Category: K9 Fun Facts

What star sign is your dog?

2/1/2019

comic dogs with names of the zodiac signs

Aries Dog (March 21 – April 20)

The Ram is the sign of Aries which is ruled by the planet Mars and is a fire sign. The Aries dog is adventurous, courageous, confident and strong. Aries dogs will spend their day chasing things in the garden and never giving up and taking no for an answer is not in their mindset. Aries dogs can be inquisitive, smart and playful but this may lead them to wandering in search of adventure! Your Aries dog is brave and will protect you and will love to be the centre of your world.

Taurus Dog (April 21 – May 20)

The Bull is the sign of Taurus which is ruled by the planet of Venus and is an earth sign. Venus is the planet of love and beauty.
Taurus dogs can be stubborn and have a lot of will power. They love to indulge in food and toys and have their own way. They also can be shy and really need to feel safe, loved and have a balanced and harmonious environment. Noise and chaos can make them stressed. They are wonderfully loyal and loving companions.

Gemini Dog (May 21 – June 20)

The Twins is the sign of Gemini which are ruled by the planet Mercury. Mercury is the planet of intelligence. Gemini is an air sign. Gemini dogs can be happy and playful one minute then quiet and withdrawn the next which explains the Gemini dual personalities. They can be charming and passive and yet can be aggressive, they can be positive and negative, outgoing and reserved. The Gemini dog is a fast learner, loves to exercise and is affectionate. They are Guardians but may suffer from separation anxiety due to their need to be with others.

Cancer Dog (June 21 – July 20)

The Crab is the sign of Cancer which is ruled by the Moon. The moon is emotional, sensitive and nurturing. Cancer is ruled by water which is fluid and moving. Cancer dogs are loving, nurturing and sensitive but most need continuous reassurance. They love food and can easily gain weight. They love taking care of other animals which makes them a great companion for other dogs or a lovely foster mum for rescue puppies. They don’t like change very much and can become insecure if their world gets rocked.

Leo Dog (July 21 – August 20)

The Lion is the sign of Leo which is ruled by the Sun. The sun is warming, noble, and generous. Leo is a fire sign with energy to burn. Leo dogs have big personalities and love the outdoors. They love being the centre of attention, can be a clown and extroverted. They can be noisy and a little bit melodramatic. Leo dogs are exceptionally loyal.

Virgo Dog (August 21 – September 22)

The Virgin is the sign of Virgo which is ruled by Mercury. Mercury is the planet of intellect. The Virgo dog loves routine and doesn’t like change very much. They can be on the quiet side and can be worriers. These dogs are practical and may get anxious if not trained well. They enjoy the outdoors and are hard workers and most of all they just love to please you.

Libra Dog (September 23 – October 22)

The Scales is the sign of Libra which are ruled by the planet Venus.
Libra dogs love their life balanced like the scales. They weigh their options up and can be a little indecisive at times. They love the company of another dog. They need direction, structure and soft discipline so they feel secure. Libran dogs are very loving and have nice personalities.

Scorpio Dog (October 23 – November 22)

The Scorpion is the sign of Scorpio which is ruled by the planet Pluto. Scorpio is a water sign and highly emotional. The Scorpio dog is intense, robust and strong willed. They don’t seem to have an off button! Routine and structure is important for the Scorpio dog. They are exceptionally loyal but this can turn to jealousy if they feel insecure. They need regular exercise to burn of energy and stress. They are very good at getting what they want. The Scorpio dog will have undying love for you.

Sagittarius Dog (November 23 – December 22)

The Archer is the sign of Sagittarius which is ruled by the planet Jupiter. Sagittarius is a fire sign that loves a challenge.
Sagittarius dogs are outgoing, happy, kind and they love outings.
They love to explore and can be a little airy fairy sometimes!
They sometimes can be impatient and need stimulation if left alone. These dogs can be picked on by other dogs. They adore companionship and lots of physical affection. They are very loyal and want to be with you all the time.

