It is reported by Canadian Business:

The radio ad for Chicken McBites only ran for a few days in the Kansas City area before the complaints started. The campaign against the ad circulated on social media sites, and the apology was delivered the same way. People who called a well-publicized toll-free number got a recorded apology.

"The ad was insensitive in its mention of pit bulls. We apologize. As soon as we learned of it, we tracked the source and had the local markets pull the ad immediately. We'll do a better job next time. It's never our intent to offend anyone with how we communicate news about McDonald's," Ashlee Yingling, spokesman for McDonald's Corp., said Monday, quoting from the apology.

Read more…

Learn about BSL (breed specific legislation)

McDonald’s Pulls ‘Insensitive’ Pit Bull Ad is a post from: My Dog Magazine

"The most distressing finding in this year's study was the fact that more pet owners are unaware their pet is overweight," comments APOP founder Dr. Ernie Ward. "Twenty-two percent of dog owners and 15 percent of cat owners characterized their pet as normal weight when it was actually overweight or obese. This is what I refer to as the 'fat pet gap' or the normalization of obesity by pet parents. In simplest terms, we've made fat pets the new normal."

Perhaps even worse was the finding that the number of obese pets, those at least 30 percent above normal weight or a body condition score (BCS) of 5, continues to grow despite 93.4 percent of surveyed pet owners identifying pet obesity as a problem. The study found 24.9 percent of all cats were classified as obese and 21.4 percent of all dogs were obese in 2011. That's up from 2010 when 21.6 percent of cats and 20.6 percent of dogs were found to be obese. "What this tells us is that more and more of our pets are entering into the highest danger zone for weight-related disorders," says Ward.

Some of the common weight-related conditions in dogs and cats include osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, breathing problems, kidney disease, and shortened life expectancy. Orthopedic surgeon, APOP Board member and Director of Clinical Research at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Steve Budsberg states, "The prevention of obesity needs to be at the forefront of all discussions people have about the health of their pet with their veterinarian. The body of evidence that shows the negative impact of obesity on all the body's systems is overwhelming. As an orthopedic surgeon I see, on a daily basis, the effects of obesity on dogs and cats with osteoarthritis. It is very frustrating to see how much pain and discomfort excess weight has on my patients. Veterinarians and owners have the ability to stop obesity in our pets. No animal goes to the refrigerator or the pantry and helps themselves. We enable our pets to get fat!"

Ward agrees. "Pet obesity is plainly a people problem, not a pet problem. The most important decision pet owners make each day regarding their pet's health is what they choose to feed it."

Endocrinologist and fellow APOP Board member Dr. Mark Peterson agrees. "Obesity in dogs and cats is not just the accumulation of large amounts of adipose tissue, but it is associated with important metabolic and hormonal changes in the body. For example, heavy or obese cats are up to four times more likely to develop diabetes as a complication of their obesity. Losing weight can lead to reversal of the diabetic state in some of these obese cats."

Treats continue to be a major contributor to weight gain in pets. An online poll conducted in October 2011 by APOP of 210 pet owners found 93 percent of all dog and cat owners gave treats. Ninety-five percent gave a commercial treat with 26 percent reporting they gave their pet treats three or more times a day. "Treats are the silent saboteur of slimming down," remarks Ward. "Those tiny treats often are hiding a significant amount of calories." Ward suggests offering single-ingredient rewards or fresh vegetables such as baby carrots, string beans, broccoli or other crunchy vegetables.

Veterinary nutritionist and internal medicine specialist Dr. Joe Bartges from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and APOP Board member notes that weight gain in pets can be prevented. "Prevention of obesity is much easier than treating it. The major obstacle is to convince pet owners what 'overweight' and 'obese' mean and what it looks like. Veterinary health teams must educate the owner and work with them to prevent and treat obesity in their four-legged family members."

Alarming Figures Show Pet Obesity Reaches Record Levels is a post from: My Dog Magazine

But it goes even deeper. According to K9 Magazine's 'Dogs in Advertising' article, the dog is synonymous with the most desirable traits that, frankly, are often lacking in their bipedal owners.

People trust dogs not to lie to them.
People believe dogs have no ulterior motives.
People believe that if a dog gives you a 3-year warranty on your new motor, he'll honour it!

Any way, the German car giant VW has followed up on 2011's mega smash Superbowl ad with a barking symphony that has already seen more than 10m people view it online ahead of the NFL climax.

Here it is in all of its glory (warning: turn the sound up but cover your dog's ears).

VW 2012 Superbowl Commercial

Volkswagen Dog Superbowl Ad Barks its Way To Millions of Views is a post from: My Dog Magazine

After moving to Wellesley, Massachusetts for an anchor job with a major television sports network, Kevin began taking his German Shepherd, Beverly, for walks in the surrounding neighborhoods. They developed a route that included historic Atwood Street. Beverly kept veering toward one house in particular that had also caught Kevin's eye previously, thinking it looked familiar but not knowing the reason.

