Adele spoke to Kim O’Meara about returning to Emmerdale, her latest film, Strippers vs Werewolves and the two loves of her life, Buster and Misty.

Tell us about your dogs – we’d like to know everything about them!

I have two dogs, Buster and Misty. They’re like little and large! Buster is an 8 year old Yorkshire Terrier girl. We’ve always had Yorkies in our family, we’ve had four over the years but Buster was the first we’ve bought. She’s a funny girl really, very lovable and she snorts all the time – she has a small windpipe so she’s always making funny noises. She has the nicest temperament, people love her and she is so funny, sometimes when she gets over excited she’ll wee a little. But she has a lot of health problems sadly so she’s at the vets every two-three months.

Out of the two, Buster is the character. When anyone comes to the house she’ll paw at their legs for fuss. She loves any attention!

Misty is 8 years old aswell and she’s a Shar Pei. She’s the complete opposite to Buster. She’s very stand-off ish. I bought her with an ex-boyfriend of mine. When we got her I’d never had a big dog before, I’d always been used to small dogs. So we went through The Kennel Club route and found a breeder. Misty’s very aloof, she’s quiet and sticks to one person to the point she’ll sit outside the bathroom waiting for them. She’s a lovely girl, she has a great temperament. One memory sticks out in my mind when she got excited when getting ready to go for a walk, she screwed her face up, it went overly wrinkly and she was wiggling her bum around, it was so cute to see.

She’s fiercely protective over the little one, Buster, aswell. If people come round to see us she’ll sit and spectate for 5-10 minutes taking it all in, wheras Buster’s all over everyone from the start happy for fuss and attention.

I think Misty’s personality is just typical of her breed though. I have a friend who has a Shar Pei aswell and she said her dog is just the same.

When I go back home with them Misty is my dad’s best friend, she sticks to him like glue – but I have a feeling that’s because he’s always eating and she knows if she stays around by him she’ll get something to eat.

When did your interest in pets/animals begin and how long have you been a pet owner?

We got our first Yorkie, Goldie, on my 6th birthday. Then we had Dinky, her daughter and then Katie. By the time Katie was with us Goldie had passed away and Misty was home with me.

I think I really benefited growing up with our dogs over the years, my mum has always been really pro-animals. They were great family pets and being Yorkies and small dogs, good for travelling and good with kids.

You’ve probably best known on-screen for playing Kelly Windsor in Emmerdale on and off since 1993. What do you love most about Kelly and do you see her making a come back any time soon?

Well, Kelly couldn’t be any more from me so when I first read about her in 30 seconds/1 minute I thought ‘I really don’t like her’, she’s so sly, a bit of a bitch and has no living parents but she has so many dimensons. In her most recent time back, I got a call and they told me a little about her plans for coming back with a kid, how she would shake things up with Jimmy and Nicola and they asked if I’d like to come back for a few months.

I started acting when I was 8 years old so I have a theatre background. I spent a lot of good years at Emmerdale and I enjoy playing Kelly, she always had great storylines. I get itchy feet and so that’s why I took a break to try other things. At the moment I have no real ties apart from my dogs. I’m not married, I don’t have kids and there’s other things I’d still like to try so I can always look back and say ‘well at least I tried’.

I think Kelly’s a ‘love to hate’ character. I’m really open minded on it so I never say never. Emmerdale’s always a fun place to be with a cast and crew I grew up with so it really feels like going home whenever I go back.

In your down time from Emmerdale you’ve appeared on lots of TV shows and films. Most memorably ITV’s Hell’s Kitchen where you came 2nd, What did you most enjoy about Hell’s Kitchen? Would it encourage you to do more reality TV where there was something to learn from it?

This is a preview of the full article. The full content of this item is available to K9 Magazine Premier level members. You can become a member by clicking here If you are already a K9 Magazine member you can log in here.

I think I’d ask Buster ‘do you understand why me and my mum are saying?’ and she’d say ‘yes’.

And I think I could ask Misty anything and she’d say ‘whatever’!

Many Thanks Adele!

Adele Silva Speaking With Kim O’Meara

Interview With Adele Silva is a post from: K9 Magazine - The Dog Magazine For Modern Dog Lovers

Dog worms used to be considered as ‘just something you have to accept’. Not any more. We know that dogs can actually pass on nasty illnesses to humans as a result of worm infection and if that’s not enough to motivate the average dog owner to keep their dog free of worms, the very fact that a worm infestation can actually prove fatal should really do the trick.

