Product Review - Hali Dog Headcollar

Nowadays Zorra walks very well to heel and does not pull, I can even let my mother who is not as keen on dogs take her for a walk and not worry about her being dragged around the block sled-dog-style by my overexcited retriever. This was not always the case. Zorra went through a period of lunging/pulling/general maddness when out on a walk. I tried various methods to stop this; circling, pulling back at her and yelling, sharp tugs, and finally the Halti. I never used a choke collar/chain because I don't think dogs learn from these, but if they have worked for someone I wouldn't judge them for it.

So we got our Halti, I was very excited and Zorra was slightly concerned. I put it on her and it looked exactly like the photo; I was pleased that it fit and expected it to work brilliantly. The photo looked something like this:

Taken from http://4pawspetsitting.com/collars-vs-harnesses/

In fact, Zorra looked so like the above photo that she even mimicked the flat back ears and worried expression. 

We started to walk and Zorra immediately tried to swipe the Halti off with her paw. If we stopped for more than two seconds she would successfully get it off and it became obvious why the Halti has a safety strap to give you some semblance of control once your dog has successfully removed it. 

As long as we were moving forward Zorra would not get it off, and although she would constantly toss her head and prance with her paws in the air it has to be said that she was not pulling. I'm not sure how effective this was because whenever we did not have the Halti I continued to pull her back sharply or turn in circles. 

I think the most important thing to do when a dog is pulling is ANYTHING! Too many people let their dog lean on the collar and pull the human along. I hate to see this. It almost causes me physical pain to watch because this is something that is so easy to fix, yet many dog owners just accept it and resign themselves to having a dog that pulls. The longer this goes on the more ingrained it is in the dog's behavior. 

Overall I would recommend the Halti. Zorra definitely was not in pain, even though she did find it a bit annoying. I've seen many dogs with them walking calmly and it is certainly better than nothing. One of the most important things a dog needs to learn is to walk calmly next to a person. This is important for safety (being in control of your dog) and because when a dog leans on you it is RUDE! If you dog pulls, please do something about it! 

Preparing Your Dog for a Flight

As some of you who follow Dogs Allowed on Twitter or Facebook may already know, a few days ago Zorra came with me from London to California. She immediately settled in and is loving every minute of being here (particularly the pool) but I had to do a lot of work and research to get her ready to fly.

If you are planning on taking your dog on a plane here are some tips:

1) Do some research about which airlines are available for the route you are taking. One long flight is easier for a dog to handle than a layover. Airlines have different pet policies so you should read these carefully before booking; for instance, Virgin Atlantic has climate control in the dog area and your pet earns you miles: win!

2) Read your airline's pet travel requirements very carefully, some may require extra health checks to reduce the risk of something going wrong. If you are in any doubt call the airline, usually people who work in the pet travel department of airlines are dog people and very friendly!

3) IF YOU ARE TRAVELING ABROAD: look at the requirements for BOTH the country you are leaving and the country you are arriving in, especially if you plan to come back and bring your dog with you. You want to avoid quarantine at all costs. These can usually be found on your country's government website, but quite often you can get this information from the airline. In Europe it is essential that you get a pet passport as soon as possible because a blood test must be carried out weeks after the initial shots.

4) If a vet check is required go to the vet early, for instance with Virgin I was required to get a vet check for Zorra within 10 days of travel, so I went 9 days before traveling to the vet. This was good, because I was an idiot and I forgot to bring her passport with me to be stamped, if I had left it too late I would not have had time to make another appointment.

5) Do NOT sedate your dog for the flight! Virgin and some other airlines do not allow animals on the plane which have been sedated because they can stop breathing and die. Even if you airline does allow sedated animals please don't do it! Dogs are resilient, and  they should settle on their own but even if they don't a distressed dog is better than a dead one!

6) Make sure you put bedding in the crate which is soft, absorbent, and which you don't mind throwing away. Especially for long flights they are quite likely to pee on it even if they are completely house trained .

I hope if you do travel with your dog that it goes as smoothly as it did for me and my dog! I believe that all dogs should be crate trained because it makes situations like this much easier. Even though I haven't crated Zorra since she was a puppy she settled quickly and clearly felt safe and comfortable. With these steps you should be well on your way to a safe and fun trip with your dog!

Happy travels!