After talking to a close family relative who had also once lived in Wellesley, Kevin was shocked to discover that the memorable house had once been a childhood home to his father, Bob Walsh, before WWII. After digging through old family photos that had been tucked away for years, Kevin uncovered a picture of his father as a toddler with his family on the house's front porch, complete with their first family dog, Dee Dee.

Kevin's father had been writing short stories about all of their family dogs through the years, but never knew about the photo. Its discovery was the pivotal moment that offered proof that the Walsh family's journey with dogs had come back to the exact place where it started.

Follow the Dog Home, which Publishers Weekly called "quaint and most charming," was written by Kevin Walsh, his father Bob, and his daughter Samantha. Bob lives in Ledyard, Connecticut, with his wife, Mary McGrattan. He is retired from a forty-year career in the pharmaceutical industry and now spends his days fishing, building fly rods, feeding the homeless, and traveling. Regularly by Bob's side is his ever-faithful dog, Annie the Corgi.

Samantha, who is only ten, loves taking care of her family's German Shepherd, Beverly, and dancing in ballet performances. She hopes to one day become a veterinarian.

Kevin lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts, with his wife, Jean, and daughters Samantha and Amanda. He is a seasoned sports and news broadcaster with Comcast SportsNet New England and New England Cable News. Kevin's first book, The Marrow in Me, details his courageous journey as a bone marrow donor.

Dog Helps Owner Sniff Out Family History is a post from: My Dog Magazine

In a human, a compulsive disorder may be repetitive, such as frequent hand washing or pulling one's hair out. In dogs, these disorders can include excessive licking and spinning in circles. Compulsive disorders are competitive, nonfunctional, nonbeneficial behaviours. Although the exact cause of compulsive disorders is unknown, animal behaviourists feel that they are often caused by stress brought on by environmental conflicts such as competition with other pets, changes in the home, constant punishment, or confinement to small areas such as cages or crates.

Lack of socialisation or too much attention may bring about a compulsive behaviour as well. A nutritional imbalance can also lead to pica. A dog with a compulsive disorder loses control over his ability to initiate and stop these negative, repetitive actions. Often the compulsive behaviours are oral in nature, causing the dog to eat things he shouldn't.

Controlling Your Dog's Compulsive Disorder

1. The first step in treating a compulsive disorder is to identify the cause and eliminate it. For example, if your dog is crated for a large portion of the day, allow him outside the confined space to help get him on the road to recovery.

2. Don't reinforce the behaviour by paying attention to him while he is engaged in it. Providing good quality time on a set schedule is preferable and more effective than petting, stroking, or verbally consoling your dog in the midst of repetitive activity.

3. Do not reinforce the behaviour by punishing your dog for the compulsive behaviour or for other inappropriate activities. It may make the problem worse. (learn more about OCD in dogs)

4. Spray household objects your dog likes to chew with cayenne pepper, essential oils in citrus, cinnamon, or eucalyptus scents, spray deodorant, or perfume that is not your own.

5. Spray favourite chewables with a pet repellent to deter your dog from sticking non-food objects in his mouth.

6. Keep dangerous objects such as yarn or string out of your dog's reach to prevent him from chewing and swallowing them.

7. If your dog is chewing his hair, he may have an allergy. Discuss the problem with your veterinarian before embarking on a behaviour modification program.

Always seek the advice of an experienced animal behaviour expert if you are unable to manage any undesirable behaviour.

7 Ways To Help Dogs With Compulsive Problems is a post from: My Dog Magazine

AFRICA is one of Happy Dog’s Halo Brands, inspired by the cuisine of different countries around the world, Happy Dog’s Supreme Sensible Nutrition range not only provides wholesome and tasty food for dogs but it also provides specific solutions for feeding demanding and sensitive dogs, Lovingly prepared and developed by vets in Happy Dog’s factory in Bavaria, this range is even tastier and more easily digestible than many other foods on the market.The food is suitable for fully-grown dogs of all breeds and contains ingredients that reflect regional cuisine.

Happy Dog’s AFRICA contains ostrich meat and is suitable for dogs with food intolerances. There is only one animal protein source in the food and it contains no cereals and only uses gluten-free potatoes so is ideal for dogs with cereal allergies and intolerances.

Ostrich meat is becoming increasingly important for feeding dogs with demanding nutritional requirements. The meat is characterised by its special dark red colour and easy digestibility. The food is available in a medium kibble size, in a range of bag sizes, 300g, 1 kg, 4 kg and 12.5 kg and in small kibble in the ‘My Little Range’ in bags of 700g and 2.5Kg.

Happy Dog is reknowned worldwide for its innovative approach to dog nutrition and continues to develop premium quality products to a discerning market and a further new ‘Halo brand product’ is planned to be launched at Crufts 2012. Further information on this new product will be released in the next few months – stay tuned!

Happy Dog’s Ostrich Meat Food Helps Dogs With Delicate Stomachs & Helps To Aid Projects In Rwanda is a post from: My Dog Magazine

Transmitted by ticks, Lyme disease is a debilitating chronic infection which affects a number of animals including humans and dogs. It is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Clinical signs in humans include a characteristic circular red rash that spreads from the site of the tick bite, followed by a flu-like condition. In dogs, the symptoms can be much more vague and difficult to diagnose. If untreated, the disease progresses to neurological problems and arthritis; chronic forms of the disease can last for many years.

