owners an average £30 — is included in a consultation report published today.

It also suggests that the six million dog owners in Britain should be covered by third-party insurance to cover injuries to victims of dog attacks.

In an attempt to give greater protection from “weapon” or status dogs, owners of unruly dogs would be subject to new antisocial behaviour orders, already dubbed “Dogbos”. These dog control orders would make it unlawful for a dog to be out of control in any place, public or private.

According to the report from Alan Johnson, the Home Secretary, and Hilary Benn, the Environment Secretary, police or council wardens would have powers to issue these orders, similar to fixed-penalty notices. They may require a dog to be fenced in, neutered, muzzled or kept on a lead, and for an owner to attend a dog handling course. Any breaches could lead to prosecution, a fine, or even prison if animal cruelty were involved. The worst owners would be banned for life from keeping a dog and unruly animals would be destroyed.

Ministers have decided that recent incidents, including the death in November of four-year-old John Paul Massey, from Liverpool, who was savaged by the family’s pitbull terrier, and a 12-fold increase in dog-fighting reported by the RSPCA, has necessitated a review of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

There is also alarm at figures showing that an average of 100 people a week need hospital treatment for dog attacks. The number in 1997-98 was 3,079, compared with 5,221 last year.

Reform is supported by the Conservatives Liberal Democratics and new powers are expected within a year.

At present the law bans ownership, sale, trade and advertising of the pitbull terrier, Japanese tosa, Dogo Argentino and the Fila Brasiliero, but does not apply to dogs in private homes and gardens. The aim is to tackle any dog behaving in a dangerous or threatening way in a public or private place.

The extension to private homes and premises has delighted the Communication Workers’ Union, which has been campaigning for years to highlight the number of postmen bitten by dogs, some 92 a week at present.

Most pet insurance includes third party cover. Petplan, Britain’s biggest pet insurer with 40 per cent of the market, said typical monthly prices were £25.23 for a Japanese akito, £24.75 for a Staffordshire bull terrier, £24.75 for a labrador, £22.85 for a chihuahua and £16.73 for a Jack Russell. This includes basic annual cover of £4,000 for vet’s bills and up to £1 million in third party liability and legal fees.

The cause has particular resonance for Mr Johnson, a former postman, who was bitten twice on his rounds and saved from a third attack by a pregnant woman who rushed to his rescue.

Discussions about new powers included animal welfare groups, police and local government. There is concern that owners who already microchip and insure their pets may be hit by red tape or higher bills while irresponsible owners would ignore the law.

The RSPCA, Kennel Club and Dogs’ Trust favour repeal of the ban on certain breeds and for legislation to concentrate on “the deed not the breed”.

But some local authorities and the Association of Chief Police Officers believe that the proscribed list of dogs should be extended to include all bull breed types, including Staffordshire bull terriers and the Japanese akita.

Mr Johnson said: “People have a fundamental right to feel safe. The vast majority of dog owners are responsible, but some people keep dogs for the sole purpose of intimidating others. It is this sort of behaviour that we are determined to stop.”

'How we became obsessed with dogs' - The Times Magazine 6/3/10 article

2010-03-10T19:29:00.000Z

Why owning a dog is good for you

They boost happiness hormones and compensate for family breakdown – no wonder dog ownership is soaring

Deborah Ross

As I write, my dog, Monty, a two-year-old labradoodle – yes, yes, a “designer dog”, get over it – is snoozing at my feet. This is a cliché, I know, and I wish I could open differently with: “As I write my dog, Monty, is practising the violin in the next room.” Or: “As I write, my dog, Monty, is checking outAntichrist on DVD, as he believes you have to make up your own mind about these things.” But, no, he’s snoozing at my feet, a coil of thick black fur, meaty warmth and the occasional, snuffling grunt. He is a funny little fellow. He is fond of fruit, particularly melon. He is fond of stealing gloves and shredding them. If I say “walk” or “biscuit” he will perform what I call his “extreme dance of happiness”, which, if you’d like to give it a go at home, must involve spinning in excited circles while trying to bite your own balls off. It could be fun. He is part of our family and is sometimes the centre of our family. We like to play the game, “What would Monty not say, even if he could speak?” and top of our list at present is, “I feel so cheap and worthless after casual sex,” and, “No, after you, I insist.” He is my first dog (as an adult) and the best dog, and I took a career break to raise him, more or less. I don’t feel I keep a dog, more that we share a life. What is this relationship I have with my dog? What is anybody’s relationship with their dog? To put it another way: just what is the status of humans and dogs these days?

Whatever else, dogs are doing something right. Heck, they’re so good even the Chinese are thinking about not eating them any more and, in the UK, the dog population has shot up from 6.4 million to 10.5 million in the past 20 years. There are still working dogs – dogs that flush, herd, retrieve, guard and merrily throttle rats – but almost all the increase has been in “companion dogs”; dogs that do not flush, herd, retrieve, guard or merrily throttle rats, but will join you on the sofa to watch Location, Location, Location and sleep on the bed, if not in it. (Another thing Monty would never say: “Can’t you ever leave me to sleep alone in the kitchen? When am I going to get some ‘me’ time around here?”) Dogs are now quasi-humans, pretty much. Dogs don’t even appear to have dog names any more. Once, they were called Spot, Patch, Lady, Lucky or Scruffy, but now they have human names. Lola is popular, I’ve noted, as are Max, Oscar, George and Millie. And Monty. I recently encountered a rottweiler called Beverley. “Good name,” I said to the owner. “Thanks,” she said. “We were going to call her Amanda, but changed our minds at the last minute.” And dogs have been commodified. You can buy anything for your dog: spa-breaks, acupuncture, perfumes, dog yoga (doga) sessions and all manner of couture, including wedding dresses, tutus and yarmulkes (available from trixieandpeanut.com and “the ideal attire for Hanukkah”). I once saw a pug in Manhattan wearing red wellies and a sort of umbrella hat, which did seem diminishing for all concerned, but then it did also look like rain. And while dog training as an organised activity can be traced back to the 1700s, it’s exploded in recent years, with books, manuals, DVDs, sensationally awful television shows and, of course, gurus, notably Cesar Millan.

Millan is the Mexican who smuggled himself over the border into the USA and is now a global phenomenon. As the self-mythologised “Dog Whisperer”, his television show runs in this country on some kind of eternal loop on Sky, and he’s also the celebrity dog “fixer”. For example, he “fixed” Oprah Winfrey’s dogs, which, being Oprah’s dogs, makes me think he empowered them in some way or at least helped them feel good about themselves on a fat day. He is based in LA, where he runs his “dog psychology centre”, but is currently touring the UK and is due to play Wembley tomorrow. The message he preaches is that dogs, like wolves, are pack animals and you must always show them who’s boss, who’s the alpha male around here, although I don’t know. Monty and I do fine even though I have no leadership skills whatsoever. When I was a reporter on a local newspaper and was put in charge of the office for the day, everyone went home. So why would Monty look up to me, when no one else has? And even if he did, would this be what our relationship was about?

Dr James Serpell would say not, that the Millan method doesn’t add up to much beyond an excess of “macho posturing” and the sort of old-style, dominating, behavioural techniques that actually frighten dogs. He is director of the Centre for the Interaction of Animals and Society at the University of Pennsylvania and he says that, whatever else, today’s dogs certainly perform an important human function. “We’ve seen an explosion in pet populations in all industrialised countries in the past two decades,” he says. “And I keep coming back to the notion that dogs are providing people with a form of non-human support where traditional support has broken down. People are turning to dogs to compensate for that loss.” And he adds: “If you look at all the demographic statistics people are getting divorced more, having fewer children and have fewer friends as well as less social contact. A graph showing this decline is almost a mirror image of the one showing the rise in pet ownership.” Is this healthy? “Some people would say dogs do the job better than other humans when it comes to relationships. People have few conflicts with their pets, whereas human relations can have a nasty side. You can get dogs with horrendous behaviour problems, but the relationship is very complementary on the whole.”

A dog’s love is certainly unambiguous. As Freud once remarked: “Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite unlike people, who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and hate in their object relations.” Or as the philosopher Mark Rowlands, who lived with a wolf for more than a decade, writes in his appropriately named book, The Philosopher and the Wolf: “Scheming and deception lie at the core of the form of social intelligence possessed by apes and monkeys? The ape is merciless to its peers in the way a wolf or dog could never be.” I wonder, are dog-lovers less able to cope with the complexity of human relationships? Are we all, at heart, cold misanthropes?

Dr Serpell says you would think so, but a review of the evidence indicates the contrary. “There is a suggestion that pet owners have a greater desire for company and friendship, and because of this use their pets to augment what they already derive from human companionship.” How, I ask, are we meant to square the circle of loving dogs as we do, and all the rescue centres spilling with abused and abandoned dogs? “Animals in shelters,“ he replies, “usually have behaviour problems. They bark incessantly or chew up the house, which interferes with our attachment. Our love is conditional.”

Although we might not be so good for dogs – don’t get me started on the pure-breed horror stories, and those poor bulldogs who look like sat-upon toads – dogs are good for us. People with dogs live longer, have lower blood pressure, suffer fewer minor ailments and recover from illnesses faster. Dogs buffer against depression, grief and loneliness. Dogs facilitate social interaction, as my own husband will testify: “When I’m out walking Monty, lots of women talk to me, which they wouldn’t do if I didn’t have a dog.” (Do you get their numbers? “Yes. I’ve got stacks.” That’s amazing, considering you’re not that attractive. “I know!’) Children raised with dogs are more empathetic and have a better understanding of mutuality. Disturbed children undergoing therapy can be better reached when a dog is present. (Freud’s favourite chow-chow, Jo-Fi, attended all his therapy sessions.) And dog owners are fitter. On average, a person with a gym membership will exercise for two hours a week, whereas a person with a dog will exercise for eight hours. All my life I’ve prided myself on never taking any exercise, but I walk Monty on Hampstead Heath for at least a couple of hours every day and I’m never bored. His enthusiasm rubs off on me. Let’s bark at this squirrel! Let’s crash though these bushes! Let’s see if this nice golden retriever lady wants sexy time! Plus, dogs make us feel happy – chemically.

According to researchers at the University of Japan, dog owners experience a surge in the hormone oxytocin after periods of playing with their dogs or simply being gazed at by them. Oxytocin has been nicknamed the “cuddle chemical” for the role it plays in the mother-child bond. It produces positive, warm feelings and because it’s a serious stress reducer – it dampens down the area of the brain associated with anxiety – may also help explain the myriad health benefits associated with dog ownership. But if our brain chemistry responds to dogs as if they were human – or honorary humans, at least – what does this mean? That we are predisposed to bond with them, as we might with a child? Is Monty my child-substitute, even though I have a child already? (Now 17, my son clamoured for a dog, and talked the talk, but has he since walked the walk? No.) Dogs push all the right nurturing buttons, and have even been bred to appear more and more childlike, with rounded heads, big eyes and softened features. We cannot resist this baby look, which is why we also can’t resist dolphins, ET or Japanese cartoon characters.

But if dogs are going to be proper child substitutes, they are going to have to get this short-lived thing sorted. As the New York poet Mark Doty notes in his wonderful doggy memoir, Dog Years, “One of the unspoken truths of American life is how deeply people grieve over animals who live and die with them, how real the emptiness is, how profound the silence is these creatures leave in their wake. Our culture expects us not only to bear these losses alone, but to be ashamed of how deeply we feel them.” When one of my childhood dogs, Trixie, died, I could not speak for a week.

I grew up with dogs in London, in the Sixties. We mostly had labradors: safe, reliable, the Vauxhall Corsa of dogs. We loved them dearly, but they weren’t too much of a thing. No evening out was cut short because, “It’s not fair to leave the dog on his own for so long.” We fed them cheap smelly dog food from cheap smelly tins or they ate scraps. They were never allowed on furniture or upstairs, so my mother now says, although I certainly remember Trixie on my bed at night. I would always try and synchronise my breathing with hers, although I couldn’t tell you why. As an adult, I always felt I had a dog-holed shape in my life, a feeling Lady Annabel Goldsmith captured perfectly when she recently wrote: “Why do we love our dogs so much? It’s not, in my case, because they are a child substitute — I have five children and ten grandchildren, whom I adore. I can only describe it in the following way. I find an emptiness when the dogs are absent, compared with the cosiness of coming back after an evening out to be greeted by a rapturous pack, a positive whirlpool of paws and tongues and yelps of delight.”

I decided to get a dog once I started working exclusively from home, and would not have entertained the idea otherwise. People who leave their dogs for eight hours at a stretch are, to my mind, committing a criminal act for which a custodial sentence would not be inappropriate. I chose a labradoodle – mother a labrador, father a poodle, although neither stuck around and I think they’ve had more children since – because a labradoodle fitted the bill. Right temperament; right size; right sort of coat. I do feel guilty about not getting a rescue dog but, because it was my first dog, didn’t want to end up out of my depth; plus I am thinking of getting a second, rescue dog? Look, I don’t have to justify myself to you!

My husband did not want to get a dog. “We live on the brink of chaos as it is,” he said, “and a dog would push us over the edge.” The dog has pushed us over the edge, but he now loves the dog, goes camping with the dog, and walks the dog off lead around London, which makes my heart stop just thinking about it. I ask him why he thinks Monty seduced him. Go on, I say. Give us a quote. “I don’t know,” he says. “Can’t you make something up?” Perhaps it’s as Doty says: that it’s impossible to put this love into words, just as it’s impossible to put any love into words: “You can describe your beloved until the tongue ties and still, in truth, fail to get at the particular quality that has captured you.” Or perhaps it’s because our relationship with dogs cannot be mediated by language. As Virginia Woolf said about Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s dog, Flush: “Not a single one of his myriad sensations ever submitted itself to the deformity of words.” Or it could just be that my husband is a lazy a*** who is too busy collecting women’s phone numbers. Still, I think he would say the following about dogs: they are bloody good at soliciting our care.

Although it’s always been thought that dogs evolved from wolves around 15,000 years ago, new evidence suggests it may be as long as 135,000 years ago, in which case dogs evolved along with us. It’s astonishing, when you think about it. But to be descended from a wolf is not to be a wolf, and dogs are now not wolves. Wolves howl whereas dogs bark, possibly to communicate with us. Any owner can tell their dog’s anxiety bark (high-pitched, whiny) from its guarding bark (low, deep, full-throttled). A wolf has a “mechanical” intelligence and will try to figure out problems by itself, whereas a dog will try to enlist human help, as Monty does when he scratches the back door to go out, or thumps his bowl with a paw in the hope it’s dinner time, which it rarely is. (As he would say: “Well, it was worth a try.”) But it’s the dog’s attentiveness to humans that really separates dogs from wolves, and particularly a dog’s attentiveness to our faces. A wolf won’t look a human in the face, but dogs not only look right at us, they look at us in a uniquely human way.

When humans look at another human face their eyes wander left, falling on the right hand side of the person’s face. This “left gaze bias” only occurs with human faces and does not apply at any other time. The reason for this? Probably, it’s because our faces are not symmetrical and the right side of our faces are better at expressing our emotional state. This was thought to be a peculiarly human trait until researchers at Lincoln University discovered that dogs also exhibit this “left gaze bias” – which means what exactly? That they are gauging our emotions? Here is Daniel Mills, professor of veterinary behavioural medicine at Lincoln: “The question we asked is, can dogs do what humans do, and the answer is ‘Yes’ and I’m not surprised. If you speak to the average dog owner they’ll say: of course dogs do that.”

So the things dog-owners have felt intuitively all along, that dog’s have a sixth sense and know how you’re feeling, might be true? “The thing we consistently find about dogs is that they are incredibly perceptive. While they may not have some of the human capabilities, they can behave as if they have because they are so perceptive about what is going on.” This makes sense biologically. If the dog is dependent on us, it needs to know where our behaviour is going. Are we in a bad mood? Should it keep out of our way? Further, research in Hungary is showing that if a dog is trained to understand the pointing gesture and two bowls are put out – one containing food and one not – the dog will over-ride what his nose is telling him and go to the empty bowl if the human is pointing at it. “The dog always wants to be where the human is,” says Professor Mills, “and is just so incredibly tuned into our body language.”

The study of domestic dogs is a new discipline – previously, domestic dogs were considered too “artificial” to be worth the bother – and there are, he says, exciting discoveries to come. Work is being done in social cognition, language cognition and the role of dogs in child development. “If you look at family psychology, which has been going on for 50 years, the role of the pet has hardly been considered. In some cities, mainly associated with poverty, a child is more likely to grow up with a dog than it is a father. That’s really quite a shocking statistic, and psychology hasn’t even thought about it.” So it’s not all about being the dog’s boss then? “That,” he says, “is rubbish. And such a primate way to think. There is no evidence dogs can use social status to motivate behaviour. It’s a really good example of anthropomorphism. Humans may think in terms of being motivated by a hierarchy, but there is no evidence a dog’s brain is capable of that.” How would he, then, describe the relationship between man and dog today? “It’s like a family friendship,” he says.