Dogs on the London Underground

Dogs on the London Underground

The tube is an excellent way to travel around London and for the most part it is very easy to take your dog on it. I recently found that some stations can be much harder to navigate than others. For instance, Victoria Station is dog-accessible for the Circle and District lines but not for the Victoria line, which only has escalator access. The step-free access map actually does not help with finding tube stops which are more dog friendly. Deeper stations with lots of underground tunnels are fine for experienced dogs but are not ideal for young dogs who might get restless or which aren't toilet trained; the only issue are platforms which are only accessible by escalators. Dogs Allowed is going to venture to find out which stations and lines are the most dog friendly, stay tuned!

Restaurant Review - The Two Chairmen

The Two Chairmen - St James/Westminster

I went to this pub with Zorra after a long walk in Green Park on a rainy day. I was not planning on going to a pub for lunch, but this one looked so inviting I decided to pop my head in; after all, someone has to go around asking which pubs are dog-friendly! The bar staff were very friendly and were welcoming of a drenched girl and her even more thoroughly soaked dog. One of the barmen even offered to keep an eye on her while I nipped upstairs to the loo.

The food was great and unexpected; there was a nice selection of gormet burgers ranging from the usual beef burger to the more rare venison burgers and other interesting meats. The selection of beer was good but not as wide as I've seen in other pubs, but they had a wine list that was quite extensive for a traditional pub.

Overall I'd definitely recommend this pub; they were very welcoming of dogs, had a nice, friendly atmosphere, and better than your average pub food.

Deciding to Spay or Neuter Your Dog

Tonight Zorra is feeling somewhat sorry for herself but is otherwise fine post-op after being spayed this morning. Many people get fanatical about spaying, and either think that it is wrong to force an otherwise healthy dog to have an operation or that NOT spaying or neutering your dog is irresponsible. I personally was very conflicted about the decision to spay Zorra. Part of me kept thinking that I might want to breed from her in a couple of years, she's lovely and healthy and a good example of her breed.

It took me a long time to make the decision to spay her. I hated how final it would be, that once I took her to the vet I could not turn back. I finally made the decision that I knew I needed to make. I am not a dog breeder, I do not have the time or facilities to devote to breeding puppies, my dog is not a champion gun dog nor does she have perfect conformation. For me and my dog, spaying was the right option.

I believe it is important for every dog owner to take their time and read as much as they can about the pros and cons of spaying or neutering your dog. I truly believe that in MOST cases it is better to spay or neuter your dog, unless you are breeding for the right reasons.

So get the information, read as much as you can, talk to your vet, talk to breeders, but most of all don't make a decision based on pressure from others or because you can't face putting your dog through a procedure.

Traveling with Dogs to Paris

The advent of Pet Passports and changes to quarantine procedures means that it is much easier to travel from the UK to the Continent with your pet. As always it is crucial that you check the rules in your destination country as well as any restrictions that may be placed on your pet returning home.

France is a popular place for UK residents to take their dogs due to the relative ease of getting there. Dogs are NOT allowed on the Eurostar, but they are allowed on most French trains so once you arrive in France either by ferry or plane you and your dog are able to travel freely. Traveling with a dog is an excellent way to explore a new city, you end up meeting lots of locals and discovering new parks. Sitting outside at a Parisian cafe with a dog in tow is a great way to feel like a local!

Please do not try to act too much like a local in Paris, the city has a lot of dog poo on the streets. If you do bring your dog on vacation with you please pick up after your dog regardless of the local customs.

Watch this space for tips on where to take your dog in France!

Dogs Watching Polo with the Queen

Today a friend and I took our dogs to watch the final of the Royal Windsor Cup. Polo as a sport is remarkably dog friendly, but I was worried that we would have to leave our dogs in the car for such a prestigious event, after all the Queen was there! That was definitely not the case! It seemed that every time I turned my attention from the polo (which I'll admit was not that often, it was truly gripping) I saw another dog. During the treading in (or "stomping the divots" as we call it in America) there were dozens of dogs out with the girls in sundresses and heels and men in tweed, all covered up with Barbours against the wind. I'm sure Her Majesty would have approved of the canine presence, being a dog lover herself.

I don't believe there is another sport which is so open to dogs. Where else could you have your dogs on you lap or at your feet in the grandstand, which a human would have to pay good money for, and watch the match? Not even other equestrian sports have such a welcoming attitude towards dogs. One could argue that dog-related sports such as agility are more "dog-friendly" but I disagree, because in these sports dogs as competitors are treated differently and spectator dogs are usually not allowed in the bleachers. As far as I can tell polo is by and large the most dog-friendly sport in the UK and US today, and perhaps elsewhere.