While only occasionally affecting humans, reported cases in the UK are thought to have increased more than fourfold since the beginning of the century – from 0.38 per 100,000 in 2000 to 1.79 per 100,000 in 2009. In 2010 there were 953 reported cases in England and Wales but the level of under-reporting is likely to be considerable.

To obtain a clearer picture of the prevalence of infected ticks, Faith Smith of Bristol’s School of Biological Sciences and colleagues recruited vets across England, Scotland and Wales to examine dogs selected at random as they visited veterinary practices. Since pet dogs largely share the same environment and visit the same outdoor areas as their owners, exposure to infected ticks in dogs is likely to provide an index for corresponding risks to humans.

Of 3,534 dogs inspected between March and October 2009, 14.9 per cent had ticks. Of the samples that could be tested, 17 were positive for the Borrelia bacteria. Hence, 2.3 per cent of ticks were infected. The expected prevalence of infected ticks on dogs is 0.5 per cent, or 481 infected ticks per 100,000 dogs. This suggests that the prevalence of Borrelia in the UK tick population is considerably higher than previously thought.

Faith Smith said: “Lyme disease appears to be a rapidly growing problem in the UK with important health and economic impacts in terms of loss of working hours and potential decrease in tourism to tick hotspots.

“Without considerably better surveillance and routine diagnostic testing, Lyme disease is only likely to become more prevalent. In particular, future warmer winters might well extend the period over which ticks are active seasonally, while growing wild reservoir host populations, such as deer, will allow the tick population to expand.”

Canine Parasite Resources

• Dog worms
• Dog fleas
• Dog allergies

Increased Lyme Disease Risk For Dogs (Please Read) is a post from: My Dog Magazine

K9 Magazine has put together a series of dog body language articles that will give you an insight in to some of the more common dog body language traits we all know and (sometimes) love!

Dog Body Language Questions

• Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads?

• Why Do Dogs Mark Territory?

• Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails?

• The Anatomy of a Dog Attack

• Can Dogs Be Pessimistic?

• Why Do Dogs Bark?
  

Dog Body Language: An Insight is a post from: My Dog Magazine

The Telegraph reports:

Nearly three in four attacks occur on private property, which is not covered by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

In November MPs debated calls from animal welfare charities and victims of dog attacks for reforms to the Dangerous Dogs Act, after a series of high-profile attacks, including the deaths of several children.

"It is probably the worst bit of legislation that's ever come onto the statute books," Laura Vallance, of the Dogs Trust told the newspaper.

David Bowles, a spokesman for the RSPCA added that the law was “not fit for purpose”.

“If the purpose of the 1991 law was to either get rid of banned breeds or reduce dog bite incidents it has failed on both accounts,” he said.

According to research commissioned by the RSPCA, two in three owners favour licensing because they believe animal welfare will improve.

The 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act seeks to ban particular types of dog based on looks alone.

According to The Guardian, this is the fifth successive year in which admissions to hospital as a result of injuries caused by dogs have risen.

Tax payers are currently picking up two bills. One for the NHS cost in treating injuries caused by dogs and the other to kennel and enforce the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act which has singularly failed to accomplish any of its stated goals.

read more…

Further Proof Why The Dangerous Dogs Act Has Failed is a post from: My Dog Magazine

Never give up on your dog, no matter how tired or frustrated you are. Without reinforcement, your dog will revert to his old behaviours. The learning process for dogs is a constant one; with reminders and positive reinforcement needed along the way.

A key element to good dog training is to set your dog up for success. Sometimes we inadvertently make things too hard and 'test' our dogs, leading to a higher chance of failure. We want the dog to constantly succeed at the things we ask them to do. We wouldn't ask someone to sit a test if they'd never had access to the right level of learning materials – nor should we expect our dogs to come back if we've never properly taught them how.

Interesting dog health/training tip: Read up on food intolerance in dogs – your dog's behaviour is directly influenced by their diet to a much higher degree than many people realise. If your dog is not receiving the right nutrition for their age, breed and lifestyle they will never reach their full mental potential.

These 5 quick tips should keep you track for complete dog obedience success:

1. Patience is a virtue. Sometimes it takes a while for a dog to 'click'. Stick with it.
2. Never train if you are tired or upset. Dogs know. They just do.
3. Short, sharp and successful is key. You want your dog to succeed. When they do, reward and rest for the day.
4. Take things one step at a time. Dog training is like building a house, you need a good foundation before you try to put the roof on.
5. Remember, your dog is desperate to please you. If you always keep this in mind you'll be able to keep a positive, happy outlook.

Remember, every dog who ever competed at the top levels of obedience or became the source of their owner's great pride started as a puppy, a blank canvas. Keeping things simple, upbeat and rewarding is the secret to getting the results you desire.

Oh, and one last thing, learning about techniques such as clicker training can't do any harm!

Don’t Give Up On Dog Training (5 Quick Tips For Success) is a post from: My Dog Magazine