September 2013 | A dog's paw

Monday, September 23, 2013

Dog walks: enniskerry - woodland walk

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Maybe is the best walk of the last few months!

I went there with two friends and three dogs on a saturday morning.
On the M50 it took us less than 30 minutes to get there.
There are many walks in Enniskerry and we did the Woodland Walk.

Some problems to find a parking space, as we were not familiar with the area, we parked in the town, but we discovered after that there is a parking space at the entrance of the walk.

It is a beautiful walk in the forest, a lot of plants and a river (Glencullen river) for the doggies to swim and cool down.

The three doggies have been running in the forest for few hours, as the place is quite big and you will not be bored to discover new paths.
The walk that we did was circular, with two bridges on the river.
We met few people there and we stopped for a while in a beautiful area to drink and give the dogs something to eat.

You can find on these websites more information about the place, I am not very familiar, but I hope to go there soon!

http://wicklowcountywalks.com/knocksink.html

http://www.wicklowtourism.ie/village-guide/enniskerry-wicklow.html

http://enniskerry.ie/




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Friday, September 20, 2013

dog training: sit

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***Please note that I am NOT a dog trainer, so I am just sharing my experience with my own dogs.. 
I may be doing wrong things and I am open to suggestions :) ***


 Let's start the training series with a basic command: SIT

With Jago has been very easy to teach him sit, but maybe not for all the dogs is so easy.

First thing to remember is that the dog should have fun during the training and should be able to concentrate.
So it's easier to start in a quiet environment, if he is a puppy maybe not when he is hyper excited.
Slowly you can trying moving to more busy places trying to capture his attention.

Sit was the first command we learnt at the puppy classes.
We have been taught to give the command sit as verbal command without body signals.
He should be able to "understand the word" even if we are giving our back to him.

How to begin?
The easiest thing is to use the natural moments when your dog are going to sit down to tell him the word and praise him.
He will start the association and you are not forcing him but gently using his natural movements to teach something.
Then you can start with the training.

Stand up and show to your dog a treat.
Move the treat near his nose.
If the dog sit give him the command "sit" straight away and praise him.
The timing is very important.

Why we shouldn't give the command before?

When we start with a new command the dog wouldn't understand the word.
So it's better to say the command at the same time with his action.
When the association between movement and word will be better you can give the command in advance and expect a reaction.
You should avoid giving 100 times the command expecting a reaction.
If he doesn't get it he will not understand better if you repeat and the command will loose intensity.

When he will be able to execute the sit following your hand with the treat you can start to training him to only follow your command and giving the treat as praise later.

To reinforce the command you can ask him to sit before opening the door, or before letting him play or before giving him his meal.

Training is an important part of the relationship with your dog, will keep him entertained and you will feel more confident if you are able to control him!

Let me know if you have any issues, advice or experiences to share.

I am not a dog trainer and I am only sharing my experience with my dogs.
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Thursday, September 19, 2013

Dog walks: Bull Island

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Another beautiful place for a nice walk near Dublin is Bull Island, just 4 miles from the city center.
The sandy beach is called Dollymount Strand and it's long approx 5 km!!!


The island is designated as a UNESCO Biosphere reserve and is also classified as a Wetland of International importance under the Ramsar Convention.


The island is connected to the mainland by the Bull Bridge at the southern (Clontarf/Dollymount) end, and by a broad causeway at Raheny.
Usually I drive from Clontarf road heading to the Golf club / visitor centre.
There is parking space and there you have the chance to walk through the dunes or on the beautiful beach!

There is plenty of space to let you dog running and have fun, please respect the wildlife and the environment!

The first time I went there I have been walking on the beach.. for hours! You can see in the photos Jago running and jumping down from the dunes just behind the beach.

Last Sunday we have been walking with a friend and her 2 dogs on the dunes and was beautiful as well, I think that Jago enjoyed even more!
And you can see a fantastic double rainbow to create a nice atmosphere!

From another website "Bull Island is a A 300 hectare island in Dublin Bay formed after the construction of the Bull Wall in the 1820's. It is now a Nature Reserve and Bird Sanctuary of international importance with up to 25.000 wading birds using the area in Winter"


How to Get There by bus:
30, 31 from Lower Abbey Street.

Visitors Centre is open 7 days a week, 10.00am-4.30pm.


 
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Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Walk for Greyhounds

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Saturday 21st September in Merrion Square there will be the 3d walk for Greyhound.
It is a walks organized to promote greyounds as pets and raise awareness of greyhound welfare issues.
The meeting is at 12 in Merrion Square Park and the walk will begin at 1.15 and will take 1 and half hours.

