Teddies from Caring Clare!

Back in April, our South Connaught and Clare Education Officer, Dawn, visited Holy Family Junior School in Ennis, Co. Clare. Over the course of a couple of days she spoke to all 12 of their classes, finding out lots about their dogs, and talking about what dogs need to be healthy and happy. Dawn had a fantastic visit, and was delighted when Ms Normoyle's class offered to organise a collection of soft toys in the school, so that she could bring them up to the centre for the dogs!

 

So last week Dawn headed back to Holy Family to collect the teddies, and was presented with 4 big black bags of them! In fact, the children had been so generous, and had done such a good job of collecting the teddies, that they took up all the space in Dawn's boot!

 

Teddies Galore!

 

The Education Team would like to say a HUGE Thank You to the staff and students at Holy Family Junior school for organising this collection, and for being so generous! An extra special Thank You goes to Ms Normoyle's class who took charge of the collection. You can see a photo of them helping load Dawn's boot on their website http://www.holyfamilyjuniorschool.com/ (photo 21 on the slideshow).



We are sure you will all agree with Dawn's dog Odie that HFJS did a terrific job donating their old and unwanted soft toys for the dogs in Dogs Trust.

Dogs Trust always welcomes donations such as these as they go a long way to keeping the very special dogs in our care healthy and happy. We also take in food donations, and always need enrichment foods used to treat our residents and to help with their training. The kinds of food that our dogs love are listed below.
 



If you would like to donate any of these items, they can be dropped off at our rehoming centre on the Ashbourne Road, Finglas, Dublin 11.

 

Many Thanks in advance!

Dogs Trust visits Cork Summer Show 2015

Another exciting week has just passed for the Dogs Trust education team and, two weeks in a row, we’re heading down to Cork to see what our Cork Education Officer has been up to there! And what a week it’s been! Not only has Liadh been spreading the Dogs Trust responsible dog ownership message in West Cork schools but she also got the chance to do the same at the Cork Summer Show on the 20^th and 21^st of June. This show is the oldest agricultural show in Ireland and it was an honour to be asked along by Paul and Josie Barry and the entire team who’d organised all the super pet dog shows that were run during the event. Liadh met about 250 dogs AND all their owners at the show and not only was everyone thrilled to see Dogs Trust taking part – they were doubly thrilled to hear that Dogs Trust will have it’s very own Cork venue in the not too distant future!! Although we have to find a venue first – so if you know of anywhere that might suit give us a ring! Exciting times ahead which means LOTS more blogs from the South and South West Munster region over the coming months.

 

Fun in the sun at the show :)!

But for now Liadh would like to congratulate all the wonderful dogs who took part in the shows over the two days in a range of nine categories from ‘best puppy’ to ‘the dog the judges would most like to take home’! And remember, every dog was a winner because, quite simply – every dog is!

 

 

 

 

　

 

 

 

 

 

 

　

Togher Scoops the Poop!

Last week our Cork and South West education officer Liadh Fitzgerald was invited to attend the launch of a scoop-the-poop campaign organised by the student council of Togher Girls National School in Cork City!　 Liadh was thrilled to attend the event and she, along with Cork City Councillor Paudie Dineen, spoke to the girls about the importance of cleaning up after our dogs and commended them on their decision to promote this responsibility.

 

 

The school's campaign was based around Dogs Trust Scoop the Poop campaign that was rolled out by the Education Team for the first time in 2014 which made it extra special for us.

　

And..... update alert!! Further to their campaign, the Student Council was invited to an area meeting in Cork County Hall where it was agreed that the area engineer would put in dog litter bins and hang up signs in Togher!

 

A super yayee and big shout out to all at Togher Girls National School for achieving such a positive outcome and for helping to get this responsible dog ownership message out to those in their community!!

Glorious Goodies! Thanks to St Raphael's & Chanelle Pets!

A couple of weeks ago St. Raphael's College, all the way from Loughrea in Galway, travelled to Dublin for a tour of the centre with Fiona S, our Dublin and East Education Officer. Nothing unusual in that! However, this lovely group of students had worked super hard before their visit to raise funds and ask for donations locally so that when they visited they could bring with them lots of goodies for our residents! What a thoughtful thing to do, don't you agree?

