Just Dogs Live will be held at the East of England Showground on 9th, 10th and 11th July 2010. The Show, now in its second year, incorporates the East of England Championship Dog Show and will include the traditional Crufts qualifier showing classes.

Just Dogs Live will feature around 200 breeds of dogs, and will be a fantastic opportunity for visitors to discover more about owning a dog, including which breed is best for you, nutrition, welfare and training advice. Plus there will be plenty of trade stands so you can spoil yourself and your doggy companion with lots of treats!

The Show will also feature demonstrations and competitions to ensure the event is a fantastic day out for all dog lovers, young and old.

There will be many displays demonstrating how dogs can help us humans in so many different ways. Hearing Dogs for the Deaf will show how they train their puppies to perform such a valuable role in transforming the lives of deaf people, and there will be a display of the lifesaving work of the search and rescue dogs.

The staff and dogs of HMP Whitemoor will once again wow the crowds with their displays.

Essex Dog Display Team will be sure to keep visitors entertained with their action packed display. Canine Partners will be highlighting their work training assistance dogs and Laines Shooting School & Mullenscote Gundogs will be demonstrating a wide range of training methods. Plus, there will be fast and furious dog agility, and we are delighted to be holding the Cambridgeshire Flyball Championship on Saturday and Sunday.

Andrew Mercer, Chief Executive of the Agricultural Society said: ‘We are delighted to be hosting Just Dogs Live for the second year, and look forward welcoming all families and their dogs to another fantastic show.”

So, if you’d like to be in with a chance of winning tickets for this event all you have to do is register below. That’s it! You don’t need to do anything other than that. Register with GetFreePetStuff.com on this page and you will be eligible to win:

Government Consultation on Dangerous Dogs (Confused.com)

Scared by dogs? The government wants to know if you feel in danger

As national pet month draws to a close, Confused.com enlist the views of Ryan O’Meara, publisher of K9 Magazine, to tell us what he thinks about the contentious subject of dangerous dogs…

Whether you’re a dog owner, want to be, or are simply interested in animals and animal legislation, then there’s something you might just want to know.

The subject of dangerous dogs has reared its head again, after a recent child fatality and a government consultation on the subject of dangerous dogs.

In its consultation (see here), the government is asking: ‘Does current dangerous dog legislation adequately protect the public and encourage responsible dog ownership?’ It might seem like a gloomy topic to write about but it’s important, so bare with me.

Government Consultation on Dangerous Dogs (Confused.com)

If you would like to become a K9 Magazine PREMIER member, click here.

Most breeders spend a lot of time and research into trying to get rid of genetic diseases in their lines. This enables them to produce the healthiest puppies possible. However, some amateur breeders and puppy farms breed without screening the parents and perpetuating poor genetic health.

Some breeds are more prone to inherited diseases over others. When researching dog ownership, make sure you thoroughly research the genetic diseases common in your chosen breed. This information can be found on breed clubs websites. Make sure you buy a pup who’s parents have been screened for these diseases.

It may be that these breeders are asking for more money for pups, but getting a disease free dog will save you much more money in the long run. Buying a dog from an unethical breeder, such as a puppy farm dog, may be cheaper, but these dogs are more prone to inherited diseases.

Doing whatever you can to ensure you have a dog free from inherited diseases will not only save you heart-ache from seeing them potentially suffer in later life, but will also save you money through vets bills and surgery.

Pet insurance companies will ask you if your dog has any know inherited diseases and you will have to pay a lower premium if you can prove that your dog is disease free.

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1. Brush and bathe your dog regularly. A bottle of shampoo and a brush can be bought for very cheap and it will lengthen the time in between visits to the groomer. This will also help keep the dog’s hair from matting, and groomers generally charge an extra fee for de-matting. It’s a good idea to brush a long or medium haired dog at least once a day; short haired dogs may only need to be brushed a couple times a week. Dogs should be bathed about once ever two or three weeks. Bathing too often may make their skin dry and cause itchiness.

2. Trim your dog’s nails yourself. Nail trimmers for dogs are usually very cheap and will save your groomer from doing it. Prices range usually from £5-£10 depending on the groomer, and this is usually an additional fee added to the bill. As long as you keep a regular routine your groomer wont have to trim your dog’s nails. Just be careful that you don’t cut them too short or they will bleed and cause pain to the dog.

3. Brush your dogs teeth and clean the ears. There are lots of styles of toothbrushes, toothpastes and ear cleaners in pet stores. They are very affordable and can save you not only in grooming charges, but can prevent large vet bills. Brushing their teeth helps prevent tooth decay and gingivitis which can become very severe and require expensive medical treatment. Ear cleaning is another fee groomers like to charge clients for, but that fee can be eliminated by keeping up a routine of your own. It will also help prevent ear infections.