Capricorn Dog (December 23 – January 22)

The Goat is the sign of Capricorn which is ruled by the planet Saturn. Saturn is an earth sign and one of the most grounded signs of the Zodiac. Capricorn dogs are organized, clean and have a mind of their own. They love exercise and to run around. Capricorn dogs are prone to anxiety and may not sleep as much as other dogs so maintain proper training and preventative measures to ease stressful situations.

Aquarius Dog (January 23 – February 18)

The Water Bearer sign of Aquarius which is ruled by the planet Uranus. Aquarius is an air sign. Aquarius dogs are intelligent and intuitive. They are loving and loved to be loved and cuddled. They sometimes can be stubborn and unpredictable and will do what they want. Aquarius dogs benefit greatly from obedience training and are wonderful companions for other pets. They do love their own space and alone time but love more the affection from their owner at how good they have been.

Pisces Dog (February 19 – March 20)

The Fish is the sign of Pisces which is ruled by the planet Jupiter. Pisces is a water sign. The Pisces dog loves peace and harmony and can stress easily. They are independent and will do what they want without attracting attention. They have a sweet personality and can have you wrapped around their paw in no time and have you well trained!

Understanding Your Dog's 5 Senses

3/6/2018

Like humans, dogs too have 5 essential senses. Understanding these is one of the best ways to understand your pet better. Let’s take a detailed look at these senses- sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch.

1. Sight

Many people believe that dogs have poor eyesight. But the fact is that their sight is appropriate for their own species. They can see much better at night, especially when compared to humans. Their eyesight has evolved very differently from that of humans, and they are able to see things in motion better compared to clear, stationary objects.

Dogs also have limited visual capacity when it comes to seeing colours and can see everything around them in shades of grey, yellow and blue. This explains why your dog can’t easily see the ball that’s lying on the lawn, within plain sight. Choose your pet’s toys with care- look for ones that move, light up or glow or even ones that make some noise or have a distinctive smell.

2. Smell

Your pet dog also has an extremely heightened sense of smell- you’ll be surprised to know that it’s 10,000-100,000 times stronger than human’s sense of smell. So, you would easily be able to smell those chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven, as soon as you step into your house. But your dog would be able to pick up the scent of every ingredient that’s gone into it.

That’s really amazing, isn’t it? Little wonder then that some dog breeds like German Shepherds, Bloodhounds, and Belgian Malinois, are specifically trained to be sniffer dogs and help law enforcement detect the presence of drugs or explosives. Species like the American Pit Bull Terrier, Border Collies, and Beagles are perfect search & rescue dogs. Pet parents should keep this aspect of their dog’s sense in mind and can use fun scent games while training them.

3. Hearing

Dogs have a far more acute and fine-tuned sense of hearing than humans. They are able to hear far more clearly and loudly than we do and can identify subtleties in sound as well. Have you noticed how dogs know instinctively when you pull into the driveway, even though no one else in your house may have heard your car cruising in?

Try driving another car of the same make and model as yours into your driveway, and your dog will know it isn’t your vehicle. The unique structure and shape of their ears are what gives them their acute sense of hearing.

4. Taste

We have 9000 taste buds where as our canine friends have less than a quarter of the amount with only around 1700 taste buds. Their taste buds are on the tip of their tongue and they can taste sweet, salty, sour and bitter just like us. As their sense of taste is not as developed and they can still smell food which helps them determine what they like to eat.

Dogs don’t always eat food for its taste, they will happily chew & swallow things that look even remotely edible. This makes it very important to carefully monitor what your pet puts into his mouths as some things they attempt to swallow can prove to be toxic and fatal too. So, it’s up to us to make sure we don’t feed them these toxic foods such as chocolate, grapes, onions etc

With your dog’s taste senses, herbs are great as they can be added to your dog’s meals giving them many great health benefits and even though the taste is appealing to us humans our dogs are happy to gobble it up. K9 SWiM have herbal products along with natural supplements that you can purchase, and you can contact Sharon who is a qualified Animal Herbalist and Naturopath to discuss what will be best for your dog.

5. Touch

In the first few weeks of their lives, a dog’s sense of touch is one of the very first senses to develop. Their entire body is covered in a number of touch-sensitive nerve endings that can “feel” the world all around them. They use this sense to communicate with you as well as with other dogs. This makes it very important to communicate with them by petting them, scratching or massaging them.

