Anna's Blog

Whether you’ve just introduced a puppy, a rescue dog, or want to perfect a recall with your adult dog, MyLine makes training easy, consistent and fun. With outdoor spaces busier than ever a reliable recall is the most important command to teach your puppy / adult dog.  Apart from possibly saving your dog’s life one day, in an age of dog theft it’s unadvisable for your puppy / adult dog to ever leave your sight. MyLine will help you navigate distractions and with practice and repetition, your dog will learn that a five-metre approximate distance from you is the morally mandatory rule.

This week the RSPCA’s Dog Welfare Specialist, Dr Sam Gaines, joins Anna to discuss the latest on Breed Specific Legislation. Following a recent debate in Parliament prompted by a petition urging for reform as the 30th Anniversary of the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991) approached on August 12th. We discuss that as a ‘nation of animal lovers’ the UK is behind other countries in its approach to dogs and public safety. The banning of four breeds: the Pitbull, the Japanese Tosa, the Fila Brasiliero, and Dogo Argentino has not worked with dog bites rising year on year.  We discuss other approaches not least education, bringing back dog licences, new bylaws that would be in the public’s safety. We chat about the potential of an independent review and study to ascertain whether certain breeds are more ‘dangerous’ than other breeds or cross breeds. If the independent review concludes there is insufficient evidence to support the Governments position on BSL, the hope is this aspect would have to be revised.  

Vet and Environmentalist Andrew Prentis joins Anna to chat about the excremental rise in dog mess since the pandemic began. Without pointing fingers, it seems that it's the owners of the pandemic puppies who do not understand why it's so important to pick up and bin poop as a responsible owner. We chat about whether a reluctance to pick up is down to some poop’s consistency, as generally overly processed diets can product voluminous soft poop that can be tricky to pick up. In contrast, naturally fed dogs tend to poop firm, easy to bag stools. We touch on the impact to the environment and whether an abundance of the smelly stuff is a public health risk. But as the minority spoils things for the majority, its time to shape up, not least for your dog’s reputation and self respect.

Mickey McMonagle joins Anna to talk about the first dog inspired column in a National newspaper, which set a big trend! How his love of dogs from Spaniels, Chihuahuas is now also focused on helping Spanish Hounds, known as Pondencos. A chance encounter on holiday in Ibiza introduced Mickey to the Spanish Hound, one variety is the Ibizan Hound and it was love at first sight.

The Broadcasting legend Jenni Murray, famous for Woman’s Hour, joins Anna to chat about the dogs in her life. From Taffy her first, a Corgi mix, her Mini Schnauzers and to Butch the first of her Chihuahuas, playing a significant role in Jenni’s life, not least for being her steadfast companion as Jenni battled  cancer.Through this journey Jenni and Butch became inseparable, with his funny quirks revealing how dogs most certainly have emotional intelligence, intuition , and a sense of humour. Jenni’s book My Boy Butch is a tribute to this little dog, as well as defining some of her darkest times. We chat about new animal legislation and sentience, whether dogs should be vegan, and why dogs are a social network without technology.The role of women and dogs and vice versa. What dogs teach us. And why dogs remain a constant in times of change. We chat about Jenni's new podcast Now I’m Grown Up, highlighting how we can adapt and develop news skills sets, and why life is just better with a dog.

As pesky as biting bugs, even as life threatening as overheating, the insidious grass seed often gets underestimated for inflicting the summertime blues.

Despite looking harmless enough, on close inspection grass seeds are shaped like a dart, about one to two centimetres long, with one end that can penetrate your dog’s outer skin.

The Government's proposals announced on May 13^th by DEFRA are set out in a flagship Action Plan for Animal Welfare, which will see several new laws coming into effect, transforming the lives of animals in this country.  

Legislation will now be underpinned by Environment Secretary George Eustice’s landmark Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill, which formally recognises animals as sentient beings in domestic law.

Jonny Clowes Editor at Thames & Hudson chatting about Magnum Dogs 

Jonny Clowes, Editor at Thames & Hudson, joins Anna to chat about a stunning celebratory collection of photographs called Magnum Dogs. Spanning eight decades, featuring an idiosyncratic pedigree of the journalistic, artistic and storytelling. This collection is all about the dog. Selected from over 2,000 images, Magnum Dogs features Henric Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, David Seymour, and George Rodger and many more. 

 

To listen to this episode click here

Cinema journalist, and founder of the Palm Dog, Toby Rose joins Anna to talk about the up coming For Incredible Dogs Onscreen (FIDO) Awards 2021, recognising the vital role of canines in films, before the Palm Dog awards to be staged in July at the Cannes Film Festival. With awards categories including: Mutt Moment, Blockbuster Bowser, Comedy Canine, Rom Com Rover, Historical Hound and best Dog Dox, the FIDOs highlights the steadfast role dogs have played in our lives through lockdowns and the pandemic, not least on the big (or small) screen. In line with covid social restrictions, the FIDOs will run as a pop up in London’s groovy Coal Drops Yard, behind King’s Cross, between 21-24 May with the awards ceremony on Sunday 23rd May. All the stunning prizes are designed and made in London by Creature Clothes. 

To listen, click here

I'm so excited to be judging at Paawstival a new dog-centric event appropriately being staged on the Isle of Dogs. In aid of The Wild at Heart Foundation and StreetVet, Paawstival offers a fun packed two days for dogs and their owners to celebrate man's best friend, whilst helping dogs less fortunate, and the homeless community with dogs receive the support and pathways to housing they deserve

An egg is a species appropriate whole food for your dog especially if fed raw. Why? It means the molecular structure of its nutrients are not compromised. The egg shell membrane remains intact which is packed with glucosamine and chondroitin. Plus the proteins and Omega's found in an egg make it a balanced complete snack for your dog.

What's in a word? We communicate through speech, but dogs rely on body language, and minute facial expressions to get the meaning of 'words'.  Dogs are great at reading us, but do we spend enough time learning to 'speak dog'?