 

Gorgeous Guy- one of the many dogs waiting for their forever home in Dogs Trust who will benefit from

this fantastic donation. Click his name to find out more about this handsome chappy!

 

On their hunt for donations they approached the wonderfully generous Chanelle Pets in Loughrea, who donated boxes and boxes of fantastic items for the dogs.

 

 

Fiona S with the students of St. Raphael's College showing off their amazing donated items! Wow!

 

The Education Team would like to say a HUGE Thank You to both St. Raphael's and Chanelle Pets for this wonderful donation which will go a long way to keeping our residents healthy and happy.

 

Worry-free walkies!

Hello readers! We hope you enjoyed your Bank Holiday weekend as much as we did. Lots of long dog walks were had by our Education Officers and their canine pals in the wind, rain, and shine! While out walking some of us noticed some dogs out and about off lead, and so we thought that on today's blog we would talk about our responsibility as dog owners to keep our dogs under control whilst out on our twice daily walks.

 

 

There are lots of common sense reasons to keep your dogs on leads when out and about such as:

• Preventing them running off and getting lost. Dogs have much better hearing and long distance eyesight than us, and so may run off after something we haven't even noticed!
• Stop them from getting into an accident. This is especially important if you are walking your dog near a road. Some dogs aren't very car smart.
• Stop them from causing an accident. Dogs on the road could cause car accidents as people do their best to avoid the hitting the dog.
• Making sure that they aren't running up to strangers- remember, some people are afraid of dogs and even if yours is super friendly, having a strange dog approach them would be very frightening for some people.
• Making sure they aren't approaching other dogs who may be nervous/frightened. Just like people, some dogs can be frightened of strange dogs and so if approached may growl and snap at your dog. We don't want to stress out any dog and keeping your dog on a lead will help prevent this.
• Making sure that they aren't picking up and eating something that they shouldn't. If he does you might end up with an ill dog, and a big vet bill!

'Okay, I'm on my lead, now lets walk!'
Finn - one of the very special residents in Dogs Trust Dublin looking for his forever home.
(click his name to find out more about him!) 

It's also part of the law surrounding dog ownership:

Your dog must be accompanied by and be under your effective control or the control of another responsible person if it is outside your home or premises or the home or premises of the person in charge of it.

Effective control for lots of dogs means being kept on a lead, and in some places, local by-laws insist on dogs being kept on leads in certain places for some of the reasons listed above. As well as being unsafe for your dog and sometimes the public, if your dog not under 'effective control' when out and about then you can face an on the spot fine!

 

If you want your dog to get some much needed off lead exercise, then choose enclosed spaces where your dog is unable to get out near a road, and places where dogs are often exercised (like a dog park) so that the people there are all aware that dogs are often present and off lead. Make sure your dog is well socialised with other dogs and people, and train them to come back to you when called (recall).

 

All these suggestions will help keep our beloved pooches safe and secure and allow them to run around to their hearts content without the worry of what might occur!

 

*Remember- when out in public, the law requires your dog to wear some form of ID, such as a collar with an ID tag attached.  



 

Hot tips to keep your dog cool this summer!

 

So the June Bank Holiday is on its way and that will hopefully mark the start of the summer!

 

We humans can get very excited about the summer sun and love to soak up those warm sun rays. It’s important to remember however that our doggie pals are a lot more sensitive to the rise in temperature around this time of year. Dogs can’t cool down as easily as we do, they can only cool down through their paw pads and panting which can be hard work for our doggie friends. We have put together a few top tips to help keep your doggie pal cool and relaxed during the summer months!

 

Water: Our doggie friends will drink a lot more water than usual when the weather is hot, so make sure you have a bowl full of clean fresh water ready for your dog throughout the day. No added ice-cubes though as these can make our dogs REALLY ill.



'gulp gulp' Meg, our South East Education Dog enjoying a fresh drink of water.