Brushing their fur is another way of showing your affection for your pet.

Learning to massage your dog will not only bond you and your fur baby but will provide great benefits such as general well being, better movement and a healthier and happy dog. Massage improves circulation which improves and supports all systems of the dog’s body and by doing this you will give your dog a better quality of life and longevity. Sharon runs Canine massage workshops. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to find out when they are running.

You can use this information to build a stronger bond with your dog and understand him better.

At K9 SWiM we are very conscious of all your dog’s senses to give them the best care.

The Best Activities For Your Dogs in The Colder Weather

13/4/2017

The cold weather is coming and can be a dampener on your exercise plans; not just for you, but your dog as well. But there is no reason to blame the weather for your inactivity. It’s important that your pet gets daily exercise in some or the other form. The days tend to be shorter in the winter months and your pet doesn’t get the amount of exercise it ideally needs.

The cooler days aren’t comfortable for arthritic or older dogs as this is when the aches and pains start surfacing with more frequency and severity than normal. This is because they are unable to move around as much; and their muscles and limbs don’t get warmed up.

This extended inactivity can cause boredom and stress in your dogs and you will notice behavioural issues such as chewing, digging and barking; some dogs tend to add weight during the winter months as well. While getting them outdoors for a spot of exercise may not be easily possible or even advised when the weather is cold, there are some effective ways of ensuring your pets get the exercise they need, even in the colder months:

1. Swimming in an indoor, heated pool

Hydrotherapy in an indoor, heated pool provides your dog the perfect exercise opportunity. Since the temperature of the water is in the 29-30°C range, it’s comfortable enough for your pets to get the exercise they need and burn off some of all that pent up energy. Hydrotherapy is also beneficial for dogs that that are recovering from surgery or an injury and help enhance functional movement in older arthritic dogs too.

Swimming in warm water allows the muscles to work more efficiently and helps to aid blood circulation without risk of cramping. It also helps reduce some of the swelling in joints. The increased limited weight bearing exercise makes joint movement easier; helps regain fitness and can help them to lose weight they may have gained.

Swimming also provides your dog excellent mental stimulus. You can choose to take a “swim for fun” class, a “learn to swim” class, or one for regaining mobility and strength or even for weight loss.

2. Join any club that has indoor activities

There are a number of activities for pets nowadays, such as scent work, doggie dancing or even doggie yoga, all of which can be very energizing and fun for your dog.
You are sure to find some clubs in your area that provide some of these services.

3. Brisk morning walks are refreshing

While it’s important that your dogs get the exercise they need, a certain amount of exercise is good for you as well. You can take your dog out for a long mid-morning walk if the early mornings are too cold to venture out.

4. Hide & seek or other games in your garden or yard

If you have a yard or garden space, you can turn that into a great play area for your dog even in the winter months. Since the space is part of your home, you can always step back into your house in case the climate is too cold for your pet. Alternatively, you can play some games indoors.

Bring out some favorite toys your pet loves and hide them in different places in the house and get your dog to look for them. You can also hide treats if you like instead. These games are an excellent way for you to bond with your pet.

5. Doggie treadmill

This is a great way of exercising. You can look for a good canine treadmill that can be placed in your home gym or any other area of your home. This helps ensure your dog gets the exercise he needs, without you having to worry about whether the climate outside is too cold.

You can also get a group of friends with their pets together and simply book our K9 SWiM Hydrotherapy Centre’s pool for an hour. You’ll be surprised at how much fun you and your pet can have in the tepid water of the indoor pool. Your pet will also get the opportunity to socialize with other hounds and can find a great outlet for all their energy they have, by splashing around in the water.

We also offer a complimentary warm water rinse and a blow dryer to dry your dog before you take them back home. For more information about our hydrotherapy services, feel free to browse our website.

7 Tips to Spoil Your Dog This Valentine’s Day

9/2/2017

puppy with ball and love hearts- ruv is in the air

Valentine’s Day! What better time to show our dogs how much we love them with a little bit of spoiling and extra attention, the paw partner that loves you unconditionally and is always there to greet you with a wagging tail.

