Enriching dog walks: Elevate every stroll

Dog walks are an essential part of your pet’s daily routine, offering mental stimulation and physical benefits to both human and dog participant.

Regular walking can help maintain your dog’s weight management, improve digestion, boost cardiovascular health and help with their overall mobility but more than just physical benefits, mental stimulation is a key benefit to a daily stroll.

To enhance your dog’s walking experience and keep them mentally sharp, consider adding these enrichment activities to their outings:

Vary the route: Dogs love novelty, and a new route can provide them with fresh scents, sights, and sounds. Take a different path through your local neighbourhood, visit a nearby park or woodland, or explore new trails in your area. Changing the scenery keeps your dog mentally engaged and can prevent walks from feeling mundane.

For those wishing to explore something new in the local area or further afield, why not take a look for a new dog-friendly stroll. Check out some of the best dog friendly strolls in Gloucestershire, according to the AA.

Let them sniff: Dogs experience the world primarily through their sense of smell, so give your dog time to stop and sniff around during walks. This is mentally enriching for them, allowing them to gather information and satisfy their natural curiosity. Don’t rush the walk—let your dog linger and explore. It has even been reported that just 20 minutes of sniff time can be the equivalent to 1 hour of a standard walk!

Add training or trick practice: Whilst training should begin at home where there are less distractions for your dog, use your walk as an opportunity to reinforce basic obedience commands or introduce new skills. Practicing “sit,” “stay,” “heel,” or “come” while on the move keeps your dog mentally stimulated and strengthens your bond. Always use positive reinforcement, like treats or praise, to make the experience even more rewarding.

For those dogs in need of additional training support when on walks, you can contact our Behaviour team at behaviour@gawa.org.uk for more specific practical advice on training and positive reinforcement techniques.

Interactive toys and challenges: Bring along toys like a tug rope or ball to incorporate play into the walk. You can also use food puzzles or treat-dispensing toys to keep your dog engaged. Hide treats along the route to encourage scent tracking and problem-solving.

Including scent games can be a fun way to engage your dog and make walks even more fun!

Give them a good stroke: Incorporating a moment to stop and stroke your pet during a walk is not only enjoyable but can give you the opportunity to give your pet a quick health check, feeling for lumps/bumps, discomfort or even knots and tangles in their coat. Taking a moment to watch your dog walking can mean you pick up any changes in their stride or gait, which could give an indication of illnesses like arthritis or lameness through injury.

The team at CASVet can help provide you with good, routine health care guidance for your pets and tips on health checking your pet.

Watch for mental stimulation opportunities: Keep an eye out for sights, sounds, and even textures that your dog can engage with. Whether it’s observing birds, hearing the rustle of leaves, or walking on different surfaces, these small elements provide fun, mental enrichment during the walk.

By adding variety, play, and mental challenges to your dog’s daily walk, you can make the experience more fulfilling and enjoyable for you and them!

Summer is almost here at long last and, while we all love a bit of sun, it is no secret that there are times when we can have too much of it.

During the hot summer months pets can suffer from the same problems as humans including overheating, dehydration and even sunburn. Please read on to find out how you can keep your pet safe in hot weather.

Keeping our dogs cool

Exercising and walking

As important as physical exercise is for dogs, every summer day dogs are taken to veterinary centres suffering from heatstroke after a walk. This can be fatal and is avoidable for the most part.

As a general rule, walking your dog when the temperature is below 20C is ideal. Most dogs are comfortable at temperatures between 15-25°C, but this is very much dependent on their age, breed, size, coat length, amount of exercise they’re engaging in, individual health and fitness.

If and when our dog stops on the lead during walks, and wants to lie down to rest, we must listen to their need and allow them to do so.

Smaller dogs, long haired dogs and dogs which are brachycephalic (French bulldogs, pugs, English bulldogs etc) are also more prone to heat stroke. When going on walks, regularly provide fresh clean water for your dog. Don’t allow time off lead if your dog is likely to zoom around as this can cause them to overheat, heightening the risk of them developing heatstroke.

In hot weather, dogs can still overheat and get sunburnt, even on short walks in the shade or early/late in the day. Apply pet-safe sun cream to exposed areas like the nose, ears, and pads, especially for lighter or thinner-coated breeds and dogs with pink noses.

Only take dogs to the beach if you can provide shade and plenty of fresh water. Rinse them thoroughly afterward to remove sand and salt, which can cause skin irritation. Wash under their collar or harness and clean these items at home.

To avoid long walks in the sun, try mental enrichment games like snuffle mats to keep dogs engaged and relaxed indoors. Find our how-to video on making a snuffle mat HERE.

