http://www.yourdog.co.uk 3T
hese days, more than ever, our dogs are
an integral part of our lives. They are
family, and where we go, they go.
That’s why, at Your Dog, we’re announcing
the launch of the new Your Dog Membership,
which off ers dog owners hundreds of
discounts on a whole range of dog-friendly
activities, products, and services, from
dog-friendly places to stay, restaurants, and
pubs, to shopping discounts, attractions,
and more. Turn to page 50 to fi nd out all the
details — it’s an off er you can’t aff ord to miss
— an opportunity to get even more out of life
with your pet!
And, in the meantime, get stuck into this
issue of the mag — there’s lots to enjoy. We’reEd t o r
’
s
l e e rCONTRIBUTOR
CAROL PRICE
“Longer days, and
longer walks with
spring beginning to
burst out all around
us, plus working on
some more advanced
training with my new and
very bright little Border Collie
youngster, Rae.”YOUR DOG EDITOR
SARAH WRIGHT
“Crufts, of course.
As well as helping
out on the Your Dog
stand (don’t forget
to come along and
say hello if you’re
attending), meeting up with
contributors and catching up
on all the gossip, I’ll be heading
to Discover Dogs, where I’ll be
checking out the Norfolk Terriers
(of course)!
And I’ll be watching as many
of the demos, displays, and
sports events as I can. It’s always
the same at Crufts — so much to
see, so little time! Love it!”looking forward to Crufts, advising on how
to get — and keep — your dog’s attention,
celebrating dog-themed festivals, taking
a closer look at anxiety in our pets, and giving
three cheers for the Labrador! And that’s just
for starters. Have a very happy March.THINGS TO LOOK
FORWARD TO
THIS MONTH...18 Your Dog March 2020 http://www.yourdog.co.uk 19Joanne Bednalltrend for canine-inspired daysout and weekend experiences, examines the
and highlights the key dogfestivals to look forward to in 2020.THAT
festivalFEELINGWAand drink, live music, an array of shopping opportunities, and the chance to see and try new experiences. Ask a dog owner the same question sk anyone what their ideal ingredients are for an enjoyable day out, and most will answer pleasant weather, fi ne food
and invariably they will agree — providing their canine companion can come too, of course. isn’t enough — the pet-loving public expects more from an event. Hence the rise of a relatively new But, these days, just being branded ‘dog friendly’
canine concept, the dog festival, a growing number of which have been quietly springing up and gathering momentum across the country in recent years.While obviously none can guarantee fi ne
weather, each off ers a unique atmosphere in dogs, and the chance to mingle with hundreds — if not thousands — of like-minded people. stunning surroundings with great facilities, a range of attractions geared towards dog lovers and their DOGSTIVALThe organisers of a bumper canine extravaganza in the heart of Hampshire’s beautiful New Forest claim that if a dog could have the best day of its life, it would head to Dogstival.
including a 70-acre lake, woodland trails, open fi elds, and its own beach, this fantastic feel-good festival takes place in Pylewell Park in mid-May. Boasting 300 acres to explore,
The aim is to celebrate all things canine while bringing together the New Forest’s best food and drink producers, great live music, a vintage funfair, hundreds of
stands, and an array of interactive dog displays and sports. cartoonist and photobooth, while There’s even Dogstival’s own
TV’s ‘Vet on the Hill’ Scott Miller will be off ering advice in the Healthy Hound Den, and canine behaviourist Adem Fehmi from Dog-ease will troubleshoot on the Dog House
behavioural stage.hoping to build on the success of last year’s inaugural event, which Event director Richard Nowell is welcomed 9,000 visitors over
the weekend, and he reports that ticket sales for 2020 are already strong.event with a lifestyle feel that “We wanted to create an
a useful sounding board for new ideas and initiatives.appeals to every type of dog and every type of owner,” explained Richard, whose Sprocker, Bella, is
— some prefer water, others being pampered, while the more active dogs will enjoy having a go at agility, lure racing, “All breeds are diff erent
or paddle boarding.chance to gain more knowledge “Meanwhile, owners have thefrom experts, acquire training tips, watch displays, learn how to cook a nutritious meal for their pet, enter a fun dog show,
or simply just go for a paddle in the sea, or a walk in the lovely grounds.”passionate about celebrating the area’s food and drink producers Living in Lymington, Richard is
and promoting responsible dog ownership. He works closely with tourism company Go New Forest to educate owners about the importance of keeping their dogs
under control around wildlife and livestock, especially the famous New Forest ponies, and picking up and disposing of poo sensibly.He puts the rise in popularity
of dog festivals down to more owners wanting “micro experiences throughout the year” that cater for their dogs, as well as featuring good food and drink, and great music.
