Adoption Issue November 2013

FREE!

Breed Feature:

Labrador

PLUS:•CafesontheCoast•Teachanolddognewtricks•Dogmythssolved

November 2013contents

Monthly4 From the Pack Leader5 Training Tips7 Product Review - Harnesses17 Kids Corner19 Business Directory21 Doggy Recipe - Barking Brownies

Articles & Features6 Dog-friendly cafes8 Teach an old dog new tricks9 Sweet smelling dog wash10 Cosy beach robes12 Adopt-Don’t Shop-the truth about puppy farms16 Dog Myths18 Introducing a new dog to the pack20 Alaskan Malamute Rehoming Aid Australia

Breed of the month14 Labrador

And more!3

Dear Dog Lovers,

Wow! What an exciting and busy first month of Woof Mag! We hope you enjoyed reading the magazine as much as we enjoyed creating it.

This month’s issue is all about Adoption; we’re featuring information about in-troducing a new dog into your home, teaching an old dog new tricks and the importance of adoption over buying from a pet shop or backyard breeder.

With less than 2 months until Santa Paws arrives, we’ve also found some great Christmas gift ideas for the dog loving member of your family!

Special mentions and thanks go to Sharon Stokes Photography for pro-viding our cover image of Husky (available for adoption from www.am-raa.org.au), Louise from Animal Talent and to The Glass Onion Soci-ety and The Little Teapot Cafes for they’re support and great coffee!

Thank you to all who came along to our Launch on 28 September and we look forward to informing, entertaining and enlightening you about all things dog!

Olivia

PS: please follow us on @woofmag woofmagcc

From the Pack Leader

4

Q: Want a quick fix to stop your dog from pull-ing on the lead?

A: There aren’t many quick fixes in dog train-ing, but the front attaching harnesses are the closest you will ever get to one. The lead clips on at the CENTRE of the dog’s chest. The harness is a totally different set up to regular harnesses that clip on the back (and can make pulling worse), and are especially designed to reduce pulling; if the dog pulls, it gently turns the dog’s body towards you. The best thing is the dog accepts the har-ness straight away, unlike head halters that can be very stressful for some dogs. There are currently 3 brands available, so have a look around to see what you can find.

Gail Hudsonwww.woofsandwags.com.au

Training Tips

5

Thanks Judy Fuller! Your sunset photo has won your dog a Rogz Grinz Ball

Coffee Break with Pooch

6

The Parisians have been dining out with their dogs for decades, Americans carry their dogs in custom -made handbags to coffee shops, but how welcome are dogs in our local cafes?Our furry researchers have lead us to just a few of the great dog-friendly cafes on the Central Coast:

• The Little Teapot - 8 Davistown Rd, Davistown• Kahveh Cafe - 179-181 Avoca Drive, Avoca Beach• Greenroom Espresso Cafe- 82a Ocean View Drv, Terrigal• Haven Beach Cafe - The Haven, Terrigal• Surf Cafe - Esplanade, Terrigal• Gnostic Mana Cafe - 31 The Boulevarde, Woy Woy• White Fire Cafe - Coral St, The Entrance• Munchas Cafe - Shelly Beach Surf Club, Shelly Beach• The Glass Onion Society - 308 The Entrance Rd, Long Jetty• Boaties Cafe - Soldiers Beach

So get out there, explore the Coast’s cafes, and take your best friend with you! It’s important to respect other diners and keep your dog on a lead at all times, hard to believe, but some people don’t want your cute, loveable dog drooling in their skim, soy, single-shot, de-caf, mocha latte....

Harnessed!

Boardies Wave Jumper Harness $25.95-$35.95

www.surfdogaustralia.comLightweight, quick dry board short

material, extra long body length for larger dogs with stainless steel

d-rings!

Soft Harness $12-$22 www.bubbawoof.com

Super soft, super comfy, adjustable chest strap, great for walkies & safe

restraint in the car!

“Friendly”Harness $29.95www.friendlydogcollars.com.auNow your bubbly pooch can wear his heart on his...chest, with this

innovative and informative harness!