Worms generally tend to be more prevalent in younger animals, but there is a common misconception that by simply treating worms in puppies the dog won’t require regular worming as he or she grows. The fact is, a dog can be infected and reinfected with worms at any time. So even a dog who has been wormed very recently can still reinfect themselves within days, let alone weeks.

Zoonotic diseases are those that can be passed on by animals to humans. They can be very serious, in extreme cases can even cause blindness.

In the UK, the two most common types of dog worms are roundworms and tapeworms. Some have complex life histories and may infest more than one type of animal in their life cycle. A good example of this is the flea tapeworm. Here the maggot-like flea immature stage eats the eggs produced by the tapeworm. The egg hatches within the flea and develops in a dog or cat’s intestine when the flea is swallowed during grooming. It is possible that young children can catch this tapeworm from accidentally eating fleas originating on a pet.

Roundworms
The large roundworms of dogs and cats produce thousands of eggs and are commonly seen in puppies. Ingestion of these eggs releases the immature worm, which leaves the gut and migrates around the body of the animal eventually ending up in the intestine, where they develop into egg laying mature adult worms. In older animals they usually stop migrating and become stuck in tissues as cysts where they do little harm. In pregnant bitches these dormant stages re-activate and migrate to the mothers intestine, the milk glands and also directly into the puppies in the womb.

Tapeworms
All tapeworms are caught by a pet following the ingestion of raw animal flesh (e.g. mice or birds) containing tapeworm cysts.

One tapeworm of dogs found in sheep rearing areas of the UK is of particular concern. The worm lays eggs that, when eaten from contaminated pasture, develop into large cysts in sheep (hydatid disease). If a human accidentally eats one of these eggs then a similar cyst can develop in the liver or lungs, requiring extensive surgery and (very rarely) proving fatal.

Be a Responsible Pet Owner
Fortunately there is plenty one can do to eliminate the risk of worms…

Remember to dispose of dog faeces safely, cover sand pits when not in use (to prevent cats using them as litter trays), and keep control of your dog in the countryside.

Most importantly, the British Small Animal Veterinary Association recommends that pets be wormed four times a year.

How Often Should I Worm My Dog? is a post from: K9 Magazine - The Dog Magazine For Modern Dog Lovers

Dogs and Children – Do They Mix?

The concept of dogs and children mixing without trouble has become an alien one to the media recently. With tragic dog attacks involving children sadly becoming more prominent in our media, it is essential that two points are address.

The first being that children and dogs can and will get along famously and add value to each other’s lives given the right preparation and approach. Secondly, it is the responsibility of the dog owner to ensure that there dog does not pose a risk to anyone, especially children.

Golden Rule For Integrating a Dog Safely With Children:

Never leave a dog unsupervised with a child. Whether it is for a second, or an hour, whether it is a Yorkshire Terrier or an Anatolian Shepherd, make this mistake and you will be the one to blame if something happens.

Selecting The Best Dog For Kids

Picture if you will a young family. 2.4 young kids, a young, lush lawn and a newly furnished semi on the outskirts of town. For the lucky ones reading, this might be reality. Nothing is more rewarding than starting a family, but for those who got down to prolonging the existence of human kind a few years ago, you may notice that your children’s heads are disproportionately large in comparison with their meek, yet flexible bodies. If their heads do look a bit large it could mean that you have toddlers. Great, everyone loves toddlers. Especially this writer, but what he likes to see more than a happy, healthy young family is a happy, healthy young family talking the dog for a walk.

It is a scientific fact that the presence of a dog reduces the risk of heart disease, that is of course subject to not smoking sixty fags a day and existing on a diet of lard and fried mars bars. It is also a fact (maybe not scientific) that dogs are the best thing since sliced lard bars. So why not add a canine component to your near perfect home set up?

But I sense trepidation among some of you. What if he doesn’t like the kids? What will he do when we are at work and the children are putting the nursery staff through hell? What if he trashes our new pad?

