Snifferdog Specialist Operations

05/03/2023

Please consider sheep and keep your dogs on a lead. This is lambing time.

08/10/2022

DON’T FORCE ME TO BE SOCIAL!
We expect that dogs should naturally like all other dogs and want to be friends, after all they’re the same species! Many owners have the expectation of their dog happily interacting and befriending other dogs at parks or when out walking, thoroughly enjoying the chance to engage with the same species, but the reality is often very different, leaving owners feeling frustrated and irritated and wondering what’s wrong with their dog.
Dogs are not that different from us when it comes to social preferences. As people, do we like every person we meet? Do we want to be friends with everyone with meet? Are we all social beings who love to be surrounded by people? The answer is no, but somehow, we assume that our dogs should be.
The sociability scale of dogs is influenced by early socialization and experiences, genetics, environmental factors, what they have learned through life experience and their own individual circumstances. Certain breeds are naturally more reserved than others.
Early socialization, habituation and positive experiences are vitally important and should not just stop after puppy hood, but ideally continue throughout life. A dog’s social tolerance can be improved or may even change through careful behaviour modification and management, but sometimes, we just need to accept that our dog is just not that into other dogs and that’s ok. Every dog is an individual and once we have done all we can to improve their social abilities we need to just accept and love them for who they are and never force them to be something that they’re not.

08/10/2022

🍇Vitis Vinifera (grapes, raisins, sultanas)🍇

Grapes and their dried fruits can be incredibly toxic to dogs and cats, and ingestion of a small amount can be enough to cause kidney damage. It is not fully understood how these foods cause poisoning, and there is no correlation between the amount eaten and the likelihood of an animal developing complications. This means that even a small amount can be enough to cause serious kidney impairment.

Signs of toxicity include:
🍇Vomiting and diarrhoea
🍇 Abnormal drinking or urination
🍇 Weakness and lethargy

If your dog or cat has ingested grapes or their dried fruits, contact Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000. Veterinary professionals can contact VPIS on 0207 305 5055 for detailed treatment advice.

05/10/2022

The Animal PoisonLine saves 7 out of 10 pets a trip to the vet, however sometimes urgent treatment is necessary.
We hope you will never be in that situation, but have a look at the following tips to help you be prepared. If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic substance, call the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000.

04/10/2022

⚠️DOGS and CHEWING GUM⚠️

Sadly we have had a lot of calls this week where dogs have become unwell after ingesting sugar-free chewing gum.

Sugar-free gum often contains large amounts of an artificial sweetener called xylitol. Just one or two pieces may be enough to make a dog seriously ill.

The xylitol in chewing gum can cause a crash in blood sugar levels leading to neurological signs, and can also affect the liver.

If your dog has ingested sugar-free gum, prompt veterinary advice is essential. Owners should call us for advice on the Animal PoisonLine 01202 509000. For detailed treatment advice, vets should call our dedicated professional line on 0207 3055 055.

04/10/2022

Seeing as we are in the early stages of autumn, it’s important to remember that although confers can be fun for us, they can be lethal for dogs.

31/10/2019

Some sad news to deliver in regards to a Northumbria Police legend 😢 👮 🐶

Police dog Chase spent an incredible eight years with our Dog Section before retiring in 2017.

He was born into a career with the police in 2009 as part of a breeding programme at our kennels in Ponteland.

Over a stellar eight-year career he caught hundreds of criminals and helped locate dozens of missing people.

When Chase retired he remained with his handler PC Ian Hankin as a pet, enjoying walks in the woods and a doze by the fire.

But sadly the ten-year-old German Shepherd walked over that rainbow bridge 🌈 last week after passing away following a short battle with illness.

He was a wonderful dog, a credit to the Force and he will be deeply missed by Ian and his family.

Thank you for your service Chase, rest in peace 💙

🐶

28/11/2018