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  • About
    • Who we are
    • Why choose us?
    • What to look for when choosing Accommodation
    • Knowledge Centre
    • Rates
    • Boarding Requirements
    • FAQs
    • Links
  • What we offer
    • Premium Accommodations
    • Luxury Accommodation
    • Advanced Medical and Rehabilitation Care
    • Guest Pick Up and Delivery
    • Our Menu
    • Testimonials
    • Take a Tour
  • Gallery
  • Reservations
    • Boarding: New Customers
    • Boarding: Existing Customers
  • Contact
  • Blog
​We love sharing information – sometimes it’s small tidbits and other times its big juicy chunks of info, and every now and again it might be something as simple as a meme to make your smile.We hope you enjoy our blog – which is mostly dog focused but can occasionally be distracted (Travel Tuesday is a lovely distraction but also a great way to get new holiday ideas). ​

Socialization.

21/6/2013

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Socialization is such an important part of our dogs development and it’s very important to begin this from an early age. Socialization is vital with not only humans but other species as well outside the immediate environment.
Puppy classes can be a great start for this, it’s also important to introduce them to different people, sounds, places and also allowing them to be on their own. Introducing our pups to different dogs, people and situations helps to create a stable and confident mind. This can help to prevent your dog from developing behavior problems such as separation anxiety or dog aggression later on in life. These issues can later arise due to lack of exposure to different situations that may lead to low self confidence or the inability to deal with something out of the ordinary.
In order to expose your dogs to new situations and environments you, as the owner, must be confident yourself. By showing your dog that you are confident and calm in the situation they see that it is fine for them to do so as well – this is so important when developing your dog’s behavior and ability to cope in new environments. You want this experience to be positive for everyone, especially your dog. If he seems anxious or scared it is a must that you stay calm and show there is nothing to be afraid of. Regardless of how your dog initially reacts, it is important to try your best not to remove them from the situation, unless of course it is dangerous. If you are feeling unsure or anxious it’s best not to take your dog into that situation until you are completely confident yourself. Our dogs rely on us greatly to show them how to behave and our energy is a very strong way to let them know you have the situation under control. It is essential to ensure your dog experiences different situations frequently, especially if the first time wasn’t a success. It is necessary to repeat the exercise in a positive manner. If you your dog isn’t well socialized and are not confident enough within yourself to begin exposing them to different situations a dog trainer or animal behaviorist is always an option. It is very important to socialize your dog as a dog that is not confident is more likely to become aggressive if they do not know how to correctly deal with the situation and this can lead to a lot more serious issues.



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The Kelpie.

20/6/2013

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Alice
The Australian Kelpie carries itself on its well devolved limbs and compact body. They are slightly longer then they are tall with a broad chest and firm hindquarters, adding to their energized and flexible appearance. They have a short, dense double coat that comes in a variety of colours, though their owners generally aren’t interested in their appearance, more their working ability.

There are different believes on the true origin of the Kelpie, many are certain they are a cross between a Dingo and Border Collie, though more accurate documentation show the breed’s development from English North Country Collies. These British work dogs, like many sheepdogs, were imported to Australia during the end of the 19th century. The breed has been known since 1870.
The Kelpie is an ideal sheepdog; they are without limitations, excel in obedience training and are capable of working with cattle, poultry, sheep and goats. Their name, Kelpie, comes from the water Kelpie (spirits), mentioned by a Scottish writer, Robert Louis Stevenson, in the novel Kidnapped.

The Kelpie is an enthusiastic and tireless working dog, they are superb at herding and is one of the most popular and successful working dogs. They are an extremely devoted and loyal on man dog and their hard work drive makes them far too work oriented and energetic for apartment or couch dog living.
They are easily trainable and respond immediately to any command given by their master. They are great with children and other animals if well socialised from a young age. Even if they are not raised as working dogs, their natural herding instinct will always shine through and they will try to herd other dogs and animals. They will work until the drop and cannot be pushed too far. In the Australian outback they can work in high temperatures and cover 4,000 plus acres in a day. They require a large amount of daily mental and physical stimulation. They are not for a lazy owner and are ideal for an active home environment. The biggest downfall for the Kelpie is boredom which can come on very easily.
Their herding style is similar to that of a Border Collie, using their eye to track stock and ‘nipping’ at stubborn stock to get them moving. They are able to muster thousands of animals at time without any aggression; they are not an aggressive breed at all, though they make excellent watch dogs.
Their high level of intelligence also brings on dominance and they are not for a weak owner. Although they are keen to learn, they need a firm, stern yet calm owner who will always make it clear that they are the pack leader. Without extensive daily physically and mental exercise they will become extremely destructive and difficult.