 

Exercise: If you can, avoid taking your dog out on his/her walk during the hottest part of the day between 12 and 3pm. Instead let them enjoy their walk in a nice cool temperature so they can enjoy and not miss out on any of their ‘walkies’ fun.

 

Shade: If you do find yourself outside during a hot day make sure to take breaks in the shade. Always be prepared with a bottle of water and a small container so your dog can enjoy a drink of fresh water to quench their thirst.

Meg taking a break in the shade!

 

Never leave your dog in the car, even if it feels cool outside: Remember, dogs find it harder to stay cool than humans, so what seems cold to us might be very warm to our dogs! Dogs left in cars have been known to suffer from heat stroke and even die. Don’t let your dog be a hot dog!!

 

Parking in the shade or leaving the car window open does not make it safe: Even with the window down, it is always hotter in the car than it is outside. Think of a car as a bit like an oven: air finds it hard to get in and out. We don’t want any melted mutts!

 

If you are driving with your dog, avoid the hottest part of the day when possible and try to use a sunblind in the window: This will make the journey much more comfortable and enjoyable for your furry friend. Remember to always have water on hand and to take breaks.

 

Some breeds of dog need a summer groom: Some breeds of dog have lots of fur that will need to be cut or trimmed to make sure they don’t overheat when the weather is warm.

 

So there you go some of our top tips to keep your dog cool and calm during the summer months :) .

DIY toys for your doggy friend

You might remember we posted in our blog a few months ago about making your dog a lovely Christmas present. Well we  were feeling creative again and thought we'd give you some ideas as to how to make your doggy pal some fun and interactive toys. Sometimes our doggy friends can chew their  way through their toys like there's no tomorrow, so have a look below for some fun and simple ideas to keep your dog entertained at home. All the toys were tried out by our South East Education Dog Meg.

 

Toy 1: Baking Tray Treat Puzzle*

All you will need is:

• An old cup cake baking tray
• Dog treats
• Tennis balls/Sliotars

 

Instructions:

• Simply place some treats in the baking tray and place the tennis balls on top.

Watch on while your dog investigates where the treats are!

 

This is so simple, not only a fun toy but a great to keep your dog's mind active too! Meg loved this one straight away.





Go Meg, she has her eye

(or in this case her nose) on the prize :)

 

 





Toy 2: The Treat Tennis Ball*

 What you will need:

• An old tennis ball
• Dog treats

 

Instructions:

• Ask a grown up to cut a hole half way through the tennis ball. 
• Open up the ball, and add dog treats, then it's time to play ball. Your dog will have to play and move the ball around to get the treats.

 

Meg loved this one, and didn't stop playing until she was sure all the treats were gobbled up.

What you will need.
 

 



Meg couldn't believe her luck when the treats kept rolling out!



 

Toy 3: Kitchen Roll Toy*

 What you will need:

• An empty kitchen roll or Toilet Roll
• Dog Treats

Instructions:

• Simple add the treats inside the kitchen roll, and scrunch up each end of the roll so the treats can't fall out.
• Give the toy to your dog and look at the fun commence. (there may be a bit of tidying up after your dog is finished with this one)

Meg enjoyed this one, it didn't last as long as the other homemade toys, but still a fun and a toy that can be made in seconds.



Fun Fun!

 

All Gone!!

So there you have it three simple, fun and interactive toys to try out with your doggy pal at home!

 

 

 

*Always supervise your dog while they are playing with these toys!

Ruff love : Staying Safe and Sound with Hounds Pt 2.

Safety around dogs is one of the key things the Education Team talk about in schools, and here on the blog we've already learned about meeting dogs when they are with their owners (W.A.L.T) and about some times that we should leave dogs alone

 

1. When they are eating/drinking 

2.When they are in their bed

3.When they are all by themselves without an owner

 

As well as knowing when it's best to leave dogs in peace, it's always good to know how to behave around our dogs at home or when visiting someone who has a pet dog/dogs.

