After last night’s World Cup match, English football fans are hoping ‘it’s coming home’. But have you stopped to think that your dog may be hoping the same thing – that you’re ‘coming home’ soon.

Dogs are very social animals, they would naturally live in packs and most would still prefer company to being home alone. But being home all the time simply isn’t feasible for most people. So it is important that we help our dogs get comfortable with being apart from us to avoid them developing separation anxiety.

Helping a puppy or new dog get used to being home alone

It is important to teach your dog that being on their own isn’t scary and this is best started done gradually. Some ideas to help are:

1. Choose an area: Choose an area where your dog will be left. Make sure that your dog has positive experiences in this area and doesn’t just get put in there when you go out to prevent them associating the area with being abandoned. Give your dog a bed and water in the area. You could use a utility room with a stair gate or a suitably sized crate (both allow your dog to still see and hear you). Ideas for giving your dog a positive association with the area include feeding them their daily food in there or when providing a suitable chew item make sure you give it to them in the area. They will soon start to like it. Leaving an item of clothing can also help your dog feel more secure.
2. Radio: Many dogs will enjoy a low level radio as background noise; stations with talking on are better than those with continual music.
3. Build up: Before you leave your dog for periods of time on their own, make sure you put your dog in the chosen area several times a day with a suitable chew item and gradually build up to leaving the room for longer periods of time. Try to go back to your dog whilst it is still chewing or is settled before it stops and gets upset.
4. Help: If your dog already has separation anxiety, such as a rescue dog that you have recently acquired, there are some products you can get to help calm your dog down, such as adaptil. Always speak to your vet if your dog is very distressed and you feel it needs some extra help to adapt to being alone.

Never punish your dog!

Many people believe that if you punish a dog for their bad actions, they will understand what they’ve done wrong and won’t do it again in the future. This simply is not the case. Punishing a dog for being anxious is only likely to lead to higher levels of anxiety as they start to also fear a punishment when you return.

Further help

The Blue Cross have further information on how to help a dog with separation anxiety. You may also want to seek professional help. Try looking for a behaviourist trainer on the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors website or the Animal Behaviour and Training Council website.

Did you know that around 93% of adults in the UK use mobile phones? While it seems harmless to pick up your phone and send a text to your friend, is it?

The radio waves produced by mobile phones are non-ionising electromagnetic radiation, a low form of energy. Current research suggests that it’s unlikely these radio waves can increase our risk of any health problems. However, there hasn’t been enough research into the long-term effects to truly know the health risks.

What research has been done into mobile phones and cancer?

Cancer Research UK have addressed the public’s concerns about the possible links between mobile phones and cancer. They published a blog post following research from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) which concluded that mobile phones can ‘possibly’ cause cancer in humans.

However, mobile phones are now a part of nearly everyone’s lives so rather than stopping using them completely, you could work on ways to reduce the time you spend on your phone.

How can I reduce my exposure to mobile phones?

While concerns shouldn’t be made about mobile phone exposure until sufficient research is conducted, if you do want to reduce the potential risks associated with mobile phone exposure:

• Only make short calls
• Only let children use mobile phones for essential purposes
• Use a hands free kit to keep your phone as far away from your head as possible
• Set specific times of the day where you won’t use your phone
• Consider the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of a mobile phone before you buy it.

Radio wave exposure is not the only thing you should be thinking about when using your mobile phone. One of the largest risks mobile phones have to our health is:

Using your mobile phone while driving

Using your mobile phone while driving diverts your attention off the road. Conditions on the road can change within even a few seconds of you turning to look at your phone. Making your chances of having an accident soar through the roof!

Not only is it dangerous to use your hand held mobile phone while driving, it’s illegal. We all know how tempting it can be to check your phone quickly while stuck in traffic or waiting at red traffic lights. So, to avoid any distractions:

• Keep your phone switched off or on do not disturb while driving (iOS 11 iPhones have a ‘do not disturb while driving’ feature)
• If you need to use your mobile phone, stop in a safe place
• Avoid using a hands free device (these can be just as distracting)

For more health and fitness advice, check out this blog post!

This year is British Veterinary Association’s third Veterinary photographer of the year competition. With last year seeing over 600 entries, this year’s competition is anticipated to be even bigger and better!

In light of World Photography Day on 19 August, BVA are encouraging its members to get their cameras out and have some fun!

This year’s themes

The two categories for this year’s competition are:

• Human: animal bond
• All creatures great and small

These categories can be interpreted by BVA members in any way they wish. The photographs could feature pets or wildlife for example, and can be taken within or outside of the veterinary practice!

However, while the contents of the photographs will vary widely, all must promote responsible animal interaction and positive animal health and welfare.