More information on the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/grai.ie
I will go with Jago and Buddy!!


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Saturday, September 14, 2013

Dog walks: Portmarnock beach

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Another beach where we started to go often is Portmarnock beach.
Portmarnock is on the coast between Malahide and Baldoyle, approx 15 km from Dublin city centre.
There is a big public car park and the town is served by the No. 32B and No. 42 bus service from Dublin City Centre, with a bus stop right at the beach!

The beach is very big as  you can see on the map so if it's a sunny day and there are too many people it's not difficult to find a spot where you can let the dog off leash and don't annoy children or people walking there.

The Velvet Strand is a long sandy beach, approximately 5 km in length, consisting of a large sandy dune area.
It would be better to let the dog play on the beach and not on the dunes as I read we should protect the dunes from erosion.

Here the photos of yesterday walk with Buddy and Jago.
They met few friendly dogs and they had a lot of fun running in the water and playing with the ball!

Here the rules of dogs on Fingal beaches:

Dogs On Beaches - http://www.fingalcoco.ie/Environment/BeachesinFingal/DogsOnBeaches/
During the period 1st June to 31st August in any year persons shall be allowed bring a dog onto, or allow a dog under his or her control to remain on the beach/foreshore

(i) under adequate personal control, before the hours of 11.00am and after the hours of 6.00pm
(ii) to be on a leash in all Reserved Bathing Areas (as defined in Schedule 2) between the hours of 11.00am and 6.00pm.

Persons in charge of a dog on the beach shall ensure the following:
- It is on a leash or under adequate control
- It is not causing annoyance to any person using the beach or worrying, chasing, injuring or disturbing any animals, birds or other creatures on the beach
- Removal of its faeces and depositing it in a litter bin or other receptacle which may be designated for this purpose. (Guide dogs for the blind are exempt from this bye-law as also are dogs kept by An Garda Siochana and wholly used by a member of An Garda Siochana in the execution of his/her duty).
-  Every person bringing a dog onto the beach area shall be responsible and liable for any damage or injury to property or persons which may be caused by it.


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Thursday, September 12, 2013

Photo competition with prize!

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The first photo contest is Live now on the facebook page!

I have decided to run this photo contest to give you the opportunity to share your dog's photos and to win a small prize that I will buy from a dog charity.
If the contest will be successful I will run the contest regularly so we can give a small help to other charities / rescues!

You will find all the info here:
http://www.facebook.com/adogpaw

"1st A dog's Paw Photo Contest - Bow Wow Beef Dog Treats DSPCA

A great way to win treats to train your dog and support DSPCA!!

RULES:
Upload an original photo of your dog / dogs / friend's dog on the facebook page.
Wait to see the photo in the Contest Folder.
Share the photo if you want to have more opportunities to get a like.
The photo with more likes will win!
The prize is a pack of Bow Wow Beef Dog Treats from DSPCA shop. (200g - 100% Irish Beef - just cured and seasoned. Made in Wicklow)
Only for residents in the Republic of Ireland.

CONTEST CLOSES next Sunday September 15th at 22:00

Let me know for any question or issues."


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Monday, September 9, 2013

is it possible to train two dogs together?

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***Please note that I am NOT a dog trainer, so I am just sharing my experience with my own dogs.. 
I may be doing wrong things and I am open to suggestions :) ***


Well I am trying, just for fun :D
I've read that is not possible because they are too distracted or for other reasons.
I am not really trying to train them, but yesterday when they started to be bored / too much tennisball obsessed I started with Sit - Down command and it works really good!

Now, Buddy doesn't give paw and I saw he doesn't like to be touched on the paws.

I will progress with some "stay" maybe in the following days and then let's see :D
It's just because I don't want to stop Jago training and these first days I don't want to exclude Buddy from our activities.

Aren't they cute???


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Sunday, September 8, 2013

Puppy classes - video :)

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I found this "old" video today of Jago puppy classes last January.
They were all less than 5 months old and this was the play and recall training


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Saturday, September 7, 2013

Fostering experience - Buddy - day 2

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The fostering experience is continuing and still great!
Yesterday evening Buddy was tired after playing for hours with a 4 years old girl!
He is so gentle!

Today we went to Bark in the Park, a walk in aid for the Irish Blue Cross.
Buddy had the chance to meet many other dogs, big and small, crazy and quiet, and he never had any problem! He didn't mind the confusion, all the people there, the kids approaching and he enjoyed the walk!
The only thing that still scares him are the cars.
He is very stressed when he hears a car, he tend to stop and lay down.
But we are working on that, and being together with other dogs is helping.

