Herald - Issue 405

22nd April 2021 • The HERALD • Page 43 v SAY YOU SAW IT IN THE HERALD v ANIMAL MAGIC Do You Need Help with Dog Problems? BK9Confident Say goodbye to training problems, unwanted behaviours, pulling on the lead, fear reactivity, aggression, separation anxiety, recall problems, puppy problems, confidence problems, dominant behaviour, resource guarding and much more! Stop unwanted behaviours like chewing, excessive barking, pulling on the lead, jumping up, scent marking indoors etc. E-learning courses available from £9.99 FREE Courses & Resources Private & Confidential Consultations from £20 Qualified Advanced Canine Behaviourists, Insured, Experienced, Force-Free Methods Only Enquiries T: 023 8178 17 07 E: dogs2fosteruk@gmail.com in association with www.dogs2fosteruk.org 38 Pylewell Road, Hythe, Southampton, Hants SO45 6AQ Tel: (023) 8084 1000 Fax: (023) 8084 5651 www.hythevets.co.uk An Independent Local Practice The Pet Healthcare Centre IS YOUR DOG REACTIVE? by Dogs2Foster they do and using the techniques we teach to change the behaviour. If you want to achieve calmer, more enjoyable walks with your dog the e-course, 10 Steps to Changing Reactivity is available for just £9.99, or you can book private consultations from just £30. Dogs2Foster o er a ordable, professional help for dog owners via e-courses or private consultations. If you would like to speak with a canine behaviourist, please telephone: 023 8178 1707 or book directly at: www. dogs2fosteruk.org/shop.html. RESCUE DOGS FOR ADOPTION Dogs2FosterUK have some wonderful boys and girls available for adoption if you would like to open your heart and home to a dog in need. We have successfully rehomed over 100 dogs in the New Forest to wonderful families. Please register your interest via: www.dogs2fosteruk.org or call: 023 8178 1707. For many dog owners with reactive dogs, going out for walks can be a real challenge, let us face it, the biggest reason most of us have dogs is to have those leisurely walks, stress free with our dog running along beside us, but its not like this for everyone. Are you a dog owner that must get up at crazy times early in the morning, or go out late, a er dark just to avoid other dogs on your walks? Do you survey every area with vigilance, constantly feeling tense and stressed on every walk with your dog for fear of bumping into other dog owners? Do you feel embarrassed around other dog owners because of the way your dog behaves? If the answer is YES, this is the course for you! As human beings, we o en focus our attention on what is wrong rather than what’s right about something. Reactivity is simply a reaction to something our dog nds frightening or worrying. ey have found a way of coping with this fear which is o en lunging and barking at what scares them and its worked, so they continue the behaviour whenever they are in a similar situation. is is your dog’s default mode if you like. Characteristically a reactive dog is described as a lunging and barking dog. e term “reactive dog” does not de ne your dog and all the other wonderful things about them. Although it may appear your reactive dog is aggressive, much of the time this is not the case at all, a lot of noise and fuss is made in your dog’s defence to make scary triggers like other dogs go away through fear, this is to prevent a confrontation with other dogs whereas aggressive dogs have a di erent motive entirely. Reactivity is simply a learned behaviour, which is fantastic news for you and us, because this means we we can can undo the behaviour your dog has learnt by teaching them to cope better with their fears through building resilience. It really is about understanding why your dog behaves the way As new figures reveal that the RSPCA took nearly 4,000 calls about animals affected by litter in 2020, the animal charity is urging people to do their bit and join the ‘Great British Spring Clean’. Despite people being in lockdown for many months the RSPCA still received more than 10 calls a day about animals a ected by litter including: • A duck tangled in a medical face mask • A baby hedgehog with plastic wrapped around her neck • A fox with his head caught in an old Cornish pasty wrapper • A gannet entangled in plastic (pictured) e animal welfare charity is urging people to help protect animals by picking up any litter they see lying around as well as ensuring they take their litter home with them or disposing of it properly and responsibly. Head of the RSPCA’s wildlife department Adam Grogan said: “Our staff deal with thousands of incidents every year where animals have been impacted by litter - and they’re the ones that we know of. I’m sure for every animal we’re able to help there are many that go unseen, unreported and may even lose their lives. Litter is one of the biggest hazards our wildlife faces today, and the pandemic has just added to the problem with many disposable masks just being discarded on the ground. These are a new danger to animals, and we’ve been called out to rescue animals like ducks and gulls caught up in the masks’ elastic straps. That’s why we’re calling on the public to get involved in the Great British Spring Clean to help remove litter that may endanger animals.” As well as everyday rubbish, the RSPCA also sees many animals arriving into its care with terrible injuries caused by angling litter such as discarded shing line and hooks to plastic netting. Nearly 40% of all litter- related calls to the RSPCA last year were about animals that had speci cally become caught in shing litter, from a seal being strangled by old shing net to dozens of swans who swallowed or were pierced by old shing hooks or became entangled in shing line. Adam added: “Animals who get their heads or necks stuck in litter can suffer severe injuries as they struggle to break free and can even suffocate, while others will slowly grow weaker and weaker as they try to hunt or find food or water. “Others will get fishing line or netting cutting deep into their skin, affecting circulation and with wounds becoming seriously infected. These hazards can very quickly become a matter of life or death for these animals and action is urgently needed to tackle this problem head-on. It’s up to every one of us to do our bit in the war against litter.” We strongly urge those who enjoy fishing to be extra cautious to make sure nothing is left behind. Most anglers are very responsible when disposing of their litter, but it only takes one piece of snagged line to be left in a tree or dropped near the water to endanger the life of an animal. We ask that all those who enjoy fishing to follow the Angling Trust Take 5 campaign and make use of the recycling scheme to dispose of their waste tackle. If members of the public see discarded litter, we would encourage them to pick it up safely and put it in the bin, remembering to wash their hands after. Their action could save an animal’s life.” To help the RSPCAcontinue rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit: www.rspca.org.uk or call the donation line on 0300 123 8181. Stop our Wildlife Suffering A Gannet entangled in plastic Set up to help local people and their pets during times of hardship, Totton food bank stores pet food donations for: • Dogs • Cats • Rabbits • Guinea Pigs ª Other small furries If you have a pet food need and you live in Totton, Eling, Calmore and surrounding areas please contact: 023 8114 0166 or email: t o t t onpe t f oodbank@ mail.com Please make contact if you have donations you would like to share. Totton Pet Food Bank