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teach an old dog new tricks

Contrary to that old saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” research shows that dogs are just as willing and eager to learn in their old age as they are when they were pup-pies.Old dogs may not learn as quickly as they did when they were young, but with time and patience, older dogs can be taught to do any-thing that a young dog can.I recently started some clicker training with my 5 year old Cocker Spaniel x Poodle as I had noticed he was becoming quite fear aggressive with boisterous dogs, he responded so well to the “click & reward” method, I regretted not trying it years ago! He is still a work in pro-gress, but because he associates reward with his good behaviour, has become less aggres-sive with other dogs.If you have recently adopted an older dog who may not have had much time invested in him, or simply want to teach your current pooch some new manners/tricks, using a consistent, reward based approach will make the train-ing process smoother and more enjoyable for your dog.

Here are Woof Mag’s tips to teach an “old” dog new tricks:• Startwithonetrick/command and prac-

tice until you dog has learned it before moving on to a new one

• Tenminutesperday is a good guide to go by when teaching the new behaviours

• Usearewardsystem, such as treats, clicks, praise and affection each time your dog responds correctly

• Beconsistent – your dog won’t learn un-less you keep up the training.

If you make sure that your aging dog is always learning, always occupied and always has something new to busy himself with, he will probably be more likely to stay bright, alert and mentally active for a long time, perhaps well into old age.

Age shouldn’t limit you, and it shouldn’t limit your dog either!

8

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My name is Valery Borg and I am proud to share with you the wonderful story of

how Mans Best Friend Medicated Dog Soap got started and how it helped and tremen-dously transformed my good friends dog, Rex. A rescue dog, Rex came with a number of ailments including sores, dry, flaky skin and coarse fur that could not stop shedding. He continuously scratched himself, which led to further bleeding and discomfort. My sister Elsa remembered our mother making an animal soap for a vet in the past, we found the recipe and still to this day we both sell it at local mar-kets and dog events, we called it Mans Best Friend Medicated Soap!After giving a sample to my friend to use on Rex, she came back to me and reported that after a couple of washes, the medicated soap had shown significant results in soothing and healing Rex’s flaky, sensitive skin, as well as re-storing lustre and softness to the coat. He had also greatly reduced his scratching. So if your pet is suffering from similar skin problems,

please read on!Mans Best Friend Medicated Soap, a tradition-al handmade soap for animals created from a recipe handed down by an old Australian country vet using a combination of natural and essential oils. Suitable for all pets and animals including, dogs, horses, cats, rabbits, ferrets, goats, sheep and cows.100% chemical-free, this medicated soap contains no artificial brighteners, hardeners, lathering agents, phosphates or animal fats. This recipe will give your dog or pet a notice-ably healthier and shinier coat. It will also sooth and contain most skin irritations, thus stopping your pet from biting and scratching which disrupts the healing process. The natu-ral essential oils will also keep pests like fleas, biting insects and ticks away.Be your animal’s best friend today and stock up on the Mans Best Friend Soap.Your pet will love you for it!

www.medicateddogsoap.com.au

Medicated Soap for Pets

SurfDog Beach RobesSurfDog Australia started 3 years ago when they designed their now iconic Dog Beach Robe. Owner and creator Sara Holton decided there must be a better way of drying off her 3 surf loving dogs after frequent trips to the beach and one that prevented stinky soggy

dog dam-age to her car. With the help of her 3 dogs the Beach Robe was invented.

Designed to wrap up your dog in lightweight absorbent towelling the beach robe has no leg holes to struggle with and simply pops over your dogs head and wraps up around his tum-my. The tail hole was an inspiration it allows you to anchor the back of the robe whilst tying it up and while letting your dog to have its tail

free. So many dog 'clothes' force dogs to have their tails in a submissive position which can make them feel uncomfortable. The robe has now lead to a whole range of products created for dogs that love the beach. Their latest crea-tion is the Human Beach Robe available in 2 sizes - small and large in 3 colours. The sunset colours make wearing a robe on the beach acceptable and having your dog in matching attire is so much fun! Dog Robes from $29.95 to $45.95, Human Robes are $59.95.

www.surfdogaustralia.com

10

Plush your pet!

11

We love turning your pet into a plush toy. Here are just a few of the dog breeds we have done. Check out our facebook page for photos of all the different cats and dogs we have turned into plush toys. Prices start from $35.00 each and make a great gift idea or way to remem-ber a furry friend who has sadly passed away.