Domestic dogs are phenomenal. They look to us, are in tune with us and want to know us even when we are not worth knowing. You may say that the average dog’s life isn’t “natural”, but who is to say what nature intended? At some point in their history, wolves attached themselves to humans and became dogs. And as Rowlands notes: “To the extent that nature has intentions at all, this was part of her intentions no more and no less than wolves remaining wolves.” I ask Professor Mills if he feels sorry for the average urban pooch and he says no, not at all. Dogs are endlessly adaptable, and as long as you don’t forget the dog in the dog, and offer exercise, stimulation and company, a dog can have a good life anywhere.

I don’t think I understand Monty that much better after this journey, but I do understand our relationship better, and why he means so much to me. There is a proper thing going on here, and it’s a thing that goes back thousands of years and gets my brain chemistry all fired up. I don’t know what Monty would have to say about any of this, obviously, but do know some further things he wouldn’t say, if you’re still interested. One is: “You look wiped out. Shall we skip our walk this afternoon?” And another might be: “Drink from the toilet? Why would I want to do that? It’s so, so déclassé?”

Nail care tips

2010-03-10T19:00:00.002Z

Nail care is one of the areas all too often overlooked by dog owners. While some dogs will never need their nails trimmed they are the exception to the rule, most will need their nails trimmed every month or so.

Overgrown nails can cause significant problems, they can curl into the dog's paw pads causing infected sores as well as permanently distorting the shape of the dog's foot leading to problems walking. Additionally, the longer the nail is the longer the quick is, so if you don't cut your dog's nails for a long time you will need to reduce their length gradually.

So how should you trim your dog's nails without causing pain and discomfort?

The key is to avoid cutting the sensitive quick which contains the nail's blood supply and nerve. In dogs with white nails the quick is visible as a pink line, by trimming the excess nail just below the quick you should be able to avoid any discomfort. For dogs with black nails where you can't see the quick the best approach is to take small slivers of nail off at a time until you see a black dot appear in the middle of the nail. By doing this you minimise the likelihood of cutting the quick and hurting your dog.

Sometimes, despite your best intentions, you will cause the nail to bleed. In this case the best remedy is to apply some styptic powder (available from pet shops) and pressure to stop the bleeding. While there may seem to be a lot of blood you needn't worry too much - your dog is not going to bleed to death because of a cut quick. (Do keep an eye on the nail however to make sure that it heals without getting infected, this is rare but can happen.)

A good indication that it is time to trim your dog’s nails is when you hear them tapping on hard surfaces. However, the more often you trim your dog's nails, the easier the process will become.

It is important that this time you spend with your dog is not a struggle. Be patient.

A dog's nail clipping can be a stressful event for him, especially if someone has

cut the quick before. Dogs tend to remember that painful incident. So, if your

dog is not used to having his nails trimmed or is frightened, simply begin slowly

and hold his toes firmly for 15-30 seconds during practice sessions. You can then

progress from holding his toes to actually trimming them.

With time and patience, you and your dog will become accustomed to the clipping

process.

Below is a helpful illustration showing the structure of the nail and the correct

way to cut it:

CRPF asks what's in my food?

2010-01-25T14:17:00.000Z

Ever wondered what the ingredients on your pets' food really are? Here are some common terms found on petfood labels and an explanation of what they actually mean.

• Meat and animal derivatives – a generic term for animal proteins which avoids having to specify where the meat comes from – it can be any part of the animal. This enables the pet food company to use whatever meat is the cheapest when they make their food – and there’s no way you can tell what it is.

• Derivatives of vegetable origin – sounds unpleasant, is unpleasant! Another loose term used to disguise all manner of hidden ingredients such as vegetable residues and even charcoal!

• EC permitted additives – this term hides a list of over 4000 chemicals, many of which have been banned from human foods due to health concerns, including E110 (sunset yellow) and E102 (tartrazine).

• Low quality proteins – cheap protein sources such as soya are used instead of meat in many pet foods. They are hard to digest and much less suitable than real meat proteins.

The Campaign for Real Pet Food

2010-01-25T14:13:00.000Z

Following on from my last post I want to introduce the Campaign for Real Pet Foods. The CRPF has been started by an assortment of people working in the petcare industry who are concerned about what exactly our pets are getting fed.

The CRPF states that its mission is:
...to promote honesty, openness and quality in the pet food industry for the benefit of pets and their owners.'

Specifically the CRPF wants to achieve the following:

• Educate pet owners about what really goes into pet food

• Encourage pet food companies to be honest about their ingredients

• Promote foods that use good quality ingredients

• Campaign for change in pet food labelling to remove terms such as ‘meat and animal derivatives’ and ‘EC permitted additives’

The CRPF hopes to achieve these goals by starting a publicity campaign to raise awareness amongst pet owners of the issues surrounding the pet food industry and to help educate pet owners on the dietary needs of their pets.

Food for thought

2010-01-20T21:30:00.000Z

Do you know what you are feeding your dog? After having several dogs with gastric problems stay with me I have become increasingly interested in what we are feeding our pets. The choice of dog food can be overwhelming... wet, dry, puppy, junior, adult, organic, hypoallergenic....you name it there is a food that claims to be it.

Almost without exception each food markets itself as being all that your dog needs to be healthy and happy with a wonderfully lustrous coat. Vets, friends, trainers - all will have a take on which food is the one you should be feeding. Yet if you ask them what that food really contains they are often stumped. Looking at the packaging does little to clarify the issue - pet foods are currently not required to be as clearly labelled as our human food.

Worryingly there is growing evidence that commercial, processed dog foods may not be benefitting our pets, and, even worse, that they may be actively damaging their health.

A recent newspaper article makes for an interesting introduction to this issue:

Is the pet food you are serving up killing your four-legged friend? (and making your vet rich)

Like millions of pet owners, Fiona MacMillan was anxious to do the very best for her cat. 'When I got my first kitten, Jaggers, I asked the vet for some advice on feeding, and when she directed me to a well-known brand of dried food, I was happy to take her professional advice,' she says.

'My vet said she gave it to her own cats and had never had any problems. I was delighted. It never smelled, I could tip some in Jaggers' bowl before I went out to work in the morning and leave it out all day without any fear that it would go off. And he loved it.'

Today, Fiona, 59, a former university librarian, bitterly regrets her decision to feed Jaggers on the convenience food. For when he was just seven, Jaggers was diagnosed with kidney disease. The same vet prescribed some more dried food, especially designed for cats with urinary problems.

Yet, despite Fiona religiously following her vet's advice, Jaggers collapsed three months later. And by the time Fiona got him to the animal hospital for treatment, it was too late. Her beloved cat was so unwell he had to be put to sleep.

'I was devastated, but at the time I thought there was nothing I could have done to prevent Jaggers' kidney disease,' she says. But then she decided to do some research. 'Was it genetics? Do a lot of cats suffer from it? I just wanted to know,' she recalls.

'And then I came across a website created by Lisa Pierson, a pet nutritionist, that completely shocked me. It explained that processed dried food - the exact kind I'd been feeding Jaggers for years - is linked to urinary and kidney problems.

'I was horrified. This had never even been raised as a possibility by my vet. But after I'd read about this, I spoke to another vet, who agreed with Lisa Pierson.

He knew about the problems caused by processed foods, and said that if I'd fed Jaggers a more natural diet - such as raw meat or cooked chicken - he might never have fallen ill.'

Her story is sure to concern anyone with a pet, particularly because few people are aware of the little-publicised concerns about processed pet foods - and that includes 'wet' (i.e. tinned and packet) foods as well.

And part of the problem, as a Mail investigation can reveal, is that much of the veterinary industry is inextricably linked to the pet-food manufacturers.

Research into pet food is carried out by the pet-food companies but, more surprisingly, the training of vets at some universities is also funded by pet-food manufacturers.

Crucially, lectures on nutrition at a number of vet schools, and for veterinary nurses at individual practices, are also often paid for - and even taught - by these huge corporations, giving them the ideal platform to promote their products.

One could argue that given this information, it's hardly in vets' interests to promote a more natural diet for pets.

That suspicion has certainly occurred to Catherine O'Driscoll, 52, who like Fiona MacMillan saw a pet die. In her case, it was all three of her golden retrievers, two from cancer and the third from a disease that paralysed his hind legs - all at a relatively young age.

'I'm a dog trainer and have had pets for years. I know how to care for them,' says Catherine, from Kinross, Perthshire. 'But none of my three dogs lived past the age of eight, and I began to think I was the world's worse owner. 'I had two other dogs, and was determined to see them live longer. And it was after I read an article in a magazine by an Australian vet, which explained that feeding animals processed food could be bad for their health, that I switched away from commercial processed food.

'Afterwards, I saw a huge difference in their vitality. They both lived to 17, and I now believe that changing their diets saved their lives. 'A decade ago, I took the advice of my vet that feeding tinned and dried food was best for my dogs. I had no reason to question the professionals and many dog owners don't now.'

Catherine and Fiona are not alone in thinking they were misled. In internet chatrooms dedicated to pets, increasing numbers of people have been sharing concerns about processed pet food.

They believe that, just as junk food is responsible for myriad health problems and obesity in humans, our love of convenience pet food - be it processed meat in cans or pouches, or dried biscuits - is doing the same to pets.

A generation ago, people mostly fed their pets on butchers' scraps such as heart, liver and bones. Convenience pet foods were an expensive luxury. But now the pet food industry is valued at £2 billion and growing.

Royal Canin Foods' website suggests stocking its food in veterinary practices can 'increase practice turnover'

The pet-food manufacturers appear to be promoting their brands with the help of veterinary practices, sponsoring food displays in surgeries which help to generate business for vets (via commission and the fact that some specialist food can only be bought at veterinary surgeries).

Hills Science Plan, a pet-food brand owned by Colgate-Palmolive, boasts that: 'More vets feed Hills than any other pet food.' Last year, Hills sponsored the British Veterinary Association's 2009 Congress (the biggest meeting on the veterinary calendar).

It also signed a partnership with the British Veterinary Dental Association to sponsor tooth care in animals.

Royal Canin Foods (owned by Mars/Masterfoods) boasts on its website of 'its partnerships with leading veterinary schools and universities'.

It runs Pet Health Counsellor Courses, training veterinary nurses in diet, and says stocking its food in veterinary practices can 'increase practice turnover'.

The message from the company is clear: sell our pet food, and your business will profit.

Many pet websites are in fact affiliated in some way with pet-food corporations. The Pet Health Council, an independent website advising on pet welfare, is sponsored by the Petfood Manufacturers Association. The Pet Health website claims that processed food is best, warning: 'It would not be possible to feed your pet an adequate home-prepared diet.'

Critics claim that with all this bombardment from pet-food companies, many vets and consumers are brainwashed into believing processed food is the only diet their pet should be on.

And, it must be said, there are also many vets who genuinely believe that an animal can be perfectly healthy on a processed diet alone.

But a growing number of vets claim this advice is misleading at best, and deadly at worst. TV vet Joe Inglis says: 'Over the past few years, many additives have been banned from human food, but pet food is still pumped full of similar chemicals.

Unhealthy: Many additives used in pet food are thought to cause hyperactivity

'It's time manufacturers were more honest about what is really in their foods, and were forced to outlaw some of these artificial chemicals.

Some of them are linked with poor behaviour in dogs, and even with cancer - for example, the food colourings BTA/BHA (Butylated hydroxytoluene, Butylated hydroxyanisole) which are known carcinogens.

'Many other additives used in pet food, such as tartrazine, carmoisine and sunset yellow, are thought to cause hyperactivity in humans - and there is no reason to believe that this would be any different for animals.'

Research has also linked dry cat food with urinary problems. Vet and Pet Nutritionist Lisa Pierson says: 'Chronic kidney disease is one of the main causes of death in cats and is often caused because they are chronically dehydrated by just eating dried food. Even if they drink water, often it is not enough to ensure optimum urinary health.'

Not convinced? Then consider the fact that while cat and dog food sales have soared by 85 per cent over the past decade, research by the Pet Food Manufacturers Association shows that one in three household pets is now overweight - and chronic conditions in our pets, such as diabeties, kidney and liver disease, heart disease and dental problems (all related to diet) are on the increase.

However healthy the petfood manufacters might claim their foods are, it's difficult not to see those factors as linked, says Richard Allport, a vet of 36 years from Hertfordshire.

'I don't believe today's vets get enough independent information,' he says. 'Pet-food companies have far too much influence, because much of the information on feeding cats and dogs is paid for, promoted and supplied to vets by the pet-food industry.

'Since owners see bags of processed food on display every time they go to the vet's - which is blatant advertising - they think it's ok. But many independent pet nutritionists - and sadly there is little research that's not funded by the pet-food industry - beg to differ.

'I see so many pets with dental disease, allergies and digestive problems. Often their owners have tried various medicines without success.

'The message is clear: sell our pet food, and your business will profit'

They have even tried different processed diets as recommended by their vet - after all, a whole industry has been created with different foods for different dietary problems. My advice to them is always this: switch your pet's diet to fresh food and often it's so successful that altering the diet is all that's needed to "cure" a pet's health problem.'

This view is angrily refuted by vet Nicky Paull. The former president of the British Veterinary Association for 2008/9, she doesn't believe pet-food companies are too involved with the veterinary industry.

'Vets aren't only taught by representatives from pet-food companies. They go to a range of lectures in nutrition and so gain a balanced view. There is no evidence at all that processed food is bad for our pets.

'What I would be concerned about is if people start to feel guilty about what they are feeding their pets when pet food is perfectly fine. I also don't believe that feeding cats and dogs natural diets is as simple as some people make out.

'I would hate to be seeing cats and dogs suffering from a lack of nutrition because their owner has chosen to give them a home-made diet that lacks essential ingredients.'

She says: 'Many vets feed their pets commercial foods. I have three dogs aged five months, seven and 12 years, all of whom are fed solely on dried food, and am very happy with it.'

Yet Roger Meacock, who has a practice in Swindon, is concerned that many processed foods, often described as 'premium' and ' scientifically balanced', also contain ingredients that should not be part of any dog or cat's diet.

'Often, grain is added to canned and dried pet food to bulk it out,' he says. 'Basically, it is a cheaper alternative to meat. Additives to ensure the food tastes good to cats and dogs are also added.

'But what people need to understand is that while on the outside dogs and cats have been domesticated into cuddly pets, inside a dog is 99 per cent related to the wolf, while a pet cat's digestive system is no different from a wild lion's.

'Therefore the bulk of a healthy diet for a cat or dog should not contain processed food that is high in carbohydrate and other additives.

'It should revolve around raw meat, as it would do in the wild, which is good for their teeth and gums as well as animals' general health.'

The United Kingdom Raw Meaty Bones Support and Action Group, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes a natural diet for pets, compares Britain's growing problem with junk food to our dependency on processed pet food.

Jackie Marriott, who helps run the group says: 'A few years ago, school dinners for children consisted of processed food, but due to educating people about the dangers of junk food, that has changed.

'People realise that however good processed food is, it cannot take the place of home-cooked fresh meals. And that is the same for cats and dogs. Think about it - how can dried food that sits in a bowl all day be good for your pet?

'Part of the problem rests with the fact that many of us as owners find these foods incredibly convenient - this is why the pet-food manufacturers have been successful.

'Research has linked dry cat food with health problems'

'Unfortunately, the factory process of making processed pet food that will sit in a bowl without going off, or can be stored in a can for years, means that many of the nutrients are destroyed. This is why additives such as preservatives and vitamins need to be added to the food.

'Although our pets digest them, their digestive systems have to work flat out to derive the most benefit. For example, it is hard for cats to digest the carbohydrate. Most importantly, processed food also sits like a sludge on their teeth.'

Unsurprisingly, the pet-food manufacturers do not agree that there's any problem with feeding animals a solely processed food diet. They point out that they spend millions researching the correct foods with a good balance of nutrients.

The Pet Food Manufacturers Association says: 'There are concerns that feeding raw meat to pets can present a human/animal risk, such as salmonella contamination. In the case where only raw meat and bones are fed, there is an additional concern among vets and animal nutritionists that this exclusive diet may not meet the pet's needs.'

And a spokesman for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons adds: 'It would be ideal if universities could be funded through purely independent sources. But in reality we cannot condemn them for accepting money from commercial sources.

'Honesty and integrity are at the heart of professional vets. They would not be expected to recommend products without due justification.'

Their words, however, ring hollow for owners like Fiona and Catherine, who feel that feeding their pets a more natural diet might have prolonged their lives - not to mention the growing body of vets convinced that expensive processed foods are a money-making and dangerous mistak

Proof that dogs have nine lives too...

2010-01-02T00:04:00.000Z

While many of us have been enjoying the festive period it is worth remembering to keep an extra eye on our dogs. Winter and Christmas in particular, can bring with it its own dangers to our pets' safety.

Spaniel rescued from duck pond

Matt - an eight-year-old Cocker Spaniel - ran across ice and tumbled into freezing waters in Dean Country Park, Kilmarnock. As the dog struggled to escape, fire crews from Kilmarnock and a water rescue unit from Ayr raced to the scene after the alarm was raised.

Using ladders and specialist equipment, they managed to reach Matt and fish the shivering Spaniel out of the pond. Matt had been taken for a walk by his owner's neighbours when the drama unfolded.