Keeping cool indoors

There are many ways to keep dogs cool indoors. Shaving them for summer may seem helpful, but fur provides insulation and sun protection, increasing the risk of sunburn and heatstroke. Regular grooming is essential year-round—our onsite groomers, Short Bark and Sides, are here to help.

Cooling bandanas, coats, and frozen treats like a frozen Kong, pig ears, or kibble in ice water can help. Placing damp towels on the floor and adding ice cubes to water bowls also keeps dogs cool.

Warm dogs may become restless searching for a cooler spot—let them. To manage excess energy, offer cooling boredom busters like frozen cabbage for destructive chewers or frozen apple for relaxed chewers.

Keeping rabbits and small animals cool

Keeping cool indoors

Studies show heatstroke is a leading cause of death in pet rabbits, so it’s vital to know how to keep them cool. Always provide plenty of fresh water, adding ice to help maintain a lower temperature. Offering safe frozen or soaked vegetables can also help (ensure they are suitable for your pet).

At the Shelter, we use ceramic tiles or dampened towels with cold water for rabbits to lie on. Regular grooming is essential, especially in summer, to remove old winter fur and prevent overheating. Using a cold compress on their ears can also help, as rabbits lose heat through their ears, and dampening them speeds up the cooling process.

Outside in a hutch or run

Hutches can heat up quickly, so provide plenty of shade by moving them as needed—morning shade may vanish by afternoon. Add ceramic tiles and damp towels inside for cooling.

Topsoil helps rabbits stay cool as they dig and burrow. Ensure it’s pesticide-free and place it in a litter tray for cooling playtime.

If exposed to sunlight, apply pet-safe sun cream to sensitive areas like the nose and ears, especially for light-coloured or thin-furred pets. Breeds like mini lops, with shorter noses, struggle to cool down.

Older or unwell pets should stay indoors on hot days, and fresh water must always be available.

Keeping our Cats cool

Keeping cool indoors

Many things can help cats stay cool indoors. Cat’s often love playing with an ice cube as they can bat it around and chase it. Using cooling mats to lie on and wearing cooling bandanas can be ideal. If possible, place a fan near them to create a cooling breeze.

Some cats might also like ice cubes in their water bowl or a wet towel to lie on.
Keeping on top of grooming can also prove beneficial as when dead hair is removed, they will feel more comfortable, and a breeze is more easily felt. 

You may notice your cat grooming themselves more often than normal. This is nothing to worry about and is a way that they can cool themselves down with their saliva. 

Remember, it is especially important to keep older or unwell cats inside on hot days as they will be more sensitive to the heat.

Car Journeys with your dog, cat or small pet

It is important not to conduct any unnecessary car journeys. When it is 22 degrees outside, temperatures can quickly rise to 47 degrees in cars, outbuildings, sheds and caravans and this can be deadly for your pet. Even if your car has air conditioning, keep journeys to a minimum and limit to important events such as vet visits.

Small pets and cats should be securely restrained in a pet carrier while travelling. Water bowl attachments are available to keep them hydrated on the move.

Never leave a pet in the car unattended in hot weather, especially if they are prone to separation anxiety because they will get even hotter due to stress and adrenaline. All pets can die in hot cars and as it can happen very quickly.

Most cats love to go outside and, with lots for them to explore, the outside world offers cats the opportunity to express their normal behaviours.

However, International Cat Care estimate that a total of 10% of cats in the UK are indoor cats and reasons for keeping an indoor cat can include:

• Living near a busy road
• Cat’s health problems
• The cat is elderly
• Those cats with pedigree status (Ragdolls, Siamese etc)
• Living in an area with a high cat population

If you choose to keep your cat as an indoors it is important to ensure they are still able to exercise, are provided with enrichment, and given the opportunity to express their natural behaviours to prevent behavioural problems.

Catios

Cat Friendly Gardens

For cats who have access to the outside, some will spend a lot of time in their outdoor environment. There are things we can do to make our gardens safer and more enjoyable for our cats.

• Avoid lots of open spaces – provide lots of places for your cat to hide
• Provide places where your cat can seek shelter from the weather and to feel secure, such as a kitty cabin or outdoor cat house.
• Provide a place for cats to spend time with their owner outside, such as garden tables and chairs.
• You can build shelves and trellis’ which can be attached to walkways and fences for cats to climb and play on
• If you would like to avoid your cat going to the toilet in your favourite flower beds you can create a latrine area for them to relief themselves. This is a purpose-built area which can be filled with sand or soil. This should be placed somewhere where the cat will feel safe and secure.
• Ensuring only cat-safe plants are planted in the garden
• Be mindful of hazardous chemicals such as weed or pest killers which should be avoided in the garden and outdoor surrounding area.

