Frequently Asked Questions About Dogs and Dogs' Behaviour

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Bee or wasp stings may cause your dog some pain and irritation but generally they will not lead to a visit to the vet. Look out initially for your dog whining, limping, biting or nibbling where the sting may have gone in. You may also see signs of swelling or red, itchy skin.

Rather than try to squeeze out the sting (and risk forcing the poison further into the body) you can try to scrape it out with a fingernail from below the poison sac. Bathe the area in cold water and apply ice wrapped in a damp tea towel if available to help soothe the affected area. Never give antihistamines without contacting your vet first.

Multiple stings, particularly stings in and around the mouth and throat, can cause swelling and blocked airways. Allergic reactions such as breathing difficulty, vomiting, collapsing and fitting should all be treated by a vet as soon as possible. As usual prevention is better than cure so do work with your dog on their recall and teach them to leave bees and wasps alone.

There are many common plants that can be poisonous to your dog. However, it is reassuring to know that unless eaten in huge quantities, then most will not cause much more than an upset stomach. Here are ten common garden plants that dog owners should avoid planting at home.

Azalea; Castor oil plant – seeds are deadly; Daffodil bulbs (and other narcissus bulbs); Delphinium; Grapevines; Oleander; Ragwort; Rhododendrons; Wild cherry (twigs and leaves can be fatal); Yew hedges (avoid berries but particularly foliage)

If you suspect your dog has been eating plants – and they are showing signs for example of dizziness, itching or inflammation, breathing difficulties, vomiting or diarrhoea - then do seek help and advice from your vet immediately.

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Chocolate contains a chemical called ‘theobromine’, which is toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, fitting and even death. Dark chocolate is the most dangerous. Dogs could become ill if they have eaten over 3.5g of plain dark chocolate per kilogram of their bodyweight. As a guide, if your dog weighs 10kg, then they would be most at risk if they ate 35g of plain dark chocolate or more. Be sure to check the chocolate wrapper to find out the weight of the product and then seek urgent advice from your vet.

Heavy panting. Breathing problems. Tiredness. Stiffness or an unwillingness to move. Dribbling. Confusion. Being sick. Upset stomach. Not walking in a straight line. Collapse. Fitting. If you think your dog may have heatstroke it is vital that you immediately contact your vet while cooling them down. Getting early treatment is essential to saving your dog’s life.

Surprisingly, it is quite possible that they are doing it because they like the taste and even the texture! Young puppies may have learned the behaviour from their mum. In older dogs, boredom, separation anxiety or changes in home routines may all be a factor. Read the full article here.

As a rule, the main summer bans are from 1 May through to 30 September on the most popular beaches. Some councils ban dogs on beaches and promenades during this period, other councils ban dogs on beaches but allow them on leads whilst walking on the promenades. Check out local council websites and signs on and around the beach. Read the full article here.

Dogs can get sunburn (and even skin cancer) too - particularly if they have pale fur or a thin coat. Take sun protection for you and your dog. Try providing some shaded areas using parasols or tents.

The dogs with the longest life expectancy at birth are Jack Russell Terriers at 12.72 years, followed by Yorkshire Terriers (12.54 years), Border Collies (12.10 years) and Springer Spaniels (11.92 years). At the other end of the scale are French Bulldogs with just 4.53 years. Smaller dogs tend to live longer than larger dogs and may actually mature earlier too. Read the full article here.

This takes getting to know you to a whole new level! There are two small anal glands which are located inside the dogs rectum. Sniffing these enable each dog to download instant, practical information about each other syuch as age, gender, diet, reproductive state, mood and even if another dog is feeling ill. Read the full article here.

Dogs have red-green colour blindness (which is also the most common form of colour blindness in humans) and so they can't perceive shades containing either of those colours, such as pink, purple, and orange. Dogs can see blues and yellows much like us, but greens and reds are seen as shades of brown or grey,

The phrase “it’s a dog’s life” supposedly means that life is difficult or unfair. A miserable, unhappy existence. A job or situation that is unpleasant and boring. But the reality for a happy dog seems anything but!