Tuesday 30 November 2010

Santa Paws is coming... to town!!!

Amazing Christmas Deals from Scruff MacDuff





  • Spend £50+ and get £5 off
  • Spend £90+ and get £10 off
  • All ruffwear Interactive Dog toys, £2 off
  • Lupine 3/4 Adjustable Dog Collar save £1
  • Tuffy's Soft Toys get 10% off
  • Karlie's Doggy Brain Train Game, £3 off
  • Doggles Travel Bowls (Large Size Only), 2£ off

All items all orders, flat rate delivery, £1.50

visti ScruffMacDuff online : www.scruffmacduff.co.uk

Ruffwear Products on ScruffMacDuff - Sizing & Guidance






In order to download the appropriate guide: 
Right Click --> Save Link as.. or Save Target as..  
We now offer Video Guidance on most of our products. Have a look our Youtube Channel.
http://www.youtube.com/user/ScruffMacDuff

Tuesday 23 November 2010

Key considerations when choosing a dog








Male or Female, Puppy or Adult
This depends on many things.  Discuss your options with experienced dog owners, your prospective veterinary surgeon and breeders from whom you may consider purchasing a puppy (who will be informative but might be hugely biased!), and those involved with rescue organisations (who are normally grittily realistic).  These people will usually be happy to share their experiences and opinions with you, and should give you a good range of opinions to consider.
Size
Does your choice of dog, in relation to its size, suit your home, car, children and exercise plans, and suit friends or family that might look after it during the holidays?  Large dogs generally have a shorter life span, and cost more to feed, kennel, insure and medically treat than smaller ones.
Coat length and type
Do you mind spending hours grooming and cleaning your dog and your house, or do you want a low-maintenance breed?  Some dog breeds have a strong smell; others dribble a great deal!  Can you live with these things?
Health
There are no naturally unhealthy pedigree dog breeds – but there are breeds in which certain conditions tend to surface more. It will inevitably take time for these conditions to be eliminated but where there are known health problems, which can be tested for, the Kennel Club runs specific schemes aimed at the breeds concerned. Tests such as hip and elbow scoring enable potential owners to have a good idea about the future health of their puppy. Pedigree dogs also carry a breed standard which is an indication of their likely care needs.
Temperament
Some dogs are bred for looks, others for their working ability, and the result is that you get a whole range of temperaments in between.  Which one is right for you depends on many variables so get expert help on your intended pedigree dog breed and be very careful about where you buy your puppy.
Pedigree/Crossbreed
A pedigree dog is the offspring of two dogs of the same breed whose lineage is recorded with a recognised club. Pedigree dogs carry a breed standard which is a blueprint for their likely character and health needs.
In addition to pedigree dogs there are also crossbreeds to consider.  These dogs often display a mixture of their ancestors traits.  So it is important to take this into account.  If you know the mix of breeds this may help but otherwise find out what you can about the parents.
Buying two dogs together is a bad idea
Whereas it may be true that they will keep each other company, they will do so at the cost of your relationship with them.  The tendency is for them to bond with each other, rather than with you and your family.  Rearing two puppies successfully takes an enormous amount of work, as you have to rear them separately, and give them each individual quality time, space, exercise andtraining, so it is not for the faint hearted or busy dog owner.
Existing dogs
If you have an existing dog and would like to buy a companion for it, consider the fact that many dogs prefer being the only dog in the family, and resent sharing their space, humans, attention, toys and treats with other dogs.  If you do want another dog, a good age gap is about four or five years.  If you are not sure how your dog will feel about it, ‘borrow’ a friend’s dog for a few days to get a rough idea.




Thursday 18 November 2010

Pet Blood Bank: helping pets save lives

Pet Blood Bank UK help vets gives dogs lifesaving blood transfusions. Suitable dogs (and cats) can give blood to save the lives of other treasured pets. Just one donation has the potential to help up to four animals in need. Check out some of the canine heroes http://www.petbloodbankuk.org/vetprofessionals/casestudies.htm and their grateful doggy pals

At the minute, Pet Blood Bank can only transport blood given within a 2 hour drive of Loughborough in the English Midlands, but they’re trying to raise money for a mobile unit so dogs can donate blood all over the UK. In the meantime if you’re close to Loughborough, and you think your dog is calm and healthy enough to help, look here for upcoming blood drives in your area.

Monday 15 November 2010

ScruffMacDuff Sponsors Chance from DogsTrust


Here at Scruff MacDuff we love the work of the Dogs Trust. That’s why we’ve sponsored a new canine pal, Chance.

Chance was abandoned as a wee pup and it’s left him rather shy of people, so The Dogs Trust have given him loving home at their West Calder centre in Scotland. Naturally, taking good care of Chance requires time and money, so we decided to help out.

Chance is a collie cross with a big fluffy tail, and he loves ball games and the centre’s agility course. We’re currently picking out a present for him to introduce ourselves, and we’ll post a photo or video of him playing with it shortly.

If you’d like to know more about the work of the Dogs Trust, please click here.




Friday 12 November 2010

Doggles Dog Protective Eyewear



Doggles are the original dog protective eyewear and are the preferred choice among search and rescue, police, and military dogs. These dog goggles are dog protective eyewear that are comfortable and stylish. Doggles dog goggles are perfect for hunting and working dogs since these breeds can benefit dog eye safety. When Dog eye safety is need such as post-eye surgery, light sensitivity, or car trips Doggles eyewear is the perfect choice. The Snug-fitting Doggles will protect your dogs eyes from foreign objects, wind, and 100% of UV light.