Cat Friendly Plants

Whether provided as an addition to your garden, home, or Catio, plants can be a great way to provide our cats with extra stimulation and enrichment whilst reducing their stress and anxiety levels.

Here are some examples of great pet friendly plants:

• Catnip – Catnip often promotes excited behaviour, play, or relaxation.
• Barley grasses – Is often used as cat grass! Chewing grass can provide our pets with nutrients, minerals, and vitamins promoting a healthy diet as well as reducing risk of hairballs by stimulating digestion.
• Valerian Root – Can help relieve stress and anxiety. Furthermore, it can promote play and exercise in housecats who prefer to lay around all day.
• Silver Vine – Alternative to catnip and can stimulate play.
• Cat Thyme (Teucrium Marum) – Can have antiseptic qualities for sores and skin. It is sometimes used in cat toys. It opens your cats’ olfactory receptors (scent receptors) which can cause excitement and curiosity in our cats! Note some cats dislike the smell.
• Cat friendly herbs – rosemary, thyme, and sage – These cat friendly herbs can make a good edition to your Catio as well as your cooking!

Toxic Plants

Cats are naturally curious so although they only need meat in their diet, they may still sniff, eat and chew plants. Therefore, when planting in our garden or getting house plants we should also be mindful of what plants are toxic to our cats to ensure the safety of our pets.

Here are some examples of toxic plants for our cats:

• Lilies of any kind
• Hyacinth
• Cabbage palms
• Dragon Tree
• Poinsettia
• Tulips
• Yucca plants
• Daffodils
• Iris
• Amaryllis

Symptoms of plant poisoning can include:

• Drooling
• Not eating
• Low energy
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Drinking more
• Urinating more
• Rashes or red skin
• Ulcers in the mouth
• Pale gums
• Twitches or seizures
• Collapsing

Always do your research before getting new plants. If you think your cat may have ingested a poisonous plant ring your vet for advice immediately.

Owning a pet can be such a rewarding experience, but they come with costs which can be a challenge in current times.

From food to healthcare, it’s easy for expenses to add up. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to save money and places to seek help, while still providing your pet with a happy and healthy life.

Here are some money-saving tips for pet owners:

Make at home pet products

Click on an image to enlarge.

How Cheltenham Animal Shelter can help

Adopt, don’t shop!
Simply by adopting your pet from our shelter or other rescue organisations, you will save money as it is in general far less expensive than purchasing from a breeder. Adopting from CAS will typically cover vaccinations, spaying or neutering, up to date flea and worm preventative cover and microchipping. Plus, you’ll be giving a pet in need a loving home!

Shop second-hand
Our CAS Charity shops are often filled with great and more affordable pet accessories. Found onsite at the Shelter and in Cheltenham Town, Winchcombe Street, why not pop in for a visit and grab yourself a bargain today!

On-site pet food bank and community pet support
CAS is proud to offer as much support as we can to the pets in our community and we want to help ensure they do not go hungry or without. For those pet owners in the community who are struggling financially or in need of pet support, we have an onsite pet food bank which we provide our surplus items, when possible, for people to use.

For anyone who needs non-judgemental support and advice for your pets, you can visit us at the shelter in person or contact advice@gawa.org.uk

By being resourceful and making some small changes, you can keep the costs of pet ownership more manageable without sacrificing their well-being, and continue to provide them with a fulfilling, happy life without breaking the bank.

Winter brings darker mornings and evenings, colder temperatures, and unpredictable weather conditions.

These months can be challenging for some pets particularly our younger and older pets, and those housed outdoors. Below are some different ways we can keep our dogs, cats, and rabbits safe and warm this winter.

Christmas

Dangerous foods

There are plenty of foods around at Christmas that can be toxic for our pets such as raisins (which can be found in Christmas pudding and mince pies,) garlic, and chocolate to name a few. Pet owners should be mindful of what treats we are feeding our pets, and ensuring any hazardous foods are out of reach.

Rawhide

Rawhide is a common treat that is sold in pet shops for our dogs, especially during Christmas time. However, it not the safest of treats for our dogs.

• Rawhide can break off into smaller pieces which is a choking hazard for our pooches. This can also create sharp pieces that break off which can cut their mouth or cause damage internally.
• If a dog manages to break off a big chunk of rawhide and swallow this, it can create a blockage in their stomach, bowels, or intestine, which is not only uncomfortable and distressing, but can prove fatal to your dog.
• Rawhide contains lots of chemicals and toxins which are not good for our dogs and shouldn’t be ingested.
• Whilst chewing has many benefits for dog’s dental hygiene and can act as a stress reliever for our dogs, rawhide can be very hard and can end up damaging their teeth.