Prizes up for grabs

The winner of each category will receive a £250 John Lewis gift voucher! They will also get the chance to have their photographs displayed at BVA’s Members’ Day in September, at other BVA events and used in BVA communications!

Last year’s winners

To give you an idea of the sorts of photographs BVA are looking for, last year’s winning images entitled ‘Rare and native North Ronaldsay and Dartmoor sheep grazing under the milky way in Northumberland’ and ‘Happy Gastronomy’ can be seen below!

‘Rare and native North Ronaldsay and Dartmoor sheep grazing under the milky way in Northumberland’    

‘Happy Gastronomy’

The Veterinary photographer of the year competition closes at midnight on 19 August. To find out more visit https://www.bva.co.uk/news-campaigns-and-policy/bva-photo-competition/.

With temperatures predicted to soar in some parts of the country this week, it is important to be mindful of the very real danger of heatstroke when exercising your dog.

Instead of walking your dogs in the heat, many dogs would enjoy relaxing with you in a shady garden. It’s important to be mindful when exercising your dog and make sure they stay cool in the warm weather:

1. 8am-8pm: Avoid walking your dog in the heat of the day and, instead, go out early in the morning (before 8am) or late in the evening (after 8pm) when temperatures are cooler. 
2. Water: Ensure you take some water with you and allow your dog to drink regularly.
3. Pick your route: Think about your route beforehand; walking in cool woods, or alongside fresh clean water in streams or lakes can help your dog keep cool.
4. Toys: Throwing toys for your dog to chase is not a good idea in the heat, instead go for a gentle stroll to prevent overheating.
5. Know your dog: Elderly, young, overweight or dogs with flat faces or existing medical conditions are not as tolerant of the hot weather, so it is even more important to be careful with these dogs.

Signs of heatstroke

Prevention is always better than cure, but below are some danger signs to look out for that can indicate a dog is suffering from heatstroke:

• Heavy/loud panting
• Drinking more than usual
• Staggering and/or collapse
• Vomiting
• Increased heart rate
• Excessive Drooling
• Red or purple tongue and gums
• High body temperature

What should I do if I suspect my dog has heatstroke?

Heatstroke can be deadly so you must take action immediately:

• Take them out of the heat: Move them to a cool place such as an outside shady area or cool inside room.
• Give them water: Offer small amounts of cool water.
• Cool them down. Using cool (but never very cold water) either douse or spray the dog with water or drape it in wet towels.
• Breeze: Then place the dog in the breeze of a fan if you have one available or try to create a breeze to cool them.
• Most importantly, contact an emergency vets for advice as soon as possible; heat stroke can be fatal.

As pet owners it’s vital that you know what to do with your dog in an emergency situation. The College of Animal Welfare offer an online Principles of Animal First Aid course to help prepare you for all types of first aid situations.

When we hear the term ‘working animals’ we might usually think of police dogs, or guide dogs. Leaving other working animals such as donkeys, camels and elephants to be forgotten about. For this reason, SPANA (the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad) are focusing their third International Working Animal Day on working animals in developing countries.

What jobs do working animals do in developing countries?

Most of the time people living in developing countries can’t afford a truck to transport their goods. So have no choice but to use an animal in its place. This is the reality for more than 200 million animals worldwide who are doing the job of trucks and taxis. Without the use of animals, many families wouldn’t be able to earn a living.

Why do they need our help?

Every day working animals have to walk for hours pulling heavy loads in the sun. They often have painful, homemade harnessing that can cause wounds and don’t have adequate water and nutrition. All of these factors combined are too commonly leading to the animals having short and painful lives.

What are SPANA doing?

SPANA are working hard to increase welfare standards for working animals. To do this, they are focusing on three areas:

Treat

At some point in their lives, all animals will need to see a vet. This is even more important for working animals who spend their days carrying heavy loads. However, working animals in poor countries with little access to veterinary care, are often going their whole life without seeing a vet.

To reduce the amount of unnecessary suffering in working animals, SPANA provide free healthcare to hundreds of thousands of working animals every year. This healthcare includes vaccinations, treating injuries and replacing badly fitting homemade equipment.

Train

SPANA have also focused their efforts on raising awareness and sharing knowledge to improve welfare standards for working animals.

Spreading knowledge is important because it addresses the root cause of the welfare issues and can help them from persisting in the future.

To raise awareness, SPANA are working with veterinary schools across the developing world to spread knowledge and develop skills. This also allows them to leave behind a community of well-trained vets.

Teach

If welfare standards are going to improve for working animals, attitudes and beliefs need to be altered.

To encourage children to treat animals with kindness and understanding, SPANA have set up a variety of animal welfare education programmes. The programmes are aimed at children because in farming communities the children are usually responsible for taking care of their family’s livestock.

Find out more about the work SPANA do and how you can get involved this International Working Animal Day by visiting their website.