Pug Softies - $5 from the sale of each Big Pug Softie and $2 from the sale of each pocket pug sold is donated to Pug Rescue and Adop-tion Victoria. We have a Pug Rescue Dog our self (Penny Pug) so know first hand what won-derful work this organisation does. We have raised over $300 so far since September 2012.

www.facebook/pinkpugdesigns

Puppy farms are still an unfortunate reality in Australia. Otherwise known as puppy mills or puppy factories, they are generally profit-based operations where dogs are forced to breed in a confined environment where there is little or no regard for their welfare. The RSPCA describes a puppy farm as: an intensive dog breeding facility that is operated under in-adequate conditions that fail to meet the dogs’ behavioural, social and/or physiological needs.

One of the major reasons puppy farms oper-ate today is that they are hidden from public view and are increasingly difficult to monitor. The last thing a puppy farm operator wants is for potential clients to see the horrendous conditions of their farm. In NSW and Victoria, minimal animal welfare standards apply, but Australia’s apparent puppy farm epidemic sug-gests that the law is not a powerful hindrance.

Consequently, many people are simply una-ware of their existence. Organisations such as the RSPCA, Oscar’s Law and Animals Australia are striving hard to have puppy farms exposed and shut down. At the same time, they are educating society about the abominable prac-tice and offering positive alternatives. To the dismay of authorities, it is unclear exactly how many puppy farms are out there.

There is a host of extreme welfare issues associated with puppy farms, all of which contribute to a tragic existence for our canine friends. In terms of physical health, dogs are often confined to small and overcrowded cages on a permanent basis. This results in unhygienic living conditions accentuated by poor veterinary care. Behavioural health is also a huge issue. Without exercise, socialisation or companionship, it is a lonely life. Amongst other problems, this can eventuate in anxiety or self-destructiveness.

‘breeders are legally allowed to shoot their dogs...’

Where Do Puppies

Really Come From?

12

13

The sad truth is that mother dogs can be isolated for years, forced to breed for as long as they are able. Time and time again, their babies are taken from them after only a few weeks. While a small number might eventually find new homes, breed-ers are legally allowed to shoot their dogs when they are no longer of use.

For those looking to purchase a puppy, it is impor-tant to understand that puppy farms sell through a variety of outlets, so do your research. The first port of call for most people is a pet shop or the Internet. The only way to know if you are purchas-ing from a trustworthy establishment is to inspect it yourself. When a dog breeder says that they are registered, this may just refer to their business. It does not necessarily ensure animal welfare. This also applies to members of breeder associations. Furthermore, any breed of dog can come from a puppy farm: purebreds, crossbreeds and mixed breeds.

If you want to bring a dog into your home, Animals Australia urges you to consider adoption from a local shelter or pet rescue organisation. Whether they are lost, abandoned or neglected, there is an overabundance of dogs seeking loving homes and you could be the one to literally save their life.

More info www.oscarslaw.org or www.animalsaustralia.org

Words by Elizabeth Shingletonsome breeding dogs are born in a cage and will never leave this hellish existence.

ADOPTDON’T SHOP

Labrador RetrieverThe Labrador Retriever is native to New-

foundland, where it worked side by side with fishermen catching fish that came loose from the lines and trained to jump into the icy waters to help pull in the nets.There are two types of Labradors, the English and the American. The English bred Labs are heavier, thicker and blockier. The American bred Lab is tall and lanky. The double coat is smooth and does not have any waves. Coat colors come in solid black, yellow or chocolate. The nose is thick, black on black and yellow dogs and brown on chocolate dogs. The short, hard coat is easy to care for, with regular, firm brushing and is water-resistant. The otter tail is thick at the base, gradually tapering towards the tip. It is completely covered with short hair, with no feathering. The feet are strong and compact with webbed feet, which aid thedog in swimming.The Labrador Retriever is loyal, loving, af-fectionate and patient, making a great family dog. Highly intelligent, good-natured, very willing and eager to please, it is among the top choices for service dog work. Labs love to play, especially in water, never wanting to pass up the opportunity for a good swim. These lively dogs have an excellent, reliable temperament and are friendly, superb with children and equable with other dogs. They crave human leadership and need to feel as though they are part of the family. Adult Labs are very strong; train them while they are puppies to heel on the lead, and not to bolt out doorways before the humans. These dogs are watchdogs, not guard dogs. They can become destructive if the humans are not 100% pack leader and/or if they do not receive enough mental and physical exercise, and left too much to their own devices. Some common health issues include hip and elbow dysplasia, mast cell tumors and eye disorders and have a tendency to gain weight easily, do not over feed.