Christmas trees and decorations 

Many pets are very curious about the arrival of a Christmas tree in the home. Here are some things to consider when decorating for the festivities:

• Don’t hang edible decorations on your tree as these can be poisonous for pets.
• Cats and dogs can be tempted to chew and play with decorations – consider which decorations you use as glass baubles may not be advisable with an excitable dog!
• For those real-Christmas tree enthusiasts, pine, fir, and spruce, whilst not highly toxic to our pets, produce oils which may be harmful and pine needles could get caught in your pet’s paws. If you have a pet that is inquisitive with the tree branches it may be time to consider an artificial tree.
• Extra cables may be exposed for your festive lighting, which could prove hazardous for dogs, cats or indoor bunnies if nibbled. Ensure these are kept out of reach!
• A pet guard may also be another option which may deter their efforts.

Helping your pet this Christmas

Ensure your dogs and cats have a safe space to go to, somewhere they can rest away from the noise of Christmas such as a crate or a den area.

Make sure your rabbit and rodent enclosures are in a quiet location of the house. Our small animals have sensitive ears, and this will help prevent stress during this busy period.

Provide enrichment for your pets. This will offer them mental stimulation but can also help keep your pet’s calm.

While fireworks can be great fun, they can be extremely frightening for animals and fireworks season can be very stressful for owners of pets or livestock.

Many people don’t realise the negative effect that fireworks can have on neighbuoring animals and we hope that by raising awareness more people will choose to be pet friendly with their enjoyment of fireworks.

Enjoy pet friendly fireworks

• Go to an organised event will reduce the number of fireworks disturbing animals.
• Only let fireworks off on traditional celebration dates (Diwali, Bonfire Night, New Year’s Eve and Chinese New Year). Most owners will already know to expect fireworks on these days and can act accordingly to help their animals cope. Look for low-noise fireworks, and let your neighbours know well in advance so animals, including horses and livestock, can be prepared.
• Never set off fireworks near livestock, as frightened animals – especially horses – can injure themselves when frightened.
• Remember, fireworks can also disturb wildlife so steer clear of known habitats like lakes with waterfowl and trees with roosting birds.
• Check bonfires for wildlife before lighting as animals like hedgehogs may be hibernating.

Pets and their hearing – why do fireworks scare them?

We’ve all felt a firework bang make us jump or shudder. Fireworks can reach up to 175 decibels—a loud sound for us but even louder for pets with superior hearing. Pets can detect a broader range of sounds, beyond the typical “bang,” which puts them at risk of hearing damage, including temporary or permanent loss or tinnitus.

With multiple bangs from various displays, pets often become stressed, unable to locate the source of the explosions. Not knowing where the sounds are coming from or when the next one will hit can be terrifying. Pets instinctively associate fireworks with danger, urging them to seek safety. The flashes of light and acrid smells add to their fear, as the lights feel closer and smells overpower familiar home scents, deepening their distress.

What we can do for our pets before fireworks begin

Desensitisation is key. Getting your pet used to loud and sudden noises can make them more relaxed and less reactive when the fireworks start. There’s a good range of CDs and online playlists of fireworks, storms, and loud noises available, that can really help your pet desensitise to the noise.

Start by playing the sounds at a low volume, and as your pet gets used to it you can slowly increase the volume over a period of time so that they gradually become accustomed to the noises. This is also a handy tool when wanting to get your pet used to the hoover, door knocking or sounds of children crying.

Even once your pet is comfortable with the noises, it’s possible that hearing real fireworks might still be stressful. During fireworks it’s important to try to keep your pet feeling safe and relaxed and to distract them with something positive, such as a treat, a game or plenty of affection.

When desensitising dogs it is imprtant to note that noise aversion can be influenced, to some degree, by breed, age and sex. The way your dog reacts to loud sounds could be partly controlled by their genetics, with research showing that German Shepherd Dogs are more likely to pace when stressed, while Border Collies and Australian Cattle Dogs are more likely to hide. If your dog is severely noise phobic, sound CDs or playlists may make the situation worse so it may be a good idea to speak to an experienced animal behaviourist before the firework season starts.

Check your pet’s microchip details are up to date. Statistics show a rise in calls to the Petlog lost pet line in late October and early November. It’s essential to keep your contact details updated, as 53% of microchips have incorrect information, making it harder to return lost pets. Since pets can bolt at the sound of fireworks, make sure their microchip details are current.

Check local firework schedules and ask neighbours about any planned displays.

