2014 Christmas Gift Ideas for your Dog

Dog at Christmas

These days Christmas isn't just for humans, more and more of us are buying our furry friends their own presents. Whether you choose to buy your dog some stocking filler treats, or prefer to treat them with some more of your time, it's always nice to involve canine companions in the festivities. Pets Mad have put together a collection of the perfect Christmas gift ideas for your dog or pup this holiday season.

Personalised Dog Bowls
There's nothing better than feeding time for your dog, so why not brighten it up with our collection of personalised dog bowls. Get your dogs name on their very own feeding or water bowl. Available in 2 sizes and a range of different colours!

Single Personalised Bowls
Stylish and modern, these bowls are perfect for a medium or large sizes dog for their food or water. Available in 4 colours Blue, Pink, Sliver and Black. Size: H 6.5 x W 18 x D 5.5cm.

ONLY £6.99
Click here to buy

Small Double Personalised Bowls
This bowl has 2 compartment for both food and water. Also Stylish and modern, this bowl is most suited to Cats and small Dogs. Available in 4 colours Blue, Pink, Sliver and Black. Size: 19cm x 11cm x 5cm.

ONLY £5.99
Click here to buy

LED Flashing Dog Collars
Protect your dog at night with these luminous dog collars. Available in 2 colours with 3 light modes. Easily Adjustable for Small, Medium pets. Light can also be turned off for day use. Made from black nylon with easy clip and metal lead ring.

Available in Small and Medium

ONLY £5.99
Click here to buy

Doodlebone Beige Dog Harness
The original soft padded dog harness from Doodlebone is made from a light weight yet durable air mesh fabric lined with a soft felt edging. Designed specifically to remove the strain from your dog’s neck and spread the weight across the entire chest area for maximum comfort.

ONLY £7.99
Click here to buy



 
More Ideas...
Curver Dog Grooming Storage Box - Only £9.99
The Curver 15ltr dog storage boxes are ideal for all dog lovers. Perfect for storing all your dogs essentials from leads, grooming products, toys, accessories and treats all in one place.

Go Walk Reflective Green Padded Dog Harness - £6.99
The Go Walk dog Reflective harnesses are padded for extra comfort for your pet and are a stylish, comfortable alternative to a collar and lead.

Go Walk Dog Splitter Leash - Only £3.99
The Go Walk leash splitter is strong and durable, the ideal solution to walking two dogs at once.

Go Walk Green Reflective Dog Collar - Only £1.99
This reflective small green collar from the Go Walk range combines funky style with safety and comfort. Ideal for night time walks, or just to catch the eye of passers by. With a Strengthened clip mechanism ensures that no matter how eager your furry friend is, the weight will be taken through the strong weaved collar, instead of the fastening clip.

Wahl Paw Print Grooming Apron Black and White - Only £7.99
The Wahl Paw Print Grooming Apron has a tie fastening, and single right hand pocket. Ideal when bathing or grooming your pet.

Fun Dog Playing Games

Playing games with your dog is beneficial to his physical and mental stimulation, and it's also a great way to connect with your dog and enrich a meaningful relationship even further. It is important, however, to ensure that you don't inadvertently exacerbate potentially hidden kernels of behavior issues, so be sure to follow the tips below and have fun!

Tug of War
Tug of war is a great way to teach your dog to listen to you even when excited and distracted. It encourages bonding through play and is a great workout for you and your dog. Some people believe that tug of war makes a dog more aggressive, and indeed it is not a game for dogs that are easily over aroused or aggressively protective of their resources, but most dogs will not become aggressive while playing the game and tug-of-war actually builds up trust and cooperative skills if certain rules are followed:

• If your dog wins the game and takes the tug toy away from you, feign disinterest and go and do something else. Never chase your dog to try and get the toy from him. You can either ignore him until he comes up to you with the toy or get another toy and put all your attention onto the toy you have. Your dog will most likely drop what he has in his mouth to come and investigate a better option.
• If your dog reengages in the game and drops the toy in front or tries to give it to you, praise him and let the game continue.
• Teach your dog a reliable take it and drop it cue before you play tug so that he understands what you mean when you ask him to drop the toy.
• You do not always have to win the war! Give and take is best.
• Play should stop on your cue and if play gets too rowdy either ask your dog to drop the toy or drop it yourself and walk away. Rowdy play, mouthing or over arousal stops the game.
• Bring your dog's toy a few steps away from where she is sitting, so that she can see it, and ask her to find it. You can use the cue 'go find', or the name of the toy or object that you hide and want her to bring to you.
• Once she goes to the toy, praise her immediately, even if she does not touch it. Repeat this each time she is close to the toy and encourage her to take the toy into her mouth.
• The first time she picks up the toy, praise her and let her play with it for a while.
• When she has learned to take the desired object into her mouth, encourage her to bring it all the way to you. First praise her when she comes running with her toy, and then praise her only when she brings it to your hand. You can trade the toy for a treat.
• When she becomes proficient at the game, start hiding the toy in more difficult places in another room or in the back yard and send her off on the hunt.