Buy a timber wolf and you would have good reason to ask these questions, but take heed of our recommendations for the most suitable dogs for a young family and you won’t go far wrong. But remember, your children’s bodies will catch up with their heads by the age of about three and a half. So selecting a dog purely on its suitability to co-habit with young children can be a bit of a red herring. Your aim should be to choose the best dog to share your lifestyle with. There are no shortcuts to training and no matter what breed you do select, no dog comes handily pre-packaged to ‘work with children’. It’s down to you as the owner to train and properly rear your dog to become a model canine citizen.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the breeds famed for their suitability for a young family, based on temperament, adaptability, suitability for house sitting while you’re out and ability to endure kids pulling on his ears is…

The Labrador Retriever

Universally regarded as a superb family dog, this chap is friendly, he’s easy to train, he is obsessive about his personal hygiene and more handsome than George Clooney and Brad Pitt put together. Labrador Retrievers are generally fairly laid back in a family environment, combining a playful streak with a propensity to sit in quiet contemplation while you lot tuck into dinner, owning one will enable you to maintain an active social life so long as you consider the practical needs of the dog, such as garden breaks and feeding.

The Labrador Retriever has the distinct advantage of not requiring a lot of grooming, and therefore not leaving wads of fur everywhere. Couple this with this with his intelligent, affable and obedient nature and you’re onto a sure winner. And let’s not forget that these guys, when they are young, are in fact Andrex puppies, so a ten out of ten for general cuteness as well.

A respectable runner up rosette goes to a dog which surely is the pride of many a family.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The Staffy has copped a fair bit of bad publicity recently and has done so in the past, but it has to be said that thousands of families nationwide are benefiting from his loyalty and friendliness as we speak. When it comes to Staffies, in the immortal words of Public Enemy ‘don’t believe the hype’! Staffies are superb family pets and they tend to have a naturally protective disposition toward children.

A relatively small dog, who is particularly suited to the smaller house environment, the Staffy fits in to all family set ups well. A short, coarse coat means that the doggy brush will not need de-fleecing every two days and the Dyson will be able to get up the stairs without choking to death.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a bold, affectionate dog who loves children. He is also quite a strong little character, Phil Buckley, of the Kennel Club, says the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is “a good all round family pet, robust enough to suffer rough play from children and intelligent and obedient enough to be well behaved around the home and amongst strangers.”

Poodle (miniature)

Elegance and a robust personality go hand in hand with the Poodle. But why the Miniature variety? Well, the bigger the Poodle, the less likely he is to be as playful as his smaller cousins, they just tend to be more laid back the bigger they get. The Poodle is a dog that can happily play with children without ever needing to grunt or growl, so laid back in fact that you should not be surprised to see your Poodle serving as an improvised pillow for a snoozing toddler.

This dog sounds great, so why is he not number one then? The reason is simple, fur. We all know Poodles have been known to sport some interesting hairstyles, you could say the Poodle is the David Beckham of the dog world, but in order to get that hair up into those adorable little pig tails, there has to be a fair amount of hair in the first place. Lots of hair means lots of cleaning and should your child be a sufferer of Asthma or any related respiratory condition, the Poodle really is not an option.

Just missing out on a medal is the Golden retriever.

A hugely popular dog, with an adorable personality. The Golden Retriever is a dog that looks great, with his shiny thick coat but he also sounds great. He loves a good bark now and then, which can be inconvenient if you have a baby upstairs trying to get some kip.

On the plus side, this chap is always up for playing, and is strong enough to withstand a bit of rough and tumble when the kids get a bit older, secretly I think he loves a bit of a wrestle, and he is a gentleman about it too.

It is common opinion that this dog is so well behaved and easy to train, that the kids could in fact pick up a few pointers off him. Once again, his long fur has let him down in the perfect pet department, but if you are that mad about Golden Retrievers, you won’t mind a bit of extra vacuuming and will soon find that this lad really is a Super Fury Animal.

Next up is the German Shepherd Dog

Perhaps not what one would immediately think of when talking about dogs for young families, but this dog really does take some beating.

Not a suitable breed for all young families, but in the right situation this dog is unbeatable. The biggest entrant so far, the GSD really is an ideal companion for a young family provided you have adequate space and sufficient time to get him trained. A boisterous dog is bad enough in any breed, but when they are this size they can be a real handful if they are not properly trained.

However, as I am sure fellow GSD lovers will agree, once part of the family, this dog will not be beaten on loyalty, friendliness, obedience and looks. But stuffed away in a small flat on his own, he is a different dog.

The GSD requires an experienced hand to guide him towards appropriate family life, but time spent on him in his formative years will reduce the risk of ending up with an aloof, over confident dog later on in life.