Once the fireworks start

Make sure you shut all doors and windows in your home and don’t forget to draw the curtains. This will block out any scary flashes of light and reduce the noise level of fireworks.

Play soft music to help stifle the sound of fireworks but ensure that it is not too loud – especially if your small pet is not used to the sounds from the TV or radio. We recommend tuning into Classic FM’s Pet Classics which is known to help nervous animals with its soothing relaxing tones. Tune in with Charlotte Hawkins on Saturday, 2nd November, and Dan Walker on Tuesday, 5th November, from 5 to 9 pm.

Act normally to help your pet feel safe. If they seek comfort, give it; ignoring them may increase their distress.

Remember, never tell your dog off for being scared or for displaying nervous symptoms such as vocalisations. This will only increase their distress. It’s natural for pets to feel frightened by loud noises and unfamiliar sights and sounds.

Tried everything? Ask for help from a behaviourist

We recommend speaking to our knowledgeable onsite behaviour team and arranging a 1-2-1 to discuss your dog and any concerns you might have. Our team can offer invaluable advice which will help to safeguard the health and happiness of your dog and make sure their experience of fireworks is as positive as possible. Find out more.

Halloween is a spook-tacular day that many of us enjoy and can celebrate by dressing up, hosting parties, and trick or treating. 

However, for our pets, there are some dangers that we must be mindful of. There are many changes that occur during this holiday season which our pets will not be used to. On top of this, there are also plenty of toxic foods around this time of year they might accidently get hold of that can cause them harm.

Dangerous foods for cats and dogs

Halloween brings with it lots of tasty treats which can prove hazardous for our pets. Chocolate is particularly dangerous due to two of its main ingredients – caffeine and Xylitol.

Xylitol is a carbohydrate that can be found in birch trees and several types of fruit. It is used as a sweetener in many foods including peanut butter, sweets, and chocolate.

Peanut butter is a popular treat for dogs and can be used for enrichment items such as, Kongs and Lickimats, however, it is always important to check Xylitol is not on the ingredients list or buy dog peanut butter instead from your local pet shop. It may also be listed as wood sugar, birch sugar, and birch bark extract.

Xylitol poisoning can lead to low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure, and in some cases even death. Although not advisory for any of our pets, it appears to effect dogs the most.

Chocolate also has the toxic ingredient cocoa, which contains caffeine. Cocoa is highly hazardous and can poison our pets. The effect it has depends on how small they are, the breed and age of the dog/cat, and how much they have ingested.

This is not an exhaustive list of dangerous foods and there are other foods that are toxic to your pets. Always ring your veterinary practice for advice if you think your pet may have eaten something they shouldn’t.

What to do if your pet has eaten any dangerous foods?

Both dogs and cats are opportunists, and if your pet eats any hazardous food, even a small amount can still be fatal, so it is crucial to seek veterinary advice immediately. It is important to remain as calm as possible as our pets can pick up if we are stressed.

Your vet will physically examine your pet and may induce vomiting to stop to toxins entering your pet’s body, but your vet will talk you through the best course of treatment.

Other ‘tricks’ for our pets at Halloween

Food is not the only danger at Halloween so we must be mindful of other hazards around our homes this time of year.

Glow sticks

Pets, in particular cats, love to chew and play with glow sticks so it is important to ensure they are not left lying around your home. If the liquid in the middle is eaten it can cause pain and irritation to the mouth, leading to excessive drooling, foaming of the mouth, gagging, and retching.

Costumes

Depending on your pet’s personality and what they have been exposed to in early life they may find all the Halloween costumes scary.

It is also important to be aware that although our pets look cute in costumes, they may not like it. If you do dress your pet in a costume, they should be fully comfortable around their handling. The costume should not impair their vision and allow them to be able to move and act as normal. Costumes with small parts should also be avoided due to being a choking hazard.

Some people choose to dye their pet’s fur, it is imperative that this is not done as it can result in poisoning, with the risk they ingest the dye when they groom themselves.  Even if a dye is labelled as non-toxic for humans, this does not make it safe for our pets. As well as being poisonous, this is uncomfortable for our pets, and it is not good for their coat or skin.

Candles

At this time of year we tend to have candles around our homes. At Halloween we also have them in our pumpkins. Our pets do not always realise that they will be hot and may burn themselves. It is important to be particularly mindful of cats who may accidentally knock over a candle or brush against the flame in error.

When buying candles, it is also important to consider what scented candles and candle wax melts you are getting, as some contain toxic chemicals that can harm our pets.

How to make Halloween safer for your pet

During Halloween, our pet’s may face disruption to their usual routines, and there are extra hazards both in and outside of their home environment. As responsible pet owners it is important for us to implement precautions to keep our pets safe and secure during this busy period.