'Go Find' or Retrieve
If your dog already enjoys carrying things in her mouth then this game is easier to teach, but you can also try to teach your dog to bring toys to you even if she does not like to retrieve something that you throw.

Hide and Seek
This is a fun game you can play with your dog indoors or outside and best played with two people.

• Have one person hold your dog while you go and hide somewhere in the same room or area where your dog can see you hiding.
• Call your dog’s name as the person releases your dog and praise your dog for finding you.
• At this stage the game is easy but as your dog becomes more proficient start hiding in areas that are harder for him to find.
• Motivate your dog to play the game by rewarding him with his favorite toy, some food or a game of tug if he finds you.
• While your dog is coming to find you have the other person go hide and call the dog to them once he has successfully found you. This back and forth will test your dog’s seeking skills and tire him out.
• Make sure you only repeat the game a few times so your dog does not lose interest.

Can Dogs Tell Time?

Are dogs capable of telling time? This question has long been debated in the scientific world as well as in the dog training world.

Many dog owners have experienced their dog's ability to seemingly recognise when it's dinnertime or time to go for a walk. But are dogs truly able to understand time in the same way that we do? And if so, how do they do it?

Researchers break up the concept of memory into two types: implicit and declarative memory. Implicit memory allows humans and non-human animals to repeat tasks that have been accomplished in the past, such as the muscle memory involved in riding a bike.

But scientists have not determined if dogs are capable of declarative memory, and more specifically episodic memory, or the ability to recall contextual information about past events. This involves understanding what occurred, when it occurred, and where it occurred. Studies have shown that primates are capable of this type of memory, but whether or not dogs have this ability has not yet been determined.

So can your dog tell time?

There are several hypotheses about a dog's apparent time-telling behaviors. The first is that dogs simply follow their circadian rhythm, which tells their bodies when to sleep and when to be awake.

Another explanation involves scent. Scientists believe that a dog may be able to tell how soon you will come home based on how long your scent lingers in your house after you leave.

Dogs are incredibly adept at reading environmental cues. Even a small clue, such as the length of a shadow, can be an indicator of the time of day.

As more research is being done on the cognitive and emotional abilities of dogs, perhaps this age-old question will finally be answered.

FREE Kitten or Puppy Starter Pack

Natures Menu Pet Food are giving away FREE Kitten and Puppy packs on their website! Simply click the link below and you will be directed to their offer page on their website. Fill in the simple form with your details and submit to get your free puppy or kitten pack. They'll delivered it to you in the post. Please allow up to 28 days for delivery.

We can't confirm what is included in the free starter packs but it's likely to be pet food sample from one of their recipes. To get your free Natures Menu Puppy pack.

If your looking for more Puppy gifts for your new furry friend? Why not check out our dog online store for some inspiration. From personalised dog bowls to Safety Reflective harnesses - Pets Mad have it all.

Claim your FREE Kitten or Puppy Starter Pack here

PetPace Smart Collar For Dogs Reads Pet Emotions

PetPace App for iPhone

Ever wondered what goes on in those fluffy little heads? Wonder no more with this incredible invention that will text you if your dog is sad!

A new dog collar is set to tell owners when their pets are feeling happy - and TEXT them when they are sad.

The invention will monitor the temperature, heart rate and breathing activities of precious pets in relation to their breeds.

The "smart collar" will then send an alert to your phone by email or text message if it senses a problem.

Manufacturers behind PetPace say worried families will be able to tell when their pooches are sick, hungry, or just a bit down in the dumps.

Sensors built into the hi-tech device are similar to those used by athletes to keep a close eyes on their health.

The dog collar can also monitor how many calories have been burned in a day and can detect if an animal is in pain by assessing physical and behavioural signs.

Dr Asaf Dagan, chief veterinary scientist at PetPace said: "This collar will enable pets, for the first time, to 'tell' us how they feel.

"Most importantly, out smart collar will allow veterinarians to provide better medicine and better service to their patients while sealing the bond with pet owners."

Robin Hargreaves, president of the British Veterinary Association told the Veterinary Times: "This kind of monitoring system could be very helpful in the diagnosis and management of disease.

"However, as with any type of diagnostic test monitoring the health of an animal, the interpretation of the results should be made by a veterinary surgeon, taking into account the clinical history of the animal as well as a physical examination by a vet."

The hi-tech invention will go on sale in Britain next year for $150, or around £90.

Help Your Dog Be Less Fearful of Children

Kid playing with dog

It is very normal for dogs to be scared of children or one particular child, especially if they have not been raised with children or have been teased by them in the past. Even one experience can create an aversion or fear that is hard to erase and this causes all kinds of issues, especially when the dog lives in the same home as the child. It is also the reason why so many children are bitten by dogs. Children have less impulse control and tend to run around more, speaking in high pitched voices, which can be overwhelming.