Next up is the Yorkshire Terrier

This is one of the most popular dogs in the UK, so he must be doing something right. However, his suitability as a dog for a young family may not match his popularity with more experienced owners. Dogs this small always run the risk of being trodden on or kicked by clumsy youngsters. Do the same to a GSD and he will hardly notice, but a Yorky could be seriously injured if in the wrong place at the wrong time, perhaps sleeping by a door.

Yorkies are easy to train though, which goes someway to explain their huge popularity, and they do love to play, when it suits them. Being a terrier, this little fella may get a bit protective of his owner when guests pop round for tea. But if your one desire is a dog that will curl up on your lap for an afternoon snooze, then look no further, this is the dog for you. But if you want a dog that loves a bit of hands on play then perhaps our next entrant is more up your street.

Next we take a look at a breed that has a special place in everyone’s heart at K9 Magazine.

The Greyhound

The good old Greyhound is not far off being the perfect family dog. But misinformation has resulted in this dog getting a reputation as a bad pet due to his constant need to be exercised, what utter rubbish! The Greyhound needs as much exercise as any other dog his size, he just happens to be a fast runner. Similar to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the Greyhound suffers from a totally undeserved image problem. Don’t buy in to the myths surrounding this wonderful, affectionate dog breed.

But aside from his engine like legs, the Greyhound is a loyal and friendly dog who likes to play to with the kids on a regular basis. For the active family, the Greyhound will really benefit and fit in well. But for the average working family, the Greyhound will find his place just as happily.

Combine this with those beautiful big eyes, his short, manageable fur and his affectionate nature, this breed is an absolutely brilliant dog for a young family.

Whilst the list above gives you some introductions to the commonly heralded dog breeds who are universally recognised as working well in a family unit, we again urge you to consider that any dog will always be defined by the work, attention and care invested in it by its owner. If anything, in this article we are at pains to advise you that selecting a dog based only its compatibility with children would be an error. There are overriding factors to consider such as your lifestyle, the time you are at home, the amount of hours you can put in to the dog’s care, training and socialisation as well as your general preparedness to bring a dog in to your family.

Dogs For Adoption That Are Good With Children

One of the very best ways to increase your chances of getting a dog that will be good with children is to adopt one.

Why, you might ask?

Dog adoption shelters are experienced and knowledgeable about placing the right dog with the right owners. They tend to have done solid assessments on the dog’s in their care and make re-homing recommendations on a dog’s suitability based on a number of different criteria factors. Whatever you do, don’t discount the adoption route as the best way to acquire a new dog, you’d be making a glaring omission if you did. Rest assured, there are many dogs waiting for new homes in the rescue shelters across the country that would be just perfect for a family with children.

Take a look for yourself – dogs for adoption that are good with children.

Best Dogs For Children is a post from: K9 Magazine - The Dog Magazine For Modern Dog Lovers

Dog heart anatomy: from left. 1 left ventricle, 2 paraconal interventricular groove, 3 right ventricle, 4 arterial cone, 5 pulmonal trunc, 6 arterial ligament, 7 aortic arch, 8 brachiocephalic trunc, 9 left subclavian artery, 10 right auricle, 11 left auricle, 12 coronal groove, 13 pulmonal veins.

What is a Heart Murmur in Dogs?

According to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, a heart murmur results from blood flow running through the heart that is abnormal. Some heart murmurs are perfectly normal while others, similar to those heard in ageing dogs, may be a sign that some type of heart disease is prevalent. The most common cardiac diseases in dogs include:

1. Congenital birth defects that show up when a puppy is young.
2. Degenerative valve disease (heart valve leaks) that mostly affect older or middle-aged dogs.
3. Loss of heart muscle tissue that is typically seen in young dogs or middle-aged larger dog breeds.

Detecting Heart Murmurs / Heart Disease in Dogs

Heart disease may not show up or be detected until it has reached a point where your dog experiences heart failure, collapse, or even sudden death. Your veterinarian can certainly check your dog out for heart murmurs by using a stethoscope. However, as the dog owner, your responsibility is to be on alert for certain signs such as difficulty in breathing, coughing, intolerance to exercise, or a swollen abdomen (caused by fluid retention).