‘Treat’ your pet at Halloween

Although there are many dangers you can still choose ‘treat’ and celebrate with your pet by making them a toy or a treat. See the below guides for inspiration!

Introducing a dog into your home is an exciting time, but, for our dogs this can be a time of uncertainty.

Being suddenly placed in a new environment, with different people, smells and routine can leave them feeling stressed and unsure. Happily, there are plenty of things we can do to help our dogs settle into their new home, whether you are adopting a dog or bringing home a new puppy.

Preparation

Before the big ‘gothcha day’, it can be beneficial to speak to your neighbours to notify them of the upcoming changes to your household, such as temporary increased noise levels while your dog settles into their new environment.

Take some time to prepare your home before the dog’s arrival to ensure they are kept safe and secure, and have quiet spaces set up to help them settle.

Firstly, you need to ‘puppy-proof’ your home. Have you ensured your prized possessions are safely out of the way? Are there any exposed wires or cables accessible to the dog? Are there items they could reach on the surfaces or countertops? You also need to ensure your garden is secure and free of anything harmful that they could eat or chew.

Baby gates can be a great way to puppy-proof your house, and can be used for various purposes:

• They can be used to make sure dogs only have access to certain parts of the house. This can help them settle by not being overwhelmed or exposed to the whole house at once and prevents them from going into any unwanted or unsafe areas.
• They can be used to prevent dogs chewing items that are not intended to be chewed, and to help with the toilet training process.
• They can keep dogs away from unsafe items such as wiring.
• They can be a great tool to provide your dog respite from young children or during introductions to other pets in the household.

When you collect your dog, you should be considerate of the fact that they have already experienced multiple stresses by the time they get to your front door – separation from who or what they know, travelling in the car, new walking equipment or harnesses have been put on etc. To help your new dog feel settled you can prepare your home prior to their arrival:

• Set up a few resting areas for your dog to choose from. These should be in quiet areas where they won’t be disturbed, so they feel safe and secure.
• Make some enrichment items available – plenty of chews, breed appropriate toys, and a snuffle mat preloaded with treats or kibble.
• We recommend spraying Pet Remedy or Adaptil products around your home, so your dog is entering a calm environment. This can be a plug-in diffuser or a spray bottle applied to a bandana or other items in the home such as their bed.
• If you are rescuing a dog, you can ask to take some familiar items from the dog’s kennel home with you such as a blanket and a favourite toy. Prior to bringing the dog home you could leave an item that smells of you and your home, such as old clothing, for them to have in their kennel with them until adoption day.
• When used correctly crates can be a useful resource and create a safe space for your dog. Placing some cosy bedding inside and covering the crate with a sheet makes the perfect safe den space for your dog to rest in.
• Lastly, ensure you have booked time off work. Your new pup needs time to build a bond with you and get used to their new surroundings. It is best to gradually build up the time they are left alone to ease your dog gently into a new daily routine.

Signs of stress

Dogs communicate how they are feeling to us through their body language. By learning about dog body language and understanding stress signals it will allow you to know when everything is getting a bit too much. When this happens provide your dog with some down time and space.  

The first day

When you first get your dog home it is best to take them straight to the garden. This will allow them to toilet and have a good sniff around. You can even scatter some treats on the ground for them to sniff out which encourages them to scent and go to the toilet before they enter your home.

Do not expose them to the whole house at once – initially keep it to a few rooms and slowly build this up giving your dog breaks in between.  At first, we would advise keeping your dog on their lead to investigate a couple of rooms, and then straight back to the garden as dogs will often need another toilet trip after exploring their new home. This can help prevent your dog from feeling overwhelmed.

It can also be beneficial to have classical music playing quietly for your dog. Studies show that classical music can help your dog relax and reduce their anxiety. Reggae music is also another great option!

As everything is new to your dog, keep it low-key on the first day. It’s ok to skip going for a walk and, importantly, you must ensure that there are no visitors on this crucial day. Your dog is being exposed to lots of new things and this may cause unnecessary stress.

The first night

The first night can be very unsettling for your new family member. Your home is still new to them so they do not feel fully safe in this different environment which means it can be hard for them to sleep, so expect some sleep disruption.

Before bedtime it is advisory to take your dog to the garden so they can go have a toilet break. However, remember, everything is new to your dog so expect accidents to begin with.

At first it is best to be flexible with your dog’s sleeping arrangements. They may be anxious, and some dogs can become quite vocal overnight because of this. They may benefit from staying with you at first, so they may need to sleep in your bedroom and then be gradually moved to the location where you would like them to sleep.

