Dougal's Pet Corner The place for your pet stories and pictures, let me have them

How to mentally stimulate your mutt! (part two)

A dog's sense of smell is one of his strongest senses and using his nose can be quite tiring as well as a lot of fun for him - so scent tracking games are very good to prevent boredom.  Teach him to follow a scent trail. Get a clean old sock or pair of tights and fill the toe with some particularly smelly food that your dog will love. Shut your dog away so that he cannot see. Drag the sock or tights along the floor to a hiding place, such as behind a cushion on the sofa - but don't make the trail too long, until he gets the hang of it. Take a few pieces of the food and place at the beginning of the trail and partway along, to help him on his first few tries. Bring him back into the room to the start of the trail. Encourage him to follow it and he should find the hidden sock. When he finds it, praise him and give him the treats hidden inside.  As he gets better at following the trail, stop putting treats along the way to help him and make the trail longer and more complicated. For more of a challenge, try it in the garden.  If your dog likes to dig in your garden and you're fed up with the holes in your lawn, then why not build your dog his own sand-pit or earth-pit? You can either sink it into the ground or have one that is raised up - just as long as it is big enough for your dog to get in and have a really good dig. Bury toys and treats inside so that your dog will enjoy hours of digging fun, without destroying your flowerbeds.   Provide your dog with plenty of chew toys, which you should encourage him to use if you catch him chewing something that he shouldn't. Try him with synthetic bones, dental chews that massage the gums, pigs' ears, roasted knucklebones or large rawhide chews. Keep anything that you don't want him to chew out of reach so that he can't be naughty in the first place. Rotate the chew toys that you give him everyday, so that he doesn't get bored with them.    Consider trying clicker training, a form of training that really encourages your dog to think about what he is doing and can enable you to teach him all sorts of tricks. Obtain a book on this, or visit a local training class using clicker techniques to learn the principles. Once you and your dog get the idea, the sky's the limit!   Outdoor walks are great to wear dogs out physically, but used to the full will also exercise your dog mentally.  Letting your dog have a really good run off lead in a safe place is essential. Giving him the opportunity to sniff around at will and meet other dogs helps him use his doggy communication skills and allows him to use his sense of smell - all things that use his brain and help keep him happy and contented.  Take a favourite toy out with you that you keep only for walks. This will make it very special to your dog. Active playing will wear him out a lot more quickly than just walking alone - after you've let him have a good sniff and greeted doggy chums of course!

Many people worry about what will happen to their cat in an emergency. We have “Emergency Cards” which people can complete to cover most contingencies. One side of the card holds details of the cat/cats. The other side contains the owners details and what action should be taken if (a) They are admitted to hospital or incapacitated - who will look after the cat, or (b) If they should die - the name and address of their Solicitors, if instructions have been made for the cat in their Will, or, an indication an arrangement has been made with Cats Protection to take care of the cat.  It is reassuring to know that the system works. Several months ago a lady died and her friend was aware of the agreement she had with us to find a new home for her elderly cat. This cat was re-homed before needing to come into care. Recently another lady died suddenly and the police contacted Stephanie when they found the emergency card. Barney, the cat, was collected by Stephanie and is now being cared for by us. He is 11 years old and has several health problems. These should not prevent him from finding a suitable new home as his owner’s Solicitors have advised us that provision has been made to pay for his medication in view of his “special needs”.  We recently received a new poster from Head Office, which read “Moving House? Don’t forget all your belongings” and portrayed a sad little cat sitting outside on a windowsill. Having recently taken in a cat under these circumstances we found it particularly relevant. Amy, a pretty little tortie girl, only six months old and not neutered was abandoned together with a little dog. A neighbour contacted Stephanie to see if we could help. Fortunately one of our pens had just become free and although she had to jump our “waiting list” we were able to take her into care straight away. Happily, another rescue organisation was able to offer shelter to the little dog. Within a week of coming into care, Amy had been neutered and had been chosen by a caring new family. Her new owners “passed” their home check and Amy has now left us to join them.  If you are moving house and cannot take your cat with you please contact us or other animal rescue centres well in advance as most usually have a list of cats waiting to come into care. We frequently receive telephone calls from people who are moving the next day and it is impossible to help them apart from giving numbers of other organisations. Our motto is “we help if we can” but unfortunately it is not always possible.  We are pleased to report that Bonnie, Blanche and Rosie have now been chosen. We have lots of attractive cats available at present. They include three lovely ginger boys: * Jimbo – A big ginger and white lad who joined us from a farm. Jimbo is about 8 years old and he loves the fuss and attention he now receives from his fosterer. * Glow – White with ginger spots. Glow joined us from the same farm as Jimbo, and at 2 years old, is probably his son. He is very gentle and affectionate and loves to have his tummy tickled. * Caesar - A very handsome ginger lad.. Caesar joined us via his vet, as his owner could no longer look after him. Caesar is about 6 years old. He lost his back right leg in an accident several years ago and copes very well with his disability. He is at present on medication for another problem, which would need to be discussed with anyone interested in giving him a new home. If you are looking for a cat, call Stephanie on 01692 535858. Alternatively you can visit www.northwalshamcats.co.uk for a description of the cats before giving her a call.