Stevie Logan, Kilmarnock Fire Brigade's station commander, said:

"The dog was in clear distress and had been in the water for some time when we arrived. He was trapped in a circle of water with ice surrounding it and couldn't get out. The people in this case did exactly the right thing by phoning us, and not attempting to rescue it themselves.

"Too many people have drowned trying to rescue their dogs, and although it is a hard thing to do to stand by and watch the dog struggling, we do have the specialist knowledge and equipment to carry out a rescue."

Christmas miracle for dog who swallowed toy fairy wand the length of its body

A dog has had a miracle escape after swallowing a fairy wand almost the length of her entire body.

Pip's owner Ashleigh Fisher raised the alarm after noticing the five-month-old whippet had something lodged in her throat.

A vet's X-ray revealed the animal had swallowed the child's toy whole.

Ashleigh, who got Pip as an 18th birthday gift from her parents, said the family first noticed something was wrong when Pip began gulping loudly.

Laura Lamb, trainee nurse at the Bridge Veterinary Group in Middlesbrough said: 'When the X-ray was developed the vet and nurse could hardly believe their eyes.

'A long, narrow object was visible, starting at the bottom of Pip's throat and going off the edge of the plate towards her stomach.'

A second picture was taken, revealing that the object stretched all the way from the little dog's throat right into her stomach.

Efforts to remove the wand were unsuccessful and it was decided the only option was to operate.

Following surgery, the staff and Pip's family were amazed to discover that the offending object was a toy fairy wand.

Laura said: 'Luckily for Pip, it did not appear to have done any damage to her insides and she had a good recovery.'

News article: 100 people a week treated for dog bites as attacks soar 66%

2009-12-27T18:24:00.000Z

More than 100 victims of dog bites are admitted to hospital each week, a rise of 66 per cent in a decade.

Latest figures show that 5,221 people were treated during 2008-09 after dog attacks in England - up from 3,137 ten years earlier.

The total includes 1,250 children, including many babies and toddlers.

However, as the data does not include victims seen in A&E who are not admitted, the true figure will be much higher.

The NHS statistics were revealed only two weeks after four-year-old John-Paul Massey was savaged to death by an illegal pit-bull terrier and amid growing concern that some breeds are being bought not as pets, but as 'badges of honour'.

Other figures show the number convicted of breaking the Dangerous Dogs Act has more than trebled in a decade.

In 1997, 237 dog owners were found guilty. By 2007, the figure had soared to 777 - an increase of more than 220 per cent.

The 1991 Act bans four breeds - pit bulls, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro - but critics, including the Tories and the Liberal Democrats, say it is flawed and needs to be redrawn.

Animal charities say the act ignores other breeds which can be just as dangerous and means that responsibly-raised dogs from banned breeds are unfairly targeted.

Andy Robbins, of the RSPCA, said: 'By specifically targeting four types of dog, it is almost as if the law is saying all dogs are fine apart from any animal of those four types which will be dangerous.

'We would like to see the law target the minority owners who are using their dog for the wrong means.

'Typically, lads mixed up in gangs are using stereotypically muscular, macho breeds of dog to make themselves look tough and boost their own ego rather than have the company of a pet.'

Steve Goody, of the Blue Cross animal welfare charity, said the soaring number of hospital admissions could be traced back to 'the high number of dogs on the streets being used for the wrong sort of purposes by the wrong sort of people'.

LibDem health spokesman Norman Lamb said: 'We have to tackle the culture of some individuals using dogs as a badge of honour or fashion accessory.'

Ministers yesterday pledged to learn lessons from the investigation into the death of John-Paul Massey at his grandmother's house in Liverpool last month.

The youngster died of horrific injuries after he was shaken like a 'rag doll' by a pit bull owned by his uncle.

He is the fifth child to be killed by a dog in three years.

Police have launched a criminal investigation after revealing the dog, who was shot dead by officers, was an illegal breed.

Jane Kennedy, Labour MP for Liverpool Wavertree, called for a 'detailed report' from Merseyside Police and the Independent Police Complaints Commission 'so that we can fully understand how the complaints made to the police were not followed through and that the Government can respond where possible'.

She asked Home Office Minister David Hanson: 'If it appears that the administrative burdens of the Dangerous Dogs Act contributed in any way, however small, to the tragic death of four-year-old John-Paul Massey will you agree to review it?'

Mr Hanson said: 'I think you raise an important issue. This was a very tragic death. The Home Secretary is in discussions with Defra about what steps, if any, we need to take to make sure we prevent this type of incident occurring again. We will certainly look at this and make sure we do all we can to stop the use of dangerous dogs in this way.'

A dog is for life...

2009-12-27T18:19:00.000Z

Dog charity refuses to rehouse animals over the festive period to stop New Year return

The country’s largest dog welfare charity is refusing to rehouse animals over the Christmas period to prevent unwanted pets being returned in the New Year.

The Dogs Trust said animals can be viewed and reserved but not taken away – despite all its 18 rehousing centres nationwide being full.

The ban started on December 20 and ends on January 2, giving potential dog owners time to consider whether they really want the animal.

In the 31 years since the charity dreamed up the slogan ‘A dog is for life, not just for Christmas’, there has been a 90 per cent reduction in the number of dogs given
as gifts. Last year the figure was down to 131,400.

But Adam Levy, assistant manager of the Dogs Trust rehoming centre in Harefield, West London, said thousands are still abandoned over Christmas.

He added: ‘The weeks after Christmas are traditionally one of our busiest periods because lots of people are given puppies as unwanted presents, or people who wanted a dog soon realise they require a lot of time and effort which they are not prepared to give.

‘Some of the excuses we hear from dog owners abandoning their newly acquired pets are truly ludicrous.

A woman once said she was giving up her dog because the colour of its fur clashed with her living room furniture.

Another irresponsible owner complained the dog had to be given up because it urinated on her favourite rug.

‘And a set of owners wanted to give up their new puppy because it was not house-trained when they took it home.’

Mr Levy added: ‘We have 150 dogs at our centre and are completely full. At present there is a four-month waiting list for a place at the centre but in the next few weeks we will be contacted by lots of owners wanting to give us their unwanted pet.’

Centre manager Richard Moore said: ‘A dog is a long-term commitment, not a fashion accessory or disposable item that can be upgraded or discarded after just a few months.’

The Bichon Family

2009-11-21T23:01:00.000Z

While many people have heard of the Bichon Frisé few are aware that there are in fact six Bichon breeds, all descendants of the “little white dog of antiquity”. This dog, also known as the “Barbet,” can be traced as far back as the Roman Empire.

Differing in appearance and personality, each breed was developed in a Mediterranean port city and reached the world beyond through traders and sailors. The breeds were also regarded as treasured gifts by the nobility of the ancient world.

The Bichon Frisé, Bolognese, and Havanese are doublecoated breeds each boasting a topcoat and undercoat, while the Coton de Tulear, Lowchen, and Maltese are singlecoated. All are non-shedding and produce low levels of dander making them a good choice for allergy sufferers and leading to them often being desvribed as hypoallergenic. While each breed has its own unique characteristics and charm none of them can be considered low-maintenance as far as grooming is concerned.

The Bichon Frisé is known also as the ‘Tenerife Dog’ because history has it that fourteenth-century sailors found him on that island, fell for his charms and took him back to Europe. During the Renaissance, Italian traders took the little white dog home to Italy where it attracted the attention of nobility and wealthy merchants.

Finding its way to France in the late 1400s, the Bichon became the darling of royalty — a status it enjoyed well into Napoleon’s rule. Because the Bichon was seen as a symbol of the aristocracy during the French Revolution, it was tossed out on its ear, surviving as a street performer with organ grinders and in the circus.

The Bichon Frise was recognised by the French Kennel Club in 1934 though his recognition in Britain did not occur until after both America and Canada entered him on their registers in the 1970s.a compact and loveable dog whose ancestors came to the Canary Islands with Spanish sailors. With its downy undercoat and springy topcoat curls, the Bichon’s beauty is accentuated by the way it is groomed: scissor-sculpted to accentuate its roundness, its shimmering whiteness contrasted by its dark eyes and jet-black nose and lips. Without brushing several times a week to remove dead hair and prevent matting, skin problems will develop.

The Bolognese is an ancient, charming and intelligent breed of small dog hailing from the centre of Northern Italy. It is after the style of other Bichon types, but has a distinctive non-shedding coat which forms into flocks. These fluffy waves are typically not cut and require careful daily grooming to keep them in top condition. The Bolognese is said to have been a favourite with Russian nobles where servants saved it from extinction during the Russian Revolution. American fanciers imported a Bolognese from Russia in 1991 to breed with specimens gathered in Europe, resuscitating the breed fairly recently. Despite its small size, it is self-important, relishing the role of family watchdog.

The Coton de Tulear also known as the Royal Dog of Madagascar, was first recognised in the UK in 1990 but has existed in his native Madagascar, particularly on the island of Tula, for several hundred years. It is believed that the breed's ancestors were imported to Madagascar during the 17th century where they became popular in the port of Tulear — a haven for pirates and slave traders. Protected by tribal rulers, the dog became known as the Royal Dog of Madagascar. The Coton takes its name from the French for “cotton,” which is the perfect description for its soft, fluffy coat. Requiring brushing several times a week, the Coton de Tulear is not scissored for the show ring, but owners often opt for a shorter trim. The Coton de Tulear comes in three colors: white, black, and white and tri-colored often sporting lemon and grey tips on its ears.

The Havanese is the Cuban member of the Bichon family and is known in its native country as the Bichon Habanero where it ranks as the national dog of Cuba. The breed reached Cuba as a result of either Spanish colonists or Italian traders and ended up as the playthings of the wealthy. A small, sturdy, long-coated, drop-eared dog with a feisty personality Havanese are longer than they are tall. Their double coats have a light texture and are traditionally unclipped, requiring brushing and combing several times a week. A fun-loving pet, the Havanese is rising fast in popularity and comes in a variety of colors.

The Lowchen or “little lion dog,” is named for its haircut and while its exact origins are murky it has been known in Europe since the 1500s. Loveable and cheerful, the Lowchen was the favorite of Florentine nobility during the 15th century where ladies of the court took to grooming it to resemble a little lion. The breed was brought back from near extinction by a dedicated Belgian fancier after World War I and as recently as 1960 the Lowchen was described as being the rarest breed in the world. However it has since increased in numbers, being registered in Britain for the first time in 1971 and gaining championship status here just five years later. Untrimmed, the Lowchen’s silky single coat is long and wavy, requiring frequent attention to keep mats at bay. Available in a variety of colors, the Lowchen looks adorably unique when trimmed like a little lion with its full ruff and mane, shorn hindquarters, and tufted tail.

The Maltese is the smallest member of the Bichon family typically weighing 4 to 6 pounds. Named for the Isle of Malta where it is believed to have been introduced by Phoenician traders, this breed may have been worshipped by the Ancient Egyptians. Its regal coat is long, silky, straight and hangs to floor level therefore requiring daily combing and brushing unless kept clipped.

Dachshunds - the most aggressive breed of dog?

2009-11-14T23:40:00.002Z

On a recent visit to the vet I had a long conversation about which breeds of dog vets are most wary of treating. Understandably the large fighting breeds such as the Akita, Sharpei and Chow Chow, featured highly. But what may surprise people is that included in this list were Border Collies, Jack Russell Terriers and Dachshunds. Many people are aware that Border Collies are often highly strung and quick to turn but many people might be surprised by the inclusion of JRs and Dachsies.

When selecting a breed of dog to buy many people focus on size rather than the background or origin of the breed. Jack Russells are one of the toughest terrier types to train as they are both strong willed and very energetic. They require firm, consistent discipline and since they are extremely intelligent they will continue to test their boundaries throughout their lives. With JRs if you give them an inch they'll really take a mile.

As mentioned JRs are a very active breed and need lot of exercise and stimulation to prevent them becoming bored and destructive. Most behavioral problems are due to a lack of companionship, discipline, activity and exercise. If you've only seen perfect, well-behaved JR's, they are ones that were lucky enough to be exercised, well socialized, and trained.

Aggression is often a problem with JRs and according to the Jack Russell Club of America, JRs are particularly aggressive with other dogs of the same sex.

All these traits are typical to most terrier breeds but are particularly evident in breeds such as the JR which are still very much working dogs in much of the country

Dachshunds were originally bred to hunt badgers and other small prey. Opinion is still out on whether they should be considered a hound or whether their origin is closer to that of modern terriers. While their origins may still be in debate it is generally agreed that Dachshunds can be difficult little dogs.

Dachshunds boast an impressively loud and deep bark and without proper training can become nuisance barkers. While known for their devotion and loyalty to their owners many dachshunds will whine if left alone and are prone to separation anxiety. As a result of it is not uncommon for them to chew objects in the house to relieve stress. They rank 49th in Stanley Coren's Intelligence of Dogs, being of average working and obedience intelligence. However the dachshund is known for its houdini tendencies and is often able to break out of improperly made cage.

While these little dogs do not have a fearsome reputation (largely due to their small size and comical appearance) research has found that one in five dachshunds have bitten or tried to bite strangers, and a similar number have attacked other dogs; in addition one in 12 have snapped at their owners. This puts them at the top of the list of 33 breeds rated for their aggression, after academics analyzed the behavior of thousands of dogs.

Dr James Serpell, one of the researchers, said smaller breeds might be more genetically predisposed towards aggressive behaviour than larger dogs.

“Reported levels of aggression in some cases are concerning, with rates of bites or bite attempts rising as high as 20 per cent toward strangers and 30 per cent toward unfamiliar dogs,” he added.

Until now, research into canine aggression has almost exclusively involved analysis of dog bite statistics. But the researchers said these were potentially misleading as most bites were not reported. Big dogs might have acquired a reputation for being consistently more aggressive simply because their bites were more likely to require medical attention.

The study conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society, is considered one of the most extensive of its kind and is the first to report replicated findings of breed differences in aggression, collected basic and behavior-related dog data from two separate groups.

The first group, consisting of members of 11 American Kennel Club recognized national breed clubs, such as The Labrador Retriever Club and The English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association and the second involved an online survey both reached similar conclusions.

Dachshunds were one of the breeds that scored higher than average for aggression directed to both humans and dogs, putting them towards the top of the list.

Akitas, Pit Bull Terriers and Stafforshire Bull Terriers, breeds which have “bad boy” reputations, typically scored highly for dog-directed aggression - a result of their 'dog fighting' breed heritage. When they did injure humans, however, the injuries were understandably more severe than those inflicted by the smaller dogs.

Often the small size of dogs plays a part in the development of aggressive tendencies since small dogs are more likely to feel threatened by 'innocent' human or canine interactions.

“Small size very likely plays a large role in the development of fear-based aggression among some breeds,” Duffy explained.

“Smaller dogs may feel more threatened by other dogs and people — a perception that may be well founded.”

Other breeds with a greater tendency to bite humans included Jack Russell Terriers, Australian Cattle Dogs, Cocker Spaniels and Beagles.

On the “least aggressive” end of the spectrum were Basset Hounds, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Siberian Huskies, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Brittany Spaniels, Greyhounds and Whippets.

Interestingly enough, several of these dogs also rated low for “watchdog behavior” and “territorial defense” behaviors, suggesting that they tend to be lovable family pets, but are less vigilant watchdogs than their smaller cousins such as Chihuahuas and Dachshunds.

Much as in humans, behavioral patterns in dogs seem to result from a combination of environmental influences and genetics.

Paul Jones, a Mars Veterinary genetics researcher at the Waltham Center for Pet Nutrition in the US, and his co-author identified locations in a dog’s DNA that contain genes believed to contribute to behavior, trainability and longevity, as well as body and skull shape, weight, fur color and length.

“By applying this research approach, we may be able to decipher how genes contribute to physical or behavioral traits that affect many breeds,” said Jones, who indicated future applications might include tailor-made foods and medicines, along with specific recommendations to individuals about what would be the “most lifestyle-appropriate pet for an owner.”

However Duffy countered that “just because there is a genetic component to behavior does not necessarily mean that it is predestined.”

“Anyone looking to bring a dog into their home should find out as much as possible about the individual dog’s history and temperament,” she advised.

“Certainly some breeds are better with children than others on average. However, it wouldn’t make sense to pass up a well-socialized, well-trained, non-aggressive Rottweiler for an atypically aggressive Labrador Retriever.”.