In D.J. Thompson’s: A practitioner’s approach to canine cardiology, the guidance on detection and treatment of canine heart murmur says:

Cardiology is an exciting subject and recent advances in therapy have improved not only the life expectancy of dogs with heart disease but also the quality of life. The most important factor is to recognize that the problem is cardiac in origin. The elderly animal with a cough and a heartmurmur must be examined and investigated thoroughly before assuming that the murmur and cough are connected. Overall incidence of heart disease has been estimated at 11 · 3% with the congenital type accounting for 0 · 5% (Detweiler & Patterson, 1965).

Congenital heart disease should be detected early in life, and certainly no later than at presentation of the puppy for primary vaccination, but will only be diagnosed if the puppy is thoroughly auscultated. The more common congenital cardiac defects, in approximate order of incidence, are patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonic stenosis, aortic stenosis, persistent right aortic arch, ventricular septal defect, tetralogy of Fallot and atrial septal defect (Patterson, 1965). Early diagnosis is important as, particularly with patent ductus, surgery performed at an early stage can be curative.

Looking at the guidance above, you’ll see that early detection is crucial but treatment is viable if detected in time and given the proper surgical or medicinal intervention by a vet.

Canine cardiac disease can further be checked for by specific information regarding your dog’s breed type, age, chest x-rays, blood pressure measurements, and EKG readings. For a definitive diagnosis, an ultrasound of your dog’s heart is required.

Treatment For Heart Disease in Dogs

Treating your dog back to good health will depend entirely upon the stage of the disease and how severely it has affected other parts of the body. If your puppy is young and has a congenital defect, it may be surgically removed.

Heart disease that is acquired later in your dog’s life requires heavy lifestyle management and changes in living. Such changes include maintaining a healthy body weight, additional exercise (or reduced activity depending upon your dog’s condition), special cardiac diets, and specific medications that can be used to reduce stress put on your dog’s heart from his condition.

The prognosis for dogs that have canine heart disease will vary. Some dogs may be fortunate enough to have successful long-term care. Others may have a shorter lifespan ranging from a few weeks to a few years. It is important to keep in mind that the earlier your dog’s condition is assessed, the easier it will be to treat and the odds will be greater that your dog or puppy will enjoy a long, healthy life.

Sarah Fortrell advises on the cause and treatment for heart murmur in dogs:

There are several possible reasons for heart murmur. One is that the puppy is born with a defect in his heart. Congestive heart failure in dogs is distressing but about 3 million dogs a year are diagnosed with it. While it cannot be completely cured, there are treatments that can be done that can help your dog enjoy a good quality of life nonetheless.

Anemia caused by dog parasites can also be the cause of heart murmur in dogs. You must make it a point to bathe your dog regularly and comb his hair with a fine tooth comb to prevent parasite infestation. Mitral valve disease is another possible cause. High blood pressure, age or compounding heart conditions produce weakened mitral valves. The outcome of this is that instead of pumping blood out like it should, blood leaks to the atrium and the consequence is audible heart murmur sounds. This is the most dangerous cause and must be attended to as soon as possible.

Be vigilant if your dog gets tired easily, has fainting spells and has difficulty breathing. These are a few signs of heart murmur. He will not want to eat and move around much. A dog with heart murmur will also likely have bluish/gray gums and have a problem with water retention. If you these behavioral and physical symptoms manifest in your dog, you must bring him to the vet for a check-up immediately.

For every owner, ensuring your dog’s heart is healthy is something you can do via regular vet check ups, observing your dog’s day to day behaviour, paying particular attention to their energy and activity levels and providing the best nutrition for your dog’s age, breed type and lifestyle.

Having a dog diagnosed with a heart murmur is not the end of the world. Modern veterinary treatment and medicinal intervention can provide your dog with a management approach to this condition. The key is to be vigilant and make sure your dog receives the best medical attention possible (dog insurance would be a good investment for any dog owner, but particular those who own breeds susceptible to congenital health problems).

Heart Murmurs in Dogs: What You Need to Know is a post from: K9 Magazine - The Dog Magazine For Modern Dog Lovers

The Benefits Of Fish As a Food For Dogs

Fish and other seafood are excellet protein sources for dogs whilst being rleatively low in saturated fats and empty calories (good for weight control).

This fact alone makes fish a fantastic source of nutrition for dogs.

However, there’s more. An even bigger benefit for fish in your dog’s diet is the fact that fish is one nature’s most natural sources of Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Fatty fish such as salmon and trout have high levels of Omega 3, which is just great for aiding your dog’s joints and all round mobility. Fish is also known to have beneficial properties for your dog’s skin.