“Many people said we were mad getting two Labrador puppies, I duly ignored this sage advice as we sat amongst the litter of adorable puppies and let our two new family members choose us” says Janelle Roberts, local Labra-dor enthusiast, “we then welcomed Howard (chocolate) and Maisey (black) into our lives. And into our cupboards, and our fridge, and onto our lounge chairs and into what used to be our garden. But most importantly, we welcomed them into our hearts. “After much deliberation, Janelle chose Labra-dors because of their reputation. As a breed, they are dependable, healthy, and predictable. Easy to train (food is their currency), loyal to the end and with a bit of exercise every day, they are more than happy to just lie around and be part of the family.“They are also inquisitive, agile, cheeky, wonderfully patient with children (my two-year-old likes to lay on the floor next to them while they sleep, and randomly open their eyelids just to be sure they really are snoozing) and bring incredible love to any home. “ adds Janelle. “You’ll watch your kids develop trust and responsibility – poo patrol is a pocket-money chore here, thankfully I don’t pay per kilo or I’d be broke – and you’ll find yourself wondering how your house ever felt like a home without them.”

Go to www.rescuealabrador.com to adopt a lab.

Words by Olivia Cavanagh and Janelle Roberts14

15

dog myths

Dogs wag their tails when they’re happy...

Interestingly, not always. Dogs wag their tails when they are excited, happy, or to signal an imminent at-tack. A better indicator of happiness would be position of the tail and frequency of the wag. Slow, loose wags of the tail is usually a sign that a dog wants to be friends.

Dogs eat grass because they are sick...

While several theories about animal grass consump-tion exist, veterinarians have no proven answers. How-ever, research indicates an amazing possibility: Ani-mals may just like to eat grass. So don’t panic if your dog nibbles at the lawn from time to time. If the nib-bling turns into a daily feast, talk to your veterinarian.

A warm or dry nose means a dog is sick...

This one is probably the biggest dog health myth around. Somewhere along the line, people came to the conclusion that a cold, wet nose is a sign of a healthy dog and a warm or dry nose is a sign of illness.

The temperature and moisture of your dog’s nose are not miracle measurements of his health. However, a nose that is persistently dry and crusted might be a sign of a health problem. If you notice an abnormal appear-ance to your dog’s nose, contact your vet right away.

we’ve done some sniffing around to find the answers to common dog mis-conceptions

Dogs kick the grass to cover their poo...

In the wild, canines such as wolves, dingoes and foxes may kick the ground after elimination for sanitary reasons. They are simply covering up the mess. But the behavior is also a way to mark territory. All dogs have glands in their feet that secrete pheromones, and a couple of backward scratches into the earth releases those chemicals.

16

What is more amazing than a

talking dog?

A spelling bee!

Where should you never take a dog?

A flea market

What do you get if you cross a cocker spaniel, a poodle

and a rooster?

Cockerpoodledoo!

Fun Fact: dogs have a third eyelid which helps protect the eye from grass, sand and dirt! 17

kids corner

Introducing a new dog into the packHow to introduce a puppy to your family and pets All dogs think in a very logical way, canine logic is more simplistic than human logic. Dogs are pack animals with a dominance hierarchy. They respect and respond to their pack leader and are primarily interested in survival and comfort. Dogs need to learn how to have appropriate interactions with both their own and other species. This can often be a little challenging, where possible make sure that the puppy meets other species such as cats, horses while very young. Early socialization to other species reduces the likelihood of future problems.

Meeting the familyA puppy must learn to follow instructions from all members of the family in the home. It is particularly important for dogs to get used to children and this also gives adults an opportunity to educate our young future dog owners on how to touch and approach puppies and dogs. All responsible family members should handle the puppy.

Puppies and adult dogsIt’s best to introduce a new puppy to your adult dog in a place that’s new, or neutral to both of them, because dogs are territorial by nature. If possible, have two people help out by handling your dog and puppy for you. You don’t want either of them to think you’re playing favorites. Let them sniff around and check each other out while you talk to them softly. Watch for body language that could signal aggression, which includes:• Staring• Stiff-legged walking• Barred teeth or growling• Ears laid back or raised hair on the neck or back• One dog trying to mount the other

If you notice any aggressive behavior, distract the dogs and lead them away from each other. Let them cool off and introduce them again a little later. If the meeting goes well, take them both for a walk. The key to introducing a puppy to your dog is to be alert and in control at all times. If you have more than one other dog, they should meet your puppy one at a time. This will allow you to stay in control and reduce some of the tension in their first encounter.Always be present to supervise your dog’s when they’re with your new puppy. If you can’t be around, separate them or put them in their crates. Allow at least a month before you allow them to be alone unsupervised together.