Everything Islington residents need to know about your dog and the law - full text of Islington Dog Strategy

2009-11-13T21:24:00.001Z

Islington Council Dog Strategy
APRIL 2009

Contents
1 Introduction………………………………………………………………. 3
2 Executive Summary…………………………………………………….. 3
3 Background and Aims…………………………………………………. 3

4 Current Policies and Resources…………………………………...… 4
4.1.0 ♦ Homes for Islington………………………………………………. 4
4.2.0 ♦ Street Environment Services……………………………………. 4
4.3.0 ♦ Greenspace and Leisure Services……………………………… 4
4.4.0 ♦ Animal Welfare Officer…………………………………………… 4

5 5.1.0 Strategy…………………………………………………………………… 5

6 Promoting Education and Awareness………………………………. 5
6.1.0 ♦ Responsible Dog Ownership……………………………………. 5
6.2.0 ♦ Young People and Dogs…………………………………………. 6
6.3.0 ♦ Behaviour Around Dogs………………………………………….. 6

7 Strengthening Enforcement………………………………………….. 7
7.1.0 ♦ Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005………….. 7
7.2.0 ♦ Islington Dog Control Orders…………………………….………. 8
7.3.0 ♦ Education and Advice…………………………………………….. 8
7.4.0 ♦ Fixed Penalty Notices……………………………………………. 9
7.5.0. ♦ Disposal/Cleansing and Removal………………………………. 10
7.6.0 ♦ Signage……………………………………………………………. 10
7.7.0 ♦ Equalities and Exemptions………………………………………. 10
7.8.0 ♦ Dog Related Legislation…………………………………………. 11
7.9.0 ♦ Dangerous Dogs Act 1991………………………………………. 11
7.10.0 ♦ Deed not Breed……………………………………………………. 11
7.11.0 ♦ Dogs Act 1871……………………………………………………… 11
7.12.0 ♦ Control of Dogs Order 1992 (Stray Dogs)………………………. 12
7.13.0 ♦ Dogs Fouling of Land Act 1996 & Bylaws………………………. 12
7.14.0 ♦ Environmental Protection Act 1990……………………………… 12
7.15.0 ♦ Animal Welfare Act 2006………………………………………….. 12
7.16.0 ♦ Enforcement Officers…………………………………………….. 13

8 Developing a Joined Up Approach…………………………………... 14
8.1.0 ♦ Lead Department…………………………………………………. 14
8.2.0 ♦ Training…………………………………………………………….. 14
8.3.0 ♦ Targeting Hotspots/Information Sharing……………………….. 14
8.4.0 ♦ Awareness Raising & Education Campaigns………………….. 15

9 Monitoring and Review……….………………………………………… 16
10 Complaints……………………………………………..…………………. 16
11 Useful Contacts………………………………………………………….. 17
Communications Plan.…………………………………………..……… 17

ISLINGTON DOG STRATEGY
1 Introduction
1.1 Islington Council is committed to maintaining a clean and safe environment for the benefit of
everyone in the borough. This commitment recognises our responsibility to keep the streets
and local environment clear of litter, obstructions and deal with other local environmental
quality issues.
1.2 The presence of dumped waste, litter, dog fouling, graffiti and other environmental crime may
also contribute to people’s fear of crime and their perception of how well they think their
council is performing.
1.3 The One Islington Corporate Plan 2006-20091 highlights the link between quality of life and
the quality of the external environment and it includes our commitment to minimise harmful
impacts and our intentions to create a cleaner, greener and safer place to live, work in and
visit and provide services that are considered excellent in the eyes of our residents.

2 Executive Summary
2.1 Islington Council recognises the importance of creating a usable and enjoyable environment
for all who work in, visit or live in the borough. Dog related issues such as fouling and
intimidating dogs could adversely affect the environment and people’s enjoyment of it.
2.2 During the 2005 Measuring Customer Perceptions survey of Islington residents, 45% of
respondents sited dog fouling as the number one environmental issue that needs addressing.
2.3 Islington Council has produced this Dog Strategy in order to clarify how we intend to tackle
irresponsible dog ownership and antisocial dog behaviour. The strategy outlines how the Council will address dog control issues such as:

Irresponsible dog ownership
Dangerous dogs
Dog fouling
Stray dogs

2.4 The strategy also outlines how we will encourage and promote responsible dog ownership and
enforce legislation on dog control, in line with the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act
2005 - Dog Control Orders.
2.5 This document covers 2 key areas:
♦ The strategy

♦ The action/communications plan

3 Background and Aims
3.1 We have listened to people’s concerns about local issues that can impact on their quality of
life. Dog fouling and the anti social behaviour of some dog owners who fail to control their
dogs in public places are amongst issues that concern residents the most. People feel we
could do more to tackle the roots of these issues by providing more education, advice and
awareness raising, backed up by officers issuing some form of penalty.
3.2 The strategy part of this document outlines how we will encourage and promote responsible
dog ownership and enforce the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 (CNEA
2005) on dog control as well as how other legislation affects what we do.
3.3 The action plan then details how the various services and agencies will liaise with each other
to ensure that this strategy is delivered successfully.

4 Current Services and Resources
4.1.0 Homes for Islington
4.1.1 In line with the ‘One Islington’ vision - Homes for Islington is committed to working with other
Council partners to ensure that they provide information on responsible dog ownership to their
residents who have pets. They have also put resources in place to deal with enforcement on
their land.
4.1.2 Currently Homes for Islington (HFI) residents can contact their Area Housing Office to report
any of the issues listed in 2.3. The Estate Services and Tenancy Management Officers would
then identify offenders and offer education and advice first before taking enforcement action
under the conditions of the tenancy or lease.
4.1.3 There is no exercising of dogs throughout HFI estates and offenders may also be reported to
the Area Housing Office. As a very last resort they may seek repossession of the residence for
anti-social behaviour.
4.14 HFI Out of Hours Anti-social Behaviour Officers have authority from the Director of
Environment and Regeneration to enforce the dog control orders and have combined this with
promoting responsible dog ownership on estates by distributing information leaflets to
residents.
4.1.5 HFI caretakers are responsible for cleansing communal areas of estates and they will respond
to specific reports of dog fouling and remove dog fouling in these areas (except for shrub
beds) as soon as reasonably possible.

4.2.0 Street Environment Services
4.2.1 Currently anyone in the community can report dog fouling issues if they occur on the public
highway via Contact Islington on 0207 527 2000. Contact Islington will pass the information on
to Street Environment Services.
4.2.2 Street Environment Officers will ensure that the street is swept by Enterprise PLC ( the
Council’s street cleansing contractor) on the scheduled day and remove all dog fouling along
with the litter etc.
4.2.3 Street Environment Services administration team logs all reports of dog fouling received via
Contact Islington and these hotspots are used as a basis for enforcement patrols.
4.2.4 The area based Street Environment Officers will investigate problems of dog fouling within 24
hours of receipt and may put up warning signs at the location or deliver leaflets to local
residents advising them of the legislation and requesting that they clean up after their dogs. If
they observe anyone not doing so officers will give them fixed penalty notices.

4.3.0 Greenspace Services
4.3.1 Dog control issues can be reported to Greenspace Services via Contact Islington on 020 7527
2000. The report will then be passed on to the appropriate Greenspace Ranger who is
responsible for managing the borough’s parks.
4.3.2 The Greenspace Ranger will investigate the problem and ensure that adequate signage is on
display. If the problem is persistent the Ranger can organize park user education and offer
advice around dog control in collaboration with the Greenspace Park Patrol Service.
4.3.3 The Parks Patrol Service has an enforcement role unlike the Rangers and have the powers to
enforce the new legislation. Currently there are 9 Park Patrol Officers who are trained and
able to handle dog behavioural issues, with at least 3 officers on patrol at any one time.

4.4.0 Animal Welfare Officer (Dog Warden)
4.4.1 The role of Islington’s single Animal Welfare Officer is also to deal with dangerous or stray
dogs in conjunction with the Police. The role also includes community liaison and education on
dog-related issues. Our Animal Welfare Officer can be contacted on 020 7527 3222.

5 Strategy
5.1.0 One of the strategy’s main aims is to provide a framework within which we will address dog
fouling, as Islington residents have identified this as a priority local environmental issue. The
strategy also sets out how the Council will address other dog control issues. It includes how
we will communicate internally and externally on dog related issues to raise awareness, who
will educate and advise on these issues and how services will work together to ensure
effective and consistent dog control services borough wide.
5.1.1 The core of this strategy’s success is the implementation of proportionate, well-publicised and
enforceable dog control orders under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005
(CNEA 2005).
5.1.2 Dog control orders will allow officers to identify dog owners who need advice and assistance
to comply with the law and improve their dog ownership skills.
5.1.3 Appropriate dog control orders also allow enforcement officers to identify and deal with those
irresponsible dog owners who persist in allowing their dogs to spoil the local environment and
amenities for others.

6 Promoting Education and Awareness

6.1.0 Responsible Dog Ownership
6.1.1 In the past 20 years or so there has been a large increase in the amount of research
supporting the general notion that “pets are good for you”. A study of the relationship between
pet ownership and cardiovascular health (Friedman et al 1980)2 showed that pet owners were
more likely to be alive one year after being discharged from a coronary care unit than non-
owners. Pet owners also tended to have reduced blood pressure.
6.1.2 In addition, pets can decrease loneliness and depression by providing companionship, an
interesting and varied lifestyle and an impetus for nurturing. They can also reduce anxiety by
providing an external focus for attention, promoting feelings of safety and providing a source
of contact comfort.
6.1.4 This strategy supports this notion and supports the promotion of responsible dog ownership, -
Useful links to guidelines that inform dog owners of the current legislation affecting dogs in
Islington, how to look after dogs correctly and useful dog related organisations such as the
Dog’s Trust and the Kennel Club can be found on Islington’s website.

6.1.5 Topics accessible from our website will cover basic good dog care principles:
♦ Adequate and regular exercise

♦ Sensible feeding
♦ Access to veterinary care

♦ Identification
♦ Neutering

♦ Being responsible to other people

♦ Cleaning up after your dog

6.2.0 Young People and Dogs
6.2.1 While the majority of dog owners are responsible and enjoy the benefits of dog ownership,
there is a small minority who are perceived to cause concern regarding their dog’s behaviour.
This situation may sometimes be caused by a lack of experience or understanding of dogs by
their owners. Young dog owners can be particularly vulnerable in this regard. While our efforts
to promote responsible dog ownership will be accessible to all, emphasis will be placed on
ensuring that younger age groups have access to advice, information and encouragement.
We intend to build upon previous work in this area:
6.2.2. Since 2005 the environmental charity - Groundwork, in partnership with Islington Council has
carried out workshops in primary schools and youth clubs. Groundwork worked with the
children to educate them about responsible dog ownership and to design anti-dog fouling
‘flags’ and poems.
6.2.3 The children then visited nearby open spaces identified as having dog fouling problems and
put the flags in the ground in affected areas. The flags were left for a day or two for dog
owners to see, to encourage them to pick up after their pets and remind them of the impact
their behaviour has on children.
6.2.4 Groundwork then continued work at the open space locations with Islington’s Animal Welfare
Officer to promote and deliver ‘good dog’ training sessions. This involved dogs and their
owners attending a training session where they had to perform a series of obedience test to
achieve a Kennel Club Bronze award.
6.2.5 In 2006 the Parks Patrol Service created dog awareness events called Top Dog London and
Parks Dogs projects in response to reports of anti social behaviour amongst youths with dogs.
6.2.6 The projects took on a holistic approach to solving the problem by providing free dog-related
training and equipment to young people at accessible locations and times for them. They also
provided the participants with diversionary activities by uniting them in a common interest and
building a rapport between the officers and the youths during which wider social issues could
be addressed. Youths who participated were rewarded with prizes and a better understanding
of how to change the negative public perception towards them by using their improved dog
handling and welfare skills.
6.2.7 Officers will continue to use these and similar projects when setting up local awareness
events. The strategy action plan details how they will be incorporated into a co-ordinated
regime of further promoting education and awareness.

6.3.0 Behaviour Around Dogs
6.3.1 Most dogs are great with people and children and when problems do occur this is often down
to people not knowing how to act around dogs properly and how to treat them with respect.
The Dog’s Trust’s useful guidelines for children and those who are unfamiliar with dogs
include:
♦ Not to play with a dog, unless the owner says so. Always ask the owner before
approaching the dog.
♦ Never rush up to a dog. Hold out a hand and let him come to you. Leave the dog if he
doesn’t want to come.
♦ Don’t stare into a dog’s eyes.
♦ Try not to make sudden movements or loud noises that may frighten the dog.

♦ If a dog growls or is unfriendly, stay calm and slowly walk away. Don’t run!
♦ Children should never take a dog for a walk on their own. An adult should always
accompany a child in case they need help to control the dog.
♦ Don’t disturb or approach a dog if he is eating, drinking or is tied up.

7 Strengthening Enforcement
7.0.1 After education and awareness raising have been used legislative enforcement is one of the
keys to reducing dog fouling and dealing with control issues. Unfortunately some dog owners
will only change their habits if made to by enforcement; therefore the correct level of
enforcement is crucial.

7.1.0 Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 (CNEA 2005)
7.1.1 The CNEA 2005 is legislation that became available to local councils in May 2006 for tackling
low level anti social behaviour.
7.1.2 Islington Council listened to local peoples concerns about local environment issues and
agreed to use this legislation formally in February 2007. Authorized officers can use this Act
along with providing advice and awareness raising, to deal with issues like littering, dumping
waste, graffiti, fly posting and dog control.
7.1.3 In relation to dog control, the CNEA 2005 makes it an offence to do any of the following on
any designated land open to the air on at least one side that the public are entitled or
permitted to have access to with or without payment:

1. Failing to pick up your dog fouling
2. Failing to keep your dog on a lead
3. Allowing your dog to enter an area from which they are excluded
4. Failing to put your dog on a lead when asked to by an authorized officer

5. Walking more than a specified number of dogs

7.1.4 It is important to note that under the CNEA 2005 penalties for any of the offences listed above
can only be issued after a local council has consulted with the community and created formal
Dog Control Orders. Under Section 55 of the CNEA 2005 local authorities can create dog
control orders on all or parts of their land.
7.1.5 In order to consult with the community, local councils are required to publicize their proposals
in at least one local newspaper and invite the community to public accessible venues in the
borough to fill in questionnaires and make comments:

♦ Indicate the start and end dates of the consultation (At least 28 days from the publication
date)
♦ Summarise which dog control orders may apply
♦ ldentify the land to which each order may apply
♦ Give access to maps to view the proposed dog control areas
♦ Give details of where any comments/representations can be sent
♦ Make all details available on the council’s webpage

7.1.6 At the end of the consultation period, local councils should consider the responses and create
Dog Control Orders that are reasonable and in line with public opinion.
7.1.7 Once an order has been agreed and made, a public notice should be published in a borough
wide newspaper/publication and on the local council’s web page, detailing the order(s) at least
7 days before they come into force.
7.1.8 The process described above is contained in the CNEA 2005 and is the same process if an
order is to be revoked or changed significantly.

7.2.0 Islington Dog Control Orders
7.2.1 In compliance with the CNEA 2005 Islington Council carried out an extensive public
consultation from 3rd March to 21st April 2008. Our consultation was based on Responsible
Dog Ownership and took into account whether the orders suited the needs of the community
and were proportionate, fair and enforceable.
7.2.2 We had over 1700 replies from non-dog owners and dog owners alike. There was

overwhelming support for the introduction of new dog control orders with many additional
suggestions about where they should apply.
7.2.3 Over 99% respondents agreed that dog owners should clean up after their dogs in any public
place. Over 97% agreed that authorised staff should be able to instruct dog owners to put their
dogs on a lead in any public place. 95% of respondents agreed that children’s play areas and
other games and sports areas should be dog free. In addition you told us that you wanted
existing dog-free areas especially ornamental squares - to stay dog free.
7.2.4 We listened to the responses we received and on the 14th July 2008 we implemented 3 dog
control orders making each of the following an offence in Islington:

Failing to pick up your dog fouling - in any public space
Allowing your dog to enter an area from which they are excluded no dog area – in specific areas
Failing to put your dog on a lead when asked to by an authorized officer - in any public space.

7.2.5 During the consultation many comments were received about our proposal. We listened to
these responses and as a result some new sites were added in addition to the no dog
(exclusion) areas proposed in the consultation.

The additional sites included as dog exclusion areas are:

Arlington Square, Batishill Street Gardens, Canonbury Square, Compton Terrace, Gibson
Square, Lonsdale Square, Milner Square, Northampton Square, Penn Road Gardens, Percival Street (Homes for Islington area), Percy Circus, St. Silas Gardens, Thornhill Crescent Garden and Wilmington Square.

7.2.6 In addition, there were a small amount of sites where current practice is that dogs are walked
on leads. On these sites we have asked authorized officers to ask all dog walkers to put their
dogs on leads and issue fines if this is not complied with.
7.2.7 To view a map of the all the Dog Control Order areas, use the Interactive Maps link on
Islington’s website, then choose Recreation and Leisure from the list on the right of that page.

7.3.0 Education and Advice
7.3.1 Since July 2008 we have undertaken a campaign of providing education and advice regarding
responsible dog ownership - we’ve handed out hundreds of leaflets and “dog poo bags” and warnings to people with dogs who are contravening Dog Control Orders in our parks, open spaces and on the street.
7.3.2 Officers come across dog walkers who persist in contravening the dog fouling - dog control
order despite receiving previous warnings. It became apparent that some irresponsible dog
owners will only clean up when told to do so and that this approach does not always achieve
the required behavioural change.
7.3.3 In December 2008 a report was presented to Full Council around Greener, Cleaner Safer –
Promoting Civic Pride. Amongst other issues, it highlighted a change of strategy towards
firmer enforcement for persistent offenders.
7.3.4 The report noted that the focus has been to encourage people to do the right thing and this
has had some success in changing people’s attitudes and behaviour. However in order to
build on this success and tackle those engaged with low level anti social behaviour, it was
considered the right time to change the focus from encouragement to enforcement.
7.3.5 It was agreed that the Council should join up enforcement coverage and adopt a harder line
approach in tackling anti social behaviour through the use of fixed penalty notices. This will
show that the Council is prepared to make a stand against the small minority engaged in anti-
social behaviour. This new approach would help to improve the cleanliness and orderliness of
the street environment and improve local environmental quality.