These 7 tips are a great way to show your pooch some love.

1. Tasty Treats

What dog doesn’t love a tasty treat? Surprise them with some of their favourite treats or bake them some of our scrumptious K9 Cookies. Our K9 swimmers love these cookies.

Download K9 SWiM’s K9 Cookie Recipe

2. A New Toy

No-one knows your dog better than you. There are so many wonderful toys on the market for dogs these days, whether it’s one they can chew, squeaks, or tastes great. Dogs are always interested in new things and having a new toy will bring them some fun and excitement. You are sure to find one that your dog will love. You may even end up buying more than one. If so, put the extra away for their Birthday or Christmas.

3. A Lovely Walk Somewhere New

Taking your dog for a walk is so much more than just exercise. It is a chance for you and your dog to enjoy the outdoors together and discover some new great spots. We are lucky to live in such a great country with many beautiful dog friendly beaches, rivers, reserves and parks to choose from. Your local council usually have local dog parks listed on their websites. So check it out and enjoy your walk.

4. Enjoy Some Music

Why not curl up and relax with your dog and enjoy some soothing music through Pet Tunes.
A Pet Tunes Bluetooth Speaker is pre-loaded with special frequency modified music clinically tested and proven to reduce stress and calm pet anxiety. We sell them here at K9 SWiM so check it out next time you are in.

5. Swim Together

With all this hot weather we have been having, why not head to our K9 SWiM pool? Book a fun swim for you and your dog and enjoy some lovely one-on-one time relaxing in the pool.

6. Puppacino

Take your best mate out for a puppacino. A lot of pet friendly cafes offer these for our four legged friends. The Kurrajong Bark Park & Ugly Mug Mobile Express is just one of the great places for you and your dog to enjoy a cuppa.

7. Organise a Puppy Play Date

Dogs love to catch up with their friend, so why not plan a p-awesome playdate with their best friend and have some of their favourite toys and treats ready. Then sit back and enjoy watching them play together.

Do You Know What a Dog Nose?

5/7/2016

A dog’s nose is very different to ours. They smell and sense the world in a completely different way to us. Most of us view the world predominately through our eyes where as a dog does it through their nose. They know so much more than we think and their nose has a lot to do with that.
So let’s have a look at what a dog nose.

A Dog’s Strong Sense of Smell

A dog’s sense of smell is more than 1000 times more sensitive than humans.
Dog’s noses can have up to 300 million olfactory receptors compared to about 6 million in people. The part of the brain in dogs that process smell is also much, much larger in proportion than it is in humans.

The Dog Nose How to Find You and More

Dogs have been used in tracking for over 100s of years by man. First used for hunting, search and rescue and more recently trained to detect diverse odours such as narcotics, explosives and more.
Different breeds of dogs sniff in various ways. For example, a Beagle will follow air and ground scent with their nose mainly pointing to the ground and a German Shepherd tends to smell the air-scent with their head up rather than keeping their nose to the ground. A Blood Hound’s nose is able to trace smells over 300 hours old. There’s also a bit more to nose here. The Blood Hound’s floppy ears help them smell by fanning odours up their nostrils and their loose skin also helps trap and retain the scent.

Dogs Picking up the Scent

Alexandra Horowitz, a dog-cognition researcher at Barnard College, writes that while we might notice if our coffee has had a teaspoon of sugar added to it, A dog could detect a teaspoon of sugar in a million gallons of water, or two Olympic-sized pools worth. Diabetic alert dog’s nose picks up on the special scent that is released when their human’s insulin levels drop.

There's More to Their Nostrils Than You Know

A dog’s nose does more than just breathe air in and out. Their nostrils can work independently from each other so one nostril can breathe while the other can smell the scent and break down the odour.

Nose Print

Did you know that a dog’s nose print is thought to be as unique as our fingerprint. I know my dogs have left their unique print many times on my glass doors and windows. How about you?

Dogs Decode PeeMail

Have you ever taken your dog for a walk and they want to stop and sniff every bush or post that another dogs has peed on. That’s because dogs can find out a lot about other dogs through their pee. It can often be referred to as PeeMail, dogs leaving messages for each other. They can determine the sex of the other dog and whether it is a female on heat or if male dogs have been de-sexed. They can also sense other dog’s health and stress levels and even thought to convey another dog’s social status. It would be interesting to know if they can tell if other dogs are large or not. Because I know many tiny dogs that see themselves as six foot tall with a big attitude.