wanting this — there are nine million dog owners in the UK and the ‘hound pound’ is a powerful thing,” “There is a whole movement
continued Richard, who hopes more people will make a weekend of Dogstival 2020 by either camping or, for posh pooches, glamping.
sponsored by pet insurance comparison website Go Get it and Shorefi eld Holidays, has plenty to keep non-dog owners happy too.However, he adds that Dogstival,
OApril 18 – 19:Showground, Priors Court, Hermitage, Thatcham, Berkshire RG18 9QZ. Your 2020 dog festival guideAPRIL All About Dogs, Newbury
OVisit April 25 – 26:Newark Showground, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG24 2NY. Visit http://www.allaboutdogsshow.co.ukwww.allaboutdogsshow.co.uk All About Dogs,OOMay 2 – 3:Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2AX. Visit http://www.dog-fest.co.ukMay 8 – 9: Your 2020 dog festival guide DogFest South, Knebworth Park, Knebworth House, All About Dogs, Brentwood Centre, MAY
OOHampshire S041 5SJ. Visit http://www.dogstival.co.ukMay 16 – 17:Doddinghurst Road, Brentwood, Essex CM15 9NN. Visit http://www.allaboutdogsshow.co.ukMay 16 – 17: Dogstival, Pylewell Park, East End, Lymington,
OEngland Showground, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH17 6TL. Visit http://www.pawsinthepark.netMay 24 – 25:Chelmsford, Essex CM2 8FS. Visit http://www.allaboutdogsshow.co.uk Paws in the Park Spring Show, The South of All About Dogs, Hylands Park, Greenbury Way,
OMay 24 – 25:Kennel Hill, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0PX. Visit http://www.goodwood.com/goodwoof Goodwoof, The Kennels, Goodwood House,Glamping is an option at Dogstival.Richard Nowell with Sprocker Bella.good food and drink — for opportunity to sample Dogstival is a great humans and dogs.There is lots for dogs to enjoy.
A bird’s eye view of Dogstival. Dogstival takes place in a 300-acre estate, which has its own beach!14 Your Dog March 2020 http://www.yourdog.co.uk 15Ever felt your canine pal is ignoring you? Don’t despair! In this two-part series Carol Price advises on training
your dog to be more responsive.please!
Igenerally goes ‘deaf’ when they ask him to do something. f there is one owner gripe that comes up again and again, it’s the fact that their dog will not ‘listen’ to them, or It can also be a source of immense
emotional frustration among owners, as they imagine their dogs are making some deliberate choice to ignore them, or engage in a defi ant battle of wills.At the heart of all this owner grief,
however, often lies a wider misunderstanding of how dogs’ brains work, how and why they learn to behave in diffand what is necessary — through training and motivation — to make any dog more erent ways,
responsive to you. In this new series, I will be looking at this important issue in far more depth. Let’s begin by exploring exactly what it is
that makes any dog more or less responsive to an owner’s commands or requests. There can be many diff erent factors involved; see ‘Dogs and the science of compliance’ (right). Next month, we will be looking at specifi c
exercises and training you can do with your dog to improve his levels of cooperationDOGS AND THE SCIENCE OF COMPLIANCEOften better and more appropriate training is the key for a dog who is
less responsive towards you and your commands, especially when you are out and there is so much else competing for his attention.harder to remain owner focused, when faced with other deeper urges However genetics can also play a part, with many dogs fi nding it far
to do things, like hunt or chase things or see off some potential threat, especially when these instincts will have been deliberately heightened in them through selective breeding.This apart, dogs can also diff er greatly in the level of psychological
dependence they will build up in an owner. The more independent a dog in his mindset, the less important he may fi nd it to keep closer to an owner, or keep securing their ongoing approval, whereas with more psychologically dependent dogs the reverse is true, giving the impression that they are somehow more naturally obedient as
opposed to just diff erently wired.humans may also need far longer to re-establish trust in them before better focus and cooperation training can begin. So, when looking for Rescue dogs who have had mostly negative past experiences of
reasons why your dog may be less responsive, it is important to bear all these factors in mind. When out with your dog remember you
will be competing for his attention with many other strong canine instincts.PART ONE
W
Attention spans in dogs can vary from only many diff erent factors including genes, age, seconds to 15 minutes plus, depending on DID YOU KNOW?and quality of training.“Often better and more appropriate training is the key...”More independent dogs may be more inclined to do their own thing.ATTENTIONABOUT CAROLCarol Price is a leading canine behaviourist, trainer, and writer, and a world-recognised
specialist in the Border Collie breed. She is an offi cial ambassador for The Border Collie Trust GB, the largest collie welfare/rehoming
organisation in the UK.Training your dog to maintain focus on you should begin as early as possible.