7.4.0 Fixed Penalty Notices
7.4.1 Fixed penalty notices (FPNs) are an opportunity for offenders to avoid prosecution for any of
the dog control offences shown in 7.2.4 by payment of the penalty. These are issued by
authorized officer when they directly witness or have evidence that an offence has been
committed within a dog control area. Officers should only issue FPNs where there is adequate
evidence to support a prosecution in court if a penalty is not paid.
7.4.2 Dog control fixed penalty notices are set at £80.00. This amount is reduced to £50.00 if the
penalty is paid within 10 days from the date the notice was given.
7.4.3 The general process and timescale for fixed penalty notice administration is as follows:

• Fixed penalty notice issued
• Offender has 10 working days within which to pay (early payment discount applies)
• If no payment received/representation – after 28 working days the offender receives a
Notice of Intended Prosecution
• A further 21 working days is allowed after the Notice of Intended Prosecution
• If no payment is received after this 21 day period the case file is prepared for Litigation
• Offenders can be prosecuted up to 6 months from the date of the offence

7.4.4 Trained officers carry out high-visibility patrols, observe situations and approach any dog
owner they see breaking the law. They will issue fixed penalty notices to anyone they 'catch'
committing an offence and the offender will be asked to take control of their dog and or clear
up after it. Officers patrol in areas where they have intelligence or information that this anti
social behaviour is occurring. We do not use video surveillance and rely on officers to take
immediate direct action should they observe offences during routine patrols.
7.4.5 In law, an FPN can be issued to anyone over the age of 10. Islington Council’s duty under the
Children Act 2004 requires that we discharge our functions with regard to the need to
safeguard and uphold the welfare of children.

7.4.6 Once an offence has been committed and the age of the offender has been ascertained
officers are advised to use care and sensitivity when dealing with young people. Where the
person is young (10 years and under), the officer will give them a verbal warning and remind
them of their responsibility to control their dog or to pick up it’s fouling and ask them to do so
and give them a Responsible Dog Ownership leaflet and dog fouling bag (where supplies
permit).
7.4.7 The issuing of FPNs to 10–15 year olds will be undertaken through a more consultative
approach with parents or legal guardians if they are in the vicinity. In such cases young
person will be encouraged to contact/notify their parents, legal guardian as soon as possible
before the FPN is issued. Where this is not possible the officer may decide to give them a
verbal warning etc as above. FPNs may be issued to 16 and 17 year olds in the same way as
for adults.
7.4.8 The CNEA 2005 makes it an offence to fail to give a proper name and address to the
authorised officer when requested to do so for the purposes of issuing an FPN. This issue will
be tackled by effective joined up working with the Police Safer Neighbourhood Officers or
Police.
7.4.9 Islington Council may retain any funds accrued from the serving of FPNs. The use of FPNs is
not intended to increase the Councils income. Any payments collected will be used to help
offset the costs of the enforcement function by helping fund for example, relevant educational,
operational and publicity initiatives.
7.4.10 While the vast majority of dog owners have a responsible attitude and obey the new Dog
Control Orders, there’s still a hardcore few dog owners of all ages whose anti social behaviour
and irresponsible action cause concern to the many law abiding residents. They give all dog
owners a bad name, which is clearly not fair.
7.4.11 Our emphasis will continue to be on education, prevention and responsible dog
ownership. However, we are getting tough and we will issue fines and even prosecute
offenders as a last resort, as sometimes this is the only way we will change some people’s
unacceptable behaviour.

7.5.0 Disposal/Cleansing and Removal
7.5.1 The strategy recommends that dog owners should always clean up after their pet/s and
therefore resources will be targeted on making disposal easier, with an emphasis on
education and enforcement rather than cleansing. Cleansing is expensive, requires ongoing
resource allocation and encourages people not to act as responsible dog owners.
7.5.2 The Council has phased out the use of specific dog waste bins on all land and encourage the
use of litterbins, which is now accompanied by appropriate signage to remind people to use
this as an appropriate means to dispose of properly bagged dog fouling.

7.6.0 Signage
7.6.1 In order to ensure that dog owners are aware of the existence of dog control orders we have
replaced existing signage in Greenspace and HFI land with robust signs encouraging
responsible dog owner behaviour and specifying which dog control order applies.
7.6.2 There are now prominent signs around the borough in parks and Islington estates highlighting
the law and penalties. We have put signs on the network of over 2000 litterbins in the borough
to indicate the existence of the relevant dog control order and to encourage/praise the use of
the bins for disposing of litter including bagged dog fouling.

7.7.0 Equalities and Exemptions
7.7.1 With reference to section 7.1.3 the offences under Orders 1 (Failing to pick up your dog fouling) does not apply to the following groups:
♦ A person who is registered as a blind person in a register compiled under section 29 of the
National Assistance Act 1948
♦ A person who has a disability which affects their mobility, manual dexterity, physical co-
ordination or ability to lift, carry or otherwise move everyday objects and relies on the
assistance of a dog trained by Dogs for the Disabled (registered charity number 700454),
Support Dogs (registered charity number 1088281) or Canine Partners for Independence
(registered charity number 803680).
7.7.2 In addition to those listed in 7.1.3 under Order 3 (Allowing your dog to enter a no dog area)
♦ A deaf person in respect of a dog trained by Hearing Dogs for Deaf People (registered
charity number 293358) is also exempt.
7.7.3 No offence is committed where a person has a reasonable excuse for taking their dog onto, or
allowing it to enter or remain on the land where the owner, occupier or other person or authority
who has control of the land has consented (generally or specifically) to their doing so.
7.7.4 CNEA 2005 regulations specifically state that being unaware that your dog has fouled or not
having the means to remove the fouling is not a reasonable excuse for failing to comply with the
order and may still result in an FPN being issued.

7.8.0 Other Dog Related Legislation
7.8.1 The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
7.8.2 This Act bans the ownership, breeding, sale, exchange and advertising for sale of Pit Bull
Terriers, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasiliero.
7.8.3 Some dogs of these breeds may be exempt from the ban, but owners must carry a Certificate
of Exemption with them and ensure that the dog is neutered, micro-chipped, insured, muzzled
and on a lead at all times when in a public place. Failure to do this may result in the dog being
seized by either the Police or the Animal Welfare Officer. The provisions under CNEA 2005 do
not alter the existing powers the Police have to deal with dangerous dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
7.8.4 Dangerous dogs can also be any breed of dogs that can be classed by their behaviour as being
dangerously out of control in a public place or where they are not permitted to be and have caused
injury or given grounds for reasonable apprehension that it would do so.
7.8.5 If a dog is one of the banned breeds or if a dog has bitten or attacked anyone and is still
presenting a danger to the public in a public place then the Police should be informed immediately
via 999. Under Section 5 of this Act the Police can seize the dog and take it to a secure kennel. If
an incident has already taken place then these should be reported to the Met Call Centre on 0207
704 1212 and they may use then a warrant to seize the dog. The Police may then prosecute the
owner.
7.8.6 If authorised council officers feel dogs behaviour is unacceptable and anti social or this has been reported to them (e.g. Ripping off tree bark, mauling on park furniture/ equipment, etc) then their first option will be to locate the owner and make them aware of their dogs intimidating behaviour. Officers will offer the owner advice and within the dog control order applicable ask the owner to take to control their dog appropriately.

7.9.0 Dogs Act 1871
7.9.1 Members of the public can use this Act to bring about civil proceedings if they feel that a dog is dangerous and not kept under proper control.
7.9.2 Although the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is used more frequently, successful proceedings under
the Dogs Act means that the court can impose a control order requiring a dog to be kept under
proper control at all times with along with other conditions if necessary. It also means that the in
rare cases that an owner can be banned from keeping a dog.

7.10.0 Deed Not Breed
7.10.1 Islington Council is in support of the deed not breed lobby which calls for an amendment to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 to adequately deal with aggressive or dangerous dogs (deeds) based
on the actions of a dog rather than its breed. This could be implemented by introducing a more
effective anti social behaviour order or acceptable behavior contracts type of control systems to
allow for suitably stringent controls on owners of dogs that display unwarranted aggression,
whatever the breed of dog.
7.10.2 We are aware that the 1991 Act was amended by the Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Act of 1997. This amendment has been widely welcomed, as it acknowledges the fact that not all dogs who are deemed to be of a 'type' mentioned in the Act pose a threat to the public, and as such need not always be put to sleep. The importance of this amendment is that it states that no dog need be
destroyed if a court is satisfied that it constitutes no danger to public safety. Instead, once the
court is satisfied of their suitable temperament and their owner's commitment to responsible care,
dogs may be registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs, micro chipped, neutered and returned to
their owner's care.
7.10.3 The implementation of this strategy and dog control orders will go some way to deal with
irresponsible owners. Such controls would include keeping the dog under control when asked to
by an authorised officer (including use of lead), training, rehabilitation of the dog, and keeping
dogs in a way that discourages any inappropriate aggression. We will continue to support relevant
legislative changes that underpin the Council’s commitment to responsible dog ownership.

7.11.0 Control of Dogs Order 1992 (Stray Dogs)
7.11.1 Under this legislation dog owners are required to ensure that their dogs always have a collar on with the owners name and address on it or on a tag attached to it when they are out on the public highway or in a public place.
7.11.2 If authorised officers find dogs with none of the above requirements they can report them as stray dogs to the Animal Welfare Officer. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Sects. 149-150, the Animal Welfare Officer can seize any dog that is not in the presence of its owner even if it is wearing the identification details above.
7.11.3 Stray dogs are then kept and cared for in secure kennels for a minimum of 7 days and if they are not claimed or the owner does not respond to a notice to come and collect it then it may be either sold, given to another owner, sent for re-housing at local dog rescue homes or as a very last resort destroyed. For security reasons for both the animals and the staff caring for them the location of the Council's Animal Pound is not disclosed to the public).
7.11.4 The Council’s Animal Welfare Officer keeps a record of all stray dogs found in the Animal Welfare Service Office at the address detailed in Section 12. The public via appointment during, office hours can access the register.

7.12.0 The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 & Byelaws
7.12.1 Section 65 of the CNEA 2005 repeals the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 and the new dog
control orders replace all existing Islington bylaws created in 1976 on any land in the borough
where the CNEA 2005 order deals with the same offence.
7.12.2 New byelaws can now only be created for dog control offences that are not contained in the
CNEA 2005. Until dog control orders are created the current byelaws applicable to specific
Greenspace land are still enforceable.

7.13.0 The Environmental Protection Act 1990 (as amended)
7.13.1 Section 68 of the CNEA 2005 amends the Environmental Protection Act 1990 by taking the
responsibility to deal with stray dogs from the Police and giving it to local authorities. This
became formal in April 2008.

7.14.0 Animal Welfare Act 2006
7.14.1 The Animal Welfare Act 2006 introduced in England on April 6th 2007 places a legal
responsibility on those who care for or own animals including dogs to allow them to exhibit
normal behaviour patterns i.e. walk/run freely and to provide a suitable diet i.e. food and
exercise. A person commits an offence if they inflict deliberate cruelty or their act or failure to
act causes an animal to suffer unnecessarily. It is hoped the Act as well as the new codes of
practice - which will be introduced in 2008 - will not only improve general animal welfare but also
help vastly reduce the number of stray dog.
7.14.2 The Animal Welfare Officer is authorized to act under this piece of legislation and implements
it during the course of exercising his duties. We will also take the requirements of this Act into
consideration when creating our dog control orders.

7.15.0 Enforcement Officers
7.15.1 Below is a summary of authorised officers able to enforce dog control orders in Islington:
Click here to go to Islington Council website for information on which officers can enforce the legislation
7.15.2 The Out of Hours Anti Social Behaviour Officers have been identified as both an education and advice and enforcement resource for the purpose of delivering this strategy for Homes for Islington and will be in operation between 14:00 – 22:00. They will be able to do this under delegated authority from Islington Council.
7.15.3 The current Park Patrol Officers are the only enforcement officers intended to patrol for
Greenspace and Leisure. Greenspace Rangers have no enforcement powers as their role is
primarily about community development/ engagement. The rangers will report incidents and collect
evidence, for the Park Patrol to action.
7.15.4 The Street Environment Officers’ role under their delegated authority from Director of
Environment will continue to include enforcement duties on the public highway along with
monitoring Islington’s waste contractor to ensure that litterbins are emptied regularly and
street cleanliness standards are achieved.
7.15.5 The Street Environment Wardens set up in April 2007 will provide a more visible community
support function. They will be more involved in working within hard to reach groups and ensuring
that they are aware of their roles and responsibilities on local community and environmental
issues. They are also able to carry out an enforcement function when it becomes necessary under
their delegated authority from Director of Environment.
7.15.6 The Warden Team will be working gathering evidence for producing acceptable behaviour
contracts where advice and support are not effective, to this end they will work closely with the
Council’s Anti Social Behaviour Team and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and
Animal Welfare Officer on a borough wide basis.
7.15.7 The Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s) are allocated to Islington’s 16 wards forming the 16 Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams. The PCSO’s under the new Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 will also be enforcing dog control offences and issuing FPNs to offenders. The Police also work in partnership with Islington’s Public Protection Services to deal with stray and dangerous dogs.
7.15.8 The strategy brings together operational services - Greenspace, HFI, Registered Social
Landlords, Street Environment Services, Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams as well as the
Anti – Social Behaviour Team, the Animal Welfare Officer and other advisory agencies such
as the Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club who have an impact on dog control issues and
ensures a joined up approach is delivered. This joint approach means the cause of dog control
issues will be understood and tackled and not just relocated as an unsolved problem from site
to site.

8 Developing a Joined Up Approach
8.1.0 Lead Department
8.1.1 Street Environment Services are responsible for leading on this strategy and co-ordinating it’s
implementation and involvement from the other services/agencies listed below:
8.1.2 The approach of this strategy relies on strong partnership working. Through partnership
working the aim of the strategy can be met in a shared and efficient manner. In order to seek
the most effective operation of this strategy we aim to work with, amongst others, the
following:
8.1.3 The authorised officers described in 7.15.1 will be responsible for providing operational
services. They along with representatives of the agencies listed above will meet to discuss
related matters on a periodic basis from the date of publication of this document.

8.2.0 Training
8.2.1 All authorised officers identified in Section 7.15.1 will receive training on the new legislation
and how to enforce it. The courses undertaken before any enforcement is carried out will
include:

♦ Equalities issues

♦ Customer Care
♦ Conflict Management

♦ Dog Behavioural Awareness
♦ Gathering evidence

♦ Court proceedings

8.2.2 Only competent officers who have appropriate qualifications or experience will be authorised
to take enforcement action. Officers will also have sufficient training and understanding of our
enforcement policies and their area of work to ensure a consistent approach to their duties.
8.2.3 All officers carry visible identification picture cards, at all times and an authorization card to
show what legislation they are able to enforce. The Director of Environment and Regeneration
endorses this.
8.2.4 Information will also be made available to community groups such as “Friends of” groups,
Tenant & Resident Associations and the “Eyes of Islington” on request. This will include an
update on the new legislation, the enforcement structure in place and how to report an
incident, and collect evidence.

8.3.0 Targeting Hotspots/Information Sharing
8.3.1 All authorised officers from operational areas identified in Section 7.15.0 will react to reported
dog control incidents across the borough:
Where possible officers will attend to public complaints within 24 hours from being notified and
take action to identify the offender(s), take information from witnesses and arrange for areas
to be cleansed (if relevant).
Locations of persistent complaints/incidents will be prioritised from:
♦ Contact Islington complaints

♦ Operational officer observations
♦ HFI residents

♦ Dog Tracker (Park Patrol service database)

Joint service enforcement and education/ awareness raising resources can then be focused
on these hotspots during planned exercises.
8.3.2 The hotspot locations on all land in the borough will be reviewed and monitored every six
months to check whether the locations are still affected by dog control issues. Resources can
then be reallocated to new hotspots were necessary.
8.3.3 Islington Council has access to a network of fixed and mobile (close circuit television units)
CCTV units across the borough. The enforcement of serious dog control issues may use
CCTV to provide evidence, especially for persistent offenders. Any use of evidence from this
source will be in compliance with the requirements under the Regulation of Investigative
Powers Act 2000.
8.3.4 The use of CCTV will be in conjunction with officer intelligence and will be part of a joined up
approach amongst all officers with enforcement powers and the CCTV control teams, to
ensure a coordinated efficient and proportionate enforcement operation.

