http://www.yourdog.co.uk 69GROOMING
Turnout tips
Quick-fire
questions
WHAT IS THE BEST
WAY TO INTRODUCE
MY NEW PUPPY TO
MY OTHER DOG?A lot will depend on your
existing dog — his social
skills, and whether he has
any resource issues involving
food, toys, beds, bowls, or
areas within the home.
Some general advice:
fi nd a location that is safe
and secure, and remove
any potential points of
confl ict. Your dog’s age and
tolerance levels need to be
taken into account and the
introduction should be short
initially, with opportunities
to have some time apart and
receive individual attention.
Understanding your dogs’
body language is vital in
order to know whether they
are actually having a good
time or just putting up
with things.DO DOGS HAVE AN
EMOTIONAL LINK
WITH HUMANS?Research into the emotional
link between dogs (and other
species, including horses)
and humans has produced
some exciting results in
recent years.
It seems that dogs can not
only recognise the emotional
state of other dogs, but,
signifi cantly, they can also
recognise it in humans.
Dogs appear to achieve this
through both hearing and
sight, which is signifi cant, as
previously this had only been
identifi ed as a capability of
certain primate species.Q
What grooming routine
should be adopted for
a double-coated breed?
Diana Works, Hertfordshire.Joanne says: A double
coat is one that has a soft
undercoat and a harsher,
protective top coat.
The main objective when grooming
breeds with this type of coat is to
remove any dead undercoat that may
be sticking out in tufts. However, you
should be careful not to over-groom
and remove too much coat, as it is
needed for protection from heat
or cold.
Using a slicker brush, I would start
to groom at the bottom of the back
leg, lifting the coat to ensure you are
getting to the skin. I would then work
my way up the leg to the body, and
along the side, continuing to the
front leg.
Brush through the chest, around
the ears, and then around the other
side; fi nish with the tail.
Depending on the density of
the coat, you may then be able to
comb through with a wide-toothed
metal comb.A double-coated dog.Sight hounds tend to
look naturally slim.HEALTHIs my dog
underweight?
Q
I own a Whippet. He gets a lot of
exercise and eats well, but I am
continually told that he looks too thin.
Should I be worried?
Nicola Lorretta, Norfolk.Vicky says: Sadly, many people are so used to
seeing fat dogs that healthy dogs look thin to
them! I am sure a veterinary nurse at your local
practice would be happy to assess your dog’s
body condition score. Ideally, you should be able
to feel the ribs, hip bones, and spinous processes
without them sticking out. These bones will
always be more obvious in a thin-coated breed
like the Whippet so the nurse will also be
looking for how well muscled the dog is.