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Know a Pug?

17/6/2013

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'The pug is living proof that God has a sense of humor.'
                        - Margo Kaufman

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Riley - Dog of the Month.

13/6/2013

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Hi there,

I’m pretty excited to be June Dog of the Month for Dogs Country Club and thought I might share some pretty cool facts with you about the Airedale!



Did you know John Wayne had an Airedale named ‘Duke.’ This is where his own nickname stemmed from. Theodore Roosevelt, who served as the 26th President of the United State, chose Airedales as his hunting dogs. He’s known for the statement; ‘The Airedale can do anything any other dog can do, then whip the other dog, if he has to.’

The Airedale was also used as one of the first breeds for police dogs in both Germany and Great Britain. Their fearless nature made them great for this line of work and they also served as message carriers in several wars, battling through to serve their purpose even when injured. They were great to use not only for sending messages but for rodent control and bird hunting.




From 1864 and onward their earlier whelps were known as working, Waterside and Bingley Terriers. Sadly, when the Titanic went down, two Airedale’s were on board and sadly lost their lives.

Airedale’s have played a significant part in history and a few of us have even become famous…. I like to think of myself as pretty famous here at the Resort.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Riley.



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The German Shepherd.

10/6/2013

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PictureBeautiful Colin.
Also known as the Alsatian or GSD, the German Shepherd is a well-proportioned, very strong (both mentally and physically) dog. They are very sturdy with a muscular frame, they have an elongated body and light, yet solid bone structure.
There are 3 varieties of the GSD, double coat, plush coat and long haired coat. The coat comes in black with tan, all black or sable but can also come in white, blue and liver – though these colours are considered a fault to most standards. The White Shepherd is recognised as its own breed, being known as the American White Shepherd.

The German Shepherd originated in Karlsruhe, Germany from Captain Max von Stephanitz and other dedicated breeders who produced an obedient and handsome dog. They did this by mixing longhaired, shorthaired and wire haired herding and farm dogs locally from Wurtemberg, Thurginia and Bavaria.
They were first presented in 1889 in Hanover with the shorthaired variety first seen in Berlin in the same year. In April 1899, von Stephanitz registered a dog named Horan, the first Deutsche Schäferhunde, which in English translates to ‘German Shepherd Dog.’ Until 1915, both the wire haired and longhaired varieties were shown. The first GSD to be shown in American wasn’t until 1907.

Today, the German Shepherd makes a great family companion but are also ideal working dogs. They are very courageous and fear nothing, they will put their own life on the line for the family. They are a keen, alert and very smart dog, making training simple for the right owner. As all dogs, they require a strong and firm pack leader otherwise can be a destructive pet. They need a stable environment and consistent training. They simply will not listen if they feel at any point that they are stronger and have the upper hand. They are one of the smartest and most trainable breeds and need to be well understood.
Their natural protective instinct makes them great for families and ideal for the line of work as Police Dogs. They bond very close to their family and can be wary of strangers. They will only bark when they feel necessary and require good socialization from a young age. Any behavioral issues are a clear indication of poor handling and training.
They require a high level of mental and physical daily stimulation and should not be left on their own for long periods of time. They are not a breed they will enjoy being locked in the back yard or laze around the house all day. Their mind needs to be kept busy and complete ‘jobs’ that are set for them.
They do excellent in tracking and obedience as well as agility work.

Sadly, bad breeding is common today and hereditary problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia are being seen more. Being a large dog they are prone to bloat and for this reason, feeding should be well monitored. Breeders should be thoroughly researched prior to the purchase of a pup.
They are generally a large size dog, with males growing up to 65cms and females to 60cm. Their coat requires some upkeep as they are heavy shedders. Daily brushing is ideal and bathing only when necessary.