4. Get your dog’s hair clipped. Doing this will drastically lengthen the time between grooming visits. It makes coat maintenance easier and also makes the dog more comfortable. And if you don’t like the way it looks, it will grow back. There are a variety of clips that your groomer can discuss with you, or if you’re handy with clippers you can even do it yourself. Just remember to keep safety first.

Following these tips can drastically reduce or even eliminate those pricey grooming visits. Spending the little bit of money to start your own grooming routine will save a lot more in the long run.

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Most veterinarians will base their surgical fees around several factors; the length of time that the operation will take, costs of all surgical materials used, and the costs for additional surgical help with an assistant (or more if necessary).

Many dog owners get upset when they receive the bill which turns out to be much higher than the price range quoted by the veterinarian. But stop and think about it for a moment. You have to understand that surgery is not a cut and dry procedure.

For example, what happens if your dog suddenly starts to bleed excessively during the operation? The veterinarian must then stop the hemorrhaging by tying off the blood vessels involved in the bleeding.

Suppose your dog went into shock. His gums started turning blue and his blood pressure dropped at a rapid pace. To recover from this situation and continue with the surgery as planned, the doctor must then administer liquids intravenously and keep a close eye on your dog for several hours until his body is able to resume the procedure.

Many times a massive infection may be discovered during a surgical operation. A large dose of antibiotics are then necessary to aid in the process. As with the above proposed emergencies, all of this costs money and these occurrences cannot be planned for. So when you receive your bill and it is quite higher than expected, keep in mind these surprises that the surgeon has to handle if necessary.

For many pet owners, finding the right vet is not the problem, but rather the costs of veterinary care. Visits to the vet can be pricey, even with minor cases such as getting his yearly vaccination or a routine checkup. In addition, an illness or severe injury can occur at any time, and many dog owners end up having to pay a lot of out-of-pocket expenses to the vet clinic. This is why it is highly recommended that you get pet insurance as soon as possible.

Having pet insurance is the best way to ensure that your dog is getting the best health care possible. Pet insurance is a practical way to lessen the cost of veterinary expenses, whether it is related to routine care, accidents, or injuries. Pet insurance also covers the cost of minor surgeries, major surgeries, treatments for illnesses and diseases, and other medical procedures such as neutering or spaying.

Finding the right, affordable pet insurance is as easy as picking up the yellow pages or searching online. Most pet insurance plans offer a monthly premium that is less than what you typically pay for your telephone bill.

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1. One of the nice features of dog shows – besides seeing so many beautiful animals – is the plethora of vendors who set up shop to sell their wares to those who enter and attend the show. The products are often cheaper than products you find in a pet store, so relax and enjoy the show and stock up on pet supplies to save some money.

2. Clip and use shop coupons on food and dog items. If you have more coupons than you can use, place extras in the pet aisles of your grocery store or donate them to a local shelter or animal organisation.

3. Watch ads in your local newspapers for sales at local pet stores and pet warehouses. You may find buy-one-and-get-one free promotions or even obtain premium food and products at minimal costs.

4. Buy food in larger sizes that are cheaper on an ounce-by-ounce basis.

5. Shop at car-boots and flea markets to find items that your dog can use. You may be lucky enough to find inexpensive carriers, beds, bowls, toys, and other items. Be sure to clean them thoroughly before use.

6. Take advantage of manufacturers’ promotional sales. These often come with added pet products for minimal costs. Although some promotions require you to send away for the products, the cost of postage is less than the cost of the product if you had to buy it.

7. Shop at flea markets for old wooden shipping crates. Line them with blankets for a comfy sleeping spot. And while you’re there, buy old quilts or blankets for your dog’s bedding. Again, wash them thoroughly before use.

8. Purchase dog beds that have washable covers to prevent replacing the beds as often.

9. Save your old towels and blankets for your dog to sleep on.

10. Fill an old pillowcase with a soft piece of foam rubber. Sew the end shut. You will have a comfortable, washable dog bed, and your dog will appreciate having a bed made from something that is yours.

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Offering different insurance policies to suit every pet owner’s needs, Petplan’s Covered For Life policy is its most popular policy.

Petplan Covered For Life renews the amount of vet fees cover at the start of each year. This enables the policy holder to claim the full vet fee benefit, year after year, as long as the policy is renewed annually.

The policy also offers cover for complementary treatment, third party liability, boarding fees and advertising and reward if your pet is lost or stolen.

SPECIAL OFFER ALERT – PETPLAN PET INSURANCE DISCOUNT!

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Educate Yourself

You can help your dog eliminate a lot of discomfort and pain as well as reduce future health problems by acting as his first aid. Applying simple actions such as finding a good vet and knowing the signs and symptoms to look for in an illness will save you a lot of time and money. Taking the time to learn how to take care of your dog, particularly before you bring him home or immediately right after, is a worthy investment to make for the sake of your dog’s health.

After getting your puppy, it is good to know that he is in great shape and free of any conditions or disorders that can affect him later in life. To do this, you have to take him to the vet, preferably within the first two weeks after bringing him home, the sooner the better. This way, you will know immediately if there is something wrong with him, and fix it right away before the problem gets any worse or develop into something incurable.

