TheRider'sPets

Wednesday 19 June 2019

How To Act When Your Dog Goes Missing

TheRider'sReins June 19, 2019 0

When your dogs get lost it can be very stressful BUT do not panic. There are things to do that will increase your chances of finding your dog.

You must follow these steps to find your lost dog in time.

1. Familiar Smells

The first thing to do if you have lost your pet is to leave items that the pet will recognise with the smell. Leave these items where your dog was last seen. For example, you should leave the dogs bed, some of your clothing and your dog's food and water bowls. If your dog CAN get back, he will hopefully smell out what is familiar to him and stay there. It is also a good idea to set up a camera next to these items that you can watch from your phone. You never want to far away in case your dog comes back.

2. Check Places That he Could Be Stuck

Most dogs who are never found are stuck somewhere and unfortunately, don't make it. It is very important to look for wild animal holes, fencing that the dog could be tangled in and any other place where they may be stuck. This is the step that you need everyone possible to help you search as a dog can travel long distances very quickly. Your dog could even be stuck in a hunter trap or humane cat trap so it is crucial that you follow the next step to find out where the traps are.

3. Inform EVERYONE

Communicating with the right people is extremely important. Phone all of the local vets, tell the police and neighbours. It is also a good idea to tell every farmer around your area to avoid your dog possibly being shot if he's on the farmer's land. Ask around for local hunters that you can contact to see if they have any traps in the area when you lost your dog. If they do, ask for the location so that you can check each one.

You can also phone any animal services around you such as the rspca or any private ones. Some radio stations have a lost pets section as well and the newspaper. Make sure your pet's face is EVERYWHERE.

Have someone close to you make a facebook page and be constantly on social media while you are out looking.

*Disclaimer*

I am not any type of animal expert but instead only an animal lover who wants to share her tips. Please consult relevant animal specialists and do not only take my advice.

The Rider's Pets

Dog Care Read more

Monday 17 June 2019

3 Reasons NOT To Let Your Dog Off Lead

TheRider'sReins June 17, 2019 0

Your dog may be great off lead, never leaving your side and being friendly to people and other animals but do you know the risks? Here are 3 reasons not to let your dog off lead.

1. Interrupting Other Dogs

Your dog may be friendly but others could be aggressive, nervous or in training. Many off-lead dogs walk straight up to dogs who are on a lead. This is not only dangerous to your dog but also could ruin the other dog's training or confidence. It really disheartens me to see people let their dogs interrupt the training of other dogs. Keeping your dog on a lead is not only safer but also more polite.

2. Easy to Run Away Or Get Lost

Yes, I know your dog may have an amazing recall and never leaves your side but accidents happen. We see too many 'lost dog' posts on social media these days, you can bet the dog's owner wishes they had just used a lead. Dogs can get spooked by loud noises and take off. I know this first hand.

I had my puppy on a lead (Hugo was about 8 months old and at least 40kg at the time) while someone's car was stuck in the mud in a huge field. When the car was towed out, the car's exhaust was ripped off causing a huge noise. Hugo got spooked and dragged me halfway down the field before I could stop him (the disadvantage of a strong breed like the bullmastiff). Luckily he had a harness and lead on but dogs will bolt off in dangerous places or simply run into the woods and get lost.

The woods can be dangerous for dogs, due to wild animal holes that they can fall into or even traps from hunters for wild animals. The dog could either get stuck and CAN'T come back to the owner or sometimes worse.

Again, I have some experience in this, unfortunately. A family friends dog was allowed to wander all day. The dog went into a wood and ended up being caught in a hunter's trap. Long story short the dog died in the woods and wasn't found for months. Yes, this family was very stupid for letting their dog wander BUT the same could happen to an off lead dog.

3. The Risk of Chasing Animals

We have all seen the terrible pictures online of sheep being killed by dogs AND the dogs being killed by the farmer. I don't care how sweet your dog seems to other animals, it is not worth the risk. Not only is it obviously horrible for the sheep but your dog could be killed too. I have seen dogs shot for chasing sheep all around me (farms around my house).

It is also possible for your dog to just chase a bird and end up lost or darting across a busy road. He could chase and injury or even kill someone's pet cat too. I know your dog is sweet as hell and you don't think he would ever do that but it's possible.