The GSD makes a great pet and work mate but needs to be well understood before being considered. They need an owner who is able to put in the time and effort and in the end, be rewarded with a best mate for life.


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Your emotions and your pooch.

6/6/2013

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We all love our dogs and for some of us, leaving them at a boarding facility can be very scary.
Sadly, we can sometimes pass this fear and nervousness onto our dog and make the situation worse than it needs to be.

One of the most common things we hear at Dogs Country Club is, ‘my dog is a rescue dog and I’m worried if I leave them they will think they’re being dumped again,' or 'they'll think I'm not coming back.'

Luckily, this is not the case. Regardless of your dog’s previous experiences they don’t compare circumstances. When a dog comes to stay at Dog’s Country Club they are pampered with their every need met, even though you are not around dog’s are very easy to keep happy and as long as their needs are met, they have no reason to stress or be anxious.

Dog’s feed off our energy, that’s why it’s common for dog’s to act differently on leash when with their owners and they will react to the energy around them. If you are nervous or upset when leaving your dog (whether is be at the vet, groomers, boarding kennel etc) the best thing you can for them is to be positive whilst they’re around. You will notice a difference straight away, keep everything quick and easy. By showing them you are nervous you are giving them something to worry about, when in fact it’s a perfectly save situation. Once they are out of sight and you have separated yourself from your dog then you can let your emotions out.
Learning your dog’s body language can be very helpful too. For example, seeing a dog shaking can mean a number in the dog world though most of us see this as nervous behavior, this can actually be your dog’s way of showing excitement!
Dog’s do not have a concept of time like us humans do. We understand each new day though dog’s have a completely different routine, they nap throughout the day there for don’t understand when a new day starts or ends. This is why your dog will react the same to you when you pick them up from a long term holiday just as they would if you gone to the shops for milk and bread.

Making new situations positive is healthy for everyone involved and makes everything easier. It’s best to expose your dog to new situations and sounds from a young age and make sure your confident during the whole experience. You will find later in life that you and your doggy will able to share in great things together and enjoy lots of new things in life.


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Dog of the Month - Riley.

3/6/2013

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The Airedale Terrier is the largest of all the terriers and stands to a medium height with a square appearance. The breed was developed about 100 years ago in the country of York and was originally known as Waterside and Bingley Terriersand. They had descended from the now extinct tan and black type terrier and were later cross bred with the Otterhound to improve their swimming. Their name arose from the Valley of the Aire in England which was heavily populated with small game, it was here they were used as vermin hunters. They were also used to hunt big game throughout India, Africa and Canada. Over the years they have been police dogs and a wartime guard during World War II.

Today they are primarily a companion dog, though through the generations of breeding the Airedale today looks completely different to the original line. They are a courageous and protective dog who, if socialized well, can do well with children though can play a little rough with very small ones. They need obedience training at a high level and are very responsive. They are a fun loving and playful pup and are always happy to please. The Airedale is an extremely loyal dog but is a natural hunter so will need to keep a watchful eye if any smaller pets are around. They are a very rowdy and lively dog and require a high level of daily mental and physical exercise. This, along with stern training, will stop them from becoming bored and destructive and remind them who the ‘Top Dog’ and ‘Pack Leader’ is. An Airedale who feels they are in charge will become disobedient but remember they do not respond well to overbearing or harsh forms of training They are a very intelligent dog and smart enough to perceive quickly what is required of them, but if asked to do the same thing continuously may refused. A confident but firm and consistent handler is ideal to make the best relationship.

As the Airedale was bred for very active lines of work they do require a large amount of exercise and therefore are not ideal for apartment living. They are quite inactive in doors but do need a large yard to move around it as well as long daily walks or runs. Most enjoy ball play and swimming and are a lot more active during their first few years of life, tending to mellow out over time. Their short haired, hard double coat needs to be plucked at least twice yearly. With the correct grooming care they will shed little to no hair. Unfortunately with the Airedale daily brushing is not sufficient enough to maintain their coat. Their beards can easily get dirty after eating so many need daily cleaning also. They are a very hardy breed and don’t tend to have many health problems if cared for correctly.


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