 

First thing to remember is that dogs aren't people! When we say hello to a friend/family member, we might go up and give them a big hug to show them how much we care about them. Lots of people think that it's okay to do the same to a dog- but have you ever seen a dog hugging another dog? Probably not, and that's because dogs don't really understand what a hug is, and lots of them wouldn't like to be squeezed so close to somebody! There are lots of other ways that we can show dogs affection, like stroking them gently, or playing some fun games with them!

 

 

Next.....we should never put our faces up close to a dog's, even if it's just to say hello.  Can you imagine if somebody did that to you? Put their face right up in front of yours? That could be quite frightening for us wouldn't it, and it's also frightening for your dog!

 



 

Always stay nice and calm around dogs. We shouldn't be making loud and sudden noises around them in case we give them a fright, and we should always move calmly and quietly around them.

 

Always walk your dog with a grown up. If your dog sees something he/she wants to chase, or if he/she gets a fright and tries to run off, you might get pulled off your feet, and have to let go of the lead. A grown up will be more able to hold onto your dog keeping you both safe!

 

Lastly:

 

 Treat dogs with respect and they will respect you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Where in the World: Take 2!

Last November we shared with you some photos of some of the lovely places that the Dogs Trust's Education Team get to see on their travels. Well in the last few months we've been collecting more photos of the gorgeous Irish scenery we get to see travelling around the country visiting schools!

 

Fiona S and Jake stopped in Lusk to get this pic of Jake looking ready to school! They were visiting schools in the Fingal area when this was taken. Jake loves a bit of history, and insisted on getting Lusk Round Tower in the background!

Fiona R and Meg were visiting a Kilkenny school when they took this pic in Gathabawn, Kilkenny. Brrr.... that was a cold day, so Meg stayed in the car!



We all think that Liadh must have travelled overseas for this photo but she promises she didn't! She snapped this pic in Ballyheigue, Tralee whilst visiting a school nearby in Ballyduff.

Dawn spent some time in Leitrim working on a campaign with Leitrim County Council and got to see this lovely view in the village of Drumkeerran.

The Education Team love getting the opportunity to see some really amazing places in Ireland, wind, rain or shine (or snow!) whilst delivering the message of Responsible Dog Ownership to primary aged children. If you would like a visit from a Dogs Trust Education Officer, you can email education@dogstrust.ie  or visit www.learnwithdogstrust.ie to see if you have an Officer in your area. You can also download lesson plans there and find out more about the work of the Education Team!

A day in the life.... Meg's Diary!

Meg, our Education Dog in the South East, visits schools with Fiona R teaching young people all about being a Responsible Dog Owner, and about staying safe around dogs. Fiona tells us that Meg gets so excited every morning when she realises it's another school day, but we wanted to check ourselves what Meg thought of life as a dog with a job! So, we took a sneak peek at her diary... and we thought we'd share it with you too..... SHHHHHHHH... don't tell Meg!

 

Wow, it looks like Meg really does love her job, although we suspected that already!

If you are in the South East and would like to book a visit from Meg (and Fiona!) to your school, you can contact Fiona on 0872965883 or at fiona.ryan@dogstrust.ie .

 

If you would like to see if there's a Dogs Trust Education Officer in your area, book a workshop, or just find out more about the Education Team, you can do all this at www.learnwithdogstrust.ie. 

 

Staying Safe and Sound with Hounds Pt 1.

A few weeks ago with shared with you our WALT safety message of how to meet and greet a dog safely when he's with his owner.

W= Walk up calmly to the owner

A = Ask the owner if you can pet their dog

L = Let the dog sniff your safe hand

T = Touch the dog, where he likes to be rubbed

 

REMEMBER: If there's no owner with the dog, we should leave him alone.

 

Today we're continuing the safety theme and talking about a couple of times at home when we should leave our dogs in peace.

 

1: When a dog is eating or drinking.

We should never approach or try to rub our dogs when they're eating or drinking, after all, you wouldn't like it if you were having lunch and someone started petting you on the head would you?! You'd probably find that a little annoying, and dogs have feelings just like we do so they may find it annoying too!

