You can't judge all dogs by unfortunate incidents

THE tragic case of a little girl mauled to death in Leicestershire on November 5 instigated my letter. Apparently, it was a rescue dog, only taken on a few weeks ago. I would just like to say that it is possible for any animal to turn for a number of reasons. Personally, I feel fireworks are a big culprit, in my experience, and completely terrorise some animals, but obviously we do not always know what trauma an animal has been through previously if re-homed. We have a rescue dog who was previously neglected. The RSPCA filled us in as best they could and advised us accordingly, which we prepared for. So far, we have made real progress with him – he is a beautiful dog. Our main problems have stemmed from irresponsible owners allowing their dogs to run loose with no control over them whatsoever. For example, our dog was attacked by three Labradors running loose the other morning, biting his legs. Our dog was muzzled and tried to defend himself as best he could, unfortunately pulling my daughter over and she ended up with a two inch long branch stuck in her leg. My point being, the owner was lax in calling the dogs off, they even came back for another go. Labradors are not usually considered dangerous. Read more: http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/t-judge-dogs-unfortunate-incidents/story-20070903-detail/story.html#ixzz2kWot4xki

Cockapoo / Spoodle Common Pet Grooming mistakes

When dog owners attempt pet grooming at home, there are several common mistakes that are made. Pet grooming is a skill, but with the right equipment and patience it can become a household duty that will save both time and money. You have to be careful. A slip of the clippers can cause injury to your animal. This is not only physical injury, but emotional. Trust is loss once pain is inflicted and your pet may not treat you the same afterward.

The first common mistake is getting to close to the skin while shaving. The clippers can leave a nasty razor burn that can open its way to later infections. If you accidentally give your pet a burn while grooming, stop and apply first aid. Put on some anti-bacteria salve and if possible clean the wound. Hug you pet and let it know that you are sorry and it was an accident. Though they might not understand the words, your pet will understand the tone and will react accordingly. The emotional pain is just as bad as the physical. Watch the wound carefully and if it becomes red or issues puss, contact your veterinarian immediately. If the animal licks or otherwise irritates the wound, you might want to get a protective plastic collar to stop the behavior.