Get yours now from Eye wear ScruffMacDuff.co.uk

Top 5 Hunting-dog Breeds


Not only are dogs man's best friend, they also make excellent hunting partners. The bes t breeds won't spray you in the face with a load of buckshot a la Dick Cheney, but they will track down a bevy of birds so skillfully that going home empty-handed seems impossible.
Dogs have been assisting humans in the hunt since ancient times, when the Egyptians used greyhounds to track down gazelles [source: Encyclopedia Britannica]. Since then, scores of dogs -- from the uniquely shaped dachshund to the graceful vizsla -- have been bred to sniff out prey.
A hunting dog's desirability depends a lot on how well it's been trained, the target prey, the type of terrain and whether you want your best bud to point to the target or simply bring it back to you. The five hunting dogs in this article consistently stand out from the pack.


Hunting Dog 5: English Springer Spaniel

Hunting Dog 4: Coonhound

Hunting Dog 3: English Setter

Hunting Dog 2: German Shorthaired Pointer

Hunting Dog 1: Labrador Retriever


Article by Jennifer Horton

Active Dog Products on ScruffMacDuff.co.uk

Tuesday 9 November 2010

How to Train Your Dog to Wear a Head Collar



The head collar is an effective tool to train your dog to stop pulling on the leash. There are several companies which make head collars, and though most of them are fitted in the same way, be sure to read the manufacturers instructions for fitting and use. Head collars take some getting used to, do not just place one on your dog and take him for a walk. His first impression will be lasting, so make it pleasant.

  1. Introduce the head collar to your dog slowly. Hold up the head collar by the top of the nose loop with one hand about 6 inches from your dog's nose. With the other hand, lure your dog's nose through the loop with a tasty dog treat. Repeat this three or four times, stop and put the head collar and treats away. Repeat this step several times at intervals spaced at least two hours apart.
  2. The next step is to place the head collar on the dog. Lure his nose through the loop as you did in step one. Now, buckle the straps that go around the dog's neck. Leave this portion of the collar loose for now. Once you buckle the collar, click and treat, pet and praise, or play with a toy for a few seconds. If your dog starts trying to remove the head collar, ask for a sit, give him some treats and have him focus on you for a few seconds. Remove the head collar. Repeat this step three to four times. Stop, and repeat several sets of this training session. Tighten the neck adjustment in small increments until it is fitted properly.
  3. When your dog is calmly wearing the properly fitted head collar, be sure to put it on him several times per day to create many opportunities for positive associations. He should wear his head collar at feeding time, while napping on the sofa watching television with you, while playing ball or going for a car ride. The head collar should be worn during activities your dog enjoys.
  4. When your dog is feeling happy when you place the collar on him, you may now attach his leash to the head collar and go for a walk. Try this in the backyard or house first. If he pulls, do NOT jerk on the leash. Stop walking. Wait until his leash goes slack again. This may take thirty seconds or so. If your dog continues to pull, slowly back up without jerking the leash, this will cause him to move toward you. The leash will go slack and you may resume walking with your dog. Try this for a few minutes at a time for several training sessions.
  5. Repeat Step 4 outside. Go for brief walks at first, gradually extending the distance you walk with your dog while he is on the head collar. Do not allow yourself to be dragged. Stop walking when the leash becomes taut. Do not jerk on the leash. Freeze. Then try backing up or moving in the opposite direction. Talk to your dog to keep him interested in you while walking.

    Read more: How to Train Your Dog to Wear a Head Collar | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2128175_train-dog-wear-head-collar.html#ixzz14nUpayRa
ScruffMacduff.co.uk Outdoor Dog Products

Wednesday 3 November 2010

Ear Aid , 2 part program

Gently cleans and deodorizes your dog’s ears.






bulletContains no pharmaceuticals or chemicals
bulletFor smelly, itchy, infected ears
bulletQuickly and easily clears away dirt & debris

Statistics show that ear infections are the number one reason why dog owners visit the vet. It often takes multiple visits to eliminate the problem which is not only frustrating (for both dog and owner) but it’s also very expensive.
The best way to prevent a dog’s ear infection is to start a regular home cleaning regimen. This not only helps to stop infections before they start but it also keeps the owner in tune with the condition of the dog’s ears.
To help dog owners combat ear infections happytails has created Ear Aid, a dual-action program that works to clean, deodorize, and protect a dog’s ears. It’s easy to use, all natural, highly effective and extremely affordable!
The program consists of two steps. The first is an external cleaning of the ears and the second is a serum that goes into the ear canal to heal delicate tissue and protect from bacteria.
Step One: Clean and Deodorize
Ear Wipes are a convenient way to clean your dog’s delicate ears. The pre-moistened pads contain colloidal silver, an all natural ingredient that suppresses bacteria, and witch hazel, which has been used for generations to safely cleanse and sanitize. Our botanical blend gets rid of dirt, wax and debris while reducing unpleasant odors.
Step Two: Heal and Protect
A few drops of this antibacterial/antimicrobial formula will break down wax buildup that can often be a breeding ground for infections. Ear Clear contains arnica and chaparral oils to decrease the pain and discomfort caused by swelling. It also contains organic comfrey and calendula which soothes, heals and protects. Add a touch of essential oil of lavender to remove unpleasant odors and you have a complete solution for ear health.
These statements have nor been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Happytails products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.



Buy This Product from ScruffMacDuff.co.uk
Happy Tails 2-Part Ear Aid for Only £24.50

Home Dog Training Tips (Video)