Om nom nom nom nom - dinner is the best part of my day!- Meg

As well as that, your dog may think that you're actually going to take away his food and eat it! He has no idea that you don't eat dog food (we hope!) and so if your dog is having his dinner, or chowing down on a tasty treat, we should leave him alone, and wait for him to finish.

 

2: When a dog is in his bed.

A dog's bed, or sleeping area, is a little bit like our bedroom. We use our rooms when we need to go to sleep, and also sometimes when we just want some peace and quiet from the rest of the house. Dog's beds are similar. A dog may use his bed to sleep, or if he wants to have some 'me' time and feel safe and secure.

Jake is a BIG fan of his bed- and Fiona never disturbs him while he's snoozing!

So if a dog is in his bed, we should never approach the bed and disturb him. We certainly shouldn't poke and pull at him to get him out of bed, how would you feel if someone did that to you? Not too happy we're sure! We should also never get into a dog's bed/sleeping area with him, apart from the obvious- being covered in dog hair- a dog's bed is his safe place and he may not like you taking it over, just like you wouldn't like having someone invade your room and take it over! So if he's in his bed, we leave him alone.

If you want your pooch to get up, you can call him, squeak a toy, get some tasty treats or whistle! Then he can get up himself without you going near him.

 

 

Remember, the times we should leave dogs alone are:

When they're eating or drinking

When they're in their bed

and

When they're on their own without their owner

 

 

 

 



Tea, Tales and Tonnes of Fun!

Last Saturday the Education Team hosted 'Tea and Tales 2015' at Dogs Trust's Rehoming Centre in Finglas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With 6 speakers, over 30 kids and adults, games, a tour of the centre and lots of cake it was a busy afternoon! 

 

This year all of our speakers were from Dogs Trust, and included Katie the Training and Behaviour Advisor, Catherine the Canine Carer, Sam the Volunteer, Jenny the Vet Nurse, John a Canine Carer who spoke to us all about his time as a Dog Warden and Liadh the Education Officer.

 

 

The Education Team would like to say a big Thank You to all our speakers for taking time out of their very busy days to tell us about their jobs, and answer all the fantastic questions from the children!



Also a big Thank You to those of you who came along and made it such a fab day by having lots and lots (and lots!) of questions for our speakers, we hope that you all enjoyed yourselves!

 

You can keep up to date on future events by following Dogs Trust on Twitter and Facebook:

 

• https://www.facebook.com/dogstrustireland
• https://twitter.com/DogsTrust_IE

Chocs Away this Easter!

Easter is almost upon us and the house is full of chocolate! It’s hard to resist the temptation to give your doggy a little choccy treat. Please remember that human chocolate can be extremely harmful to your dog.

 

 

 

Many people are unaware that chocolate is poisonous to dogs.

• Chocolate makes dogs extremely sick and may even kill them.
• Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine which is safe for humans but not safe for dogs.
• The darker the chocolate, the more poisonous it is for you doggy pal.
• As a rough guide, Dogs Trust estimates that 50g of plain chocolate could be enough to kill a small dog, such as a Yorkshire Terrier, while just 400g could be enough to kill an average size dog.

Other dangers:

• Risk of obesity
• Dangers of eating the foil wrapping

 

 So that everyone can have an egg-cellent Easter, remember these rules to keep your dog safe:

 

• Keep your "chocs away" in a safe place so your dog can't get to it.

• NEVER feed your dog chocolate that's meant for humans.

• If your Easter egg is missing and you think your dog may have stolen it, contact your vet straight away.

• Look out for any of the following symptoms; vomiting with blood, a sore tummy, extreme thirst, excitability, drooling, rapid heart rate and in severe cases, fits.

• If your dog is displaying any of these signs then take him immediately to your vet.

• The sooner your dog gets to a vet, the greater the chance of recovery from chocolate poisoning.

• If you want to treat your dog this Easter, stick to natural doggy snacks that are kinder to your canine.

  

Don't forget, raisins are also poisonous to dogs so if you're enjoying a yummy hot cross bun, make sure you resist the temptation to share it with your pooch!

 

 

 Happy Easter from the Education Team! xx