The first week

Try to avoid over exposure to new environments and experiences. Your dog’s stress levels will remain high, and too much stimulation could result in ‘trigger stacking’. This is when our dog has multiple stresses stacking up which can affect their emotional state and behaviour.

Please follow the link to an article by Dogs Trust on trigger stacking.

The first week is crucial and your dog is still adjusting. Daily scent work can really help your dog settle. Please follow the link below to a selection of videos, showing different activities to help settle and relax your dog.

These videos are brought to you by our behaviour team.

Regular enrichment and scent games can help your dog to settle, with snuffle mats and scatter feeding both being a great option. To help relax your dog in the evenings you can use reusable chews like Kongs – chewing and sniffing are great stress-relievers!

It is important to note that the first week is a time for you to bond with your dog, rather than focussing on training. You can also use this time to gradually build up a daily routine, and once implemented the structure of this routine will really help your dog settle and know what to expect.

Walkies

For the first few days it is best to stay in your garden before taking them on walks, and when you do begin to venture outside with your dog, keeping to the same route will allow your dog to acclimatise and build their confidence in their new environment.

Bathroom breaks

It is best to supervise toileting at least throughout the first week. Expect accidents, it takes time! To minimise any accidents, take your dog out for regular toilet breaks (we advise every 30- 40 mins for very young puppies). For some dogs this may mean going out hourly and at nighttime, but the frequency will reduce as your dog settles into the home.

Signs your dog may need the toilet include:

• Appearing restless – they may be pacing and panting.
• Hyperactivity – they may be barking or mouthing
• Excessive sniffing and circling.
• After they have eaten, been playing, or just woken up.

It is important not to tell your dog off if they have an accident in the home. This may lead your dog to avoid toileting when you are present both in and out of the home.

Further advice

These elements are all hopefully useful tips for you and your new dog, but if you need further information or support, you can sign up to watch our free ‘Settling in Your Dog’ online workshop hosted by our behaviourist, Rosie.

For further behavioural advice, we offer a variety of dog workshops and talks. Please follow the link below to see what we offer and book your space today.

To speak to our behaviourist and arrange a 1-2-1 consolation please email us on behaviour@gawa.org.uk and our behaviour team will be happy to help.

Scent activities do not need to be exclusive to just dogs! For those of you with cats, rabbits or guinea pigs, scent activities can be just as important to include in providing a rich and engaging lifestyle for your pet.

For cats, smell plays a crucial part in hunting and with 200 million scent receptors they can put their scent skills to good use by sniffing out their prey, locating mates, communicating with other cats and even marking territories.

Cats have scent glands located all across their body, some of the most dominant being found in their ears, cheeks, chin, tails and interdigital- between their toes!

This is why cats love to scratch, as it gives them an opportunity to distribute their scent, mark territories and even bond as leaving their scent on familiar objects shows their sense of comfort and security.

A rabbit’s or guinea pig’s smelling skills may not be quite as good as a cat, but with 100 million scent receptors, it is still approximately 20 times better than a human’s sense of smell!

As prey animals, rabbits and guinea pigs rely on their senses for survival so as well as incredible hearing, both will use their sense of smell to help detect dangers, source food, find a mate and communicate with others of their species.

This is also why you will see your rabbits constantly with a twitchy nose. They are simply opening their nasal passages wider to allow for a better flow of scent particles in, allowing an opportunity to smell for danger. The faster your bunny twitches their nose, the more likely they are uncertain or on high alert about something and are trying to gain smell confirmation of any dangers or threats, and they can be known to twitch their noses as many as 150 times per minute!

When it comes to smell, it is important to consider how some aromas within the home may cause upset or discomfort to your pet. Simple things such as floor cleaners, smells from cooking or air fresheners/ diffusers may be something you haven’t factored as a cause of upset for your small animal or cat, and in some cases could be fatal – certain essential oils should be avoided around your pets as they are known to cause harm.

PDSA have more details on which to avoid at Cats and essential oils – PDSA

A great and simple way to allow your pet the chance to get their noses working in a natural way is to get planting! By providing your pet an opportunity to forage and sniff amongst safe plants it will help to destress and allows for natural behaviours.

Here is a list of plants you can pop in your garden which your pet will find scent-sational!

Catnip

Dandelions – It may be considered a weed to us humans, but dandelions are a huge favourite for rabbits and guinea pigs to nibble on. Forage for leaves whilst out on walks and bring back for your pet to enjoy!

Vegetables– From cucumber to green beans, peas to curly kale, rabbits and guinea pigs will enjoy a small taste of these home-grown vegetables. Just be cautious with not giving too much carrot as this can be high in sugars and bad for your rabbit or rodent’s teeth.