Omega 3 fatty acids don’t occur naturally in the cells of the canine body so adding them to your dog’s daily diet can reap big rewards.

Are Their Any Negatives To Feeding Fish To Dogs?

Naturally, too much of anything is a bad thing – whether it be fish, biscuits or any type of food. Imbalance of vitamins or simply taking on board too many calories is something dog owners would do well to avoid.

The real advantage to fish in your dog’s diet though is its ability to impart so many good vitamins and healthy properties without the increased risk of weight gain or a protein overload causing your dog’s internal organs to have to work harder to process the food.

Is Fish Good For Older Dogs?

Cod as a main staple of your dog’s diet is a great way to provide your dog with protein but without over burdening their digestive system in the same way that some protein rich meats do. The downside to this is the price of cod. Not to worry though, Pollock is a cheaper alternative but offers all of the same benefits as cod. You can purchase Pollock from your local supermarket and you’ll find if you add up the daily costs of feeding your dog on a diet mainly comprised of fresh, store purchased fish the daily feeding cost won’t differ all that much from feeding other types of commercially available pet food.

Omega 3 essential fatty acids contained in oily fish have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, Omega-3 fatty acids can greatly aid skin itching and other minor dermatological complaints in many dogs. If you purchase Omega 3 supplements you’ll often find that cod liver oil is the main ingredient. By feeding a dog on a diet mainly made up of fish, you can ensure your pet is receiving these supplemental benefits as nature intended.

Remember, every dog is different, and there are certain factors to consider when determining the diet program that will fit the needs of his specific age, size and lifestyle. However, there are also general rules that owners must follow to ensure that their pets are getting the balanced food and supplementation that their body requires.

Years ago, when such a variety of dog nutrition wasn’t available, dogs were fed foods that were most plentiful in the region. In the arctic, dogs were fed mostly fish and whale blubber; in the southern United States, a dog’s diet consisted mainly of cornbread; in Europe, potatoes were the main fare. These diets led to diseases such as black tongue (pelegra in humans), rickets, and other less commonly known ailments, many of them fatal.

In the wild, the canine did not just restrict himself to eating just the meat of his prey. He ate the entire animal, including the contents of the stomach. Wild dogs were known to kill each other while fighting over the stomach contents of their prey. Thus, nature provided the wild animal with a diet considered nutritionally complete.

Domesticated dogs were not allowed that luxury, and usually were fed table scraps. These poor diets resulted in serious nutritional imbalances and severe nutritional deficiencies.

After years of study, it was determined that even though the canine is considered a carnivorous animal, he requires certain carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals to satisfy nutritional requirements just as humans do.

In 1953, the National Research Council compiled and published nutritional requirements for dogs. The NRC is a federally established scientific body whose basic function is gathering research data.

After World War II, the pet food industry in the United States began an enormous expansion. Already a highly competitive business, pet food manufacturers quickly found themselves in neck to neck competition for a piece of this multi-million dollar a year business.

In order to survive and successfully compete in the market, pet food manufacturers knew that they must provide a dog food which was:

A) Nutritionally complete; containing all 26 nutrients that the National Research Council said that does need.

B) Palatable so that the dog would enjoy eating the food.

C) Easy and convenient for the customer to handle.

D) Economically competitive in the market.

Now, as a modern, forward thinking dog owner, you have the advantage of not just the vast array of commercially prepared pet foods, you also have the advanced nutritional knowledge gained through the years of studies and scientific research conducted by nutritional experts from all over the world. You have access to just about any type of food and nutrition you choose to feed. You have access to the information and guidance on good vs bad dog food nutrition. When it comes to the question of whether fish is good for dogs, the answer is an overwhelming, scientifically endorsed YES!

Is Fish Good For Dogs? is a post from: K9 Magazine - The Dog Magazine For Modern Dog Lovers

Cheese And Garlic Dog Cookies

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cups cheddar cheese — grated
1/4 pound margarine — corn oil
1 clove garlic — crushed
1 Pinch salt

Cream the cheese with the softened margarine, garlic, salt, and flour. Add enough milk to form into a ball. Chill for 1/2 hour. Roll onto floured board. Cut into shapes and bake at 375 for 15 minutes or until slightly brown, and firm.

MAKES 2 to 3 dozen, depending on size.