8.4.0 Awareness Raising & Education Campaigns
8.4.1 As part of a unified approach publicity and communications regarding dog control will involve
all relevant council departments and partners. Plans will be jointly developed to outline how
the council and other agencies will publicise and promote responsible dog ownership and
discourage dog fouling and anti social behaviour.
8.4.2 We will use a variety of cost effective ways to increase awareness:
♦ Use of network of well trained existing officers to provide up to date and accurate
information.
♦ Clear and accessible poster and leaflet campaigns.
♦ Relevant press & media releases
♦ Clear reporting options for officers and residents
♦ Specific dog events
♦ Work with local schools and youth groups
♦ Work with relevant charities and interest groups
♦ Work with national organisations
♦ Promotion at council or community events
♦ Distribution of dog bags through retail outlets

♦ Articles in “in house” newsletters and website (e.g. Council newsletters, HFI
newsletters, etc)
♦ Develop and maintain a dedicated webpage on dog control and responsible dog ownership

8.5.0 Monitoring and Review
8.5.1 This strategy’s aim and effectiveness will be reported on using a number of evaluation tools. This evaluation will highlight the successes of the strategy and also illustrate any gaps in the
performance of the awareness raising and or enforcement functions. These performance
indicators are listed below:

♦ Evaluation of authorised officer training and understanding
♦ Number of leaflets distributed = number of messages
♦ Review number of participants at dog awareness events
♦ Review number of fixed penalty notices issued
♦ Review number of fixed penalty notices paid/cancelled
♦ Review number of prosecutions
♦ Increase in public satisfaction (residents survey)

♦ Review of dog control complaints statistics particularly dog fouling
♦ Reduction of dog fouling hotspots in the borough
♦ Monitoring of authorised officer performance/customer care

8.5.2 This strategy is a working document and will be updated as necessary. Representatives of the
authorised officers will meet at least twice per year to evaluate the performance indicators above
with a view to updating this document and our working practices accordingly. We will seek to invite
other related agencies to these meetings.
8.5.3 Our reviews will also seek to introduce where necessary any new related powers granted to local authorities in managing local environmental quality. The outcomes for progress on this strategy will be linked to Islington’s local environmental quality survey results which tell us periodically how clean our street environment is and will help us reset annual priority areas.

9 COMPLAINTS
9.0.1 The council wants to provide residents with high quality services and so complaints are
treated very seriously. If anyone is unhappy about a particular service, any action taken or
want to make a suggestion, they should first talk to the relevant local office or staff in that
department. Contact Islington on 020 7527 2000 can provide assistance with the number of
the relevant service area and re-direct the call.
9.0.2 The relevant service area will be advised of the complaint and follow Islington Council
complaints procedures to deal with complaints and send a full written reply within 10 working
days.
9.0.3 Details of our full complaints procedure, can be found on our website: -
http://www.islington.gov.uk/complaints

9.1.0 OPENESS AND HELPFULNESS
9.1.1 We aim to be open about the work we do and will be available to provide general advice, deal
with specific cases and investigate complaints. We view formal enforcement as a last resort
and prefer to work with the community to achieve compliance. We will provide translation and
interpretation services if English is not spoken or written by anyone we deal with.
9.1.2 For further information on these, and any other council services, please call Contact Islington
who will have telephone translation support available and information on how to obtain or read
this document in Braille or large print. Contact Islington can also be reached on 020 7527
2000 or email contact@islington.gov.uk or visit http://www.islington.gov.uk/accessibility
9.1.3 This is a public document. Further copies of this above can be obtained from:
          Street Environment Services
          Environment and Regeneration Department
          1 Cottage Road N7 8TP
          Telephone 020 7527 2000
          Fax 020 7527 4755
This document can also be found on our website - http://www.islington.gov.uk/dogs.
9.1.4 This document is reviewed periodically and we would be pleased to receive any comments
you have on it. Please send your comments in writing to the address shown above.
9.1.5 This policy was endorsed and agreed by the Executive Committee on 17th January 2008
9.1.6 This policy was last updated on 24th April 2009

The bottom line part 2... must come out

2009-11-12T17:23:00.002Z

Diaorrhea in Dogs: Causes and Treatment

Diaorrhea is the passage of loose, unformed stools. In most cases there is a large volume of stool and an increased number of bowel movements. The two most common causes of diaorrhea in dogs are dietary indiscretion and intestinal parasites. Many canine infectious diseases are also associated with acute diaorrhea.

Food takes about eight hours to pass through the small intestines. During that time, the bulk of the food and 80 percent of the water is absorbed. The colon concentrates the remainder. At the end, a well-formed stool is evacuated. A normal stool contains no mucus, blood, or undigested food.

With rapid transit through the bowel, food arrives at the rectum in a liquid state, resulting in a loose, unformed bowel movement. This type of rapid transit accounts for the majority of temporary diaorrhea in dogs.

Dietary indiscretion is a common cause of rapid transit. Dogs are natural scavengers and tend to eat many indigestible substances, including garbage and decayed food, dead animals, grass, wild and ornamental plants, and pieces of plastic, wood, paper, and other foreign materials. Many of these are irritating to the stomach as well as to the bowel, and are partially eliminated through vomiting.

Food intolerance can also cause rapid transit. Foods that some dogs seem unable to tolerate can include beef, pork, chicken, horsemeat, fish, eggs, spices, corn, wheat, soy, gravies, salts, spices, fats, and some commercial dog foods. Note that food intolerance is not the same as food allergy, which causes dermatitis and possibly vomiting, but rarely causes diaorrhea.

Intestinal parasites are a common cause of acute and chronic diaorrhea in puppies and adults. The greatest problems are caused by roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, threadworms, and giardia.

Diaorrhea is a common side effect of many drugs and medications, particularly the NSAIDs,which include aspirin. Some heart medications, some dewormers, and most antibiotics also can cause diaorrhea.

Dogs can experience diaorrhea when they’re excited or upset-for example, when they’re going to the veterinary hospital or a dog show. In fact, any sudden change in a dog’s diet or living circumstances may cause emotional diaorrhea.

Home Treatment of Diaorrhea
The most important step in treating acute diaorrhea is to rest the GI tract by withholding all food for 24 hours. The dog should be encouraged to drink as much water as he wants. With persistent diaorrhea, consider giving a supplemental electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte, available over the counter in pharmacies and grocery stores. Dilute it by one-half with water and add it to the dog’s drinking bowl. Custom canine electrolyte solutions and sport drinks are also available, such as K9 Thirst Quencher. These are flavored to encourage the dog to drink. If the dog won’t drink the electrolyte solution, offer only water. A low-salt bouillon cube dissolved in the water can help encourage him to drink.

Acute diaorrhea usually responds within 24 hours to intestinal rest. Start the dog out on an easily digestible diet that’s low in fat. Examples are boiled chicken with the skin removed. Cooked white rice, cottage cheese, cooked plain pasta and soft-boiled eggs are other easily digestible foods. Feed three or four very small meals a day for the first two days. Then slowly switch the diet back to the dog’s regular food.

Obtain immediate veterinary care if:

The diaorrhea is consistent and continues for more than 48 hours
The stool contains blood or is black and tarry
The diaorrhea is accompanied by vomiting
The dog appears weak or depressed or has a fever

Chronic Diaorrhea
The first step is to find and treat the underlying cause. Diaorrhea resulting from a change in diet can be corrected by switching back to the old diet and then making step-by-step changes to pinpoint the cause. When lactase deficiency is suspected, eliminate milk and dairy products from the diet, particularly as they are not required for adult dogs.

Diaorrhea caused by overeating (characterized by large, bulky, unformed stools) can be controlled by tailoring the diet more accurately to the caloric needs of the dog and feeding his daily ration in three equal meals.

Chronic, intermittent diaorrhea that persists for more than three weeks requires veterinary attention.

With thanks to webMD

The bottom line part 1 - what goes in

2009-11-12T16:44:00.000Z

It's not a pleasant subject but sooner or later your dog is going to experience an upset stomach and as a result, diaorrhea. More often than not an upset stomach and the odd bout of diarrhea is nothing to worry about. Dogs are scavengers and can and will eat some fairly disgusting things when given half the chance. Most upsets rectify themselves within 48 hours or so, during which time it is best to either starve your dog or provide a bland and binding alternative to their normal food, such as boiled rice and chicken. Charcoal biscuits are also known to help settle an upset stomach.

Sometimes however an upset stomach can indicate a more serious problem. If your dog has diaorrhea for more than a few days it is worth making a visit to the vet. In such cases you will normally be advised to feed a bland and regimented diet with minimal treats or chews.

Much like humans, too much of anything can cause a problem. Some commercial dog foods, particularly wet foods, can prove too rich for some dogs. If you find that your dog is not doing well on a wet food then it is worth trying a different brand or considering changing to a dry food. Many breeders have a favourite brand of food and many vet surgeries receive commission from selling the more 'high end' brands such as Hills, Iams and Science Plan. Just because you have a brand recommended to you does not mean that it is the only suitable option. Let your dog be your guide, if something doesn't suit him you will soon know and with so many types of food out there there is no reason not to feed your dog a diet that both you and your dog are happy with.

Many people feed their dogs rigid amounts at set meal times. This may not necessarily be the best option for you and your dog. Different breeds of dog have different needs both in terms of type and quantity of food. Puppies in particular need to eat a vitamin rich food several times a day. While some dogs do gorge themselves at every opportunity - most notably Labradors - there are plenty more dogs who benefit from free feeding. With this method you provide your dog with a bowl of food and allow them to work their way through it as and when they wish. Interestingly puppies who are free fed tend not to develop the habit of bolting their food or becoming food obsessed - both of which can have severe health implications.

All too often we see dogs who are fed a rigid amount and who as a result practically inhale their food. If as puppies they had been able to eat as much as they needed when they needed it is likely that they would not feel that any food on offer must be eaten as quickly as possible before it is gone.

Why does my dog get tear stains?

2009-11-08T23:11:00.000Z

For many owners of white dogs tear stains are a constant battle. While there exist many products on the market which claim to help prevent staining success remains limited.

So why do dogs suffer from these unsightly stains in the first place? Tear stains are caused by excessive tear production, a symptom known as epiphora. The most common causes of epiphora are genetics, allergies, eyelash irritation and blocked or infected tear ducts.

As a result of this excessive tear production and the presence of constant moisture on the face, bacteria and yeast can flourish. The most common of these bacterium is ‘red yeast’ which leads to the typical red-brown stains associated with light haired breeds.

The first step for ridding your dog of these pesky stains is to check with a vet to ensure that your dog isn't suffering from an infected or blocked tear duct. Beyond this it really is a case of trial and error to find a product which works for your dog. Typically food supplements have the most success but topical applications can also be used to form a two prong attack.

As supplements work to prevent new hair growth from staining it is often worth trimming away existing hair while the new growth comes through.

The lowdown on lungworms

2009-09-22T21:09:00.000+01:00

D for Dogs has recently published this important update on lungworm infection in the UK:

Lungworm infection in dogs, caused by the parasite Angiostrongylus vasorum, is spreading. A recent nationwide survey of UK vets has revealed that over 25 per cent of those questioned had either confirmed or suspected a case of this potentially fatal condition, yet as few as six per cent of dog owners had even heard of the disease.

Dogs become infected with the lungworm through eating slugs and snails which carry the larvae of the parasite. Infections were most common in parts of Ireland, Wales and southern England. However, recent outbreaks as far north as Scotland mean the parasite is now a nationwide threat.

With this in mind, Bayer Animal Health has launched a ‘Be Lungworm Aware’ campaign to help raise the profile of this parasite amongst dog owners. The initiative aims to make a wide range of advice available, including signs of infection and how to obtain treatment, and to promote the benefits of a parasite control programme that takes into account the risk of dogs becoming infected.

Lungworm is a particularly dangerous condition as if left untreated, it is often fatal. Signs to look out for include coughing, reluctance to exercise, depression, weight loss, fits, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, paralysis and persistent bleeding from even small cuts. Dogs known to eat slugs and snails should also be considered candidates for a check up with a vet, even if they are showing no outward signs of infection.

“The condition has become a nationwide threat to the canine population, however awareness of this particular lungworm is low,” commented Bayer Animal Health. “The ‘Be Lungworm Aware’ campaign aims to educate owners on the risks associated with infection and encourage them to visit their vet for further information and to discuss their dogs’ parasite protection plan.”

Lungworm Background - Killer disease of dogs

The lungworm Angiostrongylus vasorum is a potentially lethal parasite that can infect dogs, and is spreading across the UK.

Sometimes referred to as the French Heartworm, left untreated this parasite represents a very serious risk to a dog’s health and can kill. On a positive note, increased awareness amongst vets of the condition and the availability of an effective spot-on flea and worm product means that vets are well placed to manage the disease.

Dogs catch lungworm through eating slugs and snails which carry the larvae of the parasite. While most dogs do not habitually eat slugs and snails, they may do so by accident e.g. when a slug or snail is sitting on a bone or a favourite toy, or when drinking from a puddle or outdoor water bowl.

Some dogs take great pleasure in eating these miniature ‘treats’, and should be considered at risk from infection.

Foxes can also become infected, and the increase in urban fox populations might be a reason for the spread of the parasite across the country.

In addition, global warming has been suggested as a factor for the movement of the lungworm to the north of the UK, with warmer weather allowing the parasite to survive in areas seemingly too cold in the past.

There are many signs to be aware of, although an infected dog may appear totally healthy. Coughing, reluctance to exercise, depression, weight loss, fits, vomiting, diarrhoea and persistent bleeding from even minor cuts are all possible signs. Dogs under the age of two appear to be more susceptible than older dogs, though dogs of all ages and breeds can be affected. The wide range of signs can easily be confused with other illnesses so contacting your veterinary practice is important. Early diagnosis by a vet, followed by appropriate treatment, will usually lead to a full recovery.

If you suspect your dog may have eaten a slug or a snail or is exhibiting any of the signs of lungworm, it is important that you make an appointment at your vet for a check-up. Your vet can perform a relatively simple test that can help determine whether your dog is infected.

Hints and tips to help prevent lungworm adversely affecting your dog
Lungworm is now being reported by vets across many parts of the UK, including Scotland. However, there's no reason why this potentially fatal disease should present your dog with any particular problems.

A little extra vigilance and a few simple precautions could avoid any suffering should your dog come into contact with this particularly nasty parasite.

Be vigilant
• Watch to see if your dog likes eating slugs and/or snails, particularly in spring and autumn when these molluscs are more prevalent

• Know your dog – signs of the disease are varied and can easily be confused with other ailments, so keep an eye out for anything unexpected. Signs of the disease include:

- reluctance to exercise
- coughing
- depression
- weight loss
- fits
- vomiting
- weakness
- paralysis/inability to walk
- excessive bleeding from even minor wounds

• Contact your vet if you have any concerns, your dog habitually eats slugs or snails, or if see any of the signs described above

Where possible, take precautions
• Avoid the use of outdoor drinking water and food bowls which often attract slugs or snails – there is evidence that slime trails can infect a dog if they are eaten

• Don't leave your dog's toys, chews or bones in the garden as they can attract snails

• Ask your vet for a parasite control programme that takes into account the risk of dogs becoming infected

Detailed information on the disease and advice on what to do if you suspect your dog is infected with this parasite can be found online at www.lungworm.co.uk.

Is your pup's jumping up getting you down?

2009-09-21T22:16:00.003+01:00

One of the most common problems 4Paws Outdoors gets asked to address is that of over enthusiastic dogs jumping up when meeting people.

Of the many dog behaviors which have been unintentionally trained by owners, jumping up is probably the best example. Ever since your dog was a puppy he has learnt that jumping up to greet people is rewarded by attention. Even if you initially encouraged him to 'sit' to meet people you may well have given up after you realised that every un-briefed passerby dangled a hand temptingly for your dog to kiss.

But as with so many behaviours what is cute in a 3 month old pup is less so when fully grown. So over the years well meaning friends and trainers may have advocated some or all of the following; grabbing the dog's forepaws, squirting lemon juice/citronella/tabasco or more in your dog's face, kneeing him in the chest, hitting him on the head with a rolled up newspaper, stepping on his hind toes or pushing him over backwards. And why? Simply because your dog is doing something he has been 'trained' to do since puppyhood.

Not only is punishing the dog for this behavior confusing, what's more it usually exacerbates the problem.

Put yourself in your dog's paws for a second. What does jumping up mean in doggy language? Pawing, jumping up, play bowing, almost anything involving the forepaws is your dog saying "Hi, I'm trying to be friendly, can I get a little of your attention please?"
So here comes your dog trying his best to be friendly and what do we do? We tell him off. What will this achieve? Most likely your dog will start pogo-ing not only to show you his friendliness but also to apologise for whatever he has done to upset you.

So how do you teach your pup better doggy manners?

Firstly think of what your dog is motivated by, a squeaky toy, a ball, a treat or lots of kisses. By teaching your dog that saying 'hello' politely gets him one or more of these things, you will have a dog who sits nicely faster than you can say 'Good boy!"

One of the best ways of encouraging your dog to sit when he meets people training is to let him work out how to do it all by himself. It allows him to really use his brain, and it allows us the opportunity to see how quickly our canine friends can learn.

Show the dog you have some tasty treats in your pocket and then just stand there and don't interact with your dog at all. Simply ignore all the dog's inappropriate antics. The more excited the dog, the more he learns what doesn't work to get your attention or the treat. The dog will sit eventually and when he does say "good dog" immediately and offer a treat. Then take one step and repeat the procedure.

In just half a dozen or so repetitions you will find the dog will sit the second you stand still. The dog will learn that sitting is the best ploy to get people to offer treats and it will start to use this greeting with many people.