At home he is much more quiet than my hyperactive Jago, but he loves his walks and playing with the tennis ball!
He is really affectionate and loves cuddles a lot!

Here a photo of the two doggies tired after Bark in the Park!


20:00 Update!!
My main concern was Separation Anxiety.
Both friday morning and saturday evening when I left even for a while the flatmates told me that Buddy was crying a lot!!!
Today I left the two guys together and alone for a couple of hours and video recorded with my PC
No crying, no barking, no fighting, everything perfect!!
Ok that they were tired from the walk, but I am super happy!!!
Well done Buddy & Jago!


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Friday, September 6, 2013

Fostering experience - Buddy - day 1!

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Everything is happening quickly these days.
Two days ago I found a dog and in 12 hours I found the owner thanks to the facebook page Lors Lost dogs.

In the afternoon I saw on Dog in Distress webpage that there were few dogs in the pound that would need urgent fostering.
I applied months ago for fostering, but I never had the real chance to take a dog.

So I called and yesterday Buddy came at home with me!
He is an 8 years old border collie, that has been surrendered by the owner because he couldn't take care of him due to an illness.
When I first took him he was scared and stressed and he didn't want to go out from the car.
He is not aggressive at all, and he let me pet him and bring him out.

I took my dog Jago and we went all three for a first walk outside!
Jago and him are not playing a lot at the moment, but they are fine together!

Buddy is a very sweet dog, he ate food and slept quiet last night.
Today I had to go to work, so I brought Jago to daycare as I didn't want to leave them unsupervised for the first day.
Unfortunately my flatmate just called me to let me know that Buddy started crying as soon as I left home.
:(
I will go home in a hour during my lunch time to check him, I have toys and a very nice bone.
Hopefully he will settle down a bit.
With me he was very nice and quiet yesterday, but I can understand that he is stressed and needs to adapt to the new situation.
I will be home all these evenings and weekend and I really hope that next week the company of Jago will help him to not feel alone!


You can see here some photos..
As you can see my rule of "no dogs on my bed" had some problems last night :P













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Petition: Wicklow County Council and the ISPCA

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I am sharing this petition found online because I heard that the situation in Wicklow Pound is a bit difficult.

All dogs entering the pound should be photograhed and given the opportunity to be reunited with their owners, rehomed or offered rescue help. Currently only dogs deemed fit for rehoming by the wardens are allowed to be photographed and dogs are regularly withheld from volunteer’s sight at Wicklow Pound. There should be no hidden dogs.
Stray and surrender information is information in the public domain and can help reunite a dog with an owner (specific areas can be targeted via social media and poster campaigns) and in the case of surrenders ensure that a dog appears on our page as an urgent case. This is vital to saving lives and positive outcomes for the dogs.
Confirmation of availability date is also vital to ensuring a dog is effectively promoted and profiled for rehoming.
Currently opening hours are not conducive to reclamation and rehoming and there is no service to leave a message when you telephone as recommended during opening hours.


https://www.change.org/petitions/wicklow-county-council-and-the-ispca-provide-improved-public-records-accountability-and-service-at-wicklow-pound
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Thursday, September 5, 2013

What to do if you find a lost dog?

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For the second time I found a dog in Dublin and I found the owner as well, so I am becoming expert?
:)

Please feel free to add in the comments if you know more resources or if you have any tip or experience to share.

So what to do if you find a dog?

First of all thanks for trying to help him!
- Usually I walk in the area and I try to ask people if they recognize him or can give me some information.

- Keep the dog safe at home and don't let him wander around or he can get injured or cause accidents!

- If he has no tag or written number anywhere bring him to a vet to check if he is  microchipped.

- Take a picture of the dog and post it with the details on the following websites:

Lors lost dog facebook page (I found the owner of the last dog found here)

www.lostdogs.ie (I found the owner of the first dog found here)
 www.lostandfoundpets.ie www.lostandfound.ie www.munsterlostandfound.com www.lostdogs.ie www.IrishDogs.ie www.irishanimals.com http://www.rescueanimalsireland.ie/lost-and-found

- Contact Dublin SPCA by emailing them at lost@dspca.ie with photo,details and contact no.
https://www.dspca.ie/LostAndFoundPetAdvice

- Put some posters with the photo in the area you found the dog.

- Contact the local pound and the nearest garda station and give them your details.