Read K9 Kitchen’s Healthy Homemade Dog Treats

• Healthy homemade dog treats part 1
• Healthy homemade dog treats 2
• Healthy homemade dog treats part 3
• Healthy homemade dog treats part 4

Cheese N Garlic Bites

1 cup wheat flour
1 cup cheddar cheese — grated
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon butter — softened
1/2 cup milk

Mix flour and cheese together. Add garlic powder and softened butter. Slowly add milk till you form a stiff dough. You may not need all of the milk. Knead on floured board for a few minutes. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into shapes and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 350 degrees oven for 15 minutes. Let cool in oven with the door slightly open until cold and firm. Refrigerate to keep fresh.

Cheesey Dog Cookies

2 cups All-Purpose flour — un-sifted

This is a preview of the full article. The full content of this item is available to K9 Magazine Premier level members. You can become a member by clicking here If you are already a K9 Magazine member you can log in here.

K9 Kitchen: Healthy Homemade Dog Treats (Part V) is a post from: K9 Magazine - The Dog Magazine For Modern Dog Lovers

Unfortunately for all dog owners out there, such a device is yet to be invented.

In the meantime we all have to settle with the idea that training our dogs while they are still a few months old can help determine the way they will behave in adulthood. Exposing our puppies to strangers and other dogs at a puppy socialisation class not only teaches them how to behave in unknown and unfamiliar situations, but also helps us teach our puppies general obedience. Having the opportunity to work with dogs is a dream held by many dog owners, if only it was made easier for us to find helpful information. So here is the K9 Magazine guide to becoming a full or part time puppy socialiser.

There are a number of ways in which you can become qualified enough to teach puppy socialisation classes. The route to this goal can be tailored to a specific interest you already have in canine behaviour by incorporating qualifications and experience you have gained or want to achieve.

Qualifications For Becoming a Puppy Socialiser

There is no specific qualification that will label you a ‘puppy socialiser’, however the more experience and education you receive in this area the more it would count in your favour. Derek Williams who runs The Cheshire Canine Centre highlights that “to become an experienced dog trainer, it is essential that you are able to understand a dog’s behaviour. Both of these paths run hand in hand.”

The British Institute Of Professional Dog Trainers (BIPDT) can be a step in the right direction as they run instructor courses, recognised by the Kennel Club, that offer a stepping stone into the world of teaching dog training. The BIPDT offer 4 structured Grades of courses that would enable someone to teach puppy socialisation classes. No matter what experience or qualifications you already have, everyone will start at Grade 1.

All they ask is for some previous experience of training a dog, whether it be your own or someone else’s, and a keen interest in dog behaviour. Each Grade is a week long residential course that affiliates you with the BIPDT and helps to show other dog owners that you have the experience and qualifications required to teach classes. Grade 1 begins by showing you the fundamentals of training, each grade gained thereafter highlights the experience and knowledge you possess. By achieving Grade 4 of the BIPDT you become recognised as a fully qualified instructor. The Kennel Club are also in the process of creating instructor courses to improve the level of experience dog trainers have before setting up training schools.

Bulk Up Your CV

Becoming a volunteer in any aspect of dog training or even sitting in on a puppy socialisation class will all count in your favour when seeking employment and will also deepen you knowledge within the job. It would also prove useful working with dogs in an environment such as a kennels or a dog home. This way you can meet other dogs than your own and begin to understand the different ways in which they behave as well as the similarities and common problems that owners have with them, such as lead aggression and jumping up. Remember that any experience is good experience.

Dream Job For Dog Lovers – Become a Puppy Socialiser is a post from: K9 Magazine - The Dog Magazine For Modern Dog Lovers

First aid for dogs is knowledge that can benefit every owner. Our eBook will take you through the first aid response to problems such as shock, how to deal with an injured dog, how to calm a stressed dog and much, much more.

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Essential First Aid For Dogs is a post from: K9 Magazine - The Dog Magazine For Modern Dog Lovers

Meet Kate…

I’m on a mission to find the best Dog Friendly accommodation in Great Britain.

So far my travels have taken me to Brighton and Essex. The next stop is Manchester. I love this city, for many reasons. It has great restaurants, wonderful night life, but most of all the people are lovely. The journey with my boyfriend and two beloved pet pooches, Baxter and Kevin began in Birmingham.