You Can’t Fool Your Dog’s Nose

Dogs smell your fear. When we fear something or are feeling nervous our heart rate changes and we produce chemicals in our bodies that dogs can smell on our skin. So there is no point trying to pretend in front of our four legged friends because you won’t be fooling them. They also recognise your unique scent under all those products we use on ourselves such as perfume, deodorants and soap.

A Dog Nose How to Greet You

Dogs introduce themselves with their nose. How many times do you feel that wet nose when you meet a new dog? Dogs get to know each other and us through smell. Yes and smelling each others butts is completely normal. This is how they get to know each other and become friends.

Smelling Great or Stinky

Have you ever put on some perfume or deodorant for your dog to turn away or start sneezing. They don’t seem impressed with your smell do they?
Well that being said, have you ever had your dog roll around in delight in something that smells disgusting? I know my dogs have always managed to find that fresh patty of cow manure to roll around on and then to sit up and look so proud and happy. It’s like they are saying “Look at me I smell great!”

What we think smells great may not smell pleasant to dogs and visa versa.

I have found that my dogs love to lie in the garden that is filled with lavendar, wormwood and rosemary. These herbs have volatile oils that can rub off and help prevent fleas and other external parasites as well as making them smell nice!

So there you have it, I hope you know a little more about what your dog nose through this light hearted article.

Canine Winter Tips and Treats

8/6/2016

With days shorter and colder in the winter months we thought we would share some tips and treats on keeping your dog healthy, warm and fit over winter. Our furry friends rely on us for their health, comfort and joy.

Winter Dog Bedding Tips

Your dog’s bedding will depend on whether they are an inside dog or an outside dog.

Inside Bedding

Even though it may feel warm inside the floor can still be quite cold. Make sure bedding is off the floor and out of draft areas. Dogs are social animals and love to be part of the family and having their beds in a location where they can see you always provides them comfort knowing that you are there.

Outside Bedding

A dog house should be big enough for your dog to stand up and turn around. Any extra space just means extra area to heat. Make sure your dog house is in a good location so the wind does not enter the opening and gets some sun during the day to add some warmth. You can cover the doorway of the dog house with a flap of carpet to prevent the wind from coming in. You can also place a blanket over the dog house to provide some extra insulation in the winter months. A good insulated mattress and warm blankets within the dog house will ensure a nice warm comfortable sleep.

Extra Warmth

Extra warmth for your four legged friend can be provided through heat lamps, heaters, heat mats, heat packs and hot water bottles. It is important to make sure that any heating mats, packs or hot water bottles are placed under bedding so the heat radiates through. NEVER apply heat directly to your dog as it will burn the skin and cause discomfort.
If your dog sleeps in front of an open fire it is important to make sure the fire has a screen so your dog doesn’t accidentally get burnt from embers.

How About a Winter Jacket

There are so many warm and protective winter jackets on the market that can keep our pooches nice and cozy in the cold nights. Dogs with arthritic conditions, older dogs, short coated dogs and dogs that have been unwell feel the cold so much more and will benefit greatly in these months with the extra warmth.

Winter Diet

In the winter months our dogs can turn into couch potatoes and sleep a lot. They conserve energy whilst sleeping and exercise much less so you will need to adjust their diet accordingly otherwise they may start to put on weight!
Outdoor dogs will burn more calories (up to 30%) and will need extra food if you can’t bring them inside.
Water is just as important for Winter as it is Summer so make sure your dog has plenty of fresh water available at all times.
Adding some great winter herbs to their meal can help them through the cold months- Echinacea for the immune system, turmeric for mobility and it’s a warming herb as well, Rosehips for vitamin C. Consider adding these supplements to their meals to get through the cold days and nights. Remember to ALWAYS consult a vet or an animal naturopath before giving your dog herbs or supplements.