Treading in - Her Majesty the Queen in the background

Whippet enjoying a view from the grandstand

If you want to take your dog to polo within reach of London check out Guards Polo Club: http://www.guardspoloclub.com/   or for a bit further look at Cowdray Park Polo Club: http://www.cowdraypolo.co.uk/ 

Please like Dogs Allowed on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dogs-Allowed/164992530270784 and if you have an iPhone please download our app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dogs-allowed/id507097003?ls=1&mt=8

Begging Dogs

If you have ever owned or even known a dog you are probably familiar with the "sad puppy eyes." These are deviously effective at making any human in possession of food feel guilty and sometimes they are so effective they cause said human to relinquish their food to the dog. This form of begging is seen often in pubs, where a human's delicious burger is placed right at nose level for many dogs.

This behavior might be cute, but it can lead to whining which upsets other customers and may get you and your dog kicked out. At the very least it may put you off your food which defeats the whole point of going to the pub or restaurant in the first place!

The best way to deal with this is to completely ignore your dog while they are begging. It's much easier said than done! I have been known to slip a french fry or 12 to my dog under the table, but ONLY when she is minding her own business, and this is still not advisable for dogs that beg badly (it's probably not advisable for my dog either, but she has me well trained)
. Definitely don't give your dog any food if they make any noise.

You can also try practicing at home, have your dog at your feet while you eat your dinner and completely ignore any noise make while you are eating. For some dogs bringing a bone with you to the pub might help, that way they have something tasty to munch on while you have your food.

I would love to hear any suggestions, please comment if you have any tips or tricks for stopping dogs from begging!

Dogs, Tourists and Children

Today was a glorious Bank Holiday Monday. The sun was out, and so were the crowds. Zorra and I went out for a walk, as did thousands of other dogs and their owners. Parks, especially those in London, are shared spaces. This means that even though we would love to let our dogs race around in wide open spaces with only the buildings poking over the trees to remind us that we are not in the wilds of Devon, we are instead affronted with thousands of locals and tourists of all ages.

I can say from personal experience that not all picnic goers are thrilled by the addition of a large, happy, bouncing dog to their party. Some people are genuinely pleased to have a dog say hello, but it is particularly important to keep an eye on the faces of the people that your dog is approaching. Recall is so important when there are crowds.

Children are a completely mixed bag when it comes to dogs. Today Zorra induced three very different reactions from children in the park. Several recoiled and shrinked away at the mere sight of a big black dog. When I was a child I never understood those types of kids, but as long as your dog ignores them as Zorra did you can move on without incident. If your dog tries to approach these kids DO NOT let them! You could cause the child to become even more afraid, and remember that scared children often come with over-protective parents. Another reaction was scared children with parents who desperately wanted the kids to say hi to the dog. This is a tricky situation, and it really depends on the temperament of your dog. If you have a very calm, steady dog who will just sit there as the child decides if they want to approach then fine, but if your dog will react at all it is probably best to just move on. It is not your job to get someone else's kid to love dogs.

The third reaction from a child that Zorra caused today was particularly funny. While we were playing fetch a small girl, not even 2 years old, slowly toddled over from where her family was having a picnic. I could see her coming, so I stopped playing and told Zorra to lie down. The girl reached us around the same time that her father saw and sprinted over. She desperately wanted to pet the dog, but at the same time she did not want to relinquish the sandwich she was clutching. This was a predicament, because Zorra was starting to eye up the sandwich. She would never snatch it from someone, but I was still worried as this was a very small child. The father tried to take the sandwich from the girl, but she cried so he gave it back. Then she did something very surprising, this tiny little girl offered her sandwich to a dog that was three times her size. Zorra obviously took it, then ran away and the girl started to cry. I had to wonder if the girl was crying because of the loss of the sandwich or the absence of the dog. Either way, this was the kind of kid that I could relate to.

Dog Friendly in London - The Feathers

The Feathers pub near St James' Park tube stop has proven itself to be an exceptionally dog friendly pub. We went in happy hour, it was packed full of Westminster office workers for an after work pint but there was still room for us. Loads of people came over to pat the dog; I think Zorra brightened the day of many a Parliamentarian tonight! The staff were incredibly dog friendly, and turned a blind eye when Zorra slipped her collar and I had to chase her upstairs. The Feathers has definitely become a new favorite!