Consider Dog Insurance

Pet insurance is a resource that helps you cover the cost of your dog’s veterinary care.  It offers a wide selection of plans that cover part of the cost of surgery, minor injury, routine checkups, and even dental care.  It also helps pay for part of the cost of the financial expenses of a medical procedure such as a transplant or chemotherapy.

However, if you are thinking about getting pet health insurance for your dog, you have to be very careful.  Do not sign up with the first one that you see, and do not pay anything unless you know exactly what you are getting. Below are some of the things that you should check for before you sign up for a pet health insurance.

1. Read the fine print. What exactly is covered and not covered in the plan?

2. Some plans have high deductibles. Shop around for one that offers the same type of coverage for a lower deductible.

3. Does the plan cover routine checkup and preventive care?

4. Some plans do not cover a dog once he reaches a certain age.  Find out if the one you are looking at has an age limitation.

5. Find out if the insurance company covers any pre-existing health conditions. This is very important because should your dog become ill or have an injury that stemmed from a previous condition, and the insurance company does not cover pre-existing health problems, you may be paying the expense out of your pocket.

6. Ask how many years the company has been in business and how long they have offered insurance plans that cover dogs. A fairly new company may not have the experience or the coverage that an older, more experienced service provider would.

7. Ask what the insurance policy does NOT include, such as checkups, heartworm tests, dental care, worms, etc. Obviously these items are important so you know what to expect to pay if a particular health condition with your dog springs up.

8. Find out if the insurance for your dog will cover bone scans, medications, reconstructive surgery, and CAT scans. If your dog gets seriously injured and is suspected of having a major condition as a result from the injury, he may need the above mentioned procedures and tests. These can be quite expensive if the insurance plan does not include them in the service.

9. And of course, be sure to know what your deductible will be. In addition, ask if there is a cap on any specific type of illness or accidents your dog may possibly be in.

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Insulin Injections

Depending upon your dog’s needs, insulin injections will be given one to two times daily. The amount of insulin used for each dose and how often these doses are given will depend upon your veterinarian. Some dogs will be able to take tablets instead of being given shots.

Insulin doses are typically given in smaller amounts at the start of treatment so that the blood sugar levels can slowly stabilize. Under extreme circumstances this may require your dog to be treated in the hospital for a few days. If his diabetes is more stable, then your dog may receive outpatient treatment.

During this period, your dog’s blood sugar will be monitored every hour in order to determine the exact dose of insulin he will need on a regular basis. Once the correct measurement of insulin has been reached, your veterinarian will instruct you to monitor your dog by testing his urine and/or blood.

The Right Diet

With diabetes, there is nothing more important to increase your dog’s life expectancy than with a strict diet. In fact, it is so important to your dog to eat accordingly when he has this disease, that there is a chance that his diabetes can go into full remission just from the change of diet alone.

You should be feeding your diabetic dog meals that are high in fibre and low to moderate and carbohydrates.

Before you decide what to feed him, it would be wise to consult with a holistic veterinarian and nutrition expert who can further advise. Your goal should be to utilise food as “medication” so that hopefully one day your dog can stop taking “official” medication.

[note]Are you looking for the ideal natural diet for your dog?

High Oats from Burns Pet Nutrition is higher in natural fibre which is recommended for the overweight or diabetic dog.*Available in 2kg, 7.5kg and 15kg.

Find Out More…[/note]

Our diet should include the right amount of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals that is necessary to acquire optimum health. We also need an unlimited supply of water to keep our body functioning and alive.

Similar to humans, dogs need to be fed according to their age, size, shape, and lifestyle. For example, a sheep dog that is working in a field will have a different diet then little Chihuahua that is living in a small house.

Similarly, a pregnant female dog will have a different diet than that of an average male dog, and her puppies will require a higher amount of nutrients in order for them to grow healthy and strong. The aging dog will require different levels of nutrition than that of a growing puppy.

Therefore, it is crucial to know what type of food to give your pet, as well as the type of food to avoid. It is also important that you do not overfeed your dog. Although you may think that you are being a good owner by giving him big meals and lots of tasty snacks, what you are actually doing is harming the animal. By giving your dog more food than what his body requires, you are encouraging obesity and paving the way for illnesses such as diabetes.

There are many different kinds of dog food on the market today. The majority of these foods contain the right amount of nutrients that your dog needs for a well-balanced diet.

The three types of food that you can choose for your dog are canned foods, semi-moist foods, and dry foods. In addition to his regular meals, there are also a wide selection of snacks and treats that you can give him for those times that he is well-behaved and during training sessions.

[note]Are you looking for the ideal natural diet for your dog?

High Oats from Burns Pet Nutrition is higher in natural fibre which is recommended for the overweight or diabetic dog.*Available in 2kg, 7.5kg and 15kg.

Find Out More…[/note]