Dog Training Read more

Wednesday 5 June 2019

Why You Should NOT Let Your Chicken Hatch Eggs

TheRider'sReins June 05, 2019 0

Sounds weird right? Broody chicken is the natural way of hatching eggs. Chicks are definitely healthier and take to eating and drinking better than incubator-hatched chicks. Chickens keep their chicks at a constant temperature and they protect their babies amazingly. So what's the problem? Well, let's just say my hens have had some technical difficulties that I need to talk about.

1. They Pick STUPID Places to nest

So, we have lots and lots of nesting boxes which are safe in our chicken coops. We recently had an ex-battery hen who decided to jump the fence, go through our garden to our drive. She then started laying eggs in a bush under our house window. The problem came in when we couldn't find her one night and she had to stay outside (we lock our chickens up every night). Luckily we found her the next day BUT it was one stressful night. Why can't they just stay in a safe place?

2. They Can't Decide Whether They Want Chicks

Yes, I really have gone through this. My light Sussex Hen was sitting on around 10 eggs for over 2 weeks. She then decided that she didn't want to be a mum and abandoned her nest to make another one! what the heck. So, I gave her some of my call duck eggs (instead of incubating them). call ducks do not lay a lot of eggs so these were rare. She incubated them for a week and gave up again, wasting my beautiful call duck eggs.

She wasn't done there. This bloody hen then thought it would be a good idea to STEAL another hen's nest. Luckily that mamma got her nest back and now has a cute little chick (the other egg must have died when her nest got stolen).

3. You Can't Keep an Eye On The Chicks

The only time EVER that I have had a chick die was with a hen. Now, I know that hens are GREAT mums but I can't check the chicks enough. When I am looking after chicks inside, they all start to eat and drink small amounts by day 2. The problem is when you are not able to check that each chick under the hen is eating and drinking multiple times a day, deaths can happen.

Obviously, I am a bit obsessive with making sure my chicks are thriving but it really is a disadvantage. To counter this, I try to make sure my hens only have around 2 chicks so I can keep a better eye on them.

Chicken Care Read more

Monday 3 June 2019

How To Train Your Dog To Stop Chasing Your Cat

TheRider'sReins June 03, 2019 1

It's Pretty well known that dogs chase cats. It is not just because dogs are aggressive but cats run away from dogs, causing a prey drive spike in the dog. This is an easy fix when both the cat and dog are allowed to meet properly to become comfortable.

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1. The Setup

It is important that you start your dog's training in a place that the cat feels comfortable. This means the cat will be calmer and therefore the training will be smoother.

You will then put your cat into a *safe pet carrier* so the dog can see and smell the cat without getting into it. Lastly, you need to choose to train when your dog is in a relaxed, confident mood. You will also have a *lead* on your dog and a *muzzle* if you think it is necessary.

Train Your Dog To Be Calm Around Cats

Start by walking your dog around the room until he smells or sees the cat. Use treats to re-direct his attention from the cat to you. Your goal here is to get your dog to relax and ignore the cat. When this happens, you can start to get closer. Start with walking your dog past the cat (in its carrier) without stopping. when he acts calmly you can let him stand and smell the cat. If he becomes excited or aggressive then walk your dog away and repeat the start of the training again.

Let Your Cat Walk Around Your Dog

Next, you're going to let your cat out of the crate. Keep your dog on the lead and get him to lie down. You want him to stay calm and ignore the cat or watch without reacting. You need a helper to make sure the cat doesn't get too close at this point. Have patience, you really want the dog to become bored with the cat, which might take a while.

Let Your Cat Play Infront Of Your Dog

The number one reason why dogs chase cats is that the cat runs away. You need to get your dog used to your cat running, jumping and playing. The best way you can do this is to get someone to play with your cat while you hold your dog. Again, your goal is for your cat to become boring to the dog.

Repeat Training

Now that you have finished the first turn of training between the cat and dog, you basically want to repeat it for at least a week. Letting your cat play in the room while your dog is on a lead. You can start to slowly let your dogs lead longer/looser when you feel comfortable.

When you feel that the dog is completely relaxed with your cat, you can allow them to sniff each other (with the dog on a lead). When you eventually take the lead off the dog, make sure you are always in the room when they are together. It will take a good few months until you feel completely comfortable.

*Never leave the house when they are together*.