Woof Times

There has been a lot of awareness among pet owners about the diet of their pets. The use of nutraceuticals has proven improved quality of life in pets. DHA is one such anti-oxidant which is critical for the development of vision and the central nervous system in pets. With more and more pets living to a ripe old age, nutritional supplements for pets have become a fast growing business, as pet…

Freedom to roam and sniff around is every dog’s birthright and dream. Very often, we as owners, ignore the importance of freedom of our canine friends. Pooja Sathe shows how to teach your dog the off leash control. Off leash exercise should be an important part of the dog’s daily routine from an early age. This will help the puppy to enjoy his freedom. Also, off leash game of ‘fetching a ball’ and…

Socialisation is the term we use to describe how a dog learns to relate to people, other dogs and his environment. Your dog will keep on learning throughout his whole life, but puppyhood is the time when experiences—good or bad—have the biggest impact on him. These experiences are critical to your puppy’s future, and will have a long-lasting effect on his behaviour throughout his life. When you…

For most pet lovers trying to envisage a moment of absolute contentment, the image of sitting in the wintry sunshine with their pet animal in their lap would probably come forth unbidden. For any pet lover, the word “warm cuddle” would evince the response “my pet” as the season for warm cuddles with our furry friends is round the corner. It seems that by some divine design our dogs and cats have…

Are you planning to go on a trip by air and wish to take your pet dog along? A lot of questions would arise in your mind on how to do it. Radha Aima shares her own experience of flying from Bombay to Delhi with pet dog Zoon. Alandmark decision was made in the Aima household. The family huddled together, behind closed doors guzzling ample cups of tea weighing the pros and cons. Should we, shouldn’t…

Which breeds come to your mind when you hear the words ‘king of dogs’? Undoubtedly, the name that flashes in our minds is ‘German Shepherd’ or ‘GSD.’ People all over the world prefer to be owned by a GSD because of his royal look and an equally loyal and passionate attitude. If you have never owned a GSD, you have missed one of life’s greatest pleasures. If you are looking for a superb companion…

Quiz guru Siddharth Basu, the man behind the famous ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati,’ has made quizzing popular in India through his first game show ‘Quiz Time’ on DD in the eighties. From his jetsetting life on-screen, Siddharth still manages to find time for his loved ones, including his pet Sheru, a Golden Retriever. Affable and knowledgeable quizmaster Siddharth Basu comes from a background that covers…

Dr. Aradhana Pandey tells how important it is to know the history of the pet for proper treatment. Every vet works with an intention to provide best cure to his patient. For treatment success, a vet’s expertise should be complimented by owner’s co-operation, understanding and patience. Treating a pet is unlike treating a human being since they cannot tell their plight; hence it becomes completely…

People often ask me, “Why would you ever want to mess around with feet – especially dog’s paws?” The answer is simple: feet are connected with well-being. And maintaining well-being for your dog can lead to a fuller, more joyful life. Spicer is a 9-year-old Beagle who was diagnosed with hip dysplasia and a ruptured disk in her neck. In November 2002, Spicer was being given pain medication daily…

An easy, regular routine can ensure that your dog has a beautiful coat and a healthy skin. The most common complaint that veterinarians face in their daily practice is skin trouble! Dry, itchy skin, redness, sores, little bumps, pustules, falling hair, typical ‘doggy’ odour are some of the usual signs. Owners tend to give a lot of importance to their pets’ skin and coat condition mainly because…

Dr. Deepa Katyal briefly reviews the pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnostic approach, and treatment of two tick-transmitted diseases in dogs. Two of the most prevalent tick-transmitted diseases in dogs are Babesiosis and Ehrlichiosis, which are also a fairly common cause of morbidity and mortality in South Asia. While Babesiosis is caused by either of the protozoal parasites Babesia gibsoni or…

Agility is excellent exercise for you and your dog. It is fun for children and also teaches them coordination and a sense of accomplishment for every new obstacle that they learn. Let us now see how to teach your pet “Over,” which means jumping an obstacle. In order to begin agility, it is a good idea for your pet to know basic obedience (sit, down, stay, come…etc). Equipment needed 6-12’ leash…

Run by Abodh Aras, a management professional, WSD is an organisation that is committed to the welfare of stray dogs. Meet Abodh Aras, the young, energetic and dynamic CEO of Welfare of Stray Dogs (WSD). Professionally highly-qualified with a hotel management diploma and an MBA from Institute of Technology and Management, Mumbai, it comes as a little surprise that he is the CEO of WSD. As he puts…

If you’ve ever come home to find that your otherwise well-behaved dog has destroyed furniture, had “accidents” on the carpet or whose howling is disturbing the neighbours while you’re away, it’s very likely that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety. Dogs are one of the most social creatures on earth. They just love spending time with you, whether they’re playing a game with you or just…

Festive season is now so near and Diwali is just round the corner. As a guardian you should not forget the needs of your companion who takes care of you so well. Oh yes, I am talking about the dear member of your family- your dog! Festivals bring in a lot of joy and celebration. In the midst of all these pomp and show, we sometimes forget about the safety of our canine friends, which becomes all…

Keep the dogs indoors or where he feels secure. A room that is calm and less noisy is preferred. Give him his favourite toy, usual bed and utensils. Introduce dogs gradually to sound of crackers from puppy hood in an attempt to condition them or desensitise them, starting from sound or very small crackers. Make your children aware that your friendly pet is bound to suffer if they burn crackers…

Remember Kaizad Gustad? Yeah, the same guy who shot into the limelight with Bollywood movies ‘Bombay Boys’ and ‘Boom.’ Kaizad is also a writer and a dog lover. He is happily married to Alexandra and their dog Attapatu completes their family. Kaizad and Alexandra both grew up on vast farms, granted, they were on opposite sides of the world, but shared the intrinsic nature of country living: fresh…

There are a few things parents need to know and do before they bring a new child into a household where a dog lives. Similarly, it is equally important to follow certain guidelines to bring a new dog into a home with children. Here are a few of those things.  Introducing new children into a house containing a dog: Ideally, the dog should have been socialised to children as a puppy. The dog…

Puppies are hard to resist. Once you have got your new pooch home, it is vital to take care of his health-related issues. Dr. Deepa Katyal gives an overview of these important issues. Protecting your puppy: Love’s not enough. Your puppy needs a preventive health care program, too. Every new puppy faces a variety of parasites and infectious organisms as it grows. Some can pose a threat to humans…

A well behaved dog and a happy owner make a perfect combination. Behaviour and training always go together. Training always leads you to understand your dog and also helps you communicate better with him. Apuppy’s first day at home is very exciting. But after a few days of excitement and joy, starts the actual struggle of bringing up the puppy. In most cases, problems start occurring,…