In order for your dog to generalize the concept of sitting to greet people (i.e. it is the best thing to do with everyone) the only way to get reliability is through repetition. So, let your dog meet lots of nice people, but be sure to be there to calmly and gently help him to choose the right option (sitting). For a few weeks carry around a little toy and/or a few pieces of your dog's dry food and use them to reward your dog for sitting. When you meet a nice person on the street ask them to be the one to give your dog the reward (be sure your dog is friendly with people). The more times your dog sits to greet people the more he will sit to greet people!

Puppy housetraining: moving on from the pee pads

2009-09-16T20:16:00.002+01:00

Some house trained dogs show obvious signs when they need to go out, like scratching or barking at the door. But others aren’t as adept at telling people when they need to relieve themselves. They know that outside is the place to go, but they can’t figure out how to get there. So they station themselves by a door and wait…and wait…and wait. If their people don’t notice them in time, these dogs are forced to urinate or defecate inside, often right in front of the door where they’ve been silently waiting.

If this sounds like your dog then you need to teach him to do something obvious to ask for outdoor access. One of the simplest solutions is to train him to ring a “doorbell.” When your dog rings his bell, you can clearly hear his request, even if you’re in another room.

Step 1: Teach your dog to touch the bell with his nose

You can make your own dog doorbell using a couple of small bells from a crafts supply store. Attach some kind of sturdy string to the bells. (You’ll use the string later to hang the bells on a doorknob or on a hook next to your door.) Before starting your first training session, cut a number of tasty treats into bite-sized pieces.

Say “Touch” and present the bells to your dog. Hold them just an inch or two away from his nose. He’ll probably move toward the bells to sniff them. (If he doesn’t, you can rub a treat on the bells to make them a little more interesting.)
The moment your dog’s nose touches the bells, say “Good dog!” and immediately give him a treat. Here your timing is important, your dog needs to know he’s doing the right thing the instant he touches the bells with his nose. (If you use a clicker to train your dog, you can click instead of praising.)
Repeat 10 to 15 times or until your dog readily touches the bells with his nose.
When your dog confidently pokes the bells with his nose as soon as you present them an inch or two in front of him, start to present the bells a little further away or off to the side each time you say “Touch.” Your dog will have to turn his head or take a few steps to touch the bells.

Spend three to five days practicing the exercise above, aiming for at least one practice session per day. Then you’re ready for Stage Two.

Stage Two: Teaching Your Dog to Ring the Bell on the Door

Use the string connected to the bells to hang them on your doorknob or on a hook next to your door. Get your treats ready and call your dog over to the door.

Take the bells in your hand (with them still hanging on the knob), say “Touch,” and hold them out toward your dog.
Right when your dog’s nose touches the bells, say “Good dog!” and give him a treat.
Repeat 5 to 10 times or until your dog readily touches the bells as soon as you say ”Touch.”
After a short break from the three steps above, do the exercise again, but this time just point to the bells instead of holding them.
Say “Touch,” and point to the bells.
As soon as your dog touches the bells with his nose, say "Good dog” and give a treat. (If he doesn’t touch the bells, repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 above, holding the bells in your hand when you ask your dog to touch them. After practicing these steps for a couple of days, try just pointing to the bells again.)
Repeat the exercise 5 to 10 times.

Plan to practice Stage Two with your dog for three to five days, just like you practiced Stage One.

Stage Three: Teaching Your Dog to Ring the Bell at the Right Time

Now you can put your plan into action. When you take your dog outside for a toilet break ask him to touch the bells with his nose right before you open the door.

Approach the door with your dog. Say “Touch,” and point to the bells.
The moment he touches the bells with his nose, say “Good dog!” Then open the door and let your dog go outside.

Ask your dog to ring the bells every time you take him out. With repetition, your dog will learn that he has to touch the bells with his nose to make you open the door. Eventually, when he wants to go outside, he’ll go to the door on his own and ring the bells.

The first time this happens, praise him enthusiastically and immediately let him outside. Give him a few tasty treats after he does his business to make sure he understands that you love it when he rings the bell.

Troubleshooting

Playtime vs. Toilet time

Once they discover that bell ringing makes the door open, many clever dogs ring the bells whenever they’d like go outside—even when they don’t need to relieve themselves. If this sounds like your dog, you need to teach him that bell ringing is only for relieving himself. When he rings the bell to go out, praise him, clip on his leash and take him directly to the place where you’d like him to eliminate. Don’t play with him. Just give him three to five minutes to urinate or defecate. If he does, great! Praise him again and give him a treat before taking him back in. If he doesn’t do his business, just take him back inside.

Dogs Who Prefer Using Their Paws

Does your dog seem reluctant to touch things with his nose? If so, try teaching him to ring a doorbell with his paw instead. There are a number of dog doorbells currently on the market, such as the Tell Bell™ or the Lentek Pet Chime. After mounting one of these products on your wall or placing it on the floor, you can train your dog to paw or step on it. See the product’s packaging or user manual for training instructions.

An introduction to positive reinforcement training

2009-09-16T09:48:00.004+01:00

Recent years have seen a move away from the use of punitive methods in dog training. Where once trainers were set on making dogs bend to their will now more and more are moving to a system where good behaviour is encouraged rather than 'bad' or incorrect behaviour disciplined.

The idea of positive reinforcement training lies at the heart of popular modern training methods such as clicker training. Typically the reward is food based but this need not always be the case. If you have a dog who is very keen on a particular toy, or who particularly loves to be made a fuss of then these can also be used as rewards. Many specialist 'working' dogs such as Police sniffer dogs are trained using this method and rewarded with the ultimate prize of a squeaky ball having correctly sniffed out drugs or explosives.

Key to using positive reinforcement is correct timing. It is essential that the reward must occur immediately—within seconds—of your pet performing the desired behaviour, or your pet may not associate it with the proper action.

When your pet is learning a new behavior it is important to reward them every time they correctly do what you want, which means continuous reinforcement. Initially it may be necessary to use a technique called "shaping" in order to achieve the desired result. Shaping means reinforcing when your dog gets close to the desired result and then gradually requiring that your dog do more in order to earn the treat.

For example, if you're teaching your dog to "shake hands," you may start by rewarding your dog for lifting their paw off the ground, then for lifting it higher, then for touching your hand, then for letting you hold their paw, and finally, for actually "shaking hands" with you.

Once your dog has successfully learnt a behaviour you can move to using intermittent reinforcement . At first, reward your dog with the treat three out of every four times they do the behavior. Then, over time, reward them about half the time, then about a third of the time, and so on, until you're only rewarding her occasionally with the treat. Continue to praise your dog every time—although once your dog has learned the behavior, your praise can be less effusive, such as a quiet, but positive, "Good dog." Use a variable schedule of reinforcement so that they don't catch on that they only have to respond every other time.

Reminder - your dog, identity tags and the law

2009-09-15T14:24:00.002+01:00

All responsible dog owners know their dog should wear a tag to help with identification should he stray. But did you know that it is in fact a LEGAL requirement for your dog to wear one.

Current law requires requires that your dog wear a tag with your name, address (including postcode) and ideally phone number.

"The Control of Dogs Order 1992 mandates that any dog in a public place must wear a collar with the name and address (including postcode) of the owner engraved or written on it, or engraved on a tag. Your telephone number is optional (but advisable)." [ref Kennel Club website]

If you fail to comply with the law then you risk a fine of up to £5,000. With the wide variety of tags available there's no reason for even the most fashion conscious pup not to wear a tag.

Woman arrested over dog fighting

2009-09-15T14:22:00.002+01:00

The following article was published in The Times on September 9th:

A leading member of one of England’s biggest dog-fighting gangs, which had links with Northern Irish paramilitaries, wanted to become the Don King of the pitbull training world, a court was told yesterday.

Gary Adamson, 38, trained his illegally owned dogs on treadmills to compete in fights around Britain and attended “conventions” in Finland where severely injured animals had clips fastened to their ears and were electrocuted.

The harrowing accounts and secretly filmed footage of cruel treatment emerged at the start of a two-week trial at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court.

During a series of raids by the RSPCA, after an undercover investigation by a former SAS operative, it emerged that gang members also made pitbulls train in swimming tanks or by attacking “lunge poles” with dummies hanging from them to maximise the animals’ aggression.

The RSPCA raids also seized “break sticks” for parting the animals once their jaws had locked on to others, and veterinary products to treat animals injured in makeshift fight pits.

Five people, including Adamson, a welder from Yarm, North Yorkshire, have admitted a series of dog-fighting offences under the Dangerous Dogs and Animal Welfare Acts. They face jail terms of up to six months and fines of £20,000.

Claire Parker, 44, a mother of three from Kexby, Lincolnshire, was also in court yesterday. She denied being present at a dog fight, keeping premises for fights and owning three pitbulls. The breed is banned in Britain.

Mohammed Nasir Farooq, 33, from Birmingham, denied involvement in a dogfight, causing unnecessary suffering to a pitbull and possessing equipment associated with dog fights.

The RSPCA brought the case after Steve Ibinson, an undercover investigator and former SAS member, infiltrated a dog-fighting gang called the Farmer Boys, with alleged paramilitary links in Northern Ireland, for a BBC Panorama programme.

Mr Ibinson went on to uncover a series of links between that gang and dog-fighting criminals in England. Only now can his identity be revealed. He died of natural causes earlier this year while serving as a security guard in Afghanistan.

The court heard that after a fight at Mrs Parker’s garage, Adamson’s dog, Pablo, was so badly scarred that it appeared to have had a shotgun fired in its face. In secretly recorded video footage, Adamson is shown standing next to three reinforced pens in his yard, boasting that Pablo suffered a “real good ragging” during a 26-minute fight for a £500 prize.

The dog appears nervous as Adamson lifts it at one point by the collar to show numerous white facial scars, a badly torn ear and some wounds stapled up. The animal lost the fight and is thought to have died from its injuries, the court heard.

Mr Ibinson said in a recorded statement that Adamson was the representative of northeast England of the Farmers Boys, from Co Armagh, and aspired to be to pitbull fighting what Don King was to boxing.

Adamson was shown explaining that he wanted to make Pablo train in a swimming tank. At one point he grinned as he said that his mother was a member of the RSPCA, while was a badger-baiter.

Mr Ibinson said that he travelled with Adamson to Finland where they watched “conventions”, or dog fights, one of which resulted in a severely injured animal being electrocuted.

Michael Shorrock, QC, for the prosecution, said that RSPCA officers seized treadmills, break sticks and veterinary products at the house where Mrs Parker lived with her children and her late husband John, known as “Odd Ball”, a convicted dog fighter who died in prison.

Mr Shorrock rejected her suggestion that she was unaware of what took place in the garage.

The case continues.

A street status symbol

Two thirds of all dog fighting reports received by the RSPCA are directly connected to young men and women using their dogs as “weapons” in streets and parks

Animal welfare officers have reported horrific stab wounds, broken bones and cigarette burns to the dogs’ heads

In 2007 37 per cent of calls to the RSPCA about dog fighting related to instances where youths were “fighting” their animals outside. Last year that figure rose to 66 per cent

London has emerged as a hotspot. The Metropolitan Police seized 38 dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act between April 2004 and April 2005. Between April 2007 and April 2008 officers seized 719

Islington dog attack - Barnard Park

2009-08-25T01:50:00.003+01:00

We have heard recently of another dog attack in the area. Word has reached us of an Alsatian puppy who was apparently mauled to death by a gang of staffies in Barnard Park. Please be vigilant when exercising your dogs and contact the police if you have any concerns.

Summer colds - kennel cough

2009-08-25T00:16:00.002+01:00

Kennel cough is caused by a combination of viruses and bacteria including:As many dog owners will know kennel cough is currently doing the rounds amongst the canine population in London. Unfortunately many people still believe that kennel cough is a life threatening disease and as such there is a stigma attached to admitting your dog has it or has had it.

Kennel cough is in fact very common and rarely serious. It is essentially the same as the common cold in humans. The reason that people have traditionally been worried by kennel cough is because it is highly contagious, again like the human cold. As such dogs that are kept in close contact can rapidly spread the disease to one another, for example those staying in kennels. Living in a city means however, that our dogs come into daily contact with many more dogs than their country cousins. Consequently it is much more likely that a dog living in the city is going to pick up kennel cough at least once in their life.

So, what exactly is kennel cough?

Canine parainfluenzavirus
Canine adenovirus
Bordetella bronchiseptica

These bugs get into the dog's body and irritate the dogs throat which leads to the tell tale coughing. Kennel cough is easily identified by a harsh, hacking cough which sounds like your dog has something stuck in his throat. Most dogs are not really unwell when they have the disease although occasionally they have a high temperature and are a bit 'out of sorts' for a day or two. The cough tends to get worse for a few days and then gradually goes away.

What should I do?
Kennel cough is what is known as a self limiting disease. This means that it tends to resolve itself within a few days, again much like the human cold. There is NO treatment that will cure your dog of kennel cough - basically they have to fight off the infection themselves.

Very rarely, if the infection spreads to the chest and threatens to become pneumonia, or if your dog is unwell in himself or has a weak immune system, your vet may prescribe some antibiotics. However, these will NOT stop the coughing more quickly, NOR will they stop your dog from being contagious. Instead your vet will probably recommend that you give your dog cough linctus, you can safely give your dog human baby cough linctus which can be bought from any chemists. However do make sure that the linctus is for tickly coughs, not productive coughs. It is very important that you do not give your dog a medicine with ibuprofen or guaifenesin in it as these are dangerous.

What else can you do to help?
Just as in people with a cold, coughing is brought on by exercise, excitement and exposure to cold air. If your dog has kennel cough you should keep them in a warm environment (where possible) and try not to exercise them too much.
Avoid situations where your dog is likely to bark, as this is highly likely to cause coughing. If your dog normally wears a collar, take this off, to stop it irritating his throat, and exercise him outside with a harness or halter and lead.
Remember that other dogs are at risk of catching the cough from your dog, however by the time your dog starts coughing he is past his most contagious. Do not let your dog cough over other dogs, keep him on a lead when exercising him, and try and prevent him from sharing balls and other toys until his cough has gone.

How can I prevent kennel cough?
There are several vaccines available which can help protect your dog against the different viruses and bacteria that can cause kennel cough. Many of these vaccines are given as drops into the nose, although some are available as injections too.

Although these vaccines MAY help protect your dog against certain viruses and bacteria it is important to understand that they do not guarantee your dog won't get kennel cough. Much like the flu jab for humans, kennel cough vaccines will most likely just lessen the severity of a bout of kennel cough which your dog might get. There is such a wide and ever changing variety of bugs that cause kennel cough that it is impossible to find one vaccine that protects against them all.

Many kennels require you to vaccinate your dog against kennel cough before their stay, however as mentioned above this is no guarantee against your dog contracting kennel cough. Vaccination to protect against Bordetella bronchiseptica (one of the causes of kennel cough) is usually only carried in 'at risk' individuals - often just prior to entry to boarding kennels. The immunity produced by this vaccine does not last long and revaccination is required as often as every 6 months to maintain protection.

More evidence that the 'dominance' theory of canine behaviour is flawed

2009-08-13T17:52:00.002+01:00

The University of Bristol has also weighed in with further evidence that a dog's desire to be dominant is not the main factor behind canine aggression.

Researchers from the university spent six months studying dogs at a Dogs Trust Centre, and used their findings to reanalyse earlier studies carried out on feral dogs. It was concluded that relationships between dogs are built through the experiences that individuals are exposed to rather than being motivated by an overriding desire to assert dominance or be the 'pack leader'.

Furthermore it has been suggested that training aimed at reducing dominant/aggressive behaviour could actually exacerbate the situation. Owners who continue to assert their 'pack leader' status over their dog are effectively bullying and intimidating the animal. Any submission seen will be restricted to very limited circumstances and will be the result of the dog coming to expect/fear punishment/chastisement. Ultimately this can cause dogs to become more aggressive, particularly when combined with physical abuse such as hitting and kicking.

As Dr Rachel Casey,Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare, said "The blanket assumption that every dog is motivated by some inane desire to control people and other dogs is frankly ridiculous.It hugely underestimates the complex communicative and learning abilities of dogs.It also leads to the use of coercive training techniques,which compromise welfare,and actually cause problem behaviours".

So if you have an ASBO pup look to see what you've been doing to your dog, chances are your actions are the root cause of the problem.

One hound's opinion on muzzling dogs

2009-07-16T08:24:00.003+01:00

The Times has enlisted the services of Buster Hattersley to produce an account of the dangerous dogs debate from a canine perspective.
Times Article

A new way of thinking...

2009-07-14T01:36:00.000+01:00

Since the success of a particular celebrity dog trainer it has become trendy for dog owners to try and emulate the role of 'pack leader' when training their dogs. However there is an increasing amount of literature from scientists and wolf experts alike which suggests this concept is flawed at best, and downright dangerous at worst.

Much of the current trend is down to studies carried out in the 1950s on wolves in captivity - what we know now, but didn't then, is that the study was fatally flawed in two ways. Firstly the dogs were captive, so not behaving as they would in their natural environment, secondly the group was made up of random individuals rather than the family members that typically make up a pack. The end result is that the picture obtained, one which has been widely used in the last 50 years of dog training, was a false one. In fact modern scientific research has effectively debunked the theory that it is necessary to dominate a dog when training it.