46 Your Dog March 2020 http://www.yourdog.co.uk 47LABRADOR We asked our social media fans to tell us about their fabulous Labradors.LABS RULE!
seriesNewThe French Bulldog knocked the Labrador off the top spot in 2018, but in 2019 the Lab was the most popular UK dog breed again.DID YOU KNOW?(^) breedsALL ABOUT
Our new series looks at some of our most popular — and unusual — breeds and asks
owners: ‘What are they really like to live with?’ Julie Hill starts with the Labrador.
A i rm favourite
With thanks to David Coode, of LABRADOR FACT FILE Labrador Retriever Club.Warringah Labradors, chairman of The O Life expectancy: 12 to 14 years Q A&s
on average.OYou can pick one up for as little as £450, but there will have been little or no Price: It does vary quite signifi cantly.
health testing on the parents. A Labrador with fully health-tested parents would be approximately £1,000.Obitches: 55 – 56cm. Size (at withers): Dogs: 56 – 57cm;
OOOswimming helps keep it clean.– 35 kg. Weight: Coat care: Health status: Dogs: 35 – 38kg; bitches: 32 Regular brushing and Well bred ones have
very few health issues.Oaff ectionate, enthusiastic. Otrained; it is usually the owners who are Character: Trainability: Great lovers of food; Very biddable and easily
the problem, not the dog!Owalking and basic obedience keeps the dog happy. Exercise requirements: Daily
Lsuch a well-established place in the hearts of the nation’s dog lovers. Whether it’s assisting people with disabilities, participating in And it’s not diffi cult to see why they have abradors are ubiquitous — for 30 years, almost uninterrupted, they’ve been the most popular breed in the UK.
outdoor pursuits, or snuggling up beside us on the sofa, the Labrador puts his heart and soul into it. But did you know that this familiar breed
started life as a fi sherman’s dog? On the east coast of Canada, in the early 18th century, there were two breeds: the larger Newfoundland and the smaller St John’s dog, who willingly assisted the fi shermen in
their work.
destruction of practically all Labradors in order to promote the breeding of sheep in the Newfoundland area. “In 1885, a law was passed that led to the “Not too long after that, quarantine laws
were introduced in England, which made importation next to impossible,” explained David. “So, although the Labrador originated in Canada, the breed was moulded, refi ned,
and promoted by British landowners in the nineteenth century.dog, who has now become a fi rm favourite as companion, family pet, assistance, and “The Labrador is essentially a working
rescue dog in addition to his origins as a working retriever.”willing temperament, the breed is assured a popular future. However, all dogs are With his short coat, good nature, and
individuals; Labradors don’t come out of a box as the perfect dog. As youngsters, their enthusiasm can be a challenge, and they defi nitely have a sense of humour — although sometimes the joke’s on you!
owners to discover what it’s like living with a Labrador.Here, and over the page, we speak to two
OWNER: ANGELA PHILLIPS, MILTON KEYNES, BEDFORDSHIRE.Tell us about your dog.“Amber is a yellow Labrador (small working
type), who is roughly nine years old. She is a sweet-natured girl, who is happy to walk to the woods, then chills out and sleeps next to me on the sofa after lunch. She absolutely loves playing with a tennis ball
and carries it around on her walks.”Why did you pick this breed?“I grew up in a farming/gamekeeping environment; we always had working
Labradors and Jack Russells.” Where did your dog come from?“After letting another Lab go, we felt
lost without a dog; there was a massive emptiness in our lives. We still walked up to the local woods every day, which is where we met our friend (who fosters dogs), walking Amber. We fell in love with her,
and, after home checks, we adopted her.”What have been your biggest challenges with Amber?“As she had only been with the fosterer for
a couple of weeks, not a lot was known other than she’d had pups. She was extremely clingy with me, and seemed to be timid with men in particular, but with patience and understanding, she became
confi dent with people. Unfortunately, she was bitten and chased a few times by other dogs, but, again, with patience, perseverance, and walking with a group of friendly dogs, she has grown confi dent
once more. She is afraid of fiI have noticed with each year her stress levels decrease.”What have been your happiest reworks but
times together?“Too many to mention... I remember the fi rst time I kissed/cuddled her and she didn’t fl inch or look away; now she actively
seeks attention. There are times I catch her looking at me with those beautiful brown eyes, I know she loves me as much as I love her. She absolutely loves my grandsons, and sits watching them play Lego for ages
or curls up next to them on the sofa.”Has she turned out to be what you expected?“Yes, more than I expected. She has gone
from a timid, underweight dog to a happy, confi dent, and extremely loving dog.”