We had a stress-free 90 minute journey and arrived in Manchester around 2pm on Saturday afternoon. We decided to head straight to Chorlton-Cum-Hardy, a suburban area of Manchester before heading onto The Malmaison Hotel where we were to enjoy our pet friendly stay.

Chorlton is about 4 miles from the city centre and takes around 11 minutes by car to get to from Manchester Piccadilly Train Station. After spending 4 hours there I’m completely in love with Chorlton.

We ate in The Horse & Jockey Inn, a dog-friendly pub that serves the most delicious roast pork, stuffing and apple sauce baked french bread with home-made french fries! I wanted another… The pub staff welcomed Baxter and Kevin with open arms, gave the doggies lots of fuss, and treats! They even served ‘Dog Beer’ behind the bar which I found hilarious. The dogs drank all of it! We then went for a walk in the meadows where we met my friend Amy and the dog she rescued 4 months ago.

His name is Lebowski. Baxter, Kevin and Bowski ran and played for a good hour on the meadows then Amy walked us all to a new Pet Boutique that had opened not far from The Horse & Jockey Inn. The boutique was called Betty & Butch and opened in November 2011. It was fabulous. I bought Kevin a new really good quality coat for just £14.99, he looked so smart when I tried it on him. After shopping for dog coats, sprays and treats we walked to The Parlour, another dog-friendly pub. It was gorgeous inside. Apparently they serve award-winning Sunday Lunches but unfortunately we couldn’t go back on the Sunday as we had to get back to Birmingham. We enjoyed a nice glass of wine and met lots of people in the pub with their dogs too.

We arrived at The Malmaison Hotel, about 6:30pm and for those who have never been, I can only describe it as a luxury boutique gem! The moment we arrived, the staff were happy and helpful. In our room, we had a living area section, as well as the bedroom area and a gorgeous modern bathroom. Out in the living area, next to the L-Shaped Sofa, were two doggy beds, bowls and treats for Baxter and Kevin. We dined downstairs around 8pm in the ‘Smoak Bar & Grill’ which is the hotels superb restaurant. The service was 10 out of 10.

The staff were extremely well mannered and well informed. The food was better than some five star restaurants I’ve eaten in. We had a really enjoyable meal, the restaurant was very busy with a really cool vibe and situated next to it was a bar with people enjoying drinks before and after their meals. We headed straight to bed after dinner and had the most amazing night sleep. The bed was HUGE and really comfortable. Having black-out curtains meant we slept for almost 9 hours (a long time for Adam my boyfriend and I).

The next morning we were up, showered and out of the hotel by 11am, not before a delicious and mouth-watering breakfast though. A wide range of choices at Breakfast is what makes a hotel stay super enjoyable for me and The Malmaison makes sure that every area is covered. If you’re trying to be healthy, you’ve fresh fruits, yoghurts, cereals and juices to choose from. For those who like to indulge on carbs (like myself) there are croissants, muffins and danish pastries aplenty! I chose Porridge from the menu with honey and I ate every mouthful. We shared a croissant, a blueberry muffin and Adam my partner had an omelette too. Inevitably we both got food envy when the couple next to us were handed a full english breakfast and eggs benedict! I know for next time to order something a little more hearty.

Everything about The Malmaison I love and so I’d give it a 9 out of 10. The only reason I didn’t give it 10 out of 10 is because we were put on the 3rd floor, and whenever we wanted to take Baxter and Kevin out for ‘pee pees & poo poo’s’ we had to go down in a lift and then once we were outside, it was city centre as you would imagine i.e. concrete pavements and roads, traffic and lack of parks. Having nowhere to let the boys off their leads or go do their business (Baxter will only go on grass!) was a bit of a hindrance. Maybe if the Malmaison had a small patio or garden area within the hotel grounds it would have been nice for the doggies to go out and have a sniff, a wee, and a walk around with the leads on.

Other than that our stay was wonderful and the doggies had an amazing time too. I was shocked to discover that a city centre boutique hotel like The Malmaison was pet friendly. I doubt a lot of people knew this either but if you’re planning on going to Manchester and you can’t bare to be apart from your four legged friend, then head to The Malmaison and they can enjoy the trip too!

See you next time…..

K9 Magazine Would Like To Thank…

The team at The Malmaison Hotel for their fabulous pet friendly stay, superb service and amazing food at the Smoak Bar & Grill.

Pet Friendly Manchester with Kate Lawler is a post from: K9 Magazine - The Dog Magazine For Modern Dog Lovers