Winter Swim

The days are shorter in winter months. You may go to work in the dark and get home in the dark and are unable to exercise your dog like you can do in the warmer, longer months. Exercise is still very important as dogs need to burn off energy, stretch their muscles out, get mental stimulation all for their well-being. Why not bring them for a weekly swim at K9 Swim where the pool is indoors and heated and is a perfect workout. They will sleep well at night after a swim!
Arthritic dogs suffer more in the colder months. This is the time to keep them exercising so they don’t seize up. Swimming in a heated pool is a great exercise for arthritic dogs since it is a non-weight bearing activity. Keep arthritic dogs on regular and no stress to the joint exercise and stick to it, they will get through the colder months a lot easier.

Winter Treats

Warm Winter Food - Why not cook up a doggie casserole with lean meat , vegetables and some brown rice! A delicious nutritious winter warming meal for a cold day! Or you can add some warm water to their kibble , this will warm their tummies!

Winter Massage – Massage is wonderful for our dogs and especially in the winter months where muscles can get tight and sore as they are not moving around as much. Treat your dog to a massage whilst you are watching TV or listening to some nice music in a warm room. Not only is it nice for our dogs but it’s a wonderful bonding experience for owners and their beloved pets.
Not sure how to massage? Come along to Richmond TAFE’s next animal massage workshop on Friday 24th June, bring your dog and learn how to make your dog feel great!
Who doesn’t love to snuggle! Winter is a great excuse to curl up and snuggle with your four legged friend inside in the warmth away from the winter cold.

Keep safe, warm and well.
Sharon

Top 7 Tips To Keep Your Dog Happy This Christmas

4/12/2015

We are getting closer to the festive season where there will be lots of food, fun and festivities. You want to make sure your dog is happy and part of this. Not everything we do in the jolly season is safe for our canine friends. Here are our 7 top tips on how to keep your dog happy this Christmas.

1. Keep tinsel and decorations out of reach

These decorations are very tempting for dogs even if they are placed high on your tree. Make sure you keep an eye on your dog if they are anywhere near these because swallowing them can cause serious injury or even death.

2. Know which Christmas foods are bad for dogs

Christmas foods that we love can be toxic to your dog. Here are a few foods that you should NOT give your dog – chocolate, Christmas cake, grapes, raisins and nuts and NO ham bones as they are quite fatty and can lead to pancreatitis. Stick to treats that have been made for dogs as they love it and they are good for them. Love’em has some great treats and cookies created especially for dogs.

3. Secure your Christmas tree

A Christmas tree can easily be knocked down by your dog. Place your Christmas tree in a corner and secure the tree so it won’t be knocked causing your dog or anyone else injury.

4. Choose the perfect gift for your dog

The perfect gift for your dog is the practical gift. Why not buy your dog their own life jacket so you can be assured they are safe when they go swimming on holidays or in your own pool, K9 SWiM stock lots of healthy supplements and Hills Science Diet food so you can keep them healthy inside and out. We also stock fun water toys that are durable, colourful and floatable - the perfect gift for this summer.
Our Surf Dog robes are a must for this summer! Dries your dog quickly after their swim and also stops sand and water getting into your car!

5. Include your dog in celebrating Christmas and know when they need a rest

It is great to have your dog enjoying Christmas with family and friends but they also need space away from it all where they can rest and relax. Many dogs are afraid of fireworks and may panic or try to run away and injure themselves in the process so be sure they are safe and cannot get out. If your dog needs to be away from the celebrations make sure you spend some time walking and playing with them beforehand.

6. Organise a dog sitter

Friends, family and neighbours can be busy during the holiday season so organising a dog sitter will make sure your dog stays safe and happy while you are away.

7. Play with your dog

Your dog loves to spend time with you. It is not always the quantity but quality. Play their favourite game or take them to their favourite dog park to meet up with their friends. So play and be merry.

Dogs are part of the family so it is important that they feel safe and happy over the holiday season. We hope these tips help you keep your dog happy and safe over Christmas and keep their tail’s wagging!

How Old Is My Dog In Human Years?

30/9/2015

The chart below shows you your dog's age in human years. dogs age may vary according to its breed and size. Dogs age quicker than us humans.

So now you know how old your dog is in human years