Herbs – Peppermint, Lemon balm, Dill, Basil, Oregano and much more– not only will these add a pleasant aroma to your garden, but they will make a lovely, scented snack for your rabbit/guinea pig too!

It can be easy to make scent toys or activities for your cats and small animals at home and they don’t need to expensive, instead using things that are lying around the home or in your recycling boxes.

Here are just a few ideas to inspire you to get making today! Click on an image to enlarge.

Approximately 29% of U.K adults are dog owners, and we profess to be a nation of dog lovers. But do we realise the superpowers our dogs’ noses can withhold and are we really putting our beloved pooches scent skills to good practise?

The facts

Did you know that your dog’s nose could have as many as 300 million scent receptors, making their sense of smell up to 40 times better than us humans? That’s why sniffing is so important for your pup! It is even reported that just 20 minutes of sniff time can be the equivalent to 1 hours walk.

Working their nose with scent activities can be so enriching – experts even believe that sniffing creates 3D images in your dog’s mind and allows them to feel relaxed and de-stressed.

This can be especially vital for our hound or working dog breeds like Beagles, Basset Hounds, Spaniels and Collies, but scent work can benefit all breeds.

Your dog ‘nose’ best!

Getting your dog to engage in scent work can be quite simple and the benefits are evidenced in helping with;

• Calming – scenting helps to calm a dog.
• Mental Stimulation – scenting and searching for food tires a dog’s brain.
• To refocus a behaviour – if the dog is about to engage in something we don’t want to occur, the ‘Find it’ game is a great refocusing tool that teaches the dog a more positive behaviour to display.
• Recall – the dog can learn to run over to you to play the ‘Find it’ game. The game allows the dog to ‘chase’ something in a different direction which can increase the likelihood of a recall being successful.
• Confidence – an easy to learn training tool!

Sniff time

So, what can you do to get your dog’s most powerful sense engaged?

We highly recommend incorporating scent games into daily exercise – a fun and simple way to mentally tire your dogs out.

Here are some simple activities you can do at home which won’t cost you anything and can get all the family involved:

This is a simple way to engage your dogs’ brain, using a high value, ‘smellier’ treat like ham or sausages perhaps, or even a favourite toy and then hiding it for them to sniff out.

Make it simple to begin with, starting indoors and it can help to have 2 people for this if your dog is super keen! One holding the lead and one hiding the item. Let the dog see where you hide the treat, then use a verbal command such a ‘find it’ before letting the dog sniff and find their reward.

Once your dog becomes more accustomed to this, you can start to make things more difficult, venturing outdoors and hiding treats without them seeing. Your pooch will soon get the hang of it!

Using long grass or textured surfaces on your walk can also be great for the ‘Find it’ game, adding extra stimulation alongside their normal physical exercise.

This is another simple game to play with just yourself and some special, high value treats. With your hands behind your back, so your dog cannot see, hide several treats into one hand but enclose both into a fist.

Giving your dog a cue, perhaps ‘which hand’, hold your hands out in front of your dog for them to smell and sniff out the reward. Once they indicate a chosen hand (this could be sniffing, licking, staring or maybe pawing at the hand), open your fist, where if they have chosen the correct hand filled with treats, they can now enjoy!

If the wrong hand was selected, just re-try again by putting your hands behind your back and re-introducing them to your dog. It is important they select the correct hand to receive a treat or they will not understand the game!

Introduce some sniffing enrichment toys to your dog’s life, such as snuffle mats, Lickimats or puzzle feeders. These feeding tools will help to encourage some brain work by making your dog work out the best ways to get their treat using their nose.

You can even make your own at no cost, just like our destruction boxes – here is our how-to guide to making one!

Snuffle mats are a brilliant and simple way to work your dog’s senses. These are simply rubber or plastic based mats made up with attached ruffles of fabric – perfect for hiding your dog’s favourite treats in for them to sniff out and enjoy.

Not only does the sniffing engage their brain, it also helps to de-stress your dogs and can help manage low level stress. We sell a great selection of snuffle mats in our onsite charity shop- pop along and pick your pooch one up today.

If you are looking for a fun way to bond and spend time with your dog, why not come and join us for a one-to-one Scent Games session?

Hosted by our Canine Behaviour experts, our scent games session will really get your dog’s brain working by using their most important sense – smell! Incorporating find it games and enriching nose work, as well as fun activities that you and all the family can do at home, this session can help to make your dog feel more relaxed and content as a result.

Please click the link below for more details on how to book a space today and get those noses working!