Below are links to a sample of resources that provide scientific references and/or useful commentary on the subject.

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior Position Statement

International Positive Dog Trainers Association article

NY Times Article about the Cesar Milan approach with quotes from wolf expert David Mech

Publications by wolf expert David Mech

Watch the "Alpha Roll" in action

DOGS: A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF CANINE ORIGIN, BEHAVIOR, AND EVOLUTION
by Raymond & Lorna Coppinger.

Biologic Basis of Behavior of Domestic Dog Breeds by Roy Coppinger and Lorna Coppinger

Here is an excerpt from the above:

Interviewer: Among your new views of the dog is a rejection of the trainer as the "alpha wolf" and the dogs as the "submissive pack member." Why have you rejected what has essentially become dogma in the dog training world?

Ray and Lorna: The alpha wolf model of dog training certainly does appear frequently in print, but we wonder if it was ever really incorporated into serious dog training. We suspect it was never very useful in training dogs, and that almost everybody intuitively knew that. It was "say one thing, do another."

Certainly all the new techniques, such as click and treat, are not based on dominance. We've watched top trainers like Terry Ryan and Ken McCort, and never saw any hint of "I'm the dominant wolf." People who try modifying aggressive dogs don't try to "dominate" them into submission. Everybody agrees that would be a disaster. Imagine training a wolf by dominating it. Quick way to get killed.

It is a mistake to think that because dogs are descended from wolves, they behave like wolves. Wolves do not show the "alpha roll," or any other hierarchical behavior, except in specific circumstances, particularly during reproductive and feeding behaviors. Wolf packs on a hunt are working cooperatively, and hierarchy goes by the board.

Training dogs is fun for me and for the dog, as it should be. Our sled dogs ran because running is fun and feels good. Endorphins are released, social interactions are increased. Try running while you're being submissive. Dogs aren't pulling sleds because they are forced to or are submitting to some person's will. Everybody who ever drove dogs knows that you absolutely cannot force them to do it.

Interviewer:It will be hard to get that alpha wolf/submissive wolf thinking eliminated from the parlance of dog training, but for starters, how should people think about their relationship with their dog?

Ray and Lorna: It won't be hard to get the wolf pack mentality to go by the board simply because we don't think many of the experts ever really believed it. It is through social play behavior that animals learn from one another. Further, it is fun to play with our dogs even if none of us learn anything. It will certainly make more sense to the dog than to be tumbled onto its back and growled at by a human.

Colin Allen and Marc Bekoff have recently drawn attention to a category of behaviors they call intentional icons. Dogs have signals they use when they want to play — the play bow. The play bow is a signal that all the following behaviors like growls and snarls are all in fun. Consider what might happen if you gave the "dominant male" intentional icon, indicating everything that happens from now on is about the driver being the dominant dog. The sled dogs, if they were reacting as submissive wolves, would then lie on their backs and pee in the air instead of running as a team.

Instead of threatening our dogs every time we want to train them, we need to perfect the human play bow which tells the dog the games are about to begin. Remember that games have rules, and what the dog and the humans learn during play is what the rules of the game are. That makes sense in teaching or training, whether it is dogs or students. The intent of dominance display is to exclude the subordinate from some activity, like breeding. The alpha wolf isn't trying to teach the subordinate anything.

Dog attacks continue in Islington

2009-07-10T22:08:00.001+01:00

Sadly it seems that dog attacks are becoming even more common in Islington. In recent weeks I have heard reports of a Yorkie being killed just off Essex Road, a Bedlington Terrier being attacked twice - once on Upper Street and once on Chapel Market and now a Lhasa-Apso being killed on York Way.

Unfortunately even when these incidents are reported to the police little is done. The owner of two dogs which attacked a local terrier was visited by the police but protested that his dogs had never attacked before. As local dog owners know this was untrue - but unfortunately as the previous victims had not contacted the police there was no evidence to disprove the owner's assertions.

Frustratingly these two dogs continue to be exercised off the lead and unmuzzled in the park where the attack took place. Having spoken to the police they confirmed that this was permitted and they could only intervene if the dogs were reported as dangerously out of control. When I suggested that a dog which has a history of vicious attacks and which is allowed to run around loose and unmuzzled could be considered the very definition of dangerous and out of control I was told this simply isn't the case.

I strongly encourage all dog owners in the Islington area who are victims of dog attacks to let the Barnsbury Dog Blog know of their experiences, even if they do not wish to involve the police.

4Paws Outdoors comes to Barnsbury

2009-05-27T23:27:00.000+01:00

There are times when most of us could do with a helping hand caring for our dogs. Be it going on holiday, working, or just an evening out sometimes you need someone to let the dog out or take it for a walk - this is where 4Paws Outdoors steps in.

4Paws offers a wide variety of services including dog walking, dog boarding, doggy daycare and lots of other interesting things. If you live in Islington and need a helping hand with your hound then you know where to go.

4PawsOutdoors

Check out 4Paws Outdoors...

2009-05-26T23:58:00.001+01:00

A new Barnsbury based dogwalking service which also offers doggy daycare, boarding, puppy playgroups and much more.
4Paws Outdoors

Poisonous plants and other household dangers

2009-05-25T01:15:00.000+01:00

Now that summer is in sight many people's minds will be turning to gardening. There's nothing nicer than having a bit of outdoor space for your pet to relax in. However if like me you have dogs that like to eat plants it's important to make sure there are no hidden dangers in your garden. An easy way to do this is by reading the Dogs Trust pamphlet detailing which plants and household objects are poisonous.

BBC3 - my weapon is a dog

2009-05-23T00:06:00.001+01:00

Last night there was a great programme on BBC3 which dealt with the phenomenon of 'dangerous' dogs being used as weapons. If you have the time to watch it then please do, it's very pertinent not only to this blog but to the situation with dogs in cities more generally.

There's still time to watch the programme both on iPlayer and over the next few days when it is shown at the following times:

Thu 21 May 2009
21:00
BBC Three
Fri 22 May 2009
00:15
BBC Three
Sun 24 May 2009
00:05
BBC Three
Sun 24 May 2009
04:05
BBC Three
Mon 25 May 2009
00:15
BBC Three
Mon 25 May 2009
04:35
BBC Three
Wed 27 May 2009
02:15
BBC Three

Post holiday hello

2009-05-22T23:46:00.001+01:00

Firstly I'd like to say 'hello' to everybody who reads this blog. I've not posted for a while as I've been out of the country amongst other things. However I'm back now with more information for residents of Barnsbury and their pooches.

One of the best things about Barnsbury is, in my mind, Barnsbury Square. Having spent a few months looking for a suitable space to socialise my two little hounds I discovered the square. Initially I had been doing loops of the area, taking in Thornhill Square, Barnard Park - top and bottom, Thornhill Gardens and Barnsbury Square.

Unfortunately however I had several close shaves with other dogs in Barnard Park . On one occasion a group of Staffies which were off the lead charged at my Scrap while he was still tiny - out of the blue and completely unprovoked. It was clear that as a pack they viewed him as prey and would have treated him as such had they managed to get hold of him. Luckily another dog owner was sitting on one of the benches and managed to grab him as he ran by.

A few weeks later Scrap was charged by a 3 legged rescue Greyhound - although the Greyhound was muzzled he managed to scoop and flip Scrap several feet into the air. Luckily it appears Papillon pups are less fragile than they look! This just goes to show that muzzling does not mean your dog can't be injured - this scoop and flick is something I have often seen - particularly in sight hounds - with the intention of breaking the prey's neck.

The final straw was when I learnt that a particular Akita that uses the park has killed at least one smaller dog. I was outraged by this - not just because such a dog was being walked off the lead and unmuzzled in a public space, but because I had specifically asked the owner whether he was friendly towards smaller puppies and been assured that he 'loved them'.

After those episodes I realised that allowing my dogs into the Barnard 'Dog' Park was jeopardising their safety and so I gave up going. I felt disappointed by this as I am a firm believer in socialising pups with as broad a range of other breeds as possible but I can't risk their lives for my ideals.

Sadly I soon stopped walking over the other side of Barnard Park for similar reasons - on several occasions my dogs were pinned down by much larger, out of control breeds. It had come to the stage where I was wondering whether there was anywhere nearby where my dogs could safely stretch their legs and thankfully there was - Barnsbury Square.

The great thing about the Square is that it is frequented by smaller, nicer and typically better behaved dogs than anywhere else I've been to in Islington. I believe this is due to the great community spirit in the Square, greatly fostered by the Friends of Barnsbury Square. I can't think of anything that better represents English Community and its quirks than the regular Tuesday afternoon tea and biscuits for dogs, owners, and anyone else who cares to join.

In case you missed it the first time...

2009-04-18T00:08:00.000+01:00

Back in 2008 the BBC broadcast a programme called 'Pedigree Dogs Exposed'. This controversial documentary exposed the Kennel Club and certain breed societies to criticism for encouraging the breeding of seriously unhealthy dogs all for the sake of certain 'desirable' traits. The public as a whole was dismayed by the attitudes of certain breeders and as a result of the uproar caused

Crufts 2009 was dropped by the BBC. In case you missed it the first time round and want to see what the fuss was all about you can still watch 'Pedigree Dogs Exposed' on myspace.

Your dog, the law, and you...dog control orders

2009-04-17T19:26:00.000+01:00

The main legislation which you are likely to encounter in Barnsbury, and indeed the whole of Islington, are dog control orders(DCOs).

What are dog control orders?

DCOs represent a local authority's way of implementing the powers given to them under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. While some local authorities have yet to introduce borough wide laws Islington has had three DCOs in place since summer 2008. The Orders are as follows:

Fouling of land by dogs order
Dogs on lead by direction order
Dogs exclusion order

You should be able to find out which Orders apply to parks and open spaces in the borough by the presence of signs at their entrances. Typically these signs will tell you to clear up after your dog or that your dog should be on a lead when requested by an official.

How are these orders enforced?

In Islington DCOs can be enforced by 'authorised officers' - typically dog wardens or park patrol officers.

What constitutes an offence?

This is different depending on the order in question so it's necessary to consider each order in turn:

1. Fouling of land by dogs order:

If your dog does a poo on any land to which this Order applies and you fail to clean it up you are committing an offence unless you have a reasonable excuse for failing to do so or have obtained the consent of the local authority.

2. Dogs on lead by direction order:

If your dog is off the lead in an area where a 'on a lead when requested by an official' Order applies, an authorised officer can ask you to put your dog on the lead only if such restraint is reasonably necessary to prevent a nuisance or behaviour by the dog likely to cause annoyance or disturbance to any other person or the worrying or disturbance of any animal or bird.

3. Dogs exclusion order:

If you allow your dog off the lead in an area to which this Order applies* you commit an offence unless you have a reasonable excuse or have obtained the consent of the local authority.

Dog exclusion orders currently apply to the following areas:

Children’s play areas

Sports areas

Multi-user games areas

Nature conservation areas

Flower beds and planted beds

Arlington Square

Batishill Street Gardens

Canonbury Square

Compton Terrace

Gibson Square

Lonsdale Square

Milner Square

Northampton Square

Penn Road Gardens

Percival Street (Homes for Islington area)

Percy Circus

St. Silas Gardens

Thornhill Crescent Garden

Wilmington Square.

What if I fail to comply with these DCOs?

The penalty for all the above DCOs is a fixed notice requiring payment of £80 within fourteen days (this is reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days). Failure to pay a fixed penalty notice may result in a prosecution.

In addition a person who is guilty of an offence shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (£1000).

Islington DCOs

Factsheet - control of dogs, the law and you

2009-04-17T11:28:00.000+01:00

Defra factsheet for dog owners on dog control

Defra - guidance on dangerous dogs

2009-04-17T11:02:00.000+01:00

Update from Defra

Yesterday Defra published additional information providing guidance to police and local authorities on the enforcement of dangerous dogs law. The information is intended to help these bodies work more effectively and crack down on irresponsible dog ownership.

The guidance, which has been written in association with the police, the RSPCA and local authorities, sets out current law and provides advice on how the legislation can be used effectively to improve enforcement with specific reference to the following areas:

An outline of the law regarding dangerous dogs, including an explanation of how to interpret and enforce the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act and the 1871 Dogs Act

Best practice for the main enforcement authorities: the police and local authorities;

How to identify pit bull terrier-type dogs

Examples of existing local initiatives.

Although it is not aimed at dog owners the guidance makes for interesting reading on how law enforcement/government agencies are being directed to apply the law.

Defra: Dangerous Dogs Law - guidance for enforcers

Dogs and the law - a brief summary

2009-04-17T00:07:00.000+01:00

Although you may not be aware there is a wide variety of legislation which applies to dogs and there owners. Below are brief details of some of the most dog-relevant law:

Animal Welfare Act 2006

The Animal Welfare Act was introduced on April 6^th 2007 repealing the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and the Abandonment of Animals Act 1960.

The new Act increases and introduces new penalties to tackle acts of cruelty, neglect, mutilation, tail docking, animal fighting and the giving of pets as prizes.

In addition to this the Act introduces a duty of care for all pet owners to provide for their animals a suitable environment, a suitable diet, the ability to exhibit normal behaviour patterns, protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease and consideration of the animal’s needs to be housed with, or apart from, other animals.

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005

This Act is the one dog owners are most likely to be directly affected by, particularly those owners living in cities.

Under this Act, you can be fined up to £1,000 for breaching dog control orders. These orders are made by local authorities and typically cover the following offences:

Failing to remove dog poo
Not keeping a dog on a lead
Not putting and keeping a dog on a lead when directed to do so
Permitting a dog to enter land from which dogs are excluded
Taking more than a specified number of dogs on to land.

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act also updates the law on stray dogs by transferring the responsibility for strays from the police to the local authorities - ie your local council's Dog Warden.

If you find a dog you must either return it to its owner or report it to your local dog warden. It is illegal to take a found dog into your home without reporting it first. If you want to retain the dog, this might be allowed, provided you are capable of looking after the dog. However, the original owner could still have a claim for the dog’s return.

Byelaws on noisy animals

If you have a dog which barks and its barking is considered to cause a serious nuisance to neighbours, then the local authority can serve you with a noise abatement notice. This requires that you make sure your dog does not create so much noise as to constitute a nuisance. Should you fail to follow a noise abatement notice you could end up being fined.

Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999

Breeders who breed four or more litters per year must be licensed by their local authority. Breeders with fewer litters must also be licensed if they are carrying out a business of breeding dogs for sale.

Licensed breeders must:

Not mate a bitch less than 12 months old.
Not whelp more than six litters from a bitch.
Not whelp two litters within a 12 month period from the same bitch.
Keep accurate records.
Not sell a puppy until it is at least eight weeks of age, other than to a keeper of a licensed pet shop or Scottish rearing establishment.

The Control of Dogs Order 1992

This is another law which applies to all dog owners but which you may not be aware of. The Order states that any dog in a public place must wear a collar with the name and address of the owner engraved or written on it, or engraved on a tag. A telephone number is optional but advisable for ease of contact should your dog escape or stray.

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (section 3)

It is a criminal offence (for the owner and/or the person in charge of the dog) to allow a dog to be ‘dangerously out of control’ in a public place, a place where it is not permitted to be, and some other areas.

A ‘dangerously out of control’ dog can be defined as a dog that has injured someone or a dog that a person has grounds for reasonable apprehension that it may do so. Something as simple as your dog chasing, barking at or jumping up at a person or child could lead to a complaint, so it's important to try and ensure that your dog is under control at all times.

If your dog injures a person, it may be seized by the police and your could face a prison sentence and/or a ban on keeping dogs. There is also an automatic presumption that your dog will be destroyed (unless you can persuade the court that it is not a danger to the public, in which case it may be subject to a control order). You may also have to pay a fine, compensation and costs.

Dogs of the following type are banned under the Dangerous Dog Act:-

The Pit Bull Terrier
Fila Brasiliero
Dogo Argentino
Japanese Tosa

The Road Traffic Act 1988

It is an offence to have a dog on a designated road without it being held on a lead. In addition it is worth knowing that local authorities may have similar bye-laws covering public areas. Dogs travelling in vehicles should not be a nuisance or in any way distract the driver during a journey.

If a dog is injured in a car accident, the driver must stop and give their details to the person in charge of the dog. If there is no person in charge of the dog, the incident must be reported to the police within 24 hours.

Animals Act 1971

You could be liable for damage caused by your dog under this Act or under some degree of negligence. It is highly advisable to have third party liability insurance to cover this, something that is included in most pet and some household insurance policies.

Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963

Anyone boarding animals as a business (even at home) needs to be licensed by the local authority.

Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953

Your dog must not worry (chase or attack) livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses and poultry) on agricultural land, so keep your dog on a lead around livestock. If your dog worries livestock, the farmer has the right to stop your dog (even by shooting your dog in certain circumstances).

Dogs Act 1871

It is a civil offence if a dog is dangerous (to people or animals) and not kept under proper control (generally regarded as not on a lead nor muzzled). This law can apply wherever the incident happened. The dog can be subject to a control or a destruction order and you may have to pay costs.

Compiled with reference to http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/1052