Any ongoing issues?“Fireworks, and she loves to roll in fox poo.”Any advice to other potential owners
of this breed?“Ideally, make sure you buy from a reputable breeder; see one or both parents with the pups. If you want a Labrador as a family pet, check if Mum
and pups are being kept in the home and socialised from day one; don’t go to a working dog breeder who keeps them outdoors, away from a normal family environment.”
Sum up your dog in one sentence. “She is everything I want and more; loving, gentle, kind, fun to play ball with, obedient, and very good/tolerant with children and
other dogs.” How easy is she to care for?“She’s easy, but she is a Lab when it comes to food, so we make sure she doesn’t get
overfed. We give her supplements for her joints, and carrots as treats, although I will admit she has the occasional cut up sausage from the cafe after our morning walk.”
Would you have another dog of this breed?“Yes! However, we are an older couple, so providing we are fi t enough to exercise and
look after one properly, we would be happy to consider taking on an adult dog.” How have you found training your dog?
“Very easy, especially if you use her dry food as a reward. I deduct it from her meal.” What activities do you and your dog love to share?
“We love our walks, playing ball and cuddling up on the sofa together.”
Angela and Amber out on a walk.
The KC’s offi cial breed standard recognises black, chocolate, and yellow Labradors. David Coode, chairman of the The Labrador Retriever Club.
Images: Warringah Labradors.
Image: Claire Twigg.
Images: Claire Twigg.
Image: Emsee Photography.
The Labrador Retriever Club, when fi shermen brought these early Labradors to England, the news of their retrieving ability had spread, According to David Coode, chairman of the
and wealthy landowners decided to see if they would make suitable gundogs.to work as well in the water as on land, the breed took root and fl ourished. Thanks to their biddable nature, and ability
Katie Burns, Macclesfi eld, Cheshire.“The best thing about Labradors for me is their working and training ethic. They love to work, and please, and
are really biddable dogs. The most challenging thing is probably their greediness. I caught Ben trying to smuggle a 4kg bag of dried sausages
into his bed. were out walking in the dark. Up pops Ben with a pumpkin “At Halloween we
in his mouth! Not sure where he found it, and didn’t have the guts to go looking and admit that my
Labrador stole their pumpkin!”Claire Twigg, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.
“We were looking after my friend’s retired police dog; he was a large German Shepherd. His place of choice to sleep was at the bottom of the
stairs, right under the last step. Every morning Maple would run down for breakfast, then screech to a halt as he was lying there. She’d sit about two steps from him and not pass until he
got up. Then she’d come down. She loved him and would share toys and her bed with him, but if he was lying in his spot, she wouldn’t pass. Total respect for the law!”
Katie loves her dog Ben’s willingness to work and please.
Cold or wet weather does not put a Labrador like Maple off going for a walk.
A wet Labrador is a happy Labrador.
Editor
Image: Mark Taylor, Warren Photographic Ltd.
Meet Pandemonium — Panda for short
— from Chiddingfold, Surrey. Just 12 weeks
old at the time our photos were taken, the
Belgian Shepherd Malinois is now
i ve months.
“She is very active and she loves playing,
running, and training, but her favourite
thing is to climb — she is totally fearless,
much to my horror!” said owner Samantha
Hatcher. “When she is grown up, she will
hopefully be an agility dog. She’s into
everything I do and follows me everywhere.
She’s a lot of fun, with a great character,
and she makes me laugh every day.”
WHO’S ON THE COVER
THIS MONTH?
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3 YD Intro Mar20 GW(SW)ok.indd 3 23/01/2020 15: