Advice & Information

Each month we intend to put a number of popular questions to our vets relating to general pet health and care. Whilst in no way intended to replace a professional diagnosis, we hope that the information and advice provided on these pages are useful. There is also a number of excellent fact sheets created by the Blue Cross pet charity, to the right of this page.

Dog Questions:

 

How can I stop my dog from barking at the postman?

Guarding instincts will vary from dog to dog. In general the older the dog the more time required to alter their behaviour. Reward based training can be used. To start with teach your dog to stay by giving a food reward when he obeys. Once this is achieved get a friend to call at the door. Just before they arrive put the dog on a lead some distance from the door and ask him to stay in the lying position. When the bell rings or letters are posted tell him to stay and, if he does, reward him. This should be repeated and in time the barking should subside. The friend should also be asked to ignore the dog if he starts barking.

More Questions:

Why should I vaccinate my dog?

How often should I have it vaccinated?

What diseases does the vaccination guard against?

What is a microchip and should I get one for my dog?

What are worms and how can I tell if my dog has them?

How can I tell if my dog has fleas?

If I find fleas, how can I treat them?

Are ticks a problem in South Wiltshire?

How can I stop my dog from barking at the postman?

My dog thinks it’s the boss – how can I reassert my role as “top dog” in the household?

Why do dogs pant so much?

How often should I take my dog for a check up?

Our dog has been examined once. Why do we have to have the problem checked again?

My dog’s breath smells. What could cause this?

When will my puppy start teething?

Can I brush my dog’s teeth?

Weight Control