THE LAW STATES THE FOLLOWING- from Irish Control of Dogs Act 1986 Section 13.
(1) Any person, other than a dog warden or a member of the Garda Síochána, who finds and takes possession of a stray dog shall, forthwith—
( a ) return the dog to its owner, OR!!
( b ) deliver the dog to a dog warden, OR!!
( c ) IF YOU CAN KEEP the dog SAFE WITH YOU, give notice in writing containing a description of the dog, the address of the place where it was found, and the address of the place where it is detained to the member in charge at the nearest Garda Station to the place where the dog was found, or to a dog warden.
If you take the dog in you can keep it for 28 days without a licence, then the animal must be licenced and if you decide to keep/rehome the dog, ownership of the dog is not yours until a year and a day have passed. This does NOT apply to dogs adopted/rescued from pounds, only those taken in as strays




I found the owner of these two lovely dogs in 24 hours.
It's very good to be able to help and to see people and dogs happy reunited together!




With these experiences I learn more how important is microchipping our pets!
http://adogpaw.blogspot.ie/2013/09/national-chipping-month-competition.html

Please feel free to add in the comments if you know more resources or if you have any tip or experience to share.
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Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Fostering dogs - today experience

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I have fostered a dog before and it has been a very nice experience.
She was a 6 months old golden retriever and Jago was 6 months as well.
Quite frantic weeks with two puppies but I could learn a lot and I am glad I helped her to find her new home!
I will write about her soon :)

Today I knew that a female german sheperd has been found alone, but unfortunately the owner could not keep her.
She is in the restricted breed list, so she would have short life in the pound as far as I know.
I went with Jago to meet her.
Unfortunately I couldn't take her and it has been a very difficult decision.

She is very nice, friendly and she was ok with Jago.
But he was like scared.
We brought them for a walk and they never tried to play together, they were ignoring each other and Jago looked like a bit stressed.

At the moment I am working full time and I unfortunately I could not leave them alone, without supervision.
I do really hope that they will find a foster home for her :(

I will consider fostering in the future for sure, obviously I would need a suitable house for that and make sure that the dog would get along well with Jago.

If you can, consider fostering please, you could really save the life of dogs!

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Monday, September 2, 2013

Bark in the Park - phoenix park - saturday 7th september

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Next Saturday there will be the 4th and last Bark in the Park 2013.
Bark in the Park is a sponsored dog walk to raise funds in aid of the work of The Irish Blue Cross animal welfare charity.

There will be a walk (dog on leash) and a raffle, music, goody bags (sponsored by Maxi Zoo) and prizes for the dog with the Best Bark, Shiniest Coat, Happiest Smile and Waggiest Tail

I have been at the 1st Bark in the Park in St. Annes Park and it has been a very nice experience!
The sun was shining and a lot of dogs were there!
I met a lot of new people, new doggies and Jago had the chance to play with many new friends!

It's very good to know that we can have a nice day out and in the same time help a good organization like the Irish Blue Cross.
The Irish Blue Cross is an animal welfare charity that provides low-cost veterinary services for people on a low income around Dublin.

You can find more information here http://www.bluecross.ie/  and here http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Irish-Blue-Cross/159508547395141

More details about Bark in the Park and photogallery of the previous events are here
http://www.barkinthepark.ie/

Saturday 7h at 3pm - Phoenix park, Dublin
Starting point: At the junction of Chesterfield Avenue and Ordnance Survey Road, near the Castleknock Road entrance

The route will be a 4km walk, will start at 3pm and will take approximately 30 – 45 minutes.
At the end every person registered will receive a doggy bag!


Will you be there?
Spread the voice to help the Irish Blue Cross!

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Jago being bad :)

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The daycare where I leave Jago send always a lot of photos.
I thought that this one was funny!
Jago looking at the other dog with his tongue out like saying "prrrr" and the other dog face so sad!
I am not the best in writing caption for photos but here an experiment :P


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Sunday, September 1, 2013

National chipping month + competition!!!

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I wrote few days ago an article about the compulsory microchipping in Ireland.

September is the Ireland's National chipping month

That means that there will be initiatives all around the country and there will be more opportunities to have your dog microchipped at reduced price or free of charge!

There are many sponsors and associations involved and you can find updated information here:
http://www.ncm.ie/ and here on the facebook page

There is also a competition  promoted by National Microchipping Month campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of microchipping pets and animals.

The overall winner will receive FREE pet insurance for their pet for one year and FREE pet food for the same animal for a year courtesy of our partners, Royal Canin and Allianz Pet Insurance.

You will find details about the competition here:
http://www.ncm.ie/rules/
It looks like a good opportunity!

If you are not sure about the microchip details you can check it for free at maxizoo stores:
http://www.maxizoo.ie/free-check-your-chip-service-to-help-dog-owners-protect-pets-2/


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