If you have a dog that is scared of your child or other children that visit your home you must take the situation seriously and instead of punishing your dog for showing negative behavior, find ways to make him more confident around the source of his fear. Be very careful when training your dog with children.

If your dog is scared of other children visiting your home, there is one simple solution: management. Find a safe zone that your dog can go to where children are not allowed. This might be in a room behind a baby gate or closed door. Be aware of where the visiting children are and never trust that they might not open the door or try and touch the dog over the gate. Always be there to supervise.


Help Your Dog Be Less Fearful of Children:

• If your dog is scared of kids outside the home keep him away from playgrounds or parks where children play. No dog should be running around off leash in or near a playground.
  
• Start having calm kids walk past at a safe distance and throw your dog’s favorite treats to her. The dog must always be leashed and a good distance away but if she sees that good things come to her any time a child walks past she might begin to look forward to the presence of children.
  
• Never have kids try to greet your dog or come into her space. Teach any kids that will be visiting your household to pay no attention to your fearful dog. This will take pressure off and give her the space she needs.
• Teach kids to be calm around your dog.
  
• Never put a child in harm’s way in order to ‘train’ your dog. All techniques should be performed slowly with emphasis on safety.
  
• Teach your children and visiting friends to be K-9 Safe and Smart. This will empower them with knowledge and understanding that will keep them safe.
• Always supervise babies and young children around a dog and never leave them alone together, even for a moment.

ASDA's Pet Even Starts Today! Grab your FREE Pet Goody Bag

ASDA's Pet Event

To celebrate the start or their Pet Even, ASDA have got 20,000 free pet goody bags for dogs and cats to give away which includes a free pouch of pet food for your personalised dog bowl!

To get one, visit your nearest Asda Pharmacy today. Each Asda Pharmacy has 80 goody bags to give out - first come, first served!

Subject to availability. One bag per customer.

Driver's breaking law with unrestrained pets

More than one in four dog-owning motorists unwittingly break the law when they transport their pets, according to research.

The RAC Pet Insurance study found 27 per cent of drivers failed to restrain their pooches while their vehicles are on the road.

The poll also revealed that four per cent have had an accident or a near miss as a result of a cat or dog being loose in their car.

According to the Highway Code, animals should be suitably restrained in a vehicle so that they don’t distract the driver or injure them if the vehicle stops quickly.

RAC Pet Insurance spokesman Simon Williams said: “As a nation of dog and cat lovers, it is surprising that we seem to give so little consideration to their safety when they are transported.”

What To Do If A Dog Attacks You

Even though dog bites are relatively common, full-blown attacks are not. It is important to know, however, what to do in the unlikely event an attack happens.

What type of behavior do dogs normally exhibit before attacking?
There is no one size fits all when it comes to the signals a dog gives before attacking, and while the signs of aggression such as growling, snarling, baring teeth and lunging are easy to read, there can also be signs that are so subtle, such as a moment of tension or a small freeze, they are easily missed.

What do I do if I find myself in a situation with a dog that is aggressive towards me?

• Avoid eye contact
• Turn your body slowly to the side
• Cross your arms
• Completely ignore the dog
• Be still for a short period then move slowly away
• Try to get to a place where there is a barrier between you and the dog.

If that does not work, what do I do?

• Stay completely still.
• Without shouting, calmly ask someone nearby to help.
• If you are in the ground slowly curl into a ball on your knees with your hands clasped behind your neck protecting your head and throat.

Should I try to be friendly with the dog, talking to it in a soft voice?

• Completely ignore the dog. The more boring you are, the less likely he is to attack.
• The more you attempt to communicate the greater the chances are of provocation.

Is spraying pepper spray in a dog’s face a good idea?

• If the dog is not yet attacking you, spraying him with pepper spray might be the trigger for an explosion. As always, treating aggression with aggression only makes things worse.

What do I do if the dog lunges at me and begins to bite?

• Find a barrier that you can put between you and the dog – a purse, rolled-up jacket or a stick and try to redirect the dog’s bites onto that item.
• Find higher ground and try to move to a position of height away from the dog. It is much harder for him to bite effectively from below.
• Try not to scream as this could antagonize the dog further.
• Cover the dog’s head with a shirt or blanket so that he cannot see. If you block his eyesight for a moment, it might provide you a window to escape.
• In the very rare event a dog is viciously mauling you (as opposed to just trying to bite or landing a few scattered bites), curl up into a ball on the ground, protecting your head and neck while waiting for help. If you are all alone, you are unlikely to get the dog off you by yourself until the dog loses interest.
• Try as best you can to not scream or otherwise antagonize the dog further.

If a dog is attacking you, is hitting it with a stick a good idea?

• Hitting the dog will only heighten the dog’s already sky-high level of adrenaline and energy. Try to act as calmly as possible. If you are witnessing a fight you can end it by covering the dog’s head with a blanket, jacket or shirt. Blocking a dog’s vision will normally cause the dog to disengage.