Not Everybody Likes Dogs - Stop your dog from jumping on the wrong people

It may seem strange for Dogs Allowed to be blogging about people who don't like dogs, but in many ways they are as, if not more, important to think about when you are taking your dog out in public. My crazy, lovely, adorable Flatcoat loves people and has learned which people love her. It's amazing to watch how she reacts to different people.

Gordon's Wine Bar last night proved the perfect example. We were standing at a barrel at Gordon's with our wine and Zorra was on a lead but was standing in the path between the rows of tables. Most people Zorra looked at and wagged her tail, but did nothing more when they simply walked passed. Others stopped and said hello, and she wriggled and licked them and generally got happy and excited. Nothing, however, could compare to her reaction to a man who actively wanted her to jump on him. I've seen this happen several times, Zorra gets excited because someone is giving her attention, and it escalates until she has her paws on the person's shoulders licking their face and ears. It usually happens because the person ASKS her to jump on them!

For many people, this is not the reaction they want from a dog. As a dog owner you have to be very aware of how people are responding to your dog's presence. Particularly with young, excitable dogs it is important to keep them under control whenever a new person comes to say hello.

1) Before taking your dog to a public place try to wear them out by taking them for a run or other exercise.

2) If your dog is particularly hyperactive keep treats to distract them when small children are around. Kids and dogs can be great together, but you can also put someone off dogs for life by scaring them when they are a child. Introduce your dog to children when they are puppies, if possible, so that they stay calm when they see them later in life.

3) YOU take responsibility for your dog. If your dog is too young or inexperienced to gauge people's reactions then you have to do it for them. If someone seems hesitant, then hold your dog back.

4) FIRST teach a dog NEVER to jump up, then when they are older and they can understand when someone is asking them to jump up they can be allowed to do so. Some dogs should never be allowed to do this, it all depends on the individual. I am blessed with a particularly socially-aware dog who can tell the difference, but not all dogs can.

5) Teach your dog to sit before they are allowed to say hello to someone, this will help your dog learn to control themselves.

The more crowded the place the better behaved your dog has to be. As dog owners we act as dog ambassadors every time we take our dog in public, please take steps to make sure you make a good impression! Also see our tips on getting your dog to behave in public.

Easter and Chocolate Poisoning

Easter is a great holiday to spend with friends and family, and the family dog! While we love chocolate at Easter, we have to remember that it is poisonous to dogs. Eating chocolate can lead to theobromine poisoning in dogs. Dark chocolate is much more deadly than milk chocolate due to it's higher coco content. Mild cases of theobromine poisoning cause vomiting and diarrhea while severe cases can lead to seizures, rapid heart rate, hyperactivity, respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. While there is no need to freak out if your dog eats a tiny bit of chocolate, if they eat over 100 milligrams of theobromine per kilogram body weight it could kill them. The amount of theobromine in chocolate varies depending on the type, the worst being high cocoa and bakers chocolate. If you aren't sure how much your dog has eaten, take them to the vet.

Here are some tips for keeping your dog safe over Easter:

1) If you are having an Easter Egg Hunt which involves leaving chocolate around keep your dog inside during the hunt and make sure ALL of the chocolate is picked up before letting him/her out.

2) Where possible try to use milk or white chocolate, if you dog eats milk chocolate they may still have to go to the vets but the consequences will be much milder.

3) Any dark chocolate you do have at Easter do not use in an egg hunt, leaving chocolate on the floor or hidden in bushes is asking for a dog to eat it.

If you dog does eat chocolate, keep calm and call your vet. In most cases, especially in big dogs, it's not a big deal because most of the chocolate that humans eat is fairly low in cocoa content. Your dog will most likely have a stomach ache unless they have eaten a LOT of dark chocolate. Always best to be safe, keep chocolate out of reach, and if in doubt call you vet.

Doggie Day Care in London

This makes me want to be a dog! They get picked up while their owners are at work and get to play the whole day in the country, all for only £25 (only slightly more than the average hour long walk).

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2152992/The-doggie-creche-owners-barking-demand-mutts-eggs-benedict-breakfast--Not-mention-Radio-4-chauffeured-ride-home.html

Dogs on the London Underground

I've seen loads of dogs on the London Underground. Some seem to be enjoying the experience much more than others! I've chatted with dog owners of all different types and come up with some basic tips for taking your dog on the tube.

1) Try to travel when it's not crowded

2) If you dog is little, pick him/her up. At best they'll be scared, at worse they'll get stepped on!

