GM News - November 2023

November - already!?! You'll find some suggestions on Xmas gifts below.

It also seemed appropriate to cover dog-friendly trip destinations in this edition and I came across Must Love Dogs B&B, Rutherglen. If you check it out, let us know! Before you hit the road with your pooch, check out Expert Tips For Pet-Friendly Travel by Australian Dog Lover.

Happy shopping, travels, training, learning!
Amanda, David, Rodna & Ruth
Gentle Modern School of Dog Training
Edition 53

Top Tips

Zazie Todd is an excellent writer on companion animals. In 6 simple ways to instantly improve your dog’s life, according to science for BBC Science Focus, Zazie recommends:
1. Give your dogs plenty of opportunities to use their nose. For example:

time to sniff on walks
hide treats
use snuffle mats

2. Use a variety of treats - it may seem like our dogs will eat 'anything', but they will have preferences

3. Support social fun - dog-dog play and, if dog-dog isn't fun for your dog, dog-human play

4. Give your dog a safe space
"Make sure everyone in the household knows the rule: the dog can come and go from their spot as they wish and no one will bother them. If you need to get them out of their safe space, don’t go to them; instead, call them over to you."

5. Get a good quality dog bed - quality sleep has wide-ranging benefits

6. Discover your dog's preferences - do they like chase best, prefer to swim, tug over fetch, etc?

Xmas Gift Ideas

You're crafty, and your dog loves puzzles . . .

Puzzle Dog (a Canadian business) sells patterns for all kinds of fabric puzzles for canines - think snuffle mats on steriods.

You're crafty, and you have a cricut machine . . .

Melissa of Polka Dot Chair has free dog-themed cricut svg-files for you (if I could, I'd make the 'Dog Hair - Don't Care' t-shirt)

Like luxe or quirky gifts for your pup . . .

Australian Dog Lover has you covered with their 25 Christmas Gifts For Pampered Dogs, 2023 edition)

Your dog has a charitable soul

PetRescue, RSPCA, Wildlife Victoria, and many more organisations would love to receive a donation in your pet's name.

Canine Body Language - Dog Sounds

A twist on the topic this edition: The Meanings Behind Different Dog Sounds by Pat Miller, Whole Dog Journal

Barks, growls, howls, whines, whimpers, even dog purring - different dog sounds have different meanings.

Dogs in the News

Dog bite campaign aims to reduce attacks, better educate about canine behaviour, warning signs - ABC
The "campaign hopes to mitigate the risk of dog attacks on humans and other animals while urging people not to be complacent around any dog".

Your Reward for Reading to the End . . .

Check out the top 100 scoring images of the 2023 International Pet Photographer of the Year Awards