Introducing your puppy to a catIntroducing a new puppy to your cat is fairly simple; you should allow the cat to determine the pace of the meeting. You should designate areas that are off-limits to your puppy. This will give your cat “safe zones” Don’t leave them unsupervised until you’re very sure they can get along. Watch for any aggressive behavior by either animal.

Words by Louise Harding www.animaltalent.com.au18

Business Directory

19

your ad here for as little as $35 per month!

Alaskan malamutes have to be one of the cut-est puppies that exist. Once adults, they are a noble and magnificent dog. Barb Trytko has 2 of her own and can’t walk anywhere without having her dogs accosted for a pat, a cuddle, a photo. However, each time she stops, most of her time is spent convincing people not to get a Malamute. Many people do not look be-neath the beautiful features to the stubborn, very strong, working breed beneath. Mala-mutes are not like other dogs. They think for themselves and their genetic heritage is from a harsh environment. This results in a dog that is very bright and a challenge to even experi-enced owners. Barb explains further:

“It is their strength, size and attitude that make them a problem if an owner doesn’t put in the time commitment necessary and results in so many needing a new home. If you under-stand the breed and respect them – there is no other dog breed that can be as rewarding. But-on the other hand, a Mallie can renovate your back yard quicker than a back- hoe. As my husband has a habit of saying –“our mallie does not dig, she excavates”. If bored, they can destroy furniture, fences and decide to arrange mayhem in a wider area than just your back yard. As one of our members said recently - malamutes are not just a dog they are a lifestyle.”

AMRAA (Alaskan Malamute Rehoming Aid Australia Inc) was formed nearly 4 years ago by a few dedicated people who could not bear to see these noble dogs put to sleep due to a failure of owners to research the breed. In that time they have helped rehome or rescued over 300 Alaskan Malamutes in mainly NSW, Victo-

ria and South Australia. They educate potential owners, provide support and information to people having problems with their dogs and like to think of themselves as a match mak-ing service – trying very hard to match the dog with a new family. One of the beauties of these dogs is that they have their mature character and you know the personality of the dog to be able to fit them in with a new family, you also don’t have the puppy phase to deal with which can be trying in itself. All the dogs are assessed, vet checked and have desexing, vaccinations, worming and flea and tick treat-ment done.

AMRAA is always looking for volunteers to come out to kennels in Mandalong to help walk the dogs, suitable foster carers, and are always very grateful for any support. AMRAA Inc. receives no government funding and rely very much on donations and fundraising to help continue.

You can find them at www.amraa.org.au or Facebook: Alaskan Malamute Rehoming Aid.

Bandit and Mia (below) are 12 mth old brother & sister and looking for a new home.

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Doggy Recipe of The Month

Barking Brownies

Ingredients (makes approx. 30)

• 200g wholewheat flour• 200g spelt flour• 100g chopped walnuts• 2 eggs• 2 tablespoons sunflower oil• 2 tablespoons molasses• 1/2 sachet of dried yeast• water and flour as required

Method

1. Mix all ingredients in a food proces-sor to form a dough. If necessary, add extra flour or water.

2. Shape the dough into a ball and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour.

3. Preheat ovent to 160°C. Line a shal-low rectangular baking pan with baking paper.

4. Spread the dough over baking pan until about 4cm thick. Bake for 35 minutes, let it cool for 1 hour.

5. Turn out the baked cake onto chop-ping board and cut into dog bite-sized pieces.

(brownies will keep for up to 4 weeks)

Email your Doggy Recipe to sales@woofmag.com.au21

Email sales@woofmag.com.au or download a Media Kit from our website.

All articles in Woof Mag are for editorial purposes and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Woof Mag does not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of an of the information, content, or adver-tisements contained on, distributed through, or linked, downloaded, or accessed through this magazine or the corresponding website or Facebook page, nor the quality of any products, information or other mate-rials displayed, purchased, or obtained by you as a result of an advertisement or any other information.

In no event shall Woof Mag be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, or consequen-tial damages of any kind whatsoever with respect to the service, the materials, and the prod-ucts. You are encouraged to exercise discretion while browsing the Internet. No part of this publication or the corresponding website is to be copied or reproduced without permission.

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