3) DO NOT let your dog on the tube if they are not house trained UNLESS you intend to carry them the entire time. Accidents are a great way to get dogs banned on the underground.

4) Check when the underground stops operating if you are traveling at night, it usually shuts at 12 and opens again at 5 but this can vary.

5) Use the luggage gate... I went through the normal gates and Zorra got whacked in the bum. She was  not impressed.

Taking your dog on the underground is a great and cheap way to travel around London, but as always you MUST make sure your dog is socialized and friendly before taking them in public.

Zorra on the Tube after drinks at Gordon's Wine Bar

Dogs in Harrods

Dogs are Allowed in Harrods!

If you want to take your dog with you to shop in Pet Kingdom you can! You MUST have your vaccination records with you, however, or else they won't let you in.

Go to door 3 and tell the concierge that you intend on shopping in Pet Kingdom and they will escort you there, after you've shown them you vaccination records of course.

While you're there, if you are into this sort of thing, you can take your dog to the Pet Spa at Harrods. It's expensive because you can't get any of the extras listed on the brochure without a treatment (the cheapest is £59.95) but if you are only in town for a few days with your dog it could be quite the novelty!

If you have a dog which is prone to tear stains it would be worth looking into their tear stain treatment. This is the one thing that I think would be genuinely useful... compared to the "blueberry and vanilla facial."

If you're feeling like your dog needs some extra pampering they have an entire spa day that you can book your dog in for, including lunch! Most people don't get treated this well!

http://www.harrods.com/content/the-store/news-events/2011/the-pet-spa-launches/ 

Pub Etiquette for Dogs

10 useful tips for taking your dog to a pub or restaurant:

1) If possible, take your dog for a short trip to the pub or coffee shop when they are puppies. Sit outside with a cup of coffee and just let them get used to strangers saying hello and being tied up. Make the first few trips short so your dog doesn't get bored and misbehave.

2) Bring a rawhide bone with you to give your dog under the table so that he/she doesn't get bored.

3) Start off with quiet places than gradually work up to busier places when your dog gets used to being out in public.

4) If possible go with a quiet, well behaved dog who is used to pubs and restaurants. Your novice pub-going dog will benefit from watching a more seasoned pub veteran.

5) Take your dog for a long walk first! Go to the pub when your dog is tired so they just sleep while you eat.

6) Take a doggie blanket with you, your dog will appreciate somewhere to lie down and they are more likely to settle if they have somewhere to curl up. Most pubs and restaurants have hard floors which dogs, especially thin breeds like whippets, don't like to lie on.

7) Before you take your dog to the pub be sure to socialize them. Take them for walks in town so they can meet lots of people and be used to being pet by strangers and children.

8) Make sure your dog is comfortable with being tied up and having you walk away. If you need to go to the bathroom you don't want your dog howling the entire time you are away! Practice this at home, it's important training anyway. We will cover how to do this properly in a later post.

9) Socialize with other dogs first, you will probably meet some when you are out and you need to make sure that your dog isn't dog-aggressive before you take them in public. We will also cover this in detail in another post.

10) ALWAYS carry poop bags! This is the least glamorous part of owning a dog, but it is so important! Not only is it gross and unhygienic to leave dog poo behind, it's against the law in most places. Take more bags than you think you could ever possibly need, and if you see a fellow dog owner caught short please give them one! Watching someone else scramble to pick up poo with newspapers and grocery bags while you have dog poo bags in your pocket is not very kind - you never know when that will be you!


Follow these steps and enjoy! Watch this space for more tips on dog training and socialization.

Zorra at the Tunnel House 

Poo Bags

It might sound ridiculous, but carrying poo bags can be a great way to meet people in London. Twice this week I've seen a fellow dog owner caught short with no poo bags and offered them one of my own. Not only are you helping keep the streets clean and improving general opinion of dog owners, you are helping out someone who would otherwise need to resort to desperate measures such as newspaper. You never know who you might meet in the park...

Gordon's Wine Bar

I was very surprised by how dog-friendly Gordon's Wine Bar is! My friend and I took my dog to Gordon's and sat outside with her on their heated patio. Several people came to say hello, but one gentleman was particularly interested in my dog. He turned out to be the manager of Gordon's, and said that dogs are always welcome, inside or out! He came back with water for her and really gave her the star treatment. I've been going to Gordon's for years, but this was the first time I went with a dog. It was also the first time I met the manager, so maybe taking your dog around London is the way to meet people! I'll test this theory out...